Episode 7 Antiques Road Trip

-The nation's favourite antiques experts, £200 each and one big challenge.

-I'll declare war.

-Why?

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

-Can you make it...?

-No.

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

-Ouch!

-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?

-Ooh!

-This is the Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah!

We're on the road with intrepid antiques hunters Thomas Plant and Paul Laidlaw,

battling it out on the field of shopping and cruising in their suave Alfa Romeo.

-I'm all wet!

-LAUGHTER

They're in high spirits, especially Thomas after his auction glory.

£200...

Everything now is all gravy for me.

Our fine art auctioneer is now loaded with £383.56 to spend today.

Paul, our military enthusiast, fared less well.

He bought wisely, but the auction bidders shied away.

-I'm going to cry.

-Paul, that is terrible.

So, today, he's only got £213.78.

Luckily, losses have not dampened Paul's enthusiasm to enlighten dear old Thomas.

-It's a braw day, I'll tell you that.

-A braw day?

-Braw.

-Fine, bonnie?

-Yeah, a bonnie day.

Their long and winding road trip began in Skipton,

heading through Derbyshire to Stamford, then Cambridgeshire,

before switching south and facing a finale at Pewsey.

We're kicking off in Huntingdon.

On this leg, if all goes well, we'll end up at auction in Towcester.

The first shop is Hunts Antiques & Collectables and what a welcome for our likely lads!

Good morning. Hello, girls. What a lovely reception!

Let's hope that there's lots of beautiful antiques like our beautiful reception!

Oh, pass the sick bag! Apologies to the ladies of Huntingdon

and perhaps our experts' eyes can seek some other items of beauty.

Paul starts with his own reflection.

Here we've got an over-mantel mirror, late Victorian.

Marquetry-inlaid rosewood.

Good quality turnings. Bevel-edged mirror plates.

The mirror is not oxidised and the condition,

apart from a repair to that little turned column there,

which, frankly, doesn't worry me too much, is sharp enough.

They've had problems selling that at 85 and are now down to 50.

I want it for a fraction of that asking price.

Someone is keen to clinch the first sale of the day

and I'm sure Paul won't be shy with his haggling.

-It was 85. Forget that. It's now 50.

-OK.

I'm hoping to God that the seller is going to give me a present with that.

-Are you going to have to make a phone call?

-I'm going to have to make a phone call.

Julie, upstairs...

your over-mantel.

He's offering £10 or £15.

-No, but that was half. That wasn't...

-I know. I thought it was funny as well.

-Just something off it.

-Would you like to have a word with him?

Hi. Look, I'm not taking the mickey.

I think my estimate in an auction is £30 to £60 on that.

Can we do it? Thank you very much indeed. I'll hand you back. All the best to you. Bye!

Not quite the £15 he was hoping for, but still a good deal at £30,

and with hardly a pause, he's on the hunt for more.

There's not much of any age here apart from that clock.

Now he's spotted an American Ansonia clock.

So we're looking at a clock that's now 110 years old.

It looks like black marble, but it's lacquered cast iron.

And it looks really smart,

but it's the budget model.

All that glitters...

Knowing Paul, he'll want to slash that price tag down by half. Here we go again. Poor woman!

-£65 on it, ever the optimist. I'd love to get it for £30 in all honesty.

-Let's try.

-Oh, hello. Chris?

-Ask her if there's any way it can be 35.

£40, final, lowest.

-Sold at £40. Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

Paul's off to a fighting start and has already bagged two items,

but I'm slightly worried about Thomas as he's looking rather empty-handed.

I genuinely thought you'd gone. You've been quiet.

What, abandoned you? I thought you'd gone because you were quiet.

Normally, I hear the dulcet tones of Laidlaw...

-"Ooh!"

-Yeah, yeah.

-"We're doomed!"

-You know, the Scottish lilt.

-Have you bought anything?

-No.

Now Paul's done and dusted in this shop, Thomas needs to track down some bargains.

I don't think that's going to help, frankly.

# Davy, Davy Crockett King of the Wild Frontier... #

I'm looking for jewels. Even if it's costume, it's great. People love it.

What it is, it's a piece of vintage jewellery.

Marcasite necklace.

Marcasite is cut steel, cut in a triangle to make it look like a stone.

It's ticketed at £7.50.

I want to pay a fiver for it.

With the owner away and not answering the phone, our blonde bombshell comes to the rescue.

-Paula says that you can have it for £6.

-6? Go on, £6.

Thank you very much.

Well, it's not much of a dent in your £383, but it's a start, Thomas.

Meanwhile, Paul's absconded from the shopping trip and gone looking for an unusual piece of local history.

I don't recall the last time we saw a river.

From Huntingdon, he drives seven miles east to the village of Hemingford Grey,

a rather beautiful place right by the River Ouse, his destination, the Manor, a house set in four acres

of flourishing gardens and with a fascinating past. Here to show him round is Diana Boston.

-Very nice to meet you.

-Likewise.

-Welcome.

-What are we looking at here?

-Well, we're looking at either the oldest

or continuously oldest inhabited house in Britain,

but obviously, we're not looking...

-Not from this prospect.

-No, not from this prospect.

No, the original front door is in the south wall of the house and this is the north wall.

This beautiful house was built by the Normans in 1139

and over its many centuries has been added on to by the Tudors and the Georgians,

creating this amazing building.

The Manor is Diana's private home, but she does open it to the public,

so that they too can enjoy this wonderful piece of history.

-Right, come in, Paul.

-The house was also made famous by Diana's mother-in-law, Lucy Boston,

a famous children's author who used the house and its contents as inspiration.

And it's easy to see why.

-What a cosy... I've got to say, my human reaction is, what a cosy room!

-It is a cosy room, isn't it?

The centrepiece must be this splendid Tudor chimney breast.

It's huge and still has its bread oven and salt cupboard.

And that chimney goes absolutely slap-bang straight up to the top of the house.

And so sometimes when you're sitting here, it's the first time you know it's snowing

because you see the flakes coming down.

Right, Paul, now we're coming back into the old part of the house.

-The light and again the views...

-I know, the view.

-They're postcards.

-Yes.

Hand-made glass does something subliminal.

So you've got the two centuries 600 years apart.

You've got the Georgian and the good old Norman, solid stone arch.

We've got a Victorian cheval mirror,

then Victorian tub chair, Victorian, splendid brass and iron half tester bed.

It's all in there, but it works!

This really is a splendid home, but typically, Paul's eyes are drawn to the antiques.

I can see you've spotted something else and you're not a bit interested in my house.

This is wonderful, but is that an EMG?

That is an EMG. HE LAUGHS EXCITEDLY

Oh, my word!

Steady, Paul. Take a tablet.

EMG, otherwise known as Ellis Michael Ginn,

were responsible for producing some of the best gramophones at the time in the world.

These are now serious collectors' items. No wonder Paul is excited.

For me, in the first instance, they are so sculptural.

Acoustically, in its day, this was it.

Somebody made it with love and it's extraordinary to think

this huge great horn is made out of 1920s London telephone directories.

-It's papier-mache, isn't it?

-The papier-mache goes right the way down to here

and this then is brass to here.

That is a magical instrument, I've got to say.

-Any chance of...?

-You'd like to hear it?

How about that? Yes, let's.

The whole ceremony of winding it up, sharpening the needle and putting on a record

is part of the gramophone's fascination, but for Paul, I think we've lost him to the music.

Oh, Lordy!

WOMAN SINGING ROMANTIC SONG

While Paul is away with the wee fairies,

Thomas is keen to keep spending.

It's just a small town,

but Ramsey has the remains of a very famous Benedictine abbey.

Missionary Thomas is still looking to convert his cash

into auction profits.

Perhaps Abbey Antiques and shop owner Rita can help him.

-How long have you been here?

-Over 30 years.

-Really?

I'm sure you're only 21.

Thomas, stop the charm offensive and start hunting, will you?

Basically, because there's some silver and jewellery in here, I'm just going to have a look at it.

It's a Georgian silver spoon which has had this bright cut design to it.

It's quite sweet, really.

There's another spoon here. This is fiddle pattern.

And you can see the fiddle here.

And again this is a Victorian spoon.

These two spoons are priced at £54 for the pair,

but I'm sure Thomas can work his magic.

I've had a word with my husband and he said yes, they can both be...

-£18?

-Each.

-Really?

-Yes.

-OK, wonderful.

-I will buy those, but can I look at other things?

-Yes.

This is a nurse's belt. The silver is malleable. It bends. This is plated.

It's quite a nice nurse's belt, though, isn't it?

It wouldn't go round my waist. Look at that.

No, Thomas, it's for a lady if you haven't noticed.

Not for a beast like me.

-I know it doesn't fit me...

-SHE LAUGHS

But I quite like it. I know it's silver plate, but that doesn't matter. It's rather delightful.

What's the very, very best on that?

As I like you...

I'll do you a special price of 15.

Yeah, I think I'll go for that as well if that's all right. So 15 for this...

and then we've got 36 for those.

-So that's 51.

-51.

-£51. Shall we call it a cool 50?

-After knocking all that off for you?

-I know, I know, I know.

-Would you mind?

-Well, you do smile nicely.

Please, Rita, don't encourage him!

-That's very sweet.

-Thomas pockets his three pieces, a nice addition to his necklace.

-Thank you very much.

And another good day's treasure hunting draws to an end.

Night-night, chaps.

As the sun shines across Cambridgeshire, our intrepid experts are on the road again.

So far, Paul has two buys under his belt for £70.

Thomas played safe and only spent £56, leaving a ripe £383 still in his pocket.

That's very sweet. Thank you very much.

Let's hope he digs deeper as our chaps head west,

leaving Cambridgeshire, entering Northamptonshire and on to the town of Finedon.

With two antique shops bang next door to each other, I wonder what our dynamic duo will come up with?

See you in a minute.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-I'm Thomas.

-Hi, Thomas. It's Sean.

-Sean, very nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you.

I'm going to enjoy having a good look round.

Thomas wastes no time in letting owner Sean know what he's looking for.

Are you sure you haven't got any jewels floating about?

Um...I've possibly got some things and also some silver.

I only live down the road. I was going to bring it in the shop, but we don't tend to keep valuable silver.

So Thomas is off to see a secret bit of silver down at Sean's.

-Are we going to walk or drive?

-Walk.

-It's only down the road, isn't it?

-Yeah.

There's a few items over there. Look, a nice scent bottle.

A small Russian icon.

Yeah, that's nice. The scent bottle is sweet.

You've got a silver top there, Edwardiana. That's quite nice.

This heart-shaped scent bottle would certainly please the ladies at the auction or how about the clock?

-Lever escapement, Swiss, bit of ormolu.

-Yeah.

-Bit of fun.

-Lovely condition and a good movement.

-Yeah.

Meanwhile, Paul is making good use of his time

and spotted a quirky Edwardian shelf or screen...in mahogany.

-Let's just cut to the chase.

-Yes.

-It's got 48 on it.

-Yeah.

-Don't mind me being shockingly cheeky. You'd have to want to get rid of it at 20-odd quid.

-Oh!

The best I can really do for you on it would be 30.

Should we get it out and have a look at it?

It's just the quirkiest little screen you've seen in a long time.

-No way on God's Earth that's going to be a £20 job.

-28. Now we must be getting there now.

We are getting close, aren't we?

I hate these rubbish numbers because 28, I always round up. At 25, I'll shake your hand and we'll do a deal.

You've squeezed me, but we'll do it.

Forever squeezing, Paul clinches the deal and heads off to see what's in Thomas's shop.

Little does he know Mr Plant has done a runner,

but what a wonderful opportunity to sweep in and find something that Thomas has missed!

Laidlaw in a desperate moment dares to ask the price

of a swivel toilet mirror that couldn't be further from fashionable.

I'll do that for £20 to give you a fighting chance.

These should be easy sellers all day long because they're such good things in houses.

And the problem with these is, you and I appreciate them, and no-one wants to know.

They're just unloved and I'm not going to take the mickey at £20. Thanks very much.

Oh, no, Paul's buying flurry isn't over yet.

He's off to find yet another shop

while Thomas is still deliberating over the scent bottle and clock over at Sean's.

What could you do that for?

I tell you what, as we've had such a good day, this is a crucifying price at £90.

-You said 220 for the clock.

-Yeah.

What would be your uber-best on that one if I went with these two?

190 would be the cheapest on that clock.

Back to the shop and, after a lot of thought, Thomas has yet another fine item to consider.

If you like that style of French clock...

..I personally think that's a better quality one.

That one can be 210.

Actually, you're right. That is a little boudoir clock.

It's titchy. This is the boy! Can I have a 1 in front of this somewhere along the line?

You're really, really pushing...

I know I'm pushing, but I'm asking.

190 is the absolute death and that's, in my view, giving it away, but it's...

180? I'm thinking as an auctioneer.

-180.

-Yeah?

-As I'm feeling worn down.

Thomas, you've got your reduction. At least make up your mind now.

You just hate parting with any cash.

-Can we make it...?

-No.

-No?

-No, don't even ask.

If you ask, the price is going up.

Right, OK, OK. I get where we are.

Thomas finally opts for the scent bottle and the rather expensive French clock

at £270 for the two.

Let me see if I can throw something in to ease the pain.

I think that might give you a chance.

-What is it?

-I think it's an American high school fraternity ring, silver.

-Bit of fun.

-"Central High." Thank you very much. I can't look a gift horse in the mouth.

While Paul decides, with £100 still to spend, he will explore another tempting shop.

-Hello. I'm Paul.

-I'm Nick.

-Nick, good to see you. I'll be back in a mo.

This is a palace of retro.

Look, there you go. There's a little wrist watch in there.

In a little lenticular... what may be a silver case.

And looking at it from here, it will date to the 1910s or 1920s.

These are commonly called today trench watches.

These are red-hot at the moment. In the watch market, military watches of all periods on fire!

As long as it's assayed before 1918, you can call it a "trench watch".

It's temptingly priced at £25, but Paul needs to check two things.

Was it made before 1918 to be a bona-fide trench watch

and is it still working?

Bear with me while I look at my little bible here.

1918...

What I do is give these a little shake.

And the balance wheel there, if it's been dropped, the arbor that the balance wheel rotates on can snap,

and in a trench situation, it could take a knock and that could happen.

It's running. Is the mainspring any good? No. That's where it falls down.

I'm going to try and buy that, but not at £25.

-Hi.

-Nick, how are you doing?

-All right.

-The wee watch you got for me,

if you try winding it, the winding pinion's shot.

-I need it for a tenner.

-I think if we said 15, we'd shake hands.

You would shake hands, but I can't.

Any chance of that being a tenner?

£12?

-I've got you on the run now.

-PAUL LAUGHS

It's a tenner, isn't it?

-£11.

-Och, it's 11 quid. Nick, you're a good man.

As Paul emerges from the trenches of antique shopping,

it's time for our veterans to lay down their arms and go to auction.

Thomas took his £383.56 and spent a whopping £326 on six auction lots.

The pair of 19th century silver spoons...

..the silver/porcelain perfume bottle,

the Deco metal necklace,

the silver/onyx fraternity ring,

the Edwardian nurse's belt

and the gorgeous, but risky French rococo wall clock. Go, Thomas!

Paul had £213.78

and spent £126 on five lots -

the Ansonia mantel clock,

the Victorian mantel mirror,

the Victorian swivel mirror,

the Edwardian mahogany screen

and the silver-cased trench watch.

Now, has either of our chaps impressed their travelling companion?

I can't say anything derogatory about any of his stuff because it's all good, clean stuff.

It's a little bit... "I might be a bit bored."

The diamante is junk and has no place in a catalogued auction.

The belt, I'm sorry to say, ditto. It may have some age, but it's junk.

Well, there's confidence for you(!)

Yeah, this leg of their journey started in Huntingdon and our boys travelled to Finedon

and now their fabulous finds will go under a hopeful hammer in Towcester.

Well, I've given you a trump card.

I spent so much money.

Do you want to go up? I think I should go up. I could be the loser on this one.

Holding the fort today is auctioneer Jonathan Humbert.

-I bought the really nice ormolu clock.

-We like that - sexy, small. I think that's going to do all right.

How about Paul's really interesting clock, the cast-iron one?

-I think that's got a niche market. There are people that enjoy that sort of thing.

-Scrappers?

-Maybe.

This auction is split into jewellery and silver at the beginning and furniture at the end.

It's looking rather quiet, but let's hope it picks up.

First up, Thomas's silver spoons.

£30 bid. 5 online. At 40 if you like. 5 online, please?

-What did you buy these for?

-36.

-You're in the money.

£50 here and I'm selling at £50. Are we all out?

The hammer's up at £50...

-£50.

-Bang on the money.

-That's a good start, Thomas.

The next item is much riskier - the expensive perfume bottle.

Heart-shaped, good thing too. Who is going to start me at £30?

£30 online. At £30 bid now.

5 online also. 40 anywhere else? It's up to you.

£35 bid becomes 40. £40 here. 5 anywhere else? At £40 bid.

Take 5, it's up to you. At £40.

£45. 50. 50 here now. 60 anywhere, surely?

£50 and what a pretty thing it is!

At £50 here and I'm selling at £50...

Ouch!

I couldn't agree more. Now it's Thomas's necklace.

Come on, who's going to go? £20 surely?

£20 would be a miracle. How did you get away with that?

35 here. At £35 bid. Who's going to go to 40?

£40. At £40, are we all out and selling? At £40.

At 40 only then. Sold then at 40...

-That's all right, isn't it?

-You jammy... What?

Considering he only paid £6, that's a massive profit for Thomas.

Since the next item was his free ring, surely his luck must continue.

If this ring makes 50 quid, I'll buy you a drink.

-A fiver away, surely?

-No!

A fiver away. Hurrah!

-5 now. I'll take £6, if you will?

-Go on.

£5 bid. 6 we have. 7 upstairs?

It's up to you at £7. Make no mistake. £6 it is downstairs. At £6.

It's all money for nothing, isn't it?

I know. It's hardly worth it though, is it?

I'm relieved to say...not!

At 6... £7! My goodness me! Here we are at £7 bid. 8 if you like?

-Give him half an hour and we'll get to 50 quid.

-No need to be nasty!

Are you all done then? Sold upstairs at seven...pounds!

Wow! Time for the nurse's belt. Fingers crossed!

I don't know. £30 surely? £30 surely? Bid me 20 now to clear.

£20 in. £20 bid then. 5 here.

At £25 bid. 30 surely?

25 here. 30 anywhere? It's up to you.

The hammer's up. Last chance at 25 before me.

-Go on, one more.

-Sold then at £25.

It's a pretty tight audience, isn't it?

I don't know. It's a belter.

Moving quickly along, at last, one of Paul's pieces, the trench watch.

A little bit on the rare side. Start me now, easy money, £40?

-Oh, 40...

-£40? £40 in, sir. Thank you.

£40 bid then. 5 online. £50, sir?

£50 in.

£50, at £50, at £50 bid. 60 surely?

At £50 bid. £50, at £50, at £50 before me and I'm selling.

At £50, are we all out?

Well done. That's a really good profit.

Well done, Paul. Next up is Thomas's very expensive clock.

£100. 110? 110 bid. 120?

120 bid. 120 bid then. 130.

The hammer's up now. Last chance. At £130...

Oh, unfortunately, the right buyers are just not here tonight.

That was a £50 loss. Ouch! And it's Paul's turn.

-It's the battle of the clocks!

-At £40 I've got. 45 online will buy.

-Oh, get in!

-At £40 in the room. Selling at £40...

-You've got 40.

£40 bid then. At £40, are we all out?

At £40 only, here selling...

Oh, dear! Hopefully, Paul's Victorian mirror will make a profit.

£30 bid then. 5 upstairs and 40 downstairs, I go.

£40 bid then. 5 if you like?

At £40 bid. At £40, at £40 bid.

5. 45 then, at 45.

At £45. 45 and sold at four-five...

That's a nice £25 profit for Paul.

-It should have made 75.

-Stop it!

-Show me the money.

Paul's large rosewood mirror is next, bought for just £30.

Bid me £40 if you will? It's a good example. £40 if you will, please?

£40, please? £40 in. £40 bid then. 5 upstairs.

50 downstairs? £50 here.

Sold in the room then at £50...

What did you pay for it?

50, not bad. That's £20 profit before auction costs.

-Little nibbles.

-I wanted more than 20.

Next, another of Paul's lots

and his last - the slightly ambiguous stand.

I've not seen another one of the like before.

Who's going to go to £30 on it? £30, please?

-£20 if you will?

-There's no way this is making a loss.

£20 in. At £20 only. 5 if you like anywhere else?

-That's not great.

-The hammer's up.

-No way!

-Last chance at £20 only.

Are we all out at £20 only?

Don't worry, Paul. This item maybe flopped, but it's still your day.

I didn't think I'd claw it back so soon, if at all.

-No, of course.

-Let's go and celebrate.

-Let's have a drink.

That is an extremely good idea. Mine's a Scotch.

Thomas started today on top with £383.56,

but after auction costs, he's made a horrific loss of £78.36,

leaving him with £305.20 in the piggy bank.

Paul, on the other hand, was trailing behind with £213.78 after auction costs,

though today, he's made a profit of £42.10,

so with £255.88 to spend, Mr Laidlaw is catching up. Oink!

You're driving. Don't make me feel sick.

Are we off?

Red sky at night, shepherd's delight.

Red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning. Huh!

Our dashing duo are heading east where Tom, also known as Cruise, is flying high.

Ready for take-off. A bit nervous.

Huh!

And Paul has a mountain to climb. Yeugh!

Know what I need? One of those big, long poles. That's what I need. Tightrope.

That's all coming up later, but first it's back on the road with Thomas Plant and Paul Laidlaw.

They both bring a touch of their wisdom to the trip.

I think my modus operandi is to buy tat again!

-And turn it into gold!

-It's clearly working for you!

You've got the Midas touch!

Thomas Plant is an auctioneer and jewel expert, but when it comes to making decisions...

it can take some time.

I need something to come out and grab me. Hmm.

Paul Laidlaw is a serious collector with a passion for militaria, a love for bargains

and a gift for negotiation.

I think my estimate in an auction is £30-£60 on that.

Can we do it? Thank you very much.

From a slow start, he's now on the up with £255.88,

but can he catch his fearsome competitor?

Thomas is still out in front with £305.20,

but needs to keep a keen eye on the rear-view mirror.

Still, keeping our chaps on track is the sporty Alfa Romeo Spider.

-Lovely day, isn't it?

-Laidlaw and Plant in their lovely little Italian hairdryer.

From Skipton, Thomas and Paul are travelling south through the beautiful Yorkshire Dales,

on through Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire before arriving in Pewsey for the final auction.

On this leg, they're leaving Towcester behind and heading for auction in Watlington.

First stop is the beautiful market town of Olney.

Splitting up, Paul heads for Dodo Antiques with proprietor Owen in attendance.

Who knows what gorgeous items will catch Mr Laidlaw's eye?

Do you own this material?

It's a dinner gong.

It's missing a cord, but let's do the business.

Lovely tone. Very oriental.

That's a shell case.

So Paul's found some military gear already.

The markings on this naval shell date it to January, 1898.

This is kept as a souvenir. Doesn't it make a handsome gong? What's it on?

A whopping great big piece of mahogany.

So far as they go, it's a superior example.

It's a pretty unique item and I'm sensing Paul has fallen for its charm.

I can't see a price on it!

We could do that for £45 for you.

-Could you think harder about that?

-I'm thinking pretty hard!

-I think that's not expensive...

-It's not.

-But it's not a bargain.

-So what is a bargain?

-20 quid's a bargain!

-20 quid's scrap!

See if you can find a few things and we'll do a deal.

Why don't we? I like that.

While Paul hunts for potential bargains, Thomas is across the road in Leo's Place.

-And he's feeling the pressure.

-The thing is...I just know what sells,

especially in that jewellery world. All he knows about is military things. More military stuff(!)

Well, Paul's found his feet with military gear. Can manager Di help you back onto yours?

-Is it all right if I just pick out things I'm interested in?

-Not at all, Martin.

-Thomas.

-Thomas!

-LAUGHTER

-Where does Martin come from?

-I don't know!

I've never been called a Martin. Robert I get a lot of because of Robert Plant, but Martin...?

Hmm. I think you might have to enlighten Di on that one.

The singer. Led Zeppelin singer.

-I'll just put them over there.

-Glad you cleared that up, Martin.

Now back to business, Thomas.

See, I am drawn to this.

But this looks like it could have been in there a long time.

I'll put these two to one side. 38 and 9.50.

It's German, 1920s,

1930s. That sort of fashion for that Egyptian-style jewellery. I don't even think it's silver.

This is too rich for me at £38.

-Would you be interested in it?

-Well, I would be, but it's a real low figure.

-Real low figure.

-How low?

-I mean, it's so low, I don't expect people to accept it.

-20?

No, it's too much, I'm afraid.

-How much too much?

-If it was a tenner, I'd have it. And then there's this brooch,

which I'm interested in. I like these because they're smoky quartz.

-Yes.

-Which isn't the greatest stone to walk the Earth, but... I tell you what.

You see, I've got this £20 sitting here. I'd give you that for those two. So that's 15 and that's 5.

Because it's you, Tom,

I'll accept 20.

-Oh, brilliant.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

A great buy for Thomas and time for Paul to show us his mettle.

All, some or none of these could all end up worth buying,

but let's see what we've got. Lovely little pocket notepad.

Nice.

Pocket fruit knife. This is a bit of decadence.

A cocktail swizzle stick. Isn't it so tiresome when one's champagne is a tad too effervescent?

Like those.

He's also found an English silver cigar cutter,

a silver penknife as well as a lorgnette.

I say! Isn't Mrs Smith's behaviour scandalous in the village at the moment?

It's a great collection of silver,

but at £171 it would only leave him with £84.88 to spend.

-How are you getting on, Paul?

-If there's any way you can look at what can be squeezed on all of that.

OK. I'll go and give the dealer a ring, see what I can do.

Be warned, Owen. Our Mr Laidlaw loves a good haggle.

Is that the best?

Thank you. See you later.

She's saying really the best she could do would be 145 on the lot.

-What did we start at? I never even added them up.

-You've got 15% off.

-15?!

-Yeah.

-She's not even trying!

OK, I could throw something else into the deal to try to sweeten it.

-Liking the sound of that.

-Over here.

-This kind of negotiation is right up Paul's street.

We've had this little lot.

Owen has two classic mirrors.

They're priced at £95 and £80.

Reproduction, late-Georgian style. Oval-framed.

Satinwood stringing to the edges. There's nothing the matter with it.

-And the Victorian one is like a tombstone.

-I could do them for a tenner each.

What a bargain! How can you refuse?

My fear at the moment is I'm shooting all my bolts, but I'm still talking to you.

-Where were we with the gong? 40?

-I'll go to 30 on the gong.

Now we're talking about gong, a couple of mirrors and a handful of silver and plate. Add it up

-and give me the last price.

-190.

170.

-You're teetering. You want to do it.

-Go on, then.

-What a result! How do you manage it, Paul?

One shop down and he's bought four lots. The pressure's back on you, Thomas.

But Alan's here to help Thomas find an Albert.

-That's a lovely Albert.

-It's a gorgeous fob as well.

Beautifully enamelled centre.

Named for Queen Victoria's beloved Albert,

this is a decorative chain for a gentleman's waistcoat.

That's rather handsome.

So is that something you're willing to sell to me at a deal?

-I'd always be willing to sell you something.

-Well, I know, but...

-You mean at the right price?

-At a good price.

Would you consider £90 a reasonable price?

Well, that's OK. I had another figure in mind.

A bit less.

But I know I'm being sort of...pushing.

I'll take another five off. 85, which is very reasonable.

You wouldn't go as low as 70?

No.

-You said you'd take a fiver. Would you take a bit more off?

-Not really.

-Go on.

-No.

-No?

-I'll do it for 80, but that's it. All right?

-£80?

-Yeah, that's it.

-Well, I like you. I'm going to say yes.

-OK.

-You've got a deal. Thank you very much.

-It's a very nice thing.

-Good.

-I hope it's not the undoing of me!

Another good, but possibly risky purchase for Thomas.

But on a roll we follow our frontrunner down the road to Woburn

with its hallowed place in the dramatic Thomas Plant story.

This was the venue for my wedding. Woburn Abbey. A few years down the line, here I am back again.

It brings back very happy memories. So what a lucky boy.

Hopefully, your luck will continue as you head to the old town hall and Town Hall Antiques

where owner Alvin is on hand to help.

I wouldn't mind looking in your friend's cabinet.

A Viennese bronze of a swallow.

It's well done. Just tap it with your ring.

Obviously, if it's another metal, it doesn't ring as well as a bronze.

That's got a really nice ring to it. That's got 125 on it.

-I could squeeze to 110.

-Really?

I love that swallow.

She wouldn't come down any more on that if you gave her a call?

I'll take another five, but not a penny less.

105. I think that's quite a good buy.

You're being very mean if you're not happy to pay 105.

-What about 100?

-No. No. Not at all.

-105.

-Hard to argue with that, so Thomas looks to partner the swallow statue with another item

-to get a better deal.

-These are cultured pearls. The bead is implanted inside the oyster.

And you've got this sort of creamy colour to them, but look how they change colour.

Creamy colour against my skin. See?

But put pearls against white and look what happens - they come alive. Isn't that amazing?

Do you think she would do me a deal

-on these two items?

-On that and the swallow?

We've got these at 59. And I've got the swallow at 125.

That's 184.

If I say 150 for the two items.

-Are you sure not 140?

-Definitely not. 150.

-Meet halfway?

-Nope, 150 is the deal.

-Do it for 145.

-No. No, 150.

God, that means I would have spent £250 on my first day.

-Go on, let's do it.

-Well done.

Who'd have thought it? Thomas has bought five lots in the first day.

The competition is heating up, but for now our antique hunters need their beauty sleep.

It's a new day and our chaps are on the road again.

What are you going to buy? You've bought four already.

Yeah, I'm on a roll. I can't help myself.

-You haven't bought one item over three figures yet.

-#

-Not a single item!

-#

So far, Paul's spent £170 on four lots,

leaving £85.88.

Thomas, meanwhile, hit the shopping hard, spending a colossal £250 on five lots.

He has just £55.20 left to spend.

They come alive. Isn't that amazing?

They're leaving Woburn behind and chauffeur Paul drops Thomas off

at the Shuttleworth Airdrome.

-Good luck buying. Spend all your money.

-Yeah. Enjoy!

The Shuttleworth collection is an assortment of working aircraft and automobiles

founded by the young aviator Richard Shuttleworth.

-Showing Thomas around is Tony Podmore.

-Come on in.

I'm fascinated by the collection and how it came to be.

-Obviously, there was a Mr Shuttleworth.

-Richard Shuttleworth was born in 1909.

He had inherited his grandfather's and father's flair for all things mechanical.

Richard Shuttleworth was passionate about cars and became a motor racing driver,

taking part in the first ever British Grand Prix in 1935.

But after a nasty accident his career was cut short.

He decided, though, however, to take an interest in flying

-because he thought it was so much safer!

-This never give up attitude, this never die attitude.

It's terribly British.

And Richard's gung-ho attitude didn't stop there.

When war broke out, he volunteered as a pilot for the Royal Air Force.

It was during, very sadly, a night flying sortie

-at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire that he suffered a fatal crash.

-So he was only 31.

In 1944, Richard's mother set up a trust in his memory

and today the collection houses some of Richard's most prized possessions.

There she is. The world's oldest airworthy aeroplane.

-My!

-A 1909 Bleriot.

-1909.

-Isn't she amazing?

-It IS amazing.

Richard believed that the very best form of preservation was to keep everything in working order.

-Has this ever been up, really?

-Oh, yes.

-Really?

-Absolutely, yes.

-It goes up in the air?

-What we do, in view of the rarity value of it,

it is the only one of its kind in the world,

-we restrict it to what we affectionately call hops.

-OK.

This is where it goes down our runway, the aircraft comes off the ground,

and just hops along.

Wow. It looks like one of those model aero engines I sell at auctions.

-There's no chance it can hop today?

-No, but I'll tell you what we can do. We can fly one for real.

-Not one of these!

-Not a Bleriot. A vintage 1931 De Havilland Tiger Moth.

-Yes!

-Come this way.

While Thomas gets kitted out,

Paul's taking his £88.55 south to Hemel Hempstead.

That looks the part, doesn't it?

Off The Wall - Eccentric European Collectables.

-That's got Laidlaw written all over it. But closed.

-Never one to be defeated, Laidlaw's on the phone.

Why not? In for a penny, give it a try.

Michelle, where are you?

When I need you!

'I can't answer your call right now. If you leave your message...'

As he patiently waits for news, Thomas is ready for action.

# Highway to the danger zone

# Take a ride into the danger zone... #

-That's fabulous. You look great. How do you feel?

-Ready.

Contact.

MUSIC: "The Dam Busters" THEME

Up, up and away! Hold on tight, Biggles!

The De Havilland Tiger Moth is a 1930s biplane designed by Geoffrey De Havilland

and was operated by the RAF as a primary trainer.

The Tiger Moth remained in service with the RAF until 1952.

Thomas, it looks as if you're having a ball.

Oh, that was just awesome.

Absolutely awesome.

Absolutely wonderful. Very honoured and as you can tell by my big smile it's been a wonderful trip up.

Mm, "awesome". While Thomas is on cloud nine, Paul's prayers have been answered.

Shop owner Michelle opened up, but in order to get in he needs to help move stuff out!

This is like I'm in the auction room again!

Michelle has owned the shop for 11 years

and it's bursting at the seams. Good luck, Paul!

This place is like an antiques TARDIS! Have you seen round here?

Look at this.

That... is a Georgian cribbage board.

This is just a score-keeping board. People played crib round this maybe 150 or even 200 years ago.

In a tavern.

Smoking a clay pipe.

I think it's charming. It is...£3.

Now what have you spotted?

It is a Chinese armchair here.

A striking piece of furniture, but I don't know if there is any tremendous age to it.

Never mind the quality, feel the weight!

I'd like it to be 18th or 19th century, brought back in some tea clipper

or in someone's military baggage train. What I don't want

is it to have been brought over 30 years ago in a shipping container with a load of looky-likies.

After his antique assault course, it's time to talk numbers.

I think I paid about £90 for it about 15 years ago.

-Wow. Wow. Ouch.

-How about 50 for the chair and you've got a deal for the chair?

-OK, you might have seen me looking at this wee cribbage board.

-Is it a buy one get one free moment?

-You didn't tell me you could read minds as well!

-I'm psychic.

-I'm sticking my neck out with the chair. That is a gamble. It could work for me.

-Yeah.

You give me the chair for 45, throw that in as a wee freebie, and I'll take a punt at the chair.

OK.

The chair takes up more room in this very overcrowded shop!

-It's empty!

-With his last two lots secured,

our chaps can delay their auction showdown no longer.

Paul began this leg with £255.88

and spent a proud £215 on six auction lots.

The silver collection, the Chinese armchair, the Victorian dressing mirror, Sheraton dressing mirror,

the shell case gong and the freebie cribbage board.

As for Thomas, he took his £305.20 and threw caution to the wind,

spending £250 on five lots.

The bronze swallow figurine,

the pearl necklace, the double Albert watch chain,

the Art Deco brooch and the smoky quartz brooch.

But who has impressed most with their shopping prowess?

I am really nervous because he's bought really well.

And although I've bought well, that silver lot is going to eclipse everything.

As soon as that came out, I went, "Oh!"

I think this is the auction where it turns in my favour again.

Well, maybe. It's been a fabulous jaunt, though,

from delightful Olney via Woburn and Hemel Hempstead

with the auction house in Watlington firmly in their sights.

I feel pretty confident, Paul. You've got some great lots.

Reputedly England's smallest town, nestling in the shadows of the Chiltern Hills,

Watlington offers a traditional market town welcome. Just what our cheeky chaps need on auction day.

Kicking things off today is auctioneer Simon Jones,

but first what does he think of their choices?

There's a good cross-section. The little bronze bird will do well. It's a pretty little thing.

My favourite item will be the chair, simply because you don't see many and it's just a lovely object.

It's the moment of truth. Let the auction begin!

First up, it's Paul's dressing mirror.

40, then, to start me. 40 I'm bid.

42 anywhere? All done, then, at 40?

Excellent start.

But will the dinner gong strike the right note?

£50, £60 for it? £50?

50 I'm bid. 55 before I go to the phone? Coming to you at 55.

55 I'm bid. 60 anywhere? At 55, then... 60. 65?

65. 70? 70 I'm bid. 75?

Come to daddy.

75. 80? 80 I'm bid. 85?

-At £80 in the room...

-£80!

All done at 80? 619.

Well done.

Read it and weep, Plant.

Well done, Paul. Off to a flying start and it can only get better as your next lot was a freebie.

Lot 110.

The little cribbage board. Sweet little chap, this.

What can you say for that? £40, £50?

-That would do.

-20 to start me. 15 to go.

-Nobody want a cribbage board? 10? 10 I'm bid.

-Dirt cheap!

-£10, then.

-I'd give you more.

At £10. All done at 10.

-Oh, well, it was a tenner.

-It cost you nothing, so it's £10.

Three lots down and Paul's hot on your heels, Thomas.

-Let's hope your figurine pays off.

-50 I'm bid. 55 anywhere?

At £50. 55? Yes, 55.

60. 65? At £60, then. Right at the back of the room.

Somebody got a bargain there. You were unlucky there.

-Somebody got a bargain.

-Oh, dear. It was always risky. Now for Paul's second mirror.

128 is the Sheraton string inlaid dressing mirror.

£40, £50 for this?

30, then, to start me. 20 for the dressing mirror?

The little Sheraton one.

£20 I'm bid. At 20. All done at 20.

-Thank you, auctioneer.

-£10 profit.

Back to Thomas for his pearls.

Fingers crossed.

£40, £50 for it? 30 to start me?

The necklace.

Don't tell me pearls are out of fashion. £20 I'm bid. 22?

At £20. All done at 20.

-Ouch.

-Oh, go on! Give him a hug!

-A hug?

-No.

-You want a hug?

-No.

-Later.

No hugs later.

Surely his silver double Albert chain and fob will get him back?

40, then, to start me. 40 I'm bid. 42. 44? At £42 seated.

44 anywhere? At £42. All done at 42.

667.

-Do you want me to start bidding on your stuff? I've got money to burn.

-Yes.

Keep positive, Thomas. Things can only get better.

350 is an enamel 1930s Egyptian brooch.

20, then, to start me? £20 I'm bid. 22 anywhere?

22. 24. 26. 28.

30. 32. 34.

36. 38. 40. 42?

At £40. All done at 40?

-126.

-Sweet.

That's more like it! Now Thomas' last stand.

The double smoky quartz brooch.

£30 for it?

25 I'm bid. 28?

£25, then, for the smoky quartz. £25. All done at 25.

-With Alan.

-Fair enough.

The brooches were your saving grace. Now for Paul's collection of silver.

I'm nervous about this. Here it comes.

£100 to start me. £100 I'm bid.

110 anywhere? 110. 120.

-130. 140. 150? 140, then.

-Oh, dear.

-Standing at the back of the room at 140. 150 anywhere?

-That's cheap for a lot of stuff.

-664.

-It's Paul's last stab at a big profit.

-A Chinese chair.

£100 I'm bid. 110?

At £100. Are you all happy? At the maiden bid of £100, all done.

-627.

-Can you lend me some money?

Can you lend me some money?

In spectacular fashion, Mr Laidlaw wins the day.

Thomas started this leg in the lead with £305.20,

but after commission he's made a hideous loss of £96.66,

giving him a meagre £208.54 to carry forward.

Paul, meanwhile, started this leg with £255.88.

He made a fabulous profit of £104.80,

so with a whopping £360.68 in the kitty, he's firmly in the lead.

-What a rollercoaster!

-Tell me!

I feel like I've been on the helter skelter, you know.

It's going to make for an interesting shop in the last leg.

All to play for for me. I'm going for it.

We've heard that before! Next time, it's the grand finale.

-Thomas is playing catch up.

-My shop closes in three quarters of an hour.

Time is against me. I've got the devil chasing me on my back.

And has Mr Laidlaw met his match?

-Make it £28 and I will buy it.

-I can't!

-Oh!

You're good.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd