Devon 8 Bargain Hunt

This is good fun, isn't it?

Very relaxing. I hope I get a nibble and catch a big one!

I'm optimistic about our team's chances of landing a big fish

and reeling in enormous profits.

But we won't find out until we go bargain hunting!

Oh, God.

We're in Devon, Bargain Hunters, in the small town of Topsham.

Originally, this was a Roman settlement.

The place has a rich and varied history

dating back hundreds of years.

With £300, a time limit of an hour and an expert to help them,

our teams today should have all the relevant equipment

to enable them to trawl for the very best treasures

at the Topsham Quay Antiques Centre.

So, champing at the bit to go bargain hunting today

-are the Reds, Renee and Vivian...

-Hello, Tim!

-..and Grace... Ooh!

-And Grace and James.

-Hello, Tim.

Hel-lo.

-Renee...

-Yes, Tim.

-..there's something very excitable about your nature.

-There is?

There's something that both of you are very excited about today.

What would that be?

That is to meet you!

Why are you so excited about meeting me?

-Because you're so eccentric...

-And flamboyant.

"So fat", I thought you were going to say!

I detect a bit of an accent. Would you be from over the water?

-Yes, from Italy.

-Italy. Ah, bella Italiana!

What do you do for a living?

At the moment, I'm retired, but I do a lot of voluntary work.

What did you first do when you worked here?

My first job was a beauty therapist.

-Really? Is that where you two met?

-Yep, that's where we met.

She was one of my first clients.

-And you've been friends ever since?

-Yes.

Isn't that great?

-Vivian, you're retired.

-Yes.

-What did you do before you retired?

I was a counsellor in NHS surgeries.

I enjoyed it very much, because it was helping people and it was very interesting.

But you've got a great passion and that's for antiques.

-Absolutely.

-Lovely to have somebody who's really keen on the programme.

What do you like about antiques?

I just like looking at them and I like the feel of them,

the look of them, the beauty that they don't do any more,

as far as I'm concerned. You just don't see it around.

-Are you up for this bargain hunting?

-We are, indeed.

-Are you going to beat the Blues?

-Yes.

-That's what we like, is fighting talk.

Although, the Blues don't look particularly scared,

-do you Grace and James?

-No.

Grace, you're experienced in the fashion business.

I am, indeed. I used to own a couple of clothes shops.

I had one in Torquay called Glamour Puss and one called Icon in Cornwall.

But you're not in that business any more?

I sold my businesses about four years ago and I'm an estate agent now.

-Really?

-I am.

Do you collect anything?

I like mirrors. I recently got a beautiful Art Deco mirror.

My house is 1930s and I've probably got about 20.

-20 mirrors! Not all in one room?

-Not all in one room.

A fair amount are in the dining room.

-James, you're also an estate agent.

-I am.

-Are you interested in collecting?

-Oh, yes.

-What do you collect?

I've got a large collection of watches and clocks,

which is borne from my father and grandfather

being watch and clockmakers.

I'm keen on collecting all round.

What's your favourite watch?

Probably, the earliest was a watch that my father showed me

when I was probably four or five and I took an instant liking to.

You're not going to buy watches today, are you? To make a profit.

Probably not.

It's the money moment. Here you go. £300. You know the rules.

Your experts await. Off you go! Very good luck.

Taking on the good cause of making profits for the Reds

is James Braxton

and estimating the correct value for the Blues

is Philip Serrell.

And today, they'll have their work cut out, helping two lots of teams.

-Ladies. Come on.

-What have you found?

A rather handsome-looking swan, isn't he?

-I can't say I like it very much, James. Sorry.

-Mixed emotions?

-Yes.

-Not the positive feedback I was hoping for.

-Oh, shame!

It looks like a centrepiece, a table centrepiece.

-Is it all in one piece?

-I think it is.

This is the crucial thing. We'll just check it.

I'll just take a coin

and if it slides quite nicely, it means it hasn't been restored.

-It's made in Dartmouth.

-That's quite near here, isn't it?

-Date?

-It looks post-war.

It does, doesn't it? 1947.

-How much is it?

-That's the good news. It's priced at £25.

At £25, I think you're getting quite a lot of bang for your bucks.

Give me a price, somebody.

You're the professional, you tell us how much it's going to make.

-Not a huge amount, £5, £10?

-Do you think that's a profit?

-Not great, but it's a profit.

-OK.

Well, I don't think Renee is convinced.

But James pecked the price down to £20.

Let's fly over to the Blues to see what's stirring.

How about that?

Got a bit of a look to it, hasn't it?

Why do you like that?

It looks like it's been hand-crafted, as a one-off.

Perhaps trench art or somebody using up a bit of scrap copper or brass.

I'm surprised you can see it from up there. You on an orange box?

There's some binoculars in another case.

It's nice, isn't it? Do you reckon that's a caddy spoon?

Let's have a look at it. Hold that, my love.

I don't know that it is a caddy spoon.

It's quite big and clumpy.

-This is clearly beaten copper.

-Yeah, that's nice.

Brass arrowhead here and you've got these little steel buttons.

-What style do you think that is?

-That's probably Arts and Crafts,

because of the way it's handmade, its decorative pattern.

I think you're right and that's flavour of the month at the moment.

Having given you the ticket,

-how much is it?

-It's £15.

You probably ought to see if you can get some off, but I'd buy that anywhere.

It stands a chance of doubling your money.

So, what do you reckon, a tenner would be good? Anything in-between?

-You ought to go and unleash Grace on them.

-Do you think?

-I do, yeah.

-All right.

-Get your coat!

-Go get 'em, girl!

Gracie clawed a few quid off and spooned out £13.

James, what do you think of this beautiful, beautiful tray?

It seems as though it's got three different metals in it.

It is nice. It's got a sense of style about it.

We've got a copper body here

that's principal metal, and they've engraved a design there,

and then they've introduced the brass.

-The silver, I'd imagine is a pewter.

-Do you think it's Arts and Crafts?

It has that feel, doesn't it? With this crimped edge.

-What's the price?

-It's £48.

-£48.

I'm hoping to be able to get it down. What do you think?

-Do you think it's worth it?

-I think it's worth it.

I've seen a lot of other trays here today, most of them have been tatty.

This has integrity.

And you think we'll make a good profit?

I think we have the opportunity of profit.

I like it, it's got very pretty colours in there.

Vivian, let Renee do the deal.

-You and I, a G and T is calling us.

-Good idea.

Poor Renee missing out on a tipple,

but she paid a crafty £35 for that tray.

Are the Blues having trouble making up their minds?

-Any good?

-No.

-Come on.

-How about that?

-Yes.

-Yes? You don't even know what it is yet.

-I don't know what it is.

You're easy to please, aren't you? It's a little box with a drug jar.

OK. And it turns...

-Ah!

-Yeah?

It would've been wonderful

-if we could've had some sort of drug inscription on here.

-Yeah.

-Is there anything on the bottom?

-No. Zilch.

But you can tell from that mark there, that it's quite old.

No chips and it fits in there wonderfully well.

It all looks original, doesn't it?

The thing that appeals to me most about it? 12 quid.

Which means we might be able to get it for a tenner, you know,

and I can see that making £20 at auction.

-Do you like it?

-It's very nice.

-Why do you like it?

It's not too decorative, it's plain and you're not quite sure what it is.

And I think... it's all in one piece, isn't it?

-What would you pay for it at auction?

-20 quid.

-Yeah.

-There or thereabouts.

The thing that really appeals to me is,

I just think it's amazing, Grace.

THEY GIGGLE

Oh, dear, Philip. They do get worse.

But a tenner for the treen bottle holder ain't that bad.

What do you think of this?

-Very smart, isn't it?

-Do you like it?

-Not particularly.

-What don't you like?

-Well, it looks almost, sort of, oriental, Asian or...

-What you think, James? Very unusual, I must say.

-It is unusual.

Did they put this on after they made the glass?

Yeah. It's cased.

See how the green glass has been blown into a fret-cut brass skin?

So definitely, the brass first, the glass followed.

Do you think that's from abroad or are you not really sure?

I think it's continental, don't you?

It'd be nice if you could find a sort of WMF mark or something.

It's not looking at its best at the moment. Needs polishing up.

-£35.

-Yeah. That's too much.

I wonder if we could get them to knock it down?

-Would it make any money? We'd need to.

-Hmm, very much so.

If you can get it for £10, Vivian, we could maybe have some...

You're expecting a lot!

That's your challenge.

-Thanks.

-Renee, come on.

That Renee doesn't ask for much, does she?

Vivian paid a respectable £25, but it's what it sells for that counts.

We found this, Phil, and we wanted to ask your advice.

It might be a bit damaged on the side and it's got a handle missing.

-Why do you like it?

-Well, it's lovely.

I like the very simple patterns to it.

-Do you know what wood it is?

-I'm not sure.

-Rosewood?

-Spot-on.

It's either a writing slate or a lap-desk.

But it's got problems. The first is staring us in the face.

That recessed handle is missing.

Are you going to find it easy to get a replacement one of those?

The right shape, right style?

Let's have a look inside, cos that'll tell us a whole load more.

Anything glaringly obvious there?

A bit worn. Fabric's worn.

Ink bottle. Missing.

Ink bottle. Missing.

Let's just open it up again.

Oh, that really is loose, isn't it?

I don't see that as a problem,

because you can easily re-base or reline this,

but it's certainly pretty plain, isn't it?

So, you've got a box here. How much is the price?

-£85.

-£85.

The market for these has dipped.

The one thing I think the whole thing has got going for it...

is this colour here.

And I like that. So you've got to try and get that price down.

They did get the price down

and signed off the writing slope for £60.

Right, that's it. Shopping's over. Let's recap on what the Reds bought.

-GLASS SHATTERS

-Oh! Seven years' bad luck.

The Reds got off to a flying start with the £20 ceramic swan.

Did they get carried away with the copper and brass tray?

Finally, will the brass and glass bowl dish out the dosh at auction?

Girls, you had a fantastic shop up?

-Absolutely.

-Yes.

Which is your favourite item, Viv?

It's the tray we bought.

-What about you, Renee?

-I think it could be the tray.

It's the favourite.

Although, Vivian said that the swan might make more money...

-And do you agree with that?

-It could be. She might be right.

I trust Vivian, yes.

You only spent 80 miserable pounds, so can I have £220 back?

-£220 worth of leftover lolly, James.

-Thank you.

-You'll be getting on with this quite smartly.

-I will.

-Any ideas?

-Yeah, I have seen a very nice boat outside.

-THEY LAUGH

-So you're off to Boulogne, then? For a little supper?

It'll probably only buy me four horse power.

-Ah. Good luck anyway, James.

-Thank you.

-Thanks very much.

Let's recap on what the Blues bought.

Hoping it measures up,

the Blues bought the Arts and Crafts spoon for £13.

They only paid £10 for the treen bottle holder with the bottle.

And will the £60 writing slope, their most expensive purchase,

pen the largest profit?

So, Grace and James, was that good, that shopping experience?

-Fantastic.

-You had a good time.

Now, Grace, which is your favourite piece?

We've got a lovely Arts and Craft spoon.

-The spoon! That's your favourite. Do you agree, James?

-I do, I do.

Which item's going to bring the biggest profit?

-Oh, I think the spoon might just do it.

-Spoon?

If not, the medicine bottle.

-Ah, you're hedging your bets.

-Could go either way.

Well, you only spent £83, so I'd like £217 worth of leftover lolly.

Thank you very much, James. That goes across to the man.

-Happy about that?

-Over the moon.

-OVER the moon.

-Absolutely.

Any ideas as to what you'll spend it on?

-No, but it'll be done with Grace.

-It'll be done with Grace.

Martin McIlroy's our man here at Bearne's auction house in Exeter. Good morning.

Good morning, Tim.

Renee and Vivian, who are live wires, I have to tell you,

have shopped hard and their first item is this Dartmouth swan vase,

-which is very much of a period, isn't it?

-It is.

-And is very unpopular!

-Is it?

-It is.

-Dartmouth pottery, you'd see a lot here.

-We see a lot here.

-And it's normally very poorly modelled.

-Cheap.

-Cheap.

-Nice beak, though, isn't it?

Lovely beak. Just not worth a great deal, I'm afraid.

About £10 or £15.

-£10, £15. OK, fine, they paid 20.

-Too much.

Well, probably a bit too much, but somebody might get swept away with it.

What do you make of this tray?

Interesting tray. Superb piece of workmanship.

So you rate it, then?

I'd love to rate it. As a piece of craftsmanship

it is absolutely wonderful,

but the market just doesn't want it.

And again, £20 to £30 for all that hard work that has gone into that.

£35 they paid.

-Yep.

-Their last item is this green, blown glass and brass overlay bowl.

Quite unusual.

It's just dreadful.

It's got no great commercial worth at all.

It is probably from Turkey.

We've got these half crescent designs round the side.

Yeah, the little Islamic presence.

We'll be doing well if we get £10.

You'd do well if you got £10? Oh, dear. £25 they paid.

-Too much.

-Doesn't sound too bad if you say it quickly.

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

This is onyx from the Atlas mountains.

This is a rather nice silver collar round it.

Just to tidy...needles, whatever.

-Is it marked?

-It is. Round the other side from the dent, there we are.

-Where's it from?

-It's English-made.

Birmingham makers. Just a lovely piece of precious stone.

How much did you pay for it, James?

£20.

Really? Is that all?

Well, girls. Look at that!

How much do you think it's going to get us? That's the important thing.

I think it can make £20 or £30.

There might be a tenner in it.

That's his prediction. But you don't have to decide right now.

You decide after the sale of your first three items.

But for the viewers at home,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about James' tidy.

Unfortunately, there is a dent to it, just there,

which does detract from it slightly and will push the value down on it.

We will probably get somewhere in the region of about £15.

It's decorative, but it's that damage.

Old Braxton paid £20. He might just get out of trouble. He might do.

That's it for the Reds, now for the Blues.

Quite exciting, I think, that Arts and Crafts caddy spoon.

I like that.

Yes. The Arts and Craft Movement is a wonderful period of decoration.

It is always difficult to put down to who it was by.

Anybody could've done that in metal work in school, couldn't they?

That's it. Part of the idea was it was back to basics and practicality

and I think we'll get something in the region of £20 for it.

OK, £13 they paid, so they should be in for a profit on that.

We should do well with that.

Next is the little treen bottle holder.

It's in good order, it hasn't got any splits to it, which is half the battle with treen.

It should fetch somewhere in the region of about £15.

-£10 paid. So, another potential profit, which is great.

-Yep.

And lastly is the brass-bound rosewood campaign box. Any good?

Boxes, especially writing slopes, have taken a bad dive over the past few years.

We will get probably about £40 to £60.

Well, that's not too bad because they only paid £60.

I think there's some hope, some light at the end of the tunnel,

but in any event, we'll have a look at their bonus buy next.

Grace and James, you spent £83.

You gave Phillip Serrell £217, what did he spend it on?

For what we are about to receive, say grace.

THEY LAUGH

-Oh, dear.

-I spent 25 quid on...

him.

The look on your face is absolutely priceless!

That's...remarkable...

He's 19th century,

I paid £25 for him and I think he ought to make 30-50 quid.

Garden statuary - and we'll be polite and call it that -

is back in now, isn't it?

-Don't try and humour me, now.

-I think James likes it, definitely.

You don't have to decide now, but for the viewers at home,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks of Philip's little gnome.

-Does it G-do anything for you?

-It doesn't.

They are extremely popular little people and this one

has pins where it would've been placed on another stone in the garden.

-As part of an arrangement of these characters.

-Exactly.

And again, we have a piece of wood or something in his hand,

which may have been a spade.

but the features to the face are very good.

Personally, I can't get on with it, I don't like it,

but I'm more than happy to be proved wrong on this.

I think it's only worth somewhere in the region of £20-25.

Well, Phillip Serrell loved it, he paid £25.

If the person's here who's got their eye in for early gnomes

and dates it around 1880-1900, they'll be truly excited

-and they might well bid a reasonable sum for it.

-I would think so.

The excitement of the programme,

we're standing on the edge of our bed here,

longing for the auction result.

-Thank you, Martin.

-A pleasure, Tim.

Renee, why are you gripping my hand like this?

Because I just want to.

-Because I'm very nervous.

-Are you nervy?

-Yes, yes.

-No, not really.

-You're not nervy?

-Not today.

-She's very laid-back today.

-You're pretty cool.

All right. Lovely. I think we better run through your lots.

I've chatted with the auctioneer. The Dartmouth pottery swan,

you paid £20, the auctioneer has put £20 on that.

So we're full of hope here and here it comes.

Lot 138, which is a Dartmouth pottery flower holder

in the form of a swan. Again, £10 to start me.

-Yes, sir.

-Ten I'm bid, £10.

12 anywhere now? At £10. 12.

14, darling? 14, at £14, out in the doorway at £14. 16 anywhere?

-At £14. 16 a no?

-Come on!

At £14, are you all done?

Selling then at £14.

£14, minus £6. Bad luck, girls.

Now, your oval tray, sweet pea. Stand by.

This copper brass oval tray, super thing, and again, £20 to start me.

£10?

Oh, dear.

£10, anywhere? £5.

Five I am bid. Thank you, sir, at £5.

Six anywhere now? At £5. Six.

Seven. Eight. Nine.

-At £9. Ten, anywhere?

-Come on, yes.

At £9, beside me at £9.

Ten anywhere now? At £9. Ten a no?

Selling at nine, then. £9.

I don't know what to say, sweetie. I really don't. £9 is very low.

-I can't believe it.

-That's minus 26, look out.

Lot 140, the brass case and green glass bowl of circular form.

There we are.

And again, £10 for this one. £10 anywhere?

£5. Interesting bowl, £5?

Couple of pounds? Two I'm bid, thank you.

I can't believe this, I can't.

Three. Four. Five.

Six anywhere?

At £5, are you sure?

-Oh, my.

-At £5.

The lady seated, at £5.

Six anywhere? Six.

Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten.

12. 14.

16. Nope, shake of the head.

At £16, in front, with the lady seated, at £16. 18 a no?

At £16, the lady in front and seated, and selling, then, at 16.

£16 is minus £9.

26, 32, 41.

Minus 41.

You are minus £41. Minus 41 overall.

-Minus 41 overall.

-OK.

So what are you going to do about the little dish for £20?

-We're going to go with it.

-Nothing to lose.

-You're going to go with it?

Yes, absolutely.

-Anyway, here it comes.

-The onyx and silver-rimmed circular dish.

Hallmark for Birmingham, 1904. And again, £10 for this one?

Little dish, £10?

£5?

Five I'm bid, thank you, sir. £5. Six anywhere now?

At £5. Six. Seven.

Eight anywhere now? At £7, the little dish. At £7.

£7 in the silver section.

All done and selling then for £7.

£7. £7. That's minus £13,

That's minus 54. Minus 54.

Listen, that could be a winning score, let's be optimistic.

-OK, yes.

-It could be a winning score. Don't tell the Blues a scrap.

-We won't, no.

-Will you keep quiet?

-Yes.

You will. Renee, will you?

-I'll try.

-You're going to try hard.

-Really hard.

-Really, really hard to keep quiet.

-Yes!

-Yeah, just for a second or two.

-Yes.

-OK, darling.

-Now, James, how are you feeling, are you excited?

-Pensive.

Pensive? Is it just like the contracts are about to be exchanged

on a large country home and you are not quite sure whether the buyer's going to do it or not?

-A little.

-A little bit like that.

-Because you just never know, do you?

-No, no.

They could back out, they might go forward, we're at that moment.

How are you feeling, Gracey?

Yeah, I'm quite excited, I think we're going to do all right.

James, your Arts and Crafts-style spoon, I personally rate,

I think it is a fantastic thing.

Here it comes.

The copper spoon in the Arts and Crafts style.

And starting at £30 for it. 20 somewhere?

Arts and Crafts-style spoon, £20? £10?

-Five, sir.

-Five, I'm bid. At £5. 6 anywhere now?

-It's a start.

Six. Seven. Eight.

Nine. At £9. Ten anywhere, for the Arts & Crafts spoon?

-Oh, dear.

-At £9, if you're all done and selling, then, for £9.

£9. You are minus £4 on that. It's not right, but it's happened.

-Next is your bottle in its case.

-...Bottle holder with screw top.

There we are. Glass bottle and stopper.

Again, £20 for this one? £10?

£5? Where's that gentleman gone?

-£5. Couple of pounds.

-Is he facing the right way?

-Nice one!

Two I'm bid, at £2.

Three anywhere now?

At £2, three. At £3, four a no.

At £3, all done at £3 and selling, then, at three.

You got £3 for it.

He never got three, did he really?!

That's minus 7.

Now, stand by for your lovely slope, darling.

The rosewood and brass writing slope and we start here at £30.

20 for the writing slope?

Ten? £10 for the writing slope.

I'll take it home for firewood, it'll be all right!

No, £5? £5, five, I'm bid.

At £5. Six anywhere now. Six, there's competition.

-Seven? Seven. Eight anywhere now?

-I'd rather set it alight!

At £7 and selling, then, for seven.

That's minus £53. Woohoo!

I'm going to have a kiss for that, because it just about takes the...

No! Let's have another one.

That is pretty good going, isn't it?

Minus £53, minus £7, £64.

Have they changed the rules of this game and no-one's told us?

Minus £64. What about the gnome? Are we feeling confident about it?

-We like the gnome.

-Might as well!

You're minus £64. Are you going to go with the bonus buy?

-I think we are.

-Brilliant.

We're going with the bonus buy, then, and here it comes.

For you garden lovers.

It should read zinc, not reconstituted stone,

this is a zinc example of a gnome,

and with various commissions, we dash straight in at a mighty £6.

-The bid's with me at £6.

-Oh, get out of here.

7. 8. 9.

10. At £10, commission bid has it. Anywhere out in the room at £10?

12 anywhere now?

For the gnome, £10, I have.

Commission bid at £10. Take 11 if they like.

At £10. 11 or no? With me then at £10 and selling then for £10.

£10 and I'm gutted for you.

Minus £15 on that, which means you are minus £79 overall.

-How much do we owe you?

-No, it's fine, we take cheques!

That's what you call a great sense of humour, actually. We like that, Grace!

You are minus £79. Even in these circumstances, you remain jolly and upbeat, which is lovely.

Super-duper, minus 79, could be a winning score,

-don't tell the Reds.

-OK.

-OK.

-Great.

But alas, for the Blues, minus £79 isn't a winning score.

Remember, the Red ladies lost just minus £54.

Coming up - two more teams are fishing for bargains in Topsham,

but first, I'm heading inland.

Spanning most of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th,

the Georgian era was the age of the grand country house

and there aren't many finer examples than this - Saltram.

It was also a time that was culturally vibrant,

and the Parkers, who were both wealthy and aristocratic,

were well-read and enjoyed the highbrow pleasures of their library.

They also weren't averse to a bit of rough, lowbrow pleasures,

including gambling.

The Parkers absolutely loved it,

and in particular, John Parker, 1st Lord Boringdon.

He even had his own racecourse on the estate

and one of his horses, Saltram, won the Derby in 1783.

You really wouldn't expect, in a grand library like this,

to come across anything associated

with the really rough end of gambling,

but actually, that's exactly what this chair does.

You have to go back to a time when there was the most despicable

form of animal inhumanity connected with gambling

and that's cock fighting, because it's a cock-fighting chair.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, cock fighting was a passionate

interest for both poor and ordinary people and aristocrats alike.

They'd have a large, sunken oval pit,

into which two armed cockerels would be thrust.

The idea being that they would fight to the death.

They'd be armed with metal spurs strapped to their legs

and they would literally attack one another,

and vast wagers could be placed on the outcome.

You could lose a fortune if the cockerel that you chose died first.

The aristocrat would have attended a cock-fighting meeting

and sat in a chair like this.

It's got a peculiarly-shaped seat

and that's so that you could straddle it.

But first, you'd adjust the position

that you want the table to sit at.

Let's say we want it there.

You'd raise the table like that, bring up the ratchet

and adjust it like that.

Straddle the seat, and on the table, you'd have

a list of the cockerels, you'd have a list of the bets,

and you would avidly attend this awful prospect in front of you.

And fortunately, of course, cock fighting has been banned

since the 19th century in this country,

but it's a beautiful example of a piece of furniture

dating from that time.

Another interesting chair in this room

represents the highbrow interests.

It looks like a pretty standard Regency library armchair

with a typically curved rail,

these lovely reeded scrolled arms

and nice sabre supports.

The giveaway, though, are these two brass hinges on the front.

If I give it an oink and go carefully,

the whole thing hinges open, not as a chair,

but to reveal its second purpose, as a set of library steps.

This type of chair was patented by the London cabinet makers,

Morgan and Saunders,

and every single one that they made looks exactly like this,

with insert green Morocco leather treads to take the wear,

as you trot up the stairs,

perhaps to reach for a book from the top shelf.

Now, keeping up the highbrow theme, we're back in Topsham,

as two more teams go in search of bargains.

Today's teams have something very unusual in common, nay, I might say unique,

because both sets of spouses met at Heathrow Airport. Isn't that extraordinary?

For the Reds, Nina and Peter. And for the Blues,

Molly and David. Welcome to Bargain Hunt.

Now, Nina, explain to us how it is that you two met.

Well, I was taking a group of travel agents to Luxembourg.

Peter was one of the lucky travel agents. We sat next to each other on the aircraft

-and he made his move quite soon, quite early.

-On the aeroplane?

-On the aeroplane.

-Did he?

-Oh, yes.

-You know, needing to climb over to go to the loo.

-Those old tricks(!)

-And wore me down.

-Yeah.

-And we did get married

on February 29th, very Scottish,

so we only have to have an anniversary once every four years.

Now, Peter, you're from Scotland?

-Yes.

-And you have a collection of pen and ink drawings and etchings.

They're all of Edinburgh Castle. And what's good about it is, many of them were done in Victorian times,

and today, I can look at Edinburgh and think, "That has changed a bit or not very much."

I suppose I've got about 18 or 19.

-So that's fun. And I have 200 teddy bears.

-Oh, do you?

-Just for fun.

-Don't ask me why I collect them, cos I don't know.

-It just happened.

-People kept giving them to me.

David, you're a retired headmaster. But during your studies,

you took some time to work at WH Smith's shop at Heathrow Airport

and you spotted Molly from afar.

That's true. I was, I suppose, a typical 18-year-old, having a cup of coffee on my tea break,

-and I was sitting up on the balcony looking at the talent that was going by below me.

-Oh, yes?

And I spotted this attractive young lady down there. And I thought, "I wouldn't mind a slice of that."

-Oh!

-So I went down and came up with the somewhat unoriginal line of, "Are you lost?"

-How sweet.

-Molly, you were a teacher for a few years.

-Yes.

-Then you gave it all up and you took up local government.

Well, I just thought, "It's a job. If I don't like it, I'll give it up."

So then 18 years later, I was still there. But now I write booklets for them, leaflets,

explaining aspects of business rates, council tax, benefits.

-What do you collect yourself, Molly?

-I'm always looking for books, particularly directories.

We've a Kelly's Directory of 1923, but they're very hard to find.

-That is a street directory?

-Yes, but you have all the old ads in there

and they are fascinating to read.

Now, the money moment. £300 apiece. And you know the rules. Your experts await. And off you go.

What about this, you two guys?

-Gosh. That's nice.

-A sugar sifter?

-Very nice, isn't it? Beautifully cut there.

-Plate or silver plate?

-I think it's silver.

Let's have a look. The hallmark will tell all.

-This one is London, 1929.

-Right.

And always worth checking...

Just take the lid off and make sure that the date letters are the same.

-Yeah, so they both match.

-It's the same?

-It's worth checking.

-And they fit quite well, so we knew it was...

-Nicely stylised.

-I like the way it's like a lighthouse on the coast here. It's quite nice.

-Yes.

-Nautical looking.

-Do you know how much it is?

-Yes.

It's says 59 on the ticket. I think that's a little bit expensive.

This sort of thing would have an estimate of £30-£50. Silver's doing very well at the moment,

-especially with the scrap value booming.

-I think we should get that.

-We need to get a bit of a discount.

Do you want to go and chat to the ladies?

-Will I have a word with them?

-That would be great.

-Thank you very much.

-Two more to go.

Nina was thrifty and made sure she got a few quid off the price tag.

She paid just £45.

-What do you think?

-Oh, 'elp!

-Why are you going to choose this?

-One of the reasons I like it is because I've made some ceramics.

And I've made pots that shape.

Yeah. And you like Denby ware?

We've got some Denby at home. And I quite like Denby, yes.

You've got this sort of quite nice leaf design here, which almost looks like it's stencilled on, doesn't it?

-Yes.

-And that sort of quite nice, mottled, stoneware neck, almost.

-And they make it up near where my daughter lives.

-Where does she live?

-She lives in Staffordshire.

-You've been to the factory?

-We've been to the Denby factory.

-How much is it?

-It's £35. So...

I'd probably estimate that at £20 to £40 and a £15 reserve.

-Right.

-Keep everything crossed.

-If we can get some off...

-Don't ever begrudge them a profit, but get some off.

-We'll see what we can do.

-Good luck. Do your best.

David was gentle with the dealers, but found room for a little negotiation. They settled on £30.

-Lovely.

-Fabulous box, isn't it?

-Very nice.

-Where haven't you been?

-I've not been to Antarctica, but everywhere else in the world I've been,

which sounds really grand, but what's good about this is

-it's got all the places.

-And starting from Plymouth.

-Wonderful.

-What is it? Is it a cigarette box?

Definitely a cigarette box. Missing its division there, but sound hinges.

But the silver parts and the fact that the map is there...

The silver's good. We've got a silver mark down here.

-So we've got a, "Birmingham 1928".

-Is it?

-I think it's great.

And only slightly rubbed. It's in pretty good condition for 80 years.

The price is £48.

-Lovely. OK. What do you reckon on that then?

-I think that's fine. Our eyes immediately alighted on it.

-What price do you think?

-I think as near to the £30 as possible.

-OK.

-Lovely.

-I've absolutely got to buy this. I don't care what you think.

-Buy that for me as cheap as you can.

-OK. So as near as possible to 30,

-I'll try and get this secure.

-OK.

-Lovely.

-Thank you.

-Good luck, James.

With Peter's words ringing in his ears, James made sure he bought it, but got the price down to £38.

-This is quirky.

-What have we got here?

-This takes me back to my place of birth.

-You used to lie on carpets?

No. Egypt.

I think it's a lot closer to England than the subject suggests.

I think it's probably European. It's a little matchbox holder.

-And this little chap, I love him.

-Yes, I like his face. I love it. How old is it, do you think?

I would think it's probably turn of the last century. That's not 2000.

-It's the one before that.

-Yes!

If you look at the face, all of the features are quite finely defined.

-It's a bit Tommy Cooper.

-It is a bit.

-He's great.

-I like his little feet

sticking out the end. I think that's just really cute.

-It's £14?

-And if we can get a little bit off that?

-I think that's nice.

It's got to make £15 to £30 all day long.

-Well, we'll go and see if we can find something else. You do the deal on that. And we'll catch up.

-Right.

And just like that, David bought it for ten pounds.

Well, I don't know, but I love the shape.

-I think that's absolutely gorgeous.

-It's sweet, isn't it? It's obviously a piece of Doulton.

And typified by these flowers here. And this mottled green body.

And you've got these really lovely, almost like Celtic knots.

And if we just turn this over here,

we can see there we've got the Doulton impress mark.

And just there, which is LW... That's probably the artist's mark.

-The value of that at auction? You would have an estimate of sort of £50 to £80. How much is it?

-125.

In a way, I think that's possibly got yesterday's price on it.

Doulton, 15 years ago, was making more money then than it is now,

-So we need to get this price down, basically?

-You have indeed. Right. Are you going to buy it?

-It's worth a try.

-OK. Am I going to do the deal on this one?

Well, I tell you what, we've now got, like,

-just minutes left. So try and buy it quick or we are doomed.

-OK.

So run but don't drop it. Bye!

Molly kept a good grip on the vase and managed to bring the price bang up to date at £100.

James, Peter, this probably isn't your style of thing, but we are running out of time, big time.

-A chunk of Denby - what do you think?

-Nina, what a lovely piece(!)

-I think you're jesting!

-Tell me a bit about it.

-Well, it's a piece of Denby and made by a chap called Glyn Colledge.

It's a bit dull in colour, isn't it, James?

It is. It's a bit greeny, isn't it?

Well, what else can we do? We've got five minutes.

-Any damage?

-Undamaged.

And I think it's about the 1950s, is it?

Whenever Glyn Colledge was at his peak.

-If you are going to buy something like this, I think big is good.

-OK.

-So the bigger the better. It's either going to make £20 or £60.

-We need to try to get this price down.

-What is it?

-It's 85. That is way too expensive.

-Yeah.

-It doesn't appeal to my Scottish nature, 85.

-What do you think?

-That is too high.

-OK.

-You know, 50, 60, even 70 would be nice.

-Yeah. I'll see what I can do.

-OK. Good luck.

-Thank you.

-Excellent.

Big might be good but when it comes to the price, low is definitely better.

The jug cost them £69.

-PHONE RINGS

-Hello?

Time's up. Time's up. Our teams may have got carried away and need bringing back to Earth,

but let's check out what they bought.

Nina sweet-talked the dealer and got the price down to £45

for the George V glass sugar caster.

The 1920s oak cigarette box really did light their fire,

so James made sure he struck a deal and paid £38.

With minutes to go, Nina took a risk on the Denby jug.

It cost them £69.

So, you two lovebirds,

you had a good old shop up, yes?

-Loved every minute of it. Fantastic.

-Which is your favourite piece?

I think the lovely, travel-related box

-That's very nice.

-So, that's your favourite?

-What about you, Peter?

-I think that's got to be my favourite, too. It'll make a huge profit.

-So that's your prediction for the biggest profit too, is it?

-Yes.

-Absolutely.

-It'll wipe the Blues.

-£152 you spent. £148-worth of leftover lolly for James.

-Thank you.

-There you go.

-All right with that?

-Yeah, very well.

-There's a minefield of goodies out there.

-Minefield?

-Yeah.

I think we've bought a very nice item. That cruise box was lovely.

-And if I can find something silver and oak, I'll replicate it.

-That's what we want. Replication.

-Yeah.

-And very good luck.

-Not repetition.

-No. No hesitation either. Thank you.

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

The Denby vase didn't thrill Molly,

but hopefully the price did at £30.

The metal matchbox holder sparked off memories for David.

He did a deal for just £10.

Molly took a shine to the stoneware vase

and nibbled the price down to £100.

-So, you guys, have a good shop?

-We did.

-Great.

-You had good fun?

-Great fun.

-Molls, which is your favourite item?

-The Royal Doulton vase is my favourite item.

-Is it?

-Yes.

-And do you agree with that, David?

-Yes.

-You've been married a long time, that's fair enough.

-And which piece will bring the biggest profit?

-The matchbox holder.

-Do you agree, David?

-Yes, I do.

You have been married a long time! £140 you spent. £160 of leftover lolly, please. Here we go.

-Excellent. Thank you.

-All right?

-Yes. I'm going to get one of Molly's books about how to claim benefits.

-We're at Bearne's saleroom with Martin McIlroy, our auctioneer. Good morning.

-Good morning, Tim.

Lovely to be here. Now the Reds, Peter and Nina, they went with this silver-topped shaker.

-Pretty standard item that, isn't it?

-It is.

And beautifully done. Wonderfully clear and cut.

Pierced top. At the end of the day, it's nice

but nowadays, not very practical. Not many people use them.

But at auction, it should fetch somewhere in the region of about £25 to £30.

OK. £45 paid.

The next lot I find absolutely fascinating, this oak and silver-mounted cigarette box.

On the face of it, this is a pretty ordinary object. But those two discs relate to a splendid voyage.

-Yes.

-Now whether this is a royal tour, which they used to do in the '20s and '30s for royal offspring...

Stick them on a battleship and send them round the Empire. So I think there's a story behind that box.

There is. It could be royalty.

-So what do you think this is worth?

-Until you can tie up what the voyage, where the voyage relates to,

as a silver-mounted cigarette box, it's worth about £30.

Right. Well, they paid £38, actually.

Their last item is the Denby jug.

How do you find these things sell?

-Very badly.

-Very badly. Oh, dear.

-It's a bit kind of '70s looking.

-So at auction, we would probably get in the region of about £40-£50, just pure decoration.

-£69 they paid.

Good. Well, overall, depending on how somebody might value the royal tourist box,

they may or may not need their bonus buy. Let's go and have a look at it.

-Now, you gave James Braxton £148.

-We did.

-You did.

-Yes.

-Yes? He's gone and bought you a modest offering

-and would like to show it to you.

-Wow! Coffee and buns.

-Is that walnut?

-It is. You're spot-on. Lovely bit of walnut, this.

It's probably, I think, pre-war.

-Which war?!

-Pre-war.

-Falklands War, we're talking about here?

-Iraq(!)

-What about the damage on the top?

-No, we're not!

-There's a little...

-There's blistering here.

-Yeah.

It's lifted. Don't dwell on that. That'll be covered in coffee cups.

-So what did you pay? About £20?

-Slightly more than that.

-Slightly more, OK.

-30.

-30 only?

-You do get a lot for £30, don't you?

-£30, I thought, was a deal.

I mean, the veneering may need a bit of restoration. But the legs are all right. And you like it?

-Yes.

-Love it. Really nice.

-Well, you can decide after the sale of the first three items.

But for the viewers at home, let's find out what the auctioneer thinks.

And here it is, Martin. A reproduction walnut coffee table to make your pulses race.

-The veneer is actually lifting. It's had water damage at some point.

-Gin and tonic damage.

More than likely. The lifting of the veneer kills it, so maybe £20-£30, purely decorative table.

Well, Brackers paid £30. He might get out of trouble with that one.

That's it for the Reds, now for the Blues.

Here we go. How exciting is this? Another Denby vase

by the same geezer that did this one, old Mr Colledge(?)

-And the same thing applies!

-Just a simple question, then - how much?

-About £30 to £40.

-£30 to £40. Great. Well, they only paid £30 for theirs,

so they're in the frame, perhaps, for making a bit of a profit, which would be beezer.

Next up is the Bergman lookalike matchbox holder. Is that any good?

-No.

-No.

-This is actually cheap man's bronze and it's spelter.

-Spelter, right.

Fun thing, decorative.

-But because it's only spelter, it is only but a few pounds, £5, £10.

-They only paid £10 for it.

-Yeah.

-You never know, it might light somebody up.

-Yes.

And lastly, they've got their Royal Doulton vase.

Now, we see a lot of Royal Doulton on Bargain Hunt.

-How does it sell here?

-It's on the decline at the moment.

Certain pieces by certain artists will still sell very, very well. There's nothing special about it.

-We see it all the time. You'll be looking somewhere in the region of about £40 to £50.

-£40 to £50?

-Yes.

Oh, Lordy. They paid £100 for that.

This could be a Doulton disaster. We'd better look at their bonus buy.

I bought this. It's not a campaign set, it's a little travelling set.

-We've got our knife, our spoon, and our little fork here.

-How old is it?

I would think it's probably late 1930s.

-It fits into this little chamois purse here. But isn't that sweet? 20 quid.

-Who would've used that?

I think anybody from a boy scout to a soldier, really.

-So this one's nickel on the outside?

-Yes. I would suspect that these two...

This is the first thing that's just been popped into the set, really. But I think they're really sweet.

-It was £20.

-It was 20, was it?

-It was £20.

-That is lovely. Thank you very much.

-Good.

I think you've done rather well, there. Have you got a prediction as to what it might make at auction?

-£10 to £20?

-It'll make £20 to £40.

-20 to 40.

-So there might be £20 in it. Anyway, hold that in your minds

because for the viewers at home, let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Phil's lot.

Beautifully made.

Not a lot you can say about them. They probably date from either late 19th or early 20th century.

And it just happens to come with this spoon jobby, which has nothing to do with it, has it, Martin?

No. The handles are different. The whole thing is wrong.

And again, probably at auction... They're fun things. They're novel things. But about £10 to £15.

Serrell paid 20. And he's not really grown-up, terribly, Philip Serrell. He should still be in shorts.

Anyway, we'll see you on the rostrum. Thank you very much.

-Nina and Peter, here we are again. Are we as happy as can be?

-Absolutely.

-Very happy.

First up, then, is the caster.

We go on to the George V silver-top sugar caster. £30 to start me?

-£30 for the cut-glass sugar caster? 20?

-Gosh.

-£20?

-£10? Five, sir.

-Five I'm bid. Thank you. At five pounds.

-Six anywhere?

-I'm feeling nervy.

-So am I.

-Six. Seven.

Eight. Nine. Ten.

12. 14. 16.

18. 20. Shake of the head at £20. With you down at £20.

Just another five.

-Take one if you like? All done and selling, then, at £20.

-Oh, dear.

-Minus £25.

-1077.

-1077 got it. And lucky old him. Now, this box.

-Yes.

1920s oak and silver-mounted commemorative cigarette box.

-There we are, showing there. We start here at £24.

-£24.

The bid's with me at £24.

-26 anywhere now?

-Come on.

-26. 28. 30. 32.

-32.

-Now with me at £32.

-Go on!

-Come on!

-Still with me at £32. 34.

36. 38.

-40.

-You're in profit, boy.

-Yes!

-This is unheard of.

-42. 44. 46. 48.

-Come on!

-Yes!

-Go on!

At £48. 50 anywhere now? With me, commission bid still has it.

-Well, there's a lot of potential there. You're plus £10.

-Plus 10!

-Now, the Denby jug.

-Lot number 184 is a large Denby pottery jug.

-Nice, big jug. £20?

-Five, sir.

-OK.

-20.

-Five I'm bid. Six anywhere now?

Six. Seven. Eight. Nine.

10. 12. 14.

16. 18. At £18.

In front at £18.

-20 - new place. 22. 24.

-(Come on!)

-26. 28.

30. Shake of the head. £30. Gentleman seated.

All done and selling at £30.

£30 is minus £39. I'm sorry about that.

39, 29...

-Look at it any way you like. 25 minus 10 is 15.

-Yes.

39. 49. Minus 54. Minus 54 smackers.

Minus 54. Now that could be a winning score today.

-It could be. Yeah, it could be. OK? On the other hand, do you go with the repro table?

-Right.

-Do you see a lot of furniture buyers in this room?

-No. I seriously don't think we should go for it.

-So you're not going with the bonus buy?

-No.

-But anyway, we'll sell James's table and here it comes.

188 is a reproduction coffee table. Decorative piece. £20?

Nice occasional table. £10?

Five pounds? Two pounds anywhere for the table?

A pound?

Coffee table - one pound.

You made a very wise decision not to go with the bonus buy.

That is minus £29 on that.

But you didn't go with the bonus buy, so you did well.

-Now, don't tell the Blues a thing.

-We won't.

-So your lips are sealed?

-Now, Molls and Dave, do you know how the Reds got on?

-No.

-David, how are you feeling?

-Slightly optimistic.

Anyway, the first lot up is the Glyn Colledge Denby pot. Here it comes.

On to 204 now. We have the Denby Pottery slim, ovoid vase.

-And who'll start me at £20?

-10, sir.

-10 I'm bid. Thank you. At £10.

12 anywhere now? 12. 14. 16.

18. 20.

At £20. Gentleman in front, at £20.

-22, new place. 24. 26.

-This is good.

-This is brilliant.

30. 32. 34.

-We're in profit.

-36. 38. 40.

-Something's going wrong here.

-I like this.

-In front at £40. 42 anywhere?

I just hope they collect Doulton as well.

At £40 in front, seated. I'm selling at £40.

£40, David. This is amazing! Plus £10. I love it!

On to 205 now, which is the cold-painted, metal matchbox holder

in the form of a carpet seller.

£10? Surely!

Five I'm bid. Thank you, Diana. Six anywhere now?

-At £5 for the matchbox holder. Six anywhere?

-Go on!

-At £5.

Selling, then, for five pounds.

£5. Bad luck. Minus £5 on that. You're still plus £5 though.

Now, the stoneware vase.

Now the Royal Doulton stoneware vase. The bid's with me at £40. 42?

42. 44.

46. 48. 50. 5. 60. 5.

Still with me at £65. 70 anywhere? 70.

5. No. Still with me at £75. The commission bid still has it.

80 or no? Selling, then, for £75.

-Well done, Molly, I'd say.

-Brilliant!

-Minus £25.

I always knew it would do well.

How you can stand there, Serrell, I don't know.

You're only minus £20, which could be a winning score. Do you want to go with the bonus buy?

-Quickly! Are you going to go with it?

-No.

-No?

-No.

-I'm hurt. Absolutely mortified.

On to 210 now, the two-piece folding knife and fork set.

There we are. With a spoon in a case. £20, somebody?

£10?

-Five pounds?

-Molly!

-No? Five pounds? Two pounds anywhere?

-Can I bid?

-Molly!

-A pound?

-One pound, sir.

Thank you. At one pound. Two anywhere now? Are you all done at one pound?

-He's sold it for a pound.

-You were right.

-That is minus £19.

You would be in a deep, dark hole if Molly hadn't stood firm here, David.

We understand how your marriage has been such a success over this long period of time now.

-Listen to me.

-Yes, that's right.

-Well, well, well. Have you been talking, you lot?

-No!

-Because you've got awfully friendly otherwise.

Well, we have had great fun.

But I'm afraid the runners-up, by a good old chunk,

-happen to be the Reds.

-Aw!

-You had a funny feeling about this?

-We did.

£54 you are down the drain, which is nothing. You've been good sports.

But the victors today, with that lovely profit, David, on your Denby pot, which was a relief, wasn't it?

-It was.

-Overall then, you are only minus £20, which is a gnat's, really, which is nothing.

-Have you had a good time?

-We've had a wonderful time.

-Join us soon for some more bargain hunting! Yes?

ALL: Yes!