Grimsthorpe 3 Bargain Hunt

ROMANTIC LIGHT MUSIC

I've had enough of this mushy romantic stuff!

It's time to redirect all this passion

and let us go bargain hunting!

This is Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire,

home to the Eresby family since 1516.

The beautiful grounds surrounding the castle

are the location for today's antiques fair.

It's a lovely place. I wouldn't mind calling it home!

We may be at a grand location,

but that doesn't change the rules.

As usual, the teams get 60 minutes

and the princely sum of £300.

They'll be assisted by their expert

who will guide them through the protocol

of how to bag the very best bargain.

But which team is going to be champions today?

I don't know. I think we'd better meet them, don't you? Proper, like.

Lurv is in the air today.

Our red team have only recently got engaged.

They are Keith and Denise.

Our blue team, on the other hand,

Carol and Richard, have been married for 43 years.

-It don't seem a day too long.

-That's right.

Glad you said that! Now, it says here

that you two have got more fizz than a bottle of champagne!

-That's correct.

-We're a good team.

Denise is sweet and full of energy

and she sometimes says I'm like the bubbles - gets up her nose! I can't see it.

No, no. Naturally.

-It's a good start. You're both quite entrepreneurial.

-Yes.

-You each run your own business.

-My business sells wedding gowns into bridal stores across the UK.

-That's appropriate as you're about to get married. So you've got a good frock?

-Very good, yes.

-What's your business, Keith?

-We provide promotional products

for businesses and clubs - banners, flags, clothing.

I could do you a good deal on these, Tim.

We get through a few every year.

He's out for a deal. I think you'll do very, very well.

But anyway, very good luck. Now the blues.

-A couple who've been married for 43 years.

-That's right.

Carol, you're a big dog lover.

Yes. I've bred golden retrievers for 30 years and I judge them.

I had Best in Show at the Breed Club Championship back in 1984.

Well done. Have you got this passion for canines too, Richard?

Well, I judge Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens.

-Right.

-I judged them at Crufts in 2004, my most honoured occasion in the dog world.

-Well done.

-Richard, what do you collect?

-I'm interested in 18th- and early 19th-century ceramics

because they're incredibly good value at the moment.

Nobody else seems to be terribly interested.

You can pick up something with real historical interest

for a sum that wouldn't buy you a piece of yesterday's tat.

Interesting. No tat bought on today's programme.

Not with this £300 I'm about to give you. £300 apiece.

You know the rules. Your experts await. Off you go. Good luck!

# Love shack, yeah, yeah... #

Foreseeing a successful working relationship with the reds

is Mark Stacey.

And hoping to avoid being in the dog house with the blues

is David Harper.

# The love shack is a little old place where

# We can get together... #

Denise, Keith, I think that's out of our budget range.

That's a shame.

But I've found something you might be interested in.

It's a novelty little item. It's a bedroom jar and cover. I've never seen anything quite like it,

Because look.

When I go like that, you can flick it over.

How cool's that?

It's a bedroom jar to put your hairgrips in

or cut locks of hair and store it in there.

When you need to, you can use it as a mirror.

-How old is it?

-It's got a hallmark, so we can tell exactly.

-Birmingham, 1912.

-How much is it?

Well, it's marked up at £135, so we need to knock that down a bit.

I'd put something like 60 to 80, 70 to £90. Something like that.

You can never tell with these quirky collectors' items.

If we can get it down to that ballpark, we might have a chance.

-I think we should give it a go.

-I think so too.

-OK. Shall I go and see what I can do?

-Yes.

-See you later.

Always drawn to something a bit quirky, Mark negotiated £90 for the unusual bedroom jar.

But what have Carol and Richard served up for David to look at?

David, we've found this. We like it. What do you think about it?

I recognise it instantly. You tell me about it.

It's Charlotte Rhead.

I think it's a really distinctive piece.

It looks remarkably modern.

Charlotte Rhead is instantly recognisable,

as is Susie Cooper and Clarice Cliff, her two main contemporaries,

all famous in their own lifetime.

Let's have a look at the back. There's Charlotte's signature.

Crown Ducal. OK. "Made in England".

So I would put this somewhere in the 1930s, pre-Second World War.

So pre-'39. OK. Price. What are we looking at?

We know it's popular. We know it will always sell.

We negotiated with the dealer to see what we could do it for. He says we can have it for 115.

-Is that the absolute death?

-Yes.

I stood on my head, turned cartwheels.

-She's very determined.

-OK.

115. It's over to you. There's nothing wrong with it.

No-one can criticise you for buying it.

Whether it makes a profit, who knows?

It's a bit of quality, so I think we'll take it.

-Happy?

-Take it as a star item.

-Let's do it.

-Yeah.

Hmm. I wonder.

£115 for the Charlotte Rhead plate. What do you reckon, bargain hunters?

Boom or bust?

Look what I've found. I think it's amazing.

-Amazing colour, isn't it?

-Yes.

Almost the colour that oil goes on water.

-Yes, a petrol sort of thing.

-Very iridescent.

-Very eye-catching.

-Very.

A very deep rainbow effect.

It's marked on the back. Let's have a look.

-Murano.

-Oh, yes! Murano.

Murano is a little island off Venice

which specialises in producing glassware.

It's really exciting.

-In terms of date, it's not that old. It's not an antique.

-No.

-How much is it?

-The dealer wants £75 for it.

-It doesn't sound a lot, does it?

-No, I think it's good.

-I thought it would be more.

-So did I.

But this is Bargain Hunt and we do like to negotiate.

-We need to make a profit.

-Have a word with the dealer.

-I'll see what I can do.

So, while the boys kicked back, Denise took charge,

forking out £65 for the plate.

And it seems the blues have the same idea

of getting the ladies to do all the work.

Look what I've found.

It's a box iron.

It's an iron. My gosh.

I'll tell you what that is.

It's a fantastic example

-of great Victorian inventiveness.

-It's called Edna.

-It's called Edna. How wonderful is that?

It's got a heat shield to protect your knuckles.

Let's open her up. OK. Now, look at that.

Do you fill that with coal or charcoal?

-Charcoal, I think.

-And let the ashes out the hole at the back.

Put the coal in there till it's red-hot. Wham! Off you go.

Imagine using that.

-It's decorative, isn't it?

-Very decorative. It's really a museum piece.

-A piece of social

-How much is it?

-He's currently asking £10 for it.

-Oh, come on!

But I think I can knock him down a bit.

-As long as you don't use that to knock him down with!

-I'll try.

-We'll look over here.

Carol ironed the price down to a fiver. Now, that's what I call a bargain.

-What have you found there, Keith?

-I think it's a sort of buckle.

Yes, it is, isn't it?

-Does it come apart?

-Yes, it does.

-Yes, it does.

-Have a look, Denise.

-See the little masks on there.

And these nice stylised scrolls.

If you look in the centre, there's a stylised creature as well.

See the paws and the head turning in.

It has got that Celtic feel, almost Arts and Crafts feel, really.

I'm almost sure it's continental.

-Is it silver?

-It's interesting you say that. It's got a number there.

I think it's 8808 or 808, which is not a silver mark.

Then it has a little trident-type mark on there as well,

none of which are familiar to me,

although it does have the feel of silver.

-Do you think it's very old?

-I guess it could be any time from sort of 1900, 1920, I suppose.

-How much is it?

-£115.

Gosh! No, no, no. I think we need to tighten our belts on that, you know.

-You need to bargain with him a bit.

-We need to get him down.

Go on. Off you go. I'm sure you won't buckle under the pressure!

Clasping the challenge with both hands,

Keith secured the buckle for £90.

Let's hope they aren't caught with their trousers down at auction!

-Ah, he's got an eye for design and style, your husband.

-Very stylish, isn't it?

Very stylish indeed. Sometimes less is... Oh, dear! That's nice.

..less is more sometimes. Why do you like it?

I think it's simple. It appears to be English.

-Mmm.

-It is stylish, as you said.

-From what period, do you think?

-About 1880s, 1890s.

It's bang-on Arts and Crafts.

-Maybe a bit later?

-1880 to 1900, that kind of style.

But it is very simple, very plain and beautifully made. Traditionally made.

What excited me when I turned it upside down is it's stamped "London".

I thought, "Goodness me".

If that could have a Liberty anywhere near it or you could attribute it to Christopher Dresser.

-That's asking a bit much!

-It is, but I can see it's just London, which is unusual.

Whether it was made in London or retailed out of a store, but it is of that style,

Liberty, Christopher Dresser, 1880, Arts and Crafts, hand-made.

But it is so simple, but so devastatingly stylish

and really of its time.

What kind of price is it?

It's £48, but I haven't haggled yet.

-Well, for £48.... Where would you find another one?

-True.

-Let's go for it.

-Let's. I'll see what I can do.

Richard fawned up to the dealer and hammered out a £30 deal.

I hereby pronounce that the teams are finally married to their objects.

Time's up. Let's check out what the red team bought.

The reds sealed a £90 deal

for their novelty silver and glass jar.

They paid a smashing £65 for the glass charger.

And, finally, they're hoping to hook as much profit as possible

with the Arts and Crafts metal buckle.

-Keith and Denise, was that good fun?

-Great fun.

-Which is your favourite?

-The Murano glass.

-What about you, Keith?

-I quite like the belt buckle.

-Do you?

-Mmm.

-Which will bring the biggest profit?

-Murano.

-Murano glass.

-I'd agree.

-You've got to agree?

-Yes.

You spent a magnificent £245.

I want 55 smackers to hand over to Mark. There you go.

-£55 is fair enough.

-I think so. Not too much, not too little.

-No.

-Don't have to exercise the grey cells too much for 55, do you?

I don't know. You might have to work extremely hard!

Depends on what you go for.

Do you know what you're going to go for at this moment? Do you know what you're going to punch into?

No idea whatsoever.

So it's a no-grey-cell moment?

No grey cell!

Good luck, Mark. Let's remind ourselves what the blues bought.

The blues had an expensive first course,

paying £115 for the Charlotte Rhead plate.

They hope to flatten out the competition

with the decorative iron.

And finally, will they be proposing a toast

after selling the copper ale pitcher?

-Did you have a good time?

-Wonderful.

-A great time.

-It's a laugh.

-What is your favourite piece?

-I think the iron.

-Richard?

-The Charlotte Rhead charger.

-That's your favourite?

-Yes.

-Which piece will bring the biggest profit?

-The iron.

You're not predicting much on the rest of it!

-We think the Charlotte Rhead is a bit tight on the cash.

-OK.

You may well be right. We'll find out at auction.

-You only spent £150, which is miserable!

-I'm sorry.

-That's OK.

-£150 of leftover lolly.

-Thank you.

-You'll need Securicor to escort you!

To be even more miserable, I'm going to break the mould

and buy a piece of brown furniture.

Something really heavy?

-Something unsuitable.

-Yes, a very brown...! Yes.

I hope it hasn't sold already. Good luck, David.

I can think of no nicer place to be than at Charles Hanson sale room with Charles himself.

-Good morning.

-Morning, Charles. Very nice to see you.

We have high expectations today, as usual.

Keith and Denise, the red team, their first item,

this novelty, I suppose it's a cotton wool pot, isn't it?

I think it is, Tim. It oozes quality as well.

The strawberry cutting is superb.

Typically early 20th century, George V, and it's novelty as well.

-I really rate it.

-How much do you rate it?

Guide price about £30.

£30?! That's not enough! £90 they paid for that.

It is very novel and I do hope a lady of leisure might decide to take it home with her.

Next is this glass charger.

-It's got a nice lustrey colour to it, but...

-Yes, it has.

It's obviously Murano, Italian.

There is a big Murano following. Let's not forget that.

My guide price, Tim, on this very large charger

will be between 20 and £30.

-Right. £65 they paid.

-Right.

-They've got high expectations for this.

Again, Tim, we want to fuel the market, basically.

That's why you've put these low estimates on? No, fair enough.

-That's your strategy. Now, what about this extraordinarily well done silver belt buckle?

-Indeed.

I think that's a Beezer object.

-You think Georg Jensen, that Norwegian Viking inspiration.

-I'm Norwegian, I absolutely am.

Not so fashionable to wear, but they are collectible as works of art in their own right.

I'm hoping it will be fashionable enough to buy

and our guide price will be between 30 and £50.

-30 to £50. OK, £90 paid.

-Right.

-There's a distance to travel for all of these.

-There is!

I think they're going to need their bonus buy. Let's have a look at it.

So, Keith and Denise. The leftover lolly moment.

You spent £245. You gave Mark £55.

-Did he spend the lot?

-I didn't, Tim.

I spent £35 on this.

-A-ha!

-I know they love Italian glass and this is Murano.

Probably from the '60s or '70s, I would have thought, but quite a nice funky shape.

It's a nice strong design, a nice cobalt blue with the yellow decoration on it.

-£35 is not a lot of money.

-No.

-I'd hope to see a fiver or tenner profit.

-Yeah.

Still, don't decide until after the sale of your three items.

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

It has a great look about it. It's vibrant, it's quite garish.

-Yes.

-It is this wonderful Murano heavy glass object.

It is what it is, really.

-What would you put on it?

-My guide price would be between 20 and £30.

£35, Mark went with that.

-He's got slightly carried away.

-He always gets carried away!

Now for the blue team.

We've got Carol and Richard with the Charlotte Rhead charger.

-Yes.

-So that tube line stuff used to make a lot of money by Charlotte Rhead.

-Does it today?

-I think the market's dropped somewhat

for Charlotte Rhead. Why, I don't know, because it's the epitome of taste in the '30s.

My guide price will be between 50 and £80.

Oh, Lord. £115 they paid.

-That's a lot, really, Tim.

-Isn't it?

-Yep.

What about this box iron?

It's a great weight and has a great look about it,

this burnished worn gilding, it's marked "Edna" in two places.

Patent mark as well.

-Um...

-You're struggling here!

-I quite rate it, though.

-Do you?

-What paid for it?

-£5.

-Right. Well, my auction guide is between 20 and 40.

-Is it, really?

-Yes.

-We're predicting a straight profit on this?

-Absolutely.

-Things are turning up round here!

What about the so-called Arts and Crafts copper pitcher?

To me, it's quite cobbled together.

It looks an amalgam of styles.

-So, how much?

-Again, 15 to £20.

OK. £30 paid, so it's not so far off, is it?

It's the market. Copper and brassware is going through a difficult time.

It's cheap at that.

Out of the three pieces, it's the Charlotte Rhead that might get them into trouble.

Let's see their bonus buy.

-Ah.

-Yeah. Right.

-Indo-Persian, yeah?

It's an Anglo-Indian or Anglo-Persian campaign table.

-It folds up. It's got hinges.

-Good girl. It does fold up.

That's what campaign furniture does.

-Campaign furniture has been with us for centuries.

-Can I pick it up?

-You do it, if you know.

-I don't know, but I can take the top off.

You simply pack it away, something like that, bung the top on,

put it on your camel or elephant and off you go. When you pitch your tent,

your servants can furnish the tent with all the luxuries you're used to, Tim.

Dining tables, four-poster beds, all those things! Including wine tables.

-How much did you pay for it?

-How much do you think?

-25?

-Oh, very close. £20.

Campaign furniture is so undervalued.

It was us in the 19th century that mass-produced it for ourselves

in the colonies, Africa.

It's a lovely item. The price was right. But we need two people that want it.

-Unfortunately, one of them would be me, and I can't bid.

-And one would be me

so we'd be outbidding each other to 100 quid for that!

But are you two guys unique? If you're not, there'll be two others out there.

There might well be.

Don't decide until the sale of your three items.

For viewers at home, let's find out what the auctioneer thinks of this sweet little table.

It makes my heart just feel very empty.

-Does it?

-Yes.

-Well, it's described as a campaign table.

Well.

I mean, it's what it is, Tim. I'm sure it's Persian.

Came over from 1890, 1930. They were mass-produced.

But that's as far as we go with it.

-My guide price is actually between 20 and £30.

-That's amazing!

So it might make five, it might make £15.

-It might make 25.

-Right. That is leading to a lot of confusion!

-Whether it will make a profit remains to be seen.

-Correct.

Good luck in the auction.

-I'll need it.

-Yes!

Now, Denise and Keith. How are you both feeling?

-Excited.

-Are you?

No nerves at all, Keith?

Depends how you interpret nerves. No, I don't think so.

-Apprehension, perhaps.

-A little bit apprehensive.

-But you're determined to make profits.

-We are, yes.

-That goes without saying!

First up, the novelty bedroom jar. Here it comes.

A lovely novel George V jar and cover.

It really is very, very nice. There we are.

I've got 50 on my book.

£50 bid. Do I see two?

50 bid. Surely to you all out in the room.

It's my commission bid. Fair warning. All done?

Going at 50.

£50 is not a big price. Minus £40. Bad luck, Mark.

Next up is the glass charger.

It's Murano, it's lustred. A slightly mottled feel.

There we are. I'm bid here £15.

18, 20 and two? Two. Five.

The lady. Your bid at £25. I'll take eight. Come on!

Surely eight? 30?

-Madam, one more. A lovely smile. Are you sure?

-Yes.

-Thank you. 30.

Thanks for coming. 30 and two, sir, now?

You're out. You're in. All done?

At £30 sale. Yours.

£35. Bad luck, darling.

Now, Keith.

Is the buckle going to take you out?

Has anybody spotted it?

We have got this very stylish, probably Norwegian,

Arts and Crafts style buckle.

We have got interest here.

At five, eight, 30, do I see two? Five.

Eight. 42. I'm out.

Five over here. 48.

50. Five. 60. Five.

70. Five. 80. Five. £85.

-Come on!

-Do I see 90?

-A bit more, please!

To you, sir. Yours.

£85. That's minus £5. Bad luck, chaps.

40, 75. Minus 80, OK?

Minus £80. What are you doing about the Murano? Go with it?

-It's a winning score, isn't it?

-Yes. Could be a winning score.

-If it goes as badly for the blues as it has for you...

-We said if the Murano didn't go... No, not going.

-No bonus buy. No bonus buy?

-No.

It's a very stylish retro thing, if you like it.

There we are. I like it. Bit of interest here.

£20. Do I see two, please?

£20 I'm bid. Two. I'm out.

At £22. Five. 28.

30. Two.

One more, madam? Are you sure? No? Thank you.

Your bid, sir, at 30. I'll take two now. Come on. At £30.

-We say sale.

-£30.

-Minus £5.

-We'd have lost about five.

You did well not to take it, actually.

You've preserved your losses at only £80.

You've ring-fenced the debt.

Will it beat the blues? That's the big question.

-Don't tell them a thing.

-No, no.

-Zip up, look confident, if you see them.

-Always!

-Always!

-Carol and Richard, do you know how the reds got on?

-No idea.

-Very good.

-So are you feeling at all shifty or nervous?

-No.

-No?

-No, we either win or lose. We don't really care.

We've been playing the game and had great fun.

That's a very sensible attitude, Carol.

Pleased to hear it. First, the Charlotte Rhead charger.

-Here it is.

-Where do we start? I'm bid here

25. 28. 32. Five?

Do I see eight? Let's have a bit more.

Eight. 45.

55.

I've got 50. I'll take five. I'll take two if it helps. At £50.

Two. I'm out. At £52. Takes my bid.

-Come on! More!

-Do I see five, surely? Worth more than that, surely?

Fair warning.

-Well.

-That's terrible, isn't it? £52.

-That's awful.

-Terrible!

-That's £63 off.

Yes, something like 63.

-63.

-We're going for the world's greatest loss.

-Not so good, is it?

-No.

-Now, here comes Edna.

An interesting patented Number 7 box iron,

stamped Edna, late Victorian.

I have got interest. Make no mistake, I am bid here £10.

15. 18. 20. 22. Five, eight. I'm out.

Now, come on!

At £28, surely 30?

At £28.

She's gorgeous. She's gorgeous!

Standing and selling at £28.

-Hooray!

-Marvellous. Plus £23.

-Perfect, isn't it? Marvellous.

-Absolutely great.

So you are down to minus 40.

-Here we go. Now your pitcher, Richard.

-A very nice jug.

I'm bid £5 for it.

Come on!

Eight, ten, 12, 15, £18. I'm out. Do I see 20 now?

-£18. I look for 20.

-Come on!

-I've got 20. And two, madam?

Two. Out. At £20.

-More!

-All done! Selling. Fair warning. It's yours at that price.

£22. That's minus £8.

Minus 48. Minus £48. What about the campaign table?

-Going with that?

-Yes.

-David's been absolutely tremendous. We're going with him.

Great. Going with the bonus buy. The campaign table.

There we are. 231. Where do we start?

I am bid here £12. Do I see 15, please?

At £12. Do I see 15?

All I'm bid 12. 15, 18, 20, I'm out.

-Come on!

-Do I see two now?

Come on. I'm bid 20. Where's two?

Surely two! You're all out here. Come on!

20. It's going.

-£20.

-At least we broke even.

-We did.

Well done. Wipe your face. Overall,

you went with the bonus buy, made no score on the bonus buy

so you're still minus £48.

It could be a winning score, so don't tell the reds a thing.

-Not a word.

-Good on you.

Well, what an interesting programme, eh?

Not much in the way of profits. Largely losses, actually.

I know that you are a particularly competitive girl.

I know you hate to be the runners-up.

So I'm going to make your day by saying the runners-up are the reds!

CHEERING

You've made a couple over there extremely happy!

Sadly, you finished up with losses on every item. Minus 80.

You didn't go with the bonus buy, a wise move. So losses of minus 80.

The programme wishes you all the best for your forthcoming nuptials.

We hope all goes well with that.

Better than the bargain hunting, we hope!

-But for the victors today, the blues, which is really super.

-It is.

So you've won today with a score of minus £48.

-Well done. You've been a great team.

-We've done good.

-Join us soon for more bargain hunting. Yes?

-ALL: Yes!