0:00:03 > 0:00:08Today, we're in Northern Ireland in the courtyard of Lissanoure Castle, just a stone's throw
0:00:08 > 0:00:13from historic Ballymoney, one of the oldest towns in Ireland.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17With so much heritage around, I'm sure today we're going to find some wonderful antiques on "Flog It!".
0:00:44 > 0:00:46There's been a settlement at Ballymoney
0:00:46 > 0:00:50since at least the Stone Age, as the land is rich in farming.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53The oldest surviving building in the town is the church tower,
0:00:53 > 0:00:55which dates from 1637.
0:00:57 > 0:01:02Today's location for our valuation is Lissanoure Castle, which is just a few miles east of Ballymoney.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04Now, because the weather is a little bit hit-and-miss,
0:01:04 > 0:01:06we've moved everybody inside to the barn.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09And when I say everybody, I MEAN everybody -
0:01:09 > 0:01:13just look at the fantastic crowd that's turned up here in Northern Ireland.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16With over 700 years of history in this place, it's the perfect
0:01:16 > 0:01:21setting for our experts to look through all those bags and boxes to find those hidden treasures.
0:01:21 > 0:01:26All of these people have come here today to ask that all-important question, which is...?
0:01:26 > 0:01:29- ALL: What's it worth?! - That's more like it.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31And what are you going to do when you find out?
0:01:31 > 0:01:32ALL: Flog it!
0:01:35 > 0:01:40And trying to put a value on those unwanted treasures today are our team of experts -
0:01:40 > 0:01:44led by the demure Catherine Southon and the cheeky Will Axon.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46Catherine started working in the antiques business
0:01:46 > 0:01:48straight from university, and it wasn't long
0:01:48 > 0:01:51before she worked her way up to the head of scientific and
0:01:51 > 0:01:55maritime works of art for one of the country's largest auction houses.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59Will has also been in the antiques business all HIS working life,
0:01:59 > 0:02:01and he is a senior resident valuer
0:02:01 > 0:02:04for an auction house based in North Yorkshire.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07INAUDIBLE
0:02:07 > 0:02:09Coming up on today's show...
0:02:09 > 0:02:13I find an item with some real sentimental value.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16We were married in 1947,
0:02:16 > 0:02:21and we bought our antiques in Oxford...
0:02:21 > 0:02:22Will has got his work cut out...
0:02:22 > 0:02:26It's going to be a bit of a wrench for you, maybe, if we can get this away?
0:02:26 > 0:02:29Well... If we get the right money, we'll let it go.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33And I sample some of the local hospitality...
0:02:33 > 0:02:35- Slainte!- Cheers!
0:02:37 > 0:02:42Catherine doesn't waste any time discovering a hidden gem amongst all those boxes.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46Now, Jim, I don't know about you, but I actually think this Victorian
0:02:46 > 0:02:50wash set looks rather striking standing here.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54What we've actually got is something really quite standard -
0:02:54 > 0:02:58so it's a late 19th-century Victorian wash set...
0:02:58 > 0:03:02We've got this lovely pitcher here which is a nice, classical shape,
0:03:02 > 0:03:04and the bowl underneath.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06Now, coming over here,
0:03:06 > 0:03:12we've got the soap dish, with the little strainer underneath...
0:03:12 > 0:03:17Now, this toothbrush holder - although it has all got that
0:03:17 > 0:03:20brown transfer...printed design -
0:03:20 > 0:03:25this one actually here, if you can see, it's got like a landscape
0:03:25 > 0:03:27scene, like a farm scene on it,
0:03:27 > 0:03:30so I don't actually think that it is part of the set.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32Tell me, where did you get it from?
0:03:32 > 0:03:37Actually, my mother went to an auction and she picked it up.
0:03:37 > 0:03:43When she arrived home, she brought it in and she gave it to my wife, and she says to her "You owe me £10."
0:03:43 > 0:03:48My wife looked and said, "Well, I don't know about that."
0:03:48 > 0:03:51Well, she gave the £10, and it's been in our house since.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Did you ever have it displayed in your home when your wife bought it?
0:03:54 > 0:03:55Oh, yes, we did.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59We put it on our wash stand, and it's been there since.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02But as we're downsizing, we decided we must move it on.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04- It's got to go. - That's the reason why it's here.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07Well, let's just have a look at this underneath here...
0:04:08 > 0:04:11Now, we can see the pattern here -
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Dresden Sprigs, that's the actual name for the pattern,
0:04:14 > 0:04:18and then RC & Co, who's the maker.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21I've tried to look up the maker but I can't find anything out.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24But I would say it IS fairly standard,
0:04:24 > 0:04:28and obviously the colour as well is quite standard.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31Date-wise, looking at late 19th century.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33- Now - £10, you say?- Yeah.
0:04:33 > 0:04:34And this was how long ago?
0:04:34 > 0:04:38- This was about 35 years or so ago. - 35 years ago.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40To be honest, you're not going to get a HUGE return on that,
0:04:40 > 0:04:45but I would like to see it at auction today with an estimate of £68 - £80.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47- Right. Right.- Happy with that?
0:04:47 > 0:04:49Yes, happy with that.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53- £60 - £80, and let's put a reserve on of £50.- That's fine.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55Hopefully we can make you a little bit more -
0:04:55 > 0:04:58perhaps buy you something nice for the new house?
0:04:58 > 0:05:00- Thank you very much indeed. That's lovely.- Thanks, Jim.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03Well, Jim it might not be looking at a huge profit there,
0:05:03 > 0:05:08but 35 years' worth of enjoyment isn't a bad return on an investment.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13Will couldn't help but spot this striking painting, brought in by Liam.
0:05:13 > 0:05:19Liam, I've been keeping my eye on this picture as it's worked its way around the room -
0:05:19 > 0:05:23I saw you coming along the queue, and every time I saw it, it's...
0:05:23 > 0:05:26It's got something about it, hasn't it? It sort of drew me in.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30- Do YOU like it? Why have you brought it along today? - To see what it's worth, basically.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33So it's going to be a bit of a wrench for you maybe, if we can get this away.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37Well...if we get the right money we'll let it go, yes.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39Who's this chap Bingham?
0:05:39 > 0:05:43He's a Belfast artist, and he passed away last year.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45OK, so he's a local artist.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Do you know of there being a sort of market in his work?
0:05:48 > 0:05:50Is he exhibited in Ireland?
0:05:50 > 0:05:52He's hanging in quite a few art rooms.
0:05:52 > 0:05:53Well, that's good, you know.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57- Now, his first name's Jimmy, right? Jimmy Bingham.- James, yeah.
0:05:57 > 0:05:58Known as Jimmy -
0:05:58 > 0:06:01because I looked him up quickly, and he IS a listed artist.
0:06:01 > 0:06:06So I've had a look to see what his works in the past have made.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10You were looking at around - when he was alive, this is -
0:06:10 > 0:06:13at around that sort of 1000 euro mark, 1,500 euro mark...
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- Now, you say he's died recently? - Yeah.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19It's unfortunate, but in the world of pictures and artists,
0:06:19 > 0:06:24when an artist dies, it tends to have the effect on his prices of pushing them up a bit.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26So what I would say to you is -
0:06:26 > 0:06:29bearing in mind that he's died recently
0:06:29 > 0:06:30and those were prices when he was alive -
0:06:30 > 0:06:33I think we could probably bump up that price a little bit.
0:06:33 > 0:06:38And I would be thinking in the region of about £1,000 - £1,500.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40Is that the sort of figure you had in mind?
0:06:40 > 0:06:43I mean, you've come prepared with a figure up here, I think...
0:06:43 > 0:06:46Yeah, I was thinking the top end of that.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49OK, so we're nearer the 1,500 than the 1,000.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53Well, listen, I'm going to let my heart rule my head here.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Like I say, I've admired it as it's come round the room,
0:06:56 > 0:06:58finally to be here in front of us all.
0:06:58 > 0:07:04Let's put the top estimate at 2,000, so a 1,500 - 2,000 estimate.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08We'll fix the reserve at 1,500, it won't sell for less than that.
0:07:08 > 0:07:09- I'll see you on the sale day.- Yeah.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12- Well done. Nice to meet you. - Thank you.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15It's a always dangerous to let your heart rule your head, but it's clear
0:07:15 > 0:07:18Liam wasn't going to let it go for any less.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21So we'll just have to wait and see.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24Will is talking to Sue, who isn't quite so enamoured with a vase SHE inherited.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- Sue.- Hello.- We all know that Moorcroft is a "Flog It!" favourite,
0:07:29 > 0:07:31shall we call it.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35Are you selling this because you know the Moorcroft market is strong,
0:07:35 > 0:07:38or are you selling this because it does nothing for you?
0:07:38 > 0:07:41- Does nothing for me.- Really? Usually it's the other way round,
0:07:41 > 0:07:43we have to prise it out of people.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45No, no, I'm quite happy to sell that.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47So, from what you've told me now
0:07:47 > 0:07:50it's not something that you've gone out and bought yourself?
0:07:50 > 0:07:53No, I inherited that from my parents.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55It came from my dad's side of the family.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Have you any idea what it dates from, if it's going
0:07:57 > 0:08:01to be something that's going to appeal to the Moorcroft collectors?
0:08:01 > 0:08:02Have you done any research?
0:08:02 > 0:08:05- I haven't really done any research. - OK.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08Well, we can date it from the marks underneath.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10We've got the nice paper label there,
0:08:10 > 0:08:14"Potters to the late Queen Mary",
0:08:14 > 0:08:16so we know it's going to be post-1953.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20So in the big scheme of things, it's fairly late for the Moorcroft collectors.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24It's Walter Moorcroft rather than William Moorcroft, the father,
0:08:24 > 0:08:28who started the whole firm at Macintyre
0:08:28 > 0:08:30and then moved on to create the Moorcroft factory
0:08:30 > 0:08:34with this sort of well-known tubelining decoration.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37It's a common pattern, the hibiscus pattern there,
0:08:37 > 0:08:39with the typical flowers decorated...
0:08:39 > 0:08:43And the shape, as well - it's a nice sort of slender shape.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47It's pleasing to the eye, shall we say. And perfectly usable as well.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49You say you don't like it, and you've inherited it -
0:08:49 > 0:08:51do you have it with flowers in on the mantelpiece,
0:08:51 > 0:08:55- or is it tucked away somewhere? - It was locked away in a cupboard.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57Locked away. So you disliked it THAT much,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00you kept it under lock and key in case it should sneak out
0:09:00 > 0:09:03and find its way onto your display cabinet!
0:09:03 > 0:09:05That would have been awful. THEY LAUGH
0:09:05 > 0:09:07I'm going to ask you to do MY job now.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10I mean - is it a £50 vase, do you think...?
0:09:10 > 0:09:13- No, I think it's a good bit more than 50.- A bit more than that?
0:09:13 > 0:09:17- Is it a £500 vase?- No, I don't think so.- I think you're right.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19I mean, I've given you the easy options -
0:09:19 > 0:09:23I would say you're probably looking at around that £200 mark.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26A sensible estimate I think would straddle that £200.
0:09:26 > 0:09:31Let's say 150 - 250, that sort of figure.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34I mean, is that something that you think, "Yes, I'll go with that,
0:09:34 > 0:09:35"sell it for that sort of figure"?
0:09:35 > 0:09:38Yes, that's something I would...
0:09:38 > 0:09:41- Yeah?- I'd want a reserve.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Let's keep the reserve at the bottom figure of the estimate,
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- so let's put the reserve at £150, yes?- OK.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51- Can I have a bit of discretion on that 150?- 149.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54So I get a pound's discretion, do I(?)
0:09:54 > 0:09:57£1 discretion! So, a fixed reserve at 149.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59Let's leave it at 150, then.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02I don't think it's going to struggle at that, to be honest.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05One person's rubbish is another person's treasure,
0:10:05 > 0:10:07that's the beauty of auctions.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09So tell me, what is it that you DO like, Sue?
0:10:09 > 0:10:11What are you going to buy yourself with the proceeds?
0:10:11 > 0:10:15I'm thinking of just putting money towards a weekend away.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17A weekend away, very nice.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19Probably down in Dublin or something like that.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22Oh, yes, I know what that involves, don't worry about that(!)
0:10:22 > 0:10:25A weekend away in Dublin, we'll title it The Lost Weekend!
0:10:25 > 0:10:27- How's that?- Aye, that'll do.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Well, we're having a great time up here in Northern Ireland
0:10:30 > 0:10:32and you're going to have a great time in Dublin.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36- I hope we can get £150 to put in the bar kitty for you.- Please!
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- I'm going to see you at the auction. - Thank you.
0:10:39 > 0:10:40- Sue, it's been a pleasure. - Thank you.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43Well, I'm glad it managed to escape from that cupboard!
0:10:43 > 0:10:47I'm positive there will be someone at the auction who will love it -
0:10:47 > 0:10:49and that's where we're heading off to right now.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53The three items we're looking to find buyers for are...
0:10:53 > 0:10:55Jim's Victorian jug and basin set.
0:10:55 > 0:10:56It's worked its way around the room...
0:10:56 > 0:10:58Liam's prized Jimmy Bingham painting.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01And of course, Sue's Moorcroft vase.
0:11:04 > 0:11:09The sale is taking place at McAfee Auctions in Ballycastle, but just before it got under way,
0:11:09 > 0:11:10I wanted to ask
0:11:10 > 0:11:13auctioneer Gerry McAfee for his opinion on Liam's painting.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17Now, what do you think of this?
0:11:17 > 0:11:19Well, it's a Jimmy Bingham.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23He was very friendly with a very well-known Irish artist called Dan O'Neill,
0:11:23 > 0:11:25copied Dan O'Neill's style.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27Dan O'Neill's stuff sells exceptionally well
0:11:27 > 0:11:30and in time, this will start selling very, very well.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33Our valuation at the minute is a wee bit ambitious.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36This belongs to Liam, and for the right money he wants to sell it.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40Will, our expert, has put £1,500 to £2,000.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44If that's the right money, then it's going to go and Liam will be happy.
0:11:44 > 0:11:45I don't think we'll get there today.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48We've done some research since the valuation day,
0:11:48 > 0:11:53- and a few have been sold down south and in Belfast over the last few months.- How much for?
0:11:53 > 0:11:56£200, £300 and £400. Slightly smaller than this one.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59I think this is probably £500 to £600 on a good day.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02- I don't think we're going to get near the valuation.- OK.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05You look a bit sad there. You look a little bit, hmm.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08Well, an auctioneer always wants to be selling!
0:12:08 > 0:12:10Exactly, you live off what you sell!
0:12:10 > 0:12:12I want to be selling it.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14It's a nice picture and on its day it might get there.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17At the minute, I don't think we're there.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19- It is a nice picture, isn't it? - Yeah.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21Let's hope we've got some art lovers here later.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24There will be some, certainly. And who knows?
0:12:24 > 0:12:29Well, it's not sounding so good for the painting, but we just have to wait and see.
0:12:29 > 0:12:34First up, we're going to find out if Jim's wash stand set is about to clean up.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37It's got to go. Jim is downsizing.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40We're just about to put the Victorian wash set under the hammer.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42Hopefully we will get £50 to £70, a bit more maybe.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45- Useful little thing.- Yeah.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49If you've got the right sort of room for it. It's a space filler.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52It's quite a reasonable estimate I think as well.
0:12:52 > 0:12:57Hopefully get a bit more then! We're going to find out what the bidders think. Here we go.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Number 471 is a four-piece English pottery jug and basin set.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04Lovely to get the other pieces.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06Often you just get the jug and basin.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09We're getting the four pieces, complete with their lids and all.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13A very nice set. Who'll give me £75 for it? 75?
0:13:15 > 0:13:1660?
0:13:17 > 0:13:2340 bid, £40, £40. This jug and basin set, four pieces there at £40.
0:13:23 > 0:13:2745, £50. 55, £60.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30£60 beside me now, at £60. At 60.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34- That's OK.- That's OK. - £60 for the good jug and basin set.
0:13:34 > 0:13:40Now at £60, beside me now at 60. I'm going to sell then, at £60, all out?
0:13:40 > 0:13:42- I'm selling at £60. - That's really good.
0:13:42 > 0:13:43I like the look of that.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46You could see that in the right room on a marble-top,
0:13:46 > 0:13:48dot, dot, dot, dot. You've got it.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52- It has to have the marble top. - It's got to have the marble top!
0:13:52 > 0:13:54Catherine's valuation was spot-on,
0:13:54 > 0:13:57but now, how are we going to get on with Liam's painting?
0:14:00 > 0:14:04We've got a lot of money riding on this, Liam, £1,500 to £2,000.
0:14:04 > 0:14:05It's the painting in oil by Bingham.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08I like the look of it, I really do.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10Has it been on your wall for long?
0:14:10 > 0:14:12It has been, yeah. It's been up and down.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14But you can live with it or live without it.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16Yeah, I'll miss her if she goes.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19And if the money's right, it's going to go.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21We may have overcooked it.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24I suspect what we've put on it is more of a retail price.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28But listen, all you need at auction is a private buyer, a couple of private buyers.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31This is it. Good luck, both of you.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36The large oil painting titled "Sisters" by James Bingham.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39What will we get for this oil painting?
0:14:39 > 0:14:40A couple of thousand pounds for it?
0:14:40 > 0:14:45A couple of thousand for the James Bingham oil painting? 1,800?
0:14:45 > 0:14:47£1,500 for the James Bingham?
0:14:51 > 0:14:55Somebody start me at £1,000 for James Bingham.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57The James Bingham oil, £1,000?
0:14:57 > 0:15:00Really have to move on, folks. £1,000, the Bingham oil?
0:15:00 > 0:15:03Sorry, not going to happen today. Sorry.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05How do you feel about that?
0:15:05 > 0:15:07I'm happy enough to keep her.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09The price wasn't right, was it?
0:15:09 > 0:15:13It's as simple as that, the price wasn't right. Didn't reach it.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16Well, you win some, you lose some. That is auctions for you.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18Look, there's going to be another day.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22- It's a great investment. Put it back on the wall and enjoy it, can't you?- Yeah.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26Well, it didn't sell, but Liam is happy.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28Now, our next lot must sell well.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31You can't go wrong with Moorcroft, can you?
0:15:31 > 0:15:32It's Moorcroft,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35it's not let us down before and I don't think it will today.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39- It belongs to Sue, here, who doesn't really like it, do you?- No, I don't.
0:15:39 > 0:15:40- It's not your thing.- No, no.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44You're the only person I know that doesn't really like Moorcroft.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46- Everyone's buying it.- Exactly.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48Let's find out what the bidders think.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52It's a Moorcroft tall vase this time.
0:15:52 > 0:15:57Again, very nice colours, lovely, big, large vase. 150, to start me.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00£100, bid. 100, start me at £100.
0:16:00 > 0:16:05And 110, 120, 130. 140, here at 140.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07140 here, 150.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09Fresh legs.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Lady's bid at 160. 170, 180, 190.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16The lady's bid at 190. 190, at 190.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19Lovely big one now at £200.
0:16:19 > 0:16:20£200 at the back now, at 200.
0:16:22 > 0:16:23210.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25I think she's going to bid again...
0:16:25 > 0:16:28210, the Moorcroft vase at 210.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30It's a large one now at 210, 220.
0:16:30 > 0:16:35In the room at 220. In the room at 230.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37Don't lose it for a bid, madam.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40I'm going to sell now at 230.
0:16:40 > 0:16:45240, new blood on the phone at 240.
0:16:45 > 0:16:46- Good.- This is very good.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50250 in the room. In the room now. 260 on the phone.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53On the phone at 260.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55On the phone at 260. She says no at 260.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59The bid is on the phone, I'm going to sell it to the phone,
0:16:59 > 0:17:00at £260, last call.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05Yes! £260. Everyone wanted that. Well done, Sue.
0:17:05 > 0:17:06Thank you for bringing that in.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08- Thank you.- Spot-on valuation as well.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11- Good work by the auctioneer. - Thank you very much.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17That concludes our first visit to the saleroom today.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21We're coming back later and hopefully there'll be one or two big surprises,
0:17:21 > 0:17:23because it's jam-packed in here.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26But while I'm up here filming, I had the opportunity
0:17:26 > 0:17:30to follow my nose and explore a bit of world-famous history.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32And it's only just up the road.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44It is believed that Irish monks were the first people to produce whiskey,
0:17:44 > 0:17:46possibly as far back as the 12th century,
0:17:46 > 0:17:49making it one of the earliest distilled beverages in Europe.
0:17:52 > 0:17:58A licence to distil whiskey in the Bushmills area was granted in April, 1608, by James I.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02And some 400 years later, this area is still thriving, producing and
0:18:02 > 0:18:06bottling all of its own whiskey, to sell to people all over the world.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13I'm here to meet Colum Egan, the master distiller, to find out more.
0:18:13 > 0:18:19So Colum, as master distiller, what does your job involve? What's the role?
0:18:19 > 0:18:22I have to ensure the whiskey that we're making today has the same taste
0:18:22 > 0:18:27and the same characteristics that have been distilling 50, 100, 150 years ago.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30It's a great sense of tradition in this area, for making whiskey.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33Start me through the whole process, from the beginning, from Bush River.
0:18:33 > 0:18:38Well, we take that water, and we take barley, and then we allow it to ferment.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41- How long does that take? - It takes about 60 hours.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45At the end of that 60 hours, you get about 8% strong beer.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47At that point we're ready for distillation.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51When you see our wonderful stillhouse and the wonderful aromas and smells...
0:18:51 > 0:18:56I can smell them now, I can smell the yeast coming through in the breeze. You can smell that.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59It drags you into the distillery every morning.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01Shall we get inside and have a look?
0:19:06 > 0:19:10The whole journey from grain to glass involves eight stages.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13Irish whiskey is made in its own unique way.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16The key characteristic being that it's triple distilled,
0:19:16 > 0:19:19whereas Scotch whisky is distilled twice.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25How come that's clear? That looks like water.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Where d'you add the colour?
0:19:27 > 0:19:31When you distil something to that purity, you get absolute crystal-clear colour.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33Whiskey is brown.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36That brown colour, that golden hue to it,
0:19:36 > 0:19:38that all comes from the type of wood it's matured in.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42- Right.- So, by law, it has to be in that oak barrel for at least three years.
0:19:42 > 0:19:49During that time, the whiskey expands into the oak and draws out a lot of the flavours and the colour.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52The longer whiskey has in a barrel, the more chance it has to pick up
0:19:52 > 0:19:56little nuances and pick up different characters from the wood itself.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58That's where your expertise comes in?
0:19:58 > 0:20:04Every day, I have to nose, I have to taste, and I have to make sure of the consistency of character.
0:20:04 > 0:20:09What goes in the bottle itself has to be the same today as it's going to be in ten years' time.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12Can we see the barrels, see where the colour comes in?
0:20:12 > 0:20:20The barrels used in the maturation process are shipped in from Spain, Portugal and even as far as the USA.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23They'd have previously been used in making sherry, Madeira
0:20:23 > 0:20:27and bourbon, and add a certain flavour to the whiskey process.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32Look at this! I just love the smell of mature oak.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34How many barrels are in here?
0:20:34 > 0:20:37These are actually all empty barrels.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41We will store about 2,000 barrels at any one time in this area, getting ready to be filled.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44I guess it's essential to use oak, for the taste, for the flavour?
0:20:44 > 0:20:50Oak is fantastic, because of the characteristics and taste it gives to the whiskey.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53There's also a very important factor in it, that oak is impervious.
0:20:53 > 0:20:58- Of course.- Because the whiskey spends so long in there, from three, to 30 or 40 years,
0:20:58 > 0:21:01we have to make sure that none of the whiskey gets out of there.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05This has been full of bourbon in its day, will that not affect the taste?
0:21:05 > 0:21:09To put triple-distilled Bushmills spirit into a brand-new oak barrel,
0:21:09 > 0:21:11you'd be overpowered with woodiness and oakiness.
0:21:11 > 0:21:17So, why I go to Kentucky is, bourbon actually strips out - they like that heavy, oaky, woody notes.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19So, they strip out into their bourbon.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22What's left behind is some nice toasted wood, caramel.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- And a bit bourbony?- A touch.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28It's got to be, surely, hasn't it?
0:21:28 > 0:21:30Actually, it leaches out of the wood itself.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34They like every drop of their own bourbon in their own stuff!
0:21:34 > 0:21:37The next stage might look a bit alarming,
0:21:37 > 0:21:40but it's time for that whiskey, which has been maturing in barrels
0:21:40 > 0:21:44for anything up to 30 years, to enter a blending process.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48What I want to know is why you're letting it all out into this gully?
0:21:48 > 0:21:54What we do, we drain it out, put it into these troughs, and we bring it across and we put it into large vats.
0:21:54 > 0:22:00From those vats, we mix it in certain proportions, and that's what gives us our final brand of whiskey.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03Oh, so this is another of the secrets of the Bushmills?
0:22:03 > 0:22:06What's all the black stuff, charred-looking stuff?
0:22:06 > 0:22:10The inside of American barrels are charred to sterilise them.
0:22:10 > 0:22:15The great thing it does for whiskey, it caramelises a layer of sugars in the wood,
0:22:15 > 0:22:17so you get these nice caramel and vanilla notes coming from them.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19I can smell them now!
0:22:19 > 0:22:22I think we should go to the tasting session.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25- I think that would be ideal. - OK, come on, then.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28What are you smelling there?
0:22:28 > 0:22:31That's a nice vanilla, mixed in with a little bit of woody and oakiness.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34These lovely fruits beginning to come through, floral notes.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39I can't smell them yet.
0:22:39 > 0:22:40My nose isn't as trained as yours.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43A couple of weeks here, and you're there.
0:22:43 > 0:22:44I've got the vanilla.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46So, what would be the classic toast?
0:22:46 > 0:22:48Well you'll have to raise your glass,
0:22:48 > 0:22:50and it simply goes,
0:22:50 > 0:22:53there are tall ships, there are longships,
0:22:53 > 0:22:56there are ships that sail the sea, but the best ships are friendships,
0:22:56 > 0:22:58and may they always be.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00- Slainte!- Cheers!
0:23:06 > 0:23:10Our valuation day is at Lissanoure Castle in County Antrim,
0:23:10 > 0:23:13and there are still plenty more bags to unpack.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24Will has spotted something quite unique amongst the crowd.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26William, can I call you William? Are you a Will, or a Bill?
0:23:26 > 0:23:28- Willie, actually.- Willie.
0:23:28 > 0:23:33I was called Willie by my father, I'm William when I'm in trouble and Will by my friends.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36So, Willie, you've got an interesting item here.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40It really caught my eye when I saw you in the queue.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44Obviously, looking at it, it's a picture made up of tiles
0:23:44 > 0:23:46in this oak frame, which I think is period.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49I don't think they've ever been out of this frame.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52What really intrigued me was the scene we've got here.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55What can you tell me about this? How have you come by it?
0:23:55 > 0:24:02- It was given to me by my sister, who in turn got it from a friend who was doing a house clearance.- Right.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06- No idea of its history other than that.- She obviously didn't like it?
0:24:06 > 0:24:08- Didn't like it. - So she palmed it off to you.
0:24:08 > 0:24:13- Who doesn't like it! - So, it doesn't hang in your home? - No.- Where does it live?
0:24:13 > 0:24:18It lives in the study, under a large box.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22Under a large box! You really are trying to hide it away!
0:24:22 > 0:24:27Surely you can appreciate how well painted it is, and the unusualness of the scene.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30My family have quite a few connections with South America,
0:24:30 > 0:24:32and so my father used to go out there a lot.
0:24:32 > 0:24:37That kind of caught my eye, because I was trying to work out whereabouts it was.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39We're obviously near some rather large mountains.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42We've got this figure here. It does look a bit like a crow,
0:24:42 > 0:24:46but I suspect it's trying to be more of a condor, or something like that.
0:24:46 > 0:24:51And then we've got these rather fine-looking, shall we call them rancheros?
0:24:51 > 0:24:54Nice strong colours in the blues and greens,
0:24:54 > 0:24:59and then just this hint of the rockwork in these mountains.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03I've had a closer look down here at the bottom, and we've got
0:25:03 > 0:25:05a name here which we can just read.
0:25:05 > 0:25:10- "Joost Thouet and..."- "La Boucher."
0:25:10 > 0:25:11La Boucher. Well done.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13"Delft, Holland."
0:25:13 > 0:25:17That's helpful to us. It tells us who made it, it tells us where they made it.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20What's unusual, though, is with Delftware,
0:25:20 > 0:25:25obviously people associate it more with perhaps blue and white clogs and windmills.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29I think always intended to be displayed here as a tiled picture.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33I think we're looking at around that circa 1900 as a date.
0:25:33 > 0:25:34- What about value?- I have no idea.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36Let's have a stab in the dark, shall we?
0:25:36 > 0:25:41I mean, I haven't seen one similar, so I couldn't tell you what the last one I saw made.
0:25:41 > 0:25:47Let's be mean and say £10 a tile, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51We're going to reach that magic estimate that we like, 80 - 120, aren't we?
0:25:51 > 0:25:55I think it's worth a go at that. I just think it's a bit different and like I say,
0:25:55 > 0:25:56that's what the market wants -
0:25:56 > 0:25:58quirky things that aren't run-of-the-mill.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02- Have you got to phone your sister, is she going to be upset? - No, no, not at all.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06She'll be relieved. I'm hoping that someone who likes it will buy it.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08Now we come to the point of reserve.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12I don't think you'll be too worried if this just makes what it makes.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16- What it makes on the day, that's... Yeah.- You're a man after my own heart as well as my own name.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18We'll go 80 - 120, without reserve then, yes?
0:26:18 > 0:26:21And on the day, fingers crossed it's going to fly
0:26:21 > 0:26:24- away with the condors even, perhaps. - It makes what it makes.- Well done.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27So, Willie is taking a punt on no reserve.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30I hope he doesn't end up regretting it!
0:26:30 > 0:26:33"Flog It!" valuation days are very busy days.
0:26:33 > 0:26:39I couldn't resist stopping to have a chat with Margaret, and her granddaughter, Alana.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42What have you brought in today? Apart from Alana!
0:26:42 > 0:26:45- And these wonderful sandals. - You're sitting on it.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48Can I have a look? Oh, that's nice, isn't it?
0:26:48 > 0:26:51You know, we always ask people to bring in furniture for "Flog It!"
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Not many people do. Where has this come from?
0:26:54 > 0:27:00Well, when my husband and I got married, a year later we had some wedding money.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04We were married in 1947.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08And we bought our antiques in Oxford.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11Oh, how lovely.
0:27:11 > 0:27:12So, you got this chair in Oxford?
0:27:12 > 0:27:19Yes, and I have another, a walnut one, that was sold as two Queen Anne chairs.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23Now you're talking. How much did you pay for the two chairs then?
0:27:23 > 0:27:26I'm just going to do this.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28- That was 60 years ago. - A drop-in seat...- Yes.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32This is a lovely period piece, it really is.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34These date from the Queen Anne period.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37This is early 1700s.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41If I just tip this upside down a minute, I just want to have a look underneath.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44Always good to turn a piece of furniture upside down.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46You've got to, really, to examine its toes.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50Look at those very generous, great big pad feet.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53Just look at the quality of the wood. That's Cuban mahogany.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57Wonderful, tight, straight grain, very good colour.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00So much mahogany was coming into the country after around 1721,
0:28:00 > 0:28:03when William Walpole, the first prime minister,
0:28:03 > 0:28:05reduced the taxes and levies on imported woods
0:28:05 > 0:28:09from the tropics, so all this wood was coming back from the Caribbean.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11If the walnut one is the same,
0:28:11 > 0:28:14then the walnut one is worth a little bit more money than this one,
0:28:14 > 0:28:17because walnut is a much more sought after and expensive wood.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19Why are you selling them?
0:28:19 > 0:28:23- Because we're downsizing. - This is your inheritance, Alana!
0:28:23 > 0:28:25I know, but there's many more in her house.
0:28:25 > 0:28:31Oh, is there? Would you like to sell them as a pair? Shall we put them into auction as a pair?
0:28:31 > 0:28:33- One walnut, and one mahogany. - Well, yes. I would.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37The condition on this one does let it down, because of the splits.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40I think it's still worth in the region of around £100 to £150 and,
0:28:40 > 0:28:43hopefully, if your walnut is the same, we can double that.
0:28:43 > 0:28:48I'd like to get £150 a chair top end, so £200 to £300.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50- That's OK.- Yeah.
0:28:50 > 0:28:52They have to go.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55And let's hope we get the top end, that's all I can say.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58Lots of money in Ballymoney.
0:28:58 > 0:28:59Well, that's it, yes!
0:28:59 > 0:29:03Well, furniture is my real love and speciality.
0:29:03 > 0:29:08And luckily Catherine has spotted Rex, who has brought in something right up her street, too.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12Rex, thank you for bringing along this lovely barograph.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14Where did you actually get this from?
0:29:14 > 0:29:17- My dad gave it to me about 22 years ago...- Right, OK.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19..as a small gift.
0:29:19 > 0:29:25So, as a young chap, 22 years ago, was it quite an unusual gift to receive?
0:29:25 > 0:29:29Not really, because I always collected
0:29:29 > 0:29:32small items like stamps and watches
0:29:32 > 0:29:37and things like that and my dad thought this would add to my collection.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40- A quirky scientific instrument?- Yes.
0:29:40 > 0:29:44- Now, as I'm sure you know, a barograph measures atmospheric pressure.- Oh, yes.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47Let's have a little look inside.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52So, does this actually work? Is this a working instrument?
0:29:52 > 0:29:55- No, the clockwork spring is broken. - So, inside here?
0:29:55 > 0:29:57- Yes.- Let's just have a little look inside here.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00So, what we'd normally do is take this off,
0:30:00 > 0:30:02take the key
0:30:02 > 0:30:07- and then wind this up. And then this would obviously rotate in like a clockwork motion.- Yes.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09But it's not in working condition.
0:30:09 > 0:30:13- No.- And then that would drive this as well to lifting
0:30:13 > 0:30:15this little mechanism up and down
0:30:15 > 0:30:18and that in turn would lift this up and down.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21And then, obviously, this metal rod here
0:30:21 > 0:30:23would be going up and down
0:30:23 > 0:30:27to measure the pressures and record it on the graph paper.
0:30:27 > 0:30:31We've got this nice little ink bottle here
0:30:31 > 0:30:34so that you can apply the ink directly on to the needle.
0:30:34 > 0:30:35I'm just wondering
0:30:35 > 0:30:38if that has been replaced
0:30:38 > 0:30:43because you'd normally have like a little pipette or something like that.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46The problem is now is that things like this they are quite difficult.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50I mean, not really very commercial,
0:30:50 > 0:30:54although you do have gentlemen perhaps buying something like this to decorate their office.
0:30:54 > 0:30:58They're ornamental now rather than serving a purpose as such.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02Now, as far as barographs go, I think this is probably quite a late example.
0:31:02 > 0:31:04I don't think it's Victorian.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07I think it's perhaps early 20th century,
0:31:07 > 0:31:10so perhaps Edwardian or something like that.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12Does that tie in with your...?
0:31:12 > 0:31:14- I have no idea how old it is.- Yeah.
0:31:14 > 0:31:18I think that probably is the date. Do you have any more graph papers?
0:31:18 > 0:31:20No, I don't, no.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23So it's just as is.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25In perfect condition
0:31:25 > 0:31:28this would probably be worth about £200 to £300,
0:31:28 > 0:31:31but I think probably in the condition that it's in at the moment
0:31:31 > 0:31:34I'd sell for about £100 to £150, with an £80 reserve.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38- Right.- How does that sound to you? - That sounds fine with me, yeah.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40- Would you be happy to sell it at that?- Very much so.
0:31:40 > 0:31:44We'll put it in the auction, then, at 100 to 150 with an 80 reserve.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46- That'll be fine. - And let's hope it does well.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48- Thank you for coming.- OK.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52So now we have the last three items to take off to auction.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55Willie's framed set of Delft tiles,
0:31:55 > 0:31:58Margaret's early 18th century chairs
0:31:58 > 0:32:00and, lastly, Rex's barograph.
0:32:00 > 0:32:06The standard seller's commission at this saleroom is 15% plus VAT,
0:32:06 > 0:32:09so always bear that in mind if you decide to sell or buy at auction.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13It's quite busy in here now, but before the sale got underway
0:32:13 > 0:32:19I couldn't resist finding out from Gerry how much interest had been shown in the barograph.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22I like this a lot. It belongs to Rex,
0:32:22 > 0:32:26but possibly for not much longer because there's only an £80 reserve.
0:32:26 > 0:32:30We've got a valuation put on by Catherine of £100 to £150.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32I don't think it's working, though.
0:32:32 > 0:32:36No. I know there has been a lot of interest in it during the viewing sessions,
0:32:36 > 0:32:39- so it'll do quite well. - A lot of local interest because it was made in Belfast.
0:32:39 > 0:32:44Yes, one of the telephone bids that we have on it is somebody from Belfast
0:32:44 > 0:32:47who collects them and actually hasn't got a Belfast one,
0:32:47 > 0:32:50so hopefully he'll be our man at the end.
0:32:50 > 0:32:56Well, that sounds very promising, but first Margaret is going to find out the fate of her chairs.
0:32:58 > 0:33:02It's my turn to be the expert now and remember that lovely Queen Anne chair I saw?
0:33:02 > 0:33:05There's now two because Margaret and Alana brought the other one in.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08And I've just got to say, it's wonderful to see you both again.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11You're looking fabulous, and so are you!
0:33:11 > 0:33:15- And, hopefully, we've got some bidders here to buy these two chairs.- Fingers crossed.
0:33:15 > 0:33:20Otherwise, they're going home and this is your inheritance and you have got to look after them.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23I know. They take up a bit of space!
0:33:23 > 0:33:26Use them, girl! Use them!
0:33:26 > 0:33:28Enjoy the moment, won't you?
0:33:28 > 0:33:31Oh, yes, I will. But I won't be sorry if they don't go.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33They're going home if they don't go.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38We've a pair of framed parlour chairs.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43Very, very nice chairs. Very early period chairs.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48- 100 only bid for the pair now. At £100.- We're in at 100.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51And 110. 120.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54130. 140.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56150.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59For this pair now at 150. On the phone 160.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01- Phone bid. 170.- 170.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04New blood at 180.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07For the pair now at 180. 190. On the phone at 190.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10On the phone at 190. For this pair now at 190.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14I'd like a little more now at £190.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17If we're all out here at £190.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20I'm going to sell it to the phone at £190.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24- Two to three we said, didn't we? - Two to three.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27- Are you OK with that? - Yeah, I think that's pretty good.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31I mean, we said 200 and got 190, so it was quite good.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35Well... SHE SIGHS
0:34:35 > 0:34:38All those memories of Oxford. It was Oxford, wasn't it?
0:34:38 > 0:34:40Oh, it was.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42Certainly in our marriage, too.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44SHE LAUGHS
0:34:44 > 0:34:46Thank you so much for coming in.
0:34:46 > 0:34:51Well, thank you for giving me the opportunity to be myself.
0:34:51 > 0:34:57So Gerry, the auctioneer, used his discretion there and someone's got a great deal.
0:34:57 > 0:35:02They were lovely quality. Now, it's Willie's turn with the tiles.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06This is Willie's first auction. Come on, sum it up.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09- Yeah, the first time I've ever been to an auction.- It's packed, eh?
0:35:09 > 0:35:12I think the whole town has turned out today.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15- It's brilliant.- There's no reserve. - That's right.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18No, Willie doesn't want them back so we decided let them make what they make.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22- He said, "I don't like them, I've never liked them."- Exactly. - "They've got to go."
0:35:22 > 0:35:26Which is great, cos someone will fall in love with them, hopefully.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29Welcome to the roller-coaster ride. It's going under the hammer.
0:35:29 > 0:35:34Lot number 65 is the framed set of eight Delft tiles.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37Lovely tiles in a hardwood frame.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39£50 for the set? Start it at £30? The set now at 30.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41The set now at £30.
0:35:41 > 0:35:43I'm selling for 35 on the phone.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45That's all right, we're in.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49£40. 40, now. At £40.
0:35:49 > 0:35:5345 on the phone. On the phone now at 48. In the room at £48.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55- 50 on the phone. At 50. Good value here.- Come on, come on.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59- Backwards and forwards.- Delft tiles. The bid is on the phone at £50.
0:35:59 > 0:36:05All out now and selling to the phone at £50.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09Gone. Would have liked a little bit more for you, Willie,
0:36:09 > 0:36:11your first auction experience.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14- It was quick, wasn't it? - It was, certainly.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16- Blink and you'll miss it. - Yeah, phone bidder.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20They spotted them and I'm sure they'll be pleased with what they bought.
0:36:20 > 0:36:21I hope somebody will enjoy them.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24- Yeah. Thank you so much for coming in.- Thank you very much.
0:36:24 > 0:36:29Well, Willie took a real chance there with no reserve, but he's just glad to have sold them.
0:36:29 > 0:36:36But has Catherine met measured the atmosphere of the saleroom right with the valuation of her barograph?
0:36:36 > 0:36:38This next item has got quality written all over it.
0:36:38 > 0:36:42It's a barograph and it belongs to Rex and, hopefully, it's got a lot of local interest
0:36:42 > 0:36:44because it was made right here in Northern Ireland.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47- Yes.- Now I know you've had this a few years.- Yes.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50It's been gathering dust and it's got to go.
0:36:50 > 0:36:55It's not working, but I tell you what, it just looks so perfect and we've seen them on the show before.
0:36:55 > 0:36:59I know you've put 100 to 150, maybe 180. I think it'll do the top end.
0:36:59 > 0:37:04Let's put it under the hammer and find out what this crowd here think of it, shall we? Here we go.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09A very nice barograph and case,
0:37:09 > 0:37:13local Belfast maker here, Dickson and Cargill.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15- Lots of interest with me... - Oh, good!
0:37:15 > 0:37:18..Allowing me to start at £100.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21The barograph at 100. 110. 120.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24- Come on.- 130. With me at 140.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26150. At 160.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28The barograph now at 160.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30Come on!
0:37:30 > 0:37:32And 65. With me at 170.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34The barograph now at £170.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36The barograph now at 170.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40I'm going to sell it, the bid left of me now, at £170.
0:37:40 > 0:37:44The barograph now at 170 all out. And selling.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46- Well done.- Well done, Rex.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48That's the top end of the estimate.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50- Yeah. Very pleased with that. - Good.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52- I'm pleased with that. - That's a good result.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58Well, that's it, it's all over for our owners
0:37:58 > 0:38:01and everyone's gone home happy, even though we didn't sell everything,
0:38:01 > 0:38:05but you can't predict what's going to happen. That's why auctions are so exciting.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08If you've got anything you want to sell, we would love to see you.
0:38:08 > 0:38:12Bring your antiques and collectibles to one of our valuation days
0:38:12 > 0:38:15and you can get details of up and coming events on our website.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17If you want more information on the show
0:38:17 > 0:38:21just log on to bbc.co.uk/flogit.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27So, from Northern Ireland, until then, it's bye-bye.