Rockingham 19 Bargain Hunt

Here's an Englishman's home to be proud of -

Rockingham Castle.

We've got two teams of married couples

who've left their more modest homes to do battle here today.

So, let's go bargain hunting!

We're in the Leicestershire countryside of Rockingham Castle

for one of their popular antiques and collectors' fairs.

Dealers in everything from Art Deco glass

to old boots are here to tempt our teams,

each of whom have got £300 to spend

on three items to see who does best at auction.

If they make a profit, they get to pocket the cash.

As both our teams are married couples,

then there'd be some debate as to whose pocket the cash goes into.

Or who, indeed, gets the boot!

Here we are in the panelled room in Rockingham Castle

with our contestants Jenny and Tom and Sue and Chris.

Welcome to Bargain Hunt.

Now, Tom and Jenny - or should I say Tom and Jerry?

Why did you get the giggles at your wedding?

A week before my wedding, I found out my middle name,

who I always thought was after my late grandmother,

was not her name at all - her name was Frances -

and cos that's what I'd always thought, when the Registrar said,

"Do you, Jennifer Margaret"

the name didn't mean anything to me and I found it hilarious.

I thought of the Del Boy moment of Rodney and Dave!

-It set you off.

-Yes.

-And everybody else off?

-All the guests except for Tom!

-Not you?

-What did you think?

-I thought she was going to say no.

-Jilt me at the altar.

-That's terrible, isn't it?

So, Tom, what was it that attracted you to the old girl? I mean, to Jen!

What was it that got you going, mate?

We met a couple of years before we got together. She changed in those two years.

I went down my local pub and saw this young lady and thought, "She's all right!"

I walked past her and she smiled. I thought, "Still got it!"

It wasn't till she turned round and I saw her tattoo on her shoulder

-and I realised who it was.

-Smashing. A love story, really.

-Sort of.

-What is the tattoo then?

-It's a um... It's a frog.

-Not many people have a frog, so I knew it was Jenny.

-An orange frog.

What sort of things are you looking out for today?

Along the lines of toys. Everyone's a big kid at heart.

-Yes.

-You are!

-Everyone likes a toy.

Says he, looking at the wife. Anyway, very good fun and good luck.

-Now, Sue and Chris, how are you?

-Fine, thank you.

How did you two first meet?

In our prams, so my mother tells me.

When I was 13 and told her that I was going out with Chris Fogden,

she said, "Son of the parents that own Fogden's of Havant?

"Good Lord, I used to park your pram there when I went in to buy baby clothes!"

-What interests do you have in common?

-Predominantly travelling.

When Chris went to sea for many years as a radio officer,

one thing he promised was that he would take me to every country he visited while he was away at sea

and I spent all that time writing him letters, all 600 of which I still have today.

That sounds really lovely.

What's the current challenge, then?

We've just done a microlight flight.

We love a sense of adventure, love trying new things.

Was this kind of flying idea yours, then, Chris?

I belong to a club and the guys running it said, "Why don't we do something different?

"Anyone volunteer for a microlight flight?"

-With my background, I thought I ought to go.

-What is your background?

I've worked for the Air Traffic services for 37 years.

Bargain hunting - going to be any good at it?

I don't know. I hope so. I hope so.

You're obviously incredibly close as a couple,

which is, I guess, a start.

-Have you got an interest in antiques?

-Here he is!

Isn't that sweet? Can't bear this any longer. Here's the money moment.

-£300.

-Thank you.

-£300. Your experts await. Off you go, and good luck.

Helping them fight it out, our experts.

In the red corner, from Scotland, Paul Laidlaw,

and in the blue corner, Philip Serrell,

hopefully not playing chicken!

Or running around like a headless one because today our experts

will be helping not one but two lots of teams.

Ooh, I like that radio.

-Yeah. What does that do for you, Jenny?

-I like it.

-What's it made of? It looks like wood.

-It's an imitation of wood.

-It's an early plastic. This is Bakelite.

-I like Bakelite.

So have you seen any damage?

If we find a crack, I've got to say, "Walk on."

-Is it showing up any...

-It looks good.

It does look all right, doesn't it?

-Do you know what that is?

-I wondered what it was.

That is termed a magic eye. It was a tuning aid.

When switched on, you got a flickering light there,

that glowed brighter as you were tuning in accurately.

I'm pretty sure that was called a magic eye.

-It's a nice feature.

-How much is it?

-It's coming in at 42.

I have to say, it doesn't sound expensive in the real world,

but at an auction, my estimate is 20 to 40.

-That ain't a good bet, in my view.

-We need to have a chat.

-Yes.

-Are you up for it?

-I do like it.

-We've got a consensus there.

You go do the business. We'll see if we can tune in to a profit!

Actually, they tuned the price down to £15 for the wireless.

-This looks nice.

-Yes, what about that?

-The case is in good condition.

-Why do you like those?

The case is absolutely beautiful.

Inside, it has got the most beautiful quality tea set.

What age would you think it is?

I'd say this was very much probably early 20th century.

-They're priced up at £65.

-We'd have to get that down.

I think probably 30 to £50-worth.

You've got this great flag with W&H on it.

That's Walker and Hall of Sheffield. Great flatware manufacturers.

-Good quality.

-How are we doing, guys?

-Oh, hi!

We're contemplating buying these

and they don't use them so much today.

I'd like to invite you to dinner

and maybe, knowing that we've got such quality cutlery,

you might take the invitation and come for cake.

I'd come for dinner, irrespective of the quality of your cutlery!

Lovely!

The problem with these is they're like the vanity cases

with the silver and glass bottles in them. People take them home,

go like that, and in five years' time, sell them at auction.

He's not very romantic, is he?

-Not like you, Tim!

-Get out of it!

-Sound like His Master's Voice has recommended them.

-If he's coming to dinner, I've got to get them!

-I've got to negotiate with this one.

-I think 30 to 50.

-30 to 50.

-I'll see what I can do on that one.

-Go and sort it.

Sue cut a deal for the knives and forks at £45.

What do you think of this bear?

I've spoken to the stall holder

and she said roughly I could get it for 85 but I think I could get it lower. What do you think?

What I think is I abandoned my study of bears at four! You're asking the wrong man!

There are some things I can tell you about this chap. Vintage teddies

there are certain features that determine age.

One is a long snout. The faces get flatter

and disappear as they get younger, in our sense.

The other thing is, bears have got humps.

He's seriously got the hump cos no-one's bought him!

-What's this here?

-What is that?

Pacemaker?

Let me see. Hush!

-It's not growling, is it?

-No.

-It's a growler mechanism.

Now, based on everything we've said,

would you dare hazard a guess at its date?

Um... It's '30s, '40s, maybe?

I would say inter-war, OK? Between the two world wars,

on those characteristics.

-What would it make at auction, or is he...

-You've got to do some work on that.

I think he's got that 40 to 60 feel about him.

Well, shall we play fair here?

-Tom had his go-faster radio, and you should get your bear!

-I want my bear.

"Buy me!"

Buy it!

£65 bought the bear.

# Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic. #

Ooh, look! This looks cute.

Oh, look at his face!

He's in beautiful condition. He's got no chips.

-Copenhagen.

-It's Copenhagen.

-That's rather...

-Can I have a look?

I would think it's probably pre-1940. I'm no expert in Copenhagen.

It's a lot of money for it.

I think probably the price is right because I know Copenhagen is expensive.

As a matter of principle, I'd have to get it down.

I look at the baselines for these things.

I think the bottom line for him at auction is perhaps £30.

-Right.

-Around that.

-But I think he's got a real cute face.

-He has got a cute face.

That must be worth 30 quid in addition to your sums!

Is that right? So 60 quid done and dusted!

-What do you think?

-You ought to go bargaining.

-Me again?!

-You're the expert.

-How about you having a go?

I'd come back paying more for it!

Sue gave the puppy a home for £45.

What about these? What were they used for?

These are pharmacists' drug jars out of a rather smart chemist's.

See yourself walking into a period pharmacist's shop,

mahogany cabinets behind, all these jars lined up, filled with strange substances.

Wonderful. But what would we do with these today?

-Bath salts.

-Kitchen.

Yeah.

What you mustn't do is stick anything in them that you might be consuming.

-But did you say bath salts?

-I did.

-Tom did.

-Absolutely the one.

You could put coloured salts in. And another idea, shelf in one of the windows in your bathroom.

-Glass shelves.

-Different colours.

-Backlight them. Fantastic.

-Are these the original stoppers?

-Definitely.

This is what I like about them.

The form is oblate, multi-faceted,

star cut on top.

And another feature, actually, that's hollow.

That's good work for a pharmacist's jar!

-Would they fetch anything at auction?

-I've sold these quite well.

What are four of them worth? 30 or £40.

They're asking for 35, but I can talk to them.

-I'll have a chat.

-Get them at low estimate.

They're all right. I really can see the appeal in these.

Hmm. Yeah, I do like them.

-I do like them.

-Just in the nick of time, I suspect!

£20 got the whole set.

Anything appeal to you here?

I like the look of these lamps.

Yes, they do have a presence. They're nice and large and look in good condition.

-What were they designed on?

-A Japanese thing?

No, they're tea caddies. If we look at this one here,

you can see that the cover looks like it lifts off.

The great period of Japanese wares that the English associate with

is the Satsuma.

Let's get this stallholder to get one down for us.

Hi.

-Can I have a look?

-Yes, of course!

-Thanks very much.

-There we go.

You can see here that this...

That top, it is just like an 18th-century caddy.

This is made purely for our market.

One thing I haven't seen or asked is the price.

They're 180 for the pair.

Ooh! Rather a lot of money!

Well, they're quite unusual.

-But I can do a bit on the price, obviously.

-They're good quality,

but they're going into auction,

and in my view, they'll probably make 60 to £90.

-I can do 140, if that's any help.

-140?

In my mind, I was trying to get it down to £100.

I can't do. I bought these at auction myself,

and paid quite a lot for them.

-120? Best offer.

-I'll do 130.

Yeah. OK.

-I'll wrap them up for you.

-Let's hope they lighten our darkness!

The teams have had their hour.

The shopping is up, so let's see what they've bought.

The reds' radio was 15 quid, about what it cost new in 1945.

The 100-year-old teddy bear

was theirs for £65.

And those Victorian glass jars were a clear 20 quid.

-You had a great time, didn't you?

-Yes, we did.

-Certainly did.

Tom and Jerry!

Which is your favourite piece?

-The teddy bear.

-Is it?

-Teddy's favourite. And you, Tom?

-Got to be the radio.

-Radio is fave.

-Which piece will bring the biggest profit?

-The bottles.

-Hopefully.

-You agree?

-Yes.

-We'll cross everything.

You only spent £100, which is so tight, I can't tell you.

£200 of leftover lolly, Paul Laidlaw.

£200. What are you going to spend the 200 on, mate?

I've got my eye on something quirky, but the deal I've struck sounds like daylight robbery in my favour.

So it won't knock much of a hole in that £200?

-Er...

-What think you?

-There'll be change!

Very good. Good luck!

Let's remind ourselves what the blues bought.

The blues bought the full canteen service for £45.

Another 45 tamed the little Copenhagen puppy ornament.

And the pair of porcelain lamps shone through at a pricey 130.

You love birds, Sue and Chris, did you have a good time?

-Fabulous.

-Which is your favourite piece?

-I think the Japanese lamps.

-Yes.

-I agree.

-You agree. Very sensible!

Which piece is going to bring the greatest profit?

-Copenhagen dog?

-Possibly.

-You don't have to agree.

-I wouldn't. Well, I would disagree with him!

-Anyway...

-The Copenhagen dog.

-Very good. You spent a mature £220.

-Wonderful.

-I'm very pleased.

£80 of leftover lolly. Thank you. It goes to P Serrell.

-Very good.

-OK, old fruit?

-Very well, thank you.

-Feeling fit to go out and spend this 80?

-I'm going to try and do what I've never done before.

-Spend the lot.

-Are you?

-£300, gone. 220 there, 80 here.

-You'll get rid of it all. Will it be exciting for us?

-I wouldn't have thought so!

-Thanks. That'll keep the viewers hanging on.

-It'll be riveting!

-Yes?

-I've got something in mind that is out of the top drawer.

Today we're at Batemans Auctioneers with Kate Bateman in Stamford.

-It's grand to be here, Kate.

-Hi.

-First, Tom and Jenny with their brown Bakelite radio set.

It's a piece of vintage memorabilia, good fun.

It's Art Deco shaped, 1930s, but it's a little bit later.

-30 to 60. It should make that.

-£15 is all they paid.

Now, this bald, blonde baby here.

-What do you make of that? Clapped out, isn't it?

-He's lovely!

He's been loved, this little bear. He's not great condition, quite bald.

Price-wise, probably 30 to £50, if we can find a collector.

-Well, Tom and Jenny will be depressed, cos they paid £65 for this fellow.

-Ooh. Right.

What about this tapering set of drug jars? Any good?

They're a great decorative piece, in your kitchen.

They'd look really good.

I think you've put 50 to 80, and that's cheap.

Yes. Well, they paid £20.

A good set of drug jars like that could make 100 to £150 no trouble.

They've actually hunted a bargain! Amazing!

Let's not get cocky. Let's see their bonus buy.

It's a fair cop, folks! Guilty of intent to make a criminal profit!

I don't want to know what you want to do with that!

Believe me, a good night in and highly collectible into the bargain!

Hiatt Darby handcuffs. They're complete, they're marked, they're by THE name in the field,

and they appeal to a hardcore of collectors in such items.

They're quite heavy.

-Yes.

-And that's the original key?

-It is. Is the mind boggling, Tom?

-I like them.

How much were they and how much would they make?

They were £15

-and they are worth 30 to 50 on a good day.

-On a good day. So it's a collectors' item.

Yes, or a fetishist's.

That's why I want them!

Constabulary-related material, truncheons, smoking-hot at the moment.

Selling with great frequency.

There are people for them, and internationally.

For the viewers at home, and me, let's find out what Kate thinks.

Victorian handcuffs,

not very useful - not that many felons around Stamford.

-But somebody might find a use for them.

-How much?

30 to £50, something like that.

£15 to Paul Laidlaw. He can spot 'em.

That's it for the reds. Now for the blues.

Walker & Hall cased fruit knife and fork set. Any good?

It's quite a nice piece, it's in good condition, the box is great.

Price-wise, I think we'd put 30 to £50 on it, something like that.

Well, Sue and Chris paid £45. So they're a bit adrift there,

perhaps. The Copenhagen little puppy dog.

With these, there are quite a few produced

and they have fairly set prices, so we won't be surprised by this.

-30 to £40 is about where it'll be.

-£45 paid. That's the second item that's tight on money.

Now, what about these Japanese lamps?

They're given away by "Made in Japan" on the bottom. Very late 20th century.

They're quite decorative.

-We'll put 60 to 80 on them.

-Really?

£130 they paid. That's a wodge of money, isn't it?

They might just make £30, mightn't they? £15 each.

They might.

There we go. Three blood baths predicted for the blue team.

They'll certainly need their bonus buy!

-Ready for this?

-Yes.

-Look at that.

-Ooh, it's a box. It's heavy, isn't it?

It's not really an apprentice piece, it's a miniature chest of drawers.

It's 19th century.

-I think it could make 80 to £120.

-You think it would bring 80 to £120.

Why don't I hold it

and you can take a drawer or two out and see what you think.

Why would they have made this in the first place?

It looks to me like something men would make in sheds.

-It's a bit of shed art.

-At the end of the day, it depends on who's there doing the bidding.

And it does, frankly, depend

on where you stand at that time when you make the decision

after the sale of your first three items.

For the viewers at home, let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about it.

Quite a country piece. Price-wise, anywhere between 60 and 100.

-It might prove popular because it's small.

-Lovely.

Philip Serrell paid £80. It's supposed to be his bonus buy.

It's supposed to zoom ahead and make them a decent profit.

It may not exactly do that, actually.

But they may not select it.

We'll find out in the auction.

-And who's in control today?

-It'll be our other auctioneer, David Palmer, wielding the gavel.

So I hope he'll give it his best shot.

-Feeling cool, doll?

-No!

-Feeling warm?

-No.

-Feeling hot?

-Phew!

So what's going to happen? Will you win?

I'm not sure now!

Not sure? You were full of confidence earlier!

-We were.

-You were.

-So which item do you regret buying?

-None of them.

You don't regret anything? That's all right.

A brown Bakelite-cased valve radio, circa 1945.

20 for it. £20? A fiver, then?

Five. At five now. I sell on the middle at five.

The main bid at five. Six. At six now. Is that it?

All done? Seven?

Eight. Ten. Up on the stairs at £10.

Make no mistake, it goes at £10.

-No!

-Well, it probably doesn't go.

-No!

At ten. 12 up? Anyone else? All done at £10.

£10. That is disappointing. Minus five.

-OK, now your teddy bear.

-Early 20th-century straw-filled teddy bear.

Rather fun. Put him in at ten.

Ten. 12.

15. 18.

20. 22.

25. 28.

30. 32. 35.

-Come on!

-38.

40. 42.

-45. At £45 now.

-More, more, more.

I'll take your 48. At 45.

At £45.

Finished and done at £45.

That's down. £45. Minus £20.

Oh, dear! Minus 25.

The set of four Victorian pharmaceutical drug jars.

What, £20?

20 I'm bid. 22. 25.

At 25 now. Is that it? At 25. 28.

30. 32.

35.

38. 40.

-45?

-Come on! Come on!

45. 50.

55. 60, now.

At £60.

At £60 in front.

At £60. I'll take five again.

At £60.

All done, then? You moved, sir. Was it a bid?

I'm sure it was.

At 60.

Sold at the back at £60.

Well done, Paul. That's a profit of £40.

Absolutely brilliant. That saved your bacon!

You have £15 total profit in the tally.

-In the money. How's that?

-Good!

What about the handcuffs? Going with the bonus buy or not?

-Go with the bonus buy?

-It would be a crime not to go with the bonus buy!

-You have £15 profit.

-Yeah.

The handcuffs cost £15.

If they do really badly, you could end up with no profit at all.

But do you believe they'll do really badly?

You believe they're going to do really well, don't you?

I want to go for 'em.

I want to go for 'em.

A pair of Victorian police handcuffs.

Now these are really fun.

I can highly recommend owning a pair of these!

Hours of fun with them! Start nice and low.

Start at £10. Ten only. Ten I'm bid.

Take two. Don't be shy on bidding, ladies!

12. 15. 18.

20. 22. 25.

At 25 now.

28. New money at 28. 30. Take two now.

32. 35. 38.

40. Back here at 40.

At £40. Done, then.

At 40. Sly little look there. Are you tempted?

At 40. You look tempted!

At 40.

At £40 I sell them! At 40.

So, plus £25 on the cuffs.

Plus £15 profit from previously

means you are plus 40!

That's not often!

Now, Sue and Chris, do you know how the reds got on?

-Not a clue.

-Don't want to, either.

-Their secret is secure!

-That's all right.

-So how are you feeling?

-Fantastic.

-Bit nervy?

-No.

-Not nervy at all?

-She doesn't get nervous.

-Not standing next to you!

The Walker & Hall mother-of-pearl cased do-dahs, you paid £45.

The auctioneer's estimate is 30 to 50. Here they come.

The Walker & Hall mahogany case set of fruit knives and forks,

mother-of-pearl handles.

£10. Ten for them?

10. 12. 15. 18.

20. Down here at 20.

At £20 now. And I sell at 20.

-Goes then at 20. I'll take two again.

-Come on, someone!

£20 only.

All done at 20.

Minus £25.

There may be trouble ahead.

Copenhagen model of a seated puppy.

What a cute little puppy dog this is!

Ten again. Ten to start.

12. 15. 18. 20. 22. 25.

-28.

-Go on! A bit more!

32. At 32 now. It's against the lady there.

35 I've got. 38, madam?

36 I'll take, then.

36.

At 36 I sell down here.

I sell to the lady at 36. I'll take 37, madam.

36. The lady seated.

At £36 for the lovely little puppy dog.

All done at £36.

£36 is minus nine pounds.

25, 35, 34.

Now the lamps.

A pair of hand-painted Japanese lamp bases. Nice little lamp bases.

£20 for these. 20. 20 I'm bid.

At 20. Take two now.

I sell it then, on the main bid of £20. 22.

25. 28. 30.

At £30. This side of 30. 32.

35. 38. 40 now.

At £40. You're looking at me. I know you want to bid. At £40.

All done. And two.

New money. At 42, you're both out.

-Go on!

-At £42, finished, then.

Finished at 42.

-Shame!

-£42 they sold for. You are minus £88 on that.

-No!

Sorry to the licence payers!

My thoughts here are that we have two choices - Hobson's and none!

I think we ought to let my chest take a run here. What do you reckon?

You are £122 down the drain, all right?

£122 out of the £220 you originally spent, all right?

So it's a conundrum here.

You don't know how well the reds have done.

So the reds may have done worse than you.

They may have got losses of less than £122.

So the big choice is, do you go with Phil's chest at £80 or not? Yes or no?

I think we should go with it.

You're going with the bonus buy, Phil's chest!

Mahogany miniature chest of drawers. Attractive piece.

£50 for it. Ten, then. Start nice and low. Got to be worth £10.

Probably by a famous apprentice.

Ten I'm bid over there. At ten.

And I sell on the main bid of ten.

12. 15. 18.

20.

-22.

-Come on!

-At 22, I sell there at 22.

Don't worry that it's got Chippendale written in it, madam. Bid 25.

That is ridiculous, trust me.

Go on! Go on!

Try 25. Yes?

Is that yes? 25.

25. Don't lose it, sir. 30.

At 30 over there. On the side. £30.

I sell at 30.

At £30. I'll take two, madam.

32.

At 32. 35 off you, sir? At £32.

In the second row. At £32. Who have I missed?

I sell down here, then.

At £32.

£32.

That's only minus £48.

To add to the £122, takes it up quite neatly

to £170.

-How could I?

-Well, I have to say,

that the miniature chest of drawers was a little peachy thing.

There was nothing the matter with that.

But they sold it for £32, bad luck,

and the buyers aren't here today for chests of drawers.

So bad luck for the Blues, who've made a loss of £170,

which means the Reds are the winners, as, remember,

they made a tidy profit of £40.

Coming up, two more teams go on the hunt for bargains,

but first, I'm heading off to the splendid Woburn Abbey.

Woburn Abbey here in Bedfordshire is one of the

country's great success stories when it comes to

running a large stately home and estate.

Money to keep the place up comes from such diverse sources

as an antiques centre, a hotel, no less than three golf courses,

and of course the world famous safari park.

But it's not all about the wildlife outside at Woburn.

It could be said that over the years

the family were just bonkers about the birds and the bees.

Anything relating to natural history.

One duchess was completely passionate about mushrooms.

She produced this exquisite volume using simply pencil and watercolour and a very skilled eye.

She'd disappear off into the woods in search of her mushroom specimen,

and then settle down and extremely closely observe it.

If you look at this page, it's an actual original pencil

and watercolour series of images based on her observations.

Here we've got a mushroom which has been cut in section,

showing that lovely purple-y interior.

Typically, the original watercolours would have been sent to a printer.

The printer would then interpret the original artwork,

produce a printer's plate, run it through the printing process,

producing an image, for example, of mushrooms like that,

and then somebody would hand colour,

in watercolour, those particular specimens.

But in this case, the duchess didn't need the cash,

all she did was to have her watercolours bound

beautifully in a volume

and it's remained here in the library at the abbey,

which is really rather wonderful.

But are wonderful profits in store

for our next set of Reds and Blues

back at the Rockingham Castle Antiques and Collectors Fair?

Let's find out some more about our posh team - Ian and Carol,

and our biker team, Nicky and Lee. Welcome to Bargain Hunt.

-You're definitely bikers?

-Yes.

-Got the jewellery, got the leather. Got the moll!

How did this come about, the love of motorcycling and your relationship?

It's just something that I've always been into ever since I was a kid.

-I've always loved anything that goes fast and Nicky came into it when you met me, didn't you?

-Yes, I did.

You do a bit of foreign travelling, don't you?

-Yes, we went last year to Portugal and to Italy.

-We drove to Italy.

Did you? Are you good at navigation?

-I'm fantastic.

-We don't talk about it.

-Go on, tell us.

Lee decided to set the Sat Nav to avoid toll roads because he thought it would be cheaper.

-Quite right too.

-We ended up nearly in Poland.

-On your way to Italy?

-Yes.

-You were heading happily towards Russia!

-We did a bit of a detour and went through eight countries!

-Will you be good at bargain hunting?

-The best.

-Yeah?

-Fantastic.

-Why?

Got a good eye for a bargain, I'm tight with money as you've heard, so we'll maximise profit.

-What things do you like to collect, Lee?

-I collect model bikes.

Anything to do with drag racing, motorcycling, that kind of thing.

-What about you, Nicky?

-I've got a few pieces of old Victorian jewellery.

-I like dragons, not necessarily things that are worth money, but things with dragons on.

-Old dragons?

-Yes.

-We're in a castle. You like castles?

-Yes, I love castles.

-Rockingham Castle, what could be more perfect?

And now the posh team. So what makes you two so posh then?

-We're very port out.

-And starboard home.

-Correct definition, well done!

-The bikers are into their motor sports. You're also sporty on the boating front?

-Yes.

We've recently purchased a vintage speedboat which we're renovating now.

-What experience have you had? Have you had boats for years?

-Oh, yes.

We've had boats now for about 12 years.

But more the cruiser type, cruising up and down the canals and rivers.

This will be the first one that's ocean-going, as it were.

-Will you be good at bargain hunting?

-Yes.

-Are you experienced?

We went to a little church auction quite a few years ago

and I saw this lovely little - cos we're into Deco - lovely little Deco cabinet.

So we bought it for something silly, £11, something like that.

As we were carrying it out, somebody said, "Can I buy that from you?"

I said, "No, I want it for myself."

And he said, "I'll give you £35 for it, so I took the £35.

You may do well today if you buy 1930s things cos it often goes well.

-Now, the money moment.

-Thank you.

There's your £300. You know the rules. Your experts await and off you go. Very good luck!

The Reds are the first team off the grid and Paul's already

dishing out the compliments.

You come in with one attractive lady and end up with another! What's the story here?

This was on the stand yesterday at £120.

The lady took the price tag off this morning and she's damaged it.

So what they've done is they've given it to us at the cost price at £30,

so that's got to make a profit.

-You've bought this for £30?

-Absolutely.

It's just us. I think she's absolutely lovely.

What are we looking at? This lovely marble plinth and there's nothing criminally wrong with that.

And then a plaster body, bronze lacquer, patinated, looking lovely.

-It's signed on the back.

-I'll have a look at that.

Indeed, she is. It just opens up that opportunity of easy research.

If it comes to my saleroom, I'd open up the top end, I'd go 40 to 80.

-Period piece, a real beauty, I think you've played a blinder.

-Thank you.

They may be posh, but with only £30 spent, they're a bit tight.

I wonder if the Blues are feeling as thrifty?

-Our house is full of them as well.

-Really?

-Hi, you two.

-I really like this.

-Why do you like that?

I like the shape and the fact that it's hand-beaten. It's copper.

-This is probably 1950s, 1960s?

-OK.

And it's like that real statement thing.

You can imagine it on one of those shaped coffee tables.

-And you've got in this country Newlyn School copper.

-Hmm.

-John Pearson.

You've got the Keswick School of Arts and this is from a similar part of the world - Borrowdale.

It's not Arts and Crafts, but it's following on from those schools and I really like that.

-It's priced at £65. How much did the dealer say you could have it for?

-50.

Borrowdale is collectable and you're relying on two people at the auction thinking, "I like that.

"I'll give £50, £60, £70 for it."

If that happens, brilliant. If it doesn't, you're looking at 30 quid.

But the important thing is you like it.

-Yes.

-Are you sold on it?

-I wouldn't dare argue.

-You better go and pay the man.

-OK, thank you.

Always a good plan to let 'er indoors have 'er own way.

The Blues now have a nice piece of copper for £50.

-Who are these guys, Carol?

-I don't know. I found them on a stall.

-And I'd like your opinion.

-What a hoot!

-They're lovely.

-Ian, cute?

-Well, how old are they?

-Good question.

They could be the 1950s, based on a pre-war cartoon character.

I think I've come across this guy before. It could be Bonzo.

If I saw him in a black-and-white cartoon, you'd think "inter-war".

Tremendous fun. I like them. Are they expensive?

He's got £15 on the ticket.

I've got to be honest. They're worth 10 to 20 in any auction.

If I can squeeze them down to low estimate, the answer is "surely".

-So, are you up for it?

-Yes.

-Go for it.

-I'll take these dogs for a walk.

Well-seasoned charmer Paul snapped up the salt and pepper pots for £10.

The Blues look like they plan to clean up at auction!

Why?

-I thought it was a bit unique.

-What do you reckon?

I'm surprised he recognised it because he doesn't do any cleaning.

I think it's probably 1910, 1920.

It's a wacky bit of social history - a Ewbank Success cleaner.

It's made out of wood. It's transfer-printed here. We've got a British manufacturer.

-What did the dealer say?

-Beat him down to £5.

I can see it making £10 or £20.

Is this the start of a new leaf?

-I think we'll start the car engine and get out of here.

-Go on then.

The Blues paid a whole fiver for the cleaner.

Surely they can't lose out on that one? I don't know.

Well, I've got to say,

it is really lovely - how to put a bit of glamour in your life!

-It came as a full set.

-So we get our top, our dressing gown...

-Slippers.

-And an original box.

-It's got to be expensive.

-£15.

-No? Are you a vintage fashion enthusiast?

-Yes, I love it.

-Really?

-It seems to be so on the up.

-I think it is. It's beautiful. A lot of work gone into it.

Ask me to put a value on it, 20 to 30, 20 to 40?

We all think it's in the bag at 15.

Maybe we'll try and squeeze a wee bit more into our profit pocket.

But well done and fantastic. Go for it!

# Good night, sweetheart... #

The Reds picked up the PJs for a tenner.

Speaking of bedtime, it looks like Lee is ready to read us a story.

-Lee, what are you reading?

-"Ye Frog's Wooing."

What? Let's have a look. "The Baby's Opera."

-Guess!

-Why does this biker, who's got a 160mph bike,

0 to 60 in three seconds, want to buy The Baby's Opera?

With books and literature, for it to survive from the end of the 1800s in reasonable condition,

it'll be quite a rare item.

The thing you need to check when you're buying books is that the cover is sound

and that when you open it up, it's not damaged along here.

Good signs so far. And that it's got all the prints that it should have.

In this instance, the illustrator is a man called Walter Crane.

-I really like this. How much is it?

-The price is £75.

-What did the dealer say?

-I talked him down to 60.

-It's a chancy thing for you to buy.

Will it make a profit? I'm not sure.

I'd say it'd go for 90 quid. That's my bet.

-What about you?

-I'm not sure about that much, but we should go for it.

-You want to buy it?

-Yes.

-Done deal.

£60 paid, but how will their story end?

Find out later because the shopping chapter's closed.

Here's what the Reds bought.

It had a bit of damage, but that didn't stop them

as the Art Deco lady cost them £30.

The salt and pepper set was next, picked up for just a tenner.

And finally, the pyjamas were well and truly bedded for £10.

Hmm, nice, silky, smooth!

-So which is your favourite piece?

-The Art Deco lady.

-The Art Deco lady's your favourite. What about you, Ian?

-It's got to be mine.

-You agree.

-Which piece will bring the biggest profit?

-The Art Deco lady.

-Yes.

-It's all the same.

-We got her at such a good price.

-You only spent £50.

-You're supposed to be posh and spend all your cash!

-You don't get posh by throwing it away.

-Very true.

£250 of leftover lolly goes to PL.

-I'll need a minder.

-You will. Got Securicor to take you round?

-What are you going to buy?

-I'm going to buy a proper antique.

-A proper antique?

-We haven't ventured far back in time,

I'm going to buy something three or four times older than the oldest thing we bought today.

Good luck. Let's remind ourselves what the Blues bought.

The Blues raced to their first buy

and the copper dish was bagged for a nifty fifty.

Will their cleaner be a buy they'd rather sweep under the carpet?

Bought for just a fiver, who knows?

And finally, the children's book.

Let's hope it's a bestseller at the auction.

-Nicky, your favourite piece?

-The copper dish.

-Lee, your favourite piece?

-The carpet sweeper.

-If it's mechanical, you've got to have it?

-Yeah.

-Which piece will bring the biggest price?

-Possibly the book.

-Do you agree?

Possibly, but I've got to back my carpet sweeper.

Anyway, you spent £115, which is pretty pathetic.

Can I have £185 of leftover lolly?

-What will you spend this cash on?

-I've spent time with these guys.

I'm going to get them something that reflects their character - sensitive, quiet, reserved.

Small, delicate, perfectly formed. That'll just fit the bill.

-You'll have a bit of a struggle then!

-Yeah.

Good luck.

# Here we are and here we are and here we go

# On a roll and we're hitting the road

# Here we go Rocking all over the world. #

-How lovely. We're at Bateman's auction house in Stamford with Kate Bateman.

-Good morning.

Ian and Carol, the Red team, started with a Japanese cruet set.

They're not high-end porcelain, but they're quite sweet.

-What's the estimate?

-£10-£20.

£10 they paid, so good chance to make money.

What about this coloured plaster Deco model?

Deco style. It might not be exactly of the age.

If you've got a Deco house it might fit in.

-How much?

-Being kind, 40-60.

-Being unkind?

-A tenner, probably.

-They paid 30.

Next up is the little bedroom set. Would that be a little off-the-shoulder number for you?

What were they thinking? Great for a fancy dress party.

-Or dressing down. What's your estimate?

-I can't imagine it making more than a tenner. £10-£20.

They only paid £10. All in all, I would say this is a very dodgy trio. They'll need the bonus buy.

That little charmer. OK? A late Georgian pink lustre jug.

We have a lovely transfer-printed vignette, a hunting scene.

And this delicious little verse.

-You reckon made when?

-1820.

-1820s, and a good £250-worth, I would say.

Ah. Well, let me tell you the downside.

I broke a cardinal rule here. I said touch nothing with a flaw. Look what I went and did.

A little hairline crack there. OK?

And that hurts it. I think any dealer will estimate that at £80-£120.

If I tell you I paid £15 for that,

I think I've overcompensated for said hairline.

We still have an object of exquisite form, full of period,

with that delightful little verse.

-I think you'll double your money.

-You think so?

You're not buying it, just listening to his prediction,

which is that it's an easy double-your-money type situation.

That's nice to hear for a bonus buy.

You don't have to decide now. Decide after the sale of your first three items.

But for the viewers at home, let's find out what the auctioneering department think about it.

It's a nice thing, pink Sunderland lustre.

It's not great condition, a few hairline cracks.

-It has a nice rhyme on it about honest industry. It should do OK.

-Good.

-How much do you think?

-We've put £60-£100 on it.

He only paid £15! Steady on, kid!

That's it for the Reds. Now for the Blues, Nicky and Lee. First up is the carpet sweeper.

The Ewbank Success.

I think it's grossly misnamed! I don't know how much they paid, but it's not pretty or decorative.

To get rid of it, £10-£20.

They only paid £5 for it. Will they get £5 back?

-Now the Borrowdale hand-beaten copper dish.

-It's quite attractive.

I can see that being a useful piece. Pile up fruit in it, stick it on the table, great. £30-£50.

They paid 50. Could be a hole. What about the baby's book?

I love this. I think this is gorgeous.

We've put £30-£50 on it, but I love it. It's really sweet.

They paid 60, but there are a few holes here.

I reckon they need the bonus buy.

-Nicky and Lee, you spent £115.

-Yes, we did.

-And we gave all that cash to our Phil.

-Have you blown the lot?

-Well...no.

-No. What have you bought?

-Something small and beautifully formed, like myself.

-OK...

-I like that.

It's a really lovely Arts and Crafts 1920s little box. I think it's really well made.

-And it was 20 quid.

-What do you think? First impression?

-It's lovely.

-Thank you.

-I don't care - it's minging.

-Not something I'd buy. Will it make anything?

-Of course!

-How much?

-£5?

-Possibly. That's the trouble with you. You want to know everything.

-And so do the viewers.

That's why we'll share what the auctioneer thinks.

So, Kate, where do you think that comes from? Overseas?

-Or over here?

-Over-priced, probably!

I've no idea. It's a decorative piece.

I don't know what you'd do with it. It's, well, £10-£20.

-Well, they spent £20.

-Let's hope they do well on the other items.

Let's hope that they do and don't need to take it.

-Carol, how are you feeling?

-A little bit nervous.

-Are you? What about you, Ian?

-Trepidation.

-More than nerves? You know that you cannot lose very much today.

-Absolutely.

That is one reassuring thing.

First up is your dog cruet. Here it comes.

A Japanese cruet set. ALL: Awww!

Bonzo! Thank you, madam. Very collectable.

Famous little dog. £10? 10 I'm bid.

10. 12. At 12 now.

They're worth that each! Finished at 12?

All done... 15! Thank you, sir. At the back. At 15 now.

New money at 15. I sell with the standing bidder.

At £15. It goes, standing, at 15.

£15. Well done, Carol. £5 profit. No trouble at all.

Lot 415 is the Art Deco copper coloured plaster bust of a lady.

Nice little lot, very stylish.

Put it in at £20. 20 I'm bid.

At the back at 20. Take 2 now.

Selling at maiden bid of 20.

22. 25. 28. 30.

At £30 now, still standing. At the back.

I sell to the lady at 30. At £30 standing.

Very respectable. Wiped its face. No profit, no loss.

Lot 416 is a box set of turquoise blue Oriental-style pyjamas(!)

Circa 1950. £10 for the Oriental wear?

Is that a bid? 10? 2? At 2 only.

Can I sell at 2? 4 here.

4. 6. At 6. Go 7.

6, I sell at the back. At the very back. Anyone else?

All done at 6?

You are minus £4 on that. You are £1 in profit.

-Going to go with Paul's jug?

-Yes.

-Super duper. We're going with the jug.

Lot 420 is the pink pearlware Sunderland jug.

Interest in this. I start at £20.

22. 25. 28. At 28 now. Is that it?

At 28. 30. 32. 35.

38. 40. At £40.

It sells then at £40. 42 with the man there! At 42.

45. Against you at 45.

Make it the 50. At £45, both out in the doorway now.

All done at 45?

£45. Plus £30.

-Well done. You did all right.

-That is why the man is a legend.

Anyway, overall, you are plus £31,

which is a phenomenal story, bearing in mind you only spent £65 in total.

You made £31 profit. I do congratulate you, but don't tell anybody. Not a word.

-Well done, guys.

-Thank you.

-So, you two young lovers, how are you feeling?

-Fine.

-Do you know how the Reds got on?

-Haven't a clue.

-No.

-Good.

-Are you confident as to how you will perform?

-Yes.

-Absolutely.

-Going to make big profits?

-Hmm...

-Reasonable.

-Reasonable small profits?

-Yes!

-I'll settle for some sort of profit.

-Just settle for a profit.

First up, the carpet sweeper.

Lot 443 is the Ewbank Success wooden case carpet sweeper,

circa 1920, with oak handle.

Often seen in museums and places like that. £5 for it?

-A couple of pounds, then? 2 anywhere?

-No!

2. 3. 4. 5.

6. 6 here with the lady in the second row. £6.

Have another go, sir. 7? At £6.

I'll sell down here at 6.

Try 7, sir. At 6. Anybody else?

All done at 6?

Yes. Plus £1. That's all right.

A pound's a pound.

Lot 444 is the Borrowdale copper dish.

10 I'm bid. At 10 now. I'll sell at 10. Take 2.

12. 15. 18. 20.

22. 25. 28. 30.

At 30. 35. On the stairs at 35.

-Keep going!

-To 40!

Finished at 35?

-£35 is minus £15. Minus 14 overall.

-You owe me a pound.

Lot 445 is the children's illustrated book, The Baby Opera.

£20 for it? 20?

10, then? 10 only? At 10. 12.

15. 18. 20.

22. Sell, then, at 22? 25. New money.

28. 30. This side at 30.

-Over here at £30. I sell at £30. Here, then, at 30.

-No!

£30. That's minus 30. You are minus £44.

-What'll you do with that old pot?

-It can't get any worse, can it?

-We may as well.

-It could! Minus £44 could be a winning score.

-Could be. Unlikely!

-Gonna risk it?

-Yeah.

-You'll risk it.

Lot 449 is the brass cylindrical lidded pot. A very interesting little pot.

20 quid for it. £20?

10, then. 10 I'm bid. At 10 now. I'll sell at 10.

12. 15. 18. 20.

At £20. It goes at 20.

Take 2 now. Finished at 20?

Well done, Phil. No profit, no loss. That's perfectly respectable.

-Minus £44 overall.

-I still did better than you.

-Minus £44.

-Get out of here!

-I made £1. You made nothing.

Listen...

If you'll pardon the expression, on your bike.

Literally! Anyway, overall score is minus £44.

-Don't say a word to the reds.

-We don't want to!

We want no communications here. Not a word between you.

As usual, we have wonderful contrasts.

The contrast today between profits and losses is quite dramatic.

I have to reveal that the runners-up are the bikers!

Bad luck, bad luck. Lee, you made a profit.

-A profit of £1.

-Yes.

-But thereafter, I'm afraid, it went slightly downhill.

Overall, you're minus £44. You've been a great team.

But the victors with £31 of winnings are Ian and Carol.

-Our posh team. How about that?

-Fantastic!

Overall you are £31 up. I do love handing out the dough. £30 and here's your one.

Congratulations. I hope you both had fun. Join us soon for some more bargain hunting! Yes!

Subtitles by Red Bee Media