Episode 2 Antiques Road Trip

It's the nation's favourite antiques experts!

-DONG!

-That's cracking!

-With £200 each...

-Wonderful!

-..a classic car and a goal to scour Britain for antiques.

-That's exactly what I'm talking about.

-I'm all over a-shiver!

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

-No-brainer.

-Going, going, gone.

There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

So, will it be the high road to glory?

-Push!

-Or the slow road to disaster?

How awfully, awfully nice.

This is Antiques Road Trip!

Yeah!

It's the second leg of the road trip

for our top auctioneering twosome,

Raj Bisram and Anita Manning, who are full of the joys of spring.

This is a very beautiful part of the year, isn't it?

It's lovely. The daffodils are out

and it really feels as if spring is now kicking in.

Raj's tactics so far have been

to challenge jewellery junkie Anita at her own game...

I love these two things.

..whereas Anita is ladling out Philip Serrell's usual fare.

Heigh-ho, heigh-ho.

-It's off to auction I go!

-WOMAN LAUGHS

The 1978 Triumph Spitfire is their trusty, or is it rusty,

companion for the week.

And here we are, open top car. I like this car.

-I know, it's nice!

-It's been really nice to drive, I have to say.

Off to a good start, then.

Both experts began their road trip with £200 each.

One auction down and a great start all round

means that Anita has £299.78 to play with.

But Raj steamed ahead,

taking an early lead with a staggering £370.74.

Well done, boy!

Well, Raj, we've got plenty of dosh in our pockets.

We did so well yesterday.

Is it the big spend today?

Well, I think so.

After setting off from Wisbech in Cambridgeshire,

they're exploring Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex,

then gallivanting south to Kent, Surrey and Sussex,

before ending up in Bolton, Lancashire, for their final auction.

Gosh!

Today's leg begins in Sheringham in Norfolk, with their second auction

taking them south to Stansted Mountfitchet in Essex.

So, Raj, you're full of beans today,

but there's a special reason for that.

-I believe it's your birthday, darling?

-It is indeed, it is indeed.

# Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you

# Happy birthday, Mr Bisram...

-# Happy birthday to you!

-Happy birthday to you. #

-Whoa!

-Oh, lovely.

Who needs Marilyn Monroe, eh?

Well, the sun is shining today, it's my birthday,

all the omens are that I am going to find myself a little jewel in a shop

-somewhere here in Norfolk.

-Jewel, yeah.

The seaside town of Sheringham is home to the North Norfolk Railway,

which runs steam train journeys

through the area's stunning coastal countryside.

Here we go.

Oh, this is lovely.

-Raj, they've put out the bunting for us.

-What more could you want?

Anita's first shop today is

Sheringham Collectables, run by Barry. Hello!

-Hello.

-Hello.

-Hi, I'm Anita.

-Hello, Anita.

-This is just looking absolutely wonderful.

I think I'm going to have to take my bonnet off and my gloves off.

She definitely means business, this woman.

From glassware to china, jewellery and militaria,

the shop sells all things collectable.

The coin market is really vibrant just now.

If you can find coins between, I think it's '27 and '36,

these are the crowns that were made in very limited editions and that

could be worth a lot of money.

And if you find a 1934 crown...

..it will be worth four figures.

Good tip, but unfortunately, none of those here today.

This is quite an interesting wee item.

It's a top-hat brush.

It is hallmarked silver and it is embossed with the family

at the table eating, drinking.

So, it's a nice domestic scene.

I think I might have a go at that.

But first, Anita's got her eye on those cabinets again.

Could I have a look at the enamelled dressing table set

and also the Masonic locket?

Well, there's the Masonic locket.

Thank you.

I rather like the look of this.

At the front, we have the dividers,

which are a Masonic symbol, and this rather attractive cornucopia.

It belonged to Brother William Jones in 1944.

It's fully hallmarked at the bottom

and, though it might have a limited appeal, I like it.

One to consider. Now, what about that dressing table set?

So, the important thing about, er...enamelled wear

-is that it shouldn't have any damage, really, isn't it?

-Yes.

-A bit of damage on the mirror.

-That's a shame,

because the mirror's probably one of the most important pieces.

-Yes.

-And we've got some damage there.

-Damage there.

-But it's a rather pretty pattern, with the cream,

-the garlands of flowers...

-Yeah.

