0:00:02 > 0:00:03The nation's favourite celebrities...
0:00:03 > 0:00:04- Oh!- Just want to touch BASS.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06..paired up with an expert...
0:00:06 > 0:00:07Boo!
0:00:07 > 0:00:09..and a classic car.
0:00:09 > 0:00:10No hands!
0:00:10 > 0:00:13Their mission - to scour Britain for antiques.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15My office, now!
0:00:15 > 0:00:18The aim - to make the biggest profit at auction.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20But it's no easy ride.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22Who will find a hidden gem?
0:00:22 > 0:00:24- HORN PARPS - Like that.
0:00:24 > 0:00:25Who will take the biggest risk?
0:00:25 > 0:00:27This could end in disaster.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30Will anybody follow expert advice?
0:00:30 > 0:00:32- But I love this!- Why would you buy something you're not going to use?
0:00:32 > 0:00:35There will be worthy winners, and valiant losers.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37No, I don't want to shake hands.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39Put your pedal to the metal.
0:00:39 > 0:00:40Let me get out of first gear.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43This is the Celebrity Antiques Road Trip!
0:00:46 > 0:00:48Yeah!
0:00:50 > 0:00:53Today's celebrities in the TVR
0:00:53 > 0:00:55are journalists Amol Rajan
0:00:55 > 0:00:57and Grace Dent.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59Grace, what do you know about antiques?
0:00:59 > 0:01:02Amol, I've got to be honest, I don't know an awful lot.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05At midnight last night, I was sitting in bed
0:01:05 > 0:01:09on my computer, looking up, "What is an antique?"
0:01:09 > 0:01:11But the good news about journalists
0:01:11 > 0:01:13is that if they don't know something,
0:01:13 > 0:01:14they can generally find out.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16And from a reliable source.
0:01:16 > 0:01:17Like me.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19I've met Fiona Bruce a few times.
0:01:19 > 0:01:20So that would have helped.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22You've met Fiona Bruce?
0:01:22 > 0:01:23I work with her at BBC News, so...
0:01:23 > 0:01:26But were you not just looking into her sultry eyes
0:01:26 > 0:01:28and imagining her in a leather catsuit?
0:01:28 > 0:01:29Yeah!
0:01:29 > 0:01:31Amol reports on heavyweight programmes like
0:01:31 > 0:01:35the General Election Special, as the BBC's media editor.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38Amol Rajan, BBC News.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40While Grace is the author of several books
0:01:40 > 0:01:42and a TV food critic.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46- That's in gear.- Wahey!
0:01:46 > 0:01:48Their friendship got going on The Independent,
0:01:48 > 0:01:52where Grace was a columnist and Amol her editor.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54Grace, how long have we known each other? Five years?
0:01:54 > 0:01:56I've been a boss, I've been a friend,
0:01:56 > 0:01:58I don't think you've ever had a chance to discover
0:01:58 > 0:02:00just how competitive I am.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04Oh, Amol, I know exactly how competitive you are.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07Two brainy media types who love their food and want to win. Ha!
0:02:07 > 0:02:11Should make our Jag-driving experts, James Braxton and Catherine Southon,
0:02:11 > 0:02:13very happy!
0:02:13 > 0:02:17I think these two are going to be the finest of the finest quality.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20Yeah. I'm already intimidated.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22- LAUGHING:- So am I!
0:02:22 > 0:02:23It'll be fine!
0:02:23 > 0:02:26So, with £400 for each celebrity to spend,
0:02:26 > 0:02:28let's put our best feet forward.
0:02:28 > 0:02:33I was wondering whether we might be scrabbling in back sheds
0:02:33 > 0:02:35over things. So I only wore a low heel!
0:02:35 > 0:02:37We're not going to get dirty, are we?
0:02:37 > 0:02:38I hope not!
0:02:38 > 0:02:41Didn't they get the suitable clothing e-mail, then?
0:02:42 > 0:02:43Good morning!
0:02:43 > 0:02:46- Hey, guys.- It's a very elegant thing, getting out of a car.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48- Very nice to see you.- Well done.
0:02:48 > 0:02:49I hope you're going to look after us.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51You're going to look after me!
0:02:51 > 0:02:54- Lovely to meet you. - I'm going to look after you?
0:02:54 > 0:02:56That is so unbelievably reassuring!
0:02:56 > 0:02:59So, guys, you need to know, I'm absolutely terrified about today.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02- Why?- Because I don't know very much about antiques.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04Excellent.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06I'm not worried about that.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08Come on, we're up for the challenge!
0:03:08 > 0:03:09Right, let's do it.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11Best way to learn!
0:03:11 > 0:03:12All aboard!
0:03:14 > 0:03:18Today, we're starting out in the Essex village of Great Baddow.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20And, after shopping around East Anglia,
0:03:20 > 0:03:24making for a seaside auction in Eastbourne, Sussex.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27But first, the mind games.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30I know some insider knowledge about Amol
0:03:30 > 0:03:33because I have known him for quite a long time.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36- Yeah.- He overanalyses things. - Excellent!
0:03:36 > 0:03:40And he's deeply, deeply unhappy if he is made to look silly.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43- Excellent!- Whereas I don't mind looking silly!
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Good thing, too. It has been known, you know.
0:03:46 > 0:03:47There's something about this car
0:03:47 > 0:03:49that's bringing out this competitive streak in me.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52I think only losers say it's the taking part that counts.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54- For me, winning is everything, I'm afraid.- OK.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58Well, don't you worry, because today we are Team Amol.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01You are in charge. You are the boss, let me tell you.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04OK. I wonder if the others realise
0:04:04 > 0:04:06there's been a shopping war declared?
0:04:06 > 0:04:11What I would suggest is look at an item, moot it,
0:04:11 > 0:04:12and then pause.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14Don't rush in. Don't fill the space.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16Let them worry about it.
0:04:16 > 0:04:21So sometimes it's allowing a very awkward silence?
0:04:21 > 0:04:23Lovely, love it.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26I don't think I've allowed anyone to have an awkward silence since 1986!
0:04:26 > 0:04:28JAMES LAUGHS
0:04:28 > 0:04:31Come on, let's recreate that awkward silence.
0:04:31 > 0:04:32It's just...
0:04:34 > 0:04:36That's it, you've got it. You've got it.
0:04:36 > 0:04:37But don't smile. You're smiling.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39So you just look blankly.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41I have so much to say!
0:04:41 > 0:04:45Me too! Like, this is the Baddow Antique Centre.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47In we hop.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49And they're about to meet one of the dealers.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51- Hi.- Hi.
0:04:51 > 0:04:52- Tony.- Tony, James.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54- Hi, James, pleased to meet you. - Good to meet you.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57Very good to meet you. Oh, antiques, finally.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59- Real ones.- Real ones!
0:04:59 > 0:05:03There's been a lot of attention paid to bargaining technique so far.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05So just keep your eyes peeled.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08But what might the cash actually be spent on?
0:05:08 > 0:05:10I like these, but do people collect them?
0:05:10 > 0:05:12They used to be very trendy.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14They used to make about £1,500 to £2,000.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17And then what happened, did the trend go against them?
0:05:17 > 0:05:20Well, I think everybody needs to keep an account, so they... Yeah.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Oh, well, early days.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24There's so much to learn.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26- Do you like that?- What is it?
0:05:26 > 0:05:28Well, it's just a sort of Roman dancer.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31She's got her little tambourines there, hasn't she?
0:05:31 > 0:05:35There's a Chinese figure, it's a root carving on a water buffalo.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37That's sort of sought after.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40And what about that one? The little boy asleep?
0:05:40 > 0:05:43Yeah, it's all right, but it's not a great subject matter.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45You want sexy ladies, Grace.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47No luck. Plus, the opposition's arrived.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49Oh, no!
0:05:49 > 0:05:51Ah, we are behind already!
0:05:51 > 0:05:52They've beaten us to it.
0:05:52 > 0:05:53I wouldn't panic.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55- Hello.- Hi, there.- How are you?
0:05:55 > 0:05:56- I'm good.- Nice seeing you.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58- And you are?- Bob.
0:05:58 > 0:05:59Bob's the man today.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01Bob, I'm Amol, great to see. Thanks for having us.
0:06:01 > 0:06:02Thanks for coming, very nice.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05- I don't know very much about antiques.- Nor do I!
0:06:05 > 0:06:07What are you doing on our manor?
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Hang on. Why have you had a head start?
0:06:09 > 0:06:12- That's not allowed! - We arrived years ago. We left you.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14Anyway, out of the way, let's get going!
0:06:14 > 0:06:16He wants to win, all right.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18See, this is my kind of antique.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22The key thing is, if you like to drink beer, on a hot summer's day,
0:06:22 > 0:06:25doing it out of something like this is unbeatable.
0:06:25 > 0:06:26CLATTERING
0:06:26 > 0:06:28Oh! I don't think anyone noticed!
0:06:29 > 0:06:32Ah, more beer receptacles.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Years ago, these would have been measures.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37But by the time that is full,
0:06:37 > 0:06:39it's not as if one of the tavern girls
0:06:39 > 0:06:42would have been able to pick it up. It would weigh more than her!
0:06:42 > 0:06:46Copper has this magical property of being antibacterial.
0:06:46 > 0:06:47So it's brilliant.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50Years ago, public places like cinemas, pubs,
0:06:50 > 0:06:54they had copper handles and it kills on contact germs.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56I know, but it's so ugly.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58OK. We'll put it away.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00Grace, it's all about you.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03Well, strictly speaking, it is.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05There's a little item round the corner,
0:07:05 > 0:07:08just one of those things that just grabbed me, jumped out at me.
0:07:08 > 0:07:09Which is a sort of typewriter.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11- Right.- Could we go and have a little look?
0:07:11 > 0:07:13Journalist, he's a journalist.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15Not a financial journalist, though.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17Turns out it's not a typewriter at all, Bob!
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Forgive my ignorance. At a distance, I thought it looked like a very nice
0:07:20 > 0:07:23typewriter. That's actually... That's a till, isn't it?
0:07:23 > 0:07:24Yes. A very nice one.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27Also admired by Grace, of course.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29Probably not hugely commercial, I wouldn't have thought.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32Cos who would buy something like that, who would want that?
0:07:32 > 0:07:34I don't know, what's the price on it?
0:07:34 > 0:07:36That could be about £500.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38Could you do at for 50?
0:07:38 > 0:07:40He's new to this lark!
0:07:40 > 0:07:42Now, the others seem to have found Tony's department.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45Wow! What a bit of lapis!
0:07:45 > 0:07:46- A beautiful piece.- Lapis lazuli.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48Yeah. 11.5 kilos of it.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50It's a nice piece of lapis, actually.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52I mean, there's little gold flecks in it.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55You want the gold. The more gold in there, the better. Yeah.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59This semiprecious stone has long been prized for its intense blue.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01How much is something like that?
0:08:01 > 0:08:04Something like that, that would set you back somewhere in the region
0:08:04 > 0:08:06of £1,500.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08Hmm. What else has he got?
0:08:08 > 0:08:10I like this. A very interesting piece of silver.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12It's an Arts and Crafts piece.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14But this is by a lady called Winifred King.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17She was associated with the suffragette movement.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20And she set up a workshop in Coventry
0:08:20 > 0:08:25and she taught young ladies that wanted to get into silversmithing.
0:08:25 > 0:08:26It's a matchbox cover.
0:08:27 > 0:08:32And you just...hold the other item and bring the loupe up to your eye.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35I'm having a loupe lesson for the first time!
0:08:35 > 0:08:37So hang on a minute. What am I doing?
0:08:37 > 0:08:41Bring that to your eye and then bring the item to you.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44Hang on a minute, it's going to be magical when this works!
0:08:44 > 0:08:46A bit closer, Grace.
0:08:46 > 0:08:47Close, really close.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49- Ah!- Like, really close. - It's very revealing.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51You see, that's what you want to buy, stories.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53How much do you want for this, Tony?
0:08:53 > 0:08:55I think if we went £45 on that,
0:08:55 > 0:08:57I think that really would show you a profit.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59Can I squeeze you, Tony?
0:08:59 > 0:09:00Depends how hard.
0:09:00 > 0:09:0140.
0:09:03 > 0:09:04Awkward silence.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06- Yeah, OK, we'll take 40 on that. - I think we should take it.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08- Shake the man's hand. - I think you'll do well on that.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10- Smother him in kisses.- Thank you.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12Well, that went well!
0:09:12 > 0:09:14- You told me to be poker-faced. - Yeah, poker-faced.
0:09:14 > 0:09:19You told me, you told me not to show how happy I was.
0:09:19 > 0:09:20- But I love this!- I love it.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22So cash for Tony.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24Hang on a moment. I have it...
0:09:24 > 0:09:26I have it in my bra,
0:09:26 > 0:09:28as all good feminists do.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31- There you go.- I shall frame it!
0:09:31 > 0:09:33Any excitement elsewhere?
0:09:33 > 0:09:37Come with me as I direct you to...
0:09:38 > 0:09:40- ..a violin.- Really?
0:09:40 > 0:09:42Do you play the violin?
0:09:43 > 0:09:46That's really not the reaction I was hoping for!
0:09:46 > 0:09:48It's no Stradivarius, Amol.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51You give it a try and see if it sounds right.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53Um, what, with my extensive violin experience?
0:09:53 > 0:09:55Yes. What grade did you get to?
0:09:55 > 0:09:56Minus six.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58- Oh, God.- Are you ready for this?
0:09:58 > 0:10:00This one's Mozart.
0:10:00 > 0:10:01- Are you ready?- Yeah.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03PLAYS BADLY
0:10:05 > 0:10:07Oh!
0:10:09 > 0:10:10How's that?
0:10:10 > 0:10:12What would Front Row say?
0:10:12 > 0:10:14What's that? Is that a wallet?
0:10:14 > 0:10:16It's like a little lady's purse.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19I love that, Catherine, tell me that's good.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21- Tell me that you like it. - I think that's gorgeous.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25This is going to be dating from around, I would say,
0:10:25 > 0:10:27the early part of the 20th century.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29No price on that one, though.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32I tell you what I saw as soon I came into this room...
0:10:32 > 0:10:34- They're lovely, aren't they?- Wow.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36These are going to be for sewing.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42And if I told you this was indeed Victorian and it was 35 quid?
0:10:42 > 0:10:45The reason that is cheap is because it's brass.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47- It's not gold, yeah. - People don't want brass.
0:10:47 > 0:10:48But they do like silver.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50I think that looks incredibly pretty,
0:10:50 > 0:10:53and I think it's got a lovely, lovely, lovely pattern on it.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55It's got a crown,
0:10:55 > 0:10:58a V for the Roman numeral five, a lion.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00Is that the Queen's head?
0:11:00 > 0:11:01Yep, Victoria's head.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03And IIW and Co.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06This is, I would say,
0:11:06 > 0:11:09probably one of the best fruit knives that I've seen.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11So it's not really a penknife, or anything like that.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13It's basically a fruit knife.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16This is mother-of-pearl. It's absolutely beautiful quality.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18You'll walk around here... There you go, there's another one.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20You'll see hundreds of these.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23But this, look at the workmanship here.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25To tell you that this is a fruit knife,
0:11:25 > 0:11:28you look at the decoration there and you can see little apples and pears.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31- Oh, yeah. - All these other ones you'll see,
0:11:31 > 0:11:34they're around sort of 20 or £30.
0:11:34 > 0:11:35That's the best of the best.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37This is going to be close to 100, is it?
0:11:37 > 0:11:40I hope not. I hope he's going to say around £40 or £50.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42Well, there's only one way to find out.
0:11:42 > 0:11:48Tony, my favourite item in this entire shop is this...
0:11:48 > 0:11:52- beautiful, beautiful, beautiful leather wallet.- It's not that nice.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55Catherine said that she reckons there might be a market
0:11:55 > 0:11:58for this at auction. So everything hangs on the price.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00- Of course.- There is no price.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04It was around £25, but I think we could let that go...
0:12:05 > 0:12:07I think £15 would be the death.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10Would you go to 12?
0:12:10 > 0:12:12I think that's a fair price.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15I'd be quite interested in buying it in conjunction with something else,
0:12:15 > 0:12:17- which is...- Ah, we're going to bundle, are we?
0:12:17 > 0:12:18Do they go together?
0:12:18 > 0:12:20They look quite nice together.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22If that could be very cheap.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24Sort of £10 or something.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26I don't think he'd go for ten.
0:12:26 > 0:12:27What about the knife?
0:12:27 > 0:12:28That's a fabulous piece.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30It doesn't have a price on it.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33No, it's a fine one in this condition, it's actually quite fair.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35I don't think it's actually ever been used.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37The death on that, sort of £18.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40- Are we happy at 18? - I think it's a good thing.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43Let's take a punt on it. We've got a very purse here for nice 12 quid.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47- The two of these together for 30. - Yeah.- Cheers.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49- Thanks ever so much.- Appreciated. - That's great.
0:12:49 > 0:12:50Is that it, then?
0:12:50 > 0:12:52So we're discarding this one?
0:12:52 > 0:12:55- Well...- That's fine. - I mean, it is very nice.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57A silver egg cup.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00That's a fabulous piece of silver. And it's very, very reasonable.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- What's reasonable?- £10.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05- That, to me, has to make a profit. - Has to make a profit.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07Tony, I'll take it off you for a tenner.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10- I think I got a tenner here. - It's sold.- He loves a bargain.
0:13:10 > 0:13:11He's got one.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14He might just have three.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16Yay!
0:13:16 > 0:13:19Now, whither Grace and James?
0:13:19 > 0:13:22This is nice. It's an etching. So we've got horses here.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25Heavy horses, you know, they're carrying a load.
0:13:25 > 0:13:26It looks like a quarry, doesn't it?
0:13:26 > 0:13:29Explain more about etchings because I know nothing about etchings,
0:13:29 > 0:13:33other than it's something that people used to invite you up to see,
0:13:33 > 0:13:36is that, like, a rude thing?
0:13:36 > 0:13:40Etching was a really clever way of reproducing pictures.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42So this has been an original work,
0:13:42 > 0:13:45somebody would have come up with an original sketch.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47You're actually cutting out the lines on copperplate,
0:13:47 > 0:13:51and then you put ink over it and then you press it.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54I know the artist. It's Ernest Herbert Whydale.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Horses were his speciality, too.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59Are people doing etchings now, or am I just missing that?
0:13:59 > 0:14:03No, because we all moved into colour.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Well, let's find out what it might cost.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08- We found this rather nice etching. - Yes. Lovely etching.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10- Original.- Original.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12Shame the frame ain't.
0:14:12 > 0:14:17I'd be happy to pay £30, £40, something like...
0:14:17 > 0:14:19Maybe even less, hopefully.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22I know the gentleman was asking around 45.
0:14:22 > 0:14:27- Was he?- I think he can be squeezed a little bit on that.- Could he?
0:14:27 > 0:14:28I mean...
0:14:28 > 0:14:30Bovvered, Grace?
0:14:30 > 0:14:34I think if we could go to 38, I think he'd take that.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36What about 30?
0:14:36 > 0:14:37I'll take a chance at 35.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40- I think we should buy it. - I think we should buy it.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43- Tony, thank you.- Am I allowed to smile yet, James?
0:14:43 > 0:14:44She's getting good at this.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48- Did you feel the awkwardness? - I didn't like the awkwardness.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50I didn't like it!
0:14:50 > 0:14:52So with the formalities concluded...
0:14:52 > 0:14:55- Thank you, Tony. - Thanks ever so much.
0:14:55 > 0:14:56Thank you. Bye-bye.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58..let's grab our etching and go.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01That's it, well done, Grace. Very good.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04But, while Grace and James take their leave,
0:15:04 > 0:15:06Catherine's been after some background.
0:15:08 > 0:15:13Being an editor of the Independent, being the boss, the guv,
0:15:13 > 0:15:15I mean, that must have been quite amazing.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17It was actually an incredible experience.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19I've got to say, I feel very, very lucky to have done it.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23When I think, traditionally, editors, I think of gentleman
0:15:23 > 0:15:27in their sort of, I don't know, 50s, 60s.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29So 29....
0:15:29 > 0:15:32I know, I know. But there's nothing that quite beats the fact
0:15:32 > 0:15:35that when you land a big story and the next day you see it in print,
0:15:35 > 0:15:38- that's a really satisfying feeling. - That gives you a buzz.
0:15:38 > 0:15:39Well, stop the presses,
0:15:39 > 0:15:42because Amol and cub reporter Catherine are about
0:15:42 > 0:15:46to get the lowdown on one of the lesser-known great Victorians
0:15:46 > 0:15:49in Chelmsford, the county town of Essex,
0:15:49 > 0:15:51where they've come to see an exhibition
0:15:51 > 0:15:55dedicated to electrical pioneer Rookes Evelyn Bell Crompton,
0:15:55 > 0:15:59in the company of museum curator Tim Wander.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01Colonel Crompton was a forgotten genius
0:16:01 > 0:16:04who built the modern electrical age.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06Everything we now know, alternating current,
0:16:06 > 0:16:09the mains that every house has in its wall,
0:16:09 > 0:16:12came from the work of Crompton here in Chelmsford.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16Yorkshire-born Crompton had already discovered an inclination towards
0:16:16 > 0:16:20engineering when he visited The Great Exhibition of 1851 as a child.
0:16:20 > 0:16:25But it was a spell in the Army that decided his career.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27At the age of just 19, he joined the Rifle Brigade.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29He immediately was shipped to India,
0:16:29 > 0:16:33and started to work with the Royal Engineers and they were putting
0:16:33 > 0:16:36the first railways into India and he immediately started to think,
0:16:36 > 0:16:38"Well, actually, some of the work they're doing is very, very poor."
0:16:38 > 0:16:43And within two years he's designing steam carriageways, new tracks,
0:16:43 > 0:16:47new couplings and really I think that's where his passion came from.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49Outside the museum,
0:16:49 > 0:16:52this lamp post from 1898 is a small reminder
0:16:52 > 0:16:57of what Crompton would go on to achieve from his adopted Essex home.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59Chelmsford was a thrusting, growing town,
0:16:59 > 0:17:02and, when he came back to England in 1875, he went to join
0:17:02 > 0:17:07an agricultural machinery company here in Chelmsford.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10Again, he realised they weren't doing it very efficiently.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Three years later, he bought them out and took over.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15And it became the Crompton Works.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19Crompton & Company were Britain's first electrical engineering firm,
0:17:19 > 0:17:24manufacturing arc lamps, light bulbs, motors, meters and dynamos.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28And the amazing thing about this museum is he made stuff, didn't he?
0:17:28 > 0:17:32He made physical, actual things that you can pick up and do stuff with.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35- Which is very different to some of the internet companies today.- It is.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38Huge devices. We have a very small transformer here,
0:17:38 > 0:17:40it weighs just under three tonnes.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42Scale was never an issue with the Victorians,
0:17:42 > 0:17:45let's be perfectly honest - they just build larger.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48He had this dream of rolling out lighting throughout Chelmsford.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51In 1881, he went to Alexandra Palace,
0:17:51 > 0:17:53he lit it for the first time with filament lights.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56He lit Windsor Castle, he lit the Opera house.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59Now, this is all part of his entrepreneurial skill
0:17:59 > 0:18:01because these were demonstrations.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05People would see it and that's what makes people buy it.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08Crompton soon began promoting domestic electricity as well,
0:18:08 > 0:18:13encouraging the next generation of inventors to transform the world.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16You find with a lot of these pioneers that they have
0:18:16 > 0:18:19an almost charismatic ability to attract great people to them.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22The best and brightest out of the universities came to Crompton's.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26The first hairdryer, the first electric oven,
0:18:26 > 0:18:29the first toaster. Imagine being in Colonel Crompton's office
0:18:29 > 0:18:33when a young Scottish man came in and said,
0:18:33 > 0:18:35"We could toast bread by heating electrical wires."
0:18:35 > 0:18:38He went, "What a great idea. I can manufacture that."
0:18:38 > 0:18:40He certainly sounds like an inspirational man.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43As are you, with your amazing passion for him. Thank you so much.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45- My pleasure. Catherine. - It's been wonderful.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48I shall look at my toaster in a new way now.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55Meanwhile, out in the Essex countryside...
0:18:55 > 0:18:57Now, Grace, do you own a Jag?
0:18:57 > 0:18:59I don't. I would like to, one day.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02It's impossible to feel anything less than regal.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05It is quite nice, my hair's been blown around
0:19:05 > 0:19:07- in the gentle breeze.- It is.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10I'm feeling as though somebody's sort of massaging my head.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13I'm feeling as though hair follicles are growing.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16We'll have to get your hair cut.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20Can it wait? I'm not sure the village of Terling has a barbers.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24It did once have a dairy, though. Now an antiques shop.
0:19:24 > 0:19:25- Here we are.- Here we are.- Lovely.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30Very much a vintage sort of establishment, this one.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32Quite woody, too.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35That's a bit of timber, isn't it?
0:19:35 > 0:19:39It's gorgeous. It would make the perfect present
0:19:39 > 0:19:41for friends of mine in the food business,
0:19:41 > 0:19:43who are only at their happiest
0:19:43 > 0:19:46when they're carving an enormous dead animal.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49So we think it's a butcher's block, do we?
0:19:49 > 0:19:51I think it is.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53Well, let's consult proprietor Shani.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56My husband likes to do lots of projects,
0:19:56 > 0:19:58so what he's done is he's found this slab of wood
0:19:58 > 0:20:00from a local timber yard
0:20:00 > 0:20:03and then waited to find the perfect thing to stick it on top of.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06It'll be ideal in a pub, restaurant, tearoom.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08- It would be.- It's extremely heavy.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10It had to be fork-lifted in here as well.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14- Oh.- Did it really?- It is so heavy. But it looks amazing.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16- Let me feel. - It's still going to be a project.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18The Braxton barometer of quality.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22No, no, from the knees, James.
0:20:22 > 0:20:23That is heavy, isn't it?
0:20:23 > 0:20:26I think we could have guessed that, James.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29I can safely say, I have never seen anything like it.
0:20:29 > 0:20:30How much is that?
0:20:30 > 0:20:32That is 745.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36If you wanted to buy a really nice butchers block,
0:20:36 > 0:20:38that sounds eminently reasonable.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40That looks less weighty.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43I know lots of people in London who would absolutely love this.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45Is this German?
0:20:45 > 0:20:49- Yes.- So we've got eels, what is that?- I, er...
0:20:49 > 0:20:53Well, it's a "Stor" from the Acipenser sturio, obviously.
0:20:53 > 0:20:54We've got a fabulous salmon there.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58And then we've got various trout - rainbow trout, brown trout.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02I like it because this is how sad Amol's is going to be.
0:21:02 > 0:21:07It has a sort of bemused look about it, "How could this have happened?"
0:21:07 > 0:21:10I think they may be hooked.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14How much is this rather interesting fellow here?
0:21:14 > 0:21:17Well, I think the best price we could do is £50.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20- You know I told you about pausing? - Yeah.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22- Don't pause, shake the lady's hand. - GRACE GASPS
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- Everything I've learned. - I know, it's all gone.
0:21:25 > 0:21:26All right, thank you.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28Teamwork at its best.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31Well done, you, I think that was a fabulous find.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35Now time for a bit of a rest and recuperation.
0:21:35 > 0:21:36Nighty-night.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42Wake up...to a very special day.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44- Grace, do you know something?- What?
0:21:44 > 0:21:46- It's my birthday today, you know. - Oh!
0:21:46 > 0:21:50- You're so lucky to spend it with me. - Um...
0:21:50 > 0:21:54- I'm one of those guys...- OK. - I do need a birthday present.- Ah.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56I'm actually going to ask you for something quite specific.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59Anything for you on your birthday.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01Would you, um...
0:22:01 > 0:22:03Would you lend me some of your cash?
0:22:03 > 0:22:05- SHE LAUGHS - No way.
0:22:05 > 0:22:06Quite!
0:22:06 > 0:22:09It's not as if he even needs the cash
0:22:09 > 0:22:13after having plumped for a leather purse, a silver fruit knife
0:22:13 > 0:22:14and an egg cup yesterday.
0:22:14 > 0:22:15He loves a bargain.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19Amol's got £365 left on his wallet,
0:22:19 > 0:22:22while Grace has splashed out on a fish poster,
0:22:22 > 0:22:24an etching and a silver vesta case.
0:22:24 > 0:22:29You told me not to show how happy I was, but I love this.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33But she still has 275 tucked away
0:22:33 > 0:22:36for anything that takes her fancy today.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38What exactly does objet d'art mean?
0:22:38 > 0:22:43Objet d'art is a word I would use to describe any object that is artful.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45Did you not do GCSE French?
0:22:45 > 0:22:49- But how's your antiques knowledge? - It's tiptop right at the moment.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53They'll be interviewing their sources soon, we hope.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55What do you think of me driving?
0:22:55 > 0:22:57I think you're an excellent driver, Catherine.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01- Do you?- You could speed up a bit, though.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03Am I doing about 2mph?
0:23:03 > 0:23:07Lordy. Let's get this show on the road, then.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10- Hey.- Hey, guys. - Good morning, good morning.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12- Wow.- Here we go again.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15- Lovely to see you. - How are you feeling?
0:23:15 > 0:23:16We are raring to go.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19- Have a good day. - Have a nice day, guys.
0:23:19 > 0:23:20Good luck, guys.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25Later, our journos will be heading towards the south coast
0:23:25 > 0:23:27and an auction in Eastbourne,
0:23:27 > 0:23:31but our first stop today is in the village of Steeple Bumpstead.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33So what are the headlines?
0:23:33 > 0:23:37I'm feeling quietly jubilant.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40Is it important that you beat your editor?
0:23:40 > 0:23:43My birthday gift to Amol is the gift of...
0:23:43 > 0:23:48- Certain defeat!- ..the ongoing gift of learning some humility.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50I can feel a column coming on.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52Now, in the interests of balance...
0:23:52 > 0:23:55So we've got absolutely loads of cash to spend.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57We've got, if we want, £360.
0:23:57 > 0:23:58A little part of me,
0:23:58 > 0:24:02with this indulgent personality that I have, would think,
0:24:02 > 0:24:06"Why don't we just spend all our money on one killer item?
0:24:06 > 0:24:08- Wow!- Is that a bit risky?
0:24:08 > 0:24:09It would be fun, though.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12Steeple Bumpstead is on the border between Essex,
0:24:12 > 0:24:14Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17Here we are. The clue's in the name.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19Amazing.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22Antiques. The Three Graces.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24- Oh, well done.- It's a sign.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26Why not?
0:24:26 > 0:24:30- Ah. This is my sort of place. Hello, good sir.- Good morning.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33- James.- Graham. - Very nice to meet you.- I'm Grace.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36And you are Grace, hi, nice to see you both.
0:24:36 > 0:24:41- Thank you for coming.- As you're almost semiprofessional now, Grace,
0:24:41 > 0:24:46why don't we split up, why don't go round for five minutes
0:24:46 > 0:24:49and then we'll come back and I'll show you mine?
0:24:49 > 0:24:50- OK.- OK?
0:24:50 > 0:24:52I feel like I've got new responsibility.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55- This is a thrill. - I'm going this way.
0:24:55 > 0:24:56I'm going this way.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59So, with one up and one down...
0:24:59 > 0:25:00Come the power cuts.
0:25:02 > 0:25:03..what can they unearth?
0:25:03 > 0:25:07I do like this, this is copper, I'm wondering if it's an urn.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11There isn't any ashes inside at the moment.
0:25:11 > 0:25:1419th century copper Guernsey vessel
0:25:14 > 0:25:16with lid and brass motif.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18I think that's pretty. £28.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21And only one previous owner.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25I love all this military...uniform
0:25:25 > 0:25:28but I don't know whether I'm thinking straight about this.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30It's very small.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33This was obviously a very, very small soldier.
0:25:33 > 0:25:34I was born on an army base
0:25:34 > 0:25:37so whenever I see uniforms, I don't know,
0:25:37 > 0:25:42it kind of reminds me of watching my dad get ready for work.
0:25:42 > 0:25:43How are you doing, Grace?
0:25:43 > 0:25:45Dressing up mostly, James.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47Look at these, what are these? Do you like these?
0:25:47 > 0:25:50I liked one of them and then I didn't like the other ones.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52What do you think?
0:25:52 > 0:25:57This is probably one of the coolest, sought-after manufacturers.
0:25:57 > 0:26:02It's by Fornasetti, who are an Italian makers based in Milan.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05- I've got tea, what have you got there?- Spices?- Cocoa.
0:26:05 > 0:26:06Is it cocoa? Oh, it's cocoa.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08We've got coffee there, I see.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11This is sort of 1970s Chippendale.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14You know, this is hallowed territory.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16- Would they not have lids? - And then sugar.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18I think definitely they had lids.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20What a shame.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24But while they take a look at what James has discovered down below,
0:26:24 > 0:26:27let's catch up with Catherine and the birthday boy.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30Today is all about your choices.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33You find things you love and let them talk to you.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35- Shall we go and do this?- Yes.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38En route to the county town of Cambridgeshire,
0:26:38 > 0:26:42that seat of learning on the River Cam where Amol was an undergraduate.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45Back in Cambridge.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47The nostalgia is overwhelming.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50Just around the corner, at Downing College, actually.
0:26:50 > 0:26:51- Hello.- Hello.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54- My name is Stephen. - Hi, Stephen, Catherine.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56- How do you do, Catherine?- Hi.- Amol. - How do you do?
0:26:56 > 0:26:59- Thank you for having us.- You're very welcome. Thank you for coming.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03I'm very excited to be here. So it goes, amateur, expert.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05In between.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07This looks a nice place to explore.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10- Some lovely stuff here. - Really nice, isn't it?
0:27:10 > 0:27:12But what's shouting the loudest?
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Aha! Now, this is a serious bit of work.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18Stuart Surridge made some of the most famous bats in England
0:27:18 > 0:27:21around the '70s and '80s in particular,
0:27:21 > 0:27:23- some of the great players use them. - '70s and '80s?
0:27:23 > 0:27:24That's not very antiquey, is it?
0:27:24 > 0:27:26It would be nice if we had a few signatures on it.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28WC Grace or something like that.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30No, no, WC Grace would never use of Stuart Surridge bat
0:27:30 > 0:27:33- but, anyway, I'm thinking about the practicalities...- What do I know?
0:27:33 > 0:27:34..of this not having a grip,
0:27:34 > 0:27:37- which means if I wanted to play the perfect...- Careful, careful.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39Catherine, at silly point.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43- ..the perfect square cut...- Yeah. - ..it would be harder to play,
0:27:43 > 0:27:45because there isn't a perfect new grip on this.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48And it's got to be in the V of your thumb, isn't it?
0:27:48 > 0:27:51- Something like that? - That's exactly right, Catherine.
0:27:51 > 0:27:52Yes. Top marks.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56- What's it worth?- If it had been used by a famous player,
0:27:56 > 0:27:59if Ian Botham or Viv Richards had used it,
0:27:59 > 0:28:02- I'd pay a lot for it but that's... - Not for us.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04..not going to do very well in the auction, is it?
0:28:04 > 0:28:06This is a very, very small cricket ball,
0:28:06 > 0:28:08so this is almost like a practice ball,
0:28:08 > 0:28:11which you might use in the nets to learn how to swing
0:28:11 > 0:28:15- or maybe spin the ball. - That's fascinating. Oh, crikey.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19- Oh, God!- I spent my life... - That is really something.
0:28:19 > 0:28:20..spinning balls.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22He's even written a book about it.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25- Do you know what a googly is?- Oh, yeah.- Say the batsman's over there.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27A normal leg break would come out there
0:28:27 > 0:28:31and the ball would spin in the direction of the seam, go that way.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34But if you bowl a googly, it comes out of the back of the hand,
0:28:34 > 0:28:36the back of the hand faces the ground,
0:28:36 > 0:28:40and if you look as I do that, the seam's facing the other way,
0:28:40 > 0:28:43- so it comes out and spins in the opposite direction.- I see.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46Also useful against tricky interviewees.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48Very interesting.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50And that could be just his "type", too.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53If you are buying typewriters,
0:28:53 > 0:28:57what you want to look for is a pre-QWERTY keyboard.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59When does the QWERTY date from, roughly?
0:28:59 > 0:29:00Gosh, now you're asking.
0:29:00 > 0:29:021870s, actually.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04Mark Twain was an early adopter.
0:29:04 > 0:29:08- I really like this hatbox. It's £28.- All leather>
0:29:08 > 0:29:11- Yeah. It's got a little button... - It's a very small ladies' hat.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14Would you buy it for a hat? No, you wouldn't, you'd buy it
0:29:14 > 0:29:16cos it would look nice on your dressing table.
0:29:16 > 0:29:17It takes up quite a lot of room
0:29:17 > 0:29:20if you're not going to put anything inside it, doesn't it?
0:29:20 > 0:29:22You could put things in it.
0:29:22 > 0:29:27- You could put a stash of, I don't know, hankies.- Money.- Money!
0:29:27 > 0:29:28And your hat in the safe, perhaps.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30I don't think that's going to set the auction alight.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32So much for their fighting talk.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35What about in Steeple Bumpstead, though?
0:29:35 > 0:29:38So this is a Winston Churchill cigar.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41I think he must have only had a couple of puffs.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43As given to a Mr Percy Smith.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46"This is to certify this was presented to me
0:29:46 > 0:29:50"on the occasion I was acting as his personal attendant." I love that.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53Isn't that fun? Graham, what could this be?
0:29:53 > 0:29:58- It has been independently valued by a firm of auctioneers...- Yeah.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00..at between £400 and £600.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04So there's your starting figure and we can work downwards.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07I would need to try and get a couple of hundred pounds for it
0:30:07 > 0:30:11- to break even.- Yeah, it's quite tight for us.- Very tight.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15Our auction is coming up quite shortly, isn't it?
0:30:15 > 0:30:18It's a real risk but it might pay dividends.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20Would 150 buy it, Graham?
0:30:20 > 0:30:22No, I'm sorry, it won't.
0:30:22 > 0:30:26I'll do 180, but I can't go any lower than that.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28Grace seems to have dropped the deadpan.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32This was meant to be a pleasant couple of days.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35I know you're feeling very anxious about it.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38But sometimes you have to go with your gut feeling,
0:30:38 > 0:30:40and I think we should buy this at 180.
0:30:41 > 0:30:42OK.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44Bravo!
0:30:44 > 0:30:48We're holding something that the man of the century once sucked on.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50When you put it like that, James...
0:30:50 > 0:30:51Give Graham the money.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54- 180.- I'll go into my safe.
0:30:54 > 0:30:58Now, with that fairly weighty sum handed over, it is Grace's turn.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01Would that resell? How much do you think?
0:31:01 > 0:31:03That looks like a good soda siphon, doesn't it? It's very stylish.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05It's very heavy.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07Wow, they are heavy.
0:31:07 > 0:31:12Every home and every bar and every hotel would have had one of these.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15But they're great, aren't they? It's quite a cool Art Deco look.
0:31:15 > 0:31:19There's lots of bartenders that love and collect that kind of thing.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22From the 1920s. There seems to be a pair.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25The other one's brighter and shinier.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28This one's got a couple of rogue wires...
0:31:28 > 0:31:30Graham, what price do you have on these?
0:31:30 > 0:31:32We haven't got any price on those at the moment
0:31:32 > 0:31:34simply because they're behind the bar,
0:31:34 > 0:31:36and they may well be used in due course.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38THEY LAUGH
0:31:38 > 0:31:40- Could they be cheap? - They can be very cheap.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43The pair at £30, £15 each.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45I love them and it seems like a good price.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47Is that your best price?
0:31:47 > 0:31:48No, I can go up.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50THEY LAUGH
0:31:50 > 0:31:54I can do 20 each or £50 for the pair.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57I'm trying to do my poker face.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00I think give him £30 immediately.
0:32:00 > 0:32:01Sage advice.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05- Thank you.- Well done, partner. - I'm very happy.- Well done.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07Careful with that precious booty, mind.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11I'll guide you in. You hang on to that, don't touch the door.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15Full service.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17- There you are. - Oh, thank you so much.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20I can see it deteriorating already.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22But while Grace and James depart...
0:32:22 > 0:32:24Bye, Graham, thank you.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26..let's go up to Cambridge.
0:32:26 > 0:32:30I am instinctively drawn to this kettle, I guess.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33It just makes me feel good.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35I just think it's really nice.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37When I walked in, that was the first thing I saw.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40- That is a really nice thing. - What is it made of?
0:32:40 > 0:32:42It's copper, essentially just copper and brass.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45It's Art Nouveau, so we're talking early 20th century.
0:32:45 > 0:32:49Art Nouveau was all about having really good design,
0:32:49 > 0:32:52good curves, good shapes.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55Would people buy this to actually use it?
0:32:55 > 0:32:59No. I think, in a country kitchen, it looks fantastic.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02This is a nice design and I think it could be,
0:33:02 > 0:33:05COULD be by somebody called Carl Deffner.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09Described as Jugendstil, the German form of Art Nouveau.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12How much do you think we should be paying for something like this?
0:33:12 > 0:33:17My feeling is somewhere between 30 and 40.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20At a push, 45 for it.
0:33:20 > 0:33:22- Well, we might be in a spot of bother because...- What's on it?
0:33:24 > 0:33:28..this kettle teapot on the stand is £98.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30They still have £360 left, of course.
0:33:30 > 0:33:32Over to Stephen. Stephen?
0:33:32 > 0:33:36- How can I help?- I really, really like this piece,
0:33:36 > 0:33:40- so I am wondering how flexible you might be on the price.- OK.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43It's got 98 on it,
0:33:43 > 0:33:46I suppose because you really love it and because I love it
0:33:46 > 0:33:51- and I'm excited when people love things that I've bought...50?- OK.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53Quite a reduction.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55Is there anyway we can pinch a little bit more?
0:33:55 > 0:33:57OK. Um...
0:33:57 > 0:34:00Death, £40.
0:34:00 > 0:34:02Now, that's got to excite you even more.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05- That does excite me.- That does.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08Before we say a definite yes, can I just show you one thing,
0:34:08 > 0:34:11just to throw something very random in?
0:34:11 > 0:34:12Just a bit.
0:34:12 > 0:34:13It's not pretty.
0:34:13 > 0:34:18It's a safe, a Victorian safe, 1870.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21It looks very cool, actually.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25- Oh, wow!- With a little secret drawer. What you think?
0:34:25 > 0:34:27Is it in decent condition? What does that say? Thomas Perry & Son.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30Condition is not important when you come to a safe,
0:34:30 > 0:34:31as long as you've got the key.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33Well said.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35OK, when you want to go and buy a safe today,
0:34:35 > 0:34:38they are so expensive, crazily expensive,
0:34:38 > 0:34:41but look at this good, solid, cast iron safe.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44I think that is smashing.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46But it's £175.
0:34:46 > 0:34:50I think if that was 120 quid, it would be a steal.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52Unfortunate choice of words.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55This might be more of a gamble.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57- I like gambles. - Let me just check, actually.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01What for? Leftover cash, diamonds?
0:35:01 > 0:35:04- Shall we go and chat to Stephen about it?- Yeah.- Let's do that.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07Stephen. I'm very excited about your kettle.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09Possibly soon to be our kettle.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13But there's a slightly larger object, that brown safe.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15Do you think we could maybe have a quick chat about it?
0:35:15 > 0:35:17That actually came into stock yesterday.
0:35:17 > 0:35:18Gird your loins.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20I don't know what that would go for.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22- Can you do it for 90?- No.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25Cor, you're straight in there, aren't you?
0:35:25 > 0:35:29It can't be done for 90. It hasn't been on sale for 24 hours yet.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32What sort of price are you thinking, then?
0:35:32 > 0:35:38I would have to say the absolute death on it is £100.
0:35:40 > 0:35:42It's a punt, isn't it, Catherine?
0:35:42 > 0:35:44- It's a punt, because... - And we are in Cambridge.
0:35:44 > 0:35:45Boom-boom!
0:35:45 > 0:35:49I had a feeling about the kettle. It jumped out at me. But...
0:35:49 > 0:35:53- We can have both.- ..I am in a position...- We can have both.
0:35:53 > 0:35:54We can, we can afford both.
0:35:54 > 0:35:58- Stephen, let's do it.- OK.- £100 for the safe and 40 for the kettle?
0:35:58 > 0:36:00- Fine. Thank you very much.- Deal.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03Now they just have to take it away.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06I'm carrying this, you're carrying the safe.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11Now, what about their Jag-driving rivals?
0:36:11 > 0:36:15I am aware that we look like a pair of cads.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18Very definitely. I could be Nigel Havers.
0:36:18 > 0:36:23And I look like your slightly inappropriate secretary.
0:36:23 > 0:36:25And we look like we're up to no good.
0:36:25 > 0:36:31It could only be improved by half a lobster and a glass of champagne.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33Our gourmands are on their way
0:36:33 > 0:36:37to an important gastronomic destination in the Essex market town
0:36:37 > 0:36:40formerly known as Chipping Walden
0:36:40 > 0:36:42which, several hundred years ago,
0:36:42 > 0:36:46was renamed in honour of the highly profitable spice once grown here.
0:36:46 > 0:36:51- Hi.- Hello, I'm Grace.- How are you doing?- Pleased to meet you.- And you.
0:36:51 > 0:36:55David Smale has recently revived saffron growing in Essex.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57Isn't it lovely?
0:36:57 > 0:36:59And here at Bridge End Gardens,
0:36:59 > 0:37:02there's a small plot of the seasoning and colouring agent
0:37:02 > 0:37:05called Crocus sativus.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07- Oh, here we are.- Have you got one?
0:37:07 > 0:37:09- I feel like an archaeologist.- Ah!
0:37:09 > 0:37:10- Look, there we are.- Aha!
0:37:10 > 0:37:11So that's a bulb?
0:37:11 > 0:37:13And at the moment they've all decided go to sleep,
0:37:13 > 0:37:15shed all their leaves until late September,
0:37:15 > 0:37:17and then they'll all start shooting through,
0:37:17 > 0:37:20unlike normal bulbs you would consider in your spring garden.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23And, literally, within a week or two of them getting the shoots,
0:37:23 > 0:37:25you'll start getting flowers.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29David began growing saffron back in 2004,
0:37:29 > 0:37:32even consulting a Tudor manuscript to find out how to cultivate
0:37:32 > 0:37:36one of the world's most expensive substances.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39And I right in thinking that it's a very small amount in each...
0:37:39 > 0:37:43- There is my fingernail, how much? - Smaller than that.- No!- Yeah.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45Oh, see, now I'm seeing why it's expensive.
0:37:45 > 0:37:4721 mg per flower, if that means anything to you.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50It's a really tiny, tiny amount, yeah.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52And is it quite an easy thing to grow or does it need a lot of love?
0:37:52 > 0:37:55It needs love. But we're actually perfect for saffron in this area,
0:37:55 > 0:37:58cos it's dry and it's warm. Where we grow it,
0:37:58 > 0:38:01it's about seven miles away from the driest part of England.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04Our microclimate around Essex is very similar
0:38:04 > 0:38:07to what you'd get in hotter areas where it's growing.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11So is the saffron grown here unique or does it just taste like -
0:38:11 > 0:38:15I shouldn't say any old saffron - but any old saffron?
0:38:15 > 0:38:18So this saffron is sweeter than the imported saffrons,
0:38:18 > 0:38:20so it doesn't have that quite so bitter taste.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24During Tudor times, the fields around the town
0:38:24 > 0:38:28would have been filled with row upon row of purple flowers,
0:38:28 > 0:38:31with every spare acre, including the churchyard, put to use.
0:38:31 > 0:38:35Because, back then, British saffron was a sort of miracle ingredient -
0:38:35 > 0:38:39a medicine, a perfume, and used by the local wool trade.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42Originally, it was probably used as much, if not more,
0:38:42 > 0:38:43as a dye than a food.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46If you look at the Holbein portraits of, say, Henry VIII,
0:38:46 > 0:38:49and he's got his yellow tights, they're all dyed with saffron.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51- Ah!- Anne Boleyn used to dye her hair with saffron.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53It was just a status symbol saying,
0:38:53 > 0:38:56"Look at me, I have got so much saffron, I don't have to eat it.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58"I can do other things with it."
0:38:58 > 0:39:02It's around 200 years since the local industry went into decline,
0:39:02 > 0:39:05because it was cheaper to import the stuff,
0:39:05 > 0:39:08but our food critic needs to taste the genuine article,
0:39:08 > 0:39:12so they've headed to a local pub to cook with chef David Webb.
0:39:12 > 0:39:16# I'm just mad about Saffron... #
0:39:16 > 0:39:19I'm so excited, because I've heard about antiques,
0:39:19 > 0:39:23and it was very nice but now we're getting into where I excel,
0:39:23 > 0:39:25- and that is eating.- Your world.
0:39:25 > 0:39:27On the menu is saffron risotto.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29- OK, so I'm just putting all of that in.- Yeah.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32- Now we'll add the risotto rice. - Looking good.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35So, at this stage, we add the star ingredient.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38- OK. Can I smell that first? - Yeah, of course.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40- Oh, wow!- So this is the saffron,
0:39:40 > 0:39:42it's been infusing since about 12 o'clock.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44Infusing since the time of Henry VIII.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47- Indeed, yeah.- Yeah.- We're going to put all of that in...?
0:39:47 > 0:39:49All of that. There's about 15 stamens in there.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52It's all going in, the whole lot.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55I'm anxious, thinking about the chefs who I've been awful to,
0:39:55 > 0:39:58pulling up a chair the length and breadth of the country,
0:39:58 > 0:39:59and laughing.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02And I think the rest of that chicken stock can go in there.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04James, off you go.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06- Get the butter in. - All of that butter?
0:40:06 > 0:40:08Most of it. Maybe all of it.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10You're a chef - it's all going in, isn't it?
0:40:10 > 0:40:11- It's all going in. - It's all going in!
0:40:11 > 0:40:13Mangetout. Shall I shake it in?
0:40:13 > 0:40:16- Yeah, shake it in.- Wow.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18- Well done, Grace. - It's just a thing I do.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21# I'm just mad about Saffron... #
0:40:21 > 0:40:23- Oh, my God.- Is it nice?
0:40:23 > 0:40:26That is absolutely awesome.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28But while they tuck in...
0:40:31 > 0:40:34..Amol and Catherine have found their way back to Essex.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37- It's been a lot of fun, don't you think?- It's been great.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39I think Essex is a great county,
0:40:39 > 0:40:42lots of lovely little thatched cottages around here.
0:40:42 > 0:40:43It's stunning.
0:40:43 > 0:40:47The TVR Two are also bound for Saffron Walden.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50- Last shop.- Last shop, let's make it a winner.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54Still as motivated as ever, with £220 left.
0:40:54 > 0:40:55- In we go.- Hello.- Hello.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57Hello, Market Row here.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00- Very nice to see you, thank you so much for having us.- Wow.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06Peter's little shop is crammed full of clocks, but what's the plan?
0:41:06 > 0:41:10We've bought five items and what we would like to do
0:41:10 > 0:41:14is probably buy something to complement our other items.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17So, ideally, we'd quite like to buy a bit of silver.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19I only have an antique silver pocket watch.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22- Oh, OK.- 1860.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25- Does that necessarily go with our... - Egg cup?- ..egg cup?
0:41:25 > 0:41:28Like an umbrella does on an ironing board.
0:41:28 > 0:41:29I like this.
0:41:29 > 0:41:33What is this? To say this thing jumped out at us
0:41:33 > 0:41:36would be an understatement. What is...?
0:41:36 > 0:41:39Tin plate, probably...
0:41:39 > 0:41:42- '60s?- ..late '60s, early '70s, East European.
0:41:42 > 0:41:44- So how does this work? - How does this work?
0:41:44 > 0:41:47You...you wind that in there.
0:41:47 > 0:41:53It runs along the ground, it hits the wall like so, goes like that.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55# I'm a rocket man... #
0:41:55 > 0:41:57And it opens up.
0:41:57 > 0:41:58# Rocket man... #
0:41:58 > 0:42:00- It's great fun, isn't it? - I think that's quite jolly.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03Is that the sort of thing at auction someone would pick up?
0:42:03 > 0:42:05Tin plate stuff always sells. I know it's not old, old, but...
0:42:05 > 0:42:09No, I mean, tin plate, I mean we go right back with tin plate.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12My concern with this is that the letters, the names and things,
0:42:12 > 0:42:17are quite faded, so it's not very striking in the colours,
0:42:17 > 0:42:20but I'm sure that would be factored into the price.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23- I mean, what sort of price are you looking for on this?- 45.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25I just think it looks quite fun.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28- They all seem very similar.- What I love is the little astronaut there.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31Yeah, it's a real '70s retro type thing, isn't it?
0:42:31 > 0:42:34What is your best deal that you could do on that?
0:42:34 > 0:42:36Could be 25.
0:42:36 > 0:42:38That's a bit of a leap.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40That's a nice leap. A giant leap for mankind.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42Backwards.
0:42:42 > 0:42:43It is a retro rocket.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45I've got a feeling about that rocket.
0:42:45 > 0:42:46You've said that about everything.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49It's the sort of thing you want your son to own -
0:42:49 > 0:42:51it's fun, it's cool, it's got an astronaut inside.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55Look at the base of it, look at the fire coming out.
0:42:55 > 0:42:56I think £25 is not bad, is it?
0:42:56 > 0:42:58- No, it's pretty good. - Right, let's do it.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00Blast off.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03- That is wonderful.- Thank you very much.- Thank you very much indeed.
0:43:03 > 0:43:04Are you happy with your toy?
0:43:04 > 0:43:06I'm very happy with our toy. It's really cool.
0:43:08 > 0:43:10You're going to be playing with it now, don't break it.
0:43:10 > 0:43:11That's really cool.
0:43:11 > 0:43:13You do have to sell it, though.
0:43:13 > 0:43:15Thank you. Thanks, bye-bye.
0:43:15 > 0:43:17- I think it's magic.- Let's go.
0:43:17 > 0:43:18- Well done, partner.- Well done.
0:43:18 > 0:43:21Now, mission accomplished, let's reveal all.
0:43:23 > 0:43:24My word.
0:43:24 > 0:43:26Wow.
0:43:26 > 0:43:28ALL: Ta-dah!
0:43:28 > 0:43:31- OK.- OK? Don't "OK" it.
0:43:31 > 0:43:33Talk us through two days' work here.
0:43:33 > 0:43:35- Are you underwhelmed? - Talk us through.
0:43:35 > 0:43:37This here is a kettle.
0:43:37 > 0:43:40It's a kettle that will be used not for practical purposes
0:43:40 > 0:43:43but probably for display purposes.
0:43:43 > 0:43:46It's a combination of copper and brass and...
0:43:46 > 0:43:49It's German, it's Art Nouveau, it's Jugendstil.
0:43:49 > 0:43:50- And it's...- It's useless!- Oh!
0:43:52 > 0:43:53Moving on.
0:43:53 > 0:43:54Let me just explain to you
0:43:54 > 0:43:57this extraordinarily beautiful fruit knife.
0:43:57 > 0:43:58That's a lovely fruit knife.
0:43:58 > 0:44:00- It is beautiful.- Oh, thanks.
0:44:00 > 0:44:05That is one of the nicest fruit knives that you'll see in England.
0:44:05 > 0:44:06We bought this little thing for £12
0:44:06 > 0:44:09and then we bought this fabulous rocket, which we love.
0:44:09 > 0:44:11- I like the rocket.- Show it off.
0:44:15 > 0:44:17- That is cool.- I want to show you something about this.
0:44:17 > 0:44:19It is a safe, I think it's a pretty exciting safe.
0:44:19 > 0:44:22- Why don't you lift up, Amol? Go on. - No, no, I won't do that.
0:44:22 > 0:44:25I won't do that, but the key thing here, if you look inside of my safe.
0:44:25 > 0:44:28I've ever met anyone like him, he's such a salesman.
0:44:28 > 0:44:29That is lovely.
0:44:30 > 0:44:35- What a lovely safe.- Right, come on, then, clever clogs, show us yours.
0:44:35 > 0:44:37Definitely not as heavy.
0:44:37 > 0:44:40- GRACE:- So here are our beautiful purchases.
0:44:40 > 0:44:42Shall we go through them?
0:44:43 > 0:44:44We have an etching.
0:44:44 > 0:44:50We have an etching by a very famous chap, Ernest Herbert Wylands.
0:44:50 > 0:44:54There we are. Then we've got the big educational poster.
0:44:54 > 0:44:56- CATHERINE:- German? It's all in German.
0:44:56 > 0:44:57- GRACE:- It's German.
0:44:57 > 0:45:00- That will be useful for Eastbourne. - Yeah, it will be.
0:45:00 > 0:45:03Didn't you hear? There's this huge German community in Eastbourne.
0:45:03 > 0:45:07- Yeah, there is.- And they love to fish, they really love to fish.
0:45:07 > 0:45:10There's just so much beautiful detail and it's so...
0:45:10 > 0:45:12You know, it's not obvious.
0:45:12 > 0:45:15- No, it's not obvious, at all. - It's not obvious at all!
0:45:15 > 0:45:18You can say that again. I'm very interested in this cigar
0:45:18 > 0:45:19with this letter from PJ Smith.
0:45:19 > 0:45:23- Is it Churchill?- Churchill, it's a cigar from Churchill.- Wow!
0:45:23 > 0:45:26That's interesting - they can fetch big money.
0:45:26 > 0:45:27I think that's worth...
0:45:29 > 0:45:30- ..70 bob.- No, more.
0:45:30 > 0:45:33- 100?- More.
0:45:33 > 0:45:34- 150.- More.
0:45:34 > 0:45:35Oh, my goodness.
0:45:35 > 0:45:38- You nutters. - Love your bit of Arts and Crafts.
0:45:38 > 0:45:40Winifred King.
0:45:40 > 0:45:41That's very pretty.
0:45:41 > 0:45:44- What is it? - It's just a matchbox cover.
0:45:44 > 0:45:46- Interesting things... - I think we've all done very well.
0:45:46 > 0:45:48..but we'll see you at the auction.
0:45:48 > 0:45:50- It'll be fun. - See you at the auction, guys.
0:45:52 > 0:45:55Well, that was both full and frank.
0:45:55 > 0:45:57On reflection, I possibly could have been nicer.
0:45:58 > 0:46:00What about? Their items?
0:46:00 > 0:46:01- Yeah.- Oh, don't be silly.
0:46:01 > 0:46:04I was pretending not to be interested in German fish,
0:46:04 > 0:46:06but I think that's quite cool. That and the cigar, I mean...
0:46:06 > 0:46:09- The cigar, yeah.- I think that could go for a lot of cash.
0:46:09 > 0:46:12- We're either going to have a wonderful victory...- Yeah.
0:46:12 > 0:46:15..or we may have to run sheepishly to the car
0:46:15 > 0:46:18and never speak to them ever again.
0:46:21 > 0:46:23After getting started in Great Baddow,
0:46:23 > 0:46:26our celebrities and experts have gone south for an auction
0:46:26 > 0:46:28in the Sussex town of Eastbourne.
0:46:28 > 0:46:30I've never been to an auction before, have you been to an auction?
0:46:30 > 0:46:33Yeah, but for cattle. Do you think it's different?
0:46:35 > 0:46:38Welcome to the Victorian resort which holds the English record for
0:46:38 > 0:46:41the number of hours of sunshine in a month -
0:46:41 > 0:46:44in July 1911, in case you were wondering.
0:46:44 > 0:46:45This is sunny Eastbourne's saleroom,
0:46:45 > 0:46:48with internet bidding, and very nice it is, too.
0:46:48 > 0:46:49And here they are.
0:46:50 > 0:46:52- We are actually late. - Come on.- Hey, guys.
0:46:52 > 0:46:54- The auction has started!- We're late!
0:46:54 > 0:46:56Are you ready for this?
0:46:56 > 0:46:59- I'm ready.- Come on, Amol, it's you and me against the world.
0:46:59 > 0:47:01- Come on, let's do it.- Let's go.
0:47:01 > 0:47:05Amol and Catherine parted with £205 for five auction lots.
0:47:05 > 0:47:09One of them, handily, big enough to fit the others inside.
0:47:09 > 0:47:11Good, solid, cast iron safe.
0:47:11 > 0:47:15While Grace and James spent a bit more, £335,
0:47:15 > 0:47:17for their five auction lots.
0:47:17 > 0:47:21We're holding something the Man of the Century once sucked on.
0:47:21 > 0:47:24And their Cuban contribution
0:47:24 > 0:47:27is auctioneer Paul Achilleous's favourite lot.
0:47:27 > 0:47:29The item I'm most interested in would be the Churchill cigar.
0:47:29 > 0:47:32Can you imagine, if he's actually smoked that cigar?
0:47:32 > 0:47:34I like the knife, it's well engraved,
0:47:34 > 0:47:37it's nice with the pear engraving on it and the mother of pearl.
0:47:37 > 0:47:39I'm curious as to why they've bought the soda siphons.
0:47:39 > 0:47:43We see an awful lot of them, very common item.
0:47:43 > 0:47:45Well, he likes the cigar, at least.
0:47:47 > 0:47:50How are you feeling? Looking forward to this?
0:47:50 > 0:47:53I think the day is ours, Grace.
0:47:53 > 0:47:55Don't speak too soon.
0:47:55 > 0:47:57I'm very confident about this, almost smug.
0:47:58 > 0:48:02First up, Amol's inexpensive little purse.
0:48:02 > 0:48:04- GRACE:- I didn't see the attraction, I'm not going to lie, guys.
0:48:04 > 0:48:07I would file your purse under "tat".
0:48:08 > 0:48:10At £22, I'm bid.
0:48:10 > 0:48:1222. Five on the internet.
0:48:12 > 0:48:1428, internet bid.
0:48:14 > 0:48:16At 28. At 28, where's 30?
0:48:16 > 0:48:1830's bid. And two.
0:48:18 > 0:48:2035. At 35, internet.
0:48:20 > 0:48:23- 38.- Tat, that is, Grace.
0:48:23 > 0:48:2440. At 38.
0:48:24 > 0:48:26- 40 is bid.- Good tat, that is.
0:48:26 > 0:48:28£40. Internet has it at £40.
0:48:28 > 0:48:31At £42, anyone else in the room, then, at 42?
0:48:31 > 0:48:34- 45 bid.- Come on, come on!
0:48:34 > 0:48:35Still on the net at 45.
0:48:35 > 0:48:3648, is it, now?
0:48:36 > 0:48:38At 48, internet has it at 48.
0:48:38 > 0:48:4050, is it, now?
0:48:40 > 0:48:42All done and selling... 50, back in late.
0:48:42 > 0:48:44At £50, still on the net.
0:48:44 > 0:48:46At £50, all done?
0:48:46 > 0:48:48Once, twice. Are we all done, then, at £50?
0:48:48 > 0:48:50- GAVEL BANGS - Yes!
0:48:52 > 0:48:53Something's gone horribly wrong.
0:48:54 > 0:48:56Do you think they realise how small it is?
0:48:56 > 0:48:58It gave you a big profit.
0:48:58 > 0:49:00I'm so sickened right now.
0:49:00 > 0:49:04She feels it, doesn't she? You can feel the...
0:49:04 > 0:49:08- She's not happy. - I'm feeling it, too. I love winning.
0:49:08 > 0:49:11I'm not sure Grace's siphons will dampen his mood, either.
0:49:11 > 0:49:13It was our cheapest lot, wasn't it?
0:49:13 > 0:49:16- Our cheapest lot. - How much did you pay?- 30.
0:49:16 > 0:49:18Who's got £20 to start, then?
0:49:18 > 0:49:19Who will open the bidding at 20?
0:49:19 > 0:49:21Surely 20. Well, bid me ten, then.
0:49:22 > 0:49:24- Ten, there it is, the lady seated. - Don't be horrid.
0:49:24 > 0:49:2712 on the net. 15, 18, 20's on the net.
0:49:27 > 0:49:30- 20's all right.- At 20. 22, madam? 22, I've got on the net.
0:49:30 > 0:49:3125, 28 is bid.
0:49:31 > 0:49:33- It's gone mental.- 30, now.
0:49:33 > 0:49:34At £30, only.
0:49:34 > 0:49:36Any advance? 30?
0:49:36 > 0:49:38- 32 bid.- 32!
0:49:38 > 0:49:4032, take five?
0:49:40 > 0:49:4235 on the net, 38, madam?
0:49:42 > 0:49:43£35, only.
0:49:43 > 0:49:46You're nodding the wrong way, you do realise that, don't you?
0:49:46 > 0:49:47At 35, come back in eight?
0:49:47 > 0:49:4838, go on, madam.
0:49:48 > 0:49:51Go eight? Yes? 38 with you, now.
0:49:51 > 0:49:54- She wants it. She'll keep going. - 38. 40, now? At £38, the bid.
0:49:54 > 0:49:57Are we all done there? I'm going to sell to the lady seated then at 38.
0:49:57 > 0:49:58GAVEL BANGS
0:49:58 > 0:49:59A gentle start.
0:49:59 > 0:50:02Well, they certainly exceeded expectations.
0:50:02 > 0:50:05We spent two days being quite nice each other and now we're back in...
0:50:05 > 0:50:06And now it's come to the fore.
0:50:06 > 0:50:09Amol's safe, almost half his total spend.
0:50:09 > 0:50:11We're going to get 250 for it.
0:50:11 > 0:50:14- No!- 250?- No, we won't.
0:50:14 > 0:50:16- Let me do...- There's a man on fire.
0:50:16 > 0:50:18I have to bring you back down to earth.
0:50:18 > 0:50:20Who will open the bidding at £50?
0:50:20 > 0:50:23- Come on.- 50 is on the internet, then, at £50.
0:50:23 > 0:50:25- I'll take five.- Two keys.
0:50:25 > 0:50:27At £50 only, anyone else then at 50?
0:50:27 > 0:50:30Opening bidder has it. 70 we're up to on the net, then.
0:50:30 > 0:50:31At £70, £70.
0:50:31 > 0:50:3380, we're up to.
0:50:33 > 0:50:34At £80. Bid me five.
0:50:34 > 0:50:37- At £80.- Come on, internet bidder.
0:50:37 > 0:50:39- 90. Yes!- £90.
0:50:39 > 0:50:42And five? All done, then, at 90?
0:50:42 > 0:50:43- GAVEL BANGS - Oh, come off it, mate.
0:50:45 > 0:50:48That small loss might calm things down a bit.
0:50:48 > 0:50:51It's her fault. She told me to buy the safe. I didn't like the safe,
0:50:51 > 0:50:52the safe didn't appeal to me.
0:50:52 > 0:50:54You just loved it a minute ago.
0:50:54 > 0:50:58Time for Grace's Vesta case with suffragette interest.
0:50:58 > 0:51:02I've got a really high hopes for this because it's beautiful
0:51:02 > 0:51:05and it has a story. I think that we're going to come good here.
0:51:05 > 0:51:07Who's in a £30 for that one?
0:51:07 > 0:51:08I see an opening bid of 30.
0:51:08 > 0:51:1030's bid on the net.
0:51:10 > 0:51:1132, net. 35, now.
0:51:11 > 0:51:13- This is good.- 35, 38 bid.
0:51:13 > 0:51:15At 38. 40's bid.
0:51:15 > 0:51:1742, 45, 48.
0:51:17 > 0:51:1950.
0:51:19 > 0:51:20- You're in profit.- 50's bid.
0:51:20 > 0:51:2255. Five, bid.
0:51:22 > 0:51:2460's bid. At 60.
0:51:24 > 0:51:26- Five is bid. 70, is it?- That's good.
0:51:26 > 0:51:29At £65, still on the internet, then, at 65.
0:51:29 > 0:51:32At £65, raising the gavel, then.
0:51:32 > 0:51:34Selling to you at £65.
0:51:34 > 0:51:35GAVEL BANGS
0:51:35 > 0:51:38- Well done.- Well done.
0:51:38 > 0:51:40That's evened things up a bit.
0:51:40 > 0:51:42I loved it, I thought it would go for at least 100.
0:51:45 > 0:51:48Now, I wonder who's after a fruit knife and an egg cup?
0:51:48 > 0:51:51- I'm worried about this egg cup. - Why are you being so negative?
0:51:51 > 0:51:53Cos who wants an egg cup?
0:51:53 > 0:51:57You were quite happy to have one at the time, Amol.
0:51:57 > 0:51:59Who's in at £40 to start it?
0:51:59 > 0:52:01- 40 on the net.- Come on, 45, yes.
0:52:01 > 0:52:0350, I'm up to on the net.
0:52:03 > 0:52:04- Oh, wow.- Net bidder at 50.
0:52:04 > 0:52:06I'll take five. At £50 only,
0:52:06 > 0:52:08is there a five again?
0:52:08 > 0:52:09- Come on.- Put down the hammer.
0:52:09 > 0:52:1160, we're up to. Take five again.
0:52:11 > 0:52:12At 60...
0:52:12 > 0:52:16- 300!- 300?- 65, still on the net.
0:52:16 > 0:52:18You're not satisfied, you're not, are you?
0:52:18 > 0:52:20I'll tell you what, it's the egg cup that's doing it.
0:52:20 > 0:52:21On the internet, then, at 65.
0:52:21 > 0:52:23- All done and I sell... - GAVEL BANGS
0:52:23 > 0:52:25Yes!
0:52:25 > 0:52:27This is turning out rather well.
0:52:27 > 0:52:30Very smart to buy that egg cup, I thought.
0:52:30 > 0:52:32I thought the egg cup showed real judgment
0:52:32 > 0:52:34and penetrating intelligence.
0:52:34 > 0:52:37Of course, it was I that suggested the egg cup.
0:52:37 > 0:52:40And it was Grace who found these German fish.
0:52:40 > 0:52:43This is when I knew I'd found my vocation as an antiques expert.
0:52:43 > 0:52:44- CATHERINE:- Good luck.
0:52:44 > 0:52:46- Who's in at 40 for that one? - It's lovely.
0:52:46 > 0:52:49Bid me 30, then? Who's in at £30 for it?
0:52:49 > 0:52:53Surely 30? Anybody? 30 I'm bid on the net, there at £30.
0:52:53 > 0:52:55It's a lovely thing.
0:52:55 > 0:52:56At £30 only.
0:52:56 > 0:52:5832 bid. 35.
0:52:58 > 0:53:00- Oh, come on.- 35.
0:53:00 > 0:53:01Bid's on the net, 35.
0:53:01 > 0:53:05Is there eight again? At £35 only, net bidder, it's with you.
0:53:05 > 0:53:08- I can't understand that.- 35...
0:53:08 > 0:53:10- GAVEL BANGS - You know, a minute ago,
0:53:10 > 0:53:12you said you'd take full responsibility for it?
0:53:12 > 0:53:15Do you still feel you'll take full responsibility for that?
0:53:15 > 0:53:19I feel like I was slightly led by James, I'm not going to lie.
0:53:19 > 0:53:20He can take it, Grace.
0:53:20 > 0:53:26I am an iconoclast, I will never be understood within my time.
0:53:26 > 0:53:30And history will show that I was right.
0:53:30 > 0:53:33Time for Amol's copper kettle, also German.
0:53:33 > 0:53:36I hope it is Carl Heffernan, otherwise we're in the soup.
0:53:36 > 0:53:38- Deffner.- Deffner, I hope it is Karl Deffner,
0:53:38 > 0:53:40otherwise we're in the soup.
0:53:40 > 0:53:41Who's in at £40 for this lot?
0:53:41 > 0:53:43£40, 40, I'm bid.
0:53:43 > 0:53:45- Gentleman over there.- Take two now.
0:53:45 > 0:53:4745. At 45, bid.
0:53:47 > 0:53:4948. 50. And five.
0:53:49 > 0:53:52I think that you've done well with that.
0:53:52 > 0:53:53Five, bid. 60.
0:53:53 > 0:53:55And five. At 65.
0:53:55 > 0:53:5770, is it, on the net?
0:53:57 > 0:53:5970's bid. And five.
0:53:59 > 0:54:0175. 80. 80 is bid.
0:54:01 > 0:54:02- And five. - AMOL:- Yes!
0:54:02 > 0:54:0485, 90.
0:54:04 > 0:54:06And five. 100.
0:54:06 > 0:54:08110, on the net.
0:54:08 > 0:54:11120? At 110, going to raise the gavel and sell.
0:54:11 > 0:54:13Fair warning to you now on the internet.
0:54:13 > 0:54:15Are we all done?
0:54:15 > 0:54:16GAVEL BANGS
0:54:16 > 0:54:17Yes!
0:54:17 > 0:54:18High five.
0:54:20 > 0:54:22The best profit of the day so far.
0:54:22 > 0:54:25They're going to be livid when there's no flex.
0:54:25 > 0:54:26Absolutely livid.
0:54:26 > 0:54:30Can Grace's horse etching do better than her fish?
0:54:30 > 0:54:33Grace, you must stay true.
0:54:33 > 0:54:34I'm trying.
0:54:34 > 0:54:36We're in at 38.
0:54:36 > 0:54:39- Well done. Good man.- Profit.
0:54:39 > 0:54:41I'll take two. At £40 only.
0:54:41 > 0:54:43Could be on the brink of greatness here.
0:54:43 > 0:54:4542, 45.
0:54:45 > 0:54:48At £45. 48, is it now? At 45. Any further takers?
0:54:48 > 0:54:50Where are the telephone bidders?
0:54:50 > 0:54:5150, is it, again?
0:54:51 > 0:54:53At £48 only, then.
0:54:53 > 0:54:56Internet bidder has it, then. Are we all done, then, at £48?
0:54:56 > 0:54:57GAVEL BANGS
0:54:57 > 0:55:00That was good, you should be happy with that.
0:55:00 > 0:55:03You're just thinking about our kettle and how it really took off.
0:55:03 > 0:55:06Yes, it's still a fine profit.
0:55:06 > 0:55:08- I've gone very quiet, haven't I? - You have.
0:55:08 > 0:55:11Amol's last lot is his toy rocket.
0:55:11 > 0:55:13Who's got £10 only to start that?
0:55:14 > 0:55:15Ten is on the net.
0:55:15 > 0:55:17- BARKING - Oh, it's a dog.
0:55:17 > 0:55:20See? The dog loves it.
0:55:20 > 0:55:21Oh, my goodness.
0:55:21 > 0:55:24There we are. Internet at £20.
0:55:24 > 0:55:2522 right at the back there.
0:55:25 > 0:55:27At 22, the bid's in the room.
0:55:27 > 0:55:29- At 22.- Rocket man.
0:55:29 > 0:55:3025. 28, sir.
0:55:30 > 0:55:33Fantastic, we're making a profit on this, too.
0:55:33 > 0:55:3430, I'm bid. 32?
0:55:34 > 0:55:38No? At £30, the bid is still on the internet at £30 only.
0:55:38 > 0:55:4032, next door.
0:55:40 > 0:55:41Well done, that man.
0:55:41 > 0:55:4435. 38? 38 is bid.
0:55:44 > 0:55:46- 40's bid. - It's getting very exciting now.
0:55:46 > 0:55:49- AMOL:- Superb, aren't they? These rockets are wonderful.
0:55:49 > 0:55:50£42, selling it in the room.
0:55:50 > 0:55:52You're out on the internet, then, at 42.
0:55:52 > 0:55:53We all done?
0:55:53 > 0:55:56- GAVEL BANGS - There we go, that's rocket power.
0:55:56 > 0:55:58- Rocket power.- Rocket power!
0:55:58 > 0:55:59Yes!
0:55:59 > 0:56:03Amol's over the moon before Grace's star lot.
0:56:03 > 0:56:05This is the big dog coming up now.
0:56:05 > 0:56:09I really commend you for taking a punt on this.
0:56:09 > 0:56:11But will it be her finest hour?
0:56:11 > 0:56:15I've worried about this from the moment we said yes.
0:56:15 > 0:56:18And we start this on commission here at £50.
0:56:18 > 0:56:20- At 50, only.- Come on, we need...
0:56:20 > 0:56:22At five on the net. 60 in the room.
0:56:22 > 0:56:24And five. 65. 70, sir.
0:56:24 > 0:56:2570. And five.
0:56:25 > 0:56:2775. 80. 80's bid.
0:56:27 > 0:56:29And five. 85.
0:56:29 > 0:56:3190, may I say? 90, new place.
0:56:31 > 0:56:33At £90. And five.
0:56:33 > 0:56:3595, 100. 110.
0:56:35 > 0:56:37110, bidding in the room.
0:56:37 > 0:56:38120, 130.
0:56:38 > 0:56:40140, 150.
0:56:40 > 0:56:42This is getting better for you. This is better for you.
0:56:42 > 0:56:44150, 160, 170.
0:56:44 > 0:56:45170's bid.
0:56:45 > 0:56:47180. 180 holds it.
0:56:47 > 0:56:49190? No, you are out on the phone.
0:56:49 > 0:56:51Bid's in the room there at 180.
0:56:51 > 0:56:53All done and selling, then, at 180.
0:56:53 > 0:56:54- GAVEL BANGS - Thank you.
0:56:56 > 0:56:58Well worth the gamble, though.
0:56:59 > 0:57:01A recount?
0:57:01 > 0:57:04This isn't the presidential election in America.
0:57:04 > 0:57:07- Come on, let's get out there. - If anything, it's more important.
0:57:07 > 0:57:10Well, I just hope Grace will accept our arithmetic,
0:57:10 > 0:57:13because we do have a winner.
0:57:13 > 0:57:17Grace and James started out with £400 and, after auction costs,
0:57:17 > 0:57:21they made a loss of £34.88.
0:57:21 > 0:57:25So they ended up with £365.12.
0:57:25 > 0:57:28While Amol and Catherine, who began with the same sum,
0:57:28 > 0:57:33made a profit after costs of £87.74.
0:57:33 > 0:57:39So, with a final total of £487.74, they are our victors.
0:57:39 > 0:57:41All profits to Children in Need.
0:57:41 > 0:57:44Oh, Grace, you look like you've really been through it.
0:57:44 > 0:57:46I'm not going to lie, guys,
0:57:46 > 0:57:48it didn't go as well as I thought it might.
0:57:48 > 0:57:50Funnily enough, you're not lying, are you?
0:57:52 > 0:57:54- Guys, it's been...- Listen, you did what you wanted to do.
0:57:54 > 0:57:56Yeah, I won and we had fun along the way.
0:57:56 > 0:57:57We had so much fun.
0:57:57 > 0:57:59Thank you so much.
0:57:59 > 0:58:00Come on. Let's go.
0:58:02 > 0:58:06- Be happy. Don't argue. - Thanks for having us!
0:58:06 > 0:58:09Before you go, can we expect a think piece?
0:58:09 > 0:58:11About 1,000 words?
0:58:11 > 0:58:15The last few days has been life-changing.
0:58:15 > 0:58:18I want to go and buy things and take them home
0:58:18 > 0:58:20whereas, before, I just wanted new.
0:58:20 > 0:58:22It's a passport into this whole world
0:58:22 > 0:58:25which I didn't know existed but, actually,
0:58:25 > 0:58:28this country is full of people that essentially drive classic cars
0:58:28 > 0:58:30and buy really cool antiques.
0:58:30 > 0:58:31Cheerio.