Episode 12 Antiques Road Trip

It's the nation's favourite antique experts with £200 each,

-a classic car and a goal - to scour Britain for antiques.

-That hurts.

Have I got it the right way up?

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

There will be worthy winners and valiant losers.

I look like the Mad Hatter.

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

I'm only in this programme to be Anita Manning's chauffeur.

This is the Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah!

This week, we're on the road in a delightful 1965 Sunbeam Alpine,

with our equally charming co-drivers,

Anita Manning and Phil Serrell. Groovy!

It's a Sunday morning.

-We should be going to church, shouldn't we, really?

-Yes.

Especially you. Confess your sins.

We haven't got long enough.

Some call them cheap and cheerful.

See if you can guess which one's which.

Anita with the radiant smile from Glasgow is rarely downcast for long.

Yes.

While Phil, from Midlands, is more of a glass-half-empty sort of chap.

-Will I need my hanky box as I'm coming round with you?

-No, I might need mine.

He also has a fondness for long, flowing scarves, a bit like Isadora Duncan.

I just hope it doesn't wrap around the axle and cause the same sticky end.

Whoops!

-Try driving with your hands on the wheel, Philip.

-Nag, nag, nag, nag.

Yesterday, Anita took a leaf out of Phil's book

and made a profit out of a coffin carrier.

She also lost quite a bit on a shiny ring.

She began with £200 and has £177.30 to spend today.

Phil being Phil bought a huge bit of bridge

and made a half-decent profit on a Worcester vase.

He also began with £200 and has a narrow lead,

with £225.80 at his disposal.

I wonder what Anita intends to do about that.

My plan would be to stop being a bit of Mrs Scattercash.

This week's road trip starts out at Ford in Northumberland

and ventures into Scotland, before winding its way southwards

once more, concluding in Yorkshire, at Harrogate.

Our second instalment kicks off in Northumberland, at Haltwhistle,

and makes for County Durham and an auction at Barnard Castle.

This is Hadrian's Wall.

He didn't actually build it

but he was the Roman emperor who started it, back in AD 122.

Nearby, the charming village of Haltwhistle claims to be

the geographic centre of Britain.

Although it does have rivals to that title. Speaking of rivals...

This is the centre of Britain, Philip.

Us Sassenachs don't realise it is almost as far from Edinburgh

to the north of Scotland as it is from London to Edinburgh.

That's right. So, maybe you guys sometimes forget

-there's something north...

-Of the border.

-North of the border.

-There we are.

-OK, darling. Well, have fun.

-You take care.

I'm going to enjoy the peace and quiet.

While Phil tootles off, Anita gets shopping.

Hello.

-I'm Anita.

-Lovely to meet you! I'm Susan.

OK, Anita.

Your first chance to shake off that scatter-cash reputation.

Perhaps Susan can recommend something she's had for a while.

I've got a nice, quirky, very quirky I call it, 1930s duck down here.

-Oh, right. Uh-huh.

-It appeals to me because I'm a bit zany.

-Oh, right.

Oh, yeah. That's good.

The Beswick Pottery in Stoke on Trent

became famous for their animal figurines in the 1930s.

But things really took off in 1948 when they secured

the rights to reproduce several Beatrix Potter characters.

-The first being Jemima Puddleduck.

-Look at the expression on his face!

-I know.

-He's quite coy.

-He is, yes.

No sale on the duck but can she resist something sparkly?

Are these hoops...? Let me see the hoops.

They're gold plated, I think.

Let's have a wee look.

I can see a wee bit of wear on them, so...

-Hmm.

-Oh, she's being firm today.

I have some gold clip earrings, just very small ones.

They are 1970s London.

Ticket price £25.

So, these are nine carat. And they're rather pretty.

These have got a wee sort of period look about them.

They are cultured pearls, not real pearls.

So, they wouldn't have been terrifically expensive

when they were bought.

I would like to have a go at these but I'm thinking,

what I would like to pay...

probably on them,

is roundabout their gold content

and hope that someone will pay more by the time they get to auction.

-Yes.

-What I'd be looking to pay on these is about £10.

Ooh! Let me have a little look.

Mmm.

-I'll do them for 12.

-You'd do them for 12. Let's go for 12 then.

-That's absolutely fine. Thank you very much.

-Great.

She's off to a solid start. Phil, meanwhile, is hoping to cope alone.

It is awfully quiet in this car without her.

I'm sort of missing her in the same way that you miss earache.

Phil's motored just a few short miles along the A69,

from Haltwhistle to Brampton.

And there's that Hadrian again.

War plans in one hand and whip in the other.

I wonder if he ever came through here.

Bonnie Prince Charlie certainly did and now, Phil Serrell,

in his sky-blue chariot.

This antiques centre in a fine hall, just next to the church,

is really something.

It's sometimes hard to tell but Phil is, I'm sure, really excited.

This is just a wicked shop.

I haven't even got in yet.

The auction in Barnard Castle is a general sale,

so Phil needs to keep that in mind.

Not get too carried away and maybe take advice from Steve.

This is your shop. Which is the best bit?

Point me in the direction of something I'm going to make a profit on.

This is £14. The hinges are a bit loose.

The feet are missing but it's a good £10 lot for you.

-OK. I like that.

-Rosewood tea caddy. 19th century.

Isn't it a sarcophagus shape tea caddy?

This is from the days when they locked tea up, because the servants used to pinch it, wasn't it?

-That's fantastic.

-I like that.

-Really? Is that a tenner?

You can have it for ten. It just came in yesterday.

-Fresh off the press.

-That's bought.

-Well, that paid off.

-How about a bigger box?

-This is a trunk.

It probably dates to about 1890, 1910.

It's not a grand mahogany brass bound trunk,

this is a real servants' trunk.

I think it's a really good thing.

I like that. You know what?

This place, it's like waking up on Christmas morning,

there's presents everywhere.

He's quite giddy, isn't he? Only £10 splashed so far.

I sense he's not finished yet.

What's the best you can do it for?

-£85.

-Right.

Let me just have a wander round.

Then I'll give you a shout in a second.

Meanwhile, back in Haltwhistle, centre of Britain...

ENGLISHMAN SINGS VERY SLOWLY

I can't understand this language.

That's cos, girls, you're not playing it at the right speed.

Enough, Anita. You're here to shop.

I noticed this little set here, Susan.

-Yes. The pewter.

-Ah, that's more like it.

These were doing not too badly a wee while ago

-but they've gone off the boil a wee bit.

-I know they have - a little bit.

-This is quite a nice one.

-I've had it in quite a while.

-You've had it a wee while?

-Yeah.

-Aha.

-I can do something on the price. Yes, it's 40.

I like this type of thing. It's Arts and Crafts.

-It has a slight medieval look about it.

-It has.

Probably 1920s, 1930s. Round about that period.

Hand-hammered with all these little dimples.

Somebody sat with a little hammer and tap, tap, tap.

If that was coming in for sale,

I would put an estimate of...

in the region of 20.

I know you've had it for quite a long time,

so I was wondering if you'd maybe be able to do a deal on it.

-I'm looking to pay round about £18 for it.

-Yes.

-So, we could go for that on that.

-Yeah.

-OK. That's wonderful.

-That's wonderful, Susan. That's absolutely terrific.

-You're very welcome.

Well, there's been very little cash scattered so far today.

Anita's picked up some keen bargains for £30.

Now, has Phil made his mind up yet?

-Hang about. He's spotted even more stuff.

-It's a cotton-reel holder.

A lady would have used that for her sewing.

There's little drawer underneath for perhaps needles, pins, all that sort of thing.

-May I just have a look?

-You certainly can.

I just think that's a really lovely thing. Country made thing.

It's a fabulous little thing. Really is nice.

So, what's the very best on that?

It's got £70 on the ticket but you can have it for 55,

you could have it for.

I love that! I love that! Let's have another look round.

This could turn into an epic. Steve now says

he has some Sheffield plate silver that Phil must see.

-If these were period, they'd be what?

-Fabulous!

They'd be 1690, 1710, 1715.

-And a few thousand pounds as well.

-Yeah, lots of thousands of pounds.

-They're Walker & Hall.

-Walker & Hall were like Rolls-Royce, weren't they?

Sheffield plate has thin layers of silver laid onto copper,

enabling Sheffield manufacturers like Walker & Hall to make items

looking like solid silver at a fraction of the cost.

What's the best you can do on those?

They are £75, you can have them for £65.

-I think I've made my mind up.

-Smashing.

Really, Phil, are you sure?

-That was 55, wasn't it?

-That was.

-That was 65, I believe those were.

-So that's 120 quid.

-And that's a massive total of £10.

You're a star. I'll pay for those now.

You've been really, really kind to me, thank you.

So, £130 for the candlesticks, the bobbin stand and the caddy.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much.

It may have taken some time, but Phil's amassed quite a pile.

Together again, Anita and Phil

must now make their way from Brampton to Carlisle.

The county town of Cumberland has been here

since before the Romans, but as you might have guessed,

Hadrian did have quite an influence hereabouts.

Since those days, the town has grown quite a bit

and become famous for lots of non-Roman things

like mills, railways and biscuits.

-Oh, yeah, and the Antiques Centre.

-Hi, hello, I'm Anita.

-How lovely to be here.

-Delighted to meet you.

This place looks a bit like a film set

designed to resemble a Victorian street.

The only difference being that

it's made up of stuff from a real bit of old Carlisle,

one that was knocked down in the '80s

to make way for a shopping centre. Oh, well, that's progress!

I love 20th-century glass and there are lovely pieces in here.

It's like something I bought before and didn't do very well.

Sounds like Anita needs to consult Wendy.

She has her own place here,

as well as looking after the shops of the other dealers.

That's an interesting, a nice... I like that singing blue.

-The ticket price is £45.

-It's a nice thing, isn't it?

-It's very pretty.

-Is it a wee stamp box?

-Yes.

-Not silver?

No.

It's tempting, and I love its wee... It's glass, isn't it?

Yes, it's pretty. Well, that can be very cheap.

-Can that be very, very cheap?

-Very, very cheap.

I mean, how very, very, the bargain of the century could this be?

-One offer, 10.

-Done.

-Right.

Shake on that!

Now, there's a coincidence.

Just like Phil, she's picked up a box for a tenner.

So, with another one in the old bag,

it's not long before Anita finds something a little more earthy.

This one is from 1923.

Now, 1923, the world was quite a different place

and collectors of globes

liked to see how the world was at that particular time.

Yup, we'd only just got the USSR back then,

plus Sri Lanka was Ceylon

and belonged to something called the British Empire.

-£145.

-Oh, my!

Step back, Anita, step back.

Might able to do a deal, but should I be spending all that money?

No. That is costing the Earth!

This caught my eye. I have a weakness for a terrestrial globe.

How much sort of movement could there be on that?

Well, it's got 145 on that. Normally, around about the 10% mark,

so you're talking about probably 120.

I'm tempted, I'm tempted!

Luckily, the dealer is having a cup of tea next door, so Anita should get an answer soon.

How about 115?

115, it's becoming tempting.

Could you ask if they would sell that terrestrial globe for £80?

Now, I will not be upset if you throw me out of the shop.

I'll have a go at it and if it doesn't happen, it doesn't matter.

Well, I hope he doesn't choke on a custard cream

when he hears Anita's latest cheeky offer.

Right, well, he was shocked, as you imagine.

I feel terrible, I maybe shouldn't have asked.

But he would like to do a deal, that's what it's all about.

-So, 90 is his price, 90, that's coming down a lot.

-It is, it is.

It's coming down 55.

If I pay £90 for it, it's got to make 120-odd in auction.

That's the way that I have to think about it.

How about a compromise between the two,

and I won't even ask him, I'll just tell him £85, it's a deal.

-Let's try it. Let's go for it, let's go for it.

-Let's just do it.

Oh, I've done it again! I've done it again!

And I daren't go through there either,

-because he'll probably poison my tea.

-Oh, no!

In Carlisle? Surely not!

Phil's on his way to the outskirts

to visit one of the city's tiniest treasures

because tucked beneath this garden centre

is the only collection of its kind in the UK.

He's looking for A World In Miniature.

It's around here somewhere...

Ah, that's the sort of thing -

amazing little replicas of real objects.

Unlike the candlesticks Phil's just bought,

these are probably solid silver.

Our Phil is about to seek Lilliput in the company of guide, Sally.

You won't believe your eyes when I show you some of these things,

but I think you might find this useful.

I need that for every day living, never mind coming in here.

So these things you might recognise just a few of them on your travels.

Antique shops - I could go in there and spend my 200 quid, couldn't I?

I can see a few things I might like,

you've an Edgar Hunt painting just there, of cockerels in a farmyard.

A lovely little rocking horse.

A treadle sewing machine, you've got a Wemyss pig - fantastic.

And there's a little penny farthing that someone's left in the entrance.

Oh, yeah, that's cool, isn't it?

There are over 50 little rooms of miniatures at Houghton Hall.

The collection was started in Scotland during the '50s,

but when the founders decided to retire,

everything was to be sold off.

Happily, the owners of a Cumbrian garden centre

stepped in to save it and commissioned even more pieces

at exactly one twelfth actual size.

So that's like 12 inches is replicated in one inch.

Is that the miniature as standard?

It is, it's something that's universally accepted across the world.

-I've got one real favour to ask you.

-OK.

-Can I handle something?

SHE GASPS

I don't know! I'll have to check with the boss.

I tell you what, can you play any musical instruments?

-How about a miniature saxophone?

-Yeah, yeah, that would be fantastic.

Just to have a look, just to hold it would be fantastic.

-So, that's actually pure gold.

-It is.

-So that IS worth its weight in gold.

-Yes, literally.

-So these all work?

-They supposedly all work.

-They do as well.

If you were able to put a reed on it, they tell me it will play.

That's a pity, because I was just going to do the Pink Panther for you.

But it is quite the most perfect thing, it's delightful.

Children are very welcome here but these are certainly not toys.

They've moved far beyond even the finest dolls' house.

What would the most expensive miniature piece you could buy cost you?

1,000, 10,000, 20,000?

Oh, no, you're talking multiples of thousands

for one small piece of furniture.

This is one of my favourite pieces.

That's a walnut secretaire bureau bookcase.

The only thing that that doesn't have

is the thick end of 300 years of a patina.

-I just love it.

-And who made that?

Oh, this was made by John Hodgson, who is known as The Master.

Hodgson and younger artists like Mark Gooch

are big names in miniature's and with good reason -

because these creations really are a labour of love.

This model of a Middlesbrough theatre, for example,

took over seven years to create.

It's accurate right down to

all the wonderful mouldings over the proscenium arch

and there's the audience sitting there,

all in their Edwardian finery.

Every single one of the figures is different.

-And there's even a gentleman...

-I can see him, that's me!

-..in the bar.

-In the bar, having a drink.

No, they're not miniature, just far away!

Night-night.

Day two, and it's damp.

In the Sunbeam, things are getting steamy.

You must be heavy breathing, Anita, because I can't see a damn thing.

-It's being next to you, Phil.

-I can understand that.

Yesterday, Phil picked up a tea caddy,

a pair of Sheffield plated candlesticks

and bobbin stand for a total of £130,

leaving him with just under £100 to spend today...

while Anita acquired a pair of earrings and a pewter tea set,

plus the little stamp box and a globe.

All that came to £125, leaving her just over £50 to spend today.

They're heading from the little Cumbrian hamlet of Temple Sowerby

to the auction in Barnard Castle.

There's a castle over there, look.

-Where? Oh, right.

-On the right, over there. Is that a castle?

I think it's a ruin, a bit like yourself.

Where Phil's about to find himself in a strangely clean farmyard.

-Have a good day.

-Right, remember Philip, no big lumps of iron.

The bigger the better. See you later, bye.

Unlikely.

This quirky place has been nominated one of Britain's best antique shops.

-Hi, I'm Philip.

-Hi, I'm Andy. Pleased to meet you, Philip.

Andy, how are you? This is a lovely showroom, isn't it?

It may only be a barn,

but the shrewd mix of antiques and vintage is enough to inspire.

Anyone might think they were hip here, even Phil.

-Purple Rain, that was Prince, wasn't it?

-Yeah.

Right on!

The only trouble is, Daddy-o, can you make some bread here?

This market is really a retail environment, you know.

I'm going to struggle to buy anything here

to put it into a general sale and try and make a profit on it.

Time for a word with Andy.

Is your storeroom, is it through there?

It's my workshop usually,

but we've just had a bric-a-brac clear-out sale this weekend.

-Can I go and have a look?

-Yeah, sure.

-Thank you.

Now this is much more chez Phil.

I like it when a man says, "This is the stuff I want to get rid of."

What we might find out in a minute is

how badly he wants to get rid of it.

-That's a bit traditional for you, isn't it?

-Yeah, to be honest...

-What will you do with that?

-Well, I've put a really low price on.

If somebody wants a cheap chest of drawers, that's it?

What's your best price on that?

Make me an offer.

It'll be a mean offer.

I wouldn't go over 50 quid, I'd want to buy it for 40 or 50 quid,

-because I tell you why, I think the top needs sorting.

-Oh, yeah.

I think it needs all this cock-beading doing down here

and it wants lifting up about two and a half inches

with some bracket feet.

I'm going to give you 40 quid for it.

-40 quid?

-I know I'm being really cheeky.

No, you're not, because I use them for scrap, so it's a balance of what we can get.

There's an element, your scutchings and the locks are worth more to me

-than it is as a piece of furniture. Are you going to take it now?

-Yeah.

-Give us 40 quid.

-Oh, you're a gentleman, thank you.

But you won't get anywhere in life without some proper barefaced cheek.

Is there any way that we can just, something that we can just...

I've probably got a nut for it.

Just to lock that on there,

then it just looks a little bit more presentable, doesn't it?

-I'll even leave you with your ivy leaf.

-Thanks(!)

Andy, thank you very much indeed.

So, while Andy makes a quick repair, Phil shoves off.

Meanwhile, Anita has made her way

from Temple Sowerby to Kirby Stephen.

-It's lovely to meet you. Penny, is it?

-It's Penny, you're right, yes.

For me, this is heaven.

Anita still wants to find one more item, but while downstairs

a perfectly respectable selection of bric-a-brac awaits,

upstairs are hats and Anita certainly does like a hat.

# Mirror, mirror, mon amour

# Send me what I'm waiting for

# Pick me up an image so fine So fine

# Mirror, mirror, mon amour

# Give me what I'm waiting for... #

It's very Jackie O.

Now I look like a dowager duck.

A dowager duck! SHE LAUGHS

I think it's terribly chic.

I think this one would suit Phil.

Now, just calm down, Anita, and apply yourself.

What about that clock?

I'm having a look at this clock.

It has the look,

it's got that Art Deco 1930s geometric shape and I like it.

Whoops! You only have about £50 left.

What I was looking at was this clock, Penny.

It's Art Deco style, it's not from the 1930s,

it's maybe a bit later than that, '50s.

I know it had some pieces with it.

That's right, yes, it would have had two side ornaments

and the little back plate is missing.

But it's like this shop, it's got bags of style.

-Thank you, thank you for that.

-Enough buttering up, please!

Now we get to the nitty-gritty.

What I'd be looking to pay would be in the region of 30 to 35.

Am I anywhere near it?

Not really, I would have thought more £50.

It might be a wee bit dear for me at 50.

Is there another wee bit of movement, maybe in the region of 40?

40 would help me.

-How's 45 sounding.

-45?

-I think that really is the best.

45, it's not a bad price and I probably have got a chance with that.

-It's a deal.

-Thank you very much.

-I'll get that wrapped for you.

-OK, thank you.

With Anita now almost penniless, let's see what her rival can do.

Because having grabbed the Sunbeam,

trundled north along to Appleby-in-Westmorland,

Phil's looking for one more buy.

I think that I'm quite pleased with what I bought,

although I have to say they're a bit, you know,

real old-school antiques and it would be quite nice to find

one thing that I can go off piste on.

I shudder to think what that might mean. Perhaps he'll buy a horse.

The place is known for them, after all.

Appleby's famous annual horse fair

was first held as long ago as the 12th century.

That does look an intriguing sign!

You can see why they've called it Hidden Treasures.

Divina, meet Phil. He may not be your easiest customer.

Has that label been on there a long time?

Not that long, or else it would have smudged.

-That's a blow. I was hoping...

-It would smudged in the rain.

SHE LAUGHS

What would be the very, very best on that?

-Very best.

-15.

OK. Thank you. Put that one back.

Hm, he's in a funny mood today.

Just a touch out of my price range, unfortunately.

Will I need my hanky box as I'm coming round with you?

No, I might need mine.

I'm very tempted by the book on modern welding

but I think I'll give that a miss just for now.

I think that's five or 10 quid's worth at auction.

What have you got on that? 28.

But while he's pondering that book,

more sewing paraphernalia comes to light.

Actually, I've just seen something else. What's that?

Ohh! Blooming backache!

Sewing clamps, are they? That's a sewing clamp, isn't it?

It sort of just slides onto there like that,

and you just tighten him up and...

That goes on there as well, you just tighten that up.

That one, it's basically like a little pincushion.

I think they're probably ivory.

Under the 1947 CITES agreement, it's illegal to buy or sell

any ivory objects unless they were made before June of that year.

But as these are late Victorian or Edwardian, they'll be fine.

What's your best on these? Your very, very best.

35. You really are going to make a profit on that, I'm certain.

I'm going to buy these two off you, my love.

£35 sews up that little deal.

Back in the lovely old town of Kirby Stephen, Anita's stopped shopping.

The Vikings were early settlers here

and the name of the place derives from the Norse for church.

In one of the town's many fine buildings,

Anita's come to see an historic collection

of one of her favourite things - frocks.

Hello, Lynn. I have been so looking forward to coming here.

I am a dedicated follower of fashion. How did it all start?

I bought blanket box full of linen, tablecloths and stuff

and in the bottom of the box was a cape and that really set me off.

That was over 30 years ago.

Since then, Lynn has acquired

over 400 vintage dresses of various ages and styles,

many accessories too, but it all started with one little cape.

It's 1870s, and we know that

because it's got nice what we call "pagoda" sleeves

and she would have had white ruff sleeves underneath

that came up to the elbow.

I just love it. It's responsible for me spending an awful lot of money.

I would think my collection's worth over £100,000, if not more,

but I don't care, I just love it.

For many years, Lynn kept her amazing collection at home

using it for fashion shows and talks.

But now the public can view it every weekend for free.

I wish they could talk to me, though.

I sit and I look at them hanging up on pictures and walls

and doors and I think, "If only they could talk to me."

-Is this a ball dress or an evening dress?

-It is a ball gown.

Because of all the lace,

this depicts that this lady had a lot of money.

I mean, it's gorgeous.

-They were prestige dressing. There were power dressing.

-They were.

For most modern women,

the only equivalent of those fine frocks is their wedding dress

and Lynn has over 100 of these.

There's lace ones, there is satin ones,

velvet ones and as you can see, they're all different.

So everyone's got a story, everyone's had a happy bride?

Most of them, yes, except this one.

Now this one, it's had three owners.

The person who originally made it was jilted,

so she passed it on to a cousin.

And unfortunately, she died, so she didn't wear it.

And then the third owner is the lady I got it from,

she was a missionary out in Africa somewhere

and she put it on to get married

and when she turned round just for the finishing touches,

it was absolutely covered in creepy crawlies,

so she took it off and got married

in a little white frock belonging to one of the servant girls.

Oh, that's so sad. Poor wee dress, it's never had a bride.

-Do you think it might have in the future?

-No.

It's a little bit unlucky, isn't it, really?

And who could resist a dress with such a tale?

Certainly not our Anita.

What do you think?

Well, I think I've found myself another model for future shows.

Great.

All I need now is a man.

Oh, no, it can't be.

The curse strikes again. Not Blakey from On The Buses?!

Don't do it!

OK, now it's time to reveal just what they've been up to.

Let's have a look. What have we bought?

What have we got? Right...

I quite like doing this bit.

It's a wee bit like Christmas.

Can I say two things I like instantly? I think that's lovely

-and I love that.

-OK.

And I love that cos, as you know, I used to be an old geog bloke.

I know you were a geography teacher, but you cannae read a map!

No, I can't read a globe anyway.

So I think that's lovely. What did you pay for that?

I paid £85 for that.

I think if that doesn't show you a decent profit, there's no justice.

-What's that? Show me that.

-What's that?

-Well, it looks better than it is, Philip.

-There's a lot of things in life like that.

-Including me and you!

-Absolutely!

It's a wee stamp box, and what drew me to it

-was this beautiful blue.

-It's almost like lapis, it?

-It is. It's an agate.

-How much?

-Ten quid.

-Oh, you can't go wrong with that.

-I know.

What about the stuff he's not so keen on?

I thought you weren't a wee dog lady.

-I'm not, but I thought you might like this.

-I love dogs.

-There are people who are wee dog ladies.

-And that... That's not Tudric, is it?

-It's not, it's Craftsman.

I bought that because I like the Arts and Crafts look about it.

And I bought it, and then I looked at it again

and I realised that these two finials were different.

Shh, don't tell anybody.

Don't worry, not a word.

Your secret's safe.

Are you ready for this?

This is the real boring stuff, this is.

These little sewing implements,

what draws you to them?

It was the only thing I thought I could make a profit out of

is the absolute honest truth!

My two favourite bits is this little baby,

-which I think is just a lovely thing.

-It is.

With this little drawer here.

-Oh, isn't that sweet?

-I thought that was sweet.

-And I love these as well.

-Are these silver?

In your dreams, sweetheart! Our budget's 200,

not 2,000!

How much did you pay for them?

Well, that was £65.

-That was £55...

-Yes...

-A tenner.

-A tenner?!

I think she's impressed, Phil!

-How did you get that for a tenner?

-Well, cos it's a bit battered and bruised!

-Can I have a wee look?

-Yeah, yeah.

-I mean, I know that condition is...

-but you've still got the lids here.

-Yeah.

-For a tenner, that's a good buy, so you've done well, my friend.

-I hope so.

-This is the other lot.

-Yeah.

-This?

-This, yeah.

-You bought this?

-Yeah.

-That's a nice chest. Victorian chest.

-It is, Anita, but you know...

If you paid £50 for it, I'd still think you'd be getting it cheap.

I paid £40 for it and if I didn't buy it, the guy was going to break it up and use it for spare timber.

And what you're saying is, you're just an old softie.

That gruff exterior,

that gurning old face...

You are just a softie!

-I like the handles.

-That's it, then?

Let's throw the rest away!

If that wasn't frank enough, let's find out what they really thought.

I can't see anywhere a potential for big losses.

I think the pewter service, that's profit,

the earrings, profit,

the dog... you can't lose too much there.

I think they're a lovely little group of items.

Proper, regular antiques.

I like them all,

but I particularly like the little ivory sewing implements.

I think they're beautiful.

The globe, that's my real bit of green-eyed jealousy creeping in,

because it's a really nice thing. I think she could do well with that.

After starting out by Hadrian's Wall, up in Haltwhistle,

this part of our trip will end at an auction in the castle.

Locals call it Barney.

Do you know what?

I think these auctioneers will look after us well today.

You're optimistic, then?

No, I've sent them threatening letters if they don't!

This auction house doesn't just sell the usual sort of thing.

They once included a five-door family hatchback alongside antique furniture.

So while the Barney folk take a butcher's at what's on offer today,

let's have a barney with auctioneer David Elstob

about Philip and Anita's lots.

My favourite item is the globe. Had a bit of pre-sale interest in that.

Does have a few condition issues, but I expect that to do well.

The other I'm interested is a chest of drawers.

It's a nice size, good proportions

and we've had interest from the local trade.

Anita began with £177.30

and she spent a total of £170 on five auction lots.

Let's go for it! Let's go for it!

Phil started out with £225.80,

and he spent £205 of it,

also on five lots.

Only, this is unsaleable.

This place is packed and we're about to start.

One of us at least is very excited.

I had blue biro marks all the way up my leg when I got home after the last auction!

As long as it's only ink. OK, Anita's dog and clock.

Not a pub, but an Art Deco-style timepiece.

With commission I'll start straight in at 50.

50 I'm bid, I'll take five next.

£50 I'm bid...

Five anywhere? 55... 60...

Five in the room, 65 in the room.

Let's see 70. 65. Can I see 70 anywhere?

-I have 65.

-All done at 65...

BANGS GAVEL

-Well done you!

-I'm happy with that. I'm happy.

Quite right too. A very good start.

I've got tender skin. My mother always told me I have tender skin.

More Anita. Hand-hammered and under the hammer.

Who'll start me at £50?

£30 then?

Nobody wants it for 30?

20?

20 bid. At 20. I'll take two.

£20 I'm bid. 22 anywhere?

22... 25...

28, 30, 32,

bid at 32...

35 anywhere? 35...

-35 bid. 35.

-38... Yes!

-Would you just stop?!

-At 40 in front.

-All done at 40...

BANGS GAVEL Yes!

Good!

More profits. Anita's catching up.

Just leave me alone!

I don't want to leave you alone!

Aw-w!. Phil's turn.

He loves those candlesticks.

Set me away for these. 50 for them.

Worth all of that. £50?

30 then?

£30 I'm bid.

Back of the room at £30. 32? 32 on the net.

32. 35. Two bidders on the net. 38.

40. 40 bid. 42. 42 bid.

42. 45.

45 bid. 48 in the room.

48 in the room. 50.

50 bid. At 50 bid. £50 in the room.

Across the room, 55.

60. 60 bid.

At £60 in the back then. All done at 60?

BANGS GAVEL

That's just cost me 15 quid.

Yup, it'll be a much bigger loss after commission.

-Now we're almost equal, as we speak.

-Are you an auctioneer or a mathematician?

You've got to be both. You know that.

Anita's globe. The old geography teacher thinks the world of this too.

-Nice thing. We have a telephone line.

-Oh!

-I'm at 38 bid.

38 I'm bid. I'll take 40.

42. 45. 48. 50.

Five. 60. 60 bid. 60 bid. I'll take five.

65. 70.

75. 75 bid.

80. 80 bid.

85. 90. 90 bid in the room.

95 on the phone.

95 on the phone. Let's see 100.

-100 now. 100 in the room.

-Yes!

-100 bid.

110 on the floor. 120 in the room.

120 in the room. I'll take 130.

-I love this.

-Yeah.

130 on the floor. 140 if you like, sir.

130 on the telephone.

All done at 130? Selling at 130...

BANGS GAVEL

-Yes!

-Well done you.

Everyone loved it.

Another fine profit for Anita.

Your little tea caddy.

If that doesn't make a profit, I will pack up.

Time for Phil to fight back

with this battered caddy.

With interest, I'll start you with 25 bid.

That's a relief.

At 25 bid. 28 anywhere?

At 25. 28. 30. 32. 35.

At 35 bid. 38 on the net. 38 on the net.

40 with me.

£40 to see 42. £40. 42.

-Happy?

-Yeah, I am, actually.

At 48 bid. At 48. 50. I'm 50 bid now.

-At £50.

-All done at 50...

BANGS GAVEL

So are you happy? Let's see a wee smile.

Steady on, Phil! Things are looking up, though.

It's my lot next.

He's right, you know.

The cotton reel stand. Worth a packet or what?

And with interest, I'm bid 35. 35 I'm bid.

38. 40. 42.

45. 48. 50.

50 bid. Five. It's only another five pounds.

Five. 60.

Five anywhere? 65.

70, madam. 75.

75 bid.

It's worth another five pounds of anybody's money.

At 75 bid. Come on. 80.

Five. 90? Round it up.

£85 in front of me.

All done at £85.

BANGS GAVEL

-Tell you what, he worked really hard.

-He worked hard, yeah.

More profits for the man from Worcester.

Next up, Anita's bargain stamp box.

I bought it because it was pretty and because I got a very good price.

The woman was very good to me.

A continental white-metal mounted blue-banded agate stamp box.

About 1900.

With interest I'm at 38 bid.

I thought it would do well.

£38 I'm bid. 38. 40. 42. 45. 48.

48 bid.

At £48 bid. Do I see 50 anywhere?

Internet's in at 50. At 50 bid on the net.

All done at 50...

BANGS GAVEL

-£50.

-I think it's a cracking thing.

-Can't complain at that.

Yup, we definitely approve of that one.

What do you think your earrings will make?

They should make in excess of £20.

There is that gold content.

We'll see, Anita. You've certainly done well so far, darling.

-Should kind of double up my money.

-Yeah.

With interest I'm at 18.

You were spot on.

20 bid. At £20 in the room. Do I see 22?

22. 25. 28.

At £28 bid. 30. 30 bid.

At £30 in the corner then. All done at 30...

BANGS GAVEL

-That was a short and sweet 15 quid profit!

-But that's spot on.

They're neck and neck now.

My profit's going to come out of my chest of drawers.

How did you get that for 40 quid?

Well, we can probably rule out charm!

Nice chest of drawers. Good proportions.

I'm bid £90 on it. 90 I'm bid.

That's all right.

95. 100.

100 bid. 110. 120.

120 bid. Don't leave it for ten.

120 with me. 130 on the net.

Let's see 140.

It's an internet bid at 130.

You're out still. Selling at 130...

-BANGS GAVEL

-130.

But I'm pleased

because that's given me a bit of a leg up, hasn't it?

A huge profit, actually, from a chest that was destined for scrap.

Next lot's the old sewing bits then.

-Internet's in at 38.

-Are you getting excited?

I think he is, Anita.

Who'll start me at 50?

40 then?

40 I'm bid. £40 I'm bid.

£40. At 40 bid. 42.

45.

48. 50. 50 bid.

Five. 55. 60. 60 bid.

That's £60 then. 65.

65. 70.

At 70 bid then.

At £70. All done at 70...

BANGS GAVEL

I've completely lost the plot of what I've done and haven't done.

-Will I count it all up for you?

-Yeah, you count your money.

Another good profit

and Anita's adding up proves that Phil once again carries the day.

-And as I'm in profit I'll buy you a cup of tea.

-You're a darling.

After paying auction costs, Anita now has:

Phil, on the other hand, is still way out in the lead with:

Well done!

-That really wasn't too bad, was it?

-IT was absolutely great.

But, Phil, I think you're still ahead of me by a margin.

-Well...

-Quite a big margin.

-He did a good job, didn't he?

-Yes!

On to the next stop.

Next time on the Antiques Road Trip,

Anita has a ball.

Ugh! It's very heavy. >

That would keep a man where you would him!

And Phil makes a promise.

I'd like to give you a very satisfactory experience.

LAUGHTER

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd