Episode 3 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?

Well, actually 80. 75.

The aim is 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 on this leg are Charles Hanson

and Jonathan Pratt, acting captain. Ooh-arr!

Auctioneer Jonathan Pratt's first passion is for furniture.

I'm in furniture mode now.

I'm happy!

But since doing the Road Trip, he's discovered a brand-new talent.

Don't give up the day job just yet, Jonathan, eh?

Charles Hanson has loved antiques ever since he was a boy, a couple of years ago,

when his parents would take him round grand old country houses.

Oh, and did I mention, he's from Derbyshire.

The reason I like it, I'm a Derbyshire man.

A proud Derbyshire man. I'm a Derbyshire man.

Strong in the arm, bit thick in the head.

You said it.

Charles started this trip with a respectable £278.32.

Jonathan, however, has a commanding lead with £379.23 to spend.

As the competition between them intensifies,

Charles needs to get a move on.

This Road Trip started in Greyabbey, in Northern Ireland,

finishing in Cockermouth, in the North West.

On this leg, our chaps continue their tour around the picturesque North West,

starting in Blackpool and heading for auction in Cockermouth.

Ah, Blackpool. It's the UK's all-time favourite seaside resort.

# We're all going on a summer holiday... #

Ever since the mid-19th century, tourists have been flocking here en masse.

Mill owners would close their factories for a week every year and Blackpool

is where their employees would escape to.

No, just try it. It's lovely. Go on.

Go on, try a bit.

See you later.

As Jonathan finishes his candyfloss,

Charles heads off to Lytham St Annes.

The Laughing Donkey Family Bar.

Where else would you find that?

I've lost my candyfloss.

I've lost my candyfloss.

Hell fire.

First stop, Diane Peters Antiques.

Our chap's expert eye soon spots the work of a master ceramicist.

Here we've got a most magnificent biscuit barrel.

And if you want the best of a biscuit barrel to take your biscuits from,

acquire this Moorcroft Florian Ware biscuit barrel.

Sure takes the biscuit.

William Moorcroft was renowned for the quality and artistry of his ceramic designs.

Florian Ware was one of his first ranges.

The design of it with these wonderful tube-lined scrolls, which are sinuous

and free-flowing, is the epitome of Art Nouveau,

which was developed in the late 1890s. And I love it.

If it's in good condition, it's well worth the price. Over £1,000.

Well, that's all very well, Charles, but it's out of your budget.

How about something more modest, eh?

-Isn't she lovely?

-Steady!

# Isn't she lovely? #

Here we've got a most magnificent Austrian bronze,

she's in full length.

Certainly dressed to impress

by not wearing a lot.

But in fact it's all to do with the great, fast-living,

free spirit Jazz Age.

She's also musical.

PLAYS GENTLE TUNE

So if you were a dancer in the 1920s...

Isn't she nice?

And £800 is the best price.

Well, it's beyond me, really.

I shouldn't even be... You see, I'm wasting time.

I'm wasting my time here.

You know, I like antiques. I'm wasting my time and your time.

Come on, Hanson! There is no time for this.

Quite right, Carlos.

Now, while the heady centre of sea air and candyfloss

may be very diverting, it's not getting any shopping done.

So our two chaps quit the kiss-me-quick hats

and head north to Morecambe.

# Bring me sunshine... #

Like its neighbour, Morecambe is also a thriving seaside resort.

Its most famous son is Eric, of Morecambe and Wise fame,

who took his stage name from his hometown.

# In this world where we live

# There should be more happiness

# So much joy... #

Our boys are visiting Morecambe Antiques Centre and luckily it's big enough for both of them.

But will it bring any sunshine into their lives?

All the best.

Good luck, Charlie. Happy shopping.

-Watch your patch, OK? Cos I'll be on it.

-Yeah, right!

-Very shortly.

-Ah, I'll go this way.

This is my area, OK? This is my area.

JP, come nowhere near.

If you want a monumental, masculine specimen

to grace your heavy,

19th-century, late Victorian mantelpiece buy this.

Look at it.

It's architectural. The Arabic numerals.

Carrying handles, too, because the weight of this clock...

SNAPPING

WHISPERS: The handle's come off.

It's so heavy the handle's come off.

So now I ought to really own up, right?

I'd better own up to it. Great(!)

There goes my great afternoon so far.

Charles, you've broken it!

Let's see what Jonathan's up to, quick!

That is, presumably, reproduction.

You've got a nice shape which looks very, very Art Nouveau.

It's basically an Art Nouveau case that's been repainted.

It's not asking for a lot of money, £29.

But in good order with the original inlay, you know,

it would be sort of £40 at auction or something.

Luckily for Charles, the sympathetic shop owner has let him off about the clock

and he's trying desperately not to break anything else.

This I like very much. It's a very nice, twin-handled bonbon dish.

It's silver-plated, beautifully pierced.

It's WMF, German Art Nouveau.

WMF stands for Wurttemberg's Metal Goods Factory.

Based in southern Germany, they were the world's largest producer

and exporter of metalware and this is a snip at just £10.

Surely it's worth between 20 and 30 on a good day.

So we'll wait and see with that.

As Charles deliberates, Jonathan spots something for the suave man about town.

That's rather sweet.

It's a coromandel dressing box.

Coromandel is a valuable hardwood from India, Sri Lanka and South-East Asia.

They're sort of multi-functional pieces of furniture for carrying around

when you're going off with your staff somewhere.

-It's just this chap here.

-Right.

I'll just have a quick peek in one of these. There you go.

All silver covers. It's Victorian.

A lovely fitted case.

With £379.23 left to spend, can Jonathan afford it?

-Oh, yeah.

-Right.

-Right.

-I've had a word with the vendor. She had £500 on it.

-She "had"?

-She has. That's what she's got and that's what she wants for it.

-£500?

Blimey. I haven't got that sort of money.

Charles is being rather more modest with the items that he's looking at.

What we have here

is a very nice Anglo-Indian,

colonial chair.

It's magnificent. Think of the carving of this.

Probably done at the time of the Raj, the 1880s, 1890s.

It could be mine for £60.

Jo...

If I said 50 for the chair and seven for the bonbon basket?

I can't. No, no.

Well, I'll pay £60, cos I think it has mileage.

So 60 for the chair,

-seven for the bonbon dish?

-Yeah, done.

-Thank you very much.

-I'm very happy, Jo.

-That's good.

-Thanks ever so much. Really, really good.

-Thanks.

This could be Hanson's crowning glory. This could...

be my success.

From India to a country that's rather closer to home.

That buckle there. Quite a nice, straightforward shape. Probably quite wearable.

The question I'm asking myself, "Is it silver?"

The reason I ask it is the decoration is this sort of black, chequer pattern.

It's called "niello". It's a pattern which they use. Kind of a Russian influence.

Niello comes from the Latin for "blackened".

It's a technique in which a mix of materials,

like copper, lead and sulphur, are fused, usually on to a silver base.

This buckle costs a very reasonable £18.

SIGHS

£12 or £13?

-Leave it with me.

-OK.

-I'll see what I can do.

Cheers. Thanks very much.

Last of the big spenders, eh?

You said it, Jonathan.

Right. Had a word. Yes, he's happy with £13.

£13. OK. Well, I'll take that then. Thanks very much.

But Charles, who's not satisfied with just two purchases,

is on a mission to spend, spend, spend!

I've just been told that, literally, over here in number 27

is a guy called John who lives here and has a house full of antiques.

-Hello. Is it John?

-It is.

-John, good to see you. May I come in? It's Charles.

-Yeah. Come through.

-Good to see you. Fine.

Wow-ee, John, I can't believe it. Your house is awash with antiques.

And, yes, this is literally John's house.

Absolutely everything is for sale, so he tries

not to get too attached to his furniture, because he never knows

when someone's going to come around and buy it.

She is obviously the epitome of a fine Art Deco lady. She really is beautiful.

Has a lovely figure, doesn't she?

-Yes.

-Hourglass figure, I think is what you call it.

You seem to have a bit of an eye for the ladies today, Charles.

# For there is no-one else but you

# To make me feel... #

I would let you have that for £50 as a gift.

Do you think, John, she's completely period?

Just the actual patination

and gilding on her extremities

is all ever so clean and all so uniform.

What I'm doing now is, I'm just putting my tooth, resting my tooth...

Middle tooth... I'm not sure which one yet.

But just by doing this

I can now tell that it's very soft to touch. It's not cold.

It's not chunky. It's not clinky.

That's plastic. So again, that could be Bakelite.

Bakelite was an early plastic used extensively throughout the 1920s and 1930s.

But even if the base is original, the figure might be later.

I'd like to buy it still because it's decorative.

I do like the female form.

I think she's stylish.

I think she's evocative and you might even say,

"Charles, well, let's go in together at £25."

-But you tell me.

-No. I'll do you £30.

And, John, do you know what?

He's going to change his mind!

It might be the biggest mistake I've made so far, but I think she's stylish enough...

I think she's attractive enough, and I think her decorative appeal might outweigh any concerns over age.

John, I'll buy it for 30.

You're a great sport and I think that has some mileage.

Next, our boys are leaving Morecambe

and heading inland to Lancaster.

They've just found out that the auction they're buying for

is a general household sale. Great.

And Jonathan spots something that might be just the ticket.

This looks like a piece of G-plan or Ercol or something.

"Ercol light elm coffee table, £75."

But the thing is, that's a kind of retro, vintage style,

which I think is possibly fashionable.

Ercol became a household name in post-war Britain.

It moved away from the heavy, ornate, pre-war styles towards a new, clean-lined, simple elegance.

This is sort of what you call speculative. This could come and bite me.

Time to negotiate with dealer Alan Blackburn.

Out of my comfort zone with something like Ercol, but...

-Yeah, it is.

-It's clean and it's modern and...

It's what people want.

Look, it's got £75 on it.

Yeah. We could do better than that.

Would you do as good as...?

Crikey, I mean, £40?

-I think you're pushing it, but 50 I think we could do.

-45?

Go on. Let's do 45.

OK. Go on. Let's go for it.

Charles isn't wasting time, either.

What I like here is a nice pair of weighing scales.

Although the scales are based on a Victorian design,

they're actually brand Harry Spankers, which means they're new.

These are gilt metal on the cast-iron stands.

They were £22. They're now £16.

And I spoke to Alan...

..and he informed me I could have them for £5.

It's not my taste, not my style, but I feel I'm buying for the auction we're going to.

Jonathan, however, is diverted by something rather less practical, rather more arty.

That to me is probably Chinese-made.

That's, at auction, a £30 violin, OK?

But...

bows are quite collectable and this one is stamped.

Although the violin is modern, the early 20th-century bow

is made by W Seifert, one of Germany's most respected bow makers.

What people don't realise is that there's a lot of work that goes into making a bow,

because they have to take a bent piece of wood and make it straight so that they get the tension on it.

-The case says 85.

-Yeah.

-The violin says 65.

-Right.

Well, I think we can do a bit better than that. I would think £45.

-Can you do 40?

-Yeah, OK.

-Good.

OK. Well done. Thank you very much.

And that's £40 for the case, the bow and the violin!

Job done. We'll see about that one.

Our boys aren't giving Alan an easy time of it today. Oh, no.

-This is the table and chairs here we discussed...

-I remember it.

Albeit briefly earlier. If I come round here.

Now I said to you, I'm going to a very...

-Have a seat, Alan.

-Yeah, why not?

I'm going to a household general sale.

This might be my last buy following the scales.

Although the table is 17th century in style, it's a modern 20th-century copy.

Compared to yesterday, I've done a U-turn.

I've gone from buying antiques to getting a bit desperate

and saying, "Alan, I'll offer you £60 for the whole lot."

Charles, go and make a profit.

-Really?

-Really.

-Alan, thanks ever so much. I'll take it then.

You certainly seem to have your business head on today, Charles.

Unlike Jonathan.

Basically, this is quite a pretty little thing, I suppose.

It's a cast-iron and enamel stick stand.

Made in France in the 1920s, it epitomises Art Deco style

and it could be yours for £120.

Ooh la la!

See, it's all umbrellas at the bottom?

Or, if it's French, parapluies. I like that.

It's kind of stylish, isn't it?

If you could tell me your best price. I like it, but I'm prepared to walk away.

75.

Oh, I'm going to...

£75.

OK, thank you very much. All right. Oh, dear.

Charles has finished

his shopping and is heading north towards Kendal and Levens Hall.

It's one of the area's loveliest stately homes

and it's also known for its topiary.

What a pad.

Apparently, the finest Elizabethan home in Cumbria in existence.

Susie Bagot, wife of the current owner, Hal Bagot, is going to show him round.

Although the house is open to the public five days a week, it's still very much a family home.

The house was built by wealthy landowner James Bellingham

in the late 16th century.

This was his gent's residence that he was going to pour his all into.

It really is so ostentatious, isn't it?

This was a man who thought he was going somewhere.

It really is showing his wealth.

James Bellingham employed local craftsmen to make the elaborate Italianate plasterwork

and carve the intricate oak panelling,

in which he also features.

-But he must have had quite an ego, mustn't he, to have included himself in the carving?

-And that's...

And that is James Bellingham, with his little Elizabethan ruff and his short sort of, you know...

He looks quite spindly, doesn't he?

No need to be personal!

By the late 17th century, the house had passed to his great-grandson,

Alan Bellingham, who was a notorious gambler.

He squandered his wealth and ending up losing Levens Hall

to his kinsman Colonel James Grahme

in a game of cards,

one gamble that didn't pay off.

Colonel Grahme added extra wings to the Elizabethan house

and filled it with fine furniture and works of art.

James Grahme refers to his "golden parlour" in his correspondence.

-Oh, my goodness me.

-It's Spanish Cordoba leather.

Each square is said to be the skin of one goat.

Cor, must be a whole herd!

What an expensive form of wall hanging

and Cordoba, in Spain, was one of the main centres of production.

Skins were covered with silver leaf, which was then varnished

with a transparent yellow lacquer making the silver look like gold.

It's the finest collection of leather in Europe.

It would have been really vibrant, very alive

-and when the candlelight was flickering...

-Stunning.

-It was...

Stunning now. We always have candles when we eat in here.

What secrets have been discussed within these four walls?

-Just think of it.

-That's what I love.

-Smoke rising,

-candles flickering.

-Exactly.

-Secrets being whispered.

That's what I thrive on. Hands-on history, it's great to see.

While Charles sees the sights, Jonathan hits the shops in Kendal.

Hi, there.

At Sleddall Hall Antiques Centre something catches his eye...

..an engraving.

Going to be 1890s or something.

It's probably just when the motor car was on its way in.

Special price to you, £40.

Oh, OK.

How does that sound?

Special price, eh?

The signed engraving is of Cross Street, Old Chapel, Manchester,

a mere 100 miles from the auction in Cockermouth.

Handy.

Oh! Not really £40.

So where would you like to be on that?

I think I'll try £30.

-Go on then.

-Let's do that.

£30. That will be fine. OK.

And that's it. The shopping is all done.

Jonathan started this leg of the trip with £379.23

and spent a grand total of £203 on five items.

He bought a silver, niello buckle, a 1920s umbrella stand,

a violin and bow,

a late 19th century engraving

and an Ercol coffee table.

Charles, however, started with £278.32, rather less than Jonathan,

and he spent a confident £162, also on five items.

He bought a pair of scales,

a silver WMF bonbon dish, a bronzed deco figure,

a carved, Anglo-Indian chair and an oak table with six chairs.

What a mixture!

But what do our chaps think of each others' purchases?

Six chairs and an oak table. £60 is a pittance, it's worth more than that at auction.

The bow in the right sale would make money.

In Cockermouth that bow's going to come a cropper.

OK, they're modern, repro.

For a fiver though, it's got to make money.

Who's going to win this auction?

Me!

Are these brave or foolish words, Charles?

We'll soon find out.

Our chaps started off in Northern Ireland

and they've been wheeling and dealing all the way to Kendal.

Today, they reach Cockermouth, their final destination,

and the auction that will sort the men out from the boys.

The sun is burning brightly, the hills and pasture land are alive

to welcome you and I

and, do you know what, I'm getting quite emotional about this.

Mitchells Fine Art Auctioneers was established in 1873

and it's very much a rural concern.

They even sell livestock, although not in these rooms.

With the competition still too close to call, both our chaps are feeling the tension.

How are you feeling?

Charlie, I am absolutely...

bricking it.

That I think means he's scared.

First up, Charles's bonbon dish, which cost him just £7.

£15 bid...

Come on, let's go. Come on.

£15 bid.

18. 20. 22. 24. 26.

-Come on!

-30, 32, 34.

-34?

-Hanson's off.

And that's a sweet little profit for you, Charles.

Tighten your belt, Jonathan, it's time for your silver buckle.

12, 14, 16, 18.

-Well played.

-£20.

-20, 20, £20.

-Any more?

-22, 24.

-Well played.

26. £26. Are you all out for 26?

That's a good price, JP.

And Jonathan's doubled his money.

Next up, Charles's £5 scales,

but will they tip the balance in his favour? Oh!

£5, 8, 10, 12...

14, 16, 18.

-One more. Come on, let's go.

-22.

Are you all out at 22?

So far, each item has made a profit.

Will it be fourth time lucky for Jonathan's umbrella stand?

-£50 bid.

-Good.

-55, 60, 65.

-Well, played.

-70.

-Don't stop there!

-£70.

-It's been raining. It's perfect.

On commission then at £70.

No!

Bad luck, Jonathan, old chap.

Oh, dear, don't cry.

Next up, Charles' £30 bronzed, Deco figure.

£20 bid.

-Come on.

-22, 24...

-Come on!

-26, 28.

-30.

-Come on!

-34.

-There you go. It's profit now, Charlie.

36, 38, 40.

£40. 42, 44, 46,

48, 50, 56.

-This is getting interesting, JP!

-Bid at 56.

Charles HAS had success with the ladies today. Well done.

But with five items to go, there's still everything to play for.

Can Jonathan redeem himself with his violin and bow

or will he continue to play second fiddle? Huh!

£20 bid. Bid there at 20.

25, 30, 35, 40,

42, 44, 46,

-48...

-He's being tight-lipped now. He's thinking about it.

-50, 52.

-It's worth more.

-56, 58, 60.

Come on, come on!

62, 64. £64.

-Bid at 64.

-That's a good profit.

OK. It's a good buy for £64 though.

So Jonathan's still in the race, although Charles is edging ahead.

Now it's Charles' carved chair.

He fell in love with it, but Jonathan was less convinced.

-This could kill me, but I don't mind.

-£50 for it?

-No!

-£20 bid then.

-Wrong object.

-£20 bid.

-Come on.

-For the chair at 20.

-Please one more.

-Crazy.

-32, 34, 36, 38,

-40, 42.

-There you go. It's getting there.

Come on, it's a wonderful chair.

-£44 then. At 44. 44.

-Crazy.

46, 48, 50,

-52...

-It's still going, Charlie.

-54.

-It's creeping up.

-56.

-There you go.

-56. Are you all out?

-It just shows.

Blast! That's Charles' first loss.

It's a general household sale, I've come a cropper.

Item number eight is Jonathan's engraving.

He paid £30 for it and is hoping it will attract local interest.

Quite why I don't know.

£10 bid for the engraving. 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22...

Nice subject.

24, 26, 28,

30, 32.

-That's all right.

-£32 then. At 32.

-Yeah, there we go. That's about right.

-£32. At 32. £32.

Yup, it's a profit, Jonathan, but only miniscule.

And now comes the battle of the tables.

The first one to go under the hammer is Jonathan's Ercol coffee table.

30, 32. 32, 34...

-That's a really good price.

-It's not!

40, 42, 44,

46...

-Yes!

-48...

-Yes!

-50.

-This style, I can't believe that.

-52?

-That's a massive, massive price. Get away.

And it's another small profit for Jonathan.

Now it's time for Charles' oak table and six chairs.

They're not antiques, but they sure are practical.

So you need to clear probably 180 on it to win the show.

It is so, so exciting because it is so close. Everything's on this.

At £150 on commission. Bid at 165.

-70.

-Come on! Come on.

-75, 80.

-80.

-85, 90, 95, 200.

-£200!

-Don't believe it.

-205, 210.

15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40.

It's not looking good for Jonathan.

-45.

-Oh, you son of a gun.

60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85,

90, 95, 300.

-£300!

-Rounding it up. 305.

It was the last lot of our entire series. My heart is going...

I feel it.

I can't believe it. I can't believe it, seriously.

Whooo! Charles has made a staggering £245 profit.

Oh, you're a so-and-so.

You really, really are. I hate you, Charlie.

Ah! Jonathan started this leg with £379.23, which is marvellous.

After auction costs, he made a loss of £2

and finishes the day with £377.23, and that's tough.

God...

Charles started the leg with £278.32.

He made a whopping profit of £227.63 after auction costs

so it's Charles who comes out on top with £505.95.

The feeling is just complete, utter contentment.

Well, cherish the memory, Charles, as it's time to swap

you and Jonathan for another duo of experts as we begin a new adventure.

A warm Antiques Road Trip welcome please

for valuer Mark Stacey and auctioneer Charlie Ross.

They start this leg of the journey with £200 lining each of their pockets.

They're driving a 1965 convertible Mercedes Pagoda in the heart of

the West Midlands, but already, it's less Hollywood glamour and more Carry On!

Ooh, no! How dare you! Oh, you've thrown it into reverse!

Mark Stacey is a dealer and auctioneer. And lousy driver.

Mark has a love of anything Deco and Regency, and a particular passion for porcelain.

-Good all-rounder, I'd say.

-I mean, it's absolutely wonderful.

And he definitely knows a designer dish from tawdry tableware.

Indonesia. I don't think it's anything to do with the 1930s.

Charlie Ross ran his own auction house for over 25 years and is an expert on antique furniture.

He also runs charity auctions, raising millions of pounds for good causes.

But can he use those persuasive powers to turn his fivers into a fortune?

-20 quid?

-Five and you've got it.

-Five quid?

-25!

This road trip sees them motoring through pottery country

in the West Midlands,

all the way to Chippenham in Wiltshire.

This leg of the trip starts in Bridgnorth,

then on to Shrewsbury and Stafford,

finishing further north in Stoke-on-Trent

for an auction face-off. So, it's all about shopping, you'd think.

Even attractive girls look at you when you're in a car like this.

-I could pull!

-Yeah, pull a muscle.

-Highly unlikely.

Bridgnorth sits upon the River Severn

and was once one of the busiest river ports in Europe.

Quieter now, it's made up of a low and high town.

And these are connected by the steepest inland funicular railway in Britain.

We've got shopping to do.

-Some antique hunting to do.

-£200 to spend.

-And two hours to spend it in.

-Good luck.

-I think you're going that way...

-I'll go everywhere!

-..and I'm going that way.

-But first, this way.

-See you later.

It's Charlie's first time on the Road Trip,

and he knows his money won't spend itself. But he's got to be canny.

I'm mulling over my strategy on how to beat Mark. It's not going to be easy.

I don't think it's a matter of what, I think I just need to get those prices down.

Mmm. Time to try out that game plan.

This is really interesting. I'm going to find something here, I'm sure.

-Good morning.

-Hello.

-How are you?

-Very well.

-Nice to meet you. Nick.

-I've come, I hope, to buy something.

Here's a very nice claret jug, cut glass and silver-plated claret jug. Very Art Deco.

Christopher Dresser-ish almost.

Yes, it's got a Christopher Dresser look to the handle, hasn't it, and the top.

This is not a design by Christopher Dresser, but it's associated to his style.

Often described as the father of modern industrial design,

he was renowned for combining materials like glass and silver.

He created well-made, manufactured goods, providing form and function. It's a good homage, that.

A little bit of frosting in the glass, but I think you'd get rid of that with a bit of crystal treatment.

And the plating is really in pretty good condition.

There's a little bit of wear around the edge of the plating of the lid.

I'm absolutely convinced that the top was made with the bottom.

Round the corner it looks like Mark is also going for the JUG-ular!

-Is that Wedgwood jug perfect?

-Yes.

-Can we have a little look at that?

-I'll fetch the key.

-Thank you.

Yes, so we've got the impress mark, haven't we - Wedgwood.

-Yes.

-This is the dark blue, which I prefer to the sky blue. Do you?

-Sky blue is wishy-washy.

-It is a bit, but this is typical of the Classical decoration.

Actually, this is late 19th century Wedgwood Jasperware.

Made from the 1770s, thanks to Josiah Wedgwood.

20 years and around 3,000 experiments were required to come up with this dense stoneware,

fired at extremely high temperatures. It's been described

as the most important invention in the history of ceramics. 20 quid on the label, eh?

-We couldn't get it down to a fiver, could we?

-No. Cost me more than that!

-Eight quid?

-Go on, then.

-Eight quid?

-Go on, then. Done. I have been!

I think I have been! Snap! You should make a wish!

Nice one, Cyril!

But has first-timer Charlie got the guts to squeeze a deal on his claret jug priced at £45?

I suppose £20 is not going to buy that, is it?

What about 35? That's a most inexpensive claret jug.

I'm not for the moment suggesting it's overpriced.

-25, sir.

-32?

-28? I'm creeping up. You've got to be really tough.

-28, yes.

-Are you going to sell it to me for 28?

-Yes.

-May I say that is really, really kind of you.

So, our new boy has spent some dosh, and very confidently, too.

Let's hope it's not all downhill from here.

After spending a massive £8, Mark needs a breather.

He's travelling ten miles to the historic Coalport Museum.

It's a must-see, as this is the home to almost 300 years of fine bone china.

He's bypassing any buying to see the works of 19th century china painter, John Randall.

Kate Cadman is the curator of the museum...

-Hello, I'm Mark.

-Nice to meet you.

-..and an expert on all things Randall.

-John Randall was particularly famous for painting birds.

-Yes.

He painted plaques, plates, vases...

-They're harking back to the Dutch Old Masters, with the chickens and peacocks together.

-Yes.

Something you'd never really see on a farm.

-Absolutely!

-This was meant for a rather grand, Palladian house, wasn't it?

-Indeed.

-Of course, you've brought out one of your favourite plaques to show me.

-The parrots, which I love.

You've got these exotic parrots, which should be in an exotic landscape.

-Then you've got a typical...

-English landscape.

-English landscape, yes.

It's ludicrous in a way, but somehow it works, rather charming.

Randall often painted his exotic birds far from their natural habitats

and for many this was the first ever glimpse of such brightly coloured creatures.

What exquisite colours we've got there, Kate. I mean, those lovely purples and reds.

Bright reds are technically one of the most difficult colours that you can get in ceramics.

-The rarest colour to find was yellow.

-Yes.

Yellow is an incredibly difficult colour to achieve because it would often go miscoloured or burn.

-At one time, I think they used uranium, I believe.

-Yes.

And with paint made from uranium, it's not surprising

many workers died of poisoning. It was a squalid existence,

marked by the unbearable stench of the animal bones used to make the china.

One of the factory's other creations was saggars, clay boxes that protected china

from flames and smoke in the kiln. The makers of these

were bizarrely named Bottom Knockers!

Nowadays, saggar making is a dying art,

-but here at the museum, Liz Chilvers demonstrates this historic skill.

-Hello, Liz, I'm Mark.

-Hello.

-Lovely to meet you. I'm so excited about this. Do tell me what you're doing.

I make saggars. It's a case of hammering out a sheet of clay, cutting it into strips

-then wrapping it round a wooden mould to make the shape.

-Could I have a go?

-You can, yeah.

Oh! Oh, that's a good cracking sound, isn't it?

I won't tell you what I'm thinking about when I'm doing that.

Perhaps knocking down Charlie's profit margin, eh?

You could have real fun doing this. It must be fascinating.

-I love it.

-I bet you get very excited Americans.

Yes! They all want their bottom knocking!

Mmm, I think that's enough of that!

-I'm more interested in what Charlie is about to stumble across.

-Wow!

He's on the prowl for more plunder.

Right, we'll have a look in here.

There's a little embossed silver dish here.

These are always really difficult to find, the hallmarks,

because they hide them in the embossing. You have to look.

There is the hallmark. We've got the lion passant here. That tells you it's silver.

We have an anchor, which tells you it was made in Birmingham,

and the letter date, which tells you it's 1898, which I think is a Y.

This is Victorian, 1898.

The Victorian period was peaceful and prosperous for many,

and there was much demand for silver.

This piece is extremely decorative, embossed with putto -

that's a cute, chubby cherub to you and me -

which, of course, symbolises love. Aww!

But at £85, is this little beauty just a bit too chubby?

What a lovely christening or wedding present to give to somebody,

but for me to put it into auction, I'd have to be almost stealing it,

so I'm going to leave that.

Mark's back in Bridgnorth and he's keen to make one more purchase before hitting the road.

I'm trying to find a bargain for under £10.

He's spotted a black basalt antique teapot.

I'm thinking this is what, about, 1820. It's the Regency period.

-Absolutely.

-The Regency period covers the reign of the Prince of Wales from 1800 to 1830.

Very much in fashion was basalt, a hard, black stoneware.

Its impervious body could be moulded with gorgeous, sharp detail.

Almost as sharp as Mark, because he's spotted the damaged spout.

Ah-ha! So, it's on with the price wars.

-Would 15 be too much?

-Yes, it would.

-I mean, 15 quid's so cheap.

-I know. I'd love to get it for £8.

Not a great start! Both our boys now need a miracle.

I want something that you bought for nothing

and you can say, "Look, this is 85 quid, but you can have it for a tenner."

-This I bought for nothing.

-Oh!

-What is it? Oh, the thing I liked?

-Yeah.

-Do you mean for nothing?

-Make me an offer.

-20 quid.

-Five and you've got it.

-What, five quid?

-25!

-20 quid. I'm happy to pay £20 for it.

-Go on, get me in the middle, 22.

-22.

-Excellent.

-I must say, 85 down to 22,

would you think it's forward to give you a kiss, to say thank you?

-I'll get me cash out.

-Right you are.

-Is it wrapped for that price?

Lady Luck's shined on Charlie, but will she shine on Mark?

-Hello, who's this?

-That's my darling wife.

-Come and help me.

-He wants a gift from me.

-I know what you're going to do.

-I know.

-That's right, he's trying to get it for nothing.

You should be saying, "Mark, you should have this as a memory of Bridgnorth," don't you think?

You can have it for a memory for eight quid.

He's a hard man, isn't he?

Well, who'd have thought I'd buy a Regency period,

1820s black basalt teapot?

OK, it's got a little bit of damage on the spout, but for £8, there's got to be a profit in that,

and if there's not, I don't know what I'm doing in this business.

Funny you should say that, Mark. Charlie's about to bag another buy,

an Edwardian two-tier pokerwork table.

Something at auction's really got to look at you and jump at you.

This, when you look at it closely, does.

Made around 1910, tables like this were burnt with decoration

using a red hot poker, hence the term pokerwork.

This decorative style works best on softer woods such as beech or pine.

This is priced at £85, a bit much for Charlie, I'd say.

-Linda?

-Yeah? What have you found?

-Would you hit me if I was really, really rude?

I'm going to be so rude, you might want to send me packing here.

-Go on, then, try me.

-I want to buy it for a tenner.

-Wow!

-I know.

-You can have it for a very reasonable price.

-It's got to be a tenner.

I'll go halves with you and I'll come to 15.

Now, quite honestly, I'd pay more than 15 for that at auction.

If I tell you where the auction is, can we send a car for you and you can buy it back?

-I tell you what, I'll give you 15 quid for it.

-Lovely.

-I have to buy a bit of furniture.

Time to leave Bridgnorth but not before

both Mark and Charlie take the local florists by surprise

with an impulse purchase of two Mateus Rose wine boxes.

-Oh, go on.

-Are they £2 each?

-Come on. For us. Fiver for the two?

-I tell you what, you let him have one for two quid and I'll buy mine for three quid.

-Bargain!

These boxes are around 30 years old

and hark back to the golden age of this sweet rose,

but will they make any money at auction? The boys obviously think so.

Now, it's really time to hit that road to Shrewsbury.

Shrewsbury is just 20 miles north-west

and our gents will be hoping to net some more prime purchases.

I'm not giving my strategy away to you, Charlie,

but I'm going to be focused, driven and stick to my plan.

Really? Well, that'll be a first.

The town of Shrewsbury, which began life as a Saxon settlement,

is well-known for one of the bloodiest battles in English history,

the Battle Of Shrewsbury in 1403.

Fortunately for our boys, though,

it's a lot more peaceful now.

-Shrewsbury or Shroosbury?

-I'll say Shroosbury.

-And I'll say Shrewsbury.

-Let's call the whole thing off!

And this lovely park here, Charlie.

Right the way down to the river there. Lovely pagoda.

-Look, in the middle.

-We're driving a Pagoda,

-and we've found a pagoda. Isn't life poetic?

-Fabulous.

The town is most famous, perhaps, for being the birthplace of Charles Darwin in 1809.

And it's definitely survival of the fittest where Mark and Charlie are concerned, as they head

for Shrewsbury's, or should I say Shroosbury's, antique shops.

-Well, are you excited?

-I've never been so excited.

-I'll race you to the market.

Worse than children!

Charlie is so keen, though, to spend his beans.

I thought I'd found an Old Dutch Master. But it's a print.

-Is that music I hear?

-MUSIC BOX CHIMES

A musical Rolls-Royce.

-It's absolutely wonderful. Would you take a fiver for it?

-Go on, then, yep.

Ho ho! I'm going to buy something.

Don't tell Mark, but I think at a fiver,

there's just a sporting chance that somebody might pay a little bit more.

Having found nothing, Mark awaits his partner in crime outside.

-What have you bought? Fish and chips?

-I'm not going to tell you.

-Oh, my God!

-Buy of the year.

-Should I be worried?

I think you should be, old fruit.

You're leaving Shrewsbury without buying a single item

which means that you're now playing catch-up with Charlie.

Let's hope heading east to Stafford will bring richer pickings.

50 miles from Shrewsbury, Stafford was once a hive of trade.

In the 18th century, it had a bustling pottery industry, but its soul really belonged to shoe-making.

Much later, during the Second World War, it was famous for munitions.

A local company even built tanks for the front line.

Today, though, it's got antiques galore.

Some even with a wartime feel.

After a browse and a ponder, Charlie stumbles on something he thinks has promise.

Though he's not letting on.

-Ian?

-Yes, Charles?

There's a ropey old rusty doorstop on the floor here.

-What about a fiver?

-£5?!

-I told you I was mean!

-What were you asking, 10?

-More like £50, really.

-£50?!

-£50.

-I've got to make a profit.

-I know.

After a spot of haggling, Charlie gets the price down to £25.

I think this is a really genuine Victorian cast-iron doorstop.

And if somebody buys this for less than £25, I will burst into tears.

Oh, good. I do like a weepy!

Meanwhile, Mark has ventured a little bit out of town, to try his luck.

And he's finally feeling more upbeat.

What treasure trove have you got here?! Wow, look at all this.

That plate over there takes my eye, with the blue tit on it.

-Is that...?

-That is cheap.

That may be in your budget.

Hold on, there's a bit of a bird theme here.

We've gone from kingfishers to a blue tit.

-Hmmm.

-Oh, it is perfect.

That is the princely sum of £8.

If that was in their sale, they would be putting...

-4 to 6?

-Yes. £4 to £6 on it.

-So you're only after a couple of quid, I think that's not too bad.

For me to make a profit on that, you see, I'd have to get it for two quid.

-Would you?

-Yep.

-Do you want me to wrap it and deliver it(?)

No, I'll take it with me, and I'll give you cash, of course.

-Well, that's very kind.

-Can you do it for £2?

I think £2 is a bargain.

Definitely. But Mark doesn't just want it for a song, he wants it for nothing.

Of course. Again.

Look, I know, I can see in your face, that you're a kind-hearted soul.

-My wife doesn't think so.

-She does. I know she does.

She'll not like you much, Mark!

Getting objects for free isn't in the rule book, you naughty boy.

At least dealer Jeremy Allen never paid for it either.

In fact, I was given it.

-So you'll give it to me?

-It was in a deal where I spent about £1,000.

-Well, give it to me as a gift for coming.

-I'll give it you, then.

And that's it, the end of the shopping.

Well, if you can call that shopping, Mark!

Charlie's spent an impressive £98 on six items.

He bought a Victorian, embossed, silver dish.

A kingfisher doorstop.

A musical Rolls-Royce.

An Edwardian pokerwork table.

A glass and silver-plated claret jug.

And a Mateus Rose wine box.

Mark spent a measly £18 on four objects.

He bought a 19th century Jasperware jug.

A Regency, basalt teapot.

The other half of the Mateus Rose wine box double deal,

and a china plate he managed to get thrown in for nothing.

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

The jug - I think Charlie has been seduced a little bit.

That triangular shape is associated with Dr Christopher Dresser.

The quality just isn't very good, and I really do worry that it's a marriage, that jug.

He didn't like my jug. I don't think it's a marriage.

I'm sure it was made like that.

The musical car, I could just see Charlie being seduced by that, because he loves his car.

He loves classic cars. He's a great classic car auctioneer. It's a piece of rubbish.

I could buy really cheap and nasty, but I think he's surpassed anything I've ever bought!

His plate was ghastly. But then, it cost nothing. Fancy getting something for nothing, he's so jammy!

I think he's secretly gutted about the teapot.

I think he really does think I've bought that at a very cheap price.

I'd like to think I'm going to win, certainly with the teapot. But it's too close to call.

So far, our boys have scoured the high spots of pottery country, deep in the West Midlands.

They've gone from Bridgnorth to Shrewsbury,

then on to Stafford, and now it's off to Stoke-on-Trent.

It's D-Day, as the boys head to auction.

Here, they'll fight it out for the biggest profit.

Stoke-on-Trent, the official world capital of ceramics,

began its pottery boom

back in the 1700s, boasting wares by Wedgwood, Doulton and Spode.

A-ha, We've arrived!

Not surprisingly, ASH Auctions, in business since 1994,

specialise in pottery from the 19th century to the present day.

So whose tactics will prove most successful?

Time to find out.

Here we go.

First up is Mark's 19th century Jasperware jug.

Nice example again, ladies and gentlemen...

Nice example? How much did you pay him to say that?

Shall we say £20 straight in for me?

-Come on.

-12 there, 14, 16, 18, 17, 18.

It's a world record!

£18, all done? And finished, then, at £18.

You're just a genius. You're just a genius.

After spending £8, Mark makes a profit of £10

before commission - a great start.

No wonder Charlie's worried. But will our new boy's fears

be allayed thanks to his claret jug?

Lot number 42, absolutely beautiful.

What shall we say for it? A tenner. Come on, where are we? £10.

-Oh, dear.

-This is not looking good, is it?

16, 18. At £16, 18, 18. At £18, are you bold? £18 there.

The jug cost £28, leaving Charlie with a £10 loss.

That was far too cheap.

Commiserations on that, actually. That was bad luck.

But will he fare better with his Edwardian pokerwork table?

15 for me? Come on. A tenner for it, somebody.

10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20.

-Oh, pity(!)

-22, 24, 26.

On my right, £24. £24 it goes.

A £9 profit, putting Charlie back in the game, just behind Mark.

Better than nothing, you know.

Now the first of the Mateus Rose wine boxes.

This one belongs to Mark.

Right, there we are. That's the old box there. Give me 15 for it.

Yeah, 15, come on.

A tenner. £10 for it? £5.

-Yes, a bid at five.

-Come on, it's worth more than eight.

-10. 10 I'm bid. 12.

-Wouldn't have made this with wine in it!

-Sensational.

-I'd say so, with an £8 profit!

Will Charlie's do any better?

Five, six, eight,

10, 12. £10.

-12?

-Ooh!

-At £10, I'm selling for a tenner. Any more, are we sure?

Can't accuse him of favouritism, can you?

As Charlie spent a pound more on his box,

he just makes a £7 profit. Not bad, though.

Back to the serious business.

Up next is Charlie's kingfisher doorstop.

-But will it turn a profit?

-£15.

16, 18, 20, 22.

At £20, anybody else at £20?

I thought that would have gone a bit higher.

A £5 loss. Not good.

-Oh, Charlie.

-Devastated.

Maybe Mark will do better with his free china plate.

Difficult to do worse.

-A beautiful piece.

-What shall we say for that one - £5 for it?

A nice china plate there. £5. Come on, £5.

It's got to be worth a fiver, surely? Are you going silent?

-No, two I'm bid.

-Oh, I've got £2.

£2, is that all? Three.

-Three!

-Well done, sir.

-You'd pay them a pound.

Come on, four. Yes!

I've never known a man take so long to sell something for four quid.

£6, seven at the back. Who's seven?

-Seven, thank you.

-You're not allowed to do that!

-Yes, I am.

-That's bribery.

Sold at £7, there we are.

Brave gentlemen at the back of the room, 341.

That's a whopping £7 for nothing.

-I'm happy with that, actually.

-I should think you are.

And so you should be!

Now another fave for the man with the gavel -

Charlie's silver embossed dish, this time most definitely Victorian.

We've had a lot of interest over the internet on this next item.

-Internet?

-A stunning dish there. What shall we say for it? £20.

22, 26, 28, 30, 32.

Where's two, then? 32, 34, 36, 38, 40,

-42.

-Better.

-At £42, last call, then.

At £42.

-That's good, Charlie, actually.

-Better.

That's a fantastic profit, actually, of £20.

-Would you say I'm improving?

-Very.

But will the musical Rolls-Royce prove as popular?

Neither of our chaps thinks so.

-Look at that.

-Lovely. It's tasteless, is it?

It's absolutely hideous.

£10, 12, 14, 16, 18.

I told you.

24. And 26. 26, with the lady at £26.

-Are we all done, then? 28, 30, 32.

-Quality always counts.

£30. I'm selling at 30.

Utter rubbish.

With a £25 profit before commission, Charlie's marching ahead.

There's one final lot - Mark's basalt Regency teapot.

He's glued the spout back together, but is it enough to beat Charlie?

£20 for this. 15?

-Where are we? Give me a tenner for it.

-Oh, come on.

-Start at five!

12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24,

26, commission buyer at 24,

26 on the back wall, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38.

-They haven't seen the restoration.

-42, 44, 46.

Anybody else? I'm selling at £44.

Number, Geoffrey.

I give in.

The biggest profit of the day - £36 goes to Mark.

-I can't believe that made 44.

-That's quality.

It's been a good start for both our boys.

Out of his original pot of £200, after paying the auction costs,

first-timer Charlie has made a profit of £20.63,

giving a healthy total of £220.63 for next time.

But Mark has pipped Charlie at the post,

because he's spent less money and made more profit.

After paying auction costs, Mark has made a profit of £47.09,

which sees him leaving with £247.09.

That was rather successful, Charlie. Off to Cheshire.

-Better for you than it was for me.

-That's what I like to hear!

All clear. Take her away.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd