Ardingly Bargain Hunt

The Ardingly International DMG Antiques and Collectors Fair

is billed as being the biggest in the south of England,

brimful and bursting with booty,

in fact, an ideal hunting ground for our teams to bag some bargains!

As always, they only have one hour and £300 to forage for finds.

With the help of one of our very own experts,

the aim of the game is to track down three outstanding bargains

that'll make them the most money at auction.

Let's meet the teams who've taken up the challenge today!

Well, professional reputations are on the line here today.

We have two teams of dealers.

The Reds, Diane and Jackie. Welcome.

And for the Blues, John and Eddie.

Now, ladies first.

Diane, how did you first become interested in antiques?

I started around the age of 18, when I couldn't afford to buy anything new,

so I went to various shops and bought antiques.

-And what sort of things do you deal with?

-Small pieces of furniture,

but I started off buying writing slopes and tea caddies and things like that.

-Now you've progressed?

-Yes.

-A bit.

-A little bit, yes.

-Jackie, how long have you been in the business?

-Ten years.

-You're experienced, then.

-Absolutely!

It says here that you started going to auctions aged 11.

My father took me as he used to buy from one auction and put it in another, as they did in those days.

-Gosh, it's in your blood.

-Well, you could say that.

-Have antiques taken over your life?

Well, you go on holiday and you say, "Ooh, can we just go in there?"

And something catches your eye and you can't help it. Once it starts, you just can't stop it!

Quite. That's what I've rather enjoyed all my life.

I think you're going to make a great team, and we'll be riveted to see how you get on.

Now for the boys. John and Eddie, welcome.

My sister owns an antiques shop in Dorking, where we all trade from.

Oh, right, you're all from the same area. Oh, even more competition, which is lovely!

Eddie, you're relatively new to the game, being a youngster yourself.

-60, Tim.

-What?

-60. I've got my bus pass!

-You've got your bus pass?!

You are joking, aren't you?!

You're an incredibly youthful 60-year-old.

-But you're fond of the old antiques.

-Very fond.

-And have you found any good bargains recently?

A little while ago, I was cleaning out the garage

and I found a suitcase of football programmes.

I took them to a sports memorabilia auction.

-The estimate was £500, and they fetched £3,400.

-Did they really?

Very good luck. Now it's the money moment. Look at these girls, panting for it.

There we go, £300 in cash. You know the rules.

Your experts await, and off you go! Very, very, very good luck.

This could go right to the wire, you know? Two teams of professionals!

Whatever's going to happen?

Well, they won't be left to fend for themselves.

We've got our very own experts.

Keeping his eye for the Reds is David Barby.

And hoping to lift the winning trophy for the Blues

is Philip Serrell.

-Look at that through there. Look at that chair.

-That looks nice.

-Have a look at that.

-Where's David?

-David?

Come here! What do you think of this?

-You've found something, at last!

-Yeah! What do you think?

I'm just going to say, in your dealers' experience, how old is it?

-1920s?

-Yeah. That's my opinion as well. What do you like about it?

-Everything.

-The decoration on it is beautiful, the back is absolutely splendid,

and don't forget, black's in vogue at the moment.

How much is it?

She's asking 150, so we've obviously got to get it down.

If it was in your shop, would it sell?

Absolutely. No problem.

The area I come from, these chairs come up for sale - they never make that sort of price range,

-so I have my reservations.

-OK.

-I have my reservations

-But you both like it?

-Yeah.

-You both want to buy it?

-Yes. You've got to negotiate.

We're going to give it a good go.

-The dealer's over there, have a word.

-We'll see you later.

-Best of luck.

-Thank you!

Well, they didn't take the asking price for the chair sitting down.

They trimmed off 50 quid, paying a comfortable 100.

Philip, what do you think of this?

I think he and I have got a lot in common, in that we both look 100 years old,

-but we haven't got much age.

-He's quite heavy.

You guys, the joy of actually doing bargain hunting...

All the pressure's off me.

I've just got to stand here and walk round with you

-and let you buy profits, because that's what you do, day in, day out!

-We do.

-I like it.

-I'm going to ask you some questions now.

-How much is this?

-£30.

-Right. What's the dealer told you you can buy it for?

-15.

-So it's 15 quid. That's for nothing.

-Can't buy anything, can you, for...

-That smells like a profit to me.

-There is no age to it, is there?

-None whatsoever.

-It looks old. It's been aged. How do we do that, then?

-Yoghurt.

-Left out for a long time in the garden.

-Cow muck's another one.

You pour cow muck all over something and bury it for a period of time, and it antiques it.

-Is there a profit in it?

-I think there is.

-Good luck.

Oh, that Philip, he is so cheeky!

The Blues used their heads and paid £15 for the terracotta bust.

-Which one of you two cherubs chose this?

-Diane.

I saw it first, and I love oak,

-and this is a really nice country piece.

-Right.

Nice oak, original handles, very useful because you can pop your books and things in here,

a lamp, a telephone, some hidden bits and bobs in here, and I think it's wonderful.

-I think it's been cut down. But there again it's been cut down to the side of a sofa.

-Yes.

-So I think that's a nice idea, your idea of a lamp and books inside it, brilliant.

-Yeah.

-But I heard you open it, and it goes "click".

-Yeah.

-It's got that ball section there.

-Yeah.

-What sort of price are they asking?

-It's 130.

-You've got to negotiate quite heavily on this.

-Yeah.

Well, if we don't get it down, we just won't buy it.

-That's a very good comment! Best of luck.

-Thank you!

She's a feisty one, that Jackie.

They did agree a price of £100, leaving only one more item for the Reds to find.

-Hey, guys - look what I've found.

-Oh, yeah. That's nice, Eddie.

-You know what that is, don't you?

-Mauchline Ware.

-Of course.

-You know Mauchline Ware?

-Mauchline. M-A-U-C-H-L-I-N-E.

-That's the one.

-Yeah, Mauchline Ware.

-Made in Scotland.

-Yep.

-Transfer printed.

-Turn of the century.

-£15.

-You've sniffed one out there, haven't you?

-Well, I think it's...

Again, not a lot of money, but they're collectible.

-Who's gonna buy that off you?

-Collectors of Mauchline Ware!

There's an answer for everything and you hit it on the nail!

This is, really, our Edwardian stick of rock, isn't it?

You went away on holiday and you bought a little trinket, or something to take home,

and it's this little bit of wood with a view of where you spent your holiday.

-And there's a big collecting area for this, isn't there?

-There is, yes.

Because there's lots of Mauchline collectors.

I mean, it falls under that generic term of "treen".

And treen is, "of the tree", it's actually a piece of turned wood,

and it would have been turned on a lathe.

-And it's 15 quid?

-Mm-hm.

-Bargain.

Bargain. On that note, you go and pay the man, we'll go and find our next bids, all right?

You think this Bargain Hunt lark looks easy, right?

Just like driving down a motorway.

BRAKES SCREECH, CRASHING

But it isn't! But if you wanna be on the programme anyway, then drop us a line:

Good luck. Now, where's the insurance papers?

-John, do you get many of these in your shop?

-No, these are very rare.

I've never seen one before.

-But you know what it is?

-It's a pill-maker, isn't it?

You would go to your local chemist with a prescription from your doctor

for a lotion or a potion or some pills, and he'd nip out the back and make your pill up for you.

It rolls this sort of paste out into a long cylinder or tube that could then be chopped up into tablet form.

And what's interesting about this one, if you just push that down and that down,

-this actually slides out and you can see there it's reversible.

-How old is it, Phil?

-I would think it's probably mid-19th century.

-It's very well made. It's a nice piece of mahogany.

It's a nice talking point.

-Not having seen one before, I would have thought that would have sold quite well.

-Yeah?

-How much is it, Phil?

-It's priced up at £120.

What would this be in your centre? How much?

140, 145.

-Yeah.

-So what would you expect to pay for this in an auction?

Nothing under 100.

So if I can go and get it off the dealer

for anything less than 90 quid, that might be considered a result?

Yes. You go and do the deal, and I'll go and get the coffees in.

Well done, Philip. He popped the pill-maker in for 80 large ones.

What on earth did you buy this for? Look at it!

-Oh, David - please don't!

-David, the reason we've bought this is, look, it's painted.

Painting's in vogue, we're cold and it's pouring with rain,

we've not much money left and we'll get this really cheap...

-And time is running out.

-It's terrible. How much did you pay?

-Well...

-20?

No! No, up.

Up, up, up. More, more!

-90.

-£90?!

-Yeah.

-That's just...impossible.

-We only paid 50.

-I would have thought £20.

-Oh, David!

-I think it's terrible. Who's gonna buy this at auction?

-Painted furniture is now in.

It's in all the magazines - the posh magazines - and I know it sells.

-I think it's hideous. It goes on your head.

-OK!

-Oh! Bye! I think he's right, actually.

-Yeah, I do. Bless him!

Yes? Time's up? OK, fine.

Time's up, the shopping's over.

Let's recap on what the Reds bought.

The Reds reclined into parting with £100 for the Regency armchair.

They branched out another ton for the oak tray-top night table.

And, finally, have they painted themselves into a corner

with the white cheval mirror that David hated?

Now, let's recap on what the Blues bought.

The Blues took the challenge head on

and paid £15 for the yoghurt-flavoured terracotta bust.

The Mauchline Ware pot wasn't any more expensive,

but will it churn in any more profit?

Finally, could the tablet roller rotate a healthy profit at auction,

or could it be a bitter pill to swallow?

It is great to be at Bellmans saleroom in West Sussex

with our auctioneer, Jonathan Pratt. Hi, Jonathan.

Good morning, Tim.

Now, first up for Diane and Jackie is the beech framed armchair of Regency design.

-Quite a clean and honest-looking jobby, that, isn't it?

-Yes. I think that...

does sort of that belie the fact that it is a reproduction.

It is a very nice piece of furniture.

-What's your estimate?

-We've put it at £70-£100.

-Well, that's not too bad. £100 is paid all right.

-I think we'll do quite well on that one.

-Yes. Now, the next lot is this rather nice, I think,

-period oak little night table.

-Mm-hm.

-Do you like that?

-I do. I think every bedroom should have one, really.

The big question is, what is your estimate?

-I put it in at 100 to £150.

-I don't believe it. They only paid 100!

-They've done very well.

-Now,

let's see how you go with the old cheval mirror.

Because that is pretty well Brand Harry Spankers, isn't it?

It is. I think pretty much painted a few weeks ago.

-Yes. Just dry.

-Just dry.

-Come out for auction.

-Yes. But useful.

-You know, these cheval mirrors,

they have a purpose in the bedroom, you can just about see your slacks

as you're getting up in the morning.

-They paid £50. How about that?

-They paid £50?

-£50.

-OK, well, um...

-Didn't think you'd like that!

-No! No.

-What's your estimate?

We've put it in, I think, at £20-£30.

-20-£30?

-Yes.

-And is that the kind of estimate

that maybe if you get a £5 note, you'd be quite pleased to take it?

We don't take £5 bids, but I'll take a tenner for it.

-Yeah, that is looking a bit dodgy, then.

-It is.

-Quite seriously.

It will appeal to private people, though, that just want a mirror, where would you buy something for...

-Absolutely.

-£20.

-Even out of the pack, it would cost you more.

They might get their money back.

Overall, then, I'm feeling quite confident about these Reds.

But you never can too cocky. So let's go and have a look at their bonus buy.

Now, Diane and Jackie, you gave David £50 of leftover lolly.

-What do you suppose he spent it on?

-No idea.

-No idea?

-Ice cream.

-THEY LAUGH

On a day like that.

He's such a baby, isn't he? Anyway, David, reveal all. What did you get?

Oh, wow. Interesting.

I thought this was quite an interesting piece of majolica.

19th century. Probably produced on the continents, not English.

But he has such a charismatic smile. What do you think?

-I love it.

-Really?

-I really like it.

-Give it a kiss.

-I don't know about a kiss.

I particularly like his teeth.

-Do you?

-It's beautiful. What do you think, Diane?

Erm.... It's OK.

But I will go with the expert and my friend Jackie, because they obviously have better taste than me.

There is one big point that David has yet to reveal, isn't there?

-Oh, right.

-Which is?

-How much did it cost?

There you go. You got it, Jackie. In one.

-Yeah.

-£45.

-Ooh.

-Is that a lot?

-Too much?

-Yeah, loads.

-Loads? David, do you see much of a profit in it?

If people have imagination and can see it in their own house, it will make money.

-Right. OK.

-I'd like to see it do round about 80.

-Right.

-That would be nice, wouldn't it?

-You don't have to decide until the sale of your first three items.

-OK.

Let's find out what the auctioneer thinks.

There. What do you think about that joker?

Well, what do we have here? Um...

he's in good condition apart from the fact

-we've not got the cover for it.

-No.

-You can see this ledge.

If you see a ledge like that, something should be sitting on it.

What's your estimate on this?

Well we've gone with a conservative £20-£30.

-£20-30?

-Yes.

-Yeah. Well this is Barby's bonus buy and he paid £45.

So we could have a bit of a problemo there.

But you never know, the teams may not select it.

In which case it won't make any difference to the score.

Anyway, that's it for the Reds.

Now for the Blues. John and Eddie and Philip Serrell.

They went with this little Scottish wee potty. Is that something that lights your fire?

It lights my fire a little.

-I once lived in Scotland...

-Yes.

-..so I'm familiar with these things.

-Ah, yes.

A little transfer-decorated luggie, because you have these little lugs.

-A nice thing...everything about it says it's early 20th century, late 19th century.

-Mm-hm.

-What more can I say?

-How much?

-Um, £15-£20.

-Well, that is fantastic. £15 paid.

-We can pop that one down.

-OK.

And I won't ask you to pick up this fellow.

What do you think it's worth?

Erm, well, I think something like £50-£80.

-How much?

-£50-£80.

-Never!

£15 is all they paid for old Mussolini here. Marvellous! Well done.

Now, the last item, however, isn't going to be so much fun.

It's a pill-roller.

Mm. They still sell for about £40-£60.

-Do they?

-They do, yeah.

-That would be marvellous. They paid £80.

-Realistically, 40 to 60.

-You're a very brave man.

Overall, they'll probably need their bonus buy, so let's have a look at it.

OK, you spent £110. Miserable.

You gave Philip £190.

What did he spend it on?

I didn't spend all of it, Tim.

-Didn't you?

-No.

-Surprise, surprise. Ahh.

-Isn't that lovely?

-I rather like these matchbox covers.

-Edwardian.

I'd guess so. A great hallmark.

Goldsmiths' & Silversmiths' Company.

I just think if you went to a modern jewellers

or modern shop to buy something like that, my guess is that would cost between £200 and £300.

I bought that for £24.

What do you estimate it'll fetch?

Between 30 and £50. I'm sure it will.

You don't have to decide, but we think there's potential there.

You'll decide after the sale of the first three items,

but now see what the auctioneer thinks about it.

Cor, strike a light. What you think?

Yes, nice quality matchbox cover,

engine-turned bands, little circular cartouche in the middle, which has initials.

Hang on, you're JP, aren't you?

-I'm JP.

-That's a pity because this is JD. You could easily make it into a P, though.

Or I could change my name by deed poll!

-Maybe not.

-A nice weight.

-It's good quality. It's not polished out.

It's rather crisp.

I'd have thought an easy sale at £20 to £30.

An easy sale. He paid £24 for it, the cunning old fox.

-It might make 30.

-It might.

-It might ignite some interest.

Talking about igniting interest, you're taking the sale, are you?

-I'll be taking the sale.

-Brilliant. We're in safe hands.

First lot, here it comes.

1451. A beech-framed open armchair of Regency design.

I've got to start at £70.

-Carry on!

-75. 80. And five.

90. 95.

-100. Keep going!

-110.

-Profit!

-£110. Are you all done at £110?

-Yes, that's fantastic. £110.

-Wow!

Lot 1452. A George III oak tray-top night commode, circa 1760.

Again, on the book I can start straight in at £100, I'm bid.

-Oh, my God!

-£100 bid. Any further interest at 100?

110. 120. 130. 140.

-Wow.

-We're making loads.

-140...

£140 against you. At £140 commission.

At £140 I'll sell. One more?

-150, then.

-I don't believe it!

-At 160, I'll sell.

£160.

-Fantastic!

-You're £60 up, girls.

-Now, the mirror.

-There she is in her glorious technicolor.

Lots of interest in this. I'll start straight in at £20.

-Come on.

-22. 25.

28. And 30. 35. And 40.

£40 I'm bid. 45 with the lady by the pillar at 45. Do I see 50?

-Go on!

-Standing dead centre. £45.

-I don't believe it!

-It's only £5.

That's brilliant. You're minus £5 on that.

You are plus £65. Marvellous.

-What we do about the bonus buy?

-No.

-You're not going with the Nubian gent?

-No.

-You seem determined.

-Aren't you going to trust him?

-Sorry.

-He rates it. He thinks it's going to bring a profit.

I think it would look nice in the bathroom with a loo brush in it.

As long as it's put to use!

You're plus £65 and you're not going with the bonus buy. We're going to sell it anyway.

Lot 1457.

The 20th-century continental pottery tobacco jar. I can start at £20.

Do I see two? At £20.

22. 25. 28. 30.

-No, no.

-£40

-Come on, come on!

-Stop, stop!

-£40. Do I see 5?

£40, then. Last chance.

Hammer is coming down at £40.

-No, it's £40.

-Didn't we do well?

-Well done!

-Well done, us!

First is your pot and here she comes.

1475. A Mauchline Ware twin-handled butter churn.

Who'll start me at £10? 10 I'm bid. 12. 15.

18. Do you want 20, sir?

-£18. Dead ahead.

-Go on!

Last chance, it's going at £18.

£18. That's all right.

You get three...three squids.

Now, the bust. Here we go.

Was painted white. There he is. Smiling away.

I've got bids to start me at £35.

Looking for 40. £35. 40. 45.

50. And five. £60, I'm bid.

They only paid 15!

65 now.

The world is mad!

Five. 80? 5. 90.

Yoghurt's dear around here!

At £90. Five anywhere else?

He's gone five. £100.

-£100!

-Ten anywhere else?

Selling for £100. All done. Last chance.

Hammer is coming down at £100.

£100, that's brilliant.

-Amazing.

-Plus £85 on that.

You're plus 88.

1477. A 19th century

mahogany-and-brass-mounted pill-roller.

With me at £40. Do I see the five?

45. 50. 55. 60. £60 with me.

-Go on!

-At £60.

No further interest.

£60 it is. At £60.

£60 on the book. Minus £20. Bad luck.

Overall, you're £68 up.

£68 in profit. That's a considerable achievement.

I congratulate you. Well done!

What will you do about the bonus buy? The match case?

-24 quid's worth of investment. Ought to do well.

-Confident in our expert.

-Start the car!

We'll go with the bonus buy. Estimate £20 to £30. Here it comes.

1481. Silver matchbox holder with the engine-turned bands.

£25 with me. £25 with me, at 25.

28. 30. £30.

£30 with me, then. Still against you all at £30.

Selling at £30. Last chance at £30.

-Well done.

-That's another easy, quick £6. £74.

£74 profit.

Plus 74. You can walk tall.

You can go into your antiques centre tomorrow and say, "We cracked it!"

Anyway, don't tell the Reds. We'll give them a nasty turn in a minute.

Well, isn't it lovely to be surrounded by all these old pros... I mean pros, actually.

I have to tell you that the runners-up today are the Reds.

-Ohh!

-They've taken it brilliantly(!)

-But you're £65 up and here is your £65. Congratulations. Great team.

-Thank you very much.

Now for the Blues. The victors.

£74, you're up.

Here's the £70. Here's the £4.

Not much between them.

Two teams of winners, what could be more bliss? Anyway, here we go.

-Join us soon for some more bargain hunting, yes?

-ALL: Yes!

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