Episode 6 Antiques Road Trip

It's the nation's favourite antiques experts

with £200 each, a classic car

and a goal to scour Britain for antiques.

It hurts!

The aim? To make the biggest profit at auction. But it's no mean feat.

There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

You mean lot!

So, will it be the high road to glory or the slow road to disaster?

There's always another auction.

This is the Antiques Road Trip!

Yeah!

On your marks! On this road trip, we have TWO Marks

competing for glorious victory.

Mark Stacey is a Sussex auctioneer

who's known for his keen eye and hard bargaining...

Do these people not know it's a recession?

You're hating me, aren't you?

..while Mark Hales is a West Country ceramics expert and auctioneer

who needs to pick up something cheap but attractive.

OK, darling?

From his original £200,

Mark Stacey has now grown his budget to a very respectable £332.10.

While Mark Hales has only inched upwards from his original £200

to a skimpy £234.52.

Our marvellous pair of Marks are piloting a gleaming scarlet beauty,

the curvy 1968 Triumph Spitfire.

This week, the two Marks are full of Eastern promise

as they travel nearly 300 miles from Finedon in Northamptonshire

through six east English counties

to Colchester in Essex.

On this leg, they cruise through lovely East Anglia

from Harleston in Norfolk

to the auction at Campsea Ashe in Suffolk.

-We'll just have fun, shall we?

-Yes.

That's the order of the day - have some fun!

Their first stop is the pretty market town of Harleston,

which prides itself on its array of independent retailers.

Sounds like the ideal place to get our chaps started.

They're heading for the local flea market...

Which way is it? Round here?

..a lively, monthly event at the Swan pub

with stalls of many different stripes.

-I'll leave you out here looking, Mark.

-Thank you so much.

-There are bits for you to look at.

-Be lucky, Mark.

-Good morning. Can I have a little look round?

-Course you can.

-Thank you.

Sorry, I've just seen these bales.

I like these sorts of things.

There's something very tactile about bales, isn't there?

-They are.

-They need a polish up.

-They do.

It's a shame you haven't got the jack.

(I don't know anything about bowls!)

Shocking news!

Probably talking a load of bowls!

Steady!

How much have you got on those?

-15.

-That's quite reasonable, isn't it?

-It is reasonable, yes.

I think ten would be better.

All right, then, ten. £10.

I'm going to buy those for £10.

Huh! A perfect score on the first roll!

Morning!

-Mark, there's nothing in here for you.

-Fancy meeting you here!

-It's all gone, I'm afraid.

-Haven't seen you for ten minutes.

-I've reserved it all.

-Have you bought something?

-No.

Oh, you fibber!

-Did my friend Mark buy anything?

-Yes, he did.

-Did he, indeed?

Rumbled!

When I asked him, he said, "I bought nothing." Did he, indeed?

-Are you competing with him?

-I most certainly am.

Yes, you are, Mark. You'd better get hunting because Mark's spotted something else.

-They're not gold, are they?

-I'm not sure.

-Nice shape, though.

A pair of cufflinks.

Could Mark have struck gold so early in the day?

-How much are they, sir?

-Five.

-£5.

-Could I just take them to the light?

-Yes.

-With your thing.

I think I've found a mark on this that says 18-carat gold.

I think these are gold.

And for £5, that's an absolute bargain.

So I'm going to buy them, I think.

What a find, eh?

I didn't think I was going to buy anything here today,

-but I'll buy those for £5 from you.

-Thank you very much.

I'll get my money out.

You ARE in a rush, Mark. Suspicious!

A pair of solid 18-carat gold cufflinks for £5!

I'm on a roll, I think! Bring it on!

Bring it on, indeed! But, oh, dear. Poor Mark Hales is still empty-handed.

So it's back on the road again.

They're driving eight miles across the county border

to Bungay in Suffolk.

The market town of Bungay sits in the Waveney Valley,

on the edge of The Broads.

In 1577, a ghostly black dog known as Black Shuck

is said to have killed two people in the town.

Spooky!

Let's hope for no such similar dramatics today

as Mark Stacey is heading for Mayfair Antiques

run by owner Joe.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-I'm Mark.

-I'm Joe.

Mark's spotted something on top of one of the cabinets.

It's a sweet little Art Deco jug in the shape of a pussy.

I think it looks rather cute.

I don't know it's going to make a lot of money at auction,

maybe £10 or £20.

But look, the price is just £2.

A bargain in anyone's book.

But Joe's got a proposal.

-I'll tell you what I'll do.

-What?

Toss you for it. Double or quits.

Oh, no, I'm not going to do that!

Double or quits? I always lose when I do these.

You couldn't... You can't. You can't.

I can't really refuse, can I, for £2?

-Oh, please, let it be mine. Who's calling?

-You can call.

Flip the coin, then.

Oh, the tension!

Tails.

Yes!

Double or quits, you said.

I can't believe that!

Terrific.

Mark's gamble pays off.

He's like the cat who got the cream. Or pussy, actually.

Keen to continue his buying spree,

Mark hotfoots it to Beccles in Suffolk.

Once a thriving Saxon river port, Beccles was granted its charter

by Queen Elizabeth I in 1584.

Mark has Blybergate Antiques in his sights.

-How are you?

-Fine, thank you. You?

-I'm Mark.

-Hello, Mark. I'm Kate.

-Nice to meet you. I'm after a bargain.

-You'll find one here.

-How many times have I heard that?

Huh! The cheek!

Mark's seen a plate, which is in tin-glaze pottery called Majolica.

I quite like this because I love Majolica.

I love the vibrancy of it.

In the Victorian era, it exploded from the Staffordshire factories

from the 1860s onwards.

It's all a bit bright and garish, isn't it?

Bit like me, really!

You don't have to agree with that!

I said nothing!

It is marked on the back, and it's only priced up at £18.

-Why is it only £18?

-I can make it more.

-How dare you?

How faddy-dare you?

Oh, you too!

-So what could you do that for, then?

-To you, Mark, it can be 12.

Oh, we're so close.

As long as you don't say 10 to me, it can be 12.

I'm so close, honestly. I want to give you £10 for it.

-If you can do a tenner, I'll have it.

-Go on, then, Mark. You may have it for a tenner.

-Thank you very much.

-You're welcome.

Well, aren't I spending a lot of money today?

£25 so far.

You're East Anglia's answer to Donald Trump!

Time for our Marks to reunite, as they head onwards towards Framlingham in Suffolk.

The town's historic conservation area is one of the finest in England

and is dominated by Framlingham Castle,

a magnificent 12th-century fortress.

What better place for Mark to storm into his first shop of the day?

He's charging off towards Goodbrey Antiques.

-I'm Mark.

-I'm Richard.

-How do you do?

How do you do? Right, how is the empty-handed Mr Hales feeling this fine morning?

Under pressure. Got to buy something.

There's something that might fit the bill.

This is why I like spending a lot of time.

The more you're in a room, the more you notice, you know?

It's an old sash cramp,

used to hold the panels of a sash window together during gluing.

Ticket price is £25.

When you think about it, tools aren't bad in general sales.

Richard, the clamp?

Can Mark squeeze that price any?

What would be the best money for the cramp?

Well, while Mark thinks on it, there's something else on the other side of the shop as well.

-Lions!

-The lions. I could do something on the lions.

-Not very old, are they?

-No, but they're wonderfully done

with all those teeth and eyes.

On the ticket it's £45.

What could Mark claw them down to?

-They'd go for 30.

-Yeah.

-Richard?

-Yeah?

-Hi.

-I've had a little think.

-How are you doing?

-I like the clamp. And I like the lions.

-Yes.

If I had them both, Richard, that's 30 and 20.

-Could you knock a fiver off?

-I could knock a fiver off. That's it.

-That's 45.

-45 for those two items.

-All right. Thank you, Richard.

-I'll have those.

-You've got a bargain!

-Thank you.

Wow! Mark has some buys at last!

Right, then.

Mark Stacey, meanwhile, is so relaxed about his shopping,

he's driving nine miles west

to have a wander around historic Helmingham Hall

and its stunning gardens.

It's quite an impressive house, isn't it?

That's an understatement!

Work on the glorious moated manor house at Helmingham

began in the 15th century.

Today, it's surrounded by beautiful formal gardens

and parkland.

The estate has been handed down from generation to generation of the Tollemache family.

Mark's lucky enough to have expert guides to the house and gardens.

He's meeting Tim and Zar, the current Lord and Lady Tollemache.

-Good morning! I'm Mark, Lord Tollemache.

-Hi, I'm Tim.

-Nice to meet you, Tim.

-Mark, I'm Zar.

Lady Tollemache is a garden designer.

She and dogs Mungo and Maestro are going to give Mark a quick tour of the gardens

before he sees the hall.

Indeed, the gardens boast a great historical feature.

-Oh, this is the other moat.

-This is the garden moat.

Yes. So this predates the house, actually.

Because the house was built in 1490.

And this was before. Probably used as a cattle stockade.

Oh, yes. To protect your livestock, I suppose.

And then, of course, it was made into a garden in 1510.

The wall was put in in 1740.

And so it's been a garden for about 500 years.

We've got to keep the tradition going, haven't we?

-It's an isolated garden with its own moat.

-Yes.

Mark's heading into the house, towards the drawbridge

which is still raised and lowered every day

as it has been for hundreds of years.

-We pull it up every night.

-Gosh!

-Electronically, I hope!

-Electronically now.

Inside, Lord Tollemache has a very special treat lined up,

a chance to see one of Helmingham's great historical treasures.

-Mark, well done. You've been round the garden.

-Oh, it's been wonderful.

We've had such a fantastic time.

-And you're going to show us...

-A bit of history.

-Wonderful. Lead on, as they say!

Helmingham has been the family seat since 1487

and over the centuries, the Tollemaches have been involved in a grand sweep of British history.

What are you going to show me in here, Tim?

I'm going to show you some letters all to do with the wonderful secret society of The Sealed Knot.

In the 17th century, King Charles I was beheaded, and England was mired in Civil War.

Supporters of the monarchy planned to have his heir, Charles II,

restored to the throne.

One of Lord Tollemache's ancestors

was a member of the secret society, The Sealed Knot,

which planned to bring the young king back from exile on the Continent.

Lionel Tollemache, who was here at Helmingham at the time,

was very much involved with this secret society.

Unfortunately, he died fairly young

and Charles II wrote two letters which lie here on this table

to his widow,

saying how very sad he was to hear of her loss,

and to thank her particularly for all the work they were doing

to help him be restored to the throne.

-Wow! These are the originals?

-The original letters.

-From Charles II.

-His handwriting is certainly better than mine

and you can read these letters really quite clearly.

"Madame, I have so good an account of the affection of my friends towards me."

They're both signed, "Madame, Your truly affectionate friend,

-"Charles R."

-This was 1654.

-So this was six years before.

-Paris. Yes, May 28th, 1654.

-So that was six years actually before he was restored to the throne.

-That's right, yes.

Tim, thank you very much. As a lover of history, it's been great to see the letters.

It's been a great pleasure to show you round.

Thank you very much!

And with that, it's back to the hoi polloi with you, Mark!

Meanwhile, Mark Hales has travelled the 17 miles

to Needham Market in Suffolk.

Needham Market's parish church was completed in 1500

and remains a terrific example of medieval building ingenuity.

Let's hope Mark can be as inventive

as he heads for his last shop, Bygones.

-Hi, I'm Mark.

-Hello, Mark. I'm Paul.

-Hello, Paul.

-Nice to meet you.

It's not long before Mark spots something.

Auto memorabilia is selling. Things like this are still collectable.

These went on the bars on the front of your '50s and '60s cars.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven,

eight, nine.

-How many were over there?

-Five.

-What's that? 14.

-Yep.

And Paul has another piece of automobilia that might suit.

What about an old car mascot? Champagne Charlie.

There he is! Champagne Charlie!

Hee-hee!

# Champagne Charlie is me name

# Champagne drinking is me game... #

The character of Champagne Charlie was popularised

by Victorian music-hall performer George Leybourne.

Charlie, a caricature of a drunken aristocrat living the high life,

became a popular comic figure.

Decorative car mascots, like this one,

were all the rage in earlier days of motoring.

The ticket price for all the car badges and the mascot

is a whopping £325.

If I bought Champagne Charlie and all the badges for 60 quid...

-Yeah.

-I'll give them a go.

Do you want to have a deal now, today, at 60?

All right, mate.

-All right?

-Thank you, Paul.

-OK, sir.

-You're giving me a chance, aren't you?

-Yep.

What a deal!

A gift!

Now, there's a dapper chappy on the other side of the shop,

and I don't mean Paul!

-Paul, who's this chap here?

-The advertising sign?

"Sticker knitwear. Style. 1960."

Very nice.

-What do you think?

-How much is it, seriously?

-50.

-£50?

-50 quid to you.

-Come on, 40 quid.

-Give us your money.

40 quid just for a laugh, OK?

-Am I going to lose money? I don't know.

-You won't lose money.

-Good fun. Thank you very much indeed.

-All right.

-Thank you. Another purchase.

Tick-tock. Mark's running out of time to make any more buys,

but he's just spotted yet another item.

What's this clock? Why didn't I see that? I quite like that.

"To WP Thompson, from his colleagues

"in the department of electricity, Kuwait, Jan 1958."

If I bought it for 30 quid I can see a profit in it.

-It'll make more than 30 quid?

-I'd have thought so.

-What do you reckon?

-Yeah.

-Shall we shake on that one as well?

-OK. Thank you very much.

-That's a bit of fun.

Now he's on fire.

Downstairs, something else has caught his eye.

Ooh, what's this? Plaster.

That is made of plaster. But look at the colour.

And who is this chap? That looks so period, doesn't it?

Look at the back. It's all plaster.

I'll have to ask Paul about that. He can enlighten me.

Is it '30s or '50s?

-You don't recognise it?

-It's nothing like you, Paul, even when you were younger. Sorry.

-It's when I had a moustache.

-Errol Flynn, it looks like.

Do that for a tenner? Then I can put it in with my clock.

I'll be fair with you. 15.

-15. Thank you, Paul.

-Thank you.

Good heavens! Mark's bagged four buys for a whopping £145.

And all at the very last second.

-Thank you very much.

-Look, I've got some left. That never happens to me.

-You can take us down the pub, then.

-Gladly I would. I would!

Now, while you get pally,

Mark Stacey has caught up and is heading for Needham Market's Station Yard Emporium.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-I'm Mark.

-Ellie.

-Nice to meet you.

-And you.

What are you fiddling with?

I quite like that box.

It's specimen woods.

It's quite an early box. I'd have thought that's got to be 1830, 1840.

But £75?!

Do these people not know there's a recession?

You're hating me, aren't you?

You're driving them potty. Speaking of pots,

there's an eye-catching piece of ceramic

on the other side of the shop.

Another piece of Majolica.

I've already got a piece of Majolica, haven't I?

This has got £85 on it.

It might go with my Wedgwood piece.

Time to strike a deal, eh?

I'm not a very good negotiator.

False modesty!

I need to know some best prices, if I can.

-60.

-Right.

-65.

-OK.

Do you think we could get anywhere near £40 for that?

45.

I knew you were going to say that!

If you had the two.

-For 45? Oh, lovely!

-40 for that one...

-40 for this one?

-And 40 for that one.

Oh, she is a mean woman, isn't she?

She's hooking me in. I'm being...

I think I'm going to call Crimestoppers because I think I'm being mugged!

Oh, do come on, Mark!

40 and 40.

Deal. I'm not going to argue with you.

For once! Terrific!

Mark's last two buys are in the bag.

Time to jog our memory as to what they've purchased.

Mark Hales began this leg with £234.52,

and finally managed to spend £190 on five auction lots.

They are a wooden cramp for window sashes,

a pair of carved lions, a collection of bumper badges

and car mascot, a 1956 presentation clock

with a 1920s bust portrait and a retro advertising sign.

Mark Stacey kicked off with £332.10, and parted with £105,

also on five lots.

And Art Deco cat jug, an early 19th-century box,

four bowling woods, a pair of Edwardian cufflinks

and a Majolica dish, paired with the Majolica pot and stand.

So, what did our chums think of each other's booty?

The box. LOVE his box.

Regency, slightly later.

It's not in vogue at the moment, but jolly good buy.

The cat, well, it's worth a tenner, basically.

It was a gift, at the end of the day.

Louis Wain style, but Louis Wain cats have square heads, not round ones.

The cufflinks. Well, I missed those in the flea market.

Good for him. What a good buy.

Undoubtedly I think the most successful item will be the Champagne Charlie.

And with all those little car badges.

That should be a good lot for a general sale.

Harold. What can you say about him?

I think I'll skip on. It's a sign. 40 quid?!

Sounds a bit of a price to me, to be honest.

If there's any justice in the world, I really should come out on top in this one.

Well, that's fighting talk.

On this leg, our pair of haggling heroes has travelled

from Harleston in Norfolk

to Campsea Ashe in Suffolk.

The area of Campsea Ashe is thought to have been inhabited

since the Roman period.

The village's Abbott's Auction Rooms

have been staging lively sales since the 1920s.

Here we go, Mark.

Jolly good.

Well, Mark.

This is the moment!

On your marks! It's hammer time! And James Shand is in charge.

Here we go.

First up, it's Mark Stacey's combined lot of Majolica ceramics.

30 and off we go, then. 30 I have here in front.

At 30. Do I see 5? It's at 30. 35.

40. 5. 50. 5. Do I see 60?

With the lady at £55.

I sell at 55.

A disappointing first lot for the confident Mr Stacey.

£5 profit.

But a loss after commission.

Now it's Mark Hales' retro clock and plaque.

I start the bidding at £20.

With me and on the book at 20. At 20. Do I see 2?

Not doing terribly well, is he?

28. 30.

30 with me. 32 is in the room now. At 32.

We haven't even got our money back at the moment.

In the room at £32. I sell at 32.

Not a great start.

A magnificent loss.

Can Mr Hales' natty friend Harold

get him back on track to a profit?

10 to start me for this one. 10 I have at the back. At £10 only.

Do I see 12?

-Come on!

-12 is there. 14.

16. 18. 20. 2.

-He's worth more than that.

-25.

28.

30.

-On my right at £30.

-Ah, well.

-I sell at 30.

Not a good day for retro, it seems!

Another day, another loss!

Mark Stacey won the coin toss.

But can his cat jug win over the sale room?

10 and off we go for this one. 10 I have. 12.

14. 16.

18. 20.

20. In the middle at 20. And 2.

25.

28. 30.

And 2. 35. 38. 40.

40. In the middle at 40. Is there another bidder?

40 and I sell.

A spectacular profit into Mr Stacey's swelling coffers.

What have I got to do? Look at him, grinning like a Cheshire cat!

I'm the cat that's got the cream!

Will Mr Hales' car badges and mascot

provide a reason to break out the bubbly?

20 and up we go. 20 I have. 22.

-25.

-This is so rare!

-30.

2. 35. 38.

40 and 2. 45.

There's a lot of interest.

55. 60. 5.

70. 5. 80. 5.

90. 5. 100.

-100, here at 100.

-Don't stop! Get past it.

Get past that barrier. That's better.

110 on the far side. 120.

130.

-Better.

-140.

-Getting cheerful!

-140's on the pillar.

-Getting happy.

-150.

160.

170. 180.

-190.

-I'm redeemed!

-200.

And 10.

In the corner at 210. Any other bids? I shall sell at £210.

A right Champagne Charlie YOU are, Mark!

With that, he's stolen a triumphant lead.

-Yes!

-Well done!

-£210, Mark!

-I'm going to hug Mark Stacey!

-Oh, my God!

-Isn't that good?

Next, the bowls.

Is Mark Stacey on a roll?

10 and off we go, then, on the bowling woods.

10 I have here at 10. Do you wish to bid 12?

12. Gentleman's bid there at 12.

They're cheap at 12. Do I see 14? Gentleman's bid at £12.

Any other bids? At £12 and I sell at 12.

It would seem not.

-Oh, auctions are such a funny business.

-This one is!

The lions are next.

They may be the king of beasts,

but will they make Mr Hales king of the sale room?

10 and off we go for these. Nice lot at 10. 10 I have.

At £10 only. 10, 12. 14.

16. 18.

-Come along, now.

-I think that's enough, Mark.

Any other bids? At £18. I sell at 18.

No crown for you, Mr Hales!

And your magnificent lead is being nibbled away.

-There you go.

-They didn't roar, those lions, did they?

No. Another loss.

Next, it's Mark Stacey's inlaid wooden box -

the one Mark Hales loved.

Start the bidding with me at £60. Do I see 5?

With me and on the book at 60.

-At 60.

-5. You're going to be OK.

-80.

-80. I'm happy with that.

90. 5. 100.

And 10. 120.

-Ooh.

-Good.

-130.

-Fantastic.

-Any other bids?

I'm going to sell at 130.

A stormer. Mark Hales is still ahead

but Mr Stacey is snapping at his heels!

-Well done, Mark.

-£90 profit.

-Really good buy.

Now, the find of the leg.

Mr Stacey's 18-carat cufflinks.

Will they be enough for him to steal the lead?

I start the bidding with me at £50.

Do I see 5? 55.

60. 5.

70. 5. 80. 5.

90. 5.

100. And 10.

110. 110's on my right. At 110.

Any other bids at £110.

I sell at 110.

Not bad for an outlay of a fiver!

Mr Stacey has stolen the lead.

Gosh!

Wonderful! Well done!

Actually, I've got to be pleased with that.

One more lot to go.

Indeed there is.

It all hangs on Mr Hales' sash cramp.

I start the bidding with me at £20. Do I see 2?

22. 25.

28 is in the room. At 28. Do I see 30?

In the room at 28. On my right at £28. Any other bids?

You were right.

A respectable profit.

But it isn't enough to regain the lead.

It could have been worse. That was OK.

That's the spirit, Mark.

Great British dignity in defeat!

It's been a roller coaster. Ups and downs.

Very exciting. Well done.

-We've enjoyed it.

-I really have.

Come on. Let's find out who's won.

Ah, you always make up in the end. How sweet!

So, Mr Stacey stole that bout with his bargain gold cufflinks.

Mark Hales started this leg with £234.52.

After paying auction costs,

he made a profit of £70.76

and carries £305.28 on to the next leg.

The other Mark, meanwhile,

started with £332.10.

He made a smashing profit of £179.54,

giving him £511.64 to go forwards.

-What a successful day all round, Mark, I think.

-It was good.

-That was jolly good.

-Mark, no.

-Open the door for the victor.

-That's what I'm here for!

-Open the door for the victor.

-After you, sir.

-Thank you.

-There you are, Mr Winner.

-I could get used to this!

I'm sure you could!

-That's it.

-Forward!

Now, hold tight as the battle of the Marks continues,

as they head into their final leg of the trip.

Our chaps have been journeying through eastern lands, starting

in Finedon in Northamptonshire, then travelling 300 miles

through five English counties, heading towards Colchester, Essex.

On this last leg of their epic road trip, they begin in Clare

in Suffolk, heading for their final auction in Colchester.

-A nice little Georgian town again, isn't it?

-Very pretty.

During the medieval period,

the small town of Clare prospered from the cloth industry.

Today, its large range of listed buildings makes it an attractive place to start buying.

Right then, here we are.

-Jolly good.

-You're very keen, Mark.

-I am very keen.

I can't wait for this.

You're positively bouncing, Mark.

-I'm popping in that one, I think.

-OK, I'm off this way. Be lucky.

-I'll catch up with you later.

-Don't catch up with me TOO soon.

-Oh, I will.

-Bye!

Mark Stacey is heading off towards FD Salter Antiques

with his splendid £511, where David rules the roost.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-I'm Mark.

-Hello. David.

-Nice to meet you, David. Lovely little shop.

-Thank you.

Let's hope Mark is in luck as he hunts for his first item.

Now, there's something that might be Mark's cup of tea.

It's quite pretty, isn't it?

Quite a sweet little thing. It's a little, um...

pewter...embossed tea caddy.

Almost Arts and Crafts in a way.

The 19th century Arts and Crafts movement reacted against the manufacturing changes

brought on by the Industrial Revolution

and harked back to the styles and craftsmanship of previous centuries.

I'll see what David says price-wise. We might be lucky.

-What I did find, David, was this little tea caddy.

-Yeah.

-Embossed with pewter, I suppose.

-I would say it was pewter, yes.

It's obviously got a bit of age

-because it's got that lovely patina on there.

-It has, yes.

But there was no price on it, David.

-Do I need to sit down?

-No, it's not too bad at all. It can be £35 to you.

That's actually not too bad, is it?

We couldn't get to 30?

-I don't want to push you too much.

-I can't, I'm afraid.

-OK.

I've not bought anything like this before.

-I'm going to buy it for 35.

-Lovely.

-That's very kind of you. Thank you very much.

Meanwhile, Mark Hales is a couple of minutes away

and heading into Clare Antiques & Interiors,

with his less-impressive £305.

His day isn't going quite so swimmingly.

What to do, what to do?

What to buy?

That, Mark, is the question.

I keep seeing bits and pieces that I can buy for £15, they might make £25. It's not what I'm after.

I'm trying to buy something with considerable profit in it.

And I'm not dreaming.

-It happens. I've done it before. I can do it again.

-Indeed you have.

-Yes, yes! I'm going to hug Mark Stacey.

-Oh, my God!

While Mark Hales pulls himself together,

the competitive Mark Stacey is nearby and has just spotted another shop he's keen to have a gander at -

Market Hill Antiques.

-Hello there.

-Morning, sir.

-I'm Mark.

-Robin.

-Nice to meet you.

As ever, Mark's eagle eye is hunting for a bargain. Watch out, Robin.

Mark's on fire today. He's just spotted a pair of Georgian lead tobacco boxes.

There's one with the Prince of Wales feathers here. They are 1720s?

Yeah. They're probably Scottish.

They had the main tobacco import from Virginia and places like that.

The Scottish port of Glasgow

dominated the 18th century tobacco trade with the American colonies

and many great fortunes were built on the weed.

-I'll do you "buy one, get one free".

-OK.

-Do you want to look at the price now?

-No.

-185.

-Oh, my God!

I'm always open to an offer.

I don't want to be reckless and jeopardise my hard-earned winnings.

£120, they've got to make a profit for the pair?

I mean, it does seem reasonable, but I do like round figures, you see.

-150 then?

-No, 100. That's what I was thinking.

-110 the pair.

-You can't do them for 100? Shake on 100?

-Go on.

-What have I done?

-Spent £100, sir.

-I can't go back now, can I?

-No, we shook on it.

-We have.

-Sweating, sir?

-I am sweating. I've never bought anything like this before. I'm really worried.

Where are you going, Mark? Get back here!

That's more like it.

And Robin gets his cash, finally,

and another buy is in the bag, despite the tomfoolery.

Mark Hales, though, still hasn't found anything in the other shop.

It's all going wrong for me today. I've just got to...

So he's taking a break from the stresses of buying.

I hope I haven't missed anything. It's so easy to miss things.

Right, onward.

Onward.

And he's driving the 32 miles to Maldon in Essex.

The town's history is tied to the Blackwater Estuary on which it sits.

Traditional Thames sailing barges,

which once carried cargoes through the waterways of eastern England,

can still be glimpsed.

Today, Mark is visiting the town's Combined Military Services Museum

and meeting museum historian Clive.

-Good afternoon, sir.

-Good afternoon, sir.

-I'm Mark.

-I'm Clive.

-Hello, Clive.

The museum's collection illustrates the proud history of Britain's armed forces.

Some of the most interesting pieces

relate to espionage and covert operations in the 20th century.

Clive's going to show Mark one of them.

-Now, what have we here?

-This is a suitcase radio.

It was the type of thing issued

to Special Operations Executive operatives in the Second World War.

Both men and women. And they used it to communicate back to the UK.

The Special Operations Executive, or SOE,

was a secret British Army unit convened during World War II

to engage in covert reconnaissance and sabotage behind enemy lines.

Way in advance of its time in terms of communications. You can pick it up, carry it

and the obvious disguise for it was a suitcase, hence "suitcase radios".

The men and women of the SOE risked their lives

to send information vital to the war effort back to Britain.

-They were brave.

-They were indeed. Very much so.

You can put the headphones on and have a tap on the Morse key.

Oh, lovely. Right, now, what's SOS?

-Dot-dot-dot, dash-dash-dash, dot-dot-dot.

-That's it.

-I've done it. I've sent a message.

Now, is that a gun in Clive's pocket?

I've got something else here that you might find of interest,

craftily concealed about my person.

-This...

-That's a gun.

It's a Luger, a standard German Second World War pistol.

But this one is rather special, and this weapon, along with another one,

-was prepared for an assassination attempt on Hitler in 1944.

-That actual Luger?

Yeah. They decided in July 1940

not to carry on with the operation because it was considered

that Hitler was doing so much damage to the German war effort by himself

that it was best to leave him alive.

Yes. It sort of makes sense in retrospect, doesn't it?

That gun would have been used, had the operation gone ahead.

I'm having trouble getting my head round this.

That actual pistol, basically, could have changed history.

It could have changed the history of the world. Can I have a go?

Like all of the firearms here, the Luger has been deactivated, thank goodness, so it can't fire

and there's no chance of Mark doing himself a mischief.

It's almost as if it was made for me.

Oh, yes, Mark, you do look the part.

MOVIE GUNFIRE

"JAMES BOND" THEME MUSIC

Now, Clive has some other super spy gadgets to show Mark.

This room is packed full of items thought to have been used in espionage during the Cold War.

Much of the collection was amassed by two real-life British agents,

the husband and wife spy team Peter and Prue Mason

who used many of these specially designed items in the field.

Here are some particular artefacts that I thought you might find interesting.

I think Clive might be Essex's answer to Q.

I won't tell you what they are. I want you to think James Bond.

-My goodness me!

-See if you can see what's different about these shoes.

Apart from the fact they're very sexy patent leather.

-Each to their own, Clive.

-Now, now!

Oh, oh, here we go. If I pull that out... Oh, nasty.

-There you go.

-That's for doing his nails, isn't it?

The shoes contain a concealed blade,

just like the shoes worn by arch-villainess Rosa Klebb in Bond film From Russia With Love.

Typical James Bond scenario. All you've got to do is flick that out.

-Flick that out with your other foot or wiggling about.

-Yeah, or on a chair.

-Cut your ropes.

Quick bit of kung fu or whatever and out the building. Don't forget the young lady.

Daniel Craig is quaking in his Italian leather brogues, I'm sure.

Just pick up that cigarette there.

That's heavy.

-It's a gun.

-Of course it is. How obvious! Of course it's a gun(!)

It's a single-shot pistol.

-Is it really?

-To fire it, you have to twist that.

All you would do is twist it and that would...

-Fire a bullet out of the end.

-This is Boy's Own stuff. This is straight out of books.

The museum holds all manner of secrets, but the rest of them are for Mark's eyes only.

I shouldn't really show you this, but we do have one or two items...

Mark Stacey, though, is back in Clare, Suffolk,

and has popped into the shop that gave Mark Hales such gyp earlier.

Can his eagle eye spot anything his rival missed?

I see this little box here. It's got Ollivant & Botsford on it.

Ollivant & Botsford were jewellers, silversmiths and watchmakers.

Shall we open the box? Come on, let's open the box.

Oh, goody, let's!

-It could be a winner. Can I have a look at this, sir?

-Sure.

Dealer Jim will get it out of the case. Drumroll, please!

Let's hope it's as exciting as it looks.

Oh.

Well, that was an anti-climax.

Whatever was in there...

Issued by the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, 19th of September, 1917.

The box used to contain a deck watch used for naval navigation.

The number on the box's lid uniquely identifies it

and ties it to these records held in the Royal Observatory, Greenwich.

They confirm the box's provenance and tell the story of its working life.

It was acquired by the Royal Observatory in the 1890s

and was issued to many Royal Navy vessels before being retired in 1922.

It's just an intriguing little thing, but £40...

Is the deal negotiable, do you think?

-He could certainly do something on that price.

-What do you think he'd take?

-I know he'd do 35 on it.

-Do you think he would come down to 30?

-I'd have to call him.

-Would you mind doing that?

-He'll do £30 for it.

-I've got to have it for £30.

Thank you very much indeed.

Marvellous. And Mark Stacey sails off to his next shop.

He's travelling the 39 miles to the small Essex village of Rettendon.

A compact, but charming destination.

Its church, All Saints, dates from the 13th century.

He's strolling off into Rettendon Antiques.

Is there anything he might risk his hard-earned on?

There is this fire screen.

The centre piece is made out of beaten copper and I quite like these very stylish roses.

They're almost like Tudor roses.

It's got £55 on it.

We know you regard that as the very loosest of jumping-off points, Mark.

-Best see what you can strike up with the lovely proprietor Elaine.

-Elaine!

Sorry, Elaine. I found this and dare I say what I want to pay for it?

I mean, it's got 55 on it. What do you think the lowest will be on that?

-I could do it for £20.

-£20.

It doesn't sound too bad, does it?

We couldn't tweak it under a bit for good luck?

I don't want to force you, honestly. It's not in my nature, but...

WIND WHISTLES

Who will break the silent battle of wills?

-You're a very good saleswoman, you know.

-I think it's worth the £20.

-Go on, I'll take it for 20.

-Have we got a deal?

-We have.

There's something you don't see every day. Mark is outdone at his own game.

Elaine gets her £20 and Mark gets his fire screen.

And with that highly irregular occurrence,

time for Mark to rejoin, er, Mark.

They're heading to the Essex village of Battlesbridge

through which the River Crouch flows

along its stately way.

And here, our haggling heroes go to war in the same place...

..Battlesbridge Antiques Centre.

This complex of shops holds over 80 dealers, so there should be plenty for everyone.

-This looks good.

-Are you feeling happier now?

-Yeah. This is great.

They're heading off in different directions.

-You're keen.

-I want to get in there.

-Don't worry about me.

-Good morning, sir.

-Good morning.

-I'm Mark.

-My name's John.

With no buys yet, Mark is going to have to work fast.

Already I've seen a lovely Wemyss jardiniere. Is it in good condition?

Let's have a quick look.

225. That's too much for me.

Wemyss Ware is a type of decorative pottery originally produced

in Ceres, Fife, from around the 1880s to the 1930s.

It was decorated by a chap called Nekola and this is all hand-painted.

Several patterns. Lots of different flowers, plants.

-You've got 225 on it. I want to buy it for 150.

-OK.

-What's it got to be?

The absolute best to you has got to be £175.

-Bottom line?

-That's the absolute best.

-OK, let's have a go.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you, John.

-I'll get this wrapped up for you.

-Brilliant.

Yeah... He who dares wins, John.

Oh, yeah, Del Boy. Oh, yeah.

Bye!

Meanwhile, Mark Stacey is outside.

Well, I've just spotted something which is completely barking mad -

a pair of cast-iron... what only can be described really as castle hinges.

It's almost like a fleur-de-lys design.

These would have gone on to a moat bridge or something.

Or a very, very old wooden door.

And I don't know if I'm crazy or very wise in trying to buy them.

On the ticket is £125.

I must be having a funny five minutes. I'm getting a hot flush about these. It's really quite mad.

-Oh, settle down, dear.

-What would be your best price?

-I'd go to 75.

-75.

-That would be my best price.

-You couldn't go to 70 for me?

-I'll go to 70.

I must be mad, but I'll have them for £70. Thank you very much.

Aha! A buy fit for a king.

Across the way, Mark Hales is really starting to feel the pressure.

He's still only bought one item.

Oh, now that's nice.

That is me all over.

Lovely Georgian stoneware tankard.

Markings on it. In good order.

Imagine a couple of pints of porter in that.

£35. Let's see what we can get it for.

I know what you're going to say. It's got £35 on it.

-I want it for 25.

-I can sell it for 30.

-Oh, blimey. Can't you do 28?

-30.

Right. Let's have a go. I love it.

-Thank you very much. I'll get that packed up for you.

-Thank you.

Aha! Ceramics maestro Mark is back in familiar territory.

Maybe his luck's about to change.

Meanwhile, Mark Stacey is still outside and boxing clever.

The dealer's just brought this out of the back of his van and, basically, it's a box.

Have I bought any boxes so far?

Listen, you've bought four of the flaming things!

-It's a Victorian ladies' jewellery box in walnut.

-Mark's thinking it might make a job lot

with his pewter tea caddy. The ticket price is £35.

Best speak to dealer Colin. Col?

-Any way we can get it for 25?

-30?

It has to be 25, I'm afraid. I paid so much for the tea caddy.

-Go on, then.

-Are you sure? 25? Lovely, thank you.

And with that, Mark Stacey's completed his shopping.

Mark Hales still has money to spend, so travels on alone,

35 miles to Debden, Essex,

for his last chance to shop.

Leafy Debden in the Uttlesford area of Essex is rural tranquillity itself.

In recent years, it's been twinned with the Nepalese village of Tang Ting.

Not a lot of people know that. Let's hope Mark can look forward to similar co-operation

-as he heads to Debden Antiques.

-My last shop of the entire trip!

-Ohh! I have to buy one or two items here.

-Indeed you do. Hopefully,

fresh-faced dealer James can be of some assistance.

-Would it be OK if I look around?

-Sure.

-Thank you very much.

It's crunch time.

I like the big decorative things.

A large, hand-painted vintage ship's name board from the vessel...

-What, Organs?!

-Oh, lordy!

-Ogano!

-Thank you.

On the ticket, £245.

I've got £100 and 28p.

And...and what I want, James,

right, cos I know you're on my wavelength,

is something big and showy. It's all a gamble. £100.28.

-You can have that for £100.

-I'd better take it.

-And I do want the 28p.

-I don't blame you!

Look, 20, 40, 60, 80, 90,

-5, 100.

-And 28p.

-28p.

James, you got me out of a pickle.

That's all right. I'm sure it will do OK.

And now you can get it off the wall.

-OK...

-Marvellous. Mark has three lots, at last.

With our boys shopped-out, let's remind ourselves what they bought.

Mark Stacey began his final leg with £511.64,

and spent £280 on five auction lots,

which are a pewter tea caddy with a Victorian jewellery casket,

two early-18th century tobacco boxes,

a Great War mahogany compass box,

an Arts and Crafts fire screen,

and a pair of Victorian door hinges.

Meanwhile, Mark Hales started with £305.28, and spent

every last penny on a mere three lots. They are

a Wemyss Ware jardiniere,

a large stoneware tankard and a ship's name board,

along with one of its brass portholes.

So let's get the gloves off, eh?

The Ogano ship sign.

It's a pastiche, of course. Someone's put the portholes on.

Are they the originals? Possibly. 100 quid? Might be a small profit.

Looking forward to the auction,

but I've said this before - it ain't over until the auctioneer puts his gavel down.

Good for him. I thought he was pretty brave.

Forget about the hinges. There's bits off, half of one is missing.

Anything could happen at auction. I'm in with a chance.

On this epic road trip,

the two Marks have travelled nearly 300 miles through East Anglia.

On this leg, they started in Clare, Suffolk.

They're heading now for their final showdown in Colchester, Essex.

The town has housed a military garrison since as far back as the Roman period

and was an important city in Ancient Britain.

Let's hope our Marks can harness a bit of that warrior spirit as they head for their last auction.

A venerable Colchester institution,

Reeman Dansie Auctioneers have been established here since 1881.

Anything could happen as our pair readied themselves

for the final showdown.

James Grinter's the man with the gavel.

First up, Mark Stacey's pair of lead tobacco boxes.

Will they set the saleroom alight or simply smoulder?

£40 to start me. 40? 40 I have.

40. I haven't lost everything!

£42 down there. 42. 44. 46. 48.

-50. 5. 60. 5.

-Come on, a bit more.

All done at £65.

So a less than stellar start for Mark Stacey.

-Thank goodness - a loss!

-Charming(!)

It's boxes, boxes everywhere as Mark Stacey's next lot takes the stage.

£40 to start me. 40 I have now.

40. 42. 44.

46. 48. 50.

55. 60.

-Well, I've got my money back.

-Any advance?

All done now at £60. All done?

They held their value, but that's a loss after the auction house's commission.

Is it Mark Hales' chance to catch up?

-I thought there might be a £20, £30 profit.

-I thought they'd make 120 in a sale like this.

So Mark Hales' first lot now, as his Wemyss jardiniere meets the saleroom.

What do you say to start me? £100?

-£100 I have down here now. At £100.

-Come on.

-110.

120. 130. 140. 150.

-160. 170.

-Good.

-180.

-That's my money back.

At £190 bid. 190. 200?

I'm going to sell. All done at 190.

A profit, but not the one he hoped for.

He'll still need a flyer to catch up.

-I've got to laugh.

-You made a £15 profit, Mark.

Enough of the sighing, boys.

Maybe Mark Stacey's Arts and Crafts fire screen will ignite the saleroom's interest.

30? £30 to start me somewhere. £30.

32. 34. 36.

38. 40.

At 40. 42. 44. 46. 48.

50. At £50. Gentleman at the back.

-That's good.

-It's good.

At £50.

-Another modest profit.

-Well done, Mark, yes.

Add that to the coffers.

One now for Mark Hales as his antique tankard is up.

-£30 to start me. 30 I have.

-Show me a profit.

At £30. Do I have 32? £30 is bid.

-32 anywhere?

-No.

At £30. All done.

NOT what he hoped for.

-Oh, dear. Story of my life.

-Don't despair.

You've still got the Ogano ship sign.

Indeed he does!

But the next lot hinges

on what the punters make of Mark Stacey's...hinges.

-These weren't my favourite at all.

-I really regret buying these.

-I can't look.

-Don't give him 30.

-Oh, no...

-Please don't.

-32.

34. 36. 38.

40. 2. 44. 46.

-48. 50.

-No!

55. 60.

-65. 70.

-Are we having a snooze?

-You're going to wake up in a moment.

-95. 100. At £100. Going to sell.

All done. At £100.

An unexpected triumph for Mark Stacey. Lovely.

I'm really not as unhinged as I thought I was.

Right. After that stunner from Mark Stacey,

the ship's sign would really have to have the wind in its sails

if it's to redeem Mark Hales.

£30 for it. 30 I have down here.

At 32. Make it 34?

34. 36. 38.

40 I have. Another place.

-42.

-It's climbing very slowly.

44. 46. 48. 50. At £50.

Against you. 55? 55.

-60. 65.

-Fresh bidder.

-70.

Oh. Clawing its way. Clawing its way.

85. 90.

95.

At £95. In the far corner at 95.

I'm going to sell. Against you all at 95.

It fails to sail, sadly, for Mark Hales.

Finally now, Mark Stacey's intriguing mahogany deck watch box.

Minus the watch.

Might it sail off into the sunset?

I have two commissions with me. I go straight in at £100 with me.

-At 100. 110.

-Gosh!

-120. 130. 140.

150. 160. 170. 180.

-At £180. Still with me. 190.

-Well done, Mark.

At 200 on the book now.

200 against you on the internet. At £200. It's going to be sold.

All done at £200?

Mark Stacey, you look quite flabbergasted.

-Well done.

-That lot certainly went tick-tock.

A stonking profit for Mark Stacey, and his victory is decisive.

-I don't know what to say.

-Fantastic.

Attack of the vapours, Mark? So a run of bad luck for Mark Hales

and an absolute flyer on the deck watch box

have determined that Mark Stacey is the king of this road trip!

-Very well done, Mark.

-Thank you.

-You did really well.

Mark Hales started this final leg with £305.28.

After auction costs, he made an unfortunate loss of £46.98,

and finishes the road trip with £258.30.

Bad luck.

Mark Stacey began with £511.64,

and with the help of that deck watch

made a terrific £109.50 profit today,

giving him a victorious total of £621.14.

All the money our boys have made will go to Children In Need.

-Well, Mark, what an auction that was.

-Yes. You did terribly well.

-Highs and lows.

-Highs and lows.