Episode 21 Antiques Road Trip

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

-Cos I'm going to declare war.

-Why?

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

There's nothing in here.

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

Disappointing.

But it's not as easy as you might think,

-and things don't always go according to plan.

-Push!

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

-Terribly nervous now, James.

-This is the Antiques Road Trip.

This week, we start a new chapter with veteran road trippers

James Braxton and Jonathan Pratt. Goody!

Seasoned auctioneer James is quite the charmer

when buying and selling antiques.

-£40, Val.

-£42.50.

-I dare you.

-£42.50. £41 and I'll do it.

Done, because you're a horrible person!

And always asking the most important questions...

And for a cuckoo clock, do you need a cuckoo?

CUCKOO COOS

..James's opponent is young auctioneer Jonathan Pratt.

He seems to be quite a meticulous fellow...

I am just slightly concerned about that stone.

..but can also be prone to a bit of confusion.

You're looking at everything, and it can confuse.

Must be his age.

The question is, will James help or hinder?

You can hear him now, can't you? He's round there,

skulking around, putting me off.

The boys will travel in James's trusty MG.

She's prone to breaking down, but let's hope she goes the full distance.

With £200 in their back pocket,

can they uncover treasures that will make a stonking profit at auction?

This week's road trip will start off in Altrincham, Greater Manchester.

The chaps will journey over 300 miles to the deep south-west,

finishing off in Lostwithiel, Cornwall.

But this is day one of the trip.

We kick off with a bit of shopping in bustling market town Altrincham,

and we'll auction just over 20 miles away in Nantwich.

The town of Altrincham an ancient mediaeval history.

The old marketplace was a thriving trade centre as far back as 1290.

The arrival of stocks meant that any thieves and vagabonds

were put on public display. Better be on your best behaviour, boys!

Oh, dear, the heavens have well and truly opened.

Right, then, you two, what's your plan for the day?

-You're off to your first shop.

-Yep.

-I'm off to mine.

And I'm hoping to buy all five items immediately.

And go and have a coffee!

THEY LAUGH

What's your tactics?

I'm not competitive in the slightest,

I just like winning, that's basically it.

I'm just masking non-competitiveness.

I'm going to be searching for everything,

-my whole life is dedicated to beating you.

-I've seen you at work,

trying to catch me by surprise with this big wonder.

-Anyway, good luck.

-Thank you. And you.

-Let battle commence.

James seems to be in a jovial mood, even without his coat.

Will he get his hands on some treasures in his first shop of the day?

-Hello, James.

-Val.

-He's James.

-There's a nice calendar down here.

I'm just getting the feel of the place at the moment,

I like some goodies already.

That is lovely, isn't it? And how much have you got on this one?

Tina, how much have we got on that? The picture.

£1950, isn't it?

-It's a bit beyond me, Val.

-I was going to say!

THEY LAUGH

-Do you know Bruce Bairnsfather?

-Yes, yes.

-There's quite a lot in that window.

So you've got this nice plate, this wall plate.

I'll be flexible on those,

-cos I actually have another box full of them.

-Do you?

Bairnsfather was a great war cartoonist, so '14-'18 war.

Captain Bruce Bairnsfather was a world-famous cartoonist

who created satirical images from the trenches of the First World War.

His character, Old Bill,

a walrus-moustached soldier,

was much-loved for keeping up the morale of the troops at the time,

and his work is much sought-after today.

He was just a really important cartoonist,

who kept everybody's spirits up.

The only problem is,

and here's a funny one, you can see this sort of missile coming in.

Coiffeur In The Trenches.

This says, "Keep your head still, or I'll have your blinking ear off."

The only problem with ashtrays is they're not as popular.

This is a lovely piece, that. What's your little gold?

Is that a little pearl box?

And how much have you got on your little pearl box, Val?

It's 1927. I've got £195 on it.

I have a limited budget that I've got to spread. I think that's lovely.

And I think that's lovely.

-Looks like you're spoilt for choice, James.

-It is lovely.

What could you do the two for? So that's the pearl box and the plate.

-I'll do the two for £200.

-£200, that's my total budget.

Could you do either of these two items at £90, Val?

-Not really.

-Not really. What could you do the two ashtrays at?

I'll do those at £40, just for the two ashtrays.

£40 for the two ashtrays.

And could you do 90 on that, Val?

-I'll do that for you.

-OK.

-I'll take those two, so 40 and 90.

-That's 130. Thank you very much.

Job done, thank you. I'm so pleased.

-Tina, could you wrap those for me? Thank you.

-Well done, Tina.

Everybody needs a Tina.

Hey, hands off, Mr Braxton, Tina's not for sale.

Blimey, you weren't joking

when you said you wanted to buy all your lots as quickly as possible.

It's only the first shop and you've already spent £130.

Meanwhile, in nearby Hale,

Jonathan is in tentative mood as he approaches his first shop.

I've walked a little way, and here it is. Still raining.

I've got no idea what to expect inside.

There's some painted furniture in the window, so I'm not so sure at the minute.

-Morning.

-Morning.

This is Porcupine, and what do you sell a lot of round here?

-Chandeliers.

-Really?

-A lot.

-Interesting.

-Glass of fizz?

-Well, why not?

-Why not?!

-James is driving!

-Join in the club!

Champagne on arrival, Jonathan. What's Val up to?

The Cheshire gentlemen, what do they want?

-This is a ladies' shop.

-This is definitely.

I have a few things, I've just bought a great croquet set,

a chap'll buy that.

I think, in all honesty, there's nothing in here for me.

The painted furniture is far too ready-to-go and priced accordingly.

I don't want to buy a chandelier, I've had my fingers burnt before.

It's a great shop, retail. Not much for me.

I've been offered a cup of coffee, so I might go downstairs for a cup of coffee now.

Champagne, now coffee.

-You don't normally have six or seven chandeliers hanging in someone's sitting room.

-True.

But this is where you assemble them, clean them and you get them ready for upstairs?

-That's it.

-What else have you got?

-What about the croquet set? Is this complete?

-Yes,

they're very hard to find, croquet sets, now.

This one, would you take £45?

-You're obviously joking?(!)

-No.

Right, go on. Up we go.

If we said...

-..60?

-No.

-OK, what do you want for it?

-80.

-You want £80?

-Yeah.

Oh, blimey.

65.

Oh, come on, 70. 70's good, you know.

-Where's this coffee?

-On its way.

-Erm, 65.

-Done for 70.

-65.

£67.50. Go for it. Yes, we've done it!

Brilliant, lovely, thank you very much.

It obviously pays to have a nosy around in a lady's basement, Jonathan.

Well, OK, I did say that I wasn't going to buy anything.

I don't know, maybe the champ...

Maybe the sparkling champers might have helped.

I'm not disappointed, though. I think this is a bit of a speculative lot.

There is a chance of a profit, so I'm not too disappointed.

The boys are switching shops this morning, so it's a case of one in and one out!

Take it easy, Mr Braxton, you've already spent £130 and it's not even lunch time.

-Hello.

-Very nice to meet you.

-Hello, nice to meet you. James.

-I'm Val.

-Val.

-Yes.

-Another Val! I've just come from a Val.

-Yes, she is, I forgot.

-In Altrincham.

-I know her very well.

-Very good.

-I've got some fizz.

-Oh, lovely. I won't say no.

-Well, the other one didn't, either.

Eh-up! Watch yourself, James, Val's got the champers out again.

You like to soften up your client. Is she a skiing lady, then?

Yes, she's lovely, but I like skiing.

-It's a sort of Marquette, isn't it?

-Yes.

-Plaster of Paris, is it?

-Yes.

This is quite fun because it has the alpine theme. You've got your skis, your pole

and your St Bernard, obviously.

And, a glamorous early skier, look at that.

No skier should be complete without a tie.

SHE LAUGHS

-How much have you got on that?

-85.

-The best I can do, Val, and you can chuck me out of your shop.

-I will.

-35 is the best I can do.

-I'm sure you can go better than that.

-I can't, in fact.

-60.

-I can't do 60.

-Well, I can't do 35.

-You've got to meet me somewhere in the middle.

-I'm very happy.

-Otherwise that's staying.

-£37.50, I can do.

Good God, you're a pain in the butt! You beam the whole way through!

You can go better than that.

OK, 37.50.

-You keep repeating yourself.

-Yeah.

-The answer is, "no". You've got to go higher.

-General war of attrition, Val.

-Go on.

CLOCK TICKS

-You take a long time to decide.

-I'm just thinking about...

-45.

I can't do 45. I've got to save myself some money.

-So £40, and we will shake.

-42.50 and it's done.

-You see.

-£40, Val.

-42.50, I dare you.

-£41 and I'll do it.

Done, because you're a horrible person and you've got a great smile.

Thank you, Val.

Very close. Meanwhile, back in Altrincham, Jonathan is on a mission

to find some more gems for his collection.

-Hi, there.

-Hello.

-Good morning.

-How are you?

-A bit wet.

Well, you are in Manchester.

-How much do you want for this?

-I would have thought about 200.

-Yeah, crikey.

Looks like Val is trying to squeeze your budget too, Jonathan.

What kind of things do you like?

There's lots of things that catch my eye. Jewellery-wise, it depends.

-I like the bronze but I can't afford that. What's that, £2,500 or something?

-Yes.

It's a matter of filtering through that top veneer

-and seeing what's left within my budget that I can afford.

-Mmm.

Anything else you can show me?

We've got stuff downstairs in the cellar but it is a cellar,

-it is not another showroom.

-That's fine.

-If you'd like to have a mooch, you're welcome.

Thank you.

Ah, once more into the basement, dear Jonathan.

I'm looking for the delights. Oh, my word, here we go.

-I bet you James didn't look down here.

-'I bet he did.'

"To Church", I like engravings.

Whilst Jonathan scuttles about downstairs,

Val holds court at the counter.

A little canvas of a lady. That's got some age.

She's in shocking condition. Pretty girl, early Victorian.

It's a bit of a punt, but, you know. I'll have a think about that one.

Shallow Campana jardiniere with a stone base.

That's stone because it's chipped.

OK.

Right, three things that I'm interested in. That's the first.

-Yes.

-She's in appalling condition, isn't she?

-She is, make me an offer.

A tenner?

-Well, you said!

-Make it 20, and OK.

-£15?

-OK.

-I'll take that for £15.

That's the first one. Erm, the terracotta clay, shallow Campana.

-Yeah, yeah. Make me an offer.

-£25.

-OK.

OK. Brilliant!

Yeah, I'm not doing anything with it.

-I'll just get this print and see what you think of the print.

-Yes, OK.

-That one.

-Oh, that one!

-Make me an offer.

-£18.

20 and it's yours.

I'll have a proper look at this. You can have a look at it.

Is it what I think it is?

It's behind non-reflective glass, which is a bit of a pain.

Yeah, it is.

-£18.

-OK.

-Brilliant.

Those three objects, I'll take.

Well done, Jonathan, your purchases so far are rather eclectic.

Looks like checking out the basement is your new number one manoeuvre.

Meanwhile, where's Mr Braxton tootling off to?

James is hurtling his way

to the magical world of cuckoo land in Tabley, Cheshire.

The museum was created by brothers Roman and Maz Piekarski.

They are widely respected in the world of horology -

that's the study of time to you and me.

Over the last 40 years, their passion for cuckoo clocks

has resulted in an enchanting collection

of over 600 cuckoo clocks of all shapes and sizes and is regarded

as the most important collection in the world.

Today, Roman opens the doors to enlighten James further.

What an amazing place. For many of us, they think cuckoo clocks are Swiss, is that right?

No, cuckoo clocks are from the Black Forest in Germany.

After the Second World War, there was a big anti-German feeling,

and so they sold them

through Swiss agents, so everybody thinks the cuckoo clocks are Swiss.

You've got to remember that everything was made within a 25-mile radius of each other,

all in the Black Forest in southern Germany.

-So it's that localised, 25 miles?

-Yeah.

Do they do the whole thing, the people in the Black Forest,

did they make the movements and cases?

It was a pure cottage industry.

A family would be making cabinets, somebody making movements, another family making hands,

weights, and then it was all put together by a fitter and exported.

CUCKOO

-But why "cuckoo"?

-In the beginning, in our research,

we feel they tried to make a rooster clock, like an alarm clock,

but it was very difficult to imitate the rooster.

As they were doing it, they probably heard the old cuckoo and they went,

"Oh, two bellows, "two pipes, there's the cuckoo".

Then in about 1840, 1845, they made the quail which was one pitch,

so one bellow only, and it went on like that.

-Oh, so it's almost mechanical ease, isn't it?

-Yes.

Really...?

-And for a cuckoo clock, do you need a cuckoo?

-Of course you do!

Of course you do.

What we have here is very, very interesting.

This is not a clock but it's Black Forest.

In the early days of photography, you had to stand there for ages when you had your picture taken,

so to keep people occupied they used to say "watch the birdie".

Cuckoo, cuckoo...

-What are you showing me now?

-I'd like to show you this clock here

which is a cuckoo and echo.

CUCKOO ECHOES

How is that done?

I can show you on this clock here, which we've taken the dial away,

and you can see the cuckoo and echo working.

Oh, I see, so there's separate bellows at the back.

Yes, which are reversed inside the pipes

so it throws it around and it sounds like an echo.

What you've got to remember in the Victorian days, the more your clock did, the more entertaining it was.

The happier the people were, there was no television so the clock had to do everything.

These look like English bracket clocks, but these were made for the big houses,

the stately homes, the very wealthy people.

I just noticed these moving eyes, what are these?

These are bracket clocks with the eye turners in the bottom.

They were made in 1856 in Eisenbach in the Black Forest.

-Now, this big fellow has caught my eye.

-A clock fit for a king, huh?

In our opinion it's the most important cuckoo clock in the world.

-It was made for Frederick The First of Baden Baden.

-Right.

-In the 1860s.

-Yes, I love the figures here.

-They're all hand-carved.

This clock is an amazing testament to exquisite craftsmanship.

Many would go cuckoo over it!

In German folklore, they believed in the little people that come out at night

to do all the work in the houses and on the machines and everything.

-Thank you very much. I go away a wiser man.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

It's the end of a long day

and the chaps will rest in the village of Tarporley.

Another busy day awaits tomorrow.

It's day two and we're 13 miles down the road in Tarporley, Cheshire.

James is visiting Tarporley Antique Centre, hoping to bag a bargain.

Yesterday, James proved he's a gambling man.

He spent a whopping £171.

He bought the Bruce Bairnsfather ashtrays,

the eye-catching gold pill box and the ski figurine.

This leaves him with a measly £29.

Jonathan has remained steady. He spent just over £125 on four items.

A child's croquet set, a terracotta jardiniere, the engraving

and the rather tatty painting.

This leaves him with just under £75. Game on!

James, you might find something interesting in the back room.

It's got all the weird and wonderful rusty, old things, that men like.

Toys for the boys, excellent! This is the boys' room, is it?

-We've got First World War grenades. We've got weapons.

-There we are.

Ahoy!

I've just found this nice group of medals, great war medals.

I don't know a great deal about the Great War.

I know a little bit about the general history of it,

but a friend and a colleague of mine knows a great deal. I'll give him a call.

In the antiques' business it's impossible to know every single subject inside out

and seasoned expert, James, knows it's vital to have a bulging contacts' book that one can use

in times of need.

This man has priced them up at £60.

If I could secure them at £29, they would be a lovely bed fellow for my Bruce Bairnsfather.

Here goes.

Telephone call over, James is armed with the necessary information.

Will he be able to seal the deal?

-This is the particular thing I like in here.

-Let's have a look.

-It's your Great War trio.

My only conundrum, and I'm going to be totally straight with you,

I larged it yesterday in Altrincham and Hale and spent a lot of money.

Oh, you're going to give me the sob story now.

I am going to give you a sob story, but it doesn't matter, you can either say "yay or nay".

That is exactly what I have left.

£29.

£29 and no other small change?

I've heard this sob story before from other people, but you do it so nicely.

OK, that's really kind of you. Thank you very much, indeed.

You're welcome. Would you like them wrapped for that money?

Oh, well - dear, oh, dear, I wouldn't have the temerity to ask,

but now you're offering, lovely.

# Prince Charming Prince Charming

# Ridicule is nothing to be scared of... #

Meanwhile, Jonathan is on his way over to the village of Blackden near Crewe,

just over 20 miles away.

He has a special invitation to a rare 16th-century timber-framed building

called the Old Medicine House,

believed to have been built for an apothecary.

Herein lies an even more remarkable twist to the tale.

In 1970, Alan and Griselda Turner discovered through an architect friend

that the house was to be condemned and demolished.

We were living in that house there, which is basically three up and three down with three children.

We needed more space. The architect that we found said it was very difficult

to extend a timber-framed building and the best way to do it

was to bring another timber frame to join it on.

Determined to save the Old Medicine House the couple managed

to dismantle the building piece by piece and move it 20 miles

and attach it to their own home here in Blackden.

The house is an amazing piece of history and Griselda has made some fascinating discoveries

over the past few decades.

Here is the display of the artefacts going back...

This was found in the house?

This was found in the house. This was a stirrup.

-We found stuff mostly in the fabric.

-OK.

When we were taking it down my husband, Alan, told workmen

if they found anything unusual they were to stop.

In 2004, the Blackden Trust was set up to preserve the history of the house

and visitors are warmly welcomed.

And another amazing discovery was found in the rafters of the house.

Right, these are the shoes.

In the 16th Century shoes in the roof

were used as a protective charm to ward off evil spirits.

This house is multiply protected. It's protected by the shoes and quatrefoils

-on either side of the window.

-The Gothic motif, particularly for churches?

-Yeah.

So you've taken these out of your roof.

-They're here in the house in boxes.

-Yes.

Have you replaced them with anything else?

-My son actually hid his first trainers up there.

-Oh, good.

So the tradition still continues, yeah.

-A pair of old running shoes.

-Yes, indeed.

Because this house was once owned by an apothecary, local herbalist, Sue, is on hand

to give the low-down on ancient, herbal remedies.

So, take me through all this medicine here.

This house has a history of herbs and medicines going back to the 16th Century

when we thought an apothecary lived here,

right up to the 20th Century when the famous XX oils were made here.

-They were a cure-all.

-Really(!)

-Anything you had wrong with you, this would cure it.

When we re-erected the house, lots of seeds and things fell out of the timbers and plants

that had never grown here before started to come up like opium poppies and feverfew.

All things that were used in folk remedies.

So we decided to plant a herb garden outside.

-Shall we have a look?

-Would you like to look at the garden?

-Please, I'll see if I can identify any.

This cabbage-like plant at the front?

They're opium poppies.

They're the poppies? Of course.

I recognise the leaf now.

Do you recognise this?

I've got this in my garden at home and this is Alchemilla?

We call it Lady's Mantle, the folk name for it.

But what on earth is it useful for?

In the 18th century it was said if you'd been breastfeeding

and you wanted to reshape your breasts afterwards,

you'd place the leaves on your breast to firm them up again.

So a sort of a cosmetic surgery of the 16th century?

It is, yes.

Wonderful.

Come on, Jonathan, refocus on making a profit at auction.

You need to get a move on for a spot of shopping.

Our next and final shopping destination is 18 miles away

in the village of Sandiway, near Northwich.

Blakemere Craft Centre is set around charming Edwardian stables

and is home to a large antiques and collectables emporium.

James is there, but as he's splashed all his cash,

the only buying he'll be doing is at the ice-cream stall.

-Thanks a lot.

-Thank you very much.

£1.75, I hope Jonathan is able to find similar value in the antiques store.

This is quite nice quality actually.

-Jonathan?

-Hello.

-How are you getting on?

-I'm all right.

Look at it you! What flavour's that?

I'm relaxing, it's lovely strawberry.

If you find your purchase, I might buy you one of these.

Lots to see in here. How long did you spend in here?

I spent no time in here, just had a quick little look.

-You just carry on, don't worry about time.

-Thank you.

-I won't, I won't. Bye.

-Goodbye and good luck.

Thank you, James. Thank you(!)

It's nice to see a man scratching around isn't it?

You can hear him now, he's round there skulking around,

putting me off.

I'm trying to concentrate, get on with the job

and he's there licking his lolly, giving it all that.

Eagle, knicker elastic!

The heat is on for poor Jonathan.

Don't listen to that cheeky beggar, Braxton, he's winding you up.

In here, this has caught my eye.

That little brooch at the back, it says it's a Peridot bug brooch.

Says it's in solid white metal.

It's worth looking at, as not all antique jewellery was hallmarked anyway.

So it might be late 19th century and that could be interesting.

OK, let's have a look at that.

What would be the best price on that?

-We can definitely do you 10% off it.

-At a push £30?

Yeah, at a push, we can go to £30.

Wish I had a stronger lens with me,

I'm slightly concerned about that stone.

I tell you what, I like it anyway.

What the heck, it's nice, there's a little bit of gold and silver,

if you can take £30, I'm not going to haggle any more.

Yes we'll do it for £30.

Thank goodness you've found something Jonathan.

Top marks for not allowing James to put you off your stride.

Shopping is now over,

it's time to have a look at one another's purchases.

Jonathan, how are you feeling? Bubbly?

Terribly nervous now, James. I've got this all under wraps here.

Bring it on.

The story is, we went downstairs for a coffee

and she'd only just bought this, and here it was.

-Fresh goods.

-Fresh goods.

Looks... Oh!

A little croquet set.

-Isn't that sweet?

-There we go.

Is this for a smaller home, or is this indoors?

-It's a child's croquet set, I suppose.

-A child's croquet set.

I imagine it probably is.

It looks very good, can I see a ball?

You can have a couple.

-Lovely, very good.

-You've always wanted a couple.

And how much did you pay for them?

-70... No, £68.50 I think it was.

-£68...

-£67.50. What d'you think?

-Best of luck with them.

-You know...

Right, here's my first purchase. Two ashtrays.

They're kind of fun.

Not normally something you should really buy, ceramic ashtrays, is it?

Is this Barnswood or whatever his name is?

-Yes, Bruce Bairnsfather, one of which is chipped.

-I noticed that.

-You noticed that?

-Yes.

You're honing in on the errors?

No. Far be it from me to try and pick fault in things.

How much do you think I paid for them?

-You paid £15.

-I paid a lot more than that, I paid £40.

-Did you? OK.

Because of the Bruce Bairnsfather prints,

I think that will carry the day.

Goodness me, there's quite a garden theme to your purchases isn't there?

So we've got this, this sort of terracotta planter.

It's not in the finest of condition.

To say it's got a few chips is a slight under exaggeration.

-I'd say it's probably end of 19th century, early 20th century.

-So would I.

Shallow Campana, terracotta urn, how much do you think?

I'd pay anything between £30 and £60 for it.

I paid £25 for it.

I think you're in with a shout with that one.

OK, here's my second, enjoy.

Look at that, isn't that very cute, a little pill box.

-Nine carat gold!

-Nine carat gold.

-Bring out the scales.

-Here we go.

Does it measure terracotta, your scales?

You can see the scratch marks on there. Here we go.

-Slap it on.

-14 grams.

-14 grams.

So if you're paying up to 120 for it,

-you're on the money for gold value.

-Yeah.

Sadly, the value of this little pill box lies in the weight,

but hopefully someone will buy it

for its beauty and not its scrap value.

And I paid £90 for it.

Ooh! Good.

I didn't see it, but then you bought it before I got in there.

I did. Come on man of mystery, what have you got?

Look at this! This is very glam.

It's got some age.

-What are you dating that at?

-1840, 1850.

Yes, yes I'm getting that.

Not in great condition, so again this was in Val's basement.

I think if it gets through the viewing process,

I think you've got a profit.

We might have to put more clingfilm on there.

Here it is, a big fella.

You've peaked haven't you?

I haven't peaked, I wouldn't want to peak too soon.

You've probably seen it before. Reveal, go on. Enjoy.

Wow! Actually, was this at the back by the wrapping area?

It was, it's plaster of Paris. it's one of those maquettes.

I've always felt these were sort of a decoration for French radiator covers.

You know they have those big radiator things.

It's not without fault, she's lost her toes at some point, or it's been stuck back on again.

I was told it was a skiing injury.

That's why she sitting down! She's hurt her knee as well.

She's twisted her knee. How much did you pay for it?

-£41.

-I think that's a good price.

-Thank you.

-Yes.

Show me your fourth object.

My fourth object.

Ah-ha!

Who was this by? It's an artist's proof.

It's an artist's proof by someone called Frieff.

It's behind non reflective glass which doesn't...

On no, it's just filthy! Look at that.

-I think it just needs a clean.

-That might be a thing to do.

-This looks like another basement purchase. Is it?

-Yes!

-How much did you pay?

-£18.

This is my fourth and...

Is this the cutlery from lunch?

-This is my final, here we are.

-Blimey!

A nice little Great War group, medal group. 14/15 Star, British war medal

and the Victory Medal.

-Solid silver?

-Yes.

-Yes, that one.

-Yeah.

-And I paid my remaining money, I paid £29.

-I think that's a good buy, James.

-Thank you.

But are the boys being truthful with one another?

Now we've done the reveals, I'm a little more confident again.

Now I've seen what James has got, it's all that panic about,

"Did I pay too much for that? Have I chosen the right objects for the right sale?" That sort of stuff.

So...yes, I feel a lot better now.

I think I have a chance.

Is Jonathan feeling a little rocky? I don't know.

I think his optimism waned a little when my pill box slipped on

his electronic scales and registered 14 grams!

That's great. I think my items, I like my items.

I think they have a theme, I think they're nice, clean items.

You know, my condition is good, pretty well on all of them, bar the skier.

And I think I might just have squeezed this leg.

Given the choice,

I think Jonathan might swap my four items for his five.

The boys have employed some cunning manoeuvres,

but what results lie ahead?

What a wonderful start to the first leg.

We've travelled from Altrincham, Greater Manchester,

and followed a south-westerly direction through Tarporley

to the final destination of the day in the historic

market town of Nantwich, Cheshire.

Nantwich is a small medieval market town with a modern edge,

yet still crammed full of ancient character.

The Great Fire in 1583 destroyed much of the town

but its rebuilding has left a wealth of beautiful timber-framed

buildings second only to Chester.

So, have our boys made a good gamble with their items?

There's only one way to find out, at their first auction of the week.

-Here we go.

-Are you feeling lucky, Jonathan?

Erm...are you feeling lucky?

I'm feeling good, I think I've got some nice items.

Whether the general public of Nantwich think so, will be a different matter.

Exactly!

Peter Wilson Fine Art Auctioneers has been established since the mid-50s

and specialises in many things, including furniture, jewellery and ceramics.

Today is the collectables and antiques auction.

Let's hope our boys walk away with tidy profits.

Budge up!

The ever effervescent Robert Stones is today's auctioneer.

Rob joined the business in 1982 and has worked as an auctioneer

all his working life.

They've bought some nice things,

which we're excited about, so I think the sale is going to be pretty successful.

The croquet set's the most unusual thing.

I haven't seen one before so that'll be interesting.

The gold box, I think, is something which is going to do reasonably

well because obviously bullion at the moment is doing very well.

The one that worries me most is definitely the painting

that looks like someone's jumped through it.

Speculative, of course,

because it is quite good quality,

but on the other hand, the condition is not very clever,

so we'll see what happens with that one.

James Braxton blew every single penny of his £200 budget

and ended up with four lots.

Jonathan Pratt, on the other hand, was slightly more cautious

and spent £155.50 on five lots.

Quiet, please. All attention to the front. The auction is about to start.

-I want steady profits. Steady, just chip, chip, chip.

-Honestly?

-Cha-ching, cha-ching.

-Not a snowflake in hell's chance.

-Cha-ching.

First up, it's Jonathan's engraving.

Will his basement buy come up trumps?

Lot number 23 showing now. We really like this. What may we say?

How much are we bid on this? I have £80 straightaway.

-At £80.

-Oh!

Five now do I hear? At £80, I'm bid at 80. Five anywhere now, quickly?

Don't hold back. At £80 only. At 80. Five, 90 now. At 90, and five now.

At 90, great value for money.

At 90, sold at 90.

Jonathan sets the standards high with an early profit.

HE LAUGHS

Well done!

Well he may laugh.

Next up it's another Jonathan purchase - the child's croquet set.

We like this, ladies and gentlemen. What's it worth?

£80 bid straightaway. £80 I have. 85 anywhere now?

At 85, 90's here, 95 now. At 90 I have it. And five now? £90 only.

-Come on.

-All quiet at £90. Will be sold at £90.

-Sold at 90.

-Well done.

A profit's a profit, Jonathan. You've still got 3 to go.

Lot number 46, this terrific plaster figure, ladies and gentlemen.

The Lady Skier. £30 straightaway. At £30 bid, and five now. 35.

Your bid at 35, I'm looking for 40.

-Oh, I knew it.

-It's going to stick at this, by the look of it.

At 35, bid's there.

All quiet at 35. Disappointing, at £35 only, then. Your bid, 35.

Disappointing indeed. Hopefully your next item

will bring you better luck.

Back to Jonathan now and the terracotta jardiniere.

Lot number 57, terracotta garden urn. What may we say for it?

£40 anywhere for it now? £40, surely, for it.

Quickly now, £40 anywhere now do I hear? £40 now do I hear at £40?

A lovely thing at £40. 40 I'm bid. At 40, and five now do I hear?

At £40 only, a lonely bid of £40. Disappointing price.

At £40 only, then, if you're all finished and done at 40. All quiet.

-At £40.

-Oh, well, fair enough, £40.

-Steady gains here, Jonathan.

Can James catch up? His medals are next.

A group of medals. And I can start the bidding on these at £70.

-A bid straightaway. 75 anywhere now? At £70.

-You're in there.

-75, 80, 85, 90, 95. At £90 on commission.

-Good boy.

At £90 only, then, with me, on commission. Make no mistake.

-At 90, all quiet and done at 90.

-Well done, well done.

-Thank you.

-Very good, James.

-Thank you.

Sounds like James' friend gave some good advice there.

What about Jonathan's bug brooch?

Has it got a sting in its tail?

Lot number 78 is this delightful little bar brooch.

-Oh, isn't that pretty?

-It's a lovely thing.

I've got £20 bid for it straightaway. 25 anywhere now?

25, thank you, at 25. 30 anywhere now? At 25, the bid's there,

at 30 anywhere now do I hear? At £25, 30, 35.

-£30 only, at 30. Bid's here at £30 and will be sold.

-No, it won't.

At 30, your bid at 30.

-That's what I paid for it. My first loss.

-Oh, dear.

Oh dear, Jonathan. £30 on the nose.

Still means a loss because

the auction house must take its hard-earned commission.

So far Jonathan is in the lead with four lots down, one to go.

Can James make the comeback

with his remaining two lots?

It's his gold pillbox next.

Lot number 88, this delightful pillbox.

£130 bid on commission, at 130, 135, 140, 145 now.

At 140, the bid's here.

-145 do I hear? At £140 it will be sold.

-Oh, come on.

-140 then.

140 - sold.

Not bad, but you obviously had higher hopes.

Oh, well, 140.

-It's still a profit, James.

-Still a profit.

Will the Bruce Bairnsfather ashtrays make some much-needed dosh?

These Grimwades, Old Bill...

You can't even see the chip in the photograph.

It brilliant, isn't it?

What may we say for these? 50 I'm bid.

Straightaway at 50. £50 on commission at 50.

55, 60, 65 now do I hear?

-£60, the bid's here. At 65 there.

-Very good.

That's taken out the commission at 65.

All quietened down at £65 then. 65.

-Well done. Well done, James.

-Thank you.

Oh, dear. Disappointing.

But one never knows what will happen at auction.

Finally, it's the badly slashed portrait.

Did Jonathan spot something special here?

Lot number 110.

This magnificent portrait. How much may we say?

-I've got £20 bid for it straightaway on commission.

-Fantastic!

25, at £25, bid's there. 30 anywhere else?

30 bid on the internet,

35, 40 now on the internet do I hear? £40?

-Come on, internet.

-45, 50 now. 50 on the internet,

55? 55. 60 now. 60 am I bid?

-At 60, 65, 70.

-They'll chuck it back when they see the condition.

-They'll chuck it back.

-80 now. At £80.

80 bid, 85, 90 now on the internet, at 90. At 90?

No, 85, your bid at 85. £85, last chance.

At 85, being sold, then. 90.

LAUGHTER

SHE MOUTHS

-100!

-Get in there!

-105 do I hear?

£100 bid in the room. Last chance, being sold at 100.

-Get in there!

-Well done. Well done.

Well, can you believe it? James and Jonathan can't.

Triumph is on Jonathan's side today.

Stunned. No words, no words for it.

Well done, well done. Very good, very good indeed.

Ah, well, the drinks are on you tonight, that's for sure, Jonathan.

So, all in all, a surprising and exciting first auction.

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

After paying auction costs, Jonathan's made a profit of £131.50,

so has £331.50 to carry forward.

And lagging behind is James, who made a profit of £70.60,

leaving him with £270.60 in the kitty.

It's the end of the first day, both chaps are in healthy profit,

but there's still four more days to go.

Next time our dynamic duo head for Leek in Staffordshire.

-Jonathan gets his hands dirty.

-A pump of the bellows to start with.

Why not? In for a penny, in for a pound, eh?

You've got to start as the apprentice.

-And James meets a hot chick.

-And where's that come from?

-Just a local sale.

-So a stuffed chicken?

-Yeah.

-What a weird thing to do.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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