0:00:02 > 0:00:06Welcome to "Flog It!", the show that values your unwanted antiques and whisks them off to auction.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10Today, we're in the beautiful north-west corner of Wales, in Bangor.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34Bangor occupies a unique location in the UK.
0:00:34 > 0:00:39Situated between the mountains and the sea, it boasts 10 national nature reserves, a National Park,
0:00:39 > 0:00:45two designated areas of outstanding beauty, and 83 sites of special scientific interest.
0:00:45 > 0:00:49All within 15 miles of the city.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57And now there's another special site of interest to add.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00As for one day only, "Flog It!" is at Bangor University.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03And if you look closely, you might be able to see
0:01:03 > 0:01:05a lesser-spotted expert casting his eyes
0:01:05 > 0:01:08over some antiques and collectibles.
0:01:08 > 0:01:14And rustling through the shrubbery today, we have experts Mark Stacey and Adam Partridge.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17This lady said I was her favourite valuer, so that's quite rare, isn't it?
0:01:17 > 0:01:21Adam's passion for antiques started when he was studying at Oxford University.
0:01:21 > 0:01:27But it was in his early days as a porter that he learnt most of his valuable lessons.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30And I ran to pick up a jug like that...
0:01:30 > 0:01:32The jug fell off. And I was left holding the handle.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34So I never hold anything by the handle.
0:01:36 > 0:01:41Mark is a proper grown-up valuer, but he still says he has the most fun doing "Flog It!".
0:01:41 > 0:01:45- Do you want to do that? - No, I'll do the car.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48- I want to do the car. - Oh, it's like that now, is it?- Yes.
0:01:49 > 0:01:56Both experts will be leading a team of valuers as we try to find out the best items to take off to auction.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00Coming up, we've got a show full of surprises.
0:02:00 > 0:02:07- Did you have any high expectations? - Well, no, because I was always told it was a piece of costume jewellery.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10So, what do you think that's worth, then?
0:02:10 > 0:02:12I've no idea. Not very much, I suspect.
0:02:12 > 0:02:13Look at this.
0:02:16 > 0:02:17That's scary.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19Art Nouveau, silver mirror.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22- What do you think about that? - Well, I'm amazed.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25- A bit shocked?- Yes.- I think we are a bit taken back as well.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30Well, everybody is now safely seated.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33Inside, there's hundreds of people which means
0:02:33 > 0:02:37plenty of antiques for our experts to get their teeth stuck in to.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39And it looks like Adam is first at the tables.
0:02:39 > 0:02:44And he's with Patricia who's got high hopes for her fishy item.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46- Welcome.- Thank you. - And what a curious item.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50I really like this little thing here. What can you tell me yourself?
0:02:50 > 0:02:55It's been in the family for a few generations. As far as I know, it belonged to my great grandmother.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59Your great-grandmother? So, that's 19th century, then, isn't it?
0:02:59 > 0:03:01Yes.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05- Do you like it?- I love it. - It's great fun, isn't it?- Yes. So unusual.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08It's fully articulated, isn't it, along the end.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11And you've got little ruby eyes.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14- And then the head pulls off, doesn't it?- Yes.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17Just give it a tug. There we are.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21- And that unscrews.- And this unscrews.
0:03:21 > 0:03:28And then, in there, we've got this sort of internal division there, haven't we?
0:03:28 > 0:03:29What do you think it's for?
0:03:29 > 0:03:34I was told a few years ago that it was for the use of opium.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37For the use of opium? I wouldn't know anything about that.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39I wouldn't. Somebody told me.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41It's certainly not English.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44It's not hallmarked, there's no marks on it at all.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47It will be silver, it feels like silver.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50The use of the ruby in the eyes perhaps indicates it could be Indian.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52Then another of my colleagues said it's Chinese.
0:03:52 > 0:03:58So, we've all had a look at this and we're not 100% sure...
0:03:59 > 0:04:02..what it is or where it comes from.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05But I've seen similar things that come on the market.
0:04:05 > 0:04:12Let's call it an Eastern white-metal container. In the form of a fish.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15And we probably can't be more specific than that.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17Why do you want to sell it?
0:04:17 > 0:04:19It's a shame it sitting there
0:04:19 > 0:04:21and not a lot of people see it. It's beautiful.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24- It is a lovely thing. - It's interesting.
0:04:24 > 0:04:31Estimate wise, similar objects seem to make £60-£80, maybe £100, that sort of thing. Does that fit in
0:04:31 > 0:04:34- with your expectations.- Fine.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36I think we should put a reserve of 60 there.
0:04:36 > 0:04:41And if it doesn't make that, you'll have it back. But I think it'll go swimmingly.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46- So do I. I hope so. - Thank you very much for bringing it.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49- And we'll see what happens at the auction.- Look forward to it.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58Patricia's not the only one who's brought in an interesting item today.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01Do you know, it's surprising what you find.
0:05:01 > 0:05:06In all these bags and boxes, there's something different wherever you go in any part of the UK
0:05:06 > 0:05:11- and there's something I'll show you in this bag, if I can just pick it up. What's your name?- Diane.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13Can I borrow this for a second?
0:05:13 > 0:05:15Are you ready for this?
0:05:17 > 0:05:18It's a little Chihuahua.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24Not for sale!
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- What's her name?- Ebony.- Ebony. Look.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29There's Ebony. Look at Ebony.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32Ah!
0:05:32 > 0:05:36Well, Ebony might not be for sale but Generys and Meryl have two dogs that definitely are.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39Tell me where you got these wonderful greyhounds from.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42They were my mother's, she must have had them 50 years.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44And when she passed away, I had them.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47- And where do they live at home? - In the cupboard.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49A display cabinet?
0:05:49 > 0:05:51- No.- No? Locked away?
0:05:51 > 0:05:53Don't see the light of day? What a shame.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Why have you brought them along today?
0:05:55 > 0:05:58Well, they're no use to me at all.
0:05:58 > 0:05:59Do you like them, Meryl?
0:05:59 > 0:06:03- They'd be stuck in my cupboard as well.- And your children?
0:06:03 > 0:06:07They would sell them. They would take them out of my cupboard to sell them.
0:06:07 > 0:06:12That's the trouble with brass and copper these days. It does need a lot of cleaning.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15The reason I like them is because they're a pair of greyhounds.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19And they're named. They're obviously champions.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23And, in their day, they would have been well known, which is why these have been made of them.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26They would have gone in a hearth or on a mantelpiece.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28Have you done any research on them?
0:06:28 > 0:06:30Well, we saw on the internet...
0:06:30 > 0:06:34- Oh, the internet!- 19th Century. - I think they are because if you look at them,
0:06:34 > 0:06:39they've that lovely warm colour that shows you they've got some age to them.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44Brass does go that sort of mellow colour after a number of years and you can't really fake that.
0:06:44 > 0:06:51Collectors of period furniture and pewter, and things like that, they like pieces like this to go
0:06:51 > 0:06:58on dressers, or around fireplaces because they just help create that 19th century look in a home.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02And I think that's who they would appeal to.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05In terms of value, what do you think?
0:07:05 > 0:07:08- Have you any ideas? - No idea whatsoever.- £10?
0:07:08 > 0:07:10A bit more than that.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13- You have got an idea. - 150? I don't know.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15I think that might be the top end.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19If I was valuing them honestly, I'd probably say
0:07:19 > 0:07:24£100-£150, with a reserve, at say, 100 with 10% discretion.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28But, I would hope they would make the higher end of that.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30How do you feel about that?
0:07:30 > 0:07:32- You just want to get rid of them, don't you?- Yeah.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35Well, then, let's do it, shall we?
0:07:35 > 0:07:40Well, let's hope Generys and Meryl's greyhounds will make a dash for cash later in the auction.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43Now, Adam has spotted a nice collection brought in by Jean.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45- Now, were these yours? - Yes, they were.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48So, they aren't that old, really.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52- No, very nice of you.- I presume you didn't play with them.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55I did. I put them back in their boxes after I played with them.
0:07:55 > 0:07:56Well, that's very diligent.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59I still put everything back in its box. I still do.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02A good thing, nice and neat and tidy.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06I don't have a very tidy home, but, I like things inside things.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08- I like things stored, you know? - Right.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12- In boxes.- Yes, you like a bit of order and correctness.- I like boxes.
0:08:12 > 0:08:17I often think when I see toys in their original boxes that they didn't get played with.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21This one's the tattiest because I played with that one the most because that's a car that we had.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- Is that a Morris Marina?- No, it's a Cortina, I think. Isn't it?
0:08:24 > 0:08:29We had that at the time so I would have that one.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32So, you've got your Dinky Cortina there, you've got a McLaren there,
0:08:32 > 0:08:38the racing type, you've got your Spectrum Patrol Car which I think is quite a nice one there.
0:08:38 > 0:08:43- And, of course, you've got your boxed helicopter, the Sea King helicopter.- With the lunar module.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46- The Apollo module. - That dates itself, doesn't it?
0:08:46 > 0:08:49The Apollo module. And it's still got the winch.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53- They're in very nice condition, aren't they?- Yes.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56So, can you give us an indication of what sort of year you got these?
0:08:56 > 0:09:00- It would be in the 60s some time, I would think. Early 60s.- That's right.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02I presume you've got no need for them now?
0:09:02 > 0:09:05No, I don't think so. I think I'm a bit old to play with them now.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09- No family, so...- Where were they before you brought them down today?
0:09:09 > 0:09:13They were in storage at Mum's. They were in an old record case at Mum's.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17- She'll be glad of more space. - Yeah.- They're not going to make a great deal.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20No, but they make more than Mum would by throwing them in the bin.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22- Oh, yes.- Which is what she wants to do.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24She's a thrower.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26- And you're the opposite?- Yes.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28- A thrower meets a hoarder.- Yes.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32- I'm going to estimate £30-£50 on the lot.- Right.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34I think we let them make their own price.
0:09:34 > 0:09:35- Yep.- Is that all right?
0:09:35 > 0:09:38- Yes, that's fine. - People always like Dinkys.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42- Yes.- And they always make what they should.- That's fine.
0:09:42 > 0:09:43- We'll leave it to that, then. - Lovely.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45- Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49Those are our first item was ready to go off to auction which today
0:09:49 > 0:09:54is at Rogers, Jones and Co in Colwyn Bay with auctioneer David Rogers.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58But before we start selling, I want to show you a piece of furniture.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06It's a chest of drawers. It's sort of early 19th century circa 1810-1820.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Lot number 41. It says £70-£100,
0:10:09 > 0:10:11for restoration.
0:10:11 > 0:10:16Now, top's mahogany, the face side is fruitwood and the general carcass...
0:10:19 > 0:10:22..is pine which is what you'd expect. It's got its original locks.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24The handles have been changed.
0:10:24 > 0:10:29It's easy to see if the handles have been changed because you just pull the drawer out,
0:10:29 > 0:10:31they're the nuts and bolts for the back plate,
0:10:31 > 0:10:33but, look, there's another hole there.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37So, throughout its lifetime, this has been updated
0:10:37 > 0:10:40and you can forgive the handles for been changed in a piece like this.
0:10:40 > 0:10:45I mean, we all do it to our kitchens, we all change the doors or change the little knobs.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48It's a lovely chest of drawers, it's beautifully made.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51The drawers are cock-beaded, that's a sign of quality.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55That a nice architectural finish so you don't see the end grain.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59If I can show you this one here, look, that's just dead flat.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02That's not very nice at all. That does just say classic brown to me.
0:11:02 > 0:11:09I wouldn't touch that one. But this one is worth buying because it's going to last another 200 years.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11You don't have to do a thing to it.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14Just give it a polish and it's just lovely. It's a good size.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18It'll fit in a cottage, fit in a bedroom, it'll fit in a hallway.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22And you always need storage. And for 100 quid, you can't go wrong.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26Now is such a good time to buy something like this.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30There are nearly 500 lots going under the hammer today,
0:11:30 > 0:11:32amongst them the first three items
0:11:32 > 0:11:35our experts picked out at the valuation day.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38There's Patricia's beautiful articulated silver fish.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42The unloved brass greyhounds brought in by Generys and Meryl.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46And finally, Gillian's childhood collection of Dinky toys.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49First to be sold is Patricia's unusual fish.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Why are you selling this? It's beautiful.
0:11:55 > 0:12:00- It's not a lot of money, you should keep it.- I don't know, I should really.- Yeah.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04- I think it deserves a better home. - But it's such a novelty, it really is.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08- It is a novelty. - Because you get a little surprise, you can sort of pull the fish apart.
0:12:08 > 0:12:13I've already had it for years in the family, and we didn't know that the head came off.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15We were quite surprised when I found out that it did.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17Gutted, I bet!
0:12:19 > 0:12:21You're scaling the depths here.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24If this was English silver, it would do a lot of money.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27- It'd be a few hundred pounds, wouldn't it?- Yes. Good luck, both of you.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31Now it's going to go under the hammer. Let's find out what the bidders think.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36The very nice silver fish. We think a little needle holder.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39It is openable, I think you take his head off or something or other.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42It's a very nice silver fish. Bid me £80?
0:12:44 > 0:12:48It's all there, with the stopper and everything. 80 I'm bid.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52- He's reeling them in. - It's a little beauty.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54At 80, 80 I'm bid. 90 anywhere?
0:12:54 > 0:12:58At 80, 80 bid. Is there 90?
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Come on, anybody who collects, erm...
0:13:01 > 0:13:04Fish. Bits of small silver, this is the piece for you.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08At £80 only. Nine if you like?
0:13:08 > 0:13:1190 if you like? Come on. £80.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14All finished? 90. I'd like to make level money, 100.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16I have done. 100 bid.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19And again, sir?
0:13:19 > 0:13:23100, final call. All done now?
0:13:23 > 0:13:26Well done, £100. Well done, Adam. That's good. There is commission to pay.
0:13:26 > 0:13:31- I'm going to take the family out on that, for a meal.- Are you? - Fish and chips.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38A good result for Patricia, and there's plenty of money left over for a slap-up fish supper.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41Next up it's that pair of unwanted greyhounds.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44I've just been joined by Gen and Meryl,
0:13:44 > 0:13:48and we're about to put the brass greyhounds to the test. We need £150-odd.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Why are you selling the greyhounds?
0:13:50 > 0:13:54- I don't really want them. - You don't want to clean brass anymore, do you?
0:13:54 > 0:13:56- I have never cleaned them.- Never has!
0:13:56 > 0:13:58Never have?!
0:13:58 > 0:14:01These should do around about £100?
0:14:01 > 0:14:03They're something for the traditionalist.
0:14:03 > 0:14:08They're named, which is rather nice. They're a lovely colour. They should make that.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11Very decorative item. Good luck.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15You don't want to see them going home, do you? No, let's get rid of them. Here we go.
0:14:18 > 0:14:23These are nice quality, these fireside greyhounds.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27What's nice is, they're both each individually modelled.
0:14:27 > 0:14:32Colworths Fullerton and the other, Farndon Ferry, £120?
0:14:32 > 0:14:3680 I'm bid. 80 bid, at 80.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39First to 100. At 80, 80 bid. These are quality.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42At 80, is there 100?
0:14:42 > 0:14:45At £80 only. 100 anywhere?
0:14:45 > 0:14:47At £80, come on, come on.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51I'll split with you, go 90.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53At £80, is there 90?
0:14:53 > 0:14:57At £80 only,
0:14:57 > 0:14:59in which case we have to leave them.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Can we sell them at 80? Yes, sell them.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04Sell them at 80? OK, in your hands.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07£80 is a book bid. 90 now?
0:15:07 > 0:15:10At £80, a book bid. All finished?
0:15:10 > 0:15:14You see what happened there, the auctioneer asked us if we were
0:15:14 > 0:15:16happy to sell at £80, and we kind of went, "Yeah".
0:15:16 > 0:15:18We gave him the nod, didn't we?
0:15:18 > 0:15:22Cos it was a bit more than a 10% discretion, but you didn't want to take them home.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24So they're gone, £80.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27The price was close to the reserve, so the auctioneer did the right thing
0:15:27 > 0:15:31in checking with us to see if we were happy to let the greyhounds go.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35And Generys and Meryl were more than happy to be going home with the money.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37Now it's Gillian's box-set toy collection.
0:15:37 > 0:15:42Boys and their toys. But in this case, it's girls. It's Gillian's!
0:15:42 > 0:15:43- And they're boxed.- Yes.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46You obviously said, "Dad, buy me some cars."
0:15:46 > 0:15:48I loved cars, yes.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50I couldn't decide whether I was a boy or a girl, I think!
0:15:50 > 0:15:53I liked boys' toys as well as girls'.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57They are very collectable, especially with the boxes, that's sometimes 30% of the value.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01- I'd always put them back in the boxes.- What a diligent girl she was.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03I used to take mine out of the box and chuck the box.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06Yeah, well, I don't even know if I've got any.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08I still put things back in boxes, I'm terrible for it.
0:16:08 > 0:16:13- Look, we've pitched for around about £40-50.- 30-50 estimate.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15- It might make a bit more than that.- They should do.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17- What's your prediction? 60? - Yes, £60.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21Hopefully a little bit more, but 60 is a good starting point.
0:16:21 > 0:16:26It depends how many toy collectors there are here, because there's not many toys here.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29- No.- There's one other lot, so it won't encourage...
0:16:29 > 0:16:33- That's the danger. - Yes. It won't encourage too many collectors to come here.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36- But it is online.- Yep. - And everything gets found, it seems.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39Let's find out what the bidders think, shall we?
0:16:39 > 0:16:42Here we go, this is it.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46Three boxed Dinky cars. McLaren patrol car, Dinky 164.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48Nice, and there's a Sea King helicopter as well.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52467, a nice selection. £100?
0:16:55 > 0:16:57100? Give me 80.
0:17:00 > 0:17:0250?
0:17:05 > 0:17:0850 I am bid at 50. 50 bid.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10- At 50.- Straight in, 50, good.
0:17:10 > 0:17:1350 bid, 60 anywhere?
0:17:13 > 0:17:17At 50, 50 bid. Is there 60?
0:17:17 > 0:17:19£50 only.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22Online, the bid. At £50.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25Is there 60? At £50 only.
0:17:25 > 0:17:26I think that's about their money.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30I haven't got a reserve, but it's a poor price. 60 bid.
0:17:30 > 0:17:3260, have another go.
0:17:32 > 0:17:38At 60, £60. Is there 70? 70 bid. 80.
0:17:38 > 0:17:4180 bid. 80. And again now.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43£80. 90?
0:17:43 > 0:17:45- Yes.- 90 I'm bid.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47It's a little bit better.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50He's teasing the bids out of these people online.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54Level money would be nice. At £90 only.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00Online. 90 is online. Can you give me 100?
0:18:00 > 0:18:03Yes. £100.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05The collectors are sitting at home, pushing a few buttons.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07I can imagine the toy collectors.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Surrounded by toys around the computer.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12- £100 online.- And 10.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15110, 110 bid.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18And again?
0:18:18 > 0:18:20£110, final call.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23110.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27- Gillian, happy?- I'm very happy cos I forgot I'd got them
0:18:27 > 0:18:30and I nearly didn't get them out at the valuation day.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32And we got the top end of the estimate.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36- We did, we got over, £110 was good. - Very good.- Thank you very much.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39What a fantastic result for Gillian.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42Collectors just love items that are fresh to the market,
0:18:42 > 0:18:46and if they're up for auction, or on the internet, they'll be uncovered.
0:18:48 > 0:18:53Now I'm off to uncover some rich sounds of Wales's musical past.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05Wales is known as the land of the song.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09Male voice choirs boom out across the valleys, and music is considered
0:19:09 > 0:19:11to be the cement of the Welsh identity.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15All through history music has been of huge importance to the Welsh.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25In fact, back in medieval times, music was so important
0:19:25 > 0:19:31that musicians, or bards, occupied a privileged position in Welsh society.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34They used poetry and music to celebrate victory in battle, or to
0:19:34 > 0:19:38add expression to national or religious sentiments.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40They had a high status in life.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43You could say they had a good gig because they didn't pay any
0:19:43 > 0:19:46taxes, and they were also exempt from military service.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53The Welsh bards generally played one of three instruments -
0:19:53 > 0:19:57The harp, the pipe and a third which not many people have heard of.
0:19:57 > 0:19:58It's called the crwth.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06The earliest known reference to a crwth goes back around to the 11th century.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09And that was played throughout Europe, but it survived the longest
0:20:09 > 0:20:13in Wales, going right through to the 19th century.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20However, once the versatile and more powerful fiddle came along,
0:20:20 > 0:20:22the crwth was increasingly seen as old-fashioned.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26By the end of the 18th century, nobody was playing it.
0:20:26 > 0:20:31So complete was the abandonment of the instrument, that only three are known to have survived.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35And those, thank goodness, are in various Welsh museums.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41But a resurgence of interest in traditional Welsh folk music has
0:20:41 > 0:20:47inspired a few musicians to try and unravel the mysteries of the crwth, using modern reproductions.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50And I've come to meet one of them, Cass Meurig, who released the
0:20:50 > 0:20:53world's first CD of crwth music in 2004.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09Lovely. There was so much going on there, so many subtleties.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12If you weren't looking, it sounded like three or four people playing.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14It's got a lot of volume to it.
0:21:14 > 0:21:19Well you have to be quite loud, because in the Middle Ages, you didn't have amplification.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23And they would have played for dancing as well as for listening.
0:21:23 > 0:21:24And probably accompanied singers.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28How many people are playing this today, do you think, in Wales?
0:21:28 > 0:21:31Well, there are crwth players and crwth owners.
0:21:31 > 0:21:32OK!
0:21:34 > 0:21:37There are probably at least 20 people in Wales that own a crwth.
0:21:37 > 0:21:42There are lots of people in America that own crwths, because they e-mail me quite a lot.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45- It's very popular in the States? - Well, it's not popular, but there
0:21:45 > 0:21:48are a handful of nutters that are having a go at it!
0:21:48 > 0:21:53And there are probably about three of us that really take it seriously.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57Of whom, two of us do it professionally, I suppose, so not very many.
0:21:57 > 0:22:02It's a wonderful tradition. Show me how you achieve some of those sounds.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05They've actually got names, the strings, in Welsh.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09These are the crasdannau, or the sharp string.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14These are the cyweirdannau, or the key string. And these are the llorfdannau,
0:22:14 > 0:22:17or the crowd string. The one that makes the racket.
0:22:17 > 0:22:22Wow. There's a straight bridge there, unlike a violin or a cello. Why is that straight?
0:22:22 > 0:22:24So that you can play six strings at once.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28- All at once?- That's the really unusual feature of the crwth.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32- Just play two strings for me and then play six. Let's hear the difference.- Well, here's one.
0:22:34 > 0:22:35Here's two.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37And here's all six.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45Before taking up the crwth, Cass was an accomplished fiddle player,
0:22:45 > 0:22:49but it still took five hard years to master this medieval instrument.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52That's because the techniques of crwth playing, and the music,
0:22:52 > 0:22:56were not written down, but passed orally from one musician to the next.
0:22:56 > 0:23:01But one thing we can be sure about is that the repertoire for the crwth was very distinctive.
0:23:05 > 0:23:10The crwth only plays crwth music, you can't persuade it really to play anything it doesn't want to play.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13It has a certain range, it has a certain range of noises it makes.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16It has a certain range of things it's happy to do.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20So I think, as a fiddle player, that's the first thing you have to learn, forget
0:23:20 > 0:23:24all the things you would like to do on it, and learn what the crwth would like you to do.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27That's lovely. It really is.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30You can see they've used a lot of wood in the construction.
0:23:30 > 0:23:35This was all one piece of sycamore originally. And it's actually hollowed out of that one piece.
0:23:35 > 0:23:36There's quite a wastage of wood.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39- Yes there is. - Beautifully shaped at the back.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42And then a spruce belly laid on top, and a holly fingerboard.
0:23:42 > 0:23:47There's a poem in Welsh describes the crwth, and one line of it is...
0:23:47 > 0:23:49SHE SPEAKS WELSH
0:23:49 > 0:23:54..which means that its neck is like an old man that's bent forward.
0:23:54 > 0:23:55Which is a great description.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58Are many people in Wales curious about this?
0:23:58 > 0:24:00Do they come up to you and talk to you about this?
0:24:00 > 0:24:03Yes. A lot of people are actually aware of the crwth.
0:24:03 > 0:24:10It's got a certain iconic status, in the same way that the harp has, in the history of Welsh music making.
0:24:10 > 0:24:16And people are still aware of the word crwth, and that it was part of Welsh history, really.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19So, a lot of people have been quite intrigued by it.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22And they're usually quite surprised by what it sounds like.
0:24:22 > 0:24:27Because they look at it, I suppose, and expect it to sound a bit like a violin.
0:24:27 > 0:24:32It doesn't. It belongs to a medieval sound-world that's quite unfamiliar to people now.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34Cass, thank you for talking to me today and
0:24:34 > 0:24:37enlightening me on something which I never knew anything about.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40It's a wonderful instrument and I guess the best way to hear it
0:24:40 > 0:24:43is with your fellow musicians, who are getting ready down there.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47- Do you want to join them and play us out?- Thank you.
0:24:47 > 0:24:52MUSIC PLAYS
0:24:59 > 0:25:02Hearing instruments like the crwth brings the past alive.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04And without the passion and commitment of people like Cass,
0:25:04 > 0:25:07their haunting medieval sound would be lost forever.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22At our valuation day at Bangor University, people are still queuing, hoping to hear the
0:25:22 > 0:25:26music of the sale room and the bang of the gavel when their items go to auction.
0:25:26 > 0:25:31Cerys has brought in a delicate little necklace for Mark to look at.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34Where did you get such a charming necklace?
0:25:34 > 0:25:37I inherited it from my grandmother. I think before that it came from my great-aunt.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41- So, yes, that goes back a little while.- Quite a long time.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45A hundred years or so. Have you worn it yourself? Do you like wearing it?
0:25:45 > 0:25:48I wore it once for my wedding day. And that's about it.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52It's quite delicate, isn't it? It's not a robust piece of jewellery.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54- Because I got long hair, it just gets tangled up.- Exactly.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56There's one thing that tells us
0:25:56 > 0:26:00immediately where it comes from and what style it comes from.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02And that's the Art Nouveau period.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05Because you've got these very naturalistic swirls here.
0:26:05 > 0:26:11And the use of the stones, the semi-precious stone of peridot, which actually is a
0:26:11 > 0:26:15charming colour, that tells us it's going to be made round about 1905.
0:26:15 > 0:26:21You've got to think, at that period, Edwardian ladies wore very fitted clothes.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24They were very slim, they were still quite corseted so the necklaces hang
0:26:24 > 0:26:28very well on these high-waisted shirts they wore.
0:26:28 > 0:26:33The other interesting thing about this colour combination, Cerys, is that green and white,
0:26:33 > 0:26:39when worn in the Edwardian period by ladies, is subliminal for the Suffragette Movement.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41They wore green-and-white and purple-and-white.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45So, it could be a hidden message in there. Votes for women.
0:26:45 > 0:26:50And it's 15-carat gold which again is a very Victorian standard of gold.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52We don't get it these days.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55We have nine then we jump immediately up to 18 carat.
0:26:55 > 0:27:00So most of these that I see are nine-carat gold which is actually quite a low grade of gold, really.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04But the 15 just makes it slightly mellower.
0:27:04 > 0:27:05So you've had it all these years.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07Why have you decided to sell it today?
0:27:07 > 0:27:09I knew Flog It! was coming to Bangor.
0:27:09 > 0:27:15- Fantastic.- I've got no-one to leave it to because there are no female relatives in the family at all.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17- So I thought, well... - Bring it along, see what it's worth.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20Did you have any high expectations?
0:27:20 > 0:27:23No, because I was always told it was rolled gold, it wasn't real gold at all.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26Oh, so it's nice to find out it's actually 15 carat?
0:27:26 > 0:27:30Yes. I think my mother would be quite shocked because she's always told me,
0:27:30 > 0:27:33oh, it's just a piece of costume jewellery.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35It obviously does have a value.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38And I think it'll appeal to people who like the Art Nouveau
0:27:38 > 0:27:42period as much as it will to somebody who specialises in dealing in antique jewellery.
0:27:42 > 0:27:48I would probably say a sensible estimate is round about £150-200.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50- That's nice. - Would you be happy with that?
0:27:50 > 0:27:52- Very happy with that. - And we'll put the reserve on it.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56I do think we ought to reserve it rather than let it go for £50.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00At 150, with 10% discretion on the day.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03- But, hopefully, we might get 200 plus.- Smashing.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06- Does that please you?- Very much so. - You're happy to flog it?
0:28:06 > 0:28:10- For a piece of costume jewellery. - A piece of rolled gold jewellery.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13Well, we'll see you at the auction and let's hope it sparkles as much as it does here.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16- Thank you very much.- Thank you. - That just goes to show,
0:28:16 > 0:28:21if you've got a piece of old costume jewellery you're not sure of, it might pay to get it checked out.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25Identifying what people bring in is what our experts are best at.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29And I've spotted a painting that needs a bit of detective work as well.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31What a lovely bluebell wood, look at that!
0:28:33 > 0:28:36I've got bluebell woods near me in Marlborough,
0:28:36 > 0:28:39in Wiltshire, and it's beautiful looking through them.
0:28:39 > 0:28:41- Where's this, do you know?- Kew.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43Is it? Can I come and join you?
0:28:43 > 0:28:47- So, who's the artist? - It says, "Bluebells at Kew".
0:28:47 > 0:28:49- Who's the artist?- George Cockram.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52- Do you know anything about him? - Nothing at all.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54Any artist that's sold in auction before
0:28:54 > 0:29:01will be in here, and we can find out what sort of form he's got, where he worked, things like that.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03Right. Here we go.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05Cockburn, Cockburn, Cockburn...
0:29:05 > 0:29:10George Cockram. 1861-1950.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12OK, look, he's sold...
0:29:12 > 0:29:15a good dozen here.
0:29:15 > 0:29:20He's painted on the Anglesey coast, which is where we are! I wonder if he spent time up here.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23Well, there's an address here for him.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26- George Cockram... - Rhosneigr, Anglesey.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28So, he lived up here for a little while.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31So, what do you think that's worth, then?
0:29:32 > 0:29:34I've no idea. Not very much, I suspect.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37Where's it been? Looks like it's been in a damp house.
0:29:37 > 0:29:38- Your damp house?- Afraid so.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40Gosh.
0:29:40 > 0:29:44- How do you keep yourself warm?! - It's a bit better now!
0:29:44 > 0:29:47There's a lot of foxing, you've got to look after that.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51- Because it's starting to devalue it.- Right.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54There's half a dozen pictures here that he did while based in Anglesey.
0:29:54 > 0:30:00Now, this one, that sold in auction for £2,250.
0:30:02 > 0:30:07- That's scary!- That sold on 7th November 2001, at Halls auction room in Shrewsbury.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10- So, what are you going to do with that now?- I don't know.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13Put it back in the damp house? Put it on the wall, look after it.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15I'll put it on the wall. Yes, maybe get it...
0:30:15 > 0:30:18- Get it insured.- Gosh, yes.
0:30:19 > 0:30:22Look after it, because it's worth a couple of thousand.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24- OK, right.- Obviously...- Staggering.
0:30:24 > 0:30:28..it needs a little conservation.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30Yes, yes. OK. And a new frame!
0:30:30 > 0:30:31Yeah!
0:30:34 > 0:30:36OK, thanks. Wow!
0:30:38 > 0:30:41She's keeping her painting, so it won't be going off to auction.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43But at least she knows its true value.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46Margaret and Colin have brought a couple of delicate figures that
0:30:46 > 0:30:50look like they've been looked after rather well over the years.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55Thanks for coming. I think these are great fun, aren't they?
0:30:55 > 0:30:57Well, we've enjoyed them.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00Caricature figures of aristocrats, I suppose?
0:31:00 > 0:31:02- Yes, there are, really. - Where did you get them from?
0:31:02 > 0:31:07Handed down from my mother. She gave them to me about ten years ago.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09So, you remember them from childhood?
0:31:09 > 0:31:11They were in a box, and I don't, really.
0:31:11 > 0:31:15That's probably why they've lasted in such good condition.
0:31:15 > 0:31:19They're quite vulnerable things, because they're wobbly and they've got very thin arms.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22So, you have them on display now?
0:31:22 > 0:31:24I do now, yes.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26- And do you like them?- I like them.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29- What about you, Colin? - No, not really.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32She looks as if she's sat on something sharp, doesn't she?!
0:31:32 > 0:31:36She reminds me of an operatic lady, and he's the huntsman, of course.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38So, why are you selling them?
0:31:38 > 0:31:41I've got other things that I want to display now.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44And I don't want to keep them in a box like my mum did.
0:31:44 > 0:31:49So I think, you know, it would be nice for them to be on display somewhere else.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52- And Colin's not keen anyway. - No. Not keen.
0:31:52 > 0:31:53- Get rid?- Get rid, I suppose.
0:31:53 > 0:31:59- Yeah.- Well, they're quite unusual, because they're bisque porcelain made in the '20s in Germany.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01Loads of figures were churned out
0:32:01 > 0:32:04from Germany and France in the '20s, but not many were like this.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08They were more your traditional shepherds, shepherdesses.
0:32:08 > 0:32:10So I think that's what gives them a good look.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14- She's really weird, isn't she? - Very much.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18- Would they be part of a set, would they?- Do you know, I haven't seen these before.
0:32:18 > 0:32:23They've got numbers on the back. There's a reference number, 7979, and 7912.
0:32:23 > 0:32:28So presumably that indicated they were part of other series of humorous figures.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31But they must be quite rare now, because I handle thousands
0:32:31 > 0:32:34of items every year, and I can't remember seeing these before.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37- Doesn't necessarily mean they're valuable.- No.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39I'd estimate them at 40 to 60.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43- Shall we say £40 to 60?- Yeah. - Reserve of 40?
0:32:43 > 0:32:47- Yes, that'll be good.- 10% leeway, so if it makes 35, we let them go.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49- Sound all right?- Yes. - That's for the pair?
0:32:49 > 0:32:52Yeah, for the pair. Good try, Colin!
0:32:54 > 0:32:58- Always the optimist! - I think, you know, they should do a little better.
0:32:58 > 0:33:03Great fun. They're really interesting things, so thanks for bringing them, and we'll see.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05It would be nice to be proved wrong and make hundreds.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08- Wouldn't it just?! - It does happen sometimes!
0:33:08 > 0:33:10- Sometimes, yes. - But not very often!- No!
0:33:10 > 0:33:12Well, we'll just see what happens later.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14Anything can happen at auction.
0:33:14 > 0:33:19Now, Pamela and Glyn have brought in a silver mirror for Mark to reflect on.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22Where did you get such a lovely mirror?
0:33:22 > 0:33:29Well, it was left to my mother-in-law by a friend of hers in the late '60s.
0:33:29 > 0:33:31And that's as much as we know about it.
0:33:31 > 0:33:35Wow. So you don't know the date or the age of it or anything like that?
0:33:35 > 0:33:38Only that it's probably early 20th century.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41I think you're absolutely right.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43There's an indication in the design
0:33:43 > 0:33:46that leads you straightaway to think it's early 20th century.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49It's got this rather nice Art Nouveau design on it.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51And it's also hallmarked, which is a good clue.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53But I've looked the hallmark up.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55It's Birmingham, 1904.
0:33:55 > 0:34:02It has a maker's mark, A, J and Z, which is A&J Zimmerman and Co.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05Quite a prolific silversmith of that period.
0:34:05 > 0:34:09The mirror is quite interesting - this is just a small piece of sheet silver.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11This would have been made in a press,
0:34:11 > 0:34:16and then applied to the wooden carcass, and then you've got this lovely velvet background,
0:34:16 > 0:34:19which has faded, but there's still signs it would have been
0:34:19 > 0:34:22a very vibrant sort of bluey-purple colour.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24And it's a charming little object.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27Sometimes, they're photograph frames, of course.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31In this instance, a rather nice mirror, with a bevelled edge on it.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34And altogether, a very appealing little item.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38You've obviously had it as an inherited piece for a number of years.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40Why have you decided to sell it today?
0:34:40 > 0:34:44We just thought we'd come along and see what it was worth.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46And we didn't know if you'd like it or not.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48Oh, no, I love this period.
0:34:48 > 0:34:52I very much like what's generally referred to today as decorative art.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54The Art Nouveau period, the Art Deco period.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57That's the kind of collective area.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01It's just a charming piece. Have you ever thought about the value?
0:35:03 > 0:35:05- No.- Not really.
0:35:05 > 0:35:11I mean, we think possibly about 150 maybe? That sort of...
0:35:11 > 0:35:15In terms of value, I would probably suggest something like £200 to 300.
0:35:15 > 0:35:19With a reserve of 200, with a 10% discretion on the day.
0:35:19 > 0:35:23But I would hope, actually, it would see its way quite clearly
0:35:23 > 0:35:28past the £200 mark, cos it's a really nice piece.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31There's no damage on it, it's not over-cleaned.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34That's what we want with an item coming into auction.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37People think it's just come from a deceased house.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39And altogether, a very nice commercial object.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41Are you happy to put it in for 200 to 300?
0:35:44 > 0:35:47- Yes.- Wonderful. I look forward to seeing you at the auction.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49- Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:35:50 > 0:35:55That's our last set of items ready to take off to the auction. And the auctioneer wants
0:35:55 > 0:35:58to take a closer look in the mirror.
0:35:58 > 0:36:03We're about to find out if £200 to 300 is a true reflection on the price of this Art Nouveau mirror.
0:36:03 > 0:36:04It's absolutely stunning.
0:36:04 > 0:36:09It is. It's a super mirror. Quality right from start to finish.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11Untouched, super quality.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13If it doesn't fly through, we'll all go home!
0:36:14 > 0:36:19The thing is, it's so practical and so useful, but also exceptionally beautiful.
0:36:19 > 0:36:26Yeah. I'm loath to say it, Paul, but I suppose it would be even more attractive as a photo frame.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29Slightly more practical in this day and age.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32- A nice photograph.- Family photographs, this sort of thing.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35- But let's not knock it.- It's not been out of that backing, so...
0:36:35 > 0:36:40It would be a shame for anybody to fiddle about with it. It's a super, super piece.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42Praise indeed, but will the bidders agree?
0:36:42 > 0:36:45We'll find out a bit later.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49Also up for sale are the quirky bisque figures brought in by Margaret and Colin.
0:36:49 > 0:36:54And the beautiful gold necklace Cerys thought was a piece of costume jewellery.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57And it's Cerys' necklace which is first under the hammer.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02This has been in the family for about three generations?
0:37:02 > 0:37:05- A long time. - A long, long, long time?!
0:37:05 > 0:37:08- Why are you selling this? - Well, I've got no-one to leave it to.
0:37:08 > 0:37:10I'm the last of the female line of our family.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13There's only boys, and they don't want it.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15It's very dressy, very.
0:37:15 > 0:37:16And so nice, being 15 carats.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19I wore it when I got married, something old. It's had its day.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21That's nice. Something special.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23We've got £150 to 200 on this.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26Let's hope we get the top end. It's going under the hammer now.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29Very, very nice, 15-carat gold,
0:37:29 > 0:37:34Art Nouveau peridot and sea-pearl scroll pendant
0:37:34 > 0:37:37with a fine, fine necklace.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40376, bid me 150.
0:37:41 > 0:37:46150. 120 I am bid. 120. Lot 376.
0:37:46 > 0:37:51- 120. 30, 40, 50, 60.- We've sold it.
0:37:51 > 0:37:5470, 80.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58- They love it, they love it. - My bid, 190. 190 in the room.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00At 190.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02Final call at 190. 200 I'll take.
0:38:02 > 0:38:09190. Everybody done at £190? Anybody else coming in?
0:38:09 > 0:38:12At £190.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14All done at 190.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17- £190!- That's a result, isn't it?!
0:38:17 > 0:38:19Very good. You've got to be happy with that?
0:38:19 > 0:38:21I am very pleased with it.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24- Top end of the estimate.- Yep. - What a fabulous result.
0:38:24 > 0:38:28That was well spotted by our experts at the valuation day.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31Next, the bisque figures brought along by Margaret.
0:38:31 > 0:38:37We've got the figures, but we don't have Margaret. But we do have her best friend for 60 years. Elwen?
0:38:37 > 0:38:39- Did I get that right?- Yes. - That's a good Welsh name.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41- And you speak fluent Welsh?- I do.
0:38:41 > 0:38:45So, "Welcome to Flog It!, everybody," in fluent Welsh. Go on.
0:38:45 > 0:38:46SHE SPEAKS WELSH
0:38:46 > 0:38:48What do you think about that?
0:38:48 > 0:38:50Well, I knew that, but I don't know any more!
0:38:50 > 0:38:52Did you ever see these figures?
0:38:52 > 0:38:54- I did.- And do you like them?- I do.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56Are you going to have a bid?
0:38:56 > 0:38:58- No!- Not that much!
0:38:59 > 0:39:01Good luck, everybody. Here we go.
0:39:01 > 0:39:06Very interesting humorous pair of continental figures.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10A gentleman jockey and a lady singer.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13Bid me 50.
0:39:13 > 0:39:19Two interesting lots there. Gentleman jockey, lady singer.
0:39:19 > 0:39:2125, I'm bid at 25. 30 anywhere?
0:39:21 > 0:39:25At 25. 25 bid. Is there 30?
0:39:25 > 0:39:32- At 25. 28, 30.- We're getting there.
0:39:32 > 0:39:33Five again now.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36£30 only. Is there five?
0:39:36 > 0:39:40Nice pair of humorous figurines, these, at £30. Have you five?
0:39:40 > 0:39:43At £30 only. Is everybody done?
0:39:43 > 0:39:46Five I'll take. All finished now. On we march.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48No. He didn't put the hammer down.
0:39:48 > 0:39:52We had £30. We've got a £40 discretionary reserve.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55I really think they should have made that.
0:39:55 > 0:39:56So do I. So do I.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59- Have you seen anything like that before?- No.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03I thought they'd do the top end. I was thinking the top end.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06You're going to have to tell her the bad news, aren't you?
0:40:06 > 0:40:10- She won't mind.- Let's say it was fate, meant to happen. She was meant to hang on to them.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13Well, auctions are unpredictable,
0:40:13 > 0:40:17but the auctioneer did the right thing there by not letting them go for £30,
0:40:17 > 0:40:20because they're definitely worth more than that.
0:40:20 > 0:40:25Now, would the bidders be more interested in Pamela and Glyn's mirror? I wouldn't be selling this.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28This is what's known as a keeper in the trade, for me.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32It isn't of any sentimental value to us, and it's just stuck in a cupboard.
0:40:32 > 0:40:38- If I had it out, it would have to be cleaned, and then that devalues it, doesn't it, by cleaning it?- Yes.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40I don't like silver looking dirty.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43Well, it's just a stunning, stunning mirror.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46I had a chat the auctioneer before the sale started,
0:40:46 > 0:40:48and we both agreed, top end of the valuation.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51Yes, I think I was a little bit "come and get me"
0:40:51 > 0:40:56on this with £200, because it is nice, fresh to the market, and they love that, don't they?
0:40:56 > 0:40:59- It just has so much style. - It has been in a cupboard for about 50 years.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01- And it will suit any interior.- Absolutely.
0:41:01 > 0:41:06And it's a practical, useful thing. Not only decorative - very practical and useful.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08And that was one of William Morris' philosophies.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11Absolutely. Decorative and very practical.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14And it's going to find a new home, and we're going to see right now.
0:41:16 > 0:41:20An extremely fine Art Nouveau silver easel mirror.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23You do not get quality like this every day of the week,
0:41:23 > 0:41:24in all honesty.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27Art Nouveau style. It belts it out, doesn't it?
0:41:27 > 0:41:29Birmingham, 1904.
0:41:32 > 0:41:39Hold on to your whatevers. Lot 332 starts at 540. 540 bid.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41- Ooh!- Straight in at 540!
0:41:41 > 0:41:44You do have to pay for quality.
0:41:44 > 0:41:50560. 600. 600 bid. At 600. 625.
0:41:50 > 0:41:55At 625. 650 anywhere? At 625.
0:41:55 > 0:41:56Everybody done?
0:41:56 > 0:41:59625 on the telephone.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03£625!
0:42:03 > 0:42:07You don't get chances like this every day for this sort of quality.
0:42:07 > 0:42:08625 on the phone.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11Everybody done?
0:42:11 > 0:42:14Final call at 625.
0:42:14 > 0:42:18£625. Bang!
0:42:18 > 0:42:20And that's a sold sound. What do you think about that?
0:42:20 > 0:42:23- Well, amazed.- A bit shocked?- Yes.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25We are a bit taken aback as well.
0:42:25 > 0:42:26- Very happy with that one.- Gosh.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28What will you put the money towards?
0:42:28 > 0:42:31We'll put half of it towards the Prostate Cancer Fund,
0:42:31 > 0:42:34and half towards
0:42:34 > 0:42:40taking the family out for a nice day out.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43And Glyn's going to buy something later on.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45- Something for you? - Something for him.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47Well, something for us!
0:42:48 > 0:42:51- Wonderful result. - Thank you very much.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54Pleasure, and thank you for bringing such a wonderful item.
0:42:57 > 0:43:03We always say quality sells and that mirror proved it, going for more than double Mark's top estimate.
0:43:03 > 0:43:07If you've got any unwanted antiques and collectibles you'd like to sell,
0:43:07 > 0:43:09bring them along to one of our valuation days.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11This is where it all starts.
0:43:11 > 0:43:14You can check the details in your local press, or you can log on to
0:43:14 > 0:43:20bbc.co.uk/programmes, and then find F for Flog It!, follow the links,
0:43:20 > 0:43:24and hopefully, fingers crossed, we're at a town very near you soon.
0:43:24 > 0:43:26And we would love to see you.
0:43:30 > 0:43:32Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:32 > 0:43:34E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk