Episode 3 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 fallen in love with a brick.

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

Yes!

There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

I feel antiqued out!

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

-CRUNCH!

-Charlie!

-Sorry about that!

This is the Antiques Road Trip.

It's the final leg of our battle of the sexes

round the north of England.

Road Trip rookie Christina Trevanion has been tussling

with the former youngster of the team, Charles Hanson.

See, you've taken the mantle now. I was the youngest on the Road Trip.

-Am I the youngest on the Road Trip?

-I was the youngest on the Road Trip.

You're now officially the youngest.

Charles may have lost his junior status,

but this rather nifty 1969 Morris Minor

has a good few years on the pair of them.

New girl in class Christina has got off to a good start.

But head boy Charles played a blinder,

winning the next two legs with handsome profits.

Feisty Christina fought back,

winning the fourth leg, thanks to a rattling railway lot.

Brilliant!

So, it's 2-2.

It's all to play for on this final leg.

This could be a giant-killer.

This could be Man United being blown away by Accrington Stanley.

-Are you calling me Accrington Stanley?

-I might be.

Old boy Charles began the trip with £200,

but has made some handsome profits

and now has an impressive £567.84

to play with, putting him miles ahead in the race to the finish.

Newbie Christina also began with £200

and has steadily increased her total to a respectable £335.24,

but with Charles more than £200 ahead she's playing catch-up.

Our experts embarked from Whaley Bridge in Derbyshire

before weaving over 600 miles around the north of England

to conclude at Cobridge in Stoke-on-Trent in the Potteries.

Today we're starting out in Harrogate,

heading east to York then north to Northallerton,

Masham and Richmond, before auction in Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent.

Harrogate found fame as a spa town at the end of the 16th century,

its reputation growing through the 17th century,

when people came from far and wide to drink the waters.

The Royal Baths were opened in 1897,

although only the Turkish bath remains working today.

With the stakes at two wins each, Charles and Christina are heading

into the Harrogate Antiques Centre to see who can up the ante today.

OK? On your mark, get set, go.

Will it be Charles or Christina who finds a winner amongst

the more than 50 stalls here?

Charles is first off the plot and is guided by Phil,

who's looking after lots of stallholders' wares today.

What I'm looking for is something quirky, something a bit different.

This is quite interesting

because what we've got here is a painted plaster cherub.

It's referred to as the Goose Boy.

Why's he the Goose Boy?

Because he's with the goose.

Are your glasses fogged?

Use your eyes, Charles. Let's see how Christina is getting on.

I'm thinking a little bit of jewellery would be great.

To beat Charlie I need to make a lot of money.

Which is looking unlikely.

But it'll be fine. Think positive.

Yeah... Charles is deep in thought.

-Can we very carefully lift her off?

-Right.

What I want to do is just determine what she's made of. She's very heavy.

If I put her down there...

So, she is plaster.

Am I loving her?

Am I feeling her?

Well, clearly. I mean...

-No...

-Oh, lordy.

Just watch where you put those hands, Charles.

-It's not really giving me that love.

-OK.

So, no lighting up Charles' world here.

Has Christina found anything at Roy's stall?

There's a cabinet of curiosities if ever I saw it.

Oh, that's fun. Can I have a look at the little dish with the owl on top?

That's rather lovely, isn't it?

What's your best price on that one, Roy?

-Er...

-£22 on it.

£15.

A neighbouring stallholder, Myra, also has an owl to offer Christina.

Ooh, we've got competition, I like it!

What's your best price on that one, Myra? That's 35.

Er, 25.

25. And 15 for that one.

-See, that one makes that one look quite expensive.

-12.

-Ooh!

We've got an auction going on.

You've got competition with Charles Hanson.

-I have, haven't I? I've really got to win.

-I've got to see you win.

-Exactly.

-All right. I'll go down to 20!

-Oh! I love it, brilliant.

Road Trip fever seems to have gripped Roy and Myra.

They're slashing their prices like billy-o.

How about 20 for the both of those as a job lot,

-cos I want to buy something off both of you?

-32.

-32 for the two.

-On the two.

Can we say 30 for the two?

-Cash, now.

-Go on.

-Yeah!

Brilliant! Thank you very much, sir. Thank you, Roy. Thank you, Myra.

Christina's off to a flying start with those two owl-adorned boxes.

Is Charles ready to swoop as well?

One thing I did see earlier on that is just nagging at me a bit

is this thing over here.

-The scent bottle.

-Yeah.

This green malachite glass bottle with stopper

was made in Czechoslovakia in the 1930s.

-It's priced at 210...

-I can do better than that.

-It's a big price and you must make a profit.

-My best is 80.

-Really?

I'd want to pay probably about £45. That's my maximum.

A £210 ticket price down to £45?

That's quite a proposal, Charles.

Get it sold. If it's not...

-OK. 45.

-Sure?

-45.

-We've got a deal.

-Sold!

-Wow!

He's done it! Clever boy, Charles.

Well, they're both off to a good start with those lots.

Back to the road.

Leaving Harrogate, our duo are now heading east to York.

York is one of England's most historic cities.

Full of stunning architecture,

it has been a Roman, Saxon and Viking settlement.

But will antiques and vintage

provide Charles with ye olde worlde treasures?

Hello, sir. I'm Charles Hanson. Good to see you.

-Pleased to meet you, sir.

-May I browse your emporium?

-You can. Help yourself.

-That's very kind.

Careful now, Charles.

Spider! There's a big spider.

You really must leave alone, dear boy.

There's some really nice objects.

And first and foremost there's this vase in here which is marked Monart

and it's Scottish, it captures the essence of the early 20th century.

£60 isn't a great deal and I think collectors will recognise it

for being what it is and it could be worth a bit more.

Now, over there Charles has spotted a rather nice Liberty enclosed-style

Arts and Crafts cabinet.

It's from the same sort of period.

It's mahogany...

I think you'll find it's oak, Charles.

You've got this wonderful almost sinuous stained-glass effect.

It's very Art Nouveau.

Charles' wish list is getting rather full,

and oh, dear, he's spotted something else.

There's a huge market today for sporting ephemera,

sporting memorabilia.

What you want is to find something that really takes you back in time.

That's interesting. It could make £20, it could make £100.

And sometimes you've got to gamble.

Now, I think it's about time to step up to the wicket

and start the ball rolling, Charles.

-These items don't belong to you, do they?

-No.

I'm working on behalf of a friend of mine.

-He's over there, isn't he?

-Yes.

-He's a bit camera shy, isn't he?

-He's a bit camera shy.

If I bought the cabinet, the Monart glass vase and the cricket ball

and the last thing was the cane, which, um...

is Chester hallmarked. If I bought all four...

-Hmm.

-..what's the best price? 150.

What could you knock the whole lot down for?

Look at your mate, he's over there.

I don't want him to fall over with shock.

It's all up to camera-shy Martin.

I can see it. He's saying 120.

He's saying 120. Would you do the whole lot for £100?

Yes, he says yes. Upset and he's crying now, though.

And that's it. Thanks ever so much.

But this inning's not over yet.

Our camera-shy dealer has thrown in an extra item as part of the deal -

an early 20th-century monochrome photograph of a cricket team,

probably of the era that would've used Charles' cricket ball.

That's wonderful. What a bonus.

Guys, that's the first time that's ever happened to me.

Ah, the sun is shining, but our Charles is mourning his lost youth.

-I was a young pretender.

-Yeah.

-You are now the young pretendess.

-The young pretendess.

-And you can take me.

-Yes, Charles.

She'll take you to the next shop.

Later they'll head south to the potteries for their auction

in Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent,

but next stop on the trip is Northallerton.

This could be the winner.

-Good luck, enjoy yourself.

-Will do.

-Bye!

-Good morning.

-Good morning.

-How are you?

-Very well, thank you.

-What a fine day.

-Excellent.

-In Northallerton.

-Good to see you, I'm Charles Hanson.

-Pleased to meet you. Andrew.

Charles is looking to unearth something special here

-at Exquisite Antiques.

-Is there anything market-fresh?

Has anything just come in?

Are there any rich pickings that maybe haven't been

looked at before already?

-A couple of bits.

-Oh, yeah?

We've got the prints on the top there from the north-east

and then we've got some selections in the back.

-These are interesting prints, aren't they?

-They are.

Obviously the gentleman on there,

-Jimmy Kay, had them published in the 1920s.

-Who was Jimmy Kay?

We believe when we've researched it this gentleman obviously did

these charcoals and etchings,

and then he had them published in newspapers as well.

He's from Harding in County Durham,

so obviously they're all very mining shots with obviously the mining

and the sort of north-east Geordie little bit of twang in there

as well. But they're absolutely fabulous.

They're wonderful.

What's the best price on them?

-50.

-50, and no less?

-No less.

-No less, OK.

They're probably worth anything from £30 upwards. Um...

Make me an offer.

But you're a Yorkshire man, aren't you?

You're a Yorkshire man and I'm a Derbyshire man.

-I've got short arms and long pockets.

-Exactly.

If you don't make an offer you never know, but I won't be cheeky.

-I think my offer...

-49.

-Take a chance.

-Take a chance...

..at £30.

-I can do 30.

-Are you sure?

-You're a nice guy, yes.

-Are you sure? Mate!

Well, that's deal done, then.

Charles has got his last lot for the auction

and Andrew packs up the drawings in the old suitcase they came in.

Meanwhile Christina is off to the small market town of Masham.

The pressure is on for her to beat Charles at the next auction,

but she's still a long way behind in the money stakes.

Will Aura Antiques hold her winning lot?

Hello.

-You must be Robert.

-That's right.

-Hi, Robert, I'm Christina.

-Hello, Christina.

-Nice to meet you. Hi.

After a quick look at his wares,

Christina makes the owner an offer he can't refuse.

Take me upstairs, Robert. That's not an offer you have every day, is it?

Hmm, mind your step.

I love this, how much is this?

-It's a tenner.

-A tenner?

-Yes.

Why so cheap?

Well, it's really a shop fitting but I no longer require it.

But it's a nice funky thing. I don't know how old it is, but it's...

-Well, it's not going to be very old, is it?

-No, but it's...

In fact, I don't think it's very old at all,

but the prints on it I think have got some age to it, haven't they?

Yeah. I think you could do well out of that for a tenner.

-I think, what, a fiver?

-Oh, no!

Oh, go on. Do it for a fiver.

Go on.

I'm clearing a space for you, you can put some nice furniture there.

-Go on, then.

-A fiver?

-Yeah.

-You're a legend. I love you, thank you.

Well done, Christina. The killer negotiator strikes again.

Right, so, what have we got in here?

-You've got a lovely little ruby there.

-And the turquoise.

Very sweet. I like that.

The ticket price is £90 on that gold brooch,

and here's another little gem.

Nine-carat. Is it jade or...

agate...?

-Looks Scottish to me.

-Hmm. You've got some lovely things.

Come on, Christina. Make a decision, make a decision.

Yes, come on, Christina, do make your mind up, dear.

Right, Robert, I think these two are the ones

that I'm most interested in.

That one at £90 and that one at £55.

-But I don't want to pay that.

-100 for the two.

You couldn't squeeze just a little bit more?

-That would make me a liar.

-Would it?

Yes, cos I've just said that's me best.

95 would be wonderful.

-Go on, then.

-You're a star! Thank you very much.

£95. That's wonderful.

Negotiating on your knees seems to work.

£95 for the two brooches and a measly fiver for that screen.

-I owe you £100. It's a round 100, isn't it?

-Yes, it is.

Well, that was short and sweet.

Will those brooches raise enough to take Christina ahead of Charles?

We'll find out at the auction.

-It's been a pleasure.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

-Hope you do well.

-So do I!

Christina and Charles get together again

and head off to their final shopping destination, Richmond.

Founded in the 11th century by the Normans,

this market town nestles in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.

Arriving in Market Place itself,

Christina gives Charles his marching orders.

He's off to meet Linda Powell

at the museum of the Green Howards Regiment.

-Afternoon.

-Good afternoon.

-I'm hoping you're Linda Powell.

-I am. Lovely to meet you.

-I'm Charles Hanson.

-It's great to be here at your museum.

-Thank you.

-May I have a wander round?

-Of course.

-Can't wait.

Fighting in every major campaign

from the 17th century through two world wars

to the Gulf War and Bosnia,

the regiment had a proud history for over 300 years.

They became part of the Yorkshire Regiment in 2006.

Regiments were originally named after their colonels.

The Green Howards were differentiated

from another regiment, led by a second Colonel Howard,

as "green" because of the trimmings on their uniforms.

What we do here is both tell the story of the great and the good,

but also the ordinary soldier.

But more than that, we can tell the story

of the whole regimental family,

and that includes women who were married

and who followed their men throughout the centuries,

so it's not just about the fighting.

It's about everyone who was part of the regiment.

It wasn't uncommon, even as far back as the Crimean War,

for small numbers of women to accompany their husbands

to the front line.

One lady did write about her experiences,

and we have something called the Green Howards' Gazette.

After the Crimea, in about the 1890s,

she wrote in to this magazine to describe her experiences

during the Crimea, and it's a wonderful account.

Linda reads Margaret Kerwin's account of an attack.

"The day of the explosion

"was the most frightful thing that I ever witnessed.

"It was reported that some Frenchmen got heavy punishment

"as they had set fire to the English and French magazines

"which were together.

"I was on my knees ironing at the time,

"and my little pet goat lying beside me,

"when four shells exploded in my tent

"and covered me all over with earth.

That just gives you some idea of what she was going through,

and at the same time, she carries on ironing.

The museum also has some more hard-hitting exhibits.

-So what's this?

-It's a piece of somebody's belt

which, erm...a shot has landed in the middle of it.

But he survives it.

He was a bit bruised, but he survived.

-And this was lodged in...?

-His belt buckle.

-That's incredible.

-Yeah.

You look at the size of this bullet,

and I mean, for it just to be lodged there

and not even penetrate is incredible.

The stunning medal room reflects the honours awarded

to members of the regiment.

You've got over 5,000 medals in this room,

including 18 Victoria Crosses.

-18 Victoria Crosses?!

-Yeah.

-And of course, the Victoria Cross...

It's the highest award you can be awarded.

Less than 1,400 Victoria Crosses have been awarded

in the 157 years since its inception.

Awarded for valour in the face of the enemy,

the medals have traditionally been cast of metal from Russian cannons

captured during the Crimean War.

You stand in a room like this and you feel very small.

You feel very small for what these great men

achieved in their lifetimes and for what they did for us today.

It takes your breath away, doesn't it?

Absolutely, Charles.

Heading into York House Antiques,

it's Christina's last chance to find that hidden treasure

which will take her ahead of Charles and win her the day.

-Oh, hello.

-Hi.

-How do you do?

-I'm Christina, how are you?

-I'm Christina, too.

-Are you? Oh, my goodness!

Heading upstairs, our Christina's on a mission to hammer home a bargain.

Maybe that's what I need as my new gavel.

This little...tile here...

Great subject - look at him, bless him.

This poor little caged bird, looking at these beautiful moths,

which are all out and free, and he's stuck behind his cage.

Quite a sad subject, really.

Oh, but great that it's Mintons.

Absolutely brilliant - Stoke-on-Trent.

Minton was one of the best-known of the Stoke potteries,

founded by Thomas Minton at the end of the 18th century.

Time to see if that damage can help Christina get the price down.

Um...yeah, nice tile, but unfortunate about this crack.

What's your best price on that?

Because I wouldn't be looking to pay anything near that, because...

-I wouldn't either.

-THEY LAUGH

-I don't think so, no.

-Because of this damage.

I mean, literally, I was thinking a fiver.

Literally, because of this.

-I would say yes, OK.

-For a fiver? Oh, you're a genius! Wow, OK.

Another item for a fiver - cheeky girl.

No, I'm really pleased with that. Thank you very much.

That's my last purchase. Fantastic.

Well, that's Christina's final lot.

Will her purchases earn enough profit

for her to overtake Charles' lead of over £200?

Charles Hanson started this final leg with £567.84p,

and spent £175 on five lots -

a Scottish Monart glass vase,

a Liberty & Co display cabinet,

a green malachite glass scent bottle,

a collection of original cartoons by Jimmy Kay,

a Victorian cricket ball,

together with a cricket photograph circa 1890,

and an Edwardian bamboo walking cane. Gosh.

Christina Trevanion started with £335.24p

and spent £135, also on five lots.

A nine-carat gold and hard-stone brooch,

a folding screen with plates of regal scenes,

a Victorian gold brooch in the form of a coiled snake,

a large Minton tile,

and a dressing table jar and circular box,

both decorated with an owl.

But what did they think of each other's treasures?

I like what he's bought! I love his Liberty cupboard.

It's not OVERLY in vogue at the moment,

but with that name attached it should do really, really well,

so I think he's done a great job with that.

But those drawings are gorgeous, I love those. Icing on the cake.

Totally unique. I think he's pulled a blinder with those.

£5 for a screen - unbelievable.

The tile - OK, it was £5, but it had a big crack in,

but it is local interest.

But that wonderful little Deco brooch could really fly.

She's bought really well. Very nervous about this.

After starting in Harrogate, heading east to York,

then north, to the Richmond area,

the last stretch of our trip

heads back south, to the Potteries,

and concludes at an auction in Cobridge,

Stoke-on-Trent.

Coburn was once known as the global heart of the ceramics industry.

Josiah Wedgwood founded the first of Stoke's many potteries

in the 18th century,

and today the area remains a thriving industry.

Our duo are finally arriving at their showdown,

at ASH Auctions.

-This is quite daunting, isn't it?

-I'm excited!

-This is the last one.

But also, it's the big one.

-Isn't it?

-Well, good luck.

-Good luck.

Founding partner Lee Sherratt will man the gavel at today's auction.

Let the games begin.

First up is Christina's brooch,

but what will the bidders think?

£50, straight in on commission.

£50, it's on sale at £50.

At £50, bid at 55, can I see?

At £50, bid £55. Are you carrying on?

Still on commissions. Carry on, Jeff.

AUCTIONEER: 55, 65, 75, 78.

Up to £78 on commission bids, £78.

At £78, all done?

Finishes at £78.

-78!

-Phew!

-That's great, well done, that's great!

Splendid! Keep it up, Christina, and you might just catch him.

Next up, Charles' first lot, the Monart glass vase.

25 on bid. 25, straight in. I thought you would.

-Look at the hands!

-Look at the hands!

35. 35, 40.

40 bid, 5, 45. 50, 55. 55, 60.

At £55 on my right. At...

60, fresh money standing. 60, 65, 65, 70.

70 I'm bid.

-Go on! One more!

-75...

80, 80 I'm bid. 85. 85, 90.

90 I'm bid now. 95, 95 - top it up?

One more! One more!

Bid £100, and five. He's out now, you see?

At £100. At £100.

Selling at £100, selling...

Oh, he hasn't finished yet, Lee.

£105, back in, seated.

105, 105.

Have another go, madam. 110.

100...108, then. 108, I'm tempting you.

At £105, then. First time, second time, at £105...

SHE LAUGHS

Well, now! The auctioneer got it wrong on that one.

That's a massive profit for Charles.

Will Christina's bargain-basement screen shield her

from impending disaster?

£20 to get on, somebody.

£20 - come on, it's worth that, surely?

Come on, Christina - gallop it. Canter...

£20 for it. £15 for it.

-Ugh...

-£15 for it - come on, it's got to be worth that?

£10. £10 for it.

-Hey! She's bid on it.

-It's cheap at £10 - come on.

Well short. I'll sell it at £10, all done. Maiden bid for only £10.

Double the money there, but double a fiver isn't much,

and she's still lagging behind.

Next, it's Charles's Liberty-style cabinet.

£50 - it's got to be worth that. £50. £40, bid me.

£40 bid. Great buy at £40.

-That's good.

-This is very cheap at £40.

I'll take £50, if you like. 50.

At 55, now five. 55, 60. 60 bid, now 65.

65, 70. 70...

-Good girl...

-75.

-At 75.

-Go on!

-At 75. Commission bidder.

-At £75, then...

-Yes, 80! Sorry...

£80 for it. You can't do that!

£80 bid, 80 bid.

Keep your hands down!

For you, madam, £80. Commissions are now out.

At £80, then, once, twice...third and final time, 80...

Well done, Charles. So, what's that?

I must calm down, I'm so excited! Sorry!

After being physically restrained from joining in,

Charles doubles his money there.

Christina's next lot, the Victorian snake brooch.

-£50 commission, straight in.

-Great.

-£50, straight in, here.

I'll take five, if you like. £50, take five.

If not, commissions still in. Carry on, Jeff.

AUCTIONEER: 50, 60. 60, 70. 73.

We're up to £73 now on commission. 73, is there 75 anywhere?

If not, then it's straight to commission at £73.

Not bad. Is she catching Charles yet?

Will his scent bottle have the sweet smell of success?

-Straight in, we've got a commission bid of £50.

-Good lad!

At £50, where's 55?

This is a belter. At £50, where's 55? I should think so.

55, 60. At £60, where's 65? Go on, it's worth more than this.

Straight to a commission bidder.

-Five. At 65, 70. At £70, at £75.

-One more!

-Now 80. £80 bid.

-Go on, one more!

-It's only money!

-One more!

-Commission bidder gets it.

-At £80, the hammer's up...

-Hold on...

So, £80 for that fragrant lot. He's ahead by more than a nose now.

Will Christina's tile fire up some interest back in its home town?

£30 - can I see 20?

-£20, £20...

-No!

£20 bid on the right-hand side. I'll take two, if you like.

If not...maiden bidder at £20, the hammer's up.

Quadruple! You know...

Well, that was quick! Top marks, Christina.

It's the turn of Charles' pen and ink drawings.

Could they be his masterpiece?

£50 the lot. Interesting lot, here. £40 can I see?

£40 to get along. £20 the lot.

£20 - £20, off at £20. I'll take £25, now.

At £20 bid. All over the place. 25 bid. 25 bid now.

30 bid now. 35, 35 bid now. 35, 40 bid now.

At 40 bid now. 45 bid. At 45 bid now. 50 bid? 45.

At £45, left-hand side at 45.

-Being sold off, no mistake...

-She's back in again.

At 50 bid, now. She's out, now. In the seats at £50.

At £50 bid once. £50 twice.

Third and final time at £50.

£50, eh? Charles just keeps increasing that lead.

Christina's last lot, now - the two boxes, decorated with birds.

But is it OWL over for her already?!

15, can I see 15? Give me ten to get on, somebody. £10.

At £10, front row...

Hey! I don't think they've noticed Lee has started the bidding...

At £12, now 14. 14 bid now, 16, if you like.

16. At £16, now 18, if you like?

18. 18 bid, now 20's against you, 20.

At £18, then, front row bid at £18.

It's the first loss of the day, and our experts didn't even notice.

What? Have we sold? Did they sell?

They've sold it already!

Maybe they'll be more on the ball now - ha!

Here's Charles's final lot,

the cane, photograph and cricket ball with stand.

£40. £40 straight in, it's on sale. That's 40 bid.

At £40, worth more than this, surely. Where are the bids?

45. 45, 50. Five. On commission...

No mistake. You carrying on?

-53, 54.

-Up to £54 on commission.

At £54, commission bid.

At £54 once, twice, third and final time...

Howzat?

Let's just say it's been an experience!

SHE LAUGHS

Well, Christina wasn't out for a duck,

but I think it was Charles who scored a six there.

Christina began this leg with £335.24p.

After paying auction costs, she made a profit of £28.18p,

giving her a grand total of £363.42p.

Charles began with an impressive £567.84p.

After costs, he made a profit of £127.58p,

winning the trip with a massive total of £695.42p.

All proceeds go to Children In Need.

Charles may have seen off the threat from the young pretender Christina,

but she's not letting his victory go to his head.

You may have won, but your driving is still atrocious.

-Hand over the keys.

-Come on!

Listen, this is a built-up area! Surely it's a man's prerogative?

No, not this time. No, I want to go home alive.

SHE LAUGHS

-Come on.

-Take me home.

Thanks for the memories. Well played.

-That's it. That's it, Christina.

-Woo-hoo!

-Woo-hoo!

We're moving on to the start of a brand-new road trip,

and a battle of the sexes with some familiar faces.

# She's a lady! #

Glaswegian Anita Manning

was one of the first female auctioneers in the country.

Her auction house is the largest non-specialist seller

of paintings in Great Britain.

She is well known for her good taste in art. But how about in men?

He's lovely. He reminds me of one of my old boyfriends.

Ha-ha! That dashing Road Trip veteran Lewis, James Lewis,

started collecting antiques as a child of just five.

He specialises in wooden objects and tribal art,

and can often come up with another clever use for his purchases.

This is...

..a really rare Indian musical instrument.

Both experts have £200 to spend as they journey in this

beautiful 1969 Volkswagen Beetle.

James takes first turn in the driving seat

while Anita quizzes him on tactics for the trip.

Tell me all your secrets.

There aren't any.

-I haven't got...

-You've not got secrets from me?

No secrets from Anita?

Our experts will wind their way almost 800 miles from

rural Oxfordshire to London,

cross to the West Country

and the South Coast before returning to London again.

Wow!

On this first leg, our team is starting out in Deddington,

continuing through Oxfordshire, before crossing into Hertfordshire

for their auction in St Albans.

Deddington is a pretty village on the edge of the Cotswolds.

The market square was once home to the Pudding Pie Fair,

when a plum pudding was especially baked,

and pigs, sheep and horses were all on sale.

But it's the antiques on sale that brought our pair here. Or is it?

Shall we just enjoy ourselves?

I should be carrying you across the threshold.

Really, James?

-Come here.

-No!

-You'll drop me on my head.

-All right, come on.

Come on.

Lordy!

-Hello, Brenda!

-Hello, Anita!

-I'm Anita.

-Who's your boyfriend?

-This is my big pal, Jamesie.

-Your big pal, brilliant.

With four floors of goodies, Deddington Antiques Centre

is owner Brenda's treasure trove.

James is first off the buying blocks.

-Let's have that little pincushion.

-OK.

-Cheers.

This George V pincushion has a ticket price of £33.

-What could that be?

-This is somebody else's.

-OK.

Um...

I will do...

25.

-I think it would make 20 to 25.

-Right.

I was going to offer you a cheeky 15.

Oh, cheeky indeed.

Give me 20.

It's going to go for more than 20 - it's hallmarked silver.

-Split the difference, you've got a deal.

-What's the difference?

17.50.

That's ridiculous!

19.

Oh, that's even more ridiculous!

-Well, you're being ridiculous, so I might as well be.

-18.

-18.50.

-Go on.

-Well done.

-You've got a deal.

Now, can Anita battle Brenda as well as James has?

Brenda, could I see this green tray?

Yeah. Look at that.

-That is so...

-I think that's quite pretty.

-Very pretty.

I think I've got a thing about mermaids.

-I think they're gorgeous.

-They're supposed to be magical, aren't they?

Yeah. I wonder if this would be magical for me.

-What have we got on it?

-You've got 55.

I'll tell you what I'd like to be paying for it - 22.

Would you? I'd like you to pay...

32.

32. Could you let it go for 25?

Um...

-28.

-28?

-28?

-It's a deal.

-Thank you so much.

-That's lovely.

But Anita's not finished with Brenda yet.

Her sparkly stock is beckoning.

These orange Art Deco beads have a ticket price of £18.

These are kind of fun.

-They're not amber, obviously.

-No.

-But they've got some age to them.

OK, and they are not too dear. Can you give me a deal on that?

-I can give you a deal.

-Can you give me it for ten quid?

-I'll give you it for ten quid. Deal.

-You are a star.

Very nicely done, Anita.

Will these two Art Deco items - the necklace and tray -

garner high profits for her, do you think?

James is playing catch-up. Has anything else taken his fancy?

Do you have anything Chinese?

That seems to be what is doing really well at auction

-at the moment.

-What about the brush pot?

-Yeah, let's look at that.

-Yeah? It's...

Obviously, this has been turned after, but it is an old brush pot.

Wooden with mother-of-pearl.

There's a big split up there.

-Yeah, but that's all part of the charm of the item.

-It's on the back.

Ha-ha, it is.

-I would put 40 to 60 on that.

-Would you really?

-Yeah. What could it be?

It's a fairly expensive piece,

but if you gave me a £50 note...

I could live with that. Only just, but I could live with it.

James isn't sure. And now he has spotted something else.

The other thing I saw earlier...

He's quite heavy.

I'm not sure whether he's a base metal.

-Oh, yes, he is.

-He's a base metal, isn't he?

This 19th century bronzed desk figure of St Peter

has a ticket price of £28.50.

What could he be?

He could be... Make me an offer.

I would say about a tenner.

What about if I do it for 20?

Mm...

-I'd put 40 to 60 on the brush pot.

-Mm.

£60 for them both.

-I want to try and make a profit.

-Mm-hm.

If I gave you 40 for that, a tenner for that - 50 the two -

how about that?

-Give me 55 and we've got a deal.

-Ooh...

-Fine, OK.

-OK?

-See how we go.

You'll be all right, you've got a religious one on your side.

Hallelujah! But will St Alban of the auction house

look more kindly on James's next lot

or Anita's Deco buys?

You better track down the competition

and head out on the road again, James.

Leaving Deddington, our duo are heading north to Banbury.

In the nursery rhyme,

Banbury Cross was where one could spot a fine lady on a white horse.

This particular cross was erected in 1859 to commemorate

the marriage of Queen Victoria's daughter, Victoria, don't you know?

Could Frogabilia be the shop where Anita will find rings for her

fingers and bells for her toes?

-Hello, I'm Anita.

-Hi, nice to meet you.

-Welcome.

-This is absolutely gorgeous.

Nancy Maroody's shop is packed full of unusual items that might

just take Anita ahead of James in the shopping stakes.

Lordy.

-Nancy, is it all right to have a look at the brass?

-Of course, of course.

OK.

-Nice Arts and Crafts piece.

-All right. That's lovely.

That's lovely.

-Let's take it over to the counter.

-OK.

I like this.

-It has a northern look about it, Nancy.

-Mm.

This was a motif that was often used in the northern regions,

where we have this. It is almost like a Viking longship.

The ticket price on this solid brass jardiniere is £60.

Anita has spotted some objects that tribal art expert James

might be interested in.

-And you can see through the eyes.

-That's right.

Does my bum look big in this?

Now, I really wouldn't like to comment there, Anita.

This caught my eye.

-It's a little oil.

-Mm-hm.

It was done in 1866,

by a J Gordon, who apparently

lived in Edinburgh.

-A-ha!

-Let's have a wee look at it out in the light, shall we?

It's quite well done.

The subject is sort of charming,

you know, with the house here

and the little duck pond.

It has a little je ne sais quoi.

This landscape, by little-known Scottish painter James Gordon,

has a ticket price of £20.

Has Anita found an undiscovered masterpiece here?

Maybe a bargain.

On the pot... Can I make an offer on it?

-Yes, let's see what your offer would be.

-Yeah.

What I'd like to pay for it is probably

in the region of £30.

-Right.

-In that region. Can you come anywhere near that?

-45?

-45...

If you give me 45 for that, I will make you a very good deal for that.

OK, how much will you give me on that?

I'm going to give you this for £5.

-That is a great deal. OK.

-I think you can't lose there.

Thank you very much.

Well done, Anita.

I wonder if either of those will leave James's chances

of victory scuttled.

Later they'll head east, to St Albans, for the auction.

But their next stop of the day is Woodstock,

where they'll swap driving seats before Anita heads off to Oxford.

The lovely Woodstock in rural Oxfordshire

was established as a market town in the late 12th century.

Once famous for glove making,

it now hosts visitors en route to Blenheim Palace.

-You've got three antique shops here.

-I know.

-And loads of money.

-Loads of money.

Hopefully not as much as I'll have by the time I'm finished.

-Oh!

-Oh, blimey.

Careful with the old girl... Car, I mean.

James heads into Woodstock Antiques hoping to unearth that winning item.

-Hi, Michael. How are you?

-Hello, James. Good to see you.

Good to see you again.

James has already bought three good items - will he run true to form

and buy quite a few more from Michael's cornucopia?

He's spotted a commemorative tin

bearing a portrait of the present queen's grandmother, Queen Mary.

These tins were given to all of the troops in the First World War

and she sent this tin, which was wrapped up, and inside the tin,

as you open it, first thing was a Christmas card.

Take the Christmas card out and there were two packages.

The tins contain a small block of chocolate,

tobacco and a tiny pencil.

Got a few bits of tarnish marks.

It's 100 years old next year.

I think we'd all be a bit tarnished up after 100 years, don't you?

Mind your head there, sir.

What on earth is THIS doing here?

Indian cheroot advertising.

In the 1950s, say... You know, in those days,

you know, the dangers of smoking were not as...

known as they are today.

You don't get big smoking adverts any more.

I've no idea what that's worth.

Absolutely no idea.

We'll see if Michael does.

But first that brass tin.

How about a tenner for the brass tin?

Oh, yeah, that's all right.

Straight up.

I got it for 50p, so that's fine.

-THEY LAUGH

-That's no problem.

50p!

I think maybe Michael should be an expert on Road Trip

if he can make profits like that.

I'll make you a second cheeky offer.

Your sign that you said could be 30 quid.

I didn't say it could be 30 - I said it could be 40.

OK.

Oh, cheeky.

How about 20, then?

30 will do it.

How about 25? You're a good bloke!

Cheers. Thank you.

OK.

A tin sign and a brass tin.

I think James should go and look for a scarecrow and a lion, don't you?

Meanwhile, Anita is beetling along to Oxford,

at the wheel for the first time.

The city of dreaming spires, Oxford is home to 38 colleges.

Anita arrives in the very heart of Oxford to meet

Stephen Johnston at the stunning Museum of the History of Science.

Originally built in the 17th century to house

the vast collection of Elias Ashmole,

it was one of the first purpose-built museums in the world.

Containing over 20,000 objects, it encompasses all branches of

science from astronomy to chemistry and early photography.

Hello, Anita. I'm Stephen.

Stephen, it's very, very exciting to be here.

The exhibits, they are a feast for the eyes.

They look like pieces of sculpture.

Yep, many of them are sculptural because many of them come from

a period when our conventional distinction between the arts

and the sciences didn't exist.

So someone commissioned an object for astronomy or anything else

and they expected not just functional and smart -

it was beautiful.

This conjunction of art and science is perfectly illustrated by

the museum's fine collection of early plate and box cameras.

This is a genuine black box.

And a box full of glass vessels

and bottles which were all used for early photography,

by one person we now know of as Lewis Carroll.

Who wrote, of course, the wonderful Adventures Of Alice In Wonderland.

Yes, and people often don't realise now that there was a real Alice -

she was a real person, Alice Liddell.

He would use this set to do photography with the Liddell family

and Alice Liddell herself.

And he was so good at children's portrait photography

because when he told them a story they would...

They would stay still during the long exposure!

They wouldn't fidget!

The museum also contains the world's largest collection of astrolabes.

These were instruments used for many purposes, including locating

the positions of celestial objects,

telling the time and even to write horoscopes.

This astrolabe was originally bought for Queen Elizabeth I

by a supposed suitor from the court - Robert Dudley,

the future Earl of Leicester.

This is the sky.

When you look up at night you see the stars moving.

As I do that...

that is the stars turning around us.

You can measure time by stars.

You can measure time by the sun.

The stars are in one place here. As you turn that round, you see

the track that the sun would make for that particular day.

The museum has objects

that come right up to the 20th and 21st centuries -

and this unprepossessing piece of slate has quite a tale.

We've kept it because it's Albert Einstein's blackboard.

The one he used in Oxford lecturing, so that's his writing up there.

-And those are his equations?

-Yes.

Obviously I could explain that to you in great length,

but maybe I'll leave that with you to interpret by yourself.

I'll come back and test you later.

-I'll work it out, Stephen.

-Great.

Now, I know that E=mc2.

But I don't get that one.

I think we'll just say it's all relative...

and leave it at that, shall we, Anita?

While Anita is left stumped,

James has also arrived in scholarly Oxford for his final stop.

Will Nora Brook's sparkling shop be an education for this

Road Trip stalwart?

I'm James, nice to see you.

-How do you do? I'm Nora.

-What a shop.

-Yeah.

I've got to try and find something that's going to give me

a chance of making a profit at auction.

What about the wonderful college oar -

do you think you might be able to make a big profit with that?

Certainly not your normal stock.

How much could that be?

I could take £25 for it.

It is original. All of it is original.

That chunk out the top.

I know, there is a chunk out of the top.

An old oar with a chunk missing.

I don't know how well THAT would do in the Boat Race.

How about these?

Oh, well, they're wonderful, aren't they? Silver-gilt.

These pretty grape scissors catch James's eye.

-I suppose I could take 75 for those.

-75?

They're a lovely weight, aren't they?

Quite late, though.

I think they're '30s.

This cabinet looks interesting.

That cabinet has always got interesting things.

-Ah!

-That's a whole set of stuff.

It was all together in a box.

All of those bits were together in one box.

And the little velvet bag.

Funny thing, that is.

17th century.

Cloak or a cape.

-They're interesting.

-They are.

That, I think, is the finial from a Chinese hat.

Oh, right.

-And so might that have been on the shoulder of a robe?

-Perhaps.

How much are these?

I suppose I want £30 for them.

-The lot.

-Yeah.

And those are...?

Well, I thought 75.

Will you take 80 for the three lots?

How about 90?

I can't quite remember how much I've got.

Oh, do keep track, James.

You've got £91.50.

Shall we say 85? That's absolutely my very best.

-It's very fair. Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

James has done it again and bought quite a few items.

I do wonder how he'll put his five lots together, though.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Bye.

-Good luck.

Now that Anita has escaped Einstein's head scratcher,

maybe she'll come top of the class with her last shop of the trip - Antiques On High.

I'm sure Anita can score high marks here with Caroline Henney

helping her through the 25 dealers' wares.

There's interesting things in this cabinet.

And there's something that's caught my eye.

I wonder if I could have a look at those...

-..chrome paws. SHE LAUGHS

-OK!

These 19th-century polished steel castors

probably came off a table and have a ticket price of £55.

We've got four bits of furniture.

Yes. I think you need a settee.

I need a settee!

-They're unusual.

-They are.

But I would like to buy them fairly cheaply.

I can have a word with the dealer.

I can let you know where I...

Shall I sit down for this bit?

I think you'll need to lie down.

I would like to be paying in the region of £10 for those.

Oh, gosh.

Let me have a quick word and I'll see how the land lies for you.

Caroline has a chat with the camera-shy dealer,

but she's not sure Anita will like the news.

Anita, I think really the best we can do on them is £30.

That's under a tenner each.

But I really want to get four feet ahead of James.

Do you think there would be the slightest possibility of, say, £20?

I'll tell you what, Anita - if you beat James, yeah,

we'll do them for 20.

Great. Four feet ahead.

Don't paws for profit.

Oh, no!

I hope you win or you won't have a leg to stand on!

Just as well this isn't the Joke Road Trip.

That's the shopping over.

Anita Manning started today with £200 and spent £108 on five lots -

an oil on board, dated 1866,

four paw castors,

a brass Arts and Crafts jardiniere,

a 19302 Art Deco moulded glass tray

and a set of Art Deco plastic beads.

James Lewis also started with £200,

and he has spent £193.50, also on five lots -

a Victorian presentation oar,

with an advertising sign for cheroots,

a bronzed desk figure of St Peter,

with a brass WWI Christmas tin,

a pair of silver-gilt grape shears,

with a silver pin cushion,

an oriental bamboo Shibayama brush pot

and a Chinese imperial hat finial

and shoulder decorations in a velvet evening bag.

Phew! What a mixture! But what do they think of each other's haul?

James Lewis has bought hundreds of things!

He cannot help himself!

He spent all his money because that's what he loves doing.

By far, Anita's best purchase, and the best item, is the oil painting.

I think that's really quite good.

I think I might have blown a few chances

by buying too much,

but we'll see.

We will indeed.

After starting out in Deddington,

our intrepid duo have wound their way through Oxfordshire,

crossing over into Hertfordshire for the auction in St Albans.

Just 22 miles from London,

St Albans is a stunning cathedral city.

The shrine of St Alban, the first Christian martyr in Britain,

sits within the great cathedral,

and is a site for pilgrimage.

Anita and James are heading for Hertfordshire Auctions

to see who will get today's gold star.

This first auction of the road trip

is under the guidance of auctioneer Chris Small,

and is also being held online,

so might attract extra bidders.

First up, it's James's bizarre lot

of that tin sign and the oar.

Will it leave him up the creek?

Starting at £20, who's in? 20 got.

20 I'm bid on two on the net. 22, 25, and 30. 35.

35's in the room, and 40.

45.

45, and 50. And 55.

At 55, these two items at £55 I've got.

Going to sell them. £55 I'm bid.

-Last chance. Are you done with them?

-GAVEL FALLS

Not bad, James.

A small profit on that strange combination.

That's sort of all right for a daft lot.

Next, it's Anita's first lot of that hidden masterpiece,

bought for a measly fiver.

20, I'm bid. And 25. At 30 I'm bid.

Do you think this is cheap? I do!

£30 I'm bid, going once.

£30, and 35 bid.

-In the room at 35.

-Yes!

-Yes!

At 40. Straight back in at 40.

At 45, he says.

-Yes!

-45 got. And 50 on the net.

At 50 I'm bid. This one. It's up to you.

You're nodding the wrong way. Have a think about it.

-It's an oil on board at £50.

-Yes!

£50, eh? But I don't know if James and Anita

can handle the excitement.

Next - James's St Peter figure

and the World War I Christmas tin.

Starting at 20, who's in?

(20...) Oh, come on!

20, I've got.

LAUGHTER

Don't worry, James, they're there. I've seen it. £20 I've got.

And 5, 30, and 35.

And 35. Got to hurry you. 40.

And 45 on the net.

£45 going once...

£45 twice.

Third, final... Oh, and 50.

Goodness me, the hammer nearly went down then, didn't it?

Now, James, no manhandling the bidders now!

And 5, on the net.

Are we sure we're done now? At £55 I sell it.

Yes! Well done!

Heavens above! That was £30 on the purchase price there.

James's turn again. It's the sharp little lot

of the pincushion and the grape scissors.

Start me at 20, who's in?

20. 25. And 30.

35. And 70 on the net,

at £70 I've got. At 75, I'm bid.

80 on the net bidder. £80 I'm bid now, and a 5 I'm bid.

At 85, still with the net bidder at 85.

Are we done? Going once.

£85 then going twice.

Third, final time at £85.

Oh, dear. After costs that's actually a small loss.

Now, James isn't happy at all.

They could've made double that. Double that.

Well, he would say that, wouldn't he?

Now, let's see whether Anita's castors will do any better.

Tell me your bids - what do you want to pay for 'em?

5 I've got. 8 I've got. At 8 I'm bid now.

10, I've got. 12 I've got. And 15.

Got 15. In the yellow at 15.

15, I'm bid. 15. 18.

Got 18. 20.

-No!

-£20 I've got.

£20. And 22 on the net bidder.

They're joining in now.

£22 I've got.

£22 I've got now, at £22. Up to you.

And 25 in the room.

-I can't believe this!

-£25 I've got.

Going once. Going twice.

Got 'em. 25.

-No wonder you're laughing.

-Yes! Yes!

But after costs, that's not much of a profit,

but Anita's delighted, which is great.

Well, it's time for his bamboo pot.

Can this lot give James a brush with victory?

Start me at £20, who's in? £20 I've got. 25 got. 30.

32 bid. £35 I've got. All these bids are on the net. At £35 I've got.

38 in the room. And 40. 45 got.

50. 55.

60.

Come on!

And 5. And 70.

And 5. And 80.

At £80 for the Japanese.

£85 is on the net. At £85 I'm bid.

One more? Once then, £85.

90. Thought you would.

90's in the room now. At £90.

Third and final time, it's yours.

-That was a sweat.

-That was quite exciting.

Phew! Well done. James is storming ahead of Anita now.

It's her favourite lot,

the brass Arts and Crafts jardiniere.

Start me at £20, who's in?

20, thank you. 20, 22,

25, 28.

30, 32, 35,

38, 40.

42, 45.

45. Got 48, 50.

55, 60...

65. 70.

75, 80.

£80.

And 5. At £90. Do you want 5?

£90. And 5.

And 100. You're out?

£100 then. I'll take 5 if it helps?

-Go on.

-105.

110. 110 I'll say.

110 I'm bid. £110.

Marvellous, Anita. Another lot more than doubling its purchase price.

And she's just snuck into the lead.

It all hangs on James's final lot.

He's sure this gilt-metal hat finial clasps and bag

were a good buy.

Start me at 20. Who's in? At 20 got.

And 25, and 30.

-And 35. And 40.

-(Times it by 10.)

-And 45. And 45 is to my right.

-No way.

-At £45 I'm bid.

-Come on!

And 50. 55.

And 60. And 65.

-£65 I'm bid.

-No way!

You're up, madam. It's there, once.

65 going twice.

Third, final time, then.

Oh, James isn't a happy bunny,

even though he more than tripled the £20 purchase price.

He thought he had a valuable lot there.

If you found the Crown Jewels in the lake

and it made a tenner and it was a tenner profit,

you wouldn't be happy, would you?

Aw. Anita's moulded glass tray

with the mermaid next.

Will the bidders be wooed?

£20. £20 I've got.

-Straight in, £20 I've got.

-You what?

And 25. And 28. Any more?

And 30. And 32. And 35.

38, 38. 38 and 40.

42, 45,

48.

50.

-52.

-It's appealing.

It's useful.

-And 60.

-You are pulling my fin.

She's beaten the both of you.

£55 I'm bid, coming right at the end there at £55.

Are you done with it?

Do you know, you're crowned queen of the castle.

-I'm going for a beer.

-SHE LAUGHS

We've got one more to go.

-I don't care, I've given up!

-LAUGHTER

You're all mad!

Takes one to know one! And he's off.

I think it's just too much excitement for the poor boy.

But you're winning, James.

He's away in a huff.

But Anita still has one lot to go.

Can the amber-effect beads be her Crown Jewels?

£30 for those.

How can he start those at £30?!

A tenner. Who's in?

-Yes!

-50p!

Oh, do behave, James.

James Lewis!

18. 22. 25.

28.

30. 32, 35, 38,

-40.

-£40.

-Lady's bid £40.

-What!

£40 - I think she's done it.

In the chair at £40.

Are you done with them?

-£40.

-Yes! James Lewis, did you see that?

Yeah.

By George, on the very last lot

Anita has taken the lead and won the auction!

That's better. Kiss and make up like good boys and girls now.

James began this first leg with £200.

After paying auction costs,

he made a respectable profit of £93.50,

giving him £293.50

to take into the next leg.

Anita also began with £200,