Eric Knowles v Will Axon - UK Antiques Fair 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-haw!

..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, Lord of Ceramics Eric Knowles takes on ace auctioneer

Will Axon at an antiques fair in Cambridgeshire.

Coming up...

The Prince of Porcelain becomes King of Bling.

But is it me?

That's what I want to know, is it really me?

Will's military buy backfires...

That is a really big hit for me to take.

I know, but, you know, I can't feel sorry for your bad

buys, unfortunately.

..and a top TV naturalist ruffles Eric's feathers.

I would come in at around about 95 quid.

95...!

Oh, don't do that to me!

This is Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.

Welcome, antiques adventurers everywhere, to another

competitive curio contest.

Two purchasing protagonists will battle for the number one spot

to become top of the deal makers.

Their aim is to achieve some record buys, spin them round and sell them

on for platinum profits.

First up is the guru of antiques, the man who can spot pucker

porcelain from 50 paces and who never fails to chart.

He's a golden oldie, Lancashire's own...

All I want now is something called a bargain.

His challenger is a man on a mission, a young

gun who's going for it, armed with his cheeky smile.

It's the artwork authority, Suffolk's greatest, it's...

Chop The Knocker down!

Only joking, Eric.

Now, Will has crossed the fence because today's deadly duel takes

place in an antiques fair at the East of England

Showground in Peterborough.

And this is a big one.

1,700 stands, both indoors and out.

So, our experts will need to cover the ground quick smart

if they are to take top billing.

They've each brought ?750 of their own money to spend.

And any profits they make, will go to charities of their choice.

So, Eric Knowles and Will Axon, the countdown is over,

it is now time to Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.

Good morning, Eric.

Good morning, yeah.

Bright and early.

Well, this is Peterborough,

the East of England Showground, and not a hill in sight.

Well, welcome to my world.

Yes!

It's very flat, but there is a lot of sky.

Well, that is true.

How much have you got to spend?

I've got a whole 750 in my pocket, burning a hole.

Me too, me too.

And I suppose the next question is, what do you intend to spend

it on, my dear friend?

Other than wine, women and song, I thought maybe a few

antiques might be in order.

But it is hard to predict, isn't it?

I think we should get rid of some of that cash, don't you?

Good idea.

Tell you what, let's meet up halfway, see how we are doing, OK?

All right.

In the meantime, I'm going looking for a hill.

Yes, you might want to give up on that right now.

The only hills you are likely to find round here are mole hills.

So, Eric strides off intent on winning.

He knows he is on Will's territory.

The Axeman, when he cometh, he seeth he recogniseth and he buyeth.

So I have just got to try and be one step ahead of him.

Oh, watch him go, full throttle!

But what about his rival?

Any tactics, Will?

There is such a varied number of stalls and items

on them that you never know what you are going to find,

so you just really have got to have a browse,

have a look, see what takes your fancy.

If it gets you in the gut, get it bought.

Aye-aye.

Yes, and try not to get run over!

So he sprints off as well.

Eric may have his foot firmly on the pedal,

but it is Will who sees something first, something that appeals

to his dark sense of humour.

Well, he is The Axeman after all.

I spotted on the ground here these painted saws.

These have been sign written.

I think it is a bit of fun, isn't it?

Because that is one way of removing a tattoo is to take a whole arm off.

It is the sort of humour that I think would appeal

to a tattoo artist.

I do like that one with the extra handle, just to give

that extra purchase.

How much are they?

They're usually 25.

20 for that.

Yeah, let's do that at ?20.

Is that all right?

Lovely.

Well, that didn't cost an arm and a leg...

Yet.

Will is off and running and pleased with his macabre purchase.

I haven't bought a rare antique here.

It is a period saw, probably early 20th century.

But it has been up cycled.

And really it just appealed to my dark sense of humour.

Hopefully, there will be a tattooist out there that shares my view.

Well, let's hope so.

Now, Eric has moved indoors and the Put Your Money games masters

have set a light-hearted challenge for our Knocker today -

don't buy breakables.

But he is finding the lure of his lovelies hard to resist.

Without knowing, I am being drawn towards Art Deco.

It is behind me.

And I see things on there and I think, "Oh, I like

that and I like that."

But, hey, a fella can look, can't he?

Yes, but keep your distance.

Outside, Will is up post with a couple of auction notices.

They are rather fun, aren't they?

Yarmouth, that's not a million miles away from me.

Are these your...your auction posters at the front there?

Yeah.

I see you've got ?30 on both of them.

What is your very best?

Could I be cheeky and say 40 for the two?

45 for the two?

I tell you what, I'm going to say yes to that.

?45.

One more item under my belt.

25% off, not bad, and maybe he'll get a jolly to the seaside.

The font, the way they are laid out on the page, it is really bold

and striking, isn't it?

But what I love as well is, they come with this little

solicitor's paper here, which is actually detailing the sale

of a four-bedroom house with gardens and a coach house.

How much do you think he paid for it?

Well, according to this, ?750.

Easy to date.

This was 1871.

I think I am onto a winner.

So, Will is steering ahead.

As for Eric, he is inside in the warm.

And his eye has been caught by a necklace.

It is quite a stylish piece of jewellery there,

which I actually recognise.

And it is a man called Jakob Bengel.

And he's working in Germany in the 1920s.

He uses this red, what looks like plastic.

The technical term is galalith.

It is priced at 165.

I'm tempted.

Is 130 cash going to buy that necklace?

130 cash, you got it.

130 cash.

I am going to live dangerously.

Mm, he is off the mark in a big way, launching himself into the game

with a massive spend.

But is it me?

That's what I want to know.

Is it really me?

Truthfully, Eric?

No.

But then you are going to sell it on for profit, so that's fine.

Good job he is in the warm because his blood would run cold

if he saw what Will has just bought - a breakable!

And he spent a hefty wad of cash, too - ?190.

I think Eric might be a bit jealous of this buy.

Period French Art Deco, pressed, signed.

I think I'm onto a winner here.

Well, we'll have to wait and see.

Now, Eric is still indoors.

And what is this?

Getting cosy with a pot, it seems.

All right, I know it is pottery.

I know it is ceramic.

But...

Oh!

There is a connection here.

Let me have a quick word with this lady.

What would be the best on that?

42.

?42?

Madame, put your hand there.

Look how happy it has made him!

You can't hold it against him.

I've bought a early Victorian relief moulded jug that features

an American called Mr Van Amburgh.

And he was the lion tamer.

The moulding is so nice and crisp.

And that is what you are looking for in a jug like that.

They say a picture tells a story, well, there's a jug

with a story to tell.

And let's hope it brings you a roaring profit, Eric.

So he is catching up with his rival - two purchases to Will's three.

But The Axeman is intent on keeping the advantage.

Let's have a look at some of the cattle sheds and see

if there's anything in there.

Yes, a little eye relief from the cruel Cambridgeshire cold.

He doesn't hang about, our Will.

Very quickly, he is tempted by an outdoor pursuit,

something for a genteel afternoon on the lawn.

The croquet set.

Yeah.

Is it all there?

It looks like it is.

I think so.

What sort of money can it be?

Um...

Well, it'll have to be 70.

At ?50, I'd have a go at that.

60.

Let's do it, ?60.

Yeah.

Yes, The Axeman knocks another one out of the park.

As far as the manufacturer is concerned, they are well known

for making this type of thing.

To buy one new, today, with a wooden box is about ?340.

So I think 60 sounds like a bargain.

Yes, he is pleased with that one.

But Eric is still wandering around inside.

Not getting very far, if we're honest.

It looks like I am at a crockery collectors' club convention.

Will, though, strides on.

And moments later, he finds a wool work picture.

It's unusual in the fact that it incorporates this photograph

in the centre of this chap here, who is obviously part

of the Lincoln Regiment, the First Battalion.

Dated 1901.

And how much have you got on your wool work picture?

I have 250, but you could have it for 200.

?200.

I'll leave it for the moment, but you may well see me again.

Mm, always risky to walk away.

It might not be there when you get back.

Eric is STILL inside.

And he has fallen in love again.

Now, I know what you are thinking, is it ceramic?

Is it glass?

Is it a pot?

No, it is more jewellery.

Go, Eric!

I'm attracted to your Jensen.

I like the one with the dolphins on it.

They're 275.

Yeah.

But I do know they can go for over 300.

There is movement on the price.

Is there?

Where would it move to?

Just so I know.

225.

225, OK.

Let me...let me give that some consideration.

Eric is intrigued by the silver dolphin brooch.

And not sure if he should take a 50-50 gamble,

he decides to phone a friend.

And if it is post-war?

Post-war, 300 to 400.

Eric's expert pal tells him the profit

would depend on the age.

Armed with the extra info, Knocker returns to the lady.

Well, I'm back.

Could I have another look?

I tell you what, I am going to live dangerously.

I am happy to pay 220.

Thank you very much indeed.

Thank you.

He gets another fiver off the price, but it is still

a good chunk of money.

The dolphin brooch takes him out of the shallows,

but will it sink or swim?

So, Georg Jensen, I mean, is a legend in Danish silver making.

What I've got to determine is whether that mark places

it in between the wars or whether it is post-war.

You could say that it is not an open and shut case.

Mm, more investigation needed then.

Now, our dynamic duo are flying around the fair,

so let's see how the figures are stacking up.

Both our boys started the day with ?750 of their own money.

Eric took his time at the beginning, but warmed up quickly.

His three items have cost him ?392, leaving ?358 in the kitty.

Will, however, went at it hammer and tongs and has bought

more for less money.

Four purchases for ?315, so there is ?435 left in his budget.

So, who's seen the light and who's still in the dark?

Oh, look out.

Gol!

What's this?

I've been in there for so long, my eyes need adjusting.

The sun has been shining all morning.

What have you got?

I've bought a few items, some nice pieces, something that

might be up your street as well as...

Oh!

..something up mine.

I know in there, it is all ceramics and glass, isn't it?

I tell you, it is very difficult to bypass it.

I am trying so hard.

I've actually bought a couple of bits of jewellery.

How much money you got left?

Spent out?

It's not spending power.

For me, it's muscle.

OK?

It's muscle.

And I intend to flex.

Listen, you have a good one.

Crack on.

Remember, we are in this together.

LAUGHING: "We are in this together."

But there is only one winner.

Ah, how very true.

And Knocker nips back in the warm to make sure that it is him.

Wily Will slips back into the cattle sheds,

and is determined to get round as many stalls as he can.

Hello there.

Hello.

How much is on your silk pictures?

?820.

820.

That would blow my budget out of the water, but thank you anyway.

Enjoyed seeing them.

Eric has been trying to avoid it, but he has succumb

to the pull of the porcelain.

And something strange has happened, the lights have come up,

he has got his groove on and suddenly come

over all Tony Blackburn.

So, welcome, pot pickers, to another Top Of The Pots.

And coming in at number ten this week, we've got

the Carlton Ware Chinoiserie jar and cover.

Staying in there at number nine, the Maling Ware jug,

yes, from Newcastle.

Number eight, yes, the Toby Jug.

And coming in at number seven, it's the Royal Doulton

character jug of Montgomery.

Followed by number six this week, pair of Staffordshire dogs.

And a newcomer at number five.

Yes, it's the Clarice Cliff Crocus Pattern tea tableware.

Followed closely by, believe it or not,

the Royal Doulton Norfolk plate.

At number three is the Shelley Vogue china tea set.

And at number two, the Susie Cooper reproduction plate.

And finally, yes, it's this week's number one Top Of The Pots,

it is the Enid Seeney Homemaker plate.

Yes!

By Ridgway!

Did that really just happen?

Time for Eric to get some fresh air.

And as soon as he is outdoors, he is rather taken with

a wooden decoy duck.

What species of duck is that?

Bluebill.

A bluebill.

So ?55 gets me a decoy duck.

Yep.

Put you hands there and I will give you ?55, is that OK?

That's all right, yep.

So, ?55.

If you give me one of those blue ones...

Did we say 55?

55.

Yes.

Is this on camera?

Yes.

What are they?

Oh, I'm so sorry!

I do apologise.

There we go.

Eh...

One, two, three, four.

There is six of those.

Six of those.

So it is six of one and I'll have not half a dozen,

but five of the other.

Clearly still wheeling from his pots excitement.

Calm down, dear.

A duck I can look in the eye and find he has got two glass eyes.

There he is.

Say hello.

"Hello."

I'm told it is American.

I'm told it is a roundabout 1940.

for overspending.

Yes, something of a lame

duck, that one, Eric.

Maybe Knocker needs a lay down.

Over in the cattle sheds, The Axeman could do with a rest as well.

Sort of feeling the pressure a little bit now.

Getting towards the end of the fair.

Maybe take more of a risk, put myself in danger.

I really wouldn't worry, Will.

The master is still having a mad half hour.

Just get on with your shopping.

Look at this.

I mean, it is that classic sort of Art Nouveau motif.

And with this hammered decoration in the back.

What offer did you have on him?

I'll have 175.

Have you got a little bit of movement?

165 is the best.

I can't go any lower.

My tactics have always been, if you see something

and you like it, and it gets you there in the gut, get it bought.

I tell you what, sir, let's have a deal at 165.

Job done.

Yes, the copper frames become purchase number five.

And he's back out ahead of Eric.

And while Knocker prowls around, Will returns to that wool work

picture he was unsure about earlier.

Hello again.

How do?

This has been playing on my mind.

What is your very, very best on this wool work picture?

180, not to be hard.

Go on then.

And the wool work is his.

Sure to be a good yarn behind it.

Importantly, with wool works, is the colour.

There has been no fading.

If these are exposed to the sun at all, you lose all these nice deep

reds and greens and so on.

Let's see if we can't find it a home where it should be.

And I tell you what, talking about home, I think I'm

going to call it a day.

Will may be able to take it easy, but Eric has fallen behind again.

He has calmed down and he's back to his old self.

After a bit of searching in the sheds, he pays ten quid

for a picture of a man Knocker knows well.

Let me introduce you to a chap called Scarlett.

And General Scarlett commanded the Heavy Brigade,

which was actually a successful cavalry charge during

the Crimean War.

This lad actually came from Burnley.

And he is a local hero.

The general is coming home to me.

Eric's pot perusal seems long gone.

Artwork, that is the new thing now.

Is there a best price on that?

Don't mind me asking.

I can do 25.

25.

Yeah, sounds good to me.

Short and sweet.

But the landscape is going home with Eric.

So I've just paid ?25 for a very competent oil and acrylic panting.

A lovely sort of golden landscape.

It's titled Summer.

And this painting cheers me up.

So at the end of the day, it could well be my pot of gold.

Well, funny you should say that because it has been raining outside,

and there is a rainbow that ends at the sheds.

Coincidence?

Yeah, probably.

So that's it.

Our buying battle has reached its end.

Our boys have dug deep, but have they bought well?

Both started the day with ?750 of their own cash.

Eric goes home with six items at a cost of ?482.

Will took number one spot early on and stayed there throughout.

His six purchases cost him ?660, a fair whack more than Eric.

So, how are they feeling?

Who is pick of the week and who is a one-hit wonder?

You see, I set out looking for Arts and Crafts today

and I didn't find anything, because you bought them.

They are good, aren't they?

They are good because it is very, very rare to come across a pair.

That is what I thought.

And they are in cracking condition.

And you stray into the world of Art Deco.

Well, it is sort of rubbing off on me now.

You know?

And who is that one by?

Verlys is it?

Yep, yep.

Good maker.

I was hoping you could tell me more about them than I know.

It has got four wings on that, you know, so let's hope it flies.

Ba-boom-chis!

Will, you notice there is only one pot on there.

But what a pot!

Mr Van Amburgh.

He was an American lion tamer.

Then I boldly went into the world of jewellery.

I recognise that.

The thing is, I have got to determin whether it is prewar or post-war,

because there is a difference in the price.

Let's get packed and let's go back to the bosom of our families.

OK?

Put the oven on, I'm coming home!

Put a kettle on, Mother!

Now it is time for our clever competitors to morph from battling

buyers into skilful sailors.

They must scour the country in a bid to make masses of money using

all their knowledge and know-how.

And all the profits Eric and Will bring in will go

to their chosen charities.

So there is a big incentive.

Time to look at their hauls.

And at Knocker HQ, Eric has resisted the lure of some top pots

and has an eclectic mix.

I did most of my buying inside.

The only thing I bought outdoors was my decoy duck.

I just thought that he was beautifully painted.

And this jug, which dates from around about 1845,

really captured my eye.

I bought something which I believe to be by a man called Jakob Bengel -

a very futuristic necklace.

Next to that is a brooch with two dolphins, where there is a nice

signature on the back.

What I couldn't leave behind - a local Burnley boy.

Yes, this is General Scarlett, hero of the Crimean War.

And then an irresistible oil and acrylic.

I do think I've bought quite well.

It is now a matter of selling well.

And selling better than a man who goes by the name of William Axon.

Eric looking mean.

That man, Axon, has gathered his items in his garden near Newmarket,

and it's also a varied collection.

The decorated saw...

Now, OK, no rare antique or treasure, but it's a bit of fun.

Then over the far side, the Art Nouveau beaten copper frames

and I think Eric was jealous of them, too.

Now, talking of Eric, I thought I would play him

at his own game and what have I bought but a bit of

Art Deco French glass.

I've got these nice auction posters.

They really just appealed because of the nice,

bold graphics there.

Then in the middle here, this rather impressive

Lincolnshire Regiment wool work picture which had come all the way

down from the north of England.

And then finally at the front there, the old Jaques croquet set.

I have a client who hosts our annual corporate croquet match and I'm

hoping he's going to take that off my hands to get

a bit of practice in, cos, to be frank, he needs it.

Well, that's as may be but what our two antiques

aficionados need is to get cracking on the selling.

They must fully research their items and find the best

homes for them to go to.

No stone must be left unturned as they channel all their energies

into moving on their buys for mucho moolah.

But it's one thing to arrange a meeting, quite another

to make an actual sale.

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

no deal is truly sealed.

Will has decided to sell his croquet set first.

Now, to help him pull off the croquet coup,

he's channelling another antique dealer today - the irrepressible

1990s TV character, Lovejoy.

His potential buyer lives in Suffolk in the very same house

that was filmed as Felsham Hall - that's right, the place

where Lovejoy's love interest Lady Jane lived.

The owner Charlie hosts a croquet tournament

for Will's firm every year.

I'm hoping he's going to want to get a bit of practice in and see

if he wants to buy my Jaques croquet set.

Well, Lovejoy would have pulled it off, but can Will?

The set cost him ?60 at the fair.

Well, Charlie, I hope you don't mind.

I've taken the liberty of setting up the croquet set

so you could experience it in all its glory.

Well, I think it says exactly what it says on the,

sadly, the cardboard box, but apart from that, it's lovely.

To buy a similar set, brand-new, is over ?300.

So, for today only, we are having a half-price sale.

Would you care to buy this from me, let's say...

?170?

Look, the box is definitely a downer on the whole thing.

Why don't I pay you ?120?

Let's meet somewhere in the middle.

Shake my hand at ?150.

No.

150.

No, no, no.

130.

Well, you know where we're going to end up, don't you?

135.

140, give me a wave.

135.

135, you've got a deal.

OK.

Charlie, it's been great fun.

Now, would you say we get a bit of practice?

Definitely.

Come on.

Go on, then.

What colour are you, blue?

I'll be red.

All right, where do we start?

Can you remember now?

Well, I think it's pretty freestyle, isn't it?

I'm going for this hoop here.

Out of my way!

Yeah, stick to the antiques, Axeman!

After all, it's brought you a cracking profit of ?75.

Nice work.

What would Lovejoy have done, though?

Would he have got the extra ?10, 20, 30 out of him?

I don't know, but I hope he's proud of my efforts.

And as for the look, well, I think I could get used to this.

Well, actually Lovejoy would have made more profit,

caught a few conmen, and got the girl all in an hour.

But never mind, you almost look the part!

Now, while Will practises his best Lovejoy look,

Eric is in Central London and has dramatic matters on his mind, too.

I'm actually stood outside the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

The theatre people today have been very kind to me because they've

put me in touch with a collector of theatrical memorabilia,

and I'm hoping to add this wonderful jug to his collection.

Eric's hoping for a majestic profit on his jug which he bought for ?42.

Hello.

Good morning, Eric.

Nice to meet you.

You're Fred, and you are?

This is Joshua, my son.

Josh, right.

Are you a collector as well as your dad?

Yeah, I do follow on from him.

Do you?

Oh, that's good.

I know he's very interested in the jug that you have

to offer us today.

Yes.

You got a view at your side which I'm pretty sure is supposedly

to depict his appearance here at the Theatre

Royal Drury Lane.

I mean, look, hang on.

Thank you, Eric.

Yes, it's a wonderful piece.

In fact, Joshua, you probably know what he's most famous for.

Putting his head into the lion.

He appeared here several times in the 1840s.

It's a wonderful piece.

I was looking to start somewhere around ?120.

Maybe about 70, 75.

If you could meet me at roundabout ?95.

?95...

I think we have a deal with ?95.

Good lad.

The lion tamer moulded jug goes to an enthusiastic pair

of collectors and makes Eric a profit of ?53.

Will is still in Suffolk.

He's pitched up in Southwold and he's looking for a buyer for his

arts and crafts picture frames.

He paid ?165 for them and he's brought them to an expert.

I've come to see the main man when it comes to arts

and crafts, Tony Gearing.

Now, he's seen a picture of my frames and like me,

he's fallen in love with them, so while he's expressed an interest,

let's strike while the iron's hot.

Right, you'll need to find him first.

Gosh, it's like a maze in here.

Tony, I found you at last.

Well, I'd be hiding up here, mate.

Well, listen, I hope you're going to be able to find a little

bit of room for my two arts and crafts frames.

Now what I really liked about them was this stylized tulip.

I know who exactly who made it.

Do you?

Yeah, just by the handle work.

It's by Hale.

Right.

Down on the West Country.

Now I haven't polished them up or...

Good!

Do not polish copper!

Exactly right, because it's got this lovely patina.

Yeah, starting to build up.

That's just from natural oils from your hand and oxidization.

So, where do you date these?

I thought probably around 1900?

That sort of period.

Yeah, maybe a little bit later.

OK.

What about price?

Maybe...

Retail around the sort of 400, I'd have thought.

If they went into auction at 300-500...

I would be happy with a mid-auction figure.

400?

I mean, they are Hale.

They are in wonderful condition.

You know what?

?400, let's have a deal.

You're a star.

Thanks.

Now that is outstanding!

And doesn't Will know it?!

The frames showcase an enormous profit of ?235.

It took someone like Tony to recognise them.

He even knew who had made them.

I'm really pleased with that buy.

Remember on the day Eric was jealous of them?

You're going to be even more jealous now, Eric.

Yeah, steady, Will.

You don't know what Eric's going to pull out of the bag.

Now, Mr Axon moves up the coast into Norfolk -

and, more specifically, Great Yarmouth.

He's been doing some research on his auction notices and his first

call is to a man with a historical link to one of the posters.

The reason I'm here is to meet Mark Oliver Duffield.

The clue is in the name - Duffield.

He's a direct descendent of the original Duffield part

of Gambling Duffield, so I'm hoping he's going to want

to buy back a bit of his heritage because if you doesn't want

it, who does?

Gambling Duffield no longer exists but Mark already has a number

of similar posters charting the family's business history.

Well, let me show you my poster because I was rather taken by it.

Now, WG Duffield, is that your grandfather?

Yeah, that's Wilfred George.

Yes.

And his name underneath that means that Gambling had retired,

so this was when he was practising as a sole principal.

He kept on the name for a short while until my father joined

and then it became Duffield Son.

Would you be able to pay me ?50 for this?

I'll give you 30.

Gasp!

?40, how does that sound?

?40?

Yes.

I'll deal.

Let's do it.

So, the first auction poster goes home and Will moves

on to the hotel which features in his other framed notice.

The owners have agreed to buy it on the phone for ?80

and receptionist Bridget hands over the cash.

Add all that together and Will makes a total poster profit of ?75.

Come on, Eric.

You are playing catch-up.

He certainly is, and he's doing it in Westerham in Kent.

And he's brought one of his most expensive items -

the necklace that cost him ?130.

He's meeting Chrissie who's an expert in the designer Jakob Bengel.

You are the one person that made me worldly wise

to the jewellery of Jakob Bengel.

I bought that in good faith.

If you look at the galalith, the plastic, can you see

how it's sort of faded?

Yes.

It does appear to be galalith.

It was merely a replacement for two things - one was horn,

but also it was to replace celluloid, which was

highly flammable.

The reason it sort of looks right to be a Bengel piece

is the fact that it's very clean, geometric shapes.

And this chain as well they used.

I was hoping that it might be around the ?160 mark.

I would say I'm looking more like ?140.

That's about it, is it?

Quite.

OK.

Well that's what I would hope to pay.

OK.

Uh, well, you don't have to hope because I'll sell it to you for 140.

Thank you.

Well, the good news is the necklace is what he'd hoped,

a genuine designer piece.

The bad news is he only made a profit of ?10.

So he's going to need a gem of a deal to stand a chance

of catching the Axeman.

He's sticking with jewellery and has made his way along the south

coast to Poole in Dorset.

Where better to sell a dolphin brooch?

Eric's done some research and it's proved to be post-war.

He's hoping Carole, who runs an online jewellery

business, will like it.

First of all, it's in obviously a new box.

Right.

But I wanted to have a look at it.

OK, so it's Georg Jensen as we know.

Yep.

And the dolphins are the emblem of Poole.

Mm-hm.

I tracked the mark down to...

I think it was 1956.

Right.

How much is it, Eric?

Well, I'm looking for round about the ?300 mark for it, but...

Oh, my...

Sharp intake of breath!

But, go on.

Would you take...

?260 for it, Eric?

I'd be tempted to take 270.

Would that be within the...

Oh, it looks...

Do that again!

That looks so good.

It does look nice.

Yes, ?270 would be fine.

270?

Yes.

Carol, it's a pleasure doing business.

And you, thank you.

And Eric keeps his head above water.

The brooch sells beside the seaside and makes a ?50 profit.

So, as we reach the halfway point, who's making waves

and who's in deep water?

Eric Knowles has made three sales, but his campaign

is floundering in the shallows.

His current profit is ?113.

Will Axon is sailing ahead.

His three sales have brought in much more money.

His profit stands at a mighty ?385.

But there's still plenty of time to dial up more dosh.

Will is way ahead and he's keeping up the pressure.

He's decided to sell his novelty saw next.

And he's heading to a place near his office in Ely.

I'm here to meet Steve who is the manager of a tattoo

parlour just down the road.

Now when I saw my "Tattoos Removed" saw, I thought that would appeal

to his quirky, dark sense of humour.

You should see his shop display, it's right up his street.

And, I put on the old war paint to sweeten the deal.

But for the moment, that's under wraps.

You'll have to follow me in to see more.

The saw cost Will ?20, but will Steve like the in-joke?

I've always been impressed with your shop display.

Quirky, bit of a dark edge to it, and I spotted this

and I thought of you.

Tattoos removed.

Has it been used?

Well, there's no traces of blood or DNA on it.

What I liked about it was this genuine sign writing.

All hand-painted.

It's gorgeous.

I was looking for ?50.

Yeah, that sounds about right.

Yeah?

Yeah, that'd be fine.

You'd be happy at ?50?

Yeah, definitely.

Let's shake on the deal.

Thank you very much.

And I am loving your sleeves cos, uh...

I'll tell you what, take that.

Mind your fingers.

That's yours.

Let me show you my artwork and see what you think, yeah?

Look at that!

What do you reckon?

Right, I think this is going to be you sooner rather than later.

You're joking.

I know it's a bit of a copout, isn't it?

Look at that.

Yep, nobody's fooled by your fake tattoos, Will.

Never mind!

The ink's dry on the deal and the comedy saw brings him

in a profit of ?30.

So, he's even further out in front of Knocker.

And to add insult to injury, Will's hoping to stray into Eric's

empire next and sell his breakable.

He's brought the Art Deco dish to Bildeston in Suffolk

to show it to Cathy, whose shop specialises

in French collectibles.

The dish owes Will ?190.

I've bought this, I think, rather stunning French glass charger.

It is beautiful.

It's absolutely lovely.

It's signed as well.

Verlys, France.

The factory was set-up near Rouen actually to make head lamps,

and then they started making kind of high-quality plates

and vases and things.

Art glass.

Art glass.

It is a beautiful piece.

I'm glad you like it because now I'm going to try

and make you buy it off me.

Say ?250?

Right, my counter offer is ?195.

Ah!

Well, what about if I'm really cheeky and come down a tenner.

I am not going to sell it for ?240.

Say 230 and we've got a deal.

OK.

Oh, Cathy, you're a star.

Well done.

Will sells another high-ticket item, this time making a profit of ?40.

So, Eric really does have his work cut out now,

and that's putting it lightly.

But Knocker soldiers on and has rocked up in Bristol.

I'm here to meet Glenn.

Now he's the chairman of the Crimean War Research Society.

I've sent him an image of dear General Scarlett and he's taken

a real interest in it I'm hoping to translate that

interest into a deal.

It'll need to be an epic one if he's going to gain on Will.

But the general did only cost him a tenner.

I know you've seen an image of this fellow, but here he is.

When he led his troops after dressing the ranks into this

stationary mass of Russian cavalry, they were astonished.

It was an act of immense dash.

And it produced a victory.

As you can see, it's got some foxing.

I'd have the foxing removed cos

it is a very fine portrait.

When it comes to the subject of remuneration, I was hoping

to achieve somewhere in the region of roundabout ?70 for it.

I'd be happier with 60.

So ?60, we have a deal.

We have a deal.

That's the ticket - six times what the picture cost.

The boy from Burnley brings our boy from Burnley

a much-needed profit of ?50.

And he soon does away with his other picture.

The landscape oil painting is bought by a lady in Macclesfield for ?60,

brushing in another ?35 profit.

Will has just one item left to sell - his regimental wool work picture.

He's come to Stansted Mountfitchet in Essex to meet his friend Jeremy

who runs a toy museum.

Aside from toys, they also have a large military display.

It is a lovely piece and framed and very original.

I must admit, with me as a collector, I like the kind

of hardware things like the helmets and the uniforms

and things like that.

Yes.

These kind of sweetheart things, they're nice

to display in the museum.

A lot of these were produced to sort of send home, weren't they?

Exactly.

They were indeed.

Or otherwise, the sweethearts actually made them and it was

something when they came home that obviously they were

thinking of them.

It cost me...

Should I sit down?

It cost me ?180.

I would I have thought about ?100, personally.

?100?

Yeah, that's what I would have personally thought it's worth.

That is a really big hit for me to take.

I know, but I can't feel sorry for your bad buys, unfortunately.

Can you match at least what I paid for it?

I'll go ?150, but I couldn't...

You'll have to take a hit, unfortunately.

Listen, 150 and a tenner for luck.

160.

Come on, 160.

160, all right.

Done.

Oh, dear, and it was all going so well.

The Axeman surrenders and is chopped down to size with a ?20 loss.

Time to put a brave face on it.

At least it's gone to a good home where future generations are going

to admire and appreciate it.

But it's still a loss.

Yep!

There's no way to soften the blow.

All he can do now in hunker down in his bunker while Eric marches on.

Knocker's final bid for victory rests with his decoy duck and he's

meeting a man with an in-depth knowledge of birds.

He's come to the Put You Money Mothership -

the BBC's new Broadcasting House to meet TV wildlife

expert, Chris Packham.

Good evening.

Good evening!

How are you?

All right, I'm very well.

And you?

There is my duck.

What we're looking at is a bluebill.

Do you know the species?

Is it...?

I do.

Bluebill is an American name for a group of ducks which have blue

bills, very obviously.

This is what we call a greater scaup.

It's a sea duck, so it wouldn't be unusual for a scaup like this

to be diving down to 30, maybe 40 meters.

to be diving down to 30, maybe 40 metres.

Wow!

It's nicely formed.

Even though it's simple in its form, it's got the right shapes here.

So the dip here then rises over the top of the back.

It closes in over the tail there.

They've got anatomical accuracy.

And it was actually turned.

You had two of these back-to-back and that's...

And they were turned on a lathe.

So, um...

And then cut in half.

Yep.

I'm not really big on ornaments.

I've got a collection of what I woul call natural history knick-knacks.

Yes.

It could sit amongst those, I suppose.

Excellent!

Should I give you my opening gambit?

I would come in at around ?95.

95!?

No, don't do that to me.

?50.

I really need to get around ?70 for that.

65.

You'll have to make it 68.

All right, but you know it's coming.

I must be quackers, but I'll give you ?68 for this.

All right, OK.

What a nice man!

Eric's duck lands a profit of ?13, which doesn't

really help his desperate situation, does it?

So, we've got there.

Everything's been sold.

But before we reveal the final figures, let's remind ourselves how

much our bargain baggers spent in Peterborough.

Both our boys arrived at the antiques fair

with ?750 of their own money.

Eric found it hard to get going.

His six purchases cost him ?482.

Will made light work of the challenge.

He also did six deals and spent much more - ?660.

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

challenge will go to charities of their choice.

And there are no prizes for guessing the winner of this one.

Nevertheless, let's play along and find out who is today's

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is Champion.

Ey up!

So we're talking Peterborough, are we?

Aye, come on the posh.

I did spend most of my time inside.

You were undercover as it were, amongst the breakables.

But, that is where I found one of my best buys.

Ah, tell me.

It's my Art Nouveau beaten copper frames.

You liked those, didn't you?

I liked those.

I did really well on those, actually.

Did you?

How about you?

Well, found my boy from Burnley and that is,

of course, General Scarlett.

Oh, yes.

And again I found a fascinating gentleman who is chairman

of the Crimean War Research Society, so we did OK there.

Did you make any losses?

Um...

No, I think I came clean on most of my buys.

What about you?

Well, my wool work picture that I bought, the Lincolnshire Regiment,

it turns out that no-one in Lincoln wants them so I had to take

a bit of a hit on that, but why don't we drop

the bomb and see...

OK.

One, two, three...

Oh!

Oh, my goodness me.

Hello!

Goodness me, what's going on there?

I'll tell you what, I told you those frames did me proud.

You spy, you liked those, though.

I did like them.

I did like them, but I wanted to give you a break.

Oh, thanks.

I wanted to give you a chance.

The Axeman more than doubles Eric's total.

But maybe that's what happens when you spend more in the first place.

I took a small hit on my wool work, but those frames got

me out of jail free.

But in this business, you've just got to be in the right

place at the right time.

I really got something of a hiding there from the boy.

It was all down to a pair of frames.

So, Eric needs to pull his socks up tomorrow when our two haggling

heroes cross the Channel for some continental collectibles.

Can't wait!