Truro Flog It!

That is a fantastic backdrop for our venue today - Truro City Cathedral.

It's wonderful for me to be back in my home county of Cornwall.

Hundreds of people are queueing up in the rain with bags and boxes.

They want to ask that very important question - what's it worth?

-When you've found out, what will you do?

-Flog it!

It is just starting to rain, so we'll get everybody inside now.

It's 9.30. It's time to open the doors of this magnificent cathedral.

Don't go away. Keep watching the show.

There's one or two surprises. We found some real gems out there and we'll show you in there.

Building work started on the cathedral in 1880 and it was completed in 1910.

That's a marvellous achievement - 30 years to build all of this, a real architectural delight.

It was a massive undertaking because they copied the great cathedrals of the medieval era.

Looking around, they've certainly achieved wonders. Your eyes just gravitate up towards the heavens.

It's only one of three cathedrals in the country to have three spires

and it's the first cathedral to be built in this country

on a new site since Salisbury Cathedral was back in 1220.

Our two fabulous experts leading our team of valuers today are David Barby and David Fletcher.

David Barby's first job was as a choirboy aged eight,

so he should feel at home hitting the high notes in Truro Cathedral.

That's lovely, isn't it?

David Fletcher's no choirboy, but as a child,

he was hooked on the antiques series in the '60s, Going For A Song.

That's what I like to hear.

Coming up today, John and Pat's statue catches the appreciative eye of David Barby.

If I look at this figure, there are two highlights.

We might have a new double act.

-Another fine mess you've got me into here!

-Sure have!

And all David Barby's dreams come true at once.

We'll find out what's got David so excited later on, but first, he's feeling bookish with Edith's items.

-Edith, why are you getting rid of these bookmarks?

-I didn't intend getting rid of them.

-I found them in a box today when I was bringing some other things to show you.

-Right.

-You'd never used them for their original purpose?

-No.

-They're quite beautiful. Who owned them?

This one was from my father-in-law, a Scottish doctor.

And this one was from my nan who brought me up.

She was no relation. She was a nanny.

This one that belonged to your father who was Scottish is in the form of a Scottish sword.

If you look at the little pommel here, it's inlaid with what we term as Scottish pebbles.

Those are semi-precious stones.

That's rather nice,

although the hallmark there is for Birmingham 1936.

So it's got some age to it.

-And if this was polished, it would look wonderful.

-Oh, right.

This other one is just brass, but at the end here, it has an agate, like a Scottish agate.

So the two are linked. It's rather appropriate that we're in Truro Cathedral

and we have this wonderful cross at the upper section there.

That's rather nice. You could imagine that on a family Bible or Common Prayer, something like that.

My nan who brought me up, she used to read her Bible every day.

-You're selling a family...

-I didn't know I was until I came here, if you know what I mean.

You still want to sell them, do you?

I wouldn't want them to go for next to nothing because they're sentimental.

-You can't price sentiment, unfortunately.

-No.

It's the real world at the auction. Somebody's got to love these.

There are collectors of bookmarks and you get a huge variety.

The more interesting ones like this one here, the Scottish sword, you'll find a collector at auction.

I think they'll realise somewhere between £20 and £40.

-That sort of price range.

-Yes, yes.

The sentiment might be too great to let them go at that figure, but they're interesting for collectors.

If you don't use them, if they've been stuck in a box, they'll go back home to be stuck in a box again,

-so at least you could sell these and get some good books. Thank you for bringing them along.

-Thank you.

Edith was lucky that her bookmarks were spotted by our valuers,

but Rosie's collection is more prominent.

-Another fine mess you've got me into here!

-Sure have!

I don't know that much about Laurel and Hardy, but I'll do my best.

-That one is Charlie Chaplin.

-Charlie Chaplin has sneaked in as well. I hadn't even noticed him.

Laurel and Hardy were both born in the 19th century

and lived well into the 20th century.

I think they both lived certainly after 1950.

They, I think I'm right in saying, made their first film in the 1920s.

They had worked individually up until that time, then their careers took off.

And you have a good collection of Laurel and Hardy related material.

And have you collected it yourself?

No, it was given to me by my... He's now my ex-boyfriend's brother.

I had my eye on them and now that we're not together,

there's no point in keeping them cos they're just cluttering up in a box.

-They don't have a sentimental value.

-No. I have nowhere to display them.

I shall start by saying there's nothing of any great age.

The almost lifelike busts at the front, copyright of 1984,

so they're no more than 30 years old, really.

-Have you any idea what the collection is worth?

-No, I don't.

OK, I think we've got to really be ultra-conservative

because although I'm sure there are ardent collectors of Laurel and Hardy material out there,

I think they're going to be looking for items that relate to Laurel and Hardy's own lifetime.

-Right, yeah.

-Theatre programmes, cinema bills, that sort of thing.

So we've got to be mindful of that.

I would be inclined to put an estimate of £50 to £80 on them

-and I think with the best will in the world, sell without reserve.

-OK.

-Have you any idea what you'd spend the money on?

-Yes, both my children.

I want to start a savings account for when they either go to uni...

-Don't ask me for financial advice!

-I won't.

But if you do that, by the time they come to university age,

you'll have done pretty well for them, so that's lovely.

I'm certain they'll do OK.

These days, sales go online and there might be a collector and we might have a pleasant surprise.

-We'll do our best for you and I look forward to seeing you at the sale.

-Thank you very much.

'With no sentimental attachment, Rosie is happy to let her Laurel and Hardy collection go with no reserve.

'I've stopped to look at a painting brought in by Diana and Nick.'

I love that. That is so typical of the Scottish Highlands.

Look at the perspective. You're just drawn into that lake, aren't you?

Look, what I've found is MacWhirter,

John MacWhirter, that's the artist, and it's also signed.

It could be worth £400 to £500 in good condition. It's got its original frame.

But what's putting me off is that water damage.

'Sometimes giving a valuation can be a tricky business.

'You have to be confident about the authenticity of an item.

'But it's not always easy. Even I can get caught out. Well, nearly.'

-Can I just take a look at this with a glass? Do you mind?

-Of course. Yes.

If I show you something here, you can see it's not a watercolour.

-Really?

-No, it's a print.

-My goodness! A print?

Oh, my goodness!

What a surprise!

If you look through this with a light, you can identify hundreds of tiny little dots that go together

-to make up a print.

-Oh, my goodness!

We're looking at something that's possibly worth around about...£5 to £10.

LAUGHTER

Have a look at this.

-Oh, yes.

-Well, I think...

-It was worth bringing it in.

It can go back in the attic in the damp. You don't need to worry.

Oh, dear!

'That was a close shave, but David Barby has no doubts about the provenance

'of the little object brought in by Barbara and Norman.'

This is an exquisite little object.

Now, it's exquisite because it's a piece of a needlewoman's equipment.

-Who's keen on needlework? Is it you, Barbara, or is it you, Norman?

-Neither of us.

-How did you get hold of this?

-My mum gave it to me when I was a little girl.

-Right.

I like it because, first of all, it's a miniature piece of furniture.

This looks like a knife box,

covered in tortoiseshell veneer, with a little brass plaque on the top

that we call a cartouche.

So I open this little press section here

and then see that it's divided into various compartments,

filled with needles in little paper folds.

There's one, two, three, four that haven't got any.

At the side here, you've got the name of the retailer

which is "W Lund, 24 Fleet Street".

That was London.

And if I can just take one of these little needle sections out...

The needles were made by "Shrimpton & Hooper, Albion Works, Studley".

Now, in that area, close to Redditch,

they made needles.

So this is a beautiful example for a collector of needlework requisites.

How much is it worth? We're not talking about hundreds of pounds.

But I think somebody is going to pay between £50 and £80, that sort of price range.

-How many more have you got at home, Barbara?

-Only the one.

-Why are you getting rid of this? It doesn't take up room in your house.

-Well, we haven't got any children.

-Spend the money on a meal out?

-Yes.

-I don't blame you. If you don't use it, what's the point in having it?

-I like it, I must admit.

-It's just on the side.

-It's stuck on the side in a cabinet?

-In the Welsh dresser.

-Yes, sell it.

-Yes.

-Or should I say, flog it?

-Flog it, that's it.

-We'll do our best for you.

Those are our first three items to go off to auction, so here's a quick recap -

Edith's little bookmarks valued by David Barby at £20 to £40,

Rosie's Laurel and Hardy collection valued by David Fletcher at £50 to £80

and Barbara and Norman's needle box valued by David Barby at £50 to £80.

For today's sale, we've come to picturesque Lostwithiel in the heart of Cornwall.

Back in 1205, Lostwithiel had the second busiest port on the south coast of England,

mainly due to the tin mines.

Sadly, there's no port here today, but hopefully, it will be just as busy

because we're the guests of Jefferys Auction Rooms.

Auctioneer Ian Morris is on the rostrum and first up, it's Edith and her bookmarks.

Why have you decided to sell these now then?

I came along to Flog It with a few items in a box and...

-Met Mr Barby.

-Mr Barby picked these out and they're something I hadn't thought much about.

-They were with other things I thought were more valuable.

-I like the association with books.

There's a great revival for reading books with so many book clubs starting up. I belong to one.

I don't have an expensive bookmark. I use a piece of paper.

But I'm not buying!

Hopefully, someone is. Good luck. Here we go.

It's a silver hallmarked bookmark, made by J Cook & Sons, dated 1911.

And one other. Lot 132.

-I've got two bids and I've got to start at £30.

-Well done.

At £30, both bids are with me. I'll take 2.

32. 35. 38. At £40.

42. My bids are out. 42 right there.

I'll take 5 to get on. At £42.

-That's very good.

-45, two of you.

48? 45, the two of you both can't have it. 48 from one of you?

-Lots of bookworms.

-It's at 48. At 48. At 48.

At 48. 50 now? At 48. At 48 right at the back.

At 48. 50? We're done at 48...

-Yes!

-That's good.

-Top end, very good. They love their books here.

-Happy?

-Yes.

-£48, that's great.

It is a wonderful feeling when things exceed the top end of the estimate.

-It's not so good when it struggles at reserve.

-When it doesn't sell, it's dreadful.

'What a fabulous result for Edith! It just goes to show it's always worth having a good rummage around.

'Even little, hidden away objects can have value.

'Next, Rosie's Laurel and Hardy collection which she inherited from her ex-boyfriend's brother.'

-Now it's time to wave goodbye to Laurel and Hardy, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Every time you see Laurel and Hardy, do you always think of the ex then?

-Yes.

-So you can't wait to get rid.

There is no reserve. Hopefully, they're going to go to a good home.

There's something for everyone in there.

Lot 11 there, Laurel and Hardy, a collection of novelty items.

What shall we say for that? Very quickly. £30 away? £30?

£30 away? £30 I'm bid. The bid's here with me. 35. £40. 45.

That's good.

At 45. I've got the bid on the book. £50. 55. At 55 with me.

-55. 60 now.

-That's great.

-£60.

65. At 65, still here. At £65 with me.

At £65. 70 now? Are we all done? With me at 65...

-That was very good, wasn't it?

-Yes.

-Excellent.

-You're going out to celebrate now?

-No, it's going into my children's savings account.

-Good idea.

-We've got them off to a flying start. That's really good. I'm thrilled.

-So am I. Thank you for letting me flog it.

-That's OK.

'Well, it's big smiles all round. Let's hope we can do the same for Barbara and Norman's needle box.'

David and I have just been joined by Barbara and Norman. We've got that needle box going under the hammer.

-Tiny needles. They must have had tiny fingers.

-And very good eyesight.

Good luck. It's going under the hammer now.

172 there is a miniature, hinged, little tortoiseshell stamp box

with seven individual, graduated compartments,

made by Lund of Fleet Street, London.

I've got one, two, three, four bids and I've got to start at £135.

GASPS

At 135. At 135.

140 now? At 135, all the bids are with me.

My goodness!

140. At 140. All my bids are out.

At 140, the bid's still at the back.

At 140. 145? At £140. I'm selling then at £140...

Straight in and straight in at £140.

I knew it was good, but my word!

Thank you so much.

What a surprise! Well, happy spending.

If you've got anything like that at home, we'd love to sell it for you.

Hopefully, there's a valuation day near you soon.

Check details in your local press or log on to bbc.co.uk/programmes, click F for Flog It,

follow the links and hopefully, we are very near a town near you soon, so come along.

The rugged coastal landscape of Cornwall is one of its main attractions.

It's peaceful, beautiful and home to a wide variety of wildlife.

But not so long ago, these cliff tops would have reverberated with the noise of crushing machinery

and the bustle of miners.

This whole area was once no less than the engine room of the Industrial Revolution

which shaped our modern world.

Most of the Land's End peninsula is built on granite which was formed 300 million years ago.

This granite contains an awful lot of tin and copper.

In fact, there's probably more tin and copper here than anywhere else in the world.

Many mines were started in Cornwall, but few stayed open for long

and the landscape now is littered with their remains like Levant Mine here in St Just.

But Levant was different. It remained open and profitable for 110 years.

It was the lifeblood of the community and hundreds of families depended on it.

But working conditions were extremely tough

and also one of the greatest tragedies in Cornish mining history ultimately led to Levant's decline.

The Levant Mining Company was formed in 1820

and at its peak, employed over 600 men, women and children.

The miners, often father and son, toiled to break the ore at a rate of four feet a month,

using a volatile combination of gunpowder and hand-digging.

The narrow shafts followed the mineral-rich loads in an almost vertical direction.

The Levant workings extended one and a half kilometres out into the Atlantic Ocean

at a depth of 600 metres below the sea bed.

In the early days of the mine, the only way up and down the shafts was by ladder.

At the start and end of each shift, the miners had to climb 1,500 feet through narrow chambers.

They needed over 90 ladders.

The climb back up took one and a half hours.

Now, our present-day preoccupation with health and safety wasn't really shared with 19th century employers.

Aside from heart and lung disease, accidents through blasting were all too common.

Many, many miners were maimed for life or blinded.

The average age of a working miner who worked these mines was just 27 years old.

Working conditions were particularly gruelling

and miners worked by candlelight in temperatures up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

It wasn't unusual for a chap to finish his shift 12 pounds lighter than when he started.

In 1857, Levant installed a new engine to help transport the men up and down.

It was called the man engine and it acted like a giant pump rod

with men stepping on and off platforms as it transported them down to the bottom in 30 minutes.

It could carry 130 men at a time and the shaft is still here today. Take a look.

Incredibly, it is still possible to hear first-hand

what it was like to work in the mine and to use the man engine from the miners themselves,

speaking in a BBC documentary made in 1970.

Every 12 feet, there was a step...

..about two foot square.

And about three foot six to four foot six up, there was a handle for you to catch hold of.

Really, it was safe as anything. A child could ride on it.

The first day I started, I started with a man, he rode down with me, two on the step.

You see? And after three days, well, you can get on all right.

You had to take a candle in your hat and a lantern in your hand for a while.

And of course, after that, you put the lantern to one side and you just used the candle.

When they travelled the man engine, they all started to sing

and the sound that you heard as it came up through the shaft was out of this world.

MEN SINGING

If you could stand on top of that shaft and listen,

rich, it was, rich.

HARMONIOUS SINGING

But the owners of the mine were slow to modernise.

And despite its success, there was little investment to update or replace machinery.

After 70 years of use, it was the last working man engine in the world

and considered a museum piece.

And then at 2.50pm

on Monday, the 20th of October in 1919, disaster struck.

I was about to step in. He said, "Don't step in, boy. There's something wrong."

And he made a...quiver. And I dodged back and under.

The manager shook like that and then he dropped away.

That was that. Down he goes.

What happened was the main pin on the top broke.

And then the rod on the way down broke in half.

That's what done the damage.

That went right through, see, took everything with it.

A full shift of men were ascending when suddenly there was an accident.

The top layer collapsed, crashing down 100 feet below.

It went through different layers on its way. 31 men in total lost their lives.

It took six days to get them out.

This tragedy hastened the decline of the mine and it finally closed in 1930.

A worldwide drop in the price of tin meant many of Cornwall's mines became unprofitable

in the decades that followed. The industry is practically extinct.

After the mine closed, the engines were blown up for scrap and many of the buildings were demolished,

their stone used to build houses elsewhere.

One engine was saved and so began a remarkable preservation project.

Today the site is looked after by the National Trust.

I've come here to talk to Chris Quick about the Levant's beam engine.

What's the significance of this?

As far as I know, it's the only working steam engine in Cornwall still in its original house.

-It was installed in this mine in 1840.

-Wow!

-And worked for 90 years.

-Gosh. She's seen some life.

-What would you get today to do that?

-What is the function of the engine?

-Its sole purpose is to wind the rocks they've cut

-and bring it to surface.

-Can I have a go?

-Yes!

-First, take the brake off.

-OK.

-Wind it as far as you can...

-And that'll turn that wheel there?

-It turns the brake block.

-I can see the brake block rising.

-You're there.

-What a wonderful piece of kit.

-OK. Brake's off.

-Now you put some steam on.

-Bring that lever towards me.

-Wow! Look at that.

-That's fine.

Look at that beam work now!

-Oh, take it off! I've never done this before. More steam?

-More steam.

-Keep the engine going now.

-So the driver stayed here all day.

-Yes.

-Making sure it didn't slow down...

-Give it some steam.

-He would just stay here?

-He would stay here, look at the gauge to see where it is.

-But you only run it for four minutes at a time.

-OK.

-Just long enough for a skip to come to the surface.

Steady.

You can hear those pistons working. Everything is so beautifully articulated.

It's just wonderful to see it working.

The steam is moving a beam which weighs two tons, the rod weighs a ton, crankshaft weighs a ton

-and the flywheel weighs four tons.

-I feel part of its history now. Wonderful.

'The engine was the last to work on Levant mine. It's final days were used to salvage equipment.

'After the tragedy, it was used to bring some of the deceased up,

'so it remains a fitting memorial to those miners who lost their lives, helping to build our world.'

At our valuation day in Truro Cathedral, crowds still flock in, much to the surprise of some!

David Fletcher has spotted an iconic item with Sandra.

This, to anyone who works in a sale room, is instantly recognisable as Royal Doulton.

As I'm sure you know. How long have you owned it?

-I'm not sure. 10, 15 years.

-Is it something you particularly like?

-No. I'm sorry!

-Which is why you brought it today. It's not compulsory to like them.

-I like fine china.

-And you're implying this isn't.

-No, it's not.

-We mustn't try to be too subjective. We must be objective.

-OK.

Actually, some people would agree with you, I think.

The great thing about Royal Doulton is that it's a factory with a fabulous reputation,

in spite of your slightly disparaging view of it, producing good quality marketable products.

And the Royal Doulton factory knew about selling what they made.

And for that reason they produced series of collector's items.

It's obvious, really. If you have one figure in your collection,

you want two. Then three.

Anyway, many of these figures sell for relatively small sums

and when I saw it when you first brought it in, I thought we were looking at a figure for £30-£40.

But it turns out that it's quite a bit rarer than I originally thought.

It was modelled by a potter called Mary Nicholl.

And it came into production in 1955 and it ceased production in 1958 or 1959.

So it was in production for no more than three or four years and that makes it rare.

And it is rarity that gives these items their value, as you can imagine, really.

All Royal Doulton figures are marked in the same way.

They have the title. In this instance, The Tailor.

They have an HN number,

HN being the initials of Harry Noke, who was an early potter in the Doulton factory.

After the HN there is the number itself and, in this instance, the number is 2174.

HN2174.

If I was to tell you that I think it might make £200, would you suddenly start to like it?

No.

It would make you want to sell it all the more, I suppose. I don't blame you. Right.

I'm optimistic that it might make £200.

Have you got anything planned, plans for the money?

My husband and I are going on a French holiday so, you know, any bit of money will help.

That'll buy a couple of good dinners in an expensive Parisian restaurant!

I'd like to suggest a reserve of £150-£200.

-Seeing as I don't think it's price-sensitive to you...

-No.

-You'll be glad to see the back of it!

-Shall we put a reserve of 120?

-Yes.

-Just a covering reserve to make sure it doesn't sell too cheaply.

-So a reserve of 120.

-Yes.

-Great. I'll look forward to seeing you at the sale and let's hope it does much better!

-Thank you.

'Sandra will be happy to see it go and even happier if she gets £200.

'Now Annie and Sue have brought along an item to show us that also has a great provenance.

'But this is one loved item that is NOT for sale.'

That's a very sturdy little oak chair.

Annie and Sue, thank you for bringing it in. I understand there's some fascinating history.

-Yes.

-Who did these belong to?

-Lawrence of Arabia.

-Really? How fascinating!

-Arthur Knowles made the chair

-for Lawrence and his house.

-I do know Lawrence of Arabia lived in Dorset

-and there was a big sale of his items.

-We got them from an antiques dealer.

I found it in his garage. We were looking for a chair for my granny.

My dad said, "What's the story behind it?" And so we found it from his garage.

-Do you both come from Dorset?

-Yes.

-And you've come to Cornwall?

-Yes.

To show me these? Bless you! Oh, how fabulous!

The connection with Lawrence is fascinating. Keep them in Dorset!

-I can't tempt you to put them into auction?

-No.

'Across the room, a young lady brought in by John and Pat has got David hot under the collar.'

Who's responsible? Who bought this?

-Well, actually, it was given to us many years ago by my father.

-Know where he acquired it?

-No idea.

-Was he in the Forces?

-Yes, in the Merchant Navy.

In the Merchant Navy. Did he ever go to central Europe, sort of Hungary, Czechoslovakia?

-I really don't know.

-We cannot answer that.

He went all over the place.

This is Hungarian. And it is signed here.

That's the surname of the artist, which is Kerenyi.

His Christian name is spelt J-E-N-O.

-Jeno Kerenyi.

-Right.

-He had quite an interesting history.

Born in...1907. And he died in 1975.

So he had a long period of artistic achievements.

This dates from his early period. This might have been his mistress!

If you think of what happened to Hungary, towards wartime and post-wartime,

it became dominated by socialism.

And a lot of his sculptures after WWII

were very much in the socialist manner - workers marching out to the fields with implements.

Solidarity, and the idea of the mass of workers supporting the state.

So he did a lot of sculpture in that form.

I think this is a wonderful work of art.

If you wanted to portray the sensual female figure, in all its glory,

-this is it, isn't it?

-Yes.

This languid female figure. If you think in terms of 1920s vamps.

And you think of dancers like Josephine Baker.

She's got all the movements of a very, very attractive woman.

This is not a one off.

Bronzes are cast.

So several of these actually have appeared in sales.

There was one sold in 2001 for £3,000.

And then two years ago one was sold for £2,000.

I would think that this

would sell for round about £1,500-£2,000,

but we ought to put a reserve on that particular piece.

So when it comes up for sale, I would suggest a reserve of £1,600.

And I hope it goes above the £2,000 mark.

-Is that agreeable?

-Yes, it would be nice.

-Are you going to miss it?

-Yes.

I won't use the duster so very often!

That brings me to another point. If I look at this figure,

there are two highlights! I don't know who's responsible.

Not guilty!

That's me, unfortunately. I had been, I thought, rather careful

not to over polish.

'Let's hope their over polishing won't trouble the bidders too much.

'Next up, Pauline has brought in a charming silver ring.'

I love this ring.

-In the form of a stylised heart.

-It is.

Does that mean it was bought for you on a special occasion?

-I think it was bought in 1960.

-Right.

-The year after we were married.

-It might have been in my husband's romantic period!

-Oh, dear! How long did it last?

-Maybe Valentine's Day.

-I like that.

"In his romantic period". Very good. Like Picasso's Blue Period.

Surely it has sentimental value?

It has, but I've very rarely worn it because it's very large

and my hands are very small.

I've not very long fingers.

I could imagine it on somebody with lovely long fingers and beautifully-manicured nails

-and it'd look stunning.

-As you know, it was made by Georg Jensen,

the greatest, really, of 20th century jewellery designers,

-many people would say. Certainly the greatest Danish designer of jewellery.

-Yes.

Georg Jensen himself died just before the war,

but the factory continues to this day. And this particular ring was designed

-by one of his assistants, a man called Henning Koppel.

-Right.

Who was equally famous. I think he was famous in his own right, really, as a designer.

Much admired.

-He won lots of awards in the '50s and '60s.

-Yeah.

I love this stuff. I love it for its modern styling.

One sees a lot of Victorian jewellery, one sees lots of Edwardian jewellery.

And, by comparison, come the time this was designed and manufactured,

-the modern movement is in full swing, really.

-Yes.

It's great and I'm sure it'll sell jolly well. So if we estimate it at £100-£150,

and put a reserve of £100 on it,

because minimalist jewellery of this sort is so fashionable today,

I'm confident you'll get towards the top estimate or a bit more.

-You've got his permission?

-My husband is quite happy.

Considering it was bought for you in his romantic period!

-I hope he's not watching!

-He might start again!

His second romantic period. Starting soon. OK.

Look forward to lots more rings!

'Those are our last three fabulous items.

'Auctioneer Ian Morris is very impressed with one of our lots.'

It is a nice bronze. Good period. Lovely Art Deco period.

Bronzes, the lovely detailing, the lovely shape, lovely lines.

-Sexy lady.

-It's the kind of thing that will appeal to the market.

Signed as well. We've got everything there the buying public want.

Good period pieces of Art Nouveau, Art Deco,

seem to be selling certainly better than Victorian pieces.

Has this been heavily viewed and picked up?

It certainly has been viewed. There is some interest.

£1,600 is... probably towards the top end.

Quite a lumpy reserve. I'd like to think I'd get there.

Maybe a bit nip and tuck. Might just get there.

'Well, fingers crossed. We'll find out how it gets on later.

'Also about to go under the hammer is Sandra's Royal Doulton figurine and Pauline's charming ring.

'First up, it's the ring.'

-It's time for it to go.

-It's very stylish.

-It is.

-And sought after.

-I always think an item should speak of its period.

-Yes.

-It should look as if it was made in the 1960s

and not the 1860s. Jensen jewellery complies with that little rule.

Hopefully, it'll find a new home. It's a great name.

Quality always sells. That's the key. Here we go.

Lot 192 there. A Georg Jensen sterling silver ring with pierced heart decoration.

Can I say £100 away, please?

£50 to start me?

£50 I'm bid. At 50. 60 now.

60. 70.

-80. 90. 100.

-It's gone.

At £100, the bid's to my left. I'll take 110.

-At £100 I'm bid.

-A bit more!

At £100. Are we done? At £100.

-It's gone.

-Bottom end.

-Bottom, though. Never mind.

This will go to my two grandchildren, their little pots of money.

-It will top up their fund.

-What a great grandma!

'I'm sure that Pauline's grandchildren will be very happy with £50 each added to their funds.

'Next up is Sandra's figure.'

-Who have you brought along?

-Barry, my husband.

-Pleased to meet you.

-What do you think of this?

-I love it. I was at work when she brought it in!

-Now we're selling it!

-I hated it!

-Oh, dear. So you had to tell him?

-He knew.

-Was it a sad goodbye?

-That was a good meal.

We've got a valuation of £150-£200 and it's quite rare

-because it was only in production for three years.

-Yes, 1950s.

And sitting so quietly ever since.

It's a Royal Doulton figure. The Tailor. Quite a rare figure.

Lot 657.

Can we say 150 away?

£100 I've got. At £100. 110 to get on.

110. 120. 130. 140. 150?

He's had a bid on the book. Someone's left a bid.

At 140. The bid's on the books.

-At 140. 150 now? At 140.

-Come on. A bit more.

150. At 150. I can go to 155.

-At 155.

-It's doing all right.

155. 160 now?

At 155 I'm bid. 155.

At 155.

-Just in with a chance there. £155.

-Really pleased.

-Towards our holiday.

-To where?

-France.

-Good for you.

-Normandy and Brittany.

-Enjoy it.

'Sandra has finally got rid of her figure and even husband Barry appreciates a bob or two.

'Now it's the turn of that magnificent bronze figure, but are the bidders here?'

We've all been looking forward this one. We hope to get top end.

That wonderful bronze figurine. She has caused a lot of interest.

I had a chat to the auctioneer. We both agreed - absolute quality.

-And it's so nice, so sensuous.

-Very.

-Typical of the period.

-Now in the sale room

-and possibly going to somebody else's front room.

-Yes.

The Hungarian bronze figure there. An exotic dancer.

Signed on the base. Lot 112.

Got a little bit of interest. Start at £1,000.

At £1,000. £1,000. And 50 to get on. And 50.

1,100. 1,150. 1,200. 1,250. At 1,250.

At 1,250. 1,300 right at the back.

Fresh legs.

1,400? 1,400.

1,400. 1,450. 1,500? 1,500.

1,500. 1,550. 1,600?

-It's gone.

-1,600.

In the doorway. Is it 50?

1,650. 1,700? At 1,650 on the phone. At 1,650.

This is great.

1,700? At 1,650 on the phone.

£1,650.

-Yes!

-That was exciting! That was brilliant.

-Happy?

-Yes.

-Yes.

-Not quite the top end, but happy.

-That was fine.

-What are you going to replace the figurine with?

-Going to do some spending?

-We'll move one of the other bronzes to the same place!

At least you've got a few!

That's it. It's all over. Another day in the auction room.

It's wonderful to be back home in Cornwall. The sun's shining

and we sold everything! So congratulations to everyone.

I hope you enjoyed the show. Keep watching for more surprises.

But for now it's cheerio. Proper job!

Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd - 2010

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