Episode 8 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'll be worthy winners and valiant losers,

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!

ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC

Today it's the final leg

with top auctioneers James Braxton and Charlie Ross.

Do you know, I'm going to miss this. I'm going to miss the car...

I'm going miss the car.

-I'm going to miss you.

-I'm going to miss you, Charlie.

It's been as much fun as my first road trip with you.

But all good things must come to an end.

Road Trip veteran and auctioneer Charlie...

-Arghh!

-LAUGHTER

..is ever the entertainer.

-What do you reckon?

-Uncanny.

Oh, arm up a bit more.

While his partner in crime, fellow auctioneer James,

takes a more relaxed approach to things.

-Bring the arms up...

-HE INHALES DEEPLY

..and bringing your toes down on the floor slowly, slowly, slowly.

-CHARLIE GROANS

-Do you feel that?

On this journey, our boys have been touring around

in a 1961 Ford Zephyr,

manufactured before seat belts were legally required.

I did early-morning yoga today.

Ah, that could take you back a bit

because I've noticed that since you gave up yoga,

-you've been much better at...

-LAUGHTER DROWNS SPEECH

No. No, the brain is reoxygenated.

-Oh, is it?

-I am on form.

We shall see. Huh!

After starting this trip with £200 in his pocket,

Charlie now has £258.74 to play with today.

While James has more than doubled his original 200 stake

and starts this final leg with £464.38.

Awesome!

That's a modern word.

I would urge you not to throw in all your money.

Yeah, but can't you see this is the only way I have of beating you?

Well, winning is the name of the game, actually.

Their trip began in the Lincolnshire town of Boston

and meandered through Norfolk, Cambridgeshire,

up to Leicestershire, before heading south

towards the final destination

in the Surrey town of Cobham.

Our boys start their last leg in Brasted, Kent,

before finishing at their very last auction in Cobham.

James is kicking off proceedings today in Brasted.

So, let battle commence.

One of the longest-running antique dealerships in Kent,

Courtyard Antiques, is jam-packed with potential buys.

This is lovely to have all this choice.

Choice, choice, choice.

Ah, here's a nice bit. It's a really fun faux caddy.

Now, this is when biscuit makers were making serious money.

They used to produce novelty biscuit tins.

Things that people...

You know, resourceful, this was a time of thrift,

you'd buy your biscuits, biscuits would be nicely packed in there

and then you could use it as your tea caddy.

Beautifully done, all painted and it's all tin.

And there we are,

William Crawford & Sons - biscuit manufacturers.

Edinburgh, Liverpool and London.

By royal appointment.

What have we got on it?

-£38.

-One to consider.

-JAMES SIGHS

-What have we got here?

So, we've got lots of small things.

What's this? What's this? What does it say on the label?

18th-century cannonball retrieved from the River Thames by a mudlark.

Now, mudlarks are those funny people at low tide

who rush round the embankment finding things

and that is a cannonball.

History at £12.

Right, can a deal be done with Hugh?

What generously can you do on that? Is there a discount on that?

Yeah, I think we can go to ten for that.

-Ten. Put it there, Hugh.

-OK.

-Come on. That's the first one, first one done.

-OK, good.

Come on, come with me.

What about that faux tea caddy, James? Still interested?

I think the very, very, very best would have to be £30.

£30? Come on, put it there.

-30.

-Thank you.

There we are, I've got a cannonball and I've got a tea caddy

and I'll give a prize for any sort of connection between the two, OK?

Answers on a postcard, please. Address them to James, not me.

Now, what's he found?

An interesting light pendant, me thinks.

I like that. A nice bit of frosted glass, Art Deco.

It's got quite a lot going for it -

stylised flowers, nice weight to it and a nice metal thing.

Complete with string.

Complete with string, even with string.

-We'll throw the string in.

-What does it say?

"£10, no trade, cost only."

Done.

-Crikey!

-There you are.

Some bold buying in James' very first shop secures him three lots.

Now he's off to catch up with Charlie in Westerham,

where they're going to their next shop of the day.

Now, Charlie, I've been in this shop before and I'll introduce you.

This is the owner. Mick, Charlie - Charlie, Mick.

-Nice to meet you, Charlie.

-Lovely to meet you.

Nice to see you again, Mick.

With four rooms filled full of antiques

of all shapes and sizes, there's plenty for our boys to fight over,

metaphorically speaking.

And James has found some of his favourite bamboo.

The thing is, with these bamboo tables,

is that very light construction.

And the thing is with light construction,

is that you want it all to be sound.

We've got some use, so we've got...the legs have been bent out.

This is all pinned or nailed.

This is totally right

and all it needs is a piece of cut glass in there

and it's just perfectly functional.

I like it.

The ticket says £45,

so Hugh's phoned the owner with James' optimistic offer of £25.

-Well, the lady wants 35 for it, so a bottom price.

-35?

Put it there, Mick.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-Thank you.

-Another bit of bamboo.

This is my turning point with bamboo.

Fingers crossed, eh?

And it looks like Charlie's found something he fancies, too.

A quadruple decanter for four different liqueurs.

-Mick...

-Yes, Charlie.

..look at this, a four-sectioned bottle decanter.

-Is it yours?

-No, I'm afraid not.

It's got 18 on the ticket, I would love to give you a tenner for it.

-I'm sure you would.

-Yeah.

What do you think they would take?

I can always try her...

-May you try?

-..and see what she says, yeah.

-Give her a quick call...

-No problem.

-..and we'll see what we can do.

(I think I will buy this anyway,

(even if it's a bit more than a tenner.

(But don't tell Mick.)

Right, Mick's got Sue on the blower.

Can he seal the deal for Charlie?

Come on, Sue!

The person who's trying to buy it wants it for a tenner.

Come on, Sue!

Erm...OK.

-Hello, Sue!

-Right, so 15 is the best.

-Is it?

-Yes, I'm afraid.

Thanks, Sue, very much indeed. And tell her...I'll have it!

All right, he's going to have it. Did you hear that?

It's made Sue's day, £15.

OK, Sue. Thanks, bye.

Well done, sir.

Charlie's bought his first lot of the final leg of the road trip.

And with that, our boys call it a day.

So, nighty-night.

Hey, good morning, gentlemen.

I'm in the last chance saloon today.

And how much spending money? Lots?

I've got about 200... 250-odd quid.

-That's all right.

-Considerably better than it has been.

Yeah. Well, at least it's more than you started with.

That's true.

Right, let's get to it.

Charlie's arrived in Reigate, Surrey,

home to the quaintly-named Magpie House & The Yard.

-Hello!

-Hello, hi.

-Good morning.

-Morning.

-How are you?

-I'm fine thank you.

-It's Lynne, is it?

-It's Lynne and you're Charlie, aren't you?

-I am Charlie, yeah. Well spotted.

-Good to meet you.

-This is fab.

You know, walking through, my eye line...

-took immediately to this man.

-Oh, yes. He's beautiful, isn't he?

-Isn't he fab?

-He's our Mercury.

-Mercury?

-He's absolutely gorgeous.

-The messenger god.

-The messenger of wealth, isn't it?

-Wealth? Bringer of prosperity.

That's the one, yeah.

And I think he's also god of thieves.

-Right. I think I did hear that.

-So, cheerio!

He's pretty heavy, I don't know if you can manage him.

-SHE LAUGHS

-Blimey, he's heavy!

You wouldn't be able to just walk out the shop with him.

-And it's a genuine bronze.

-Yes, definitely.

It's not old but it's quite well-modelled.

-Yeah.

-Is that very cheap?

It doesn't seem to have a price, it's free at the moment.

Well, not really.

-But I can find out for you.

-Could you?

-Erm...

-Go and find out now.

-OK.

-That's the first thing that...

That's really caught your eye, hasn't it?

The dealer is looking for £375,

so Charlie's got some serious negotiating to do.

It's a straightforward thing.

I have got £240 and I think I've got £3.43 or something.

God, you'll get a latte with that, can't you?

-LAUGHING:

-I don't want a latte.

-You want Mercury.

-I've got to buy other things, but I want Mercury.

-You want Mercury.

Spending almost every penny you have left on one item

is a big gamble. I hope you know what you're doing, Charlie.

It's a pathetic offer and I don't make any bones about it.

-If I had £350, I'd give you £350 for him but I haven't got it.

-Yeah.

Shall I just double-check?

-Well, you'd better triple-check, yeah.

-Let me just double-check.

I think, you know, just to be...

I would.

Charlie's after a hefty discount, so what's the verdict, Lynne?

It's your lucky day, talking about those rippling muscles.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah, he's going to do it for you.

-May I hug you?

That is SO generous. Ah!

Charlie's spent almost all of his money on the statue of Mercury.

It's a very risky punt and let's hope it pays off.

James is still in Kent and has made his way to the village of Hever.

He's come to Hever Castle,

a 13th-century castle saved from ruin

then extensively restored to its former glory

by a fabulously wealthy New York Senator,

William Waldorf Astor.

Here to show James more is guide Ian Smith.

-James, welcome to Hever Castle.

-Isn't it glorious?

It's a lovely setting,

moat and this wonderful defensive stronghold.

Astor was captivated by the castle's royal connections,

particularly Anne Boleyn, who grew up here.

She was the ill-fated second wife of Henry VIII

and mother of the future Queen Elizabeth I.

And here we are inside.

What you see is not medieval

but a beautiful Tudor house from the late 1400s.

We believe built by Anne Boleyn's great-grandfather.

And subsequently, after many other owners,

by William Waldorf Astor in 1903.

-This was going to be his country retreat...

-Yeah.

..and he was going to lavish his millions

in bringing this building back to life.

William Waldorf Astor's great-grandfather

was a fur and real estate tycoon

and was America's first multimillionaire.

William inherited a personal fortune,

which made him the richest man in America.

After a failing political career, William moved to England in 1891

with a reputed 100 million to his name.

He set about trying to be accepted

into the upper echelons of English society.

He invested in newspapers and property

and purchased the historic Hever Castle.

Ian, what sort of state was the castle in

when William Waldorf Astor bought it?

In the 19th century,

it had become an absentee home

and tenant farmers lived here.

And it's suggested that the ground floor rooms

were inhabited by animals.

Upstairs, there was an artists' commune,

-so you can imagine...

-JAMES LAUGHS

..the mess that was here.

So, what did William Astor do to this marvellous place?

This is an extraordinary room and it looks almost old Tudor.

Astor was an historical romanticist.

He wrote historical novels

and like many others he had fallen in love with the Anne Boleyn story.

But if Anne Boleyn walked into this room now,

she would be astonished.

"I just have to ask you, what has happened to my kitchen?"

-Because it's been given this tremendous makeover.

-Yeah.

William Waldorf has turned it into an inner hall.

Not using oak, as any normal person might use

but walnut, to give these wonderful effects.

-Right.

-So, he created these wonderful interiors

inside the moated walls for himself.

-Outside those moated walls, he built a Tudor village.

-Really?

But not a Tudor village where, you know,

-peasants wander from house to house.

-Right.

All the rooms interlink.

William Waldorf was a newcomer to England

but he'd actually housed himself in a medieval stronghold.

In other words, given himself 700 years of history

that his family here didn't really have.

Between 1903 and 1908, William restored the ruined castle,

creating magnificent gardens and a lake.

The remarkable mock-Tudor village he built

was the perfect place for his society friends to stay,

while attending his lavish parties.

And here we are in Anne Boleyn's bedroom.

Tradition says that this is where she spent her time as a girl

and she would keep coming back to Hever

all the way up to the time of her marriage to Henry VIII.

The panelling behind the bed conceals William Waldorf's wardrobe.

-This was his dressing room.

-Right.

And he chose Anne Boleyn's bedroom for that purpose.

-But he would have this wonderful window to look out.

-Rather fun.

He was in the castle, he looks out onto his village there.

As well as being completely enchanted by Hever Castle,

Astor became increasingly fascinated by the tragic story of Anne Boleyn.

William Waldorf searched the world for artefacts

that he could link to Anne.

He acquired many that have proved to have doubtful provenance,

but this is as close as you're going to get today to Anne's DNA.

It's a beautifully-illustrated book of hours, prayers,

that were said during the day.

Her fingerprints will be all over that book because she signed it.

-Really?

-The inscription there says,

"Le temps viendra." The time will come.

"Je Anne Boleyn."

And there's a little celestial sphere there as well.

And she signed it on the page of the Last Judgment.

One would love to know just what she meant by, "The time will come."

Did it mean her marriage to Henry?

The birth of an heir?

Or it certainly couldn't mean the fact that

she was going to be beheaded after 1,000 days as Henry's Queen.

Over the years,

William donated a substantial amount of his fortune to charity.

He eventually achieved his ambition of acceptance into the aristocracy

when he was given the title Viscount Astor of Hever Castle.

It remained in the Astor family ownership until 1983

and is now a popular tourist destination.

Meanwhile, Charlie has journeyed to Dorking,

and the Pilgrims Antiques Centre.

After taking a massive punt on Mercury,

here's hoping Steve will have a hidden bargain

for Charlie's remaining few pounds.

(It's not easy shopping with £3.74.)

Oh! I've seen something rather splendid.

WHISPERING: £5.

£5.

That's a 15% discount or thereabouts,

if I were to get it for £3.74.

-Right.

-There's rather a charming glass there,

cordial glass. Sadly I don't think it's 18th-century.

No, I think you're probably right.

But it's got some nice diamond cutting into the side.

It's got a little bit of fruiting vine engraved round the top.

I'm really making it sound particularly good, aren't I?

-Well, I think it is rather good.

-Edinburgh Crystal.

What would the Scots put in there?

I mean, it looks to me like a sherry, a port glass, I suppose.

Oh, I should think some...

Port, are you a drinker of port?

..Scottish wine in a Scotsman's measure.

A small measure, sir?

Poor old Greg.

That would probably be in my price range, wouldn't it?

It's not that much of a discount.

It's priced at five.

I should think we could scrape that down to 3.75

-or whatever the last...

-3.74.

-3.74.

Looks like that's a done deal.

Och aye the noo.

Och aye... Oh, you're Scottish, too!

Would you like all my money?

-Yes, I will actually, I think I would.

-Aye.

On the final leg, our Charlie has spent every last penny he has

on a pretty piece of Scottish glass.

James has now made his way to Dorking too

and he's going to try his luck in the Christique Antique Centre.

He's meeting old friend there, Christie.

Christie, get it?

-Oh, a familiar face. How are you?

-How lovely to see you.

Yeah, really nice to see you.

With just under £380 in his pocket, there's plenty on offer.

Rather interestingly, I've just seen a bit,

which I hope is Tunbridge ware.

Quite an interesting, very fine tesserae mosaic of a butterfly.

And it's either £5 or 500, let's have a look.

No, it's five. Bound to be, down there.

-Is it?

-Yeah. I just took it in the other day.

Let's have a look at this.

It reminds me...

I think this was a modern maker.

It's signed, "Robert Vorley, 1980."

In the Tunbridge ware tradition.

Tunbridge ware was made as, sort of, high quality souvenirs

for the spa town of Tunbridge Wells.

I think it would be churlish of me to argue about that, wouldn't it?

£5. Shall we say three, to give you a fighting chance?

Three.

It doesn't normally work that way, Christine.

Cor, you're a lucky man, James.

Go on, put it there.

Thank you very much indeed, thank you.

A swift final purchase from James.

James spent a total of £88 on five lots.

His cannonball,

the novelty biscuit box,

the Art Deco light pendant,

the bamboo tiered-table

and the modern Tunbridge ware box.

Charlie spent every penny he had on three lots.

The vintage decanter,

the Edinburgh Crystal glass

and his pricey purchase, the bronze of Mercury.

So, what do they make of each other's lots?

He bought that little bit of Tunbridge ware for £3.

Actually, I think that's a very good buy.

I think his cannonball is pretty ghastly,

Charlie has bought a whopper, though, £240.

It's a lovely item.

I think he'll do well on it.

Victory will be mine!

After starting this leg in Brasted,

our experts are now motoring towards their final auction

in Cobham, Surrey.

I can't believe it, this is the last few hundred yards of our trip...

-Yeah.

-..to the final auction.

-What are we going to find in the auction room?

-Our destiny.

Our destiny? Oh.

Well, we'll soon find out as our chirpy chaps have arrived

in the village of Cobham to battle it out

at Fryer & Brown Auctioneers.

I don't think whatever the auctioneer does

will provide me with enough luck to beat you.

I hope the wind of Mercury stays trapped.

CHARLIE LAUGHS

The lady with the gavel today is Jane Brown.

Take your seats and deep breaths, boys.

CHARLIE INHALES DEEPLY

First up is Charlie's vintage decanter.

£10, please.

-She's rather nervous.

-Oh... £10.

10, I have. Thank you, sir.

12.

£12 with the lady.

-Disappointment.

-£12.

Any interest on the internet? It is £12 with...

-Oh!

-15.

-Excitement.

Sniping at the last minute. £15 against you.

20. £20 with the lady.

Are you all done in the room? £20 then.

A profit to kick things off, great stuff.

-Do you know, after commission...

-That was a result.

-It was a serious result. £20?

-In the money.

Will James' Art Deco light pendant spark some interest?

Here comes your big hope, lampshade. Lampshade.

I have a bid at £15.

-Hallelujah!

-£15, it is yours.

And we're going...15.

A pleasing little profit there for James.

James' cannonball is up next.

-£20.

-£20.

-£20.

-All around her.

-Fell off a cruise.

-MAN SHOUTS

-Oh!

-£20, I have.

On the internet, £20.

Any advance on 20?

Maiden bid it is.

£20, on the internet.

-20.

-Well done. Doubled your money, old bean.

Another huge success.

That solo bidder means James pulls in another profit.

How many bidders will there be after Charlie's Edinburgh Crystal glass?

Just the one.

£5, please.

And a host of hands.

£5 with the lady in the pink.

Six, sir. Six.

Seven.

-Eight.

-Huh!

-Nine.

-This is a world record.

Ten.

-11.

-They want it.

11 with the lady in the pink.

Oh, I'll buy you a pint... Oh!

12.

13.

£13.

We have £13 with... 14.

The gentleman's come back in.

-£15.

-This, by percentage,

is the most extraordinary profit I've had on this trip.

£15.

15. Thank you, madam.

Well worth the round of applause there.

What a nice little earner.

On that basis, my bronze could make £1,500.

-It could, it could.

-Yeah.

We'll have to wait and see as next, it's James' canny little buy

that Charlie fancied, the Tunbridge ware box.

20. Yes, sir.

20.

-£20.

-With an outlay of £3, this is good.

-Any advance on 20?

£20.

£20? No.

£20 then, squashed.

Another maiden-bid sale there

and what a wonderful result.

It's James' novelty biscuit tin.

-£15.

-MAN:

-Yes.

-15, I have.

-Oh, the internet's bubbling along now.

-15 is against you all in the room.

-In the room.

18 with the young lady at the back.

18. 18 against you, internet.

Oh, it's all over the place.

I have 20 with the lady in front.

-Keep going.

-22.

25.

28.

£28 with the young lady at the back.

£28, internet.

Last chance.

-Hovering on the net.

-Hovering.

-Hovering, madam.

-Hovering, they are.

28, though, is going to take it.

All done.

28.

The biscuit tin failed to deliver

but the loss doesn't put much of a dent in James' impressive lead.

Up next is bamboo table.

£10, I have.

Any advance on £10?

There'll be masses.

-Oh, madam.

-12.

14.

Striking a chord here.

£14.

Do you want me to hold it up? £16.

18.

20.

22.

At this price, it's worth building a conservatory.

LAUGHTER

22, then.

-25.

-25. Well done, madam.

28.

-30, madam. Go on!

-I can't believe this.

Internet?

Are you all done at 28?

-30, at the last moment.

-James.

35, madam. Come on.

-Go on.

-32.

Go on, it's only money.

-35.

-35!

37. Thank you.

It's got three tiers.

If it doesn't make any more money

you'll have a lot more than three tiers!

Last chance.

-37.

-Where did that come from?

-That was superb.

-That was hard work, wasn't it?

Worth it in the end, though.

Five days of toil, driving around...

-Yeah.

-..banter, buying, selling has all come down to one bronze.

-Held on a puff of wind.

-Oh.

Here we go then, it's the biggie.

Charlie's hopes for a big profit,

enough to catapult him into the lead,

all ride on the wings of his bronze of Mercury.

Deep breathing, James, deep breathing.

£200 for this nice bronze, at 200.

Shall we try 150?

It's all gone very quiet.

-150.

-Oh, no.

-I'd try 30, if I was you.

-James!

Sorry, sorry, sorry.

-How dare...

-100.

100 for the bronze.

-I'm going to fold up my glasses.

-He is 104cm high.

-It is.

-50.

-Oh, no, James.

-50.

£50.

-50, I have.

-Oh, good Lord!

-Oh, good Lord.

-Only another 400 to go.

-LAUGHTER

£50.

Someone help this gentleman out.

-Any advance on 50?

-I'm beyond help, madam.

£50.

-I think £50 is where...

-Our Father...

-..is where we are stopping.

-Who art in Heaven...

-£50.

-Ah!

-169.

Arrow in my heart, madam.

-No, that's Cupid.

-Well done, James.

It was a bold move and we commend you for taking the risk, Charlie.

Someone is walking away with a bargain bit of bronze.

Hello?

Oh, dear. And he hasn't even heard the final figures.

Charlie started this final leg with £258.74.

Sadly, he made a loss today of £189.04 after auction costs.

That's dreadful.

So, he finishes with £69.70.

I'm pretty sure that's the worst result we've ever had.

Oh, dear, oh, dear!

James began with £464.38 after auction costs.

He made a profit of £10.40,

which means not only has he won today's battle,

he's crowned King of the Road Trip -

finishing with a massive £474.78.

And all profits go to Children in Need.

Will it be champagne, sir?

-I think for me.

-I won't be buying it.

I think it's a mild for you.

The pint of mild.

Farewell, fellas, it's been a pleasure.

Welcome to brand-new Road Trip around Northern Ireland

with a couple of swells.

Have we got a picnic in the back?

Champagne and quails eggs, of course.

Oh, you're stylish, you are, Paul!

Not 'arf!

Our rovers of the Emerald Isle are none other than Catherine Southon

and Paul Laidlaw.

Smell that. Whatever he's doing is essentially farm cutting of grass.

-Isn't that gorgeous?

-That is gorgeous.

Surrey's own Catherine is an auctioneer and a Road Trip regular...

Do I buy the brooch?

I DO buy the brooch!

..but she's particularly pumped up about this one.

Hello! He was nice.

Shall we turn round?

Catherine!

Auctioneer Paul from Carlisle, via Scotland,

is another tripper with many miles on the clock...

Mmmm, I LOVE this stuff.

Although the two have never been paired up before,

Mr Laidlaw's reputation precedes him.

You have this amazing ability to go in

and just Hoover up amazing things,

and you will see something that nobody else sees,

and everybody else will walk past.

And then it turns to gold.

Their Morris Minor's more custard than gold

and dates from a time before seatbelts were mandatory.

With £200 each and the sun shining down, let joy be your guide.

I think we're going to be happy here. Woohoo! We are on our way!

Our journey begins in Portrush, County Antrim, and after exploring

Northern Ireland, crosses the sea towards Scotland

before arriving several hundred miles later in Aberdeen.

Today we kick off on the coast at Portrush

and then make our way south towards an auction in Omagh.

-That looks tasty.

-I'll swap.

-No!

-Oh, Catherine.

-No.

-Oh, please!

-I'm going to come back with armfuls.

ARMFULS of goodies!

-See you later.

-Have a good 'un. See you later.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-What have we here?

Quite a lot by the looks of it.

-Sorry, you are?

-John.

-Hello, John. I'm Catherine.

-Nice to meet you.

-Yeah.

-Charmed, I'm sure.

There's a lot of retro and there's a lot of vintage.

Of course, a lot of it comes down to really knowing the market,

knowing what people around here want to buy.

-Or I could just take a punt.

-That's the spirit, girl.

That is amazing.

-Can I try it on?

-Of course you can.

-Colourful.

-I feel like I could do anything.

-John remains tight-lipped.

-Oh, my goodness.

I just really, really, really want to buy that.

Unbelievably, there's a choice.

Yay, baby!

I feel like I should be on a children's TV programme.

Yikes! But will these things actually sell?

-Actually, it's an evening auction that we're going to.

-Yeah.

-Turn down the light.

-Yeah.

-Put a bit of disco music on.

Sounds fab! This £70 one has the most flare though(!)

I will charge you...£25.

I've got to have that.

I've GOT to have it.

John, we are good friends here. I'm enjoying this.

Yeah, man. Groovy deal.

Now, what about our other man in tweed elsewhere in Portrush?

-Good morning.

-Good morning, Paul. Great to have you here.

-Great to be here. You're Ernie?

-I'm Ernie, yes.

My grandfaither was an Ernie. Another Irishman.

Well, who knew?

Much more of a traditional antiques shop, this one, which,

considering Paul's tastes, could be a good thing.

-Why is that open locket sitting on its own?

-This?

-Yeah.

That could pay £35.

It's nine carat.

It's going to be a late 19th, maybe early 20th century affair.

You've got those double bevel-edged oval plates,

and how on earth do you get your photograph in there?

You just unscrew that little terminal there and we're in.

-Two little photographs in there.

-That's right.

I think it's rather nice, but there's not a lot of gold in it.

Just 20 quid's worth.

-£28.

-28?

I'll come right back at you with 22.

-No.

-It's inevitable where we end up, isn't it?

Surely you're ahead of me here.

-Think about that at 25. I'm going to put it there.

-Did you say 25?

I did, aye. It's no done yet, but I think we both know it is.

HE LAUGHS

Er, to clarify, I think they've come down from 59 to £25. Now, moving on.

What's that?

I don't know.

It's £7.50, that's what it is.

Well, we know its date.

That's going to date to the '30s, isn't it, with that aesthetic?

Do me a deal.

Mystery object and that, and if you do me the right deal,

I'll tell you what it is.

That's one way of doing it!

-£32.

-32? 32?

Uh-huh.

It's 30 quid's worth, isn't it?

-No, we'll split the two.

-Are we?

You said I was mean - a quid?!

-Aye, but a quid's a quid.

-Quid IS a quid.

Ernie, you're a gentleman.

Ernie, you know what it is?

I think that's the funkiest sugar caster I've ever seen.

Sweet!

Strawberries. "Pass me the sugar, darling."

He looks chuffed. What about Catherine?

-This is for washing?

-No.

-No?

-This would have been for mashing.

-Oh, no, it's not a dolly.

Mashing potatoes.

-Feel the weight.

-How old is this, by the way?

Around about 1920s, 1930s.

-What is on this anyway?

-65.

I'll do you 25.

Everything's 25 in your shop.

I'm going to go outside and I'm going to rename this shop.

It's not Vintage any more, it's "Everything £25".

-It's cos I like your smile.

-Oh, thank you.

It looks like, after a vintage start, she's hedging her bets a bit.

This is pokerwork, so we've got a frame.

This was probably going to be used as a mirror or something

once upon a time and then this pattern has been created with

a hot poker, but, against what I've just bought,

that just looks so dull, doesn't it?

Good solid antique, though.

What do you think about this? Do people buy this sort of thing?

Do they like this here in Northern Ireland?

Yes, it's fabulous to put a mirror in or make a fuller frame,

or a toilet seat.

That's a very strange toilet seat.

What sort of toilets do you have here in Northern Ireland?

Fancy ones, I guess.

-I'll do you 25.

-Would you?

-As usual.

-Can I put this to one side, John?

-Yeah.

She's piling them up.

What is that? A little brooch with a bird on?

-That looks a bit arts and craftsy.

-Yeah.

-What would you say that is?

-A bird.

-No, but what type?

-I don't know.

Even I know it's a bird.

Yeah, come on, John.

And you're going to ask me how much, aren't you?

Well, it's the million dollar question.

-We'd really be looking at 20.

-That just really jumped out at me.

I want to buy another two items from you.

That's 25, that's 25 and that is not 25.

Could that be 15?

-18.

-18. I'm definitely going to go for this.

-Really?

I'm going to do 25. And I'm done.

Three items.

So, after that little buying frenzy, let's now follow Paul and the Minor

moving towards Londonderry, or Derry as it's also known.

Paul's come to the Tower Museum to find out about

the huge role the city played during World War II.

-Hi, is it Margaret?

-It is indeed, Paul. Welcome to the museum.

Thanks very much. I am more than delighted to be here.

In the Battle of the Atlantic,

the conflict's longest military campaign,

the port on the River Foyle assumed huge strategic importance.

For almost the entire war, supply convoys from North America

and the Allied forces trying to protect them,

were pursued by the U-boats and warships of the German navy,

but it was the invasion of France that brought the battle here.

To protect the shipping, the Allies needed a port and Derry then,

after the fall of France,

became a really vital port in defence of those ships.

-OK. Was it a big port before then?

-No, not really.

It was a fairly small port

and quite a small little town in its own right.

The war thrust Derry into the limelight.

Because the Allies needed this most westerly port,

Derry then became very significant, not only just for the British,

but also for the other Allied forces.

I just can't imagine what it was like in Derry at that time

cos it was a small backwater, and now, all of a sudden,

all these different voices and nationalities.

Those troops were stationed at a port blessed with a stretch of deep

water wide enough to accommodate up to 130 ships at any one time.

There are some interesting photographs in the archive

showing the sheer scale of the ships lined up alongside one another.

People have often commented in the past that you could

walk from ship to ship to ship from one side of the river to the other.

I don't know how true that is.

The city, which miraculously escaped destruction by the Luftwaffe,

became the front line in the battle against the U-boats.

By the time victory was won, over 100,000 lives had been lost

and, once again, the port of Derry made the headlines.

When the U-boats surrendered back in 1945, they had to surrender to their

nearest port, and it's interesting because Derry continues to play that

role, then, of being significant

-because the official surrendering of the U-boat is taken here.

-Is it?

Yes, the Admiral, Commander of the Fleet

of the Western Approaches, Sir Max Horton,

he comes in person to the city to accept the official surrender.

So U-boats sail up the Foyle into the harbour?

Yes, to formally surrender.

I think in the first instance there are about eight

and they're escorted up the river by ships from each of the

Allied forces, the Americans, the British and the Canadians.

Over the next number of months,

upwards of 60 odd U-boats come into the city and surrendered here.

Then most are taken out and scuttled, but, because they were

here for a while, some of the things were obviously

taken from the U-boats and kept as souvenirs.

I recognise some but not all of these.

In front of us, and this is iconic, a Kriegsmarine bulkhead clock

-from a U-boat.

-From a U-boat, yes.

Probably is one of our prized items within this collection.

I get that and I get the Iron Crosses, War Merit Crosses

and Schirmmutze and ratings caps,

but why is there a stock pot or whatever?

-What is that?

-We see it as a cooking pot.

We think it was used for cooking food onboard.

-U1108 struck on the side of it. Is that a U-boat reference?

-Yes.

Oh, my word.

You can imagine how cramped the conditions were onboard

the U-boats and how they had little space to do everyday tasks

like making some food.

In the Atlantic, in all the weather that that can generate,

-you and 30-odd of your comrades, this brings it home.

-It does.

Those POWs on their way to Belfast may once have been

our bitter enemies, but they were also brave men.

The U-boat crews suffered a frightening death toll of over 82%.

The Kriegsmarine U-boat personnel referred to them commonly,

-I believe, as "Iron Coffins".

-Yes, they did.

They were the enemy, but, again, it's a human story.

I can't imagine what it would have been like to witness those

guys coming off the U-boats as they surrendered here.

Obviously, it's the end of the war for them

but, luckily as well, they probably think,

"Thank goodness I've survived."

Elsewhere in the walled city,

Catherine's on the lookout for her next shop.

-Hello, there. Hi. I'm Catherine.

-Simon.

-Hello, Simon. Nice to meet you.

-You're very welcome today.

Thank you very much.

Got a good ring to it.

-What is the price you would put on that?

-35.

What are people going to be interested in more? I don't know.

Best take a closer look at it then.

This is horn.

I mean, this isn't silver,

but we've got this sort of plated part at the top, mounts here

and they're quite nicely engraved and you've got this

nice plaque at the bottom where you could put a name on.

-Do people like having these in the home?

-Around here, yes.

Gives them a sense of authority, does it,

when they're trying to get their loved ones down to dinner?

I can go down to 30 on that one.

And you think that's going to make some money?

I think so. Around here, yes.

Thank you very much.

What a deal for £30, Catherine!

Thanks a lot, Simon, bye-bye.

GONG CLANGS

And on that note, time to take a rest and have some shuteye.

Nighty-night.

Next morning, nobody's letting the weather dampen their spirits.

Why have we never done this before?

-Why have we never road-tripped before?

-I don't know.

We're having so much fun. This is madness.

Our next stop is Sandholes, County Tyrone.

It's Paul's first shop of the day.

-Hello, there. Is it Stanley?

-Yes.

-Welcome, Paul.

-Good to see you.

Holy Moses!

-If you told me this was a museum, I'd pay you an admission fee.

-Good.

I'm glad to hear it.

Luckily, Paul has his antiques radar turned on

and gets straight to business.

Give me a bargain price on that then. £10.

That was quick. What is it exactly, Paul?

A little Victorian gilt tooled burgundy leather case.

You open it up and this was expensive in its day, was it not?

-It would have been.

-A lovely little lady's manicure set.

What does one need to tidy one's nails?

Well, you need a pair of...scissors and, if you're affluent enough,

you buy them with silver handles and that's what they have.

Yup, the ticket price was £19.

Any other underappreciated gems in here, Paul?

These are unusual. Very competently turned shoulder baluster there.

That is a good eye and a skilful hand at work.

Now, the label says "two rosewood candlesticks".

That's not rosewood. That's olivewood.

These come from what was Palestine, when these were made,

or the Holy Lands, as they'd have been referred to.

Do you know what,

I can prove that because there are little marks there.

That's Hebrew script.

These are tourist souvenirs brought back by some

late Victorian traveller who visited Jerusalem.

The ticket price on those is £18.

-Stanley?

-Yeah.

-You're not going to sell them quickly.

I think they're hard work, but you've got me.

-COUGHS:

-Cheap! Cheap!

£10. You couldn't get much cheaper than that.

I'd be daft not to take a punt on that. You've done it.

Well done, Paul. Another two knots in the old bag.

And with our two trust experts reunited, it's time

to manoeuvre the Morris towards the village of Moy.

Isn't it lovely

how our pair seem to get on so well, most of the time? Ha!

There is one thing I have seen and it happens to be in this cabinet.

Does it have a doggy theme?

Would you please remove yourself from this cabinet?

-Oh, dear.

-What is it? What have you seen?

-I'm not telling.

-Get out!

-Is it the spoon with the dog head terminal at £12,

and the christening spoon in the case at £12?

Oh, yes, nice things.

I've already had a look at it. It's bagsied.

PAUL LAUGHS

That's so unfair because...

I'm not playing any more.

-Is the expression "first dibs"?

-I'm not playing.

Will Catherine graciously accept defeat?

Right, I'm going to sulk. I am gutted!

-The honeymoon's not even started.

-No, it's divorce already. I'm sorry.

-Oh, no!

-It's divorce.

-Well, I want the dog.

HE LAUGHS

Looks like our gentleman's not having any second thoughts then.

-Dermot, how you doing?

-Not too bad, Paul. How are you?

Two wee cheapies. Not badly priced either, in all honesty...

Fair price, yeah.

..but a hard man like myself is looking for a discount, of course.

Let me see. 24. Say three at £8.

£16 for the two, same price?

You're a gentleman, Dermot.

No clowning about with you or I, is there? Wonderful.

And from clowning about...to some monkey business.

If I look like the cat that got the cream,

how about, as an antidote, the monkey that got the apple?

Aye, it's a wee belter, I don't mind telling you.

English, mid-20th century. Late '30s-1940s.

It does have a back stamp which I cannot read.

-I think that is just a lovely little model.

-Sounds promising.

I've spoken to Dermot and this can be bought today for all of £15,

and I think you're not looking at a monkey.

You're looking at a peace offering from me to Catherine.

-Wise move.

-You've got to do some serious schmoozing.

-I'm trying.

-A monkey's not going to do it, my friend.

-It SHOULD.

I think that's a wee belter.

It's 15 quid if you want it.

You buy it and I'll have the spoon.

HE LAUGHS

You buy that and I'll have the spoon.

Remind me never to play poker with you. You're all want.

-Do you want it?

-No, thank you.

Worth a try. Maybe flowers would have been more appropriate.

-How you doing?

-Hi, Paul.

-I'm back.

-Good.

-£15 you said.

-I said, yeah.

-It's a deal.

-Lordy!

-Catherine doesn't want my poor wee monkey.

-He's a good guy, this.

-He's all right, isn't he?

-Yeah, he's different, isn't he?

Well, he's different and he's coming home with me.

Yeah.

And now Catherine's grabbed Dermot for a bit of Southon schmoozing

and Dermot's had a rummage in his special cupboard. Look out!

Ah!

-So these are Victorian?

-These are Victorian handcuffs.

They were known as Irish Eights, cos they're in the shape of an eight.

Where's the key number? There it is.

Matching numbers, so they still work.

They're great, aren't they? So these are Irish?

These would have been made in England

but only used in Ireland by the RIC, which was the Irish police.

-What are you asking for?

-Well...

Please be kind to me. I've had a BAD afternoon with that ladle.

Online, these would make 120 quid.

Now, for you, I'll take the money back.

-What was your money?

-50 quid.

-Sounds like a good price.

-Can I give you a bit less than that?

-Blimey!

-What were you thinking of?

Ideally, honestly, I would like about 30. What could you do?

40 quid. I'm taking a loss of a tenner on it.

You're a star. I think I've got a chance with those.

Take a chance. Those will make money.

With the golden handcuffs in the bag,

let's have a look at what they've got.

Paul parted with £82 for THOSE spoons, a sugar sifter,

some candlesticks, a locket, a manicure set

and, of course, a monkey figurine.

While Catherine spent £138 on a gong, a frame, a brooch,

some handcuffs and that very colourful suit.

So, what did they make of each other's buys?

Of course, I'm very upset about Spoongate,

so we're best not to mention the spoon.

The monkey that Catherine could have had for £15,

which I have now identified as early Beswick and rather rare.

After setting off from Portrush,

our experts are now making for an

auction closer to the border, in Omagh.

They're fairly used to livestock sales at Viewback Auctions,

although monkeys are, of course, rare.

Welcome to the world of Irish auctions, Catherine.

Good luck, my friend, good luck.

You say that with menace!

Auctioneer Geoffrey Simpson is commanding the room today.

-This is packed.

-Bums on seats.

-This is good. I've got a good feeling.

I told you.

She did, indeed. Let's see what they make of Paul's candlesticks.

-There's a twitching going on here. There's a nervous twitch.

-There is.

£50. 40. 30. 20. 10. Starting at a fiver.

Fiver bid. At five, at five, at five.

Anybody going to give me seven? £7. £9 down the back. At nine.

-At 11. At 11, at 11.

-We're in profit.

At 11. 13. 13, gentleman in the middle.

At 13. At 13. 15 to the lady. Is everybody happy at £15?

-Not ecstatic, but better than nought. I'm happy.

-Well done.

Yep, a modest start.

Calling all fine diners, it's Catherine's first lot.

-Wait a minute. This is your lot.

-This is my gong.

Do keep up.

At £30. Any advance on 30?

I'm going to sell at £35 if we can't get more money.

-Oh, no, more.

-At £35. 40. At 40. And again at 40.

At 40, at 40, at 40, at £40.

At £40 it is once. £40 it is twice.

Is everybody happy at £40?

This bodes well. One profit each.

Oi-oi, it's the monkey. Was Catherine right to reject him?

You stared a gift horse in the mouth.

You didn't give it to me properly. If you... I was cross.

-If you'd have given that to me...

-Were you?

-Yes, I was.

-It's designed by...

-Oh, OK.

It has a printed and impressed marque.

With a build-up like that,

who's going to give me £75 to start the bidding?

-60.

-No.

-50. 30.

£30 bid. At £30. At 30. At 35.

£40 at the back on the phone.

-Genius.

-On the phone?

-£40.

-Could have had that.

I'm going to sell it at £40 if I can't get more money.

At £40, it is once. At £40 twice.

All finished and done at... New blood. At 45. At 45.

At 45 here at the front. At 45 once. Twice.

All finished, all done at 45. Lady at the front at 45.

It's not peanuts.

It's hotting up. I can feel it.

How will Catherine's arresting purchase fair?

-Who's going to give me £100?

-Oh, yes, please.

75. Start me at 50. £50 bid. At £50.

Any advance on 50? At £50. £60 on my right.

He's got 60 quid.

70. At £70.

Did he say 70? You wish you'd have bought these, don't you?

All finished, all done at £70. You got them at 70.

That'll ease the monkey regrets.

I knew I loved Northern Ireland. This is great.

Paul's manicure set next.

Do you manicure?

Well, no.

Who's going to give me £50?

40. 30. 20. £20 bid. At £20.

-That's all right.

-That's fine.

25 over here. £30 in the back. At £30. At 30, at 30, at 30.

35 in the middle. £35. At 35.

-At 40. At 40, at 40, at 40.

-40?

At £40 it is. 45. New blood.

God bless you. Come again.

At 50 down here. At £50. Any advance on 50?

All finished, all done at £50. Lady at the front at 50.

That was a hit.

I mean they were nice. They weren't that nice.

Never mind nice, they were spectacular.

50 quid spectacular, woman!

Catherine's pokerwork frame. No losses yet.

The most stylish object in tonight's sale.

Did he say it was the most stylish object in the sale?

That's what I said about it.

I rate this rather highly as an object.

You listening to this?

£200. 150.

Start me at £100.

Start me at £50.

40? £40 bid.

At £40. At 40, at 40, at 40.

Straight in, no? He thinks 200.

45. 50 on the phone. At 50 on the phone.

On the phone? Did he say on the phone?

55 seated. At 55 seated. Any advance on 55?

55. At 55. At 60, new blood.

They are queueing up to buy the mirror.

They've all come tonight to buy the mirror.

I see looks of pleasure,

almost ecstasy on the faces of our celebrities.

All finished and done at £60? Lady's bid on my extreme right at £60.

-I'm pleased with that.

-Pleased?

This is a very nice auction indeed.

Time for Paul's controversial spoons and his caster.

Start me at £50. 40. 30.

£30 bid. At the very back at £30.

Straight in, come on, keep it going.

30. At 35. At 35 with me.

That's enough.

£40. Any advance on 40? Who's going to give me 45?

-I never liked that spoon anyway.

-You like it a lot less now.

At £40 it is twice.

All finished, all done at £40.

Will the profits never cease?

Catherine's bird brooch is next.

Start me off at £20. 15.

10 anywhere to begin the bidding. £10 bid down here.

-£10? I paid 18.

-Oh, right.

At £10 in the middle there. At £10 and I'm going to sell it.

At £10 if we can't get more money.

All finished, all done at the back there at £10.

£10 more than it's worth.

Don't be so rude.

Don't listen to him, Catherine.

Paul's locket is up now.

Start me off at £100. £70.

-I like his optimism.

-No.

40. £40 bid. At 40, at 40, at 40. At 50. At £50.

Any advance on 50?

-50, that's amazing.

-Not bad.

£50 it is once.

-That's good, Paul.

-I'll take it.

All finished, all done at £50. That's £50.

Well done. That is good.

Doubled up. Just one lot to go.

My work here is done. Good luck with fancy dress.

Now that IS rude. I'm rooting for you, Catherine.

A vintage, retro 1970s jacket.

Hey!

That's the way to sell it, Bridget.

Wahey!

All you get is the...

Doesn't she look fabulous?

The star of the show, Bridget.

It actually fits really well.

£50. 40. 30. 20.

-£20 bid. At 25.

-At 30 by a gentleman.

Oh, my goodness!

50 back there. At 50.

What?

At 50. At 60 at the back. At £60.

At £60, it is once. £60, it is twice.

All finished and done at £60. Well done, sir.

Well done!

You did a great job.

She certainly did. Another mighty profit.

Well, I don't know about you but I am ready for my bed.

-Are we going to get our slippers?

-Absolutely. We need slippers.

That really was auction night fever.

Catherine started out with £200

and made, after paying auction costs, a profit of £58.80.

Paul began with the same sum and, after paying auction costs,

he's produced a profit of £82 and a slim lead.

We are out of here.

Profits all the way!

Until next time, then, you cheeky scamps!