Worthing

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0:00:07 > 0:00:11Since the 1930s, rumour has it that where I am today

0:00:11 > 0:00:13is the sunniest place in Great Britain.

0:00:13 > 0:00:17I don't know if that's true, but the sun is coming out today.

0:00:17 > 0:00:20Welcome to Flog It from Worthing on the south coast.

0:00:45 > 0:00:48Somebody here in this queue could be going home with a lot of money.

0:00:48 > 0:00:51Stay tuned and you'll find out. It might be you, madam!

0:00:51 > 0:00:55They've come to the Pavilion Theatre on Worthing sea front

0:00:55 > 0:00:57to attend our valuation day.

0:00:57 > 0:01:02Who knows what treasures our experts will unearth from these bags and boxes?

0:01:02 > 0:01:06When they ask that all-important question, "What's it worth?" what will they do?

0:01:06 > 0:01:08ALL: Flog it!

0:01:10 > 0:01:15We're at the end of the pleasure pier with a cast of experts ready to perform.

0:01:15 > 0:01:20Topping the bill, David Fletcher, always a font of knowledge.

0:01:20 > 0:01:23- It's 1930s, made from Bakelite.- Yes.

0:01:23 > 0:01:24- It's late Victorian.- Oh?

0:01:24 > 0:01:26It's not what it purports to be.

0:01:26 > 0:01:29And the erudite Mr Michael Baggott.

0:01:29 > 0:01:34I'll do a bit of work on that and hopefully it's worth £100,000.

0:01:34 > 0:01:36- Thank you!- Maybe not, maybe not!

0:01:36 > 0:01:38Steady on, Michael!

0:01:40 > 0:01:44Coming up: one of our owners astonishes Michael with a garden find.

0:01:44 > 0:01:49It's amazing that you were able to dig something like this up so intact.

0:01:49 > 0:01:51He's a whopper!

0:01:51 > 0:01:54And we have smiles all round at the auction room.

0:01:54 > 0:01:57Put it there! Give us a handshake. Wow!

0:01:57 > 0:02:02And I enjoy a visit to De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea.

0:02:02 > 0:02:04What a work space! What an office!

0:02:04 > 0:02:06Yes, this is quite a spectacle, isn't it?

0:02:12 > 0:02:17Christine and Steve are first to the table with a whole farmyard of animals!

0:02:17 > 0:02:21Is there a field somewhere near Worthing devoid of animals?

0:02:21 > 0:02:26- How did you come by these?- I started when I was quite young, I suppose.

0:02:26 > 0:02:31About the middle '40s, war time, I suppose.

0:02:31 > 0:02:36The first one, that was given to me, was that little calf.

0:02:36 > 0:02:39- Wonderful.- And then slowly it's grown.

0:02:39 > 0:02:41Chris, have you ever seen these all out?

0:02:41 > 0:02:45- We got them out last night to clean them up.- To wash them.

0:02:45 > 0:02:50That's the first time I'd seen a lot of them, I must admit. They've been in the loft.

0:02:50 > 0:02:53This, I should say, is a very small section

0:02:53 > 0:02:58of an otherwise bagful of animals

0:02:58 > 0:03:01- and assorted beasts.- Yes.

0:03:01 > 0:03:07- I think what's happened now is these really are not for children any more, sadly.- No.

0:03:07 > 0:03:09- They are purely for collectors.- Yes.

0:03:09 > 0:03:11And collectors who want to put together

0:03:11 > 0:03:15- the original Britains - these are all Britains' toys.- Yes.

0:03:15 > 0:03:17The original Britains sets.

0:03:17 > 0:03:21- We haven't had time to go through absolutely every figure.- No.

0:03:21 > 0:03:24But as with everything that's collectable,

0:03:24 > 0:03:27- there are some that are rarer than others.- Yes.

0:03:27 > 0:03:32I imagine there are a great number of cows, probably not that many calves.

0:03:32 > 0:03:35- No, not many calves.- There's probably a lot of them standing,

0:03:35 > 0:03:38- probably not that many with the foot up.- No.

0:03:38 > 0:03:40- Or seated.- No.

0:03:40 > 0:03:45All these factors will play. The other thing is, I'm glad you've done it, played with them as a boy.

0:03:45 > 0:03:49- Oh, yes.- So they have got knocks and scuffs and scratches

0:03:49 > 0:03:53- and the paint's gone. So they're not in pristine condition.- No.

0:03:53 > 0:03:56But really, it's very sad when these things are!

0:03:56 > 0:03:59- It's not what they were meant for! - No, that's true.

0:03:59 > 0:04:04- They're children's toys.- They were. - A collector will look at that

0:04:04 > 0:04:09with a collector's eye and say, "If that was in pristine condition in its box

0:04:09 > 0:04:13"it would be worth £20, £30. £40."

0:04:13 > 0:04:18What you've got to do is take this whole collection and put it all together in one lot at auction.

0:04:18 > 0:04:23You've got to let those collectors pick through it meticulously

0:04:23 > 0:04:26and decide what they want and put their values on it.

0:04:26 > 0:04:32- Yes.- I think it's sensible, bearing in mind we have got a bag like this,

0:04:32 > 0:04:37if we put a reserve on it and a reasonable estimate.

0:04:37 > 0:04:43- I think if we say 200 to £300.- OK. - And possibly tuck the reserve slightly under that.

0:04:43 > 0:04:46- Yes.- Maybe £180.- Right. Fine. - Fixed reserve.- Fine, fine.

0:04:46 > 0:04:49Will you be sad, either of you, to see them go?

0:04:49 > 0:04:54- In a way, yes.- You will be. - Yeah, in a way.

0:04:54 > 0:04:59- But providing somebody enjoys them, adds to their collection. - This is it.

0:04:59 > 0:05:04- They'll be out of the loft. - Out of the loft.- Gathering dust.

0:05:04 > 0:05:08Hopefully they'll be retouched and brought back to their former glory.

0:05:08 > 0:05:14- Let's hope for a load of toy collectors at the sale, all bidding each other up!- Hope so!

0:05:15 > 0:05:18That's a great collection, full of nostalgia.

0:05:20 > 0:05:24I'm on the prowl for the next interesting thing to take to auction.

0:05:24 > 0:05:27Thing is, it's outside my area of expertise.

0:05:29 > 0:05:33Jewellery. I don't know a thing about jewellery but I know someone who does,

0:05:33 > 0:05:36Pippa Deeley, one of our off-screen experts.

0:05:36 > 0:05:41We're in good company. We've got an expert to cover everything. Let's go and find her.

0:05:47 > 0:05:49Hi, Paul!

0:05:49 > 0:05:53- My font of knowledge! What do you think?- What have we got?

0:05:53 > 0:05:56This is where I learn so much, as well.

0:05:57 > 0:06:00Anything that's caught your eye?

0:06:00 > 0:06:03- I haven't really had a look, to tell the truth.- OK.

0:06:03 > 0:06:05- These are...- Sea pearls?

0:06:05 > 0:06:11- No, these are plastic, covered in a sort of pearl-type...- Iridescence.

0:06:11 > 0:06:14Made from fish scales. That's how they get that.

0:06:14 > 0:06:16- So that's not worth very much at all!- OK.

0:06:16 > 0:06:20Here you've got three Victorian pieces of jewellery.

0:06:20 > 0:06:24- Brooches aren't particularly popular.- Old-fashioned. - This pendant is nice.

0:06:24 > 0:06:30They've used opals. The pendant is worth 60 to 100, depending on the market.

0:06:30 > 0:06:34The brooches less so, probably £30 apiece.

0:06:34 > 0:06:38Opals were popular towards the end of the 19th and early 20th century,

0:06:38 > 0:06:42but there is a rumour that De Beers marketed the fact that they were unlucky!

0:06:42 > 0:06:45So whereas they had been very popular in engagement rings,

0:06:45 > 0:06:49because De Beers wanted to corner that market and produce this sort of thing,

0:06:49 > 0:06:55they sent round a rumour, because they were a superstitious bunch, that opals were unlucky

0:06:55 > 0:07:01- and wouldn't bless your marriage. They fell out of favour and diamonds became a girl's best friend.- OK.

0:07:01 > 0:07:06OK. Very, very... This is a very crude way of working out the carat weight.

0:07:06 > 0:07:11This is an old-cut stone, made in around 1910, 1920.

0:07:11 > 0:07:16So you've got a stone there worth around, in a carat of diamonds you've got 100 points.

0:07:16 > 0:07:20I'd say this is between 50 and 60 points in size.

0:07:20 > 0:07:25So just over half a carat. Very commercial, this ring. It's exactly what people are looking for.

0:07:25 > 0:07:28They like the square setting, the older cut.

0:07:28 > 0:07:32I'd say, at auction, that's probably going to make between 300 and £500.

0:07:32 > 0:07:34- OK.- OK.

0:07:34 > 0:07:38I shall go and find the owner, and tell her the good news.

0:07:38 > 0:07:42And maybe, just maybe, she might flog them.

0:07:43 > 0:07:46Well, that was a lucky find.

0:07:46 > 0:07:49Here are the owners. Right, what's your name?

0:07:49 > 0:07:53- Alison.- Alison and your daughter? - Philippa. Pippa.- Pippa.

0:07:53 > 0:07:55OK. Your grandmother's jewellery.

0:07:55 > 0:08:00No, it belongs to her, but it was a lady's who was a friend of the family.

0:08:00 > 0:08:03- OK.- So it does belong to her grandmother now.

0:08:03 > 0:08:07The two earrings and the pendant have a value of around £150.

0:08:07 > 0:08:12But the ring, with that lovely diamond in there,

0:08:12 > 0:08:14is worth 300 to £500.

0:08:14 > 0:08:16Is it? Oh, my goodness!

0:08:16 > 0:08:18That's amazing.

0:08:18 > 0:08:19Wow.

0:08:19 > 0:08:21- Thank you.- That's OK.

0:08:21 > 0:08:25If you want to sell it, we'll take it in to auction.

0:08:25 > 0:08:28OK, I'll go and find her. She's around somewhere.

0:08:28 > 0:08:30- I'll speak to her. - Gone for an ice cream?

0:08:30 > 0:08:35Too hot in here for her. But lovely. Thank you very much. Nice to have met you.

0:08:35 > 0:08:39Will Mum want to sell them? We'll have to wait and see.

0:08:39 > 0:08:43David is next, looking at a pair of decorative vases.

0:08:44 > 0:08:48- Hello, Carl.- Hi.- Thank you for bringing your vases in.

0:08:48 > 0:08:53- At first sight, these look as if they're porcelain.- They do, yeah.

0:08:53 > 0:08:56But I've just examined them more closely

0:08:56 > 0:09:00and I see they're glass. How did you come by them?

0:09:00 > 0:09:06- I bought them in a charity shop in Waterlooville and paid £60.- Did you?

0:09:06 > 0:09:11About six months ago. They've been on the mantelpiece.

0:09:11 > 0:09:13OK. I hope we're going to see you all right.

0:09:13 > 0:09:15Hopefully. Might make a little bit.

0:09:15 > 0:09:20But I bought them first and foremost because I like them. They're beautiful.

0:09:20 > 0:09:24The golden rule is you must buy things above all else because you like them.

0:09:24 > 0:09:26That's important.

0:09:26 > 0:09:30Let's talk about the decoration for a moment. It's very high quality.

0:09:30 > 0:09:32It's an enamelling decoration.

0:09:32 > 0:09:35The enamel is a form of powdered glass

0:09:35 > 0:09:37which is mixed with paints

0:09:37 > 0:09:41and applied to the surface of the glass vase itself and then fired.

0:09:41 > 0:09:45What particularly interests me is the nature of the decoration.

0:09:45 > 0:09:46That'll help us date these.

0:09:46 > 0:09:52They're very typical of the aesthetic movement type of decoration

0:09:52 > 0:09:57which one associates with the 1870s, 1880s.

0:09:57 > 0:10:02It's a form of decoration which originated in Japan.

0:10:02 > 0:10:06As a result, Europeans started to decorate objects like this

0:10:06 > 0:10:08in the Japanese taste.

0:10:08 > 0:10:12So that enables us to date them fairly precisely

0:10:12 > 0:10:15to 1870, possibly 1880.

0:10:15 > 0:10:17So they're late Victorian.

0:10:17 > 0:10:20I must say, the gilding has rubbed just a bit

0:10:20 > 0:10:22slightly to their detriment.

0:10:22 > 0:10:24But no chips and no cracks.

0:10:24 > 0:10:27- I hope not.- So that's really good.

0:10:27 > 0:10:30You tell me that you paid £60 for them.

0:10:32 > 0:10:35I'm not convinced we're going to get your money back.

0:10:35 > 0:10:41- Now, if we were to treat this as a damage limitation operation... - Right, OK.

0:10:41 > 0:10:46..would you be happy if I suggested a reserve of below £60?

0:10:46 > 0:10:51- Yeah, could do.- OK. You're very philosophical. I can see you're not entirely happy.

0:10:51 > 0:10:54I think it's the most sensible way of approaching it, really.

0:10:54 > 0:10:59So let's go for a 40 to £60 estimate.

0:10:59 > 0:11:03- OK, yes.- So the top estimate is the price you paid.

0:11:03 > 0:11:05- Yeah.- And a reserve of £40.

0:11:05 > 0:11:07- OK.- All right?

0:11:07 > 0:11:09So you might lose 20 quid

0:11:09 > 0:11:14- or it might make 70 or £80 and you'll show a profit.- There we go.

0:11:14 > 0:11:17- You're a very understanding man. - That's life, isn't it?

0:11:17 > 0:11:19That's my motto, too!

0:11:20 > 0:11:23Yes, there's no point over-egging things at auction.

0:11:28 > 0:11:33We're now halfway through our day. I've escaped the mayhem of the pavilion

0:11:33 > 0:11:36to get a bit of fresh air before we go over to the auction room.

0:11:36 > 0:11:38Here's what we're taking with us.

0:11:39 > 0:11:42Christine and Steve brought in a really enjoyable lot,

0:11:42 > 0:11:45the extensive collection of farmyard animals,

0:11:45 > 0:11:48some going back as far as the 1940s.

0:11:51 > 0:11:53My lucky find, next.

0:11:53 > 0:11:58Alison's mother, Sylvia, has decided to sell her diamond ring so we have a date at the auction.

0:12:00 > 0:12:04David liked Carl's pair of 19th-century vases.

0:12:04 > 0:12:07Let's hope the bidders feel the same.

0:12:14 > 0:12:18Ready for a rollercoaster ride? Fasten those seatbelts, it's auction time.

0:12:18 > 0:12:21This is where we put our valuations to the test,

0:12:21 > 0:12:24Denham's auctioneers, a few miles outside Horsham.

0:12:24 > 0:12:26On the rostrum is Simon Langton,

0:12:26 > 0:12:30the man with the local knowledge. Fingers crossed for some surprises.

0:12:33 > 0:12:38We're kicking off with that lovely farmyard collection of animals.

0:12:38 > 0:12:42They belong to Christine and Steve, who are colour-co-ordinated!

0:12:42 > 0:12:45This is this season's colour as well, orange.

0:12:45 > 0:12:49- Did you dress Steve this morning? - Of course!- Of course she does!

0:12:49 > 0:12:52- "You've got to wear this." - You've got it!

0:12:52 > 0:12:54- You've had this collection a long time.- Yes.

0:12:54 > 0:12:59- Why are you selling now?- It's time to move on. They're sitting in the loft.

0:12:59 > 0:13:02If you've got to have toys, you've got to have Britains'.

0:13:02 > 0:13:09It's the best name. It can be bought by collectors or a dealer who will painstakingly spruce it all up,

0:13:09 > 0:13:13sort it out and make £100 on it.

0:13:13 > 0:13:16But I'm sure it's a really attractive lot.

0:13:16 > 0:13:20- Time to say goodbye.- Yes. - Going under the hammer right now.

0:13:20 > 0:13:22Let's find out what the bidders think.

0:13:24 > 0:13:29270 is the very good collection of various Britains' figures there.

0:13:29 > 0:13:33- Good subject matter, the farmyard. - Especially in a rural area.

0:13:33 > 0:13:36120. 130. 140. 150.

0:13:36 > 0:13:39160. 170. 180.

0:13:39 > 0:13:44Are we now 180? All done and selling at £180, then? 190.

0:13:45 > 0:13:50200? With me at 190, then.

0:13:50 > 0:13:52Are we all done and selling? 190.

0:13:53 > 0:13:57- Happy?- Yes.- Fine, yes. Yes. - Lots of memories there.

0:13:57 > 0:13:59Oh, yes. Lots.

0:13:59 > 0:14:02- Did you save one back for yourself? - No.- They all went.

0:14:02 > 0:14:04They all went.

0:14:04 > 0:14:07If you have one, you have to start collecting again!

0:14:07 > 0:14:09- You have to get the herd. - I was tempted.

0:14:09 > 0:14:13- I would have kept the little calf. - Probably I should have kept that.

0:14:13 > 0:14:16- There we are. Too late! - You've put your foot in it now.

0:14:16 > 0:14:19Everyone's gone home happy!

0:14:21 > 0:14:24Maybe sometimes it's better to keep quiet!

0:14:24 > 0:14:27Now for a real sparkler.

0:14:27 > 0:14:31I admit I did have some help with this one from our valuer Pippa,

0:14:31 > 0:14:35who put the price on this gorgeous ring belonging to Alison and Pippa.

0:14:35 > 0:14:38It's my mum's, but it was given to her by her elderly friend.

0:14:38 > 0:14:41- OK. So it's been in the family a long time.- Yeah.

0:14:41 > 0:14:45- If it doesn't sell, are we going to look after it now?- Yes.

0:14:45 > 0:14:47- And Gran's over there.- Yes.- Hi!

0:14:47 > 0:14:49Hello!

0:14:49 > 0:14:53- Hopefully, we'll get the top end of Pippa's estimate.- Lovely.

0:14:53 > 0:14:58- What have you been doing since we saw you?- We went on holiday to Tenerife.

0:14:58 > 0:15:00So you've spent all the money, then!

0:15:00 > 0:15:02You've spent it all.

0:15:02 > 0:15:04We need more cash for the next one.

0:15:04 > 0:15:06Let's see what the bidders think.

0:15:07 > 0:15:11Lot 750. The ladies' 18-carat gold dress ring.

0:15:11 > 0:15:14£200 for it, do you say?

0:15:15 > 0:15:17Obviously not.

0:15:17 > 0:15:19- Gosh.- £100 to start?

0:15:19 > 0:15:23- No-one wants it? - 75. 80. And five. 90.

0:15:23 > 0:15:26And five. 100. And ten.

0:15:26 > 0:15:28120. 130. 140.

0:15:28 > 0:15:33150. Are we done at 150? Do I see 160?

0:15:33 > 0:15:35All done at 150, then.

0:15:35 > 0:15:38No. Nobody wanted jewellery today.

0:15:38 > 0:15:40I'm ever so sorry.

0:15:40 > 0:15:43- Never mind.- Oh, dear. Good job you've already spent the...

0:15:43 > 0:15:46Good job you went on holiday and spent the money.

0:15:46 > 0:15:49- I'm ever so sorry! Look, Mum's over there.- Mum's crying!

0:15:50 > 0:15:53It's going home. That's good, it's going home.

0:15:53 > 0:15:55That's the way it goes.

0:15:55 > 0:15:59Oh, well, maybe young Pippa will inherit it after all.

0:16:00 > 0:16:04I'm never quite sure whether Victoriana is coming back in fashion.

0:16:04 > 0:16:07Let's see if the next lot gives us a clue.

0:16:08 > 0:16:11Coming up now, a pair of glass vases which belong to Carl.

0:16:11 > 0:16:14You bought them in a charity shop for £60.

0:16:14 > 0:16:16Now, will we get you your money back?

0:16:16 > 0:16:19David, our expert, has got 40 to 60. You're being cautious.

0:16:19 > 0:16:22Carl might have to be prepared to take a loss here.

0:16:22 > 0:16:25They're fairly standard, but very nicely decorated.

0:16:25 > 0:16:28- I like the enamel on them. - Yes, it's good quality.

0:16:28 > 0:16:29Can we get your money back?

0:16:31 > 0:16:34The pair of Victorian opaque vases.

0:16:34 > 0:16:39Fair interest here. Starts us at 95. 110.

0:16:39 > 0:16:41120. 130. 140.

0:16:41 > 0:16:44150. 160. 170. 180.

0:16:44 > 0:16:46I've underdone these!

0:16:46 > 0:16:49Pairs always sell well, don't they?

0:16:51 > 0:16:53240. 260.

0:16:53 > 0:16:55280. 300.

0:16:55 > 0:16:56(300!)

0:16:56 > 0:16:59- That's good.- He's got the eye.

0:16:59 > 0:17:02At £300. All done and selling at £300 now.

0:17:03 > 0:17:05£300!

0:17:05 > 0:17:07Put it there. Give us a handshake! Wow!

0:17:07 > 0:17:09£150 each!

0:17:09 > 0:17:12Well done! What are you going to do? Re-invest it?

0:17:12 > 0:17:15Re-invest, yeah. Possibly get some Poole pottery.

0:17:15 > 0:17:19- Carl's a bit of a gambler! And that gamble came off.- It did, didn't it?

0:17:19 > 0:17:23- It goes to show you can still turn a profit.- You can, yes.

0:17:23 > 0:17:27It's good to see the enamel birds take off like that.

0:17:27 > 0:17:30Now time for a trip along the Sussex coast.

0:17:39 > 0:17:46Bexhill-on-Sea, the quintessentially respectable Edwardian seaside resort

0:17:46 > 0:17:48on the East Sussex coast.

0:17:48 > 0:17:51Some might say its complacency was slightly shattered

0:17:51 > 0:17:55when the ninth Earl De La Warr was elected as mayor to this town in 1932.

0:17:55 > 0:18:00He had this new vision of bringing economic regeneration

0:18:00 > 0:18:02and accessible culture to Bexhill.

0:18:02 > 0:18:09What he thought this charming little seaside town needed was a horizontal skyscraper!

0:18:11 > 0:18:13The Earl was a man ahead of his time,

0:18:13 > 0:18:20a socialist aristocrat who wanted to bring contemporary modernist architecture to this seaside town.

0:18:22 > 0:18:24The council held a competition for designs,

0:18:24 > 0:18:31the earl himself stipulating they should be simple, light in appearance and attractive

0:18:31 > 0:18:34with large window spaces, terraces and canopies

0:18:34 > 0:18:37and roofs that could be used as sitting-out terraces.

0:18:39 > 0:18:42This fabulous building was the result of that competition.

0:18:42 > 0:18:48When it opened in 1935, the De La Warr Pavilion was proclaimed as a modernist masterpiece

0:18:48 > 0:18:50in the international style.

0:18:50 > 0:18:55The pavilion used innovative building techniques, things like cantilevered walls,

0:18:55 > 0:19:00welded steel framework and concrete as if it was a plastic material.

0:19:00 > 0:19:02It could literally be moulded into any shape.

0:19:02 > 0:19:06Just look at that. That is just fabulous!

0:19:08 > 0:19:12This winning design is by Erich Mendelsohn and Serge Chermayeff.

0:19:12 > 0:19:16Mendelsohn was a renowned modernist architect who fled Nazi Germany

0:19:16 > 0:19:18for a new life in Britain.

0:19:18 > 0:19:21He set up practice with Chechen-born Chermayeff

0:19:21 > 0:19:25who, thanks to his Harrow education and society contacts,

0:19:25 > 0:19:29had already had commissions from the BBC amongst others.

0:19:31 > 0:19:38Together, they designed the pavilion following the modernist ideal of function over decoration.

0:19:39 > 0:19:44The building eventually cost around £70,000 and it took nine months to build.

0:19:44 > 0:19:50It was opened on 12 December 1935 by the then Duke and Duchess of York,

0:19:50 > 0:19:52the future King Edward VI.

0:19:52 > 0:19:54It made worldwide news.

0:20:00 > 0:20:05For all its original vision and technical innovation, the building has had a rollercoaster history

0:20:05 > 0:20:07over the last 75 years.

0:20:07 > 0:20:12Initially, it was celebrated in style. Then along came the Second World War.

0:20:12 > 0:20:15It survived that, but not without incident.

0:20:15 > 0:20:17A bomb exploded on the roof.

0:20:17 > 0:20:20But then came the worst period of the building's life.

0:20:20 > 0:20:23Years and years of prolonged neglect and underfunding

0:20:23 > 0:20:26from 1945 right up the 1980s.

0:20:26 > 0:20:29It's hard to believe that when you look around today

0:20:29 > 0:20:32and you see how fabulous this place is.

0:20:35 > 0:20:39Since 1990, the Pavilion's had a major programme of restoration

0:20:39 > 0:20:41and redevelopment.

0:20:41 > 0:20:45To fill me in on what's happening now, I'm meeting Sally Anne Lycett

0:20:45 > 0:20:47who works for its charitable trust.

0:20:47 > 0:20:52What effect do you think the building had on Bexhill when it first opened?

0:20:52 > 0:20:56It must have been amazing because this kind of architecture

0:20:56 > 0:20:59was the first to be seen in a big public building in this country.

0:20:59 > 0:21:02Bexhill was a small seaside town.

0:21:02 > 0:21:04It must have been like a UFO landing.

0:21:04 > 0:21:08Nobody had seen this kind of thing before. Everything was new,

0:21:08 > 0:21:11the design, the architecture, the construction was new.

0:21:11 > 0:21:15It was quite revolutionary. People didn't know what to expect.

0:21:15 > 0:21:17It's been a talking point ever since.

0:21:17 > 0:21:20What does the building have to offer today?

0:21:20 > 0:21:24It has to offer the same as it offered in 1935.

0:21:24 > 0:21:26It provides culture and entertainment.

0:21:26 > 0:21:29For the 21st century, it's all about the visual arts.

0:21:29 > 0:21:31It's about contemporary art.

0:21:31 > 0:21:36It has a fantastic roof space and we're beginning to have a programme of art up there.

0:21:36 > 0:21:41But there's other things. You have music performances as well.

0:21:41 > 0:21:44- We have a 1,000-seat auditorium. - Which is incredible for this area.

0:21:44 > 0:21:49This season we've got Kate Nash, Corinne Bailey Rae, Gloria Anderson from New York.

0:21:49 > 0:21:54- Big names.- Artists love to perform in this building because it's totally unique.- Yes.

0:21:54 > 0:21:56What exhibitions are on at the moment?

0:21:56 > 0:21:59We put on exhibitions by contemporary artists.

0:21:59 > 0:22:05In the gallery downstairs we have an exhibition by a Japanese artist called Timoko Takahashi.

0:22:05 > 0:22:07Upstairs on our roof space for the first time

0:22:07 > 0:22:10we've got an exhibition by the artist Antony Gormley.

0:22:10 > 0:22:13- Fabulous! Can we take a look at that?- Yes, let's do that.

0:22:13 > 0:22:15I like seeing his work outside.

0:22:25 > 0:22:30- It's titled Critical Mass. - You're talking quantum physics, now! Density.

0:22:30 > 0:22:37You're talking density, but also from a social point of view, a mass of people comes to a critical mass.

0:22:37 > 0:22:41Therefore they can effect change. That was the idea behind it.

0:22:41 > 0:22:45- Go on, curl up in that little shape! - No, I'd rather you did it!

0:22:48 > 0:22:53- Thank you so much, Sally, for showing me around.- It's a pleasure. - I envy you working here.

0:22:53 > 0:22:57- What a work space! What an office! - Yes, it's quite a spectacle.- Yes.

0:23:08 > 0:23:13Here we are, more or less 75 years after the Pavilion was first opened.

0:23:13 > 0:23:19It seems that the 9th Earl De La Warr's vision has finally come to fruition.

0:23:19 > 0:23:21It's marvellous to see it.

0:23:27 > 0:23:29The drama is in full swing

0:23:29 > 0:23:32at the Pavilion Theatre on the sea front in Worthing.

0:23:32 > 0:23:37As usual, I'm hoping for a good rummage through people's bags and boxes.

0:23:38 > 0:23:40Wow.

0:23:43 > 0:23:46Michael's found an item which comes with a fabulous story.

0:23:49 > 0:23:53Danielle, I saw this impressive gent in the queue and he almost jumped out at me!

0:23:53 > 0:23:56Where did you get this wonderful thing from?

0:23:56 > 0:23:59He was my dad's granddad's.

0:23:59 > 0:24:01He dug him out of his back garden!

0:24:01 > 0:24:06- What?!- Yes. So he's quite old now!

0:24:06 > 0:24:10- When did he dig him up?- I don't actually know when he dug him up,

0:24:10 > 0:24:15but I know my mum and dad have had him for at least 40 years.

0:24:15 > 0:24:17- Good grief.- At least 40 years.

0:24:17 > 0:24:22It's amazing that you're able to dig something like this up so intact.

0:24:22 > 0:24:25- Yes.- We've got a bit of damage, but he's a whopper.

0:24:25 > 0:24:29The reason why this is preserved in such wonderful condition

0:24:29 > 0:24:34even though it's been buried, is because it's made of salt-glazed stoneware.

0:24:34 > 0:24:37- Right. OK.- It's a stoneware body

0:24:37 > 0:24:40and when it's fired, you throw salt into the kiln

0:24:40 > 0:24:44and it vitrifies. This is what all this gloss is.

0:24:44 > 0:24:45It forms this layer.

0:24:45 > 0:24:51And actually, it was used for waste pipes because it's non-reactive in the soil.

0:24:51 > 0:24:56- Oh. Right. OK.- As well as its use for waste pipes,

0:24:56 > 0:25:00it was also found to be a very good container for alcohol.

0:25:00 > 0:25:05So when you get the waste pipe business building up in domestic,

0:25:05 > 0:25:09you also get these novelty bottles being made. The trouble is,

0:25:09 > 0:25:11if we turn this fellow over,

0:25:11 > 0:25:14where almost every bit of ceramic has got some sort of mark on it,

0:25:14 > 0:25:17- the only mark this one's got is a bit of dirt.- Yes.

0:25:17 > 0:25:20- Have you any idea when it might have been made?- No.

0:25:20 > 0:25:24But my mum found this newspaper article.

0:25:24 > 0:25:29This was cut out before my brother and I were born. 30 years old, that is.

0:25:29 > 0:25:33This is the jug. That's absolutely marvellous.

0:25:33 > 0:25:37- It says it's worth £1,000 there. - Yes.

0:25:37 > 0:25:42- Oh, dear!- Oh, dear!- Sometimes they make things up in newspapers!

0:25:42 > 0:25:45I would imagine that this model, we don't know who this chap is,

0:25:45 > 0:25:50he hasn't got any signifying markings and we have got the chips. That's the thing.

0:25:50 > 0:25:55When you get to bottle collectors, you want everything in almost pristine condition.

0:25:55 > 0:25:58Would you know how old he would be?

0:25:58 > 0:26:02He, I think, dates to about 1840, 1850.

0:26:02 > 0:26:05I don't think he's any later than that.

0:26:05 > 0:26:08Value is very difficult when things are damaged.

0:26:08 > 0:26:13You've got a lovely story with it, which helps immensely.

0:26:13 > 0:26:15That will be of value on its own.

0:26:15 > 0:26:21- So I think conservatively, if we said 60 to £100.- Right. Yes.

0:26:21 > 0:26:26Put a fixed reserve of £60 on it and I wouldn't be surprised if it made towards the 100, 120,

0:26:26 > 0:26:28even allowing for the damage.

0:26:28 > 0:26:34So if you're happy to put it into auction. Can I ask why you've decided to sell him?

0:26:34 > 0:26:38I just got married last year and I'm looking to buy a house,

0:26:38 > 0:26:42so my mum thought, "Let's see what we can get to help for the..."

0:26:42 > 0:26:46- So it's a clear-out towards a deposit, I would imagine.- Yes.

0:26:46 > 0:26:49My husband found out about this yesterday and here we are.

0:26:49 > 0:26:54When he saw it, didn't he fall in love with it and say, "No,

0:26:54 > 0:27:00- "you mustn't sell that wonderful jug!"- No, he was like, "Let's go! Let's go."

0:27:00 > 0:27:03Salt-glazed stoneware can be an acquired taste,

0:27:03 > 0:27:07- but I hope there'll be a few people at the auction that really love it. - Yes.

0:27:07 > 0:27:09- And get carried away. Thanks for bringing it.- Thank you.

0:27:09 > 0:27:15Well, I'd love to dig something up like that in the garden. Wouldn't you?

0:27:16 > 0:27:18I like the shell.

0:27:18 > 0:27:23- My father brought that back from the Bahamas in about 1921.- Did he?

0:27:23 > 0:27:27I believe they're collectable now because you can't buy them any more.

0:27:27 > 0:27:30That's true. Very collectable, especially that size.

0:27:30 > 0:27:35- There is a hole there.- Conchology is what they call shell collecting.

0:27:35 > 0:27:38- Is it?- Conchology after the conch shell.- Right, yes.

0:27:38 > 0:27:41A lovely thing. Really nice.

0:27:42 > 0:27:46It's hearing people's stories that makes Flog It so enjoyable.

0:27:48 > 0:27:53David meets Rhoda next, who's brought in something which must have lots of memories for her.

0:27:53 > 0:27:56You've brought along a concertina with you.

0:27:56 > 0:27:59- Yes.- I love these things. - It was my grandfather's.

0:27:59 > 0:28:03- Did he play it?- Yes, he did, yes. - Did you listen to him playing it?

0:28:03 > 0:28:04Oh, yes, when I was about three.

0:28:04 > 0:28:08I don't want to ask your age, but tell me when that would have been?

0:28:08 > 0:28:14- 1930s?- '30. '31.- People would have played these in pubs, of course.

0:28:14 > 0:28:18- He didn't do that, no. - He played it at home.

0:28:18 > 0:28:19Yes.

0:28:19 > 0:28:22This is late 19th-century.

0:28:22 > 0:28:25It's actually by a firm called Jones. C. Jones.

0:28:25 > 0:28:31The first manufacturers were George Jones.

0:28:31 > 0:28:36I take it that George Jones would have been an ancestor of C. Jones.

0:28:37 > 0:28:41They were popular instruments in the 19th century

0:28:41 > 0:28:44but not thought of as being terribly sophisticated.

0:28:44 > 0:28:48The case, or at least the ends, are made of rosewood

0:28:48 > 0:28:51which is an exotic timber

0:28:51 > 0:28:56imported to England from the East Indies.

0:28:56 > 0:28:59And that is a sign of quality.

0:28:59 > 0:29:04The buttons themselves are marine ivory.

0:29:04 > 0:29:08Rather than being elephant tusks I think they're made of walrus tusks.

0:29:08 > 0:29:12You can tell that by this slight striations they have in them.

0:29:12 > 0:29:19- But most importantly of all, you've one, two, three, six, nine, 12, 15 on this end.- Yes.

0:29:19 > 0:29:2015 on the other end.

0:29:20 > 0:29:24Plus this one here, so you've got 31 buttons.

0:29:24 > 0:29:26And the more buttons you have,

0:29:26 > 0:29:30in general terms, the better it is. Ever played it yourself?

0:29:30 > 0:29:35- No, I haven't, no. I'm not really musical, myself!- I'm exactly the same!

0:29:35 > 0:29:38I'm sorry that the case is damaged.

0:29:38 > 0:29:42Yes, I don't quite know how that got damaged.

0:29:42 > 0:29:46- That does affect its value a bit. - Yes.

0:29:46 > 0:29:50But I'm sure it would be possible for someone to manufacture another case

0:29:50 > 0:29:52or to replace those missing sections.

0:29:52 > 0:29:56There are one or two problems with the instrument itself.

0:29:56 > 0:29:58The bellows are a bit worn here.

0:29:58 > 0:30:02And after time, that means that the air escapes

0:30:02 > 0:30:04and distorts the noise it makes.

0:30:04 > 0:30:08But most of them are OK. Just a tiny bit of damage.

0:30:08 > 0:30:09Now, value.

0:30:09 > 0:30:11I think it's got potential.

0:30:11 > 0:30:17- I'm going to suggest a conservative estimate of 100 to 150.- Right.

0:30:17 > 0:30:20I would like a bit more than that, actually.

0:30:20 > 0:30:24- It might make more. We'd all like a bit more, wouldn't we?- That's right!

0:30:24 > 0:30:28I think we'll get a bit more. But let's make the estimate realistic.

0:30:28 > 0:30:33- 100 to 150, with a reserve of £100. - All right.- OK?- All right, then, fine.

0:30:33 > 0:30:37- I understand you might not be able to come to the sale.- I'm on holiday.

0:30:37 > 0:30:43- Elect someone to come in your place. - I'll check with my son.- Have a chat with him.- Yes.

0:30:43 > 0:30:47I look forward to seeing him or whoever you choose to represent you.

0:30:47 > 0:30:49Thank you for telling me about it.

0:30:51 > 0:30:56Such a shame neither of them are musical. I'd like to have heard it being played.

0:30:56 > 0:31:00Michael's final choice is something special brought along by Terry.

0:31:00 > 0:31:04Don't take this the wrong way, but what's a gruff big-looking fellow like you

0:31:04 > 0:31:07doing with a brooch and a pendant?

0:31:07 > 0:31:10Well, to be honest, I found it

0:31:10 > 0:31:13in a vanity box that I bought at auction.

0:31:13 > 0:31:15There was a secret drawer.

0:31:15 > 0:31:20- No!- It couldn't be opened. I did get it open and found these bits in it.

0:31:20 > 0:31:25At the auction, did you have an inkling that there was a chance something was in there?

0:31:25 > 0:31:29Yes, cos it's happened to me before. I've found odd bits in secret drawers

0:31:29 > 0:31:32that people haven't opened.

0:31:32 > 0:31:35I know most techniques of opening drawers now!

0:31:35 > 0:31:37The right sort of drawers!

0:31:39 > 0:31:41Keep it clean, Terry, keep it clean!

0:31:41 > 0:31:44Well, it's paid off, I think, this time.

0:31:44 > 0:31:49Can I ask, before we get going, what did the box cost you?

0:31:49 > 0:31:51The box cost me £100.

0:31:51 > 0:31:55- Did you sell the box on? - I sold the box on for £160.

0:31:55 > 0:31:58- So these are...- And other items have sold as well.

0:31:58 > 0:32:01- So these are free. - That's right. Exactly.

0:32:01 > 0:32:06If you're ever buying anything at auction, it's advisable to buy the free lot!

0:32:06 > 0:32:10Let's look at this piece first. A lovely brooch.

0:32:10 > 0:32:13Lovely brooch. Not a precious material.

0:32:13 > 0:32:16Only ivory. But look at the carving on that.

0:32:16 > 0:32:20- Yes.- It's all hand done. We've got this sheaf of wheat.

0:32:20 > 0:32:24It's quite touching and sentimental for the time it was carved

0:32:24 > 0:32:28- which would be about 1870, 1880. - Really?

0:32:28 > 0:32:33It's difficult to place these because obviously they're not marked and not signed.

0:32:33 > 0:32:39- But one big centre for ivory carving at the end of the 19th century was Dieppe in France.- Right.

0:32:39 > 0:32:42So I would think that from the quality of that carving

0:32:42 > 0:32:44that that is a French one.

0:32:44 > 0:32:51And thankfully it's early ivory so we don't have to worry about the ban on ivory after 1947.

0:32:51 > 0:32:53But that's a lovely thing.

0:32:53 > 0:32:56It's not desperately valuable. Maybe 40 to £60.

0:32:56 > 0:32:58But it stands you in at nothing, which is great.

0:32:58 > 0:33:01Then this fellow, which is more interesting.

0:33:01 > 0:33:04This would have been made in Italy.

0:33:04 > 0:33:06It's what we call micro-mosaic.

0:33:06 > 0:33:11- Ah.- It's just like a normal mosaic, but on a micro scale.

0:33:11 > 0:33:15This technique started in antiquity

0:33:15 > 0:33:20but it was revived in the main in the late 18th century in Rome.

0:33:20 > 0:33:26So you've got the Papal workshops producing presentation micro-mosaics,

0:33:26 > 0:33:30table-tops like this of superb quality.

0:33:30 > 0:33:36They're like oil paintings. From here, you wouldn't be able to tell there were stones in them at all.

0:33:36 > 0:33:38They're magnificent.

0:33:38 > 0:33:44And those are worth - don't get excited - those are worth half a million, even a million pounds.

0:33:45 > 0:33:48Then you get onto late 19th-century jewellery.

0:33:48 > 0:33:53They're still producing micro-mosaics but not quite of the same quality.

0:33:53 > 0:33:57And it's a broader market.

0:33:57 > 0:34:02Now, this dates to about 1850, so we're in the middle of that.

0:34:02 > 0:34:05At this date, we're not using hard stones at all,

0:34:05 > 0:34:09we're using small drawn glass rods which are cut into beads.

0:34:09 > 0:34:15Normally on these crosses, the little pieces of mosaic are much larger.

0:34:15 > 0:34:18This is really lovely quality. The work is absolutely stunning.

0:34:18 > 0:34:20You have the little dove's eye,

0:34:20 > 0:34:24which is a red piece of glass, a yellow piece of glass,

0:34:24 > 0:34:27a black piece of glass smaller than a pin-head.

0:34:27 > 0:34:29Yeah.

0:34:29 > 0:34:31That's a tricky thing to value.

0:34:31 > 0:34:35- I have seen later ones go for as little as 50 to £80.- Right.

0:34:35 > 0:34:38As I say, were it a table top, it would be half a million.

0:34:38 > 0:34:42So we're between half a million and 50 to £80!

0:34:42 > 0:34:45But I think what would be sensible is to put them together

0:34:45 > 0:34:47because they're both jewellery.

0:34:47 > 0:34:50This being very much the star lot.

0:34:50 > 0:34:55- I think if we put them in at 150 to 250 for the two.- Right.

0:34:55 > 0:34:59You never know. There might be a battle over this on the day.

0:34:59 > 0:35:03We might get above the top end of it. But you'll certainly make a profit on nothing!

0:35:03 > 0:35:07- Are you happy for us to sell them? - Definitely. I'd be very happy.

0:35:07 > 0:35:11- If they do well, will you go out and look for more boxes?- I'll buy you an ice cream!

0:35:12 > 0:35:15They've got to do well now, Terry!

0:35:15 > 0:35:19- Thank you so much for bringing them in.- Thank you, Michael.- Thank you.

0:35:19 > 0:35:24Terry's done well. It's always worth looking through odd boxes at auctions.

0:35:24 > 0:35:31Before our second trip to the auction, let's remind ourselves of what our experts picked out.

0:35:31 > 0:35:35Danielle's head-shaped salt-glazed bottle is great fun.

0:35:35 > 0:35:39The fact it was dug up from the garden only adds to its charm.

0:35:39 > 0:35:43Rhoda is not musical, so she has the right idea,

0:35:43 > 0:35:47passing the concertina on to someone who might be able to restore it.

0:35:47 > 0:35:50Finally, Terry's two free items.

0:35:50 > 0:35:57The Victorian ivory brooch and the superb Italian micro-mosaic cross. They can't fail to do well.

0:35:58 > 0:36:02Before the sale started, I caught up with auctioneer Simon Langton

0:36:02 > 0:36:05to see how he thought Rhoda's concertina would do.

0:36:06 > 0:36:09We've seen a lot of concertinas on the show

0:36:09 > 0:36:11and some have made such good money, over £1,000,

0:36:11 > 0:36:14because they've got 24 buttons or more.

0:36:14 > 0:36:17This one only has 15, but I still think it's good quality.

0:36:17 > 0:36:19We've got 100 to £150 on this.

0:36:19 > 0:36:23I have no fear we're going to get that and we might exceed that.

0:36:23 > 0:36:27- There has been a little interest in this so far.- Good.

0:36:27 > 0:36:32It's a fabulous little concertina. Good maker, C. Jones, very well recorded. Lovely rosewood.

0:36:32 > 0:36:34We'll have no trouble with that whatsoever.

0:36:34 > 0:36:38He's off to the rostrum. Don't go away. Let's find a new home for this!

0:36:39 > 0:36:44We'll have to wait and see because now Danielle and more of her family are up first.

0:36:44 > 0:36:48- I've brought my mum and dad, Linda and David.- Pleased to meet you.

0:36:48 > 0:36:50- Hello, David.- Hello.

0:36:50 > 0:36:54- Nice bottle, this. It's been yours for a long time?- No, it's ours.

0:36:54 > 0:36:57- It was David's granddad's.- OK. - He dug it up.

0:36:57 > 0:37:01- And why are you selling it? - She needs the money!

0:37:01 > 0:37:04I'm just here with them. I want the money for a house!

0:37:04 > 0:37:09- You're saving up for a house?- Yes. - It's a start. You've got to start somewhere.

0:37:09 > 0:37:12- Hopefully we'll get top estimate? - Possibly.- Pressure's on!

0:37:12 > 0:37:17It's difficult because there's a chip. It's a lovely large size, but there's a chip.

0:37:17 > 0:37:22It's very difficult to estimate what a collector will pay for something that's damaged.

0:37:22 > 0:37:27Normally, we don't put chipped or broken things into sales.

0:37:27 > 0:37:31But it's so quirky and the story of it being dug up is fantastic.

0:37:31 > 0:37:35At £60, it's worth buying just for the story.

0:37:35 > 0:37:40Otherwise, it'll have pride of place in your new house when you get it!

0:37:40 > 0:37:42I don't know about that!

0:37:43 > 0:37:48- Up in the loft!- No, have it on display. It's lovely. I love salt glaze.

0:37:48 > 0:37:50You must have seen this as a little boy?

0:37:50 > 0:37:55Yeah, Nan used to have it out in the kitchen and that.

0:37:55 > 0:37:59- Was it damaged when he dug it up? - Yes, it was.- Nice thing, though.

0:37:59 > 0:38:01Let's see what the bidders think. Here we go.

0:38:02 > 0:38:07Lot 420. 19th-century salt-glazed flagon.

0:38:07 > 0:38:10And I'm bid 55. 60.

0:38:10 > 0:38:12- We're in.- 65. 70. And five.

0:38:13 > 0:38:1480.

0:38:14 > 0:38:16And five. 90.

0:38:16 > 0:38:18We're now at £90, then.

0:38:18 > 0:38:20All done and selling at £90.

0:38:20 > 0:38:22At 90, then.

0:38:22 > 0:38:24- Well done. £90. - I'm chuffed with that!

0:38:24 > 0:38:27That's something, isn't it? That adds to the pot.

0:38:27 > 0:38:32- The kitty. It must be hard to get on the property ladder for a first-time buyer.- It is.- The prices.

0:38:32 > 0:38:35- Good luck.- Thank you very much.

0:38:35 > 0:38:40- Thank you.- You've only got to dig up another 10,000 and you'll be OK!

0:38:40 > 0:38:42- A few more bottles! - That aren't damaged!

0:38:42 > 0:38:45That's a great result for Danielle.

0:38:48 > 0:38:53It looks like the bidders have been enjoying Rhoda's concertina, but will they be bidding?

0:38:53 > 0:38:58We've got the concertina, but unfortunately not Rhoda. But here's her son, Colin.

0:38:58 > 0:39:00- Hello.- Next generation in the family.

0:39:00 > 0:39:03This has been in the family for how many generations?

0:39:03 > 0:39:07- Three generations. - Three. Incredible.

0:39:07 > 0:39:10Why don't you want this? Why's Mum flogging it?

0:39:10 > 0:39:13- She just needs the money, really! - Does she?

0:39:13 > 0:39:17It's been in the loft since my grandmother died

0:39:17 > 0:39:21- and she's kept it there, so... - It's time to go.

0:39:21 > 0:39:25- Time to go.- We have David's valuation of £150.

0:39:25 > 0:39:29The ones with 24 buttons and over tend to make an awful lot of money.

0:39:29 > 0:39:31This one's only got about 15.

0:39:31 > 0:39:33You're being cautious and I think you're right.

0:39:33 > 0:39:37- Let's hope for the best.- Yeah, top end plus a little bit more?

0:39:37 > 0:39:43- Yes.- £200-ish?- "Ish" would be good. - Let's make some music. It's going under the hammer right now.

0:39:45 > 0:39:49Lot ten is the six-sided rosewood concertina.

0:39:49 > 0:39:52There we are. Bids here start, of which there are several,

0:39:52 > 0:39:55150, 160, 170, 180, 190.

0:39:55 > 0:39:57200 and 20.

0:39:57 > 0:39:59240. 260.

0:39:59 > 0:40:01280. With me now at 280, then.

0:40:01 > 0:40:04All done at 280, are we?

0:40:04 > 0:40:06Yes, hit the high notes there!

0:40:06 > 0:40:09- That's good!- She'll be very pleased with that!- Over the moon.

0:40:09 > 0:40:13- Where is she? She's on holiday. - On a cruise in the Mediterranean.

0:40:13 > 0:40:17- Does she have a mobile?- She does, and I'll contact her tonight. - Brilliant.

0:40:17 > 0:40:20- Well done.- I'm thrilled for Rhoda. Delighted.

0:40:21 > 0:40:25That's the business, David. Now we're in for some real fun.

0:40:27 > 0:40:31- Good luck, Terry.- Thank you. - These are quality items.

0:40:31 > 0:40:36Hopefully you remember that wonderful micro-mosaic cross, which is beautiful.

0:40:36 > 0:40:39Sheer quality, and quality always sells.

0:40:39 > 0:40:43- Also the ivory brooch.- Yes, it's wonderful quality as well.

0:40:43 > 0:40:48We put it in to make the lot more attractive. But the value is with the cross.

0:40:48 > 0:40:53- It could be going back to Italy. - We think so. Italians love to buy micro-mosaic back.

0:40:53 > 0:40:57We've seen micro-mosaics on the show before and they always do us proud.

0:40:57 > 0:41:00It's quality, and as we say, quality always sells.

0:41:00 > 0:41:02Fingers crossed it'll do well today. Here we go.

0:41:04 > 0:41:07Simon's obviously expecting an important phone bid.

0:41:07 > 0:41:09Maybe it is someone in Italy.

0:41:09 > 0:41:13- Somebody on the phone. - Ooh, that's cheered me up!

0:41:13 > 0:41:15But there seems to be a bit of a problem!

0:41:15 > 0:41:20He can't get through, but it's a promising start!

0:41:20 > 0:41:24The tension is mounting in the auction room. It's palpable.

0:41:25 > 0:41:26You're through to reception?

0:41:26 > 0:41:30The auction house obviously thinks the call is worth waiting for.

0:41:33 > 0:41:35MOUTHS

0:41:35 > 0:41:37I've been on hold for years!

0:41:37 > 0:41:39"Your call is important to us."

0:41:39 > 0:41:42- He's decided he doesn't want it any more.- Yeah!

0:41:44 > 0:41:45Right.

0:41:47 > 0:41:52- We didn't get through. Never mind. - 'We're off, but not good news for Terry's lot.'

0:41:53 > 0:41:56Lot 780, then.

0:41:56 > 0:41:58What is there for it? £100 for it?

0:41:58 > 0:42:0175 for it? Come along, now.

0:42:01 > 0:42:0450, then? I'm bid £50. And five. 60.

0:42:04 > 0:42:07And five. 70. And five. 80.

0:42:07 > 0:42:09And five. 90. And five.

0:42:09 > 0:42:12At £95, then. Do I see 100?

0:42:14 > 0:42:18At £95. We can't sell it at 95.

0:42:18 > 0:42:20It's going home at £95.

0:42:27 > 0:42:28The late phone bid, there!

0:42:28 > 0:42:30Very late!

0:42:32 > 0:42:35- 100?- Yes.- Oh, good!

0:42:35 > 0:42:37And ten. 120.

0:42:38 > 0:42:40130. Yes? 140.

0:42:40 > 0:42:43150. 160.

0:42:44 > 0:42:46160. At 160 on the phone.

0:42:46 > 0:42:48Do I see 170? Never say die in this business!

0:42:48 > 0:42:50At 160 on the telephone now.

0:42:50 > 0:42:52All done and selling at £160.

0:42:52 > 0:42:55Done with it. Bless you, 160!

0:42:55 > 0:42:57- Well!- Thank you, Michael!

0:42:58 > 0:43:01Thanks, Paul.

0:43:01 > 0:43:06- He put that hammer down with gusto! - He was glad to see the back of it, with the phone bidding!

0:43:06 > 0:43:08- Yeah.- Oh, my word! Thanks, fellas!

0:43:08 > 0:43:12- That's OK.- That is tenterhooks. The definition of tenterhooks!

0:43:12 > 0:43:18Coming in with a paddle and a phone at the last minute! He wants to bid! Amazing!

0:43:18 > 0:43:23That is why auction rooms are such good fun. The unexpected!

0:43:23 > 0:43:27It's all over for our owners. The auction has just finished as well.

0:43:27 > 0:43:31The lucky buyers are wrapping up their goods to take home.

0:43:31 > 0:43:36We've had a wonderful time, a bit of a rollercoaster ride, but that's auctions for you.

0:43:36 > 0:43:40You cannot predict what's going to happen. So do join me again soon for more surprises.

0:43:40 > 0:43:43But for now, from Sussex, it's goodbye!

0:44:05 > 0:44:08Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd