0:00:02 > 0:00:06It's the nation's favourite antiques experts, with ?200 each...
0:00:06 > 0:00:08I love that. ..a classic car,
0:00:08 > 0:00:11and a goal to scour Britain for antiques.
0:00:11 > 0:00:12Yippie!
0:00:12 > 0:00:14I can see better with those.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18The aim? To make the biggest profit at auction, but it's no mean feat.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23LAUGHTER They'll probably have a row!
0:00:23 > 0:00:27So will it be the high road to glory, or the slow road to disaster?
0:00:27 > 0:00:30Thanks! He's just about killed that, hasn't he?
0:00:30 > 0:00:33This is the Antiques Road Trip!
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Yeah!
0:00:39 > 0:00:42On this road trip we've got double trouble, with the two Jameses.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46You have been a past winner of this road trip.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48I think I'm going to raise my game
0:00:48 > 0:00:51if I'm going to give you anything remotely like a challenge.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55James Braxton has 20 years' experience in antique auctioneering,
0:00:55 > 0:00:58and alongside being dandy and dapper,
0:00:58 > 0:01:00he's not afraid of a cheeky offer.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02I thought I was being fair! LAUGHTER
0:01:02 > 0:01:05En garde!
0:01:05 > 0:01:07His competitive companion, James Lewis,
0:01:07 > 0:01:10is a seasoned auctioneer, with his own business in Derbyshire. He loves
0:01:10 > 0:01:15a bargain, and would risk life and limb to get the best buy.
0:01:15 > 0:01:16Ouch! I've just stabbed myself.
0:01:18 > 0:01:24James and James are travelling in their sunshine yellow 1983 VW beetle,
0:01:24 > 0:01:29and it's about the only sunshine they're experiencing right now.
0:01:29 > 0:01:34It's trying to widdle on us, but not very successfully. I have my hat.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37Well done, well done. In case of danger.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42The route for this road trip takes our intrepid road trippers
0:01:42 > 0:01:44from Ampthill, in Bedfordshire,
0:01:44 > 0:01:46across the Channel to Jersey
0:01:46 > 0:01:48and back again to the final
0:01:48 > 0:01:50destination of Leamington Spa,
0:01:50 > 0:01:53covering almost 1,000 miles. Epic, eh?!
0:01:53 > 0:01:56But for now we begin in Ampthill, and will auction
0:01:56 > 0:01:59in Market Harborough.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05Ampthill is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin, the first settlement
0:02:05 > 0:02:11here was called Aemethyll, which literally means ant-infested hill.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13It doesn't look THAT bad, does it?
0:02:18 > 0:02:21That was good. Made it.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25How do I get out of this? Stretch my legs! Oh!
0:02:25 > 0:02:28I'm not built for these classic cars, you know!
0:02:28 > 0:02:30Maybe they weren't built for you, James!
0:02:32 > 0:02:34James Lewis is off to his first shop,
0:02:34 > 0:02:36Lawson and Lee's, to meet owner Claire.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38Hello. I'm James. Nice to see you.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42James has spotted a walnut music box, inlaid with
0:02:42 > 0:02:46geometrical micromosaic panels, if you want to get technical about it.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48GENTLE MUSIC Listen to that.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53Probably Swiss, 1940, the Swiss musical box.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57But it's that little marquetry inlay that the whole box is covered in
0:02:57 > 0:02:59that makes it desirable.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01For some strange reason,
0:03:01 > 0:03:06he wants to pair the ?55 box with some wooden napkin rings at ?20.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10For me to stand a chance, I need to pay about ?15 for them.
0:03:10 > 0:03:15Erm... Yes, OK. That's fine.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17Blimey, an odd combination, but that was easy.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Well, that was easy!
0:03:19 > 0:03:23I just said that! Beginner's luck? No.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25Meanwhile, just around the corner,
0:03:25 > 0:03:30James Braxton is forging ahead at the Ampthill Antiques Emporium.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33He's got his beady eye on a copper hearth surround
0:03:33 > 0:03:35in the Arts and Crafts style.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39The chancers are asking ?45 for it! Dear, oh, dear, oh, dear!
0:03:39 > 0:03:42Cheeky devil! But that's not going to stop him
0:03:42 > 0:03:44doing a deal on it, oh, no.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47Libby, is there some discount on that?
0:03:47 > 0:03:49Do you really like that, then? I do like it.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54Well, the best would be ?40.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58?40, OK... Well, you've definitely got a deal with that, Libby.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01Thank you very much. Yes, I'll have that.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05Would you clean all that up? I was hoping you might! No, you've got to be joking!
0:04:07 > 0:04:09Ah, James has got his eye on something else -
0:04:09 > 0:04:12a gold-plated wax seal, priced at ?44.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17So we've got a sort of citrine here,
0:04:17 > 0:04:22beautifully intaglio engraved with a crest.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24How much could that be, Libby?
0:04:24 > 0:04:2538.
0:04:25 > 0:04:2838. Well, that's better than normal, isn't it?
0:04:28 > 0:04:29That's a good price.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32Do you think they might be pushed to 35?
0:04:32 > 0:04:34I'd have to do a phone call.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37Would you? Yes. That might take me a moment.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39Could you do a phone call? I wouldn't mind a...
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Well, if you're phoning, why don't you say 30, then?
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Well, a wasted opportunity, isn't it?
0:04:46 > 0:04:47I'll see what I can do.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49Now who's the chancer, James?
0:04:49 > 0:04:53This seal would have been used to validate a document.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57Handsome, and it dates back to about 1830.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00How did we do? He's accepted your offer of 32.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02Why, he's a very kind man. That was very good.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04He is a very kind man. I'll have that.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06OK, that's lovely. Thank you very much.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08I thought the offer was ?30 on the seal. Ah, well.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10What's ?2 between friends?
0:05:12 > 0:05:16Meanwhile, the other James has spotted an odd-looking brooch.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20It's a bit of 19th-century jewellery, but the unusual thing is,
0:05:20 > 0:05:22it's made totally out of hair.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24Human hair? Yuck!
0:05:24 > 0:05:27The only thing rarer than this is the collectors for them.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29They're even rarer! LAUGHTER
0:05:29 > 0:05:33You're either going to rate this really highly, or not at all.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35LAUGHTER
0:05:35 > 0:05:38He'll need to trim something off the ?100 price tag.
0:05:38 > 0:05:4220. 25.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44A snip on the hair brooch,
0:05:44 > 0:05:47but it looks like he's going for a job lot ` again.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54That is a mid-19th-century brooch, How much could that be?
0:05:54 > 0:05:5640.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00I like that, and I like that. I think they work quite well together.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02If I gave 45 for the two...
0:06:02 > 0:06:04It's a cheeky offer!
0:06:04 > 0:06:08Erm... OK.
0:06:08 > 0:06:13OK, how much do I owe you? The marquetry - 15.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16And the two brooches for 45, so ?60, yes?
0:06:16 > 0:06:19Bye! Thank you.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21So, that's a bonanza of buys for James Lewis.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25He's now on his way to Olney for a spot of shopping
0:06:25 > 0:06:29at the Antiques Centre, and he's looking for something special.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34What have you got there, James?
0:06:34 > 0:06:36It's a box from the 19th century.
0:06:36 > 0:06:42It's got marquetry around the edges, and the corners are missing.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45But there are various ways of sorting that.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48It looks like the casket is ebony, with ivory inlay.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52Now, items containing ivory made after 1947 are illegal to sell,
0:06:52 > 0:06:56but as this piece dates from around 1880, it can still be traded, but
0:06:56 > 0:07:00will owners Sheila and Nick let it go for less than
0:07:00 > 0:07:01the price tag of ?25?
0:07:01 > 0:07:03?15, offer.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08That's it. Last chance. Last throw of the dice.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10That sounds fine.
0:07:10 > 0:07:11Brilliant, thank you.
0:07:11 > 0:07:17After all that... ?15. It's just unbelievable!
0:07:17 > 0:07:21There we are. Thank you very much. Thank you. OK.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25And just as he's about to leave, James spies one final buy.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29I didn't see those when I walked in. They're quite sweet.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31Little pair of lunettes.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35You can imagine an Edwardian lady taking those out, can't you?
0:07:35 > 0:07:42Very much so. They actually work. I can see better with those! ?22.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45As we are on a roll, how about 15 again?
0:07:45 > 0:07:46Yes, I'm sure she'll do that.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49Yeah? It's not a big discount, is it? It's not a big discount.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53I can't believe that! A flourish at the end!
0:07:53 > 0:07:57So, I owe you 15 again. There we go. Thank you.
0:07:59 > 0:08:04With four lots in the bag, it's been a good day for James Lewis.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08Onwards, as our boys keep those road trip wheels a-moving.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11But before James embarks on
0:08:11 > 0:08:13more shopping, James Braxton is
0:08:13 > 0:08:15dropping James Lewis off at
0:08:15 > 0:08:17a car-boot sale in Northampton.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19I love car-boots. I used to go,
0:08:19 > 0:08:22but now, of course, they say, "Oh, it's him off the telly!
0:08:22 > 0:08:25"I'm not selling anything to him!" LAUGHTER
0:08:25 > 0:08:26And can you blame them?
0:08:26 > 0:08:29The thing about car-boot sales is that one man's trash is
0:08:29 > 0:08:32another man's treasure, so good luck, James.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35How much is the pestle and mortar?
0:08:35 > 0:08:38That can be ?15. It's quite early.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40It's 18th century.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44When qualifying, every pharmacist was given one of these
0:08:44 > 0:08:49as a classic graduation present. And because they're made out of bronze,
0:08:49 > 0:08:51they last in quite large numbers.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54But 15 quid is not expensive.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56I like that. Yes?
0:08:56 > 0:09:03What about if I throw an old book in? And we'll call it ?25.
0:09:03 > 0:09:08The Badminton Library. Fishing - Pike And Coarse Fish.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10Sounds like a bit of a catch to me!
0:09:10 > 0:09:13That could almost go with that.
0:09:13 > 0:09:14Really?!
0:09:14 > 0:09:16I'll give you a tenner for that.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19I'm going to have to hold out for 15.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Because of what it is and because I think it's got some age.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26In that case, I'll give you 15 quid the two. Throw your ?2 quid book in.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30OK, yeah. Yeah? Yeah. You've got a deal.
0:09:30 > 0:09:31Hook, line, and sinker.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35But James's buys are turning into a bit of pick and mix.
0:09:35 > 0:09:36Thank you. Goodbye, thank you.
0:09:36 > 0:09:41Whatever next, a medieval bronze bell to complete the lot, eh?
0:09:41 > 0:09:43I ploughed that up in the parish of Yelvertoft a few years ago...
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Oh, yeah? You ploughed it up?
0:09:46 > 0:09:48Yes. It's goat or a sheep, is it? Yeah.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50Looks like a bell to me!
0:09:50 > 0:09:51Car-boot sale...
0:09:51 > 0:09:56A load of brand-new bits and bobs. Bit of medieval bronze.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58How much is that?
0:09:58 > 0:10:0050p. Sold.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03Me and my big mouth, eh? Ding-dong!
0:10:03 > 0:10:08Thank you very much. Have a good day. And you, thank you.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10Back on the road, James Braxton
0:10:10 > 0:10:13has driven on to Finedon,
0:10:13 > 0:10:16in Northamptonshire, for his next stop.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19Hello. Good morning. Hello.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22James is off to Affleck Bridge Antiques.
0:10:22 > 0:10:27Owner Edward is a very helpful chap, and has something that might be of interest.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29Nice chamber stick. Nice chamber stick, isn't it?
0:10:33 > 0:10:39It's sort of perpetual movement, almost, isn't it? It's rather fun.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41One for the back burner, eh, James?
0:10:44 > 0:10:47What's this? "Umbrella Covers North."
0:10:49 > 0:10:55What attracts me about this item is, you've got a very novelty...
0:10:55 > 0:11:02sort of stylised, looks like a kookaburra, forming a handle.
0:11:02 > 0:11:08It's a lady's umbrella, that all works... Parasol.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11It's just got a little bit of loss there.
0:11:11 > 0:11:16But if you look at the detail of this, this is a luxury good,
0:11:16 > 0:11:20a luxury accessory, and it's ?28!
0:11:20 > 0:11:26So with the umbrella at ?28, what about that chamber stick at ?24?
0:11:26 > 0:11:29Could you do 40 for the two, Edward?
0:11:29 > 0:11:33That's pushing us. I thought I was being fair!
0:11:36 > 0:11:39Well, to give you a chance at the auction, we could do that.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42OK, that's very kind. Thank you very much indeed, thank you.
0:11:42 > 0:11:43That's really kind.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47So, two more items for the swag bag, and without a moment's delay,
0:11:47 > 0:11:50James is on to his next location, Brackley,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53and the final shop before auction.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00Historically, Brackley is a market town built on the wool and lace trade,
0:12:02 > 0:12:05HE HUMS And just one look at this place,
0:12:05 > 0:12:08it really is an Aladdin's cave.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16James finds owner Jim to ask about something he rather likes.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18It's a very nice design, that,
0:12:18 > 0:12:22but quite sort of weird for a lady to wear,
0:12:22 > 0:12:24a big brooch like that.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26Well, he's not weighing anchor yet,
0:12:26 > 0:12:29although he is sailing towards more silverware.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32What is it? I think it's German.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36"Emil Langer. Hamburg."
0:12:36 > 0:12:38And it's a teapot.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41It's that terribly tough silver plate.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43It's very well fitting.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46It's got a certain robust charm about it, isn't it?
0:12:46 > 0:12:49Vorsprung durch teapot, some might say!
0:12:49 > 0:12:51Not me, though.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54How much do you want for that one, then?
0:12:54 > 0:12:57Five pounds? Five pounds.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00Let's see if we can get something else to go with it, shall we?
0:13:00 > 0:13:03I think I'll go in this side.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06I've always loved these nests of beakers.
0:13:06 > 0:13:101945. These are German as well.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13It's a lovely Second World War font, isn't it?
0:13:13 > 0:13:16Yes, it is. Very German.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18Do you think you could do a decent price on those?
0:13:18 > 0:13:20Yes, I would think so. What have we got on at the minute?
0:13:20 > 0:13:22It's got ?25. Yeah.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26I could certainly give him a ring and find the best he'll do on it.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28After a quick phone call to the owner,
0:13:28 > 0:13:30James secures the beakers for ?15
0:13:30 > 0:13:32but something else is weighing on his mind...
0:13:34 > 0:13:36I like the anchor as well.
0:13:36 > 0:13:37So Jim's partner, Deborah,
0:13:37 > 0:13:41gets on the phone to the owner of the ?28 anchor brooch.
0:13:41 > 0:13:42Go, Debs! Hold on.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46?15. ?15, ?15, definitely, I'll take it.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48That's very kind of her.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51Thank you. Thanks, Shirley, bye. Thank you, bye.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54That teapot, do you think it would make a happy bedfellow
0:13:54 > 0:13:56with the beakers? I think it would, being German.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59Being German. And well-made.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03What have I got on me? What have I got on me? Here you are.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07That's a bit insulting!
0:14:07 > 0:14:11There you are.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14Would a big two buy it? The teapot? Yeah.
0:14:14 > 0:14:19Two pounds?! Oh, would it?
0:14:19 > 0:14:23How about double or quits, then, James? Definitely, definitely.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26Double or quits. Double or quits. Are you going to spin?
0:14:26 > 0:14:28I'll spin, you call. OK.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33Heads, because it's the Queen's time.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35Tails!
0:14:35 > 0:14:37HE LAUGHS
0:14:37 > 0:14:38Jolly lucky I had the other one.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40THEY LAUGH
0:14:40 > 0:14:43Thank you, James. Thank you very much indeed, Jim. Thank you.
0:14:43 > 0:14:48So, after gambling and losing, the teapot has cost James dear.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51Four pounds, instead of two. On top of that,
0:14:51 > 0:14:55he's bought the beakers and the anchor brooch for ?15 each.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Having finished his shopping earlier,
0:15:01 > 0:15:04the other James has driven to Kettering
0:15:04 > 0:15:06to visit England's answer
0:15:06 > 0:15:08to the Palace of Versailles.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17Boughton House has been home to the Montagus since 1528
0:15:17 > 0:15:19and you'd be forgiven for thinking
0:15:19 > 0:15:20it's a little bit of France
0:15:20 > 0:15:21right here in England.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24Its design and contents have been heavily influenced
0:15:24 > 0:15:28by the tastes of the famous French Sun King, Louis XIV.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32James is here to meet Charles Lister, to find out more.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36Charles. James, welcome to Boughton House.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39The English Versailles. Thank you very much. What a place!
0:15:39 > 0:15:41I was not expecting to find a French palace
0:15:41 > 0:15:44in the middle of Northamptonshire! What's it doing here?
0:15:44 > 0:15:47Well, it's very much the creation of Ralph Montagu,
0:15:47 > 0:15:49English Ambassador to Louis XIV,
0:15:49 > 0:15:53who transformed his Tudor house here into a very French-style building.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56If you'd like to come through, I can tell you all about him and his life.
0:15:59 > 0:16:00Gosh!
0:16:00 > 0:16:03This is the Great Hall, the centrepiece of the house,
0:16:03 > 0:16:05where all the entertaining would take place.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07William III would have been invited by Ralph Montagu,
0:16:07 > 0:16:11the first Duke of Montagu, who's portrayed just over here.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14This is Ralph, himself. So, he built this house?
0:16:14 > 0:16:17He turned a small Tudor mansion
0:16:17 > 0:16:19into a grand vision of what he'd seen
0:16:19 > 0:16:22as ambassador to Louis XIV over in France.
0:16:22 > 0:16:27What inspired him to do this, from an original Tudor style?
0:16:27 > 0:16:30It was very much, he's advancing in society.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32He starts as the second son of Lord Montagu
0:16:32 > 0:16:35and he increasingly becomes more important, more prominent,
0:16:35 > 0:16:37so he wants to have a house that reflects that,
0:16:37 > 0:16:39and partly the way you do that, you invite the King here,
0:16:39 > 0:16:42he enjoys it, hopefully, he'll give you a dukedom.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46So, it's a bit of one-upmanship and a bit of social climbing, as well!
0:16:46 > 0:16:49Some things never change, do they?
0:16:49 > 0:16:50It seems not.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Montagu drew on his time in France
0:16:52 > 0:16:57to recreate his own version of Versailles here.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00Boughton House is now owned by the Duke of Buccleuch,
0:17:00 > 0:17:02but with such opulence and grandeur,
0:17:02 > 0:17:05this place really was fit for a king.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09My goodness! That is incredible!
0:17:09 > 0:17:11The colours! Not the original upholstery, surely?
0:17:11 > 0:17:16Yes, indeed. This was purchased by Ralph Montagu in 1660 from France.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19It formed the centrepiece of his state apartment,
0:17:19 > 0:17:22created to show King William III by this point.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26He was going to come here, enjoy the state apartment he created for him.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28I suppose he purchased them with the intention
0:17:28 > 0:17:31of making the state apartment for Charles II? That's right.
0:17:31 > 0:17:36Eventually, William took over by the time he'd finished. Exactly. Gosh.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39There's some money spent in here, isn't there? Vast sums of money.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42Furnishing the bed itself, the furniture here,
0:17:42 > 0:17:45even the parquet floor here cost ?5,000
0:17:45 > 0:17:48in the 1680s to actually complete it,
0:17:48 > 0:17:50which was a vast sum of money. Goodness me!
0:17:50 > 0:17:54That's approximately ?631,000 in today's money.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58And all really for the King to come and be here for one day, really.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00Incredible!
0:18:00 > 0:18:04It might have been an expensive case of social climbing,
0:18:04 > 0:18:08but almost 400 years later, Boughton House is one of the jewels
0:18:08 > 0:18:12in Britain's crown, essentially English-French in flavour.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21That was fascinating, but now here's a quick reminder
0:18:21 > 0:18:25of how our boys have been spending their dosh.
0:18:25 > 0:18:30James Lewis began this leg with ?200 and spent ?105.50
0:18:30 > 0:18:32on the Victorian lorgnette,
0:18:32 > 0:18:36the 19th century casket,
0:18:36 > 0:18:40the George III hair brooch and accompanying brooch set.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Also, there's the unusual duo of the walnut musical box
0:18:43 > 0:18:45and five napkin rings,
0:18:45 > 0:18:48and the combo lot of the bronze pestle and mortar, the bronze bell
0:18:48 > 0:18:52and the 19th century book on fishing. Hmm.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57From his ?200, James Braxton
0:18:57 > 0:19:01spent ?146 on the gold-plated seal,
0:19:01 > 0:19:05the Arts and Crafts copper hearth surround,
0:19:05 > 0:19:07the 1930s lady's umbrella,
0:19:07 > 0:19:11the chamber stick, the set of four German plated beakers
0:19:11 > 0:19:13along with plated German teapot,
0:19:13 > 0:19:16and finally, the white metal anchor brooch. Phew!
0:19:19 > 0:19:24So, let's see what the boys think of one another's goodies.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28My items look quite good beside his.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31I think I've actually got a better lot of stuff than he has.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34But he probably thinks exactly the same!
0:19:36 > 0:19:39It sounds like the gloves are well and truly off.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42With both our experts feeling confident, there's only one way
0:19:42 > 0:19:44to find out who's bought best.
0:19:44 > 0:19:45From Kettering, our boys are back
0:19:45 > 0:19:47on the road, as they head to
0:19:47 > 0:19:49auction in Market Harborough.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54Here we are.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56Our experts are going head-to-head at Gildings,
0:19:56 > 0:20:00which has established itself as an auction house of distinction
0:20:00 > 0:20:03over the last 30 years.
0:20:03 > 0:20:04Here we go.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08First up for James Braxton, it's the Arts and Crafts copper hearth
0:20:08 > 0:20:11surround, and it's over to auctioneer Mark Gilding.
0:20:11 > 0:20:12Nice, this one.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15?50, do I see? It's going for 50.
0:20:15 > 0:20:1810. ?10 only. I'm bid at 10.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21At ?10, I'm bid at ?10.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23?12, do I see?
0:20:23 > 0:20:25Come on. I'll even polish it for you.
0:20:25 > 0:20:26At ?12, I'm bid.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29At 15, 18... We're getting there.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32At ?18. You're not bidding at 18.
0:20:32 > 0:20:33The bid's 18.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36?18 and selling away. At 18.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Ouch! Well, that failed to set the auction room ablaze.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43You were dead right. Obviously the wrong size.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45First up for James Lewis, the pair of brooches -
0:20:45 > 0:20:49the creepy hair one and the evil-eye one.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52Is it undamaged? Yes, it's perfect.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55It's six loops of different hair. What will we say for these?
0:20:55 > 0:20:58The two of them, ?100, do I see?
0:20:58 > 0:21:01Don't all bid at once(!)
0:21:01 > 0:21:03OK, then, ?20, I'm bid.
0:21:03 > 0:21:08?20, I'm bid. Have it your way. 5, 30. 35.
0:21:08 > 0:21:14?35, 40. 40, I'm bid.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18No way! It's creeping.
0:21:18 > 0:21:2145, I'm bid. At 45. Still a loss.
0:21:21 > 0:21:2548, 50. ?50, I'm bid. At ?50.
0:21:25 > 0:21:305, at ?55. 60, do I see? It's 55.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32You're all quiet in the room.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34?55 and I'm instructed to sell.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37At ?55.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40A pin-prick of a profit for James Lewis.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42It's washed its face.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44A little profit there.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47That's my expression. Next up for James Lewis,
0:21:47 > 0:21:49it's that dainty gold lorgnette.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51Good luck.
0:21:51 > 0:21:56We'll see. At 22, 25, 28. 28,
0:21:56 > 0:21:57I'm bid now at 28.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59At ?28, I'm bid now.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02At 32, 35. At 35.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06All my bids are out.
0:22:06 > 0:22:1038, do I see it? No way! Are you bidding, internet?
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Just flashing, then, at ?35...
0:22:12 > 0:22:15A man of vision, is our James Lewis.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18But he didn't see that one coming, did he?
0:22:18 > 0:22:21They could have had a one in front of them, couldn't they?
0:22:21 > 0:22:22That is disastrous.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26Now it's James Braxton's gold-plated seal.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28Will it make an impression on the bidders?
0:22:28 > 0:22:31Do you think people still collect those seals?
0:22:31 > 0:22:35That was lovely. It was beautifully... It was.
0:22:35 > 0:22:40?20, 5, 30, 5, 40.
0:22:40 > 0:22:4245. Into profit.
0:22:42 > 0:22:47That's ?45 bid. 45 and selling away.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51His first profit. Good. And it's not that bad.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54A nice little profit, there. I'm all right.
0:22:54 > 0:22:59Now it's James Lewis' 19th-century Indian sadeli casket.
0:22:59 > 0:23:04Bidding starts at 25, 35, ?40. I'm bid at 40.
0:23:04 > 0:23:09At ?40, 45, 50, 55, seated. At 55.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11At ?55 I'm bid. Do I see 60?
0:23:11 > 0:23:13It should be worth more than this,
0:23:13 > 0:23:14but ?55, I'm bid.
0:23:14 > 0:23:20All out in the room and the net is out. 55 seated, 60. New bidder, 65.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23You were right. At 70...
0:23:23 > 0:23:26And I'm selling at ?70.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28That's not bad.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30I'm pleased with that.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34Yes, it's turned out to be a right little treasure chest
0:23:34 > 0:23:36and puts James Lewis into an early lead.
0:23:36 > 0:23:37Come on, Brackers!
0:23:37 > 0:23:41You've got some catching up to do with the 1930s lady's umbrella.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44?10, I'm bid only.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47I thought this would make a lot more. 12, 15, 18, 20.
0:23:47 > 0:23:5122. 22 bid now. In the room at 22.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53At ?22, the net's out as well.
0:23:53 > 0:23:59Oh, go on! 22... A new bidder here.
0:23:59 > 0:24:0230. 30 I'm bid. At ?30.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05At 30, and selling at ?30.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07A luxury item at 30.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09Oh, dear.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11At least he's covered himself.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14Next up for James Braxton is the
0:24:14 > 0:24:16pottery chamber stick. There we are.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20?10, I'm bid. The Linthorpe style.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23?10, I'm bid. At ?10, I'm bid.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25?12, do I see? It's ?10 only.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29?12, I'm bid now.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31?12 bidder in the room.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Bit of a charity bid, there. Yes.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36At ?12, and selling away.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40The chamber stick fails to light up the room.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43Another loss for James Braxton. Next!
0:24:43 > 0:24:46This is my box that you really hate.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49Slightly strange bedfellows now.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52The walnut music box and the wooden napkin rings.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54Lovely quality marquetry here.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56Lovely quality marquetry, James.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Actually, only, ?5 I'm bid. God!
0:24:59 > 0:25:01That's about right.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03?12, 15, 18, 20, 22,
0:25:03 > 0:25:06out this side, it's 22. Are you
0:25:06 > 0:25:08bidding at 22? 22 on my left.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10At 22. 5 to bid. I'm selling quick,
0:25:10 > 0:25:12then, at 22, and away. Oh...
0:25:12 > 0:25:15Oh, bottom!
0:25:15 > 0:25:17That's about the right price for that.
0:25:17 > 0:25:22The odd collection clearly appealed to someone and gave James Lewis
0:25:22 > 0:25:26another creeping profit, but can James Braxton accelerate with
0:25:26 > 0:25:28this set of German beakers and a teapot?
0:25:28 > 0:25:30I like these beakers.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32The beakers are nice.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34You could take them on a picnic.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38?50, are we? ?10, I'm bid.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41I'm bid 12, 15, 18, 20, 22...
0:25:43 > 0:25:46You're out now. It's down here,
0:25:46 > 0:25:51at ?22. 5, I'll take. At 22...
0:25:51 > 0:25:54A good pairing, but not the match of the day.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56My last chance
0:25:56 > 0:26:00at profit is the anchor. It's got to make...
0:26:00 > 0:26:03It's got a big responsibility. It's got to make about 60 quid.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07No pressure, then(!) It's the anchor brooch.
0:26:07 > 0:26:08It should be ?40-50, shouldn't it?
0:26:08 > 0:26:11Yeah, it should.
0:26:11 > 0:26:16Bidding starts at ?15. 18, 20, 22,
0:26:16 > 0:26:1725, 28 and I'm out.
0:26:17 > 0:26:2028, it's in the room, and selling at ?28.
0:26:20 > 0:26:2330. Go on. Go on.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27Go on. 32, 35. This side.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29You're out on my left. At 35.
0:26:31 > 0:26:32Well done. Well done.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34Anchors aweigh, with a tidy profit.
0:26:36 > 0:26:37The final lot for James Lewis
0:26:37 > 0:26:39is the pestle and mortar,
0:26:39 > 0:26:40the medieval bronze bell,
0:26:40 > 0:26:42and the book on fishing.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44He does love a good pick 'n' mix.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48Bidding starts at 10, 12, 15, ?18.
0:26:48 > 0:26:53Oh! 18, I'm bid. 20, 22, 25, 28, 30.
0:26:53 > 0:26:5530, I'm bid in the room.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57All my bids are lost at ?30.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00?30 in the room. At 30.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02Oh, that's all right.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06There we go. An odd lot, though, hooks him one last profit.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09Is it enough to land the first victory?
0:27:11 > 0:27:14James Braxton started the show with ?200, and after auction costs,
0:27:14 > 0:27:17he's made a loss of ?13.16, sending him
0:27:17 > 0:27:21through to the next round with ?186.84.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24Don't look so serious.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29James Lewis also started with ?200 after costs.
0:27:29 > 0:27:34He's made a profit of ?68.34, taking his total to ?268.34
0:27:34 > 0:27:39and claiming the first victory of this road trip.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41He's looking serious too. Tight-lipped.
0:27:41 > 0:27:47Well... Winner decides? Do you want me to drive? Go on, you drive.
0:27:47 > 0:27:53I should sit in the back. You should do. Only ?60-odd.
0:27:53 > 0:27:58You don't get the full chauffeuring service.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00It's better than a loss, James.
0:28:00 > 0:28:01It certainly is. Oh, dear.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03Our competitive pair of Jameses
0:28:03 > 0:28:07are still pootling along in the 1983 VW Beetle
0:28:07 > 0:28:11to tackle the next leg of their journey.
0:28:11 > 0:28:16As a quick reminder of the road trip for our pair of adventurers,
0:28:16 > 0:28:19takes them from Ampthill in Bedfordshire
0:28:19 > 0:28:23across the Channel to Jersey and back again to the final destination of Leamington Spa,
0:28:23 > 0:28:26covering almost a thousand miles.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28Gosh!
0:28:29 > 0:28:32But on this leg, we begin in Woodstock in Oxfordshire
0:28:32 > 0:28:35and end up at auction in Swindon.
0:28:35 > 0:28:41I think Oxfordshire is glorious, isn't it? It is lovely.
0:28:41 > 0:28:46No, it's not that Woodstock. No hippy-dippy, flower power festivals here.
0:28:46 > 0:28:51This Woodstock is the home of the UNESCO World Heritage Site,
0:28:51 > 0:28:54Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58James Lewis is dropping James Braxton at his first shop of the day
0:28:58 > 0:29:01and the bells are ringing out for their arrival.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04There we go. Good. Thanks a lot.
0:29:04 > 0:29:05All righty...
0:29:05 > 0:29:09James Braxton has a disappointing ?186.84 in his wallet.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12Bye. Bye.
0:29:14 > 0:29:20Woodstock Arts and Antiques is run by a Mr Michael Jackson. Sham on!
0:29:20 > 0:29:24Hello, James. How are you? Hello. Nice to meet you. Good to see you.
0:29:24 > 0:29:29I never knew that Michael was alive and well and dealing in antiques in Woodstock.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36Great look to it, isn't it? Hmm.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42I really like that poodle. It's very well done.
0:29:42 > 0:29:46It has a sense of humour. It has a certain naive charm about that.
0:29:46 > 0:29:52It certainly does. Mid-19th century Staffordshire at ?28, in case you were wondering.
0:29:52 > 0:29:56But this, this rather sweet owl, isn't it...?
0:29:56 > 0:30:00That's a candle snuffer. That is just fabulous.
0:30:00 > 0:30:06Humorous and naive, the owl is Royal Worcester and has a ticket price of ?55.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09Worth a punt, James?
0:30:09 > 0:30:13At the other extreme, what a lovely little '50s, mint and boxed tea set!
0:30:13 > 0:30:18Never been used. Some poor little kiddie had it as a present and it stayed there.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21I mean, that's not a bad little thing.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23That's great, isn't it?
0:30:23 > 0:30:26I do like that. What could that be?
0:30:26 > 0:30:29A tenner? A tenner.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32These two little bits...
0:30:34 > 0:30:36It's really got to be another 40 for those.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39Would ?35 buy them? 35 would do it.
0:30:39 > 0:30:4335 and 10 - 45. That's really good. Thank you.
0:30:43 > 0:30:47Super, sir. Thanks a lot. Thank you. I appreciate that.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49Yes, now beat it!
0:30:49 > 0:30:53A joke. I'm sure dealer Michael Jackson always finds that amusing.
0:30:57 > 0:31:02After dropping off James Braxton, James Lewis has driven on eight miles to Oxford.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08Oxford is home to the oldest university in the English-speaking world.
0:31:08 > 0:31:12James' first port of call is Antiques On High
0:31:12 > 0:31:17and he has a rather jolly ?268.34 to spend.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20Hi there. Hello.
0:31:22 > 0:31:27It isn't long before James spots something that looks like a silver sugar basket.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32Unmarked with a family crest.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37I think it's early. I think it's 18th century.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40I'm hoping...
0:31:40 > 0:31:44I'm hoping it might be Irish, the fact that it's not marked. OK.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48What could that be? 35 on there... I can get 30.
0:31:48 > 0:31:53Is 20 any good? He wouldn't do 20. He might do 25 if he's in the right mood.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56I could ring him and see if it's got a chance.
0:31:56 > 0:31:5925, save your phone bill. Take a gamble.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02Let's do it, James. LAUGHTER
0:32:02 > 0:32:07Quick and easy! Not much wrong with that. Let's hope it's silver and not silver plate.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13James Braxton is now "Beetling" away to Bicester.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15Hello. Hello.
0:32:15 > 0:32:19The Old Flight House is James' next shopping emporium.
0:32:20 > 0:32:26Before long, our Jack Nicholson lookalike has spied a silver charm bracelet for ?33.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29Maybe it reminds him of The Shining!
0:32:31 > 0:32:35Now, could that be a silly price of, say, ?20?
0:32:35 > 0:32:39A silly price? No, not a... That would be a good price, wouldn't it?
0:32:39 > 0:32:43How about 21? ?21, you have a deal, Karen. I just like the number.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45Thank you. Thank you.
0:32:45 > 0:32:51I'm very pleased with that, Karen. That's very kind. Good. There's the 20. Perfect. And the one. Thank you.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55Thank you very much indeed, Karen. Bye. Bye-bye.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58Cor, he doesn't hang about, that James Braxton, does he?!
0:33:02 > 0:33:07The boys are reunited once more and keeping those road trip wheels a-moving.
0:33:08 > 0:33:13Before he starts his shopping though, James Braxton is giving James Lewis a much-needed head start
0:33:13 > 0:33:16by dropping him off in Chipping Norton.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18Cheers. Bye.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22James is having a mooch in the very modern sounding CoCa,
0:33:22 > 0:33:25run by John Cooper.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28That's a completely weird object, isn't it?
0:33:28 > 0:33:33Can you imagine James Braxton's face if I bought that? Go on, I dare you!
0:33:33 > 0:33:35What do you think it is then?
0:33:35 > 0:33:38I think... I think it's Japanese.
0:33:39 > 0:33:43And this section is carved out of a nut.
0:33:43 > 0:33:47The parasol, the face and the cane, I think, are bone. Yeah.
0:33:47 > 0:33:52Or the tongue might be stained ivory, but more than likely, probably bone. Right.
0:33:52 > 0:33:59And I think it's probably a figure from a Japanese comedy, about 1900, 1910. What can that be?
0:34:01 > 0:34:0315?
0:34:03 > 0:34:07I'll have to make you a cheeky offer of a fiver. A tenner and it's yours.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11Eight and you've got a deal.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15Only because it's totally stupid. Go on then.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17?8, you've got a deal. Thank you.
0:34:22 > 0:34:28Back in the Beetle, James Braxton has driven to Gaydon in Warwickshire to take a much-needed pit stop.
0:34:32 > 0:34:37With a bit of time to spare, James has come to the Heritage Motor Centre near Banbury,
0:34:37 > 0:34:41home to the world's largest collection of historic British cars.
0:34:44 > 0:34:49And he's driving a VW Beetle! Has the man no shame?
0:34:49 > 0:34:53Hopefully, curator Tim Bryan will forgive him.
0:34:54 > 0:34:59Hello. Hello, James. Welcome to the Heritage Motor Centre. What an amazing place!
0:34:59 > 0:35:05All British cars here? Yes, everything in the museum is built in this country,
0:35:05 > 0:35:08right from the 1890s up to the present.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12I'm rather ashamed to tell you I've come up in the VW, our German cousins.
0:35:12 > 0:35:17The Germans have had quite a lot to do with our industry over the last few years,
0:35:17 > 0:35:20so I'm sure that's a good connection.
0:35:20 > 0:35:25In the 1970s, the newly formed British Leyland company sorted out
0:35:25 > 0:35:31all the old motors it had in storage, turning up vintage vehicles of all shapes and sizes
0:35:31 > 0:35:35from the Mini to the Land Rover, Rolls-Royce to the Aston Martin.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39Although the collection focuses on iconic British brands,
0:35:39 > 0:35:44the motor industry first began in the home of James's VW.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48This is where the story starts. You mentioned German cars.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50This is a replica of a German car.
0:35:50 > 0:35:55This is a replica of the first Benz car, built back in 1886.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59It looks like a trap, like a horse and trap, doesn't it? It is.
0:35:59 > 0:36:05In 1886, Otto Benz, when he built this car, it was based, I guess, on the technology of the time,
0:36:05 > 0:36:10so a bit of horse-drawn technology and also a bit of bike technology.
0:36:10 > 0:36:14The wheels look very much like a bicycle tyre. They do, don't they?
0:36:14 > 0:36:17What is this? These are solid rubber tyres.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20But it's got hardly any features you'd recognise.
0:36:20 > 0:36:26The steering, of course, is a tiller, so if you want to move it, you can do that.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30And of course, there's no boot, there's no windscreen.
0:36:30 > 0:36:34But it can only do about nine miles an hour, so it was very primitive.
0:36:34 > 0:36:40The story I love to tell is it's said that Mrs Benz actually drove it first, rather than Mr Benz.
0:36:40 > 0:36:45Mr Benz had to run along behind with his toolbox to make sure it didn't break down.
0:36:45 > 0:36:50A bit like some of our classic cars on the Road Trip then!
0:36:52 > 0:36:56Ah, Mr Bond, I've been expecting you.
0:36:56 > 0:37:02The James Bond fans will, of course, recognise the V12 Vanquish from Die Another Day.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04Die Another Day. Yes.
0:37:04 > 0:37:09Was that on the ice with the Jaguar? That's right, yes.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13Again, a fantastic bit of technology. You have to have deep pockets
0:37:13 > 0:37:18to own and run one, but really the flagship of the Aston Martin fleet.
0:37:18 > 0:37:24As far as many people are concerned, this is one of the iconic British cars, so it's great to have it here.
0:37:24 > 0:37:30No longer in production, the V12 Vanquish would have set you back around ?160,000
0:37:30 > 0:37:33and that's without an ejector seat!
0:37:33 > 0:37:37One of the things I think that this place is really successful at
0:37:37 > 0:37:41is getting people to think about and look at their memories of cars,
0:37:41 > 0:37:44so people think, "My dad had one of those cars,"
0:37:44 > 0:37:48or, "We went on holiday in that sort of car," or, "That was my first car."
0:37:48 > 0:37:51A real trip down memory lane and the best of British all under one roof.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55And with that, it's time for our special agent James Braxton
0:37:55 > 0:37:59to get back in his classic car and on the road.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01Oh, less 007, more...
0:38:01 > 0:38:03Herbie Goes Bananas?
0:38:05 > 0:38:11Time now for James to head down to Deddington to continue his shopping.
0:38:11 > 0:38:17His final shop of the day is the Deddington Antiques Centre, run by dealer Brenda Haller.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19It's got a bit of weight to it.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23Good. Brenda's shop is famous for the Deddington Duck.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25Not an ornament, but a move.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27Duck!
0:38:27 > 0:38:29Too late!
0:38:29 > 0:38:33Slightly concussed, James spots a rather curious curio.
0:38:33 > 0:38:37A bombilla. Is that what it is? Yeah. It's for tea.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41Ah! So it's a South American thing.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43And this is a gourd. Yeah.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46You put your leaves or whatever and the water in there.
0:38:46 > 0:38:51Because it was all pretty messy stuff, you drink through the straw. How amazing!
0:38:51 > 0:38:56That might be a possibility, Brenda. Let's hold it out. Let's keep it out.
0:38:56 > 0:39:01Next up, James has his eye on a white metal bowl which Brenda thinks is an ashtray.
0:39:01 > 0:39:06Yeah, that's one that slots on, you know, when they had a table at the side?
0:39:06 > 0:39:10Oh, I see. You'd slot that one on to a piece of wood.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14It's got dragons on it, has it? Dragons, yeah.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17If you saw that, you would think Chinese,
0:39:17 > 0:39:23then you turn it over and you've got the Arabic script. Isn't that interesting?
0:39:23 > 0:39:28Leave it out. You held it more than 2 seconds, so you're interested. You're reading me, you see!
0:39:28 > 0:39:30You crafty dealers.
0:39:30 > 0:39:35He seems to be starting a collection of possible maybes.
0:39:35 > 0:39:41There's a piece of Japanese silver there. Could have been a tea bowl, trinket bowl, sake bowl.
0:39:41 > 0:39:46Who knows? Yeah. Nice price at ?22, but they don't seem to know what it is.
0:39:46 > 0:39:52I reckon it could be a rice bowl lid. Well, it is if you hold it the right way up, James.
0:39:52 > 0:39:57But he's not done yet. He's turning into a bit of a magpie today.
0:39:57 > 0:40:03Oh, that's a good weight. It's not silver. Silver plate. Any other redeeming features?
0:40:03 > 0:40:07It's nice and heavy. Walker and Hall. Can't get better than that.
0:40:07 > 0:40:13And actually it's a perfect thing for you to put your goodies on. It is, isn't it?
0:40:13 > 0:40:18Let's have a look what it looks like. Put it on there. Very good.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21Fantastic. Sets them off, doesn't it?
0:40:21 > 0:40:27James has selected the gourd jobby at ?68, the white metal bowl at ?78,
0:40:27 > 0:40:31the silver lid at ?22 and the tray at ?38.
0:40:31 > 0:40:38A grand total of ?206. How's he going to manage that when he's only got ?120.84 left to spend.
0:40:38 > 0:40:42I see the package at ?100. You do?
0:40:42 > 0:40:46Is that...? This is a one-off deal. One-off.
0:40:46 > 0:40:52I don't do this for anybody else, but because you're so lovely... You're too kind.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55..I will do it. I want you to win. Good. Thank you.
0:40:55 > 0:41:00Obviously the Jack Nicholson approach goes down rather well.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04Good on you, James. Thank you very much. In the till!
0:41:06 > 0:41:12A selection of items at half price. That's as good as it gets. Well done, Jack. I mean, James.
0:41:15 > 0:41:19James Lewis has travelled on to complete his shopping in Yarnton.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26James is casting his eagle eye around Yarnton Antiques Centre,
0:41:26 > 0:41:28and looks like he's found something.
0:41:30 > 0:41:36The great thing about these little tins was that there were Jacobs Biscuits
0:41:36 > 0:41:43and other makers who were designing these novelty tins just to help try to sell their biscuits.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46I suppose from about 1900 to the 1930s.
0:41:46 > 0:41:50And they're now really sought after.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54But one thing that is so important is condition.
0:41:54 > 0:41:58And there's a hole there for some reason. Could that be a tenner?
0:41:58 > 0:42:01It might be worth a go.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04The price tag of the biscuit tin is ?18.
0:42:04 > 0:42:09The shop owner calls the dealer with a cheeky offer from James.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13A tenner. Is that any good to you? Please. Yeah?
0:42:13 > 0:42:16Star! OK, thank you very much. Bye-bye.
0:42:16 > 0:42:21You have a sale. Yay! It was worth a go. Finally.
0:42:21 > 0:42:27Brilliant. OK, well, that's one. And once he's started, there's no stopping him.
0:42:27 > 0:42:33Next on his shopping list is a 19th-century Regency ormolu pocket watch stand,
0:42:33 > 0:42:35circa 1825.
0:42:35 > 0:42:40Looks nice. Could you offer 20 for me? I'll try for you.
0:42:40 > 0:42:45Shortly followed by a string of ivory beads for ?30.
0:42:45 > 0:42:50It's legal to buy and sell items that were made of ivory before 1947.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52So, James, what to do?
0:42:53 > 0:42:5915? 15. Just give it a go. See what happens. Right, OK. Thank you very much.
0:42:59 > 0:43:05What would be your absolute best? Whilst Mia phones the dealer, James gets back into the cabinets
0:43:05 > 0:43:08just in case he's missed something.
0:43:08 > 0:43:13As it's you, yes, she'll go 20 on the stand and 15 on the ivory. Brilliant.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16OK? That's a deal. Thank you.
0:43:16 > 0:43:18He really is on a roll now.
0:43:18 > 0:43:23The little pig that says, "Scratch me," on it. A bacon roll!
0:43:23 > 0:43:27There you go. Thank you. Oh, that's funny.
0:43:27 > 0:43:32It would have had a bit of sandpaper or something there, do you think?
0:43:33 > 0:43:38Not necessarily if the box slid in. You'd have the striker on the box.
0:43:38 > 0:43:39On the side...
0:43:39 > 0:43:43At ?9, the Victorian brass match case is a cute novelty item,
0:43:43 > 0:43:49but he's not committing just yet, not when he's just spotted a tortoiseshell and bone trousse,
0:43:49 > 0:43:54the Chinese equivalent of a Swiss Army penknife, at ?55.
0:43:54 > 0:44:01It's a knife, a pair of chopsticks and a little bone implement for digging bits out of places.
0:44:01 > 0:44:05Tortoiseshell is now covered by the same laws that protect ivory,
0:44:05 > 0:44:10but because the trousse pre-dates 1947, it's legal to trade.
0:44:10 > 0:44:1525. Just see. ..You've got 55. He's offering 25.
0:44:15 > 0:44:18Another cheeky offer gets a cheeky response.
0:44:20 > 0:44:26I won't say what she called you. She says for 30 you can have it. She can't go down to 25.
0:44:26 > 0:44:32Go on, James. What's an extra fiver when you've still got ?190 to spend?
0:44:32 > 0:44:34Don't be tight. Deal.
0:44:34 > 0:44:38Thank you. Thanks very much. OK.
0:44:38 > 0:44:43So James has lucked out in his last shop. That's the biscuit tin for ?10,
0:44:43 > 0:44:47the pocket watch stand for ?20, the ivory beads for ?15
0:44:47 > 0:44:50and the oriental trousse for ?30.
0:44:50 > 0:44:53How much do I owe you? 75, please.
0:44:53 > 0:44:58And with one last throw of the dice he takes a ?9 gamble on the pig matchbox holder.
0:44:58 > 0:45:04I like buying small things. Good luck with that. Thank you.
0:45:04 > 0:45:07Both our chaps are well and truly shopped out,
0:45:07 > 0:45:11so let's have a catch-up of what they've spent their money on.
0:45:13 > 0:45:17James Lewis started with ?268.34 and dished out
0:45:17 > 0:45:21?117 on six auction lots.
0:45:21 > 0:45:23The 18th century sugar basket,
0:45:23 > 0:45:27the Japanese novelty figure coupled with the 19th century
0:45:27 > 0:45:29Oriental trousse.
0:45:29 > 0:45:32The novelty biscuit tin, the ivory beads,
0:45:32 > 0:45:34the 19th century pocket watch stand,
0:45:34 > 0:45:38and who could forget the Victorian pig match case?
0:45:41 > 0:45:45James Braxton began with ?186.84
0:45:45 > 0:45:48and splurged a total of ?166, also on six lots.
0:45:48 > 0:45:51The Royal Worcester candle snuffer,
0:45:51 > 0:45:54the 1950s child's tea set,
0:45:54 > 0:45:56the silver bracelet,
0:45:56 > 0:46:00the bombilla and white metal bowl as a duo,
0:46:00 > 0:46:02the Japanese miniature rice bowl
0:46:02 > 0:46:05and the Walker and Hall plated tray.
0:46:05 > 0:46:07Come on, spill the beans.
0:46:07 > 0:46:10What do they really think of one another's chances?
0:46:10 > 0:46:16Without question, my favourite thing is the gourd. Is there a great profit? Probably not.
0:46:16 > 0:46:24There might be a few pounds in it. He hasn't seen the thing to lure his hand deep inside his pocket.
0:46:24 > 0:46:28It's been very shallow diving in Mr Lewis' pocket thus far.
0:46:28 > 0:46:31Miaow! Saucer of milk for James Braxton.
0:46:31 > 0:46:37From Yarnton, it's now on to auction in Swindon.
0:46:40 > 0:46:45Our boys are battling it out at Kidson Trigg Auction House, a family business,
0:46:45 > 0:46:51that not only serves the local buyers, but internet bidders from around the world.
0:46:51 > 0:46:54Mark Anderson is the auctioneer taking to the rostrum.
0:46:54 > 0:46:56Nice.
0:46:56 > 0:47:03First for James Braxton is the Royal Worcester owl candle snuffer and the Staffordshire dog.
0:47:03 > 0:47:05Quite a humorous pair. Yeah.
0:47:05 > 0:47:07?20 anywhere? ?20 to start me?
0:47:07 > 0:47:1010 to get on, surely. 10.
0:47:10 > 0:47:13?10 bid. 15 where? At 15. At 15.
0:47:13 > 0:47:17You're out in front, madam. ?20. 5 again. 25. 25.
0:47:17 > 0:47:2230 would you like? ?30 bid. 35. 35. 35. Would you like 40?
0:47:22 > 0:47:24At ?40. ?40.
0:47:24 > 0:47:29With the lady at the front at 40. One more? No more. At 40. All done?
0:47:29 > 0:47:32Any further calls? Selling then at ?40.
0:47:32 > 0:47:37Well done. A small profit, isn't it?
0:47:37 > 0:47:42Any smaller and it would be a loss! A lucky escape, James Braxton.
0:47:42 > 0:47:47Time to lift the lid on James Lewis' first item, the novelty biscuit tin.
0:47:47 > 0:47:51I had confidence in this. And this was bought for ?50? 10.
0:47:51 > 0:47:54In good condition these make ?80.
0:47:54 > 0:47:56How much for one in bad condition?
0:47:56 > 0:47:59Oh, thanks(!) He's killed that.
0:47:59 > 0:48:02?20? Surely worth that. ?10 anyone?
0:48:02 > 0:48:06Thank you. I'm started at ?10. At 10. 15?
0:48:06 > 0:48:1020 would you like? At ?20. ?20 here with the lady.
0:48:10 > 0:48:14At ?20. ?20. Have we any further calls?
0:48:14 > 0:48:19?20 is all I have for this? He's unlikely to get any more, is he?
0:48:19 > 0:48:26Crumbs. I'm sensing a bit of tension here as James only doubles his money. He's going crackers.
0:48:26 > 0:48:30It was worn, James. A bit worn. It was worn.
0:48:31 > 0:48:36Next, James Braxton's children's tea set.
0:48:36 > 0:48:39I paid ?10 for this. Don't tell anyone.
0:48:39 > 0:48:43?10 to get on for this. No interest at ?10?
0:48:43 > 0:48:48Surely there's somebody out there. Buy it for somebody you don't like.
0:48:48 > 0:48:52How about a fiver, then? ?5 at the back of the room. 10.
0:48:52 > 0:48:5615. At 15. Shakes his head. At ?15 at the back of the room.
0:48:56 > 0:49:00I will sell, make no mistake. If there's no further calls...
0:49:00 > 0:49:03At ?15, then. All done?
0:49:04 > 0:49:09?30-?40 estimate. It was so exciting, wasn't it?
0:49:09 > 0:49:11?15. Tiny.
0:49:11 > 0:49:14But it's still a profit. Just.
0:49:14 > 0:49:19Next, James Lewis' lot is the string of ivory beads.
0:49:19 > 0:49:22They're useful for restoration.
0:49:22 > 0:49:26I'm no ivory fan. Who'll start me on those, then?
0:49:26 > 0:49:30?20 to start me, surely. ?20?
0:49:30 > 0:49:32?20 I'm bid. At 20. 25.
0:49:32 > 0:49:35At 30. At 35.
0:49:35 > 0:49:3840. At 45.
0:49:38 > 0:49:42Shakes his head. At ?45 on the right-hand side.
0:49:42 > 0:49:45At ?45 in the room. All out at home?
0:49:45 > 0:49:49I'm selling at 45 if there's no advance. At 45.
0:49:49 > 0:49:5345. Well done. That's 30 quid.
0:49:53 > 0:49:57James is slowly, but surely creeping ahead with another healthy profit.
0:49:57 > 0:50:01James Braxton's next lot is the modern silver bracelet.
0:50:01 > 0:50:05Let's hope it gives him the profit he so desperately needs.
0:50:05 > 0:50:10It's pretty, isn't it? It is. Who's got ?20 for the chain? ?20?
0:50:10 > 0:50:12Come on.
0:50:12 > 0:50:16?20? 10, then, to get on, surely. ?10 at the back.
0:50:16 > 0:50:19We've started. ?10 the bid. Who's got 15?
0:50:19 > 0:50:23?15 for the hand over there. Good. 15.
0:50:23 > 0:50:26He shakes his head. He's out. At 15 on the left.
0:50:26 > 0:50:31Are there any further calls? Done and finished? Fair warming at home.
0:50:31 > 0:50:36Sold for 15. Not a lot of internet action on my lots. A loss.
0:50:36 > 0:50:38A loss.
0:50:38 > 0:50:42It's just not James Braxton's day, is it?
0:50:42 > 0:50:48Next, it's the 19th-century ormolu pocket watch stand for James Lewis. Oh, here we are.
0:50:48 > 0:50:53Who's going to start me off at ?30? Surely got to be worth that. 30?
0:50:53 > 0:50:5720 to get on? 20? ?20 I'm bid, thank you. 5. 25.
0:50:57 > 0:51:0025. ?30. 5, surely.
0:51:00 > 0:51:03At ?30. That's all I have for this.
0:51:03 > 0:51:07At 30. In the room at ?30. 35?
0:51:07 > 0:51:11Are you bidding against each other? No! You want to watch doing that.
0:51:11 > 0:51:13Go on! Do bid against each other!
0:51:13 > 0:51:16Go on! Bid against!
0:51:16 > 0:51:22At 30. For the last time. If there's no advance, I will sell at ?30. Back of the room! 35.
0:51:22 > 0:51:25Your turn to go again, sir. 40.
0:51:25 > 0:51:2745, thank you. 45.
0:51:27 > 0:51:30Are you sure? At 45. 45.
0:51:30 > 0:51:34One more? Maybe? At 45 at the back of the room. I've tried for you.
0:51:34 > 0:51:37What can I do? ?45. I'm selling.
0:51:37 > 0:51:43A timely profit. Maybe the other James could do with the husband and wife bidding on his items!
0:51:43 > 0:51:49I was more amused by the husband and wife bidding against each other.
0:51:49 > 0:51:51That's all right. Double money.
0:51:51 > 0:51:57Next for James Braxton is the oriental silver lid he bought as part of a job lot.
0:51:57 > 0:52:01Your little silver bowl. Who's got ?20?
0:52:01 > 0:52:04?20, surely. Who's got ?20? ?10?
0:52:04 > 0:52:09?10 for the hand at the back. Who'd like 15 here? 15.
0:52:09 > 0:52:13Would you go again? ?15 on the left-hand side.
0:52:13 > 0:52:17At 15. At 15. For the last time. 20 to the 'net.
0:52:17 > 0:52:22At ?20. Do you want to go again. Shakes his head. ?20 to the internet.
0:52:22 > 0:52:26?20. Selling then at 20.
0:52:26 > 0:52:3020. That's not good, is it? No.
0:52:30 > 0:52:36If you want to go home now, James, it's fine. We'll hold the fort.
0:52:36 > 0:52:41Strike a light! It's the Victorian match case, but will it spark any interest?
0:52:41 > 0:52:47?10 note to get on? ?10 to start this one? Thank you. The lady's there at 10.
0:52:47 > 0:52:50?10. You're away. ?15. 20 again?
0:52:50 > 0:52:52Yes, ?20 I'm bid. At 20.
0:52:52 > 0:52:555 again to the internet bidder.
0:52:55 > 0:52:58At 25. Want to go again, madam?
0:52:58 > 0:53:02Out at the front, then. At home at ?25.
0:53:02 > 0:53:04All done and finished? 30.
0:53:04 > 0:53:07?30. ?30.
0:53:07 > 0:53:11Fair warning at home. Selling to the internet at ?30.
0:53:11 > 0:53:16Done. At ?30. That's not bad. 30. Brilliant. Pleased with that.
0:53:16 > 0:53:22So you should be. A great mark-up. James is as happy as a pig in...
0:53:22 > 0:53:24profit.
0:53:24 > 0:53:29Goodness, gracious! Time for James Braxton's next item.
0:53:29 > 0:53:33A gourd, elevated to artistic status. It's a gourd lot! It is.
0:53:33 > 0:53:38Look, I do the gags. And it comes with a Chinese bowl.
0:53:38 > 0:53:39Yeah, OK.
0:53:39 > 0:53:42Start me off. Who's got 40? ?40?
0:53:42 > 0:53:4540. Who's got 20, then, to get on?
0:53:45 > 0:53:49?20? It's got to be worth that. ?20 anywhere?
0:53:49 > 0:53:52Interesting lot. ?20 at the back. ?20 bid. Who's got 5?
0:53:52 > 0:53:56At 20. At 20. Come on! It's worth more!
0:53:56 > 0:54:00Should be worth more than that. I rated it more like 60 or 70.
0:54:00 > 0:54:05Definitely! Come on. At ?20. At 20. At 20.
0:54:05 > 0:54:095 anywhere else? It's the young gentleman at the back.
0:54:09 > 0:54:13If there's no further calls, I have instructions to sell. Oh, no!
0:54:13 > 0:54:18You're all out except for the young gentleman? Selling at ?20.
0:54:18 > 0:54:25Ouch! That was rather disappointing. I'll say! A loss of ?35 would wipe the smile from anyone's face.
0:54:25 > 0:54:28Bad luck, Brackers, old boy.
0:54:29 > 0:54:33The next lot has caused a little controversy.
0:54:33 > 0:54:38It's the Irish silver sugar basket. Or is it?
0:54:38 > 0:54:42Here's the basket. Irish silver. Or I'm hoping is Irish silver.
0:54:42 > 0:54:48We have a difference of opinion, myself and James, on this one.
0:54:48 > 0:54:55I believe it's silver-plated, James believes it's silver. We are selling it as white metal.
0:54:55 > 0:55:01He thinks it's silver plate because it's not marked. Who's going to start me off?
0:55:01 > 0:55:05?50 to get on? ?50 for it? ?50?
0:55:05 > 0:55:09Surely it's got to be worth that. They've written "silver metal".
0:55:09 > 0:55:1355 anywhere else? 55. 60. 60 in the room.
0:55:13 > 0:55:16Out at home at ?60. At ?60.
0:55:16 > 0:55:22It wouldn't make that if it was silver plate. They have written silver, though.
0:55:22 > 0:55:25Against you at home. At ?70. ?70.
0:55:25 > 0:55:30Is there 5 anywhere else? I'd like a bit more, please. At ?70.
0:55:30 > 0:55:37Finished at home. Anyone else? At ?70. 5 in the corner. 75. 80. 85.
0:55:37 > 0:55:4290. Starting to roll now. 95. ?100. Would you like 10, madam?
0:55:42 > 0:55:44110. Shakes his head.
0:55:44 > 0:55:47That's because it's silver!
0:55:47 > 0:55:50Want to go again? You sure? 110.
0:55:50 > 0:55:56Go on. All out at home. At 110. I'm selling if there's no advance to the lady at ?110.
0:55:57 > 0:55:59Good. Well done.
0:55:59 > 0:56:06That's double your money. Well, whatever its silver pedigree, the bidders love the sugar basket.
0:56:06 > 0:56:11Sweet. Next, it's James Braxton's final lot, the Walker and Hall tray.
0:56:11 > 0:56:14Quite a lot of wear on it.
0:56:14 > 0:56:17Is there ?10 to get on for this? ?10, surely.
0:56:17 > 0:56:23Who's got a fiver for it? ?5 to get started. In the middle.
0:56:23 > 0:56:27At 5. At 8. Go on! At 8.
0:56:27 > 0:56:30We've 10 on the net. Going crazy!
0:56:30 > 0:56:36At ?15, the lady on the left. At ?15 then, all done? If there's no advances, I will sell. At 15.
0:56:38 > 0:56:41That's yours, madam. 318. Thank you very much.
0:56:41 > 0:56:46Oh, James. Oh, James, indeed! It's been a bad day for James Braxton.
0:56:46 > 0:56:50So much so, they've gone all mute. Both of them.
0:56:51 > 0:56:57James Lewis' last lot is the Kobe Japanese novelty and the oriental trousse.
0:56:57 > 0:57:00Who's going to start me off? 40?
0:57:00 > 0:57:04?40, thank you. At ?40. 45. 50.
0:57:04 > 0:57:0755? 55 on the left-hand side. At 55.
0:57:07 > 0:57:1055. 55. 60. 65.
0:57:10 > 0:57:13It's all around us. 75. 80.
0:57:13 > 0:57:17?80 there. 80. At 80.
0:57:17 > 0:57:19At 80. At 80. At 80. Are we done?
0:57:19 > 0:57:21Are we finished? All out at home?
0:57:21 > 0:57:23The hammer's up at 80.
0:57:25 > 0:57:27Well done. Good.
0:57:27 > 0:57:32A final flourish for James Lewis and another tidy profit to end with.
0:57:32 > 0:57:38You should be smothering that auctioneer in kisses.
0:57:41 > 0:57:44James Braxton started this leg with ?186.84
0:57:44 > 0:57:48and after auction costs he's made a loss of ?63.50,
0:57:48 > 0:57:52sending him through to the next round with ?123.34.
0:57:56 > 0:58:01James Lewis started with ?268.34
0:58:01 > 0:58:05and after auction costs he's made a profit of ?153.60,
0:58:05 > 0:58:08taking his total to ?421.94
0:58:08 > 0:58:12and claiming his second victory in a row.
0:58:16 > 0:58:19I think I'll drive, James.
0:58:19 > 0:58:24It will keep my mind off the obvious disappointment.
0:58:25 > 0:58:28Oh, this seat's wet!
0:58:28 > 0:58:33Oh, dear. Now come on, boys, cheer up. It's still all to play for.
0:58:33 > 0:58:36On to the next. On to the next.