Edinburgh 2 Bargain Hunt

MUSIC PLAYS

We're in Edinburgh today with two teams of musicians ready to

battle it out.

And today's special show is going to be a long player

with 60 minutes' worth.

But which team will be playing the pipes of victory?

Which team will strike the wrong note?

Hah! Let's find out. Let's go bargain hunting! Yeah!

We should all know the rules by now.

The teams have £300 and an hour to find three items to

sell at auction, and the winners will be the team that make

the biggest profit or the smallest loss, but...

today we've tweaked the rules a bit, because instead of asking

the experts to go out and find one bonus buy,

I'm going to ask them to find two,

and then I'm going to have a look at the two and say which one

I think is going to bring the biggest profit or the smallest loss.

Will I get it right? Will the teams go with any of it?

Let's find out and have a quick squint as to what's coming up.

Are the harmonious girls in Red singing the sweet song of success?

-# Bah, bah, bah

-Bah, bah, bah

-# Bah, bah, bah

-Bah, bah, bah. #

Oh, wonderful!

'And, are the Blues breaking the Bargain Hunt rules as they try

-'and busk their way to victory?'

-HE PLAYS TUNE

All right. Yeah, that's worth a couple of quid,

isn't it? Yeah. Here!

So, let's meet our all-singing and busking teams.

Well, on today's programme we are sure reaching for the high notes,

because both of our teams are musicians. How exciting!

For the Reds, we have Lesley and Linda, who are friends and singers.

And, for the Blues, we have father and daughter,

Dennis and Victoria, who are instrumentalists. Hello, everyone!

-Hello, Tim!

-Now, Lesley, how did you two meet?

Linda and I met about 12 years ago

when we both joined Forth Valley Chorus, which is

a barbershop ladies' chorus based in Edinburgh.

-And your barbershop takes you places.

-It does.

We enter competitions regularly.

In this country, we were in Newcastle and we won, and when you win,

you then compete in America, so, last year, we were in Denver.

Next year, we're going to Baltimore, so we get around about.

-Sounds like an excuse for a bit of a whizz to me.

-It is.

And, Linda, your talents aren't

simply restricted to singing, are they?

My husband's actually the musical director in the chorus,

so, I tend to get involved in all the back scene stuff in the chorus,

and Leslie and me are both on the costume team.

-So, you look after the frocks?

-We do.

-We try to.

So, now, from singing to bargain hunting. What do you girls collect?

I do like the Art Deco period.

I think it's a very glamorous period, the 1920s and '30s.

Is that what you're going to be going for today on Bargain Hunt,

-do you think?

-Ah, well, hmm...

-We don't know.

-I think we'll look for that sort of age period...

-Uh-huh.

-But, maybe a bit of glamour.

-Uh-huh, a bit of sparkle.

-A bit of sparkle, yeah.

-So, very good luck with that, girls.

Now...

-Victoria...

-Hello.

-..you and your dad are instrumentalists.

-Yes.

-Um...what do you play?

-Guitar and violin, myself.

And you were introduced to playing when?

My dad used to take me a lot to his military band practice.

There was a lady named June who played the flute and then,

when the band would disperse for break, she would take her

violin out and I would sit at the back and just listen to her play.

-And you fell in love with the violin.

-Pretty much, yeah.

Now, it says here you've got a few military ambitions of your own.

Yes, I'm currently waiting to sit my test with the Navy Reserves

and then, hopefully, crack on with them, really.

Test the water for it and then, if it's the life for me...

-Now, Dennis, you're an ex-military man...

-I am.

-I can tell that by your upright bearing.

-Thank you very much.

Not at all. Once a military man, always a military man.

And now you play in brass bands.

Brass bands, pipe bands, jazz bands, Glenn Miller big band,

and mainly the British Legion band in Edinburgh.

Out of the many instruments that you play, which is your favourite?

-Clarinet.

-Followed by?

-Bagpipes.

-Followed by?

-Trumpet.

-Followed by?

-Valve trombone.

-Followed by?

-Banjo.

-Followed by?

-Accordion.

There you go. I've covered a few of the instruments

that you play one at a time...

-Yeah.

-..which is pretty impressive, actually.

Now, £300 apiece, there you go, £300.

You know the rules, your experts await,

and off you go and very, very, very good luck.

Play them one at a time, Sam.

Now, let's meet the experts,

and dialling M for music...

Catherine Southon is on song for the Reds, or should it be on call?

And, on the lookout for the best bargains that money can buy

for the Blues, it's Paul Laidlaw.

So, stand by for a musical extravaganza, folks.

My two singers, Lesley and Linda, what are our tactics for today?

Well, we are looking for jewellery.

Something silver, a wee bit glamorous, maybe.

Quite an ensemble we make. Is that going to flavour our shopping?

It's certainly going to help.

I think we could busk or get the stuff for nothing.

-Let's go and sing our way to success.

-Indeed!

-Indeed!

-Come on, let's go!

-OK.

And, just like magpies, the girls are drawn to the sparkly stuff.

We've got all the girls here.

We know that's a good sign for sparkly jewellery.

That's quite nice, a little cigarette case, the RAF cigarettes.

Oh, no, it's a little powder compact.

Compacts can be collectable.

-That's quite nice.

-I don't know, I'm not sure.

I think that's quite a nice thing, yeah.

Quite nice, but, perhaps not nice enough to buy, eh, Catherine?

-We were just looking at that wee thing there.

-This little lady here?

That's a good figure. She originally sat on top of a clock, I suspect.

Yeah, well, it wouldn't do us any 'arm would it?!

Hey, hang on, I do the gags on this show.

Now, what have those Reds got their eyes on?

-That's quite nice.

-Oh, I like that.

-Isn't that lovely?

-Yes, I like that too.

-So, we've got a magnifier...is it a magnifier?

-No, there we are.

-Oh!

-Put them on, oh, that's very theatrical!

-It is, isn't it? Would you use these?

-Absolutely.

-Oh, yes!

-Very intelligent looking!

-Oh, yes, Lesley, I can see that.

-Can you, really?

-It's lovely, so, what is this?

What is the handle made from?

-I don't think it's...

-These are all...no, it's mother-of-pearl,

which has been overlaid.

The date of it is probably early 20th century,

-it might be sort of 1920s, something like that.

-OK.

These little folding glasses are known as lorgnette,

and were often used more as fashion accessories than to correct vision.

If you look at them, they're actually quite well made as well.

I mean, look at this little detail here with this little...

Oh, yes, it's a little engraving there.

-How much are they? 48. That doesn't...

-Oh!

-Oh!

I like those.

Well, I think we should wait. We should go in for...

-Do you want to...?

-25.

-It is about making money, this programme.

-I know, you're right.

OK, we'll try for 25. I'll have a word with the stallholder.

And see if you can get it for as...

Now, has Paul found a little something to set the Blues on fire?

-That is a cigar lighter from a very rich table.

-OK.

"I say, old chap, pass me the cigar lighter." "There you go, old boy."

So, there's a little wick in here and you can see how it works then.

-A bit of paraffin in there.

-Yes.

-And pass it from one to the other.

-It's priced at 95.

-At the auction?

-Hmm. It's worth 50 to 70.

-Can we get it...?

There's a job of work to be done, but there's nothing the matter with

-that, it's a good object.

-compare it to this, Paul.

Let's have a look. What have you got? A hatpin box, do you reckon?

-A hatpin...definitely a hatpin box.

-Value on that?

50 to 70 again.

I think you...do you know, I think you'd get away with that!

Aye. And what price have you got on them?

85 would be my best on that one, 75 on that hatbox.

-75 on the hatbox.

-We're struggling at that though,

-if you're 50 to 70.

-Yeah.

'It doesn't sound like the price of either of these items

'is right, Blues. Now...

'how have the ladies got on with those specs?'

How are you doing?

Well...she would only go down to 40.

-Oh...

-I know, I know.

-I'd be happier under 40.

I know, so would I.

But, I'm thinking that we've definitely got

-a bit of margin in that, I really do.

-You do?

-Yeah, I do.

-Right, let's go for it, then.

-Right, OK, a vote of confidence.

-You can blame me.

-That's fine.

Good work, Reds. £40 paid.

So, are the Blue team any closer to making their first purchase?

-I was looking at that vase, Paul.

-What were you looking at?

-That lamp in the corner.

-I thought it was a cloisonne vase.

Close, champleve enamel. Chinese, bronze...

Can I just check the prize, Bob?

-That's the kicker.

-It's 110, Dad.

-110.

-Look at the light fitting...

-Yeah.

-I can tell you it's not a new tourist bring-back,

it probably dates to the second quarter of the 20th century.

So, it's getting on for 100 year old, maybe. What's it worth?

-80?

-Yeah.

-60 to 80, maybe.

Cheap at 60 to 80, it has to be said. Ask what the lamp can be.

Excuse me, could you tell me what you can do on that?

-90.

-90? £90.

Again, it's close. If you could get it for 80.

Will you make an offer or have a look? Do you want to inspect it?

Now, I've got to say, you'd need an electrician to look at this.

That's not a problem.

Great form, a little ebonised wooden base, and I'm bang on for period.

It's interwar, isn't it?

We would like to buy it, but you're saying if we can get that for 80,

-we've got half a chance?

-If you get it for 80, I think you have, I think

-you've got half a chance.

-Who's got half a chance, me or you?

-I think you're the man.

-THEY LAUGH

-He doesn't pass the buck, does he?

-Don't encourage him!

Sorry to pester you. We really fancy this...

Could you do us a really good price at £80 and we'll shake your hand?

-TRADER:

-I could do it, yeah.

-Wonderful!

-Thank you.

Well done, Blues.

Now, the Reds are in danger of blowing their budget big-time!

"Chinese garden silver mirror." Yes, well, we have good taste.

-You have good taste.

-£1,295!

Remember the budget!

And the Blues have found a friend, also in blue.

Have you met my uncle?

THEY LAUGH

Who is that? Is that General Grant? Stonewall Jackson?

-I put an offer in for £150.

-What?

-What?

Aye, I've said to the lassie, she's phoning him up for 150 quid.

-For a quarter of the asking price?

-Aye.

And three times more than it's worth?

Three times?!

Seriously! And you bid on that?

I asked the lady to phone him for the £150 bid!

Magic!

Nah! Madness!

Now, Catherine has found another lady's accessory

to go with the lorgnette.

-I've just picked this up.

-Oh, I like it.

-Oh, I like that.

Isn't she lovely? 1920s.

But what's inside?

This is going to be probably Bakelite, I would say,

-but a little shoehorn.

-Oh, how cute is that?

-And a little boot-hook.

But I really love...

..£20! What an accessory!

-I know!

-Can you imagine ladies having that in their little bag?

Going off with their lovely eyepiece, the little glasses that

we bought, having that in their bag, the shoe comes off.

"Oh, dear! My shoe!" What do you think?

-Yes, I think we should, definitely.

-I'm liking the theme so far.

How much do you think we could get for this?

-I'm gobsmacked!

-You've got to try...

-I've never met anyone like you!

-What do you mean?

-I show you £20 and you want less!

Well, you go for it this time.

Lesley, you're even more feisty, so you go for it this time.

Let's see what we can do.

Can you do it for 15?

-TRADER:

-No.

-Fine.

-18.

It's very rare to find these things in good condition.

-It's lovely, yeah.

-It's really nice Bakelite...

OK, let me just go back to them and say 18, maybe.

-She's got a smile on her face.

-I have got a smile on my face.

-Good.

-18.

-Oh, well, that's...

-What do you think?

-No, that's great.

-Are you happy with that?

-It's so stylish.

-It's lovely, it really is.

-I'm happy.

-Are you?

-Yes.

-The team is happy.

-The team is happy, yay!

-We are such stylish ladies, aren't we?

-We're very glam.

-Very glam!

And very modest 'n' all!

Well done.

Well done indeed.

Now, are the Blues heading in the right direction with this compass?

Pointing towards a profit, do we think?

9-carat, wants to be Victorian, doesn't it?

Now, is it just stamped 9-carat, is it marked at all,

does it have a date letter?

These are all the questions that we want answered.

They're rubbed, but it was at Birmingham and...

Oh, it is rubbed!

375, it's 9-carat gold.

Compass works and that is a vacant carnelian, is the stone,

-a carnelian matrix.

-Good.

In its day, it was a gentleman's watch fob

-hanging off your Albert, your watch chain.

-Yeah.

Today, it could hang as a charm, a pendant, I think

it's broadly appealing.

-Yeah.

-I like it, so the price is £48.

Do you know what, that's not dear and I don't often say that.

-Don't say that.

-You've got a good eye.

-Yeah.

But we want to do a job of work, don't we? That's worth...

-£40 to £60...

-OK.

-..cautiously.

Ask him if he's in a good mood or a bad mood.

Are you in a good mood or a bad mood?

I'm...not in a giveaway mood!

You're not in a giveaway...? Aww!

What is the very best you can do for this for us?

I'll do it for 35. That's less than scrap, you can't lose.

We're not going to push you any more. Are you happy with that?

Ecstatic! What about Vicky? You liked it in the first place.

-Yeah, but I've picked something already...

-I don't mind.

If you fancy that, shake the man's hand.

-The tension, the drama!

-# Da, na-na-na! #

-Yes, please. Thank you.

-Wonderful!

So, the teams have bought two items apiece, and while the pressure

is off them, it's now up to me to find something at the fair.

Now, the aneroid barometer is handy

because, within it, there is a vacuum-filled chamber,

and when the air pressure outside goes up or down,

the weather changes, so the vacuum-filled chamber enlarges or

contracts inside one of these.

This particular one is made by one of the most prestigious makers

in Britain - Negretti and Zambra,

who were in business from about 1850 until about 1950. What's it worth?

Well, the big one, in good condition by Negretti and Zambra,

would cost you the thick end of £150.

But what's in this little case next door? Intriguing, eh?

Another barometer? No! Something much more interesting than that.

It tells you on the outside what it is.

It says it's a Weldon Range Finder.

Colonel Weldon, in the Indian Army around 1880,

invented this thing because he had a problem.

He couldn't tell, when firing his cannon at the enemy,

exactly how far they were over there.

So, to determine that distance,

clever Colonel Weldon turned to trigonometry.

He worked out, in this little gadget,

three certain positions, which you can see through mirrors in prisms.

You work out where those three angles join up,

shove it through the cosine whatnot and that gives you

the distance of the first point from where you're standing here.

And what thrilled me was acquiring in one lot not one

but two barometers, plus this range finder, for £200.

And one of these in silver in a specialist sale made the top

end of £1,000 two years ago.

Well done, Colonel Weldon!

Now, back to the teams and how are Dennis and Victoria getting on?

We're doing great. We've got two in the bag.

We've got an item over there as a reserve.

Now, we want to get a big piece.

That's the favourite, but I don't think Paul fancies it.

We're comfortable with what we've bought and now we're slowing down.

I've got a horrible feeling that we will be buying in the last minute.

Watch this space!

Will do, Catherine. Now, back to the shop. Chop-chop!

How are we doing? 25 minutes, we've got left. Oh, I like it!

-It's musical!

-Musical. It's extremely rare.

-What is it?

-Like a brooch, I guess.

-Yes.

-How much is on that?

-Price at the bottom.

-185.

-Oh, is it?

-It's a lot of money.

But you DO have a lot of money, as you've only spent £58 so far.

Meanwhile, as we head into the final 15 minutes,

both teams seem to be losing their focus.

-Dennis!

-Coming, boss.

Lost her. Where is she?

Does anyone look like they want to talk to us? No. Story of my life!

-Do you like that?

-No, I don't.

-You're going sparkly and girly again.

Yeah, we're going sparkly and girly again.

-Some of these, I like, Linda doesn't like.

-Please don't argue!

-12 minutes, ladies.

-Right.

-Right.

Now, being a multi-instrumentalist,

it's only a matter of time before Dennis finds something to play with.

Here we go.

HE PLAYS A JAZZY TUNE

All right, that's worth a couple of quid. Yeah.

Ha! I'm not sure busking's allowed in the Bargain Hunt rules, Paul.

Eat your heart out, Acker Bilk, eh?

Meanwhile, the Red team have rumbled their expert Catherine.

Have you seen anything? Have you...? Crisis meeting!

-Potential bonus buys!

-Oh, really?

-I'll break your noses.

-He said to come down and find you!

-What have you found?

-Oh, I like something, she doesn't like it.

-You two are always arguing.

-No, we're not.

-Er... Yes, you are.

It's a standard lamp. A standard oil lamp.

The reservoir sat in there in brass,

copper, wrought iron...

It's going to be 1860, 1870, but what's it worth?

Could you tell me how much this is, please?

-Well, I was thinking 60.

-It's too much.

-It's within buying distance.

Right, let's come back to that and we've still got the silver box.

Make your mind up, Blues. Time is fast running out.

Nine minutes and counting!

-SHE KNOCKS

-Hello!

-Is that what that is?

-Ah, right.

-Auctioneer's gavel.

We're going to be hearing a lot of that at the auction

-when they've sold our items for thousands of pounds.

-Absolutely!

You wish! Meanwhile, the Blues are um-ing

and ah-ing about an easel at the same stand as the oil lamp,

which they also can't make their minds up about.

Well, what's the price on that?

To us.

It should be about 300.

But I might go 250, just to give you a chance.

I don't think that'll do us the money.

So, it's going to be French, it's going to be late 19th century,

it is...ebonized.

Importantly, all the gilt metal elements...are there.

I think it is a rich object for a Glasgow townhouse.

I think it's too much money.

So, still no decision on the easel or the oil lamp. Tick-tock, eh?

Seven and a half minutes. How did that happen?

I knew this was going to happen. I knew it. Have you seen anything?

-Um... No.

-No.

Oh, dear.

Now, unusually, laidback Paul Laidlaw is laying down the law,

as we're just five minutes from time's up.

Why are we walking past opportunities?

Because you guys liked the standard lamp

and we were within striking distance.

I went weak at the knees at the easel and I baulked at the price

and now I'm thinking, "Do you know what?

"Why don't we do a little bigger?"

-What's the matter with the easel?

-Um... The price?

And with time running out, the Reds are finally on the case. Literally.

-I think that's quite nice. I mean, think interior design.

-Yeah.

-That's true. Like a coffee table.

-Exactly! Coffee table.

Put a bit of glass over it.

Or on the top of your wardrobe. She's not with us.

No, I actually quite like it.

-It's quite nice. I quite like it.

-What age would this be?

-I'd say probably about the same age.

-It's £75. What do you reckon?

-Oh, she's on the money again.

-I think we should have something big.

-Everything else is small.

-Yes, quite good fun.

No pressure, but three minutes.

-I'd rather go for that than the other piece.

-Yeah? Let's go for it.

-We need to know the price.

-We need to know the price.

-All three of us on this one.

-Yes, OK.

-Hi!

-Hi.

-Hi.

-We do like the trunk.

-Yes.

-75 is a bit punchy.

-Right.

-What could you do that for?

-65.

-Can we give you 60?

Yeah.

-That would be superb.

-Are we happy at that?

-Absolutely!

-Delighted.

-Are you sure?

-Yes.

-Excellent.

-That's it.

-Would you like a song?

-Of course.

-Come on, ladies.

-What are we going to sing?

-Just break into song.

# La-la

# Ba-ba, ba-ba ba-ba-ba

# Ba-ba, ba-ba-ba. #

You see?

Well done, Reds. After all that arguing, harmony at last!

Wonderful!

Now, with less than two minutes left,

Paul is desperately trying to persuade the Blues to buy the easel.

Remember, the dealer wanted £250.

-To leave a pound left in their purse...

-For you to shop?

-Yeah.

They could offer you 184, is that right?

-That's not leaving you...

-It's leaving me a pound.

-The lady's nicer than that.

-Absolutely.

Can you leave me any more than that?

-Could you take 150 and leave me 30 quid to spend?

-No.

I've seen you shopping with a pound before

and it's surprising what you can buy!

That is wading in deep.

-We'd be buying that with our hearts and not our heads.

-I suspect so.

Well, I defer to that.

Could I shake hands with you at £184 for your easel?

-Finally, the deal's done!

-Shake the lady's hand.

-I totally agree!

So that's the easel bought, at last,

leaving Paul one paltry pound for his bonus buy.

Whoa! Time's up! Let's check out what the Red team bought.

For the 1920s lorgnette, or specs on a stick to you and me,

they spent £40.

Also from the 1920s, the Art Deco shoehorn and button hook set,

setting them back just £18.

And for the vintage cabin trunk, the Reds unpacked £60.

OK, girls, which is your favourite piece?

-My favourite piece are the opera glasses.

-That's your favourite.

-Do you agree with that?

-Yes. But I also like the little shoehorn

and the button hook in the leather case.

-But that's your favourite, is it?

-I think so.

-And is that going to bring the biggest profit?

-I'm thinking the case possibly would make the largest profit.

-The trunk.

-Yes.

-All right, lovely. Well, that's what we like to hear.

-Now, how much did you spend?

-We spent £118.

-Is that all?

I'd like £182 of leftover lolly, please. 182.

Thank you. Look at this. Well, well, well.

Because this is a special occasion, Catherine,

there's your £182 to go and find bonus buy number one.

And I'm going to give you, on this special occasion,

another £100 to go and find bonus buy number two.

And then you guys are going to have two bonus buys to select from later.

OK, thank you very much, Catherine.

Meanwhile, why don't we check out what the Blue team bought, eh?

For the Chinese bronze table lamp, they spent a tidy £80.

For the little fob compass, they paid £35,

hoping it will go north and not south at auction.

And finally, the French gallery easel, they went to town,

spending £184.

Ooh-la-la!

-Well, this is fun, isn't it?

-Yes.

-Is the rumour true that you spent £299?

£299!

I never did! One pound of leftover lolly, please, from somebody.

-Who's got the pound?

-Both hands out, please?

-No, just the one!

Oh, I don't believe it!

-You can have it all.

-Really?

Because what you don't realise is that I'm going to give the boy

another £100 cos on this programme, he gets another bonus buy of £100.

You've got a pound to find one bonus buy

and £100 to find the alternative bonus buy today!

But before we send Paul off,

-I need to find out which is your favourite piece.

-The compass.

-The compass.

-Yes.

-Do you agree with that, Den?

-No, the easel. Beautiful.

Is the easel going to bring the biggest profit?

-No, it's not going to make any!

-Oh. OK, what is going to bring

-the biggest profit?

-The compass.

-The compass. Anyway, there we go.

One pound, Paul, for one bonus buy,

and £100 for the alternative bonus buy and very good luck.

When you've found them, if you wouldn't mind bringing them back and we'll have a bit of a chat.

Now, without further ado, let's see how Catherine gets on with her two bonus buys.

Remember, she's armed with a whopping £182 of leftover

lolly for the team bonus buy

and she's angling for a bargain with her £100 for the special bonus buy.

See? I quite like this. Beautiful, this salmon.

It's really finely painted.

I love all these rainbow colours and I'm selling in Scotland,

in Glasgow, and I think something like this could do quite well.

It will catch the imagination.

I notice you've got 40 on it. Can you do 24?

-24, perhaps.

-24? Put it there.

-It's going to swim away. It's going to swim to success.

-I hope so.

Lesley and Linda went for really girly items

and I feel that we need something masculine,

so I've gone for a rather masculine piece

and I think this will sit rather nicely with the girly items.

So, she slipped that one in the net. In double quick time, too.

But will she be quite so sharp

when she looks to cut a deal for the special £100 bonus buy?

I saw a lovely little necessaire with some sewing accessories down here.

A bit more girly. I think they'll like this.

How much is on them?

78. See? Sewing accessories do sell well.

But this time, Catherine has met her match

when it comes to closing the deal.

You've got 78, sir. What can you do for me? Can we do 40?

-50 is as good as it gets.

-40?

-Oh, go on. £40? 45?

-No. 50.

-That's a lovely number.

-It's a beautiful number.

-I'm not going to get anywhere here.

-Shake my hand at 50.

-I certainly will!

Now, let's have a look at what Catherine's bought.

-Well, you've had a fishy old do here, haven't you?

-I have.

I suppose, once upon a time, it was a cigarette box, wasn't it?

I don't know. It's a desk piece, isn't it?

But I quite liked this and I like the fact that we had a salmon on the top.

-I thought - salmon, fishing, Scotland...

-Yes, exactly.

-That must be all down to the price though cos the condition on this is not good, is it?

-No, it's not great.

Can you imagine how wonderfully painted that probably was, once upon a time, when in perfect condition?

-That would have been lovely.

-It's '30s, isn't it? 1930s, 1940s.

I would say...'40s, but I paid, because of the condition, £24.

Is that all? For £24, you'll probably get out of trouble.

I think so. I thought that might make about £40, actually, Tim.

-OK, and then this is the £100 bonus buy item.

-Yes. I like this.

What one tatty old leather case does to one person does something

completely different to you, doesn't it?

-We've got a graduated set of scissors.

-Yes.

But I'm thinking embroidery scissors. I'm thinking Victorian.

Nice leather case. I don't know, I like them.

-I actually really liked them.

-You had £100. What would I pay for that lot?

-I would pay £30-40. What did you pay?

-Probably a bit too much, then.

-£50.

-Well, as far as I'm concerned, I think

-the salmon-topped box is likely to bring the best profit.

-Oh, do you?

I do. Because your entry level is so low at £24.

-I think you're going to break even on that.

-Right.

It's a £50 item...doing well, from my perspective.

And if there is a bit of profit, I would be going, I think,

for Salar the Salmon.

-Mm.

-The teams can select either one or the other, or none...

-Mm.

-..once they get to that moment. But first we have to show them.

-OK.

But before all that, we have to find out how poor old Paul is getting on.

And "poor" is the right word because Paul has got just £1 of leftover

lolly for his team's bonus buy, so he heads straight to the £1 stall.

Of course.

This, I have secured, for a pound.

I'm optimistic that this is actually considerably more valuable than that.

The pin, in my opinion, isn't just gold coloured... I think it's gold.

And I think there could be £30 or £40 in that.

There's certainly a pound's worth in it.

Ha-ha-ha!

Now, Paul is on the hunt for the special £100 bonus buy and I've

got a little trick up my sleeve that might just help the old fella out.

Listen, I'm going to give you a hand here. Do you want to shake?

-Are you packing? Oh! Tim!

-How about that? From up the armpit!

-Is that hot or what?

-You're my kind of magician, Tim!

-Form and feel, it's Georgian silver, isn't it?

-I think it's Georgian silver.

You probably don't need a helping hand, but if you fancy it,

you can have it for the price that I just paid for it up there.

-I won't tease you about that. It cost me £50.

-No, Tim!

-Yeah.

-So, if it's Ayr, it's worth £500.

-Yeah... Well...

If it's Greenock, it's worth 800.

-If it's nothing, it's got to be worth 100.

-150 quid!

-Yeah.

-So do you want it?

-Put it there, matey.

-Tim!

What does a man do in Edinburgh with a pound's worth of leftover lolly?

On a stall where everything was a pound, that cries out gold.

And someone cared enough to put a gold safety chain and pin on it.

They didn't want to lose it.

All of which is telling me there is substance to this.

For a pound?! Well, this is extraordinary!

-Now, listen, what we've got here is blister pearls, aren't they?

-Mm-hm.

Which are very fashionable kind of jobbies.

All set into something that looks like a series of petals.

These jobbies that go round the outside.

And then if we turn on the back, what's it look like on the back?

There's your gold pin, there's your gold chain.

That looks, to me, suspiciously early.

That is the most exciting thing I've seen in years.

And for a pound!

Now, moving on to our special £100 bonus buy, we've seen him before.

£50 paid. Any more ideas about whether it's Scottish or...?

I thought provincial, immediately, aesthetically.

And its eccentricity in form, I love.

Which is going to do best profit wise?

I don't know. I'm hedging my bets around the research,

but if you said to me with no research,

just putting your speculative tummy on, I'd be going with the jewel.

By the time we're next together, over in the auction room, hopefully

we'll have a bit more information, but hail the leader, is what I say!

Before I head off west to South Devon to the gorgeous

property that's called Saltram House.

This must be one of the most spectacular properties

standing within the city boundary of Plymouth, in Devon.

Saltram House was mainly built in the middle of the 18th century and

takes its name from the salt that was harvested from the tidal

estuary of the River Plym.

Dire financial difficulties

and death saw many historic buildings demolished

in the 20th century, but fortunately for us, Saltram House was saved.

And since 1957, it's been run by the National Trust.

Today, we have an opportunity of an insight into the life

and lives of the wealthy and privileged of an early period.

Let's pop inside and warm up.

The architecture and interior decoration that we see here

today is the result of the ambitious plans of several

generations of the Parker dynasty.

They were an important local family

and wanted the house that would impress their peers.

And if you came in here to warm your toes in the 1780s,

you'd have almost certainly admired this fire grate.

Why? Well, it's a fine neoclassical example

dating from the Adam period. If you were sharp-eyed,

you'd notice there are two different colours to the metal.

The bars that contain the coal at the front are shiny and white,

that's cos they're polished steel,

and the rest of the frame is covered in a curious yellowish metal.

The mystery metal is called Pa Tong,

which was imported from China in the last half of the 18th century

and sparingly used because it was expensive.

The fireplace itself is admirable.

It dates from about 40 years before the fire basket,

and is centred by this middle tablet, where we have Cupid

riding a lion, and this is supposed to represent love conquering all.

But this is not the only fine marble object in this room...

..because on the face of it this appears to be an elaborately

inlaid marble top table which dates from 1713.

It dates from after the 20th of May 1713, actually.

And how do we know that?

Because inlaid into the top is a letter,

a letter addressed to a Mr Cope,

and it's London, dated May 20th 1713, and it describes

the end of the continental war which led to the Treaty of Utrecht.

This is a letter that should be scored on the heart of every

Gibraltarian because it was the Treaty of Utrecht

that ceded Gibraltar to Britain

and has been the source of so much trouble ever since.

But actually this isn't inlaid marble at all,

it's something called scagliola,

which is a curious mix of chalk and marble dust and colouring agents

and glue, used by artists through the 18th century,

employed to imitate more expensive inlaid marble.

But actually, in a way, it is as charming.

What I can't tell you is why the sequence of playing cards

are laid out in this particular way,

why the jack of spades has been torn in half,

nor why, in particular, this letter,

dating from that momentous day in 1713,

has been frozen for all time

into the top of this scagliola table.

That remains a mystery.

The biggest mystery today, though, is of course going to be

for our teams over at the auction.

Who will win? Who will make the most profits?

Well, we trotted 40 miles from Edinburgh due west,

and if you do that you come to Glasgow.

And if you come to Glasgow you have to come and see Anita. Hello, Anita.

-Oh, welcome, Tim, it's lovely to have you here.

-Very nice to be back.

Now, Lesley and Linda went with the Lorgnette.

I like Lorgnettes, I mean, these were often used for flirting.

So, a bit of flirty gear, then. What is it worth?

-It's worth, I would say, 40-60?

-OK, as much as that?

£40 paid, well, that's very good.

Mother of pearl is intact, er, nice little bit of engraving,

so I think it deserves 40-60.

Next is the little pouch with the Bakelite shoehorn and button hook.

Now, that's quite an unusual survivor, isn't it?

Och, yes, I think that's very sweet.

The flapper girl with her green dress. Not a fine quality item.

-No, no, but just a bit of period fun. What's it worth?

-20-30.

OK, £18 paid, so, Catherine and co did well with that.

And their last item is the cabin trunk, which I've noticed,

period bits of luggage increase in value year on year, don't they?

Yes, people like them, they're very hot in today's market, and I like

this one with the lovely burgundy staves and this cream leather.

-What's it worth?

-60-100?

-Perfect, £60 paid.

-Ah, good.

Yet again you're estimating more than the purchased price in every

instance, so they're unlikely to want either of their bonus buys,

but let's go and have a look at 'em anyway!

-OK, girls, this is exciting, isn't it?

-Very.

-Very.

You gave Catherine Southon £182 of leftover lolly which bought

the team's bonus buy which is underneath that cloth.

-Catherine, reveal all.

-Yes, here we are.

-Oh, yeah.

-Oh.

-Ooh!

THEY LAUGH

-Well?

-Fishy business.

-It is fishy business, yeah.

That's interesting, Catherine.

I think I might pass it over straight away.

-Oh, it's quite heavy.

-It is very heavy.

Alabaster box, so, cigar box? Desk piece?

-Put your pens in, put it on your desk.

-How old do you think it is?

-Difficult to say on that one.

-Fish looks a bit old.

-Yes!

-Yes, he is.

Looks as if it's seen better days.

Yes. I just think there it has got a bit of damage.

I think, if it was perfect, it would be looking at quite a bit of money.

So how much did you spend on this?

You're giving me bad looks and I don't like it!

-£24 is how much I spent.

-Oh, that's...

-How much?

-£24.

I could see that sitting quite nicely on a gentleman's desk.

Well, that's lovely. That's the team's bonus buy.

Now, for these special programmes,

Catherine has had an additional £100, and I'm going to reveal

-the special bonus buy.

-OK.

-Du-dum!

-Oh!

-Over to you, Catherine, to talk about it.

-Oh, I like that.

-Oh, do you?

-Yes.

-Oh, yes, I like that.

You're more positive about these.

Well, I'm going to show you the case,

so we've got a nice shaped case,

and then we've got a set of three graduated embroidery scissors.

They're very nice, I quite like those.

-So how old are those, d'you reckon?

-Maybe 1910, something like that?

-Sewing accessories can do quite well as well.

-Yes, I like those.

-So, what did you pay for these?

-A little bit more on those, £50.

-Oh, really? Do you think there's a profit in it?

-Yes.

We'll find out in a minute, but right now, for the audience at home,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Catherine's bonus buys.

First up is the alabaster box. Look, how d'you rate that?

Yeah, it's a good thing

but there is damage to this iridescent paint on the fish.

It may be that it could be repaired

but we have the damage there and it will affect the price.

-Of course it will. What's your estimate?

-30-50.

OK, £24 paid.

Well, that is the object that I preferred, the team's bonus buy.

But this is the set of three scissors, which is

the special bonus buy from Catherine. How d'you rate those?

They're embroidery scissors, they're made by Karl Becker.

These would have been owned by a seamstress or someone who

made their living by making clothes, so they're quite good things.

-OK, estimate?

-40-60?

-£50 paid.

-Maybe a wee bit dear.

A bit too dear, not quite sharp enough, probably!

Anyway, that's it for the Reds.

Now for the Blues, and an interesting group this is, my gosh!

First up is the cloisonne Chinese pot.

And it's an item of some substance.

This is bronze, the cloisonne work is in good condition,

and I particularly like this geometric pattern.

That is a lot of work. And it's, I think, a very attractive object.

Mm, a wee bit out of fashion at the moment but still a good item,

-and again a functional item.

-Yeah, it makes a nice lamp. OK, how much?

-60-80.

-OK, £80 paid.

I have a funny feeling that that's a bit of a tease, that estimate.

I think you'll make more than £100 with that.

-I'll do my best.

-You always do.

Now, moving on, we've got the fob with a compass and stone mounted.

Is that saleable?

-Yes, the mount is 9-carat gold and it's quite substantial.

-How much?

-Er, 30-50.

-OK, £35 paid, so that should be all right.

And lastly is this extraordinary easel stand.

I can't make up my mind whether I like it or not. D'you like it?

Yes, I do like it, I do like it.

-I can see it in a Parisian salon in the 1900s...

-Can you?

..with a beautiful poster or watercolour on it.

It's not to be used by an artist, it's for showing off paintings.

And look at these beautiful little Art Nouveau gilded details on it.

I think it's very, very sweet.

OK, so it's got style. It dates from an interesting period.

-What's it worth?

-150-200?

Is it? £184 paid.

So they really pushed the boat out to get this cos they fancied it.

Do they need either of their bonus buys or not? I don't know.

Let's go and have a look at them.

Dennis, Victoria, this is exciting, isn't it?

You only gave Paul Laidlaw £1 to find the team's bonus buy,

so I guess you spent a pound, Paul.

I didn't haggle, but I did you proud.

Ta-dah!

-Ah!

-That's beautiful.

-I like beautiful.

Arts & Crafts period and aesthetic so it's 100 year old, let's say.

Mother of pearl and semi-precious stones but mounted on...

That is, albeit unmarked,

but undeniably gold and silver.

-It's absolutely phenomenal for a pound.

-Yeah, it is.

-OK, so that, we vote, was a pound that was extremely well spent.

-Yes.

Now, I'm going to reveal the special bonus buy now for this programme.

-Look at that.

-A whopper.

Which is a solid silver ladle that I gave Paul Ladle-law,

a little help with this cos I found it in the fair and, erm,

I thought it would be fun to take to you.

So he invested, it's his special bonus buy cash that he

decided to go with this ladle, so tell us about it, Paul.

Early 19th century, safe at that, and, erm, the rounded,

almost bucket form bowl, it's idiosyncratic.

Marks, they are there,

but unfortunately they're rubbed out, they're polished out.

All suggests to me,

these idiosyncrasies suggest to me provincial,

or perhaps even not British.

-Do you like?

-It's beautiful.

Yeah. D'you think it'll make a big difference

with the mark being rubbed off the back?

-The mark would add value.

-Yeah.

But we don't need to worry about that

because I paid

£50 for it.

If you paid £120 for it under the hammer,

I don't think you'd be wasting your money. It's a great thing.

It's a very debatable and highly speculative object,

and he's got it, it's in the special bonus buy pot,

and you're going to have to decide which of the bonus buys you go with,

but let's check out with the auctioneer

what she thinks about Paul Laidlaw's bonus buys.

OK, Anita, this is fascinating.

That is the Paul Laidlaw team's bonus buy acquired for a pound.

-A pound! Isn't he clever?

-Well, he is a genius, of course.

Is this a medieval thing with blister pearls or is it

an Arts & Crafts...?

I think it's turn of the century, late 19th, early 20th century.

I've estimated it conservatively at £25-£40.

Right, which is pretty good for a £1 buy, isn't it?

And that's my prediction.

That would be my personal choice out of either of the bonus buys.

The other bonus buy,

the special bonus buy, Paul invested £50 in this ladle,

and we had a debate as to

whether it was provincial or continental or whatever.

-What do you think, Anita?

-Well, I think it's a super buy for £50.

When we look at this pan it's a strange shape,

it's like a Dutch shape almost.

And the buyers will see the image on our website and, er,

they will bid accordingly.

There will be someone out there who will recognise that,

whether it's continental or an obscure provincial maker.

-What's your estimate to encourage them?

-60-80?

-OK, £50 paid.

So either way that you look at it,

-I think Paul Laidlaw's done jolly well.

-Good buys.

But which will the team choose?

Or will the team choose not to take either bonus buy?

-That's the question! Are you taking the stand, Anita?

-I am.

Thank goodness for that.

'And remember, I won't be telling the teams which bonus buy I prefer.'

This is the item for you at £180.

Any advance on 180?

All done at 180, 180...

-OK, Double L. This is exciting, isn't it?

-Yes.

First up is your Lorgnette.

Let's hope that this is going to get us in focus.

This item is for flirting with.

£100, it's from the 1920s. 80.

-Start me at £60.

-You'll be lucky.

40, then. 40 bid.

Eduardo the flirt at £40.

40, 40, 50, 60.

-Any advance on 60?

-We've pinched it.

You're in profit, that's perfectly all right.

£60, £60...

£60 is plus 20. I think you've done jolly well to get that, actually.

That's very good. Now your little Bakelite shoe horn.

What can we say, £50? £50 for bags of style. £50, 50.

-I don't think so.

-You start me at £20.

Start me at 20. 20, 30, 40, 50.

There you go!

60. 70.

70 with the gentleman.

Any advance on 70? 80 with the lady.

-£80?!

-Fresh bidder at 80.

The lady at 80.

-90.

-It's beautiful!

-It's lovely.

-It's plastic.

100 with the lady, any advance on £100?

-Look at that lady on the front, she's wonderful.

-100.

£100 gives you a profit of £82.

-Plus 82.

-That's ridiculous!

-Well, thank you, even you said that!

OK, now, here we go, here comes the cabin trunk.

Can we say £200?

200, 150, 100. £100.

-£60. Any advance on 60?

-Come on!

-Oh, that is really cheap.

-70. 70 with the lady.

-Come on.

-Any advance on 70?

-It's more than that shoehorn!

-£70, £70.

-Plus £10, which is £112.

-That made less than the shoehorn.

-Yes, exactly.

-Doesn't make sense.

How does the trunk make less than the shoehorn?

OK, girls, now, bonus buy time. Which one are you going to go for?

Are you going to go for the fishy box or the lovely scissors?

-You don't have to do anything, all right? You can stick.

-Happy to bank.

-But d'you want to...?

-Bank it.

-You're going to bank it?

-They're going to bank the £112.

-Sorry, Catherine.

-That's all right.

You're not going with either of the bonus buys.

Well, we're going to sell both the bonus buys.

We're going to make a gift of any profit that you make

-on either of your bonus buys to charity.

-Oh, good. That's good.

So, you're not going with them, but we're going to sell both of them.

First up is the fishy box, and here it comes.

Start me at £20.

20 bid. 20 bid.

Any advance on 20?

30. 40. 50.

-The lady at £50.

-Look at that!

Any advance on £50, any advance on £50. £50.

£50. Plus £26 goes to charity, thank you. Lovely.

-What about the scissors now?

-Start me at £50, 50 bid.

Any advance on 50?

60, 70, 80, 90,

100, 110, 120.

-Here we go.

-£120.

Any advance on 120? 120...

Plus £70, Catherine.

I tell you, you've got the eye, girl.

£96 goes to charity but you should trust your Catherine, I tell you.

-I know.

-I thought the fishy box was going to do best, I was wrong.

Now, don't say a word to the Blues, all right?

You'll keep quiet about this and we'll reveal all in a moment,

but congratulations, that's very good news.

Any advance on 100?

Any advance on £100?

Let's go with the bronze and cloisonne table lamp, shall we?

Now, I think that's a great object. You paid £80 for it.

Anita's put 60-80, and here it comes.

Can we say £150? 150.

100.

Start me at 50, 50 bid.

On the phone at 50. 50, 60, David.

There's two telephone bids!

-70.

-Come on.

-80.

I'll catch you all in a minute.

-"I'll catch you all," love that!

-90.

90. 90 on the phone.

-90. 100. 110. 120.

-You're in profit.

Two phones, 120.

130.

140.

150.

No. 150. It's with Cat on the phone at £150.

Any advance on 150?

All done at 150? 150.

£150 is a very acceptable plus £70. Well done, team.

Now, here comes the fob.

Can we say £50?

50? 40?

Start me at £20. £20 on the fob.

20, 30, 40, 50, 60.

60 with the lady. 70.

70. On the phone at 70. Any advance on £70? £70...

Doubled your money, plus £35, I'm loving it.

Plus £105 you are, you kids. Now your easel.

Will you start me at £100? 100?

The Belle Epoque easel. 100?

£50, then. 50 bid. 50 bid.

With you, sir, at 50.

With you, sir, at 50.

Any advance at...60. 70, 80.

Any advance on 80?

90. 100.

-No?

-Long way to go.

-£100...

-It's like extracting teeth, this.

-110, he's back in.

-She's not finished.

-With you, sir, at 110.

-What a surprise.

Any advance...?

-A bit of an upset, this.

-Yeah.

-Any advance on 110? 110.

-Well, plus £31, kids. You're still in profit.

-Yeah.

No shame with that but just disappointing on the easel.

Now what are we going to do about the bonus buys?

Let's go for Paul's pound. Paul's pound.

-You're going to go with Paul's £1 brooch?

-Paul's punt.

Yes, Paul's punt.

Now that you've made that decision I can tell you that the

auctioneer's estimate, Anita thinks 25-40 on Paul's punt at least,

whereas the silver ladle, her estimate is £60-£80.

Whatever the ladle makes, as you've rejected it,

will be sold and we'll give it to charity. So, erm...

-Win-win.

-Should be a win-win.

OK, first up, then, is Paul's punt, the little brooch,

and you've gone with this. This is your bonus buy and here it comes.

Start me at £20. 20 bid, 20 bid.

20 bid for the Arts & Crafts brooch,

20, 30, 40, 50, 60. £60.

70, fresh bidder. 80. 90.

-With the lady at £90.

-Look at this for a pound, lad!

I'm going to have to kiss him.

All done at £90? £90...

Yes! That is so good.

£90, woo-hoo! £90.

THEY LAUGH

Was it worth it for a profit of £89?

Well done!

Anyway, you didn't go with my ladle,

so we're going to sell my ladle for charity now. Let's see what happens.

Can we say 200, 150, £100?

£50, then. £50.

50 bid. 50 bid.

With you, sir, at 50. 60.

70, 80.

90. 100.

£100.

No, I think that's it.

All done at 100, 100...

That's it, the market has decided.

£100 is plus £50,

but our wager was that the object that would bring the biggest profit

was the brooch, and it jolly well was,

so you made the right pick there.

Anyway, a profit of £50 for charity which is very nice too.

Overall, then, in summary, you are plus £120,

which is very fair, plus 120 is your overall score.

Is that a winning score?

Well, don't say a word to the Reds

and all will be revealed in a moment, all right?

-OK.

-Thank you very much.

-Well, well, well, what a day! You been chatting, you lot?

-No.

-No.

-No.

Well, it's no secret that you're all in profit

so that's very nice, isn't it?

But I have to reveal there is only £8 between the winners today

and the runners up. One team, however,

has managed to make a profit on each of its lots

and therefore are entitled to the ancient and noble order

of the Golden Gavel, and that is the Reds.

THEY CHEER

So, come on, Reds, and wear it with pride.

Because it is an achievement to make a profit on each of your items.

But that achievement was not sufficient for you...

Ye-e-e-e-es!

..to win the day today.

Settle down, Dennis, because marginally, by £8,

the Blues are ahead.

The Blues scored £120 of profits,

and the Reds scored £112 of profits.

When it comes to the bonus buys, Catherine,

you've done incredibly well.

You scored 96, even though the girls didn't go with it, so there you go.

Those are your £112, congratulations.

And I'm lobbing out £120 here.

Well done, Vicky. There you go, £120.

You trusted your expert, you went with his £1 purchase.

This genius spends a pound on a brooch and he sells it for £90,

so £90 means that you've got a bonus buy total of £89.

Came and topped up your otherwise not particularly dazzling total,

which took you to 120, which makes you the victors.

So it's a lovely kind of turnaround in it all.

And the total charity contribution out of today's show, out of these

bonus buys, thanks to the experts, is £146, which is pretty darn good.

In fact, the whole thing has been pretty darn good,

and you should join us soon for some more bargain hunting, yes?

ALL: Yes!