Episode 12 Antiques Road Trip

The nation's favourite antiques experts, £200 each

and one big challenge.

-I'm going to declare war.

-Why?

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

There's nothing in here.

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

-Disappointing.

But it's not as easy as you might think

and things don't always go to plan.

-Push!

-So will they race off with a huge profit

-or come to a grinding halt?

-I'm terribly nervous, James.

This is the Antiques Road Trip.

We're out on the road with gents about town James Braxton

and Jonathan Pratt.

The cheeky James Braxton is a tough taskmaster when it comes to naming his price.

At the end of the day, I'll try and squeeze you on a price.

Jonathan, on the other hand, is feeling the pressure.

OK, £100. Oh, God, I'm so...so...

From his original £200, new leader James has taken pole position

with a respectable £318.46 to play with.

Have the nerves got the better of our once triumphant Jonathan?

He's back to the beginning with a paltry £206.36.

James's trusty MG is the chariot of choice as they battle it out

in the third leg of their trip.

On this trip, James and Jonathan are travelling over 300 miles

all the way from Altrincham to the warm southern shores of Lostwithiel in Cornwall.

They boys have reached Birmingham, heading for their next auction in Frome, Somerset.

First stop, though,

is Warwickshire's literary jewel in the crown - Stratford upon Avon.

This historic market town has more than 800 years of history

and is, of course, best known as the birthplace of the world-famous playwright William Shakespeare.

The boys haven't made a lot of money, so they'll be raring to go and getting lots of focus by...

going for a sail down the River Avon!

Right, that's enough sightseeing, chaps.

Let's get on with some shopping.

The first shop is Stratford Antiques Centre.

Let's begin with Jonathan. He's lagging behind. Last time, he didn't haggle, bought lots of cracked items

and well...

What's this he's looking at now? Oh, no.

I've got a thing for pepperettes at the moment. It's a little pepperette formed as an owl.

It's a lead body, would have been plated. Little glass eyes. It's not what he started off life as.

This wooden base is later

and you can see the glue it's been stuck on to it with.

But it's quite nicely made. Glass eyes which might have been replaced.

Pepperettes were extremely popular at the Victorian dining table,

a novel way of seasoning one's meat and two veg.

A pity his feet are missing!

How much is that? There's no ticket on it. Would you take...

I'm going to be mean. Would you take £15 for it?

Um... I'd take 20, I think.

-Owls and pigs are very popular.

-Yeah.

Yeah, it's just...

-I know it's been sort of...

-Yeah.

..in the wars a bit, hasn't it?

There's no denying its age. I'm thinking that it's a late Victorian novelty.

And the owl is wisdom. But I don't know why his feet have gone.

Meet me halfway - £17.50?

-That's OK.

-Brilliant. That's my first purchase. That'll do nicely. I'll hand that over.

A bit better on the price, Jonathan, but I did mention those missing feet, old fruit.

-There we go.

-Thank you very much. And your change.

-Thank you very much. Lovely. That's a good start.

On the other hand, MG lover James is like a coiled spring. He's spotted something already.

There are some little MG logos here, badges,

which I might have a look at.

And as quick as greased lightning, James finds antique dealer Tony.

-Tony, I'm fascinated.

-Yes.

-Can you tell me a bit...

-I have a nice MG TD.

-OK.

-My 1952...

-I was interested in this little fellow.

-This one here?

-Yeah.

The chap I bought it off, he wasn't quite sure how it was attached to the car.

And I've certainly never found anyone so far who was able to throw much light on it, you know...

-It's rather fun, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-And it's sort of a cast alloy, isn't it?

-Yes, it is.

-Sometimes they had quite a nice badge at the back to go on the spare wheel.

-That's right.

If there was a locking... You know, on the earlier ones.

-I mean, it stands up. I thought some MG owner might want to just stand it on his desk.

-Yeah.

-It would make a nice weight, that.

-A paperweight, yes.

-To all intents and purposes, it's rather nice and bright, isn't it?

-Yes, it is.

-That would clean up very nicely.

-I'm sure it would, yes.

I'm a terrible instinctive buyer, though.

I look at something, I quite like it, and sort of tend to go for it.

-This is an expensive place, Stratford upon Avon.

-Yes, it is.

-But it's not so expensive as some.

-No, no.

I can do you a deal on it, anyway.

-Would you take a fiver for it, Tony?

-TONY LAUGHS

-No.

-No? No?

-No, no.

It's like a boxer. You like to get in that sharp jab at the beginning, don't you?

Well, you're at 5, I'm at 25. Will you meet me in the middle?

-No.

-LAUGHTER

As you flatly rejected my five, I'm flatly rejecting your middle.

-Can I just have a look and see?

-Yeah.

-I know. What does it say? You bought it for three?

-No.

It says to make a couple of quid, I've got to get ten for it.

-Ten?

-Yeah.

-I'm not going to argue with you, Tony.

-OK.

-Ten?

-Ten.

Thank you very much indeed. It's coming home to the right person.

Well, that's James sorted.

What about Jonathan?

That page turner with the leaf-type finial...

-That's 120.

-And it's got age? Is it late 19th century?

-It's 1930s.

1930s. And the Scottish one on the left?

-This one is an older one.

-A late 19th century one with the Cairngorms inset in the handle?

-Yes.

-And that matchbox strike. Is that silver and enamel?

-That is silver and enamel.

-And the box with the chevrons on?

-This one?

-The wooden box.

-Oh, this one.

-Is it fitted for anything?

-It's got some sewing bits and pieces.

A substantial amount of time later...

That's sitting in there. It hasn't moved out of there for ages.

It's got a "CLC" on it.

It's sort of like.. You know, it's a sort of otter hound or something.

I do like that.

-Even the lettering on it is nicely '30s.

-Mm-hm.

And EW is easy enough to... Anyone, Edward Wilson or something, you know?

A page turner. Now, what do you mean, you don't have one?

-You can have that for 100.

-OK.

These two would have to be 50 each.

They've got to be £50 each.

Instead of 100.

OK...

MUSIC: "Under Pressure", by Queen and David Bowie

Oh, dear. Oh...

OK...

OK, £100. Oh, God, I'm so, so...

OK. Is it worth committing to that?

I'm going to bite the bullet because I like it.

-I'll have that for £100.

-Mm-hm.

-Committed. I'm going to shake the hand now. There we go.

100 smackers on a page turner?!

I'm going to say "no" to the rest of them. I've done one bold move. I'm going to say "no" to the rest.

If there's anything else...

Oh, no. Quick, let's get out of here and leave him to it!

Buoyed up by his MG purchase, James is distracted by the annual River Festival.

But then he's easily distracted.

Everyone knows Stratford is renowned as the birthplace of Willie Shakespeare,

but the history of the canal boat reigns supreme here.

It started with the Victorians with their desire to escape the smoggy industrial towns.

-May I come on board?

-By all means.

-Mind your head.

-Mind the head.

Because in the boatman's cabin, there isn't a lot of room.

Oh! Especially, if like Braxton, you're partial to a full English.

Barge owner Brian has kindly allowed our James to step aboard. Well, clamber really.

-I love the decoration in here.

-Roses and castles, very classical.

-Really?

-I don't know whether they were a bit Romany or what their origins were.

-It does look Romany.

-This is where they ate.

-So this is the table?

-There's the table.

-I use it as a booze cupboard, as you can see.

-Very good.

Man should only live on whisky and biscuits. I see you do!

I do. Living proof that it works, yes!

And interestingly enough, directly under this, this drawer was called the crumb drawer.

-When they'd finished eating, when you tipped this up, all the crumbs went in the crumb drawer.

-Great idea.

-Ditch it outside.

-Feed the ducks.

A visit to a barge wouldn't be complete without having a gander at the engine room.

Russell Newbery Diesel Engines are the heart of several hundred canal boats in the UK

and were first manufactured in 1934.

Brian, you seem very well set up here. Do you live all year on this?

-Yes, I do.

-Really?

-I live on the boat all the year round.

-And do you have a mooring?

-No, I don't have a mooring.

I cruise continually - I'm what they call a continual cruiser.

-A continual cruiser.

-But I do moor up at night.

Yes, naturally. While James is having a jolly and relaxed time,

what's going on with our panicky Jonathan?

Mr Pratt is travelling 50 miles south to the glorious town of Tetbury in the Cotswolds.

He's still deliberating over that pricey page turner.

I don't know. I really like it. I think it's a great object.

£100 is a lot of money and I didn't have a lot of money to start with.

And I've got to be so much more careful now. I am a bit nervous.

Stop fretting, Jonathan, and get stuck in to your next shop - Top Banana.

Stay away from cracked items, young man.

And while you're at it, try a bit of haggling.

It's quite nicely painted and this is tobacco staining, all this yellow, which adds to the age.

And I'd say it's probably painted in the '30s.

There's nothing on the back.

£38.

That'll clean up rather nicely, I think.

It might appeal to a fellow skier like myself.

A mountain man.

Hardly, with my back, anyway.

Antiques dealer Hugo opened for business over ten years ago.

He's spotted Jonathan having a good old rummage around and wants to make sure he hasn't nicked anything.

-It's not bad. I think it's oil on board.

-Yeah, yeah.

-I'd give you 30 quid for it.

-If you give me 35, you can have it.

There's no snow on the ground here. Every skier will look at it and say, "There's no snow on the ground.

-"I don't want to be reminded about a bad ski holiday!"

-It's romantic, though.

-It's the summer time!

-30?

-Go on, then. Take it for 30.

-Go on, then. Thank you.

-Deal.

It's time for the boys to leave Tetbury, Gloucestershire,

and make the short journey 30 miles to the pretty Wiltshire village of Castle Combe.

The sun has got its hat on. Let's join the chaps as they hunt down some bargains

at Castle Combe car boot sale.

The car boot sales here are some of the largest in the West Country.

With hundreds of stalls, there should be something to take the boys' fancy.

As usual, James is getting stuck in straight away.

It's a little maquette. It's made of terracotta, sort of, um...sculptor's clay.

It's a sort of preparatory thing before possibly casting it.

Most of these things were never cast in bronze,

but it was something they did in the studio.

He's marked on the back. I don't know who the devil he is.

DF, yeah, I don't know who he is.

-Might be worth a fortune.

-No, it won't be that size. It's just a maquette.

-Yeah.

-It's terracotta.

-Yes.

-Just a little fun. I'll give you a pound for it.

-No, you must be joking.

-Why?

-I'd rather put it on the wall.

-How much do you want?

-A tenner.

-A fiver and I'll do it.

-No, make it eight.

-No, I'll do five.

-Six.

-Five and it's yours.

-Go on.

-Five it is. It's all good fun, isn't it?

-There we are.

-There you go.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-And there's your five...

-That's very kind. Thanks a lot.

-Cheers.

And the full packaging service - gift-wrapped by the hubby!

I don't want to drop it, otherwise I'll lose money on it already.

Thank you. That's very kind of you. Bye!

Last of the big spenders there, James!

A brisk bit of business and that's another faceless, low-cost item in the bag.

There's a hell of a lot to see here and I don't know...

I don't know where to start, really. I don't know where to start.

This takes me back. I used to go round these things when I was a bit younger.

OK, dive in, I think.

-It looks like faience, really, isn't it?

-Yes.

Tin glaze. It's so precisely done. It's nicely, finely potted.

The decoration is really precise.

This little tankard was made by the Aldermaston Pottery in Berkshire.

It was founded in 1955 by Alan Caiger-Smith and Geoffrey Eastop.

The pottery is renowned for its tin-glazed wares.

It's nibbled on the back, isn't it?

Jonathan, what did I say about damaged items?

-How much is it?

-A couple of quid.

-OK...

-But I'll let you off. It's only £2 after all!

-I'll have to find some things to go with it.

-Oh, crikey!

James has found another item to pounce on.

When you have two handles, sometimes they call them loving cups, but it's very nicely waisted.

It is a nice item, isn't it?

Would you do it for a couple of pounds...? OK, I'll take it.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

Good grief! Another item at £2. What a pair of spendthrifts!

Thanks a lot. I don't think I would have bought it if it had one handle.

It has two handles. It's a loving cup. It has nice symmetry.

It's got a maker's name, so somebody was pleased to manufacture it

and it's either got a pattern number or more likely, the date, 1879.

So it's got three nice elements that might lift it in an auction room.

That's a pound a handle! Time to leave Castle Combe and get the wheels rolling.

The chaps are heading to the town of Tetbury.

-I bought two items.

-I don't know how you did it. I struggled...

I know we like to reveal it all, but in all honesty, I struggled to find even one object.

Did you? Did money pass hands there?

It did, but I can tell you barely!

I could have bought a coffee for what I think I paid for it.

Old Brackers needs to catch up on the shopping. He's on his way to meet with George, owner of Artique.

George specialises in exotic wares from Afghanistan, India and Pakistan.

The shop is a Mecca of unique treasures, if you know what I mean.

My mission, George, is to try and find maybe a couple of items that I can put forward to auction.

It's an auction in Somerset, in Frome,

-and I want to have something that is slightly exotic.

-Sure.

I'd love it to be Indian, Pakistani, whatever, something that has a story

-and something that will communicate to people who go to an auction as well.

-Sure, sure.

So I might try and buy a slightly more expensive one and a cheap one,

but at the end of the day, I'm going to try and squeeze you on a price.

Of course. What's new?

The coffee table, George? How much is that?

£45.

And this would be Indian as well?

This is Indian, probably sort of more like hill station.

Yeah.

-Up in the cool mountains.

-Up in the cool mountains, yes.

Yes, cool.

Interesting, but there's lots more inside.

-How much are your kilims, George?

-They vary enormously in size and age.

And things like that?

-Things like that would cost you...

-Sort of later.

-Yeah, sort of 1940.

-Yeah.

-But this is from Afghanistan.

-That's from Afghanistan?

I could show it to you if you want.

Kilims are flat, woven carpets or rugs produced from the Balkans to Pakistan.

The language of the kilim weaver can convey anything

-from hopes of marriage and good fortune to tribal allegiance.

-The carpet room...

This is Baluchi, as I say, probably 1940.

Nice, simple, nomadic, domestic kilim.

-Yeah, it's very nice.

-Suddenly, kilims are having a big revival.

-I can see how it would really work in a contemporary home, this.

-Yeah.

-It looks modern, doesn't it?

-It does look modern.

Yes, interesting, fascinating.

Now, George, I'm quite interested in possibly, maybe...

-..buying something like that.

-Yes.

And maybe the coffee table. I might just grab the coffee table and see what it looks like on it.

No, let the younger man take it, George.

I can manage this. It's a lovely weight, reassuring.

-It's always good for the buyer to feel the goods.

-Absolutely.

Now let's have a look. So we've got a teak coffee table.

And a rather nice kilim rug.

Rooney, come on. Off the carpet, boy.

-You love rugs.

-Yeah.

-He knows quality, this dog.

-Oh, I know. Now, George,

-what sort of special price could you do for the two?

-Here he goes.

Our warrior James is on the warpath.

-The absolute...bottom on it...

-Yeah?

..is £120 for the kilim.

And £45 for the table.

-£45 for the table...

-Which is incredibly cheap.

-Yeah.

Brackers is interested. Watch out. He's just about to pounce.

Both are very usable pieces of furniture in any environment. And it's a great look at the moment.

-Yeah, it's a good look, isn't it?

-Yes.

It's so difficult with these things. As soon as I buy these, I'm at the mercy of others.

-150 for the two?

-No, I can't.

-You can't?

-40...

OK.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-That is really cheap.

-Great price.

Thank you.

Right. Let's get this show back on the road. Time to recap on what the boys have spent their pennies on.

Jonathan Pratt started today with £206.36

and spent £149.50 on four auction lots.

A pottery mug.

An owl pepperette.

The silver page turner.

And the Alpine oil painting.

James Braxton began with £318.46

and has spent £167 on five lots.

An Indian table.

A kilim carpet.

A pewter mug.

A terracotta maquette.

And an MG steering wheel boss. James also has the coral necklace

which was unsold from the last auction.

Now, what do our chaps think of each other's items?

When I saw that carpet, I was very, very pleased. £110 is a lot.

It's never going to make that. It's the wrong type of carpet - it's not old, not antique.

The only thing threatening me is that picture.

It's a very nice picture, but...

Don't mention that paper knife.

Ha ha! It's been a tough third leg with the boys battling it out

from Stratford upon Avon via Tetbury, Castle Combe,

and finally to the town of Frome.

Frome in northeast Somerset sits on the Mendip Hills.

Let's hope our boys unearth some big-value profit at auction. Dore and Rees' auction house

is located in a converted chapel

and has been in the town since 1868.

Let the auction commence!

First up, Jonathan's trying to turn his luck

with an Aldermaston Pottery mug -

the one that's chipped.

We come to the limited edition Aldermaston Pottery tankard.

Associated with the Royal Berkshire Hospital. 10 I am bid.

12 I have. 14.

16. 18.

20, fresh place. 22 now? 22.

24 now?

24 now if you want it. The bid's at 22. Selling at £22.

-Well done.

-Get in there!

Crikey! Jonathan with a profit.

Next up, it's James's Indian table.

Here's hoping the bidders of Frome like a taste of the exotic.

We come to the teak hardwood Indian coffee table.

Got the nice distressed look to it.

10 I'm bid. 12 if you want it.

12 I have on the desk. 14 now. 14.

16. 18. 20.

-22. 24. 26 now?

-Stop.

-Go on!

-No, that's enough.

-Going to be sold at £24.

All done at £24?

-Oh, dear.

-Never mind.

-Never mind.

Apparently not.

It's the footless owl pepperette.

The cast metal pepperette. Modelled in the form of an owl.

Say for that one £10?

5 I'm bid here. 8 if you want it. 8 I have. 10 now?

10 I have. 12. 14.

16. 18. 20.

-Well done.

-22. 24.

26.

-Luck of the devil.

-28. 30.

32 now?

All done at 30? All done.

-Phew!

-Well done.

-Thank you.

Could this be the tide turning for Jonathan?

It's James's kilim carpet next.

Will it fare better than the coffee table?

The striped patterned kilim carpet.

That's the one displayed over the rail there.

Nice pattern to that one as well. £30?

-30 I'm bid. 35 now if you want it.

-Come on.

It's going to be sold on its maiden bid at £30. 35?

-Come on.

-Sell it!

-35 I have on the desk.

40 I have. 45 now? 45. 50 now? £50 I have.

55 now? Across the room at £50.

You were lucky there!

Lucky? Losing 60 quid?!

Ouch! That's just nasty. Let's move on quickly.

Paintings have been good choices for the boys. Will Jonathan's luck hold?

The alpine scene oil painting on board.

That's by the Austrian artist Peter Haller.

Say for that one, put me in, £50?

-50 I'm bid.

-Well done.

-55 I have on the desk. 60 I have.

-65 now?

-(Come on, come on.)

It's going to be sold at £60 to my right. 65 if you're interested.

-Come on.

-All done at £60? All done?

Doubled your money. That's all right. Well done.

Not bad. £30 profit.

Back to James with the £2 pewter mug.

It's got the Hampden stamp.

5 I'm bid. 8 now if you want it. 8 I have.

10. 12.

-14 now? 14 now if you want it.

-Go on!

14. She's back again. 16 now?

It's going to be sold at £14. Fierce competition. All done at 14?

-Very good. Well done. Well done, Frome.

-That's good.

-Happy with that.

Let's drink to that. Finally, a small profit.

Help! It's the pricey page turner. I don't know if I can look.

Continental silver, a nice little bloodhound decoration.

-All right, all right.

-£20?

20 I'm bid. 22 now if you want it. 22 I have on the desk.

24. 26. 28.

30. 32.

34. 36. 38 now?

-Selling at £36.

-No...

-Done.

-How much did you pay for it?

-100.

-100. Well, at least you didn't pay 110.

Disaster with a capital D. Let's move on swiftly.

Next up, it's the terracotta maquette. Bought for a snip.

We come to the studio terracotta maquette.

The wall mask of the boy's head.

Got the initials DF to that one. Nice little decorative piece there.

Say for that one, start me at £10? For the terracotta maquette there.

Start me away, £5 then? 5 I'm bid.

10 now if you want it. 10. 12.

-Go on.

-14. 16.

-Go on.

-18 now? It's going to be sold at 16.

All done at £16?

I thought that was worth more. £30, £40, at least.

-There you go.

-There we are.

-Moving in the right direction.

A small profit. Hey ho, better than nothing.

The MG steering wheel boss is next. Yet another bargain basement buy.

We've come to the MG... The MG steering wheel boss.

20 I'm bid. 22 now if you want it.

Turn your old car into a sports car.

It's going to be sold at £20 on its maiden bid. All done?

-You paid how much? A tenner?

-A tenner.

Another small profit.

But finally it's the turn of the unsold coral necklace.

£10? For the red coral necklace?

-Hello...

-Start me? 10 I'm bid.

12 now if you want it. Selling for £10?

12 if you want it. 12 I have.

14 now? 14.

16 nearest me? 16 I have.

18. 20.

22 now?

Bring the lady a glass of water. Have you got some? Keep going.

With the gentleman here at £20. Are we all done at £20?

-It could have been a lot worse.

-That's good.

It's a break even, which in fact means a loss.

The auction house take commission.

Again a poor show from the boys, with both making losses.

Pictures are the way forward. I haven't exposed myself to silver.

I'm going to buy silver on the next one. Silver, pictures, jewellery.

I've got to do small gains for another auction and see if I can get over 200.

And that's it. I'll have him.

Jonathan started today's show with £206.36.

And after paying auction costs, he made a loss of £28.14.

Jonathan is on a shaky peg here

with just £178.22 to carry forward to the next round.

James, meanwhile, started with £318.46

and although he made a greater loss, of £48.92,

James has a princely sum of £269.54 to take forward.

Hit the road!

Wales, here we come.

On this trip, James and Jonathan are travelling over 300 miles

from Altrincham in Greater Manchester

all the way south to sunny Lostwithiel in Cornwall

On this leg, they're heading for auction in Crewkerne.

But we begin in the medieval city of Wells.

Wells is one of the smallest cities in the UK,

nestling on the southern side of the Mendip Hills,

the history of Wells stretches all the way back to Roman times.

The cathedral is probably the finest example of Early English architecture

built between the 12th and 14th centuries.

Beautiful.

The chaps roll into town, ready to start afresh,

determined and full of excitement,

to gain fast on the poor results thus far.

-Wow.

-Lovely-jubbly.

I do love all this medieval architecture.

Very good. Very good condition, as well.

-Well driven.

-Thank you very much.

-So what are you looking for, then?

-I hear we're going to Lawrence's.

It's a general sale, so I'm going to stick with all the things that I've made money out of so far

and ignore the stuff I've lost money on.

-So anything over £30...

-Forget it.

-Forget it. So think small.

You did well on the picture last time. I'm going to buy a picture.

-Anyway, good luck.

-Thank you, James. And you.

So, the battle plans are in place.

James is in jovial mood as he takes his haul of £269.54 into his first shop of the day.

-Hello, nice to meet you. James.

-Craig.

-Hello, Craig.

We're just having a jolly good look everywhere.

What have we got here?

So we've got a nice horn. It's been steamed and bent over.

You can see the crease there.

We've got a nice silver ferrule that is obviously quite thick.

The marks have rubbed but it's still survived.

There's a malacca cane here.

Early in the 20th century, malacca was referred to as the king of canes.

Made from rattan found on the coast of Sumatra,

they are the perfect material for walking sticks.

That's an elegant piece. It's rather nice, isn't it?

So that's a nice little silver fellow.

Yeah, that just came in yesterday.

It's a sort of meat skewer. Nice clear marks.

Sterling silver skewers were rather popular during Victorian times.

-How much have you got on that one?

-Mm. About 45.

About 45.

You've got a nice sort of decorative art feeling, haven't you?

These have been thrown in anger at some errant husband, haven't they?

-Beautiful, with the bronze inlay.

-Lovely inlay, isn't it?

-They've both got a small dint in.

-They've got dings, haven't they?

-But they're a pair.

-They're decorative. The dings are at the back.

The dings are at the back. Who's going to know?

I normally leave all damaged goods to my partner, Jonathan Pratt.

He seems to love them but you never know, I might be tempted.

He knows a good pair when he sees them.

I'm foolhardy. I've noted three things I'd quite like to walk away with here.

-But, Craig, let's talk turkey, shall we?

-OK.

Get down and dirty.

-I know it's fresh in. £30 for that, OK?

-OK.

And then I'm going to go over here.

I quite like your cane. Rubbed marks, I'm going to look over those.

I'd love that for 25.

Going in for the deal.

-And I'd like these...

-Going to tell us the ticket price, James?

-..for... I'm not even going to look at the label.

-Oh, thanks.

50 quid.

So that's three items. How are we doing?

-Am I barking mad?

-No, you've got a deal.

-Thank you, Craig.

Whoo! Braxton's a fast worker.

Really pleased with the purchases and I think I'll strike...

-Very debonair!

-..an elegant figure around Wells now.

Anyway... Ooh, dear. The old lumbago.

There we are. Thank you, Craig.

PROJECTOR WHIRRS

Worthy of an Oscar, that, James, anyway.

Let's move on to Jonathan.

Up to now, Jonathan has... Well, he's been pretty rubbish.

But this morning, he's ready to turn the trip around and make good on his £178.22.

Good morning. Hello, there.

-Jonathan Pratt. Nice to meet you.

-Hello. Pleased to meet you.

Well, where shall I start? I may as well start just here.

-This brooch in the corner. 19 sort of 40s.

-Yes.

-How much is that?

-Erm, 24.

-OK.

-Is it quite unusual. It is '40s.

-Yeah. I like that because it's that real sort of...

-It's got that look.

-Yeah. And it's evocative of the Art Deco.

-Yes, but it's later.

-But it's later.

-Yes.

Because during the war, if you wore diamonds it was far too ostentatious.

-Absolutely.

-Polished metal was much more preferred.

That's kind of from the same...

Would you...? You're saying £24

but would you accept 10 or 12 or something?

-15.

-15, OK.

This little chap here.

Because what I'm trying to think is, to sell at auction, you need novelty.

-Novelty sells.

-If you say so.

This little chap here is an ink well.

I know that because... HE WHISTLES

..inside there's a little glass reserve.

Actually, it's not glass, it's plastic.

Bakelite probably, I suppose. It fits rather snugly.

And if that's the case that suggests this was made early 20th century.

-Right.

-You've found something.

-Yeah, I like this little chappie.

-It's sweet.

-It is.

I've never seen this... I'm sure there's millions of different types.

-Ink wells, yes.

-Novelty ink wells are always popular.

-What would be the best price?

-I'll look him up for you.

He's all excited.

-£45.

-£45.

Oh, no. He's all confused - again.

He's such a nice thing.

Yeah.

This is a gamble. Is it a gamble? I really like it?

James, I know, will really like it

but will he say, "Oh, Jonathan, that was a bit strong."

Anyway, I am going to be committed.

I'm going to take that because I think that's a nice object for £12.

And I'm going to take that for £45.

-That's 15, by the way.

-Oh, it's 15. So I can't have it for 12?

Huh! Nice try, Jonathan.

-OK, so £60.

-That's right, thank you.

-Oh, well. As long as he's happy.

He's only a young 'un. He'll learn.

That's lovely. Thank you very much.

-If I could have a receipt...

-You can, with pleasure.

-Wonderful.

Great.

Pleased with his purchase, Jonathan rewards himself with a visit to the exquisite Bishop's Palace.

This splendid medieval palace has been the home of the bishops of Bath and Wells

since the 13th century.

Wells gets its name from a series of springs

found in the gardens here.

The palace welcomes visitors all year round.

Jonathan is meeting up with interpretation consultant Kate Rambridge.

Don't they call them guides any more?

-Hi, there.

-Hello.

-You must be Kate.

-I'm Kate. And you're...?

-Jonathan.

-Nice to meet you.

-Wow, this is wonderful, isn't it?

-It is a really lovely space.

What can you tell me about it?

This is a 13th century chapel.

It is one of the oldest parts of the palace to survive

and it was built as a private chapel for the Bishop of Bath and Wells.

-Wow.

-So this is where his own staff of clerics and chaplains

would have performed services, probably daily.

This is the... This is what a bishop holds, his staff.

This is the Bishop's crosier, which is his staff of office.

So this is used in ceremonies which the Bishop is officiating.

This particular crosier is still used from time to time

but it's well over 100 years old

and it really is, I think, the most magnificent piece of Episcopal bling

-that you could hope to find.

-Absolutely.

It's very, very top-heavy, as you can imagine.

-Can I have a go? Am I allowed to touch it?

-Erm, yes, by all means.

-I have to put gloves on, do I?

-I only handle it with gloves.

What a responsibility.

And I think it can be a little bit loose in the socket, so...

That's all I need, is to sort of break it.

Steady!

This spectacular and opulent artwork

was made by silversmith John Dando Sedding.

The intricate figures standing shoulder to shoulder

are the elite spiritual figures of the time.

I feel very grand holding this.

Perhaps this is a new turning point in my career.

Bless you, my child. Maybe.

Perhaps it's for the best, if this trip's auction results are anything to go by.

The chaps leave Wells behind and head for the idyllic town of Shaftesbury.

-By 'eck!

-MUSIC: "Hovis" theme

Feels like you're on the top of t'world, 'ere.

This is Gold Hill, the steep cobbled hill

made famous by Ridley Scott's 1973 Hovis ad

and as you'll notice, it's nowhere near Yorkshire.

Shaftesbury is one of the oldest towns in England.

James is having a good old nosy in the antiques shop called Leanings.

Owners David and Rebecca Leanings first opened for business a couple of years ago.

-Hello, I'm James.

-Hello. Hi. Rebecca.

-Nice to meet you.

-Hi, James. David Leaning.

-Hello.

-Pleased to meet you.

Very nice. I'm intrigued by your portrait behind, there.

-Thank you.

-You two?

-Yes.

-It was a wedding gift.

-Oh, fabulous.

-Well, if I may, I'll have a look around.

-Of course.

Thank you.

There's certainly plenty to choose from. It's bursting at the seams.

What I want to do is find a picture.

They sell 50 or 60 lots of pictures.

It would be quite nice to be in each category,

just in case something's hot at that time.

So much stuff.

Pictures have always been a failsafe for the boys

and it looks like that's the route for James.

Look at this.

What have you got there, then?

A painting.

# You're just too good to be true... #

-Sounds romantic...

-# Can't take my eyes off you... #

-Looks romantic...

-A life study, I think they're known as,

not a rudie-nudie, OK?

Might not be nude to you but it looks nude to me.

# And I thank God I'm alive... #

-I think he likes it.

-# You're just too good to be true... #

-What's going on now?

-# Can't take my eyes off you.

-#

-Oh, I know.

-It's got merit. It's good.

I'll make an offer for this.

HE SIGHS

-That's a big sigh.

-I think that's it, then.

# The sight of you leaves me weak... #

Better get the glasses on, just to make sure.

# But if you feel like I feel

# Please let me know that it's real... #

Been away from home a bit.

# You're just too good to be true... #

-Quite a few days, I'd say.

-# Can't take my eyes off you. #

Right.

-I've pored all over your lovely shop.

-Good, thank you.

How long has it taken you to gather all these items?

-We've been open just over two years.

-Two years?

-Two years.

You've got a problem, you two, haven't you?

Anyway, I've spotted a picture here I quite like the look of.

-It's a rather nice lady.

-Mm-hm.

-It's not terribly old. 1992.

Erm, and what I'll do and you can say, "James, get out of this shop immediately,"

but I'd like to offer you £15 for that.

-Well, we won't take 15.

-You won't take 15?

-No.

-No. What would you take on this?

-I would take 25 on that.

-25.

-Mm.

-Would you meet me halfway at 20?

-OK.

Nudie lady in the bag, all the charm and mojo seem to be back in force.

That's very kind. Thank you.

Jonathan, meanwhile, is making his way to that famous hill.

He's going for a spot of shopping in Gold Hill Gallery.

-Hello.

-Good morning.

-Nice to meet you. Jonathan Pratt.

-Hi, Jonathan.

-What a location you've got.

-I'm very lucky.

-You've got a mixture of things.

-A very eclectic mixture.

I just sort of seek things out.

-It's a very pretty shop, actually.

-It's a girly shop.

It's a girly shop, I can see.

Maggie is the proprietor

and it's looking likely that our very chipper Jonathan

is in the mood to buy.

Quite a useful little stool.

Upholstered in a Persian rug.

It makes quite a nice little fashionable object.

It's got some age, actually.

You can look at the underside of it and it's a 19th-century frame

and then upholstered with a late 19th-century rug.

Quite useful, quite decorative.

It's quite a reasonable price.

The ticket says £40. Can Jonathan get it for less?

I rather like that, actually. Would you take £20 for it?

-I don't think so, no.

-No.

-No. Possibly 35.

I did tell myself I wasn't going to buy anything over £30, you see.

I haven't got a lot of money.

Crikey! Straight in with a price and a sob story to boot.

I don't know whether it's working with Maggie.

Even the dogs aren't interested.

Have another think, Jonathan. There's plenty to see here.

Actually, where is he? Jonathan? Coo-ee!

Oh, there you are.

That's the ticket, Jonathan. Get stuck in, old boy.

Crikey. Been quite well polished, hasn't it?

-I think it was originally Sheffield plate.

-I think it might have been.

-The plate's worn off.

-Would you take an offer?

-Try me, yes.

-£10.

-I knew you were going to say that.

20.

-In the middle?

-In the middle.

£15. OK. £15.

I do like this stool as well.

That's a nice little object. It hasn't been messed about with.

30 would be the best on it, though.

-30 would be your best?

-Yes.

I really like it. And it is on my budget now, isn't it?

£30 is on my budget. I told myself not to spend more than £30.

I think I am going to buy it.

-Thank you very much, Jonathan.

-Thank you.

-I hope you do well with them.

-Thank you.

Well done, Jonathan. That's another two items in the bag.

The boys are swapping shops

and it's now Jonathan's turn to visit Leanings,

owned by lovebirds David and Rebecca.

Here we are. Look at all this. Good morning.

-Pleased to meet you.

-Nice to meet you.

-You're David, is that right?

-I am.

-And...?

-Rebecca.

-David and Rebecca.

-This is eclectic. I'm free to roam, am I?

-Please do.

Thank you very much.

Jonathan really needs to pick up the pace.

He's had too many losses and not enough profits.

I thought it was silver but it's porcelain,

silvered porcelain.

This was an interesting method of firing silver or gold onto porcelain.

It's a thrifty way of filling the parlour with rather more valuable looking items.

A really strong Art Deco shape.

If you had the tea pot and the milk jug to go with it,

it would be a great tea service, very fashionable.

It's probably with it for a couple of pounds.

There's no price on it.

What do you think of that?

Little Art Deco silvered pottery sugar bowl and cover.

There's no price on it.

-Six.

-Fiver?

OK.

Ooh, a whole pound off, Jonathan. Steady!

I love the colour. I think it's a very tranquil colour.

It's probably only about 40 years old.

But the base, crikey, I mean, it's a phenomenal amount of wear

but to me, it's a lovely shape, lovely colour

and the other appealing thing is it said £25 on it.

Would you take £15?

Wow. We've upped the ante but will they accept a tenner off?

-How about 17?

-£17.

Do I like it for £17?

Well, you love it at 25, so you have to like it at 17.

If you don't buy it, somebody else will

and it will go quickly.

CUCKOO CLOCK STRIKES

Is that an omen? You're cuckoo unless you do?

Jonathan, subliminal message - buy, buy.

-I'll have it.

-Thank you very much.

And there we have it. The cuckoo clock has called time

on Jonathan's last shop of the day.

Meanwhile, James has made it back to Shaftesbury

and is visiting Gold Hill Gallery.

-Hello. James.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-Nice to meet you.

-And, sorry, your name is?

-Maggie.

-Maggie. Very nice, too.

-What a fabulous street, isn't it?

-I feel privileged to be here.

-May I have a look round?

-Yes, please do.

He's not under a great deal of pressure to buy

but knowing James, he'll probably sniff something out.

Bottle coasters or slides or stands.

This is very much a sort of 18th-century thing,

sort of the Georgian, er, lifestyle.

And you'd stand a decanter in it.

Look at all the service they've done and they're still intact.

You know, quality of craftsmanship, isn't it?

That's nice.

Porcelain. Chinese. Not a great deal of age to it.

You know, people love them in conservatories.

Everybody has a conservatory these days.

Why not fill it with nice things?

And it's a very practical seat.

Don't sit there too long, James.

It looks rather dainty and, well, you're quite a big fellow.

They're two quite nice items.

Maggie, I have not a huge amount of money

but would £40 buy either the pair of coasters or the garden seat?

I'm not really bothered what I buy.

SHE SIGHS

I could do the coasters for £45.

For 45. And what could you do the garden seat for?

I make it a policy never to sell anything for less than I've paid for it.

-That's my rule of thumb.

-That's quite a good rule.

-So I would say 60 for the garden seat.

-60.

I'm going to make my money squeeze a little further.

-Maggie, I'm going to buy those.

-I think they're a good buy.

-Yeah. Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-Thank you, James.

One, two, three, four, five.

45.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much indeed.

I hope you do well with them.

And there we have it. Shopping is now over.

Let's recap on what the boys have bought.

Jonathan started this leg with £178.22

and spent £127 on five auction lots.

A brooch.

A goblin ink well.

A Victorian footstool.

A copper tray he's paired with a porcelain sugar bowl

and a green glass vase.

James, meanwhile, began with £269.54

and has spent £174 also on five lots, made up of...

A malacca cane.

A silver letter opener.

A pair of vases.

A nude oil painting.

And a pair of silver decanter stands.

So, what do our experts think of each other's wares?

Jonathan, where are the bashed bits? You had no broken bits this time.

I think they're all nice sound items

and I think that helps at auction.

I'm actually quite reassured that I've bought well

and I think that it's a good game now, actually.

Without further ado, it's time to get back on the road

and head to auction.

Crewkerne is a busy market town

that retains much charm from the bustle of previous centuries

and has some very attractive Georgian architecture.

It's auction day as our experts roll into town.

Who will be the victor this time round?

Right, settle down. The auction is due to commence.

First up we have every dandy's favourite accessory,

the malacca cane.

Bids start me here at £20. £20 I have.

25, 30, 35 now and I'm out. At £35.

In front of me at £35. And I'm selling.

At £35...

I take it back. It's marginally nicer than I thought.

A tenner profit isn't that great but it's certainly better than nothing.

Next up it's Jonathan's gold-plated bow brooch.

-£20 for it?

-15.

-15 is bid.

£15 is bid. Spoken bid at 15.

I'll sell at 15. Maiden bid at £15. Are we done?

It's £15 and I'm selling.

-At £15.

-GAVEL BANGS

-Oh, dear.

-That washed its face.

That was pretty uneventful.

It's his first lot of the day

and well, let's be honest, it's not a great start.

A break even is still a loss

because the auction house must take their hard-earned commission.

It's James' second item,

the one that he started off calling a silver skewer

and is now creatively titled a letter-opener.

A silver letter-opener. Sheffield, 1935. £20 for it?

£20 for it? £20 is bid. Can I say five anywhere?

At £20, then. I'm selling at 20.

For the last time at 20. All done at £20.

Just happens so quickly, doesn't it?

A notional profit is soon expunged.

Just goes to show, it doesn't matter how you dress it up,

a skewer, letter opener, it still made a tenner loss.

Hopefully, Jonathan's funny little goblin can enchant the bidders

of Crewkerne.

This is the cast brass ink well modelled as a hobgoblin.

Bids start me here at £25.

25, 30, 35, now and I'm out.

35, 40. Five.

£45. In the room at £45.

The gentleman's bid is at £45. I'm selling at £45.

Are we done? At £45.

Disaster strikes.

45. Washing your face again.

-Oh, dear.

-Oh, Jonathan, don't worry.

Oh, dear, indeed. It's another break even,

which again means yet another loss.

Well, it's not a great start so far

but perhaps James' eye for a good pair

will turn up the profit margin.

Interest here starts me at 90. 100, I'm bid.

-Oh!

-£100 I have. 110, 120.

130, 140.

150. I'm out. It's £150 in the room.

And I'm selling at £150 now. At 150.

For the last time at 150.

I'm not smiling.

Now, that's more like it. £100 profit is wondrous news for James.

Now, this is an interesting little item.

Jonathan sorely needs some profit.

It's a Victorian square footstool upholstered with a Persian rug

-and I'm bid £32 on this. £32 is bid.

-Huh!

-All right.

-£32 is bid.

-Someone stick their hand up.

At 32. It's on commission.

I'll sell at £32 if you're all done in the room.

For the last time at £32.

A small profit.

Er, £15 starts me here...

A very small profit but it's a loss after commission.

It's the nude oil next. Will James streak ahead with yet more profit?

Oil on board, nude study by Sue McDougal.

£20 for that. £20 for it?

At £20 for it. £15? 15 is bid. At £15 I have.

At £15 and I'm selling.

At £15.

Ah! No rudie-nudies here.

Yet another loss. Sadly, Lady Luck seems to have left your side.

I wonder if this interesting lot can beef up your coffers, Jonathan?

This is the oval gallery tray and a silvered porcelain sugar bowl.

Both in the same lot. £20 for them?

-£20 for these?

-Come on.

-There's a ring of optimism in his voice.

£15 if you will. £10, then.

At £10.

At £10?

Five, then. Five is bid. Are you bidding now?

Eight, ten. £10 on my left. It's at ten.

Selling at £10. At £10 only.

-No!

-That was lucky. That was almost unsold.

That would have been a blessing, James.

Profits are sadly lacking, Jonathan.

We're nearly at the end.

It's Braxton's final lot, the silver decanter stands.

A pair of Sheffield plated decanter stands.

£20 for these? 20 is bid.

25, 30.

Five, 40, five, 50.

£50. Standing to my left. I'm selling at 50 on this one.

At £50. Are we done? It's £50 and I'm selling.

At 50, now.

So it washed its face.

Another small success for James. OK, it's only a fiver

but it's better than Jonathan's run of luck.

Jonathan's last hope lies with the green glass vase.

It's a Whitefriars ribbed green glass vase.

Tapered design. £15 I'm bid.

18, 20, five now. At £25. I'm out. It's in the room at 25.

-And selling at £25.

-No. No, no, no.

-At £25.

Doesn't look like James has much sympathy.

Well, Jonathan, £8 profit isn't exactly the lofty heights of success

but it's been your highest profit so far.

The runaway success of the pair of bronze vases

means James is today's winner.

Jonathan started this leg with £178.22

and after paying auction costs made a loss of £22.86.

The loser yet again, he has a paltry £155.36 to carry forward

to the final leg of the competition. Bad luck.

James, meanwhile, started this leg with £269.54

and after costs, made a small profit of £51.40

but it's enough to make James victorious once again.

He has a splendid £320.94 to take forward.

Oh, well, there's always another leg.

I'll get you, Braxton...

if it's the last thing I do. LAUGHTER

It may be.