0:00:02 > 0:00:05We've taken the high road, the low road.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08We've crossed the magnificent Firth of Forth and landed in Fife,
0:00:08 > 0:00:12famous for its golf courses and ancient universities.
0:00:12 > 0:00:13Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:13 > 0:00:15"FLOG IT!" THEME TUNE
0:00:34 > 0:00:35UPBEAT MUSIC
0:00:37 > 0:00:40Today we're near Glenrothes in the Fife countryside,
0:00:40 > 0:00:44about 30 minutes from Dundee and an hour from Edinburgh.
0:00:44 > 0:00:45It's a superb day
0:00:45 > 0:00:49so we've decided to hold the event outside to make the most of it.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54The crowds are gathering in the grounds of Balbirnie House
0:00:54 > 0:00:56here in the heart of Fife.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59It's an ancient kingdom, steeped in history,
0:00:59 > 0:01:02exactly what our experts will be looking for today.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05Someone in this queue could be going home with a lot of money.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Stay tuned and you'll find out.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11It's not just our crowd who are enjoying today's sunshine.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15Our experts headed up by Anita Manning and James Lewis
0:01:15 > 0:01:16have a spring in their step, too.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19And things just started to hot up.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21A lovely barometer, in beautiful condition.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25Tell you the truth. When I want to see what the weather's like,
0:01:25 > 0:01:26I look out the window.
0:01:26 > 0:01:27THEY LAUGH
0:01:27 > 0:01:30That no-nonsense approach helped make Anita
0:01:30 > 0:01:33Scotland's first female auctioneer.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37James also is a successful auctioneer and valuer
0:01:37 > 0:01:39and has a more scientific approach.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43That's really very speculative and very interesting.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45Coming up.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49- 55, 60.- I have high hopes for one of our items.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52- This lot are going to go mad for it.- I hope so.- They will do!
0:01:52 > 0:01:56And expectations are high at our valuation day.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00- What do you think they're worth? - It'd be nice if it'd be £1,000...
0:02:00 > 0:02:03It would be nice. It would be really nice.
0:02:03 > 0:02:04THEY LAUGH
0:02:04 > 0:02:08Anita is first to tee off, she's looking at model trains
0:02:08 > 0:02:09that Carol has brought along.
0:02:11 > 0:02:17The collectables market for train stuff is really good at the moment.
0:02:17 > 0:02:22But when I look at this what I think of is fabulous fun.
0:02:22 > 0:02:27When I was a wee girl my dad brought me train sets instead of dolls.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31- Where did you get this stuff? - This is my husband's.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34He was given it by his father.
0:02:34 > 0:02:40Every Saturday, they would go up and buy something for the railway.
0:02:40 > 0:02:47And either it was an engine or a set or rolling stock, whatever,
0:02:47 > 0:02:49it was bought for him.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52He was an only child so he got everything.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54- It was bought over a period of years.- Bought with love.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58I mean it's Tri-ang, which is one of the good makes.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01It was from the Lines brothers in the 1950s,
0:03:01 > 0:03:04but it's still absolutely wonderful.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07I've had a great time playing with it.
0:03:07 > 0:03:13And what we have here is a list of accessories
0:03:13 > 0:03:15and I think that's great.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18Another thing that strikes me and it's an important issue here.
0:03:18 > 0:03:24- The condition is wonderful. So it was well looked after?- Yes.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26- Do you have sons?- I have two sons.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Are they interested in...?
0:03:29 > 0:03:32They were never allowed to play with them.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36- Never allowed. Got to look at them, but never allowed to play.- Ah-huh.
0:03:36 > 0:03:41If these come into sale, I would put them into two different lots.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44I think that's the way that we can maximise.
0:03:44 > 0:03:49Now I'd put our first lot with this Transcontinental
0:03:49 > 0:03:52and this was an American model.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55I would put that with this Princess Elizabeth.
0:03:56 > 0:04:02- Now, to the collectors, this will be more interesting.- Yes.
0:04:02 > 0:04:09Second lot, we would have this marvellous Davy Crockett engine
0:04:09 > 0:04:10and what I love about it is,
0:04:10 > 0:04:13you have the catalogues, you have order books,
0:04:13 > 0:04:15you have instructions.
0:04:15 > 0:04:20You even have an instruction manual for laying out the track.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24And I think that it's absolutely charming.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29- I think we should put the lot... each lot in at 80-120.- Mm-hm.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33Would you feel happy about, erm, at that price?
0:04:33 > 0:04:37- Would you feel happy they went in at that price?- Yes.
0:04:37 > 0:04:38That's fair. Shall we do that?
0:04:38 > 0:04:44- We'll put a firm reserve of say £80? - Yes.- On each lot.- Mm-hm.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48- Will you be sad to see them go? - Yes.- Will you?
0:04:48 > 0:04:52I will be sad to see them go. They were part of my husband so...
0:04:52 > 0:04:56But I do honestly think I'd rather that somebody got them
0:04:56 > 0:05:00that can use them and enjoy them, rather than being in a box.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04These will go onto a collector who will cherish them and love them.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06That's a good way to go.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08Let's pass them onto a collector,
0:05:08 > 0:05:10put them to auction, 80-120.
0:05:10 > 0:05:15- We'll put a reserve of £80 on them with a bit of discretion.- Mm-hm.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19Tiny bit of discretion, 80-120
0:05:19 > 0:05:22- and we'll go along and enjoy the auction.- Thank you.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28The weather is so fantastic, it almost feels like a holiday.
0:05:28 > 0:05:29But there's plenty of work to do
0:05:29 > 0:05:33and so many bags and boxes remain unpacked.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Can I be nosy? Can I dive in and have a look?
0:05:36 > 0:05:38I like the glaze on that!
0:05:38 > 0:05:41- Isn't that lovely? A little money box.- Yeah.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44The sad thing about a money box like this, made of china,
0:05:44 > 0:05:47- is once it's full... - No, you can get the money out.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49- How? Shaking it like that? - No, with a knife.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51With a...with a knife!
0:05:53 > 0:05:56- Have you tried it? - Definitely.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Do you know something? Wait there, I'll be back in a flash.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03- Right.- I'll give you a bit of information on this.- OK. Thank you.
0:06:03 > 0:06:04So whilst I do more research,
0:06:04 > 0:06:08a collection of watches brought in by Norma and her brother Alan
0:06:08 > 0:06:10is being inspected by James.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13Welcome to Flog it!
0:06:13 > 0:06:17We're not looking at a rare, fine piece of work.
0:06:17 > 0:06:22I picked these out because up and down the country,
0:06:22 > 0:06:24from John O'Groats to Land's End,
0:06:24 > 0:06:28in almost every old chest of drawers, along with the jewellery
0:06:28 > 0:06:31and the things inherited, is grandfather's pocket watch.
0:06:31 > 0:06:37It's something that I see probably more often than anything else
0:06:37 > 0:06:38which is why I've picked them.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41Because you've got a real cross-section here,
0:06:41 > 0:06:45spanning probably 50 or 60 years and they must have a real history.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47So are they family pieces?
0:06:47 > 0:06:49Yes, my dad had got them
0:06:49 > 0:06:52and they were passed onto me when he died.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56- And my late husband's grandparents. - OK.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00- So they're all men's watches, not ladies'.- Yes.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04And whenever we're looking at a pocket watch, to start with,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07there are three different types. That's the first thing to say.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09There's an open-face pocket watch, this one here.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11And this one here.
0:07:11 > 0:07:16Those are pocket watches with only a cover one side, like that.
0:07:16 > 0:07:17One silver cover.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21Then we have hunter pocket watches which are these.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25A silver cover that comes over and covers the dial.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29Known as hunters because, if you're on your horseback, out on the hunt,
0:07:29 > 0:07:32and you fall off, you've got to protect the watch glass.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35You also get half-hunters.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37You don't have an example of that,
0:07:37 > 0:07:40but a half-hunter has a circular disc in the centre,
0:07:40 > 0:07:42- so you can still tell the time. - Mm-hm.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46So we've got one, two, three, four watches.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48We've also got the Albert chain
0:07:48 > 0:07:52made fashionable by Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55After all these years of them being in the family, why flog them now?
0:07:55 > 0:07:58It's a shame they're just sitting in a drawer.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01- You don't wear them?- Not getting used.- Never worn them?- No.
0:08:01 > 0:08:06OK, so this one here, about 1860 in date.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08This one here, about 1880, 1890.
0:08:08 > 0:08:13This one, around 1900, 1905.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16And this one, around 1920.
0:08:16 > 0:08:21The silver Alberts. Each individual link is hallmarked with the lion.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23Every single link.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25And here, just because it's silver,
0:08:25 > 0:08:27an old cigarette case from the same sort of period.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29What do you think they're worth?
0:08:29 > 0:08:31It'd be nice if it'd be £1,000...
0:08:31 > 0:08:34It would be nice. It would be really nice!
0:08:34 > 0:08:39- Well, now... - I've jumped the gun.- Yeah.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41They're not worth anywhere near that, I'm sorry.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45I mean, a little silver continental watch like that is worth about £30.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49- Oh.- Erm, one like that, worth about £40, £50.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53A hunter watch like that, again £30-£50.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56Another one, worth about £30.
0:08:56 > 0:09:01Cigarette case, £20. And two Alberts, £20-£30 each.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05If we put an estimate of 150-250, and a reserve of 150,
0:09:05 > 0:09:09- how do you feel? - Fine, yeah.- Yeah?
0:09:09 > 0:09:11If they don't make that, have them back.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- Got them back.- Never know, the fashion of...- Wear them.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16You could wear it, very dapper.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20Only time will tell if these watches do well at auction.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25After discussing the money bank with some other experts,
0:09:25 > 0:09:28I'm ready to report back to Janet about it.
0:09:28 > 0:09:33It looks very much like Denby ware, but with that Majolica glaze.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36I think it's Scottish because it was my mother's brother.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38- He died when he was four or five. - When...
0:09:38 > 0:09:41At the beginning of the 20th century.
0:09:41 > 0:09:42Beginning of the 20th century.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45James's initial reaction was that's early 20th century,
0:09:45 > 0:09:50He'd say early 1900s, which correlates to what you think.
0:09:50 > 0:09:57But the inscription of "Robert", looks like it's 1860s, 1870s.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00- Maybe have been handed down, there was a Robert before.- Was there?
0:10:00 > 0:10:05It's a lovely architectural detail. A finial, normally found in pairs.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07You see them on furniture.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09On top of buildings. It's an architectural detail
0:10:09 > 0:10:14that just sets off the dynamic and the vitality of the piece.
0:10:14 > 0:10:15And that's just lovely.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17Look at the colours.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20Look at that lovely sort of treacle glaze, the way it's dripping.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Is this something you'd like to sell?
0:10:22 > 0:10:25Well, it depends how much it's worth.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28If you put this into auction and if it is Scottish,
0:10:28 > 0:10:30it might be worth £200.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32If it's Derbyshire, it might be worth £200-£300.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36- Is it...?- I think we'll sell it, it's just been in the cupboard.
0:10:36 > 0:10:41- Let's agree to a value of around £150-£250.- OK.- OK?
0:10:41 > 0:10:44- With a bit of discretion.- Right.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- We'll put a reserve on at £100. - Right.- If that's OK?
0:10:47 > 0:10:49OK, we'll bubble wrap this for you.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53It then gets safely packaged up by the couriers
0:10:53 > 0:10:55and taken to the auction room
0:10:55 > 0:10:58where the auctioneer will catalogue and photograph it
0:10:58 > 0:11:01with the auctioneer's description after he's done his homework.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03And hopefully we'll see you in the auction room.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06And this could be worth a lot of money.
0:11:06 > 0:11:11If it is by a local pottery, they'll recognise it straightaway.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18That's exactly what you expect to find up here in Scotland,
0:11:18 > 0:11:23just outside St Andrews, a wonderful set of vintage clubs.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26Right now, it's time to go off and, no, not play golf,
0:11:26 > 0:11:29put our first items under the hammer.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32It's time to leave the tranquillity of this wonderful stately home
0:11:32 > 0:11:35and go to the action, to the auction room.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38Here's a quick recap of what we're taking with us.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42The pristine model train set that belonged to Carol's husband.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46That superb finial-shaped money bank,
0:11:46 > 0:11:49and finally, the selection of silver pocket watches
0:11:49 > 0:11:52that has been passed down through Norma's family.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59For today's sale, we've travelled south to Rosewell, in Midlothian,
0:11:59 > 0:12:02and to the Thomson Roddick saleroom.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05The commission rate here is 15% plus VAT.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11The auction is well under way, Sybelle Thomson hosting proceedings
0:12:11 > 0:12:12on the rostrum.
0:12:12 > 0:12:1479.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17First up is the money box, further research by the auctioneers
0:12:17 > 0:12:21pinpointed it to the Dunmore pottery in Stirlingshire.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24Now it's my turn to be the expert.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26We've got some Scottish pottery going under the hammer.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29- This lot will go mad for it, Janet. - Hope so.- They will do!
0:12:29 > 0:12:33- Especially if they're called Robert. - That's right.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37Condition's good. It's unique, it's got everything going for it.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39And we're in the right place, at the right time.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41It's going under the hammer now.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47405A, the Dunmore money bank with the name Robert on it.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Lots of interest.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52I'm started at 50 bid, 50 bid, 50 bid.
0:12:52 > 0:12:5555, 60, 5, 70, 5.
0:12:55 > 0:12:5780, 5, 90, 5,
0:12:57 > 0:13:01100. 100, 100. On commission.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05At 100, 110, 120. Against you at 120.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07130.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09140.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11150, 160.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14170, 180.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17Come on, come on, come on.
0:13:17 > 0:13:18190.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21190 on the telephone, at 190.
0:13:21 > 0:13:22Anyone else want in?
0:13:22 > 0:13:24At £190.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28- Yes! £190.- That's brilliant.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- Happy?- Yes, that's lovely. - I'm ever so happy as well.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34I'm splitting the money between my granddaughter
0:13:34 > 0:13:35and my niece's wee boy.
0:13:35 > 0:13:40- OK. What are their names?- Alice and Robert.- Alice and Rob...
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Yes, of course, you said, didn't you?
0:13:43 > 0:13:46They loved it. Now time for Norma's watches.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49And selling this lot is auctioneer Gavin Tavendale.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52£50. On my left at 50, all done at 50.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54Coming up right now, we've got a real mixed lot.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Four pocket watches, an Albert chain, a silver cigarette case.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00They belong to Norma, who can't be with us today,
0:14:00 > 0:14:02but we have James Lewis, our expert.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04And we've got £150-£250 on this.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06I mean, this is one of the things
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- you can pretty much guarantee that these sell every time.- Yeah.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12It's something almost everybody has in their chest of drawers.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16I like the hunters, the white enamel dial with the Roman numerals.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19- It's a proper antique lot. - It is. It's a classic.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21Every family has either got
0:14:21 > 0:14:24a family Bible, sewing machine, typewriter or a pocket watch.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- Every family has got one of those things.- Yeah.
0:14:27 > 0:14:28Hopefully the bidders are here.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31- Hopefully. - Precious metal prices are up.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33- It's a good time to sell. - Great time to sell.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35Let's find out what they think, shall we?
0:14:35 > 0:14:39And we'll telephone Norma straight after the sale. OK? Here we go.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44Large lot of silver and other pocket watches.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47200? 100? 100 bid.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49- 100.- Right, we're in.
0:14:49 > 0:14:50110. 120. 130.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54140. 150. 160, in the room at 160.
0:14:54 > 0:14:59Standing at 160. All done at 160. 170.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02180. Any further away at 180?
0:15:02 > 0:15:04All done at 180? At 180.
0:15:04 > 0:15:05It's gone.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09- 180.- Bang in the middle.- Quick wasn't it?- Yeah.- Spot on, James.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13- It is the sort of thing... It's not rocket science, pocket watches.- No.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15You see them time and time again.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- Do you have Norma's number? - I can get it.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20- Give her a call. - I'll find it.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24Good results so far. Will the train set be a "runaway" success?
0:15:24 > 0:15:28Carol, I can't believe the condition of these train sets
0:15:28 > 0:15:30- your sons were never allowed to play with.- Never.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32- Never. - What a classic boys' toy...
0:15:32 > 0:15:38Ah-ah. When I was a wee girl, my dad used to buy me train sets.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- Not dolls.- Dolls. Really?- Yeah.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45We split them into two lots now. Two groups, both of £80-£120.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48- There's a lot of them, isn't there?- Yeah.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50Right, they're going under the hammer. This is it.
0:15:53 > 0:15:58465A, now onto this extensive collection of Tri-ang toys,
0:15:58 > 0:16:05including coaches, and I can start this on commission at £80. £80.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07Right, it's sold straightaway.
0:16:07 > 0:16:0990, 5, 100, 110,
0:16:09 > 0:16:13120, 130, 140, 150.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15150. Would you like in on the telephone?
0:16:15 > 0:16:19150, 150. Jocelyn, do you want in?
0:16:21 > 0:16:25We're selling in the room at £150. Any ad...
0:16:25 > 0:16:28150, 150, I can't...150.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31Any advance on 160, 170?
0:16:31 > 0:16:33180.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35190.
0:16:35 > 0:16:36190. 190.
0:16:36 > 0:16:41Any advance on 190? Selling in the room at 190.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43Does he want to bid at 190?
0:16:43 > 0:16:44200.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47- 200!- 200.
0:16:47 > 0:16:48220.
0:16:50 > 0:16:51240.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53Oh, my goodness.
0:16:54 > 0:17:00260. In the room at £260. Any advance on £260?
0:17:00 > 0:17:02- Yes.- Carol, that's a great result. - Yes.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06One down, one to go. Let's hope we get the same.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08480A.
0:17:08 > 0:17:13The Tri-ang Double O gauge. Who'd like to start me at £100?
0:17:13 > 0:17:16100. 50. 50 bid.
0:17:16 > 0:17:2055. 60. 5. 70. 5. 80.
0:17:20 > 0:17:245. 85. Would you like in on the phone?
0:17:24 > 0:17:2785, 85. 90. 5.
0:17:27 > 0:17:33100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150
0:17:33 > 0:17:35160.
0:17:35 > 0:17:41160. Right at the back at 160. Any advance on £160?
0:17:41 > 0:17:43- A very good result.- Good. - Still good. Still good.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46- That's great. - That's brilliant, isn't it?
0:17:46 > 0:17:50It just goes to show, you've got to look after your toys.
0:17:50 > 0:17:55So that's a grand total of £420 for Carol. Brilliant result.
0:17:55 > 0:17:56And there's more to come.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02Anita meets someone who's keeping shtoom about her antique.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06- But what did you use that for? - Well, I wouldn't like to tell you.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08THEY LAUGH
0:18:09 > 0:18:11And James can't believe his luck.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14Thank you for bringing that in.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16- I'm thrilled.- James's eyes popped out on stalks.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23First, though, I delve a bit deeper into the history of Fife.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33MUSIC: "Bonny Portmore" by Loreena McKennitt
0:18:46 > 0:18:50Looking at this stunning countryside here in Fife,
0:18:50 > 0:18:56it's hard to imagine this landscape has concealed a dark secret.
0:18:58 > 0:19:03The entrance to it is in this rather ordinary-looking building.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07Hidden deep below is an amazing network of corridors and rooms
0:19:07 > 0:19:10amounting to about 24,000 square feet of accommodation.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16Large enough to house up to 300 of Scotland's most important people
0:19:16 > 0:19:19in the event of a nuclear attack.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24It remained on the Official Secrets list until 1993,
0:19:24 > 0:19:28when it was decommissioned as the atmosphere improved between the East and West.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31That year it was put up for sale
0:19:31 > 0:19:34and bought by Peter Gordon and his brother, Paul.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38Peter, thank goodness, I thought I was going to get lost.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42- There's a lot of corridor here. - Like a rabbit warren, this place.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44How did you find this place?
0:19:44 > 0:19:48- It was advertised in the local paper as a country farmhouse.- Yeah.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51- Full stop.- That was it?- Yeah.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53And what did the estate agent say then?
0:19:53 > 0:19:56- He showed round the farmhouse upstairs.- Yeah.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59Eventually he said, "I've one more thing to show you.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02- "This place has rather a large cellar."- Wow.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05- And now you're a museum owner? - Mm-hm.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09- Right, well, all I can say is let's have a tour. That way?- Yeah.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13Well, after miles and miles of corridor,
0:20:13 > 0:20:17we're finally into a room, and thank goodness, it's got a tall ceiling.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21Not too claustrophobic. How did they do it without locals knowing?
0:20:21 > 0:20:23You can't build that overnight.
0:20:23 > 0:20:28It took approximately two years to build. It was highly secret, OK?
0:20:28 > 0:20:33It was built by the MOD and a few locals, sworn to secrecy.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35So what period is this?
0:20:35 > 0:20:40This is 1950. The Royal Observer Corps, they would be out there
0:20:40 > 0:20:42with their binoculars looking for planes.
0:20:42 > 0:20:47They would scramble the jets at Leuchars, our most northerly
0:20:47 > 0:20:48fighter base.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52All that became obsolete within six years of the bunker being built.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54Due to radar.
0:20:55 > 0:21:00It wasn't the end for the bunker. Over the years it was updated.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03And in 1968 took on the role of being the base
0:21:03 > 0:21:08for the regional HQ of Scotland in the event of nuclear war.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11So this is the nerve centre, the control room.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13How many people would have been down here?
0:21:13 > 0:21:1746 people at any one time would be manning it.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20If an alert was announced, there were barracks up the road,
0:21:20 > 0:21:23and also down at Crail Airport.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25If the Secretary of State was in Edinburgh,
0:21:25 > 0:21:27he'd be flown to Turnhouse,
0:21:27 > 0:21:31flown across the Forth, land at Crail, be shipped up here, rapid.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33As soon as he was here with his entourage,
0:21:33 > 0:21:36that was it, the bunker was sealed.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44From here we had direct contact with London.
0:21:44 > 0:21:50- So...that's main operations there with the red phones, etc.- Yeah.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52Is that the three-minute warning phone?
0:21:52 > 0:21:55Aye. The codes would come through that phone.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59I would relay their number, plus my number through the second phone.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02That would be the Secretary of State's room.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06Behind him is the nuclear keys, in a small safe,
0:22:06 > 0:22:11and he would use them, and all hell would break loose after that.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14That was a sobering experience.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17That's the first nuclear bunker I've ever been in.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19It's thanks to the dedication of Peter and his brother
0:22:19 > 0:22:22a very important piece of 20th-century history
0:22:22 > 0:22:24has now been preserved.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41The sun is still shining at Balbirnie House.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45Let's join everybody and see what other surprises we can find.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51Off to a good start when Anita spots Hilda,
0:22:51 > 0:22:54who has brought in a silver jug.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Where did you get this wee jug?
0:22:56 > 0:22:58Well, it was actually my dad's.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02There was a sugar bowl and a biscuit barrel.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04It was a matching set.
0:23:04 > 0:23:09But the biscuit barrel had went a wee bit wrong
0:23:09 > 0:23:10because my dad was a painter
0:23:10 > 0:23:16and couldn't find a place to put his brushes to steep in turpentine.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20- So he got this idea of putting it in the biscuit barrel.- Oh, no!
0:23:20 > 0:23:23- What did you use that for? - Well, I wouldn't like to tell you.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25THEY LAUGH
0:23:25 > 0:23:30- OK, let's have a wee look at it. Quite a handsome little jug.- Yeah.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33High Victorian. Lots of elaborate decoration.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37What's interesting here, we have the signs of the zodiac.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41And at that time, there was interest in mysticism and the future
0:23:41 > 0:23:44- and astrology and so on.- Yeah.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48And it's reflected in these little designs here.
0:23:48 > 0:23:53Made in Glasgow, and if we look at the bottom of it,
0:23:53 > 0:23:56we see the Glasgow assay mark,
0:23:56 > 0:23:59which is the tree, the bell and the bird.
0:23:59 > 0:24:05- And we have a date letter for 1875. - Oh.
0:24:05 > 0:24:11Yeah, that's all the good news, Hilda. Do you want the bad news?
0:24:11 > 0:24:14- You better give me the bad news. - It's only a bit of something.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Like myself.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18THEY LAUGH
0:24:18 > 0:24:21So it would have been part of a big set.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24Have you thought about price, Hilda?
0:24:24 > 0:24:28- I thought maybe, say 75. - Uh-huh.- You know.
0:24:28 > 0:24:33- That's a wee bit dear for an auction estimate.- Uh-huh.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36I would feel comfortable in it going to auction
0:24:36 > 0:24:39between £30 and £50.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43- That'll do fine. - It may go more than that.- Uh-huh.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47But I think that is a reasonable estimate to put it in at.
0:24:47 > 0:24:52- And we will put a firm reserve...- Yes...- ..of £30 on it.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55But I'm confident it will go more than that.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59Oh, well, that's good. It's just that it's lying in a drawer
0:24:59 > 0:25:03so it would be nice for somebody to have it that appreciates it.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05It's just getting wasted.
0:25:05 > 0:25:06Thank you for bringing it along.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09I look forward to seeing you at the auction.
0:25:09 > 0:25:10Sure we'll do well.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12I think so. Thank you.
0:25:12 > 0:25:17With any luck, it actually might meet up with the other three pieces
0:25:17 > 0:25:18and become a set again.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20Oh, well, I hope so.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22- But not the biscuit barrel. - Not the biscuit barrel.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26It's such a lovely piece,
0:25:26 > 0:25:28someone at the auction is bound to fall in love with it.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36Connie has brought along an exotic panel that has intrigued James.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39Connie, I have to say, I was not expecting to find
0:25:39 > 0:25:44a piece of Japanese art here in Fife.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48Well, I've had it a long time.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51I inherited it and I don't know where my father got it.
0:25:51 > 0:25:57- Really?- Yes.- Well, as I say, Japanese, Meiji period.
0:25:57 > 0:26:02- 1880 to 1910.- Ah, right. - Something made around there.
0:26:02 > 0:26:07It is a panel that probably started life in a very fine cabinet.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11The other option is it might have been a decorative plaque
0:26:11 > 0:26:12in its own right
0:26:12 > 0:26:16that would have had a black ebonised frame around it when sold.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18Let's look at the design as a whole.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21We have at the top here, this rockwork,
0:26:21 > 0:26:24which is carved out of softwood.
0:26:24 > 0:26:29Here, little sections of leafage and foliage carved in bone.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33- Right.- Do you think that's a chrysanthemum?- I would think so.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35- Something like that, carved in mother-of-pearl.- Yes.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39But this is where the real work comes in.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43These three figures here are just wonderful.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45This is hand lacquer
0:26:45 > 0:26:49and the gold lines are gold paint.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51- Very fine.- Very fine.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55- Painted probably with a brush with only one bristle.- Yes.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58- A piece of ivory, stained green.- Oh, right.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00- And the flautist has lost his flute.- Yes.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04But still absolutely wonderful quality.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07Tell me, was your father a collector or...?
0:27:07 > 0:27:09Not really, he liked nice things,
0:27:09 > 0:27:11but there wasn't money about.
0:27:11 > 0:27:16But in the early '20s, he worked in Burma for eight or nine years.
0:27:16 > 0:27:17Did he?
0:27:17 > 0:27:21As an agent, to bring supplies in for the British workers.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25This might actually have been brought back from Burma.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29He certainly never went to Japan, I know that for sure.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33This has been in your family for so long. Sure you want to sell?
0:27:33 > 0:27:37I would have to think what value you put on it and decide.
0:27:37 > 0:27:42It's the sort of thing that's very fashionable at the moment.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45When we decide on value, these are things we look for.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49Provenance, we haven't got a great provenance, it was your father's,
0:27:49 > 0:27:51but we don't know where it came from.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54We look at quality. The quality is fabulous.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58Lovely quality, so that's in its favour. Condition.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00Condition isn't bad, but not great.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03We've got sections of wood missing here. That's easy.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07All we need is a bit of ebonised wood to go in there.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10And that can be sorted. The flute is more difficult.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13- And we've also got it starting to warp at the top.- Yes.
0:28:13 > 0:28:18Let's put a decent estimate on it. If it doesn't sell, have it back.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20£300-£500. How about that?
0:28:20 > 0:28:26- What reserve would you recommend? - Well...- I was going to say 400.
0:28:26 > 0:28:31If you'd be happy at 400, let's put 400 and an estimate of four to six.
0:28:31 > 0:28:36- 450. - 450, with discretion, so that...
0:28:36 > 0:28:39- Give the auctioneer discretion, so he can let it go at 400.- Yes.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43So 400-600, 450 reserve, with discretion.
0:28:43 > 0:28:47- Right.- Is that all right? - That's OK. Yes.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49- Brilliant. Let's give it a go. - Thank you.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51If you decide, you come to the auction and say,
0:28:51 > 0:28:55"I've lived with this all my life, I don't want to let it go."
0:28:55 > 0:28:59The deal isn't done till the gavel's down. You've time.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01- Yes.- All right.- Thanks very much.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03Pleasure. Thank you for bringing it.
0:29:03 > 0:29:07- I love it. The quality is great. - Right. Thank you.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11Connie quite rightly drove a hard bargain there.
0:29:11 > 0:29:16You need to make sure you safeguard yourself when selling at auction.
0:29:16 > 0:29:17There are still people waiting
0:29:17 > 0:29:20and all manner of objects to be inspected.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22The Scots Magazine.
0:29:24 > 0:29:28The proceedings of the political club.
0:29:28 > 0:29:29Weekly essays.
0:29:29 > 0:29:35Printed in January, 1743. What a lovely leather-bound volume.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37Very nice. Not a great deal of value.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40I'm sorry.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43I hate to be the purveyor of bad news.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46Let's hope Anita has got some better news for Alison.
0:29:48 > 0:29:53Thank you for bringing in this lovely wee carriage clock.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55Where did you get it?
0:29:55 > 0:30:00Right, I unearthed it this morning from the loft
0:30:00 > 0:30:02and I believe it belonged to my grandmother
0:30:02 > 0:30:07and she passed it down to my aunt.
0:30:07 > 0:30:12And it hasn't been used, but I found the key and wound it up
0:30:12 > 0:30:15and was amazed when it started ticking.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18It's ticking away as we speak.
0:30:18 > 0:30:22That's testament to the craftsmanship involved
0:30:22 > 0:30:24in the making of that clock.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27It is a delightful clock.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29I always like the craftsmanship involved
0:30:29 > 0:30:33in carriage clocks where you have these nice bevelled panels.
0:30:33 > 0:30:34The face is made of brass
0:30:34 > 0:30:39and we have this delightful sea-scroll on the dial.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42We have the key and a hanging handle
0:30:42 > 0:30:46so we really have everything going for that clock.
0:30:46 > 0:30:51- This clock would date from 1880. - Right.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53That's over 100 years old.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56130 years old so it's a good age, still going well.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00It probably needs a wee clean. But that's about all.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02Gosh, that's amazing.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05An auction estimate on this
0:31:05 > 0:31:10would be between £100 and £150.
0:31:10 > 0:31:14Would you be happy to sell it at that price?
0:31:14 > 0:31:19Erm, yes, I've thought about this and I would be prepared to.
0:31:19 > 0:31:23Uh-huh. We will put a reserve price of £100 on it.
0:31:23 > 0:31:27But if it sells, and I'm sure it will, it will go to a collector,
0:31:27 > 0:31:31it will go to someone who will tidy it up, clean it up,
0:31:31 > 0:31:35put it on their mantelpiece and get pleasure from it.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37- Shall we go for it? - I think we should.
0:31:37 > 0:31:39Tell me what you would spend the money on.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42Well, I think I'm going to donate the money to my daughter.
0:31:42 > 0:31:49She drew my attention to the fact that the evaluation was here today,
0:31:49 > 0:31:53and she's driven me here. She helped unearth it this morning.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56So I think she'd be deserving of the money.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00- That's very nice of you. You're a nice mum.- Thank you.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05The big question is, what will the bidders make of our items?
0:32:05 > 0:32:07We're about to find out, it's time to head off
0:32:07 > 0:32:09to the auction room.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13It's filled to capacity and things have been fetching good prices
0:32:13 > 0:32:16so I have high hopes for our lots.
0:32:16 > 0:32:19Here's a quick reminder of what we're selling.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22Hilda's silver jug, engraved with the signs of the zodiac.
0:32:23 > 0:32:27Alison's lovely little Victorian carriage clock.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31And Connie's decorative Japanese panel.
0:32:32 > 0:32:37The right place to sell it because they hold specialist Oriental sales.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41I caught up with Sybelle to find out what she thought of it.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44This Japanese ivory panel belongs to Connie
0:32:44 > 0:32:49and James, our valuer, has put £450- £600 on this.
0:32:49 > 0:32:54- Well, in the interim the reserve's been reduced to 400.- OK.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58We've been talking to the vendor. You'll see there's some damage.
0:32:58 > 0:33:04But it is a nice ivory lacquer panel. Probably sort of 1900, 1910.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07I wouldn't have a clue how to value this.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11I don't know anything about Japanese ivory panels.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13It's the quality. Look at the faces, the hands,
0:33:13 > 0:33:16that's a sign of good quality.
0:33:16 > 0:33:20If it was signed, it'd be worth up into four figures,
0:33:20 > 0:33:22but there's no signature.
0:33:22 > 0:33:24Will this find its way back?
0:33:24 > 0:33:28It may well do. It may well travel across the world again.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31- They're heavy buyers, aren't they? - Very heavy buyers.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34Well, good luck. I can't wait to see how our lots do.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36- We'll do our best!- Thank you.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38I know they'll do a great job,
0:33:38 > 0:33:42but first let's see if the carriage clock goes down with the bidders.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45Going under the hammer, a brass carriage clock.
0:33:45 > 0:33:46It belongs to Alison.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50She can't be with us today. She's on holiday in America.
0:33:50 > 0:33:54But we do have her sister-in-law with us as a substitute, aren't you?
0:33:54 > 0:33:57- Yes.- Good to see you, Helen. - Thank you.- Nice clock.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59Very nice, yes.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02Good luck. It's going under the hammer now.
0:34:03 > 0:34:0745-50A. The brass carriage clock.
0:34:07 > 0:34:13With fluted columns. £100 for the nice carriage clock. 100.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17- I've got 80 bid. - 80 bid.- We're in.
0:34:17 > 0:34:1980 bid. Who is going on? At 80 bid.
0:34:19 > 0:34:2185, 90,
0:34:21 > 0:34:255, 100, 110, 110.
0:34:25 > 0:34:29Beside me at 110. Any advance on 110?
0:34:29 > 0:34:30120.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35At £120.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38- Brilliant.- Good. - Thanks very much.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40Will you be able to call her on the phone?
0:34:40 > 0:34:45- She'll be phoning.- OK. - Lovely.- Thanks a lot. Thank you.
0:34:45 > 0:34:47So off to a good start.
0:34:47 > 0:34:52But will the stars be smiling brightly on the zodiac jug?
0:34:52 > 0:34:56Hopefully lots of local interest on this next item, a silver jug,
0:34:56 > 0:34:59- Glasgow, 1875. It belongs to Hilda.- Yes.
0:34:59 > 0:35:04- Why are you selling this? - Well, I'm not interested in it.
0:35:04 > 0:35:08- Aren't you?- And it's been in the family for so...- Long time?
0:35:08 > 0:35:13And I would sell it for somebody to appreciate it.
0:35:13 > 0:35:17- It may go towards the top.- That's good.- It's not going to soar.- No.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21- But it will be fancied. - Oh, yes.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24It's down to that lot, really, isn't it?
0:35:24 > 0:35:27Let's find out what they think.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34255E. Victorian silver zodiac cream jug there.
0:35:36 > 0:35:3950, 30, £20 to make a start.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41£20 is bid. 2, 5, 8.
0:35:41 > 0:35:4430, 2, 5
0:35:44 > 0:35:4638, 40,
0:35:46 > 0:35:482, 5, 48.
0:35:48 > 0:35:5048 is the lady's bid.
0:35:50 > 0:35:54- 50. - There's fresh bids over there.
0:35:58 > 0:36:035, 60, 5, 65. Lady's bid at 65.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05Are we all done at £65?
0:36:07 > 0:36:12- Good price.- Great price. Top end, plus.- Oh, smashing.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14Smashing!
0:36:14 > 0:36:15Terrific.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19If you've more silver, bring it along to another "Flog It!" valuation.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22- I will do that.- OK. See you in a year's time.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24Well, maybe see you before.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29So the zodiac jug exceeded its predicted value.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32Now it's time to sell our final lot, the ivory panel.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35Auctioneer William Smith is wielding the gavel.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42It's that wonderful Japanese carved wooden panel,
0:36:42 > 0:36:44inset with some ivory figures.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47- Connie wants a laptop. You want to be mobile.- Yes.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51That could turn into a laptop, couldn't it?
0:36:51 > 0:36:55In literally two minutes because it's going under the hammer now.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58Let's watch the result and see what happens. Here it is.
0:37:00 > 0:37:07Now we're onto 125A, this very nice 19th-century lacquered wood panel.
0:37:07 > 0:37:12A lot of commissions on this one. We're starting the bidding at £550.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16Straight in, Connie. No problem there.
0:37:16 > 0:37:21Any advance on £550 for the panel? With me on commission at 550.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24600. 650.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28700. 750.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30750 against.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33800. 850.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35950.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39Top of the range laptop.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42£1,000 with me.
0:37:42 > 0:37:46Wow, he's got a bid on the book. and somebody on the telephone.
0:37:46 > 0:37:47They're going bonkers over it!
0:37:49 > 0:37:52£1,100. Any advance on £1,100 for it?
0:37:52 > 0:37:56Behind me on the telephone at £1,100.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59All done at £1,100.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03- Wasn't that brilliant!- Thank you for picking me.- My pleasure.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06Thank you for bringing that in. James' eyes popped out on stalks.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10- I had a figure of 600 would be nice.- That is brilliant, isn't it?
0:38:10 > 0:38:12Well done.
0:38:12 > 0:38:16- So that'll get you a laptop. - And more.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18Thank you so much for bringing that in.
0:38:18 > 0:38:22What a wonderful end to a wonderful day here, just outside of Edinburgh.
0:38:22 > 0:38:26I hope you've enjoyed the show. Join us again on Flog It!
0:38:26 > 0:38:30But for now, from all of us here, especially Connie, a big goodbye.