0:00:27 > 0:00:29Hello and welcome to Ten Of The Best from Flog It!
0:00:29 > 0:00:33Today I'm at Sherborne Castle in the beautiful Dorset countryside
0:00:33 > 0:00:38and this place has been home to the Digby family ever since 1617.
0:00:38 > 0:00:43Now, this unassuming doorway leads to an 18th century fridge-freezer.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47Well, actually, it's an 18th century ice house.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51During the winter months, ice would be cut from the lake over there
0:00:51 > 0:00:54and stored here until the summer months.
0:00:54 > 0:00:59Then it would be taken up to the house and used to keep the food cool. I find that quite remarkable.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02For today's theme, I've been looking through the Flog It! archives
0:01:02 > 0:01:06and I've come up with something which I think you will also find remarkable.
0:01:06 > 0:01:12It's things we all love, items that have been found or virtually bought for nothing,
0:01:12 > 0:01:15and they always seem to do very well at auction.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22'My first lucky discovery takes us back to Ely where in 2009
0:01:22 > 0:01:26'Elizabeth Talbot found two beautiful paintings.'
0:01:26 > 0:01:29We have a real family affair. We have Geri, Mary and Sophie
0:01:29 > 0:01:32who have brought some beautiful paintings along.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35I think there must be a story behind these. Is there?
0:01:35 > 0:01:37My father was a builder-cum-firm director.
0:01:37 > 0:01:42- Oh, right.- And we used to buy up houses and redo them and do them up
0:01:42 > 0:01:46and this was part of the contents of one of the houses we acquired.
0:01:46 > 0:01:51- So he came back one day clutching two paintings? - And some other things, yes.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55- Do you remember them arriving at home?- I do, yes. Yeah.
0:01:55 > 0:02:00- I was little, very little. - So now there are three of you. Who owns them at the moment?
0:02:00 > 0:02:05When he died, one was left to my husband and one to Geri
0:02:05 > 0:02:08so that both families got one of the paintings.
0:02:08 > 0:02:14- But with small children around the house, it got to the point where they were going to get damaged.- OK.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17- So now you're contemplating selling them.- Yes.- OK.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21Mummy's thinking of selling them, Sophie. What do you think? Do you like them?
0:02:21 > 0:02:26I like the geese and the duck and the river.
0:02:26 > 0:02:31- I quite like the river because it's got, like, two sections.- Uh-huh.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34I like that one better, I have to say.
0:02:34 > 0:02:39Well, they are both helpfully signed AA Glendening.
0:02:39 > 0:02:44It's helpful up to the point that it now tells us it's from the Glendening family.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47The awkward thing is, there are two AA Glendenings.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51One is Alfred Augustus Glendening
0:02:51 > 0:02:54and his son, also Alfred Augustus Glendening.
0:02:54 > 0:03:00- Helpful.- But it is very difficult to be categoric as to who was painting which painting at what time,
0:03:00 > 0:03:05if that makes sense. They could possibly do with a clean, but I like to see paintings look their age
0:03:05 > 0:03:09and I think wherever you've had them hanging, they've been very happy, so that's good.
0:03:09 > 0:03:14Original frames and nice, honest works straight onto the market.
0:03:14 > 0:03:20Have you a hope about what you might realise from offering them for sale?
0:03:20 > 0:03:24- We'd like enough to go on a decent holiday each.- Yes.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27- Not together.- Not together! - THEY LAUGH
0:03:27 > 0:03:31This harmony will only last for a short time! Take the money and run.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34But had you got a figure in mind at all?
0:03:34 > 0:03:38We were hoping for four for the pair, 4,000 for the pair.
0:03:38 > 0:03:44Cos we thought that way, there's enough to have a decent holiday and have the memory of having them
0:03:44 > 0:03:48- and then selling them and having something good out of it. - Something substantial.
0:03:48 > 0:03:54Given the average value that seems to be achievable, I don't think 4,000 is unrealistic.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59So if we place a reserve of £4,000, we'll try and satisfy your requirements.
0:03:59 > 0:04:04Hopefully, we might get a bit more. But that will mean the auctioneer will then place an estimate
0:04:04 > 0:04:07of perhaps £4,000 to £6,000.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11We'll take them in, £4,000 reserve, and fingers crossed.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16'What a find! I think it was right to keep those two paintings together.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21'Now I'm taking you back to Yeovil in 2007 when James Lewis's day
0:04:21 > 0:04:24'was brightened up by Adrian's wonderful bronze.'
0:04:26 > 0:04:28- Adrian, what a great thing!- It is.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31- I love it.- Where did you find it?
0:04:31 > 0:04:34I found it in a charity shop in Shaftsbury
0:04:34 > 0:04:37about two or three years ago. It was £18.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41And the wife loves camels, so we had to have it.
0:04:41 > 0:04:46I love camels, too, and this sort of thing, you go to Egypt...
0:04:46 > 0:04:52This may well have been made around the time of the great excavations in Egypt
0:04:52 > 0:04:56and the discovery of Tutankhamun and the tombs there.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59What we're actually looking at, of course, is a table lamp.
0:04:59 > 0:05:04- That's right.- It's cast in bronze. We called it cold painted.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08- Yeah.- Decorated, here we are, with little bits of gilt and red.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12And this huge trunk here of the palm tree
0:05:12 > 0:05:15has two little lamps at the top.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19- Now this, when it was made, I'm sure would've been gas.- That's right.
0:05:19 > 0:05:24And somebody's converted it. And you can see where the solder is attached there.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27They've added two little electric light sockets to the end.
0:05:27 > 0:05:33Whenever we're looking at this sort of cold painted bronze, the country we associate with that is Austria.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36And there was one factory called Bergman
0:05:36 > 0:05:40who was making an awful lot of this between 1880 and 1920.
0:05:40 > 0:05:45And their mark is either a little bee in a vase stamped into the bronze,
0:05:45 > 0:05:51or they often marked "Bergman" or sometimes "Namgreb" which is Bergman backwards.
0:05:51 > 0:05:56Now, I have had a look all over this, I've had the figures off,
0:05:56 > 0:06:00I can't see anything underneath, so I think it's in the Bergman style
0:06:00 > 0:06:03but probably not by Bergman. But the quality is there.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06- It's wonderful. - It shines through, the quality.
0:06:06 > 0:06:11- The detail on the camel alone is... - Oh, it's great. I love the expression on his face.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13You can even see his teeth. It's wonderful.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- Now we've got to come to some sort of idea of value.- Yeah.
0:06:16 > 0:06:21- If it had been a Bergman one, it would be of huge value. - Yeah.- It really would.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26But the quality's there, so I think your £18 has certainly been a good investment.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30- That's good to hear.- Would you be pleased with £80 to £100?
0:06:30 > 0:06:32Yeah, I think I'd be happy at that.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35That's good, cos I'm going to put £200 to £300 on it.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39- Oh, that's good!- Is that better? - That is much, much better!- Good.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43But I'm hoping that two people will think it's Bergman. Leave it up to them to decide.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46And it'll do very well. But it's going to a good saleroom.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49- That's good. - So I'm sure it'll do well.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53'I'll show you what the bidders thought a little bit later.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56'Now, I was intrigued by Trevor's mysterious device
0:06:56 > 0:07:00'that he brought along to Cowes in 2009.'
0:07:00 > 0:07:04- Trevor, what can you tell me about this?- I can't tell you too much.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06Where did you get this level?
0:07:06 > 0:07:09- I bought it at a boot sale about 25 years ago.- On the island?
0:07:09 > 0:07:14- On the island. - And how much did you pay for it? - About £2.50 I paid for it.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18- Is that all?- That's all. - What do you do for a living?
0:07:18 > 0:07:20- I used to be a roofer.- Right, OK.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24- So I bought this and thought I could use it on the roof. - To find the angles.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28- It's a little too precise, isn't it? - Yeah, I couldn't use it
0:07:28 > 0:07:33- so I put it up in the loft. - I think you've picked up a bargain. I really do.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36It is for a carpenter, but it's for a cabinet maker
0:07:36 > 0:07:39- that would've worked on board ship. - Yes.
0:07:39 > 0:07:44You can see that was hanging up in a workshop somewhere, just with this little hole.
0:07:44 > 0:07:48The second fix cabinet maker would've taken this on board vessel
0:07:48 > 0:07:51with the pieces of furniture he's made in the workshop
0:07:51 > 0:07:53to fit in the cabins.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57Now, when he comes to fit the furniture, awkward-size cabins,
0:07:57 > 0:08:01different ribs, different stations and bulkheads protruding in.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04To find the angles, he would use this.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08He would then set his level to find the horizontal.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11Once he's got that gauge, he could turn this around
0:08:11 > 0:08:15and then he knows, working off that same station line which he's found,
0:08:15 > 0:08:20let's say a 45-degree angle, he knows where the horizontal is.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23That's very interesting, cos I didn't know none of that.
0:08:23 > 0:08:28That is such a precise gauge and tool. It really is.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30I've not seen one like this.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34- Well, it's the only one I've ever seen.- It's a quality item.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38- It really is.- That's nice to hear. - And I'm quite excited about this,
0:08:38 > 0:08:42- because a lot of people collect levels and gauges. - I never knew that.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45There's a collectors' club and I think they're going to want to own it.
0:08:45 > 0:08:51- Oh, that's nice to know.- It's a nice Victorian piece, circa 1880, 1890,
0:08:51 > 0:08:57- towards the end of the Victorian period.- I didn't think it was that early.- So, why do you want to sell?
0:08:57 > 0:09:00Well, I lost my teeth last New Year
0:09:00 > 0:09:03- and...- Oh, yes!- And I'm... HE LAUGHS
0:09:03 > 0:09:05I've got to get some new ones.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09- So you're going to pay for the teeth.- It'll go towards it, yes.
0:09:09 > 0:09:14- I'd like to put this into auction with a valuation of £100 to £150. - That'd be very nice.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18And hopefully get the top end. If you pardon the pun, it will find its own level around there.
0:09:18 > 0:09:23- That'd be nice. That'd be very nice. - We'll put a fixed reserve of £100, shall we?- Yeah, fine.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28'I loved it. It looked great and also had a purpose.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32'I'm taking you to Oxford now, when in 2010
0:09:32 > 0:09:37'Tracy Martin found a little gem brought in by Shirley.'
0:09:37 > 0:09:40The minute I saw this, I absolutely fell in love with it, Shirley.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44It's... It's just everything that I adore in jewellery.
0:09:44 > 0:09:49The wonderful enamelling in blue here and the gold.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53It's just gorgeous! Now, I'm hoping you're going to tell me
0:09:53 > 0:09:57it's been passed down from generation to generation
0:09:57 > 0:10:01- and it's a treasured item that's been in the family for ages. - 40p in a charity shop.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04- Ohh! That's so unfair. Isn't it? - Unbelievable.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07- Have you ever found anything like that for 40p?- No.
0:10:07 > 0:10:13No, me neither. I've had a look at it, together with some of my colleagues.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17It's not actually marked. We've been all over with a loop
0:10:17 > 0:10:19and we can't find any markings anywhere.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23Because of this beautiful blue enamelling work,
0:10:23 > 0:10:28we're guessing that it is gold and we're going with nine-carat gold,
0:10:28 > 0:10:30which is the lowest grade gold.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34If we turn it over to start off with the back,
0:10:34 > 0:10:38we have this kind of pocket at the back.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42- You presumed it was a mourning piece.- I did, yes.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- It's actually for keepsakes.- Right. - And when we turn it round like that,
0:10:46 > 0:10:48we've got this beautiful scarab.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52Did you know instantly or were you taking what we call in the business a punt?
0:10:52 > 0:10:59Well, it glittered and it was just in a basket of bits and bobs, you know, bric-a-brac,
0:10:59 > 0:11:03and obviously, it gleamed and I like Egyptian history,
0:11:03 > 0:11:07- so 40p, couldn't go wrong.- What a bargain.- Yeah.- You can't go wrong.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11I don't think it's British. I think it's probably European,
0:11:11 > 0:11:16but the whole obsession with the uncovering of the tombs in the late 19th century
0:11:16 > 0:11:19and then on into the 1920s with Tutankhamun,
0:11:19 > 0:11:24- I think this is older than 20th century, I think this more 19th century.- Yeah.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27- Have you worn it? - Yes, on a boot lace round my neck.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30- SHE LAUGHS - Oh, fabulous! That's brilliant. - I like a leather boot lace.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34Nothing like a little bit of class, is there, Shirley?
0:11:34 > 0:11:41Erm, I think personally I would like to put a reserve of £250 on it.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45- Fine!- Is that all right?- Yeah!- Good. Thank God for that.- Fantastic!
0:11:45 > 0:11:48With a pre-sale estimate of £250 to £350.
0:11:48 > 0:11:53'I loved that little piece, but before I show you what happened in the saleroom,
0:11:53 > 0:11:56'here's a quick recap of all our lucky finds.
0:11:56 > 0:12:02'It was a family affair in Ely where Elizabeth discovered these beautiful oil paintings.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05'£18 was all Adrian paid for our next lot,
0:12:05 > 0:12:08'the cold painted bronze lamp base.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11'I thought Trevor's marine level was fabulous.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15'And 40p was all Helen paid for her stunning gold pendant.
0:12:19 > 0:12:24'We're off to Stamford first, though, to see what happened to the family's two oil paintings.'
0:12:24 > 0:12:29We're selling the two Glendening oils. Wonderful. I take it one of you owns one
0:12:29 > 0:12:35and one owns the other. And Elizabeth, we've got £4,000 to £6,000 on this!
0:12:35 > 0:12:38Sounds frightening in the cold light of day,
0:12:38 > 0:12:41- but it's well worth the money for the artist.- It is.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43I'm quite excited, aren't you? I'm very excited!
0:12:43 > 0:12:46It's going under the hammer now. This is it.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49The Alfred Augustus Glendenings. The pair of these.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53Straight in at £2,000. At 2,000.
0:12:53 > 0:12:552,100. 2,200. 2,300.
0:12:55 > 0:12:582,400. 2,500, new bidder. 2,600.
0:12:58 > 0:13:012,700. 2,800.
0:13:01 > 0:13:032,900. 3,000.
0:13:03 > 0:13:08- 3,500. 4,000.- Yes.- Ooh. - At 4,000 now.
0:13:08 > 0:13:124,500. 5,000. 5,500.
0:13:12 > 0:13:146,000.
0:13:14 > 0:13:176,100. 6,200?
0:13:17 > 0:13:206,100. At 6,100. Is that it?
0:13:20 > 0:13:24- Are you all out in front? - £6,100.- At 6,100.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27- HAMMER BANGS - Yes! £6,100!
0:13:27 > 0:13:30Spot-on valuation, Elizabeth. There's your holidays.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34You know there's commission to pay. But all credit to the man on the rostrum!
0:13:36 > 0:13:39'That was marvellous! What an amazing find!
0:13:39 > 0:13:43'It's Adrian's bargain find now, which went under the hammer in Exeter.'
0:13:44 > 0:13:49- Why are you flogging this? - Because basically it's surplus to our requirements.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53We've got another baby coming and it's a bit of a heavy lump to have around.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56- OK. And the money's going to come in handy.- Dead handy.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59- It'll be a new car seat.- Why not?
0:13:59 > 0:14:03- £200 to £300. We've seen these do a lot.- A lot better, yeah.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06We've seen them make a lot of money. Can't find a maker's mark on it.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09If it had Bergman, put a 1 in front and more.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13- Cold painted bronzes always sell. - They do. Especially with camels.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15- Animals. Animals sell.- Yeah.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19It's just about to go under the hammer. This is it. Good luck.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Austrian cold painted bronze table lamp
0:14:22 > 0:14:24of an Arab on a camel.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26Minor damage but it doesn't seem to have put you off.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30I open the bidding here at £550.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- Yes. Straight in.- £550.
0:14:33 > 0:14:3680 will you? 580.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38600. 620.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42650. 680. 700.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44And 20. That's the book out.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47It's with you in the room, sir, at £720.
0:14:47 > 0:14:5050 will you? No phones. The book's out.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54I'm selling in the room, then, at £720.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- HAMMER BANGS - Yes! We will take that!
0:14:57 > 0:14:59- Do you know what? Job done. £720. - Well done.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02They are so decorative, no wonder.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05I'm so happy. What are you going to do with £720?
0:15:05 > 0:15:08- Buy a new car seat for the baby. - And? Plus?
0:15:08 > 0:15:12Plus, probably have a couple of bottles of champagne when the baby's born.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- HE LAUGHS - You had a sneaky notion that would do well.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18Yeah, I think they think it's Bergman.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22And it's one of those things with the right feel, the right vibe,
0:15:22 > 0:15:27- so fashionable, they do so well. - Yeah.- Great result. Made its money.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30'Brilliant result. Adrian really enjoyed himself
0:15:30 > 0:15:33'and got enough for a new car seat.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36'It's my turn now, as I take you back to the Isle of Wight
0:15:36 > 0:15:40'and I was sure Trevor was going to get a good return on his £2.50 purchase
0:15:40 > 0:15:42'for that trip to the dentist.'
0:15:43 > 0:15:48- Trevor, it's great to see you again. And you've brought your wife. What's your name?- Elaine.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52- He's a bit nervous today, isn't he? - He is very nervous. - It's his first auction.
0:15:52 > 0:15:58- What do you think?- Yeah, it's all right.- Hopefully they're all here buying your spirit level.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02- I hope so.- That was a good find, wasn't it, Elaine?- It was.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05The only reason I brought it was cos Elaine told me to.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08- Really?- I did, yes. - Well, good for you!
0:16:08 > 0:16:11- I said it was quirky and he should bring it.- Yeah.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14- And I like what he's spending the money on.- Yeah. - THEY LAUGH
0:16:14 > 0:16:17That's a first on Flog It!, isn't it?
0:16:17 > 0:16:20I just hope we sell it. I don't want to let you down.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23Late 19th century mahogany and brass marine level.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26Nice calibrated brass scale there.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29In at 70. 5 anywhere?
0:16:29 > 0:16:3375. 80. 5. 90.
0:16:33 > 0:16:355. 100. 110.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37120. 130.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40140. 150.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42140 here. 150 anywhere?
0:16:42 > 0:16:45150. 160
0:16:45 > 0:16:47170. 170. 180.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51180, yes. 190? 180, then. It's 180.
0:16:51 > 0:16:56190, he's back in. 200. 210, one more. 210.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59220. 210, then. It's in the corner.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- At £210. Selling at 210. All done? - HAMMER BANGS
0:17:02 > 0:17:05Yes! It's all smiles over here!
0:17:05 > 0:17:08- £210!- That's brilliant!
0:17:08 > 0:17:11Less commission, obviously, but that's fantastic, isn't it?
0:17:11 > 0:17:15- You reckon I'll get my teeth fixed? - Well, it's a good start, isn't it?
0:17:15 > 0:17:20- Thank you very much! - That smile will be beautiful! - THEY LAUGH
0:17:22 > 0:17:25'Fantastic! There were smiles all round.
0:17:26 > 0:17:31'Now we're off to Oxford for the sale of Shirley's gold pendant. 40p was all she paid for it.'
0:17:32 > 0:17:35Do you know something? I love this lot. I really do.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38And I don't know why you're selling it. It cost you nothing.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41Well, I've had it a long time and I haven't worn...
0:17:41 > 0:17:44- How many years, ten?- About ten, yes.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47I wore it at the beginning on a leather strap
0:17:47 > 0:17:49and then I put it away,
0:17:49 > 0:17:53so I saw Flog It!, thought I'd give it a go.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57- The rearing cobras. - It's my favourite lot.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00- It is not.- I absolutely adore it. - It is, it's stunning.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04When you were waving at me across the valuation day floor and I came over and saw it,
0:18:04 > 0:18:06it's absolutely gorgeous.
0:18:06 > 0:18:12That cartouche of the scarab in blue enamel, stunning.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16Things are going well. Hopefully this will. It's going under the hammer. Good luck.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22The Victorian pendant, decorated two rearing cobra.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25- 560 I've got.- No! - SHE GASPS
0:18:25 > 0:18:27560!
0:18:27 > 0:18:29570 anywhere? 570.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31580. 590.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35- 600. 610.- I can't believe it. - This is so beautiful.- 630.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38640? At 630. Before I go to the phone.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41- Come on!- 630. 640.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45- There's someone on the phone behind us.- 650. 660.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47660. 670.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51680? 680.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54- 690. 700.- I cannot believe this.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57710. 730. 750.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01- 770.- Gosh. - My heart is pounding!- 790.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03800. 820?
0:19:03 > 0:19:06840. 860.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10- PAUL LAUGHS - 880. 900.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12- 920.- I don't believe it.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15940. 960.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17980. 1,000.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21- 1,000!- And 50.
0:19:21 > 0:19:241,100. And 50.
0:19:24 > 0:19:261,200. 1,300.
0:19:26 > 0:19:281,400.
0:19:30 > 0:19:34- 1,500.- Shirley, what is going on? - I don't know.
0:19:34 > 0:19:381,600. 1,700. 1,800.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41At 1,800. On the telephone at 1,800.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45- All done at 1,800?- Wow! HAMMER BANGS
0:19:45 > 0:19:48- Yes!- Yes! Well done, Shirley! - APPLAUSE
0:19:48 > 0:19:52- Well done!- I don't believe it! - £1,800! How much did it cost again?
0:19:52 > 0:19:55- 40p.- 40p! What can you buy for 40p?
0:19:55 > 0:19:59- My estimate was a bit out, but I don't care!- Thank you!
0:19:59 > 0:20:04- There was something so special about it.- There must have been. I don't know what it is.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07- Wow, wow, wow!- Hurray! - I just can't believe this!
0:20:07 > 0:20:10- What are you going to do with all that money?- Well, a holiday.
0:20:10 > 0:20:15- It's my son's 30th birthday next Friday.- OK. - So he'll have something special.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17- Fantastic.- Gosh. - Oh, I'm so pleased for you.
0:20:17 > 0:20:22That's auctions for you, isn't it? You just can't predict what's going to happen.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26- I said somebody here today is going home with a lot of money. Well done. - I am blown away!
0:20:33 > 0:20:37What an incredible result! We couldn't believe how well that had done.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40What a surprise for Shirley and for the rest of us.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43You never know what's going to happen in an auction room.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46Now, back in 2009 on a trip to Dover,
0:20:46 > 0:20:50I was surprised to come across some incredible structures on the landscape.
0:20:50 > 0:20:55I'd never heard of them before and I was surprised to learn about their place in history.
0:21:12 > 0:21:19I've brought you here to Greatstone near Dungeness to show you these strange-looking concrete structures
0:21:19 > 0:21:22that lie abandoned at the edge of a gravel pit here.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26They look like early forms of abstract art, don't they? But they're not.
0:21:26 > 0:21:31They played a significant part in the history of Britain's defence system.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37'After the First World War, the biggest threat to Britain's security was from the air.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40'What the country needed was an operational edge,
0:21:40 > 0:21:43'a way of pinpointing incoming enemy bombers
0:21:43 > 0:21:45'before they reached the English coast.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49'The old system relied on sight, using spotters with binoculars.'
0:21:52 > 0:21:5630 enemy aircraft over the Channel flying due west.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00'But it wasn't effective at night or in bad weather conditions.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04'The solution lay with one man, Lieutenant William Tucker.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08'Tucker had spent much of the First World War in trenches
0:22:08 > 0:22:12'using listening devices to search out enemy locations.'
0:22:12 > 0:22:17By the 1920s, he decided to apply the same listening techniques to the skies.
0:22:17 > 0:22:22The result was a series of concrete structures like these along the south coast.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25They reflected the sound waves of incoming aircraft
0:22:25 > 0:22:28onto carefully-places microphones.
0:22:28 > 0:22:33'And various sound mirrors survive, dotted along the south coast.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37'But this is the only place you can see all three designs side by side.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43'To explain how they work, I've come to meet Owen Leyshon
0:22:43 > 0:22:46'who's warden for the Dungeness National Nature Reserve.'
0:22:46 > 0:22:51- Owen, hiya!- Hello.- Pleased to meet you. Good to see you.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54- These are absolutely fabulous. - They're brilliant.- Massive!
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- I love the location, as well. - Yeah, very good.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00- This is a 20-foot sound mirror. - This is the smaller one.
0:23:00 > 0:23:05- This is the smaller one, the first one.- How does the technology actually work?
0:23:05 > 0:23:08- Well, it's pointing out into the English Channel.- Right.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11It's collecting sound waves from the enemy aircraft
0:23:11 > 0:23:15- or potential enemy aircraft.- Yep. - So you had a guy standing where I am
0:23:15 > 0:23:19with a sound trumpet pointing back into the 20-foot dish,
0:23:19 > 0:23:22so he's got his back to the sea, and he would have a stethoscope on
0:23:22 > 0:23:27and he's moving that trumpet around, trying to get a bearing of where the aircraft is.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30- And remember, with this one, it's very, very...- It's quite vertical.
0:23:30 > 0:23:35- It's vertical, indeed, so... - It's almost picking up things that are low.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39- That's right.- Not way up there. - So if the planes were coming in very high, they were in trouble.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43So what they did then is they designed a 30-foot mirror...
0:23:43 > 0:23:48- This one here.- ..where they tilted the dish higher up into the sky
0:23:48 > 0:23:50to get the higher aircraft.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53And also, they had a little room underneath
0:23:53 > 0:23:57where the listener could manoeuvre the microphone or the trumpet in the dish
0:23:57 > 0:24:00so he was out of the elements.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03- Can I go and look at the big one? - Yeah, let's go and have a look.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07- It's amazing, isn't it? How big is that?- That's 200 foot.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11'All the information gathered here
0:24:11 > 0:24:17'would be sent back to military HQ at Hythe by phone, where it would be plotted out on a map.
0:24:17 > 0:24:22'That would then give the RAF a chance to send up planes to meet the enemy.'
0:24:31 > 0:24:36- Incredible size when you get up to it, isn't it?- Very impressive. - 200 feet.- Indeed, yes.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40Concave lengthways but also vertically, as well.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44I can see that when you look at the edges. How does this one work, then?
0:24:44 > 0:24:49Well, you've got a set of microphones in a big arc around the forecourt of this 200-foot mirror,
0:24:49 > 0:24:53and you would've had a guy in the office, this window up here.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56But you would've had several people, listeners, out on the front,
0:24:56 > 0:25:02he would've been directing those listeners to get the bearings of where the aircraft are coming from.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06- Right, so they've scaled up. - They've gone big now. - You could certainly say that.
0:25:06 > 0:25:12- And was that accurate? - Yes, it was more of an accurate system than the smaller mirrors.
0:25:12 > 0:25:17But the length was still the same, 20, 25 miles.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21And it's back to the same old issue, the aircraft got faster,
0:25:21 > 0:25:27and so as an early warning system, it was becoming quite obvious that it was struggling.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31- I'm so pleased they're still here. - Yeah.- What was the downside?
0:25:31 > 0:25:34Well, the downside was that we're very close to the sea here,
0:25:34 > 0:25:39and the housing development, all the pressures were creeping down the coast.
0:25:39 > 0:25:44Remember, these were built in a very bare, hostile, quiet environment.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48And also radar came along in the late 1930s.
0:25:48 > 0:25:53So quickly the range that they could pick up the aircraft was much better than these sound mirrors,
0:25:53 > 0:25:56and they became obsolete quite quickly.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58- Impressive structures, though. - Oh, they are, yeah.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02Well, I'm pleased they're here today. I really am.
0:26:02 > 0:26:07'So, noisy urban development in this once desolate area combined with faster planes
0:26:07 > 0:26:11'meant that the sound mirrors were already struggling.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15'But it was the advances in radar that produced the final nail in the coffin.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23'It was all over for these sound mirrors and Tucker retired
0:26:23 > 0:26:25'thinking all his efforts were in vain.'
0:26:27 > 0:26:30But these structures do stand as a monument to a man
0:26:30 > 0:26:34whose work was to have a profound effect on the outcome of World War II.
0:26:34 > 0:26:40The communication systems that Tucker developed between his mirrors and HQ were so effective
0:26:40 > 0:26:44that it was copied by the radar team and led directly to their success.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59'Let's get back to the blue tables in Barnsley
0:26:59 > 0:27:01'where Philip Serrell is talking to Barry.'
0:27:01 > 0:27:05- Enjoy a drink?- Oh, yeah. - Oh, yeah.- Oh, yeah.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09- What, port, sherry and claret? - All in one glass, yeah.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13- Where did you get these from? - Car boot sale.- Car boot sale?- Yeah.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15- How much did you pay for them? - Er, £6.
0:27:15 > 0:27:21- You are a man of generosity, aren't you?- He wanted eight, actually. - And you beat him down.- Yes. Aye.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23That's the Yorkshireman in me.
0:27:23 > 0:27:30- Do you have Horlicks to make you sleep at night, do you, like the advert?- Don't need it. I've wife.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34Did you buy them because you thought they were cheap or because they were nice?
0:27:34 > 0:27:36- I liked them.- You liked them.- Yeah.
0:27:36 > 0:27:41- Plus, I knew they were a giveaway at £6.- They were at eight, as well.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44- Where do you think they were made? - I'd imagine Staffordshire.
0:27:44 > 0:27:49I think so. There's something written on the back of this one that could well be Copeland,
0:27:49 > 0:27:54- but they're certainly English. And what date do you reckon they are? - 1850s.- Absolutely spot on.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58And I think they're great and they would've be used in a wine merchants,
0:27:58 > 0:28:03- possibly even in a big country house in the wine cellar.- Yeah. - Hanging on the barrels.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07You can see the remains here, and it is very, very faded,
0:28:07 > 0:28:12it would've had who the shipper was, the year, which vineyard it came from.
0:28:12 > 0:28:17And these would have been annexed to each barrel. I think they're really collectable.
0:28:17 > 0:28:24I think that we can put £40 to £60 estimate on them all day long.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27- Yeah. - I think we'll reserve them at £30.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30- Yeah.- That's a real "come buy me" estimate.- It should be.
0:28:30 > 0:28:35It's a real "come buy me" estimate and if you have a bit of luck, they might just go and make £100.
0:28:35 > 0:28:39- Yeah, yeah.- So would you be pleased with that?- Definitely, yeah.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42- I've a wife and eight kids so I need some money.- Eight?- Aye.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45Don't need to ask what your hobby is, then. I tell you one thing,
0:28:45 > 0:28:51- don't you get home and get confused as to what the difference between port, sherry and claret is.- No.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54'He certainly needs some money with that big brood.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56'But before we find out how it did at auction,
0:28:56 > 0:29:00'here's a quick selection of some of my other favourite surprises.
0:29:01 > 0:29:05'At Kilmarnock in 2009, James Lewis had a shock
0:29:05 > 0:29:08'when he discovered where this painting came from.'
0:29:08 > 0:29:11- It was found in the skip... - In a skip?
0:29:11 > 0:29:13..where my husband was working.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17- You don't often get an auctioneer that's speechless. - I still don't think much of it.
0:29:17 > 0:29:23- You still don't?- No, it does nothing for me.- I think it should be worth £600 to £1,000.
0:29:25 > 0:29:30'It made £1,900 in the saleroom. Incredible!
0:29:30 > 0:29:32'Another fabulous find next,
0:29:32 > 0:29:37'which David Barby was very excited about in Worcester back in 2004.'
0:29:37 > 0:29:42- You found these, I understand. Where?- In a skip.- In a skip?
0:29:42 > 0:29:46- A skip.- Do you go round looking in skips?- Yes, I'm a skipper.
0:29:46 > 0:29:50'They made £3,500.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54'And these beautiful sketches spotted by Charlie Ross in King's Lynn
0:29:54 > 0:29:57'were bought by Wendy for just £14.99.'
0:29:57 > 0:30:00- 14.99?- Yes.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03I bought it about six months ago in Cambridge.
0:30:03 > 0:30:08I think you've got a cracking investment here. I rather think this is a bit special.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12'Wendy was delighted when it sold for £260.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19'To Cornwall now, my favourite county, where in 2005
0:30:19 > 0:30:22'Kate Bliss found this little treat.'
0:30:23 > 0:30:28I've seen lots of soft toy bears today, he's a little bit different.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32- He is, yes.- Where did he come from? - He came from Weybridge at a car boot sale.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35- Right. So who found him? - Gary found him.- I did, yeah.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39- What do you like about him, then? - It just was so cute
0:30:39 > 0:30:44and we asked to have a look at him and I could see the arms moved and I presumed it was silver.
0:30:44 > 0:30:48And we just loved it, I just loved it when I saw it.
0:30:48 > 0:30:52The thing I like about him is, as you say, the fact that his limbs move.
0:30:52 > 0:30:56And he's been made very carefully, so these are articulated.
0:30:56 > 0:30:58And he is essentially a child's toy,
0:30:58 > 0:31:01but a toy from the Edwardian period,
0:31:01 > 0:31:05cos if we look at the hallmarks, quite clearly on his tummy
0:31:05 > 0:31:08we can see he dates from 1908.
0:31:08 > 0:31:14We've also got maker's initials, too, HVP & Co, which is the maker there.
0:31:14 > 0:31:18And he's been made in two halves really, essentially,
0:31:18 > 0:31:21which is why he's got that seam down the middle.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24Almost like a soft toy bear would be made.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28And he is marked on both sides with the same date.
0:31:28 > 0:31:33And he's got this lovely textured finish to suggest the fur, which is rather nice.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37He's a quality little piece. And, of course, we've got this teething ring...
0:31:37 > 0:31:41- Very chewed teething ring. - ..which is attached to it. It is very chewed, yes,
0:31:41 > 0:31:44but it is the original ring, which is great
0:31:44 > 0:31:50because so often you see little silver rattles or toys attached to a much later ring.
0:31:50 > 0:31:54And this is lovely because it shows all its character really,
0:31:54 > 0:31:57it shows it's been used for what it was designed for.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59And it is in fact mother-of-pearl.
0:31:59 > 0:32:03You can see it's slightly iridescent in the light there.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06But pretty damaged, as you can see.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09He is hollow.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13And really, he's survived very well, taking that into account.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16He's just got a tiny little dent on his tummy.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20Would he have had stones in the eyes or were they always just holes in there?
0:32:20 > 0:32:25You're absolutely right. It was common for little silver novelties like this to have chip ruby eyes,
0:32:25 > 0:32:29and he almost certainly would've had those and they've fallen out, sadly.
0:32:29 > 0:32:34So that's going to bring the value down just a little bit. He's not in mint condition.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38But he's also quite old. So what did you pay for him at this car boot?
0:32:38 > 0:32:43- £20.- £20. Well, I think at auction you might have a nice surprise.
0:32:43 > 0:32:49I think that conservatively you're going to be looking at £50 to £80,
0:32:49 > 0:32:54but he's such a nice little example, he may make a bit more on a good day. What do you think about that?
0:32:54 > 0:32:57- That's excellent. - It's a good return on £20.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03'I need to get out to the car boot sales, I think.
0:33:03 > 0:33:07'I'm finishing today's selection with something we don't see often.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10'Charlie Ross fought me for it when it came in to our valuation day
0:33:10 > 0:33:13'and I wasn't going to argue with him on this one.'
0:33:13 > 0:33:16Nick, you look absolutely terrifying.
0:33:16 > 0:33:21Fancy coming into the Sheldonian in Oxford with these! Tell me about them.
0:33:21 > 0:33:28Well, my grandfather went to, I thought it was Sudan, in the 1880s, 1890s.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31- Yeah.- And we believe he brought them back.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34- He wasn't in the services. - Was he not?- No.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37- Well, it's from South Africa. - Really?- It's a Zulu shield.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40And I think that dates from 1880, 1890,
0:33:40 > 0:33:44which, of course, was the time pre-Boer War, the Zulu Wars.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47It's an extraordinary part of history, really.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51And in remarkable condition. This looks like zebra skin, I'm sure it is.
0:33:51 > 0:33:56- But being 100 years old, we feel very happy to talk about it. - Working tool.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00Obviously if this was modern, we wouldn't want to know, for obvious reasons.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03I'm intrigued by the lattice work of weaving more skin into it,
0:34:03 > 0:34:06which also has a functional purpose, as well.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10- It provides the handle, doesn't it? Which is really interesting.- Yes.
0:34:10 > 0:34:14Just leaving out a couple of notches forms a handle.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16- It's incredibly hard, isn't it? - It is.
0:34:16 > 0:34:20All right, it wouldn't have stopped a bullet going through there,
0:34:20 > 0:34:24but if you chucked a spear at it, it would have to be thrown pretty hard to go through that.
0:34:24 > 0:34:29And they attacked by bashing the spears against that,
0:34:29 > 0:34:35- and you imagine a few thousand people doing that, it's really a terrifying sound.- Absolutely.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38The spear is also Zulu.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41Beautifully made, actually, and in pretty good condition.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44Quite light. It's like a cane, isn't it?
0:34:44 > 0:34:49But then we've got a leather strap here which is strengthening the join
0:34:49 > 0:34:52between the metalwork and the shaft of the spear.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55Look at the age on it. It's amazing, isn't it?
0:34:55 > 0:34:58And it's become rock, rock solid, hard.
0:34:58 > 0:35:03- Value. Any ideas?- No.- You hoped it was worth something when you brought it along.- Of course.
0:35:03 > 0:35:09- I think you've got a value here of between £100 and £200.- Really? - Yeah.- Well, that has surprised me.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12If we're not talking about £100, it's not worth selling.
0:35:12 > 0:35:16I'm sure the shield is of that order and the spear will add a bit to it.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20So we're happy to put it into auction with an estimate of £100 to £200.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22- Thank you.- A reserve of £100. - Brilliant.
0:35:22 > 0:35:26Perhaps auctioneer's discretion if it got close. But I feel confident.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29'What a treat to see something so unusual.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32'I was really looking forward to that going under the hammer.
0:35:32 > 0:35:37'But first here's a quick reminder of my final selection from the archives.
0:35:38 > 0:35:43'The wine cellar labels owned by Barry were sure to be a great investment for him.
0:35:43 > 0:35:48'Denise's small silver bear was a brilliant car boot find.
0:35:48 > 0:35:55'And Nicholas's unusual Zulu spear and shield had us all waiting in anticipation.
0:35:56 > 0:36:01'So first to Sheffield for the sale of Barry's wine labels, where I was feeling rather hopeful.'
0:36:03 > 0:36:05We could be in for a little surprise right now.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08Just been joined by Barry. I have Philip, our valuer.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11£40 to £60 on these five wine labels
0:36:11 > 0:36:14which you picked up for how much? Remind us all.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18- £6.- Six quid for the lot.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21- A poorly octopus. "Sick squid." - I think... Yes.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25I think we could do £150 if there's two buyers that like these.
0:36:25 > 0:36:30I think if you get two people who are interested in wine memorabilia and the like,
0:36:30 > 0:36:34- let's just say we could have some spirited bidding.- Yes.
0:36:34 > 0:36:40And I think each little label could be worth £30 to £40, so add that up.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42- Ching-ching.- I think they'll do 100.
0:36:42 > 0:36:46Hopefully. It's a good crowd here. A good crowd of people here.
0:36:46 > 0:36:51- They'll make what they're worth. - I'm hoping for £150. You know what Philip wants.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54- We know what I want.- We know what you want, yeah, the more the better.
0:36:54 > 0:36:59Let's find out what this lot want. We have a packed auction room. Let's see some hands in the air.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02Three earthenware wine cellar labels
0:37:02 > 0:37:05together with two circular numbered bin discs.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07Some nice 19th century pottery.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10A lot of people like them. There's lots of interest on the commissions.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13- Great.- I'm forced to start at 140.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15- Whoa!- £140.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18I'll take 150 from somebody in the room.
0:37:18 > 0:37:22- 150 is it? With me at 140.- Come on.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26150. I'm out. Looking for 160. Still cheap.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30- Finally at 150. - HAMMER BANGS
0:37:30 > 0:37:34- Yes! Hammer's gone down. £150. - You were right.
0:37:34 > 0:37:38Well, you've got great eyes for spotting a bargain at a car boot.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40Well, I went to Specsavers.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46'I knew it. Barry got himself a real bargain with that lot.
0:37:47 > 0:37:51'To Cornwall next for the sale of Denise's little toy bear.'
0:37:53 > 0:37:58Kate and I have just been joined by Denise and Gary and we've got that lovely little silver Edwardian bear
0:37:58 > 0:38:00just about to go under the hammer.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02We had a chat to the auctioneer earlier.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06Kate put £50 to £80 on this. I've got some good news for you.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10It is good news cos it's going up and up and up. There's a lot of interest.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13There's a couple of phone lines booked on this
0:38:13 > 0:38:17and she is adamant it's going to do around £200 to £250.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20- Brilliant.- It is so unusual and it's so rare being articulated.
0:38:20 > 0:38:25And that's what the collectors want. There's a lot of solid ones, hardly any articulated ones.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29Let's do some battle right now in the saleroom. It's going under the hammer now.
0:38:29 > 0:38:33Lot 521 there is a baby's teething ring bearing hallmarks 1908.
0:38:33 > 0:38:37Pretty little bear. I've got two bids and I've got to start at £300.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41- Good grief!- Great!
0:38:41 > 0:38:43At £300. At £300.
0:38:43 > 0:38:48We done at £300? Going then, with me at £300.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51Straight in and straight out. He had two bids on the book
0:38:51 > 0:38:54- at 300 to start there. - It's only that big!
0:38:54 > 0:38:59Oh, my word, Denise. OK, first thing that springs to mind. What is it?
0:38:59 > 0:39:04I'm just amazed that anyone... We paid £20 for him at a car boot sale.
0:39:04 > 0:39:09- Well, good for you. You see, clearly...- I just can't imagine it would be worth 300.
0:39:09 > 0:39:13Collectors really wanted this little thing and if they get stuck in,
0:39:13 > 0:39:16they're like pit bull terriers, they just fight away.
0:39:16 > 0:39:20- What are you going to do with 300 quid?- Buy some more art products.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25'That shocked us all. We certainly didn't expect that much.
0:39:25 > 0:39:31'And finally we head to Oxfordshire to see what the bidders thought of Nicholas's astonishing tribalware.
0:39:31 > 0:39:36'But before the sale I had a chat with auctioneer Simon Jones to see what he thought.'
0:39:38 > 0:39:40This is absolutely fabulous and fascinating.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43Ethnic artefacts fly through the roof, don't they?
0:39:43 > 0:39:46- They do. They really love them. - Anything tribal.- Yep.
0:39:46 > 0:39:50And with a bit of history and something like this, which is unusual.
0:39:50 > 0:39:55It's a rare skin because being a zebra skin it's not a standard weapon one.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58It's not for fighting with, it's a special occasion. So it lifts it.
0:39:58 > 0:40:03- Cowhide is your normal one. Plenty of those about for £300 or £400. - Yes.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06Has there been much interest?
0:40:06 > 0:40:08Enough to get the old auctioneer quite excited.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10- Really? - Which is unusual for auctioneers.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13Are you going to let me in on this and the viewers?
0:40:13 > 0:40:18I might just do that. Let's say there's been interest from its homeland
0:40:18 > 0:40:20- and the new world.- Really?- Yeah.
0:40:20 > 0:40:24Someone's going home with a great deal of money.
0:40:25 > 0:40:30'I'm glad Simon was as excited as we were. This was something really special.'
0:40:30 > 0:40:34It's great to meet Nicholas. I saw you at the valuation day
0:40:34 > 0:40:39and I admired Charlie walking across the room with this wonderful zebra-skin shield,
0:40:39 > 0:40:41and I just thought, "Ooh, very nice."
0:40:41 > 0:40:45- Were you happy with the valuation, 100 to 200?- I thought it was pretty good, yes.- Yeah.
0:40:45 > 0:40:47- I had a chat to the auctioneer. - Yeah.
0:40:47 > 0:40:51- He said it could do a little bit better.- Oh.- Really?
0:40:51 > 0:40:54- Just a little bit.- That would be pleasant.- Oh, that would be...
0:40:54 > 0:40:57If it makes £14,000, I'll buy you lunch.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00I don't think he hinted that much money, though.
0:41:00 > 0:41:06No. I mean, Charlie, a brave move because these things are so hard to put a price on.
0:41:06 > 0:41:11You see one and you think you've seen them all but they're all different, aren't they?
0:41:11 > 0:41:14- Well, they are handmade, aren't they? - It's beautifully made.
0:41:14 > 0:41:19Why are you selling it? Because it's been part of the family for a long time.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22Modern house, it's a bit small. Can't put it on the walls, et cetera.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25So it's heart-wrenching to get rid of it.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29I hope you get the top end of the estimate, £200. What would you put the money towards?
0:41:29 > 0:41:34Well, we were going to buy our grandson probably a premium bond with some of the money.
0:41:34 > 0:41:39- OK.- The rest would probably go to a lunch or something. - Lunch. Did you hear that, Paul?
0:41:39 > 0:41:42What if you got £800 for this?
0:41:42 > 0:41:46- Steady on!- Hang on, you never know.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48Strange things happen in auction rooms.
0:41:48 > 0:41:52- What would you do with £800? - That would help us towards a holiday.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56- Well, let's hope you get a holiday. - So that's lunch for us and a holiday for him.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59I love auctions, I really do.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03Let's find out what happened. It's now down to the bidders. Here we go.
0:42:04 > 0:42:08The zebra-skin shield, the Zulu one. And what can we say for that?
0:42:08 > 0:42:11A couple of hundred pounds to start me for it?
0:42:11 > 0:42:14500 I'm bid. 550 anywhere?
0:42:14 > 0:42:16£500. 550.
0:42:16 > 0:42:20600. 650. 700. 750.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22800. 850. At £800, then.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25Coming to you now, Pat, at 850.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28£850.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31850. 900.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33950.
0:42:34 > 0:42:361,000.
0:42:38 > 0:42:42- 1,100 I'm bid. 1,150.- Oh, no.
0:42:42 > 0:42:47All done, then? It's with Alan at £1,100. All done at £1,100?
0:42:47 > 0:42:51- HAMMER BANGS - Yes! £1,100!
0:42:51 > 0:42:55I told you something fabulous was going to happen, today, didn't I?
0:42:57 > 0:43:02'Astonishing! Charlie certainly wasn't expecting that sort of result. What a lovely moment.'
0:43:11 > 0:43:15Well, I hope you've enjoyed looking back at some of my favourite moments
0:43:15 > 0:43:18from the Flog It! archives over the last ten years.
0:43:18 > 0:43:22If you've got anything you would like to sell, we would love to see you.
0:43:22 > 0:43:24Bring them along to one of our valuation days
0:43:24 > 0:43:27and you can find dates and venues on our BBC website.
0:43:27 > 0:43:31Just log on to:
0:43:31 > 0:43:34You never know, you could be the ones with the big surprise.
0:43:34 > 0:43:39That's it for today. So until the next time, from Sherborne Castle, it's goodbye.
0:43:41 > 0:43:45Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:45 > 0:43:45.