Episode 1 Antiques Road Trip

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

-I love that.

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

-Yippee.

-It's a good job I like you.

-The aim?

To make the biggest profit at auction, but it's no mean feat.

-There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

-I'm getting wet!

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

-How much did you make?

-About a couple of quid.

This is the Antiques Road Trip.

It's the start of a brand-new road trip with a couple of

cheeky chappies and firm favourites of the antiques circuit.

Thomas Plant and Philip Serrell.

We're in the northwest right now.

-Not somewhere I've spent a great deal of time.

-We're in Lancashire.

Don't be fooled by babyfaced Thomas Plant.

He's got years of experience as both dealer and auctioneer,

although he's not afraid to call on his boyish charm when required.

Why the one?! Come on. Nice and easy for me.

Philip Serrell's warm charm matches his wise old owl-like wisdom.

Over 30 years in antiques have taught him never to take a challenge

lying down, especially from a young whippersnapper like Thomas.

...daftest, dangerous, most stupidest lot ever.

I'll give him a run for his money.

It's day one for Thomas and Philip, and before they set off,

-it's time for a quick tactics talk.

-So have you got any plans for the week?

-I plan to have a wonderful week.

-We can have a laugh.

-Come on, let's go.

-Let's go.

-Time to get started.

-Are you happy with me driving?

-Oh, over the moon.

-Oh, yeah, in their oh-so-retro 1975 Triumph Stag.

-In your own time.

-It's not working.

-If Thomas can get it fired up, that is.

-What have I done? Why does this happen to me? Why me?

-Hang on.

There we go. Do you know, you've got to have the touch, haven't you?

-How did you do that?

-Onward.

I can't believe you did that!

They're off. Hurrah!

The route for the week ahead takes our intrepid road trippers

across land and sea, from Samlesbury in Lancashire

to the Isle of Man and back, down to the final destination in Greenwich,

almost 700 miles away.

But today's trip begins in Samlesbury

and ends up at auction in Douglas, the capital of the Isle of Man.

Samlesbury lies in Lower Ribblesdale in Lancashire,

just six miles from Preston.

GROANS

Moo! Famous for its witch trials in 1612, today, it's a peaceful village,

where the only magic taking place is the sparkling repartee

-between our two seasoned road trippers.

-I know nothing about this hall.

Well, I'm going shopping and I know nothing about that, either.

-Join the club.

-As I've proved on many occasions.

Our experts are heading to Samlesbury Hall, the historic home

of the Southworth family, which, rather conveniently, also sells antiques.

-Here we are. History, antiques, galleries.

-Oh, look at this.

-That looks stunning.

-That's Tudor, isn't it?

-Yes.

-A Tudor building.

-Is that sort of 1480?

-1480.

As Philip shops, Thomas will get the guided tour.

So you're going to keep all the bargains.

-I'm going to trawl it through, pick it over.

-You can pick it over.

Just make sure there's nothing left for you at all.

You can have a look round your Tudor building.

-Yeah, and I'll tell you all about it.

-See you, Thomas. All the best.

Well, not too much.

Whilst Thomas goes for a nosy around the country pile,

Philip gets his shopping under way with a little help from manager Genevieve Donlon.

-Lovely to see you. You've got some lovely things here.

-Thank you.

I'll have a job keeping Thomas Plant off that.

Just out of curiosity, I can't afford that, I know. If I can, I'll have it! How much is that?

-It's just over 3,000.

-Don't suppose you'd drop that to 200 quid, would you?

-I don't think the owner will be very happy.

-No, no.

-Nice try, Philip.

Samlesbury Hall has been selling other people's antiques for over 40 years.

The hall takes a commission which helps towards the running costs.

Oh, wow. This is a stunning building, isn't it?

It is, it's beautiful. This is the long gallery.

Because the hall lost all its furnishings, part of the reason

we sell antiques for people is this also furnishes the hall.

-It is a good way of furnishing the place, isn't it?

-It is, yes.

That's a nice chair.

Leather tub chair by Garnett and Sons.

Garnett and Sons were cabinet and furniture makers of distinction,

based in Warrington at the turn of the 19th century,

-producing some very desirable pieces.

-That's nice.

Isn't that a nice thing? And it's clearly been reupholstered.

You can see just there, look, that's where the original tacks would have been.

Let's just have a seat.

-That's really nice.

-It's comfortable, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-How much movement is there on your price?

-Not a lot of movement.

It is priced to sell. What were you thinking of?

-I'd like to try and buy it for between 50 and 60 quid.

-No.

No. As I say, it is priced to sell.

-If I went to 75, that's really pushing it.

-Is it?

-OK. I'm going to buy that because I love that.

-It is a lovely piece.

I think it's a really, really nice chair. Thank you very much indeed.

-You're welcome.

-Thank you.

As Philip seals the deal upstairs, downstairs,

Thomas has gone to visit the curator, Sharon Jones,

for a history lesson on its uses and its inhabitants.

-Hello.

-Good morning.

-I'm Thomas.

-Hello, Thomas.

-We were driving up and we were trying to date it. Can I have a go?

-Yes.

So we thought it was Tudor.

We thought it may be between 1480 and 1520. How wrong are we?

Well, you're quite right to a certain part of it,

but it's been built over the years.

We did think that was 19th century.

Fine. You're wrong. This part was actually built in 1325.

-Oh, right. OK.

-So that's the oldest bit.

That bit was the hall standing on its own.

Then we pan back over to this part of the hall, which was about 1490.

So you're absolutely spot on with that.

Then we built this bit in between in 1535, so from there to there is 1535.

So we're going to go inside and are you going to give me a grand tour?

Yeah, I'll walk you through the rooms and tell you what happened with the families here.

The hall has had many incarnations in its 700-year history.

It's been a pub, school, factory,

but it started out as the ancestral home of the Southworth family.

So, here we are in the parlour, which was built in 1535.

If you can read Latin, that's what it's going to tell you above the fireplace there.

-Thomas South...

-Southworth, yes.

-Southworth.

That's the Southworth family.

This crest in the middle, that's the Southworth shield.

The family were staunch Catholics

during the time of the Reformation under Henry VIII,

when the Church of England broke away from the Catholic Church in Rome.

But the Southworths refused to change their religious beliefs,

which was just the start of their troubles.

There is a story of one of the ladies from our family,

a lady called Lady Dorothy Southworth,

fell in love with a local from Hoghton Tower, one of the de Hoghtons.

They were strong Protestants. We were very strong Roman Catholics.

They agreed to meet, they met here in the grounds,

Lady Dorothy's brothers found out about the meet

and they killed him and his two soldiers,

and they found skeletal remains in the grounds actually out here,

and they reburied them, they are still there, but they then sent

Lady Dorothy off to a nunnery in France, where she died of a broken heart.

Now, the tale is that we still see Lady Dorothy crossing the road.

Really?

In spite of the tragedy and later unproven accusations of witchcraft within the family,

the Southworths maintained their own chapel and Catholic priests here at the hall.

A dangerous thing to do during the dissolution of the monasteries.

So when the royal priest hunters came calling,

-they needed a bit more than divine intervention.

-So, the priest holes?

Yes! There is an alleged priest hole here,

where there's a little bit of a crack, but in the entrance hall

we've just walked through, there's a definite priest hole.

-Can I see one of these priest holes?

-I can take you to a priest hole.

-Please.

-It would be quite interesting.

-Through here.

Priest holes were secret hiding places built in to many Catholic

houses during the time of the Reformation.

There's a priest hole actually in the fireplace over here.

-They hid by the fires.

-Yes, they did. And you can sort of...

It's better if you sort of see it through there.

They've gone in and stood right at the back there.

I think I'm going to have to go. Do you mind?

-Not at all, no.

-Right.

-They were a bit smaller then, weren't they?

-Yes.

-I don't think I'd be a very good priest.

-They were slightly smaller!

You think I'm a bit too big to be a priest?

Maybe not if you were imitating Friar Tuck. Oh, look who's coming.

-Thomas, what are you doing?

-I'm pretending to be a Catholic priest.

If I could find some bricks, I'd brick you in there now.

-I'm going to get out.

-Have you got the keys to the car? You're filthy now.

-Am I filthy?

-Come here. Honestly.

-I've lost the keys.

-You've lost the keys.

-I've got them.

-I put them in the priest hole.

-Have a good day. See you later.

I'm a bit out of breath! In and out of that priest hole.

-Pleasure to meet you.

-And you too.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

Having satisfied his ecclesiastical curiosity,

it's time for Thomas to defrock and get down to business.

It's shopping time.

-What's that then, Thomas?

-This is a silver pocket watch.

It's an open-faced example with Roman numerals. It is silver.

This chamber is not. This is plated. But it's quite a nice fun chain.

Check to see if it's working...

Give it a quick shake, and it is ticking.

And you can see the second hand moving round.

Will he get any movement on the £40 pricetag? Tick-tock, Thomas.

Um...I could probably go to 35 on that.

-Not as low as 28?

-Sorry, no.

-So you couldn't go as low as 29?

-I couldn't, I'm afraid, no.

-What could you do?

-32?

-Halfway. 30.

-It's not quite halfway.

Well, it is in my books.

-That was starting from 40. 31.

-Go on. £30.

Makes it easy for me. My maths isn't great. £30.

-31.

-Why the one?

-It just helps the client.

-Why the one? Why the one? Come on.

-Nice and easy for me.

-Round figures.

-Round figures.

-I'm only a simple man.

-Now, now, don't put yourself down, Tom.

-That's my job.

-Would you do it for me?

-I will do it for you.

-That's very sweet of you. You won't get into much trouble?

-Hopefully not.

-£30. Thank you very much.

-Thank you. You're welcome. Nice to have met you.

-Well, I think I've been quite painful.

-Just a bit, yes.

You're not wrong there, Tom.

Having left Thomas to wheedle his way to a purchase, Philip

has driven on to his next location in Bretherton, 14 miles away.

Now, Bretherton is a small village in the borough of Chorley,

and Philip's next shop is a barn of a place called Old Corn Mill Antiques.

Run by Aiden Finn. Wotcha, Aiden.

-Phil.

-How are you?

-Hello. Long time no see.

-Have I seen you before?

-I've seen you. On the telly.

-How are you doing, all right?

-I'm not so bad.

Big old place, this, isn't it? You've got stuff everywhere.

-It's bigger than you think.

-I want something a bit undiscovered.

I want something that's not on show, I want some little hidden gem.

Hidden gems, right this way.

Something for all tastes, if you're prepared to roll your sleeves up and get your hands dirty.

-Cast your eyes in this.

-Lordy, Lordy, what is all this stuff?

-History.

-History.

-This is the past. Got the bells and whistles, this.

These fit on the back of a horse, I would think.

-And I would think these go through each side.

-I agree with you.

-Where there's muck, there's money.

-You bother me.

He's a right charmer, Phil!

-See, that's just falling apart.

-Age.

-I know just how it feels.

-How much do you want for this lot?

-Probably a couple of hundred.

Cop hold of that.

Old grumpy pants here has spotted an ancient-looking coach lamp.

-How many of these have you got?

-Can't quite remember. There's a few.

-What's that one there?

-That's a better one.

All I want to see is whether it's broken or not.

It's more perfect than the other one.

It's either perfect or it ain't - it ain't more perfect! But you're right, it is more perfect, isn't it?

-What I'd like to do, can I swap these two over?

-Yeah, course you can.

We're not going to be talking... Well, I'm not.

-..Big sums of money here, cos you've got half a lot.

-Triple figures.

-Yeah, £1.57.

-Oh, cheer up, Philip.

-Come on, let's go and have a look downstairs.

-Just like I told you.

There's something here for everyone,

not that I'm one to blow my own trumpet.

INAUDIBLE

I don't know.

I would think it's probably a French horn,

and you would hold it like that, wouldn't you, and play like that.

The thing I like about it is it's got this London maker here, look.

And he's not done yet.

Aiden has something else he wants to show Philip.

-You'd like see my tooling.

-Cheeky!

-Look at the work in that.

-That's quite nice, isn't it?

-Beautiful.

-You get a leather desk and you put gold leaf around the outside.

-Yep.

-Old books, as well.

-And then this would have to be heated.

Then, you'd run that round there and this repeating...

It's almost like an acanthus border

-would be put on, either on the book or the desk.

-Through the gold leaf.

Gold leaf embossing thing, isn't it?

There's only 95 quid on it.

-You live in a dream world.

-Yeah, but it's a lovely dream.

How do you see it... so you can make a profit?

No, I've got to try and buy 'em for 40 quid.

But you can say no.

50 quid. And I reckon you'll get more than that for that.

I'm going to give you...

-You're going to give me a wonderful look.

-I'm going to give you 45 quid.

DEALER INHALES

-And that's me finished.

-Oh, you're a hard man.

-You're a gent.

-It's a good job I like ya!

-Thank you very much!

But I wouldn't buy ya.

So, a big job lot of metalware, an antique tool and a carry-on,

all for £45.

Philip really needs to develop a sense of humour - or lighten up.

Reunited, Philip and Thomas head off towards Liverpool,

but there's no stopping for shopping.

They're driving to the ferry terminal for their next journey leg.

Sea legs at the ready?

Our boys are off to the Isle of Man.

Trust them to want to rub shoulders with Il Capitano.

-Are we all right here?

-Yes, no problem.

-How long will it take us to get to the Isle of Man?

We'll be in Douglas for half past nine or thereabouts.

-Brilliant.

-Do you know what's really disappointing? There's no wheel.

Where's the wheel?

Here's the wheel. Get out of here! That?

-A constant source of disappointment to small children.

-That's a girl's wheel, that is. It really is.

Hey, hark at Captain Pugwash, eh? Oh-oh, Thomas has found the foghorn.

FOGHORN BOOMS

Ha-ha-ha!

That is brilliant!

Thank you, Celine Dion(!) Go back downstairs. We'll crash.

-Off you go.

-Thank you very much, gentlemen.

-Thank you very much.

Celine Dion?

Where did that come from?

Oh, yes! Hee! Titanic.

Hopefully, THIS ship of dreams will stay afloat, carrying them off

into the Irish Sea, to find many more glorious antiques

on the Isle of Man in the morning.

So...nighty-night, boys.

A brand-new day finds Thomas and Philip back on dry land,

on the Isle of Man.

This beautiful island

is a self-governing British Crown dependency,

located in the Irish Sea, 32 miles long and 14 miles wide,

famous for kippers, Manx cats and the Isle of Man TT Races.

It's plenty big enough

for our boys to put their foot down and get back on the antiques trail.

Hopefully, they are rested and raring to go.

-Did you have a good night's sleep?

-No, not really, no.

You were tossing and turning all night.

-I know.

-How do you know? Perhaps next time, we'll book you

separate beds. Ha!

So far, Philip has spent £120 on three lots -

the 19th-century leather tub chair,

the gold leaf embossing tool and a collection of metalware,

including horse brasses,

coach lamp and a French horn -

which means he's still got £80 to spend.

Tick-tick, tick-tock...

Thomas, meanwhile, has only spent £30, on a Victorian silver fob

pocket watch, which leaves him with £170

and a lot of catching up to do!

After overnighting in the island's capital, Douglas,

our boys are heading for their first shop of the day, in Peel.

Situated on the west coast, Peel has its very own castle,

built in 1392, and is believed to be the first place Christianity

was brought to the island by St Patrick, in 1226.

But enough of the history, Thomas has something else on his mind.

I want a kipper. That's what I want now. I want a second breakfast.

Old Greedy Guts and Philip

are here to shop in the Arts & Antiques Centre,

managed by Zoe Brindley. Hi, Zoe!

-Hello!

-Morning!

-All right to have a look around?

-Certainly.

-You go upstairs, I'll go down.

-Righty-oh, good luck, Thommo.

And you.

A barometer, shaped as a coach lamp.

What about a Manx cat?

-Early Rushton. That's a local pottery.

-Why have they got no tails?

I have no idea. I'm a comeover, so I don't...

-What's a "comeover"?

-Somebody from the UK that's been on the island

for a period of years. You're a stopover when you've been here ten years,

so actually, I'm a stopover, now.

-So, I'm a comeover, cos I've been here 12 hours?!

-Yes!

And if anyone is interested, Manx cats actually have no tails because of gene mutation.

But enough of the science, bring on the silver.

Got a nice little Chester pot here, 1906. I could do that for 20.

-Is that the very..?

-It is the very best.

-OK.

Yeah. It's pretty. It's nice. Ladies like things like that, don't they?

Perhaps distracted by the thought of kippers,

Thomas is struggling to find anything at all.

I think that I'm definitely going to have that. If I could pay you.

Ooh, he's coming up the stairs. I'll put it in my pocket. Hold on.

We've got ten...20, there we are.

-Spondoolies changing hands.

-Thank you.

-I'm going to walk round the harbour.

-You've been buying already.

-See if I can get you some kippers.

-See you soon.

-Take care. Bye. What's he bought?

-I'm not telling you!

-Can I look up here, please?

-Please do, yes.

-Thank you.

-I'll leave you in peace. Just shout me, if I can help.

-Thank you very much.

Philip heads off to Moore's Kippers,

in search of a man who sells seafood on the seashore.

BELL CLANGS

-Do you do kipper baps?

-We do kipper baps, yeah.

-Two hot kipper baps would be lovely.

-No problem.

-Thank you very much.

Never one to miss an opportunity,

Philip's attention is momentarily diverted.

-Are those scallop shells?

-They're scallop shells.

So that lot there and a lobster pot? How much would that lot be?

-45 quid?

-Ouch!

-Those shells and the lobster pot might make 20 quid...

-Yeah.

-..so I've got to try and buy them for ten or 15 quid.

-Yeah.

-That's really hard.

-Yeah, well...

-If you can do that. If you can't, I understand.

-Well, 12 quid, seeing it's you.

-Are you sure? You're a gentleman. I'll take 'em, thank you very much.

As Philip shells out - ha! -

it's Thomas that's left feeling that

he's been stitched up like the proverbial kipper.

-Sorry I couldn't purchase anything.

-That's all right. Never mind.

-But Philip's bought off you, I saw him.

-Thank you very much.

-Thanks for coming in.

-Pleasure.

-Bye-bye.

-Having failed to buy anything, Thomas now has a small wind problem.

GUSTING

-Just as well he's outside(!)

-Thomas, I got you lunch.

-What? Huh? It's so windy!

-I got you lunch!!

-Lunch?

-Lunch!

-What have you got me?

-Nice baps.

No, I like a good pair of baps. What are these?

-Behave!

-Kipper baps, that's what you asked for!

-Kipper baps? Nice!

-Go on, then. What do they taste like? I'm not sure I'm ready for this.

-Really?

-Yeah.

GARBLED: They're very nice.

-Are they?

-Mmm.

Didn't your mother never tell you not to speak with your mouth full?

After their fishy diversion, our boys are back in the old Triumph,

and Thomas is taking Philip back to Douglas,

to check out some vintage transport of a very different kind.

With all his shopping done,

Philip has time to take a trip down memory lane,

on one of the most famous draws for tourists on the island -

the Manx Electric Railway.

He's come to meet Trevor Nail, to nail down the story. Ha!

This is just fanta-... Can I press the bell?

-AS LESLIE PHILLIPS:

-Ding, ding!

-Brilliant, isn't it?

When did you suddenly decide to build a tramway on a sea promenade?

You've got a large shipping fleet here, bringing people across from Lancashire.

-This was like going abroad, in the 1860s-1870s.

-A real big trip?

Yeah, and it was quickly realised

that the infrastructure of roadways here was almost non-existent.

So, the logical way of getting this influx of tourists around the island

was by rail - either steam railway, which was earlier, in 1873,

or this railway, up the east coast of the island,

to open that up, in 1893.

So, this was here, really, to serve holidaymakers?

Yes. In 1893, they were carrying about 10,000 people a day.

It wasn't just the common tourist drawn to the Manx railway.

In 1902, the transport system

courted the attention of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.

Well, if it's good enough for royalty,

it's good enough for Philip Serrell, especially as it's every boy's dream

to be a train driver. The Manx Railway's Paul Fielding is on hand to keep him on track.

When you set off, just give a little whistle.

As you put the first points on, let the brake right off and it will start moving.

WHISTLE PEEPS

Right, first points on and let the brake right off.

HISSING

Right off. Right off, that's it.

And now go up to two.

Give it some whistle, for the crossing.

WHISTLE PEEPS Let everybody know you're coming.

-I do like the whistle bit.

-Open road, so build the power up again.

-So, up to six.

-This is really cool.

WHISTLE PEEPS

How long have you been doing this?

-12 years now, since I retired.

-When did you feel comfortable with it?

After about two or three months.

-Really?

-Yeah. And then you realise what's happening.

You realise that you're in full control of it, anyway.

Does that 40 miles an hour apply to us or cars?

-I think that's for the cars.

-Well, that's a relief.

If we went 40 miles an hour, you'd think you'd be a bit scared.

I tell you what, I want a train set.

Never wanted a train set, but I do now.

-Well, you won't get one with scenery like this one.

-You won't.

After leaving Philip in Douglas, and with time running out,

Thomas has hurried on to Jurby, on the north-west coast.

So far, Thomas has only bought one item, and he's still got £170 to spend.

His last shop is a huge warehouse, Jurby Junk, run by Stella Pixton.

Sounds promising.

Hello, Stella.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-I'm Thomas.

-Oh, hello, Thomas.

-What's your name?

-Stella.

-And you've got lots of pussy cats.

-Oh, yes.

-Is that a proper Manx cat, with no tail?

-It sure is. Billy.

Billy. Hello.

Probably not a good time to mention Thomas's allergy to cats,

or attempt to get a bargain.

-You're not going to haggle with me, are you?

-I might, a little bit.

I have a little notice there, look.

Puss!

Do not ask to pay less. No reductions.

So, pussies aplenty and no haggling.

There's loads here. You can't comprehend it until you look at it.

Good luck, Thomas, I reckon you're going to need it, mate!

This one is full of books. Full of books.

But you can see - oh, there's a bit of silver-wilver there.

Bits and bobs.

-The cup, this one?

-Yes.

HE SNEEZES

Ah, cats one, Thomas zero.

Thomas has his eye on a silver George V presentation goblet.

We've got a cup here for Fairhaven Sailing Club Regatta, 1926,

won by John Kenniworthy, priced at 30.

Can I have a look at the religious plaque there?

-Oh, yes, it's nice little one.

-I love religious things.

The icon is brass and silver plate,

and features the Madonna and child, keenly priced at £15.

That's £15.

-I love that.

-It is rather nice.

Oh, I like that, it's a really sweet thing.

OK.

Oh, cup, there at the bottom. The twin handled one.

This is a race, for Concours d'Excellence, Bexhill, 1934.

It's another George V silver trophy, with motor racing interest,

priced at £20.

One last thing,

there's a little pounce pot, or pepper pot on there. Thanks.

I see a theme developing.

This time Thomas has gone for George IV.

The silver pepper pot is dated 1824 and is marked up at £15.

So, let's cut to the chase.

I know I read your notice, which is fine,

so that's £30 for those two.

-That's £30.

-60.

-And that's 20.

-80.

Yes. I'll take that off your hands.

That didn't take long at all, and not a haggle in sight.

He's even managed to avoid the cats. Well, almost.

-Hello, there's a pussy cat here.

-Oh, dearie me.

-Hello.

Right.

-And for your respecting my no haggling.

-Yes.

I can give you a few things you could sell in auction.

not solid stuff, but connected with my father, who was a pioneer aviator.

I remember father telling me France was one year ahead of Britain

-when my father changed.

-Really.

Before the First World War. A most important period.

I've got information sheets here,

which will give quite a lot of history about father.

Looks like a series of first-day covers,

postage stamps on cards or envelopes,

franked with the first date of issue.

The man who put Britain in the lead for the first time

in aviation history by winning the Schneider Trophy, 1914.

Very collectable. If they're going for nothing,

then Thomas has nothing to lose.

So if it's all right, I'll take an example of them.

Take more if you wish.

I think six is enough.

-Thank you very much.

-OK.

-It is an honour to meet you, and know your father was so important.

-Yes.

-Can I give you that?

-Yes, please.

-Is that all right? £80.

Nice to meet you and your cats and everything here.

-It's wonderful. Thank you.

-Bless you.

-Bye-bye.

'Goodbye.'

-God bless.

-Thank you.

With the shopping and sneezing complete...

HE SNEEZES

..well, almost,

it's time for our boys to check out each other's buys

in a feline-free zone. Use a hanky!

-Right, come on, show me...

-I haven't really bought much.

-..what did cat person have for you?

-Cat person!

-Well, I couldn't stay long in there.

-Really?

So I just bought and ran.

-So that's all I've bought.

-There's a bit of a theme here.

Silver. Bought that, bought that, bought that, bought that.

-Yes.

-80 quid.

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

-Of course it is.

That's very good, in fact.

-Well, that's silver plate.

-It doesn't matter, it's an icon.

She said, "As you haven't haggled, I'll give you a present."

So what did she give you? All those first day covers?

I could choose. She had lots of them.

-So you took all of them.

-No, I didn't!

-I just took one of each.

-Oh, that's cool.

I think your two interesting lots,

this little MG trophy and that icon.

-Just because they're not run of the mill.

-Absolutely.

-Right, you ready for this?

-I'm ready. Go on.

Philip. Philip.

I bought that chair while you were in the hall.

I love that. Cost £75.

That's all right. I can see that.

What are those?

Scallops, you silly boy!

Well, you know, we're at the seaside, aren't we?

We are at the seaside.

So a log basket full of shells.

So I bought a log basket full of shells and a lobster pot.

I thought they'd do really well, then it suddenly dawned on me,

if you're on a small island, like the Isle of Man,

probably lobster pots and shells aren't that rare.

Still, you can't have paid much for them.

You never know, it might net him a few squid.

Next!

I love this stuff.

We were rummaging upstairs. That lot was £25.

It's great fun.

And then your French horn.

-There is a slight problem with it.

-You're missing the d-d-d-d-d.

No, I have that.

What I haven't got is half the piping that makes it d-d-d-d-d.

But will it make you any p-p-p-profit?

-It'll blow. No, you can't.

-Why not?

-Go on then.

HORN SOUNDS

It's all there.

-Fantastic. No, it's missing those.

-Oh, those things there.

Which is a minor detail. A third of the notes are missing.

So if you can find - what we want is a work for a French horn

that has a third of the notes missing.

-And it is all bashed there.

-That's just a detail.

-It's a flower pot holder.

-Or a lamp.

-How am I going to do?

-Brilliantly. I love that.

I don't know why I bought silver. I hate buying silver,

but I had to get out of cat place.

-Do you know what I'm going to buy?

-What?

-You a drink. Come on.

Er, no drinking on the job, gents. That can wait.

First, we want to know what you thought of each other's items.

Fantastic. Eclectic. Wonderful.

I really like the book binding tool.

Good profit in that, and shells and lobster pots,

I wouldn't expect anything else.

I'm a little bit in awe,

and a little bit disappointed I didn't do the same.

I think Thomas put all his eggs into one very silver basket.

I like that silver MG trophy, I think that could do quite well.

The other is going to do OK just on melt value alone.

It's game on here. It really is.

That's fighting talk if ever I heard it.

From Jurby, there's just a few short miles to the auction

in the island's capital, Douglas.

Today, our experts are going head-to-head

at Murray's Auction House.

But before their items go under the hammer,

let's find out what main man Murray Keef thinks of their lots.

The best lot is the collection of sundry metal,

with the old battered French horn, an old coaching lamp,

which will clean up beautifully,

and also there's some Scottish dray horse leather

and horse brasses in there, with bells.

The regalia for the heavy horses.

I think that will probably be the most expensive lot.

The least most expensive lot, I think, will be something

that's been collected, probably found on the beach,

an old lobster pot and a bucket full of old shells.

They still pong a bit, but we'll try and sell them.

Well, Thomas began today's road trip with £200,

and spent £110 on five lots,

leaving him with £90, cash in hand.

Philip also started with £200 and also bought five lots,

but he spent £155, leaving him with £45 in the bank.

It's 7.00. Any self-respecting antiquarian would be in the pub.

-Where are we?

-In an auction.

-What is going on?

Is he still going on about a drink?

Auction first, boys,

and we kick off with Philip's gold leaf embossing tool.

But will it leave him with a good mark up?

-I feel a bit anxious.

-£80.

-No.

-Profit.

No, no, no, no.

£50 for it. £50. Interesting walnut handle on it. £50.

£50. Ten for a start.

Ten I'm bid. 15, 20, 5,

30, 5, 40,

5, 50?

There you are, £50.

£45. Good for the leather on the tops of desks as well.

Not just books.

45. 50? Want to try one more?

-45.

-Are you sure?

Last look, at 45, a lucky gentleman over there.

A great start for Philip, and a healthy profit.

That's very good.

Let me tell you, that's not VERY good -

That's like world-record result today, mate.

First up for Thomas, it's the silver-plated religious icon

and the George IV silver pepperpot.

Oh, here we are.

30 for a start for the silver pepperpot and the icon.

£30. Bid me 30.

£30, there they are at £30, lovely little pepper pot...

This always happens.

30. 35, I'll take. For nothing. 35. 40. 5. 50.

45 behind me. 45. 50 I want.

45 behind me and I'm going to sell it at 45.

£45.

You're not taking this seriously, are you?

No, but the thing is, whatever way I look at it, it is a profit.

Oh, that'll do, then.

Another profit, which means they're both off to a good start.

128!

Here we go, here we go.

Philip's job lot of metalware is up next -

a selection of horse passes, bells, coach lamp and a French horn.

Let's see if it was worth getting his hands dirty for.

At £50 for the horse tack, £50. 60 I'd like.

At £50. 60.

-70. £80. Dead ahead at £80. £80.

-That's brilliant.

-85?

At £80 for the tack, etc, at £80. 325.

-Brilliant.

-It's good, isn't it? Actually, that's all right.

Which just goes to show...

-NORTHERN ENGLISH ACCENT:

-Where there's muck, there's brass.

And puts Philip in a clear lead.

Thomas is continuing his silver streak with the George V

presentation trophy.

-Let's see if it can win him any prizes.

-£100 for it. 50 for a start.

£50 for it. 50 at the back. 60 I'd like.

At 50. 60 I want.

50. It must weigh more than that. £50. £50.

Five if it'll help you.

At £50, at the back. At 50. £50.

Thomas's trophy rewards him with yet another tasty profit.

Let's see if he can keep it up.

Surely he can't go wrong with the Howard Pixton first day covers,

which didn't cost him a penny.

£50. Interesting little lot.

£50. Ten for a start.

I've got £10 bid.

Ten, yes? 15 I want.

A rare little lot. 15, 20.

5, 30?

-25 on the left at £25.

-£25.

-30 if you want.

35?

£30 here. At 30, on the phone now at £30. Any more?

£30 they go, last look.

If something costs you nothing,

you will never, ever beat the percentage profit of that.

-No.

-You are on a 100% winner.

Well, that remains to be seen.

But it certainly closes the gap between them.

Only a fiver in it now.

Philip's not sitting pretty yet,

but he might well be after the sale of his 19th-century tub chair.

£100 for it.

£100. 50 for a start. Good, solid chair. £50.

Surely 50? 50. 30.

30 I'm bid, thank you. £30. At 30. 40 I want.

-At 30.

-Creeping up slowly.

40. 50. 60.

70?

-80.

-There you are.

90?

£80. On the phone at £80. 5?

90.

£85. By the coffer, at 85. Any more at 85?

85. Last look at £85.

Not exactly a tub-thumping success, but a £10 profit

means he strengthens his lead.

What's next?

-It's your watch.

-My pocket watch.

Oh, dear - that's a bit of trouble.

BOTH: # There may be trouble ahead... #

Time to see if Thomas can catch up

with the silver pocket fob watch and chain.

Who'll bid me £50 for the silver pocket watch?

20 for a start, then.

-Go on.

-20. 20 I'm bid.

30.

-£20 here. £20.

-That's it.

-I can't believe that. It's shocking.

-For the silver watch.

Last time I buy a watch, then.

Just when every second counts, he makes a loss.

Bad luck, Thomas, old fruit.

More silver now. No, not for Thomas, for a change.

It's Philip's pretty little dressing table box.

-£30. Make a nice little present.

-Make a lovely pressie.

If he's asking for 30, I'll get ten.

Silver top. Ten for a start.

Ten. 15, a present for the lady.

See of hands?

Sea of hands everywhere, always.

-30.

-There you are.

-30. 5?

£30 behind you, now. Are you sure?

35? £30... Any more?

-Do you know, that's not too bad, is it?

-Oh, come on.

It is 33%, isn't it? It's a good margin.

Perhaps not the great profit he was expecting there, but £10 is £10.

A little £10 here and a little £10 there.

It's all still to play for, with Thomas's final item,

the George V silver goblet.

I've got 50 bid on it, the presentation goblet.

£50. 60.

60, 70. 60 at the back. 70 I want.

-At £60.

-Ooh, God.

-At 60. £60.

-Pen, please.

1668.

A toast to Thomas, then, as he doubles his money on the goblet.

-356!

-Here we go.

Philip's final item is the basket of scallop shells, and lobster pot.

-You never know, stranger things have happened at sea.

-There we are.

£10 for it. Interior designer stuff. Here we are. 10. 15 I'd like. 15.

20. 5. 30. 25.

You'll be sorry to miss this. 20.

You'll be kicking yourself if you don't bid 30. £25.

30. 5.

35. 40.

I told you!

That's lunacy, isn't it?

35. Ladies have it. 40?

-The most expensive basket...

-They were nice baps.

-Is there nowt for you?

-I need a mug of tea.

-£35.

Any more at 35? Last look, 35.

So Philip makes a mint on the molluscs,

but is it enough to take the first victory?

Very, very, very...

Work that out, Tombo, because I've got no idea where we are.

Allow me.

Thomas started the show with £200 and after auction costs,

has increased his spending power to £258.10,

going through to the next round.

Philip also started with £200 and after auction costs,

he just pips Thomas to the winning post with £270.50.

Close enough.

-That was all right, wasn't it?

-That was very good.

-Little skip.

It's still daylight, as well, look.

I know, but we're not used to this, really.

-I know.

-We're so far up north, we're almost in Scotland.

-"Oop" north.

-Oop north.

-Right.

-Where to now, then?

-Well, I need a drink, actually.

-Mainland.

-Now, Phil, do you mind me driving?

-No, no, no. But if we could stop...

There's a peaked cap shop down here. I would like to get you one.

Drive on.

Meow!

With just £12.40 in it, it's neck-and-neck

as they get back onto the open road.

-Bye!

-Bye!

Next time on the Antiques Road Trip...

There's no dampening our pair's spirits -

-come rain...

-Ugh! I'm getting wet!

-..or shine.

-It is a lovely day, Thomas.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd