0:00:02 > 0:00:05When Scottish-born doctor Sir Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin
0:00:05 > 0:00:07he changed the course of medical history
0:00:07 > 0:00:11and later on the in the show we'll be looking at how this Nobel Prize winner did it.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:33 > 0:00:37And this is where Fleming was born, Kilmarnock in East Ayrshire.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42Crowds have gathered outside today's venue, the Palace Theatre,
0:00:42 > 0:00:44at this busy junction at the heart of Kilmarnock.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47Judging by this lot, we've certainly got our work cut out.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51Well, there's a great show in town today and all these players
0:00:51 > 0:00:54are hoping to take centre stage with their prized possessions.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57Our two leading stars are David Fletcher and James Lewis,
0:00:57 > 0:01:00spot on experts here. Well, it's now 9:30,
0:01:00 > 0:01:05it's time to get the doors open, get the show on the road and, as they say, let's raise the curtain.
0:01:05 > 0:01:11As everyone gets settled in here's a sneak preview of what's coming up on today's show.
0:01:11 > 0:01:18James finds time to give untrained fashion advice for the style-conscious modern lady.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21Forget going to Louis Vuitton, one of these top London stores
0:01:21 > 0:01:25and paying a couple of hundred pounds for one of those, why not buy that?
0:01:25 > 0:01:28But first, James has spotted a familiar favourite
0:01:28 > 0:01:32and has invited owner, Leticia, to take a seat at his table.
0:01:32 > 0:01:39Leticia, tell me, what is a piece of pottery made in the Midlands in England doing up here in Scotland?
0:01:39 > 0:01:43- I really don't know. It belonged to my grandmother.- OK.
0:01:43 > 0:01:48- And I remember it from when I was a child in her house.- Is she local?
0:01:48 > 0:01:52- Yes, yes, she was Scottish, too. - And is she a collector of this sort of thing?- Yes. She did.
0:01:52 > 0:02:00She liked to collect antiques and she had quite a lot of interesting pottery, especially vases, she liked.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04- The rim, the metal rim we have here, is probably silver because it's tarnished black.- Oh, right.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07- If we give it a bit of a rub... - Oh, yes.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09..it will come up silver.
0:02:09 > 0:02:14But the reason why the metal rims were added is because the glazes were quite delicate and...
0:02:14 > 0:02:18- To stop it chipping. - It would chip easily. Yeah. - That's quite a clever idea isn't it?
0:02:18 > 0:02:25Yeah. But if we turn this over we've got a very clear impress mark, Ruskin Pottery, West Smethwick 1909.
0:02:25 > 0:02:31Now, Ruskin was a factory that started in 1904 with a chap called William Howson Taylor.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35Some of his marks include a little scissor mark,
0:02:35 > 0:02:40- just looking like a pair of scissors with the blades open.- Yes.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43And Ruskin's main selling point was the variety of glazes.
0:02:43 > 0:02:48- Right.- You get crystalline glazes in the 1930s, you get lustre glazes,
0:02:48 > 0:02:52but you also get this, which is known as sang de boeuf, or oxblood.
0:02:52 > 0:02:57This is the most popular of all of them and this is dated 1909.
0:02:57 > 0:03:02- Yes.- Of course, that's just five years after the factory opened, so it's lovely and early.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05- But do you like the glaze? Look at the colours.- Yes, it is unusual.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09The blood red, we've got the little white specks and we've got this wonderful,
0:03:09 > 0:03:13it's almost like a moonlight haze that comes round over it.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15Yes.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18So, why is it here?
0:03:18 > 0:03:24Well, we have a modern house and I've lots of ornaments and I have a lot of jewellery that was my grandmother's
0:03:24 > 0:03:29so that's got more sentimental value for me than the vase, I think.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31And where do you keep it? In the cupboard or out on display?
0:03:31 > 0:03:35- No, it sits on top of the piano. - Ah, lovely.
0:03:35 > 0:03:40- So, tell me, what do you think it's worth?- I have absolutely no idea.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43Would £60 to £100 be OK for you as an auction estimate?
0:03:43 > 0:03:46- Yes, I think so. - You'd be happy at that?- Yes.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49- How about £100 to £200? - Well, that would be better.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51Yeah. Two to three?
0:03:51 > 0:03:55- Keep going.- Keep going. Where do you want me to stop?
0:03:55 > 0:03:59Do you know, I love this, I think it's a great vase,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02- and, with a sang de boeuf glaze, I think it's worth £400 to £500.- That's good.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04- Is that all right?- Yes.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08- Might make a bit more.- Right. - Might make six on a good day.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11And a reserve of four?
0:04:11 > 0:04:14- Right. Yes.- Happy with that? - Yes, I'll take your advice, yes.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17Fantastic. Let's stick it in at that and see what happens.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21Whilst our experts take a look around at the items coming in today,
0:04:21 > 0:04:25I've spotted something that's right up my street.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27Eric, you brought this along to the right person
0:04:27 > 0:04:29because I am a big football fan.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34James and David love their rugby and cricket but I prefer football.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37Tell me a bit about it, because I know it's a Scottish cap.
0:04:37 > 0:04:42Well, I got it from my wife's uncle in 1968.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46- And how did he come by it, then? - Well, he was really pally with
0:04:46 > 0:04:51the Rangers players, the captain, he gave it to my wife's uncle.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53What a lovely trophy to have.
0:04:53 > 0:04:59It's dated 1902 to 1903 season, it is obviously from the home internationals
0:04:59 > 0:05:02- because it says here Scotland v England.- Yes.
0:05:02 > 0:05:08Sporting memorabilia is big business if you have the star of the right team.
0:05:08 > 0:05:13Forwards tend to fetch a lot more money than defenders and, of course,
0:05:13 > 0:05:18if this player played for someone like Celtic or Rangers, clubs that are big now,
0:05:18 > 0:05:23it's going to fetch a lot more money, so do we know who he was and who he played for?
0:05:23 > 0:05:26He was a Smith and he played for Glasgow Rangers.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29He's going to be well sought-after, very collectable.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32Do you know, the condition, it isn't too bad for its age, is it?
0:05:32 > 0:05:35It's still got all its braiding, its gold wire work,
0:05:35 > 0:05:37which is what the collectors will look for.
0:05:37 > 0:05:44It's got its strong hue of blue, and the emblem is still all there, Scotland v England.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46Why do you want to sell it?
0:05:46 > 0:05:51Well, I've got a son and a daughter and four grandchildren, so...
0:05:51 > 0:05:56- Not one of them can own it really, you've got to split it up and that's a fair way of doing it.- Yes.
0:05:56 > 0:06:01- Have you any idea of value off the top of your head?- No, nothing.
0:06:01 > 0:06:07If we put this into auction with an auction guide of £1,200 to £1,500
0:06:07 > 0:06:12and hopefully we'll get £1,800 to £2,000, that's what I'm hoping for.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15- I'd like this to see £2,000 on a good day.- Great, that's fine.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18But we do have to tempt the bidders in. Happy with that?
0:06:18 > 0:06:21- Very.- OK, I'll see you at the auction.- Great.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27- Hello, Edward.- Hello. - What do you do for a living?
0:06:27 > 0:06:30Well, I'm retired now but still do a little bit of house clearing.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32And I guess that's where you came by this?
0:06:32 > 0:06:36- Yes. It was lying tucked away in a cupboard.- Right.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38- So it wasn't hanging on the wall? - No.
0:06:38 > 0:06:44Edward, this is a very attractive subject, typically late Victorian.
0:06:44 > 0:06:49It has all those sentimental elements that the Victorians loved so much.
0:06:49 > 0:06:55You know, a pretty, young mother with a pink bloom on her cheeks,
0:06:55 > 0:07:01a little tubby baby, or toddler, I suppose, a spray of flowers, a pink frock.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05I think it's only fair to say it's not a great picture...
0:07:07 > 0:07:13- although it's a charming composition.- Yes. - Technically, there are flaws.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17I think the mother is lovely,
0:07:17 > 0:07:20she looks terrific.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23Her hands, I must say, are not terribly well painted.
0:07:23 > 0:07:28You can learn a lot from looking at the way an artist paints hands.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32- There is a certain amount of damage here.- Yes.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36Bitumen has taken over and rather...
0:07:36 > 0:07:41corroded the varnish and is actually starting to eat into the canvas a bit.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44Is it the sort of picture you like?
0:07:44 > 0:07:46It's quite attractive. It attracts you to it.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50- Yeah.- And the frame, I think it's a lovely frame.
0:07:50 > 0:07:55The frame, I should mention, I think is period, contemporary with the picture itself.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57- Again, a bit of damage down there. - Yes.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01It's not a connoisseur's picture, for the reasons I just explained -
0:08:01 > 0:08:07the quality just isn't quite there, but I think it's a good decorative image.
0:08:07 > 0:08:13- I would suggest an estimate in the region of £100 to £150.- Yeah?
0:08:13 > 0:08:16- Does that sound OK to you? - Yeah, that sounds all right with me.
0:08:16 > 0:08:21I think a covering reserve would be in order at a bit less than £100.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23- Yes.- Shall we say £80?
0:08:23 > 0:08:26- That'll be fine, yeah.- OK, and what will you spend the money on?
0:08:26 > 0:08:30Well, I'll split it with my son-in-law and probably go out for a meal.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33You'll have to give some proceeds to the person who helped you clear the house.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36- Yes, it was my son-in-law. - It was your son-in-law. OK.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44Alison and Eileen, tell me who is the owner of this lovely little bag?
0:08:44 > 0:08:49Well, we both own it. We're sisters and this was our grandmother's.
0:08:49 > 0:08:54Was it? Oh, so is it the sort of thing you had in your dressing up box as little girls?
0:08:54 > 0:08:57- Probably was. We're not sure it was. - Played ball gowns and things.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59Yes. I think that would be about it.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02We were allowed to look at it but not touch.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05Oh, really? So it's got lots of childhood memories.
0:09:05 > 0:09:06- Yes, it has.- Yes, it has.
0:09:06 > 0:09:12It's a lovely little bag. I mean, it is so classic of the Art Nouveau period.
0:09:12 > 0:09:17You know, it has these wonderful sinuous lines and stylised flower heads and foliage.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21Art Nouveau basically was a movement totally inspired by nature.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25Although it isn't a true cartouche, that was left plain
0:09:25 > 0:09:31so that you could engrave your owner's initials onto it, and if we open it up,
0:09:31 > 0:09:35there we have little divisions, one for probably a little ivory notelet
0:09:35 > 0:09:39for when you were at your ball, you'd have a little ivory notelet and a pencil
0:09:39 > 0:09:42so you could make sure you knew who your next dance was with,
0:09:42 > 0:09:48a little aide-memoire, and then little sections in the centre for sovereigns and maybe for stamps,
0:09:48 > 0:09:54and a little thing at the end for a bit of paper money if you were feeling flush at the time.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58And the idea of the ring at the top would be that that would be put through the lady's finger
0:09:58 > 0:10:02and when she was dancing she'd be able dance with the purse held high.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04No pockets, of course, in the dresses,
0:10:04 > 0:10:08and she wouldn't have to worry about where she'd left her purse while she was dancing.
0:10:08 > 0:10:13The three very clear marks, the lion passant, which means it's English sterling silver,
0:10:13 > 0:10:17and then we've got the Chester hallmark, there, with the three wheatsheafs
0:10:17 > 0:10:22and the K for about 1910. 1910, 1911.
0:10:22 > 0:10:27Forget Louis Vuitton, a top London store, and paying a couple of hundred pounds for one of those,
0:10:27 > 0:10:28why not buy that?
0:10:28 > 0:10:32- Yes.- And you know none of the other ladies at the ball are going to have one of these.
0:10:32 > 0:10:37- And the little things inside?- Let's have a look. Isn't that lovely?
0:10:37 > 0:10:40A little souvenir from the exhibition of 1901.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42This, of course, was the great time of exhibitions.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45The first one, the first grand one, London 1851,
0:10:45 > 0:10:49and they were every sort of five or ten years all through that period.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53It's gilt brass with a blue enamel front.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55- It's not going to be worth an awful lot.- No.- No.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59- But I think it's quite fun to keep it in the purse, don't you?- Yes.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02- It is.- I bet that's been in there for almost a hundred years.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04- Probably has.- Why sell it?
0:11:04 > 0:11:09- Well, it's been just hidden away. We keep it in a cabinet...- Yeah.
0:11:09 > 0:11:16..so it would be nice for somebody to appreciate, maybe a collector or somebody who could enjoy it.
0:11:16 > 0:11:17OK. I think...
0:11:17 > 0:11:24if we put an estimate of £60 to £100 on it, that's a fair and realistic estimate.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27- I hope it will go towards the upper end of that.- Right.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31So I think we should put a reserve on it of 60, protect it at that,
0:11:31 > 0:11:34we'll take it to the auction, do our best and see what happens, eh?
0:11:34 > 0:11:37- OK.- Well, see you there.- Thank you very much.- Yes. Look forward to it.
0:11:40 > 0:11:41We're halfway through our day.
0:11:41 > 0:11:47We've found some fantastic items, which means we're going to put those valuations to the test.
0:11:47 > 0:11:52It's off to the auction room and, as you know, anything can happen, so while we make our way over there,
0:11:52 > 0:11:57here's a quick rundown, just to jog your memory, of all the items we're taking with us.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01We've just seen it, Eileen and Alison's family silver in the shape of a lady's purse
0:12:01 > 0:12:06complete with souvenir charms from Glasgow's 1901 exhibition.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11This charming piece was nearly lost in a house clearance.
0:12:11 > 0:12:18Edward spotted it and David feels it may bring in a bit of spending money for the dining-out fund.
0:12:18 > 0:12:23Next, with strong links to Scotland, Eric's footballer's cap.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27James and David love their rugby and cricket but I prefer football.
0:12:27 > 0:12:34And, with an estimate of £1,200, I hope someone will be as taken with it as I am.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36And finally, a piece of Ruskin.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38Good oxblood colour and shape.
0:12:38 > 0:12:45Leticia is hoping that, with a reserve of £400, it's going to draw in a bid or two.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47We've come across country
0:12:47 > 0:12:52to the Great Western Auction Rooms in Glasgow, where we're selling.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56First, I caught up with auctioneer Anita Manning to share some thoughts on the Scottish cap.
0:12:56 > 0:13:02Now, hopefully this is going to be very rare, this is one of my valuations. Eric brought this in.
0:13:02 > 0:13:08It belonged to a left back, a chap called Smith, who played for Scotland only three or four times.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12I did more research on it. This chap, a very fast winger,
0:13:12 > 0:13:16a great player, tiny little guy, I think he was only 5'6",
0:13:16 > 0:13:18very light and very fast.
0:13:18 > 0:13:25Now, the added thing with this particular cap, I felt sort of 800 might be about the price...
0:13:25 > 0:13:33- Mm.- ..but when I did my research I realised that this cap may have been given to Alexander Smith
0:13:33 > 0:13:37at the match in March 1902.
0:13:37 > 0:13:42Now, at that match there was a disaster during the match.
0:13:42 > 0:13:47- Part of the stand fell in, people were killed, 500 people were injured...- Yeah.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51..so it may be that that fact will give this...
0:13:51 > 0:13:54- A little bit of added interest.- A little bit of added interest.- Yes.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57So I'm happy to give it a good try.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59And let's just hope it hits the back of the net.
0:13:59 > 0:14:05That's interesting research. Let's see how it does later, but for now it's on with auction.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10It's amazing what you can find in a house clearance. This is one of those lots.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14- It belongs to Edward here who did that house clearance.- Yes.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16And this was on the wall, was it, or just lying around?
0:14:16 > 0:14:18- Lying in the loft.- Good for you for picking it up.
0:14:18 > 0:14:23- The builders would have come in and skipped the whole thing.- That's what they do.- Good picture.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25- Yes.- Good luck. This is it.
0:14:25 > 0:14:31Lot 369. Now, this is a 19th-century oil, ladies and gentlemen.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34Can we say £300?
0:14:34 > 0:14:37£300 for the Victorian oil?
0:14:37 > 0:14:39- Bit optimistic, I feel.- 200?
0:14:39 > 0:14:43Will you start me at £100? 100 bid.
0:14:43 > 0:14:48With you, sir, at £100, the Victorian oil, mother and child.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51Any advance on £100?
0:14:51 > 0:14:55Seems cheap at 100.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59Any advance on 100? All done at 100?
0:14:59 > 0:15:02100...
0:15:02 > 0:15:05- Yes, sold it. £100, bottom estimate. - Bottom estimate.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08- That's OK for a house clearance find.- Yes. Better than going in the skip.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14Next up, a silver purse and two book charms
0:15:14 > 0:15:19- belonging to two very charming sisters, Eileen and Alison. I got that right, didn't I?- You did.
0:15:19 > 0:15:26Did you see this little purse and the book charms as you were growing up as little girls in Mum's house?
0:15:26 > 0:15:30- Yes, we did.- Yes?- I don't quite know when we saw it but we definitely saw them over the years.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33Lots of memories. Lots of memories here, James.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36Yeah, a sweet little thing, and there is lots of silver in the sale.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38- Yes, our dealers are going to be here.- They are.
0:15:38 > 0:15:43Fingers crossed, somebody is going to pick up on this, it'll find a collector and we'll get the top end.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45- OK?- Fingers crossed.- Here we go.
0:15:45 > 0:15:50And a lovely little Art Nouveau embossed silver purse.
0:15:50 > 0:15:56It's Chester 1910 and it has two little book charms,
0:15:56 > 0:15:59one depicting scenes from the Glasgow exhibition of 1901.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01Lovely wee thing there.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03I'm holding bids, ladies and gentlemen,
0:16:03 > 0:16:05I'm holding bids and I can start the bidding...
0:16:05 > 0:16:08- Eileen this is good.- ..at £30.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11It's with me at 30. 40, 50...
0:16:11 > 0:16:14- I've got excited then. - 60, 70. 80, I'm out.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17It's on the floor at £80.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20It's on the floor at 80.
0:16:20 > 0:16:27Any advance on 80? 80, 90, 100, 110, 120.
0:16:27 > 0:16:32£120. It's with you, sir, at 120.
0:16:32 > 0:16:37Any advance on 120? All done at 120? 120.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40- That's a good result. - How exciting.- Top end.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42- Happy, very happy. - Very happy. Very happy.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51Well, you know what they say don't you? If the cap fits, wear it.
0:16:51 > 0:16:52There's a clue to what's next.
0:16:52 > 0:16:57Yes, it's that Scottish football cap, it belongs to Eric and it's just about to go under the hammer.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01Now, I had a quick chat with Anita before the auction started.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03I just hope, because it is a one-off,
0:17:03 > 0:17:06it's so rare, that people will go that little bit extra to buy it.
0:17:06 > 0:17:11So hopefully we're going to get £1,200 for it.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15- Hopefully.- Hopefully. We're going to find out right now. This is it.
0:17:15 > 0:17:21Lot 218 is this Scottish international football cap,
0:17:21 > 0:17:25Scotland versus England 1902-1903,
0:17:25 > 0:17:29presented to Alexander Smith of Rangers football club.
0:17:29 > 0:17:34Will you start me at £1,000, ladies and gentlemen? 1,000?
0:17:34 > 0:17:39600, then? 600, 600, 600 bid...
0:17:39 > 0:17:42It's going in the wrong direction.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46Any advance on 600? 650.
0:17:46 > 0:17:52700, 750, 800,
0:17:52 > 0:17:54850...
0:17:55 > 0:17:59900, 950, 1,000...
0:17:59 > 0:18:02- It's creeping up.- 1,000.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04£1,000.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07Any advance on 1,000?
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Any advance on 1,000?
0:18:10 > 0:18:12Any advance on 1,000?
0:18:12 > 0:18:16- It didn't sell, Eric, I'm ever so sorry.- Just unlucky.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19Yeah, I think that £1,000 was a psychological barrier, it was a round figure,
0:18:19 > 0:18:23one big round figure, and people didn't want to push over that.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25It's disappointing news for Eric.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27Maybe the crowd are more pottery-driven.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33Well, I've certainly been waiting for this one, it's that lovely Ruskin pottery vase.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37- It belongs to Leticia, here. It's been on your piano for 30-odd years.- It has.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39This is it.
0:18:39 > 0:18:45Lot 568 is the Ruskin pottery, high-fired cylindrical vase.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49Start me at 400.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53- 200, then.- Ooh.- 200. 200 bid.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55Any advance on 200?
0:18:55 > 0:18:57Any at 220?
0:18:57 > 0:19:01240, 260, 280, 300,
0:19:01 > 0:19:06320, 340, 360, 380...
0:19:06 > 0:19:08And there's a telephone bid.
0:19:08 > 0:19:09400 on the other phone.
0:19:09 > 0:19:14420, 440, 460.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17With Les on the phone at 460.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21All done at 460, 460.
0:19:21 > 0:19:22- Well.- £460, got it away.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24- Is it within estimate?- Yes.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26- That's good.- That's really good.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28- It is.- Happy with that? - Yes, very happy.- £460.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- What will you put the money towards? - A nice family meal to start with.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35- Well, enjoy it, won't you? And treat yourself, as well.- Yes.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38Well, that is a good price and a perfect present for somebody
0:19:38 > 0:19:41with an eye for detail and a passion for design.
0:19:41 > 0:19:46And later on we'll see how I could have been quite passionate about an item given half a chance.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52You zoomed in on it, you focused it, you grabbed it.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56We'll be back at auction later but, for now, I'm heading down to London.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13I'm on the trail of a man who took the very same journey that I've just done,
0:20:13 > 0:20:18from Scotland down here to London, but he was only 16 years old and he had the good fortune
0:20:18 > 0:20:20of being in the right place at the right time.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22And his name was Alexander Fleming.
0:20:24 > 0:20:31Many things that we rely on from day to day were the result of a complete but harmonious accident.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35Velcro, nylon, Teflon. Safety glass, even,
0:20:35 > 0:20:41but can you begin to imagine a world without sugar substitutes?
0:20:41 > 0:20:46What about something that could change the fate of mankind?
0:20:46 > 0:20:47How about medicine?
0:20:47 > 0:20:52Penicillin, a wonder drug, yes.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55The identification of the fungus penicillium chrysogenum
0:20:55 > 0:20:58was one such blissful accident that changed the face of medicine forever
0:20:58 > 0:21:06and it sparked off an antibiotic revolution, saving millions and millions of lives in the process.
0:21:06 > 0:21:11The humble laboratory now, the Fleming Museum at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington
0:21:11 > 0:21:15is where Scotsman Alexander Fleming made his monumental discovery.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22Born to a farming family in Kilmarnock in East Ayrshire in 1881,
0:21:22 > 0:21:28the young Fleming, equipped with his natural desire to learn, arrived in the big city of London.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32After a dismal job as a shipping clerk he set about a career in medicine.
0:21:32 > 0:21:38In 1901, at the age of 21, he began at St Mary's hospital as a medical student
0:21:38 > 0:21:42and then worked there when he was qualified, staying for 49 years.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48Although he had wanted to become a surgeon,
0:21:48 > 0:21:52places were limited, so he began a career as a bacteriologist.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58It was 1928 and, as always, Fleming's desk was awash
0:21:58 > 0:22:02with numerous test tubes, bits of equipment and old petri dishes.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06I'm starting to build a picture of what it must have been like
0:22:06 > 0:22:12when things we take for granted, like sanitation and the NHS, did not exist,
0:22:12 > 0:22:17and, to gain a better understanding of what penicillin has meant for mankind and medicine,
0:22:17 > 0:22:24my journey across London continues. I'm off to speak to GP, Gillian Jenkins.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30- I think we've painted a picture here with the right setting. - I think it's wonderful.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32Tell me about the early part of the 1900s.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36The early part of the 1900s, for most people, still involved
0:22:36 > 0:22:39very little knowledge about nutrition, about sanitation.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43People, on the whole, lived rather sort of messy lives.
0:22:43 > 0:22:48Your average person didn't get the sort of medical treatment we'd expect.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50They hadn't got the money or access to doctors,
0:22:50 > 0:22:54so people lived with a lot of squalor that we wouldn't accept now.
0:22:54 > 0:22:59And the average life span was really only about 50.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01- Really? So young.- So young.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04In general, what were most people dying of?
0:23:04 > 0:23:07On the whole, it was infections that carried a lot of people off.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10There was no real good treatment for them.
0:23:10 > 0:23:15Let's talk about some of the methods used for treating patients. I know some of them are quite horrific.
0:23:15 > 0:23:22Yes. Before modern medicine as we know it, medical care was fairly basic and, yes, fairly...
0:23:22 > 0:23:25- Crude.- ..crude.- To say the least.
0:23:25 > 0:23:30We've got here, all sort of lotions and potions and cure-alls which I dread to think what's in them,
0:23:30 > 0:23:32but things like arsenic were used.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34- You sort of have the very...- Leeches.
0:23:34 > 0:23:39Leeches, blood-letting, and then basic surgery, if you couldn't sort of suck the blood out of it,
0:23:39 > 0:23:43- or paint it over with some toxic lotion, you'd hack it off.- Yeah.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45Often without anaesthetic, or much anaesthetic.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49People didn't understand fully about infection and preventing it.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51How did Fleming go about his work?
0:23:51 > 0:23:55Fleming seemed to live in the typical type of scientist's lab
0:23:55 > 0:24:02but maybe with even less order than, say, some of the other guys he was working with at the same time.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05He had no access, of course there were no computers, so he didn't have
0:24:05 > 0:24:08any of the hi-tech stuff we'd expect today.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11He would have simple methods, he would have simple equipment,
0:24:11 > 0:24:14he'd have a microscope, he'd have petri dishes,
0:24:14 > 0:24:18he lived in this rather messy environment with things everywhere
0:24:18 > 0:24:25and dust and dirt, and it was the serendipitous way that he made the discovery about penicillin.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27How did that come about, then?
0:24:27 > 0:24:30- Well, Fleming tended to have his lab in a bit of a mess...- Yeah.
0:24:30 > 0:24:36..and he didn't clear up after himself and it benefited him in the simple way that he went away,
0:24:36 > 0:24:37having left petri dishes of this agar,
0:24:37 > 0:24:42trying to culture different bacteria which he was looking at - how bacteria grow.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46When he came back he discovered that the blue-green common mould that we see,
0:24:46 > 0:24:48- that grows on bread... - Bread, cheese and things.
0:24:48 > 0:24:55It landed, because of his open window, some had grown on the agar gel, but not only had it grown there,
0:24:55 > 0:24:58the staphylococcus had been killed off by it.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02So he realised, where perhaps other people hadn't made the link,
0:25:02 > 0:25:07that the mould was producing something that killed bacteria.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14- And it's from there on he worked.- Incredible.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17How does it actually work?
0:25:17 > 0:25:20We know that penicillin works on the cell wall.
0:25:20 > 0:25:27The process involves something called beta-lactam and it breaks down the cell wall of the bacteria
0:25:27 > 0:25:32- so that when it tries to reproduce, or even before then, the cell lyses, it bursts...- OK.
0:25:32 > 0:25:38So it causes the cells to just rupture instead of being able to multiply and continue the infection.
0:25:38 > 0:25:43- Talk about some of the illnesses it can cure.- An awful lot of infections, chest infections...
0:25:43 > 0:25:47- Throat.- Throat, skin, urinary tract infections, kidney infections.
0:25:47 > 0:25:54In particular, certain groups you've got, particularly soldiers in wars where the other,
0:25:54 > 0:26:00the old way of them being treated was so ineffective that most of them either died or needed amputation.
0:26:00 > 0:26:06- It offered them health when they didn't have any option.- Yeah, a new lifeline, basically.- Yes.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10It took another 12 years for penicillin to emerge as the miracle drug.
0:26:10 > 0:26:16Although Fleming's observations did not go unnoticed, nothing substantial came of his findings
0:26:16 > 0:26:23until a team in Oxford took up the research, enabling them to identify a way of purifying the substance.
0:26:25 > 0:26:32By 1939, and the onset of World War II, penicillin was being produced and effectively administered
0:26:32 > 0:26:34and lives were being saved.
0:26:34 > 0:26:40In 1944 Fleming was knighted, his contribution to the world of medicine was acknowledged.
0:26:40 > 0:26:46In 1945 he was awarded, along with two other scientists, the Nobel Prize for medicine.
0:26:55 > 0:27:00From London I'm heading back up north to Fleming's home town and our valuation room
0:27:00 > 0:27:03in Kilmarnock's Palace Theatre.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09Deirdre, tell me about it.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13Well, it belonged to my great aunt and when she died,
0:27:13 > 0:27:17her husband, my great uncle, had to go into a home
0:27:17 > 0:27:21and they asked me to clear the house and to keep anything that I wanted
0:27:21 > 0:27:25to keep and just distribute it among family and things.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27So I tried to give it away to...
0:27:27 > 0:27:33all the members of the family. I asked them if they wanted this pot and nobody wanted it, so I thought,
0:27:33 > 0:27:38"Och, I'll just keep my teabags in it in the kitchen," so that's what it was used for.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40So their loss is your gain.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44It wasn't made for teabags, of course.
0:27:44 > 0:27:49It was made in Wemyss in the Wemyss pottery,
0:27:49 > 0:27:53not a million miles from here, in Fife,
0:27:53 > 0:27:57and it is typical of the sort of product
0:27:57 > 0:28:02- that was made in that factory during the 1920s.- Oh, great.
0:28:02 > 0:28:07Hand painted in the freest possible manner, really.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11Crafted objects a million miles, really,
0:28:11 > 0:28:17- from the Art Deco objects we see from the same period.- Yes.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19This is different altogether, really.
0:28:19 > 0:28:24More sophisticated, some would say, others might disagree,
0:28:24 > 0:28:30far more interesting, I think and above all, more personal, really.
0:28:30 > 0:28:34These products are known as Wemyss
0:28:34 > 0:28:39in honour of Lady Grosvenor who lived at Wemyss Castle.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42- Right, I didn't know that. - Well, that's how it gets its name.
0:28:42 > 0:28:47I dare say it was made to contain
0:28:47 > 0:28:50something like sugar, possibly tobacco,
0:28:50 > 0:28:53you know, a household commodity...
0:28:53 > 0:29:00- Yeah.- So, your teabags are not a million miles off the mark.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03Why do you feel you don't need it any longer?
0:29:03 > 0:29:10Well, I looked at a magazine one day and it said it was a collectable
0:29:10 > 0:29:12and I wasn't using it as a collectable
0:29:12 > 0:29:14and I'm sure there are people who collect this kind of thing.
0:29:14 > 0:29:19Good point, and a collector will probably look after it better...
0:29:19 > 0:29:22- Yes.- ..than you would be able to if you are using it every day.
0:29:22 > 0:29:27- Yes.- With the best will in the world you're going to chip it or knock it if you're not careful.- Yes.
0:29:27 > 0:29:28And what will you use the money for?
0:29:28 > 0:29:31I've got grandchildren that I see every day and it would be nice
0:29:31 > 0:29:34to have some play equipment in the back garden for them to play on.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36- Splendid.- A swing or a trampoline or something.
0:29:36 > 0:29:40That's a great idea. So have you any idea what it might be worth?
0:29:40 > 0:29:42£50?
0:29:42 > 0:29:48More than that. I think we would place an estimate,
0:29:48 > 0:29:52oh, in the region of four times that on it.
0:29:52 > 0:29:58- Wow.- So I would suggest we went for £200 to £300,
0:29:58 > 0:30:04and that, if you were happy, we agreed a reserve...say of 180.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08The only problem you'll have is finding something else to put your teabags in.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11- Yes, indeed.- You hadn't thought of that, had you?
0:30:14 > 0:30:19Jane, I have to say, I absolutely love it.
0:30:19 > 0:30:22- It's mad, isn't it? - It is. It is fun, yeah.
0:30:22 > 0:30:26We've got a Victorian desk weight and paperclip, desk clip,
0:30:26 > 0:30:32cast in bronze as a monkey jockey riding, what looks to me like a...
0:30:32 > 0:30:33I think it's a greyhound.
0:30:33 > 0:30:37- I think it's a greyhound.- I think so.- Yeah. Quite a muscly greyhound.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39It is yeah, yeah, quite strong.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42But isn't it crazy? Only the Victorians would do such a thing.
0:30:42 > 0:30:46- Yes.- Tell me, how did you come to have such a fantastic thing?
0:30:46 > 0:30:51Well, I inherited it from my mother and she, in turn, inherited it from her parents.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54I've always known it. It was in my grandparents' house when I went on holidays
0:30:54 > 0:30:57and later when I lived there and it's just always been there.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01- And I bet you did this as a kid, didn't you?- Oh, yes. Yes.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03- It was always referred to as the horse...- The horse!
0:31:03 > 0:31:08..and I think it was a long time before I realised it wasn't a horse, at all.
0:31:08 > 0:31:09Did they realise it wasn't a horse?
0:31:09 > 0:31:11Yes. They called it that out of fun.
0:31:11 > 0:31:15The centre for this type of work was Austria.
0:31:15 > 0:31:16There's one factory
0:31:16 > 0:31:21that always calls out this sort of quality and that's Bergman.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24- Right.- Sometimes you see a little mark,
0:31:24 > 0:31:28I've had a good look over this, and I couldn't see a mark anywhere.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31- Sometimes it's a vase with a B in the centre.- Mm-hm.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35Sometimes it's marked, quite clearly, "Bergman",
0:31:35 > 0:31:38and sometimes it's marked "Namgreb",
0:31:38 > 0:31:39Bergman backwards.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42Oh, yes, right, I see.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44- It's cold-painted bronze.- Oh, right.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48The fact that it's got its original paintwork means a lot
0:31:48 > 0:31:50because these things, because they were fun,
0:31:50 > 0:31:52because they were often novelty animals,
0:31:52 > 0:31:54kids got their hands on them and played with them
0:31:54 > 0:31:58and as soon as you get a kid playing around with cold-painted bronze
0:31:58 > 0:32:00- the paint chips off all over the place.- Yeah.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03You can see a bit of the damage on his jockey cap.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06- Yes, yeah.- But really it's not in bad condition.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09Well, considering it's probably, what? 100 years old?
0:32:09 > 0:32:13- Yes, it was made probably 1870, 1890.- As long ago as that?
0:32:13 > 0:32:15Yeah, somewhere round there. But it's useful,
0:32:15 > 0:32:19it's practical, it's in good condition
0:32:19 > 0:32:23and it's novelty, and those three things are all in its favour.
0:32:23 > 0:32:28The rectangular stand that it's on is in walnut.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31- Oh, I wondered.- It's got that lovely golden glow.- It has, yes.
0:32:31 > 0:32:36And we've got these little areas round the outside of patination.
0:32:36 > 0:32:37Why is it here?
0:32:37 > 0:32:41To be honest, I haven't used it and it hasn't really had a place on show, you know.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44- Yeah.- And I suppose, as well, because I've known it all my life
0:32:44 > 0:32:47- to a certain extent it's lost its wow factor for me a little bit.- Yes.
0:32:47 > 0:32:51- You know, because I'm so used to it. - What do you think it's worth?
0:32:51 > 0:32:54Having listened to you, I thought possibly about £100.
0:32:54 > 0:32:59- The £100 should be increased to £300 to £500.- Really? As much as that?
0:32:59 > 0:33:02- Yeah.- My goodness.
0:33:02 > 0:33:07- That is good news.- Brilliant. So why don't we put £300 on it as a reserve
0:33:07 > 0:33:10and if it doesn't make that, take it home and enjoy it for a bit longer.
0:33:10 > 0:33:14Put it somewhere I can use it. Yes, that sounds ideal to me. You've made my day.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26Marjorie, we know that it's silver because it's hallmarked.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28Now the hallmarks tell us two or three things.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30They tell us, firstly, the maker.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33In this instance the maker was Robertson Belks.
0:33:33 > 0:33:38They tell us where it was assayed, and in this case we know that it was assayed in Sheffield
0:33:38 > 0:33:43because it has the crown, which is the mark of the Sheffield assay office,
0:33:43 > 0:33:46and we know that it was assayed, most importantly of all really,
0:33:46 > 0:33:50that's the thing we really need to know, in 1889.
0:33:50 > 0:33:55Finally, it bears the head, the bust, the portrait bust of Queen Victoria,
0:33:55 > 0:33:58which tells that duty has been paid on it.
0:33:58 > 0:34:05I notice the inscription on this refers to a person or a couple who were evidently publicans.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07- That's right, yes. - Who were Mr and Mrs Mills?
0:34:07 > 0:34:11That was my grandparents and they owned the hotel in Anstruther.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13- They owned the Commercial hotel. - Yes.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16So how did it come to end up with you?
0:34:16 > 0:34:18It's not actually mine, it still belongs to my dad.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21- To your dad. OK.- And he just asked me to get it valued today.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24OK. And you got it valued and you decided to sell it.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26- He has, yes. - And he's happy with that?
0:34:26 > 0:34:28- I think so.- Good. You've spoken to him.- I have.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31Don't want to do anything that your dad wouldn't want us to be doing.
0:34:31 > 0:34:36It's decorated in the neo-classical style
0:34:36 > 0:34:39and, as you can see, there's a frieze of
0:34:39 > 0:34:46what look like gladiators, really, almost as if they're being led to battle, with a goddess in front
0:34:46 > 0:34:50holding a laurel leaf, looking as if she may indicate peace,
0:34:50 > 0:34:54so perhaps she's trying to stop the conflict which might otherwise occur.
0:34:54 > 0:35:01And continuing that theme it has this wonderful cast Grecian helmet on the top of the finial.
0:35:01 > 0:35:07Now, I think that this is worth between £300 and £400.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09With luck and a foreign wind it might make more.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12I'd like to suggest, if we may, a reserve of 280...
0:35:12 > 0:35:14- Right.- ..just below the £300 mark.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17And are you mindful of what you might spend the money on?
0:35:17 > 0:35:21- Not really. It's not up to me.- OK, that's your father's decision.- Yes.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25- Perhaps he'll take you away somewhere nice for a weekend. - Hopefully he'll give me some of it.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27- I'm sure we'll do very well with it.- Right.
0:35:29 > 0:35:34Marjorie's happy and the jug completes our selection of items bound for auction.
0:35:34 > 0:35:35So let's recap.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38David thought Marjorie's family silver jug
0:35:38 > 0:35:43should fetch a handsome price and has set the reserve at £280.
0:35:43 > 0:35:47Next, James was completely smitten with the Bergman brass monkey on a greyhound.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50It may have lost the wow factor for Jane but,
0:35:50 > 0:35:57with an estimate of between £300 and £500, it's going to be a serious contender for any buyer.
0:35:57 > 0:36:02From treasured keepsakes to teabag holders, Deirdre may have just recognised its potential
0:36:02 > 0:36:07but David spotted the Wemyss pot instantly and valued it accordingly.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10I think we would place an estimate...
0:36:10 > 0:36:14oh, in the region of four times that on it.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16Wow.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19Let's not mess about, let's get straight over to the auction rooms
0:36:19 > 0:36:23where Deirdre's Wemyss ware is ready and waiting to go under the hammer.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28I absolutely love this next item, it's one of my favourites.
0:36:28 > 0:36:32It's Wemyss, it's a lovely pot, it's in at £200 to £300 and it belongs to Deirdre here
0:36:32 > 0:36:34and not for much longer.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37- No.- And I know you kept your teabags in this.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39- Yes.- Are you here by yourself today?
0:36:39 > 0:36:43- No, my daughter's with me and my husband's over at the other end. - Hello. There she is.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46- What's her name?- Neriana.- Neriana?
0:36:46 > 0:36:50- Yeah.- What a fantastic name. Neriana. - Never heard of that before. - Nor have I.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54- They're more than useful, these items, we shouldn't underestimate their decorative value.- No.
0:36:54 > 0:36:59- They were ahead of their time when they came out, you know.- It's almost timeless.- It is.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02- You can put it in a little twee cottage on a dresser...- Yes.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05..or you can put it in a hi-tech apartment and it's got the look.
0:37:05 > 0:37:06- Yeah.- The question is...
0:37:06 > 0:37:11will it go at the lower or top end or could it shoot right through the ceiling on this one?
0:37:11 > 0:37:14It's all down to the magic of Anita Manning, who's on the rostrum right now.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17- Let's get on with it, shall we? - Yes.- Let's do it. Here we go.
0:37:17 > 0:37:24493 is the large Wemyss preserve pot and cover with plums.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26£400?
0:37:26 > 0:37:28300?
0:37:28 > 0:37:33Start me at 200, ladies and gentlemen, start me at £200.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35Start me at 100, then.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38- 100, 100 bid.- We're off.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40100, 110, 120, 130...
0:37:40 > 0:37:44- Right, now we've got going. - 140, 150, 160, 170, 180.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48180.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52190 on the phone.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55£190 on the phone.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57For the Wemyss preserve pot.
0:37:57 > 0:38:01190. Any advance on 190?
0:38:01 > 0:38:04Any advance on 190?
0:38:04 > 0:38:07All done at 190? 190.
0:38:07 > 0:38:08- Sold.- Well, we got there.
0:38:08 > 0:38:10- Got there, yeah.- Just.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12Just. It was the lower end.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14Wing and a prayer but we made it.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Next up we've got that wonderful silver claret jug.
0:38:19 > 0:38:24It belongs to Marjorie. Well, Marjorie's dad, who you've brought along. Richard, pleased to meet you.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26- Pleased to meet you.- Bit of quality.
0:38:26 > 0:38:30- Yeah.- Love it to bits, I really do, and I think David does, as well.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32- Yes.- We've got £300 to £500 on this.
0:38:32 > 0:38:37- Yes.- Now you brought it along for a valuation, purely for a valuation,
0:38:37 > 0:38:40and we've ended up putting it into auction.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44- So you had to go home and tell dad, did you?- Had to get permission. - "I left it there.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46"It's going under the hammer." Did you mind?
0:38:46 > 0:38:49- No, I don't mind. - You don't mind at all.
0:38:49 > 0:38:50Have you used this a lot?
0:38:50 > 0:38:54I hadn't seen it for 50-odd years.
0:38:54 > 0:38:58- It's been in a cupboard.- Gosh.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01- No, I'm not into these at all really. - No.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04- Good luck. Thank you for bringing it.- Thank you. - It's going under the hammer.
0:39:04 > 0:39:08163's a Victorian silver claret jug.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10That's a beautiful item.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12Will you start me at £200?
0:39:12 > 0:39:15Start me at 200.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17- 200 bid.- We're off.
0:39:17 > 0:39:22With you, sir, at 200. Any advance on £200?
0:39:22 > 0:39:26Any advance on 200? 210.
0:39:26 > 0:39:30- 210 behind you.- Quite slow, isn't it, Marjorie?- It is.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33210. With you, sir, at 210.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36Any advance on 210?
0:39:36 > 0:39:40- 220.- Come on.- 230, 240,
0:39:40 > 0:39:42250.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45250.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48260, 270.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51£270.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55270.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59Any advance on £270?
0:39:59 > 0:40:04All done at 270? All done at 270? 270.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06- We didn't get there. - We didn't quite make it...
0:40:06 > 0:40:10- We'll keep it.- We were £10 short of that reserve.- Yes, that's hard luck.
0:40:10 > 0:40:11Anyway, it's a happy ending
0:40:11 > 0:40:13because you were surprised it was going into auction
0:40:13 > 0:40:16- and at least you know its value now.- That's right.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19Take it home and put a good claret in it.
0:40:19 > 0:40:20That's what I'd do.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28- Jane, this is a wonderful thing. - Mm-hm.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30- Possibly the nicest thing in the auction.- That's very nice.
0:40:30 > 0:40:34It's a cold-painted bronze, it's the monkey riding a greyhound as a letter holder
0:40:34 > 0:40:37and James Lewis beat me to this at the valuation day.
0:40:37 > 0:40:41You zoomed in on it, you focused it, you grabbed it.
0:40:41 > 0:40:45- First time for everything, I suppose.- It's good, isn't it? - I love it, I love it.
0:40:45 > 0:40:50I've just got to ask, why, why, why are you selling this?
0:40:50 > 0:40:55Well, I've been used to it all my life, I've got really sort of used to it, and now I've inherited it
0:40:55 > 0:40:59- I find I don't use it and you know you get used to it...- You don't have to use it, just look at it!
0:40:59 > 0:41:04I'm not looking at it, it's tucked away in a desk and it's lost its wow factor for me...
0:41:04 > 0:41:06- Yeah.- Because I've known it, literally, all my life.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10- It's so good and it's so quirky and I've not seen this one before.- No.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12Let's find out, shall we?
0:41:12 > 0:41:18Lot 523 is this superb cold-painted bronze letter holder
0:41:18 > 0:41:22depicting a monkey sat upon a greyhound.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24- Start me at 200.- Right, we're in.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27200 bid. With you, sir, at 200.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30Any advance on 200?
0:41:30 > 0:41:33220, 240, 260,
0:41:33 > 0:41:36280, 300,
0:41:36 > 0:41:38320, 340,
0:41:38 > 0:41:41360, 380,
0:41:41 > 0:41:43400, 420,
0:41:43 > 0:41:47440, 460, 480...
0:41:47 > 0:41:50It's down to two people in the room.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52Isn't it, yeah.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54520, 540,
0:41:54 > 0:41:57560,
0:41:57 > 0:41:59580,
0:41:59 > 0:42:03600, 620,
0:42:03 > 0:42:07640, 660.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10- She's good. It's so rare.- 680.
0:42:10 > 0:42:14- £680.- Good gracious.
0:42:14 > 0:42:15680.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19Any advance on £680?
0:42:19 > 0:42:23All done at 680? All done at 680? 680.
0:42:24 > 0:42:25Yes.
0:42:25 > 0:42:27Slowly, slowly catch the monkey there.
0:42:27 > 0:42:31- Anita worked that one out. - She did.- £680, Jane.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34- I can't believe that.- Ooh.
0:42:34 > 0:42:36After commission there's still a lot.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39It's a lot of money for something I had sitting in a corner.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41What are you going to put it towards?
0:42:41 > 0:42:43- Well, we are off to Canada... - Oh, are you?
0:42:43 > 0:42:47..in a couple of weeks time so it'll provide a nice little bit of spending money.
0:42:47 > 0:42:52- But there may be a new digital camera in the offing as well, you never know.- Oh, good. Snap away.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55I could see that on your desk in your office in your auction room.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57So could I.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00- But you're not having it. - No, I know.
0:43:00 > 0:43:04We've had a brilliant day here and it's all been down to Jane and James.
0:43:04 > 0:43:08- Thank you.- I hope you've enjoyed the show. I've loved being in Scotland and can't wait to come back.
0:43:08 > 0:43:10So, until the next time, cheerio.
0:43:29 > 0:43:31Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:31 > 0:43:33E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk