Eric Knowles v James Braxton - 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.'

-Whey-hey!

-'And gives you the insider's view of the trade.'

-I'm on the case.

-Whee-hee!

-'Each week, one pair of duelling dealers

'will face a different daily challenge.'

-I'm a cheeky chancer.

-'Lovely!

'Putting their reputations on the line

'and giving you top tips and savvy secrets

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

-Let's go and spend some money.

-Get in there!

'Today, in our terrific tussle for profit,

'that luminous living legend from Lancashire, Eric Knowles,

'does battle with the bartering brilliance of James Braxton.

'Coming up, Eric tries seduction as a way of getting reduction.'

I've never said this to a lady before,

but I want you to lead me into temptation, OK?

'James gets into risky business.'

But it's unmarked, no maker's mark, so a bit of jeopardy here.

'And one expert learns that bubble wrap doesn't always protect your prized possessions.'

Well, it is translucent but... Whoops.

'This is Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.

'Well, shiver me timbers, there's trouble to starboard. Arrrr!

'As our pirate princes of profit grab their cutlasses

'and prepare for a seafaring skirmish full of skulduggery.

'Today, two terrifying but tremendous traders will try to triumph

'in a stormy sea of sales. Ha-harr!

'Standing bravely at the bridge, it's Captain Eric Knocker Knowles,

'a veteran vagabond of valuations

'who will put fear into any foe.'

E Knowles. Hey, you don't know who you're dealing with.

'And on the poop deck, James Bingo Braxton.

'He's a bold bargaining brigand

'determined to do battle to the bitter end.'

What more could you ask for?

'These two have boarded their vessels and voyaged to Ardingly Antiques Fair in East Sussex

'where they will deploy their nautical knowhow

'in an epic battle for the biggest bargains that bring the highest dividends.

'They've each got £750 of their own money to splash out

'and all the profit goes to their chosen charities.

'Who will be flying the flag of victory and who will be walking the plank?

'Eric Knowles and James Braxton,

'it's time to put your money where your mouth is.'

-Mr Bingo Braxton, well met!

-Hello, Eric.

-On a very wet day here at Ardingly.

-It is, isn't it?

I've got £750 to spend,

-and yourself.

-Me, too.

Come on, spill the beans, what's your strategy?

-I do have a penchant for garden furniture.

-OK.

And it is not exactly the weather for it,

but it may be the weather for a decent price.

Oh, that's forward thinking, because that's my strategy.

Forward thinking. I'm going to look at them and think,

"Well, before I buy it, who on earth am I going to sell it to?"

So that's the theory.

-Pearls of wisdom.

-Well, let's put it into practice.

-Bonne chance, as they say.

-Bonne chance. Good luck.

'So, with the pleasantries over,

'the true plundering nature of our predatory pirates can come to the fore.

'It's all aboard the Jolly Roger

'as we away the anchor and set sail on the high seas in search of treasure.

'Each of our brilliant buccaneering buyers has a plan

'to outwit the other and be first to arrive

'where X marks the spot.'

What I'm trying to do is find objects where I'm one step ahead,

looking at me doing a sale before I've even bought it.

So, erm, it's wonderful in theory

but when it comes to practice, that's another game.

My strategy has always been to buy what I would like to own

and I've really never considered to whom I'm going to sell it to.

I think Eric's advice is very wise. He's an old hand at this.

Anyway, today I'm going to stay inside.

It is really coming down. Lovely weather for farmers and gardeners

but not great for outside work.

'So, buying to order or buying what you like?

'Who will be triumphant with their tactics?

'Profit is all that counts, and Captain Eric is the first to cast his net

'into the shark-infested waters of the dealing floor

'as he spies a coastal view watercolour.'

Dare I ask, I'm only going to ask you the one time, what is the best price on that?

The best price would have to be 25 quid.

25 quid. OK.

Well, it needs a bit of work. The frame's awful.

So I'm going to have to spend a bit of money on it, but for £25, I'm going to buy it.

I bought it because it's a sea view. I love anything with a sea view.

I know where it is. Lynmouth, Devon.

It needs a lot of work spending on it.

But at 25 quid, I wasn't going to say no.

And once that's tidied up,

hopefully I can find a private buyer

in that part of Devon

which is featured in this wonderful watercolour.

'So, first blood to Eric. And with the wind in his sails,

'the veteran is bang-on strategy, buying with customers in mind.

'Able seaman Bingo Braxton is matching the maestro

'and has also made a move on a picture.'

Poor old watercolour has been rather unfashionable for some time,

but I love them. It's a lovely architectural study.

House possibly northwest, Cheshire, somewhere like that, maybe possibly Staffordshire.

Here's the artist, Ernest Parkman.

He seems to ring a bell with me, but I'll need to get back to my book and find out.

I bought it for 80. Who knows how much money I'll get?

'So, Bingo lands his first blow with the architectural study.

'But rival Eric is quick to respond.

'He's swooped to plunder a purchase and it's an old Knocker favourite, a ceramics piece.'

OK, £85,

-for better or for worse...

-Best of luck.

Thank you. Thank you very much indeed.

'Yes, Knocker loves a bit of old pottery.

'But will it make him a prize-winning profit?'

Well, this has to be what you might call

your quintessential English bone china at its best.

Well, certainly as far as 1903 was concerned,

when this Royal Crown Derby oval dish was painted.

Not signed but very much in the manner of one of their top artists,

a man called Cuthbert Gresley.

I think, for £85,

that was money well spent.

'So it's full steam ahead for Eric as he gets into his fighting groove.

'But could James scuttle him as his eye is taken with some traditional early 19th century chairs?'

Here we are. We've got three rather nice chairs here.

Nice sort of pared down. It's a sort of stylised wheat sheaf here. A sign of plenty.

So this is by... probably taken after Hepplewhite,

so pared down, country Hepplewhite.

The only thing I'm slightly worried about, it's got a few nails poking through.

But this sort of thing is quite popular for country pubs and the like.

You've got a nice pair here. Let's find out the price.

Erm... hello. Hello.

-I'm James.

-Sarah.

-Hello, nice to meet you.

-Now, come and...

-Do you want these chairs?

-Yeah, I quite like them.

-And how much have you got on these?

-We've got 120 on the three.

120 on the three. What about £30 a chair? How does that sound?

I could go to 100 for the three.

-Sarah, I'll take all three.

-Great, £100.

-Done.

-Fantastic.

There we are, £100.

'It's knock-about stuff as Mr Braxton barters his way to a comfortable deal

'and puts himself back at the helm.

'But will Mr Knowles scent the danger?'

If you can smell anything on your smellivision at home,

it's a burning smell cos it's the money in my pocket that's burning.

I'm desperate to spend and to spend a sizable amount,

because I've got a lot left to spend

and I need to get it spent in very quick time.

'Yes, he's a fearsome fighter and desperate to win.

'But James is hoping to fan the flames himself

'as he decides to go against his strategy

'and brave the battering rain and gale-force winds in search of the best buy.'

# Rain

# Feel it on my fingertips

# Hear it on the windowpane

# Your love's coming down like rain #

If Eric's got any sense, he's stayed inside.

It is very cold out here.

There's a lovely east wind zipping along

and all these poor people have been rained on since 3:30 in the morning.

'Despite his indomitable chirpiness, our courageous collector is forced to admit defeat.'

Anyway, I'm heading back inside.

'Without finding anything to buy, James?

'And yes, you're right, your rival Eric has indeed had the good sense to stay inside

'and has pounced on more of his precious pottery.

'This time it's a biscuit barrel.'

This is Poole pottery. It dates probably to around about 1960

or maybe as late as 1970.

But, you know, when you look at it, you almost forget it's a biscuit barrel.

Look at the design on that. That is entirely hand-painted.

And I've just bought that for £20!

And what's nice is, you turn it upside down and look,

everything you need to know is on there.

Poole pottery, made in England.

I don't know about you, but I like my pots to be British.

Now, call me old-fashioned, call me jingoistic,

but remember, never call me late for breakfast.

'What about calling you Captain Eric, the pluckiest pottery pirate of them all?

'As the rain pours and the wind howls,

'let's go below deck and see how both our pillaging purchasers are faring.

'Both our marauding mariners started the day with a stash of £750.

'That salty old sea dog Eric Knowles has nabbed three buys for £130

'and has £620 remaining.

'Long James Silver Braxton has made two purchases,

'spending £180,

'leaving £570 to spend.

'Time for our rollicking ransackers to rendezvous and review each other's progress.'

-How are you doing?

-Is it easy?

Erm, well, I've managed to buy a few bits, but they are bits.

-I'm not going to give too much away.

-Me, too. A few.

-Yes.

I have ventured outside and it is very wet under foot.

-Have you done your cruising?

-No, I haven't.

-Have you got the top down?

-No, I didn't.

-Do you have the Beach Boys blaring away?

-I didn't.

-HE LAUGHS

It was just very wet under foot. And poor people.

-I don't want to cramp your style.

-No, I'll leave you.

-I've done a quick tour of this hall.

-Yes.

So I'm going to try and find something big and beefy.

-Go for it. Big and beefy.

-Good luck.

Doesn't sound very healthy, that, does it, looking for something big and beefy?

But I'm sure... No, I'm not even going to go there.

'Yes, and neither are we. Our haggling heavyweights are being a little bit reticent with each other.

'Mum's the word. But back to work, the prince of porcelain is attracted

'by the allure of yet more ceramic treasure.'

I'm tempted by a Denby vase

which is quite academic,

but it's a good form and it's by an obscure Derby sculptor

who only worked there for a three-year period.

And there aren't many people who know this woman's name.

So that's not a good selling point.

But it is a good shape and it is a good form and I'm tempted.

'Can Knocker use his powers of seduction to secure another super deal?'

I want you to... Now, I've never said this to a lady before,

-but I want you to lead me into temptation. OK?

-Go on.

Because I am really tempted, although I know nothing about this girl, I know a good pot when I see one.

But it's the price. What can we do?

-What about £105?

-£105.

Erm... At £105, I'm going to give that a go.

-Are you?

-Yeah, I'm going to give it a go and say thank you.

'Eric lands the vase, turning the heat up another notch in today's contest.

'But Bingo is quick to retaliate as he takes a punt on an old racing pencil.

'Although he's not totally certain of the odds on it being a winner.'

Look at this item. It's a pencil

and it would've been on a fob at the end of your watch chain.

So you would've had your watch here if you're left-handed, if you're right-handed, your watch there,

and then you'd have your chain looped around your ample tummy in your waistcoat,

and in the other waistcoat pocket, you would have this.

And this would be your racing pencil.

It's a nice item. Everything tells me about this item

that it's silver, but it has no hallmarking at all.

It should be made by Samson Morden, a famous luxury goods maker,

at the turn of the century, around 1900.

But it's unmarked, no maker's mark, so bit of jeopardy here.

And I've paid £50 for it.

That's quite a lot to risk when it may turn out to be only plated.

'So, James is hoping that all that glitters turns out to be solid silver.

'As the battle between our two giants of the antiques world nears boiling point,

'it's Eric who's starting to sweat.'

Quite a few of the stallholders are voting with their feet

because it's been a bit of a dreary, wet day

and some of them have simply had enough.

So they're packing up.

'But there's no need to panic just yet

'as Knocker quickly snaps up an early 20th century German Lurtz vase

'for £125.'

I'd be daft not to say yes, wouldn't I?

'And it appears that the items on this stall are like manna from heaven for Eric,

'as his eye is drawn to another vase.

'This time it's one that's been made in the last 20 years.'

Who is this by? It caught my eye. I just thought it was stylish.

A Murano firm called Scavion.

-And how much is that?

-Er, 120 is the best on that.

OK. Well, listen, I'll do some thinking.

-90 quid.

-OK, 90 quid, you've got a sale. We'll have a punt on that.

Hey, listen, in for a penny, in for a pound.

It's such a lovely, stylish piece.

I love pots and I love glass

because these are handmade things.

You'll never get one identical to that.

They're not made by machines, they're made by human beings.

And, erm, it's just such a fantastic design.

'Eric is made up about his modern piece of Murano glass,

'although it seems that Knocker has pirated James's plan

'of purchasing what he likes rather than buying to order.

'Bingo, though, is sticking to his strategy like glue.'

I wonder how old Knocker's doing.

I thought at the beginning I was going to take a leaf out of his book

and only buy things with a future buyer in mind.

So far, I've stuck very solidly to my own strategy,

ie, buying items I like.

'Well, James is still steering a straight course, hoping he's plotted his way to victory.

'But he'll need to pick up a bit more booty if he's to win

'because Eric has powered his way to yet another purchase.

'It cost £75.'

Now, I've sold plenty of Masonic commemorative glassware over the years,

but I have to say, I've never had a glass quite like this.

So we are talking around about 1930,

probably made by a firm called Stuart in the Stourbridge area.

It's quality, it's the sort of thing that I'm hoping to sell

to somebody who would describe themselves as being on the square.

And the great thing is, they're going to be sold it by somebody who, in my case,

may not be on the square but is always on the level.

'As Eric continues his trawl indoors,

'James ventures back outside into the eye of the storm.

'He's hoping for a good deal after spotting some garden furniture

'priced up at £100.'

I tell you what, they are very comfortable.

This man's going to sell them to me, isn't he? He's very...

There we are. That's what I want, client service.

Lovely! Ooh, very comfy.

So, 100 quid for the lot.

Could you help me just a tiny bit? 95? That's all I'm asking.

Thank you very much indeed. Thank you.

'Yes, avast, you landlubbers! With one swipe of his spending cutlass,

'James adds the garden table and chairs to his haul

'and heads back inside to face down the enemy.'

Come on, Knocker, you're looking all silvery on me.

Are you a bit at sea here? I know it's wet, but it ain't that wet.

'In fact, our Eric's kept dry

'and cleverly navigated his way to a final piece of treasure.

'And Knocker's nothing if predictable. It's pottery ahoy.'

I'm going to buy this wall plate.

It's designed by Charlotte Rhead.

She's often seen as one of the three big names in the 1920s, 1930s.

One of the pottery girls. Clarice Cliff, Susie Cooper, Charlotte Rhead.

So at £65, I'm going to take it home.

And I'm going to struggle to sell it for the simple reason... I want to keep it.

'Yes, but that's not the idea, Captain Knowles, or you'll be walking the plank.

'Across the room, Bingo's bravely battling back,

'first with another picture perfect buy,

'a Victorian child's portrait for £70,

'then casting his net one last time, snaring something that really catches his eye.'

Hello! Hello.

I'm just admiring your lovely little copper dish here.

-One rupee.

-Yes.

-How much?

-Tenner.

-Tenner?

-Yes.

This is real power. This is Edward VII

and it says "king and emperor." I think it's rather nice.

-Never to be repeated. Tenner, is that OK?

-I will give you a tenner.

OK, sir. Let me wrap it up for you.

-Thank you. Gift-wrapped, as well.

-I always wrap things up.

Gift-wrapped, as well, for a tenner.

A very nice item. I've always been quite keen on Edward VII.

He was quite a benign monarch.

But I quite like laissez-faire government.

He allowed everything and nothing was expected of him.

He was a playboy prince who became a playboy king.

Everything happened during his rein.

So it's a fascinating item. Lovely bit of copper.

-I like the one rupee. And there's your tenner.

-Thank you, sir.

'Our daring dealers have braved the brutal elements today,

'but the sun is past the yardarm and it's time to baton down the hatches and turn in for the night.

'But before we do that, there's time to see what our savvy swashbuckling sailors

'have managed to bring back to shore.

'Both our plundering pirates started the day with 750 pieces of eight,

'or pounds, as we call them. Nautical Knocker Knowles

'has battled his way to eight buys and spent £590.

'Which is more than jaunty James Braxton,

'who jostled his way to six purchases, shelling out £405.

'But all that's important now is who will escape with the most profit.

'It's all to play for as these two jolly Jacktars take stock of each other's spoils.'

Well, I've got to say that your strategy seems to have turned up trumps,

because you said garden furniture and you've got your garden furniture.

-Yep. Delivery is my name.

-Bit lurid, that green. I hope you don't mind me saying that.

-It is.

It's sort of Wimbledon green. I'm going to transform it.

I'm going to do a sort of fashion experiment

and it's going to be a sort of chalky blue,

just right for Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. Perfect.

But I rather like this. Big, beefy. You can see I've come from a culture of regional salerooms.

-You do, yes.

-So it's like a general sale on my side.

And then here we move to the ceramics department.

We do move to ceramics, and quite a cross-section.

-Not just ceramics but glass, as well.

-Yeah.

I'm fascinated by that fellow. What's that?

Well, I've got to do my homework, but it's Italian.

-I just think it's so stylish that I had to have it.

-It is.

But anyway, I think given the fact that we've been up against the elements today, have we not,

let's not mince words, it's been a slog, hasn't it?

-It has been a slog.

-Let's slog home, shall we?

-Let's get packed up.

-Pack up and away.

-And let's head back to the bosom of our families.

'Well, our two pirates of profit have no chance for family time now

'as there's booty to sell and deals to be done.

'They now retreat to their own respective corners of the country

'to drop anchor and shiver their timbers into action.

'This is where we sort the captains from the cabin boys

'and our salty seafarers must baton down their hatches because they're in for a stormy passage.'

-Oh, good morning.

-'They're armed with some of the finest contacts in the antiques universe

'and must use them wisely to set up some superb sales.

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

'no deal is ever sealed.'

I'll see you. I've got your address.

'Our Eric brings his booty back to his country home in Buckinghamshire.'

I'm in my comfort zone with all but one,

and that is this vase,

because I switch off in 1939.

Should date from the 1950s, 1960s,

although this one I'm convinced has been made in the last 20 years.

Now, as for my blue vase, well, I don't mind admitting it was virtual love at first sight.

What a great shape. What a great glaze.

I've got my Royal Crown Derby dish.

I'm convinced it's painted by a man called Cuthbert Gresley

and he's a blue-chip decorator.

Outside that area, the best Charlotte Rhead dish that I've seen ever.

Not bad for a day's work.

'Eric must also sell the early 20th century Austrian Lurtz vase,

'the 1930s Masonic engraved glass,

'the 1960s Poole pottery biscuit barrel

'and the 1910 watercolour of a Devon coastal landscape.

'The sovereign of East Sussex returns to Bingo HQ

'brimming with bargains.'

Now, the things I bought I bought because I like them

rather than thinking about the people who would actually buy them.

So a rather nice architectural watercolour here.

I think it's Stratford-upon-Avon, that sort of area,

maybe Shakespeare country, that fellow.

And then another picture, a rather sentimental picture

of a young girl holding a daisy chain.

That needs a light clean and it'll be a very different picture.

I've got a very nice copper tray

inset with the one rupee, the Indian rupee coin.

I'll be able to polish that up and it'll look a very nice, warm red.

And then this fellow, the racing pencil. This is my problem purchase.

Has all the design features of the great luxury goods maker Samson Morden.

A rather nice reeded barrel here and then you just move the collar out

and it's a very nice telescopic action there.

And my garden chairs. They need painting. They're a sort of Wimbledon green at the moment.

We're going to give them a sort of Gloucestershire blue.

Let's see if they'll sell slightly better being repainted.

'Hm, sounds like James has a lot of work to do.

'But he's ahead of the game because he's already sold the three dining chairs that cost him £100.

'He took them to David, a local farmer that he knows.'

I've got a pair here, but poor old runty has a problem.

He has a slightly more decorative wheat sheaf back but he's missing that stretcher.

But he's got an mahogany seat, these two have got rather nice elm seats.

They're a classic country Hepplewhite design.

I think this is probably elm, as well. So it's got some lovely country woods.

They've already done 200 years very good service.

I don't see why they can't go on to do at least another 50.

Now, David, princely sum of £40 a chair.

I think that's not bad, actually.

-Do you like the sound of that?

-Yeah, I do like the sound of that, James.

Good. I like your style. Thank you very much indeed, David.

-£120.

-Yes.

-Thank you.

'So our dapper dealer takes an early lead.

'The chairs bring in a profit of £20.

'But our Lancashire lad soon springs into action.

'He's sailed across to Staffordshire and he has high hopes.'

Now, I'm in Stoke-on-Trent, home to some of the finest pottery manufacturers in the entire world,

where I've got to say, Stoke-on-Trent, you don't always have a monopoly,

cos there on the south coast is a very special pottery

and it just happens to be in Poole.

And I'm going to meet somebody who used to be one of the great luminaries of that particular outfit.

'The biscuit barrel cost Eric £20.'

Anita Harris, in Poole pottery collector's language,

is a deity,

because Anita, you were a chief designer at Poole pottery down there on the south coast for...

Er, 10 years. '92 to 2002.

-I've brought a little bit of Poole with me.

-Mm!

You've seen a few bits in your time. This is more the sort of traditional type of stuff.

It is, yeah. This is a beautiful example.

-It's a very nicely painted piece.

-Well, it's in mint condition.

There are some marks on the base.

-They're so small, I couldn't make them out.

-And the lid.

Anything with a lid, always the lid is signed, as well.

I can't actually... It's not quite legible.

-When I saw that, I promise you, your face just came into mind.

-Oh, Eric!

It did, as well. Well, let's do this, come on.

-We'll do a little bit of arm wrestling.

-Right, OK.

I start off at £50 and you say...

-Go on, do that again.

-I absolutely love it

but, you know, erm...

-I could offer you 40 for it.

-40? HE GROANS

-Have I got you?

-Agh! OK, 40 quid it is.

-OK. Deal.

-You see, you don't haggle with these people,

you just say, "Thank you, Anita."

'Arm wrestling a lady, Knocker?

'Anita may have won, but Eric doubles his money.

'A profit of £20. And that puts him neck and neck with Bingo.

'But Eric's not quite finished in Stoke.

'He sells his Charlotte Rhead wall plaque to Anita's business partner, Sam.

'She pays £95,

'giving Knocker another profit. This time it's £30.

'Back at Bingo Towers, James has changed focus.

'He's polishing up his early 20th century colonial ashtray.

'After a good bit of elbow grease, he charts a course for the market

'in nearby Hailsham where he's meeting stallholder Jeremy.'

Obviously, as you can see, it's a copper fellow.

And if we turn it over here, this is a silver coin.

Indian rupee, 1907. The thing I like about this,

although it's copper, the silversmith, who is called Hamilton,

Hamilton's of Calcutta, he stamped it.

Isn't that unusual. And Hamilton's, interestingly, they moved.

They were English silversmiths, moved out to Calcutta

in Regency period, in 1808,

and they got a licence to trade

from the all-powerful East India Company.

-I know that very well.

-It was that huge trading company, wasn't it?

I like the bit of metal on there. It's not over-worn, which is nice.

-It's inset correctly, I think. It feels nice and heavy.

-It does. Reassuring.

I don't know, what is it, £30, £40, something like that?

-What...

-It looks like a nice £25 coin to me.

-Could you do 30, Jeremy?

-27.50?

-27.50. I'm not going to argue.

-Put it there, James.

-Thank you.

I've got a nice piece. I like this a lot.

'Yes, good work. James nearly trebles his investment

'and heads home with a profit of £17.50.

'And he soon draws a deal out of his mechanical pencil from 1900.

'He's discovered that, as thought, it is made by the luxury brand Samson Morden

'and it is silver. He sells it to Joe,

-'an interior designer that he knows.'

-For you.

-Thank you, thank you.

'Joe pays £65 for the pencil,

'giving James a profit of £15.

'And that puts Bingo slightly ahead of old Knocker.

'But Eric is back on the hunt for profit, this time to Derbyshire.

'He's taken his blue Denby vase back to the very pottery where it was made.

'And he's meeting museum curator Linda.'

Well, this is a particularly good example,

because we've got Alice Teichner's initials.

Alice came to Denby in 1936.

She was born in Vienna,

and sadly, she felt she was being persecuted in Austria.

She was of Jewish origin. So she came to work for Denby

and she stayed with us till about 1943

when, unfortunately, because of the war restrictions,

the coloured glaze stains ran out.

So she couldn't be creative.

So it goes without saying that you haven't got one

-in your collection.

-We haven't, no.

Hm. I want you to have it.

I never haggle with museums.

I try and offer what I consider to be a fair price.

And in this case, I would like £200.

-Is it a yes?

-It's a yes.

-It's a yes. OK.

-It's got to be.

-OK.

Erm, well, if I can just take it back for a moment and say...

-Goodbye, darling. It was short and brief but it was wonderful.

-Thank you, Eric.

'Yes, the pottery spins another premium profit.

'This time it's £95.

'And Eric continues to ride the wave.

'He sells the early 20th century Royal Crown Derby dessert dish

'to an antique shop in Worcester.

'The owner pays £90, giving Eric a profit of £5.

'And with that, we reach the midway point of this stellar sell-off.

'Let's see which of our ship's captains is riding the waves

'and who's in danger of getting holed below the waterline.

'Eric Knocker Knowles has sold four items so far

'and is sitting on a profit of £150.

'And even though James Bingo Braxton took an early lead,

'his three sales have made a profit of just £52.50.

'James needs to up his game and quickly,

'so he focuses all his energy on the £70 unsigned picture of the little girl.

'And he finds a potential buyer in Tenterden in Kent.'

When I bought this fellow at the antiques fair,

I thought everybody was going to like it.

But I've found few takers up until now.

Let's hope I can sell it here in Kent.

-Hello.

-Morning.

'James has arranged to meet Pamela, who runs an antique shop.'

What I loved about this was the frame, really, caught my eye.

-Right.

-Girl with daisy chain.

-It's got a bit of damage there.

-It's got a bit of damage.

-It's been scuffed there. It's a shame it's right there, isn't it?

-Mm.

-You'll make it worse.

-No, I just...

-THEY LAUGH

-You might find a masterpiece underneath.

-It's got layers of nicotine on it, hasn't it?

-Yeah.

I can see it. That'll come up quite brightly.

And she's got great eyes.

And she's got those... My wife always calls them elastic-band arms.

-You know...

-Chubby.

-Chubby little arms, aren't they?

She is quite sweet, but what did you want for it?

I wanted to sell it for just under £100.

Because I thought you were getting quite a lot for that.

I thought you were getting a great frame.

You've still got most of the gilding, all the important gilding,

the gilding that your eye alights on. I know there are losses round here.

It's the cost of the cleaning, whether I sell it as it is or whether I have it...

-I think it just needs a light clean.

-Yeah.

I would say about £80.

Could you say 85?

-Come on!

-Go on, then.

85. We've got a deal.

I'm rather pleased to see the back of her.

-I'll find a signature under there.

-Yeah. Well, that's your bonus.

-You're allowed to do that.

-THEY LAUGH

'Well, not quite what James was hoping for,

'but a profit nonetheless. £15.

'But there's still a long way to go to catch up with Eric

'who's lined up his next potential sale in Worcester.

'He's at the Masonic buildings with his glass that cost £75.

'The lodge has masses of Masonic glassware in its museum and Eric's meeting curator John.'

Well, I have to say, John, that you have got one incredible collection.

Most of these are ceremonial. They're produced for special events.

But the engraving on them is wonderful. All the symbolism. Freemasonry is all about symbolism.

Well, I've brought along a meaningful glass that you've seen an image of.

This dates to probably around about 1925 or 1930.

So it might come under the heading of Art Deco.

It's bigger than I thought it was.

But the good news, Eric, is that it is Masonic, so you've come to the right place.

We've got the square and compasses there, which is the well-known symbol of Freemasonry.

I'm convinced that it's by Stuart, who are up the road in Stourbridge.

-What sort of price were you thinking?

-I was looking around the £200 mark.

-I've seen this design before.

-Yes.

In fact, we've got six of them over there, but they're slightly smaller.

I was thinking more of 130ish, something like that.

If we can go to 150, I can see that nestling very nicely and snugly

-between the other six.

-Shall we put it there and see what it looks like

-and then we'll settle on a price?

-OK, all right. Let's just make sure you're happy.

-Look at that.

-That's right.

-It's mum and she's back where she belongs.

-Back with her little ones.

-£150.

-150.

-You're a star.

'And John is delighted. At £150, Eric doubles his money.

'The glass makes a profit of £75.

'Eric knocks off another sale when he puts his watercolour of a Devon landscape into a local auction.

'It sells for £40, and after commission,

'he pockets a profit of £8.

'The good ship Eric is whipping along, slicing through the waves.

'James has no choice but to pull out the big guns.

'The lovely Mrs Braxton helps paint the previously green garden furniture light blue

'and Bingo's hoping that will convince his friend Anthony,

'otherwise known as Tiggy, to buy it for his garden near Lewes.'

I would say age would be probably 70s, 80s.

The material's cast aluminium, so it's quite light.

-We were going to paint it a dark Atlantic blue.

-Oh, that's Harrow.

-THEY LAUGH

-That's the right colour, mate.

That's the right colour. So we've got the right colour.

So absolutely perfect for you.

I must say, Tiggy, sitting here, doesn't it sit well on the terrace?

-HE LAUGHS

-Yes, I...

Amazingly so. It would be better with a glass.

It would. I tell you what, Tigs, would £170 be all right for you?

-For the lot?

-For the lot.

150 I'd be prepared to pay.

-150. Thank you very much indeed.

-Well done. Cheers.

'Yes, it was the Eton blue colour choice that did the trick.

'Mrs B's handiwork earns Bingo

'a much-needed profit of £55.

'Our Lancashire lad is doing more miles.

'He motors all the way to Surrey with his most expensive purchase from the fair,

'the £125 Austria Lurtz vase.

'He arranged to meet a specialist glass dealer he's known for 20 years.'

Right, Mike, pick a spot. Where are we going to sit?

It's just that I want to get maximum sunlight on this.

-Here we go.

-Oh, it is a nice one.

-I like that.

-I'm glad you like that.

But you're right, you know, in daylight they look far, far better.

Yes. Always show your Art Nouveau in daylight

and Art Deco under electric light, cos that was the better light in those times.

Ah, that's a very good point. The funny thing is that when you actually put the light through it,

it shows the effect but you lose the iridescence, don't you?

Ooh, look, you've brought it down now

and this lovely, almost like a peacock blue...

-Is the price going up?

-No, no, you know me, honest Eric.

-I know it's Lurtz.

This colour is called candia, which is think it just Czech for amber,

and the pattern is called mimosa.

Yeah, it's really quite a nice one. I like that.

All right, then, how much is this going to cost me?

-I'm looking for around about £180 for it.

-180?

-Mm.

Oh, dear. In the sunlight, I don't think I can argue with that.

-Yeah, OK, we've got a deal.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah, I'll do it at 180.

-Thank you.

-Listen, a man after my own heart!

-A haggle-free deal!

-Well, no, it's a good piece.

'Very straightforward. The vase lights up a shiny profit of £55.

'James comes round to his last item, the Edwardian watercolour of a timber-framed house.

'He takes the picture to nearby Rye

'to show architectural artist Will.'

-That's interesting.

-So, it's by this chap called Ernest Parkman.

His father was an artist and his brother was a slightly more famous artist who worked in Bristol,

but they all did these architectural studies.

There's interesting bits about it in the way it's composed.

There is quite a large space to this side of the composition

which draws your eye almost away from the house itself.

Now, I wanted to try and get

between 80 and 120.

Would you give me 100 for it?

In terms of the technique and just the way it's executed,

-I probably couldn't live with it on the wall.

-Really?

-So, no?

-It's a no.

-It's a no! Ohh!

'Oh, that is a catastrophe!

'Can Bingo find another buyer to bring in the big bucks?

'We'll find out later.

'Eric is aiming to cement James's fate with his final item.

'He's brought his Murano-style vase to Bermondsey in London

'to see Peter, a widely-respected glass-blower.

'Knocker's bubble-wrapped his vase, but just as he's admiring Peter's work,

'there's almost a terrible accident.'

I mean, it is translucent but... Whoops!

-Opacity... Oh, that's a good one.

-ERIC LAUGHS

-It's all right.

-It's still in one piece!

-Let me just whisk that out there.

-Oh, I quite like this.

Now, when I saw that, I was totally captivated by it.

I know this is not of any great age

and I know that it would like to have been born in the age of Miles Davis,

-but have a feel of it.

-May I?

-Yeah.

-It's nice and light, isn't it?

-Mm.

-And it's...

-Have a look at that.

-Yes, I want to see that.

The way that's been ground out.

-No signature of any kind.

-No. I bought it...

-Excuse me a moment.

-Oh, you carry on. I bought that simply because I liked it.

Well, it's certainly not a bad piece.

I mean, if I'd made that, I wouldn't be ashamed of it.

Oh, well, that's a commendation.

It's a fairly straightforward Venetian technique.

-A variation on latticino cane work.

-I paid £90 for that.

-Yes, well, that doesn't sound unreasonable.

-Right.

-And I am only looking for a £10 profit on that.

-Are you?

-And it has a little bit of age, I suppose. Not a vast amount.

-No.

-I think it's probably been made within the last five or ten years.

-Do you reckon?

I quite like that. I'd be willing to give you 100 quid for that.

'Nicely done! Eric rounds things off

'with the £10 profit he wanted.

'But is it enough to blow James out of the water?

'Let's tot up the profits and crown our pirate king.

'Eric and James started at Ardingly with £750 of their own money.

'Knocker Knowles got stuck in, buying eight items for £590.

'Bingo Braxton took it easier with six purchases for £405.

'So who's spent most wisely?

'All of the money that our bargain-busters have made from today's challenge

'will be going to charities of their choice.

'So let's find out who is today's Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is champion.'

-So, James...

-Eric.

-..tell me how you got on at the fair.

-Fairly.

-Fairly! So where do you reckon you got your best score?

The power of paint, Eric.

So I had that Wimbledon green garden furniture, five pieces of it.

My dear wife painted it all a lovely light blue

and I sold it to a lovely fellow whose old school colours it was.

Well, there you go. Yes. Well, all I can tell you from my point of view

is thank goodness for museums.

It's always nice when you place pieces for the public to enjoy.

-How do you think you've done?

-Well, you know, it's not for me to say. Let's have a go.

-Oh, right.

-No!

-OK.

-Right.

-112 plays almost 300?

-Well, there you go. We live and we learn, do we not?

So, James, come on, let me explain

the ins and outs of dealing with dealers.

'Yes, Eric smashes it. So, what happened with James's Edwardian painting?'

Hallelujah! I've finally managed to sell this architectural watercolour drawing.

I've offered it to an estate agent, an architectural artist,

and finally, I found a lady in Nantwich

and she's paid me £70 for it. I'm pleased.

'But at that price, the picture made a £10 loss.'

Well, it was my Denby blue glaze vase that really sealed the win for me,

and on top of that, it sealed the fate of Bingo Braxton.

I made some money on some items, but dear old Eric pipped me.

'But it could all be very different tomorrow.

'James has the opportunity to steer a winning course

'as our fighters go French and storm the Bastille market in Paris.'

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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