- 4 hours ago
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00The Derbyshire Auction House is back!
00:03£7,000 has been!
00:06Irita Marriott, now in her third year of business...
00:09So far, it's been rather good!
00:11...with her trusty team of porters...
00:13What little treasure trove we've got in here!
00:15...and valuers...
00:17Do you ever think about anything else but furniture?
00:19Nope!
00:20...is being called out to even bigger jobs!
00:23This is insane!
00:24...the word is out...
00:25Calling Andy a nige!
00:27...she's the one who delivers the big bucks...
00:30...1,500 to 2,000 pounds...
00:32That's amazing!
00:34...leaving no stone unturned...
00:35Gosh, that's a big loft!
00:38...she hunts down treasures...
00:40...18 karat gold...
00:42...heirlooms...
00:43Have you ever seen those paintings?
00:45No, never!
00:46...and phenomenal finds...
00:48Pele!
00:49I think we're gonna score with this one!
00:51Is this the great train robbery?
00:53Yes!
00:54...to sell at auction...
00:55...2,000 pounds this big?
00:57No!
00:58...making her cherished clients...
01:00...3,000 pounds!
01:02Oh, you are kidding me!
01:03Oh, my God!
01:04...life-changing...
01:05I'm losing track of ammo!
01:07...sums of cash...
01:09...6,900 pounds!
01:12What?!
01:12Whoa!
01:32I got spring in my step today!
01:36Blimey!
01:37It's two years today since we opened the doors for the auction house!
01:41Two years!
01:42God!
01:43Where's that gone?
01:44It's been an incredible ride!
01:46Well, what better way to celebrate than with a house visit...
01:50...accompanied by her porter extraordinaire, Nige!
01:53I'm taking you to sunny St Albans!
01:57Lucky you!
01:58It's a two-hour trip south to the market town...
02:01...situated just 30 miles north of London!
02:05We're going to see Gordon and his wife, Sam, today.
02:09He is a collector through and through.
02:11And it's kind of gone a little bit out of hand.
02:15The problem is, Gordon, we've got so much in this shed.
02:18Correct.
02:18There is boxes and boxes and boxes as far as the eye can see.
02:23This couple, desperate for Irita's help,
02:26have shared this four-bedroom home for 17 years.
02:30Sam and I met in the insurance industry,
02:32because we were both finance directors.
02:34We got together at the summer social.
02:35When I met Gordon, he was larger than life.
02:39I just loved being with him.
02:41And here we are, 21 years later, still together.
02:44But long before Gordon met Sam,
02:47there was another great love in his life.
02:50I started collecting when I was about seven.
02:52I have comics, coins,
02:54an overly large collection of model kits.
02:59It's now beyond control.
03:01Sounds like you'll be a kid in a sweet shop today, Irita.
03:05Gordon started his collecting with comics
03:08and according to him, there are quite a few thousand.
03:12Oh.
03:13Of them.
03:14I thought you should say quite a few then,
03:15but quite a few thousand.
03:16Thousands.
03:18Yeah, I know.
03:19I hope you're feeling pumped, Nige.
03:22This could be a hard one.
03:23A lovely little spot to live.
03:27Look at this blue sky.
03:29Hey, it's all right.
03:30It's going to be a good day.
03:31I'm going to go say hi.
03:37Hello.
03:38Hi, Irita.
03:39Come on through.
03:40Yeah.
03:43Did you know how much stuff he had?
03:46No.
03:46I had an idea that he had a lot of models,
03:50but I hadn't seen just how many he'd managed to get into the attic.
03:55That came as a bit of a shock.
03:56The rest of the house is chock-a-block with items I've collected.
04:01Where do we start?
04:02The loft, which is full.
04:04OK.
04:04And I'm going to disappear and go and do some work.
04:06After you.
04:07OK.
04:10Let's have a look.
04:11It can't be that bad.
04:14OK, take my words back.
04:16Oh, my goodness me, it goes all the way down here.
04:19There is quite a bit, I must admit.
04:21Why model kits?
04:23I started making them as a child.
04:24It's the sort of thing that young boys do.
04:26I have the patience to sit there and spend hours just getting one bit absolutely right.
04:31It's satisfaction, isn't it?
04:32It is, very much so, yes.
04:33Yeah.
04:34Something like this one, which is quite a rare kit.
04:37Yeah, extra kit.
04:38Yeah.
04:39Extra kit models are still produced by the British hobby firm Hannance.
04:43Hannance originally set up shop in Lower Stoft in 1890,
04:47and the family business is still going strong today.
04:51Oh, look, all intact.
04:53Perfect.
04:54That's what we like to see.
04:56There's huge demand for pristine, untouched model kits.
05:00They are worth a lot more than models already put together.
05:03That could go on its own.
05:06That's not bad.
05:07The collecting market is huge.
05:09Yeah.
05:10There is following worldwide.
05:13Well, that's good news, because there are around 200 model kits up here,
05:18all unassembled, boxed and mint.
05:21Good.
05:22I made it.
05:24Nigel!
05:25Yeah?
05:26You're going to love it.
05:28Why do I think I'm not going to love this?
05:30You are!
05:31Okay.
05:31Go up there.
05:34Gordon is a classic collector.
05:37Once you stop, there is no stopping him.
05:40I have only made it into attic, and you know what?
05:44My mind's blown.
05:46Oh.
05:46Oh.
05:47That's not too bad.
05:50Ah.
05:51You're a model professional, Nige.
05:55Right.
05:55Oh.
05:56This is the office.
05:58Gosh, there's so much stuff.
06:01I mean, this is bonkers.
06:061902, King Edward VII Sovereign.
06:09That is 22 karat gold.
06:11On the top, very discreetly placed, it says Sydney.
06:15As Australia was part of British Empire in the year of 1900,
06:20and he used British currency, and because they had their own natural gold reserves,
06:26it just made sense to mine and make their own coins there.
06:30With the price of gold currently at record highs, this isn't pocket change.
06:36But that would definitely add 20 or 30 pounds just by knowing where it was minted.
06:44What's in this one?
06:46There's another one.
06:47We have 1905 Sovereign against Sydney Mint.
06:53Struth.
06:54Could be another tidy sum.
06:59This is quite a collection.
07:01He's even got children's book-themed 50Ps.
07:05Beatrix Potter, The Gruffalo, all minted in the last ten years or so.
07:10And he got all the little tiny proof packs, meaning that it is not a coin that has ever been
07:17in circulation.
07:18There are 78 of these children's book-themed coins here that will make one nice big lot.
07:25There are also £2 coins, limited edition.
07:30Gordon has 40 commemorative coins celebrating famous British people, including Shakespeare and Captain Cook.
07:38That is a great start, isn't it?
07:40It is.
07:41Where's this infatuation with coins come from, Gordon?
07:45I moved on to coins.
07:47I like to hunt for them.
07:49I like to know their history and just get absolutely fascinated by it.
07:52The thing is, when I get into collecting, I rather go a little bit more deep than maybe some sensibly
07:57should.
07:58I guess the next question is, though, why are you selling these coins and everything now?
08:04Seven years ago, I became ill and that ultimately led to me having to have a liver transplant.
08:10He was very ill.
08:12They called and said, we've got a liver for you.
08:15Gordon had the liver transplant the next day.
08:17It took 11 and a half hours, but he came through it with flying colours.
08:21And the next morning, I went to see him and the most incredible thing was that his eyeballs had already
08:26gone white again from bright yellow.
08:27It's incredible and we'll always be grateful.
08:31I'm not going to live forever, so it's the time now to do something with my collections.
08:36I've got an 18-month-old lovely little granddaughter, Flo, and really it's now my chance to give my legacy
08:42a pot of money that she can fall back on.
08:44Well, that adds a whole new dimension to the job. The stakes couldn't be higher now, Irita.
08:51Right.
08:52What have we got?
08:53Parker, look at that.
08:55That is gold-plated.
08:56Parker started in Wisconsin by George Parker.
09:00Back in 1888, he was a teacher and as a side job, he started selling pens.
09:07In 1894, he created the Lucky Curve, which was the first non-leak pen.
09:14And it was absolute phenomenon.
09:17This 12-carat gold-plated fountain pen is mid-20th century and will be sold with four other Parker pens.
09:26Oh, gosh. Let's have a look.
09:29Oh, my goodness.
09:31It goes all the way to the back.
09:33For the next three hours, Irita and Nige grapple with Gordon's many, many collections.
09:41I told you I had a lot.
09:42Yeah, but you didn't say they were in the wardrobe.
09:47Including 50 more mint model kits dotted around the house.
09:52But with time ticking, they're still Gordon's biggest collection to tackle.
09:57Are these the comics?
10:00No.
10:00No.
10:02He said, I have thousands.
10:04The girl did not listen.
10:06Let me try to get one out.
10:08Oh!
10:10They even got a board on the back.
10:13They are mint condition.
10:16Oh, my gosh.
10:17Hello.
10:18Hello.
10:18When did all this start?
10:20We went to a shop.
10:21My mum said, what do you want?
10:22And I saw this comic with Fantastic Four on it.
10:25And that's me hooked.
10:26The neatest comic collection I have ever seen.
10:30Condition is everything.
10:32Yep.
10:32It really, really is.
10:34My very first one, I paid a quid.
10:36Oh, my gosh.
10:37You did.
10:38There are an incredible 6,000 mostly Marvel comics here.
10:44Featuring Spider-Man, X-Men and Gordon's first fave, the Fantastic Four.
10:50They'll all need meticulously researching and lotting up back at the auction house.
10:56Poor Nige.
11:00But after a final back-breaking half an hour, the day is done.
11:06Look at that.
11:07Wow.
11:0840 years of collecting going away in a van.
11:10That is a phenomenal result for today.
11:13Yeah.
11:13I'm absolutely thrilled.
11:15Well, I hope you're just as thrilled after the auction.
11:18I'll see you in Dobshire.
11:19Yeah?
11:19Looking forward to seeing him.
11:20Okay.
11:21We'll see you soon.
11:22Bye.
11:23Bye.
11:24I'm looking forward to the next stage to find out how much money I can get to squirrel away from.
11:29I'm really excited for what Gordon is able to do for Flo and for her future.
11:33I think my legacy could be a little bit bigger than I expected.
11:35Whoa there, gaudy boy.
11:37Let's not get ahead of ourselves, eh, Irita?
11:40The worry is that as an auction house, we have never handled a comic collection of that size.
11:46I just hope we have enough time to tap into that brand new market for us and do it justice.
11:53Fighting for justice is what superhero auctioneers do best, Irita.
11:58And here's your battle cry.
12:00Everything must go for baby Flo.
12:20A natural air thing's a kick.
12:22St. Alban's couple Gordon and Sam's incredible haul has arrived back in Derbyshire.
12:29There are nearly 8,000 items to catalogue, so it's all hands on deck to get them researched and lotted
12:35up in time for auction.
12:37Oh, wow.
12:39This is nice.
12:40Sail room assistant Les is ex-forces.
12:43She's always drawn to anything military.
12:46This is a limited edition special boxing of KT, an Austin K2 ambulance.
12:52Lovely scale model made by a company called Gecko.
12:57Founded in 2016 and based in Hong Kong,
13:00Gecko models specialise in British and American military kits.
13:05They all come in the sheets.
13:07The detailing on them is fabulous.
13:10This vehicle is famous because our late queen used to drive one during her service in World War II.
13:18She did a bit.
13:20That's how we're here she is.
13:22She's in full service uniform.
13:25We have the instructions as well.
13:28Now to make your queen.
13:30There are two of these KT ambulances which will go in a mixed lot with seven other unbuilt model kits.
13:37We had such a lot of models.
13:40But overall, this is my favourite lot with these in.
13:48Aha, the comics.
13:50How many did Gordon have, Nige?
13:52Over 6,000.
13:54All in boxes.
13:56Most of them never been opened, never been read.
13:59What we've got here is one complete series of a character called Wolverine.
14:04First came out in 1988.
14:06What we've got here is 189 issues, which is a complete collection.
14:11And it's his first real issue.
14:13This is what makes it so collectible.
14:15At 50p each back in the day, hopefully finance director Gordon's made a canny investment.
14:22We're looking at putting a price on £200 to £300.
14:25Now I can see this one being one to watch.
14:32Iretta holds her auctions in the community centre called the Assembly Rooms.
14:37Mark the fingers.
14:38Yep.
14:39And it's up to Nige and Andy to set them up every time.
14:43Morning.
14:44Morning.
14:45Oh, looking lovely as ever.
14:48The flowers are nice as well.
14:49Boom.
14:50Night is on fire this morning.
14:52How are you feeling about it?
14:54I'm really nervous.
14:56But it's Gordon and Sam who are feeling the heat.
14:59If I'm almost shaking, it's...
15:02See, I've had to have a deep breath then because it's...
15:04Yeah, it's harder than I thought it was going to be to let it all go.
15:08How are you two today?
15:09Oh, yeah, good.
15:11I can see a smile.
15:12Yeah, but that's more of a grimace of a nervousness.
15:15Deep breath, compose yourself.
15:18OK.
15:19Shall we go sit down?
15:20Yeah, OK, lovely.
15:21Go on.
15:22Follow me.
15:25I can feel the nerves in Gordon and it's understandable
15:27because he's selling his lifelong collection.
15:30But he's doing it to make a little pot for his granddaughter, Florence.
15:35This is his legacy and we need to make it count.
15:39Gordon and Sam's thousands of items have been grouped into 128 lots.
15:45Over 1,800 bidders are hovering online,
15:50corralled by our clerks today, Nick and Agita.
15:54Gordon, are you ready?
15:55Yes.
15:56I'm ready.
15:56Are you in the zone?
15:59No.
16:01Shall we start with models?
16:04First, the lock containing the two famous Katie ambulances from World War II.
16:09We have nine various scale models.
16:1140 pounds, please.
16:1340, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70.
16:16Do I see 75, 75, 80, 80, 85.
16:2185, back in.
16:2290, 95.
16:2495.
16:2595, back in.
16:26Round me up online.
16:27Do I see 100?
16:29100 is bid.
16:30All done and sell.
16:31All done and sell.
16:32Back in at 110.
16:34120 is bid.
16:36Are we all done and selling at 120?
16:39Perfect.
16:40Perfect.
16:40A model sale that...
16:42Good.
16:43Yeah.
16:43Keep going.
16:4460 pounds.
16:45Keep going.
16:45Well, she does and over the next 20 minutes her gavel dispatches another 236 models over 30 lots.
16:55Like...
16:56We're selling at 20.
16:57That rare extra kit model aircraft by Hanance.
17:01Selling at 240.
17:03And 15 Japanese Hasegawa boxed and unbuilt hobby kits.
17:11Good.
17:12It's good.
17:12Whoever knew that your loft had a gold mine in it?
17:15I know.
17:16Mm-hmm.
17:17Up next, the gold-plated parka pen along with four other parkas.
17:2260 pounds, please.
17:2360 we have.
17:24Is there 65?
17:2560 pounds is bid for winning and selling at 60.
17:29Didn't have you down as a pen pusher, I-Rita.
17:32Very good.
17:34Next, it's Gordon's epic comic collection.
17:37The comics.
17:40Starting with...
17:41Marvel Wolverine.
17:42One to 189.
17:45Wow.
17:46200 pounds for the lot, please.
17:48Do I see 200 for all of that?
17:52I really appreciate this one.
17:54That's cute.
17:54200 pounds is bid.
17:56Is there 220?
17:57220 now we have.
17:58Is there 240?
18:00Fair warning and selling at 220.
18:03Marvelous.
18:04Not a bad start.
18:05No.
18:05Good.
18:06And over the next 20 minutes...
18:08Selling at 200.
18:10I-Rita sells the rest of Gordon's 6,000 comic collection.
18:15150 and selling.
18:17Split into 28 lots, including...
18:20Are we done and selling at 200?
18:24156 Spider-Man comics released between 2001 and 2011.
18:29And...
18:30A 190.
18:3212 rare Marvel Secret War comics from 1984 and 1985.
18:40There's a smile.
18:41Oh, sorry.
18:42Was that a mistake?
18:44You didn't mean to smile.
18:46Accident.
18:47Next up, those commemorative £2 coins.
18:50A collection of £42 packs.
18:54Straight in at 70.
18:5580.
18:5690.
18:56100.
18:57110.
18:57120.
18:57130.
18:58140.
18:58150.
18:58160.
18:59170.
18:59180.
19:00190.
19:00200.
19:01220.
19:01340.
19:08380 is bid.
19:09£400.
19:11Back in at 440.
19:13450.
19:14Back in at 460.
19:16Come back at 470.
19:18Or I'm going to sell at 460 pounds.
19:22Going, going.
19:24Gone.
19:25An incredible result.
19:27Over four and a half times their face value.
19:30That's really good.
19:32Irita then passes 12 more coin lots under her gavel.
19:36Including...
19:37Are we all done and selling?
19:39At 630.
19:40The 1905...
19:42Selling at 620.
19:45And the 1902 gold sovereign.
19:47She always thought my coins were a waste of money.
19:51That's...
19:51Because they just sat in the study getting dusty.
19:54Hey now folks, keep it civil.
19:56There's just one lot to go.
19:59Those children's book themed 50 pence pieces.
20:03Oh my goodness.
20:03All sorts in there.
20:04Straight in at 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120,
20:10130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190.
20:13Bid me 200, 200, 220, 240.
20:17260 is bid, 280 back in.
20:20300, 320 new bidder.
20:23320 pounds is bid.
20:25Do I see 340?
20:26I'm going to sell at 3, back in at 340.
20:30Bid me 360, 340 and selling fair warning.
20:35That's nine times the face value of those coins.
20:38I'm checking my loose change.
20:40Love watching your face, Sam.
20:42Absolutely gobsmacked.
20:44Yeah, I am gobsmacked, yeah.
20:45And that's the end of that.
20:48I'll see you there in five, okay?
20:50Yep.
20:50Wow.
20:50Gordon spent decades amassing those amazing collections.
20:55Irita has auctioned them off to bidders across the globe in under two hours.
21:00The question now is, how much has she made for baby Flo's future?
21:14And the models went up.
21:16Really good.
21:16That's good.
21:16All I heard is that went well.
21:19It did go well.
21:20Yes, thank you.
21:22Coins all together.
21:23Yeah, I was amazed.
21:24I think most of the coins came in probably higher than we estimated.
21:28Oh, some three, four, five times the estimates.
21:31Yeah.
21:31Yeah.
21:31Which is great.
21:32But I also didn't know how many coins he had.
21:34So every time a new lot came up, I was like, there's more.
21:37Well, shall I tell you how much you're going to take home from this auction?
21:42Are you ready for this then?
21:43Yeah, go on in.
21:44Yeah.
21:44After all the fees and commission, £9,108.
21:50Wow.
21:50Wow.
21:51Oh, I'm sitting over the moon.
21:53Thank you for that.
21:54I mean, it was an amazing journey, wasn't it?
21:59That's incredible.
21:59We've achieved what we set out to do.
22:02I've got money to be able to set aside for Flo, for her future.
22:05I'm very proud of Gordon for doing it.
22:08And thinking of his granddaughter.
22:10So well done.
22:11Their faces said it all.
22:13We had everything from nerves to smiles.
22:16But at the end of the day, what a result.
22:19I wish them all the best in the future.
22:27My children once said to me, Mummy, you're so lucky you found a job that you absolutely love.
22:35Yeah.
22:35Because you would make a terrible singer, terrible teacher.
22:39Nice.
22:39Even worse cop.
22:41Little tykes.
22:42Little tykes.
22:42So where are we going today then, boss?
22:44Little village in Buckinghamshire.
22:46We're going to see Helen.
22:48Helen lives in an absolutely spectacular house.
22:52She's not kidding.
22:54Look.
22:55What is this?
22:56I think that's Spanish.
22:58This is retired teaching assistant, Helen, and her best friend of 20 years, Ali.
23:04Could be.
23:05I don't know.
23:06That's no good then, is it?
23:08No.
23:08Not at all.
23:09Helen moved to this house in the village of Adstock five years ago with her husband,
23:14solicitor David.
23:15David was my first husband.
23:18I was his third wife.
23:20I think that makes me special, right?
23:22Very special.
23:22He wants to do it a third time around.
23:24Yep.
23:25David was amazing.
23:28Talented.
23:30Funny.
23:31Just a real country boy.
23:34He had the most beautiful singing voice as well.
23:38Oh, he looked so happy.
23:39Yeah.
23:41It was six months ago when this happiest of couples' world was turned upside down.
23:47They came out.
23:48David had cancer that had spread.
23:51David stayed at home with his dogs and Helen, and it was the best of a bad situation.
23:57Yeah.
23:57He passed away just after their 15th wedding anniversary.
24:03He was so unique.
24:05Yeah, a really special man.
24:12Now, with Ali's help...
24:14I wonder if he's got any sneaky guitars which he hasn't told me about.
24:20Helen's getting ready to part with some of the many, many things David left behind.
24:26I only discovered recently what a big holder David was.
24:32I was absolutely horrified.
24:34I would like to declutter and be minimalistic.
24:39There's a lot of eclectic things in this house.
24:42And I'd like help to move them on to a place where they're going to be appreciated.
24:50Here we go.
24:51Wow!
24:52What a place!
24:53Look at that!
24:54Here we go.
24:59I'm going to go say hi.
25:01Get the boxes.
25:06I can hear voices coming to the door.
25:09Hello!
25:09Hello ladies.
25:10Hello.
25:11Lovely to meet you.
25:15You're wanting to clear out some things.
25:17I really need your help.
25:19David got all his boxes out which have been in store for 15 years.
25:2315 years?
25:23Yeah.
25:24So, there are boxes in that room.
25:26Yes.
25:26What's in them is a mystery by the sounds of it.
25:28Yes.
25:29What else have we got?
25:30I've got something which I think is quite unique.
25:34Okay.
25:34And can I show it to you please?
25:37Yes!
25:38Lead the way.
25:38Come on.
25:39I am taking you to the bunker.
25:42You really are taking me underground, aren't you?
25:45I am taking you underground, indeed.
25:47A cellar.
25:48How mysterious.
25:49There are some interesting things which I've found.
25:55I haven't actually been through all of these myself.
25:58They are things that David collected pre-made.
26:01Gosh, there's so much.
26:03I know.
26:03I know.
26:04I know.
26:05So, what it says.
26:07Buckinghamshire Windsor size 1964 male train robbery trial.
26:14Is this the great train robbery?
26:16Nah.
26:18Yes.
26:19What?
26:20Were you ever aware of this?
26:22No.
26:23I was looking for something else and I came across this.
26:26Would you mind if we took this upstairs and, like, in a better light?
26:30I would love you to look through this.
26:32Come on.
26:35Pulled off in less than 30 minutes near Ledburn, Buckinghamshire,
26:39the 1963 Great Train Robbery saw 15 masked men stop a Royal Mail train from Glasgow to London,
26:47making off with £2.6 million, worth over £50 million today.
26:55Helen appears to have hundreds of pieces of paper from the 1964 court case.
27:02This easily could have just been thrown away.
27:06Yes.
27:07Quite easily.
27:08Oh, my gosh.
27:09Everything of this is relating to the robbery.
27:12I mean, these are things the general public has never had a chance to see.
27:18Is that a pencil drawing of a set out of the room that the court was going to take place?
27:26Because that's a witness box there.
27:27Yeah.
27:28That's jury.
27:29Jury.
27:30That's defence.
27:31Yes.
27:32It's amazing.
27:32Isn't it incredible?
27:34I'm getting goosebumps.
27:35This is part of the nation's history.
27:38I will take it back to Melbourne.
27:40Yes.
27:41Read it all.
27:41Yes.
27:43And then decide how we're going to proceed with that.
27:45Fantastic.
27:45This paperwork's going to need a proper deep dive.
27:49But still, what a start, eh, Irita?
27:53I've basically only been in cellar.
27:54I've seen nothing else so far.
27:57But yet, I am absolutely over the moon with what I have seen.
28:02There is so much to cover, though.
28:03So much to do.
28:04So I really need to get going.
28:06Yep.
28:07Let's rock and roll.
28:09This is just a few of David's guitars.
28:12The one that sticks out to my mind is this Fender Stratocaster.
28:16It's one of the first guitars that used to have what we call the bolt-on neck.
28:20Gives it that extra strength.
28:21Played by what icons such as Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix.
28:26The list goes on.
28:27Some classic guitars here.
28:29Guitars just appeared all the time.
28:32And I could always tell when he bought a new one,
28:35because he got a naughty little glint in his eye.
28:37He was very passionate about his guitars.
28:40There are five more of David's beloved guitars heading to auction,
28:44including this steel-bodied guitar made by British company Ozark.
28:49Could draw quite a substantial interest at auction.
28:52Rock on, Nige.
28:54What's the plan for any money raised, I wonder?
28:56The house hasn't been touched for 40 years,
29:00so it really does need an update.
29:03I'd like to have a lovely sitting room.
29:06It's just a desire.
29:07It may not be achievable, but it's a desire.
29:10We shall see.
29:13Look at that!
29:15Dream big, Helen.
29:16I feel like I need to go for a paddle.
29:19You've got just the woman to get you swimming in cash.
29:22Oh, my God, it's freezing.
29:23Absolutely no way.
29:24OK, but her fortitude and dedication
29:28to finding treasures for auction is second to none.
29:32We've got a full cupboard of Port Merian pottery.
29:36Port Merian is a pure classic.
29:40Named after the Welsh village
29:42that the cult 60s series The Prisoner was filmed in,
29:45Port Merian pottery was created in 1960
29:49by Susan Williams Ellis and her husband Ewan.
29:53It was actually started just to be sold in the local shop
29:59to the tourists.
30:00It is still going now, and people worldwide absolutely love it.
30:06And the most famous pattern was designed in 1972,
30:09which is called the Botanic Garden,
30:11and that is what we have in this cupboard.
30:14The things that are in here are probably only ten years or so old,
30:19and if we would put this whole entire lot into an auction as one,
30:24with an estimate of £80 to £120,
30:28I think it will be just fine.
30:31Oh, Nige, look.
30:33Found some money.
30:36I'm doing my own heist.
30:37Do a runner.
30:38Off to Rio, Irita.
30:40For the next three hours,
30:42she and Nige hunt for more saleable treasures.
30:47Nigel!
30:48Hold that one.
30:48I mean, there's everything you can imagine here.
30:51Boxes.
30:52White boxes.
30:53Just lowered it up.
30:54The rooms are going to look fantastic.
30:55It's so big and open.
30:57I'm really looking forward to that bit.
31:02I think it's a boat that has been cut down and made into shelves.
31:07This bookshelf has been made from a salvaged clinker boat,
31:11a traditional wooden boat made by overlapping horizontal planks,
31:16fastened with rivets.
31:17The first recorded clinker boat was the Nidam boat,
31:20made around 320 AD in what is now South Jutland, Denmark.
31:26I have to say,
31:27I did not think we were going to leave with one of these.
31:32Irita?
31:33Yeah?
31:33I don't know if this is of any interest.
31:36Where did you get that from?
31:37My husband saw that just glinting in the soil
31:41whilst he was doing a bit of gardening.
31:43And it's not yours?
31:44Nope, it's not mine.
31:45Oh, my gosh.
31:46It is 22 karat gold.
31:48That's probably about £200 to £300 worth.
31:50Wow.
31:51And with that little beauty...
31:54Right, job done.
31:57Right, I really want to show you this.
32:01Oh, oh, my God.
32:03Oh, goodness me.
32:06It's a room.
32:07It's a room.
32:08And it's going to be beautiful.
32:10It's a massive weight off my shoulders.
32:13It just looks like a room.
32:16I hope we raise enough money for you to do this room up.
32:20Yeah, Howard.
32:21Just like you have wanted to.
32:23Yeah, that would be amazing.
32:25I'm going to leave you two and I'll see you in Derbyshire.
32:27Okay.
32:28Thank you so much.
32:29Bye.
32:30Bye.
32:30You did it.
32:31Well done, you.
32:34I'm really grateful that so much has gone.
32:37The essence of David is still here.
32:40Yeah.
32:41And so it's been, on the whole, really, really exhilarating.
32:46Yeah.
32:47There were a lot of items that we took, including all of those boxes that we never actually looked
32:52into.
32:53Will there be something saleable or not?
32:55We'll have to find out.
32:57That train robbery folder.
32:59I can't wait to see what happens to that in the auction.
33:02The possibilities are endless.
33:05And here's hoping for plenty more secrets and goodies to uncover.
33:23Sarah.
33:24Hi, Nigel.
33:25Paintings.
33:25Where do you want them done?
33:26Helen from Adstock's Hefty Halls arrived back at the auction office.
33:32Over 500 items that mostly belonged to her late husband, David, must be researched and
33:38added to the online catalogue.
33:41Led Zeppelin, £1.50.
33:44That is so unfair.
33:45You're going to a concert and you get a ticket.
33:48What do you do with the ticket afterwards?
33:50Chuck it away.
33:51Not David.
33:53He kept all the little ticket stubs and he placed it in this frame to forever remember.
34:01There are all sorts of bands from mid-1970s to late-1990s.
34:08And believe it or not, this is actually really saleable.
34:12You better believe it.
34:14A ticket stub for the Beatles' 1964 Ed Sullivan Show appearance sold in 2013
34:20for over £6,000.
34:24It is things like this that really triggers people's memories.
34:29We have estimated it at £50 to £80.
34:32I think this is going to do rather well on the sale.
34:41Sammy?
34:42You want to come and have a look at these?
34:44Tell you what you've got.
34:45A week before the auction, Irita's been through the treasure trove of great train robbery papers from hell and safe.
34:53There are sheriff's notes that he made during the actual court.
34:59There are set-ups of how they were going to plan the rooms, photographs of it all.
35:05Ticket requests from people from around the world.
35:09That's mad.
35:10Because it was a huge deal.
35:13This amazing archive's been split into four lots, including a folder of over 200 court documents and news clippings,
35:22along with two books on the case.
35:24And this collection of letters to the Buckinghamshire Sheriff requesting tickets to the 1964 trial.
35:31But some of the other documents are so confidential and sensitive, Irita can't sell them.
35:37So they will be returned to Helen.
35:40Up to this day, it is one of the biggest crimes ever committed.
35:44We can target the collectors. They're going to love this. Let's get this out of there.
35:47Yeah, who knows where it will end up.
35:49People are going to want to hear about it, aren't they?
35:58Cup of tea?
35:59Cup of tea.
36:00The auction is set to kick off in less than half an hour.
36:04That's good. I think that's probably a good number.
36:07Here we are.
36:09Oh, my God, it looks amazing.
36:12Guitar looks absolutely fab.
36:15David would have absolutely loved everything about this.
36:19He'd have been really excited to see how things went.
36:22He would.
36:23Right, come on, let's get to the auction.
36:24OK, let's go.
36:26Go on, then.
36:26Come on, dogs. Let's go.
36:29Exciting?
36:29Yeah, really auction.
36:31Hello, you two.
36:32Hi.
36:33How are you?
36:34I'm good. How are you feeling?
36:37Excited, nervous.
36:38Butterflies in the tummy.
36:40I think it's going to be very emotional to see the guitars.
36:44Especially the steel one.
36:45When he was playing the gig, it was always displayed at the front of the stage.
36:49Oh, dear.
36:50Well, I have to mention the train robbery.
36:52Yes.
36:53There were quite a lot of things that we were legally not allowed to sell.
36:58And in my opinion, those were the things that were worth the most money.
37:02Right.
37:03There is some interest how it's going to go.
37:06Who knows?
37:07Who knows?
37:08Should we do it?
37:09Yeah, let's do it.
37:10Come on, then.
37:12Come on.
37:14Helen has 81 lots up for grabs and big plans for her living room.
37:21Nick and Agita have the online bidders in their sights.
37:24And Claire's ready for phone bids.
37:27So, without further ado, let's auction.
37:31Are you as comfortable as the doggies?
37:33Because they look very settled.
37:35First up, some buried treasure.
37:38The 22 car gold wedding band.
37:40And this is the one he found in the garden.
37:42Yes.
37:43While gardening.
37:44I thought I'd lost my wedding ring.
37:46And told you off.
37:46He told me off.
37:48Well, let's see what he really found when it comes to the money.
37:51It's jumped straight in at £400.
37:55No.
37:57£400 is bid.
37:58Do I see £420?
38:00We're selling at £400.
38:04£400's got a nice ring to it.
38:06I might get a metal detector and go around my garden.
38:11Next up.
38:13Collection of 1970s, 80s and 90s concert tickets.
38:17There are some fab ones.
38:19Yeah.
38:20£50 for the lot.
38:21£50 we have.
38:2255, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 110, 120.
38:29130.
38:29Do I see 130?
38:31Are we all done?
38:32At £120?
38:35Just the ticket.
38:37That's lovely.
38:39Next, the folder of great train robbery documents, including hand-drawn plans of the courtroom.
38:45I don't think there is a person in the UK that does not know what it is.
38:50See where we end up.
38:5140, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160.
38:59Is there 170?
39:01£160 is bid.
39:02Do I see 170?
39:04170, 180, 190.
39:07£200 is bid.
39:09Wow.
39:10£220 do I see, please.
39:12£200 is bid.
39:14£200 and selling.
39:16What a result.
39:18You happy with that?
39:19I'm so happy with that.
39:21And Irita also sells the other three great train robbery lots, including...
39:27£150 and selling.
39:29..that collection of letters regarding tickets to the trial.
39:33It is worth that.
39:35Yeah.
39:36Next, the Boaty Muck bookcase.
39:39You were rather surprised when I dug it out and I said we're taking it?
39:42Yes.
39:43Let's see, was it worth the effort?
39:45Do I see £40 on that, please?
39:48£40 we have.
39:50£40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75 do I see.
39:5675 in the room we have.
39:5780, 85.
39:5985, 90, 95.
40:0195, 100, 110 do I see.
40:03110, 120.
40:05120 in the room, 130.
40:08The room bidder has it at the back of the room at £120.
40:13130, 140.
40:16140 still in the room.
40:18On the phone do I see 150.
40:21140, the gentleman at the back.
40:24140 and selling.
40:26Well, that floated someone's boat.
40:29In fact, it's a local landlord.
40:32Is that by any chance going to a local pub?
40:35Yes.
40:36Thought so.
40:37David would approve of any pub.
40:39Yeah.
40:40And over the next hour, Irita smashes through 70 more of Helen's lots, including...
40:47Up 100.
40:48The Port Merion dinner service.
40:51200.
40:53£200 has it.
40:55A Windsor Castle oil painting.
40:57And four of David's beloved guitars, including...
41:01£340 the gavels raise and selling.
41:06That Fender Stratocaster.
41:10Unbelievable.
41:11David would approve, wouldn't he?
41:14David would just want people to play these guitars and enjoy them.
41:18But there's still one lot left.
41:21David's precious Ozark steel guitar.
41:24A fabulous looker.
41:26This is one he used to take to the concerts and have it on front of the stage.
41:30Yeah.
41:30£150 do I see, please?
41:33And £150 we do see.
41:35We are up to £220.
41:37Is there £240?
41:39£240 we have.
41:40£260 online.
41:42Is there £280?
41:44£280 in the room we have.
41:47Is there £300, please?
41:48£300, £320?
41:51£300 is bid online.
41:54Fair one.
41:55Oh, last minute, £320.
41:57Come back online at £340.
42:00£340 we have.
42:02Do I see £360?
42:04£340 and selling.
42:07Smashing its top estimate.
42:09The perfect ending.
42:10Are you OK?
42:11Yeah, I'm happy.
42:13You would think so bad I am.
42:15And that concludes us.
42:17Lovely.
42:18I'll see you out there in five.
42:20Helen was hoping to build a fund to spruce up her living room.
42:23So how much has Irita raised for the kitty?
42:28How are you feeling, ladies?
42:31Hello.
42:31Very well, thank you.
42:32We're doing fine.
42:33Did it feel like a blur?
42:35It's a complete blur.
42:36What do you think David would have thought?
42:38He's really enjoyed it.
42:39He would.
42:40Guitars are meant to be played and enjoyed.
42:43I agree.
42:44And that will happen.
42:45So after all the fees and commission, you're going home with £5,590.
42:52Oh, yes!
42:53Oh, how brilliant.
42:55Thank you so much.
42:56Right, I'm going to leave you to it.
42:58Good luck with it.
42:59Thank you so much.
43:00Bye.
43:00Bye.
43:03It's very, very special that these guitars have gone to people who are going to love them,
43:08rather than just sitting there gathering dust.
43:11It's really special.
43:12And it's a lovely thought.
43:14Heather and Ali had an emotional day.
43:18Saying that, I think they really enjoyed it.
43:21We made a nice chunk of money to doo-wop that living room.
43:25I think that was like the cherry on the top.
43:36They may be called Desert Diggers, but it's floods that are holding them back.
43:40Brand new Aussie Gold Hunters is tomorrow at 9 on Quest.
43:44Then an old mate, a triumph stag, and a problem.
43:48Richard Hammond's workshop is at 10.
Comments