0:00:02 > 0:00:05It's the nation's favourite antiques experts with £200 each...
0:00:05 > 0:00:10- I love that!- ..a classic car and a goal to scour Britain for antiques.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13- Yippee!- Sometimes a man is in need.
0:00:13 > 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 > 0:00:23Knobbly knick-knacks.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27So, will it be the high road to glory or the slow road to disaster?
0:00:27 > 0:00:29It landed on the rug!
0:00:29 > 0:00:31This is the Antiques Road Trip!
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Yeah!
0:00:35 > 0:00:37On this road trip,
0:00:37 > 0:00:40two cheeky Charlies are vying to build their fortunes.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Fortune favours the brave.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44Indeed it does.
0:00:45 > 0:00:49Charles Hanson is a fresh-faced, fit, Derbyshire auctioneer
0:00:49 > 0:00:51and valuer who hopes his youthful vim
0:00:51 > 0:00:54and vigour will be enough to scoot ahead
0:00:54 > 0:00:56of the competition.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00While Charlie Ross, a freelance auctioneer,
0:01:00 > 0:01:04is a venerable sage who's wily wit and easy charm
0:01:04 > 0:01:07mark him out as a formidable rival.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11Oh, listen to it! Did you hear that squeal then?
0:01:11 > 0:01:13Would you like a seat, madam?
0:01:13 > 0:01:17We're now two legs into this road trip and thus far,
0:01:17 > 0:01:19age and wisdom have carried the day.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23From his original £200,
0:01:23 > 0:01:28Charlie Ross has now traded up to hold a cash pot of £211.78.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33While Charles Hansen has faired less well,
0:01:33 > 0:01:38diminishing his original £200 to a paltry £164.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44But anything can happen in this game.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47Today, our pair are hitting the road in England's glory,
0:01:47 > 0:01:50the stunning 1971 Triumph TR6.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53And it's a good thing they're taking care of it.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59- It's dirty!- No.- It's dirty.- Not as dirty as your car.- Give it a wipe.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02- Oh, for goodness' sake! Charles, stop it!- Give it a wipe!
0:02:02 > 0:02:04- I can't see what's going on.- Sorry.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06- What you need is this.- Aah!
0:02:06 > 0:02:09It's the start of a beautiful day,
0:02:09 > 0:02:12but rivalry has already reared its ugly head.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15- You know what they say, don't you?- What?
0:02:15 > 0:02:18The sun shines on the righteous.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20Why it's shining on you, I don't know.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22Oh, do behave!
0:02:23 > 0:02:25Oh this road trip, Charles
0:02:25 > 0:02:27and Charlie will travel around 500 miles,
0:02:27 > 0:02:30through England's green and pleasant lands,
0:02:30 > 0:02:31from Tarporley, in Cheshire,
0:02:31 > 0:02:33to Itchen Stoke,
0:02:33 > 0:02:35near Winchester, in Hampshire.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41Today, they are beginning their shopping in Cannock,
0:02:41 > 0:02:43in Staffordshire,
0:02:43 > 0:02:46aiming for their auction in Stroud, Gloucestershire.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49They are just approaching Cannock,
0:02:49 > 0:02:53where Charlie is dropping Charles off at his first shop.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57But it seems like Charlie might be trying to nobble the opposition.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00Oh, you are such a girl!
0:03:00 > 0:03:02- That's my ankle!- I don't care if it's your ankle,
0:03:02 > 0:03:04I hope it really hurts!
0:03:04 > 0:03:07- That's graceful.- Ow! - I hope it hurts.- Sorry.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09Don't make me come down there, boys.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16Near here in 2009, a magnificent hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold
0:03:16 > 0:03:18and silver was unearthed.
0:03:18 > 0:03:23Let's hope Charles discovers similar treasures as he starts his day shop
0:03:23 > 0:03:24at Peppermill Antiques.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26Lovely name!
0:03:26 > 0:03:30- Enjoy Lichfield, OK? See you later.- Bye.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39Wow. This really is antiques on an industrial scale.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42He's meeting owner Scott.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44- Mr Scott Humphries.- Charles Hanson.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48Now, I am on the hunt, you know, maybe for the Hanson hoard.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51I think you are going to have to have a look round.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55Look at that interior. Beautiful.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59Feel like I'm in a bedroom here.
0:03:59 > 0:04:04Something hidden in the corner has caught Charles's eagle eye.
0:04:04 > 0:04:10Not very well displayed is what we call a decoupage screen.
0:04:10 > 0:04:16Decoupage is the craft of decorating objects with scraps of glued
0:04:16 > 0:04:19and varnished paper.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22This screen, dating from the late 1800s,
0:04:22 > 0:04:25is a nice example of a style then popular,
0:04:25 > 0:04:27but it bears some serious damage.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31Charles is off to ask Scott about it.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34Ticket price is a whopping £595.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38Four-fold screen, what is the best price on that?
0:04:38 > 0:04:39I can do that for 100.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41Crikey, Moses!
0:04:41 > 0:04:43I know it has got a bit of damage, that's why
0:04:43 > 0:04:45it's priced quite reasonable.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47It's... I mean, £100 is very reasonable,
0:04:47 > 0:04:49but having lost this money so far,
0:04:49 > 0:04:55I just think maybe the condition almost outweighs its potential.
0:04:55 > 0:04:56Is 100 your best price?
0:04:58 > 0:05:00I could do it at 85.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05- That is your very best?- £80.- £80.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07I might leave here and regret it
0:05:07 > 0:05:10if I don't find anything else really to come up to that quality.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14So, I think I might call you later.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16Your best price, Scott, is?
0:05:16 > 0:05:1970 to take it away today.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21- Can I hold it?- You can.- Lovely.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24Charles is at his most indecisive today.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27He is not buying it now, but the scrap screen is held in reserve,
0:05:27 > 0:05:29and Charles is off to his next shop.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32Thanks, Scott. Bye, see you.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39Charlie Ross, meanwhile,
0:05:39 > 0:05:43has headed toward the cathedral city of Lichfield, Staffordshire.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47Lichfield's heyday was in the 18th century,
0:05:47 > 0:05:51when it was home to many great thinkers, including Samuel Johnson,
0:05:51 > 0:05:56the learned author of the first authoritative English dictionary.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01Let's hope Charlie can summon up some of that nous
0:06:01 > 0:06:04as he heads into James A Jordan Antiques,
0:06:04 > 0:06:07where he is meeting up with the eponymous James,
0:06:07 > 0:06:11who, it turns out, is a friend of a friend...of a friend.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13- Charlie Ross. - Lovely to meet you, Charlie.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15- I've heard a lot about you. - Thank you very much.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17From my opposition.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20That Mr Charles Hanson. You know him well, I believe.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22Intriguing.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25- Charles passed on a little tip to me.- Yeah.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28He said, "When you go to see my good friend,"
0:06:28 > 0:06:31he said, "just ask him if he has got anything in the back."
0:06:31 > 0:06:33Mm.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37Mm. Are you sure Charles said that, Charlie?
0:06:37 > 0:06:38Have you got anything in the back?
0:06:38 > 0:06:41I'll have a look, see if there is anything there.
0:06:44 > 0:06:49- What have you got there?- Victorian silver pocket watch.- Lovely.- Swiss.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52Swiss movement, English case.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55Oddly enough, when Charles Hanson visited the shop on a previous
0:06:55 > 0:06:59road trip, he came away with a couple of watches, too.
0:06:59 > 0:07:04- Continental silver?- It is. - We haven't met, hello.- Hello, Yvette.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06- Lovely to meet you.- And you.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10Key wind. Is it in working order or is that pushing it?
0:07:10 > 0:07:12It is working, actually, yes.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14Oh, look, it is ticking away beautifully.
0:07:14 > 0:07:20- So the date of that would be? - That is about 1890 to 1900.- Yeah.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24- Lovely. How much is that, sir? - I can do that for £30.
0:07:24 > 0:07:25Can you really?
0:07:25 > 0:07:28- Someone hasn't brought that in for cleaning, have they?- No.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- Can you squeak it a bit then?- Yes.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34Oh, because I was going to make you a pathetic offer of 15.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36SHE SQUEALS
0:07:36 > 0:07:40Did you hear that squeal? Would you like a seat, madam?
0:07:40 > 0:07:43Hang on. Oh, dear.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46Tell me what your best is and I'll see if I can match it.
0:07:46 > 0:07:4720.
0:07:49 > 0:07:50Marvellous.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53Despite Yvette's shock at his cheeky offer,
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Charles gets a great deal on the watch.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58He is going to have a deeper browse.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00Love your grape scissors.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03- They're lovely, aren't they? - Aren't they fabulous?
0:08:03 > 0:08:07But it is not long before something else attracts his attention.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10Here we have a taste of the Orient.
0:08:10 > 0:08:15And how! A very large Imari charger.
0:08:15 > 0:08:20Imari porcelain hails from the Japanese town of Arita.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24A charger is a large decorative plate that can be used for display
0:08:24 > 0:08:27or just to brighten up table settings.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30James, may I borrow you, sir?
0:08:30 > 0:08:34- I am quite liking your enormous Imari charger.- Yes.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36I really like the colours.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38Did it come right, as they say,
0:08:38 > 0:08:40or did you have to get into a war to by it?
0:08:40 > 0:08:42- It came reasonable.- Reasonable?
0:08:42 > 0:08:45HE LAUGHS
0:08:45 > 0:08:46- Hedging your bets there, are you? - Yes.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49The very best on that I could do is 50.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51Oh, that is pretty competitive.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53- Mm-hm.- Oh, crumbs!
0:08:53 > 0:08:56It would be insulting to offer 40, would it?
0:08:56 > 0:09:00- Would you show me the door? - Would you meet me halfway, 45?
0:09:00 > 0:09:05Shake me by the hand, sir. That is really, really kind of you.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09Splendid. You wait till I tell Charles where that came from.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13His first two buys, served up on a plate.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15- Thank you very much indeed. - A pleasure.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18With any luck, we'll sink that old Hanson.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25Charlie is still in a buying mood,
0:09:25 > 0:09:29so he's heading just down the road to the Lichfield Antiques Centre.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37It looks like he has uncovered an interesting
0:09:37 > 0:09:41if controversial item - a smoking gun, if you will.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43A-ha!
0:09:43 > 0:09:47Richard Nixon advertising cigarettes.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51So, these were done to promote
0:09:51 > 0:09:55Richard Nixon's presidential campaign in 1972.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59And Nixon, one of the most famous presidents of all time,
0:09:59 > 0:10:03because it all ended in tears and Watergate and what have you.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07Richard Nixon was a two-term president of the USA.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11The Watergate political scandal of the early 1970s resulted
0:10:11 > 0:10:14in his resignation from the White House.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17And to think that they actually produced king-sized filter
0:10:17 > 0:10:20cigarettes to advertise his campaign.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Can you imagine anything worse today?
0:10:22 > 0:10:23And they are...
0:10:23 > 0:10:27£10. I think that is a great statement of history!
0:10:27 > 0:10:31We don't like smoking, but we love historical statements.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35This item might appeal to a collector of political ephemera.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39It certainly wouldn't be bought for the 40-year-old tobacco.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42Charlie is going to ask dealer Madeleine about them.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- Madeleine!- Madeleine!
0:10:45 > 0:10:48I'm over here, Madeleine, come and help me.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51Ah, Madeleine! Madeleine, I'm here!
0:10:51 > 0:10:54- I'm here.- There you are. - Could you show me something?- Mm-hm.
0:10:54 > 0:10:59Horrible habit, but a great, great statement of history.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02They are priced up at £10.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05I wouldn't be able to tell you whether they were expensive or cheap.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08I think they are a bargain price, myself.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10HE LAUGHS
0:11:10 > 0:11:13Do you think whoever owns those would take a fiver for them or not?
0:11:13 > 0:11:15What do you think?
0:11:15 > 0:11:17- Cash?- Go on.
0:11:17 > 0:11:23I have never bought a second-hand pair of cigarettes before.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27Well, I should think not. But with this piece of historical ephemera
0:11:27 > 0:11:30in hand, Charlie is off for another browse.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38Meanwhile, the clock is ticking for Charles.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40He has just arrived at the same shop
0:11:40 > 0:11:42and seems he is meeting another old friend.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45He has got so many friends, that boy.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48Good morning. How are you? Nice seeing you again.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51Hello, Madeleine. I know this lady.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53You seem to know everyone, Charles.
0:11:53 > 0:11:54Look sharp, though, Carlos,
0:11:54 > 0:11:57there is one more of your old acquaintances around.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- What are you doing here?- How are you? Get on with it. And good luck.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Good luck to you, too. Go on, get out of here.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07Get out of here.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11This shop seems to have put Charles in an oddly esoteric mood.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17I want to go mystical. I have a desire to go magical.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20I want to go to auction and believe.
0:12:20 > 0:12:25As that would have it, Madeleine might have found just the thing.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29What about the dwarf?
0:12:29 > 0:12:32OK. Oh, I never saw him behind there.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34That is quite novel. That is quite sweet.
0:12:34 > 0:12:40It is a small novelty inkwell including a gnome at a forge.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42Ticket price, £68.
0:12:42 > 0:12:47That is quite good. He hasn't been repainted. Can you see on his nose?
0:12:47 > 0:12:50- He's... You can see the real wear, can't you?- Yeah.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53I'd have thought the material... Is it a pewter?
0:12:53 > 0:12:57Or some sort of base metal pewter? What is the best on that?
0:12:57 > 0:13:01For you, Charles, since I've known you a while...
0:13:01 > 0:13:03So, if I said 20, would that help?
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Maddie, you know what? Cometh the man, cometh the hour.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Sometimes a man is in need, OK?
0:13:08 > 0:13:11And when the man is in need, you meet a Madeleine.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15Thanks, Madeleine. Thank you very, very much.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17A magical first buy for Charles.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25Charlie Ross is feeling very confident about his morning's
0:13:25 > 0:13:30purchases, so he is travelling 22 miles to Nuneaton in Warwickshire.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35Where he is keen to visit the Nuneaton and Bedworth Museum,
0:13:35 > 0:13:39which houses a collection relating to one of the area's most
0:13:39 > 0:13:40celebrated daughters,
0:13:40 > 0:13:45Mary Ann Evans, the female novelist of the 19th century
0:13:45 > 0:13:47who published under the pen name George Eliot.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54Charlie is meeting senior museum officer Catherine.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58- Hello. Charlie.- Nice to meet you. - Very nice to see you.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00Wonderful to be here.
0:14:00 > 0:14:05Born in 1819, Mary Ann Evans became one of the most acclaimed
0:14:05 > 0:14:08novelists in the history of English literature.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11Her classics like The Mill On The Floss, Middlemarch
0:14:11 > 0:14:15and Daniel Deronda have been lauded by critics
0:14:15 > 0:14:17and loved by generations of readers.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21- Did she live here?- She was actually born just outside of Nuneaton.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25- Yeah.- And her childhood was spent at Griff House,
0:14:25 > 0:14:27which is just on the outskirts.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29There's a couple of schoolteachers along the way that really
0:14:29 > 0:14:31inspire her.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33And I think she just has this thirst for knowledge.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36And her father was wealthy enough to buy her an education.
0:14:36 > 0:14:37Yes, certainly.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41His aim may have been that she would be educated enough
0:14:41 > 0:14:43to become a governess or something like that,
0:14:43 > 0:14:47but her intellect goes way beyond perhaps what any of them expect.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50And in fact, the man that she does it do up living
0:14:50 > 0:14:53with for over 20 years is someone who is very educated,
0:14:53 > 0:14:56very intelligent, writes a lot of books
0:14:56 > 0:14:58and is interested in the same things as her.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00This relationship with philosopher
0:15:00 > 0:15:05and critic George Henry Lewes was the most important of her life,
0:15:05 > 0:15:08but highly unconventional by the social standards
0:15:08 > 0:15:10of the Victorian period.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12He was married to somebody else.
0:15:12 > 0:15:161855, I think, is the year they set up home together in London.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20And George suggests she might like to try and write fiction,
0:15:20 > 0:15:22which she finally does when she is 37.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25So this is not someone who wrote her books young, this is someone
0:15:25 > 0:15:28who's bringing a lot of experience to her writing by the time
0:15:28 > 0:15:29she undertakes it.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32So, she goes and she becomes tremendously
0:15:32 > 0:15:33successful as a novelist.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37- Yeah.- And she makes an awful lot of money at the time.- Does she?
0:15:37 > 0:15:39For example, Mill On The Floss,
0:15:39 > 0:15:43- they think she made about 270,000 in today's money...- What?!
0:15:43 > 0:15:48- ..from one year's sales of Mill On The Floss.- From one year's sales?
0:15:48 > 0:15:50When her first novels were published,
0:15:50 > 0:15:54Evans's true identity was hidden behind her writing pseudonym.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58Taking a male pen name might have widened her readership,
0:15:58 > 0:16:01but it also left her open to the wiles of an imposter.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05The average person buying her book would have thought it was a man?
0:16:05 > 0:16:09Yes, indeed. And actually, that caused a bit of a problem for her.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13Just about the time she published her second book in 1858,
0:16:13 > 0:16:16there are rumours starting in Nuneaton.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18And the rumours are that a local gentleman called
0:16:18 > 0:16:21Joseph Liggins has actually written the books.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25This escalates to a point where Joseph Henry Liggins actually
0:16:25 > 0:16:28gets to the point where he tries to sell the rights to one of the books
0:16:28 > 0:16:32- in America. And at this point, George Eliot steps in.- "Hang on."
0:16:32 > 0:16:34"Hang on a minute, I've done all the work
0:16:34 > 0:16:37"and the money should be mine."
0:16:37 > 0:16:40And it was actually Charles Dickens who first identified
0:16:40 > 0:16:43that he thought it was her that was writing the books.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46He said, "Definitely this is a woman's hand in this work."
0:16:46 > 0:16:50This museum holds a number of Eliot's own possessions -
0:16:50 > 0:16:56including a dress, table, secretaire and shoes.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58Gosh! They were the shoes of a wealthy person.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00Aren't they beautifully made?
0:17:00 > 0:17:04- They are beautiful and entirely unpractical.- Crikey!
0:17:04 > 0:17:08And again, along with her dress, you know, diminutive.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10Absolutely glorious!
0:17:10 > 0:17:15I think because she is remembered for her novels and, you know,
0:17:15 > 0:17:18possibly the greatest English novelist ever, it is very easy...
0:17:18 > 0:17:21A lot of people have described Middlemarch as the greatest
0:17:21 > 0:17:23- English book ever written.- Yeah.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26It is very easy to lose sight of the fact that she was flesh
0:17:26 > 0:17:28- and blood like the rest of us.- Yeah.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32Thank you very much indeed. It has been really, really interesting.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34- A pleasure to meet you.- Super.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40Charles, meanwhile, is still back in Lichfield.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44Time is running out and he is getting himself into a bit of tizz.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46Running as usual.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48I'm not sure where. Hello.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51Oh, no, look, the market is closed, as well.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54So, today isn't quite going to plan.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58As he can't find any open antique shops,
0:17:58 > 0:18:00Charles is concocting a rather unlikely plan.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03There's actually a firm of lawyers I know down here.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07And who knew, Ansons, who are full of good lawyers,
0:18:07 > 0:18:11they may have something in their offices for sale.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14Like what, Charles? A writ?
0:18:14 > 0:18:18Planning application for a double garage perhaps?
0:18:18 > 0:18:19You never know.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21Mm.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25They may have something that is antique,
0:18:25 > 0:18:26they have been here a long time.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31You really have gone off book today, haven't you?
0:18:31 > 0:18:34Luckily, Associate Solicitor Shelly
0:18:34 > 0:18:38agrees to humour this crackpot inquiry.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42- Ah, Shelly.- Hello.- Nice to see you again. How is life?- Good, thank you.
0:18:42 > 0:18:43- Keeping well?- Yes, thank you.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47- It's a very quirky inquiry, I'm sure your colleagues told you.- Yes.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51Have you, by any chance, in your store room or old cellars
0:18:51 > 0:18:54or stock rooms, have any type of antique
0:18:54 > 0:18:58- that viably you might wish to sort of sell?- OK.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02We have got something that has been lying around the office for a while.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06- Have you really?- It is a bit quirky. - Like me, eh?- Yeah. A bit old.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09Oh, really? That is a good sign. Antique?
0:19:09 > 0:19:10- Think so, yeah.- Fantastic.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13So, I think that's going to be worth you having a look at.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15- Could it be for sale, though? - It might be.- Really?
0:19:15 > 0:19:17- We'll see what you say. - At the right price?- Yeah, of course.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21- Shall we?- Yeah, sure. - Thanks ever so much.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24- We've got something in here. - Not the bookcase?
0:19:24 > 0:19:27Not the bookcase, no, don't get excited.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31- This box here?- Yeah.- May I take it out?- Yeah. It is a bit heavy.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33Oh, my goodness me!
0:19:34 > 0:19:36What is it?
0:19:36 > 0:19:38It is a company seal.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42A company seal was used to mark official documents.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44Crikey me!
0:19:44 > 0:19:46Oh, that is wonderful, Shelly, that is really nice.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49That is really nice. Wow!
0:19:49 > 0:19:52It is a Cannock Colliery business seal.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55- Wow, OK.- But I don't know much more about it than that.
0:19:55 > 0:20:00- I suppose date to 1890, 1900? - Right.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04- So it would work almost by placing a piece of paper into here?- Yeah.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06- Can we try it?- That's fine, yeah.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10OK, so you would obviously spin...
0:20:12 > 0:20:14Oh, wonderful.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18And there you've got, on the seal...
0:20:18 > 0:20:21It's a seal, it's a stamped seal
0:20:21 > 0:20:24inscribed, "Cannock Colliery Company Limited."
0:20:24 > 0:20:27It's a nice item and it is in good condition, as well.
0:20:27 > 0:20:33Shelly, if I said to you I'd probably like to...
0:20:33 > 0:20:34uh...
0:20:34 > 0:20:36make an offer of £30?
0:20:38 > 0:20:42- 40.- Look at me, I'm a man in need!
0:20:42 > 0:20:45- I'm a man in need.- OK, I will meet you in the middle then.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48- I am going to say yes. - 35?- £35, you've got a deal.
0:20:48 > 0:20:49- Deal.- Thanks, Shelly.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53Well, with a strikingly strange strategy,
0:20:53 > 0:20:56Charles has managed to secure himself another buy.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59Do you need a hand there, Carlos? That looks a bit lumpy.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05And with that, it's the end of an absolutely hectic day shopping.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07Nighty-night, chaps.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11But there's no rest for our gents.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13The morning sun greets them back in the car
0:21:13 > 0:21:16and cheruping with excitement for the day ahead.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18How sweet.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21# Blackbird has spoken
0:21:21 > 0:21:23# Like the first...
0:21:23 > 0:21:27# Morn Praise for the morning... #
0:21:27 > 0:21:31So far, Charlie has spent £70 on three lots -
0:21:31 > 0:21:34the silver pocket watch, the Imari charger
0:21:34 > 0:21:37and the Nixon campaign cigarettes.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41He has £141.78 in cash left.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47Charles, meanwhile, has spent just £55 on two lots -
0:21:47 > 0:21:52a novelty inkwell and the colliery company seal from the solicitors.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56He has £109 in his pocket.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59Let's borrow the presents, let's borrow the pedigree.
0:21:59 > 0:22:00Are you going to buy me a present?
0:22:00 > 0:22:03There is no time for presents, lads.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07The boys are heading to Walsall in the West Midlands.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11This town grew up during the Industrial Revolution
0:22:11 > 0:22:14and became famous for its leather trade.
0:22:14 > 0:22:19After the chaos of yesterday, Charles still needs more buys.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22After wandering the streets for some time,
0:22:22 > 0:22:24he spots a sign that looks promising.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27Hello, sir. How are you?
0:22:27 > 0:22:30I'm on a hunt, OK? I'm on a hunt.
0:22:30 > 0:22:31Purely by chance, I've come down this street
0:22:31 > 0:22:34and I can see on the wall there it says LP Antiques.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36- Tell me, have you got antiques? - We have got antiques, yeah.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39Have you really? Can I come and have a look?
0:22:39 > 0:22:43- Yes.- Is that all right? Can I have a quick peek upstairs now?
0:22:43 > 0:22:46This unit sells mainly reproduction furniture,
0:22:46 > 0:22:49but Charles seems determined to gamble on this road trip,
0:22:49 > 0:22:52so he has talked his way in for a look anyway.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54Something might jump out at me.
0:22:54 > 0:22:59Young upholsterer Rob has been dragooned into showing him around.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02There is very little antique stock in the building, as they no
0:23:02 > 0:23:05longer trade in it, but Charles is determined to spy something.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10They are quite nice, aren't they?
0:23:10 > 0:23:16A pair of Parisian field glasses, which are quite neat.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19They are quite good. They're probably First World War.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21Maybe 1910, 1920.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24These... Look, these belonged to a man from Lincolnshire.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27Rob will need to ask his boss what they can be sold for.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30Find out how much they are for the two together.
0:23:30 > 0:23:31Yeah, for the two together.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36And Charles has spotted a pair of wooden bowls, as you do.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41£15 each. Or two for 25.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43Two for 25?
0:23:43 > 0:23:47I wonder, do you reckon she might throw me a couple of bowls in?
0:23:47 > 0:23:49Just say, "For poor, old Hans..."
0:23:49 > 0:23:51Just tell her poor Hanson wonders,
0:23:51 > 0:23:53could you throw in two wooden bowls as well?
0:23:53 > 0:23:55Give her a call. Thanks, mate.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57Young Rob might come back and I might get lucky.
0:23:57 > 0:24:02But then again, if you don't ask, you don't get. Hold on, hold on.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05- Yeah.- Rob, this is a biggie.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08- Hit me.- Yep, the two. - Yes! She said yes?- Yeah.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12- Really?- Yeah.- That's awesome. All the best.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Thanks, Rob. Thanks again, I really appreciate it.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17Awesome, he gets the lot for £25.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20Once again, in the most unlikely of fashions,
0:24:20 > 0:24:22Charles has managed to secure a bargain.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24Well done, that man.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29Charles now has three lots, but he wants one more.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31He has decided to take the interesting
0:24:31 > 0:24:34but damaged decoupage screen
0:24:34 > 0:24:37he saw back in Cannock yesterday.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41Time for a call to dealer Scott.
0:24:41 > 0:24:42What's the best price?
0:24:43 > 0:24:47£70? Thanks ever so much. And I'll take it.
0:24:47 > 0:24:53Deal done and Charles has got his lots for auction...just.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55Charlie Ross, meanwhile,
0:24:55 > 0:24:59has driven on to the West Midlands town of Halesowen.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03He is strolling off into the shop Yesterday's World,
0:25:03 > 0:25:06where dealers Jean and Ivan are in control.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11- Hello.- Good morning. - You must be Jean.- I am.- I'm Charlie.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13- Nice to meet you. - Lovely to meet you, too.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21Charlie has spotted a group of items that hint at the brave
0:25:21 > 0:25:23and eventful life of their owner.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25May I look at your First World War medals?
0:25:25 > 0:25:27- Thanks, Jean, lovely.- Thank you.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30- And that is named to T Warner. - That is the one.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34The Royal Artillery. Gunner T Warner.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37Now, that is interesting.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39We have got a First World War to T Warner.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43- And a Second.- And two Second World Wars to T Warner.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46- Yes.- Crikey!
0:25:46 > 0:25:49- Royal Artillery, it has got to be the same man.- Same man.- Blimey!
0:25:49 > 0:25:53- You wouldn't think he'd have to go through it all again, would you?- No.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56The World War II medals are for service and defence.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00Ivan is the military man, what could he let them go for?
0:26:00 > 0:26:0250 for the three. Best deal.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06If I bought them, for example, for £40...
0:26:06 > 0:26:09I think if I could buy the three for £40,
0:26:09 > 0:26:12I think I might make a tenner or something.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15- I couldn't do better than 40. - No. Could you do 40?- Yeah.
0:26:15 > 0:26:16I'm happy with that.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18- Are you?- Are you sure? - Yes, we will go with that.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20- I suspect that the lady takes the money.- I do indeed.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23You do the negotiating and you take the money.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25- How is that?- That's lovely.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28And a gold star to Charlie, who has got another buy.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35Charles Hanson, meanwhile, has travelled into central Birmingham.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37He has finished his shopping,
0:26:37 > 0:26:40so he is headed for the Museum Of The Jewellery Quarter,
0:26:40 > 0:26:43where he is going to learn about the history of one of Birmingham's
0:26:43 > 0:26:46most important traditional industries.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50He's meeting the head of the community museum, Christopher.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52- Hello.- Hi, Charles. - I'm Charles Hanson.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55Welcome to the Museum Of The Jewellery Quarter.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59Birmingham has a centuries-long history of producing jewellery,
0:26:59 > 0:27:03and this area was the powerhouse of the bauble business.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07This museum tells the story of the industry and preserved
0:27:07 > 0:27:11the factory of one manufacturer, Smith and Pepper, as it then was,
0:27:11 > 0:27:13for most of the 20th century.
0:27:15 > 0:27:21The Smith and Pepper factory opened in 1899 and closed in 1981.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25It was a family business run by only two generations of the Smith family
0:27:25 > 0:27:28and manufactured gold and silver jewellery.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32When the factory closed,
0:27:32 > 0:27:36it was left entirely as it had been on the last day of operation.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38The museum was built around it.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44First, Christopher is taking Charles into the office space.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46- Come on in.- It's amazing, isn't it?
0:27:46 > 0:27:49Well, I mean, you know, if you look at this space,
0:27:49 > 0:27:52- it could be a 1930s office. - Absolutely.- That's what it was.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55This was the sort of nerve centre of the firm.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57It was Miss Olive's territory
0:27:57 > 0:28:00because the partners were Olive, Tom and Eric.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04- Yes.- A family business. And she ran the office.- Yes.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07And you can see the boxes on the wall there where the stuff would be
0:28:07 > 0:28:10sent around the world, the various things made at Smith and Pepper.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13- Yes.- And then as you look around the office,
0:28:13 > 0:28:15you can see the dumbwaiter over there,
0:28:15 > 0:28:18where orders were sent down to the factory floor
0:28:18 > 0:28:20and the finished goods came back up.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22Miss Olive also ran a tight ship.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25There were various standards that had to be kept here.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28And one of the key once was that the workers stayed downstairs
0:28:28 > 0:28:30and office staff stayed upstairs.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33And there's a great story that when it first opened as a museum,
0:28:33 > 0:28:34in 1992,
0:28:34 > 0:28:37there was a grand opening and the men from the workshop
0:28:37 > 0:28:39came up to the office and it was the first time
0:28:39 > 0:28:41they'd ever been upstairs in the factory.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45Christopher is going to take Charles downstairs to the manufacturing
0:28:45 > 0:28:49floor, which has also been preserved in working order.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55We are now stepping into the 1899 factory.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57It is just incredible.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01It almost looks as though nothing has happened.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06The various different machines created the components of jewellery
0:29:06 > 0:29:10from gold or silver bullion, which were then soldered together.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12Clive there is working at the jeweller's bench.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15And the job of the jeweller in this particular factory
0:29:15 > 0:29:16was mainly soldering.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18It was literally connecting the various components
0:29:18 > 0:29:21that had been produced through the other machinery.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23It is skilled work. You would have been a man to do this.
0:29:23 > 0:29:25And you would've had lots of training.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27So, at the moment, it's Clive.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29Clive looks as though he is smoking a pipe.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31Yeah. He is using a blow pipe.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34This is the traditional method of controlling
0:29:34 > 0:29:36the temperature of the flame.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38Don't burn yourself, Clive. That's a big flame.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40It wouldn't be the first time.
0:29:40 > 0:29:41THEY LAUGH
0:29:41 > 0:29:43Careful!
0:29:43 > 0:29:46I'll take you over now to look at another piece of technilogical
0:29:46 > 0:29:49- wonderment.- Yes.- Which is our drop stamp pit.- Wonderful.
0:29:49 > 0:29:50It sounds very interesting.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54The drop stamp literally stamps a decorative design
0:29:54 > 0:29:55into a piece of metal.
0:29:55 > 0:30:00- Can we see it in action?- Yeah, we'll ask Clive to demonstrate.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02- A basic piece of metal.- Yes.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05And the stamp will actually create the design on it through
0:30:05 > 0:30:06sheer force.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08- Is it going to just drop?- Yep.
0:30:12 > 0:30:13Crikey!
0:30:15 > 0:30:17Oh, I say! Then, obviously, by that stamp,
0:30:17 > 0:30:20you create this wonderful, what I was suppose you would call
0:30:20 > 0:30:23- repousse work or imposter relief. - Yeah, yeah.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25Well, that certainly made an impression on Charles.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29With that, it is time for him to hit the road.
0:30:29 > 0:30:33It has been invigorating, so thanks, Chris, really good.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35- Is it this way out?- Yes.- Thank you.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43Elsewhere, Charlie Ross has travelled on to Ironbridge
0:30:43 > 0:30:46in Shropshire.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50Completed in 1779, the bridge which gives the town its name
0:30:50 > 0:30:55was the first arched bridge in the world to be made from cast iron.
0:30:55 > 0:30:59Today, it is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
0:30:59 > 0:31:03Charlie is heading into the Curio Centre.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08- Hello.- Mr Ross.- How very formal.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10- Charlie.- How are you?- Hello.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15What a super thing!
0:31:17 > 0:31:19Oh, now, there is something that takes my eye.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22See that little whisky noggin?
0:31:22 > 0:31:25It's a small jug for an individual measure of whisky.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29In a smart Scottish country house, if you had a dinner party,
0:31:29 > 0:31:3220 people round, every single person would have one of those.
0:31:32 > 0:31:34That's right, yeah.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38Charlie does seem smitten with the noggin, but the ticket price
0:31:38 > 0:31:41is £175, well over his current budget
0:31:41 > 0:31:44of £101.78.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46What can Simon do for trade?
0:31:46 > 0:31:49You're probably looking at around 140.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51- Oh! I'm getting closer. - I know you are.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54These aren't mine, unfortunately, these are somebody else's.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57- Bother! I love that... - It's a shame.- ...with a passion.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01- It comes with the little silver label, as well.- Yes, it does.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05Now look at that. That is for putting your whisky in.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09Charlie loves the whisky noggin so much that he might be willing to
0:32:09 > 0:32:12sell one of his other items to Simon to make the cash he needs to buy it.
0:32:12 > 0:32:16He is thinking of sacrificing the pocket watch he bought yesterday.
0:32:16 > 0:32:17Well, I never did!
0:32:19 > 0:32:21I am willing to trade with you.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23If the price is right.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26I'm loving this! I'm loving the way this is going.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28- I can show it to you.- I'd like to see it, yeah, definitely.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32- Look at this exceptional object, sir. - OK, blow me away.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37It is all nicely hallmarked around the top.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40I mean, obviously, it is a bit of a basic sort of model.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43That is 39.22 you need?
0:32:43 > 0:32:46- 38.22 to you, sir.- OK, yes, we'll buy this off you for that.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48That's fine. I'm happy with that.
0:32:48 > 0:32:53Charlie's clever trading means he has only paid £121.78
0:32:53 > 0:32:56for the whisky noggin.
0:32:56 > 0:33:01That is £101.78 in cash and the £20 he got the watch for.
0:33:01 > 0:33:02Job done.
0:33:04 > 0:33:05With all their buying finished,
0:33:05 > 0:33:09the chaps to have met up in sunny Brum to unveil their buys.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14Open your eyes!
0:33:14 > 0:33:15Is that it?
0:33:15 > 0:33:17HE LAUGHS
0:33:17 > 0:33:19Is that it?
0:33:19 > 0:33:22Oh, it's called a noggin, is it? A nog...? What do you call that?
0:33:22 > 0:33:25- Yep.- A little noggin. Whisky, isn't it? I love it, Charlie.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27I bet it was made by Hogan and Heath.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30- Hogan and Heath!- Oh, it wasn't! - It was!- Marvellous!
0:33:30 > 0:33:34- Silver label, 1910.- That is a really nice object, Charlie.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37A modest toast to the whisky noggin.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39Now, what about the vintage smokes?
0:33:39 > 0:33:43- What is that? - Look, look at the name on it.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46He was the USA president, wasn't he?
0:33:46 > 0:33:51This is a box of original cigarettes that were given to people
0:33:51 > 0:33:54in the presidential campaign of 1972.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58Can you imagine today giving away cigarettes as part
0:33:58 > 0:34:00of your election campaign?
0:34:00 > 0:34:02- That cost a fiver.- Really?- Yeah.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05They could make a fiver or they could make 50.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07And the Imari charger?
0:34:07 > 0:34:11And of course, I bought this because it is large and you eat...
0:34:11 > 0:34:13- Well, we know all about that. - Wonderful.
0:34:13 > 0:34:14Japanese, 1910.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17You always test the ring.
0:34:17 > 0:34:18Nice ring.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22OK, Charlie, I reckon you paid probably about £45.
0:34:22 > 0:34:27- Do you actually walk into the shop behind me? Do you?- No.
0:34:27 > 0:34:28Is that what it cost you?
0:34:28 > 0:34:31- £45.- No, it didn't! Really? You and I have a chemistry.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33Put it there. Really?
0:34:33 > 0:34:36Time for the young pretender to reveal his own buys.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39- My really fine four-fold screen. - Four screen?
0:34:39 > 0:34:42There is some damage, which doesn't really...
0:34:42 > 0:34:44That's part of the history of it.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47- I would be very surprised if it doesn't make more than £100.- Really?
0:34:47 > 0:34:49And the rest of it.
0:34:49 > 0:34:54- Look.- In the immortal words of Charles Hanson, "Is that it?"
0:34:54 > 0:34:57This probably continental inkwell, but it's novelty.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00- It's good fun and it is worth 20 quid.- Yeah, exactly.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02It cost me £20.
0:35:02 > 0:35:03Mm.
0:35:03 > 0:35:04These are quite nice.
0:35:04 > 0:35:08I really dug deep for these, and they are quite good quality.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10A pair of field glasses. They're probably First World War.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13I bought them together with the bowls, OK?
0:35:13 > 0:35:16- Yeah, a tenner.- I paid £25.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18Did you? Let me just stop you.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22This looks absolutely wonderful, wonderful!
0:35:22 > 0:35:25This is looking like the crown jewels.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28Do you know what? Out of these two, these are the crown jewels.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30I'm being serious.
0:35:30 > 0:35:31For once in your life,
0:35:31 > 0:35:36your articles are exceeded in quality by your trousers.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38And that is saying something.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41Now, now, no need to get personal.
0:35:41 > 0:35:45Well, our pair are frank enough to each other's faces,
0:35:45 > 0:35:48but what do they say behind closed doors, eh?
0:35:48 > 0:35:52Charles, I can tell from the table, had a very hard time of it,
0:35:52 > 0:35:55but he saved himself with this.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59Charlie, goodness me, you bought a basic slap-up plate for £45?
0:35:59 > 0:36:04Overly priced. You bought an amusing noggin with a label.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08Being a gambling man, I would go for Hanson. Who is he? That's me.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11Well, well, the gloves are off.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13This promises to be a heavyweight showdown.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17Today, our princely pair have wandered over 200 miles
0:36:17 > 0:36:20through the dreaming byways of England
0:36:20 > 0:36:24from Cannock in Staffordshire to end up at their auction in Stroud,
0:36:24 > 0:36:25Gloucestershire.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30Stroud is a terribly well appointed Cotswolds town
0:36:30 > 0:36:31with a proud tradition
0:36:31 > 0:36:35of textile manufacture stretching back through the centuries.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38Let's hope Charles and Charlie
0:36:38 > 0:36:40have cut their cloth to fit today's sale room.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44They are heading for Stroud Auction Rooms,
0:36:44 > 0:36:47which holds monthly antiques and specialists sales.
0:36:49 > 0:36:53You know, they are hungry for antiques, Charlie, hungry.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55Shame we didn't buy any.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57Cheeky.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59No manners.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02With his gavel poised, is today's auctioneer, James Taylor.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04But before he takes to the floor,
0:37:04 > 0:37:07what does he make of our chaps' buys?
0:37:07 > 0:37:09Some interesting items have been put forward.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12We particularly like the whisky noggin, they always sell well.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15There are a couple of items that do seem like they are a bit
0:37:15 > 0:37:18of a desperate buy. The Imari charger isn't great.
0:37:18 > 0:37:19The screen is really nice,
0:37:19 > 0:37:22but the damage that has been done to it is really going to hold it back.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24They are restorable, but people like them
0:37:24 > 0:37:26when they are perfect and original.
0:37:26 > 0:37:31Charlie Ross started today with £211.78.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34He spent up to the hilt on four lots.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39Charles Hanson, meanwhile, started today with £164.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42He spent £150 of that and also has four lots to show for it.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49Gentleman, take your seats.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51Let this showdown begin.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56First up, we have Charlie's lovely little glass whisky noggin.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59Will the punters be tempted to take a nip?
0:37:59 > 0:38:03Lot of commission interest means I'm straight in at £130,
0:38:03 > 0:38:04looking for 140.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07At £130 with me now. Looking for 140.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09140. 150. Still with me. Is there 160?
0:38:09 > 0:38:14- At £150 on commission now. - Thank you, Stroud!- At £150.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16I am selling to the book now at 150...
0:38:17 > 0:38:18I'm thrilled!
0:38:18 > 0:38:22What a start! Chin-chin, old chap.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24Another for Charlie Ross now.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27It's his war medals going under the hammer.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29Bids straight in with me at £38.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32- Brilliant.- They are geniuses here!
0:38:32 > 0:38:35With me, 50. I'm out at 50. Now is there five?
0:38:35 > 0:38:38At £50, they are off the book, in the room, looking for five.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41- These auctioneers are geniuses. - In the room now at 50...
0:38:41 > 0:38:45Well, Charlie has won that battle, but will he win the war?
0:38:47 > 0:38:49Well battled.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52Now, Charles Hanson's colliery company stamp,
0:38:52 > 0:38:54acquired from some local legal eagles.
0:38:55 > 0:38:59A fair amount of commission interest means I'm straight in at £50.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01At £50, the bid is with me, now looking for five.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04- 55. 60, still with me. Is there five?- Slowed down.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07- At £60, it is still with me now. - It could still go higher. Oh, God.
0:39:07 > 0:39:08At £70, still on commission now,
0:39:08 > 0:39:11looking for five. At £70, it is on the book now, looking for five.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14- 75.- Oh, stop, no higher, please.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16At £75, it's off the book, in the room. Looking for 80.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19At £75, I'm selling to the room now at 75...
0:39:19 > 0:39:25I have to say, if I was the lawyer, I'd be hot on your heels.
0:39:25 > 0:39:27But he bought it fair and square, Charlie.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30That ruling is in Charles's favour.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34And with that, the young pretender steals the lead.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37Next up is Charlie's Imari charger.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39It wasn't the auctioneer's favourite,
0:39:39 > 0:39:42but might it find favour with the crowd?
0:39:42 > 0:39:44And the bid is straight in the me at £50 now. Is there five?
0:39:44 > 0:39:47- Well done!- At £50. The bid's on commission now. Looking for five.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49At £50, selling now, maiden bid on the book.
0:39:49 > 0:39:5155. 60 is with me. And five, sir?
0:39:51 > 0:39:5365 takes me out. In the room now, it's at 70.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56At £65, it is off the book and in the room, looking for 70.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00At £65, I'm selling to the room now at 65...
0:40:00 > 0:40:05- Well done.- It doesn't quite charge away, but a success nevertheless.
0:40:05 > 0:40:09But not quite enough to catch up with Charles.
0:40:09 > 0:40:14The gnomish inkwell is up next. Can it magic up a profit?
0:40:14 > 0:40:17- And the bid is straight in with me at £55.- Got it!
0:40:17 > 0:40:21At £55 it's on commission now, looking for 60. At 55. 60.
0:40:21 > 0:40:22Five, still with me. Is there 70?
0:40:22 > 0:40:25At £65, it is still with me now, looking for 70.
0:40:25 > 0:40:2870 and five. Still with me. Is there 80? At £75.
0:40:28 > 0:40:29That's good, Charlie.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32At £75, selling on the book at 75...
0:40:32 > 0:40:37- 80 takes me out on the internet. - £80! Oh, yes! Good man.
0:40:37 > 0:40:38There, there, Charlie.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41At £80, I'm selling it away to the net now at 80.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44- Premier place to come for a sale. - Marvellous result.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46Oh, you are a good sport, Charlie.
0:40:46 > 0:40:50And an almost supernatural result on the inkwell.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54The young buck solidifies his lead.
0:40:54 > 0:40:55Bids from everywhere.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59Next, Charlie's naughty Nixon campaign cigarettes.
0:40:59 > 0:41:03There it is, bid straight in with me at £30.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05At £30 on commission now, looking for two.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08At £30. It's on the book now, looking for two. 32. 35 is me.
0:41:08 > 0:41:1238, sir? At £35, it is still on commission, now looking for eight.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15At £35. I'm selling on the book now for 35...
0:41:15 > 0:41:19A fabulous profit. No whitewash needed here.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23But Charles still has the upper hand with two lots to go.
0:41:23 > 0:41:28The job lot of field glasses and bowls next.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31- And I have commission straight in at £40.- Get out of here!
0:41:31 > 0:41:35- It's on commission now, looking for two.- Come on!
0:41:35 > 0:41:39- At £40, I'm selling it away. On the book at 40...- Sensational!
0:41:39 > 0:41:43- That's good.- That is a sensational result. I take my hat off to you.
0:41:43 > 0:41:48Charles was all over flat when he bought them, but the lot has flown.
0:41:48 > 0:41:53And lastly, Charles's great hope, the decoupage screen.
0:41:53 > 0:41:54There it is.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57And I have commission interest straight in at £65.
0:41:57 > 0:42:01- Come on!- At £65, the bid is with me now, looking for 70.
0:42:01 > 0:42:05- 70. 75 is me. 80. I'm out at 80. In the room now.- Come on, one more.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07At £80, it's in the room now, looking for five.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10- At £80, off the book and in the room now, looking for five.- Told you.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13At £80, I'm selling to the room now at 80...
0:42:13 > 0:42:15It is a topsy-turvy day.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19The screen they both rated highly barely scrapes by,
0:42:19 > 0:42:22but Charles is in such fine fettle that it scarcely matters.
0:42:22 > 0:42:24I'm happy, Charlie.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27- Come on, old man, let's go.- Bye.
0:42:27 > 0:42:31- Are you coming?- No.- Put your hand up then. Give me your hand.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34Ready? Three, two, one.
0:42:34 > 0:42:38Charles stole the show with some striking profits, even though
0:42:38 > 0:42:40he didn't expect them.
0:42:40 > 0:42:44Charlie Ross started this leg with £211.78.
0:42:44 > 0:42:48After auction costs, he made a profit of £34.22,
0:42:48 > 0:42:51giving him £246 to carry forward.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54Well done, old bean.
0:42:54 > 0:42:55But Charles Hanson, meanwhile,
0:42:55 > 0:42:59started wit h a diminished £164.
0:42:59 > 0:43:03He won this leg, though, with a handsome profit of £75.50,
0:43:03 > 0:43:09meaning that he is now nipping at Charlie's heels with £239.50
0:43:09 > 0:43:10to carry forwards.
0:43:10 > 0:43:12Smashing.
0:43:14 > 0:43:18Oh, dear! Sounds like we've got a shotgun on board.
0:43:18 > 0:43:20MOTOR REVS
0:43:20 > 0:43:22- Goodbye, Stroud.- Goodbye, Stroud.
0:43:22 > 0:43:24And hello next leg.
0:43:28 > 0:43:31On the next Antiques Road Trip, Charles and Charlie do some
0:43:31 > 0:43:35fancy footwork to bag items that are going for a song.
0:43:35 > 0:43:41# Onward, Christian soldiers! #
0:43:43 > 0:43:46Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd