Episode 23 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! That's my head!

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.

I'm joking!

-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 thanks to two unlikely lads.

Last chance at 150.

I thought that was bonkers.

This week 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.

-I'm going to go that way. I'll see you later on.

-Have fun!

-Buy well.

-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.

-I'll have a look. Is that all right?

-You're welcome.

-Don't sell my hat!

-It looks good in the shop.

-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.

What do you think of this? Doesn't one look rather attractive?

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. A real decorative, beautiful thing.

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?

Walking sticks are so collectible.

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.

-Well, you know what it is.

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. You're having a tough time.

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.

-You can cope with that?

-Yeah, I can.

Have I gone in with too much now?

-Em...

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

-But it's sent the poor boy into a spin.

-I didn't want to do this. I didn't want to spend as much.

Too late now, boy. 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.

My theory is that that Chinese censer

would be a nice lot on its own, but there are so many fakes about

that I want people to have confidence in its age. It has age. But I want to give that confidence.

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. Yes on that, please.

The Chinese for 32.

But I quite like this as well. 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.

With some odd weights with them.

-I don't know whether those appeal.

-They're quite sweet. Good fun.

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.

-Right, OK...

-I'm actually...

-You're going to do me a huge favour.

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. Who's this?

-This is Eddie.

-Hello.

So how much is Eddie?

Blimey! James will try to buy anything if it's not nailed down.

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,

which I like. 95...

How flexible is the 95?

-I'd go down to 80.

-80.

How does 50 quid grab you?

Deep breath! Deeper and deeper then come back at me!

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.

-Eddie, how about you?

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.

Meanwhile, Thomas is keen to make the most of the glorious weather and heads north to Blair Atholl

in Highland Perthshire.

-BAGPIPES PLAY

-At its heart is Blair Castle, the ancient seat

of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl.

Thomas has come to see the Atholl Highlanders,

the only private army in Europe with the royal seal of approval for their service to Queen Victoria

almost 200 years ago.

The Highlanders were formed in 1839 by Lord Glenlyon, later the Sixth Duke of Atholl,

when he took a group of his estate workers to the Eglinton Tournament

as his personal bodyguard.

-Archivist Jane Anderson picks up the story.

-Were they just average men?

They were the people who worked on the estate, so they were keepers, ghillies, gardeners, farmers,

very much the men were just the average men in the area.

In 1842, Queen Victoria came to Dunkeld on her first ever visit to Scotland.

And Lord Glenlyon's estate workers welcomed the Queen in true Highland fashion.

They entertained her to dancing and piping. She was so impressed,

she asked if she could have the castle at her disposal for three weeks in 1844.

Lord and Lady Glenlyon moved out and the Queen came with her servants, complete retinue,

pastry cooks, hairdressers.

Queen Victoria did not have her own security, so Glenlyon called upon his trusty estate workers

-to guard her throughout her stay.

-She was so impressed, she decided to grant

the Queen's Colours to the men who guarded her.

This was completely unprecedented. That means you bear arms.

This made them the only private regiment the Queen gave this honour to

the Atholl Highlanders were born.

-So this is the grant of the colours, signed Victoria.

-Oh, right.

They then had later versions made

and they're up here with the regimental colour and Queen's colour. Ever since 1846,

they've paraded every year, very similar to how you see it today.

Although the Highlanders were an army, they never fought as a regiment.

However, many of the men enlisted in the Crimean War and World War One.

Because so many of them were killed and never came back, it went into abeyance after the war.

It was only right after the Second War that the 10th Duke brought the regiment up to strength

in 1966.

The Atholl Highlanders now have approximately 100 men, the vast majority of whom are local people

-keeping their traditions alive.

-Present...arms!

The Highlanders' Royal connections started with Queen Victoria,

but it still continues to this day as Prince Michael of Kent presents them with a medal

in commemoration of Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee.

Let's hope the Highlanders' hearty spirit gives Thomas the inspiration to battle on

against his rival, James.

Back in Dunkeld,

-James is, well, taking it easy.

-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. No box is a killer.

The hippo is £120

and the stag £140.

For me, there are so many things that say, "Go for it."

The first thing is it's Royal Crown Derby. It's my home.

Secondly, it's called the Sherwood Stag.

My first ever valuation was done in Sherwood in Nottingham.

Thirdly, 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.

Good old David has given James a remarkable reduction in price.

-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...

-Excellent.

I think if they don't make that, they don't make that.

-120 for the two.

-Fine.

-Thank you.

It seems James has bought with his heart,

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

-Thank you.

-All we need to do is make a profit!

-That's right.

-Bye!

It's been a day well spent so it's time for James and Thomas to put their feet up. Nighty night.

It's the start of a new day 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!

So far, underdog Thomas Plant has spent £180 on three items.

A walking cane, a stoneware tobacco jar and an Auchtermuchty set of scales.

-It's nice to see you getting excited.

-Leaving him with £104.22 for today's shopping.

-I really like them.

-Good. Excellent.

Meanwhile, James Lewis has spent £22 on five items.

A Chinese censer,

a Persian coffee pot,

a country house bust

and two Royal Crown Derby paperweights.

Cheers. And thank you very much!

Leaving James still flush with £575.10.

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

Gosh! And there's discord in the camp.

-Keep going all the way to the dead end(!)

-There's a junction!

-No, dead end.

-There's a junction!

Oh, boys, do stop bickering!

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.

I'm looking at jewellery. I shouldn't. It's not the thing I should be doing.

See, I can't keep away.

I get drawn to it like a magpie.

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. It's lovely, isn't it?

-You should do a reasonable return on that.

-Lovely.

-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.

-Those three there. 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.

So you're looking at...

-five, twenty...

-£40 total.

-£40 total.

-Mm-hm.

-That would make an interesting lot.

-Steve, I'm going to make you an offer. 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.

-Hope you do well.

James is keen to soak up the history of the area so Thomas gives him a lift to Inverness.

Although only half an hour away, it's plenty of time for James to interrogate Thomas.

-So what did you buy?

-I'm not going to tell you. Don't do that! That hurts!

-Come on, what did you buy?

-These beautiful hairs on my legs and you want to rip them off?!

There they go again.

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 Cabinet meeting

outside London.

-That is rather special.

-It's sort of baronial, isn't it?

Enjoy your shopping!

-Yeah.

-Don't get any bargains!

Such a team player.

Here to meet James is local historian Jamie Gaukroger. Nice name.

-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, as were several other Ministers.

Winston Churchill was on holiday here. The King was holidaying 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.

Despite a truce in the July of 1921, by the September 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.

-Strange, isn't it?

-The British were determined it would stay.

-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, Secretary for the Colonies.

This is a time when politicians really led from the front.

-They were really respected people.

-They were. They were revered.

People like Lloyd George and Churchill were hugely respected.

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. They were sitting on chimney stacks. Every possible vantage point.

-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.

The Inverness Formula was agreed at that meeting

and used to form the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty, which established the Irish Free State.

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 day 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...!

-No, no, not you, James. You don't do it for me.

-Thank goodness for that!

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

-Please don't try this at home.

-Argh! That's my head!

-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.

I did give James the longer fencing foil. I found one short blade, one long. One junior, one adult.

I've got £575 left.

I don't have to buy anything if I don't find anything,

but if I do, it would be nice to buy it.

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 and 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.

I quite like that really. £22. Definitely a profit.

Meanwhile, Thomas is going for...kitchenware!

You sort of clamp it on to something and you slice God knows what.

What a mad thing.

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.

Or I don't know if he'd be interested in something like this. It's not really his bag.

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

-Hello.

-What is it?

-It's nothing. Maybe something I might purchase.

-Let's have a look.

-No!

You're like some evil pest. I'm being trapped!

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.

-Mm-hm.

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.

-30 no good to you?

-I could go another pound, but...

I'm not going to argue with you! You said 35 was your best.

-£35 it is.

-Thank goodness for that.

Well, a really good Satsuma vase, a pair of Helena Wolfsohn plates.

I've still got all that cash left.

Lucky you.

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

-What can your really wonderful price be on that?

-I would think £12.

-10.

-I'm struggling for 10, but 12 I think there would still be some money available in that.

-Do you think so?

-Definitely.

-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 it's time to show and tell.

In the middle of a field?!

-Do you want a hand?

-Yes, please.

-Oh...!

There we go.

-Who's that? Aristotle?

-I wasn't quite sure.

-Is it plaster?

-Yes.

-And is the base plaster?

-Yes.

-No, he's rather good, isn't he?

-I liked him.

-How much was Aristotle?

-65.

-He's marvellous, isn't he?

-Particularly good with a Panama.

I love this! This is my favourite. A sort of rose water.

-Yes.

-Or tea.

-Coffee.

-Yeah, coffee. Rather fun.

Obviously if it was in London, you know, in Islamic week, it could probably make £100.

-It's a good thing. But we're selling in Buckie.

-Paid a fiver.

-Don't worry about it.

-Next are James's sentimental buys.

-If I was locked in a shed all my life...

-Right.

Not seen the world, and somebody presented me to these as what man has created,

I would find it difficult to be impressed, but they're probably very collectible.

I find them formulaic.

Wow. Thomas isn't pulling any punches.

-Ready, James?

-What have we got?

What does the jar say on the front? It looks like a tobacco jar.

-Honey Dew.

-It is a tobacco jar.

-Isn't that nice?

-Lovely.

Very unusual to have the gilded label.

What about the country walking stick, James?

-What on earth is that?!

-Exactly what I thought!

Either it's a self-defence or it's for hunting, fishing.

-I have no idea.

-That's interesting.

-It is.

The countryside theme continues with the brass scales.

These are quite fun. They're from... Auchtermuchty or something.

Have you heard of that before? J White and Sons.

-I like those. That's your best buy.

-You like the scales?

-Yeah.

-I think we've done rather well. I'm pleased with my lots and you've done all right, too.

-Thank you.

-At the auction...

-Good luck.

-Niceties apart, what do they think?

Thomas has bought really well. The items are interesting. I like the scales, 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 because I saw them.

After travelling from Dunkeld up to Blair Atholl,

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 do!

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

Auctioneer John Ferguson gives us a review of James and Thomas's lots.

Crown Derby, good lots. Should do well.

The marmalade slicer. Nice, original lot.

Reasonably confident, but it's all down to the day.

It certainly is. Thomas began with £284.22 and hasn't much change left

after spending £221 on five auction lots.

I didn't want to spend this amount.

Whereas James started this journey with an imposing £797.10

and spent a total of £257, also on five auction lots.

I've still got all that cash left!

Roll up! It's time to begin.

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. 25 in the room.

Do I see 28? 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 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. All right. £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. Where do you get them?

-Where are you?

-Calm down.

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.

At 15. Is that a bid? £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 quite disappointed today. 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.

Do I see 5? At £50. 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...

There's no point.

£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. Is there another one?

Are we all finished and done, then?

Such is life.

Oh. Another loss and another blow for Thomas.

I would swap three of my Satsuma vases for one of those.

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! You can stick it in the loo for that!

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.

-It's not German!

A set of brass and 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.

Ohh.

-A small profit, yes?

-Yes, 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?

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. Anybody else? 22.

-There must be somebody else.

-Somebody must want marmalade.

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! Unbelievable.

-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.

Next time: James has worked out a winning formula for the auction.

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

-And Thomas resorts to promising treats.

-I'll buy you ice cream.

-Done.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd