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00:01The 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.
00:11With her trusty team of porters.
00:13What a little treasure trove we've got in here.
00:15And valuers.
00:16Do you ever think about anything else but furniture?
00:19Nope.
00:20Is being called out to even bigger jobs.
00:23This is insane.
00:24The word is out.
00:25Calling Andy a night.
00:27She's the one who delivers the big bucks.
00:30£1,500 to £2,000.
00:32That's amazing.
00:33Leaving no stone unturned.
00:35Gosh, that's a big loft.
00:38She hunts down treasures.
00:4018 karat gold.
00:42Heirlooms.
00:43Have you ever seen those paintings?
00:45No, never.
00:46And phenomenal finds.
00:48Pele.
00:49I think we're gonna score with this one.
00:51Is this the great tree in robbery?
00:53Yes.
00:54To sell at auction.
00:55£2,000 is big.
00:57No.
00:58Making her cherished clients.
01:00£3,000.
01:01Oh, you are kidding me.
01:03Oh, my God.
01:04Life-changing.
01:05I'm losing track of ammo.
01:07Sums of cash.
01:09£6,900.
01:12What?
01:12Whoa!
01:31You've got blood.
01:32I've got blood.
01:33I'm in this shower.
01:33You've not worked even for three minutes, David, and you're already bleeding.
01:38Oh, my God.
01:38Blood, sweat and tears.
01:39Well, I don't mind blood and tears, but no sweat.
01:43Yeah.
01:43No sweat.
01:44I didn't come here for hard work.
01:46Irita's off on another clearance job with two of her go-to heavy lifters, Andy and David.
01:53She's pointed the van to Cambridgeshire and St Neots.
01:58What's in here?
01:59A bit of everything, I think.
02:00That's deco, I think.
02:02Yeah.
02:021930s.
02:03They're meeting sisters Catherine and Alison.
02:06Hopefully someone will like them.
02:08For nearly 45 years, this house was home to their parents, Jim and Prue.
02:13I don't know where that came from.
02:15That's really lovely.
02:16Our mother, in particular, she's a collector of everything.
02:20And she has a lot of possessions.
02:23And we were a bit overwhelmed with what to do.
02:26They've sent an SOS to Irita.
02:29I'm looking forward to seeing what there is.
02:31I think it's going to be a bit of a mix of all sorts.
02:34You're going to be in your element.
02:36All right, here we go.
02:39That's lovely.
02:43What a beautiful spot, isn't it?
02:45Gorgeous. Awesome.
02:46Andy's all ready for the sunshine and the tan.
02:48I'm working on it.
02:50All right, open up.
02:51I'm going to go and say hi.
02:52See you soon.
02:57Hello, Irita.
02:58Hello.
02:59How are you?
02:59I'm all right.
03:00Come on in.
03:04So, welcome to our mother's home.
03:06Oh, wow.
03:06What a lovely space.
03:08Yes.
03:08She's filled it.
03:09Filled it, yes.
03:10Definitely.
03:11And as you can see, it's got a lot of things.
03:13My eyes are wandering.
03:16A lot of pottery.
03:17Yeah.
03:18A lot of pottery and bits and bobs.
03:20A little bit of silver plate.
03:22A lot of jewellery.
03:24So, we'd be interested to hear what you say about them.
03:27Okay.
03:27Let me have a look around.
03:30Well, with a whole house to uncover and a van just aching to be filled, best start in
03:37that packed garage.
03:38What's in here?
03:40Well, that box is a good sign.
03:41I mean, Jacks as a company started in 1795 and they are attributed to bringing croquet
03:50to England.
03:53Croquet was Victorian Britain's must-do pastime.
03:56It was a game where men and women could play on equal terms for the first time and, crucially,
04:03out of earshot of strict chaperones.
04:05Moral panic ensued.
04:07Critics complained.
04:08The sport was an excuse to flirt.
04:11Making it, of course, even more popular.
04:15How old is this set?
04:17It is probably 1980s or so, 1990s, because it is in a cardboard case.
04:24But because it's all complete, it will still have following in the auction.
04:29And, hopefully, someone will buy it and enjoy it again.
04:34Get it on the van.
04:38I mean, if there was a cupboard that I felt in paradise and...
04:42There it is!
04:43Without even picking the pieces up, I already know exactly which factories they came from.
04:49Absolute porcelain geek, right?
04:52Royal Copenhagen is a name in the porcelain world that does not need upselling.
04:59And their trademark, if you like, is the edging.
05:03What's known as lacework.
05:06With perfectly pierced holes shaped by hand before each piece is fired in the kiln,
05:12Royal Copenhagen porcelain achieves a lace-like elegance
05:16that seems effortless, yet requires extraordinary skill.
05:20When they first started in 1700s,
05:22the lace might have been on the corners, on particular areas,
05:26but then later on, they took it all the way around,
05:30and that is the pieces that you refer to as full lace.
05:34If you had this as just blue and white, without the lace pattern on top and the bottom,
05:40you would be talking £5-10.
05:42But with the lace detail there, you times it by 10.
05:46I love that.
05:48And it looks like there's more Royal Copenhagen here.
05:51Got two candles.
05:53I have never seen candles.
05:55But they go really well in hand.
05:58With the candlesticks, I think they're going to do well,
06:01because there's a lot of market for pottery that is first class, and that is that.
06:08Along with all the porcelain in that cupboard,
06:10there's even more tableware in the dining room destined for Melbourne.
06:15Reckon it's time for Andy to finally roll up his sleeves.
06:19Hey, stop sunbathing, OK?
06:22It's been lovely out there, I tell you.
06:25Anyway, I think this table is ready for you guys to pack it up.
06:29There's a lot here, Andy.
06:31Crumbs.
06:33All of it cherished and used by Katherine and Alison's parents, Jim and Prue.
06:37Look how handsome he is.
06:40Our parents met on the stage.
06:42They were in a show called White Horse Inn.
06:45They were both the lead and saw each other and fell in love.
06:50A newlywed couple.
06:51They're singing principals in the next week's Chapel Town show.
06:55They're famous.
06:56Yeah.
06:56They married in 1961 and we moved here in 1980.
07:02So this was the family home for many years.
07:05Yeah, it was a happy time.
07:06Yes.
07:07Yeah.
07:08Happy times which lasted until 2019 when the family suffered a painful loss.
07:15Our dad, he died seven, eight years ago.
07:18About a week after he died our mother completely cleared his room and redecorated it.
07:24That was her way of grieving.
07:27He'd gone and she couldn't bear the fact that it was just full of all his possessions.
07:32So she grieved quietly, I would say.
07:35She became a little quieter and lost a bit of her confidence and she became very frail.
07:41Yes, she did.
07:43She had Parkinson's and she died a year ago and so it's very sad.
07:50Since we lost our mother in particular, the house, it doesn't feel like a family home anymore.
07:58This doesn't, it's not, it's not the family home it was when we lived here.
08:05The sisters have decided it's time to put the home on the market.
08:09It was always the place we came back to, wasn't it?
08:12Yes.
08:12Yes.
08:12But it just doesn't feel like that now and I think it's time to let it go.
08:19Oh, this is interesting furniture.
08:22It's a Tapley 33 range which is made by a company called Beaver and Tapley.
08:27When he's not helping Irita, David deals in antique furniture of every shape and style.
08:34The interesting thing about this company, there was never an actual Mr Beaver or Mr Tapley.
08:39What?
08:39It was just a made up name to sound really posh.
08:42Genius.
08:43I think it's in really good condition.
08:45Looks really good in any setting.
08:47It could be in a modern home very easily.
08:50Let's see what it does at the auction but it's definitely worth putting on the van.
08:54It's a good thing.
08:55Good spot, David.
08:58How will any cash made at auction be spent?
09:02I am going to treat my husband to a premiership game at Anfield.
09:08Well, not just him, me as well.
09:11Our father will be spinning in his grave.
09:14He supported Manchester United.
09:16I married a Liverpool supporter.
09:19I'm buying donkey food with mine.
09:22Okay, didn't see that one coming.
09:24I have a plan to open an animal rescue centre and I want to start with donkeys.
09:31Okay, Irita, we probably need more things.
09:37It's a steady procession of items.
09:41Slotting into the van one by one.
09:44I think that's good.
09:45Each bound for Derbyshire where they will be properly appraised and valued.
09:50I've just come across all this oriental wear.
09:54What's the connection?
09:56This is from our Aunty Hilda.
09:58She was in the Red Cross and after the war she went over to Japan to look after the injured.
10:04Oh, lovely.
10:07Aunty Hilda's wartime mementos include Ma Yang, a Chinese strategy game similar to Rummy.
10:14It is one of the most popular games in China.
10:17But it's not actually that old.
10:19It was only 1870s that this became a thing.
10:23I mean, this is not an old one.
10:26No.
10:26It's quite simple.
10:28But someone would love it because it does look like it's all complete.
10:31The Ma Yang will be lotted alongside other East Asian keepsakes, including dolls, parasols and a brass urn.
10:39I would imagine there's £40 to £60.
10:41Excellent.
10:42Yeah.
10:42So that's a quarter of an Anfield ticket.
10:45Wonderful.
10:46The money's slowly starting to stack up.
10:49But with the day nearly done, they could really do with a few bigger ticket treasures.
10:55Oh my goodness.
11:08Dinky.
11:09Seven hours in and the team are still digging for anything of value.
11:14This is lovely.
11:16Interesting.
11:17But Irita's got her eye on a bedroom, which might just be hiding a sleeper.
11:24This is some of my mum's jewellery.
11:27OK.
11:28Have you kept the pieces that mean something wrong?
11:30We have kept quite a bit of it, yeah.
11:32These are the things we know we won't wear.
11:34Yeah.
11:35So we'd like someone else to take pleasure from them, I guess.
11:38Most of this I think my father may have bought for her.
11:43Anything that's blingy, she will have bought for the shows she was in.
11:47She was a singer, wasn't she?
11:49She was a singer and an actress.
11:51Yeah.
11:51Only amateur.
11:53To be ready.
11:54All her things, this is the hardest because I remember her wearing everything here and that's what's difficult.
12:02That's very difficult.
12:03It must be tough.
12:05But with dozens of pieces of jewellery here, including an Edwardian 18-carat gold ruby and diamond five-stone ring,
12:12a nine-carat gold chain and a nine-carat gold diamond and ruby floral brooch, this could stop future donkeys
12:21going hungry and allow Alison and her hubby to see the reds.
12:26Your dad had good taste.
12:27He had very good taste.
12:28Well, he married my mother.
12:31And with the bling safely ensconced on the van, the day is done.
12:38All right, ladies, come on through.
12:43Wow.
12:43Goodness.
12:45Does that feel a little bit emptier?
12:48It's very bare.
12:51Yeah.
12:51It's slightly overwhelming.
12:53Yes.
12:54It's all gone.
12:55I can feel some very deep breaths being taken.
12:58I know.
12:59I'm just holding it together.
13:00I will bring tissues with me on the day because I think it is going to be an emotional one.
13:05Yeah.
13:06Yeah.
13:07Right.
13:07I'm going to leave you to it.
13:08Okay.
13:09I'm going to see you in Derbyshire.
13:10Bye.
13:11Bye.
13:16This house lost its heart when our mother died.
13:20And I think this is just the final chapter of that.
13:25It has been an emotional day today.
13:28They have found it hard to get rid of the items knowing that then the house will have to go
13:35too.
13:36For them, the hardest part is over.
13:39For me, it's just the beginning.
13:42No pressure then.
13:43Just a trip to Anfield and some very hungry donkeys riding on it.
13:54It would be handy if you could separate it before you got to us.
13:57With Catherine and Alison's parents belonging safely back in Melbourne,
14:02Irita's team begins researching the items before entering them into the online auction catalogue.
14:09This piece has really taken my fancy and stood out to me.
14:14It's Sarah, one of Irita's valuers.
14:17What's caught your eye then, Sarah?
14:20Amber is a natural substance that has been highly prized for thousands and thousands of years.
14:27And the reason for this is because it takes between two and ten million years for it to be formed
14:34from tree sap.
14:36And this darker colour, this what we call cherry amber, is one of the more highly prized.
14:42The price that I'm putting on this is £100 to £200.
14:47Occasionally they can surprise us with the prices they make.
14:51So I'm hoping for Catherine and Alison that they do really, really well.
14:56Dinosaur DNA not included.
15:02Art pottery has been around for centuries.
15:05But the strongest influence in it was around Industrial Revolution, circa 1900,
15:12when people went against the idea of everything being mass produced.
15:18They wanted something that was handmade, that was one of a kind.
15:23These pieces are signed R-U-Y-S, which stands for Rolf Usse.
15:29He wanted to create pieces that were practical, things that people would actually use.
15:35I just love the shape because you instantly know this is not something that came out of a factory and
15:43was mass produced.
15:44This is something that was handmade, thought about and designed with love.
15:50We have put them in as two separate lots.
15:53The biscuit barrel with an estimate of £30 to £50 and the bowl with an estimate of £45 to £65.
16:00And I am sure that there will be someone who will want these for their table.
16:12Very good. OK.
16:15Irita's auctions take place in Melbourne's community hall.
16:18The assembly rooms just up the street from her office.
16:22Then we've got a table to put up over there.
16:24As ever, Irita likes to make sure her auctions are a welcoming affair.
16:29Old cherry bakewells.
16:31Yes, please.
16:32How are you feeling?
16:34I don't know. It's strange, really.
16:36I'm really looking forward to Catherine and Alison's auction.
16:39I think there will be a fair amount of money coming from the jewellery, because we found some lovely little
16:45gems in all of that.
16:46I just hope we can do them justice and they sell well.
16:49You and me both, Irita.
16:52And we're seconds away from finding out.
16:55Clarke's Nick and Sammy are keeping an eye on those thousands of potential online bidders, while Claire is ready for
17:01any who wish to bid the old fashioned way, by telephone.
17:05Morning. You all right?
17:07Thank you. Are you ready?
17:08Yes.
17:09The sisters have 60 lots to go under Irita's gavel today, so if everyone's set...
17:15Are you ready for this?
17:16Yes.
17:18Kicking things off is the first of the Royal Copenhagen lots.
17:21One of my favourites.
17:24£60, please.
17:25Straight in, without a messing, at £120.
17:29120, 130, 130, 140.
17:32140, 150, 150, 160.
17:34170.
17:35170 has it in the room.
17:37Do I see 180?
17:38Come back at 180.
17:39Fair warning and selling at 170.
17:42Very good.
17:44Happy with that? Yeah.
17:46Next, more Royal Copenhagen.
17:49Candlesticks with matching candles.
17:52Straight in.
17:53Someone likes the candles.
17:55Straight in at £170.
17:57180 we have.
17:58Is there 190?
18:00£180 has it.
18:01Is there 190?
18:02Fair warning and selling at 180.
18:05A cracking start to the auction.
18:08I'm amazed.
18:09I am.
18:10Next, it's the Beaver and Tapley wall unit David spotted.
18:14How lovely is that?
18:16£30 do I see, please.
18:17£30.
18:18£30 in the room.
18:20Claire's also placing proxy bids on behalf of buyers who can't attend.
18:24£30 we have.
18:26Is there £35, please?
18:28Any other takers?
18:30Anybody?
18:31Are we all done and selling at £30?
18:34£30 has it.
18:35Claire's secured a modest price for the wall unit there.
18:39A bit disappointed.
18:41Maybe the croquet set can knock this auction back into shape.
18:45What else do you need on a freezing day in Derbyshire?
18:49£40, please.
18:50Do I see 40?
18:5140 straight in.
18:5145 do I see?
18:53£40.
18:5445?
18:54£40 on Lion it is.
18:57And it got its estimate, so good news all round.
19:01Oh, OK.
19:01Yeah, that's not bad.
19:03Over the next 20 minutes, 30 more lots go under Irita's gavel.
19:08Including...
19:09Going, going.
19:10Gone at 50.
19:11That Ma Young set in a mixed lot.
19:14Going to want to sell at 55.
19:16The art pottery biscuit jar.
19:19Selling at 75.
19:21And that art pottery bowl.
19:25Happy with that?
19:26Yeah.
19:27Very, very happy.
19:29That's good because we've actually saved the best till last.
19:33Lovely selection.
19:34The jewellery, which Irita made 21 lots out of.
19:38First, it's the nine carat gold chain that belonged to their mum, Prue.
19:43It is beautiful.
19:45350 I have on commission.
19:47350, 360, 370, 380, 390.
19:51390 with me I have on commission.
19:53I'm going joy shopping.
19:56390, 400, 420 still with me.
19:59Do I see 440?
20:00440 on Lion, 450 still with me on the book.
20:04Do I see 460?
20:06450 pounds do I see 460.
20:10Fair warning and selling at 450.
20:13A great result.
20:15Take it you're surprised by that.
20:17Very, very.
20:19Irita goes on to sell another 19 lots of jewellery, including...
20:24At 180.
20:25The Edwardian 18 carat gold ruby and diamond five stone ring.
20:30Selling at 190.
20:33And the nine carat gold diamond and ruby floral brooch.
20:39She'd have been pleased with me.
20:41Which brings us to the last lot of the day.
20:44Tree sap turned treasure.
20:47Absolutely beautiful.
20:48We got cherry amber bead necklace.
20:51It's a lovely, lovely size and great weight to it.
20:55Do I see 100 pounds?
20:57100 we have.
20:58110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200.
21:02220's bid.
21:03Do I see 240?
21:05240 new bidder.
21:06260, 280.
21:07280.
21:08300.
21:09300.
21:10320.
21:11340 back in from Turkey.
21:13Bid me 360.
21:14360 we have.
21:16Is there 380?
21:17360 pounds.
21:19Are we all done?
21:20I'm selling at 360 pounds.
21:24Wow.
21:25The biggest surprise of today?
21:26Yeah.
21:26It really is.
21:27Yeah.
21:29The amber beads are the cherry on the top for Catherine and Alison.
21:33That was your last lot, wasn't it?
21:35Yeah.
21:36I'll see you out there in five.
21:39It's been quite a day for Catherine and Alison.
21:42Now the question we're all asking, how many thousands have they made?
21:56How were we feeling after that?
21:59I'm amazed.
22:01Anything in particular that really surprised you?
22:03The jewellery, especially the last necklace, the amber.
22:07Yeah.
22:07That we thought was plastic.
22:08We thought it was plastic.
22:09It would have gone through the charity shop.
22:11So after all the fees and commission, you guys are going home with...
22:15Drum roll.
22:193,898 pounds.
22:21Wow.
22:22I don't believe that.
22:24Yeah.
22:24I am shocked.
22:26Are you happy?
22:27I'm over the moon.
22:28Really happy.
22:28Yeah.
22:29Yeah.
22:31Irita's enthusiasm today was infectious.
22:34I mean, we just couldn't believe what was happening.
22:36No.
22:37All I tell myself through the whole process is how much our mother would have loved it.
22:42I really wish she could have seen it because she'd have been so proud.
22:46Alison and Catherine have had a fantastic day.
22:49We have helped them clear the house and made some money in the process.
23:00Woohoo!
23:02Hi, Rita and Andy are off on their next job.
23:04We're heading to the land of oaks.
23:08Sorry.
23:09Well, that's it.
23:10You got it.
23:11It's like the first great place of kings and queens and the English wealthy.
23:16Well, you two will fit right in.
23:18For me, it's the oak trees that does it.
23:21Yeah.
23:21It feels a little bit more like home because oak trees in Latvia are a tree of power.
23:26So, when I come to Surrey, I just feel empowered, I suppose, in a way.
23:32I know.
23:32Look out, Surrey.
23:34Irita's in town.
23:35And she means business.
23:39Look at the face.
23:40Yes.
23:41Today, Irita is meeting Elaine, who lives with her five dogs in the village of Homebury St. Mary.
23:49I've been in this house for 31 years and I've asked Irita to come in and move certain items.
23:58They come from my aunt and uncle and my mum and dad.
24:02A few bits of pottery, jewellery.
24:05I don't know how valuable they are, but I have no one to leave them to.
24:11And I don't know what to do, basically.
24:15Right, I think it's somewhere here.
24:17Oh, my goodness.
24:18What an amazing place to live.
24:21Yeah.
24:22Check out your turning abilities.
24:24Ah, you're doing all right.
24:27Beautiful.
24:34Here are the dogs.
24:37Hi, Irita.
24:38Come on, Irita.
24:39Lovely to meet you.
24:42Isn't it beautiful?
24:43It's a beautiful house.
24:45I can tell why the dogs love it.
24:47Look at that garden.
24:48Are you okay with me having a little browse around and see what I can spot?
24:52Yeah, because I can see to the dogs then.
24:55All right, I'll see you a bit later.
24:56Yeah, fab.
24:59With a house full of items and just one day on the clock, it's straight down to business.
25:05I wonder whether she wants to part with that.
25:08Isn't that a lovely piece of furniture?
25:12Like, you can just settle in it.
25:14And that is exactly where the name comes from, because these are called settles and they are multifunctional pieces of
25:20furniture.
25:21Not only these were made for sitting, they were made for storing items.
25:25This is very much that late 1800s kind of look with a carved detailing on their arms.
25:33The settles back features foliate or leaf-like motifs, an art form that can be traced back to Greek and
25:40Roman furniture in the 5th century BC.
25:44A popular design throughout the ages since, the Victorians loved it.
25:49And those arms, they end in grotesque faces known as mascarons, because nothing says welcome like a bit of Gothic
25:58Revival terror.
25:59It's a lovely bit of furniture. It has character, it has style, and it's practical.
26:06You could have just described yourself, Irita.
26:08I could actually see that in my house.
26:11Get your wallet out on auction day, and it's yours.
26:15While Andy cracks on with the loading...
26:20What is in here? What the fuck?
26:23...something else has caught Irita's eye.
26:26Oh, I love photograph albums like this.
26:29I wonder.
26:31Elaine, are you there?
26:32Yeah!
26:33I found a box!
26:35Do you mind coming and having a look at it?
26:37There's a lovely photograph album in there, with all sorts.
26:41Austria, Switzerland, Italy...
26:45I grew up in London with my mum and dad.
26:48And I was very close to my aunt and uncle, and they didn't have children of their own.
26:54So, it was just me and four adults who were my life.
26:58So, I was very spoiled.
27:01We had so many good times together and had happy times.
27:05Great holidays.
27:07And I loved it.
27:09Elaine grew up, got a career in admin before becoming a dog groomer,
27:13and stayed close with her loving family.
27:18But, as the wheels of time ground on...
27:21I lost them all.
27:23My uncle died in 1995.
27:27My dad died in 2002.
27:30My aunt in 2008.
27:36And then my mum had kidney failure.
27:38So, she came to live with me here in Surrey.
27:42And then she died here.
27:48Over those years, everything from Elaine's family became hers,
27:52much like this box of photos.
27:54I'm guessing that's all the travels.
27:56Yeah.
27:57Oh, that's nice!
27:59That is an itinerary.
28:01Yeah.
28:02These were made by RAC, the Royal Automobile Club.
28:06An RAC itinerary was a pre-planned driving holiday in print, listing routes, stops, hotels and highlights.
28:14First produced in the 1920s, these detailed guides helped drivers plan trips long before the internet did it for you.
28:22It has the tiniest detail in it.
28:27Exactly how many kilometres are in between each location, what signs you need to look for.
28:33This is really cool.
28:35And having the photographs to go with that.
28:38This is a little bit of social history.
28:41What do you think?
28:42Happy.
28:42Should we sell those?
28:44Absolutely.
28:44Okay.
28:45And I'll keep looking, see what else I can find.
28:48Hmm.
28:49It's interesting, but let's be honest, it's not bringing in many readies.
28:53Talking of which, what does Elaine want to do with any money made?
28:57This is why I got in touch with Irita.
29:01I had this put in in February and I've just run out of money to finish it off.
29:09It's just over 3,000 I believe.
29:12That's the target.
29:13Three grand, Irita.
29:15I've been around the house and I have to say there isn't a lot there.
29:20Right, these are the bits that are coming.
29:22And at this moment in time I'm really worried we might not raise enough money.
29:27For her to be able to do what she wants to do with it.
29:30Yep, that's what I thought.
29:32Right, that's a two man job.
29:35No, I don't think so.
29:37You best get finding.
29:40This is a pure classic.
29:43It is what's known as non-king cargo.
29:46Items that were discovered from under the ocean.
29:52Resurfacing from the deep in 1985,
29:54this porcelain made waves worldwide.
29:57It comes from the Nanking cargo,
30:00which was being carried by a Dutch East India Company ship
30:03that sank in 1752,
30:06just after leaving the port city of Nanking.
30:09Explorer Michael Hatcher found the wreck in the South China Sea,
30:14hauling up over 150,000 pieces.
30:16When Christie's Amsterdam put the treasure under the hammer,
30:21bidders went wild and the spoils sailed past $10 million.
30:26Today collectors prize these pieces not just for their age,
30:30but for their story.
30:32It really is a piece of fascinating history
30:35and there are so many people who will want it,
30:39not because of what it looks like,
30:41but because of what it is and where it came from.
30:43Now, while holding it, I have just spotted
30:46that there's a tiny, tiny little nick on the edge.
30:51Just there. It will affect the value.
30:54Without the chip, it would have been £40 to £60,
30:57but as it is with the chip,
30:59I think I'm going to have to place a £20 to £40 estimate on it.
31:03Who knows where in the world this will end up?
31:07Over the next three hours, Andy and I, Rita, lift, stack and pack.
31:13It's one of those days that I feel like a spare head would be handy.
31:18But the hunt's still on for the next big catch.
31:23Look what I found upstairs.
31:26Barbie really is an iconic thing.
31:29These classic dolls first tottered onto the scene in 1959.
31:34Makers Mattel have flogged over a billion since.
31:38It's said that three Barbies are sold every second.
31:41Not bad for someone who can't bend her elbows.
31:46I'm guessing these have been Elaine's dolls.
31:51My dad spoiled me rotten, so he bought me a Barbie doll in Hamleys in London.
31:59And I have loads of clothes that go with her.
32:03I'm in the position now where I need to pass on to other people.
32:09They've got to go. They've got to go.
32:12I haven't got anyone to leave them to.
32:15There are clothes. There are little booklets.
32:18Sometimes, in fact, there's more money in the clothing and accessories
32:22than there are in the dolls themselves.
32:26Elaine's childhood collection includes vintage Midge and Skipper Barbie dolls,
32:31one of which looks very familiar.
32:35Along with a selection of wigs, clothes and accessories.
32:39Honestly, this makes me excited.
32:43Oh, don't forget this.
32:45That's the treasure, eh?
32:47Ooh.
32:52This is something that every girl needs in her handbag.
32:57A little compact. Look at these!
33:00Stratton is probably their best known compact company out there in the world.
33:06British firm Stratton began trading in 1860.
33:11The Birmingham-based business, then known as Strattanoid, originally produced knitting needles.
33:17It wasn't until 1920s or so that they started producing things like this.
33:25In 1940s, they created this self-opening mechanism that protected the powder and it didn't break your nails opening.
33:34What a godsend.
33:37That is what it did.
33:39Absolutely genius.
33:41What we have here is not the best selection, really.
33:45Ah!
33:46I think we might have to combine them with something else to sell.
33:50Grouped with other pieces, including a 1920s policeman truncheon and whistles, as you do,
33:57Irita's made a lot worth maybe 30 quid.
34:00Well, every little helps.
34:02Look at this.
34:03There's a bit of all sorts in here.
34:05Hello.
34:06Some fantastic jewellery.
34:09Yes, go on, go on.
34:11I think that might have just saved the day.
34:14Lovely rings in there.
34:16Amazing news.
34:18This haul of jewellery, including this 22-carat-gold wedding band that belonged to Elaine's mum.
34:24Always nice to see.
34:25And her 9-carat-gold hinged bangle could make a lot of difference at Elaine's auction.
34:31That is just so nice.
34:33I think I'm just going to have to send Andy up to take it all.
34:37You know when you need a nap on the way home?
34:40Yeah.
34:41You can go in the back on one of these.
34:42And with the last of the items finally on the van...
34:46All loaded up.
34:47All loaded.
34:48..it's time to call it a day.
34:50What do we think?
34:51It's fantastic.
34:53A weight off my shoulders.
34:55It's been a pleasure.
34:57It's been a pleasure.
35:01We have not managed to find a great deal today.
35:04The worry is there whether we're going to be able to make enough money for the repairs
35:10that Elaine actually wants to do for the skylights.
35:14Jump in, Andy!
35:15You've taken upwards of 50 items today, Irita.
35:19You haven't had time to fully look at all of them.
35:22Bye!
35:23I suspect you will get a few more valuable surprises when you get back to Derbyshire.
35:28You'll see.
35:39Back at Melbourne, Elaine's things are brought inside.
35:43So the process of researching, lotting and photographing them all for the online auction catalogue can begin.
35:49So you see the runners outside?
35:51Oh, yeah, that's it.
35:52Yeah, that's it.
35:54This is interesting.
35:56Seen better days.
35:57It's definitely had a life.
35:59Porter David loves his furniture.
36:02It holds a secret.
36:03This is a really good example of metamorphic furniture, which means changing form, changing shape.
36:12Metamorphic furniture had its big moment in the early 1800s.
36:16They were the original Transformers, minus the explosions.
36:20London makers Morgan and Sanders churned out chairs that flipped into library steps.
36:26Essential for aristocrats scaling ever-taller bookcases.
36:30And then Victorian parents had the ultimate multitasker.
36:34Metamorphic highchairs, like this.
36:36It's even got wheels at the bottom, so it can move along.
36:39It's just an interesting piece of social history.
36:42And it's lasted a long time.
36:44This is, you know, 150 years old and it's still going strong.
36:49The chair will go to auction alongside an old doggy toy with a combined estimate of 10 to 20 pounds.
36:55Let's hope it finds a new home.
37:00Now, Elaine had quite a lot of dolls and dolls' clothing.
37:05And I'm excited about Elaine's Barbies.
37:08They have been getting loads of attention in the online catalogue.
37:12Even I want to bid on that because I have always wanted one.
37:16I think these might be the ones to watch on auction day.
37:20I think it's time to let these dolls strut their stuff.
37:30It's action stations in the assembly rooms.
37:33And despite the rain, the bidders are coming out in force.
37:37This is fun, isn't it?
37:39Joining Elaine on the day trip from Surrey is bearded collie, Kitty.
37:44Shame it had to be raining, but never mind.
37:47It's a stinker, isn't it, Elaine?
37:49Hopefully your auction won't be.
37:51Quite nervous, although I know Irita will do her best.
37:55And it's going to be very sad to let all those memories go.
37:59Try not to feel too down, Elaine.
38:01Irita's going to do her darndest for you.
38:04We didn't take a lot of items from her house, but we found some rather good quality pieces.
38:10She needs some money for the renovation, so I really hope we can make the most of it.
38:17With hopeful bidders in the room and online being carefully observed by Nick and Agita,
38:23and with a modest 35 lots of Elaine's to get through, it's lights, camera, auction.
38:30Sorry.
38:32Good morning, everybody.
38:34Elaine, are you ready?
38:36Yep. Born ready.
38:39First up.
38:40An early 20th century dark stained oak settle.
38:43This is lovely.
38:45Do I see 40, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70.
38:49Do I see 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100.
38:54110, 120, 130.
38:56140 we have.
38:57Is there 150?
38:59150 back in.
39:00Bid me 160, 160, 170.
39:03160 pounds is the bid.
39:06Good.
39:08170, 180, 190, 200.
39:12Do I see 210?
39:14210.
39:14210.
39:15Do I see 220?
39:17210 pounds is bid.
39:19Are we all done now?
39:21210 and selling.
39:22Fair warning.
39:23Going, going.
39:24Gone.
39:26It is, but settle down, there's more to come.
39:31There's a bit of all sorts in this.
39:33It's the Stratton Makeup Compact along with other bits and bobs like that police truncheon.
39:39Straight in at 55.
39:41My granddad's truncheon.
39:4355 pounds is bid.
39:4560 and you bid it.
39:46Bid me 65.
39:47Are we all done and selling at 60?
39:50Ooh, sniper.
39:51We haven't had one in this sale, have we?
39:54A sneaky last minute bid there.
39:5765 pounds is bid.
39:59Do I see 70?
40:0070, we got competition.
40:0370 pounds is bid.
40:04Are we all done and selling at 70?
40:08Another amazing result.
40:10You know, this isn't going too badly.
40:12Good.
40:14And over the next 20 minutes, Irita sells 15 more lots, including...
40:19Ten pounds, fair warning, and I'm going to sell.
40:22A modest result for the RAC itinerary lot with holiday snaps.
40:27And...
40:28Ten pounds and selling.
40:30Hmm, a tenner for the metamorphic high chair and push-along dog.
40:36OK.
40:37I may have spoken too soon.
40:40Maybe the tea bowl and saucer from the Nanking cargo will give the auction a boost.
40:45A classic in auction room.
40:4730 pounds, please.
40:4930 pounds is bid.
40:5135, 40, 45, 50.
40:5355, 60.
40:55Do I see 65?
40:56Or I'm going to sell at 60, fair warning.
41:00We're back on a steady bearing.
41:03And we still have the jewellery to go.
41:06Over the next half hour...
41:08160.
41:10Irita tears through 14 lots of the stuff, including...
41:15400 pounds.
41:17Elaine's mum Florence's 22-carat gold wedding band...
41:22370 and selling.
41:24The engraved 9-carat gold hinged bangle, which also belonged to her mum, and...
41:31520 and selling.
41:33A Mask of Christ pendant that belonged to Elaine's dad, Thomas.
41:39That's great. Thank you.
41:41You bet it is, Elaine.
41:42And you've still got one lot left.
41:46Irita's favourite, the Barbie dolls and accessories.
41:5080 pounds straight in.
41:5185, 90, 95, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 220, 240, 260, 280, 300, 320.
42:01And a breathe.
42:03320 pounds is bid.
42:05340's bid.
42:07360's bid.
42:08I told you not to worry about them.
42:11360 pounds is bid.
42:14360 and selling.
42:16The final lot, dolling out even more cash.
42:20I'll see you out there in five, okay?
42:22Okay.
42:24Time to see just how much Elaine's treasures have raked in.
42:28Are you a star?
42:30Yeah.
42:30She was an absolute star, wasn't she?
42:33She's so good.
42:34Yeah.
42:35How are you feeling after that?
42:37Fine, fine.
42:38Thank you so much.
42:39We didn't take a lot from your house, but what we did take...
42:44We found some gems in there.
42:46Yeah.
42:47Yeah.
42:47Right, how much money do you need to finish that roof in the kitchen?
42:502,000 to 3,000.
42:52Okay.
42:52You ready?
42:53So after all the fees and commission, you are taking home 3,065 pounds.
42:59Wow.
43:01Thank you so much.
43:04Are you okay?
43:05Yeah.
43:05Were you not expecting that?
43:07No.
43:07Get that builder around.
43:09Yeah.
43:10And get that roof sorted.
43:11I will.
43:14And Rita was brilliant.
43:17It hasn't sunk in yet, but I made enough to finish my skylight in the kitchen.
43:23After 18 months.
43:25There were a lot of items that were very personal to her.
43:28And that Barbie that she has had since childhood, it did fantastic.
43:34And we nailed it.
43:41With a long trip ahead of them, Angus is keen to check the oil in the van next on Quest.
43:46I wonder if knowing the contents of the collection he's about to see jogged his memory.
43:51Grease is the word in the Yorkshire Auction House.
43:56With style of navigation is the same thing.
43:57You
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