0:00:02 > 0:00:09- The nation's favourite antiques experts, £200 each and one big challenge.- I declare war!
0:00:09 > 0:00:13Who can make the most money buying and selling antiques?
0:00:13 > 0:00:19- Very good!- The aim is to trade up and hope each antique turns a profit,
0:00:19 > 0:00:24- but it's not as easy as you think and things don't always go to plan.- Push!
0:00:24 > 0:00:29Will they race off with a huge profit or come to a grinding halt?
0:00:29 > 0:00:32This is the Antiques Road Trip!
0:00:35 > 0:00:43Making friends and money everywhere they go, David Harper and David Barby are on a journey to see
0:00:43 > 0:00:49- who knows the business of antiques the best.- We've got plenty of money to spend.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53- I do want to spend.- Spend big. - I'm cautious, David!
0:00:53 > 0:00:55I've been there and lost it before.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59So far this week, David Barby, also known as Dolly,
0:00:59 > 0:01:04- can't seem to put a foot wrong. - I have to applaud there. Well done.
0:01:04 > 0:01:09Two auctions in, he's transformed his initial stake of £200
0:01:09 > 0:01:13into a fabulous £707.95.
0:01:13 > 0:01:18David Harper, meanwhile, is obsessed with both winning this contest
0:01:18 > 0:01:21and buying anything to do with the female form.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24She's gorgeous. I wouldn't mind taking her home.
0:01:24 > 0:01:31Despite his passion, he's still in second place with £592.82.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35You're slightly ahead by about 100 quid.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38£100 is a lot of money.
0:01:38 > 0:01:45Today the boys are trying a new tactic, basing their important decisions on their star signs.
0:01:45 > 0:01:52- Right. Mars is pushing me to take a decision I am loath to take.- Good! Make it expensive!
0:01:52 > 0:01:58- Be fearless it said! - In other words, David Barby, "Spend your money!"
0:01:58 > 0:02:03- I told you Harper is obsessed. - Which one are you?- Cancer.- The crab.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07No, kind, caring, loving. And honest. Right, here we go.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11"Life is going to get a little faster, but keeping up is key."
0:02:11 > 0:02:18In other words, spend money on fantastic items, make some profit and beat Barby.
0:02:18 > 0:02:23My wallet is burning a hole in my pocket. Let's spend, come on.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28This week we're travelling through Ireland, north and south,
0:02:28 > 0:02:33then across to Wales, ending our road trip in Llanelli.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37Today we kick off in Prestatyn, gateway to the coast of north Wales.
0:02:37 > 0:02:43And our journey concludes with auction number three in the town of Criccieth.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47Popular with holidaymakers over the last two centuries,
0:02:47 > 0:02:54sunny Prestatyn became famous for its beach, clean seas and promenade entertainers.
0:02:54 > 0:03:00In fact, visiting for a cheeky bathe was considered a must for good health by city-dwelling Victorians
0:03:00 > 0:03:05though its latest visitors are much more concerned with retail therapy.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09- Oooh!- Right, will you drop me off and I'm going to go shopping?
0:03:09 > 0:03:15- You mean I'm going to drive this car?- I'm going to get out and you're going to drive this car.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18- It sounds simple enough.- Thank you.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21- Ohh...- Come on.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25- Where are you going? Over there? - There.- Best of luck, David.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27- Spend the lot!- I will!
0:03:29 > 0:03:34But there's a reason why we don't let Barby drive.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39This could take a while. He's good, isn't he?
0:03:39 > 0:03:42So let's move on to David Harper's first shop,
0:03:42 > 0:03:47aptly named Presents With A Difference. How much for that?
0:03:47 > 0:03:52- Hello.- Hello.- Hi. My gosh, this is a bit of an Aladdin's cave.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56A mixture of all sorts. A bit of nostalgia, a bit of mod.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58That's quite bonny.
0:03:58 > 0:04:05This is quite interesting. The first item I'm drawn to is an attractive woman.
0:04:05 > 0:04:10I've got a problem with attractive women. I can't help myself.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14- Is there a cure? - Oh, please. Somebody stop him.
0:04:14 > 0:04:20- If there is a pill for it, I don't want it.- How about an injection, then?- She's lovely.
0:04:20 > 0:04:26Almost looks like an ancient cameo behind some sort of glass. It's got a 3-D feel.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28Birmingham, 1937.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32So just at the tail end of Art Deco.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36Geoff...talk to me. About that.
0:04:36 > 0:04:42- Could that be horrifically cheap? - Not horrifically, but I could do you 27.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45Really? 20 quid?
0:04:45 > 0:04:49- OK, I'll squeeze to 20. That's dead tight.- Good man. OK.
0:04:49 > 0:04:54Thank you very much. My first purchase of this leg.
0:04:54 > 0:05:02Having managed to finally start the Triumph, David Barby is slowly making his way south,
0:05:02 > 0:05:07which brings us to Rhuddlan, a rather peaceful town with a very turbulent past,
0:05:07 > 0:05:12but that's because continual battles between the Britons and the Saxons
0:05:12 > 0:05:17made plundering, pillaging and razing to the ground rather common.
0:05:17 > 0:05:23It's also here at Rhuddlan Castle where constitutional power over Wales was given to the English
0:05:23 > 0:05:26in 1284.
0:05:26 > 0:05:31And speaking of Englishmen, one more has just arrived at Downsby Antiques
0:05:31 > 0:05:35and is trying to strike a deal with young Philip.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38I love a bit of Macintyre pottery.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41It's beautiful, but it's damaged.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43That...
0:05:43 > 0:05:46is a firing crack underneath.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49Cos when I take the lid off...
0:05:51 > 0:05:54it's not through to the base.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58If it's been repaired and they've used a silicon-type glaze on it,
0:05:59 > 0:06:04it's not a fired glaze. It's an artificial one, false one.
0:06:04 > 0:06:10- You can actually feel it on your teeth or with your tongue.- Yeuch!
0:06:10 > 0:06:16- Let's go with the gnashers. - Watch your teeth. - Don't worry, they're false.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18No, they're not!
0:06:18 > 0:06:24Now what Macintyre pottery is most famous for is launching the career of William Moorcroft,
0:06:24 > 0:06:28who, as Head of the Art Pottery Department in the 1890s,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31was responsible for some of the company's finest designs,
0:06:31 > 0:06:37- such as this tasty example of Florian Ware? - What's the best you can do?
0:06:37 > 0:06:3930. And that's a deal.
0:06:39 > 0:06:4120.
0:06:42 > 0:06:48- You've docked me right down. 30.- 20. 20. It's been here a long, long time.
0:06:48 > 0:06:54- You want rid of this. - No, I don't.- Can we split the difference at 25?- Go on, then.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58It's my first buy in Wales. That's good, I like that.
0:06:58 > 0:07:03As for the other David, he's uncovered a national treasure.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06It's Cliff Richard's jacket!
0:07:06 > 0:07:09- In yellow!- Geoff?
0:07:09 > 0:07:14- Is Cliff's jacket for sale?- Yes, but I won't take less than £10,000.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18Ah. Well, that's the end of that conversation, then.
0:07:18 > 0:07:25It brings a lot of people in to see it. Little ladies come in and stand in front to have their photo taken.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29And they often buy something. It's a good publicity pitch.
0:07:29 > 0:07:34- A bit out of my budget, then. - Yeah, I wouldn't come down.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36Looking to retain his lead,
0:07:36 > 0:07:43David Barby's now putting together what he fancifully is calling his collection of curiosities.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47You put matchsticks or toothpicks there and put them on the table.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51These are typical German sort of 1930s,
0:07:51 > 0:07:56that sort of period. Great wood carvers, particularly in Bavaria.
0:07:56 > 0:08:02All those figures that come out of Oberammergau. This is all part and parcel of that. What's the price?
0:08:02 > 0:08:05- 35 for the pair. - Oh. That's a fortune.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08Time to wheel out the Barby stare.
0:08:08 > 0:08:14- We can deal on that. They've been here a while. - See what I mean? Scary.
0:08:14 > 0:08:19- We can deal on that. 25. - Works every time!
0:08:21 > 0:08:25David Harper, meanwhile, has found a Chinese incense burner
0:08:25 > 0:08:31and is employing his trademark tactic - talk the dealer into submission. Any old tripe will do.
0:08:31 > 0:08:36Oh, Geoff, look. She's had her ear bitten off.
0:08:36 > 0:08:42- Can you see? - I didn't even notice that. - That's a good and a bad thing.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46Looking at the patination, it has aged, so that isn't recent.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49That indicates it has got some age.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52Can it be 25 quid?
0:08:53 > 0:08:57Make it my bottom line of 35, only because you've seen that break.
0:08:57 > 0:09:03- I'll do what every good dealer should do and that's compromise. Meet in the middle.- 32, innit?
0:09:03 > 0:09:07- All right, I'll stand for 30. - Good man. Thank you very much.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13I think this just might be the item to watch. Well done, Harper.
0:09:13 > 0:09:20Marvellous. Thanks again. Absolute delight, thank you. And your very glamorous assistant.
0:09:20 > 0:09:27Down, boy, down! As for Barby's collection of curiosities, he now has a Victorian gaming ball
0:09:27 > 0:09:30and he's not finished yet.
0:09:30 > 0:09:38Often biscuit manufacturers, and this is a McVitie and Price of Edinburgh biscuit box,
0:09:38 > 0:09:44would sell biscuits in novelty containers that often had a dual purpose.
0:09:44 > 0:09:51This one here looks like a French commode. You take the biscuits out, you eat them and it's a jewel box.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54So it has a multiplicity of uses.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57It's really an oddity.
0:09:57 > 0:10:02We all love an oddity, don't we? But this means more haggling.
0:10:03 > 0:10:09- 28.- Oh, Lord. - Here we go. Thus far, for the toothpick holders and gaming ball,
0:10:09 > 0:10:14the lads have agree £26, so let the battle of the biscuit tin begin.
0:10:14 > 0:10:19- Come down on that one, please. - 26 and 20, that's 46.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23- For the three.- Come down to 40, please.- I can't.
0:10:23 > 0:10:28- Yes, you can.- No...- Just one little word.- You're getting cheeky.
0:10:28 > 0:10:33- Just say "yes".- No. A nicer word is "no".
0:10:33 > 0:10:38- It's not.- 46. And you get a bargain for those.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42- Let's go for 42, please. And it's a deal.- 45 and it's a deal.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- 42.- No, 45.- 42.- 45.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48Goodness me, we'll be here all day!
0:10:48 > 0:10:5243. Please...43. Thank you very much indeed.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- God, you strike a hard bargain! - You're the hard one.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Nice dealing with you.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01- Is it really?!- Yes!
0:11:01 > 0:11:08A few miles down the road, we find David Harper, who is obsessed with winning this contest.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12And now he's even seeking divine intervention.
0:11:12 > 0:11:17# Hallelujah! Hallelujah! #
0:11:17 > 0:11:23Which brings him to St Asaph, the smallest ancient cathedral in England and Wales,
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- although one of the most important. - Chris.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31- Wow, it's echoey. My gosh. - Welcome, David.
0:11:31 > 0:11:37- I'm Chris Potter, Dean of the cathedral. Good to have you here. - Thank you. What a cathedral!
0:11:37 > 0:11:43- It's amazing, isn't it? - This astounding building has been standing since the 13th century
0:11:43 > 0:11:48and was once the seat of Bishop William Morgan, who translated the Bible into Welsh,
0:11:48 > 0:11:55one single act that has been credited with saving the Welsh language and its culture.
0:11:55 > 0:12:00Elizabeth had commissioned it. She said people in Wales should have a bible in Welsh
0:12:00 > 0:12:07largely because they were flocking to the Roman Catholic church. She wanted to encourage Protestantism
0:12:07 > 0:12:12and thought, "If they've got this and read it with the English version, they'll learn English."
0:12:12 > 0:12:18The opposite happened. It actually embedded the Welsh language and it's still flourishing.
0:12:20 > 0:12:27So, in 1588, one thousand copies of Morgan's Welsh edition of the Old Testament were published,
0:12:27 > 0:12:31one of which takes pride of place here in St Asaph.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- So this is it.- The actual copy.
0:12:34 > 0:12:42He'd finished it in 1587, then spent a whole year down in London with the printers
0:12:42 > 0:12:47- because they didn't understand Welsh. - So he was proofreading it.- Yes.
0:12:47 > 0:12:53- He had to do the whole thing there and oversee every detail.- Doing it in just a year is quite a feat!
0:12:53 > 0:12:59Faded and grubby, I'm afraid. The beginning of the New Testament. 1588.
0:12:59 > 0:13:05- And we've got the lion here.- Yes. - And the Welsh dragon. Is that right?- That's right, yes.
0:13:05 > 0:13:11- Can you understand any of this? - Just a little bit. I'm not a native Welsh speaker.
0:13:11 > 0:13:17- So read me something interesting. - Here is just the last bit of 1 Corinthians, 13.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20The famous chapter on love. READS IN WELSH
0:13:27 > 0:13:33"And these three remain: faith, hope and charity, and of these three, the greatest of these is charity."
0:13:33 > 0:13:39That will tie in very nicely with my journey. Faith, hope - I live on hope -
0:13:39 > 0:13:43- and we're doing it for charity. - Perfect.
0:13:43 > 0:13:49The impact of this book is undeniable, having been used to teach successive generations
0:13:49 > 0:13:56how to read and write in Welsh, making William Morgan a national hero.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00As our whistle-stop tour of north Wales continues,
0:14:00 > 0:14:06David Barby's en route to Colwyn Bay, the second of our seaside resorts on this leg.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11Also popular with the Victorians, its calling card is its pier,
0:14:11 > 0:14:16built in 1900, and currently undergoing a little work.
0:14:16 > 0:14:21But that's not important right now as David's found a treasure trove.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28And Frank has plenty to show our man Barby,
0:14:28 > 0:14:32such as this gorgeous Burmese table. Ticket price £500.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36- It's Burmese.- Is that the best you can do on that?
0:14:37 > 0:14:43- I'd do it for 450.- I can't see me getting that back in auction, can you? In a rural auction?
0:14:43 > 0:14:48You... You'd have to have just that kind of customer there.
0:14:48 > 0:14:54Well, David does have a wallet stuffed full of cash and it is such a fascinating piece.
0:14:55 > 0:15:02Well, this is the sort of furniture that would have been brought back, late-19th, early-20th century,
0:15:02 > 0:15:05by people in colonial service.
0:15:05 > 0:15:10And it's more of a conventional 19th-century table,
0:15:10 > 0:15:14but it's embellished in a sort of Anglo-Burmese style.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17If you want different, it's there.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21That's perfectly true. I want to cogitate.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25Though just a few moments of cogitation later...
0:15:25 > 0:15:28- I like that.- Yes.- That's useful.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32Right. Let's talk about the two objects.
0:15:32 > 0:15:39So as well as the table we also have one Arts and Crafts magazine stand. Your move, Frank.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43The very best price for the two is 500 for the two.
0:15:43 > 0:15:51I must confess, I'm worried about the table, whether it's going to achieve the price I pay for it.
0:15:51 > 0:15:57And I think that is... It's doubtful. Frank, could you do the two for 430.
0:15:57 > 0:16:03I couldn't do that, sir. As much as I'd love to sell them to you and see what they bring, I couldn't do that.
0:16:03 > 0:16:10I really couldn't. 475 for the two. I'll do you a deal. And I think it'll do well.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14Oh, my. What's a much-loved antiques expert to do, eh?
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Have a little think, dear.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23This is a difficult thing.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26I love the table.
0:16:26 > 0:16:32But £450 he's asking. I don't think it's going to make a profit. Oh, dear, oh, dear.
0:16:32 > 0:16:37- What do I do?- Well, as the old adage goes, if in doubt, go without.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50My horoscope today said I should be fearless and brave.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Go for it.
0:16:55 > 0:17:02- Good luck to you.- Could I have your name and address, telephone number...- I'll buy it back off you!
0:17:02 > 0:17:06But for now Frank's offering a discount -
0:17:06 > 0:17:14both the table and the magazine stand for £450. I'd say old Barby must be rather pleased.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20What have I done?! What have I done?
0:17:20 > 0:17:22I spent £450!
0:17:22 > 0:17:27Oh, dear. Perhaps we'll find out in tomorrow's stars?
0:17:29 > 0:17:34As a new day dawns, filled with possibilities,
0:17:34 > 0:17:39the two Davids are once again looking for guidance from a newspaper astrologer.
0:17:39 > 0:17:46- Have you seen your horoscope? - What does it say? "Be cautious with your money. No impulsive buying.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50- "Double the caution alert." - Well, that's a shame.
0:17:50 > 0:17:55Because David Barby's been living life on the edge, spending an unbelievable £518
0:17:55 > 0:18:01on four auction lots. As for David Harper, despite talking the talk...
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Is there anything wrong with it?
0:18:03 > 0:18:07..he's only parted with £50 for two auction lots.
0:18:07 > 0:18:14- I wonder what his horoscope has to say about that. - "Make sure everyone is happy.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18- "Stop going over old ground. Look at new turf."- There you go.
0:18:18 > 0:18:24- Cancerians. Lovely people. - That was Piscean!- You read the wrong one! It didn't sound like me!
0:18:26 > 0:18:33Our first stop today is Llandudno, widely known as the queen of the Welsh resorts.
0:18:33 > 0:18:38That's because it was yet another seaside favourite of the Victorians
0:18:38 > 0:18:44and even now the traditions of the day are alive and well - Punch and Judy are still performing
0:18:44 > 0:18:49and there's been continuous donkey rides for more than 125 years.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53And yes, I know, that's a seagull.
0:18:53 > 0:19:00Travelling at a similar speed is David Harper, who is keen to explore Trinity Trove Antiques,
0:19:00 > 0:19:04which has just recently opened for business.
0:19:04 > 0:19:11- Hello. Peter Wright.- Lovely to meet you. This is your place?- A new shop, open about seven or eight weeks.
0:19:11 > 0:19:17- Have you?- So it's a new venture. Thoroughly enjoying it so far. - Brave man!- Everybody's said that!
0:19:17 > 0:19:23Now being a newbie, Peter's probably never dealt with the likes of David Harper before,
0:19:23 > 0:19:27so I sincerely wish him all the best.
0:19:27 > 0:19:33- Nice plate. It's quite basically painted. Nice butterfly there.- Yeah.
0:19:33 > 0:19:39Great potential age. Lovely colour. It has damage, but it's got the yellow painted in there.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43Yellow painted on any Chinese porcelain is always quite exciting.
0:19:43 > 0:19:51There are periods in Chinese history where yellow was only set aside for the Emperor or his entourage.
0:19:51 > 0:19:57It was illegal to use yellow during certain periods in China. That's always a bit exciting.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01I'm very confident that is at least 19th century.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04It could even be 1750.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06Ha! But now for the moment of truth.
0:20:06 > 0:20:11Can Peter hold his own in the dog eat cat world of negotiation?
0:20:11 > 0:20:15- What kind of money...? - That's 15.- 15 quid, eh?
0:20:15 > 0:20:19It's a good-looking thing. That has got a bit of mileage.
0:20:19 > 0:20:25- Could that be a tenner?- It can. - Well, I'll have that first of all, Peter. Thank you very much.
0:20:25 > 0:20:31- But we won't stop there. - You've got that to go with it. - I think Peter needs to toughen up,
0:20:31 > 0:20:36preferably before David finds something else he wants to buy.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38It looks the biz.
0:20:38 > 0:20:44Backtracking just a little, David Barby's headed in the opposite direction on this road trip
0:20:44 > 0:20:49in order to visit the fabulous Bodelwyddan Castle.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55While there's been a house on this site since the 1460s,
0:20:55 > 0:21:00the current residence is most famous for its association with the Williams family,
0:21:00 > 0:21:04proud owners for more than 200 years.
0:21:04 > 0:21:10- Hello.- Hello, David. Welcome to Bodelwyddan Castle. - And you're...?- Kevin Mason.
0:21:10 > 0:21:16- I'm so impressed, first by the exterior and then this hall. - It's a wonderful entrance.
0:21:16 > 0:21:22- And what about this floor? - That is the coat of arms of the Williams family.
0:21:22 > 0:21:28- The two foxes crossing. Something about cunning comes to mind. - "Strength and cunning" is the motto.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30That's the family motto.
0:21:30 > 0:21:36By the late 1920s, the upkeep on such a grand house became too much for the Williams family
0:21:36 > 0:21:43and finally they were forced to sell. So for the next 60 years it was a girls' boarding school.
0:21:43 > 0:21:50And when they moved on in the 1980s, restoration began and the castle was transformed into a museum.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57This is the first of our galleries.
0:21:57 > 0:22:02- This is the Watts Hall of Fame. - And what does that imply?
0:22:02 > 0:22:08All of the portraits on the walls here are all by George Frederick Watts. It's his hall of fame.
0:22:08 > 0:22:14- The artist who painted Hope. - That's right. He created this hall of fame himself.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17He decided who was to be the sitter.
0:22:17 > 0:22:25From around 1850 he started this series and he wanted to create a record of who he felt was important.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29Oh, right. I should be reading Eminent Victorians!
0:22:30 > 0:22:35Watts chose subjects from a great variety of vocations.
0:22:35 > 0:22:40Thus there are statesmen and military heroes, poets such as Tennyson and Browning,
0:22:40 > 0:22:46not to mention philanthropists, reformers, novelists and artists.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50- But wait - there's more!- Here we are in the sculpture gallery.
0:22:50 > 0:22:56Originally it was a drawing room that was created by the Williams family in the 1830s.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00In the fashionable Gothic style. Ladies coming into this room
0:23:00 > 0:23:06- would look at those curtains. They're absolutely incredible. - Amazing.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10They're actually reproduction from the 1980s
0:23:10 > 0:23:15as part of the whole reconstruction, to act as a backdrop for the collections.
0:23:15 > 0:23:20- No expense was spared.- How much would they have cost in the 1980s?
0:23:20 > 0:23:26Well, I understand that the curtains on the ground floor cost in the region of £160,000.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30£160,000?! How much now? An unbelievable amount!
0:23:30 > 0:23:35Well, today it would be closer to half a million pounds
0:23:35 > 0:23:41and if you think that's over the top, just wait until you see the family silver.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45- Here is the Williams centrepiece. - Hence the gloves.- Very much so.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48What date is this? Mid-18th century?
0:23:48 > 0:23:54This dates from 1730. It is the oldest extant example of a table centrepiece.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58Oh, this is wonderful. So if I was at a dining table,
0:23:58 > 0:24:04round about 1730 onwards, and they didn't have electricity or gas at that time,
0:24:04 > 0:24:10the candles would have lit whatever was on offer. So piles of fruit here.
0:24:10 > 0:24:16- What about these little salvers? Would they have sweet meats? - Sweet meats...- Candied fruits.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20- And then we have condiments there. - Mm.- Right.
0:24:20 > 0:24:26- I would point out the coat of arms in the centre.- It matches the tile - the crossed foxes.
0:24:26 > 0:24:32- Very much a family heirloom, passed from generation to generation. - I think I could afford 150.
0:24:32 > 0:24:39- Well, you might have to come forward with a little more than that. - Kevin, thank you very much indeed.
0:24:39 > 0:24:45Worth a go, I suppose. And Barby's not our only expert trying it on.
0:24:45 > 0:24:51- You know who has found himself a little bit of local history. - Welsh costumes. How interesting.
0:24:51 > 0:24:56That's early 19th century, that shape. Mid-19th century.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00- It looks very Puritan. So made in England.- Yes.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04But made for the tourist market in Wales.
0:25:04 > 0:25:10So probably bought, under normal circumstances, by someone who might live in Staffordshire.
0:25:10 > 0:25:17Goes to Wales on his holidays, circa 1850, comes back with a novelty piece to show his friends
0:25:17 > 0:25:21what the Welsh look like in that far-off land.
0:25:21 > 0:25:27- And he takes it to probably a mile away from where it was first made! Brilliant!- Yes.
0:25:27 > 0:25:33- What I love about these novelty things is you often see spelling mistakes.- Yes, costumes wrong...
0:25:33 > 0:25:37- Loads of things are wrong! Can I make you an offer?- You can.
0:25:37 > 0:25:42- Bear in mind the ticket price is £25.- A tenner?
0:25:42 > 0:25:47- Can you do a little bit more? - £10.50?- Can you do 20?
0:25:47 > 0:25:51Peter's catching on. He's got Harper on the ropes.
0:25:51 > 0:25:57- That's a lot more, Peter. That's 100% more!- But I'm trying to come out in a profit as well.
0:25:59 > 0:26:05- Are we nearly there? - I'll meet you halfway. 15 quid.- OK. - Good man. Thank you very much.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09- That's two. Two pieces. - That's a nice piece.
0:26:09 > 0:26:14- We know it's 1850. - I think Peter's going to be all right in this business.
0:26:14 > 0:26:19Our next destination, the village of Penmaenmawr.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23Try saying that three times fast. Penmaenmawr, Penmaenmawr...
0:26:23 > 0:26:30Unlike the other seaside resorts in north Wales, Victorian tourists holidaying here shared the landscape
0:26:30 > 0:26:37with the mining industry. In this small hamlet, the hardest granite in the kingdom was produced,
0:26:37 > 0:26:41though today we're just here for the shopping.
0:26:42 > 0:26:47This is a little child's chair. Mid-19th century.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50Nice social history. Elm construction.
0:26:50 > 0:26:57And some poor little chap's botty has worn away that and on the arms where he's been gripping.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01And there's the little hole there. The pot was put underneath.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05- There the child could "deef"-ecate. - Oh. I thought it was "def"-ecate.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08And there we have a repair, unfortunately.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12But a nice little object. I like that.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15£85. Well, I think it's expensive.
0:27:15 > 0:27:20Now wash your hands. It's three times what Barby wants to pay.
0:27:20 > 0:27:25Time to find Mick, the unsuspecting owner. You down there? No.
0:27:27 > 0:27:33You've got a child's potty chair with the most terrible repair. What's the best you can do on that?
0:27:33 > 0:27:37- What were you thinking? - I'd like to see it around 40 quid.
0:27:37 > 0:27:3940?
0:27:39 > 0:27:41Don't think I can do it for that.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45- Are you a gambling man?- Why? - I'll tell you what we'll do.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48We'll do £60 or nothing for a toss.
0:27:48 > 0:27:49Ohh...
0:27:51 > 0:27:53I can't bear to look.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04- What are you calling?- Heads!
0:28:04 > 0:28:07Oh, dear.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09It's heads!
0:28:09 > 0:28:13Dear, oh, dear! Mick, that is so good!
0:28:13 > 0:28:15- Oh, my God.- There we are.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18Another satisfied customer!
0:28:18 > 0:28:20I'll say.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24That's one child's chair free of charge.
0:28:24 > 0:28:31- I can't take it for nothing. I shall have to give you a... - Very kind. I hope it's luckier!
0:28:31 > 0:28:35- Do you want me to spit on it? - Please. Thank you.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37How disgusting!
0:28:37 > 0:28:43Whilst poor old Mick isn't having the best of days, there's more bad news - here comes Harper!
0:28:43 > 0:28:46He's in already!
0:28:46 > 0:28:50- How did you do that?- Welcome. - Oh, are you the owner?
0:28:50 > 0:28:54I am, indeed. I just bought the whole lot.
0:28:54 > 0:29:00But not wasting any time, David Harper soon comes across this little gem.
0:29:00 > 0:29:06There are a number of reasons why these miniature pieces were made, but the one I like the best is
0:29:06 > 0:29:12when you get married, your father will give you a miniature chest of drawers on your wedding day.
0:29:12 > 0:29:20The idea is that you go off on your honeymoon and when you get back that is replaced by a full-size one.
0:29:20 > 0:29:24- What kind of money is that for me? - What were you thinking of?
0:29:24 > 0:29:27Horribly cheap would be 20 quid.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31- That is silly ridiculous. - Is it? Really ridiculous?- Mm.
0:29:31 > 0:29:36- Oh, David. Hang your head in shame, boy.- £40.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39- Put your hand...- 35.
0:29:41 > 0:29:4438. Two pound for luck.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46- 38. Done.- Good man.- Thank you.
0:29:46 > 0:29:53And with that it's time for the two Davids to reveal to each other what they've bought.
0:29:53 > 0:30:00- Who's going to reveal first? - You took so long, you ought to. - Look away.- I bet he looks back.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02Harper's hologram pendant.
0:30:02 > 0:30:09Right. This, basically, is a surround for a crown coin.
0:30:09 > 0:30:15- It was a crown coin holder. I don't think that thing in the middle...- Has always been there?
0:30:15 > 0:30:20- I'm not certain. It's rather like a hologram.- It is. - They didn't have those in 1930.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23It's a drown coin holder.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25- It's not.- It is!
0:30:25 > 0:30:31- You've told me nothing that I didn't know already. - Oh, hang on to your knickers.
0:30:31 > 0:30:35Close your eyes. And tell me about it.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37It's a coffee pot.
0:30:37 > 0:30:41There's something special about it. Look, you've got M.
0:30:41 > 0:30:46- Yes.- And then a number. Moorcroft. - Very good. What's it worth?
0:30:46 > 0:30:50- I think it'll go for something around 80.- Well found, well spotted.
0:30:50 > 0:30:54- Clock your eyes on that. - Ah, yes.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57Very nice. It has no pretensions.
0:30:57 > 0:31:03It's a mug that would have been bought maybe as a christening, maybe as a souvenir. Good social history.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05Oh.
0:31:05 > 0:31:11- This is the cabinet of curiosities. - It's some sort of gaming ball, but I've no idea what it is.
0:31:11 > 0:31:15- Can I throw it? - Not in this shop.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17Maybe outside!
0:31:17 > 0:31:21- And then I couldn't resist these. - Toothpick holders.
0:31:21 > 0:31:26- Yes. Wide open mouths with little teeth ready to be picked. - They're brilliant.
0:31:26 > 0:31:31And now, courtesy of David Harper, we're off to the Orient.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35Out of here are pouring the spirits
0:31:35 > 0:31:40- of your ancestors and mine. - I like that immensely.
0:31:40 > 0:31:46No Chinese reign mark, but that's good. When you come across Chinese bronzes with reign marks...
0:31:46 > 0:31:48- Always suspicious.- Always.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52- I think you've done so well. - It's a very good thing.- Should fly.
0:31:52 > 0:31:58- Though the best buy would have to be...- It's a little 19th century Windsor child's chair.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02- That's right. With the little pot. - Isn't that sweet?
0:32:02 > 0:32:07- I would say you paid £35 for that. - No, I didn't.- 20, then.- No.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10- Come on!- A pound.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12- Pardon?- £1.
0:32:12 > 0:32:17- How did you pay a pound for it?! - Because Mick tossed a coin.
0:32:17 > 0:32:21- You tossed a coin for the chair? - Yes. And I'm not a gambler.
0:32:21 > 0:32:25Well, you should be! ..OK, Barby machine.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27- Talk to me.- Ah.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30Never mind that!
0:32:32 > 0:32:39- This is a nice little piece of Canton porcelain. There's been a whacking great repair.- I like it.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42- Don't you like it? - Beautifully done.- Yes.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46Jolly nice. I like the design. I can't imagine you paid a lot.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50- 10 quid.- A good piece for £10.
0:32:52 > 0:32:57Very stylish. Very Christopher Dresser type of period.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00You're bang on. You're bang on.
0:33:00 > 0:33:06- I hope it hasn't got a Christopher Dresser mark on it. - I haven't looked!
0:33:06 > 0:33:12It would be quite rare to find a maker's mark and I'd be horrified... Oh, my gosh.
0:33:12 > 0:33:17- WTS and Co. The Sunburst. - Do you know, I did not look underneath?
0:33:17 > 0:33:23- You must always look underneath! It's so rare to have a maker's mark! - It's so good.
0:33:23 > 0:33:28- Right. My final item. 1870-ish. - Yes.- Victorian.
0:33:28 > 0:33:34- Like a Scottish or Welsh chest. - It's a Scottish chest because of that top-heavy drawer.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37There's a maker's name on this!
0:33:37 > 0:33:42You should always look at the handles(!)
0:33:42 > 0:33:48- So that's it. All my pieces bought and shown. - You've got some strong pieces.
0:33:48 > 0:33:52Finally, David Barby's big ticket item.
0:33:52 > 0:33:53Ohh!
0:33:53 > 0:33:58Don't say a word to me. I love it.
0:33:58 > 0:34:02- Anglo-Indian. - I would have said this was Burmese.
0:34:02 > 0:34:07Just north of India, then. It's like saying English or Scottish.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09Burma has nothing to do with India.
0:34:09 > 0:34:17It said in my horoscope, "Be brave. Be fearless. Choose the right road." I paid £400 for this.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21- It's got to make 500. - It's going to be a struggle.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23I think that's going to bomb.
0:34:23 > 0:34:27Or...make you a hundred quid.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31Who needs horoscopes, eh? Harper's quite the psychic.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34But what do the boys really think?
0:34:34 > 0:34:41The stress of buying something is unbelievable. I had a sleepless night after I bought the table.
0:34:41 > 0:34:47I do think he's potentially dug himself into an incredibly big pit.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51He could have created a black hole of Calcutta.
0:34:51 > 0:34:55As regards David's items, I think they're very ordinary
0:34:55 > 0:35:00except for the little bronze, which I particularly like.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04I wouldn't be at all surprised if that doesn't make £300-£400.
0:35:04 > 0:35:10Because I spent low, I've got every opportunity in not only winning this next leg,
0:35:10 > 0:35:15but overtaking the Barby machine. I think the Barby machine is in big trouble.
0:35:15 > 0:35:21After kicking off in Prestatyn, David Harper and David Barby conclude the third leg
0:35:21 > 0:35:24in Criccieth.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27Yes, it's another seaside resort,
0:35:27 > 0:35:32though when Criccieth officially became a borough in 1284,
0:35:32 > 0:35:36only Englishmen were allowed to settle within its boundaries.
0:35:36 > 0:35:41Welshmen did infiltrate and in 1337 alone, three had to be evicted.
0:35:43 > 0:35:50Today their immigration policy is much more liberal - after all, they let these two geezers in.
0:35:50 > 0:35:56Look at that scenery! Have you got your Speedos with you? Cos we're going for a swim.
0:35:56 > 0:36:01- I don't think so.- First things first. We have an auction to go to,
0:36:01 > 0:36:08making our next stop Rousell's, where auctioneer Stewart Davies is ready to get this party started.
0:36:08 > 0:36:15- Nice suit.- Quiet, please, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to not-so-sunny Rousell's today.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19Lot number one is a selection of baskets...
0:36:19 > 0:36:24David Barby started this leg with £707.95
0:36:24 > 0:36:30and seems to have gone quite mad, spending £519 on five auction lots.
0:36:32 > 0:36:40As for David Harper, he began with £592.82 and parted with the more moderate sum of £113,
0:36:40 > 0:36:43also for five lots.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45Now let the auction begin.
0:36:46 > 0:36:52First up, it's David Harper's 19th century Chinese enamel plate.
0:36:52 > 0:36:56Here we go. Anything Chinese is millions.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59What have you got? 6. 8. 10. 12.
0:36:59 > 0:37:0315. £15 with the hat here. I've got 16.
0:37:03 > 0:37:0518. 20. 22.
0:37:05 > 0:37:0725. 28.
0:37:07 > 0:37:11£28. Are you all sure at 28? Number 69.
0:37:11 > 0:37:15There goes David's plans for an early retirement.
0:37:15 > 0:37:20- I'd have bought it, if that's some consolation. - Great consolation(!)
0:37:20 > 0:37:24Chin up, Harper. It's not millions, but a profit.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26The joys of auctions.
0:37:26 > 0:37:31Next it's Barby's Arts and Crafts magazine stand.
0:37:31 > 0:37:3430 I have. At £30. And 5.
0:37:34 > 0:37:3740. £40. 5. 50. 55.
0:37:37 > 0:37:4160. 5. 70. £70 on the back.
0:37:41 > 0:37:47- Am I missing anybody now? £70 up the back. Sold at 70. - It's a trickle.
0:37:47 > 0:37:52Well, perhaps more of a spurt than a trickle.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56Meanwhile, David Harper's gambling on Chinese collectables.
0:37:56 > 0:38:01His next lot, this rather ornate incense burner.
0:38:01 > 0:38:0320 I'm bid. £20 I have. 25.
0:38:03 > 0:38:0730. At £30 only. This is a bargain!
0:38:07 > 0:38:09I'll take 2. 32. 35.
0:38:09 > 0:38:13- Come on!- At £35 only and going at 35.- No, no...
0:38:13 > 0:38:16What happened there, David?
0:38:16 > 0:38:18David, what happened?
0:38:18 > 0:38:24Oh, dearie me. After commission, that's all hope of a profit up in smoke.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27Thank you. Thank you very much.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31Time now for David Barby's collection of curiosities,
0:38:31 > 0:38:38which includes this novelty biscuit tin, one gaming ball and a pair of grotesque toothpick holders.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40Have we got 50 to start? £50.
0:38:40 > 0:38:46- Oh, no!- 55. 60. The toothpick holders are worth more! 65. 70.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49£70. £70 only. 75. At £75.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52- This is so cheap.- Sold at £75.
0:38:52 > 0:38:56Not a bad return, though I think Barby was hoping for more. As usual.
0:38:56 > 0:39:02- Don't smile.- Why would I...? I'd be smiling if it sold for 20!
0:39:02 > 0:39:06So far china hasn't done David Harper any favours,
0:39:06 > 0:39:10but perhaps this Staffordshire mug can finally excite the locals.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14At £10. 12. 15. 18. 20. 22. 25.
0:39:14 > 0:39:1728. 30. £30 up there. At £30.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21£30. I'm selling it, then, at £30.
0:39:21 > 0:39:25Well done, David! You've doubled your money.
0:39:25 > 0:39:29David Barby's Moorcroft jug is next. It's a quality piece.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32Let's hope he gets a price to match.
0:39:32 > 0:39:37- Should be in excess of £100.- Yes! - Have you got 80? 50 I'm bid.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40£50. 60. 70. £80 I've got.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44- At £80. £80. I think it's a bargain. - So do I!- 85. 90.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47- 95.- Oh...- 100.
0:39:47 > 0:39:53- £100 I've got. - That's a fabulous £75 profit before commission
0:39:53 > 0:39:56and puts Barby firmly in the lead.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00David Barby, well found. Well found.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04Looking to catapult himself into first place,
0:40:04 > 0:40:10- David H's next great hope is this miniature walnut chest.- £50? 30 bid.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14At £30. 5. 40. 5. 50. 5. 60.
0:40:14 > 0:40:175. 70. 5. 80. 5. 90.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21- 100. And 10. Any more? - Come on...- £110.
0:40:21 > 0:40:27Heavens above! That's £72 profit before commission. Someone's happy.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30- That's good.- Thank you very much.
0:40:30 > 0:40:36Now this HAS to clear a profit. A child's chair with somewhere to put the botty.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40- 264.- That really is lovely. - You only paid a pound.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43No need to make an announcement!
0:40:43 > 0:40:46£20 I'm bid. At £20. 25. 28.
0:40:46 > 0:40:51- 30. £30. 32. 35. - No, stop...- At £35.
0:40:51 > 0:40:56Bargain basement. £35 and sold at 35. 102.
0:40:56 > 0:40:5838 million per cent profit!
0:40:58 > 0:41:01Mm, someone's good at mathematics(!)
0:41:03 > 0:41:07Moving on to David Harper's 1937 hologram pendant,
0:41:07 > 0:41:12all I have to say is...holograms were invented 10 years later.
0:41:12 > 0:41:1720 I'm bid. At £20. Take me to 5. 25. 30.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21At £35, fresh bidding. The ladies are out. £35.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23- Come on.- Sold at £35.
0:41:23 > 0:41:27And there's a wee bit of profit in that, too.
0:41:27 > 0:41:33Last, but by no means least, it's David Barby's Burmese table.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37Thanks to the advice of a newspaper astrologer, he spent £400 on it.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41And he's looking worried.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43I can't bear the suspense.
0:41:43 > 0:41:48- Yes, and neither can we. - I have got various bids here.
0:41:48 > 0:41:52I can start at £350. 350. I've got 360.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55370. At £370, it's here. At 370.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58- I think this is cheap.- It IS cheap.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01Are you sure? I'll take 5. 375.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04At 375. It's like drawing teeth. At 375.
0:42:04 > 0:42:08- Any more? At 375.- Ohh!
0:42:08 > 0:42:13- How do you feel?- Scorched. - It could have been worse.
0:42:13 > 0:42:18Well, not much worse. That's a £25 loss, even before commission.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24Well, David Barby, that's it. Another one done, dusted.
0:42:24 > 0:42:30- We now need to do some figures. - I have learnt my lesson.- You were very brave. It's the best item.
0:42:30 > 0:42:34- Well done, you. A cup of tea, on me. - Something stronger!
0:42:34 > 0:42:37So, "Who's won?" you ask.
0:42:37 > 0:42:41Well, Harper thinks it's him. Obviously.
0:42:41 > 0:42:45He started this leg with £592.82
0:42:46 > 0:42:49and made a profit of £82.16,
0:42:49 > 0:42:55giving him a new total of £674.98.
0:42:55 > 0:43:00David Barby started with £707.95
0:43:00 > 0:43:04and made a mere £18.10 profit,
0:43:04 > 0:43:10but even though he's lost on this round, he hangs narrowly onto his lead
0:43:10 > 0:43:12with £726.05.
0:43:12 > 0:43:17You escaped by the skin of your teeth, David Barby!
0:43:17 > 0:43:19But it was good fun!
0:43:19 > 0:43:23Join us tomorrow when David Barby minds his language.
0:43:23 > 0:43:26ATTEMPTS WELSH
0:43:26 > 0:43:29I don't think you'd get very far!
0:43:29 > 0:43:32And David Harper minds the cash.
0:43:32 > 0:43:36I'd give you 200 quid for that.
0:43:48 > 0:43:52Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd - 2011
0:43:53 > 0:43:55Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk