Brackley 20 Bargain Hunt

ENGINES REV

ENGINE ROARS

Today, we're in Northamptonshire,

an area steeped in Formula One history,

and this is the famous Silverstone Grand Prix circuit,

where motor racing legends are born.

Well, that's all very fine and large, I hear you cry,

but where are the antiques, then?

Five miles down the road here in Brackley,

so stand by for a high octane show

and let's go bargain hunting!

Yes, we've got a racy little show for you today.

Let me give you the inside track.

Some unusual items strike a chord with the Reds...

That's a nice little tune, isn't it?

LAUGHTER

..whilst there's a buzz of excitement over with the Blues...

-What is that? Why would someone want to buy that?

-Oh, look, a wasps' nest.

..and there are surprises in both camps,

as auction fever spreads through the teams.

-You're in profit.

-100, 100 it is.

Oh, gosh!

Selling.

For the Red team today,

we have Elaine and Stewart,

and for the Blues we have Emma and Andy.

-Hello, everyone.

-ALL: Hello!

Now, you two are both music lovers,

was it music that first brought you together?

Yes, we met on a music course.

He was sitting behind me and I was playing the violin,

and he was in the brass band section behind,

playing the horn and messing about,

and tickling my feet and all sorts of things like that.

But, Elaine, you've been teaching children the violin for 30 years?

It's 32, actually, 32 years.

Any highlights?

Yes, we've played at Chequers eight times,

we've played on the South Bank,

and we've played to the American ambassador,

and we've played at the Alhambra Palace, and we've been on Blue Peter.

-Gosh.

-So, we've done a lot of things.

-Lovely. Good for you.

And, Stewart, you were a music teacher until you recently retired?

Regrettably, yes, just recently.

And what particular group did you used to teach?

A girls school in High Wycombe for 18 years,

and before that in international schools.

And I spent 11 years in Hong Kong as well.

You both have similar interests and you're in the same profession -

who's going to be the boss today?

-Me.

-Are you?

Said quite confidently.

So watch out, Stewart, that's all I can say.

Anyway, on a happy note,

your proposal of marriage was slightly flighty, I'm told?

It was, yeah. I bought Emma a tandem skydive as a Christmas present,

and then after that, before she'd actually arranged to do the dive,

I decided to ask her to marry me.

So, unbeknownst to her, I spent lots of evenings and weekends painting

a giant banner and arranging with the parachuting centre

to allow me to put this giant banner on the ground, on the landing site.

-Oh, how lovely.

-So, when she jumped out of the plane from 13,000 feet,

-she could pretty much see the banner from there...

-How fantastic.

-Yes, it was very good.

-And could you actually see it from 13,000 feet?

I could. The person I was jumping with, he tapped me on the shoulder

and he got me to look down,

and I saw it and I flew down over the banner,

landed behind it, and he was there on one knee with ring.

I don't believe it. Just as well you were on target, eh?

You juggle all these roles, don't you?

You're a wife, you're a mother,

you're a martial arts instructress -

how do you do all of those?

I teach something called Jado Kuin Do.

It's a family martial art, so I teach our own children even,

-I teach children as young as three.

-Teach them how to kick Mum?

-Well, how to control their kicks, yeah.

-Oh, sorry.

-Yeah.

-Andy, you and Emma actually paint portraits, is that right?

-We do.

It's almost like a modern pop art version of

famous characters from films.

So, often, a lot of the collectable films, like Star Wars,

the Lord Of The Rings, things that.

Mm-hm. Oh, good, what fun.

And are you going to spend all of your money?

-No.

-I would say 150, 200 we would like to try and spend.

-Nothing too small, but nothing too big.

-That's your target amount.

Well, talking about money, here's the £300.

£300, you know the rules.

Your experts await, and off you go!

And very, very, very good luck.

I quite fancy having my portrait painted, actually.

Keeping the teams on track today are our experts.

Always dreaming of a profit for the Reds,

it's the one and only Anita Manning.

And hoping to be the top cat in the top hat for the Blues

is Catherine Southon.

Well, guys, I'm so excited today, because I know that

I have a couple of experts,

especially in all things musical.

Musical, yes, absolutely.

So, Emma and Andy,

excited? Nervous?

-I'm excited.

-A bit nervous, bit nervous.

So, what will our tactics be?

Well, we'll go with your advice,

but we'll go for what we like.

If there was anything musical, that would be great.

I've got me earrings on.

Yeah, and I love that tie.

Definitely want something that's old. I don't want to find anything

that's 20, 30 years old, I want something properly old...

-Proper antiques, yes.

-..that's got a functional use now.

Time to face the music and start the clock!

Let's hope that we can make sweet music together.

Yay!

-Let's go bargain hunting.

-And they're off!

And, true to form, music teachers Elaine and Stewart

already seem to be hitting the right note.

Oh, musical!

-You like that?

-Well, I do. I've got one at home, but...

Uh-huh. We do as well,

and at parties we bring the old gramophone out

-and play the old 78s.

-Absolutely.

-They're great, aren't they?

-But that's too expensive, sadly.

It is rather expensive, but this thing is in perfect condition.

It's mint, and I think it will probably have been renovated

so that it's working perfectly as well,

so not really dear for a piece of vintage machinery.

But maybe a bit dear for us for our first item.

-Yes, absolutely.

-Let's go.

That's right, Reds, price is key.

Moving on. Not to be left out,

the Blues are getting busy in combing the stalls for a bargain.

-What is that?

-Oh, this is honey bees, look.

-No, that's beeswax.

-There's loads of dead bees on it.

-It's bees, isn't it? Yeah.

-Why would someone want to buy that?

-Oh, no, a wasps' nest.

-£25.

-Oh, yuck!

I'm not even going to... I know, that's horrible.

That doesn't seem to BEE to Emma's taste.

Time to buzz off, Blues, before you get stung.

Meanwhile, the Reds look like

they've discovered a hidden treasure.

Let's have a look at it.

I had one of those when I was about eight.

Pelham Puppets are popular, and I think they're fabulous things.

They were made in the post-war era,

and people are buying them because of the nostalgia element, you know,

looking back to their childhood.

People like them in good condition.

-Yes.

-And they like them in the original box.

-In the box.

We have this pussycat here in perfect condition,

original box,

-and with fully illustrated instructions!

-Oh!

How much would you like to pay for it?

Erm, about 16 or 18 maybe.

16 or 18? Very often, it's better to have a couple or a group,

-and I've spotted a teacher down there, Stewart.

-There's a teacher.

-LAUGHTER Yes.

-For my sins.

-Well, that's a bit different.

-Yeah. Let's have a look at him.

A gottle o'geer.

-LAUGHTER

-A gottle o'geer.

A gottle o'geer.

A gottle o'geer.

-LAUGHTER

-Stop it!

-Oh, that's great.

-That's good.

-We've got to go for that.

-Yeah.

Right, let's see if we can find the dealer,

if we can get a deal on it, because we all love them.

In the dealer's absence,

proprietor Debbie is on hand to facilitate the deal.

Right, I phoned the dealer and I've got a fabulous deal for you.

He said you could have both for £30.

-What?!

-Wow! That's brilliant!

-Oh, that's terrific.

-Wow!

-That is brilliant! We'll shake on that one.

-Thank you very much.

You should be able to make something with that.

-Thank you, that is a great deal.

-Thank you.

-Whoo-hoo!

Well done, well done.

-So, that's our first item in the bag.

-First item!

We haven't spent a lot of time,

but let's not get complacent.

-But aren't we happy?

-Wow, wow!

We've fallen in love with these bits.

-They are so lovely.

-Absolutely.

OK. Onto the next one.

Sold. Well done, Reds -

first item bought and only 14 minutes on the clock.

But there's no time to hang about on Bargain Hunt

and the Blues aren't resting up.

Or are they?

The only way to try out a chair is to sit on it.

But how much would a chair like this go at auction?

Because that's what matters.

If someone brought it to me,

I would probably put 40-60 on it.

-And it's got 95 on it.

-What does it feel like? Does it feel good?

-It feels nice, cos your hands are drawn to...

-To hold on the edge.

-Yes.

..the nice sort of scroll.

I'm quite happy.

I think you look great sitting there.

We want it between 40 and 50. That's a lot of money off from 95.

I think a couple of people could really fall in love with that.

It's the first thing we've stopped and talked about,

-so let's go and have a look at something else.

-Yes.

-He's so eager!

He wants to go... He's desperate to look at something else.

-We've only got an hour, let's go.

-Come on.

Good call, Andy. There's plenty of things to look at today,

but don't forget, time is of the essence.

But after a few minutes there's some news for the Blues

about the price of the chair.

-Hello, Catherine.

-Hello.

-Yes, we phoned the dealer.

He will do a deal on it, but the very best he can do is £60.

If we carry on looking round, maybe you could just see

if he can edge it a little bit more?

He would do it for 55, without me having to go back to him, to be fair.

-Can we hold it...?

-You can put a reserve on it, yes.

At 55, we hold it for a little while and then we'll come back?

Yes, I'll put a reserve on it.

£40 discount, eh? Very nice.

Thank you, Jim. Thank you.

So, the Blues are going to sit on the decision

over their first purchase.

Back with the Reds, and it looks as if Stewart's

preparing for what could be an explosive performance.

So, we've got the three shell cases in this little mahogany frame.

-Do these shell cases have different notes?

-Yes.

They're different sizes, therefore they'd make a different note.

Can you give us a tune?

SHELL CASE JINGLES

-And that's the next one. Oh, that's actually lower.

-It's lower.

Maybe a bum note or two there, Stewart.

Oh, that's a nice tune, isn't it?

LAUGHTER

-Do you like this? Have you fallen in love with it?

-I do, but...

-I think it's a lot for our budget.

-It's a bit pricey.

-We said we wouldn't spend a whole load on one.

-Uh-huh.

With the price of this instrument falling on deaf ears,

the Reds move on.

Meanwhile, the Blues are still struggling to find their first item.

-How is it going?

-Nothing very old.

-Found anything?

There are some modern things in here that are quite cheap,

and there's these silver bowls...

-Bonbon dishes.

-Bonbon, yeah.

-But I said...

-Not very pretty.

Andy liked the fact there was a pair, but I said a pair

of two things that I don't like is still two things that I don't like.

-You can't argue with that. Come on.

-Let's get cracking.

Let's go and find something.

So, whilst the Blues continue to search for their first purchase,

let me show you something of interest that I found today.

I do love an enigma, don't you?

So, what is there that's enigmatic

in this otherwise clock-filled corner

of the antiques centre?

Well, actually, it's this table.

Now, according to the label,

this is a "Wonderful Mahogany table circa 1820."

Well, it certainly doesn't date from 1820

and there's not much of a mahogany about it.

But if I pick it up, this is a type of table

that has a concave-sided base.

That's the concave-sided triangular form of this base.

And in a good quality table of this type,

you'd have some pegs of lead let it to the timber underneath here

to make it as heavy as possible.

If you look at these scroll-bracket feet,

they've been carved by a late-Victorian routing machine.

This is a mass-produced series of three level feet that have

been screwed on to this concave-sided base

that's then had some rather measly mahogany veneer stuck to it.

The next section is technically a barley twist.

It looks like a twist of old-fashioned barley sugar,

and that's the idea in this design.

It's actually a lump of cheapish walnut

that's been turned on the lathe

and then covered in a varnish which has gone all crizzly,

and that's why it's got all this crazing

on the outer bits of the barley twist.

That could be restored, but I don't think I'd bother

because it's part and parcel

of the confection of what this table is -

in effect, a series of separate bits that've been put together.

The last bit, ie the top, is absolutely spectacular.

Here we've got a near-perfect square that's been geometrically veneered

with slices of laburnum veneer.

Now, the laburnum tree doesn't grow to a great girth,

and in the 17th century its timber - veneered - was highly prized.

If you imagine my arm is the branch of a laburnum tree

and, were I to chop my hand off, the remaining bit of the branch,

if it was sliced like a salami into veneers,

would create these shapes.

See this?

This is a perfect curve that then fits against another perfect curve,

and these are called oysters of laburnum wood

that make these gorgeous shell-shaped patterns.

The secret to this top is that it dates from a piece that

was made in the golden age of English cabinet-making towards

the end of the 17th century - say between 1660 and 1700.

It probably was a panel in a much larger piece of furniture

that had got into a bad state and, at the end of the Victorian era,

rather than throw it away,

they simply incorporated it into another piece, hence this table.

All in all, though, it goes to make up, in my mind,

a very interesting piece.

This colour and the nature of these oysters

is absolutely gorgeous.

If you went out and you tried to buy

an oyster-veneered chest of drawers, it would probably cost you

the thick end of £10,000.

One of those secretaire abattants with an oyster-veneered full front

would be a similar sum.

For this table, even though it is a confection - a made-up piece -

at £269 I reckon it's as cheap

as the proverbial fried potato.

Back with the shopping, and Elaine is in a hurry to show Stewart

and Anita a find all of her own.

I've got something I want to show you.

-Oh, she's fallen in love again.

-Typical.

It's on the wall over here. Just look at that.

Musical, beautiful, I just love that.

What do we have here?

We have a little watercolour, and it's the Baby March.

-Tell me what drew you to it.

-Well, I saw it was musical straight away...

We like that sort of thing.

And then I looked at it and I saw it was handwritten,

and it's written for a little child's first birthday,

and there's an inscription on the back as well.

-Let's see the inscription.

-"Wycliffe's birthday."

And it's dated 1860, so it's fairly early.

-Wycliffe's birthday, signed LW Taylor.

-And that's an original.

You don't get anything like that. You can't reproduce that.

-That's unique, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Yes.

-Are you able to sing that?

-Sing it? Oh!

-Let's have a look.

HE HUMS

ELAINE LAUGHS

Bravo, Stewart.

That's great. That's absolutely great.

-I love that.

-And I think that it's absolutely perfect for you.

And I think that, if we get the right buyers,

people would just fall in love with it the same way that you have.

-Shall we offer 90?

-Let's offer 90.

I think that this is the type of thing that's worth...

-Yes.

-..taking a chance on.

-I do.

-If you fall in love with something, follow your heart.

-Absolutely.

-Gorgeous.

-I've had a word with the dealer

-and they're willing to do it for £100.

-Brilliant!

-It's very unique, isn't it?

-Well, there isn't another one.

You're happy with that, Anita?

I'm absolutely delighted, it's just really for you,

it has all the elements, it's got a wee story,

it's got a lovely little watercolour and, of course, music.

-Perfect.

-Perfect.

-This item was waiting for these two to come along.

-It was!

Thank you very much, Debbie, that's wonderful. Thank you.

So, with two items bought, the Reds are marching out in front.

30 minutes have gone, it's past the halfway point

and the Blues only have one item but, luckily,

it looks as if Catherine has spotted something of interest.

Antique? No, it's not. This is copper. Can you see there,

-that little stamp at the top?

-Yeah.

I like the style, but I don't think that it's functional now,

so I think it's decorative.

Cos I think we could get quite a good price on this.

It's Keswick School of Industrial Art, so this was made...

-It's all handmade. Not interested?

-Can I have a look?

-People collect this kind of stuff?

-People do collect, yeah.

The ticket price is 39 and I think we could possibly get that for 20.

If I say to you, if we can get it for £15, I will absolutely

guarantee to you that we will get a profit...

If you feel so confident that there's a profit in it then I'm...

15, 20, you know, we'll see what we can get it for.

Get Jim onside and see what you can do.

Jimbo, hi, this item here...

-Now, it has 39.

-It does.

We're wondering whether there's any possibility,

considering I am a black belt second dan in martial arts...

-I'm sure we can do something, then.

-Could we...?

Is there a possibility we could go as low as 15? Could we do that?

Be careful what you say here.

Not 15, I know the dealer won't go to 15, unfortunately.

-What...?

-He will go to 18, would be the very best.

-18...

Because it is... You know, it's Keswick School.

-You can't go wrong with it, really.

-OK.

If you don't make a profit on that

-you won't make a profit on anything.

-18?

-Yeah.

-OK.

-ANDY:

-Shake the man's hand, let's do it.

-Got away with that.

-Thank you very much, thank you.

Sold. One item down...

Hang on a second.

-Do we want to buy the chair, now, as well?

-I'm missing the chair.

Could this be two items?

-ANDY:

-You were saying you can do 50 on the chair?

We can do 50 on the chair.

-ANDY:

-Brilliant. That's two in ten seconds.

Sold, and sold again.

Two items bought, double congratulations, Blues,

that could be a Bargain Hunt record.

And, continuing their musical theme, Stewart and Elaine

have found something they just might not be able to resist.

-Are you guys having a little orchestrated fun?

-Yes! We are.

This is a nice-looking thing. African stringed instrument.

Turn it over, look, it's carved out. Look at that, that's incredible.

What does it say in there? Stradivarius?

-THEY LAUGH

-We wish!

What I like about it is the carving and the attention to detail.

I love this face here. This is like a mythical horse, really.

-And this rather proud-looking rider.

-Warrior almost.

-He's a warrior, yes.

But I like the detail where we have carving here,

-so it hasn't just been churned out.

-No.

So, you've looked at two instruments here.

Now, which one do you want to buy?

Or do you want to buy both of them and make up a wee band?

Yeah, I was thinking we might able to buy both of them

if we're allowed to do that, as one lot.

So that one's 34 and this one's 40.

They are two allied items,

and I think that it might be quite nice to have two of them.

-Two for one.

-That would be good.

Hello, Debbie. We're really interested in these two,

we want to do them together. We wondered how much you can do them...

OK, let's see what's on the tickets.

34 on this one and what have they got on this? So that's 74.

Erm, how about 50?

-Yes!

-OK.

-Yes, are you happy with that?

-£50.

Sounds like that's music to Elaine's ears.

We've got a wee orchestra now

and we could maybe do a bit of busking this afternoon.

Oh, great idea!

40 minutes gone and that's all three items bought by the Reds.

Well done, team.

But, after a confident start and a nifty double purchase,

time is starting to run out for the Blues,

and they still have one item left to buy.

-OK, we've got seven minutes.

-We're running out of time, Em.

The clock has nearly reached it's hour, but could this be promising?

Oh, that's nice. Oh, this is good. This is a magic lantern slide.

So, you put it in the magic lantern, you turn the handle,

and different parts of it would move.

We're talking sort of Victorian era here, or early 20th century.

On a big screen you'd have all these spirals, all these colours,

-all moving.

-I've just noticed,

with the way the light is glinting off the glass, it looks like there's

-a big crack right across the middle.

-Oh, no. Where?

Ah, good spot, Andy.

But, with only two minutes left to find your final item,

that does leave the Blues in a spot of bother.

-Obviously, it's going to affect it.

-Aw! Yep. No, I think that's a no-no,

-to be honest, yeah.

-Has it really destroyed it?

-Yeah.

-OK.

-We have got literally two minutes.

-Come on, Blues,

if you don't find something soon

you could be going to auction with only two items.

Let's do a cabinet each.

-Look.

-What? No, we haven't got time.

We are really, really, really up against it.

Let's look. We need to find something in two minutes.

-Here. This one, here.

-Where is it? Right.

-In there.

-Do we like that?

-Yes.

-Shall we get it out?

-Yeah.

-Yes.

-OK.

-People collect these, don't they?

-People collect gavels.

People also collect sewing accessories, and I think that's

-probably Georgian.

-Could be Georgian.

-Could be.

-That'd be brilliant.

-It's the original pincushion.

Sometimes they've been replaced, which is not nice,

but this is original. I think it's lovely.

-I think it's good fun.

-It's cute.

-Do you want to go off and have

-a word with Jim, see what he can get it for?

-Sure.

-Because we are desperate now.

-It's 67.

-OK. We need it for...

-40?

-30.

-30, 40.

-35. Yeah, something like that.

-OK.

-Go for it.

-It's lovely that it has got the original pincushion.

-Yeah.

So often, these get replaced. So that's nice.

-It's nearly 200 years old, yeah, to have the material on there is brilliant.

-It's brilliant.

Is it good news?

I've spoken to the dealer, they say they can do it for 40.

That's the best price, 40.

-Four is my lucky number.

-Is it?

-Yes.

Don't tell them that - they'll make you pay 44!

-I wondered that, it went through my head.

-40's good.

-40?

And he said the dealer's confirmed that it's definitely Georgian.

-Oh, brilliant.

-So, I think...

You're happy with Georgian. Four is your lucky number.

-I think we should do it.

-Yeah.

-Sold?

-Sold.

-Yeah. Brilliant.

Time's up!

Wow, that was a close call, with only seconds to spare.

Congratulations, both teams. That's a full house all-round.

Let's check out what the Red Team bought.

Elaine and Stewart are looking to string out a profit

with a pair of vintage Pelham puppets bought for £30,

want to score high with a 19th-century watercolour

and music composition bought for £100,

and, for £50, aim for sweet music with the African string instrument

and wood-carved glockenspiel.

Well, did you have a nice shop?

A lovely time. Really, really lovely time. Really enjoyed it.

-Brilliant fun. Thank you.

-Which is your favourite piece?

My favourite piece is the little tune,

the march that was written for a year-old baby

for his birthday. And it's framed with a little picture across it.

-1860 or so.

-That's your favourite.

-And which is your favourite?

-Well, that's exactly the same.

Brilliant. Which piece is going to bring the biggest profit?

-Mm.

-I think the African instruments.

-Yeah.

-Yeah, same.

-Would you agree with that?

-Absolutely.

-Always best to agree with the wife.

-LAUGHTER

-And how much should you spend in total?

-180.

-180.

I'd like £120 of leftover lolly, please.

-Thank you very much. 120. Straight over to Anita.

-Thank you very much.

Well, plenty of choice in here, Anita.

Plenty of choice and plenty of money,

and I would like to hear

a sweet tune of success with what I buy.

-Oh, I love that!

-No doubt, you'll strike the right note.

Anyway, moving on. Let's check out what the Blue Team bought, shall we?

The Blues splashed out £18

on the Keswick School of Industrial Art copper jug.

They hope to carve out a profit

with a 1920s elm country Carver chair, bought for £50.

And they struck a deal with a 19th-century

novelty gavel-shaped pincushion for £40.

-Well, that was it.

-Yeah.

-Tight to the line.

-Yes!

-Absolutely.

-To the end.

-A bit dramatic!

-Well, I know.

Anyway, you did get your third item, which is brilliant.

-What did you spend in total, again?

-108.

-108.

-Yes.

-Then I would like 192 of leftover lolly, please.

-OK.

-Which is a small fortune by anybody's standards.

-Here you go.

Which is your favourite piece?

Um...I like the pincushion best.

We have, like, a little golden gavel - a little pincushion.

You're not predicting anything here, are you?

-The golden gavel?

-I like it!

-That slipped out, didn't it?

-It did.

-It shows. It's a psychological flaw in your make-up.

-Yep.

-Which is your favourite piece?

-I really like the chair.

-The chair is something that we would have bought ourselves.

-Yeah.

But not necessarily going to make the biggest profit,

but we do very much like it.

What is going to bring the biggest profit?

Possibly the jug, that we have a guarantee on,

-will bring a profit. We're looking forward to that one, aren't we?

-Mm.

And you're going to go along with that, are you, for the jug?

Well, I love that one, so...

No, I think that might bring the biggest profit,

but I'd like to think that maybe the gavel will do the best.

OK, fine. Well, we've got Lots of sentiments mixed up here.

-Anyway, there you go, Catherine. Look at that.

-Thank you.

-Loads of cash for you.

-Lots of wonga there.

-Yeah.

-She's a very difficult lady to please, though, Tim.

-Is she?

But I will do my best to find you something special.

No-one better qualified for the job.

Well done, Catherine, good luck with that.

You're going to have to be slippy, though,

because we're shoving off to the auction very shortly.

Well, how lovely is this?

We've come trundling along all the way to Newbury

to Special Auction Services saleroom

to be with proprietor and number-one man Thomas Plant.

-Thomas.

-Hello, Tim.

-Lovely to see you.

-Thank you.

A treat. Now, what a variety of goods we've got

-today, haven't we?

-Absolutely.

And they've sort of covered theatrical objects on this side.

They must be sort of a team of thespians.

-Musicians, actually.

-Oh, travelling minstrels.

-Exactly.

-They start off with the entertaining Pelham puppets.

-Yes.

Is there anything special about these, Tom?

We see a lot of Pelham puppets,

and the teacher is rarer than others.

However, it's still only worth

-between 15 and £18.

-Oh, yes?

And the pussycat is a similar sort of price.

-That could be £30-£40, though?

-Yes.

-Our lot paid the right price, right? They paid £30.

-Good.

So, 30-40. If you can make £40 in the sale in a minute,

that would be marvellous.

And their second item is fascinating, Tom.

The piece of musical score,

with the lovely watercolour of the Amorini

-trotting along the top. Do you like it?

-I love it.

Does it work for you, though, as a collectable, Tom?

-It's very difficult. I've looked up Taylor, the...

-LW Taylor, yeah.

-LW Taylor. I can't find anything.

-Really?

The watercolour isn't signed.

-It's done by, actually, quite a competent hand.

-Yes.

It's quite sweet. I think the whole thing's delightful.

We've put £50-£80 on it.

Quite frankly, somebody's got to fall in love with it to pay £50.

Well, how much in love with it do they have to be to pay £100?

-A lot.

-Cos that's what our team paid.

Going down the musical instrument theme, again,

we've got this seriously oddball stringed instrument.

I love the decoration.

The beautiful man's face there, that's really stylish.

I think, in its own right,

it's a work of art as an ethnographic piece.

-It's a work of art as a musical instrument.

-Yes.

I think that's got a lot of potential, that fellow.

-And then we've got this xylophone.

-We call it a glockenspiel.

-Cos it's metal.

-Is it?

-Xylophone is from wood, from Greek, etc.

-OK, fine.

It's a bit amateur. Yeah, I get it, it makes a nice noise.

But I think the money is all in this

very interesting stringed instrument.

Well, Tom, for the two pieces, in one lot, what's your estimate?

-60 to 80.

-OK, £50 paid, so they should make a profit with that.

On that basis, with all this speculative froth,

I don't think they're going to need their Bonus Buy,

but let's go and have a look at it, anyway.

Well, this is exciting, isn't it? You spent £180.

You gave Anita Manning £120.

She went off with an ambition to find you something fabulous.

So, Anita, what did you find?

-Ta-da!

-Ooh!

-All right. This is the outside.

-Oh, yes.

A lovely little leather case, but look at what I've got inside.

-THEY GASP

-Isn't that so pretty?

What we've got inside is a delightful little silver

and faux tortoise-shell vanity set.

And we have the little mirror, here.

A little brush. A pot and a comb.

-Isn't it so sweet?

-Oh, it's beautiful.

Oh, I love it.

-I got it for £120.

-Which is spot on.

That's your 120, then.

How much do you think it might be...?

Well, it's such an unusual wee thing.

I mean, we might get a surprise from that. But...

-I never like to guarantee anything.

-No.

I can't do that,

-but I feel certain that we should make some profit on it.

-I love it.

-I think that's beautiful.

-I don't know how she does it. £120.

-I'm so happy that you're pleased.

-We love it.

The whole nation will be delighted, I promise you.

On that happy note, for the audience at home,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Anita's little set.

Well, Tom, how about that for the most perfect little handbag?

Do you know, it is delightful, isn't it?

You can imagine a little girl being given this,

-I mean, a very smart little girl.

-Rich little girl!

-Rich. Solid silver. George V.

-Yeah.

Solid silver gilt in-liner in the box with the mirror there.

Look, put your little rouge and a little bit of powder.

-Nowadays it'd be earrings, and you've got a comb.

-Yeah.

Anita's bought such a good lot here. It's delightful.

Well, she had £120 of leftover lolly,

and she spent every penny of it on that,

-but it's a great buy, though, isn't it?

-It's a fabulous buy.

I mean, we've estimated this at £70-£100.

I think that is an absolutely riveting clutch of objects,

with every penny spent, which I really like.

Well, that's it for the Reds.

Now, for the Blues and, I have to say,

their offering looks particularly paltry.

-It is, isn't it?!

-Thin on the ground.

First of all, though, is the Keswick School pot.

-How do you rate that?

-Love it.

-Do you?

-Absolutely love it.

I mean, I'm a bit of a fan of Keswick.

That is so stylish, isn't it?

-It's immensely - this stylised flower design.

-Yeah.

-And the fact it hasn't been polished.

-No.

That could have been made anywhere between about 1890 and 1920.

Isn't that roughly the time for Keswick School?

Well, Keswick was 1884 to 1984.

£18 Katherine paid for that. Did she do well?

-60 to 80.

-No!

-Yes.

-Really?

-Yes.

Well, that's fantastic.

Next is their Carver chair,

which looks very much like a High Wycombe jobbie,

mass-produced to me.

It does. Well, Wycombe produced a huge amount of chairs,

on a weekly basis.

-And the leg people were called "bodgers."

-Yes.

But what's even better is the people who did the seats...

-Are called "seaters?"

-No, "bottomers".

-Oh, were they?

How lovely is that!

-Anyway, how much for that chair?

-I think we put it 50-80 on it.

-Did you?

-Yeah.

-They paid 50.

So it's about the right price, isn't it?

And then we've got this tiny little pincushion

-in the form of a gavel, I suppose.

-Sewing's immensely popular.

Yeah, you sell that stuff a lot, don't you?

-We do do lots of little things. The collectables.

-Yeah.

-So, how much for the pincushion?

-£60-£80, we put on it.

-Perfect.

They paid 40. Anyway, they spent £108.

I think they've done immensely well.

They don't really need the Bonus Buy,

but let's have a look at it anyway.

-Well, team, this is fun, isn't it?

-Yeah.

You spent a paltry £108.

You gave a small fortune to Catherine Southon.

£192 - Catherine, what did you spend it on?

Well, would you mind? There we are.

-This is just a small sample of a collection.

-OK.

Now, we have fingerplates here,

cos I'm going down the whole copper route.

I thought finger plates. We've got 16 in total,

so that's eight doors.

-OK.

-One either side.

-You literally nail the plate to the door.

I just think they're so stylish.

They're early 20th century.

-Very stylish.

-I just love the design.

-Yeah.

-It's very simple,

but it's classy and elegant.

-How much did you pay?

-£130.

How often do you see a set like that? It's very unusual.

It's the kind of thing I would like to buy,

but not necessarily that will make a big profit.

And they're all in lovely condition, as well.

Let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about the 16 finger plates.

Well, Tom, we've got 16 of these.

-Yes.

-They're lovely, aren't they?

They are delightful. These lovely finger plates for doors.

Very Continental Art Nouveau.

If you were doing up an Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau house,

to buy these from a reclamation person would be like gold dust.

Well, it would, wouldn't it?

We have put, for the 16, a measly 60-80.

-Do you think they're going to do better?

-No.

-OK.

I don't see them doing much better. I'll probably eat my words.

-What did she pay?

-130.

-Oh, gosh.

-Will they do that well?

OK, Tom. You have been magnificent. Thank you very much.

-Are you taking the sale, today?

-Naturally.

-Ah, naturally.

We're in good hands.

Start the bidding with me here at 50.

5, 60, 5 and I'm out at 65.

At 65, once. 65, twice...

Elaine, Stewart, this is exciting. We're on the edge of the auction.

Full of people who are going to bid on your lots, hopefully.

First up is going to be the Pelham puppets,

so let's hope that they pull somebody's strings. Here we go.

Lot number 100. This is two vintage Pelham puppets.

The teacher and the cat.

I can start the bidding with me here at 40. 40, I have.

You're in profit.

Any advance of 40?

£40, has it.

Once at 40. 45, 50. 50 with me here.

Internet, do you want one more?

At £50, it's with me on my book.

-At £50, once.

-Come on.

50, twice. All done, then.

-50.

-Yes!

-£50 is plus £20.

That is a smashing start, isn't it?

Now, here we go with LW Taylor's bit of composition.

And I can start the bidding at 85,

-95, 110.

-Yes!

£110 - you're in profit again!

Look!

140, 150.

And 60, Sir, and I'm out.

160, gosh! I knew it was a good thing.

Are we done at 160 once?

-That's amazing!

-160, twice. All done.

Selling. 160.

£160.

Well, that's definitely struck the right note. Anyway, plus 60.

-Good.

-I can't believe that!

-You're plus 80.

Next lot is 102, the African carved string instruments.

Start me here at £30.

35? 35 there is.

Online at £35. Is there 40, anywhere?

Ladies and gentlemen, come on.

-Somebody's going to have great fun with this lot.

-Oh, come on!

35. There must be £40 in this audience, somewhere.

-Oh, come on!

-No way!

-Oh, no!

Once at 35.

Twice at 35. All done.

-Oh, dear. 35.

-Aww.

-Well...

-Oh, no.

You've done extremely well. It's minus £15.

It's only minus £15.

65, 70, so that's plus 65.

Very nice profit.

£65. What are we going to do about the vanity set, then?

We love that vanity set, don't we? There seems to be a decision.

We're going with it.

106, a miniature George V silver and faux tortoiseshell vanity set.

Somebody start me at 50.

5, 60, 5 and I'm out at 65, I have.

70, 5, 80.

-80, I have.

-Come on!

-Go one more.

At 80, it is once. At 80 twice, and we're done.

-Internet's out. 80, all done.

-I don't believe it!

-80, it is.

-Aw!

-£80!

I can't bear it! It's minus 40.

Equals plus £25.

This has been an erosion!

You are very brave. And don't say a word to the Blues.

-Aww.

-We won't say a word to the Blues.

Because plus £25 is still a jolly good score,

and it could be a winning score.

-You never know. Anyway, well played.

-Thank you.

-Very sporting.

Don't talk to the Blues.

So, your first item is the Keswick School.

Lovely jug and here it comes.

A very nice jug, this one, here.

Start me, here. £20.

20, 20. Any advance at 20?

And 2. And 5. And 8.

-You're in profit.

-Yes!

And 40. I have £40.

At 40, at 40, at 40.

More than doubled your money.

Is there 5 anywhere else? It's at £40,

I have in the room. Internet's out at £40.

It is once. 40 twice, and I'm selling.

40 it is.

That's very nice. Plus £22 - you can't sniff at that.

-Now, the chair.

-A 1920s elm country Carver.

Start the bidding with me at 30.

Is there any advance at £30? Any advance at 30?

30 it is. At 30. 5. 40.

-5. Go 50.

-Come on.

50. 50 there is, at 50.

It's in the room at 50.

£60 I have, at 60.

Are we done? At 60 once.

At 60 twice. £60.

Well done! That's a proper job.

Thank you very much plus £10.

121121 - of sewing interest.

A 19th-century novelty pincushion,

modelled as a gavel. Start me at £30. 5.

I've got 35 online.

-35 I've got online.

-One more.

-Oh, no!

-Come on, come on, one more.

We're at 35, once.

At 35, twice.

Are we done?

-No. OK.

-Aww.

35, it is. Minus 5. Bad luck.

22, 32, that means you are plus £27.

Nothing the matter with plus £27.

£27 is a good number.

Are you going to go with the old Bonus Buy?

The 16 plates for £130.

Well, we love them, but I think we're going to stick.

They've rejected the Bonus Buy, but we're going to see them sell,

those lovely finger plates, and here they come.

Start me here, £40.

At 40, at 40, at 40.

45 I've got online.

Is there 50 anywhere?

Is there 55? And 65, all online.

75, now online. At 80, at 80.

Look at this, Catherine.

At 85. 95 now online. 100, 100 it is.

-Go on, internet.

-And 10, 120.

-Go on, go on.

-Oh!

-Any advance of 120?

-Oh, gosh!

Last chance. Once at 120.

Last chance, twice at 120.

120!

-That is just so close.

-So close.

And they could have tickled on.

They could have done another couple of bids.

That's minus £10, but you didn't go with it, so it doesn't matter.

You are plus 27. That is super-duper. Congratulations.

-Thank you.

-Very good stuff.

-Well, that was fun, wasn't it?

-Yes.

-Now, have you been chatting?

-No.

-No.

-No communication about the score, anyway?

-No.

Which is just as well, really,

because we have a really exciting finish to today's show.

Now, I can reveal that both teams have made profits.

-Which is unusual enough.

-Yes!

Modest profits, it's true, but nevertheless profits

and that's quite an achievement on Bargain Hunt.

So, well done, everybody.

And I can reveal that the gap between the profit-makers,

-which both teams are today, is very small.

-Ooh!

-There is just £2...

-THEY GASP

..of profits between the two teams.

I mean, how extraordinary is that?

The helter-skelter of Bargain Hunt does take your breath away.

So, one team is ahead and one team is running up

to the tune of £2.

And the runners-up today to the tune of £2...

..are the Reds.

-Aww!

-Oh!

Bad luck, Reds.

Bad luck, because you have £25 coming your way.

-Ooh, thank you very much.

-There is the £25.

You had a 20, you had a 60 on the lovely watercolour with the score.

-Yes.

-And then we had a little loss,

so that didn't really help your Golden Gavel potential.

And then you were encouraged massively by all around you

to go with the vanity set, and that let you down a bit, too.

So, morally, if there's a victory coming your way, actually,

at one point, you did have plus £65, in fairness.

-But that's the way the cookie crumbles. Right?

-Yep.

That's why we're in the game, to have a bit of fun,

and you have been magnificent.

We're going to give that to the Hope School in Bethlehem,

-at our church house.

-How lovely is that?

But the victors today, who go home with - surprise, surprise - £27...

Thank you.

..who start out with a jolly nice £22

on the Keswick School jug,

and then you get your little Windsor chair, that makes you a tenner,

and then you had a maddening small loss to prevent

your Golden Gavel, so I'm sorry about that.

You didn't go with the Bonus Buy, which is just as well.

And you've preserved your £27.

We're going to give it to the eating disorder support service

-that I run in Milton Keynes.

-Well, that's very nice.

And a nice generous gesture to your charity of your choice,

which couldn't be nicer, really. Anyway, have we had a great day?

-Brilliant!

-We have had a great day.

So great you need to join us soon for some more bargain hunting. Yes?

ALL: Yes!