Eric Knowles v Charlie Ross: Auction Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

We've all seen them on TV, but how will the country's

favourite antiques experts fare when they're challenged to make a profit with their own cash?

Excellent.

He who laughs last, laughs longest.

From car boot sales to auction houses, our experts will be recreating some of their

real-life deals, as they go head-to-head

and try and make the most money for their chosen charities.

Purchase of the week!

Fantastic! I'm thrilled with that.

The challenge to our experts is clear.

Dealers - put your money where your mouth is.

Today's dashing experts are the smooth-talking Charlie "The Charmer" Ross,

and the king of ceramics Eric "Knocker" Knowles.

Charlie is an old hand in the auction world, having owned his own saleroom for 25 years.

You start something at £100, fully expecting it to make £200,

and it makes £1,500 or £2,000. That is a real buzz.

He also shares his wisdom on the Antiques Roadshow and Flog It!

This is one of the most tiring days.

I am finished. I'm going to have a cup of tea.

Ah... Ha-ha.

Eric earned his stripes with 32 years working for the top London auction house Bonhams.

I'm very happy whether I'm at antique fairs or car boots, it doesn't make any difference.

It's just the thrill of the chase.

He's part of the travelling team of Antiques Roadshow

as they tour the country in search of treasure.

If I had a fantasy buy, it would be without question a good Tiffany lamp.

So, our experts are poised and the stakes are high.

With their reputations, own money and the hopes of their

favourite charities on the line, it's time for us to find out the name of today's game.

Mr Charles Ross, The Charmer, no less.

The same. Knocker Knowles.

-That's me.

-Great to meet you.

I'm going to give you that.

-I'm giving you that.

-OK.

Shall I do the honours?

Yes. We'll do it together.

OK, well let me do this. Let me tell you.

"Eric and Charlie, your challenge today is to spend £1,000 of your own money on antiques.

"You must then resell your purchases with the aim of making as much profit as possible.

-"And the winner is the presenter who makes the most cash."

-Did it say, "your own money"?

-Your own money, yes.

-Are you good for a sub?

Well, you know, if the interest rates are right, yes, I'm sure we can help. Go on, what does it say?

"Today, you must buy all your antiques from...

-"an auction house."

-Oh, right.

-Good luck.

-Good luck, yes.

-But I'm an auctioneer.

Well, I'm an auctioneer. So it looks like a classic case of a couple of gamekeepers turning poacher.

I'll tell you one thing. It's one thing to be in the rostrum,

it's another thing to be sat in front of it.

I'd much rather be on the rostrum, flogging the item.

-Let's just do our damnedest.

-Good luck.

-Good luck, old boy.

So, Eric and Charlie each have up to £1,000 of their own money

to spend on antiques that they will then have to sell on for a profit.

They'll be doing battle at Bamfords auction house in Derby,

and these two superstars of the antiques world have been in strict training for today's clash.

MUSIC: Theme Tune to "Superstars"

In peak physical condition -

well, almost - their athletic prowess is second only to their antiques know-how.

-STARTER PISTOL FIRES

-And, with the starting gun

fired on today's competition, it's time for our dynamic duo to get to work and do what they do best.

And doesn't Knocker look pleased to hear that?

In order to emerge victorious, Charlie has decided to buy quirky and unusual items.

Ceramics king Eric is planning to stick to what he knows best,

but his first potential target is far from being a pretty piece of porcelain.

Now there's a hotel. I've actually stayed in this hotel.

The Swan in Lavenham.

Now, does the hotel need an original watercolour of their own hotel?

And if it's going for less than £50,

I'm going to be taking it away with me.

Oh. £20-30. So we'll have a stab. It's worth a go.

Because I've been looking for an excuse to get back

to Lavenham for the last year or so.

Well, if he can get the painting for the right price,

Burnley's finest is a man with a plan.

Elsewhere in the saleroom, his rival is keeping his cards close to his chest today,

but we can reveal that he's certainly picking the unusual lots.

He's hoping to REEL in a stuffed pike.

Today's auctioneer is a fellow gladiator on the Put Your Money team.

Starting in just 30 seconds' time.

James Lewis battles for profit later in the series.

But today, it's Knocker Knowles versus The Charmer.

And, having given plenty of items the once over,

it's time to get down to business as the auction gets under way.

Fish is coming up.

This whacking great pike.

17lb 8oz.

Fancy pulling that out of a river!

Lovely face.

There we are, the stuffed pike.

The Charmer is prepared to bid a whopping £300 for the fish. But he's got competition.

270 on the phone.

-Telephone bid's come in.

-290.

Cut the line off!

310?

£300 in the room.

Right on the button!

At £300. 310 do I see?

At 300...

-£300.

-I've bought a fish!

575, thank you.

I've got a fish.

Indeed he has.

And with commission, The Charmer's paid a little over £351.

It's a big first purchase, but Charlie is not afraid to splash the cash.

And now he's got his eye on a pub lantern.

For the lantern at £30. Five anywhere?

35. 40. And five?

-Go on.

-Beaten it. At £45 in the room.

At 45. 50 anywhere? £45...

Are Bass still going? I'm going to have to find that out, aren't I?

Charlie's bagged the lantern for just under £53.

Why did I buy that?

And a pair of Victorian chairs for just over £76.

60 to the right... At 65.

Are we all done?

-Yours.

-A bit of polish, we might get a profit.

Even with commission, that's a good buy for Mr Ross.

Having watched his rival land three lots, it's time for Knocker to try and bag his first item.

The Swan, watercolour, there we are.

Remember, Eric's prepared to pay up to £50.

£10 is bid. 12 now. 12. 15. 18.

18, 20. And two?

22. 25. 28. And 32.

32 has it. At £32. 35 now? At 32.

With you, at £32. 35 now.

-At 32... It's yours.

-Thank you.

Eric's bought it.

I'm ecstatic.

I bet he could ask 100 quid for that.

So, in percentage terms, that is a thumping profit.

In the overall swing of things, totally irrelevant.

Well, The Charmer doesn't appear to be ruffled by Mr Knowles's first

purchase, which cost him just over £37 including commission.

But he has decided to have a little chat with his rival.

-Oh, hello.

-I saw that, Mr Knowles.

-You did, did you?

-I did. Lavenham.

-Yes.

-Do you know the owner of The Swan?

I bet you do, though. I bet YOU do!

-You know everybody.

-By the time you've been there and had lunch,

there won't be much of a profit left.

I have to say, Charlie, your purchases would come under the banner of "eclectic".

I quite like your chairs, I've checked them out.

-They're quite nicely done, aren't they?

-A thin profit in those.

How much have you spent so far, then?

About that much.

-He's not giving away much, is he?

-My big, big punt is coming soon.

-OK.

-I've got a little tickler first.

-Have you?

-I'll go and prepare.

OK, you go and prepare, and I'll look for a little tickler.

I'm going to keep a careful eye on that man.

Charlie might have bought more items and spent more money, but there are still hundreds of lots in the room.

And, earlier today, The Charmer and his rival cast their eyes over the pieces on offer.

Charlie preached the merits of something he thought could be a nice little earner.

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in Derby today to witness

the auctioning of one Victorian oak pulpit.

Well, it purports to be Victorian, and it's made out of Victorian timber,

but it's constructed in the 20th century.

It's got great Gothic panelling,

and it's got a really low estimate on it, £50-80.

I expect it'll make £200, £300, £400.

But I'm prepared to pay £200 or £300, because I've got a friend

who's recently bought an old rectory, and it's got a chapel attached.

And wouldn't this be the business to sell to him?

The other thing is, I don't think this is the sort of thing

that Eric is going to be buying.

He'll be mincing around with a few little bits of china and pottery.

Mincing around with china?! That's fighting talk from The Charmer.

Thank you, madame. Thank you.

To be fair to Mr Ross, though, Eric is indeed in the ceramics room.

This is a straightforward wall plaque,

it's just there to look pretty.

Although I don't like the frame, I do like the plaque.

Well, the estimate is £150-200.

I'm tempted to push the boat out, go up to £250-300 with a premium or thereabouts.

I think there will be some hot competition,

but we'll give them a run for it.

-Thank you.

-You're welcome, sir.

Well, £300 sounds like an awful lot of money to spend on an item

when he doesn't even like the frame.

Is Knocker allowing his heart to rule his head?

Speaking of heads, in the main saleroom,

Charlie things he's spotted a potential bargain amongst a lot of four garden ornaments.

Whilst the otter tortoise and Nero are reconstituted concrete,

the urn is marble. The lot is about to go under the hammer.

336...

Yes, this is it.

The garden ornaments.

Mr Ross is hoping to bag these for £50-60.

But Knocker is a wily campaigner and has a trick or two up his sleeve.

12. 15. 18. 20.

I'm tempted to give him a bit of a run for his money here. I think so.

This is a snip. There are three bits of horrible...

Ooh!

The bids are flying, and that naughty Knocker is pushing the price higher and higher.

-Who else is having it?

-32. 35.

-It's Eric!

-35. 38. And 40.

5.

50. 5. 60.

5.

At 60. 62?

-I could strangle that Eric.

-No.

-At 60, all sure?

-GAVEL BANGING

Ooh, The Charmer got his lot.

But, with commission, it's cost him just over £70.

Eric spotted that marble pot, didn't he?

He thought I hadn't spotted the garden ornaments.

I'm going to sell Eric the three-legged tortoise to make up for it.

I hadn't actually, but I knew they were going too cheap so, hey ho, all's fair in love and war.

Indeed it is, but as Charlie's pulpit comes up for sale,

Mr Knowles has gone missing in action from the main saleroom.

We've got a cunning position now of two auctions going on at the same time.

Eric is bidding next door and I'm bidding here.

Anyway, it means less people are here.

Lot number 346. The pulpit.

And £30 is bid.

There may be fewer people in the room, but Charlie still has competition.

Can he get the pulpit for less than the £300 he wants to bid?

45. 55. 65. 75.

85. 95. 105.

No smiles now. He's concentrating hard...

-And he's in.

-In front, 130. 140?

140?

At the back, I've taken 140. 150.

160. 170. 180.

-(Stop bidding!)

-190. 200...

and 20. 220 do I see?

With you. At £200. 220, do I see?

-Bring the gavel down!

-At 200, and selling...

200.

Purchase of the week!

I've lost my number, I'm all of a quiver.

575.

If I can't get more than 200 quid for that pulpit - premium, 230 -

I'll eat my hat.

I think he's happy with that purchase.

He's not the only one snapping up lots though.

Eric's bought himself a butter churn for under £130.

And, in the ceramics room,

Mr Knowles has also got his eye on a pair of Royal Worcester plates

which he's hoping to buy for less than £200.

..80, new place. 85. 90. 5.

100. 10. 120. 30. 140.

150... At 140, gentleman near to me.

At £140. 150 now?

All done at 140.

Yours sir, at 140. 576, thank you.

Lot number 539...

That's what you call a result.

They are not restored, Eric, are they? Not restored.

That's what happens to you in auctions. You start talking to yourself.

It's the adrenaline rush.

Well, that sale has clearly got Eric's pulse racing.

Including commission, he's picked up the plate for less than £165

and he also snaps up a mixed lot of Jasperware for a little over £50.

But he's not done yet.

716, a circular plaque, painted by John Porter Wale.

-This is it...

-£200 please? 200?

150 then? 150 bid.

Remember, Knocker's prepared to pay up to £300 for the wall plaque.

At 150. 160. 170. 180. 190.

200. 210.

220...

230. 240?

At £230 to the left.

At 230. 240 do I see?

All done at 230.

Thank you. 576.

Fantastic. I got it. And with the premium and everything, I paid £265.

It's enough,

but I just know in my bones there's a profit to be had there.

Come on, bones, prove me right.

That's a big buy for Eric.

Including commission, he's paid almost £270 for the wall plaque.

It's his biggest buy of the day so far,

and today's contest is starting to heat up nicely.

Both our experts can spend up to £1,000

of their own money at today's auction.

So far, Mr Knowles has parted

with just over £650,

giving him almost £350 to spend.

His rival, on the other hand, has spent over £785,

giving him almost £215 to play with.

Well, Charlie might have spent more money, but both our experts have got plenty of cash left to spend.

Earlier today, they searched through the lots on offer

for the pieces they thought would help them win today's contest.

Well, I've left the main saleroom, and I've moved into

the inner sanctum of Knocker Knowles, where all the china is, and the porcelain,

and all the things he knows about.

But there are one or two things that have taken my eye.

Just behind the cabinet, I found a manky old box

with some quite nice Victorian magic lantern slides.

There's about 150 here.

I've pulled out a few examples for us to have a look at.

Some are rather grotesque.

Look at that one -

a couple of poor chaps being hanged. But look at the colours.

What I'm hoping is that the whole series will tell a story.

But it's going to take me some hours at home sifting through these

so that I can put them into batches, and make up the stories.

Anyway, I'm going to have a little punt - 50p each would be £75.

Perhaps I'll go up to £100 for these,

and hope to find some real gems in there.

So, Charlie thinks he's uncovered a magic lot.

And he's also decided to bid on another set of lantern slides,

which have a military theme.

Elsewhere in the saleroom, Eric's seen a collectable Clarice Cliff toast rack,

and with the auction under way, he's using every spare second

to pick out more potentially profitable pieces.

I keep seeing things I didn't see earlier.

I didn't spot this little fellow. Heavens knows why.

But let's pull him out.

A Royal Worcester candle snuffer.

In the form of a monk - or maybe he's a bit more elevated,

maybe he's an abbot, I'm not sure.

But it is Royal Worcester, you can see a little mark in there.

And you can date this stuff by the dots on each side.

They start somewhere in the early 1890s, but that one...

I'll put my specs on, I'm blind as a bat. Let's have a look.

Oh yes, lots of dots.

So 12, 13, 14, 15...

..21, 22. 1915 or thereabout.

Maybe just about the time of the First World War.

Mmm. 875. Well, I've only got a limited amount of money left...

So, erm...if he's going cheap, which I don't think he will,

I may be taking him home with me.

So, Eric likes the porcelain figure, but we'll have to wait and see

whether or not he's got the money to buy it when it comes up for sale.

Before that, though, Charlie has decided to

keep a close eye on a little lot that he thinks has big potential.

Mirrors coming up, a pair of them.

They're nice, but they are damaged.

£200-300. But if they slip under the bottom estimate,

I might just have a little dobble.

Dressing table mirrors.

Birmingham 1916. Lovely, lovely dressing table mirrors.

And, £300 for them?

300! Don't be silly.

200 then. 200?

Yes.

Eric's gone in at 200.

Knocker's made a move, but will it be a decisive one?

All done and selling. Maiden bid, at 200.

-200.

-Thank you very much indeed.

I think Eric's done quite well, there.

Including commission, Eric spent just under £235 on the mirrors.

And at that price, they were too expensive for The Charmer.

Mr Ross has still got over £200 left in his kitty though,

and he's hoping to snap up the two sets of lantern slides.

50? 40 then.

He's prepared to spend up to £100 on the first set.

45. 50.

Oh, he's in.

At £50 to the right. And five now?

-That's about right.

-At £50, and selling...

-55. Fresh bid.

-Bother!

60.

65. 70.

75? At £70 to the right.

He's tickled me on a bit there. They were coming down for 50.

At 70...

GAVEL BANGING

I'm really thrilled with those magic lantern slides.

About £85 with the premium.

There's even one of Eric there. I'll show you later.

Well, Charlie's happy with that price and he also snaps up

the second set, taking the total spend on the slides

to just over £220.

So I've bought the slides.

A little bit more than I wanted. But I'm now spent up for the day.

Actually, that buy has taken The Charmer

a few pounds over his £1,000 limit.

It's against the gameplay, and he will have to give up the second set

to bring him back within the allowed limit.

Charlie's rival, though, still has money left in his kitty,

and he's looking to pick up another purchase.

Lot 870, Clarice Cliff.

Toast rack. Again, lots of interest in this one.

Five bids, and I can start at £55.

60 do I see?

At £55, on commission and selling...

60. 65. 70 has it.

At £70. And 5 now?

All done then and selling, at £70.

It was all the money,

and erm...on the downside, it only holds two pieces of toast.

So erm...

I'll be looking for... somebody on a diet.

With commission, Eric paid just over £80 for the toast rack,

which means he can't buy the porcelain candle snuffer.

-At £90, and five?

-Ooh.

At £90, against commission and selling...

I didn't have enough money left. I'd have gone for that.

Eric may have missed out on the candle snuffer,

but it's been a fierce bidding battle in the saleroom today.

So, just how much have our duelling duo spent,

and how many items will they be taking home with them?

Both our experts splashed the cash,

Knocker Knowles buying seven lots and parting with just under £970.

After giving up the second set of slides,

Mr Ross has got six lots to sell and has spent just over £860.

Before they head off and sell their items for as much profit as possible

our antiques heavyweights are keen to check out their opponent's wares.

So Charlie, tell me about your day.

Mixed, I think is the best expression.

-Yeah?

-But I've had a couple of good buys.

-I do like your pike.

-You like my pike? Big, isn't he?

If I saw that coming for me, I'd get out the water pretty quick.

What have you got?

Well, I try to play to my strengths, as you're probably aware.

As you know, I'm one of the world's great experts on butter churns...!

But I'm hoping I've got a private buyer for that.

-You'll need a private buyer for that.

-I think I will.

As for the painting of Lavenham -

if the landlord isn't interested, I'll be trying...

-You've had it.

-..the houses up the road, basically.

It didn't shout quality at me, but I did look at it.

Well, as they say, to use the parlance - bonne chance, or whatever.

Et vous aussi, monsieur!

So, as they head home to sell their items, the big question is, have our experts bought wisely?

Eric will be trying to sell two George V dressing table mirrors,

a butter churn with stand,

a watercolour painting of The Swan in Lavenham,

and ceramics by Worcester, Wedgwood, Derby and Clarice Cliff.

His rival is pinning his hopes on a brewery lantern,

four garden ornaments,

a set of magic-lantern slides,

a pair of Victorian carved oak chairs,

a Victorian pulpit,

and the early-20th-century stuffed pike.

So, gents - on your marks, get set, start selling!

The Charmer is up early, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and on the phone to his numerous contacts.

You're a good man.

He's hoping to generate some interest in his auction purchases.

Knocker is also working his way through his little black book.

Listen, I don't know if you're in the market for Royal Worcester porcelain.

Both Eric and Charlie will be pulling out all the stops to find

the right buyers for all their items,

and are putting together deals on the phone and by e-mail.

But until they've shaken on it and money's changed hands,

no deal is truly sealed.

At the moment I'm thinking £200 to £300, something of that order.

Are you still buying hotly like you used to in the past?

Pretty much everybody that Eric and Charlie aim to sell to

will know that they're on a mission to raise as much money as possible for their charities.

The experts will be doing everything in their power to persuade people

to give them the best possible prices, when they sell the items

that they hope will drive them to victory.

Our duelling duo hit the road in search of profit.

Charlie's got his only furniture lot with him and he's a man with a plan.

Paul, I've come for a bit of assistance.

I've got a pair of chairs, which I bought.

One's in reasonable order, the other one isn't in quite such good order,

and I've got no money left.

-There's the door.

-THEY LAUGH

No, no, no, I think you can help me.

If your assistant James taught me how to do it, could I do the restoration here myself?

I suppose. James...?

Is that all right with you?

-Yeah, OK.

-OK.

-I'll make the coffee.

-And sweep up?

-I'll sweep up.

-Clean the toilet?

-I'm not sure if... Yes, I'll clean the toilet!

-OK!

But that's fantastic. Thank you very much indeed.

Looking forward to this!

Free restoration lessons in return for a few chores around the workshop.

Charlie's charm has got him a great deal and Ross the restorer - well,

restorer's apprentice - dons an apron and gets down to business.

I think it's great. Where do we begin?

Right - first of all, we need to remove these screws, so we can get the banister back in.

-That'll just lift out?

-Yes.

I'm learning fast!

-Old dog, new tricks.

-Yeah.

Eric, you're up against a real restorer here.

This is much more fun than being an auctioneer.

Yeah, looks good.

Charlie's work isn't over yet. It's time to pay for his lesson.

MUSIC: "9 to 5" by Dolly Parton

Charlie? How's the tea coming on?

Your tea and biscuit, sir...

Ross? You finished the toilet?

Cleaning the loo at home is one thing.

Cleaning the loo in somebody else's home is quite another!

It's a hard life!

Charlie's opponent is going for a more conventional approach to selling.

Eric had a clear plan to profit from his watercolour,

and has been busy putting it into action.

Do you know, I've always wanted to do this -

travel to the source of the artist's inspiration.

And today, I'm in the lovely Suffolk town of Lavenham.

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is The Swan Hotel.

Now, I've phoned ahead, spoken to the manager, and I'm going to pop inside and hopefully I'm going to do a deal.

The buyer may have been interested on the phone, but Eric still has to seal the deal.

Remember, he bought the painting for almost £40.

It's a competent study -

it's a true representation of a hostelry that goes back to when, tell me?

Well, this was built in 1425. This section we're in now was built

slightly later in 1463, thereabouts.

So it's a leading question,

but could you see this watercolour painting actually hanging in your hotel?

Definitely. If we purchased it, it would sit by reception.

Right, OK.

I was looking somewhere in the region of around about £150.

Right. Erm...

well, we would be very happy with £140.

Well, at £140, if I stay at your hotel in future occasions,

I'll be looking for a 10% discount. That's part of the deal.

You're on. Definitely.

-Put it there. You've got yourself a wonderful watercolour.

-Thank you very much.

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together?

Knocker's made a profit of just over £100 on the watercolour,

and he's a very happy man.

It would be nice to think that I could make that sort of mark-up on everything I'd buy and then sell -

in fact, I'd be home and dry.

In the case of Charlie the Charmer, I'll just wish him the reverse,

and thereby he would be all at sea.

Actually, Eric, Charlie's doing quite nicely.

-100.

-105, did you say?

-100!

-100 and a pint?

-I'll buy you a pint and give you 100 quid for it.

-Cash?

-Deal. Cash.

-Fantastic.

Well done, Charlie! That's just over £47 profit for the brewery lantern,

and a little light refreshment on the side.

Having restored his Victorian chairs, it's time for Charlie to try and sell them.

Gosh! How old are they?

They're really unusual. They're Victorian, 1860/1870.

-Wow. It's been beautifully, beautifully done.

-Oak.

Restored by yours truly.

Oh, you clever thing. That is really, really beautiful.

They've come up well. I'm thrilled with them.

OK. I've now got to think about where I can put them - if the price is right, of course.

-Ah. Well, why don't we just put them in the house, then I reckon you're bound to buy them.

-In situ?

-Yeah.

-OK, we'll give that a go.

Oh - Charlie's a smooth operator.

The chairs cost him just over £75.

Can he charm his way to a profit?

I don't know what that looks there, but THAT looks fab. I think.

I have to say, they are stunning.

If we can agree a price, then we've got ourselves a deal.

Well, I want £300 for the pair.

I...don't want to pay that much.

I'd be looking at £175-200 for the pair.

I would come down... to £250 if pushed.

Well, I think £220.

Now, I have to say, that is the offer, and that's my final offer because we do buy a lot of antiques.

-You do.

-I think that's fair and reasonable.

I think I've sold you most of them.

And I'd like these to add to your collection, so I'm prepared to do that.

-£220.

-We've got ourselves a deal.

-That's really kind.

-Well, I ought to pay you.

-Yes, please!

-OK, let's go.

-Come on.

Yes, Charlie the Charmer has worked his silver-tongued magic

and nets a profit of just under £145 on the pair of chairs.

Very impressive. And he's on a roll,

because he's found a potential customer for his marble garden urn.

It's got some age, hasn't it?

I would think 1850s, something like that. Certainly 19th century.

Yeah. I thought first half of the 19th century.

Well, I think I can sell it.

I'll offer you £150, take it or leave it, I'm afraid, Charlie.

-£150, it's a deal.

-Oh, well done.

-I will do £150.

-Good.

-I like it.

-I like it too. Thanks very much.

That's a good result for Charlie, and he's sold his other garden ornaments at a local auction,

bagging himself over £95 worth of profit on the four items.

Mr Ross is storming ahead in today's contest - but don't underestimate Knocker Knowles.

The auction has proven to be a porcelain paradise, and our king of ceramics

has a list of contacts that makes the phone book look slim.

He had no trouble selling his Royal Worcester dessert plates, the Royal Crown Derby plaque

and the Clarice Cliff toast rack,

making a profit of almost £85.

He's confident he's on the road to victory in today's contest, but let's find out if he's right.

Knocker Knowles has sold over £740 worth of items,

netting just under £190 worth of profit.

Charmer Ross has walked on far higher margins,

and sold £486 worth of goods

and made a profit of over £280.

Charlie might have more experience as an auctioneer than a dealer,

but his long list of contacts has come up trumps for him so far today.

Eric's hot on his heels though,

and he's travelled far for his next appointment.

My goodness me, it's 1900.

Eric's travelled across space, time and the M6.

And he's hoping to net a 20th-century-sized profit

for his butter churn, which cost him just under £130 at auction.

I just so happen to be in Blists Hill Victorian Town

in Ironbridge, Shropshire.

I'm here to meet a certain Mr Simmons who's expressed an interest in my butter churn,

so it's really a question now of finding Mr Simmons, and the churn.

-Hello, Mr Simmons. Hello.

-Nice to meet you.

-Eric Knowles from the 21st century.

-How do you do?

So, the new fangled machine's arrived. When did it get here?

-It arrived just his morning.

-Have you tried it yet?

We have, yes, it seems to be in excellent working order.

Really nice action, the window's intact there.

It's super. We're really pleased with it.

-Excellent. Can we talk money?

-We can indeed, yes.

-All right.

Obviously, this is the very latest specifications, but a comparable model is around about 18 shillings.

18 shillings in my century, would work out at the best part of £180.

So, if you've got a mind to pay £180,

-we can do business.

-It sounds like a fair price.

It does. OK.

I mean, I'll be looking for cash...

I don't carry that much money, so we'd have to go next door to my local bank and make a withdrawal.

All right, that sounds good to me.

-Lead the way.

-Would you like to follow me?

Will do. And er...I'm hoping for sovereigns!

Yes, his journey into the past seems to have gone to Knocker's head.

But it's a healthy profit, and he's making sure he gets his cash.

In the present day, Charlie's visiting a friend to try and sell his most expensive item -

the stuffed pike.

You know, Graham told me there were some pretty big fish in this lake.

MUSIC: Theme from "Jaws" by John Williams

There might be...Jaws-sized fish.

I'm actually quite worried.

In fact, I'm terrified.

Yes, well, I don't think Steven Spielberg has too much to worry about.

Now that The Charmer's audition for the big screen is out of the way,

he can concentrate on netting a profit for the pike that cost £345.

That's a hell of a specimen.

It's fantastic, isn't it?

Beautifully preserved, and it's jolly nearly an antique,

it was caught in 1924.

-Would you like to have a closer look?

-Yes, all right.

-Gosh, it's jolly heavy.

-I know! You get value with me.

Have a good look at it. Well done.

Gosh, no, that is a very, very nice fish.

It's nicely cased and well done, and I'm going to sell it to you.

-Oh.

-£500 I want for it.

Good heavens, Charlie, that's much too much!

I'd go to £300.

It cost £345. I'll take £450.

I'll go to £400, but that's my final offer.

Could we do a deal at £425,

because we've known each other a long time?

You always get round me somehow, Charles!

-OK, we'll go for £425.

-Good, good!

-Shall we go and put it in the house?

-Yeah.

Yet again, Mr Ross smooth-talks his way to a sizeable profit,

by matching his item to the perfect buyer.

He's topped up his coffers by just over £70.

Our experts are both selling at top speed,

but there's one lot Mr Ross isn't finding it quite so easy to shift.

He bought a set of lantern slides for just over £80.

He's hit the phone and gone through his contacts book, but so far, no interest.

His opponent is also out of his comfort zone.

Eric bought a pair of silver framed mirrors for just under £235.

Now, silver isn't something he usually deals in, and he's had to work extra hard to locate

a potential purchaser. But perhaps there's a reason he's been finding it so hard to sell the mirrors.

A bit of damage on the corner.

-Yes.

-Birmingham hallmark. B & Co.

-OK.

This one... A bit of damage on the corner of this one.

-Same old mark.

-Good.

-Same date mark,

so they were done together. What kind of money are you looking for them?

Well, I was looking sort of around the 340 mark.

-340?

-Mm-hm.

He bought them for just under £235 - £340 would give him a good profit.

What about £275?

If you want to make me a happy man, £300 and they're yours.

£300.

Yes, OK, I'll give you £300, deal.

£300, plus a cup of coffee. You've got a kettle here, haven't you?

-Follow me.

-I'll follow you.

No sugar. Sweet enough.

Nicely done, Mr Knowles. Despite the damage to the mirrors,

he's managed to bank a profit of just over £65.

Not just the ceramics king after all then, eh, Knocker?

Eric might have sealed another deal, but after many calls, Charlie put his lantern slides

into his local auction house,

and they added over £135 to his profit pot.

The end of today's profit-hunting race is in sight,

and our two antique thoroughbreds have one item left each to sell.

Which of our gents will be first to the finishing line -

and, more importantly, who will bag the biggest profit?

Knocker Knowles bought a mixed lot of Wedgwood for just over £50,

and having sold three pieces for just £10,

he's going to need to make over £42 from the commemorative tea caddy in order to turn a profit.

Our ceramics guru heads to his own personal Mecca -

Barlaston, home to the Wedgwood Museum.

-Hello.

-Nick, how very good to see you.

Very nice to meet you too, Lord Wedgwood. First time.

First time, that's right. Of course I've seen you many, many times,

but this is the first time in person.

And I've been having a look round this wonderful museum. Isn't it breathtaking?

-It is absolutely world-class.

-One thing it hasn't got is in my hand.

Oh, my gosh, what have you got here?

Well, that's the 1981 wedding tea caddy.

It's absolutely magnificent.

-Tricolour.

-Tricolour.

Very unusual. What a great find.

The shape is 18th-century, isn't it?

-Yes.

-But three-colour Wedgwood, it's legendary.

The question is, would you be interested?

I was warned that maybe you were going to want to get into my pocket,

so I went down to the bank early this morning, and I'm afraid

the bank manager limited me to actually £100.

£100. Well, look, I'm very happy.

At £100 I think we've got ourselves a deal.

Well, that's fantastic. We hope that you come back many, many times. You know that you're always welcome.

Good. You know there's a good coffee shop across the road?

-Do you think we should go and have a cuppa now?

-Why not?

That sale gives Eric a profit of almost £60 on the Wedgwood -

and with Knocker now sold up, the pressure is on Charmer Ross.

He's still got to sell the pulpit that cost him just over £230.

He has a buyer in mind, but will they offer him enough money to make a profit?

Gosh, I think it looks a little cracker.

He's certainly sounding keen, but how much is he prepared to pay?

So, here we are, Charles.

This is the sacristy.

-It's absolutely wonderful.

-What do you think?

-It's perfect!

Well, we could possibly try it down here

-against the wall there.

-So, you would buy it...?

I would be interested at the right price, Mr Ross.

Well, I thought it might be worth... £1,000?

Er...

Well, if you don't ask, you don't get. And we'll find out very shortly if Charlie was able to secure a sale

and how much he was able to get for the pulpit.

Because it's now time to tot up the totals,

and reveal how much profit our battling experts have actually made.

Knocker Knowles parted with almost £970 at auction.

His rival, on the other hand, spent just over £865.

Remember, all the profits they make will be going to charity.

It's been a fiercely fought contest today, but without further ado,

it's time to bring our battling experts together

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

And you can cut the tension with an antique knife.

-Knocker!

-Charlie the Charmer.

You're looking a bit perky.

Well, I'm up for it, Charlie, I'm up for it.

How's the market in pulpits, that's what I want to know.

Good. Of all the things I bought,

that was the easiest sell, and possibly the biggest profit.

-Really?

-Can you believe that?

-Archbishop of Canterbury maybe?

-Almost, I sold it to a vet.

-A vet.

How was your butter churn?

My butter churn was a challenge.

-But it's now in a national museum.

-What?!

-Oh, yes. It's there to enjoy.

-Fantastic.

-Anyway, listen. The suspense is really getting to me.

-Come on, let's have a look.

-Shall we see?

One, two, three...

-Ooh...

-I've done you, Knocker!

-I've comprehensively done you.

-Look at that.

Congratulations, Charlie. Listen, I've got to say that I have to commend you on that, I really have.

-Very kind.

-I'm not a bad loser, I'll buy you a drink.

And remember - you may have won today, but tomorrow is another day.

Buy me a beer.

So, Charlie's final deal sealed victory.

Yes, that £230-plus pulpit saw him emerge triumphant.

-450.

-We've got a deal.

-We have a deal, sir.

-Fantastic.

Especially as the missus is not here.

-Shall we go and get it in?

-Get it in, I think.

So, a whopping final profit of over £215

makes Charlie today's Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is champion.

But, both our experts have made sizeable profits, and they'll all be going to charity.

Thanks for the cheque.

Not a problem, old thing.

My chosen charity is The Prince's Trust.

My chosen charity is CLIC Sargent - children with leukaemia.

So, Charlie's pulpit led him to a heavenly victory today,

but tomorrow our experts will go head to head again at an antiques market.

And Eric, trust me -

this is going to hurt you a lot more than it hurts me.

Begs the question, where is he? And it also begs the question, is he doing serious business?

Oh, that wasn't very good.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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