Episode 8 Antiques Road Trip

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

and one big challenge.

Because I'm here to declare war.

Why?

Who can make the most money buying and selling antiques

as they scour the UK?

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!

So, will they race off with a huge profit, or come to a grinding halt?

Oooh.

This is the Antiques Road Trip.

# Yeah! #

It's the last leg for our competitive experts,

Paul and Thomas, but they're putting a brave face on it.

The sun is out to say hello!

Laidlaw feels better already.

Thomas Plant.

He's a valuer, he's an auctioneer, and he's an eternal ditherer.

I'm just thinking in my head.

But he certainly has his own peculiar charm.

Let's hope there's lots of beautiful antiques, like our beautiful reception.

Oh, Lord! Here's Paul Laidlaw.

He's an auctioneer, he's a tactician,

and he's all business, by any means necessary.

Hand over your money, sir.

It's been a roller coaster of emotion on their road trip so far,

and our savvy Scot had a wobbly start.

-Oh!

-Paul!

But he's played a clever game, and is now racing out in front,

with a very healthy £360.68.

Read it and weep, Plant!

Thomas, bless him, started very well indeed.

I just feel, oh!

But sadly, he's been on a downward spiral,

leaving him chasing his tail with £208.54.

Can you lend me some money?

That's a meagre £8.54 profit since he started this trip.

It's the final furlong,

as our boys cruise in their suave Alfa Romeo Spider.

Thomas has lost plenty of money, but he's not losing his head.

Oh, yes.

Just his hat.

Oh, my hat's gone!

This road trip has taken our experts from Skipton,

through the glorious English countryside

to their final destination in Pewsey, Wiltshire.

On today's last leg, Thomas and Paul leave Watlington,

and head for auction in Pewsey.

First stop is the village of Tetsworth.

And could this be the beginning of a beautiful friendship?

Anyway, I've been here before.

Oh, my word, right.

So, I've got a bit of a head start, because I know all about this place.

Yeah, but do you know anything about antiques?

Well, from recent experience, the answer is no!

The Swan is a classy establishment, with many a price tag

to cause our boys consternation, especially poor Thomas.

Hi.

Hello, good morning.

Morning.

Luckily, lovely Philippa's on hand to help, to give them,

well, kind words, at least.

Chinese armorial-style bowl.

Hmmm, not at 140, no.

Come on, Thomas.

Money isn't everything. Unless you're buying antiques.

I think I would have more of a gamble at the beginning

of this exercise than I will be today.

Oh, come on, Paul. Live a little. Go all in.

Wait round the corner and then attack him.

Rob him of all his money.

It's worth a try, Thomas, but mind you don't take someone's eye out.

I adore vintage spectacles.

It's partly the former science student in me

that is drawn to them as instruments.

You know, this is technology, optics,

and partly, aren't they so evocative of a time?

Could you see Dr Johnson wearing such spectacles?

But, price tag, £15.

I think that's a no-brainer.

Paul, if it's a no-brainer, maybe you've found your level.

They're really rather sweet, but are you losing your focus?

I'm dying to try these on, but with my melon-sized head,

that's not advisable.

Pretty, original case.

Consider them sold.

-Yep.

-Easy as that.

-Yeah, lovely.

-Thank you very much.

Well done, Paul. Though you sort of forgot to haggle.

But at least you've not left empty-handed.

Ah, Laidlaw.

Thomas Plant, you come lightly laden, there.

No investments made.

But I'm on a mission.

Well, I know you are.

-I think vamoose.

-Vamoose, definitely.

Well, at least someone is grabbing their last trip by the horns.

So, let's get this antiques rodeo back on the road-eo.

Thomas and Paul leave Tetsworth in the dust and push on,

40 miles west, to the market town of Lechlade.

And hot-to-trot Laidlaw is straight into his next shop. Smokin'!

-Hello, there.

-Come in.

-Hi, I'm Paul.

-Hello, Paul. I'm Mandy.

Paul's exploring Jubilee Hall Antiques,

and seems to be in a serious buying mood today.

Pleasing little early 19th-century pocket snuffbox, there.

Lacquered papier mache.

Fishing with nets hanging out to dry. £35 ticket price.

I think that's a lovely little object for that.

Could you see for me what the bottom line could be on that?

Well, you seem like a nice young man.

Nicer than some, so how about £30?

I'd like to pay £20 for that, is what I'd like to pay.

I can't, sorry. I went straight in at my bottom line for 30.

I could have gone higher and negotiated down.

Indeed, indeed, indeed. Squeeze some more out of that. £25.

29. Another pound, just to be friendly.

Make it £28, and I will buy it.

I can't.

Wow, Mandy is really standing her ground,

but surely Paul can squeeze just a little more?

Ah! You're good!

Make it £28.

-I can't.

-29's a rubbish number.

Seriously, I can't.

You know I'm going to buy it. I'm not going to be silly.

-Thank you for squeezing as hard as you could.

-Thank you.

Well done for standing strong, Mandy.

This man is on a mission today,

and heading straight to the Lechlade Antiques Centre to make his mark.

What's this, then? Asking for £38.

So, what is it? Victorian. I mean, high Victorian, OTT.

We've got this cast, gilt-metal brass claw

holding this agate egg.

It's essentially a pipe,

but a cigarette would be held in the bowl, rather than tobacco.

You could see Alistair Crowley with that, couldn't you?

You certainly could.

I'll tell you what I want to pay for that.

I'll take a punt at 15,

and I'm pretty damn sure I can look you in the eye,

I'll get £20 or £30 for it.

15 quid. We'll let it go for 15 quid. We'll give it a punt.

Been a pleasure.

-Just for a laugh.

-Yeah, absolutely.

Another fantastic result, Paul. You're on fire today.

Unfortunately, the same can't be said

for your somewhat dithering competitor,

who's bought sweet nothing so far.

Let's hope Thomas pulls his finger out.

Night, night!

It's a new day, it's a new dawn,

and at least one of our chaps is feeling good.

So far, Paul's spent £59 on three lots.

He's still got a huge £301.68 to burn.

Thomas, meanwhile, hasn't spent a penny.

He's still got his full £208.54 to burn.

The boys are going their separate ways.

Thomas is stopping off in Hungerford,

while Paul is trying his luck 30 miles away in Basingstoke.

Still on a roll,

Paul's seeking good prospects for his auction grand finale.

Hopefully, owner Alan can help.

This is mid-19th century.

Long case clock.

You picture a grandfather clock, and you picture an upright face

and a long, slender trunk and plinth base, typically,

but this one here with this drum head, and then this tapering trunk,

it's not unique to Scotland, but it's particularly common.

A very fine, handsome piece, Paul.

But at £550, are you admiring it or, you know, just considering it?

The clock, it's got to be 250 quid's the best you're going

to get that out of me.

200 squids.

Mmm!

I know it's lean.

Huh, £200? You've got to admire his nerve.

Tell you what. You buy me a cup of coffee, and you can have a deal.

That's one down. Cheers, my man.

Hats off. A handsome item with a healthy discount.

There's no stopping Paul Laidlaw today.

Little surprise, this. Magic lantern.

For those that don't know, it's a big slide projector.

It's a Victorian specimen.

We should have, but it's lacking, a burner in here,

a naked flame burner,

and we projected onto the wall and in the Victorian era,

when we can't pop down the cinema because the Lumiere brothers

haven't gone there yet,

this is cracking home entertainment, isn't it?

Now, I have got the box and some slides for you.

Oh, excellent!

They're up here.

There's the original box.

Might change everything. Yeah, OK.

It's a bit tatty,

which is why I didn't display it with it. But there we are.

A wee handful of...

Some original Victorian slides.

Oh, fair enough.

Oh.

No slight...?

£50, £50. That's a good price.

I'm against the clock.

Can we make it 40, shake, I give you some money and I run?

Proper money?

Proper money. Alan, a pleasure.

So, Paul's now filled his swag bag with four items.

Thomas, however, has still not parted with any cash.

Shocking, isn't it?

At least it's stopped raining.

And there's enough blue sky to mend a man's shirt,

so maybe my luck is turning.

I really hope so, Thomas. I really, really do.

Bags of money to spend.

Bags of money.

Actually, you've still got the same £208.54

you had first thing yesterday morning!

-There we go.

-Oh, well done.

Actually, before we start, I saw this.

You like your glass, don't you?

I love my glass.

Look at that trumpet vase.

It's Bohemian glass from the Art Nouveau period

in the late 19th century, early 1900s.

OK.

I like the sound of this.

Thomas Plant could, quite possibly, soon be back in business.

So, what I found here is a pair of silver-plated posy vases.

Mm-hmm.

They're £16.

One's got a chip to the glass which is quite severe.

Yeah.

Right, I'm going to carry on in here, if that's all right.

I think I can hear the cogs turning in Thomas's mind.

Could we be looking at a potential bulk buy

for a bumper auction lot here?

So, I've just been in the cabinet, and pulled out a load of stuff.

That's the way we do it.

Corkscrew, propelling pencil, and a knackered pair of tongs.

Interesting. Now, what's that you've found?

This is David Anderson. David Anderson is a silversmith.

It is a brooch and pendant, which is quite nice.

1970s, just a very lovely thing, and very fashionable right now.

OK, so all these items now add up to £239.

Luckily, Elizabeth has worked her magic

and the dealer has come down to 176, so...

Do you think 150 would be too cheeky?

Quite possibly.

176.

Well, she's given you...

I know, I know, but I can only ask.

Well, you can ask.

You're not entirely surprised to hear from me again, are you?

No, no. The whole lot adds up to 176. Can we do it for 150?

-She's putting her glasses on, that's a good sign.

-Oh, good!

No, she says it's not good.

Oh, no, no!

She'll do it for 160.

How about I meet her halfway? 155.

No, can't be 155. It's got to be 160.

Because she doesn't think she's making any profit on it now.

-Deal. Deal.

-Lovely, thank you.

Well done, Thomas. You're finally back in the game.

I was worried about you for a while there.

Less of concern is the now well-stocked Paul Laidlaw.

Content with his purchases,

he's allowed himself a little romantic assignment. Oo-aah!

In Chawton lies the former home of one of England's foremost

ladies of letters.

Louise is here to show Paul around

the wonderful Jane Austen House Museum.

Set amongst the landed gentry,

Jane Austen's many finely crafted novels made her

one of the widest-read English writers in the world, her work still loved today.

A place of pilgrimage, I've no doubt.

Yeah, definitely.

Jane moved to Chawton at the age of 33, finding both her new home

and her creative Eden, but not necessarily finding happiness.

This is the table at which Jane sat and revised her earlier novels,

including Sense And Sensibility and wrote entirely three others,

Emma, Mansfield Park, and Persuasion,

and she sat here because she could hide herself away, in a way.

She was a very private person,

and she didn't want, like a lot of creative people,

they don't want other people giving them ideas and suggestions.

Why did she not marry? Do we know?

Well, money has a lot to do with it,

and that is reflected very much in her writing.

There's an awful lot of preoccupation with money,

but I think had the right man presented himself,

had Mr Darcy walked through the door, or better yet, I don't know,

Captain Wentworth - I'm going to get carried away, now - I think

she would have been persuaded to marry, but, you know,

it didn't happen, and for us, I think we have to be grateful,

because had she married, I'm sure we wouldn't have these books now.

Indeed.

Amazingly, Jane Austen was able to write not just beautifully,

but continuously.

It's just extraordinary,

the literary output in such a short time.

I mean, it's almost unprecedented, really,

and so we do feel we are one of the most important

and significant literary shrines in the world, actually,

that so much work was done here in such a short space of time.

A novel a year, really, which is staggering.

My word.

You have to wonder if she actually left the chair.

Jane's first novel was published in 1811, under the pseudonym A Lady.

This was a convention at the time,

and allowed Jane to preserve her anonymity.

Ah, well, no prizes for guessing. A first edition in publisher's boards.

First edition of her first published novel, Sense And Sensibility.

How was it received?

Don't forget that the reading public are pretty small,

so you're talking about hundreds of copies, not thousands,

you know, but it was well received.

The best received,

I think I would probably say was Pride And Prejudice.

People really liked it straight away, which was great.

Despite being a lady of the time, Jane Austen's novels became

hugely popular, and are still loved throughout the world.

Today, I think she may just have gained a new admirer.

From Hungerford, Thomas is driving 35 miles south to Winchester,

and as the final auction draws ever closer, the pressure is definitely building.

My shop closes in three quarters of an hour,

and I'm racing to get to Winchester.

Time is against me. I feel I have the devil chasing me on my back.

I don't mean to scare you, Thomas,

but with only £48.54 in your pocket,

and a difference of over £150 to make up,

this is the last chance saloon.

Now, get in that shop, quick smart!

Can I have a look at the long horn spoon, please?

You can see on the ticket...

It's a love spoon, it's got a little heart on it.

It's very sweet. What's the very, very best on the spoon?

(25.

(Would you do 20?

(Why are we whispering?

(Oh, you are a cheeky chap.)

Well, I'm only asking.

How about splitting in the middle and meeting you halfway?

22?

Yeah, OK.

£22.

Now, what's next?

Oh, a pretty cameo brooch. How very you, Thomas!

I had 45 on it.

It's quite pretty. It's a lovely cameo.

I've got to take 30. I'm sorry, but that's the best I can go.

No, that's fine.

That's the best I can do.

I'm not disappointed that you've got to stick at 30. That's fine.

Not much. Come on, Thomas. We're fast approaching closing time.

-If you're really kind.

-Yes?

Go on, then.

Really nice to me.

Yes?

Would you do that at £26?

Yes.

-Would you?

-I will.

At long last, Thomas finishes his shopping

with just 54p left in his pocket.

Now it's time, gentlemen, please. Time to get along to the auction.

Paul began his last trip with £360.68,

and spent an impressive £299 on five auction lots.

The Victorian spectacles.

The Georgian snuffbox.

The Victorian cigarette pipe.

There may be a theme here.

The Victorian magic lantern box.

And the big, risky Glasgow clock.

As for Thomas, he started with just £208.54,

and eventually spent £208,

leaving just 54 pence in his pocket, and got six lots.

The shell cameo brooch.

The David Anderson pendant, the George V love spoon,

the Bohemian glass vase, the bundle of small,

white metal items too numerous to mention, and the German posy vases.

Gosh.

And did either chap impress their long-suffering road trip companion?

My least favourite item is the magic lantern slides.

They're so difficult to sell.

The mixed lot, frankly, is a load of rubbish.

My biggest fear is coming out with less money than I started with.

Now, if that happens, I'm just going to be gutted.

So, it's tissues at the ready, as we hit the road one last time.

It's been an eventful final leg from Tetsworth

via Lechlade, Hungerford, Basingstoke, Chawton and Winchester,

with the grand finale in Pewsey firmly in sight.

The Jubilee Auction Rooms are the last port of call for

our nervous pair, and auctioneer David Harrison

has a few wise words to say about our experts' choices.

I think there's an interesting, varied selection.

I think the clock is going to be the interesting one,

and I do honestly think that the brooch should sell well.

I think, out of the two of them,

I think Thomas stands the better chance.

It's been a week of surprising auctions,

with a rum mix of catastrophe and triumph.

Hopefully our boys can finish with a flourish,

but frankly, Thomas needs a miracle.

And his cameo brooch is first up.

Straight in, £30 here.

20.

Ten.

Anyone like it?

No.

Obviously not. Right, we'll pass that by.

No-one wants to bid.

We will pass that by.

I don't know what happened there. Nobody wanted it.

Oh, dear, Thomas. You'll just have to take it home.

Fingers crossed for your next brooch.

David Anderson, little sweet little thing. Straight in, £40 for this.

20, I've got, £20.

22, thank you.

24. 26.

28. And 30. 32.

This is doing better.

35. 35. At £35, then.

Go on.

38 outside, now.

40, sir, 40. 42.

45. 48. 50.

And five, ma'am?

Down here at 50.

-£50.

-Oh, profit.

That's more like it, Thomas. Fingers crossed for a fightback.

Now, first on the nose for Paul

are the Victorian spectacles.

Ten, then.

Ten, thank you, sir.

12. 14.

There we are. 16, 18.

20. And two, 22.

-That's what we said they'd make.

-Good guesstimate, isn't it?

22. Bid's in the doorway.

BANGS GAVEL That's what I said. Well done.

A reasonable profit there, and nothing to be sniffed at.

Unlike Paul's Georgian snuffbox. He haggled hard.

Let's hope it was worth the effort.

I've got interest. £20 I am bid.

£20. 22. 25.

28, and 30.

32, sir?

32. 35.

-That's exactly what they said.

-Have you done bids on my stuff?

-Yeah.

-Oh, cheers, mate(!)

Fine. 38, 40. Carrying on.

45. 48.

-Good result.

-This is going to make my estimate of 55.

At £55, then. I'm selling at 55. Commission bid.

BANGS GAVEL

£55. Well done you.

That's more like it. Well done, Paul.

Now, will Thomas's love spoon send him head over heels?

Here we are. 30.

20, I've got against you all at £20.

Go on.

24. 26. 28.

28.

Against you all, then, I'm going to sell at £28.

Any advance? Go on.

BANGS GAVEL

-28.

-Tiny bit of a sweat on, there, when it started to happen?

Yeah, I got a bit of a sweat on.

Oh, dear. After commission, that £6 ain't going far.

Next up is Paul's novelty pipe, but will it blow the bidders away?

What's that worth, chaps? £100 for it.

No? 50.

30. There you are.

Bid, then, at £30. 30, 32 commission.

35. 38.

40. 42.

45. 48.

Well done, Laidlaw.

Many thanks.

50. Five. 60. At 60.

Well done.

At £60, then, nice thing. All done at 60.

-BANGS GAVEL

-Get in!

Fantastic result, Paul.

Next up is Thomas's mixed lot of white metal items.

That's not silver to you and me.

£100.

50 to start. Thank you very much indeed. 50 bid.

-Go on.

-60. Five. 70.

At 70. Here to be sold at 70.

Thank you, sir.

Is it enough?

All right!

Oh dear, Thomas. Oh dear, oh dear.

Feel free to bid anytime.

Now, can Paul conjure up a profit on the magic lantern?

At £20, I am bid.

That's ridiculous.

25. 28.

And 30. 32.

And five.

And eight. At 38.

That's dirt cheap. Dirt cheap.

At £38.

Oh, dear. The bidders liked that one, Paul, but not a lot.

OK, fair enough.

Cheer up, Paul. At least it sold.

Thomas, it's time for your Art Nouveau vase.

Bohemian iridescent green glass vase.

There's a really nice vase, there.

Tell a lie.

£50 away. 30, then.

Go on.

30 I've got, thank you.

£30 bid. At 30.

32, sir. 32.

35. And eight.

Go on, a bit more. Bit more.

£38. At £38. Doesn't seem expensive.

Oh, one more. Go on. Go on.

1228.

-29.

-Fair enough. That's all right.

At least it's a profit,

and surely your twin-handled vases will help you end on a high.

Who likes them?

Ten, there's a voice outside. £10.

That's 12, thank you. 12.

14, now, here. 16 outside.

18, now.

New place, yes.

Lady's bid. 24, sir. 24.

And six, ma'am?

26. 28.

30. 32, sir, 32. No more.

35. 35. In the doorway, now.

£35. Go on!

That was hard work.

Yes!

There you go. What did I tell you?

Now for Paul's final lot of the week, and his biggest gamble so far.

The hour of reckoning is upon us. Tick-tock!

£100 I am bid. 100 I've got.

And ten, sir. 120.

130. 140 commission.

150, 160.

170, 180.

190.

I am out. Bid's in the doorway at £190.

200. And ten.

220, 230.

240, 250.

260, 270.

280, 290.

300. 20, sir? 320.

340. 360. 380.

And he's gone. At 380.

Bid's on the telephone.

At £380, then, I'm selling it at 380 on the telephone.

-Well done.

-Thanks, my man.

You've beaten me hands down.

With a profit of 180, I think you've just hit the bull's-eye.

You and I desperately deserve a pint and a hug.

Oh, dear, no, please, no hugging.

The pint I'll take!

A very wise choice indeed.

Thomas started the show with just £208.54,

and went on to lose even more.

After paying auction costs, he ends his road trip with just £181.76.

No pocket money for you, Thomas.

Paul, meanwhile, started this leg with a comfortable lead at £360.68.

He made some clever purchases and some very healthy profits,

ending the week triumphant on £516.78.

Gold star for you, Paul.

That's it. I feel thrashed.

You've utterly annihilated me.

A pleasure. You're not getting away without a hug!

Oh, I love a happy ending!

It's been an emotional trip for both our fellows,

and there's been fighting talk from the start.

Are you feeling lucky, punk?

They both wanted victory at any cost.

Rob him of his money.

"Hand over your money, sir."

But, what started with war...

I'll always have a hug for you.

..ended with a whole lorra love!

Honey, I'm home!

You've got to feel for me.

Because I love you!

# And it's all I can do

# I wish my days... #

Now that's enough of that.

Let's not forget the little Italian masterpiece here, eh?

She's been beautiful, hasn't she?

You could now afford to buy this, with all your profits.

We leave the windy roads of Wiltshire,

and head up country to Yorkshire, and meet a brand-new set of experts.

Charles Ross and Charles Hanson are two Charlies.

# Large amounts don't grow on trees.

# You've got to pick A pocket or two. #

If I'm being the Artful Dodger, you can be Fagin, OK?

Seasoned Charlie Ross is an auctioneer

of great experience and stature.

Oh, I like those.

And despite his advancing years, he's still got it.

35.

Do you have it in your power, madam, to reduce the price for an old man?

Hot on Charlie's heels is a greener, sprightly auctioneer,

the young pretender, Charles Hanson.

The Young Pretender.

That's what I'm called by Mr Wonnacott, you see.

Amongst other things!

Our chaps begin their adventure with £200 each,

the open road in front of them,

and a classic 1960's Ford Corsair as this week's chariot.

Could you stick to the middle of the lane, rather than trying to kill me?

I'm testing out the actual wheel.

Our two Charlies will travel over 300 miles in England, south,

all the way to Rye in East Sussex.

La destination du jour is Doncaster,

but we get off to a flying start at the seaside.

Bridlington, Yorkshire is the first pin in our map.

It's amazing.

There must be six antique shops within 200 metres, there.

We could be here all day.

Bridlington is crammed with arts and antiques,

so let's not waste time getting our bearings.

You know, I get the impression you haven't got a clue where we are.

Erm, Lincolnshire?

We're in Yorkshire.

But Yorkshire is down the middle of the country, isn't it?

Look, I'm going to go and buy some antiques,

and I'm going to thrash you.

-I'm just going to leave you.

-Any shops, yet? Antique shops?

Feel a bit lost.

Fortunately, Bridlington's many antique shops

are fairly easy to find.

-Good morning.

-Hello.

-Is this your shop?

-It is.

-May I look in?

-Yes, come in.

Thank you very much indeed.

What's this one here?

Victory. Oh, these are great!

Are they complete, do you know?

I think it's an actual game.

Oh, I see, and it's got instructions?

Ribbentrop's 15 points!

-Goebbels ten points.

-Goebbels ten points!

If you kill them, you get points.

Chamberlain, Neville Chamberlain!

Mr Ross has found Victory already, but it's a vintage card game

based on World War II, with all the well-known characters.

-How much are those?

-Only six pounds.

Oh no, no, that's the label price, come on!

Did you say four?

I said five.

-Did you?

-Yes.

You've got a deal. Good man.

That's fab. Thank you very much indeed.

An excellent start.

Charlie has found his first purchase,

and amazingly, Charles has now found his first shop.

-Hello, madam.

-Hello.

Nice to see you. What a fine shop you've got.

Oh, thank you very much.

A great mix and match. It's quite eccentric.

What I'm looking for are things which really are quirky, a bit different.

Have you ever seen one of these before?

Let's have a look at that.

Watch it, very heavy.

-It's a gnome, isn't it?

-Very heavy.

Gosh, it is heavy, isn't it? Isn't it heavy?

Very.

But, in fact, it's got some age to it, as well.

I would have thought, probably, around 1900.

How much is he?

The little gnome.

He's £50.

Yeah.

If he was £10, I would jump at the chance, and if you said,

"Go on, Charles, take the gnome away for £10,"

I'll say, "Thank you, he'll make a profit."

Food for thought. Here you go.

Thanks for the memories.

Whilst Charles considers a mythical gnome of his own,

he continues his serious search for...

Oh, cup of tea.

The antiques upstairs, are they?

-They are, yes.

-Fine.

It's quite nice having a tea room downstairs, antiques upstairs.

Wow.

What we've got here are a very nice pair of Edwardian silver oval salts,

pierced, and, in fact, they are in the neoclassical style, aren't they?

They are.

It's so evocative of the 1780s,

when we were discovering Pompeii, Herculaneum.

Made in 1908, these salt cellars hark back to

that great age of discovery.

I could go to 27.

If I said 26, and then I said 25, would you go 25?

Go one, then. 25.

-If I said 24.

-No.

Andy, you're a great sport.

And you can always keep them yourself and enjoy them.

Well, I can't do that, Andy, because I've got to beat the old bean.

Old bean? What a terrible disrespect for your elders, Mr Hanson.

Now, what is the old eagle up to?

More shopping.

Hello? Hiya, how are you?

Fine, thank you. And you?

Good. Very well indeed. I'm Charlie.

Hello, Charlie. I'm Andrew.

Come to spend some money which you, Andrew. Well, I hope.

I would imagine, and I'm not being rude here, that is probably

as unsalable a thing as you've got in the shop.

Absolutely. We've had it a long time, now.

It's so beautiful, in perfect nick.

Fabulously made.

For 30 quid, it's an absolute bargain.

Wouldn't be bad for a tenner.

Would it?

It's a lovely art deco piece,

but Charlie's strangely drawn to his first love - furniture.

It's only 30 quid.

Oh, you old tempter.

Presumably this comes out,

because the hinges look as if they're missing.

Marvellous. You get everything in this shop.

You don't even get the hinges.

Nor, may I say,

do you get a back to it!

Is there anything obvious corner cupboard?

Now, let's offer up the door the right way round.

And ipso facto,

we have the Georgian corner cupboard.

And now it's 40 quid.

I thought you'd say, "Now it's a tenner,

because I've noticed the back's missing!"

I mean, I love furniture.

I'd give you a tenner for it and take it away for fun, but I think...

Yeah. You can have that for a tenner.

Bother!

And whilst Charlie gets hot and bothered, Charles is seeing red,

with a pair of bohemian lustres and a ticket price of £70.

What we have here are a pair of flashed red or ruby-tinted lustres,

which would be sat on a dining table or a sideboard.

Would date to around 1890.

I like them, and the possibility that they could be 1930s.

Would you accept 20?

I give you a really good chance of saying, "Come on!"

How about 25?

I think, Andy, at £25...

And I'll throw the shirt in as well.

Careful what you offer!

Charles Hanson will definitely take the biscuit.

Charlie Ross, meanwhile, will take the teapot.

In fact, he's got a couple of items in mind.

You know how you said I could have that for a tenner?

Can I have those two for 20?

Definitely.

Definitely!

You're very difficult to read, you are!

20 quid. I'll have those two.

There we go, sir. There's that.

Thank you very much indeed, andt his rather splendid oak...

Well, I'd like to call it a salad bowl.

I shall sell the two items together,

and hopefully make a thumping profit.

There's optimism for you,

and now, Andy's got something to sweeten the deal.

What have you got for me there?

Two beautiful hinges. £10, please.

Oh, don't charge me for them! That's horrible!

Oh!

I don't know what to do, now. Do they actually..?

To you, five quid.

Well, I suppose it would be extremely rude if I didn't say yes.

How much is your gnome, by the way?

Gnome?

-Yeah.

-40.

-Seriously.

-To you, £30.

Ah, it's that little fellow again.

Could Ross succeed where Hanson failed?

T'other fella offered me £20. I said no.

Frankly, if Hanson offers you 20 quid,

it's probably only worth a tenner.

30 quid, 1920s, cast-iron, doorstop.

It's good fun. Give you 20 quid for it.

30.

No. Look, I will make a final offer of 25 quid.

Here we go again. Thank you very much, sir!

You have just witnessed why Ross is so hopeless at dealing.

He really gets to like someone, gets on a roll,

and carries on buying and buying and buying and buying,

and then gets outside the shop and thinks, "Why? Why? Why?"

Why?

Well, I don't know if you don't know, Charlie.

But now the shops are shutting,

and lovely Bridlington must provide shelter for our weary experts.

Nighty-night.

It's a brand-new day in Bridlington, and Charlie Ross wants to sample

just one more shop before the unstoppable road trip moves us on.

Could Mr Ross be smelling victory today?

A twinkling collection of scent bottles has caught his eye.

I just saw these little jars here.

Yes.

That little one there, that's rather sweet, isn't it?

Yeah. That looks more like perfume.

I think that's perfume, without a doubt.

That little one there. Hobnailed cut.

Another screwtop.

A little bit bashed, but when I'm that old,

I'll be a bit bashed, I expect.

What about a price for the lot?

I'd be looking for £25.

-£25 the lot?

-Yes.

Do you know, I think that is the best deal I've had in my life.

I think that's sensational. Are you really happy with that?

Yes, I am, yes.

Put it there, Andy.

Here it comes. Oh, dear. Have you got change?

There we go.

Oh, real coins. Thank you very much. That's really kind. Thank you.

Blimey. Do you know, I even missed some more, didn't I?

-Could I have the other two for a fiver?

-Yes.

When I tell Hanson I bought ten things for 30 quid,

he'll call me a rogue.

Amongst other things, no doubt.

But finally, the road trip can get going, as our chaps hit the highway.

There's no stopping them now.

Yeah!

Wheelspin!

What were you driving in the '50s?

In the '50s, I was not old enough to drive.

You were.

I don't know how many times I have to tell you.

I was not old enough to drive. I was born...

Well, I'm not going to tell you when I was born. You can guess.

ENGINE FAILS

Oh, dear. Perhaps this fragile classic needs more careful handling.

I mean the car, not Charlie.

There's not a dicky.

It's not going to go. I'll give you a push.

No, leave it. When I get up to a certain speed, I'll say "Now".

Take your jacket off first, or not?

No, no, I'm quite happy. I'm English.

OK, well, just watch yourself. Bean, be careful!

I'm all right!

Watch yourself, Bean! Come on!

I'm not even moving!

I can't!

IGNITION

Ah, yes!

Push!

Don't use the battery! Take your foot off the clutch!

Oh, nearly.

-I'm absolutely knackered.

-Shall I have a go?

So Charlie's now leading from the front,

and Charles is bringing up the rear.

Push!

Bean, just be careful.

Push!

Push! That's good! I like it!

I love it.

-Bean!

-I'm not hanging around.

Hold on.

Bean, let me give them a call now. Hold on. He's not happy.

If Bean goes, I'm on my own, lost in Lincolnshire.

In fact, we're in Yorkshire.

-Bean!

-What?

I'm going to get Bean.

Don't worry!

It's our first time together!

Fortunately, the local mechanics managed to find

our blighted experts, so they can finally get going.

BOTH: Cheers! Thank you!

Further down the road,

a full 20 miles south from Bridlington to Skirlaugh,

the very lucky Charles Hanson has a date with the Constable family.

# Charlie Hanson

# Charlie Hanson

# Charlie Hanson, Charlie Hanson

# Oh, Charlie Hanson. #

Burton Constable Hall has existed here for over 500 years,

and is the ancestral home of the Constable family,

descended from Norman knights,

but no relation to Constable the painter, sadly.

Although Catholics themselves, the Constable family bought

cheap church land made available by Henry VIII's

dissolution of the monasteries in the 1530s,

and displaced an entire village of locals

to make room for these lovely, finely-trimmed gardens.

The trouble with you aristocracy is you just don't know when to stop.

Charlie, when you've got it, you got to flaunt it, Charlie.

I know, I know. I just wish I had it. I've never had it.

In the 1560s, Sir John Constable tore down most of the original

manor house to create this Elizabethan mansion,

very much in the style of Big 'Enery's beloved Hampton Court.

Wow!

It's almost like a Hampton Court of the north.

It's so spectacular,

and before me there are no signs of modern homes, nothing at all.

We are caught back in the 1550s. It's absolutely momentous.

Ah, good morning, sir.

-Hello. David Connell.

-Charles Hanson.

David Connell is the director here,

and welcomes Charles into a world of opulence.

Wow.

It was a parlour in the Elizabethan house, converted to a dining room

in the 18th century, when this new interior was put in.

I think it tells you everything

when the theme of the plasterwork is Bacchus.

Revelry, wine.

Absolutely.

Over the top. It's ostentatious.

It wasn't just the interior design that went over the top.

Some fairly strange ideas bounced around these walls

in the 18th century.

William Constable fancied himself a worldly man of the Enlightenment,

with a keen interest in the emerging vogue of scientific discovery.

The squeamish might wish to avert their eyes now.

We now go into the cabinet of curiosities of William Constable.

It's an 18th-century gentleman's museum.

Anyone who was anyone in 16th century Europe had themselves

a Wunderkammer, or cabinet of curiosities,

and by the 18th century,

many landowning families had managed to create a room in their house

with a small collection of the weird and wunderbar from around the world.

Pure science of the 18th-century sort.

This room's full of electrical machines, a rather fine telescope,

and then some of the things go off into fantasy.

William Constable tried breeding experiments,

crossbreeding chickens and rabbits,

and there is an account of him trying to do this in his menagerie.

Crossbreeding rabbits with chickens?

Yes, although he did say they all looked a bit like chickens.

And it worked?

No, of course not.

You stupid boy, Charles.

William Constable's collection has been lovingly restored

since the 1970s in its original display cabinets,

and is the most complete original Wunderkammer of its type in Britain.

What got him on this way of experimenting,

and trying things and collecting peculiar things, David?

Well, he considered himself a man of the Enlightenment,

and he had the time and the money to be able to do this.

It was by no means unusual.

What's unusual is his collection surviving into the 21st century.

Was he a married man? Did he have a good life? Was he a good boy?

He was going to get married in the 1750s,

but the prospective bride's father called off the marriage

because he wasn't going to mass often enough.

He wasn't a good Catholic.

Before gaming, Internet, television and radio, a cabinet of curiosities

was the must-have home entertainment system for the very wealthy.

You know, that appears to be some sort of foetus in there.

It is.

-And do we know what it is?

-No.

-Small mammal.

-A small mammal. That's a good description.

So this is entertainment for after-dinner.

Yeah.

Ladies read, and gentlemen came and played with their toys.

Going back, 1760s, your blokes would be entertained

with these skulls and bones.

Well, I think you blokes have been entertained enough.

Bye-bye, all the best to you. See you, David. Bye, bye.

Time to get this show back on the road.

Charles and Charlie have a further date with destiny

and a final opportunity to bag some killer antiques.

Skirlaugh is behind us, in the dust,

as we journey nine miles west to the bustling market town of Beverley.

Time is marching on. Let's shop.

You know, you want objects to talk to you and say, "Come on, Hansen.

"Find me, find me."

This cocktail desk is quite nice.

MUSIC: "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion

# Near, far, wherever you are

# I believe... #

Look at this. 1950s boat-shaped bar. Isn't that glorious?

This wonderful front. Don't worry, it's not glass, it's plastic.

-I'm Charles Hanson.

-Chris.

-Good to see you.

Would there be much opportunity of negotiation, do you think?

We can do ten percent on it.

-No more?

-No.

Oh, Charles. At £85, that's a big gamble.

Put this silly ship of dreams out of your head, boy, and move on!

I might just ask Chris how much this caddy is,

because it has a nice quality.

Tea caddy, mahogany, 1830, but it's a bit boring, and it's not really me.

We want to go for something...

like the bar.

I'm going to set sail.

I'm going to hit those high seas, I'm going to take on the waves

and say "Charlie Ross, it's this or nothing."

Oh, dear. Really, Charles? Really?

What do you drink, Chris? Shaken or stirred?

I'm more a pint of bitter man.

Are you a shaken man?

I will be.

Come on.

Well, I'm shaken, and stirred.

For the wrong reasons. I might live to regret it.

If you don't try these things in life...

Well, for better or worse, it's too late now,

and our two chaps must get themselves to auction.

Charlie Ross shopped and shopped well,

spending a proud £95 on five auction lots.

The Victory playing cards.

The glass and silver scent bottles.

The cast-iron gnome.

The art deco plated kettle with the oak bowl,

and the Georgian corner cupboard.

Charles Hanson got less for more, spending £135 on three lots.

The Ruby table lustres.

The neoclassical silver salts.

And the 1960s ship cocktail bar.

Stupid boy!

But I wonder what our chaps think of each other's chances.

There's one thing about Charlie I really, really admire,

and I mean I admire.

He has the courage to just go out on a whim

and make the most ridiculous purchase.

I'm feeling a bit like the Titanic.

Doomed, and the iceberg has just hit me.

And now it's time to set sail once more, in the Corsair.

It's been a cracking first leg.

The road trip has brought us from Bridlington through handsome

Skirlaugh and brilliant Beverley, finally arriving in

South Yorkshire's proud Doncaster, known affectionately as Donny.

Well, frankly, if your things sell as badly as you drove,

I won't have any problems at all.

Give me the keys. I'm not letting you drive again, that's for sure.

George is today's auctioneer,

and would like to be kind to Charlie and Charles's hopes and dreams.

The scent bottles are OK, collectable little items,

silver, hallmarked, the same as the salts.

They're pretty good, and the Edwardian cast-iron gnome,

it's a little bit naff, is what I can see.

We never know.

Some collectable person there might be OK with that.

It's got to be good, clean stuff, like the bar, for example.

Buckle up and hang on to your collectables.

The auction is about to begin.

First up is Charlie's doer-upper prospect.

The £10 Georgian corner cabinet, plus £5 worth of hinges.

Ten to start me on the piece.

Five bid, he says, five bid.

Any advance? Ten.

15. 20.

Five. 30.

Five. 40.

Gap's in at 40. 45 bid.

-Well done, buddy.

-50, it's back in.

Hang on!

-55.

-55!

Any more? All done?

At £55. The buyer.

And Ross is off to a flyer, with a fine early profit.

Next we have those handsome ruby lustres.

They might be 1920s and worth a small fortune,

but there again, they may not.

15. 20.

20?

25 bid, lady's in at 25. Any advance on 25?

No more!

-Go on!

-No more.

-Any more?

All done at £25.

That's OK, I've broken even.

-No, you have to pay commission.

-Oh, yes.

Yeah, sadly the auction house must take its hard-earned crust.

1940s playing cards.

Two bid.

£2 bid. Four bid.

Six bid. Eight bid. £8 bid.

-Profit.

-Any more?

Should make more. Never seen one before.

-Ten bid.

-Ten.

-Yeah, that's OK.

11 bid is back in. 11 bid.

I like it. Come on, George!

Well, let's hope the sweet smell of success continues.

Now, here we go, ladies and gentlemen.

Lovely collection of silver-topped scent bottles.

Can we see ten to start?

Ten bid. £10 bid.

15. 20.

Five. 30.

-Five. 40.

-Well played.

£40 bid. Any advance on 40?

-45 bid.

-Oh, get out of here!

Cheap, cheap.

45 bid. All done at £45.

Well played. Brilliant.

And Mr Ross comes up spelling of roses again.

Hanson needs to start catching up.

His Edwardian silver salts are the next contenders.

-Can we see ten to start with?

-Go for it!

-Ten bid.

-Come on!

£10 bid. 15.

20. 25 in the shades.

30 bid is back in.

In at 30. At £30.

Well, a small profit is still a profit.

And now, a little man steps forward for Charlie Ross.

Can we see £2? Two bid. £2 bid.

Four bid. £4 bid. The bid's there at four.

-Keep it down.

-Any advance on four? Any more?

Six bid. Eight bid.

Ten bid.

Ten bid.

-12 is back in.

-Keep going, George, keep going!

Any advance on 12? All done at £12.

-George!

-Got to go at £12.

It's gone.

Sadly, the heavy metal gnome carried little weight

with the buyers of Doncaster.

Oh, that felt like a knife in the ribs!

Slowly, back in the game.

Mr Ross has one last shot at a big profit today. One lump or two?

Ten to start me.

Five anywhere?

Five bid. Lovely set. Five bid.

Ten bid. 15.

20. 25.

30. 35.

35, in the seats in the middle of the room.

Going at £35.

Not bad, but I think Charlie had higher hopes.

Finally, it's time to raise the bar,

or could that be Charles's ship of dreams?

This is what you've all been waiting for.

Yes, it's iconic!

It's the retro bar at the back in the shape of a boat.

Got the anchors on it.

50, 40, 30, 20.

-Oh, it's coming down.

-Ten.

-Oh, no!

Ten bid. £10 bid.

-Ten bid. Any more? 15.

-15!

-20.

-20!

-Five.

-Five!

25 bid. Any more? You won't get one as cheap as that one.

Go on.

27.50.

27.50!

27.50 bid. At 27.50.

Oh!

Sadly, Hanson's dreams of auction glory have sunk,

but I believe that the road trip goes on.

That's life, you know. I'm down.

I admire you for your courage.

But I'm not forgotten.

And also for your extreme stupidity.

That's a big loss, isn't it?

But, other than that, I'm with you all the way, baby.

So, someone has taken an early lead,

and someone else is off for an early bath.

Our chaps started today's show with £200 each.

After paying auction costs, Charlie made a small profit of £34.56.

Mr Ross has a reasonable £234.56 to carry forward.

Poor Charles, meanwhile,

made a bruising loss of £67.35.

Mr Hanson has just £132.65 to start the next show.

Of course, it's only day one, and there will be much to learn

about antiques buying, and about each other.

Do you wear a gold chain at all, or anything like that?

No, no. Look, Charlie.

Yes?

Do I look like a medallion man?

If you can't...

Oh, your driving is horrendous!

Sorry!

Next time on the Antiques Roadtrip,

Charlie and Charles head for Lincolnshire,

-and auction round two in Grantham.

-Thank you.

Charlie tries for some understanding.

You really have to concentrate and put a lot of work in.

Charles tries for our sympathy.

I've had a disaster already. I've lost £80 already, and I'm down.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd