- 6/21/2025
#CinemaJourney
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00:00Behind the doors of our mansions, castles, and houses, lie piles upon piles of forgotten treasures.
00:14I've been looking for that for two years.
00:17I can't get away from them.
00:18They are simply everywhere.
00:20Am I a hoarder?
00:22Yes.
00:22But when tough times come knocking...
00:25When you're saying movement, what's it doing?
00:27Come and have a look.
00:28How much does this all cost?
00:29I'd try to think.
00:31Do they have a hidden gem that could be their salvation?
00:34I'm not sure what's in there.
00:36Could be anything.
00:37I'd love to think that there was a master painting in here.
00:41They will need the best in the business.
00:43People do call me Mr Miscellaneous.
00:46I just love all sorts of objects.
00:49It's all about creating a look.
00:51That's what really sells.
00:53Rock stars, A-listers, they're all in my little black book.
00:56Experts determined to track down valuable fines.
01:00The book alone would command an incredible amount of money.
01:04Oh, wow.
01:05Okay.
01:05Well, that's a big name.
01:07Oh, this is a bit of money.
01:09And deliver life-changing sums.
01:11Solve.
01:12Oh, my goodness.
01:14This is the only copy anywhere in the world.
01:17It's just unbelievable.
01:31Today, Ronnie's on his way to try and find hidden treasures on a country estate.
01:35I'm in Kent, and I'm on my way to a beautiful spot.
01:41Mount Ephraim has got some amazing history, so I'm really looking forward to what I might
01:46find there today.
01:48It's supposed to be a wonderful place.
01:56Mount Ephraim House overlooks 800 acres of farm and parkland.
02:00This impressive 18-bedroom mansion is where the Dawes family house over 300 years' worth
02:09of ancestral hoarding.
02:14Treasures gathered from around the world by many generations, upstairs and below.
02:20We've all added to the stuff, and in a house like this, you don't know what could be valuable,
02:30so you're reluctant to throw anything away.
02:34Will is the latest custodian of this grand old pile.
02:39We're in the main hall of Mount Ephraim House.
02:42We've got lots of family portraits.
02:45Sir Edwin is the guy who made all the money in shipping originally and set up his own shipping
02:52company.
02:53He was the equivalent of a billionaire today.
02:58Will's third great-grandfather, Sir Edwin Dawes, hailed from a long line of affluent vicars.
03:04But he chose a life at sea and made a great fortune, buying the New Zealand shipping company,
03:10which became part of the P&O enterprise.
03:12As a rich Victorian businessman, he knocked down the family's decaying house to build this
03:19luxurious weekend party pad.
03:23These gardens were made by William Charles Dawes, son of Sir Edwin.
03:28One generation makes it, the next one spends it, so Willie did his best to spend all of
03:33Sir Edwin's funds on such extravagances, I guess.
03:37I think there was something like 27 full-time gardeners.
03:41It would have been no expense spared.
03:46For Will and his sister Lucy, it was an incredible place to grow up.
03:52We had the best childhood ever, living in this big house.
03:59So as kids, we used to slide down the banisters, and my gran was still sliding down the banisters
04:05as well into her 80s as her party trick.
04:08The fountain was our swimming pool, and it was freezing.
04:12Swam in the fountain in various states of dress.
04:16We did.
04:17Or not dressed.
04:18Yeah.
04:19It may have been an idyllic childhood, but as adults, money became tight, and the house
04:26had to earn its keep.
04:27This is the morning room and the billiard room when we were growing up, and now we use them
04:36for the weddings.
04:37I love Mount E-Frame, but it is high pressure to keep it going and make sure that we can
04:44make enough money to just maintain the house.
04:48And this lucrative market can't always be guaranteed.
04:53It's so variable.
04:54This year we've had 26 weddings, and next year I've only got six weddings in the diary.
04:59Income is down, but costs are rising.
05:05The electricity bill would be £20,000.
05:09The insurance, £15,000.
05:12The annual cost is £100,000 at least, excluding general repairs.
05:18The house needs constant maintenance, but they've been hit with an unexpected bill.
05:25Over there you can see where one of the pipes has been leaking,
05:28and there's green algae all in that corner.
05:32Woo!
05:34How are you getting on up there?
05:35Yeah, getting there.
05:37Paying for your nice holidays, aren't we?
05:38Where's Darrell at the moment?
05:40He's in Lanzarote.
05:41Ah, yeah, see, exactly as I said.
05:47They need to find £30,000 towards the roof repairs.
05:52This is one of the only rooms in the house without a window.
05:56Consequently, it is literally a junk room.
06:00Might their ancestor's hoarding be a blessing in disguise?
06:06I don't know the provenance of a lot of the stuff in the house.
06:09It is just stuff that goes from generation to generation.
06:13So there's some crazy outfits.
06:16Another nice smoking jacket.
06:18Some old pictures.
06:19They've obviously been damaged and been shoved in here for want of a better place to put them,
06:25but no-one's been brave enough to throw them away.
06:28I'd love to think that there was a master painting in here.
06:32I don't want to be the one who either has to sell up or pass it on to the next generation having failed.
06:40But to strike gold amongst centuries of clutter, they'll need a helping hand.
06:46Antiques expert Ronnie has been in the business for over 30 years.
06:51I've specialised in so many different categories that if it's there to be found, I will find it.
06:58Seeking out hidden treasure and finding their route to market is his passion.
07:06It's lovely.
07:08We're quite high up.
07:09There's great views.
07:12This bodes well.
07:14If we can sell any items within the house to help finish the roof, then we would be delighted.
07:23Who knows?
07:24Maybe you'll uncover something.
07:29We're certainly not going to turn the money down either.
07:33Hello.
07:34Come in.
07:35Come in.
07:36Welcome to Mount Ephraim.
07:37This is a great place you've got here.
07:40I love it.
07:41I mean, your family's got fabulous taste.
07:44So it's going to be a feast for my eyes.
07:47They've bought things that appeal to me a lot.
07:50I mean, I can just see things around me that I love.
07:52Where am I going to start?
07:54I love that portrait.
07:56Philip de Laszlo.
07:57I'd recognise his work from a mile.
08:00This painting I know is fairly high value.
08:03The artist, I believe, he's in fairly high demand.
08:07Would you be happy to part with that?
08:09No, no, we're not really interested in selling anything on display because we're a venue doing weddings and other events in the house.
08:16It gives the house its atmosphere, doesn't it?
08:20Yeah, yeah.
08:21So it's really the stuff in the nooks and crannies and the rooms we don't use that really, yeah, we would listen to offers for.
08:30Really?
08:30So where are the nooks and crannies?
08:32There's some junk rooms and pretty much the whole length of the house is a cellar.
08:37I'm going to go and have a rummage.
08:39Enjoy.
08:39Can't wait.
08:40Let us know.
08:42I hope I can make a good dent in the figure that they need to raise.
08:47But, you know, valuing things and selling things is not an exact science.
08:52And everything depends on finding the hidden gem.
08:57These are great storerooms, actually.
09:02Got some dust on that.
09:03Oh, First World War, maybe Second World War.
09:10Tommy's helmet.
09:12And the same helmet for the Great War and the Second World War.
09:16It's an interesting sideboard.
09:20It's late Victorian, slightly Gothic revival.
09:24It's a mixture of styles.
09:25I mean, you could put it into auction.
09:27Two people wanted it.
09:28It could go to £1,000.
09:31Nobody wanted it.
09:32I said it would go for £200 or £300.
09:34I like that.
09:35You know, it's got something.
09:41So what have we got here?
09:44They're just low-value prints.
09:47Nothing of any real significance.
09:50So I think I'm going to move on.
09:55I wonder what's in here.
09:57Oh, my God.
09:58Family photographs.
10:05Yeah, an interesting little basement.
10:09Well, this looks like a gun case here.
10:11Nice quality.
10:14Shame the guns aren't in it.
10:15A labyrinth of dead ends so far, but with a cellar running almost 100 metres long, opportunity may yet arise.
10:25Another photograph album.
10:27This little crate.
10:29I think there's a bronze here.
10:35What's that?
10:38Very dusty.
10:40I'm sure it's bronze.
10:41Yeah, it's bronze.
10:43It's a rotting tree trunk and a pine tree at that, because I can see pine cones.
10:49It's got a little detail.
10:50It's got little growths.
10:52The fungus that grows out of trees.
10:54It looks like it could be Japanese.
10:56In recent years, Asian art has become highly desirable, and its market price has exploded.
11:06In 2024, two Chinese vases exceeded all expectations and sold for almost 10 million pounds.
11:14The right Japanese bronze could be worth a fortune.
11:18If this is an anonymous casting, estimated at 50 to 100 pounds, with a signature, it could be a game changer.
11:30You see, out of there I found what looks like a kind of monogram.
11:35If that artist is a known artist, it could be thousands.
11:41I've got a colleague who specialises in Oriental art.
11:45He could probably decipher who it is.
11:49Let's see.
11:49With every little brushstroke, it's increasing in value to me.
12:06At Mount Ephraim House in Kent, Ronnie is hoping to help owner Will raise £30,000 towards his leaky roof.
12:14Hiya, Ronnie. How's it going?
12:18Fine. Look, this is the bronze that I found.
12:21Oh. I don't even recognise it.
12:23Lo and behold, found a little stamp there.
12:27You have?
12:27That's what will determine the value of this.
12:31And if it's a known artist, sky's the limit.
12:35Would you be happy to part with that?
12:37Absolutely. Keep cleaning.
12:39Just down the road on the Kent coast, Paula has a seaside assignment.
12:48I love vintage and I'm on my way to an Edwardian hotel in Margate to meet an avid collector.
12:54And I'm hoping it's filled with some vintage beauties.
12:58The Walpole Bay Hotel is full to the brim with the weird and wonderful.
13:04Unexpected treasures and memories from bygone times.
13:07And at its heart is its curator, Jane.
13:12This is the first area that people come to and they go over to the reception desk.
13:17But they have to pass our toaster.
13:19And this toaster was the original toaster found in the kitchens when we moved in.
13:23Put your bread in, push it, take it out, put it on there.
13:26And it keeps it beautifully warm and crisp until you need to do some more.
13:31Jane has owned and lived at this grand hotel for over 30 years.
13:35Over there we've got a case full of every card, every guest that stayed here since 1934.
13:43Isn't that amazing?
13:45I am a total and utter hoarder and nobody would ever say anything differently.
13:50In a previous life I collected things, but not on this scale.
13:54Our collection is so eclectic, there's no rhyme nor reason to it.
13:59My family think it's hoarding and I think it's preservation.
14:04With five floors, 41 bedrooms and her own sleeping quarters,
14:09Jane has all the space she needs to indulge her passion.
14:12We have a collection of radios.
14:15This room is our typewriter room.
14:18This area, most people know it because of the scary dolls.
14:24How can I say no to a 1900s police tunic that's in pristine condition?
14:33But the hotel's upkeep is a constant worry.
14:37Hi, Just.
14:38Hello, Mummy.
14:39Jane's son, Justin, is the general manager.
14:41Did the electrician come for 113?
14:44Yes, he came yesterday.
14:45And what happened?
14:46It's more expensive, I'm afraid.
14:47We need a new fan.
14:49So how much does this go cost?
14:51I dread to think.
14:54Keeping the Walpole going is critical for our family.
14:57There are now four generations of us dependent on trading successfully.
15:03Just keeping up with the sky-high running costs
15:06means much-needed restoration projects are on hold.
15:09With our beautiful, original 110-year-old lamps,
15:14beautiful works every day,
15:16but look, the metal has totally gone.
15:20The elements have taken their toll now,
15:22but we're not earning enough
15:24to put towards the maintenance of a big job like this.
15:28The cost of the Georgian wire glass, £500 per sheet,
15:33and I need 42 sheets.
15:36It's unbelievable, isn't it?
15:37That's a cost of £20,000.
15:41Money Jane just doesn't have.
15:44And the glass might not survive another bad winter.
15:47The veranda is the main face of the Walpole.
15:54People can see what's happening to it,
15:56and they think we're neglecting it,
15:57and it's not neglect, it's lack of funds.
16:00It is urgent, and it's extremely stressful.
16:07No, I'm sorry.
16:12As a vintage trader with an enviable contact book,
16:16Paula is perfectly placed to help Jane's period hotel.
16:19Every vintage item has a story,
16:23which is my great joy to discover,
16:26because every interesting story can lead to an interesting sale.
16:30Jane, hi!
16:32Hello, Paula.
16:33Welcome to the Walpole.
16:34Thank you so much.
16:35It's wonderful.
16:36I am blown away by how gorgeous this is.
16:38Do you want to come and have a look at it?
16:39I'd love to.
16:40Of all the collections Jane's amassed here,
16:44there's one she's keen to show Paula first.
16:47This is our Tracey Emin wall.
16:49This is so impressive.
16:51So tell me, how did you come to have Tracey Emin
16:53original artwork on your wall?
16:56The first time she came, she'd bought her mum for a cream tea,
16:59and from then on, they had their teapotties here
17:02and entertained friends here.
17:06Dame Tracey Emin grew up in Margate
17:08and is known for her provocative artwork,
17:11including her Turner Prize-nominated My Bed.
17:15In the 80s, along with Damien Hirst,
17:17she was part of a group of artists
17:19who exhibited together, coining the term Britart.
17:25Her work is highly collectible,
17:27and one of her paintings recently sold for £2.3 million.
17:34So there's an incredible connection with Tracey Emin
17:37coming from Margate.
17:38Yes, yeah.
17:39She used to bring her mum here for cream teas.
17:41Pam used to love our cream teas.
17:43And on this wall, we have my portrait.
17:46Tracey said,
17:47you look like the banshee of Margate.
17:49Get me a napkin.
17:49I'm going to do your portrait.
17:51Now, you don't say no, do you?
17:53So this is wonderful.
17:54And in 2005, we hosted her book signing for her and she dedicated four books to the Veranda Fund for us to auction off.
18:05So why are they still here?
18:06Well, I couldn't part with them.
18:08The sentiment's very important, but the purpose that she gave them to us is pressing.
18:15Are you willing to part with anything?
18:16The books, yes, because that's what she did it for.
18:19Yeah.
19:19Look at that mechanism.
19:21Amazing.
19:21I've seen these going for around £1,000 up to about £4,000.
19:27Really beautiful piece.
19:30Oh, wow.
19:33This wonderful swirling pattern reminds me of something I've seen at the V&A.
19:41This is Samuel Herman, 1972.
19:45He's well known in the glass artistry movement.
19:50Sam Herman was a pioneering glassmaker, known for his bold designs.
19:55His work can now sell for over £10,000.
20:00From what I'm seeing, I think these three, if they're all Sam Herman, and yes, this one's got an etch as well,
20:08then these could actually be worth a pretty penny.
20:13Our glassware collection, we're very proud of and enjoy living with.
20:17The collection is quite extensive now.
20:20It's over 100 pieces.
20:22Sentimental value items, I don't think I could get rid of.
20:29To add to the unique Sam Herman trio, Paula has picked two further interesting pieces to put in front of Jane.
20:36It's so obvious that you have a passion for so many things, but would you be happy for me to try and sell these items if I can find good buyers?
20:48Um...
20:49Letting our things go.
20:53It's difficult.
20:55It is difficult, but it's for a purpose.
20:58The veranda needs to be done, so if they're worth money, yes.
21:02But we want them to go somewhere where they're going to be appreciated and loved, not just for their monetary value.
21:08Absolutely.
21:08For the actual objects themselves.
21:10In an ideal world, what I would love to do is find passionate collectors, people who want to collect them in the same way as you have.
21:18And enjoy them, because that's what it's about, isn't it?
21:19Yes, it is.
21:20They need to be loved.
21:21This is certainly make-or-break time for us.
21:28We can't lose the veranda.
21:29It's got to be done now.
21:31We can't live without it.
21:33Jane's Hotel is an iconic part of Margate's history.
21:37Anything I can do to save that veranda, I will do.
21:41Up the road from Margate, Ronnie has the bronze to investigate, but that's all he's found.
21:57So he's persuaded Will to open the mansion's family vault.
22:03Some interesting things in there.
22:06This was the christening present to my grandfather.
22:09It's a serious gold cup.
22:13I don't often handle gold vessels of this quality and this size.
22:18Smaller ones, but this is quite a thing.
22:21That would solve all your problems.
22:24But obviously you don't want to sell this.
22:26This is a family heirloom.
22:27Family heirloom.
22:29It's a thrill to behold.
22:33There's a funny-looking thing here.
22:36What's that?
22:36Gosh.
22:37Oh, the ugly mug, as I call it.
22:41It scares everyone.
22:44Do you know who made this?
22:45Don't really know much about it.
22:47They're very famous posses called the Martin Brothers, there were four of them.
22:51They had a pottery in South Hall, originally.
22:54Started in the early 1870s.
22:56And you call it the ugly mug?
22:58Yeah, well, for obvious reasons, really.
23:02The brothers were best known for their Wallybird sculptures, vessels decorated with sea creatures and stoneware bowls.
23:10Each piece is said to be unique.
23:14Recently, a large characterful bird jar sold at auction for just under £200,000.
23:21It's quite a splendid thing, isn't it?
23:27Yeah, it's quite unique, that's for sure.
23:29But I actually like them a lot.
23:31The Martin Brothers were Gothic revivalists, really.
23:34You sort of see grotesque masks like this, cathedrals and churches.
23:38Yeah, like the gargoyles.
23:39Yeah, exactly.
23:41And that's a great object.
23:43It's got the tiniest little nick there.
23:46But what do you think of it?
23:48I mean, I haven't ever paid it much attention.
23:50These are really collectible.
23:53But things in the safe, I guess, aren't for sale, are they?
23:56I don't know about that one.
23:57We're not particularly attached to it.
24:01And if it can help fund work needed at the house, then maybe we should.
24:06And, well, I know in auction this would make four-figure some.
24:15Hmm.
24:17Well, it's sat in there doing nothing, just being an ugly mug.
24:21An ugly mug that a lot of collectors go mad for.
24:24And it could be a dry roof.
24:27Martin Ware is known to sell best at auction.
24:30But this piece is not in perfect condition,
24:32so Ronnie will need to work harder for a sale.
24:35You know, good quality, grotesque things have a following.
24:41It's just a case of what I can do to make the most money for Will and Lucy.
24:45Vintage expert Paula is trying to help Jane raise £20,000
25:01to restore one of her hotel's most important features,
25:06its original veranda.
25:07And today is the first part of the plan.
25:13I'm in Royal Tunbridge Wells to meet Mark Hill,
25:16who is a leading expert in all things glassware.
25:19And I'm hoping that he'll tell us a little bit more about Jane's collection.
25:24So, Mark.
25:26Paula.
25:27Well, hello.
25:28I'm hoping that's an excited smile.
25:30It's ecstatic.
25:31Smile, no less.
25:32Immediately, I recognised Sam Herman,
25:35one of the great sort of pioneers of what we call the studio glass movement.
25:40He studied anthropology and sculpture,
25:42and lots of his forms are inspired by the human body
25:45and sort of the way humans posture.
25:47So, as a result, it's the more sculptural forms,
25:50the less functional forms,
25:52that tend to fetch the highest price.
25:53So, there's a little bit of a sculptural form here,
25:56maybe less so with a bottle here
25:57and less so with this very functional cylindrical vase.
26:00But I love the colours and the texture on that one.
26:02Look at it.
26:02The colours are amazing.
26:03Incredible.
26:04So, what about the others?
26:06I think for these two, they're not really me so much.
26:10So, Mark, what could you offer me for the three of these,
26:13which are the Sam Herman?
26:15I'm not quite sure we're going to be able to save the entire veranda,
26:18but I'd like to make an offer somewhere around 2002,
26:22something like that.
26:23Well, let's hope that Jane's heart beats a little faster with that, then.
26:27Great.
26:29Mark did not have a poker face today.
26:32I came here to get advice, and I ended up with a possible sale,
26:35so I am so excited to go back to Jane.
26:38The slight downside is it doesn't make a huge dent into £20,000,
26:43but Mark knows his stuff, so I'm hoping that Jane will be positive.
26:49Jane. Hello, Paula.
26:51I have some news for you.
26:53Do you?
26:53And whether that's good news is going to be totally up to you.
26:57I've seen Mark Hill, and his interest really was in the Sam Herman.
27:02Oh, good.
27:03And he has come up with a figure.
27:05Mm-hm.
27:06Bit of a drum roll here.
27:08Da-da-da.
27:08For those, he was willing to pay £2,200.
27:16That's...that's...that's quite disappointing, actually.
27:21He obviously knows the market, though, doesn't he?
27:23He knows the market.
27:24We were a bit more optimistic than those prices.
27:28We really were.
27:29However, I do believe there is some wiggle room there.
27:32Yes.
27:33And I think, if you're interested,
27:35I think there may be some room there to negotiate.
27:38We just want to make you happy.
27:39Yeah.
27:40We just want to raise the money.
27:41We need to raise the money.
27:42Mm.
27:42I can totally understand the dilemma
27:46between your heart and your head.
27:49But Jane needs money.
27:51She needs money for the hotel.
27:54Mark has a value.
27:56Jane has a higher value.
27:57Meeting in the middle isn't going to be easy.
27:59Meanwhile, Ronnie's in London,
28:14close to the site where Will and Lucy's ugly jug
28:16was fired over 100 years ago.
28:20I've come here to Ealing Central Library.
28:23I hope to find more information that might add value.
28:28The jug could be worth four figures,
28:31but it does have a nick.
28:33So, Ronnie is researching its provenance
28:35in the hope of improving its chances at auction.
28:40Hello, Ronnie. Pleased to see you.
28:42Pleased to meet you, Dr Oates.
28:44Researcher Dr Oates has granted Ronnie access
28:46to the library's unparalleled Martinware archive.
28:52I've got an image of the jug.
28:55Yep.
28:55On my iPad.
28:57There's this.
28:57Yes, oh, that's a great image, yes.
28:59It's got a sinister face, hasn't it?
29:01Yeah.
29:01It's not one for everybody.
29:03Wouldn't it be funny if we found the actual one here?
29:05Well...
29:06They're all different.
29:07Look at this one.
29:08I'm just trying to see if that...
29:10Is that...
29:10Is our jug?
29:11Um...
29:12That's very close.
29:13It is very similar, yes.
29:15This looks interesting.
29:16This looks interesting.
29:17It's a great image, there.
29:19I mean, it's a wonderful image, you know, in the process.
29:23Oh, look at that.
29:25That's Robert Wallace Martin creating a face jug.
29:29As you can see, Lucy and Will's jug.
29:32The inscription on the bottom, which is very clear.
29:35R.W. Martin.
29:37Robert Wallace Martin.
29:40This is fantastic.
29:42Let's have a look at these letters.
29:44See if any of these refer to the face jugs.
29:48Dear Mr. Greenslade, and it says here I am very busy on face jugs.
29:55Yes.
29:56Just now, some promised by end of month.
30:01So this is 1910.
30:03Let's have a look at the date of Lucy and Will's jug.
30:07And clearly dated, the 1st of the 7th, 1910.
30:10Now, that's a great reference.
30:11I'm going to take an image of that and use that.
30:16That was great.
30:18And what I've learnt here today will add value to their jug.
30:23I think Lucy and Will will be thrilled.
30:26Armed with this research, Ronnie is ready to submit the jug to auction.
30:38Back in Margate, Paula and Jane are calling glass expert Mark
30:43to try and up his offer of £2,200
30:46for the pieces he loved.
30:49Hello, Mark.
30:51Hello, Paula. How are you?
30:53I'm very well, thank you.
30:54And I'm here with Jane.
30:56Hello, Mark.
30:57So I've been having a chat with Jane.
30:59And your offer was not quite enough for her, but she has come up with a price for her.
31:06Three pieces of beautiful Sam Herman that you were rather excited about.
31:11Absolutely right.
31:12Oh, yes.
31:13They're beautiful things.
31:14I can see why you love them.
31:15So, Jane, if I'm okay to say this, is willing to part with the three pieces for £5,000.
31:22Oh, gosh.
31:25How does that sound?
31:26A lot more.
31:26That is quite a leap, really.
31:28And it's an awful lot more, I think, than prices being paid at auction at the moment.
31:33So, Mark, can we say, is this a straight no, or do you want to have time to think about it
31:40and perhaps we can chat again in the future, or what are we saying?
31:44I think I'd like Jane to think about it.
31:47I thought my offer was fair, but if I was going to be really fairer, I could go to £3,000.
31:55Thank you so much, Mark.
31:56Bye-bye.
31:58Well, how do you feel?
32:00Well, £3,000 is a lot of money, but we were hoping for more.
32:06It's a breaker, a deal breaker.
32:07But we do have to think with our business head as well.
32:10Yes, but we do need the money.
32:13Sometimes people add sentimental value to the pieces that they have,
32:17and I think this is what Jane may have done.
32:20Mark is a dealer.
32:21He knows what the market value is.
32:24So, there is always going to be a gap between heart and business,
32:28and that's what's happened here.
32:30No deal.
32:32But Paula still has one final chance to raise the money Jane desperately needs.
32:45Good morning, everyone.
32:46Very warm welcome to Glanford and our collector orchard,
32:50which features some very nice items, particularly on lot 129.
32:54Ronnie's hoping for better luck in his bid to raise money for Will and Lucy.
33:02Today, the ugly jug goes under the hammer.
33:05I love an auction.
33:07It's really exciting, actually.
33:08I'm looking forward to it today.
33:09It could be fantastic, or it could be disastrous.
33:12Yeah, I wonder if it's going to be the happy face or the grumpy face on the other side.
33:17Good point.
33:18Martin Ware jugs are very collectible and can fetch up to £5,000 at auction.
33:25It's a really good company.
33:27You know, it's all quality stuff.
33:30I can't... I don't see any rubbish.
33:32That's good.
33:33Which is really good.
33:35But because Will's jug is not in mint condition, it's been valued at £2,000.
33:40Lot 129, very nice Martin Brothers face jug, grotesque smiling face.
33:50It's starting to get a bit nervous.
33:52You can't help that.
33:54And we are opening here at £2,000.
33:59£2,200 now.
34:02Any further advance?
34:03It'd be £2,300 anywhere.
34:05Keep you all time to think about this.
34:07I'm going to sell for £2,200 to the commission bidder.
34:18Yep, £2,300.
34:22£2,500.
34:23That's better.
34:25£2,600.
34:26£2,700.
34:28£2,800.
34:29It's creeping up.
34:32£2,900.
34:32£2,900 now is the bid on the commission.
34:36At £2,900.
34:40Looking for £3,000.
34:44Do we see £3,000 anywhere?
34:47It's on commission here at £2,900.
34:52No?
34:54We're all finished.
34:57Internet's quiet.
34:57We'll sell, then, for £2,900.
35:05It's gone.
35:06Yeah.
35:06Sell for £2,900.
35:09Really?
35:10Good news.
35:15It's money in the bank, but it's still a far cry from the £30,000 Will and Lucy need.
35:20But there's still the Japanese bronze to go.
35:34Paula is back in Margate.
35:36Jane needs £20,000 for her hotel renovations, but so far she's turned down all offers.
35:42But there's one last hope of a sale.
35:48Jane!
35:49Hello!
35:50Now I've brought someone with me.
35:51Michael and his ex-Christies, which is very exciting.
35:55And he's here to see your Tracey Emmett.
35:57Oh, really?
35:58Oh, do come through.
35:59They're in the dining room.
36:00Brilliant.
36:00Come this way.
36:02Michael McDonald has been valuing modern art for over 20 years.
36:06So here we have four signed books with dedications to the Walpole Hotel.
36:12There is a tiny bit of discolour from, you know, being in the sun, etc.
36:16But there's no meaningful damage that I can see here.
36:20And then we have the Banshee of Margate, the beautiful portrait that Tracey did of Jane.
36:25I really like it because it's unique and it's warm and it's quite a character celebration as well.
36:31And a compliment.
36:32Absolutely.
36:33What a history.
36:34I didn't think so.
36:34And, um, but I, um, for me, that's easily the most commercial one here.
36:42These are exciting pieces.
36:44There's going to be no doubt that they are by Tracey Emin and that they're pucker.
36:48So I do think that, um, auction is probably quite easily the best way of selling these.
36:55Now, I wouldn't want to pin you down to a price.
36:59But, I mean, what sort of range are we talking?
37:02Um, I think this would be best probably $800 to $1,200, something like that.
37:07So that's a starting price.
37:11That's, that would be a starting, that would be a starting estimate.
37:13And is that for all four books or each?
37:15I think for the whole display here, I wouldn't, wouldn't, wouldn't wish to break it up.
37:20What are your feelings on the banish of Margaret then?
37:22Um, I think we'd have to put the same estimate on that as well.
37:25But I will say one thing.
37:28I regularly see prints, the sign, go for sort of mid, mid to high thousands.
37:34And, but, but that is unique.
37:37The worst thing you can do is spook the market by coming on with too heavy a value.
37:42So that's a strategy.
37:44The more people you get in, the higher the bidding hopefully goes.
37:47That, that's it.
37:48Well, thank you very much.
37:49Thank you very much.
37:50Thank you very much for having me over.
37:52Take care.
37:54A low estimate restricts the reserve price Jane can set.
37:58If she submits them both to auction, she could end up making less than £2,000.
38:04So how are we feeling?
38:07With the books.
38:09I've withstood selling them for all these years because of the sentiment behind it.
38:15But we're happy for them to go.
38:17And hopefully they will raise more than the lower estimate.
38:22Jane's portrait has more potential, but parting with it is another matter.
38:27With the banjee portrait, that really is sentimental.
38:31It could fly or it may not.
38:35But we've realised how important it is to get this funding together.
38:39I am thinking about it.
38:42What would be a thumb that you'd go, okay, right, I would be willing.
38:46In the thousands.
38:47In the thousands.
38:47It would have to be.
38:48Yes, because it's worth it.
38:49It's an emmin.
38:50And it's me.
38:51Of course.
38:58So far, Ronnie has made almost £3,000 for Will and Lucy's much-needed renovations.
39:04But that's way off the £30,000 they need.
39:09In a final attempt to find the shortfall, he's come to meet a contact in London.
39:15I'm dying to show him the Japanese bronze that I found in the cellar.
39:20And I'm really intrigued to know more about it and how valuable it is.
39:25If the piece is by an important artist, it could be worth as much as £20,000.
39:32Lee, great to see you again.
39:34Good to see you.
39:35If it's not, Lee Young, a specialist in Asian art, will know.
39:40Interesting, isn't it?
39:41Really interesting.
39:42But it's clearly bronze, and it's got this mark here on the back.
39:47I'm going to need my glasses for that.
39:49So what do they know about it?
39:51Nothing.
39:52They weren't even aware it was there.
39:54And it's signed just there.
39:57That mark says Toyama, which is a city in Japan.
40:01And actually, that does make sense, because that's where a lot of the metalworks...
40:05That's where the foundries were, weren't they?
40:07So as an object, it is a great object.
40:09But it isn't by an important artist.
40:14No.
40:15Hmm.
40:16The mark is not what Ronnie had hoped for.
40:19But this bronze could yet hold a surprise.
40:22And there was nothing else with it, around it.
40:24No.
40:25Because it looks like it's missing something.
40:28Now, whether that's a bird or a god or something like that,
40:31something's been on there.
40:32I'm sure of that, because why is that surface different to the rest?
40:36Would the figure be wood?
40:37Would it be ivory?
40:38Would it be bronze again?
40:39It could have been any of those.
40:41Something that would contrast with this material.
40:43Yeah.
40:45Well, Japanese bronzes could be worth anything from £100 to £20,000.
40:51Where are we with this one?
40:52What you want me to tell you is that it's at the upper end of that.
40:56Hmm.
40:56It's going to be at the lower end of that, I'm afraid.
41:00£400 to £600, something like that.
41:03That's a little disappointing, I think.
41:06But if you can go back and find the bird or the god that may sit on there,
41:10then I think it's worth a lot more.
41:11The bronze is incomplete.
41:14Will and Lucy have merely got the stand and not the centrepiece.
41:23We're near where the item was found.
41:26We're looking for an unknown item we think might be three to six inches high, probably of Japanese origin, and this is a big house.
41:42It is like looking for a needle in a haystack, but it's worth a shot.
41:48It could be quite valuable.
41:50No oriental deities, I'm afraid.
41:55I guess it's going to put the value up tenfold.
42:00Dead end so far, but with over 300 years of hoarding to look through, there's still hope.
42:06It's got to be there somewhere.
42:09He just needs to keep looking, because if he does find it, the money's there.
42:15Makes me feel I need a skip, really.
42:24In London, Paula has one final chance to raise the money for Jane's hotel restoration.
42:31Jane, it's so good to see you again.
42:34And you, Paula.
42:34It's auction day.
42:35Yes, it is.
42:36And you've decided to put the banshee into the auction.
42:39What made you decide to do that?
42:41We're desperately trying to raise money to do our restoration.
42:45So I've decided that, yes, it can go to auction, but I'm going to miss it so terribly.
42:50But the banshee will live on.
42:52It will.
42:53Shall we go in and see what happens?
42:55Yes.
42:58For the sake of her hotel, Jane's pressing ahead with the sale of her prized M in portrait.
43:03But the low reserve of £800 is a real risk.
43:07Let's get going with lot one.
43:10These are multiple books signed.
43:13I've got commission bids up to £600, £700, £750 on my books.
43:19Do I see £800 now?
43:21Bids at £750 with me.
43:23£800 on the serum.
43:25Serum's bid at £800.
43:26Coming in on bid spirit, it's still at £800.
43:29On the serum, it's £800.
43:31Fair warning.
43:33Last chance online.
43:35At £800 then.
43:36Fair warning.
43:39Sold.
43:41OK, lot two in front of us here.
43:43This is the banshee of Margate.
43:46You won't see another one.
43:47It's a very one-off piece.
43:49Fantastic.
43:50We've got bids on commissions.
43:52£800, £850, £1,000, £1,100, £1,200 on commissions.
43:57Do I see £1,300?
43:58Surely £1,300 in there.
44:01£1,400 still on my commission.
44:02Do you want £1,500?
44:03£1,500?
44:04£1,600 on my commission?
44:06£1,700?
44:07£1,700?
44:07I've got £1,750 still on commission.
44:10Do you want £1,800?
44:11£1,800, thank you.
44:12I've got £1,900 now.
44:14Do you want two?
44:16No, it's £1,900.
44:17Do you want two online?
44:18Thank you anyway, Matt.
44:19Very good bidding.
44:20You have £2,200 on set.
44:22£2,200.
44:25Our commission's out at £2,200 then.
44:29Do you want any more?
44:31Try me at £2,400 if you like.
44:35I'll give you a second.
44:36Fair warning.
44:38Last chance.
44:39Fair warning.
44:42Last chance in the serum.
44:43Last chance to earn this piece.
44:44online at £2,200 then.
44:49At £2,200.
44:56Oh, my goodness.
44:57How are you feeling?
44:58£4,000.
44:59Oh, gosh, Jane.
45:01Honestly.
45:03I mean, you were squeezing my hand.
45:04I was squeezing yours.
45:06Sorry if I dug my hand.
45:07No, it's absolutely...
45:08I can get another hand.
45:10It's fine.
45:12So, in total, you've got £3,000.
45:16Deeper than...
45:17How are you feeling about the prices?
45:20The books are what we expected,
45:23so I'm very pleased.
45:25We were expecting the Banshee to be a little more,
45:28but I'm so pleased because it's going to do so much good.
45:32It's over now.
45:32You're feeling still quite emotional about it all.
45:35Yes, very, very emotional.
45:37That's why I am a hoarder.
45:38I can't let anything go for it.
45:42Well done, Jane.
45:45It's been emotional.
45:47Those items have sentimental value for Jane,
45:49but they have achieved their purpose.
45:51We have raised £3,000 overall.
45:54But I'm hoping that this is going to be a catalyst
45:58and that Jane is going to go on
46:00to return that fantastic hotel
46:02to its Edwardian splendour.
46:04Thank you so much for joining us.
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