0:00:02 > 0:00:05We have arrived! Today, "Flog It!" is in Richmond in North Yorkshire and hopefully
0:00:05 > 0:00:09all the locals will be making their way down there to the market hall,
0:00:09 > 0:00:12laden with unwanted antiques and collectables ready to be valued.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14Yes, "Flog It!" is in town.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36The picturesque town of Richmond is situated on the banks
0:00:36 > 0:00:39of the River Swale and is steeped in history.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43High above the town is the breathtaking Richmond Castle,
0:00:43 > 0:00:46which was built in the reign of William the Conqueror.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48Its construction is of stone rather than wood
0:00:48 > 0:00:51which was incredibly unusual for its time.
0:00:51 > 0:00:56In fact, it is thought to be the first stone-built castle in England.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59Well, back down at ground level I am hoping this huge crowd
0:00:59 > 0:01:02gathering outside the market hall have got some rather unusual
0:01:02 > 0:01:03antiques for our experts to value.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05And, of course, let's face it,
0:01:05 > 0:01:07they have all come to ask that all-important question which is...
0:01:07 > 0:01:09ALL: What's it worth?
0:01:09 > 0:01:11And when you have found out, what are you going to do?
0:01:11 > 0:01:13- ALL: Flog it! - That's the name of the game.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15It is now 9:30, let's get these doors open
0:01:15 > 0:01:17and get this massive crowd inside.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19Ready to go in? Yes!
0:01:20 > 0:01:23The hundreds of people that are streaming into the market
0:01:23 > 0:01:27will all have their items valued by our team of experts
0:01:27 > 0:01:31who are led today by James Lewis, who is attracted to a bit of metal.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33Surprisingly, under that soft exterior
0:01:33 > 0:01:36beats the heart of a fanatical heavy-metal fan.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38All the plate has come off, hasn't it?
0:01:38 > 0:01:40Imagine what it would have been like if it was like that.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42He is joined on the tables by Adam Partridge,
0:01:42 > 0:01:45whose musical tastes are a bit different.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47Those are quite nice things to own, really,
0:01:47 > 0:01:50but don't let anyone catch you framing them.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53He used to be a professional violin player.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55Everyone knows now.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57We've got a great show for you today.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59James makes an interesting discovery...
0:01:59 > 0:02:01This is gruesome, isn't it?
0:02:01 > 0:02:05When you stab somebody it is easier to draw the blade out again.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07That's why they are made.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10..while Adam is predicting great things.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12I think we're going to sell it.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14And I'm going to be bullish and say it really should be worth
0:02:14 > 0:02:16the four figures that you are hoping for.
0:02:16 > 0:02:17And I tread the boards
0:02:17 > 0:02:21in one of the most intact Georgian theatres in the world.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26Romeo, Romeo, where for art thou, Romeo? Here I am!
0:02:27 > 0:02:29Well, as you can see,
0:02:29 > 0:02:32we've got a full house which means lots of antiques.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34We really do have our work cut out so let's get on with it.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37Adam Partridge is the first expert at the tables
0:02:37 > 0:02:40so let's take a closer look at what he has found.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44- Janet and David. David and Janet. - Yes.- Hello, welcome to "Flog It!"
0:02:44 > 0:02:46- Thank you. - Thanks for coming along.- Pleasure.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48This piece needs no introduction, really.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50I'm sure everybody knows exactly what that is.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54It is a very distinctive shape and design of the Moorcroft Pottery.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57How have you come to own this one?
0:02:57 > 0:03:00I bought it in a little antique place
0:03:00 > 0:03:03within a big department store in Newcastle
0:03:03 > 0:03:07- about 25-26 years ago.- OK. - And I just passed by and the colours
0:03:07 > 0:03:09caught my eye and I thought, "Oh, that is pretty."
0:03:09 > 0:03:13- Do you remember how much it was 25 years ago?- £6.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17- It's probably, what, 50 quid now? - Yeah.- Maybe. Getting on for £50 now.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19- Yes, yes.- Yeah. - So why have you decided to sell it?
0:03:19 > 0:03:21It doesn't take up much room.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24Not at all, it's just that, we didn't know for ten years that it was
0:03:24 > 0:03:28- Moorcroft or anything important. - Or the significance of... Yeah. - That's right.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31But, as soon as I find out the significance of it, I thought,
0:03:31 > 0:03:34"Oh, somebody's going to drop it, somebody's going to break it."
0:03:34 > 0:03:37- And it nearly did once or twice. - Oh, really?- Yeah.
0:03:37 > 0:03:38So it has had a couple of lives.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42Well, when we first got it I used to let the kids fill it with water
0:03:42 > 0:03:45- and paint with it. - Right, so it could easily have not survived to this day.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48- Oh, I just don't know how it's... - How it's managed it.- Yeah.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52- Any idea what it is worth?- I would like to think it was over £100.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54I agree, I agree. I tend to...
0:03:54 > 0:03:59I'd say an estimate of 100-150 would be about right, a realistic guide.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01I'd like to think it would make 150.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04- Because, of course, small is beautiful.- Yes.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09I'm not tall myself. But in collectors' terms also.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12The smaller the piece of furniture, generally, the smaller...
0:04:12 > 0:04:17Miniature vases make often much more than their great big counterparts.
0:04:17 > 0:04:22- So a reserve of 100, would that sound OK?- Excellent, yes, fine.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25And then, Moorcroft, as you know, it doesn't really need...
0:04:25 > 0:04:27It sells itself. Anyone can sell Moorcroft.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29- Have you done auctioneering before? - No, I haven't, no.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32Well, if you were to start, that would be a good thing to try because
0:04:32 > 0:04:36there would be hands everywhere and everyone knows what they are worth.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38It is the leaf and berry pattern by the way.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41Leaf and berry, which dates to the late 1930s and that
0:04:41 > 0:04:44"Potter to HM the Queen" mark there confirms that date
0:04:44 > 0:04:46and I think that's probably what you knew as well.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49It would be a little bit more if it was under a flambe glaze.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52It would be maybe 200-300.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56- I hope it goes to a new home and goes very well.- We hope so.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58- Would you reinvest in antiques? - What we would like to do is,
0:04:58 > 0:05:01I've often wanted to go down to the pottery that does it now.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04- To the Moorcroft Potteries?- Yeah.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06Oh, well, it's quite near me so let me know if you're coming.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08- I'll take you out for tea. - Thank you.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11Well, that's an invite that would be hard to refuse.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13I love having a rummage and chatting to the people
0:05:13 > 0:05:16because you never know what you might find.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18Pot lids. Oh, look at these.
0:05:19 > 0:05:24- Do you collect pot lids?- I do, yes. - How many have you got?- About...85.
0:05:24 > 0:05:2785? You're bonkers about pot lids then, really.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30Well, I was bonkers but I've been going now for about 15 years
0:05:30 > 0:05:33- so we are downsizing a little bit so...- They've got to go.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37- Some of them.- So why are you downsizing? I'm just being nosy.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39We have redecorated throughout because we are retired
0:05:39 > 0:05:43and we want to make things easier and everything came off the wall.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46- I had them on every wall. - So now the walls are bare.
0:05:46 > 0:05:52- Yes.- What's going back on them then? - Not a lot.- Not a lot at the moment.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55Well, good luck. I know there are plenty of collectors
0:05:55 > 0:05:56that will want this kind of thing.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59We've seen them do really well on the show before
0:05:59 > 0:06:01and think that is quite nice that it is just a set of four
0:06:01 > 0:06:05rather than all your 80 at once.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09It's amazing how well-made everyday items have become collectable and valuable.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13The solid silver cutlery set that Sue has brought in
0:06:13 > 0:06:15is another classic example of that.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18Tell me, Sue, were you born with one of these in your mouth?
0:06:18 > 0:06:21- No, not at all.- No?
0:06:21 > 0:06:22No, it's quite funny actually,
0:06:22 > 0:06:24I got them when I bought when I bought my first house
0:06:24 > 0:06:28and a friend of my father's said, "Would this help Sue out?"
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Because I got the house but nothing to put in it.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34So your first-ever home and there you are with solid silver.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38- Can't be bad.- I know, I know, probably worth more than the house.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40Let's have a look.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43This is a pattern that is known as old English pattern.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45It is just a rounded end, very, very plain,
0:06:45 > 0:06:48with a downswept terminal to the end.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51In the 17th-century, you have a dog nose,
0:06:51 > 0:06:53then a trefid that is split into three all on the end.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55Then you get a Hanoverian pattern.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58And then that this old English pattern
0:06:58 > 0:07:02really came into fashion around 1750, 1760.
0:07:02 > 0:07:09This example was made 100 years later...in 1896-1897.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13We've got the anchor, we've got the lion, we've got the date letter.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16The lion, of course, meaning it is sterling standard silver.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18The anchor means it was assayed in Birmingham.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22And the date letter in the centre for 1896-7.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26Then we have got E & Co Ltd. Elkington & Co.
0:07:26 > 0:07:31Elkington & Co, one of the most famous silversmiths of all time.
0:07:31 > 0:07:36Makers for the Queen in the 19th century, very good quality.
0:07:36 > 0:07:41- We've got five teaspoons. They are worth about £2 each.- Really?
0:07:41 > 0:07:45- That's all. £2 or £3 each. - I'm really disappointed.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49So, let's forget the teaspoons, this is where the real value is.
0:07:49 > 0:07:55Dessert forks like that, a set of six. The tines aren't quite level.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59Whenever you are looking at forks, the tine should be level at the top.
0:07:59 > 0:08:00These have had a bit of wear,
0:08:00 > 0:08:03they've slid around a few plates too many times.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05- Chased some peas round. - They have, exactly.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09- So a set of six of those would be worth £60-£100.- Excellent.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11A set of six dessert spoons,
0:08:11 > 0:08:15they are going to be worth about the same, £60-£100.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19We've got 60, we got 60, we got 20, £140 lower end,
0:08:19 > 0:08:23- so if we put 150-200 on them... - Lovely.- ..is that all right for you?
0:08:23 > 0:08:27Very nice. What do you think...? Because of the make,
0:08:27 > 0:08:31will they be melted down or are they likely to be bought to be used?
0:08:31 > 0:08:35- They will be probably melted down. - Right, that's a shame, isn't it?
0:08:35 > 0:08:38I hate to think of them sort of going down that road.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42- But then again, you know, they are early but...- Not that special.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44They're not that special.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47Like I always say, antiques are the ultimate recyclables
0:08:47 > 0:08:50and although it is sad for Sue to think they are being melted down,
0:08:50 > 0:08:53at least they are going to make something else.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56I've been investing in a bit of precious metal myself recently.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59See, I've got a flashy silver pen now
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- and it shows up on my photograph. - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05- Thank you very much.- That's come in quite useful.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08We've got all different-sized valuation tables on "Flog It!"
0:09:08 > 0:09:11but sometimes people bring their own in, although this beautiful
0:09:11 > 0:09:15little table, brought in by Graham, is gracefully hiding its real use.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17We're not often lucky enough to see furniture
0:09:17 > 0:09:19and especially such a nice object as this.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Can you tell me how it came to be in your possession?
0:09:22 > 0:09:26Yes, it was my grandmother's, and on my father's death ten years ago,
0:09:26 > 0:09:29- it passed to me.- So you have always known this piece of furniture.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32- I've known it since I was a toddler, yes.- That's lovely, isn't it?
0:09:32 > 0:09:35And what has made you decide to sell it now?
0:09:35 > 0:09:37I think, living in a modern house,
0:09:37 > 0:09:41it takes up quite a bit of room in our house.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44It is a bit incongruous with the rest of the furniture in the house.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47Yes, we've loved it, but perhaps it is time to pass it on,
0:09:47 > 0:09:50let somebody else perhaps appreciate it as well.
0:09:50 > 0:09:51Some people will watch this and think,
0:09:51 > 0:09:55"It's only half my size, what's he talking about, 'It's too big'?"
0:09:55 > 0:09:59- But I do know what you mean, it is not the most practical thing.- No.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02Very decorative and it is in satinwood.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06I would date that to the William IV period, 1835 or thereabouts.
0:10:06 > 0:10:11This carving on the column is typically of the William IV period.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15This is, of course, an elaborate teapoy, a tea caddy on stand.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17Oh, there we are.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20And it is a beautiful satinwood interior and it is in really,
0:10:20 > 0:10:23- really lovely condition.- Such a beautiful smooth wood, isn't it?
0:10:23 > 0:10:24Yeah, it really is.
0:10:24 > 0:10:29And these lift out and then they are wonderfully made.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31Mahogany and then satinwood.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Just lovely things in their own right, aren't they?
0:10:34 > 0:10:35To hold, yes, they are.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38And these are the original bowls because there is no give there,
0:10:38 > 0:10:42they are well fitted. And it is an object of real quality.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46You see the thickness of the brass hinges
0:10:46 > 0:10:48and this Brammer-patent lock
0:10:48 > 0:10:51was things that was put on furniture of high quality.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54It is a dual-lock... I don't suppose you got a key still.
0:10:54 > 0:10:55- We have no key,- No.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59It is a complicated lock but it is a sign of great quality.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02And, of course, tea was a valuable commodity in the 19th century.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06- Not now.- Keep the servants out.- Yes, that's right, lock the servants out.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09Keep your green and black tea separate.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12Of course, tea isn't such a valuable commodity nowadays.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15- It's a bag of dust in a mug now, isn't it?- Indeed.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19But the teapoy is still quite a commercial piece of furniture, I think.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22You told me you wanted £1,000, really, is that right?
0:11:22 > 0:11:23- It's in my head.- Yeah.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- So, we are going to go with the reserve of £800.- Yes.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29- Are you happy with that? - I'm happy with that.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31And if we put an estimate of 800-1,200,
0:11:31 > 0:11:35it's likely when we go to the auction, the auctioneer may say,
0:11:35 > 0:11:37"Oh, you are quoting us ten-years-ago prices,"
0:11:37 > 0:11:39but I think we're going to sell it.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41I think we're going to be all right and I'm going to be bullish
0:11:41 > 0:11:45and say it really should be worth the four figures you are hoping for.
0:11:45 > 0:11:50- If it doesn't make £800, it's not worth you selling it really.- No, no.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52So it is a good test of the market here.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Next up, James is having a chat with Bruce,
0:11:57 > 0:12:01a collector with the foresight to save his toy boxes.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05These are just so many memories for me. It's not just toys, it's...
0:12:05 > 0:12:09I remember having one of those, I remember having one of those
0:12:09 > 0:12:13and I keep thinking, "The last time I saw that was in the sandpit at home,"
0:12:13 > 0:12:17and that's the sort of thing that toy collectors are passionate about.
0:12:17 > 0:12:22- Which is your favourite? - I like that one.- That's mine.
0:12:22 > 0:12:29I love the Beetles, I've got a VW Camper now, an old 1969 one that
0:12:29 > 0:12:32all my friends say I'm never looking happier than when I'm driving it.
0:12:32 > 0:12:33These have been a great investment,
0:12:33 > 0:12:36I mean, some of them have still got the price tag on.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38What's that? Catterick. 16p.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42It used to be a local shop then, they sold them, yeah.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44- And you bought them all from the same shop?- Yeah.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47So back as a boy, what did you do, just wheel them round the sandpit
0:12:47 > 0:12:49like me or did you have one of the proper tracks?
0:12:49 > 0:12:52I had one of the proper tracks which I have got on the floor down here with me.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56- Oh, let's have a look.- OK. I'll just turn round and get it.
0:12:56 > 0:13:02- There we go.- Well, at least you've got the box. It's seen better days.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05Oh, gosh, it's pretty good inside though.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09You've got all the bits, all the ramps. Fantastic.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12The track doesn't have a massive value so I think the track
0:13:12 > 0:13:16- should go with the other bits and sell them all together.- Yeah.- OK.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20There we go.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22When it comes to value...
0:13:23 > 0:13:27..the more interesting ones like that in the brighter colours,
0:13:27 > 0:13:28£5-£6.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32Some of the more common ones, and less interesting
0:13:32 > 0:13:35like the truck in yellow and red, maybe £3 or £4.
0:13:35 > 0:13:41So if we take an average of about £3 each, we've got 50 of them here.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44So £150.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46I think we ought to use that as the lower end estimate.
0:13:46 > 0:13:51150-250 and if a couple of the specialists get involved
0:13:51 > 0:13:53they might make a bit more.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56- Let's take them along and see how much we can raise for you. - OK, no problem.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10Wow, just look at that stunning view! Isn't that incredible?
0:14:10 > 0:14:15We are so lucky here in this country to have backdrops like this.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19I'm in the stunning Yorkshire Dales and I have come here to find out
0:14:19 > 0:14:21about one of the oldest industries in the area.
0:14:21 > 0:14:26It dates back about 1,000 years and it is the art of cheese-making.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31I've come to the town of Hawes in Wensleydale
0:14:31 > 0:14:34to find out more about Wensleydale cheese,
0:14:34 > 0:14:37the favourite variety of two of the country's best-loved characters -
0:14:37 > 0:14:39Wallace and Gromit.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41Wensleydale is actually an area within the Yorkshire Dales
0:14:41 > 0:14:44and the history of cheesemaking in this region dates back,
0:14:44 > 0:14:46well, to the industrious monks, really,
0:14:46 > 0:14:48at the time of the Norman conquest.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51But, after Henry VIII abolished the monasteries,
0:14:51 > 0:14:54the art of cheesemaking passed on to local farmers' wives,
0:14:54 > 0:14:56who made cheese from their farmhouses.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03Then, in 1897, right here in Hawes,
0:15:03 > 0:15:06a local merchant called Edward Chapman
0:15:06 > 0:15:08began collecting milk from the local farmhouses
0:15:08 > 0:15:12to use for the commercial production of Wensleydale cheese.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14And it's been made here ever since.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16Now, before I go off to the creamery
0:15:16 > 0:15:18to find out how cheese is actually made,
0:15:18 > 0:15:22I'm going to take a closer look at the source of the raw ingredient.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24COWS MOO
0:15:25 > 0:15:27And here it is - milk!
0:15:27 > 0:15:28Well, it will be a bit later,
0:15:28 > 0:15:31when the farmer gets his hands on this lot.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33But the cows here in the Wensleydale region
0:15:33 > 0:15:35get to graze on limestone pastures,
0:15:35 > 0:15:39which is incredibly rich in wild flowers and herbs.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41And it's only milk from these cows
0:15:41 > 0:15:44that's used at the Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46That's it. It's so simple, isn't it?
0:15:46 > 0:15:50That's what gives Wensleydale cheese its wonderful Dales flavour.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52And, right now, I'm off to the creamery.
0:16:02 > 0:16:0450 local farms in the Wensleydale area
0:16:04 > 0:16:08provide milk for this creamery and tankers arrive every morning -
0:16:08 > 0:16:11they pull right up here and this is where the milk is pumped in.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14Now, the first process is it has to be pasteurised.
0:16:14 > 0:16:15This is quite simple, really -
0:16:15 > 0:16:19the milk gets heated to 72 degrees for around 15 seconds.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22And that will kill off any bad bacteria.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25Right, let's go and have a look at the cheesemaking process.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30Once the milk has been pasteurised,
0:16:30 > 0:16:331,000 gallons are pumped into each metal vat.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40One vat will end up being 500 kilograms of Wensleydale cheese.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43Rennet addition is then stirred into the milk.
0:16:43 > 0:16:44The mixture then cools
0:16:44 > 0:16:47until it sets into what is known as a semisolid junket,
0:16:47 > 0:16:51which has a consistency a bit like blancmange.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53Next, the mixture is cut into small pieces
0:16:53 > 0:16:56by rotating knives and stirrers.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58This releases the curds and whey.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02Now, the equipment may look hi tech down there
0:17:02 > 0:17:05but the basic way Wensleydale cheese has been made
0:17:05 > 0:17:07hasn't changed for centuries.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09And, really, that is a full-scale, larger version
0:17:09 > 0:17:12of what would have been going on in there.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15And it's still very much largely a handmade process.
0:17:17 > 0:17:18Once the moisture's drained
0:17:18 > 0:17:21and the correct level of acidity has been reached,
0:17:21 > 0:17:23it's time to pitch the vat.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29The curds are moved to one end in order to allow the whey to run off.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36Salt is then added to the curd and this serves as a preservative
0:17:36 > 0:17:39and, of course, enhances the flavour.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43It's then put through the cheese mill and shredded into small pieces
0:17:43 > 0:17:47which are then packed into stainless steel moulds, ready for the press.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Well, it looks like backbreaking work in there.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52I'm pleased I'm in the viewing gallery, just watching!
0:17:57 > 0:18:01Wensleydale cheese is only pressed lightly compared to other varieties,
0:18:01 > 0:18:05which gives it that distinctive crumbly texture.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07The cheeses are bandaged in muslin
0:18:07 > 0:18:10as soon as they are removed from their moulds.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14They are put into the drying room, where they are turned over daily.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20From here, the Wensleydale cheese may be sent to the maturing room,
0:18:20 > 0:18:23where it'll be stored for four to six months
0:18:23 > 0:18:26and it will be checked regularly by the cheese grader.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31Right, I think it's time
0:18:31 > 0:18:34I got myself a piece of Wensleydale cheese.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36- Trevor, you work here as a cheesemaker.- Yeah.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39- So how long have you been here? - Ooh...14 years.
0:18:39 > 0:18:40Crikey. Man and boy, really.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43All your working life. Cos I know you're a young chap.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45I'm going to try some while we're talking to each other.
0:18:45 > 0:18:46Which shall I go for first?
0:18:46 > 0:18:49The blue Jervaulx's going to be a big seller.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53- I never knew there were so many variations.- Oh, yeah.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57We do, like, through the samples... If it's a seller, we do more.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00Oh, blimey! That is really good.
0:19:00 > 0:19:01Cor!
0:19:01 > 0:19:03Hey, I'm surprised you haven't put on weight.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06TREVOR LAUGHS It's all the work we do!
0:19:06 > 0:19:08- I'm going to have another bit of that.- Yeah.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10Cor, that is delicious!
0:19:10 > 0:19:13So, in your opinion, what sets this apart from other cheese?
0:19:13 > 0:19:15- Why is Wensleydale so good? - Well, it's...
0:19:15 > 0:19:18We use the milk from cows from Wensleydale, basically,
0:19:18 > 0:19:23and it's been a seller for years. It's the way we make it. Um...
0:19:23 > 0:19:26People come from all over the country, even all over the world.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28I guess this is the best advert, really, for local produce.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30- Definitely.- It doesn't travel far.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- And food shouldn't travel, should it?- No.- Who...?
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Who would think that eating grass
0:19:34 > 0:19:36turns into something as delicious as this!
0:19:38 > 0:19:41That's incredible! That's absolutely incredible.
0:19:46 > 0:19:47We've been working flat-out
0:19:47 > 0:19:50and it's time to put those valuations to the test.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53Let's get over to the auction room. We'll catch you there.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01Going under the hammer with Graham's stunning teapoy
0:20:01 > 0:20:04are David and Janet's miniature Moorcroft vase,
0:20:04 > 0:20:07which they're afraid they might break if they keep it.
0:20:07 > 0:20:08And Sue's silver cutlery,
0:20:08 > 0:20:11which was a very welcome house-warming present.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14And what will auctioneer Peter Robinson think
0:20:14 > 0:20:17of the number of cars in Bruce's collection?
0:20:17 > 0:20:19Well, take a look at this, Peter.
0:20:19 > 0:20:24There's a lot of lot, that's all I can say. 60 or 61 Matchbox cars.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27They belong to Bruce, he's been collecting them since the mid-1970s.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29But look at the condition - it's brilliant!
0:20:29 > 0:20:32- And, also, we've got some track as well.- And some track, yeah. Well...
0:20:32 > 0:20:34I had lots of these.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36Well, it's a confession that I'm...
0:20:36 > 0:20:38you know, I'm not going to allude to.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40Oh, come on, what? What are you going to say?
0:20:40 > 0:20:42I played with all mine in the garden,
0:20:42 > 0:20:44- they all got dirty and rusty... - Hey, do you know what?
0:20:44 > 0:20:46And, of course, now, when you see them like this,
0:20:46 > 0:20:48in their original boxes,
0:20:48 > 0:20:52you kind of like wonder how much pleasure was had as toys.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54But, of course, they're now great collectors' pieces.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57I ran mine into the ground. The wheels came off.
0:20:57 > 0:20:58As soon as I got them,
0:20:58 > 0:21:01- I took them out of the box and threw the box.- Yep, yeah.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03- Well, I did the same. - Did you do the same?- Yes.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05But, no, this is a nice collection.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07I think we've got a reserve of £150 on this lot.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09That's about £2.50 a car.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11You know, we've got interest in the lot,
0:21:11 > 0:21:13we've got one phone line, I think, booked at the moment.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16- One or two commission bids. - Sounds good.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Interest as well that'll come in the room.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22So I think we'll exceed the reserve. By how much? Who knows?
0:21:22 > 0:21:26- You are cautious, aren't you? - I'm a cautious chappie!
0:21:26 > 0:21:28Commission is standard in all salerooms,
0:21:28 > 0:21:31but the amount can vary, so check the auction catalogue
0:21:31 > 0:21:34to see what it will cost you to buy and sell.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37Here at Thomas Watson Auctioneers, you have to pay a buyer's premium,
0:21:37 > 0:21:40which is commission at 15% plus VAT.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43First up is the Moorcroft vase.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48Why are you selling it?
0:21:48 > 0:21:51Well, because we're downsizing, going to sell the house.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- And I know it's small... - They all say that, don't they?- Yeah.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57- Couldn't take a thimble when they were downsizing.- Last week...
0:21:57 > 0:21:59Exactly! One little picture, a little miniature.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01- "Oh, I'm downsizing." - Every little helps.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03It's so small, you see, when you pick it up and dust it,
0:22:03 > 0:22:06I keep thinking, "I'm going to break this, I'm going to break this."
0:22:06 > 0:22:09- We've had it 25 years.- Yeah. - Well, look, good luck.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11All I can say is Moorcroft is big business.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14- They're still making it today, aren't they?- Very much so.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17- Collectors all over the world are buying.- They love it.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20- Let's hope. Let's hope they're here today. OK?- Yeah.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22Good luck, everyone. Here we go.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26Nice little piece of Moorcroft and I have £50 to start me.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29At £50 for it? At £50.
0:22:29 > 0:22:3360, second row. 70 in the left. 80, 90, 100.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36£90 on my left now. At £90 for the lot.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38Is it 100? 100, then, I'm bid.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40- Good.- Everywhere you go.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43130. £120, I'm bid now.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46At £120, are we all finished? 130 then? Bid?
0:22:46 > 0:22:48It's always a sure thing, isn't it, with Moorcroft?
0:22:48 > 0:22:50Bid's on my left at £130.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53Being sold now to my left at £130. All done?
0:22:53 > 0:22:57- That's good, isn't it? £130. - It is. Decent profit.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59- That's what it is all about. - Yeah.- It is, yes.
0:22:59 > 0:23:00Thanks for coming.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03I hope you find a new receptacle for your paintbrush.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06I don't want the grandchildren to get a hold of it!
0:23:06 > 0:23:08Not surprisingly, the Moorcroft collectors
0:23:08 > 0:23:10have put their money where their mouths are
0:23:10 > 0:23:13but will the silver spoons have their fans as well?
0:23:13 > 0:23:17Now these were really a kind of house-warming present, weren't they?
0:23:17 > 0:23:18They were, yes.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22It was my first house and I didn't have any furniture
0:23:22 > 0:23:25but a friend of my father's thought that these might come in helpful!
0:23:25 > 0:23:26THEY LAUGH
0:23:26 > 0:23:29A collection of silver. Well, you've to start somewhere, haven't you?
0:23:29 > 0:23:31And you obviously use them.
0:23:31 > 0:23:32- No.- Oh, you didn't?!
0:23:32 > 0:23:35- They've been stuffed away.- Aww! - No, no, we haven't.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37And it's not straightforward dishwasher stuff, is it?
0:23:37 > 0:23:39No, you can't dishwasher them
0:23:39 > 0:23:41but you could just wash them under a little bit of warm, soapy water.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44- Yes.- It's not that hard work, is it, really?
0:23:44 > 0:23:46No, but we don't all have housekeepers and servants
0:23:46 > 0:23:49- to do it for us, Paul. That's the problem.- I do it myself!
0:23:49 > 0:23:51Look, it's a great time to sell silver anyway,
0:23:51 > 0:23:53so let's see what the bidders think, shall we? Here we go.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56The collection of cutlery.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58£100 bid for the cutlery.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00At £100. At £100.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02Come on, where all the hands?
0:24:02 > 0:24:06130, 140, 150, 160, 170.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10175? 180, 190? 180 with me, the bid.
0:24:10 > 0:24:11At £180.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13190 then on my right now.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16At £190, selling on my right at £190.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19All finished now at 190 for the lot?
0:24:19 > 0:24:22- The hammer's gone down. That was good. £190.- Really pleased.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25- Brilliant.- So are you going to buy something for the house?
0:24:25 > 0:24:28Er, possibly use it for spending money on a holiday.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30- We're going to Northern Cyprus. - Oh, lovely!
0:24:30 > 0:24:32- Oh, Northern Cyprus? - So, er, lots of ice creams.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34- Baklava!- Yes!
0:24:34 > 0:24:36That's certainly a great result for Sue
0:24:36 > 0:24:37and a spot-on estimate for James.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42And coming up in the next lot, there is a lot of lot, 61 in total.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44You know what I'm talking about.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47It's those Matchbox and Corgi cars belonging to Bruce.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49And I've just been joined by our expert, James, as well,
0:24:49 > 0:24:50who put the valuation on.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53Had a chat to the auctioneer just before the sale started.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55And we both thought...
0:24:55 > 0:24:57"Wow, what condition!"
0:24:57 > 0:24:59And you've managed to hang on to the boxes as well.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01What will you put the money towards?
0:25:01 > 0:25:03I'm going to take the girlfriend to see Status Quo in November.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07- Status Quo?- Yeah.- Oh, brilliant! Oh, what a fun night out.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10We'd better sell them, I've already got the tickets, so she's going!
0:25:10 > 0:25:12Does she know?
0:25:12 > 0:25:14- I'm afraid so, yeah, somebody told her.- Aww.- Yeah.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17Well, it's about time we got down to business.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19Here we go, it's going under the hammer now.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23Matchbox this time, the track in its box
0:25:23 > 0:25:29and a collection of 61 vehicles in total in that box.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32And...£50 to start for the lot.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34That's low, isn't it?
0:25:34 > 0:25:3660, 70, 80, 90, 100.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40At £100 bid for the collection. At £100.
0:25:40 > 0:25:41And 10.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45120, 130, 140, 150...
0:25:45 > 0:25:46This is more like it!
0:25:46 > 0:25:48150 on my left, at £150.
0:25:48 > 0:25:53160, 170, 180, 190, 200,
0:25:53 > 0:25:55210. 210 on my left.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57At 220 on my right.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59230, 240, 250?
0:25:59 > 0:26:01260?
0:26:02 > 0:26:03270?
0:26:05 > 0:26:06280? 290?
0:26:06 > 0:26:09Got to say it, they're RACING away right now.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12320, 330, 340?
0:26:12 > 0:26:14360?
0:26:14 > 0:26:16370? No?
0:26:16 > 0:26:20360 at the back of the room then. At £360 for the lot now.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22- Now we all done?- 360...
0:26:22 > 0:26:25- 370.- Ooh, it's come back.
0:26:25 > 0:26:26380, 390?
0:26:26 > 0:26:28400?
0:26:28 > 0:26:30400. 410, sir?
0:26:30 > 0:26:32At £400 then at the back of the room.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34At £400, being sold now at 400 bid.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39- Bang! Hammer's gone down. What do you think of that?- Brilliant.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41What a great result!
0:26:41 > 0:26:44- I didn't expect that. - No, nor did I. Nor did I.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47The toy market has blossomed over the last few years.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49And lots of auctioneers are trying get into the toy market
0:26:49 > 0:26:51and THAT is why.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Well, those cars were a real sterling lot.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56I love it when things just fly away.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59Next up is the teapoy that everybody has fallen in love with.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02I really hope it reaches its full potential.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05- Your grandmother really looked after this teapoy, didn't she?- She did.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08That condition! There's not one stain or chip on this.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10Well, you've looked after it as well.
0:27:10 > 0:27:11We've looked after it too, yeah.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14This is wonderful. I know you fell in love with this as well.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17It's got the quality of Gillows about the workmanship, hasn't it?
0:27:17 > 0:27:19It's just a splendid piece of furniture
0:27:19 > 0:27:21and, if it doesn't sell, it's a travesty.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23Had a chat to the auctioneer
0:27:23 > 0:27:24and he said it's not a popular piece of kit.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27You know, if it was a tea caddie, people want to own it
0:27:27 > 0:27:28but, because it's a teapoy,
0:27:28 > 0:27:30it becomes a piece of freestanding furniture.
0:27:30 > 0:27:31What do you do with it?
0:27:31 > 0:27:34Yeah. But, I mean, you could say that with lots of things.
0:27:34 > 0:27:35That's the downside.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37It should make four figures, really,
0:27:37 > 0:27:39- but it's an uncertain market these days, isn't it?- OK.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42We're putting it to the test. That's what this is all about.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45- Let's find out what the bidders think.- Satinwood's good, isn't it?
0:27:46 > 0:27:49At £600, at £600.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52At £600 for the teapoy. 650, can I say?
0:27:52 > 0:27:54At £600. At £600.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56Not exactly flying away, is it?
0:27:56 > 0:27:5950, 80, 700.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01At £700. At £700.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03720? At £700.
0:28:03 > 0:28:04No further bidding? At £700...
0:28:04 > 0:28:06Looks like it's going home.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08Short of the reserve. At £700.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11All finished then at £700?
0:28:12 > 0:28:13Sorry, unsold.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16- Unsold.- It's going home. - I'm not too disappointed.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19- No, you've got a lovely spot for it at home.- Absolutely!
0:28:19 > 0:28:21- Enjoy looking at it as well.- Yeah.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24I mean, just musing over the little hinges and the dovetails...
0:28:24 > 0:28:27- Doesn't mean it's not worth that, though, does it?- No.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29- But thank you anyway. - It's a luxury item.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31And it's a joy to behold and have.
0:28:31 > 0:28:35Well, Adam did say that if it didn't sell at the reserve of £800,
0:28:35 > 0:28:36Graham should take it home
0:28:36 > 0:28:39and I, for one, would be ecstatic to have it in my house.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42If you do have some furniture and you want to sell it,
0:28:42 > 0:28:44bring it along to one of our valuation days.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47And you can pick up details on our BBC website, just log on to...
0:28:49 > 0:28:52Click F for "Flog It!" - all the information will be there
0:28:52 > 0:28:54and, hopefully, we'll be near a town very close to you soon.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56So come and join us.
0:29:00 > 0:29:05While I've been in Richmond, I had a look at a local treasure just down the road from the market hall.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11Well, I've come to the centre of Richmond today,
0:29:11 > 0:29:14to visit a building that holds a very important place in history
0:29:14 > 0:29:17and in the hearts of all the local people around here.
0:29:17 > 0:29:21It's this very building, the Georgian Theatre Royal.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25OK, it looks unassuming on this road right here with these cars going by
0:29:25 > 0:29:27but it is a Grade I listed building
0:29:27 > 0:29:30and it also has a very important claim to fame.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32It's the oldest and the most complete
0:29:32 > 0:29:36Georgian Playhouse in Britain - and that's a fact.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39OK, all the good stuff is on the inside so without further ado,
0:29:39 > 0:29:42let's go in and view the piece de resistance.
0:29:44 > 0:29:48In the early 1700s, there weren't any theatres in Britain,
0:29:48 > 0:29:50as it was illegal to act for money.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53However, plays were performed by travelling companies of actors
0:29:53 > 0:29:56who found ways around the law.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00From the 1760s, Royal patents were granted to a few leading provincial theatres -
0:30:00 > 0:30:04but the biggest change came in 1788
0:30:04 > 0:30:06with the passing of the Theatre Licensing Act,
0:30:06 > 0:30:09which allowed complete of actors the right to apply for licences
0:30:09 > 0:30:14to put on classical plays for 60 days at any one time.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19And it was shortly after the Theatre Licensing Act
0:30:19 > 0:30:21that a remarkable Yorkshireman called Samuel Butler signed
0:30:21 > 0:30:24a 21-year lease with the Richmond Corporation.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27And on the 2nd of September in 1788,
0:30:27 > 0:30:32this remarkable, unique little theatre was opened to the public.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34Isn't it just marvellous?
0:30:35 > 0:30:37It really is!
0:30:37 > 0:30:40It is so tiny, though, and it's just fabulous!
0:30:41 > 0:30:45When it first opened, this venue was simply named The Theatre
0:30:45 > 0:30:48and Butler's company of actors played not only here
0:30:48 > 0:30:51but at seven other theatres that the entrepreneurial Butler
0:30:51 > 0:30:53had established across Yorkshire.
0:30:54 > 0:30:58Sadly, in 1830 the lease on this building was never renewed.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01The theatre and the Butler Company parted ways.
0:31:01 > 0:31:02Over the following centuries,
0:31:02 > 0:31:06a few odd performances were played out on this very stage.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09But in general, the theatre was put to different uses.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11It became a wine vault.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13During the Second World War, it was a storage depot.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16And, believe it or not, it was even an auction room!
0:31:16 > 0:31:19But thankfully, the core, the fabric, of this very building
0:31:19 > 0:31:21was never altered greatly.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25That's why it's become so important to theatre historians from all over the world -
0:31:25 > 0:31:30because it's the best surviving example of a Georgian Playhouse
0:31:30 > 0:31:33in Britain and it's an absolute architectural delight.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38The dilapidated theatre has been firstly restored in the 1950s
0:31:38 > 0:31:41and then again in 2003.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43On both occasions, restoration was undertaken
0:31:43 > 0:31:46carefully and sympathetically,
0:31:46 > 0:31:50so that the theatre appears much the same as it would have been
0:31:50 > 0:31:53when the Butler Company were performing all those years ago.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58It's actually known as the Courtyard Theatre
0:31:58 > 0:32:01because it mimics the sort of space you would find behind a public house,
0:32:01 > 0:32:04which is where the touring troupes of actors would have played
0:32:04 > 0:32:06before theatres were even built.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08This theme carries on to the ceiling above.
0:32:08 > 0:32:12If you look up there, you can see this fluffy white cloud blowing along in the breeze,
0:32:12 > 0:32:16mimicking the open-air space that the plays were watched in.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21The stage itself is typical of the period and is
0:32:21 > 0:32:25known as a proscenium arch, which acts as a window to the action.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29The stage is raked and it's a foot higher at the back
0:32:29 > 0:32:33than at the front, in order to give the audience a better view.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38Today, the Georgian Theatre Royal can seat up to 214 people
0:32:38 > 0:32:43but back in the Georgian era, 400 eager audience members would have squeezed in.
0:32:44 > 0:32:49You can imagine how lots more people were jammed in this small space all together.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51But which were the good seats and which were the bad?
0:32:52 > 0:32:57Well, up here is called the gallery and these are the cheap seats,
0:32:57 > 0:32:59used by the young and the dissolute.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02To watch a performance here back in the Georgian period
0:33:02 > 0:33:04would have cost you one shilling.
0:33:04 > 0:33:05BANGING
0:33:05 > 0:33:08Did you hear that? Well, don't worry - that was me!
0:33:08 > 0:33:11This gallery has a unique Georgian feature.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15It's known as the kicking board and that's exactly what you do to it.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19The Georgian patrons would have used this to show
0:33:19 > 0:33:22signs of disapproval if the act wasn't working out properly.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25And, of course, I've been told it's still used today -
0:33:25 > 0:33:29but only as a sign of approval to encourage an encore.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32- BANGING - Yeah! More, please, more!
0:33:32 > 0:33:35I say, who's that talent chap down there?
0:33:35 > 0:33:38This whole area is known as the pit.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40It's more expensive than the gallery.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43Theatre-goers would pay two shillings to watch a performance here
0:33:43 > 0:33:45when the Butler Company was in town.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49I would have preferred to have sat here, though, in one of these seats.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51They're considered to be the best in the house.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55To sit in one of these boxes would have cost you three shillings per person.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58In fact, this is the royal box.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01It's the best seat in the house. Why?
0:34:01 > 0:34:06Because it has a direct eyeline with the actors on stage right in front of you.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09And up here is another example of a typical Georgian feature.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11This is called the Juliet box.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14Now, it's not for the audience to sit in and watch the plays -
0:34:14 > 0:34:17it's for the actors to use for balcony scenes.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20And, of course, it's named after the most famous heroine of all,
0:34:20 > 0:34:23Juliet from Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet.
0:34:23 > 0:34:27"Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo?"
0:34:27 > 0:34:28Here I am!
0:34:28 > 0:34:31So that's how the Georgians would have watched theatre.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35But I'm interested in seeing what went on behind the scenes.
0:34:35 > 0:34:39I'm going to tread in the actors' footsteps as I head down underneath,
0:34:39 > 0:34:41through the dressing room, to the very guts of the theatre.
0:34:42 > 0:34:47I'm underneath the stage right now - there it is, there above me.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49This whole area is known as the machine room
0:34:49 > 0:34:54and these are the footlights - or the floats, as they were called back in the Georgian period.
0:34:54 > 0:34:59Now, these candles would have been alight in troughs of water
0:34:59 > 0:35:02and this whole trough would have been winched up by this winch here,
0:35:02 > 0:35:05going up to the stage to project light back on to
0:35:05 > 0:35:07the actors' faces so you could see them.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10And, of course, they were in water because if the candles fell over,
0:35:10 > 0:35:15well, it would put the flame out, wouldn't it? Then the whole place wouldn't catch on fire.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18Perhaps one of the most exciting parts of the theatre
0:35:18 > 0:35:22is operated from right down here, and that's the trap doors.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24Now, this enables items and actors
0:35:24 > 0:35:28to spring up out of nowhere onto the stage.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30There were originally three trap doors here
0:35:30 > 0:35:34but now there's only one and this is a reconstruction.
0:35:34 > 0:35:36Sadly, it doesn't work either,
0:35:36 > 0:35:39so I've got to take the long way back up.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45The Georgian Theatre Royal holds such a prestigious place
0:35:45 > 0:35:47in the history of theatre in Britain that
0:35:47 > 0:35:52many of our country's finest actors feel it's a status symbol to have played here -
0:35:52 > 0:35:58Timothy West, Judi Dench and plenty of other legendary actors have graced the stage here.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01And I have to say, yours truly is very proud to have been able
0:36:01 > 0:36:05to visit this fascinating piece of theatre history.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18There are still plenty of Yorkshire folk coming to the market hall
0:36:18 > 0:36:22with their antiques and collectables, hoping to "Flog It!".
0:36:24 > 0:36:26Welcome back to our valuation day in the heart of Richmond.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29As you can see, it's still pretty much a full house.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32Let's catch up with our experts and see what else they've spotted.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34It's a lovely cup, it's a loving cup!
0:36:34 > 0:36:38- Two handles, known as a loving cup. You knew that already?- Yes.
0:36:38 > 0:36:42- What else do you know about it? - Very little, really.- Right.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45It took my fancy and I just...
0:36:45 > 0:36:47It was about £30 and I bought it.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50- 30 quid wasn't bad. This is in lovely condition, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54It's in beautiful condition and what we've got is sort of
0:36:54 > 0:36:57lustre-printed colours on the front there with a classical design
0:36:57 > 0:37:02and initials on the back there, of...
0:37:02 > 0:37:04Is that PMB?
0:37:04 > 0:37:08- Yeah, something like that.- Is your surname a B?- No.- No, shame.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12And underneath, of course, where we always look to see the marques,
0:37:12 > 0:37:16we've got George slaying the dragon, haven't we?
0:37:16 > 0:37:19And we've got six valuers here today and we've all looked at that
0:37:19 > 0:37:22and we've all looked through the books and none of us
0:37:22 > 0:37:24- can find this "George slaying the dragon" marque.- Oh!
0:37:24 > 0:37:28Don't get your hopes up - it doesn't necessarily mean it's rare or valuable.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30It probably means it's quite an obscure factory.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32What made you decide to sell it now?
0:37:32 > 0:37:36Well, I've just a lot of things in boxes and there's just no room.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38- Are you a bit of a collector? - A little bit, yeah.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40Stash it all away in boxes?
0:37:40 > 0:37:44Yeah, my grandmother's house was to clear out two or three years ago
0:37:44 > 0:37:46- so I've just accumulated a lot of things.- It's quite nice.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48What do we think about it behind?
0:37:48 > 0:37:50- Very attractive. - Very pretty colours.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53Generally positive comments - five prospective bidders already!
0:37:53 > 0:37:56- Yeah, we want some bidders. - We'll see you at the auction!
0:37:56 > 0:37:5950 to 80 is what I think it's likely to make.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01- Right. - So there's a bit of a profit there.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04I think that's quite cheap, really, for a mid-19th-century piece,
0:38:04 > 0:38:09but that's the way it is these days, so we'll see how it goes at the auction.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12So, with a valuation of £50 to £80,
0:38:12 > 0:38:15Andrew is ready to send the loving cup to a new owner.
0:38:15 > 0:38:19James has set his sights on this pair of Derby figurines
0:38:19 > 0:38:20brought in by Harry.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23Now, Harry, I have to say I was not expecting to travel
0:38:23 > 0:38:27all the way to Richmond in North Yorkshire to find two things
0:38:27 > 0:38:31that were made about five miles from myself in Derbyshire!
0:38:31 > 0:38:33- Isn't it a small world? - Isn't it just!
0:38:33 > 0:38:37The initial Derby factory, right back in the 18th century,
0:38:37 > 0:38:41started making figures around 1750.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43And if you turned up an early Derby figure,
0:38:43 > 0:38:45you would see three patch marks that would indicate...
0:38:45 > 0:38:50Those were the little pads to stop the figure sticking to the bottom of the kiln.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53Today, with the new factory, Royal Crown Derby, as it's known,
0:38:53 > 0:38:55it's a lot easier.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57Turn a figure over, there we are -
0:38:57 > 0:39:01a great big marque that says "Royal Crown Derby, English bone china."
0:39:01 > 0:39:04Then we have "XLIX", so that's the Roman figure.
0:39:04 > 0:39:08"XL" - 40, "IX" - 9, 49.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12The first Roman numeral was put on in 1938,
0:39:12 > 0:39:17so we add 49 to 1938 and we get 1987.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19That's when this figure was made.
0:39:19 > 0:39:23We've got this canted square base with the Greek key decoration
0:39:23 > 0:39:26around that base and that's harking back to
0:39:26 > 0:39:28an earlier period because these figures
0:39:28 > 0:39:32that are allegorical of water, allegorical of air, are inspired
0:39:32 > 0:39:37from figures that were dug up in Herculaneum, Pompeii, Vesuvius.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40So these are very much a modern figure
0:39:40 > 0:39:42but with a very traditional past.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46So, tell me, why have you got them, how long have you had them
0:39:46 > 0:39:50and what are they doing here at "Flog It!" today?
0:39:50 > 0:39:53Well, what I'm trying to do is,
0:39:53 > 0:39:56- I'm trying to sell 'em for the grandchildren.- OK.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00- Cos my wife's died...- Oh, OK.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02I'm hoping to split the money.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05- I've got a grandson and a granddaughter.- OK.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08I'm going to give them half and half.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11The thing about these is, because they're modern,
0:40:11 > 0:40:15and this one's had a... been through the wars a bit...
0:40:15 > 0:40:18- It wasn't me!- Are you sure?
0:40:18 > 0:40:23No, no. If I'd fixed that, I think she would have noticed!
0:40:23 > 0:40:26- I would've used a lot of glue.- So, was it your job to do the dusting?
0:40:26 > 0:40:29- No, no, I mustn't touch it. - Oh, really?
0:40:29 > 0:40:30- No!- What, in case you break them?
0:40:30 > 0:40:35- You might have had a pair of broken ones!- I'm too clumsy!- Oh, well.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37Hopefully, the auctioneers won't be clumsy
0:40:37 > 0:40:40- and hopefully they'll do a good job for us.- I hope so.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44So I think, auction estimate - £50 to £70.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47Almost all the value is in that one and I'm sure they'll sell.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49- Fingers crossed on the day. - I hope so!
0:40:49 > 0:40:53'Everyone's got their fingers crossed today, hoping they've
0:40:53 > 0:40:56'unearthed a hidden treasure that could be worth a small fortune.
0:40:56 > 0:41:00'And Brian's got a very sentimental reason for keeping his item.'
0:41:00 > 0:41:02Tell me a little bit about the policeman's truncheon.
0:41:02 > 0:41:08Well, it's my great-grandfather's and he was a detective sergeant in...
0:41:08 > 0:41:12- It was in a place called Witton Park, which is...- Is that local?
0:41:12 > 0:41:14- It's local, yes, local. - This is really nice.
0:41:14 > 0:41:19You've got "detective constable", you've got the initials and number 92.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22- Yes.- The armorial. - Yes, which is very nice.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24Which is still in very good condition.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27This is where the value is, in original paintwork.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29A truncheon like this from the Victorian period,
0:41:29 > 0:41:32around about £150 to £250, depending on condition.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34But because of the police connection,
0:41:34 > 0:41:37- you can almost double that. - Excellent!
0:41:37 > 0:41:39Police memorabilia is big business.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42Ex-policemen from all over the country collect this kind of thing.
0:41:42 > 0:41:46- Good.- And it makes for a good collection, as well.
0:41:46 > 0:41:47I had a friend, an antique dealer,
0:41:47 > 0:41:50who had one of those rings that you hang with saucepans from,
0:41:50 > 0:41:53you know, with the meat hooks, the butcher hooks?
0:41:53 > 0:41:55He's put the butcher hooks through the handle
0:41:55 > 0:41:59and in his kitchen ceiling, he's got about 30 hanging from that ring in the ceiling.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03- Lovely!- It looks like a chandelier of truncheons.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05THEY CHUCKLE
0:42:05 > 0:42:08You've got to be creative with these kind of things but hang on to it
0:42:08 > 0:42:10- because that's your social history. - I certainly will.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13'There's still a lot to get through, so we're all working very hard.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15'Well, perhaps not everyone.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19'Adam has found a magnificent bronze statue brought in by Diane.'
0:42:19 > 0:42:21Thank you very much for coming along.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23And do you have a name for this?
0:42:23 > 0:42:28We call her Ruth, because she was my mother's, my mother was called Ruth.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30She's a lady gleaning in the fields,
0:42:30 > 0:42:32so we call her Ruth after Ruth and Naomi.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35Well, appropriate on more levels than one, isn't it?
0:42:35 > 0:42:37- So this was your mother's? - It was, yes.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39Do you know to how your mother came to own it?
0:42:39 > 0:42:43My grandmother bought it for her in possibly the late '30s, early 40s.
0:42:43 > 0:42:47- Right. Because of the Ruth. - Because of the Ruth connection.
0:42:47 > 0:42:48Right, excellent.
0:42:48 > 0:42:53How has she ended up to be on a table here in Richmond in 2010?
0:42:53 > 0:42:55- She's a big girl.- She is a big girl. - She's a heavy girl.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57She's very big and heavy.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00And really, I have nowhere to display her now to her advantage.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03- Have you moved house or something? - Yes, moved into somewhere smaller.
0:43:03 > 0:43:07That's often the problem, isn't it? And she does take up a lot of space.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10- She does.- Because she needs room around her to be shown properly.
0:43:10 > 0:43:13She's got the marque here of Fournier,
0:43:13 > 0:43:16the French sculptor Paul Fournier, and it will date her
0:43:16 > 0:43:20to the end of the 19th century - late 19th or turn of the century.
0:43:20 > 0:43:24She's mounted on this big rouge marble base here, which has had
0:43:24 > 0:43:28a few... "Nibbles" would be a kind way of putting it.
0:43:28 > 0:43:31- It was like that when we got it, so...- It doesn't really detract because a lot of them
0:43:31 > 0:43:33have lost the base altogether.
0:43:33 > 0:43:36And she'd still work as a figure without the base.
0:43:36 > 0:43:39She's incredibly heavy. But rather nicely modelled.
0:43:39 > 0:43:41Well, we can't sell her for any price.
0:43:41 > 0:43:46- I would suggest that she'd make £300 to £500 at auction.- Right.
0:43:46 > 0:43:49- Erm, and you should put a reserve of £300 on her.- OK.
0:43:49 > 0:43:51Otherwise, erm, she's probably not worth selling
0:43:51 > 0:43:52because we don't want her unsold.
0:43:52 > 0:43:55No, I'd rather keep her than give her away for nothing.
0:43:55 > 0:43:57That's right, then you'd probably have to find
0:43:57 > 0:43:58a new home for her, wouldn't you?
0:43:58 > 0:44:00Or you could try her again or something.
0:44:00 > 0:44:03- Does that sound in line with your expectations?- Yes.
0:44:03 > 0:44:06I'd like to see her really making 500-600, because I think
0:44:06 > 0:44:09- she's so big and so decorative that she must be worth that.- Yeah.
0:44:09 > 0:44:10Thank you very much.
0:44:10 > 0:44:13'I bet Ruth turns some heads when she gets to the auction room.
0:44:13 > 0:44:16'Now I've found Carol with an item that has a secret.'
0:44:18 > 0:44:20I tell you what, this piece of furniture is the right height
0:44:20 > 0:44:23- for an arm rest. It certainly is, isn't it, Carol?- It is indeed, yes.
0:44:23 > 0:44:24At the end of a long day.
0:44:24 > 0:44:27In fact, if you put this on the floor, it would make
0:44:27 > 0:44:29a wonderful foot stool with a cushion on it.
0:44:29 > 0:44:32- Have you ever done that? - No, I haven't actually.
0:44:32 > 0:44:33What have you done with this?
0:44:33 > 0:44:37Er, it's just been sitting there in the dining room doing nothing.
0:44:37 > 0:44:40Or you could chill your champagne in it.
0:44:40 > 0:44:43- That's a very good thought. - You never thought of that, did you?
0:44:43 > 0:44:45I had not thought of that, no. Brilliant idea.
0:44:45 > 0:44:48It's got a multiple of uses.
0:44:48 > 0:44:51Now people will be wondering, "What does he mean?"
0:44:51 > 0:44:53- Exactly, exactly. - "What does he mean?"
0:44:53 > 0:44:55Well, it's late Victorian, circa 1880,
0:44:55 > 0:44:58it's made of Spanish Cuban mahogany.
0:44:58 > 0:45:02It would have been owned by a wealthy family in its day.
0:45:02 > 0:45:03Really?
0:45:03 > 0:45:06Are you ready? Here we go!
0:45:06 > 0:45:08HE CHUCKLES
0:45:09 > 0:45:13- It's a little tiny baby bath! Isn't that cute?- That's right.
0:45:13 > 0:45:16- That is so cute. This is probably made by Doulton.- Oh.
0:45:18 > 0:45:22The frame is made by a cabinet maker. It's just incredible.
0:45:22 > 0:45:25- Do you know how much this is worth? - I haven't a clue.
0:45:25 > 0:45:27- Well, sadly, only around £60-£80.- Mm-hm.
0:45:27 > 0:45:31And I think it's a shame to put it into auction for that sort of money.
0:45:31 > 0:45:35Yes, I agree. It was just a novelty thing I thought would be of interest.
0:45:35 > 0:45:37Yeah, you're better off putting a cushion on it
0:45:37 > 0:45:38and using it as a foot stool.
0:45:38 > 0:45:41- I think that's a very good idea. - Because it's quite solid.
0:45:41 > 0:45:42- HE CHUCKLES - Or...
0:45:42 > 0:45:45filling it full of ice, putting a bottle of champagne...!
0:45:45 > 0:45:46Putting champagne in it! HE LAUGHS
0:45:46 > 0:45:49- And there you go.- Oh, right.
0:45:49 > 0:45:50There's your cellar-ette.
0:45:50 > 0:45:52'Well, that's what I love to find,
0:45:52 > 0:45:54'a piece of furniture with a multitude of uses.
0:45:54 > 0:45:58'Our last item in the programme is a group of military items that
0:45:58 > 0:46:00'David has brought along.'
0:46:00 > 0:46:02- You've got a real assortment here, so...- Right, yeah.
0:46:02 > 0:46:03..tell me what you know.
0:46:03 > 0:46:05All I know that Sam Brownes are for officers,
0:46:05 > 0:46:07- swords are for officers...- Yeah.
0:46:07 > 0:46:09- ..swagger sticks for officers... - Yeah.
0:46:09 > 0:46:11..and binoculars for officers,
0:46:11 > 0:46:14and I was a trumpet major, which is a staff sergeant in the army.
0:46:14 > 0:46:16Trumpet major? So is that the person that...?
0:46:16 > 0:46:20- Yes, I play at all military funerals...- Oh, do you?
0:46:20 > 0:46:24- ..of the regiment.- How incredible. - Hard work but that's my job.
0:46:24 > 0:46:25Did that for 23 years.
0:46:25 > 0:46:28So these are bits that you've picked up over the years?
0:46:28 > 0:46:31- Yes, well, a few bits of military things.- OK.
0:46:31 > 0:46:34- Shall we start with the Sam Browne? - Right.
0:46:34 > 0:46:36Erm, this would originally have had a pre-pegged badge...
0:46:36 > 0:46:39- It would, yes.- ..with the emblem of the regiment on it.
0:46:39 > 0:46:40Absolutely correct, yeah.
0:46:40 > 0:46:44So we can say that this is 1935-1950,
0:46:44 > 0:46:47- something like that, imperial. - Yes, maybe a little bit later.
0:46:47 > 0:46:50- They still use it in dress parades, don't they?- Oh, always.
0:46:50 > 0:46:52All officers get issued with them.
0:46:52 > 0:46:54Financially, they're not worth a lot of money.
0:46:54 > 0:46:57- They're not worth a lot of money. - No, we still see a lot of them.
0:46:57 > 0:46:58- Let's move on to the sword.- Right.
0:46:58 > 0:47:02- Matches nicely, doesn't it, with the leather scabbard?- It does, yes.
0:47:02 > 0:47:08And let's take that out, and we have a single, straight, pointed blade.
0:47:08 > 0:47:11- Erm, this is gruesome, isn't it, but...- It is gruesome.
0:47:11 > 0:47:14..the idea of the fuller down the centre, the fullered blade,
0:47:14 > 0:47:16is so that when you stab somebody,
0:47:16 > 0:47:19it's easier to draw the blade out again.
0:47:19 > 0:47:21- That's why they're made. - Yeah, so that's...
0:47:21 > 0:47:25- And it's a sharp point as well so you can go in quite a long way.- Ohh!
0:47:25 > 0:47:27Moving on very quickly...
0:47:27 > 0:47:29Never mind on television, you know!
0:47:29 > 0:47:31Then we've got what's known as a basket hilt,
0:47:31 > 0:47:36pierced basket hilt, and a shagreen grip, wire-bound shagreen grip.
0:47:36 > 0:47:39This, of course, is made from shark skin. This is chrome.
0:47:39 > 0:47:42- We've got the George V cipher there. - That's right, yes.
0:47:42 > 0:47:45So this would date to about 1920-1930,
0:47:45 > 0:47:48- something around there.- Yeah.- OK.
0:47:48 > 0:47:50We have a pair of binoculars.
0:47:50 > 0:47:53- Again, Second World War period, aren't they?- Yeah, 1943, I think.
0:47:53 > 0:47:56- Are they dated somewhere?- Yes, they are, yeah.- Oh, yeah, there we are.
0:47:56 > 0:48:02Kershaw maker, 1943, typical army officer's binoculars, aren't they?
0:48:02 > 0:48:06In fact, you see the chaps standing at the top of the tanks with these
0:48:06 > 0:48:08- in the war films, don't you? - Yeah, yeah.
0:48:08 > 0:48:10And then finally we've got the swagger stick.
0:48:10 > 0:48:14On the end there we've got the regimental motto, we've got,
0:48:14 > 0:48:16oh, the Royal Corps of Signals!
0:48:16 > 0:48:19- Yes.- And in the centre we've got Mercury.- Yes.
0:48:19 > 0:48:22Erm, and that's a figure of Mercury after a bronze sculptor
0:48:22 > 0:48:24called Giambologna, Italian,
0:48:24 > 0:48:28and Mercury stands wearing a winged helmet, and on his feet,
0:48:28 > 0:48:31he's got little wings on his feet as well.
0:48:31 > 0:48:33And he was the messenger god, which is why
0:48:33 > 0:48:37- the Royal Corps of Signals used Mercury.- That's right, yeah.
0:48:37 > 0:48:40We've got a hallmark for London 1927,
0:48:40 > 0:48:43and there we have a Malacca shaft,
0:48:43 > 0:48:47which seemed to be the best material to use as the shaft of the cane.
0:48:47 > 0:48:49OK, so when it comes to values,
0:48:49 > 0:48:53- I think we've got probably £10-£15 there.- Right.- The Sam Brownes.
0:48:53 > 0:48:56- I think the sword is £60-£100. - Right.
0:48:56 > 0:49:00- I think the swagger stick is probably £30-£50.- Right.
0:49:00 > 0:49:04Erm, so we're up to about £100 there, and there's another 10 there.
0:49:04 > 0:49:07- Right.- So I would say probably about 100-150. How do you feel?
0:49:07 > 0:49:10- I think that's a good idea. - And what would be your minimum?
0:49:10 > 0:49:14- I would say 125.- 125, OK. - Would that be all right?
0:49:14 > 0:49:16That's fine, so what we'll do,
0:49:16 > 0:49:19because the reserve has to be around the bottom end of the estimate,
0:49:19 > 0:49:23- we'll up the estimate slightly and we'll put 120-180 on them.- Yes.
0:49:23 > 0:49:26- Is that all right?- I'll be very happy with that.- Fantastic.
0:49:26 > 0:49:31'And now a quick reminder of what's going off to auction.
0:49:31 > 0:49:34'Leading the charge with his military items is David,
0:49:34 > 0:49:38'followed by Harry, who wants to give the money from the sale of his
0:49:38 > 0:49:40'Derby figures to his grandchildren.
0:49:40 > 0:49:43'And Andrew's loving cup, which should grab the bidders' interest.
0:49:43 > 0:49:45'And finally Angela,
0:49:45 > 0:49:48'and her French bronze statue that her mother named Ruth.
0:49:50 > 0:49:54'Thomas Watson's salerooms are buzzing with buyers and sellers,
0:49:54 > 0:49:57'and Andrew's loving cup's caught the attention of
0:49:57 > 0:49:58'auctioneer Peter Robinson.'
0:49:58 > 0:50:01Here's an interesting one, mid-19th century loving cup,
0:50:01 > 0:50:03possibly Staffordshire, belongs to Andrew.
0:50:03 > 0:50:05He got this 10 years ago, paid £30 for it,
0:50:05 > 0:50:08- which I think was quite a lot of money.- Yeah.
0:50:08 > 0:50:12Erm, Adam has put £50-£80 on the auction valuation
0:50:12 > 0:50:14but not quite sure about the maker's label.
0:50:14 > 0:50:18It's sort of George and the dragon, isn't it? George slaying the dragon.
0:50:18 > 0:50:20It's a George and the dragon printed mark on the base
0:50:20 > 0:50:24and no other information, er, but a bit of painstaking research...
0:50:24 > 0:50:26Oh, you've done some, have you?
0:50:26 > 0:50:29..and I was able to find the factory, called Baker and Co,
0:50:29 > 0:50:31so not too special.
0:50:31 > 0:50:33Staffordshire factory.
0:50:33 > 0:50:37But it's in nice condition and it's got this lustre finish to it.
0:50:37 > 0:50:41Now you've got the history of the makers, does that affect the value?
0:50:41 > 0:50:43Does it go up now more than £50-£80?
0:50:43 > 0:50:46I think it gives a little bit of confidence to people buying it,
0:50:46 > 0:50:49so it'll probably help us secure a sale
0:50:49 > 0:50:52rather than a non-sale, let me put it that way.
0:50:52 > 0:50:54- Oh, it was that close, was it? - I think so, yeah.
0:50:58 > 0:51:01'First up, we've got Harry, with the Derby figurines.
0:51:01 > 0:51:04'After the valuation day, he had a chat to the auctioneer
0:51:04 > 0:51:07'and changed the no reserve to a £40 reserve.'
0:51:08 > 0:51:10We've got some Royal Crown Derby going under the hammer,
0:51:10 > 0:51:13two figurines, air and water. They belong to Harry,
0:51:13 > 0:51:16- and all the money is going towards the grandchildren.- That's right.
0:51:16 > 0:51:18- How many have you got?- Only two. - What are their names?
0:51:18 > 0:51:21- Er, Scott and Katie.- Right, OK.
0:51:21 > 0:51:25And I know initially James put a value of around, what, 60, £40-60...
0:51:25 > 0:51:28- Yeah, 50-70, yeah. - ..with no reserve,
0:51:28 > 0:51:30- and I know you've had a chat to the auctioneer.- Yes.- See? Wise.
0:51:30 > 0:51:34You see, those auctioneers, they like things with no reserves.
0:51:34 > 0:51:35- No, well, Ken told me to.- Did he?
0:51:35 > 0:51:39Let's hope we get top money for this, shall we?
0:51:39 > 0:51:40- I hope so.- Fingers crossed.
0:51:42 > 0:51:46Royal Crown Derby bone china figures at £40.
0:51:46 > 0:51:49At £40, two of them. At £40.
0:51:49 > 0:51:5350, can I say? £50. £60. 70 now.
0:51:53 > 0:51:55- At £60...- That's good.
0:51:55 > 0:51:59All they're worth, at £60, Royal Crown Derby?
0:51:59 > 0:52:03At £60, they're being sold at £60, all finished now then at 60.
0:52:04 > 0:52:07- That's fine.- That's fine.- Well done.
0:52:07 > 0:52:09Thank you so much for coming in, Harry.
0:52:09 > 0:52:13- Yeah, and thanks for your help. - Oh, that's all right.
0:52:13 > 0:52:16'Right in the middle of the estimate, well done, James.
0:52:16 > 0:52:18'Harry's gone home happy.'
0:52:18 > 0:52:21Hopefully we'll get the top end of your estimate, around the £80 mark.
0:52:21 > 0:52:24- Do you think so?- Yes, I do, yeah, it's a nice piece.- It is.
0:52:24 > 0:52:26- It's a nice piece.- It's a pleasing object, isn't it?
0:52:28 > 0:52:30Loving cup this time, showing on this side,
0:52:30 > 0:52:34the Staffordshire Baker and Co loving cup, in nice condition.
0:52:36 > 0:52:39And opening at £50, this lot, at £50.
0:52:39 > 0:52:42Nice piece of Staffordshire, Victorian.
0:52:42 > 0:52:43At £50. 60, can I say?
0:52:43 > 0:52:44At £50.
0:52:47 > 0:52:5060, thank you. 70 with me, 80 bid.
0:52:50 > 0:52:5290 bid.
0:52:52 > 0:52:53100 bid.
0:52:54 > 0:52:56At £100 bid.
0:52:56 > 0:53:00All finished now at £100. Selling at £100. All finished.
0:53:00 > 0:53:02Lovely, nice round figure.
0:53:02 > 0:53:04- That's the face of a Yorkshireman that's made a profit.- Aye!
0:53:04 > 0:53:08- And you paid £30 for that, I gather, something like that?- Yeah.
0:53:08 > 0:53:10Just over 10 years ago, so, yeah.
0:53:10 > 0:53:13- That was a good investment, it was a good investment.- Trust the eye.
0:53:13 > 0:53:16He's got a good eye, he'll be back out there now with that 100.
0:53:16 > 0:53:19'The auctioneer's research certainly did the job.
0:53:19 > 0:53:22Will Angela be just as happy when her bronze statue,
0:53:22 > 0:53:24'nicknamed Ruth, goes under the hammer?'
0:53:24 > 0:53:27Coming up next, well, we've got that wonderful bronze, it's titled
0:53:27 > 0:53:30- Ruth, and it made the front page of the catalogue, didn't it?- It did.
0:53:30 > 0:53:33It's good to see you, and who have you brought along with you?
0:53:33 > 0:53:35- My granddaughter Emma. - Hello, pleased to meet you.
0:53:35 > 0:53:37Gosh, you're tall, aren't you?
0:53:37 > 0:53:41What do you think this is going to go for today?
0:53:41 > 0:53:44Well, having spoken just before, I'm hoping it doesn't sell.
0:53:44 > 0:53:47Oh, why, what's happening? I've missed out on something.
0:53:47 > 0:53:50Well, Angela's got in trouble with her granddaughter
0:53:50 > 0:53:53for offering it at Flog It! without checking with her first.
0:53:53 > 0:53:55- Ohhhhh!- She had her eyes on it.
0:53:55 > 0:53:58This is the inheritance, is it?
0:53:58 > 0:54:01- Granny's selling all the inheritance.- Naughty Granny!
0:54:01 > 0:54:03What are you doing, Granny?
0:54:03 > 0:54:06Never mind, we'll see, she might not sell.
0:54:06 > 0:54:10It's quite unusual, isn't it, that we're all hoping it doesn't sell.
0:54:10 > 0:54:13I was just about to say the auctioneer has done us really proud.
0:54:13 > 0:54:16It's made all the trade press, it's on the front page of
0:54:16 > 0:54:18the catalogue, and I think it should do quite well.
0:54:18 > 0:54:21I really do. Oh, dear. Oh, dear.
0:54:24 > 0:54:27The French bronze this time of Ruth,
0:54:27 > 0:54:29open the bidding at £200.
0:54:29 > 0:54:32At £200 for the bronze, at £200.
0:54:33 > 0:54:35At £200, at £200,
0:54:35 > 0:54:40at £200, 220, 250, 280, 300, 320...
0:54:40 > 0:54:41- Gone.- Oh...
0:54:41 > 0:54:44380, 400. At £400, being sold now,
0:54:44 > 0:54:48at £400, are we all finished?
0:54:48 > 0:54:52At £400, bronze, at £400. All done?
0:54:52 > 0:54:55Well, that was short and sweet. You were bang on, Adam.
0:54:55 > 0:54:57- It's gone, goodbye, Ruth.- £400.
0:54:57 > 0:55:00- Oh, dear.- I know, I feel like I'm in trouble.
0:55:00 > 0:55:03- I don't know what to say, yes! - Feel like I've been really naughty.
0:55:03 > 0:55:05Would the money come in useful?
0:55:05 > 0:55:08Don't know, what are you doing with the money, Granny?
0:55:08 > 0:55:12Well, we have got two special birthdays in the family this year,
0:55:12 > 0:55:15- so it'll come in handy. - And neither of them are yours!
0:55:16 > 0:55:18I'm sure Granny's got lots of other lovely things
0:55:18 > 0:55:20that you'll inherit one day.
0:55:20 > 0:55:23Yes, I think so.
0:55:23 > 0:55:26'That's a bittersweet result for Angela and her granddaughter,
0:55:26 > 0:55:29'but I'm sure the £400 will make up for it.
0:55:29 > 0:55:32'Luckily, David is more than happy to sell his collection of
0:55:32 > 0:55:36'military items, so let's get them under the hammer.'
0:55:36 > 0:55:38Next up, a collection of militaria belonging to David,
0:55:38 > 0:55:41who's right next to me, and I can say you can stand at ease now.
0:55:41 > 0:55:42- Thank you very much. - You look very smart.
0:55:42 > 0:55:45- Thank you, well, for the occasion. - What regiment is this?
0:55:45 > 0:55:46The Royal Tank Regiment.
0:55:46 > 0:55:50- OK, and you were in the services for how many years now?- 23 years.
0:55:50 > 0:55:54- 23 years. And are you donating some of the money to the regiment?- Yes.
0:55:54 > 0:55:58I'm donating half the proceeds to the Royal Tank Regiment Benevolent Fund.
0:55:58 > 0:56:02- OK. I think your items are the only items of militaria here.- Yeah.
0:56:02 > 0:56:05But we do have the power of the internet, so hopefully...
0:56:05 > 0:56:07- It makes a huge difference.- It does.
0:56:07 > 0:56:10- There's no excuses for an auctioneer - any more. There isn't, is there?- No.
0:56:10 > 0:56:12We can't say it was the wrong day, no-one was here.
0:56:12 > 0:56:15That's one of the big Flog It! excuses out of the window,
0:56:15 > 0:56:18- we can't use it any more. - It's out of your hands.- It is.- Yeah.
0:56:18 > 0:56:21- It's in his hands. - Yeah, so fingers crossed.
0:56:21 > 0:56:25Collection of military items here, and opening at £100.
0:56:25 > 0:56:29At £100, 110, can I say for the collection?
0:56:29 > 0:56:31110 bid now, at £110,
0:56:31 > 0:56:32120, can I have?
0:56:32 > 0:56:36- At £110 now, 120, 120, 130. - In the room.
0:56:36 > 0:56:39140. 150.
0:56:39 > 0:56:40160.
0:56:40 > 0:56:44170 with me, 180. 190.
0:56:44 > 0:56:48200. 210.
0:56:48 > 0:56:51- 220. 230. - (This is good.)- It is good!
0:56:51 > 0:56:54220 beside me, the bid then at £220,
0:56:54 > 0:56:56being sold, are you finished, sir?
0:56:56 > 0:56:59Bidding? 230. 240.
0:56:59 > 0:57:01- Very good.- 240, 250.
0:57:02 > 0:57:04Nice lot.
0:57:04 > 0:57:05No, shakes his head.
0:57:05 > 0:57:08240, then, the bid's beside the washroom.
0:57:08 > 0:57:11- At £240...- £240. - ..selling at £240.
0:57:11 > 0:57:15- That's the excitement of the auction room, though.- Isn't that great?
0:57:15 > 0:57:16- It is wonderful, I think so.- £240.
0:57:16 > 0:57:20Well, it is exciting when it goes that way! When it does well.
0:57:20 > 0:57:24It's not so fun when it struggles but that's a lot of money, isn't it?
0:57:24 > 0:57:27It is, yes, well, half's going to the benevolent fund anyway, so...
0:57:27 > 0:57:29And the other half you're keeping.
0:57:29 > 0:57:32- Yes, well, I'll probably give it to my family.- Good, good.
0:57:32 > 0:57:34It's been good to catch up with you.
0:57:34 > 0:57:37- And you still look so fit and so smart.- Thank you very much.
0:57:37 > 0:57:39- That's being in the services for you.- Yeah.
0:57:39 > 0:57:41Well, as you can see, I've always looked fit!
0:57:41 > 0:57:43'I'm saying nothing, James!
0:57:43 > 0:57:45'But still, that's a good result on our military items.'
0:57:45 > 0:57:49Well, that's it, it's all over for our owners, and that concludes the
0:57:49 > 0:57:52end of another Flog It! auction, and what a wonderful day we've had here.
0:57:52 > 0:57:54A few highs and a few lows,
0:57:54 > 0:57:56but that's what auctions are all about,
0:57:56 > 0:57:57a rollercoaster ride of emotions.
0:57:57 > 0:57:59I hope you've enjoyed the show.
0:57:59 > 0:58:02Join us again soon for many more, but for now, it's cheerio.