Episode 1 Antiques Road Trip

It's the nation's favourite antiques experts...

-What a job.

-..with £200 each...

-Are you with me?

-..a classic car...

-Buckle up.

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

-Ooh, sorry!

-Ha-ha!

The aim - to make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no mean feat.

-There'll be worthy winners...

-Yes!

-..and valiant losers.

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

Have a good trip.

This is the Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah!

Welcome to the hop gardens and orchards of Kent...

..for a brand-new instalment of an age-old struggle.

-Deja vu.

-Deja vu.

Not just twice but thrice.

This is the gunfight at the OK Corral in Kent.

Yes, auctioneers Charlie Ross and James Braxton

have famously fought it out before...

Are you hearing this?

..with Charlie's jumbo profits

making the difference north of the border.

Last time. £2,700.

APPLAUSE

I was big in Scotland.

-You were very big in Scotland.

-You were huge in East Anglia.

Quite. James served up his revenge a few years later...

£50, I'll take it.

On the net at £200 dead.

Done.

..leaving things nicely poised for a decider of sorts.

Monetary-wise you are nudging ahead with about 1,500 quid.

Well, fortunately for James,

the slate's been wiped clean for this trip,

so they're setting out with £200 each

and an Alfa Romeo Spider to share.

-Lovely. Have you got a theme for your buying?

-Normal stuff.

Anything that would sit comfortably in my drawing room, I will buy.

After taking off from Chart Sutton in Kent,

Charlie and James will be

sauntering around the south-east,

moseying up towards the Midlands

and then wandering west before eventually

making Dorset their destination and a D-Day in Dorchester.

Today's journey will conclude

at auction number one in Washington, West Sussex.

But their first stop is in the aforementioned Kent village

of Chart Sutton,

on the edge of the Weald, just south of Maidstone.

Ah, now, here we are.

James, why have you brought me to a garden centre?

Oh, they've got plenty of antiques as well.

-Hang on.

-Touching, isn't it?

-My dear old thing.

This is a little higher.

They're in this one together.

-You'll be all right.

-Thank you.

-Lead on, James.

-This looks very good, doesn't it?

Ah-ha!

-Charlie?

-Yep.

-Trevor.

-Nice to meet you.

-James.

-James.

-Very good to meet you.

-And who's lurking here?

-Jackie. Hello.

-Jackie.

-Lovely to meet you, Jackie.

-Hi.

-Splendid.

-Jackie, do you have things here?

-I do, yes.

Take me to your stock, Jackie!

I'm going to stick with Trevor. You can't go wrong with a Trevor.

Plenty to choose from.

There are 22 dealers represented here.

Where's your little patch?

My cabinet's over here.

But nothing beats being on the ground.

What are those little pair of shoes you've got here?

-Victorian boots.

-I rather think

that they belonged to somebody rather smart.

-They're very cute, aren't they?

-Yeah.

Look at those.

How old was the child, do you think?

-About three maybe?

-About three. Yeah. £50.

Hmm...

-Pop them back in the cabinet.

-Sure.

-Worth thinking about.

-OK.

Any other promising places?

This is absolutely wonderful.

Do you know what that is?

-No.

-Have a guess.

But don't say a jockey's cap because that's what it is.

But what do you think it was used for?

-Come on, Jackie.

-Sugar or salt? No?

-Getting there.

-Tea?

-Tea!

-Tea.

-Yeah. Isn't that wonderful?

-Tea caddy, spoon or scoop.

-Cute.

Yeah, beautifully, beautifully made.

Silver. It's late, though.

It's...certainly not Victorian.

It's 20th century. In fact it's dated here. Yeah, 1943.

That is a real shame in so much that I like things to be antique

and this is missing out by a bit.

-Do you like loose leaf tea?

-I do.

-So do I.

The quality of workmanship is superb.

But it's £85.

If it could be bought for £40-45,

I think it would make a small profit.

Meanwhile, James has also found a bit of a scoop.

This is sort of like a maltster's shovel, so it's a grain shovel.

And years ago people talk about malting barley in Kent.

Produced masses of barley for the brewing process.

And you've got an all-wooden shaft here.

I suppose the last thing you wanted to do was have metal stuff.

So you were probably terribly conscious of sparks.

But also its lightness.

I don't know what it's made of.

Normally, it would be an ash shaft and then something like this,

the actual plate here, would be probably sycamore.

Sycamore has antibacterial properties to it.

And this was for turning.

So you're drying your malts,

you're getting the sugars out of the barley.

And every village, especially around Kent, would have a malthouse.

Not exactly in a rush this morning, are they?

A splendid box!

-I love that.

-It's nice, isn't it?

Sampson Mordan. They were silversmiths

who made a lot of patented silverware,

and that's a safe box.

I bet it's heavy.

Beautiful lock.

S Mordan and Co, Makers of London.

I love that. Oh, someone's put something in it.

-Ooh, sorry!

-Steady on, Charlie.

"SM and Company - that's Mordan and Company -

"may safely assert that their fireproof boxes and safes,

"from the peculiar interior construction

"and the superior manner put together..." They're amazing.

Can you see how thick the walls are?

I think they're hollow, but they're fireproof.

So they're filled with sand.

-OK.

-That's what gives it weight. It's not solid steel.

You could stick that in a furnace,

and with the sand acting as an insulator,

that would keep the interior from getting damaged.

-Has it got a key?

-It hasn't.

-Oh, Jackie!

-I know.

-No key?

-No key, I don't think.

-I mean, what good is a safe without a key?

Good question. What's the ticket price?

£68.

No, there's not a profit in it at £68.

But with that name on it, that really takes it above a level.

And I love it.

I can contact the dealer and see what best price is.

I think we're getting somewhere at last.

OK, well, it's Jackie from Chart Sutton Antiques.

How can Trevor help?

I like luxury goods, Trevor.

What have you got, luxury goods?

Well, there's a very nice Sampson Mordan...

-Ooh!

-..pencil extender there.

-I'd like to see that.

-If that's up your street.

-Yes.

More Sampson and Mordan.

You know, the Braxton barometer of quality

is always weight, and that feels quite heavy. It's a pencil,

often known as a racing pencil.

Often the racing pencils had a little sort of fob there

-so they could be put in a pocket for racing.

-Yes.

But this is a more heavy-duty one.

Take the pencil out and that is a weight, isn't it?

It's quite a weight of silver.

It's silver, is it? SM and Co. There we are.

The firm's founder was the co-inventor

of the very first propelling pencil in 1822.

85 quid we've got.

Does it owe you a lot?

It does owe us a bit, I'm afraid.

Erm...

I think 60 probably is going to be where I'm going to be on it.

Nice bit of silence.

Could I squeeze you a bit? How about 50?

-Yes, let's do 50.

-Come on, Trevor. Put it there.

-Let's do 50.

Thank you very much indeed.

We're finally off and running.

That's a good start, Trevor.

Plus, Charlie has to choose between the caddy spoon, now £50,

and that strongbox, now 40.

So why not ask a friend?

Hypothetical question.

-Two things.

-Yep.

-One is a Sampson Mordan 19th-century safe...

-Spooky!

..beautifully made, lovely label.

-Superb condition.

-Key?

-No key.

-No key.

-No key.

Second object, a caddy spoon...

-Yep.

-..in the form of a jockey's hat.

-Jockey's cap. Yep.

-Beautifully made.

1943.

-1943.

-Very late.

-From the two of it,

I think the date sounds a little late, 1943.

-Yeah.

-You're safe with the safe!

And with that, our sage departs.

We entered as two, I leave as one.

But will his purely hypothetical advice be heeded?

"You're safe with the safe."

-Good plan.

-Whether I'll be able to lift it or not is another matter.

I'm going to buy it.

Put it there, Jackie.

Mwah!

-Charlie!

-Happy with the deal?

-Yes, that's fine.

-Goody.

First, cash. £40.

Then, carry. Quite a bit more than 40lbs.

HE STRAINS LOUDLY

Our Father's...

I'm not sure this is going to work.

Neither am I.

It's a snug fit.

Look at that.

Oh.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Kent,

James is off to see a local historian

about one of the county's more unusual visitors.

Beside the Thames estuary at Gravesend,

where at St George's Church,

400 years ago, Pocahontas was buried.

Hello. Sandra Sodor. Please come in out of the rain

to learn about Pocahontas.

Although the original building was destroyed by fire in 1727,

there are several reminders at St George's

of the Native American princess who died here when returning home

from visits to London.

-She'd been presented at court...

-Yes.

-And had had a rather fun time.

-Yes.

-And was she married?

She was with her husband, John Rolfe, who had been a colonist,

and her son.

And they had been visiting London.

And people were very curious to see them.

Come over and join us in this brave new world.

-How old was she at this point?

-One can't be too exact,

but we believe she was born 1596,

and when they first came over, it's 1616.

-Really? So, early 20s?

-Yes, yes.

-Amazing life already, isn't it?

-That's right.

The story starts in 1607

with the British colonisation of the area

that would become Jamestown, Virginia,

where the early ill-prepared settlers

suffered from famine and disease.

And that is where you get Captain John Smith.

He is out trying to find friendly native Americans

that he can trade with.

But after a skirmish, he is taken back to the village

where Powhattan was.

He's given food, so Smith says.

And then they bring out two stones and they make as if to kill him.

And a child runs out from the crowd,

protects him by laying her head on his.

This is Pocahontas?

This is Pocahontas,

favoured daughter of Powhattan, the big chief.

Although some historians doubt the veracity of Smith's account,

what undoubtedly is true is that Pocahontas

was kidnapped by the British a few years later, at the age of about 17.

Another English sea captain takes her back to Jamestown.

And they held her as a hostage

because they want to try to free English prisoners.

And it's there, whilst she is there in Jamestown,

she is converted to Christianity and meets Rolfe.

And she then takes the name Rebecca.

The governor promises to bring her back with him when he returns,

back to England, which is why she travels,

and also some of the other Native Americans,

and they come over.

-She's a princess.

-Yes.

-And this is acknowledged in London.

Yes, it is. Got lots of attention,

but sadly some of the Native Americans

are succumbing to our germs.

They were returning home, and she was already unwell.

She boarded the vessel very unwell.

And sadly, she died.

Pocahontas is so well known throughout the world.

Why does it have such great resonance?

She was curious.

She was, erm...

She was also intelligent and she brought together the two people.

-The Europeans and this new country.

-Yes, the Native Americans.

She worked for peace between them.

It is the story of a young woman who is representing a people

that have often been misrepresented, I believe.

Pocahontas' funeral took place on March the 21st, 1617.

Cause of death, unknown.

Now, whither Charlie behind the wheel of the Alfa?

These windscreen wipers are spectacular.

I have never seen anything like it.

They move like a nonagenarian who's on his last legs.

Weather permitting, he's en route to Faversham

and his second shop of the day.

My word, Peter, is it?

-Charlie.

-Yes!

Long time. Look at you!

What do you mean, look at me? Hey!

-You recognise me?

-Yeah, Finchley Auctions.

-No!

-Yeah! We're going back a long time now.

-25...

-25, 30 years.

-I haven't done Finchley for 25, 30.

-You look really well.

-How amazing!

-Yeah.

-And I come up here.

-Yeah, you found us.

Well, that was nice. Charming shop too,

seemingly full of stock from France, Spain and Italy.

You're going to find the unusual here.

Titian...Vecelli.

That is Titian.

The Venetian old master, don't you know?

I don't think this is 16th century, but isn't it fun?

It's an embossed portrait on copper.

That is what you call a speculative lot,

in a distressed condition, which I particularly like.

Auction estimate, 10-200.

Quite.

Don't know what Mr James Braxton would think of that.

A Titian, that's not to be sneezed at, perhaps.

Now, does anything else make the cut?

This is rather splendid.

A guillotine.

-Peter?

-Yes?

-May I borrow you?

-Certainly.

-What is it?

-It's a baguette...

-Oh, a baguette slicer!

-Yeah, a guillotine, yeah.

-What a lovely idea.

-It's got a maker's name on it.

-Yeah.

Oh, yes!

Mr Georgeson, Faubourg.

-Nice bit of kitchen aid.

-It's beautiful, isn't it? Yes.

-And this is the number three, sir?

-Yeah.

Did you know this was the number three?

-Yeah, we had a number two.

-Did you?

-Yeah.

CHARLIE LAUGHS

-If you could get the matched set, of course.

-Oh, yeah.

I'm sure there's someone out there who's got the set

-or looking for this one.

-Yes.

I mean, if you had that in a modern, big kitchen,

people would ask about it, wouldn't they?

-Apart from it being useful, it's decorative and...

-Yeah.

I love that.

No ticket price. Anything else?

Do you fancy being adventurous

-and climbing up there?

-Yes, I am happy to climb.

-I'll move a chair if you want.

-Lovely.

Looks like he's after something on that wall.

Oh, stand lively.

-Plaster, I take it?

-Yeah.

Original would have been marble or something.

Bit of a crack. Yes. Absolutely.

I think we've got Pan with his pipes on the left here.

There he is.

I'd like to think on the right there we've got Mr Bacchus,

because he was the god of wine.

He's certainly delivering the grapes to these two,

who are treading the grapes

and having rather a jolly time about it.

Relief-moulded plaster plaque copy of something from Pompeii,

-somewhere like that.

-Grand tour.

-From the grand tour.

-1920s.

Yeah, 1920s.

Ticket price, £65.

I like your Titian. I like your baguette cutter.

I like your plaque. I like those three things,

and I'd like to make an offer for those three things.

I want to pay £100 for the three.

Oh, dear.

Oh, crikey. Really?

-110?

-Are you sure?

-Yeah.

-I think that's incredibly generous.

-It gives you a bit of...

-It gives me a bit of a chance.

-Yeah.

Pleasure to do business with you.

A touching reunion plus three items bought.

£30 for the relief, 40 for the Titian

and 40 for the baguette slicer.

Quite a day, really.

It's got a name, this car.

-It's called Nelly.

-Nelly.

-Nelly.

-Nelly the elephant.

-Yep.

# Nelly the elephant packed her trunk

# And said goodbye to the circus. #

-HORN TOOTS

-Ooh!

Night-night, Nelly.

Next day, Charlie is being a bit coy about one of his purchases.

Something that is related to French food.

-Oh-hon-hon!

-Yeah, ah-ha-ha-ha!

I'm not going to tell you what it is,

but it's a wonderful feat of engineering.

-FRENCH ACCENT:

-Is it for the snail?

-Non.

-For the oyster?

-Non.

Do you know, I can't see James

ever guessing it's a baguette slicer somehow,

and as for the portrait of Titian and the Italian relief?

Although he definitely had a clue

with that purely hypothetical safe...

-Your brain is thinking, "Which could make the biggest loss?"

-Yes!

..leaving Charlie with only £50 in his wallet.

Whereas James acquired just the silver pencil holder.

The Braxton barometer of quality is always weight,

and that feels quite heavy.

Which means he still has 150 to spend today.

Later, they'll be heading both south and west

to an auction in Washington, West Sussex.

But the first stop this morning is back in Faversham,

that splendid old Kent market town.

Thank you for a lovely ride.

-That's a pleasure, Charlie.

-I'm going off to splash the cash.

But not too much.

Just £50 left, remember.

Wonderful old box plane

together with a lot of tools and a splendid box.

What I like about this is you can tell who owned it.

Mr AW Hildrew. These were valuable things,

so you'd put your name on them so that you didn't lose them.

It's together with a lot of other tools and the original box.

The whole lot's priced up at £200.

I haven't got £200,

but if I had £200, I would seriously think of making an offer, certainly.

Let's leave Charlie pondering and catch up with James,

manoeuvring the motor towards the village of Chilham...

..and Bagham Barn.

-Hello. Hello. James.

-Morning.

-I'm Peggy.

-Hello, Peggy, lovely to meet you.

-Welcome.

-Was it agricultural, this farm?

Yes. The farmer, Smith, was here 40 years with his cows.

Lovely. Lovely.

The aroma has changed a bit since the cows were around, of course.

Now, this is something I really like.

We've got some floor tiles here and the reassurance of turning them over

and seeing a clear manufacturer. Minton.

Herbert Minton really got going with this new technique for

Victorian... Victorians were building churches like Billy-oh.

Most of these tiles, which were known as encaustic tiles,

ended up on the pavements of churches.

They were used in places that had heavy foot traffic.

So, as they wore down, the pattern remained.

There was another very famous resident in Kent

during the 19th century.

Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, the great architect.

He and Sir Charles Barry did the palaces of Westminster.

And, who knows, this might be a Pugin design.

We have only got three floor tiles.

I'd expect these tiles to be maybe £10 or £20 each.

Let's see. I'll ask what price they have on them.

Peggy? Hello, Peggy.

Now, I've found these tiles here.

How much are they?

£45.

-£15 each.

-Each.

-About what I thought.

-Did you?

-Are you open for offers on these?

Not half price.

There is little damage.

What about 30, Peggy? Can you do 30?

-That's fair.

-Is it fair?

-That's fair.

-I thought it was very unfair,

-but I'll shake your hand on that.

-No, that is fair.

Anyway, that's the first one bought.

-I have to keep looking. I will see you later.

-Thank you.

-Bye.

-OK.

Now, what about Charlie in Faversham?

Looks like the tools are on hold.

-Hello, madam.

-Hello.

-How are you?

-I'm fine.

-You've made my day.

-I've made your day?

-Yes.

-Well, you've made my day.

-Happy to meet you.

-Happy?

-Yes.

You are saying "appy". You are not English.

-I am French.

-You are French.

-Bonjour, madame.

-Bonjour, monsieur.

-Enchante.

-I shall never wash again.

-I should 'ope not.

Entente cordiale aside, what's he going to buy here?

Ah.

Chinese?

Bronze.

Not great quality.

Looks like it's had a few repairs, but it's got rather a splendid...

..bottom. And that almost looks Japanese.

Have a look at the bottom.

I think you might be right, Charlie.

And there's a signature.

If only I could read the signature.

Unfortunately, the ticket price is only too legible.

Time to talk to the dealer.

Are you the owner of this exceptional object, sir?

-I am indeed.

-I am Charlie. You are?

-Pleased to meet you, Charlie.

-Mike.

-Mike. Marvellous.

Tell me about your pot.

I know it's Japanese, and that's all I know about it.

It is Japanese. That looks Japanese on the inside.

-Yes, I think it is.

-Yeah?

But the outside looks Chinese to me.

-Not a clue.

-Neither have I.

I just took a punt on it because it looked...

-..intriguing.

-Yes, and you put a punt on the price.

Hmm.

Optimistic, isn't it?

Yes.

-Right answer.

-But you have to start somewhere.

-Absolutely.

That all sounds encouraging, doesn't it?

I could do you a really good deal.

-I'd need to buy that ever so cheaply.

-A one-off price for you.

-Yeah?

-20 quid.

-What?

-£20.

Does 20 quid show you a profit?

No, that's what I paid for it, but I'm fed up with looking at it.

You're fed up with looking at it.

-Well, thank you very much indeed.

-You're welcome.

Well, that really was quite a reduction.

Anything like that in the barn, I wonder?

A sort of walnut German box, Continental box,

nice bevelled piece of glass here.

A gilt metal frame. We've got a very interesting ship.

I wonder which ship it is.

Here we are. What does it say?

Box with Titanic photo.

Eh? £35.

That's perked him up a bit.

I doubt it probably came from the Titanic,

but I think it's a souvenir of history's most famous ship.

It went under, April 1912.

It means I can write in the catalogue description,

rather ordinary box with picture of Titanic on the thing.

That'll be picked up by all these fans.

I think the box is slightly earlier. I think this has been put on,

but sometimes it's best not to dwell these things.

Well said.

I like this item.

Peggy, I have found another item.

-Wow.

-Have a look at it. Have you seen it?

-Titanic.

-Titanic.

-A marriage.

-Yeah, a marriage, is it?

That's a very nice way of saying it. How much could that be?

-Do you think they might take 20?

-No.

-No? What would they take?

-25.

-25 for it, it is.

So 30, 25, that's 55.

Business is certainly brisk today.

-Right.

-Well done.

-Tiles away, box away.

Don't scratch the box.

Thank you. Bye.

But while James makes for his last shop...

..Charlie is taking a bit of a break

down by the River Medway at Chatham.

This is the historic Royal Dockyard,

which for hundreds of years was where Britain's warships were built.

And Charlie is here to explore the HMS Ocelot

in the company of a former submarine commander.

Aha! It's Chris.

Hello, Charlie, welcome on board. Chris Reynolds.

Thank you very much indeed. I feel privileged being on board your ship.

It's not a ship, she's a submarine.

Oh, I see. Can I call her a boat?

You can call her a boat if you want, and that's what many people do.

-Yes.

-Right. Lesson number one.

The first submarines built here

had an important role to play in World War I,

and the vessels soon became vital, both as weapons and deterrents.

HMS Ocelot was launched in 1962 at the very height of the Cold War,

and much of what it actually did remains classified to this day.

Chris, my first reaction is this is incredibly complicated.

There's so much going on down here.

You are now in the fore ends or the torpedo compartments

-of the submarine.

-Yes, and I can see that

because there's a torpedo there.

One of the 24 the sub would have been armed with.

-We are now going to go through into the junior rates mess.

-Yes.

Be careful with your head as you go through.

Crikey, that's a squeeze.

OK, Charlie, best way to go through here is feet first,

so if you hold on to the handle at the top,

feet through, swing through, and there you are.

Piece of cake, frankly.

Not bad for a first effort, Charlie.

Ah, this is where we sleep, is it?

-Yes.

-Can I give one a try?

-Please do.

Can you remember what it's like to sleep in one of these?

I certainly can. I will show you my bunk later on.

This is the best we've got, so feel free.

I expect you had a luxury model...

Oh, no, everybody had the same.

-Really?

-Absolutely.

-What, even the commander?

You wait until you see the captain's cabin.

I can't wait. Blimey.

Not a lot of room, is there? To be honest...

..if you had an insomniac above you and below you,

it would be a pretty miserable night.

Would we have a grille here to stop me rolling out of bed

-if it was rough?

-No, just practice.

So, at any one time, how many chaps on board?

You would have a complemented crew of 69 people.

Right. I've had enough of sleeping.

Now...can you take me into the dining room?

-You're sat at it.

-What?

This is where the junior rates would sit, bring their meals,

and they would sit, eat, sleep in this compartment.

Marvellous. Waitress service?

No.

No-one, regardless of rank,

was likely to get much breathing space on the Ocelot.

This, for example, is the captain's quarters.

Note the en-suite.

On the right-hand side, you've got the toilets,

or the heads as we would call them.

Lovely. Luxury accommodation.

Here's the galley. They used to produce some fantastic food.

-Did they?

-Yes.

It takes a certain sort of personality to be able to remain

submerged under the most perilous of conditions.

And at the centre of any drama was usually the control room.

This is extraordinary.

This is the sort of thing I've seen in films.

This must be the periscope.

This is one of two periscopes we've got on board.

This is the attack periscope.

It's called the attack periscope

because if you look at it from outside, it's got a very thin neck,

so it's not so visible from enemy ships.

I see. That is amazing. I can see the Bismarck.

After almost 30 years and 90,000 miles of highly secret missions,

the HMS Ocelot was decommissioned in 1991.

-You know what's disappointing, don't you, Chris?

-What?

It hasn't got a horn.

The old boat soon became a tourable museum,

alongside this Victorian sloop, and a World War II destroyer.

Chris, it's been absolutely fascinating.

Thank you so much.

-It was a pleasure.

-If I may, I'll just remain in the seat and dive.

Please do.

Let's leave Charlie on manoeuvres...

..and catch up with James's shopping mission, in the village of Teynham,

beside the Chatham main line, with £95 in his pocket.

-Hello, James.

-Hi, Vicky.

Hello, Vicky, nice to meet you.

Now, Vicky, are there many bays to this?

Yes, we've got just over 20 dealers.

And some of them may be antiques.

-Definitely.

-Well, I'll get my nose...

So, with Vicky's affirmative ringing in his ears,

what can he come up with?

These are commonly known as Gypsy tables.

Rather nicely turned base, three legs, and...

Can you see this rather plain top?

I might just take these things off.

This is just beech. I think it's even pine.

But this top would have been covered in a rather nice velvet cloth.

And on top of there, you would have had your witch's ball,

your fortune-telling ball.

And you can imagine the lady telling your fortune

with that big crystal ball there.

I can see many profits.

I can see abject misery for Mr Ross.

Lordy! Let's have a look at the ticket first.

It's 85 quid. I might be able to do a deal on this.

If I could get that for 40 or 50 quid, I might buy it.

Mind you, I've always suspected James might possess special powers.

So we've got a snake here.

They say possibly bronze.

Definitely.

The Braxton weight test, that is bronze.

It feels strong.

How unusual.

Now, he would do an unusual thing like that?

Quite well defined here, we've got all the scales there.

This has the work of the Japanese about it, I think.

Maybe the tip has got a bit damaged,

but damage, sometimes, is a sign of age.

I must say, I haven't seen many of these.

When buying antiques, always look for the unusual.

The ticket price is £50. Time for our Vicky to call the dealer.

Hi, Jeanette. I've got your snake here.

He just wondered if he could have a quick talk to you

about the price, is that OK?

That's James, not the snake.

-Who am I speaking to?

-This is Jeanette.

Hello, Jeanette.

I've got your Sid.

This is why we're not in Paradise, I've found the culprit.

What could you do? I was volunteering a cheeky 30.

39, you have a deal, that's very kind, Jeanette.

Now for the table. The asking price is £85,

but James now only has 56 left.

Lovely legs.

Just like you, I can tell.

Would £40 buy it, Jenny?

I can go to 45.

That was close.

-Thank you.

-You've done well there, didn't you?

-I did do well...

So, with £84 paid...

-God bless Kent. Thank you very much indeed, Vicky.

-Thank you.

..it's time to pocket the python

and point the motor towards that south coast saleroom.

The auction we're going to is just north of Worthing,

and it's very much a family affair.

-All online?

-Online? Undoubtedly online.

-Yes.

-Probably wears braces, as well.

I don't know...

-All good auctioneers wear braces.

-All good auctioneers wear braces.

Don't forget the belt, for good measure.

Time for some shut-eye.

This is Washington.

No sign of a White House.

Still, a very big deal, though.

-This is our date with destiny, Charlie.

-I'm nervous.

-Why?

-I'm very nervous.

-I'm very excited.

-Are you?

-What, really excited?

-Very excited.

-Come on, then. Very excited.

After starting their trip at Chart Sutton in Kent,

Charlie and James have gone all the way to West Sussex...

..to Toovey's auction house,

a family concern, with internet bidding.

James parted with £189 for his five auction lots.

Charlie spent a bit less, £170 for his five lots.

Matron!

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

It's a lovely object. Totally impractical.

Value? I suppose £30 to £35.

Price paid?

£50. Well done, Braxton.

Well, let's have the opinion of the man in charge -

gavel-wielder Rupert Toovey himself.

That Oriental bronze vase is beautiful.

My specialist says it's actually Chinese.

Though the base has been repaired with a Japanese panel.

Most unusual.

The Titanic box.

Well, it is of the period, but it's certainly not of the ship.

I love that 19th-century classical frieze.

A grand tall piece.

It's such lovely taste.

The Japanese bronze snake is the star of the show.

If anything is going to fly, it will be that.

That is exciting.

-Very excited.

-I feel a swarm of profits coming on.

I do, I do.

First, Charlie's slicer.

Baguettes, it's had a few.

Typically French, you know, to have a kitchen item after the guillotine.

Exactly, yes.

We're opening here at £25.

-He's got a bid.

-28 now online.

At £28, can I see 30?

We need a little bit more.

£28, then?

Selling at £28.

-Oh, dear.

-20.

£28.

Well, it's nice to see you're on normal form, Charlie.

Don't get too excited yet, James, unless, of course,

your table has just given you a glimpse of the future.

-£25.

-£25!

-Yes, that's not bad.

-It's a start.

£25. £28 do I see? 28 in the front row.

£28, can I see 30?

28 and 30 there is now. 32.

32, 35. 38?

-Come on, keep going.

-Is there any advance on £35?

Fair warning.

35.

Currently as bad as each other.

It's not all roses in the Braxton bed.

It isn't.

How about Charlie's Renaissance maestro?

-Have you seen Titian?

-Yes.

-What did you think of Titian?

-Not something I'd put on my wall.

Is it not? It's only because it needs a polish.

-It needs more than a polish.

-Now, now!

We've got to open this lot at £30.

£30. There you are.

At £30, is there any more?

We've seen 32, 32, 35, 38.

38 with the team. £38.

At £38 in the room now.

Against the commission bidder, fair warning, £38...

In the nick of time, online, 40.

40 now, 42 will you bid?

-No.

-It's a steal.

Online at £40.

At £40, is there any advance?

We're selling, £40.

He doesn't look at all happy with that, does he?

Well done, Charlie. You know, you're getting there, you're improving...

Look, I can do without this patronising Braxton behaviour.

-Under...

-You haven't won yet.

-..break even.

Well, a profit would be a good start. His tiles.

-What do you think they are?

-Very sober colouring.

-Drab is the word I was looking for.

-No, sober.

-Drab.

-Sober.

Opening the bidding here with conflicting bids to £30.

At £30 now, 32 can I see?

At £30 now. At £30.

Is there any advance? And two standing.

-32 in the room. At £32.

-A man of taste.

£32 in the room, with you, sir.

-At £32.

-Nearly washing their face.

36. 36, 38.

Internet coming alive.

38 and 40? £40 in the room again.

All done, I think, at 40.

It's £40 and selling.

Thank you, sir, £40.

At last.

By the law of averages, I suppose.

I'd like to call myself Midas.

I'd like to call you something else, but I won't.

Now, can Charlie's Bacchanalian relief provide just that?

Have you ever trodden the grapes?

I've never trodden, squelching, you can't...

-Is that what it's called?

-You can't beat a bit of squelching.

The lowest we can start at £45.

-Well done.

-£45, can I see the 50?

-A profit!

-55 now, and 60.

55 here.

60 is there online.

£55. 60, can we see?

-£55.

-£55 come on commission.

It's a steal at 55.

Lovely thing. 55.

Things are definitely looking up.

-Well done.

-That's a profit.

-Congratulations.

-You're surprised at that, aren't you?

-No, it's a very nice item.

As is your pencil holder.

I paid £50 for it.

-Too much money.

-It's got to make 60 plus, hasn't it, to pull you away?

At £25, can I see 28?

28 I have with the lady now.

£28. At £28, can I see the 30 anywhere?

At £28, and 30 now, in a fresh place.

Go on, sir.

35 I have, and 38?

Lovely thing. 38 I have, and 40 is there?

-No?

-You're getting there, old bean.

Fair warning. Madam, 38.

Thank you.

Well, Charlie did predict as much.

Time for his Oriental bronze bowl.

I have high hope of this.

-Do you?

-Have you seen the auctioneer's estimate?

-How much did you pay for it?

-20.

That's good. 20. What the estimate?

80 to 120.

We're opening at £40.

That's twice what I paid.

£40. Two can I see?

It's 40.

£40, then, and two.

45? 48, 50, and five.

55, I have in the front row.

At £55, is there any advance?

-55, that's all right.

-Fair warning, 55.

It's a profit, but not what he'd hoped for.

Oh, I'm sorry about that.

-You're not at all.

-No, I'm not.

-No.

-No.

Now, can snakes fly?

We're about to find out.

This is where Braxton's Road trip explodes.

-Do you think so?

-Yeah, I do.

The lowest that we can start on this is £80.

£80, can I see the 85?

At £80, 85 can I see?

85, and 90, and five.

-Go on, 100.

-95 and 100 here.

110. 110 now online.

Against the commission... 120.

And rising, 130.

-At £130. 140 now.

-Keep going, keep going.

-At £140.

-140.

-£140.

150, it is.

£160. 160 now, 170 is there?

Slowing at £160.

-Keep going.

-180, it's jumped to, £180.

Can I see 190? At £180!

Wave now or forever hold your peace.

£180, sold.

James Braxton, you are nothing short of genius.

-I salute you.

-Thank you.

We all salute you.

Charlie's last chance to impress.

That safe, er...no key.

It's very heavy. Do you think it won't get a bid at all?

Because it's quite difficult to pick up.

I tried to put it in our car.

-I picked it up.

-Did you?

Straight lift.

They call him Bulging Braxton.

We're opening the bidding here at £30.

£30 and two, 35, 38.

-Hang on.

-35, I have.

-Come on, then.

-At £35 all done.

35.

Well, there we are, it's not been Charlie's day today, has it?

Do you know, that very nearly made a profit.

I know, that was...

If it had just had that key.

Next up, James's Titanic interest.

Opening at £25. £25, I can see 28.

At £25, 28, I have in the room.

-Can I see 30?

-Somebody in the room bidding.

32, it's jumped up to here online.

34, will you bid? No. 32 here.

At £32, 34 in the room.

34, hang on. It's taking off.

38, I have, and 40.

-It's floating.

-40, I have, and two.

Two I have, and five is...

Yes. Five I have.

48? 48 it is.

50, I have, and five?

-This is a whitewash.

-At £55, 60 is there?

60, and 65, is there?

£60.

At £60, is there any advance? Fair warning.

£60.

Just putting on a bit of flesh now, Charlie, a bit of flesh.

I think rump might be one way of describing this.

Don't worry, there's always another round.

This is only the first round.

Have I got to do four more auctions with you?

I want to go and count the cash.

-Come on.

-Get on with it.

Charlie started out with £200,

and after auction costs, he made a wee profit of £4.66.

While James, who began with the same sum, made, after costs,

a profit of £100.46.

So, he already has quite a margin.

The Lord shines on winners, Ross.

Yes, I'm surprised it's not raining on me.

A little cloud hovering.

Blue skies might be just around the corner.

Next on the Antiques Road Trip...

Are you just going to be sitting on your £300? Gloating?

Big budget. Small shops.

It is tiny, isn't it?

I've just been, sort of, trying to measure it.

And titchy treasures.

Oh, I say. If Braxton doesn't buy that, I'll eat my hat.