Everyone's a Winner Flog It!

Welcome to Sherborne Castle in Dorset

and to another special edition of Ten Of The Best from Flog It!

It's said that Sir Walter Raleigh discovered the original castle here

whilst riding from London to Plymouth

and persuaded Queen Elizabeth to give it to him,

presumably as a reward for all his hard work and endeavours in discovering new lands.

But due to finances, rather than renovate that one,

he decided to rebuild and is responsible for what is now the central part of this one,

making a wonderful family home.

Let's face it, we all like to upgrade and renovate, don't we?

Things haven't really changed that much.

I've been looking through the Flog It! archives once again

and I've come up with items related to sporting prowess.

There is huge amounts of money to be made in sporting memorabilia, as you're about to find out.

So welcome to Everyone's A Winner.

'In Malvern in 2009, Adam Partridge met sisters Christine and Jackie

'who had brought in a wonderful set of rugby memorabilia.'

How have you come to own these lovely rugby caps?

Our dad died a couple of months ago

so we were searching through all his stuff

and we just came across them in a suitcase up in the loft.

-So you never knew they were there?

-Never knew they were there, no.

-It was quite a find.

-It was, really, wasn't it? Quite surprising.

Now, can you explain... I'm presuming that this distinguished looking rugby player here

-was the owner of these earlier caps.

-That's what we believe.

-We found the photo with the caps in the suitcase.

-OK.

-These are Newport Rugby Club, aren't they?

-Yes.

-That's right.

-That's right. Famous rugby club, aren't they?

-Yes.

Do we know who this person is?

We're not sure. We think it might be a cousin of my father's.

-Right.

-Charlie Priest. But it's Charlie Priest's cap

-cos his name's in the cap.

-Is it?

-Yeah.

-There we are. CW Priest.

We assume that this is either his father or his grandfather.

But you've got four of them there and they're in fair condition.

-Some of them are a bit worn.

-Yes.

-That one's all right. Is it that one?

-It's this one.

-That one was heavily worn?

-Yeah.

-Must've been.

-Yeah.

-He must have been very proud of that one.

-Must've been.

I see you've got this South Wales Rugger souvenir over here.

And there's a team photo of some of the Newport lads from '48 to '49,

-which also adds in with this bit here, which is '50 to '51.

-Yeah.

-I had a scan through this line-up, I'm sure you have, as well.

-Yes, we have.

-No Priest.

-No.

-We're going to a place where he's a former rugby player himself.

I know the auction house quite well, Philip Serrell's.

-He looks kind of...

-A rugby build.

-Yeah.

And I think that it's a good choice of item to go there cos he's going to like them.

Value-wise, I would think... At what price would you rather have them back?

We said that we wanted to put a £100 reserve for all of it.

-I think that's sensible.

-Yeah.

-You're pitching about the right level.

You don't want to overdo it, cos that'll kill it off and no-one will bid.

But £25 each with a few other bits, £100 reserve sounds sensible.

'I'm sure Philip Serrell had one or two words to say to Adam about that impersonation.

'Now, in Chester back in 2004,

'Nigel Smith found something he thought was absolutely delightful.'

Barbara, you've brought this rather interesting crop, haven't you?

-I think it's wonderful. What can you tell me about it?

-It was given to me by a friend about six years ago.

He is an American and he bought it at an auction in Philadelphia in America

and I believe it to be Russian, but apart from that, I know little about it.

I think you're probably in the right part of the world with Russian,

although the silver's not hallmarked.

A Russian piece, you'd expect it to be marked. So it's probably East European.

It's got this sort of colouring on the silver. This is called niello work.

I don't know quite how they achieve that. But it's a similar technique to the bluing of steel on blades,

when they temper blades. But they get this lovely finish on the silver.

The actual width part is made of wood.

When I first saw that, I thought it was horn,

but it's actually a type of boxwood that's been split

-and then it's been polished and then steamed and twisted.

-Yes.

You've got this wonderful flexibility to it. It's a great thing.

-It could with a bit of repair down the bottom end.

-Yes.

-But it's not serious.

You haven't lost any parts to it, really.

I didn't know whether it was a good idea just to leave it like that or to have it repaired.

I think it's always best to leave things if you're going to sell them.

Generally speaking, don't restore things before putting them into an auction.

Can you tell me about how old it is?

I would think it's late 19th century. I would think it's 1880, 1900, something like that.

So how did you feel when you were given this wonderful gift?

-I was thrilled. I thought it was absolutely beautiful.

-It's a super thing.

-It is, yes.

I think there's so much detail in it.

Why do you want to sell it now? Why have you come to that decision?

I thought I'd like to bring it down to Flog It! to find out a little more about it

and I thought it was one of the most interesting things that I had.

-Estimate-wise, I'd probably value it at somewhere in the region of £100, £150.

-Mm-hm.

Because it's a nice quality thing and I think there's a good market

for anything related to riding and horse racing and so on.

There's a good fraternity that collect these things. Would you be happy to sell at that level?

-Yes. As long as we can put a reserve on it.

-What sort of reserve would you like?

-Round about 120, I think.

-So the auctioneer would have to put an estimate of £120 to £180.

We can't have a reserve higher than a printed estimate,

so let's say £120 to £180. I think it stands a very good chance.

'What a beautiful riding crop. I wish I'd spotted that.

'Now it's my turn, where in Truro back in 2003,

'I found something for all cricket enthusiasts out there.'

Gordon, how did you come across this child's cricket bat? You obviously are a big cricket fan.

-I am.

-Or did you play?

-Yes, indeed, I'm a very keen cricketer.

I was asked by Willie Watson, the Yorkshire batsman,

if I could go into the Australian dressing room

and get six bats signed for his benefit year, which this was.

I thought, "Here's an opportunity of me getting these autographs myself, as well".

-Fantastic! What a thing to do, walk in the dressing room and meet all those players.

-It was wonderful.

Was it one of your ambitions to play for Yorkshire?

I'd have loved to have played. It was an honour even to be 12th man for Yorkshire five times.

-That was an honour.

-You were first reserve for Yorkshire?

-Yes.

I got on the field against Gloucestershire and made a catch,

which was quite a honour for me to do that.

That's fantastic! Your autograph should be on here, as well!

Not really, no. HE LAUGHS

So you've got all the Australian test series side there.

And what's really lovely, we've got all the signatures,

but we can put faces to the names because here they are.

If we turn it over, you've got some fantastic names.

-Len Hutton.

-He's my idol.

-England captain, test series.

-Yes.

-Unbelievable!

-Norman Yardley.

-Why are you selling it?

Well, my son is not a keen person as far as cricket's concerned,

but I thought I wrap it up and people ask to see it

and that's as far as it goes, so I might just as well sell it.

-So you want to flog it. Do you have any idea of its value?

-Not at all.

If we had that one signature of Don Bradman on here,

I think we'd be looking at £2,000 to £3,000.

But unfortunately, it's not.

But I do have a feeling this could get into the £200 mark at auction.

-Wow!

-Yeah?

-That's good news.

I'm going to put a valuation of £140 to £180 on it.

-And I think we should protect it with a reserve.

-Yes.

-Because you don't want to let this bat go for nothing.

-Oh, no.

-It mustn't go for a duck, must it?

-THEY LAUGH

'What a fabulous story. It was great to hear all about Gordon's sporting memories.

'James Braxton was sure he was onto a winner with my next choice,

'brought into Peterborough back in 2005.'

Margaret, Trevor, I love these Norman Thelwell figures.

Tell me, have you had them very long?

Er, about 25 years, 20 years, something to that effect.

-So you bought them when they were issued?

-Well, they're my husband's really.

-Yeah.

-What made you bring them in?

-Because we saw them on television

-and my husband said, "Ooh, I've got three of those!"

-Which programme was that?

-Flog It!

-Norman Thelwell was commissioned to produce cartoons for the Sunday Express

and these cartoons featured Penelope and the unruly horse called Kipper

-and they were a huge popular success.

-Oh, right.

This little fellow's called Kick Start and there we are,

the reluctant Shetland pony there.

And then there's Penelope and Kipper

and over here we've got Pony Express. So really going for it.

But they're great fun. And the nice chestnut-coloured one,

I have a dappled grey one, this is the chestnut fellow,

and over here, the maker's name, John Beswick.

Beswick, great collecting field.

-Have you ever had them valued?

-No, no.

-How much did you pay for them, can you remember?

-Erm...

My daughter bought them, so obviously she didn't tell us the price of them.

So, you know, we don't really know.

No. It would've been churlish to have told you the price.

But they do quite well now. The last one I sold made £80.

I think I had something like £50 to £70 as an estimate.

If I could keep that estimate, so we've got three, so let's say £150 to £200,

let's hope they make about £300.

-Yes.

-Double your money.

-Yep.

-Thank you.

-Thank you. I hope so.

-Don't thank me yet.

-THEY LAUGH

-You've got to flog them first!

-Quite. Reserve it for the auctioneer.

Yes. Let's get a nice one. SHE LAUGHS

'All our auctioneers are nice. But before I show you what happened,

'here's a quick reminder of my first lot of sporting treasures.

'Sisters Christine and Jackie were selling their late father's Welsh rugby caps.

'Adam knew Philip Serrell was going to appreciate these.

'Nigel loved Barbara's Russian riding crop

'which had been given to her by a friend.

'Gordon shared some great moments with me when we spoke about his cricket bat.

'And James Braxton thought these Beswick horses were fantastic. Did the bidders think the same?

'I'll show you in a moment how they did,

'but first, I spoke to Philip Serrell about those wonderful Welsh rugby caps.'

You're the best person to bring these to because you're a rugby player.

I love rugby. This is where the expression "being capped for your country" came from.

-So England, Scotland, Ireland or Wales, every time you played, you got a cap.

-These are Newport.

These are Newport Rugby Club. The other interesting thing about Welsh rugby,

now it's all regionalised, so you've got the Ospreys,

you've got the Dragons, Cardiff Blues,

and sides like Newport, Pontypool, Pontypridd, Neath, they've all sort of evaporated in a way.

But these early caps belong to a splendidly-named Knacker Priest.

What a man, Knacker Priest. He's obviously got that nickname from something.

Whether he dealt with dead horses

or it's his style of rugby, I don't know.

-But they're just wonderful. And I think they've been estimated at, what, £100, £150?

-Yeah.

We've got a lot of interest and I think they'll do well.

'Adam knew they'd be right up his street. So how did they sell?'

We've got four Newport rugby caps. They're going under the hammer now. Early 1900s.

-I'm excited about these.

-So was Philip.

-Was he?

We put them on the table in front of him and he waxed lyrical cos he loves rugby.

-I said that on the valuation day.

-Perfect place to bring them.

He's contacted a few old mates and he knows they're going to go back to Wales

-and I know there's three or four phone lines booked.

-Really?

-So fingers crossed.

Lot number 241 is the Newport rugby caps

of the splendidly named Knacker Priest.

I'm bid £100 on the book, commission bid. At £100.

-They're already sold.

-110. 120. 130.

140. 150. 160. 170. 180.

-190. 200. 210.

-They might do 300.

-240.

250. 260. 270. 280.

-They might do more.

-This is good!

-It is.

290. 300. 310.

At £310 only. At 310. 320.

330.

330. 340? On the net, is it? 340. 350?

350. 360?

370. 380 is it on the net?

380. 390?

-400 on the net, is it?

-400.

-At £390 is the room. Any more?

At £390 and I sell then. Thank you.

You've got to be so pleased! That's great news for you mum.

-That'll cheer her up no end!

-It certainly will, yes,

-Especially as she's coming out of hospital today.

-Yep.

-Get on the phone and tell her. Well, you'll go and see her.

-I'll do a text.

-THEY LAUGH

-What a result!

-It had a really good try and converted as a good result.

Ooh.

'Well, puns aside, it really was a good result.

'To North Wales now for the sale of Barbara's silver riding crop.

'I had hoped the bidders would appreciate this as much as I did.'

-Now, we know what Nigel valued this at, £120 to £180.

-Mm-hm.

-But you were slightly pushed up there, weren't you?

-We originally said £100 to £150.

-We were squeezed on reserve.

-Who did that, Barbara?

-I'm afraid so.

-We all want a little more than what we normally get.

-Human nature.

-I don't blame you for that. Let's see if it goes the distance and gets tops money,

or will it fall at the last hurdle? Here we go, it's going under the hammer. Good luck.

The riding crop.

50 I'm bid. £50. 60. 70.

80. 90. 90.

It's worth more than this. 100. £100. 110.

-120. 130.

-Oh, right.

-130.

-140. 150, a fresh bidder.

-Come on, come on.

-150. 160.

170. 180.

-Oh, this is good.

-Good heavens.

-This is good news.

-190 is it?

-180. All done at 180, then?

-HAMMER BANGS

-Nice result.

-Yes! That was great!

-Romped home.

-Romped home, yes!

-THEY LAUGH

-You proved them wrong.

-Nigel, you were spot on.

-Yeah. I'm pleased for you.

-That's great. Thank you.

£180!

-That's great.

-Where is that going?

Well, I have to buy a new generator for my motor home, so it's towards that.

'That was lovely. It thoroughly deserved that result.

'Next up, Gordon's cricket bat, which I found when we visited Truro. I had everything crossed.'

It's my innings now. This is my valuation on Gordon's cricket bat.

£140 to £180. So we're looking for a couple of centuries

and let's hope we get it. Will you be sad to see it go?

Yes, I will perhaps now,

but, er, I'll miss Len Hutton's signature.

I've got one at home somewhere but I don't know where it is, I can't find it.

-Good luck.

-Cricket bat there. Signed by the 1956 Australian touring side.

16 cricket captains on that bat.

Also a postcard of the 1956 Australian touring side.

Very quickly, £100? £100, thank you, I'm bid.

At 110. 120 now.

-120. 130. 140 the bid.

-140.

160. 170 is it? 170.

180. 190. 200. At 210 behind.

At 210. 220? We're done at £210.

-HAMMER BANGS

-273.

-All out!

-We did it.

-Yeah.

-£210.

-That's not bad.

-A good result.

-I'm pleased.

'Great. That put a smile on Gordon's face.

'Next we're up to Stamford to see if the trio of Beswick horses galloped off to a new owner.'

A little more comical than we normally see. We see the serious figures of the Queen

or a Canadian Mountie or just the horses standing alone.

-We have to be different.

-We need a big, big smile if we're going to get the £200, £250 mark.

-I hope so.

-Would you like that?

-Oh, yes.

-Fingers crossed. Shall we put some pressure on James because he did the valuation.

-He did.

-He did.

-I like them.

-Does he?

-Norman Thelwell, very good.

-Penelope and Kipper. I think they'll do very well.

-This is it. Good luck.

-Thank you.

Three Beswick comical horse figurines.

Will it be a trot, canter or gallop?

Where are you going to start me? 50 quid. 50 I'm bid. 50. 5. 60. 5.

70. 5. 80. 5. 90. 5. 100.

-Here at 100. 110. 120. 130.

-He's quick, isn't he?

-Yeah.

-He is.

I bet he's got a sore throat.

200. 210. 220. 230.

240. 250. 260. 270.

270 here. Anybody else now? 280.

290. 300. 310.

310 on my right. At 310. 320.

330. At 330 now.

340. At 340.

Sell over the far side at £340 now. All done?

-At £340.

-HAMMER BANGS

£340. Beswick does it again on Flog It!

-Oh, lovely!

-It's become the new Clarice Cliff,

-the new Troika, it's all about Beswick now.

-It is, isn't it?

Yeah, and you've just flogged it. So you're not collecting it.

My daughter probably won't be very happy!

-She bought my husband them for his birthdays.

-I know, for about £15 each.

-Five.

-£5 each.

-£5 each.

-So that's 15 quid for the lot.

-Yeah.

-Beswick's a good investment, isn't it?

-Yes.

-Good result all round, James.

-Yeah, everyone's a winner.

What a brilliant result.

Beswick figures have been steady sellers on the show for many years.

Now, I've made no secret of my love for horses.

In fact, we have three of them at home. They dominate our lives and one of them is an ex-racehorse.

So I got quite excited when I had the chance to visit the Jockey Club in Newmarket back in 2009.

The place is full of racing history and some wonderful works of art.

In Britain, there's an incredible 15,000 thoroughbred racehorses in training

and this place, the Jockey Club gallops in Newmarket, just south of Ely,

is one of the biggest training centres of all.

There's around 2,500 horses regularly working out on these gallops every morning.

'And the man who can tell me more is John Maxi,

'Jockey Club director of communications and a regular work rider here in Newmarket.'

-It's a great morning for it, John. What's going on today?

-We've got horses working up Warren Hill

and it's probably the most popular and most used bit of gallop in the country.

These gallops are fantastic. And they're all going uphill, so it works the horse's back end.

Yes. There's a gentle incline for the first two and a half, three furlongs,

and then it gets really quite steep towards the top end. This gallop is just under five furlongs long.

Most races are much longer than that. But they'll canter them once or twice up here,

just working them, and the incline is perfect for getting a horse to really exercise.

And you'll hear them, when they come past us on the crest of the hill,

-beginning to blow and making a noise which shows that their lungs are getting a workout.

-Expanding.

Here we go. Look at that. I'll tell you what,

-you've got a fantastic office, haven't you?

-It's not a bad view.

-Like the suit, as well!

-It's not like this every day.

This is really... My work brings me to Newmarket on a regular basis

and when I'm here, I ride out on our facilities, which is no bad thing,

and also gives you the chance to talk to staff and trainers.

-I'm jealous. I really am.

-The thrill about riding these horses here,

the nice ones are like sitting in a nice car, sports car.

-Even when you're only going at half speed, you know...

-There's something left in the engine.

There's an awful lot more to give and the smoothness of the way they travel and the feel they give you,

it's tantamount to that. That's where the passion and the buzz comes from.

'John's hillside office overlooks the town of Newmarket

'where the Jockey Club was founded 250 years ago.

'The original building has changed because of fire and modernisation.

'Today, though, it's not just for official meetings,

'it's also a stunning venue for weddings and banquets.

'Some parts have been restored to look exactly as they did in the 1700s.'

-What's this used for?

-This is the coffee room.

We're actually on the very same site that the original coffee room

when the Jockey Club first came to Newmarket in around 1750 was founded.

-Gosh. So this is where everybody met.

-Exactly.

The Jockey Club first met in London

but the aim, I think, was always to come and base themselves in Newmarket.

They were racing fanatics and this is where the best racing was,

and so they moved here and they set up a coffee room on this site

and they would use these booths around here to get to know each other, to wager on the races.

Fantastic, isn't it? Love the booths. Let's take a closer look.

So going back to the 1700s, we would be a couple of wealthy racehorse owners sitting here

-wagering a bet with each other.

-Absolutely.

I think much plotting, much gambling was done in these booths.

For example, I might have been opposite you, Paul, and said, "My horse is faster than yours".

You would've said, "No, he's not"

and we would arrange for a match for you to ride your horse against mine out on the heath.

When the Jockey Club came in, a degree of order was brought in to the way those races were conducted.

-Right.

-They said where the races had to be started from, what weight should be carried.

It shaped race horsing worldwide.

Absolutely. The term "Jockey Club" is used all around the world,

from Hong Kong to America and Australia.

Formerly, that would've been as the governing body for the whole sport.

Now the Jockey Club has no central governing or regulatory role in horse racing

but it is the largest and most influential commercial body in this sport.

'The Jockey Club's current patron is the Queen

'and other royals are or have been members, including some from overseas.

'And a few other familiar faces have contributed their services over the years.

'Horse owners have also contributed. They've donated the most incredible collection

'of famous and valuable paintings which line the corridors.'

Walking through the corridors, you pass many trophies and bronzes and paintings.

It is literally the history of racing right here in this building.

But I've got to show you this, because this is by Sir Alfred Munnings,

an Edwardian artist who had one eye.

He's got to be my favourite artist of all time.

And this is a study of a larger oil painting just back there

and it's painted in Manton, which is just on the Marlborough Downs near where I live.

And look at that. It's a working study.

He did this in the field off this horse, Bucken.

You can see here, his little details where he's saying, "I need slightly higher neckline there,

"I need to add some blue" which he's done, he's captured a bit of blue light.

Dated October 23rd 1920. Manton.

And there's another Alfred Munnings up there.

If I could own anything in the world, I think it would be that oil painting.

There's something about Munnings' work, it's slightly loose and impressionistic

but full of life and vitality.

A master brushstroke put on with confidence.

And now we enter the morning room, and literally, you're greeted with oils adorning the walls everywhere.

Works by Stubbs, Sartorius. It's as good as it gets in here.

But what I'd like to show you is this. This is by Stubbs,

possibly one of the greatest horse artists of all time.

This is a picture of Eclipse, saddled and ready to race at the Four Mile Stables.

Not only was that a very successful racehorse, but it was also a very successful stallion,

because it's said that 95 percent of all male bloodlines

in thoroughbred racehorses

can be traced to this one horse.

That's throughout the world, to this one horse.

Also, the horse lives on today because here is one of its hooves, if you like that kind a thing.

But on the top, it's been engraved with the same image that Stubbs has put on the canvas.

It's unbelievable.

'So, back to the Flog It! blue tables where in Derby in 2004,

'David Barby found something that got him all excited.'

Monique, where did you get this wonderful object from?

-It came from my grandma, that's all I can tell you.

-Did she buy it new?

I've no idea. No idea.

It was always on the fireplace when I was a little girl

and my granddad kept his pipe cleaners in it and that's all I can tell you.

Did he never use it to drink his beer?

No, not that I know of. Not that I know of. No.

And what about your husband?

-Did he use it?

-No.

So where's it been?

Just in the cupboard, in the drawers. Anywhere.

-Anywhere other than on display.

-That's right. I've never, ever had it on display.

Oh, this is a wonderful piece of social history.

First of all, it's Doulton stoneware, made at Lambeth.

And this piece here has all the history of cricketing on it.

All the various positions like the bowler,

wicketkeeper and then the batsman.

It really is a lovely, lovely piece.

I would covet this.

It has a silver mount and the assay mark is for Sheffield.

And if I'm not mistaken, it's for 1899.

-So it's over 100 years old.

-100 years old.

It's such a treasure.

Look at this, this floral decoration.

That is in the prevailing style of the late 19th century which is called Art Nouveau.

So you've got three knocks.

Doulton, Art Nouveau, and the most important ingredient,

the cricketers.

All those add up to a very desirable piece of pottery.

-How much do you think it's worth?

-Honestly, I've got no idea.

-Have a guess. Come on.

-50?

-Oh, I think it's worth more than that.

From the cricketers point of view, if it goes up for auction,

I think the auctioneer will place 150 to 200.

And hope, and hope that it's going to go considerably more.

-Would you be happy?

-Yes. Yes. Because it's no use to me.

-Well, it's doing nothing, that's the reason you're selling it.

-That's right. Yes.

-And what are you going to do with the money?

-Buy a new handbag.

'We'll find out later if Monique raised enough money to get her new bag.

'But first, let's take a quick look at some of my other favourite winning memories.'

Would you like to demonstrate what it does?

You take the top off and you've got a drinks set,

-then you take the decanter out...

-Then it plays.

-..then it plays.

What's the song that it's playing?

Oh, it's Oh What A Beautiful Morning, isn't it?

OK. Let's put that back in and that stops it playing.

'What a novel piece. It reached £45 at auction.

'Lyn's great uncle won this lovely set when her dog came first at a contest in 1939.'

-This is the photograph...

-That's a picture of his dog, yes, Jubilee Jimmy.

Jubilee Jimmy. What a name.

-Jubilee Jimmy, winner of the Winter Challenge Stakes, January 1939.

-That's right.

-Great.

'Lyn was delighted when it sold for £160.

'And football fan Nigel found this little lot of sporting treasures in Warrington.'

-Me and my brother watched George Best on the black and white telly.

-So did I, and at Old Trafford.

The nice thing about these is that you got George to sign them.

-George signed them in 1999 at a sportsmen's dinner.

-Right.

He was so courteous, I just asked him if he'd sign them

and he signed them straight to me.

'With no reserve, I was worried, but they sold for £85.

'Off to Monmouth, where in 2008

'Mark Stacey thought he was onto a winner with this triumphant prize.'

Pam, what a wonderful trophy you've brought in to show us.

Isn't it gorgeous? It was given to me by my uncle, who has since died.

But he was a famous steeplechaser himself and this was given to him by somebody else

to encourage him, you know, to do well with his steeplechasing.

Wow! So it was sort of a nice present to help him on his way, really.

-That's right.

-Keep his optimism and enthusiasm up.

His wife now, she is frightened to have it in the house on her own

and she said, "It's been willed to you, would you like it now?"

And change it into some money,

rather than have the worry of it getting lost before she actually dies.

-Oh, what a sensible thing to do.

-And she's a lady of 90, you know...

Well, let's have a look at it now. It's a very typical Victorian piece.

You've got this sort of pedestal section.

The cover surmounted by a figure of victory.

Erm, you've got the description here which says

it was won by A J Philpotts...

-That's right.

-..and his mare, Undaunted.

-That's correct.

And it's dated April 1898.

-It's a long time ago.

-A long time ago, over 100 years, which is nice.

-Yeah.

The hallmark fits in exactly with the date of the prize.

-Right.

-It's 1898, it's hallmarked in Sheffield by James Deakin & Sons.

OK. Is he quite a famous silversmith, then?

He's quite well-known but he's quite prolific. He made a wide range of items.

-OK.

-Sheffield was one of our main bases.

And then actually when we turn it around, we can see on the back here,

we have this wonderful engraving of a horse and jockey.

-Beautiful. It is lovely.

-Somebody at some stage has dropped this.

Which is why we've got dents and rocking on the base.

-And why we've also got a little bit of damage to the arm here...

-OK.

-..of the lady.

That will affect the value because somebody who buys it will have to restore that.

-I see. OK.

-Will have to spend a bit of money knocking that out, straightening it up a bit.

-But it's such a lovely piece.

-It is.

But I've got to point these things out to you because it does affect the value.

In terms of putting it into auction...

-..I would probably suggest something like 300 to 500.

-Mm-hm.

But I think we've got to tailor the reserve a little bit below that.

-OK. OK.

-I think we should put a firm reserve of £250 on it.

-OK, yeah.

And it won't sell for a penny below that.

But I think also putting that estimate on will hopefully excite some extra bidding.

-Right.

-And we might get quite a horse race over it.

-With any luck.

-That would be nice. That would be nice.

'You'll find out later if the horse or the silver collectors were at the sale.

'And finally, I spotted this amazing but incomplete set

'in Ashbourne in 2010 and I loved it.'

OK, game on. Well, it would be if we had the other half of the set.

Where is it, Sandra? You sure it's not at home?

-Definitely not at home.

-Have you had a jolly good look?

Everybody's looked, we've searched, we can't find the other...

This is possibly one of the best chess sets, or part sets,

that I've seen in a long time. So how long have you had these?

They've been in my possession for the last three years

but my mother before that had them for about 40 years.

-And where did she get them from? Do you know?

-My late uncle's, when he died.

-They were found in his possessions.

-That's as far as you can trace the story.

As far as we can trace it. We don't even know if he played chess. As far as I know, he didn't play.

Did he tour at all, for a living? Was he in the merchant navy?

Nothing like that, no, he never got married.

-These come from Sorrento. These are Italian.

-Right.

That's what I can't understand. He wasn't a traveller at all.

-I'm pretty sure these are made in around about the 1940s, 1950s.

-Right.

And made in Sorrento, renowned for its carving work and its inlay work.

Good tourist pieces of the day.

So this isn't a rare set, or half set.

-I'm sure there are more knocking around. They are all hand-carved.

-Brilliant.

So, there's got to be some out there.

The condition is absolutely perfect apart from the little cross...

-Just at the top.

-..missing on the castle there.

Look at the quality of the carving when you turn these figures around.

-See the folds in her dress?

-Yes.

-Isn't that stunning?

-Bun at the back of her hair. Beautiful.

The bases are made of black walnut.

-Can you see that?

-Yes.

-That's grown in Italy.

I'm pretty sure this is a boxwood or it might be a poplar, but it's a good softwood.

A nice, easy softwood to turn and carve.

-Oh, right.

-But the detail on the pawns, every one is totally different.

-And on normal chess sets, they're all the same, aren't they?

-They are.

It's a shame it doesn't have a lot of age.

That's the only thing it's got going against it.

-And the fact that it's a part set.

-SHE LAUGHS

-Oh, dear.

-I think we could put these into auction

with a value of around £100 to £150.

-OK.

-Keep the reserve at £80.

-Right. OK, yeah, that's fine.

-What do you think? Would you be happy with that?

-That's fine, because we don't really want them.

-Why do you want to sell them?

-Because it's half a chess set, basically.

-It's a silly question, really.

-And I don't play chess.

-Yes.

-I used to love playing chess with my father.

Thank you for making my day with these, because you know I like my woodwork,

and this is right up my street, it really is.

'I had everything crossed for Sandra.

'But before I show you how they did, here's a quick reminder of what we took off to sale.

'Monique's family weren't interested in this Royal Doulton cricketers beaker

'which had been stuck in a cupboard.

'Mark thought Pam's trophy was wonderful and was hoping the racing fans were going to be at the sale.

'And I suspected Sandra's half chess set was going to be a winner in the saleroom, too.

'First we head to Derby for the sale of Monique's Royal Doulton beaker.'

We always say on Flog It! if you want to invest in antiques, invest in quality and condition.

And the next lot has both and it's gorgeous.

It's owned by Monique but not for much longer because this is guaranteed to sell.

With David's estimate of £150 to £200

it's going to tempt the cricketers and the Doulton collectors.

So why are you flogging it?

-I'm not very keen, actually.

-You don't like cricket. Don't like Doulton.

Oh, yes, I like Doulton, but not that particular piece. It was my grandma's.

Oh, I like that, I like the stoneware, and I like those muted hues on that.

You can tell you don't like it. Do you know why?

-The silver's not polished.

-THEY LAUGH

David zoomed in on it at the valuation day.

I saw him go running over to you going, "I want to pick this one."

He's got an eye for quality and I think it's going to do rather well, don't you?

-James thought so.

-I think it's because of the cricketers.

-They're going to sell it.

-Yeah, they will.

-Good luck. This is it.

-Sporting tankard.

Bottom end estimate at £150.

-Straight in there.

-150. 160 do I see?

160 with the lady. 160.

170. 180. 190.

200. And 10. 220.

220. 230.

240. 250. 260.

At 250, still on commission. 260, sir.

-265.

-Fresh legs.

-270 for you.

270 beats it now. In the room at 270. 280 is it?

-To my right. Are we all done?

-HAMMER BANGS

Yes! 270 quid! That's brilliant! Top end, David.

-That's super! I'm so pleased.

-Handbags, handbags, handbags.

How many more handbags do you need or have you got?

-Quite a few.

-What's a few? 20?

-I don't know. Yeah, probably about 20.

'That was great. David knew that was going to go down well.

'So off to Cardiff now for the sale of Pam's fabulous Victorian silver racing cup.'

-£300 to £500...

-Well, let's wait and see.

-..is riding on it.

THEY LAUGH I like it. I like it.

-Or jumping on it.

-Yeah, maybe, yeah.

I think it's exquisite, I really do.

I love the chasing, I love the horse. It's so beautifully done.

-If there's anybody out there who's interested in racing memorabilia...

-That's got to be the thing.

Lot number 299 is the late Victorian silver trophy cup here.

£140 I have to start. 150. 60. 170. 80.

-190. 200. 210. 220.

-He's got a bid on the books.

230. 240. 250. Takes me out at 250.

At £250. Standing at 250. 260. 270.

280. 290. 300.

-310. 320.

-That's more like it. My heart dropped then.

-340. 350.

360. 370. 380.

-390. 400.

-Two people fighting this out.

-410.

420. 430. 440.

-Oh, it's exciting.

-Good, isn't it?

470. 480. 500.

-At £500, the gentleman at £500.

-We've passed the final hurdle.

-Are we all done at £500?

-HAMMER BANGS

-Wow! That's what we like.

-Spot on!

-Are you happy with that?

-Oh, absolutely.

-He's a good man.

-Absolutely.

-£500!

-I know! I know!

-That's so exciting. I'm ever so pleased for you.

'The bidders were certainly in a contest to win that trophy.

'Pam was thrilled with that result.

'Now I thought Sandra's chess set was fabulous.

'But what did auctioneer Charles Hanson think?'

Charles, the bad news is half the set is missing, as you know.

But the good news is what we have got is absolutely fabulous.

Quality like I haven't seen before.

I think the quality is superb. The detail, the expressions, even. It's all there. It's exquisite.

-They belong to Sandra.

-Yes.

-And obviously for not much longer.

I've given this £100 to £150 as a price guide

and I expect them to well achieve that and a lot more.

I think that's an enticing guide.

It's well pitched and hopefully with the right audience, they'll race away.

In a way, you don't really need the other half, do you?

They would look great on a low table like this, a walnut one with a table lamp, just as figures by themselves.

Yeah, they are, as you say, stand-alone objects to really admire.

Have you many chess enthusiasts here which have admired them?

-Yes, we have.

-Interest?

-Interest from all parts of the world.

-So we're excited.

-That's why auctions are so fascinating.

-Anything can happen on the day.

-You never know.

'I was so pleased Charles agreed with me

'and I'd hoped my £150 estimate had been a bit cautious.'

And I did say to you, on a good day, this could fly away.

-Well, that's what you said.

-And I'm still thinking that.

I've got to be positive. It might not fly away but I tell you what, it's going to be sold.

And even if it sells for £150, you'll be pleased, won't you?

-I will if it sells for 150, yes.

-You thought it would be worth about £20.

-That's right.

Because there's only half of it there.

Shall we watch this now? Here we go, this is it.

Italian half chess set. And we've got four telephone bids

in Portugal, Holland, Germany, and Denmark amongst other places.

-Did you hear that? Interest from Portugal, Holland, Denmark.

-Really?

I'll go straight in at £220.

-Never!

-At £220 I'm bid here. At 220.

-That's a great start.

-In the room at 220.

With you, Charles. 220. 240 if you wish.

-OK.

-240. 260.

-280, sir?

280. I have 300.

-Yes.

-320, I have 350.

-380.

-Yes.

-380. 400.

-It's at 420. Yes.

-420. 450.

-Yes.

-480. 500.

-It's at 520. Yes.

-520. 540.

-Never!

-560. 580.

-I can't believe it.

-Yes.

-600. 620.

-Never!

-Yes.

-650, and I'm out. My commission bid at 650 is out.

At 650 on the first phone, 680.

-Oh, my God!

-£700.

-What a lovely moment.

-This is what auctions are about.

-I can't believe this!

780. 800. And 20.

-820!

-820. 850.

-850. 880.

-Sir, 880.

I shall go to Italy now for a holiday!

Hasn't finished yet.

1,100. 1,200. No.

1,100. 1,100. I go to the third phone, Ruth.

At 1,200. Is that a bid? 1,200. 1,300, Charles.

1,300. 1,400 Ruth.

-1,400. 1,500.

-1,500, sir.

-No.

-No. 1,400 on the third phone.

-Are you sure?

Last chance in the room now, at £1,400.

I'm going to kiss somebody in a minute.

Watch out, it might be you, Paul!

-THEY LAUGH

-1,500.

-1,600.

-1,600!

-I can't believe it!

1,800. 1,900, Tom.

I'm shaking. I'm actually shaking.

I'll take 2,200. Yes? 2,200.

2,400. On the fourth phone at 2,200.

Never too late in the room. Come along. Don't be shy.

-At 2,200. 2,200.

-HAMMER BANGS

-Yes! 2,200!

-Absolutely brilliant! APPLAUSE

That's what it's all about, moments like that.

-I can't believe it! Ohh!

-That's what we like to see!

Oh, Sandra, I'm ever so excited for you.

I'm ever so pleased because we dream of these moments. What a surprise, what a shock for you.

Well, it's always great to end on a high. What an astonishing result for half a chess set.

Sadly that brings us to the end of today's show.

I hope you've enjoyed looking back through the archives at some of my favourite high fliers.

Do join me again soon, but until then,

from a stunning Sherborne Castle here in Dorset, it's goodbye.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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