Episode 9 Antiques Road Trip

It's the nation's favourite antiques 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.

I'm feeling a little SAW.

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!

We're back on the road again with Charlie Ross and

Road Trip rookie - and new driver - Natasha Raskin.

-Oh, wow.

-Do you know? I feel really relaxed with you driving.

-Do you genuinely?

-Yeah, I do.

-Oh, good. I'm so glad you said that.

Auctioneer Natasha Raskin loves her antiques in all shapes and sizes...

Come on, giddy up, they are the best things I have ever seen.

And internationally respected auctioneer Charlie Ross

-knows when he's on to a good thing.

-Oh-oh-oh-oh!

You know how to excite an old man, don't you?

Huh. Both of our antiques addicts began their week with £200.

Despite neither of them making a profit at the last auction,

Natasha begins their penultimate venture with £206.70.

But Charlie is still in front with £294.62.

The 1971 Triumph TR6 is the trusty motor for the duo's journey,

which kicked off in Falmouth, Cornwall, then headed east,

taking in a wonderful tour of southern England

and finishes up over 900 miles later in Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex.

Today's stretch starts in Farnham in Surrey

and teeters to an end in Towcester, Northamptonshire.

-So, what's on the shopping list?

-What's near Towcester?

-Silverstone.

-OK, so something to do with...

-Find something to do with a Formula One car.

-OK, something to

-do with a Formula One car.

-Also in Towcester, there's a racecourse.

You know, as in... HE MIMICS CLOPPING HOOVES

-Right, OK. Sort of hunting, shooting, fishing set?

-Oh, very.

-They'll love a bit of that.

-Yeah, good to know.

But that's not enough of a challenge for Charlie.

Why don't you tell me something to buy? And I'll buy it.

I don't know, you never buy anything...20th century.

So maybe 20th-century items. Modern.

Why don't you buy something related to cooking today?

I've got to buy something 20th century

-and you've got to buy something related to cooking.

-OK.

-It's a deal.

-Sounds like a plan, even if it is a bit random.

Today, both Natasha and Charlie are heading for the same shop

in the gorgeous Georgian town of Farnham.

I always think of Surrey as being commuter belt and built up,

-but it isn't, it's absolutely lovely.

-It is lovely.

Lovely, with a few foggy patches this morning.

I do hope you'll find their way to their first shop,

Bourne Mill Antique Centre.

Where you going? There's a car park!

-Come on, Charlie.

-Save me, Lord.

-Snap to it!

You'll be fine. There's no use talking to the Lord now.

I was a young man when I started out.

Come on, come on, come on. Right, after you. After you, sir.

Thank you.

He may be older, but he's got almost £90 more to

splash in this place than his young rival.

Come on, young man.

Straighten that back. Morning, ladies. Good morning.

-Which way are you going, Charlie?

-I'm going down here.

You're going down here? Well, I'm good to head this way

and I will meet you anon.

And off she goes.

Natasha soon spots a cheeky little number in the corner.

I'm really drawn to this chair. It's some sort of nice, soft wood.

It's got little ivorine notches here.

It's got a sort of rustic feel to it.

This is so simple here, this structure.

And then the legs could be the most simple replica of the top,

but, in fact, they're actually really nicely turned,

sort of...balustrades.

I really like it, but it's a lovely thing and it was 35, it's now 20.

So, does that mean that no-one wants this and I should put it right down?

Probably. But where's the fun in that?

Best find dealer Valerie Lock to state a claim, Natasha.

I've seen something upstairs that I'm quite into.

It is actually a fruit wood in nature and it's a lovely chair.

Do you know the one? I'm going to fire at you with £9,

and don't be horrified, just go with the flow, Val, go with the flow.

-10, if I said 10...

-I think I'd definitely do it for 10.

-Would you be OK with that?

-Yes, that would be all right, yes.

-Oh, Val, that's amazing. Shall we shake on it?

-Not bad going, Natasha.

Now, where's that Mr Ross gone?

-Full steam ahead, Mr Boson, full steam ahead.

-Stop messing about.

Dealer Melisa Montagnon is on hand to help Charlie today

and she's starting him off in a room away from his usual fare.

Oh, my God. Look at that.

That's outrageous

-That poor pheasant. Perfect.

-It's a bit of a statement.

-Oh, I love it!

-Is it good?

-No, it looks good on you.

No, it really doesn't.

That is sensational.

That would be a talking point of any saleroom.

We can do it for a snip at £18.

-Label says £20.

-I know, that's a discount.

That's hard. £18?

Yeah, it's good though.

-I tell you what, I'll give it a bit of thought.

-OK.

Yeah, you do that, Charlie.

Meanwhile, Natasha's keen eye is onto something.

This is so great.

If this were silver, which it absolutely is not, it would

be worth a packet because for some reason, novelty Victorian

lace-up shoe pin cushions drive people wild at auction.

It's looking great though, it's a tenner and wonderfully...

It matches my outfits just perfectly.

She is a snappy dresser.

I think this is a wee bit of a goer.

If only there was a hallmark, but there isn't, but it's nice and

I'm going to ask about it because I think you can't go wrong with that.

Well, Natasha's lower-priced items have done her

proud at previous auctions.

Something has caught my eye. I'll show you why.

-Oh, very similar, isn't it?

-Just my style.

So I was thinking, seeing as it's not silver, if I could maybe ask you

if I could have it for a fiver?

A little bit low. £6, I would say £6.

-Shall we shake on £6?

-Yeah.

So, that's £6 for the silverplated 1930s pincushion

and £10 for the Edwardian fruitwood child's chair.

Thank you so much again for your help.

That's all right, it's been a pleasure to have you.

-And wish me luck.

-Yes, I will do.

-Thank you.

Upstairs, Charlie has re-entered his comfort zone.

There's some nice bits of silver in here.

And there's a bit that actually looks quite fun for me.

It's a silver propelling pencil but what it's in the form of...

A golf tee! And I play golf. Very badly, but there we go.

Just needs a bit of lead in there.

It's quite modern, it's 1980s, but it's a great

thing for a golfing collector and it is hallmarked silver.

It's priced at £45. I think that's got a bit of... A bit of a chance.

And fortunately, Mel's on standby.

I really like that.

-It's beautifully made. It's quite modern but see what you can do.

-OK.

I'm going to go and have a cup of tea.

That's the bonus of an on-site teashop.

And after a quick call to the pencil's dealer,

Mel has an offer for Charlie.

-Give me the price.

-£35!

-You see.

-I'll have it.

-Great.

-I'm going to make you even more excited...

-I'll have the hat.

-Brilliant, suits you.

Making that a grand total of £53.

That's £18 for the hat, £35 for the silver propelling pencil.

Ticks the 20th century challenge box!

-Cheers.

-Cheers.

While Charlie has been supping tea, Natasha has taken

herself off to the charming village of Chawton in Hampshire.

She's heading for Chawton House,

once home to Jane Austen's brother, Edward Knight.

Chawton was where Jane Austen spent the last eight years of her life.

It's where she revised her most famous books, Sense and Sensibility

and Pride and Prejudice, and where she penned Mansfield Park and Emma.

Jane Austen is one of the most successful female writers

in the world.

Fitting, then, a former home of hers now houses

a well-respected centre for the study of early women's writing.

Natasha's meeting Dr Gillian Dow to get an insight into the female

trailblazers who laid the groundwork for women's education and

influenced one of the most widely read writers in British history.

-Hello, you must be Gillian.

-That's right, I am. Hello.

-Hi, Natasha.

Welcome, Natasha, to Chawton House Library, lovely to see you.

-Thank you so much! Shall we go inside?

-Let's go inside and find out some more.

Chawton House Library houses one of the world's largest

collections of books by female authors.

They date as far back as the 17th century,

a time when women were seen only as wives and mothers.

They were largely uneducated, unable to hold professional jobs

and unable to vote but a pioneering woman from Newcastle,

now considered one of the first British feminists,

was passionate about changing that,

becoming one of the most groundbreaking breaking writers

of her generation.

So, in the Oak Room.

We're here to learn about the history of female writing

but Gillian, where on earth do you even start with that?

So, one of the most interesting writers and a proto-feminist,

I think we can call her a feminist, is Mary Astell.

And she wrote this little work here.

Little in size but as far as its contents is concerned,

it's fascinating.

Published in 1694 and it's really an appeal for the importance

of female education.

"And one would be apt to think indeed that parents should take all

"possible care of their children's education

"and though the son convey the name to posterity

"yet certainly a great part of the honour of their families

"depends on their daughters."

-Oh, my goodness.

-So, she's really talking about creating a college for

-women, an early university.

-Quite rightly, what an amazing woman.

To think of 17th century feminism is just wonderful.

Astell's middle-class family invested in her brother's

intellectual development, whereas Mary received no formal education

but her ability to debate with both sexes

and her strong belief in equality for women led her to

the now famous phrase,

"If all men are born free, why are all women born slaves?"

Her writing paved the way for women to expand their knowledge,

encouraging their influence in the literary world.

Almost 100 years later, another self-educated female writer,

Frances Burney, became one of the most popular

novelists of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

She was an older contemporary of Jane Austen

and had a great influence on our young Jane.

What was her influence on female writing?

She published several novels, female-centred,

focusing on the heroine.

Camilla, the one we've got here, is her third novel, which she

published by subscriptions.

Basically, you told the public you were going to publish

something and they would pay for it up front.

And the person you've got here, in the list of subscribers,

is a Miss J Austen of Steventon.

That's absolutely amazing.

Yeah, absolutely, and in fact,

Burney's novels get mentioned in Austen's novels.

So, in Northanger Abbey, there's a whole section where Jane Austen

defends the novels and she talks directly about Frances Burney.

That's absolutely amazing.

So, Frances Burney was really going on about

female-led characters,

Astell was going on about female-led education, and is that something

that links the two and perhaps links them to Jane Austen as well?

Absolutely.

I mean, I think education is the thing that links all these writers.

Many female writers like Jane Austen followed these pioneering women and,

as with her contemporaries, Austen published her novels anonymously.

There was a stigma attached to having your name published,

especially for the upper classes.

-So this is a first edition?

-It is.

This is a first edition of Mansfield Park.

You see here it's advertised as "By the author of

"Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice" but absolutely no

reference to her name, there never was in her own lifetime.

Strange, isn't it? It's unbelievable.

I mean, it wasn't entirely unusual to be published anonymously in the

period, and for women writers in particular, to publish as

"By a lady" was actually very common.

Jane Austen may have gone on to outshine most of her

predecessors, but groundwork laid by female authors like Mary Astell

and Frances Burney gave girls like Jane the opportunity

and encouragement to follow their passion for writing.

She probably didn't lead the most exciting life, did she?

And to think that,

here we are, standing in a whole centre dedicated to learning

about female writing, how much would Jane Austen have loved that?

I think she would have loved it.

-I think she would have been very proud.

-Immensely proud.

What a fabulous visit this has been. Thank you so much, Gillian.

It's a great pleasure, Natasha. Thank you for coming to see us.

Back in Surrey, Charlie has trundled a few miles from

his last shop to Compton.

This rural village is synonymous with the arts, being home to

British artist George Frederic Watts during his later years.

Victorian painter Watts' best-known works include

a canvas named Hope, a favourite of US President Barack Obama.

Charlie's here to browse Old Barn Antiques, run by sheep farmer

and dealer, Chloe.

-It's Chloe, isn't it?

-Hello! It is.

Lovely to meet you. Come on, Chloe.

They're certainly getting along swimmingly so far.

I'm just going to see if there's something that really grabs me.

-Jumps out at you.

-Yeah, because I need something to grab me.

-Well, I won't offer.

-Are those... Well, you can!

-But then, you're not for sale, are you?

-No, quite.

She's a feisty one.

Luckily, Charlie's distracted by a cabinet full of treen.

The fun about treen is, small wooden objects, is spotting the wood.

That's right. And the different shapes, of course.

The different shapes and what they're used for and I love it

when they've got a really good patternation to them.

There's something lurking behind there I quite like.

-Yes, that's rather nice, isn't it?

-Isn't that...

Now, that is lovely.

Olive wood and I think that's 19th-century,

I don't think there's any doubt about that. Early 19th century.

-I'm going to put that on one side.

-Right.

That's interesting, that's a bit of Yew wood, I think, isn't it?

Now, how old is that? That, to me, looks a bit more modern, to be honest.

Yew wood cup and cover... but it's a nice thing.

I'll put that on one side.

-They look good together, don't they?

-That's quite nice. Yes.

Feel the weight of that.

Gosh, it's heavy, isn't it? Yes, very heavy.

Walnut. Lovely object.

Well, that's interesting.

He's on a roll here.

That's a different weight, feel that one.

-Gosh, that's jolly heavy, isn't it?

-Yeah. What have we got?

19th century, presumably, a Lignum Vitae spice pot.

-Well, it makes a nice little group, doesn't it?

-It's rather charming.

Now, being a really mean chap, I want buy that lot for £40.

The four items of treen

have a combined ticket price of £79,

so Charlie needs to call dealer, Peter.

You're not going to take £40 for the lot, are you?

No.

What I'm going to do, Peter, if I may,

is take the three without the salt.

I think those three are delightful and that makes £35

and I will leave £35 here.

Thank you so much, bye-bye.

-I've done a deal.

-Good.

-No, it's fine.

£35 for the three without the salt.

Right. You'll do well on those.

Well, you never know.

Peter's knocked off £14, giving Charlie the olive wood dice shaker,

the Yew wood casket and the Lignum Vitae barrel for £35.

-There £35.

-Thanks.

-Thank you very much indeed. Bye Chloe, thank you.

-Lovely to see you.

And that's shopping wrapped up for the day

and lights out for the night.

Sweet dreams, you two.

But these early birds are soon up and at 'em in the TR6.

-# I won't betray his trust

-His trust, that's right.

# Though people say I must

# I've put to stay true

# Just as long as he

# Needs me! #

Unlike Oliver, we won't be asking for more.

Yesterday, Natasha found both an Edwardian child's chair

and a silverplated boot pincushion

for £16, leaving her with £190.70.

Charlie splashed £88 on a 1920s feather hat,

a silver propelling pencil and a collection of treen.

So, today, £206.62 is still burning a hole in his pocket.

-The forecast, today, I thought, was for rain.

-It was for rain.

And here we are, sun again.

How very nice for you.

From their launch in Farnham, Surrey,

they've crossed the border into Hampshire and edging towards Emsworth.

I'm thoroughly enjoying this leg, I have the to say.

Thoroughly, thoroughly enjoying it.

It's a very attractive county.

I was so excited to come to this part of the world because

the landscape is just dramatically different.

I mean, Scotland is beautifully hilly and green and mossy

-and brachen...

-Rugged.

-And rugged, yes! Rugged. But this is just...

-It very much is green and pleasant land, isn't it?

-It is.

Emsworth Antiques Etc is Natasha's next pit stop

and Hilary Bolt is the lady in charge.

Hello, I'm Natasha.

-I'm Hilary, pleased to meet you.

-Lovely to meet you.

I'm very interested in the Etc on your sign.

It covers a multitude of sins.

Absolutely.

Don't sell yourself short, Hilary. Natasha's into all sorts.

There's a little pair of salt and pepper pots in here

that are just so cute, they're actually

really horrific when I think that that's why I like them so much.

I don't see a price on them but I absolutely love them

because they're just really awful and quirky.

Underneath, you can see that they're Carlton Ware

and Carlton Ware is something that was very

popular at the middle of the end of the 20th century.

They look, I don't know, probably 1970s or '80s, something like that.

But they are for the kitchen.

Perhaps a closer look will help decide.

There's the price, oh, no!

Why do they have to be £65?

What if I offer you £30 for them.

I was hoping for £35 on them.

£35...

-Shall we go in the middle and do £32?

-Shall we go for it?

-Are you quite happy with £32?

-Yep, let's do that.

Let's do it.

That's £32 for the 1970s Carlton Ware cruet set.

No more kitchenware, eh?

Nice moustache.

-Thank you so much, I'm ever so grateful.

-Thank you.

-Wish me luck with those.

-I will keep my fingers firmly crossed.

Thank you so much, thank you.

Meanwhile, Charlie has been working his way towards West Sussex,

an area known for its striking scenery and historic city.

It's also home to a grassroots sport that shot up over the last 40 years.

Charlie's heading to Billingshurst

to the British World Championships of...

Lawnmower racing.

Ian Ratcliffe has been hooked on Britain's cheapest

and most accessible motor sport for over 30 years.

Ah-ha! Must be the main man.

-It's Ian, isn't it?

-It is. Hi, Charlie.

-Lovely to be here. This is a momentous day, isn't it?

-It is, yeah.

This is our world championship where today, there's going to

be a new world champion.

A new world champion, today.

The British Lawn Mower Racing Association, or BLMRA,

now has around 250 members.

The racing season is May to October,

culminating in the highlight of the year with the World Championships.

So, when did it all start?

Where did it all start?

It started in 1973

in a pub in Wisborough Green.

There was a group of guys sitting there wondering what

they could race because racing is quite an expensive sport

and they wanted something cheap and cheerful that anyone

and everyone could do

and they came up with the idea of a lawnmower.

And people come from all over the country for this, obviously,

this premier event.

Yeah, this is very popular, we've got about 30 mowers here today.

The sport has even attracted celebrities,

including racing legend Stirling Moss.

And today, Charlie Ross is about to add his name to the list who

have tried it at this relatively new motor sport.

A bit tight there!

-Agh! Do I look the part?

-You do.

-Now, what do I do?

It basically works like a motorbike, so you've got the clutch here...

-Yeah.

-..Break there on the throttle is here.

Easy peasy, eh? Now, Charlie is about to face the race of his life.

Frankly, I'm terrified.

I've never been on anything so low, so quick,

-so dangerous in all my life.

-Well, it's too late now!

Lewis Hamilton, eat your heart out!

I think the new boy's been given quite a head start, by the look of it.

Oh, my goodness me! This is horrendous! Oh!

The main rules are that they must have been originally designed,

made and sold commercially to mow household lawns -

with the blades removed for safety.

Bloody Nora!

The BLMRA are keen to keep the sport open to everyone.

With no sponsorship,

no prize-money and any profits given to good causes.

With clubs popping up across the country

and even spreading worldwide,

lawn mower racing is one of the most economical

and entertaining ways to experience the adrenaline rush of motor racing.

Apparently.

Agh!

I think they might be letting him win, you know.

The chequered flag is Rossco!

I felt I was doing about 100mph

and I was doing about 10mph!

-Thank you very much indeed.

-It's been a pleasure.

I'd like to see it been a pleasure... Actually, it has.

It's been a real treat!

In the meanwhile, Natasha has joined Charlie in West Sussex

in the stunning city of Chichester.

From its Georgian centre and Roman remains to its 900-year-old

cathedral and Tudor market cross, the city oozes history.

Perhaps the perfect place for Natasha to hunt out

a relic from yesteryear,

her next and final shopping stop is Peter Hancock Antiques.

Stand by.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-Hi, there! Mr Hancock, I presume?

-I'm Peter Hancock, yeah.

Hi, I'm Tasha. Lovely to meet you.

Peter's been in the business for over 50 years

and this shop is rammed to the rafters.

This is an absolute Aladdin's cave of smalls.

I think I have to go small but... I don't know what. It's just...

Bonkers stuff!

But with over £150 still to spend,

Natasha's keen to find another lot or two - bonkers or not.

I quite like this riding crop.

Pleated leather and it's nice and long.

So, it's for a good, you know, stallion, this horse.

And it's got a silver collar at the top.

And it's got the brand name, Swaine Ltd of London.

We've also got initials here, A R McD,

so, perhaps of Scottish heritage there. And it's 1937.

And it's got this nice antler handle.

And Charlie told me in the car that Twocester is quite

hunting, shooting, fishing set.

And maybe, for Twocester, a riding crop is just what they need.

Well, it could well be! Swaine Adeney Brigg has been making

equestrian and leather goods since the mid 18th century.

And they're still using traditional crafts and techniques.

Now, Natasha must have her crack at the whip.

-So, you've got £45 on it.

-Yes.

And I don't reckon that we'd get that in the auction.

But what would you say if I were to offer you £20?

-I mean, that's less than half price.

-It's less than half price.

-It's less than I've given for it.

-So, what would you say?

-Well, it cost me £30.

-What would be your very best price on it, Peter?

-32.

-32.

I just got something else in another shop for £32,

so maybe 32 is my new lucky number.

-Yes.

-I think we should go for it. £32.

Hurrah! Now, what else can Peter tempt Natasha with?

-She's got money to burn.

-Some cute little things in here.

I mean, I'm looking at these wee items here.

-I think they're both really sweet.

-Yes, they're nice.

And although, you know, one's for a man, one's for a woman,

they've got more purpose than that, don't they?

-Because this is specifically for nurses.

-That hangs...

the nurses watch hangs on that.

So that you can just tip it up and look at the date.

What's nice about this is that the little central here,

-the little cartouche in the middle...

-Yes...

..is un-engraved. But we've got hallmarks on the back.

We've got Birmingham marks here, your hallmark,

we've got the maker mark on the other side.

And on the back of the nurse's watch, erm, bar pin here, we've also got...

Let¹s have a wee look...

We've also got Birmingham marks and also our makers.

And there is another wee one here in a box, which is quite sweet.

A little three-leaf clover. And very Celtic in its style.

What about if we were to offer in the region of £25 for the three?

Very generous.

It's not often you hear that from a dealer.

-I will take £20.

-I'm really grateful, Peter. £20.

-OK.

That's a bizarre bit of dealing, with Peter very generously giving Natasha

the 1930s riding crop and the selection of silver items for £52.

Well, thank you, Peter. Thank you so much!

Meanwhile, Charlie's made his way

20 miles north to Liss,

near Petersfield.

This East Hampshire village dates back to medieval times

and is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

With over £200 still to spend, he's hoping Terry McCarthy

from Plestor Barn Antiques can help him keep his nose in front.

-It's Terry, isn't it?

-Hi, Charlie. How you doing?

-We've met before!

-We certainly have.

-You've still got your wonderful aeroplane.

Now, Charlie, what did he punt for? China? Glass?

There's a real selection here.

-What have you done here?

-Not guilty!

-Terry!

Do you know, that's the remains of something as good

a quality as you would ever get...

-I agree.

-Rosewood, satinwood... Look at it. Ah...

The damaged Regency period occasional table

has a ticket price of £30.

Is that a sort of firewood price or are you hoping to restore it?

-No, I'm not restoring that, no.

-I don't suppose that's...

-£15, Charlie.

Oh, God, that's so tempting, it's ridiculous!

That really is not a lot of money, is it? Not a lot of money.

-It's ridiculous! It makes me want to be a restorer.

-I know.

That's got him excited.

Got any more damaged furniture you could sell him, Terry?

What about a Victorian mahogany loo table?

It's tripod based, with a platform base with a really nice claw foot.

Lovely claw foot! A small amount of damage to the top there.

-There is minor damage.

-It's rather tricky to see among the furniture

but a loo table isn't something you put in your downstairs WC.

It's actually a circular table for playing the card game, loo, on.

Get it?

That can't be the same price as you're absolutely exquisite

-occasional table, can it? 15 quid?

-How about £20?

Can't say fairer than that, Charlie.

HE CHUCKLES

Whether that's a reasonable enough offer for Charlie remains to be seen.

Now, has he finally spotted something that isn't damaged?

-It's an Edwardian cabinet on stand.

-Exactly.

I've just sold one, together with something else for 100 quid.

And it struggled there. Is 50 quid in a reasonable offer?

I can't do it, Charlie. I actually, I'd be losing money.

-Seriously, I did pay £100 for it in a very weak moment.

-Did you?

75 quid, cash.

Because I think it would make 100 quid at auction, less commission, 80 quid.

It's a fair shout but, to be honest, unless I get my money back,

-to be honest, it's quite useful...

-25 quid. I mean, it's a takeaway.

-It's quite useful as a display.

-It's a takeaway.

Terry is sticking to his guns, giving Charlie pause for thought.

I really don't know.

Am I trying to beat Natasha or am I trying to indulge

myself in fine antiques?

If I'm trying to beat Natasha,

it's got to be two knackered pieces of furniture.

Because I think there's a bit of profit.

Back to the master.

-I've had a good old thought.

-Right, OK.

And I've come to the conclusion I could put into auction the loo

table with the occasional table.

They are different periods but they might appeal to the same restorer.

You offered me the cabinet for 100. I offered 75.

As I see it, that comes up at 135 for the three items.

I'd like to pay you 100 quid for the three

and I think I'll make something.

Can you make another £10, then I think we could have a deal.

It would be rude to turn it down, wouldn't it?

Brilliant.

So, that's £15 for the Victorian loo table,

£15 for the Regency occasional table and £80 for the Edwardian cabinet.

-Thanks for the deal.

-Thanks very much indeed, Terry.

And that's shopping done and dusted.

So, let's take a look at their collections.

Along with Charlie's furniture haul,

he also gathered a 1920s feather hat,

a silver propelling pencil and three items of treen,

costing him a grand sum of £198.

Natasha purchased an Edwardian child's chair,

a silver-plated pincushion, a Carlton Ware cruet set,

a 1930s riding crop and three pieces of silver, spending just £100.

So, what did they make of their opponent's offerings?

She put a chair for £10. Profit.

A pincushion? Profit.

Bathers? Profit, I think.

There'll be a lot of people after that riding crop.

So, profit, profit, profit, profit, profit. Well done!

Out of all the things that he'd bought, I think

I'm most drawn to the silver propelling pencil golf tee,

as opposed to the sort of random bits of treen.

Charlie's pheasant hat is great. He's a genius, he's a genius!

But our experts won't be the ones splashing their cash at the

imminent auction showdown.

After a quick foray in Farnham, Surrey, their trail took them

through Hampshire and West Sussex

and is ending in a rather rainy Towcester, Northamptonshire.

I'm glad you're here, actually, because if it weren't for you,

I'd probably be pronouncing this area Tow-cester!

-Because...

-Oh, Tow-cester!

-It's a nice part of the world, though.

It is nice, though. Nice countryside.

It's a shame we don't have the weather today. But such is life.

On their way to their penultimate showdown,

-it could be Charlie's turn to get nervous.

-Are you feeling confident?

Because you are slowly but surely catching me up, aren't you?

-The gap is closing.

-Just creeping along.

Today's auction house is fifth generation family run

auctioneers, J P Humbert, who've been in the business since 1842.

-Another sale, another thrashing...

-Well, we'll soon find out.

You'd better be ready, Ross. This is it, I'm catching up. You OK there?

Do you need a wee hand?

-Ha-ha! Actually, I wouldn't mind!

-Come on, gorgeous.

Hang on, I'm still in my seat belt!

-I'm sorry to pull your arm out its socket! Right, come on.

-Oh, dear.

-Money to make.

-Money to lose!

-Come on!

The chap behind the rostrum today is auctioneer Jonathan Humbert,

who's taken a look at the pair's wares.

Natasha's delicate riding crop has sadly suffered some damage.

But Jonathan still has high hopes.

The gentleman's hunting crop, which is unfortunately damaged,

I think this might surprise us yet. The golf tee, we like.

It's got everything good about it.

The Carlton Ware cruet set, actually is a bit of retro genius.

The pincushion, we like. I think this might do £50, £60.

I think if something is going to struggle today,

it's going to be these tables.

It may be hit and miss from Jonathan

but now it's over to Towcester's finest buyers.

Is that Humpty Dumpty?

First to go under the gavel is Charlie's 1920s pheasant hat.

-Would you wear this hat?

-Would I wear it? Are you mad?

You've met me, of course I would!

She's as bad as he is!

I can start as a whole 10 and £15...

-BOTH:

-Ooh!

£15, the hammer is up. And £20 anywhere else? It's up to you.

-Oh, no!

-No, don't bid.

-£15, bid £20, anywhere else?

It's up to you at £15 bid. £15. Sold and away at £15 only...

-Oh!

-Well, it could be worse.

-Huh, a £3 loss isn't the best start.

But he's right, it could have been worse.

Not too shoddy, for a mad, feathered hat.

No, I think, for a feathered hat, that was a result, really.

Next, it's Natasha's Edwardian child's chair.

Auctioneer Jonathan thinks this may struggle.

-I can come straight in here at £10 only. 15 upstairs...

-Oh!

-15 upstairs.

-Five... Nod of the head. 25 far away. 30 anywhere else?

25 bid. At 25 bid, then the hammer's up.

-Bang on middle estimate, 30 on my left.

-Oh, a new bidder!

At £30, takes you out. At £30, bid five if you like.

-It's a shake of the head.

-It's amazing, the lack of taste they have in Towcester, isn't it?

Sold and away then. Hammer's up. Done at £30.

Yay!

-That's a serious, serious result!

-Certainly is.

-Natasha's tripled her money.

-Charlie, I'm coming to get you...

Now, it's back to Charlie, with his silver propelling pencil.

Straight in, lower estimate, £20 we start with.

-Oh, so not bad, now, come on, chaps!

-Five... 30... Five, sir?

-35 online.

-Come on, come on. Yes!

-Bid. 40. Time out.

Five online, if you like. 45 far away, sir. Thank you.

At £45, you're in, sir.

At £45, straight through underneath and we're all done.

Selling under the mezzanine at £45...

Yours, sir. Well done.

A profit, like auctioneer Jonathan thought,

putting Charlie back on track.

-That's better.

-That feels so good!

-I'm coming to get you, baby!

But can Natasha's three-part silver collection help close the gap

-a little further?

-Who's going to start me? A tenner, surely? 10, bid.

-At £10, bid. Then 15. 15 upstairs.

-15's bid.

-20 if you like.

£20, bid five if you like?

At £20 bid. I'll take two... Two bid. Five. At 22 upstairs.

All done at 22.

-Oh, that's OK.

-It's OK. It's not bad.

Not bad at all, actually. It's a profit, albeit a small one.

Now, it's Charlie's three items of treen.

I've got 12 and £15 on commission. I'll take 18, sir. 25 is next...

-That's better.

-At £20, five, surely? One more. 25 online.

The book is out at 25 online. Hammer's up.

At £25 bid, then 30 anywhere else? At 25 bid, hammer's up, at £25...

-Thank you, 392.

-Well, somebody online recognises good quality.

Sadly, not enough people, though, giving Charlie a £10 loss.

Next up, it's Natasha's Carlton Ware novelty bathers cruet set.

An interesting...amount of pre-sale talk about these items...

-Oh, talk...

-..resulting in a commission bid of

-not 10, not 20, not even 30...

-Ooh!

-..but £38 commission starts...

-I don't know why I'm cheering!

-£38 bid, I'll take 40 in another place. 40 online.

-Ooh!

40 online. At £40, the book is out, you're online.

At £40 bid then, online, the internet takes it here.

Sold and away at £40...

Yay!

That's a third profit for Natasha.

She's certainly got Charlie in her sights now.

-Well done!

-I was so worried about those.

-I knew.

I knew those would swim away, I really did.

Next, it's the damaged tables.

The auctioneer wasn't a fan

and Charlie is hoping for a restorer in the room.

£20 anyone?

-HE SOBS

-Tenner away, it's up to you

-for a tenner. Tenner away...

-I give up.

-What's happening?

-It's up to you for a £10 bid online.

At 10, we're out of the traps and were away. 15 bid. 15 upstairs.

-I'll take your 15. I'll take your 15. 20 online, surely.

-Keep going!

-It's £20 online.

-Yes!

-Five if you like, just one more.

-At 25 upstairs...

-Yes, that's my boy!

-£30, surely?

At £25, bid 30, comes again at £30 here online.

-£30 bid five, one more? And why not? 35 I've got.

-Yay!

-Where is this man?

-At £35, bid 40 against you online.

-Oh! I might have to buy him a cup of tea.

-Goodness me.

And sold here online at £40. Are we all done?

Sold and away then, at £40...

-Aah!

-Yay!

-You're a genius, sir!

He most certainly is. With £40 for a couple of broken tables, eh?

A little bird has told me that the

auctioneer rather rates your next lot.

Oh, really? What's next? What's my next lot? Oh, the pin cushion!

Natasha's seen silver versions going for a pretty penny at her auctions.

But will her silver-plated option do just as well?

-We have a cunningly low estimate...

-Oh...

..and accordingly, a cunningly large pair of commission bids,

where I start the bidding at £80.

What?! Ooh, sorry!

£80 here on commission. £80 is where we start. Is £80 where we finish?

At £80 bid then 90 if you like.

£80, at £80, at £80 bid, then it's first and it's final.

We're selling all the way, all done. Sold here then at £80...

You need a hanky! That's absolutely fantastic, £80! What did it cost?

-Six pounds.

-Six?!

Incredible! That's an amazing £74 profit. Well done, Natasha.

-I think I squealed. I'm so sorry.

-You did squeal.

Charlie should be getting worried. If his Edwardian cabinet bombs,

-Natasha could end up first past the post.

-£20, surely. £20, straight in.

-Thank you, £20 bid then five anywhere?

-I can't believe this.

At £20, bid five online. £30? Five online? 35 bid. 40 if you like.

-Come on, come on!

-£35. 40 if you like.

-They're giving it away!

-40 bid. Five online again.

-No, but that's no good.

-It's half what I paid.

-45 bid. Sold online at 45...

I want to go home!

Oh, dear, Charlie. No-one likes a sore loser.

So, we're pretty much going to be level pegging.

-Not if the crop makes 300.

-Well... The chances of that are very slim.

Now, Natasha's 1930s riding crop.

Could it be the dark horse of the race?

It's exciting.

THEY HUM WILLIAM TELL OVERTURE

-25 and £30 starts me.

-£30...

-Not bad...

-40, I'm out. Five...

At 45, straight through. At £45, bid 50 in another place?

-Come on, 50, 50, 50...

-At £45, bid 50 online, yes or no? It's 50 here.

-60, sir?

-No! Oh!

-£50 here. 60, if you like? 55, I'll take.

-Yes, he'll take it.

-At 55, I'll take it. Against you online, at 60.

55, I'll split the bid. At 55 straight through, are we all done?

Hammer's up. Are we all out online? It's £55. Fair warning. At £55...

-Yes!

-Bravo!

Inspiring, Ms Raskin. Bravo, indeed. Five profits for five.

What a fabulous finish.

-I'll drive you away, so you've got time to count your money.

-Oh, thank you.

-Thanks ever so much.

-What a thrilling day.

Now, the results are in.

Charlie began today's trip in the lead on £294.62.

With more losses than profits along with auction costs,

he's down £58.60, leaving him with £236.02

Natasha was lagging behind, with £206.70.

Some clever buying and a brilliant day has meant that after

auction costs, she made a well-deserved £86.14,

taking her into pole position, with £292.84.

-Come on, my dear.

-Well... Oh!

-Look, it's dark!

-You're such a gentleman.

You be making so much money, the auctioneer's taken so long,

it's dark!

-Such service!

-Come on, in you get.

-Thank you so much, Charlie.

Thank you.

HE TOOTS HORN

Onwards!

Be off with you, then!

Next time on Antiques Roadtrip...

MIMICS SCOTTISH ACCENT: I've bought something that's wheaty!

-Natasha gets her skates on.

-I'm just about to wow you!

And Charlie gets a frock on. Ooh!

Oh, James, would you mind?