0:00:02 > 0:00:05We've all seen them on TV, but how will the country's
0:00:05 > 0:00:09favourite antiques experts fare when they're challenged to make a profit with their own cash?
0:00:09 > 0:00:12I've bought that.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15The joy of car boots!
0:00:15 > 0:00:18From car boot sales to auction houses.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21Our experts will be recreating some of their real life deals
0:00:21 > 0:00:27as they go head-to-head and try and make the most money for their chosen charities.
0:00:27 > 0:00:28Fondle without fear!
0:00:28 > 0:00:30Wait till you hear about this one.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33The challenge to our experts is clear.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36Dealers, Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09Battling it out for today's crown are James "the Lionheart" Lewis
0:01:09 > 0:01:12and Curtis "the Detective" Dowling.
0:01:12 > 0:01:19Curtis specialises in spotting fakes and forgeries, making sure his clients get the genuine article.
0:01:19 > 0:01:26So after 25 years in the business, it's still very, very difficult to spot the real thing from a fake.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30So if you've got your own money to spend, caveat emptor, buyer beware.
0:01:30 > 0:01:36The Detective has a real passion for antiques and he's made his mark on Cash In The Attic.
0:01:36 > 0:01:41So there's still bargains to be had, you've just got to know how to look and use a bit of instinct as well.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43Trust me.
0:01:45 > 0:01:51Hoping to turn the table on Curtis is his rival and experienced auctioneer James Lewis.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54He's seen 20 years of action on the podium and there isn't much
0:01:54 > 0:01:59in the way of antiques that hasn't passed through his auction house.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02The worst part of the job is letting people down.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04It's very easy to tell somebody it's worth £1,000,
0:02:04 > 0:02:06bit it's very difficult to tell somebody
0:02:06 > 0:02:08it's not worth anything at all.
0:02:08 > 0:02:13James' boundless knowledge of antiques has made him a firm favourite on Flog It!
0:02:13 > 0:02:19And what did they cost? £15. There's got to be a profit in that.
0:02:19 > 0:02:25So we have the experts. They have the knowledge, the contacts and an unyielding desire to win.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29James and Curtis knew they would be facing a final special mission, and it's time for us
0:02:29 > 0:02:35to take a look at the moment they open their envelopes as we find out exactly what that mission is.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39- Curtis, how are you? - James, I'm very well.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41- Good. Good.- I think this is for you.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43- I think this is for you.- OK.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46Curtis and James,
0:02:46 > 0:02:52your challenge today is to spend up to £1,000 of your own money on antiques.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56You must resell your purchases with the aim of making as much profit as possible.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00The winner is the expert who makes the most cash.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03Where we going to go for that, then?
0:03:03 > 0:03:05This is your showdown.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08You can buy whatever you like, wherever you like,
0:03:08 > 0:03:12but you must sell your items at a special one-off event.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16- Good luck, it says.- Sounds fun. - I'll have to get my thinking cap on.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20So James and Curtis can spend up to £1,000 of their own money on antiques that they
0:03:20 > 0:03:27can buy from wherever they like before trying to sell them on for a profit at special one-off events.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31This, ladies and gentlemen, is the Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is showdown.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36In order to maximise his profits, James is planning to auction off
0:03:36 > 0:03:39the items he buys at an event being hosted by his charity.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43It means he can concentrate all his energies on buying the right items
0:03:43 > 0:03:48for the showdown challenge, and he won't have to worry about spending any money putting on his event.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55Curtis, on the other hand, is also planning to hold a charity auction,
0:03:55 > 0:03:57but his will be a more intimate event.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00And, with the challenge laid down, he's headed to a shop
0:04:00 > 0:04:01which is packed with character,
0:04:01 > 0:04:04and more importantly, is also packed with antiques.
0:04:04 > 0:04:09It feels like the Old Curiosity Shop in a place like this.
0:04:09 > 0:04:14You feel like you could find anything, and everything you do find could be completely genuine,
0:04:14 > 0:04:19and I think we've found something over here that is unique.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21This is an indenture.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25It's a legally-binding document between two people.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29Generally, it was for things like apprenticeships, but this example
0:04:29 > 0:04:35is a land deal and it's to rent out a house and a garden to an individual.
0:04:35 > 0:04:40Some of the earlier examples go back to 1250, but this one is a lot later.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42This one is 1838,
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Now, this particular one is quite fascinating to read
0:04:46 > 0:04:50and that's why these things do so well at auctions
0:04:50 > 0:04:51or in places like this.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55It says £85 on the ticket, but hopefully, because I'm trade,
0:04:55 > 0:05:00I might get a little bit off, so let's see if that's the case.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03Well, that's a fascinating item he's picked out
0:05:03 > 0:05:08and we'll find out very shortly if he can he can get it for the right price.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12Pretty much everybody Curtis and James try to do deals with will be aware that they're
0:05:12 > 0:05:14on a mission to raise money for charity.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18And our experts will be doing everything in their power
0:05:18 > 0:05:21to get the best possible prices for everything that they buy.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28In Nottinghamshire, Mr Lewis is taking a trip down memory lane.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31Whenever you're looking for something special, you need to come
0:05:31 > 0:05:35to a special place, and this place is very special to me
0:05:35 > 0:05:38for a number of reasons, but mainly because 21 years ago,
0:05:38 > 0:05:45at the age of 15, I walked into my first ever antique centre and bought my first little thing.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49Today, I'm not looking for normal cupboards or glasses or vases,
0:05:49 > 0:05:54but upstairs, there's a cabinet containing wonderful early objects.
