Episode 5 Antiques Road Trip

The nation's favourite antiques experts.

£200 each, and one big challenge.

Testing!

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

The aim is trade up and hope each antique turns profit.

But it's not as easy as it sounds

and there can only be one winner.

So, will it be the highway to success

or the B road to bankruptcy?

This is the Antiques Road Trip!

This week, we're road tripping with auctioneer Charlie Ross

and porcelain expert Mark Stacey.

Shut up and drive!

Their chosen transport, a 1965 Mercedes Pagoda Roadster.

Charlie Ross ran his own auction house for 25 years.

He's a furniture expert who's wooing the dealers

into slashing their prices.

Would you think it's forward if I gave you a kiss to say thank you?

Opponent Mark Stacey came third last series.

A valuer, dealer and auctioneer,

he's fiercely competitive.

I'm here to thrash you, Charlie. Come on.

Each expert started their road trip with £200.

Mark has thumped Charlie in the profit stakes right from the start.

I think it was perfectly fair, don't you?

He's taken his £200 and transformed it

into a bumper £355.55.

Charlie's put heart and soul into every buy.

I can't resist it, Frances. Can I shake you by the hand?

But it's not enough.

He made a loss of £33.57 on the last leg.

He begins today's road trip with just £215.34.

So Charlie's got a fight on his hands.

Oh, Charlie, bad luck.

Mark and Charlie's road trip started in the West Midlands

and is now a whistle-stop tour of Wales,

finishing in Chippenham in Wiltshire.

At the moment, they're leaving Anglesey,

headed for an auction showdown in Carmarthen, further south.

But first off, it's Newcastle Emlyn.

Newcastle Emlyn sits on the River Teifi.

The town had 35 pubs in 1868.

Today there are only eight.

Never mind. There's an antiques centre for the boys to peruse.

Charlie desperately needs to get back in the game.

I've got to be a bit more careful here. On the other hand, I've got to spend my money

in order to catch up Mark. But with £215, that's going to be difficult.

Yes, it is. You'd better get looking!

What do you look for in a teddy bear?

A good character.

A long snout. Good length of leg.

A chunky thigh.

Good limbs.

Neither of those teddies really fit the bill.

Not to be bought.

From chunky thighs and long snouts to Mark Stacey.

This is quite fun.

It's a little sort of custard set, I suppose.

You'd have very thick custard in there, like a creme brulee

or creme anglaise.

Actually, it's priced up at only £6.50.

Known as cream ware, this lead glazed earthenware

was first perfected by Josiah Wedgwood in the late 18th century.

Queen Charlotte was so taken with it,

she appointed Wedgwood as the royal supplier of dinnerware

in 1762.

This custard set is a little younger.

It's late 19th century.

I'm just going to see whether this is actually dirt on here

or whether it's actually in the firing.

If it's in the firing, then you've had it, really.

What I might do is see if the antiques centre has a kitchen,

and I'll give it a wash and see how it comes up.

One of the cups has got a little chip on it.

There's a crack there.

That one's not coming up very nicely.

This one is marked. It's marked "Etruria, England".

Etruria was one of Wedgwood's main factories, which adds value

to this set if you're careful.

I think, if we can get this for a fiver or less...

-CLATTER

-Ooh, dear!

As I was saying, if we can get this for a pound or less!

Don't do that at home!

If we can get this for a fiver or less, it would be really rude not to buy it.

Steve, I've had a little clean-up there,

in the limited facilities you have.

I've found one I think is not part of it.

One that has a nasty hairline crack in it, and a couple of chips.

But overall, I think it's actually quite a nice little thing.

-It's got 6.50 on it.

-A fiver.

-Four?

-Go on, then.

Definitely worth all that scrubbing around in the lavvy.

Now, what's Charlie up to?

I like the silver and steel cigar cutter.

-Overlaid silver on the handle.

-On the handle.

And a steel body to it.

Great quality. What do you think that is? Edwardian?

-Yes, Edwardian, just on the cusp, yes.

-Yeah.

Edward VII was a famous cigar smoker.

So it was fashionable for gentlemen of the time to follow suit.

Cigar cutters dangled from watch chains and were impressively decorated.

This is perfect for a fat, hand-rolled cigar.

It's priced at £48.

-Very nice. I don't suppose I can buy it for a tenner?

-Not a tenner!

-Are you sure?

-Absolutely!

-38 would buy it.

-I'm going to think seriously. 25?

35.

-28?

-30, come on!

I was almost tempted to say 29 but he's been so reasonable, I'll give you £30 for it.

Thank you very much.

Mark's going Edwardian, too.

A cellist's chair. But there's no price on it.

The type of inlay is very Edwardian. That all dates to about 1910.

It's getting on for 100-years-old or so.

I'll find out how much it costs.

There's a chair in here without a price on it.

The label's come off it.

-Yes. 65.

-Oh, 65, is it?

-It's a shame, isn't it? It's quite pretty.

-Very pretty.

Mark's putting the chair down, but he'd better watch out.

With Charlie around, he might have it stolen from under his nose!

I'm always looking for things that have lost their price tags.

You always live in hope that somebody's forgotten how much it should be priced at.

This is from the Sheraton revival period.

Thomas Sheraton was a neo-classical English furniture designer

in the late 18th century.

In the Edwardian era,

furniture-makers revived the classic lines and designs from 100 years previously.

Great inlay.

It's mahogany base, strung in box wood,

inlaid with olive wood and with satinwood.

Fantastic quality workmanship.

Charlie's hooked, so he's sending dealer Keith Bunold to find out more.

-If it could be unbelievably cheap...

-I'll find out for you now.

But will Mark work out Charlie's sitting on his potential profit?

How's that?

-I couldn't see the price on it.

-There's 65 on it.

Who's looking at that?

-A customer.

-Not Charlie Ross?

-No, no.

-I saw my eye on that first. I've asked already and I've reserved it. Haven't I?

I've actually reserved that chair.

He's not having it because I saw that first. You all saw me.

I waxed lyrical about that piece.

If he's interested in it, I'm determined he's not going to have it!

Lucky for Mark, the chair belongs to Stephen's wife.

-What do you think she'll do it for?

-45.

It's tempting to say the deal is done and he can't have it.

No, I'm being wicked. That's nasty, isn't it?

Shall I be that nasty?

Cheeky Mark is off to tell Charlie he's bought it.

-Too late, Charlie.

-You've bought it?

-I've already bought that chair.

-You can't have it, my friend.

-Why not?

-It's too expensive for you!

-Oh!

-It was £65... £68.

-68?

-68.

What did you get it down to?

-I got it down to a very respectable...

-25?

-No, not that, Charlie!

-30?

-No, a little bit more.

Mark may have stolen it back,

but he's still to get a deal on it.

The thing is, I haven't really bought it yet.

I don't know. But I just wanted to go and stop him.

Make him worried, make him concerned that I'm just napping at his tail.

Let's have a word with Stephen. We'll try and get it for 40.

We can't do a little bit better? 35?

We can do it for 40.

£40?

It's rude not to buy it for £40, really, isn't it?

It's a really sweet chair. Even if I don't make much on it, it's a nice object for the show.

I'll take that as well. Thank you, Stephen.

Oh, dear! Could this all lead to our first Road Trip tiff?

-Where are you going?

-I'm not telling you.

-You're in the car?

-You can't leave me here, Charlie!

-I can!

-I'm left high and dry.

-And that's where you're staying.

What a scoundrel!

Frankly, I'm so far behind, I'm somewhere on the back straight.

This dealing lark!

It's not as easy as you'd think!

Poor old Charlie. He's ventured just outside Newcastle Emlyn

to another antique shop. But will it change his fortunes?

-Hello!

-Hello, there.

-Hi.

Cameron Bennett is more collector than dealer,

so he won't be parting with any beloved pieces for a song.

"Peter Pan Bodices"!

That really is a statement of the times, isn't it?

Is that something that's for sale?

It is for sale.

-How much is that?

-I'd like to see 120 on that.

I'm not surprised. It's a nice thing.

Back to the drawing board. It's way out of your price range.

In town, Mark's reaching for his comfort blanket.

Staffordshire figurines.

-It's the signing of the Magna Carta.

-I thought it might be. I was just going to say.

Obviously it's King John signing the Magna Carta.

Two colourful assistants. I love this.

I love these bright, naive colours.

-There's a crack, look.

-A chip in the bottom.

-A big chip there.

No wonder he's looking so cross!

-And I think he's lost his nib on the pen.

-On the pen, yeah.

And I do like his garters, don't you?

He's got lovely suntanned legs!

Steady!

Created about 1860, this Staffordshire figure

may be based on a version of Shakespeare's The Life And Death Of King John.

An actor called Charles Kean played the King, and this could be him.

This piece is so rare, there's one in the Victoria and Albert Museum,

but even so, another one only sold for £120 at a recent auction.

That would still give Mark a profit if he slashes down the price

from its considerable £130 price tag.

But there's a problem. Stephen is not the owner.

How negotiable is it? Do you know?

-Make an offer.

-For a fellow Welshman!

-Can we speak to him on the phone?

-I can try.

Mark's spotted something else.

Oh, yes. But that one's very damaged.

One of them. And no price? It's free!

I'm always looking for a Mark's memento, but I don't think I'll get this for nothing!

Don't start that lark again, Mark Stacey! Freebie? I don't know. It's just not cricket!

Again, maybe around about 1860 or so.

I love the head of this prancing horse. It's so camp!

-Do you know how much it is, by chance?

-A tenner.

-£10?

That's far too much!

For such a damaged figure!

Here comes the sob story!

I always try and get a little memento of each visit I make.

-The dealers always warm to me, rather than Charlie Ross!

-Well, I can understand that.

They always say, "We must let you have something to be sure you get more profit."

They normally give me something around about the £10 mark.

We'll keep that out for now, because I have a feeling, with the right persuasion...

We might have found the Mark memento!

-CLATTERING Oh, mind that door!

-You deserve that!

Mark knows the King John is priced at 130,

while the princess is £10.

He now has to be patient while the dealer phones the owner

to see if they will negotiate. So it's a waiting game.

Charlie's still shopping, and Cameron has found him a little treasure.

This I could sell.

It's an electrotype copy of a French medal issued in 1815.

An electrotype is a quasi-mechanical process reproducing objects in metal

so meticulously that they could be mistaken for an original.

This one depicts Napoleon Bonaparte, his second wife Marie-Louise and their infant son.

There's a spot of intrigue, too.

A letter from a museum to a London dealer, written in 1947,

attempting to find out the medal's value.

I love the letter! From Hertfordshire County Museum.

It says it's an electrotype copy, not contemporary with the medal,

because electrotypes were not made until about 1840.

I'd better ask the price in case it's a fiver!

-I would say £30.

-Would you?

-So if I offered you a tenner, you'd probably say, "That would do nicely."

-No!

No. Tough man, this man.

Tell you what, I'll meet you halfway and give you 20 quid for it.

-I'll take a chance and pray!

-Sounds good to me.

I like that, sir, very much indeed.

All the best. Cheers.

Meanwhile, Mark's Staffordshire dealer has been back in touch

to confirm the lowest price, so now, negotiations can begin.

-I managed to get hold of Keith.

-Yes?

With the flatback. And...80.

That's £50 down from £130 for King John.

But what about the princess?

I'm thinking, because this is so damaged, and you said a tenner.

-Yes.

-Is that the best price?

That depends on whether you're still quandering over that one.

-If you're quandering on that one, then I'll throw that one in.

-That is tempting!

Because then that's two for one, as it were. BOGOF!

That's Bought One, Got One Free!

Quick. Let's do this now before I change my mind again.

Because then, you just won't get any money out of me.

Goodbye!

I'll gather up my purchases and depart.

-A very happy man. Thanks again, Steve. Good to see you.

-You, too.

Hurray! The sun is shining, and the top is finally down on the roadster.

And it's one last shopping spree before the auction.

-I'm hoping at some stage you might actually consider buying an antique!

-If I saw one, I'd buy one!

Our cheeky chappies are motoring 25 miles south to Narberth,

home to one of the largest antiques emporiums in Wales.

It's a pretty town,

proud of its medieval heritage.

It's also home to the famous Narberth sausage, a heady mix

of pork, tomato, leek and basil.

Definitely not an antique. Which brings us back to Mark and Charlie.

Are we there, Charlie?

-I think we are. Back Lane.

-That's the one we want.

I can see you buying a load of old artefacts, can't you?

There's so much to see.

A little silver rose bowl has attracted Mark, but only just.

It's this that I was slightly interested in.

It's quite light-weight, isn't it?

-A nice clear mark.

-Sheffield.

-What price have we got on this?

-75.

-75.

-75.

-75.

Maybe we can do something.

OK. One thing you have to look at if you're buying something like this,

which is normally a trophy of some sort, they're often engraved.

You can have that removed, but by removing it, you are taking some of the silver away.

If you actually press, and I've been pressing here,

and there's a bit of give there,

that could just be a dent,

but on the other hand, it could be where there's been an inscription removed.

That weakens the silver.

Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, if the price is right.

-50.

-50. OK.

I would have wanted it nearer, unfortunately, nearer the £30 mark.

I'll pop it back and lock up.

I can't find anything really in my price or anything I want to buy.

So I'm going to head off.

Charlie's still in the buying mood, and he's picking up from where Mark left off, with the rose bowl.

-No engraving on it.

-No engraving. And the double crown jubilee mark.

-Nice crisp marks.

-It is, isn't it?

The double crown jubilee mark is in commemoration of King George V

and Queen Mary's silver jubilee in 1935.

Charlie is in luck, because Karen Wilson owns this piece.

Is 40 going to tickle you?

Well, it might tickle you, but will it...

I will do 50 for you.

Karen, we're very nearly there, I think.

If I begged you to do 45, could that be done?

-48.

-Ooh, 48!

-48.

-You're licking your fingers on 48.

46?

-46. My last offer.

-45.

-My last offer.

-Oh, you will do 45! You've come below... No!

I've got that now!

Hang on, Karen! You're selling, not buying!

I nearly scuppered you there!

-Tell you what, at 47?

-Yes.

-Mwah!

Karen's got something else up her sleeve.

A Victorian warning sign for a telegraph pole!

"Persons throwing stones at the telegraphs will be prosecuted."

-That's before telephones, but in the days when you sent Morse code.

-The wires, yes.

I think it's going to make 40 or £50 at auction. It's a great thing.

-I'd have to buy it for £30 really, to go anywhere.

-35?

You're...

You know how to do a deal, don't you?

£35.

Oh... Go for it!

Charlie is settling up for his two items, then he's taking a little detour.

Off to the seaside!

He's on his way to Laugharne,

15 miles east of Narberth.

He's visiting a boathouse, but it's no ordinary boathouse.

This was once the home of Welsh bard Dylan Thomas.

Dylan Thomas's poetry is loved the world over.

But he's probably most famous for his play Under Milk Wood,

which was written while he lived here in the '50s.

Charlie is meeting John Tregenna,

the curator of the boathouse.

-John?

-Hello, Charlie.

-Hi!

-Lovely to see you.

-You, too. Welcome to the Dylan Thomas Boathouse.

Dylan Thomas's poetry writing began while at school.

His father was the headmaster.

There's a story where Dylan Thomas is leaving school early, playing truant.

There's a voice from behind, and the voice is the headmaster.

The headmaster says to Dylan, "Where are you going, boy?"

And he says, "Home to write poetry."

And the headmaster, his father, says, "Well, don't get caught!"

His poetry and radio plays reached the masses on the BBC.

He also found fame in America,

and it was there he died in 1953, aged only 39, from alcoholism.

But most of the last four years of his life

were spent in Laugharne.

He wrote some of his best-loved poems here, in "the writing shed".

Gosh.

Come in.

If he had a deadline, his wife would lock him in the shed!

She'd march him up here at two o'clock, lock him in,

and at seven o'clock come along, unlock the door and let him go to the pub!

-Do you think I could sit down?

-Course you can.

-I'm a hopeless poet.

But I could pretend.

If you can't get inspiration looking out of this window, you can't get inspiration anywhere!

This is absolutely amazing.

I am sitting in Dylan Thomas's chair, at his desk,

looking out of the very same window. Magic!

I didn't know old Charlie was so poetic!

But back to the road trip, and it's the end of the shopping.

Let's have a reminder of what the boys have bought.

Mark started this leg with £355.55 and has purchased

three lots for £124.

He bought a Creamware custard set, an Edwardian cellist's chair

and a Staffordshire King John.

Not forgetting the princess thrown in as a freebie. What a chancer!

Charlie began this trip with £215.34

and has amassed four lots, costing £132.

There's the silver rose bowl, a Victorian telegraph sign,

the Edwardian cigar cutter and the Napoleonic medal.

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

Well done, Mr Stacey, again.

We know he bought the chair, but I can't believe he got it for £40!

The cast iron telegraph sign is absolutely charming.

I've never seen one, nor has Charlie. The dealer hasn't.

Typical of the old rascal to come up with that. 35 quid, though.

He'll be lucky to get a profit on it.

If that bombs, "Good night, Sooty"!

It's much more of an even match. Between you and me, I'm a little bit scared!

This road trip has seen our dazzling duo whizz round South Wales in a search for antique treasures.

They began in Newcastle Emlyn,

then on to Narberth and Laugharne

and now it's a bee-line east to Carmarthen.

Carmarthen lays claim to being the oldest town in Wales.

It began life as a Roman fort.

It's also home to the Arthurian legend that Merlin was born just outside the town.

The auction will take place at Peter Francis Auctions, in business for over a century.

-You haven't cut the mustard so far, Mr Ross.

-No, I've been left in your wake, as always.

-Can you smell profits in there?

-Yes, quite a big one!

For me, I hope!

It's a general sale, where unusual collectibles do well.

Good news for Mark, where his Staffordshire King John is concerned, you'd think.

Except it's been damaged on its way to the auction rooms.

When breakages happen like this,

the Antiques Road Trip likes to play fair.

So the auctioneer will value the lot and we'll honour that amount, which in this case is £140.

I'm naturally very disappointed, really.

I'm guaranteed £60 profit. Having said that, of course,

I don't know quite how we address it if it makes 200!

Steady, Mark!

Still, you never know what might happen in an auction, so let the bidding commence!

-Now, Charlie, here we go.

-Le moment critique!

For you, Charlie, it is.

So let's hope your warning sign does the business!

I've got four phone bids. One from my mother!

One from Auntie Flo!

-What's it worth? £30 away on that little sign.

-Certainly not.

20 to get on, then, surely?

-Ten.

-Surely at 20? 20 I'm bid.

25 I've got with me. 30, the lady's bid, seated now at 30.

At £30 I'm bid. 35 may I say?

-Don't be ridiculous!

-At 30, the lady's bid. 35 is next door.

40, madam?

-40. At 40.

-It's only washing its face.

-£40. Any more?

-Still so cheap.

Selling at £40.

-Somebody's overpaid!

-It's nothing!

That's a £5 profit. But after commission,

that will turn another loss for Charlie.

Next up, the Staffordshire figures. The damaged princess Mark got free,

and the cracked King John

that suffered an even bigger breakage en route to the auction.

50 on the two. There they are. Surely?

20 to go, then? Surely. Ten is all I'm bid. 15, may I say?

At ten. 15. 20.

-Here we go.

-25.

Against you, sir. 25, the lady's bid. They sell. 30.

-At 30. 35, may I say?

-Can I bid?

At £30. Any more? All done at £30.

So, that's made a £50 loss,

but as we guaranteed the auctioneer's estimate of £140,

Mark will make a £60 profit.

I was hoping that was actually going to make more than the 140.

-I was still hopeful they might make 160 to 180.

-Not without reason.

Perhaps that custard set will put a smile on Mark's face,

particularly now the auctioneer has confirmed it's definitely Wedgwood.

Now, do hold it up nicely.

Drop it, preferably!

-What do you say?

-£50?

-£30 away for the Wedgwood.

-30.

-Don't be ridiculous! Don't be silly!

15 is here with me. At 15.

15 with him?!

15 is all I'm bid. 20, the lady on the back row. At 20,

the lady on the back row. 25, may I say?

-At 20, lady in the room.

-Bring the hammer down!

-£20.

-Thank you.

That's about right.

That's a healthy profit before commission.

Mark's toys can stay firmly in the pram.

Congratulations.

£16 profit there, Charlie.

The condition was too good, really.

Nothing like an old cracked record, is there?

Now for Charlie's cigar cutter.

-At 20 I'm bid. 25, may I say?

-That's something.

At £20 I'm bid. At 20. Two. 25.

-At 25 on the books.

-On the book?

-28 at the back of the room. 28.

-We're nearly there.

-30. 30 I've got here with me at 30.

Two do you want? 32. At 32 at the back of the room.

In the room at 32.

Away at £32. Number ten.

-You were lucky with that.

-You think I'm lucky with everything.

That small profit will turn another loss for Charlie after commission.

He needs Lady Luck to shine on him.

-I'm improving.

-You've been worse.

-If we do this for another six months, I might make a profit!

Mark pooh-poohed Charlie's silver rose bowl.

Will the bidders do the same?

Maybe a new auctioneer will bring a change in Charlie's fortunes.

What shall we say? £90 to start me away for the bowl?

-I shouldn't think so.

-90 it is. 100.

And ten. 110.

120.

120, gentleman's bid in the aisle. Selling away.

£120.

I'm amazed with that, Charlie.

I can't believe somebody paid 120 for that. I should have bought it.

That's a £73 profit before commission.

No wonder it's sour grapes for Mark.

Congratulations, Charlie. A profit for a change.

Ooh, you're so catty!

Next up, Charlie's copy of a Napoleonic medal.

A 19th-century French electrotype medal,

depicting Napoleon I, Marie-Louise and the infant King of Rome.

-Shown behind me.

-Honestly!

Bit of interest again. Conflicting bids.

I can start it away at £25. £30 with me.

35, fresh bidder.

40. 45 clears the book. In the room at 45

-on my left.

-Let's see 50.

-50, fresh bidder. And five. 55.

60, sir? 55 seated on my left.

-I'll sell at £55.

-What's going on?

-Number 872.

I really don't like this at all!

Not happy you're getting beaten, I suppose!

A £35 profit. Charlie's back in the game, much to Mark's dismay!

This is not on, Charlie.

-Where's the congratulations?

-Sorry, but it's just so uncalled.

It's unheard of!

Can Mark claw back his winnings with this Edwardian cellist's chair,

stolen from Charlie?

Cellist's chair. Nice music chair. Some musicians here.

-Are there?

-I've got a few bidders here. Some interest with me.

Start this at 30. 35, 38 with me.

Getting there.

£38. 40, straight in. 42 with me.

-And five. 48. 50 in the room.

-Oh, the tension!

-£50. Any advance now?

£50 seated.

-Ooh!

-That's a profit of a couple of quid, I suppose.

Bit less, maybe.

It's a £10 profit before commission,

keeping Mark out of the red. Just.

-It's not a loss.

-No, it isn't. I am king of the losses!

With the stress of the broken Staffordshire figure, it's been a tough auction for Mark.

He began this leg with £355.55,

and has made a profit after auction costs of £48.99,

giving him £404.54 to go on with.

But it's Charlie who reigns as champion on this leg.

He started out with a depleted £215.34,

but after paying the auction costs,

has amassed a fantastic profit of £71.46,

giving him £286.80 for the next leg.

Profit! Profit!

And victory!

One out of four, Charlie.

I could come out every time and say victory.

I've won three times! You've won once.

-You did.

-It's not over yet.

Indeed it's not.

This leg of the journey will take us from the market

town of Cowbridge, right through to the capital city, Cardiff.

Final destination, the Chippenham auction rooms for the boys'

ultimate showdown.

And remember, Charlie has £286.80 to spend this road trip,

and Mark has £404.50.

-Profit, that's the name of the game, Charlie.

-Absolutely.

Cowbridge is a picturesque little town in the Vale of Glamorgan

which is built on the site of a Roman settlement,

dating back to the first century.

Today, Cowbridge is affectionately known as "The Bond Street of Wales".

But first, Charlie and Mark want to try their luck at the local car-boot sale.

-Oh, that's old!

-Yeah, take it.

-You can't get rid of it?

-No.

How much do you want for it? £1?

-£30.

-£30!

-Go on.

-Oh, come on!

Thanks to the Industrial Revolution, items such as this

could suddenly be mass produced, so, throughout the 19th century,

the Victorian cast-iron fireplace became incredibly popular everywhere.

Lovely shell backplate!

Today, it's still popular, but is it worth £30?

That's absolutely extortionate, isn't it, madam?

Would you take a fiver for it?

-No!

-Are you sure?

-No.

I'm really quite interested in it.

Am I the first person to ask?

No, no. It's gone down in price.

-What did it start at?

-It started at £50.

Tell you what, I'll see you an hour later, it'll be a fiver.

Or, failing that...

-Would you take a tenner?

-I can't!

Come on, Charlie, give her another fiver.

-£15, yeah.

-£15, yes?

I'll have that!

Have you got a fiver for me? I'll pick it up later.

While Charlie's off to an interesting start,

Mark's forgotten the auction completely and is buying himself a little something.

Oh, some boxer shorts.

"An amusing Santa Surprise."

-Well, we all need a Santa Surprise at Christmas, don't we?

-Absolutely!

These fashionable knickers also come with their very own jungle bells.

Oh, the bells can be removed, apparently.

-How much are they?

-50p.

There we are. Well, I'll keep them for Christmas.

Moral of the story?

Thank you very much.

If Mark Stacey invites you to a Christmas soiree, run.

And if Charlie's doing the music, run even faster.

HE PLAYS TUNELESSLY

Sorry!

-Lovely!

-Works well, doesn't it?

-It does!

But while the pickings are slim in the final minutes

of the Cowbridge car-boot sale, Mark has managed to spot something with his name on it.

Where did you get them from?

They're just in the family, been handed down. What would they be made of?

These are just nickel. They're very light, you see.

There's not even...um, I don't think there's any silver content.

Medals often attract strong interest at auction but the big money

is for military medals which can be linked back to a particular battle.

These, on the other hand, are simply ceremonial

and they're worth a lot less.

-What were you hoping to get for them?

-£25?

-£25?!

-Yeah.

There's no harm in hoping, is there?

-Well, what do you reckon, then?

-Well, a lot less than that.

-£20.

-No! I said, "a lot less!"

Looking to do anything for a good price,

Mark starts as he means to go on.

Bearing in mind, I do have to beat that Englishman...

-Well, now you're talking. They'll come right down, now.

-Yes.

-A fiver for the three?

-Tenner.

-Eight. Cash.

-£9.50.

-£8.50, you've got a deal.

I'm not going to argue over 50p.

Three medals for £8.50.

Do you know, Charlie, I sniff a profit, there.

Right, then. Let's see how the boys fare on the high street.

Mark's first stop is the local antique centre

and, immediately, something special has caught his eye.

Well, I've found a lovely pair of pottery vases here.

I mean, they're Wedgwood type, with this jasper ware.

Jasper Ware was first developed by Josiah Wedgwood in the 1770s,

taking thousands of trials to perfect.

Today, it's a classic and is still very much in production.

As for its name, this was inspired by the resemblance to the mineral, jasper,

an opaque form of quartz.

Now, judging by the imagery on these vases

and the direct references to Nelson, they commemorate

the Battle of Trafalgar and could be early 19th century.

I have a feeling that they're going to be beyond our budget

but they are charming.

So let's meet the Welshman's next opponent. They call him...John.

The lowest.

-Death! As David Harper would say.

-Death!

MOCK CHOKING

-My cost back, £145.

-DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS

£145?! Go easy, Mark, he's a pensioner!

It's a bit cheeky, really, of me, is to say...

-You can be as cheeky as you like. I will give you three answers.

-Yes?

"No", "Yes" and "Go away!"

Oh, well, I don't want the latter one!

Because I have to keep my end up, as it were...

That is why I have offered them to you at a wholesale, discounted price!

I know! I hate this! I hate this! I hate this!

I think, in John, Mark Stacey has finally found his match. This should be good!

Allow us senior citizens to make a little bit of profit!

Oh, no!

Otherwise we can't be here tomorrow when you come again!

I know! I can't compete with this.

-We'll be starved.

-Oh, no!

Here is an opportunity to double your money.

No! No, no. Don't listen, don't listen. Don't listen, Mark!

So, John's standing firm at £145

and Mark's final act of desperation starts now.

A fellow Welshman, you're a fellow Welshman, you cannot see me

lose against an Englishman.

So, I've got a sum of money in my hand, plus your business card

and I'll promise that I'll tell all my friends,

if they're ever coming to this part of the world, they have to go in and say,

to my new best friend, John, and have a look at your antiques centre.

Oh, gawd. Pass me a bucket.

-I'm afraid, unless it's £145...

-I've lost it.

-..you've lost it.

As for Charlie, he thinks he's found

a winning formula - buy silver, beat Stacey.

It's a good, I should think, 14 inches high, so it's impressive.

It's got a pretty clear hallmark.

I can see it's Chester. People like collecting Chester.

It's got some damage, it's got a little bit of denting.

There's just one fly in the ointment, the price tag,

which reads 135.

Something Charlie's only too happy to ignore.

My brain's thinking, "60?"

May have cost him £100, of course.

And so, with a never-ending supply of cheek...

Do you want to sit down?

..Charlie tries it on with the shop's owners, Sue and John.

Would you take £60 for it?

Very, very best price today is going to have to be £70.

That's my very best price.

-Today's special offer is £70?

-It is.

-You happy with that in the back, John?

-Yes.

-In which case, I shall shake on it.

-Good!

-Thank you very much, indeed.

That's sweet of you.

While Charlie's obsessed with silver,

Mark's head over heels in love with those Jasper Ware vases

and has called the auctioneer in Chippenham for a second opinion.

He likes them, he thought the same as me, £200 to £300.

I don't think there's anything I need to worry about, do you?

So, it's a quickish call to John.

I really would like to buy the vases.

I'm just so passionate about them, I don't mind what happens.

And after one more hopeless attempt at negotiation...

And I can't tweak you down at all on that 145, John?

Mark agrees, pay what John's been asking for since the beginning,

145.

Thank you so much, John.

Take care.

Having gotten the better of one of our experts,

now let's see if John can make it two. Charlie Ross has just arrived at the antiques centre

and is about to try a little charm to get a good price on this Victorian sampler.

"Anne Davis work, age 16 years, 1882." Adam and Eve.

The oldest surviving English sampler was made by Jane Bostock in 1598

to celebrate the birth of her cousin, Alice.

Today, samplers are highly collectable

but the early examples are by far the most valuable.

How much is said item, sir?

-It's £80.

-Is it?

-My £30 isn't going to buy it, is it?

-No.

-I'm afraid not.

-No. I'm not being rude, by the way.

Well, that's a matter of opinion.

I like it, I don't...I don't pretend not to like it.

I think, at auction, it would probably make £50 or £60.

So, if I pay £80 for it,

that old Stacey's going to really knock me into a cocked hat, isn't he?

I couldn't possibly comment.

-It's hard, isn't it? Would you take £50 from me, sir?

-Nope!

I will pay £60, if it's any good to you, sir.

-Come up a fiver and I'll do a deal with you.

-On £65?

-Yes, I'll do a deal.

-Oh, sir. Put your hand there.

Ah, heart-warming to see both our experts given a good

working-over by John.

Next stop is the capital city of Cardiff.

Beside the many antique shops the capital has to offer,

it is also home to Cardiff Castle,

and that is where Mark is headed next.

During its 2,000 years of history, the castle has been a Roman garrison,

a Norman stronghold and the property of Henry VIII.

Then, in Victorian times, it was transformed into what only can be called a Gothic fairytale

by its owner, the 3rd Marquess of Bute and his architect, William Burges.

Mark's getting a guided tour from Matthew, a curator.

HE GASPS

It's quite spectacular, isn't it?

It's amazing. Look at those wonderful colours.

It's the biggest room we've got in Cardiff Castle

and it was actually created by knocking seven bedrooms into one,

just so Lord Bute, who owned the castle,

could have a, sort of, entertaining space for his visitors.

I think it's completely over the top.

-I could live here!

-You could?

-Yes.

-Right, OK, well.

In that case, Mark, you may want to inspect the rest of the house,

starting with the winter smoking room.

Oh, yes. I could come and have a cigarette here.

-No, you can't. We have a strict no-smoking policy!

-Not any more.

I'd be thrown in the tower, probably.

But in a smoking room in the 19th century, actually,

it wasn't just cigars and it wasn't just cigarettes or pipe tobacco.

-They smoked opium, as well.

-Of course they did, yes.

And with this being a room with many uses,

the architect designed the furniture accordingly.

This is a Burges piece. This is where you kept your wines and spirits and, can you see,

there are all different things there?

There are hops, barley, a vine leaf,

he's sticking out his tongue, he's had too much to drink,

and a beehive, representing mead.

And then there was more wine in there.

It's a big, sliding cellarette that would take 40 bottles of wine.

Then, when you wanted to smoke afterwards,

you have cigar drawers up here.

But all of this is nothing compared with the summer smoking room.

Oh, my good lord! That is amazing!

-I'm speechless, you know.

-Well, there's a first then.

Climbing out of the top of the column,

you've got two almost life-size figures of the North Winds.

But, again, the quality of it.

Completely over the top, Matthew, isn't it? Everywhere.

William Burges's friend, Oscar Wilde, said,

"If a thing's worth doing, it's worth doing to excess."

-I think Burges really took it to heart.

-He certainly did.

Across town, Charlie is a man on a mission.

-Good afternoon.

-Though, by the look of things,

Louis is one shop owner who shouldn't be messed with!

A couple of feet of cold British steel.

They don't like it up 'em!

THEY LAUGH

But, rather than steel, it's silver Charlie's once again pinning his hopes on.

Aren't they sweet? Knife rests.

If you went out for dinner, in a posh house like Mark Stacey's,

you'd probably have one of these to rest your knife.

Two or three centuries back, it wasn't uncommon

for the gentry to enjoy a meal of up to 12 courses

but only have one knife and fork per person.

Thus, the knife rest was created to save soiling the table.

They're silver, silver bases.

With very nice gadroon decoration around the edge

and mother-of-pearl rests coming out of them.

They're very high quality.

But are they the sort of thing the average person will be going for?

Probably not. It's something, like me, that just takes your eye.

-I like those.

-And so, Charlie scours the store for something else,

only to end up with an item even more obscure,

a set of 12 silver teaspoons with a golfing motif.

Now, I'm slightly concerned about the fact that these aren't in their original box,

but there are plenty of people that like golf.

Quick peep at the hallmark.

I can see they're made by Walker & Hall, you don't get a better maker than that, do you?

That's right.

Walker & Hall were established in the mid-1800s

and went on to be one of the biggest manufacturers and retailers of silver

for more than 100 years, with branches as far afield as Cape Town and Australia.

Would £50 buy those? Cash.

Unfortunately not. I could probably scrap them for more than that!

I'd hate you to do that.

-I'll tell you what I'll do...

-Yeah?

-..I'll give you a real good deal, I'll do them for £60.

5 x 12 = 60. I can't honestly say no, can I?

And so, Mr Ross is going to take these and the knife rests as well.

-I'm going to spend £90 with you, if I may?

-That's good.

-In real cash.

What concerns me is I'm leaving you to go out with some money left!

Only a smidgen, don't worry.

-I'll buy Mark a drink on the way home.

-Oh, right.

If you believe that, you'll believe anything.

Actually, I think Mark may have started drinking already.

He's being strangely nostalgic.

I've just spotted this plate, which really takes me back

to when I was about five-years-old, just over.

The moon landing of 1969, the Apollo missions.

I remember, huddled around the television set with my family

and we were allowed to watch it live, happening.

It was an amazing time.

Like the vases Mark bought earlier,

this commemorative plate is also Jasper Ware.

Still, it sounds like an emotional purchase to me, this.

Where's that old penny-pincher we all know and love?

If it's the right price, of course, my profit's going to skyrocket to the moon.

Ah, there he is.

Now, he's going to work his magic on Rita,

who's acting on behalf of the dealer.

I think it's a really wacky item.

-I've got to sell it at auction, you see. Try and make a profit.

-Right.

And it's marked up at £10 and there's a slight rim chip.

It's such a shame, isn't it?

Which, loosely translated, means Mark only wants to pay a fiver at the very most.

Now, you've kindly found out what the best price on this is for me, haven't you?

-Yes.

-What is that?

-£8.

-£8?!

-Cash.

-Cash?!

Did you hear this? £8 and she wants cash and it's got a chip and no fish.

-What shall I do?

-Buy it.

-Oh, you would say that.

While the dealer's nowhere to be found and Rita can't drop

the price any further, Mark still can't help himself.

This could be the difference for me winning the whole week

or being shot down to Mars.

And you don't care, you're not giving me any help at all, are you? Thank you very much(!)

After much drama, Mark finally accepts reality.

-£8, you said?

-Thank you very much.

-£2 change, please.

And after that tragic display, Mark moves on to another shop in a final bid for bargains.

Come on, you must have got something lurking in your cupboards there

that you can do me something ultra-special on?

-Cheap and cheerful?

-Well, cheap and profitable, I'd like to call it.

Obviously a wink's as good as a nudge down here in Cardiff,

because what Louis is pulling out of the cabinet is a silver fruit stand,

made by the German company WMF.

What ridiculously over the top price have you got on it now, then?

I don't think it's ridiculously over the top. £35.

£35? Now, you start thinking about what a very, very good price you could let me have that for.

Bearing in mind that we're on the same side, you know.

-We're fighting for the land of our fathers here.

-Righty-ho.

-See how cheeky you can be.

-A tenner.

-No.

-That's far too cheeky.

-Oh, come on.

-It can't be THAT too cheeky, surely?

-It is.

-£12.

I think it cost me a little bit more than that.

£15 and I might make a couple of quid profit.

-£15?

-That is cheeky.

Actually, Louis, brace yourself. Mark's not done yet.

-Well, I'll tell you what.

-What?

-I'll do you a deal.

If I pay you £15 for it, can you supply me with a little Mark memento for my journey?

-I'll tell you what I'll do with you.

-Tell me.

-I've got a...

I'm moving away, now, because I'm worried that spear is going to come out.

Just to make you feel homesick...

-Wonderful.

-How appropriate, an old miner's lamp.

Did you know that Mark's from Wales?

Because my father was a coal miner, you know.

So I can have that to put into the auction and help me beat Charlie Ross?

-With my pleasure.

-Well, I think I've just dug a good profit up there.

Louis, you are a star. Thank you so much.

Crikey, he's done it again!

And with that, the boys' shopping trip is at an end.

Mark started this leg of the journey with an impressive £404.54

and has gone on to spend £176.50 on five auction lots.

He bought these ceremonial medals, the Jasper Ware vases,

the commemorative moon landing plate, a silver fruit stand

and his Mark memento, the old miner's lamp.

Charlie started this leg with just £286.80

and has spent £240 of it on five items.

He bought a Victorian cast iron fireplace, the silver vase,

a Victorian sampler, a set of three teaspoons and the knife rests.

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

Charlie's pulled out a few surprises again, I must admit.

The problem is, he's quite a traditionalist and he remembers things

that were really popular in the saleroom ten years ago.

I feel pretty confident about getting a profit

and getting fairly close up to Mark

but I've got to make up over £100, which is not going to be easy.

He could finish me off in one fell swoop with those vases.

If the vases make £300, I'm sunk.

Starting in Bridgnorth in the Midlands,

then buying and selling their way to Cardiff,

the boys have now arrived at their final destination,

Chippenham in Wiltshire.

Here we are, coming into Chippenham now.

"Historic market town"!

Charlie Ross and Mark Stacey will do battle one last time

in the general sale at the Chippenham auction rooms.

Well, Charlie, this is it.

The sun is out to greet my profits!

At the final sale, you think you are going to make some, do you?

It's a bit like the gunfight at the OK Corral, isn't it?

You know, I am over 100 bullets up on you.

Ah, but you can only go one way. Downwards!

-Up! Up!

-No, no, no.

-Upwards.

I'll leave you to go in the downward direction, Charlie.

You've got more experience at it.

Tensions are running high, a keen crowd has gathered.

Time to see who's really in the money. Let the auction begin!

First to go under the hammer is Mark's Wedgwood plate,

commemorating the Apollo moon landing.

Ah, here it is.

Let's hope the residents of Chippenham are keen on space travel.

And I've got two commission bids and I start at 10. 12. 15 bid.

At 15. Is there 18? At 18. 20. And 2. At 22. 25 anywhere?

At 22 standing, against the commission.

22. Is there 5 anywhere else?

I was told they had taste in Chippenham!

Well, they have. They're buying it for £22.

1045, thank you.

Not a bad result and, of course, Stacey's over the moon.

Oh, cleared a good tenner on that.

Next up, it's Mark's piece de resistance,

the Jasper Ware vases, which are already causing a bit of a buzz.

They're Chetham & Woolley, circa 1795 to 1820,

so four commission bids and I'm starting here, with me at 100.

10. 120. 130. 140. With me at 140 bid. Is there 150?

It's a great start, but the figure Mark's banking on is closer to 300.

I'll come to the phone now, 150 if you like? 150. 160.

170. 180. 190 takes me out, sir. 190. I am out.

Any profit? They cost 145?

200. Super things, these. At 190.

-At 190, on the telephone, then.

-Quite enough for me!

190, all done?

Yours, sir, on the telephone. 190.

Oh, dear. There's nothing worse than watching a grown man cry!

You're disappointed, aren't you?

But it does mean Charlie still has a fighting chance.

And here's his first lot...

Large-framed and glazed Victorian needlework sampler by Ann Davies.

..which seems to have attracted some very welcome attention.

And one, two, three commission bids and we'll start at 45,

looking for 50. 50. 5.

60, I'm out, George. At 60.

This surely isn't it?

-65, fresh place. 70. 75. 80. £75, then.

-Come on!

Back of the room, then. It sells, then, at 75.

670, thank you.

Oh, dear. Not a great start for Charlie's fight back.

He needs to do better if he's going to win!

That did considerably more than I thought it would.

Let's hope his Victorian fireplace does the trick.

-Would you hold my hand through this?

-No, I wouldn't.

Commission bid on this and I start with me at 10.

12. 15 bid. At 15. 18, anywhere? 18. 20. And 2. At 22.

Come on, 25, 30, 35, 40. Oh, it's so cheap, sir.

-25 anywhere else?

-Come on, sir.

-Oh, Charlie.

253, thank you.

Well, I hate to be a merchant of doom,

but this isn't looking good, is it?

-I reckon it's about £3 profit!

-At £45.

And as if to rub salt in Charlie's wounds, Mark's freebie is up next.

One miner's lamp, circa 1860.

-Don't you dare let this make £25.

-A couple of commission bids.

Lot of interest, I have three commission bids

and I start at 15, 18, 20 and 2 with me.

At 22. 25 now. At 22. 25. 28. 30. At £30, seated.

Commission's out at 30. 2 anywhere else, then?

£30, lady's bid. Selling at £30.

-The jammy old devil's done it again.

-They liked that!

-Don't care.

And with profits on the up,

Mark also has high hopes for his silver-plated fruit stand.

I start at 40. 5. 50. 5, anywhere?

At 50 bid, is there 5? At 50. At £50.

That's more than a working profit, isn't it? £50.

-At 50, then, it sells.

-That's all right.

-All done at 50?

I think I was lucky with that, Charlie.

That was a very good price for that.

Mark's lead is only getting bigger, but this auction isn't over yet.

Charlie's wisely bought three separate pieces of silver,

which could be his salvation.

This is it, Charlie. Looks pretty, they've cleaned it.

-And I'm bid...

-Ooh!

-..50. 5. 60. 5. 70. 75. 80. 5.

80, here. At 80, is there 5 now?

At 80. On the commission at 80.

I'm not very good at this, am I?

80. £80, then. It goes and sells at 80.

Oh, my. It's a tragedy.

-Sorry.

-Have you a handkerchief?

Right, then. Let's say a quick prayer for the teaspoons

and hope that at least one of these people is a golfing nut.

Lot 470 is a cased set of 12 silver teaspoons.

-Right, here we go.

-Here we are.

30. 5. 40, anywhere?

At 35, looking for 40 now.

There's 12 of them!

At the back of the room at 40. 45, there, then.

Oh, for God's sake, how can you sell 12 silver spoons for £45?!

-Yours, sir. 45, thank you.

-Another loss.

Yes, I'm afraid it is, Charlie.

But if you can bear to soldier on,

your silver and pearl knife rests are up next.

I've got three commission bids.

I'm bid here 30, 5, 40, 5, 50 anywhere?

Ah, this could be it. Charlie Ross's rise from the ashes!

-Bucking the trend.

-£45, then. All done at 45?

No, hang on. False alarm.

Nothing I can do now can wrest the victory from you.

So, even though the auction isn't quite over, Charlie is conceding defeat.

I've got something for you.

-What is this, you silly sausage?

-A medal. I'm going to pin it to you

for your superb performance.

-Well, I shall wear it with pride.

-I hope you will.

Speaking of medals, Mark's final lot looks set

to make him more money, which is why he looks like he's about to burst.

25. Is there 28? Is there 28? 28? There is.

-There's a bid over there.

-Is there 30? I saw the bid. Is there 30?

This is amazing.

28, I have. 30, I'm looking for. At £28.

This is the icing on that enormous cake.

You made a profit on every lot today?

-Um...have I?

-I think so.

-I think I probably have, actually.

-You have!

So, Mark Stacey has done it again.

But how does this affect the final tally?

Well, Charlie started the leg with £286.80, but after commission,

actually made a loss of £20.06, leaving him with just £266.74.

Well, that was a bit high and low, wasn't it, Charlie?

Well, high for you and low for me!

Mark, meanwhile, started with £404.54

and made a profit of £87.11,

giving him the winning total of £491.65.

# The winner takes it all

# The loser's standing small... #

-I think that's amazing, and do you know what?

-What?

-I couldn't have done it without you.

-You've been fabulous. Take me home!

-Back to the drawing board!

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