Episode 9 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 d'you think?

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

There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

What have I done?

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

-Put your back into it.

-Shut up!

This is the Antiques Road Trip!

Yeah.

On this Road Trip two auctioneers battle

to be crowned King of Scotland.

James Lewis is an auctioneer from Derbyshire,

who's proved he has a magic touch when it comes to turning a profit.

You don't often see something like that.

While Thomas Plant runs a Berkshire saleroom

and has proved that his acumen is matched only by his affability.

Can I have a go on something else now?

These two have been locked in a dynamic duel

for the last four legs of the Road Trip

and this final battle will decide which of them emerges victorious.

-Ah!

-Whoops.

Both our boys started this Road Trip with a cool £200.

Over the last four legs,

Thomas has managed to trade up his total to £298.18.

Well done.

While James has astonished all and sundry

by turning his original 200 smackers into

not £500, not £600, not even £900,

but a whopping £1143.72.

Crikey!

Our pair are hitting the highways in a true Brit,

the classic 1953 Morris Minor.

She's a doughty old girl.

They've managed to cruise the Morris Minor

over the hills and glens of Caledonia,

from the wind-blown west coast, through the stunning highlands

and then back to the low country and Edinburgh.

They begin their final leg of their trip

in Ayrshire's county town, Ayr,

before touring round beautiful southwest Scotland

and ending up at their auction

in Scotland's craggy capital, Edinburgh.

Ayr is justly celebrated by the poet Robert Burns

for its honest men and bonnie lasses.

That sounds very promising

as Thomas drops James off at his first shop.

Right. Well done.

-Have fun.

-James is heading into his first shop,

where dealer John will assist.

Anything special you're after today?

Trying to find something that might make a profit at auction.

You can come right through to the gallery.

With over £1,000 burning a hole in his pocket,

James can afford to think big on this leg.

But he's also determined to work out his strategy.

I'm trying to think about what will go with what,

to build up a more expensive lot.

This tin-plate toy dates from around 1910

and is marked up at £35 and there's another toy that takes his fancy.

How about the bear?

On the ticket is £65.

And he...hah...seems to have pilfered your hat, James.

£40. Do that for you.

Looks better in my hat than I do.

Suits your hat.

He's big, isn't he?

Yeah. Everybody loves a teddy bear.

This might fit in with James's strategy

to build up themed job lots.

He's spotted another toy car, as well. The ticket says £20.

What could the Chad Valley car be?

-This little chap here with no key.

-This one?

-Yeah.

-Erm, do that for 15.

-15. And the other car?

I'll do that one for 20.

What deal could John do on all three items?

The combined original ticket price was £120

but James has got John down to £75 for the lot, so far.

Would you take 50 the three?

No. I couldn't do that.

What could you do?

I could let them go for 70.

There's one more childhood-themed item

that might make it into the job lot yet.

Would you throw that christening gown in with them?

Er...no.

I wouldn't throw it in, but I'll give you a really good price on it.

-Go on, then.

-£10.

75 the lot, then.

Make it 80.

-Go on, 75.

-Make it 80.

Oh, go on, then. Make it 80.

THEY LAUGH

I'm not hard enough.

Deal done! That was child's play.

Now he's spotted a military object,

which has been pressed into use as an umbrella stand.

It's a charge carrier that would have been used

to contain a cordite charge for an artillery weapon.

These were made from the 1700s

through to the early 20th century, though this is quite a late example.

It's priced up at £125.

It's a fun thing. Is there much movement in it?

Well, £65.

-Give you 50 for the stick stand.

-Can you go 55?

-Go on, then.

-Just so I've a bit of profit.

-Go on.

A direct hit, and another lot in the bag.

But, on his way out, he spots yet another item that takes his fancy.

It's an early 20th century picnic hamper.

How much is this?

That? £50 would do for that.

How flexible are you on price?

Not much.

I'd be looking about 25.

I could let you have it for 40, but no less.

James is wondering if he can sweeten the deal

by assembling another job lot.

He's found a small boxwood device

for finishing self-assembled paper cartridges,

which would be fired from a shotgun.

The cartridge would have been inserted into the device

and the metal handle rolled over to close the end.

Now he's picked up a set of miniature dominoes

that date from around 1905.

Combined ticket price for all three items is £90.

What can James haggle John down to?

65. Call it 60. There you go.

55 and you've got a deal.

-No, 60, come on.

-No.

59.

HE LAUGHS

You are... Oh, dear!

-Go for the 59.

-55.

-Can't do it. I just can't do it.

-57.

57, Done.

Oh, dear me!

You have to be the hardest negotiator I have ever come across.

Well, it's been fun. I've enjoyed it. Well done, you.

Wow. With that masterly display of negotiating grit,

James rounds up an absolutely bumper morning's shopping.

Meanwhile Thomas has driven a couple of miles down the road

to the neighbouring town of Prestwick.

Prestwick is thought to be the only place in the UK

that was ever visited by rock'n'roll legend Elvis Presley,

who made a whirlwind pit-stop here, during his military service in 1960.

Let's hope Thomas's first shop

is more Hunk O' Love than Heartbreak Hotel.

-Hello.

-Good morning.

-I'm Thomas.

Either way, he's meeting dealer Gary.

-Gary. Pleased to meet you.

-Gary?

-Yeah.

Enough chatting - it's time to find some buys, Thomas.

My strategy has been

buy at the low end and then sell, hopefully, better.

And I think I might carry on with that strategy, cos it's worked.

Spoken like a true traditionalist.

He's spotted a collection that might bring in a sweet profit.

Lovely tin. Look at that. "Home of Milady's Toffee."

Love that one. Really nice.

So decorative, aren't they? They're just lovely.

Never bought tins before.

Am I being really stupid?

We'll soon find out.

They date from the early 20th century.

The combined ticket price for all the tins is around the £80 mark.

What would you do as a really enticing deal?

Charge you for the two really nice ones,

which are in good condition,

and I'll throw the rest in. That's 45 for the lot.

Now, I, obviously, am selling at auction,

so if I can give you... 45's a lovely price.

It's a really fair price.

-But I'd like to give you £30 for the lot.

-30?

-OK. 30.

-30?

-Yeah.

Brilliant. Thank you very much.

-Can I give you some spondoolies?

-Pleasure.

Before he leaves, he spots one more thing that takes his fancy.

It's an octagonal Chinese plate, dating from the 18th century.

Ticket price is a bargain £8.

Can he get Gary down any further?

5.

Deal.

-Thank you very much.

-Pleasure.

Done and done.

Two lots in the old bag and our Thomas is up and running.

Thomas is heading back to Ayr to meet James and hand over the car.

-Aha!

-Hello.

-How are you?

Very good. Buy much?

-Seven things, actually.

-Oh, really?

-Yeah, three lots.

I bought two lots. Maybe more things.

-More than seven.

-No!

-I've left it in the same place.

-Brilliant.

-Thank you. Have fun.

-I will.

James is happy with his morning's bumper buys,

so he's taking the motor and heading over to Alloway,

a suburb of Ayr.

As a man of culture, he's keen to pay a visit to the local attraction,

that tells the story of Ayrshire's most celebrated son

and Scotland's national poet, The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum,

where he's meeting curator Amy.

-Hi. How you doing?

-Hello.

-I'm James. Nice to see you.

-Hi, nice to meet you.

-And you.

This is the birthplace of Robert Burns.

He was born in a room within that cottage.

-Shall we go in and have a look?

-Sure, follow me.

-After you.

Born in 1759 into a modest farming family here in Alloway,

Burns went on to become both Scotland's bard

and a writer loved around the world.

His poems and songs, like Tam o' Shanter

and Auld Lang Syne and My Love Is Like A Red, Red Rose,

are still regularly performed and read today.

This is the kitchen of Burns' cottage

and this room is significant, not because it was a kitchen,

but because it was also the bedroom and the place

where Robert Burns was born. He was actually born in that bed.

My goodness!

Robert Burns only lived here until he was about six years old.

-OK.

-And then they moved to another farm nearby.

How did he go from being a boy here to Scotland's greatest writer?

It is quite amazing that he did achieve so much.

I think a lot of that came from the fact that his father, William,

very strongly believed in educating his children,

They weren't rich, by any means, but what little they did have,

I think they spent wisely, towards the education of their children.

Robert was educated until he was in his teens

and, at that time, he went to work on the farm.

He actually worked for other farmers at harvest time.

During that time, he was inspired by a young lass

that he worked with in the fields

and that's when he wrote his first poem,

Once I Lov'd A Bonnie Lass, to Handsome Nell.

So the theme of love inspiring someone to write something great

is a theme that carries throughout much of Robert's life.

Burns continued writing throughout his young life

and built up an impressive body of work.

Amy's taking James across the road to the modern museum building,

where she's going to show him some of the vast collection

of Burns manuscripts that the Centre holds.

-So.

-Blue paper?

-It may not look like much,

lying there, but it is a Kilmarnock edition,

which is the first published edition of Burns' work.

There were 610 of them published in 1786

and today less than 100 survive.

-Can I pick it up?

-Sure. Go ahead.

This first edition of Burns' work brought him fame in Scotland

and set him on the road to immortality.

One of these Kilmarnock editions recently sold at auction

for £40,000.

And we have probably one of the most well-known works here.

Oh! To A Mouse!

-Wee fleeket...

-That's an S.

-Sleeket.

Let me help you there, James.

This poem, addressed to a field mouse,

whose nest Burns has turned up with his plough,

contains some of his most famous lines.

Words worth remembering on the Road Trip, eh?

-So this was the book that made him famous?

-That's right.

So why so famous?

The work struck a chord with people, really.

He wrote about things everyone saw,

so it appealed to people locally here, that were farmers,

and also the gentry of Edinburgh, so it appealed to everyone.

This universality and theme of brotherhood

is central to what is, perhaps, Burns' best-known work.

Next Amy has a very special treat in store for James.

The next thing we have here is a fragment of Auld Lang Syne.

-No way!

-Yes.

It's written in Burns' own handwriting.

-This is the original script?

-Yes.

So Auld Lang Syne has got to be...

got to be in the top ten most famous songs in the world.

Yeah, it's popular the world over.

In Japan it's played at the end of the working day.

It's just wonderful how it appeals to people across the world,

because of the sentiments in it.

You don't often see something like that.

"We'll take a cup of kindness yet for auld lang syne."

Oh, how amazing.

This has been absolutely incredible. Thank you very much.

-It was my pleasure. Thank you for coming.

-Wow.

Meanwhile, James's auld acquaintance,

Thomas, is still back in Ayr,

at the same shop James visited earlier.

Can he work the same magic with dealer John?

You see, I need something...

..to beat him with, thrash him with.

Not literally.

Well, let's hope not. But a pretty object has caught Thomas's eye.

I have a real passion for Scandinavian things

and here we have a piece of Royal Copenhagen

and it's simply marvellous.

Just because of the design, the style.

Royal Copenhagen porcelain

has been a manufacturer of Danish porcelain since 1775.

This 1950s vase is priced at £40,

and that's not the only Scandinavian beauty Thomas has spotted. Oh, no.

Oh. Didn't see this. Mm.

As a bit of a freak, when it comes to these things,

it says Holmegaard, Per Lutken.

It's quite an early biomorphic bowl.

Per Lutken was a glassmaker

at the Danish glass factory Holmegaard.

Many of his designs are considered 20th century classics.

This dates from around 1955.

Ticket price is £40.

We could put that with the Copenhagen, the vase,

and make a lot.

You know, Danish stuff.

There could be another job lot here on the way,

but he's spotted yet another shiny item.

I quite like that hall mirror. It's quite a nice thing.

It's good. It's not that old, though.

-Can I lift it down?

-Course you can.

This 1950s mirror might appeal to a fan of retro style.

It's priced up at £45.

Cool, daddy-O!

Good bit of styling.

Well, it's for throwing light around the room.

Yeah, looks lovely.

It's not a bad look, though. I think it's a good, general sale.

Tick tock. Time's running out.

Thomas has found a lot of things he likes

but has yet to strike a deal on any of them.

And it looks like he's spotted something else -

an Art Deco travelling clock.

-There's no price on this.

-No.

Well, I was going to say, like the mirror...

..like the vase, like the bowl, quite like this,

could we do all of that for 80 with this thrown in?

It would need to be 90.

85?

Yeah, I'll go for 85.

-Good man.

-Good man.

TIM WHISTLES

Well haggled, Thomas.

He gets a £45 reduction on the ticket price

of the mirror, vase and bowl,

and the travelling clock thrown in for a fiver.

James has driven on into Thornhill, and he seems to have acquired

something interesting in the way of eyewear.

I feel like Toad of Toad Hall. Bah!

I'm saying nothing.

This monument in the pretty country town of Thornhill

commemorates the 19th century Scottish explorer

Joseph Thomson, a local boy famed for his African expeditions.

Let's hope James can embrace that spirit of adventure

as he heads into Rosebank Antiques,

where he's meeting the lovely Pauline.

-Hello there.

-Hello.

-Hi, I'm James.

-I'm Pauline.

-Nice to see you.

He's only just arrived but James has spied something.

-Fun, isn't he?

-Yes, he's lovely.

Love the expression.

Unusual, being a lion.

It's a Staffordshire pottery figure of a lion sitting with a lamb,

dating from the 19th century.

Staffordshire figures can be highly collectible

and rare figures fetch huge sums.

But any damage can decrease their value considerably.

On the ticket is £155.

What could he be?

-100?

-Good.

It's the hole in the back that's the killer.

I didn't know whether that was in the mould.

No, I think it's been dropped at some point.

He's lovely at the front. Lovely face.

Staffordshire's really gone off the boil,

but they either want it

and pay really good money for it,

or very, very difficult to get any money.

Pop it back then, James.

Now, something else catches his eye.

It's a 19th century clock movement, which has become separated

from the clock case it belonged to.

The ticket price is £40.

What would be the best on the movement?

30.

He's interested, but he can't get his mind off the Staffordshire lion.

Did you buy him well? Is there much movement in there?

-There's a little bit.

-Yeah?

-Could I make you a cheeky offer?

-You can.

You can always say no! 50.

A little bit more.

Will Pauline cut him a deal

for both the clock movement and the lion?

Will you take 20 for that and 60 for that?

-I would, yeah.

-Leaves you a profit?

-Yeah.

-Brilliant.

-In that case, you've got a deal.

-Thank you.

Thank you very much. Thank you.

Deal done, but James is going to take one more little item, as well -

a miniature gaming table, priced at only £4.

He's still game for a haggle, though.

-Will you take a couple for that one?

-Yeah.

-Brilliant, thanks.

The miniature gaming table is a snip at £2.

He'll add it to the job lot

of hamper, cartridge tool and dominoes.

And he's off!

So both boys are shopped out.

Let's remind ourselves of what they bought.

Thomas began this leg with a modest £298.18

and spent £120 on five auction lots.

They comprise a collection of biscuit and toffee tins,

a porcelain vase,

paired with a Holmegaard glass bowl

a 1950s convex mirror,

a Chinese 18th century octagonal dish

and an Art Deco travelling time piece.

James kicked off with an eye-watering £1,143.72

and spent £274 on five lots.

They are a 19th century long cased clock movement and dial,

a military charge carrier,

a large lot made up of the picnic hamper, a sandwich box with flasks,

a cartridge maker,

a gaming table and a set of Edwardian dominoes.

Phew!

He also bought a Staffordshire model of the lion and lamb,

and, yes, even a cuddly toy in the form of a teddy bear

which is grouped with a child's christening gown

and two toy cars. Lordy!

So what do they really think of each other's buys, eh?

Thomas, as usual, has bought a really mixed bag.

The tins are a little bit specialist,

but the Chinese plate, that's a great one,

that should show a great profit.

But there's nothing there that I think will win in the competition.

It is all about the lion.

What a good thing. Well done, James.

The only criticism, I would say -

the bear, the Lehmann car and the other car.

Those three together appeal to three different people,

so that could be an Achilles heel.

Thomas and James have wandered the rolling Scottish lowlands

and are heading for their final auction

in the majestic capital of Edinburgh.

Edinburgh's picture-postcard streets and volcanic vistas

reflect its rich and varied history.

In the 18th century, this city,

which cradled the Enlightenment thinkers,

was also known as the Athens of the North.

Let's hope that some of those smarts have rubbed off on Thomas and James

as they head for their auction.

Ramsay Cornish Auctions, in the Leith area of the city,

holds both specialists and general sales.

50 to start it quickly.

The final showdown is about to begin

with auctioneer Martin Cornish presiding.

First up is Thomas' Chinese blue and white plate.

30 to start it? 20?

20 I'm bid.

25, 30, 35...

40 here.

At £40, 45...

50, 55, 60...

65, 70, 75, 80...

85, 90, 95, 100.

£100.

On commission at £100.

Last call at 100.

What an astonishing profit for the outlay of a fiver.

Good show.

One for James now, as his job lot of toys

and christening gown comes under the hammer.

Will it charm the saleroom?

-50 for the lot to start it quickly.

-Oh, God!

-Oh, early bath for you.

£50 I'm bid for the lot.

55, 60, 65...

70, 75...

-At 75 for the lot.

-No. No!

75, 80, 85...

90.

Gentleman at the back, at £90.

At £90, for the lot at 90.

Hardly a disaster

but might Thomas finally be breaking James' winning streak?

Next it's Thomas' Danish vase and bowl.

30 to start? 20 to get them going?

20 I'm bid. At £20, 25, 30...

Five. Lady's bid at 35.

-Bit more.

-At 35, at 35.

What a pity. The room doesn't seem as keen

on Scandinavian design as Thomas is.

Up now, it's another lot for James -

His hamper, shotgun cartridge tool, mini gaming table and dominoes.

50 to start it quickly.

50 I'm bid.

55, 60, 65, 70, 75...

80, 85. 85, new bidder.

90, 95, 100.

At £100, 110, 120...

Well done.

At 120. Last call at 120, at 120...

That was touch and go, though, wasn't it?

But, in the end, a picnic of a lot for James.

But still not quite enough to catch up with Thomas.

But it's Thomas's sweet collection

of 1900s biscuit and confectionery tins up next.

Will the punters bite?

30 to start them. 20?

20 I'm bid for all the tins. At £20 I'm bid. £25, 30...

35, 40. At £40. Gentleman's bid.

At £40 for all the tins, at 40, at 40...

A modest profit, but a win nevertheless,

and Thomas is still in the lead today.

Now James's charge carrier.

Can it stage am assault on the saleroom? Boom boom.

50 to start it. 30.

-40?!

-40, 45, 50, 55, 60...

65, 70...

It's got long legs. It's got loads of legs.

100, 110, 120.

-120.

-Well done!

In the room, at 120 and I'm selling, last call.

-Super.

-Well done.

-Super.

-Good.

A shaky start but it recovers to victory

and that puts James in the lead.

Now it's Thomas' Art Deco travelling timepiece.

10 to start it. 10 I'm bid.

10 I'm bid for this.

12, 14, 16. 16 in front.

At £16, for the travelling timepiece, at £16.

-Oh, that's cheap.

-Still.

-At 16...

-Profit.

-It's profit.

Once again, a lot bought for £5 does the business for Thomas,

but it's not enough to retake the lead.

Another timely lot now, as James' clock movement is up.

80 to start it. 80 I'm bid.

£80 I'm bid. At £80, 85, 90...

95, 100.

At £100.

-Brilliant.

-110...

110. Nobody else now? Going on at 110, at 110...

-Brilliant.

-Good result.

Time simply runs away with James as he widens his lead yet again.

The last two lots in this whole shebang now -

first, the retro 1950s mirror for Thomas.

30 to start it. 20.

20 I'm bid. 25, 30, 35...

40, 45, 50. 50 on my left.

At £50. 55.

At 55 down beside me, at 55.

-Last call and I'm selling at 55.

-Oh, that's brilliant.

It's a nice little earner, but it's not the flyer he needs.

Last of all, the Staffordshire lion. Will it roar?

-200 to start it.

-Crikey!

200 I'm bid.

210, 220...

230, 240...

250, 260, 270...

280, 290, 300...

320. I'm selling it at 320. Nobody else...

340, 360. At 360 now.

On the phone, last call at 360, and I'm selling it...

It's a great profit to end on.

Indeed it is. The star lot at the last gasp,

and James Lewis has done it again.

Well done, James. Well, it's been a pleasure.

Thomas, you are such a gent.

-It has been a pleasure.

-You thoroughly thrashed me.

Thomas Plant started this leg with £298.18

After paying auction costs,

he made a respectable profit of £81.72,

meaning that he ends this Road Trip with £379.90.

Well, Thomas, at least you're smiling, boy.

James Lewis, meanwhile, somehow began with £1,143.72

and made a startling profit of £382

in this auction and finishes victorious with £1,525.72

Wow.

So, as our affable chaps disappear off in their beloved old Morris...

-I hate this car!

-Don't be nasty.

..we join a brand-new couple of experts,

Charlie Ross and Catherine Southon.

OK, Charlie, let the fun begin.

I've got the girl of my dreams by my side,

the car of my dreams in front of me.

Life is fantastic, except it's raining.

Charlie is a seasoned Road-Tripper

with a penchant for furniture. He ran his own auction house

for over 25 years, so, as such, always knows exactly what he wants.

-I want that.

-I told you!

And while Catherine is a relative newbie to the Road Trip,

only a fool would underestimate her considerable knowledge

of maritime art and scientific instruments.

Oh ho! Yes. And her legendary powers of persuasion...

-Can I give you £20 for it?

-No!

-Oh, come on!

Our cosy couple begin their adventure with £200

and a classic 1966 Austin Healey,

affectionately known as a Frog-eyed Sprite.

The problem is the car doesn't have a hood.

-Cuddle up to me!

-Cosy up to me!

-That's the way!

Cosy!

Maybe the weather was better back in 1966.

HE SHIVERS

Catherine and Charlie will be travelling over 200 miles

from the heart of the Wiltshire countryside

wending their way eastwards along the sunny South Coast

before finishing up in Rye, East Sussex.

On this leg we're starting our journey in the village of Corsham,

straddling Somerset and finishing up with an auction showdown in Devizes.

Let's hope our devilish duo hit it off.

I think, by the end of this trip,

-I could be in love with you.

-In love, Charlie?

-I thought we already WERE in love.

-Yeah?

-Steady on, you two!

While Catherine heads into her first shop in Corsham...

Hello! Hi, Lee, hi.

..Charlie's off to find his in the village of Kington St Michael.

That's if he can get out of the car, that is, poor old boy.

Steady.

Samantha, it's Charlie.

-Lovely to see you.

-And it's not long

before Charlie spots something he's always drawn to.

Samantha, your lady's quite interesting, what's she made of?

She's stoneware.

I can't go wrong here!

Do you do rooms as well? I could stay!

Steady! There's plenty here to feast the eye on, though.

Could these light up Charlie's life?

Quite a sweet little pair of candlesticks there.

-They're Birmingham, aren't they? Have you dated them for me?

-Yes.

Yeah, 1935 and they are in super condition.

I see you've got them priced at £45,

which is sort of the top end of where I would see them at auction.

You tell me what you would like to pay and I will see what I can do.

If I could buy those for £20

I would snap them out of your hands.

-£20 is a little bit low.

-Yeah.

If you were to offer me £25, I could let you have them

-at what I paid for them...

-Are you sure that would...?

-Yeah.

Well, I think they're really sweet.

Deal number one! Do you know,

-that's my first buy on the trip?

-Fantastic.

So, every time I think of this trip, Samantha, I shall think of you.

Yeah, they all say that!

You're terribly accommodating though, Samantha,

and Charlie's off to a good start.

Not quite so much luck for Catherine.

Harley Antiques is stuffed with beautiful things,

with price tags to match.

Far too expensive for me, I think.

(I'm a bit worried that everything I'm seeing

(is slightly out of my price range!)

(Don't panic Catherine!)

(I will find something, I will dig deep and I will find it.)

That's the spirit, girl!

Charlie and Samantha are having a great time on the other hand.

I've just seen a biscuit barrel, here,

which has got a silver-plated top,

cut-glass body, not pressed glass, which is nice,

a particularly nice swing handle.

Forerunners of our modern-day cookie jars, biscuit barrels

have been popular for over 200 years. This one was made

by the Sheffield silversmiths William Hutton and Sons

in the early 20th century, perfect for preventing

your custard creams from drying out. If you like custard creams.

The great thing is that Samantha doesn't have a price on this,

which leads me to believe that this is free with every purchase.

You tell me what you would like to pay... Oh, no!

-You'd smack me!

-I could...

Do something really saucy on that?

£10, and it's yours.

HE BLOWS A RASPBERRY

Blimey! You're making an old man's glasses steam up here!

-Can you really do that for a tenner?

-I can.

Samantha! Let me kiss you again!

This is the most golden day of my life!

He'll be wearing her hand out!

Down the road, though, Catherine still has her entire £200 to spend,

which leaves one problem.

(That's so nice!)

It's £395.

I want to cry, because there are some beautiful things here!

She is right!

This intricate piece of shellwork

is a fine example of what are called sailor's valentines.

They date from the 19th century and usually come from Barbados

where they were sold to sailors who brought them home for loved ones.

But it's too much for you, love!

I know I'm looking at everything that's nice and expensive!

No such problems, though, for Charlie boy!

Oh, I like one of your street signs.

I'd quite like a little ride up Nunnery Lane!

Nunnery Lane.

It's a nice thing to have in your house, really.

That's fun.

I forget how much money's on Nunnery Lane.

-I think it's £35, something like that.

-I could do that for £25.

Are you able to satisfy my quirky sense of humour on Nunnery Lane

-at 20 quid or is that...

-It's pushing it a bit.

I don't want to push you, I don't want to push you, darling.

-It's a bit too much.

-Yeah.

-£25.

-£25 is the death, as they say.

-Would £22 make any difference?

-I'll do it for £22.

-Are you sure?

-Anything for the cause.

-Anything for the cause. The Roscoe cause!

-Can I give you a proper kiss? Mwah! Mwah!

-Thank you.

That's so kind of you. I've got three things!

I don't believe this!

In record time, Charlie's snaffled up a pair of candlesticks,

a biscuit barrel and a Nunnery Lane sign,

all for £57. Wow!

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you, take care.

Cor! She must be exhausted!

While Charlie can afford to put his feet up,

Catherine is still struggling to spot a bargain

within this treasure trove of a shop.

I can see lots of beautiful things,

-but they're just out of my price range.

-Come on, Catherine! Buck up!

Not everything in this shop has a three digit price tag on it,

A juice strainer. The good thing about this

is the Asprey stamp on the back.

So, it's a good retailer in London, the top retailer in London.

It's got £78 on it, so I'm guessing he'll go down to about £55.

Ha! You'll be lucky!

-£40.

-Oh, come on!

Some people are never happy.

-Could you do any more?

-£35.

-And that is...

-£30 and I will take it from you.

-Shall we? Shall we?

-Yeah.

Thank you very much indeed.

A lot of kissing on this show.

It's been a moist day in all senses of the word for Catherine

but now she has a treat in store.

She's travelling ten miles south-west

to Somerset's jewel in the crown, the city of Bath.

Bath was originally established as a spa town by the Romans,

thanks to its unique hot springs.

It evolved into a resort city for wealthy Elizabethans

and then later, the Georgians, who designed much

of the iconic architecture we see today.

Built in that beautiful, honey-coloured stone.

Catherine's come to a place we're all familiar with,

the Post Office, but she's not here to post a letter, no, no.

She's come to find out how the postal system we all know today originally came about.

-Catherine Southon. Hello, are you Audrey?

-I am indeed.

Audrey, it's lovely to meet you.

Audrey Swindells is going to show Catherine around.

-First of all, who are all these?

-Who are these?

Well, Ralph Allen, this chap, he ran all the mail

that didn't go to London, previously everything went to London.

If you sent a letter from here to Bristol, it went to London and back

-Right...

-and you had to pay a mileage.

So, it's expensive, right.

Ralph Allen was given contracts to make the transportation of letters

more efficient across the country

and the museum is lucky enough to have one.

This is the original and the only one that exists.

One of Allen's responsibilities was to open post

from anyone who posed a danger to the established monarchy.

Postmasters were not only in a position to do this,

they were actually TOLD to do this,

to open letters from various people.

Before the invention of stamps, postage was calculated per page.

So, writers didn't let any paper go to waste.

You used every scrap of it, as you can see there,

you'd write horizontally and then diagonally

and when I transcribed that, which took me a couple of weeks

I was inclined to wonder whether...

I know, the recipient, that's exactly what I was thinking!

The first ever stamp was the Penny Black,

introduced over 170 years ago and it was sent from here in Bath.

This one went out on May 2, 1840.

-So, where is this original stamp now?

-In the Far East.

-Oh, is it?

Yes. It sold for £55,000 in 1990

and it's considered if it came on the market again now

-it would be worth a million.

-Wow!

A million pounds, eh? The Penny Black

brought letter-writing to the masses and soon post offices

were springing up all over the country.

This is the model of a Victorian post office,

they just had a similar system everywhere.

-So, why is the cat there?

-Because the cat was on the payroll.

It was actually listed for the money for feeding it

because it kept down the mice and the rats,

-which, of course, could eat the mail.

-Chew the post.

-Chew the mail.

What a good kitty!

CAT MEOWS

Well, it's time to bid the Postal Museum and beautiful Bath farewell,

Catherine, and hook back up with your extremely cheerful travelling companion.

-Charlie, are you always this happy?

-Yeah.

-Are you?

-Yeah.

I think this is going to be an exhausting trip.

I knew this budding love affair would never last.

Catherine and Charlie are heading south-west

towards the village of Wedmore in Somerset.

Now, Wedmore may not look like an island to you and I,

but this village sits on a small hill

in the middle of the Somerset Levels

and back in Saxon times was surrounded by water.

Since then, it's been known as the Isle of Wedmore

and still is today.

Time to drop your anchor, we've arrived at our next shop.

Lemon Tree Antiques is stuffed to the gunnels with goodies,

so Charlie wastes no time.

Let's hope he doesn't kiss owner, Les...

-How are you, Roscoe?

-I'm very well indeed!

-I've heard plenty about you.

-Have you? Is it all good?

Um, marginal!

-Charlie!

-Here comes Miss Southon.

-Good morning, young lady.

-I've got my high heels on. Hello.

What a pleasure to meet you.

-Move out of the way, Charlie, I'm moving in!

-I can see! All right!

Les is now going to give me none of his time whatsoever.

It's all about Southon.

Bye-bye Charlie, we've made friends.

I can see you and Les are going to have a cracking time!

Now, while Charlie has a little browse about...

..Catherine has already spotted something she likes.

-I like your Georgian pipe box.

-Yes,

-how much do we have written on that?

-Quite a lot.

-Too much.

-Well, have you ever seen another one?

-No.

-Then it isn't too much money.

-£220.

That's obviously a misprint, I expect he meant to put £150 on it,

-don't you think?

-Well, I would hope even less than that.

Cos I like you and I want you to beat that old Roscoe chap in there,

130 quid and it's yours, there you are.

Now, how can I do any better than that?

-Any chance of tucking it under £100?

-Final offer, £120.

I'm very tempted at £100.

That's one for Catherine to mull over.

Les's shop is full of exceptional pieces of antique furniture,

right up Charlie's street, so I'm sure he'll find something classy,

any minute now...

That is cool!

I know cigarettes aren't really in,

but there's a real Smith's Deco advertising clock.

This clock actually dates from the 1950s and was made by clockmakers

Smith when tobacco advertising was still very popular.

Well, I think it says £150.

-I'd give you 50 quid for it.

-You wouldn't, would you?

-It's cracked at the top...

-I guess you won't be taking it, then.

If you want to give me £80, you can have it at cost all day long.

That's a fantastically generous offer.

If I can't find anything I like more, and I really like that,

-I'll buy that.

-While Charlie has a think,

Catherine's seen something tasty

-and it's not Les...

-These would have been used years ago,

by workers in the field. Full of cider.

-It's a big stoneware...

-Yes, indeed.

-..bottle inside.

-Yeah. There's another one, actually, there is two.

They're quite nice, actually.

They're quite nice, I think they're marked 50 or 60 quid.

-Yeah, 50 quid.

-Is that for the two of them, 50 quid?

No, they're £50 each. If you wanted the two,

give me 50 quid for one and I'll give you the other one.

-Can I give you 30 quid for the two?

-No, you can't, sweetie pie.

Seeing as you're such a willing young lady,

-(£40, but don't tell that Roscoe.)

-(No, I won't!)

Cor! Blatant favouritism!

But no sale yet, Catherine's having a smashing time...

Oh, crikey! I'm breaking glass!

That's a Stanhope.

A Stanhope is when you've got this little, almost like a lens

right at the top and you look through it

and there was lots of different...

scenes that you could see.

I say that, I can't actually see anything in there.

But what I have seen is that this is also a tape measure.

Stanhopes are novelty collectables and souvenirs

produced in the mid-19th century.

This one is partly ivory, but because it was made before 1947,

it's legal to trade. It has £85 on the ticket

and Catherine won't want to pay that!

-Les?

-Yep.

-I picked this up cos I thought it was a Stanhope.

-It is.

It's just got no pictures in it.

They are there, my love, honestly, I'm sure they are.

Really? Who does it belong to? Oh, they are! They are!

You've been having me on all along, you rascal!

-They are! I can see Crystal Palace.

-The price has doubled!

-No, I can see Crystal Palace.

-The prices has doubled!

-Darling.

Yes, sweetie pie. What?

I like the little tape measure idea in it.

-50 quid, there you are.

-Oh, no, come on!

How much do you want to give me?

-Can I give you £20 for it?

-No!

-Oh, come on!

-(30 quid, how about that?)

-(30 quid.)

-(How about that?)

Despite Les's best efforts,

Catherine's still not biting.

There's plenty to get excited about in here,

but neither expert has actually bought anything yet!

Look at this!

Oh, wonderful! Wonderful!

Block puzzle from, Oh, I don't know,

1890? Certainly Victorian.

And I think in the bottom,

you've got all the different pictures there.

There are six different pictures.

Great thing for a child to do,

I would love to buy this.

Now, the puzzle hasn't got a ticket on it,

so Charlie's hoping for a deal.

-Lovely Les?

-Roscoe, sir.

Come and melt into my arms. This is fantastic! Oh, yes,

-it's the best puzzle you'll find.

-Oh!

Keeps old men active, doesn't it? I tell you what, I tell you what.

-Yeah.

-20 quid, you wouldn't be able to resist it.

-But I'm not saying 20 quid!

-THEY LAUGH

But I will.

-Les! That's fabulous.

-How about that?

Les! You're giving them away now!

So, the deal is done,

£20 for the puzzle and 80 smackers for the cigarette clock.

And Charlie's free to head off.

That just leaves Catherine to,

well, find something else she likes the look of.

I'm just wondering about Mr Punch doorstop.

£80, now he looks like he's been there a long time.

-Les, What can he be?

-15 quid.

-Can he?

-Yeah, he can be.

-There you are. We've cracked it, kid!

-Really good.

-Put it there!

You can kiss my hand.

That'll do, don't get carried away.

-Right, so I'm having... I think I'm going to have your pipe box.

-Yes.

-I think I'm going to have your Punch.

-Yes.

-Well, we've agreed on the Punch, no going back.

-We have.

-Your baskets.

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

90 quid. Yeah, for the box,

-15.

-For the Punch.

35 and I'll tell you what, I'll throw in the Stanhope

for you for £25.

That's lovely. You are completely gorgeous.

Oh, sweetie pie! I wouldn't go that far!

Nor would I. After a discount of £320, though, perhaps I might!

Catherine's gone wild and spent £165

on four items, concluding her shopping.

-I've got no money left.

-I know,

-but Charlie's a decent enough chap, isn't he?

-He won't give me any!

Speaking of Charlie, he's hopped over to Bath

and the Old Bank Centre, hoping to spend his remaining £43.

-This shop goes on for ever!

-It's a gigantic antiques emporium.

Most things seem to be well into three figures.

Don't despair, Charlie!

Hello, what's this?

It's a miniature barrel, but it's pure Arts and Crafts,

it's about 1900 in date,

silver-plated banding is good,

the tap is a nice shape

and a great thing for dispensing brandy or sherry.

No good, is it? It's £80, I can't insult the man too much.

No, you really can't.

It's probably not worth asking, but

there's a barrel on a sort of cross stretcher

which is 80 quid, and I've got, like, 40 quid left in my coffer

-and that's probably...

-OK.

-Are you sure?

-That's really kind. I shall go and get it.

-OK.

-Brilliant, thank you.

-It's been a day of most accommodating dealers.

-There we go, £40.

-OK.

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

Yes, thank you.

So, all shopping's done and dusted.

Let's refresh our memories as to what this pair of charmers bought.

Both experts kicked off with £200 apiece.

Catherine spent £195 on five auction lots -

an Asprey's juice extractor,

an ivory and bone Stanhope tape measure,

a cast iron doorstop in the form of Mr Punch,

a George III mahogany pipe tray

and two stoneware cider jars in baskets.

Charlie spent £197 of his budget on six lots -

a pair of silver candlesticks, an Edwardian biscuit barrel,

a street sign of Nunnery Lane,

an advertising clock,

a Victorian jigsaw puzzle in original box

and an Arts and Crafts oak and silver plated spirit barrel.

So, what do they really think of each other's purchases?

That puzzle, I saw that puzzle and I looked at that puzzle

but I didn't even ask the price because I thought it was

going to be too much and I really regret that now.

The tape measure is nice, but I would prefer it if it was all ivory.

It's part bone, part ivory,

and the bone bit, the quality of carving isn't great,

but again it was cheap. She's bought well, the girl!

It is going to be a really interesting contest

because I've got absolutely no idea who is going to win this one.

It will be a tight contest... but I shall win!

Well, we'll have to see about that, won't we?

So, it's been a splendid first leg,

kicking off in Corsham, Wiltshire,

following a delightful loop through Somerset,

then back into Wiltshire and our auction venue du jour - Devizes.

Come on!

-I can't get out!

-Do you want some help?

-Help an old man!

This leg's showdown is taking place at Henry Aldridge & Son,

purveyors of furniture, ceramics and terrifying dolls.

Hold on to your hats, auctioneer Alan Aldridge is about to begin.

You deserve profits because you are so lovely.

Pass the sick bag, will you?

First up is Catherine's doorstop in the form of Mr Punch.

-£25.

-No, he is asking for 25.

-Oh.

10 I've got, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20?

-At £18, 18...

-That's not very good, I need a bit more than that.

All going, and done.

Well, it could be worse.

I suppose so, but that is a loss after the auction house takes

its well-earned commission.

Well, you nearly made a profit, lost a few pence I would say.

Charlie's up next with his own little favourite,

the Nunnery Lane street sign.

BOTH: # We all live down Nunnery Lane! #

25 quid?

-No.

-25? Nice sign?

10! 10, thank you.

10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20? At £18,

at £18 I've got. £18.

-Nunnery Lane!

-HE SOBS

Oh, dear, not looking good!

-Shall we give up now?

-Never give up.

Wise words, Charlie.

There's always hope, and next up is Catherine's Stanhope.

-I'll start the bid at £40.

-That would be nice, £40. 40, come on.

-30?

25? 20 I have got. 25 anywhere?

20 on the lady's bid. Five, quickly?

-Oh, there is a bid.

-22, 24, 26.

-Yes.

28? At 26 all going...

A bit of movement there, that was almost exciting!

Now you're getting desperate.

Another loss I'm afraid, after commission.

Yes, you've lost about a fiver

but, may I say, in my book that would be a triumph.

And Charlie's up next. It's his 1950s cigarette advertising clock.

-80 quid.

-Oh! He's asking 80.

-That's what he's asking because that's what it cost.

-£80 anywhere?

What about 20 quid then?

£20?

20 I've got. 20 I've got, 20 I've got.

At £20, sold.

£60 down the old drain. A disaster!

-That's very unfortunate.

-You'll have to give it up, Charlie.

This could be the comeback though.

It's Charlie again with his Victorian block puzzle.

£20? £20?

-I can't believe this.

-15?

15 I've got.

£2, 17? 15, 17.

£15. At £15, am I done?

BANGS GAVEL

You have been done, I am afraid, on that one.

Another loss, and Charlie has to pick up the pieces.

-I would give you £15 all day long.

-I'd have paid 50 quid for it!

Moving on, it is Catherine's Asprey juice jobby.

15, to get me away?

What about £10 on it?

10 I've got, thank you. 12?

This is Asprey!

Oh, here it goes, here it goes!

16 anywhere else? £14, 14. All done?

-The thing is, if you don't laugh, you're crying.

-If you don't laugh.

True. That's another loss for Catherine.

£14, that's kind of insulting.

More silver next,

Charlie's miniature candlesticks, bought for £25.

20 to start me?

10, to get me away. 10 I've got.

10, 15.

£10 on the maiden bid, 15? 15.

20, 25, 30, 35? What about 32.

32, that's a profit, Charlie. Your first one.

-34.

-A profit!

# I'm in the money. #

# He's in the money! #

At last! a profit for Charlie.

I think I made about three quid there!

If you counteract that against everything else...

Yes, yes, yes, it's still a loss of well over £100.

It's not quite as bad as that, Charlie.

Now, will anyone be tempted by Catherine's cider jars in baskets?

15? A tenner? £10.

-She was going to bid at 15.

-Don't...

10, 12...

He'll take the bid, hang on.

16, 18, 20. What about 19?

-You were on a roll for a moment there.

-20?

-At £20.

-BANGS GAVEL

Oh, my gosh. It's painfully hard.

Gosh, it's turning into a tough auction for both experts,

but there are still three lots to go.

Surely this one can't go wrong?

-Charlie's biscuit barrel.

-25.

Everything starts at 25 and then rapidly drops down.

20 I've got.

-He's got 20!

-£20, at £20 what about 22? At £20.

Come on, 22, someone!

At £20, all going.

A profit!

Splendid!

Charlie's edging his way back into the competition.

Charlie's last lot now, will someone be tempted by his spirit barrel?

-20 to start me?

-38...or 12.

-15.

-15, there we are.

-15, 17? At 15, 15, 15.

15, I told you, didn't I?

15, done.

And once again, Charlie, you have been.

Poor Charlie, a rather limp finish to his lots.

It's a long wait, 61 years, to have the worst day of your life.

It's all come down to the last lot of the day

but that pipe tray could go either way.

I shall be really, really upset,

I mean seriously upset, if it doesn't make more than

-£50 or £60.

-It's not going to go for anywhere...

And, let me start at a modest...

-No, we don't want modest.

-180.

-How much?

-180.

-150?

£100?

Oh, come on!

-60, 70, 80, 90.

-You're going!

100, 110, 120,

130, 140, 150, 160...

-There is hope in the world!

-170, 180?

180 at 180, at 180? He's done it again.

-Come here.

-Oh!

That is brilliant.

-Yes! I love you!

-The trouble is, it was hers.

Yes, a splendid result for Catherine.

The pipe tray has done her good.

-You're over 200 quid.

-About 205.

-You made a profit!

-# I'm in the money! #

Both our experts started this leg with £200.

After paying auction costs, Charlie has made a loss,

poor old chap, of £96.96.

That leaves him with a rather paltry £103.04 to carry forward.

The lovely Catherine on the other hand is the winner today.

She's made a profit of £16.56 so that means

she takes forward £216.56 to spend next time.

-Come on, Miss Southon, I'll open the door.

-It's not looking great, is it?

-The heavens are about to open!

-There we go!

-Right.

-Come on, Charlie. Onwards and upwards, dear.

The battle is lost, the war is not over.

Next time on the Antiques Road Trip,

Catherine cranks up the charm offensive.

You have got lovely eyes. Has anyone ever told you that?

-Thank you, I hope that's not been recorded.

-And, Charlie runs into trouble.

I've got a confession to make.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd