0:00:02 > 0:00:06Can you see those hills over there in the pouring rain?
0:00:06 > 0:00:08Well, they're some of the oldest in England, and their beauty
0:00:08 > 0:00:14and splendour has inspired artists, poets, writers and composers for the last few centuries.
0:00:14 > 0:00:20And today, for one day only, those hills are alive with the sound of "Flog It!" Welcome to Malvern.
0:00:46 > 0:00:51The Malvern hills are some of the highest in England, and in fact, once you've climbed to the top
0:00:51 > 0:00:53of them and look out eastwards,
0:00:53 > 0:00:56the next highest you're going to see are the Urals over in Russia.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59Now, looking at them, they're of outstanding natural beauty.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02And I'm not alone here in my thoughts,
0:01:02 > 0:01:06because they did inspire Tolkien to write about the Misty Mountains in Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08So I'm in good company.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16Today, "Flog It!" is treading the boards at the Malvern Theatres complex,
0:01:16 > 0:01:22and leading our troupe of experienced valuers are Adam Partridge and Kate Bateman.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26Kate started as a ballerina before helping her father
0:01:26 > 0:01:30in his antiques shop, and then they set up an auction house together.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33Show and tell! What have you got at the back here? Ooh, pictures!
0:01:33 > 0:01:37Adam Partridge has been in the business 20 years.
0:01:37 > 0:01:42He loves the thrill of finding unexpected items at "Flog It!" valuation days
0:01:42 > 0:01:44and hearing the fascinating stories behind them.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48That's rather interesting, isn't it?
0:01:48 > 0:01:50- He starts crying while he's doing that.- Really?
0:01:50 > 0:01:52Because it's actually happening as he does it.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54They'll be assessing all the antiques brought in,
0:01:54 > 0:01:57and we'll be flogging the best at auction later on in the show.
0:01:57 > 0:02:02So, right now it is 9:30, it's time to get the doors open and see what we can find.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10While this lot rummage through their bags and boxes
0:02:10 > 0:02:14sorting out their treasures, we can look ahead to today's show.
0:02:14 > 0:02:20One item has us all agreeing on the value but puzzling over exactly what it is.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22- What do you know about it? - Not a great deal.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26- We thought he was possibly a vesta case monk.- I wonder if it may have been an inkwell.- Yeah.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30Or perhaps it's just a novelty monk.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37And with her corkscrew destined for auction, I think Christabel's on the pull.
0:02:37 > 0:02:42- Will I see you in the auction room? - Yes. You will. So you can say, like you always do, "Oh, you look nice."
0:02:45 > 0:02:48Adam's dealing out our first valuation, two packs of cards.
0:02:48 > 0:02:54The first is a fairly standard set dating from Georgian times, but something else has caught his eye.
0:02:54 > 0:02:59The ones that intrigue me, actually, are this pile here, which are a similar-looking thing,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02but on the back of these I presume someone's converted
0:03:02 > 0:03:05these, or maybe they were made as a set of fortune teller's cards.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08Yes. They've all got some sort of weird thing on the back.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12They've all got some message on the back, haven't they? What's this one, the nine of hearts?
0:03:12 > 0:03:16"A deceitful woman with whom you are very intimate - beware of her,
0:03:16 > 0:03:20"for she will cause you some trouble." There we are!
0:03:20 > 0:03:21Let's try another one.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23I could read these all the time!
0:03:23 > 0:03:27"You will have a considerable sum of money come to you soon from a person you do not expect."
0:03:27 > 0:03:31- Let's hope it's Philip Serrell Auctioneers! - That would be very good.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34Let's do one for the cameraman there.
0:03:34 > 0:03:40Cameraman one, "You will go on a party of pleasure with several people"!
0:03:40 > 0:03:42"It will not be so agreeable as expected."
0:03:42 > 0:03:44So don't celebrate too soon.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47Well, I think they're great, but I fear that I won't be allowed
0:03:47 > 0:03:52to go through them all, which is a great shame, because I could, quite happily! Let's do another round.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54Everybody in the room!
0:03:54 > 0:03:56Now, these are a very tricky thing to value, of course.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59Value's all about comparison, really, with similar things that
0:03:59 > 0:04:03you've sold or seen sold, and I've never come across things like this before.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06That doesn't necessarily mean they're hugely valuable.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09- But just interesting. - But very interesting.
0:04:09 > 0:04:10How did you come to own them?
0:04:10 > 0:04:15I've just had them in the cupboard for a long, long time. My grandmother collected all sorts of things.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17They were just stuck in a paper bag, and she said, "Here you are.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19- "These are old." - I haven't counted them all.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21- Are they all there? - No, they're not full sets, either.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23- Not a full set.- No.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26Just flick through them, so that people can see what they look like.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28A lot of collectors of playing cards...
0:04:28 > 0:04:31The fact they're not a full deck obviously isn't wonderful,
0:04:31 > 0:04:33- but what do you expect of something of this age?- Quite.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37And these ones, of course, before they started the Qs and
0:04:37 > 0:04:39the As and the 1s and the 2s, just got the symbol things.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41Yes, and the pictures aren't upside down.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44- No, that's right, the pictures are one way up only.- Yeah.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46What they're worth,
0:04:46 > 0:04:50- I would say maybe £40 to £80.- Gosh!
0:04:50 > 0:04:54I think we should put some reserve, don't you? Because we don't want them going for £10.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58- No. No, no, no.- What do you think? £40 with a bit of leeway? £40?
0:04:58 > 0:05:01I can see them appealing quite a lot.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04So thank you very much for bringing them. I've really enjoyed this.
0:05:04 > 0:05:05- Good!- Thank you!
0:05:05 > 0:05:07So, will Fiona make her fortune?
0:05:07 > 0:05:09Well, we'll find out later on in the programme.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12Now, see what's crossing my palm.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16A walnut carved with tiny faces.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18How long have you had this?
0:05:18 > 0:05:1910, 12 years.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21- Gorgeous little walnut.- Yes.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24With 18 faces carved on it.
0:05:24 > 0:05:25What's it worth? Do you know?
0:05:25 > 0:05:27- I know what I paid for it. - What did you pay for it?
0:05:27 > 0:05:31I paid £4.50 on a boat in China.
0:05:31 > 0:05:36- Wow! What were you doing on a boat in China?- Having lunch.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44Such intricate detail, and from one tiny little thing to another.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46Not Kate but this bronze monk belonging to Jean.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49He's a lovely little thing. How long have you had him?
0:05:49 > 0:05:52- 50 years.- And did you inherit him?
0:05:52 > 0:05:58No, I bought him when I was quite young at an antique shop on Poole quay.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00What do you know about him?
0:06:00 > 0:06:03Not a great deal, apart from the fact that he's a little monk,
0:06:03 > 0:06:07and I've discovered today that he was a vesta case monk.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10I had thought he was possibly an inkwell,
0:06:10 > 0:06:12but he hasn't got any kind of a liner.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14Well, we'll have a look at it.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17- So, he tips up.- He does. He opens.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19A-ha. Yeah, you're right, you could have had a glass liner in there for an inkwell.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23I think you're right with the vesta case, because if you turn him round,
0:06:23 > 0:06:28you've got a little hatched roughened area here which would be for striking the matches.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32And also, he looks like he should have something in his hands, so maybe you could put a match there
0:06:32 > 0:06:35or something ready for lighting. But I can tell you a bit more about him.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39- Oh, good!- Unfortunately, he's not signed, but just looking at him,
0:06:39 > 0:06:43he's made of bronze, so it's like a patinated bronze.
0:06:43 > 0:06:48There is no maker's mark anywhere or foundry mark or anything, so we don't know who made him exactly,
0:06:48 > 0:06:54but he's probably continental, French, most likely, and late 19th century.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57Not quite sure what kind of monk he is, what order he's from, but he's
0:06:57 > 0:07:01got his book and he's got his little rosary beads and things down here.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04Any idea, price-wise, what you think he's worth?
0:07:04 > 0:07:09Well, erm, since I've had him 50 years, I would hope about £50.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12- A pound a year!- Yes. - That might work. OK.
0:07:12 > 0:07:17Well, I think you might be a little on the low side even with that.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21I think at auction you'd probably estimate him at maybe £100 to £150,
0:07:21 > 0:07:24because he's quite a fun little item.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27If he was signed and we could know who the maker was, he'd probably be a bit more than that.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29Oh, right! I had no idea.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33- Put the reserve at 80, put the estimate at 100 to 150.- Yes.
0:07:33 > 0:07:39- I think he should make it. I think he's quite a fun thing.- No, I had no idea that he might be worth so much.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42- Somebody out there is looking for a mad monk!- Yes.
0:07:42 > 0:07:48And all we need is for that somebody to be at the auction, and Jean could be onto a winner.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51I'm still delving into the bags and boxes of goodies brought in by
0:07:51 > 0:07:53the big crowd here and finding some real treasures.
0:07:53 > 0:07:58I'm going to turn this around to the camera right now.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00You've only seen the reverse side.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04But look at that. It's in the form of a little bureau, roll-top desk.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08It's absolutely exquisite.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12- Thank you, yes.- I've not seen a caddy like this. It's a single caddy. The word "caddy"
0:08:12 > 0:08:17comes from the word "kati", which is the measure of tea sold in Malay.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20- It's the Malay word...- Oh, OK. - ..for weight of tea.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22- So that's how we've got the word "caddy" from it.- I see, yeah.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26This is a Regency little piece.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29It's around 1810, 1815, I would say.
0:08:29 > 0:08:37And it's made of mahogany, and it's got the most wonderful flame curl just sort of sweeping its way down
0:08:37 > 0:08:41the roll-top there and then all the way down the front face of this.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43Architecturally, it's absolutely perfect.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47The grain selection that the cabinet-maker has chosen to make this
0:08:47 > 0:08:51is wonderful, absolutely wonderful. That will polish up beautifully.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53It just needs a bit of TLC.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56- I know, yeah.- It's got its original escutcheon, handles and little feet.
0:08:56 > 0:09:03So you've got something of extreme beauty here, and if I had to put a price on this,
0:09:03 > 0:09:06I would say about £800 to £1,200, because it's so rare.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08Wow. Wow, yes.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11I didn't realise it was valuable at all, really.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15I know quite a few tea-caddy collectors that would like to own
0:09:15 > 0:09:18- this particular shape because it's just so unusual.- Yeah. Yeah.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21Find me another one.
0:09:21 > 0:09:26Find me another roll-top-desk tea caddy, please, a Georgian one!
0:09:26 > 0:09:28- Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:09:28 > 0:09:29It's very interesting to know.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32My mum will be fascinated.
0:09:32 > 0:09:37Sadly, that tea caddy's so unusual, it's not going to auction.
0:09:37 > 0:09:42But Adam's next item, a jug brought in by Pauline, looks more likely to.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45I'm so pleased to see a piece of Royal Worcester today.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48I've been looking forward to seeing some Worcester, as we're in Malvern,
0:09:48 > 0:09:51and it's the sort of thing we'd expect to find. Is it something you've had a long time?
0:09:51 > 0:09:56It belongs to my parents, and it was a wedding present to them.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58And that was 63 years ago.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00- And so you've known it all your life, then.- Yes, I have, yeah.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03- It's always just been in the china cabinet.- Sitting there.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06- It's a pleasing shape, isn't it? - It's beautiful, I think.
0:10:06 > 0:10:11Very beautiful. And very distinctive Royal Worcester, I think, of this period, the late 19th century.
0:10:11 > 0:10:17A lot of the wares were done in the Blush Ivory range, which is referring to the background colour
0:10:17 > 0:10:22on this vase. And you've got this floral decoration on the blush ivory background.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26- Of course, you know its purpose, do you?- No, I didn't.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28Well, they've all got a number on the bottom
0:10:28 > 0:10:32there, 1229, and that's a shape number, and you
0:10:32 > 0:10:36can look in your Worcester porcelain book and it'll tell you what type
0:10:36 > 0:10:38of jug or what type of vase it was.
0:10:38 > 0:10:44And you've got your Royal Worcester mark there, and that little O is a date letter, which dates it to 1889.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49Now, the shape number, 1229, I don't have the book at my disposal,
0:10:49 > 0:10:54- but I'll bet a million dollars that it says iced-water jug...- Oh!
0:10:54 > 0:10:59..because you've got this across the top there to stop the ice falling out.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03So you'd have all the ice in there, and then, as you pour it,
0:11:03 > 0:11:07that retains the ice and you just get the water coming out.
0:11:07 > 0:11:08So I'm convinced it's for iced water.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12Now, why have you brought it to sell it?
0:11:12 > 0:11:16Well, I saw the programme advertised, and I've always been interested.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20And I was just looking round to see what we could bring, and Mum said, "Why don't you take that?" So we did.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23- Right!- I was surprised.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27I thought they probably wouldn't want to part with it, but she said, "No, it's all just in the cupboard,"
0:11:27 > 0:11:29and it would come to me anyway.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32- I suppose it's just stuff, isn't it? - Yeah!
0:11:32 > 0:11:35So you're a keen viewer of "Flog It!", are you?
0:11:35 > 0:11:36Oh, yes, definitely.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38- Excellent. Well, I'm glad to hear that.- Yeah.
0:11:38 > 0:11:44Well, now down to the value. I always find that these things don't always make as much as I expect
0:11:44 > 0:11:46them to, they don't make as much as they look as though they should be,
0:11:46 > 0:11:50because you imagine Royal Worcester porcelain is all very expensive.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54But it tends to be the painted wares that are the most expensive ones,
0:11:54 > 0:11:59and these blush wares of the late nineteenth century aren't incredibly valuable.
0:11:59 > 0:12:04My estimate would be £70 to £100 for that. Not a lot of money, I know.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07- It's better than just stood in the cupboard. - Better than stood in the cupboard.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09And you get a chance to be on "Flog It!"
0:12:09 > 0:12:11And hopefully I'll get the money!
0:12:11 > 0:12:15That's the spirit. I would say put a reserve of 70.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18Fixed reserve - no less, not a penny less, not even 68.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21So, does that sound all right with you?
0:12:21 > 0:12:26- Yes, that's fine.- OK. Well, we'll put it through, and fingers crossed we hit three figures with it.
0:12:26 > 0:12:34Three items chosen and ready to ship off to be sold at Philip Serrell's auctioneers and valuers.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38Well, it's now time to up the tempo and put those valuations to the test.
0:12:38 > 0:12:43This is my favourite part of the show, auction time, because you never know what's going to happen.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46Some items could fly away, or they could be stuck with our owners.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49And this is a really nervous time for our owners but also
0:12:49 > 0:12:53for our experts, because it's not an exact science, valuing antiques.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56Just hopefully we're going to have a good day.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58Here's what's going under the hammer.
0:12:58 > 0:13:03Adam was really taken with Fiona's Georgian playing cards with those interesting predictions.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06We're in the right part of the country for
0:13:06 > 0:13:11Pauline's Royal Worcester jug, so will the local connection help get the money pouring in?
0:13:11 > 0:13:15And finally, there's Jean's bronze monk.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17It's really got us puzzled.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20We all agree with Kate's estimate, but we're all confused about what it was used for.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23Even auctioneer Philip Serrell doesn't know.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26This is quite unusual, Phil. It's a bit of a curio, really.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30We have been calling it a bronze vesta case, but I'm not so sure.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32Kate's put a value of £100 to £150 on this.
0:13:32 > 0:13:37I wouldn't argue with the value. I think it'll do 100 to 150 all day long. It might do a little bit more.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40But what it is I don't know. I mean, he's clearly meant to be holding something just here.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43And the other thing is, if you open him up, if you had a match
0:13:43 > 0:13:45that went all the way down there, they would be very long matches.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49- Yes, they would. - The only place that you would strike it on might be just down there.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52- On his robe.- But I can't see that that's ever happened.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54So I'm not convinced it's a vesta.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58- I wonder whether it may have been an inkwell, but then, that would be in the way of it.- Yeah.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Or perhaps it's just a novelty monk.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03Convenient!
0:14:09 > 0:14:13Well, the bidders are ready, so let's hope they do us proud today.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19Well, showing their hand right now we've got a two-part pack of playing cards.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22They belong to Fiona, but unfortunately, she can't be with us today.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24But we've got her goddaughters. What are your names?
0:14:24 > 0:14:26- Laura. And Emily.- Great to see you.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28So, have you seen these cards? Have you played with them before?
0:14:28 > 0:14:32- No. No, we haven't seen them before, actually.- You've never seen them?
0:14:32 > 0:14:35Very nice. Very nice. Not quite complete, unfortunately.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38They'd be worth an awful lot of money. But they're Georgian and they're wonderful.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40- And I like the little notes on the back.- I really like these.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43They're one of my favourite objects, I think, I've valued on the show.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45- Yeah.- They're great. I'd like to see them do really well.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48I don't know if they will, but they're fun, and we had a great time on valuation day,
0:14:48 > 0:14:52playing with them, looking at all the handwritten fortunes, which were really interesting.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56- Could have sat there for hours! - Well, it's now time to find out what this lot behind me think.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58Will they put their hands up? We're going to find out.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01Good luck, you two.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05Two part-packs of 19th-century playing cards. There you are.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07£60 to start me.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09Come on.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11Well, I'm bid £20 for them. At 20.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- Someone's put their hand up. That's good. We're in. - Were you waving at me?
0:15:15 > 0:15:17I'll wave back.
0:15:17 > 0:15:1930! Thank you! At 30.
0:15:19 > 0:15:24And 40. And 5. 50 now?
0:15:24 > 0:15:27Yes, 50 I'm bid. And 5. 55 on the book.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30At 60 on the net bid. At 60.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32At £60 only. At 60.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34At 60. And 5 anywhere?
0:15:34 > 0:15:3965, back of the room. At 65. 65. 70.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43- 70 bid. At £70 only.- It's good!
0:15:43 > 0:15:45On the Internet. At £70 only.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47At 70. 70 bid. Any more at all?
0:15:49 > 0:15:51- 75. 75.- It's climbing slowly.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54At 70. 80. 80 bid.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56£80. One more, sir?
0:15:56 > 0:15:59At £80 only. At £80 on the net.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02- I think we're out now. £80. - And done on the net.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04That's it, the hammer's gone down.
0:16:04 > 0:16:05Are you going to report back to Fiona?
0:16:05 > 0:16:09Yep, we'll ring her straightaway and hopefully get a share of it!
0:16:09 > 0:16:12- Lunch! I think you'll get lunch out of it.- Yeah!
0:16:13 > 0:16:17That seemed like a tough one, but we got there eventually.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20Now for Pauline's Royal Worcester jug.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24That jug, which Adam put a value of £70 to £100 on, I agree with that.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26I just want Pauline to get the top end, though. Can she do it?
0:16:26 > 0:16:31- Well, I think the valuation's quite accurate, but you never know. - OK.- Maybe just.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33- Maybe just.- Maybe just. Good luck.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36He's teasing us.
0:16:36 > 0:16:41Lot number 598 is a Royal Worcester vase with ivory sprays.
0:16:41 > 0:16:4350 I'm started. At 50. 50 bid.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46At 50. 60. 60 bid. 70. 70 bid. 80.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49- 80 bid. 90 with me.- Sold it.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51At £90. 90. 90 bid.
0:16:51 > 0:16:52They know what it's worth, don't they?
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- Yeah.- 100, may I?
0:16:55 > 0:16:57At £90. Any more at all?
0:16:57 > 0:17:01At £90. And I sell, then, at £90.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03- And done. Thank you.- He was spot-on.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05Well done, and thank you for bringing that in,
0:17:05 > 0:17:08because that's been in the family a long, long time, hasn't it?
0:17:08 > 0:17:13Short and sweet, but Pauline goes away another happy customer.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16And rounding up this visit to the auction, that novelty monk.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20Will the bidders be intrigued enough to have a go?
0:17:20 > 0:17:22Jean, good luck.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24I think this is a nice lot, I really do.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27And I had a chat to Philip about this, and, Kate, he loved it.
0:17:27 > 0:17:28- Did he? - Absolutely loved it, yes.- Oh!
0:17:28 > 0:17:31We're not quite sure it was a vesta case.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34- It's a mystery monk, isn't it, really? Let's face it.- Well, yes.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38You paid about a fiver for this a long time ago.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40- A long time ago. - Why are you selling it now?
0:17:40 > 0:17:45- Well, I just came for the interest to the "Flog It!" valuation.- He's cute.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47Then everybody got interested in it!
0:17:47 > 0:17:50We certainly did, didn't we? We're going to find out what this lot think now.
0:17:50 > 0:17:51- Right.- Ready?- Yes, indeed.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55This is the scary bit, this is the scary bit. But here we go. Good luck.
0:17:55 > 0:18:01Lot number 357 is the novelty vesta case. Well, is it a vesta case?
0:18:01 > 0:18:06I'm not sure, really, but you can't dispute it's a bronze monk. There we go.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08Bid me for it, someone.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10Bid me £100 to start.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12Well, 50 I'm bid for the monk.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14At 50. 50 bid. At 50. 50 bid. At 50.
0:18:14 > 0:18:1760. 70. 70 bid. At 70.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20At 70. 80. 90.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22One more. 100. 110.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26- That's good. He's got a book, look. He keeps referring to it.- 120. 120.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30There's someone on the phone.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35At £150 on the phone. At £150.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37Is there any more? At £150 only.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39At 150. Is there any more at all?
0:18:39 > 0:18:42At £150 on the telephone. Any more?
0:18:42 > 0:18:44At £150.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47And done, then, at 150. And done.
0:18:47 > 0:18:48That was a good investment.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50Yes, yes.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54- Have you got anything else like that that you bought ages ago?- No, no.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58A good result for the mystery monk, and money in Jean's pocket.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17Today, for our little trip out into the local countryside, I've come to Witley Court in Worcestershire.
0:19:17 > 0:19:22Now, 100 years ago, this was one of the most impressive stately homes in the country,
0:19:22 > 0:19:26hosting lavish hunting parties and extravagant balls.
0:19:26 > 0:19:32But then, something happened here in the 1930s that has given this place a rather different distinction.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36Now Witley Court has a sombre, almost menacing air.
0:19:36 > 0:19:37Just look at that!
0:19:37 > 0:19:39That's haunting.
0:19:41 > 0:19:46A devastating fire ripped through the east wing in 1937, and in
0:19:46 > 0:19:52the space of one September's night, everything changed.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56This photograph was taken the next morning.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00Rescued contents can be seen heaped on the steps outside.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04One witness said, "We sat on the edge of the fountain watching the Court burn.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07"I remember seeing all the red drapes dropping and burning."
0:20:07 > 0:20:12The building burned for most of the night. It was terrible to see.
0:20:12 > 0:20:18Although a large portion of the house was untouched by the fire, this was the beginning of the end.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22To learn more, I'm meeting Anna Pearsall from English Heritage,
0:20:22 > 0:20:25which manage the building and keeps it open to the public.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27So, how did it start?
0:20:27 > 0:20:31Well, this is actually where the fire started, here in the east tower.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34- So that tower acted like a flue. - It did, yeah.
0:20:34 > 0:20:39Just underneath, in the basements, that's where the bakery was, and that was where it originally started.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43It spread up through the tower, aided by strong wind, as well.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47Just went straight over to the east side and completely destroyed all the lavish side
0:20:47 > 0:20:52of the house, unfortunately, all the ballroom, the dining room, the royal apartments, everything.
0:20:52 > 0:20:57Can you imagine a fire this size? Pretty intense. It would have been seen from miles away, surely?
0:20:57 > 0:21:01Oh, absolutely, yeah. There's reports from people who said that they were in the village of Great Witley, which
0:21:01 > 0:21:05is a few mile away, and they said they could see the smoke for days.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07So, was it all hands at the pump, really?
0:21:07 > 0:21:09Was there much fire equipment here, safety equipment?
0:21:09 > 0:21:13The fire engine came in, parked over the hydrant, and the staff
0:21:13 > 0:21:19weren't equipped enough, they were inexperienced, didn't know what to do in the event of it.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22And the other thing is that things weren't maintained,
0:21:22 > 0:21:25so the hydrant wasn't actually working properly at the time.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28You can see traces of the fire still, can't you, in the timbers?
0:21:28 > 0:21:30- Yeah.- There's only a little bit of wood left.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34You can see where it actually revealed quite a few old features of the house.
0:21:34 > 0:21:39If you look over to this side, that's where a Jacobean window was actually opened up by the fire.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41Gosh! So it reveals an external wall of the house there.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44There is another feature, as well, the seventeenth-century
0:21:44 > 0:21:47window edge there, as well.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50So as you look, it does reveal quite how old this property is.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54It's sort of peeling back the layers of the fabric of the building.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58It's a lot older, the house is, than people think. It was actually 1086.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01- Was it really?- Yeah, the first manor house built here, and it's just been adapted over the years.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04Everybody's left their mark, every owner of the house.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06Made it more grand over the years.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08Well, shall we take a further wander?
0:22:08 > 0:22:10Yeah, absolutely.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22So, this is the ballroom - or what's left of it.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25Exactly. There's a lot of charred timbers in here.
0:22:25 > 0:22:30You can say this was where the fire really would have been at its hottest, really.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32- Yeah.- Unfortunately, the most lavish room of the house.
0:22:32 > 0:22:38Well, I'm imagining now cut-glass chandeliers hanging everywhere, crystal...
0:22:38 > 0:22:41They had eight crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling in here.
0:22:41 > 0:22:46But you can imagine how lively and how vibrant it would have been back in its heyday.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48They'd have had lots of parties here, wouldn't they?
0:22:48 > 0:22:51Oh, absolutely. I mean, when the earl actually inherited the house and
0:22:51 > 0:22:56- moved in, on his 21st birthday party they actually had a three-day event. - Gosh, that's a bash, isn't it?
0:22:56 > 0:22:58Oh, absolutely!
0:23:04 > 0:23:07But all the opulence quickly vanished.
0:23:07 > 0:23:14A year after the fire, the owners sold all the contents in a huge eight-day auction.
0:23:14 > 0:23:19Well, I've been to a lot of auctions in my time but nothing as impressive as this one would have been
0:23:19 > 0:23:22on Monday 26th September 1938,
0:23:22 > 0:23:28when all the contents was put out on display here and sold on the spot.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31It is quite incredible.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33It's fascinating reading.
0:23:33 > 0:23:39Unfortunately, there are no price guides, but this is quite interesting, lot number 76.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42And you can hear it - it's right behind me, this immense fountain.
0:23:42 > 0:23:47There's two here, and I'd imagine they didn't actually sell, because they're so big.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51Who would want to dismantle that and take them away?
0:23:51 > 0:23:55And thankfully, they've been restored by English Heritage and they're in full working order.
0:23:55 > 0:24:00This one was designed by Nesfield and carved by James and William Forsyth.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02It's phenomenal, isn't it?
0:24:02 > 0:24:08Witley Court changed hands a few times in the subsequent 20 years, and the decline continued.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10The house fell into disrepair.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Many of the fittings, including marble fireplaces,
0:24:13 > 0:24:16lead work and stone ornaments, were stripped out and sold.
0:24:16 > 0:24:24It was a sad time for the house that had been a model for the English country home.
0:24:27 > 0:24:32During the 1950s and '60s, the whole estate was threatened with demolition several times
0:24:32 > 0:24:39amid plans of turning the place into a Grand Prix circuit, a housing estate and even a caravan park.
0:24:39 > 0:24:45But it survived all of that, and in 1970, the house and the grounds were designated an ancient monument.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49And thank goodness, because now it's safe.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Welcome back to our valuation day at the Malvern Theatres.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09As you can see, I'm still surrounded by people all waiting patiently for a valuation.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13Well, I think we should catch up with our experts now and see what they're up to.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15Kate Bateman's sure she's onto a winner,
0:25:15 > 0:25:19even though Stuart's old books have certainly seen better days.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23The first edition of this was much earlier, about fifty years earlier, and does sell for a lot more money.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27But it's still a lovely thing.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30And I'll be toasting this item's success.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33Christabel has brought in an exquisite corkscrew from the 1800s.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35Wish we had a bottle of wine here!
0:25:35 > 0:25:38- I'm teetotal! I've never had a drink in my life!- Haven't you?
0:25:38 > 0:25:41- Only tea and coffee, no.- It's no wonder you look so well, actually.
0:25:41 > 0:25:46But first, it looks like Adam Partridge is getting a lesson in how to behave on television.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49- Don't look at the camera. - That's right!
0:25:49 > 0:25:50Are you telling me?
0:25:50 > 0:25:53No, they just told me not to.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55- That's right. Look into my eyes... - Yeah, look into your eyes.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58He's spotted a painting brought in by Viv.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01How did you come to get this watercolour?
0:26:01 > 0:26:08It's not mine. It belongs to a work associate who bought it for £1 in a charity shop in Worcester.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11- Oh, really?- Mm. He's in Hull today, so he couldn't come.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15He's only a young man, 35, who collects things that he fancies in charity shops.
0:26:15 > 0:26:20- That is young, isn't it? - Yeah, yeah.- (I'm 35 as well!) OK.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23So, he's got a good eye, clearly.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26- Well, it seems to be.- Do you like it?
0:26:26 > 0:26:27- Not particularly.- No?
0:26:27 > 0:26:31- No.- It's a bit drab, isn't it? - It is. It is, it's very drab.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34The market used to be quite strong for these watercolour landscapes.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36And you've got a signature, HD Bell.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39- Mm.- But it used to be, and it's not so strong now.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41But I presume he didn't pay much for it. What was it?
0:26:41 > 0:26:45- £1.- £1?- £1!- Well, I think we can multiply that by a bit.
0:26:45 > 0:26:52- Oh.- HD Bell was quite a prolific artist, and he seemed to do scenes of this kind of area.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56There's no records of his dates or anything, but it's early 20th century,
0:26:56 > 0:26:58late 19th, turn of the century, really.
0:26:58 > 0:27:04And I think that ties in well with the style of the painting there. Very pleasant...
0:27:04 > 0:27:08- painting, isn't it? - Hardly overcrowded.- No!- Yeah.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11- Is it growing on you a little bit? - Yeah, I think it could!
0:27:11 > 0:27:13Maybe it's the frame I don't like.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15- Would you own it?- No! No.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17Would you have paid £1 for it?
0:27:17 > 0:27:22- No!- No?- No, no!- Well, I think it's going to make £50 to £80.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25- Do you?- Yes. Would that please him? - I think it would.
0:27:25 > 0:27:30The auction records show this artist seems to make between £50 and £150, so shall we do that?
0:27:30 > 0:27:33- Put a £50 reserve? - OK, yes.- Estimate 50 to 80?
0:27:33 > 0:27:36- Yeah.- And then we'll see you both at the auction.- You will.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39- I've enjoyed this very much. - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43Well, there you go, a 100-year-old watercolour packed and ready for auction.
0:27:43 > 0:27:49Now I'm going back another 100 years with this early-1800s corkscrew belonging to Christabel.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51- Do you know much about this? Have you ever used it?- No.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54Wish we had a bottle of wine here!
0:27:54 > 0:27:59- I'm teetotal! I've never had a drink in my life!- Haven't you? - Only tea and coffee.- Can you see?
0:27:59 > 0:28:03- Look, there's an applied armorial there. Can you see that?- Yes, I can.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06And that says "Thomason". So we've got the maker's name.
0:28:06 > 0:28:13And this is a royal warrant which was issued to him, so he was a maker for royalty.
0:28:13 > 0:28:20And he was granted the patent in 1802 to make this particular type of corkscrew, and it was quite
0:28:20 > 0:28:25unique in its day, and it was the forerunner to many corkscrews after.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28And I can show you why, because when you draw the handle out,
0:28:28 > 0:28:33- you can see it's got a male and a female thread which moves in the opposite direction.- Yeah! Yeah.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36The male and the female thread.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39You'd wind that down into the cork,
0:28:39 > 0:28:41and then you'd pull.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45Now, the handle is made of mahogany.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47It's a very simple turning.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49- You can see that.- Yes, yes. Yeah.
0:28:49 > 0:28:54I have seen these handles with, let's say, some flattened-reel turning.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56More elaborate.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59- Slightly more elaborate.- Yeah, yeah. - And I've seen them in ivory. OK?
0:28:59 > 0:29:01- Yeah.- So this is a basic handle on this particular model.
0:29:01 > 0:29:08- Now, this I would date at around about 1815 to 1820.- Mm-hm.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10Now, this is quite interesting.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13Look at this. How good's your eyesight?
0:29:13 > 0:29:14Not very!
0:29:16 > 0:29:21If you can see, it just says there in Latin, "ne plus ultra".
0:29:21 > 0:29:24- Yes, which means...?- It means
0:29:24 > 0:29:26"no more beyond", OK?
0:29:26 > 0:29:29So he was quite confident,
0:29:29 > 0:29:34Thomason, that when he designed this, it was going to be the best, you could not...
0:29:34 > 0:29:36- ..get better.- So "no more beyond".
0:29:36 > 0:29:38- That was his motto.- Yes, yes.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42And I guess when you got to the bottom of the bottle, no more beyond!
0:29:42 > 0:29:44Nobody worried, anyway!
0:29:44 > 0:29:47- Yeah.- But isn't that lovely?- Yeah.
0:29:47 > 0:29:52- Value-wise, I know one sold recently, exactly the same model, for £65.- Yeah.
0:29:52 > 0:29:58So let's put an auction estimate on of £60 to £90 with a reserve at 60.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01- That's fine.- Happy with that? - Yeah, very happy.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03- Will I see you in the auction room? - Yes, you will, yeah. Yeah.
0:30:03 > 0:30:08We'll put something glamorous on, so you can say, like you always do, "Oh, you look nice".
0:30:11 > 0:30:13Oh, she's stealing my lines!
0:30:13 > 0:30:19Anyway, if we want glamour at the auction, we need Kate Bateman to find some more interesting items,
0:30:19 > 0:30:21and Charles's clock looks like it's in with a chance.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25You've brought in this fantastic clock with a bit of local history.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27What can you tell me about it?
0:30:27 > 0:30:29Well, I've known it all my life.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32- I inherited it from my dad.- Mm-hm.
0:30:32 > 0:30:33And where he got it from, I don't know.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36He must have bought it in a sale somewhere.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39And, er...
0:30:39 > 0:30:42the plate says, "The Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars,
0:30:42 > 0:30:48"won by the second-best recruit, J Aston, in 1893".
0:30:48 > 0:30:50- And do you know anything about him? - And the local shop sold it.
0:30:50 > 0:30:56Yeah, Birley & Co here, Worcester, and obviously "Paris make", which relates to the movement, so it'll be
0:30:56 > 0:30:59- a French movement inside, the best kind, French and Swiss.- Yeah.
0:30:59 > 0:31:05So it's basically a slated-marble clock, late Victorian, obviously, from the date.
0:31:05 > 0:31:06Do you know any more about this person?
0:31:06 > 0:31:12I believe he went to the Boer War and he went to somewhere else.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14I can't remember. I've got it wrote down.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16But I've got him up to being a sergeant.
0:31:16 > 0:31:22I mean, it's a nice thing. I want to know what the best-dressed recruit got, the smartest recruit got.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24Did he survive the war, do you know?
0:31:24 > 0:31:25- I don't know.- Ah-hah. OK.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28So, why are you thinking of selling it?
0:31:28 > 0:31:31- Well, it's stuck in a back room at the moment... - Just sits there.- ..doing nothing.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34- OK.- It keeps good time.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37As long as he's level both ways...
0:31:37 > 0:31:39- OK.- ..it's a perfect little clock.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44Well, in terms of condition, it's got a few little nips and chips on the top.
0:31:44 > 0:31:49And they're not the most popular things. They're quite dark and heavy, not everybody's style.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52But it's still quite saleable at auction, and obviously, you've got
0:31:52 > 0:31:57this nice local history to it, a bit of militaria interest, too.
0:31:57 > 0:32:03So in terms of auction price, I think you'd expect it to make between £100 and £150 at auction.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07But you could set a reserve of perhaps £80 just to protect it,
0:32:07 > 0:32:09so that if it doesn't make that, it doesn't sell.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11- Is that the sort of price you'd be happy at?- Yes.
0:32:11 > 0:32:13OK. So let's give it a go.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17We'll send it to the sale and hope somebody's as charmed by its local interest as you were.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19- Thanks for bringing it in. - Thank you.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22What a pretty face! The clock, I mean.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26Now, take a look at what I've found, a table made out of paper.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28Papier mache was very, very popular.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31All sorts of things were made. Even chairs were made of papier mache.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35This little table dates from around about 1850, 1860.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39Right, yeah. Somebody said it was Victorian Gothic.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42Yes, it is. That's about the right period, the 1860s.
0:32:42 > 0:32:44- Yeah, Gothic revival.- Yeah.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46It's lovely.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50Here's Kate with some rather tired-looking but intriguing books,
0:32:50 > 0:32:56four volumes of architectural reference, The Antiquities of Athens, belonging to Stuart.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00- Let's have a quick look and see what we've got inside, get a flavour of the thing.- Yeah.
0:33:00 > 0:33:04They're in not brilliant condition, I have to say. I'm going to moan about condition.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07- Well, they were in this condition when they were given to me.- OK.
0:33:07 > 0:33:14And they were given to me in the early '80s, when I was training to become an architect.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17- Did you use it in your planning of buildings?- Yeah, I did.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20I used them as part of a thesis.
0:33:20 > 0:33:21Well, they're beautiful things.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24I mean, each one has basically got these copper-plate engravings, and
0:33:24 > 0:33:27it tells you the information about the engravers on it.
0:33:27 > 0:33:33As you say, there's four volumes, and in the first volume, which I've had a look at, there's breakdowns of
0:33:33 > 0:33:35the individual parts of the buildings.
0:33:35 > 0:33:39Everyone wants the columns, the Ionic and Doric and Corinthian.
0:33:39 > 0:33:44What's sad about these, in a way, and makes them hard to value, is, as books, they're probably in this
0:33:44 > 0:33:51condition less valuable than as breakers, so as prints, effectively, which is people would break it up,
0:33:51 > 0:33:55frame it up. These would look fantastic either left on their own or hand-coloured.
0:33:55 > 0:33:59- In an architect's office, for example, six on the wall would look brilliant.- Yeah.
0:33:59 > 0:34:05But it does seem such a shame to break up a book, and hopefully somebody will keep them
0:34:05 > 0:34:10as a whole if they buy them, maybe get them re-bound and in a better condition and then use them.
0:34:10 > 0:34:15The version is 1825, which it tells us at the beginning,
0:34:15 > 0:34:18- by Stuart and Revett, who were the drawers and the architects.- Yes.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22And the first edition of this was much earlier, about fifty years earlier,
0:34:22 > 0:34:25and does sell for a lot more money, because it was the first edition.
0:34:25 > 0:34:30- But it's still a lovely thing. Price-wise, you don't have any idea? - No idea at all on price, no.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33No. well, just judging roughly from the number of prints in it,
0:34:33 > 0:34:37you've got four volumes, even in this kind of condition, with foxing,
0:34:37 > 0:34:41I would have thought 150 to 250 is a fairly conservative estimate.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45- Is that the kind of figure you'd be happy with?- It is, absolutely.
0:34:45 > 0:34:47- Would you want a reserve? - Definitely have a reserve, yes.
0:34:47 > 0:34:52So perhaps a £100 reserve and the estimate at 150 to 250,
0:34:52 > 0:34:55and that'll give it a good chance of selling at the saleroom.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57OK! Well, we'll give it a go.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59- Thanks for bringing it in. - OK, thank you.- Thank you.
0:34:59 > 0:35:04Four more items chosen and on their way to the auction room.
0:35:06 > 0:35:12We're taking Viv's watercolour. She says it's growing on her, so let's hope the bidders like it, too.
0:35:12 > 0:35:17Christabel's corkscrew is a class item so should command a decent price.
0:35:17 > 0:35:22Charles's clock was second prize, and I'm hoping it will get first place at auction.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25And finally, we have Stuart's books.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28I have a suspicion these will really, really take off at auction.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30Am I right?
0:35:30 > 0:35:31Well, you'll have to wait and see.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35We're selling our items at Philip Serrell's auction house in Malvern.
0:35:35 > 0:35:40Whatever you do, when you're browsing around an auction room, always buy a catalogue.
0:35:40 > 0:35:45They only cost a couple of pounds, and they're well worth it, because there's so much information in here.
0:35:45 > 0:35:49You might miss so many things. Now, you could walk pass this section of glass and think, "So what?
0:35:49 > 0:35:51I don't really want that,"
0:35:51 > 0:35:55and move on. But look the lot number up, read what it says
0:35:55 > 0:36:00in the description, because this, in fact, is late-18th-century, early-19th-century glass.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04It's all hand-blown, and you can see by these pontil marks underneath.
0:36:04 > 0:36:10Hold it up to the light and you can see there's a really good lead content.
0:36:10 > 0:36:12And look at all this lovely reed work.
0:36:12 > 0:36:13All hand-made.
0:36:13 > 0:36:21And so are these little glasses. And it's a lot that's grouped together and it's catalogued at £25 to £50.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25I expect that to do quite a bit of money, not £20 to £50.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27And how did they do?
0:36:27 > 0:36:29At £100. Any more?
0:36:31 > 0:36:35Well, what did I tell you? Those glasses went for double the top end.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38So, no time to waste, because our next item is just about to go under the hammer.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41It's the 20th-century watercolour which Viv's selling.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47Viv, it's great to see you. I'm quite excited about this next lot, because it's a watercolour.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51I love the rocky outcrop. It's a nice signed piece.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53- And you like this, as well.- Yeah, I thought it was quite pleasant.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56And the artist is listed and he generally makes that sort of money, sometimes a bit more.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59- So I think we should be all right. - It's a nice thing to have, isn't it?
0:36:59 > 0:37:02I mean, so many people have just photographs and prints on their walls, but you can actually go to an
0:37:02 > 0:37:05auction room and buy some fine art.
0:37:05 > 0:37:06Anyway, let's find out what the bidders think, shall we?
0:37:06 > 0:37:08It's going under the hammer right now.
0:37:08 > 0:37:15Lot number 176, watercolour with figures on paths with hills beyond, and I'm bid £20 for that lot. At 20.
0:37:15 > 0:37:1720 bid. At 20. 20 bid.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20And 5. And 30. 30 bid.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23- 30...- 35. And 40. 40 bid. And 5.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25At 45. One more now.
0:37:25 > 0:37:26At 45 anywhere? At 45.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28Any more at all?
0:37:28 > 0:37:33At £45 only. 45. 50, may I?
0:37:33 > 0:37:36- At £45.- Come on.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39- It's still got to try. - That's right.- Anywhere at all?
0:37:39 > 0:37:41Help me out, someone. At £45. One more?
0:37:43 > 0:37:45Well, I'm sorry, I can't do that.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48Oh, dear!
0:37:48 > 0:37:50- I thought it would have sold. - What are you going to do?
0:37:50 > 0:37:52Well, I'll have to give it back to the charity shop.
0:37:52 > 0:37:54No, no, no, no!
0:37:54 > 0:37:55I think put it into the auction. Leave it with Philip.
0:37:55 > 0:37:59He might find the underbidder and hopefully will let it go at £45.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01- Yes!- Let's do that, OK? We'll leave it up to Philip to sort out.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03- Good idea.- Thanks so much. - Thanks for coming.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06- But at least the money will go back to charity.- Yeah! Yeah, yeah.
0:38:06 > 0:38:11Good. The bidding fell just £5 short of Viv's £50 reserve.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14Let's hope for better luck with Charles's clock.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18- Who is this? You've just popped in! - I have, I have!
0:38:18 > 0:38:20This is my wife, Jeanette.
0:38:20 > 0:38:21Jeanette, pleased to meet you.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23Why are you selling the clock?
0:38:23 > 0:38:25It's never looked right in our house.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27- Hasn't it? - No.- Well, it's a nice thing.- It goes.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29It does go, doesn't it?
0:38:29 > 0:38:32And I just hope it goes at the top end of the value, as well.
0:38:32 > 0:38:34- I think it's about right, Kate. - I hope so.
0:38:34 > 0:38:38- I mean, it's local interest, and there's a lovely story behind it, so it should go well, yeah.- Good luck!
0:38:38 > 0:38:40Good luck! Time's ticking away.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42This is it, in fact.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46Lot number 255 is the slate mantle clock.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48There we are. I'm bid 55. 60. 65.
0:38:48 > 0:38:53At 65. At 65. And 70. And 5. At 75.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55At £75 only. At 75.
0:38:55 > 0:38:59Any more? At £75. Any more?
0:39:01 > 0:39:03No. Well, I'm sorry, I can't do that.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05One bid away there.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08Yeah. Oh, that was a shame. I wonder who was bidding.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10Keep an eye out for them!
0:39:10 > 0:39:11Never mind. Never mind.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14Another lot unsold.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17We're all very nervous that things are not going to plan.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21Let's hope Christabel can break the jinx with that rather beautiful corkscrew.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24Well, I hope this next lot goes with a...
0:39:24 > 0:39:27- Hey, you know what Oscar Wilde said, don't you?- No.
0:39:27 > 0:39:31"Drinking is a mug's game. The bigger the mug, the better."
0:39:31 > 0:39:35- Hey, look, I've got good hopes for this.- Yes, OK.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38- There's a few other corkscrews in the sale today. You saw those.- Yeah.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40- And they're not as good.- No. Good.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43So I'm feeling really positive.
0:39:43 > 0:39:49I just hope it does a little bit more than £110, but it's going to go. Here we are.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53228 is the corkscrew.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55£70 bid. At 70. 70 bid.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58£70 only for the corkscrew. At 70.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01At £70 bid. At 80. 80 bid.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04At £80 only. Nine on the telephone?
0:40:04 > 0:40:0690 I'm bid on the telephone.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09- Oh, we have a phone line. That's great news.- At £90 on the telephone.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12At 90. Is there any more?
0:40:12 > 0:40:15At £90 only. Is there any more at all?
0:40:15 > 0:40:17- At £90.- He's selling.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20- Great.- At 90, and done.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23- Good!- Top end of the estimate. It did go with a pop, didn't it?
0:40:23 > 0:40:26- Yeah.- Well, at last the bids are pouring in, and so is the cash.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29Next up, Stuart's books on Greek architecture.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31Will the bidders have designs on them?
0:40:31 > 0:40:35At the last minute, Stuart's upped the reserve to £200,
0:40:35 > 0:40:38close to the top end of Kate's estimate. Will they sell?
0:40:38 > 0:40:40Why have you decided to sell, again?
0:40:40 > 0:40:46Well, I used the books for architectural reference when I was training to become an architect
0:40:46 > 0:40:48in the early '80s, and they've just been collecting dust.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51- They've been in the library ever since, and...- Very nice lot.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55And as Philip said, it's a proper antique dealer's lot, as well.
0:40:55 > 0:41:00It's the kind of thing you want in a nice old antiques shop full of curios and things.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02Good doorstop. Wobbly tray...!
0:41:02 > 0:41:04Yeah!
0:41:04 > 0:41:06Hey, let's find out what the bidders think, shall we?
0:41:06 > 0:41:08And good luck, Stuart. Here we are.
0:41:08 > 0:41:14If you're going to have a book, this is the one to have, The Antiquities of Athens.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18Hopefully, we've got a phone bid, look. I can see someone with a phone.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21- Someone start me at £200. 200 I am bid.- 200!
0:41:21 > 0:41:24200 straight in. Straight in at 200.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27220. 230. 240.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30250. 260.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33270.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36280. 290.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39- They like them!- 300. - There's someone in the room,
0:41:39 > 0:41:41as well, which is nice, because you know that they've seen them.
0:41:41 > 0:41:47330 in the room. 340. 350. 350. 360.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49370.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52- This is fantastic.- 380.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54390.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56- 400.- Brilliant!
0:41:56 > 0:41:58- This is very good.- Double.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01- Best not use them as a doorstop, then.- No!- 450, is it?
0:42:01 > 0:42:04- 420 on the telephone. - He's selling now.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07There's bids on the net. At 450.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11480. 480. At £480 on the telephone.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13Any more?
0:42:13 > 0:42:17500 bid. 520. 550. 580.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19- Goodness!- This is good! - Worth waiting.
0:42:19 > 0:42:24620. 650 on the net. 650. 680?
0:42:24 > 0:42:27680. 700 on the net.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29700!
0:42:29 > 0:42:31720?
0:42:31 > 0:42:34At £700. Bid's on the net.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37At £700. Is there any more?
0:42:37 > 0:42:39I sell, then, at £700 and done.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41- Yes!- Hammer has gone down.
0:42:41 > 0:42:43Stuart, that is fabulous, isn't it?
0:42:43 > 0:42:45It really is.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47Half a dozen people really wanted them, that's all I can say.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50Another spot-on valuation, of course(!) I knew they'd make that!
0:42:50 > 0:42:53It was just for dramatic effect!
0:42:53 > 0:42:55And that's a dramatic end to today's show.
0:42:55 > 0:43:00Once again, the people of Malvern have done us proud and put a smile on everyone's face.
0:43:05 > 0:43:11If you'd like to take part in the show, this is where it all starts, a "Flog It!" valuation day.
0:43:11 > 0:43:14You've got to come to one of these. There's two ways of doing it.
0:43:14 > 0:43:18You can check the details in your local press, or
0:43:18 > 0:43:19you can log on to:
0:43:21 > 0:43:22Click F for "Flog It"
0:43:22 > 0:43:26and follow the links and you'll find the dates and the venues
0:43:26 > 0:43:30for our next valuation days, and hopefully they're near you.
0:43:44 > 0:43:46Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:46 > 0:43:49E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk