Episode 2 Antiques Road Trip

The nation's favourite antiques experts, £200 each and one big challenge.

-Testing, testing.

-Who can make the most money buying and selling antiques as they scour the UK?

Do I see 80? 75?

The aim is to trade up and hope each antique turns a profit,

but it's not as easy as it sounds, and there can only be one winner.

-Come on, let's go.

-So will it be the highway to success

-or the B road to bankruptcy?

-Job done.

-I'm now broke.

-This is the Antiques Road Trip.

Our two antiques experts this week are Charles Hanson and Jonathan Pratt.

Charles Hanson began his career at Christie's and is passionate about early English porcelain.

That's a nice little piece of Crown Devon. Crown Devon, lustre, you think of Wedgwood.

Same sort of period. £12.

It's such a bargain.

CRASHING

Lordy!

It WAS a bargain.

Auctioneer and gemologist Jonathan Pratt doesn't mind getting dirty in the pursuit of hidden treasures.

He likes a laugh and he's also extremely thin.

There we go. Soot.

Charles starts this trip with a very respectable £259.17.

Jonathan begins this leg just behind Charles with £249.07.

So it's all to play for.

This Road Trip is around spectacular Northern Ireland and Northwest England.

On this leg, Charles and Jonathan are back

in Blighty, starting in Liverpool and heading for auction in Runcorn.

Today, Liverpool is better known as the birthplace of...

Yes, you've guessed it, those four lovable mop tops, the Beatles.

But during the 19th century, it was the second-most important city

of the British Empire, after London.

40% of the world's trade passed through its docks.

So our two chaps have come along to its most famous, Albert Dock.

A World Heritage Site with the largest single collection

of Grade 1 listed buildings anywhere in Britain.

But our boys seem more interested in mucking about than in Liverpool's

rich heritage.

Enough mucking about, chaps, time to work. Like girls.

First stop for Charles is aptly named Tunnel Antiques.

This is like the golden age of the antiques market, 30 years ago.

Things are stacked really high, it's dark,

you can't quite make out what you're buying, but all the better to find the real bargains.

It's called the Tunnel. We can see why.

Across town, Jonathan is wondering where he should start.

Is everything for sale, even like bits of metalware and things like that?

-Yes. All these items.

-If I saw like a really good looking door knocker or something...

-Yes, they're there...

-They're there to be sold.

Circa 1900, mahogany with chequered banding on the edges.

Could be used for a piano stool.

Although the auctioneer has said

best not to buy furniture.

Anyway.

Good thinking, Jonathan, for planning ahead and finding out

from the auctioneer at Runcorn what sells and what doesn't.

Back in the Tunnel, something polished catches Charles' eye.

I like this, Paul.

-Great colour, love the dish-top, Paul, and of course, it's a snap top, isn't it?

-Snap top.

So what you do, snap top table, like that,

up it goes. Look at that.

The snap top table is on a latch, allowing it to be tilted up

after the tea ceremony and the table put away until the following day.

And it's a snip, or a snap, at £150.

So we're talking 1775. We're going back to mad King George III.

It just oozes quality and age, doesn't it?

I'll take £100. Not even a pound a year.

Paul, I'm very tempted with that table because

I like it. And my taste, sometimes, has to outweigh commercial gain.

Isn't this a competition, Charles?

-Paul, you know the Ashanti table?

-The Ashanti stool can be £50.

-Is that period?

-That's a period one.

-So, Paul, tell me about it.

-It's an Ashanti stool.

From?

Africa.

Yes. Allow me to enlighten you.

Geography lesson number one.

The Ashanti are a major ethnic group in Ghana.

By the 18th century, their kingdom covered most of the country.

To them, a stool was spiritual as well as practical.

Literally, the seat of the owner's soul.

-Best price?

-50 quid.

Oh, come on, Charles, buy something!

That's a good chair, isn't it?

From 1830.

-£25, is that right?

-It can be 20 quid.

£20? For a William IV chair.

-It's nothing, is it?

-It's nothing.

-You say a leg's been...?

-A leg's been glued on.

Goodness gracious me, Paul. See, I think that's a fairly safe bet, but I want to buy something bigger.

-Something chancy and not safe?

-Exactly. I want to, Paul,

either go out in a blaze of glory or go out...in a blaze of glory.

But Jonathan isn't quite ready to throw caution to the wind.

I've honed in on this because it sells where I am quite well. It's a small, functional piece of furniture.

It's got some age. It's about 100 years old, thereabouts.

Furniture made out of bamboo

first became fashionable in the 18th century.

It appeals because it's exotic.

Westerners have long had a passion for all things oriental.

This could be one of those that some people say, "What a load of junk".

But the price label on that says £22.

This, down in my saleroom, would make £50 to £60.

"Don't buy furniture, don't buy furniture. Don't buy furniture."

That's right, Jonathan, that's exactly what the auctioneer said.

But Charles doesn't seem to know that because what he's doing is...

So if I bought the mahogany table and the stool...

I'll do you the two for £120.

OK...

He's my friend. Paul, you're a mate.

-I'll think about it. Bye.

-Oh, it's not like you to dither, Charles.

I do like the stool, I like the table. They're two lovely items,

and they'll stand well in the saleroom, but in Runcorn, who knows?

I will give the auctioneer a call next and just get his line of thought

on what sells well.

Good idea, Charles.

A few streets away, Jonathan is being decisive.

Your price on there is £22, and so your very best price...?

18.

18... 15.

I think 18 is quite reasonable, considering I started off at 22.

-I think 15's even more reasonable.

-You're bound to say that, aren't you?

-15 cos I let you down.

-Brilliant, thank you very much.

Before you change your mind. Great, thank you very much.

Well done, Jonathan, the first purchase of the day.

Now it's time for our two chaps to swap shops, if you know what I mean.

-Are you all right?

-I've just been to an amazing shop.

Unbelievable shop. You will love it.

It is just stacked high, it is rolling back to the '70s.

-You will go wild.

-I think you'll enjoy this place.

-I can't wait.

And almost immediately something catches Charles' eye.

A late Victorian examination couch. Isn't it great?

120 years old and if you had to be examined, for whatever reason,

you might be on this. And you dread to think what would have happened.

Oh, Lord.

Actually, Charles, it's early 19th century.

But you're right about one thing,

it wasn't a good time to be sick back then.

Medicines were often preparations of mercury, arsenic and iron,

while bleeding and leeches were routinely prescribed.

Not much fun, eh?

It's period, it's mahogany. For £125,

it isn't bad really, is it?

Are you actually thinking of buying something, Charles?

-What have I got on it?

-125. What's the best price on it?

I'll take 100.

The woodwork's in good nick. It's not loose, it's not broken.

-There are no tears in the material.

-Yes, yes.

So if you're going to try any harder, no, sorry, that's it.

-That the death.

-And when a man says the death,

that's the death, isn't it?

-It is.

-I was hoping for a figure nearer 60, and I'd love to buy it,

-but I've got to hold out for a bit less.

-It has been here for a year.

If we can settle at 90, you will have squeezed me like very few people ever manage to do.

£90 is a very good offer.

I'm likely, tomorrow, to give you a call and inquire, OK?

So, the Young Pretender still can't make up his mind.

Come on, Hanson, where's your

hardened edge in buying antiques? Where is your decisiveness?

Yes, Carlos, that's exactly what I was thinking.

Down the road, Jonathan's not having much luck either.

I'd like to see some, I don't know, a lot more small stuff.

You know, you just can't make money out of this sort of thing at auction, so...

Unable to come to a decision over four potential buys,

Charles takes some time out to visit one of Liverpool's

more sophisticated venues.

This is the Philharmonic Dining Rooms,

or, as it's known locally, the Phil.

It opened in 1898 opposite Liverpool's Philharmonic Hall

and quickly became a popular venue for concert-goers.

John Lennon once complained that

not being able to drink here was one of the prices of fame.

Today, it's still a restaurant and bar and Charles has managed to sneak in before it opens

to have a quick look.

But there's no-one here except Ruth Roberts, the cleaner.

And she offers to show him around and give him a quick polish up while

Charles gives her a history lesson.

-The adornment is unbelievable.

-It's beautiful.

To think that these have been, I suppose, hand-touched and polished

over the last 110 years, and they're all hand embossed with the fish here.

The design is all so evocative of a return to nature.

As art nouveau designers adapted motifs from the natural world,

nature and modernity came to mean almost the same thing.

But the most spectacular thing about the dining rooms

is not its chandeliers or its sumptuous bar,

but an altogether more modest little room. In fact, the smallest room in the Phil.

These are the listed toilets you were talking about.

I can smell it. The urinals really are something, aren't they?

These are Grade 1 listed loos.

You might think that only a stately home could be considered to have

loos of exceptional architectural and historic interest, but in fact,

any element in a building can be listed, even these...bogs.

You look at the marble, it really is...

quite different. It's of that late Victorian art nouveau grandeur.

-Look at the cistern!

-I know, yeah.

-Look at that.

And you've also got the original... Oops, almost fell in then, crikey!

It's a bit slippy down here.

And if I was an Edwardian gent...

I would want to come in here all the time.

As interesting as the loos are, Charles,

it's time for Ruth to get back to work. I think she's a bit flushed.

Meanwhile, Jonathan's leaving Charles behind in Liverpool

and is heading towards the pretty seaside town of Southport.

It's a chance for him to get one over his old chum.

Thank you very much.

-Ah, here we are.

-Yeah, yeah. Have a wander round, see what you think.

Almost immediately, Jonathan spots something.

What I want to look at, what catches my eye, is that there.

This is 18th century, John Pitt of Leeds.

It's an etui, or small case, as it's more commonly known.

This is shagreen, which is believed to be green-stained sharkskin but

they used various different

things like catfish and ray, whatever, just to produce it.

It probably belonged to a draughtsman.

Mm, very nice.

In here you've got a compass and a little ivory ruler.

It's a pretty little thing.

I bet you that's...

Crikey, I bet he's asking over £300 for that.

These things are really quite collectible. What would I get for that at auction? I'd probably get...

Well, £200-£300, I suppose.

How much is it?

Normally I'd ask like 125 for that.

-Oh, right, OK.

-But I'd probably do a deal with you, around what, say £80?

70, you've got a deal?

-You've got yourself a deal.

-There we go.

-Let's hope you do well with it.

Thank you very much. I like that, actually.

-Yeah, it's beautiful.

-Cor! No wonder you're smiling, matey.

Back in Liverpool, Charles's first stop is dealer Trevor Duswell.

Let's hope he does well for Charles.

Wow! What an antiques centre, there's great balls of light.

There's a growing plantation down there.

It has a great Far Eastern theme, which is my area of interest,

oriental, Japanese, Chinese artefacts, ceramics, glassware...

Very nice. It's a jug.

It's made by Maling, who were an important factory.

It's £32 but look, a nibble here, a chip there, two chips and it's

going to affect market value.

So I'm leaving it.

Jonathan, who's still in Southport, is on the hunt for another bargain.

They may interest you, these perfume bottles.

They always do well in auction.

Oh, I didn't see those.

Coty. So it's Chypre de Coty.

The French company Coty has been in business for more than 100 years

and built its success on offering perfume, then considered a luxury

product, to the mass market.

Because these would be around the '30s.

Yes, I would imagine the '30s.

-Still smells nice.

-It does, actually. How much is this?

I could let you have that for £40.

-I think it's certainly... You can see there was one in the middle.

-Yes.

They most definitely would've had three bottles the same height.

-But then you'd be asking like £150 for something like that.

-Yeah.

Time to put those haggling skills

-into practice, Jonathan.

-Unless you'll do

the etui and the bottles for £100,

I'll just take the etui.

-OK, we'll do it for £100. Why not?

-Yeah, that makes it nice and simple, there you go.

-OK.

Great, Jonathan's now bought the draftsman's case and the bottles.

Charles has yet to buy anything.

What we've got here is a tiny... I think it's a spoon tray, isn't it? It is a spoon tray.

Part of the tea ceremony when you'd obviously take your expensive,

exotic, mystical, magical cup of tea or tea ball of tea,

and of course you'd rest your silver spoon in here once you've obviously

stirred the magical formula.

This spoon tray is Chinese and was made around 1700.

We in England didn't discover making porcelain until about 1745 at Bow

and at Chelsea in London and this secret had been the secret of the Chinese

for 1,000 years previous. There we go, that's history, isn't it?

If this could talk,

wok it tell us?

It would tell you, Carlos, to get a move on and start spending.

-What's the best price on him, please?

-What price on there?

-£25 is the asking price.

Very best for you today, £18.

£18, it's history, and you know what, I'll buy it. Thanks for the memories.

Well done, you finally made up your mind about something.

But you still have £241.17 left to spend and the shops are beginning to shut

and you still haven't phoned the auctioneer.

My time is now quite critical, I am panicking, I'm running...

I literally have half an hour to find...

I want three objects and

I'm going back to where it all began, in the Tunnel.

Ah, Paul. What I like in your boutique is the mahogany table.

Nice table, isn't it? Sorry.

That's the table there, Paul, one sec.

I also like that small chair.

Paul, that's the chair there.

All right.

-That's a chair. And the other thing I like is the stool, of course.

-Right.

£140.

-140 quid.

-£140.

Nice lots, would you do it all in for 120?

-Sold.

-Sold, done, deal. 120. Sold.

And he's not done yet.

Keep trotting.

The plan now is coming together.

I've bought three items for £120.

I spent £18 on my Chinese spoon tray, 148.

My last purchase will be the £90 examination table. Hi, Selwyn.

-Oh, hiya.

-Here's £90.

-Marvellous.

Make sure it's all here.

-OK, marvellous.

-And you've saved me. Hopefully...

-Hopefully you'll do well with it.

Isn't there something that you've forgotten to do, Charles?

I'm going to give the auctioneer a call,

just to find out obviously what's going to sell well in Runcorn.

So whatever I do, don't bring furniture.

Absolutely not.

Right.

And the only other thing is don't buy oriental ceramics. Fine.

So buy anything apart from oriental ceramics or furniture.

Great. I can't wait. Mr Bain, the auctioneer, said, "Charles, one thing

"you must stay away from, which don't sell at all well, there's two things,

"only two things - oriental ceramics

"and furniture."

And what have I bought?

Four items of furniture and an oriental dish.

I could be in trouble.

I can't believe it.

Oh, dear, Charles.

Well, with the shopping all done,

let's see how wisely they've splashed their cash.

Jonathan spent a modest

but confident sum of £115 on three items -

an early 20th century bamboo case...

..a 1930s perfume box and bottles.

And a late 1700s shagreen etui case.

Charles spent nearly twice as much,

splurging a princely sum £223 on five items.

He bought a William IV mahogany chair,

an early Victorian doctor's examination couch,

an African Ashanti stool, a George III tea table,

and finally, a Chinese porcelain spoon bowl.

Now honestly, chaps, what do you make of each other's items?

Charlie's purchases, crikey...

I think with regard to the bamboo cabinet, I wouldn't touch it.

I'm just hoping up here it won't do very well.

I think that bench is going to crash and burn, I really do.

My goodness me. Jonathan Pratt has bought one beauty.

That's the etui. His blew me away. That's life. You win some, you lose some.

But has he blown you away?

Only time will tell.

It's been a most enjoyable road trip.

Our two chaps started off in bustling Liverpool and stopped off

in scenic Southport.

And now Charles and Jonathan are

rolling in to Runcorn for auction day.

OK, well done.

This is where it happens.

This is where

the theatre of dreams begin.

Where does he get these lines from?

Lloyd Cameron And Partners

are one of Cheshire's leading auction houses and today it looks like a packed house.

The auction is about to begin and the tension is palpable.

First up is Charles' William IV

mahogany chair, which cost a trifling £20.

Up she goes. That's the one there.

Start me at 20.

20 I'm bid, thank you. 22 over there.

25, 28, 30,

32, 35, are we all in at 35?

Selling at 35...

Not bad, Charles. Not bad at all. Who says furniture doesn't sell?

I have confidence, as I said.

Next is the bamboo bookcase.

Charles didn't like it, but what will the bidders think?

£30 to start me.

-Steady. Steady.

-Come on.

Start me at 10, then. 10.

A tenner I've got.

£12 next.

12 over there. 15. 18.

20. £20. Anyone else joining in?

Selling at 20...

And that's one up to you, Jonathan.

A small profit after commission, but a profit nevertheless.

-That's a £1.50 profit for me.

-That's OK.

Can Charles prove the auctioneer wrong once again

with his George III tripod table?

£50, it's got to be worth £50.

55, 60, 65, 70 with the lady.

75 at the back, thank you, sir. 80.

85, keep it going. 90.

Selling at 90, then.

-Good auctioneer.

-Well done, Charlie.

-I'm pleased.

-And that's another handsome profit for you, Mr Hanson.

Will this be third time lucky for Charles with his £90 couch?

Or will he, as Jonathan thinks, crash and burn?

This is a star lot, I suppose.

Quite right, well said.

Start me at £80. 80 anywhere?

Start me at 50, then.

-Come on, it's worth 50.

-No, it's not.

30, if you wish.

30 I've got, 30 I've got.

-Oh, dear.

-They're all looking at the floor.

I'm going to lie down.

I need a lie down.

-30 I've got. Last chance.

-Please.

-32.

-Thank you.

-40, 42, 45, 48. What do you mean, "No"? Let's keep it going.

-Come on.

50 with the lady.

55, 60,

60 I've got.

There, you see, 60. It's yours, madam.

Ouch! Charles, that's completely wiped out your profit on the

tea table. Quick, take some tablets.

I don't think I should've bought it.

After Charles' poor showing, Jonathan's hoping for the sweet

smell of success

with his Coty perfume bottles.

20 I'm bid. Thank you, madam. 20 I've got. We're away.

22 in the corner. 25. 28.

30. 32. 35. 38.

That was a bid, yes.

40. I'm on a roll. 40 I've got.

Are you sure, at £40, all done?

-That's £10.

-It is £10.

And that's another small profit for Jonathan.

Next up, Charles' Ashanti stool, which he's counting on.

And even Jonathan thinks it could do well.

My stool. What do you think?

-No chance.

-He says no chance.

Interesting thing.

30? Start me at 20, then.

-Don't all rush at once.

-Can't believe this.

Start me at 10, then. 10 I'm bid over here. 12 there.

15 over there. 18 there.

-He'll carry it to the car for you.

-I'll carry it to the car for you.

£18. Last chance, selling at 18...

Oh, no.

-£18.

-And that's Charles' second loss of the day.

But can Charles redeem himself with his rare Chinese spoon rest,

despite the auctioneer telling him not to buy Chinese porcelain?

Start me at 30, then.

30 bid. 30 I have.

32 there, 35.

38. 40.

42 over there. 45. You have competition.

48. 50.

50 at the front, then. Are we all done at £50?

Selling at 50...

-Thank you very much.

-Well played.

-And there's nothing wrong

with that profit.

Now it's Jonathan's etui case.

He bought it for £70 and thinks it is worth four times that.

But is that just wishful thinking?

-Here we go.

-Are you nervous?

I'm very, very nervous.

110. 120. 130. 140.

150. 160. 170. 180.

190. 200. 210. 200...

-Keep going, keep going, keep going.

-Who's not bid yet today?

Stick your hand up, someone!

200 over here. 210, new bidder.

220. 230. 240.

250. 260. All done at 260?

-Get in there!

-Well played. Brilliant. Well played.

And that's a staggering profit of £190,

propelling Jonathan into the lead.

30. 32. 35. 38...

A jubilant Jonathan started today's show with £249.07.

After paying the auctioneer's commission, he's made a substantial

profit of £148.61 and takes

£397.68 forward to the next leg.

Charles certainly paid for not calling the auctioneer earlier.

He started today's show with £259.17.

He made a loss of £19.59 after commission and takes

£239.58 forward to the next Road Trip. He looks so young, doesn't he?

Your etui completely ruined my day for the right reasons.

It's crucial for Charles to rein in his impulses

and spend wisely if he wants to stay in the game.

It's spend, spend, spend.

It's win, win, win. I've got no regrets.

This road trip is around spectacular Northern Ireland and North West England.

On this leg, Charles and Jonathan are in Blighty,

starting in Chorley and heading for auction in Lytham St Annes.

Chorley is a pretty little market town.

We're in Chorley, Charlie.

-Chalky Charlie.

-Chorley, Charlie. We're in Chorley, Charlie.

For one weekend each year, French traders cross the channel

to sell their produce in the town, lettuce and that

and Chorley's merchants return the favour.

So the French are now acquainted with the delightful Chorley cake.

It's like an Eccles cake but from Chorley.

With £240 pocket, first stop for Charles is dealer Andrew Baxendale.

-Hello, sir. Good morning.

-Hello. Good morning.

-How are you?

-I'm very well, thank you.

-You have plenty of books here.

-We have one or two.

-It's so important, I think,

to see objects which are evocative of a period.

And look at this. Andrew, I would think the 1970s, '60s?

-I would say early '70s.

-Early '70s.

I was almost born in the early '70s, Andrew, and that was a time when really we were quite psychedelic,

weren't we, in the early '70s we were just past those great swinging times.

-I quite like this bowl. It's like a stained glass window, isn't it, gone wrong?

-It's gorgeous.

Of course made by Poole and Poole really at this time, were market leaders in design.

Poole Pottery ceramics were inspired

by artists such as Mondrian, Warhol, Matisse and Pollock.

Each piece is pretty much unique.

Andrew, I reckon you're going to say to me,

"Charles, that Poole bowl is £45."

I was actually going to say 40.

-Were you really?

-Yes.

-Andrew's saying 40.

I said 45. Maybe I've...

..done myself out of a buy.

-I'll take 45.

-Yes.

I like that very much but again I've got to think about my commercial eye,

commercial eye, not the Hanson eye which is just buying things he likes.

Indeed, Charles.

There are few antique shops in Chorley so Jonathan is taking his

£397 and heading north to another attractive market town...

Leyland.

He's off to an antique shop called Old Corn Mill.

Almost immediately, he's attracted by something BIG and brown.

People dismissively say it's brown furniture but you walk in and these are all things you can use.

I'll probably stay in here for a while and I'll hopefully find something.

This is good fun. This is nice.

Down the road, it looks like Carlos is getting stuck in.

I think they call them friendship books.

-Friendship books.

-Yeah.

Back in the heyday, back in the early 20th century, even back during the years of the Great War.

Look at this here. 26 September 1916.

Where were you then, Andrew, eh?

A twinkle in my granddad's eye.

Today, we think of autograph albums as pages filled with celebrity scrawls.

Back then, they were reminders of people who really meant something to the owner.

And their blank pages would be filled with drawings, affectionate little notes and poems.

"Many a ship has been lost at sea through want of paint,"

can't read that one, "And rudder."

"Many a girl has lost her boy through talking to another."

I enjoy social history and to tap into personal social sentiment, it really captures the essence

of our country. If I bought the four together as a lot,

-I might be tempted. Andrew, your best price on these today would be?

-£50.

They could make 50 but knowing the market for autograph books,

we've sold them in the past and they can make little

and sometimes my social enjoyment outweighs their market worth and

really I need to be thinking what'll make money because I've got to try and beat Jonathan Pratt.

I'm so glad you're remembering it's a competition, Charles!

Back in Leyland, Jonathan has found something else to tempt him.

Of all the things in here I like the most is this little chair. It's a great shape, for starters.

You've got this sort of stylised fleur-de-lis

but you've got it painted with peacocks' feathers.

Gives you that sort of feel of the French art nouveau.

You've got mother of pearl inlay, coloured lacquer,

gilt-highlighting.

Good shape on the legs and it's coloured throughout.

And it is made of...

papier mache.

Papier mache literally means chewed-up paper in French.

To make this chair, sheets of paper would be soaked

in a solution of water and glue and crafted over a wooden frame.

And it costs a respectable £195.

I would only be interested really in going to about,

crikey, and it pains me to say even that, probably maximum 130.

I tell you what, it's your first time round, isn't it?

Oh, yeah. I've got many years to come.

-I'm only a young man.

-Go on then.

-Thank you very much.

-OK.

-All right, cheers.

-I hope you do well.

Impressive haggling, Jonathan.

Done like a true professional.

Anybody'd think you were an expert.

Maybe I can find some help in here.

What's it say? I wonder if my chair's in here.

Maybe not...

As Jonathan splashes his cash, Charles is still in Chorley and on the hunt for a bargain.

Is that a nice oak-carved hall stand?

I'm not quite sure.

Someone said it could have come from a church to put candles in.

-Oh, it is. It's a candle box. You're right.

-About 1913.

-Beautifully carved in oak.

Boxes like these would be used to store candles in the 17th century, sometimes four candles!

But this 20th century example is more decorative than practical.

Best price.

-18.

-£18. I don't like to leave without buying anything at all.

Then why don't you try buying something?

I like the candle box.

The autograph albums are superb. OK, Andrew, give me a price for the two together.

-Best today.

-Yes, sir.

-50 quid.

Got to go for them because I'm quite a way behind my rival now

and I'd probably say...can I pay £30?

-For them both?

-For the cash. Cash buy for both.

35, you've got a deal.

I'll meet you halfway at £32.

Go on.

Andrew, you're a good sport.

It's great to meet a true rose in Lancashire.

Strong in the arm. A bit thick in the head but that's a good price.

I really appreciate it. That's very good.

So I've bought four albums for, let's call it £22,

and a candle box for ten.

God willing, on a good day, Hanson's off to a great start.

Brave words, Charles, but it's early days yet.

I do like that and actually that is rather pretty.

Sussex Goldsmiths of Brighton.

Christmas 1910. I saw that because of plated siphon stands, that's a very, very pretty example.

This is 1880, 1890.

English arts and crafts' interpretation of the art nouveau.

While siphon stands were quite common, they were normally

neoclassical in style which makes this example rather unusual.

-What is the best price on that? £50 it says.

-10%, how's that?

10%. 45 quid.

-How far out are we?

-I'd want to be £30.

-I don't know if she'd do that.

-No.

I could always give her a quick ring. You've got £50 on it.

They were wondering what the best you can do on it.

They've offered 30 for it.

Jonathan, how's 38?

-38. No. Sorry.

-Yeah.

She says if you're going to squeeze, I'll let you have it.

-£30. OK. Brilliant.

-Yeah, I think you'll do well on that.

-Thank you very much.

-I hope so anyway.

-Well, you know.

I hope so, too, Jonathan!

Jonathan's shopping in Leyland is now complete

and he continues south to the pretty little village of Eccleston,

to an antiques shop like no other.

Blimey.

Gee whiz, actually, this is quite surprising, I have to say.

This is a pretty amazing place.

There are three warehouses with over 250 different units,

selling everything from antiques to curios and memorabilia.

I don't think I've actually seen a place so overwhelming, actually,

with stuff everywhere.

Whilst Jonathan loses himself amongst the antique stalls,

Charles is still in Chorley and taking his chances at Heskin Hall.

It's a fine example of Tudor architecture

and while it might look like a stately home, it actually houses the North West Antiques Centre.

-Afternoon to you.

-Hello. Good afternoon.

-Nice to see you.

-Are you the lady of the house?

-I am, indeed.

-What a fantastic place to be.

-We like it.

-I can go through here, can I?

-Yes, certainly.

Look at a few objects and if I see what I like, I can see you?

-Just give me a shout.

-Thanks, awfully.

-You're very welcome.

-But will Charles, who still has the princely sum of £207.58 left,

be able to find himself any more bargains?

We want the true antique, the definition being 100 years old if we can find it.

A lot of these items are collectable.

The 1920s, '30s, decorative-style sells, but this is more me.

Oriental porcelain is one of Charles' areas of expertise.

Here we've got a very, very nice Chinese 18th century plate.

It's wonderful, it's 1760, it talks history and for £65,

it seems relatively inexpensive, but these were mass produced in the 18th century and really

one would want to pay no more than £25 and really to discount it to £25

is really asking too much.

It's a shame because it's the one antique I've really found to date that I like which is in budget.

I'm beginning to think I've drawn the short straw

because the exterior is marvellous but on the inside, no disrespect,

there's nothing for me at all, and I'm surprised because normally,

there's always one or two items which will spring out.

At the moment, here, there's nothing at all.

Back in Eccleston, Jonathan does find something he likes.

It's this little ball with the flame on the top.

It's a cigar lighter in the shape of a grenade which would have been used at a regimental dinner

or presented to a retiring officer.

-It's possible that there would have been a wick in the end of that.

-Right.

-You fill that full of fuel.

And then you unscrew it and it comes out with a wick

and then you light your cigars from it.

It's by Zimmerman's.

It's a Birmingham mark.

What is the best price on that?

It does look like someone's tried to use it as a grenade.

It's got a few little dents there.

Considering its condition, say about 90 quid.

Is that your very best? £75?

Call it 80.

-Call it 75.

-Call it 80.

I'm going to put it back in unless you say £75.

-Go on, then.

-OK. Well done. Thanks very much.

Well I say, Jonathan, you're getting rather good at this negotiating lark.

Next up, Charles and Jonathan are heading confidently for Preston.

An early 18th century writer once described it as a pretty town with

an abundance of gentry in it, commonly called proud Preston.

First stop for Jonathan is Stonyhurst College,

a marvellous Grade I listed building which just happens to be a school,

so make sure you're not naughty.

Jan Graffius, the curator, is giving him a tour.

-Hi there.

-Hello. Hi.

-Nice to meet you, Jan.

-Nice to meet you. Hi, I'm Jan.

Stonyhurst College is often referred to as the Eton for Catholics.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the author and creator of Sherlock Holmes, was a former pupil.

It was established in 1593 and moved here to Stonyhurst Hall in 1794.

What makes the school so special is its vast collection of artefacts,

many of which were brought back from abroad and donated by Jesuit missionaries and former pupils.

There's ecclesiastical silver and religious works of art,

outstanding natural history exhibits and even an ancient Egyptian mummy.

Stonyhurst Hall also has an impressive collection of books.

This is the Arundel library.

It was the gift of a former pupil, James Arundel of Wardour,

who had a very special library and he left it to the school in 1835.

It sort of also became a natural home for a lot of the other

strange and unusual artefacts.

"Where do we put it? Oh, put it in the library."

Yeah. Yeah. It's a good home for it.

Many of these artefacts also tell the story of the most significant periods in English history.

This hat and the smaller one beside it both belong to Sir Thomas Moore.

Moore was a lawyer, scholar and trusted confidante of Henry VIII.

He was also a devout Catholic

and one of the most influential men in England.

This was his when he was a young man before he became a great statesman.

The hat was discovered in Rotterdam after Moore had been executed for

refusing to recognise Henry VIII's divorce from Catherine of Aragon.

And then here we have a night cap.

He's come a long way from this, hasn't he?

Yes. This would have originally been a really nice bright strong red.

None of these are the hats he was wearing when he was...

-taken to the scaffold?

-Sadly not, no.

-I think the etiquette is to go bareheaded.

-Oh, is it?

-I think.

As well as priceless objects, there are also priceless books.

One of our most special books...

And a famous portrait, obviously.

Yes. Yes. And a famous book.

This is our first folio.

In other words, it's the first collected edition ever printed

of William Shakespeare's plays.

So this is quite rare that...

-you can get this close to it.

-Yes.

The folio was edited by two of Shakespeare's fellow actors

and published seven years after he died.

The lovely thing about it is that the two actor friends of Shakespeare who

put this together were wandering round all the play rooms, getting the play scripts,

putting it together, arguing "He meant this," "No, he said this,"

"And you remember we did this," "No, we changed that."

This was then going off to the printer and five minutes later

they'd come back and say

"When we said this, we really meant this" and the printer would tear his hair out and reset the page,

until you get to Hamlet where they just thought

"Stuff this, we're just going to score it out and write the word in."

The perfume gone.

For something like this, it's in the perfect surroundings and amazingly important, historically.

And much loved as well.

The collection is constantly evolving as former pupils continue to make donations.

-It's a living museum. It's wonderful.

-It's a continuation of a tradition, yes.

Well, thank you very, very much.

No, it's a pleasure.

And perhaps you could...

before I get lost... in this labyrinth.

As Jonathan struggles to find his way out,

Charles is on his way to the Preston Antiques Centre.

Hanson has a serious problem in that he's only spent £32.

That's lame. Two days shopping, £32. What's going on? Can you believe it?

Well, hurry up then and spend some more money!

Charles, pay attention.

See, I do want to spend big.

The antiques centre is roomy enough for our two experts.

So Jonathan's come to have a poke around, too.

Look at that.

I remember when televisions were made out of wood.

I had one in the front room when I was a kid.

Enough reminiscing, Grandpa!

Finally, Charles spots something that might just give him the edge over his rival.

Here we've got a very, very nice George V

carved oak plate-mounted tantalus

and, of course, in the hey day, during the reign of George V,

these were all the rage and was to keep your sherries and spirits in.

'Tis nice. I like it very much but it's £150.

And there is a concern, I've just noticed these little collars

of the decanters have a certain degree of chips, nibbles, damage.

My biggest problem is I don't mind damage

because to me it tells a story about the items.

If they could talk, what could they tell us?

And this chap's saying to me...

"Don't buy me, because my condition is far too bad and if you buy me,

"Charles Hanson, I might make £100, you lose 50 and you're further behind JP."

In the meanwhile, Jonathan is drawn to one of his passions.

Hamadan, Persia, West Persia.

It's quite pretty. £150.

It is from the Hamadan region which is a bit like calling a piece of furniture Georgian.

It's not that specific but basically if Persia's this big,

if you're looking at it that way,

Hamadan region is over here like this, and basically it's a

few hundred villages weaving in different styles

but they all use the same method of construction.

And this rug is an early 20th century example.

The other thing is with these you can tell the age by the wool

it gets rotten by...

When they're dyed, the dye becomes quite corrosive

and so this green has gone quite a lot

and it's because the dye they use is oxidising and rotting the wool.

You can feel it when you run your fingers across it.

If you discuss 150, normally it'd be about 10%

plus five for the chair, so that's 130.

-130.

-What were you thinking?

I would say about £80. That would be quite a lot less.

-Do you want me to give them a ring?

-Yeah. Go on.

-OK.

-Yeah, please.

It stands a good chance.

The man from Wales said yes.

Oh, OK! Well, then I'd be rude not to say thank you. Thanks very much.

That's me done. Four items.

I'm very happy with this. It's a nice decorative thing.

It's not a lot of money, £80, but who knows,

I'm hoping some privates will like this, some private clients.

Stick it in the car,

show it to Charlie later.

Jonathan spent a whopping £315.

While Charles has spent a measly £32 and there's not long to go.

So here we've got, Sue, a very nice celery vase,

or glass, which I like very much.

The chasing is ever so nice. This would date to around 1870.

At the time, celery was considered a luxury, something to be enjoyed

only by the wealthy which is why it's often served in fine cut glass.

This is priced at £25 but Sue kindly reduces it to a more reasonable £15

which is symptomatic of the generosity on this programme.

I will take this for £15

because that's nice and although it's got a chip...

Ooh.

Maybe £10, then.

-Yes.

-You're a sport!

-I honestly didn't know about the chip.

Thank you. That'd be great. There you go, £10.

Charles, you haven't even spent £50 on this trip.

Whatever's happened to spending big bit?

And that's it, gentlemen - time's up, shopping's over.

Jonathan started this leg ahead of Charles with £397.68

and spent a colossal £315 on four items.

He bought a late Victorian papier-mache chair,

a silver-plated siphon stand, a silver cigar lighter

and a Persian Hamadan rug.

Charles started with a rather less impressive £239.58

and spent a paltry £42 on three items.

A George IV candle box, four early 20th century autograph albums

and a Victorian etched glass celery vase.

But what do our chaps think of each other's purchases?

I think the rug, I wouldn't touch.

And I feel it's worth between £30 and £40.

I mean, a carved oak box wall pocket, a candle box,

whatever you want to call it,

I mean, it's dreadful, it really is dreadful.

JP, on a good day, your chair might make £50

or 60 with the wind blowing a good force 14 gale.

That celery vase...

I mean, if it makes him a profit, I will cry.

Who's going to win this auction round? Me.

Enough said.

Confident words, Charles. But have you spoken too soon?

It's been a marvellous road trip.

Our two chaps started off in picturesque Chorley

and stopped off in Leyland, Eccleston, and Preston.

They're heading into the gentile seaside resort

of Lytham St Anne's.

Dead posh, this place,

just down the coast from Blackpool, for auction day.

And there's just time first for a quick kick around on the beach.

That's a goal.

And that's Hanson one, Pratt nil.

-He's won that but will he win at the auction?

-Best of five.

If you're right and I actually do come a cropper here,

it's gloves off for the last race. Honestly, Charlie.

Gerrards Auction Rooms is based in a gorgeous Art Deco building.

It's a family-run business selling everything from antiques and collectables to fine art.

As the competition between our two chaps intensifies, both are feeling the strain.

The tension is massive.

I've got pins and needles and I'm just, like...

First up is the candle box

which Charles paid £10 for.

Jonathan doesn't like it but what will the bidders think?

Tension.

Nice thing, this. Start us off on commission at £40.

Any advance on 46 on the net?

48 with me. £48. 50 now.

55 at the back. Any advance on 55?

60 now. Any advance on £60?

£60. Any advance on £60?

-All done.

-It could be yours, really.

That's very good. I'm very happy. Thank you. Well, played.

-Good start, Hanson.

-Well, that's a staggering £50 profit.

Well, played, Charles.

Well, played, indeed.

Charles' candle box has done well.

Let's see how Jonathan's £130 papier-mache chair does.

80 on the net. Any advance on £80?

-80 on the net. Good.

-That's a very good price for it.

85. Any advance on £85?

-Come on, guys.

-90 on the net.

-90 on the net.

-Any advance on 90?

-Oh, well played, JP.

-Any advance on £90? 95?

Come on, net.

100. Any advance on £100? 110.

110. Cheap at the price.

My heart is racing. Come on, net. Come on, net.

-All sure?

-No, they're not.

-£110. In the middle at 110.

-That's a good price.

-120 on the internet.

-Oh, thank you!

£120.

And that's a loss, Jonathan, even if it's only a small one.

Item number three is Charles' is last minute buy,

the Victorian etched glass celery vase.

What's it going to make?

A tenner if you're lucky.

£10, surely. Give me £10 for it.

-It's very, very nice.

-A tenner, surely.

On the internet. Any advance on ten?

12, front row. Any advance on 12?

Gent's bid at £12. 14.

-Oh, for goodness sake!

-16.

Any advance on £16? 18.

£18. Are we all done at £18?

-£18. I'm happy.

-Clearly mad.

And that's another profit for Charles.

Right, here we go.

Jonathan's hoping to redeem himself

with the Art Nouveau silver-plated siphon stand he bought for £30.

Bids on the books of £30. Any advance on 30 to start?

£30. Any advance on 30. 32. 34.

Any advance on £34? 36. 38 with me.

£40 bid. Any advance on £40?

All done at £40? £40.

That's a good price.

It's a small profit

but it's cancelled out by the loss on the chair.

It's not looking good for Jonathan.

With a £58 profit so far,

Charles is on a winning streak,

but will these four autograph books which cost £22

help him stay in the lead?

£30. Who'll give me 30 for them?

Very, very nice. They're well worth buying, these.

-They're a good investment.

-£30, surely.

-Come on.

-Any interest at all?

-Come on.

-£20. Any interest at 20?

£20. £20.

Despite a loss, Charles is still in the lead

but Jonathan's got two items left

and anything could happen.

Next up, Jonathan's Persian Hamadan rug.

Let's hope it's not pulled from under his feet.

Bids on the books of £40.

Any advance on 40?

-Some at the back.

-42. 44.

-It's a good thing, this.

-48. 50. 55. 60.

-Well, played.

£65. Any advance on £65?

70 on the internet.

£70. On the net at 70.

And that's not good news for Jonathan.

You lost a tenner. HE SIGHS HEAVILY

Finally, it's Jonathan's silver grenade-shaped cigar lighter

which he paid £75 for.

He's got high hopes for it

and he needs to make a profit to stay in the race.

I can start this on commissions at £80 on commission. 85. 90.

95. 100. Now with me at £100.

Any advance on 100? 110. 120.

-Any advance on 120?

-We're getting there.

130. I'm out now. £130.

All sure. £130.

-Yes!

-Well, played.

Well, played, Jonathan, indeed.

A splendid £55 profit before commission.

The profit from the lighter has helped Jonathan maintain his lead.

He started today with £397.68.

Even though he made a loss of £18.45 after paying the auctioneer's commission,

he still takes £379.23 forward to the next road trip.

Charles did better at the auction than Jonathan.

He started the day with £239.58.

He made a small profit of £38.74 after auction costs

so takes £278.32 forward to the next leg.

JP, there's everything to play for.

And this game gets better and better.

And better.

Down to the last minute.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd