- 1 day ago
The Derbyshire Auction House S03E04
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 a little treasure trove we've got in here.
00:15...and valuers...
00:16Do 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.
00:29£1,500 to £2,000.
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. I think we're gonna score with this one.
00:51Is this the great tree in robbery?
00:53Yes.
00:54...to sell at auction...
00:55£2,000 is big.
00:57No.
00:58Making her cherished clients...
01:00£3,000.
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.
01:12What?!
01:12Whoa!
01:31You've got blood!
01:32I've got blood on my new shirt.
01:34You've not worked even for three minutes, David.
01:36Seriously?
01:36And you're already bleeding.
01:38Oh, my God.
01:38Blood, sweat and tears.
01:40Well, 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.
02:21And 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.
02:33You'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.
02:57Hello there.
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.
03:18Yeah.
03:18A lot of pottery.
03:19Bits 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.
03:36Best start in that 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 to England.
03:53Croquet was Victorian Britain's must-do pastime.
03:57It was a game where men and women could play on equal terms for the first time and, crucially, out
04:03of 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, what's known as lacework.
05:05With 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, the lace might have been on the corners,
05:25on particular areas, but 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 ten.
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.
05:58For 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,
06:11there's even more tableware in the dining room, destined for Melbourne.
06:14Reckon it's time for Andy to finally roll up his sleeves.
06:19Hey! Stop sunbathing, okay?
06:22It's been lovely out there, I'll 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.
06:38Look how handsome he is.
06:39I know.
06:39Our 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, the singing principles, 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, what, 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.
07:39And she became very frail.
07:41Yes, she did.
07:43She had Parkinson's and she died a year ago.
07:47And so it's very sad.
07:50Since we lost our mother in particular, the house, it doesn't feel like a family home anymore.
07:59It'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, yes.
08:12But it just doesn't feel like that now.
08:14And 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.
08:28When 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.
08:48It 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.
09:22OK. Didn't see that one coming.
09:24I have a plan to open an animal rescue centre and I want to start with donkeys.
09:32OK. 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 ware.
09:54What's the connection?
09:55Yes.
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.
10:05Oh, lovely.
10:07Aunty Hilda's wartime mementos include Ma Yong, a Chinese strategy game similar to Rummy.
10:14It is one of the most popular games in China.
10:18But it's not actually that old.
10:19It was only 1870s that this became a thing.
10:24I mean, this is not an old one.
10:25No.
10:26It's quite simple.
10:28But someone would love it because it does look like it's all complete.
10:31The Ma Yong 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.
10:42Excellent.
10:43So that's a quarter of an Anfield ticket.
10:45Wonderful.
10:46The money's slowly starting to stack up.
10:50But with the day nearly done, they could really do with a few bigger ticket treasures.
10:55Oh, my goodness.
11:07Oh, dinky.
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 more?
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.
11:48She was a singer, wasn't she?
11:49She was a singer and an actress.
11:51Yeah.
11:51Only amateur.
11:53To being ready.
11:53I think of all her things, this is the hardest.
11:57Really?
11:57I remember her wearing everything here and that's what's difficult.
12:02That's very difficult.
12:03It must be tough, but with dozens of pieces of jewellery here, including an Edwardian 18-carat gold ruby and
12:11diamond five-stone ring, a 9-carat gold chain and a 9-carat gold diamond and ruby floral brooch, this
12:20could stop future donkeys going 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.
12:38Right, ladies.
12:40Come on through.
12:42Wow.
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.
13:01I 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.
13:08Lovely.
13:09I'm going to see you in Derbyshire.
13:10Bye.
13:11Bye.
13:11Bye.
13:12Bye.
13:13Bye.
13:16This house lost its heart when our mother died.
13:20And I think this is just the final chapter of that.
13:25Bye.
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
13:34to go, too.
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.
13:58With Catherine and Alison's parents' belongings safely back in Melbourne,
14:02Irita's team begins researching the items
14:05before 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
14:22that has been highly prized for thousands and thousands of years.
14:28And the reason for this is because it takes between 2 and 10 million years
14:33for it to be formed from tree sap.
14:36And this darker colour, this what we'd call cherry amber,
14:40is one of the more highly prized.
14:42The price that I'm putting on this is £100 to £200.
14:48Occasionally, 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
15:09was around Industrial Revolution, circa 1900,
15:12when people went against the idea of everything being mass-produced.
15:18They wanted something that was handmade,
15:21that was one of a kind.
15:22These pieces are signed R-U-Y-S,
15:27which stands for Rolf Oos.
15:29He wanted to create pieces that were practical,
15:33things that people would actually use.
15:35I just love the shape,
15:37because you instantly know
15:39this is not something that came out of a factory
15:43and was mass-produced.
15:44This is something that was handmade,
15:47thought about,
15:48and designed with love.
15:50We have put them in as two separate lots.
15:53The biscuit barrel,
15:55with an estimate of £30 to £50,
15:57and the bowl,
15:58with an estimate of £45 to £65.
16:01And I am sure that there will be someone
16:03who will want these for their table.
16:12Very good.
16:13OK.
16:15Irita's auctions take place in Melbourne's Community Hall,
16:18the Assembly Rooms,
16:19just up the street from her office.
16:22We've got a table to put up over there.
16:24As ever, Irita likes to make sure
16:27her auctions are a welcoming affair.
16:29Oh, Cherry Bakewells.
16:31Yes, please.
16:32How are you feeling?
16:34I don't know.
16:35It'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
16:42coming from the jewellery,
16:43because we found some lovely little gems 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.
16:55Clark's Nick and Sammy are keeping an eye
16:57on those thousands of potential online bidders,
16:59while Claire is ready for any who wish to bid the old-fashioned way,
17:03by telephone.
17:05Morning.
17:06You all right?
17:06Hello.
17:08Are you ready?
17:08Yes.
17:09Yeah.
17:09The sisters have 60 lots to go under Irita's gavel today,
17:13so if everyone's set...
17:15Are you ready for this?
17:16Yeah.
17:17Yeah?
17:18Kicking things off is the first of the Royal Copenhagen lots.
17:22One of my favourites.
17:24£60, please.
17:25Straight in, without a messing, at £120.
17:28£120, £130, £130, £140, £140, £150, £150, £150, £160, £170.
17:35£170 has it in the room.
17:37Do I see £180?
17:38Come back up £180.
17:39Fair warning and selling, up £170.
17:42Very good.
17:44Happy with that?
17:45Yeah.
17:46Next, more Royal Copenhagen.
17:49Candlesticks with matching candles.
17:52Straight in, someone likes the candles.
17:55Straight in at £170.
17:57£180 we have, is there £190?
18:00£180 has it, is there £190?
18:03Fair 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, £30 in the room.
18:20Claire's also placing proxy bids on behalf of buyers who can't attend.
18:24£30 we have, is 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.
18:39I'm a bit disappointed.
18:41Maybe the croquet set can knock this auction back into shape.
18:44What else do you need on a freezing day in Derbyshire?
18:49£40, please.
18:50Do I see, £40?
18:51£40 straight in.
18:52£45, do I see.
18:53£40, £45?
18:54£40 on Lion it is.
18:56And it got its estimate, so good news all round.
19:01Oh, OK, yeah, that's not bad.
19:03Over the next 20 minutes, 30 more lots go under Iretas' gavel,
19:08including...
19:09Going, going.
19:10Gone at £50.
19:12That Ma Young set in a mixed lot.
19:14I'm going to want to sell at £55.
19:16The Art Pottery Biscuit Jar.
19:19Selling at £75.
19:21And that's Art Pottery Bowl.
19:25Happy with that?
19:26Yeah, very, very happy.
19:29That's good, because we've actually saved the best till last.
19:33Lovely selection.
19:34The jewellery, which Iretas made 21 lots out of.
19:38First, it's the nine-carat gold chain that belonged to their mum, Prue.
19:42It is beautiful.
19:45£350 I have on commission.
19:47£350, £360, £370, £380, £390, £390 with me.
19:52I'm going jewelry shopping.
19:56£390, £400, £420 still with me.
19:59Do I see £440?
20:00£440 on Lion, £450 still with me on the book.
20:04Do I see £460?
20:07£450, do I see £460?
20:10Fair warning and selling.
20:11At £450.
20:13A great result.
20:15Take it you're surprised by that.
20:17Very, very.
20:19Iretas 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.
20:40Yeah.
20:41Which brings us to the last lot of the day.
20:44Tree sap turned treasure.
20:47Absolutely beautiful.
20:49We got cherry amber bead necklace.
20:51It's a lovely, lovely size and great weight to it.
20:55Do I see £100?
20:57£100 we have.
20:58£110, £120, £130, £140, £150, £160, £170, £180, £190, £200.
21:02£220's bid.
21:03Do I see £240?
21:04£240 new bidder.
21:06£260, £280.
21:07£280.
21:08£380, £300, £300, £320, £340 back in from Turkey.
21:13Bid me £360.
21:15£360 we have.
21:16Is there £380?
21:18£360.
21:19Are we all done?
21:20I'm selling at £360.
21:24Wow.
21:25The biggest surprise of today?
21:26Yeah.
21:26It really is.
21:28Yeah.
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?
22:00I'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.
22:19£3,898.
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.
23:00Woo-hoo!
23:02Irita and Andy are off on their next job.
23:05We're heading to the land of oaks.
23:08Sorry.
23:09That'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.
23:19For 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.
23:33Look out, Surrey.
23:34Irita's in town.
23:35And she means business.
23:39Look at the face.
23:41Today, Irita is meeting Elaine, who lives with her five dogs in the village of Hombrey 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, what an amazing place to live.
24:22Check out your turning abilities.
24:24Ah, you're doing all right.
24:27Beautiful.
24:34Yeah, the dogs.
24:36Hi, Rita.
24:38Come on in.
24:38Come on in, Elaine.
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 OK with me having a little browse around and see what I can spot?
24:51Yeah, because I can see to the dogs then.
24:54OK.
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,
25:18and they are multifunctional pieces of furniture.
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,
25:38an art form that can be traced back to Greek and Roman 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,
25:55because nothing says welcome like a bit of Gothic revival terror.
25:59It's a lovely bit of furniture.
26:01It has character, it has style, and it's practical.
26:05You could have just described yourself, Irita.
26:09I 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?
26:22What 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,
26:40with all sorts, Austria, Switzerland, Italy.
26:44I grew up in London with my mum and dad,
26:48and I was very close to my aunt and uncle,
26:51and they didn't have children of their own.
26:54So it was just me and four adults who were my life.
26:59So I was very spoiled.
27:01We had so many good times together and had happy times,
27:05great holidays, and I loved it.
27:09Elaine grew up, got a career in admin
27:12before 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.
27:31My aunt in 2008.
27:36And then my mum had kidney failure.
27:39So she came to live with me here in Surrey.
27:42And then she died here.
27:48Over those years,
27:49everything 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.
28:01These were made by RAC, the Royal Automobile Club.
28:06An RAC itinerary was a pre-planned driving holiday in print,
28:11listing routes, stops, hotels and highlights.
28:14First produced in the 1920s,
28:16these detailed guides helped drivers plan trips
28:19long 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,
28:31what signs you need to look for.
28:33This is really cool.
28:34And having the photographs to go with that,
28:38this is a little bit of social history.
28:41What do you think?
28:42Shall we sell those?
28:43Absolutely.
28:44OK.
28:45And I'll keep looking, see what else I can find.
28:48Hmm.
28:49It's interesting, but let's be honest,
28:51it's not bringing in many readies.
28:53Talking of which,
28:55what does Elaine want to do with any money made?
28:57This is why I got in touch with IRETA.
29:01I had this put in in February
29:05and 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, IRETA.
29:15I've been around the house
29:17and 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,
29:24I'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.
29:36No, 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
30:12in 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,
30:22and the spoils sailed past $10 million.
30:26Today, collectors prize these pieces
30:29not 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,
30:45I have just spotted
30:46that there's a tiny, tiny little nick on the edge,
30:50just there.
30:52It will affect the value.
30:54Without the chip,
30:55it would have been £40 to £60,
30:57but as it is with the chip,
30:59I think I'm going to have to place
31:00a £20 to £40 estimate on it.
31:03Who knows where in the world this will end up?
31:07Over the next three hours,
31:09Andy and I, Rita, lift, stack and pack.
31:13It's one of those days that I feel like
31:15a 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 spoilt me rotten,
31:54so he bought me a Barbie doll
31:56in Hamleys in London,
31:58and I have loads of clothes that go with her.
32:03I'm in the position now
32:04where I need to pass on to other people.
32:09They've got to go.
32:11They've got to go.
32:12I haven't got anyone to leave them to.
32:15There are clothes.
32:17There are little booklets.
32:18Sometimes, in fact,
32:20there's more money in the clothing and accessories
32:22than there are in the dolls themselves.
32:26Elaine's childhood collection
32:27includes 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?
32:47Oh, don't forget this.
32:49Oh, don't forget this.
32:50Oh, don't forget this.
32:51Oh, don't forget this.
32:51Oh, don't forget this.
32:52This is something that every girl needs in her handbag.
32:57A little compact.
32:59Look at these.
33:00Stratton is probably their best-known compact company
33:05out there in the world.
33:06British firm, Stratton, began trading in 1860.
33:11The Birmingham-based business, then known as Strattanoid,
33:14originally produced knitting needles.
33:17It wasn't until 1920s or so
33:20that they started producing things like this.
33:25In 1940s, they created this self-opening mechanism
33:30that protected the powder,
33:32and it didn't break your nails' opening.
33:35What a godsend.
33:37That is what it did.
33:40Absolutely genius.
33:41What we have here is not the best selection, really.
33:45Ah.
33:45I think we might have to combine them with something else to sell.
33:50Grouped with other pieces,
33:52including a 1920s policeman truncheon and whistles, as you do,
33:57Irita's made a lot worth maybe 30 quid.
34:01Well, every little helps.
34:02Look at this.
34:03There's a bit of all sorts in here.
34:06Hello.
34:06Some fantastic jewellery.
34:09Yes, go on, go on.
34:11I think that might have just saved the day.
34:14Some lovely rings in there.
34:16Amazing news.
34:18This haul of jewellery,
34:19including this 22-carat gold wedding band
34:22that belonged to Elaine's mum...
34:24Always nice to see.
34:25..and her 9-carat gold hinged bangle
34:28could 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 off.
34:37You know, when you need a nap on the way home...
34:40Yeah.
34:41..you can go in the back on one of these.
34:43..and 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
35:06whether we're going to be able to make enough money
35:10for the repairs that Elaine actually wants to do
35:12for 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
35:26when you get back to Derbyshire.
35:28You'll see.
35:40Back at Melbourne, Elaine's things are brought inside.
35:43So the process of researching, lotting and photographing them all
35:47for the online auction catalogue can begin.
35:50So you see the runners outside?
35:51Oh, yeah, that's it.
35:52Yeah, that's it.
35:53This 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,
36:07which means changing form, changing shape.
36:11Metamorphic furniture had its big moment in the early 1800s.
36:15They were the original Transformers, minus the explosions.
36:20London makers Morgan and Sanders churned out chairs
36:23that 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.
36:40It's just an interesting piece of social history
36:42and it's lasted a long time.
36:44This is, you know, 150 years old
36:47and it's still going strong.
36:49The chair will go to auction alongside an old doggy toy
36:52with a combined estimate of £10 to £20.
36:55Let's hope it finds a new home.
37:00Now, Elaine had quite a lot of dolls and dolls' clothing
37:04and 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.
37:17I 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
37:42is 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.
37:55It's going to be very sad to let all those memories go.
37:59Try not to feel too down, Elaine.
38:02Irita's going to do her darndest for you.
38:04We didn't take a lot of items from her house,
38:07but we've found some rather good quality pieces.
38:10She needs some money for the renovation,
38:13so I really hope we can make the most of it.
38:17With hopeful bidders in the room
38:20and online being carefully observed by Nick and Agita,
38:23and with a modest 35 lots of Elaine's
38:26to 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, do I see?
38:5070, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 110, 120, 130.
38:56140 we have.
38:57Is there 150?
38:59150 back in.
39:00Bid me 160, 160, 170.
39:03£160 is the bid.
39:06Good.
39:07170, 180, 190, 200.
39:12Do I see 210?
39:14210.
39:15Do I see 220?
39:17£210 is bid.
39:19Are we all done now?
39:21210 and selling.
39:22Fair warning.
39:23Going, going.
39:24Gone.
39:25I don't love it.
39:27It 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,
39:35along with other bits and bobs like that police truncheon.
39:39Straight in at 55.
39:41My granddad's truncheon.
39:43£55 is bid.
39:4560, and you bid it.
39:46Bid me 65.
39:47Are we all done and selling at 60?
39:50Ooh, sniper.
39:52We haven't had one in this sale, have we?
39:54A sneaky last-minute bid there.
39:57£65 is bid.
39:59Do I see 70?
40:0070.
40:01We've got competition.
40:02£70 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,
40:16Irita sells 15 more lots, including...
40:20£10.
40:21Fair warning, and I'm going to sell.
40:22..a modest result for the RAC itinerary lot with holiday snaps.
40:27And...
40:28£10 and selling.
40:30Hmm, a tenner for the metamorphic high chair and push-along dog.
40:37I may have spoken too soon.
40:40Maybe the tea bowl and saucer from the Nanking Cargo
40:43will give the auction a boost.
40:45A classic in auction room.
40:47£30, please.
40:49£30 is bid.
40:5135, 40, 45, 50.
40:5355, 60.
40:55Do I see 65?
40:56Or I'm going to sell at 60.
40:58Fair 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...
41:14£400.
41:17Elaine's mum, Florence's 22-carat gold wedding band...
41:22370 and selling.
41:24The engraved 9-carat gold hinged bangle,
41:28which also belonged to her mum, and...
41:31520 and selling.
41:34A mask of Christ's 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.
41:47The Barbie dolls and accessories.
41:49£80 straight in.
41:51£85, £90, £95, £100, £110, £120, £130, £140, £150, £160, £170, £180, £190, £200, £220, £240, £260, £280, £320.
42:01And a breathe.
42:03£320 is bid.
42:05£340 is bid.
42:07£360 is bid.
42:08I told you not to worry about them.
42:11£360 is bid.
42:14£360 and selling.
42:16The final lot, dolling out even more cash.
42:20I'll see you out there in five, OK?
42:22OK.
42:24Time to see just how much Elaine's treasures have raked in.
42:28Are you the star?
42:30Yeah.
42:30She was an absolute star, wasn't she?
42:33She's so good.
42:34Well done.
42:34Yeah.
42:35How are you feeling after that?
42:37Fine.
42:38Fine.
42:38Thank you so much.
42:40We 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?
42:51£2,000 to £3,000.
42:52OK.
42:53You ready?
42:53So, after all the fees and commission, you are taking home £3,065.
42:59Wow.
43:01Thank you so much.
43:04Are you OK?
43:05Yeah.
43:05Well, you're not expecting that.
43:07No.
43:08Get that builder around.
43:09Yeah.
43:10And get that roof sorted.
43:12I 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.
43:54All right.
43:56Thanks for listening.
43:57Thanks.
43:58Thanks for listening.
Comments