Episode 29 Antiques Road Trip

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The nation's favourite antiques experts, £200 each

and one big challenge!

I'm declaring war.

Why?

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

The aim is to trade up

and hope each antique turns a profit.

But it's not as easy as you might think, and things don't always go to plan.

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

Think I believe that?

This is the Antiques Road Trip!

Today we're in Wales with, appropriately, the two Davids!

David Barby and David Harper. Although neither, of course, is a saint.

I think I'm lost.

-I'm lost without my sat nav.

-What do you call her?

-Harriet.

David Harper is a dealer with a taste for the finer things in life.

These can make thousands, can't they? I'll give you 200 quid for it.

While co-driver David Barby does the shopping and is an auctioneer.

There's nothing he likes more than to go for a song!

-#

-I want a dream lover so I don't have to dream alone.

-#

Ooh, flat!

David B has led all week, but David H is catching up fast!

So how are you feeling, Mr Barby, still in the lead?

I feel very relaxed about it.

Well, don't feel too relaxed because somebody's nipping at your heels!

-Yapping, I would say!

-Yapping!

-Ruf! Ruf!

Hmm. They began with £200 each

and David Barby goes into today with a very respectable £726.05 to spend.

While the other David has almost as much with £674.98.

This week, we're travelling from Northern Ireland, heading south towards the county of Meath

then across to the north coast of Wales

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

Today's show starts out in Aberystwyth

and heads for an auction in Shrewsbury.

In the mid-19th century a fine pier and a railway were built

making Aberystwyth a Victorian tourist boom town.

Back in the Middle Ages, though, when the English were much less popular,

Aberystwyth Castle was once the stronghold of the Welsh freedom fighter, Owain Glyn Dwr.

We have to try and mix and blend with the natives.

-You're ingratiating yourself?

-Yes, just like you do rather nicely.

So I have a Welsh phrase book.

I've written down one of your favourite phrases.

Please, just... Just for me cos I'd love to hear you say it.

In English, how do you do it?

"Is that your very, very best?"

Wonderful. Now, in Welsh,

you say, "Hoffet ti dawnsio?" Say that.

Hoffet ti dawnsio?

Not in a Chinese accent, a Welsh one. Try again.

Hoffet ti dawnsio?

-Dawnsio.

-Dancho.

Hoffet ti dawnsio.

-Hoffet ti dawnsio.

-Exactly.

I want you to look into the vendor's eyes and stare at them with that twinkle that only you have,

-and say...

-Hoffet ti dawnsio?

You naughty boy!

-Music to my ears.

-Knowing you, it's probably a swear word.

David Barby starts his shopping a few hundred yards from the sea front.

-This looks interesting! Hello. David Barby.

-Hello.

On a mission to find something unusual, idiosyncratic or even downright odd!

Let's see the quirky things.

Yes, quirky. That's what he's after.

How about some Japanese jade snuff trays, suggests dealer David.

Or maybe a huge gramophone horn.

Mmm. Nice.

-How much is that?

-About 400.

-I haven't got that sort of money!

-Expensive and quirky.

-Keep your hat on!

-That really has got some style.

So has this, and quite a price, too,

at £125 a fork!

I love the social history behind it.

You'd pass your bread roll on the end of this, rather than taint it with your fingers.

-That's rather nice. What's the very best you can do on that?

-I can do a lot on that. 85.

Ooh! Too much.

75, then.

Is that the very best you can do?

Go on. 25 quid.

-25.

-Yeah.

£100 off, a slap round the chops, and then...

-I think it's got a little fracture down the side.

-Really?

-Yeah.

It's a gaping hole!

Ah, here we go!

I've been told if I use a certain expression like...

Hoffet ti dawnsio? Um...

I don't think you'd get very far!

In other words, is that the very best price?

-Yes, I think 25 is...

-Even with that damage?

-You quoted that before the damage was noticed.

-Go on. 20 quid, then.

-20 quid.

-OK, it's a deal. Thank you very much indeed.

-Pleasure.

-Thank you.

And after finally forking out (ha!) David spies something that might go with his first buy.

That was from my attic, so that could be any price.

This would have been in a picnic hamper

and you might have taken this out with your Bentley.

In there, you would have a burner.

And then this little kettle would stand on that.

So that's ten pounds.

I'm really not sure where David got that from.

But it seems to have been OK'd, and now he's had another idea.

I like this, David, because it's the same period as the kettle.

I'd like to think that Mum and Dad had unpacked the picnic

and brought the baby's dish along.

-So they could make his rusks.

-Rusks, yes!

-Or porridge.

And feed him whilst on the picnic.

We have the alphabet round the edge which is rather nice.

And then this delightful golfing scene here.

Hmm. The Golly image,

which used to feature on a well-known brand of jam,

and in books by Enid Blyton, is now regarded as an offensive caricature.

But such items do have a value

as pieces of social history.

-I'd like to buy the two to go together.

-Right. OK.

-I think they should go together.

-I think it would be fun, yes.

-It would be fun.

-We paid 20 for that one.

-20?!

-It's been here ages!

-It hasn't been here ages.

I came on holiday when I was 12 and saw that!

And wanted it ever since!

We could do a deal perhaps with the kettle. How about that?

And the...

Hmm. How about 30 quid for the kettle?

Oh, no, no, no, no, no.

-You mentioned ten on it originally.

-20 quid with the kettle.

15.

15 with the kettle.

-Yeah, go on, then. 15.

-£15.

-You waited all those years to buy it!

And while David Barby is busy buying...

-How's my Welsh?

-I think... Keep at it. Keep at it!

Thank you very much!

Iechyd da!

..David Harper's meanwhile taken the Triumph north around Cardigan Bay,

driving from Aberystwyth to the seaside resort of Borth.

Very rarely is a business described as antique shop and pub,

but that's what they have here.

Hello!

-Hello.

-Hello, there. I'm David.

-How do you do?

Very nicely, thank you! The shop and the inn below

have been in Sarah Pugh's family for generations. And it shows.

A delightful clutter that requires a fine toothcomb to find a bargain.

Or unearth a pocket general.

That's a typical model of Napoleon.

Don't you think it's strange that we made models of him

in celebration of his greatness.

It's quite a rarity. How many enemies of a nation

can you think of that the victors for many years after he's been vanquished,

actually make models of him and sell them as mementos.

Yes, but how would he fare in a "general" sale(!)

A bargain hunter doesn't need to conquer a continent, though, just move a moggy!

OK. Anything else. Excuse me, is this your sales assistant here?

-She doesn't like people buying jewellery!

-Oh. What's she called?

-Merle.

-Merle, what's your very best price?

Miaow!

Unable to view the cabinet, David studies the place where his cash would have gone.

Wow, isn't that beautiful?

-Is that for sale?

-No!

-Really?

-No!

-Sure?

-Absolutely. It's been in the family. The pub.

-I'd definitely buy that.

-I know!

-Those can make thousands.

I'd give you 200 quid for that. No questions asked.

What do you think of the show so far?

"Rubbish!"

After failing to buy the till, or anything else for that matter,

David Harper is now heading inland through the spectacular scenery

of the Ystwyth Valley, where they used to mine lead, zinc and silver,

travelling from Borth to Rhayader.

The oldest town in mid-Wales dates back to the fifth century

but the place really got on the map when, in 1843,

the locals rioted over road tolls.

Many were dressed up in drag and became known as Rebeccaites.

Anxious to finally start spending after drawing a blank in Borth,

David is determined to shop here.

-So what's this building?

-This is the old courthouse.

-The magistrates' bench used to be there.

-Magistrate, eh?

-Through where the books are there's two holding cells.

-No.

Is that where you put customers that don't pay?

I do!

The courthouse holds many of the usual suspects,

and for the right price, any of these items can get an early release. But which ones?

So, what have you got?

Gin, Bourbon, sherry, scotch, brandy and vodka.

-Are they all the same?

-They are.

So probably 1960s, but you've got that Victorian shape.

It's very 1880s in its shape, a classical thing.

I can tell you, if they were in silver, they would be hundreds of pounds.

But they're in pewter.

But the thing is, on six liquor bottles, they'd look the biz.

-Yeah.

-What kind of money are they?

Lots of money. £20 for the six.

Ooh, Robin.

Robin, honestly.

It's a bargain, isn't it?

-20 quid.

-It can be more.

I don't know I if I dare ask if they can be less?

-No, they couldn't be less.

-I'll have to have them.

-I think so.

Good man. Thank you. I'll have those.

Six labels later and Harper is in the hunt.

That's a cracking thing, Robin.

I think that's 1835, 1840, with a later top.

-Can I take the glasses off?

-Certainly can.

This symbol was first used in 3000 BC

and has been associated with everything from religion and magic to politics.

What kind of money is it?

To you, about £80.

80 quid.

-That couldn't be 50, could it?

-No, it couldn't be 50.

-It couldn't?

-It couldn't.

-Under any circumstances?

-Under any circumstances.

All right. What could it be under any circumstances?

70.

It's a good thing. 60?

No. It's pushing it at 60.

-I couldn't replace it for that.

-65?

65 is there.

-Yeah, OK.

-Shall we do a deal at 65?

-It's a deal at 65.

-Thank goodness. I love spending money here.

Not content with table and labels,

David goes looking for more.

Look at that!

That is a Japanese Satsuma ware.

What a grand, impressive thing!

Robin, what money is the Satsuma?

-It's got some damage on it, unfortunately.

-Has it?

Yeah, on the lions. This one here.

Oh, yeah, missing its tail. Yeah.

There you go. There's the male version. That's the Dog of Fo, or Shishi dog.

The Dogs of Fo are there to protect the owner.

-Yeah.

-You own it and they're scaring me away!

What would it cost for me to own it?

-£40. There you are.

-40 quid.

-Yes.

Blimey, that is a gift.

Tell you what, if you dress that up, put it in someone's living room

or dining room or hallway, and it would look £4,000-worth.

-It can be!

-Really, Robin? Can it?

Do you mind? I do want to spend big(!)

-Take 30 quid for it.

-No, come on!

-I'll spin you a coin, 30 or 40.

-Go on, then.

-Good man.

I love spinning coins. You call.

Heads.

Yes!

-Marvellous!

-It's not a fix?

So, £30 to David Harper. Meanwhile, back in Aberystwyth,

there's a museum dedicated to the history of Ceredigion,

or Cardiganshire.

David Barby has come to the beautiful old Coliseum theatre to take a look.

-Hello, David, welcome to Ceredigion Museum. I'm Michael, the curator.

-Pleased to meet you.

The theatre was built for Variety in 1905

and later converted to a cinema.

It became a museum in 1984.

-That's the piano that was used during silent films.

-My mother, in Rugby,

played the piano at the cinema where they showed silent movies.

But to keep us quiet at home, she would play Hearts and Flowers,

which was often the one she'd employ during love scenes or melodramatic scenes when looking at the screen.

Upstairs, they still have the mighty projector that last fired up

for The Lady and the Tramp in 1977.

Although most of the exhibits are much older and focus on the domestic lives of local people.

Michael, what do we have here?

-A very fine collection of indigenous Welsh chairs.

-Those are Windsor chairs!

We now think that these actually pre-date the English examples.

-Really?

-They look very uncomfortable

but they are made out of local materials by the people who sat on them.

Something that's undoubtedly made in Wales

is the proper Welsh stove-pipe hat.

Although you may think it's as old as the Druids,

it was only invented around 1830 as an early form of branding.

This is something that the better-off women wore.

If you went to market and you wanted to buy good quality food from a Welsh-speaking person,

the chances are they'd be wearing a Welsh hat.

The festivals of music and literature known as Eisteddfod

first took place in the 12th century

and their revival in the 19th coincided with the rise in Welsh nationalism.

-What does Eisteddfod mean?

-It's a meeting place, really.

-It's where everybody meets to share their skills and enthusiasm...

-It's a gathering.

-Yes.

That's a lovely concept.

All that talk of music and the old theatre seems to have had quite an effect on David Barby,

someone never likely to suffer from stage fright.

-#

-Keep the home fires burning

-#

-Though your hearts are yearning

-#

-Though your lads are far away

-#

-They dream of home...

-#

I do believe he's had a glass of sherry!

-#

-..through the clouds are shining

-#

-Till the dark clouds inside out

-#

-Till the boys come home!

-#

Hmm. And on that bum note...

Day Two of our trip in a Triumph.

From the coast of Wales to the English border.

Is it "Shrows-bury" or "Shrewsbury"?

-Depends where you come from. I'd say "Shrows-bury".

-You say "Shrows-bury" and I'll say "Shrewsbury".

Yesterday, David and David both bought three things.

David Barby spent £35 on a mix of quirky dining-related items.

While David H weighed in with £115

on some labels, a table and a giant Japanese incense burner.

Heads.

Yes, Robin, I've got it!

But what will today's jaunt do for the two Davids

as they make for that auction in Shrewsbury - or is it Shrows-bury?

Actually, both are perfectly acceptable.

Starting out once more in Rhayader

where David Harper deposits David Barby.

-Hello!

-Good morning.

-David Barby. What's your name?

-David Carnan.

-Another David! Good, we have something in common!

David Barby's found one antique already and hopes to buy big today and so stretch his lead.

I think I ought to invest around 200-plus.

With what I've bought so far, I stand a chance of making a small profit.

A nibbling away at the amount of money I've got.

But I'd like to buy something a bit different and just boost the price.

But tactics are on hold while he enjoys himself!

This is really a very interesting shop.

-What's that? I suppose it's a reproduction?

-A cocktail shaker.

-I don't think it is, no.

-I think it's as brand-new as...

-Look at the inside of that.

-It's never been used.

No staining, nothing.

It's a terrible game, isn't it?

How much is the Worcester jug?

Oh, mega dear.

-You'll tell me it's not Worcester, now!

-It's Worcester. How much is that?

-Has he not got a price on it?

-No.

And it's chipped, as well. I'll reject that one, thank you.

15 pencil sketches in there.

-Somebody on the Grand Tour.

-Yeah.

What's the date? 1848.

People didn't have cameras.

If they went on holiday, particularly abroad,

they would take a sketch pad

and they often had training to do quick sketches

of scenes they were looking at

and often they'd do a write-up at the side of what it was.

But this is by an amateur hand,

possibly a gifted female.

Oh.

The drawings are rejected, but here's something that could fly.

There's a nice First World War propeller.

This is a patent.

One that was manufactured as an example.

It's actually never been on a plane.

How much is that?

50 quid.

The very, very, very best.

That started at the very best. That's a bargain!

Oh, he's...

He's from my neck of the woods, as well. Birmingham.

-I'm a Scouser, from Liverpool.

-Well, that's close enough!

That is a possibility.

But I'd like it much reduced on that.

-How much?

-30.

-Go ahead. Seeing as it's you.

-OK.

-Seeing as it's a sale.

Meanwhile, David H is once again behind the wheel and headed for his final shop,

travelling from Rhayader to Llanidloes.

Hi, I'm David Harper.

-Mark. Nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you, too.

-So how a browse round and...

-I will. OK, Mark.

I'll give you a shout if we can do something. OK.

-What about the recumbent Buddha? Is it modern?

-He's the good luck Buddha of the shop.

The first thing I look at, I can't buy?

That's a great start!

Stumped again. Ah, well, as the Buddha says,

"To the one who endures, the final victory comes."

Nothing about nice things in cabinets, though!

OK. Think of the man who has absolutely everything.

He wants for nothing. What do you buy him for Christmas?

Well, the perfect gentleman's accessory, a really good pen.

He may not actually use it,

but a Parker pen with a 14-carat gold nib.

16 quid.

It's actually really cheap.

If you were to go to a vintage pen shop, I think that would make 50 quid, possibly?

-That's a really nice pen, Mark, isn't it?

-It is.

Could that be devastatingly cheap? Help me out.

-I'd go down to 12 on that.

-12.

I bet we could make it ten.

-I haven't got any change. Couldn't we?

-Let's have a look.

-I bet we could.

-Seeing as it's you.

-Good man. Thanks, Mark. Deal done. Thank you.

Come on, David, own up. These are just the sort of toys

you'd like to have yourself!

Let's have a look at this watch.

That's a really good quality, Swiss-made small manufacturer Roamer watch.

My first good watch, bought for me when I was 18, was a Roamer.

How much is it, Mark?

28 quid.

And so while David comes over all nostalgic,

the dealer himself arrives to hear his offer.

-Hello.

-Hello, I'm Clive. I'm the owner of the items in the cabinet.

-So if you're looking for a deal...

-You've called him, have you?

Good man. Right, let's have a look at this little watch.

What kind of money could that be?

-I could do that at £20.

-Could you?

-Yeah.

20 quid, eh?

Do you want to say 15 and be really happy?

Would that make you happy, Clive?

-Yes, go on, then.

-Sure?

-Yes.

-Good man. Thank you very much.

-The pen was yours, I believe?

-Yes.

So I owe you 25 quid.

-That's fine.

-There's 20 and five.

That's it. I've hardly spent any money!

And with that less than tactful comment, we shift our gaze to David Barby,

who's struggling to spend his cash.

David has travelled from Rhayader to Newbridge-on-Wye, in search of that big purchase.

But despite a huge choice, things are not looking good.

Hmm.

I haven't seen anything yet

that will be suitable for the auction.

Eventually, David finds something to ponder upon.

But he's still not happy.

Well, it's a 1930s Jacobean revival cabinet, very fashionable at that time.

It's a floor-standing gramophone.

In the lower section you have storage for gramophones. It's got the original uprights.

And then you have the sound box, which is here.

It normally has a silk-lined screen. We haven't got that.

Then you've got the actual turntable here.

It's nicely dusty but not in particularly good working order.

Which is a shame, because he could have played something to suit his mood!

Gloomy!

HEART-RENDING VIOLIN SOLO

I'm quite, quite disappointed

that there is nothing there that I can buy and make a profit on at auction.

# I need a hero

# I'm holding out for a hero till the end of the night

# He's gotta be strong

# And he's gotta be fast

# And he's gotta be fresh from the fight

# I need a hero! #

David Harper is on his way from Llanidloes to Presteigne.

Straddling the River Lugg, a stone's throw from the English border,

the county town of Radnorshire has many fine buildings

and David has come to visit the old courtroom, known as the Shire Hall.

This 19th-century gem has been miraculously preserved

so that visitors like David can get a real sense of Victorian rural justice.

Oh, my goodness me. You're not the judge, I hope!

No, no. Not today.

-David Harper.

-Charles Kitely. I'm one of the trustees here

-and I helped to restore the building.

-My gosh,

-look at this place.

-That's the judge's seat up there.

And the witness box.

Radnorshire juries were famous. They'd let them off.

One judge saw a hare about to be got by a greyhound,

and he said, "The only thing that will save that hare is a Radnorshire jury!"

The building has been restored to its 1860s peak,

complete with original bats' wing burner gas lighting.

That is so stylish!

This is the only house in Britain that's still got open-flame gas burners to light it.

That is amazing!

So here we are in the judge's lodge.

-Gas lighting?

-No, that's oil lamps.

Oil. Of course. I can smell it.

Me, too. Not only the courtroom, but the entire building has now been returned to its previous condition.

Which means no electric lighting.

This is the dining room.

This furniture here and the chairs and table were laid for the house.

This is extraordinary. This is older than the house.

This is the jury box.

All the people who were eligible to be jurymen,

their names would be put in there on bits of paper.

And some "indifferent" person would put his hand in

-and pick out...John Jones.

-Really?

-William Thomas.

-Is that right?

-Yes, and then they had to serve.

Below stairs, things are also completely authentic, in every murky detail.

This is still working.

Oh, a water pump.

Look at that!

And then we get into the more sort of business end.

Folk accused of typical crimes like horse, and even duck, theft,

would spend an anxious time in the cells.

These, too, are now open to visitors.

If you look in the cell here,

I'm afraid we are going to have to keep you here...

Hey!

Ha-ha! That'll serve you!

Did David Barby put you up to that?

Very amusing(!)

Meanwhile, his co-defendant, David Barby,

has travelled from Newbridge-on-Wye

to Llangurig, where he arrives, a desperate man.

-Hello?

-Hello!

-David Barby.

-Hi, Dave. Mike Elliott.

-Hello, Michael, how are you?

-How are you?

This is a privilege. Thank you. To come into somebody's house that's also the dealer.

-There's few left.

-There's hidden treasures.

There are certainly plenty of treasures in Mike's crowded house.

The palpitations subside as David begins to feel at home.

This is so encouraging because there are things I feel I can actually buy.

-What's this little piece?

-That's only just come in.

I think it's for cigarettes or something, if you lift it up.

-Cigarettes, cuff-links.

-I think it's 1900 or something.

-Yes.

-That can be 35 quid.

Oh, sugars!

Why did I buy that kettle?

Come on, David. No regrets about yesterday.

A little box to think about, and next door, a slightly bigger box!

What is that, on its own, the small cabinet?

It's rosewood, but I can be £45.

It's a good bit of wood.

-I think that's got potential.

-Yes.

-This is the base of an etagere which is, in ordinary terms, a what-not.

-A what-not.

So above here, you'd have probably one, maybe three shelves.

It was intended for ornamental items, clocks, bijouterie, something like that.

-I'm going to have that one.

-Good.

-Thank you very much.

-Good. Pleasure.

-That's an interesting little clock, yes.

-Yes. Yeah.

-What price range are we looking at?

-Two and a half.

I think he means hundreds.

-That's the very best you can do?

-Yes, it does owe me more, I promise you.

Seriously.

Is that the very, very best you can do?

Well, the very best

would be £230.

Right.

-I saw that little box that you quoted, was it 30?

-35.

-£35 on it.

I think that is exquisite.

-It is.

-Absolutely exquisite.

-Super.

Well, at 250 quid, you might be able to marry the two.

-That is very tempting.

-Well.

That's cheap.

Tempting and cheap!

DRUM ROLL

Ooh, what have I done?

What a relief! David's finally splashed that cash.

And now he's discovered something Mike will probably never sell,

his karaoke machine!

-#

-I want a dream lover, cos I don't wanna dream alone.

-#

Keep singing like that and you'll always be alone!

And now, the two must, once again,

compare and contrast their respective purchases.

This might get tetchy!

-Oh, they're nice.

-I think they're American.

-What did you pay? Around £30?

-A bit less. 20.

-That's good.

That's a terrific amount less.

Very cordial. Perhaps they'll behave themselves today.

-What on earth is that? Part of a propeller?

-Yes.

-It's sort of got a Deco feel.

-It has got a Deco feel. I think it's a good piece of wood.

I wouldn't know about it, but I appreciate its historic interest

to anyone who has a bi-plane.

You're so damning in your comments!

Not so cordial.

Now for the vintage Swiss.

It's a very good quality, stylish gentleman's watch.

It is, indeed. I prefer this style of watch, actually.

It's not the modern bling, bling, in your face.

Oh. Like that.

This is very, very stylish.

Because it's very similar to your own watch!

What about the muffin fork?

-I think it's a thing of beauty with that twisty handle.

-It's all silver.

-Is the handle hallmarked?

-Yes. It's all silver.

Yes, there's the Queen's head. I would be happy to pay 45.

-It's yours!

-Really?

-I paid 20.

-That's very cheap.

David's bargain fountain pen.

I think that's a 14-carat mounted Duofold Parker pen.

-It says rolled gold up here.

-It does not!

-It does.

-Doesn't. That's a registration mark!

-It's a Duofold.

-I imagine you paid about 15 for it.

-I paid for that £10.

-Yeah.

The Edwardian eating lot. Item one.

It doesn't get me going.

I don't lust after it. I don't want to run away with it.

-No.

-Do you know what I mean?

I think he does, David.

That came with this little object, to make baby's food

on the journey.

That's really sweet.

Harking back to the early 20th century.

It's full of, what shall I say, part of our social history.

-It is.

-In more ways than one.

-Absolutely. Very interesting.

David Harper's favourite buy.

Feast your eyes on that beauty.

It's hand-painted, hand-potted, and it's signed, by the way.

I tell you what, David Barby, you put that on a good period table

in a contemporary room, and it would look so modern.

That, brand-spanking new in some flash shop somewhere

would be hundreds of pounds

yet you can buy a real piece for 30 quid.

Antiques expensive? No.

I don't like it. I can't see the quality there, David.

Oh, dear. Here we go!

Right. Let's see how horrible I can be about something of yours.

I don't think I was horrible. I was non-committal.

Oooh!

Ooh, mind your back, David!

A little bit of rosewood.

A vast amount of rosewood.

1860.

-1870, maybe.

-I wouldn't say as late as that.

It's got no Arts and Crafts or aesthetic movement about it.

-OK. A nice quality piece of brown furniture.

-Not brown.

-It's not mahogany or oak. At the back...

-Sorry, what colour is it?

-It's rosewood.

-If you look at the back...

-Isn't that brown?

-No. It's got honey streaks in it.

Calm down, please!

It's 80 quid's-worth. 70 quid's-worth. £50-worth.

-I paid £40 for it.

-It's fine.

Another nice piece of rosewood.

This table is so similar to yours, it's unbelievable.

-Because of this, I think it's added great interest to it. How much did I pay?

-I think 45.

-45? No, I paid a bit more. 65.

-That's very, very good.

Liar! Finally, David Barby's treasure.

Ooh! I think that's a little sweetie.

-And it came with this?

-Came with that little box from the same house, according to the dealer.

I think it's really bonny. Really nice. I'd say 120 for the two. What did you pay?

-No, that's far too little.

-Come on.

-I don't even want to tell you.

-You have to tell me.

-I paid £250 for the two.

-Did you really?

-Yeah.

OK.

Is it me,

or is that clock ticking?

-I value your opinion, David.

-Thank you.

-I value your opinion.

Phew, I'm glad that's over!

I found the whole exercise today rather depressing.

David has that awful knack of putting in prices

obviously well under what I actually paid for them.

He gets horrified when I give a price, but I'm not being awful.

It's just that it's a risky one.

So we're both going to be hoping on that one, in opposite directions.

David does have that ability

of embellishing and making his objects sound absolutely wonderful

when in fact they're not.

I dislike intensely the late Japanese Satsuma pieces

because they are gaudy and fairground like.

After starting out on the Welsh coast at Aberystwyth,

this leg of our tour will conclude just over the English border

in Shrewsbury. That's how I pronounce it.

The English and the Welsh have fought over the place for years,

but the county town of Shropshire escaped the bombs of World War II

and currently has well over 600 listed buildings.

Street names such as Bear Steps, Dog Pole and Grope Lane

have remained unchanged for centuries, too.

David B and David H are crossing the River Severn

for a general sale at Hall's auctioneers.

I'm fearful that I shall make a loss today.

David Harper has spent £140 on five lots.

I've hardly spent any money. David will hit the roof!

While David Barby has, as promised,

lavished a whopping £355 also on five lots including this 19th-century time-piece.

Ooh, what have I done?

So, while the good people of Shrewsbury take a peek at the lots,

let's have a word with gavel-wielding Andrew Beeston.

The item that could do the best

is the William IV mahogany drum-head miniature time-piece.

Very nice. We will see.

My favourite has to be the propeller. Anything linked to aviation, very nice.

I'd love to have it on my wall.

Well, you can't have it. Ready for this?

-David, think lucky.

-I'll think lucky.

David Barby's fork.

With a crack.

£30. 30.

20, anywhere?

20? Ten. £10 bid. At 12 now.

At ten. Should be 12. £12.

12. 14. 16.

-18. 20. 22. £22. Four anywhere?

-It's so cheap.

At 22.

I'm surprised.

That tiny profit will be a loss after commission.

I'm concerned about the other lots.

David Harper's nice piece of parquetry.

Start the bidding. 50. 30 to start me. £30. 35.

-40. Five. 50. £50. Take the five.

-Come on!

£50 in the room now. At 50.

-Five now? We are selling at £50.

-No, David, no!

226.

Another loss. This ain't boding well.

That's a very bad start for me.

-You've got your Satsuma coming up.

-Yeah. Thank you very much(!)

Now, David B's picnic collection with child's bowl.

10 bid. £10 bid. Take the 12.

-At £10. Is there a 12? At £10. £12?

-Oh, God, this is terrible!

At £10.

-£10.

-What did that owe you? 15?

A familiar outcome today.

-You're smiling.

-I'm trying not to.

-I wish you wouldn't!

Now, what will Shrewsbury make of David H's prized Satsuma?

Start the bidding. Should be straightaway £40. 40. 40 bid.

£40. Take the five now. At £40. 45.

50. Five.

-55.

-Come on.

-£55 bid. 60?

At £55. Selling at £55.

-You've made a profit.

-It's a profit.

-It's a profit.

Yes. Be very grateful!

They may be rare, today.

I'm happy with that, just to make a profit.

The auctioneer likes David's propeller, but will anybody else?

30 bid. £30 I'm bid.

30. Five now. At £30.

Who's got the five? At 30. Starter's bid. 35.

40. Five.

50. £50 at the back there.

At 50. We shall sell. Make no mistakes.

-Oh, well.

-How do you feel about that?

-It's OK.

Another profit, minus commission.

Give me a smile.

Neck and neck. What can these do?

30. £30. There we go.

-Label your bottles. 30 bid.

-Come on, baby.

32 now? At 30. Who's got the two?

Bid's in front at £30. Maiden bid.

At 30.

-Ten quid.

-£10. That's all right.

No matter who made them. They made a profit.

That's the spirit!

Next, David Barby's what-not bottom bit.

Straightaway 10, 25, £30.

At £30. Take the five. At £30. Five now.

At £30. And five. 35.

At 35. 40. Five.

50. £50. Where's the five? Five.

-60. Five. £65 in the back.

-Should be worth more than that.

At 65.

-That made a profit.

-A profit, yes.

I think today's going to be who gets away with it day.

Next, David Harper's fountain pen.

20? No? Ten. Give me a start. Ten bid. 12. 15.

18 at the back? £18, gentleman's bid. 20 now.

At 18. Should be 20.

At £18.

-You've made a profit.

-At £18.

-Come on.

-Now selling at £18.

You've made a profit.

I made a profit. I know!

Yes, he has. Just.

I'm trying to tell myself, "Be happy."

But it's not a great profit, is it?

Now for David Barby's big risk.

The time-piece and the box.

Start the bidding straightaway with me. Commission bid. 180 I'm bid.

180.

190. At £190. Do I see 200?

At 190.

200. At £200. Commission bid against you now.

At £200, commission bid.

200.

Could that loss give David Harper an overall lead?

Very disappointing. But it's what I thought.

Finally the watch that reminded David Harper of his misspent youth.

20. Where are you? £20.

No? £20.

Ten to start it. Ten bid. £10 bid.

Take the 12. At £10.

At £10. Should be a 12.

-At £10.

-Should be 12.

-12 to sell.

-Come on!

At £10.

At £10.

-I'm trying! At £10.

-Try harder!

At ten. It's in Australia, though, it's upside-down.

-£10.

-It works.

£10.

For God's sake, I can't believe it.

David, don't worry. Don't worry.

I can't believe it.

That Swiss miss means a loss

but nothing like what David Barby suffered on his time-piece.

Somebody is one or two pounds ahead,

but I don't know who because my maths is so poor!

Good news, David Harper, because after a so-so day in Shropshire for both of them,

he's just crept into the lead.

David Harper began with £726.05

and made a loss of £70.46 after auction costs today.

So he has just £655.59 to spend tomorrow.

While David Harper started this round with £674.98,

and made a loss of £6.34 after auction costs,

leaving him today with £668.64 to spend tomorrow.

A lead of little more than £10.

-I am so relieved.

-You're so relieved.

-Absolutely.

-A victory for me, but not a great victory. A weak victory.

-£10!

It could have been substantially more, David Barby,

if you had failed on that clock and I had won on my Satsuma or my pen.

Quality will out!

Join us tomorrow to see David B sniff out a bargain

and David H create quite a stink.

Can you smell my aftershave?

-Slightly.

-I poured loads on!

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd