Episode 11

Download Subtitles

Transcript

0:00:02 > 0:00:06The nation's favourite antiques experts. £200 each. One challenge.

0:00:06 > 0:00:08Well, duck, do I buy you or don't I?

0:00:08 > 0:00:11Who can make the most money buying and selling antiques

0:00:11 > 0:00:13as they scour the UK?

0:00:13 > 0:00:16The aim is to trade up and hope that each antique turns a profit.

0:00:16 > 0:00:20It's not as easy as it looks and dreams of glory can end in tatters.

0:00:20 > 0:00:23I'm a loser. I'm a loser.

0:00:23 > 0:00:26Will it be the fast lane to success, or the slow road to bankruptcy?

0:00:26 > 0:00:29Oh! There's a mouse! There's a mouse!

0:00:29 > 0:00:31This is the Antiques Road Trip.

0:00:34 > 0:00:35Yeah!

0:00:35 > 0:00:40It's another Road Trip and we join antiques maestros

0:00:40 > 0:00:42David Barby and Charles Hanson on the road.

0:00:44 > 0:00:47# Greased Lightning Go Greased Lightning! #

0:00:47 > 0:00:50David, don't you feel we're like Sandy and Danny

0:00:50 > 0:00:51from Greased Lightning?

0:00:51 > 0:00:54Well, I certainly feel as though I'm stuck in the 1970s.

0:00:54 > 0:00:58They're taking the air in a classic 1959 Hillman Minx.

0:00:58 > 0:01:03I think this is so iconic as a car. We've got the lovely bent seats.

0:01:03 > 0:01:05I can rest my hand on your thigh if I really wished to,

0:01:05 > 0:01:06but I don't want to.

0:01:06 > 0:01:09- But you've done it twice already. - By accident!

0:01:09 > 0:01:11LAUGHTER

0:01:11 > 0:01:12# ..The power you're supplying

0:01:12 > 0:01:14# It's electrifying! #

0:01:16 > 0:01:19Antiques valuer David Barby is known for his haggling style.

0:01:19 > 0:01:22The infamous Barby stare.

0:01:22 > 0:01:25But lately, he's been forced to change tack.

0:01:25 > 0:01:27I'll go 55.

0:01:29 > 0:01:31SHE LAUGHS

0:01:31 > 0:01:32How low will you stoop?

0:01:32 > 0:01:34While his rival, Charles,

0:01:34 > 0:01:38an auctioneer from Derbyshire, likes quirky things.

0:01:38 > 0:01:40Much like himself.

0:01:40 > 0:01:42The helmet is a bit greasy.

0:01:42 > 0:01:44So, equipped with £200 each,

0:01:44 > 0:01:46our experts are ready to roll with the punches

0:01:46 > 0:01:49as they buy antiques to sell at auction.

0:01:49 > 0:01:51What a price! What a price!

0:01:51 > 0:01:57On this trip, David and Charles are on one huge 300-mile road trip

0:01:57 > 0:01:58that starts in Lichfield, Staffordshire,

0:01:58 > 0:02:01stretches south to Frome in Somerset,

0:02:01 > 0:02:06heads back up to the Wirral and finally ends in Nottingham. Wow!

0:02:09 > 0:02:13On their first leg, they're only moving a few inches on the map,

0:02:13 > 0:02:14starting their shopping in Lichfield

0:02:14 > 0:02:17and heading for the auction in Coventry.

0:02:18 > 0:02:21- Shall we pull in here, David? - OK. Let's have a look around.

0:02:21 > 0:02:23TYRES SCREECH

0:02:23 > 0:02:26Oh, do be careful! For heaven's sake!

0:02:26 > 0:02:28David, the thing is, I know Lichfield like the back of my hand.

0:02:28 > 0:02:33Well, this worries me, because, I think you have an unfair advantage.

0:02:33 > 0:02:35No need to worry, David,

0:02:35 > 0:02:37Lichfield Antiques Centre

0:02:37 > 0:02:39is packed with goodies from over 60 specialist dealers.

0:02:39 > 0:02:42So there'll be enough for both of you!

0:02:42 > 0:02:45Now, any thoughts on a strategy, Carlos?

0:02:45 > 0:02:50I really want to find out what this auction house is like,

0:02:50 > 0:02:53and I wonder if the young lady on the reception desk

0:02:53 > 0:02:56might have the Internet and I can just tap in this sale room

0:02:56 > 0:03:00and find out what the auction's like.

0:03:00 > 0:03:01Good call.

0:03:01 > 0:03:03So, here we go.

0:03:03 > 0:03:05It will be a general sale.

0:03:05 > 0:03:07That's great, that's superb.

0:03:07 > 0:03:12Which means...they sell anything from a second-hand washing machine

0:03:12 > 0:03:14to decorative candlesticks like these.

0:03:14 > 0:03:19These are very nice. A very nice pair of Maling Ware candlesticks.

0:03:19 > 0:03:24They're quite Art Deco, with this enamelled and printed design.

0:03:24 > 0:03:25They must be 1930s.

0:03:27 > 0:03:31Indeed, this was the period when Maling's Newcastle-based factory

0:03:31 > 0:03:35produced pottery with the signature lustre glaze and gilding.

0:03:35 > 0:03:37But is there a deal to be done?

0:03:39 > 0:03:41What's the best price on those, Madeleine?

0:03:41 > 0:03:43Well, you've got £14.50 on those,

0:03:43 > 0:03:47so we could do those for £13.

0:03:47 > 0:03:48Would you take £10 for them?

0:03:48 > 0:03:52- We could contact the dealer and see...- Fine, OK, Madeleine.

0:03:52 > 0:03:55- The answer was?- You're in luck. - Great. That's really good.

0:03:55 > 0:03:59If I can't make money on a £10 purchase, when can I?

0:03:59 > 0:04:01Now, there's a question.

0:04:01 > 0:04:03At the other end of the shop,

0:04:03 > 0:04:06David's also spotted something decorative.

0:04:06 > 0:04:10A pair of late 19th-century silver shades, for candles, of all things.

0:04:12 > 0:04:16I see there's £80. What's the best price on those?

0:04:16 > 0:04:19- What price are you looking for? - I'd like these at £50.

0:04:19 > 0:04:22- I could speak to the dealer. - See what he has to say.

0:04:22 > 0:04:23See what his position is.

0:04:23 > 0:04:26- All right.- OK. - I'll just continue looking. OK.

0:04:26 > 0:04:28Hmm.

0:04:28 > 0:04:32Will the dealer really go for David's daring £50 offer?

0:04:32 > 0:04:37- The best price he could do would be 60.- 60?- 60.

0:04:37 > 0:04:40- That is £20 off the original price. - £60.

0:04:41 > 0:04:43OK. Let me come back to you on those.

0:04:43 > 0:04:45All right, be coy.

0:04:45 > 0:04:49With everything to play for, Charles now steps up his buying strategy.

0:04:49 > 0:04:52His victim, Madeleine. Poor thing.

0:04:52 > 0:04:56What I quite like, which has caught my eye, Madeleine,

0:04:56 > 0:04:59is this wonderful corner cabinet here. Oak and mahogany.

0:04:59 > 0:05:02You open the doors up, there we are.

0:05:02 > 0:05:03It's missing a panel back.

0:05:03 > 0:05:06The interior isn't in the best of states,

0:05:06 > 0:05:10but it's a pretty little corner cupboard.

0:05:10 > 0:05:14I would like to make an offer of £30.

0:05:14 > 0:05:16Meet in the middle on £40?

0:05:16 > 0:05:19Would you go, Madeleine, at £35?

0:05:19 > 0:05:21Are you sure?

0:05:21 > 0:05:24- All right.- Going once.- Not sure.

0:05:24 > 0:05:26Not sure?! Oh, no! What have I done?

0:05:26 > 0:05:29- Going twice.- Go on.

0:05:29 > 0:05:31- Are you sure?- I'm sure.- Positive?

0:05:31 > 0:05:32Oh, get on with it.

0:05:32 > 0:05:37- Going, going, gone.- It's a bargain. - Madeleine, thank you, you're a star.

0:05:38 > 0:05:41Thank goodness that's over.

0:05:41 > 0:05:43I thought I was going to be sick, there.

0:05:43 > 0:05:45But there's no respite for poor Madeleine.

0:05:45 > 0:05:50David now has her in his sights over the £60 on those candle shades.

0:05:50 > 0:05:54What do you think he'd come down to? What would you come down to?

0:05:54 > 0:05:59We may be able to persuade him to do another £10 off.

0:05:59 > 0:06:02- So, that's at £50 for the two. - That's £50 for two.

0:06:02 > 0:06:04I think you've got a bargain there.

0:06:04 > 0:06:08Right, you have a sale, Madeleine. Thank you very much indeed.

0:06:08 > 0:06:12Keen on exploiting his Lichfield contacts,

0:06:12 > 0:06:16local lad Charles heads across town to another friendly dealer.

0:06:16 > 0:06:18He's on the trot.

0:06:18 > 0:06:21We could go the more scenic route, I hope you don't mind,

0:06:21 > 0:06:22I'm sure it's this way.

0:06:22 > 0:06:24Charles is off to see an old friend,

0:06:24 > 0:06:27Jim Jordan, in the hope of finding something special.

0:06:27 > 0:06:30Hello, Jim. Surprise.

0:06:30 > 0:06:31- Hello, Charles!- How are you doing?

0:06:31 > 0:06:34This is a man I have known for a long time, James Jordan.

0:06:34 > 0:06:37- Good to see you. - Morning, Charles, nice to see you.

0:06:37 > 0:06:40What's the best bargain which I could set sail with?

0:06:40 > 0:06:41In your opinion?

0:06:41 > 0:06:44Definitely the little fork and shovel set.

0:06:44 > 0:06:47I like it, it's £75.

0:06:47 > 0:06:50- What would be the best price, Jim? - £65.- Between friends?

0:06:50 > 0:06:54- Between friends, I'll let you have it for £60.- Tempting.

0:06:54 > 0:06:59The fork and spade is in fact a novelty piece of Victorian cutlery,

0:06:59 > 0:07:03and may not be one to be missed. So, what else?

0:07:03 > 0:07:07I've got a couple of old silver pocket watches.

0:07:07 > 0:07:14What we've got here is a tired, working order, silver pocket watch.

0:07:14 > 0:07:16That's the Chester hallmark there,

0:07:16 > 0:07:18the assay city shield mark.

0:07:18 > 0:07:22Enamel dial, it's in nice condition, although it's missing its small

0:07:22 > 0:07:27subsidiary seconds dial hand.

0:07:27 > 0:07:31Likewise, this one hasn't got a glass cover.

0:07:31 > 0:07:33They're quite nice. How much would they be to buy,

0:07:33 > 0:07:38- those two watches?- That one, £30.

0:07:38 > 0:07:40And that one, £20.

0:07:40 > 0:07:43They're nice, aren't they? There's one more thing, Jim.

0:07:43 > 0:07:47In the centre, just hidden behind, is a cut-glass slipper.

0:07:49 > 0:07:51It's just a pretty thing, isn't it?

0:07:51 > 0:07:53It's just a pretty thing.

0:07:53 > 0:07:57Almost an adornment in the cabinet, to show off the jewellery.

0:07:57 > 0:08:00Eight pounds isn't a lot for it.

0:08:00 > 0:08:04I think I shall leave the spade, fork, and knife.

0:08:04 > 0:08:08If I said four pounds for him, that's a deal,

0:08:08 > 0:08:09and with the watches,

0:08:09 > 0:08:12I must remember they're not in great condition.

0:08:12 > 0:08:16- Would you take £25 for them? - I'll do that.- Thanks, Jim.

0:08:19 > 0:08:24Back at the first shop, David feels there's more good fruit to be picked

0:08:24 > 0:08:26and he is getting passionate

0:08:26 > 0:08:30about this late 19th-century Arts and Crafts plate.

0:08:30 > 0:08:35It's got a nice William Morris type background,

0:08:35 > 0:08:36and then the head,

0:08:36 > 0:08:40with that very floppy collar all the way round.

0:08:40 > 0:08:43At £68, I feel a haggle coming on.

0:08:43 > 0:08:47Not surprisingly, Madeleine has left this one to colleague Mark.

0:08:47 > 0:08:49There's only so much you can take.

0:08:49 > 0:08:51£68 seems an awful lot to pay.

0:08:51 > 0:08:53I would like to see it at about £40.

0:08:53 > 0:08:55Time to phone the dealer.

0:08:55 > 0:08:56Thank you.

0:08:57 > 0:08:59That, I liked.

0:08:59 > 0:09:03That OK? 40? Thank you very much, take care now, bye.

0:09:03 > 0:09:05You're in luck, 40, it is.

0:09:05 > 0:09:07£40, my God.

0:09:07 > 0:09:09He's done it again.

0:09:09 > 0:09:11And he's not finished yet.

0:09:11 > 0:09:13I love the engraving of the fruit and vine,

0:09:13 > 0:09:15and the dimpled effect.

0:09:15 > 0:09:17It's hand blown and a nice piece.

0:09:17 > 0:09:19Ticket price, £24.

0:09:20 > 0:09:23Can you try him for £10?

0:09:23 > 0:09:25- Yes, I will give him a call for you. - OK.

0:09:28 > 0:09:31- That's fine, he'll do that for £10. - Oh, that's wonderful!

0:09:31 > 0:09:32A bargain.

0:09:32 > 0:09:34I think so, as well.

0:09:34 > 0:09:36I'll say, at £10.

0:09:36 > 0:09:39Right, let me out of this shop, before I buy it all.

0:09:40 > 0:09:43I think they will only be too glad

0:09:43 > 0:09:47to see the back of David's ruthless bargaining skills.

0:09:47 > 0:09:51Charles is riding high, so decides to take a break.

0:09:51 > 0:09:54Bad idea! David looks like he's going in for the kill

0:09:54 > 0:09:57in his mate Jim's shop.

0:09:57 > 0:10:00And what's the first thing he finds?

0:10:00 > 0:10:05The very item local boy Charles was offered a £60 deal on.

0:10:05 > 0:10:08Let's see if David can do better.

0:10:08 > 0:10:11Want to put that price down.

0:10:11 > 0:10:13It's a lovely replica, isn't it?

0:10:13 > 0:10:16Isn't it nice? And Mappin and Webb, good makers.

0:10:16 > 0:10:19Mappin and Webb are a famed company of silversmiths

0:10:19 > 0:10:24and cutlery manufacturers, with roots going back to 1774.

0:10:25 > 0:10:31This sweet miniature fork and spade set is probably late Victorian.

0:10:31 > 0:10:32How lovely is that?

0:10:35 > 0:10:39I can imagine a piece of Brie on the end of there, cutting it off.

0:10:39 > 0:10:41Picking it out with the fork.

0:10:41 > 0:10:45It's very nice, but £75 is just a little bit too much.

0:10:45 > 0:10:48What's the very best price you can do on that?

0:10:48 > 0:10:49£50?

0:10:49 > 0:10:51I need it lower than £50.

0:10:51 > 0:10:55Uh-oh! Out comes the Barby stare.

0:10:55 > 0:10:59- I will do it for 42, for you.- 42?

0:10:59 > 0:11:01£42, eh? What a pro.

0:11:01 > 0:11:05Well, there's a lesson for you, Charles.

0:11:05 > 0:11:09- James, thank you.- Pleasure.

0:11:11 > 0:11:14David is certainly the cat that got the cream.

0:11:14 > 0:11:16So, there endeth the day's shopping.

0:11:16 > 0:11:21Good night and sleep tight, road trippers.

0:11:24 > 0:11:27It's a new day on our road trip and we start again in Lichfield,

0:11:27 > 0:11:32but it appears one of our road trippers has had a rough time,

0:11:32 > 0:11:34and it wasn't down to the shopping.

0:11:35 > 0:11:37What's happened, David?!

0:11:37 > 0:11:39- Well... - David Barby, what's happened?!

0:11:39 > 0:11:41- Look at that. - Mate, what have you done?

0:11:41 > 0:11:44- I tripped last night.- You didn't?!

0:11:44 > 0:11:47- Where?- Straight into a garden bench.

0:11:47 > 0:11:49- You didn't?! - I did, it cut me just there.

0:11:49 > 0:11:53This is a sympathy vote. I shall go in there, say, "What's the price...?

0:11:53 > 0:11:56"..Oh! Sorry, could you repeat that?"

0:11:56 > 0:11:58- Have you had stitches? - There and there.- How many?

0:11:58 > 0:12:03Oh, I don't know. Glue and stitches. I feel like a panda.

0:12:03 > 0:12:06And just as cuddly.

0:12:06 > 0:12:09Well, he may be a bit down in the mouth,

0:12:09 > 0:12:11but he is certainly not out, old love.

0:12:11 > 0:12:16So far, David Barby has spent £142 on four quality lots,

0:12:16 > 0:12:20leaving him just £58 to spend.

0:12:20 > 0:12:24His rival, Charles Hanson, on the other hand,

0:12:24 > 0:12:26has opted for more general items,

0:12:26 > 0:12:30parting with a mere £74 on four auction lots.

0:12:31 > 0:12:34And that's left him with a nagging regret.

0:12:35 > 0:12:37I almost regret not buying one item.

0:12:37 > 0:12:43In a cabinet was a sweet little knife and condiment spoon.

0:12:43 > 0:12:47I just saw it and I could not get him down from £60.

0:12:47 > 0:12:50Oh, very, very nice.

0:12:50 > 0:12:51Seems David's not letting on.

0:12:51 > 0:12:56Now, Charles has kindly volunteered to chauffeur poor David

0:12:56 > 0:13:00to Lichfield's Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum

0:13:00 > 0:13:03for an early-morning tonic of local history.

0:13:03 > 0:13:08Well, in that fragile state, he can hardly be expected to drive himself.

0:13:08 > 0:13:10It wouldn't be safe! Waiting for David

0:13:10 > 0:13:13is museum curator Joanne Wilson.

0:13:13 > 0:13:15Perhaps she'll perk him up.

0:13:15 > 0:13:18- Hello!- Hello! - What a greeting. How are you?

0:13:18 > 0:13:22- I'm very well, thanks. Welcome to Johnson's birthplace.- Thank you.

0:13:22 > 0:13:24Seems to be working.

0:13:24 > 0:13:28Dr Johnson made literary history in the mid-18th century

0:13:28 > 0:13:30with his dictionary of the English language.

0:13:30 > 0:13:35He was born in this very house in 1709.

0:13:35 > 0:13:39His early upbringing here laid the foundations for the monumental work.

0:13:39 > 0:13:41Wow.

0:13:41 > 0:13:43This was the Johnson family bookshop,

0:13:43 > 0:13:47where Michael Johnson, Samuel's father, had the house built.

0:13:47 > 0:13:49This was the family business and they lived above it.

0:13:49 > 0:13:53This very room was where Johnson discovered his love of reading,

0:13:53 > 0:13:54over 300 years ago.

0:13:56 > 0:13:59Johnson left the family home in his twenties

0:13:59 > 0:14:01to seek his fortune in London,

0:14:01 > 0:14:03but it wasn't until 1747,

0:14:03 > 0:14:06when he was commissioned to write the dictionary,

0:14:06 > 0:14:09that he came into money.

0:14:09 > 0:14:13Up until he started on that work, he was really quite a poor journalist.

0:14:13 > 0:14:17It was only when he was approached, in 1747, to write the dictionary

0:14:17 > 0:14:19that his fortunes changed.

0:14:19 > 0:14:20Why did they choose him?

0:14:20 > 0:14:23They chose him because he was getting known by the printers

0:14:23 > 0:14:25and publishers in the area

0:14:25 > 0:14:28as having a fantastic knowledge of literature,

0:14:28 > 0:14:31almost an encyclopaedic mind, and it was this quality which made him

0:14:31 > 0:14:33perfect for writing the dictionary.

0:14:33 > 0:14:37Have you got examples of this work, this first dictionary?

0:14:37 > 0:14:40We have, indeed! We have a first edition of his work over here.

0:14:40 > 0:14:41My, my, my!

0:14:42 > 0:14:45Johnson judged it would take three years to write.

0:14:45 > 0:14:48In fact, it took nine,

0:14:48 > 0:14:50despite having several assistants.

0:14:52 > 0:14:56This is almost a trembling moment.

0:14:56 > 0:14:59Something so part and parcel of English history.

0:14:59 > 0:15:05There are over 43,000 definitions in Johnson's dictionary,

0:15:05 > 0:15:09some of which we'd find quite quirky today.

0:15:09 > 0:15:10His definition for oats.

0:15:10 > 0:15:13A grain, which in England is generally given to horses,

0:15:13 > 0:15:16but in Scotland supports the people.

0:15:16 > 0:15:17DAVID LAUGHS

0:15:17 > 0:15:19What's rather lovely is that the six assistants

0:15:19 > 0:15:22who worked with Johnson on the dictionary were all Scottish.

0:15:22 > 0:15:25Johnson was also known for his scruffy appearance,

0:15:25 > 0:15:28and that's not been lost on the museum's costume department.

0:15:31 > 0:15:34- Gosh, it's a scrubby wig. - Well, he was a scruffy chap.

0:15:34 > 0:15:35Was he, really?

0:15:35 > 0:15:38Yes, it was actually said he'd have the front of his wig burnt, often,

0:15:38 > 0:15:43because he'd been leaning over the candlelight to do his work.

0:15:43 > 0:15:44Oh, God, that looks terrible. Oh!

0:15:44 > 0:15:47You may need a hat, as well, to top it off.

0:15:47 > 0:15:49Oh, this looks ghastly.

0:15:53 > 0:15:57Oh, dear. I don't think he was a very good-looking guy, was he?

0:15:57 > 0:16:00DAVID LAUGHS

0:16:00 > 0:16:03Hmm. Hardly a picture of beauty, is it?

0:16:03 > 0:16:07But, joking apart, it's not his wig, but his English dictionary

0:16:07 > 0:16:10that Johnson will be best remembered for.

0:16:10 > 0:16:15A remarkable piece of writing which remained pre-eminent for 150 years

0:16:15 > 0:16:19before the Oxford English dictionary superseded it.

0:16:23 > 0:16:25And after that tonic,

0:16:25 > 0:16:29our intrepid road trippers are ready to bid goodbye to Lichfield.

0:16:29 > 0:16:31They're heading south to Balsall Common,

0:16:31 > 0:16:34a village seven miles west of Coventry.

0:16:35 > 0:16:37And here lies Old Lodge Farm Antiques,

0:16:37 > 0:16:41with Trevor and Diane on hand to meet and greet.

0:16:43 > 0:16:44Good to see you.

0:16:44 > 0:16:49- Trevor, I'll give you a call if I see anything I quite like. OK?- OK.

0:16:49 > 0:16:52Oh! Oh, there's a mouse! There's a mouse!

0:16:52 > 0:16:54Sorry, sorry, sorry!

0:16:54 > 0:16:56Oh, for goodness' sake, Charles, settle down.

0:16:56 > 0:16:58It's a tiny shrew!

0:16:58 > 0:17:00But for good measure, let's take another look.

0:17:02 > 0:17:04Oh, there it is.

0:17:07 > 0:17:13The only way to guard against a scary shrew is to get a defence,

0:17:13 > 0:17:15and luckily, help is at hand.

0:17:15 > 0:17:18- Oh, no!- Charles, your armour.

0:17:18 > 0:17:21- They'd be great shrew protectors.- Yes.

0:17:21 > 0:17:24They could be yours for £65, as well! Wait...

0:17:24 > 0:17:27So your foot goes in like that.

0:17:27 > 0:17:29I might even buy them, they're quite...

0:17:29 > 0:17:31What's the best price on them?

0:17:31 > 0:17:34What have we got on them? £65.

0:17:34 > 0:17:37- Um...- 55?- 55.

0:17:37 > 0:17:38There's a helmet as well?!

0:17:38 > 0:17:41- Yes.- Goodness me.- Don't put it on, in case you can't get it back off!

0:17:41 > 0:17:43Is the helmet inclusive?

0:17:47 > 0:17:49I don't mind seeing to a shrew for you.

0:17:49 > 0:17:52- Do you want me to see to him for you?- Yes.- Great.

0:17:52 > 0:17:55Carlos, what do you look like?!

0:17:55 > 0:18:00Armour came in varying materials, including leather, chainmail

0:18:00 > 0:18:01and plate.

0:18:01 > 0:18:04This suit, however, is a modern decorative version.

0:18:04 > 0:18:07Diana, he won't go to 30, will he?

0:18:07 > 0:18:0930 would be my price, if he would.

0:18:09 > 0:18:11I know it's half price,

0:18:11 > 0:18:15but I just think it would give me a good chance.

0:18:15 > 0:18:17- What do you think? £30. - All right, yes.

0:18:17 > 0:18:20I came into an antique shop expecting to find

0:18:20 > 0:18:23a glorious Royal Worcester vase, or a fine pair of silver pepperettes.

0:18:23 > 0:18:25What have I bought?

0:18:25 > 0:18:28An armour to protect myself from a shrew. Amazing what you come across.

0:18:31 > 0:18:33So, with his new backseat passenger,

0:18:33 > 0:18:37Charles heads nine miles east on a return visit to Coventry.

0:18:37 > 0:18:41This time, he's got shopping on his mind.

0:18:44 > 0:18:48Now, just as the proprietors of the Antiques Emporium have got rid

0:18:48 > 0:18:52of one cheeky haggler, here comes another one.

0:18:52 > 0:18:53Hello!

0:18:53 > 0:18:56With two black eyes, maybe David needs a suit of armour too.

0:18:56 > 0:19:02Unlike Charles, David only has eyes, be they a little sore,

0:19:02 > 0:19:04for traditional antiques

0:19:04 > 0:19:09like these attractive watercolours by local artist G Hammond.

0:19:09 > 0:19:12The quality is quite good.

0:19:12 > 0:19:15The artist, G Hammond, rings a bell there.

0:19:15 > 0:19:18Either it's a local artist from the Leamington Spa, Warwick area,

0:19:18 > 0:19:23or I have had his work before, coming through the salerooms.

0:19:23 > 0:19:27- You've got £85, is that the pair? - No, that's £85 each.

0:19:27 > 0:19:28That's £85 each.

0:19:28 > 0:19:30Is that the very best you can do on that one?

0:19:30 > 0:19:32I can do £75 on that.

0:19:32 > 0:19:35I was thinking something like 40.

0:19:35 > 0:19:36No, I couldn't do 40.

0:19:36 > 0:19:40The very, very best, I'll do 65.

0:19:40 > 0:19:43Could you do 48?

0:19:43 > 0:19:46I am not moving off 60.

0:19:46 > 0:19:48Crikey, Moses!

0:19:48 > 0:19:52The famous Barby stare has failed on Diane.

0:19:52 > 0:19:54Maybe because it's so black.

0:19:54 > 0:19:57It's just that I think I've only got £58.

0:19:57 > 0:20:00I would have given it to him for nothing

0:20:00 > 0:20:02just to get him out of the shop.

0:20:04 > 0:20:10Anyway, he is on his knees - could this be a proposal?

0:20:10 > 0:20:13I can go up to £55. That's my max.

0:20:13 > 0:20:15£55.

0:20:15 > 0:20:19I'll go £55, but...

0:20:19 > 0:20:21SHE LAUGHS

0:20:23 > 0:20:27Just when we all thought the deal was sealed...

0:20:27 > 0:20:30This knock on my head, I can't remember the price we agreed.

0:20:30 > 0:20:35- Was it 45? - No, 55 was the final figure.

0:20:35 > 0:20:3855. Let me give you £55.

0:20:38 > 0:20:40Thank you very much indeed.

0:20:40 > 0:20:44It must be tough handing over that last bit of cash.

0:20:44 > 0:20:46So, with David all spent up,

0:20:46 > 0:20:48it's left to Charles to wind up the shopping,

0:20:48 > 0:20:52at Antiques of Earlsdon. The owner is Steve.

0:20:52 > 0:20:55Looking for anything in particular?

0:20:55 > 0:20:59Something a bit interesting, something that's highly decorative,

0:20:59 > 0:21:01that's going to go down well.

0:21:01 > 0:21:02Nothing like a bit of a desk set,

0:21:02 > 0:21:04which we could do you a nice little...?

0:21:04 > 0:21:07- That's the whole set there? - A whole set, marble.

0:21:07 > 0:21:09Yeah, it's nice, isn't it?

0:21:09 > 0:21:12Sets like this would have taken pride of place

0:21:12 > 0:21:14on a gentleman's desk,

0:21:14 > 0:21:18made of solid striated marble.

0:21:18 > 0:21:22You get a blotter, two inkwells and a stationery rack.

0:21:22 > 0:21:25The whole lot would cost you £38.

0:21:25 > 0:21:27It's missing its glass wells, isn't it?

0:21:27 > 0:21:29It is missing its glass wells.

0:21:29 > 0:21:31It's a bit tired, I like the style.

0:21:31 > 0:21:33It's striking, it's quite jazzy,

0:21:33 > 0:21:35but, Steve, they're difficult things to sell.

0:21:35 > 0:21:39If I was going to buy this from you, I would buy it for five pounds.

0:21:39 > 0:21:42I can't give it to you for a fiver, Charles. Sorry.

0:21:42 > 0:21:44I was going to say, a tenner.

0:21:44 > 0:21:46OK. Meet me halfway, at eight pounds.

0:21:48 > 0:21:49Right, deal. Eight quid.

0:21:49 > 0:21:51Go on! At eight pounds.

0:21:51 > 0:21:54That was cheap.

0:21:54 > 0:21:57Well, shopping over, let's recap on what our chaps have bought.

0:21:57 > 0:21:59Charles has spent £112 exactly

0:21:59 > 0:22:01on a glass slipper,

0:22:01 > 0:22:03a pair of Victorian pocket watches,

0:22:03 > 0:22:05a corner cabinet,

0:22:05 > 0:22:07a pair of candlesticks,

0:22:07 > 0:22:11a suit of armour, and a black marble desk set.

0:22:11 > 0:22:14David, meanwhile, has parted with £197

0:22:14 > 0:22:16on a pair of candle shades,

0:22:16 > 0:22:18an Arts and Crafts plate,

0:22:18 > 0:22:20a 19th-century vase,

0:22:20 > 0:22:22a miniature spade and fork,

0:22:22 > 0:22:24and a drawing of a hunt.

0:22:24 > 0:22:29So what do they think of each other's goodies?

0:22:29 > 0:22:32The vase, at £10, with the little dimples

0:22:32 > 0:22:35and that wonderful included body is a wonderful find.

0:22:35 > 0:22:39But I think David's bought with his mind in the clouds,

0:22:39 > 0:22:42with what he likes, and he hasn't really bought for the saleroom.

0:22:42 > 0:22:45So, hopefully, they might come unstuck, slightly.

0:22:45 > 0:22:47I think Charles Hanson's items

0:22:47 > 0:22:52was a huge eclectic mixture of goodies.

0:22:52 > 0:22:55I think he is trying to back every avenue,

0:22:55 > 0:22:57that he expects to find in the auction room.

0:22:59 > 0:23:01So, after kicking off in Lichfield,

0:23:01 > 0:23:03the first leg of this road trip

0:23:03 > 0:23:06comes to an end in Coventry.

0:23:06 > 0:23:09Their destination - Warwick Auctions.

0:23:09 > 0:23:12Time to see if they've made the right choices.

0:23:12 > 0:23:15Let the auction begin!

0:23:15 > 0:23:17I feel apprehensive.

0:23:17 > 0:23:20Positive, deep breathing, you're with me.

0:23:20 > 0:23:23DAVID BREATHES DEEPLY

0:23:23 > 0:23:25Right, are we ready now?

0:23:25 > 0:23:30So, David's quirky candle shades are the first to face the bidders.

0:23:30 > 0:23:34Lovely quality things, commission bids with me at £40.

0:23:34 > 0:23:37- Wow! Fantastic.- Five, anywhere? Five, I've got.

0:23:37 > 0:23:3950 with me, five, sir, 60,

0:23:39 > 0:23:42five, 70, five.

0:23:42 > 0:23:4480, the bid is with me at £80.

0:23:44 > 0:23:49Five, anywhere? And selling for £80.

0:23:49 > 0:23:53And the sale room loves them! Well, who wouldn't?

0:23:53 > 0:23:54That's a relief.

0:23:55 > 0:23:59David's second item, the art pottery plate,

0:23:59 > 0:24:01and another one he haggled hard for.

0:24:01 > 0:24:06- £30 to start him...- Sell it! - Come on.

0:24:06 > 0:24:1235 with me, 38, 40. Five takes me out. Bid is in the room at £45 only.

0:24:12 > 0:24:1650, I've got. Five. Make no mistake, the bid is in the room at £55.

0:24:16 > 0:24:22- And selling for £55...- Down there! - £60, he's back in, five.

0:24:22 > 0:24:24Well pointed, Mr Barby.

0:24:24 > 0:24:27And it's selling for £60.

0:24:27 > 0:24:31And that's another profit.

0:24:31 > 0:24:32Charles's turn now.

0:24:32 > 0:24:36Can his glass slipper find its Cinderella?

0:24:36 > 0:24:38Where do you want to bid for it?

0:24:38 > 0:24:40- £100 for it?!- Oh, brilliant!

0:24:40 > 0:24:42Five pounds to start him off.

0:24:42 > 0:24:45Must be worth £5. Eight pounds, I've got. 10.

0:24:45 > 0:24:48- One more!- 10, I've got. £12.- Great.

0:24:48 > 0:24:50£15, £18?

0:24:50 > 0:24:55- I don't believe this. - And selling for £15.

0:24:55 > 0:24:59Well, would you believe it?

0:25:00 > 0:25:04If that can sell, surely David's in the money with his next lot!

0:25:04 > 0:25:06A lovely, quality glass vase.

0:25:06 > 0:25:09Where do you want to bid for that?

0:25:09 > 0:25:12Five pounds to start him. Eight, 10, 12, 15, 18,

0:25:12 > 0:25:1520, 22, 25.

0:25:15 > 0:25:1628, anywhere?

0:25:16 > 0:25:20Selling for £25...

0:25:20 > 0:25:25Disappointing, but still a profit, David.

0:25:25 > 0:25:29I can't believe you make £11 on the glass slipper,

0:25:29 > 0:25:34and on the wonderful, wonderful glass vase, I only make £15.

0:25:34 > 0:25:39Charles now needs a £55 profit to steal a lead.

0:25:39 > 0:25:44Can his locally made watches seduce the bidders?

0:25:44 > 0:25:4620 for them? Must be £20-worth of scrap.

0:25:46 > 0:25:49£20, I've taken. 30, 40.

0:25:49 > 0:25:52Gentleman standing up at £45. 50, anywhere?

0:25:52 > 0:25:54Selling for £45...

0:25:55 > 0:25:58- 50, I've got on the internet. - Yes, 50!- God!

0:25:58 > 0:25:59Five in the room.

0:25:59 > 0:26:01- One more!- 60?

0:26:01 > 0:26:03That's a good buy, Charles.

0:26:03 > 0:26:0560 on the internet, five?

0:26:05 > 0:26:0765, in the room.

0:26:07 > 0:26:10Selling for £65.

0:26:11 > 0:26:13Thank you, David. Thank you.

0:26:16 > 0:26:19Now for David's star buy. Eat your heart out, Charles!

0:26:19 > 0:26:22Commission bids start me at £45.

0:26:22 > 0:26:2450, anywhere? 50, I've got.

0:26:24 > 0:26:29Five with me, 60. Five with me, 70. Five, 80, five.

0:26:29 > 0:26:32- The bid's with me at £85. - Come on, come on, come on!

0:26:32 > 0:26:35Selling for £85...

0:26:36 > 0:26:39And I was so nearly tempted to buy them.

0:26:39 > 0:26:41Yes, but you didn't...

0:26:41 > 0:26:45Now, can Charles pull himself out of second place

0:26:45 > 0:26:48with this battered half a cupboard?

0:26:48 > 0:26:51If I was going to be nervous on any item

0:26:51 > 0:26:55with you, David, this is it.

0:26:55 > 0:26:59- Once, this would have been the best part of £200-300.- Hear, hear!- Ssh!

0:26:59 > 0:27:02Where do you want to bid for it? £40 for it? 20 for it?

0:27:02 > 0:27:05- Five pounds for it?- Oh, my God.

0:27:05 > 0:27:07- Oh, please! - Hammer down! Come on, hammer down!

0:27:07 > 0:27:09£10, I've got in the room.

0:27:09 > 0:27:12I've got 12 on the Internet. 15, sir? 15, I've got.

0:27:12 > 0:27:13- 18?- Oh, it's painful.

0:27:13 > 0:27:18I've got 18, I've got, there. 20, two, 25. 28, anywhere?

0:27:18 > 0:27:23Selling for £25...

0:27:23 > 0:27:25Ouch! I bet that hurt.

0:27:25 > 0:27:27- So, what's that? A loss of £10? - I can't believe it.

0:27:27 > 0:27:30Plus the commission you've got to pay.

0:27:31 > 0:27:35Right. Let's hope David's picture can cheer us all up.

0:27:35 > 0:27:37£20 to start him off?

0:27:37 > 0:27:4122, I've got. £25, £28, £30, 40,

0:27:41 > 0:27:4450, five, £60?

0:27:44 > 0:27:46Any more? A cheap lot for £55.

0:27:46 > 0:27:4860 is back in.

0:27:48 > 0:27:50I've got 60 in the room. 65.

0:27:50 > 0:27:5570, at the very back. Five, 80, 90.

0:27:55 > 0:27:56Oh, somebody appreciates it.

0:27:56 > 0:27:5795 on the Internet.

0:27:57 > 0:28:00100. 110, on the net.

0:28:00 > 0:28:04Selling for £110...

0:28:04 > 0:28:10That's put David firmly ahead by £122, before auction costs.

0:28:10 > 0:28:13- What a price!- That was good. It was touch and go, Charles.

0:28:15 > 0:28:18Can Charles's Maling candlesticks dent that lead?

0:28:18 > 0:28:19Perfect condition.

0:28:19 > 0:28:20£30 to start them?

0:28:20 > 0:28:2110 for them?

0:28:21 > 0:28:23- Five to start? - I don't believe it!- Five!

0:28:23 > 0:28:25Five, I've taken.

0:28:25 > 0:28:27Eight on the Internet.

0:28:27 > 0:28:2810? I've got £10 in the room.

0:28:28 > 0:28:3012, anywhere?

0:28:30 > 0:28:3212, the hand. 15, 18,

0:28:32 > 0:28:3520, on the Internet. Two?

0:28:35 > 0:28:37Selling for £20.

0:28:37 > 0:28:39Going, going, going, gone.

0:28:39 > 0:28:42That's plus-ten Charles. You're good.

0:28:42 > 0:28:44That's OK. I'm doubling up, David. I am on my way.

0:28:44 > 0:28:47Ever the optimist!

0:28:47 > 0:28:50I think, David, it all rests on my armour.

0:28:50 > 0:28:54An interesting part suit of armour, ideal for a night out in the town(!)

0:28:54 > 0:28:57Ha-ha-ha!

0:28:57 > 0:28:59£20, I've taken. Two, anywhere?

0:28:59 > 0:29:0422, I've got. 25, 28, 30, two?

0:29:04 > 0:29:0932, I've got. 35, 38, 40, 42.

0:29:09 > 0:29:11Selling for £40.

0:29:13 > 0:29:15That's OK, £10 profit, David.

0:29:15 > 0:29:18I'm nibbling, like that shrew almost nibbled me, David.

0:29:18 > 0:29:21You need bites, not nibbles, to win this lark, Charles.

0:29:21 > 0:29:24Now it's all down to that lump of a desk set.

0:29:24 > 0:29:26Lord help us!

0:29:26 > 0:29:30Where do you want to be for it? 10 for it?

0:29:30 > 0:29:33£10, I've taken. The lady.

0:29:33 > 0:29:3912, 15, 18, 20, two, 25, 28.

0:29:39 > 0:29:42- Lady's bid of £25. - Wonderful thing.- Chipped.

0:29:42 > 0:29:47Selling for £25...

0:29:48 > 0:29:50Well, no surprises, there.

0:29:50 > 0:29:52The winner...

0:29:52 > 0:29:53is David Barby.

0:29:53 > 0:29:57Congratulations, a good start. We're on the road.

0:29:57 > 0:30:02David started this first leg of the Road Trip with £200

0:30:02 > 0:30:06and, after auction costs, made a profit of £98.20.

0:30:06 > 0:30:12Which means he ends this leg with £298.20.

0:30:15 > 0:30:21Charles started on £200, but only made £43.80,

0:30:21 > 0:30:26leaving him with £243.80 going into round two.

0:30:28 > 0:30:30David, I've had enough of buying tat.

0:30:30 > 0:30:34I am determined now that I'm either going out with a bang,

0:30:34 > 0:30:38or I'm going to go out there and find the Rolls-Royce of antiques.

0:30:38 > 0:30:41Job done. The gents are now leaving Coventry

0:30:41 > 0:30:44and heading off into Worcestershire.

0:30:44 > 0:30:46We are like Man Utd and Arsenal

0:30:46 > 0:30:50competing for the trophy in series four.

0:30:50 > 0:30:54- You are the Wayne Rooney of the Road Trip.- Oh, dear.

0:30:54 > 0:30:56This leg of the Road Trip

0:30:56 > 0:30:59is a huge 300 mile sprint from Lichfield, south to Frome,

0:30:59 > 0:31:02back up north to the Wirral Peninsula,

0:31:02 > 0:31:05and ending in Nottingham for the final showdown. Gosh!

0:31:07 > 0:31:11We're going to turn on our engines in Malvern and, if all goes well,

0:31:11 > 0:31:14should end with the auction down in Pewsey.

0:31:16 > 0:31:19- MUSIC: "Pomp and Circumstance" - Ah. Elgar.

0:31:19 > 0:31:24A bit of Pomp and Circumstance seems only fitting for Malvern

0:31:24 > 0:31:28as the famed British composer lived much of his life here.

0:31:28 > 0:31:35The town's also famous for its spring water, believed to have rejuvenating powers. Lucky David!

0:31:35 > 0:31:40- We're here, David! - What an adventure!- I'm so excited

0:31:40 > 0:31:47because I feel Malvern, with its spa feel, and its ambience of polite society, is my sort of place.

0:31:47 > 0:31:51And you need to be rejuvenated, you've been talking too much.

0:31:51 > 0:31:54We'll go and get some water. It's kill or cure.

0:31:54 > 0:31:59- OK.- There's the water. - The Malvern water! This is it?- Yes.

0:31:59 > 0:32:03- Tell me about it.- This is the whole basis of the fortune of Malvern.

0:32:03 > 0:32:09It was rather like a watering place, like Bath or Tunbridge Wells or Cheltenham,

0:32:09 > 0:32:15- and people came here to take the waters.- So the purity...? - You actually drink it!- OK.

0:32:15 > 0:32:22So by drinking it, it might just give me the strength to go out there and find these star lots?

0:32:22 > 0:32:26- I hope not.- I hope so! I'll drink some more now!

0:32:26 > 0:32:31So, while Charles bounces off to the shops, newly invigorated...

0:32:31 > 0:32:35Having had that water, I'm feeling quite lucky.

0:32:37 > 0:32:44..David is in the car park thinking strategy and sensibly phones the auction house about the sale.

0:32:44 > 0:32:45But there's a problem.

0:32:45 > 0:32:53They start the viewing at half past eight, so we just have an hour and a half for our goods to be seen.

0:32:53 > 0:32:58My immediate inclination is not to go for expensive items, but I don't want to buy rubbish.

0:32:58 > 0:33:03Oh, dear! So with hardly any viewing time at the auction,

0:33:03 > 0:33:07our experts will have to pull something special out of the bag.

0:33:07 > 0:33:10And Charles is already in Promenade Antiques,

0:33:10 > 0:33:13determined to spend his £243.

0:33:13 > 0:33:17They call me Hawkeye Hanson, but thus far, nothing.

0:33:17 > 0:33:20Well, it looks like the Hanson's radar's locked on to something

0:33:20 > 0:33:23and Leslie's there to clear the decks.

0:33:23 > 0:33:26It's a sweet table, but a bit tired.

0:33:26 > 0:33:29- It does have this. - Nice little birdcage action.

0:33:29 > 0:33:32And there we go. And you can see

0:33:32 > 0:33:36- it has got some filler here. - Some repair.- Repairs as well.

0:33:36 > 0:33:41So a very nice little snap-top tea or occasional table,

0:33:41 > 0:33:44in oak,

0:33:44 > 0:33:47that will date to around 1790.

0:33:47 > 0:33:50I would probably, Leslie, say to you £30.

0:33:50 > 0:33:53- No, that's not enough. - Going, going...- Not enough.

0:33:53 > 0:33:57- And the best price would be...? - 45 at the most.

0:33:57 > 0:34:00- Would you take £40 for it, madam? - I will.

0:34:00 > 0:34:04- Thank you. Bye-bye.- Bye-bye.

0:34:04 > 0:34:08Meanwhile, David is down the road in Foley House Antiques.

0:34:08 > 0:34:12The lovely Sid has the job of showing him round. Poor thing.

0:34:12 > 0:34:15She looks so young, too...

0:34:15 > 0:34:16Oh!

0:34:16 > 0:34:21- Steady! You'll have the whole lot down.- It's all right.

0:34:25 > 0:34:30I like the Wedgwood mug. The 1969 mug.

0:34:30 > 0:34:32There you go.

0:34:34 > 0:34:38This is probably the best commemorative wares you ever buy.

0:34:38 > 0:34:42It's Wedgwood. They're not producing this sort of ware.

0:34:42 > 0:34:46It's all detailed on the bottom. Investiture of the Prince of Wales.

0:34:46 > 0:34:50Most commemorative ware is made to mark a Royal event,

0:34:50 > 0:34:54but sometimes it'll honour a noteworthy national occasion,

0:34:54 > 0:34:59like the visit of a Pope. Unfortunately, Royal memorabilia is hard to shift.

0:34:59 > 0:35:03- Is that yours?- It's not mine. I could do it for 30.

0:35:03 > 0:35:05Is that the lowest?

0:35:05 > 0:35:10- £28 is the lowest. - Is that the very best you can do? - It's the very best, I'm afraid.

0:35:10 > 0:35:15- The very best. Well, £28. - Included with the box.

0:35:15 > 0:35:22- Oh! Is that extra? - It comes supplied.- Thank you! That's lovely of you.

0:35:22 > 0:35:26Elsewhere in the shop, Charles has some startling news.

0:35:26 > 0:35:30I've found a bargain. I can't believe it!

0:35:30 > 0:35:34- I've found a bargain. - OK, Mr Hawkeye. What have you found?

0:35:34 > 0:35:37I love it.

0:35:37 > 0:35:42The whole voyage of my trip is about handling history.

0:35:42 > 0:35:48And here you have got a true teapot which dates to around 1770.

0:35:48 > 0:35:52Look at the handle. It's been broken and re-stuck.

0:35:52 > 0:35:55The spout has long since gone.

0:35:55 > 0:36:00But that silver spout would date to around 1800, 1810.

0:36:00 > 0:36:05And this Chinese Chien-Lung Ching Dynasty teapot

0:36:05 > 0:36:12with a Georgian silver spout is described as "an old Chinese teapot, very damaged".

0:36:12 > 0:36:16It doesn't do this baby justice, does it?

0:36:16 > 0:36:18No!

0:36:18 > 0:36:20You're quite right.

0:36:20 > 0:36:24- I found this in a cabinet.- OK. - It's priced at £8.50.

0:36:24 > 0:36:27A very nice old Chinese teapot.

0:36:27 > 0:36:32It's damaged, it's a bit tired, but it tells a story. Best price?

0:36:32 > 0:36:33Em...

0:36:33 > 0:36:36I could do it for £6.

0:36:36 > 0:36:40I like it a lot. It's just the condition, it's slightly tired.

0:36:40 > 0:36:42Take £4 for it?

0:36:42 > 0:36:48- £5.50?- Meet me at £5. - Yeah, go on.- Are you sure?- Yeah.

0:36:48 > 0:36:54- Great. £5. That's great. - Would you like it wrapped? - Wonderful. Thank you very much.

0:36:54 > 0:36:59It was a good deal at £8.50, but an even better one at £5.

0:36:59 > 0:37:03Someone's very happy. And a little skip, too. How sweet.

0:37:03 > 0:37:07David has abandoned Malvern

0:37:07 > 0:37:11and hit the road for Tewkesbury, leaving Charles on his tod.

0:37:12 > 0:37:16What's striking about this Gloucestershire town

0:37:16 > 0:37:18is its black and white Tudor buildings

0:37:18 > 0:37:21and its famed Norman abbey,

0:37:21 > 0:37:25which was saved from dissolution in the 16th century

0:37:25 > 0:37:29when the townspeople bought it for £453.

0:37:29 > 0:37:32A bargain in anybody's money.

0:37:33 > 0:37:37David's first port of call - Annie's shop.

0:37:37 > 0:37:44Measuring just 18 feet by 9 feet, it's a squeeze, but everything's within stretching distance.

0:37:47 > 0:37:50It's quite small, that one.

0:37:53 > 0:37:55It's not me, is it?

0:37:55 > 0:38:02I'll now look at myself... Oh, no! I look like something out of Laurel and Hardy!

0:38:02 > 0:38:06- He's nodding in approval! - Do you know, he really does?

0:38:06 > 0:38:11Oh, and another. I'm not so sure. I prefer the bowler hat,

0:38:11 > 0:38:16but these are hardly the eye-catching antiques you want.

0:38:16 > 0:38:18Ah, but maybe that is!

0:38:18 > 0:38:24What I like about it is it's 1960s. It has that sort of molten feel about it.

0:38:24 > 0:38:31This is cased glass - you have a clear crystal glass and inside it that ruby glass.

0:38:31 > 0:38:37And when the light's on it, it's very good indeed. People do collect this coloured glass.

0:38:37 > 0:38:41This, he thinks, is a piece of 1950s Murano glass,

0:38:41 > 0:38:47named after the Venetian island of Murano. The ruby interior with clear casing is typical

0:38:47 > 0:38:51of the island's glass factory and others.

0:38:51 > 0:38:53What's the best you can do on this?

0:38:53 > 0:38:56Um...what's on there now?

0:38:57 > 0:38:59An horrendous £16.

0:39:00 > 0:39:06Um, that's not mine, so I can only really take off 10%.

0:39:06 > 0:39:12My hands are tied. She'd probably go to 14. That would be the best.

0:39:13 > 0:39:17- Wouldn't go to 12, would they? - All right, 12, yes. I'll risk it.

0:39:19 > 0:39:22Annie, you have a sale.

0:39:22 > 0:39:27- Wish me luck.- I will. Who are you up against?- Charles Hanson.

0:39:27 > 0:39:29All right, OK. Oh, no contest.

0:39:29 > 0:39:32Well, we'll see.

0:39:32 > 0:39:38Charles is taking a break from shopping to indulge his ferocious passion for history.

0:39:38 > 0:39:42Oh, don't be misled by the house. There's a museum behind it.

0:39:42 > 0:39:47- Steve!- Charles!- Charles Hanson. May I come in?- Come on in.

0:39:47 > 0:39:51Behind this ordinary-looking bungalow is an 80-foot shed,

0:39:51 > 0:39:55and it houses Steve Wheeler's very unusual collection.

0:39:56 > 0:40:01- Unbelievable, Steve. - A lot of bottles from virtually everywhere, I suppose.

0:40:01 > 0:40:05They are, in fact, milk bottles.

0:40:05 > 0:40:09About 17,500 of them.

0:40:09 > 0:40:12That's some 14 tonnes of glass.

0:40:12 > 0:40:16The different sizes, shapes, and advertising on the bottles,

0:40:16 > 0:40:20each tells a story of bygone days.

0:40:20 > 0:40:25Can I ask one really important question? It's fundamental - why?

0:40:25 > 0:40:27Because people throw them away.

0:40:27 > 0:40:33There's social history in a milk bottle. It goes back and forwards from a milkman to a dairyman.

0:40:33 > 0:40:36And then people just throw them out.

0:40:36 > 0:40:39So how did it all begin, really?

0:40:39 > 0:40:45Finding milk bottles on walks. If a bottle was found, I put it in the rucksack and took it home

0:40:45 > 0:40:48to find out where it had come from.

0:40:48 > 0:40:54That was 30 years ago. Since then he's got them from the strangest of places.

0:40:54 > 0:41:00- How do you find these bottles? - I'd say, "Who delivered your milk?" You'd say, "It was such and such."

0:41:00 > 0:41:04I would then track down any family, was the dairy still going?

0:41:04 > 0:41:06I would talk to electricians.

0:41:06 > 0:41:12When they rewire a house, they find old milk bottles under the floor.

0:41:12 > 0:41:18Ladies will find me an old milk bottle underneath the sink, used as a pint measure.

0:41:18 > 0:41:24And I suppose size-wise we've got pints, half-pints, two pints.

0:41:24 > 0:41:27Pint-and-a-halfs, quarter-pints, a third of a pint for a school.

0:41:27 > 0:41:29I've even got gallons.

0:41:32 > 0:41:36One of the stars of Steve's collection is this brown bottle.

0:41:36 > 0:41:43It was the first ever British milk bottle, produced in the 1880s by Express Dairies,

0:41:43 > 0:41:47and designed to ultimately replace the less hygienic milk churns.

0:41:47 > 0:41:52Is this what most homes had their milk in, back in the 1880s?

0:41:52 > 0:41:56- Yes, they would have had bottles like that.- Right.

0:41:56 > 0:41:58And aqua-green glass.

0:41:58 > 0:42:02- A special patent bottle, Kilner's. - Right.

0:42:02 > 0:42:09The reason behind the colouring here was because the milk wasn't treated. It came straight from the cow.

0:42:09 > 0:42:15They thought if it was on the doorstep in sunlight, it would last longer if the glass was tinted.

0:42:15 > 0:42:17- Absolute rubbish.- Yes, of course.

0:42:19 > 0:42:22And a bottle for you. I have a spare one.

0:42:22 > 0:42:24- Are you serious?- Absolutely.

0:42:24 > 0:42:27You're giving me a milk bottle that is named after me -

0:42:27 > 0:42:29Hanson and Sons.

0:42:29 > 0:42:35Model Dairy, Edge Lane. Steve, I'm absolutely blown away.

0:42:40 > 0:42:45Back in Malvern, the day is drawing to a close

0:42:45 > 0:42:48and David has one last visit to make -

0:42:48 > 0:42:51Abbey Antiques and proprietor Tony.

0:42:53 > 0:42:57With the auction day looming fast and no time to show off their items,

0:42:57 > 0:43:02David wants to snap up something eye-catching.

0:43:02 > 0:43:07It looks like he's found a lump of marble and a crystal ball.

0:43:09 > 0:43:15It's either a carpet bowl - it goes along the carpet in one of those long halls.

0:43:15 > 0:43:21Carpet bowls are a version of the indoor game, but what makes it distinct from other types

0:43:21 > 0:43:24is the 30-foot-long bowling mat.

0:43:24 > 0:43:29Date-wise, probably 19th century, early part of this century.

0:43:29 > 0:43:32That is a stonemason's art.

0:43:32 > 0:43:35At £10, that layered marble bowl

0:43:35 > 0:43:39seems a bargain and it turns out the clear crystal jobby

0:43:39 > 0:43:42is also a carpet bowl.

0:43:42 > 0:43:45But David is still hunting for that attention-grabbing buy.

0:43:45 > 0:43:49- I just want to put it over my face. - Yes. Oh, good.

0:43:49 > 0:43:52Don't say it's going to be an improvement!

0:43:52 > 0:43:58I want to see where the eyes are placed. If I can see through it, then it's a genuine mask,

0:43:58 > 0:44:01not one made as a tourist souvenir.

0:44:04 > 0:44:06And that is brilliant.

0:44:06 > 0:44:10Some would say an improvement. I can't tell.

0:44:10 > 0:44:15- I can see everything that's going on. What does it look like? - Fantastic.

0:44:15 > 0:44:19A mask like this is traditionally used in ritual dances

0:44:19 > 0:44:21and usually has a spiritual or religious meaning.

0:44:21 > 0:44:27- What's the price on this?- £90. - Oh! I can't afford it.

0:44:27 > 0:44:32- Would you do it at 50, please? - No, certainly not.

0:44:32 > 0:44:35- 60, then.- 57.

0:44:35 > 0:44:39- It'll just give me a chance. - All right.- At 57.

0:44:39 > 0:44:42Thank you very much. I'd love to purchase that. Thank you.

0:44:42 > 0:44:43Don't forget your balls, David.

0:44:43 > 0:44:46- Now...- Ah.- I like these.

0:44:46 > 0:44:50- What's the very best you can do? - I'll do it for eight. - For £8. The two for £8.

0:44:50 > 0:44:55- Don't drop it! It's a deal. - Thank you very much indeed.

0:44:56 > 0:44:59So far, Charles has barely spent a penny.

0:44:59 > 0:45:04£40, actually, on a tea table and £5 on a Chinese teapot,

0:45:04 > 0:45:06tea being the theme of the day.

0:45:06 > 0:45:08One lump or two, then, lads?

0:45:08 > 0:45:13David, however, spent £105 and came away with four items,

0:45:13 > 0:45:18including that scary African mask and those carpet bowls.

0:45:18 > 0:45:24So, with the pressure on to buy something with a bit of va-va-voom to sell at a challenging auction,

0:45:24 > 0:45:27our boys had better get cracking.

0:45:27 > 0:45:30- Particularly you, Charles. - See you.

0:45:30 > 0:45:32Shirt's coming out.

0:45:32 > 0:45:37- Come on.- Silly boy. He's making a beeline for Attica Antiques.

0:45:37 > 0:45:41Hello, how are you? Is it your shop?

0:45:41 > 0:45:45- No, it's a dog, you fool. Mark's the owner.- These are sweet.

0:45:45 > 0:45:50They are a pair of late-Edwardian ladies pincushion boots.

0:45:50 > 0:45:53If they were silver, they would fetch £1,000.

0:45:53 > 0:45:58- It's very hard sometimes, knowing what to go for.- For you, yes.

0:45:58 > 0:46:01I always buy too much.

0:46:01 > 0:46:05This picture on the wall. What do you think of it?

0:46:05 > 0:46:09I think that is a genuine Louis Wain. Condition lets it down.

0:46:09 > 0:46:15Louis Wain was a Victorian painter best known for his human-like cat drawings,

0:46:15 > 0:46:18sometimes portrayed smoking or fishing.

0:46:18 > 0:46:22- His work is popular and often forged.- I don't know.

0:46:22 > 0:46:24You look so closely...

0:46:24 > 0:46:29It takes a specialist to say if a picture is the real thing.

0:46:29 > 0:46:33A genuine Louis Wain could change hands for more than £1,000.

0:46:33 > 0:46:38The ticket price on this piece is 70. Miaow!

0:46:38 > 0:46:41It's a difficult one. The one issue with it, Mark,

0:46:41 > 0:46:42is its condition,

0:46:42 > 0:46:45but it's a picture which has a good look about it.

0:46:45 > 0:46:50- What's the best price, Mark, on it? - Well, I'd say 70.

0:46:50 > 0:46:55I would probably want to offer... maybe half that. 30?

0:46:55 > 0:46:57- Go on, then.- Thanks, Mark. - I'm vaguely happy.

0:46:57 > 0:46:59£30.

0:46:59 > 0:47:02Mark, if it can go back in the frame, that would be great.

0:47:02 > 0:47:06- I'll have the other one.- Thanks.

0:47:06 > 0:47:10Charles is on a high, but he still needs something extra

0:47:10 > 0:47:13if he's ever going to beat David at this selling game.

0:47:13 > 0:47:16Let's pray Annie's tiny shop can spring a surprise.

0:47:18 > 0:47:26What we've got here is a very nice little Doulton jardiniere, plant pot.

0:47:26 > 0:47:31Marked Doulton, Lambeth. What I like is this delightful detail of gilding,

0:47:31 > 0:47:36and opaque turquoise and white jewelling.

0:47:36 > 0:47:41Again, we have got two chips here which will affect value greatly,

0:47:41 > 0:47:48but it's only £12 and quite rightly when it is so cheap, it's being used for its function still.

0:47:48 > 0:47:50And there's a plant.

0:47:50 > 0:47:56Annie, what's in here? This is where you often find some real gems.

0:47:56 > 0:47:59We've got a lovely little ivory ring rattle.

0:47:59 > 0:48:04Also a very nice silver vesta case, which is hallmarked,

0:48:04 > 0:48:09hallmarked for Birmingham with a date code - it's George V.

0:48:09 > 0:48:14This is around the First World War, it's heavy, it's silver.

0:48:14 > 0:48:16Silver's at a fairly strong level.

0:48:16 > 0:48:24There are collectors of vesta cases and if you were a gent going to light a fag or cigarette,

0:48:24 > 0:48:32you'd take your match out here, then you'd close that, strike it on there and then...off you go.

0:48:32 > 0:48:38- All right, isn't it?- It is. I like it.- Silver vesta cases are collectable,

0:48:38 > 0:48:43and at £38 is there a double deal to be done with the jardiniere?

0:48:43 > 0:48:50- What's the best price on the jardiniere? Priced at 12. - I could do five on that.- £5.

0:48:50 > 0:48:56- And on your decorative silver vesta case?- 30. 30 is the best.

0:48:56 > 0:48:59- I do like it.- 35 for the two.

0:48:59 > 0:49:07I would need to really pay about 20 for the vesta case and about five for the jardiniere.

0:49:07 > 0:49:11I'll agree to 25. I don't like customers to escape.

0:49:12 > 0:49:17£25. So I'm all set. See you, Annie! Bye-bye!

0:49:17 > 0:49:23David, however, is taking the day in his stride like the master he is.

0:49:23 > 0:49:27Our veteran antiques bloodhound is at Attica Antiques

0:49:27 > 0:49:32and has found those very same shoe pincushions Charles spotted earlier.

0:49:32 > 0:49:36- They're collectable, aren't they? - They are attractive.

0:49:36 > 0:49:41But there's so many reproductions, but these are quite genuine.

0:49:41 > 0:49:46And those laces have been made for these shoes.

0:49:46 > 0:49:52These little beauties date from around 1915, judging from the style of the shoe,

0:49:52 > 0:49:59so fairly modern,when you think pincushions first emerged in the 15th century.

0:49:59 > 0:50:04- They've got £24 on those.- Mm-hm. - What's your very, very best?

0:50:04 > 0:50:0616.

0:50:09 > 0:50:12I think that's a good price.

0:50:12 > 0:50:17- You wouldn't do them for 12, would you?- No. 14.

0:50:17 > 0:50:21- £14.- 14. - Thank you very much indeed.

0:50:21 > 0:50:26There we are, Mark. That's 10 and that's 5. Thank you very much.

0:50:27 > 0:50:31That's the shopping all over, so let's see what they've bought.

0:50:31 > 0:50:36David has spent £119 on a Wedgwood tankard,

0:50:36 > 0:50:38A 1950s Murano vase,

0:50:38 > 0:50:42an African mask, a pair of carpet bowls,

0:50:42 > 0:50:44and a pair of shoe pin cusions.

0:50:44 > 0:50:49Charles, meanwhile, has splashed out exactly £100 on an oak table,

0:50:49 > 0:50:52a teapot, a watercolour of a cat taking tea,

0:50:52 > 0:50:55a silver vesta case, and a jardiniere.

0:50:55 > 0:50:58So what do they think of each other's goodies?

0:50:58 > 0:51:02I thought his picture after Louis Wain was dreadful.

0:51:02 > 0:51:04Absolutely dreadful.

0:51:04 > 0:51:07It's blatantly a forgery, a fake, a faux.

0:51:07 > 0:51:12His only real problem might be with that little African mask head,

0:51:12 > 0:51:15which could just falter at £57.

0:51:15 > 0:51:19David's big success will be the delightful Murano vase.

0:51:19 > 0:51:21It will also do well.

0:51:23 > 0:51:25It's the day of reckoning.

0:51:25 > 0:51:30After kicking off in Malvern, this leg comes to an end in Pewsey,

0:51:30 > 0:51:33a pretty Wiltshire town

0:51:33 > 0:51:38which sits on a stretch of the 87-mile Kennet and Avon Canal.

0:51:40 > 0:51:42The Jubilee Auction Rooms

0:51:42 > 0:51:45will be the backdrop for our trippers, and the tension is building.

0:51:47 > 0:51:52- Shall we hold hands for good luck? - Just not too long, please.

0:51:52 > 0:51:54Steady, lads.

0:51:55 > 0:51:58So it's David's ruby glass vase to start.

0:51:58 > 0:52:01- Lot 162.- Come on, David.

0:52:01 > 0:52:05It's the 1950s Murano clear and ruby glass vase.

0:52:05 > 0:52:07£30 for this. 30? 20?

0:52:07 > 0:52:1010, then?

0:52:10 > 0:52:1510, thank you. At £10, at £10. Take 12 now.

0:52:15 > 0:52:18At £12, seated. At £12. 14.

0:52:18 > 0:52:25- That's a good price. - At £14, then. Lady's bid down here. All done at £14.

0:52:25 > 0:52:29Well, it's a profit, but David's not happy.

0:52:29 > 0:52:33- It's unbelievably disappointing. - I think we're in for a bloodbath,

0:52:33 > 0:52:38but if we go down together, we go down together fighting, OK?

0:52:38 > 0:52:44Oh, crumbs. Let's hope David's Wedgwood mug can put a smile back on his face.

0:52:44 > 0:52:47- £20 for this.- Come on. - 10 away.- Come on.

0:52:47 > 0:52:51- 10 somewhere, surely. - A couple of pounds?- 10 I've got.

0:52:51 > 0:52:56- At £10 for the Queen's ware. - Absolutely devastating.

0:52:56 > 0:53:00At £12, then, in the doorway at 12.

0:53:00 > 0:53:03Oh, dear. That's giving it away.

0:53:04 > 0:53:08Now for that controversial Louis Wain picture.

0:53:08 > 0:53:12Very, very, very attractive little picture in the style of Louis Wain.

0:53:12 > 0:53:17It might make £5. If it does, c'est la vie, David. We're in it together.

0:53:17 > 0:53:22- I've got commission bids and open the bidding at £20.- £20! Come on!

0:53:22 > 0:53:25At £20. Take 2. 22. 22.

0:53:25 > 0:53:31- 24, commission.- Come on. Keep going. - I can't believe it! - 26, sir. Outside at 26.

0:53:31 > 0:53:3328, commission. At £28.

0:53:33 > 0:53:38A commission bid against you all at £28.

0:53:38 > 0:53:41That's a shame, but thanks for coming.

0:53:41 > 0:53:45If only you'd gone with your gut feeling, Charles.

0:53:45 > 0:53:48I'm getting rather excited now.

0:53:48 > 0:53:51This is my major piece coming up. It's the Mali mask.

0:53:51 > 0:53:5520 I'm bid. 22 now. 22.

0:53:55 > 0:53:58- 24, sir. At 24.- Come on.

0:53:58 > 0:54:03At £24. The bid's on my left at £24. All done.

0:54:03 > 0:54:09Oh, no! A £33 loss and David's feeling the pain!

0:54:09 > 0:54:10I'm just collapsing.

0:54:11 > 0:54:15- So, can Charles get lucky with the vesta case?- 20 I've got.

0:54:15 > 0:54:19- Oh, come on! It's worth that. - 25. 28. 30.

0:54:19 > 0:54:22Take 2, sir. 32. 32.

0:54:22 > 0:54:25At £32, then. Seated at 32.

0:54:26 > 0:54:31Well done, Charles. You made a profit of £12. That's excellent.

0:54:31 > 0:54:33Charles is all smiles.

0:54:33 > 0:54:38Now David's got to hit the jack with his carpet bowls.

0:54:38 > 0:54:43- 10 I've got, commission bid. At £10. - That's profit.- A profit!

0:54:43 > 0:54:4616. At 16. £18, commission.

0:54:46 > 0:54:48- At £18...- One more!- Well done.

0:54:48 > 0:54:51All done at £18.

0:54:51 > 0:54:54- You made £10.- £10 profit.

0:54:54 > 0:54:58Yeah, but David's still slipping behind.

0:54:58 > 0:55:02Can he stitch a comeback with these pincushions?

0:55:02 > 0:55:06I almost bought these. Please don't make too much.

0:55:06 > 0:55:09£30? 10?! Does anyone like them?

0:55:09 > 0:55:12At £10 I'm bid. 12, sir, thank you.

0:55:12 > 0:55:15Come on! One more bid!

0:55:16 > 0:55:20- 14. At 14. 16. - I can't believe this!

0:55:20 > 0:55:25At £16. And finished. 16.

0:55:25 > 0:55:29Ha! A small profit, but will it be enough to take the lead?

0:55:29 > 0:55:35The way the auction's going, with things falling so far short, this teapot could make £10.

0:55:35 > 0:55:39Will I be upset? Yes, I will be.

0:55:39 > 0:55:42I hope there won't be tears.

0:55:42 > 0:55:47£20? 10, then. Thank you, sir. 10 I'm bid. £10 only.

0:55:47 > 0:55:50At £10. At 10. 12. 14.

0:55:50 > 0:55:53Come on! This is crazy.

0:55:53 > 0:55:57At £14. At 14. 16. 18.

0:55:57 > 0:56:02At £18. At £18 and I'm going to sell it at £18.

0:56:02 > 0:56:06You made a profit. I'm making losses. So don't grumble.

0:56:06 > 0:56:09You tell him, David!

0:56:09 > 0:56:13Now for Charles's jardiniere with the hairline crack -

0:56:13 > 0:56:15and minus the plant.

0:56:15 > 0:56:19It could be yours. Doulton, Lambeth. There it is. Have a go.

0:56:19 > 0:56:25- It could be yours!- I'm up here, you're down there. For a reason.

0:56:25 > 0:56:28- My apologies, sir.- Thank you. 10 I've got. £10 bid.

0:56:28 > 0:56:31At £10. 12, thank you. That worked.

0:56:31 > 0:56:3514 with me. At 14. 16 in the room.

0:56:35 > 0:56:38At £16, then. I'll sell for 16.

0:56:38 > 0:56:41Charles is scenting blood.

0:56:41 > 0:56:44I am now £34 profit.

0:56:44 > 0:56:48- And still got your table to come. - And here it is.

0:56:48 > 0:56:51The apparently 226-year-old tripod table.

0:56:51 > 0:56:53Is victory at hand for Charles?

0:56:53 > 0:56:58If this table can at least break even, we're almost neck and neck.

0:56:58 > 0:57:02- 40.- You're in.- 45.

0:57:02 > 0:57:04- That's good.- One more.- At 50.

0:57:04 > 0:57:07At £50. Bid's on my left.

0:57:07 > 0:57:09Good!

0:57:09 > 0:57:13And the winner is...Charles!

0:57:13 > 0:57:16I think we deserve a cup of tea.

0:57:16 > 0:57:19Yes, we do. Come on, David. Well done. I'm delighted.

0:57:19 > 0:57:25David started this leg with £298.20

0:57:25 > 0:57:29and after auction costs made a loss - ooh - of £50.12,

0:57:29 > 0:57:33leaving him with £248.08.

0:57:35 > 0:57:42Charles began with £243.80 and made £18.08 after costs,

0:57:42 > 0:57:46putting him in the lead with £261.88 going into the next leg.

0:57:46 > 0:57:49He still looks a bit moody, though.

0:57:51 > 0:57:58- Congratulations.- Can you believe it? - I shall chauffeur you... - I'm now ahead of David Barby!

0:57:58 > 0:58:05- I've been in your position many a time.- How does it feel? - What?- Losing to me.- I want to cry.

0:58:05 > 0:58:07Ha-ha!

0:58:14 > 0:58:17Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd