- 2 days ago
The Bidding Room - Season 7 Episode 15 -
Marble Bust, Diving Boots, Ventriloquist Puppet
Marble Bust, Diving Boots, Ventriloquist Puppet
Category
😹
FunTranscript
00:00Jack, you're going to have to do it.
00:02All right, then.
00:04Five sellers, five dealers.
00:07But who will match my valuation?
00:10Ah, yes. Thanks for filling in, Simon.
00:12In the heart of Edinburgh,
00:14sellers of the curious and collectible...
00:16I buy weird and wonderful things.
00:18You certainly do.
00:19...will face five dealers with money to burn.
00:22Look into my eyes. You need this.
00:25Like vintage buyer JB,
00:27eclectic trader Ian,
00:29decorative dealer Joe,
00:311940s enthusiast Jackie,
00:34and Belgian art dealer George.
00:37First auctioneer Simon is valuing the item
00:40to nail the best sale.
00:42Could be a life-changing amount of money.
00:44So, how will today's lot do?
00:46I've got something tantalising.
00:49I'm going to give 400 for that moustache.
00:51Only one in the world.
00:53So we've got £600 on the table.
00:56Welcome to the bidding room.
00:58Here we go.
01:00This is what I came for.
01:01£700.
01:02Go up.
01:03Go up.
01:04£500.
01:05Getting a bit warmer.
01:06Would you accept our offer?
01:07It's yours then.
01:08Yay!
01:09Wonderful.
01:09Welcome to the bidding room.
01:24First into the bidding room is Asher,
01:26with a really good 70s icon.
01:28I would definitely describe my item as being nostalgic, remarkable, and fast.
01:38You always look really uncomfortable to me.
01:40It was one of my first bikes, the Mark 1.
01:43Right.
01:44I absolutely loved it.
01:45If only I'd kept it.
01:47Hello.
01:48Hello, Asher.
01:50And welcome to the bidding room.
01:52Well, thank you.
01:53Is this yours?
01:54It actually is not.
01:55It's my dad's.
01:57Your dad's?
01:58Yes.
01:59So you've come here to sell it for your dad?
02:01On behalf of my dad, yes.
02:03Okay.
02:03Are you going to take any profit yourself?
02:05It's my little commission, wouldn't it hurt?
02:07I think.
02:08Simon's our expert, as you probably know,
02:10and he knows a lot about choppers.
02:13I had the original one way back in the 70s,
02:16and they were such great fun.
02:18Mine was exactly the same colour.
02:20It's an iconic piece of bicycle design made by Raleigh.
02:24They sold very, very well in the late 70s.
02:27They were the bike to have.
02:29But then BMX came in and sort of killed this kind of bike, really.
02:34And it went out of production, I think, in the late 90s,
02:38but then Raleigh bought it back as a sort of nostalgia-type thing.
02:42Popular demand.
02:43Yeah, exactly.
02:44So this is the Mark III, and this came out in early 2000s.
02:48And the original one, the Mark I, instead of the gears on there,
02:51you'd have a little gear lever in the middle there.
02:54But everything else then is designed as the original 1970s one would have been.
02:59So we know they're very collectible.
03:01They are.
03:02And this will fly, I would imagine.
03:04Hopefully so, yeah.
03:05Hopefully so.
03:06What would you look for, Rita?
03:08What would you be valuing this bike at?
03:12I think it should easily be...
03:15Give me a good number.
03:16Give me a good number.
03:17Give me a good number.
03:17Try my best.
03:18Give me a big number.
03:19I'll try my best.
03:20Easily two to three hundred.
03:22How does that sound?
03:23I think, yeah, I'm happy with that.
03:24Oh, good, good.
03:25Push the fact that it's a real iconic design.
03:28It's really commercial, and just get Ian on it.
03:32Asha, lovely to meet you, and the very best of luck.
03:35Thank you very much.
03:36I was probably about 13, maybe, when I had mine.
03:39Were you that tall at 13?
03:41Yeah, I was six foot in primary school, but then I...
03:43It's amazing.
03:46I'm very happy with the valuation.
03:50Simon said it should sell for between 200 to 300 pounds.
03:55I'm confident I'm going to do well.
03:57I'll give the dealers a run for their money.
04:02Hello.
04:03Hello.
04:03Hello.
04:04Hello.
04:04And what's your name?
04:05My name's Asha.
04:07Asha.
04:07What's the bidding room, Asha?
04:08I've got something tantalising.
04:10Really?
04:10Yeah, I believe you're going to really appreciate that.
04:13Oh.
04:14Oh.
04:14Oh.
04:16Look at that.
04:17Oh, wow.
04:17Oh, that's shocking.
04:18So beautiful.
04:19That's very nice.
04:21It's in cracking condition.
04:22Yeah.
04:23Perfect.
04:23Just why are they so iconic?
04:26It's just of its era.
04:27I mean, this one is a copy of the Mark 1 and the Mark 2.
04:30The reason they brought them out is because the Mark 1 and Mark 2
04:33was iconic in the 70s.
04:35In their day, they were quite an expensive bike.
04:37Oh, were they?
04:38Yeah, I could never afford one, so I had a normal bike
04:41and put what they call cowhorn bars on.
04:45Love it.
04:46Ian, I can see the desperation you had to have a go.
04:51Oh, okay.
04:53Asha knows you too well.
04:56Tyra, the bat looks a bit flat.
04:57Have you been eating too many pies?
05:01Once you get going, that's better.
05:03Rides beautifully, doesn't it?
05:05It really suits Ian, doesn't it?
05:06It does.
05:07But it's the right size for it.
05:09I love it.
05:11Come around the shop, JB.
05:15That's lovely.
05:18I knew nothing about choppers.
05:20Joe, I'll tell you what they did.
05:21They did what they called a smaller version, called a chipper.
05:24That's the one you need.
05:26Whoa!
05:27Whoa!
05:28I feel like Miss Marple.
05:31Oh!
05:32You don't like it.
05:33Hey!
05:33Love it.
05:36If that's what a selling point is, I don't know what is.
05:39I know, absolutely.
05:41God, that's really good.
05:42You get a good old ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch.
05:44I bet Simon absolutely loved this.
05:49He actually did.
05:49Did he tell you anything else about it?
05:50That it's very collectible.
05:52Uh-huh.
05:52It's in pristine condition.
05:54If you sell the bike today, what are you going to do with the money, Ashley?
05:57I'm going to go towards a holiday.
05:59Oh, nice.
06:00Sipping margaritas on a beach.
06:04I think that to get there, we should start the bidding, right?
06:07Here we go.
06:09This is what I came for.
06:13The chopper may have taken the dealers down memory lane,
06:16but can Asher's sales patter push the price past the £200 to £300 valuation?
06:21Let's start with a chop-chop £20.
06:23I'm out, but thank you very much for bringing it here.
06:28Thank you for the time.
06:29I'm going to say £40.
06:31£40 for Manchester.
06:32Yes, but...
06:33I feel from Manchester.
06:35Let's raise the money.
06:37£60.
06:39£60's not it.
06:40£70.
06:43£80.
06:45£100.
06:47Now we're talking.
06:48Now we're talking, JB.
06:50£110.
06:51We can do better.
06:52Your pockets are deep.
06:59I'm giving £120 because it's you.
07:02We can't do £120.
07:03A little bit more.
07:04I'm sorry, but I'm out.
07:05But I do love it.
07:06Thank you for your time.
07:08£130.
07:09Just a little...
07:10Just a little bit more.
07:15£131.
07:17I'm looking for, you know...
07:18All right, then, £140.
07:20Now we're getting there.
07:21We're getting there.
07:22I'm going to say that I'm out.
07:26But thank you.
07:28I'm going to leave it up to you.
07:31Make it £150.
07:32Did you do it for £150?
07:34£160.
07:36£150.
07:37I'll do £150.
07:40£155 and I'll stick some air in the tyre.
07:43You'll give it a full service before I take delivery.
07:46£100, yeah.
07:47£100, yeah.
07:49£155, yeah?
07:51£155.
07:52Fantastic.
07:52Can you tell me what was the estimate of Simon on this bike?
08:00Between £200 to £300.
08:01Between £200 and £300.
08:02So you're not far away.
08:03So it's kind of the estimates.
08:04It's about right.
08:05Yeah, it's about right.
08:07Being in the bidding room was definitely an opportunity of a lifetime.
08:11I tagged him, got him on that bike and I got my money.
08:16I'm rolling it now.
08:17Looks good.
08:18You are amazing.
08:21Look, she's checking it.
08:23It's all there.
08:24Looks good.
08:26Asha, you've been brilliant, cool and absolutely ace, hasn't she?
08:29Yes, absolutely.
08:30Thank you so much for coming in and I will look after her, I promise.
08:33All right, thank you very much.
08:34Nice meeting you.
08:36Bye, goodbye.
08:36Bye.
08:42Don't worry, I'm coming back to take your money again.
08:44Right, you lot, you've cleared me out.
08:49I've got no more money.
08:50I'm going home by the sweet shop.
09:00Next into the bidding room is Ray, with two very heavy aquatic pieces.
09:06Watch out, 007.
09:08The item I brought in today is made of leather on the top and brass on the bottom.
09:13They would have been used by divers.
09:20Hi there.
09:21Hello, Ray.
09:22Welcome to the bidding room.
09:23That's a nice pair of shoes you bought.
09:25They are, aren't they?
09:27Where did you find them?
09:28They were on either side of a fireplace in my father-in-law's house.
09:31Really?
09:32About 18 months ago, he passed away.
09:33Yeah, and he's been in the dive industry since he was about 18 years old.
09:40He used to be in the Navy in special boat services.
09:43Special boat service, similar to SAS.
09:45It is.
09:45It's a Navy part of the SAS, if you like.
09:49Now, I'm not saying he ever wore these in a commercial capacity,
09:52but he was very adventurous, so I'm absolutely sure he'll have jumped out of some sort of aeroplane
09:59or off some sort of bridge.
10:01So, a proper man of adventure.
10:03I absolutely love them.
10:05The thickness of this leather.
10:06Yeah.
10:07Absolutely.
10:07And I love these straps and the little brass buckles.
10:11Oh!
10:12Having a look underneath, Ray, we've got this wonderful tread, haven't we?
10:16Yeah, yeah.
10:17On this side, we've got Sieb Gorman, well-known makers of divers helmets, divers boots.
10:24They started in the 1860s, I think the early 1900s is where I put them.
10:30Brilliant.
10:30Almost they deserve to be in a sort of maritime museum setting, don't they?
10:34I believe that the British Maritime Museum actually do have a set of those.
10:39Absolutely brilliant.
10:40We know, I know, because you've taught me everything about diving is collectible.
10:45Yeah.
10:45You know, the divers helmets themselves can bring thousands of pounds, you know.
10:49They don't come on the market that often.
10:52Quite often, I just see single ones coming up for sale.
10:56That's peculiar.
10:57Yeah.
10:57Very collectible.
10:59So, Simon, how deep are they going to have to dive into their pockets to buy these?
11:05I think you should do really well, Ray, to be honest.
11:09First, you've got a matching pair, fully stamped, original leather work.
11:16A fair auction estimate, I think, would probably be, I'm going to say sort of 400 to 600, that kind of bracket.
11:26Anyway, thank you so much.
11:28Happy to meet you.
11:29Thanks for bringing them in.
11:30Thanks very much.
11:30Thank you, Simon.
11:32Nice to meet you.
11:33You could make a wonderful lamp, wouldn't it?
11:35I mean...
11:36I think it went very well.
11:44Simon said between 400 and 600 pounds.
11:46I'm pretty confident that I'll be able to bid them up on that.
11:51The boots will talk for themselves.
11:56Hi, everyone.
11:57Hi.
11:58Hi.
11:59Welcome to the bidding room.
12:01And what's your name?
12:02My name's Ray.
12:03Hi, Ray.
12:04Nice to meet you, Ray.
12:05We've all been wondering what's underneath, so could you do the big reveal, please?
12:09I can, and I hope you don't get a sinking feeling.
12:13Oh!
12:13Oh!
12:15Amazing.
12:16Oh, my word.
12:17Unbelievable.
12:18They are cool.
12:19I've never seen a pair of these.
12:21God, they're huge.
12:21Yeah, me neither.
12:22Yeah.
12:23Oh, wow.
12:25You will not believe how heavy they are.
12:28They're solid brass with copper rivets.
12:31What size are they?
12:32Well, I think it's one size fits all.
12:34You just tighten the strap accordingly.
12:37Look at these!
12:38Look at these!
12:39Here we go.
12:40Hey!
12:42Oh, they are so uncomfortable.
12:44Oh, my God.
12:45Oh, my goodness.
12:46Wow.
12:47Oh, my God.
12:49How much do they weigh, please?
12:51Eight kilo a boot.
12:53Eight kilo a boot, baby.
12:54You don't need a gym, you can do it.
12:56It's crazy.
13:00You don't happen to have some shoe air freshener, do you?
13:04No.
13:05Because I've just seen the state of JV's socks.
13:07I have to say I've never seen those complete in this condition.
13:16Nowadays, what they make it, like, in factories.
13:19Yeah.
13:20Back then, it was just all by hand.
13:22When you see how much work it was to make something like this, just unbelievable.
13:25So, Ray, what did Simon and Nigel tell you about this?
13:30Simon said they were from about the early 1900s.
13:33Steve Gorman is the maker.
13:34Oh, that's what I was going to ask.
13:36Yes.
13:37He says, I've never seen a pair of them.
13:39I've seen singles come through, but never a pair of them.
13:43So, let's not get too heavy about this item.
13:47And let's start bidding.
13:50The brass diving boots had a valuation of £400 to £600.
13:54But with the buyers now captivated, will they dive deep into their wallets to own them?
14:00Although, they make terrible slippers.
14:02I'm going to kick it off at £40.
14:05I'll go £50.
14:07And I'll dive in at £60.
14:09That must be for one of them leather straps, is it?
14:12LAUGHTER
14:13£70, then.
14:15£75.
14:17£100.
14:18£110.
14:20£150.
14:21Got your two straps.
14:23£200.
14:24Got me three.
14:25£220.
14:27£250.
14:29£255.
14:32£300.
14:34Still less than one bootsworth there.
14:36Yeah.
14:37That's where I'm going to surface if I'm out.
14:40£360.
14:43£400.
14:44Do you really want these?
14:45£450.
14:46You're starting to get open to the sort of areas where there should be.
14:51£500.
14:52You're bidding on yourself?
14:53That's fine.
14:54£510.
14:55£550.
14:56Sorry, I'm out, but thank you.
14:59£575.
15:00£600.
15:01£600.
15:02£600.
15:03I'm out.
15:04I'm out.
15:09Well, at £600, I'm out.
15:11So, you've got £600 on the table.
15:15Would you accept £600?
15:17£600.
15:19It's £600 just because you walked around in them.
15:24I'll let you have them for £600.
15:26Yeah!
15:27Yeah!
15:28Wonderful.
15:29That's good.
15:30Look at JB's face.
15:31You're so happy.
15:32Yeah, I love it.
15:33My dear gentlemen, can you tell us how much Simon did value this?
15:38Simon valued them at £600.
15:39Simon valued them at £400 to £600.
15:41Oof.
15:42Well done.
15:43JB bought the boots for £600.
15:46To have them go to somebody who genuinely, I believe, loves them, it's magical.
15:51You've completely and utterly made my year, let alone my day.
15:55So, thank you for bringing them in.
15:57Been an absolute pleasure.
15:58Bye.
15:59Thanks very much everyone.
16:00My father-in-law was very much somebody who enjoyed life to the full.
16:03So, we're going down to the Norfolk Broads for a week down there.
16:10Goodbye.
16:11Goodbye.
16:12Nice, isn't it?
16:13Do you want to have a go?
16:14Well, can we maybe share them?
16:16Don't be silly.
16:19Don't share my shoes.
16:20Well, I'm walking away then with it.
16:26They're really heavy.
16:30I'm really not sure about this, JB.
16:37What's not to be sure?
16:38I can't...
16:39I can't lift me leg.
16:41Think of it.
16:42Yeah?
16:43At the gym, you're paying £50 a month.
16:45With those, you've got eight kilograms on each feet.
16:47So, jump up.
16:48Yes.
16:49Yes, OK.
16:50OK, we're going to do one like that.
16:53Yeah.
16:54And the other one.
16:55Yeah.
16:56But a bit quicker.
16:57JB, it ain't working.
16:58Give us a month and you'll be there.
16:59You'll be running in them.
17:01Hang on a nautical minute.
17:03I got your number.
17:05You don't want your other half to find out how much you spent on these boots, do you?
17:10Absolutely not.
17:11I'm just thinking of saving you £50 a month.
17:14No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
17:16Listen, I'm out of here.
17:18Good luck.
17:19Good luck.
17:25Next up, it's Clive with a charming friend with a famous past.
17:29And before you think it, no, it's not me.
17:32Well, the item I've brought in today, it's made of paper mache, cotanga wire, and there's lots of moving parts.
17:41It's one of its kind in the world, literally.
17:45No.
17:46Oh, it's not me.
17:50Was it something I said?
17:51Hi there.
17:54What have you done to us, Clive?
17:55I thought I'd give you something very original.
17:58Nice to meet you.
17:59Are you in fact a ventriloquist?
18:01I'm not, no, but my father was. Really? Absolutely, yeah, he was a famous musical act. Really? Yeah, became a full-time ventriloquist in 1940.
18:10You know, he's entertained audiences right through to retirement in 1978. And he worked with Mork & Wise, Tommy Cooper.
18:17Did he use, um, what's his name? He's called Tony. Tony was fully automated and he operated on the second part of the act.
18:25Dad was off stage and Tony had, to accompany him there, an organ. So his hands moved, his feet tapped along, every part that you can see there was working.
18:35You can actually lift his hair at the back. Oh, wow. There's literally gears, pulleys, cam systems, everything that would operate that.
18:44Where's he been living? Well, sadly, after Dad died in 1999, he's just been boxed up with the other puppets that we've got.
18:52Yeah. And so he's not operated since his last stage performance was filmed by the BBC in 1978.
18:59Oh. I kind of love Tony, actually. I think he's, I think he's absolutely great. The head, presumably, is papier-mâché, I guess.
19:07Yeah, that made him as well. He modelled in clay first and then, then did the papier-mâché around them and then baked them in the oven.
19:14Unfortunately, I brought a friend home one day who thought my mum was cooking cakes and they opened the oven and there was a head in the oven.
19:21So he did, he did literally everything from the, the initial modelling, yeah.
19:26That was the, was he?
19:27The eyebrows, yes, they do, yeah, yeah.
19:32I love the fact that his little shoes as well.
19:34Well, his feet would tap, Simon.
19:37In time with the music.
19:38In time with the music, yeah.
19:39Are they collectible?
19:40They appeal a lot to the horror movie crowd, as well as props and backdrops and all the rest of it, so there may be a future for Tony in, in that aspect.
19:52Well, Simon, can you give me your valuation, please?
19:56It is very, very difficult to value.
19:59I, I, I don't know, I'd, I'd have to quote you...
20:01700 to 1,000 pounds.
20:04OK.
20:05What does that sound?
20:07It's less than we would have liked, to be fair.
20:10What sort of money would you be looking for?
20:12Bear in mind that he's jointly on with my sister.
20:14We're really looking for about the 3,000 mark.
20:16I think the biggest selling point, if we're going to be successful in getting a sale for you today, is your dad's story.
20:22That's the important bit.
20:24See where you go.
20:25Get to a level that you're comfortable with, fine.
20:27If not, keep him for another day.
20:29Best of luck.
20:30OK.
20:30Thanks again.
20:31Thanks, Al.
20:32Cheers, mate.
20:32Bye, there.
20:32Bye.
20:35Are you all right?
20:35Yeah, yeah, he's fine.
20:40Simon valued Tony at between 700 and 1,000 pounds.
20:43It wasn't a disappointment, but I'd like to think we could achieve more.
20:47Just have to wait and see.
20:48It's a bit of an imponderable.
20:54I'm back.
20:54Oh!
20:55By popular demand.
20:59Well, it must be something quite special.
21:01This is my friend Clive.
21:02Nice to meet you, Clive.
21:03Hi, Clive.
21:04And he's got something that used to belong to his father.
21:06Oh, right.
21:08Excellent.
21:09And your father's name was?
21:10Jim Tattersall.
21:11Jim Tattersall.
21:12Quite a famous chap, as a matter of fact.
21:14Sitting underneath there is another chap called Tony.
21:18Tony.
21:19Tony.
21:19Shall we introduce them to Tony?
21:21I think we should.
21:21OK.
21:22It'll be very delicate.
21:23Very delicate.
21:23He's not a young man anymore.
21:25No.
21:25Right.
21:27Oh, my.
21:28Oh, my.
21:29Oh, no.
21:30He is terrifying.
21:33And that might be even scary.
21:34Oh, my goodness.
21:37I hate ventriloquist dummies, and that's it.
21:39Oh, is that what he's saying?
21:40It's terrifying.
21:41So if it's got wires, is it a shop display?
21:43No.
21:44No.
21:45He was fully automated.
21:47Right.
21:47Which, for its time, was completely unique.
21:50Wow.
21:50So that cable that you see at the back, that would be extended right off the stage, and then
21:54he fully operated him.
21:56The organ all lit up, and then his feet would tap.
21:58You can raise his eyebrows quite literally.
22:02My dad was a famous musical act that worked with Morecambe Wise, Tommy Cooper, all the great
22:08names, normal wisdom.
22:09Oh, wow.
22:09So I'm going to leave you in the capable hands of Clive now, because I've got to go
22:13and do some work.
22:14Thank you, Nigel.
22:15Unlike you guys.
22:16Thanks very much.
22:18Thank you, Nigel.
22:20How old is Tony?
22:22So Tony was born about 66, 67.
22:25Tony's last stage performance was filmed by the BBC.
22:29Oh, wow.
22:30So this model has been on stage with Morecambe Wise, Norman Wisdom.
22:35Yes, absolutely.
22:36And he used to drive Morecambe Wise rent because he couldn't afford a car.
22:38At the time.
22:40Why are you selling it?
22:42It's just an amazing piece.
22:43We've just sat with him.
22:44Yeah.
22:45And I know Dad would want to think that there would be somewhere where they would be on display.
22:49Yeah.
22:50Where people could find out and just seeing you entertained by the stories of Dad.
22:54Yeah.
22:54And, you know, these are a fraction of some of the experiences.
22:56I think it's now time for us to start the bidding.
23:00Are you ready, guys?
23:01Come on, then.
23:03Puppet Tony had a valuation of £7,000 to £1,000 from Simon.
23:06But with Clive hoping for more, can he entice the dealers to spend big?
23:13Who's going to kick it off?
23:14£50.
23:15£50!
23:17£60.
23:18£70.
23:19Come on, guys.
23:20Unique.
23:20Only one in the world.
23:22£80.
23:22I won't be bidding, so I'm out.
23:28£100.
23:30£110.
23:31£120.
23:32I'm out, but thank you very much.
23:34That's a pleasure.
23:34It's fabulous.
23:35Yeah.
23:35£130.
23:37£150.
23:38Did you see Tony's expression?
23:41LAUGHTER
23:41£200.
23:44£210.
23:45Well, guys, we can do better than that.
23:47Are we far away from what you have in mind for the moment?
23:50Well, yes.
23:52Yeah, I can't imagine.
23:56£800.
23:58I'm going to say I'm out on this one, Clive.
24:01I'll be completely honest.
24:02He genuinely terrifies me.
24:04I'm going to say that I am out.
24:05So I'm the only bidder left.
24:07Would you sell it for £800?
24:09No.
24:09What will be the least amount you will separate yourself from this doll?
24:15£2,000 to £3,000.
24:17Right.
24:18I understand completely.
24:19Because you mean so much to us, I think we'll retain it for now and see how we go on.
24:23But thank you anyway.
24:24Very kind.
24:24You're welcome.
24:26So what did Simon value it?
24:28He value it between £700 and £1,000.
24:30Oh, so I'm spot on.
24:32Absolutely.
24:32I think Tony whispered that to you, actually.
24:35I'm very scared if he turns his head to me and says,
24:37what do you think, I'm worth only £800?
24:39Yeah, absolutely.
24:42We didn't get the sale we wanted.
24:45I think he could have whispered in their ears a bit more, perhaps.
24:48To be someone upstairs looking down,
24:50very happy that people have appreciated his work.
24:52So thanks for your interest.
24:53So much.
24:55Bye-bye.
24:55It was a fun event and experience.
24:57And clearly, you know, we've got a future for Tony still.
25:00So he'll be coming home with me for now.
25:02We'll just grow on you.
25:03Yeah.
25:04We should ask Tony what he thinks about our performance.
25:07Rubbish.
25:09Next in is Helen with two very small, curious pieces.
25:18It's a small item.
25:21It's made of metal.
25:23It's noisy.
25:24And it would be very useful if you have small children.
25:31Because in the bidding room, we do very big and very small.
25:35Very small.
25:36And that's pretty small.
25:38It is.
25:39One of the smallest things we've ever had.
25:42Hello there.
25:43Hello, Helen.
25:44What have you brought along today?
25:47I've got what I believe to be Chinese baby clothing bells.
25:52Right.
25:52And they are a set.
25:55Two small metal bells that you tie onto the children's clothing.
26:01And then when they're toddling about, then you can hear where they are in a house.
26:05Right.
26:06Really.
26:06Where did you find them?
26:07I brought them in Hong Kong in 1996.
26:10Right.
26:11I brought them thinking over the years I would be able to gift them, but the opportunity hasn't arisen, so they've sat in a jewellery box for all these years.
26:22Well, they're quite sweet, aren't they?
26:24I know that a lot of these Chinese baby rattles would quite often be given as gifts.
26:29So when the child, you know, reached three months or six months or whatever, you'd gift one.
26:35Each panel is marked with a different symbol.
26:38I'm assuming there would be things like, you know, good health, longevity, that kind of thing.
26:44If I was cataloguing them, I would probably say white metal.
26:48They could equally be sort of Chinese low, like a low-grade silver, couldn't they?
26:52Date-wise, I'd probably say early 20th century, so they could be 1920s, that kind of vintage.
26:58They're really, really nice and they still work.
27:00Yes, they do.
27:02Yes.
27:03And there's a tremendous market for oriental stuff, isn't there?
27:05Anything oriental, yes.
27:07Although the way the market's gone recently, it tends to be the top-end items that are finding real competition.
27:15I think buyers are becoming a little bit more picky, maybe.
27:18Okay.
27:18Whereas before, they would buy anything oriental, you know.
27:21Right.
27:22They're still going to appeal to people who collect, obviously, little trinkets, little items of jewellery.
27:28Jackie might have a pop, do you think?
27:30Yeah.
27:30Whatever you make, what will you do with the money?
27:32Next year, I have a very big birthday.
27:35Oh, right.
27:35So I should be 60, so whatever comes of it, I'm going to put it towards a weekend away with my brother and sister-in-law.
27:42You should look a day over 40.
27:46Simon, what valuation guide would you give?
27:49They're quite sweet.
27:50They're quite sweet.
27:52They will find favour next door.
27:55I don't think we're going to be huge, huge money.
27:58I think quite easily they'll sit in that £50 to £80 bracket.
28:03Yeah, that's fine.
28:03Push them for what they are.
28:05I love the story of keeping track of the baby, so please tell that story.
28:10I think you'll do really well.
28:11Helen, thank you very much for bringing them in.
28:13I think they're great.
28:15Thanks very much.
28:16Bye-bye.
28:16Bye-bye.
28:18You know me, I'd give it a clean.
28:24But you say, no, no, don't do that.
28:26Perhaps I could keep that one then.
28:27Yeah, I'll try this one out.
28:28And you can polish that one out.
28:32Simon gave a valuation between £50 to £80, which was lovely.
28:37I'm looking forward to going into the bidding room.
28:41Hopefully, it will come across as something very unusual.
28:47Hello.
28:48Hello.
28:49Hello, I'm Helen.
28:51Hi, Helen.
28:52Nice to meet you, Helen.
28:53Do you want to show us what you've got?
28:57Ooh.
28:57Ooh.
28:59Well, yep.
29:00Very special.
29:02So they're definitely Chinese?
29:03That's right, yeah.
29:04Are they in silver?
29:06They're a low-grade silver.
29:07Um, from what Simon thinks.
29:11Ooh.
29:11Ooh.
29:12It makes some noise.
29:13Miniature cowbell?
29:14Oh, wow.
29:14No.
29:15Baby rattle.
29:16Babies.
29:17Yeah.
29:17Baby bells.
29:18That's right.
29:18They're children's baby bells for their clothing.
29:21Right.
29:22Got you.
29:22Yeah.
29:23They would either be sewn on or tied on to the children's clothing.
29:27Yeah.
29:28So when they're toddling around, you can hear where they are in the house.
29:32Did Simon give you an age?
29:33I mean, I would...
29:34Yeah, Simon said early 20th century, around about 1920.
29:38Oh, as early as that?
29:39Yeah.
29:39Okay.
29:39Oh, wow.
29:40Which was lovely to hear.
29:41Mm.
29:42That's gorgeous.
29:43Let me have a little look.
29:45Because they look fine from over there, but they're even finer close-up, aren't they?
29:48Because we have a resident baby in the room, I think it would be a fantastic opportunity
29:54to get JB to join me on the floor, tie one to his clothes, and let's see if they actually
30:00work.
30:01Okay.
30:01A demonstration.
30:02But as I'm such a baby, you're going to have to tie them to my clothes.
30:08Amazing.
30:09Right, put your arm there.
30:11Look what you've done.
30:14Now, listen to me.
30:15No, no, no, no, no, no, listen to me.
30:18He's doing it realistically.
30:20He's a bad baby.
30:21Don't get runnin' off when I've tied him onto your clothes.
30:25He's misbehaving.
30:26Have you heard your tea?
30:27You haven't had a sleep, have you?
30:28I'm hungry.
30:29I'll treat you to a sandwich later after this.
30:31Ladies and gents, I want you to close your eyes.
30:34Yeah.
30:34Let's see if we can hear JB moving around the room to see if these things are effective.
30:39I was about to scream.
30:53Oh, my goodness.
30:56He's going to have a heart attack on the show.
30:59So, should we start the bidding?
31:00What do you think?
31:01That would be lovely.
31:02The Chinese baby bells were valued at £50 to £80 by Simon.
31:08But which dealer will bid high enough to take them home?
31:11Well, I will start with £5, then.
31:14I'll do, er, £15.
31:17£20.
31:20I'll go £25.
31:22We've all said how unusual they are, and we've never seen anything like that before.
31:27£26?
31:27He's got loose chains.
31:30A bit is a bit.
31:31£30.
31:33Well, my age, £33.
31:35£35.
31:37My age, £40.
31:39Yeah, right!
31:40Oh, you see where this is going, right?
31:45£45.
31:47That's where I'm going to say that I'm out, but thank you very much for bringing them.
31:51Because I like you very much, I'm going to do the same.
31:55I'm going to say that I'm out as well, but thank you.
31:57It's OK.
31:58Helen, I'm going to say I'm out, I'm sorry.
32:00OK.
32:00But they're lovely, thank you.
32:01That's no trouble at all, thank you.
32:04So, Helen, will you accept my £45?
32:06I will, with pleasure.
32:08Ah, thank you!
32:13May I ask, what did Simon value them at, please?
32:16Yeah, sure, he valued them between £50 to £80.
32:19£50 to £80.
32:20Oh!
32:20Mmm!
32:22I have had a really lovely experience.
32:25Jackie came in with a final bid of £45.
32:29It would have been nice to have a little bit more,
32:32but to be honest, just really want them to go
32:34and be moved on to someone that will appreciate them.
32:38Thank you very much for coming in.
32:41Bye-bye.
32:41Who knows, I may have something else at home to bring in.
32:47Everyone, close your eyes.
32:48Close your eyes.
32:49Close your eyes.
32:49Close your eyes.
32:50Oh, please don't scare us again.
32:52No, please don't scare us.
33:02Oh, they're great fun.
33:03Next up is Simon,
33:09with a very distinguished piece of stone
33:12that I quite fancy myself.
33:15The item I've brought in today is,
33:17it's French,
33:18it's fabulous,
33:19and it's got an amazing moustache.
33:21For the past five or six years,
33:23he's been above my toilet.
33:29You just have to touch it, don't you?
33:30Yeah, absolutely.
33:31Hello, Simon.
33:35Hello.
33:35Welcome to the bidding room.
33:36Oh, thank you.
33:38Look at this old chap.
33:39Where did you find him?
33:41In a second-hand shop in South London.
33:44Do you mind my asking what you paid?
33:46£300.
33:48£300.
33:49He's nicely signed and dated on the side here
33:51by Emile Bachelet,
33:54and dated 1924.
33:56Now, he was born 1890,
33:57so he'd have been in his early 30s.
34:00He was probably at his most popular
34:03when he was doing this,
34:05because he did do a lot of the war memorials
34:07after the First World War,
34:08so he was in pretty high demand.
34:10I'm always fascinated by the way a sculptor
34:14can get the smoothness of the skin.
34:17It's when you see that they bother to do
34:19such detail on the back,
34:21and such detail in the hair,
34:23and a good old Edwardian moustache.
34:26He looks quite a stern gentleman.
34:28He does, but he has a very benign expression.
34:30I think he's a kind man.
34:32Yes.
34:33Did you ever have any inclination
34:34of who it depicts?
34:36So, we search the internet,
34:38and we think that it's the Marquis of Crewe
34:40who was the ambassador to France
34:43during the First World War.
34:45That's who we rounded it down to,
34:47but it could be anybody from that period.
34:51We think it's the research.
34:53Who do you think is going to have a go at this?
34:55I think maybe Georges, actually,
34:58and he does buy statues and marbles,
35:01so well done.
35:02All gone.
35:03That's handy.
35:04Yeah.
35:04So, whatever we get for this,
35:06what are you going to spend the money on?
35:07Well, my dog.
35:09She jumped up and knocked one of my teeth out.
35:11Oh, right.
35:12So, we're looking at a bit of dentistry.
35:14That's probably a first for the bidding room, isn't it?
35:16You're going to sell something
35:17in order to have a tooth fixed.
35:19Yes.
35:19Makes total sense to me.
35:21Well, right then,
35:22it's time to ask that more important question.
35:24So, Simon, what's the dealio?
35:28Yes.
35:31I think you're going to do really well, Simon, to be honest.
35:34It's a quality piece,
35:37beautiful condition,
35:38we've got the signature,
35:39we've got everything you need
35:41for that kind of market, really.
35:43And I can see him in the region of...
35:45four to six hundred, that kind of bracket.
35:51Tell the story about who you think it is.
35:54I think that's really good research.
35:56Go on the condition.
35:58But, to be honest, it'll sell itself.
36:00OK, absolutely.
36:01Very best of luck.
36:02Thank you very much.
36:02Nice to meet you.
36:03You too.
36:03Bye then.
36:04Bye.
36:06I say,
36:07I wouldn't mind it myself.
36:15Simon valued the bust at between four and six hundred pounds,
36:19which hopefully will be enough to get me on the road
36:21to get my tooth replaced.
36:26Hello.
36:27Hi.
36:27Hello.
36:28Hello, sir.
36:28Welcome to the bedroom.
36:30And what's your name?
36:31Simon.
36:31Would you mind doing the honesty?
36:32Yes, sure.
36:33Oh.
36:35Oh.
36:36Oh.
36:36Oh.
36:37Wow.
36:38OK.
36:39Better view, George.
36:40Yeah, that's really what I like.
36:41I saw you leaping out your seat.
36:43Yes, exactly.
36:44Exactly.
36:45Really, I was...
36:45Hold your back.
36:46Hold your back.
36:47All the important people wanted to have their heads
36:49made out of marble.
36:50The emperors, the kings.
36:52And so the thing is,
36:53what's very important is to know who is this guy.
36:55Is it Nigel?
36:56I don't think so.
36:57Do you have any idea from who it is?
37:01After a lot of research,
37:03I believe that it's the Marquis of Crewe
37:05who was the ambassador to France during the war,
37:08First World War,
37:09but I can't be 100% sure.
37:11It's by Emile Bachelet.
37:13OK, wonderful.
37:14That's solid marble, isn't it?
37:15And all hand-carved.
37:16So the actual detail on that is phenomenal, isn't it?
37:20Where's he been living?
37:22He's been behind my toilet.
37:24Oh, my God.
37:26So every time...
37:26Wow, OK.
37:28So he's making direct, I can't direct.
37:31What I want to know is the weight of it.
37:34Well, that's...
37:34That's, I think...
37:34Because this is solid marble.
37:36I think it's 60 kilos or something here.
37:37Cool.
37:39Is it?
37:39It's so crisp, though, isn't it?
37:41I think that's why everyone likes marble,
37:42because it can work in a completely modern home as well.
37:45It can work anywhere, because it is...
37:47It's so bright.
37:49And it doesn't matter who he is, does it, really?
37:50No, it just looks good.
37:52Yeah, exactly.
37:53Exactly.
37:54You just want to touch it, don't you?
37:55So, why are you selling it?
37:57I'm hopefully going to put it towards getting a new tooth.
38:00A new tooth?
38:01Oh!
38:01Are you after a gold tooth or just a...
38:03No, a marble tooth, a marble tooth.
38:06A marble tooth?
38:07Yeah, a marble tooth.
38:08Yeah, I'll take a chip off it, yeah.
38:10George came from the French bidding room.
38:15And so, to one of that, and also to serenade him on his way,
38:18I'd like to sing a little bit of Le Marseillaise.
38:21Oh!
38:22Please do.
38:23Unbelievable.
38:24Allons enfants de la patrie, et le jour de gloire est arrivé.
38:32Contre nous de la tyrannie, les tendances englantes et la veille,
38:38les tendances englantes et la veille.
38:41Entendez-vous dans les compagnies mougir,
38:46ces pharaohs, ces soldats,
38:48ils viennent jusque dans nos bras
38:51et gorgez vos fils, vos compagnies.
38:54Come on.
38:54C'est un peu capaces de la veille.
38:56C'est un peu capaces d'encre.
38:57Sous-titrage Société Radio-Canada
38:58C'est un peu capaces d'encre.
38:59C'est un peu capaces d'encre.
39:01Sous-titrage Société Radio-Canada
39:03C'est un peu capaces d'encre.
39:07C'est un peu capaces d'encre.
39:09C'est un peu...
39:10C'est un peu...
39:11Oh, crap!
39:12Unbelievable.
39:13Oh, crap!
39:13Unbelievable.
39:14Complete the entire song.
39:17Unbelievable.
39:17Blimey, mate.
39:18Do you sing for a living?
39:19Yeah.
39:20Oh!
39:21I was going to say,
39:22that's the voice of a pro, that one.
39:24Yeah.
39:24You certainly wound me up for the bidding, I can tell you.
39:30Simon may have sunk his way into the dealer's hearts,
39:33but can the bust reach the £400 to £600 valuation?
39:38I'm going to start at £50.
39:40Oh, perfect. Well, I'm going to £100.
39:44I'll go £150.
39:46Just in case I go bust.
39:49I'll go £160.
39:51Yeah, I will certainly go to £175.
39:55£200.
39:57£220.
39:58£230.
39:59£250.
40:01£260.
40:02£270.
40:03£280.
40:05£300.
40:05£310.
40:07£320.
40:09£350.
40:11£360.
40:12£370.
40:14£380.
40:15Whoa, on that, I'm going to be out.
40:20I'm going to give £400 for that moustache.
40:23£410.
40:24£420.
40:26£450.
40:27£460.
40:31£500.
40:34£525, then.
40:37£550.
40:38I'm going to say £700.
40:45And that is when I say I'm out.
40:50I hope it works.
40:51£750.
40:52Dammit.
40:54Simon, I'm going to bail out.
40:57£775.
40:59£800.
41:00Are you buying this because it's going to look like you in the future?
41:03If I can ever grow a moustache, then maybe.
41:06But I'm not holding much help.
41:10£888.
41:11£888?
41:12£888?
41:12£888?
41:13That's not that number.
41:14Where are you getting the chart noise from?
41:15£888?
41:16I'm trying all the tricks I have to win the bidding, you know?
41:21£900.
41:26£901.
41:27Oh, thank goodness.
41:28I'm trying everything.
41:30I'm trying the entire panel.
41:31No, you're kidding.
41:33We were talking and I hear the £902.
41:36I said, oh my goodness.
41:37I'm offering you £1,000.
41:39Oh, you've killed me there.
41:44I'm going to say that I'm out, but thank you.
41:47Are you happy with £1,000, £1,000?
41:50£4?
41:51Very happy, thank you very much.
41:52Wonderful.
41:54Well done, George.
41:56Well done, George.
41:58Did Simon value it at?
42:00£4 to £600.
42:02The big question is, how much did you pay?
42:05£300.
42:06Oh, my...
42:07Oh, goodbye.
42:08Well done.
42:09Well done, yeah.
42:09Absolutely.
42:13The day went brilliantly.
42:15There was a little bit of a tussle between JB and George,
42:17but in the end it went for £1,000.
42:21Goodbye.
42:24Goodbye.
42:27You were to replace this tooth.
42:28and I can go from maybe a porcelain to a silver or gold
42:31or maybe even a diamond.
42:32Stop bidding.
42:33Can I at least have a selfie with him before we go?
42:35Yes, of course.
42:36It's £50.
42:37LAUGHTER
42:37LAUGHTER
42:38Are you ready, Nigel?
42:47Just one minute.
42:47I'm...
42:48I'll bid you in a minute.
42:49Oh...
42:50Just one more go.
42:53Come on.
42:54Oh, come on.
42:59Come on.
43:00Ah.
43:10Oh, so close.
43:14Oh.
43:17Just...
43:17Come on.
43:18There's my...
43:19beauty.
43:19Oh, no.
43:22Mmm.
43:26To be with you.
Be the first to comment