Episode 15 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'm loving that bird.

-The aim?

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

-Yes!

-There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

-Don't I look handsome?

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

I'm going now.

This is the Antiques Road Trip!

# Yeah! #

We're back on the road for the fourth leg of our road trip

with dapper chaps and antiques experts

Thomas Plant and Charlie Ross.

After running his own auction house for 20 years,

Charlie's expertise lies in antique furniture and vintage cars,

not to mention an uncanny ability to charm everyone in his way.

-HE MIMICS TOMMY COPPER

-I'm looking for some bargains!

Thomas is also an auctioneer of considerable experience,

with a particular penchant for jewellery, silver and...hats.

I'll do the rest of the shop dressed as an American soldier.

Our pair of charming chappies began the road trip with £200 each.

-Three auctions later...a chasm is opening up between them.

-CHARLIE SOBS

-Do you remember how much you've got now?

-Oh, it's so boring, the whole money thing, isn't it?

Oh, how lovely to hear that.

-Do you want to give it to me, then?

-Yes, of course. CHARLIE LAUGHS

I'm very uncomfortable winning, to be honest with you.

How my heart bleeds!

Thomas is leading the field by quite a margin.

He starts this leg with a whopping £485.84.

Charlie, meanwhile, is somewhat of a straggler,

kicking off this leg with a rather limp £170.56.

But right now the sun is shining

and they have the joys of their 1971 Triumph Spitfire to nip about in.

This week's road trip is taking us

over 400 miles from Watchet in Somerset

up to Shropshire via North Wales

before looping back down to finish at an auction showdown

in Bedford, Bedfordshire.

Today, we're starting our journey in Church Stretton, Shropshire.

Then we'll skip back and forth over the English/Welsh border

before returning to Shropshire for an auction in Minsterley.

First stop is the charming small rural town of Church Stretton.

-There we are.

-Thank you, my man.

-Oh.

-You wait in the car.

No, no, no, no! What's wrong?

-Didn't you like my driving?

-I was absolutely...terrified.

Not as scared as dealer Terry's probably feeling right now.

-Look out.

-Hello there.

-Hello there.

-Charlie is the name.

-I'm Terry.

-Hello. Thomas. Terry, yeah?

-Yeah.

-Pleased to meet you.

-May we have a look round?

-Yeah, carry on.

ALL LAUGH

This antiques market is enormous,

with three floors housing the wares of up to 60 dealers.

Surely there'll be something here to tempt the chaps.

Eagle-eyed Thomas has already spotted something he likes.

So this is a spelter figure... in the Art Deco style...

..of a dancer.

It has had a little bit of damage or cracking just here.

Spelter...which has been bronzed to make it look like bronze.

Such nice movement to her.

Spelter is an alloy including zinc

which was popular in the Art Deco period

as it was much cheaper to make than bronze.

The ticket price is £75. Best have a chat with Terry, eh?

-She's a nice figure.

-She is.

-She has been restored here though.

-Yeah.

-What...?

-What can I do?

-Yeah. I mean, I've got a figure in mind...

-because of the restoration.

-Yeah. I'll go and give 'em a ring.

The figure is owned by a dealer who's not in today.

-He doesn't look that hopeful.

-All right then. OK.

-What's the best?

-63.

-63?

-Yeah.

-Why the three?

-Cos that's what he wants.

TERRY LAUGHS

Not 60?

Erm...

I can do it for 60 for you, but I can't go any more.

-Yeah, I'll buy it for 60.

-OK.

-Thank you very much.

-Well done.

-One, two...

-Well, that's one purchase down for Thomas.

How's our Roscoe getting on?

Going round one of the biggest antique emporiums for miles around.

-HE SIGHS

-Nothing I'm looking at is doing it for me.

How about an early 20th-century

oak framed screen with cross-stitch tapestry, eh, Charlie?

I...quite like the peacock.

Faded a little bit I should imagine from where it was originally.

But it's priced at £30.

That's not a lot of money, £30.

Erm...one could probably think that it might be buyable for 20.

-I'll find Terry.

-HE HUMS

-Terry.

-How are you?

-Well, I'm having a marvellous time.

Upstairs is a cross-stitch panel.

I got in a right muddle, I was going round and round in circles.

Would it need a phone call to try and tweak it a bit?

-I can do it for 25. She won't go any more.

-She wouldn't?

-No.

-There is no downside at 25 quid, is there?

-No.

-Put it there, guvnor.

Phew! Well done, Charlie. One item all sewn up.

Thomas would like to buy more here, but there's a problem.

# I'm lost just like a dog without a bone... #

Where am I?

Hang on a minute, we're walking round in circles.

Oh, God!

I can't get out!

Meanwhile, Charlie's on a roll.

-He's found something else to perk him up.

-Cafe au lait. Hm.

A little very Art Deco looking, almost Christopher Dresser design.

-Yeah.

-Hot milk in one, coffee in the other and away you go.

-I think they're very nice.

-Together they're priced at £40.

-I can do 'em for 30 quid for the pair, but that's as much as...

-Can you?

-Yeah.

Could you do me a gesture like...28?

I mean, that sounds really pathetic

and you can show me the door if you like,

-but it's just psychologically...

-28?

-Yeah.

-Right.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah.

-Fab. Thank you very much indeed.

-OK.

Two quid could be the difference at the end of the day,

-you never know in life.

-You never know.

Yes, every penny counts, especially when your opponent

is displaying an intimidating amount of intellectual prowess.

I have a very short concentration span,

it lasts for about a minute and...

Aye up, what's this?

I think...a pair of tribal carved spears.

They're not spears, they're...paddles.

You're right, they're African ceremonial paddles.

Like that.

£45 the pair.

I think I'd have them for 30.

-There he is!

-Lordy!

They're tripping over each other in this shop.

It can be another person.

-There we are.

-Very convincing.

Is he there? Is he hiding?

-I've seen him round the corner, you see.

-No, he's not hiding from you.

-Well, he might be.

-Because I saw him as I picked these up.

-Yeah.

-You trying to hide 'em?

-Yes. THEY LAUGH

-Do you think they'll take 30 for them?

-No.

-Oh, really?

-Yeah.

-Why not?

Cos they only come in two days ago.

-You wouldn't phone, Terry, just to ask?

-I'll try.

-Do you mind?

-No, I'll try.

-Do you mind?

They might do 'em a bit more, but not a lot.

They're good though, aren't they? They're good big things.

Yes, but will the dealer come down on the price?

-35.

-Oh, really?

-Yes.

-Your lucky day.

-Lucky day?

-Yes.

I think I've got to have 'em for 35.

-I think they're cheaper at that, yeah.

-Yeah.

-Definitely.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

Both boys have managed to buy two items each in their first shop,

-but whilst they've been busy, the rain's arrived.

-Oh, no, look!

The car's got wet! We are going to get wet bottoms!

-Hood up!

-Hood up.

Our chaps are heading 31 miles west

just over the border into Wales to the town of Welshpool

where Thomas is dropping Charlie off for a spot more shopping.

Ohh! FE! Look!

Look at that! Fred Anderson!

Posh shop!

There's only one thing I'm going to need in this shop.

HE SIGHS

This is a Roscoe sort of shop!

Thomas and his money meanwhile are heading north

and back into England, to the town of Oswestry.

Bizarrely, he's coming here to learn more about a very Welsh institution.

MALE VOICE CHOIR SINGS

Ah, food for the soul!

Thomas's destination is the Welsh Guards Museum

and standing by to meet him is Stan Evans,

a veteran Welsh Guard himself.

-Thomas.

-Hello. Stan is it?

-Stan it is, yes. I'm the curator.

The Welsh Guards were formed not only to protect the Queen,

standing guard at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace,

but also as an infantry regiment to go into the First World War.

They are the youngest of the guards regiments,

only coming into being in 1915,

and straightaway they had to design a uniform

with a badge to identify themselves.

Back into the battle of Agincourt,

the Welshmen, who had no uniforms whatsoever

were told that on the side of the battle there was a field of leeks.

"Wear a leek upon your chest and kill those that don't."

So it really is the oldest badge of uniform.

This is the uniform they would have worn,

the buttons would have been Welsh Guards buttons.

And here we see the leek in the situation it would have been in.

The Welsh Guards soon distinguished themselves,

earning 21 battle honours, shown on the colour,

and two Victoria Crosses, one from each World War.

During both World Wars and since

in all British conflicts including Iraq and Afghanistan,

the Welsh Guards have sustained many casualties,

but are well-known for their bravery and loyalty to their regiment.

Back in the UK they are most famous

for standing the guard at the royal palaces

wearing the iconic ceremonial uniform.

And it looks like they may have a new recruit!

-The red jacket.

-Oh, Thomas, you never miss a chance to dress up, do you?

Face round to me.

Oh, lordy!

Does he look the part? Don't move, Thomas.

While his opponent stands guard, Charlie's back in Welshpool

feasting his eyes on the goods of shop owner Ian.

-Oh, goodness me! This room could have been designed for me, couldn't it?

-Well, I hope it could be.

Oh, dear, looks a bit out of your budget though, Charlie.

-Those are quite interesting.

-The water buffalo?

-Yes.

-Aren't they lovely.

They're all right, but they're a bit out of the bracket.

-You're not going to sell those to me for 100 quid?

-No, I can't afford to.

-And they are a true pair, aren't they?

-They're a true pair.

The sort of thing that's, you know, saleable nowadays.

-Yes.

-I like those.

-Yeah.

-I'm going to do an exact sum in a minutes.

Canny Charlie's fallen for a pair of wooden Chinese water buffalo carved in the early 20th century,

but the ticket price on them is way over what he can afford, at £245.

-I've only got about 110 quid.

-You've got about 110 quid to spare.

-I can't buy those, can I?

-I'm...I'm thinking a little bit now.

I did buy with them a very nice mahogany tripod table for 200,

which I got 500 for.

There appears to be a glimmer of hope, and now Charlie spots something else.

He has had a leg off. Are you aware?

Oh, golly! Do you think I'll be lumbered with them now if I don't sell them to you?

-What did you say was your offer?

-110.

-110.

-Chancer!

£110... I will sell them to you.

-And I will wish you the very best of luck with them.

-Are you sure?

-I will wish you the very best of luck with them.

-You, sir, are a gentleman and a scholar!

-Ooh, you want money?

-I want my money.

-90. 100. And ten.

-And ten.

-Thank you very much.

-I've still got a fiver.

-Yeah, and I tell you what I'm going to do.

-What are you going to do?

I need those to be lucky for you to win.

-Yeah.

-That's for you and that's for luck towards the auction.

-CHARLIE LAUGHS

-Charlie, you are a very lucky man indeed.

By Ian giving you back that £10,

you got the water buffalo for a snip at £100.

Ridiculous!

Back together, our chaps have motored back into Wales

and heading for town of Wrexham.

Impoverished Charlie is dropping tycoon Thomas off at his next shop, hoping he'll spend big.

-Got all your money in your pocket?

-Yeah, and it's bulging. CHARLIE LAUGHS

-And buy something nice.

-Bye-bye.

Bryn-Y-Grog Emporium houses the wares of over 50 dealers

and one of them standing by to help Thomas.

-Good morning.

-Thomas?

-That's right.

-Hello, Thomas.

-It's Brian?

-Brian.

-I hope you find something to buy, I'm sure you will.

-I think I will.

I'm sure I will. It looks massive!

What I'm looking at here is an onyx cigarette set.

I'm not really interested in the lighter, but there's just marvellous colours to it.

I think this is spelter, but it's quite well painted, actually.

It's got a bit of age to it.

It's the kind of thing which you buy for a tenner and it's going to make £25.

Yeah, it's not a bad looking thing. There's so much stuff!

So, that's a contender. Now, what's this with a ticket price of £38?

-It's a deed box.

-This deed box dates from the early 20th century

and would've been used to hold important documents

such as house deeds or bonds and other available items.

It would have been double-locked with two keys

and kept in a strong room in the bank or solicitors.

-38 quid. That's no money, it's quite good.

-Safe/deed box?

-Yeah, the deed box.

-Time to see if Brian can do a deal.

Do you know if they've got the keys?

-Er...no. Sorry, as is.

-As is?

-Yeah.

I quite like that. It's quite fun.

So, it's got £38 on it, how about £28?

5? 25?

-Yes, why not.

-We'll have that for sure.

-OK.

-At 25 that's great.

-We'll definitely have that. That's brilliant.

-A good deal indeed!

Now, what about that green onyx ashtray?

-I think that is delightful! Have a look at it.

-It's nice.

-Yeah, that's good. The pheasant's very good, isn't it?

-The pheasant's brilliant, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Yeah. So we'll say £8 for that.

-Oh, perfect. Perfect. That's great.

-25 and eight so that's...

-£33.

-£33. Yeah.

Last of the big spenders, eh?

Our chaps have reconvened in the Spitfire and are now

journeying to Ruthin in Denbighshire where a shop awaits Charlie.

In the 15th century, a rebellion against King Henry IV

left the town ravaged and burnt to the ground,

but luckily for our experts, it rose from the ashes.

-Are you going to take this car on?

-Yes, I am.

-While I spend the rest of my money.

-You've done so well.

-I'll leave it ticking over for you, sir.

-Leave it ticking.

I've got profit to make.

HE GROANS

While Thomas heads off, Charlie has a surprise in store.

Someone he knows from the antiques trade.

-Hello!

-It's you! How are you, Andy?

-Very well. Long time no see.

I didn't know you were here.

-Is this your establishment?

-It certainly is, yes.

We've finally come in off the road.

-Every time I see you, you're at a fair.

-That's right.

-I think I've spent money with you over the years.

-Once or twice.

-But not a lot!

-HE LAUGHS

-I've got a confession to make.

-You're skint?

This is what I've got left.

-HE GROANS

-£17.56.

I've got something that might interest you that's just come in.

-Unusual.

-You know I like a bit of unusual.

I wonder what it could be.

Before we find out, let's see where Thomas has got to.

He's heading through the beautiful Welsh countryside to his last shop

in Denbigh, handily called Denbighshire Antiques.

-Hello. Thomas.

-Nice to meet you.

-What's your name?

-Paul.

-You've got a lot here, haven't you?

-Yeah.

-I plan to spend a bit of money with you, if that's all right.

-Hope so.

Come on, Planter, get buying.

I've seen something I quite like.

This is a terracotta garden urn.

Obviously, it comes in bits. This lifts off, like that.

And that goes down like that. That's the base.

This is where the plant would go.

It should have been one of a pair, but look at these lovely petals here.

Probably 1920s.

What a thing for somebody's garden.

I don't know if it'll sell well, but it's got a chance.

Right time of year, I have to say. Right. Let's go and find Paul.

It has £110 on the ticket but let's face it, our Thomas can afford it.

I'm not a great expert in garden statuary.

-Is it something which you'd be prepared to do a deal on?

-Yeah.

-But not a million miles from where it is, to be honest.

-Oh, really?

-I see this at a figure.

-At?

-£70.

-I couldn't sell that at 70.

-What could you sell at?

-90 would be the money.

-Come on. What about 75?

Reluctantly, I'll take 80.

75. Cos you know I want to try and make a profit.

-I think you'll be making more of a profit than what I did.

-Oh, come on!

-You said this came to you well.

-It did.

-But I still feel you'd make more of a profit than what I did.

-Well...

75, and you've got a deal? You're a star. You're an absolute star.

I can't believe it!

Mr Cautious has finally splashed his cash. Well done!

Now, if you recall,

Andy was about to pick out something unusual for our Charlie.

-Have you still got your eyes closed?

-Yeah.

-There we are.

Open your eyes. Very, very unusual.

Isn't that wonderful?

It's a needle case.

-I would think round about... BOTH: 1920s.

-Spot on!

Looks like Thomas Plant. He has a hat, you know.

The needle case is made of celluloid, an early form of plastic,

that was often used instead of ivory because it was cheaper.

This could be yours...

-Could it?

-..for a £10 note.

And you'd still have a fiver to spend.

-I'd still have £7.56 to spend.

-As much as that?

-Oh, Lord! Today is my lucky day!

-HE LAUGHS

-I shall have it, sir.

-Deal is set.

Never has shopping been made so easy. It's marvellous.

That went well, didn't it?

Can Andy help Charlie find anything for his remaining pennies?

-Where's your bargain basement bit? Do you have one?

-Not really.

-These things look quite cheap in here. £5 here and £6 there.

-Yes.

There's a pin cushion in the form of what looks like a pheasant, there.

There we go. A little pewter pin cushion.

Could we do this for seven quid?

I think you probably could cos it's priced up at four!

No, it's not, never!

That's the one with the broken leg.

The one without a broken leg hasn't got any price at all.

It's priceless, sir. I've got £7.56.

You've spent your money, sir.

That was the easiest shopping I've ever done in my life.

That's a tenner for that, sir.

-And all I have in the world for this, sir.

-£7...

-56p.

-Jill, we'll be having egg and chips for tea tonight.

Yes, yes. And I won't be.

Roscoe's all spent out.

So, let's remind ourselves what the boys have bought.

Charlie started this leg with £170.56

and spent every penny on five auction lots.

An oak frame, cross-stitch tapestry,

a pair of Chinese carved water buffalo,

a Victorian pewter pin-cushion,

a 1920s celluloid needle case,

and an Art Deco silver cafe au lait set. Oh, yes.

Thomas kicked off with £485.84

and spent £203 also on five auction lots.

A deed box, a large Edwardian urn,

a pair of ceremonial paddles, an Art Deco spelter figure,

and an onyx ashtray with pheasant decoration.

But let's see what they think of each other's wares.

I must say, this time, I'd rather have my lots than Thomas's.

There's a pair of water buffalo on Charlie's table

which are magnificent.

Very jealous. These could be the ones which he beats me with.

His figure after he thinks Lorenzl, Priest, whoever,

is nice, but that broken foot, I think, is relevant.

I can't stand that clown. I can't stand it.

I'd like to think I'm going to claw back 100 or so, and then

we'll be 2-2 going to the last one and that'll be quite exciting.

Thomas and Charlie kicked off this leg in Church Stretton, Shropshire,

then meandered back and forth over the English-Welsh border.

Now, they're returning to Shropshire

for an evening auction in Minsterley.

-Look at that, Roscoe!

-Oh, I feel like a condemned man already.

Oh, shut up! We've got the water buffalo, haven't we? Honestly!

Come on, get in!

The auction venue ce soir is Hendersons, a busy

and fast-growing family-run business owned by auctioneer Phil Griffiths.

Now, where have those cheeky chappies got to?

Ay 'up!

I say, they look almost presentable.

What a good idea this was of yours!

Well, it's an evening auction, isn't it?

Are you modelling yourself on James Bond? You look dapper like Sean Connery.

"The name's Bond. Charlie Bond."

More like Basildon Bond!

Yeah, no time to waste.

The auction's about to begin,

and first up it's Charlie's cross-stitch panel.

What shall we say, £50-60? Start with 30. 30? 20. 20's bid.

-We've got 20, that's quite good for me.

-26? 28, 30 now.

-Oh!

All done at £30.

It's a well-needed profit for Charlie, albeit a small one.

How can I be excited? It's washed its face.

Thomas's deed box is up next.

What shall we say for it? 50 or 60?

-30, then. 30 is bid, 32, 35.

-Look at the lady in the front row.

Thomas, you're a genius! Look!

-50. At £50.

-She must be a Swallow.

-Thomas, I'm learning from a master.

-No further interest.

Are we all done with it at £50? Selling at 50, then.

An excellent profit for Thomas.

The boy can do no wrong.

-I actually am a bit in shock.

-It's phenomenal.

Don't be down-hearted, Charlie. It's the first of the two pheasants.

Now your pin-cushion.

-Starting with 10, 10 is bid. £10 bid. At 12, 14.

-Taking off!

£14 in the front row, at £14. Are we all done with this lot?

Selling, then, at 14.

Mr Auctioneer, you are the business!

An excellent profit, Charlie.

Seldom can a man have been so excited by £14.

It's Thomas's pheasant now. Will it fly as well?

Start me, 30? 30? 20, 20's bid.

-22. 25.

-I don't want to be greedy.

Those pheasants have done well, haven't they?

Another profit for Thomas.

Anyone for coffee?

-Start with £10, then.

-Ooh, 10!

10 is bid.

At £10 on the front row.

12, 14.

Come on, madam. Give the lady a nudge. Madam, cafe au lait!

-18, keep going, madam.

-Roscoe will give you a big kiss.

Go on, Roscoe will give you a kiss, there we are.

On the front row and selling at 22, all done.

Charlie's first loss,

especially after the auction house takes its commission.

Congratulations, madam, and thank you. From the bottom of my heart.

Now, will Thomas's paddles take him up the creek?

Starting with 30, 20, then. 20 is bid, 22, 25, 28.

At £30 in the doorway.

At £30, is there any further interest...?

-First loss of the day.

-£30. Are we all done at 30?

-That's your first loss of the day.

-It is, isn't it?

Yes, it is, but you're still winning by a country mile, Thomas.

My heart bleeds for you.

-It doesn't at all!

-It does, Thomas.

-Go away.

Charlie loved it, Thomas hated it.

What will the bidders think of the wee little needle case?

Start me at £10. 10 is bid, 12, 14, 16.

There's a man bidding round the corner going like the clappers!

-25.

-Look at that, Roscoe. 25.

30 now. 32. 34, 36.

-Thomas!

-Roscoe!

-You hated this, Thomas!

You're going to win, you're going to thrash me!

44.

46. At £46.

There is a God!

48. 50.

-I hate it!

-At £50, then.

-Is that all?

-I can't believe...!

A stonking profit for Charlie. There is hope yet.

-Put it there.

-It's renewed my faith in my, er...

I can't stand it! I can't stand it!

Thomas's garden urn is up next.

What will we say for this? I think perhaps £100 to start it.

50 to go, 50 is bid.

5, 60, 5, 70, 5, 80.

Getting better.

-90. At £90, 5.

-Oh, it's going well now.

-95.

-It's a good profit.

-Are we all done?

Sold, 95.

A tidy profit for Thomas.

-A working profit.

-Can't complain.

-No, better than not buying it.

Now it's Charlie's big hope.

He needs his water buffalo to make a large profit

to stand any chance of catching up with Thomas.

50 to go. 50 is bid.

5, 60, 5, 70, 5.

At £75. I've 80 now, 5.

At £85, 90, 5. 110.

110, 120.

At 130.

At 130, 140.

Getting there, getting there. We need a lot more than 140.

-Selling at 140.

-Oh, Roscoe, profit!

Oh, dear. It's a profit, but nowhere near what Charlie was hoping for.

I'm well chuffed.

I wanted £250 for those, Thomas.

Charlie's only chance is for Thomas to make a devastating loss

on the last lot of the day, his Art Deco figure.

-3,600.

-Start me at £100.

50 to go, 40 is bid. I have 45, 50. At £50 now.

The dealer, I know, is bidding for this.

70 now, 5. £80, 85 now, on the front row. 90 is bid.

That's 30 quid less 10, 15...

100, and 10.

Now you're going, now you're going.

-130.

-Good effort.

-130.

-Yes!

-Oh, God, Thomas! Thomas!

-That's a good profit.

Very sporting of you, Charlie. A resounding profit for Thomas.

-Well done, old bean.

-Well done.

Congratulations. We both made profits.

I think that's not bad, I think you've done jolly well.

I'm getting better. Another 15 legs, I'll have you.

So, Charlie started this leg with £170.56

and has made a profit of £39.36 after auction costs.

That leaves him with £209.92 to carry forward.

Thomas began this leg with £485.84 and made a slightly larger profit

of £67.60, meaning he beat Charlie yet again.

Our planter has £553.44 to spend on the last leg.

Phew!

-The night is yet young!

-Oh, stop talking in that way!

On this last leg, our chaps are kicking off in Walsall in the West Midlands

popping into Staffordshire and Leicestershire

before travelling south to their final auction in Bedford.

Our couple of antique-hunting cowboys have ridden into town

hoping to round up some quality antiques.

-First stop for Thomas is the Curio Shop.

-Hello, I'm Thomas.

Hi, Thomas. I'm Spencer. Pleased to meet you.

-Thank you for letting us in.

-You're welcome.

-It's lovely and tight in here, isn't it?

-It is!

Lordy, there's stuff everywhere. Get rummaging, Thomas.

Wow.

But before long Thomas spots a muffin dish.

From Winchcombe...

..in Somerset.

There's a terracotta body

and then the glaze and this glaze is a Nash glaze

and he's just done a graffiti design around there.

I like that. I'm going to buy that.

I like the £8.95 price bracket,

but we'll have to wait and see what else we find.

And he's not stopping there. How about another bit of pottery?

See, this is a blank.

A Staffordshire blank, 19th century.

Before the age of television, et cetera,

some happy amateur has painted this as a still life.

Crying shame that it's got a great big hairline crack running all the way through it.

But what a super thing.

And there is a mere £24 on the ticket.

Have you forgotten you're rolling in it, Thomas?

You do have £553.44 lining your pockets, remember?

Meanwhile, the opposition is on the road travelling nine miles

north-east to the cathedral city of Lichfield.

Charlie is hotfooting it to a road trip old haunt,

the Lichfield Antiques Centre.

-There's a reception committee to greet him.

-Lovely day!

-Nice to see you again.

-Me too.

-Come on, get a move on, Roscoe.

-How are you all?

Somewhere...

I've got to find the lot of my dreams.

Could this be just the ticket?

There's a Chinese mirror,

but it's a quite unusual form.

It's got...

a bank of drawers at the bottom.

It's then got a typical,

what looks like a triptych mirror on the top.

But it's £185.

The poor man needs help. Any ideas, Madeleine?

-This one.

-Right!

George IV solid silver sauce ladle, "Glasgae",

you've got the full hallmark there.

Pretty thing, isn't it?

It's got nine pounds on... Oh, no, sorry £90!

I thought it was 9,000.

You thought it was 9,000, good line.

Good line.

It's a nice thing. Who does it belong to?

One of our traders.

-It's quality.

-It is quality.

Mark's the owner of this cabinet.

Perhaps Charlie can do a deal.

If you buy a package, two or three items,

I'm sure we can do something for you, Charlie.

I'm all for a package.

Is this your cabinet here?

A nice Tiffany buckle there.

Go on, let's have a look.

It's a nice piece.

It's a great buckle, isn't it? A great buckle.

American Express Company,

Wells Butterfield and Company

-and I think Wells was the Wells Fargo.

-Wells Fargo.

Yeah, but the great thing about it is it's made by Tiffany,

one of the great, great,

Art Nouveau movement makers,

most famously known for their glass,

their wonderful glass lamps.

I must say they don't quite fit together, really,

a Scottish silver ladle and an American Express buckle,

but it might give me a buying base, mightn't it?

We have delivery, Charlie, so...

You know, I've got a wife and three kids.

-Have you really?

-No.

THEY LAUGH

-No wife and no kids?

-No.

-How do you do it?

-I don't know.

That's remarkable.

Now he's got a rapport going, Charlie's decided to chance his arm.

I don't suppose that Chinese cabinet is likely to be ridiculously cheap?

I could possibly do a deal on that.

I mean, it's priced at £185.

I'd have to buy it for 65 quid I think.

65.

Um...80?

I'd pay £70 cash for it

and run and pray.

I'll take £70 to help you.

Oh, to help me.

It might beat Thomas, you never know.

Look at that, one purchase down and he's all excited.

Mark!

I'd like to buy the two of them for £70.

Charlie, I can't.

85 and that's it.

Make it 80 and I'll give you the other fiver.

-Oh, you can't do that, that's cheating.

-Go on, then.

-80 quid?

Yeah, yeah.

-Look at you, you're smiling all the way to the bank.

-I've been done.

-You haven't been down.

-I have.

This was priced at 35 quid until you saw me coming through the door.

Is that right?

-So I owe you 150 quid.

-It sounds like it, yes.

140, 150, how's that?

Thank you, Charlie.

Back at the Curio Shop, Thomas has just put aside the muffin dish

and the painted plaque

and now he has something else in his sights.

There's a corkscrew in this front cabinet, please.

Also, there's a corkscrew in there, please.

Thank you. This one has got a rosewood handle.

Obviously wine is quite popular.

Lovely, lovely twist on that.

They are certainly something else to think about

and now for another possible corker.

These are cork pictures from the 1900s made in China.

You've got these pagodas and the Prunus trees.

They've aged.

The landscape has been carved out of cork

which is then layered to create a 3-D effect.

A bit more rifling and Thomas unearths another cork picture.

There's some sort of quality to them.

I think they're rather fun, these cork pictures.

The ticket price is £18.95 and the quite fashionable these days.

Time to see if Spencer is amenable to a deal.

-Spencer.

-Yes, yes, Thomas.

-I've done my homework. This is £95 for the whole lot.

-For what?

For the corkscrews, for the muffin dish, for the plaque,

without the pictures.

So we've got to add almost another 40 on top of that.

So that's 135.

That's the ticket price. What are you offering?

-£65.

-Oh, dear.

-I know, I know, I know.

-Oof!

-Where can we go?

-I see this whole deal at being £100.

-Oh, Spencer! That's what I see.

-You're not going to budge?

-Not going to budge.

-In fact, if you don't give me the money, I'll show you the door.

-Yikes!

Spencer's no pushover.

-£80.

-£95.

-Halfway at 90?

-Deal.

-You're a star.

-Am I? Thanks.

-Cheers.

-£90. There you are. A pleasure.

-Thomas, good to meet you.

Good to meet you, as well.

With Thomas streaking ahead in the buying stakes,

Charlie is heading back to Walsall to play catch-up

with his remaining £59.92.

This is where we dropped Thomas earlier.

I wonder if he's still in here.

-Hello!

-Hi.

-Anyone in?

-Yes.

-Hi, I'm Charlie.

-I'm Spencer. Pleased to meet you.

-Lovely to see you. Is there any room for you in this shop?

-No!

-Oh, my goodness me! This is where all the stuff goes that you can't sell?

-Yes.

-What an honest answer!

-THEY LAUGH

Luckily, Spencer has an idea of something that might be visionary.

Good Lord!

-From an optician.

-Yes.

The box of opticians' lenses is Edwardian.

That is either worth three quid or 200 quid,

depending on who wants something like that.

You test people with these. Look at that.

You can't see anything through something like that.

Is it ridiculously cheap? Is it sort of free?

-HE LAUGHS

-What does that mean?

-Yes. No, but is it a 20 quid thing?

-It's 50.

-It's not much each, is it?

-No.

-30 quid?

-HE LAUGHS

Sorry.

-It's got to be 50.

-I'll give you 40 quid cash and run.

You can give me 45 and get out.

-THEY LAUGH

-I don't know why I'm laughing.

I'm going to just take a ridiculously silly gamble

-and give you 45 quid for those lenses.

-OK.

-45.

-It's going to you, sir.

-Thank you.

Back together, our chaps are heading for the beautiful hamlet of Shenton in Leicestershire.

Yes. Sadly, the peace of this rural idyll is about to be shattered

as our experts descend

on Whitemore's Antiques and Crafts Centre.

On hand to meet them are dealers Margaret and Dave.

-Margaret, are you coming with me?

-Yes.

Come on, Dave. Take me somewhere. Take me in here. This looks lovely.

And pretty much straightaway, Thomas hears something calling him.

It's an Art Deco speaker in an oak case with a painted black

front to it of Pan playing pipes.

It's a speaker, it's nothing else, but it's quite decorative.

(And there are huge collectors for this stuff.)

It has £75 on the ticket

so that's one to think about but there's plenty more to see here.

Just get browsing, you two.

Roscoe's so relaxed, isn't he?

He's got that real relaxedness about him. It's so wonderful to be around.

A-ha! "Keep calm and relax"!

Fat chance.

-Has something caught his eye at last?

-An old drum...

made by the world-famous Henry Potter & Co, London.

£49, which is not a lot of money for a snare drum.

Beautiful brass workmanship on it. Isn't that fabulous?

Do you think you'd sell a £49 drum for £14.92?

Time to get David.

It's just beautifully, beautifully made and it's a good maker but...

That is Margaret's.

-If you give her a cuddle...

-Yeah.

..you can have the drum for the paltry amount that you've offered us.

-It's all I've got in the world, Margaret.

-You are cheeky!

-I'm sorry.

-But you can say no.

-As you are on your knees...

-Do you want a cuddle?

-If you give me a cuddle.

-Is this my lucky day, Margaret? Melt into my arms!

-Wonderful.

Splendid! It has been reskinned but passport to success.

-So you're very happy?

-I'm over the moon.

-Jolly good.

I'm so pleased I came along today.

The sun is shining...

# And with musket, fife and drum

# Oh no, sweet maid I cannot marry you

# For I have no coat to put on... #

Well, that has cheered him up. How are you feeling, Thomas?

(I'm feeling under pressure

(and I don't like that feeling cos Roscoe is quite a quick buyer.)

No pressure at all, Thomas. You just take your time, mate.

-Margaret.

-Hello again.

-(The speaker.)

-The speaker that you're interested in. Yeah.

-75, is it?

-Yeah, yeah, yeah. What's the best on that?

I actually had a word with the tenant

and he is willing to let you have it for 55.

What would he say if I offered 45?

-I really will have to have another word.

-Do you mind?

(I want to buy it for 45 quid)

because they've got the potential of only making 20.

Thomas, he has actually says he will go with your offer of £45.

-I should have said 35!

-I don't think he would have gone that low!

THEY LAUGH

I think that's lovely. Let me give you some money.

Well done, Thomas, the deal is done. And without a cuddle, too.

Thank you.

With our Charlie entirely spent up,

what better time to go visit an amazing piece of local history?

Thomas is giving him a lift to Bruntingthorpe Airfield.

-What do you think is in there?

-Look at that!

-You're going to have some fun today, you lucky boy.

-I certainly an.

-Look at you!

-You go and spend that 550 quid!

-Off you go.

-Have a lovely time.

-I will.

-You lucky old thing!

-You might never see me again!

-Enjoy yourself!

Charlie is meeting Chris Norris, who has something rather special

-tucked away in his shed.

-Is this your garden shed?

No, not really, but if I can just show you.

Charlie is in for a treat.

He is about to get up close to some of the fastest military jets

ever built - not one but two English Electric Lightning jets.

These magnificent machines have been bought by the

Lightning Preservation Group, of which Chris is a member.

They were built to defend British airspace during the Cold War

with the aim of intercepting aircraft from the USSR

as they approached our airspace.

This is the closest I have been to a Lightning

since I had my Airfix model at home when I was probably about ten.

We actually bought this aircraft in 1988 direct from the RAF

for the princely sum of £11,300.

These Lightnings have been decommissioned now

but still remain a remarkable feat of engineering.

Once these supersonic jets were able to fly over twice the speed

of sound and could climb 50,000 feet per minute

to an altitude of over 16 miles, flying faster than Concorde.

The original design was conceived in 1947.

-That's just two years after the end of the war!

-Absolutely.

They were flying Spitfires and Hurricanes!

It was a quantum leap from that and then you went to the

Lightning in squadron service in 1960,

when it first entered service.

And it was an immense plane for the guys to fly.

This underneath here, that is an enlarged ventral tank,

-which increased the range.

-What was the range?

-They could only stay out for about an hour.

-Is that all?

-I suppose at that speed they can go a fair distance.

-Absolutely.

Here is the engines.

One on top of the other, which is quite unique

but can be a problem, if you get the problem with the top engine,

you then went from a single fire to a double fire

and there was a lot lost, which ended up in the North Sea.

If you get a fuel leak from that one, it explodes this one.

-Absolutely.

-Thank you very much. It's wonderful from the front.

When you pull back the doors,

the view of it is absolutely breathtaking.

-It looks like a wasp coming towards you.

-Absolutely.

Rather a large wasp.

The Lightning was never required to fly in a combat situation

but instead acted as a deterrent to the Russians.

It has got two Red Top missiles on this one.

-That's those things at the front.

-They're air to air.

-Air to air.

I'm Looking at that ladder thinking it needs climbing.

-Am I allowed in?

-I think that can be arranged, Charlie.

# Take my breath away! #

Step aside, Tom Cruise.

# Take my breath away... #

-HE CHUCKLES

-There are a lot of knobs up here.

HE CHUCKLES

Pretty cramped, isn't it?

How on earth does anybody concentrate on all this lot?

-Extraordinary instruments, here.

-You are one of the elite now.

-Yeah.

I'm so thrilled. What is my mission, sir?

I'm absolutely terrified, to be honest, Chris.

-Tell Thomas there'll only be one for tea.

-OK. Nice knowing you!

-Goodbye, sir.

-Goodbye.

As the Cold War was drawing to a close,

these extraordinary planes had had their day.

Lightnings were finally decommissioned in 1988,

a year before the falling of the Berlin Wall,

paving the way for a new generation of super jets.

I'm a very, very privileged guy to be sitting in one of these.

I shall savour this moment for a long time.

And I shall think of the chaps that flew them.

While Charlie disappears over the horizon,

Thomas has more earthly matters to consider.

He's travelled six miles east of the village of Kibworth.

He's come to splash the last of his cash at Kibworth Antiques Centre.

-Hello. I'm Thomas.

-Hello, I'm Sharon.

-Nice to meet you. Is this all yours?

It is. We have about 40 different dealers within the centre.

With £418.44 burning a hole in your pocket,

what's the plan here, Planters?

I've already got five lots so here I'm looking to add

to one of those lots and the best lot is going to be the corkscrews.

We either buy more corkscrews, buy every single corkscrew I see,

to make it into a beefy lot of corkscrews,

or we buy a coaster, buy anything wine related.

So that should be quite fun.

This is a cellarman's corkscrew.

It's just literally your bog-standard for your cellar

and there were loads of these produced.

There's definitely a cellerman's one. It's no money.

That is definitely something which we are going to add to the lot.

We've found this corkscrew.

There's a corkscrew there. So we will leave that there

and see if we can find any more items.

A-ha! He's spotted something.

There are these two studio pottery bits which are quite nice.

Sharon.

Thank you.

And the other.

They are quite fun and colourful, aren't they?

-They're lovely. Really nice.

-They're really sweet.

-They were at £20 each, weren't they?

-They are, yes.

(Do you think I could have them for 20 for the two?)

-(No.)

-No? Why not?

Because I'm not allowed to let you have them for that.

-What could I have them for?

-You could have them for 17 each?

-Really? Yes.

-Not...

-I'm afraid.

-Not 30 for the two?

Do you want me to call the dealer? See what the very best is?

-Do you mind? That would be really helpful.

-For the two?

These could go with my muffin dish to make a lot,

a lot of studio pottery, contemporary pottery.

-What's the news?

-OK. I've spoken to the dealer.

Because you are buying the two, he's happy to do them for 30 for you.

Look at that! Isn't that lovely! What a nice chap.

-I'll have those and the corkscrew.

-Yes.

Not a great deal, I know, so could I...

What could I do for that?

What could I have the whole lot for? What are you going to do?

I would say there is really not a lot to do on the six.

But I would say let's do the two for 34.

Thank you very much. 35. There you are. Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you. That concludes my work.

With both boys shopped out, let's remind ourselves what they bought.

Charlie started this leg with £209.92

and blew every penny on five auction lots.

A Tiffany & Co belt buckle, a military drum,

an Edwardian optician's box, a silver ladle,

and a Chinese table mirror.

Thomas began with the princely sum of £553.44

and spent £169 also on five auction lots.

Three 19th-century corkscrews, a Staffordshire plaque,

an Art Deco speaker, a pair of Chinese cork watercolours

and a collection of pottery.

But are they worried by the other one's buys?

The spectacle things, I mean...

I mean, those were doing really well when he had his saleroom.

HE LAUGHS Poor old Charlie.

Disappointing, Thomas. Disappointing, old boy.

Quite a good plaque with a crack.

I can't stand the belt buckle. I really don't like the belt buckle.

He has done all right but I would rather he had spent £400 or £500.

Thomas and Charlie have had a thoroughly enjoyable final leg,

kicking off at Walsall in the West Midlands before passing

through Staffordshire and Leicestershire.

Now they are en route to their final auction in Bedford, Bedfordshire.

Oh, Roscoe.

-Good luck, old bean.

-Good luck.

-I'm told there are some very fine corkscrews at this sale.

-There are.

Fine and rare. Come on, Roscoe.

Last time I have to get out that car.

Today's battlefield is W&H Peacock,

a thriving auction house that has been in business since 1901.

Presiding over the proceedings today is auctioneer David Fletcher.

First up is Charlie's buckle, made by world famous designers Tiffany's.

Or is it?

It is sold as a Wells Butterfield & Co style buckle.

It is marked Tiffany but is not being sold as Tiffany. £10 for it?

-Why don't you actually shoot me?

-10, I say. 5, I'm bid.

8. 10. 12. 15. 18.

This is better than I could possibly have hoped.

22. 25. 28. 30.

-35, sir?

-See? It is all right!

-At £35. All done?

-Hang on!

-40. Fresh bid, now. At £40.

This is a world record price for a buckle.

-I beg your pardon, sir!

-HE LAUGHS

On my left at £45.

Tiffany's or not, it still made a profit.

Had he not said that, it could have made £450.

I'm not speaking to him again.

Thomas's first lot of the day is next, his three corkscrews.

30, £20.

Bid, thank you, madam.

At £20. At 22, online.

-Online, now you are going.

-22, 25, 28.

-At £30.

-They are taking off now.

In the room. At 30.

All done, latest bid at £30.

A loss for Thomas,

especially after the auction house takes its well-earned commission.

It's a very small consolation to me but today I'm winning.

Today you are winning.

Will your next lot drum up a profit, Charlie?

30.

20.

Oh.

£20 I'm bid, thank heavens.

£20. Latest bid at 20.

22, 25, we are off now, 28, 30.

-35, all done at 35.

-That is enough now.

It is far too much.

Another profit for Roscoe. Things are looking up!

Now it's Thomas's Art Deco speaker.

40, 30, 20... Oh, dear.

-£10, the lady over there, thanks.

-This is wrong, this is wrong.

-Thomas, this is not fair.

-12 online, thank you. At £12. 15, latest bid.

-Come on, come on.

-18 may I say?

It is in the room at 18.

-It's an iconic thing.

-It is.

-£20, all done?

-Come on.

Another blow for Thomas.

Charlie's lead today continues.

I think I bought it and then thought, Oh, dear. You know how you do.

I've done a Roscoe, bought two items now.

It's Charlie's gamble lot up next,

-his optician's box.

-£50 anywhere?

-Oh, Roscoe.

-Most of you are wearing specs so you are probably all right.

30, I've got it online, thank you.

-£30 online. At 30.

-Now five.

At £30. All done and I sell.

The buyers just didn't have the vision for that one.

Why, when I lose money do you laugh?

When you lose money, I say, it's all wrong.

Because... HE LAUGHS

You're cruel man.

Now, Charlie wasn't keen on them, how will the bidders feel?

Five I'm bid, thank you, at £5.

I think they're overpriced at five.

-I don't think they are.

-Six anywhere?

All done at a fiver. Six. Eight.

-It's creeping.

-10.

-There, double figures.

£10. 12. 15.

18. 20. 22. At £22.

Back of the room, all done.

Clearly not much interest in those.

Another loss, I am afraid, Thomas.

Let's see if Charlie's silver will ladle up a profit.

£30 I'm bid.

-It's worth it.

-Two, five. With me at 35.

Not you, online. It is here at 35.

40 online. 42 I've got here.

45 I'll take. 45.

-45, in the room now.

-In the room at £45.

At 45...

GAVEL

A small profit but a profit nevertheless.

Superb. A little gentle nibble.

-Thomas's collection of pottery is up next.

-£10 is all I'm bid for them.

£10, it's a start.

All done, I shall sell for just a tenner. 12, latest bid.

15. 18, Madam? 18. At £18.

Anyone would think we were going up in thousands. 20.

LAUGHTER

Gentleman's bid at £20.

All done, sir, at 20.

It's really not going well.

That's Thomas's fourth loss of the day.

It's Charlie's big hope now, his Chinese cabinet.

-10 anywhere?

-Oh, dear.

10 I'm bid, thank you, madam.

£10 at the back of the room. 10. 12 anywhere?

At £10. 12 online.

15, 18 may I say?

18 online now.

-At 18, 20, 22, fresh bid.

-Fresh bid.

No? At £22, the lady on my left.

Ouch! Poor old Charlie!

Stretcher bearers?

Thomas's victory is ensured now but by how much?

It is his last lot, the plaque.

50 to get on?

A sea of blank faces.

50 bid, thank you, madam. At £50.

55. 60. 65. 70.

-Thomas!

-Five.

-Ride it, Thomas, ride it!

85, Madam? 85.

-90.

-Make it a cool 100.

-95.

(Go on, Madam.)

-I said it would make £100. £100.

-You did, you are a clairvoyant!

-£100.

All done?

And true to form, Thomas goes out on a blinder.

-Well done, old bean.

-Well done, Roscoe.

I can only say, it's a bit like my life, really,

I have done my best, and so often my best is not good enough.

-Come on, you've thrashed me.

-Oh, Charlie! Don't despair.

Let's see who won the day.

Our Roscoe started the final leg with £209.92,

and made a loss of £64.78 after auction costs.

Leaving him with a miserly £145.14 at the end of the trip.

Thomas, meanwhile, kicked off with £553.44,

and after making a much smaller loss of £11.56,

he is crowned not only today's winner,

but also the champion of this week's Road Trip, his first-ever win.

He's left with a grand total of £541.88. Well done, Thomas!

All profits of course, go to Children in Need.

It's been a marvellous week.