Episode 14 Antiques Road Trip

The nation's favourite antiques experts, £200 each,

and one big challenge.

-I'm here to declare war.

-Why?

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

-It really is very good!

-The aim is to trade up

and hope each antique turns a profit.

But it's not as easy as you might think

-and things don't always go to plan.

-Push!

Will they race off with a huge profit or come to a grinding halt?

-Do you think I'd believe that?

-This is the Antiques Road Trip!

We're in the Republic of Ireland with the two Davids,

David Harper and David Barby.

Together, they're touring the Emerald Isle in a Triumph TR3.

Oh, David!

-You're getting all fired up here!

-I'm doing 50 miles an hour.

-Come on, baby!

David Harper is a dealer with an infinite knowledge of antiques.

What on earth is that?

While co-driver David Barby is an auctioneer,

well-known for his tact and charm!

-Is that collectable in England?

-HE GASPS

It is here.

There's no doubt who's had the best start on this trip.

Yesterday's auction in Northern Ireland was a great success for David Barby...

-I'm getting anxious about these.

-All finished at 240.

Someone's got taste.

..but a calamity for David Harper.

-No, don't.

-Yes.

-Come on!

They began with £200 each,

but David B goes into today with a whopping £417.10.

The other David has made just £6.80

to add to his starting cash.

Both of these piles have been converted into euros today

as the road trip heads south of the border and into new territory.

This week we're travelling from Northern Ireland,

heading south towards the county of Meath,

then across to the north coast of Wales

and once again heading south, ending our road trip in Llanelli.

Today's show starts out in Athlone and heads for an auction at Kells.

# Half a mile from the county fair And the rain came pouring down...

Slap-bang in the geographical centre of Ireland,

Athlone is famous for its castle and its very strategic bridge over the River Shannon.

Reasons why, over 300 years ago, the city was besieged twice.

# We just stood there getting wet. #

Ireland is apparently also noted for its precipitation. That's rain.

This warm and dry shop, though, is packed with top-quality stuff at prices that match.

Brianna and Thomas are keen to help.

-Who gives the best discounts?

-I most certainly do.

-Really?

-THEY LAUGH

OK, I'll have the good-looking one!

Ahh, the David Harper charm, tried before but with mixed results.

Do you want to come for a ride in my car?

I'm sure I've heard that line, too.

Now, what's David B up to?

A Victorian... What's a pod saw?

No! Pad saw!

Well, it's all the way through here.

That's a retractable blade that was the forerunner of the Stanley knife, perhaps.

I'd like to know what it is before I buy it.

Finding out what it is after you've bought it is more fun.

There's that blarney again. But David is a bit of a stickler.

Brian, we have a query here from a customer.

Perhaps the shop owner can shave a few of the 48 euros off the price.

Oh, right. So there's a hole in the actual handle,

so you pass the blade all the way through?

So you could adjust it accordingly.

Can you do it at 20?

I'm not tough at all. OK, that's very kind.

I'll put you back to Thomas to confirm the price in case he doesn't believe me.

Hello, Brian. Is that really you that's there

and we're not just talking to a recording?

Oh, you drive such a hard bargain. I can't believe he took so much off!

-He said 20.

-He said 20 on that.

So while David B reflects on his first purchase, David H, with plenty to prove,

has finally found something which, at 40 euros, is in his bracket.

-That's an unusual thing. I think it's alabaster.

-Yes.

Three naked ladies climbing up a...

-Is it some sort of...

-A cliff or...?

What is it? Has it got a religious significance?

-It's a very unusual thing.

-It is.

-I like that.

I'd love to know what's going on. Whoever carved it carved it for a reason,

he didn't think of this scene and think,

"I'm just going to carve three women climbing up a mountain."

Actually, David, it's inspired by a detail

from Rodin's huge unfinished masterpiece the Gates of Hell.

The original measured six metres by four

and features 186 figures.

That, though, is in the Musee Rodin and is definitely not for sale.

I'd take a chance on that at 20 euros.

20 euros...

-OK, let's make a deal.

-Are you sure?

-Yes.

-Marvellous! Marvellous!

While David Barby dodges the Athlone showers...

Hold on, it's raining. Just thinking of my perm!

..his friend, that's the one in the cap,

has grabbed the keys to the Triumph,

travelling from Athlone to Barley Harbour.

David's making his way through the lowlands

to visit the studio of bog oak artist Michael Casey.

Hello there. David Harper. Nice to meet you. Can I come in?

Oh, my gosh! This is amazing.

Tell me about bog oak. How do we get to that?

When we lift it out, it's covered with clay and peat.

And it's been buried under the earth for six or 7,000 years.

The forests were growing at that time.

They fell, and the bogs have grown on them 30 feet.

When the wood first comes out of the ground,

it's very soggy and needs to be seasoned for a few more years

before Michael can begin his work.

Oh, my goodness me! Michael, what is that?

-This is absolutely as it comes out

-of the ground? More or less, yes.

How long has this been weathering for?

Some of the pieces are here 10 or 15 years.

So you might get an inspiration that you want to make a sculpture based on a subject

-and then you would root through looking for something to grab you.

-Yes.

You can almost see the human head and the shoulder.

OK. I can see that.

And then other pieces are sitting for years and years

and you might come out with a drink at night or something

-and sit down with it...

-Yes.

-..and then it suggests itself.

I help it along, you know, the suggestion, just maybe the head and the arms.

When you say you help it along, it's got your direct input, hasn't it?

Things struggled in the bog off of nature

and the handy human hand adds a little to it.

Eventually, the supply of oak

and the rarer yew and pine will run out,

but not any day soon,

because several thousand years ago Ireland was one huge forest.

A monkey could swing from tree to tree.

-This is the River Shannon out here. Now, you only had to swim the Shannon...

-You're kidding?

-..and you could go the whole way to Galway.

-Without touching the ground?

-Yes.

David is fortunate enough to have a lesson in sculpture from the master himself.

So, you're not afraid of the wood at all? I mean, that is serious stuff.

That'll take the skin off.

-Don't go backwards.

-Don't go backwards?

-Forwards.

-Always forwards?

-Yes.

-Tell me why.

-Why would you always go forwards?

-The teeth are facing that way.

Yes!

I see. I'm getting with it now, Michael.

I think it might take me some time to become like you.

I suppose if you were to make what you might think of as a mistake,

-you'd just work around that?

-Yes.

-There's no mistakes in this.

-No mistakes.

-No.

It's nature telling you exactly what she wants to be.

Whilst David Harper goes with the grain,

David Barby has carried on shopping...

..making his way from Athlone to Mullingar.

The biggest city in the Irish Midlands,

Mullingar was once a great cattle-trading centre and is still famous for its pewter.

-Hello, I'm David Barby.

-Dermot Holmes. Pleased to meet you.

-And you own this store?

-Yes. Delighted it could bring you to Mullingar.

If David was a bit taken aback by the prices in Athlone this morning,

by Mullingar, he's getting seriously worried.

That's well over what I have to spend.

Well over.

How much is that? Oh, it's coming round. Ohh!

-Er, 495.

-HE GASPS

Yes. You pay for the frame.

HE GASPS

-I used to collect Doulton.

-Ah, right.

-This is a little Doulton piece.

-Yes.

-Salt glaze.

-It would've originally had corks in it.

-Yes. Those are gone. You'd have a spigot there.

-Yes.

But the very fact it is Doulton indicates that it's quality.

And I love the barrel shape! I think that's quite good.

I see you've got 35 on there. What's the best you can do?

That's the best I can do. We had 45.

30?

25, then. That's the best. Because it's a piece of Doulton.

Ha! But it hasn't got its spigot. And it hasn't got its cork.

-And it hasn't got its proper stand.

-No, it hasn't got its proper stand.

You make me an offer.

-I'll say 15.

-I'll say 20.

-18.

-Right, you're done.

-What have I done?

-What have you done?

-Yes.

Too late to change your mind now, David.

What else is there to wax lyrical about?

These are Georgian brass candlesticks.

They're out of fashion to a certain extent in England

because people don't like polishing brass.

I remember seeing two of these up at that auction in the north, I think they went for about £12.

So those have got to be round about 10 euro.

I'm saying 12 euro. I'm matching 12 pounds with 12 euro.

-I can't do it.

-You can't do it?

-No. I know how much the other ones went for.

At the moment, the euro is at parity with the pound!

Near enough. When you go to buy, it's different.

We'll introduce you to these two

and let you make a decision.

-Do we throw the cat among the pigeons?

-You have.

-Slightly smaller.

-I like those, as well.

Right, so, if I bought those, that would be 20 euro for four?

-For the four?

-Yes.

-OK.

-Deal done?

-Yes.

Their triumphal trail will conclude today at an auction in Kells,

but first stop for hot-to-shop Harper

is the little town of Knockdrin.

No mention yet of the prices, but where he finds this sort of eclectic mix,

it behoves him to find a bargain, big or small.

What is that? It's a miniature drum. A metal miniature drum.

Hand-painted. The Gordon Highlanders.

Anything to do with militaria,

there are collectors out there worldwide for things like this.

Hand-painted. Quality.

Let me find Mary and see what she can do on this one.

-Mary?

-Yes, David?

-Can I just talk to you about this?

-Yes. The drum.

What's it used for? Do you think it's been a box?

-Or is it just a novelty thing?

-I think it's a novelty thing.

-What sort of money is it to me?

-10 euros to you.

10? 20 euro?

You don't say ten and then 20. I'm not likely to give you 20!

-10 euros! Right.

-10 euros.

-It's a little buy. A good start. I'll have it. Thank you.

-Thank you.

These things are not quite what they used to be, but there's a pair,

one there and one in there. Typical green glass. Victorian.

They're good. All hand-painted. Nice bubbles in the glass.

Let me see what she can do on this one.

On the vases, 15 euros.

15 euros for a pair of 120 year old

or 130-year-old glass vases,

absolutely a stonking bargain!

-15 euros?

-15 euros.

Goodness me! Cheap enough, isn't it? I mean, it's just crazy.

Why tell her that? I think he thinks they're cheap.

-Do you want 10 euros for them?

-No. Not cheap enough, apparently.

Yes. I'll take 10 euros.

It's absolutely pathetic! I am ridiculous. Thank you. That's another one.

That's all very well, but come on, David,

you need to think bigger than that if you're going to catch up with the great David Barby.

-Mary, what on earth is that?

-It's a wool winder.

-What do you do with a wool winder?

-Wind wool from the spinning wheel.

You might've guessed that, David.

I thought it was a light fitting at first.

-What would you do with it? Could you make it into something?

-I honestly don't know.

It works just beautifully. Look at that.

Small wooden items, hand-made, there's a market for it, isn't there?

-I've no idea how to value that. What's that worth?

-Make me an offer on it.

15 euros?

Go 20.

-Go 15.

-Go 20.

-Go 15.

-Go 20.

-I'll have it for 20. Do I get another kiss?

-You do.

-Marvellous.

Oh, not again. He'll wear his lips out!

David is on his way to join David Harper,

who has gone ahead to their final shop at Portlaoise.

No, this isn't another Irish country house,

but an out-of-town industrial unit with a modest exterior

that's been fully furnished inside.

What a place!

David didn't start this leg with much cash,

but most of what he did have is still in his pocket.

That seems surprisingly cheap,

a little desk set made out of papier mache.

But it's not going to fly. I really need a flier to catch up with David Barby.

While he continues his desperate search,

who should arrive but David Barby...

-Hello.

-Hello.

-What a fabulous place!

-Thanks.

..equally keen to get the bargain which will trump his rival.

-I can see immediately that hat box.

-Certainly.

-Can I have a quick look?

-Absolutely.

-Have you polished this up?

-We have. Just a little bit of cream.

-OK.

"Dublin Retail", which is good.

"Charles McDonald. Saddler."

This is nice. People use these to decorate a bedroom.

They use them as waste paper, jardinieres,

er, a multitude of uses.

-What sort of price range are we looking at?

-60.

Could you take less than 60? Is that the best you can do?

No, probably not.

I can do it for 50, if you really pressure me.

Can I pressure you even more to 40?

-Meet you in the middle.

-IN UNISON: 45. 42.

THEY LAUGH

-45 any good?

-42.

-42.

-Thank you very much.

Well, that was fast work.

Five minutes after entering the shop, he's the owner of a hat box.

That's lovely. Lovely, lovely, lovely.

I like that. This is a late 19th-century oil lamp.

It's such a nice piece. It's in onyx and gilt metal.

This would've been in an important house.

This is not a cottage piece. These would've gone out of fashion

certainly by 1920

when they would've installed electric lights in the average home.

But that is such a lovely example.

-This little lamp, missing so much of its originality.

-It is, unfortunately.

-Yes.

-So we haven't got the shade and we haven't got the chimney.

-That's right.

-What sort of price are we looking at?

-It's probably pretty much intact after that.

-You can get the globes. Is there a price on it?

-Not that I can see.

I suppose since you've bought the top hat...box,

we could...

do it for 75 euros.

Is that the very best?

Close to it.

Is that the very, very best you can do - 75?

HE SIGHS

-60 OK for you?

-50's better.

-Give me a little small bit.

-A little.

58.

Let's split the difference at 52.

-BELL RINGS IN BACKGROUND OK.

-52.

-52.

-TIM WHISTLES

-That was tense.

Now, with David B satisfied,

David H has finally uncovered something to spend big on.

A good marble carving can command several hundreds of pounds, even when new,

and several thousands from a known artist.

That is a flier, but all subject to price.

It's not an antique, maybe only 20 years old,

but it may sell well.

-She's not too badly priced.

-What sort of money?

-180.

-180.

-Euros.

Now, she's not dear, but could she be a bit better?

-How much better?

-She couldn't be 60 euros less?

Less. Not 60 euros to buy. Sorry! You almost collapsed!

Can she be 120?

-She could be 120 cash.

-Done deal.

-Yep.

-Good man. Thanks, David.

At last, those two have done with shopping.

David Barby has spent 152 euros on five lots,

including a leather hat box, a Doulton drinks barrel,

a Victorian pad saw, two pairs of brass candlesticks and an oil lamp.

David Harper has spent 180 euros also on five lots,

including a carving based on Rodin's Gates of Hell,

a wool winder, a pair of green vases, a miniature drum

and a marble nude.

Let's find out what they really think of each other's purchases.

I am recovering from shock!

I thought I'd done well, but I think David has done brilliantly.

The Corinthian column lamp is absolutely gorgeous. That's a real antique.

What else did he buy? Nothing really memorable, as far as I'm concerned.

The piece I find fascinating is the little piece of alabaster,

from Auguste Rodin's Gates of Hell.

I don't think it's well carved, but he paid so little, it's bound to make a profit.

I think he's the winner. He's the winner on this round

and I think he'll overtake me.

Turn out the lights! I'm going to sleep.

After starting out in the rain at Athlone,

this leg of our road trip will be decided at an auction

in the historic town of Kells.

-It'll be interesting to see if that little Rodin-type alabaster piece...

-What?

-What did you call it? You know what that's after, don't you?

-Yes!

Who is it, Barby? I want the information so I can pass it on to the auctioneer.

-You little horror!

-Yes!

Kells has several early-Christian associations,

like the abbey founded by St Columba,

where the famous manuscript of the New Testament,

known as the Book of Kells, was once kept.

The Gaelic translation of the town's name means "Great Chief Abode",

which makes sense when you consider that Jim Connell,

the writer of The Red Flag, was born here.

There you go, Mr Barbers.

OK, eyes down, everyone.

Here we go. You're on. You're on. You're on.

First, the Victorian pad saw.

-Look at the way it's made, ladies and gentlemen.

-It's a bit of wood.

-20 bid straight off.

-That's good.

30 bid. 30 bid now.

-40 over here.

-40? I can't believe it!

40 bid. 45 there. 45. 50 back here.

-50 bid now. 55 out here.

-They know what they're buying.

55. 60 over there. 60 bid now.

70 bid now. At 70...

All out now at 70.

80. Just in time. 80 bid now. 80 bid over here.

-Stop it!

-90.

-No!

-90 bid.

95. 100.

-Yes!

-At 100. 110.

-Ah, for...

-110. 120 now.

120 on this side. All out? All done.

-That was really good.

-That was fantastic.

Phew! Pad-saw fever! Who saw that coming?

Now, what do they make of David Harper's mini Rodin?

30 bid. 40 bid. 40 bid.

-40 in front. 50 back there. 50 bid now. 60.

-Come on!

-70 down here.

-Yes!

-70 now.

-Don't get overexcited.

-Don't touch.

90 up here. 90 bid.

-At 90... 100.

-Ohh!

110. At 110 now. Selling at... 120.

-Yes!

-120. 130.

-130. 140.

-Yes!

-150 here. At 150.

-Get a load of that!

-160.

-Yes!

All out now at 160. All out? All done.

160. Dear, oh, dear!

This is shaping up nicely.

-Is that a cracking result? Give me that pen!

-No.

Give me the pen!

-Now for all that brass.

-50 for the pair.

50 down here. 50 bid.

50 bid. 60 bid.

60 bid. 60 bid. 70 bid. 70 bid

I'm in shock. I'm in shock. I'm in shock.

80 bid. 80 straight down. 80 bid now. 80 bid.

Selling at 80. All out?

All done.

That was way beyond the auctioneer's estimate.

I sell those for £25 a pair.

-Now you've got to up your price.

-I'm going to double the price!

Could the drum beat the stakes?

40 bid. 50 bid. 60 bid.

70 bid.

70 bid at the end. 70 bid now. All finished... 80. New blood.

-80 now. 80 on the right.

-Come on, baby!

-At 80. 90 on the other side.

-Yes, baby!

-90 bid now.

At 90, all out now at 90.

-That's very good.

-Marvellous.

Everything is making a profit, especially Harper's lots.

-That's fantastic, isn't it?

-It's very good.

-We're on a roll!

Roll out Barby's barrel!

40 bid. 40 bid. 50 back there.

50 bid now. 60 we have.

60 bid now. 60 bid.

A unique piece. At 60. All out.

-All done.

-Well done. That's amazing!

Will anything fail to make a profit here, I wonder?

-This is a fantastic auction.

-It's our best so far.

Next, the wall-mounted wool-winder.

I'm bid 50 with me. 60. 70. 70.

-70 bid.

-That's enough.

-No, it isn't.

-80 bid. 90 bid.

90 bid. 100 all the way. 100 we have. 110.

-110. At 110. Are you coming in? 120 over here.

-Ohh!

-120. 120 back this side. 130 we have.

-Yes!

-130.

-130. 140. 140 now.

-Yes, baby!

140 back this way. At 140...

All out? All done.

-Well done.

-Well, congratulations.

-Thank you!

120 euros profit! I think he's catching up.

-We should do this for a living. Don't you think?

-I couldn't stand the strain!

A very sumptuous box.

100 bid straightaway. 100 bid.

110. 120. 130. 140.

140 we have. 150 out here.

160 with me.

160. 170 over there. 170. 180 now.

190 over here.

-I knew it was a good one.

-190 on the right-hand side.

All out? All done.

-Cheap, wasn't it?

-So cheap! David, well done.

David B's still ahead!

Surely David H's vases can't hurt him.

50. 40. 30. 20.

Even 10 to start?

10 bid. 15 bid. 15 bid. 20 bid. At 20, seated here.

Selling at 20 now. 25. 30 bid.

-30 bid now.

-What have I done?!

30 bid over here. Selling at 30 now.

-At 30 only. 35.

-Yes!

-35. 40.

40 bid now. Shaking his head firmly there! 40 bid at this end!

All out? All done.

-40! Get in there!

-That was good going.

Four times what he paid!

Now, a Barby favourite.

150 for it. 120. 100 to get it going?

Come on!

-50!

-Oh! She's hard, this woman!

50 bid 50 bid. 60 bid.

70 bid now. 70 bid. 80 down here. 90 on the left.

Selling at 90. 100. 110. 120. 120 now. Telephone bid.

-120.

-Yes!

-No.

-120 now.

-All finished.

-I can't believe this!

-All done.

I'll take the telephone bid.

-At least it started at 20.

-Thanks for that(!)

Cor! Strike a light! Even with quite a bit missing...

You've got to be happy with that.

Yes!

It's neck and neck.

But David Harper's biggest spend may well decide who's victorious.

300? 200? Get at 100.

-Start me at 100.

-20.

-20?!

-100.

-Thank you!

100 I'm bid. 100 offered.

-I sell at 120!

-No, you don't! There's bidding over there!

-140. 160.

-Get it going!

180. 180 there. 200. 220. 220.

-At 220.

-Bang!

-240.

-Yes!

-240!

250. 260. 260 here.

-One more!

-270. 270.

-270. 280.

-Whoa!

-280. 280 now.

-Don't sell it at...

-290.

-Yes!

-Make it to three.

-300!

-LAUGHTER

300 in front.

-At 300. Thanks very much, lads.

-Well done!

Well done!

She's a beauty!

She certainly is. And she's made him 180 euros profit!

-David.

-Well done.

-Thank you very much.

-Well done.

-Thank you. Beautiful.

A great day in Kells, especially for David Harper

who's gained on his rival, winning the battle if not the war.

He began today with 224 euros and 25 cents

and made 418 euros and 60 cents, after auction costs.

So after conversion back to sterling,

he has £592.82 to spend tomorrow.

David Barby started this round with 452 euros and 30 cents

and made 315 euros and 40 cents, after auction costs.

So in sterling, he still leads,

with £707.95 to spend tomorrow.

There they go, no doubt for a well-earned pint of the dark stuff.

On this roadtrip, we're travelling through Ireland, north and south,

and have now crossed over to Wales, ending our roadtrip in Llanelli.

Today we kick off in Prestatyn, gateway to the coast of north Wales.

And our journey concludes with auction number three in the town of Criccieth.

Popular with holiday-makers over the last two centuries,

sunny Prestatyn became famous for its beach, clean seas and promenade entertainers.

In fact, visiting for a cheeky bathe was considered a must for good health by city-dwelling Victorians.

David Harper's at his first shop,

Presents With A Difference, with £592.82p to spend. that?

-Hello.

-Hello.

-Hi. My gosh, this is a bit of an Aladdin's cave.

A mixture of all sorts. A bit of nostalgia, a bit of mod.

That's quite bonny.

This is quite interesting. The first item I'm drawn to is an attractive woman.

I've got a problem with attractive women. I can't help myself.

-Is there a cure?

-Oh, please. Somebody stop him.

-If there is a pill for it, I don't want it.

-How about an injection, then?

-She's lovely.

Almost looks like an ancient cameo behind some sort of glass. It's got a 3-D feel.

Birmingham, 1937.

So just at the tail end of Art Deco.

Geoff...talk to me. About that.

-Could that be horrifically cheap?

-Not horrifically, but I could do you 27.

Really? 20 quid?

-OK, I'll squeeze to 20. That's dead tight.

-Good man. OK.

Thank you very much. My first purchase of this leg.

You need luck to beat Barby. He's slowly making the short journey south to Rhuddlan,

a rather peaceful town with a very turbulent past,

but that's because continual battles between the Britons and the Saxons

made plundering, pillaging and razing to the ground rather common.

It's also here at Rhuddlan Castle where constitutional power over Wales was given to the English

in 1284.

And speaking of Englishmen, one more has just arrived at Downsby Antiques

and is trying to strike a deal with young Philip.

I love a bit of Macintyre pottery.

It's beautiful, but it's damaged.

That...

is a firing crack underneath.

Cos when I take the lid off...

..it's not through to the base.

If it's been repaired and they've used a silicon-type glaze on it,

it's not a fired glaze. It's an artificial one, false one.

-You can actually feel it on your teeth or with your tongue.

-Yeuch!

-Let's go with the gnashers.

-Watch your teeth.

-Don't worry, they're false.

No, they're not!

With the damage, what's the best you can do?

30. And that's a deal.

20.

-You've knocked me right down. 30.

-20. 20. It's been here a long, long time.

-You want rid of this.

-No, I don't.

-Can we split the difference at 25?

-Go on, then.

It's my first buy in Wales. That's good, I like that.

Looking to retain his lead,

David Barby's now putting together what he fancifully is calling his collection of curiosities.

You put matchsticks or toothpicks there and put them on the table.

These are typical German sort of 1930s,

that sort of period. Great wood carvers, particularly in Bavaria.

All those figures that come out of Oberammergau. This is all part and parcel of that. What's the price?

-35 for the pair.

-Oh. That's a fortune.

Time to wheel out the Barby stare.

-We can deal on that. They've been here a while.

-See what I mean? Scary.

-We can deal on that. 25.

-Works every time!

David Harper, meanwhile, has found a Chinese incense burner

and is employing his trademark tactic - talk the dealer into submission. Any old tripe will do.

Oh, Geoff, look. She's had her ear bitten off.

-Can you see?

-I didn't even notice that.

-That's a good and a bad thing.

Looking at the patination, it has aged, so that isn't recent.

That indicates it has got some age.

Can it be 25 quid?

Make it my bottom line of 35, only because you've seen that break.

-I'll do what every good dealer should do and that's compromise. Meet in the middle.

-32, innit?

-All right, I'll stand for 30.

-Good man. Thank you very much.

I think this just might be the item to watch. Well done, Harper.

Marvellous. Thanks again. Absolute delight, thank you. And your very glamorous assistant.

Down, boy, down! As for Barby's collection of curiosities, he now has a Victorian gaming ball

and he's not finished yet.

Often biscuit manufacturers, and this is a McVitie and Price of Edinburgh biscuit box,

would sell biscuits in novelty containers that often had a dual purpose.

This one here looks like a French commode. You take the biscuits out, you eat them and it's a jewel box.

So it has a multiplicity of uses.

It's really an oddity.

We all love an oddity, don't we? But this means more haggling.

-28.

-Oh, Lord.

-Here we go. Thus far, for the toothpick holders and gaming ball,

the lads have agree £26, so let the battle of the biscuit tin begin.

-Come down on that one, please.

-26 and 20, that's 46.

-For the three.

-Come down to 40, please.

-I can't.

-Yes, you can.

-No...

-Just one little word.

-You're getting cheeky.

-Just say "yes".

-No. A nicer word is "no".

-It's not.

-46. And you get a bargain for those.

-Let's go for 42, please. And it's a deal.

-45 and it's a deal.

-42.

-No, 45.

-42.

-45.

Goodness me, we'll be here all day!

43. Please...43. Thank you very much indeed.

-God, you strike a hard bargain!

-You're the hard one.

Nice dealing with you.

-Is it really?!

-Yes!

David Barby's en route to Colwyn Bay, the second of our seaside resorts on this leg.

Also popular with the Victorians, its calling card is its pier,

built in 1900, and currently undergoing a little work.

But that's not important right now as David's found a treasure trove.

And Frank has plenty to show our man Barby,

such as this gorgeous Burmese table. Ticket price £500.

-It's Burmese.

-Is that the best you can do on that?

-I'd do it for 450.

-I can't see me getting that back in auction, can you? In a rural auction?

You... You'd have to have just that kind of customer there.

Well, David does have a wallet stuffed full of cash and it is such a fascinating piece.

Well, this is the sort of furniture that would have been brought back, late-19th, early-20th century,

by people in colonial service.

And it's more of a conventional 19th-century table,

but it's embellished in a sort of Anglo-Burmese style.

If you want different, it's there.

That's perfectly true. I want to cogitate.

Though just a few moments of cogitation later...

-I like that.

-Yes.

-That's useful.

Right. Let's talk about the two objects.

So as well as the table we also have one Arts and Crafts magazine stand. Your move, Frank.

The very best price for the two is 500 for the two.

I must confess, I'm worried about the table, whether it's going to achieve the price I pay for it.

And I think that is... It's doubtful. Frank, could you do the two for 430.

I couldn't do that, sir. As much as I'd love to sell them to you and see what they bring, I couldn't do that.

I really couldn't. 475 for the two. I'll do you a deal. And I think it'll do well.

Well, as the old adage goes, if in doubt, go without. Or go with.

Go for it.

Not an adage I know.

-Good luck to you.

-Could I have your name and address, telephone number...

-I'll buy it back off you!

But for now Frank's offering a discount -

both the table and the magazine stand for £450. I'd say old Barby must be rather pleased.

What have I done?! What have I done?

I spent £450!

Oh, dear.

Our next stop is Llandudno, widely known as the queen of the Welsh resorts.

That's because it was yet another seaside favourite of the Victorians

and even now the traditions of the day are alive and well - Punch and Judy are still performing

and there's been continuous donkey rides for more than 125 years.

And yes, I know, that's a seagull.

Travelling at a similar speed is David Harper, who is keen to explore Trinity Trove Antiques,

which has just recently opened for business.

-Hello. Peter Wright.

-Lovely to meet you. This is your place?

-A new shop, open about seven or eight weeks.

-Have you?

-So it's a new venture. Thoroughly enjoying it so far.

-Brave man!

-Everybody's said that!

Now being a newbie, Peter's probably never dealt with the likes of David Harper before,

so I sincerely wish him all the best.

-Nice plate. It's quite basically painted. Nice butterfly there.

-Yeah.

Great potential age. Lovely colour. It has damage, but it's got the yellow painted in there.

Yellow paint on any Chinese porcelain is always quite exciting.

There are periods in Chinese history where yellow was only set aside for the Emperor or his entourage.

It was illegal to use yellow during certain periods in China. That's always a bit exciting.

I'm very confident that is at least 19th century.

It could even be 1750.

Ha! But now for the moment of truth.

Can Peter hold his own in the dog eat cat world of negotiation?

-What kind of money...?

-That's 15.

-15 quid, eh?

It's a good-looking thing. That has got a bit of mileage.

-Could that be a tenner?

-It can.

-Well, I'll have that first of all, Peter. Thank you very much.

-But we won't stop there.

-You've got that to go with it.

-I think Peter needs to toughen up,

preferably before David finds something else he wants to buy.

It looks the biz.

Backtracking just a little, David Barby's headed in the opposite direction on this road trip

in order to visit the fabulous Bodelwyddan Castle.

While there's been a house on this site since the 1460s,

the current residence is most famous for its association with the Williams family,

proud owners for more than 200 years.

-Hello.

-Hello, David. Welcome to Bodelwyddan Castle.

-And you're...?

-Kevin Mason.

-I'm so impressed, first by the exterior and then this hall.

-It's a wonderful entrance.

-And what about this floor?

-That is the coat of arms of the Williams family.

-The two foxes crossing. Something about cunning comes to mind.

-"Strength and cunning" is the motto.

That's the family motto.

By the late 1920s, the upkeep on such a grand house became too much for the Williams family

and finally they were forced to sell. So for the next 60 years it was a girls' boarding school.

And when they moved on in the 1980s, restoration began and the castle was transformed into a museum.

Here we are in the sculpture gallery.

Originally it was a drawing room that was created by the Williams family in the 1830s.

In the fashionable Gothic style. Ladies coming into this room

-would look at those curtains. They're absolutely incredible.

-Amazing.

They're actually reproduction from the 1980s

as part of the whole reconstruction, to act as a backdrop for the collections.

-No expense was spared.

-How much would they have cost in the 1980s?

Well, I understand that the curtains on the ground floor cost in the region of £160,000.

£160,000?! How much now? An unbelievable amount!

Well, today it would be closer to half a million pounds

and if you think that's over the top, just wait until you see the family silver.

-Here is the Williams centrepiece.

-Hence the gloves.

-Very much so.

What date is this? Mid-18th century?

This dates from 1730. It is the oldest extant example of a table centrepiece.

Oh, this is wonderful. So if I was at a dining table,

round about 1730 onwards, and they didn't have electricity or gas at that time,

the candles would have lit whatever was on offer. So piles of fruit here.

-What about these little salvers? Would they have sweet meats?

-Sweet meats...

-Candied fruits.

-And then we have condiments there.

-Mm.

-Right.

-I would point out the coat of arms in the centre.

-It matches the tile - the crossed foxes.

-Very much a family heirloom, passed from generation to generation.

-I think I could afford 150.

-Well, you might have to come forward with a little more than that.

-Kevin, thank you very much indeed.

Worth a go, I suppose. And Barby's not our only expert trying it on.

-You know who has found himself a little bit of local history.

-Welsh costumes. How interesting.

That's early 19th century, that shape. Mid-19th century.

-It looks very Puritan. So made in England.

-Yes.

But made for the tourist market in Wales.

So probably bought, under normal circumstances, by someone who might live in Staffordshire.

Goes to Wales on his holidays, circa 1850, comes back with a novelty piece to show his friends

what the Welsh look like in that far-off land.

-And he takes it to probably a mile away from where it was first made! Brilliant!

-Yes.

-What I love about these novelty things is you often see spelling mistakes.

-Yes, costumes wrong...

-Loads of things are wrong! Can I make you an offer?

-You can.

-Bear in mind the ticket price is £25.

-A tenner?

-Can you do a little bit more?

-£10.50?

-Can you do 20?

Peter's catching on. He's got Harper on the ropes.

-That's a lot more, Peter. That's 100% more!

-But I'm trying to come out in a profit as well.

-Are we nearly there?

-I'll meet you halfway. 15 quid.

-OK.

-Good man. Thank you very much.

-That's two. Two pieces.

-That's a nice piece.

-We know it's 1850.

-I think Peter's going to be all right in this business.

Our next destination, the village of Penmaenmawr.

Try saying that three times fast. Penmaenmawr, Penmaenmawr...

Unlike the other seaside resorts in north Wales, Victorian tourists holidaying here shared the landscape

with the mining industry. In this small hamlet, the hardest granite in the kingdom was produced,

though today we're just here for the shopping.

This is a little child's chair. Mid-19th century.

Nice social history. Elm construction.

And some poor little chap's botty has worn away that and on the arms where he's been gripping.

And there's the little hole there. The pot was put underneath.

-There the child could "deef"-ecate.

-Oh. I thought it was "def"-ecate.

And there we have a repair, unfortunately.

But a nice little object. I like that.

£85. Well, I think it's expensive.

Now wash your hands. It's three times what Barby wants to pay.

Time to find Mick, the unsuspecting owner. You down there? No.

You've got a child's potty chair with the most terrible repair. What's the best you can do on that?

-What were you thinking?

-I'd like to see it around 40 quid.

40?

Don't think I can do it for that.

-Are you a gambling man?

-Why?

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

We'll do £60 or nothing for a toss.

Ohh...

I can't bear to look.

-What are you calling?

-Heads!

Oh, dear.

It's heads!

Dear, oh, dear! Mick, that is so good!

-Oh, my God.

-There we are.

Another satisfied customer!

I'll say.

That's one child's chair free of charge.

-I can't take it for nothing. I shall have to give you a...

-Very kind. I hope it's luckier!

-Do you want me to spit on it?

-Please. Thank you.

How disgusting!

Whilst poor old Mick isn't having the best of days, there's more bad news - here comes Harper!

He's in already!

-How did you do that?

-Welcome.

-Oh, are you the owner?

I am, indeed. I just bought the whole lot.

But not wasting any time, David Harper soon comes across this little gem.

There are a number of reasons why these miniature pieces were made, but the one I like the best is

when you get married, your father will give you a miniature chest of drawers on your wedding day.

The idea is that you go off on your honeymoon and when you get back that is replaced by a full-size one.

-What kind of money is that for me?

-What were you thinking of?

Horribly cheap would be 20 quid.

-That is silly ridiculous.

-Is it? Really ridiculous?

-Mm.

-Oh, David. Hang your head in shame, boy.

-£40.

-Put your hand...

-35.

38. Two pound for luck.

-38. Done.

-Good man.

-Thank you.

David Barby started this leg with £707.95

and seems to have gone quite mad, spending £519 on five auction lots -

a magazine stand, a Moorcroft jug, a rather expensive Burmese table,

a child's chair, and a job lot containing toothpick holders,

a gaming ball and a novelty biscuit tin.

As for David Harper, he began with £592.82 and parted with the more moderate sum of £113,

also for five lots -

a cameo pendant, the Chinese incense burner, the porcelain plate,

the Staffordshire mug and the miniature chest.

What do the boys really think of each other's buys?

The stress of buying something is unbelievable. I had a sleepless night after I bought the table.

I do think he's potentially dug himself into an incredibly big pit.

He could have created a black hole of Calcutta.

As regards David's items, I think they're very ordinary

except for the little bronze, which I particularly like.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if that doesn't make £300-£400.

Because I spent low, I've got every opportunity in not only winning this next leg,

but overtaking the Barby machine. I think the Barby machine is in big trouble.

After kicking off in Prestatyn, David Harper and David Barby conclude the third leg

in Criccieth.

Yes, it's another seaside resort,

though when Criccieth officially became a borough in 1284,

only Englishmen were allowed to settle within its boundaries.

Welshmen did infiltrate and in 1337 alone, three had to be evicted.

Today their immigration policy is much more liberal - after all, they let these two geezers in.

Look at that scenery! Have you got your Speedos with you? Cos we're going for a swim.

-I don't think so.

-First things first. We have an auction to go to,

making our next stop Rousell's, where auctioneer Stewart Davies is ready to get this party started.

First up, it's David Harper's 19th century Chinese enamel plate.

Here we go. Anything Chinese is millions.

What have you got? 6. 8. 10. 12.

15. £15 with the hat here. I've got 16.

18. 20. 22.

25. 28.

£28. Are you all sure at 28? Number 69.

There goes David's plans for an early retirement.

-I'd have bought it, if that's some consolation.

-Great consolation(!)

Chin up, Harper. It's not millions, but a profit.

The joys of auctions.

Next it's Barby's Arts and Crafts magazine stand.

30 I have. At £30. And 5.

40. £40. 5. 50. 55.

60. 5. 70. £70 on the back.

-Am I missing anybody now? £70 up the back. Sold at 70.

-It's a trickle.

Well, perhaps more of a spurt than a trickle.

Meanwhile, David Harper's gambling on Chinese collectables.

His next lot, this rather ornate incense burner.

20 I'm bid. £20 I have. 25.

30. At £30 only. This is a bargain!

I'll take 2. 32. 35.

-Come on!

-At £35 only and going at 35.

-No, no...

What happened there, David?

David, what happened?

Oh, dearie me. After commission, that's all hope of a profit up in smoke.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Time now for David Barby's collection of curiosities,

which includes this novelty biscuit tin, one gaming ball and a pair of grotesque toothpick holders.

Have we got 50 to start? £50.

-Oh, no!

-55. 60. The toothpick holders are worth more! 65. 70.

£70. £70 only. 75. At £75.

-This is so cheap.

-Sold at £75.

Not a bad return, though I think Barby was hoping for more. As usual.

-Don't smile.

-Why would I...? I'd be smiling if it sold for 20!

So far china hasn't done David Harper any favours,

but perhaps this Staffordshire mug can finally excite the locals.

At £10. 12. 15. 18. 20. 22. 25.

28. 30. £30 up there. At £30.

£30. I'm selling it, then, at £30.

Well done, David! You've doubled your money.

David Barby's Moorcroft jug is next. It's a quality piece.

Let's hope he gets a price to match.

-Should be in excess of £100.

-Yes!

-Have you got 80? 50 I'm bid.

£50. 60. 70. £80 I've got.

-At £80. £80. I think it's a bargain.

-So do I!

-85. 90.

-95.

-Oh...

-100.

-£100 I've got.

-That's a fabulous £75 profit before commission

and puts Barby firmly in the lead.

David Barby, well found. Well found.

Looking to catapult himself into first place,

-David H's next great hope is this miniature walnut chest.

-£50? 30 bid.

At £30. 5. 40. 5. 50. 5. 60.

5. 70. 5. 80. 5. 90.

-100. And 10. Any more?

-Come on...

-£110.

Heavens above! That's £72 profit before commission. Someone's happy.

-That's good.

-Thank you very much.

Now this HAS to clear a profit. A child's chair with somewhere to put the botty.

-264.

-That really is lovely.

-You only paid a pound.

No need to make an announcement!

£20 I'm bid. At £20. 25. 28.

-30. £30. 32. 35.

-No, stop...

-At £35.

Bargain basement. £35 and sold at 35. 102.

38 million per cent profit!

Mm, someone's good at mathematics(!)

Moving on to David Harper's 1937 hologram pendant,

all I have to say is...holograms were invented 10 years later.

20 I'm bid. At £20. Take me to 5. 25. 30.

At £35, fresh bidding. The ladies are out. £35.

-Come on.

-Sold at £35.

And there's a wee bit of profit in that, too.

Last, but by no means least, it's David Barby's Burmese table.

Though he did spend a staggering £400 on it.

No wonder he's looking so worried.

I can't bear the suspense.

-Yes, and neither can we.

-I have got various bids here.

I can start at £350. 350. I've got 360.

370. At £370, it's here. At 370.

-I think this is cheap.

-It IS cheap.

Are you sure? I'll take 5. 375.

At 375. It's like drawing teeth. At 375.

-Any more? At 375.

-Ohh!

-How do you feel?

-Scorched.

-It could have been worse.

Well, not much worse. That's a £25 loss, even before commission.

Well, David Barby, that's it. Another one done, dusted.

-We now need to do some figures.

-I have learnt my lesson.

-You were very brave. It's the best item.

-Well done, you. A cup of tea, on me.

-Something stronger!

So, "Who's won?" you ask.

Well, Harper thinks it's him. Obviously.

He started this leg with £592.82

and made a profit of £82.16,

giving him a new total of £674.98.

David Barby started with £707.95

and made a mere £18.10 profit,

but even though he's lost on this round, he hangs narrowly onto his lead

with £726.05.

You escaped by the skin of your teeth, David Barby!

But it was good fun!