Eric Knowles v Will Axon - Showdown Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

This is Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is - the show that pitches

TV's best-loved antiques experts against each other in an all-out

battle for profit.

Yee-ha!

And gives you the insider's view of the trade!

Who's there?

Each week, one pair of duelling dealers will face

a different daily challenge...

The Axeman! Grr!

..putting their reputations on the line...

Ready for the ball.

..and giving you their top tips and savvy secrets

on how to make the most money from buying and selling.

Get in there.

Today, the roughest, toughest antiques challenge known to man.

The formidable master Eric Knowles takes on the Put Your Money

apprentice Will Axon in the climax of the week -

brace yourselves for the Showdown!

Coming up...

Will's brewing up a profit...

Tea's up. Tea's up. Milk, two sugars. Bye!

A lack of auction etiquette upsets Eric...

The boy is on the phone. Just having a chat.

It's not the done thing in an auction.

And Knocker's nearly moved to tears...

Don't look at me, Will. You might see a grown man cry.

This is Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.

Take your seats and strap yourselves in, folks,

the marathon money-spinning mayhem is about to begin.

Two dynamic deal-makers are preparing for a titanic trade-off in

a final attempt to prove themselves the ultimate antiques expert.

But there can only be one winner as the new kid on the block tries

to upstage the King of Knowledge. But who will reign supreme?

First up, we have antiques royalty, a living legend.

In centuries to come, schoolchildren will

learn about the extraordinary wisdom of this humble man from Lancashire.

It's the Captain of Crockery, the Baron of Breakables -

it's Eric 'Knocker' Knowles.

Remember, knowledge is power.

But the pretender to his throne should never be under-estimated.

A top tactician, he can sniff out a bargain from a mile away.

Charging in from Suffolk, it's the Admiral of Artwork,

the Lieutenant of the Lots, it's Will 'The Axeman' Axon.

Let the battle commence

Our experts each have £1,000 of their own money to

spend across four different locations -

a car-boot sale, a foreign market, an auction, and an antiques fair.

Once they've amassed their antiques arsenal,

they must use their wit and wisdom to sell it all - and any profit

they make will go straight to a charity of their choice.

But the Showdown has a nasty twist.

At least half their items must be sold at

the electrifying Showdown Auction -

where our dealers lose all control over the buying public.

Absolutely anything can happen - but one thing is for sure -

only one man will emerge triumphant, crowned the King of the Showdown.

The other will be banished from court.

So, Eric Knowles and Will Axon, this is it.

It's time to Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.

-So here we are.

-Eric. You have your instructions.

-I have!

-So do I.

It says...

"Welcome to the mighty Showdown. The rules are simple.

"You must each buy two items at every one of your regular

"Put Your Money challenges. You have £1,000 to spend."

-Of our own money.

-Mmm.

"You can sell up to four items wherever you want.

"The rest will be sold at the Showdown Auction in direct

"competition with your opponent.

"The winner is the 'expert'..."

I see they've put it in inverted commas.

"..who makes the most profit. Good luck."

-This is your first Showdown.

-My first Showdown.

-It's a doddle.

I'm not so sure. Hopefully the stuff will sell itself.

-That's what I'm hoping. That's the joy of an auction.

-Yeah!

-It sells itself. Good luck, mate.

-So naive.

So Will is a little anxious and naughty Knocker's not helping!

But no time for The Axeman to worry -

because they leap straight into Round One -

the car-boot sale.

They're at Ford Airfield in West Sussex, and Eric can't

wait for a good old rummage.

If I can't find it here, I'm not going to find it anywhere.

I'm full of optimism. I'm full of verve. I'm full of nonsense.

Is this a sudden realisation, Eric?

Anyway, how's Will feeling?

I've really got to look for something that's going to put

clear water between me and Eric. I've got my work cut out today.

Keeping my eyes peeled.

Both our boys get hunting - and after a quick shufti,

it's Will who pounces first - he's found an Italian box.

It's just nice quality, isn't it? Obviously Sorrento-ware.

You can tell that from the top. This typical inlay here.

This sort of Italianate scene. I'm loving the sort of book spines.

You've got a sliding secret drawer there.

Bit of age to it. It was how much? £40.

Let's do a deal on that. £40.

Oh, there you go - the new boy jumps in.

That should boost his confidence.

Across the airfield, Eric's preparing his own campaign,

with a print of a famous battle scene.

As a boy, I was fascinated with Waterloo.

-It's the capture of the Eagle.

-Yeah, yeah.

-£10.

-10 quid.

-Yeah.

OK, I'll buy it.

A quickfire decision from Eric. And whilst he's there...

-I quite like that as well. How much is that one?

-20.

At a push, 15.

I'm not going to leave that behind because there is something

macho about it.

Oh, Eric. You're all man. He pays the lower price - £15.

Despite the fact that it's actually dated 1789, the minute you pick it up

and look at the decoration, you just know that it's relatively modern.

But I tell you what, that is just one beautiful German tankard,

despite the fact it's not of any great vintage.

So, quick as a flash, Eric's got both his car boot bargains.

Will is playing catch-up but maybe not for long.

He's found a tea set...

-You doing the whole lot as one?

-The kettle is quite hard to come by.

-20 quid.

-How about 25 and we will be done?

25, go on, then. Let's have a deal. £25.

-You are a hard man.

-Right! Tea's up. Tea's up!

Milk, two sugars. Bye!

No time for a break yet, Will. Show us what you've got.

I'm sure a lot of you at home recognise this from your childhood.

A Picquot Ware tea set.

What's unusual about that is this kettle. What is it?

'50s, '60s, that sort of period.

Hopefully there is a funky young couple who are setting up home

and this will be the tea set of their dreams.

Well, there you go - they've made light work of the car boot,

but brought an intriguing start to our Showdown.

Let's look at the figures.

Both our experts started out with £1,000 of their own money.

Eric bought both his items at the same stall -

he spent £25, leaving £975 in his kitty.

Will has spent a little more so far - £65,

so he's got £935 still to spend.

And there's no time to waste.

It's straight on to Round Two - the foreign market.

Our collectible connoisseurs convert all those pounds into euros

and nip across to Paris - to the Porte de Vanves flea market.

Knocker has been here before and he knows it's a challenge.

The truth of the matter is...it's a lottery.

Yes, but will it be you?

Will is already considering the numbers.

Looking at some of the prices on the few stalls that I've looked at,

I think auction is not going to be my best option.

I think I'm going to have to work what

I buy here into a private buyer.

But Will's also got a secret weapon up his sleeve...

he can speak pretty good French.

His dogged determination leads him to a bronze statue of a dog.

The seller wants 70 euros but Will gets him down to 55...

55. Allez! Good work, sir.

..which when you convert it back into Sterling, works out at £45.83.

It's basically a bronze, I'm hoping, Great Dane.

Because the chap I've got in mind for this has a Great Dane.

But, you know, he's not too Scooby, is he?

So Will's happy.

Now, they say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, so Eric's

relying on some of his old ones when he finds a French faience dish.

-Combien?

-40.

-40.

It's a pity it's so dirty. I have to buy things to wash it with.

-30 if you want.

-30? It's worth asking. OK, put it there.

Yes, he's probably got some washing up liquid at home

that'll do the trick. Crafty old Knocker.

After the currency conversion, the dish costs him £25.

I'm buying something which looks as though it should be 18th-century.

It's got a little bit of flaking here.

That is quite acceptable on faience, believe it or not.

Something like that is not major damage.

I am a happy Englishman in Paris.

And Eric's even happier

when something else on the same stall catches his eye.

-1920.

-Yep.

-How much is that?

-50.

-Is that the best price?

-40.

-40.

All right. We'll do that. OK.

He didn't waste any time nailing that one. 40 euros is £33.33.

It's a nice little thing.

It's a shame it's got a tiny little chip there.

It was actually made in Austria.

For 40 euros, it was always going to come home with me.

So Eric's taken the lead

and yet again snapped up two items at one stall.

Will finds himself chasing the master once more.

Something caught my eye. It is this little inlaid panel.

Pretty self-explanatory. Tintin Au Congo.

I did enquire about the price earlier. They were asking 50.

I thought it was a bit cheeky. Thank you, yes. They were asking 60.

I've got the boss man here and I'm just going to finish the deal.

Monsieur.

-Pour le Tintin Au Congo...

-Oui?

-Je peux vous payer 30 euro. Ca va?

-Parfait.

-Ah!

Tres bien. Merci beaucoup, monsieur.

Oh, he's such a show off. I'm sure you don't need me

to tell you that the man instantly accepted The Axeman's

offer of 30 euros - so the Tintin plaque costs him £25.

I thought his pronunciation was a bit ropey, if I'm honest. Mmm.

Tintin Au Congo.

It's the iconic front cover of the book by the same name.

Looking at the kind of woods that have been used

here for the inlay, I think this has probably been made in Africa.

I think I might have a buyer set up for this.

He is only seven but he's going to fall in love with it.

Well, let's hope he's got enough pocket money to buy it, Will!

And that comic book caper brings us to the

halfway point in our big buying battle.

Let's tot up the numbers.

Both our boys started out with £1,000 of their own money.

Eric's barely broken a sweat in either round,

paying out a thrifty £83.33 - leaving £916.67 in his kitty.

Will has spent a little bit more, parting with £135.83.

So he has £864.17 to spend.

So, they bring lots of money back to Britain for Round Three -

the auction.

Our experts have rocked up at Gildings Auctioneers

in Market Harborough.

Both men earn their crust in the saleroom

so it's home turf all round - but who will come out on top?

They start scouring the room, looking for lots they like.

And Will's in a combative mood.

The room is filling up with buyers. That's competition.

I've got to find that item that they miss, the saleroom has missed,

and that I can make a profit on. Let the battle commence.

Yes, you can tell he's in his comfort zone,

he can't wait to get stuck in.

Eric however seems a little underwhelmed.

There is an awful lot of this and that.

You can abbreviate this and that. Take it as you will.

Come on, Knocker - get amongst it.

There'll be a pot out there with your name on it.

Our boys have had a good root around but viewing time is over.

Deep breaths, everyone! Here we go. The master shows his interest first.

The next lot is described as, "A continental porcelain

"group of a classical maiden and three cherubs."

If it goes for less than £50, you are looking at the buyer.

Absentee bid, £40. Any advance?

Eric is having a go on this lot.

-One more?

-Yes, one more.

55. With you, sir, at £55.

Selling...

Yes, he's done it.

Add in the auction commission and Eric pays £64.90.

This particular example probably dates to around about 1850.

The gilding is in such nice condition.

There are little bits of damage on it.

But the money I paid was worth it.

Eric gets back to main saleroom and just a few minutes later

is bidding on a pair of Royal Doulton vases.

Selling at 85.

And they're his for £100.30 including commission.

A pair of Royal Doulton stoneware vases which

date to around about 1910.

What you are looking at is entirely hand decorated.

These are going to appeal to somebody who maybe has an

Arts and Crafts house and is wanting something authentic from the period.

Well Eric hasn't hung about - his work here is done.

Will, however, hasn't bought anything.

He's seen some silk scarves, but before bidding,

he's getting some advice.

Do you buy vintage Hermes scarf-type things?

Oh, Will! This kind of behaviour is frowned on by the old school.

NO AUDIBLE SPEECH

The auction is in full flow. And the boy is on the phone.

Just having a chat.

It's not the done thing in an auction just to have a chinwag with somebody.

Hmm. But Will thinks it's time well spent.

Just double-checking that my friend's better half still

deals in vintage clothes and so on, before I have a go on those scarves.

But that is the sort of thing they buy.

Four Liberty silk scarves. £70. I'm here to sell.

Are you bidding? 75.

80. I'm waiting. 85.

-At £85...

-BANGS GAVEL

Will makes an informed decision

and gets four silk scarves for £100.30 with fees.

What I like about them is that they are so different.

Liberty is a good name. Good quality.

Nice design. Maybe try and double my money. £50 per scarf.

Oh, that'd be nice.

A little while later, Will's waving that paddle again.

His second auction item is a leather snuff box -

he pays £29.50 including commission.

What I like about it is that it's made of leather.

In the top we've got this nice sort of leather pressed design.

I don't think there is any great age to that. But even so, a quirky item.

And with that, we reach the end of Round Three.

Let's check on the money.

Eric has suddenly trebled his spending.

Overall he's paid out £248.53, leaving £751.47 in the kitty.

And those are very similar figures to Will's.

He's splashed out a fraction more - £265.63,

so has £734.37 to spend.

So, they've both got a lot of money left as we reach Round Four -

the antiques fair.

The final frantic buying session takes place at the

East of England showground in Peterborough.

And this place is enormous - 1,700 stands,

so lots of ground to cover for this concluding competitive bout.

I want to spend big.

Having said that, I've got the best part of about 10 acres to cover.

I'm going to have to put in a fair amount of legwork.

And he's not the only potential big spender in town.

Will is keen to splash the cash too.

I've still got a lot of money in my pocket.

I'd like to spend it if I can, but it's just finding the right thing.

There's plenty here today.

Hopefully I'll be able to get rid of all that booty

and buy some treasure.

Eric is first out of the blocks.

He's struck by breakables. I know! Who would have predicted it?

He's leaping in for another double deal.

-£30 for the two.

-A fiver off that...

-Four off that.

-OK. I'll do a double purchase.

Yet again, two items from the same stall - it's his theme of the day.

I know I always buy pots, I can't help it.

First of all, I had to have that pickle dish.

It's probably around about 1810. This is pearlware. It's transfer printed.

Although it's priced at 15, I got this Minton plate for £10.

But it's probably around about 1880. It's in lovely condition.

Well, he said he wanted to spend big -

and £30 doesn't really come close.

So, that's an interesting tactic at such a huge fair.

But, if he thinks he's bought well, that's the main thing.

So, Eric can put his feet up - his Showdown is sorted.

But Will is still all about the money.

# It's not about the money, money, money... #

My eye was caught by your little urn stand here.

What I like about it is that it is quite nice and dinky.

It's not too big, is it.

What I didn't like about it was your ticket of 180.

I would be willing to do a deal with you at 150.

-How does that sound?

-160.

Can we split the difference? Be really cheeky and say 155?

-All right.

-Done.

Well, cheeky seemed to work! And that's a fairly hefty spend.

What I've bought myself here is a late 19th-century,

perhaps early 20th century Chinese urn stand. I think it's rather fine.

Beautifully carved and it actually makes a rather good stool.

I've been on my feet all day. I'm knackered!

I think I might just stay here and man the stall.

Smalls for sale.

Smalls!

Never mind his smalls,

next Will's looking at something large...and expensive.

It's an Art Deco tea trolley.

-You've got 300 on the ticket. What would be your absolute death?

-250.

Make it 240 and we've got a deal.

Go on, mate. Give me a tenner for a luck.

Good work, mate. Good work.

Oooh! Another big ticket item. Very different game-play to Knocker.

The Axeman chops 20% off the asking price,

so is definitely smiling.

How can you not fall in love with this Art Deco chromed glass

tea trolley?

Date wise, I would've thought 1930s certainly. A period piece.

If you want quality, you've got to pay for it.

But has he left room for profit? So, there we have it,

four epic locations, eight superb items each.

Before we catch up with our haggling heroes,

let's see the final spending figures.

Both our experts started the challenge

with £1,000 of their own money.

Eric Knowles spent just a quarter of that -

£278.53 on mainly breakables.

Will Axon bought a more varied mix.

He finished his spending with a final flourish in Peterborough -

his total outlay of £660.63 is more than double his rival's.

So quite a difference in financial terms -

but once they've sold it all on, who'll be soaking up the applause

and who'll be getting a slow hand clap?

-So...

-How are you?

-That's the buying done anyway.

-God, it's hard work, isn't it?

-It is. Tell me, give me your top two.

I like my Art Deco trolley. I think that's a really stylish thing.

I'm going to chance my arm at auction with my Sorrento-ware

box which, again, I really like.

What two items really stand out for you?

-The little silver overlay glass vase that I bought in Paris.

-Sounds nice.

And the Minton dish that I bought here today.

-Put it there. I'll see you at auction.

-I'm quite excited, you know.

-Listen, there could be tears.

-Not mine, I hope.

Yes, it's the stuff of nightmares. But that excitement is all to come.

First, they must decide which items to send to the Showdown Auction -

then knuckle down and find buyers for the rest of their hauls.

And since the auction is so unpredictable,

they must leave no stone unturned in their quests for victory -

to ensure they make plenty of profit first.

At Knocker HQ in Buckinghamshire,

Eric has already made some decisions.

When it comes to the auction, the Doulton vases will be going that way.

So too my French blue-glazed figural group.

The German 18th-century style, don't always believe a date,

it says 1789 on that.

I'm actually going to put in my silver overlay green glass vase.

As you can see, it's cleaned up and looks absolutely first-class.

As for the others, I've got my French faience dish.

I've got my 19th century pearlware pickle dish.

And the Minton dish, I think I'm onto a winner with that one.

And finally, my coloured print.

And I'm in search of a Napoleonic horseman.

When it comes to finding a buyer, well,

where's there's a will there's a way.

The only problem is that I've got a Will in the way.

I can only hope that he's going to meet his Waterloo.

Yes, well, he's a long way from Waterloo just now.

The Axeman is at home near Newmarket

and he's quite chuffed with his bits.

Here's my selection from all four days buying. My Liberty scarves.

No great age, but they are Liberty.

Then at the front here, Sorrento-ware box. £40 for that.

Not dear. Then the Tintin inlaid hardwood cover.

Then we've got Scooby-Doo, or the Great Dane over there.

About 1920s, in bronze.

Then I've got this nice circa 1900 Chinese hardwood urn stand.

And then at the front, we've got the little leather snuff box.

Unusual. Good shape.

Then I think my favourite out of the whole lot has got to be this

Art Deco tea trolley.

They call it the Savoy, with that nice circular support.

We've got the tea set. Picquot Ware.

But what's unusual is, I have the kettle. I think auction items...

Sorrento-ware box.

I think the leather snuff can go back in to auction.

I'm hoping the Chinese market will react well to the urn stand.

And the tea set. Well, Eric, they call it the Showdown.

And as they say in wrestling, you're going down!

Oh, blimey. He's looking fierce.

So, with the auction items decided, it's now time to shift the rest.

But remember, until they've shaken on it

and the money has changed hands, no deal is truly sealed.

Eric's launching his selling campaign in Central London

with the Minton dish he bought in Peterborough.

He's aiming high right from the start.

I'm here to meet Patch Rogers.

He usually operates out of his barn in West Sussex.

But he also operates from this building.

He's seen an image of my dish. He likes it.

So I'm going to see if we can dish up a deal.

Well, it cost him a tenner - let's hope it serves him well.

-How are you doing?

-How are you doing?

-Good to see you.

I'm here to see if we can dish up some business.

-OK.

-Because there is one dish...

It's Minton. It's that lovely blue, looks like it should be Dresser.

-Yes.

-It's probably not provable.

-No.

When we say Dresser, we're talking about Dr Christopher Dresser.

That's him.

Designs for Minton and lots of other potteries. Wallpaper.

He did an enormous amount.

With the enamel work, it's quite important to check that

-and make sure it hasn't been restored or badly marked.

-Exactly.

-It all looks fine.

-Make me an offer I can't refuse.

-OK. 75?

-I'd be happy with 80, to be perfectly frank with you.

-I'd like to round it up.

-All right. 80 quid.

-You're on.

-Lovely.

A high-class sale right from the off.

A profit of £70 on a plate for Eric.

Will's battle for selling supremacy starts close to home in Suffolk.

He's come to see his pal Jimmy who's a carpenter -

and Will knows his young son likes a certain comic book hero.

Being the master craftsman that you are, a carpenter of distinction,

you can surely appreciate the quality of the African inlaid panel.

-And of course, I thought of your son.

-That is his favourite story.

That is a result.

It's taken someone a long time, cos it's all been hand done, hasn't it?

All the different types of timber separated,

and they way they've put it all together, it's very well made.

-How does £50 sound?

-50 quid sounds very good.

-Yeah?

-Are we on?

-Yes.

-Jimmy, let's shake on it.

-OK.

-Good work.

-It's been good fun.

The Axeman begins his Showdown selling spree by doubling his money

- £25 profit for the wooden plaque.

I love it when a plan comes together.

I had Jimmy in mind for that panel from the moment I saw it in Paris.

And he's come good.

He certainly has - buying with someone in mind

often pays big dividends.

So, they're both off to a good start and Eric's pressing on.

He's in Bournemouth to see collector Vernon -

and he's brought his blue and white pickle dish.

There's something about blue and white printed pottery that

just presses the right buttons for me.

It does for me too. A lot of them have got a good picture in them.

That's what's always drawn me to them.

I'm holding something of relatively small size.

What attracted me initially was when I turned it over.

You've got this lovely leaf design on it. I've got to come clean.

When I was looking at these veins, there is one vein there which

I think there's a little fissure of sorts, rather than a crack.

I'm going to take that into account.

I thought it was worth at least 50 quid or something.

With that sort of mark, I would say 40.

Yes, because I think it's coming home, that piece.

-Put your hand there and we will do a deal of £40.

-OK.

A slight defect in the pickle dish diminishes its price.

But Eric still doubles his money with a profit of £20.

But what's Will up to?

He's still bidding to be top dog - he's in Little Downham

in Cambridgeshire to meet Adrian and his Great Dane, Luca.

And guess what he's brought...

I told you about the bronze Great Dane that I bought in Paris.

-And here he is.

-Definitely a he.

-Definitely a he.

The ears, cos Luca has got these lovely, floppy Great Dane ears.

-What's going on here?

-Cropped.

-It's pretty much outlawed now, isn't it?

-Illegal.

-Illegal.

-In Europe.

-Really?

-Yes.

But we must stress that this is a period piece. This is Art Deco.

Probably 1930s. At that time, it wasn't really frowned upon, was it?

No. It was typical.

I was a bit worried about the ears but we can live with the ears.

-What about £100?

-I'm thinking more 60, Will.

-£60?

-Yes.

-Can we say £80?

-70 and we've got a deal.

-I'm going to be really cheeky and say £75 on the nose.

-On the nose.

-Go on. Good work, fella.

-Thank you.

A bit of ruff haggling

but Will's bronze Deco dog collars him a profit of £29.17.

Well, that's me out of the doghouse. Eric, you still in the kennel?

Actually, Will, he's gone walkies -

and pitched up in Bristol to see Chris, who deals in militaria.

Eric's brought his £10 print of Waterloo

and he's hoping it won't be too much of a battle to sell it.

I think the original would probably date to around 1880.

I thought it would look good in a gentleman's office.

-Behind a desk or something like that.

-Yes.

Just to contemplate...if somebody is knifing you in the back for

your job, you could look at that and say, "Well, that's real, that is."

It's a nice looking print.

I was hoping for somewhere around about the £50 mark.

If that was in a local auction then I would mark my card at £25-£35.

Would you be happy at £35?

-I will go with 30.

-30?

-Yes.

-Put it there.

-All right.

-You are a star.

The print of Waterloo gives Eric a less than historic

profit of £20 but it all adds to the total.

And every penny counts, as Will has been finding out.

He's taken a big hit on his Liberty scarves.

After quite a bit of work, he sold them to a vintage dealer

in Cambridge for £60, which means a chunky loss of £40.30.

And while he's found someone he thinks wants the tea trolley,

it's not straightforward.

The only time I could find to sell my Art Deco cocktail trolley

is on the actual day of the Showdown Auction. Which isn't ideal.

Because if he doesn't want it then I'm stuck with it.

In the meantime, I'm going to get it looking its best.

Hmm. It's his most expensive item too - a risky position to be in.

Is Eric doing any better?

Well, he's in Tunbridge Wells with his French faience dish

to meet dealer and collector Alan.

-You have a look at that.

-That's what we want to see.

-It's got that mark of Joseph...

-Olerys.

That's the man. I love these Chinoiserie type figures.

-I like these.

-You only get one chance to paint this.

-Yes, you do.

You've got to paint it right first time.

I think it's really nice. I like it very much.

What sort of money are we talking about for it?

Must be worth at least £100 of somebody's money.

I think somewhere around the £60 mark, Eric.

Faience doesn't sell as it did ten years ago.

-If we said £65, you think we've got a deal?

-Yes. I'd be happy with that.

-Put it there, mate.

-OK.

-Excellent.

Sold! The French faience fetches a £40 profit for Eric

and he's in a feisty mood.

It's always a pleasure doing business with somebody who knows what

they are talking about. Somebody who is a kindred spirit.

And obviously very knowledgeable.

If you are watching, Will, remember, knowledge is power.

With Will having to off his trolley later,

our boys now gear up for the mighty Showdown Auction.

The tension is palpable, I tell you.

But before the excitement gets too much,

let's see how our boys are doing so far.

Eric Knowles has sold four of his items

and made a pretty steady profit - £150.

Will is not faring so well.

He's not yet been able to sell the trolley - and he's taken a loss.

His profit currently stands at a measly £13.87.

And this is the point at which our experts lose all control.

No more smooth-talking and cajoling of contacts.

They're now at the mercy of the Showdown Auction.

Both our boys are auctioneers by trade - but for once,

they'll be sitting back and watching from the side-lines.

For today, their fate rests with the staff

and bidders at Bulstrodes saleroom in Christchurch in Dorset.

So, how are our prized pair feeling?

-Hello, mate.

-Well met, Will.

-How are you?

-I'm fine.

Showdown Auctions, they are...

-It's my first one.

-I've suffered one or two casualties here.

Listen, I'm not going to talk negative.

I understand we are in the hands of a lady auctioneer today.

I'm pretty sure she's going to be able to eke out any

-bids from the buyers.

-And make us a decent profit.

Let's hope that Lady luck is smiling on us.

I'm going to check my lots, Eric. Make sure they are all tiptop.

-Catch you later.

-Take care.

They both seem fairly chipper at this stage,

but anything can happen here.

One thing is for sure - both our boys will be paying the saleroom's

standard seller's commission, plus some house fees.

So, before the auction kicks off,

there's time to check out each other's lots.

I think that's a bit of a niche market.

Somebody who collects snuff boxes and is into entomology.

The study of insects. But you knew that.

It is reproduction, but even so, it's got the look.

So who knows, someone might take a fancy and it could fly.

This is Will's Sorrento box. It has got some age.

Probably around about 1910. I think he might be quids in with this one.

Eric's Royal Doulton vases. Decent pair, good size, nicely decorated.

They've got to be worth £100, but who can tell at the auction.

In all honesty, Will, I think you are going to struggle with this one.

It is its size that goes against it. The quality is good.

I remember this from auction and I was tempted to have a go to myself.

But left it to Eric.

I'm hoping he hasn't discovered a rare factory, an unknown maker.

I know Will paid £25 for this and they have estimated it at 30 to 50.

The one thing that is different about what I'm looking at is

the fact that there is a kettle.

I think you might be onto an earner with this little lot.

I can see why he has bought that. Nice quality. Didn't cost a lot.

I think the estimate is 80 to 120.

I think he's going to be quietly confident about this.

Who can blame him?

Well, let's see what happens.

Eric's bohemian vase is one of the very first items in today's sale.

How do you feel about that? Is that a good or bad thing?

I don't like that. I like to be at least 20 to 30 lots in,

and then you have established a rhythm by then.

I think you are going to do well.

The vase owes Eric just over £33.

I'm going to start low estimate at £80.

And 90. 100. And 10.

120. 130.

Yeah, all right!

150. Any more bids? We will sell at £150.

What a start! Knocker knocks it out of the park!

Take off the fees and Eric's profit is £84.27.

But he's not celebrating just yet.

I don't want to come across as being negative

but I think I'm already at the top of the hill

and I think we be may well be going on a downhill trajectory.

I'll catch you at the bottom.

Well, let's see if he's right.

Eric's pair of Royal Doulton stoneware vases is up next.

He paid just over £100.

You always take a gamble buying something at an auction and

-putting it back into another auction, don't you?

-This is them, look.

Start at £30. A pair of Doulton pots. 30. 40.

50 on the internet.

55 in the room.

Internet bid now at 70. £70.

GAVEL BANGS THEY GROAN

Oh, dear!

Maybe he was right about the downward trajectory.

The Doultons take a dive.

After fees, Eric makes a loss of £47.34.

-I'm feeling it for you, Eric. I'm feeling it.

-Yeah (!)

Will's turn next - and after his pretty disastrous private sales,

he needs everything to sell well.

Can the snuff box sniff out a profit?

No bids at all then? Thank you. That's unsold.

Oh, that is a massive blow! No interest at all.

And there's still some fees to pay - Will's total loss is £33.10.

Next up is his Sorrento-ware box.

It cost him £40 and both Will and Eric rate it.

The auctioneer predicts a small profit. Let's hope she's right.

-£30 please. Somebody? 30?

-I hope so at that sort of money.

I'm tempted to put my own hand up.

-Internet buyer at...

-Come on!

-Go on, Kate. Work your smile on that man.

Thank you.

It's a fiver more than he paid for it, but with auction fees

the Sorrento-ware box makes another loss - £7.24.

Will The Axeman be felled by his first Showdown Auction?

Luckily, he's got time for a breather

while Eric's next lot comes up - it's the French porcelain group.

It says, "Scantily clad female in turquoise and blue."

A scantily clad maiden is better than a fully clothed old man.

That's true.

£20, please, surely. Turquoise blue figure group...

Ouch!

Anyone want this at all today? No? OK, thank you. Unsold.

Hmm. Scantily clad or not, the naked truth is the porcelain group scores

a £68.50 loss for Eric.

Don't look at me, Will, you might see a grown man cry.

Well, let's see how his last lot goes.

It's the German tankard that cost £15.

So, will he be drowning his sorrows or toasting success?

£10 for the pottery stein. 15. 20.

And five is bid. At £25.

Sells to the room.

A sobering moment for Eric - he makes a profit,

but after fees, the tankard pulls in just £1.60.

-That's me done.

-Is that you out?

-That's me done.

-You are out of jail.

Will still has two lots left, and he's desperately in need of profit.

-Send me some good karma.

-I'll channel it to you.

-Yeah, man.

THEY HUM

Try anything you like, but it all comes down to the bidders.

Will they like his Chinese urn stand?

I've got £155 at risk here. They've estimated it at £30-£50.

I noticed that. I think the only thing going against it is its size.

20, I've got 20. 25. 30.

There's a fair bit of interest in the room...

-100 bid. 10.

-Go on!

-130.

-Little stand all done.

-Go on, a little bit more! It's worth more!

HE GROANS

So Eric was right, size did matter. The urn stand provides

Will's third loss of the day - after fees, it's £53.56.

Surely, he must make a profit from his final lot -

the Picquot tea set with its rare kettle.

He paid £25.

-£50 to start.

-Surely.

-£70. 80.

-Come on, come on.

-90 bid. Give me 100.

-100 I've got.

-Hang on. Just let...

-£100 for this set now.

Thank goodness for that. He finally makes a profit,

and a decent one at that - £52.20 including all the fees.

-Think it's all done bar the shouting.

-Actually, no it isn't.

-I've got one more Showdown sale.

-Have you now?

-Eric, keep my seat warm.

-I will do.

-Sir, it's been a pleasure.

Yes, I'm sure it has.

-All right, you be good.

-OK.

The world loves a trier.

So Will legs it quick smart -

he can't afford to miss his final potential buyer.

He drives to the small town of Wilton near Salisbury

to see antiques dealer Allan.

The tea trolley owes him a lot - £240.

Allan, here I am in, may I say, your wonderful looking shop.

The ideal setting to show you what I understand is a Savoy

-cocktail trolley.

-That's correct, it is.

The round ones are all called Savoy. It is actually of period.

The one way you can tell, if you didn't know,

is because of the mirroring.

When they actually found that these were damaged,

they replaced the shelves. They sprayed them all black.

I'm going to ask you how you feel at around the £300 mark.

I'm looking at around about 250.

Shall we cut to the chase and say 275?

-OK.

-Go on, then.

-Happy there.

-I was going to shake above or below?

-Right in between.

-Go on, then.

The trolley wheels in a profit of £35.

But is it enough to shake up the Showdown?

We'll reveal the winner in just a moment - first,

let's remind ourselves of what they spent in total.

Both our experts started out with £1,000 of their own money

to spend on their eight items.

Eric spent just over a quarter of that - £278.53.

Will splashed the cash in comparison, spending £660.63.

But now it all comes down to profit.

All of the money that Eric and Will have made from today's

challenge will go to charities of their choice.

So, let's find out who is today's

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is Showdown Champion.

-This is it!

-The Showdown!

-I'm a bit nervous, Eric.

-What have you got to be nervous about?

-It's my first one.

I took a hit at the auction.

But I was pleased with my Picquot Ware tea set.

If I've learned anything on this series it's to look

out for a Picquot kettle.

I was quite pleased with my silver overlay bohemian vase.

-That did very well.

-Let's see where it takes us.

-This is...

-This is it. One, two, three.

-Oh my goodness!

-Excuse me. I think there must be some mistake

No mistake, Will, your Showdown Auction losses hit you hard

and Eric rules the day.

But both our experts have been building up their profit pots

over a week of challenges, so who will take the crown?

-Ready?

-One, two, three.

Oh! Oh! Hello!

There is honour in defeat here.

You are sharper than the axe blade to which you are now related.

It has been great fun.

I couldn't say I could have done it with anyone finer than yourself.

You are probably right there. You are probably right.

-You are a legend, sir. You are a legend.

-I am, in my own underpants.

Yes, and with that brief thought, Will is the winner.

But together they've made some serious money - well over £2,300.

And every last penny will go straight to their good causes.

My chosen charity is Sightsavers.

Their work involves travelling the globe,

helping to eliminate avoidable blindness in young people.

My chosen charity is Sophie's Smile Fund.

Part of the Brain Tumour Charity.

Set up in memory of my daughter's best friend, Sophie Bell,

who sadly succumbed to a tumour 18 months ago.

It's been a week of no-holds-barred combat.

Our excellent experts have really put their money

where their mouths are - and showed they can make a convincing profit

from buying and selling antiques when their own money is on the line.