-..and the brush has got a kind of

wee scuff on it as well. So I've got...

..three pieces with damage.

Anita's rather keen on this dressing table set, marked up at £45,

the Masonic pendant at 30

and the top-hat brush at 38, totalling £113.

So, can she get a deal for the three?

Could we be anywhere near £50 on these?

Um, how about 55?

-55. I think that's smashing.

-Yeah?

-I'm happy with that.

So that's £55 for the three.

A marvellous £58 off for Anita.

Meanwhile, the birthday boy is navigating the Norfolk countryside.

Let's hope I can find something really nice today.

I've got money and I want to spend it.

Exciting stuff, eh?

Back in Sheringham, Anita hasn't made it very far.

Just next door, in fact!

With three lots in the bag,

the Queen of hats just can't help herself.

Oh, I say.

Coquettish? The size of Spain!

That's one of MY hats. Look out!

Was she ever in the home guard? Might well have been!

LAUGHTER

She loves it, doesn't she?

Good Lord!

Meanwhile, Raj is heading south to the village of Blickling,

once home to a man who played a crucial role in defeating Hitler

and bringing an end to the Second World War.

Wow!

National Trust guide Malcolm Bird is here to tell Raj more.

-Hello there.

-Good morning.

-You must be Malcolm?

-Welcome to Blickling.

What a fantastic place.

This breathtaking Jacobean mansion was built in the early 17th century

and its last owner took over Blickling over 300 years later.

Philip Kerr became the 11th Marquis of Lothian in 1930

and he inherited the title from a cousin.

Before inheriting the estate, Lord Lothian had served

as private secretary to the then Prime Minister, Lloyd George.

He was based mainly in London, but when he stayed at Blickling,

he hosted the great and the good of British society.

A great room to entertain in.

Oh, yes. Numerous distinguished people have visited.

Who was his social circle?

He entertained the then Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin...

-OK.

-..and his wife and, er,

he became friends with Nancy and Waldorf Astor.

The Astors were American-born millionaires.

Nancy was the first female MP

and, along with Lord Lothian and other prominent figures,

these politically influential people were known as the Cliveden Set.

At first, they supported the controversial appeasement policy,

aiming to prevent another war, giving Germany the right

to take back land confiscated after World War I.

Was he actually a German sympathiser?

I don't think he was.

But there was a cartoon in one of the newspapers at the time that

illustrated Lord Lothian and the Cliveden Set doing the goose step,

you know? It sort of implied that they were Nazi sympathisers.

Controversially, Lothian and the Cliveden Set

initially admired Germany's new ruler's strong leadership.

They believed Hitler and Germany

were being too strongly punished for World War I.

Did Lord Lothian ever meet Hitler?

He did meet Hitler on two occasions, yes.

Once Hitler's true intentions

of further territorial expansion were clear,

Lord Lothian repented his earlier views,

admitting Hitler was a fanatical gangster.

Having been appointed American ambassador

just before the war broke out, Lord Lothian used his power and charm

to try and put a stop to Hitler's

aggression by highlighting the danger the world was in

and drumming up American support for Britain's war effort.

So this is a recording of his speeches that he made in America

asking the people of America for help?

Yes, the situation that was arising, we couldn't handle it on our own -

he knew we couldn't - and we needed their help.

-RECORDING:

-Nazi Germany is in a better position to win a world empire today

than she was in the last war. Today, she can concentrate

almost every particle of force she has in the West.

Lord Lothian not only swayed American public opinion,

he also persuaded a reluctant Winston Churchill as Prime Minister

to write what would become a historic letter

to President Roosevelt to ask for help.

This agreement with America, starting with military aid,

which led eventually to the Americans

joining the Second World War as Allies.

Getting the Americans to help must've been a huge achievement?

Oh, certainly, yes.

But did he actually get the credit for starting things off?

I think it was Churchill said he was one of, if not the best,

ambassador this country had ever had.

Philip Kerr, the 11th Marquess of Lothian,

died soon after in Washington, in December 1940, aged 58.

This intelligent, charismatic man was one

of the most politically influential people in modern history.

Thought by many to have been a Nazi sympathiser, he in fact

played a prominent role in the fall of Nazi Germany once and for all.

Back with Anita now, who's made her way to Stalham,

the northern gateway to 125 miles of navigable waterways

known as the Norfolk broads.

But Anita's here to navigate her way around more familiar territory

and local antique delights

at Stalham Antique Gallery, run by Mike.

-Hello!

-Oh, hello.

-Welcome to Stalham.

-Oh, it's lovely, lovely, lovely to be here.

How lovely! With over 35 years in the trade,

Mike has a passion for pieces from the 17th to the 19th century.

This is one of the favourites at the moment, this lovely rosewood table

with a fabulous cross-banded edge in walnut.

The patina is really... It's like silk, isn't it?

-Yeah. Can we get it in the back of your car?

-Ha-ha!

The only problem is the ticket price of £3,600. Ha!

Now, THAT I would love to buy.

-OK.

-But I'm going to have a look around

-to see if I can see any maybe small pieces of furniture?

-Yeah.

-If not, we maybe have a trailer to put on the back of your car.

-Aw!

Good luck with that, then!

Meanwhile, Raj is just ten miles north-west of Anita

in the former weaving town of North Walsham to visit...

Wait a minute, where's he going? The garden centre?

I've just stopped at a garden centre.

It's not really the place you look for antiques, but you never know.

Blimey, what's he up to now?

A sack of peat? A phone box?

That's exactly what I'm talking about.

Something that's a bit unusual

that you wouldn't find in a place like this - an old telephone box.

Ring-ring! How's that, eh?

Ben's the man to call today. Hello, Ben.

-Hi.

-Hello!

-Are you the owner?

-Yes, I am.

-This is fantastic.

-This is just the thing I'm looking for.

-OK.

Give me an idea what kind of money you would be expecting for it?

Um...1,000-1,500?

-I've got about 300... Just over £330.

-Right, OK.

Is there any way we're going to be able to do a deal?

I don't think I could do it for that.

But Ben thinks he might have something else

that might tickle Raj's fancy.

Right, I managed to dig out an old apple picker.

Um, we tend to get items like this to put out on display.

You know, it's a nice piece of...

old agricultural collector's item, really. How much can you do it for?

-£10?

-£5 and we've got a deal.

-Yeah, OK, we can do that.

-Yeah?

-Yeah, sounds good.

-We have a deal.

-A lovely job.

-Thank you, Ben.

And that is Raj's first buy of the trip.

An apple picker bag for a fiver.

Back with Anita now in Stalham

and she's finally found some smaller items.

Well, this just looks like the teddy bears' picnic!

Isn't this absolutely delightful?

This little chair, I like particularly.

It's a little child deckchair, or steamer chair.

It's probably from the late 19th, early 20th century.

A wee bit of damage there, which is a wee bit worrying.

But I also like this lovely pokerwork table

that all the teddy bears are sitting around.

Now, this is early 20th century,

and here we have an image of a pretty girl.

The little table has bobbin turned legs,

and further pokerwork decoration on the understage.

People like miniature things.

Pokerwork is the art of burning a design into wood or leather

using a heated, pointed tool, also known as pyrography.

With no price on it, Anita calls Mike over.

So I like this table.

I think it's quite sweet.

Now, is this something that I could buy for not a lot of money?

I think it's worth about £100, but, to you, maybe a bit less.

It's pretty, it's perfect, it's lovely, but these are not unusual.

Well, I'd like you to beat your competitor.

-Oh, thank you, darling!

-So I think, today, we'll say £40.

-Will we say 40?

-SHE GASPS

That is a wonderful deal.

-Have we got a deal?

-We've got a deal.

Scorching. That's £40 for the late-19th-century pokerwork table.

Meanwhile, Raj has made his way half a mile further down the road to

a more traditional Road Trip stop in North Walsham,

at Timeline Antiques Centre, run by Michael.

Hello. Michael?

-Hello, Raj.

-Hi, nice to meet you.

The centre is home to several different dealers,

stocking both small and large antiques.

I'm wondering if I could maybe put Anita in these?

I don't think she'd appreciate it, really.

No, me neither. Best move on.

I have to say, I do like furniture,

and I especially like nice, early oak,

and this is an 18th-century... It's what they call a mule chest.

Actually, it's got some nice inlay.

It's not in bad condition, this one.

I mean, the hinges have been replaced.

It's got quite a few splits as well.

But here, they've had little minor repairs, but you would expect that.

You know, this is an old piece - 1741.

It's a bit over my budget, though,

so I'd better look at something else.

Yes, at £675, you better had.

I've seen a really nice pair of scallop-rounded dishes, Crown Derby,

which I quite like as well, in one of these cabinets here.

Raj calls on Michael's assistance to take a closer look.

These are nice, and are they in perfect condition?

This one feels like it is.

For their age, they're in really good condition, yeah.

-Talking about 1806...

-Yeah!

-..that sort of date.

Yeah, they're nice, I quite like them.

-Can I have a look at the other one, please?

-Yes.

-They are early ones.

-All hand-painted.

-Yeah.

-And the shape of them is slightly different, isn't it?

-Yeah.

The ticket price is £78.

What can you do these for, Michael?

-Because I bought them well...

-Mm-hm?

-..um, I could let those go for £30.

I would normally say, "Can you do a little bit better?"

because it's just in my nature, OK?

But, on this occasion, at £30...

..I'm going to shake your hand.

-That's wonderful, thank you.

-Thank you very much indeed, Michael.

That's a fair, fair price, so...lovely!

But Raj isn't done just yet. Oh, no.

Have you got anything that's apple-related?

Weird question.

-Er...

-Because I'll tell you why. I've bought a lot already.

It's just a simple apple picker, and I wanted to know if I could buy

anything that was apple-connected to put with it to bulk the lot up.

I've got a preserve pot in the shape of an apple.

Oh, you could be onto something.

Yep, a silver-plated EPNS apple sauce pot.

Yeah, it's not a lot of money. I mean, what could you do that for?

A fiver?

A fiver? Yes, I'll have that as well.

-Well done.

-Thank you very much indeed.

So that's £35 for a pair of early 19th-century scalloped Derby dishes

and an apple preserve pot.

On that fruity note, it's time to get some shut-eye, Antiquers.

Nighty night.

Wakey-wakey, rise and shine!

It's another beautiful day for treasure hunting.

# On the road again, Raj! We're on the road again

# We're on the road We're on the road

# We're on the road again! #

And in high spirits.

So far, Anita's gathered four items -

a silver top-hat brush, a Masonic pendant,

an enamel dressing table set and a pokerwork table, all for £95,

leaving her just over 200 still to spend.

Isn't this absolutely delightful?

Raj has three items -

an apple picker bag and an apple preserve pot,

and a pair of scalloped Derby dishes, costing just £40,

so he still has just over £330 left.

Yes, I'm going to have that as well.

I've been learning some Norfolk sayings while I've been here.

What do you think it is to pingle?

To pingle? Tell me.

It's to play with your food.

Oh, right!

Not sure that'll come up today, but thanks anyway.

-Look at that, beautiful.

-Oh, wow!

-Here we are in beautiful, beautiful Norwich.

-Wow.

Wow, isn't that gorgeous?

This morning, the jolly duo are

taking the Triumph Spitfire to Norwich,

Norfolk's county town, voted England's first city of literature.

-I think I'm going shopping.

-Aw, well, have a great time.

-Yeah.

You might be tempted to spend big.

-You never know!

-With all your dosh.

-Yep, I've got some money.

Based just outside Norwich city centre is East Anglia's largest

dealer-based antiques and collectables centre -

Looses Emporium.

Patrick is at the helm today.

-Hello, Patrick, is it?

-Yes, it is.

-Hi, Raj, nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you.

-What a place!

-It is.

It looks enormous!

It is. With two floors of antiques, vintage,

retro and modern items to peruse, Raj has a lot of ground to cover,

so Patrick's helping.

Oh, I've just noticed this.

-Oh, yeah, that...

-Oh, I tell you, can I try that on?

-Anita would love it.

-OK, then.

-Let's try that.

-When she sees this...

-Let's try this on.

-RAJ LAUGHS

-How does it go on?

-I don't know. I'll try.

OK.

Chief Long-in-the-Tooth Bisram is in the building.

Maybe I'd have the mickey taken out too much if I bought that,

but it is different.

It certainly is that. But what else have you seen?

These fairground, these... Old 1940s, I guess?

Yeah, probably a little bit earlier, some of them.

I'd do you one for £200. That's what they cost me each.

I don't know a lot about them. I know they're collectable.

They are collectable at the moment, yeah.

-RAJ SIGHS

-They don't often come on the market.

I mean, I have to say,

I am tempted by them, they are slightly different.

I mean, actually, I just noticed that...

-That motorbike one.

-Yeah, that's the one I'd want.

You see, then, if I bought something like that,

then I'd be looking for two different markets,

not only the fairground market, the decorative market...

-Mmm, motorbike people.

-..but also the motorbike people, as well.

It's a little bit risky for me, but will you take £150 cash for them?

I can do 180.

What about split the difference - 160?

-I can't risk too much.

-Go on, then.

-160?

-Go on, then.

-We've got a deal.

-Got a deal.

Very kind, Patrick. Anita was right.

It seems Raj is spending big today and he's not finished yet.

It's dealer Roy's turn now.

Is it possible I could have a look at this, I guess, paper knife,

-I think you'd call it?

-Are you over 18?

-I'm over 18!

Only just, though, only just.

In your dreams!

Yeah, what I noticed, and it is as well,

-is the engraving here of the tennis player.

-Mm-hm.

-Unusual.

-It IS unusual.

-I would guess, from the blade, probably '60s or '70s.

-OK.

-Not a particularly old piece, but unusual.

-No.

-It is unusual. I mean, it's a great maker.

-Mm-hm.

-Wilkinson.

-That is definitely quite a quality item.

-Yeah.

What could you do this for?

Erm...the very best would be 40. And that's half-price.

Could I possibly offer you 35 for it?

It would be cash.

-Yes.

-Yes?

-At £35...

-Leaving me a little bit of meat on the bone, as they say.

I'm going to shake your hand.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-No problem.

-Thank you very much.

So that's £35 for the engraved paper knife

and 160 for the early 20th-century fairground motorcycle ride.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-Thank you.

-Thank you for showing me around.

-That's all right. I hope you do ever so well with it.

Still in Norwich, Anita's here to find out

about a little-known local lad

who was once an entertainer and film star, famous the world over.

To tell Anita more about this forgotten pioneer

of stage and screen is local historian and author Philip Yaxley.

-Hi, Philip.

-Lovely to see you, Anita.

It's lovely to be here in this wonderful square,

with Norwich Cathedral here and the marvellous Norwich School.

William Vernon Blyth was born in 1887.

After attending Norwich School,

he sought fame and fortune as a magician and comedian in London.

His sister, Coralie, was already big in the West End theatre scene,

but in 1906, she went to America and took 19-year-old Vernon along.

He got a small part in one of her plays, leading to other roles,

which not only impressed his peers,

but also wannabe actress, Irene Foote,

who went on to become his wife.

Was he successful at that time before he met Irene?

He was becoming more and more well-known on the Broadway stage.

They got married in May 1911,

and they became more and more successful.

Vernon Castle, as he was now known, and wife, Irene,

went on to act in Paris.

Whilst there, they made the move

from acting to dancing, after getting a slot

at elegant Parisian dining and dancing revue Cafe de Paris.

At the time, intimate animal-named dances, like the turkey trot,

were all the rage, but the Castles tamed these dances,

refining and popularising them.

When they returned to America, their careers continued to skyrocket.

1914 was a very, very big year - the pinnacle of their success.

They issued the bestselling book, Modern Dancing.

And they did a whirlwind tour of American cities, 35 -

some people call it 32 - cities in 28 days!

And, everywhere they went, there were big banners,

"The Castles are coming, hooray, hooray!" and big crowds!

Equate it to the Beatles in 1964.

They were young, they were talented, they were beautiful,

and everyone wanted to copy what they were doing.

Yes, with all their endorsements and fashion,

they weren't just the Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire of that time,

but heavens they were, but they were also the Posh and Becks.

Vernon wrote a film, called The Whirl of Life.

A huge hit, both at home and abroad,

even Fred Astaire admitted Vernon was his dancing inspiration.

To tell and show Anita more is

professional ballroom dancer Sasha Zagovsky.

Tell me what the popular dances of that time were.

Well, really, as a reaction to the stiff formality

of the Victorian age, the animal dances had become very popular,

and we had everything from the bunny hug

to the chicken scratch to the kangaroo hop.

The one that survives to today, of course, is the foxtrot.

The Castles refined all of these dances

and made them much more acceptable.

Give it a go, then, Anita. If I can do it, anyone can.

Eight steps.

And then, from there, achieve a rotation.

Not one I ever did on Strictly.

-We breeze along happily, as Vernon Castle says in his book.

-Great fun!

You back away from each other. You run around me, Anita.

We wind up, I turn to meet you, we do a lovely little dance pose.

-Aw!

-SHE LAUGHS

Seven!

So what influence did they have from that time up to today?

Really it's the idea of style, polish, poise,

elegance and technique.

All of those things! Really, without the Castles,

we wouldn't have ballroom dancing today, and probably no Strictly.

And that would be a shame.

Vernon died in 1918, serving his country in World War I.

Irene retired from public life a few years later, but lived until 1969.

Just over 20 years after Vernon's death,

their story was memorialised when Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers

starred in The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle.

This local Norwich boy may no longer be well-known,

but without him pioneering a clean-cut but fun dancing style,

ballroom dancing wouldn't be what it is today.

In the meanwhile, Raj has whizzed southwest of Norwich to Wymondham.

He's here to check out a local gem, Market Cross Antiques, run by David.

-Hello there.

-Hello, how are you?

-David, is it?

-It certainly is.

-I'm Raj.

-How'd you do?

There's three showrooms' worth of stock to choose from.

What have you got there?

This is a piece of West German pottery.

At the time, it wasn't very, very popular,

but it seems to have become more and more popular now.

So that's a possibility.

It's got a ticket price of £35 for it.

If I could get that for...

£15, £20...

there's a few bob in it.

One to think about. Maybe try another room.

These are a little bit different, a pair of saddles.

One for me, one for Anita. We could go riding off into the sunshine.

Time to find David.

-I've seen the pair of saddles.

-Oh, yeah?

You've got £20 on each. What's the best?

I'd do the pair for 20.

-The pair for 20?

-That's gotta be cheap.

Could I squeeze you to 15 for the two?

-Yeah, go on.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah.

-I want you to be happy as well.

-Yeah.

-Yeah? Are you sure?

-Yeah.

Yee-ha! That's £15 for the two old leather saddles.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-I hope you have some luck with them.

Back with Anita now, who's making her way to the village of Panxworth,

home of a group of 17th-century

thatched barns and Norfolk Antique & Reclamation Centre.

In charge today there is Frank.

Hello, I'm Anita.

-Hi, Frank, nice to meet you.

-Oh, it's lovely to meet you too.

This is an astonishing place.

The centre combines architectural salvage with antiquities and curiosities.

Plenty to pique Anita's interest and, yes,

she's already found something.

There are so many things in here which are huge and heavy.

But this is a nice, wee chest.

It needs a bit of TLC

but it's a good, honest, wee 19th-century piece here.

Miniature chest.

It's had a lock.

This might have carried precious stuff in it.

It might have been a fine lady's jewels.

It's made of pine and it has these

iron strapping affairs here.

And look! Two wee carrying handles.

Isn't that sweet?

With no ticket price, it's time to call Frank.

Frank!

I've spotted this wee miniature chest here.

Oh, yeah, a lovely little pine box.

Uh-huh. There is no price on it just now.

What I'd like to pay for it is £20.

Is that coming anywhere near

what you're...?

We have it listed online for 65.

-Erm...

-65. Oh, but it's still online at 65.

-It hasn't sold.

-You're quite right.

I can meet you at £30.

Could you come down even a wee bit more?

Just a wee bit more to 25?

How about we split the difference?

-27.50.

-27.50.

-Put it there.

-It's a hard bargain.

Thank you, thank you.

Deal done. £27.50 for the miniature pine chest.

-Thank you very much.

-You're welcome.

-Thanks. It's been great.

-Good luck at the auction.

And, with that, shopping is complete.

Let's take a peek at our experts' treasures.

Along with the pine box, Anita bought a Masonic pendant,

a top-hat brush, an enamelled dressing-table set,

and a Victorian pokerwork table for £122.50.

Raj spent £250 on an apple picker bag and preserve pot,

a pair of 19th-century Derby china dishes,

an early 20th-century fairground ride, an engraved paperknife,

and two old leather saddles.

So, what do they think?

I think Raj has bought really well this time.

I love those Derby dishes.

A pair. They're the right period.

He's got to double his money.

The silver and enamelled dressing-table set is definitely good quality

but I think I've spotted a little bit of damage.

So we'll see how that goes.

I think my favourite item is the fairground motorcycle.

But that was a bit dangerous at £160.

This is a nice occasional table.

Lots of people are looking for things like this.

I shall be very confident for her.

We shall soon see.

After starting in Sheringham, Norfolk,

Anita and Raj are now nearing their second auction in Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex.

So, how do they think they'll do?

There's £70 between us.

20 or 30 quid is easy to make up.

70 quid is not as easy.

You may not be... You may not make it up in one hit

but I may well lose it in one hit.

THEY LAUGH

That's the exciting thing about auctions.

You never quite know what will happen.

I'm worried about the motorcycle because I've laid out so much.

But you were dangerous and you were courageous

and you love taking a gamble, Raj.

I think I'm the Evel Knievel of the antiques world.

If you say so, Raj.

-Essex...

-Uh-huh?

..is the wealthiest county in Britain.

-Oh, right, well, I hope they are all at the auction.

-So do I. So do I.

I'm not sure that's true but the county does have more islands than

any other in England, with 35 of them.

But our experts' last stop is on mainland Essex

at Sworders auctioneers.

This looks spectacular, doesn't it?

-Lots of cars as well.

-Yes, it does. Oh, it's going to be busy, Raj.

Oh, it is going to be busy for sure.

OK, here we go. Well, good luck today.

Let's go and make some money.

Today's gal with a gavel is Prudence Hopkins.

I think the Masonic pendant is rather nice.

Generally, I would probably say this one might struggle on the day, but you never know.

The apple pickers and the little apple preserve dish

is a really fun lot.

I'm not sure how many people have orchards in Essex

but hopefully someone will pick it up for its quirkiness.

The pokerwork table is a very nice lot.

It's very interesting and hopefully, again, it will do well on the day.

The fairground motorcycle is my favourite lot.

I think it's an interior piece, so I think that's our winner.

Take your seats. It's time to see what both the local clientele and

internet bidders think.

First up is Anita's Masonic pendant.

I'm straight in at £20.

£20 is bid.

-Already, fantastic.

-Do I see 25 anywhere?

£20 is bid.

25 is yours, sir.

£25 now in the room.

-Another one.

-We'll sell it, then, at £25.

Make no mistake.

It's a solid profit, straight off the bat, for Anita.

That's not a bad profit.

What a good start.

-Good start.

-It's what I predicted.

A little profit on it.

We knew it wasn't going to fly but at least it's paid for its lunch.

Sticking with Anita, it's her silver top-hat brush.

Pretty thing, this one.

£20 for this one.

20.

-Oh, no, they don't like it.

-Ten, then. Take it away today.

£10 for this one.

£10 is bid. Thank you. 15 now on the internet.

20. 25 to bid, internet.

-Yeah.

-I have £20.

£20 in the room, then.

25 now on the internet.

30?

£25, then.

On the internet, they'll take it at 25.

It's another profit for Anita.

I thought it might go a little further.

Listen, you've sold two things and you made a profit on each one.

If I get to that position, I'll be happy as well, OK?

Well, let's see, eh, as Raj's Derby dishes are next.

£20 for these.

20...£20 is bid.

Thank you. Do I see five anywhere?

£20 is now bid.

The room goes silent.

We will sell them, maiden bid at 20.

Oh, dear. That's got to hurt.

Does my face looked disappointed?

-Yup.

-£20?

I know.

£20? Did I hear right?

Afraid so, fella!

But maybe his apple picker bag and preserve holder will do better.

OK, let's hope they love it.

Just what you need for the summer.

Make your own cider.

-This one, £20...

-Come on!

20 for this.

-Come on!

-Ten, then, take it away today.

£10.

£10 today.

Five, then.

£5. Any interest?

-£5. Thanks, sir.

-Do they grow apples in Essex?

Come and take her at £5.

Do I see ten anywhere?

We'll sell it, then, at £5, maiden bid.

Second loss for Raj. Ouch!

Oh, darling...

I'm not sure what's going on today.

But...

I must be still asleep.

OK? I'm going to wake up in a minute, aren't I?

Let's go back to Anita and see if she's still on her lucky streak

with her pokerwork table.

£40 for this one.

£40 is bid.

Thank you. Do I see five? 45.

-Straight in at 40.

-Straight in at 40.

-Straight in at 40.

50...

55. 60.

£60 now with the lady. 65, new bidder.

Well done again.

-70.

-70?

-75.

80.

85.

90.

-Yes!

-£90, then, with the lady...

Well done. Well done.

I'm coming shopping with you.

Take it away today at £90.

Great stuff. Anita's more than doubled her money.

You certainly are brilliant.

Maybe Raj's luck will turn with his engraved paperknife.

And I can start the bidding straight in at £25.

£25 is bid.

-Paid 35 for it.

-Do I see 30 anywhere for the little paperknife?

£25. 30.

35 with me.

-Come on.

-40, sir.

-Yes.

40 is yours.

£40, then, in the room.

It's quiet, everyone else.

We'll sell it at 40.

There is still time to claw back some profits, Raj.

Back with Anita, now, for her miniature pine chest.

Start me off. £30.

£30 on the internet.

-£30 straight in.

-Done it!

-Do I see five anywhere?

-Straight in.

£30 straight in.

We'll sell it to the internet, make no mistake, at £30...

That should have done better. Bad luck, Anita.

Now, can Raj ride off with some profits with his two saddles?

Start me off. £20 for the two saddles.

20. Ten, then, take them away today.

-Struggling a bit, darling.

-£10 is bid.

-Thank you. Do I see 15 anywhere?

-Got ten.

-£10 is now bid.

No, they're not going to sell for a fiver each.

15 to take them away. Selling, then, maiden bid at £10.

Blimey! That's the third loss for Raj.

Look at them, they are very happy. Look, they're going,

"Can't believe we've got those two saddles for £10."

Yeah, well, that's the auction.

-Well...

-A day out at the auctions.

Next, it's Anita's final item.

The enamelled dressing-table set.

Here we are. Here we are.

Pay attention. Pay attention.

-OK, here we go.

-Very pretty,

a slight little bit of damage but that won't alter it.

Start me off - £20 for this.

-20 straight in.

-20 is bid.

-Yes.

-Thank you, sir.

-Yes.

-25 now on the internet.

30, sir. 30.

35. 40.

-Good.

-45. 50.

-Yeah.

-55, 60...

-Oh.

65. 70.

£70. 75, now, on the internet.

80 to bid, sir?

-£80 for the gentleman in the room.

-Yes.

-Wow!

-Yes.

85 on the internet.

-90.

-Yes.

-It's still going.

-95.

-Yes.

100.

110.

-Yes.

-Ooh. Wow.

-120 to bid.

120. 130 to bid, internet.

130.

-I don't believe it. I don't... Oh, yes.

-140.

In the room, if you're all done and out, at £140...

Incredible. That's seven times what Anita paid for it.

-Yes.

-What a...

-What a result.

-Vroom, vroom...

You've caught up already.

Oh, my goodness.

Well done indeed.

It all comes down now to Raj's last item -

his biggest spend and riskiest buy.

-Here we go.

-I have a run of bids on this.

I have to be in at £140.

-Yes!

-All right, it's not a profit.

-£140 is now bid.

-Not a profit yet.

Do I see 150 anywhere?

-100 and... 150, 160...

-Yes.

170 to bid, internet.

170. 180.

190 to bid. 190 now on the internet.

-200 in the room.

-Yes.

-£200 in the room.

220. 240.

260 to bid.

260. 280.

300.

£300, then, on the internet.

-If you are quiet in the room...

-Well...

-..we'll sell it at £300.

Yeah, that's OK.

Amazing. Certainly a clever buy from Raj, almost double his money.

-Are you happy, darling?

-Yes, I'm happy with that.

-Oh...

-Yes, I'm happy with that.

-Oh, that's wonderful.

Yes, that's good. I'm happy with that.

Definitely happy.

And so he should be, but is it enough?

Raj set off this leg with £370.74.

Post-auction costs, he's up £57.50,

giving him £428.24.

Anita began with £299.78,

and after auction costs, she made £131.70,

making her today's winner with £431.48.

Good going, girl.

Well, well done, Anita.

Well, that was so, so...

-Exciting wasn't it?

-..exciting.

Well done, you're in front now.

Oh, not just snapping at your heels.

A wee, wee bit in front.

-You certainly are.

-Well, Raj,

what's going to happen next?

Let's go off to the next one!

Can't wait. See you soon, chaps.

Next time, our auctioneers continue their south-east adventure.

Are we going round in circles, here?

Raj goes gaga for all things antique.

My eyes are starting to sparkle.

And Anita Manning goes all out for a deal.

I love you too.