0:00:05 > 0:00:08Peace and quiet is on the agenda today.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11We've come to scenic Fife in Scotland.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15With over 400 acres of country estate here at Balbirnie House,
0:00:15 > 0:00:22there's plenty of space to gather your thoughts and marvel at our spectacular backdrop.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:51 > 0:00:54'It's a glorious day in Scotland.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57'The sun is shining and the anticipation is building.'
0:00:59 > 0:01:02Waiting to have their items valued
0:01:02 > 0:01:06are our wonderful fans who have come to this magnificent setting
0:01:06 > 0:01:09to meet our team of experts,
0:01:09 > 0:01:12led today by the gorgeous Anita Manning
0:01:12 > 0:01:16and the very dapper, in his new Panama hat, James Lewis.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20I'm keen to find out what's in all these bags and boxes.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22Let's get started.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28'A handsome barometer's caught my eye.'
0:01:28 > 0:01:32We don't need to read it. There's not a cloud in the sky.
0:01:32 > 0:01:38'Anita and James have got stuck in, and there's plenty to look at.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41'Anita's an auctioneer in Glasgow.
0:01:41 > 0:01:47'She'll be looking out for local treasures with a bit of Scottish history.'
0:01:47 > 0:01:51It's an awful wee shield. It must be for Pygmies!
0:01:53 > 0:01:55'Or maybe not!
0:01:55 > 0:02:00'Derby auctioneer James is also on the lookout for something interesting.'
0:02:00 > 0:02:04- Isn't that a nipple sucker? - LAUGHTER
0:02:04 > 0:02:09- Do I have a volunteer? Something like that.- Or an abscess.
0:02:09 > 0:02:14It could be for an abscess. God! I shouldn't have mentioned nipples!
0:02:14 > 0:02:16'Hm. Best move on.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20'And coming up on today's show,
0:02:20 > 0:02:27'prepare to see shocked faces as our clever owners show our experts some remarkable finds.'
0:02:27 > 0:02:31- I found it in a market in London for £1.- No! That is ridiculous!
0:02:32 > 0:02:38- How much did you pay for them. - £2 each.- £2 EACH?- I think so.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42I picked it up in a charity shop for next to nothing.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46I've never found one in a charity shop. I've been looking for years!
0:02:53 > 0:02:57It looks like the whole of Scotland has turned up.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00That's an awful lot of antiques to value.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05Our experts have their work cut out, and it's not an exact science.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08James is our first expert to the tables.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Let's look at what he spotted.
0:03:14 > 0:03:20'Fiona has brought in something that can only thrill snuffbox collector James Lewis.'
0:03:20 > 0:03:24Fiona, thank you SO much for bringing
0:03:24 > 0:03:27what anybody who watches Flog It!
0:03:27 > 0:03:30will know is my favourite subject.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32I love my snuffboxes.
0:03:32 > 0:03:38I've collected them for ten years and I'm an absolute addict.
0:03:38 > 0:03:43Is this something that you're passionate about?
0:03:43 > 0:03:46I'm afraid not. I know nothing about it.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50I must have picked it up in a charity shop
0:03:50 > 0:03:52- years ago...- Charity shop!
0:03:52 > 0:03:55..for next to nothing.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59- I can't have paid much for it. - Charity shop!
0:03:59 > 0:04:05I've never found one in a charity shop. I've been looking for years!
0:04:05 > 0:04:08Well done, you! What did you think it was?
0:04:08 > 0:04:12I don't know. I just thought it was a little box.
0:04:12 > 0:04:17What did you think it was made from? What period did you think it was?
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- I'm afraid I thought it was plastic. - OK.
0:04:20 > 0:04:25I wondered, because of the picture, whether it might have some age.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27Well, it certainly does.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31It really is just the most beautiful quality.
0:04:31 > 0:04:37This is a snuffbox made...around 1800,
0:04:37 > 0:04:391820.
0:04:39 > 0:04:44The lady or the gentleman who was taking snuff from this box
0:04:44 > 0:04:48would have been around during the Napoleonic Wars.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51Nelson had just been killed at Trafalgar.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55Wellington might be around the Battle of Waterloo.
0:04:55 > 0:05:00This little box could be English or it could be French.
0:05:00 > 0:05:06- What's this over it? Glass?- Yes. This is a very fine piece of glass.
0:05:06 > 0:05:11The socle that's holding it in place is probably made from gold.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15The ivory border and, if we hold that up to the light,
0:05:15 > 0:05:19- you see that's lined in tortoiseshell.- Yes.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23But the miniature in the centre is beautiful!
0:05:23 > 0:05:25Hand-painted, a beautiful young girl.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29The miniature alone is saleable. Forget the box.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32The miniature is a piece of art.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36- I can't believe all this! - It's lovely!
0:05:36 > 0:05:42But snuff is a form of tobacco taking. It's always been controversial.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47In 1600, 1603, King James would say that if anybody was caught
0:05:47 > 0:05:51- taking snuff in his presence, they would go to the Tower.- Oh!
0:05:51 > 0:05:57100 years later, Queen Anne was patron of the British Snuff Taking Association.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00Where has it been for the last few years?
0:06:00 > 0:06:05- It just sits on my dressing table. - You use it for earrings?
0:06:05 > 0:06:11No. Until today, I'd never opened it because it was very stiff.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15- What do you think it's worth? - Would it be about 40?
0:06:15 > 0:06:17Would you sell it to me for 40?
0:06:17 > 0:06:21- I would, yes.- You shouldn't.- Oh!
0:06:21 > 0:06:24- How about 80?- That would be even better.- How about 100?
0:06:24 > 0:06:29- My goodness! It can't be worth all that!- I think 100 is a minimum.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- Goodness!- I really do.- Goodness!
0:06:32 > 0:06:37I think that's 120-180, something like that.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41- Goodness!- I think it's a really lovely pretty little box.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45- I'm just gob-smacked! - Thank you for bringing it.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47It's a lovely thing to see.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50'Fiona thought it wasn't worth anything!
0:06:50 > 0:06:54'It's always worth getting a valuation.
0:06:54 > 0:07:00'Moving on, Brenda's with Anita and something more recognisable.'
0:07:00 > 0:07:06Brenda, you have brought along the Rolls-Royce of wristwatches.
0:07:06 > 0:07:12I'm always delighted to see little wristwatches from the '30s and '40s.
0:07:12 > 0:07:17I've found that they're becoming very collectable and very popular.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20But these are different, something special.
0:07:20 > 0:07:25- Tell me, where did you get them? - I'm afraid I can't remember, Anita!
0:07:25 > 0:07:28I've had them a long time.
0:07:28 > 0:07:33I go around various fairs or auctions
0:07:33 > 0:07:37- and just, er...- Was there any reason why you bought watches?
0:07:37 > 0:07:44My father, when his mother died, there was a grandmother clock that somebody had taken to bits.
0:07:44 > 0:07:50My dad put it back together again, and then had an interest in watches and clocks.
0:07:50 > 0:07:55I would imagine that when you were collecting your own stuff,
0:07:55 > 0:08:00- if you saw a watch or clock you would go for it.- I would. Yes.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04Both of these are still working!
0:08:04 > 0:08:08What we have here are two Rolex watches.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12Rolex is the most wonderful and prestigious company,
0:08:12 > 0:08:17still making the best watches in the world, a Swiss company.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20We have two separate periods here.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23I would say that this one comes from the 1930s.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26This one, a little bit later.
0:08:26 > 0:08:31I haven't opened up the back of these watches. I need a wee knife.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35But they are 9-carat gold.
0:08:35 > 0:08:40This one has a bracelet which is also 9-carat gold.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44This one here has a bracelet which is rolled gold.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48I don't think that was the original bracelet. Did you wear these?
0:08:48 > 0:08:51I wore this one.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55Price-wise, I think I'll give a wide estimate, Brenda.
0:08:55 > 0:09:01An estimate of £200 to £400. How would you feel about that estimate?
0:09:01 > 0:09:04- All right. Yes. - Would you be happy?- Yes.
0:09:04 > 0:09:09We'll put a reserve price of £200, but I think that is a bare minimum,
0:09:09 > 0:09:12which will only protect it.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16- Right. - I think that these will sail away.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20- Oh, right.- Are you happy with that? - Yes.- That's good.
0:09:20 > 0:09:26They're both in working order. They come from a prestigious company.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29They are made of gold. Gold is high just now.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31We cannot lose!
0:09:31 > 0:09:33Right.
0:09:35 > 0:09:41'You don't hear conviction like THAT very often! Anita knows her market.
0:09:41 > 0:09:46'Talking of familiar subjects, I found a bit of wood brought in by Steve.'
0:09:46 > 0:09:50Steve, you've struggled in with a piece of furniture,
0:09:50 > 0:09:53and we always need furniture.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57If you come to a valuation day, please bring some furniture.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00How did you come across this tilt-top table?
0:10:00 > 0:10:05It was a donation to the British Heart Foundation.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09When it came in and we looked at it, we just said that it looked old,
0:10:09 > 0:10:13it didn't look like a put-together piece, modern.
0:10:13 > 0:10:19Do you know, that house dates back to 1777, doesn't it?
0:10:19 > 0:10:23- I believe so. - Yeah. That's the date, within...
0:10:23 > 0:10:2720 years, I'd put on this table - late 18th century.
0:10:27 > 0:10:32It's a piece of country furniture and, of course, made in oak.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35Many were made in oak or elm or fruit woods.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38City pieces were tended to be made in mahogany.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41If I tilt that up...
0:10:41 > 0:10:45They were like that because they were an occasional table.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48You brought them out, used them,
0:10:48 > 0:10:51put your wine on them, then put them to the side.
0:10:51 > 0:10:56And if you turn them round that way against the wall,
0:10:56 > 0:10:58they look quite decorative
0:10:58 > 0:11:02and don't take up a lot of space.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04The grain is very good.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07It's a nice broad decorative grain.
0:11:07 > 0:11:12The colour is still there. That's the most important thing about oak.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16The older it gets, the tighter the grain and the better the patina.
0:11:16 > 0:11:24There's so many decades of dirt and polish gone onto that surface.
0:11:24 > 0:11:29If I turn it around this way, you see it started life together.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31In many of these,
0:11:31 > 0:11:37- tops don't belong to the bases, but can you see this mark?- Yeah.
0:11:37 > 0:11:42Can you see the end grain? That's rubbed on the under side.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44That's been there for a long time.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47There's no extra holes here.
0:11:47 > 0:11:52These cleats that hold the planks together have never been moved.
0:11:52 > 0:11:57The bad thing is that it has been reduced in height by eight inches.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02It would have been a supper or wine table and, now, it's a coffee table.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06- Can you see the central column?- Yes.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09Architecturally, it doesn't finish right.
0:12:09 > 0:12:14There should be ring turnings at the top to mirror those at the bottom.
0:12:14 > 0:12:19I think we've got to put a sensible price on it of £60 to £90.
0:12:19 > 0:12:24- I think that's a good valuation. - Is that OK?- It's going to charity.
0:12:24 > 0:12:30That's great. Let's hope we can get £90, the top end of the estimate.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33It's a nice piece of country furniture.
0:12:33 > 0:12:38We know now that we've got some history of the table. Very good.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42- I think we'll set a reserve at £50, don't you?- Yeah.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45So a valuation of 60 to 90 with a reserve at 50.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49Hopefully, it'll tempt a dealer or a DIY enthusiast,
0:12:49 > 0:12:53- or somebody that wants a nice coffee table with a lot of history.- Fine.
0:12:53 > 0:12:59I think that's a lovely piece for anyone to have at home.
0:12:59 > 0:13:04You've just seen our first items ready to go off to auction.
0:13:04 > 0:13:09There's a few corkers! We might be in for one or two big surprises!
0:13:09 > 0:13:14So, we'll leave you with a reminder of the items we're taking with us.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22'James was a fan of Fiona's snuffbox but she didn't know much about it.
0:13:22 > 0:13:27'Now she knows it's worth something, will Fiona be tempted to keep it?
0:13:27 > 0:13:32'Brenda's gold ladies' wristwatches are a classy lot.
0:13:32 > 0:13:38'The gold value alone is a big plus, but they're also a lovely design.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42'And Steve's wooden tilt-top table is a great find.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44'It's been reduced in height,
0:13:44 > 0:13:48'but that doesn't detract from its usefulness.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56'We're at Thomson Roddick Scottish Auctions, south of Edinburgh.
0:13:56 > 0:14:01'It's a busy sale with two auctioneers - Sybelle Thomson
0:14:01 > 0:14:03'and Gavin Tavendale.'
0:14:04 > 0:14:08I'm feeling nervous cos this is where we up the tempo.
0:14:08 > 0:14:13It's time to put our first valuations to the test.
0:14:13 > 0:14:20I had a quick chat with auctioneer Sybelle Thomson to see what she had to say about one of our items.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23Time is definitely up for Brenda's watches.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26Not one gold Rolex here - two!
0:14:26 > 0:14:31We have a valuation of £200 to £400, with a fixed reserve of £200.
0:14:31 > 0:14:39- I think these will fly away. - It's quite cheap for Rolex. There's always a lot of demand for them.
0:14:39 > 0:14:44But the main demand for Rolex is for the gentlemen's watches. Like yours!
0:14:44 > 0:14:48The ladies' watches aren't as collectable,
0:14:48 > 0:14:52but I think they'll do well and hopefully get the top estimate.
0:14:52 > 0:14:57- Brilliant! The £400 mark.- Live in hope.- That's what we like to see.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04'Fingers crossed for the watches, coming up later.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06'First, Fiona's snuffbox.
0:15:06 > 0:15:11'Putting it under the hammer is auctioneer Gavin.'
0:15:11 > 0:15:13Next, one of my favourite lots.
0:15:13 > 0:15:18- A tiny snuffbox that belongs to Fiona and not for much longer. - Hope so.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22Pretty little watercolour. Tortoiseshell interior.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26It's got everything going for it. And the price, £100 to £180.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30- You picked it up for nothing. How much?- I can't remember.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32It was so insignificant.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36We need a few gents that can splash out on a lovely snuffbox.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40- Wish I could buy it. - We're not allowed to.- No.
0:15:40 > 0:15:46A 19th-century circular patch box in ebony mount.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49200? 100? £50? 50's bid. 50.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52In the room at 50.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54Five. 60. Five.
0:15:54 > 0:15:5670. Five. 80...
0:15:56 > 0:16:00- This is good, Fiona. Really good. - Not yet it's not.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03No. It's not, is it? We need a lot more!
0:16:03 > 0:16:07..all done at 100?
0:16:07 > 0:16:10110. 120.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13130. 140. 150...
0:16:13 > 0:16:16- Now it's good.- That's good!
0:16:16 > 0:16:18..All done at 150?
0:16:18 > 0:16:23- Spot-on.- Thank you very much. - What are you going to do with that?
0:16:23 > 0:16:29- I'm giving it to the Pakistani flood victims.- That's really sweet of you.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31- Well done.- Thank you.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35'I think James would have snapped up the snuffbox, given the chance.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40'Next is the wooden table I liked.'
0:16:40 > 0:16:46Now I'm hoping for top dollar here because the money's going to to the British Heart Foundation.
0:16:46 > 0:16:51Steve brought this table to our valuation day, a lovely sunny day.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54- Fond memories! - The one day of the year.
0:16:54 > 0:17:01Oh, wasn't it? We've had plenty down south, but it's sunny today and everyone's smiling.
0:17:01 > 0:17:06The 19th-century oak tripod snap-top table.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08£100 for a nice snap-top table? 100?
0:17:11 > 0:17:1350?
0:17:13 > 0:17:1530 bid. With the gentleman at 30.
0:17:15 > 0:17:1935. 40. Five. 50. £50.
0:17:19 > 0:17:24Gentleman seated at 50. Anyone going on for a nice table?
0:17:24 > 0:17:2655. You're out seated.
0:17:26 > 0:17:32At 55. Anyone else? Can I tempt anybody else? At £55...
0:17:34 > 0:17:38That's OK! It's obviously gone to the trade. Thank you so much.
0:17:38 > 0:17:43'That was worth Steve bringing it in and getting some many for charity.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47'Now it's the Rolexes being put to the test,
0:17:47 > 0:17:52'and auctioneer Gavin's back on the rostrum.'
0:17:52 > 0:17:55- Did you ever wear one?- I did. - Which one?
0:17:55 > 0:17:59I wore the one with the full bracelet.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03They're gold. And they work. And they're a great name.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05- So it doesn't get much better. - It doesn't.
0:18:05 > 0:18:10We just need a couple of people to bid against each other.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12We're going to find out now. Good luck, Brenda.
0:18:12 > 0:18:17Two ladies' 9-carat gold Rolex wristwatches.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19300? 200?
0:18:19 > 0:18:21£100. 100 bid. At 100.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23100. 110. 120.
0:18:23 > 0:18:28130. 140. 140. 140 in the room.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30150. 150. 160. 170.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34180. 190. 200. 210.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36Standing at the back at 210.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39210. Standing at 210.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42220. 230...
0:18:42 > 0:18:45- Someone's on the phone. - ..240.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47250.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50260. 270.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54280.
0:18:54 > 0:18:55290.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58300. 320.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05340. 360.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08380.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11380 on the telephone. 380. 380.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15All done at 380? At £380...
0:19:15 > 0:19:19You can always rely on a phone bidder sitting at home thinking,
0:19:19 > 0:19:21"Yes, I do really want it!"
0:19:21 > 0:19:26- They pushed it to the top. £380. Brilliant.- Absolutely.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28- Happy?- Yes, I am. Thank you.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- There is commission to pay, 15% plus VAT.- Yes. I know.
0:19:32 > 0:19:38- Are you going to buy more antiques or treat yourself? - Buy more antiques!- Oh, good!
0:19:38 > 0:19:44'Fantastic result for Brenda and her elegant timepieces.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46'That's it for the auction for now,
0:19:46 > 0:19:50'but we're coming back later in the show.'
0:19:55 > 0:19:58I'm ready for today's performance.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01And the venue for the bright lights and showbiz
0:20:01 > 0:20:06is the Carnegie Hall, world famous for its musical events.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09You're thinking, "He's gone to New York!"
0:20:09 > 0:20:13No, I haven't. This is the Carnegie Hall in Dunfermline.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17It's the same benefactor and founder behind both Halls,
0:20:17 > 0:20:22Mr Andrew Carnegie, Scotland's most generous multimillionaire.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24I'm here to tell you all about him.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29'Before I explore Carnegie's Scottish background
0:20:29 > 0:20:32'let me introduce you to his story.
0:20:32 > 0:20:38'Andrew Carnegie was born in Dunfermline to kind and hard-working parents.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42'Through his family, he learned morals, respect
0:20:42 > 0:20:46'and what can be achieved through sheer hard work.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50'When he was 12, work dried up for his weaver father.
0:20:50 > 0:20:55'The family sold up, and borrowed enough to emigrate to America.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01'From the moment they arrived, Andrew worked hard.
0:21:01 > 0:21:07'He started as a bobbin boy in a factory, but quickly got promoted.
0:21:07 > 0:21:13'His quick thinking and ambition meant he was a natural entrepreneur.
0:21:13 > 0:21:18'Through investments and businesses he became a multimillionaire.'
0:21:21 > 0:21:25Andrew's generosity with his hard-earned cash spread worldwide.
0:21:25 > 0:21:32It was the donations to his beloved Scotland that has brought me to his boyhood town of Dunfermline.
0:21:42 > 0:21:48Carnegie's story of wealth and success starts here from humble beginnings, Moodie Street.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51This is the house Andrew was born in.
0:21:51 > 0:21:56His father worked downstairs all day while his family lived upstairs.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00They ate and slept up there. They educated themselves up there.
0:22:00 > 0:22:07Andrew's parents led by example so he could succeed in a dignified manner.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21Andrew's father was a damask weaver, a very skilled trade.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25His wife wound bobbins upstairs, singing to a young Andrew.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28Perhaps that's where he got his love of music.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31When work dried up, Andrew's mother, Margaret,
0:22:31 > 0:22:35set up a shop repairing shoes and doing odd jobs.
0:22:35 > 0:22:40Whatever sacrifices they had to make, Andrew never went without.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44He was always smartly turned out in a white starched collar.
0:22:44 > 0:22:49It was his parents' work ethic that inspired Andrew to improve himself.
0:22:49 > 0:22:54After moving to the States, his mother showed her resourcefulness
0:22:54 > 0:22:58and did whatever she could to keep her family going.
0:22:58 > 0:23:04It was Margaret Carnegie who lent her son the huge sum of 600,
0:23:04 > 0:23:09by mortgaging their house, so he could buy shares in Adams Express.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13It was a bold move, which led him on the path to success,
0:23:13 > 0:23:15becoming a steel tycoon.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17That savvy mind and family support
0:23:17 > 0:23:21meant that, by the time Andrew was 33,
0:23:21 > 0:23:23he had assets worth 400,000.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27By the time he retired at the age of 65,
0:23:27 > 0:23:31he was worth a staggering 400 million, a great deal of money!
0:23:31 > 0:23:35He wanted to distribute his wealth to deserving causes.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39He devoted a lot of time to philanthropy as well as business.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43What do you buy somebody for their birthday who has everything?
0:23:43 > 0:23:49His wife, Louise, for his 60th birthday bought him this house, his birthplace.
0:23:49 > 0:23:54Today, it's run as a tribute to him and the worthy causes he funded.
0:23:59 > 0:24:04'I met Lorna Owers, the curator at the Carnegie Birthplace Museum,
0:24:04 > 0:24:09'so I could find out more about Carnegie, the man.'
0:24:09 > 0:24:15I gather he didn't have much education. He started school at eight. What happened before?
0:24:15 > 0:24:20School was optional, you could choose, and you paid a penny a week.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24It was quite an outlay for a family at that time.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Before that, anything he learned was from his family.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31- In America, he came across a makeshift library?- That's right.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35Colonel Anderson had his own private library.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Andrew gained access, as a working boy.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42He allowed them to borrow books on a Saturday.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46- Hundreds of books, he had. - Yes. He had 400.
0:24:46 > 0:24:51- Do you think that's what inspired him to donate libraries around the world?- Yes.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55He wanted everyone to benefit from education,
0:24:55 > 0:24:59to have access to books, the way he had.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02'He was inspired by all things new and inventive.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05'He regarded knowledge as a treasure.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09'Imagine what it was like for a teenage boy from Dunfermline
0:25:09 > 0:25:13'to end up in a developing city like Pittsburgh,
0:25:13 > 0:25:18'with the railroad and the theatre, things that he'd never seen before.'
0:25:20 > 0:25:24- There's the great man himself.- Yes.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28- What age was he when that was painted?- About 70.- Was he?- Yes.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32- He lived till he was what, 83? - 83. That's right. Yes.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34He's got a twinkle in his eye.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38He definitely has. He was quite a character.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42- Did he miss Scotland much?- I think he did. He came back several times.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46He owned Skibo Castle as a holiday home.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48Otherwise, he gave buildings.
0:25:48 > 0:25:55He gave the town the Carnegie Hall, the library, the swimming baths
0:25:55 > 0:25:57and, of course, Pittencrief Park.
0:25:57 > 0:26:03Carnegie vowed that if he had the opportunity, he would buy the park and give it to the town.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06- It gave him great satisfaction. - I bet it did.
0:26:06 > 0:26:11Lorna, thank you for talking to us. It's been fascinating.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14What a wonderful story. Such an inspiration to everybody.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20The city's very lucky to have so many fabulous buildings
0:26:20 > 0:26:23donated to it by such a famous resident.
0:26:23 > 0:26:28For me, Dunfermline gave something to Carnegie in his formative years.
0:26:28 > 0:26:33It forged the tenacity and the pride to succeed later in life
0:26:33 > 0:26:35as a phenomenal businessman.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39It's a true tale of triumph against all odds.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47'We're in Balbirnie House in Fife.
0:26:47 > 0:26:54'There are plenty of people to see and treasures to be unearthed.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57'Still to come, Anita spots some familiar Moorcroft.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59'But are they valuable?
0:27:00 > 0:27:05'And will Andrew's beaded snake prove to be a wise buy?
0:27:07 > 0:27:10'First, Anita's over at the tables
0:27:10 > 0:27:16'with Betty and Jim, who have an eye for a famous maker.'
0:27:16 > 0:27:20Thank you for bringing this wonderful pair of vases.
0:27:20 > 0:27:25They are, of course, Moorcroft, one of my favourites.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27Tell me where you got them.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31- Betty purchased them. - I bought them at a car boot sale.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Aye. Quite near here, yes.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36- Was it Cairngorm?- A car boot sale?!
0:27:36 > 0:27:40A pair of Moorcroft vases! How much did you pay?
0:27:40 > 0:27:44- I think they were £2 each. GASPS:- £2 each?
0:27:44 > 0:27:46We splashed out!
0:27:46 > 0:27:48Did you beat the trader down?
0:27:48 > 0:27:52- No, no.- No, no. - This was ten, 12 years ago.
0:27:52 > 0:27:57- Aye.- I wasn't aware that these colours would be Moorcroft
0:27:57 > 0:27:59when I first bought them.
0:27:59 > 0:28:05- Do you go to car boot sales a lot? - Yes.- Are you avid collectors?- Yes.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07- Are you mad collectors?- Yes.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10- Magpies.- Magpies!
0:28:10 > 0:28:14I'm always delighted to see Moorcroft on Flog It!
0:28:14 > 0:28:16It's one of my favourite potteries.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20I love the colours and the vibrance of the patterns.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24Moorcroft, of course, started in the late 1880s.
0:28:24 > 0:28:28William Moorcroft started with his friend Macintyre.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32In 1924, he started his own factory.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36That was really the birth of Moorcroft.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39It was what we call an art pottery.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42Everything was handmade, nothing mass produced.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45Every single pot was different.
0:28:45 > 0:28:52These little ones here are from a later date, about the 1930s.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55They're called the wheat sheaf pattern.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57They're in beautiful condition.
0:28:57 > 0:29:02We do have a little trace of tube-lining,
0:29:02 > 0:29:07the running slip that we see often on the Moorcroft pieces.
0:29:07 > 0:29:15If we look, we can see the blue stamp here and "made in England".
0:29:15 > 0:29:20So not the earliest stuff, but still very, very charming.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22Why do you want to sell them?
0:29:22 > 0:29:27We have to sell at some time because we're swamped under.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31- Is your collection moving in on you? - It eventually moves to a box.
0:29:31 > 0:29:37- It's on display then we buy something else... - And it goes up in the loft.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41Yeah. Auction estimate. If they were coming into auction,
0:29:41 > 0:29:45I would put a conservative estimate of 150 to 250 on them.
0:29:45 > 0:29:51- Would you be happy to sell them at that?- Ecstatic.- Ecstatic?!
0:29:51 > 0:29:54Well, it's a good profit on a couple of quid.
0:29:54 > 0:30:00You obviously have a very good eye. So we'll put them in at 150 to 250.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03We'll put a reserve of say, 150,
0:30:03 > 0:30:07but we'll give the auctioneer discretion, 10%.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10Thank you for bringing them along. They're a delight.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13- And keep on car booting.- Oh, yes!
0:30:13 > 0:30:19I was going to ask what you'd do with the money. Straight to the car boot sale!
0:30:19 > 0:30:22On the plane to Benidorm!
0:30:22 > 0:30:29'There have to be some rewards for getting up early for those car boot sales.'
0:30:31 > 0:30:33Let's get YOU in the frame.
0:30:34 > 0:30:40If you'd like to take part in Flog It! come to one of our valuation days.
0:30:40 > 0:30:44You can get details of venues from our BBC website. Log on to...
0:30:46 > 0:30:52If you don't have a computer, check the details in your local press.
0:30:52 > 0:30:57We'll be coming to an area very near you soon and we'd love to see you.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00'James has found a bit of wildlife at Balbirnie.
0:31:00 > 0:31:04'Let's join him at the tables with Andrew.'
0:31:04 > 0:31:08Of all the things I was expecting in Fife,
0:31:08 > 0:31:13a Turkish prisoner of war snake dated 1919 is not one of them!
0:31:13 > 0:31:17What's it doing here and where did you find it?
0:31:17 > 0:31:22I found it in a market in London when I was about eight, for £1.
0:31:22 > 0:31:26No. That is ridiculous! That is a really good bargain.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28It's an interesting thing.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32I don't know why Turkish prisoners of war decided
0:31:32 > 0:31:35it would be a good thing to make snakes.
0:31:35 > 0:31:39You're sitting there in your prisoner of war camp
0:31:39 > 0:31:43thinking, "What can I do? I'm going to make a beadwork snake!"
0:31:43 > 0:31:46They made them in their hundreds and thousands.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48Obviously, they sold them well.
0:31:48 > 0:31:53They were very kind. It doesn't take a genius to work out what it is!
0:31:53 > 0:31:57It says "Turkish Prisoners 1919" along the side.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00When I saw this, I have to be honest,
0:32:00 > 0:32:05I thought, "First World War, 1914-1918." That's what I learnt!
0:32:05 > 0:32:08That's what I've thought since.
0:32:08 > 0:32:12But I phoned a friend and they said, "No, you're wrong."
0:32:12 > 0:32:17The peace treaty was signed between Britain and Germany
0:32:17 > 0:32:22in 1918, so the war between the major parts finished in 1918.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26There was fighting on various fronts including Russia until 1919.
0:32:26 > 0:32:30- So the prisoners weren't released. - OK.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34I've seen these snakes all over the place, at antiques fairs.
0:32:34 > 0:32:39They always sell well so how you found it for £1, I don't know.
0:32:39 > 0:32:44- Aged eight, what attracted you to that?- The looks, generally.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48- The mad colours and beautiful green. - It is completely bonkers!
0:32:48 > 0:32:53- Isn't it?- Yeah.- It doesn't look slightly realistic.- No.
0:32:53 > 0:32:58- Did you have sisters to taunt with it?- I did. I have two.
0:32:58 > 0:33:03- Stick it in their bed?- Definitely. Got played with.- Oh, great fun.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06Value? I don't know.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08- £40 to £60?- OK.- Something like that.
0:33:08 > 0:33:14Your £1 investment's done all right. They come in various sizes.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18This is a particularly long one, so that's in its favour.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22- Shall we put £40 reserve on it? - That sounds good to me.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25- What will you spend the money on? - A holiday.
0:33:25 > 0:33:30- Where are you going?- Los Angeles. - All right for some!- Not bad.
0:33:30 > 0:33:36- When are you going?- In a few weeks. - Are you around for the auction? - Definitely.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38Fingers crossed it will do well.
0:33:38 > 0:33:46'A beaded snake must rank high on a list of intriguing items we've seen on a valuation day.
0:33:46 > 0:33:51'Let's see what mystic magic Wilma and Kendal have to show Anita.'
0:33:51 > 0:33:55What a great wee object!
0:33:55 > 0:34:00It's a chap on a flying carpet made of bronze.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04- Where did you get him? - He actually belongs to my mother.
0:34:04 > 0:34:08She got him from her mother, who was a housekeeper
0:34:08 > 0:34:11to a big house just outside Cupar.
0:34:11 > 0:34:16It belonged to a Mrs Wilson from the Pilkington family,
0:34:16 > 0:34:20and she used to change all the stuff in her house
0:34:20 > 0:34:22and would offer my gran anything
0:34:22 > 0:34:25cos it was going to charity or in the bin.
0:34:25 > 0:34:29That was very generous. I'm glad this didn't go in the bin.
0:34:29 > 0:34:33- Kendal, tell me, do you like it? - Yeah.- Uh-huh.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35- Do you have it on display?- No.
0:34:35 > 0:34:42He sat on the hall table at my mum's. We used him to keep a bit of paper down.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45He's been used as a paper weight now and again.
0:34:45 > 0:34:51- He disappeared months ago when she was changing her rooms. - Maybe he flew out the window!
0:34:51 > 0:34:56When I went to look for him today, he seemed to have appeared by magic.
0:34:56 > 0:35:01- Flew back in!- Yeah. Just sitting there with his back to us!
0:35:01 > 0:35:06Let's look at him. He is a charming little bronze. He's made of bronze.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09Probably made in Austria.
0:35:09 > 0:35:15I haven't been able to find any maker's name or cast mark
0:35:15 > 0:35:17on this little creature.
0:35:17 > 0:35:23But it looks very much in the style of Lorenzl, who came from Austria.
0:35:23 > 0:35:29The colour would have been painted while the bronze was cold.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31It has a particular look.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35We call it an Austrian cold-painted bronze.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38Lorenzl often did animal figures,
0:35:38 > 0:35:42but he was also interested in eastern subjects.
0:35:42 > 0:35:47We're seeing this reflected in this character here.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50He's an eastern gentleman.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52He's sitting on a magic carpet
0:35:52 > 0:35:55and he's counting his money.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59One of the charming things, the thing I most like about this,
0:35:59 > 0:36:04is the rumple in the edge of that carpet!
0:36:04 > 0:36:07Isn't that an intriguing and charming detail?
0:36:07 > 0:36:11I like this very much.
0:36:11 > 0:36:16I would like to put him into auction with an estimate of £100 to £200.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20- Really?- Uh-huh. I think that he's a smashing wee figure.
0:36:20 > 0:36:25I would love to have found a maker's name. That would make a difference.
0:36:25 > 0:36:31We can put him in at £100 to £200 with a reserve of, say, £80.
0:36:31 > 0:36:35- Would you be happy with that, Kendal?- Yes!
0:36:35 > 0:36:43It is a matter of going to auction. I know you'll be back at school then, but your mum will be there.
0:36:43 > 0:36:48If it's OK, I'd like to bring my mum along, the owner of the little man.
0:36:48 > 0:36:54That would be marvellous, and I hope this little guy takes a flier.
0:37:03 > 0:37:09We've found our final lots for the day so it's time to say farewell to Balbirnie House.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12There's more action to come in the auction.
0:37:12 > 0:37:18'We're selling Wilma's magic carpet cold-painted bronze figure.
0:37:18 > 0:37:23'It hasn't got a maker's mark but Anita has high hopes for it.
0:37:23 > 0:37:28'The Turkish beaded snake was bought by Andrew when he was just eight.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31'Let's hope he's got a beady eye for a profit.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35'Betty and Jim's Moorcroft vases were a bargain at £4.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38'Will they fetch their true value at auction?
0:37:42 > 0:37:48'Before the sale, I caught up with auctioneer Sybelle Thomson
0:37:48 > 0:37:51'to find out what she thinks.'
0:37:51 > 0:37:56I keep saying Moorcroft never lets us down, but you never know.
0:37:56 > 0:38:01Hopefully, these will fly away. They belong to Jim and Betty.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05- They got them for £2 each at a car boot sale!- That's a bargain!
0:38:05 > 0:38:09I think they will fly away. They're the waving corn pattern.
0:38:09 > 0:38:14It's an interesting colour and the vendor might get a nice surprise.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17- 200?- Eugh! Pushing...- 150?- 150.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20I hope they'll go the top estimate.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23'More on Moorcroft later.
0:38:23 > 0:38:29'First, let's see how Wilma and her mother Mary's bronze gets on.'
0:38:30 > 0:38:38- Good luck!- Thank you.- I think we're going to be in for a little surprise here. We're looking at £100 to £200.
0:38:38 > 0:38:42- It's a little rug seller.- Yes. - Selling Persian rugs.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46It's absolutely delightful. I love the nicks in the rug.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49And he's counting his money!
0:38:49 > 0:38:54- Lots of it! I think you're going to go home with lots of it!- Hopefully.
0:38:54 > 0:38:59- We could easily double the top end. - I'd love to see that.
0:38:59 > 0:39:04We could triple it. You never know at an auction! This is so exciting.
0:39:04 > 0:39:08I think this is a classic lot. Let's see it go.
0:39:08 > 0:39:13The Vienna cold-painted bronze of the rug seller.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15£50 for this. 30?
0:39:15 > 0:39:1830 bid. 35. 40. Five...
0:39:18 > 0:39:22- That's low! - ..60. Five.
0:39:22 > 0:39:2570. Five. 80. Five. 90...
0:39:25 > 0:39:28- There is a phone.- Good.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30..110. 120. 130.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33< 140. 140.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35Right at the back. 150.
0:39:35 > 0:39:39160. Do you want in now, sir? 170.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42180. 190. 190.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46- Any advance on £190...? - There's another line.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49200 on the phone. It's against you at 200.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51210.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54< 220.
0:39:54 > 0:39:55220.
0:39:55 > 0:40:00On the telephone at £220...
0:40:01 > 0:40:05- Brilliant! I'm ever so pleased. - Much more than I expected.
0:40:05 > 0:40:09- She still can't believe it. - The wee man has gone.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12- The wee man has gone.- He has gone!
0:40:13 > 0:40:18'What a result for a bronze masquerading as a paperweight!
0:40:18 > 0:40:20'Now it's Andrew's bargain snake.'
0:40:20 > 0:40:25- You bought this in a flea market when you were eight?- Yes. For £1.
0:40:25 > 0:40:29You've really looked after your investment.
0:40:29 > 0:40:35- Are you like that with everything? - If I know it's got some sort of worth, I'll keep it safe.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38This man's going to be very rich!
0:40:38 > 0:40:43Let's hope we make James's top end. It's going under the hammer now.
0:40:43 > 0:40:47The Turkish prisoner of war beadwork snake.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50I must start this at £25. 25.
0:40:50 > 0:40:5230. Five.
0:40:52 > 0:40:5440. Five. 50. Five.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57I'll come to you. 60. Five. 65.
0:40:57 > 0:41:0070. Five. 80. £80 on my left.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02At 80.
0:41:02 > 0:41:0485. 90.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06100. 110.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10110. 120. 120. Standing at 120.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13Anyone else want in?
0:41:13 > 0:41:16At £120...
0:41:16 > 0:41:21- A good result.- The condition was very good.- And a good big size.
0:41:21 > 0:41:27We've seen prisoner of war beadwork on the show before, by Italians and Turkish prisoners of war.
0:41:27 > 0:41:32- They've struggled because beads are missing.- Very good condition.
0:41:32 > 0:41:37- Excellent condition. Well done you!- Well done you!
0:41:38 > 0:41:42'That's double top estimate for the sneaky snake.
0:41:42 > 0:41:46'I hope Betty and Jim do that well with their Moorcroft vases.'
0:41:46 > 0:41:48Why are you selling them?
0:41:48 > 0:41:53- It's a good time to sell, I suppose. - We don't have them on show.
0:41:53 > 0:41:58- Are you decluttering?- Yes.- Have you got lots?- Lots.- Lots and lots?
0:41:58 > 0:42:03This couple are a pair of mad collectors.
0:42:03 > 0:42:10Boot sales, charity shops, so they've got a big collection and they've got a great eye.
0:42:10 > 0:42:15Let's find out what this lot think, the bidders. Ready? It's going under the hammer now.
0:42:15 > 0:42:22The very nice pair of Moorcroft blue ground posy vases.
0:42:22 > 0:42:24I've three closed bids on them.
0:42:24 > 0:42:28I must start them at £330...
0:42:28 > 0:42:32330 straight in! Oh, Betty!
0:42:34 > 0:42:38..400. 400. 420.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45450.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47480...
0:42:47 > 0:42:50- Was this a "come and buy me"? - You know me, Paul!
0:42:52 > 0:42:54..500. 500.
0:42:54 > 0:42:59- I'm wobbling. This is fantastic. - Phone beside me at £500.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01Would anyone else like in at £500?
0:43:01 > 0:43:03At £500...
0:43:04 > 0:43:07- How about that?- Did you enjoy that?
0:43:07 > 0:43:12- We got our £2 worth!- If you'd turned up and settled for £200,
0:43:12 > 0:43:14you'd have said, "That's OK."
0:43:14 > 0:43:17But no, a bit more and a bit more.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20It goes to show, quality always sells.
0:43:20 > 0:43:24Great name. Great condition. Thank you for coming in.
0:43:24 > 0:43:29What a wonderful end to a fantastic day here just south of Edinburgh.
0:43:29 > 0:43:32I can't wait to come back to Scotland.
0:43:32 > 0:43:37Many more surprises to come, but from all of us, it's goodbye.
0:43:52 > 0:43:55Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:55 > 0:43:58E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk