0:00:02 > 0:00:03Well, all the clues are here -
0:00:03 > 0:00:07the deckchairs, the pleasure parks, the beach, the pier -
0:00:07 > 0:00:09in fact, the longest pier in the world.
0:00:09 > 0:00:14Today Flog It has come to the nearest seaside resort outside of Central London.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16Welcome to Southend-on-Sea.
0:00:37 > 0:00:44Southend-on-Sea in Essex has to be one of England's most renowned seaside resorts.
0:00:44 > 0:00:45Wow, That looks a lot of fun!
0:00:45 > 0:00:48Although package holidays and international air travel
0:00:48 > 0:00:52has made a dent on visitor numbers, Southend still remains
0:00:52 > 0:00:57very popular with day-trippers wanting to escape hectic city life
0:00:57 > 0:00:59and, I tell you what, long may it continue!
0:01:04 > 0:01:08Inland from the Costa Del Southend is our very fine venue for today,
0:01:08 > 0:01:09Southend High School For Boys,
0:01:09 > 0:01:14and I've been joined by our experts, Thomas Plant and Will Axon.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16We have got a fantastic queue here today.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20Just look at that - it disappears right down the end of the car park! Well, it's now 9.30.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24It's time to get the doors open and get this massive class inside.
0:01:34 > 0:01:39As well as hunting for antiques from here, later in the programme I'll be out and about
0:01:39 > 0:01:44and I'll be meeting a lady who can give me an insight into a factory
0:01:44 > 0:01:47that not only produced some award-winning designs
0:01:47 > 0:01:50but also put Southend on the map.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54But right now everybody's safely seated at the blue tablecloths
0:01:54 > 0:01:58and it looks like Thomas has already spotted something.
0:01:58 > 0:01:59Let's take a closer look.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03- Ruth.- Hello there.- Thank you for coming to Flog It.- You're welcome.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07You have brought a fantastic album of autographs. How did you get them?
0:02:07 > 0:02:11Well, I was a film extra in the '70s and '80s and I collected signatures for my son.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14I've got some interesting names in there.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16- You have!- I have, yes. - I've got it open at a page
0:02:16 > 0:02:19- which is rather lovely.- Yes. - Christopher Reeve.- Yes.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22- And he's done a Superman! - He definitely has, yes.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26- I heard that he's actually a very nice man.- He was.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30I worked with him on two Superman films and he was a fantastic person. Really friendly.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34Then I just turn the page and there's Sean!
0:02:34 > 0:02:38- Yes.- What was he like?- He was lovely. - Yeah?- He was a really nice man.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41- A bit flirty but very lovely.- Was he? - Yes!
0:02:41 > 0:02:45Well, I worked with him on Outlands, a sort of outer-space type thing.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48He just knew everybody and he was very friendly as well.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50So, it's nice, really.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52- And for me especially...- Yeah.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56I've just put my eyeglass chain here so I can sort of turn it over...
0:02:56 > 0:02:58- Yes. - And talk about this one here.- Yes.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01"Follow the force, Mark Hamill." I think that's a rare signature.
0:03:01 > 0:03:08- Right, OK.- My understanding is Mark Hamill is not somebody who likes the limelight now.- Yes, yes.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11- He did three Star Wars films.- Yes. - And nothing else, really.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15- There must have been a few roles for him.- Yes.- Where did you meet him?
0:03:15 > 0:03:22I worked on Return Of The Jedi, which was one of the Star Wars, in 1985 or something like that,
0:03:22 > 0:03:24and he was also very friendly.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26- Was he?- He was lovely to work with and I just went up,
0:03:26 > 0:03:31"Can I have your autograph?" And he obliged and put "Follow the force", which I thought was great.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33- That's great, isn't it!- Yeah.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35You've got plenty of other signatures.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39- Oh, yes, yes.- Burt Reynolds I've seen in there.- Burt Reynolds, yes.
0:03:39 > 0:03:44- Was he a big man, big bear? - Lovely, just lovely.- Really? - Yeah, really nice man.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46You must have had such a good time!
0:03:46 > 0:03:50I did. It was a wonderful time and I did collect some great names.
0:03:50 > 0:03:51You did. Why are you selling it?
0:03:51 > 0:03:54- Well, I used to collect them for my son.- Yeah.
0:03:54 > 0:04:00He doesn't really want it, so it's a shame and I think somebody who would appreciate those names and signatures
0:04:00 > 0:04:02could maybe keep it in their collection.
0:04:02 > 0:04:08- What the auctioneers have to do, they'll go through it...- Yes. - And list of who's in there.- Right.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10They are not worth huge amounts
0:04:10 > 0:04:15- but somebody like Mark Hamill will probably be worth £30-£40.- Yes, yes.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19- Sean Connery, 20-30.- Yes. - Christopher Reeve, 40-60.- Yes.
0:04:19 > 0:04:20- We're already at £80.- Yes.
0:04:20 > 0:04:25- All the others on there, I think we've got some quite good signatures here.- Good.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28Now, I think it could make £120-£180.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30Oh, that would be wonderful.
0:04:30 > 0:04:36- I'd like to fix the reserve at 80 and we've got a good chance of making some money there.- Good.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38- OK.- Will you be at the auction? - I will.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46Victoria, hi. I love this piece that you've brought in today.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48It's right up my street -
0:04:48 > 0:04:51just the sort of piece I would go for at an auction. Now, tell me,
0:04:51 > 0:04:55is this something you've inherited or you've bought yourself?
0:04:55 > 0:04:57It's my mum's and it's come down from her family.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01OK. And is she passing it on to you or are you selling it on her behalf?
0:05:01 > 0:05:04- I'm taking the money!- Are you? - I've been told I can.- Very nice!
0:05:04 > 0:05:08- Well, it's a lovely thing. Any idea what we call this type of bowl?- Old?
0:05:08 > 0:05:13- An old bowl, I like it. - I'm getting good! - You could get a job cataloguing!
0:05:13 > 0:05:16An old bowl. Well, it's an old piece of English Delft
0:05:16 > 0:05:18dating from the 18th century,
0:05:18 > 0:05:21probably sort of circa 1770, 1780, something like that
0:05:21 > 0:05:24and really it's a nice genuine piece.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28Now, Delftware is an earthenware pottery, so it's not porcelain,
0:05:28 > 0:05:32it's an earthenware body covered in this tin glaze to try and make it look like porcelain.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37Now, it's a lot cheaper and a lot easier to produce than porcelain
0:05:37 > 0:05:39and because of that, it found a ready market.
0:05:39 > 0:05:45- From the colours used in this piece, as well as the smooth glaze...- Yeah. - I can decipher that it is English.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49- OK.- Rather than being Dutch. The Dutch had a much thicker glaze
0:05:49 > 0:05:52and it was a little bit pitted, the glaze itself,
0:05:52 > 0:05:56and this bluish glaze is more English rather than Dutch.
0:05:56 > 0:06:01The decoration itself you might say isn't English at all, it's a sort of chinoiserie decoration.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05Now, the Chinese blue and white that was being exported from China,
0:06:05 > 0:06:06very popular at the time,
0:06:06 > 0:06:10and actually when the imperial kilns in China were out of order,
0:06:10 > 0:06:13because of internal fighting,
0:06:13 > 0:06:15the Dutch jumped on the opportunity of producing
0:06:15 > 0:06:18chinoiserie-decorated Delftwares
0:06:18 > 0:06:21to replace the porcelain that wasn't coming out of China.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25So I've told you what I know, have you any idea what it might be worth?
0:06:25 > 0:06:27Does your mum...?
0:06:27 > 0:06:33- Has your mum told you to come down, don't accept anything less than X? - No. It's up to me.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35OK, well, I've had a close look at it for damage.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38I do notice here, if I give it a little ring,
0:06:38 > 0:06:42you can hear that it doesn't actually ring true, does it?
0:06:42 > 0:06:46It's got a hairline crack running into the body. That will affect it.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50It won't make as much as one in perfect condition but, even so,
0:06:50 > 0:06:53a nice piece like that, I think it's worth between 100 and 200.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56100-200, something like that, I think.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00If it had been in perfect condition you could double that, or more.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03- How do you feel?- That's really good. - Is that OK?- Fine.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07Let's reserve it at £100, with discretion for the auctioneer,
0:07:07 > 0:07:09and what will the money go towards?
0:07:09 > 0:07:12Medical textbooks, as I'm a medical student, so...
0:07:12 > 0:07:15- OK, you've got a lot of study ahead! - Yeah, a lot of study!
0:07:15 > 0:07:19See you on the day and hopefully raise some money toward your medical library.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21- Thank you very much. - Thanks, Victoria.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29Tony and Linda, great to see you,
0:07:29 > 0:07:32and thank you so much for bringing in a maritime connection
0:07:32 > 0:07:36- because we are in Southend.- Yeah. What can you tell me about this?
0:07:36 > 0:07:40- It was my uncle's. He was given it by Henry Scott, a friend.- Really?
0:07:40 > 0:07:42What did your uncle do for a living?
0:07:42 > 0:07:48- He was a boat builder.- Say no more. - Yeah.- Say no more!
0:07:48 > 0:07:52- So that's obviously how he met Henry Scott.- Through boats, yeah.
0:07:52 > 0:07:57He gave it to him as a gift and we didn't really know anything about it until he died this year.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01My mum knew about it. When she lived at home he gave it to her.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03Why do you think Mum wants to sell this?
0:08:03 > 0:08:05I don't think it's something she'd like to have on the wall,
0:08:05 > 0:08:07even though she likes boats,
0:08:07 > 0:08:14she's got some nice pictures and she'd rather buy something nice to remember her brother by, so...
0:08:14 > 0:08:20When you talk about art, there are only a very few marine painters that can capture what Henry Scott can do.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24He has a great maritime knowledge and I think he spent months on board
0:08:24 > 0:08:26these wonderful great big tea clippers.
0:08:26 > 0:08:31- He's got to understand the mechanics and how these vessels move through the water.- Yeah.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35I think something's going on here. He started, it's quite loose,
0:08:35 > 0:08:40and that's too impressionistic for him, so that leads me to believe this is a study.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43- This is done quite hurriedly, on canvas card...- Yeah.
0:08:43 > 0:08:50Put together and eventually, back in the studio, he would use this to paint something that size.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54- Yeah.- But at least it's signed, which is great.- Yeah.
0:08:54 > 0:08:59- The movement, can you see that swell?- Yeah, it's lovely, yeah. - And can the wash off the hull?
0:08:59 > 0:09:03- Yeah.- Can you see that? Yeah. The water sliding back down.- Yeah.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07- Yeah.- For me, it's just alive. It's just moving.- Yeah.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10It's rolling the waves and that's very hard to do.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13- Have you any idea of value? - No, really.
0:09:13 > 0:09:18I've looked on the art price guides and something about four times the size of that is fetching around
0:09:18 > 0:09:21- £3,000-£4,000.- Right.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24So let's put it into auction with a valuation of £900-£1,200.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27- Right.- And I'm pretty sure we'll find somewhere in the middle.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30- Yeah. OK.- Or the top end.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34- Yeah, that's fine.- We'll put it in with a fixed reserve at £900. - Yeah.- Not a penny less.- Right.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- OK.- And see what happens!
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Lovely. That way it's tucked in the £1,000 mark.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49Ellen, this is a rather attractive brooch you've brought in
0:09:49 > 0:09:52- but is this something that you would wear?- No, no.
0:09:52 > 0:09:57I bought it to put in a little frame so that I could have it on the wall.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00- That's what I intended to do. - Yes...- That's over a year ago!
0:10:00 > 0:10:02- And you haven't got round to it?- No.
0:10:02 > 0:10:07- I've got plenty of jobs like that. You think, I know what...- Yeah, do it later. Yeah.- Do it later.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10So you've bought it from a shop, or at a fair?
0:10:10 > 0:10:14- I bought on an auction in... on the internet.- Oh, on an auction site on the internet?
0:10:14 > 0:10:17I see. So you would have hung her on the wall?
0:10:17 > 0:10:22- Yeah.- That's an interesting point because where she's from, which I suspect is Germany...- Right.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26I think she's a German porcelain brooch, Berlin.
0:10:26 > 0:10:31- Yeah.- A well-known factory in Germany was renowned for making these porcelain plaques.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- Oh.- And they were really instrumental in being a factory
0:10:34 > 0:10:38- that treated porcelain as a surface to be painted.- Oh.
0:10:38 > 0:10:43- Like a picture.- Yeah.- Now the zenith of their production of plaques
0:10:43 > 0:10:47- was around the early 19th century - 1830, 1840.- Oh, right.
0:10:47 > 0:10:52Later in the 19th century, the subject matter became a little less formal, shall we say.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56You started getting more scantily-clad maidens, as you have here,
0:10:56 > 0:11:00sort of topless young ladies who would really be there, I suspect,
0:11:00 > 0:11:05- hanging in the gentleman's study or...- Yeah.- Rather than sort of... - Nicer to look at!
0:11:05 > 0:11:07Well, nicer to look at, exactly.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11They do say that if you've got young naked ladies, they're commercial.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15- Yeah.- And they sell. And she has been mounted in this brooch frame.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19- Yeah.- Now, I had a quick look and it couldn't see any hallmarks on that.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23- No.- Have you had a look?- Yeah, I have, but I can't see no marks on it.
0:11:23 > 0:11:28- Oh, no.- No.- And when you bought it, do you remember if it was listed as in a gold frame or...?
0:11:28 > 0:11:32- It said rolled gold.- OK. - No, not rolled gold, um... - Rose gold.- Rose gold, yeah.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- Yeah.- Looking at the colour and the quality of the actual painting,
0:11:36 > 0:11:39I'm pretty happy that that's going to be a gold frame.
0:11:39 > 0:11:45- Now, I've given you my opinion of what it is, where it's from and what it dates from.- Yeah.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49I've got a question to ask you about it now - what did you pay for it?
0:11:49 > 0:11:53- I can remember it as about 150. - OK.- Somewhere round about that.
0:11:53 > 0:11:58- £150.- Yeah.- Ideally, if I could have come in without knowing that and given you a value,
0:11:58 > 0:12:01- I would have said around £100.- Oh, right.- 120-150?
0:12:01 > 0:12:06- Yeah, that's OK. - With the reserve at 120?- Yeah.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09- And then at least we've got that 150 in the picture, as it were.- Yeah.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11What will you buy with the money from this?
0:12:11 > 0:12:15- I do collect Royal Doulton little dog figurines.- Yeah, good.
0:12:15 > 0:12:20So, Ellen, we'll get the money and put it towards your collection of an eclectic mix, it seems.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24Various whatever-you-fancies! That's the good way to collect.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27120-150, 120 fixed reserve and I'm pretty confident that
0:12:27 > 0:12:31- there will be gentlemen in the crowd on the day.- Hopefully, yeah.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- Yes. Good.- OK, thank you. Well done.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38With Ellen's pretty brooch on board, we're ready for our first trip to the auction,
0:12:38 > 0:12:42so it's time for a run down of what we collected to tempt the bidders.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46Firstly, Thomas was seeing stars before his eyes
0:12:46 > 0:12:48on the pages of Ruth's autograph book.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52- I've got it open at a page which is, you know, rather lovely.- Yes.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54- It's Christopher Reeve.- Yes.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57- And he's done a Superman there! - He definitely has, yes.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01Will this super little collection fly at auction?
0:13:01 > 0:13:05And Will's enthusiasm for this English Delftware bowl was just the tonic for Victoria
0:13:05 > 0:13:10and she needs to raise funds to put towards her medical career.
0:13:10 > 0:13:15The maritime painting by Henry Scott has the best provenance,
0:13:15 > 0:13:18as it was given to Tony's uncle by the artist himself.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21It now belongs to his mum.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25I think she'd just rather have the money and buy something nice to remember her brother by.
0:13:25 > 0:13:30I dived in with a £900-£1,200 estimate.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34And, finally, Ellen's painted porcelain German brooch.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38Will thinks the glamorous lady should catch the eye of a bidder
0:13:38 > 0:13:42and valued it at £120-£150.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50Well, here we are at today's saleroom - Stacey's Auctioneers And Valuers in Rochford.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53Let's get inside and catch up with the action.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55But before the sale gets underway,
0:13:55 > 0:13:59I want to get some local knowledge about one of Will's valuations.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Right, now it's time for our auctioneer's chat and this is a first
0:14:04 > 0:14:08because today we have two auctioneers and they're brothers -
0:14:08 > 0:14:10Mark and Paul Stacey.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13- So no quibbling and no fighting! - We'll try not to.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17OK, let's start with this lovely 18th-century bowl.
0:14:17 > 0:14:22She's putting all the money towards medical books for her university course,
0:14:22 > 0:14:27- so you know how much students need the money nowadays. - I don't think it's a problem.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31Great condition. Often with Delftware of this particular period,
0:14:31 > 0:14:34mid 18th century, it's in much worse condition
0:14:34 > 0:14:38and there's a lot more damage but the condition on this is very, very good
0:14:38 > 0:14:40and the colours are very bright.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42I personally feel it'll exceed estimate.
0:14:42 > 0:14:47- OK, what by?- I'm going to say exceed estimate by £100.- Brilliant!- £100.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- That's what we want to hear. - Lovely thing.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53I've seen people looking at it - no problem.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56Yeah. Collectors are really fussy, watch this space.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00That's great news. The bowl will be sold shortly
0:15:00 > 0:15:04but first it's time to BROACH the subject of Ellen's internet purchase.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06Fingers crossed, good luck.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09I've just been joined by Ellen and we're selling the brooch.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11It's a wonderful little thing, isn't it?
0:15:11 > 0:15:14- Yeah.- Now, you bought this for £150 not long ago.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17We've got to try and get you your money back, haven't we?
0:15:17 > 0:15:21- At least.- At least! That's putting pressure on our expert.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23Why have you decided to sell it straight away?
0:15:23 > 0:15:27I wanted to frame it but it was going to cost me too much to frame it.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30OK. I think this is going to go.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32Well, I'm glad with a vote of confidence there.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35We had a discussion about the reserve.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38You were looking for 150, I said 100. We met in the middle, 120.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42You know, little rose-gold frame, German porcelain brooch,
0:15:42 > 0:15:44hand painted. A lot of work gone into that.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48Yeah. And what you're buying is a work of art, let's face it.
0:15:48 > 0:15:53That's what you're investing in and I'm pretty sure someone will do that right here, right now.
0:15:53 > 0:15:5519th-century German porcelain brooch.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57Nice Art Nouveau maiden there. £100 to start.
0:15:57 > 0:16:03Straight in for this lot? £100 in? £100? 80, let's get going. £80.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06At 85. 90. 95. 100. 110.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10Sometimes people bide their time before they bid.
0:16:10 > 0:16:15At £120 now, back of the room. Are we all done? I'm selling at £120.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17Last time, then. 120.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20- Just got it away. That's good news. - Yeah.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22- We got it away. - Yeah, that's all right.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24- Happy?- That's OK, yeah.- Good.- Yeah.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26A learning experience. To you it was worth 150,
0:16:26 > 0:16:32- in the room here today it was worth 120 to someone - swings and roundabouts.- Yeah.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36- But we all know being a dealer's not easy.- It's a chance you take.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38You don't always make a profit.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44I'm looking forward to this lot.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47I've been joined by Ruth and we've got that book of autographs.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51- There's some great names.- Yes. - And we've got £120-£180.
0:16:51 > 0:16:56- Yes, we have, yeah.- Why are you selling? It's been stuck in a drawer for about 11 years,
0:16:56 > 0:16:59since I've moved, and I haven't even looked at it, so...
0:16:59 > 0:17:02That's the good thing about moving, isn't it?
0:17:02 > 0:17:06- You do come across things. You think, oh, I'd forgotten it. - Yes, lots of memories...- Yeah.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09They're in the book but they're up here as well.
0:17:09 > 0:17:15- OK. Which is the favourite? - I think probably Sean Connery. - Oh, very suave, very sexy man.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18- Good value for money this, Thomas. - Really good value.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20- You've got some wonderful signatures.- Yes.
0:17:20 > 0:17:25You know, it's kind of like an end of an era really, for you, isn't it? All these memories?
0:17:25 > 0:17:28It is but they're all up here still, so...
0:17:28 > 0:17:33- That's the main thing. You treasure those.- Yes, exactly. - You can't sell those.- No.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36The autograph album, as catalogued, plenty of autographs there.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38A little bit of interest, commission bids,
0:17:38 > 0:17:42I'm clearing the book at £100. The bid's here. Commission is at £100.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46Are we all done here with me at 100? 110. 120. 130.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49- That's good.- 150. 160.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53- Oh, that's very good.- 170 beats me. - Yes!- In the room at £170.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57Against you on the phone at 170. Are we all done then at £170?
0:17:57 > 0:18:00Last time, hammer up and down at £170.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03Well, done, auctioneer. Yes, 170!
0:18:03 > 0:18:05Good valuation. I'm very happy.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08- I've spent half of it already today! - Have you? On what?
0:18:08 > 0:18:11- What, today? - I've bought a lovely locket.- Today?
0:18:11 > 0:18:15- Yes.- That's what we like to see, putting money back in the trade!
0:18:15 > 0:18:19- Go and visit the antique shops and the fairs.- Yes, exactly.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23- OK?- Thank you.- Thank you so much. - I'm really pleased.- Thank you.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32Right, my turn to be the expert and I fell in love with this little oil on board.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35It's by Henry Scott, a great maritime artist.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38It's got everything going for it. Value £900-£1,200
0:18:38 > 0:18:40and it belongs to Tony and Linda,
0:18:40 > 0:18:43but unfortunately Tony can't be here today
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- but Linda you are and, of course... - Tony's mum!- Tony's mum!
0:18:46 > 0:18:48There, introduced herself!
0:18:48 > 0:18:51- Well, it's yours really.- Yes. - Let's face it.- Yes, yes.
0:18:51 > 0:18:56Really I'd liked to have got this in at around about £700, just to get the ball rolling.
0:18:56 > 0:19:01- Oh, I see.- You know, to generate the bidding frenzy that you get in an auction room.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05- 800.- You know what I'm talking about. No, we can't reduce it any more.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07It's too late now!
0:19:07 > 0:19:09- Oh, is it?- Yeah.
0:19:09 > 0:19:14But fingers crossed, OK? He's a recognised artist and you know his works sell for thousands.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17- Oh, yes, yes.- The big canvases, don't they?- That's right.
0:19:17 > 0:19:22Clipper Homeward Bound signed by Henry Scott. Nice picture, there.
0:19:22 > 0:19:27£700 to start straight in. £700. £700 I'm bid, thank you. 720.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30740. 760. 780.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33800. At £800 now.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Are we all done at £800? Last time then at 800.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40- Didn't sell. - Never mind. I shall take it home.
0:19:40 > 0:19:41You take it home and enjoy it.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45- Yeah.- Put it back on that wall. - That's right.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Victoria, it's great to see you again.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54Going now, something for the purist.
0:19:54 > 0:19:59It's 18th century, it's a Delft bowl and we've got £100-£200 on this and it's in perfect condition.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03I had a chat to the auctioneer. You know what he said, he loved it.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07- It could fly through the roof. The collectors will want this.- OK.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10And you're selling this because all the money is going to...?
0:20:10 > 0:20:13- Medical textbooks. - Medical textbooks, OK.
0:20:13 > 0:20:18I agree with the valuation. This is almost mint condition. And the colours are so vibrant!
0:20:18 > 0:20:24Lovely colours, typical London Delft, so to find a piece in good condition is really nice, you know?
0:20:24 > 0:20:27Small dinky size, you know, not too big. A nice piece.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31- I'd have it.- I would as well. It's too late and you can't bid!- No.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34It's going under the hammer now. This is it.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38London Delftware bowl as catalogued. Interesting lot. Lots of interest.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42To clear the book, I must start the bidding at £180.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44- 180.- It's here with me, against you all.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46- Come on.- 190. 200. 210. 220.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49- We're in the room.- 230. 240. 250.
0:20:49 > 0:20:54- 260. 270.- It's a nice lot this.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57290. 300. At £300 now. Still on the book.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00Are we all done at £300?
0:21:01 > 0:21:05Yes! £300. Well done. Well done, Will, and well done, you.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09Thank you for bringing that in. What a good result, wasn't it?
0:21:09 > 0:21:10- Happy?- Yeah.
0:21:11 > 0:21:16We'll be back later to throw some more antiques under the hammer. This could fly through the roof.
0:21:16 > 0:21:17- No! Really?- Shush!
0:21:19 > 0:21:22- I think that's a great celebration, don't you?- Yes.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26- Yes, fantastic! Well done, Thomas. - Thank you. You've got to be pleased.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28Excellent. Really pleased. Thank you.
0:21:30 > 0:21:35But now time for the story of a 20th-century collectable that was once made here in Southend.
0:21:38 > 0:21:45In 1922, Mr EK Cole started a small business making wireless sets, but by the 1950s his
0:21:45 > 0:21:50range of EKCO branded products made right here in Southend multiplied.
0:21:55 > 0:22:00The company became one of the largest of its kind in the UK, and the town's biggest employer.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03EKCO had become a household name.
0:22:03 > 0:22:08Sadly, a takeover in the early 70s meant the original factory was
0:22:08 > 0:22:16forced to close its doors, but I can still explore Southend's industrial heritage here at the Central Museum,
0:22:16 > 0:22:21where many of EKCO's now iconic pieces and memorabilia have been brought together.
0:22:21 > 0:22:27In the 1930s, the EKCO factory used high speed presses to produce these cabinets for their early radios,
0:22:27 > 0:22:30and they're made of Bakelite, one of the first plastics.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34During World War II, the government enlisted factory expertise
0:22:34 > 0:22:39to produce military items, including dummy bombs and radar equipment.
0:22:39 > 0:22:44After the war, Bakelite was replaced with new plastics, and mass-produced
0:22:44 > 0:22:48domestic items and injection-moulded industrial parts for other companies
0:22:48 > 0:22:50were flying off the production line
0:22:50 > 0:22:53and popping up in almost every home in the UK.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58The 1950s saw rationing coming to an end
0:22:58 > 0:23:02and Britain was entering a period of increased affluence and freedom.
0:23:02 > 0:23:07The American way of life heavily influenced British buying habits.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10People now expected to have items once considered a luxury.
0:23:10 > 0:23:17EKCO's products poured off the production line to supply this new demand.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21By the mid 1950s, the company introduced its Gold Seal domestic wares.
0:23:21 > 0:23:26Design was key and these innovative ideas were starting to win awards.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29The company was having success after success.
0:23:29 > 0:23:36In 1966, chief designer David Harman Powell came up with the novel stackable dinner service
0:23:36 > 0:23:42and a few years later this award winning design, known as Novaware, was flying off the production line.
0:23:43 > 0:23:49To work at a factory at the forefront of contemporary design must have been pretty exciting,
0:23:49 > 0:23:51but what made working at EKCO very special
0:23:51 > 0:23:56was the strong sense of community amongst the Southend employees.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59They still meet at the EKCO Social Club,
0:23:59 > 0:24:04and proud member Minnie is keen to tell me all about factory life.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06- Take a seat and let's have a chat. - Thank you very much.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08That's better, isn't it?
0:24:08 > 0:24:11Yeah, much better, yes. Yeah, I have got a lot of memories.
0:24:11 > 0:24:16I bet you have, and I want to ask you about your first day at work, when was it and how old were you?
0:24:16 > 0:24:23- It was in 1934 and I was 14 years of age, and I was only three foot six in height when I left school.- Were you?
0:24:23 > 0:24:28So, they had to make me a little thing so that I could reach some of the benches. I didn't get over that.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30You were tiny, weren't you? Yes.
0:24:30 > 0:24:38And I was a bit nervous, but we were doing components for radios and I worked my way up to supervisor and
0:24:38 > 0:24:41then during the war years I went into plastics and
0:24:41 > 0:24:45was working on the biggest machine they had there called Big Bertha.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47What was the atmosphere like during the war years?
0:24:47 > 0:24:52Oh, we were all happy and we worked together and we enjoyed our life and made the most of it.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55- You had to. - And was it a hard day's work? What time did you start?
0:24:55 > 0:25:02- It was. We used to have shift work during the war years, two to ten, six to two and all night.- Really?
0:25:02 > 0:25:04Sometimes 12 hours at weekends.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07Did you meet Mr EK Cole? What was he like as a boss?
0:25:07 > 0:25:13Yes, I did. He was a very nice man and I met him mainly in the '50s more than what I did before.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15He was a good governor. Very good.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19He did a lot of work and he didn't take a lot of credit for what he did.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22So, how important for Southend was EKCO?
0:25:22 > 0:25:26Very important to Southend because if it wasn't for Mr Cole a lot of
0:25:26 > 0:25:33people would have had to go elsewhere to look for work and there was one time we got up to 8,000 people.
0:25:33 > 0:25:38- It's a lot, isn't it? - So, it was a lot of people. He did Southend proud. He really was.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41What did your colleagues think of the products you were making?
0:25:41 > 0:25:46- We thought they were very good. We had a staff shop to buy any of the items...- A little bit cheaper.
0:25:46 > 0:25:54A bit cheaper than what you'd in the shops and we were able to buy blueprints and make your own things.
0:25:54 > 0:26:00Well, I bought a blueprint of a television and made my own television and it lasted me for 15 years.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02- Does it bring back memories seeing this?- It does.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06I was really, really sad when they pulled the building down because that
0:26:06 > 0:26:10would have made a lovely museum, that building that they pulled down.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12- A solid marble staircase.- Wow.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16- It was wonderful. - How long did you work there for?
0:26:16 > 0:26:21Well, I worked there until 1966, but I broke service in between because I got...
0:26:21 > 0:26:23So, most of your working life.
0:26:23 > 0:26:29Yes. I was nearly all my life to work there and I was very happy and I enjoyed every minute of it.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32- I wish I could do it today. - I bet you do! Do you miss it, then?
0:26:32 > 0:26:36- I do, very much.- But it wasn't always all about work, was it? There was a good social club.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38There was a very good social club.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42We used to have tuppence docked out of our wages to be in the club, like,
0:26:42 > 0:26:46and then it was in the canteen, because we never had a proper
0:26:46 > 0:26:54clubhouse until Mr Cole presented us with one, July 16, 1951 in the factory at Christmas time.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57I put a cardigan over my legs cos I didn't want to show my knickers,
0:26:57 > 0:27:00- and did cartwheels and splits all up and moving about.- Did you?- Yes.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03- Did you get a round of applause? - Oh, yeah, definitely.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05You'd remember that well! Yes.
0:27:05 > 0:27:10And now I go down practically every evening, sometimes I have Saturdays off because I like
0:27:10 > 0:27:15to watch the telly Saturday, and I do... I call the bingo for them.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17You call bingo, do you?
0:27:17 > 0:27:20I book the DJs for Thursday and Saturday, ballroom dancing.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23- Monday nights we have jazz. - And all this at the age of 88!
0:27:23 > 0:27:27- Yes.- You're a great example to all of us. You're a good role model to how we should be.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31- It's been lovely meeting you. - Lovely meeting you, too.
0:27:31 > 0:27:38The unique company that Mr EK Cole created may have sadly closed its doors, but as well as leaving its
0:27:38 > 0:27:41mark on the design world, it's also clearly earned a special
0:27:41 > 0:27:46place in the hearts and minds of many people in Southend.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53Time to rejoin the action back at Southend High School For Boys.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56Patricia has got a lot on her plate and she's brought her daughter
0:27:56 > 0:28:01Kim along to see what Thomas thinks of it.
0:28:01 > 0:28:05Pat, Kim, thank you very much for coming in, and tell me about this plate.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09- Where did it come from? - I've had it since 19...
0:28:09 > 0:28:14About the '60s, 1960, and we had moved into a new council flat.
0:28:14 > 0:28:19My mother-in-law came and saw all the lovely white walls, because we
0:28:19 > 0:28:22- hadn't decorated, and she said, I've got a lovely plate for you.- Really?
0:28:22 > 0:28:28- And she bought it and we banged it up and put it on the wall. - Why did you bring it today?
0:28:28 > 0:28:32Well, I do like to watch Flog It and the Antiques Roadshow,
0:28:32 > 0:28:34not that I've got any, but I'm interested.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36But you've brought this!
0:28:36 > 0:28:38Oh, yeah,
0:28:38 > 0:28:40but that was an odd thing.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44But when we knew Flog It was on today and I said,
0:28:44 > 0:28:47- "Shall we take that plate?" - And exciting it is to see.
0:28:47 > 0:28:53We just must clarify, it's a Worcester plate and this decoration is called pate-sur-pate,
0:28:53 > 0:28:55- French for...- I've not heard of it.
0:28:55 > 0:28:56Layer on layer.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00Wet clay is called slip and they painted it on there,
0:29:00 > 0:29:05layer and layer and layer, it's been glazed in white, so it feels raised.
0:29:05 > 0:29:10- Oh, right. I hadn't noticed that. - Yeah, along there, how raised it is against the dark blue.
0:29:10 > 0:29:15We know it's Worcester and we know the artist is TJ Bott
0:29:15 > 0:29:19- and it's dated 1882, it looks like.- Right.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21Very attractive. Do you remember it, Kim?
0:29:21 > 0:29:25I remember the plate on the wall when we were small and then when
0:29:25 > 0:29:29my mum and dad moved we had it on the wall where they came down here.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31Have you told me you've done some work on the artist?
0:29:31 > 0:29:38- Well, I did look up TJ Bott and it did find out that he died at a young age, I think it was 41...- Yeah.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42- Of the arsenic poisoning from licking the paint brushes. - Yeah, absolutely.
0:29:42 > 0:29:46And that's when I said, oh, it might be worth something because of
0:29:46 > 0:29:51what happened to the artist, and it did say on the internet that he was a favourite of Queen Victoria's.
0:29:51 > 0:29:52Right, yeah, absolutely.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55- And do you have an idea of value? - No.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57No. And it was that that
0:29:57 > 0:30:02livened us up, wasn't it? And we said, well, if that's the case it must be worth something.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05- Oh, yeah.- More than boot sale price.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07- Oh, God, yeah.- We don't know.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11- If I said £200 what would you say?- That's good.- That's good.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14- If I said £300, what would you say? - Better.- Yeah. Four?
0:30:14 > 0:30:16- Better still.- Five?
0:30:16 > 0:30:20- No.- Yeah. I reckon I can put this in at £600 at £800.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24- Never!- Oh! Whoo!
0:30:24 > 0:30:29- You like that?- I love it. - Yeah, well, you know, it...- Really?
0:30:29 > 0:30:32- There are records of his work selling very, very well.- Oh!
0:30:32 > 0:30:36There is a little bit of damage, that's why I haven't gone really, really high.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38Where is the damage, then?
0:30:38 > 0:30:40Well, a bit of scratching just here.
0:30:40 > 0:30:46I think we should put a reserve on it. I think we should fix it at £450 to give the auctioneer a big
0:30:46 > 0:30:50bit of discretion, but estimate it at 600 to 800.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52You've got a good chance of it doing well.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55Well, if you're saying 600 to 800...
0:30:55 > 0:30:58- Yeah, and I think...- Can we put a reserve for the straight 500, then?
0:30:58 > 0:31:01I mean, if you offer it at 500 with discretion and...
0:31:01 > 0:31:04- That's fine, because it's more than we thought.- Yeah.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08- Unbelievable.- Yeah, it's a nice thing and it's got an extremely good
0:31:08 > 0:31:12- chance of maybe achieving the upper end.- Well done.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14- Right, lovely.- Thank you very much.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17- You'll come along to the auction? - Oh, yes.- Both of you?- Yes.
0:31:17 > 0:31:18- Very good.- Yes.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25- Valerie.- Right, hello.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29Thank you for coming today and for bringing in this rather good-looking bronze.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32- He is nice.- He is. What can you tell me about this one?
0:31:32 > 0:31:33How have you come by it?
0:31:33 > 0:31:40- My son bought it for me at least 20 years ago, because Mum liked pussycats.- A very nice present.
0:31:40 > 0:31:46Obviously you know that the bronze itself is signed Barye, who was Antoine-Louis Barye, a very famous
0:31:46 > 0:31:53French sculptor who specialised in these and the animalier bronzes, mainly actually of big cats.
0:31:53 > 0:32:00- That's right.- Because he's got this real sort of skill of capturing the sinewy muscles and the rippling
0:32:00 > 0:32:03effect of this animal as they should be in life.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05Antoine-Louis Barye was renowned for
0:32:05 > 0:32:08not letting bronzes go because he wasn't 100% happy with the detail
0:32:08 > 0:32:14perhaps, how crisp they were and, in fact, he got into so much trouble because of this he actually had to
0:32:14 > 0:32:18declare himself bankrupt because he wasn't selling any bronzes, he was such a perfectionist.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21- Too fussy.- He was very fussy.
0:32:21 > 0:32:27So, to pay for the bankruptcy, the Barye moulds were actually sold on, which is why he lost a bit
0:32:27 > 0:32:32of control about what happened to the actual moulds themselves and what was cast of them.
0:32:32 > 0:32:36If you have a bronze you can take a mould of the bronze and then cast more.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39So, it's very difficult with bronzes, it's really down to various
0:32:39 > 0:32:43factors such as the crispness of the piece, because you can
0:32:43 > 0:32:48really see the difference between a well worked bronze and one that has just been taken from a flat cast.
0:32:48 > 0:32:53So I'll just point out to you, Valerie, the various areas that sort of raise a bit of doubt in my mind.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55If I pick him up and we have a look.
0:32:55 > 0:32:59His face, for example, it's maybe just a little bit loose, to be...
0:32:59 > 0:33:01- I know. - ..an original Barye bronze.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05So that's one area that makes the alarm bells go off.
0:33:05 > 0:33:11Also, if we just look along his back here, the definition of the muscle, it's not quite naturalistic enough.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15Turning him round we've got his signature on the front which is fine,
0:33:15 > 0:33:19but doesn't mean anything because that can be taken from the mould to the cast.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22This base, the fact you can't take that off and look underneath...
0:33:22 > 0:33:24- Yes.- That makes you a bit suspicious, as well.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28Now, I don't mean to sort of come here and you kindly bring
0:33:28 > 0:33:31your present from your son and I've basically shot it down in flames!
0:33:31 > 0:33:36- No, no.- But I'd like to explain to you...- I can see quite clearly exactly what you mean.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40I'd like to explain the way I'm thinking so you can understand where I'm coming from.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44- So then we get to the all-important valuation.- Yes.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47- Now, you've told me what your son tells you he paid for it, £100. - I think it is.
0:33:47 > 0:33:53- We know that a real 19th-century Barye stamped bronze would be well into four figures.- Yes.
0:33:53 > 0:33:58Even one of the sort of size I would think, so how do you feel about going in at 100 to 150?
0:33:58 > 0:34:01- Yes.- Are you happy with that? - Yes.- And we'll reserve it at £100.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04- But no less than 100. - No less. A fixed reserve.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06I don't mind a discretion cos it's only about 10%.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08- That's right.- But... - No, that's good.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11I don't want somebody to pay 50 quid for it or something.
0:34:11 > 0:34:12No, neither do I, neither do I.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14So let's put £100 with discretion, I like it.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16- Yes.- 100 to 150 estimate.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18You can tell I've watched the programs!
0:34:18 > 0:34:21Yes, I think you've done this before! Valerie, a pleasure to meet you.
0:34:21 > 0:34:27- And you.- Thank you for bringing him in and, hopefully, he'll find a new home on the auction.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29- Well done.- Yes. OK, thank you.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37- So, have I got a pair of sisters here?- You have.
0:34:37 > 0:34:44Jenny and Susan, thank you very much for coming here, and I want to know all about this Dunhill lighter.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47Why and when and who owned it, etc, why did you bring it here today?
0:34:47 > 0:34:50We found it in a drawer at my uncle's. It's my uncle's lighter.
0:34:50 > 0:34:56- Looking for other things we just came across it and I noticed the Dunhill name, asked him about it...- Yeah.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00And he couldn't really remember how it got there, why it was there.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02And he said, if you like it, take it.
0:35:02 > 0:35:07- So I said, well, I will and find out more about it for you, which is why we're here.- Why you're here.
0:35:07 > 0:35:11And you've brought it along today, and how old is your uncle?
0:35:11 > 0:35:12- Well, Uncle's 86.- Yeah.
0:35:12 > 0:35:17And he's always telling me repeatedly that he gave up smoking 30 years ago.
0:35:17 > 0:35:23- Right.- So probably the lighter found its way into the drawer 30 years ago and hasn't emerged since.
0:35:23 > 0:35:28Well, it's a rather nice thing. It's a Dunhill aquarium lighter, made in about the 1950s, and this is a good,
0:35:28 > 0:35:32large-sized one, and we've got the two tropical fish on one side and
0:35:32 > 0:35:36if we turn it round, the tropical fish swimming upwards, in very nice condition.
0:35:36 > 0:35:40We can see that the Dunhill mark is here.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44These are very popular in today's market and there's a lot of collectors for them.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47It's good that it's got more fish on it, the three fish.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49Are they real fish?
0:35:49 > 0:35:53- No! No.- It looks plastic...- It is.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56It's acrylic. It's like an acrylic, like a polished acrylic.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59It's what? Something that's been tucked in there and...
0:35:59 > 0:36:02They've been reverse painted into the acrylic and then
0:36:02 > 0:36:06foiled and decorated and painted and that's what you've got there.
0:36:06 > 0:36:10You've got a brief idea what you want for it and I think we can achieve that, but I think if we put
0:36:10 > 0:36:16it in at 800-1200 with a fixed reserve of 800, that's what you're thinking about, wasn't it?
0:36:16 > 0:36:18- Yes.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:36:18 > 0:36:23But I've got a feeling that it could surpass that, but let's keep it at
0:36:23 > 0:36:27800-1200 with the reserve at £800 and let's see what happens.
0:36:27 > 0:36:33The auctioneer will work his socks off for us, I know that for a fact, and it will be well publicised,
0:36:33 > 0:36:38well marketed, on the internet, and I think we'll have some interesting people out there for it.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40- Good.- Thank you for coming. - You're welcome.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42- It's our pleasure.- It's been fun.
0:36:42 > 0:36:48So, Thomas' find completes our final line up heading off to our Rochford saleroom.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52This Worcester plate by artist TJ Bott was a surprise housewarming
0:36:52 > 0:36:57gift from Patricia's mum, and Thomas has got some more stunning news.
0:36:57 > 0:37:02I reckon I can put this in at £600 to £800.
0:37:02 > 0:37:03- Never! - Oh! Whoo!
0:37:03 > 0:37:05- You like that?- Oh, I love it!
0:37:05 > 0:37:08Well, let's hope the bidders like it as much, too.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11And will they go for Valerie's big bronze cat?
0:37:11 > 0:37:13Is it by sculptor Antoine Barye?
0:37:13 > 0:37:18I'll just point out to you the various areas that sort of raise a bit of doubt in my mind.
0:37:18 > 0:37:22His face, for example, it's maybe just a little bit loose.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26Will the bidders be more convinced of its Barye pedigree, I wonder?
0:37:26 > 0:37:30And, finally, no-one knows the fishy story of how this aquarium lighter
0:37:30 > 0:37:34ended up in Susan and Jenny's uncle's drawer.
0:37:34 > 0:37:38Let's hope there's a happy ending to this tale at auction.
0:37:38 > 0:37:43And it's brother Mark Stacey's turn on the rostrum ready to sell our next lot.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47I've been waiting for this one and I expect you have as well.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49Yes, it's that Worcester plate.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51It's absolutely gorgeous.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55It's here to go at £600 to £800 and it belongs to Pat and...
0:37:55 > 0:37:57- Kim.- Kim. I got that right, didn't I?
0:37:57 > 0:38:00- Yes.- What do you think of this Worcester plate?
0:38:00 > 0:38:03Well, I'm really surprised. I mean, we liked it, but not that much.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06And you didn't think it would be worth it six to eight, did you?
0:38:06 > 0:38:10- No way. No.- Well, let me whisper in your ear a bit of a secret.
0:38:10 > 0:38:15- I had a chat to the auctioneer earlier and he said this could fly through the roof.- No.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18- It could do well over £800. - No! Really?- Shssh!
0:38:18 > 0:38:20So he was right? We didn't believe him!
0:38:20 > 0:38:23No, we didn't!
0:38:23 > 0:38:25What does Thomas think?
0:38:25 > 0:38:27It's a lovely thing. It's so comical.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31- Yeah.- You've got that sort of cherub whipping the other ones... - Yeah, it's lovely.
0:38:31 > 0:38:36And they're turning around saying, oi, stop that! I hope it should do well for you guys, I really do.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38- There's only one snag for Kim.- What?
0:38:38 > 0:38:41Well, she's just had her bedroom decorated in blue and she said,
0:38:41 > 0:38:45"that plate would have looked nice, wouldn't it?"
0:38:45 > 0:38:47THEY LAUGH
0:38:47 > 0:38:50The TJ Bott porcelain plaque, Worcester one, very nice one there,
0:38:50 > 0:38:52too. Where will I start the bidding?
0:38:52 > 0:38:54Let's start the bidding at £400.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56£400 I'm bid, thank you. 410.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59420. 430. 440.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02450. At £450 now. Are we all done?
0:39:02 > 0:39:06- Oh, come on.- At £450. 460. 470.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09480. 490.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12It's on the phone.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14500. Against you.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16At £500 now on the telephone.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19At £500. Are we all done? Last time, going to sell.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22- He's selling.- At £500 only. 500.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26- That's not bad, is it?- He sold... He sold on the reserve, didn't he?
0:39:26 > 0:39:27He sold on the reserve. All right.
0:39:27 > 0:39:31- Just got it away.- Fine.- Sorry I built that up!- Yeah, you did. You were very naughty.
0:39:31 > 0:39:33He got really excited about it.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35No, we're happy with that.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37- I'm naughty, aren't I?- Yeah, yeah.
0:39:37 > 0:39:41I'm an optimist, you see? My glass is always half-full.
0:39:44 > 0:39:4695. 100 back on the book.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49Valerie, I love this little bronze.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52Will put a valuation of 100 to 150.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55- Yes.- And I'm pretty sure it'll do quite well.- I hope so.
0:39:55 > 0:39:57So, why are you selling this now, then?
0:39:57 > 0:40:00I wanted to get on Flog It and I knew you'd be interested, I'm
0:40:00 > 0:40:04decluttering so there's not too much rubbish for my sons to get rid of.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07OK. What do you mean? Time's not ticking away for you!
0:40:07 > 0:40:10- Oh, yes, it is. - There's no... There's no rush!
0:40:10 > 0:40:12- I'm 80 in the spring. - You're not, are you?- I am.
0:40:12 > 0:40:1580 years old! Look, 80 years old!
0:40:15 > 0:40:18What's the secret? How do you look so fresh?
0:40:18 > 0:40:20Good living, laziness!
0:40:20 > 0:40:22Will, let's introduce Will here.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24Will's 70.
0:40:24 > 0:40:25Yeah, don't look bad, do I?
0:40:27 > 0:40:30I had to grow this so they serve me in the bars.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33I know you're a good liver, you like your champagne, you like
0:40:33 > 0:40:35- your nice pieces, you like your fine art.- That's right.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39- That's why I think a discerning eye we've got here, Paul.- Yes.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42So hence the Barye bronze, nice quality, good name.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44It's going under the hammer. Good luck.
0:40:44 > 0:40:49A good quality bronze, a recumbering lioness on a rocky base.
0:40:49 > 0:40:50A bit of interest in this.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52- Let's not waste time.- Ooh, interest!
0:40:52 > 0:40:56I've bids on the book and start the bidding at £280.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59- Are they we all done, then? It's here with me.- Sold!
0:40:59 > 0:41:01£280. Are we all done, then?
0:41:01 > 0:41:03It's on the book and the hammer's up and I'm selling.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05£280.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07Fantastic!
0:41:07 > 0:41:09I think that's a great celebration coming up.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11- Yes.- It'll go towards that.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13- Yes.- Enjoy it, enjoy it.- We will.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16Raise a glass to us and the auctioneer.
0:41:16 > 0:41:17- We will do indeed.- Well done.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24Well, we all love this next lot.
0:41:24 > 0:41:28Is there a flicker of hope at £800 to £1200?
0:41:28 > 0:41:31I think so, Thomas. Susan, Jenny, it's great to see you.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34I'm talking about that gorgeous aquarium Dunhill lighter.
0:41:34 > 0:41:38We've seen one on Flog It before a few years ago and it sold for £800,
0:41:38 > 0:41:41so fingers crossed this will do the same and hopefully a bit more.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43- Yes.- But I love the story.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45It was your uncle's, wasn't it?
0:41:45 > 0:41:47- Yes, yes, it was. - He gave up smoking for 30 years.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49- Yes.- Put it in a drawer.- Yes.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51And he hadn't seen it for 30 years.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53- Yes.- Isn't that a great story? - Wonderful.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56Like when you have jeans in a wardrobe you haven't worn for two months
0:41:56 > 0:41:58and there's a £20 note folded up in the pocket.
0:41:58 > 0:42:03You go to put your hands in your pocket and go, "oh, these jeans fit, oh, look at that!"
0:42:03 > 0:42:06But £800 in a drawer we've got! That's just brilliant.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08He's got to split with you two.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12- Oh, yes, definitely.- The nieces have to have something, don't they?
0:42:12 > 0:42:14- We'll take him to the pub.- Surely...
0:42:14 > 0:42:18- Surely he's going to have most of it, isn't he? Is he?- He might.
0:42:18 > 0:42:22Well, he has it and then he shares it with us!
0:42:22 > 0:42:27- Tough cookies.- We have the Dunhill aquarium table lighter circa 1953.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29Lots of interest here. Straight in at £800.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31It's here with me at £800.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34- Any advances on 800? 820. - Oh, goodness.
0:42:34 > 0:42:38880. 900. At £900 now.
0:42:38 > 0:42:42The bid's on the book against you all in the room and the hammer's up
0:42:42 > 0:42:44- at £900. 920. 950.- Oh, come on.
0:42:50 > 0:42:51- 980. 1,000.- Yes.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54- Someone's on the phone. - Four figures now.- Excellent.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56At £1,000 now. The bid's on the book.
0:42:56 > 0:43:01Make no mistake, the hammer's up and I'm selling at £1,000.
0:43:03 > 0:43:04Yes! Fantastic! £1,000.
0:43:04 > 0:43:08- Well done, Thomas.- Thank you. - You've got to be pleased with that.
0:43:08 > 0:43:09- Oh, excellent. Really pleased. - That's good news.
0:43:09 > 0:43:13- Thank you, yeah.- Take him down the pub, buy him a pint and a pie,
0:43:13 > 0:43:17but I guess the shoes, the clothes are coming your way, are they?
0:43:17 > 0:43:20- They might, a few! - Thanks so much for coming in. That's real quality.
0:43:20 > 0:43:23We've had a fabulous day. I hope you've enjoyed the show.
0:43:23 > 0:43:27Join us again for many more surprises next time, but from Rochford, it's cheerio.
0:43:36 > 0:43:39Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:39 > 0:43:42E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk