Episode 5 Antiques Road Trip

It's the nation's favourite antiques experts!

-This is beautiful!

-That's the way to do this.

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

Joy!

Hello!

The aim, to make the biggest profit at auction, but it's no mean feat.

-There will be worthy winners and valiant losers.

-Sorry!

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

The handbrake's on.

This is Antiques Road Trip!

Yeah!

Welcome to a right old ramble around the country,

in the company of delectable antiques experts,

Charles and Margie.

-Are you enjoying yourself?

-Of course I am.

-Really?

-In your company.

-Really?

-You're a little bright spark!

-Am I really?

-Yes, you are.

Dealer and Cheshire girl Margie Cooper

is playing catch up on this road trip.

-You think I'm going to break it, Mike?

-No, I'm just worried that...

You'll lose the sale!

Behind the wheel of their dashing 1959 Elva is the man in front,

auctioneer and bright spark Charles Hanson.

Sometimes, when you're going into a battle,

you need your mates with you.

Yeah...

Our duo set off on this road trip with £200 each.

After three trips to auction, Margie has £325.74.

But with a clean sweep of victories so far,

Charles is boasting £545.02.

Their epic road trip started off

in the Leicestershire town of Melton Mowbray.

They've been touring around six counties

and will end their week in Leicester.

In this penultimate leg, our pair start off in Nottingham

and will make their way towards auction in Lincoln.

Let's see what riches our experts can uncover in Nottingham.

-Look at this! It's amazing! My jacket's off, Margie.

-Coats off.

-Can I go for a wander? Is that OK?

-Good morning!

They're on top form this morning.

Look at him go!

Oh, look here. Let's see if he growls.

Right, here we go...

BEAR GROWLS WEAKLY

He sounds like a flock of sheep!

Puzzling, that(!)

HE BLOWS HORN TUNELESSLY

Lordy, you need a mouthpiece.

Now, what's this box? And it says Derbyshire Shrievalty.

Or SHRIVE-alty... Francis Douglas Ley, Esquire,

1956-1957.

Something to do with the Sheriff's office or something? And it's £29.

What else has caught Margie's eye?

That's really nice. Lovely bit of Art Nouveau silver there.

With that lovely Art Nouveau lady at the bottom.

£69, Art Nouveau, 1910, very, very nice indeed.

Time to speak to assistant Lynn.

It's verging on rude if I said £35.

Right, we'll give it a go.

While Lynn calls the dealer to see what can be done,

what has Charles found?

There's one word I've got for that...

It could almost melt.

It's almost organic.

It's sinuous.

It's quite unusual.

And it's what I would call the Art Nouveau.

That's a lot of words, Charles.

These Chantilly sprigs are printed rather than being painted.

That's quite nice. Condition? Oh, what a shame! What a shame!

There's a chip on the inside of the rim. Oh, dear.

But it is so stylish.

And it's made in Limoges.

Limoges is a city in central France

that has lent its name to fine porcelain since the 18th century.

This sugar box dates to around 1910.

Tony's on hand to talk money with Charles.

It's priced at a tenner.

I wonder whether you could do it for £5.

-Erm...

-To an old mate!

-Yes.

-Is that a yes?

-Yes.

-Lovely. I'm going to take it.

Well done, Charles.

The first purchase of the day and the battle has begun!

-Get off!

-I've always liked gnomes. He is early, Margie. Be nice.

-Get off!

-Would you like me to make an offer? Oh, he's nice!

He's an early one.

-But you're not a gnome collector, are you?

-£13.50.

I might have a go at that.

Where was it, Margie? I never saw that.

I didn't think we'd have to separate this pair over a gnome!

I don't really want this guy. I was having a laugh with Charles, really.

And I thought he was brand-new. But he's not brand-new.

He's just horribly painted.

Before you decide, let's find out

what Lynn can do for the box and mirror.

It would have to be 65...

-For the two?

-For the two, yeah.

Ahem, ahem! Don't forget old ugly mugs.

You're never going to sell that, are you?

You'd need a real mug punter to buy that.

It's just that I happen to like gnomes. £69 and throw him in.

OK, a deal.

-Great stuff.

-A cracking haul for Margie.

Three items in her first shop, all for £69.

Let's continue shopping with Margie.

She's travelled to Southwell in rural Nottinghamshire.

This looks just the job.

-Good to meet you.

-And you. Margie, and you're Terry?

-Yeah, I'm Terry.

-Right.

Introductions over, what takes your fancy?

-I see you've got lots of nice shiny stuff.

-Yes! I like my silver.

-Some of it's reasonably modern and other pieces are...

-These are old.

-The little piece there is Victorian.

-That's lovely.

But I can't see a price there.

Oh, here we go! Time for a closer look, Terry?

See, we've got that, we've got that on at £59. You'll get that at £59.

Absolutely cracking nick, late Victorian.

-What a lovely thing to give somebody for a gift, eh?

-Mm.

Right, OK. That's a little start.

And I'm going to start having a little wander, if I may?

Have a wander and if you spot anything,

-I'll always do a price for you. I'm well known for it.

-Aw, Terry, that's really nice.

Two feet from the till and Margie's got her eye on some silver.

Anything else?

This looks quite nice, doesn't it?

It's a marriage.

I think the base is rosewood.

A different top to how it started life.

Mahogany.

The ticket price is £65.

If it's not a lot of money, it doesn't really matter about the marriage.

But if you're spending a lot of money,

you've got to have the right top with the right base.

Oh, yeah. One to think about, then.

-What are these here?

-The cards?

-Mm.

-They are, I believe, from 19... Well, First World War, 1914.

-Right.

-I think they're called sweetheart cards.

Sweetheart cards were postcards created for soldiers to send

back home to their loved ones.

These are dated from the First World War.

-They haven't been written on.

-So you bought them as a collection?

Yeah, yeah.

-A bit dramatic, aren't they?

-Mm.

-But why not?

-Why not? It was dramatic times!

It was, yeah. So how much are those, Terry?

Well, how does £25 sound... for the whole lot?

-Doesn't sound a lot, does it?

-I don't think it's a lot.

-No.

-I've also seen - in the other room - the little table.

-Yeah.

-Maybe we could go and look together?

-Yeah, yeah. Have a look.

Got something in your eye, Margie?

So it's on at 65, I believe.

Yeah, which is, you know, you'd be lucky if it gets that.

-What are you looking at?

-So, for the three...

For the three, yeah?

85.

Sorry?

Well, the cards are a bit...

90, and they're all yours.

Done it!

And just like that, Margie polishes off a very productive day.

Nighty-night.

It's another day and another county.

Wakey-wakey!

We're shopping in our great country.

-We are.

-Give me an L.

-Leicestershire.

-Lincolnshire!

Charles is hopping out to Navenby to visit his first emporium of the day.

-See you later.

-Bye-bye now!

-Bye!

-See you!

-Good morning, how are you?

-Good morning, Charles!

-Nice to see you.

Nice to see you again.

Do you know, I was about to say, it looks vaguely familiar.

-You were here three or four years ago. You were.

-Yes, I was.

A long time ago.

Hopefully, there's plenty of new stock for you by now, Charles.

These are quite sweet. Let me hold one.

If you close your eyes... and you grab the other one...

-And I think these are cut, aren't they?

-Yes.

-So, they're not moulded.

If they were moulded, they'd be quite smooth and not so crisp.

On my collar here, a very clear hallmark, which is for Birmingham.

And the date code, I suspect, is probably 1910, 1912.

They're probably George V. One is slightly bigger than the other one.

Hallmark for the same date code as well,

so they are a pair, which is great to see.

That's a pair of perfume bottles for a ticket price of £125.

Laura, I think what I'll do...

I will earmark these as a definitely-maybe.

-Yes, absolutely, I'll pop them on the counter for you.

-And then come back to them.

But there's so much to see here in your shop, I'm going to wander on.

I'd watch out, Laura.

Charles looks like he's going to get stuck in this morning.

This is a lovely mahogany box.

On the inside, it's pine.

And what's interesting is this dealer has put

a flame mahogany two-section tea caddy, circa 1890.

In fact, it's more like 1790.

You can buy - not a late Victorian tea caddy -

but a Georgian tea caddy for £14.

And that's amazing. Interesting.

That's a great find, and he's not hanging about...

Wow!

What we've got here is probably a panel, which is very much

in the Gothic taste.

That panel may have come off a pew, but it's certainly

a piece of timber that has come off something perhaps ecclesiastical.

This big, heavily carved piece of yew, that is probably circa 1600.

I really think it's that early.

And it could be £65. But next to it is this.

And I love this. This stool is tribal. And it reads here,

"African? Stool?"

All we know is it's £85.

Hey, he's unearthing a lot in here.

That's nice.

That's lovely, isn't it?

This actually is Scottish.

And it's just so different.

What I like, again, if you look very closely,

is the gold specks within the actual glass body.

It's only priced at £75, which, to me,

is a fairly conservative retail price.

-Importantly, has it got a good ring?

-BOWL DINGS

Yes, it has! It's lovely.

Again, I might go and query that, alongside the stools, with Laura.

I think Laura's got a calculator. Let's start with the bowl.

-Dean says he will do that for you...

-Look at me...

..at what he paid for it.

-Oh, crikey!

-And he'll do that for you at £40.

-So, at cost price. Wowee, that's good!

-At cost for you.

Have you got a pen? May I borrow a pen and paper?

-Yes!

-Because when I get a bit nervous and we talk money...

-You need to start writing some notes.

-My mind can go a bit blank.

Yeah... Paper at the ready, Laura also offers £30 for the church stool

and £40 for the African tribal fellow.

-£10 for the tea caddy and knocks £55 off the scent bottles.

-Wow!

I need to lie down. I've got a sweat on. I've got a sweat on!

That leaves Charles staring at a generous £174 discount.

And I will say for £190, I'm going, going, gone.

-Excellent!

-Thank you so much, Laura. Thank you so much!

-Hey, a huge haul for £190.

-Thank you.

-Very welcome. Aw!

-See you, Laura. Take care. Bye!

Keeps on kissing hands. What a charmer!

Oh, dear! I feel a bit dizzy now. Take care.

And no wonder. Top work, Charles!

Margie has toddled north to the cathedral city of Lincoln,

to learn about one of the most popular men

in Victorian Britain.

Grace Timmons is introducing Margie to the Alfred Tennyson Collection,

which tells of a man

who not only became one of our most celebrated poets,

BUT changed the way the public viewed

and interacted with poetry forever.

In this corner, we've got the books that Tennyson grew up with.

-This is his father's library, which was in Somersby.

-Yeah.

Tennyson was born in 1809, he was one of 11 children born in 13 years.

Gosh! Tennyson's father was a scholar, who tutored Tennyson

and his brothers with a classical education.

I've got a book here that I can show you.

It's Virgil, which indicates a lot of his approach to the study

that his father set him to do.

-So we see a lot of...

-He made comments all the time.

-Yeah.

And there's a lot of translation and comments here

and this is probably his teenage work.

But what I like best, though, is if you look at the front,

apart from all the doodles that are here, we've got this,

which says Tennyson, Somersby, in Lincolnshire, in England,

in Europe, in the world, in the air, in space!

So, he's got a bit of attitude, hasn't he?

But life in the rectory wasn't always a happy place.

Alfred's father is believed

to have been prone to alcoholism and violence.

Poetry was Alfred's escape.

At the age of 18, he published a collection of poems,

with his brothers, before leaving home for Cambridge University.

When he arrived in Cambridge,

suddenly he's meeting a whole group of young men who are

like-minded but who had a very different background to him.

So, they're urbane, sophisticated, well travelled. But they really enjoyed what he was writing.

And Arthur Hallam, a friend he made, who became his best friend,

was particularly constructive about Tennyson's work

and very supportive of his creativity.

They became inseparable friends

but when Hallam died suddenly at the age of 22,

Tennyson was hit hard by grief.

He then embarked on a journey of poetic therapy,

that would last 15 years and result in one of his most celebrated works.

Probably his most famous couplet is from In Memoriam,

when he finally decided, the grief he was experiencing from

the death of Hallam was kind of worth it.

He says, "I felt it, when I sorrow'd most,

" 'Tis better to have loved and lost,

"Than never to have loved at all."

Published in 1850, his work became an instant success.

His popularity was cemented that same year, when Queen Victoria

named him Wordsworth's successor as Poet Laureate,

thanks in part to the support of Prince Albert.

So, this is a letter from Prince Albert to Tennyson,

asking him to write his name in his copy of Idylls Of The King.

He actually sends him his copy of Idylls Of The King.

-He's not asking for a signed copy.

-So, do it!

Yes and he says, "You'll add a peculiar value to this book."

So, it's a very interesting autograph request, I think.

Tennyson was now a voice of the people.

In the Crimean War, he put this position to good use

when he wrote of the ill-fated miscommunication that sent

British cavalry headlong into the Russian troops with heavy losses.

The resulting poem was The Charge Of The Light Brigade.

-Is that his original draft?

-Yes, it is.

This is a particularly interesting one

because it's got the writing of his wife,

as well as his own writing in it.

He says it was written after reading the first report of The Times.

The Crimean War was the first conflict to be covered

by photographers and reporters.

Tennyson's poem was published

in a newspaper just weeks after the tragic event.

"Forward, the Light Brigade!" Was there a man dismay'd?

Not tho' the soldier knew Someone had blunder'd:

Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why,

Theirs but to do and die:

Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred.

It helped shape public perception of the entire war.

His work signalled a new journalistic style that changed people's

engagement with poetry.

It was so successful that soldiers took copies of it with them to war.

Tennyson had become one of the most recognisable

and influential men in the country, via poetry.

I think it's difficult for people to comprehend now just how popular

a poet could be in those days.

But in fact, he had the popularity of a songwriter

because he was writing the songs, really,

that, in the time of non-recorded music, that people would be

able to use to describe what was going on in their lives.

So, it meant that when it came to his last illness and death,

it was followed in the newspapers.

And his family labelled and kept lots of quite intimate things,

really, to do with his final illness.

On this box is the label,

"Last medicine drop glass used by him and for him."

And that's the date of his death, October 6th, 1892.

Very Victorian.

And in here, is the handkerchief which covered the dear face.

And that was put on his face when he died.

-And this is meant to be the book that was in his hands when he died.

-When he died...

And his son has actually marked the page that was meant to be

open on his deathbed, in his hands.

So, to the very end, he was reading.

That was what they wanted to portray.

11,000 people applied for tickets to attend Tennyson's funeral

at Westminster Abbey.

His work changed the immediacy and relevance of poetry

and his immortal lines continue for generations to appreciate.

Meanwhile, Charles is 20 miles north,

nestled on the banks of the River Trent

in a place called Gainsborough.

Once the location of Britain's most inland port,

it is now home to what claims to be Europe's largest antiques centre.

Stand by.

-Where do I start?

-HE INHALES DEEPLY

Perhaps some help from Diane will keep you on track.

I quite like that little Georgian cordial glass down there,

-that's quite a sweet thing, isn't it?

-It is.

But it's almost what I would call a toasting glass.

Don't you agree? It's got quite a heavy base.

So almost, to come to attention...

CLASS CLINKS

-Perfect.

-I shall make an announcement.

I would like to declare... you are a fine lady.

And that's almost what it was.

It is a lead glass.

I would say it dates to around 1780, and it's £23.

If I said to you, what would be the best price on a toasting glass

made, let's say, ten years before the French Revolution?

-And I'd say £21.

-Really?

There we go, that's really good.

-Could I reserve it for a wee while?

-Of course.

-And then just possibly come back and make an announcement.

-OK.

(I might buy it.)

Well, we'll wait with bated breath then!

Anything else, Charles?

There we are.

"Victorian double-air twist-stem ale glass."

A big telltale sign is the foot room must always be wider

than the rim of the bowl - or it's a very good guideline.

So I'm happy that's 18th century.

It's actually quite heavy. Lead glass, not soda.

Actually, I quite like that.

-Got to be careful. It's got a big chip there. Can you see?

-Yeah.

Priced at £58. What could be the best on that?

-52.

-52.

If I said to you, I was going to put this with the other toasting glass,

that makes 73.

-Would you round it off to 70?

-We can't, I'm sorry,

-it's two different dealers.

-Sure. OK.

Never mind, Charles, nice try.

I'll take them. Two together. Yeah, put it there.

Thank you very much, Diana. Fine. Thank you.

The old Hanson charm never wanes.

Two glasses for £73 rounds off our shopping.

And what a spree it's been.

Margie spent £159 on...

a hand mirror,

a document trunk,

a painted gnome,

a silver sweetmeat dish,

a side table

and a collection of First World War postcards.

Charles spent £268 on...

a Limoges sugar box -

which he's pairing with the wooden tea caddy...

..a pair of scent bottles,

a Scottish glass bowl,

an ecclesiastic stool,

a tribal stool

and his final lot will be his toasting glass

and a Victorian wine glass.

What do they think of each other's purchases?

If I was a gambling man, I would say, "Go, Hanson, go!"

But, Margie, you never know.

She's a bit of a lethal weapon

and I do like very much her table and her silverware.

Yes, I'm quietly confident tomorrow that I will make small profits.

And I'm not that worried about his.

Apart from maybe that stool, the African stool. They can be a worry.

So hopefully that all goes wrong for him.

After starting out in Nottingham,

our pair have zipped their way through Nottinghamshire,

up and around Lincolnshire

and are ending this leg

at an auction in Lincoln.

Today's thrilling encounter will take place at Unique Auctions.

Come on, follow your lion. I'll follow this one.

Unfortunately, Charles's beautiful glass bowl was broken

en route to the auction.

It's been given an insurance valuation of £50,

which means a £10 profit to start him off.

Our auctioneer today is Terence Woodcock.

It's time to take your seats. The auction is about to start.

Hold tight.

Our first lot of the day is Margie's silver sweetmeat dish.

20 I've got there. 25. 30.

35. 40, fresh bid. At 45.

-At 45. 50.

-Marge, you're flying.

-You're flying.

-At 50, I'll take five now. At £50, have you all done?

I'm selling, the second row.

-That's good, that's good.

-Fish!

Is it fish? Margie, Margie, like a flying fish, you have flown.

It may be small fry to you, Margie,

but that's a decent profit to get you started.

The day has started well.

Well, surely you can be optimistic about your silver hand mirror.

£40 straight in. At £40. I'll take five now. 50 now.

55 now.

-Wow, Margie.

-I'll take 60 now.

At 55, have you all done?

£55, it is yours.

A good steady profit.

Charles's first purchase is up, the cut-glass perfume bottles. Lovely.

-Who'll start me at £100 the pair?

-Come on, come on.

-Come on, 30. 30 I've got there.

-I'm in trouble, come on, let's go.

-At 40...

-Come on!

-Shhh!

-Sorry.

-LAUGHTER

Let the man do his job, Charles.

-They're so nice.

-I'll do me best.

40 I've got there. 40. At 45.

At 50 I've got there. At 50 and 55...

I'm looking for 60, I've got.

At 60, I'll take five. Now 65 in the front.

I'm looking for 70 now. At 65 I sell.

Sold.

That's a small loss. But there's plenty of time to make that back.

Can Margie fare any better with her First World War postcards?

50 straight in. 50 I've got there. At £50. At 50, I'll take five now.

At 55, straight in at 55.

I'll take 60. 60, fresh bid. At £60 in the room, I'll take five.

Marge, I'm in the bunker.

I'm staying in the bunker, I'm not coming out yet.

70 back in. At 75, 75, 80.

80, I'm looking for five. 85.

Margie, you know what, sometimes there is an escape to victory.

And I'm going to salute you.

I sell to the gentleman at £85.

Well, that brought the saleroom to attention,

and a cracking profit for Margie. Well done.

Hold on, Margie. I'm surrendering now.

SHE LAUGHS

Well, there's no giving up,

and your sugar box and tea caddy COULD just get you back in the game.

Straight in at 10, 12, 14, 16, 18.

-I need some help now.

-You going?

-20, fresh bid.

-Come on, let's move.

-Get the caddy out, man.

-28, £30. At £30, are you all done?

It's in the doorway at 30, and I sell at £30.

Doubling his money.

This could be the start of a comeback for Mr Hanson.

The rollercoaster is now at the big dipper and I'm about to come down.

Aren't you supposed to be going up? Not coming...

That's it, Margie, going up.

It almost started a fight in the antique shop,

but will there be a brawl in the saleroom for Margie's gnome?

Who'll start me at £50 on the garden gnome?

-£30 on the garden gnome?

-Get out of here.

Come on, somebody, please.

10 on the garden gnome?

Thank you, sir. At 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22.

Oh, no! 24!

At 26, 28.

£30. At £30, 30 still in the doorway.

-Brilliant.

-At £30. £30 it is. At 30 if you're all done?

It's Margie's lucky day.

They might not be paying for the paintwork,

but that's still a great profit.

-It's rolling in.

-And the gap here in Lincolnshire

-is widening and widening.

-It's rolling in.

A chance for Charles to claw back with his two glasses.

30, I've got. At £30.

At 30, I'm expecting this to make 100.

-Come on!

-At £30.

-And 35, 45, 55.

-Come on, let's move, come on.

The little twist one used to make 200.

-Absolutely. Come on, let's go.

-At 65. At 65 and I sell now at £65...

Oh, dear me!

That's an amazing price for two glasses that are over 200 years old.

-Oh, dear, I don't know what to say.

-I could cry.

Yeah, we feel your sympathy, Margie. Time for your document trunk.

30 I've got. At £30.

-I'll take five now.

-Profit? Is that a profit?

At £30, are we all done?

What's wrong with this? 35, thank you. 40 with the original bidder.

At 45, I'll take 50 now.

At 45, I'm going to sell it, and I think it's very, very cheap

at 45, but there you are.

That's another good profit and edges Margie further into the lead.

Well chuffed.

Time for the first of Charles's wooden stools.

20 I've got there. At £20.

-Let's go.

-25 straight in.

30. 35. 38, thank you.

38, £8 profit.

I'll take one if it will help.

It might do.

I'll tell you the provenance afterwards. 41.

I'll tell you as well. 42.

-When the going gets tough, squeeze a bit.

-43.

-44. 45.

-He's really working hard.

Now, after what I've done, you've got to go 46. 46.

We could be up to 200 in a minute.

Good lad. I like your style.

Stylish work from Terence and a profit for Charles.

-Happy, Margie, I'm happy.

-Happy.

Very happy indeed.

Margie wasn't convinced by the married sidetable,

but will it come back to haunt her?

I've got the lady at 20, 25 straight in.

At 25, I'll take 30 now, at £30.

£30, 35, I'll take 40. £40 I've got.

At £40 now. At £40, come on now, at £40.

-45.

-45, 45, £50.

At 50. Are you all done, at £50?

-That's good.

-Made profit all day.

That nice little profit seals a 100% record on the day.

Something special is about to happen. I can feel it.

Will you stop it?

No pressure then, but Charles's final lot is his big hope

and the last chance to catch Margie today.

-50 I've got, thank you. At £50 now.

-Come on, guys.

-At 50.

-At 55. At 55.

-Need to run a bit here.

-65, fresh bid. At 65. 70. At 70.

-Oh.

I'll take two if it will help.

-70 I've got. Back in, 72.

-It's a good stool.

-75 I'm looking for now.

-Come on!

No, at 72 and I sell. At 72.

-That's our game over, Margie.

-Not bad.

That's a good profit, but was it enough? Time to find out.

Give me a high five. Margie, give me a high five. There we go.

Keep going, get out of here.

Charles started with £545.02,

and after auction costs he made 96p profit,

giving him a total of £545.98.

Margie though, had £325.74 at the start of this leg.

After auction costs, she racked up a fantastic profit of £99.30.

She is the triumphant winner and edges ever closer to Charles,

going into the final leg.

Well done, Margie.

It's the final leg of the road trip for treasure hunters

Margie Cooper and Charles Hanson.

Hello!

Hello! This is the Antiques Road Trip.

Their last leg starts in the flatlands of Lincolnshire

and the village of Stickney,

destined for that final Leicestershire auction.

Margie's first shop is housed in the old village butcher's.

-Good luck. Bye-bye!

-Bye!

-Bye!

Hello! Ooh, this looks nice!

Margie gets straight to it and dealer Alan's happy to help.

And I want a look at that radio... Yeah? That's in good nick, isn't it?

That's in good condition, but you can't pick up any stations on it.

I think it needs an aerial.

-What I like about it is the case is in good condition.

-Oh, yes.

-It's in excellent condition.

-Oh, it's a Bush.

-Oh, right.

They were a pretty good make in their day, I suppose.

This valve radio dates back to the 1950s

and, despite its age, the mahogany case is in pretty good nick.

What's the price, then, Alan?

-30, is that?

-Yeah.

Well, if you want to take the chance, I'll do it for half of that.

Right. You're done. I'm going to take a chance.

-15 quid.

-Yeah.

A great deal. And she's not finished yet.

I quite like the Deco-type top on it.

It's about 1930s, isn't it? It looks, sort of, '30s.

-It's got a Deco look about it.

-Yeah.

So, is that cheap and cheerful?

-Oh, well, a fiver.

-I'm going to have that.

-OK. Well done.

-Thank you.

-Yeah.

-I'll shake you with that hand, because I'll drop it.

HE LAUGHS

Margie's picked up two items in her first shop.

The 1930s cut-glass cologne bottle for £5

and the valve radio for 15.

-Bye-bye.

-Bye, now. Mind how you go.

Well done, Margie. Great start.

Charles is headed to Boston

to explore a very prominent local landmark.

This 700-year-old church was once home

to the forefathers of a new country

and witnessed decisive moments in global history.

-Hello there.

-Good morning.

-How are you?

-Pleased to meet you.

-Your name is?

-I'm Steve. I'm the Associate Rector here.

-Fine. And this church is called St...

-Botolph.

-Bot-off?

-St Botolph.

-St Bot-off?

-B-O...

-Botolph. Botolph.

-Ball toff?

-Botolph!

The L is at the end - Botolph.

-Bot-OLPH?

-That's right. BOT-olph.

-Bow-toll... Sorry.

-BOT-olph.

-Botolph.

-Botolph.

That's it. I've got it now. I think I've got it.

-Now, the outside is amazing. May we go indoors?

-Please do.

-Thanks a lot.

-Mind the step and mind your head.

-I will. Thank you.

In the Middle Ages, the port of Boston was second only to London,

prospering from the then-booming wool trade.

The building of this impressive church

reflected the vast wealth of local merchants.

No expense was spared and the construction of the church

and tower were twice as quick as others of its size.

St Botolph's is the largest parish church in England.

What we're looking at now has barely changed.

Barely changed over the centuries, yes.

Wonderful. I almost feel caught in time in the Middle Ages.

The finest church in the country

attracted the most influential clergyman.

In 1612, John Cotton had just completed his second degree

at Cambridge when he accepted the position of minister

at St Botolph's.

Although he was just 27 years old, his persuasive preaching

made him one of the most prominent ministers in the country.

Those who flocked to hear him preach

made use of St Botolph's unique pews.

The wooden carvings over there almost glow. Are they original too?

-Yes.

-May we take a look?

-By all means.

-Can't wait.

John Cotton wanted to rid the Anglican Church of corruption

and immorality.

Rather than separating from it, he attempted to change it from within.

People travelled from far and wide to hear his lengthy puritan sermons.

Families even relocated to Boston

specifically to be part of his congregation.

Some of the services went on for over five hours.

So there's an ingenious device that was built.

These are called our misericords.

Misericordia is Latin for "act of mercy".

So these are the mercy seats.

These seats give some comfort to those who came to hear Cotton

and other clergymen preach.

-You could lift that.

-Yes.

-You could perch yourself,

stand with your back against there, perch yourself,

and you give the impression that you are stood.

Rector, I am standing.

-You are standing.

-My legs are slightly bent but I can stand still.

And I'm sure it was a mercy for you to be able to sit down!

Quite. Cotton thrived at St Botolph's for nearly 20 years.

Controversially, though, in 1630,

Cotton sparked an exodus from Boston.

Encouraged by his puritan preaching,

10% of the town emigrated to one of the new colonies in America.

Cotton joined his several hundred former parishioners

two years later,

settling in the town that had been named Boston.

You almost feel the warmth from the actual history.

I put my hands on there

and I think about the people who sat here.

What was going on in the world outside, at the time.

Charles can follow in the footsteps of John Cotton, not to America,

but up St Botolph's tower.

209 steps. OK. This way.

I do suffer a bit from vertigo, you know.

St Botolph's tower is the tallest of any parish church in the country.

You're panting a bit, Steve. Keep going.

We're getting there. That's the good news.

And is the tallest non-cathedral tower in the world.

Oh, I say. Goodness gracious me.

You can see for miles, can't you?

You can really see for miles. I just cannot believe that view.

-You're 145 feet off the ground.

-I can't believe it. What a view!

BELLS CHIME

I feel a bit giddy up here.

That's maybe a cue for me to get down. I feel a bit sick.

-Do you mind if I go?

-Not at all.

-Thanks a lot.

-All right. Good luck.

-It's been a real joy. Thanks ever so much. I'm going down.

-Good luck.

-All the best. Thank you, Steve.

-Bye.

-Bye.

St Botolph's is a permanent reminder of Boston's past glory

as Britain's most powerful coastal town,

but also a memorial to its former parishioners

who left to build a new Boston

and were the forefathers of the American Revolution.

Margie's made her way across the county border

to Norfolk and King's Lynn.

Margie's heading to an antiques centre,

a stone's throw from the River Ouse.

-Hello!

-Hello. So you're Rachel.

-I am.

-You're...

-June.

-June.

-It's a glorious day out there.

-Beautiful.

Time to shop.

-They're Victorian, aren't they?

-I think they are.

-I love stained glass, don't you?

-I do. I love it. I do.

-And with the ships on, as well.

-I know.

-People put them into doors and make windows up of them, don't they?

-Mm-hm.

So, 90 for the big one, 70 for the small one.

-So, what's the best on the two of those?

-Wish me luck.

OK.

See how they bought them and everything.

Rachel shot off to call the dealer. Fingers crossed.

-OK. A hundred. For the two.

-A hundred for the two.

Hang on. Margie loves a haggle. Brace yourselves, girls.

OK. She's going to have a word.

Hi, Ruth. Are you going to let me buy these, or not?

-Well...

-MARGIE LAUGHS

Another tenner off? That's 90.

Yeah, I had 80 in mind.

Go on, Ruth.

MARGIE LAUGHS

OK. Deal done. And thank you very much.

Bye-bye.

-80. Nice haggle.

-RACHEL:

-Yes!

-LAUGHTER JUNE:

-Well done!

There's that happy face.

Margie's got these two Victorian stained-glass panels for half price.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Bye-bye, Rachel.

-Bye-bye.

A nice way to end the day. Well done, Margie.

Time to get some shuteye.

Nighty-night, you two.

What a lovely morning. Learn anything yesterday, Charles?

-Botolph.

-Botolph?

-Botolph.

-Botolph.

-That's how you pronounce it.

Good.

Our experts are headed south

to Hitchin.

-Good morning.

-Good morning.

-How are you?

-I'm fine, thank you. How are you?

-A gorgeous day.

-Beautiful day.

The sun is shining again.

That's right, you couldn't have chosen a better day.

Let's hope the sun is shining on Charles

because he needs to buy something to take to auction.

Huh! That's what the programme's about.

What I'm drawn to actually is not so much the glassware

or the jewellery - not really my thing.

What I quite like is this top deck here of oriental artefacts.

There's some lovely, lovely objects of eastern promise,

which as we know in the auction market, can really move.

This vase, I'm sure, is Chinese.

Again, probably what we call Cantonese type.

It's badly damaged.

We can see across this section here

is almost this jagged crack

but I love the decoration,

the ingenious way in which the Chinese potter

used the exterior as a palette for painting.

Because of the damage, there's no ticket price

but Marie is open to offers.

If I said for 30, what would you say?

-I'd say done.

-Done?

-Done.

-Done, done. Sold. £30. Let's go.

-Happy?

-Yeah, fine.

-Good.

Well done.

This Chinese Famille Rose vase is Charles's first buy on this leg

AND he's not finished yet, oh, no!

-Is this a silver bowl here?

-You mean the commemorative...

Oh, it's a commemorative one.

This piece of silver was produced in 1981 to commemorate

the marriage of Charles and Diana.

Priced at £110 and complete with an original box and certificate.

What's nice, I suppose, is royal commemoratives,

unless they're really early, can be of nominal value.

They're more valuable if they're made in precious materials,

like silver.

-Exactly.

-Which this one is.

One to keep in mind, then,

but Marie has lots of sparkly things in her cabinet too.

Oh, you have got some nice jewellery.

The pair of cuff links, not silver gilt or white metal.

-Gold?

-They're actually gold.

They're lovely, aren't they? Aren't they beautiful?

These early 20th-century cuff links are priced at £110. Cor!

-OK, may I leave those out for a second?

-Sure.

-Thank you.

Charles is firing on all cylinders today

and has spotted a late 19th-century brooch priced at £160.

That's a rock crystal.

It's a natural crystal found in nature

and selected for its clarity and then carved.

That is really pretty.

Ah... I agree.

While Charles gives that some thought, though,

Margie's on her way to Central Bedfordshire

and the picturesque village of Barton Le Clay.

Margie still has £325.04 at her disposal

and she isn't hanging about, oh, no!

Right, what's this?

Ewfff!

I don't really like it very much but I've just seen a very cheap ticket!

Which says, "French clock with birds and garniture".

Garniture means the three pieces.

-£35!

-SHE CHUCKLES

Oh, I wonder if it will ever go.

You could give it a try.

-Mmm...

-SHE CHUCKLES

CLOCK TICKING

CLOCK STOPS, SHE CHUCKLES

Oh, well.

Maybe this early 20th-century clock is cheap

because it's not running like clockwork.

Still, one to consider.

Back in Hitchin, Charles has bought a Chinese vase

and looked at some commemorative silverware,

hallmarked cuff links and a rock crystal brooch.

Now, there's one more thing I'm going to look at

and then I'm going to make a couple of decisions.

The oval brooch with that central stone. Victorian?

-Victorian.

-Gold?

It's Agate and it's inscribed.

-And it's got hair in the back.

-Oh, yeah.

So this really is an object which was a mourning piece,

-do you believe?

-It's a mourning piece.

And it's inscribed,

"In memory of Ann Webb. Aged 43 years old."

With a lock of her hair in there as well.

Marie's priced this brooch at £160.

Time to make some decisions, Charles.

I like the cuff links because they're fabulous.

Would you do them for £50?

-55 and they're yours.

-Sold. I'll take them. Sold.

Half price?! Cor, well done!

How about that commemorative silver, ticketed at £110?

But what's Marie's very best?

Well, what about 50?

I'll take it. Thanks a lot.

Crikey! That's three deals, and Charles is still interested in

the two brooches priced at £160 each.

Decisions, decisions.

If I said to you the best on the flag brooch

and the best on the mourning brooch...

120.

£60 each?!

That's a £200 discount! Charles, come on.

I'll take them. Thank you. £120.

He's bought five items from Marie, totalling £255. The boy's on fire.

Well, I think I need to sit down now.

So do I.

Meanwhile, over in Bedfordshire...

Just have a quick whizz...

..Margie's found her favourite things in the cabinets.

Oh, look!

I bought that on my first day buying.

Seems such a long time ago.

But I made about £40, £50 profit.

Yeah, a near identical brooch

cost you £30.50 and it sold for 74.

So, buying an identical one

may not be such a bad idea after all.

Doubt they'll catch up.

Yeah. Yeah, it's marked. Right in the middle, there.

Yeah, this Art Deco style 9 carat gold brooch is priced at £55.

Are you going to be lucky and beat Mr Hanson?

I don't think it's talking to you.

He, though, is still in Hitchin.

He's bought five items,

but with just over £290 burning a hole in his pocket, are there more?

-In your window, I do like that scent bottle.

-I thought you might.

How much is it? It is silver, isn't it?

Of course it is silver.

-It's £250.

-Is it really?

-Yeah.

I mustn't get carried away. I've bought really well so far.

But I just like it. If I said to you...

..160.

It needs to be about 180.

Oh, don't say that.

Well, split the difference.

You're offering it to me at 170.

And I think for that it's worth a gamble.

Bold move, Charles.

He's spent big on his sixth lot,

but this pricey 1880 scent bottle is a real gamble for the final auction.

-Thank you so much.

-Good luck.

Thanks, Marie. I shall hit the high road and have a lie down. Thank you.

See you. Bye.

Well done, Charles.

Back in Bedfordshire, Margie's found dealer Steve in charge,

-and looking smart, Steve.

-I've spotted this.

Have you got an offer you'd like to put on that?

Yeah, well, I don't want to offend her.

-38...

-38.

-..would be my offer, yeah.

So that's one phone call for Steve to make.

How about that clock?

-I was just looking at this.

-Right.

What you willing to offer for that?

-Uh... 20, really.

-£20.

-Yeah.

-OK. Give me a couple of minutes on that.

-Yeah, OK, fine. Thank you.

Hello. Look who's arrived in Bedfordshire.

He's in a good mood.

Despite his earlier big spend, Charles still has £120.98.

And what's he found here?

Careful, Charles. Not in a china shop.

TUTTING: Oh, dear.

-There we go. I'm up.

-Stop showing off.

No rest for Margie, though, and Steve's back with news.

-You offered £20 on that one?

-Yeah. Cos, you know...

-OK.

-It's just... I'm having a punt, really.

-Right.

Well, I'm probably going to get killed for this,

-but we'll take £20 off you.

-Oh, right.

-And we'll accept the offer of £38.

-My God, that's brilliant!

-OK?

-Thank you very much, Steve.

Very generous, Steve.

Margie's last buys are an Art Deco brooch

and clock garniture, all for £58.

-Thanks very much.

-Thank you. Bye, Steve.

-Bye.

And that concludes the shopping.

To go with her last two buys, Margie has three other lots.

The 1950s valve radio,

a pair of Victorian stained-glass panels

and a 1930s cologne bottle.

All that cost her £158.

While Charles spent a whopping £425 for six lots.

A damaged Chinese porcelain vase,

a pair of 9 carat gold cuff links,

some royal commemorative silverware,

a 19th-century rock crystal brooch,

a Victorian mourning brooch

and one big spend on a silver scent bottle.

What do they make of each other's final lots?

So Charles has really spent his money.

I didn't think he was going to do that.

And he's bought a silver spiral scent bottle,

but I still think he's got a clear 200 to get a profit on that.

Margie, I told you I would spend wisely, go big, and I have done.

It's been an eventful final leg for our two experts.

After a mammoth journey, they're making a beeline for Leicester

and the big auction showdown,

which takes place at Gildings,

one of the region's leading salerooms,

and it's here our winner will be anointed.

MARGIE LAUGHS

Auctioneer John Gilding will be on the podium today.

First up is Charles's vase.

A little knocked about, but bought at a knock-down price.

Stand by.

This was a wonderful piece, of course.

It still is! Sorry.

I'm going to start the bidding... 100!

-Come on.

-£20. I'm bid 20. £20. I'm bid 20.

25. 28.

Come on.

£28, I'm bid 28. Bid 30.

-Come on.

-On the net, 32.

-Come on.

-5.

-35, 38.

-Don't.

-At 38 in the room.

-Come on.

£38 and away.

First profit of the day gets Charles a-going.

To the young collector, it's a lovely vase, it's completely right.

It's just broken. But over years, if you're 140 years old, how would you?

Steady. Now Margie's turn. Her two stained-glass panels are next.

These look great.

Starting here at £25.

25. 28. 30.

32. 35. 38.

There's no reserve.

-£38, seated.

-Oh, my, please!

40.

5. 50. 5. Still seated at 55.

-Please!

-I thought they'd be more.

Seated then at £55. All done?

That is a shame. First loss of the day and bad luck, Margie.

Lost 25 quid.

I truly felt they were going to make a £120 bluff.

Will you be quiet from now on?

Not likely. Huh!

Charles's Victorian mourning brooch is next.

-It's beautifully made.

-It is, it's lovely.

-And I think it's a lovely object.

-And you dated it, 1869.

And where were you in that year 1869?

Look at me.

Bidding starts with me at £45 only.

If this was in an antique fine art mourning jewellery set...

Hey, pay attention, you two!

80. 5. 90. 5.

One man's profit or gain.

-And whatever it makes is history.

-On the net at 100.

-Are we even finished?

-It doesn't...

-And 10...

All done? Selling to the net. £110.

Well done. A £50 profit.

Up next is Margie's valve radio.

Hold tight, Margie.

It will be sold, there's no reserve. £10, I'm bid. 10, at £10.

-12.

-Come on.

-15 in the room.

18. 20 in the room.

£20. 22. And 5. 28. 30.

Oh, come on. Let's recoup some of my losses.

5. 38. All out in the room?

£38 and away then. All done?

-I can't grumble at that.

-Sold at 38.

More than doubled your money. Margie, well done.

-Fair enough, that, wasn't it?

-Yes.

Charles's second brooch now. The Essex rock crystal.

-And bidding starts with me at £20.

-Oh, no. It's got to move.

£20, I'm bid. 22. 25. 28.

30. 5. 40. 5. 50. 5.

60. 5.

70. 5...

-£70 it is then.

-That's OK, Margie, I'm in the clear.

-I'm surprised at that.

-Any more?

80.

5.

-90.

-90.

5.

100.

10. He's gone.

-It's in the room then at £110.

-Go on, internet.

All done? Sold at 110.

Another brooch, another £50.

Well done, Charles.

-Profit on your jewellery.

-Very pleased, Margie.

(Oh, wow!)

Margie's cologne bottle is next to go under the gavel.

-£20, I'm bid 20. £20, I'm bid 20.

-Ooh.

Lovely piece, this, please, at 22.

-I'm bid 22...

-Happy with that.

25. 28. 30. 2...

Standing in the middle then at 32. 35 with the blue hand.

-That's good.

-38.

Standing then at £38. And away at 38.

Ah, the sweet smell of success. Well done, Margie.

Charles spent big on this lot. It was a gamble.

Will the silver scent bottle cost him dear?

Lovely little piece, this. At £80, open to bidding...

-Oh, crikey.

-5. 90. 5. 100.

-10, 20. 30, 40.

-There you go, it's going.

-150. 160.

-Come on, let's go.

With the lady at 160.

£160. All done? Selling it away at 160.

Someone's walked away with a lovely piece of silver at a great price.

Charles has suffered his first loss of the day.

But it's only a small one.

-HE SIGHS

-Not too much gone on there.

Margie's brooch next.

She sold one just like this earlier in the week and made £40 profit.

Can this one do the same?

Whay! Look at the bids!

And £65.

-That's good, Margie, profit.

-70.

-It's done all right, again.

£70. I'm bid 70.

Come on, a bit more.

-£70, I'm bid, 70. Are we all done? 5. 80.

-Oh, good. It's done the same.

-It's amazing, Margie.

-Mm, it's done the same.

£80, I'm bid at 80. At £80.

-All done?

-It's amazing, Margie.

-How brilliant.

Finished and away at £80.

-That's the market value for it.

-Margie Cooper, I admire you.

It was a great spot, Margie. And it's earned you another profit.

I wonder how many more of these brooches are around the UK,

floating, ready for the Cooper clutch?

Next up, the royal commemorative silver

Charles bought at a discounted price.

-And we've got a bid here, then, of £55.

-That's good.

-65. 70.

-That's going.

£70 I'm bid.

-That's good, Margie. Cost me 50.

-All done? Quite sure?

Finished and away then at £70.

Another profit, Charles. Good stuff.

-I'm happy. Margie, I'm happy.

-Skimmed a profit.

It's time for Margie's

early 20th-century clock garniture now.

And £45, open to bidding.

-45, do I see 50 anywhere? 50 bid.

-Oh!

In the room at 50.

-That's fantastic, Margie.

-Can you believe it?

The internet is out at £50. It's in the room.

-55 on the net.

-Ooh!

-Margie Cooper.

£55 on the net, at 55.

I thought this would make a lot more than this. 60.

Margie, say it's all over.

At £60. £65 bid.

At £65. I'm bid 65... All done?

-Doesn't it surprise you?

-20 x 3 + 5...

£65. Finished?

A good profit, but is it good enough to win?

-Well done.

-Well done, Margie.

-SHE LAUGHS

Now the final lot.

Charles's cuff links. Very nice.

These are really nice, indeed. 75... £80 bid.

-Let's move.

-Ah, you're in!

9... 85. 90.

-5.

-Come on.

110.

-Here we go.

-Ah!

-120.

120 bid, 120. A finer pair... 130.

-They're wonderful things, Margie, let's roll.

-140. 150.

-160.

-Ah!

-Still on the net at 160.

-Come on!

-At £160.

-Good.

-Ah!

Put it there.

Not finished yet.

Still in. Still in, Margie.

170 bid now.

At 170. Still with the net, but it's up to you.

Bid quickly if you need them. At £170...

-Well done.

-Give us a kiss.

Do you want lipstick...?

Give us a kiss. It's fine. Give us a kiss.

What a brilliant profit

to end today's auction and this road trip.

-Where do you want it?

-On my left cheek.

Oh, Margie, thank you. Oh, Margie!

Margie started this final leg with £425.04.

After paying auction house fees, she's made a profit today of £68.32,

ending the road trip with an outstanding total of £493.36.

Charles started with £545.98.

After fees, he made a profit of £114.56,

winning today's auction and this road trip

with an exceptional £660.54.

Well done, Charles.

Remember, all profits from the series go to Children In Need.

-Shall I drive you one more time?

-Do it, do it, do it.

-Margie, I won!

-Don't rub it in!

EXHAUST ROARS

Sorry. I'm not in gear.

Bye-bye!

So long, you two.