London 12 Bargain Hunt

What do you do when you're in

one of the world's most famous antiques markets?

What you do is go bargain hunting! That's what you do.

Today, we're in west London

with our Red and Blue teams,

who are about to do battle with these massive crowds,

here at Portobello Road.

So, stand by, and let's see what's coming up.

The glamorous Reds are hard to please.

-OK!

-Next.

-Not us.

Anything catching your eyes here, girls?

-No, not me. You?

-No.

No? Come on, then.

I really don't know which direction to point them in.

They know what they want, and they can't see it.

The Blues get in a spin as time runs out.

-Was it that way?

-Was it this way?

-This way.

-Was it?

-We've got five minutes.

-I know. We are truly panicking now!

Whoa! Watch the cars.

But that is all to come. First, I must remind you of the rules.

Each team gets £300, and an hour to shop for three objects,

which they sell later at auction.

The team wins that makes the biggest profit. Got it?

Right. Let's go and meet today's teams.

I feel a bit of a vintage retro feel coming on.

Because for the Reds today, we have friends Harriet and Amy.

For the Blues, we have Janeka and Duncan. Welcome!

-ALL: Hello!

-Lovely to see you guys, and girls.

-Harriet, how did you two meet?

-On the first day of university, I spotted her in vintage clothes,

and thought, "We have to be friends."

Were you wearing vintage clothes at the time?

I was. I marched over, and was like,

-"I like your bag."

-What did she say? "I like your hat"?

-Something along those lines.

It's been a mutual admiration society ever since?

It has. We started a blog. We write together, do everything together.

-I think you look marvellous.

-Thanks!

-Amy, what do you do with yourself?

-I'm a keen swing dancer.

-Is this Glenn Miller, and that kind of thing?

-Yeah, the jazz era.

-Are you studying at the moment?

-Literature and creative writing.

When you're not studying, what do you get up to?

I also work as a corsetry assistant,

and I spend my time taking inches off many attractive ladies.

You're giving them the squeeze?

Literally taking about four inches off their waist,

maybe anything up to eight.

That's interesting. What about your strategy?

-Are you going to buy just vintage, retro items?

-The strategy is,

we want to get something macabre and creepy.

Oh, do you?

Yes. Then something quite glamorous.

The third item will be random, whatever we see.

-Good luck with that.

-BOTH: Thank you!

So, you two. How did YOU meet, then?

We met on the dance floor, of swing dancing.

-Don't tell me you're swingers too?!

-We're all swingers here.

I don't believe it!

-Have you met each other before today?

-No.

-No.

So, you met when dancing?

Our paths just kept crossing, on the swing dancing scene,

and eventually, he wore me down, I guess.

-HE LAUGHS

-I'm only kidding. Of course not.

-Many a dance partner's said that to me before.

-That's sweet.

What do you collect, old fruit?

Apart from my vintage 1930s and '40s men's clothing,

I have an extensive collection of 78rpm shellac records

of the late '20s

to the early '40s.

So, Janeka, you're obviously a vintage fan too?

I am a HUGE vintage fan.

Apart from dressing up in old clothes,

what do you do for a living?

I'm A PA in a property company, in London.

Do you wear your vintage clothes to work?

No. I think that might raise some eyebrows.

How do you two think you'll perform today

against our dynamic duo of the Reds? Are you scared?

-We ARE a bit scared.

-Shaking in your boots?

-A little bit.

They look quite intimidating there, don't they,

these kids?

Next up is the money moment. Here's your £300 apiece.

Thank you very much.

You know the rules. Your experts await.

Off you go! Very, very, very good luck!

We are going to have a dynamic day today, I tell you.

Our experts will be helping not one but two sets of teams today.

Wearing suitable headgear to stalk out a bargain for the Reds

is expert Anita Manning.

Meanwhile the Blues will be assisted by the dancing, prancing

Charles Hanson, who is looking for antiques which, like him,

stand out in the crowd.

What's the plan, then? What are you after?

-Something really stylish.

-Something interesting.

-A decent amount of money.

-Yeah.

-Leave you a little bit at the end.

I thought we'd get things which are quite stunning.

-So, we're going retro?

-Oh, definitely!

So, the Blues are going retro.

Surprise, surprise(!)

We're being timed. Come on, guys!

Whereas the Reds ain't going anywhere.

It's packed! Elbows out, lads!

Cameras were the essence of what, the '40s, '30s?

-Yeah!

-Some of these hand-held bellows cameras,

I think these are really collectible.

They're reasonably priced, between £30 and £45.

Is it worth a go, Duncan? Look at me!

Straight in the eyes, I'd say no.

-I think let's keep hunting, OK?

-OK.

-I think so.

Let's just go round here.

-OK.

-Round the bend?

I'm already round the bend!

Do you mind if I...?

There's something I've never seen before. What would it be used for?

VENDOR: It's a silver purse.

Oh, right! There's leather on the inside.

-That's lovely, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Do you think that leatherwork's original?

-Absolutely!

You can see the old dirt, where fingers have taken out money,

or a note, or a card.

-It's in really nice condition.

-Solid silver?

There's your all-important hallmark.

That's the lion passant, facing left,

-so we know it's sterling silver.

-OK.

-So, it's 92.5% pure.

On the other side it might tell you...

It's probably Edwardian, or 1915, the date.

It's a good hallmark, as Chester now don't hallmark silver.

It has added silver value.

-What do you think?

-I like it.

A small indentation. Look at the condition, OK?

How much is it?

It's on at... What's your best offer on it?

What's on the ticket price?

95.

I could probably do a bit better.

-Could you do 75?

-No.

THEY LAUGH What about 80?

-I'd take 80, yeah.

-You would?

-Yeah.

-That would be good.

-What do you think?

You ARE dressed to impress.

Would this purse satisfy you, as an accessory, at £80?

-It would satisfy ME at £80.

-Really?

-Yes.

I think we should do it.

£2 off?

£80.

-78, now, cash.

-Cash.

-It WILL be cash.

-It will be.

-78?

-I think it's a great accessory. I think it's a wonderful thing.

To buy a silver purse in London, at £78,

today, or back in 1915, isn't a bad price.

I think it's very good.

-Thank you very much.

-Deal. Thank you.

The Blues are off the mark with a stylish accessory.

Talking of style, how are the Reds getting on?

Oh, the silhouettes, Amy.

-Yeah, I love silhouettes.

-Those are lovely.

-£80 a pair.

-For the pair?

I don't know. Maybe we should ask Anita.

BOTH: Anita!

-What do you think of these?

-Oh, miniatures!

You like those?

We're making ones of us at the moment, so they're quite fitting.

Are they as good as these, or are these as good as yours?

These are probably better.

Before the time of photography,

people could only look at drawn images,

or drawn portraits of their friends and families.

These are cut-outs, from an image.

They probably will be

mid to late 19th century.

Now, that type of thing is still popular,

so I think you've made quite a nice choice,

but I want you to tell me why YOU like them.

They're quite creepy.

You like them because they're creepy?!

-Yeah!

-So, we've got macabre.

They're also nice and handmade as well,

-and we're into things like crafting.

-Crafting, yeah.

I really like them, but I'm worried about the price.

-Have you spoken to the...?

-We have not!

< You can get them for 70.

-BOTH:

-70?

What do you think?

These are collectible, and I think they're a good choice.

They're not too dear at £80 for two.

-Could we go to 60 for the two?

-VENDOR: 65?

Let's take them for £65.

Do you realise you were supposed to have said, "How about £62?"

SHE LAUGHS

We're not THAT mean. We know a fair price when we see it.

It may be a fair price,

but will it be a winning price?

Only time will tell.

So, guys, there's all sorts here.

-Some glassware.

-There's even some records, shaped into bowls.

As a record collector, I don't like to see that.

You could say no record should go to waste.

It must be bad music, when they do that to it.

It's probably Vera Lynn or something.

THEY LAUGH

I love Vera Lynn! That's typically 1940s, isn't it, Janeka?

That's outrageous!

It's a slur on great music, I know.

But I had to say it!

Come on!

Time's marching on, but the Reds seem relaxed.

I wish I could say the same for Anita.

We don't know what we want to buy.

We need to head down and look at some more stalls. When we see it,

-we'll know.

-Definitely.

I really don't know which direction to point them in

because they know what they want and they can't see it.

We're going to have to carry on.

Only 25, 30 minutes left.

Got to go. Got to help them.

You get to it, girl. Go rescue those Reds, Anita.

You need to tell them it's a competition.

-Cufflinks and jewellery things here.

-They're quite nice, aren't they?

-May I look at...

-Those?

-Yes, those.

Nice box.

-The box is from Winchester.

-There's a mark.

-There IS a mark there.

-Where's my eyeglass?

-You're going to need it.

-They're nice, aren't they? They're Birmingham.

-Lovely.

And they would date to around 1900, aren't they?

About 1885, 1890.

I quite like them. I like their box especially.

-Look at that lovely, chaste ornament, Janeka.

-That IS nice. But what about this?

-Is that mother-of-pearl?

-That's mother-of-pearl.

With a tiny lapis lazuli, or little sapphire style of droplets.

They're really stylish cufflinks.

They're nice.

-How much are they, madam?

-The best?

-Yeah.

-The best?

-The best.

75.

I think that's quite good.

I would guide them between 40 and 60,

and hopefully they might make 80 or 90.

-So, it would be a bit of a risk?

-Yes, it would be.

Name your very, very best price, madam.

70.

-BOTH:

-70?

-No less.

I think they're beautiful and I would pay that,

but at £70? This is the thing.

Are we in it to win it?

-Guys, think about it.

-Yeah.

-I gave you my thoughts.

-Thank you.

-I'm over here, OK? Think about it.

-OK.

So, the Blues are in it to win it.

They've rejected the cufflinks. They want retro.

They're pourers as well.

-You put this into the bottle.

-Absolutely.

-Take this off when you pour.

-They're really bold, aren't they?

-They really are.

-What, 19...?

-'50s.

-Looks like '50s.

-The colours are the '50s, aren't they?

Are they Bakelite, or are they enamel?

Give them a little chew. Are they quite hard?

-Feels almost glass-like.

-Yeah, enamel on porcelain.

Wonderful. What are they? Just purely stoppers?

And pourers. See? You take this top off.

-And then you can pour through the...

-I never knew that!

They're fantastic.

-I've never seen anything like that.

-They're neat.

I think they're what we're after.

They're a bit quirky. They're of an era we know about.

-They're bold.

-Very bold.

And they're houseware, which we we're quite interested in.

Something people used regularly in the cocktail cabinet, in the '50s.

-Yeah.

-What's your best price on them?

Best on them would be £60.

-60?

-Yeah.

-And your very, very best?

-It IS the very, very best.

-I think they're great, and they're bold. Be bold.

-Yeah!

It'll be a real chance,

but if you really want them, go for it.

-It'll be nice to see if anyone else likes them too.

-Let's do it.

-Your buy?

-Yes.

-Your choice.

-Let's do it.

-Thank you, sir.

Just ten minutes left.

Anita needs to get those girls buying!

Anita, I love these dolls.

-Oh, my God! That one's so creepy!

-Yeah!

The dolls are a wee bit scary.

-We love dolls.

-Yeah, we love those. Those are brilliant.

-Harriet has a big collection.

-A collection?

-I want them for myself.

Are there any there which terrify you?

-No. We want one with a pretty porcelain face.

-Give us that one out.

-She's VERY expensive.

-This is a German doll.

The Germans were great doll makers.

-Oh, I love her. She's a flapper.

-Look how scary she is.

-She's a slapper?!

-BOTH: She's a flapper!

220, though.

This is the one the girls like the best.

-But they can't afford that one.

-We could come down in price.

How much is it marked?

You've got "£220" written. We haven't got a lot of money.

This is only our second buy.

I can come down to...

160...160?

-What do you think of the doll, Harriet?

-I love her.

-I'm just worried about the price.

-She's so beautiful.

-We'll leave that. We know that we do like that one.

-We do like her.

-But it's maybe too dear at 160.

-Mm-hm.

I like the one over there in the paisley print dress.

-She's lovely!

-She is!

-Tell me why you like her.

Her dress. I want it!

-Have a look at her knees!

-So, she moves!

It's made of leather.

She's even more expensive than this one.

Yes. 230.

See this one here?

Could you come to round about 130 on that?

Can you go 150, or no?

140? All right. I'll do that.

-Shall we take her for 140?

-Yeah.

-Do you love her?

-BOTH: We love her!

-Let's go for it.

Maybe if we present them at the auction,

-somebody will buy it!

-Buy it, yeah!

-Do a little dance!

-Yeah.

A German doll makes it two for the Reds.

Not much time left. Get your skates on, Blues!

But no panic buy.

The cufflinks are back in the fray.

Which one of these ladies was selling the cufflinks?

-It was one of those.

-We need to know which one.

-It's that lady there.

-Yeah.

-We've got five minutes.

-I know.

-We are truly panicking now.

-Watch the cars.

Don't panic, Mainwaring!

Focus. Focus.

We don't have an awful lot of time.

Is there anything that you can see, girls?

I just noticed this compact in here.

Could we have a look, please? Thank you.

The person who sold it to me said it was tortoiseshell,

but I think you're right, it's only plastic.

Yeah. Maybe it smells of formulide.

Give it a rub with your thumb.

-It's an early plastic...

-BOTH: That's Bakelite.

-Isn't that super?

-I love it.

I think old plastics are in vogue. It's a shame it's a bit damaged.

Try the different things, see if they all open.

It's £48 at the moment, but the lady priced it up as tortoiseshell.

-OK.

-So... I'll take it down to 38.

You can do 38? Yes.

What d'you think?

If it was in perfect condition, but because it's damaged...

It's not damaged, so much as it's need of some repair.

Tender loving care.

-I'll go for 30, then.

-I think for 30, it looks good.

What do you think, Anita?

-I think that that is just you.

-Yeah.

We've got the macabre, and I think that that's the glamour.

-Right, OK.

-That means we have fulfilled...

We've fulfilled our purpose.

All the goals.

So, who'd have thought it?

That's all three items purchased for the Reds and they've finished shopping.

But the Blues are still trying to find the cufflink stall.

-Where has she gone?

-With a case and cufflinks. Was it that way?

-Or was it this way?

The serene Reds have been skilfully steered across the finish line

by Anita, but those Blues are still hopping around.

We are still interested in those mother-of-pearl silver earrings.

-Earrings?

-Cufflinks!

-You don't even know what it is!

-We'd only be able to offer 65?

-I can't. £70?

THEY LAUGH

You are a hard woman!

-I think we've met our match.

-I think we have!

In a saleroom they could make £100. It's a real gamble, but don't worry.

Leave me all that leftover money and I'll make your day.

-You'll make it up?

-We need you to rescue us if need be.

Yes, absolutely, but these are great. It's up to you.

-I think we should do it.

-I think we should just do it, too.

-OK. We'll take them, thank you.

-Thank you.

Right, time's up

and the missing link proves to be a final purchase for the Blues.

With shopping time over, it's now time to find out

whether the auction can string some profits together

for today's teams. We're off to Tring Market Auctions

in Hertfordshire. But first, let's remind ourselves

what the Red team bought.

The Reds spent £65 on a pair of Victorian silhouettes

in original frames.

They forked out £140 on a 1920s French porcelain doll.

And finally, for a faux tortoiseshell compact case,

they paid a compact £30.

Harriet, Amy. Gosh, you're looking gorgeous.

You've changed your entire style. Where did you get that cloche hat?

-From a charity shop.

-Charity shop.

-And how much did you spend in the charity shop?

-I paid £17 for it.

-Do you think you'd get a profit on it?

-I'd never sell it.

-You'd never sell it?

-No, it's my favourite one.

That is your loyalty to vintage clothing indeed. Anyway, you two petals,

you spent £235 and you gave the lovely Anita 65 smackers.

-Anita, what did you spend it on?

-When I saw this little item,

-I just couldn't resist it.

-How about that!

I have a blonde and a brunette,

and it did remind me of Harriet and Amy.

-I love it.

-Me too. It's pretty perfect.

It's from between 1930 and 1937.

It was made by Crown Devon.

And it has this cellulose finish, which, at that time,

was a very shiny finish, meant to look like the finish on a motor car.

-Do you like it?

-I love it.

-It's brilliant.

-It's pretty us.

That's what I thought.

It was just you.

And I paid £65 for it.

(Ask her how much she thinks it's going to bring.)

How much is it going to bring?

I think it could do around about 80.

We CAN make a profit on it.

I think you deserve a prize for finding something so appropriate for our two lovely girls.

Let's see if it'll reach an appropriate price later on.

In the meanwhile, let's remind ourselves what the Blue team bought

with their £300.

A George V silver purse set them back £78.

They paid £60 for a set of 1950s bottle stoppers.

This pair of Victorian silver cufflinks cost them £70.

-Now, Duncan, Janeka, how are you, all right?

-Yes.

-Great.

-Now, are you excited about this?

-Yeah.

What could Charles Hanson possibly have spent your £92 leftover lolly on?

Just look at this.

-That really is nice.

-Do you like it?

-I love it.

-I really like it.

-What we've got here is only part of the ensemble.

Namely, we have 16 parts making up this wonderful little tea set.

I think it's wonderful because it's laborious, it's hand-painted,

its Japanese, and it's about 120 years old,

and what you get for your money in terms of quality, this is it.

-Have a handle.

-That's really nice, what do you think?

-I really like it.

-I love the two-tone effect, and this is actually hand-painted?

-It is.

We have five cups and saucers,

sugar bowl and cover,

and a small little milk jug, and this wonderful coffee or teapot.

-It's wonderful. What did you pay for it?

-Well, we have no change.

It was my licence to thrill you, and I spent the entire lot.

-£92?

-Correct.

-The whole lot, Charles?

-The whole lot.

-Now, that's called Satsuma, isn't it?

-It is.

-Nothing to do with the oranges.

-OK.

-A description of the earthenware type and this elaborate decoration.

Very often very elaborately decorated, isn't it, Charles?

There were some wonderful artists.

Yabu Meizan, Kinkozan, important names that can fetch many thousands, but this is more middle rate,

but the quality and the attention to detail

really puts it at a fine level.

I would guide it happily between...

80 and 120.

And with the wind blowing, I feel that's a fairly realistic guide.

-We'll see, won't we?

-Anyway.

A stylish item for a stylish team.

We'll see if they decide to go with their bonus buy in a few minutes.

-Stephen Hearn is on the rostrum and raring to go.

-30 I'm bid, 40 now.

Now, Harriet and Amy, how are you feeling?

Excited.

Not nervous at all, are you?

-Er, a little bit!

-Little bit.

Anyway, first up are the silhouettes, and here they come.

Little silhouettes, little cut-out ones,

you'll find a little place for those somewhere next to that fireplace.

There you go, what about £50 for them?

30? Are you 20?

Go on!

15 I'm bid? 18? Are you 20? I'm bid.

Five I've got, it's two of you.

30 at the very back. 30 we're bid.

Five now then, Madam? No?

At £30 then I shall sell them.

Oh, no. Boo!

£30 then.

£30 sold. I think £30. £30 is minus £35. That's not so hot, is it?

Oh, dear, cherubs.

We have the little French dolly, there it is.

What about that? Rather nice little Paris doll there.

Will we pay £100 for her?

I would've thought so. £100 for her, or £50. I have 50 for her.

This is going to have to...

60 I am bid. 70 bid. 80 bid.

Are you 90? At £80?

Go on!

90 anywhere?

She's beautiful!

£80. At 80. That's it I do believe at £80.

I don't like the look of this, girls.

£80. Thank you very much.

Oh, no. £80. That's minus £60.

Minus 95.

LAUGHTER

One for the ladies. Well, I don't know these days.

The faux tortoiseshell compact, nice little one for someone.

£30 for someone. Are you giving me 20 for it?

£20 now I'm bid 20, and five now.

Those estimates, 40 to 60.

Yes, sir. At £20. Thank you very much.

Minus £10. That means overall you're minus 105.

Amazing.

That is quite a disaster, isn't it?

But Tim, the girls bought things that they loved.

-Yeah.

-That's true, and I love them too.

You'd never make any money on Portobello Road, come on now.

LAUGHTER

What are you going to do about this Crown Devon deco figure?

-Let's go for it!

-We'll go for it.

We can't get any worse!

You're a couple of punters! So we're going to go with the bonus buy?

-Yeah!

-We're going with the balloon girls.

Now we go back to Crown Devon, a little piece of Crown Devon.

There it is, typifies the 1930s, doesn't it?

Interesting figure, that one. I should think possibly £50 for it.

What about 30? 20 for it?

That's a start. 25, 30. I'm bid. 40 I'm bid.

50. And 60.

Are you sure? I'll take a fiver.

I'll take a fiver.

Go on!

60 on my left then! Are you five?

No! Oh, dear.

Oh, come on!

£60 then, it's yours. For £60. Thank you very much, sir.

605.

Bad luck.

It certainly is.

You came through for us the most though!

-It hasn't been your day today, has it?

-Not today.

Going to be sold, you're out!

Now, Duncan and Janeka. Are you excited?

-Yes.

-Yes.

Do you know how the Reds got on?

-No.

-No, good. You don't want to.

First up then is the silver purse and here it comes.

There we are, one for the girls. A nice silver purse.

I believe that one is George V. What about that?

I think possibly £80 for it.

Come on!

£50 for it. 40 I've got.

And five. There's two of you - five.

There's three of you. 60. And five.

70 and five. 80!

Yes! It's a proper...

£80, and five now then.

£80. Another fiver in the corner.

No? He's hiding. It's going down then for £80. Thank you.

£80 is plus £2.

That's OK.

Yeah. No point in looking too happy for it.

OK, next - the bottle stoppers.

How about that? Interesting, aren't they?

£40 for those. 30. 20.

Five. 30. Five. 40.

Yes. Come on!

-Go on!

-Are you going to give me 50?

Yes. 50 I'm bid. Five.

Yes!

You're out? Yes, you are. It's going down then for £50.

Thank you.

Yes!

Only minus ten.

That's a surprise.

-A damn sight better than we thought.

-Yes, it is.

Yeah.

Look out. Now. Cufflinks. Lovely. Marvellous.

The cufflinks with mother of pearl and a little blue stone centre.

Nice ones, those are. What about £80?

Or £50? £40? Yes, and five. £50?

And five. 60. Five. Two of you. 70. Five?

80, is it.

No? 75 for Madam? 80 anywhere?

75, 80, is it?

Yes, I've got me 80. Anywhere?

Yes! 80!

And 90, is it?

85. Are you thinking? You've lost them.

They're going to Madam then for £85.

Well done, Madam. That's very good.

Plus 15, which is absolutely marvellous,

so you are overall plus £7.

What are you going to do about the Satsuma?

-We've got to go for it.

-Yeah.

We love it and we think it could do well.

OK, you're going with the bonus buy and here it is.

Now we have a Japanese Satsuma part tea set.

These are rather nice.

Look at that lovely dense chrysanthemum decoration.

That one would split nicely, wouldn't it?

I think £150 for that one.

Oh, yeah.

Do we say 150 or do we say 100? We say 80. Yes, we do.

80 I have it then.

80, I'm bid for that one.

90, I've got it. Are you 100?

-Come on!

-Ten, 20!

Yes!

30 I'm bid, at £40.

No more? £140 then, it is.

One more!

Don't be greedy, Charles.

140 has it! 50 now then.

You've all gone quiet. I sell at £140. Thank you.

£140, that's very good.

Plus 48, yes, on that.

That means you are plus £55.

I tell you, guys, we're going to have this folding money.

How lovely is that?

It's good, isn't it!

A vast ocean of difference in profit and loss today.

No surprise, but it is the Blues' £55 which is the winning score.

Coming up, will our next two teams fare any better? We'll see.

Meanwhile we're heading off to Fenton House in Hampstead.

What could be nicer than that?

Built at the end of the 17th century,

Fenton House in Hampstead is home to a number of wonderful collections,

but I'm here today to look at a group of pieces of needlework,

created across the ages.

One of the lovely things about the collection of Stuart needlework at Fenton House

is that it all came from one collector, George Salting,

who gathered the pieces together in the 19th century

and eventually, they were bequeathed to the National Trust.

Just have a look at the stitching on this casket.

Here we've got an absolute tour de force,

a timber carcass completely covered in needlework,

but the fineness of this needlework just takes your breath away.

Look at this fellow at the front here.

It's a wee bird astride a grassy mound.

Every part of that grassy mound is a stitch.

Every bit of the bird's body is stitched.

And the way that the needleworker has raised all those elements of its tail

into different coloured, individual stitched sections

and then brought the whole thing together is quite extraordinary.

I mean, it is truly amazing how skilled these people were,

each piece in this room crafted between about 1620

and about 1670.

And for the areas that have been unaffected by the light,

just look at the brilliance inside the casket itself.

Back to Portobello Road in West London, to see whether our next two

teams can pick three objects capable of making a profit at auction.

Let's meet them.

-Go for a wander, then come back.

-I think we should get it.

-Come back.

-Get it.

-Let's come back.

-Domestic dispute.

Well, we've got two groovy young couples for you today.

For the Reds, we've got Ollie and Carla. And for the Blues we've got Roberto and Nadine.

-Hi, everybody.

-Hello.

-Happy? Now, Ollie, how did you two meet?

We met at a heavy metal music awards ceremony.

-Did you?

-Yes. And neither of us like heavy metal.

-So why were you there?

Well, it was free beer, which was good, but I work in the music industry,

and at the time Carla did as well.

My job is to get bands on the radio, so I go out and find new bands and new acts

-and then run off to Radio 1 and 6 Music and convince people to play them.

-What a lovely job.

-How long have you done that for?

-Since leaving uni. About ten years now.

-Are you fond of collecting things connected with music?

-Yeah, well, my record collection's a bit silly.

-I've got thousands of vinyl and CDs, probably about 5,000.

-Have you really?

-Yeah.

-So, Carla, do you still work in the music industry?

-No, I don't.

-I work for a very well-known alcoholic beverage company.

-Ah!

What a nice job!

-Beautiful job.

-What do you have to do?

-Cocktail tastings...

-You don't?

-Yes!

-Always before lunch as well.

-Really?

-Yes!

-And what are your tactics?

-Well, maybe not spend too much, because that means we won't lose as much.

-Ahh.

-And Carla will do the haggling.

-Good luck. Excellent. How did you two meet, Robert?

We met at a tennis tournament six years ago in Dusseldorf.

You played for your university and at the after-party

we met each other and we kind of twinned. We continued to have e-mail contact

and then we went to the same uni in England, here in Regent's College,

and then we got together.

-Do you still play tennis a lot?

-Erm, I do sometimes. Robert played...

-So the tennis has gone off the boil, but you remained on the boil.

-Absolutely.

-That's what I like to hear. So you grew up in Germany?

-Exactly.

-Nadine, you met in Germany. Are you German?

-No, I'm Dutch. I'm half-Dutch, half-American,

but I grew up in Holland.

-What are your tactics?

-I think we'll look for something shiny in the gold, silver area.

We'll see whether that works out or not. Now the money moment - £300 apiece. You know the rules.

Your experts await. And off you go! Wow! We're going to have an international!

Guys, Portobello Road! The most exciting market in the world!

The sky is blue. And we've got 300 quid to spend.

-Robert, Nadine, this is it. Isn't it awesome?

-Absolutely.

-You're bargain hunting!

-What are our tactics?

-I think if we spend a little we won't lose a lot.

Don't be negative, darling!

-What are we going to buy?

-I think we're going to look for some gold, silver, shiny bling-bling stuff.

Follow me!

Well, here we go, bargain hunters. And with huge crowds here at the ever-popular Portobello Road,

our teams will have to be decisive and eagle-eyed.

Back in the olden days, years ago, you may have gone to bed with this.

Gone upstairs with your candle in there. It's a chamberstick, porcelain. This, believe it or not,

-would go back to about 1820.

-Really?

-Wow.

-I think it's French.

-Possibly.

-I think it's French, porcelain. Two centuries old. It's so old.

-Amazing.

-How much?

-£30.

-£30...

-I like it.

-It's 200 years old!

-It's in your hands.

-It's two centuries, Nadine.

I like it. Not for £30, I think.

Not for £30?! That's less than a pound a year!

-£15 I'd give for it.

-What's up with it, Nadine?

-I don't really like orange.

-Orange? That's the only reason?!

Well, thanks for coming.

-If it could talk, what could it tell you?

-"Buy me!"

I think it says, "Buy me." I'm being serious.

Hold on. "Buy me." But listen, guys, it's your day.

We'll put it down and if it's gone later, don't blame me! Thank you very much.

Well, it's early days and with loads to see, it's going to take a lot to impress posh Roberto and Nadine.

Meanwhile, Anita has spotted something tasty amongst the crowds.

Can you imagine cupcakes on that? Or, as we call them in Scotland, fairy cakes.

-It's really decorative.

-It's got bags of style.

-Made of chrome. Is that very expensive?

-Probably!

I had 120 on it. I can come down a bit on that. I can negotiate.

- What would you be willing to do? - 90?

-90?

-It's a great-looking thing, but we have to sell it at auction.

Tell me what you think, Ollie. Hold that.

Don't break it!

Maybe if it was something around... getting closer to 70.

It looks really nice, stylish.

It's lovely and very contemporary. People are getting more eclectic with what's in their houses.

Can we go lower than 90 on it?

- 80? - 75?

-Smile at me nicely.

-Please? So we can make a profit.

Go on, then. 75.

-Who could resist this face?

-I know.

-She couldn't! She couldn't!

OK, Ollie? Get the money out and pay the lady.

-The next one's my choice!

-All right.

So that's the Reds' first purchase, but will the stand tempt the right buyer at auction?

-Sweet, isn't it?

-Yes, very nice.

-Nine-carat gold.

-1906.

-For a lock of hair, maybe a portrait of a loved one.

But of course it's all in the weight.

-That's quite light.

-Quite light.

-It's delicate.

-Good quality.

-A sweet thing.

Nadine, come on. Why do you like it?

-It's shiny!

-Why would it make money?

-Because it's old.

-Yeah.

-The detail.

-All the engraving is quite detailed.

I like the fact that it's quite secret, whatever you put into it.

-You could put a picture of Robert in there.

-Exactly.

-And it would be love.

-Exactly.

A quality item. And it's an antique because it's pre-1911, OK?

-It's a bit of a gamble, but if you like it...

-What's the best price?

-£75.

-Look, guys. I'm the gooseberry. Decide, OK?

-I like it, Nadine.

-You like it? Let's just do it.

-Take it.

-We'll take it, yeah?

-Yes.

-First item. Fantastic.

And the Blues are off with their first buy.

Guys, half an hour left. Half an hour!

-This is serious!

-OK, let's get going.

-This is money making, guys.

-Perfect for my job.

-Yeah.

-So tell me about your job.

-I work for a well-known booze company.

-Oh, right. Uh-huh.

-So we're in familiar territory.

-Absolutely, yeah. A bit of cocktail shaking!

-That is nice.

-But is it that old?

-Yes, it's maybe from the 1950s, 1960s.

-Really?

-I think that's very cool. I really like that.

-Really like it?

-I like it much more than the cake stand!

-More than the cake stand?

Yeah, if we'd come here first...

-Is everything going to be food or drink related?

-Basically, yes.

I think we've got a theme here. I think we've got a theme.

I should have had breakfast!

People are making cocktails at home all the time now. How great is this?

-Very cool.

-How much?

-I don't know.

- I could do 40. - Would you go for 30? 35?

- 40. - 40.

-I think it's something we could come back to.

-We didn't come back to your cake stand.

-No, we didn't.

I'm not getting involved!

-Go for a wander and come back.

-I think we should get it.

-Come back.

-Get it.

-Let's come back.

-Let's get it.

-It'll still be there.

-Get it.

-No, not yet.

I tell you what. We'll leave it just now and give ourselves another few stalls to look at.

Wise words, Anita. We don't want Ollie and Carla shaken or stirred for the rest of the shop.

It looks like the Blues are looking at things from a different angle.

-Guys, look at all this. It's mechanical, Robert.

-I'm in my element.

-But why mechanical?

-Why this sort of thing?

-I love working with numbers and measuring, having everything exact.

-How early is it?

-Thirties.

-1930s.

-1930s. Really beautiful.

-Its function is purely a...?

-It's a rule, obviously. And it has a level and protractor.

-Correct. And isn't it well made with these mounts in gilt brass?

-It's very sturdy.

It's on at 110. And that's a fair price in a retail market. So what is best price?

-We're going to auction.

-Normally, I'd say the obvious - 100.

But...90. I'll do it for 90.

He's a good man, you see. He's trying to help us.

Time is of the essence, OK? Ten minutes to go.

Today we're struggling, but this is great. A lovely object.

-And the best price is...?

-The best price would be £90.

-Would you take 80? It'd really help.

-I can't do it...

-We're in the highest-end retail market,

-and we respect your profit margin.

-OK, I'll take 80.

-Thank you so much.

-We'll take it!

We've done it. Thank you. Good man. Give him a handshake, Nadine.

-Thank you.

-Give me a high-five. Thanks again. We've done it.

With 15 minutes to go, the Blues have made their second purchase.

And guess what the Reds have decided on. They're back for the cocktail shaker. Hic!

-See if you can get another wee bit off it. You'll negotiate?

-Absolutely.

-Do your best.

-Big smiles.

-I think she'll drive a hard bargain.

-Uh-huh.

Brilliant. It's still here. I know you said it was 45...

-It's looking good.

-She's got a smile on her face.

- 35? Yeah? - OK.

-Ah, right, then.

-I got him down to 35.

-Well done!

-Nice one.

-Good girl.

-Bit of a wink and a smile.

-But you loved it.

-Yeah.

Let's hope the cocktail shaker stirs up a profit at auction.

Time waits for no man, especially not a bargain hunter.

With only minutes left, the Blues are back to square one.

-That chamberstick.

-Gone.

-You've sold it?

-Yeah. You had your chance.

Oh, no! I don't believe it.

-Has it gone?

-Yeah.

-It's gone. It's gone.

-- Oh, no!

-It was so good.

-- I do sell things occasionally.

-We should have listened to you.

-These are a good buy.

-Are they brass?

-Victorian, brass.

-Patinated, are they?

-And they're only 15.

-Really?

-Only £15.

-That's the pair. What's important is they're tall.

-Quite heavy.

-What do you think, Charles?

-I quite like them.

-What happened? What's this orange finish?

-They're patinated.

-Yeah, they're patinated with this orange glow.

-And as you said, they're tall.

-How early are they? 1900.

-I think a bit older.

-1890?

They're called Jack of Diamonds, I think. This design. A good pair.

-And do you know what...

-For £15 a pair, £7.50 each.

For a good pair of late-Victorian candlesticks, they must make money.

-I think...

-They've got to make money. He sold our chamberstick,

which would have made hundreds. OK? Hundreds! No, I'm joking.

It may have made a bit of profit, but that's gone now.

-This could be our next-best find.

-Go for it.

-There's three minutes.

-There's 180 seconds to go.

-Yeah.

-All right? Nadine, do the deal.

-Sir, we will take it.

-We'll take the pair, yes.

-Congratulations.

-£15. Are you happy?

-Absolutely.

-Really?

-Yes.

-Which means what?

-Group hug!

-Well done, guys. Time for a cup of tea?

-Yes.

-After you.

-Cheers.

That's it. The Blues are all done.

With two minutes' shopping time left, I'm not sure if the Reds really have time to be playing.

Look at this!

-That's quite good.

-Very good!

-They're like kids in a toy shop!

-Oh, he's not a happy one.

-No, no!

-Is it going to go?

-Oh!

-How much is that one?

-I have to look...

-£10?

-£10. They're really cheap.

-That's not bad at all.

-These will be good buys. For £10, they're very good buys.

-Food, drink and fun.

-Yeah!

-I think you're right.

-Drink the cocktails, play with the toys.

-I think we should go for that one.

-Let's get that one.

-I think that's a good buy.

-Would you take £8?

-Yes.

-Yes? Brilliant.

-A couple of pound off. That was nice and easy.

-Good.

Yee-haw! That's the third buy for the Reds.

Hang on a tick! Well, two ticks, actually.

Time's up!

The shopping's all done and it's time to go back to Tring Market Auctions in Hertfordshire.

First, let's remind ourselves what the Red team bought.

The Reds spent £75 on an Art Deco chrome and glass stand.

They hope to shake things up with a 1940s cocktail shaker for £35.

And the grand sum of £8 was paid for a tin-plate toy stagecoach.

Giddy-up!

-This is exciting, isn't it?

-Yes.

What do you suppose Anita Manning does when she's given £182 to run around with?

OK, Anita, show us your wares, love.

Do you know, I was so enchanted by Orla's enthusiasm for her cocktail shaker

that I decided that I would buy this little set of silver cocktail sticks.

They're in this lovely little shagreen-style box.

They're probably from the 1920s

and they have these wonderful cockerels on top.

-They're amazing.

-Have they brought a smile to your face? Excellent!

-They do look brilliant.

-Yeah.

-I really like them.

-Won't they go beautifully with your cocktail shaker?

-How much were they?

-Well...

-Here we go.

-LAUGHTER

-I paid £100 for them.

-Wow!

-That's all right.

-But we have six silver, little cocktail sticks.

-I think they're rather swish.

-A cocktail is a special treat.

And those are special things to use in that drinking experience.

They're better than the little wooden ones.

More expensive as well!

'We'll see whether they cause a stir later on, but now let's have

'a quick look again at the Blue team's three items.'

The Blues spent £75 on an Edwardian gold locket pendant.

They forked out a precise £80 for a spirit level with measuring

ruler and protractor.

And finally they blew £15 on a pair of Victorian candlesticks.

Morning, Robert. Morning, Nadine.

Sadly, Robert and Nadine can't be with us today,

so Charles, we'll have to play this show entirely between the two of us.

-Yes.

-So you two gave Charles Hanson £130 of leftover lolly.

Charles, what did you spend it on?

Ta-da!

-Tim, our team had great taste.

-Did you?

-I blew the lot, because I bought a bit of folk art.

It's a collection, a little amalgam of great country art

which will suit this great country auction house we're at in Tring.

-Yes.

-Tim, this is earthenware.

It's beautifully slip-incised, maybe circa 1780.

-What about the bowl?

-Tin-glazed earthenware, made before we found out the secrets of making porcelain.

-OK, fine. This little fellow is made of sycamore, right?

-Yes, Tim.

They're clearly wildly enraptured by this.

How much did you spend, Charles?

-Tim, I spent £130.

-Oh!

-They can't believe it.

-She likes it.

-I'm not so sure she does, Charles.

I wonder, what will Robert and Nadine decide to do? Hmmm.

It's time to sell, and the auctioneer, Stephen Hearn,

is ready, so off we go.

OK, Ollie, Carla, you are at the precipice.

-How excited are you?

-Very.

-I'm very excited to see how we do.

You've got some pretty extraordinary estimates.

That cake stand thing, it turns out it's not a cake stand at all.

-Oh.

-It's a very rare caviar stand.

-Really?

I think that's really interesting.

If anybody here in this room twigs what a special thing that is,

it should make a lot more than his estimate of £40 to £60.

First up is the caviar stand and here it comes.

Number 1704 now.

That is for caviar. How about that?

£50 for it? Have we got £30?

Yes, 30 I'm bid for it. Thank you very much. 30 I'm bid. And 5.

And 40. 5. And 50.

No? 50. I've got £50 now. 5 anywhere then? At 50.

-Are you going to bid 5, sir?

-Go on!

-No. You're too mean for the caviar.

It's going down then to madam. I sell it for £50...

-Thank you very much.

-That's cheap.

-It's annoying, £50.

-It is annoying.

-Minus 25. I'm sorry about that.

We have a cocktail shaker, a decent little cocktail shaker. £30.

20 for it? Anybody got £20 for that one? Anyone got a tenner?

Yes, a tenner I'm bid. 12 anywhere? 12 I'm bid.

Not a lot of money at 12. 15.

Sir? Yes? No? 15 for you, then, madam. At £15...

£15 is minus £20 on that. You're minus 45.

Now, the tin-plate stagecoach.

This will win it all back for you.

The little Japanese painted tin-plate stagecoach, in good order.

£30 for it? £20 for it? 15 bid. 18. 20.

All of you. 2. And 5.

And 8, madam? At 25.

No. It's for nothing.

Another 2 surely? Yes, 28.

You can't resist it, can you? At £28.

30 I'm bid now. And 5, is it? No?

OK then, at £30. Are you sure?

At £30, it's going. You have it, sir, at £30.

There we go...

'A profit of £22 for the tin-plate stagecoach,

-'leaving the Reds with a total of minus £23.'

-Well done, Robert.

You are risking now £100. Are you going to go with these sticks for 100?

Be careful.

I think because we've lost so much on the cocktail and the cake stand, I don't think they'll go for 100.

-You won't go with them?

-I don't think so.

-Even though you love them so much?

They are really nice, but we run the risk of making a loss on them.

Yeah? You are so sweet.

-Do what Ol says?

-Yeah.

-Ol knows best?

Then if we're wrong, it's his fault.

-LAUGHTER

-Anyway, here they come.

A box of sterling cocktail sticks with cockerel terminals to them.

£30? 20?

Bid. 5. 30. 5. 40.

5. 50. 5.

60. 5.

No? £65 for those then. 70 anywhere?

No more? Madam has those then. I sell for that £65.

-Thank you, madam.

-£65. You made the right decision.

-Yes. Good.

-Overall, you are minus £23.

OK? Which could be a winning score.

Just don't say a word to the Blues.

Right, one lot to go and it is going to be the pendant.

-Come on, Nadine.

-Come on, Robert.

-Come on, Nadine.

-Sorry. Sorry, Tim. Sorry, Robert.

-Don't worry. Here it comes.

Now we have a little gold pendant locket.

What about that? I think possibly we ought to be around £80 for it.

80 or 50? Or 60.

Yes, we're 5 now. We have 70. And 5. 80 I'm bid now.

-Yeah, that's good, isn't it? Yes.

-Yes.

£80. Just another 5? No, he says.

That's it. It's going down for the £80.

-Thank you.

-£80 is plus £5. This is so fantastic.

The Rabone folding rule with a spirit level and a protractor.

That's a rather nice example, isn't it?

I thought something nearer £50 for that one. 50 for it? 30?

20? Yes, 20 I'm bid, then.

Thank you, sir. 20 we're bid for it. 5.

30 I'm bid now. 5. 40. And 5.

-And 50?

-Come on.

-Yes or no?

At £50. And 5 now, ma'am, no?

I'm selling, then, to you, sir, for £50. Thank you very much.

Bad luck, Robert. That's minus 30.

Minus 30, which means, overall, you two are minus £25.

-Sorry.

-Now the candlesticks.

The patinated brass candlesticks. Stretch a point, £30?

20 for them? 10 for them?

-Come on.

-10 I'm bid for those. 12. 15.

18. 20.

-You can have them for another 2, sir.

-One more.

-No?

20 for madam, then. At £20. They're going down, then, for the £20.

-Thank you very much.

-That's very good. That's a profit of £5.

Fantastic. That's great, guys.

Overall, you two are minus £20. This is a difficult moment.

Now I am made to feel like the team feel, because minus £20 could be a winning score.

Of Charles's three items, I rate most of all the pestle and mortar.

I think that's worth £120 to £150 any day of the week, then we get those other two items,

so if I was Nadine and Robert,

I would be urging them now to go with the bonus buy.

Therefore, we're going with the bonus buy and we're going to see what happens. Here we go.

We have a collection of three items now.

Interesting lot. £80 for them?

80 or 50? Yes, I've got 50 I'm bid for those.

60 I'm bid. 70 bid. 80 bid. 90 bid.

100 bid.

100 I'm bid for those. And 10 now?

At £100. 10, madam? Yes or no?

No?

Madam in front's got them, then. I shall sell them for £100.

-633...

-Disappointing.

-Oh, dear, that's a bad result.

I bet you wish, you two, you hadn't picked those!

Anyway, £100 is minus £30 on the bonus buy. Thanks, Charles(!)

That means, overall, we are minus £50 for the absent Robert and Nadine.

It will not be a difficult thing for you two not to say a word to the Reds, will it?

-Well, teams, present and absent...

-LAUGHTER

-Both teams are in minus score situations.

-Oh, no.

That is no secret, but it's a question of scale, do you see?

And the team that is running up today...are the Blues.

Oh, dear. I'm sorry.

Yes, they are running up with a minus total of 50,

largely as a result of me selecting to go with Charles's bonus buy.

-Yeah.

-Because if I hadn't gone with Charles's bonus buy,

Nadine and Robert here would be winning

by a handsome margin of, I think, £3.

-As it is, I selected to go with the bonus buy, which was a bum decision, Charles.

-It happens now and again.

-I'm never believing you again, boy. Seriously, keep smiling, boy.

-I will.

Now, the real smilers though are the Reds, who started off with all these minus scores,

but you did not go with the bonus buy, and as a result your grand total of minuses only total 23,

-which is a resounding victory, really, isn't it?

-Yes.

-Have you loved it?

-Yeah, it's been brilliant.

-It's been great having you on the show.

And anybody who is lucky enough to snuggle up to Anita Manning is bound to have a good show.

Enough of this jollity. Join us soon for some more bargain hunting, yes?

-ALL: Yes!

-Whoops, Charles!