Episode 6 Antiques Road Trip

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

Well, duck, do I buy you or don't I?

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

Sold.

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

But it's not as easy as it looks

and dreams of glory can end in tatters.

So will it be the fast lane to success

or the slow road to bankruptcy?

That's the sweat over.

This is the Antiques Road Trip.

# Yeah. #

This week we're in the capable hands of a pair of auctioneers.

Anita Manning and James Lewis.

I hate this.

-I'd much rather be up there.

-I know.

Anita, from Scotland, is a crafty campaigner who buys with her heart.

Never shy of employing her womanly wiles, though, to bag a bargain.

You're not flirting with me, are you, to try and get it cheaper?

Would I flirt with you?!

Derbyshire lad James Lewis likes to buy quirky and loves nature.

He flirts, too, it just doesn't always work.

-I'll give you 30 for that. But throw that mallet in.

-How cheeky!

Our pair begin their road trip with £200 each

and their chariot, a classic 1970s VW Beetle.

-Look at the sky, James.

-It's really lovely.

This week's road trip starts in Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire,

and heads south,

travelling via East Anglia to the West Country

and concluding in Cirencester.

Today we're kicking things off in Pateley Bridge

and concluding with an auction showdown in Grimsby.

James, what a beautiful view and what a beautiful day...

-It's amazing, isn't it?

-..To start our new adventure.

-The English countryside.

-Oh, yes, it's not bad.

We're going through almost the entire English countryside, aren't we?

-Will you be my guide?

-I'd love to be.

-Lovely.

Let's hope the sun shines on us for the entire journey.

-You know, I think it probably will.

-Let's go.

A small market town in the Yorkshire Dales,

Pateley Bridge is famous for having one of the oldest sweet shops in England,

established in 1827.

-Well, there we go.

-First shop, James.

Your first shop.

-Wish me luck, darling.

-I wish him luck, the owner.

-Do they know what they've let themselves in for?

-I'll be gentle.

Well done. Good luck. Find a treasure.

-Bye.

-Bye.

-Hello.

-Hello, Anita. I'm Derek.

Derek, lovely to meet you.

-This is Aisha.

-Lovely to meet you, too.

-The shop looks lovely.

-Thank you.

Pleasantries out of the way, Anita goes straight for the jugular.

-Is this your one here?

-Yeah, that's one of ours.

This is made by Crown Devon. It's a commemorative jug.

Ordinarily, on these jugs, we tend to have a bit of text

which tells us about the character, and this one is John Peel.

This is our John Peel here.

We've got the handle in the shape of a fox.

John Peel, nothing to do with the great DJ, was a British huntsman

made famous by the 19th-century song, D'ye Ken John Peel.

I quite like these Crown Devon jugs

but I know they've gone off the boil.

I may be looking to buy it around about £20. Is that possible?

Not really.

-I'd go down to no less than 25.

-25.

Is it possible to maybe go to 22?

-Actually, it stands me more than that.

-Right, OK.

-Can we go to 25 then?

-Yes.

-OK.

-That's so kind of you, Derek. Ah, that's great.

-25.

Thank you very much, that's smashing.

Tally Ho, Anita! And she's not stopping there.

A lamp's caught her eye with a hefty £140 price tag.

Can I take it over and have a wee look?

Go through it all, yes.

I find it interesting because of this base.

Probably from the 1920s or 1930s.

It's made of spelter, not bronze.

What I like about it is the fact that from there down,

where we have the aeroplane,

and it's got almost a sort of art deco motif.

And, up here, we've got this classical figure.

What's the very, very, very best you can do on that?

100.

-Could you come down nearer 70, Derek?

-No way, love.

Couldn't do that?

My wife would crucify me.

Can you ask her if she would come down?

-I can maybe get in touch with her.

-Say to her that I've offered £80.

And that would be great.

If we could do a deal it would be wonderful.

Fingers crossed!

I would love to buy that. I love the base.

But I'm thinking that if it's not the right sale,

I could make a whacking great loss on it.

So while Derek makes that tricky phone call to his missus,

let's see what James is up to,

as he motors just one mile down the road

to start his shopping in the village of Glasshouses.

-Hi, there. Is it Richard?

-It is indeed.

Nice to see you, I'm James.

Situated in an old watermill, Country Oak Antiques has evolved

from over 25 years of collecting and dealing in oak and country furniture.

Sounds expensive, so good luck, James!

A lot of this is going to be...

Too large.

..way out of my price range.

Let's have a look up here.

-How much is a little snuff like that?

-That's...

-I'm going to say £35, that's a definite.

-35.

A mousetrap. Multi-mousetrap.

Wow, look at that.

That's 35.

You could use it for fingers, couldn't you?

-That's interesting.

-What is that?

-A mole trap.

-Is it really?

What would that make? It's just...

-How much is that?

-20.

Is it?

Such a weird thing, what's it worth?

OK, I think we are going to struggle.

-Don't worry, leave me to it.

-I'll leave you to it.

I'll have a wander for five minutes but...

Erm.

(I'm struggling.)

Oh, dear. Poor old James.

Back in Pateley Bridge,

it's the moment of truth for Anita and her expensive lamp.

How are we doing, Derek?

Seeing it's you, £80.

Ah! You're a darling!

Thank you so much, that's lovely.

So that's two items, but it looks like Anita's after even more.

These are rather sweet, and they were very popular,

I would say five, six, seven years ago.

But they're at a reasonable price. They are Tunstall.

Tunstall is one of the six towns that make up the English Potteries,

and the birthplace of several famous potters.

This one is hand-painted.

It's entitled "Luscious."

If I can get them for the right price

then I'm hoping that someone else will like them.

I'm going to see if I can get two for the price of one.

That'll be £6.45 then. Good luck.

I wondered if it was possible to have two for the price of one.

£9 for them both. You'll make money at auction.

-I've got to go for that, haven't I?

-Yeah.

I've got to go for that.

You'll make money at auction.

That's the third deal gone there, that's great.

Good going!

Your first shop and you've bagged four items.

How is James doing? Not still struggling, we hope.

Ah, a salt box.

This little box, classic design. Typical of its type.

Made around 1850, something like that.

But the design really didn't change from the early 1700s -

1720 to 1730 - all the way through until the early 20th century.

I have to say, it's a bog standard model

but if I can get it for a good price there might be a profit.

Browsed out, James decides to make a move.

If there's something that you've had for ages that you think,

well, it's interesting but I've had it for a long time and I...

-The mole trap.

-Why doesn't that surprise me?

It's not been particularly for sale.

That's 15.

I can't actually remember what I paid for the bloomin' thing!

That's good news. I bet you paid two quid for it.

That could be £10.

10 quid.

-Um...

-Well, it's a completely insane object.

-£15 for a mousetrap or something.

-£15, OK. £15 for a mousetrap, £10 for a mole trap.

How much could you do one of these boxes for?

The very... The very best on that would have to be 20.

20. All right, OK.

-You've worn me...

-You want 20 for that?

-Yes.

-You want 15 for that?

-Yes.

-35, I'll take the three.

-No, it'll have to be 40.

38, you got a deal.

For the sake of £2... to get rid of you!

-Deal!

-By gum.

-Thanks.

-By gum indeed.

Back on the road, and Anita is travelling 15 miles south-east to Knaresborough.

This historic market town on the River Nidd is home

to what's allegedly Britain's oldest tourist attraction.

Since as early as 1538, folk have headed here for what they believed

were the healing powers of the waters,

and to see familiar objects

turned to stone.

# Turn to stone When you are gone

# I turn to stone

# Turn to stone... #

What a strange sight.

Hats here, dolls, a rocking horse.

That's right, we've got some famous ones as well.

-Can you let me have a look?

-Have a look.

-Look at this!

-Agatha Christie's handbag.

-How did that come here?

Well it was actually donated by the Agatha Christie Society.

We've got John Wayne's hat. That's Debbie McGee's rabbit.

I hope it wasn't a live one used in the show, but I'm sure it wasn't.

Meanwhile, back in Pateley Bridge

James is looking to pull an antique out of the hat,

and he's found a desk calendar at £68.

The interesting thing about this is it's made to look like tortoiseshell,

but it's plastic, faux tortoiseshell.

But it's also moulded with the Michelin man to the left,

which is probably the most famous character in advertising.

And just happens to look rather like a certain auctioneer and valuer.

Um, this old chap here, Father Time,

um, is obviously magnifying the date aperture here.

It's quite a smart thing, and it's also the sort of thing

that would appeal to advertising collectors.

But... I don't know.

What would be your best on that?

I think, um, probably...

I can do that for...£40.

If I think it's going to make 30 at auction, that's not going to help me, is it?!

-Well, it's a bit of advertising.

-It is, it is, it is, it is.

Mm, think about that. What else has Linda got?

19th century presentation mallet.

"Presented to Anita Manning, to hit over James's head

"when she thrashes him on Antiques Road Trip."

Oh, I think we're getting somewhere.

-That's 40. What's your best?

-My absolute best would be 30.

What would be your best on a top hat?

I'll give you 60 for that, I'll give you 30 for that.

But throw that mallet in. How about that?

-How cheeky!

-I'm just thinking...

-I might hit you over the head with it yet!

-Go on.

Yes, go on, do us all a favour.

-Reluctantly.

-Got a deal. Thank you.

-OK.

Anita and James are making for an auction in Grimsby,

but calling in first at York.

Situated where the River Ouse meets the Foss,

the city is renowned for its Roman, Viking and medieval heritage.

Iconic York Minster Cathedral in the centre of the city

is one of the largest of its kind in northern Europe.

Plus, there's a former banana warehouse.

This is our guard of honour!

Do you think he will do a deal, James?

I think, Anita, you can get anyone to do a deal!

-Listen, I think we'd better get in and start rummaging.

-Hang on, Anita.

-Do you want to go in the main entrance just there? I'll go in the secondary one.

-Hey!

Ah, now this is the sort of place where you might get a bargain.

Where, if you ask what's on the telly, they reply,

"A couple of rugs and a bookcase!"

That's got a bit of age to it, hasn't it?

-So how much is that, 20 quid?

-Yeah, 20 quid, yeah.

Will you take a tenner for it?

-Go on then.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

-In that case you have got a deal. You've got a deal.

God knows what I'm going to do with that!

Anita, meanwhile, has gone all '60s.

Groovy, baby.

I like these sort of quirky items from that period.

And I quite like plastic. I think plastic is a very good medium for some things.

-And, of course, perfect for napkin rings.

-Yeah.

While she's thinking about those rings, Anita spots something else.

Asking price, £80.

I kind of like him, Dave. I kind of like him.

Can you do a deal on him?

-Try me.

-OK.

But don't be cruel, Anita.

I'd like to... I'd like to be paying around 25 for him.

-That's what I'd like to be paying.

-You don't want me to earn any profit, do you?

-Och, yeah.

-I'll tell you what I will do, I'll take 35 for it.

-Right.

But that's it. I won't go down any further.

-I'll tell you what, if I have a wee look at the wee napkin rings...

-OK.

..and bring them over, and maybe we can do a wee deal?

-Knocking me down on them as well?

-Aw!

-Ah, well, it's now or never.

These are sort of funky little things.

What I would like to pay for them is less than 10.

-I reckon if you wanted to bid me 18, you might be...

-Aw, that's too much.

I know I wouldn't get that.

-12?

-No. 15 will be enough.

That's all right now. Surely, Anita?

Can you give me both of them for 45?

You're an hard bargainer. I mean, I want your money.

You want my money. I want you to give you my money. Go on, 45 for the two?

-Go on.

-Aw, you're a darling.

-Seeing as it's you.

Not content, Anita continues to look for a last-minute bargain,

when, hey presto, bingo!

I think this is quite good fun.

I don't play bingo myself.

-I wouldn't know, it's too complicated for me.

-It's good.

-I think that this is fun.

-I think there's about 15 missing.

Do you know what else I like, Dave, I like the fact that we have this label,

which gives it a wee bit of character.

-And it was made in Newcastle-on-Tyne.

-Right.

-Yeah.

Tell me how much it is.

If you really want to buy it, I'll let you have it at £25,

but that's absolute rock-bottom price.

We're not doing any bidding at that. It's £25.

-Sold.

-OK?

Now, shopping done, our experts must get themselves

to auction. But first, let's recap on what they've bought on this trip.

Starting with £200, Anita has spent a total of £184

on five auction lots.

The lamp.

The napkin rings.

The Elvis bust.

The bingo machine and the Crown Devon jug will be sold together

with the pair of Tunstall pots.

As for James,

he took his £200 allowance and spent a little bit less -

£138, also on five lots.

The mouse and mole catchers.

The salt box and the treen mallet.

The calendar.

The top hat.

And the TV.

So, what do our experts really think about each other's purchases?

A mouse catcher, a mole killer...

I actually think that the guy made that up.

What they'll do in auction is anyone's guess.

The ball machine, that is great fun.

You can imagine anyone from a WI to a bingo caller,

I think there's a profit in that.

After starting out at Pateley Bridge in Yorkshire,

this leg of our trip will conclude in Lincolnshire, at Grimsby.

They have kept a parking space just for us.

Let's hope we're as lucky in the auction, James.

HE LAUGHS

-HE GROANS

-How do you feel?

Resigned to it!

-Are you getting a bit rattled?

-I don't think I should have bought that top hat, I really don't.

Strap yourself in, and hold on tight - the auction is about to take off.

Our first lot up is that television.

It looks wonderful.

I thought you were going to get a photograph of yourself to stick on the front.

I want it to sell, not bomb!

OK, James, you're on.

£20 with mark.

-Yes, straight into a profit!

-22, can I see?

-22, anywhere now? Come on, it's a classic TV.

-Come on, come on.

Come on, we're geeing it up.

22, I have. 22. 25 anywhere now?

If not, I'm selling at £22.

-Hurray!

-That's not too bad.

-That's a good start.

You wouldn't believe

how much passion can be involved in £22. My word!

Hard to imagine a flatscreen fetching that

in about 50 years' time. Still. Now for Anita's combined lot.

And H&K. What shall we say, £40 for them? Come on.

-Come on.

-Come on!

-20, then.

£20 bid. 22? 22, I have.

-Go on.

-Yes!

-Sorry, 27.

30 anywhere now?

Come on! Anita's jugs are worth more than that! Come on!

28.

-28. 29.

-Ah!

30. Nice one. 31.

I'm selling, then. Oh, 32. Fresh bidder. 33? 33.

-Yes.

-34? 34.

-35.

-Yes!

-36. 37.

-Yes!

-38. £38 bid.

-40.

-Yes!

-£40 bid. 42.

Thank you, Grimsby.

£42 bid, with the gentleman on my left. Selling at £42.

-Yes!

-934.

I'm very, very pleased with that.

Can you guess that was one of their lots?!

Yup, sorry about that, they do tend to get over-excited.

Well done, Anita, after commission, that's a small profit.

I need a lie down.

Now, a little less conversation, please, it's Anita's Elvis.

£30 for him. 10, then.

£10 bid.

12. 14. 16.

18. 20.

22, fresh bidder. 25.

£25 bid. 27, fresh bidder.

30. 32. 35.

35. 37. £37 bid.

40. £40 bid. 42.

45. 47 anywhere now?

You're not going to be outdone. 47 anywhere? Yes. 47.

50, can I see? If not, I'm selling at £47.

-Yes!

-Well done.

I think we can say Elvis has left the building.

-Well done. Brilliant. That's good news.

-Yup.

Yup. That £17 profit brings you into the lead, Anita.

Next up is James's combo, the salt box and the treen mallet.

£20, I'm bid. 22.

25. 27. 28. 28.

30. £30, I'm bid. 32, can I see? 32.

£32, I'm bid. 35. 35.

-37.

-It's worth more than that.

-40.

£40, I'm bid. 42. £42, I'm bid.

43. 44. 45.

Can I see 46? 46, I have.

£46, I'm bid. 47 anywhere now?

If not, I'm selling at £46.

-Yeah, you've made profit, James.

-Just.

A profit's a profit and with two lots each,

you're currently edging out in front, James.

Now, time for James's calendar.

The auctioneer said that he had interest in it.

£70.

BOTH: 70! Yes!

-£70.

-Straight in at 70. 75, can I see?

-It's a good feeling.

£70. 75. £75 bid.

85. 85. 90, can I see?

-£85 bid.

-One more, go on!

-£85 bid. 90 anywhere now?

If not, I'm selling for £85.

-I'm happy with that. That's good.

-That's wonderful.

Phew. It takes the pressure off a bit, doesn't it?

What a great result, James. You're storming into the lead.

-That's a healthy profit.

-A good profit.

Right, 145 is the set of six retro napkin rings. £20.

20, straight in.

Can I see 22 anywhere?

22? 22, 25. 27.

28, anywhere? Anyone want to give 28? 28, I have.

29? 29. 30.

32. 33.

£33, I'm bid. 34.

You work on her, I'll work on him.

35. £35, I'm bid.

-36.

-Yes!

£36.

Don't feel intimidated! £36, I'm bid.

37 anywhere now? 37. 38. £38, I'm bid.

39 anywhere now? If not, I'm selling at £38.

-Well fought.

-Yes! I'm absolutely delighted.

-That's a great result.

Yep, fab, keep this up and you'll catch him in no time.

-Bags of style.

-Yeah.

I wonder if they'll have enough style

to buy a 19th century mousetrap?

I wonder!

£20. 22, can I see?

£20 bid. 22 anywhere now?

-£20 bid. 22.

-There we go.

27. And 30. And 2.

35. And 7. 40. 42.

£42. 45 anywhere? If not, I'm selling at £42.

Thank you so much.

-Miracles happen.

-You got away with that.

Great profit, James, and watch out, furry mammals of Lincolnshire.

What did I say? The market loves the weird and the wacky.

And where are you going to find another one?

-That's what I say.

-Where would you want to find another one?

SHE LAUGHS True.

Quite. And the same principle

probably applies to your bingo machine.

£40 for it.

-25.

-25, straight in. Breaking even straight away.

30. 32. 35.

35. 35. 37.

40. 42.

43.

£43, I'm bid. 45.

£45, I'm bid. Fresh bidder. 47. £47 bid.

I think you're going to be goaded. 50.

£50, I'm bid. 55, I need.

£50, I'm bid. 55. 51.

£51, I'm bid. It's going to be hard.

You're not wrong. We could be here all night if this keeps up.

Where are we, ah, stuck in a tree, 53.

£53. £53, I'm bid. 54, fresh bidder.

55, can I see? 55, yes 55. 56.

57.

57. £57, I'm bid. 58. £58, I'm bid.

59. I'm back in at 59. 60.

£60, I'm bid. £60, I'm bid. Can I see 61? 61.

Can I see 62? Go on.

£62, I'm bid.

I'm selling at £62.

-Yes! Well done.

-That's a great result.

-I'm pleased with that.

-More than doubled your money.

-Yeah.

-62, tickety-boo.

Excellent, excellent.

With two lots to go, James is £32 ahead.

His top hat's up next.

-Here it is.

-Size 7 5/8, the most popular size, I believe.

And I can start the bidding at £60.

-£60 with me.

-60 straight in.

£60 with me. 65 anywhere now?

I think you're going to be goaded somewhere. £60 with me.

They're not looking impressed.

They paid £1,000 for one of these in The Apprentice.

We're selling, then, at £60.

Ah, James, it's wiped its face.

I shouldn't have brought it.

He did his best. If nobody bids, nobody bids. £60, well...

Nobody in the room that goes to Ascot. Can't blame them, either.

Yeah, but after commission, that's a loss.

193, a 20th century spelter lamp with flame shade.

Anita, this is your chance to steal victory.

It all comes down to your most expensive purchase.

-Come on.

-Come on, guys.

18. 20. And 2.

25. And 7. £27 bid.

30, fresh bidder. 32. 35.

37. 40.

£40 bid. £40 bid. 2.

42. 45. 47.

£47 bid.

£50, I'm bid. 55 anywhere?

£55, I'm bid. 60 anywhere now? Selling, then, at £55.

Ah!

-Ah.

-Well.

It wasn't as bad as it could have been, James.

It could've been worse, couldn't it?

Oh, well, never mind, there's a long way to go.

Today's leg, however, belongs to James Lewis.

-Both up.

-Uh-huh.

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

After paying auction costs,

Anita has made a somewhat small profit of £16.08.

She has £216.08 to carry forward.

James, on the other hand, made a very healthy profit of £71.10.

He has a substantial £271.10 to spend on the next leg.

-Well, James, I enjoyed that.

-Well, well done.

-We both came out all right, really. All things considered.

-All things considered.

So, as the competition hots up, who's feeling instinctive

and who's going to play it by the book?

If there was ever a time to spend up, it's this one, I think.

There's a wee bit of me that's saying, "Be canny, Anita!

"Be careful with your money! Always keep something for the bank."

-So, James, you've got £270. Give me your tactics, James.

-Well...

This road trip started at Pateley Bridge in Yorkshire

and then headed for the market town of Cirencester

in the beautiful, beautiful Cotswolds.

We've reached Lincolnshire at Horncastle,

on our way to another auction at Diss in Norfolk.

South of the Lincolnshire Wolds, the town of Horncastle used to be famous

for its summer horse fair, but these days, it's all about antiques.

Anita may have over £216 in her pocket,

but this establishment has over 40 different dealers selling their wares.

But have faith. Straight away,

she's found a nice little bit of Art Nouveau for 52 smackers.

This is a silver pincushion.

Art Nouveau, started probably in the 1870s, 1880,

so towards the end of the Victorian era.

The patterns almost seem to be freed up with organic shapes.

They were looking to nature for their inspiration.

What I would be thinking about would be between 25 and 30.

-Am I coming anywhere near?

-You are getting near.

-Am I near the 25 or am I near the 30, David?

-The latter, my dear.

The latter!

-I'll go to 32.

-It is good.

-If we came to 30.

-That would be less than 32.

-I know!

-THEY LAUGH

-£30.

-£30?

-Done!

Thank you so much. That's wonderful.

Deal done, just as James reaches his first shop, Bric-a-brac.

-Good morning.

-Hi.

The term bric-a-brac is French and translates as "odds and ends",

meaning a collection of curios.

-Is it OK if I have a browse around?

-Of course, yes, feel free.

What do we need to get rid of?

THEY LAUGH

-Anything you desperately want to get rid of?

-The boot pull, we'd like to get rid of that.

It's a good country house look, isn't it?

How much could the boot jack be?

It can be 100.

For 100 quid, I'll kick my boots off myself.

£75. That has got to be the best deal in the world.

-I did pay 195 for it, so I'm losing there.

-Did you?

-But you've had it a long time?

-Yeah, I have.

When stuff like that was fetching the money.

-They used to make a lot of money?

-They're back in fashion now.

-Oh, yeah, good try.

-From today!

But there's plenty of stuff they can't wait to get rid of, either.

What about the lampshade?

-Is that quirky enough for you?

-This one?

-Yeah.

-Try not to pull on it, it'll fall to bits.

-That's bonkers, isn't it?

-How much could that be?

-That can be 25.

This is very much in the Arts and Crafts style.

It's made out of a solid sheet of copper,

cut and then these little flower designs pushed through.

They've had it a long time and tried 45, now it's been crossed out

and it's now 32.

There's an even older one underneath that.

115.

I don't know.

That's...

-That's my hat.

-This is the ransom.

-It looks a darn sight better on you.

-You buy something, or the hat gets it!

OK, right.

That one, I see at 15.

-That one, I see at 35.

-No, darling.

-OK.

-I'm sorry, darling, we couldn't do business.

-We couldn't.

-But I have enjoyed your company.

-I've enjoyed yours, too, thanks very much.

-Good luck with the rest of the town.

-Thank you. Could I have my hat?

Oh, come on.

I might come back. Save it, save it. I might come back.

So while James heads, hatless, onto the streets of Horncastle,

at the antiques centre, Anita is hitting her stride - and the goods.

Back amongst the cabinets, she's sniffed out something else.

Stand by.

The little bottles, they have a bit of quality. They're not moulded glass.

That one's blown and you can see where they've polished the pontile.

The pontile is the part that has been broken off.

It's the type of thing that a lady of some substance and wealth

would take with her when she made her trip to Paris, New York or Lisbon.

It's in a little leather case and there is a little lock here,

which again, tells us that the contents of the bottles would be fairly expensive.

It's priced at £115. I wonder what David can do on that?

I thought it was pretty. What I would be looking to pay, £40-£60.

-The 60's nearer to the figure than the 40.

-Could it go to 50?

-No, no chance. Do you want me to come with my figure?

-Yes.

-My figure is 75.

-75. Is there a wee bit of movement on that?

With the accent on "wee".

THEY LAUGH

70.

-That's it, I'm not going any lower.

-Is that it?

-Yeah.

OK, I think I'm going to take a chance on it.

Having splashed out £100 here,

the jewellery has now caught her eye.

Can she put together a little Scottish something to appeal at the auction?

There's a group of Charles Rennie Mackintosh-style items.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh is one of the most renowned

architects and designers that Scotland has ever produced.

These little...two brooches and a little pendant,

they're quite nice quality and, although they aren't of the period,

they will be quite sought after.

According to the labels, the set should cost around £35.

Now, can you give me a price on these?

I can. Three for 20.

Three for 20.

Are you able to take £2 off, to make it 18?

I'll go 19, but that would be it.

That's the end.

Let's go for those ones, then, three for 19! Thank you, again.

It's a pleasure.

It's just as well James doesn't know what Anita's up to,

because at Great Expectations, he is struggling.

What is that?

The owner has told him that 10% is the most he can knock off.

There is a bargain section.

What does it say, "30% of all marked prices."

And, in it, a boat lamp.

This funny little boat is not the most exciting thing in the world,

but I'm really struggling to find anything in here,

at all, worth buying.

Erm... They've got 12 quid on it.

It's an absolutely pathetically low amount of money, but...

..I want to be spending something more,

but I just can't find anything...

anything that I actually want to buy.

I don't really want to buy this, either, but...

HE SIGHS

I've seen men walk to the gallows faster than this.

Well, I haven't found anything really exciting.

I was wanting to spend a lot more money with you, but there we go.

What could that be. It was in the 30% off stand upstairs?

It's not your lucky day today.

That's on the left-hand side. The items on the right is 30% off.

So, that can be, erm...

that can be £11.

Oh, well...

God, right underneath the stand that said 30% off?

Yeah, but that's on the right, this is on the left.

Right, do I want it? Not really. OK.

-I'll leave it, thank you very much.

-Are you going to leave it? OK. Thank you very much.

Undeterred, James carries on.

As we know, Horncastle does have an awful lot of antique shops,

and this one does look familiar.

I wonder if Anita's overlooked any bargains?

That's nice. Very nice.

These little houses were made from about 1780 and throughout the 19th century.

Made in Staffordshire, made in fairly standard moulds.

You can see by the quality of the moulding,

this sort of thing wasn't for a fine home, it was for working-class people.

Early ones make £400, they can do.

Then, in the last 20 years, the Chinese have been reproducing these

and that's caused the market to plummet.

These things were made for quite a long time.

This one says, "Repro Staffordshire money box."

I've just got a feeling, I don't think it is a repro one.

I think it's quite a late one.

I'll see what he'll take for it.

The ticket says £20.

Tell me what you think to this?

That doesn't look repro to me.

It doesn't look repro.

No, I don't think it is repro.

On a cheapo thing like that, would you take a tenner?

It's 20 on it? 12.

12. OK.

I'm not going to argue with you over two quid.

I'm fed up with messing around. Deal - 12 quid!

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much. There we are.

-Thank you.

At last! Appropriately, on a money box.

But, hang on, now he's back at Bric-a-brac.

I feel a deal with Carmen coming on.

That, or an aria.

Listen, while James and I talk business,

will you go and play with your toys, please?

Good lad.

So!

We have the lantern and we have the boot pull.

I know you said 50 on that and 20 on that.

-70, but...

-65's far better than 70.

-65!

-How about 60?

-Would you fight me for £5?

-No, I wouldn't.

-Just five little pounds.

You've nearly got your hand in your pocket.

-Go on.

-Marvellous! I'll tell you what, I'll give you your hat back.

Thanks! That's the deal, then.

HE LAUGHS

-Come on, then, where's my hat?

-Erm...

Anita and James are making for an auction in Diss,

but calling in first at the village of Heckington,

where our experts will part company.

This looks interesting.

-I'm going to head straight off.

-OK.

-I'm going to have some fun.

-Go on!

Anita is being led to a shop, appropriately, called

Up The Garden Path.

Hello, I'm Anita.

-Hello Anita, I'm Vee.

-It's lovely to meet you.

-Lovely to meet you.

This crowded little shop mixes antiques and quality reproductions with a French feel.

but Vee's also got plenty of solidly British stuff.

-You've got a wonderful array of Doulton there.

-I have, yes.

-Of course, your Royal Crown Derby.

-The Royal Crown Derby.

-Imari pattern, they call it, don't they?

-Yes.

-Very beautiful.

Looks good, but it comes with a huge price of £260.

This is something that I could be interested in, Vee.

if I could get a good deal on this one.

The price that I'd be looking at would be...

..in the region of about £80.

Is that at all possible?

Could you manage 90?

-Could we go to 85?

-85. I'll do it you for 85.

Oh, that's lovely, thank you very much.

What a bargain, but it means that Anita has just £12.08 left

and one shop still to go.

But what of James and his lucky mascot, Ed?

Well, they've Beetle-d down from Heckington

to nearby Grimsthorpe,

to visit Grimsthorpe Castle.

Grimsthorpe has been the home of the de Eresby family

since it was given to them by Henry VIII in 1516 -

and they still live here.

Hello, James, nice to see you.

Good to see you. Gosh!

What an amazing hall.

And in the splendid Chinese drawing room, Jerry has promised

James a glimpse at one of the castle's greatest treasures.

-Oh, my word.

-Tell me all about it, James.

A mahogany George III silver table, with this pierced gallery. Do you know much about it?

I know it's Chippendale.

Thomas Chippendale was THE important Georgian furniture maker

and designer, who, in 1754, published his designs

entitled "The Gentleman And Cabinet-maker's Director".

Everybody knows Chippendale, because there is so much of it about.

Not made BY him, but made by regional cabinet-makers

copying his style throughout the country.

We believe it is by Chippendale. We've got six chairs which match it.

I mean, that is just fabulous. What a piece of furniture.

Not for sale, of course, but incredibly precious.

Time for James to pick up Anita and do a wee bit more shopping.

Travelling from Grimsthorpe to Stamford.

This historic town, with its fine medieval core,

was for 700 years known for its bull-running festival.

Until 1837, that is, when the Society For The Prevention of Cruelty To Animals put a stop to it.

In the 1960s, Stamford became the very first conservation area in England and Wales.

It's a nice shop,

but James and Anita couldn't be in more contrasting positions.

One fairly full wallet, the other, almost empty purse.

This is a terrific place.

And all I've got left is 12 quid!

Although many of the dealers aren't around,

the shop owner Peter can always bargain on their behalf.

And that will light. I must do my little trick.

A binnacle, containing a magnetic compass and light

would have been mounted on the deck of the ship to aid the helmsman.

-It lights up.

-How much could that be? Let's have a look...

The price on the label is £230.

I could do that for 150.

-At auction, they'd probably put 50-80 on it.

-Really?

-I like it, though.

-It's, um... Could you do any better than that?

-I'll go to 110.

-It's a good-looking thing, isn't it?

-Yes.

I'll do 100. My very best would be 100.

(SIGHING) £100, £100.

Right. OK. Let me have a think.

So, while James ponders a big purchase,

how's Anita doing with her more limited budget?

There's a cocktail shaker there, Art Deco, from the 1930s.

The body of it has an etched glass design.

And I quite like that.

Cocktails are a wee bit exotic

and that item is just the tiniest, wee bit exotic.

The cocktail shaker.

CABINET DOOR OPENS

It's just a piece of fun, isn't it?

-Yes!

-But it's quite nicely etched.

These things remind me of palm fronds and grapes.

-Everything is there.

-You can have that for 12.

Yes...

Will it make a profit in auction, though?

Well, you'd know better than I. I think it might.

I do like it. It's not an item of any great value,

but I've only got a few quid in my pocket left.

What I'd like is...

if you are able to give me it for less than that?

-What have we got?

-Five?

-I'll go seven.

-Seven. OK. It's a deal!

-Good.

And James and I will fill it with cocktails!

I think James also has something a bit alcoholic lined up in his cabinet.

That's an interesting thing. Known as a tantalus.

The idea is that it would tantalise people that were trying to

get at the whisky.

You can imagine going on a grouse shoot or pheasant shoot

and you wouldn't want the entire massive

tantalus to take with you, but you can imagine the old butler with that in hand.

It's by Mappin and Webb of London, who are good silversmiths.

The lock at the end is a Betjemann's patented lock

and that pushes in and that turns.

And it releases the bottles.

-Pricey, though. £250.

-Very unusual.

-Here we are.

-That's pretty, isn't it?

-It's lovely.

I mean, it's...

It's a bit worn, the bottles are chipped... But...what could that be?

Um, a hundred and...150?

-I rate that the same as the other one!

-Really?

-We'll go down to 100, then, on that one.

-100.

If I bought two things from you...

would you do a deal on the two?

On the, er...

Yes, we're a bit low anyhow. Um...

Yes, all right, I'll do, er...

I'll do 90 on the ship's binnacle and 90 on this one, then. So 180.

-At £180, you've got yourself a deal. Thank you.

-Thank you.

So, most of their cash has been spent, but on what?

Anita began with £216.08,

and she spent a total of £211 on five auction lots.

The Glasgow-style jewellery,

the three scent bottle casket,

the Art Nouveau pincushion,

the Royal Crown Derby Cross,

and the cocktail shaker.

As for James, he started out with £271.10,

and spent £257 also on five lots -

The money box,

the lantern,

the bootjack,

the tantalus,

and the maritime compass.

So what do our experts really think of each other's items?

What I do like is that wonderful tantalus.

It's Mappin and Webb, it's silver-plated

and it was only £90.

The thing I think she might struggle with is that scent casket.

I don't think the central bottle is original.

I think that will be the downfall.

After starting out in Horncastle,

this leg of our trip will conclude in Diss for the auction showdown.

-I'm looking forward to...

-It's lovely, actually, isn't it?

-Timber-framed houses.

-They're not short of lots!

Not short of buyers, either, and that's the main thing.

-Are you nervous, James?

-I'm always nervous, Anita.

-Let's get rid of that.

-Well done!

With James leading by one auction to nothing,

I hope he's not getting too complacent.

-Wake up, James.

-I don't want to.

Come on, James, buck up.

James, your lots are coming up now.

Starting with one of Anita's.

Lot 147 now, the Art Nouveau silver mounted pin cushion. This is pretty.

Birmingham, 1903. I have interest on the sheets, and I start at £30.

-Straight in at 30.

-42, 45, 48 and 50.

55 and 60, five and 70, five, I'm out. 80, new bidder.

-80 at the front, I'll take five.

-Come on!

-That's a great price.

£80, are you all done?

-Well!

-Yes!

-Did you think it would make that?

Oh, well...!

No, I don't think she did.

-That was a great start, James.

-Brilliant start.

Little bit too good for my liking!

Ah, a bit of competitiveness.

-What can James's money box do?

-Start me at 20.

-There should be hands everywhere at that.

-£20, surely. Come on.

Thank you, 20 bid. I have 20 now.

-£20, the lady's bid. Looking for two.

-Go on.

22. 25.

Lost 28.

Are you sure? Good value still.

-Go on!

-30, the lady.

-She's charming the bids out.

Gentleman is out. It worked, madam. At £30, anybody else can join in.

At £30, with the lady at £30.

£30 and selling.

-Wow, there we go.

-Well done.

That's exactly what we thought it might make.

Another decent profit - minus commission.

-Hurrah!

-Good start.

Now, Glasgow-style jewellery, in Norfolk.

Start me at 30.

£30, surely, come on.

-Straight away.

-32, 35, 38, 40.

-Where are you at two? Come along, now.

-It's a gentleman buyer.

42, 45, 48, 50. Five.

55 is in the corner.

-60, sir?

-Go on!

£60, the corner. Where's five?

At 60, the corner bid. Any advance?

Five? No.

£60, thank you.

Well, that trebled your money.

Well done, Anita.

There is nothing to be ashamed of with that.

Quite.

-What will they make of your lantern, James?

-An unusual piece, this.

-30, I'll take.

-Come on. 30 bid.

-Yes, come on, help him out.

30 bid. 32, 35, 38, 40.

Two... Sure?

42 has moved to my front.

42, any advance? 45.

This is what auctions are all about! £45 is bid, where's eight?

Anybody else can join in - at 45, any advance?

Well done.

Gosh, that was close, wasn't it?

You've doubled your money, James.

I hope my stuff does this, as well!

Well, next up is the cross that James was rather envious of.

I do have interest on the sheets and I start at £32.

35, 38, 40, 42, 45, 48, 50,

five, 60, five, 70 bid, 75,

new bidder, 80, five, 90, five.

Gentleman's bid is 95, 100 commission, 110.

120. At 120 now, looking for 30.

Oh, it's worth more than that!

At 120, am I missing anyone else? Are you all done?

-120, thank you.

-120. Ach, well.

It's made more than the auctioneer's estimate.

Double. Well, that's a bit of a relief.

I think James thought it might have done a bit better, but Anita

is comfortably in the lead today.

-I'm happy enough with that, James.

-And it's made a profit. Good.

Right - next is this brass maritime ship's compass.

-You're under pressure, James.

-I'm under pressure.

-You're sweating.

I have interest on this one here, and I start at 55. £55 bid.

And 60, five, 70, five, 80, five...

Yes? 90. Five.

Oh, round it up now.

-Go on!

-100. And 10.

It's back with me at 110, I've lost the lady.

At 120, she softened at 120. I'm out at 120. 120 bid now.

At 120 in the gallery, any advance on 120?

Well done, Elizabeth!

She got every last pound out of them for that.

Yep, you steered nicely into profit.

That's the sweat over.

Now, golden Cadillac or rusty nail?

What will Anita's shaker make?

I have interest on this one shown and I start at £18.

-£18 bid, and 20, two...

-Good start.

-Bit of a stir.

-35, 38, 40, two...

-42 with me. I'll take five.

-That's a great price!

I have 42. 45, thank you, 48.

It's on commission at 48.

Any advance?

My word. That is a corking profit!

-In percentage terms, that's the best all day.

-Yep. Cheers, Anita.

That's a whopper.

-I'm a happy girl!

-You SHOULD be a happy girl!

OK, plenty of wellies in Norfolk.

What will James's device make?

I have interest on the sheets and I start at 42.

£42, 45, 48, 50,

five, 60, five, 70, five, 80,

five, 90, five. 100, yes?

100 in the room, I'm out. I'll take the 10. At 110, it's a fine example.

At £100, any advance?

-James!

-She of little faith!

I'll have to eat my words!

And that's put them neck-and-neck.

What about Anita's perfume bottles?

That's lovely. Start me at 50.

30 to start, surely.

The lady's bid at 30. She spots quality at 30 there.

May I say two, 32, 35...

-Two ladies bidding.

-Yes.

Four, madam, 38? 40.

£40, you've lost a friend there at £40.

At £40, where's two?

At 42 - new bidder. 45...

Oh, go on, sir.

48.

And 50.

Your wife won't mind. 55, go on.

Yes? 55.

60.

She still won't mind!

LAUGHTER

It's 60 and it does sell.

Do you know, I think you came away with that very lightly.

First loss of the day.

But at least James isn't rubbing it in.

That could quite easily have made £40 with that wrong bottle.

Now, if James's tantalus does better, he'll win today.

This is the best thing I've bought on the entire trip.

Start me at 100.

-Oh, it's cheap.

-Come on, £100.

-Jeez!

-80 to start, surely?

Come on, at £80, surely? 50 bid.

50 I have. A low start at 50. Five.

Lots of bidders, now.

60, five, 70, five, 80, five,

-90, five, 100, 110, new bidder.

-It's worth way more than this.

120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170,

180, 190,

200, and 10.

-Go on!

-Any advance on £210?

A good piece at 210.

Brilliant!

Isn't that wonderful?

I could hardly breathe, it was so tense.

Great result, after a shaky start.

-James, that's the excitement of the auction.

-That is brilliant.

I'm happy with that.

-All in all, we seem to have both done well.

-I think we have.

So you have, Anita, but thanks to that last lot,

James is the winner again and is in the lead.

After paying auction costs,

Anita made a profit of £90.76.

So, she has £306.84 to spend on the next leg.

James, on the other hand,

made £157.10 after auction costs

and so he has a very handy £428.20 to take forward.

But beware - the Anita fightback begins.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd