Episode 13 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!

-I can see better with those.

The aim - to make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no mean feat. There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

I think I'm going to have a row!

So, will it be the high road to glory

or the slow road to disaster?

He's just about killed that, hasn't he?

This is the Antiques Road Trip.

Yes!

It's the third leg of our road trip, and experts James Braxton and James Lewis

are in their sunshine-yellow 1980s Beetle convertible

and on the road to Bournemouth.

-How are you feeling? Chipper?

-Yes. Yes, I like the sea.

Only when you're on the land, though.

James Braxton has been in the antiques business for 25 years,

to-ing and fro-ing and largely forging ahead.

Blood to the brain! Blood to the brain! Right, I'm ready.

His rival on this trip is James Lewis,

a seasoned auctioneer with 20 years of experience under his belt.

You haven't seen this, right?

Don't let that smile fool you. He's ruthless and he's out to win.

James Braxton started this trip with £200,

but he's not having the best time of it.

With two auction losses so far,

he begins this leg with a rather parlous £123.34

with which to turn his fortunes round.

However, James Lewis has been far more prosperous.

Two auction wins have increased his initial £200 to £421.94

to spend on today's road trip.

The route for the week takes our intrepid road-trippers from Ampthill in Bedfordshire,

across the Channel to Jersey, and back again

to the final showdown in Leamington Spa,

covering almost 1,000 miles of land and sea. Gosh.

Today's trip begins in Bournemouth, Dorset,

and will end at the all-important auction in Wokingham, Berkshire.

Bournemouth's location on the south coast of England

has made it a popular tourist destination since Victorian times.

A recent survey found it to be the happiest place in Britain!

It's certainly put a smile on James Lewis's face.

-Well done.

-Brilliant!

-Now, do you want me to let you into a secret?

-Fire away.

I've been to that shop before.

I last came to this shop 20 years ago.

-Really?

-Yes!

Well, let's hope, James, the stock has changed!

-Let's hope so!

-BOTH: Good luck!

If its prices are 20 years old, you're bound to bag a bargain.

-Morning.

-Nice to see you.

-I'm Bonnie.

-Hello, Bonnie.

-Is it OK if I have a wander round?

-Yes, do! Have a wander.

-Thank you.

JOLLY MUSIC

-How much is that little thing?

-Erm, that is...

-..twenty...pounds.

-Is it?

You don't sound so sure, Bonnie.

This is on, erm...

-Is that whale's tooth?

-Mammoth tooth, I think.

-Oh, OK.

The paperweight appears to be made of a section of cut-and-polished tooth,

on which sits a carving of an elephant in ivory

which predates the 1947 ban on trading worked ivory.

All right, Nellie?

What's that at the back of the case, then?

I don't know much about those.

-It's either Chinese or Japanese.

-Japanese.

-Yes, I thought so.

-Unfortunately...

-Yes.

Kutani is a style of Japanese porcelain

known for its vibrant orange colours and bold designs.

How much are they?

Erm, they're 50 for the pair.

Not sure about the vases. Anything else in there?

-What could that be?

-Er, let me have a look.

I've got 30 on it. It can be...

..25.

HE SIGHS

It's a nice quality.

It's lost its cover, that's the thing!

It can be 20, in that case.

I'll give you 15 for it, if that's any good.

All right. As it's you!

-OK.

-OK.

-That's one.

-I thought that might... ..might go with it.

-Yes.

It's very similar enamelling, isn't it?

-Is it French?

-French Champleve.

Champleve is French for "level field",

"field", in this sense, meaning the overall surface

which, when enamelled, is polished completely smoothly.

-How much is that?

-Erm...

That can be 15.

-15.

-Yes.

-OK.

25 for the two?

-Yes.

-Yes? Deal.

-Yes.

So that's the Champleve bagged.

Ah, back to the Kutani...

-I quite like these. The little chips are putting me off slightly.

-Oh, I didn't...

-They've got those chips in the side.

-Oh, yes. That's a shame.

Point out the flaws, eh? Knock down the price, eh?

Would you consider a cheeky bid of 25 for them?

I hadn't noticed the chips, so I will do them for 25.

-I was expecting you to say 30.

-I know! I thought you might be!

-Can I give you 30 for them?

-That's very nice! Thank you.

-I was just expecting you to come back with 30!

-That's very nice.

-Is that all right?

Very generous, James. Do you know something we don't?

If they don't make 30, then it's not your fault. It's mine and the auction's.

I'll try a cheeky ten.

-I think that would have to be 15.

-That's fine.

-OK!

-The fact that it's a mammoth tooth is interesting.

-It is.

-That transfer section...

-It's lovely, isn't it?

-I'll find you some money now!

-OK.

Well, that was painless.

-That's lovely. Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

I'm going to go for a wander. Can I pick them up later?

-Of course you can.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

Meanwhile, just down the road, James Braxton tries his hand at Robin's Antiques.

-Morning.

-Hello! James.

-Robin.

-Hello, Robin.

-This looks the sort of shop that I might like.

-I'm sure you'll find a bargain.

Well, he needs to on his budget, believe me!

-Look at those hatpins.

-Beautiful. Lovely enamelling.

This was part of a lady's defence.

If you ran into a bit of trouble, you had something on you!

Speaking from experience there, James?

Anything nice and market-fresh for me?

Everything I've got is market-fresh, James.

-I've actually got something that might be of interest to you.

-Oh!

-Come on, Robin, fulfil my dreams.

-There's a box of goodies.

-A box of goodies.

-There's that sort of thing.

-Oh, yes.

-From a Wager Cup.

-Yes.

-Nice miniature.

-That's a nice miniature, isn't it?

I think that tells you who it is.

-Yes. He looks a wily old bird, doesn't he?

-Doesn't he?

He's a man of the law, I would say. Or a well-to-do fellow.

That's rather nice. Morocco case. Nice little silk-lined interior.

Moisture is its enemy because it's watercolour.

-Georgian, perhaps?

-I don't think as early as Georgian.

-Early Victorian?

-Dear old William IV.

-Yes.

-Reigned for about seven years.

As far as antique dealers are concerned, he reigned for 60!

If it ain't George III, if it ain't Victorian,

-it's William IV.

-William IV!

-Yes.

How much have you got on this fellow? Is that 50?

You haven't come for a deal! You've come to have a row!

Erm, no, I don't think I could do it for that, James. Erm...

Look, I'll do it for 90 quid and I think I'm giving you a birthday.

Could you do it for 80, Robin?

Reluctantly, yes.

Many happy returns, James.

I would love to buy it at 80. Thank you. That's kind.

-You're welcome.

-Funnily enough, I've got the money, as well.

-That always helps!

-It's offering resistance.

-You're digging deep.

-There it is! There it comes!

-There we are. 80.

-Lovely.

-Thank you very much indeed. Really kind.

-Thanks for coming.

So after making quite a hole in his dwindling budget,

James Braxton is taking time out

to drive 11 miles north to Wimborne Minster.

Wimborne Minster is a market town

situated at the confluence of the rivers Stour and Allen,

and is also the name of its magnificent church.

Well known for its chained library, it boasts a 1st edition of the History of the World

written by Sir Walter Raleigh whilst imprisoned in the Tower of London,

and damaged when a clumsy reader dropped a candle on it.

But James is here to learn about its rare astronomical clock

and to find out more about a rather bizarre burial.

Head guide Christine Oliver is on-hand to show him around.

-Hello. James Braxton.

-Hello.

-Nice to meet you.

-And you.

-What a glorious place we have here.

-Aren't we lucky?

-How old is this building, Christine?

-The building you're standing in is around about 1120

-and been added to every century since.

-Oh, really?

Originally established as a nunnery in 705 AD,

it shows Saxon, Norman and Gothic development

as the structure was added to over the centuries.

The minster was a place of mission, providing for the health, welfare and education of the community,

as well as its pastoral care.

In prime position is an astronomical clock,

which tells the time using the position of the sun relative to the earth.

-So, this is your...

-This is the astronomical clock.

It's very pictorial, isn't it? How old is this?

Around about 1320-ish.

-1320?!

-Mm-hm. And still going.

-How was this powered?

-There's a set of cogs behind the face.

The mechanics are up 72 stairs,

so you have to climb 72 stairs to make the workings work.

-So, the mechanism is all up there in the tower?

-In the bell tower.

And this is merely the indicator down here, the dial?

That tells you the hour, only the hour.

The sun is the hourly hand.

In the summertime, it's an hour out

-because it didn't know about summertime when it was made.

-Ah!

-What do we have in the middle?

-The middle is the earth, because it's pre-Copernicus.

-They thought the earth stood still and everything revolved around it.

-Yes.

Why so many hours? That's interesting.

It's one of the first 24-hour clocks. The cross at the top is 12 midday.

-The cross at the bottom is 12 midnight.

-Very good.

The next circle in is the night sky,

with a fully black ball with a ridge of gold around it.

That will tell you what phase the moon will be tonight.

The moon was very important for planting seeds and harvesting

and the odd bit of smuggling!

We had some very good smugglers in Dorset, but they wouldn't do it on a full moon!

I heard a whisper about a man in a wall or something?

-Yes, there is. Would you like to see him?

-I'd love to.

The minster is full of amazing sights

and there's always another wonder lurking just around the corner.

DRAMATIC ORGAN MUSIC

The Man in the Wall was an eminent local barrister and magistrate,

well known for his cantankerous and argumentative nature,

who had a falling out with the church.

-This is the Man in the Wall.

-The Man in the Wall.

Anthony Etricke fell out with everybody in the town

and he declared that when he died, no way was he ever going to be buried in nor out of the minster

and certainly not in the ground or above the ground.

-So, Mr Awkward?

-Absolutely! I like him for that.

DRAMATIC ORGAN MUSIC

In later life, he changed his mind. But in order to save face and keep his promise,

he relented and got permission to be buried in the wall.

So he's buried half inside the church and half outside,

half above ground and half below.

How weird!

-What is the material?

-Apparently, it's slate.

-Right.

He had this made, and he had the date he was going to die

because the Bible told him he would live three score years and ten.

But he lived another ten years, so when he did die it all had to be altered.

-Interestingly, I think stubborn people live slightly longer, don't they?

-They did, obviously!

Well, it's a theory.

James Lewis has left Bournemouth and made his way to Branksome Antiques,

a couple of miles further west.

He's no sooner through the door before he makes an interesting discovery.

It looks as if it could almost be a tomb guardian

from a crypt or something like that,

and the hands may well have been resting on a sword.

Interesting.

I think that's quite early.

Go and ask Brian for his best price.

-Hello. James.

-Hi.

You've got a stone figure in the window.

-Very best - 50 quid.

-50 quid?!

-Yes.

Wow, 50 pounds. Obviously charging by weight.

Best have a closer look.

-It's a weird sort of thing.

-It is weird.

It's the way it's been hewn out,

-I think it's a tomb figure.

-Do you?

-Yes.

Look, it's got a flattened side

that would've been at the base of a tomb.

If you get ten grand for it, you'll get a phone call from me!

Ten grand?! He'll get a call from all of us!

JOLLY MUSIC

-That's a funny shaft, isn't it?

-Yes.

-Palmwood.

-Do you reckon that's what it is?

It could be, yes.

-Something exotic, isn't it, that?

-Yes!

What could that be?

-£70.

-70...

-I think it would have an estimate of 50 to 70 at auction.

-Yes.

I'll give you the 50 for it.

You can have it for 60 and that's it.

100 quid the two. Come on.

-Oh, what the...! Go on, then.

-You've got a deal.

-OK.

-100 quid the two.

-Yes.

-There you go.

-20...

-So another £100 from his substantial bundle,

James Lewis secures two further items.

-There you go.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

Brilliant. I shall come back for that statue!

-At some point!

-Yes!

-Thank very much. That's great.

-Bye.

And before you know it, the day is done.

Time for some shut-eye. Night-night, boys.

"Look lively! Shake a leg!" and other such nautical terms, because you're in for a treat.

Time to leave the dismal British summer behind

and seek the sunshine across the Channel.

I hope you've got your sea legs

as it's "all aboard!"

and off to Jersey. Lovely.

-There we go.

-HUMUROUS GROANING

So far, James Braxton has spent £80 on one lot -

an early 19th-century signed portrait miniature of a gentleman, housed in a red Morocco case -

which leaves him just £43.34 for the day ahead.

James Lewis, meanwhile, has spent £170 on five lots -

the ivory-and-tooth desk weight, the Champleve French vases,

the pair of Japanese Kutani vases,

the sandstone figure

and an Edwardian novelty walking cane -

which means he has £251.94

left to spend.

Taking in the refreshing sea air from the deck,

this is not so much a road trip as a relaxing boat trip,

as it takes the boys five hours to cross the Channel

and dock in much warmer climes.

This is fabulous! I spy some mighty...

-..Bond-like pads on the rooftops.

-Really?

The sun is really warm.

-I can feel it now.

-Feel the difference.

Basking in the sunshine, the island of Jersey has everything,

from glorious beaches and scenery, to its own currency.

Abroad, but British...

The boys are definitely going to enjoy this trip.

After alighting in Jersey's capital, St Helier,

they set off northwest to the parish of St Mary,

where James Braxton hopes an antique fair will provide rich pickings

to match his meagre budget of £43.34.

You'll not spot anything with those shades on, James.

-Can I look at the bracelet at the back?

-Certainly.

-There we go. Help yourself.

-Thank you. That's very kind.

Ah, that looks rather more in keeping with his budget.

We've got a big old maker there.

"David Andersen. Norway. Sterling."

It has a sort of '50s, '60s look about it.

It's by a Norwegian silversmith.

Yes, it's sort of two stylised leaves, really.

The Scandinavian country is a great centre of, er,

sort of modern design, really,

in a post-Second World War, er, world.

And it's quite attractively done.

-Are you open to offers on this?

-Good start. You've made him laugh.

-We're waiting, sir. Come on.

-You're waiting for the killer blow, are you?

Don't hold your breath.

Now, you've got 35 on this.

-Would 25 buy it?

-No.

-No.

That was a quick response! You've been practising!

-I've seen you.

-You've seen these programmes!

-I've had a chance to rehearse.

-I'll take 30.

-I'll give you 30 for that.

-That's really kind.

-Thank you, sir.

-Thank you.

-Cash preferred.

-Oh, definitely!

-JAMES LAUGHS

-Great.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-Thank you.

-Bye for now.

With £13 left, a charm offensive might be in order.

-Hello. James.

-Pleased to meet you. I'm Julie.

-Hello, Julie.

-I like your chess set.

-Yes, it's unusual, isn't it?

Can't see a price on it. She might be open to persuasion.

-Very, very strong, erm, crucifix there.

-Mm.

-Do you know the materials?

-No, I don't.

I don't know whether it might be ebony or...

..it could be just a resin, I suppose.

I don't think it's resin because I've got a grain here, and resin is very easy to turn.

Quite nice turning there. It isn't ivory.

It's bone, with the open grain down there.

-In that case, I think these will be ebony, won't they?

-Definitely.

-Definitely.

-Yes.

-Julie, I ain't got a lot of money!

-That's an understatement.

-Can I show you what I have...

-Go on, then.

-..and see if we've got a deal?

-Let's see if we've got a deal.

-I've got a ten.

-Yes.

-I've got...

I've got £13.34 left.

If I have this and you have that, would that be a deal?

-That would be very kind. Thank you.

-You're welcome.

-Thank you.

Result! One chess set, and he's still got 34p left!

Leaving James Braxton at the antiques fair in St Mary,

James Lewis has driven ten miles back across the island to St Martins,

one of the most agricultural parishes

and also one of the most sought-after places to live on the island.

His final destination is Brown's Antiques,

where its proprietor Mick awaits.

-Ahh!

-Hello.

-Hello!

-Welcome.

-I'm James. Nice to see you.

-Mick.

Dear me, you've got everything!

I'm looking for something

that might be more common here but rarer in the UK.

-Something like a little bit of Jersey silver?

-OK.

-I've got some in the shed.

-Brilliant.

The Channel Islands have a long history of silver manufacture,

with more than 150 makers having either worked on

or been associated with the islands.

James is going to enjoy a rummage through Mick's drawers... in the shed.

They're 1825, 1830, but mint.

That's the kind of thing that in a UK sale

would make a few more quid than it would here.

-So, how much are they?

-100 quid.

You've got a good chance of making a profit on that.

100 quid...

I mean, if we were to put a little package together,

erm...

Little silver box... Not any great age, but pretty.

-Sweet, though, isn't it?

-Mm-hm.

And a lady's rouge pot with enamel...

-That's pretty, too.

-Mm-hm.

-I think they're quite interesting, those silver spoons.

-Right.

And I think they're quite nice.

They're a standard pair, but they're a nice size,

-aren't they?

-Yes. Usable.

Er, so 130 and 100...

What about the little pair of bon-bons?

Let's go into the shop, have a look in there

-and see what we can find.

-OK. No problem.

Watch out, Mick, here comes the pitch.

I need to put these into auction and try and make a profit.

I know you need to make something, as well!

What about a bundle price, a group price?

-The whole lot?

-Yes.

Phew... Geez!

See, I think they're £90 at auction. That's what I think they're worth.

I put £25 to 35 on those as a pair.

Erm... That's sweet.

-That's a pretty little thing.

-Yes.

In a little cabinet, that would do really well at a fair.

-But... What about 250 on the lot?

-JAMES SIGHS

I couldn't. I'd be nearer 150.

No. We can't do any business at 150.

220?

Go on, James, don't give up.

-180 any good?

-200 quid. That's it. Dead.

If that's your best, I'll take it.

-Thank you, sir.

-Thank you. Thanks very much.

Gosh, Jimmy, you're giving it away today.

-200. There we go.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much. Thank you.

With nearly all his money spent

but clutching his newly acquired silver,

it looks like James Lewis has finished his shopping for the day.

James Braxton will definitely be pushing his luck at his next shop,

Cohu Antiques in St Lawrence.

Ahh!

This looks a fabulous antique shop.

But I've only got 34p to spend.

I wonder what 34p buys you in a very splendid antiques shop.

Yes, it is rather splendid, isn't it?

And far more splendid than you can afford, I suspect.

Best to come clean with the owner from the start, James.

-Hello. James.

-Hi. Steve Cohu.

-Very nice to meet you, Steve.

-This is a very splendid antique shop.

-Thank you.

And I'm rather embarrassed to say I come clutching merely pence.

-Really?

-A very small amount.

-I was expecting hundreds of pounds!

-So was I, but the last auction got rid of that!

-OK.

-Well, let's hope...

-Come on. There's no point fiddling around.

We could browse and browse and everything will be too expensive.

Do you have something you want to get rid of for the principal sum of 34p?

-34 pence?

-34 pence.

-Right. Erm...

-This could be the winner for me!

-I'm sure we could find something for you for 34 pence.

So honesty is the best policy.

But what's he going to offer?

Oh, that looks good. So does that.

That looks... broken.

A job-lot of Chinese porcelain bits and pieces, mostly damaged.

I bought a big lot from one place,

stripped out all the perfect pieces and jobbed all this lot together.

-It's Chinese, is it?

-It's all Chinese, yes.

-There's two bits of New Hall.

-Oh, New Hall? OK.

Didn't they use bone or something?

New Hall actually invented the bone china.

They sort of... I think Bristol did the first hard-paste in England

and then New Hall prospered with it

and were the first successful producer.

And just such a similar design, as well, isn't it?

-How much have you got on that?

-20 for the lot.

£20? I thought you told him you'd only got 34p!

Think fast here, James.

You stay there, Steve. I think I've got something that might help you.

Funnily enough, I bought this earlier.

-Right.

-Now, I've got this and some money.

Here it is. It's not an ivory fellow, but it's a bone one.

But what I liked about it is,

it comes from Mayfair, West 1,

and anything that generally retailed in Mayfair can't be all that bad.

I bought it for £13, that.

I don't think Steve quite believes this.

Barter is obviously the way forward.

Now, would you do a trade?

The chess set plus 34p?

OK. That's slightly more than my usual discount, but...

..I suppose.

-Does this owe you a lot of money, then?

-It doesn't.

-So, it's sort of free.

-Yes.

Am I yielding you too much? You're probably getting a deal!

I actually probably could do without your 34p!

But it's been offered now, so...

-You take it!

-..I'll take it.

-34p... Thank you very much.

-I'm not even going to ask for a box!

-You want me to bubble-wrap each piece individually!

-I'm not!

Well done, James. Going for broke, but still grinning.

Fingers crossed for the auction.

Meanwhile, James Lewis is making his way back to St Helier

hoping to find out why the Channel Islands are British rather than French.

And where better to learn more of this odd turn of fate than the Jersey Museum?

Curator Louise Downie will explain all. We hope.

-Louise. Hi!

-Hello, James.

-Nice to meet you.

-Nice to see you. Thank you so much for having me.

I have to say,

I am probably the most ignorant person on Jersey that you've ever met.

I know very little.

I even had a conversation with James, who I'm over with, and he said Jersey was French.

I said, "No! It's British!" But even then I started to doubt it!

But I do know it's British.

That's right. We're part of Great Britain,

but not part of the United Kingdom,

so not part of the UK EEC or anything like that.

We're called a Peculiar of the Crown.

-No Westminster?

-No Westminster!

-This place is great!

But one thing I have realised is that you've got your own money.

Yes. It's equivalent to sterling, but it's Jersey money

that can be spent in Jersey and the other Channel Islands, but not in Britain.

Brilliant! Let's go and find out all about it.

-Ahh! Old King John.

-King John.

Well, King John, the King of England,

marked the point when Jersey sort of became properly British.

King John basically lost his territories in Normandy

and at that point, Jersey decided to stay British,

stay English, and follow King John,

even though we were part of the Duchy of Normandy.

So, we're talking about 1200, 1210, that sort of period.

The people's decision was momentous,

as the Channel Islands were of great strategic importance

due to shipping and trade routes,

and were subjected to repeated attacks and invasion attempts

by the hostile French throughout the centuries,

which would culminate in 1781.

That... is a fantastic picture!

-It's pretty amazing, isn't it? It's stunning.

-My word!

So, what's going on here? Tell me about the story.

The French landed a couple of miles away from here, around about midnight.

They advanced into the town quietly

so as not to alert the forces.

The British were aware of their entry into the town,

and young Major Peirson, the leader of the British Forces at the time,

gathered the forces and placed them in strategic parts of the town

and basically did a pincer movement on Royal Square.

-'(GUNFIRE)'

-They surrounded the French from all sides.

And so the battle only lasted 15 minutes.

It was a very quick battle.

And in the centre of the picture, the focus of attention is the death of Major Peirson,

who gave up his life

fighting against the French invasionary forces.

This painting means so much to Jersey people

because it represents what other people are willing to sacrifice

for the freedom of islanders.

He is the quintessential Jersey hero,

surrounded by the other officers that he fought with.

Undoubtedly a true hero, and revered as such by the islanders,

many of whom have a print of the picture in their own homes.

Until recently, the painting by artist John Singleton Copley

featured on the reverse of both the Jersey ten pound and one-pound notes.

However, the depiction of his sacrifice and the victory over the French

was exploited as a blatant piece of propaganda,

created to rouse national pride

at a time when England's defeat in the American colonies was imminent.

In reality, Peirson was killed by a sniper whilst organising the counterattack,

rather than during the final charge.

To make it a more complete English victory, the Scottish troops, who played a key role,

were relegated to the background of the picture!

When it was displayed in London, crowds flocked to see it,

paying a shilling each for the privilege.

However, it's time to move from one battle to another,

the all-important "you show me yours and I'll show you mine" moment.

So, how did you find it?

-I stuck to a small number of items to start with.

-OK.

Funny that. I had a budget of £120!

This is what I bought with £120.

-OK. So some Oriental...

-Oriental lot.

-You'll be pleased to know most of it's damaged.

-How much was it?

-Er, that was £13...

-What?!

-..and 34 pence.

That was my remaining amount of money.

This is my principal item, James.

Look, enjoy.

-Oh, that's lovely.

-He's a wise old man.

-A legal beagle, would you say?

-Yes. Lovely, lovely quality.

-Original leather case. How much was he?

-He was £80.

Ooh! There's £100 profit there.

Do you think so? I think there's a decent profit there.

Very generous assessment there, James. But we'll see.

Go on, overwhelm him with your hoard.

-Well, I tried to be brave.

-No way!

-Yes. I had a lot of money, so I tried to spend the lot.

-Yes.

That's a lot of silver.

-I paid a lot of money for it.

-How much?

-£200.

-Well, you've got two big sauce plates for £200.

-Yes.

And that...

That very flattened face and the curls...

-I think it's 13th century.

-Really?

I think that's a very strong lot again, James.

I'm pleased with it, but it was almost my entire budget.

-How much in all?

-Just under £400.

-You're playing the game.

-Trying! Trying!

I'm all-in with my three

and you're almost all-in with your six.

-So fingers crossed. See how we go.

-Good luck.

-Cheers, and you.

All friends now, but come on, boys, be honest - tell us what you really think.

Without question, James is on the comeback.

He has picked up some wonderful little bits there, and very, very reasonably.

That miniature - I think there's £100, £150 profit in that.

I think he's done really well.

James has bought six good lots, I think.

I like his sculptural lot, the sandstone lot.

The weaker lot, possibly, is the Kutani Japanese vases.

-They're quite late.

-Well, we'll see.

Sadly, the time has come to leave the idyllic shores of Jersey,

make the return voyage back to the mainland,

and journey up-country to the auction showdown

in Wokingham, Berkshire.

Wokingham has been a market town for over 700 years,

but was a settlement long before that.

The boys will now settle their score today at the auction house of Martin and Pole.

The man with the hammer is Garth Lewis,

who has some news about the medieval sandstone figure.

If you were getting quite excited about the sandstone figure,

I'm afraid I think we do have to step back from that a little.

Someone rang up, having seen it online,

and wanted an image and condition report.

He's a renowned and well respected specialist.

We're knocking a little bit of age off it, but what's 500 years between friends?

500 years, actually.

The portrait miniature is a good example.

I know we've got some bids on it over the internet.

I'm not prepared to divulge, but it'll sell pretty well.

Sounds like some much-needed good news for James Braxton.

He started out with £123.34 and has spent the lot,

giving him three auction lots

on which his fortunes are now pinned.

James Lewis started this leg with £421.94

and bought various items for £370,

now organised into six lots.

-319A.

-Here we are.

-Small and slender vase.

First up for James Lewis,

it's the 19th-century French Champleve items.

£30 to start, please.

£30 if you like.

20? 20 bid. Thank you. Is there any further?

At £20?

-Are you all done at £20?

-No! For two?

22. Thank you. 25.

28? 30 now. 32.

35. 38.

38. It's on my left here at 38. Are you all done?

What? Small profit of about a fiver, maybe.

A small profit, but still a profit. First blood to James Lewis.

Next is this walking stick.

James Lewis again, with the Edwardian novelty walking cane.

-The old Palmwood Shaft!

-Yes! A good bit of Palmwood Shaft.

May I say £100 for it, please? 100?

-80 if you will?

-Not looking good, Palmwood Shaft or not.

Nobody wants it. Try 60, perhaps. No interest at all?

At 50 we'll go. Start me somewhere. Nobody wants it.

-What?

-40 bid.

-"20, sir!"

On my extreme left here at 40. Is there any further?

-I can sell it at 40. All done?

-No way!

-That is insane!

-40 pounds...

-Wake up, everyone!

-LAUGHTER

-Did you feel you'd spotted a right old rip-roaring bargain?

-I really did.

Apparently not.

But it's still a novelty to see James Lewis making a loss.

Third leg, first item about to come up to the rostrum.

Your turn next, Brackers,

with your collection of damaged Chinese porcelain

and the New Hall bowl.

Any little profit and I'm there.

-Condition a bit of an issue. They are as viewed.

-Yep.

Can I say £20 for them, please?

-Go on, say £20.

-20 anywhere?

-15 if you like, I don't mind.

-Come on.

No interest?

-Ten will do. Start me off at ten, then.

-Cheeky.

I have ten. Is there any further? 12 now. Yes, 15.

-In profit.

-£15 only, then. On my left at 15, if you're done.

I'll have to sell at 15, then.

HE BANGS GAVEL Story of my life. A break even.

A story with an unhappy ending.

After auction costs, that's actually a loss.

Happy with that?

Am I happy with that? No, I'm not!

Now, will the tooth fairy shift the desk weight into profit

for James Lewis?

-Here we go.

-Elephant desk stand on a colourful canted base.

Sweet little thing.

What can I say to start? £30 for it, please? 30?

-Surely?

-Oh, dear. I've seen more excitement at the dentist.

20 if you like, I don't mind.

Yes, in the front row. 22 now. 22.

25. 28. 30.

32. New place.

35. 38. 40. 42?

42. Standing on the aisle at 42. Are we all done?

That's more like it!

-That's all right.

-Pleased with that.

So you should be. A clean extraction of a tidy profit!

Will James Lewis stay on a roll

as his Japanese Kutani vases go under the hammer?

-Any damage?

-Yes.

-Really? Damage, as well.

-Yes.

20, if you like. There's 20 on the aisle.

Any further? Just £20?

22. 25. 28. 30.

£30. Still on the aisle.

Selling at 30, if you're done...

Very poor. Very poor.

-Crash and burn.

-Don't worry, you've banked some big money.

Don't sound too cocky.

Next, it's the 1960s Norwegian silver bracelet for James Braxton.

I can start the bidding here at £30.

Is there any further? 32 in the doorway.

35 here. 38.

-Takes me out. 38.

-Keep going.

-40, halfway down. 42.

45. 48. 50.

Lady's bid at £50, halfway down, if you're done...

-Yes!

-Well done!

That is a result for me.

-50 pounds.

-Well done. Profit.

-Profit!

A profit, indeed. Just what James needs to boost his flagging morale.

Next for James Lewis

is his assorted collection of silver.

I can start here at £160 against you.

170, 180, 190.

Takes me out at 190. 200 in the doorway.

-200.

-220. 240.

250 I'll take. Ten more. 260. 260.

280. 300. 320. 340.

360. Halfway down at 360. Are we all done at 360?

It's in the room here at 360...

-Well done.

-OK.

-360...

-That's good.

-£100 profit.

Slightly more than £100, actually, Mr B, but who's counting?

And now the sandstone carving, bought by James Lewis.

Problematic because it's dated between 200 and 700 years old,

which makes it mighty difficult to value.

Let's see.

-I can start at £150 against you.

-That's good.

Is there any further at 150? 160. Thank you. 170. 180.

190. 200. 220. 220.

240. 260.

260. 280. 300.

At £300, then. It's with me, against you.

-320.

-That's not a 19th-century price, is it?

340. 360. 380.

At 380, then. Are you all done? I'm selling at 380.

-Well done, well done, well done.

-That's good.

-Not a bad profit.

-I'm pleased with that.

-I bet you are.

-£330 profit.

-Thanks, James.

-Well done.

A fantastic result, that!

Well done, James! That puts you well in the lead.

However, next up is James Braxton's portrait miniature,

with a lot of interest in it, according to our auctioneer.

-The miniature. It's going to happen.

-I think it will.

-I can start the bidding here at £95.

-Straight into profit.

Is there any further?

-100. Thank you. 120.

-Telephone, as well!

130. 140.

Takes me out at £140. Any further?

-150. It's on the telephone now at 150.

-Keep going!

Go on!

-150.

-I'm happy with that.

-Brilliant.

-Doubled your money, James.

-Double your money!

-Well done! Great!

An excellent profit.

But will it be enough to snatch victory from James Lewis?

Let's do the maths.

James Braxton started the show with £123.34.

After auction costs, he's made a profit of £52.96,

sending him through to the next leg with £176.30.

James Lewis started with £421.94.

After costs, he's made a profit of £359.80,

taking his total to a whopping £781.74

and giving him his third victory in a row.

-Well done, James.

-Well done, you!

-Good results all round, isn't it?

-Yes.

I've got a sandwich on the seat.

-Coronation chicken, James?

-No, thanks.

I don't know how long this has been on the seat.

Coronation chicken, eh? Yum-yum.

Well, it's well flattened by now, as well as being stale.

Bye-bye, boys.

Next time on the Antiques Road Trip,

James Lewis resorts to good old-fashioned elbow grease.

If in doubt, spit on it!

And James Braxton takes a spanking.

You can see how people get into this, can't you?!

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd