Eric Knowles v Will Axon - Car Boot 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.

BANG! BANG! Who's there?

Each week, one pair of duelling dealers

will face a different daily challenge...

-The Axeman!

-HE GROWLS

..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, everyone's favourite prince of pots, Eric Knowles,

takes on Put Your Money rookie, artwork authority Will Axon,

at a car boot sale.

Coming up... Eric's back to his old tricks...

I'm still being lured by pots.

It's seduction, really. I can't help it.

Will tries it on...

-We can do 'em four.

-Four quid each, if you buy more than one.

So that'll be six quid for the two?

..and then tries putting for profit.

This is Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is!

-WESTERN MUSIC PLAYS

-Once upon a time in the West -

well, West Sussex that is,

two battling bounty hunters met, to fight over the spoils

of the mighty Ford car boot sale, near Arundel.

In the shadow of the medieval castle,

home to aristocrats and the odd king,

a right royal rumpus is set to commence

as two erudite experts face up to each other for the very first time.

Strolling into town, the challenger, the new kid on the block,

the Billy the Kid of the bargain.

Shooting from the hip, and hailing from Newmarket,

it's auctioneer...

Got to go with your gut.

This half-Spanish hombre is determined to fight to the last.

But when he sees the opposition, it could be adios, amigo!

Because waiting to chop The Axeman down to size

is the sheriff of this here show, the bad boy from Burnley...

Just buy it and move on.

Yes, he'll be all guns blazing

as the duel begins to unearth hidden treasure.

Today, the setting for the OK Corral is Ford Airfield -

home to a well-established market and boot sale.

Our incredible experts have each brought £250

of their own money to spend

and, when all the selling's done, every penny of profit

shoots straight to the charities of their choice.

So, new boy Will Axon and old hand Eric Knowles -

pistols at the ready.

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

-Axon the Axeman, how are you doing?

-I'm all right, Knocker, how are you?

I'm all right - I'm fine. Have you been to many a car boot?

Yeah, I like to think so. Get out and about on a Sunday morning.

Have you ever found anything of any significant value?

-Don't mind telling me.

-Yeah, I have.

-Have you?

-The country house car boots are the ones you want to go to.

Tell me later about that.

-But the main thing is, we've got £250 to spend...

-I've got 250.

-I was hoping you only had a tenner, but...

-No, no.

I can match you for money -

but can I match you when it comes to cunning and finding those bargains?

Well, if your reputation is anything to go by,

I think you can, Eric. I'm a little bit nervous about taking you on.

-He's an unknown quantity, is this lad, so...

-Tricks up my sleeve.

Yeah, I've heard it said. Yes, your reputation goes before you.

-Listen...

-Listen, good luck.

-And you, too. OK.

See you halfway, at the cafe.

Yes, it all seems friendly enough - but don't be fooled.

These two are devilishly competitive.

And it seems our new boy has got old Knocker rather hot under the collar.

Well, it may be Will Axon's debut series,

but he's no stranger to car boots and he's a seasoned professional.

So, he may be the new kid on the block,

but that counts for nothing in this business.

Yes... Eric comes out fighting.

And it seems Wonder Boy Will has misjudged the veteran of value.

I didn't expect Eric to be a car booter, to be honest.

I thought he was more of a man of leisure -

Sunday papers, breakfast in bed, that sort of thing.

Turns out, he likes a rummage like the rest of us.

Little bit nervous. He's a legend, but I reckon I stand a chance.

I'll give him a run for his money.

And he's not kidding.

Less than three minutes after hitting the ground -

and with the car booters still unloading their vehicles -

eagle-eyed Will pounces.

What's that you've got?

-It's a saddle rack.

-It is, isn't it?

-How much is it?

-120.

-Ooh!

The boy from Newmarket - the capital of world horse-racing -

has spotted something in the back of a lorry

that might suit the punters back home on the range.

What I'm thinking here is, obviously, Newmarket -

horses - saddles.

Argh!

You've glued it shut.

50 quid, cos of the dodgy drawer.

No, I do need what I've asked.

80 quid and it's gone.

-Lovely job.

-Job done.

First purchase out the way.

That is...

the main thing.

Will shows his colours early on.

He gallops into the game -

spending almost a third of his entire budget in one fell swoop!

Well, what I've bought here is an oak saddle rack.

Two saddle racks here, place for your boots,

a place for your whips and your tack, a drawer.

If I can't sell that in Newmarket, I can't sell anything, can I?

Well, he's got to prove himself, because his opponent

is already eyeing up some of his favourite wares...

Yes, Eric Knowles, for ever potty about porcelain.

And he's in a cheeky mood.

I'm just thinking, who on earth...

-wants a left-handed milk jug?

-Why's it left-handed?!

-Just try it! Try it.

-I'm right-handed...

Yeah, but try it in your left hand.

Just try it in your left hand. Cos I've got this in my left hand.

-I don't follow your logic there, sir!

-No...

Naughty Knocker - he's messing with you, sir.

Come on, Eric! The gentleman's here to make money.

I might be tempted with that one,

but it'd just have to be at the right price.

How much?

-I don't know, I don't want to...

-15. 15.

-I'd give you a tenner for it, but...

-Go on, then. Go on.

-A tenner?

-Go on - I know it's crazy, but I'd like to sell you something.

-Go on.

-OK.

-£10.

Should have said five!

Too late now!

Eric's off and running - so what exactly has he got?

Um, I've bought meself a Derby porcelain little milk jug.

It's decorated in a Japan pattern.

That's a silver shape which belongs to the reign of, perhaps, George IV.

The decoration on here is so beautiful,

and it's in such nice condition, and the damage is...

Well, it's just a faint hairline, but the more I look at it,

the more I think it could be for somebody who's ambidextrous.

Because it seems to work just as well in me right hand...

as it does in me left hand.

So...yeah, I think makes it that little bit more saleable.

Yes, you can wink all you like, Eric,

but it's not exactly a unique selling point, is it?

So, Mr Knowles starts his bid for boot sale supremacy with porcelain.

Who'd have guessed it?

Not just looking for the ceramics - I'm looking for anything

that I think's going to make me a bob or two.

Yes, we'll see.

Not sure Knocker can resist the lure of a lovely piece.

Across the airfield, The Axeman's soaring through the stalls -

and in his sights, some decorative tiles.

How much are on your tiles?

Fiver each - but if you buy the whole box, they're cheaper.

I might come back later, see if they've been reduced further.

Mmm. Are Will's rookie nerves getting the better of him?

There's a long line of Put Your Money experts

who've learnt that indecision can cost you dear.

It takes a couple of minutes, but Will soon catches on.

You know what? I'm thinking about those tiles.

I can't afford all of them, cos I've blown £80 on me saddle rack,

but I've got a buyer for tiles,

so I'm thinking it seems daft to ignore them, really.

Why don't we go back and have another look

and see if I can't twist his arm to come down a bit on those?

I've come back for another look.

How much did you say they were? Three quid each?

-We can do 'em four.

-Four quid each if you buy more than one.

Ooh! More than one. Two's more than one, isn't it? Last time I looked.

So that'll be six quid for the two?

£7, there you go.

All right, done.

Two tiles, then, please.

The seller is 10p short of change, and Will lets him off.

I tell you what... If I make a profit, we'll call it quits.

If I lose money, I'm coming to look for you!

THEY LAUGH

-Thanks very much!

-Thank you. Bye!

Well, let's hope those extra pennies don't come back to bite him

at the end of the show.

Well, what I've bought here are two tiles. One, Mintons, marked nice.

Sort of majolica type, isn't it, with those colours

and that type of glaze?

And another, which is unmarked, but I quite like the design.

Very much of its period,

that sort of Victorian - almost a Gothic, sort of, feel about it.

£3.55 I think they cost me -

there's got to be a profit in there, hasn't there?

Surely.

Well, you're the expert, Axeman.

Now, steaming down the far side of the sale,

Eric's trawling the stalls for his second bargain.

And, despite all his protestations,

he's still being drawn to ceramics.

Well, have a look at this.

I see this little pot and I think, "Ah, now that

"reminds me very much of Lovatt ware, Langley,"

and that's all in Derbyshire - but then, when you turn it over,

there's a little mark that tells you something different.

It was made in a place called Thailand.

It's a case of "buyer - beware".

But if it's cheap enough and you love it - buy it.

Yes - it's not for Eric, though.

He's a man on a mission, and before you know it,

our Knocker's at another stall looking at more breakables.

He's trying to get ahead - well, three heads, actually.

How much are they? Then I know.

Er...fiver each, I guess, just to get rid of them, I think.

OK - 15 quid. OK, I'm going to have those.

So, I've bought three ceramic busts.

And they were made in Congleton in Cheshire by a firm called Bossons.

They're actually made out of plaster, but what always intrigued me

was the attention to detail

and the realism in those facial expressions.

I don't mind saying, actually,

that there is more than a hint of the facial similarity

with Will Axon.

Either way, I've bought three of them.

Date-wise - around about 1960,

but at £5 each, I think, as dear old Arthur Daley might say,

"I'm in for a bit of an earner, my son."

Well, don't forget Arthur often caught a cold on his deals, Eric...

And it looks like Will's getting the shivers, too.

It's not easy, this, you know?

Finding the treasure amongst the, er...

Well, I don't want to be rude.

The prospect of a nice little earner has set Eric off on a roll.

He soon spots a pair of wooden tables and a tin box

on the same stall.

The combined asking price for all three is £60.

So, 25, 35...

If all took all three, don't mind me asking...

I could do 55.

55 for the three?

-Put your hand there, sir.

-Thank you very much.

Thank YOU very much.

A fiver off is enough for Eric.

But even after he's had a little while to think,

he's not actually sure what he's bought.

Do you know, when I bought these tables,

I thought, "Yeah, they're Indian,"

and then I had another look, and I thought, "ARE they?"

And then I had ANOTHER look, and I found an elephant,

which is a bit of a giveaway!

I think we'll go with the Indian subcontinent.

And they're very beautifully carved!

I mean, look at the legs on this one.

Obviously made for the European market.

And, as for this tin case - well, it's all in a name.

And the name on the top of there is Holland & Holland.

Best known to the huntin', shootin', fishin' fraternity.

And it's a box - I'm not sure what it contained.

I'm assuming maybe cartridges.

I'm just hopeful

that I'm going to double or even treble my money all round.

Eric Knowles - always ambitious.

Time is marching on.

So, how are our two bounty hunters faring?

Is it a beautiful morning or a bad day at Black Rock?

Both our boys started the day with £250 of their own money to spend.

Eric "Knocker" Knowles

has kicked up some dust.

Four purchases for £80,

leaving a hefty £170 in his holster.

Will "The Axeman" Axon has two purchases

tucked under his cowboy hat so far.

He's spent a little more - £87.10,

meaning £162.90

is left in Miss Kitty.

So, they're both holding on to a fistful of dollars -

but are they ready to spend more?

How you going?

Um, I'm going all right, but it's a bit of a trawl, isn't it?

-A bit of a trawl.

-Well, it's a car boot, isn't it?

-It IS a car boot.

-The rough with the smooth, all mixed in.

-Have you bought? Are you doing all right?

-I have bought, I have bought.

-My first purchase I got that out the way...

-OK.

-Hoping to buy a few more.

-Yeah.

-But...

-So, there's no point me going round the other half,

-cos you've trawled it.

-There's plenty here for both of us.

-OK.

We've just got to use our imagination a bit, I think.

-Pearls of wisdom.

-I don't know about that.

-OK, mate.

-Good luck.

-OK, yeah.

And off they bounce, back into battle.

There's no stopping them.

Straightaway, though, Eric is fighting that familiar temptation...

I'm still being lured by pots.

It's seduction, really. I can't help it.

Go on, Eric! You can do it.

Break away from the breakables.

Across the sale, young Axon knows he's on the back foot.

I'm starting to panic a little bit, now.

Still a few items to buy,

and I'm, kind of, running out of stalls.

The pressure is really on for the newbie.

But, surely, where there's a Will, there's a way.

-Your pub sign caught my eye.

-Yeah?

Shame that's not painted, isn't it, really?

-What sort of money have you got on that?

-30.

-Listen, £20.

-OK.

-Yeah? Done.

£20. Good man.

Well, another item down.

Not sure if I've gone a bit mad, but The Queen's Head -

I know a Queen's Head, other side of Newmarket.

A hard thing to age, really, and - should be a profit,

and if there isn't, well, £20 isn't a lot to lose, either.

Well, you say that, but Her Majesty is clearly not amused.

The pub sign purchase brings a renewed confidence

to The Axeman's game and, with a spring in his step,

he's straight on to another stall -

and chopping down the price of another wooden item.

What's this one, this burrwood one?

That one's about £40.

-Give me a bit of slack on that.

-35.

Listen, make it £30 and I'll have a go at it.

-Yes, OK.

-Oh!

-Thank you very much, sir.

-You're welcome.

£30.

What would you suggest I do to it, being a man who knows?

-Just wax and very fine wire wool.

-Like, 000 grade, isn't it?

-000 grade.

-Cos then you get that wax into the tight grain, don't you?

-Yep.

-And it really brings it out.

-Yeah.

Yes, the seller clearly knows what he's talking about

and Will gets a useful tip to make the most of his burrwood box.

What I've bought here is some type of caddy.

No great age to it. 1900, that sort of period.

But a good, substantial size, nice figurative wood.

Listen, I think, at £30, there's got to be a small profit in there,

hasn't there? Surely.

Well, profit's the name of the game.

And it seems wood is fashionable today -

Knocker is also barking up that tree.

A plaque from the Japanese Noh theatre.

-Excellent. How much is that?

-£30.

-Is that the best?

-That would be the very, very best.

OK. Can we do a swift, sharp deal at £30?

-Yes, indeed.

-OK.

-Bless you.

-You're a gentleman.

-Good luck.

And with that, Eric pulls out in front again -

five items to Will's four.

This is a mask that would have been worn in a Noh play.

I think it's N-O-H, by the way.

Noh plays are quite famous for going on and on and on.

But I like this, because it's carved wood,

and it's got this cinnabar lacquer mask.

I would hope that it's early 20th century.

Whatever he dates from, he's going home with me.

Noh is a slow form of Japanese musical theatre

performed since the 13th century,

but both our experts need to start saying a rapid "yes"

to some more items, because time is ticking on.

Well, listen, it's only late morning

and people are already packing up.

I've got to get a move on. I've still got things to buy!

Yes, chop chop, Axeman.

You need to get cracking,

if you're going to deal a knockout blow to old Knocker Knowles.

I think we might have something here.

Oh, he's spotted something!

What I've found here is a print - Melford Hall, Suffolk.

It's just down the road from me, isn't it?

The trouble is, it's not an original print,

so it's a photographic, lithographic print

of an original strike from an engraving.

But - broken glass...

It's going to have to be giveaway.

He goes for a little chat with the seller -

and, quick as a flash, The Axeman is back.

And he has news.

A tenner was what he wanted -

I pointed out the broken glass, later print -

got it for a fiver.

There's got to be a profit in that!

Melford Hall, here I come.

As this antiques duel continues to hot up,

it's becoming clear the boot sale is nearing its end -

the cars, the vans and their treasures are clearing orf!

I still have things to buy,

so I'm going to see what I can find up there, but, you know,

it's hard going up that aisle

knowing that The Axeman hath gone before me.

Running out of options here.

I want to buy something else - I want something else under my belt.

I haven't done over there. Let's go and have a look over there.

And Will gets a lucky break.

This dealer is packed and ready to roll,

but just in time, spots Will and offers him a last minute punt.

Silver.

-How much?

-25.

-You know, golf - good subject, isn't it?

-There you go.

20 quid and you've got a deal.

Come on, you've got to help me out, here.

-Good luck.

-Woo-hoo! How's that?

Howzat? Wrong sport, William.

He was just in time, though -

moments later, the seller drives off.

That was a stroke of luck.

There I was, panicking about buying something -

calls me over, waves this under my nose.

It's a fully-hallmarked, filled silver,

I suppose, decanter stopper.

Little Edwardian golfer on top.

I'm bound to find someone who plays golf and likes a tipple, aren't I?

-MUSIC: "Grandstand" theme

-Well, maybe try the 19th hole, Will.

That final buy should go a "fairway" to keeping you in the game.

The car booters are getting thin on the ground now,

but Eric is still hoping to squirrel away a last-minute deal.

It's Royal Doulton and he's nuts about porcelain.

Cos this squirrel's got a little bit of white there,

but it's perfectly all right, it's not damaged, you know?

So, 20... £28, come on, you've got a deal.

You've got a deal.

Ah! Eric's love affair with ceramics. It warms your cockles.

I've got to tell you that the Doulton figurine market took a bit of a hit.

I'm hoping it's on the comeback.

It dates from the early 1970s.

So, I'm looking for people who've got an affection for red squirrels,

because they are, after all, British.

Makes you proud, doesn't it?

And that patriotic purchase brings Eric's buying bonanza to a close.

So, as the last vehicles disperse,

let's have a look at the final figures.

Our bargain-busters each arrived at Ford with a budget of £250.

Eric made six purchases -

only three of them breakable -

and spent £138.

Will was quick off the mark.

He also struck six deals

but has spent a bit more - £162.10.

So, as high noon approaches,

how do our gunslingers think it's gone?

Well, I can see The Axeman has been buying on a grand scale!

Well, I thought, you know - Axeman, wood.

Why not have a go?

That was my first purchase.

-Now, tell me what that's for.

-It's for your saddles.

Hailing from Newmarket, how could I have turned that down?

Oh, right! I like your box, by the way. What's inside it?

Nothing!

-Except a little liner.

-Oh, right!

So, it's a caddy of sorts.

-An eclectic mix.

-And you've got a good eclectic mix, as well.

Well, I tried so hard not to go too heavy on the old ceramic front,

but the first thing I bought was this Derby Japan design milk jug.

I couldn't help it, with these three little figures.

When I was a small boy, everybody seemed to have these on their walls.

-Showing your age!

-And this one I quite... Just keep still, will you?

This is an outrage!

Is that...? Well, there is...

I was going to say what a handsome fellow he was, actually.

And what about this - Holland & Holland?

-What's that full of, cartridges?

-Well, I think so.

It's seen better days, but, you know, when I saw that, I thought...

-Oh, hang on - you've just written that on in Tipp-Ex!

-No, no, no -

-it was probably owned by Queen Victoria.

-Oh, no.

-You know, cos...

-All in all, I have to say, not a bad morning's work.

-Not a bad morning.

Mind you, I found it a little bit stressful towards the end, there.

-It's harder than it looks on telly.

-Hey - say that to 'em again.

-BOTH:

-It's harder than it looks on telly.

Well, Will, it's about to get a whole lot harder.

Our experts head home

and, from here on, it's all sell, sell, sell.

They must each move into top gear

and convert their prime purchases to premium profit.

But that is no simple task.

The best buyers aren't easy to come by,

so this requires real research, to rake in the revenue.

First, our boys need to analyse their luscious lots,

looking for any bright ideas.

Eric's at Knocker HQ in Buckinghamshire.

I think I came away with a few good buys.

I mean, I got three interesting characters...

I'm hoping to get in touch with a Bossons collector.

As tables go, the carving on these pieces

are just absolutely fantastic.

Then I've got a man who likes to feed squirrels.

I think it's called Lunchtime. It's by Royal Doulton

and, at one time, you could easily expect to pay £80-£100,

but the market is not what it was.

Next to that, a box, and it's tin plate, painted,

and it's all in a name.

And as for my Derby Japan pattern milk jug -

it's just a pity that it's got a couple of hairlines.

My Japanese plaque. I know somebody who deals

and specialises in great, great Oriental works of art.

Well, if you're watching,

Will Axon, I'm assuming that you've been through a baptism of fire.

The only thing I can hope, my dear boy,

is you don't get your fingers burnt.

So, is The Axeman feeling the heat?

He's back home near Newmarket and he's currently playing it cool.

I'm pretty pleased with what I've bought.

Starting with my favourite item. It's this oak saddle rack.

I'm pretty confident that I'm going to find a trainer in Newmarket

that's going to take that off my hands.

Working down, we've got this nice burrwood caddy - got some tips

from the vendor on how to just buff it up and get that colour up nice.

The two tiles. Both period Victorian tiles,

which are collectable.

They didn't cost me lot, bound to be a profit.

And then the silver golfer bottle top.

Kind of thing that would retail at over £100.

He cost me 20.

And then, to my left, here - surely Melford Hall

are going to want that to hang in their grand hall?

And, then, The Queen's Head. How do you do, Ma'am?

There she is - reminded me of a pub I used to drink in.

Of course, now the trouble is, it's turned into a private house.

Well, Eric, you've seen my runners and riders.

There can be only one winner - and, as they say round here,

I'm odds-on favourite.

Well, the new boy's sounding confident.

Let's hope the going's good for both of them, though.

Eric and Will get straight to work.

They delve deep into their contacts books,

digging for dazzling deals.

They must also think outside the box -

and hunt down people they've never met before.

But all this hard work could come to nothing -

until they've shaken on it and the money has changed hands,

no deal is ever sealed.

Eric is first out of the gate.

He travels into the capital to see an antiques dealer

he's known for 30 years.

Well, this is London's Camden Passage.

And for the past few decades,

it's been the home to many an antique dealer,

including a friend of mine, and he specialises in Japanese works of art.

So, I'm hoping that he's going to purchase my Japanese gong.

The plaque owes Eric £30, but will expert Kevin see more value?

Kevin, how are you doing?

-Fine, how are you?

-Good to see you.

Well, it's lovely to find you in your emporium.

I've bought myself a Japanese work of art.

-I've seen sort of similar things, but they're usually on metal.

-Mm-hm.

This is on wood.

What sort of date would you put on it?

I would say it's between Taisho and Showa,

or early Showa - 1930s.

Well, my opening gambit would be somewhere in the region

-of about £150.

-Mm.

Well, I'd be happy to pay that.

-£150.

-As usual.

-You are a star.

-Thank you.

-OK.

-Thank you very much.

Well, that seemed a bit too easy.

Perhaps your opening play should have been a little bit higher, Eric.

Still, it's £120 profit without even breaking a sweat.

It's very unusual when a dealer will take something off you

at the asking price, but should I be bothered?

Well, no, because I made a good percentage return on what I spent

and, if Kevin can do the same, then I am delighted for him -

because that's what this business is all about.

You buy it, you sell it, you move it on.

And that's exactly what Will is hoping to do

with the framed print of Melford Hall that he bought for a fiver.

He's replaced the broken glass - that cost him another £4.78 -

and he's hoping to sell it

in the shadow of the real building in Suffolk.

I'm here to meet Veronica.

She works as a volunteer at Melford Hall

and she's expressed an interest in my print.

He's meeting her round the back, by the banqueting hall.

Well, at least it's not the tradesman's entrance, eh?

Well, Veronica, good morning.

And here is the print.

What do you think of it, now you've seen it in the flesh?

It's super, it's really a lovely picture.

-Tell me it's going to be hung in the hall, perhaps.

-No.

All the volunteers are going to buy it

for a member of staff that's leaving.

-Oh!

-So, we want him to be able to hang it in his office

and think of his lovely days with us all.

Oh, what a lovely gesture!

I'm thrilled that it's actually going to go to someone who's

-got a connection to the hall.

-That's right.

So, I'm thinking - well, what would it cost you

to get a similar sort of print framed and glazed?

Maybe around the sort of £60 mark. How does that sound to you?

Um, could we, sort of, say a little bit less?

What about 55?

-Well, that sounds a deal to me.

-Does that sound a deal?

-Sounds great.

-Well, let's do it. Let's shake on it!

Well, that was nice and simple, too.

Will reaps the rewards - £45.22 profit.

So, both our superb salesmen are off the mark -

although Eric's way out in front,

so The Axeman must motor on to catch up.

His rival is determined to retain the advantage.

He's brought his three Bossons to Borehamwood.

I'm here to meet a gentleman who is a collector of Bossons pottery heads.

Now, I've not seen his collection, obviously,

and I'm looking forward to seeing it,

because I'm told it is what they call...

extensive.

You don't know the half of it, Eric.

Have a look at this!

Oh, my giddy aunt!

Steve and his wife Marion have over 800 Bossons.

As well as collecting, they also deal in them.

What a huge variety!

Is this a shared passion, Marion?

-Yes, it is.

-It is.

I think it would have to be!

They really do look as though, when we close the door,

they'll start jabbering away to one another, don't they?

-Shall I show you?

-Yes, please.

OK.

-Now, do you know him?

-Yes. Life-boatman.

How do you know it's Life-boatman?

It's got its name on the bottom.

-Have you got him?

-There he is.

Oh, you've got him. OK.

Well, we know who that is. That's Will Axon.

STEVE LAUGHS I bet you didn't know that, did you?

Something I've noticed with Bossons

-is that you've got to be very, careful with them...

-Mm.

-..because this paint is so micro thin.

-It can be repaired.

-Can it?

To a certain extent, I do that myself.

-You do?

-Yeah.

-OK.

This was probably made in the tens of thousands.

I was hoping they were going to be worth about £10 each,

but if you think that's pie in the sky, tell me.

It's certainly more than we would be able to sell them on for.

OK, what would you like to go for?

I'm happy to offer you 20 for the three.

-20 for the three.

-Yeah.

OK. That sees me with a profit, of sorts.

-Not a big one, but a profit that's worth having. OK.

-OK?

Well, it all helps, Eric.

He takes his £5 profit and makes make his escape.

Much longer in there, and he'll start seeing little heads.

Bosson of Knocker, anyone?

Eric is still out in front,

but at this early stage it's anybody's game.

Talking of games, Will's pitched up at Bury St Edmunds Golf Club.

He's brought the silver golf bottle stopper -

his last-minute purchase that cost £20.

He's meeting the club's general manager.

Mike, thanks very much for seeing me.

Yeah, good afternoon, Will.

-You're waiting to see my silver golf stopper.

-Yeah!

What do you think of it in the flesh?

Wow, very nice. Very nice indeed.

It's about circa 1980s.

If you went to try and buy one of these nowadays, retail,

that would cost you about £120, that sort of figure.

Now, bearing that in mind, is there an offer you can come at me with?

My opening offer probably would be around £90.

What if I came back to you with a little 9-iron chip onto the green,

and, hopefully, run near the hundred pound mark -

how does that sound?

I know what we can do. If you go on the putting green

and you can score yourself a hole in one, we'll give you £100 for it.

-Come on, then. Have you got a putter I can borrow?

-Yes, we will do.

Oh, good game! Come on, let's go and have a look.

Yes, The Axeman's a good sport, but is he a good golfer?

Can he putt for profit?

Well, three balls on the putting green.

You get one of those balls in, I will pay you the full hundred pounds.

Good luck!

Right, here we go.

Ooh!

Pressure's on here.

Ugh!

Left, right...

Yes.

Ohh!

Oh! So close!

How unlucky is that?

-Very unlucky, Will.

-Well, a deal is a deal. £90.

Oh, that was so unlucky!

His afternoon on the green has left him feeling blue,

but it's still a profit of £70,

and he's almost on a par with his rival.

Eric is hoping to drive through with his 1970s Doulton figure.

He's on his way to Piddlehinton in Dorset,

to meet Richard, who not only makes shepherds' huts for a living -

he's also involved in protecting wildlife -

such as the red squirrels on nearby Brownsea Island.

You can see what Eric's thinking here.

You do your bit for the Dorset Wildlife Trust.

We do, very much.

About a month ago we became a trade member of the Wildlife Trust.

We are building a hut for Chelsea. We're doing a trade stand this year.

In there are shelves and furniture items in there

and, maybe, the figurine could stand on one of the shelves.

-Well, it gives a message, doesn't it?

-It does. Yeah, it does.

-It tells us about red squirrels - and I'm with you on that one.

-Good.

-I only ever get to see them in the Lake District.

-OK, yeah.

But it's such a joy.

Have a feel of the thing - because that's what ceramic's all about.

I was hoping for around about...

-sort of £60.

-How about £50?

£50?

£50 sounds good enough for me.

How exciting! Eric's figure at the Chelsea Flower Show!

And all the better,

because he squirrels away a profit of £22.

But while he makes his way home from Dorset,

his competitor is in Cambridge

feeling bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

Well, I'm back on my old stomping ground, Cambridge,

and the reason I'm here is to see Anita.

Now, her speciality is tiles,

so I'm here today to see if I can't add to her extensive collection.

Will he make a mint on his Minton?

He paid just over £7 for the two tiles.

Have a closer look and tell me what you think of these.

Well, this one, it's an encaustic made for floors.

It is Puginesque, and, actually, it's a lovely design.

We do have a set of these.

-I know it's got a little bit of damage and so on...

-Yes, it has.

The condition's not wonderful.

And what about this one? I loved this one.

-Yeah, I do, too.

-The majolica...

-The colours are great.

-Yeah.

That condition's perfectly acceptable for a moulded tile.

-Of course, we turn it over and it's nicely marked.

-Yeah. Mintons.

It's about 1870, 1880.

-Mmm.

-That period.

-OK, yeah.

-In fact, they both are.

Yes.

So, now I come to the crunch... of money.

What are they worth?

-£10 each is a nice round number.

-Yes. I can do that.

-Yes?

-I can do that, yes.

-Well, I tell you what, let's shake on that.

-Right.

-And it's been a pleasure doing business with you.

A small profit of £12.90.

Maybe he could have done with that extra 10p back at the car boot.

So, what does that do to the figures so far?

Eric Knowles has got off to a flying start -

three sales for a profit of £147.

Will Axon has also sold three times,

and is only marginally behind -

£128.12.

He still has his priciest item to sell

and, in the precarious world of antiques,

it could go either way.

So there's less than £20 in it, as our competitive pair

pull out all the stops in a final frantic round of selling.

Eric is next to draw something out of his arsenal -

his tin shooting box.

He's in Northampton to see Jordan,

who runs his family's country sports shop.

Eric found the place online.

So, I can see in your emporium here

that you cover all manner of country sports.

Yeah, yeah. We do everything, really.

It's a family business, started by my grandfather.

Just let me point out the box itself -

-I mean, it's all in a name.

-Mm-hm.

-And that is the gunmakers that you can see on there.

-Yeah.

-When it comes to the money side of it...

-Mm-hm.

I was looking for around about the £50 mark, but...?

Right. What else do I get with it at that?

-You get the two handles...

-Yeah.

-..that are attached to it.

I mean, I had more of around the £30 mark in my mind.

-Do you think £40 might...

-That sounds like a deal to me.

Put your hand there, lad. So, where are you going to put it?

Well I think we've got an idea with one of our tables over there,

-we might be able to do something with it.

-OK, yeah.

Let's go and have a look.

So, Jordan straightaway adds it to his shop display

and Eric shoots in a profit of £15.

And he sets his sights on another little earner.

The Derby porcelain milk jug doubles its money.

Eric sells it to an antiques dealer in Berkshire for £20,

pouring in a £10 profit.

But as Eric edges further ahead,

Will's keeping him in the crosshairs.

He's preparing for a potential deal of his own

by polishing his burrwood caddy to within an inch of its life.

Well, I know it's only the first layer,

but that is definitely an improvement.

Just the other sides to do, now.

Will knows the importance of presentation,

but will his elbow grease be rewarded with a handsome return?

He paid £30 for the caddy

and he thinks that, during the last 100 years,

it may have been used as a humidor.

He's in North London to find out and, hopefully, flog it on.

I'm hoping that Mitchell the cigar merchant

is going to give me a decent profit on my burrwood caddy.

Well, if he doesn't, all thoughts of beating Eric

could go up in smoke.

Let's see how he gets on.

-Mitchell, nice to finally meet you.

-Welcome.

Now, I've come here to show you something of my own,

which I hope will fit in nicely with the boxes you already have.

-OK.

-Now, have a look at what I would call a burrwood caddy.

And inside it's got this lining.

Have you ever seen anything like it for cigars?

-Er, sorry to say, no.

-Ohh!

I was worried you were going to say that.

-It's definitely not for tobacco.

-Yeah.

It's definitely not for cigars.

Although it would make a very pretty antique humidor.

We'd have to change the lining on it, though.

For the cigar smoker - are they an essential piece of kit?

Completely essential.

If you want to keep your cigars in the correct condition,

so they continue to improve and mature -

or for immediate smoking, cigars have to be stored in a humidor.

-OK?

-You do see a bit of potential in it?

It would be interesting, converted.

It would do the job for 25 Petit Corona-sized cigars.

Now, how does a nice, round number of, say, £100 sound?

£100 sounds too high to me.

We'd do it at £50.

-Can we meet somewhere in the middle?

-Yeah, go on.

-To be reasonable...

-Yes?

-I'll go for £60.

-Deal.

-Done.

-£60.

-Pleasure doing business.

-And you, sir.

It wasn't what he thought it was,

but the caddy still nets The Axeman a profit of £30.

Will's picked up his momentum again.

He sells the Queen's Head pub sign to a man in Cambridgeshire

who pays 50 quid, locking in another profit of £30.

Knocker Knowles has returned to London.

This time, he's brought his carved tables

from the Indian subcontinent.

He's hoping they'll curry favour with Foz,

who owns an Indian restaurant in the city.

Well, Foz, lovely to meet you. I'm going to have to put that down,

-just to even shake your hand.

-You all right?

The thing that obviously catches my eye

is this amazing artwork that you've got.

So, this was made for us bespoke.

-Fantastic.

-Of course it gives it a warmth, to the restaurant.

It does. So it's as well that you like wood,

because I've brought two carved wooden tables.

They are both beautifully carved. They're both individual.

How old do you think they could be?

I, personally, think that they're probably round about 1900,

-maybe 1920.

-Wow.

So, I don't think that they were made in the 40 or 50 years.

My starting figure on something like this would probably

be around £90 or thereabouts.

-Yes, I do like them.

-Yeah?

They have great detail.

However, my concern is this crack on the surface here.

Um...if I was to come in at £70? Are we getting near the mark?

-£70 will do it, yes.

-OK, £70. Done deal.

OK, excellent.

Eric more than doubles his money on the tables -

£40 profit.

-MIMICS RACING COMMENTATOR:

-And the smart money says

Knocker's way out in front as they come into the home stretch.

Final furlong now, with the saddle rack. He's chomping at the bit,

but will the £80 bet prove a final handicap,

or will he nose out in front?

Obviously, Will's popped into Newmarket.

He's heading to the famous Pegasus Stables,

built in the 1880s by legendary champion jockey Fred Archer.

Will is meeting Jacko,

the wife of top racehorse trainer James Fanshawe,

who now runs the yard.

This is the first time you've seen it in the flesh.

What do you think?

Well, I think it's very nice. I like it.

I think it was probably made at the same time as this yard.

Now, I was thinking...

-about the, sort of, £300 or £400 mark.

-Ooh!

I was thinking less than half of that, Will!

-Really? So you were thinking, what, sort of around the 150 mark?

-150.

Something like that.

So, I said 300-400.

I mean, I'd be willing to settle for the bottom figure.

£300.

SHE GASPS

The absolute maximum I think I could offer you is 200.

220, and I muck out a box.

-210.

-Oh, you're a hard woman! That's £10 for my time?!

Go on, then. Put it there.

-Thank you.

-MUSIC: "Black Beauty" Theme

Yes, the vintage saddle rack proves to be a dark horse

and Will's winnings total £130.

Although he's got a little job to do before he gets his payout.

Right, here you go, Will.

Make sure you tidy this box, and...

Bye-bye.

Well! Thanks very much, Jacko(!)

Oh, she's left me in it, hasn't she? Well!

Find somewhere to hang me coat...

Put my back into it.

Gosh, she's making me work, isn't she?

Job's a good 'un.

Have we ended on a photo finish

or did someone fall at the final fence?

Let's remind ourselves how much our runners and riders

spent at the car boot.

Both our boys went to Ford with £250 of their own money.

Eric "Knocker" Knowles had a good run

and spent £138.

Will "The Axeman" Axon galloped off,

sustained the pace

and spent a little more - £166.88,

including the cost of the new glass

for his print.

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

will go to charities of their choice.

So, it's now time to reveal

who is today's Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is champion.

-Well!

-Oh, eh.

-Here we go.

Car boot, car boot.

That was quite a car boot, though, wasn't it?

-Yeah! You enjoyed yourself there, did you?

-I did.

I felt I was at a sort of - almost like an antique fair, quite frankly.

It had that sort of buzz about it. Tell me how you did.

Believe it or not, I found a good home for my last-minute

Royal Doulton figurine, man feeding two squirrels.

-I don't believe it!

-No, no...

-You found a buyer?

-It homed in on just the right person.

-Good.

-What about yourself?

-Well, I... Of course, my saddle rack, well...

-Oh, yes.

-It had to be bought, didn't it?

-Newmarket boy, and all that.

-Yeah.

-So...

-Good buy, that.

-Yeah.

-She made me work for my profit.

-Oh, did she?

-I was mucking out stables, Eric. Can you believe it?

-Oh, really?

-Shall we do this?

-Go on. On three.

One, two, three...

Pah-pah!

-BOTH:

-Ooh!

-Well...

-I love the symmetry of your number...

-Yes!

-ERIC CHUCKLES

-But I'm liking the size of mine.

The car boot is my chosen battlefield.

Tell me more about Newmarket -

I'm told it's quite the place to be these days.

So, the bookie's favourite is unseated

and Put Your Money's new recruit romps to victory.

Well, I was always feeling confident at the car boot,

but you never can tell, until your cards are on the table.

At the end of the day, I bought well and sold even better.

Ker-ching!

Well, that did not go according to plan.

And it's obvious to me that the lad from Newmarket

knows how to back a winner.

But Eric's a fighter.

He'll be back out in the ring tomorrow

looking for a knockout blow,

when our two traders slug it out at an antiques fair in Peterborough.