Episode 9 Antiques Road Trip

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

a classic car and a goal -

to scour Britain for antiques.

That hurts!

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!

Today, we're out and about with a right pair of mischief makers.

Auctioneers James Braxton and Charles Hanson.

Stop mucking about, Charles.

Now, James Braxton simply loves all the towns he visits.

God bless you, Combe Martin.

And he's VERY charming with the ladies...

-Can I show it to you?

-Yes, fine.

This is Charles Hanson.

He's a real risk taker.

-And nervy.

-That's my entire money gone!

What have I done?

And buying antiques really makes him very happy.

I feel like dancing in the rain.

James isn't faring too well at auction.

Unfortunately, he's had more losses than profits.

Gone.

Not my day, is it?

Charles, on the other hand,

is proving to be one very smart cookie.

Everything he buys turns into a profit,

especially that liberty stool.

-Yes!

-Well done, well done!

-Thank you very much.

APPLAUSE

Well, from his £200,

James has only been able to shuffle towards the finishing line...

Huh! And currently has a paltry £248.24

rattling round in his back pocket.

Oh, dear!

But third-time winner, Charles Hanson...

Wow, has he sprinted ahead!

From his original £200,

he has an impressive £943, and a penny, to spend.

And the car of choice

is James's beloved 1952 MG.

You're just under 1,000.

I'm trailing with just under 250.

But I feel quite emotionally unstable.

To have so much money - do I bank it? Do I play it?

Do I gamble? Do I...?

I think, on your roll,

anything you touch may turn to gold.

James and Charles are travelling 400 miles,

from Dulverton, West Somerset,

via the Isle of Wight,

to the county town of Truro, in Cornwall. What a trek!

On today's show, first stop is the Devon town of Crediton.

And they'll auction in the Cornish town of Lostwithiel.

I've got to bounce back.

-Come on, Braxton!

-Bounce back.

Bounce back, Braxton!

Bounce back, Braxton.

Bounce back, Braxton! Ha-ha!

-"Bounce back, Braxton," indeed.

-It's coming in!

The missionary St Boniface

was born in Crediton in the seventh century,

and the town's parish church is over 1,100 years old.

Let's get going with our road trip.

First to have a go is the excitable Charles Hanson. Stand by.

-That's my first shop. Fantastic!

-Spooky - it's called "James".

I know. "James Antiques".

Well, good luck. Not too much luck.

-My namesake can't hang around(?)

-Go on, get out, get out.

-I'll see you later.

-See you later.

-Wish me luck.

-Good luck.

-I don't need it.

Good luck, birthday boy.

-Bye!

-Bye.

Oops! Steady there, James.

Now, don't be too cocky, Carlos. This is traffic,

and you're an adult.

Now, get your shopping done before you do yourself a mischief.

Good morning, sir.

-Good morning.

-How are you?

Welcome to James Antiques.

-You're the Mr James, are you?

-I am indeed.

-Or are you a James?

-I'm Jim.

-Good to see you, Jim.

-Call me Jim.

-Hello, Jim.

This is nice stick, Jim, isn't it? A wonderful Hawthorn cane.

If you were a gent,

as you are, Jim, a Devonian gent,

back in the year, 1909...

-Yes.

-London hallmark.

-It's one of the nicest sticks

I think we've had.

Wonderful stick.

Of a superior quality.

A wonderful handle, as well.

I like it, Jim. That's a good thing, isn't it?

So, Jim, what would be the best price on your fine cane?

-We're asking 168, as you'll probably see.

-Yes.

Er, 150, straight 150.

Jim, it's not a bad price.

I think, again, going back to auction,

I'll want it a bit cheaper than that.

What's the best price?

-125.

-125, you see.

That's a really good offer,

and I just feel that, at 125,

I'm going to say, "Thank you, but I'll leave it."

Thank you very much. All the best!

Well, I take it that's a no, then?

Yeah, you, too. Bye.

Charles-style. Good.

Meanwhile, James has travelled south to the historic city of Exeter.

Exeter's long and fascinating history

dates back as far as 250 BC, and it's home to this

breathtaking 12th-century cathedral.

Just in case you didn't know,

JK Rowling was a student at Exeter University,

and my parents got married in the cathedral.

Now, James hasn't had much luck so far,

but the sun is shining, he's got the shades on.

He's wearing a rather natty outfit, which should excite the ladies...

if only he can get out of the car.

MUSIC: "The Ipcress File" by John Barry

What a glorious place!

Watch out, Exeter Antiques Centre.

James is a man on a mission,

and it's not long before James finds dealer Mike to talk business.

-Anything I should be looking...?

-This rolling pin here...

Oh, right. OK.

They might have put scraps in it. Victorian scraps.

How interesting. That is unlike rolling pins I have seen before.

-It's one of these Victorian salt pins, isn't it?

-Yeah.

That were given, full of salt,

and then sometimes, you get them painted, don't you?

-How unusual!

-Victorian scraps.

-Scraps, aren't they?

-Yeah.

Very quirky, isn't it?

What could this fellow be, Mike?

-What have I got on it?

-What have you got on it?

95.

-70?

-70.

What else have got there? I think that's very interesting, Mike.

Here's something unusual.

Oh, yeah...

Horseshoe filer.

Oh, really, is it?

So, that's a farrier's tool, isn't it?

God, that's well made!

And so you could take that out

and sharpen that, as well?

This file would whittle a horse's hoof.

Much in the same way a nail file is used in manicures.

And the ticket price is £20.

So I could just sort of give it some, couldn't I?

That's rather fun.

Now, Mike, could this be really cheap?

Could you do a tenner on that?

I might buy something else from you, Mike, as well.

-HE SIGHS

-Go on, then.

-Oh, Mike!

Good man, good man. That's really nice, I like that.

-Can I revisit that rolling pin?

-Very quirky.

D'you like rolling pins, or d'you just buy quirky items?

-Just buy quirky items.

-Yeah.

Salt pins are handy, aren't they?

They help keep salt nice and dry,

and this one is decorated by scrap pictures,

which is called "decalcomania".

Could you do anything really good on this?

-Like sort of 30 or 35?

-Oh! You're robbing me.

HE LAUGHS

-I like old puggy.

-45.

45?

It IS very unusual...

-50, the two. There you are.

-50, the two?

Oh, that's very kind of you.

-Mike, I'm going to have it.

-Right.

That's really kind of you. Thank you very much indeed. So, 50 for the two...

Looks like Braxton is definitely tring to bounce back,

and that's a good start, with two items in the old bag.

Charles, meanwhile,

is still empty-handed and stuck in Crediton.

He's got an appointment to get to,

but James and the MG are nowhere in sight.

I'll see you later!

I'll see you later. Bye!

He's saying to me he's too busy shopping.

I either get the number 51 or 50 bus in a lay-by

over there somewhere,

or I get a push-bike. I'll tell you...

I'll do something.

Mr postie,

is there a bike shop around here at all, or anything on those lines?

Yeah, just back there n the right hand side.

-Right hand side?

-Yeah.

-A Bike shop?

-Yeah.

-Fantastic, thanks!

Now what's he up to?

-Fantastic. Look, The Bike Shed.

-Ah.

Brilliant! Thanks, Andy.

-Right, Charles.

-Helmet on.

-Gird up your loins.

-See you, Andy.

Off you go.

MUSIC: "The Pushbike Song" by The Mixtures

The enigmatic Charles is using the magic of pedal power

to travel.

OK, well, not quite all the way we hoped,

to West Putford, near Holsworthy.

As if by magic, Charles is heading to the enchanting world

of Britain's only gnome reserve. Huh!

Artist and founder Ann Atkins created the reserve

in 1979,

and holds the world record for owning over 2,000 gnomes.

Gosh.

Siegfried was the very first gnome

who gave Ann the idea of sharing her woodland retreat with the public.

The sun is shining, and Ann...

I begin to believe.

Of course!

-I begin to believe in gnomes.

-The real world, isn't it, here?

-No blaring music and slot machines...

-No!

-..It's just nature and the gnomes and the fairies.

-It is.

Nature and the gnomes, and I can't wait to get started.

You're going to wear a gnome hat.

Erm...

-You've got to wear a gnome hat...

-OK.

..cos you embarrass them, otherwise.

-Come on.

-Uh-oh.

This is the real world, hey?

Will that one fit you all right?

-I'm going to go for an orange one, Ann.

-Oh, yeah(!)

The gnomes recognise me.

That looks splendid. That looks good, actually.

Thanks, Ann. Are you going to wear one as well?

I don't usually, because they know me well enough.

Charles needs no encouragement.

The little people have existed in different cultures

throughout the world for many centuries.

Gnomes originated in Germany in the 19th century,

with a company called Heissner

producing some of the first figures.

But it's Sir Charles Isham who's credited with starting the tradition

of garden gnomes in Britain.

In 1847, he featured a number of terracotta gnomes

in a large rockery alongside his home,

Lamport Hall, in Northamptonshire.

So, where are we going now?

We're going into the wood.

You lead the way and then you'll get the good view.

Oh, wow!

Wah-ah-ah-ah!

-Oh, Ann, isn't it wonderful?

-It's nice, isn't it?

I feel almost... I don't know...

-Like you did when you were three, maybe?

-Exactly.

-Yes.

There's something about them - they look so happy.

-They make a landscape really come alive.

-They do.

-You can just imagine magic, can't you?

-Yeah! Yeah!

How would I tell the difference between

an elf, or a pixie or a gnome?

A gnome is ancient as the hills,

-and young as a child - all in one go.

-Yes.

-Pixies are entirely young.

-Are they really?

-Yes.

-Never grow old?

-No.

In the winter, do all these gnomes stay out and shiver,

or will they be brought inside?

They have their yearly bath...

Do they complain?

No, once a year they put up with it.

Well done.

Those that need it get new clothes.

Tell me, if I was a gnome,

which I am now,

and you're going to sort of keep me in the woods,

would I be fishing or perhaps just relaxing?

-Oh, let me think.

-What would you do with me Ann?

I think I'd have you on the beach.

-Would you really?

-yeah, I think so.

Would you like to be on the beach?

-I could happily pop into Putford-on-Sea.

-Yeah!

Exactly.

Let's leave Charles in quiet contemplation.

Sorry?

James, meanwhile, is having a splendid day.

He has two items already in the bag.

And he's looking for more in the town of Torrington,

in North Devon.

James arrives in town on a baking-hot day...

which is a rarity.

-Hello!

-Hello.

-James.

-How do you do?

-Joanna.

-Very nice to meet you, Joanna.

It is boiling out there!

Funny fellow, isn't it?

I like the shape. It's an unusual shape.

Most tea caddies are square, round, and everything.

And this is rather fun.

It's hexagonal, so five-sided.

I want to see what it's like when I give it a good old clean.

And see whether it'll shine a bit.

-I think it will.

-I think it will.

How much do you want for this fellow, Joanna?

Erm, I put 22 on that.

Would you give a little discount, or not, for this?

-Erm...

-You don't have to.

THEY LAUGH

-But it does all help. How much?

-Erm...

-£20?

-£20?

£20?

It's a round note, isn't it?

-I'll buy it for 20.

-Oh! Thank you.

-Thank you very much indeed!

Well, after all that shopping, James,

it's time to turn in.

Another busy day awaits tomorrow.

Night-night!

MUSIC: "There's A Brand New Day On The Horizon" by Elvis Presley

# There's a brand-new day on the horizon... #

The boys are up and at 'em!

There's no stopping Charles now as he races the MG!

So far, James has spent £70 on three lots.

The farrier file, the unusual salt pin

and the tea caddy,

leaving a sum of £178.24

for the day ahead.

And Charles, meanwhile,

may be the richest,

but he hasn't spent, so far, a single penny.

That gives him a bulging purse of £943 and a penny to spend.

Our road-trippers have travelled to the port town of Bideford

in North Devon.

HORN BEEPS

And Charles leads the way

as they charge to the shops.

Hah! The boys are in luck this morning.

A bustling antiques fair is in full swing at Bideford's Pannier Market.

Jim, I'll see you later.

OK, see you later.

So, with his swag bag empty, young Carlos needs to get a wiggle on.

Now I'm after...antiques.

Your little dog here, he's quite sweet, isn't he?

That's a beautiful Airedale, a proper Beswick.

-Beswick?

-Yeah.

-What's your name?

-Tony.

-Tony, mate...

Condition's so important.

What is it - 1970s, '60s?

It could be '60s, that.

A '60s dog of a great collectability.

You're going to sell that to someone who is an Airedale owner,

or Airedale breeder,

who will say, "It's Beswick," so it's Rolls-Royce,

it's the proper quality.

-Yeah.

-And there's money in it for you.

-Very tempting.

What's he worth?

That's on at 37.50.

I would do you that for £20.

I was honestly hoping

to pay a tenner.

No, split it with me at 15.

£15. Well, sometimes,

you've got to get your show on the road.

£15, yeah. Take it for £15. We're happy.

And he's not finished yet.

Oh no, he's found another stall with something to tickle his fancy.

-I don't know who the maker is.

-Isn't that nice?

This is lead-glaze earthenware.

And it's novel, it's 1880s.

It's a water jug.

It's going to appeal to, perhaps, hunting people,

with this crop here, on the handle.

And it's what we call "majolica".

I do like it. It's in good condition, bar the fact

we have a crack here, just on the lid.

The age, and from the lozenge mark on the bottom, here,

we can date it to around 1881.

Margaret, what's your best price?

-65.

-65? OK.

Would you take £50 for it?

55.

55?

Margaret, we're going, going...

-Gone!

-We've got it!

Thank you very much, I'm delighted.

A really handsome jug,

which is full of Victorian flavour. Thanks, Margaret.

And Charles has good reason to be pleased as Punch.

I'm so excited,

because my jug I've just bought

is actually made by George Jones.

And George Jones was the most important maker

of majolica pottery.

In his lead-glaze earthenware forms,

he would always use a small, black number

on the bottom of his majolica wares.

It's got the black number.

Without the condition issue,

it could be a jug worth maybe £800.

In its condition, maybe, just maybe,

it might make more than £100.

I'm really excited, a really big find.

Could this be another Road Trip discovery?

James, meanwhile,

has spied something in the window

of Bideford Pottery.

Your window has lured me in. I'm James.

-Hello.

-Nice to meet you.

Harry Juniper is a skilled potter,

and has been in the business for the last 60 years.

And there's plenty here to tempt James.

I like this!

What's that? "A frog, he would a woo-ing go.

"Woopsie diddley dandy dee."

BELL RINGS

Beautifully delivered, James(!)

Some things lend themselves very nicely to clay.

Yeah, they do, don't they?

And I love the naturalistic face here.

-And I see, very nicely, you sign everything.

-Yes.

Here we are, "Harry Juniper". What a great name!

HE LAUGHS

"Of Bideford. 2011" I rather like that.

Could you give me a special price on that, Harry?

No!

Well, good for you!

It's got 25 on it.

-That's dirt cheap, isn't it?

-It IS dirt cheap.

-And I'll pay you 25 for it.

-Good!

-Why not?

Nice one, Harry!

Bideford is turning out to be very fruitful for the boys.

So far, so good.

Charles is nipping across the road to visit Susannah

in Old Bridge Antiques.

Have a rummage through this one, as well.

In the auction business, people love to rummage.

They love to dig deep.

They love to unearth treasure.

Would you split all this up, Susannah, for auction,

or would you almost sell the whole lot as one job lot?

We could put a collection together in a box.

If I bought an entire box, for example,

what would the price be?

I think the best price would be £80.

-Sue.

-Yes.

-Love the box.

It's a great box,

but I just love this box as well,

which is leather, and it's clad,

and it's of a higher quality.

Let's say, for example,

I put all this jewellery

-into there, OK?

-Yes.

All my treasure...

Blimey, I hope you're going to buy all that now.

..into there...

like that, OK?

My treasure, into a really fine box.

Best price, Sue? Give me the biggest and best price.

OK, £70.

Oh, my goodness me!

-OK.

-And that is a very good deal.

Yeah.

How about this? If I give you,

not 400,

but 4,000...pence...

-SHE LAUGHS

-..for this?

Which is £40.

So that's your very best offer?

HE SIGHS

I feel really mean, but yes, because...

OK, then I wish you well,

and I hope that you make plenty at auction.

-I will leave it, and that's fine.

-That's fine, you can have it for 40.

-You sure?

-Absolutely. Shake my hand.

-£40, you sure, Sue?

-Shake my hand!

-Are you happy?

-I'm happy as long as you shake my hand.

Even though I don't really like it!

SHE LAUGHS

OK, Sue, I'll have it.

-I'll take it away.

-Well done.

That's £40. Or, to Sue, 4,000 pence.

SHE LAUGHS

Crikey, Charles!

Your bare-faced cheek has got you another Road Trip bargain.

Look at that!

Meanwhile, James had arrived at the Pannier Market,

and, like Charles, Tony's stall has also caught his eye.

That's a great fun mirror, isn't it?

It's very stylish.

That's typical '20s/'30s.

It's got a lovely outback on it.

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

-Mm!

That little touch of the bubbles just makes it, doesn't it?

Tony, can you do a "special" special price...?

For £60 is a bargain.

Can you do anything more dramatic on that?

"Dramatic"?

If I knocked you £20 off that,

I think you'd have a superb bargain at £40.

I would be very pleased at that, Tony.

Thank you, that's really kind of you.

Aw, ever the gent!

So, James has just bought his fifth item, and they're off.

Looks like Charles has had enough of the bike, though.

Right, Okehampton.

-You don't mind.

-That's a long way.

-It IS a long way.

You weren't really thinking of cycling, were you?

Yes, I would have done, if you'd told me I had to.

Don't worry, you're safe, I'll take you.

Don't talk push-bikes.

Let's go. That's more like it!

He's hitching a lift with gallant, Buck-up Braxton,

and they're travelling 30 miles south to the West Country town

of Okehampton.

Okehampton is located on the northern edge of Dartmoor.

With three items bagged, Charles is hoping to splash more of his cash.

He's got over £800 left,

and he's on the run.

-Hello, madam.

-Hello!

-How are you?

I'm very well. Nice to see you.

Thank you for letting me come to your shop and peruse.

-I believe you are Charles?

-I am Charles, yes.

This is fun, isn't it?

I know!

Tell me about these musket balls.

The area, Great Torrington,

which is North Devon,

going back towards Bideford,

was the last stronghold of the Cavaliers

during the Civil War.

This is something I picked up locally.

I'm almost certain these musket balls,

which are mounted in this oak display case,

are certainly mid-17th century.

I would think so, but it could be quite gory.

-They could have killed somebody.

-Exactly.

-I also quite like that scent bottle here.

-Yeah.

This is a cut-glass perfume bottle -

Birmingham, 1942.

If you were a lady in the Second World War, you may have had this

to maybe mesmerise your husband

coming back from the Forces, or whatever.

What's the best price on that, Sue?

-Goodness me!

-Best price, Sue?

-Right.

-I don't negotiate now.

"Best price, Sue?" or, "Best price, Jo?"

"Best price, Jo." Sorry, Jo.

-It's gone up.

-Silly boy!

SHE LAUGHS

I would do that for £60.

OK. That's food for thought. Thanks, Sue.

Thanks, Jo.

And this caster?

A lovely, quality...

-Which it is.

-..heavy...

Which it is.

..silver caster and cover.

This is London, from the year, 1937.

And it's Georgian-style, but yes, 20th-century.

It is. Lighthouse caster form.

Faceted. Good size.

We likey-likey, OK?

What have we got on that?

Right, 160.

What will we do with that?

Let's try and be good to you.

120.

Yeah.

Oh, I sense another Cheeky Charlie bargain on the cards.

I've seen those two, and I do like the musket balls, as well, up here.

Would you take...

60 for him, 60 for him,

and 30 for him?

Which makes...?

£150.

For three items...

There you go. Lovely.

On eggshells. We've got there.

We've sold, so that's wonderful.

Hats off to you, Charles.

Yet another good deal done.

While Charles has been

on a buying bonanza,

James is travelling half an hour away to the village

of Lifton, in Devon.

James is visiting the Fairground Heritage Trust.

It was created to preserve the vibrant history

of the funfair.

Housed in a massive barn,

the collection is open to the public

and illustrates the splendour of a bygone era.

It is testament to the travelling showmen

who would construct and operate

the large, colourful rides and stalls

along beaches and open spaces, up and down the country.

James is meeting with trustee Guy Belshaw to find out more.

-Hello.

-James, welcome to the Fairground Heritage Centre.

Hello. It's Guy, isn't it?

That's right. I'm a trustee here.

What an amazing place.

Who operated these funfairs?

They were operated by

extended families...

two or three generations...

and they would operate over a specific geographical area.

So, "manors"?

That's it. There would be families in the West Country,

the Midlands, South Wales.

They'd come together for big charter fairs in the autumn,

but generally, they'd travel as a cohesive family unit...

with the riding masters owning the big stream rides

and the side tenants with coconut shies

and the fat lady show,

that sort of thing.

What sort of time? Queen Victoria's time?

From earlier than that, really.

From Queen Victoria, 1837,

there were already roundabouts by then.

But the great heyday of the English steam fair

-was around the late 1880s...

-Right.

..to the outbreak of the Great War, really.

Guy, that is a particularly splendid carousel.

This one was carved by Arthur Anderson of Bristol.

A galloper, not a carousel -

there's leatherwork there, real horse hair for the tail.

This one, Silver Song,

is one of the best examples of Anderson's work.

The ones on the outside, that the public saw first,

were the more elaborately-carved ones...

with the lesser detail were the ones within, really.

But the biggest thrill is yet to come.

God, these are the living fellows, aren't they?

This is it.

This is our pride and joy in here, the fairground building.

So, the real dodgems here.

How old is this fella?

Well, James, this is oldest working fairground ride in the country.

This was built in 1906

by Savages of King's Lynn,

who were very famous agricultural engineers,

as well as fairground ride builders.

It really is the centrepiece of our collection here...

Is this fellow unique?

It is unique.

It is the only spinning-top, switchback ride in the world.

There isn't another like it.

It takes a lot of upkeep, but it certainly works.

-How'd you like to have a go?

-Yeah I'd love to.

-Why don't you jump in the third car?

-Third car? OK.

The anticipation!

Am I going to be jettisoned?

I'm ready for speed. Here we go.

The rodeo switchback travelled around the country till the 1940s,

thereafter spending most of its time

at Clarence Pier Amusement Park in Southsea.

However, in 1974,

it was sold to the Six Flags theme park in New Jersey,

in America.

A successful consortium, though,

rescued this historic ride and returned it to the UK

in the mid-'80s.

Marvellous.

Sadly, all good things, though, must come to an end.

That was fun, really good fun.

Oh! I'm on quite a slope here!

HE LAUGHS

It's time for James to meet up with Charles

and have a look at one another's treasures.

Right, James - show us what you've got.

-BOTH: Woh!

-Hello!

It's a real old motley crew.

Five items,

but I think my bargain,

which I'm rather pleased with, is this fellow.

-Yeah.

-Now, have a look at that,

What do you think of it?

That's really good.

-A tea caddy...?

-With lid.

-Oh, no!

-Keep going - how much?

It IS solid silver, as well.

Oh... You've done it!

That is a crossroads.

You've found a real bargain there.

How much?

It ought to have cost you... Silver tea caddy, Dutch, 1880s...

It ought to have cost you, probably, between £150 and £200.

You'll tell me you bought it for about 50?

-20.

-You didn't?!

Oh! He's back!

-Bingo's back!

-yeah, Bingo's back!

And this is a mad bit.

That's awesome. Victorian.

-Have you ever seen a scrap-work salt pin?

-Never!

That's gorgeous.

Again, so Victorian, so whacky.

Don't tell me it cost you £30.

-40.

-That's a great thing.

This is my last purchase...

in Bideford...

-and I thought, "Cornwall. Seaside home."

-That's lovely.

-How much?

-40.

-No!

Right, Charles, your turn.

There you are. That's my collection.

Hey, a nice collection!

My favourite lot, James, is this.

I'm happy it's George Jones.

It's circa 1881.

It's got that hunting Cornish interest.

I would say, with the damage,

it's quite easy to restore, this stuff.

You might be pushing the two, maybe more.

-You're being serious?!

-I think, 100, 200...

It cost me £55.

-That's very good.

-I hope so.

What are all your balls?

They are, reputedly,

from the Civil War.

-Oh, sort of musket balls?

-Exactly.

I think you would have paid 25 for those.

Yeah, they cost me £30.

What about this fella?

I thought, "I'm digging all the time..."

A lady came in, over the counter,

she said, "Charles, this has just come in."

I said, "Oh, yeah." So, like Fagin,

I looked in.

-Hey!

-"Hey!"

-Aw!

-Came in over the counter!

These people pay fortunes...

Oh, no!

Like Fagin does, look at this, James.

-We've got some coral here.

-That will make 150 to 200 quid.

Get out of here!

Easy!

The box is quite nice.

It's a lovely box - a really heavy, functional Regency box.

I bet you paid 80 to 100.

Yeah, £40.

HE LAUGHS

Then I rounded off, and I thought, "You know..."

No, I'm not interested.

Is that Beswick?

You're peddling hard...

Is it BESWICK?!

Yes, it is.

That's nice, isn't it?

I know you like dogs. You have two at home and your wife likes dogs,

-so I paid £15.

-That's good.

But what do they REALLY think?

His last purchase

is his danger purchase, for me.

That Regency box stuffed full of goodies,

that in the auction room is just a magnet.

If it's in the cabinet, lots of goodies in it,

I predict that will make between £150 and £250.

I'm really impressed with James's items.

I love his silver caddy and I think he struck gold.

It's been an ambitious fourth leg

with the boys battling it out from Crediton via Exeter, West Putford,

Torrington, Bideford, Okehampton, Lifton

and finally heading for the Cornish town of Lostwithiel.

Lostwithiel sits at the head of the estuary of the River Fowey,

and the name comes from old Cornish, meaning Tail End of the Woodland.

And as our experts arrive in town,

it's time to find out who will be crowned champion

at today's auction. Can Charles make it four in a row?

Jeffrys Auctions was established in 1865.

Auctioneer Ian Morris kindly lends his thoughts

on the chaps' offerings.

I very much like the black case with the jewellery in

and I think that will do rather well.

I would like to see it make £150, £200.

Wow! James Braxton started today with £248.24,

and spent £135 on five auction lots.

Charles Hanson began with £943.01,

and spent £260 on six lots.

Quiet, please! The auction is about to begin.

There's an atmosphere.

-There is. I like it.

-Can you feel the hum?

-I can.

First up it's Charles's Victorian leather jewellery box,

stuffed full of loot!

-Come on, James, here we go.

-Here we go.

Got some interest already and I'm starting at £110.

NO way!

110, 120, 130...

I told you!

160, 170...

I can't believe it!

180, 190, 200... 210

220, 230,

-240...

-I can't believe it.

-At 240 are we all done?

-At £240...

HE BANGS GAVEL

Put it there! I can't believe it!

By gosh, Charles has done it again and is off to a rip-roaring start.

Just look at James's face!

Steady there, Charles.

Let's see if James can make his mark with the farrier's file.

Very good, did my nails this morning, lovely.

£10, we'll say no more.

£10? five, six, at eight, at eight, ten,

12, 14,

16, 18,

at 18, 20,

22, 24,

26, 28,

£30, 32...

32, front row.

-At 32, are we done?

-32...

-HE BANGS GAVEL

Come on, give it!

-It's all right, isn't it?

-Trebled your money.

Not bad, James, but you'll need better luck to beat Charles.

And it's James's tea caddy now and he's got high hopes.

£70 I'm bid.

£70, £70...

75, £80, 85...

95...

At £100...

-At the £100...

-HE BANGS GAVEL

Congratulations! That is five times what you paid for it.

-That's good.

-I'm pleased with that.

That's more like it.

Let's hope you're on the up.

It's that 1950s mirror

with the little fish next.

£30 away, £20 away...

-Ten, I'm bid. At £10, 12, 14...

-Here we go.

15, 18, 20,

22, 25...

28, £30,

32... At 32...

At 32... All done?

-At 32...

-BANGS GAVEL

Only 32.

Oh, dear. Just when you thought your luck was changing.

But never fear, James,

there's still that unusual Victorian salt pin to go.

Quite interesting.

Can I say £30? £20?

£15? £18, £20,

22,

25,

28,

£30... Is it?

£30, 32,

35, 38,

£40...

38, still seated. At 38...

Are we done at £38?

HE BANGS GAVEL

-Yes!

-(LAUGHS)

Is that laughter or tears?

It's just not your day today, James.

We're back to Charles and his majolica jug next.

It's the one he thinks might go for a mint.

-We've still got three bids on the books.

-Oh, hell!

I'm going to start at £80.

£90, £100,

110, 120, 130,

140, 150, 160,

170, 180, 190...

-Delighted.

-What did I say?

200. Oh, my God.

-220, 230, 240?

-240.

250, 260...

Well, well!

-270, 280...

-I don't believe it.

280. That's good.

Yeah, it is good.

-320, 340...

-Keep going.

-340.

-I can't believe it.

At 340 on the phone... 360, 380...

Gosh!

380,

-400...

-I don't believe this. Keep going. This is wonderful!

Wonderful!

-420, 440?

-Oh, goodness me!

-440. 460?

-460...

-Oh, magic!

-480, 500...

-This is heaven.

500. 520? 520. 540?

-540?

-'Telephone bid.'

-No.

-520 in the room.

-Thank you very much.

-At 520 in the room...

£520...

-HE BANGS GAVEL

-Yes!

Wonderful, wonderful!

Thank you very much! Wonderful!

Thank you, auctioneer!

-Drinks are on you!

-Oh, absolutely! And the rest.

Oh, goodness me!

Put it there!

Well done.

Put it there indeed! A magnificent lump sum for young Charles.

Can I...?

HE KISSES THE JUG

That Charles is in a kissing mood!

Still, next it's the collection of musket balls.

£30 to start me. £20 I'm bid.

Come on.

£30, 35, £40,

-45, £50...

-Keep going.

55, £60...

Wonderful.

-How much did you pay for it?

-£30 it cost me.

Approximately £30.

-65...

-HE BANGS GAVEL

-Well done.

-Congratulations.

-Well done.

-Congratulations.

Well done.

Profits aplenty yet again for young Charles. Keep up the good work, boy!

Great balls of fire! Goodness gracious...

You say "Great balls of fire."

-Goodness gracious...

-Great balls of fire.

HE MIMICS GUN FIRING

Stupid boy!

Anyway, it's Charles again with the lighthouse sugar caster.

How about £80? £80 away.

-Come on!

-£30 I'm bid.

55, 60, 65, 70, 75,

80, 85, 90...

That's great!

£90, take 95... At £90...

95, thank you. 100, 110...

-Well done!

-110, 120, 130?

At 120. You sure?

At 120...

-£120.

-HE BANGS GAVEL

Brilliant! Double money. You were right.

Is there no stopping the young pretender?

The bidders of Lostwithiel just can't resist his items.

So how about Charles's scent bottle?

Are we in for another sweet-smelling profit?

-£20 to start me.

-No. Too much. Too much.

35, £40, 45,

50, 55,

£55, 60,

65, £70...

At £70, take 75...

-One more!

-Too much.

-At £70, are we done? Going at £70...

-HE BANGS GAVEL

Yes, profit! Put it there!

No.

Come on, James, be a sport! We all have bad days.

So now, show Charles what you're made of.

It's your last lot of the day, the froggy hand bell.

Handsome, isn't it?

LAUGHTER

£10 away.

£10? £5?

Five I'm bid. Rings your bell?

At seven, at eight,

at nine? At nine, at ten. At 12? At 12.

At 14, at 16, at 18,

at 20, 22... At 22...

Dropped a clanger there! At 22...

-At 22...

-HE BANGS GAVEL

And that little froggy didn't come home with the money, James.

It just croaked.

From froggy to doggy.

It's the final lot of the day with Charles's terrier.

£30 away? £20 I'm bid.

Yes! Profit.

25, £30, 35,

£40, 45.

I can go to 48. 50? 50.

Wowzer! Well done.

At £50 I'm bid. Done?

-Going at £50.

-HE BANGS GAVEL

You are unassailable.

-It gets better and better and better.

-Can I drive?/

No.

Yet another profit with the little dog

makes Charles the jubilant fourth- time-in-a-row winner at auction.

I'm just absolutely blown over. I'm blown away. I'm blown away.

Oh, dear, oh, dear.

Well done.

So James started today's show with £248.24.

And after paying auction costs, made a small profit of £48.68,

leaving him with just £296.92 to carry forward.

Oh, dear, oh, dear.

Charles, meanwhile, started with a massive £943.01,

and made a magnificent £613.30 profit today.

Giving him a staggering £1,566.31 to take forward.

Good lord.

Well done.

James, sometimes you get lucky, OK?

HE CHUCKLES

Hold on. There is no "sometimes". With you it's "always".

-Anyway, well done.

-Thank you, mate!

Next time on the Antiques Road Trip,

James and Charles head for a stormy Liskeard, in Cornwall.

Ohhh!

No!

James turns to the church.

I heard you've got a pulpit that you might be interested in selling.

-Am I right?

-You are right, yes!

And Charles tries a spot of arm-wrestling.

Come on, Andy!

He's too good. I'm off!

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd