Episode 11 Antiques Road Trip

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

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

Going, going...gone.

-Yes!

-I think I've arrived!

The aim - to make the biggest profit at auction, but it is no mean feat.

Yes!

-There will be worthy winners and valiant losers.

-Tails.

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

Agh, agh!

This is the Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah!

CAR HORN BEEPS

Today sees the start of a new journey with two Road Trip veterans.

Auctioneer Paul Laidlaw has a passion for militaria...

an eye for detail...

..and is always keen to pass on his specialist knowledge.

What more can the antiques expert tell you about it? Not a lot, really!

Trying to beat him at auction is antique dealer David Harper.

He enjoys taking a risk...

all things oriental...

and isn't afraid of a bit of hard graft.

-Look at that.

-I've never seen a man work like this!

-Have you not?

Never seen me work like this!

Ha-ha, well, with £200 each in their wallets,

the best of the British springtime, and this 1968 Triumph Herald,

our experts are in for the trip of a lifetime.

I'll tell you what, Paul, it's very good to be back in a classic.

-You like it?

-Oh, and the sun shining.

-You are lapping this up, aren't you?

-It's wonderful!

-I'm back in the zone, says David Harper!

-I'm back in the zone, I am!

What fun!

On this route, our boys set off from Windermere

in the English Lake District and cover almost 600 miles.

They will cross the border into Scotland,

ending the week in the city of Dundee.

On this leg, they will start at the Cumbrian town of Windermere and

weave their way towards the auction in East Boldon in Tyne and Wear.

-Kendal, my adopted home.

-Yeah.

-And where are we going to end up?

-I have no idea.

-Where are we going to end up?

-God's own country.

-We're going to Scotland.

-But what a journey for us!

-Aye, my grandmother was Scottish...

-Very good.

-..a proper Scot.

-So there's Scottish blood running in these veins.

-Freedom!

-Rargh!

-THEY LAUGH

Oh, Lordy!

Windermere was named after the railway station

built in the mid-19th century

and had, before then, been known as Birthwaite.

Our experts' first stop is tucked away in a little courtyard

-and run by Jean and Barry.

-Hi, I'm David.

-Barry.

Barry, nice to meet you. Where do you want to go?

-You want me to go that way? What do you want me to do?

-Go to hell!

Oh, no, oh, no! Oh, charming!

What a great start. Do you hear that? Mm.

The gloves are off now, Harper!

Now, now, fellas, don't fall out so early in the trip.

So what have we got, then, you two? Come on, dealer to dealer,

what have we got in here that stands you at no money?

-I've come up with two little pieces for you.

-OK.

Might be good. You never know. It's probably saved me hours.

Jean and Barry have got some hidden gems,

including this 19th century Staffordshire character pepper pot.

Ticket price, £95.

He's a big, portly fellow. He's a happy, well-fed chap.

I would love to have a go at him, I would, because I think he's rare.

But in auction, I think it might be,

because of the damage, £20-£30.

-If you'd take £20 for him...

-I couldn't do it, David. No.

-I couldn't do it.

-Barry's not having that.

Some objects do get you, you know. There's just something.

They just grab you. And he grabs me because he's just got that...

-quirky appeal, hasn't he?

-Yeah.

I'd have a go at 20 quid. It would be my first purchase.

-We can't do 20. Will you do 30?

-I tell you what, I'll spin a coin.

Oh, crikey. Really?

-25, 35. Are you going to do that?

-Go on, then.

25 if I win, 35 if you win. You ready?

-Good luck, everyone.

-I'll win this.

Tails.

And Harper wins with heads.

Thank you very much, you two. My first purchase.

-Can I have my 10p back?

-THEY LAUGH

And with the flip of a coin, he's bought his first item for £25.

With David now done with shopping,

can Barry and Jean tempt Paul with a little treasure?

-That's a Stanhope, isn't it? The wee...

-No, it isn't.

-Is it not?

-No.

-How much is that?

-That can be...a fiver.

I'd like to spend more. But I'm not talking you up!

Come on, Paul, give us the lowdown on your tiny find.

-Yeah, I've got to come clean. It's a Stanhope.

-It isn't!

-It is.

-It's not!

It is. And I wouldn't want to do the dirty on you and walk outside and go,

"Do you know...?"

What a decent chap. And so full of knowledge.

Stanhope, named after the man, in the 19th century, developed...

If I say "microfilm", it's painting a picture.

It is photography greatly diminished in scale.

And you look down them, and there are two little views.

So you get two Stanhopes for the price of one there.

Ooh, I think he spies great profits with these little binoculars.

-Have we got a deal at a fiver then, yeah?

-I can't go back on it, can I?

You're a gentleman, Barry. Wish me luck. Pray to God I'm right!

You're going to get some luck with that!

One of the smallest things we've seen on the Road Trip.

Next, I'll buy a wardrobe.

He's certainly eyed up a bargain with this one.

I still can't see it.

Paul is heading towards the next stop of the trip -

the historic market town of Kendal.

Since the Roman settlers began dealing with the local tribes over

2,000 years ago, trading has been an important part of Kendal's history.

Today, it is still famed for its variety of shops,

and Paul's heading for one with a past.

Housed in a listed 17th century manor house, owners Robert and Andy

have packed it full of eclectic and tempting antiques.

I did say before I was looking for somewhere to rummage.

I think I've arrived!

The trick is to turn this treasure trove into your own pot of gold.

The context is bric-a-brac. That's car-boot sale on a table, is it not?

Oh, cheeky!

And in amongst it is rather a rich thing.

So, period -

second half of the 19th century.

Medium gilt brass.

With applied enamelled porcelain plaque there.

It is a rich piece of Victorian, very decorative, metalwork.

He's taken with this gilt brass chalice-like vessel,

but it's not the only item he's got his eye on.

African...carved wooden stool.

My children could have told you that. What more can the...

the antiques expert tell you about it?

Not a lot, really!

At least he's honest.

That has a pleasing...patina.

It's got wear and tear.

It's unlikely to have been brought about over here.

Because over here,

it sits in the corner with a plant on it, does it not?

Um, any port in a storm.

In this case, it could be an African port.

We'll give that a try later on, shall we?

A man on a mission with two items in his sights and no sign of surrender.

That is an officer's service dress. That's the correct terminology.

Royal Army Medical Corps captain.

Why am I looking at it? Well, it's a strong market. Military, hot.

It's all there. It has its belt and it also has its trousers.

With a passion for militaria, Paul's gunning for glory.

Here's another one.

In this instance... That was Royal Army Medical Corps.

This one has collar badges of the Royal West Kent Regiment.

And, of course, collectors chase relics of particular regiments.

OK, another one I can ask about.

This place certainly has him all lit up.

-And he has also found a Chinese carved table lamp.

-Chinese.

Carved hardwood.

I love it. I must admit, I absolutely love these things.

Bags of character there.

And you put yourself a nice silk shade or a pagoda form shade on that,

what's not to love?

What about the £185 price tag, Paul? It's worth a shot.

A few wee bits and bobs. The likes of the officer's service dress there.

-We're looking for £87 for that.

-OK. That's unlucky, but c'est la vie.

-You've got a Victorian cup.

-We've been looking for £150 for that.

-I know, I know, I know.

-So where would you want to be?

Oh, I'll say my limit and not play any games. At 50, I take a punt.

We'll let you have a deal at 50 and see how you go with that.

Laidlaw's gaining ground with a third off the Victorian brass.

There's a wee African stool sitting on the floor in front of you.

That's unusual. Anything ethnic these days,

-again, we're looking about £45 for that.

-Yeah.

It was going to be my parting shot, just because you've asked,

a tenner, to be honest with you.

Have a go with that, just for interest, to see what it'll bring...

Take a punt at those two, then.

It's another great deal at £10 for the stool.

And now for his final strike.

-Strike while the iron's hot. Long shot. Two more things.

-Yes.

There was the two service dress tunics.

I didn't even ask you about it -

the Chinese carved hardwood for your lamp...

-Yes.

-..at the top of the stairs.

-It's got a massive price tag on it.

-You're welcome to bid us on that.

Yeah, so no pressure at all.

-I want to pay 70 quid, the lot.

-Two tunics...

-And the Chinese lamp.

-..at £70...

-70 quid, plus stool at 10, brass at 50.

-No problem.

-Pleasure, Andrew.

-You're welcome.

-Good man.

Well, I never! That's a saving of almost £600.

Parting with over half his cash, Paul's making off with four items.

Thank you.

Meanwhile, David is en route to West Burton

in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Where he has been met by a slower pace of rural life.

SHEEP BLEAT

Hurry along, girls!

David has still got £175,

heading to his appointment at Old Smithy Antiques with owner Elaine.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-Hi there, gosh, this is gorgeous. Lovely to meet you.

-What a gorgeous place.

-It is, it's lovely, isn't it?

-And a lovely heat source.

-Yeah, it is.

-It's lovely on a cold day like today, isn't it?

-Absolutely.

And I've been... Feel my hands.

-Oh, they are cold! Oh, my word!

-Bitter. But a warm heart.

A very warm heart.

Crikey!

And with only one purchase so far, you had better warm up fast, David.

I think it's Japanese, but...

It's a silver cigarette case, but the inside is quite something.

The silver cigarette case has a ticket price of £85 and an engraved

picture of the volcano, Mount Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan.

That's copper laid on top of silver. It's got a good weight.

-Put it aside for now, is that OK?

-I will, yes. I'll leave it there.

-Right, I'll dive in here again.

Will the cigarette case erupt into profits at the auction?

Or perhaps this little 19th century glass dish will?

I know it's masonic,

but I think that has quite a bit of an age to it.

I'm pleased you pointed that out to me, because anything

with any sort of masonic emblem is sought-after, isn't it?

And they can do quite well.

I mean, that's a good chunk of hand-blown glass.

I think it's some kind of... It's a paperweight of some sort.

-Yeah, but... Yeah.

-For anything. Pins...

-You never know with the Masons, do you?

-You don't know.

-Let's shake your hand.

-Oh, gosh!

-Oh, you're one of those, aren't you?

Er, well, er, no!

No, women aren't allowed, of course. I'm sorry, I'm sorry!

Ticket price is £18,

but maybe another handshake could bring that down, David?

Can it be a tenner?

-Yeah, I think it could.

-OK, let me have that for a tenner, Elaine.

Thank you very much. That's the first one. Thank you.

Now let's go to the Japanese cigarette box.

It's nicely engraved, but you have got some silver polish,

-so if I buy it, can I buff it up?

-I would think so.

-All right.

How much can it be? Go on. Give me the double-best death price.

-65 is the death on that, I'm sorry.

-Oh, no! I'll have it for 50.

If you say yes, I'll take a chance on it.

I could do it at 60, maybe, at a push.

-I can't, I can't.

-No, 55 is the very death. The very death.

65, really, but I would do it at 55 and that's as far as I can go.

-OK, I can see it in your eyes, I'll have it. Thank you very much.

-OK, thank you very much.

He's not finished yet, you know!

They are depicting typical Chinese scenes.

We've got people here, we've got landscape, outcrops of rock,

and we've got some age to them. But they're probably tourist pieces.

No price, which probably means they're free... Elaine?

I don't know how much those are. How much do think they should be?

-Shall I tell you?

-Go on, then.

-I think they should be, for the pair, a few pounds.

-A few pounds.

-Well, I was thinking more like a tenner apiece.

-Oh, gosh!

-But I suppose I could do the pair for 15.

-A fiver for the pair.

-Can you squeeze up to

-£8? Oh, go on, only cos you're gorgeous!

Oh, go on, then! Thank you.

So, with these 19th or 20th century early Chinese stone carvings,

-he's walking off with three items.

-Very good.

Meanwhile, Paul is braving the British spring weather

en route to Hawes in North Yorkshire.

Sitting to the east of the Penines, this picture postcard market town makes it

particularly popular with visitors.

And one big draw is Paul's next stop, the proud home of Wensleydale cheese.

This crumbly cheese has a rich heritage, going back to the 12th century.

it is now enjoyed globally, including by animation stars Wallace and Gromit.

Although there are other producers of Wensleydale in the UK, this is where it all started,

And as such, houses a museum charting its cheesy past.

Today, it is still made only using milk from local farms,

and has been the recipient of almost 400 awards in the last decade alone.

So, pucker up, Paul, for a real taste of Yorkshire history,

courtesy of managing director David.

This is not what I expected. I know whe are in a museum setting,

I expected farmhouse sort of environment and I see

Norman arches.

Where are in, yes, because the story of Wensleydale cheese really started

with those first monks who came over from France,

after WIlliam the Conqueror had taken over the country.

So they arrived in the 11th and 12 century and they were

the people who really brought cheese making to these parts.

It wasn't until 1897 when cheese was made commerically in the area,

when local merchant Edward Chapman sought to standardise quality.

But it was the now legendary local business man Kit Calvert MBE

captured here on the left, who rescued the business from closure in the 1930s

and started the creamery as we know it today in 1953.

We've got a fantastic document here, which is the souvenir of the opening of the new creamery,

but there is just a fantastic paragraph there, it just really sums the picture up.

"This new creamery is only what our industry deserves,

"and if treated with much care and respect as it was by our predecessors,

"it will pay its trustees worthy compensations."

-A heritage!

-That's brilliant.

-It runs through, doesn't it?

The current custodians of this heritage and taste

continue to invent new cheeses,

including the Kit Calvert Wensleydale,

which is hand crafted to an old, traditional recipe.

Wensleydale cheese changed during the Second World War when the Ministry of Food

really encouraged cheese makers to have cheese ready and available, faster.

Therefore the moisture went up, and that's where the characteristic white crumbly

style of Wensleydale, still very milky, still very appealing,

came to the fore.

And probably these older recopies of Wensleydale cheese got forgotten a little bit.

But it is just as a way of commemorating Kit Calvert, we were encouraged by customers

who said, "Can you make us an old style Wensleydale?"

Which is what we did.

So if you just break a little bit off the end of there.

-Just a little bit?

-Have a generous bit.

It's worth it.

-You'll see how smooth and creamy...

-Tangy.

-Tangy.

-From the nose

to the palette, man alive, David!

You're my new best friend, you know that?

-So you really enjoyed it?

-Love it!

-Wonderful, thanks very much.

-Pleasure.

And back in the Triumph with David,

they head to their final shopping destination.

Nine miles east in the down of Middleham.

This is my territory, Mr Laidlaw. This is... Am I on your patch?

-You're on my patch.

-THEY LAUGH

The town's castle was the childhood home of Richard III and still

rises over its inhabitants today.

As it was left to go to rack and ruin by the Tudors,

the stone was used to build many of the local houses.

PAUL CHUCKLES Is that handbrake on?

Er, yeah, I think so!

If it isn't, it's going down the hill with you.

-And I think, Paul...

-Good luck, yeah?

-..you are that direction.

-If you can find five things.

-It's all downhill for you from now on.

-See you later.

-See you.

-What a carry on!

He's got £65 to spend in Middleham Antiques where he is meeting Road Trip regular, Angela.

Hi, Ange!

-Paul, pleased to meet you.

-Yes, I know.

-One of me favourite presenters.

-I'm loving you!

-You talk a lot of sense.

And you're one of my favourite antique dealers!

Because you're talking a lot of sense. I'll do my "thang".

-Just shout when you want me.

-Thanks, Angela.

-Yeah.

They're like old friends already.

Oi, oi, oi, oi, oi, that's good.

He's getting warmer in this room.

-Angela...

-Yes?

One of the daftest things for me to pick up is an old stoneware...

I'm not going to call it a flagon, but a jar.

-SRD.

-Mm-hmm.

The best story I've heard yet - Services Ration Department.

You know what these stored? Rum.

But the SRD makes it appealing to me because it's a military thing.

-It's got 22 quid on it! Oh, yeah.

-I think we can do something on that.

I need you to knock £20 off that.

-I could let it go for 5, not 2.

-Sell us that for a fiver?

-Uh huh.

-I'm not going to be silly about it.

-Old stock, everything is movable.

-It is not set in stone.

-I am loving your work!

I have got one good military lot that just got better

by virtue of a rum jar.

He's excited.

But has David been having as much luck with his shopping endeavours

with the help of Richard?

-I did walk by the window just now and I saw that.

-The Chinese pot?

-I mean, it's new, isn't it?

-That's right, it is 20th century.

I've got it in for 695,

which I think is about an average price for that.

-OK, I think you're probably right. It's a big lump, isn't it?

-Yes.

I bought it to put the wife in, but she wouldn't fit.

Hey, I hope your wife's not watching, Richard.

There's going to be pillow talk.

It seems like you might have Chinese on your mind.

Oh, I've always got Chinese on my mind, that's for sure!

-I have this, this one here.

-Is it a teapot?

Yes, it's an interesting piece, isn't it?

-It's pretty modern, isn't it?

-Mm.

He's tempted by the cockerel-shaped teapot,

but at £75, he's not counting his chickens just yet.

-Hmm, can the jade teapot be... Are you ready for a bid?

-Go on.

-..40 quid?

-No, I couldn't do it for that.

-I wouldn't cover my costs on it, David.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah.

-OK.

-If you offer me 50, I'll take it.

-There we go.

-You know where we've got to go with this, Robert.

You know where we have to go.

-45...

-Good man!

Thank you very much. Chinese jade teapot.

With that final purchase, David spent £143

of his original £200 and is offering up five lots, consisting of

a Staffordshire pepperpot,

a silver Japanese cigarette case, a 19th century masonic glass dish,

a Chinese teapot and a pair of Chinese stone carvings.

Paul began with £200 and spend £143 on five lots,

a Stanhope viewer, modelled as miniature binoculars,

an African wooden stool,

two Second World War tunics

and a First World War rum jar,

a Chinese hardwood lamp and a Victorian gothic chalice.

But, what do our experts think of each other's items?

Some shrewd purchases. I know why he bought every single piece.

And he's only made one mistake, that being the Staffordshire pepperette.

It's a loser. But everything else, I think, has got some potential.

It's a good offering, good portfolio, as I said. Like it.

I think it'll be a close call.

I don't think any of us are going to be embarrassed by the things that we bought, and it is anyone's game.

And bizarrely, we've both spent about the same amount of money, too.

So, very interesting.

Will their purchases pay off?

Time to find out as they head to auction in East Boldon.

-So, the auction, Paul Laidlaw, the auction.

-This is it. D-day.

The first one. And I'm feeling remarkably, stupidly, confident.

No-one else will build you up other than yourself, so you might

as well get yourself on a pedestal and chop yourself off at the base.

-Why don't we build one another up?

-Shall we do that?

-I've always said you were amazing.

-Paul, you know what? I think I love you.

-Oh, Lordy.

The Boldons are a group of three villages

surrounded by green belt land with a deep connection to mining.

Today's auction is at Boldon Auction Galleries.

-After you, Paul.

-Thank you very much.

-Ladies first.

-PAUL CHUCKLES

And while our experts get their teeth stuck into the competition,

auctioneer Giles Hodges starts the bidding!

First up is David's pepper pot.

Tenner to start me.

-Fiver, off we go.

-Oh, Paul.

-£5 here, at five, at five. Eight, 10,

-£10. You were wrong.

-£10, a bid down there. You're both out.

-Come on, go on!

-15. At £15, a lady's bid at the moment.

-Go on. Go on, lady.

£15 you are bid, all done at 15...

Paul was right about that one.

It's a loss.

Not a bloodbath.

Over to Paul now and his Gothic piece of Victorian gilt bronze.

10, 15, 20, five, 30, five, 40, £40 upstairs. Another fiver?

That's got to be.

45. 45 downstairs. The bid is downstairs. All done at £45.

GAVEL BANGS

Mmm, close, close. A small loss.

£5, to be precise, David.

Even more after commission.

Not a great start, fellas.

David is hoping to carve out better profits

with his two pieces of Chinese stone.

£5 bid downstairs, at five, at five...

Eight, 10, 12, 15...

-At 15...

-Come on. I need that tenner, but I... Go on!

At £15, we're away. At 15...

I'm crawling back, Paul. I'm crawling back with desperation!

You'll be up and walking in no time with that £7.

Now for Paul's Chinese carved table lamp.

I've got two commission bids. I start at £30, I've started.

35, 40, five...

-Anybody else?

-It's cheap.

50, five, 60, five, 70...

It's hotting up.

-At £75, gentleman's bid upstairs to the left...

-I'd buy it at that.

-I still think it's cheap.

-It's still cheap.

-Yeah.

-At 75...

-I'll take it.

-Take it, Paul, take it. I'm giving it to you.

That's kind of him.

And that £25 puts Paul in front.

Is his next lot sitting on yet more profits?

Got two commission bids and 20 starts me straight in.

25, 30, 35, bid is upstairs on the balcony.

At £35, if we're all done...

At £35...

Another £25 helps Paul increase his lead.

-It's a nice earner. Well done.

-It's all right.

-Steady away, that.

Right, David,

let's hope your masonic engraved glass can dish out more cash.

-Somebody bid me £5 for the masonic.

-No...

Gentleman at the forefront at five, 10, 15, 20, five...

25 at the forefront, 30, £30 on the right-hand side.

-£30, ladies and gents.

-Come on!

-Are we all done at 30?

-No, we're not!

He's catching up now, though, with a £20 profit all of his own.

I wanted...and I got 10% back!

Up next is his big risk - the Chinese jade teapot.

Somebody start me at £50. 50 bid, straight in at 50.

55, 60, £60 down to the left.

-At £60, are we all done, ladies and gents?

-Egg them on, egg them on!

-At £60, the first and the last time...

-Egg them on! Egg them on!

Love you though I do, you're on your own.

GAVEL BANGS

Not pouring out much of a profit, but it's good at £15.

I wanted 120, I got half.

Can Paul's miniature lot give him a big return?

Bid at 15 to start me. At £15. 18, anybody else? 18.

20, 22, 25, 28.

All done, ladies and gents? At £28...

You've got your eyes on the prize now.

-That is a good profit.

-From a fiver.

It's better than my blinking jade Chinese pot!

David's last offering - the silver Japanese cigarette case.

Will it be a smokin' lot or not?

20 to start it, 25, 30, five, 40, five, 50, five, 60...

Come on, come on!

-At £65 and all done... At 65...

-Come on! No!

Not exactly a towering mountain of profit, I'm afraid, David.

HE GROANS

And for Paul's last lot, he has combined his Second World War

dress tunics with the First World War rum jar.

Can it seal his victory?

Somebody bid me a fiver, the lot, please. Bid at the back of the hall.

Five, 10, 15, 20, five, 30, five,

40, five, 50, 55, 60, five,

70, five.

Downstairs at 75. Are we all done?

At £75, we are away at £75.

And that profit is bang on £50, which gives victory to Laidlaw.

-A good day out.

-No bloodshed there. Pie and a pint, my man?

Pie and a pint sounds marvellous! You're great, you are, Laidlaw.

David Harper started with £200 and after auction costs,

he made a profit of £8.70.

Ha! Which gives him £208.70 to spend next time.

Paul Laidlaw also started with £200

and has made an impressive profit of £71.56 after costs.

That puts him in the lead with £271.56 to spend on the next leg.

Well done.

-Ready?

-Yes!

Way-hey!

The boys are continuing their journey in Sunderland

in the North East and will make their way to the next auction in the North Yorkshire town

of Northallerton.

David's first shop of this leg is in the area of Roker,

a popular tourist destination since the early 20th century.

-Good luck, man, yeah.

-You have a great day. Good luck, Paul.

-Catch you later.

-I'm in.

-He's raring to go.

-Oh.

-BELL RINGS

Oh!

Traditional bell. I love that, don't you? My gosh.

Giraffes. There's giraffes everywhere.

Someone here really likes giraffes.

It's chock-a-block-a-look.

The shop itself transports you back to another time.

I mean, talk about Empire days,

this goes way back, this building,

I'd imagine, looking at it.

The structure of the shop now, even with candles burning,

you feel like you're in circa 1880 and it's just magnificent.

All credit to the owner,

who must be in here somewhere...

-My God, the giraffes keep coming... Hello.

-Good morning.

-Hello, I'm David.

-Pleased to meet you, I'm David Whitfield.

Hi, David. Two Davids. That makes life much easier for me,

because I'm absolutely horrific with names.

So I won't forget that one.

Well, I do hope not.

David's run this shop for around 25 years

and his kids collected most of the giraffes.

Well, you need a long neck

to get a look at a lot of the stuff in this place!

I don't know musical instruments very well at all,

but I do know that they can do surprisingly well.

What's that there? Is it a trumpet or trombone?

-Are you any good on instruments?

-No.

This is going to be a laugh then, isn't it?

They're not blowing their own trumpets - or tubas in this case.

"Soldier of Pitsea Corps".

Corps. Ah.

So we've got a slight military connection here - and Paul Laidlaw.

And he is the military expert.

What kind of money can that be?

35.

And there's another one.

Starting a band, David?

So, I might have a punt at these.

I think there's a potential profit in them.

-Can I make you a bid?

-Make me a bid.

-I'll make you a bid - 30 quid for the pair.

-I can't do it.

-I wouldn't be making any money.

-OK.

I tell you what I'll do - buy one, get one free.

-45 quid the two.

-DAVID LAUGHS

Deal or no deal?

-I'll spin you 30 or 40.

-Go on, to a gambling man.

Good man, have you got a coin?

Oh, no. On the last leg he won on a coin toss.

Can he do it again?

-Are you ready?

-Yep.

-Happy?

-Yep.

-Go.

Tails.

It's tails.

Apparently not.

40 quid. Thank you very much, David.

But losing hasn't put him off eyeing up more stuff.

Hang on a minute. I'm not leaving just yet, David,

I'm just having a quick look at something.

It's miniature furniture

and it's absolutely charming. So what is it?

Well, it's a miniature chest of drawers.

But this one, I've got to say, is a bit bonkers,

because I can see

that the front four sets of drawers,

three are blank

and one opens.

Oh, my gosh.

-David?

-Yes?

Three blank drawers, one opening with a well.

My son made me laugh the other week, he said,

"Dad, is that an inkwell?" I said, "No." He said, "What is it?"

-A moneybox.

-It's a moneybox, yeah.

So when that goes in, that drops.

-And your money goes into the bottom.

-Let me try that.

I'll put it in, it's there. There it is. Close it.

-Go on.

-HE GASPS

Beautiful. What kind of money can it be?

-I'll do it for a fiver is the best I can do.

-I can't...

You know, I can't chip you on that. Drop-dead gorgeous.

David may be working out ways to save some pennies...

..but Paul's been travelling the few miles to Cleadon to spend his...

Sitting just outside the city,

this village was first recorded in the 12th century.

And Paul's travelled to meet Judith at Cleadon Antiques And Gifts.

May I have a wee look round?

Spend some money, I hope? Excellent.

Paul won the first leg,

but can he whip up a storm at the next auction?

We have a pot lid.

Now, these date to the Victorian era,

and things that could be bought in such pots

were pastes and preserves and spreads,

for consumption.

And pastes and cosmetics

for dressing and grooming.

There are two here.

One is all of £12 and the other is £9,

so £21 for the pair.

I think that's pretty darn fair, if you want them.

Victorian pots to World War I binoculars,

and now he's spied a silver box.

That's a wee charmer, a little silver pocket snuff.

Look at that.

What we see all the time - engine turning.

We see foliate scrollwork.

What we don't see are lovely little Gothic arches and trefoils

there's a touch of the Rococo in there with these sea scrolls.

Ticket price £52. Right, Paul, are you actually going to buy anything?

May I pop a few things on the counter and have a conversation with you?

-Right.

-We might buy everything, we might buy nothing, or something,

but let's just go at it? Do you mind?

I mean, I could give you a good price on this,

because I only paid 20 quid for it, although it's got a dear price on!

-If that would get you a good profit.

-Ooh!

A great tip on a silver-topped claret jug

with a hefty ticket price of £485.

Paul, you could be on to a winner here.

We saw the pot lids.

To start with, he's grabbing the pots AND the binoculars.

Shoplifter!

He's amassing a hoard.

Your whip stand there.

So what are you telling me comes for £75?

Is it the stand and the whips?

No, without the whips. The whips are just loaned off my friend.

I don't know why she has whips!

THEY LAUGH

Can she throw parties?

Oh, naughty!

Cut to the chase. Everything there -

give me the bottom line.

-Be gentle with me.

-I could do these for ten.

And I could do 20 on those.

I could do 30 on that.

Looking good so far.

And John, who owns the whip stand,

has also dropped its price to £40.

So, Paul, one item to go.

Judith only paid £20 for that silver-topped jug,

so there's a great opportunity to capitalise on claret here.

That's the big one that could hurt, but you got that cheap,

so how much profit do you need

to be happy with me walking out the door with it?

Well, if I had a Scottish cuddle,

-you could have it for 50.

-£50?!

The ticket says ten times that price!

I am going to give you a cuddle

and I'm no' going to haggle any further.

That's excellent.

You've been very fair.

That's no' how we cuddle in Scotland.

-That's how we cuddle in Scotland!

-What an incredible deal, eh?

£150 in his first shop,

for the World War I binoculars,

two Victorian pots and lids,

a silver-engraved snuff box,

the massively discounted claret jug

and the riding-whip stand.

And they've only thrown in a military crop for him too.

There's a lot there to get excited about.

Meanwhile, David has made his way 13 miles south to Durham,

to the indoor market.

Housed in a restored Victorian hall,

this place has been trading since 1851.

There are over 50 stalls,

selling everything from fish to footwear.

But our David is only looking for something he can turn into profits

and has come straight to Mike,

who's been here for 20 years.

-There we are.

-1925.

-Yeah.

-Nice dish.

OK, let's have a look at that, then.

-I hope it's going to be an absolute stonking bargain.

-Well, we'll see.

He's got a smile on his face, I don't like the look of that at all.

So that is absolutely gorgeous.

So we've got stamp, Mappin & Webb, very upmarket,

very good quality.

Known as a tazza, Italian for stemmed cup,

which is often used to describe objects

with a shallow bowl shape.

I love the shape of it, that is almost Grecian, isn't it?

-Really nice, yes.

-Or Roman maybe, in its influence.

Sounds like David's falling for it,

but how much is he willing to pay?

I could make you a bid and I don't think I'm going to buy it.

-Do you want me to make a bid?

-You can, yes, if you like.

OK, I'd have a go at 40 quid. This is not going to be a flyer.

No-one can criticise it for being anything other

than fantastic quality and drop-dead gorgeous,

it's not going to make 200 quid, is it?

50 might buy it. Seeing it's you.

It's got to be 40.

I know I'm being hard, I know I am.

45.

-There might be a trickle of profit.

-You'll make a profit on that.

-Do you think I will?

-You will.

-There's a trickle there.

He doesn't seem bowled over with this purchase,

but he's now got three items under his belt.

Together again briefly, the boys

are driving across Durham towards a taste of the Orient.

Oh, gosh, that was a quick arrival!

That was braking, that.

Well, see you later, darling. See you in Darlington later.

-What are we turning into? This is really worrying.

-Enjoy, brother!

See you, have a good day.

It's onward for Paul, but as an Oriental enthusiast, David

is in for the treat of the trip at Durham University's Oriental Museum.

And one of the greatest collections of Chinese

antiques in the country is watched over by curator Craig Barclay.

-David Harper. Nice to meet you, Craig.

-Welcome to the Oriental Museum.

Honestly, I can't begin to tell you what it's like for me to be here.

This is just... This is a snapshot of heaven.

This slice of heaven owes its existence to British politician

and diplomat Malcolm MacDonald.

The son of former Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald,

Malcolm was himself a member of the Cabinet before taking up imperial

posts, and later was appointed Chancellor of Durham University.

Passionate about education and antiques, Malcolm started

donating his extensive collection to the university in the 1950s.

And David has been given permission to handle the first item

he acquired, a ceramic Ming Dynasty lion dog.

I suppose the reason I like it is because it represents the beginning of a collector's journey.

It is not an expensive object at all.

They made these in the thousands of them, millions over many years.

-But it is still gorgeous.

-It's still gorgeous, yes.

Mmm, almost want to kiss it. Is that really wrong?

-I'm afraid that would be a step too far.

-It probably would be.

I won't do that! But let me just have one last stroke.

Malcolm's legacy lies not only in this impressive collection,

but also in his central role in the decolonisation

of the British Empire and the shaping of the Commonwealth.

But he was no ordinary diplomat.

He made a very, very good friend.

And the friend that he made was a man in Sarawak by the name of Temenggong Koh.

And Temenggong Koh was a collector. He collected two things.

He collected Chinese porcelain,

but also, as the chief of the Iban tribe, he collected heads.

His close relationship with Koh led to an unconventional gift

that now forms part of the museum's collection.

-This is Temenggong Koh's actual sword.

-This is the head-taker?

-This is the head-taker.

-Oh, gosh.

Now a historic museum piece,

these two enthusiasts are taking a closer look.

We have got the human hair, then we've got the bone handle, profusely carved.

I have a feeling that that is a piece of furniture.

This is recycling, here.

And then just before the blade, the little protector here,

that to me is...

It's a coin.

I will confess that I had always looked at it as simply

being a copper alloy ring, but as you say, if you look at it really

closely, you can see there are letters on that copper alloy ring.

And, yeah, you're absolutely right, it's a coin.

That's brilliant. It couldn't get any better, could it?

-It's made my day.

-It's made my day. My gosh!

-Thank you for that.

Thank you, marvellous!

Another giant leap in knowledge, and all thanks to our David.

Meanwhile, back in the Triumph, Paul is making his way to Coxhoe in County Durham.

With a history that goes back as far as the Bronze Age, the

present village grew up with mining in the 18th and 19th centuries.

So, can Paul dig deep and find yet another gem in Nursery Antiques?

Hello there!

-Ah, morning, Paul.

-Hi, I'm Paul.

-Pleased to meet you.

-Good to see you. You are?

-Len.

-Len, what a pleasure.

-Thank you.

-May I have a wee wander round?

-You certainly can.

If you want any help, just give me a shout.

With six items to his name already, the pressure's off,

unless something else can tempt him.

If it's not expensive, and I suspect it's not going to be,

sitting down there, that wee tea set doesn't have a price on it.

Right. I mean, I could do that for, what, £12.

I'm glad you're in the right ballpark.

He's interested in this 19th century doll's tea set.

A wee bit more than... To be honest with you, it's no' money.

-Can I just bid you...

-Yeah, sure.

-..parting shot...

a fiver?

Um, eight and it's yours.

That's a deal then.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-Sweet.

It may be for dolls, but he is not playing around,

and has added the tea set to his bulging bundle of antiques.

And back on the road,

Paul is only too well aware of his shopping excess.

-Maniac!

-You are a maniac, all right.

Can you do me a favour and just come with me and punch me

-when I pick things up?

-Oh, would you mind?

I've been dreaming about that for the last couple of days!

Oh, you silly boys! At least they're still laughing.

They are now heading to Darlington.

With the historic market town at its centre, Darlington is

famed for being the terminus of the world's first passenger railway.

-There you go, welcome to sunny Darlington.

-Sunny indeed.

It's absolutely fabulous.

-Paul, good luck. All the best.

-All the best! I'll see you soon, yeah?

-I'll see you later.

-Last shop of the day.

-OK, cheerio.

Paul's final chance to buy is Blackwell Antiques & Curios.

-Hello.

-Paul.

-How are you doing?

-How are we doing?

-Gordon, pleased to meet you.

-Pleased to meet you.

-A fellow Scotsman.

-May I have a wee look around...

-Please do.

-..and see if we can...?

I will leave you to your devices and we will be over here.

Meanwhile, David's last shop is in what was a house for rail workers.

-Tony.

-Hello, young David.

-Well...

It is now owned by Tony, who started his career in the railways

before becoming an artist and moving into antiques.

I'm looking for general sale stuff, but something a bit sort of quirky.

Here we go, that's a bit quirky.

That's... I mean, that's absolutely superb.

That is a cigarette box made out of Bakelite.

It's bang on Art Deco, circa 1930.

It could just be...

-It could be made into a jewellery box, but it's got the look.

-Yeah.

It's also got a ticket price of £30.

I'd love to pay £10 for it.

TONY LAUGHS

-What happened then?

-How many Gs in jugular?!

-Yeah, that one sure packed a punch.

-I tell you what we'll do.

Do it for £15. Go on.

You don't fancy having a bit of a gamble, do you?

-David, I've lost ten in a row!

-You haven't? You've lost ten spins?

-I've lost ten in a row.

-Let's have another go.

Huh! Any excuse to flip a coin, eh, David?

-You can call. Call.

-Heads.

Tony, has your bad luck broken?

-Tony, it hasn't.

-Eh?!

-It's tails.

Turn it round. Oh, Tony. Oh!

# Don't cry for me Argentina... #

I didn't know you had it in you, Harper!

-OK, let me give you some money for that.

-Right.

-And then I'll continue looking, cos you never know.

-OK, David. Yes.

All right, leave that there, that's mine.

David's got one item and counting, but Paul is struggling.

With the profitable claret jug on his side,

not even militaria can tempt him to part with more cash.

I'm afraid it's going to be a flying visit, my friend.

That's all right, that's all right.

Although you should know,

I have bought more things than sense would dictate already!

Laidlaw is out of the game,

but David's warming up with these brass sovereign scales.

Right, this little object was absolutely vital to anybody

that dealt in gold but also that used gold to purchase,

because, there's your half sovereign and your full sovereign.

They have to weigh a certain weight. A real necessity.

Ticket price is £38. Now, Harper, go easy!

-Some investor will love those.

-They would.

-Especially if I paid a tenner and they paid 20.

-No.

-No.

-That would be a winner.

-No, no.

-No?

-No.

-No.

-No.

-No.

-They are just not easy to find.

After carefully weighing it up, the scales go back in the cabinet.

-I can half them for you and we can say £19...

-Can't do it.

-Honestly, I can't.

-This is the real world, unfortunately.

Oh, I don't like the real world!

Like it or not, David, your tenner's going nowhere.

How about if we go 12 on the scales?

-What do you reckon?

-That was the... That's...

You shouldn't be eating butter!

HE LAUGHS

What do we reckon?

-13.

-Done.

-Right, go on.

-Thank you very much.

-At last.

The scales have tipped for David and he's walking away with two items.

David spent £113 and is offering up five lots, comprising...

a mahogany money box,

two tubas,

a silver tatsa, an art deco cigarette box,

and a set of brass sovereign scales.

Paul is also presenting five lots,

but at a total cost of £158

for a silver snuff box, two Victorian transfer printed pots,

combined with the tea set,

First World War British Army binoculars,

a silver and glass claret jug

and an oak whip stand and riding crop.

But what do our experts have to say for themselves?

First auction, I thought I'd got it. I really did. I thought my pieces were better.

But, you know, you've got to believe in your own stuff.

And I've got to tell you, I think,

take out the claret jug of Paul's, destroy that, I'd get him.

Introduce the claret jug, I think if it is going to go Paul's way,

he's got to kill me with claret.

At the risk of jinxing the whole affair...

um, I should win that auction.

The claret jug should do 250 to 350.

There you go, I said it!

Yes, you did! Onwards to auction, fellas, where all will be revealed.

Paul, I have got a prediction for today.

I predict that I am going to be beaten up...by a claret jug.

The new Cluedo - Professor Laidlaw,

with a claret jug, in the auction room.

THEY LAUGH

They are heading to the North Yorkshire town of Northallerton.

Granted a market town status by Royal Charter over 800 years

ago, trading is still an important part of life in Northallerton.

And our experts will be trying their luck in today's general

sale at Northallerton Auctions, held in the cattle market.

Looks rather nice. I hope we don't leave with a couple of cows, Paul.

Look at those pens!

While the boys get in amongst the pens, auctioneer Timothy -

great name - Pennington talks shop.

We're starting with David's musical piece of plumbing.

-Ten bid, at £10 bid...

-Ohh, paid 40.

-15, 20...

Taking big bid increments.

-30, 30 bid, five...

-Come on, you're getting there.

-Try eight, madam.

-Go on!

-At £35, bid at 35...

-No, no!

-38, is it?

-Going to sell at 35...

-No, no!

GAVEL BANGS

It has hit a bum note with a £5 loss.

Why didn't you bid on those?

Yeah, what's your problem?!

That's no way to behave! Maybe Paul can whip him into shape.

At £10, bid at ten, for the good crop stand.

-15, 20, 20 against you...

-No, it's not going to make 20 quid.

-It can't make 20 quid.

-25, 30... 30 bid out at the top now.

-Come on, bid.

-OK...

-I'll give you a couple of quid.

Oh, sorry, Paul, I just missed that, mate! Sorry about that(!)

Ha! The friendship's going to pot, as is their cash, with another loss.

Good job you didn't bid on that one anyway. Well done.

That was a good decision.

Paul's militaria did him proud at the last auction.

Can he do it again?

Ten bid. Little money at ten bid.

-12, 15, 18, 20...

-Here we go.

-22.

-Oh!

-22, try another one.

22, 22 bid and selling at 22...

GAVEL BANGS

It's bombed, as all but 4p of that profit

will be eaten up by auction house costs.

At least you've made a bit of profit on paper.

You're the first one today to make a profit on paper!

Can David's next piece help balance the books?

-Five bid...

-Oh, here we go.

-Eight, ten, ten against you.

-..Bid there.

-Come on. Any more?

-At ten bid, 12...

-No, go on!

All finished then at £12...

No more gold sovereigns for you, I'm afraid, David.

I wouldn't say there's a feverish atmosphere in the salesroom.

For the next lot, Paul has combined his Victorian pots

and lids with his doll's tea set.

£10 straight in. Ten bid.

At £10 bid, at ten bid...

12, 14, 16...

All out in the ring now.

18, 20, 20 bid. At 20 bid up top now.

At 20 bid, at 20 bid and selling at £20...

GAVEL BANGS

It's a £2 profit, but after costs, he'll have made a loss.

-Did you buy that?

-Yes!

-But it wasn't mine!

-It was his. You can send them back, you know.

-It was nice.

-Behave, Harper! Your Bakelite box is up next.

-Five bid.

-At £5 bid...

-Go on, go on.

-All out, take seven.

Seven, nine, 11, 13, 15, 18...

-18 with me, at £18...

-Go on, go on, go on!

-20, 20 against you. 21, is it, madam?

-Go on!

20 bid and selling at 20...

Cor, things are looking up! He's just doubled his money.

That's 100%. There's nothing wrong with a 100% margin.

Can his money box help pile up pennies?

Five bid, at £5 bid, at five, ten, 15...

-Well done, good taste.

-..20, five, 30...

-All out in the ring now, at 30 I am bid. At 30 I am bid...

-Is that you?

Are you all done and finished then at £30?

Harper's pulling ahead in this auction, thanks to his new friend.

-It's a bargain.

-I've got two of yours.

-A beautiful thing.

Well done. You've got good taste.

Fibber.

Perhaps Paul can pull it back by flashing his silverware.

40 bid. At 40 bid. Five.

-Ooh.

-And 50. Five. And 60.

-Five. And 70.

-Oh, they like their silver.

-They like their silver.

-Two. And five. 75 with me.

-They like their silver.

-At £75 only bid.

At 75 bid, and selling at 75.

A sterling £45 profit puts Paul back in front.

Seriously, well done.

-Thank you.

-Well done.

-Well, you've got silver up next, haven't you?

Can David's silver offering follow suit?

-At 20 only bid. All out in the ring now.

-It's a nice little thing, that.

-Five. 30. 35. 35 with me.

-Come on!

-At 35. At 35. 40.

-No, go on!

-40 bid. I'll take two.

-At 40 only bid. At £40.

-No!

-40 bid against you. 42.

45. 45.

-It should be 90 quid!

-48.

48, I'm bid. At 48 bid. I'm going to sell, then, at 48.

Unfortunately, David is yet again beaten by costs.

Oh!

Why didn't you bid on that one? That was a lovely...

PAUL LAUGHS

Have they saved the best for last?

It's the highly anticipated silver claret jug that Paul picked up

for a pittance.

-He's got nothing on the books.

-£100 straight in. 100 bid.

-Mm.

-£100 bid. 110.

It's already double what he paid.

-140.

-Yeah.

-150, 160.

All out in the ring, now. At 160 I'm bid. At 160 only bid.

-I'll take five - where? 165. At 165 all out in the ring now.

-So cheap.

At 165 are you all done and finished, then, at 165?

Paul, congratulations. And I sincerely mean it.

PAUL LAUGHS

Argh! Argh! Argh! Argh!

Hand-crushing Harper knew it would wipe him out,

and it has, giving victory to Laidlaw once again.

David Harper started this leg with £208.70.

During this trip to auction, he made a profit of £5.90.

HE LAUGHS

Giving him £214.60 to carry forward.

Paul Laidlaw started with £271.56, and has racked up impressive

profits of £97.84 after auction costs,

giving him a very healthy £369.40 to flaunt on the next leg.

Well done.

So is it legal for me to swear at this point, or not?

You can swear but you can't touch the face. You can't hit me.

I can hit you there!

THEY LAUGH

Well done.

-Are you ready?

-As ever!

-Come on, then.

CAR REVS

-Look at that.

-PAUL LAUGHS