Secret Life of the Auction House

Jim Spencer has to decide if a Harry Potter paperback is a rare first edition; Charles discovers a treasure trove of memorabilia from the first ascent of Everest in 1953.

Going under the hammer this time are a flag said to have flown during England’s 1966 World Cup triumph, a Victorian book of police mug shots, and a fragment of Argentine war plane.

A trunk picked up at a junk shop contains a 40-year-old slice of royal wedding cake and a mysterious wooden box claiming to be a vampire-slaying kit.

Queen Victoria’s belongings come under the hammer, Claire handles Rolling Stones memorabilia, and Charles has his hands full with a Roman artifact.

Charles sells furniture from the late club owner Peter Stringfellow, Lego sets keep toy valuer Mark busy, and a classic British phone box goes up for sale.

A 4.5-metre stainless steel sculpture, a collection of high-end antique furniture, and a collection of 1960s Corgi toy cars all pose different challenges to the logistics team.

A first edition James Bond book sets the auction room alight, and a 100-year-old ball from a local tradition creates a fever pitch.