0:00:01 > 0:00:06Hello, I'm Eric Knowles, asking you to dig out your dusty treasures.
0:00:06 > 0:00:11Can they be restored? Should they be restored?
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Find out on Restoration Roadshow.
0:00:21 > 0:00:27Welcome to Stonyhurst College in Lancashire. This is one of the country's top boarding schools
0:00:27 > 0:00:34with a roll call of famous former pupils like Sherlock Holmes' author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
0:00:36 > 0:00:42And, talking of classics, we've got a host of timeless pieces today.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46Everyone wants to know if their possessions are of value.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49Enough for a chateau in France?
0:00:49 > 0:00:55- Should they be restored? - I'd like to hand it to my family.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58And will they make any money at auction?
0:00:58 > 0:01:00Who will start me at £2,000?
0:01:01 > 0:01:07'Coming up: can we save this late-Victorian desk from being written off?'
0:01:07 > 0:01:10You've worn the thing out!
0:01:10 > 0:01:16- 'Our ceramic restorer's worst nightmare - a self-exploding Royal Crown Derby vase.'- Bad news.
0:01:16 > 0:01:21I went into the lounge one morning and there it was, all in pieces.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25'And has this rare Edwardian rocking horse been raced into the ground?'
0:01:25 > 0:01:31I don't want to be unkind, but your rocking horse is one step away from the knacker's yard.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38'It's always a pleasure to be back in my native Lancashire.
0:01:38 > 0:01:45'We've stirred up a huge amount of interest and everywhere I look there are injured objects.'
0:01:45 > 0:01:47See what it's like underneath.
0:01:47 > 0:01:53'One item that could use a restorer's healing hand is this Davenport desk,
0:01:53 > 0:01:57'passed down the generations to owner Katie Hindle.'
0:01:57 > 0:02:00- This is quite well-travelled.- Yes.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02Scotland, from about 1907, I think.
0:02:02 > 0:02:091907. I think it might have been just a few years more. I think this is very late Victorian.
0:02:09 > 0:02:14- You do a lot of writing because you've worn it out!- I don't do any!
0:02:14 > 0:02:22'The desk owes its name to Captain Davenport who commissioned a similar small desk.'
0:02:22 > 0:02:25So have you got any ideas as to its value?
0:02:25 > 0:02:30- Well, maybe £100? - It's worth a bit more than that.
0:02:30 > 0:02:36I know it's in a bit of a state, but in this condition I reckon it's worth £300, £400, possibly £500.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39Certainly worth spending money on.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43'A job for furniture restorer Tim Akers.
0:02:43 > 0:02:51'He's passionate about woodwork, be it early oak of Charles I or walnut from William and Mary.'
0:02:51 > 0:02:57Obviously, leather comes to mind. That's completely shot to pieces, so we'll replace that.
0:02:57 > 0:03:03The other thing that lets it down is that this is quite a nice warm colour on the top.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07- On the front here, it's slightly green.- It is.
0:03:07 > 0:03:12It's where the sun has bleached out some of the warmth from it.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14I can warm that up a little bit.
0:03:14 > 0:03:20- And this is rather loose here. - I think that's meant to come off. - It is. It's never had any glue.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24I might tighten the holes up so that it fits more snugly.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28That way it won't wobble around or fall off.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31Price-wise...
0:03:32 > 0:03:37I think I could do that for £250. There's quite a lot of work there.
0:03:37 > 0:03:44- That includes the leather. - Well, I think that sounds all right. - OK.- I do.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47'Good decision, Katie.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51'In its current condition, the desk is worth £300-£400.
0:03:51 > 0:03:57'Tim will replace the writing leather and tidy up the veneer for £250,
0:03:57 > 0:04:01'which could see it reach £1,000 at auction.
0:04:01 > 0:04:07'But Katie's not looking to sell it. Once restored, it will take pride of place in her home,
0:04:07 > 0:04:11'assuming Tim can bring it up to scratch.
0:04:12 > 0:04:17'We've got wounded personal treasures aplenty here today.
0:04:17 > 0:04:23'Some are seeing the light of day for the first time in years, bringing back wonderful memories.'
0:04:23 > 0:04:31I used to have one of these. 'Others have lasted generations, but need some tender, loving care,
0:04:31 > 0:04:37'like this miniature Edwardian rocking horse in the Campbell family for four generations.'
0:04:37 > 0:04:42- He's been a family friend for some time?- Yes, a considerable time.
0:04:42 > 0:04:49We believe my father played on it and, prior to that, my grandfather and even my great-grandfather.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53Were you allowed to play on him or was he in a bit of a state?
0:04:53 > 0:04:57No, we played on him. Quite a lot. He's called Neddy.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00- That's his name?- Yes.- Oh, right.
0:05:00 > 0:05:05- Something you're thinking of selling?- Er, yeah, we would do.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09We're aware that it's relatively unsafe in this condition.
0:05:09 > 0:05:16So we would spend some money and potentially put it to auction or sell it.
0:05:16 > 0:05:22Date-wise, it's early 20th century. He's more likely to be Edwardian than Victorian
0:05:22 > 0:05:25because he's on a safety rocker.
0:05:25 > 0:05:30The early rocking horses literally had rockers,
0:05:30 > 0:05:34but many a Victorian child went right over the top,
0:05:34 > 0:05:37so this was a safety improvement.
0:05:37 > 0:05:43I have to admit that I don't think I've come across one quite as small as this.
0:05:43 > 0:05:51He's obviously been designed for somebody no more than four or five to play on him.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53Any suggestion of who made it?
0:05:53 > 0:05:57We believe it's G&J Lyons.
0:05:57 > 0:06:04'George and Joseph Lyons were amongst Britain's largest toy makers and were in top department stores.'
0:06:04 > 0:06:09He's a quality horse. You can see it. But, having said that,
0:06:09 > 0:06:12he needs some serious surgery.
0:06:12 > 0:06:19It begs the question, how much money would you have to spend to bring him back to his former grandeur?
0:06:19 > 0:06:23'Fixing Neddy's many racing injuries could cost hundreds
0:06:23 > 0:06:29'and I'm not convinced they'd get much of their money back at auction.'
0:06:29 > 0:06:34It's really a case of trying to make sure he's still roadworthy.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38'The man to get this old nag back on track is Malcolm Green.
0:06:38 > 0:06:46'He started out as an archaeologist and is passionate about bringing unusual pieces back to life.'
0:06:46 > 0:06:52I hope you're a horse whisperer! We really do need your recommendations
0:06:52 > 0:06:56- as to what you consider to be absolutely essential.- Right.
0:06:56 > 0:07:01First of all, it's got woodworm here. That needs to be done.
0:07:01 > 0:07:08It's not a lot of restoration, but these areas that are broken here, the hooves that are broken,
0:07:08 > 0:07:11they're relevant to have repaired.
0:07:11 > 0:07:17- Did you know about the woodworm? - No, to be honest, I used to keep it next to my dartboard
0:07:17 > 0:07:22and I thought that was where the darts bounced out the board!
0:07:22 > 0:07:26I don't think this has been anywhere near Eric Bristow.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30I think you have got a little bit of a problem there.
0:07:30 > 0:07:37'But Malcolm thinks he can solve it, along with the broken hooves and hind leg, for £100.'
0:07:37 > 0:07:44- If you are going to back any horse in your life, it might as well be Neddy. Right? We're all agreed?- Yes.
0:07:44 > 0:07:49'In its lame condition, this tired pony is worth under £200.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53'Malcolm will do the essentials for £100.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57'It could raise his odds to £300 plus.
0:07:57 > 0:08:02'But this once-sprightly horse is in a bad way and will need careful handling
0:08:02 > 0:08:06'if he's to win the day at auction.
0:08:07 > 0:08:13'A lot of the objects that end up on our operating tables have been well loved,
0:08:13 > 0:08:18'but most of our ceramic casualties weren't always handled with care.'
0:08:18 > 0:08:21- Somebody, cleaning, dropped it.- OK.
0:08:21 > 0:08:27- Somebody who will forever remain nameless.- Yes.- OK.
0:08:27 > 0:08:34'Our next customer is Millicent Barron. She's brought a valuable pair of Royal Crown Derby vases,
0:08:34 > 0:08:40'but one of them is in bits. Looks like a job for our ceramics maestro.
0:08:40 > 0:08:45'Roger Hawkins is one of the best in the business.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49'Fixing fragile porcelain is just one of his many specialities.'
0:08:51 > 0:08:55- Do you recognise what it is? - I do. A Crown Derby vase.
0:08:55 > 0:09:01- How long has this been in your family?- About 31 years. One of a pair.- Is this one perfect?
0:09:01 > 0:09:03- Yes.- It looks like it to me.
0:09:03 > 0:09:09'Originally based on an Oriental design, this pattern is known as Old Imari.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13'This vase was a gift to Millicent from her late husband.'
0:09:13 > 0:09:19This looks post-war. It's probably 1940s, 1950s period.
0:09:19 > 0:09:27They would have made these patterns over a span of years, so they would be within that period.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29Shall we look at the bad news?
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Ah, well...
0:09:31 > 0:09:34'Pot lovers, look away now.'
0:09:34 > 0:09:38- Oh, bad news.- I went into the lounge one morning
0:09:38 > 0:09:42and, em, there it was, all in pieces.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46This type of porcelain is very fragile
0:09:46 > 0:09:49and this type of break is common.
0:09:49 > 0:09:55Probably what might have happened to this is it might have had a very slight knock,
0:09:55 > 0:09:58it might have developed a little crack in it,
0:09:58 > 0:10:03and then you have a change in temperature where it just pops.
0:10:03 > 0:10:09'So this vase simply exploded into pieces. The question is can roger save it from the bin?'
0:10:09 > 0:10:13All I can do on this is glue it together
0:10:13 > 0:10:18as best I can. There will be some very obvious gaps.
0:10:18 > 0:10:25What I try and do is put it back together so that some of those cracks are less obvious.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28- Have you any idea of their value? - No.
0:10:28 > 0:10:33This one, on its own, as it's in perfect condition,
0:10:33 > 0:10:37will probably be worth now about £500, £600, £700.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40If they were a pair,
0:10:40 > 0:10:44perfect, in auction, you'd expect them to be around £1,200,
0:10:44 > 0:10:47but there's only one of them.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Like this, it's worth nothing.
0:10:50 > 0:10:56After you've paid me £150 to put it back together... it will be worth nothing.
0:10:56 > 0:11:02- Unfortunately. - 'Ceramics that undergo repair rarely regain their former value,
0:11:02 > 0:11:06'but it's a sentimental piece and Millicent wants to fix it.'
0:11:06 > 0:11:12- I'd be able to display them and I'd be quite happy with that. - You're happy for me to restore it?
0:11:12 > 0:11:18- I think that's a good idea. Like this, it can only go back in the shoe box.- Yes, it will.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22But repaired you have a nice pair.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26'In this condition, the pair of vases are worth £500-£700,
0:11:26 > 0:11:30'with the broken one bringing a big, fat zero to the party.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34'Roger is charging £150 to put it back together,
0:11:34 > 0:11:37'but they won't be worth much more.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41'This is a consolidation job for sentimental reasons
0:11:41 > 0:11:47'and, judging by all those pieces, it might be one of Roger's toughest yet.
0:11:47 > 0:11:52'Coming up, Tim faces a delicate task replacing the Davenport desk's worn-out leather.'
0:11:52 > 0:11:55That is incredibly thin.
0:11:55 > 0:12:00'And has Malcolm done enough to give our rocking horse a run at auction?'
0:12:00 > 0:12:03At 100. 110. 120.
0:12:07 > 0:12:13'Our restorers are an experienced bunch, so there's nothing they like more than the unexpected.
0:12:13 > 0:12:18'We've had more than our fair share of unusual items today.'
0:12:18 > 0:12:20It's a rare piece.
0:12:20 > 0:12:27'You never know what will turn up. Take this beautiful Victorian inlaid chest hiding a lovely secret,
0:12:27 > 0:12:33- 'brought in by Wendy Talbot.' - Wow. It's a wonderful music box. Have you tried it before?- Yes.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36It's always made a ghastly sound.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40We can see if we can get some noise out of it.
0:12:40 > 0:12:41Right...
0:12:43 > 0:12:45VERY SLOW TUNE
0:12:47 > 0:12:53I think it would sound absolutely wonderful if it was working properly.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55All sounds a bit clunky now.
0:12:55 > 0:13:03Oh, dear. That's possibly because there's a problem with the butterfly, this thing going round.
0:13:03 > 0:13:09- Quite simply, somebody has taped it up.- Yes, not me! It was always like that.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12The market for these is really strong. It really is.
0:13:12 > 0:13:20It has everything going for it. The bells, the bees, the hammers, the drum. Absolutely everything.
0:13:20 > 0:13:25As it stands, it's probably worth around £3,000, which is a lot.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28- As it stands?- As it stands.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32- Right.- To fix the butterfly here would cost in the region of £300.
0:13:32 > 0:13:37It could make up to maybe £4,000, £4,500. That sort of figure.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41- So for £300...- You're making an extra £1,500.- Makes sense.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45'This wonderful Victorian music box is worth £3,000 as it is.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49'Malcolm thinks he can mend that butterfly for £300,
0:13:49 > 0:13:54'which could see it hit the high notes at auction.
0:13:54 > 0:14:02'Another sound investment, but it's going to take some expert tinkering to get it back in tune.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07'With the rocking horse too, it's a race against time for Malcolm.
0:14:07 > 0:14:13'Our experts are all singing from the same hymn sheet today
0:14:13 > 0:14:16'in Stonyhurst's hallowed halls.
0:14:16 > 0:14:21'Over at his workstation, Tim's hard at work on the Davenport desk.
0:14:21 > 0:14:27'He's detached the threadbare writing surface and is painstakingly removing the old leather,
0:14:27 > 0:14:32- 'every last shred of it.' - The leather was completely perished.
0:14:32 > 0:14:38It's a lot thinner than leather you get now. I mean, that is incredibly thin.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40No wonder it perished.
0:14:40 > 0:14:46'To fit the new leather, he has to deepen the recess. One slip of the chisel and it's game over.'
0:14:46 > 0:14:51Getting as close as I can to the edge of the veneer
0:14:51 > 0:14:58and I'm using my left hand as a guide, pushing the blade away from the edge of the veneer.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03That's a nice clean edge now, which the leather will fit into.
0:15:03 > 0:15:09'Sometimes antiques arrive at our roadshow looking, well, pretty beaten up.
0:15:09 > 0:15:15'A quick diagnosis often reveals that they need more than our first aid kit.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19'This little Edwardian pony has limped back to Malcolm's workshop
0:15:19 > 0:15:23'where he has the right tools and glue.'
0:15:23 > 0:15:30It really needs to get into the joint. You want it to squeeze out of the joint.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33That's a lot of glue in there now.
0:15:33 > 0:15:39When you squeeze a joint together, you get glue creeping out and it has to be removed.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42Better to remove it at this stage.
0:15:42 > 0:15:49- 'And every break needs plastering or, in this case, strapping.' - These things are jolly good.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52These are things that you get from car shops
0:15:52 > 0:15:58for tying items on the roof of your car, luggage and that sort of thing.
0:15:58 > 0:16:05- 'Very resourceful, Malcolm.' - That's brought that joint up to the position it needs to be in.
0:16:05 > 0:16:10'But the treatment isn't over yet. Remember those bandaged hooves?'
0:16:10 > 0:16:14This is a race that fell at the last hurdle
0:16:14 > 0:16:17and this is the result.
0:16:18 > 0:16:25- 'Someone's had a go at fixing this before.'- There's remnants of some PVA there. It hasn't gone far in.
0:16:25 > 0:16:31- It needs to be removed.- 'The old glue could prevent Malcolm from creating a seamless joint,
0:16:31 > 0:16:37'so he uses a steam gun to soften it before applying his own glue.
0:16:37 > 0:16:43'He's sure his hard work will give little Neddy a sporting chance of being sold.'
0:16:43 > 0:16:49We're doing these minor breaks to make that person looking at it think it doesn't need too much.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53'Let's hope the bidders at auction agree, Malcolm.
0:16:53 > 0:16:59'One item that won't be going to auction is that much-loved, but shattered Royal Crown Derby vase
0:16:59 > 0:17:02'brought in by Millicent Barron.
0:17:02 > 0:17:08'Roger couldn't join it onsite, so ambulanced it back to his workshop
0:17:08 > 0:17:11'to figure out what goes where.'
0:17:11 > 0:17:16I'm sitting here looking at the next piece to glue. It is a jigsaw.
0:17:16 > 0:17:23- Let's look at this one. - 'But gluing the pieces together is only half of the problem.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27'This vase has warped, making alignment tricky.'
0:17:27 > 0:17:30If I hold this in position,
0:17:30 > 0:17:37so that it's in alignment there, it's not going to be in alignment there. There's going to be a gap.
0:17:37 > 0:17:43So I think all I can do on this piece is try and glue half of it.
0:17:43 > 0:17:48I've got to decide which half. Maybe from there to there.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52Glue that and when that glue has set
0:17:52 > 0:17:55maybe put a clamp across the join here,
0:17:55 > 0:17:59run some glue in it and force that back into position.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03Easier said than done. I'll never get it perfect.
0:18:03 > 0:18:08It's almost a lost cause, but we try for as good an alignment as we can.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12'It's a real brainteaser and no two bits are the same.'
0:18:12 > 0:18:16They really are very difficult to do.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20We'll just do one piece at a time, very slowly but surely.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24'Too much pressure and Roger could have more pieces to play with!'
0:18:24 > 0:18:29The danger would be that I crack this piece or any piece,
0:18:29 > 0:18:34so I have to be very careful how much force I use on that.
0:18:34 > 0:18:39- There's no substitute for experience.- 'Roger has plenty.'
0:18:39 > 0:18:43This piece here, you need a PhD in Clampology
0:18:43 > 0:18:48to actually work out where to place the clamp.
0:18:48 > 0:18:53It's damaged enough as it is. We don't want to cause any more damage.
0:18:53 > 0:19:01'At Malcolm's workshop, he's examining his second casualty - that out-of-tune music box.'
0:19:01 > 0:19:06- Very dusty.- 'He took the mechanism out to repair the butterfly,
0:19:06 > 0:19:13'a governor that controls the speed of the wind-up release. First, he has a spot of cleaning to do.'
0:19:13 > 0:19:17It's got glue and all sorts on it here.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21One of the biggest problems of working on things
0:19:21 > 0:19:27is when you have to undo repairs that were undertaken by people in the '20s, '30s and '40s.
0:19:27 > 0:19:34Maybe the '50s, even. These were undertaken when the item was worth very little, I suppose,
0:19:34 > 0:19:39and they used the materials at hand. Chewing gum, old sticks, all sorts.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43'Thankfully, this repair job can be reversed with some elbow grease.'
0:19:43 > 0:19:50I think I'll be able to use these. I thought I might have to replace them, but they'll clean up OK.
0:19:50 > 0:19:55They're not too badly bent, so I'm just straightening these out.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59Hopefully, we'll re-use them. Looks like a baby elephant.
0:19:59 > 0:20:06'Having rescued the butterfly from its botched repair, Malcolm can turn to the real problem.'
0:20:06 > 0:20:10I can see why, basically, they were...
0:20:10 > 0:20:15When the screw is in fully, there's no resistance to the butterfly.
0:20:15 > 0:20:21They're flopping down like so. Normally, they should be held at a resistance like that.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25Obviously up to get least resistance, down to get more.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29That governs the speed of the motion work here.
0:20:29 > 0:20:36We've got to put a washer or a bush in there to stop that happening.
0:20:36 > 0:20:43'So this tuneless music box has a screw loose - easily fixed when you know what you're doing,
0:20:43 > 0:20:47'which is why our restorers are in demand.
0:20:47 > 0:20:53'They really have worked wonders today, breathing new life into your tired and broken treasures.
0:20:53 > 0:20:58'And it's crunch time now as we reveal their handiwork.
0:20:58 > 0:21:04'Katie Hindle brought in a well-travelled Davenport desk, passed down the generations.
0:21:04 > 0:21:10'Tim's been slaving away on it all afternoon, reversing the ravages of time
0:21:10 > 0:21:14'in preparation for its new writing surface. What will Katie think?'
0:21:14 > 0:21:18- Shall we...reveal? - Yes, OK.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24Oh, my goodness! What a difference! It's like new.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27That's lovely.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31'Before, this sickly-looking desk was ready to write its own obituary,
0:21:31 > 0:21:35'its veneer chipped and faded, its writing leather in tatters.
0:21:35 > 0:21:42'Now the chips are gone, the wood's been warmed up, there's new leather and it's positively gleaming.
0:21:42 > 0:21:47- 'And Tim has more good news.' - Any idea of value now?- Oh, no.
0:21:49 > 0:21:56Well, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see one at anywhere between £900 and £1,000 in an antiques shop.
0:21:56 > 0:22:03- Like this?- Yes.- Really?- So the money was extremely well spent, wasn't it? - Yes, it was.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05- Very pleased.- Good.
0:22:05 > 0:22:12'That's a tidy sum, given it was only worth £300-£400 this morning, but Katie loves this heirloom
0:22:12 > 0:22:18'and won't be selling. Neither will Millicent, who is looking forward to seeing her Crown Derby vases.
0:22:18 > 0:22:23'When we first saw them, one was in pieces.'
0:22:23 > 0:22:27- It was in a state, wasn't it? - It was.- A sorry state?- Yes.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31'Putting it back together again has been a real labour of love.
0:22:31 > 0:22:38'Time to find out if all Roger's hard work has been worthwhile.' Here we go. Nice and gentle, Eric.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43Oh! Oh, I can't believe...!
0:22:43 > 0:22:45Oh, yes. That's beautiful.
0:22:45 > 0:22:50It's lovely. He's done very, very well. It was a mess.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52Thank you, Roger.
0:22:52 > 0:22:58'Before, this Royal Crown Derby vase was friendless, it's partner had gone to pieces.
0:22:58 > 0:23:05'Now our shattered friend can proudly stand tall again and they are a pair once more.'
0:23:05 > 0:23:10As far as the repair goes, it's not what you'd call an invisible repair,
0:23:10 > 0:23:16but at least you've got... From where I'm looking, they look as good as new.
0:23:16 > 0:23:22- Both of them, don't they? - Nobody will know from a distance.
0:23:22 > 0:23:27- I won't tell. Will you?- No, no. - Then our secret's safe.- Yes, it is.
0:23:27 > 0:23:32'A gift from her late husband, Millicent's hugely attached to these vases.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34'Now they have a second chance.'
0:23:34 > 0:23:40I've got to give you Brownie points. A lot of people would have been tempted to put it in the dustbin.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44- It was just looking pretty desperate.- Yes, it was.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48I couldn't throw it away. It held so many memories.
0:23:48 > 0:23:53- I think that morning when I found it, there were a few tears.- Were there?
0:23:54 > 0:24:01Yes, because it reminded us of a lovely day when we bought them and we were together.
0:24:01 > 0:24:06- Do you think he'd approve?- Yes, I think he would be very thrilled.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08- Very thrilled.- Good.
0:24:08 > 0:24:13'And I can't tell you how pleased I am to see these vases together again.
0:24:13 > 0:24:18'Well, we've had a wonderful time and thanks to the good folk of Lancashire,
0:24:18 > 0:24:21'our restorers have been kept busy.
0:24:21 > 0:24:26'Some of today's patients are going home, like Katie's writing desk
0:24:26 > 0:24:32'and Millicent's Royal Crown Derby vases, to take pride of place.
0:24:32 > 0:24:39'And there's that charming Victorian music box. It's struck a new chord with Wendy, who decided to keep it.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43'But others are off to auction, like that Edwardian rocking horse,
0:24:43 > 0:24:47'which will hopefully gee up the bidders when it's under the hammer.'
0:24:47 > 0:24:52- At 280. - Come on, let's have three.
0:24:56 > 0:25:02'It's auction day here at Salter's Auction House and there are plenty of eager bidders eyeing up the lots.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06'We're hoping they fall head over heels for Neddy, the rocking horse.
0:25:06 > 0:25:12'Malcolm's spent hours operating on his broken hind leg and hooves
0:25:12 > 0:25:16'and it's time to reunite him with his owners for a farewell.'
0:25:16 > 0:25:18Have you been to an auction before?
0:25:19 > 0:25:24- No. - So how are we feeling?- Nervous!
0:25:24 > 0:25:29- Excited, as well, but nervous. - Mixed emotions.- Mixed emotions.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33Shall we see the current state of Neddy?
0:25:38 > 0:25:42- Oh, his feet are better, - A lot more secure. Sturdier.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45Yeah, that's great.
0:25:45 > 0:25:52'Before, poor old Neddy was in no fit state for auction, riddled with woodworm and his feet taped up.
0:25:53 > 0:25:59'Now Malcolm's banished the woodworm, glued his leg and feet and put Neddy back in the race.'
0:26:00 > 0:26:04The work that he's done has been structural.
0:26:04 > 0:26:10There was no way on Earth you could have put this into an auction in the state that it was.
0:26:10 > 0:26:17So he's rescued it from that point of view. It does now need somebody to spend serious money
0:26:17 > 0:26:21on giving him back his former splendour.
0:26:21 > 0:26:27Do you think he has a better chance than he had before of making it to the finishing post?
0:26:27 > 0:26:32- I think he'll get a bit further. - You think so?- Yes. No hurdles now.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35No, well, time will tell!
0:26:35 > 0:26:41'When we first saw this charming Edwardian rocking horse, it was worth less than £200.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44'They spent £100 grooming him for auction
0:26:44 > 0:26:48'which could see them run away with £300.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51'Fingers crossed for horse lovers.
0:26:51 > 0:26:57'Remember, if you buy or sell at auction, you will have commission and other charges to pay.
0:26:57 > 0:27:03'Check with the auction house. Everything that's been restored should be noted in the catalogue.'
0:27:03 > 0:27:07We're on. He's under starter's orders.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10A G&J Lyons painted rocking horse.
0:27:11 > 0:27:16A nice little example there. Quite unusual. Lot 1181.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19100 I'm bid. At 100. 110.
0:27:19 > 0:27:2220. 130.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24140. 150.
0:27:24 > 0:27:29- 160. 170.- Come on. - 180. 190. 200.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31220. 240.
0:27:31 > 0:27:36260. 280. I have a commission bid at £280.
0:27:36 > 0:27:37280...
0:27:37 > 0:27:42280. We're at the top end. Come on, let's have three.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46- 320.- Oh, yes! - Still on commission. I'm selling.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49- At £320.- 320.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53- 320! What do we think? - Brilliant.- Yes?
0:27:53 > 0:27:58'What a result! Remember, they paid £100 to have it restored
0:27:58 > 0:28:07'and with a selling price of £320, even allowing for commission, they've picked up serious winnings.'
0:28:07 > 0:28:10- It kept going up.- Excited.- Yeah.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13A bit more than we expected.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16It covered the restoration expenses.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19- I think the term "quids in"... - Quids in!- Yes.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21We definitely backed a winner.
0:28:21 > 0:28:26'At their first ever auction, I'll wager that they'll be back.'
0:28:26 > 0:28:32It just goes to prove that our restorers' skills are worth every penny.
0:28:32 > 0:28:39They were certainly on the money! So join us again on Restoration Roadshow.
0:28:48 > 0:28:54Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd - 2010
0:28:56 > 0:28:59Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk