Episode 8 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.

-That hurts.

What do you think?

The aim - to make the biggest profit at auction, but it's no mean feat.

-There will be worthy winners and valiant losers.

-What have I done?!

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

Put your back into it!

This is the Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah!

It's the start of a new leg and we join experts Thomas Plant and James Lewis on the open road

in a classic 1950s Morris Minor.

LAUGHTER

See?

And the competition is fierce.

Ah!

Battling swordsman Thomas Plant is an experienced auctioneer who specialises in jewellery.

But so far he's lagging behind.

It's a bit like the balance of power between James and I.

This is what I feel I've got. And this is James's money.

His rival, Derbyshire auctioneer James Lewis, is something of a celebrity.

-Are you going to give me your autograph?

-That's 12.

-He also likes tribal art and quirky collectibles.

-What do you think?

So far, Thomas has made a respectable £284.22

from his original £200 starter pack.

-Well done.

-So he has plenty of cash to splash on this leg.

Meanwhile, James's original £200

has mushroomed to a whopping £797.10.

Thomas and James are travelling over 800 miles,

looping their way from the Scottish west coast up to the Highlands,

down to the Lowlands and back again, eventually finishing at the country's capital city, Edinburgh.

But on this, their third leg, the boys are starting off in Dunkeld

and heading up to the north-east of Scotland

for an auction showdown in Buckie.

The little town of Dunkeld is one of Perthshire's gems.

Nestling beneath thickly wooded hills on the banks of the Tay, there is a definite air of tranquillity.

This is lovely, James. Scotland in the sun.

A rare thing, but beautiful when it happens.

-And without delay James saunters off to his first shop to meet owner Margaret.

-Hello there.

-Hello. How are you?

-I'm James.

Originally selling sweets, then fish, now antiques, Vintage is the oldest shop on the street,

dating back to 1804.

-That's the pound shelf!

-Is it? I don't mind a pound shelf. I'm not proud.

Meanwhile, Thomas is headed to Dunkeld Antiques,

situated in a converted church, perhaps in search of a miracle.

I could be in my smoking room,

sort of lounging like a Lothario. Just imagine.

It's rather good, don't you think?

Not really. There we go, Thomas. I'm not so sure about that.

How about something a bit more...you?

I think that's rather fun.

It's a tobacco jar in stoneware.

But I love the Honey Dew on there.

This 19th-century stoneware tobacco jar has moulded leaf handles

and Honey Dew written in gilt lettering. It would have been used to hold loose tobacco

and would originally have had a cover.

-It's quite stylish.

-SILENTLY MOUTHS PRICE

I think it's lovely, though.

Well, better keep on looking, then.

Er, what's that?

It might be something to do with fishing or it could be a weapon.

It's a priest... It's a bar.

Heavy.

You could knock your fish on the head or you could protect yourself.

But it's quite nice, though. Isn't it rather handsome?

The concealed club within this 19th-century walking cane

is called a priest and could be used to despatch captured fish quickly and humanely.

Time to see if owner David will budge on the £90 asking price.

-I like the stick.

-All right.

-I like the tobacco jar.

If you need something, you've got to save up for it. If you don't have the money, you can't buy it.

I'll see what I can do.

These two items combined are £230,

which would decimate most of Thomas's budget.

What would you say if I gave you 150 for the jar and the stick?

I would think that's very generous.

-It would be, from your point of view.

-Actually, no...

-I can actually cope with that.

-Have I gone in with too much now?

Em...

An £80 reduction on the combined price, eh? Not bad, Thomas,

Back with Margaret, James also has something.

And it's not from the pound shelf. He's spotted a large bronze Chinese censer.

Ticket price £45.

What could that be?

30...38?

OK. That's... I think that's very fair.

These were apparently originally used for ritual offerings of food and drink.

As this example in archaic style dates from the 19th century,

it would have been made as a decorative work of art.

-Hello? What's this?

-Two potential objects here.

A Persian coffee pot, mid-19th century,

possibly even earlier.

But value-wise, not a huge amount.

The Chinese censer is the genuine article

and would make a striking job lot with the Persian coffee pot,

priced at £10.

-Could you do that for 30?

-32.

40 for the two.

40 for the two...

OK. The Chinese for 32.

-I'll give you a fiver for that. Is that all right?

-Fine.

Thank you very much. Lovely.

James has bargained well and has got a handsome duo for his first buy of the day.

It's back to Thomas to see if he's found anything else to go with his cane and jar, apart from the dogs.

Well, what we've got here is a nice set

of 19th-century beam scales.

-I don't know whether those appeal.

-They're good fun, aren't they?

-Yeah.

The scales are £95 and they were made by J White and Sons

of Auchtermuchty in Fife, Scotland.

But will Thomas want to spend that after already agreeing £150 for the storage jar and walking stick?

-You could have those for £50.

-180 for the three items.

I must admit, it's nice to see you getting excited. Obviously, you're getting a good deal here.

Right, OK, you've got a deal. You've got a deal. 180.

Well, what a deal for Thomas on three items.

Not far away, James is taking things in his stride.

He's heading for The Little Curio Shop, run by Finlay, an art student in his youth,

so it's full of elaborate odds and ends.

And genuine pedigrees. Woof!

Hello.

It's not long before James's expert eye spots something else.

Mm. Does this bust look familiar to you? Those flowing locks?

That noble expression?

-He's impressive. Lovely.

-No, it's not James. Sadly,

the identity of this 1840s disembodied Greek philosopher is unknown.

-How much is he?

-95.

95? OK.

He's certainly got a look about him,

How flexible is the 95?

-I'd go down to 80.

-80.

How does 50 quid grab you?

But maybe Finlay's son Alexander can help here.

What do you think? You think 50 quid's better.

Er, well, maybe...

Probably 75.

75. OK.

What do you say? What do you say?

"65!"

Oh, she says 65.

-65.

-Is that all right? You've got a deal.

Thank you so much. Thank you.

Off to a new shop with you now, James.

Don't take it too easy, will you?

Look at that?

He's in Dunkeld Antiques, where Thomas previously bought his cane, pot and scales.

-I mean, I don't know whether these Crown Derby things appeal to you.

-Let's have a look.

The first thing to ask is do they have their boxes? You can knock 30% off if they don't.

-The answer is no.

-OK, they should have a rectangular certificate signed by Hugh Gibson,

the chairman of Royal Crown Derby. Then we look underneath. You've got a gold stopper, not silver. Good.

If it was a second, it would have a silver stopper. But without its box, it's a killer.

The hippo is £120

and the stag £140.

It's a stag. If a stag won't sell in Scotland, it won't sell anywhere.

As both paperweights don't have their valuable original box,

certificate and tissue paper,

-can James get a decent discount on them?

-£50 each.

Oh, well, at that... At that they're cheap.

-Just tell me the sort of price you're thinking of.

-I've never done this before.

-I want to give you £60 each.

-All right.

-Is that all right?

-Fine.

I've never... I'm...I'm speechless.

Well, you know, I like to be able to think that I'm fair and...

-120 for the two.

-Fine. Excellent.

-Thank you.

It seems James has bought with his heart,

and David's £140 markdown has given him a fighting chance at auction.

It's time for James and Thomas to rejoin,

and both gents are deciding on a budget plan.

-I'm trying to spend all my money.

-I can't do that!

-Don't rub it in!

-Sorry!

Our boys are now heading nearly 100 miles north to Nairn.

Gosh!

Nairn has been a popular holiday destination since Victorian times

and it enjoys a prime location on the Moray Firth coast,

just 16 miles east of Inverness.

Thomas has parted from his rival and is intent on shopping.

Nice shorts(!)

Morning!

There's an assorted mix of goodies from traditional to ornamental,

but Thomas needs something special if he's to catch up James.

Maybe owner Steve can help.

Ah, yes, I think that's about the '60s, something like that.

Somebody's obviously been over to Venice and bought it for a trip. It's very good quality.

And it's signed on the bottom. It's on at 33.

-Say £20. How about that?

-£20.

-Lovely green colour.

The other thing I quite like is this here. It's what we call biomorphic. Taken from nature.

Almost like an amoeba it looks like. A single-cell organism.

Thomas has also found a vintage blue art glass bowl to go with his growing collection.

-What would you do for those three?

-20 on that one.

-20 on that one.

-This one we've got 26 on.

Er, say 15.

And what have we got on that one? Say a fiver.

-five,

-twenty... £40 total.

-£40 total.

-Mm-hm.

You've come down a lot. £30.

Em, it's a bit tight, but to give you a good chance, we'll do it.

Wow! Surely Thomas can gain a profit on those vibrant bowls.

Thank you very much.

James is keen to soak up the history of the area

so Thomas gives him a lift to Inverness.

Inverness is the most northern city in Britain

and one of its claims to fame is its castle.

But it's the townhouse that James is heading for today.

On 7th September, 1921, this building made history

when it hosted the first ever Cabinet meeting outside London.

-Thank you very much.

-Enjoy your shopping!

-Yeah.

-Don't get any bargains!

Such a team player.

Here to meet James is local historian Jamie Gaukroger.

-Jamie, hi.

-Hello there. Welcome to Inverness Townhouse.

-Fantastic building.

-It is.

The interior of the building itself is grand, with an imposing staircase rising from the entrance.

In this council chamber the historic meeting was held.

Of all places, why did they choose here to have the meeting?

Lloyd George, the Prime Minister, was on holiday in the Highlands, up at Gare Loch,

as were several other Ministers.

Winston Churchill was on holiday up here.

And the King was holidaying at Moy, just a few miles from Inverness.

Rather than everyone travel back to London, the Ministers in London came up to Inverness.

The emergency meeting was called after several years of violence in Ireland came to a head.

Sinn Fein leader Eamon de Valera

was calling for an independent Ireland.

-Churchill himself was here?

-Yes.

-So what was his role in 1921?

-He was Colonial Secretary.

-Colonial!

We couldn't get away with that today!

So did they actually view Ireland as a colony?

Some would say they did. It was certainly part of the Empire.

-Who else out of the Cabinet was here?

-Lloyd George, Prime Minister.

-And Stanley Baldwin, future Prime Minister.

-Yeah.

Out of the 21 members, 16 of the Cabinet were here.

At the meeting, council officer William Bain passed round a blank sheet of paper

-which each member signed to document the occasion.

-Gosh.

Lloyd George was the first to sign, then Austen Chamberlain, the Lord Privy Seal.

All the way down to Winston Churchill at the bottom.

The politicians then were, in fact, the celebrities of their day

and the British Cabinet meeting was so momentous, it drew cheering crowds who gathered outside.

People were coming from all round Inverness, all parts of the Highlands, lining the rooftops,

in shop windows.

-After this crisis Cabinet meeting, what was the result?

-The Government said Ireland could have self-rule,

self-government, if it stayed within the Empire.

Meanwhile, as the Morris Minor is still out of action,

James takes a taxi from Letham

and hence South to Glencarse for his final shop of the leg.

The townhouse was witness to this pivotal event as the first venue outside London to host the Cabinet.

-I've really enjoyed it. Thank you.

-Most welcome.

-Cheers.

Now it's time for James and Thomas to have their own rendezvous

as they head east to their last shop of the leg in Auldearn.

-And Thomas wants pampering.

-I have got sand in my toes.

-They need brushing off.

-If you expect me to brush your feet...!

This is supposed to be about buying antiques, although sometimes I do wonder.

Please don't try this at home.

OK, boys, stop it before it all ends in tears.

-Yes! Yes!

-What do you mean "yes"?! You're dead!

James and Thomas split up in search of their items,

but Thomas, who loves to parry, is still reeling from the impromptu duel.

He went...

like a charging herd of bulls.

It would be nice to buy something meaty, but I don't want furniture.

Anyway, I got him back. A quick parry riposte.

Great. Now they can concentrate on shopping.

This is not a bad little thing.

It's a Japanese Satsuma vase.

It's from the Meiji period, around 1895, and decorated with geisha figures

from the Imperial Court.

This is typical of Japanese export china of that period,

but £22 is really cheap.

Definitely a profit.

Meanwhile, Thomas is going for...kitchenware!

You sort of clamp it on to something.

Follows and Bate Limited. Patent marmalade cutter, Manchester.

Yes, it's an orange slicer.

I think I've found my final item. Everybody likes a bit of marmalade

-and the Scottish like marmalade more than most nations, don't they?

-If you say so, Thomas.

I don't want to leave it there. I don't want James to find it.

Too late, Thomas. It's already been spotted.

-What is it?

-It's nothing.

-Maybe something I might purchase.

-Let's have a look.

-No!

Come on, James. You've got your own lots to find.

Right. What do I do here?

I've got the Japanese Satsuma vase, but then I've got these,

which are marked for Meissen.

Meissen was, without question, the finest porcelain maker

of the 18th and 19th century. They were the first factory to invent porcelain in Europe.

But these plates are by Helena Wolfsohn. These are 1880. Copies of Meissen.

The Helena Wolfsohn business was taken to court by Meissen

for using their AR trademark and it's considered to be

the first copyright case of its kind. They were ordered to change the mark to show they were copies.

They're 24.

That's 22. What do I do?

Well, it's tricky, James, but you could buy them all! Time to call in owner Roger.

-The first thing was that, the vase.

-Yeah.

It's got 22 on it.

Well, certainly we could do it for £20. It's well priced.

I was thinking more along the lines of 15.

-Yeah. 18 would be the absolute best.

-Is it?

OK, if that's your best.

The other thing was these. Two of those at 12 each.

-Yeah.

-Em... What could they be?

-Again, £10 each could do the job.

I'll give you 30 for all three.

I could do a deal at 35.

You said 35 was your best.

-£35 it is.

-Thank goodness for that.

Now Thomas is mulling over the cutter, ticket price £15.

-What can your really wonderful price be on that?

-I would think £12.

-10.

-12 I think there would still be some money available in that.

-I'd be happier at 10.

-Go between. Call it 11. Thank you.

£11. Thank you very much.

Right. The boys are all shopped out,

so let's remind ourselves what they ended up with.

James kicked off this leg with £797.10

and spent only £257 on five auction lots.

They are a 19th-century bust, a large Chinese bronze censer

paired with a late 19th-century Persian coffee pot,

Two Royal Crown Derby paperweights,

a Satsuma pottery vase

and a pair of Helena Wolfsohn plates.

Thomas began with considerably less, £284.22,

and spent £221 also on five lots comprising a walking cane with pull-out priest,

a 19th-century stoneware tobacco jar,

a set of balance scales,

a Murano glass bowl, a 1960s glass bowl and a blue art glass bowl,

and a steel marmalade cutter. Phew!

So, don't hold back, boys,

what do you really think about each other's booty?

Thomas has bought really well. The items are interesting.

I like the scales, love the tobacco jar.

There will be profits in some places and a couple of losses, too.

The thing I really don't like is the Royal Crown Derby paperweights.

Never in a month of Sundays would I buy them.

If they make mega money, I'll feel sick cos I saw them in the shop.

After travelling from Dunkeld up to Nairn, Inverness and Auldearn,

James and Thomas head for the auction showdown in Buckie.

-Ah, breathe in that sea air!

-I don't know...

Oh, come on! You'll be fine. Get your bottom in here.

-I get all funny.

-You always get all funny!

Family-run Cluny's in Buckie is the stage for our auction.

with auctioneer John Ferguson in charge.

I feel that I could do badly today. I feel it in my bones.

-First up is James's Satsuma vase.

-£40 for the vase?

What will we say then? 40 or 30?

-20?

-Oh...

-Go on.

-20 bid. 22. I'm bid 5.

-25. 28.

-Internet bidding!

Online at 32. In the room at 32.

-35. I'll get you all. 38.

-Fresh bidding. 40.

-42.

45. Do I see 8?

-48. 48.

-I told you. Good old John.

I'll take another wee one. 55.

"I'll take another wee one"!

At 58. All finished, then?

Well done, John.

The auctioneer got James a good profit there.

When it went down and down... But...!

Next it's Thomas with his luxurious walking stick with pull-out priest.

£50. 50. 40.

-£20, surely.

-Oh!

-£20. 20 I'm bid.

At 20 bid now. 20 and 2. And 5. 25. 8.

28. And 30. 32. 35. 38.

40. £40. I'll take 2. 42. 45.

-At 45.

-Go on!

50. He shakes his head at 50.

Are we all done this time at £50?

Oh, 50.

Oh, dear. And with auction costs, he'll lose more than that.

Well, he started at 20.

-Now will James's porcelain make a profit?

-22.

5. 25. 28.

And 30. 35. 40.

And 2. 5. 48.

-Go on, go on, go on.

-At 48.

At £48, then. At 48.

48, well done. You've made a good profit on that.

Another good profit after commission.

I'm in trouble.

-Will Thomas's colourful glass bowl the crowds over?

-£10 I'm bid.

-At 10.

-It's started.

-12 now.

12 bid. 15. £18. Where are you?

- 22 here. - 22 online. Don't stop there.

-Go on!

-30's online.

-At 30 online.

-Don't stop!

-At 32. At 32.

Are we finished online? Bid's in the room, then. £32.

That was one that you thought was going to do really well.

It's a signed bit of glass.

Oh, dear, Thomas. That glass just didn't cut it.

-I'm getting deflated.

-I'm gutted.

Will James prove he really has the Midas touch

with his Chinese censer and Eastern coffee pot?

100, surely. 50, then.

50 I'm bid. At £50. At 50.

-Anybody at £50?

-No way!

-At £50. At 50.

55, thank you.

55. And 60. £60.

-It's profit.

-All done at £60?

Well, it's got to be at £60.

-Well...

-You made profit, though.

I have to say I'm gutted about that.

At least it's a profit, James.

-It's very disappointing.

-Isn't it? That could have made 300 quid.

Surely this decorative pot will change Thomas's fortunes.

-£30, then. 30. Shall I say 20, then?

-You see...

£20. Ah, thank you. 20. At £20.

And we have 22. 25. A new bidder at 25.

28 now. 28. 30.

32. Standing at 32. At 32.

Are we all finished and done, then?

Oh. Another loss and another blow for Thomas.

I would swap

three of my Satsuma vases for one of those.

Well, there you are. You can't help it.

Now, will this mysterious Greek win over the bidders?

£50 for the bust? 40, then.

What?!

Don't you like them?

-40.

-Online. 45. Where are you? 45. 48.

50. 5. 60.

Yeah. You know it makes sense.

-Go on!

-65? Yeah? £70 is online.

75, eh? Yeah?

That'll do. £75. All done?

Break even.

Well, James. At least he looks like he's gone to a good home.

-A minor loss.

-It could have been a considerable one.

Can these scales tip the balance in Thomas's favour?

-Auchtermuchty.

-It sounds German.

Cast-iron Auchtermuchty balance scales.

-There we are. Auchtermuchty!

-From the horse's mouth.

£20 bid. At 20. 22.

5. At 25. 28 now. 28. And 30.

32. 35.

-38. At 38.

-Go on!

-He's online.

42's online. At 42.

42.

-45.

-45. Go on.

-45 online. 45.

-It's online.

48. And 50 online.

-At 50.

-Let them have it.

-Anyone want involved at 50?

-Come on, Scotland!

-At £50. It's online.

At 50.

Oh.

-A small profit, yes?

-Yes.

At last, a profit, but Thomas still isn't happy.

-I'm going to go on strike.

-You can't!

-And buy poor items.

Poor quality.

James bought this Derby duo with his heart and not his head.

So, will his gamble pay off?

200. 100, then. One I'm bid. At one I'm bid.

At 100. 120. 140. 160.

180. 200.

220's there. I need 240. Sorry, 240 is in the room. 260.

-260.

-280. 280, I have.

-This pair of animals are really taking off!

320. I have 340 with me. 360. Are we all done?

Finished at 360?

-I'm pleased at that.

-I bet you are!

So, it's a stash of cash for James. Well done.

For what they were, it was still cheap. Great profit.

Thomas is now hoping his marmalade cutter will sweeten the crowd.

-12. 15. Now at 15.

-Profit.

-Profit.

18, I'm bid. 20's online.

-Online!

-Online.

Anybody who makes marmalade with this, I'll buy a jar off you.

I was at £20 online. 22's online.

-Oh!

-22. Online it's 22.

-Go on!

-Keep it going!

-At 28.

Are we all done and sure at £28?

-Well, it was a profit.

-A good profit.

-You finished on a high.

A profit, but not enough to promote him from the bottom division.

Thomas started this leg with £284.22

and, after paying auction costs, he's made a loss of £63.56,

leaving him with £220.66.

James, however, is rising to the Premiership.

He started with £797.10

and, after costs, made a profit of £235.82,

giving him a massive £1,032.92 going forward.

What an extraordinary amount!

Soon, you'll be able to get a mop out and wipe the floor with me.

-You already have.

-Oh, come on. You just need that one lucky find.

-Right! I need some bargains!

-Come on!

-This is the fightback!

-The fightback begins now!

You'll have to fight hard from that position, Thomas. We're off again,

heading into the fourth leg of this epic road trip.

-How old are you, James?

-39.

-I thought you were 50!

Miaow! Bad Thomas!

On this trip, Thomas and James will be travelling over 800 miles,

looping their way from the Scottish west coast up to the Highlands

down to the Lowlands and back again, eventually finishing up

at the country's capital city, Edinburgh.

On this leg, they are starting off in Tarland, Aberdeenshire,

then heading south for an auction in the ancient capital, Dunfermline.

Just over 30 miles west of Aberdeen,

Tarland is a quiet and pretty village, with breathtaking scenery.

-Wow, great views. Are you coming in as well?

-No.

I've got other shops to go to. I've got bigger fish to fry!

All right, calm down.

Don't forget to pick me up!

Tower Workshop is a family-run business,

whose stock includes 17th to 19th-Century antiques.

With over £1,000 in his pocket, surely he can afford a splurge.

I'm feeling under pressure. Under pressure.

Owner George steps in and takes James to see

-his secret stash in the shed.

-How much is the mangle?

I would need £35 for that.

Those things are an absolute nightmare.

They should be worth so much more than they are.

The quite nice thing is it's got a name, Northern Co-Operative

Society, which was big up here. So you're buying a bit of social history

here, as well. It's not just a useful item - and it still works.

I can see that making 15, 20, 25 quid at auction. 35, tops.

Mmm. Nope. 35 is my bottom on it.

-There's no movement, at all?

-35, I think is, you know...

-Is it?

-Yeah.

-Right. OK, decision made. That's a no.

-OK.

-Let's move on.

-Let's try something else.

It seems George isn't making

much headway with James,

whereas Thomas is moseying

five miles south, with his stash of £220.66.

to his first shop, in Dinnet.

Auld Alliance Antiques is a Road Trip regular.

It's an Aladdin's cave, filled to the brim with bric-a-brac,

where you can find anything, including the odd gem,

all curated by owner Dave and partner Jane.

I've got to stop looking at antiques and start looking at junk.

It's the only way forward.

Maybe Dave can point Thomas in the right direction.

-Have you got some interesting things in your box?

-I just got it.

-Can I have a rummage?

-Yeah.

-Has this been bought from the local auction?

-It's mostly rubbish.

Thomas has spotted a mix of period hunting and training crops.

I quite like this one. And it's obviously for the military.

It's got its little number there. Has that got to be a lot of money?

Not very much. It wouldn't be more than a tenner.

-And what's... This is a silver one.

-That's a hunting crop.

-Quite nice. And what's that one got to be?

-About 15.

-I like those. I like those.

-Have a thinky-poo.

-A thinky-poo?

Yeah, a thinky-poo!

Hello! James has something to have a thinky-poo over, too.

Oh, my goodness. It's revolting.

It's a work of art! It's again, a bit of social history.

-How much is that?

-£20.

-I don't want it! I don't want it!

This is a Murano glass table lamp, with figures in 18th-century dress.

Murano is renowned for its quality and design,

although James might not be keen on this one.

The price also includes a ruby glass figure of an Italian court

-and a sculpted bird. Gosh.

-Just buy the three pieces of me.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, James.

-This is definitely the case with these two pieces

-Quack, quack.

And the lamp. Three pieces. Do a deal, go on.

They deserve to be ground up and put as road fill. They have nothing

-about them whatsoever.

-James...

-I'll give you a tenner for the three.

-You should be begging me.

-I think it's a good thing, that.

-You don't! You know it's rubbish.

-I don't.

-You do!

-Do I?

-Yes!

-You just bought yourself a lamp.

-You've really talked me into that.

I think it'll do well. I'm on halfers!

The art glass trio are very collectable, so James should be

happy to snap them up. I think he's met his match with this

-silver-tongued salesman, though.

-Should I have bought the mangle? No.

-I'll give you a fiver off it, James. Have a go.

-I'll give you 15 quid.

-Oh, no, James.

-If it makes 35, after commission, I make 15 quid.

-I can't do it.

-I know. Look, that's what I wanted to spend.

-And that's what I've spent.

-Oh, dear.

-That's pathetic.

-That won't keep me going long.

-Another two for the mangle. OK?

You just bought a mangle!

So, George has managed to sell James a mangle, two glass figurines

and a lamp that he doesn't want, all for £30.

It's vile, it's disgusting, it has no class.

It's cracked, it's chipped - guaranteed profit.

I think George could sell anything. What a charming bloke!

Let's see how Thomas is getting on. He's found a rather odd object.

You sometimes want to go up to people and say, "Can I measure you up? I want to see what you're like."

-Measure their proportions. Don't you ever feel that?

-Er, no.

But this 19th-century steel contraption was used for measuring. They have a ticket price of £25.

-I like those and I like the crops. I like this.

-I'm not quite sure what

it is, but it's got an adjustable height. It might be for hanging game or something.

-Can that be a good price?

-I'll do it for £15 or something.

Oh, yeah. Brilliant. I can't decide about those dividers.

-I think he's referring to the calipers.

-How much are the dividers?

-They're calipers.

-A tenner.

Thomas's bill comes to a grand total of £50.

Right. Time for some negotiations.

-Can I give you a straight 50?

-Yeah, I suppose so.

-You suppose so?

Not quite what I was expecting. Well, at least he stuck to his plan

of buying the curious. Let's hope it pays off.

Keen to keep buying, Thomas drives 40 minutes east,

to Drumoak. Drumoak is a quaint village in Aberdeenshire.

Located nearby lies the grounds of the 13th-century Drum Castle,

the oldest intact castle owned by the National Trust for Scotland.

Mm. His final destination appears to be a caravan site.

-Hello!

-Hello.

-How are you?

-Fine, thank you.

-This is your lock-up, is it?

-This is the lock-up!

Dealer Susan keeps everything and anything here. She had to start selling out of necessity,

as there was no more room in her house to keep all the bits she started collecting.

This is the strangest place I've ever bought antiques

Don't be put off, Thomas. There are hidden treasures within this storage trailer. Get rummaging.

I'll have to get these trousers laundered.

-Getting dirty might have paid off.

-Got some pens here.

Ah, my knees, my knees, my knees. This is a nippy number three.

-That must be good.

-It's fine and rare.

Thomas has unearthed a marbled, Art Deco, Conway Stewart,

14-carat-gold-nibbed fountain pen,

with matching pencil and two spare pencils.

Oh, yes. They're kept in a 1935 Cadbury's Jubilee tin.

They're quite sweet, really. And people like them.

And then you've got this extraordinary Victorian thing.

Like an oil lamp. It's for something. I wonder if it's a table lighter.

It is, Thomas. A 1920s, silver-plated, gentleman's cigar table lighter, as an oil lamp.

However, that and the pen set don't appear to have a ticket price.

-How much for these?

-Four pens and a tin.

-£20.

-I'll give you a tenner for them.

£20 and I'll give you that genie lamp as a pressie.

I know it sounds mean of me, but £20 is a bit too much.

-How about 15?

-I still...I still think that 15...

-They're fun little things.

-With the lamp thrown in.

15 with the lamp. Do me £10 for those two. Go on.

-And if you don't win, you come back and buy me ice cream.

-I promise.

-Done.

-I promise. Thank you very much.

Cor, that Susan's nice. I wonder if she'll get her ice cream?

Right, time for Thomas to hook back up with James.

-Look - cows!

-Thomas, you're so easily impressed.

The boys are heading 50 miles south, to Kirriemuir,

However, there's been a hitch.

DRAMATIC MUSIC

The Morris has broken down.

-We have been smelling a funny smell.

-I thought that was you.

-Can I suggest we get a taxi?

-Or hitch.

The gents still have plenty to do, so Thomas gets a lift from a kind neighbour,

as he wants to explore Kirriemuir,

whilst James takes a taxi half an hour east, to Letham,

as he wants to get back to business.

-Hello there.

-Hello.

-I'm James.

-I'm Barbara.

-Wow! This place is full!

It's not been a great start to the day, so let's hope

Lovejoy Antiques cheers him up. Barbara is on hand if needs be.

-Oh, £1,445.

-Yes. Break the piggy bank.

Has he spotted something to make him part with his cash?

The creamware jug, made somewhere around 18...

1830, 1840, probably.

Yep, it's 19th century, with a painting that commemorates

the iron bridge over the River Wear in Sunderland.

-However, it's slightly damaged.

-Hand-painted, which is nice.

Creamware doesn't matter so much, if it's damaged,

because it's very soft and, therefore, it chips very easily.

-I have it on at 190, so 150 would be my best.

-OK.

-I was thinking about two figures.

-130.

£60 to £100 is what I think it would go for at auction.

Oh, no, I couldn't.

-Anywhere close?

-How would 110 suit you?

-100 is the best. Very, very best.

-OK.

-In that case, I'll buy your jug.

-Right.

-Thank you very much.

-100.

-Thank you very much.

Back in Kirriemuir, Thomas has taken time out to feel inspired.

It's a charming and historic town in the county of Angus and best known

as the birthplace of JM Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan.

Believe it or not, this unassuming terrace is where

world-famous playwright James Matthew Barrie was born

to handloom weaver David Barrie and Margaret Ogilvy,

the daughter of a stonemason. Now part of the National Trust

for Scotland. Thomas will find out how Barrie's story began.

-Hello.

-Hi, Thomas. How are you doing?

-Good, thank you.

-Let me tell you about this room.

John McKenna is our tour guide.

The room we're in just now is the family living room.

Everything happened in here - cooking, eating, sleeping.

-Who slept there?

-That would be the children. It's a box bed.

The kids would all be squeezed in in concertina fashion and Mum and Dad would have next door.

Barrie was the ninth of ten children

and this is where he would have heard the fantastical stories from his mother and grandmother,

those that found their way into his writings, particularly Peter Pan.

However, this room also holds sad memories.

When he was six years old, there was a tragedy in the family.

His brother, within a couple of days of his 14th birthday, died in a tragic skating accident.

-They brought the body home and presented it on the table for the wake.

-No?

-That affected Jamie Barrie deeply.

-That's awful.

Barrie's mother Margaret was devastated by David's loss.

When he heard her crying, he tried to console her

by mimicking his deceased brother and dressed up in his clothes. How sad is that?

My opinion is that's the way Barrie always consoled himself about his brother's death,

knowing the fact that his brother won't ever grow up to be a man,

and he then invented this whole fantasy about Peter Pan and this Neverland.

-So Neverland, never grow up?

-Yeah.

The ground floor of the cottage has been transformed to resemble Barrie's London apartments,

including the desk on which he used to write his now famous stories.

-That is the original manuscript for Peter Pan, the play.

-Really?

And what's really interesting about it is Barrie actually wrote five different endings.

I'd love to find out what the other four were.

This room holds many artefacts, including Barrie's glasses

and a letter from his dear friend, Captain Scott of the Antarctic.

When they discovered Scott's body, they found a letter written to JM Barrie.

They were great friends and Scott, here he is dying in the tent in the wilderness of the Antarctic,

pleading with Barrie to look after his children.

"..in a very comfortless spot.

"Hoping this letter may be found and sent to you,

"I write a word of farewell."

When you see something as significant as a letter of this nature,

you realise there was more to the man than we can ever encapsulate in his writings.

Barrie had no children.

He drew upon his own childhood experiences for his inspiration

and he sat in this very seat to write a lot of his celebrated work, including Peter Pan.

-Can you tell me what that is?

-It's a pirate. And what's that up there?

-It's a galleon.

-Oh, it is a boat.

Then, over here, you've got Tinker Bell.

So Barrie's sitting here, runs out of inspiration and what does he do?

He's trying to visualise...

He's taking it out of his head and making it into a form,

so that he can draw from that form to continue with his play or his novel.

Barrie remained devoted to the town of Kirriemuir

and kept in touch with his friends and family whilst pursuing his London literary life.

This man of modest origin received a baronetcy, the Order of Merit and many other honours.

However, if you visit his grave, you simply see "James Matthew Barrie".

Unassuming to the very end.

-Thank you very much, John.

-I'm glad you've enjoyed yourself.

-It's been a real, real pleasure.

Meanwhile, as the Morris Minor is still out of action,

James takes a taxi from Letham and heads south to Glencarse

for his final shop of the leg. Oh, dear, he is really pooped!

-I hope you find lots of bargains.

-Thank you.

Springing into action, James enters Michael Young Antiques.

Established in 1887, this shop is third generation.

-Ah, Michael!

-Hello.

-James. Nice to see you.

It has an extensive collection of fine quality items,

dating from the Georgian and Victorian eras.

-How flexible are you on these?

-They're 150.

-What do you suggest?

-I was thinking a lot less.

These are four assorted, nine-carat gold brooches.

They include an amethyst and an Art Deco, nine-carat gold bar.

-I was thinking £20 each, something like that.

-80 quid?

Do you want to make it the round 100 I think they've got to be worth 100.

Right, OK, I'm going to think on those.

Back on the road, and in a cab, Thomas is making his way to join James at Michael Young Antiques.

Hello, James. Fancy seeing you here!

I thought I might have had a bit more of a head start.

Thomas wastes no time in scanning the shop,

while James seems to have found his star buy.

I quite like that. A bit of Chinese bronze.

That surface would have been polished, so you would literally have had it as a hand mirror.

Put it on a lady's dressing table.

Before the use of bronze mirrors, people simply reflected their faces by filling a basin with water.

This mirror is apparently from the Song Dynasty, 1200 AD,

and is priced at £200, but Michael is open to negotiation.

-Do you want to give me 100 for it?

-If I paid you 100, I'd lose.

-So you don't want to give me 100!

-I think that's the most it would make.

-Is 50 quid any good?

-Is there anything else you want?

James has got his eye on two promising lots. Michael wanted

£100 for the four gold brooches,

so maybe he'll reduce the price of the mirror.

That, we were talking about 50.

Would you take 120 if I bought the two - that and that?

-Let's do it and see how they go. Yeah.

-We've got a deal. Thank you. Thank you.

Over on the other side of the shop, Thomas seems to have spotted something.

This is a 19th century, cast-iron fountain spout.

-Superb.

-Yeah.

-It'd be nice to have that in your garden, wouldn't it?

-It would be.

-What would you expect to get for that?

-20 quid or something.

I do think that's rather fun. Could I... I have to ask.

-Could I ask... Could I give you 15 for it?

-You could, yes.

-Would you accept that?

-I'd be glad.

-So, 15?

-Thanks very much indeed.

-Thank you very much, Michael.

Well, Thomas's tactic was not to spend big.

This bespoke water feature definitely ticks that box.

Great stuff, Thomas. That concludes the shopping.

Let's jog our memories as to what the chaps bought.

James began this leg with a gargantuan £1,032.92,

and spent, well, a rather paltry £250 on five auction lots.

He bought a large Murano figural table lamp, together with a figure

in 18th century dress and a glass bird,

a cast-iron mangle, an early Chinese bronze mirror,

a set of four brooches and a 19th century creamware jug.

Thomas started with somewhat less - £220.66, and only spent a teeny

£75 on five lots.

They are, an agricultural steel measure, paired with a hook

for hanging game, a pair of riding crops,

a gold-nibbed fountain pen, along with two pencils,

in a silver Jubilee tin, a 1920s silver-plated cigar table light

and a cast-iron fountain spout, as you do.

OK, so what do they think of each other's purchases?

Oh, Thomas has been so careful. Not a single risk.

Everything he's bought will be a profit.

All those lovely bits of big Murano figures. £10?!

-Going to make 100. On the whole, he's done rather well.

-If he doesn't make a profit, the world's bonkers.

This leg of the road trip started north in Tarland,

worked its way to Dinnet, then east to Drumoak,

then 50 miles to Kirriemuir, with a stop in Letham,

and then south to Glencarse before ending up in Dunfermline for the auction.

Dunfermline has one of the best preserved medieval landscapes in Scotland.

It's also well known as the birthplace of Scottish-American industrialist Andrew Carnegie

who led the expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century.

At last, the Morris is back on the road.

-Profits or losses?

-Realistically, I should be in for a profit.

Well, you played it safe, so here's hoping.

Family-run business Castleblair Auctions is today's battleground

and auctioneer Paul Heggen is wielding the gavel today.

Right, take your seats! We're off!

-You've been given a booster seat.

-I've been given a booster seat, James!

-You little man, you!

First up is Thomas's 19th century, cast-iron fountain head.

-£28.

-28.

-Underbidders are out. 28. Bid 30.

32. 35. 38. 40.

42. 45. Book bids are out at 45. We're on the floor at 45.

48. 50.

5. 55 I'm bid now. All finished at 55? Last call at 55...?

-55. Was that 55?

-Well done, well done.

That water feature has given Thomas a great start.

Fighting back, making back that profit.

James splashed the cash with this damaged Creamware jug.

Will his spending pay off?

-Lots of bids on this again. I can start the bidding at £35.

-Oh, no.

-You'll be fine.

-38. 40...

-Calm down.

-Calm down.

-45. 48. 50.

-Calm down.

-Book's out at 55. On the floor at 55. All finished at 55?

60. 5. 70. 5.

-80 to my left.

-Oh!

-Calm down, James.

-Last call, £80...?

-No!

-You lost money on that one.

-JAMES PRETENDS TO SOB

How dramatic! The loss of £20 won't dent James's extraordinary lead.

-If you spend more than £100...

-You make a loss.

Will Thomas's hunting and training crops whip the crowd into a frenzy?

£50 for it? 50? 40? 30 to start it? £30 bid.

30 bid. 30 on the lot. £30. 32.

35. 38. 40.

42. 45.

48 to my left. At £48. New bid at 50.

On the book, bid at 55. 60.

Book's out at 60. We're on the floor again at 60. All finished at £60?

-60, that's not bad.

-Well done.

Definitely. Thomas seems to be moving in the right direction.

Sweet smell of profit!

James is now pinning his hopes on this group of gold brooches.

£75 bid on the book. 75. 75.

80. 5. 90. 5.

100. 100 here at... 5. 110.

All finished at 110? Last call at 110...?

-Good profit. Really good profit.

-I'm pleased.

Thank goodness! And no more dramatics!

-You look sort of smug.

-Smug?

-£40, that's brilliant, really, isn't it?

Thomas got a real bargain with this pen set.

Let's hope it's not a write-off!

-I can start on the book at 15, then.

-Told you.

-16. 18. 20. 22.

-25. Book's at 25...

-Told you, 25!

£25. All finished at 25? Last call at £25...?

Pleased? Show some sort of reaction!

An excellent profit for Thomas, who also has his poker face on.

Now time for that 1870s Aberdeen mangle that James didn't want.

-Lots and lots of interest in this.

-It's quite attractive.

I can start the bidding here at...£60.

Underbidders are all out. 60 bid, 60 on the lot.

£60 on the mangle. At £60. 65.

70. We're on the book at £70.

All finished at £70? Book bid at 70. Last call at £70?

-Hmm.

-What do you mean, "hmm"?

The unloved mangle has had the last laugh

as it's wrung out a great profit for James.

-Would you have paid 35 for it?

-No. I would've left it.

-So would I.

Next up is the cigar lighter that Thomas got for free.

£5 for it, then?

-£5 bid. 6.

-There are five or six hands up.

10. 12. 15.

-Lady's bid at £18...

-£18? I'm not worried about that.

Last call at £18...?

Could have made a bit more, but it doesn't matter.

This silver-plated, genie-style wick trimmer

gave Thomas a much-needed, although petite, profit.

James really did value this ancient mirror,

but will the crowd see its worth?

£50 bid. Thank you. 50. 5.

60. 5. 70.

-5.

-Calm down, James.

-80.

-Let it go.

-5. 90.

5. 100. And 10 on the lot.

110. New bid at 120. 130.

-See? I told you.

-All finished at £130? Last call at 130...?

-Yay.

-There you are.

-That's all right.

-Come on.

All right? Surely that profit is something to shout about!

Now leave me alone.

Don't... You're such a baby.

Will these quirky, 19th century contraptions

yield Thomas the profit he needs?

At £10 shall we start it, then?

£10 bid. 10. 12.

15. 18.

New bid at 20. 20, at the back. At £20. 22.

25. 28. Last call at £28...?

-Ohh... 28.

-What do you mean, "Ohh?" It's a profit.

Yes, James, it is, but Thomas won't see much of his £3 profit

after auction costs.

James didn't want this glass family of figurines

or the Murano table lamp.

-I can start with the book bid at 20.

-20.

-20 bid on the lot. 22. 25.

28. 30. 32.

35. 38.

-40.

-They're in the room.

-42.

45. 48. 50. New bid at £50.

All finished at £50? Last call at £50...?

-50.

-Very good.

-£40 profit.

-Yeah.

I thought it should have made another...

There should be a one in front of that.

The classic design of Murano speaks for itself

and at last, its value has been appreciated.

-You thought it was worth 150?

-They're rare things. Like that, in that condition, they're rare.

Thomas started this leg with £220.66.

After paying auction costs and making a profit of £77.52,

that leaves him with a decent £298.18.

James started with a whopping £1,032.92

and after auction costs, made £110.80 profit,

boosting his piggy bank to £1,143.72

and making him the clear winner of this leg.

So, how do you feel? A profit? That's a rare thing for you, Thomas.

There's no need. There's no need to behave like that, Mr Lewis.

Maybe this is the start of Thomas's fightback.