Episode 12 Antiques Road Trip

-It's the nation's favourite antiques experts.

-All right, viewers?

With £200 each. A classic car.

And a goal, to scour Britain for antiques.

I'm on fire! Yes.

Sold. Going, going, gone.

The aim? To make the biggest profit at auction.

-But it's no mean feat.

-50p!

There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

They're papier mache!

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

Oh!

Here we go.

This is the Antiques Road Trip!

Yeah!

It's the second leg of our Scottish expedition, in the company of

Charlie Ross, Margie Cooper, and a 1961 Sunbeam Rapier.

-My uncle had a Sunbeam Rapier.

-My dad did.

-Really?

-Yeah.

Shouldn't you be in the back-seat with some crisps

-and a bottle of pop?

-Yeah, I'd be feeling car sick!

Auctioneer Charlie, from Oxfordshire,

is a bit of a classic car specialist.

I like your Bugatti.

He's also a Road Trip regular.

-Tenner!

-Right.

With a reputation for decisive action.

Seen it, loved it, bought it.

Dealer and Cheshire girl Margie, however,

prefers a rather more roundabout approach.

-SHE SIGHS

-Yeah. Hm.

I don't particularly like it.

Not so much "vene, vidi, vici".

More, "she came, she saw, she dithered".

-Do you want blood?

-SHE LAUGHS

Yeah.

Seems to work, though, because, so far, Margie's tactics

have paid off handsomely.

I'm travelling with a genius! MARGIE LAUGHS

Charlie began with £200 and, after just one auction,

he's amassed a total of £271.28 to spend today.

-GAVEL BANGS

-Whilst Margie,

who also started off with £200, has done even better,

with £315.10 in her pocket.

All right, my lover!

Not that they seem to be taking it at all too seriously.

Woke up the other night, made a cup of tea in my pyjamas.

Must get a teapot! MARGIE LAUGHS

Charlie and Margie set out from Jedburgh in the Borders,

before travelling the breadth and the length of Scotland,

to reach journey's end at Hamilton, South Lanarkshire.

Today, they begin in the capital of Edinburgh,

and head north to Stirlingshire for an auction at Kinbuck.

-BOTH:

-# I've got a wonderful feeling

# Everything's going my way! #

Oh, my hat's gone! Oh, my hat's gone! Oh, stop!

MARGIE LAUGHS

Edinburgh's made those two even giddier, it seems.

The city is built on seven hills, a bit like Rome.

And, with over 4,500 listed buildings, you can imagine

why it's considered one of the best places to live and visit in the UK.

It has some of the quirkiest antique shops too.

-Antiques and Curios. Look, it's all outside as well.

-It is.

Wonderful. Do you think the car's for sale?

-I'm off to spend me cash.

-Good luck, mate. See you later.

I might need some.

Hm. Sounds like he's already spotted something.

That's nice for the price.

I'd buy it.

Straight out of the blocks.

-Morning, sir.

-Good morning.

-How are you?

When did you last see the back of your shop?

Oh, must be two or three years, I think.

CHARLIE LAUGHS

Good question, Charlie.

A chap could spend weeks in here, and only graze the surface.

Can I have a clamber?

-It is, I think, Alan, what you'd call an eclectic mix, isn't it?

-Yes.

Careful, now, we don't want a landslide.

-Has that got a carriage clock in it?

-Good spot.

-Just come in yesterday.

-Well, look at that.

-Quite a nice piece.

It's got its original...

Came in yesterday, eh? Catnip to collectors.

How lovely to see it in its original box, with the original key.

And, look at that.

It's even got its little, there we go...

its little door. And it's got a serpentine-shaped brass case.

No doubt, an English case with a French movement, I imagine.

-And about 1,900 in date.

-Yeah, yeah.

-Yes.

Carriage clocks were a French invention in the early 19th century.

Also known as officers' clocks.

They were designed for travel,

and the carrying case was a key component.

How much is said item?

-Well, I would think about £100 I'd expect to get for that.

-Would you?

Yeah, I thought you might say that.

-The best thing about this is the original case.

-Original box.

-A bit tatty but someone will love to restore it.

-Yeah.

I think, if that didn't have its original box, that's a 50-quider.

But I think that does help considerably.

May I just leave it on there for the moment

and give that a bit of thought? Have you got any silver on board?

-Funny you should ask, Charlie.

-Well, I have a few bits tucked away here.

This is a veritable Aladdin's cave here.

Now, these are Edinburgh spoons. They're quite nice.

I just was looking at the back and seeing that they're Georgian.

They're Georgian, and Edinburgh.

They've got the thistle and the castle.

-And there's six of them.

-Six of them.

-That's a silver pocket watch.

-Silver pocket watch.

HE BLOWS There we go.

London maker. That's turn-of-the-century, isn't it?

Sterling silver bracelet.

Yellow decoration on it.

-Is that Burmese?

-Siamese silver.

-Siamese, is it?

-Yeah.

-I'm getting very excited here.

-What else has Alan got in there?

That's got quite a nice Art Nouveau top.

Gosh, what a lovely top to that. A bit dented, but silver.

HE BLOWS

-Birmingham silver. About 1910.

-Yep.

Hob-nailed cup body to it. In good order, really.

-How much is your jar?

-Well, it's in pretty poor condition.

-It's not in great condition.

-£15.

£15? You know what? I'm really tempted by it.

But I don't know how much leeway there might be on the clock.

I don't suppose you'd sell it to me for 60 quid, can you?

-I think I would, 70, I would.

-Would you sell at 70?

I think that's an extremely tempting and reasonable offer,

and I'll shake you by the hand, sir. That's very kind, sir.

I have to say, I can't stop now, you see, because I get the buying bug.

I don't suppose it could be a tenner, rather than 15?

-Let's put that in at a tenner, yeah.

-This is getting better by the minute!

I thought he might be about to buy just about everything

in that little suitcase.

-I think I'm going to have one look at your lamp, if I may.

-Yep.

Not forgotten it then, Charlie?

Again, rather like this carriage clock.

A lot of these have been reproduced over the years.

You've only got to look at the patination, the wear,

feel the weight, to know that that is a 19th-century lamp.

And it's got its original Starboard label on it.

The word, starboard, derives from the old English,

and literally means, the side on which this ship is steered.

Because the steering oar used to be affixed

to the right side of a vessel.

And mooring at port was on the left. Hence, "port".

Interested, I'd say.

-What sort of money is that?

-About 20 quid.

-20 quid, yeah?

I would give you ten quid for your lamp outside. But I...

It's a mean offer, it's a rude offer, and I'm not expecting anything.

I think it might make 20 quid at auction, 15, 20 quid at auction.

-Let's move it on, yes.

-Are you sure?

-Yes, let's get rid of that.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-Thank you.

Fair point, Alan, the shop could get crowded otherwise!

-Good luck.

-Very good day. And thank you so much.

It's never hard to imagine what Charlie's mood is

but, with three lots in the back, I think it's true to say, well...

Whoops! ..with a spring in his step, he's pleased

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Edinburgh, Margie has come

to the city's historic mound,

not one of the seven hills, by the way,

to visit a museum entirely dedicated to money.

The Museum On The Mound is located at the historic former headquarters

of the Bank Of Scotland.

Founded in 1695, it's the second oldest surviving bank in the UK.

-Good morning.

-Hello.

-You're Doug?

-Yes.

-I'm Margie.

But, of course, money itself is much, much older,

and can take many different forms.

Pretty much anything can be money, if you think about it.

It's just that some things made better money than others.

It's got to be something that's desirable.

The earliest form of money we know about are the cowry shells

which were being used in parts of China, at least 4,000 years ago.

-Couldn't you just go along the beach and get those?

-Yes and no.

One afternoon, you'd have a lot of money in your pocket.

They were being used about 1,000 miles away

from where they were actually found. In China, they were used inland.

Where do these beads come from?

These ones here come from Solomon Islands.

You can notice there are four different coloured beads here.

The different beads have a different value,

based on how easy or hard it is to find that particular shell.

So, the white shells and black shells are quite easy to find.

They're the lowest value.

Then you have the pale orange beads.

Finally, the reddish orange beads.

The shells for those could only be found 20 metres down,

so only the best divers, could hold their breath, swim down 20 metres,

find the shell, and get up to the surface again.

-So, he become a rich man if he could do that.

-Probably not.

-Probably, the person who made the beads then became rich.

-Ah!

Money, it seems, really does make the world go round.

Take "buck," for example.

A slang term for a dollar that may come from buckskin,

once used as currency.

The museum holds other examples of the goods that

were as important as cash north of the border.

This is a beaver pelt.

And the beaver pelt was used as currency in Canada

in the 18th-century.

Now, it's being used by the colonists when they still had coins,

but the coins were in such short supply,

companies like the Hudson's Bay Company,

which most people would have gone to back then

to get their supplies, priced everything in beaver pelts.

Just as we go into a supermarket today.

So, you would have gone in and it might've be

one beaver pelt would have got you four knives, or two pounds of sugar.

Nowadays, of course, paper money is the standard,

and much of the credit goes to the Bank of Scotland

because, back in 1696, the Scots invented the modern banknote.

The Bank of England had been using paper currency

but not in set denominations.

You know, you could get a banknote for whatever amount.

In 1696, Bank of Scotland came along - fives, tens,

-20s, 50s and 100s.

-And it's still the same today?

-It's still the same today.

-Oh, it's amazing, isn't it?

People have been trying to forge banknotes

since the Bank of Scotland started issuing them.

But the bank has been fighting back for almost as long.

So, this is Scotland's oldest surviving banknote

-from 16th April, 1716.

-That's amazing that it's survived.

This one was kept to one side

-because it was evidence in a forgery case.

-Oh.

This wavy line here is actually deliberate.

It was an early anti-forgery device.

The copper printing plate would have been used to print

two notes at once. And these notes were actually bound into a book,

a bit like a cheque-book.

And when the printed note was actually issued,

the teller would just cut a random wavy line.

So when you presented your banknote for payment,

the teller could check the original counterfoil,

and if they didn't match up, he knew you presented a counterfeit note.

Clever stuff. Elsewhere in the museum,

they have a suitable jaw-dropping selection of the latest banknotes.

Never mind about beads, now you're talking!

-A million pounds in £20 notes. Number one there.

-Doesn't look much.

I could get that in the back of our car.

Well, unfortunately, Margie, it's all a bit worthless

because of that cancelled notice on every single one. Never mind.

Perhaps it'll inspire you to add to the small fortune

you've already accumulated. Now, time to meet up with Charlie

and motor to another of the city's destination antiques emporia.

What are you doing taking me down a dark alley?

-Have you got designs on me?

-I'm trying to find you some antiques.

I can't believe there's an antique shop here.

Go around the corner, you'll see.

Come on, Charlie. Shall I go first?

Ah! Margie.

-I might buy one of those.

-No, you can't have a basket.

Courtyard Antiques consists of two jam-packed floors

with the accent on vintage.

Oh, look at his little ears.

Including costumes, toys, militaria, and much else besides.

Evening, all.

That's a beauty.

Now, Miss Cooper.

Jacques Cousteau!

Great for fancy dress.

Ouf!

Teddy bears, helmets, globes, boats...

While Charlie explores the top floor,

Margie's downstairs with proprietor, Lewis, being sensible.

-You've got a set of six, not very old.

-Eight.

-Eight, sorry.

I mean, they're heavy, they're so heavy. Edinburgh crystal?

-Yes. And I don't think...

-Not much age to that.

£160.

SHE SIGHS

You really need to see them all, don't you?

-Oh, 'ecky thump!

-Really?

-Yeah.

Quite.

But Lewis also has several decanters,

any one of which could be included in the deal.

So, could you sort of do me a parcel with the glasses cheap-ish?

I can do you a parcel with the glasses,

it's the cheap bit I'm having a problem with.

Something tells me this could go on a bit.

Meanwhile, what's Charlie found?

It's a folding bagatelle table.

And you whack your ball.

If you get it in this hole, you see, you get one.

And the more difficult they are, the more points you get.

You have your little balls. Ah.

Pas de balones.

Bagatelle, named after the Parisian chateaux of that name,

is a French invention which is part billiards and part bowling.

Oh.

Failed.

You can also see how pinball and even crazy golf developed from here.

Oh!

-Unlucky.

-Not as easy as you think, this.

Well, he might enjoy playing it,

but I'm not sure he's convinced it's worth buying.

-Now, how are things in the slow lane?

-That's a nice example.

I mean, slate clocks are not the best. But...

-That's a beautiful one.

-It is. And it's small.

Although this slate clock is thoroughly British,

it has a French movement.

And the fashion for clocks made from slate began on the other

-side of the Channel.

-What money's that, then?

-120.

-120? Oh...

-Let's call it...

-They're not easy, are they?

-..80.

-Mm.

-It does go.

-Have you got the keys?

-Yes.

CLOCK CHIMES

Oh, listen to that.

-65 and I'll buy it.

-I am sure that's what I paid for it.

I can't believe I'm even interested in a slate clock.

But it's so pretty. That is so sweet.

It's got these little Corinthian columns. 68?

Now you're talking(!)

Patience, Lewis.

Our Margie can be a very trying customer.

Meanwhile, Charlie, for once, is equally at a loss.

I need some assistance, please.

I need an injection of definitive decision-making.

Oh, Lordy, Charlie!

You've only been with Margie a short while.

I do hope indecision isn't contagious.

I'm going to for a walk down the street. I'm going to get

-some fresh air.

-At least that's decisive.

It's a lonely old life, really.

It's a lonely old life when you can't make up your mind.

But it seems to me having bought not far from here

that there's a lot of antiques shops here.

There's another shop there. What a lovely looking shop.

I'm going to have a look in Bodkin and Farrish. You never know.

There might be the object of my dreams in there.

-Greetings.

-Hello there.

-May I look around your shop?

-Please do.

-Charlie's the name.

-Pleased to meet you. Hugo.

-Hugo!

Yes. But Bodkin or Farrish?

Anyway, I think Charlie will perk up in here.

A real old-fashioned antique shop with plenty of lighting,

and, of course, furniture.

Look at that cabinet there. Look at that cabinet. French, do you think?

It doesn't look English to me. I adore the carving on the doors.

Exquisite. 1880. £260. Love to buy that for 100.

I wonder how flexible Hugo is. Hugo! May I borrow you?

-Yes, sorry.

-I was just looking at your cabinet there.

The bottom door is sensational. The carving is fabulous.

-I think it's probably too insulting to offer you...

-Hit me with it.

-I am uninsultable.

-Are you insultable?

-I mean, I think that would make at auction about 140 quid.

-Is that all?

-Golly.

-No, I may well be...

-Exactly.

-I know what you're saying.

I don't suppose it's buyable for 100 quid, is it?

-If it were, I would buy it.

-I think, sadly, it's cost me more.

-Has it?

Yeah. What would be your, you know, never-to-be-forgotten,

-show-me-the-door price on that?

-I've had to restore that.

-Have you?

I think I paid 140. But because of my quiet Sunday, I'll take 150.

I feel good vibes with Hugo here. But, you know, do I want to gamble?

You know you probably do, Charlie. But there may be something else.

How about one of Hugo's fine sideboards?

Something that took my eye over here was a frame. It's not silver is it?

No, that's a plated frame.

-Not a repro, is it?

-No, it's 19...10/20.

Look at that, Romeo and Juliet. Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou?

I'm here. "Parting is such sweet sorrow."

To me, it doesn't matter a tuppenny job that it's not silver, really.

I quite like the base metal coming through here.

Adds a depth to the colour. Look at him.

That all ended rather badly, didn't it, Romeo and Juliet?

Well, at least the auction's not in Verona, eh?

-How much is "Parting with sweet sorrow?"

-£60.

-£60.

-And that'll be a roaring profit on that, I'm convinced.

-Oh, Hugo.

You wouldn't like to take £40 for that, would you, Hugo?

-That is what I was about to say.

-£40?

-Yes.

-I would like to pay £40 for that.

-We have a deal.

-Fab!

Charlie's back in the saddle, it seems,

-still hankering after that cabinet as well.

-I don't suppose...

you don't want to take £100 for your cabinet, do you?

-It's a miserable, pathetic offer...

-Give me the 140 I paid for it.

-No, no. I'm not going to.

-Not brave enough?

-I'm not brave enough.

It must be the sun. And the busyness.

And I'll take your £100.

-What?!

-I'll take it.

-Are you sure?

You should be quicker than that, sir.

-Indeed.

-Oh, my goodness me. I've just bought another thing for £100.

I'm more excited to see how much profit you make.

That's a very sporting attitude, Hugo.

Charlie now has five lots, but Margie, on the other hand,

-still hasn't bought a thing.

-I'm boring myself here.

So far, Margie's agonised over some glasses, and a slate clock.

-But there's more.

-This is nice.

-Something familiar, too.

I wonder where the balls are.

Are these the balls? These are the balls.

And you can have a jolly, jolly time playing.

I don't quite know how it works. Nice thing though. Edwardian.

Yes, we've heard all that from Charlie.

In good nick.

It seems Margie might be a tad more interested in the bagatelle

than her travelling companion was.

How much is that?

-80.

-Yeah? It's all right.

-Can that be 60 quid?

-No.

-No?

I don't blame you but I just want the guarantee really, don't I?

-You did beat me down with the clock.

-How much was it?

-70.

It was actually 75 but... I'm losing the will.

I'll buy something, don't worry. I'm getting really close now.

Well, fingers crossed. Back to the clock, eh?

Stick with us, viewers.

-So the clock and the game.

-140.

-We're nearly there, aren't we?

-You're there. I'm not there yet and you are. 68 each. 136.

-69 each.

69 each.

Cool.

I think Lewis might need to sit down for a bit after that.

Thank you so much.

I know I do!

£138 on two lots for Margie and all in all it's been quite a day.

No wonder they're feeling a trifle dizzy.

So night-night.

Next morning, Charlie accuses Margie of hanging onto her profits.

-You're not going to spend that 315 quid, are you?

-I am.

-No, you're not.

SCOTTISH ACCENT: I think I'll spend six poonds on this one.

And seven poonds 50 on that one.

And I'll keep the rest in my handbag.

I don't want to risk it.

Not something Charlie could be accused of

because yesterday he spent £230 on a lantern, a picture frame,

a dressing table jar, a cabinet and a carriage clock, as you do.

This is getting better by the minute.

Leaving him with just over £40 in his wallet.

Whilst Margie was much more cautious,

buying just a slate clock and a bagatelle game for £138...

I knew you were going to be trouble the minute you came in.

..meaning she has £177.10 to spend today.

Later, they'll be making

for the auction in Kinbuck,

but their next stop is still in Edinburgh

down on the historic dockside by the Firth of Forth at Leith.

-Look at this. It's enormous.

-Goodness.

I'll probably never see you again.

SHE CHUCKLES

Bye, darling, have a lovely time. Spend all that super cash.

I wish I'd got more. Looks a serious place.

-I'm looking for... John.

-Margie. Pleased to meet you.

-I'm pleased to meet you.

Thanks for letting us come to this amazing place.

-You're more than welcome.

-So how long have you been here?

We're in this warehouse 25 years.

It's not hard to see why this fine establishment,

located in an old whisky warehouse,

has recently won an accolade as one of the finest shops in the UK.

Sure to suit our Margie.

Poor old Charlie, he'd have loved it in here.

That's right. But I'm sure she won't rub it in. Not.

This is a pull-out table from about 1820. This is a Gillows one.

-And stamped.

-Oh, my word. These stamps are so important.

-Critical.

Yes, there's quite a bit that's way beyond her reach

but I'm sure John can guide the way to the more affordable items.

-Here's something interesting for you.

-Ah, a box. A tin box.

Biscuit tin.

The ticket price is £75.

-40 quid.

-That's all right.

-That's quite smart. Buy that.

-There's wages left in that.

-Wages left in that. I do like that.

-OK.

-I haven't said yes yet.

-You have.

I can tell by the way you replied.

You can see how he's successful, can't you?

Something tells me our John isn't a man to dither with.

-A pen stand.

-Onyx?

It's going to be £50 to you. Would it sell for you?

-Not sold on that.

-OK.

-Carlton Ware. That's unusual.

-You can have that for £30.

Actually, £40 and I'll throw in another piece.

-How much would those be? 35?

-£40 for both. That's a fair price.

It is a fair price.

No deal as yet though but this is shaping up well.

Margie arrived with almost £170 and I think John will make sure

she spends a fair part of it, quickly too.

This is an interesting piece. It's for dealing cards.

Four decks of cards. It could be blackjack, something like that.

It deals them out singly. It's got all the information.

-That's good. That's really good.

-Made in Paris.

I'm really excited about that.

The ticket price is £25.

-You can have that for £20. Do you really like it?

-I do.

-£20, you want it.

-£20. A deal. Shall we shake hands on that?

-OK.

Thank you.

Fast work. Now let's get back to that Carlton Ware.

-35 quid best.

-Right.

-£35?

-Yes. That's that done.

So how much have I spent?

£55 actually, not including the biscuit tin,

but do we have a deal on that as well?

Could it just ease a bit and I'll buy it?

-How much did I quote you?

-40.

-That's it.

-Not 38?

-No. No 38. It's £40.

-Got to be £40?

It's Monday morning, it's 9:30, I have a long week ahead of me.

-Will you please leave now?

-Give me the money!

I like this chap.

-Five of those are yours.

-OK. There's your change.

-A Scottish fiver.

With £95 spent, Margie's shopping is finally complete.

But where's Charlie?

Well, he's finally headed out of the capital.

Travelling north from Edinburgh

to Dunfermline.

Dun-shopping more like!

Look at this. I couldn't be in a more perfect place.

I think I've died and gone to heaven.

Actually he's on his way to see a unique museum

dedicated to the humble bus.

-Good morning.

-Good morning, Charlie.

-Is it Eddie?

-It's Eddie. How do you do?

-This is extraordinary.

I never thought I'd come into the middle of Scotland and find so many buses.

-How many buses have you got?

-180 on the site.

-180?

-180, yes.

-Are they all owned by you?

-No, they're individually owned.

If I have a bus and I want to put it in here, I pay you a rent, do I?

-That's basically it, yes.

-Splendid.

The Scottish Vintage Bus Museum

is the largest of its kind in the world.

Like many of the best institutions,

it owes its existence to enthusiasts and their valuable spare time.

What a wonderful view from up here.

All right in the summer but can you imagine

sitting here in the middle of winter? A Scottish winter?

I don't think so.

Basically everyone here just loves buses.

-This is what date?

-This is 1928.

This is one of the oldest buses we have on the site.

It's one of the first generation Glasgow double-deckers.

During the Second World War it was actually converted into an ambulance.

The roof was taken off. It ran about in London

and then it was discovered as a caravan in a field in Kent.

-Have you got anybody here who used to drive buses?

-I did.

-Did you?

-Whereabouts?

-In Edinburgh.

-For how long?

-Ten years I was driving in Edinburgh.

-Enjoyable?

Absolutely loved it.

"Bus", an abbreviation of "omnibus", meaning carriage for all,

applied to horse-drawn carriages before engine-powered vehicles.

The word "clippy", however, is uniquely British.

This is the old style bus,

the typical double-decker with the rear entrance

with the conductor or conductress, commonly known as a clippy.

-Because they clipped the tickets?

-Clipped the tickets, exactly that.

-You've got one?

-I've got an old ticket machine. So there you go.

-May I put it on?

-Absolutely. All you have to do is turn the handle.

-And there's your ticket.

-I've got a ticket.

That will be thrupence, please, sir.

Charlie, as a fan of all vintage vehicles, is clearly enjoying this experience

but it's all about to get even better.

-So am I going to be entrusted with this big beast?

-You are indeed.

You're going to be driving this huge monster, yes.

Of course the driver needs to be appropriately dressed.

So you must have the appropriate uniform.

-Oh, I look forward to wearing it.

-Thank you.

Very dapper.

Careful, Charlie. Easy does it.

Marvellous.

We'll get you as a bus driver yet. Easy.

I feel strangely at home.

So whenever a bus driver needs a holiday...

And there you are, you're a fully fledged bus driver.

-Did you enjoy that?

-Thank you very much indeed. I loved it.

Ah, Cupar. That reminds me.

It's now time to take a look at what they've bought.

-I have a double reveal for you.

-Right, a double reveal.

-One here.

-Yes?

-And one there. Izzy-whizzy, let's get busy.

-Ah!

-Ooh.

Go round the front and have a butcher's.

Now then, that's not English. No, it isn't. What is it?

-French, I think.

-Or Dutch?

-I think it's French.

-It's walnut.

-How unusual.

What I quite liked about it... Look. It's quite a nice thing, isn't it?

That's a lovely little thing.

-I think you've cracked it there.

-Oh, Margie!

Good start, Charlie. She's impressed.

Ship's lantern.

-I just liked it. It hasn't...

-What does it say?

-Starboard. That cost a tenner.

-A tenner?

-A tenner.

-Ooh!

-Ah! You've come to my territory.

-Just for you I've got some silver.

-Do you want to pick it up and look at it? How old is it?

-I think it's 1904.

-It is, yes.

-What's it worth? What would it make at auction?

-You're the expert.

-I think that's going to make between 40 and 60.

Ten.

HE CACKLES

He's enjoying this.

-Oh, a little carriage clock.

-Yes.

The only reason I bought that is because it's in its original case.

-Its original key and it's a serpentine front.

-That's amazing.

Margie's turn.

-Come on.

-Right, here we go. Ready?

-Come on.

HE LAUGHS

I know where you bought it!

-These are for scoring.

-Hang on! Your clock's chiming.

The balls are the key there because they're an odd size and you can't get them.

-I love this. Is this a biscuit tin?

-Yes, it is.

-Is it a McVitie & Price?

-No, it isn't. Victoria.

The key to this is the condition, isn't it?

Look at the paintwork on it.

Now, safe bet or gamble?

-This is my favourite.

-Now that's something, that's French.

-It is.

It's a card shoe for dealing cards, for blackjack.

-Oh, my goodness! From a casino?

-Look how nicely made it is.

I don't think I've ever seen one of those.

Decks of cards in there and the croupier brings them out like that.

-What, like that?

-Like that!

-20 quid.

-I think that's probably your best buy.

All good so far.

-Am I allowed to be rude about one of your purchases?

-My Carlton Ware?

-Ghastly. Absolutely ghastly.

-How dare you?

-I've been nice about your things.

-Do you know why I think it's ghastly?

-Because I once bought some.

-And got stuck with it?

-I absolutely did.

Right, let's go. Off into the sunshine.

Now what did they really think?

That bit of silver! He's definitely going to make £40 profit, definitely, on that.

It's gorgeous. Art Nouveau silver. Lovely.

The Carlton Ware is ghastly. Yesterday's antiques, Margie.

Frankly, if they make 15, you'll be a lucky girl.

I think he's done really well and I think he's going to get me on the second auction.

I think I've got the edge.

I'm rather thinking after this time I'll have my nose in front.

After starting out in the capital,

today's encounter will conclude

in rural Stirlingshire

at the hamlet of Kinbuck.

-Hey, it's been raining.

-It has been raining.

-We don't like that.

-I do not. And if it rains on my head we are pulling in.

-I've got a hanky.

-Do you want to tie it round your head?

-Is that me?

-A scarf?

No, it wouldn't be you, darling.

-Here we are.

-This is when you begin to wish you had bought some galvanised buckets.

Is that yours over there, the yellow ladders?

THEY LAUGH

-I hope they've got our things.

-It's a real cat, there's a real cat there.

Hasn't got a lot number on it, has it?

Ha-ha. Robertsons have been established in Kinbuck for a very long time

so they should be well placed to handle what Charlie and Margie have come up with.

Let's hear what auctioneer Kate Robertson makes of it all.

Carlton Ware, very run-of-the-mill, mediocre. We get them all the time.

I don't expect it to make any more than £15.

Normally slate clocks are big and cumbersome

and very heavy to move around.

That slate clock's the right size and it's nice and neat and clean.

The one that I think will do the best is the carriage clock.

These clocks normally make £120-£150.

Charlie began with £271.28

and he spent £230 of it on five auction lots.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-Thank YOU very much indeed.

Margie started out with £315.10 and she spent £233,

also on five auction lots.

SHE LAUGHS

So Kate's got her gavel and she's ready to go.

First we have Charlie's starboard lamp.

That will see some excitement.

Let's go. Are you ready? So, Charlie?

£20. 20. Thank you, sir.

£20 bid. Come on. This is a nice one. £20. Advance on 20. Come on.

The ship's lantern. 22 down and 24. 26. 28.

£28. Wee bit more. 28. 30.

32. £32. Advance on 32 now. We're finished on 32. All in for £32.

-There is a happy bunny.

-Thank you very much.

Lamp profit, profit lamp. Ha-ha!

Ladies and gentlemen, place your bids for Margie's card shoe.

-Falls under the...

-Looks good in a casino.

-Well done.

-I love casinos.

-Do you? Rien ne va plus.

-Ah, rien ne va plus.

-Faites vos jeux.

-Merci.

-God, I've set him off.

-FRENCH ACCENT: I don't mind if I do.

This is quite a smart piece now. A dealing shoe.

-We don't have many of those in here.

-I bet they don't.

-£40?

40 on the dealing shoe. Come on. 40. 30 then. £30 on the dealing shoe.

Come on. 20. 20 on the dealing shoe. Come on. £20 on the dealing shoe.

-20. 22. 24.

-There you are. Look at this.

30. 32. 34. 36. 38. 40.

Advance on 40. Thank you. 45. £45 here. Advance on 45 now.

We finish on £45. All out on 45.

-Why is there a big cat on your lap?

-A pussycat.

-Dr Strangelove.

Hey, you brought me luck.

Every cat likes a winner and Margie, remember, has a comfortable lead.

It wasn't the cat that bought it, was it?

Can Margie do as well with a biscuit tin?

An Edwardian novelty biscuit tin in the shape of a book.

-It's Gourmets Delight.

-Isn't that lovely? Gourmets Delight.

What shall we bid for this one then? £20? 20 on the biscuit tin. £20.

Go on. Go on.

£15. Ten. £10. Advance on ten.

-Hang on, Margie, they need to work on this.

-A wee bit more.

Advance on £10. Advance on ten. They are collectable. £10.

Don't laugh, Margie.

Advance on ten. The biscuit tin. Come on. Advance on ten.

£10 it goes then.

Oh, Margie.

Margie's first loss for some time.

Now for Charlie's big gamble, the French cabinet.

HE GROANS

-I was foolish to spend 100 quid on something like that.

-Shush.

Quite attractive You can have that in any room in your house, I think.

So let's go with that one. £100. £100 on the cabinet. 100. £80.

80 on the cabinet. £80. Thank you. 80 bid. Advance on 80.

-Advance on 80. Thank you. 85.

-There you go.

-90. 95. 100. £100 here.

Advance on 100. More now. Advance on 100.

Advance on £100. 110.

120. 130. 140. 140 to my right.

Advance on 140. Finished at 140. All out at 140.

-Thank you.

-Well done.

He got away with that, I'd say.

-What we got next?

-My heart's going like the clappers.

What about the frame he bought at the same shop?

Come on, Mrs Adam, I want to see your hand shooting up this time.

Wee romantic that you are. Let's go. £30.

£30. 30. Come on. 20, then.

20 to start it. 20. 22. 24. 26. 28. 30. 32. 34.

Getting there, getting there.

38 with you. £40. 40. Advance on 40.

Come on. Advance on £40 now. Romeo and Juliet and all that. 45.

-She's bunged you a fiver.

-Advance on £45. Are we finished at 45?

Well done.

More blessed relief for Charlie.

This is purgatory.

It's not what you call comfortable, is it?

Time for the clock that Margie agonised over for so long.

-I declare myself worried about your clock.

-Gee, thanks.

I didn't want to be rude when you unveiled it

but when I went to bed last night I thought,

"What has the old bag done?"

Let's go for £50, please. 50 on the clock. It's a nice one. 50. 40 then.

Come on. £40 on the slate clock. 40. It's a nice size.

-£30 on the slate clock. 30. 30 bid. 32. 34.

-Here we go, here we go.

This man's got bid-itis.

£40. 45? £45? Advance on 45 now.

Finished on 45.

Damn and blast it.

To put it mildly.

I just had a bad buying day, didn't I?

Did you have a migraine or something?

Margie's Carlton Ware next.

Something tells me this won't go well.

I'm praying for you.

A Carlton Rouge Royale two-branch candleholder and ashtray. £10. Ten.

-£10. Come on.

-We'll take it to the next auction!

-Need a free pair of tights with these.

-Thank you, five bid.

-Advance on five. Advance on £5.

-It is unsaleable, this stuff.

-I have first-hand knowledge.

-At £5. Ewan.

That confirms Margie's luck's just run out.

The candlesticks were all right, the candelabra thing.

Calling it a candelabra is pushing it a bit!

She was a big fan of Charlie's bargain jar.

OK, £20. 20. £20?

Thank you, Gavin. £20 bid. The man's on 20.

22. 24. 26. 28.

£28. 30.

£30 here. Advance on 30 now. Advance on £30.

That's OK. Nice little profit.

-We finish on £30.

-Well done.

Charlie's quietly creeping ahead here.

-A little cocky now.

-I'm so unused to winning anything in my life.

This has come as a bit of a golden day really.

Can Margie's bagatelle get her back in the game? She needs snookers.

-This is a definite profit.

-There's no doubt about this.

-No doubt.

Cast-iron success.

-£100. 100. £100.

-She's obviously got faith in this. She's interested.

-80.

£80. Come on. 80. 60 then. £60 on the bagatelle.

60. £50. 50. Come on.

£50. My goodness. You're not in the mood tonight, are you?

-Shall I keep going for you? £50. 40 then. £40.

-God, this is terrible.

£40. Thank you. 40 bid. Advance on 40. Advance on £40. Advance on 40.

We finish on £40. Stuart.

-40.

-Dear me.

-Oh, crumbs, it's not been your best, has it?

-It's been a shocker.

I just hope that whoever bought it knows the rules.

-I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

-If I were you, I'd cry.

Will Charlie's carriage clock hand him yet more profits, I wonder?

-This is it, Marge.

-This is it. The final countdown.

£100. £100 on the carriage clock.

-At least you're asking for 100.

-80 then.

£80 for the carriage clock. £80.

How often do we get them in this condition? £80.

50. £50 for the carriage clock. 50. Thank you. Advance on 50 now.

-Advance on 50.

-Come on, team.

60. 65. 70. 75. 80.

£80. Advance on 80. Advance an £80. At £80 now.

Did you see him? "God, that was cheap, wasn't it?"

Not bad but it hardly justified the gamble.

I'm not spending more than five quid on anything else ever again now. Come on.

Never mind. His steady profits plus Margie's big losses

mean that Charlie is the winner today.

Margie started out with £315.10.

And after paying auction costs she made a loss of £114.10,

leaving her about where she started with £201.

While Charlie began with £271.28,

and after paying auction costs he has made a profit of £38.14,

leaving him with £309.42 to spend next time. Well done, my boy.

-Well done. The boy did well.

-Thank you, darling. Here we go.

HORN BEEPS

Marvellous.

Next on Antiques Road Trip, Charlie tees off.

Will you get back in the car, please?

And Margie's told to clear off.

-I feel awful now.

-Sling your hook.