Scotland 12 Bargain Hunt

Today, I'm practically standing on top of the River Clyde in Scotland.

It's one of the longest rivers in the United Kingdom,

106 miles in length, and it shoots off downstream

right through the middle of Glasgow.

During the period of the Empire, it was incredibly important for trade,

a tradition which we intend continuing today

as we go bargain hunting!

We've come upstream to the Garrion Bridges Antique Centre,

where we hope our teams will find some finds

that will enable them to make a wee profit later at auction.

So, both teams get a stash of cash, an expert, and an hour

to find three items which they take on and sell for a profit at auction.

If they make a profit, they get to keep it.

The team that makes the greatest profit,

or the smallest loss, wins. Simple.

For the Reds, we've got Andrew and Margaret, our happy couple.

And for the Blues, we've got friends George and Darren.

Welcome to Bargain Hunt. Very nice to see you.

Lovely. Now, Andrew, how did you first meet Margaret?

Well, Margaret came to our office party to pick up a friend

that she was singing with that evening,

but she spent some time in the office and gave us a song.

I went and stole her away, got her phone number

and just took it from there.

Now, we've heard you're a singer. That's how you first met.

What things do you like to sing, Margaret?

I do Burns suppers and concerts,

and I'm part of an ensemble, as well.

Oh, are you? So are you going to give us a treat, then?

Give us a little trill...

something that you fancy singing? One of your Burns numbers, perhaps.

-Yep, OK.

-OK.

# John Anderson, my jo, John When we were first acquent

# Your locks were like the raven

# Your bonnie brow was brent

# But now your brow is beld, John

# Your locks are like the snow

# But blessings on your frosty pow

# John Anderson, my jo. #

Oh, isn't that sweet?

That is a voice, girl!

That's really lovely! Thank you for doing that for us.

I think you're going to do very well on this programme. Now the Blues,

George and Darren. So, Darren, how did you two meet?

For many years, I've been a work colleague of George's son in the prison service.

-Is that what you do?

-Yes.

-So do you ever get to watch the show

in your busy job during the day?

Religiously. The place comes to a grinding halt at lunchtime

-for the staff or prisoners or both.

-The prisoners watch?

-Yes.

-Do they?

-Yes. Never miss an episode.

And, George, what do you get up to?

I'm retired now. The last 15 years, my wife and I were in partnership

in a shop selling towels, bedding, fancy goods and all that.

The previous 30 years, I was in the chemical industry...

-Dangerous stuff.

-..making plastics.

-Do you think you're going to do well today, George?

-Yes, I think so.

Anyway, this is the big moment you've been waiting for.

Here's your 300 smackers. You know the rules.

Your experts await, and off you go!

And very, very, very good luck.

Let's find out which experts are on hand today.

Weathering the storm for the Reds is Paul Laidlaw.

And making snap decisions for the Blues is James Lewis.

And today they're going to be particularly busy

as they help not one but two lots of teams.

What treasure do you have there, then? Have we a luckenbooth?

-A luckenbooth.

-Great stuff! Yeah!

Iona silver.

-Iona. Mm-hm.

-Well, there you go!

-I've read conflicting stories about the origin of these.

-Uh-huh.

I think the origin's 17th century,

and I've heard that they're talismanic, warding off evil, yeah?

But I've also heard a connection with Mary, Queen of Scots,

these sometimes look like hearts

and sometimes they can look like convoluted Ms.

-What is the price?

-16.

-You're kidding me.

-No.

-I've seen some of those over there at 40.

-I wouldn't baulk at that, for a lovely little silver luckenbooth.

-Not at all.

Even on a lousy day, it's going to make 10 to 20.

If people take a shine to it, 20 to 30. But the Iona thing could give it a lift, couldn't it?

-That's what I liked about it.

-You could be onto something there.

-Certainly you're onto a profit. Well done!

-Thank you!

-Thank you.

Margaret "broached" the subject of price with the dealer

and came away with the luckenbooth for just £10.

-How's your glass?

-Ah! Not as good as yours, I know!

-Ditchfield!

-Yeah, I like Ditchfield.

Yeah. I have to say, Ditchfield is a bit modern for me.

When it comes to looking for my bargains,

I do like the traditional antiques.

But it's a lovely colour, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-So tell me,

-is it something you're keen on?

-I love the swirl and iridescence.

It's like gold that's been put through it. It's beautiful.

The bits they prefer are the ones with the silver animals.

A little dragonfly or a little silver frog, something like that.

-They make a huge difference in value.

-Yeah, double the price.

-How much is it?

-£78.

You're going to have to go some to make a profit at auction at that.

Well, I'm thinking at 50, £55,

we could squeeze a small profit out of that.

-Let's go with it. Agreed?

-Yeah.

-We'll see what we can do.

John did a deal on the Ditchfield, grabbing the glass for £55.

-A wee Georgian decanter.

-Are you a fan of decanters?

-I love decanters.

-Snap.

What we have here is a spirit decanter, given its size,

liqueurs, spirits, early 19th century.

See this decoration here? That's not wheel cutting.

That's not sharp. That's not cut crystal, as we'd say today.

These are mould-blown

and it tells us that it is our poor man's version.

But I like it. What's the price?

£15 for a Georgian decanter with no faults!

What's that going to sell for at auction?

It's got to be £20-£40 surely.

-A period Georgian decanter!

-I know.

Are you going to try and squeeze a few pounds off?

-Yep.

-Good luck.

-Thank you.

The Reds haggled hard and knocked £5 off the asking price.

Oh.

-That looks nice.

-Ooh, that looks nice!

-Isn't that lovely?

-Beautiful.

-A double sovereign case.

It's engraved with what we call foliate scrolls.

Two tools, a burin and an engraver,

would remove silver and move silver along

just to make these little patterns.

-Pretty, yeah?

-Very.

Push the button at the front, open it up,

compartment there for sovereigns and a compartment for half sovereigns.

Nicely hallmarked, Birmingham 1911.

This would appeal to a lady to wear round her neck as a locket,

but also for those little silver collectors who have

the bijouterie cabinets and all these things displayed nicely.

It's still quite a popular thing.

Price tag, £45.

I don't think that's expensive.

So what do you think?

I think if we can get it for around the £30 mark.

OK, let's go and have a word.

-Come on.

-Let's go.

James worked his charm

and bagged the silver sovereign case for a neat £29.50.

Paul, this is something that caught my eye. It looks rather unusual.

A touch of Frankenstein's lab, has it not?

And this measures relative humidity.

You sweat to cool yourself down.

But when it's humid out there, you don't cool down, do you?

It is because, if there is already a lot of moisture in the air,

the moisture does not evaporate off.

What we do here is we wet this muslin round this sphere here and,

depending on how much moisture there is in the air,

this will flash off and dry quicker or slower.

With the use of tables,

I'm pretty sure you can calculate the relative humidity.

-How old is it?

-That baluster and turning cries out to me Victorian.

-Victorian?

-Yeah.

I think an estimate of 80-120 wouldn't be unreasonable.

£145. That's a bit hot for me.

Who's up for working on that?

-You can negotiate this one.

-I can try.

Try like your life depends on it.

Andrew did indeed bargain like his life depended on it,

paying only £90 for the hygrometer.

Look at these guys.

Nice pair of candlesticks.

Very small, but attractive.

Plain silver, 95 silver with beaded detail around the base.

The Birmingham hallmark, 1960s, and they're asking £28 a pair.

-What do you think of these?

-Blimey,

£28 for a pair of solid silver candlesticks is not expensive.

One thing I would point out,

they are quite light anyway, but the majority of this is resin.

This thickness here isn't all silver.

A very thin layer of silver, filled with resin,

a metal rod up the centre to stop it buckling,

and then the base is filled with resin again.

This velvet pad has been put underneath

to stop it scratching the table.

How much would you see them go for, James?

I'd put an auction estimate of £20-£30 on them so,

for us to have a chance at a profit, they've got to be below 20.

We will go for it. Check mate!

George took James at his word,

haggling the candlesticks down to £19.

Time's up. Let's remind ourselves what the Reds bought.

The Reds paid a mere £10 for the silver brooch.

Surely there's got to be a profit in that.

Also for £10, will the Georgian decanter make the Reds "whine"

or lift their spirits?!

Finally, £90 was paid for the hygrometer,

but will it measure up at auction?

Have a good shop up there, then?

-Definitely.

-Good fun.

Which is your favourite piece?

My favourite piece is the Scottish luckenbooth brooch.

OK, that's your favourite. What about you, Andrew?

The hygrometer.

OK. Which is going to bring the biggest profit?

-I think still the brooch.

-I have to agree with that.

You do have to agree. Very sensible.

You only spent £110, which is really miserable - I can't understand it.

Anyway, £190 left over lolly.

-What do you think, Paul? It's a lot, isn't it?

-I tell you. What a place.

Lots of scope, a nice budget, I'm on a mission.

Well, you're always incredibly good when you're on a mission.

You better go and beaver off. Good luck.

Let's remind ourselves what the Blues bought.

The Blues started off with a Bargain Hunt favourite,

a Ditchfield glass desk weight.

The silver double sovereign case was a steal at just £29.50.

Keep your eyes on that one.

Finally, will the pair of silver candlesticks

light up the auction room or get on everyone's wick?

-Have a good time, boys?

-Yes, a smashing time.

-Lovely jubbly.

What's your favourite piece, Darren?

-I like the three, Tim, but I think I'll go for the Ditchfield as my favourite.

-What about you, George?

The 95 silver sovereign holder.

Is that the piece that's going to bring the biggest profit?

No, I think we'll get the biggest profit with the pair of silver candlesticks.

You reckon? What about you, Darren?

I'll go with the Ditchfield again.

You only spent £103.50,

which is enough to make anybody burst into tears.

So, got any ideas?

-Yes. Just one or two.

-Have you?

-Yeah.

-But you've always got ideas, haven't you?

You're so crafty sometimes!

-I'm looking at something the opposite of me.

-The opposite of you?

Yeah. Something in miniature.

You said it, boy!

We've come into the City of Glasgow from the countryside especially

to be at Great Western Auctions with Anita Manning. Good morning.

-Welcome, Tim.

-Thank you very much.

Andrew and Margaret, their first item is this little brooch.

It's called luckenbooth.

They were bought as a wedding gift by a husband,

so they have a romantic association.

-So love's in all this?

-Love is in it, yes.

-Good. How much?

Estimated 10 to 20.

Great, cos they only paid £10 for it.

-Should turn an immediate profit with that.

-Yes.

-Good.

What about this little decanter?

I like this cheaply moulded base

but I'm really intrigued by the engraving, which seems to be hops.

Do you think this thing could be a rare decanter

to hold that very strong brewed ale

that went into those 18th century ale glasses?

It hadn't occurred to me.

But that might make it of more interest to collectors of glass and collectors of decanters.

-What's your estimate on it?

-Estimate, 10 to 20. Conservatively.

Well, that's good, cos they only paid £10 for it.

Next is the scientific instrument.

Laidlaw loved it.

He paid 90 quid for it. Will he make a profit, do you think?

-I've estimated at 60 to 80.

-Modest.

Am I being a wee bit mean?

-I can see somebody paying 100, so they may get out of trouble.

-Yes.

Depending on how it goes, though, will determine whether they need

their bonus buy, so let's go and have a look at it.

Guys, say hello

to Old Bill.

Have you met him before?

Don't recognise him, no.

Old Bill?

This character was designed by Bruce Bairnsfather,

an artist who served in the First World War.

And during convalescence after having been wounded,

he got to drafting

and came up with this character, Old Bill, the curmudgeonly veteran.

Always moaning away, and quipping about his life in the trenches

and became hugely popular.

And today anything related to Old Bill,

from plates to car mascots, are hugely collectible.

So that's not just some ugly little mug.

So what did you pay for it, then?

I paid...£170 for it... No, I didn't!

-No, you didn't.

-I paid £10 for that.

I still don't want it!

It's not you we need to sell it to.

That's worth £20 to £30.

But Old Bill or not, you don't have to decide right now.

You decide after the sale of your first three items.

For the audience at home, let's find out what the auctioneer thinks.

Bruce Bairnsfather?

A legend. Is it worth a few quid?

-Well, I estimated it at 10 to 15.

-OK.

Paid £12 for it, so old Laidlaw may get away with it

with Old Bill at £12.

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

And their first item is, I think, that very exciting

bright-cut double sovereign case.

Yes. It's a lovely little item, it's in mint condition.

They only paid £29.50.

-What's it worth in the auction room?

-I've estimated it at 30 to 50,

but I expect it to go beyond the bottom estimate. Well beyond the bottom estimate.

Well, that would be wondrous.

Ditchfield, how does Ditchfield do here?

The Glaswegians like John Ditchfield.

It's antiques of the future, I would say.

-How much?

-Estimate, £60 to £80?

That's fine, £55 paid.

That would be super. And the little dwarf silver candlesticks?

Pretty ordinary, those, aren't they?

I mean, they're quite sweet, but they are silver. Hallmarked.

And bright enough.

Estimated 20 to 30.

£19 paid. So I would say, overall,

this team are in the pound seats,

or they ought to be, all being well.

But just to be certain, let's have a look at their bonus buy.

I have to say, Darren, you are not going to like this.

But, George, I think you are. Because we spotted this, didn't we?

Ah, the apprentice piece.

Yes, it's a traditional antique.

Victorian. Early Victorian, about 1840 or so.

Why don't you like it, what's the matter with it?

-I think it's mahogany.

-You don't like mahogany?

I'm just not sure about the market, James, mahogany, at this moment in time. It's a nice item

but I don't think it's worth £40, to be honest with you.

-How much did you go?

-75.

Come on, boys, £75 for a period miniature little piece like that.

Now if we were talking about rubbish, you wouldn't have cot beads

on the drawer like that. Each drawer is a different size.

You see that, they graduate as they come down.

They've got nice little knobs, as they say in the trade.

And, overall,

it could make £120, James?

-120 would be great.

-Yes.

So hold onto that thought, boys.

Ye that do never trust.

We'll find out what the auctioneer thinks about James's little chest.

Isn't this lovely, Tim? It's lovely. A little early Victorian chest.

Perhaps made by an apprentice, as his apprentice piece.

Estimate, 80 to 120.

£75 paid, by James Lewis. So he'll be pleased with your estimate.

-And, good luck in achieving it.

-Thank you.

Andrew, Margaret, how lovely, the edge of the auction.

-How excited are you?

-Very excited.

-What about you, Mags?

-I can't contain myself!

-As bad as that, is it?

-Oh, aye.

Well, it's a fine, busy room, I have to say, which is a good sign.

First up, though, is your brooch, darling, and here it comes.

Iona silver luckenbooth brooch.

Can we say 20 bid?

20 bid. Any advance on 20?

25. 30 with me. I'm holding bid.

35. 38 with me.

38. 40. I am out.

With you, sir, at £40.

£40, any advance on £40? £40...

40. That is so good.

Plus £30, darling, well done.

-The decanter, Paul.

-Stand by for this.

Lot 167

is the Georgian decanter, ladies and gentlemen. Start me at £20.

10? Bid.

£10 bid. 15.

20. 25.

30.

£30. With you sir, at £30.

Any advance on £30?

All done at 30... 35.

Fresh bidder at 35.

All done. 35. With you, sir, at 35.

All done at 35? 35...

£35. No worries.

You are plus £20, £25 on that. That's perfect.

It's a Victorian hygrometer.

Can we say £100? £50 then. 50 bid.

50 bid. Any advance on 50?

60. 70. 80.

90. 100.

110. 120. 130. 140.

£140.

Any advance on £140?

Any advance on 140? 140...

-Yes!

-£140.

That is plus £50.

That is very good, isn't it?

Three profits in a row. So, 50 and 30 is 80.

You've got £105.

Plus 105. You're plus 105.

You'd spent £110.

And you've made already £105.

That's pretty good. Close to doubling your money.

Can't be better than that. What about Old Bill?

-Are you going to risk it?

-I must admit, I did not like it.

I still don't like it. But I think it will make some money.

Do you reckon? What do you think?

I'm going to go with Paul. I trust Paul.

You're going with the bonus buy. And here it comes.

It's Bruce Bairnsfather's Old Bill character jug now.

Can we say £10 for Old Bill?

-Come on.

-£10 for Old Bill?

£5? 5 bid. 8. 10.

12. 15.

15. With you, sir, at 15.

-Halfway there.

-Any advance on 15?

All done at 15? 15.

£15, that's very good. That's plus £3.

You've maintained your record.

You are plus £108 overall.

-Folks, well done.

-And you have to promise me you won't tell the Blues a thing. Not a word to the Blues.

Congratulations, both of you. Well done, Mags. Well done.

George and Darren, this is your moment.

Your destiny is about to be set.

-Do you know how the Reds got on?

-No.

-You don't?

-We don't.

-George, are you worried about anything?

-No.

-You're not?

-Quietly confident.

-Darren, are you worried about anything?

110% confident.

-Are you?

-Yes.

-£29.50, James, paid by you for that double sovereign case.

I cannot believe you got there before me, frankly.

Anita's estimate is £30-50.

It is the crispest, nicest double sovereign case I have seen for yonks.

And if it doesn't make £100, I shall be very disappointed with you, really.

Lot 190, the Edwardian silver double sovereign case.

And Dougie has just handed me another bid here.

-I'll start the bidding at £20.

-Oh.

30. 40. 50.

60. 70. I am out.

£70.

£70. Any advance on 70? 80.

90. 100. 110.

£110. Any advance on 110?

120, fresh bidder. 130.

130. On the floor at 130.

-All done at 130, 130...

-Yay!

£130.

Which means you have £100.50 profit so far.

A John Ditchfield glass form iridescent paperweight.

Start me at 60 for the John Ditchfield. £60. £60?

40 then. 40 bid.

Any advance on 40?

Any advance on 40? 50.

With you, sir, at £50.

-Any advance on 50? 60.

-Yes!

70.

Any advance on £70? All done at £70?

£70.

£70, plus 15, very nice.

-Well done.

-You are £115.50 up.

A very pretty little pair of boudoir silver candlesticks.

I can start the bidding at £20.

20. 30. £30.

40. Fresh bidder at £40.

Any advance on 40? 45. I'll take 45.

45. 50, sir? 50.

55, Iona?

-Oh, go on.

-£50.

£50. With you, sir, at 50.

Any advance on £50?

All done at £50. £50...

-Yes.

-Plus 31.

-Well done. Well done.

131. 141. £146.50.

£146.50.

What are you are going to do about the miniature chest of drawers?

-Ho-ho!

-Are you going to ring-fence £146.50 profit?

We've got to guard it with our life.

-You're going to guard it. You are not going to go with the...

-No.

-No.

-Are you sure, boys?

-Keep what we've got.

Are you quite sure? George, I think, is tempted here.

I'd go for it, it's a great lot.

Quickly, then, what are you going to do? It's the very next lot.

-Vote.

-No.

-No.

No. Darren's got really bossy here. We're not going with the bonus buy.

We're going to sell it anyway, here it comes.

Can we say £50? 50 bid. 50.

60. 70. 80. 90. 100.

£100

for this superb little piece.

-110.

-Ah, you see.

£120.

Any advance on 120? All done at 120.

120...

Well done, James, £45 profit.

-Well done.

-I'm sorry.

You didn't go with the bonus buy,

but you have got a very respectable £146.50.

-Nothing to cry about there. Just don't tell the Reds.

-No.

So an excellent profit of £146.50 for the Blues, beating the Reds

who, remember, also made an impressive profit of £108.

Coming up, two more lots of Reds and Blues go in search of bargains,

but not before I sit down and have a little cogitate.

This beautiful 18th-century building is Dumfries House in Ayrshire,

which was originally built for the fifth Earl of Dumfries.

He decorated it with the best furniture money could buy,

so the rooms were lavish and comfortable.

However, there was one exception to this luxury.

Back then there were no bathrooms,

at least, not as WE know them.

But it is extraordinary the variety and novelty of bits of furniture

that were created in the 18th century simply with the purpose of keeping you clean and relieved.

This, for example, is a folding-top wash stand.

Literally, it folds open like that to reveal a nice porcelain bowl.

And in the morning a maid would bring you a hot jug of water.

And you would go about your shaving.

This one has the additional feature of a rising mirror, like that,

which is handy, so you could check you haven't missed any bits out.

Underneath, it's fitted with a drawer.

And a drawer like that typically would contain

a nice piece of napery like that to dry your face afterwards.

And if you felt the call of nature, inside the cupboard

is the potty or, as they say in the North of England, gazunder.

But by the early part of the 19th century,

things in grand country houses like Dumfries had moved on.

And here is a classic piece of country house sanitaryware,

all expensively enclosed in mahogany.

But it's the flushing device which is really good.

You've got a side handle which, when you pull it up,

not only releases a flap underneath,

but it also introduces fresh water, like this.

Isn't that nice? Such a reassuring sound.

A sound that first became familiar to the public in Britain in 1851,

at the time of the Great Exhibition, when a man called Jennings

installed the first public lavatory,

and no less than 800,000 people literally spent a penny.

Back at the Garrion Bridges Antiques Centre,

our next two teams will be hoping to spend more than a penny on bargains.

So let's meet our new lots of Reds and Blues.

For the Reds, we have Julianne and David.

And for the Blues, we have Elaine and Bob. Welcome to Bargain Hunt.

Now, Julianne, I understand you turned David down

over a six-month period, from even allowing you to go out on a date.

-I did, yes.

-And why was that?

He'd asked me out three times.

I thought I'd keep leading him on a wee bit.

-And was he pestering you?

-Yes.

We worked together, so he was e-mailing me at work all the time,

and looking at me over his PC screen.

-Really?

-Yes. So I kept knocking him back.

-And eventually I gave in but he refused to ask me out again, so I had to ask him.

-Did you?

-Yes.

Now, David, you're a big movie buff.

-Yes.

-Tell us about the time that you met a great Hollywood hotty.

It was when we were on honeymoon, we went to Los Angeles.

And they were setting up outside the Chinese Theatre for a movie premiere

and it was the movie premiere for War Of The Worlds.

-And we got see Tom Cruise, Will Smith.

-Did you talk to him?

Julianne spoke to him and she got his autograph.

I got to talk to him, yes. And he took my pen. I got it back.

-He nicked your pen?

-Yes, but I got it back off him.

You're very competitive, right?

-Yes.

-And you do amazingly well in competitions.

Yeah, recently Julianne's won a few competitions.

-She won a phone-in competition to win £10,000.

-£10,000!

-Yeah.

-Did you?

-Yeah.

-I don't believe it.

I never think anybody actually wins those competitions. But you did.

Wonderful. Congratulations on that. I wish you good luck today.

I am sure it will go just swell.

-Now, for the Blues. Elaine.

-Yes.

What are your experiences at auction?

-Antiques. I buy paintings.

-Do you?

In particular, one which fills our hallway, which was painted by Eleanor Boorman.

-And you've got this at home?

-Yes.

-So you collect these paintings.

But you told me, Elaine, that he's very good at DIY-ing and whatnot.

He's got a wonderful pair of hands.

What sort of things do you like doing about the house?

I do kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms. I've built extensions...

-All with your own bare hands?

-Yeah.

Brilliant. I think you'll do terribly well on Bargain Hunt.

Now, here's the £300 moment. There's £300. You know the rules.

Your experts await. And off you shove!

It's a strange beast, isn't it? What would you do with?

A hard-core camera-lover job.

Look what I've found.

I thought that was really nice. It's a silver ladle

but I don't know what the handle's made of.

That's no use, you'd be forever filling my bowl of broth with that!

Bigger, bigger! Get a real meaty one for me!

What is it? If it's not for soup, what is it?

-Cocktails?

-Cocktails, I like that.

You've nailed it! Wouldn't that work a treat? What's that?

Some kind of bone or something?

That's it. But...whalebone.

-Whalebone?

-That's the stuff

that they'd stiffen corsets with in the 19th century.

And this body here, that's silver.

And it is how old?

A couple of hundred years?

A couple of hundred years? You're bob on.

Here's something, purely from an academic point of view.

That bowl form there,

if I take that, throw away the stem and handle, no use...

What I have is a Georgian silver pap boat,

which is for feeding infants.

Yeah, it's got my vote.

I think it's really nice. Unusual.

How much are they looking for?

-I think £85. It's quite a lot.

-What do you think?

My auction estimate... They're not uncommon, we do see them.

-..£50-£80.

-So what do you think? Do you like it?

Yeah, it's great. I think if you can get it for 50, then go for it.

-Yeah. I reckon we should go bargain.

-Do you want to go and do the deal?

-I'll go and do the deal. I'll see you later.

-OK.

-Bye.

It's some beast, isn't it?

-I know, look at it.

-Keen to make their money go as far as possible,

Julianne went for it and talked the stallholder into selling it for £40.

-Hi, James, what have you found?

-This is fantastic.

I have to say right off, I don't like it.

-I knew you would say that!

-I have to say that.

And you don't like it either?

-What is it?

-This is a classic piece of early 19th-century silver.

Obviously, it's a mug. And these were made for various purposes.

The most common reason is for a christening.

This bears the hallmarks for London 1810.

This was made in the middle of the Napoleonic Wars.

How much is it?

It has a ticket price of £210.

That would leave you nothing to spend!

I know.

But, I am sure we can get it down a little bit.

-Elaine and I don't love it.

-But we'll go with you.

-We hear what you're saying.

-OK.

You don't like it, do you? I'm going to feel terrible.

-Knock it right down.

-I wish I'd found something for a fiver.

OK.

That James is no mug.

He did a stellar job on getting the price down to £149.

-Wow. It's really light.

-It's a little silver chick.

What would you do with that, then?

There's a hole in the beak and a hole in the bottom.

That's your clue, isn't it?

Mind you, still not an obvious clue.

-I know.

-What would you stick in that?

-Salt, do you think?

-It is, it's a wee novelty silver salt.

But what does that tell us about its completeness of state?

It's missing the other half.

It's an ornament, isn't it? A small silver collect...

I've got to be honest, there is a good following for such.

But, as we look at it, what should be in there?

-A stopper or a plug.

-Yes, it's definitely missing something.

And, have a look in there. Clearly there would be a hinged cover there.

-I can see that.

-That's not good news.

Is there any way of knowing who made it?

Yeah. It's actually silver, so there would be a smith's mark there.

That is SM & Co, which should be Samson Morden & Co.

What a bonus that is. That helps it, and maybe offsets the lack in cover.

Do you like it? What price was it? I didn't see.

It's 125.

I've got to be cautious at this stage

because I've identified a flaw.

Oh, where would I go?

50-70?

-50-70?

-Work to be done.

-125 at the moment?

-125.

-God loves a trier!

-Go for it.

-I think I'll give it a try, then!

-Good luck.

-OK.

"Cheap-cheap, cheap-cheap" is what they wanted.

After some negotiation they settled on £50.

-What have you got there?

-Is this a tea caddy?

I love tea caddies and snuff boxes, they're my favourite lots.

This one's a really nice example, it's Victorian.

About 1860-1870.

-There's no great quality there.

-Do you think it might sell?

They always sell. Caddies always sell.

If we open it up, one little lidded compartment there.

-In larger ones, you'd expect two compartments - for green tea and for black.

-Should that be lined?

It would have been lined originally.

But it's been stripped out at some stage.

-I do like that.

-Yes, I like that.

There's no great quality there.

-But...

-But...

-..a profit?

At £25 it's not expensive.

You've got a caddie that's 150 years old.

But if you can get it for 15, then there certainly is.

Right. I'll go and do the deal.

-OK. We shall search on, OK.

-And Elaine did exactly that.

£15 paid.

David, come and see this. Do you like that?

-Oh, you don't like that, do you?

-I think it's really cute.

-No?

-Paul.

-Ask what Paul thinks.

He'll like it, he's got good taste.

She's picked up this ugly little ornament.

Holy Moses!

From the off, anything golfing is pretty hot.

They hold specialist golfing sales.

And I love the modelling, it's great fun. But, what is it?

I imagine you can put something in there.

-But I can't think what he'd be holding onto.

-I'm with you on that.

It looks like he's missing something.

Indeed. The thing appears complete in so far as there is no evidence

of points of attachment,

I don't think there's any metallic element missing.

You'd expect the chap to be carrying a golf club.

But it'd be a mammoth golf club!

Do you have any idea how old it would be?

Period-wise, judging by the aesthetic, early 20th century,

but is it 1910s or 1920s, who knows?

-That's where I'd place it quite comfortably.

-So what's it made of?

It's cast base metal, commonly called spelter, poor man's bronze.

We've got a lacquer over that grey metal, giving it a bronzed effect.

I like the patina overall. I think it's got a pleasing feel.

Do you have any idea how it might do at auction?

It all depends on price.

Do we know the asking price on this?

-110.

-£110.

I suspect it could be worth that. But it's an instinct thing.

-It's a bit of a gamble.

-Yeah.

At auction, my estimate, 50-80.

-OK.

-So that would leave considerable work to be done

from 110. What do you think?

I like it. What about you?

I'd be happy to take a gamble if you can get the right price.

-I'm sure I can. I'll give it my best shot.

-There you go.

Off we go, then. I'll see you later.

-See you.

-Bye.

Julianne got into the swing of things,

and bagged the golfing statue for £70.

Is that not absolutely brilliant?

Not too worn, either. Can you tell us something about it, James?

I have to say, I think you've found a really fun lot here.

It's hilarious, isn't it?

It's great. Whenever you're trying to find something

that someone else is going to love, it's got to cause an emotion.

And with this one, it makes you laugh, it makes you smile.

And if it makes us laugh, there's bound to be somebody else out there.

-It's wonderful.

-If, when you wind that up, and put him down,

if that doesn't make you smile, then nothing will.

-I think he's fabulous.

-It's brilliant, it really is good.

So it was probably made in 1915, 1920, something like that.

There's no name on it, though.

No, there's no maker's name on it.

It's likely to have been made in Germany. The velvet hat, I think,

-somebody's added on, probably 30, 40 years later.

-Ah, glued?

Yeah, it's glued on.

-But it's just a bit of fun.

-It's hilarious.

How much is it? £27, it's too much.

But if we can get it for less than 20, I think it's worth a go.

-So there's a profit in there.

-There's a profit.

It's not a serious antique but it's a bit of fun.

-It will cause a smile on the day.

-Yes.

So, even if it's for that reason alone.

OK. I have to say, I really like it, I think it's a great thing.

-What do you think?

-Go for it.

-Right.

I'm off. I'll go and do the deal. OK, one last wind just to see it go.

That's absolutely hilarious.

That's for me.

Bob's enthusiasm must have done the trick.

He bought it for £18.

The 60 minutes are up.

Let's remind ourselves of what delights the Reds have bought.

Julianne was as pleased as punch

with her deal at £40 for the silver ladle.

£50 paid for the novelty silver salt shaker.

And, with the thumbs-up from Paul, Julianne set to work

and in the end the spelter novelty golf figure cost her £70.

-Did you have a good time shopping?

-We had a great time.

-It looked fun.

Which is your favourite buy, Julianne?

My favourite buy was the silver ladle with a whalebone handle.

OK, that's your favourite. What about you, David?

Mine has to be the silver chick, just because I found it!

No better reason for liking it the most for that. And which piece is going to bring the biggest profit?

Definitely the ladle, I'd say.

I'd have to agree, actually.

Very sensible man. You spent £160.

£140 leftover lolly.

-Thanks, David.

-What do you think about that, Paul Laidlaw?

-I feel myself coming over all radical again.

-Oh, no!

Anyway, very good luck, Paul Laidlaw.

Let us remind ourselves what the Blues bought.

Bob and Elaine weren't that fond of the George III mug

but hopefully the bidders will be.

James got it for £149.

The Victorian tea caddy set them back £15.

And even if the wind-up monkey doesn't make a profit,

it should at least make a few people smile!

£18 paid.

So, you two...lovebirds. Which is your favourite item?

-Definitely the monkey.

-The monkey is your favourite?

-Definitely.

-Do you agree?

-Absolutely. It brought a smile to my face.

-Which piece is going to bring the biggest profit?

-The monkey.

-The monkey.

-And you naturally agree.

-Absolutely.

Of course, what else?

Quite right too. You spent £182, which is quite mature.

And we have £118 of leftover lolly,

-goes to James Lewis.

-Thank you very much.

-What will you do with that?

-I think Bob is quite competitive,

and I think he's been making a little wax model.

-So I'm going to find something else for him to stick his pins into!

-Right, good luck, James.

It's wonderful to be at Great Western Auctions in Glasgow, with Anita Manning. Good morning, Anita.

Good morning, lovely to have you here, Tim.

Now, for the Red team, we kick off with this ladle.

It doesn't seem to be marked or anything.

It's a nice, clean wee item.

-In Scotland, we would use it for hot toddies.

-Yes, how delicious.

But clean, although unmarked.

-What's it worth?

-Estimate, 40-60.

Brilliant. £40 paid. So there should be a profit on that.

Now, this thing, I think, is absolutely charmant, I have to say.

Well, the maker, Samson Morden & Company, were wonderful.

The quality of the items that they made.

And these lovely little novelty items were absolutely superb.

The detailing on it is wonderful.

The expression on that little chick's face is just adorable.

-What do you think it's worth, Anita?

-I've estimated it 70-90.

Right. £50 was paid, you see.

So we are already into profit.

I always hope that quality pulls through, and we have quality there.

We certainly do with that object.

Not much quality with this fellow, though, is there?

Old Tubby Checker here.

It's not my sort of object, I have to say. But we're in Scotland.

Well, the best you can say is that he's charming.

Estimate, 30-50.

I think you'll be lucky, frankly, but there we go.

Hope springs eternal.

Overall, depending on how the Jenny Wren does and so forth, they might

need their bonus buy, so let's go and have a look at it.

Uh-oh.

Don't panic, don't panic. What do you think it is?

It looks like a hand grenade.

It does look like a hand grenade, and it almost is.

That is a dummy hand grenade.

Could be First World War, and I'd bet on that.

But in truth, it could be Second World War and Home Guard.

Huge popularity at the moment. Online in particular.

Believe me, there will be no end of people in this room who, if they don't have a personal interest,

they have a speculative interest

and they're aware that such things take off online.

-I think you've got a winner there.

-How much, then?

That cost me £10.

Next question is...

-How much is it worth?

-Good question.

-That's worth £20-30.

-Really?

-Not a bad return.

-No, not at all.

A better return when you realise I bought TWO of them for a tenner.

-Yeah?

-What do you think of that?

-Brilliant.

I don't think you're going to double your money.

In truth, I don't you're going to get to £20-30 each, on an aggregate.

But believe me, there's a profit in those, good material.

Just hang on to that thought. You won't decide until you've sold the first three items in the auction.

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

How are you on militaria?

Not great. But one of our chaps' dads was

a champion hand-grenade thrower in his Home Guard battalion in Govan.

-Estimate 20-30.

-Really?

I'm hoping they go down a bomb!

They're bound to blow something up!

Anyway, £10 only was paid by Paul.

He loves this militaria stuff and really knows his onions.

That's it for the Reds. Now the Blues.

Their first item is the little tea box.

It's a fairly modest little item.

We love the ones with mixing bowls and ornate and inlaid detail.

This is just a wee simple one.

But that's OK.

-How much do you think?

-15-20?

Perfect. £15 paid.

What about that cheeky chappie next door?

Well, the collectibles market is vibrant just now.

This little monkey was made by Schuco,

one of the famous German factories.

He's a sweet little thing. He's still in working order.

-I think he should do reasonably well.

-How much?

20-30, but he may go more.

-Perfect. They only paid £18.

-Wow!

-This is looking good, Anita.

-Yes!

The third item is the silver mug.

-What do you make of that?

-This is a beautiful item by a wonderful maker.

It's in good condition, and I think it will do very well.

-Who is the maker?

-Charles Thomas Fox.

-They are renowned, aren't they?

-Yes.

-What sort of money do you think it's likely to bring?

-Estimate 140-180.

That's brilliant. £149 was paid by James.

-They've got a chance.

-Cunning monkey.

Well, actually, automaton monkey!

Let's see, in any event, what the bonus buy is all about.

So, team, you spent £182, giving James £118 left-over lolly.

Did he blow the lot?

Never! Would I do such a thing?

You might have done.

That is very nice.

It's a good little object. It's a pincushion, obviously,

a novelty pincushion in the form of a shoe.

It is silver. It's got some age to it.

It isn't expensive at £35.

There has to be a profit in that.

-It's very elegant.

-It appeals to so many different people.

People collect shoes, people collect pincushions, and people collect silver.

So it has so many different collecting areas.

A triple whammy there. Well done.

It's got to be worth £35 and more.

On that happy note, then... You don't decide now,

but let's find out for the viewers at home what the auctioneer thinks about the very elegant pincushion.

How sweet is that?

Yes, it's very elegant.

It's a little American silver pincushion,

made by the American company Gorham Manufacturing Company.

They made wonderful silver.

-In fact they made silver for the White House.

-Did they really?

-Yes.

Very collectible, solid silver, interesting. How much?

-30-50.

-Brilliant.

£35 paid.

How are you feeling about today's auction?

Oh, I'm looking forward to it.

I have enjoyed all the items the teams have bought,

and I will do my very best to make them a profit.

-How are you feeling?

-Nervous.

-What are you nervous about, Julianne?

-The ugly golfer.

-I suppose you found it, and you paid £70 for it.

The estimate is £30-£50.

So there could be a problem there.

-There could be, yes.

-But it's a great saleroom, this.

You're in the heart of where this sort of thing ought to be sold, so if it's going to make its money,

it will make it today. Don't worry too much.

First up is the silver punch ladle. Here it comes.

Lot 214, a fine 18th-century, silver toddy ladle

with a twisted whalebone handle.

Can we say £100? 100?

80? 60?

Start me at £40.

40 bid. Any advance on 40?

50. 60.

65? I'll take five. 70?

Any advance on £70? All done at £70.

£70.

-That's £30 profit.

-That's good.

215.

It's by Samson Morden & Company, a little silver salt,

modelled as an appealing little Jenny Wren.

£150? 150?

100? Will you start me at £50?

£50? £30, then? £30?

30 bid. 40.

50. 60.

Any advance on 60? 70.

£70. With you, sir, at £70. £70.

£70 it is, then. It's still £20. Nothing the matter with that.

It's a profit. Good.

Lot 216, bring that to the front of the saleroom.

It's Peter Putter. It's a great fun little item, ladies and gentlemen.

Could we say £100 for Peter Putter?

100? 50?

30? £20, then?

£20?

20 bid. Any advance on 20? 25?

Another golfer at 25. 25.

30?

£30. Any advance on £30?

-£30...

-You was robbed!

£30. You are minus £40 on that, which means overall you're plus £10.

You have £10 worth of profit.

Do want to risk your £10 of profit

on the £10 worth of two dummy hand grenades?

-In for a penny.

-In for a penny, in for a pound? You're going to go with the bonus buy?

Lot 220, ladies and gentlemen.

A pair of cast metal, First World War or Home Guard

dummy training grenades.

Can we say £80? 80? 60?

Start me at £20. £20?

20 bid. With you, sir, at 20.

Any advance on 20?

30, 40, 50.

£50.

All done at £50? £50.

£50. That is plus £40.

Overall, then, you are plus 50, which is very fair, isn't it?

£50 up. Well done, Paul. Don't tell the Blues a thing, right?

-Bob and Elaine, do you know how the Reds got on?

-No.

Did they look happy when you passed them in the corridor?

-No.

-No? That's good.

First up is the tea box and here it comes.

A Victorian walnut and parquetry inlaid tea caddy.

Can I say £50 for the inlaid tea caddy? £50? 50?

40? Start me at £20?

£20. 10, then? 10 bid.

-15? 20? 25?

-Yes!

-You're in profit.

With you, sir at £25.

30? Fresh bidder at 30.

Any advance on £30? All done at £30.

-£30.

-Good girl.

£30, plus 15. That is peach.

239 is the Schuco monkey.

Can we say £100 for the Schuco monkey? £100?

80? 60?

Start me at £20. 20 bid.

With you, sir, at 20. 30? 40?

£40.

Any advance on 40?

50!

£50. With the lady at 50.

-Any advance on £50?

-It's worth it!

Any advance on £50? All done at £50?

Yes!

There you go. Plus £32.

That is splendido.

240, ladies and gentlemen, is a George IV silver drinking vessel.

£300?

200?

Will you start me at 150? Start me at £100.

100. 100 bid. 110.

120?

130? 140?

150? 160?

170? 180?

190?

£190.

Any advance on 190 for the Charles Thomas Fox cup?

£190. All done at 190?

All done at 190? 190.

Sold for £190.

That is £41 up, which is brilliant.

Well done.

What are you going to do about the pincushion?

Three winners. Got to make it four.

-Go with it? Definitely?

-Definitely.

-You're going with the pincushion.

244, a sterling silver pincushion,

modelled as a shoe by Gorham Manufacturing Company, USA.

Can we say £80? £80 for the pincushion? 80?

60? Start me at 40.

40, surely?

£40. 40 bid.

50.

60. 70. £70.

Any advance on £70?

Any advance on £70?

All done at £70. £70.

£70 - you doubled your money.

That's £35 up on that.

You have £123 of profit overall.

What a phenomenal day this has been!

-Promise me you won't tell the Reds a thing.

-We'll try not to.

-We'll try to contain ourselves.

-Just contain yourselves.

Such an exciting show today, what?

Now, have you been talking?

-No? No words whatsoever?

-No.

So, both teams think they have done pretty well,

but sadly one team hasn't done quite as well as the others.

And that is... the Reds.

Aww!

Well done!

You are runners-up, even having made £50, which is really bad luck.

But most of that £50 was made up by your very wise decision to go with your expert's bonus buy.

Obviously, hand grenades are in!

He made you £40 on the hand grenades,

which was a great shock, really.

Anyway, with great pleasure I give you your £50.

-Thank you.

-Spend it wisely. You've been a great team.

Well done, Paul.

But the victors, the Blues - how happy they are!

Look at those faces! You're going to go away with £123.

Are you going to be taking the do-re-mi?

-Thank you.

-Well done, Elaine.

I mustn't forget your £3.

That's the total. We've had a tremendous day.

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

ALL: Yes!

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