David Harper v Mark Stacey - Auction

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0:00:02 > 0:00:03This is Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.

0:00:03 > 0:00:07The show that pitches TV's best loved antiques experts

0:00:07 > 0:00:10against each other in an all-out battle for profit...

0:00:10 > 0:00:12Let's make hay while that sun shines.

0:00:12 > 0:00:15..and gives you the insider's view of the trade.

0:00:17 > 0:00:19Who's there?

0:00:19 > 0:00:21Each week, one pair of duelling dealers

0:00:21 > 0:00:23will face a different daily challenge...

0:00:24 > 0:00:27The original cheeky chappie. Lovely!

0:00:27 > 0:00:29..putting their reputations on the line.

0:00:29 > 0:00:31And I truly rock it!

0:00:31 > 0:00:33WOLF WHISTLE

0:00:33 > 0:00:34And giving you their top tips

0:00:34 > 0:00:39and savvy secrets on how to make the most money from buying and selling.

0:00:40 > 0:00:41Get in there!

0:00:41 > 0:00:44THUNDERCLAP AND EVIL LAUGHTER

0:00:44 > 0:00:48Today's auction extravaganza sets the dextrous dealer David Harper

0:00:48 > 0:00:52against the purchasing powerhouse Mark Stacey.

0:00:52 > 0:00:57- Coming up, our pair take to the skies.- Oh, you...are kissable!

0:00:59 > 0:01:02David chose the value in making people feel good.

0:01:02 > 0:01:04And it's almost like a caricature of dolphins

0:01:04 > 0:01:06so they put a smile on your face, don't they?

0:01:06 > 0:01:08- They do. - Let's have a look at your faces?

0:01:08 > 0:01:10- Yeah, they do.- There you go.

0:01:10 > 0:01:12And Mark gets in a bit of a flap.

0:01:12 > 0:01:16Oh! John, please. You can't do that to me.

0:01:16 > 0:01:19This is Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.

0:01:32 > 0:01:36Grab your seats for an enthralling action-packed auction.

0:01:36 > 0:01:40Our persistent pair of prime purchasers are limbering up

0:01:40 > 0:01:44to step into the ring, do battle and bid, bid, bid. Oh, yes!

0:01:44 > 0:01:49It promises to be a feisty financial fight focusing on one factor -

0:01:49 > 0:01:53who will take home the greatest profit and be crowned the winner?

0:01:53 > 0:01:57First up, a dogged dealer who never shies from a hard haggle.

0:01:57 > 0:01:59His wealth of knowledge knows no bounds,

0:01:59 > 0:02:02his years of experience yield one-off wonders.

0:02:02 > 0:02:06He is determined, he is indomitable. It's Devilish David Harper.

0:02:06 > 0:02:10Waiting for an opportunity to pounce on a bargain.

0:02:10 > 0:02:15His opponent is an antiques authority at the pinnacle of his profession.

0:02:15 > 0:02:19His attention to detail is demon, his expertise extraordinary

0:02:19 > 0:02:22and it's all topped off with a lightning quick wit.

0:02:22 > 0:02:27- It's Mark "The Maverick" Stacey. - The fun is about to begin.

0:02:27 > 0:02:28Yes, you're not wrong there.

0:02:28 > 0:02:32Both of our majestic marketers has a fiscal fire in their belly

0:02:32 > 0:02:33and they need it.

0:02:33 > 0:02:37Today's gladiatorial gauntlet is being run at the Chiswick Auctions

0:02:37 > 0:02:38in West London.

0:02:38 > 0:02:42Our bargain busters come armed with £1,000 of their own money to spend,

0:02:42 > 0:02:44and when all is said and done,

0:02:44 > 0:02:47any profits they make go straight to their chosen charities.

0:02:47 > 0:02:52So, David Harper and Mark Stacey, get ready for a real battle

0:02:52 > 0:02:56because it's time to Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is!

0:02:56 > 0:03:00- David?- Yes. - What are you doing down there?

0:03:00 > 0:03:01I'm doing what I should be doing, Mark.

0:03:01 > 0:03:05- I'm looking for rather nice antiques.- Where?

0:03:05 > 0:03:07- I'll come down.- I'll wait here.

0:03:09 > 0:03:12So you've been hiding upstairs, have you? You've been watching.

0:03:12 > 0:03:15You've been watching what I've been watching!

0:03:15 > 0:03:17I've actually been marking every lot.

0:03:17 > 0:03:19How am I doing? Are you scoring me well?

0:03:19 > 0:03:22- I'm not going to go for any of them.- Really?- No.- So, 0/10.

0:03:22 > 0:03:25- 0/10 for me.- Story of my life. - But it's a good sale, isn't it?

0:03:25 > 0:03:27It's a great sale. You know what?

0:03:27 > 0:03:31Because we're in London, it's a very high content of decorative pieces,

0:03:31 > 0:03:34which is actually, we know, the market today so it could be good.

0:03:34 > 0:03:36- Absolutely.- I've got £1,000. - Less commission.

0:03:36 > 0:03:41You've got to build that commission in, so that is 24%.

0:03:41 > 0:03:45Listen, I can't dawdle because I've got lots of things to check out.

0:03:45 > 0:03:48- OK, walk that way.- Happy hunting. I couldn't possibly walk that way.

0:03:50 > 0:03:51Oh, they're feeling chipper!

0:03:51 > 0:03:56But remember, our retailing rivals are not just fending off each other.

0:03:56 > 0:03:57£28.

0:03:57 > 0:03:59The room will be packed with would-be buyers

0:03:59 > 0:04:03and the internet adds the menace of a worldwide bidding war.

0:04:03 > 0:04:05So the boys must bid with their brains

0:04:05 > 0:04:09and Mark has been using his grey matter to get one step ahead.

0:04:09 > 0:04:11I've been rather cunning, you know.

0:04:11 > 0:04:12What I've done is I've looked online,

0:04:12 > 0:04:15so I've already written down in my little book at the back

0:04:15 > 0:04:18several lots that I'm interested in having a look at.

0:04:18 > 0:04:20Now, I'm hoping that will save me time and give me

0:04:20 > 0:04:22a bit of an advantage over David.

0:04:22 > 0:04:24Well, antiques is a touchy-feely business.

0:04:24 > 0:04:26So, even though he swotted up online,

0:04:26 > 0:04:30Mark's still got to get in there and get hands-on.

0:04:30 > 0:04:32David, though, isn't daunted.

0:04:32 > 0:04:34It's really interesting to hear Mark's strategy.

0:04:34 > 0:04:37It doesn't work well in auction

0:04:37 > 0:04:40because you are guaranteed to be outbid.

0:04:40 > 0:04:44You need to mark dozens of objects, act like a jackal

0:04:44 > 0:04:47and when something is going cheap, cheap, you get in there,

0:04:47 > 0:04:50you snap it up, you buy it and you run.

0:04:50 > 0:04:52And that is my strategy.

0:04:52 > 0:04:56It's a bit early to be picking apart Mark's strategy, David,

0:04:56 > 0:04:59but it shows just how seriously he's taking his mission.

0:04:59 > 0:05:03Right, before the auction kicks off, our prize-fighters need a good rummage

0:05:03 > 0:05:08and back upstairs, Mark quickly finds a striking Edwardian tobacco jar.

0:05:08 > 0:05:12Modelled as, I suppose, a Native American, a chief.

0:05:12 > 0:05:14These things are quite collectable now, you know.

0:05:14 > 0:05:16Because they don't have the history, I suppose,

0:05:16 > 0:05:19that the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe do,

0:05:19 > 0:05:22they are fascinated by things from the 19th century.

0:05:22 > 0:05:26But it is in with this mixed lot. I mean, I hate the flowers.

0:05:26 > 0:05:29They are absolutely loathsome.

0:05:29 > 0:05:31I think the best thing you can do with those

0:05:31 > 0:05:34is take them to a coconut shy and throw balls at them and break them.

0:05:34 > 0:05:35SHATTERING

0:05:35 > 0:05:38Don't hold back, Mark! Tell us what you really think.

0:05:38 > 0:05:40But the Native American is enough of a drawer,

0:05:40 > 0:05:42to get circled in his catalogue.

0:05:42 > 0:05:46Down in the main sale room, David's viewing a Victorian settee.

0:05:46 > 0:05:49Now, one of my passions is antique upholstery

0:05:49 > 0:05:55and here is a cracking example of a lovely, early 19th-century,

0:05:55 > 0:05:58solid mahogany, cabinet-made sofa.

0:05:58 > 0:06:02It has issues like most things at this sort of age, of course.

0:06:02 > 0:06:04The lovely brocade fabric is coming away,

0:06:04 > 0:06:08you can see it's been upholstered several times, the wood is rotting

0:06:08 > 0:06:11so it does need a little bit of repair.

0:06:11 > 0:06:15But just look at its construction - solid mahogany,

0:06:15 > 0:06:20strung in satinwood, put in by hand, a sprung seat.

0:06:20 > 0:06:24You can hear and feel the original horsehair in there.

0:06:24 > 0:06:26What's it estimated at here?

0:06:26 > 0:06:31£100-150 and it makes me want it really, really badly.

0:06:33 > 0:06:35Blimey, that's a man in love.

0:06:35 > 0:06:37But there's no time to get emotional about upholstery.

0:06:37 > 0:06:39He will have to separate his head from his heart

0:06:39 > 0:06:43when the horsehair lounger goes under the hammer.

0:06:43 > 0:06:45Let's leave David fondling the furniture

0:06:45 > 0:06:49because Mark's moseyed on and is cooing over a picture of a pigeon.

0:06:51 > 0:06:54There is a branch of British folk art which specialises

0:06:54 > 0:06:58in racing pigeons and I just think that's a charming subject up there.

0:06:58 > 0:07:01It's not signed and it's not titled, which is a shame

0:07:01 > 0:07:03because some people like to know the artist

0:07:03 > 0:07:07and particularly whether it was a champion bird or not.

0:07:07 > 0:07:10The oil painting has an estimate of £40-60.

0:07:10 > 0:07:14So has the maverick spotted a real source of profit?

0:07:14 > 0:07:19Devilish David's across the room and has found some rather unusual tables.

0:07:19 > 0:07:23Now, here we have a pair of cracking 19th-century wine tables

0:07:23 > 0:07:26but a lot of people in this business would look at them,

0:07:26 > 0:07:30clock them, turn and run, simply because they are a marriage.

0:07:30 > 0:07:31Now when we say a marriage,

0:07:31 > 0:07:34that's two parts put together that didn't belong in the beginning.

0:07:34 > 0:07:39So let's start at the base. That is screaming West, it's English.

0:07:39 > 0:07:44Solid mahogany, probably originally a piano stool base.

0:07:44 > 0:07:49Lotus leaf decoration, gadroon decoration circa 1850, 1860.

0:07:49 > 0:07:54It should have had not that top when it was made.

0:07:54 > 0:07:57These tops from China, from the Far East -

0:07:57 > 0:08:00she was redecorated - were added much later.

0:08:00 > 0:08:04They are unique and estimated at £80-120.

0:08:04 > 0:08:07You take £100 to the high street today

0:08:07 > 0:08:10and buy a pair of tables as good as that for that money

0:08:10 > 0:08:12and I'll give you 1,000 quid.

0:08:12 > 0:08:13There's no chance.

0:08:13 > 0:08:17Well, these two are having no trouble ticking off trinkets to try for

0:08:17 > 0:08:19once the all-important sale is under way.

0:08:19 > 0:08:21And, as the big moment approaches,

0:08:21 > 0:08:25Mark claps eyes on a Japanese charger that he thinks is champion.

0:08:25 > 0:08:27It's quite fun this, you know.

0:08:27 > 0:08:29We talk a lot about cloisonne in antiques

0:08:29 > 0:08:32and normally the cloisonne work is very fine.

0:08:32 > 0:08:34This is almost abstract.

0:08:34 > 0:08:37You've got this very thick impasto enamel

0:08:37 > 0:08:39going on here with the flowers.

0:08:39 > 0:08:42But it has got the original label on the back.

0:08:42 > 0:08:46Nagoya, Tokyo and au cloisonne.

0:08:46 > 0:08:50I mean, it's just got a very sort of contemporary, modern feel about it.

0:08:50 > 0:08:52It's probably '50s, actually.

0:08:52 > 0:08:55Well, viewing time is soon over and the room is ready.

0:08:55 > 0:08:58While David casually snacks his way to the start line,

0:08:58 > 0:09:01Mark is checking out the competition.

0:09:01 > 0:09:05It's a packed room of usual suspects plus live internet bidding.

0:09:05 > 0:09:08Plus Bananaman over there.

0:09:08 > 0:09:12- Lot number one. - And the sale soon kicks off.

0:09:12 > 0:09:15Now, what's the first lesson of auctions, everybody?

0:09:15 > 0:09:18That's right, don't bid on something you haven't seen.

0:09:18 > 0:09:22But Devilish David plays devil may care with convention from the outset

0:09:22 > 0:09:25by showing interest in an unseen lot.

0:09:25 > 0:09:28As bidding starts on a rare Chinese Air Force helmet

0:09:28 > 0:09:31and various aviation headpieces, he's straight in there.

0:09:33 > 0:09:37- £110, £120, £130, £140.- £140.

0:09:37 > 0:09:41Saying no now. I'm surprised. At £130 at the back of the room, take £140 now.

0:09:41 > 0:09:45- Are you back in, Sam? £140 there, £150. £160.- This is hilarious.

0:09:45 > 0:09:48£170. £180.

0:09:48 > 0:09:51Mark is stunned and can't resist a tactical heckle.

0:09:51 > 0:09:53Go on, David. One more.

0:09:53 > 0:09:56- £190 I'm bid, £200?- Go on.- I think you've got it, £210.- £210!

0:09:56 > 0:10:00- I'm selling in the room, £210. - Thank you very much. There you go.

0:10:00 > 0:10:04Well, so much for pouncing on the low priced bargains, Mr Harper.

0:10:04 > 0:10:06Add in the commission and the high altitude helmet

0:10:06 > 0:10:10and accompaniments cost him over a quarter of his budget.

0:10:10 > 0:10:12£260.40.

0:10:12 > 0:10:15It's got a heating system. It's got... Look at that!

0:10:15 > 0:10:21It's got communications stuff. It's got a visor. Look at this. Leather.

0:10:22 > 0:10:24My God!

0:10:25 > 0:10:29Oh, yes. And we've got goggles. Can I get my goggles on?

0:10:31 > 0:10:34Oh, the best 200 quid I've spent in years.

0:10:34 > 0:10:37MUSIC: "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin

0:10:37 > 0:10:41He's like a child in a sweet shop and while David plays with his boys toys,

0:10:41 > 0:10:45our maverick turns his attention to a framed watercolour portrait.

0:10:45 > 0:10:49It's estimated at £30-80.

0:10:49 > 0:10:54£10, please. £10 on bid, I'll take £12 now. £10, take £12.

0:10:54 > 0:10:56- I'm selling £10. - I'm off and running.

0:10:56 > 0:11:00Absolutely no competition from anywhere. Is that a good thing?

0:11:00 > 0:11:03Nevertheless, Mark secures his first lot for far less than the estimate.

0:11:03 > 0:11:06He pays just £12.40 including fees.

0:11:08 > 0:11:11This is a speculative lot, this. I think it's got something about it.

0:11:11 > 0:11:14It's a little bit avant-garde, it's a little bit contemporary.

0:11:14 > 0:11:17It's in a frame, it can go straight up on a wall.

0:11:17 > 0:11:20More research clearly needed by Mark on his moustachioed man.

0:11:20 > 0:11:22And he soon buys his second item,

0:11:22 > 0:11:27an ostrich egg engraved with a lion that comes with a gilt stand.

0:11:27 > 0:11:31It goes under the hammer, thankfully not literally, for £28.

0:11:31 > 0:11:34And Mark shells out £34.72 including commission.

0:11:34 > 0:11:37So even though he's got two purchases under his belt,

0:11:37 > 0:11:41Mr Maverick has still only spent a fifth of David's total outlay

0:11:41 > 0:11:43for the helmet collection.

0:11:43 > 0:11:47And while David plays with his pen, Mark can't stop himself.

0:11:47 > 0:11:49That ever-so-subtle nod gets him the Japanese plate

0:11:49 > 0:11:51that he looked at earlier.

0:11:51 > 0:11:52£40 to the checked shirt.

0:11:52 > 0:11:55Take two now, £40. We got there in the end at £40.

0:11:55 > 0:11:59Hopefully, I should be able to double my money.

0:11:59 > 0:12:03Add in the fees and he claims the cloisonne for £49.60.

0:12:04 > 0:12:08Mark's maverick bidding bonanza has seen him take charge of the saleroom.

0:12:08 > 0:12:12David has a lot of ground to make up and he soon gets the opportunity.

0:12:12 > 0:12:14Coming up next, 108,

0:12:14 > 0:12:18is a boxed 1970s Georg Jensen sterling silver brooch.

0:12:18 > 0:12:23And this is the first time I've seen it. It's a pair of dolphins.

0:12:23 > 0:12:27Of course, Georg Jensen died in 1935 so...

0:12:27 > 0:12:30these are obviously not made in his lifetime but they are

0:12:30 > 0:12:32very, very stylish.

0:12:32 > 0:12:35£110 I'm bid. £120, do you want? £130.

0:12:35 > 0:12:40I can't go any more than that. Thank you. I've just bought at £120.

0:12:40 > 0:12:42Yes, but that's just the hammer price.

0:12:42 > 0:12:47Add in the fees and the cost rises to £148.80.

0:12:47 > 0:12:51By buying all these unseen lots, is devilish David dicing with danger

0:12:51 > 0:12:55or is he trusting his instincts to pinpoint prize profit makers?

0:12:55 > 0:13:00So here we have a 1970s Georg Jensen pair of dolphins

0:13:00 > 0:13:04and the company was formed in about 1904 by Georg Jensen

0:13:04 > 0:13:05but he died in 1935.

0:13:05 > 0:13:09But his style, his company ethos, the look continued

0:13:09 > 0:13:11and still produces today.

0:13:11 > 0:13:14Fabulous hallmarks on the back, Georg Jensen.

0:13:14 > 0:13:18Number 317 and then hallmarked sterling.

0:13:18 > 0:13:20But the big winner and something I didn't know

0:13:20 > 0:13:23when I bought this brooch blind is the box,

0:13:23 > 0:13:28the original stamped Georg Jensen box which makes a huge difference.

0:13:29 > 0:13:33Well, once again, it seems he's come up trumps on an unseen item.

0:13:33 > 0:13:37As David makes his way back to the floor, the next lot comes up.

0:13:37 > 0:13:41An oil painting study of a racing pigeon. Who would want that? No!

0:13:43 > 0:13:45- Oh, no.- Oh, yes.

0:13:45 > 0:13:46Mark's bidding from the outset

0:13:46 > 0:13:49and goes way past the low estimate of 40-£60.

0:13:49 > 0:13:52- £140, £150.- Mark! You'll regret it.

0:13:52 > 0:13:55Mark ignores David and carries on bidding...

0:13:55 > 0:13:57and bidding!

0:13:57 > 0:14:01£160, I'm bid. £170. £180. £170 there, £180, £190.

0:14:01 > 0:14:03I'm paying far too much for this.

0:14:03 > 0:14:06- £180. - HE CHUCKLES

0:14:06 > 0:14:10The problem is I paid a lot more than I wanted to for that.

0:14:10 > 0:14:13- I don't fancy my chances. - Mm, that's not good!

0:14:13 > 0:14:15Including fees, Mark pays £223.20.

0:14:17 > 0:14:19Far and away his biggest purchase yet.

0:14:19 > 0:14:23Will he be cooing or crying when it comes to selling?

0:14:23 > 0:14:27The auction action is really heating up. Let's see who spent what.

0:14:28 > 0:14:32Both our boys started the day with £1,000 of their own money to spend.

0:14:32 > 0:14:38David has only made two purchases but he spent a lot on them, nearly £410.

0:14:38 > 0:14:42That leaves him almost £591 in his kitty.

0:14:42 > 0:14:45Mark has bought four lots but spent a fair bit less,

0:14:45 > 0:14:51just under £320, meaning he still has a beefy £680-odd to play with.

0:14:52 > 0:14:53Back in the room,

0:14:53 > 0:14:57our cash clash combatants are feeling the heat of the competition.

0:14:57 > 0:15:01- How is it going?- Is it tough or is it tough?- It is tough! It is tough.

0:15:01 > 0:15:05- And I mean, I noticed you bought the Georg Jensen.- Yes.- It wasn't cheap.

0:15:05 > 0:15:08- It wasn't, I paid the money. - £120.- Plus commission.

0:15:08 > 0:15:12- I know, I bought the racing pigeon. - I noticed.- I rather fancied it.

0:15:14 > 0:15:16You know what? You need to be on stage.

0:15:16 > 0:15:19- I've always said you're a perfect fit for radio.- Oh, you're a charmer.

0:15:19 > 0:15:22- I'll see you later.- Good luck. - Oh, look at them.

0:15:22 > 0:15:25Behind the smiles, there's a deep-seated rivalry here

0:15:25 > 0:15:27and David especially is thriving on it.

0:15:27 > 0:15:32His next lot is, surprise, surprise, another one he's not seen.

0:15:32 > 0:15:37- A leather holdall and carpetbag. - £80, £85, £90, £95 my last.

0:15:37 > 0:15:42- Yes.- £100 in the room? - £100 for a great big Kilim...

0:15:42 > 0:15:46Oh, thank you very much, carpetbag. Haven't actually laid my eyes on it.

0:15:46 > 0:15:48Another purchase in the bag.

0:15:48 > 0:15:51Taking the commission into account, that comes to £124.

0:15:51 > 0:15:55So, he's now thrown more than half his budget at lots

0:15:55 > 0:15:57he's not looked at first.

0:15:57 > 0:16:01- Daredevil!- That is...delicious.

0:16:01 > 0:16:03Little bit of damage there but it's got age

0:16:03 > 0:16:07and normally vegetable-dyed so you'll find the colours vary

0:16:07 > 0:16:09because made by nomadic tribes,

0:16:09 > 0:16:12as they travelled around their districts,

0:16:12 > 0:16:15they would pick berries - blues, reds, oranges, yellows -

0:16:15 > 0:16:17so you can almost track where a tribe has been,

0:16:17 > 0:16:19which is absolutely fascinating.

0:16:19 > 0:16:20I mean, look at that.

0:16:20 > 0:16:25You've got strong reds this side and really bold yellows this side.

0:16:25 > 0:16:29I'm thinking classic cars, vintage cars, weekends away.

0:16:29 > 0:16:33Looking good and looking different. And as for this one...

0:16:34 > 0:16:37..we'll chuck it in as a freebie.

0:16:37 > 0:16:39No time to get away just yet, David.

0:16:39 > 0:16:41There's still more work to do.

0:16:41 > 0:16:45Mark's next purchase is that Native American tobacco job

0:16:45 > 0:16:47that he liked the look of.

0:16:47 > 0:16:48At £28, anybody else?

0:16:50 > 0:16:52Including fees, The Maverick pays £34.72.

0:16:55 > 0:16:59Next up, David ventures into fairy tale territory

0:16:59 > 0:17:01by buying a modern stone unicorn.

0:17:01 > 0:17:06He pays £99.20 including commission but will it be hit or "myth"

0:17:06 > 0:17:08when it comes to selling?

0:17:08 > 0:17:09- David?- Yeah.

0:17:09 > 0:17:13If you want to, you know you can nip to any garden centre and get those?

0:17:13 > 0:17:16He's only jealous because he's never owned a unicorn.

0:17:16 > 0:17:18Well, he clearly doesn't want one.

0:17:18 > 0:17:22Anyway, Mark stays within his comfort zone for his next bidding bout.

0:17:22 > 0:17:27- There's a Victorian watercolour that has an estimate of £60-80.- £30.

0:17:27 > 0:17:31£30, I'm bid, in the middle of the room. I'm going to sell it for £30.

0:17:31 > 0:17:33Got it. 30 quid.

0:17:34 > 0:17:37I'm happy. I might have to sit down with the excitement.

0:17:37 > 0:17:39Oh, was that a swoon, Maverick?

0:17:39 > 0:17:43With fees, he pays £37.20 for the painting. Far below estimate.

0:17:43 > 0:17:46That could well stand him in good stead.

0:17:46 > 0:17:48It's painted in the late 19th century.

0:17:48 > 0:17:50But the scene is 17th century.

0:17:50 > 0:17:53You've got a Cavalier standing here looking rather cross.

0:17:53 > 0:17:57His wife is looking rather upset holding her head into the chair

0:17:57 > 0:17:59and I think it's absolutely charming.

0:17:59 > 0:18:02Back in the room, it's the moment David's been waiting for.

0:18:02 > 0:18:05That Victorian sofa is next up.

0:18:05 > 0:18:07He's so excited, bless him,

0:18:07 > 0:18:10it's like he's about to ask someone out on a first date.

0:18:10 > 0:18:13Estimated at £100-150. It's absolutely for nothing.

0:18:13 > 0:18:19£85, £90 seated, £95, £110, £120, £130...£140.

0:18:19 > 0:18:25£130 standing, take £140 now. £150, £160, £170, £180, £190...

0:18:25 > 0:18:29- Someone's bidding me up, yes. - £200, £210?- Yes.- £220.

0:18:29 > 0:18:32At £210, standing in the checked shirt. Take £220.

0:18:32 > 0:18:35Sitting cheap at £210. It's going to go. £210, it's selling.

0:18:35 > 0:18:38Wow, £210 for that sofa.

0:18:38 > 0:18:40I think it is absolute... Oh, sorry.

0:18:40 > 0:18:42I'm getting too excited. There you go!

0:18:42 > 0:18:45Oh, steady yourself, David. He's hooked, isn't he?

0:18:45 > 0:18:48And the Devilish One's adoration costs him.

0:18:48 > 0:18:53Way over estimate at £260.40 including fees.

0:18:53 > 0:18:56David's furniture flurry continues.

0:18:56 > 0:19:00He's soon bidding on six Georgian style, mahogany dining chairs.

0:19:00 > 0:19:02- £12, you want?- Yes.- £14?

0:19:02 > 0:19:04- Anyone at £12 has a say? £12. - Thank you very much.

0:19:04 > 0:19:08He buys them for just £14.88 including fees.

0:19:08 > 0:19:12That works out at less than £2.50 a chair.

0:19:12 > 0:19:13He's got to make a profit, surely?

0:19:15 > 0:19:19These things are Edwardian or maybe into the 1920s.

0:19:19 > 0:19:24But made really and honestly as well as a late 18th-century chair.

0:19:24 > 0:19:31Handmade, hand cut, hand fluted. Just ridiculous.

0:19:31 > 0:19:35So there we go - they came, they saw and they certainly conquered.

0:19:35 > 0:19:39Their bidding battle is over, but who will come out on top?

0:19:39 > 0:19:43Both David and Mark started the day with £1,000 of their own money.

0:19:43 > 0:19:48Devilish David bought six items for a chunky £907.68.

0:19:48 > 0:19:55Mark The Maverick spent less than half that. £391.84 on his six items.

0:19:55 > 0:19:58That is a massive difference in investments,

0:19:58 > 0:20:00but who's paid out most wisely

0:20:00 > 0:20:03and who is going to regret their big spends?

0:20:03 > 0:20:06Do you know, David? You do buy some odd things, don't you?

0:20:06 > 0:20:07Well, do you know, Mark,

0:20:07 > 0:20:11to me, you see, that looks like Camp City to me.

0:20:11 > 0:20:16- This is Action Man territory. Isn't it?- I would agree with you.

0:20:16 > 0:20:22- Thank you.- Action Man tat.- What? - I do love your Georg Jensen brooch.

0:20:22 > 0:20:25- I thought you'd like that.- I think that is lovely, a good name.

0:20:25 > 0:20:27- Quite a lot of money though. - It was the money.

0:20:27 > 0:20:29There will be a trickle of profit, if I'm lucky.

0:20:29 > 0:20:33- And you stole that unicorn. - Didn't I just, Mark?

0:20:33 > 0:20:35- The flowery things, I hate. - Well, why did you buy them?

0:20:35 > 0:20:37Because they were part of a job lot.

0:20:37 > 0:20:39Were they freebies? Were they thrown in?

0:20:39 > 0:20:41No, it was this, which is a really interesting

0:20:41 > 0:20:44little box and cover of a Native American chief.

0:20:44 > 0:20:46The thing I paid a little bit too much for...

0:20:46 > 0:20:49I know what you're going to say. I saw it happen.

0:20:49 > 0:20:51You really went for it, didn't you? It's been a struggle.

0:20:51 > 0:20:54- But we got there.- But I think I've got a fabulous collection of goods.

0:20:54 > 0:20:56- Course you do, David.- Thank you.

0:20:56 > 0:20:58And I wish you well with the therapy.

0:20:58 > 0:21:02- Will you indulge me just before you go, please?- Yes.- Would you mind?

0:21:02 > 0:21:03It's just when I saw these,

0:21:03 > 0:21:06I just thought the colour would suit you absolutely perfectly.

0:21:06 > 0:21:09- Here we go.- Please go for it.

0:21:09 > 0:21:11I'll wear the leather. You can...

0:21:11 > 0:21:13Oh, you are kissable!

0:21:15 > 0:21:19You are stunning, Stacey!

0:21:19 > 0:21:20Stunning.

0:21:22 > 0:21:26Well, it is now time to put their thinking caps on

0:21:26 > 0:21:28as our worthy warriors change up a gear.

0:21:28 > 0:21:30They must take their prime purchases

0:21:30 > 0:21:34and turn them into stellar sales making mighty profits,

0:21:34 > 0:21:35and this is no easy task.

0:21:35 > 0:21:38They will have to scour the country for the very best buyers

0:21:38 > 0:21:42using their contacts, their contacts' contacts and anyone who will listen.

0:21:42 > 0:21:44But it's one thing to arrange a meeting,

0:21:44 > 0:21:47quite another to make an actual sale.

0:21:47 > 0:21:49Until they shake on it and the money has changed hands,

0:21:49 > 0:21:51no deal is truly sealed.

0:21:51 > 0:21:53Time to look over their luscious lots.

0:21:53 > 0:21:57But in Brighton, Mark isn't feeling all that enthusiastic.

0:21:58 > 0:22:01I found the auction incredibly tough.

0:22:01 > 0:22:05I ended up really scrabbling a bit, to be honest with you.

0:22:05 > 0:22:09I mean, I'm pleased with a couple of the items but generally speaking...

0:22:09 > 0:22:12I'm rather disappointed I couldn't get more of what I wanted.

0:22:12 > 0:22:15I'm really pleased with the cloisonne plate, Japanese.

0:22:15 > 0:22:17The rest of it, I'm afraid, is really tough.

0:22:17 > 0:22:19My mixed collection of items -

0:22:19 > 0:22:23well, I bought it really for the Native American tobacco jar.

0:22:23 > 0:22:25The other items just came with it

0:22:25 > 0:22:28and I shall get rid of the flowers somewhere.

0:22:28 > 0:22:29The watercolour, I love.

0:22:29 > 0:22:30I haven't done any research

0:22:30 > 0:22:34but I think it is a charmingly done Victorian watercolour.

0:22:34 > 0:22:37The pigeon, I'm afraid, is a great disappointment.

0:22:37 > 0:22:38When I've unpacked it,

0:22:38 > 0:22:41it's nowhere near as nice as it looked up on the wall.

0:22:41 > 0:22:43And I'm going to struggle...

0:22:44 > 0:22:46..dare I say, to find a home.

0:22:46 > 0:22:49The watercolour, I'm going to contact the gallery

0:22:49 > 0:22:51as there's a label on the back.

0:22:51 > 0:22:54And who knows? I might have found a missing masterpiece.

0:22:55 > 0:22:58I really was scrabbling over this auction.

0:22:58 > 0:23:01I bought an ostrich egg engraved with a lion

0:23:01 > 0:23:04on a rather nice gilt stand with three dolphins,

0:23:04 > 0:23:06which is the sign of Brighton.

0:23:06 > 0:23:10- But there's no sign of a buyer yet. - Oh, come on, Maverick!

0:23:10 > 0:23:11Positive mental attitude.

0:23:11 > 0:23:15There's a long way to go and absolutely anything could happen.

0:23:15 > 0:23:20Back in his lair in Barnard Castle, David is feeling much more excited.

0:23:20 > 0:23:24Only two objects here I think I actually planned on buying.

0:23:24 > 0:23:28The stone unicorn which I think is a bit funky, a bit different.

0:23:28 > 0:23:31Mark Stacey hates it which makes me like it even more.

0:23:31 > 0:23:35And the second object I did plan on buying was the sofa. Oh, my gosh!

0:23:35 > 0:23:37One of my first loves.

0:23:37 > 0:23:40Early 19th-century mahogany, satinwood stringings.

0:23:40 > 0:23:45Oh, it's just absolutely delicious and, at £260, it is a bargain.

0:23:45 > 0:23:49So let's move on to the objects I hadn't even seen when buying.

0:23:49 > 0:23:51And first of all, I'm going to talk about

0:23:51 > 0:23:54my favourite purchase from the auction has got to be

0:23:54 > 0:23:58the high altitude pilot's helmet which is just mind-blowing.

0:23:58 > 0:24:05Carpetbag. That is a cracker. The also-ran leather bag, not so good.

0:24:05 > 0:24:09The chair, well, one of six, £14.

0:24:09 > 0:24:14Finally, the rather lovely silver Georg Jensen brooch

0:24:14 > 0:24:16which is absolutely delectable.

0:24:16 > 0:24:19So here we go, an eclectic collection of objects

0:24:19 > 0:24:25which will take me, no doubt, on a very eclectic journey.

0:24:25 > 0:24:29Well, David's first potential deal suddenly falls into his lap.

0:24:29 > 0:24:32Before he's so much as lifted a finger, two charming ladies,

0:24:32 > 0:24:37Maria and Penny, walk into his shop looking for a present for their aunt.

0:24:37 > 0:24:40And that Georg Jensen brooch catches their eye.

0:24:40 > 0:24:44It's 50 years old, probably. And it's still contemporary.

0:24:44 > 0:24:46- It's three-dimensional. - It is, yes.

0:24:46 > 0:24:48And it's almost like a caricature of dolphins,

0:24:48 > 0:24:50- so that they put a smile on your face, don't they?- They do!

0:24:50 > 0:24:53- Let's have a look at your faces. - They do, they do.- There you go.

0:24:53 > 0:24:55They've got a smile on their face, we have.

0:24:55 > 0:24:57Well, shall I put an extra smile on your face?

0:24:57 > 0:25:01- With its original box, which is incredibly rare...- Mm-hm.

0:25:01 > 0:25:04- £230.- £220?

0:25:04 > 0:25:05- Shake my hand.- There you are.

0:25:05 > 0:25:09You've bought it, thank you very much indeed. Thank you very much.

0:25:09 > 0:25:11- So I do, of course, want it gift-wrapped.- Well, listen.

0:25:11 > 0:25:15- This is so much more than a bag, sir!- OK, here you go. Gift-wrapped.

0:25:15 > 0:25:17There you go. Come and give me some money!

0:25:17 > 0:25:18Well, that went swimmingly.

0:25:18 > 0:25:23The dolphins bring in a profit of £71.20. What a stroke of luck!

0:25:23 > 0:25:25Mark is quick out of the blocks as well

0:25:25 > 0:25:28and he doesn't have to go far for his first potential sale.

0:25:28 > 0:25:31He's taken his Native American tobacco jar to Hove

0:25:31 > 0:25:34to meet American abroad, Enrico.

0:25:34 > 0:25:37The piece owes Mark nearly £35.

0:25:37 > 0:25:40- Enrico, how are you? - Mark, welcome aboard.

0:25:40 > 0:25:43- Lovely to see you again. - Super. Please come in.

0:25:43 > 0:25:44I will.

0:25:44 > 0:25:48I dated it to around about 1910.

0:25:48 > 0:25:51Do you think these were made to export to the United States?

0:25:51 > 0:25:54I think that virtually everything

0:25:54 > 0:25:57that was made in Germany at that point in time

0:25:57 > 0:25:59was exported all over the world,

0:25:59 > 0:26:03but something like this would have been directed at the US market.

0:26:03 > 0:26:07Yeah, I think so. I said around sort of £40-£60.

0:26:07 > 0:26:10I mean, now you've seen it, would you be happy to make an offer?

0:26:10 > 0:26:13I think because of the damage to the feathers,

0:26:13 > 0:26:15I'd place it at the bottom of that estimate.

0:26:15 > 0:26:19Yeah, I think that's fair because there is a bit of damage there.

0:26:19 > 0:26:23If I got £40 for it, I would make a bit of a profit on it,

0:26:23 > 0:26:24which is always helpful, isn't it?

0:26:24 > 0:26:26Super.

0:26:26 > 0:26:28Well, I'm glad I found the right buyer for it.

0:26:28 > 0:26:30Thank you for taking it off my hands.

0:26:30 > 0:26:32Well, thank you for bringing it to me.

0:26:32 > 0:26:36Mark went on to sell the other porcelain items from that lot.

0:26:36 > 0:26:38The cherub on the shell sold for £15

0:26:38 > 0:26:42and the flowers that Mark hated so much went for £5.

0:26:42 > 0:26:47Add that all together and Mark makes a total profit of £25.28.

0:26:47 > 0:26:48Nice going, Maverick!

0:26:48 > 0:26:51That's my very first sale from the auction

0:26:51 > 0:26:53and I knew Enrico would like that.

0:26:53 > 0:26:57It's about finding the right buyers and he loves quirky items

0:26:57 > 0:27:00and I didn't half make a decent profit on it as well,

0:27:00 > 0:27:02so I'm jolly happy too.

0:27:02 > 0:27:05Oh, look, he's got the spring back in his step.

0:27:05 > 0:27:08And he's right - it's all about finding the right buyer.

0:27:08 > 0:27:11David is hoping to hit the heights with two of his pilots' helmets.

0:27:11 > 0:27:16He bought them with the Chinese high altitude mask for £260.

0:27:16 > 0:27:18Now, come on, it's highly unlikely

0:27:18 > 0:27:21I'm ever going to find a fighter pilot to buy these helmets,

0:27:21 > 0:27:23so you've got to think out of the box.

0:27:23 > 0:27:26So, here we are in Harrogate. Look at this window display.

0:27:26 > 0:27:30A funky optician's selling funky glasses

0:27:30 > 0:27:32on all of those great heads.

0:27:32 > 0:27:36None of the heads have helmets. They need them desperately.

0:27:36 > 0:27:39- There he is. Jonathan, how are you? - Good afternoon, young man.

0:27:39 > 0:27:41- How are you? - Very good. Great to see you.

0:27:41 > 0:27:44Nice to see you, David. So, we've got one cloth and one leather?

0:27:44 > 0:27:49Yes, now, that is a MiG fighter pilot's inner helmet.

0:27:49 > 0:27:51The fabric bit, right?

0:27:51 > 0:27:54So, it's got all of your communications there.

0:27:54 > 0:27:57I mean, that is a serious bit of kit.

0:27:57 > 0:27:59Try it on. Let's see if it fits you.

0:27:59 > 0:28:01Wow! You look amazing.

0:28:01 > 0:28:06This one, apparently, because this has got a longer lead,

0:28:06 > 0:28:10this is for a bigger cockpit.

0:28:10 > 0:28:12That's for a very close, confined cockpit.

0:28:12 > 0:28:15Have you got these kind of aviator glasses?

0:28:15 > 0:28:17Oh, my goodness me!

0:28:17 > 0:28:20- What's the cost? - Do you want one or two?

0:28:20 > 0:28:22- The pair.- The pair.

0:28:22 > 0:28:29So, you buy one for £150 and you get the other one thrown in for free.

0:28:29 > 0:28:32I mean, I'm just like a walking charity.

0:28:32 > 0:28:35- Deal. - Fantastic. Thank you very much.

0:28:35 > 0:28:38Well, Matt's soaring sales patter has done the trick,

0:28:38 > 0:28:40but David's not in profit yet.

0:28:40 > 0:28:43Can the high altitude helmet help him get there?

0:28:43 > 0:28:46He needs another £110 to break even.

0:28:46 > 0:28:49He heads to the Lake District, near Lake Ullswater, actually,

0:28:49 > 0:28:53to see if he can tempt Steve who collects all things unusual.

0:28:53 > 0:28:55Get your hands on that, Steve. Talk to me.

0:28:55 > 0:28:57- It's got a bit of weight to it as well.- It has, hasn't it?

0:28:57 > 0:28:59So, what have we got here, then?

0:28:59 > 0:29:01It's a suit-wearing helmet,

0:29:01 > 0:29:03so the guy would have to wear it almost like a spacesuit.

0:29:03 > 0:29:05A full pressure suit.

0:29:05 > 0:29:08And he's right up there on the edge of the stratosphere

0:29:08 > 0:29:10so a real serious piece of kit.

0:29:10 > 0:29:13I've never handled anything quite like it.

0:29:13 > 0:29:15Look at all those tubes!

0:29:15 > 0:29:17Hopefully, you won't be handling it much longer.

0:29:17 > 0:29:20- What would you do with it? - I'm going to hang it.

0:29:20 > 0:29:23So, you look at that seriously as a piece of art?

0:29:23 > 0:29:25Yeah, I mean, if you think about the workmanship,

0:29:25 > 0:29:27the science behind it as well.

0:29:27 > 0:29:30- What would you like to pay for it? - I'm kind of looking...

0:29:32 > 0:29:34What? £190.

0:29:34 > 0:29:36- Really?- Mm-hm.

0:29:36 > 0:29:38- Bit far away there. - Go on. Where are you at?

0:29:38 > 0:29:40A couple of hundred quid on top of that.

0:29:40 > 0:29:42- Oh, a couple of hundred quid? What? - £390-ish.

0:29:42 > 0:29:44£290.

0:29:46 > 0:29:50Um, I mean, I've sold a couple of other bits for that one.

0:29:50 > 0:29:53I'll meet you about in the middle at £350.

0:29:54 > 0:29:57- Middle of what? - Your £290 and my £390.

0:29:57 > 0:30:00It's a bit in the middle, but sort of in favour of me.

0:30:00 > 0:30:02- £320.- £340.

0:30:02 > 0:30:05- £325.- £330.

0:30:05 > 0:30:07- £325.- Done. Give me the money!

0:30:07 > 0:30:09Wow! That was a hyper haggle!

0:30:09 > 0:30:13Add that to the money that he pocketed for the bits he sold at the opticians

0:30:13 > 0:30:18and David has a happy helmet haul of £475

0:30:18 > 0:30:22and that launches a stratospheric profit of £214.60.

0:30:22 > 0:30:23Heavens!

0:30:23 > 0:30:27So, that instantly piles the pressure on Mark.

0:30:27 > 0:30:30He has got his feet on the ground, though, this time in South London.

0:30:30 > 0:30:33He's brought his mid-20th century Japanese charger

0:30:33 > 0:30:35to see Victoria and Laura

0:30:35 > 0:30:38who specialise in 20th-century art and design.

0:30:38 > 0:30:40The plate cost Mark almost £50.

0:30:40 > 0:30:43- The grand reveal. - Beautiful, gorgeous colours.

0:30:43 > 0:30:45And when you think of cloisonne,

0:30:45 > 0:30:48you normally think of that very delicate Chinese and Japanese ware,

0:30:48 > 0:30:51which is all very pretty and small and precise.

0:30:51 > 0:30:53This is, I think, 1950s.

0:30:53 > 0:30:57The firm itself are quite well-known and it's all marked.

0:30:57 > 0:31:00It's got the original labels on the back, which I quite like - Tokyo.

0:31:00 > 0:31:04And cloisonne. I've never seen one before.

0:31:04 > 0:31:06I described it as cloisonne on steroids.

0:31:06 > 0:31:09THEY LAUGH

0:31:09 > 0:31:11Cos it really is a splash of colour, isn't it?

0:31:11 > 0:31:12So, what do you think?

0:31:12 > 0:31:14Well, I actually think it's very nice.

0:31:14 > 0:31:17- It would go really nicely as well. - Yes, it would go beautifully.

0:31:17 > 0:31:20I mean, could we say £150, then?

0:31:20 > 0:31:23- We'd like to negotiate a little bit. - All right, £149!

0:31:23 > 0:31:25Bit more than that.

0:31:25 > 0:31:28What do you think now you've seen it? Make me a little counter-offer.

0:31:28 > 0:31:31- £100.- £100.

0:31:31 > 0:31:35Oh! Do you know, if only I could find a chair that I could sit on.

0:31:35 > 0:31:38I was hoping for a bit more. I mean, I can come down a little.

0:31:38 > 0:31:40Well, what's your lowest?

0:31:40 > 0:31:42Shall we try and sort of...?

0:31:42 > 0:31:44What if I said £130?

0:31:44 > 0:31:46I think...

0:31:46 > 0:31:49Well, why don't we split the difference? Why don't we say £125?

0:31:49 > 0:31:52£125? I'd be very happy with that. Would you be happy with that?

0:31:52 > 0:31:53- We'd be happy, I think.- Yeah.

0:31:53 > 0:31:56Then we can have a group hug. £125.

0:31:58 > 0:32:00Well, I think that's what you call a successful sale.

0:32:00 > 0:32:04Very successful! He's more than doubled his money.

0:32:04 > 0:32:07The plate serves up a very useful profit of £75.40,

0:32:07 > 0:32:10which goes a long way towards breaking level with David.

0:32:10 > 0:32:14So, Mr Harper certainly has no time to sit back and relax.

0:32:14 > 0:32:18He's near Darlington with his six Georgian-style chairs,

0:32:18 > 0:32:20but, let's be honest, they've seen better days,

0:32:20 > 0:32:24which might be why he got them for just under £15.

0:32:24 > 0:32:28So, will potential buyer Sandy give him a profit?

0:32:28 > 0:32:30Needing a little bit of care and attention.

0:32:30 > 0:32:33- Need a bit of waxing, don't they? - A bit more than waxing!

0:32:33 > 0:32:35Bit more than waxing?

0:32:35 > 0:32:37A bit of wax will go a long way, I've got to say.

0:32:37 > 0:32:40- But good quality. - It is mahogany, though, isn't it?

0:32:40 > 0:32:42- Solid mahogany. - Mahogany. Exactly, yeah.

0:32:42 > 0:32:45Are they all solid or is there one wonky one?

0:32:45 > 0:32:48No, you've got a little bit of a wonky one.

0:32:48 > 0:32:50You've got a bit more of a wonky one.

0:32:50 > 0:32:53We're going in, like, a grade from good to dreadful.

0:32:53 > 0:32:56These old chairs have certainly seen some heavy-duty dining.

0:32:56 > 0:32:59David's trying his hardest, but will Sandy bite?

0:32:59 > 0:33:01£10 a chair, Sandy.

0:33:01 > 0:33:05It would seem churlish to barter with you at that price.

0:33:05 > 0:33:08- At £10 a chair?- Yes, I would feel a little bit embarrassed about it.

0:33:08 > 0:33:11So, can we go with that? £60 for the six?

0:33:11 > 0:33:12- Go on, then.- Good man.

0:33:12 > 0:33:14- Pleasure. - Thank you very much indeed.

0:33:14 > 0:33:17- Come on, I'll give you a hand in. - Good man!

0:33:17 > 0:33:19Always nice to help people out.

0:33:19 > 0:33:22The chairs provide a comfy profit of £45.12,

0:33:22 > 0:33:25not bad for a lot that he hadn't even clapped his eyes on

0:33:25 > 0:33:27when he bought it.

0:33:27 > 0:33:30Mark also pushes on with his steady selling.

0:33:30 > 0:33:34He takes his Victorian watercolour to a restaurant in Hove to meet Sue

0:33:34 > 0:33:36and The Maverick very nearly doubles his money again.

0:33:36 > 0:33:38He shakes hands on £70,

0:33:38 > 0:33:42brushing in a picture-perfect profit of £32.80.

0:33:42 > 0:33:46So, both our boys are going great guns, slamming in the sales.

0:33:46 > 0:33:48Let's see who's in the lead.

0:33:48 > 0:33:50David has seen off three of his lots so far,

0:33:50 > 0:33:54making a total profit of £330.92.

0:33:54 > 0:33:56Mark is trailing behind, though.

0:33:56 > 0:33:58He's also sold three of his purchases,

0:33:58 > 0:34:03but his profit is significantly lower - £133.48.

0:34:03 > 0:34:06But there's still plenty of time to reap the riches.

0:34:06 > 0:34:09However, David takes a hit on his stoneware unicorn.

0:34:09 > 0:34:13A man in Barnard Castle gives him £100,

0:34:13 > 0:34:16which brings in a very meagre profit - just 80p.

0:34:16 > 0:34:19Bad news for David, but excellent news for Mark.

0:34:19 > 0:34:24But David's hopes remain high, particularly with his next item.

0:34:24 > 0:34:27It's the Victorian settee he absolutely adores.

0:34:27 > 0:34:30He's had it delivered to a 17th-century wedding venue

0:34:30 > 0:34:31in the nearby village of Lartington.

0:34:31 > 0:34:36So, will the owners, John and Shona, think it's to the manor born?

0:34:36 > 0:34:38David paid just over £260.

0:34:38 > 0:34:41- Go on, try it. - I'm quite heavy at the moment!

0:34:41 > 0:34:45- She looks fantastic. - It's a good time to try.

0:34:45 > 0:34:47Can I get out? It's all right, isn't it?

0:34:47 > 0:34:49- It's not bad.- Very comfortable.

0:34:49 > 0:34:52Now, stay there because I've got an added extra. Wait there.

0:34:52 > 0:34:56So, you can have them with cushions or without.

0:34:56 > 0:34:59- Perfect.- Looks good, doesn't it?

0:34:59 > 0:35:01- Yes, very comfortable. - Try it out, John.

0:35:02 > 0:35:05- Give us a range.- £500-700.

0:35:05 > 0:35:07I'll stand back with you to admire.

0:35:07 > 0:35:10- I think we could do £450. - She looks so lovely.

0:35:10 > 0:35:13I'm shocked. I'm utterly shocked. John, I'm shocked.

0:35:13 > 0:35:16I tell you what I would do. I'd meet you somewhere near £600.

0:35:16 > 0:35:19- You said 500-700.- I know.

0:35:19 > 0:35:22- That's in the middle, isn't it? - What about five?

0:35:22 > 0:35:24- Shall we settle on five?- Five...

0:35:24 > 0:35:26How about 550?

0:35:26 > 0:35:29- We'll settle on 550, shall we? - Shona, thank you so much.

0:35:29 > 0:35:32- Deal. Sealed with a kiss. - Thank you. Thank you, John.

0:35:32 > 0:35:33No, thank you.

0:35:35 > 0:35:37Now, all we need now is a nice glass of champagne.

0:35:37 > 0:35:39- Not you, of course.- Not me, sadly.

0:35:39 > 0:35:41Where are the servants? Never a servant when you want one.

0:35:41 > 0:35:44Yeah, a house like this must have servants.

0:35:44 > 0:35:47Well, staff or no staff, the Victorian sofa serves up

0:35:47 > 0:35:54a luxurious profit of £289.60 and David deals Mark a crushing blow.

0:35:54 > 0:35:57So, that really piles the pressure on The Maverick.

0:35:57 > 0:36:00He doesn't get much luck out of the watercolour portrait, though.

0:36:00 > 0:36:03He sells it to a woman in West Sussex for £20,

0:36:03 > 0:36:06bringing in a profit of just £7.60.

0:36:08 > 0:36:11And this is the point at which Mark pulls out the big one -

0:36:11 > 0:36:14his pigeon painting that cost him just over £223.

0:36:14 > 0:36:17So, it's all the money and he's a bit worried about this one

0:36:17 > 0:36:21so he puffs up his feathers and flies along the coast to Peacehaven.

0:36:21 > 0:36:25He's meeting pigeon fancier John who has a lot of unusual breeds.

0:36:25 > 0:36:28So, will The Maverick race home with a profit

0:36:28 > 0:36:32or are his birds about to come home to roost?

0:36:32 > 0:36:35- These are my birds, Mark. - Gosh, they're fabulous!

0:36:35 > 0:36:38The colours are wonderful. They're purring away there.

0:36:38 > 0:36:40Or cooing away, I should say.

0:36:40 > 0:36:42They're all making happy noises at the moment

0:36:42 > 0:36:46so before we get them unhappy, shall I show you, in the flesh, the picture?

0:36:46 > 0:36:48- I'd like to see it.- I loved it.

0:36:48 > 0:36:49I thought there's no problem.

0:36:49 > 0:36:51There must be loads of pigeon fanciers around.

0:36:51 > 0:36:55Loads of, you know, pubs with the word "pigeon" in it. And no luck.

0:36:55 > 0:36:57But can you tell us anything about it?

0:36:57 > 0:37:00So, the actual painting is Victorian-style.

0:37:00 > 0:37:01I'm not saying it is Victorian.

0:37:01 > 0:37:03No, I'm not convinced it's Victorian.

0:37:03 > 0:37:06Because what we've got today is we've got lots of very good artists.

0:37:06 > 0:37:09There's a lady down in West Sussex who does do this style.

0:37:09 > 0:37:11I must admit, I agree with you.

0:37:11 > 0:37:13I think it was painted later than that.

0:37:13 > 0:37:16Is it something you think you might be able to make an offer on?

0:37:16 > 0:37:18It's something that I would maybe use

0:37:18 > 0:37:21in maybe some of my talks and displays.

0:37:21 > 0:37:23How much could I make you part with?

0:37:24 > 0:37:27Well, unfortunately, Mark, probably not as much as you would like.

0:37:27 > 0:37:29Do your worst, John.

0:37:29 > 0:37:30I mean...

0:37:30 > 0:37:34- I mean, I'm talking about £25.- Oh!

0:37:34 > 0:37:36John, please, you can't do that to me!

0:37:36 > 0:37:40- £25? My gosh!- How about £40?

0:37:40 > 0:37:43Can we go a little bit higher to save my embarrassment?

0:37:43 > 0:37:46I don't think I'm ever going to become a pigeon fancier after this.

0:37:46 > 0:37:48I have got 30 mouths to feed, Mark.

0:37:49 > 0:37:51It is a nice painting.

0:37:51 > 0:37:53If I just help you a little bit and if I said £50...?

0:37:54 > 0:37:57I'm not going to get you any higher than that, am I?

0:37:57 > 0:37:59I think I'm going to have to take your £50, John.

0:37:59 > 0:38:01- Shall I shake your hand? - Please. Thank you so much.

0:38:01 > 0:38:07Oh, Mark, that's a devastating loss! £173.20. Hideous!

0:38:07 > 0:38:11# Every loser wins

0:38:11 > 0:38:15# Once the dream begins... #

0:38:15 > 0:38:16There's no way round it.

0:38:16 > 0:38:20That is one of the biggest losses in Put Your Money history.

0:38:20 > 0:38:22Well, it's not my best sale.

0:38:22 > 0:38:24I've made a huge loss, but I have made a new friend

0:38:24 > 0:38:28and I've learned a lot about pigeons, so it's not all bad.

0:38:33 > 0:38:35Yes, you can put a positive spin on it all you like,

0:38:35 > 0:38:38but that could have just sealed your fate.

0:38:38 > 0:38:41David rounds off his selling spree back where it all began

0:38:41 > 0:38:43in Barnard Castle.

0:38:43 > 0:38:47The carpetbag and leather holdall sell for £135,

0:38:47 > 0:38:50giving him a slender profit of £11.

0:38:50 > 0:38:53So, everything - and I mean everything -

0:38:53 > 0:38:54comes down to Mark's last item,

0:38:54 > 0:38:59the engraved ostrich egg. And he basically needs a miracle.

0:38:59 > 0:39:02But, as we always say, anything could happen.

0:39:02 > 0:39:04Mr Stacey is in Guildford to meet Dave

0:39:04 > 0:39:08who's the chairman of an organisation that raises money for local causes.

0:39:08 > 0:39:11Mark needs hundreds and hundreds of pounds.

0:39:11 > 0:39:13- I sent you some photographs, David. - You did.

0:39:13 > 0:39:16Because you're connected with the Guildford Lions, aren't you?

0:39:16 > 0:39:18Yes, I am, yeah.

0:39:18 > 0:39:21And I thought this egg might be something of interest to you.

0:39:21 > 0:39:23I'll hand it over cos you haven't seen it in the flesh.

0:39:23 > 0:39:25I haven't, no. It's lovely, isn't it?

0:39:25 > 0:39:29Well, I liked it cos it's quite delicately carved or etched

0:39:29 > 0:39:31and it's got all the staining in there

0:39:31 > 0:39:33and he looks actually a kind of friendly lion.

0:39:33 > 0:39:35He does, yes. Yes, he does.

0:39:35 > 0:39:38- It comes with a little... - "Drawn by Hugh."

0:39:38 > 0:39:39By Hugh. Whoever Hugh is.

0:39:39 > 0:39:42And it comes with this little gilt metal stand

0:39:42 > 0:39:45with three dolphins on it, which is quite fun.

0:39:45 > 0:39:46Dave, I think in the e-mail,

0:39:46 > 0:39:49I suggested an estimate range of around about £50-80.

0:39:49 > 0:39:51Now, how do you feel about that?

0:39:51 > 0:39:55I think that's...we'd be interested in that at the lower end.

0:39:55 > 0:40:00Could I possibly sort of push you up to, say, £60?

0:40:00 > 0:40:03- Is that possible?- I think...

0:40:03 > 0:40:05Yes, I'm sure we could do £60.

0:40:05 > 0:40:07- Could we manage at £60? - I'm sure, yes.

0:40:07 > 0:40:09That gives me a little bit of extra profit as well

0:40:09 > 0:40:12and hopefully this will roar at the auction.

0:40:12 > 0:40:13- Ho-ho! Wonderful!- Did you get it?

0:40:13 > 0:40:16- I got it. I saw what you did there. - He will be the king of the auction.

0:40:16 > 0:40:19- Fantastic. Thank you, Mark. - Thank you.

0:40:19 > 0:40:21While Mark's still in the mood to make jokes,

0:40:21 > 0:40:23the ostrich egg makes £25.28,

0:40:23 > 0:40:26which, to be frank, won't make much difference.

0:40:27 > 0:40:30It's almost time to reveal the final figures.

0:40:30 > 0:40:32Not sure we're in for much of a surprise, though.

0:40:32 > 0:40:35Before we do, let's remind ourselves of how much they spent at auction.

0:40:37 > 0:40:41Both our boys arrived in London with £1,000 of their own money to spend.

0:40:41 > 0:40:44David was daring in his bidding.

0:40:44 > 0:40:49His six lots came in at a total cost of £907.68.

0:40:49 > 0:40:50Mark was much more cautious.

0:40:50 > 0:40:56Six lots for him too, but a relatively modest spend of £391.84.

0:40:56 > 0:40:59Any profit that David and Mark have made from today's challenge

0:40:59 > 0:41:01will go to the charities of their choice

0:41:01 > 0:41:03and, if you haven't worked it out already,

0:41:03 > 0:41:05it's time to reveal who is today's

0:41:05 > 0:41:08Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is champion.

0:41:08 > 0:41:11- David, hello.- What a beautiful day.

0:41:11 > 0:41:13- How are you feeling? - I am very, very nervous.

0:41:13 > 0:41:15- You're not.- I am, David.

0:41:15 > 0:41:16You've got a nervous look.

0:41:16 > 0:41:19Now, the auction, I'm afraid, wasn't very good for me.

0:41:19 > 0:41:21- Really?- No.

0:41:21 > 0:41:23- Anything in particular? - Well, one thing in particular.

0:41:23 > 0:41:25- Which one?- The pigeon.

0:41:25 > 0:41:28The pigeon? Didn't half shout out on the day as well, didn't I?

0:41:28 > 0:41:32- I know. And you?- Um, the helmet.

0:41:32 > 0:41:35I've never bought anything quite like it. I did two sales.

0:41:35 > 0:41:39Sold the soft helmets to one guy - great guy with an opticians -

0:41:39 > 0:41:43and the helmet itself is now living in a lovely cottage

0:41:43 > 0:41:47in deepest, darkest Cumbria as a piece of art.

0:41:47 > 0:41:51- David, you do go on, you know. - I do. I go on journeys. Journeys.

0:41:51 > 0:41:53Well, go on and open your box, will you?

0:41:53 > 0:41:56- Are you ready? - BOTH:- Three, two, one.

0:41:56 > 0:41:57- Mark Stacey!- I know.

0:41:57 > 0:42:00- What?- Well, I don't know how you've done it.

0:42:00 > 0:42:01Red means bad.

0:42:01 > 0:42:04- I don't know how you've done it, David.- Red is bad.

0:42:04 > 0:42:07I know, it's very bad. I'm surprised it's only that bad, actually.

0:42:07 > 0:42:12- How did you get so bad? - I lost over £170 on the picture.

0:42:14 > 0:42:16I almost feel like I'm going to collapse with joy.

0:42:16 > 0:42:18- Will you buy me a drink? - I will buy you a drink.

0:42:18 > 0:42:22- Do you want a couple of bottles? - Oh, poor Mark! Give that man a hug!

0:42:22 > 0:42:25That's an extraordinary victory for David.

0:42:25 > 0:42:27His bulk-buying worked a treat.

0:42:27 > 0:42:32The great thing about auctions is the variety of objects.

0:42:32 > 0:42:35So, from a beautiful, early 19th-century sofa

0:42:35 > 0:42:40to a Chinese fighter pilot's helmet, it is just absolutely bizarre.

0:42:40 > 0:42:42Well, what can I say about the auction?

0:42:42 > 0:42:44It wasn't my finest moment, as they say.

0:42:44 > 0:42:46Everything I wanted, I couldn't get,

0:42:46 > 0:42:48but I did make some reasonable sales.

0:42:48 > 0:42:50I mean, I managed to sell the ostrich egg

0:42:50 > 0:42:53and the watercolour, I found a very good buyer for.

0:42:53 > 0:42:55But I did make a huge loss as well,

0:42:55 > 0:42:58and David just seemed to find the right people hidden in the country

0:42:58 > 0:43:00who wanted a Chinese helmet.

0:43:00 > 0:43:03So, Mark will be a man on a mission tomorrow

0:43:03 > 0:43:07as our two traders battle for the ultimate accolade in antiques television.

0:43:07 > 0:43:10Take cover, it's the mighty showdown!