Episode 11 Antiques Road Trip

The nation's favourite experts, £200 each, 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?

-Look at the colour!

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.

Thank you!

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

-Bad luck for Thomas - £50 down.

-This is the Antiques Road Trip!

Yeah!

This week, we start a brand-new chapter

with veteran road-tripper Thomas Plant and new boy Mark Hales.

Thomas is a young-blood auctioneer who doesn't take no for an answer.

Halfway at 65.

-Oh... You do drive a hard bargain.

-I'm only trying.

But sometimes his bargaining doesn't get quite the reaction he wants.

Could we say...

..40?

Thomas's opponent is new boy Mark Hales.

He's also an auctioneer.

He doesn't mess about, though, when it comes to buying antiques.

Wrap it up for me, that's brilliant.

And he's a real animal lover.

Animal in distress, what do we do? We give him a home, don't we?

Our boys will begin this week's adventure with £200 each.

The automobile of choice is the sporty 1967 Sunbeam Alpine.

The question is, will they uncover some hidden gems

that will reap the profits at auction?

This week's road trip will start off in Portrush, Northern Ireland.

The chaps will journey just over 460 miles,

all the way to the beautiful village of Pontrilas in South Herefordshire.

But this is day one of the trip.

We begin our shopping mission in the spectacular location of Portrush

and we'll auction just 60 miles away in the city of Belfast.

The boys roll into this delightful seaside resort

on an unusually grey day.

Situated on a mile-long peninsula extending into the Atlantic Ocean,

it boasts three sandy beaches.

But alas, today the sun is nowhere to be seen,

and the chaps are met with a bracing chilly wind.

Plenty of parking, though.

Right, here we are!

Portrush by the sea.

-I like starting by the sea!

-The rugged Atlantic.

Do you feel it in your bones, Thomas? I do.

-There's something in Portrush.

-I just feel the sea air.

-There's something in Portrush.

-I like the smell of it,

and if I don't find anything, I'm going for a swim.

-Each to their own, Thomas.

-Naked.

-Good luck with that.

-Right, see you later.

-See you later.

Well, they seem to be very sporting and jovial.

How long will it last, though?

Let's start off with Mark Hales.

Antiques shop Kennedy Wolfenden is his first port of call.

-Good morning!

-Good morning.

-Hello.

I seem to have brought a little bit of the bad weather with me.

I know! It was beautiful a few days ago. Not so nice.

-How do you do? I'm Mark.

-Eleanor.

-Hello, Eleanor.

-What a lovely shop.

-Thank you.

-You have some really, really nice things.

-Thank you.

-So would it be all right if I had a real...?

-You have a nosy.

Mark is a Londoner through and through.

He's an expert on ceramics and glass

and has worn many hats in the world of antiques

from senior valuer at Christie's and antiques dealer

to presently running a successful auction house

with his wife in sunny Devon.

-I do rather like these.

-Those are Dublin, 1828.

Dublin, 1828, and Irish silver's good, isn't it?

It's very collectable throughout the world,

and they're in lovely condition with clear marks.

Silver is so high at the moment, it's what I should be buying,

but it's outside my comfort zone,

not something I have a great deal of knowledge in.

It's all down to weight and scrap and things, isn't it?

-And how much are these?

-Those are £50 for the pair.

If we could adjust the price a bit, maybe I'd have a go at them.

But I haven't got a very big budget, have I?

And this is my first time, isn't it?

And I don't want to blow it with my first purchase.

On the other hand, perhaps these could be my lucky first purchase.

-I think they could be.

-Yeah, so...I'm very tempted,

so I'm going to have a look around first, and we'll see.

There's no stopping this fellow.

He's already spotted something as a potential first buy.

He obviously loves getting stuck in.

It's OK, Mark, don't worry.

Set it down on the floor and we'll sort it out.

Look at him go! He's leaving no antique uncovered.

He's certainly thorough and, as a natural charmer,

he's managed to find shop owner Eleanor's secret treasure trove.

-There's lots of stuff down here as well.

-OK.

-This is the glory hole.

-Right.

-Indeed, yeah.

-We do have some nice things.

-Ah... Isn't that pretty?

-An old money box.

-Not important qualitywise, but look at the subject!

-Pretty.

-Pretty subject.

-And people collect money boxes.

-I wonder, could that be a fiver?

-Yes, it could.

-Yeah?

-Deal done.

Yeah? Well, for a fiver, we've bought that, all right?

Right, so I've got my money box, OK, that's a fiver.

The spoons, erm... I think you said 40.

-No, I said 50.

-Did you?

-Yes, I did.

Bless your heart, you're a hard woman, aren't you?

-You're not going to bully me?

-I would never bully you.

I couldn't cope on my first time in Northern Ireland.

-We can't harass you.

-Could they be 35?

They couldn't, but they could be 40.

-That's it, that's your bottom line?

-That is it, amen.

-OK.

Have you ever been in a Sunbeam Alpine?

-No, I haven't.

-It's a late '60s classic English sports car.

-Are you taking me for a drive?

-If I took you for a spin,

-could they be 35, then?

-No!

-I can't tempt you?

A little trip around the town, and then they're £35.

Well, I'll do without the trip, but I'll make them 35.

Bless your heart!

Thank you very much. That's really sweet of you.

-A pleasure.

-A money box, two spoons, you've started me off.

-That's my first time ever.

-Good, I hope you make loads of money.

What a great start to the day, Mark. £40 on two items.

It looks like there's no first-day nerves with you.

Meanwhile, old hand Thomas

is just up the road at Atlantic Antiques.

Very nice to meet you, thank you for letting me come here.

-And how long have you been here?

-13 years tomorrow.

-Tomorrow?

-Yes.

-So are you having a teenage birthday party?

Well, no, I don't think so.

-Is it all right if I have a good look around?

-You feel free.

Pleasure, Ernie, absolute pleasure. Thank you very much.

He may look young, but Thomas is a knowledgeable auctioneer

with his own specialist auction house.

He's an expert in jewellery,

but he's always on the lookout for the interesting and the unusual.

I love the old phone, look at that!

Look at that old thing!

He's hilarious, ropey old job.

Ernie? You haven't got a price on it.

-No. But I could put a price on it.

-No... No, well...

Or I would be open to offers.

-Did you pay much for it?

-I did, a lot.

-No, you didn't, did you?

-£30.

-Did you?

-Yes.

I wanted it for a bit less than that, to be honest with you.

-Really?

-Well, it's in such poor condition.

-So you thought...

-I was going to offer you £15 for it.

-That's...

-It's a harsh world.

That's an awful lot of money you want off.

-Yeah, because it is damaged.

-Yes, and that's why it's so cheap.

-Hmm.

-So would we say 20?

Would you meet me halfway?

18?

16.

You're... You're awful bad at your...

-I'm not awful bad!

-..at your sums.

17.

16.50.

-Deal.

-All right, deal.

I must be mad!

I love it!

Yes, it's...it's unusual.

They don't... They don't turn up too often.

It's a swift first purchase for a very reasonable £16.50.

It's definitely game on with these boys.

Back to Mark. He's nipped across the road to The Vintage.

What's he got his eye on now?

Brilliant, look at that!

That is loved, that's been loved, that's been played with.

Excuse me, kind sir.

May I just take your dog for a quick walk?

-Have a look in the light? Would that be all right?

-Yeah, fine.

-Thank you very much indeed. Has it got a name?

-No.

No, not yet. Right, come along, lad. Off we go.

# Walking the dog

# Just walking the dog

# If you don't know how to do it

# I'll show you how to walk the dog... #

-Look at that face.

-One only a mother could love.

Ha-ha, this is what we want. We've got a label.

I thought it was Tri-ang,

but it's Lines Brothers.

Lines Brothers was a British company

operated by, surprisingly, three brothers called Lines.

Following huge success in the mid-'20s,

they registered Tri-ang Toys,

so called because three lines make a triangle.

Three Lines brothers, triangle, get it?

This would be 19...40s, I think.

'40s, '50s and...

..very collectable, a lot of fun.

A little bit of damage here, a little bit of wear.

If we look here...

..and here...

..he's been fighting.

He's not real, Mark.

So an animal in distress, what do we do?

We give him a home, don't we?

So...let's go back inside and see if we can buy him for...

..£30, let's just have a go.

We might be lucky.

The asking price for this little chap is £88.

Right, sir, I'll keep it brief.

If you've bought it well, I'll give you £30 for it, now, cash.

If you haven't, fair enough, fair enough.

But I know sometimes you can buy things very, very well

and just let them go. What do you think?

I want to give the dog a home. He's had a bad life.

-He needs...to be loved.

-OK, OK, for you, Mark, 40 quid.

-30, please, it has to be 30.

-I couldn't do it.

-I can't sell it for £40...

-It cost me more!

Yeah, but I'm trying to make a profit, honestly.

Honestly, I am.

-35.

-Oh, my goodness me. This is hard work, isn't it?

Are you sure you can't do it for 30? Because 30 would work for me.

I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll toss you for it.

-Oh, really?

-Oh, dear.

-Go on, then.

-Do you want to toss?

-Yeah, go on, because I feel lucky.

-No, you toss, I'll call.

-You call.

-I feel lucky. Go on, then.

Tails.

Heads.

Is it going to be that sort of a day?

Well, I've got to honour that, 35 it is, then, sir. 35 it is.

-OK, Mark.

-OK, we'll give it a go.

That will teach you to gamble, Mark.

The boys have had a wonderful time in Portrush,

but it's time to move on,

34 miles south to the village of Broughshane in County Antrim.

-Right, Thomas. There you go.

-Is this me?

-We're here.

-Are you kicking me out?

Yep! Out you get, Thomas. Now, don't be long.

As you said to me, don't mess me about, don't be long.

-Come on, you...

-I'll give you six minutes.

Six minutes?! Good luck! And come and pick me up!

Thank you. Yeah, I'll pop back later, possibly.

They're getting on well, then.

Thomas's next shop is Braid Antiques.

-I'm Thomas.

-You're very welcome to Braid Antiques, I'm Audrey.

-Audrey, very nice to meet you. And this is your shop?

-Yes, it is.

-I'll have a good look around.

-Yes, certainly.

-Thank you very much.

-You're very welcome.

Thomas wastes no time and sets to work straightaway

carefully looking out for that hopeful second purchase.

And the very helpful Audrey has looked out a few things

that she thinks may be of interest to Thomas.

-Oh.

-I've just brought it all out.

Some Mauchline Ware.

-And just a couple of wee bits of kitchenalia.

-Yeah, quite sweet!

-Nice little butter stamp, isn't it?

-It's a lovely butter stamp,

-and the egg timer... and the breadboard.

-Uh-huh.

So what have we got on here?

"White Rock, Hastings."

So obviously for playing games, you put your die in there and...

So this is a needle case.

-A needle case, yes.

-Put sewing needles in there.

"Sea front, Dover." Good local scenes, aren't they?

-Very local to here, yes!

-Very local to here, you know?

The others are all Jersey, I think.

Could I try

and buy all of it

for 60?

No, that would be too little, and I would be losing money on that.

-Would you?

-Oh, I would, I would.

Well, all of it for 70.

-Halfway at 65.

-Oh... You do drive a hard bargain.

I'm only trying.

-All right, yes.

-65...OK.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much.

Well, there you go, our man drives a hard bargain.

That's another two lots to add to his bag of treasures.

Mark, meanwhile, has travelled eight miles away

to Ahoghill, Ballymena.

Once Upon A Time

is owned by father and son Sean and Ronan McLaughlin.

-Good afternoon, sir.

-Good afternoon.

-I'm Mark.

-I'm Sean.

-How do you do, sir.

Would you mind awfully if I had a quick poke around in here

because it looks very, very interesting.

You would be most welcome.

-You've got a bit of everything.

-From the sublime to the ridiculous.

-Yeah, this is most intriguing.

I'll just have a quick wander and I'll get back to you.

So far it's been an exciting day for Mark.

Does he have a game plan?

I want to buy something for £8 and sell it for a couple of thousand. That's my plan.

But, it doesn't always work out that way.

So I might have to settle for buying something for £30 and selling it for a profit.

Better get a move on then, Mark.

That's what I like to see lots of bits and bobs.

It's been cleaned, it's lost its colour, lost its patina.

If you like your parrots...

A bit of fun, aren't they?

Messed about with, but it's nice.

I was just wondering, in case it was pennies, because...

Obviously all the flowers are tipped and broken

-and the tail is restored badly there.

-Very badly.

Is it pennies? I'm just trying to buy little bits as well.

-It could be £8.

-Yes.

£8, you say?

Maybe this will be the one that sells for a couple of grand, Mark.

That's ever so good. Terribly reasonable.

It's made by John and Rebecca Lloyd

of Shelton in Staffordshire in about 1835.

They always used a lot of gilt and these colours.

It's worth a go.

Because it's a few pounds, I'm thinking about that as well.

-Just because it's a few pounds, I've got to be in with a chance, haven't I?

-I think so.

Better get back to work, Mark.

Isn't that great? Don't you just love that?

No, I don't either.

Rough shell case, a bit of trench art.

I don't think it's decorative enough, though, is it?

Pots... Isn't that wonderful? All good fun, though, isn't it?

What a lovely jug. 19th century, 1830, 1840...

One of the better English porcelain factories.

It's got that Coalport look to it. It's beautifully hand painted.

There's a pattern number on the bottom that could be researched.

Erm, in very good condition, there's no chips, cracks or restoration.

It would have been part of a tea service.

There's always a jug collector at an auction,

or one hopes there's always a jug collector at an auction.

It's the real thing, it's just nice. If that's come in with a box lot,

can you do that for pennies? If you can, I'll have a go at it.

It's not terribly saleable now.

I could take 18 for that.

-It's tempting, it's a very good quality jug.

-It is, yeah.

You know, I left a very good quality English porcelain basket this morning,

just because they're not selling.

Well, this is awkward.

Erm, I tell you what...

I'm not insulting you, you tell me, OK?

Having that for a fiver and if I give you 15 for that. It's 20 for the two.

-That's OK.

-Is that all right?

-Yeah.

-Thank you, Ronan.

Well, he certainly likes to shop.

It's been an impressive first day with four items already in the bag.

Or, should I say, the box.

While Mark's been on a shopping spree,

Thomas has travelled to

Hillsborough Castle in County Down.

Hillsborough Castle is an 18th century mansion and the residence

of the Secretary Of State For Northern Ireland, including in the past Mo Mowlam and Peter Mandelson.

Tony Blair has also held key talks here with US presidents, Bill Clinton and George Bush.

It's also the official residence of the British Royal Family when they visit.

Castle guide, Judy Crawford, is on hand to show Thomas around.

So, this is the State Entrance Hall and this is where the great and the good come in.

Wow!

The first thing you see is the Royal coat of arms,

done in wood but painted to look like plaster.

-Really, it's wood, is it?

-Mm-hm.

-Fascinating.

On either side of the fireplace you will see that we have the ceremonial spades.

-Are we allowed to touch?

-Yes, I think so.

These are used because traditionally when a member of the Royal family

comes here to attend one of the garden parties, they plant a tree.

-Really, so this is the ceremonial spade.

-Yes.

-Oh, wow!

Her Majesty the Queen, the Queen Mother,

The Princess of Wales, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson,

Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal.

That's rather wonderful, isn't it.

-I mean, they don't literally get down and...

-No.

The gardeners would dig the hole for the member of the Royal family.

They just do the little bit at the end with the turf.

I don't think I've ever held something owned or used by royalty before.

Hopefully, that bit of glitter will pass on to me and my buying will

get better and better and I'll make more profit with my antiques.

Hope springs eternal, Thomas.

Inside this wonderful building, a very important agreement took place.

This is the state drawing room

and this is where the Anglo-Irish agreement was signed in 1985

between Margaret Thatcher and the late Garret FitzGerald.

Standing in front of that fireplace, but not that particular fireplace,

that one was bought for the castle in 1989

when it came from Mountjoy Square in Dublin.

-When the castle was restored to its former glory?

-Exactly.

Is that a bit of Irish porcelain?

Yes, that's a little bit of Belleek china,

made in County Fermanagh in the west of the province.

-I hate to tell you this but it is cracked.

-Shh! Thomas!

I think it's been cracked for a long time.

It's something you either love or you hate.

-I actually quite like Belleek.

-I do, too. I think it's beautifully made.

It is beautifully made.

That's enough for one day, Thomas.

Another exciting day awaits tomorrow.

The boys are up bright and early to tackle a brand-new day of shopping.

So far Thomas has spent £81.50 on three lots.

A candlestick telephone, a collection of Mauchline Ware

and the Victorian kitchenalia, leaving a comfortable £118.50 at his disposal.

New boy, Mark, meanwhile has employed a full-on shopping frenzy.

He has collected four auction lots and spent £95 on the baby bank,

the silver Dublin spoons, the cute dog on wheels

and the porcelain lot comprising the Staffordshire jug and little fox figurine.

Mark has a respectable £105 left to splurge.

First to get stuck in on another day of shopping is Mark.

He's travelling to Lisburn,

the third-largest city in Northern Ireland.

First shop of the day is Ballinderry Antiques, owned by Donald.

-Good afternoon, sir.

-Good afternoon.

-I'm Mark.

-Donald McClusky.

Good afternoon, Donald. Is it OK if I just seek and search?

-Plenty to look at.

-Thank you very much indeed, thank you.

And he's off!

I do have to beat Thomas.

-Donald?

-Yeah?

-It has suffered a bit.

-Yeah, what a beauty, though.

This is a Troika wheel vase.

Troika was an art pottery set up in Cornwall in the early '60s.

-Serious crack.

-Whereabouts? Oh, there.

-Worth restoring, possibly.

I think so. That is wonderful. Look at the shape and everything, I love it to bits.

Erm, no hard haggle, no messing about.

Bottom line, very, very best, and it's got to be good or I won't bother.

At Ballinderry Antiques we always offer a good deal.

-Sometimes you can just knock things out and sometimes you can't.

-£30.

-That's the very best, the bottom line, is it?

-Yeah.

I love that, I love it.

-There should be something left in that.

-Wrap it up for me, that's brilliant. We started. We started.

Say, "please". He's quick and not quite finished yet.

Some Guinness tonight.

And, as quick as a flash, he's uncovered a 19th-century Chinese hardwood stand.

What's the very best on it, just in case I can do a last-minute...

-A sweet little piece.

-A quickie here.

£27.

Almost certainly, you'll get some sort of profit on that.

-That's a lovely, carved wood stand, isn't it?

-It's very intricate.

-Very much the flavour of the month, isn't it?

-Very much so.

That would have had a piece of jade or whatever in it.

They're very collectable, lovely patina, lovely colour.

-All right, Donald, I'll have that.

-OK.

-Thank you very much.

Blimey, he doesn't hang around.

-What's the grand total?

-£57.

-And I can't knock any more off that?

-That's it, I'm afraid.

-£57, there's £60.

That's brilliant. I'll get you £3 change.

That's another two in the bag. Man now has a mighty six lots.

Meanwhile, Thomas, has travelled just over 26 miles

to the small village of Grey Abbey in County Down.

He's going for a good rummage in Hayes Antiques.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-Nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you, Derek Hayes.

-Thomas Plant.

Would you mind awfully if I had a look around?

That would be really good.

Thomas is a bit of an antiques magpie

and has a real passion for interesting curios.

I think it's Italian. I think it is with that cockerel on the base.

It could be the Cantagalli factory from the Urbino in Tuscany,

from about the late 19th century, early 20th-century.

-It's rather good, isn't it? Rather good fun.

-Yeah. It's a nice piece.

I love that design to it.

I just think it's decorative don't you? Yeah, it's stunning.

It is stunning. I like that.

The ticket price for the vase is £65.

Could we say...

40?

HE LAUGHS

-I've got that figure in my head.

-45.

42?

-OK.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

-Brilliant. Thank you very much. I like that.

It's a handsome thing.

Maybe if I rub it my genie might come out

and wish me all the luck in the world.

That's four lots in the bag for Thomas.

He certainly is a tough cookie when it comes to naming his price.

Meanwhile, Mark has finished all his high octane shopping for the day

and is making his way to a secret location.

-You sir, must be Ray?

-Yes, it's me.

Mark has an invitation to visit passionate collector and automobile enthusiast, Ray.

He's a house builder who has collected literally thousands of items

for the last 30 years from vintage petrol pumps

to the very first motoring signs.

-Would you show me around?

-Certainly. Come this way here up to the goody parts.

This priceless collection began when Ray was passing a garage

he used to visit with his dad when he was a nipper.

He purchased a couple of petrol globes and from that day onwards

he has amassed a spectacular collection of automobilia.

Ray has tirelessly sourced items from all around the world.

He begins the tour with an extraordinary collection.

-Well, Mark, this is the Aladdin's cave.

-Oh, my goodness me.

-Oh, my goodness me.

-Altogether there are over 350 globes here.

You have to go to America to get bigger collections of up to 1,500.

Which is the earliest globe in this room?

The earliest globes would be this line here, the BP, Pratt's,

ROP, Red Line, they are all around 1920.

In 1919, that's when the first petrol pumps came into Great Britain and Ireland.

-What are they made of. Glass?

-Glass, yes.

-Plastic globes weren't used until after the war.

-Can you still find them?

-Yes.

-Do they still appear?

-They still appear.

-Or have you got the lot?

-No.

Absolutely fascinating. I couldn't be more impressed, frankly.

-I will never forget this.

-You won't forget this.

Everywhere you look there are prized items

that preserve the fabric of motoring history.

Everything in this cabinet is related to the 1903 Gordon Bennett race.

The Gordon Bennett Cup races drew attention from all over the world

and were established by James Gordon Bennett Junior,

the millionaire owner of the New York Herald.

In 1903, the race was held in Ireland.

This is the three cars lined up here before the race in 1903.

Two of the cars finished the race and one didn't.

I'm not sure which one it is. Its engine blew up.

-This is the piston out of that car.

-From that very car?

-From one of those three cars.

All the drivers in the race were given a goblet.

That's the only goblet that exists.

This was the clock, one of three or four clocks that were used to time the race.

"Officially used at the Gordon Bennett Cup race 1903."

-I only bought that last year.

-That is wonderful.

Well, it's obvious Mark's had the time of his life.

But it's now time, boys, to show one another your purchases.

-As you're the newbie, show me your first item.

-Right.

Totally out of my comfort zone, it's not my subject at all -

-but silver is up at the moment.

-Silver is up. A nice pair of old English spoons.

-Thought I'd have a go.

-George IV, they're nice.

What did you give for those?

-£35.

-Get in there!

-Do you think so?

-Yeah, absolutely.

Yeah, yeah. Stop being so nice, Thomas.

OK, Mark. So you're out of your comfort zone, so am I...

Thomas, that's out of MY comfort zone too but I love it.

-It needs a lot of work.

-Oh - you don't say, Thomas(!)

-It's the real deal, all marked up on the base...

-Like it a lot -

I bet you just snatched it away at 20 quid or something.

-£16.50.

-£16! Thomas, you can't go wrong.

-£16.50.

-Really good buy.

Don't take this too seriously... This was just an impulse buy.

A money box. What did you pay for that, a fiver?

-Yeah, spot on.

-Was it a fiver?

-Right first time.

-It's horrible!

It's awful. That's the only reason I bought it, because it was a fiver.

I thought, if there's a money box collector there on Monday, and it's a fiver...

-First bid, two bids - little profit.

-It's a profit.

Looks a bit like you, Thomas.

My next items, I bought as a lot, which I'm splitting into two lots.

-Is that all right?

-OK.

-So first of all...

-Whatever you say, Thomas.

Right...

Then... It doesn't end there.

Oh, lovely.

-It's sweet, isn't it?

-That's nice, I like that.

-And then...

-Bit of Mauchline Ware.

-So these are my next two lots...

-Right.

..but obviously I bought them as one.

That is a little lot with the breadboard, the butter pat and the egg timer...

and then the Mauchline Ware's a lot.

How much was the whole lot?

-I can guess if you like, but...

-£65.

Yeah, very good.

-Now, prepare yourself, Thomas...

-All right.

-What could it possibly be?

-I can see what it is...

-I had to give this dog a home.

-Oh, it's sweet, isn't it?

-He's lovely.

-He's been well loved.

-He has been well loved.

Little bit on the sort of tatty side...

-Why did you buy him?

-Well, I couldn't leave him there.

Got to find a home for him, he's windswept, he's been in fights.

You would have paid, I reckon, about 30 quid.

-35, Thomas.

-It's a clever buy.

-That's encouraging. Thanks for that.

This is you all over, isn't it? Is this a little lot?

Well, I bought them separately, but I'm going to sell them as a lot.

OK, good idea.

Nice Staffordshire jug...

Lovely quality. Nice and clean and crisp and sharp.

-Yeah, lovely thing.

-You know, £15.

£15 - fine. Lovely.

And then this horrible, horrible Staffordshire figure...

£20 the two, the cost. Right, Thomas, your turn.

This is my last lot. Now, what do you think...

-Hispano-Moresque.

-Hispano-Moresque.

-Or Cantagalli.

-Absolutely! Absolutely.

-Lots of different factories over there.

In the late 19th century, the Cantagalli brothers inherited the family ceramics

factory near Florence,

and produced copies of Middle Eastern and Italian tin-glazed wares.

Late 19th or early 20th. Blue cockerel on the bottom.

Quite often a date with it.

Tin-glazed earthenware, lovely lustre.

-Isn't it lovely?

-Gorgeous condition. What did you pay for that?

-42.

-42, that's fine. Absolutely fine.

Really, really like it. I'm very impressed.

Oh, right! Troika wheel vase.

OK, but it's whacked.

-Yes, Thomas.

-A whacked Troika wheel vase.

Tell me, Mark. Did you nick this at a fiver?

-I actually paid £30 for it.

-£30?

Not the end of the world - in my part of the world that would do very well even with the damage.

How often do you see Troika, Thomas?

-Rarely.

-Thank you. That's all I need to know.

I would be very interested to see what you think of this.

So this is a hardwood stand, with prunus flower...

-19th century.

-What a beautiful stand.

I reckon you snatched it at £12.50.

-£27, Thomas.

-£27.

I'm very hopeful, Thomas.

But the question is, are the boys being truthful with one another?

My worst item is definitely the Troika.

He should not have bought the Troika, it's whacked.

I feel sorry for him for buying that. But it could make money at the auction.

I don't know whether I'm going to beat Thomas or not.

I know I WILL beat Thomas, sooner or later -

I know I WILL find something, and it will make a lot of money, I know that is going to happen...

but I can't... You know, it's in the lap of the gods WHEN that is going to happen.

Fighting talk from the boys. But what results lie ahead?

It's been an exciting first leg,

with a whistle-stop tour of Northern Ireland.

We've travelled from Portrush via Broughshane,

Ahoghill, Hillsborough, Lisburn, Grey Abbey.

And finally to the capital of Northern Ireland,

the city of Belfast.

It's the largest city in Northern Ireland,

and has historically been a centre for the Irish linen industry,

tobacco production, rope making and shipbuilding.

It's auction day, and the boys arrive at their first auction of the week.

Belfast Auctions has been established for three years.

David Kearney is today's auctioneer, and he has a few thoughts to share about our boys' items.

It's a good array of stuff. The silver caught my eye, the spoons.

Being Irish silver I think they could do quite well.

An item that I wouldn't be as keen on would be the pottery baby.

I don't know if our clients tonight will be interested in that, I don't think it's old enough.

Thomas Plant started today with £200,

and spent £123.50 on four lots.

Mark Hales on the other hand splashed £152

on his first-ever spending spree.

He ended up with a whopping six lots.

Right - all eyes to the front. The auction is about to begin.

First up, it's Mark's porcelain duo.

Let's find out what he knows about ceramics.

£30. £20. £10.

£5, £6, £7. At £7 I'm bid.

£8, £9. £10.

£12. Bid's at the back at £12.

Lovely Victorian jug, are we all finished at £12...?

Disaster strikes, so early in the day.

Oh, dear, it's a loss, Mark -

but don't worry, it's only your first item.

Next up is Thomas's collection of Mauchline Ware.

Nice lot there. £80. £60. £50.

-For £30, then.

-Come on, come on, come on.

£37.50. It's with Paul at £40.

£42.50. Bid's beside me now at £42.50...

All finished, the lot, at £42.50...?

My heart goes out to you on that one,

because genuinely I would have bought them too.

Another loss, and not what Thomas expected at all.

Still, it could be worse.

It's Mark's turn next.

With the damaged, but unusual Troika vase.

£40. For £20...

For sale, £10. £12. £14. £16. £18.

£20. £22.50. £25.

£30. £32.50. New bidder.

£35. New bidder again. £40...

All finished now at £40?

40 quid! You got out of jail.

-I'm annoyed about my earlier loss, Thomas.

-Don't stress about that.

Not bad, Mark, but listen to Thomas. Enjoy a profit when you get one.

Back to Thomas. It's the Victorian kitchenalia next.

£30. £20.

Will a tenner start me?

I'm bid £10, £12. £14. £16. £18. £20.

Bid's here beside me in the middle at 22.50, 25, 27.50.

Bid's still in the middle. Bid's here.

In the middle at 27.50. All out. All done now for 27.50.

That's OK.

That sorts out your Mauchline lot with your breadboard, doesn't it?

Well, hang on.

A small profit. Come on, Thomas, keep your hopes up.

Right, Mark, it's the baby money bank next.

£20...or £10.

Fiver. Thank you. Five, six, seven.

At seven. Eight - new bidder. Nine.

Ten. Beside me now at £10. All out for £10.

-Oh, come on.

-Well...

-Come on, you made money out of it.

-£2.

Come on indeed, Mark, at least somebody bought it.

Next, it's the decorative Cantagalli ewer.

£80. £50. £30.

Thank you. At 30. 32.50. 35

-At 35. 37.50.

-Go on.

£40. New bidder. In front of me at £40. Are we all done for this?

2.50 again. 45.

7.50. At 47.50. Bid's here.

£50. Bid's in the middle. All out for it now. £50.

When you bought that, if it had been 50 and not 42,

-if you wanted it, you would have bought it, wouldn't you?

-Oh, yeah.

So would I.

Oh, dear. Not what Thomas was expecting. Keep your chin up, boys.

It's Mark's 19th century Chinese stand next. Fingers crossed.

£30. £20.

A tenner, sir. Thank you.

10, 12, new bidder at 14, 16, 18.

20. Bid's here for £20. All finished at £20.

-Most disappointing.

-You were right. 20 quid.

And I still think another place, another time, a lot more.

I think you thought that too, didn't you?

Excuses, excuses. It's a another loss, Mark. But it's not over yet.

Maybe the silver spoons will bring a much needed smile to your face.

30 bid. 2.50. 35.

7.50. £40. 2.50.

45. 7.50. £50. 55. 60.

65. 70.

75. 80.

85.

I have 85 in the middle.

90 - new bidder.

Bid's at 95. 100.

-105.

-Come on. Yes.

-Another five.

-Keep going. I feel the sea.

-£110.

-Good lot. Well done.

-Thank you. I'm pleased.

-Well, you should be.

I'm only pleased because it's out of my comfort zone.

Well done, Mark. Silver may be out of your comfort zone

but that is what you can call a result.

It's Thomas's final item, the candlestick telephone, next.

£20. A bid. 2.50. 5. 7.50.

£30. 2.50. 35. 7.50. £40.

2.50. Bid's here beside me now for 42.50 for the phone.

All done. The bid's here beside me.

Beside me now at 42.50. We all like the phone. 42.50.

-Made money though. Made money.

-Made a profit.

It certainly did make you money, Thomas.

It's better than a slap in the face. With a wet fish.

And, lastly, it's Mark's rather crude pooch on wheels.

Will the bidders of Belfast want to take him home though?

£50. £30.

Give this dog a home! Give this dog a home!

That's right, give it a home. £10. 10 a bid. 12, 14, 16.

Give floppy ears a home.

-At 18 and bid. 20.

-Go, floppy, go.

-At 20 and bid.

He's going out the door here. 2.50 - new bidder.

At 22.50, the lady's bid in the middle.

Lady's bid then at 22.50. All finished now at 22.50.

-Oh, disaster.

-I thought they were going to...

I feel we sort of knew, didn't we?

Do you think your outbursts stopped the bidding?

Do you think it stopped the bidding?

Maybe you do need to keep quiet next time, Mark. Oh, dear. Another loss.

All in all, it hasn't been a great first auction for the boys.

We can't be down in the dumps because we're all walking away

with a bit of extra money jingling in our pocket.

To me, I've got change. He's got folding.

What can I say?

I'm very pleased to be going forward with more money than I started with

but I'm a little bit disappointed and frustrated

that the decent profit on the spoons

was soaked up by all the other items.

After paying auction costs,

Thomas Plant made a tiny profit of £9.75.

He has £209.75 to carry forward. Keep smiling.

And just inching ahead is Mark Hales with a £23.89 profit.

He is the winner of the first leg with a delightful £223.89.

It's the end of the first day.

Both chaps are fairly happy and have a few extra pennies in the kitty.

But there's still four more days to go.

Next time on the Antiques Road Trip,

Mark and Thomas head for the Republic Of Ireland.

Mark dishes out the kisses...

Oh, bless your heart, you're a lovely lady.

..and Thomas chances his arm.

-What's your price then?

-Oh, I'd like to give you 75.

No way!