0:05:54 > 0:06:00Anglo-Saxon, Chinese, Egyptian, Roman and in there, I'm hoping
0:06:00 > 0:06:03to find something very special for my charity showdown.
0:06:03 > 0:06:09It sounds as though James has got something a little out of the ordinary in mind for his showdown
0:06:09 > 0:06:13event, and he's picked out something that he thinks is full of Eastern promise.
0:06:15 > 0:06:21He's Chinese. He's about 1,500 years old, and he's a Tang Dynasty tomb figure.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25You've all heard of those wonderful terracotta armies that have been
0:06:25 > 0:06:30discovered in China about five or ten years ago, well, this little chap is a smaller version.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33They were designed as tomb guardians.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36When the body was placed in the tomb, you'd have little priests
0:06:36 > 0:06:39like this that would accompany them to the afterlife.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42He originally would have been brightly coloured,
0:06:42 > 0:06:46but sitting in the base of a tomb, imagine as the weather changes
0:06:46 > 0:06:49the water comes in and out, the colours naturally fade.
0:06:49 > 0:06:54So this little chap, being 1,500 years old, you'd expect him to be quite a price.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57At £120, he's not really expensive,
0:06:57 > 0:07:00but I'm going to see if we can do a bit of a better deal.
0:07:00 > 0:07:07Well, if James can cut a favourable deal, he thinks the tomb figurine could deliver a heavenly profit.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10He's not the only one hoping to negotiate a good price though.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14Curtis is aiming to get a healthy discount on the indenture.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17£85.
0:07:17 > 0:07:23Being trade, I was hoping for a small discount, so what can you do for me?
0:07:23 > 0:07:28Well, I think I might let you have £10 off that, which would make it £75.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30Perfect. That's just what I wanted.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33- Lovely. Thank you very much. - Thank you very much, superb.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37Well, it's not the biggest discount, but it's a fascinating item
0:07:37 > 0:07:40and the Detective seems pleased with his purchase.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44In Newark, James has picked up the terracotta Chinese tomb figurine
0:07:44 > 0:07:49for £70, and he's got his eye on some more exotic pieces.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53Whilst he was hunting for items to buy for his showdown,
0:07:53 > 0:07:56he found two African pieces in an auction catalogue.
0:07:56 > 0:08:01He couldn't get to the auction himself, but he knew some dealers who would be attending the sale
0:08:01 > 0:08:06and told them if they purchased the items, he might be interested in taking them off their hands.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10So what exactly is Mr Lewis so keen on?
0:08:12 > 0:08:14Fantastic.
0:08:14 > 0:08:20This is a wonderful example of, believe it or not, a headrest.
0:08:20 > 0:08:26African, tribal, probably Kenyan, it's very difficult to say where some of these headrests were from,
0:08:26 > 0:08:28because they were used by the nomadic people.
0:08:28 > 0:08:34They travelled from area to area grazing their goats and grazing their cows, so they never actually
0:08:34 > 0:08:39stayed in the same position, which is why they needed a headrest rather than a pillow.
0:08:39 > 0:08:44These sides here, these tall flattened sides were smeared with goat's fat.
0:08:44 > 0:08:51Not only was that very smelly, but it was very sticky, and the idea would be when this base is sitting
0:08:51 > 0:08:58on the hard ground, the head would lie back in here and any little nasty insects that go crawling up
0:08:58 > 0:09:05the sides here would get stuck in the sticky fat, and that of course would prevent things like scorpions,
0:09:05 > 0:09:08nasty little things crawling in your ears at night in the middle
0:09:08 > 0:09:12of your sleep, so these are quite important things.
0:09:12 > 0:09:18Ticket price on this is £80 so I'm going to ask for a slight discount, but not very much.
0:09:18 > 0:09:23Well, from the East Coast of Africa to the West Coast of Africa.
0:09:23 > 0:09:29This is something altogether more fancy and more ornate and, of course, a lot larger.
0:09:29 > 0:09:35It's a seat or a stool, and this is from Ghana, from the Ashanti tribe,
0:09:35 > 0:09:40and they're probably known as the major carvers of Africa.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43Almost all of these very fancy, dish-top stools that we see
0:09:43 > 0:09:47coming through the auctions today are from Ashanti.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49Look at the colour. It's been ebonised.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53It's been stained. It's darker than the natural wood that you can see coming through here.
0:09:53 > 0:09:58Well, I have to say, it doesn't speak to me like the headrest does, but I still love it.
0:09:58 > 0:10:04Let's have a look at the price. Well, per square inch, it's cheaper than the headrest. Again, it's £80.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06I don't think that's expensive.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10Two African items, I think they're going to do really well.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12Let's see what I can get them for.
0:10:12 > 0:10:17Well, I think it's fair to say that James is pretty taken with the two African pieces.
0:10:17 > 0:10:23In Devon, the Detective is aiming to track down something quintessentially English.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27Now, why have I come here today to buy items for my antiques auction?
0:10:27 > 0:10:29I'll tell you why - because it's nostalgia.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33When we were kids we used to come to places like this and find knick-knacks.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36In fact, it's places like this that got me into antique dealing in
0:10:36 > 0:10:40the first place, fabulous little centres full of treasure.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48This is Wedgwood Jasperware.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52This Jasperware was created by Wedgwood back in the 1800s,
0:10:52 > 0:10:56and people have been collecting it for over 200 years now.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01Look at this fabulous candlestick, with this amazing Grecian design on it.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04Josiah Wedgwood had this on many, many of his items
0:11:04 > 0:11:09and this Grecian pattern comes from something called the Portland vase, one of the most famous vases
0:11:09 > 0:11:16of the last 500 years, not just for its beauty, because in the Victorian times someone walked into a museum,
0:11:16 > 0:11:18picked it off the shelf and just smashed it all over the floor.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21It took a long time to stick that back together, but so
0:11:21 > 0:11:25much of Wedgwood has this style on it and I think that's one of the reasons
0:11:25 > 0:11:30it was so collectible and still is - because it's classical design using classical figures.
0:11:30 > 0:11:37Now, all this together is about £55, so if I can sell this at auction, one of two things is going to happen.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41First of all, we might be lucky enough to start a new collector.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45We might be unlucky enough to start a new dealer!
0:11:45 > 0:11:51Yes, something tells me Curtis could probably cope with a little more competition, and having negotiated
0:11:51 > 0:11:57a £10 discount, he's hoping the Jasperware will deliver a healthy profit at his showdown event.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02In Newark, James is trying to negotiate a good deal for the two
0:12:02 > 0:12:05African pieces he's fallen in love with.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07They've both got £80 on them.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10What do you think your best price would be?
0:12:10 > 0:12:12It would be £70 on each.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16£70 each is already a 10% discount if not slightly more.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20At that, we've got a deal. Thank you.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24Well, that's a real result for Mr Lewis and at his
0:12:24 > 0:12:31charity auction he'll also be aiming to go sell a 19th-century Tibetan dagger which cost him just £10.
0:12:31 > 0:12:36And some more conventional items, a Victorian blue and silver scent bottle,
0:12:36 > 0:12:39a set of decanter labels,
0:12:39 > 0:12:44and a Georgian decanter and a bottle of port for the combined sum of £142.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50The race is on to buy the items with the most potential profit, and both
0:12:50 > 0:12:54our experts are determined to be the top antiques gun.
0:12:56 > 0:13:01James "Maverick" Lewis is buying pieces from around the world.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04You've all heard of those wonderful terracotta armies that have been
0:13:04 > 0:13:10discovered in China about five or ten years ago, well, this little chap is a smaller version.
0:13:10 > 0:13:15His rival Curtis "Iceman" Dowling is calculating that antiques from
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Britain will send him soaring to success.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20This got me into antique collecting.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23The beautiful style, the beautiful make.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25It's going to be a fight to the finish,
0:13:25 > 0:13:30and both our experts are aiming to shoot their rival down in flames.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33Yes, whilst James and Curtis might well fancy
0:13:33 > 0:13:39themselves as the Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer of the antiques world...
0:13:39 > 0:13:42Well, maybe not, it's time to focus on the job at hand.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46They've both been trying to buy the right items for the right prices,
0:13:46 > 0:13:49but just how much of their kitties have they spent?
0:13:49 > 0:13:55Our experts are allowed to spend up to £1,000 of their own money.
0:13:55 > 0:14:02Mr Dowling has parted with £120, leaving him up to £880 in his kitty.
0:14:02 > 0:14:09His rival, on the other hand, has spent £362, giving him up to £638 still to play with.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13So, with hundreds of pounds left in their kitties,
0:14:13 > 0:14:19our experts are looking to buy the items they hope will win them today's showdown challenge.
0:14:21 > 0:14:27Now, as it's their showdown, our duelling duo can buy whatever they like from wherever they like.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30And on a previous buying trip to an antiques market, James
0:14:30 > 0:14:34spotted two items he thought were perfect for his charity auction.
0:14:34 > 0:14:40A diamond pendant and a diamond ring. He set about trying to get a dazzling discount.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42OK, now you've got £600 on that one.
0:14:42 > 0:14:47- Yes.- What would be your rock bottom lowest?
0:14:47 > 0:14:49Normally I'd say £400, but...
0:14:51 > 0:14:52I was thinking three.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57I know that's a whooping great discount, I wouldn't normally ask.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00Would you be able to do that at three?
0:15:02 > 0:15:04- Yes.- Fantastic.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07- Brilliant. That's a deal. - You're not going to come again?
0:15:07 > 0:15:09Of course I will.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11And how about this little one here?
0:15:11 > 0:15:14Now, this one, 18 carat and diamonds.
0:15:14 > 0:15:20The chain is nine, but of course, you can put an 18 on, but the chain is fine.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24- Well, look... - The £100 was on the pendant.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26I'll say £75.
0:15:26 > 0:15:27£75 is a deal.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29Thank you so much.
0:15:29 > 0:15:36Nicely done, Mr Lewis, he pushed hard to get a great discount and he's a happy man.
0:15:36 > 0:15:43I'm delighted with this. A ring, and a pendant together for £375.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45Those are a real bargain.
0:15:45 > 0:15:50This is the most fashionable cut of stone. It's known as brilliant cut.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53This type of cut came in the 1920s.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57And the reason why this cut is so popular is because the facets
0:15:57 > 0:16:00reflect the biggest sparkle you can get from a diamond.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03It's cut with facets all the way round,
0:16:03 > 0:16:08and if you hold it up, you can see the pointed section at the bottom, and this is open-mounted.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12It has four platinum claws.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16The shank is 18 carat yellow gold, and that's such a contemporary ring.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18It's bound to appeal to everybody.
0:16:18 > 0:16:23When it comes to the pendant, here we have three graduated brilliant cut diamonds.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27Again set in 18 carat gold, and that's such a young-looking pendant.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30Hopefully, everybody will go for it.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33Well, James clearly thinks he's sealed a gem of a deal.
0:16:33 > 0:16:40Time will tell if the ring and pendant will deliver sparkling profits at the charity auction.
0:16:40 > 0:16:45In the West Country, Curtis is on the hunt for more pieces for his charity auction
0:16:45 > 0:16:52at the Devon county antiques fair, and he's found something he thinks could be the answer to his prayers.
0:16:52 > 0:16:57Ah, now this is just the kind of thing I'm looking for. This is beautiful.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01Ivory, gilt metal clasp, it's a Book of Common Prayer.
0:17:01 > 0:17:06These were very, very popular in the Victorian era. They go all the way back to Henry VIII.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10If we open it up, we can see somebody's loved this book and looked after it.
0:17:10 > 0:17:16Just as importantly, just to give it that personal feel, there's even an inscription inside.
0:17:16 > 0:17:23It says, "A dying gift from her loving and affectionate sister Jane."
0:17:23 > 0:17:25Dated 1891.
0:17:25 > 0:17:30This is a lovely find, and at the right price could do very well for us.
0:17:30 > 0:17:31It's up for £85.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34If it goes for £60, it's coming home with me.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36Let's see what we can do.
0:17:36 > 0:17:37Excuse me.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39Hello. Lovely little book.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42- Yes. It's nice.- £85.
0:17:42 > 0:17:48I can't do terrific discount on it, perhaps £70?
0:17:48 > 0:17:51Would you be happy with £65?
0:17:51 > 0:17:53Yes, £65, I'll do.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55- Fantastic.- Good luck with it.
0:17:55 > 0:17:56Thank you very much indeed. Cheers.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58Good luck with that.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01Well, it's slightly more than he wanted to pay, but
0:18:01 > 0:18:05it's another interesting item for the Detective, and he's a happy man.
0:18:07 > 0:18:13This is just the kind of item I think that's going to fly off my auction stand.
0:18:13 > 0:18:18On a previous Put Your Money buying expedition to an antiques market, James was keeping a look out for
0:18:18 > 0:18:21pieces for his showdown event,
0:18:21 > 0:18:27and managed to pick up a pair of silver-plated bottle coasters for £120.
0:18:28 > 0:18:34I'm hoping the people that attend this evening charity gala are going to be party animals and
0:18:34 > 0:18:39I'm going to fill these 19th-century silver-plated bottle coasters with
0:18:39 > 0:18:46a pair of champagne bottles, freshly chilled for the evening, and that should be a party animal's dream.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50They're known as EP on copper, electroplate on copper.
0:18:50 > 0:18:57About 30 years earlier, these would have been made from Sheffield plate, which is silver solded to cooper.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01These are electroplated technique, invented by Elkington & Co
0:19:01 > 0:19:03around 1850.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07These are 1850 to 1870, so nice and early of their type.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10The bases are in oak, and they're draft turned.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14Now, the decoration around the outside is typical of the period.
0:19:14 > 0:19:19It's very fussy, it's very over the top and I have to say not the most fashionable of decorations today.
0:19:19 > 0:19:24People do tend to prefer a minimal look.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26But I'm hoping on the night with pretty little lights shining on them
0:19:26 > 0:19:28these will go down a storm.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32Well, that's a rather glitzy item for James's showdown event,
0:19:32 > 0:19:37and the Lionheart will be selling them with a bottle of champagne which cost him £18.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41With hundreds of pounds still burning holes in their pockets, both our experts are racing
0:19:41 > 0:19:45around trying to find the perfect pieces for their charity auctions.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07James has bagged himself two more pieces of jewellery.
0:20:07 > 0:20:12The necklace and another diamond ring for the combined sum of £118.
0:20:12 > 0:20:17Not to be outdone, Curtis has snapped up a red leather writing set
0:20:17 > 0:20:22for £175 and a pair of picture books about the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood for £20.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27With so much at stake in their showdown challenge, the Detective
0:20:27 > 0:20:29and the Lionheart are pulling out all the stops.
0:20:29 > 0:20:35Curtis has headed to an antique shop in Surrey to pick up another potentially profitable piece.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42You might think a retail shop, that's a strange place for an antique dealer
0:20:42 > 0:20:46to come to find a bargain, to make a profit at a charity auction.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48Well, there are bargains to be had here.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50Watch and learn!
0:20:50 > 0:20:52We're watching, Curtis.
0:20:52 > 0:20:53We're watching.
0:20:54 > 0:21:00And this is the reason we're here, this lovely zinc alloy bird on a marble base.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04I'm certain in is by a guy called Alexandre Oulin,
0:21:04 > 0:21:08a Belgian fella, but he worked in France between 1920 and 1940.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12Pretty famous for this animal physiology.
0:21:12 > 0:21:17Great movement in this. I wonder if there's any movement in the price?
0:21:17 > 0:21:19Now I like it.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21I think I'll take it,
0:21:21 > 0:21:26it's on for £110, now being in the trade, how much can you let me have it for?
0:21:26 > 0:21:28I think the best price would be £95.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30You've got a deal.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32And we've got our bird!
0:21:32 > 0:21:38Once again Curtis has got a smile on his face and his rival has had a small setback.
0:21:38 > 0:21:43He spent a £1 on a pair of boxing gloves that he was aiming to get signed by his friend Henry Cooper,
0:21:43 > 0:21:47but they were destroyed when his car caught fire.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52The Lionheart isn't easily knocked out of his stride
0:21:52 > 0:21:57and has bought a similar pair for the princely sum of £3.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02We'll find out shortly when both charity auctions begin
0:22:02 > 0:22:04whether or not the gloves will land a knockout blow.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07But right now, it's time to find out how much our
0:22:07 > 0:22:10battling experts have spent on the items for their Showdown Challenge.
0:22:12 > 0:22:18Our duelling duo were allowed to spend up to £1,000 of their own money.
0:22:18 > 0:22:23Curtis has kept a tight hold of the purse strings and spent just £475.
0:22:23 > 0:22:29His rival, on the other hand, has splashed the cash and parted with £997.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35So at his charity auction, Curtis will be aim to go profit from
0:22:35 > 0:22:38a collection of classic Wedgwood Jasperware.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40A Victorian prayer book.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42A red leather writing set.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46A 19th-century indenture.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49Two illustrated books about the Pre-Raphaelites.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52And an Art Deco-style bronze seagull.
0:22:52 > 0:22:57James will be selling a Georgian decanter and a bottle of port.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59A set of decanter labels.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03A Victorian blue and silver scent bottle.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05A collection of jewellery.
0:23:05 > 0:23:11A pair of 19th-century silver-plated bottle coasters, and a bottle of champagne.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14A pair of boxing gloves to be personalised by Henry Cooper.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18And a collection of African and Eastern pieces.
0:23:22 > 0:23:27Our battling experts James "the Lionheart" Lewis, and Curtis "the Detective" Dowling
0:23:27 > 0:23:32have been challenged to spend up to £1,000 of their own money on antiques
0:23:32 > 0:23:37that they must sell on for a maximum profit at one-off special events.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41Both our knowledgeable antiques warriors know the best way
0:23:41 > 0:23:45of raising large amounts of money is to hold charity auctions.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49James is holding his auction at an event organised by his charity.
0:23:49 > 0:23:56It's a rather swish, black-tie affair with some celebrity guests on the bill.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59I don't know whether I've picked the right things for this audience.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02I've never met most of them before in my life.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04We're here in the centre of London.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07I bought some things for those party animals like the champagne coasters.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11I bought some things for the people that love Africa like that wonderful tribal headrest.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15I'm just hoping the right people will be here on the night.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19So I've got to go in, have a quick soundcheck and then back to the hotel to get changed.
0:24:19 > 0:24:24- Well, the normally confident Lionheart sounds a little nervous. - Hi.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26I'm James. I'm the auctioneer.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28Hi. Good to see you.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32In Surrey, his rival has had a bit of a hiccup in his preparations.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35His auction was going to be a rather more intimate affair,
0:24:35 > 0:24:40but at the last second, Mr Dowling has decided that his venue isn't quite right.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43All is not lost though, because a local rector has allowed
0:24:43 > 0:24:47Curtis to use his garden free of charge to hold a garden party.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50But like his rival, he's sounding less than 100% confident.
0:24:52 > 0:24:57I'm a bit nervous now. I've never done a whole charity auction ever in my entire life.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00Finding a table at the moment seems to be harder than it looks.
0:25:03 > 0:25:08Hopefully, I've got luck on my side and a little bit of charm.
0:25:13 > 0:25:19I'm hoping the crowd that we're going to get today appreciate
0:25:19 > 0:25:20beautiful, beautiful things.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24As his guests arrive, Curtis works the room, or rather, the garden,
0:25:24 > 0:25:26trying to drum up interest in his lots.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29Come and have a browse before you start bidding, ladies and gentlemen.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32At least then, I know you've looked at these lovely items.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37For the first time this week, dealer Curtis is a little out of his comfort zone.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41By profession, he is not an auctioneer, but he's determined to win today's showdown,
0:25:41 > 0:25:46and it is time for him to get his auction garden party started.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53Ladies and gentlemen, let's start something that fits in with where we are.
0:25:53 > 0:25:58What we've got here, a beautiful Victorian common prayer book,
0:25:58 > 0:26:03in ivory with gilt fastening, in perfect condition.
0:26:03 > 0:26:08There we are, lot one, who's going to start the bidding for me at £80?
0:26:08 > 0:26:12£80, sir. Do I see £90 for that?
0:26:12 > 0:26:14It has got to be worth more than £90.
0:26:14 > 0:26:15£90 from Margaret.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17Who's going to beat Margaret? Let's see it, £100, thank you, sir.
0:26:17 > 0:26:21Anymore on £100? Who can see £110 on this for me?
0:26:21 > 0:26:24£110, going once.
0:26:24 > 0:26:30- Yes.- Thank you, sir, £110. Can I hear £120 in the room, or the garden?
0:26:30 > 0:26:35£120 anywhere? £120, sir?
0:26:35 > 0:26:36Anyone going to beat me on £120?
0:26:36 > 0:26:41£130. £140, sir?
0:26:41 > 0:26:43Any advance on £140?
0:26:43 > 0:26:47£140, going once.
0:26:47 > 0:26:52£140 - thank you very much indeed. That man needs a round of applause.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54It's a fantastic start for Mr Dowling.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57He's more than doubled his money on the prayer book,
0:26:57 > 0:27:01but can he repeat that result with his art books which cost him £20?
0:27:02 > 0:27:06£60. Thank you, madam.
0:27:06 > 0:27:11The Detective trebles his money on lot two and banks £40 worth of profit.
0:27:11 > 0:27:17Unfortunately for Curtis, his fascinating indenture wasn't to his guests' tastes,
0:27:17 > 0:27:21and sells for £75, meaning he's only broken even.
0:27:23 > 0:27:28In the capital, the Lionheart has drawn up a plan to maximise the profits on his items.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35Of all of the lots that I bought for tonight's event, I've split them up
0:27:35 > 0:27:40into different sections, eight of them are going to a main auction.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42Four of them are going to what we call a silent auction,
0:27:42 > 0:27:45and that's where people write their name, telephone number
0:27:45 > 0:27:51and the maximum bid they're prepared to go to and then one bid follows another on the piece of paper.
0:27:51 > 0:27:56I've taken one of the diamond rings out and that is in a ring raffle or what we call a diamond raffle.
0:27:56 > 0:28:02Lurking underneath this mass of ribbon and tags is that bottle of port. Remember?
0:28:02 > 0:28:08The one that came with the Georgian decanter, and what I've done, I've attached one ribbon to the top of
0:28:08 > 0:28:12the bottle and all the rest are just inside this paper cup here and the
0:28:12 > 0:28:17idea is people sign their name and write their table number on the tag.
0:28:17 > 0:28:22That costs £5 and whoever's tag is attached to the bottle wins not only
0:28:22 > 0:28:30the port, but also the wonderful Georgian decanter, so hopefully that should raise a few hundred pounds.
0:28:30 > 0:28:34So, his plans are in place, and with his guests arriving,
0:28:34 > 0:28:37it's almost time for James to get to work and to sell his items.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41You're doing the auction, aren't you? Are you nervous?
0:28:41 > 0:28:44I'm absolutely terrified.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47- Well, I'm not going to bid.- Go on!
0:28:47 > 0:28:50Yes, nice try, Lionheart.
0:28:50 > 0:28:55James has piggy-backed an event hosted by his charity and after a little wining and dining,
0:28:55 > 0:29:00it's time for him to take to the podium and to put his money where his mouth is.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04Here we go with the first of the lots we bought
0:29:04 > 0:29:09for Money Where Your Mouth Is and this is the pair of Victorian bottle coasters, silver plated.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11They were made around 1850.
0:29:11 > 0:29:16We have also got a bottle of champagne with these as a side addition for you.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18James paid £120 for the coasters,
0:29:18 > 0:29:22and a further £18 on a bottle of champagne.
0:29:22 > 0:29:27Can he make a profit on his £138 investment?
0:29:27 > 0:29:28And where shall we start the bottle coasters?
0:29:28 > 0:29:31£100 including the champagne.
0:29:31 > 0:29:36£100, £150, £200, £250, £300, £350,
0:29:36 > 0:29:42£350, £400, £450, £500, £550, £500.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45That's a fantastic start for James.
0:29:45 > 0:29:50Right in front at £500, all done
0:29:50 > 0:29:54and selling at £550, £600, £650.
0:29:54 > 0:30:01At £600, at £600 in front.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04It's yours at £600. Well done.
0:30:04 > 0:30:10£600, that's an amazing sale for Mr Lewis, he's more than tripled
0:30:10 > 0:30:15his money and made a profit of £462.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18James is hitting his stride and is introducing his second item.
0:30:18 > 0:30:22Lot two is the Ashanti stool.
0:30:22 > 0:30:26The Ashanti stool cost James £70.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28He's already bagged fabulous profits,
0:30:28 > 0:30:32but will the generous guests at the charity event dig deep again?
0:30:32 > 0:30:35And who will start at £100?
0:30:35 > 0:30:40£100 bid, £150, £50, £200, £250
0:30:40 > 0:30:46£350, £300 here and £300, at £300.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50It's worth that.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53At £300, at £300, £350 there, sir,
0:30:53 > 0:30:58£400, £450 for the Ashanti stool.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02At £450, £500 now.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05At £450 right at the front table.
0:31:05 > 0:31:06Five anywhere?
0:31:06 > 0:31:08Once, twice, third and last.
0:31:08 > 0:31:12Well done, £450.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16Before his auction began, James was worried about whether or not he had
0:31:16 > 0:31:20picked the right items, but it looks as though he's got it spot on.
0:31:20 > 0:31:26He's banked a superb £380 profit from the Ashanti stool.
0:31:26 > 0:31:33Next up is his £70 African headrest which delivers another hefty profit.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35Well done, £450.
0:31:37 > 0:31:44With the guests at James's charity auction bidding generously, it's looking good for the Lionheart.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48In Surrey, Curtis is determined to raise as much money as possible from his items
0:31:48 > 0:31:52and he's hoping the bidding on his next lot will really take off.
0:31:53 > 0:32:00It's a bronze-based spelter figure from about 1930.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03In order to make a profit, Curtis has to sell the figure for more
0:32:03 > 0:32:08- than £95.- So who's going to start me at £120 for this, please?
0:32:08 > 0:32:11£120, please. £110?
0:32:11 > 0:32:16£100, any advance on £100 for me?
0:32:16 > 0:32:18£110.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21Thank you, sir. Who's going to give me £120?
0:32:21 > 0:32:26You'd pay easily £220 if you even walked into Farnham to buy something like this.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29Sticking at £110, are we?
0:32:29 > 0:32:31Going once,
0:32:31 > 0:32:34£120, thank you, madam.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38£130, thank you, sir.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41Madam, all eyes on you.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45£130, all done?
0:32:45 > 0:32:49Thank you, sir, £130 and that's cheap at half the price.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53Curtis had to work hard for it,
0:32:53 > 0:32:57but £130 is a respectable price and adds more profit to his kitty.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01With his rival banking hundreds of pounds on his lots, I think
0:33:01 > 0:33:05it's fair to say that Curtis is unlikely to win today's contest,
0:33:05 > 0:33:11but he's doing everything he can to raise as much money as possible for his charity.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14Next up is his collection of classic Wedgwood Jasperware.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18£80, thank you very much indeed.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22Sold, that's five sales out of five for Mr Dowling, he has almost
0:33:22 > 0:33:27doubled his money on the Jasperware and banked a profit of £35.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33At his event, James's Tang Dynasty Chinese terracotta figure is up for sale.
0:33:35 > 0:33:40£200, £200 bid, at £200. Three anywhere? At three.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44Four, five, six, six either of you?
0:33:44 > 0:33:46Six, sir, six.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49The bidding has flown to £600.
0:33:49 > 0:33:54The figure cost Mr Lewis £70 and it looks as though he is going to make a fantastic profit.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56Do you want seven? Seven.
0:33:56 > 0:34:0250, £800, £850,
0:34:02 > 0:34:05£900, £900. £1,000 rounded up.
0:34:05 > 0:34:10£1,000 bid and £50, £1,050, £1,100?
0:34:10 > 0:34:14£1,100, do I see?
0:34:14 > 0:34:17£1,050, table 24,
0:34:17 > 0:34:23It's going once, twice and at £1,050, it's yours, well done.
0:34:23 > 0:34:28The bidders in James's charity auction are doing him proud.
0:34:28 > 0:34:33The Tang Dynasty figure has just banked him an eye-watering £980 profit.
0:34:33 > 0:34:39It's a stunning sale, and he's racking up big money in today's Showdown Challenge.
0:34:39 > 0:34:43Both experts were allowed to spend up to £1,000 of their own money
0:34:43 > 0:34:44on their showdown events.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47At his garden party in Surrey,
0:34:47 > 0:34:53Curtis has sold five items for £485 and made profits of £185.
0:34:53 > 0:35:00His rival on the other hand, has sold four lots for the amazing sum
0:35:00 > 0:35:06of £2,550 and made an incredible profit of over £2,200.
0:35:06 > 0:35:12With the Lionheart doing what he does best, the money is pouring into his profit pot.
0:35:12 > 0:35:16£50, yes.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19Come on!
0:35:19 > 0:35:22One more and I won't ask you again.
0:35:22 > 0:35:26Next up is his Victorian scent bottle which cost him £70.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29£100 bid, £120 now,
0:35:29 > 0:35:32at £120, do I see, is that all?
0:35:32 > 0:35:36At £120, £150, £180,
0:35:36 > 0:35:38£200, £200 at the back.
0:35:38 > 0:35:44At £180 here, in the pink at £180, £200 where?
0:35:44 > 0:35:49£200, sir, £250, £300, £300, sir.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52Front table here now. £300.
0:35:52 > 0:35:57£350, at £300, with you at table 20,
0:35:57 > 0:36:01at £300, going once, going twice,
0:36:01 > 0:36:05third, last time at £300.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08- Well done, table 20. - £300 is more than four times what
0:36:08 > 0:36:12James paid for the scent bottle and he's banked £230 worth of profit.
0:36:12 > 0:36:17He's on a real roll and banks another £546 from the sale of
0:36:17 > 0:36:21the boxing gloves that will be personalised by Henry Cooper.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24£550, well done.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29At his garden party, Curtis might not be banking
0:36:29 > 0:36:33the profits that his rival is, but he's working hard to make as much money as possible
0:36:33 > 0:36:37for his good cause, and he's about to auction off the last of his six items.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41It's the red leather desk set which set him back £175.
0:36:41 > 0:36:46That brings us on to our rather lovely desk set.
0:36:46 > 0:36:48It's immaculate, isn't it?
0:36:48 > 0:36:51It really is immaculate.
0:36:51 > 0:36:56This, I think, is definitely the star lot and I would hang on to it myself.
0:36:56 > 0:37:00So, who is going to start me at £250 for this, please?
0:37:00 > 0:37:04£240? £240, thank you, sir.
0:37:04 > 0:37:11Any advance on £240? £260 in the corner, sir, £270, £270, thank you.
0:37:11 > 0:37:16Madam, you've got to say £280 now.
0:37:16 > 0:37:20£280 with you, sir. £290?
0:37:20 > 0:37:24Don't get beaten. This is lovely!
0:37:24 > 0:37:27£290?
0:37:27 > 0:37:32Three, sir? £300.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35£310? With you sir at £300.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39Any advance on £300? £300, going once, going twice.
0:37:39 > 0:37:41Thank you, sir, £300.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44Well, he saved the best to last.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47The red leather writing set sells for £300, giving Curtis his biggest
0:37:47 > 0:37:51profit and the Detective is now all sold up.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55In the capital, James is coming to the end of his auction.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58He has made some amazing profits, but our auctioneer is in his element
0:37:58 > 0:38:03and is determined to maximise the profits from his remaining lots.
0:38:03 > 0:38:09First up is the more expensive of his two diamonds rings, which cost him £300.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11Let's start then at £500.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13£500? £500 bid.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16£600 in the corner. £700 where?
0:38:16 > 0:38:23At £600, £700 now? £700, it's worth three times that, £700, £800, sir?
0:38:23 > 0:38:27At £700, for the diamond ring.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29£750. £800.
0:38:29 > 0:38:33£850. It's worth it. Come on.
0:38:33 > 0:38:39Selling once, twice, third and last time,
0:38:39 > 0:38:42right at the front at £800.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45Well done, table 21.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47Once again, James' bidders dug deep.
0:38:47 > 0:38:54One lucky lady is going home with a very nice diamond ring, and Mr Lewis banked another £500 of profit.
0:38:54 > 0:39:02Lot 8 is probably the most unusual lot of tonight's auction.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04This is an amazing lot.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07It's Tibetan. It's 19th-century.
0:39:07 > 0:39:11The dagger is James's last lot and it cost him just £10.
0:39:11 > 0:39:15Let's start it £100?
0:39:16 > 0:39:21£100 bid at one. £150, £150, £200, £200 where?
0:39:21 > 0:39:28£300 in the red, £350, £350, yes?
0:39:28 > 0:39:33£350, £400, £400, do I see? At £350.
0:39:33 > 0:39:38The price has rocketed to £400, but the bidders aren't done yet.
0:39:38 > 0:39:43To the left, at £420, £450, sir? Yes?
0:39:43 > 0:39:51Go on! £450? £450, well done, at £500, do I see now?
0:39:51 > 0:39:56At £450, to the left and selling for the first, second,
0:39:56 > 0:40:00third and last time. £450. Well done.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04That's another incredible result for the Lionheart, thanks to his skill
0:40:04 > 0:40:06in picking some fascinating items
0:40:06 > 0:40:13and the generosity of his bidders, he's banked thousands of pounds and he is most definitely a happy man.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16Well, the auction is finished and what a night!
0:40:16 > 0:40:18That has been one heck of an auction.
0:40:18 > 0:40:23It's done brilliantly well and you know sometimes you can be on that rostrum for hours, and when you
0:40:23 > 0:40:29come off it, if the auction has done well, as it has tonight, you're not shattered, you're still on a buzz.
0:40:29 > 0:40:30And that's how I feel tonight.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33James has got every right to be on a high.
0:40:33 > 0:40:37We'll find out shortly how much he raised from his silent auction and his two raffles,
0:40:37 > 0:40:44because it's now time to tot up the totals and find out how much our dynamic duo have made.
0:40:44 > 0:40:48Both Curtis and James were allowed to spend up to £1,000
0:40:48 > 0:40:50of their own money on the showdown events.
0:40:50 > 0:40:56Curtis spent £475 for the items for his garden party.
0:40:56 > 0:41:00James, on the other hand, splashed out £997.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04Both our experts have worked hard to raise as much money as possible
0:41:04 > 0:41:09and every penny they make will be going to their chosen good causes.
0:41:09 > 0:41:16It's time now for the talking to stop, as we reveal just how much James and Curtis have made.
0:41:16 > 0:41:17- Mr Lewis.- Curtis, how are you?
0:41:17 > 0:41:19- I'm very good.- Great to see you.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22- Great to see you, sir.- Well, big day.
0:41:22 > 0:41:27- Yes. Showdown.- Yes. So how did it go?
0:41:27 > 0:41:32Not as well as expected. I tried to follow in your huge footsteps and I did an auction.
0:41:32 > 0:41:40Yes. I think we've all got a degree in hindsight, I will be leaving auctioneering to you from now on.
0:41:40 > 0:41:45Whether you've beaten me or not, I don't mind. Well, I do mind!
0:41:45 > 0:41:47Because if you've beaten me at an auction...
0:41:47 > 0:41:52I'll tell you what, if I've beaten you, I'll donate the whole money myself!
0:41:54 > 0:41:56- Right.- OK.
0:41:56 > 0:41:57I just need to see this now.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59I just need to see what this is.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03- Three...- Two...- One...- Go!
0:42:03 > 0:42:09- No!- Oh, my life!- How on earth can you make £310 at a charity auction?
0:42:09 > 0:42:11By getting it wrong.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13Well at least the Detective is honest.
0:42:13 > 0:42:17James got his event spot on.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20In addition to the money he made from his auction,
0:42:20 > 0:42:23he also banked a combined sum of £2,242
0:42:23 > 0:42:27- from his silent auction and his two raffles.- A round of applause.
0:42:27 > 0:42:31Our experts have been battling against each other all week in
0:42:31 > 0:42:35the quest for profits, and it's time to find out how much they've made.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38Well, shall we find out our total profits for the week?
0:42:38 > 0:42:42- No matter what it is, it's been fun. - It has. Three!- Two!- One!- Go!
0:42:45 > 0:42:46Look at that!
0:42:46 > 0:42:49What an auction god you are.
0:42:49 > 0:42:55- Oh, Curtis.- So, it's a comprehensive victory for the Lionheart, but both
0:42:55 > 0:43:02our experts made good profits and every penny they've made will be going to their chosen charities.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05Ace Africa have a very small little orphanage in Kenya,
0:43:05 > 0:43:07and that will make a massive difference.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10What a way to finish. Brilliant.
0:43:10 > 0:43:13The charity I've chosen is Disability Challenges down in Surrey.
0:43:13 > 0:43:17They're a fairly small charity and money like this will go an awfully long way.
0:43:17 > 0:43:19Third and last time.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22Well, after a week of no holds barred combat, both our experts
0:43:22 > 0:43:24have put their money where their mouths are, and proved
0:43:24 > 0:43:30they've got what it takes to make profits from antiques when their own money is on the line.
0:43:36 > 0:43:39Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:39 > 0:43:42E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk