Episode 14 Antiques Road Trip

It's the nation's favourite antique experts.

What about that?!

With £200 each, a classic car and a goal to scour Britain for antiques.

Can I buy everything here?

The aim?

To make the biggest profit at auction. But it's no mean feat.

Feeling a little sore!

This is going to be an epic battle.

There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

So, will it be the high road to glory or the slow road to disaster?

-The honeymoon is over.

-I'm sorry!

This is the Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah.

It's time to hit the road again

with two of Britain's best-loved auctioneers,

who've been getting on like a house on fire.

-Charles, we're having a ball. Give me a high-five.

-Exactly.

Yeah, exactly, Mark.

Auctioneer Mark Stacey has been in the antiques game for 30 years.

And when he wants something, he'll do anything to get it.

Please, please, please...

Unconventional antiques oracle Charles Hanson

has his unique way of getting a bargain.

Look... Look at me.

-Look at me. Look at me. Look at me. Happy?

-Yes.

Both our pros set forth with £200.

We're now beginning the home stretch on day four

and the gap is getting even wider,

with over £200 between them.

Mark made big losses at the last auction,

leaving him with less than he started

and has just £161.18 in his pocket today.

But Charles forged ahead again,

scooping a rather grandiose £393.98p for his next spending spree.

-You're looking very laid-back right now.

-What more can I do, Charles?

I'm 120 quid behind you.

What is the point of being miserable about it?

Quite right.

Although, Mark, you are actually more than £200 behind Charles.

At least he's looking good in the passenger seat

of the 1973 convertible VW Beetle.

I need to put a big P into profit.

To be or not to be in profit?

That certainly is the question.

Your biggest P, which you'll always hold on to, Mark,

is a P for passion.

And yours is P for personality.

Our two savvy antiques specialists are partway through

a gigantic jaunt from the North of England,

down through the East to the South, up to the West Midlands,

down, up, down and then up again,

finishing in Flintshire in Wales.

Leg four starts in Stratford-upon-Avon

and ends in Wotton-under-Edge in Gloucestershire.

Stratford's known worldwide as the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

Now, what do you know about Stratford, Charles?

It's probably one of the most-visited towns in England.

Absolutely.

To quote Shakespeare,

my kingdom, my kingdom for something that will make a profit!

Wasn't it a horse?

Mark is first off the shopping blocks just outside the town

at Stratford Antiques, run by David Wilkes.

-Good morning.

-Hello, Mark.

-How'd you know my name?

-And you are?

-David.

David. Lovely to meet you, David.

The centre has 12,500 square feet.

So, there should be plenty for Mark to choose from.

But it seems losing all three legs so far has knocked his confidence.

Oh, this is a little bit like how I feel at the moment.

A rabbit trapped in the headlights.

Mark's keen to catch up with Charles,

so he phones the auction house to see if he can get some insider knowledge.

Lovely. Take care. Bye-bye.

He says they've got a very big silver and jewellery section.

And they are groaning, to use his words, with ceramics and glass.

So, that might be a good thing. So, that's all very positive.

And he just reiterates, really,

that anything quirky, unusual,

fresh to the market

is going to do well.

So, quirky, silver, jewellery, ceramics and glass

is a good place to start.

That's quite nice, actually, isn't it? Lots of nice ware on the bottom.

And, actually, I quite like that with the fish overlay, actually.

-What date would you say that was, '50s?

-'50s, yes.

It's £25.

Do you think they'd be open to severe negotiation?

What are you thinking?

I think I'd like to buy that for £15.

I probably could do 18.

I mean, if we could do 15, I'd love to buy it.

Well, let's do 15.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah.

And I promise, I'll carry on looking

to see if I can find another item or two.

That's a tenner off the asking price for a 1950s Murano vase

with silver fish overlay.

It's glass and it's quirky, so should fit in well, come the auction.

Oh...

And true to his word, Mark's sought out another item or two.

A fair few items, in fact.

There's all sorts of things in here.

Various sort of jugs and teapots.

And some silver-plated trays.

I mean, it's not in great condition,

but it might just be the sort of thing

that, you know, attracts attention.

Back to David again.

-I mean, what are you hoping to get for that?

-I don't know.

-£10, something like that.

-Oh, God, I need to sit down.

£10?

-What are you thinking, Mark?

-Well, I was thinking of a fiver.

Yeah, well, we're not going to argue.

Oh, shake hands, David. Let's do a fiver.

-OK. Cheers.

-Thank you.

Mark's ticked another box for the auction,

picking up a collection of mainly 19th-century silver plate for a fiver.

And along with his £15 Murano vase,

he spent a grand total of £20.

-Thank you so much.

-You're welcome.

-Thanks.

-Thank you.

Just a few minutes away, Charles is heading into Stratford's centre.

Home to the Royal Shakespeare Company,

Charles has come to hear how this theatre company,

after facing great tragedy,

has helped redefine how we interpret the works of Shakespeare,

growing into one of the biggest theatre companies in the world.

Here to explain more about its eventful origins

is events director Geraldine Collinge.

-Good morning.

-Hi.

-Charles Hanson.

Really nice to meet you.

Welcome to the Swan Theatre and to the Royal Shakespeare Company.

-I can't wait to go inside.

-Come in.

-I can't wait.

The Swan Theatre stands on the foundations

of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre,

where the roots of the RSC began.

Opening in 1879,

this was the first full-scale permanent theatre in Shakespeare's home town,

commissioned by a local family

to commemorate Britain's greatest playwright.

The initiative very much came through the kind of,

the big Victorians, who were wanting to celebrate Shakespeare.

So, yeah, Dickens was involved in campaigns in Stratford.

And for us, it was the Flower family,

who were the big brewing family,

who gave lots of money, gave their land and their support.

They kind of spearheaded the campaign to get the theatre going.

The theatre became the venue for staging

the annual festival of Shakespeare's plays in Stratford.

And slowly grew in popularity.

The organisers even took their productions across the Atlantic

for the first time in 1913.

But, then, tragedy hit.

A terrible fire destroyed most of the building.

A new theatre was built next door,

but the company always had the intention of restoring the original building,

which they did in the 1980s,

recreating the feel of the Shakespearean era.

What's really great about these theatres is they've got a thrust stage.

So, the thrust stage comes out into the audience.

The audience is all around it.

And it's very much how theatre would have been presented in Shakespeare's time.

So, like it was at the Globe or the Rose,

you know, the theatres along Bankside.

So, here, you can almost be in that 360,

almost you can see every angle.

The rawness of the play is borne out to you

and I suppose you're very much part of it, aren't you?

Yeah, no, absolutely.

A big turning point in the company's history came in the 1960s,

when the now legendary theatre director Peter Hall

took over as artistic director.

He created Stratford's first fully fledged ensemble company,

modernised the ways plays were performed,

helped bring in new audiences

and opened the theatre all year round.

This is considered the time the company, as we know it today, began.

And with the royal seal of approval,

became the Royal Shakespeare Company.

So, the 1960s was a period of real innovation?

It was a really formative time. You know, amazing things were happening.

This production of The War Of The Roses

that this dress is from,

was ground-breaking.

They cut bits from the text

and kind of made a new show from those stories.

And, you know, we didn't do that. We treated Shakespeare as, you know...

We kind of revered him.

The RSC has become one of the world's largest theatre companies,

staging over 1,000 performances each year,

attracting over one million visitors to Stratford

and luring the world's biggest acting talent

from Judi Dench to David Tennant and Patrick Stewart.

So, this costume was worn by Judi Dench in 2003 in All's Well.

And then these were worn by David Tennant

when he was here playing Hamlet.

So, again, you know, very modern dress.

And some of the more traditional.

And what great names have been here.

-Well, I've really, really enjoyed it. Thanks so much.

-Thanks a lot.

Now the chaps must make their way

just a few miles south-west of Stratford to Long Marston,

still in Warwickshire.

This pretty village is home to an antiques centre

based in a 13,000-square-foot barn.

-High-five.

-See you later.

See you later.

Mark's got just over £140 left to spend.

And Laura Scott will, no doubt, be happy to help him part with some of it.

Oh, ring for attention.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-I'm Mark.

-Hello, Mark. I'm Laura.

Nice to meet you, Laura.

-What a lovely day.

-It is beautiful, isn't it?

-What a lovely day for finding a bargain.

-I hope so.

I hope so, too.

Well, get on with it, then.

I'm looking for silver, silver plate, good ceramics, jewellery.

Or something that's quirky. Or some Chinese stuff.

It would be lovely to find some antique Chinese items,

because there's still a big market for that.

Mark's very focused.

And with over 40 experienced dealers

selling a variety of antiques, furniture and collectables,

he should be able to tick off an item off his wish list here.

Now, when you first look in this cabinet,

you see lots of collectable items.

But then, in amongst it, you have things like this fan.

This is all painted on feathers.

And look at the detailing of that and the flowers.

Almost certainly, I would call it, Cantonese.

I mean, that is absolutely exquisite.

I would have thought this is carved bone, actually.

And the date on this, 1870, 1880.

All the little sticks here are in good condition.

Gosh, that is absolutely beautiful. Priced up at £110.

I mean, that's very nearly all my remaining money.

-Laura, can I have a word?

-Of course.

Is it possible, Laura, you could have a word with the dealer

and explain my plight to them?

I really would like that,

but I really need their very, very best price.

Very, very best.

-OK, well, as it's you, I will find out what I could do for you.

-Please.

The fan is rather unusual

and Mark was looking for antique Chinese items.

But can he get it for the right price?

-Oh, Laura, how did you get on?

-I can get it down to 80 for you.

It would help if you could get me to 70.

Or less.

-I can do 70 for you.

-Oh!

And it's a bargain at that.

Stop it!

Gosh, it's hot in here. I need to sit down and think about this.

OK. OK.

£70 for a hand-painted 19th-century Cantonese fan

could go down well in the right auction room. But it's a risk.

So, is he going for it?

-Let's go for it.

-Brilliant!

So, that gives Mark just over £70 left to spend.

Thank you very much.

Well, let's hope I make some fans out there, anyway.

Ha-ha...

Meanwhile, Charles has made his way to Evesham,

across the county border in Worcestershire.

The riverside town of Evesham is on the northern edge of the Cotswolds.

Charles is here to visit Twyford Antique Centre, run by Andy Mayhew.

-Afternoon to you, sir.

-Nice to see you.

-And your name is?

-My name's Andy.

Charles has almost £400 to spend on this stretch of his journey.

But, like Mark, he wants to buy right.

So, he's calling the auction house for some inside advice.

You're saying, perhaps, China, glassware, jewellery and silver.

-And, hopefully, we can't go wrong.

-I think that's about right.

See you in a short while.

Right, they've both got their shopping lists.

So, now, best get cracking.

That's quite sweet, isn't it?

I love him because he's just novelty value.

-Whenever we see a man with a big tummy, we think of a toby jug.

-Yeah.

And this man is almost based on that great Yorkshireman Toby Philapot.

He used to drink lots of beer.

And on the back of Toby Philapot, we invented the toby jug.

I think you'll find it's Toby Philpot, not Philapot.

But the problem is,

triangular hat with a yellow enamel has got a chip on this corner here.

Hence why he's quite cheap, isn't he?

Yeah, onwards and upwards.

That's quite stylish.

Tom Cruise, eat your heart out, eh?

I could be...

Sorry...

Or more like butterfingers.

I'd love to call it '30s. But it isn't.

I suspect this "vintage" cocktail shaker

is more like 1960s,

even 1970s.

What I could call it is Art Deco style.

-This cocktail shaker...

-Yeah?

It's got a bit of style about it. Tell me, what's the best price?

-£10.50.

-Oh...

-£7.50?

-£5?

-Make it six.

-Go on, I'll take it.

I think, at £6, it could be shaken not stirred, OK?

Smooth, Mr Hanson.

Don't stop while you're on a roll, boy.

Well, when I picked out the man with the portly tummy,

the toby,

I also noticed two interesting cats.

They're quite collectable.

Yes, they are. These are Lorna Bailey.

And the number of times I've been asked,

"Charles, what is the antique of the future?" These are.

Staffordshire-born Lorna Bailey found success in the late 1990s

with her range of modern Art Deco designs.

With cats like these her speciality.

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

-They are.

On the label it says they are from the heroes and villains series.

They're not very old

and there's a chip on the back of the hat.

I think they're a good pair. What's your best price?

-£20 for the pair.

-You wouldn't do 15, would you, for the pair?

-I can't get down that low, I'm afraid.

-Meet me halfway?

-Go on, £17.50.

-Oh, I say! Are you sure? Are you sure? Give me a paw.

-There we are. Are you sure?

-Yep.

-Lovely.

So, despite his huge budget, Charles seems to be playing it safe,

spending just £17.50 on the Lorna Bailey pottery cats

and £6 on the Art Deco style cocktail shaker.

With that, both the chaps can put their shopping lists to bed

and get some shuteye.

Morning has broken.

The sun is shining.

The roof is down.

And they're ready to dig in for the day.

# Hi-ho, hi-ho it's off to work we go... #

Well, Charles is, anyway.

# Hi-ho hi-ho-hi-ho hi-ho... #

I do like you. You know, I think you're an expert with a difference.

You're one-of-a-kind.

But you're my sort of guy.

Well, Charles, you are certainly one-of-a-kind.

-And you're my kind of guy, too.

-Oh, thanks, Mark.

Who said bromance is dead?

Yesterday, Charles barely scratched the surface of his budget,

spending just £23.50p

on a cocktail shaker and a pair of Lorna Bailey cats.

So, he's sitting pretty with £370.48 for today.

Mark seems to be going for broke,

after splashing £90

on a Cantonese fan, a silver-plated selection and a Murano vase.

He'll have to shop smart today with just over £71 left.

I bought three lots, Charles.

Have they got a sniff of a profit?

-Not a chance.

-Get out of here, Mark Stacey.

Mark may be losing his confidence

but, if he gets the right bidders at auction,

he could overtake Charles in a flash.

After starting in Stratford,

the fellows are now approaching the hamlet of Little Alne,

near Henley-in-Arden, at the core of Warwickshire's countryside.

After speaking to the auction house, both the chaps are on the hunt

for bits of silver, jewellery, ceramics, glassware and the unique.

We're going to the same shop together.

So, why don't I focus on, like, the silver and porcelain

and you, perhaps, look at the works of art and furniture.

Yes, shall I do that, Charles?

Sneaky, Mr Hanson.

But Little Alne's Fabulous Finds

should have enough for them both,

with their eclectic collection of furniture and collectables

from the 1800s to the 1960s,

run by owner Caroline Howard.

Why aren't you parking in the lines? Park in the lines instead.

-I haven't got time to park in lines, Charles.

-OK.

I'm hungry for shopping.

-Well, me too.

-Right, I'll see you later, Charles.

-First-come, first-served.

-See you later.

Now, now, boys.

-Thank you.

-Can I help?

I see the rivalry's heating up here a bit.

-Sorry. They're quite nice.

-Charles!

-Yes?

-Where are you going?

-I'm finding something to control you with.

Right, get up those stairs! Get up!

Sorry!

I'm sorry, OK?

I'll see you shortly, Mark.

Cor, Mark is quick off the mark to spot something

which could go with his Cantonese fan.

This, I think, is probably late-19th century.

The label says late-19th century.

But it's in terrible condition.

It's...

It's all been cracked here and restored.

And then you've got the dragons.

Oh, he's lucky. He's just, literally, just now

spotted a really good Chinese blue and white vase.

This could be a real bargain. It could be his match-winner.

You've got the sort of primrose border, which matches there.

But, you know...

Mark? If you don't want it, I'll buy it.

-Thanks, Charles.

-Pleasure.

Nice try, Charles. But Mark's not giving up that easily.

The thing I like about it, it's only marked at 50 quid.

It's got a good decorative look.

And perfect, it would be a few hundred pounds.

And now, Mark's got a theme in mind.

I mean, this is another Chinese vase. Much smaller, of course.

But it has got this four-character mark for the Emperor Kangxi,

late-19th century.

Bit of restoration again. Marked at £5.

I'm buying Chinese things because the market is quite strong,

particularly over the internet.

If the price is right, there is a profit to be made there.

Meanwhile, Charles has been trying to uncover owner Caroline's fresh goods.

Is there much in this room here, Caroline,

you can, perhaps, give me a narrative on?

Er, this?

Oh, that's nice.

-Has it just come in?

-It has indeed.

Wow, just come in.

Tell me, this, I think, Caroline, is an olive-wood blotter.

Yes.

So, it's part of a late-Victorian desk set.

And you would've had blotting paper in here for your quill pen.

What's its sweetest price, sweet Caroline?

-Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.

-All right.

I think... I think it's got to be worth 50, hasn't it?

-OK.

-Yes.

What's this next door?

This is another thing that's just come in.

-Oh, wonderful.

-Yes.

This is a pretty silver, almost cartouche-shaped tray,

with a hallmark for London.

And it must be about 1917.

So it's what we call George V in period.

What's your best price?

I should think 110.

-Yeah...

-Well, it's a nice...

-Quite light, though, isn't it?

-Oh, I don't know.

What would be your absolute bottom?

I think, how about...

Hmm... As it's you, 90.

-If I bought the two together, Caroline...

-Yes.

What would be your very best?

He's sitting on cash, about 400 quid here.

-Hey!

-Oh, that's interesting.

-Hey, that's confidential!

Absolutely not.

That's interesting to know.

Oh, controversial.

Devious, more like.

Go on, give me a price, Caroline, for trying £100.

70 and 30.

We're very close. We're very close.

I was thinking 120.

If I say to you,

I really also will, hopefully, try and acquire one more object...

OK.

..could you do 100?

-Yes, OK.

-Are you sure?

-Yes.

-I'm going to buy the two...

-OK.

..for £100.

-That's fine.

-Thanks a lot.

And I'm going to keep going.

Meanwhile, Mark's enlisted the help of shop assistant Ronnie Potter.

Good to meet you, Ronnie. Come in.

Now this is wrecked, this vase and cover.

I mean, there's damage and restoration everywhere.

And I think it's got potential.

But I really need to get this for a...

I'm sorry, a really bargain basement price.

I'm actually on less money than I started the beginning of the week.

Right. OK.

-And he is £200 ahead of me.

-Right.

We can't have that.

Mark, the violins are out especially for you.

-And I've got a little vase over there as well...

-OK.

..which is marked at a fiver.

I need special, special prices.

We can't go any lower than 25.

Oh...

£30 for the two vases.

Oh, I can't do it, Ronnie.

But while Charles continues to quiz Caroline for any more new stock,

Mark has sought out yet another damaged Chinese vase.

OK, with a six-character mark on it this time.

But, look, it's all smashed and...

Such a shame. Look at it.

So that one's 55.

Chinese. Famille rose. It has the pink and the blues and yellows.

But the cover's suffered a lot of restoration.

But, you see, I think that's rather attractive in its own way.

But it is damaged.

With a potential price of £30 for the first two vases,

Mark needs to see if he can negotiate

a great deal for the three,

now that Caroline's managed to escape Charles's clutches.

-Now, if I take all three...

-Ooh, yes.

..what is the very best you...?

Can I scrape 50 out of you?

Is there any way we can do them for 40?

Well, I think you might be in luck today.

Are you sure?

Well, I'd like to see you try and catch Charles up.

-Shall we go with that, then?

-Oh, Caroline!

-Go on, then.

-Thank you so much.

-You're welcome.

-Thank you.

-You're welcome.

So, that's £20 for the two blue and white vases.

An incredibly generous discount.

And then another 20 for the famille rose vase.

Leaving Mark virtually penniless.

With Charles rummaging around the upstairs storeroom,

Mark heads north-east to Coventry,

legendary birthplace of St George, the patron saint of England.

This historic city has had three different cathedrals

over the last 1,000 years.

Two are now left in ruins.

Mark's here to find out the story behind the adversity they faced.

Brenda Williams is the cathedrals' tour guide.

-Hello.

-Hello, Mark.

-I'm Brenda.

-Nice to meet you, Brenda.

Brenda, why are we standing out in the courtyard here

looking at what looks like an open piece of ground?

Well, these are the only remains above ground

of the first cathedral of Coventry.

Coventry's first cathedral was built in 1043

by the Lord of Coventry and his wife Lady Godiva.

The lady is famed for her legendary naked horseback ride

through the streets of Coventry to convince her husband

to lower heavy taxes imposed on the locals.

Try that today.

This started off as a church attached to a Benedictine priory

that was endowed by Earl Leofric and his wife Lady Godiva.

They were very rich landowners in Anglo-Saxon times

and to ensure their place in heaven

they gave lots of money to the church.

Within 100 years, it became a cathedral.

-It was obviously a very wealthy...

-It was enormously wealthy.

And it prospered throughout the centuries.

That was until the 1530s,

when King Henry VIII had made himself head of the Church of England

and was closing 800 religious buildings

throughout England and Wales.

Known as the Dissolution Of The Monasteries,

it was a highly lucrative business,

stripping places bare of treasures and selling off land,

such as Coventry's first cathedral.

It was sold to a gentleman called John Hales.

No?

And he eventually sold it off for building materials, like a quarry.

No?! Gosh!

Coventry's second cathedral

began as the parish church of St Michael in the 11th century

and was renamed Coventry's cathedral in 1918.

But it wasn't long before disaster struck again.

So why is it ruined?

-It was destroyed in the Blitz in November 1940.

-Gosh.

In one night,

almost half the buildings in the centre of Coventry were destroyed.

Amongst them, this beautiful cathedral.

Why was Coventry so heavily bombed?

It's possibly because a short while before,

Hitler had been giving a speech to his followers in Munich

and the RAF interrupted him.

And it's thought that, in revenge,

he would completely destroy a British city.

And he chose Coventry.

It was the most devastating bombing raid on Britain so far.

King George VI made the journey to Coventry

to witness the ruins for himself,

where three quarters of the city lay flattened.

But, out of the wreckage, came inspiration.

The cathedral stonemason, Jock Forbes,

when he went up to the tower to look down upon the rubble,

he saw two of the old medieval roof beams

-had fallen in the shape of a cross.

-Gosh.

These burned-out beams were tied together to form the Charred Cross.

Which is what we are looking at here.

This is a replica.

The original, which as you can imagine, is very fragile,

and is held inside the cathedral.

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

-It is.

The third cathedral was commissioned almost immediately.

A competition was held in 1950 for architects across the Commonwealth.

It was won by British architect Basil Spence.

And the new St Michael's was built in just seven years,

opening in 1962.

It contains not only the original Charred Cross,

but also the very special Cross Of Nails.

Brenda, this is amazing.

Here we can see the high altar cross.

And within it you can see the Cross Of Nails.

These nails, which were picked up from the ruins,

symbolise Coventry's work for reconciliation.

And they're also nails that represent

the nails that Christ was crucified with.

The crosses are sent to conflict zones across the world.

Out of the ashes of adversity came a symbol of peace and reconciliation.

Well, I've thoroughly enjoyed myself.

-Thank you so much, Brenda.

-You're very welcome, Mark.

Back in Little Alne, Charles has got £270 left.

So, he's still on the hunt.

-Caroline, just one more thing.

-Yes?

I just noticed on the floor down here...

-Is this yours?

-Yes.

I've only had it in about two weeks.

OK.

He does seem to have a nose for fresh stock.

This, I'm almost certain, is a Staffordshire pottery,

what I would call a platter.

OK.

Transfer printed. Blue and white.

It's very neoclassic

with these laurel-leaf sprays around the exterior.

I love these almost round medallion flower heads.

It's been really well used.

And there's also a huge chip on the side there as well.

Caroline, hit me.

Usually, something this size would go for about 60.

-Oh...

-I know.

-Really?

-Yes.

What's the best price?

Shall we say 40?

Would you take £30 for it?

-All right, then.

-Are you sure?

-Yes.

-Are you sure?

-I think I can just do that.

Charles seems to have played it safe again with his £30 platter.

The silver tray for 70.

And another 30 for the olive-wood blotter.

A total of £130.

-Thank you.

-Caroline, thanks a lot. Give you a kiss. Thanks so much.

I'm so grateful.

-Thank you. See you soon.

-Bye-bye.

Now Charles has finished shopping, he's hitting the road.

But there's one last stop to get him in the zone for the auction.

Sometimes it's good to take all the mental strain out

on the assault course.

Careful... Oh!

Blimey, O'Reilly!

Sometimes, Mark,

you've got to be strong-armed in the auction and grip hard.

Like this, Mark.

Do stop monkeying about.

Sometimes twinkle toes in the shops.

Mind those shoes!

Mark, may the best man win at auction.

Snazzy socks.

Two, three...

Oh, crikey...!

This is the life.

He's such a child, that boy.

OK, now, back to business.

And time to look at the fellows' finds.

Charles bought an Art Deco style cocktail shaker,

a pair of Lorna Bailey cats, a pottery platter,

a Victorian olive-wood blotter

and a George V silver tray.

All for £153.50.

Less than half of his budget.

Mark has the 19th-century Cantonese fan,

and 1950s Murano vase,

a box of mixed silver plate,

two Chinese blue and white vases

and 19th-century Chinese famille rose vase,

costing £130 all in.

So, what are your thoughts on the competition, chaps?

Charles, Charles, Charles...

I'm so, so, so disappointed in you.

Cocktail shaker?

I think you might have had one too many cocktails

if you bought that for £6.

The olive-wood panel or whatever is,

they're very mass produced, of course. They're tourist items.

I love the platter. A real antique, Charles. Well done.

I think Mark's bought really well.

And his Chinese famille vase is wonderful.

He's bought a wonderful fan. Cantonese.

Full of Eastern promise.

The better you buy, the more luck you deserve to make.

Mark's done that.

And I'm just convinced this time it might pay dividends.

So, this could finally be Mark's chance to overtake Charles

at the fourth hurdle.

Our two road trippers started their sojourn in Stratford

and now they're nearing Wotton-under-Edge.

-I'm weary, Charles.

-You're weary?

I just feel you've been really, really unlucky.

-And I mean that sincerely, Mark.

-Well, that's kind of you, Charles.

Mark might have lost the last three auctions,

but it could be about to change.

You've gone for the big one, and that's the oriental objects.

And I kid you not, I wouldn't be surprised

if you made a small fortune.

I think my star lot, Mark,

in the auction today will probably be the silver tray.

-But it's quite light, isn't it?

-Yeah, OK, thanks for that.

-Yeah, it is quite light.

-And you paid 70 quid for it.

Yeah, I could be in trouble.

But, when you're over £200 ahead,

you'd need to be in serious trouble, boy.

The chaps are now in the hands of Wotton Auction Rooms,

who've been trading in the area since the mid-19th century

and are now based in a former tabernacle.

-We're here. Do you know what I feel like saying?

-Tell me.

Dearly beloved, we're gathered here today to watch

another annihilation of Mark Stacey.

Get out of here.

Who would like to start?

Auctioneer Philip Taubenheim

has over 1,000 lots to get through today.

But he's made time to give the experts' items a once-over.

There's one very nice Spode blue and white meat plate.

I think that's a fantastic plate.

There's a very nice, honest silver tray.

Very, very plain. Very simple.

I think that will work as a good hall piece.

There's a little mixture of Chinese ceramics

which, again, could do very well,

but we've got a bit of a condition issue there.

Speaking on condition, Mark has had more bad news.

At the auction's viewing, the Cantonese fan was damaged.

It has an insurance valuation of £60,

so, even if it doesn't reach that in the sale,

Mark will receive a minimum of £60.

Well, I feel very sorry for you,

because it's one of those objects that could really have risen.

It could have flown, to be honest.

But never mind.

Mark's taking it very well.

And it's the first of the experts' lots to go under the hammer.

How do you see it? £40 to start. £40 for the fan.

30 will you? At £30 I'm bid. Thank you. At 30, we're in. I'm bid. 35.

Bid 40. Bid five. Bid 50. 50 it lodges. At £50 I'm bid.

Five anywhere now?

Anybody moving it on now? Five I'm bid. At £55 I'm only bid.

£55 and it goes, then.

It may be a £15 loss in the sale,

but he'll still receive the insurer's full value of £60,

giving him a shortfall of £10.

That tells me that, had it been perfect,

-there would have been a lot more interest in that.

-Yeah.

So, let's hope Mark's 1950s Murano vase can put him into profit.

-How much was it?

-15 quid.

-15? Not 50?

-No, no, one-five.

-Cheap!

£20 I'm bid. At £20.

-Come on, net. Come on, net.

-Come on, net.

At £20 I'm bid. Any advance on that?

You're all happy with that at £20 and a maiden bid.

That's quite cheap, Charles.

Less than he was hoping. But it's still £5 profit for Mark.

Half the auctioneer's guide price.

But anyway, Charles, I haven't lost money on it, which is something.

You've made money.

He has indeed. Next, it's Charles's first item, the Lorna Bailey cats.

What do we say for them? £20 the lot. £20 the lot.

£20 bid, thank you.

Come on, let's go.

I'm bid £20. 25 on the screen.

-30 the room. At 30 I'm bid.

-Come on...

At 35 on the screen. At £35 I'm bid.

At £35 here on the screen.

At £35 I'm only bid.

-40 I'm bid. Thank you.

-Oh, more! That's great!

At £40 I'm bid.

Back in the room. It's still you, madam, at £40 this time, then.

That's a fantastic gain of £22.50.

I feel like I'm the cat and I got the cream.

You certainly have, Charles.

But can Charles's cocktail shaker stir up as much interest?

-Do you enjoy cocktails?

-I do enjoy cocktails.

But I wouldn't want one out of that.

-£20 the lot.

-Come on.

-Ten if you must.

-Come on.

£10 bid. And 15 on the screen.

-I'm in trouble.

-You're not in trouble.

At £20. 25. New buyer. At £25 I'm bid.

It's a serious decision.

30 I'm bid. At 30. 35 I'm bid.

Come on, internet. Come back in, net. Come back in.

£35, then.

It's cocktail time for Charles, with a pretty profit of £29.

Mine's a Harvey Wallbanger.

-That's good, isn't it?

-It's fantastic, Charles.

I'm over the moon for you.

It was a right corker.

Up next, Mark's mix of silver-plated items.

I think it'll make £32.

-£32?

-Yes. Your guess?

-Very precise.

-Your guess?

-35.

-OK.

-20 for the lot. 15 for the lot I'm bid. Thank you.

-Come on...

I'm bid 20 now, then. At 25 I'm bid.

Commission bid has it now. At £30 I'm bid. Five anywhere now?

At £30 I'm bid. Any advance on it?

-That's a massive profit.

-I bought them quite cheap.

£30. And it's sold at 30, then.

-Well done.

-Thanks, Charles. Thank you.

That's a fantastic 500% profit, which could help Mark catch up.

Now, auctioneer Joseph Trinder takes over the gavel,

as we go to Charles's olive-wood blotter.

The reason I bought this lot was because it had nice colour.

-And it was cheap.

-It was quite richly patterned.

-And it was cheap.

-I can start you straight in at £20 I'm bid.

-Oh, no...

At £20 I'm bid.

-25. Thank you.

-Come on!

-Can I see five again?

No. Five anywhere?

The hammer's up against you. You're all quiet. At £30. I sell at 30.

Well, that one's wiped its face at least.

Mark continues his Chinese theme now,

with his pair of blue and white vases.

Internet bids could be popular for this lot.

And at this auction, online bids are shown on the screen.

This is the sort of lot where, in the current market,

with the oriental market just speculating,

it cost you 20 and I wouldn't be surprised if it made £200. It could.

-It would be nice, wouldn't it?

-It could.

A cheap start. At 20 I'll take. And 20 is bid. Thank you.

Watch it run now, Mark.

Five here on the screen. 30 back in the room.

35 now on the screen. 40 for you, sir? 40 again there.

Now it's going wild, Mark.

45 is bid. 50 is bid.

Again on the screen. It builds again here at 50. And five. Thank you.

On the net. And 60.

And it climbs here at 60.

65.

The room's quiet.

The net's bidding. At £70 I'm bid. Five I'm bid.

80.

It continues here on the net. At £80 is bid.

-Five anywhere?

-Well done.

-Five and bid.

85 again here on the screen.

You're doing fantastic.

The hammer's at £85 this time.

Yes! High-five. High-five.

Fantastic.

Another amazing profit from Mark. Will it be enough to win this leg?

Next it's Charles's George V silver tray.

It's a favourite of auctioneer Philip's

and Charles believes it could be his star buy.

Start me here for a good piece of silver.

At £30 to start, surely?

Oh, crikey...

At £20 to start me, surely? And £20 bid. Thank you.

£20 I'm bid. 25 there. And 30.

It's 30 on the net.

35. Thank you. 40 is bid.

45 is bid. But no more.

It's here, then, at £45.

Do I see 50 now? It's still cheap and it is silver.

In the room at just £45 this time.

That tray to me was an absolute bargain.

And look at that, I lost £25.

-Hey?

-Welcome to my world, Charles.

So, Charles's first loss today.

Now, finishing Mark's Chinese theme is his last lot,

with his famille rose vase and cover.

And who will start me here for that one?

-£20 to start for the vase, surely?

-£20?

A £10 start for the vase, then, surely?

We've got 20 on the internet. You've got 35 on the internet!

20 do I see? 20 I'm bid.

-The net's going wild.

-Oh, I'm a bit behind.

I've looked to my screen and I see £50 is bid. I'll go from there.

Can I come back in with you, sir, at £50? No? He's out. It's here, then.

-That's really good, Mark. It's going to roll.

-At £50. Five anywhere?

You're all sure, then? At 50 takes it away.

I'm now in profit, I think, which I'm pleased about.

So you should be.

Another substantial profit is a step closer to Charles's lead.

That's if Charles doesn't widen the gap any further

with his final item, the Staffordshire meat platter.

-I think...

-Yes?

..this is one of the best lots you've bought.

-Are you being serious?

-Because I love printed blue and white.

I can start you here straight in at £90 I'm bid here.

£90!

Let's go!

95 I have. 95.

-100 here.

-It's history!

-110.

110 I'm bid. 110 is bid here. 120. 120 is bid.

130 I have. 140 will you? No, it's here, then.

-At £130.

-Come on, auctioneer!

Now, are you all sure? The hammer's up. We go £130.

Wow! That's a huge £100 profit.

I think you had an amazing result. Well done.

Mark opened today's leg with £116.18.

He picked up some decent profits.

So, after auction costs, he's made £70.90,

putting him back in the black with £232.08.

Well done.

Charles already had the lead with £393.98.

He's also managed to garner a good gain of £76.10 after auction costs,

so is walking away victorious again with £470.08.

-So, that is the secret, Mark, of the Road Trip.

-What?

-You make money.

Harsh.

-Thank you for pointing it out to me, Charles.

-No, you do.

That's what the show is all about.

You're still making more than me, but at least I made a profit.

Yeah, exactly.

My car won't start.

Car's flat as a pancake.

Oh, God...

Take the handbrake off and do it that way.

Is not going, Mark. The car's flat as a pancake.

-Turn it on.

-I'm trying.

It's flat.

I hope it starts before they need to go uphill.

Next time, it's the end of the road for this pally pair.

-I don't know what I'm going to do without you, Charles.

-Ditto.

Charles Hanson fights to retain his victory.

My tactics are to not hold back.

And despite his many losses,

Mark Stacey's still congratulating himself.

Big round of applause, I think.