Episode 1 Antiques Road Trip

The nation's favourite antiques experts. £200 each. One 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?

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

It's not as easy as it looks and dreams of glory can end in tatters.

I'm a loser. I'm a loser.

Will it be the fast lane to success, or the slow road to bankruptcy?

Oh! There's a mouse! There's a mouse!

This is the Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah!

It's a new week and we've got two antiques maestros

embarking on their first-ever road trip together.

It's none other than David Barby and Charles Hanson.

# Greased Lightning Go Greased Lightning! #

David, don't you feel we're like Sandy and Danny

from Greased Lightning?

Well, I certainly feel as though I am stuck in the 1970s.

They're taking the air in a classic 1959 Hillman Minx.

Perfect for fostering their new friendship.

I think this is so iconic as a car. We've got the lovely bent seats.

I can rest my hand on your thigh if I really wished to,

but I don't want to.

-But you've done it twice already.

-By accident!

LAUGHTER

# You're the one that I want

# You're the one that I want Ooh ooh ooh honey! #

Antiques valuer David Barby is known for his haggling style.

The infamous Barby stare.

But, lately, he's been forced to change tack.

I'll go 55.

SHE LAUGHS

How low will you stoop?

While his rival, Charles,

an auctioneer from Derbyshire, likes quirky things.

Much like himself.

The helmet is a bit greasy.

So, equipped with £200 each,

our experts are ready to roll with the punches

as they buy antiques to sell at auction.

What a price! What a price!

This week David and Charles are on one huge 300-mile road trip

that starts in Lichfield, Staffordshire,

stretches south to Frome in Somerset,

heads back up to the Wirral and finally ends in Nottingham.

Wow.

But, today, they're only moving a few inches on the map,

starting their shopping in Lichfield

and heading for the auction in Coventry.

One unmissable feature of Lichfield is this,

its impressive three-spired mediaeval cathedral.

The city also boasts more than 200 listed buildings,

which only adds to its old historical charm.

-Shall we pull in, David?

-OK. let's have a look around.

Oh, do be careful! For heaven's sake!

David, the thing is, I know Lichfield like the back of my hand.

Well, this worries me, because, I think you have an unfair advantage.

As luck would have it,

Lichfield is one of Charles's old stamping grounds.

So, beware David, he'll know everyone.

But is he going to be able to make the most of it?

So, to the shops, and Lichfield Antiques Centre

is packed with goodies from over 60 specialist dealers.

Of course, Charles already knows that.

Eight months ago, I opened this Antiques Centre.

Officially opened it.

-Good morning.

-Good morning.

Good morning. Hello, Charles.

-Good to see you, again.

-And you too.

-Nice to see you, again.

-Nice to see you, too.

-Oh, my word.

-He has an unfair advantage, already.

-I know David as well.

I'm going to insist Charles goes that direction and I go in this direction.

What might be?

-See you in a few moments, I hope.

-Right, good.

-Best of luck, Charles.

Madeleine, what I'm looking for

are objects which are big and decorative.

Not too expensive.

Hopefully you can help. If I'm lucky.

I love your necklace, by the way.

-Is it Art Nouveau?

-Thank you, it is Art Nouveau.

-Silver enamel?

-A true antique! Not you, Madeleine, the necklace.

-Hmm, yes.

Er, come on, Charles. Get on with it.

Now, any thoughts on a strategy, Carlos?

I really want to find out what this auction house is like,

and I wonder if the young lady on the reception desk

might have the Internet and I can just tap in this sale room

and find out what the auction's like.

Good call.

So, here we go.

It will be a general sale.

That's great, that's superb.

Which means, they sell anything from a second-hand washing machine

to decorative candlesticks like these, at £14.

-These are a very nice.

-A very nice pair of Maling Ware candlesticks.

They're quite Art Deco with this enamelled and printed design.

They must be 1930s.

Indeed, this was the period when Maling's Newcastle-based factory

produced pottery with the signature lustre glaze and gilding.

But is there a deal to be done?

What's the best price on those, Madeleine?

Well, you've got £14.50 on those,

so we could do those for £13.

Would you take £10 for them?

-We could contact the dealer and see...

-Fine, OK, Madeleine.

-The answer was?

-You're in luck.

-Great. That's really good.

If I can't make money on a £10 purchase, when can I?

Now, there's a question.

At the other end of the shop,

David's also spotted something decorative.

A pair of late 19th-century silver shades, for candles of all things.

You support them like that, and then my finger is the candle

-and they're just so nice.

-They're beautiful.

-I have often seen these also silk lined, as well.

-OK.

Which is quite good. I do like those.

I see there's £80.

What's the best price on those?

What price are you looking for?

I'd like these at £50.

-I could speak to the dealer.

-See what he has to say.

See what his position is.

-All right.

-OK.

-I'll just continue looking. OK.

Hmm.

What is your best price?

Will the dealer really go for David's daring £50 offer?

-The best price he could do would be 60.

-60?

-60.

-That is £20 off the original price.

-£60.

OK. Let me come back to you on those.

All right, be coy.

With everything to play for, Charles now steps up his buying strategy.

His victim, Madeleine. Poor thing.

We're going to a fairly general auction,

we're going where my tactics will be to spend a bit less.

What I quite like, which has caught my eye, Madeleine,

is this wonderful corner cabinet here. Oak and mahogany.

You open the doors up, there we are.

It's missing a panel back.

The interior isn't in the best of states,

but it's a pretty little corner cupboard.

We all over time are bruised and battered and messed around with.

But this is still here.

Madeline's probably wishing she wasn't.

It could be yours for £80.

I would like to make an offer of £30.

Meet in the middle on £40?

Would you go, Madeleine, at £35?

Are you sure?

-All right.

-Going once.

-Not sure.

Not sure?! Oh, no! What have I done?

-Going twice.

-Go on.

-Are you sure?

-I'm sure.

-Positive?

Oh, get on with it.

-Going, going, gone.

-It's a bargain.

-Madeleine, thank you, you're a star.

Thank goodness that's over.

I thought I was going to be sick, there.

But there's no respite for poor Madeleine.

David now has her in his sights over the £60 on those candle shades.

What do you think he'd come down to? What would you come down to?

We may be able to persuade him to do another £10 off.

-So, that's at £50 for the two.

-That's £50 for two.

I think you've got a bargain there.

Right, you have a sale, Madeleine. Thank you very much indeed.

Keen on exploiting his Lichfield contacts,

local lad Charles heads across town to another friendly dealer.

He's on the trot.

We could go the more scenic route, I hope you don't mind,

I am sure it's this way.

Via the lavatories?

Aren't you meant to be the one with the local knowledge, Charles?

I have memories of a very small antiques shop this way.

No wonder he's so skinny.

Charles is off to see an old friend,

Jim Jordan, in the hope of finding something special.

Hello, Jim. Surprise.

-Hello, Charles!

-How are you doing?

This is a man I have known for a long time, James Jordan.

-Good to see you.

-Morning Charles, nice to see you.

What's the best bargain which I could set sail with?

In your opinion?

Definitely the little fork and shovel set.

I like it, it's £75.

-What would be the best price, Jim?

-£65.

-Between friends?

-Between friends, I'll let you have it for £60.

-Tempting.

The fork and spade is in fact a novelty piece of Victorian cutlery,

and may not be one to be missed. So, what else?

I've got a couple of old silver pocket watches.

What we've got here is a tired, working order, silver pocket watch.

That's the Chester hallmark there,

the assay city shield mark.

Enamel dial, it's nice condition although it's missing its small

subsidiary seconds dial hand.

Likewise, this one hasn't got a glass cover.

They're quite nice. How much would they be to buy, those two watches?

That one, £30.

And that one, £20.

They're nice, aren't they? There's one more thing, Jim.

In the centre, just hidden behind is a cut glass slipper.

It's just a pretty thing, isn't it?

It's just a pretty thing.

Almost an adornment in the cabinet, to show off the jewellery.

Eight pounds isn't a lot for it.

I think I shall leave the spade, fork, and knife.

If I said four pounds for him, that's a deal,

and with the watches,

I must remember they're not in great condition.

-Would you take £25 for them?

-I'll do that.

-Thanks, Jim. Superb.

That gives me a great start.

-And sometimes they say it's who you know.

-Er, yes.

Back at the first shop, David feels there's more good fruit to be picked

and he is getting passionate

about this late 19th-century arts and crafts plate.

It's got a nice William Morris type background,

and then the head,

with that very floppy collar all the way round.

At £68, I feel a haggle coming on.

Not surprisingly, Madeleine has left this one to colleague, Mark.

There's only so much you can take.

£68 seems an awful lot to pay.

I would like to see it at about £40.

Time to phone the dealer.

Thank you.

That, I liked.

That OK? 40? Thank you very much, take care now, bye.

You're in luck, 40 it is.

£40, my God.

He's done it again.

And he's not finished yet.

I love the engraving of the fruit and vine,

and the dimpled effect.

It's hand blown and a nice piece.

In fact, if you look carefully,

the small bubbles in the glass are reminiscent of Clutha glass,

originally made to designs by Christopher Dresser.

Using a coloured Glasgow art glass with added potassium nitrate.

Ticket price, £24.

Can you try him for £10?

Yes, I will give him a call for you.

OK, tell him that I bought the other one, see what he can do on that.

-No problem at all, thank you.

-OK. Thank you.

You have £24 on it.

He's offering £10.

-That's fine, he'll do that for £10.

-Oh, that's wonderful!

A bargain.

I think so, as well.

I'll say, at £10.

Right, let me out of this shop before I buy it all.

I think they will only be too glad

to see the back of David's ruthless bargaining skills.

Meanwhile, Charles is back on the road.

He's been sent to Coventry, in search of some answers.

Well, I've had a great morning in Lichfield, I bought four items.

I'm delighted.

And, hopefully, my star find, my two pocket watches,

I might find out a little more about them,

whether they were a real bargain,

by the place I am going to now, in Coventry.

He's heading for Coventry's watch museum.

In the 18th and 19th centuries

the city was one of three UK centres for watch and clock manufacture.

Charles hopes the curator, Paul Shufflebotham,

can tell him more about his watches.

The only way you can tell about watches is to check the hallmark

on the cases, and there's there going back to 1829.

Made by Vale and Rotherham.

With a Birmingham case. Of course, the cases were made...

-They would make the cases in Coventry, as well.

-Would they?

Quite a skilled job.

Certain factories were making the enamel dials?

That would be, they came from Chapelfields

-and there would be one dial maker doing that on his own.

-Really?!

Indeed. The skill of the watchmaker knew no bounds.

In 1948, the then Lord Mayor,

Harry Weston,

persuaded Mr Peacock who was the second last apprentice in Coventry

-to make a watch as a wedding present to the Queen.

-Queen Elizabeth?

Queen Elizabeth, this was made in 1948.

What he did, he had two rough movements, which are two kits,

one he finished and it was cased and sent to the Queen.

This is the other movement, which we found in his shop

when it closed down in 2000.

Of course, we now know what type of movement is in the Queen's watch.

Well, the two watches Charles bought can't beat that,

but they might still have a pedigree.

I came across these two pocket watches,

which I bought on my road trip.

That one, I can tell you for a start, is a Coventry-made watch.

-Isn't that wonderful!

-Yes.

Isn't that wonderful?

-In fact, it's made by one of our distant relatives.

-Oh!

-It's not?!

-That's the trademark, on the balance cog.

-You know what they say, Paul. It's a very small world.

-It is.

What would you pay for the pair?

If you saw them at an antique fair or at auction.

The case in this one is very good,

so, I would be tempted to pay anything up to £75 or £100.

That's in very good condition, that.

This one, again, it looks a bit ropey.

£30 or £40 on that one.

-I bought the pair for £25.

-Blimey.

-You've done well there.

-Not bad, is it?

Perhaps you should invite him to the auction, Charles.

Those two pocket watches, I bought in Lichfield

have a certain Coventry connection.

We're going to Coventry,

they're being sold in Coventry and who knows?

They now might make a huge profit. Wonderful day.

Satisfied that he's made a good buy, Charles heads back to Lichfield.

Which is where David is, and it's Jim Jordan's shop again,

and what's the first thing he finds?

The very item local boy Charles was offered a £60 deal on.

Let's see if David can do better.

Want to put that price down.

It's a lovely replica, isn't it?

Isn't it nice! And Mappin and Webb, good makers.

Mappin and Webb are a famed company of silversmiths

and cutlery manufacturers with roots going back to 1774.

This sweet miniature fork and spade set is probably late Victorian.

How lovely is that?

I can imagine a piece of Brie on the end of there, cutting it off.

Picking it out with the fork.

It's very nice, but £75 is just a little bit too much.

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

£50?

I need it lower than £50.

Uh-oh! Out comes the Barby stare.

-I will do it for 42, for you.

-42?

£42, eh? What a pro.

Well, there's a lesson for you, Charles.

-James, thank you.

-Pleasure.

David is certainly the cat that got the cream.

So, there endeth the first day of shopping.

Good night and sleep tight, road trippers.

It's the second day of our road trip and we start again in Lichfield

but it appears one of our roadtrippers has had a rough time,

and it wasn't down to the shopping.

What's happened, David?!

-Well...

-David Barby, what's happened?!

-Look at that.

-Mate, what have you done?

-I tripped last night.

-You didn't?!

-Where?

-Straight into a garden bench.

-You didn't?!

-I did, it cut me just there.

This is a sympathy vote. I shall go in there, say, "What's the price...

"..Oh! Sorry, could you repeat that?".

-Have you had stitches?

-There and there.

-How many have you had?

Oh, I don't know. Glue and stitches. I feel like a panda.

And just as cuddly.

Well, he may be a bit down in the mouth,

but he is certainly not out, old love.

So far, David Barby has spent £142 on four quality lots,

leaving him just £58 to spend.

His rival, Charles Hanson, on the other hand

has opted for more general items,

parting with a mere £74 on four auction lots.

And that's left him with a nagging regret.

I almost regret not buying one item,

in a cabinet was a sweet little knife and condiment spoon.

I just saw it and I could not get him down from £60.

Oh, very, very nice.

Seems David's not letting on.

Now, Charles has kindly volunteered to chauffeur poor David

to Lichfield's Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum

for an early-morning tonic of local history.

Well, in that fragile state, he can hardly be expected to drive himself.

It wouldn't be safe!

Waiting for David is museum curator, Joanne Wilson.

Perhaps she'll perk him up.

-Hello!

-Hello!

-What a greeting. How are you?

-I'm very well, thanks. Welcome to Johnson's Birthplace.

-Thank you.

Seems to be working.

Dr Johnson made literary history in the mid 18th-century

with his dictionary of the English language.

He was born in this very house in 1709.

His early upbringing here laid the foundations for the monumental work.

Wow.

This was the Johnson family bookshop.

Where Michael Johnson, Samuel's father, had the house built,

this was the family business and they lived above it.

This very room was where Johnson discovered his love of reading.

Over 300 years ago.

Johnson left the family home in his 20s to seek his fortune in London,

but it wasn't until 1747,

when he was commissioned to write the dictionary,

that he came into money.

Up until he started in that work he was really quite a poor journalist.

It was only when he was approached, in 1747, to write the dictionary,

that his fortunes changed.

Why did they choose him?

They chose him because he was getting known by the printers

and publishers in the area

as having a fantastic knowledge of literature.

Almost an encyclopaedic mind and it was this quality which made him

perfect for writing the dictionary.

Have you got examples of this work? This first dictionary?

We have indeed! We have a first edition of his work over here.

My, my, my!

Johnson judged it would take three years to write.

In fact it took nine,

despite having several assistants.

This is almost a trembling moment.

Something so part and parcel of English history.

There are over 43,000 definitions in Johnson's dictionary,

some of which we'd find quite quirky today.

His definition for oats.

A grain which in England is generally given to horses

but in Scotland supports the people.

DAVID LAUGHS

What's rather lovely is that the six assistants

who worked with Johnson on the dictionary were all Scottish.

Whilst writing consumed much of Johnson's life,

he also had other passions, like tea drinking.

This is my favourite item in the museum's collection.

This is Johnson's teapot.

He was a fantastic lover of tea,

said to be able to drink up to 25 cups in one sitting.

So does my wife!

LAUGHTER

-This is beautiful. I love the teapot.

-It's beautiful, isn't it?

-It's Jackfield Black, from Shropshire.

-Yep, absolutely.

There's a lovely caricature next to it by Rowlandson which shows Johnson

basically falling asleep over a cup of tea.

His hostess pleading with him to finish

and the servant yawning at the back.

You can see that it's well past bedtime on the clock.

Johnson was also known for his scruffy appearance

and that's not been lost on the museum's costume department.

-Gosh, it's a scrubby wig.

-Well, he was a scruffy chap.

Was he really?

Yes, it was actually said he'd have the front of his wig burnt, often,

because he'd be leaning over the candlelight to do his work.

Oh, God, that looks terrible. Oh!

You may need a hat, as well. To top it off.

Oh, this looks ghastly.

Oh, dear.

I don't think he was a very good-looking guy, was he?

DAVID LAUGHS

Hmm. Hardly a picture of beauty, is it?

But, joking apart, it's not his wig but his English dictionary

that Johnson will be best remembered for.

A remarkable piece of writing which remained pre-eminent for 150 years

before the Oxford English dictionary superseded it.

And after that tonic,

our intrepid road trippers are ready to get goodbye to Lichfield.

They're heading south to Balsall Common,

a village seven miles west of Coventry.

And here lies Old Lodge Farm Antiques,

with Trevor and Diane on hand to meet and greet.

Good to see you.

-Trevor, I'll give you a call if I see anything I quite like. OK?

-OK.

Oh! Oh, there's a mouse! There's a mouse!

Sorry, sorry, sorry!

Oh, for goodness' sake, Charles, settle down.

It's a tiny shrew!

But for good measure, let's take another look.

Oh, there it is.

SPRINGING SOUND EFFECTS

For heaven's sake, Charles.

It's just the owner's pet shrew, Zebedee.

-Is it your pet shrew?

-Yes!

Their pet shrew.

Goodness me.

LAUGHTER

It seems Charles is taking no chances with his trousers.

Red Socks, eh, Charles?

Natty.

The only way to guard against a scary shrew is to get a defence

and luckily help is at hand.

-Oh, no.

-Charles and your armour.

-Well, maybe great shrew protectors.

-Yes.

They could be yours for £65, as well!

So your foot goes in like that.

I might even buy them, they're quite...

What's the best price on them?

What have we got on them? £65.

Um...55? 55.

There's a helmet as well?!

-Yes.

-Goodness me.

-Put it on in case you can't get it back off!

Is the helmet inclusive?

I don't mind seeing to a shrew for you.

-Do you want me to see to him for you?

-Yes.

-Great.

Carlos, what do you look like?

Armour came in varying materials including leather, chainmail

and plate.

This suit, however, is a modern decorative version

and, if nothing else, it's ideal for stopping rodents,

or anything else, shooting up your trouser leg.

The dealer's not here so there's everything to play for, Charles.

Diana, he won't go to 30, will he?

30 would be my price, if he would.

I know it's half price,

but I just think it would give me a good chance.

-What do you think? £30.

-All right, yes.

I came into an antique shop expecting to find

a glorious Royal Worcester vase, or a fine pair of silver pepperettes.

What have I bought?

An armour to protect myself from a shrew. Amazing what you come across.

So, with his new backseat passenger,

Charles heads nine miles east on a return visit to Coventry,

this time he's got shopping on his mind.

Now, just as the proprietors of the Antiques Emporium have got rid

of one cheeky haggler, here comes another one.

Hello!

With two black eyes, maybe David needs a suit of armour too.

Unlike Charles, David only has eyes, be they a little sore,

for traditional antiques

like these attractive watercolours by local artist, G Hammond.

The quality is quite good.

The artist, G Hammond, rings a bell there.

Either it's a local artist from the Leamington Spa, Warwick area,

or I have had his work before, coming through the salerooms.

-You've got £85, is that the pair?

-No, that's £85 each.

That's £85 each.

Is that the very best you can do on that one?

I can do £75 on that.

I was thinking something like 40.

No, I couldn't do 40.

The very, very best, I'll do 65.

Could you do 48?

I am not moving off 60.

Crikey, Moses.

The famous Barby stare has failed on Diane.

Maybe because it's so black.

It's just that I think I've only got £58.

I would have given it to him for nothing

just to get him out of the shop.

Anyway, he is on his knees - could this be a proposal?

I can go up to £55. That's my max.

£55.

I'll go £55, but...

SHE LAUGHS

Just when we all thought the deal was sealed...

This knock on my head, I can't remember the price we agreed.

-Was it 45?

-No, 55 was the final figure.

55. Let me give you £55.

Thank you very much indeed.

Ha! It must be tough handling over that last bit of cash.

So, with David all spent up,

it's left to Charles to wind up the shopping,

at Antiques of Earlsdon. The owner is Steve.

Looking for anything in particular?

Something a bit interesting, something that's highly decorative,

that's going to go down well.

Nothing like a bit of a desk set,

which we could do you a nice little...?

-That's the whole set there?

-A whole set, marble.

Yeah, it's nice, isn't it?

Sets like this would have taken pride of place

on a gentleman's desk,

made of solid striated marble.

You get a blotter, two inkwells and a stationery rack.

The whole lot would cost you £38.

It's missing its glass wells, isn't it?

It is missing its glass wells.

It's a bit tired, I like the style.

It's striking, it's quite jazzy,

but, Steve, they're difficult things to sell.

If I was going to buy this from you I would buy it for five pounds.

I can't give it to you for a fiver, Charles. Sorry.

I was going to say, a tenner.

Okay. Meet me halfway, at eight pounds.

Right, deal. Eight quid.

Go on! At eight pounds. Steve, you're a star.

-Thanks, Steve. Are you sure?

-Yep.

-For eight pounds.

-That's fine.

That was cheap.

Seems Charles, though, is having doubts.

For the first ever time I've been sold something,

am I happy with my eight pounds spend?

I'm not sure, yet.

Hmm, I know the feeling,

but I don't think you've too much to worry about.

So, time now for our experts to show their hand.

Where better than next to Coventry's stunning post-war cathedral

built after German bombers razed the old building to the ground.

All ready for the battle is Charles.

Oh, my! What have you got there?

David, this goes on like so, I say, welcome to our road trip,

and somehow, if I can walk,

carefully, without them cutting into my legs.

Oh, my, my!

Hold on, David.

And it's so heavy.

They cost me £30.

-The whole lot?

-All in!

-That's very good.

-Would you pay £30 for them?

-No.

-Will they make a profit?

-Yes.

Right, put your finger up, please.

Is it a reading light?

-What are they?

-They're for candles.

-Oh, of course! Oh, how nice.

I think because we're staying in Coventry, they might struggle.

This is my next lot, have a look at that, David. Just look at that.

-Isn't that lovely!

-Isn't it!

-Yeah.

-I think that's very attractive.

-Really?

-David, you know...

-I think it's amusing.

I think you paid a fiver.

It cost me four pounds.

I thought as much.

What's your next lot?

I like it a lot. I think it's up your street.

-In the right sale it ought make £50.

-I like it.

The important thing is I like it.

-Yes... Very plain, very simple, very functional.

-Yes.

Where's the rest of it?

Is it the upper section...?

TOGETHER: Of a floorstanding corner cupboard.

-It cost me £35.

-That's very good value.

Right.

I like it, David. I think it's a lovely object.

I reckon you paid about £45 for it.

-A lot more? £85? £20? £10?

-Yeah!

-You didn't, David?

-I did, £10.

-Oh, I say.

Ah! Little Malings. Very, very nice indeed.

What I like, I can feel candle wax.

-Can you really?

-Yeah, I'm just scraping it off now.

So, they have been used on a table.

Let's say a dining table, or something...

No, those are very nice.

Oh, David!

I saw this, David, and I like this.

I would be very disappointed if it made less than £50.

I would be devastated(!)

LAUGHTER

My fifth item. Here we go, David.

It's very stylish, typical, sort of, German, strong, design.

-Masculine, heavy.

-Chunky.

-What did it cost me?

-30 quid?

-Eight pounds.

-Eight pounds. That is marvellous.

There's certainly a profit in that, Charles

-Close your eyes.

-Yes.

Don't open them.

Open them.

-Oh! This was the lot I saw in Mr Jordan's antique shop.

-Yes!

But, Mr Jordan would not go any less than £60.

-I paid £42 for them.

-You didn't?!

-I did.

So, you got a whole £18 off

from my initial quotation.

I paid £42 for them.

-How did you do that?

-I just spoke to the guy.

Is that how you got the black eyes?

LAUGHTER

Two very nice silver pocket watches,

and that one you're holding is by a Coventry maker.

That is brilliant. I love the cases, they're not battered.

-I love the, sort of, vacant cartouche on the back.

-Absolutely.

Very nice, a nice little buy, Charles.

For your sixth purchase.

Well done.

I think you bought very, very well. May the best man win.

So, niceties apart, what do they really think of each other's lots?

The vase, at £10, with the little dimples

and that wonderful included body is a wonderful find.

But, I think David's bought with his mind in the clouds,

with what he likes, and he hasn't really bought for the saleroom.

So, hopefully, they might come unstuck, slightly.

I think Charles Hanson's items

was a huge eclectic mixture of goodies.

I think he is trying to back every avenue,

that he expects to find in the auction room.

So, after kicking off in Lichfield,

the first leg of this road trip comes to an end in Coventry.

Their destination, Warwick Auctions.

Before auctioneer, Chris Burns, can take up his gavel,

let's see what he thinks of our experts' choices.

I think the items to do well today is David's miniature fork and spade,

I think the suit of armour will do least well. Charles will struggle.

Charles's items should go for the general sale, better in a general.

David's, I think, are more for the antique collectors' sale.

Oops, Charles. You bought for the wrong auction!

But you did the research on it.

You silly boy, Pike.

David's bought for the sale. The sale is an antiques sale.

He's bought quality.

Hanson's bought, I wouldn't call it tat,

but the cheaper end of the market.

Maybe, I haven't quite catered for a fine art market.

LAUGHTER

Our experts started this road trip with £200 each

and in the last two days

David has spent a total of £197 on five auction lots.

His rival, Charles, has spent £112 on six lots.

Time to see if they've made the right choices.

Let the auction begin.

I feel apprehensive.

Positive, deep breathing, you're with me.

DAVID BREATHES DEEPLY

Right, are we ready now?

So, David's quirky candle shades are the first to face the bidders.

Lovely quality things, commission bids with me at £40.

-Wow! Fantastic.

-Five, anywhere? Five, I've got.

50 with me, five, sir, 60,

five, 70, five.

80, the bid is with me at £80.

Five, anywhere? And selling for £80.

And the sale room loves them! Well, who wouldn't?

That's a relief.

David's second item, the art pottery plate,

and another one he haggled hard for.

-£30 to start him...

-Sell it(!)

-Come on.

35 with me, 38, 40. Five takes me out. Bid is in the room at £45 only.

50, I've got. Five. Make no mistake, the bid is in the room at £55.

-And selling for £55...

-Down there!

-£60, he's back in, five.

Well pointed, Mr Barby.

And it's selling for £60.

And that's another profit.

Charles's turn now.

Can his glass slipper find its Cinderella?

Where do you want to bid for it?

-£100 for it(?)

-Oh, brilliant!

Five pounds to start him off.

Must be worth £5.

Eight pounds, I've got. 10.

-One more!

-10, I've got. £12.

-Great.

£15, £18?

-I don't believe this.

-And selling for £15.

Well, would you believe it?

If that can sell, surely David's in the money with his next lot.

A lovely, quality glass vase.

Where do you want to bid for that?

Five pounds to start him. Eight, 10, 12, 15, 18,

20, 22, 25.

28, anywhere?

Selling for £25...

Disappointing, but still a profit, David.

I can't believe you make £11 on the glass slipper,

and on the wonderful, wonderful glass vase I only make £15.

Charles now needs a £55 profit to steal a lead.

Can his locally made watches seduce the bidders?

20 for them? Must be £20 worth of scrap.

£20, I've taken. 30, 40.

Gentleman standing up at £45, 50, anywhere?

Selling for £45...

-50, I've got on the internet.

-Yes, 50!

-God.

Five in the room.

-One more!

-60?

That's a good buy, Charles.

60 on the internet, five?

65, in the room.

Selling for £65.

Thank you, David. Thank you.

-Do you know what?

-What?

I think the guy who bought the watches was from the museum,

the guy who I went to see.

Yes, it was, Charles.

He has a museum,

and here they are.

Back in Coventry on public display, thanks to me.

I am buying for the nation, David.

What would we do without you, Charles? So modest, too.

Now for David's star buy. Eat your heart out, Charles.

Commission bids start me at £45.

50, anywhere? 50, I've got.

Five with me, 60. Five with me, 70. Five, 80, five.

-The bid's with me at £85.

-Come on, come on, come on!

Selling for £85...

And I was so nearly tempted to buy them.

Yes, but you didn't...

Now, can Charles pull himself out of second place

with this battered half of a cupboard?

If I was going to be nervous on any item

in my first auction with you, David, this is it.

-Once this would have been the best part of £200-300.

-Hear, hear!

-Sssh!

Where do you want to bid for it? £40 for it? 20 for it?

-Five pounds for it?

-Oh, my God.

-Oh, please!

-Hammer down! Come on, hammer down!

£10, I've got in the room.

I've got 12 on the Internet. 15, sir? 15, I've got.

-18?

-Oh, it's painful.

I've got 18, I've got, there. 20, two, 25. 28, anywhere?

Selling for £25...

Ouch! I bet that hurt.

-So, what's that? A loss of £10?

-I can't believe it.

Plus the commission you've got to pay.

Right. Let's hope David's picture can cheer us all up.

£20 to start him off?

22, I've got. £25, £28, £30, 40,

50, five, £60?

Any more? A cheap lot for £55.

60, is back in.

I've got 60 in the room. 65.

70, at the very back. Five, 80, 90.

Oh, somebody appreciates it.

95 on the Internet.

100. 110, on the net.

Selling for £110...

That's put David firmly ahead by £122 before auction costs.

-What a price!

-That was good. It was touch and go, Charles.

Can Charles's Maling candlesticks dent that lead?

Perfect condition.

£30 to start them?

10 for them?

-Five to start?

-I don't believe it!

-Five!

Five, I've taken.

Eight on the Internet.

10? I've got £10 in the room.

12, anywhere?

12, the hand. 15, 18,

20, on the Internet. Two?

Selling for £20.

Going, going, going, gone.

That's +10 Charles. You're good.

That's OK. I'm doubling up, David. I am on my way.

Ever the optimist.

I think, David, it all rests on my armour.

An interesting part suit of armour, ideal for a night out in the town(!)

Ha-ha-ha!

£20, I've taken. Two, anywhere?

22, I've got. 25, 28, 30, two?

32, I've got. 35, 38, 40, 42.

Selling for £40.

That's OK, £10 profit, David.

I'm nibbling, like that shrew almost nibbled me, David.

You need bites, not nibbles, to win this lark, Charles.

Now it's all down to that lump of a desk set.

Lord help us.

Where do you want to be for it? 10 for it?

£10, I've taken. The lady.

12, 15, 18, 20, two, 25, 28.

-Lady's bid of £25.

-Wonderful thing.

-Chipped.

Selling for £25...

Well, no surprises, there.

The winner...

..is David Barby.

Congratulations, a good start. We're on the road.

David started this first leg of the Road Trip with £200,

and after auction costs made a profit of £98.20.

Which means he ends this leg with £298.20.

Charles started on £200, but only made £43.80,

leaving him with £243.80 going into round two.

David, I have had another bite at.

I am determined now that I'm either going out with a bang,

or, I'm going to go out there and find the Rolls-Royce of antiques.

Next time on The Road Trip, we're off to Morthen,

where David gets a taste of Africa.

This is brilliant. What's it look like?

Charles turns Inspector Clouseau on a picture he's not sure about,

and then he gives David a driving lesson.

Don't forget, David, mirrors, signal, manoeuvre.

Charles, are you doing this to annoy me?

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd