Episode 7 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.

My sap is rising.

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

There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

Could you do 50 quid on that?

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

Your steering is a bit lamentable.

This is the Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah!

This week we're out on the road with a right pair of rascals,

auctioneers James Braxton and Charles Hanson.

James Braxton is the grown-up one, well, sort of,

and keeps young Charles in check.

-Don't say sorry, just do it.

-Sorry.

-Don't say sorry.

-Sorry.

-Don't say sorry!

-OK, OK, OK.

Once he sniffs out antiques there's no stopping him.

Oh, smells of antiques.

This is Charles Hanson. He's having a bit of trouble with his helmet.

Can't get it on.

And he's a right scaredy-cat too.

If you turn the handle...

-Will it hurt me or not?

-No.

-Is it a trick? Is it a trick?

-No.

James is keeping his chin up despite being the current loser.

£10 all done.

Oh, dear, that was cheap.

Charles Hanson, meanwhile, had a splendid first outing

with a glittering array of profits, especially the antique toolbox.

At £220 if you're all done. Last time.

Oh, thanks, Jim.

From his original £200, James now has £246.80 to flash about.

And streaking ahead is the young Charles Hanson.

He managed to add to his £200 kitty with a wondrous £373.10.

Ho, ho, ho.

And James's pride and joy, a stylish 1952 MG, will ferry them about.

He's slightly nervous because Charles is at the wheel.

And quite rightly.

And with no hood they're at the mercy of the weather.

-Now, Charles, are you getting to grips with this?

-Yes.

-Oh!

-Exactly. Your steering is a bit lamentable.

-Sorry.

-Concentrate.

-I think There's some grease on the road.

-No, it isn't.

This week on the Antiques Road Trip

James and Charles will travel 400 miles from Dulverton, West Somerset

via the Isle of Wight to the land of golden beaches,

Truro in Cornwall.

On today's show they're starting at the Dorset coastal town of Poole

and heading for auction two in Shanklin on the Isle of Wight.

First stop is the Dorset coastal town of Poole.

Would we be lucky here? Would we?

I don't know, James, in these difficult times.

What's on the water then?

Oh, that's a kite. Kite surfing.

Oh, yes, it is, look.

Poole has Europe's largest natural harbour

and attracts many looking for lashings and lashings of adventure.

Instead of blazing sunshine our intrepid antiques hunters are faced with lashing rain.

Just ignore the parking lines, Charles, eh?

This is young Charles's first stop where he hopes to splash the cash.

-Hello, sir.

-Hiya.

-Good morning.

-All right.

-How's life?

-Very well, nice to see you.

-What a wonderful shop. Charles Hanson.

-Brian, Ethan.

-Good to see you as well. What a fantastic shop.

Charles has a meticulous eye for the unusual.

Oh, wow!

This drinks decanter was made to stop the servants

from having a quick snifter.

It's unusual because it's also a games compendium.

The evergreen, the fairly boring, but the fairly attractive

oak and brass mounted three-glass Tantalus.

495 is a bit steep even for "have-a-go Hanson".

The name Tantalus comes from a Greek mythological figure who was tantalised by objects

that he could never reach.

We've also got inside a chess set, the draughts,

the cribbage board, the pack of cards, the die,

and everything else.

The really important matter is to check the condition of the decanters, Brian.

-Are they OK?

-They're OK.

-These are OK, nice Tantalus.

Oops, goodness me. No, it's OK.

-There's a few chips. There's a chip there.

-Is there a chip?

Brian, there's a chip there, mate.

-There's a chip there.

-Let me have a look.

They could be cheaper. They could be cheaper.

Do you know, I never knew that.

-So...

-I feel guilty now.

There's a few nibbles, Brian, there's a few nibbles.

-There's a few bites on that one!

-There's a few bites.

-My word!

-Might put the price down a bit.

-I'll drop it to 150 then. I'll lose money on it.

Well, Brian, that's good of you. It's just the chips.

We've dropped another tenner, to 140.

Would you take 120?

I'll take 130, I'll meet you halfway.

-130...

-Is that OK with you, Ethan? Is that all right?

-Yeah.

-130.

-130.

I'm going... It's almost a third of my budget.

But, at 130, Brian, I'm going, going...going...going...

gone.

Thanks very much, Ethan.

I'm delighted with that. Thanks ever so much, guys.

It certainly pays to be thorough, Charles. Excellent work.

Meanwhile, James has tootled forth, nine miles away,

to the village of Lytchett Minster.

Ooh.

Running.

Button Shop Antiques is the first on his list

and, by Jove, he's certainly keen.

Hello.

Hello.

Hello!

Hello, I'm James.

Hello, James, I'm Thelma.

-Hello, Thelma, how are you?

-Nice to meet you.

-Hello, young man.

-This is Matthew.

Ooh, there's a lot of little helpers here in Dorset.

-Everybody needs a right-hand man.

-They do.

This is rather nice, isn't it?

Poole Pottery.

I love the glaze of them.

-It's like an eggshell.

-It is.

-It's satiny, it's lovely.

-Very tactile.

If you were a blind person, that would be a treat.

It's a sort of beaker, I'd imagine, isn't it?

Yes, it is, really, yes.

And the plate, also, is Poole Pottery.

Poole Pottery, that's lovely.

The price on the beaker is £6 and the plate is £12.

And here's a pottery tray, also £12.

Now, this... What is this?

This is Devon Ware.

Devon Ware.

"A place for everything and everything in its place."

It's not very well done, but I think...

-Is there a Branscombe?

-Yeah, it's Branscombe.

-It's Branscombe.

-It's Branscombe, yes.

Definitely not Torquay.

It's a lovely...sort of generically known as Devon Ware, motto ware.

"A place for everything and everything in its place."

Yeah, it's lovely.

And, hold on, something's winking at me.

Look at that.

I like it, I like that stiff leaf pattern.

When buying antiques, it pays to have a few tricks up your sleeve.

It's so beautiful.

-It is cracked.

-Oh, I see what you mean.

Dead as a dodo, isn't it?

-Terrible shame!

-I know.

One little crack makes the whole of it sound dead.

It does, doesn't it? That's what happens when anything's cracked.

Um, Thelma, is this very cheap?

Yeah, it is about £20, I would think.

Has somebody tried to restore it?

Well, it might be, because the jug that goes with it

has had some horrible gold bits put on the top of it.

-Somebody's had a go...

-Somebody's had a...

-They have.

-There's a little amateur restorer out there, isn't there?

-Yeah.

I'm just going to do a little test if you don't mind.

It looks very vicious, but I promise it's not very vicious

because I'm going to do it very lightly.

The coin test is pretty nifty

because it highlights any lumps and bumps of repair work.

Now, I'm not doing it on the paint, just on the glaze.

-Yes, I know.

-And it's not sticking at all.

-So it hasn't been restored.

-I don't think it has.

No, it's just that crack there.

What do you have on the jug, Thelma?

-£10.

-£10.

I like the Motto Ware as well.

Yes, it's nice, isn't it?

And I like these two.

It seems to be a shop of companion pieces, doesn't it?

It does, doesn't it?

Everything comes in two. I like those two.

-They all came in separately.

-Could you do the whole lot for 40?

Yes, all right.

It's being a bit mean on that one... Well, say 45, then.

But quite realistic on the others.

Say 45.

I shouldn't have opened my big mouth!

You said it!

Well, you know, I've got to eat.

Can you do 40?

I'll tell you what, shall we break the difference?

-OK.

-Do you want to do, what, 42?

-42.

-42. I'm very happy with that, Thelma.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-Lovely, thank you.

-Thank you, Matthew.

-Thank you.

To clarify, James paid £30 for the Royal Worcester jug and bowl,

£7 for the Branscombe Ware pottery tray,

and a fiver for the Poole Pottery Coronation plate and beaker.

The big wheels are moving once more.

The chaps are together again and it's dry.

The boys are heading to Christchurch,

the most easterly coastal town in Dorset.

So how's Charles getting on with the driving?

I would go down again, double de-clutch.

-Nice flip.

-Sorry!

-No, too far.

You went from fourth to second. You should have gone into third.

Christchurch is an ancient market town

based between the rivers Avon and Stour.

It boasts an 11th-century priory

that attracts pilgrims from all over the world.

Charles is taking some time out from shopping.

He's off to visit one of the most intriguing museums in the country.

This is it, Jim.

Looks good, doesn't it?

The Museum of Leccy.

-I'll see you later.

-Good luck.

Bzzzzzzz!

-See you later, OK? Have a good shop.

-Yeah, bye.

Housed within an old power station,

the museum provides a potted history of the world of electricity.

Bright spark Charles is meeting with Ian Peterson to find out more.

OK, so where are we going, Ian?

If you'd like to come through to the demonstration room.

OK.

-Now...

-Who's this great man here standing before us?

Indeed a great man. This is Michael Faraday,

who is the father of electricity. He discovered more things about electricity than anybody else.

And what was really marvellous about Michael Faraday is he believed in sharing it.

Basically, he gave everybody the components they need for future invention and discovery.

Yes.

The power station was originally built in 1903

to supply the trams that ran directly from Poole to Christchurch.

The museum's pride and joy is the electric number 85 tram.

She was built in 1914

and is the last complete surviving Bournemouth tram in existence.

This tram's reasonably unique,

because in this part of the world, one of the main industries was holidaymaking.

So you could afford to have nice, luxuriant seating inside.

Yes.

It's the beginning of affordable commuting.

You could live in Christchurch and easily work in one of the hotels in Bournemouth, for example.

So trams like this were quite revolutionary.

DING

We've got some light bulbs on in here

and that was how it was back in the day.

You had lighting, as with these bulbs, back in 1905, 1910.

-Yeah.

-Amazing.

Fine. I can see over here it says, on the number 85,

"Please do not spit in the car."

-Yes, well, it's an unhealthy thing, isn't it?

-I think so!

I should jolly well think so, Charles!

Not only did electricity have a huge impact on the commuter,

it also revolutionised the 20th-century household.

Domestic appliances were rare in postwar Britain.

The freezer was almost unknown

and in 1957 only 15% of the population owned a fridge.

Ian and Charles step back in time.

-Obviously, electricity has changed people's lives.

-Yes.

Electricity has made life easier.

Things like washing machines have had such a fundamental social effect.

And this is what people actually forget about electricity, because everybody's used to having a fridge.

Everybody's used to having a washing machine.

At one time people used to talk about washing day and it was complicated and everything else.

But it's also given us all sorts of things which would have been luxuries, which we take for granted.

This is a Morphy Richards toaster here.

What, 1980s?

-No, it's 1950s.

-Oh, I'm sorry!

That is a design classic.

That is still being emulated today. I can't say copied,

but it certainly inspires a lot of the modern toasters.

But the one I really like, which I think you'll like as well,

this is an American toaster. It was made in about 1935.

You put it in the centre of the table

and you put a slice of bread in each...

-Yes.

-And then you just closed it up,

and when you wanted to do the other side, you carefully did that.

Isn't that wonderful?

-And it's just brilliant, isn't it?

-Isn't it?

Yeah, wonderful.

This is our representation

of a 1950s, early '60s kitchen.

You've got all sorts of mod cons that we take for granted.

We've got a beautiful cooker, a washing machine,

we've got a fridge.

A lot of these things you'd have to be earning a fair bit of money

for something like this.

All these items, all these things that we rely on today,

they became possible because of electricity.

And they really did change people's lives.

So, without electricity, we would certainly have a very different world.

Time to say cheerio to Charles

and find out what live-wire James is up to.

He's on his way to sunny Lymington, in Hampshire.

The good weather is definitely raising his spirits.

And for the first time the sun has come out!

I'm feeling rather jolly about this.

This is glorious.

Lymington, here we come!

Oh, dear, he spoke too soon.

The clouds are back.

But once again he's as keen as mustard.

He's very sprightly today, isn't he? Running everywhere.

-Hello. James.

-Hello. Frank.

-Hello. Nice to meet you.

-And you.

-May I have a good look round?

-Certainly.

Frankly Frank is the owner of Browse, in Lymington.

And already something has caught James's eye.

I like this. It looks like a tea caddy, doesn't it?

It's a biscuit tin.

I think it's rather fun.

Huntley & Palmers were very famous for these

and they produced a range for Christmas and other occasions,

where they would produce this rather fun range of novelty biscuit tins.

There would have been custard creams in there, Hobnobs and whatever.

But they were packaged in different boxes

and people started collecting them.

William Crawford & Sons Ltd was founded in Leith in 1813

as the local bakery.

And like many biscuit manufacturers,

they produced an array of novelty tins

which can be rather popular at auction.

It's this novel packaging that induced people to buy their wares

and retain them as loyal customers.

Crumbs! There's no stopping this cream cracker.

This little fellow, Frank, I can't see a price tag on it.

-Can that be a cheap fella?

-It can be a cheap fella.

-Ah-ha.

-Erm...

-Tenner?

-Tenner... Say 15.

-15?

You've got yourself a deal, Frank. Thanks a lot.

There's another quickie deal for James.

Now, James, this is it. This is glorious, isn't it?

-The Isle of Wight.

-Amongst the yachters.

-We're like pirates!

THEY LAUGH

-Pirates are like this!

-Yeah, exactly.

Let's go and make our fortune, mate.

It's been a packed day for the boys and, as a finale, they've got

a trip across the water to the Isle Of Wight.

Nighty-night.

The chaps are up and at it,

rejuvenated after a good night's rest.

So far, James has been a very busy boy. He spent £57

on four auction lots - the Poole pottery coronation plate and beaker,

the Royal Worcester jug and bowl, the Branscombe ware pottery tray

and the novelty biscuit tin,

leaving £189.80 for the day ahead.

Meanwhile, Hawk-Eye Carlos managed to get an excellent deal

on the chipped tantalus. He spent a total of £130 on one lot.

He has £243.10 to splash around town.

The boys are heading along the coast of the Isle of Wight.

First stop is the village of Chale.

James and Charles have adventured over the Solent to the largest

island in England.

From east to west, the Isle of Wight measures just over 20 miles.

The village of Chale is situated on the south coast of the island

and is in the area known as "the back of the Wight".

Don't you know?

The fellows are sharing their first stop of the day - Chale Antiques -

and with three barns crammed full,

they should hopefully find something to tickle their fancy.

With four lots in the bag,

James is wasting no time getting the lie of the land.

Let's have a look. Look at this.

We've got a vice.

We've got two metal... two metal winders here

and two huge mahogany...

mahogany cheeks here,

which are bound here, but on a very sturdy table.

That is the objet trouve - the found object.

An object of practical use that has aesthetic beauty.

And that is why... That's lovely.

Heavy old fellow. You could...

They... You could move that around.

Maybe, you know, we're near the coast,

maybe something to do with the ship.

Rather nice.

Meanwhile, I'm going to find out a little more about that fellow.

Do you have names for these barns?

He's tracked down the owner Michael, who thinks he knows what it is.

-Out of there. Out of there!

-What's up? What's up, mate? Excuse me.

-Out of there.

-It's first come first served!

-Out of there.

-Michael...

-Out of there.

-Can I go in this barn, Michael? Ow!

Oh, steady! He's serious about defending his patch, you know!

This is a 19th-century bookbinder's vice.

-Bookbinder? I thought it had a purpose.

-Volume in there.

It's a very unusual thing, but now it's very sculptural

and decorative and could be used in all sorts of places.

-Restaurants, glass top...

-It's a sort of found object, isn't it?

-You won't get another one.

-No. And how much is that?

Oh, it's got to make around about 150, which is...

-Bookbinder's vice.

-And if you had to have it made...

-..I think that will be worth...

-It's great fun, isn't it?

-Very unusual.

-Michael, could you do 100 on that?

-HE GASPS

-I could do a little bit off that but not a great deal.

-A little off 100?

Off the 150. I would take...

..squeezed, 120. I think that's a good buy.

Michael, you have a deal.

Crikey, James. No flies on you! That's his fifth buy of the day.

No wonder he's looking so pleased with himself.

James, wait for me!

But no luck for young Charles, and if he doesn't hurry up,

-he'll miss his lift.

-Wait! James!

Next stop for our excitable road trippers

is the fair town of Shanklin.

-And the sun's so nearly got his hat on!

-So nearly?

-And now...

-The sun has got his hat on.

-Almost! Hip, hip, hip, hooray!

-The sun has got his hat on and he's coming out to...

-Play!

With us! With us!

Don't give up the day job, chaps!

Shanklin is a charming seaside town lined with thatched cottages

and is usually famed for its glorious weather.

Sadly, the sun doesn't have her hat on today as the boys roar into town.

But let's hope the prospects are brighter for Charles,

because so far he has only bought one item.

Eeks!

-Hello. Good afternoon. Charles, nice to meet you. Your name is?

-John.

-Hi, John. And you are?

-Sally.

-Able assistant? Hello, Sally.

That's the spirit, Charles. Go get 'em!

I'm not going to hang around, I've got to really pull it out of the bag.

And it's not long before he spies some old treasure.

And we're not talking about the owner.

I love Roman coins and here you've got a wonderful hoard of Roman coins.

This could be the handsome hoard of Roman coins going to auction.

If only these coins could talk, you wonder how many hands have patinated

the coins and given them real pedigree.

And John, have they come from one hoard or have they come from...

-They were found on the mainland.

-On the Isle of Wight?

-No, on the mainland.

-Were they really?

-Yes.

-These were all found in one place?

-Yes.

-That's wonderful.

See, I would happily...

All of these coins were dug out of the ground and this is real treasure.

And let's say, John, for example, I said, "John..."

If I was an English pirate and I've come to the Isle of Wight

with my hoard of Roman coins found on mainland Britain,

to make my fortune on the Isle of Wight, if I said,

"John, I'll buy the whole lot..."

-Right.

-How much would they cost me?

-That lot there?

-Tell me. One price.

-John, think about it.

-50 quid.

-£50. There we are.

A handsome hoard of Roman coins for £50.

I'm very tempted to buy these.

What do I think? I've done quite well, John.

I've done quite well, but sometimes...

If I gave you them for 40 quid you'd double your money.

Oh, don't say that, John. Don't say that. Don't say that, John!

Go on then, £30.

-Come on, £30.

-The Hanson hoard is going, going...

I told James I wanted treasure and Pirate Hanson has found his loot.

Sold! You're a good man. £30. Isn't that wonderful?

£30 for a hoard of Roman coins.

Ah-har, me hearties!

Finally, more booty for Pirate Hanson.

Meanwhile, James is also in Shanklin.

He's visiting the home of an extraordinary artist.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-James.

-Elizabeth Meek. You're very welcome.

Nice to meet you. Thank you.

Elizabeth Meek is one of today's greatest miniaturists

and portrait painters.

For the past 20 years,

Elizabeth has created jewel-like miniature portraits

from all walks of life, including royalty.

-These are a few samples of my work.

-They're lovely, aren't they?

-Is the demand for miniatures growing?

-Absolutely huge demand.

I've got a waiting list that's going to take me till the end of next year.

I think this is because you are a rather special miniature artist,

-aren't you?

-Well, thank you.

And what's your current title?

-My current title is President of the Royal Miniature Society.

-I see.

And Elizabeth's commissions can cost up to £2,000.

Portrait miniatures were at the height of their popularity

in the late 16th century in the court of Elizabeth I.

The pre-eminent miniaturist then was Nicholas Hilliard.

Hilliard was the greatest English miniature painter

and he wrote this extensive book, which was to teach artists

how to paint portrait miniatures, and he gave lots of little tips,

some of which are applicable today.

He suggested that artists wore silk clothes so that the dust

didn't go on to the miniatures, that they must be

very careful not to let dandruff and hairs fall onto the miniature

and also never to speak over the miniature

because of spittle going onto the painting.

As a precursor to photography,

miniatures would even be valuable for proposals of marriage

and this was precisely the method used

when Henry VIII married Anne of Cleves,

which turned out very nicely(!)

Miniatures now encompass everything from landscapes to still life,

to portraits, in every medium.

It's not just portrays nowadays. And people just love them, collectors.

Alas, the clock is ticking,

so we must reluctantly leave the world of miniatures.

Charles, meanwhile, has travelled eight males north to Ryde,

the largest town on the island.

The sun's shining, we're happy.

-Hello, sir.

-Hello, my friend, how you doing?

-How's life?

Island Antiques is the last shop of the day.

Charles has only got two items, but is he worried? Nah!

This is quite nice. This is a very novel

little oak stationary desk-stand. Probably pewter.

Over the years it has tarnished, but look at that really stylish design,

very much evocative of the Arts and Crafts...

And that's quite stylish. It's 1910 and it could be yours for £30.

That's quite nice.

Think, Hanson, you've got to get thinking now,

what's going to take your fancy?

Got a whole array of plate and silver and jewellery.

And the best price, Anthony, on this little...

-..envelope stand?

-20 quid.

-20 quid.

Sometimes on your road trip, you need a stocking filler.

That one item which is a stocking filler. Merry Christmas.

-I'll take it, OK? £20. I'm going to take it.

-Christmas? Moving on...

Right, time to find out what they think of each other's wares.

JAMES LAUGHS NERVOUSLY

Um, first of all, James, I like the tea caddy,

which of course isn't, is it? It's a little biscuit barrel. I love that.

It's so evocative, what, 1910, 1915? Edwardian biscuit tin.

-I bet it was worth a nibble at what, £30?

-15.

-You're joking. £15?

Oh, hell. OK, I'm in trouble.

My least favourite is the Worcester, of course,

because it's a bit outdated.

-I can see condition problems.

-Don't touch it!

-Sorry!

But I have to, because I need to learn the condition of it

and give you an honest opinion.

-I bet you paid £40.

-30.

-Oh, no. OK.

-Right side!

-And of course, you know,

we're on the Isle of Wight, you've got to remember Queen and country.

-Made at Poole?

-Yep.

-Love it. OK.

-Just over...there.

-Yeah, OK, love it.

It's dated as well. I'm sorry, I've got to handle, James.

-They're expensive, I must handle.

-No, don't.

I love them. I bet you paid, for those two bits together...

£25.

-Five.

-You're joking. What are you doing to me? Where did you get these?

I love that. "A place for everything and everything in its place."

I like it. I bet it cost you £25.

-Seven.

-Oh, you're joking, seven pounds?

But I did spend some money on this fellow.

I did spend some money on this fellow. Look.

It looks to me to be fairly crippling.

Maybe on your expense, hopefully.

It could be something you put your clothes in.

-It's a book press.

-OK.

-It's an artisan, artisan tool.

-So you turn there and there?

-Yes.

You put your book in there. It's for working on the spine.

I like it. Has it come out of a barn or something?

-Yes, it has. In Chale.

-Oh!

James, that could be your nemesis!

I suspect, James, if I bought that,

I would probably want to pay about £35.

-Really?

-You paid less than that? I'll bet £10. You paid £10 for it?

-Oh, I can't believe it!

-120.

-Pence?

-Pounds.

-You didn't. Oh, no, you didn't! Give me a press. Good man.

-Go on, let's see yours.

-OK. I literally found treasure.

Treasure!

-Look, James.

-No, not the games compendium.

Look at the games compendium. Look!

-James, look at that.

-That is lovely. I reckon you paid...

-£120 for it.

-Yeah, I paid 130.

-130. OK.

-Spot on.

-Your next purchase?

Roman bronze denominations of coinage going back to the third,

fourth century AD. We're talking 500 years

-before William the Conqueror.

-How much?

-Guess.

-£35.

-Oh, doesn't it show? You're spot on! They were £30.

-Third and final? I like that. I like that.

-Do you really?

-I do like that.

-I'm going to say £28.

-It cost me 20. And that's it.

-Well done.

Well done, James. I can't wait for the auction, OK?

But what do they really think?

I firmly believe James is a dapper guy from the south

who has a certain swagger.

And, at the moment, my mate, he's just buying a bit of tat.

He is massively in the lead. He has got clear water between us. £100.

But I think I've got him on this one.

It's been an exciting second leg travelling from Poole

via Lytchett Minster, Christchurch, Lymington

and then a voyage to the Isle of Wight,

where we popped into Chale, Shanklin and Ryde.

And the boys love the Isle of Wight so much,

today's auction will take place in Shanklin.

This is their second road trip auction.

-James, this is it.

-Into the auction. Yes, stop. That would be good.

-Where dreams are made. The Hanson hoard comes good.

-Let's see.

Squeeze a small profit. OK?

-After you.

-Great.

-"Children not permitted."

Island Auction Rooms has been established since 1850

and holds two auctions per month.

Today, we have two auctioneers in charge of proceedings -

Tim Smith and Warren Riches.

Warren has a few thoughts on today's items.

The quirkiest lot is the bookbinder,

which is a lumpy piece but I think someone might fall in love with it,

and the Roman coins, they're a kind of speculative lot

which should do well on the internet.

My favourite's the three bottle tantalus and games compendium.

It's just a nice piece of quality and it's quite a handsome piece.

Let's hope it's rags to riches.

James Braxton started today's show with £246.80

and spent £177 on five lots.

Charles Hanson began with £373.10

and spent £180 on just three auction lots.

Quiet, please! The auction is about to begin.

The room is absolutely heaving.

And not only that, the auctioneers have the internet bids

in front of them.

First up, it's Charles's magnificent but nibbled tantalus

and games compendium.

-Here we are.

-Tantalus. Nice hobnail cut-glass decanters.

-Showing here, sir!

-Chest pieces.

-Good man. There we are.

-There it is.

-Showing there.

-Good man.

-Someone start me at £100.

-Anywhere? 100 in the middle.

-Yes!

We've got 100 right in the middle. 110 anywhere?

110. 120. 130.

140. 150. 160. 170.

180. 190. 200.

210. 200 in the middle. 210 anywhere?

210, the phone?

-On the phone?

-210 on the phone. 220.

-230.

-I can't believe it, Jim.

240. 250. 260.

270.

280? It's 270 on the phone then.

We're going to sell at 270, all done at 270 on the phone.

-Yes!

-Well done.

-Thank you. He's over there. Good man.

-That's very good.

-I can't believe it. I can't believe it.

-140?!

-I'm cooking gas, Jim.

I'm cooking gas.

You certainly are, Carlos.

And you're off the starting block and you made a whopping profit.

God, it's always a roller coaster at auctions,

no matter how you get on, you always get nervous and you get butterflies.

So, next up on the road trip roller coaster

is James's Branscombe pottery tray.

Someone start me. £30. 30 anywhere?

20, if you like? 20 is on my right.

-Brilliant.

-Two anywhere?

22. 24.

-24. 26. 28.

-That is brilliant.

-26 here. 28 anywhere?

-Keep going.

-£26 right in the centre.

Eight, can I say? 26 then, we're selling in the room at 26.

-Well played, buddy. Good profit.

-That's good. 19.

You more than trebled. That is a result.

Keep it going, Jim.

Not such an exciting result for James, but it's still a profit.

And now for Charles's treasure. The hoard of Roman coins.

-Discovered in the south of England...

-Quite right.

-We've got quite a lot of interest. Coming in at 55.

-Great.

65. That takes him straight out. 70, he's back in. And five?

75? 75 on the net. 80?

£75 then. We're on the internet at 75.

-I am delighted, Jim.

-We're going to sell at 75 to the internet.

-Well done, well done. That's great.

-I'm delighted, Jim. I am.

-Doubling your money.

-I can't grumble. I'm delighted, buddy.

I think you'll get a job at JP Morgan.

You're a great generator of wealth. Just what you need.

Well done. Charles is chuffed to bits.

He's unearthed yet another profit.

It's James's novelty biscuit tin next.

Can it give him a much-needed lift?

Nice lot. Someone start me. £30.

20, then.

-20. Yeah.

-20, I am bid. Two anywhere?

At £20 at the back of the room. At 20.

-22. 24. 26. 30.

-Here we go, James.

32. 34. 36.

No money at all? At £34 on my right. £36 anywhere?

-Yeah, go on.

-£34 then, all finished at 34?

-Oh.

-34. That's all right. That's double.

-That's still £19 profit.

-Steady work.

-Jim, happy?

-Sort of!

At least it's a profit, James.

Steady work, but you need a biggie to overtake Charles.

This Royal Worcester jug and bowl may be damaged,

but can it catapult James into the lead?

Someone start me. £50 and away.

£30, then.

32 on the net. 34 in the room? 32 on the net. 34 anywhere?

The net has it at 32. It goes to the net at 32.

Oh, yippy-do(!)

-Jim, it's a profit.

-It's just not happening.

It's just not working for me. Not working.

I don't know what's gone wrong. The wheels are coming off, chief.

Be a good sport, James. It could be worse.

It's Charles's Art Deco letter stand now.

Will it put him even further in the lead?

30 anywhere? 20, if you like then.

20 bid. Two, can I say? I've got 20.

22 in the middle. 24. 26. 28.

And 30. And two.

30 in the middle. Two anywhere? I've got £30. Right in the middle.

Going to sell at 32 in time. 34.

36, will you say?

34 right in the middle, we're going to sell at £34.

Delighted.

-I'm happy, Jim.

-34. That's good.

-Thank you.

-Well done.

-I'm delighted.

Small profit.

-Small profit.

-Working profit, I always like to say.

-Jim, every pound is a winner, OK?

-Spoken like a true pro, Charles.

The pennies look after the pounds. Well done.

Fingers crossed for James.

He's hoping for a right royal profit with his Poole pottery plate

and beaker.

Someone start me, £30 and away.

20 then? £20 I'm bid. 20.

Two anywhere? £20 on my left at 20. 22. 24.

26. 26. 28. They're cheap

at £26, below me at £26.

28 anywhere? 28.

-Well done.

-30. 32. 34.

Go on, keep going.

All finished, 32 then.

I sell in the middle of the room at £32.

-Brilliant.

-Well done. You got a good buy there.

-Fantastic.

-Steady work.

Yeah, you're grinding it out. You're grinding.

At last! James is full of smiles. That is his biggest profit yet.

So now it is James's last stab at the lead.

Will that big lump of a bookbinder's vice be the winning ticket?

-Nice lot, this one. Someone start me at £100.

-Commission's at 100.

-£100 I'm bid on commissions.

-Brilliant!

-And 10. 120.

-120, a good thing. 130. 130. 140.

-I'd never have thought...

-One more.

-140. 150. 160.

Away, buddy. Heck.

160. 170.

At 160, then. It goes at 160.

-Jim, I am in admiration, buddy.

-I'm pleased.

-Well done, that man.

-I would never

in my wildest dreams have thought that. I commend you, buddy.

-Who would have thought that? Well done, James.

-Hanson-Braxton.

-It was good.

-Let's get back to England.

-Well played.

"Back to England"? Stupid boy. So, has James done enough to win?

He started today's show with £246.80

and, after paying auction costs, made a small profit of £55.88,

giving him a respectable £302.68 to carry forward.

Well done.

But there's no stopping Charles.

He started with a delightful £373.10

and accumulated a bumper profit of £130.78,

making him today's clear winner with a whopping £503.88

going into the next show.

There's something rather engaging about Charles

when he's on a winning roll.

Didn't you have faith in young Hanson?

I did, but I just didn't think that compendium was going

-to make so much money.

-I know. I'm delighted. I can't believe it, Jim.

-But listen, we're going back now...

-I think almost indecent,

if not vulgar profits!

-Vulgar!

-Jim, you make your own luck. I got lucky.

-You did get lucky.

-It was really lucky.

-Second-time win, then, for Charles.

James is certainly keen to overtake his companion in the profit stakes.

-Really lucky.

-Really lucky.

HORN TOOTS

Next time on the Antiques Road Trip,

James and Charles head for Dorchester,

James is flying high...

David, this is amazing.

It feels even bigger within the cockpit.

..and Charles finds a secret location.

Abracadabra!

Am I seeing things?

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd