0:00:29 > 0:00:33Hello and welcome to this special edition of Ten Of The Best from Flog It.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37Today, I'm at Sherborne Castle, in the beautiful Dorset countryside.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41This magnificent house was built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594,
0:00:41 > 0:00:45and it's been home to the Wingfield-Digby family
0:00:45 > 0:00:46ever since 1617.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49Now, I've been searching through the Flog It archives
0:00:49 > 0:00:50from the last 10 years,
0:00:50 > 0:00:54looking for some of the best items brought along to our valuation days.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56And for my theme today,
0:00:56 > 0:01:00I've picked out items related to the art of handwriting, calligraphy.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04It's something that seems almost lost in today's age of e-mailing
0:01:04 > 0:01:08and text messaging, but that's what antiques are all about.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12They give us a little window into the past.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15We start our trip through the archives at beautiful
0:01:15 > 0:01:17Ely Cathedral, where, in 2009,
0:01:17 > 0:01:22Ron brought Charlie Ross a classic piece of writing furniture.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26Ron, I don't think boxes come in much better condition than this.
0:01:26 > 0:01:31- It's absolutely wonderful. Do you know what wood it is?- No, not all.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33- It's walnut.- Is it really?- Yeah.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37- And do you know what this funny stuff is, that's inlaid?- Not at all.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40- It's brass.- Ah, right. - Well, I'm going to open it up.
0:01:40 > 0:01:46- You know what it is, don't you?- Yes. - It's a writing slope. It's Victorian.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49It's 1860, 1870.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53And there it is in all its glory.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56- And do you know, I think it's got its original leather on?- Really?
0:01:56 > 0:02:01And I think it's got its original inkwells. Your pens went in here.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04We will just pull an inkwell out.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06Just want to see if they've got silver tops.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10No, they're silver-plated tops. But beautiful cut glass.
0:02:11 > 0:02:16And the condition is astonishing. 120-130 years old.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18So why are you selling it?
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Well, it's been in the cupboard for about two years,
0:02:21 > 0:02:24a year and a half, two years, and never come out.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26- So, how long have you had it? - About three years.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30- So, where did you get it?- From an auction.- Well, why did you buy it?
0:02:30 > 0:02:35- On a whim.- You were just sitting in a saleroom?- Yeah.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39I thought, "That's a good price," and I put a bid in.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42I'm not going to ask you what the price is yet, but I will do later on.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46- Have you looked in here?- Yes. - If I pull this up...
0:02:51 > 0:02:55Hey presto, it's on a spring, this panel comes out,
0:02:55 > 0:02:57and there are the secret drawers.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01- That's the one.- It's a great design, isn't it?- Wonderful.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05Frankly, it's as good as it gets, really. Now, that's the good news.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09Bad news is, I think people have finally realised,
0:03:09 > 0:03:13after 40 or 50 years of collecting these things,
0:03:13 > 0:03:16that they are completely useless, or more or less.
0:03:17 > 0:03:22- Now, you bought it three years ago? - Yeah.- At auction.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26- At auction.- Go on then.- £75.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29I think it's worth now what you paid for it then.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33So I'm going to put an estimate of £60-£100.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36Fix the reserve at 60, if it doesn't make more than 60,
0:03:36 > 0:03:38well, it's only a small loss.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40It makes 100, it's a profit.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42And you can say to your wife what a sound investment it was,
0:03:42 > 0:03:45- I wish I'd bought three more. - Exactly.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49I'll show you later if Ron did make a profit,
0:03:49 > 0:03:51when they went off to auction.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Now, I was blown away in Stroud in 2008,
0:03:54 > 0:03:57when Cathy and Ray brought along the most magnificent
0:03:57 > 0:04:00collection of local history, which I was keen for them to hold onto.
0:04:02 > 0:04:07Cathy and Ray, where do we start, which album? Look at this.
0:04:07 > 0:04:12Condition is absolutely wonderful. Beautifully presented as well.
0:04:12 > 0:04:17- Whose are they?- Well, they belong to me, and I found in my dad's loft.
0:04:17 > 0:04:23- OK.- I'm pretty sure that they belong to my auntie, his sister.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26- So they've been in the family a long time?- Yeah.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29- Have you thumbed through these and had a look?- Yes, they're lovely.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32- They're quite impressive, aren't they?- They are.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36They're all local scenes, topographic scenes of around Bristol,
0:04:36 > 0:04:38and around Weston-super-Mare, Stroud,
0:04:38 > 0:04:41Cheltenham, all over Gloucester, which is great because we're putting
0:04:41 > 0:04:46- them into a local saleroom, so bound to be lots of local interest.- Yeah.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48This is where we're sitting inside today,
0:04:48 > 0:04:50right inside this building, the Subscription Rooms.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54- That's the Brunel tunnel.- This is just down the road, isn't it?
0:04:54 > 0:04:57- That's just down the road.- It's incredible.- That's our hospital.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Cashes Green Hospital.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02- They're building over that now. - Are they?
0:05:02 > 0:05:05You see, this means more to you than it does to me.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09If I had a collection like this of where I grew up,
0:05:09 > 0:05:13and it belonged to my great aunt, I wouldn't be selling it.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17Shame, Ray. Because it is so special.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20- It's all here in this one volume. - That's right.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24That's priceless to somebody that lives locally
0:05:24 > 0:05:29and wants to learn a little bit about their civic history.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31- This one, slightly more commercial. - Yeah.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35- It's not necessarily all on Stroud. - There are some greeting cards.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37There's photographs in the back.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40But we do get to some of Stroud at the very back.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43There's Stroud Fire Brigade.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45Now you see, that one postcard might be worth
0:05:45 > 0:05:49somewhere in the region of £15 by itself.
0:05:49 > 0:05:50Yeah.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52Fire brigade memorabilia is big business,
0:05:52 > 0:05:55- and so is early police memorabilia. - Yeah.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57Let's just have a look at this third one.
0:05:59 > 0:06:05These are slightly far afield, aren't they? They come from London.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09- Yeah, my auntie lived in London for a while.- And Ireland.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12- Well, this one is lovely.- Not local.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15Those two are going to do the business for you.
0:06:15 > 0:06:20- Have you any idea of value? - No, not a clue.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24Look, on a good day, I don't want to get your hopes up,
0:06:24 > 0:06:29I think on a good day you could be looking at £200, plus.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- Really?- Blimey.- Yes, you could.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35And I can't wait to find out what's going to happen.
0:06:35 > 0:06:40Stay tuned to find out it was a good day when we went off to auction.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44Now, in Windermere, back in 2005, Adam caught sight
0:06:44 > 0:06:47of Margaret's fabulous collection, which made his day.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50Margaret, what a fantastic collection of pens.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53- How long have you been collecting these?- Probably as long as 20 years.
0:06:53 > 0:06:5720 years. Where have you been getting them from?
0:06:57 > 0:06:59Oh, anywhere that I come across them.
0:06:59 > 0:07:04Job lots at auction sales, and junk shops, anywhere I see them.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07- Have you got a favourite? - Probably that one. I think it's quite attractive.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11It is attractive. A lot of them are very attractive, aren't they?
0:07:11 > 0:07:13- This is a Conway Stewart, I think. - Yes.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16We've got a lot of different manufacturers of pens here.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18The big names like Parker and Sheaffer, Waterman's,
0:07:18 > 0:07:21there's Swan, all sorts.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25I quite like these marbleised ones, as well.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27You've got a couple in their boxes as well.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30This is a nice one here, the Waterman's one. Still in the box.
0:07:30 > 0:07:35This one's got 14 carat gold mounts. So, quite a nice pen, that one.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38Waterman's one. Some value in its own right.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40This one's a Swan here,
0:07:40 > 0:07:43and I believe this one you've had for the longest, have you?
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- I think I had that when I was 11. - This one was your school pen?- Yes.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49Well, that's lovely, isn't it? Still in pretty good condition.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- You must have looked after it quite well.- Oh, I did!
0:07:52 > 0:07:55- Didn't chew the end, or anything.- No.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59- A lot of these have 14 carat nibs, the majority.- A lot of them, yes.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01You've also got a few pencils.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03There's a collection of propelling pencils,
0:08:03 > 0:08:06including one of these old advertising pencils,
0:08:06 > 0:08:08and you've got two silver pencils as well.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12- So, what made you collect pens? - I don't know.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14I think people kept finding them in their cupboards,
0:08:14 > 0:08:17- and just adding them to my collection.- Right.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20I must admit that I've hung onto a few pens
0:08:20 > 0:08:24that I found here and there, I've probably got a few, but nowhere near as many as this.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26- No. - What was the most reasonable one?
0:08:26 > 0:08:29There must been some that were 50p,
0:08:29 > 0:08:31but some of them were two or three pounds.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35- So, they've all been between 50p and a couple of pounds?- Probably. Yes.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38It's a nice collection. A lot of pen collectors out there.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40I think it's probably going to make £100-£150.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42How do you think about that?
0:08:42 > 0:08:45- Lovely.- Is that what you thought? - Wonderful. Yes.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49- So, we'll put a reserve of just below, at 90?- Yes.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51That's great. Thank you very much for bringing them along.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54- It's a good collection of pens.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58Well, that definitely put a smile on Adam's face.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01And Jane's wacky item brightened up James Lewis's day in Kilmarnock,
0:09:01 > 0:09:02back in 2009.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08I have to say, I absolutely love it!
0:09:08 > 0:09:12- It's mad, isn't it?- It is. It is fun.
0:09:12 > 0:09:17We've got a Victorian desk weight and paperclip desk clip,
0:09:17 > 0:09:22cast in bronze as a monkey jockey, riding, what looks to be...
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- I think it's a greyhound, isn't it? - I think it's a greyhound.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29- Quite a muscley greyhound.- Yeah. Quite strong.- Isn't it crazy?
0:09:29 > 0:09:32Only the Victorians would do such a thing.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36Tell me, how did you come to have such a fantastic thing?
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Well, I inherited it from my mother, and she, in turn,
0:09:39 > 0:09:43inherited it from her parents. But I've always known it all my life.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46It was in my grandparents' house when they went on holidays,
0:09:46 > 0:09:49and later when I lived there. it's just always been there.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51- I bet you did this as a kid, didn't you?- Oh yes.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54It was always referred to as "the horse."
0:09:54 > 0:09:55And for quite a long time as a child,
0:09:55 > 0:09:58it was a long time before I realised it wasn't a horse.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00Do they realise it wasn't a horse?
0:10:00 > 0:10:03Oh, yes. they just called it out of fun. It just had that name.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07The centre for this type of work was Austria.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10There's one factory that always calls out this sort of quality,
0:10:10 > 0:10:12and that's Bergman.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14- Right. - Sometimes you see a little mark.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16I've had a really good look over this,
0:10:16 > 0:10:18and I couldn't see a mark anywhere.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Sometimes it's a vase, with a "B" in the centre.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25Sometimes it's marked quite clearly "Bergman,"
0:10:25 > 0:10:28and sometimes it's marked, "Namgreb"
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- "Bergman" backwards. - Oh, yes. Right. I see.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35It's cold-painted bronze.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39The fact it has its original paintwork means a lot.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41These things, because they were fun, they were often
0:10:41 > 0:10:44novelty animals, kids got their hands on them and played with them.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47As soon as you get a kid playing around with
0:10:47 > 0:10:51a bit of cold-painted bronze, the paint chips off all over the place.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54You can see a bit of the damage on his little jockey cap there.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57Really, it's not in bad condition.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00Considering it's probably 100 years, or so, old?
0:11:00 > 0:11:03- Yeah, it was made, probably 1870, 1890.- As long as go as that?
0:11:03 > 0:11:04Yeah. Somewhere like that.
0:11:04 > 0:11:11But it's useful, it's practical, it's in good condition and it's novelty.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13Those three things are all in its favour.
0:11:13 > 0:11:18The rectangular stand that it's on is in walnut.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21- It has that lovely golden glow. - It has. Yes.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24Here, we've got these little areas here
0:11:24 > 0:11:27around the outside of patination. Why is it here?
0:11:27 > 0:11:29To be honest, I haven't used it,
0:11:29 > 0:11:32and it hasn't really had a place on show.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34What do you think it's worth?
0:11:34 > 0:11:37Having listened to what you've said, I should have thought,
0:11:37 > 0:11:39possibly, the hundred pound mark?
0:11:39 > 0:11:43- The hundred pounds should be increased to £300-£500.- Really?
0:11:43 > 0:11:45- As much as that!- Yeah.
0:11:45 > 0:11:46- That is good news.- Brilliant.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49Why don't we put £300 on it as a reserve,
0:11:49 > 0:11:53and if it doesn't make that, take it home and enjoy it for a bit longer.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57Put it somewhere where I can use it. Yes, that sounds ideal to me. You've made my day!
0:11:57 > 0:12:00So, before we take our first trip to auction,
0:12:00 > 0:12:02here's a quick reminder of what's being sold.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06Ron had bought his writing slope at auction, only three years ago.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09Will he see a good return on his £75 investment?
0:12:12 > 0:12:14I loved Cathy and Ray's postcard collection,
0:12:14 > 0:12:17but did it reach my £200 estimate?
0:12:20 > 0:12:25Was Adam right with the estimate of £100-£150 for Margaret's pen collection?
0:12:25 > 0:12:29And did James hit the spot with Jane's letter holder?
0:12:31 > 0:12:34Well, we're just about to find out as we head over to our first
0:12:34 > 0:12:36saleroom in Stamford, Lincolnshire.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40Going under the hammer right now, we've got a walnut
0:12:40 > 0:12:44writing slope, with a fitted mahogany interior, with a value
0:12:44 > 0:12:47of £60-£100, there is a lot riding on this, and all will be revealed.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49It belongs to Ron, who's putting it under the hammer,
0:12:49 > 0:12:50and you've brought?
0:12:50 > 0:12:54- My grandson, Ryan. - Ryan, how do you do?- OK.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56- Do you love antiques or football? - Yeah.- Both.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00- What's your favourite football team then?- Liverpool.- Liverpool.
0:13:00 > 0:13:05The money is going towards young Ryan's present for Christmas.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09- Right, we need 100 quid or so. - Yes, we do.- That's what we want.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12Do you know though, on a good day, two people
0:13:12 > 0:13:15falling in love with this, it could get 120, I don't know.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17Ryan, this is the excitement of the auction room,
0:13:17 > 0:13:18are you ready for this?
0:13:18 > 0:13:21- Yeah.- Here we go, it's going under the hammer now. Good luck to you.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23- This is it.- The large writing slope,
0:13:23 > 0:13:28what should we put it at? 60 to start. 65, 70, 75.
0:13:28 > 0:13:35- 80, 85.- 80?- It's gone.- 90. New money, 95. 100, 110. 110, 120. 130.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38130, 140.
0:13:38 > 0:13:45- 160.- 160. Take your 70, Sir. 170. 180.- I was right.- 180, 190.
0:13:45 > 0:13:51200 down here. Sale seated at 200. 210 up there. 220. 220.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55You sure? 220, seated. 230 if you want?
0:13:57 > 0:13:59She said yes!
0:14:01 > 0:14:06I sell down here at 250, the seated bidder. He wants that box at £250.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08LAUGHTER
0:14:10 > 0:14:16- £250.- How good is that, Ron? - Quality. It was all there, complete.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19The condition was great, as well. What a result.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23Next up, I'm feeling the pressure with Cathy and Ray's
0:14:23 > 0:14:26postcard collection, which went under the hammer in Cirencester.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31Great Aunt's collection of postcards is just about
0:14:31 > 0:14:35to go under the hammer, and they belong to Cathy and Ray, here.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38We've got a value of £200, which we talked about on the valuation day.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Lots of social history captured here for ever,
0:14:41 > 0:14:44and hopefully the collectors are in the room.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46I know you've got more mementos of Great Aunt,
0:14:46 > 0:14:49- so you don't mind selling these, do you?- No.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52- Up in the loft, out of sight.- Yeah. - Now they're going to be out of mind.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54Here we go, they're going under the hammer.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58Three early 20th-century postcard albums.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00A lot of Gloucestershire in there. 100, I'm bid.
0:15:00 > 0:15:08At 110, if you like now. 110. 120, 130. 140. 150. 160.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12170, the bid's at. 180, 190. 200.
0:15:12 > 0:15:18210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270,
0:15:18 > 0:15:24280, 290, 300, 320, 340, 360, 380.
0:15:24 > 0:15:30- Blimey!- £400 on the left, now. At £400. 420, if you like.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34At 400, are you all sure?
0:15:34 > 0:15:39- £400! The hammer's gone down. How about that, Cathy?- That's fantastic.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43That was great, wasn't it? I love it. There was a tear in your eye?
0:15:43 > 0:15:47- There was, yeah. - That was worth taking it to Flog It.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49Thank you so much for bringing it in.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52What a wonderful moment. I knew they were special.
0:15:52 > 0:15:57It's up to Penrith now, for the sale of Margaret's collection of pens.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01Is it time to say goodbye to those pens and pencils?
0:16:01 > 0:16:04- Have we got that value right? £100-£150.- I hope so.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07We're just about to do battle in the auction room,
0:16:07 > 0:16:11and find out if the pen is mightier than the sword.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15- £150, top end, that's what we want. There is a lot there.- There are.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17If you divide them by the amount of pens,
0:16:17 > 0:16:19it works out fairly reasonably.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23- Very reasonably!- Exactly. You sounded a bit disappointed then.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26- Well, we'll see.- There's a lot of collecting there.- Yes, yes.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30Good luck. They're just about to go under the hammer. This is it.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34A collection of pens, propelling pencils, the whole lot of them there.
0:16:34 > 0:16:42Various bids. I have £70 bid. 70, 80, 90, 100, and 10. 120, 130, 140.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44Oh, they love it, they love it.
0:16:44 > 0:16:51160, at £160 bid. 160, 180. 180, at 180.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58With Janet at £180. I'm selling, all done. At £180.
0:16:58 > 0:17:03- I like the sound of that. 180! Happy with that?- Yes, thank you.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06That is brilliant, isn't it? Lots of memories though.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10- Well worth collecting over a period of time.- Yes. Yes.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Another happy Flog It customer.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16How did Jane's letter holder do, when it went for sale in Glasgow?
0:17:18 > 0:17:21Jane, this is a wonderful thing.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23Possibly the nicest thing in the auction today.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26It's a cold-painted bronze, it's the monkey riding a greyhound.
0:17:26 > 0:17:27It's the letter holder.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31James Lewis beat me to this at the valuation day. You zoomed in on it.
0:17:31 > 0:17:38- You focused on it. He grabbed it. It's good, isn't it?- I love it.
0:17:38 > 0:17:43I've just got to ask, why, why, why are you selling this?
0:17:43 > 0:17:45Well, I've been used to it all my life,
0:17:45 > 0:17:48I've got really used to it, and now I've inherited it,
0:17:48 > 0:17:49I find I don't use it.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52You don't have to use it, you just look at it.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56I'm not even looking at it, it's tucked away in the corner of a desk.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58It's lost its wow-factor for me a little bit,
0:17:58 > 0:18:00because I've known it all my life, literally, all my life.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03- It so good, and it's so quirky, and I've not seen this one before.- No.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06Let's find out, shall we?
0:18:06 > 0:18:10Superb, cold-painted, bronze letter holder,
0:18:10 > 0:18:12depicting a monkey sat upon a greyhound.
0:18:13 > 0:18:19- Starting at 200.- Right, we're in. - 200 bid. With you, sir, at 200.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21Any advance on 200?
0:18:21 > 0:18:27220, 240, 260, 280, 300, 320,
0:18:27 > 0:18:35340, 360, 380, 400, 420, 440,
0:18:35 > 0:18:38460, 480.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41It's down to two people in the room.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45520, 540,
0:18:45 > 0:18:50560, 580,
0:18:50 > 0:18:56600, 620, 640,
0:18:56 > 0:19:04- 660.- This is good. It's so rare. - 680, £680.- Good gracious!
0:19:04 > 0:19:09- All done at 680? All done at 680, 680.- Yes!
0:19:09 > 0:19:13Slowly, slowly, catch the monkey there. Anita worked that one out.
0:19:13 > 0:19:19- She did.- £680, Jane. Oh!
0:19:19 > 0:19:22- After commission, there's still a lot of money.- Still a lot of money.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25For something I had sitting in the corner of the room.
0:19:25 > 0:19:26What are you going to put it towards?
0:19:26 > 0:19:30Well, we're off to Canada in a couple of weeks' time.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32So, it will provide a nice little bit of spending money.
0:19:32 > 0:19:37- There may be a new digital camera in the offing somewhere as well. You never know.- Yes, yes, snap away.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40I could see that on your desk, in your office, in your auction room.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42So could I!
0:19:49 > 0:19:53Well, Jane was extremely excited, wasn't she?
0:19:53 > 0:19:56That's what it's all about. A great result.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59Now, in the early days of the Royal Mail,
0:19:59 > 0:20:01post was delivered by horse or by coach,
0:20:01 > 0:20:03and no doubt here at Sherborne Castle,
0:20:03 > 0:20:07there was even a butler to sort all that that sort of stuff out for you.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10It wasn't until after stamps were invented in 1840
0:20:10 > 0:20:12that we saw the first post boxes
0:20:12 > 0:20:16being introduced to the streets of Britain.
0:20:16 > 0:20:17It was author Anthony Trollope
0:20:17 > 0:20:20who, whilst working for the Post Office at the time,
0:20:20 > 0:20:25spotted post boxes in France, and he suggested they be introduced here.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29Now, over the years on Flog It, I've met some incredible collectors,
0:20:29 > 0:20:33but back in 2004, on a visit to the Isle of Wight, I met up with
0:20:33 > 0:20:37Arthur Reeder, whose collection, literally, had me seeing red.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41# Return to sender
0:20:41 > 0:20:43# Return to sender...#
0:20:43 > 0:20:46You can never find a post box when you're looking for one,
0:20:46 > 0:20:51but then again, they're a bit like buses, they all come along at once.
0:20:52 > 0:20:53# Bright and early next morning
0:20:53 > 0:20:56# He brought my letter back...#
0:20:58 > 0:21:00This is quite amazing really, isn't it? It's almost surreal.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04It's like Stonehenge, but all the rocks are painted bright red.
0:21:06 > 0:21:11The humble post-box takes on all shapes and sizes,
0:21:11 > 0:21:14and has adorned our streets since 1853, with the majority
0:21:14 > 0:21:17made from cast iron, they were designed to stand the test of time.
0:21:17 > 0:21:22They weigh in at around a ton each.
0:21:22 > 0:21:2621 years after the first box appeared, the Post Office
0:21:26 > 0:21:30embarked on a ten-year mission to paint them a uniform colour.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32They chose red because it was highly visible,
0:21:32 > 0:21:36and in England they've remained the same colour ever since.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43But there's one man whose interest in boxes takes him
0:21:43 > 0:21:47all over the UK, and resulted in a first-class collection of his own.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53We've taken shelter out of the rain in Arthur's garden shed
0:21:53 > 0:21:55to take a look at some of his collection.
0:21:56 > 0:22:02What I want to know is how you get started collecting letterboxes?
0:22:02 > 0:22:06Right. Well, like most things, some people collect stamps.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08My father used to collect stamps.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12My mother was supposedly born in a post office, so I suppose
0:22:12 > 0:22:15I was going to do something along these lines at some stage.
0:22:15 > 0:22:16My actual interest is in street furniture.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20I've never heard this called street furniture before.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22I love furniture, but this is a first for me.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24Well, street furniture is all-encompassing,
0:22:24 > 0:22:28it can be phone boxes, street signs, anything like that.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32So, how long ago was it before you purchased your first one?
0:22:32 > 0:22:34Well, I got my first one purely by chance,
0:22:34 > 0:22:36because I actually went to North Wales to photograph
0:22:36 > 0:22:40a wooden one on a station in Rhyl, and when I got there, it had gone.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44I actually tracked it down. It was on a skip, ready to go out into the rubbish.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47I asked the stationmaster what he was going to do it,
0:22:47 > 0:22:49and he said, "Well, you can take it if you want it."
0:22:49 > 0:22:51The provenance thing comes in. I had to ask him
0:22:51 > 0:22:54if he would sell it to me, give me a bill of sale.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57And I took this rotten old wooden box, that had been vandalised,
0:22:57 > 0:23:00set fire to, home with me, to where I used to live in Harrow,
0:23:00 > 0:23:03and I restored it. It's the one actually sitting behind you there.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05- This one here.- That one there.
0:23:07 > 0:23:08That's back to its former glory.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11It's properly better than it was when it was on the station.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13The condition of them is absolutely fantastic.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15I love that pillar box bright red.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17Do you have to restore a lot of these?
0:23:17 > 0:23:20They are virtually all damaged in some way,
0:23:20 > 0:23:23and you have to do a lot of work to restore them back.
0:23:23 > 0:23:24Particularly cast iron,
0:23:24 > 0:23:26because any kind of repair to cast iron is very expensive.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30So, how do you go about doing that? What you do?
0:23:30 > 0:23:32The most important thing is making sure you have all the bits,
0:23:32 > 0:23:35if there's something missing, you have no chance of replacing it.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37- Yeah.- You've got to have all the bits,
0:23:37 > 0:23:40you have to find a decent welder, who will weld cast iron.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42Luckily enough, there is a very good man on the island.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45Something's going through my mind right now, I'm thinking,
0:23:45 > 0:23:48you've got another shed somewhere in this garden full of spares.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50Post boxes that you can actually break down.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53Well, actually, you're not far short of it there.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55Because some of the bigger ones that are down the garden
0:23:55 > 0:23:58are actually an amalgam of about four or five different bits and pieces.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02It might take five broken doors to make up one good one.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05But when you finish the job, and get it blasted and painted,
0:24:05 > 0:24:07and I put the final coats of gloss on, you can't tell.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09Why are some of these bright green?
0:24:09 > 0:24:11Well, the green ones that you see
0:24:11 > 0:24:14are actually not British green at all.
0:24:14 > 0:24:15They're the Republic of Ireland.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19I was going to say they look shamrock green, rather than British racing green.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22It's actually grass green, another standard colour.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24But unfortunately anyone who's travelled
0:24:24 > 0:24:27the Republic of Ireland will know that just about any colour
0:24:27 > 0:24:30green is usable over there, but the actual proper colour is
0:24:30 > 0:24:33the grass green that you see on these ones behind me here.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36What's the most unusual box you've got?
0:24:36 > 0:24:39Right. Virtually all of them are unusual
0:24:39 > 0:24:41by virtue of the fact that I've got them.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44They've all got their own little personalities, haven't they?
0:24:44 > 0:24:46Oh, every one's got a story. Every one's got a story.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49I suppose the box I've got standing in the garden from Hong Kong
0:24:49 > 0:24:53has got to be one of the most unusual ones I've got,
0:24:53 > 0:24:56quite a few of the ones I have here are actually,
0:24:56 > 0:24:58well, there's only one or two examples in existence.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02So, I mean, take for example, the box from Rhyl,
0:25:02 > 0:25:05and this one here, next to it. They are very rare,
0:25:05 > 0:25:08there's only one of these left in existence in use.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11When I was walking around the garden earlier, I noticed a few post-boxes
0:25:11 > 0:25:13without a cipher on, now, why is that?
0:25:13 > 0:25:17When the first boxes were produced, they all had the cipher
0:25:17 > 0:25:21of the reigning monarch, which was Queen Victoria, like you see here.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25That's a cipher, embossed. That actually says "Victoria Regina."
0:25:25 > 0:25:27When they came up with the design modification to make
0:25:27 > 0:25:30the cylindrical box, they actually forgot to put the "VR" cipher
0:25:30 > 0:25:33on the front of the box, and they even forgot the words "Post Office,"
0:25:33 > 0:25:37and that's around about 1887, and they then produced them
0:25:37 > 0:25:39for a further nine years before they realised
0:25:39 > 0:25:42that there was nothing on the box
0:25:42 > 0:25:45to say they belonged to the Post Office, or the reigning monarch.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48So, how many have you got in your collection?
0:25:48 > 0:25:51As of today, I've got 142.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55- That is so many to have in your garden, and in your sheds.- Yes.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57The thing is I've actually got slightly more than 142,
0:25:57 > 0:25:59because I have a couple of spares.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02So, you have to have a few swaps, you see?
0:26:02 > 0:26:04Maybe to get the one you want,
0:26:04 > 0:26:06you might have to swap two or three, or something.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08- You know?- What is the one you want?
0:26:08 > 0:26:12- The Holy Grail.- Well, the ultimate Holy Grail is the Penfold post-box.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15There's about 110 of them still around the country,
0:26:15 > 0:26:19and there's a few in the Republic of Ireland as well.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23There's a couple worldwide, one in India, one in Pakistan and a couple in Australia.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27What would you be prepared to pay for that? That particular one.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30- Now, you see, the trouble is... - Or swap?
0:26:30 > 0:26:33Well, I don't think there's any chance of me getting one,
0:26:33 > 0:26:36because they are all listed structures, and as such,
0:26:36 > 0:26:38they shouldn't ever be removed from where they are.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41Well, I think it's great. Where does the collection go from here?
0:26:41 > 0:26:43Because I think what you're doing, actually,
0:26:43 > 0:26:48is preserving our heritage for future generations to appreciate.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52I would dearly, dearly love to display all these smaller items
0:26:52 > 0:26:55and the smaller wall-boxes in a proper building,
0:26:55 > 0:27:00or least ways, a bigger shed, so that people could actually come
0:27:00 > 0:27:02and walk around, and have a look at them.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05- It's a link with the past to the present.- We want to see it.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07We want to see it bright red as well.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10Well, I'd like to see this museum up and running pretty quickly.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14Yeah, so would I. I'd love to get all these boxes out of the shed.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16Thanks very much. Much obliged.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21So, it's time to look back at some more
0:27:21 > 0:27:23of my favourite treasures from the archive.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26And I'm taking you back to Bangor, where, in 2002,
0:27:26 > 0:27:31Kate Bliss found a beautiful writing accessory.
0:27:31 > 0:27:36Sue, what we have here is a super quality Victorian writing cabinet.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39Just before we open it, tell me where it came from?
0:27:39 > 0:27:42I've had it for about 25-30 years.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44My husband bought at auction, round about that time.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48- I think he paid £45 for it.- Right.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51Well, £45, 30 years ago, was quite a large sum of money, wasn't it?
0:27:51 > 0:27:52Yes. I think it was.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55I think there were gasps in the auction room when my husband
0:27:55 > 0:28:00paid 45, but it was in such a lovely condition, and we did want it
0:28:00 > 0:28:04very much, so he probably paid a little bit over the odds at the time.
0:28:04 > 0:28:08It's rosewood, of course, which has this very attractive,
0:28:08 > 0:28:13almost black grain running across the top there and the sides.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16And we've got this super marquetry inlay,
0:28:16 > 0:28:19which is typical of the late Victorian, Edwardian period.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23Ribbons and swags, in boxwood and just a little bit of ivory there.
0:28:23 > 0:28:27And we've got two cast brass carrying handles there.
0:28:27 > 0:28:32And if we open it up, we can really see the full extent of the quality.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36And the accessories. We've got a leather inset writing service,
0:28:36 > 0:28:39that really looks as if it's never been used,
0:28:39 > 0:28:44and on the inside, the mahogany interior, a set of little pigeonholes
0:28:44 > 0:28:48for the stationery, and these lovely little drawers on the side there.
0:28:48 > 0:28:52Beautifully made, for stamps or sealing wax.
0:28:52 > 0:28:56And a little calendar here, for 1900, which is nice, isn't it?
0:28:56 > 0:28:59Would that be, that would be original to the box, would it?
0:28:59 > 0:29:01- So, it was about that period? - That's right.
0:29:01 > 0:29:05I would think we're looking at late Victorian for the time it was made.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09But that certainly could have been used while it was in use, I think.
0:29:09 > 0:29:10It's a lovely thing.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13It's certainly the sort of thing that a collector would go for.
0:29:13 > 0:29:18In today's current market, I would put an estimate of £300-£500 on it.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21I don't see any reason why it wouldn't reach the upper end of that.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23What do you think about that?
0:29:23 > 0:29:26- Erm... - Had you set your hopes on...- Yes.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29I think I would be a little disappointed
0:29:29 > 0:29:31if I put it in auction and it fetched 300.
0:29:31 > 0:29:32Right.
0:29:34 > 0:29:39I have a feeling it's worth, not considerably more, but perhaps 500.
0:29:39 > 0:29:43I think a 500 reserve is going to be pushing it, to be honest.
0:29:43 > 0:29:47- I think that that might just put people off a little bit.- You do?
0:29:47 > 0:29:52- What about somewhere in between the three and five?- Shall we compromise?
0:29:52 > 0:29:55I think if you're happy with that, it is a good compromise.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58It's lovely quality, I would hope you are right.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00I hope that it does go above that.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02I think if we say 400, that's got a chance.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05I think if it went for three, I'd rather keep it in the family.
0:30:05 > 0:30:09We'll find out a bit later if the bidders agree with Sue or Kate's estimate.
0:30:09 > 0:30:15But first, here's a quick look at some of my other favourite items that flew away at auction.
0:30:17 > 0:30:22Elizabeth Talbot had a giggle with Pam in Lincoln in 2005.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24Thank you for bringing your two pigeons.
0:30:24 > 0:30:28- He was obviously a very serious pigeon fancier.- He was, yes.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31- And he raced them?- Yes, he did. - How long ago would that be?
0:30:31 > 0:30:34Well, he's been deceased 13 years.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36- They've been in a loft since then.- Right.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38Not a pigeon loft!
0:30:38 > 0:30:41Very good. You were quicker than me!
0:30:41 > 0:30:46Elizabeth was spot on as they sold for £135.
0:30:47 > 0:30:52Charlie was very interested in John and Hillary's postcard collection.
0:30:52 > 0:30:54It says, "Coad fish." C-O-A-D.
0:30:54 > 0:30:58I would have thought that means codfish, but they don't make cod that size.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00- They might have done then. - I shouldn't think so.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03Fish and chips for the rest of your life.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06They were thrilled when they made £740.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08And David gave Alan the seal of approval
0:31:08 > 0:31:13with a collage of firsts, including a Penny Black.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16What is so good... It's a collage of firsts.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19So you've got the first stamp, adhesive stamp,
0:31:19 > 0:31:21which is the Penny Black.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24And then what is so important, this is the most valuable element,
0:31:24 > 0:31:27you have the Australian cricket team when it visited the USA.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30This is the exciting element because you have got one signature there,
0:31:30 > 0:31:35- Don Bradman. - Alan got £270 at auction.
0:31:37 > 0:31:41So, to Solihull now, where in 2007,
0:31:41 > 0:31:45James Lewis spotted a lovely little desk ornament.
0:31:45 > 0:31:49Albert, when I first saw this, I saw it from behind and I thought it was a little desk watch.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52Then I looked from the front and I thought it was a picture frame.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55Then I picked it up and thought it was a desk weight.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58The thing is, they're all three in combination.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00So it's a really neat little thing for somebody's desk.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03Tell me, it's obviously continental,
0:32:03 > 0:32:07it's got a German or an Austrian scene on the front there,
0:32:07 > 0:32:11it looks like somewhere Rhine Valley, I should think.
0:32:11 > 0:32:13If we turn it over, it's inscribed in Swiss on the back.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17So it's a Swiss made thing probably for the German market.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20It's a little picture,
0:32:20 > 0:32:23painted on ivory and the clock tower here actually has
0:32:23 > 0:32:28a working little timepiece in there, on a solid marble plinth.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31Is that something you picked up on your travels?
0:32:31 > 0:32:33No, no, it belongs to the wife's mother.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35How does it come to be in your house?
0:32:35 > 0:32:38Well, it was off the mother, but apparently the story was,
0:32:38 > 0:32:42it was brought back from Germany just after the war, the Second World War.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45- OK. As a tourist souvenir? - As far as I know, yes.
0:32:45 > 0:32:49- It's a neat little thing, but obviously you don't use it...- No.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53I reckon that's going to go to somebody as a little bit of fun.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56Therefore, it's not a lot of money.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58It's not going to be worth a fortune.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01Having said that, it's nice quality,
0:33:01 > 0:33:05it's gilt brass, it's solid marble, it's watercolour on ivory.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08A nice little Swiss watch movement in the back.
0:33:08 > 0:33:09What shall we say?
0:33:09 > 0:33:13- £40-£60?- Fine.- £30 reserve. - Yeah, fine.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15- Are you happy with that?- Fine.
0:33:15 > 0:33:16Fantastic. Let's see how it does.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19Well, I thought that was quite a low estimate,
0:33:19 > 0:33:22but we'll find out later.
0:33:22 > 0:33:24In the same year, I met Heather in Rochdale
0:33:24 > 0:33:27who brought in one of my favourite things.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29And what a fun time we had!
0:33:29 > 0:33:32Heather, this little group of bears is absolutely stunning.
0:33:32 > 0:33:36I'm so pleased you brought some oak in for me, it's my favourite wood. Did you know that?
0:33:36 > 0:33:38I know you like wood. No, I didn't know.
0:33:38 > 0:33:42It's typical of the Black Forest carvings you find from Austria.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45So, what's its story and how did you acquire it?
0:33:45 > 0:33:49An old lady gave it to me what I used to look after.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52- I just said how nice it was... - And she said you could have it?
0:33:52 > 0:33:56How long did you look after her for then? Did you do that for a living?
0:33:56 > 0:33:59- No, five years.- What did you do before?- I was a hairdresser.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02You were a hairdresser. That's why your hair's so neat!
0:34:02 > 0:34:05- Neat?!- Do you cut your own hair?
0:34:05 > 0:34:08It's a good cut. Do you think I need a haircut?
0:34:08 > 0:34:11Yeah, you could do something doing with it.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17- Let's talk about your Black Forest carving.- OK.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20- Did you know they're called Black Forest carvings?- No, I didn't.
0:34:20 > 0:34:21Austrian.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24And this dates from around about the early 1900s
0:34:24 > 0:34:28and it's done with quite basic chisels and gouges
0:34:28 > 0:34:30- and it's known as chip carving. - Oh, right.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33- And they're very, very collectable. - Are they really?
0:34:33 > 0:34:37Yes. It's a lovely little inkwell and it's a nice group here
0:34:37 > 0:34:41because you've got Mummy and Daddy bear and a couple of babies,
0:34:41 > 0:34:45with a naturalistic log which has been hollowed out
0:34:45 > 0:34:47which holds the inkwell. Now, if I take that out...
0:34:47 > 0:34:50Unfortunately, you've got the pin missing.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52- Did you acquire it like that?- Yes.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55The hinge is still there, it just needs the pin sliding in.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58- It was like that.- That'll make it work. And a bit of solder.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01- You can see, that's cut glass.- Yeah.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03That's all done by being offered up to a little wheel,
0:35:03 > 0:35:07- a little grinding wheel.- Right. - You only get one attempt at that.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09Otherwise, if you muck it up,
0:35:09 > 0:35:12you've got to grind it all off and start again.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15- So, that's not going to devalue it. - No.
0:35:15 > 0:35:16It would if the top was missing
0:35:16 > 0:35:20cos you'd have to find another vessel to put in, really.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22That can be sorted out.
0:35:22 > 0:35:26I think the chip carving, the detail in the work is superb.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28It really is superb.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31It's one of the nicest little groups I've seen, it's complete
0:35:31 > 0:35:34and it puts a smile on your face and that's very important.
0:35:34 > 0:35:36That puts the value up.
0:35:36 > 0:35:40So, what's the all-important question then? What's it worth?
0:35:40 > 0:35:44- That's what you're all here for! - Yeah, go on.
0:35:44 > 0:35:46- You tell me!- I don't know! I've no idea.
0:35:46 > 0:35:48You're the expert. You tell me.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52I bet when you were in the queue this morning,
0:35:52 > 0:35:57you were thinking, could I get a cruise out of it?
0:35:57 > 0:35:58No.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00Come on, you must...
0:36:00 > 0:36:04No, honest to God, I've no idea. Not at all.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07- You've not given it any thought? - No, none. I haven't.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11- I think this will do £250 if we put it into auction.- Do you really?- yes.
0:36:11 > 0:36:15- And I'd like to put a valuation Of £200 to £300 on it.- Very nice.
0:36:15 > 0:36:16We might just get that top end.
0:36:16 > 0:36:18Thank you!
0:36:19 > 0:36:20Why do you want to sell it though?
0:36:20 > 0:36:24Well, because we've gone from a bigger house to a small bungalow
0:36:24 > 0:36:26and I'm just frightened of it getting broken.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28There's nowhere to put it really.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31It's just been stuck in the cupboard and I thought it's a shame.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34- We're going to protect this with a fixed reserve of 200, OK?- Yeah.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36So if it doesn't make 200, it's going home with you.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38- That's right, yes. - Are you happy with that?
0:36:38 > 0:36:41I'll sell it to you if you want.
0:36:41 > 0:36:45And Heather was just as much fun when we got to the auction.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49But first, let's remind ourselves of what else we took to the saleroom.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52In Bangor, we had Sue's Victorian writing case.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54Was she right to up the reserve?
0:36:54 > 0:36:58James loved Albert's picturesque desk weight in Stratford.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02And finally, my favourite, Heather's Black Forest inkwell.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05Did I hit the mark with this one?
0:37:05 > 0:37:07First, we head back to North Wales
0:37:07 > 0:37:10to see what happened with Sue's writing slope.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14We're a few lots away from flogging your writing slope.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17- That's exciting.- It's a lovely little letterbox, isn't it?
0:37:17 > 0:37:19Why are you selling it?
0:37:19 > 0:37:21Just cos I haven't got room for it
0:37:21 > 0:37:24and I need some money to do the cottage up.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28- Oooh. What's wrong with the cottage? - The rain's coming in.- Oh, crikey!
0:37:28 > 0:37:31And it needs rewiring as well.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35- Were you happy with the valuation? Kate's valued this sensibly.- Yes.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37It's priced to sell. Hopefully, this could go to 600,
0:37:37 > 0:37:40650. You just don't know on the day, though.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42It needs two people to fight against each other.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44298.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46This is it. We need a £400 reserve.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49Let's hope it does it. I'm pretty sure it will.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51Quality rosewood writing box.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54One of the nicest boxes you'll ever see.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56Beautiful, that is. Put it in.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58200, I'm bid. £200.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00250. 300.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02- 500.- 500?!
0:38:04 > 0:38:06£600. £600.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09£600. £700.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12£700. £800. £800.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15850.
0:38:15 > 0:38:16900.
0:38:16 > 0:38:17950.
0:38:17 > 0:38:18- 950.- 950?!
0:38:18 > 0:38:21£1,000. Where would you get another one?
0:38:21 > 0:38:23£1,000 and it's gone.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26- Wonderful.- Brilliant. - Thank you very much.
0:38:26 > 0:38:30- Fantastic result. - I'm delighted.- That is superb.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32Quality will always sell, something like that.
0:38:32 > 0:38:33And it's becoming rarer, of course,
0:38:33 > 0:38:37so people are prepared to pay that little bit more to get it now.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40That's going to get lots of renovations done, isn't it?
0:38:40 > 0:38:42It might even pay for the whole lot.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46That was a shock for Kate. Great result!
0:38:46 > 0:38:49Now, let's see what happened at Stratford-on-Avon
0:38:49 > 0:38:52when we tested James's knowledge on that little desk weight.
0:38:54 > 0:38:58Right, now time is up for Albert's desk weight.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00It's got a little clock in and it's an image of the Rhine.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02We've got 30, 40...
0:39:02 > 0:39:04hopefully £60 on this.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06Let's get James's top end of the estimate.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09- It's not a lot, is it? - It's not a lot, but it was the mother-in-law's.- It was, yes.
0:39:09 > 0:39:13- Did you get her permission to sell it?- I did, yes.- You did.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16- He's laughing his head off. - The wife's permission.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19The wife's permission. That's more like it!
0:39:19 > 0:39:22Why do you want to flog it? Has it been on a desk? It's a desk weight.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25- No, it's just been in the cupboard. Doing nothing.- Doing nothing?- Yeah.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28- Sick of it now?- Yeah. - Want to flog it?- Yeah.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30We'll do our best. Fingers crossed.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33It's going under the hammer right now. This is it. Good luck.
0:39:33 > 0:39:38The 1930s desk paperweight, Rhine Valley, eight-day mechanism,
0:39:38 > 0:39:39little clock there in it.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42Rather nice. Blue John moulded plinth as well.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44£20 to start me.
0:39:44 > 0:39:46£20 I've got. Five.
0:39:46 > 0:39:47£30, sir. £30.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50Five. At 30 at the back. Five.
0:39:50 > 0:39:5140. 45.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53- 50.- This is good.- 45. 50.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55Five. 60.
0:39:55 > 0:39:5760 and five.
0:39:57 > 0:39:5870 at the back.
0:39:58 > 0:40:0070 and five, sir?
0:40:00 > 0:40:0275 and 80.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04At 80 and five. 85 and 90.
0:40:04 > 0:40:0790 and five. 95. 100.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10100. Go 110. 110.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13Gosh. I'm pleased you brought this along now. I bet you are as well.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16140. 140. 150.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19145. All right. 150.
0:40:19 > 0:40:20155.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23150, right at the back with 150.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26It's going to be sold. All done.
0:40:26 > 0:40:31£150! He said Blue John, maybe that's what put the price up.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34Well, there we go.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37- You've got to be impressed with that, haven't you?- Brilliant.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39I said earlier, I won't ask you what you'll spend the money on
0:40:39 > 0:40:43if it sells for 30 quid cos there's a letting fee of £7,
0:40:43 > 0:40:44by the time you take the commission away,
0:40:44 > 0:40:46you're not going to go home with much.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49- But you're going to go home with quite a bit now.- Yes. Well pleased.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52What are you going to do with that £140 odd?
0:40:52 > 0:40:56- She'll probably buy a bit jewellery. - A bit of jewellery. Lovely.
0:40:56 > 0:41:00- What a good day out.- Brilliant. - Is she here?- No, no, no. Working.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03- She's working! - Where I should be.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05And you should be, yeah.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09And finally, it's Heather's fabulous Black Forest carved inkwell.
0:41:09 > 0:41:14I had everything crossed as it went up for sale at the Calder Valley Auction Rooms in Halifax.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19Next up, it's my turn to be the expert
0:41:19 > 0:41:23- and we've got some real quality on the show, haven't we?- Like me!
0:41:23 > 0:41:28It's Heather. And your beautiful, carved, Black Forest bears.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31It's a lovely little group. Gorgeous inkwell. £200 to £300.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33- We are going to breeze that... - Hopefully.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35..cos these always sell well.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37I had a chat with the auctioneer earlier off-camera
0:41:37 > 0:41:39and he said, really nice, he said.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43- Something he'd like to own. 200 to 300, no problem.- Oh! Brilliant.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46- That's great.- It is, isn't it? And we've got a packed sale room
0:41:46 > 0:41:48and I don't think they're sitting on their hands
0:41:48 > 0:41:51cos most of them are standing.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54- Anyway, the money's going towards the holiday fund?- Yes.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56- For the kids.- Yes, the grandkids.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59- Good luck. I love what you're wearing.- Thank you.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02Right. Easy, tiger. This is it. Here we go.
0:42:03 > 0:42:07Late 19th-century, Black Forest carved ink stand, lot 49.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09What am I bid for this? Couple of hundred?
0:42:09 > 0:42:11150. £100, thank you.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13£100. 120.
0:42:13 > 0:42:14120. 140.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16160. 180.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19200. At £200. At £200. 220.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21- Get it up!- 240.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23- Go on!- 260. 280. 300.
0:42:23 > 0:42:24Go on!
0:42:24 > 0:42:26And 20. 340.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29- 360.- Go on! Give it a bit of welly!
0:42:29 > 0:42:30400.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32- And 20.- Are you listening?- I am!
0:42:32 > 0:42:35At £420. Any further bids?
0:42:35 > 0:42:37At 420. We're selling.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39420, first and last time.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41Woo hoo!
0:42:41 > 0:42:43LAUGHTER
0:42:43 > 0:42:44Easy, tiger.
0:42:44 > 0:42:48- Brilliant.- £420!- Woo!
0:42:48 > 0:42:50Sock it to them, boy.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53- Wow!- Lovely. Thank you very much. - Isn't that a good result?
0:42:53 > 0:42:55What are you going to do with that?
0:42:55 > 0:42:57I said I'd put it towards the kids' spending money for Benidorm.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00That's right. That's what you said. Treat yourself as well.
0:43:00 > 0:43:04- I treat myself every week so I'll give it to the kids.- I bet you do!
0:43:04 > 0:43:06- Life's for living, Paul, you know?- Exactly.
0:43:06 > 0:43:08- It's not a rehearsal, is it? - No, not at all.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17What a wonderful moment and what a result!
0:43:17 > 0:43:19I was so pleased for Heather
0:43:19 > 0:43:21and what a little treasure she was as well.
0:43:21 > 0:43:24Well, sadly, we've come to the end of today's programme.
0:43:24 > 0:43:27I hope you've enjoyed our little trip down memory lane.
0:43:27 > 0:43:30Join me again soon for another look into the Flog It archives.
0:43:30 > 0:43:34Until then, from Sherborne Castle in Dorset, it's goodbye.
0:43:54 > 0:43:57Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd