Episode 6 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?

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

-No. Cost me more than that!

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

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

So, will it be the highway to success,

or the B-road to bankruptcy?

-Shut up and drive!

-Oh, dear, you're so hard!

This is the Antiques Road Trip.

This week, the fun's just beginning for another duo of antique trippers,

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.

Last series he came third in the competition, but this time he's pushing to become the front-runner.

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!

The boys go head-to-head on their hunt for bargain booty,

and at the end of the shopping, they'll attempt to beat each other's profit margin at auction.

There's absolutely no justice in the world.

This week's journey sees them motoring through pottery country

here in the West Midlands,

all the way to Chippenham in Wiltshire.

Today they start 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.

-It's a very old town, you know.

-You'd know, Charlie. You were probably there at the beginning!

-I was the first Mayor!

-Didn't you lay the cornerstone?

-How dare you!

The castle, founded in 1101,

has a tower that leans at a 15-degree angle.

That's three times greater than the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Bridgnorth also boasts a bent for antique shops, all ripe for the picking!

-Here we are, Charlie.

-Well driven.

-I got you here safe and sound.

-Shall I put the handbrake on for you?

-Oh! I'm too old for this sort of motoring.

-Well, we're here!

-Look at that wonderful building.

Isn't it lovely? And this building behind us, Charlie.

-Beautiful.

-More importantly, 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.

-A rather bijou tea set has caught his eye.

-Great patterns.

-Has he cracked it already?

-Somebody's dropped that from a height, haven't they?

-They have, sadly.

They've been misused, yes.

But you know, if I was 150 years old, I think I'd probably be looking like that myself.

What have we got price-wise?

-£5. NT - I know what that means!

-Ooh, yes, absolutely.

-No trade.

So, no haggling then, Charlie. Never mind, plenty more to choose from.

Round the corner, it looks like Mark has hit a cottage.

That one's got a chip on it, unfortunately.

Well, there's no charge for that!

Oh, I can see I've got my work cut out with you, young man.

Mmm, and it gets worse for the Prince of Porcelain. It seems he is not amused.

You see these rather hideous Doulton figures?

I don't want to get any out, but these rather hideous Doulton figures are the sort of thing that sell.

Careful now. These are extremely collectable at my end of the ballroom.

Doulton porcelain figurines date from the 1890s.

Rare ones can fetch several thousand pounds.

-But not these babies.

-These are all reasonably priced, sort of

£40, £50, £60. But if I was to buy one, I'd really want

to buy one for about £10, because then I might make a £10 profit.

But at that sort of price, I won't. But you never know, we'll keep looking.

Mark's struggling, but Charlie's definitely hit on 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.

Here's hoping you're right, Charlie. 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!

Damn, I forgot that I have to pay you now, don't I?

-Oh yes, it does help.

-I need £2 change.

-OK.

Look, I'm not going to make massive profits on this.

But it's an honest piece of Wedgwood Jasperware,

late 19th century, dark blue Jasperware, with all this lovely relief.

Etruscan women in various ritual settings, and for £8, I mean, I've got to make a profit on it.

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.

I know you've moved a long way, and it's taken a long time. But I have to say, I really like it.

First shop, and I'm really pleased with what I've bought. It's not quite Christopher Dresser.

If it had been Christopher Dresser, who was one of THE great 19th century designers,

it probably would have been thousands. But for £28, what do you expect?

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, but a miniature Merc?

This is a fantastic model of the real thing.

I am lucky enough to have auctioned several of these in America.

The last one I sold was a mint condition one and it made 1 million.

Well, you'll not be making that today.

Time to downsize, Charlie.

There's got to be a personal feel when you buy something.

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.

It's 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.

You see, that's an example of buying on price, not on what an object is.

If I can get something at what I consider to be a knock-down price,

then there's every chance of making a profit.

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.

Which one starts it? Is it the big one?

Yes. Get in, you fool.

Steady! It's Charlie's first time at the wheel and already, he's trying Mark's patience.

-Shut up and drive.

-Oh, dear, you are so hard!

# Shut up and drive

# Shut up and drive... #

Shrewsbury is just 20 miles north-west

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

So far, Mark has spent £18 on three objects, leaving him £182 to spend.

Whilst Charlie's forked out £68 on four items. He's got £132 left.

Mmm, this could go either way.

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.

However, Mark has hit a malaise.

I'm not desperately in the mood to spend any more money,

because I want to try and keep some money for the whole day shopping experience tomorrow.

But if something leapt out at me that said, "Buy me, I'm going to make a lot of money,"

then of course I'll go for it. But if not, I'm just going to say thank you and leave, really.

Honestly, this competition is not for slackers. At least someone's still bothered.

-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, as expected, 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?

-Very, very worried.

Well, with all that worrying, you'd better get some rest, then, I suppose.

Goodness knows what tomorrow will bring!

Day two, and Mark and Charlie should be heading out of town,

but all that worrying last night has got Mark in a tizz,

and he doesn't want to leave Shrewsbury until he's bought another object.

It's not surprising, as he's only spent £18,

while Charlie's forked out way more, 73 smackers.

I think, according to my map, it should be around here somewhere.

I'm terrible with maps. It could be hours away.

And I don't know what to expect, because all I've been told is that

it's an antique shop, crammed full of stuff, with a really nice owner. So, whatever that means.

Oh, dear. It seems he's not sticking to yesterday's strategy.

He's now pinning his hopes on nice owners!

Mark's heading straight for his comfort zone, ceramics.

Hopefully it will settle his nerves.

So this is a sort of Victorian bread plate.

This one is rather typically decorated with a romanticised Victorian landscape.

That could be anywhere, probably one of the Italian lakes or something like that.

And this was made... no maker's mark, a few little chips and things, but just a rather nice collectible.

If you own a nice country cottage kitchen, something like that on the side is very nice.

£45 is a bit rich for us, but a nice object.

Well, there's plenty here to choose from, but Mark's still hanging back. And there's a reason why.

If I do find something, I'd like to get something in here for about £2. It might be a big ask, though.

Which isn't great news for shop owner John Clifford.

-John? Can I have a little word with you?

-Certainly. Have you found something?

This kingfisher salt and pepper set is not antique, having been recently made.

Despite this, mark is determined to get the price down on these little birdies.

His tactic - to wear John down by telling him his life story. Oh, dear, poor old John, eh?

As a child, I remember swimming under a waterfall in South Wales

and seeing a nesting kingfisher darting down for his minnows and things there.

And I've always had a soft attraction to them. If I was to buy those, I'd have to ask

for a terribly cheap price. You see, I'm trying to tug your heartstrings.

-Fine, what's the best you want to pay?

-£2.

-No. No way!

-And that's a straight answer.

-A very straight answer, yes.

I think it's time to cut your losses and leave, Mark.

His plan is definitely off course as he leaves Shrewsbury, with Charlie, with items still to buy.

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

Are you optimistic about finding a market?

I'm always optimistic. Normally without any reason at all.

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.

What a wacky money box!

I suspect that that didn't start life as a money box.

I suspect that was a shell case.

This is trench art, from the First World War. Soldiers created art out of bullets and shells.

Some casings were even carved with personal inscriptions and patriotic figures. Extremely poignant.

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 door-stop 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.

And, yes, it's another kingfisher.

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

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.

Mark's back on track, then. Despite bending the rules. But what about Charlie?

That kingfisher buy seems to have sent him off on a tangent.

This is more like it.

Away from the desperate pressure of trying to buy things.

This was once the cottage of Izaak Walton,

one of Stafford's most famous exports.

Born in 1593, Walton was no dummy. He wrote The Complete Angler, a unique celebration

of the English countryside and all things fishing.

Mark Hartwell from English Heritage has brought a first edition of the famous book for Charlie to see,

-and already he's hooked.

-Feel the history!

-It's almost frightening.

-Beautiful, isn't it? And so small.

-It's absolutely glorious.

-The binding is wonderful. Is the binding original?

-As far as I understand.

The Complete Angler has been described as a combination of fishing manual

and entertainment, as it's filled with poetry and song.

It's right up there with the greatest angling tomes of all time,

and became one of the most reprinted books in English literature, with over 300 reprints.

Wonderful. I'll try and read a bit of it.

"But if this satisfy not, I pray bid the Scoffer

"put this Epigram into his pocket and read it every morning for his breakfast."

Gosh, that's a great treat.

Lovely as it is to indulge in a spot of local history,

time is marching on. Now for our dazzling duo's show-and-tell shoot-out.

-What's this?

-Exhibit number one.

-Well, it's very pretty.

-Yup.

-It's quite thin, it's battered out, isn't it?

Lovely little cherub. A little bit robust and religious.

-Silver, I presume.

-A bit like you! It is silver, yes. What's it worth?

-20, 30 quid?

-22.

-That's not too bad, is it?

-I won't lose too much, will I?

-I don't think so.

And it's pretty enough to make a profit, Charlie.

-Come on, let's see yours.

-I went for traditional, I'm afraid.

I wasn't going to. It's a nice little Jasperware jug.

-You've left the price on it.

-I have.

-And you bought it for...?

-£8.

-Oh! How did you do that?

-What did you have to do?

-I just kept going, "Is that your VERY best?"

-Oh!

-And I got it for £8.

-That's splendid.

-You know I have a penchant for vintage cars?

-Yes.

-Well, I've bought a Rolls-Royce.

-It's a musical box, is it?

-You're right.

Wind the spare wheel and harken.

-Nothing.

-Oh, it's stopped working!

-MUSIC BOX CHIMES

-What did you pay for this monstrosity?

-Value it for me.

-I don't know,

-10, 15 quid?

-I paid a fiver for it.

-It's got to make a profit on that.

-I thought it would make six.

Next up, Mark's Regency basalt teapot.

Back in the shop, its spout was chipped, but glued together.

Now it's suffered even more in transit.

Has that come off? Sorry. That wasn't broken though, that.

Oh, don't ask the production team. You were the one carrying it.

It was broken, but it wasn't missing, I don't think.

-Well, it'll be in there somewhere.

-Let's hope so. Better get your glue out, Mark.

-Oh, no!

-This is a bit worrying, Charlie.

-Oh, indeed.

This could be cheerio to a profit.

Just as well you didn't pay much for it, eh?

-I got it for £8.

-You didn't!

-I did.

-That's not dealing, it's robbery.

-Is it?

-I'm going to congratulate you.

-Now, are you prepared for my next one?

-The shape is quite nice.

It's a Christopher Dresser poor man's lookalike.

-My only concern is that didn't start off with this.

-Oh, no.

-I think that's a marriage.

If you're picking up a claret jug, you go like that, you've got to force your hand in.

-That's because you've got podgy fingers.

-How very dare you!

-I've never been so insinuated!

-Look, have a glass of claret.

I'd love one.

Now this is my piece de resistance. He said, "I bought it

"with a collection that I paid £1,000 for, and they threw it in for free, Mark."

And he said, "I'm going to let you have it for free."

So it cost me nothing. If it were a Royal Worcester one, it would be £100.

-That's absolutely right. And if this were a real Rolls-Royce, it would be £350,000.

-Exactly.

And back on that bird theme is the kingfisher door-stop. Charlie was convinced it's Victorian.

When I got it out of the darkened room, I saw this rather nasty acrylic paintwork on it.

-The blue bits are nice, actually.

-Yeah.

-Acrylic paint? That's not so Victorian. Next?

-Oh, it's lovely, Charlie. What did you pay for that?

-Is it worth anything? 15.

Oh, Charlie, please. Don't.

-Try me. 15.

-Look, Charlie...

-Good or bad?

-Shall we just say one thing?

-Yep.

-The face. Drop the look, dear.

-Why?

-You pay 15 quid and you say,

"Oh, is that too much?" £15, nothing for that! I'm going to keep my eye on you.

Finally, the double deal on the Mateus Rose wine boxes.

Charlie got his for £3, whilst the ever so wily Mark shaved his down to £2.

I think you love them slightly more than I do. But then you've got a bigger profit lurking in yours.

I've got 50% more profit lurking in mine, Charlie.

Well, it's all chummy now, but what do our experts really think?

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.

Today, this bustling town still thrives on its ceramics industry,

with tableware, tiles and bathroom fittings in demand across the globe.

A-ha, We've arrived!

Not surprisingly, ASH Auctions, in business since 1994,

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

Ours is a general sale, but you'd think nevertheless Mark's ceramic items would clean up here.

But not according to auctioneer Lee Sherratt. He's got his eye on two of Charlie's items.

I'd say the little silver dish and the door-stop are the two best items.

That's a surprise. So far, Mark has spent £18 on four objects.

Charlie has spent £98 on five.

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 you of favouritism, can you?

As Charlie spent a pound more on his box,

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

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

Back to the serious business.

Up next is Charlie's kingfisher door-stop.

Despite not being Victorian, it's one of the auctioneer's favourites.

-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.

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. At £42, last call, then.

At £42.

That's good, Charlie, actually.

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?

It's got to be more than £8.

£20 for this. 15?

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

-Oh, come on.

-Started 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 to spend tomorrow.

But Mark has pipped Charlie at the post,

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

After paying commission, Mark has made a profit of £47.09,

which sees him leaving with £247.09.

Permission to feel a little smug?

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.

Next time on the Antiques Road Trip, Charlie makes a blunder with his buys.

It's cracked. No wonder she took a fiver.

And Mark goes all out to get the dealers on side.

Come on, you know you want to at 75.

If only to help you beat your opponent.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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