Peterborough 13 Bargain Hunt

BELLS PEALING

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Both of our teams today are in the wedding business

but will it be bliss or blunders?

Let's find out, as we go Bargain Hunting!

Welcome to Peterborough's Festival Of Antiques -

home to over 1,500 antiques stalls.

I can think of nothing nicer than spending the entire day

browsing in an antiques fair.

Still, we've got no time to lose.

Let's go and meet the teams.

On today's show, we have two teams of relatives.

For the Reds, we have Graham and Jacqueline. Welcome.

And for the Blues, Malcolm and Neil.

So, Jacqueline, tell me, how are you related to Graham?

Graham is actually my stepson-in-law.

-Your stepson-in-law.

-Yes, and there's a year's age difference.

Unfortunately, I'm the older one.

Jacqueline, you're in the caring profession, aren't you?

That's right, Tim. I'm a ward sister at our local hospital.

-I've been a nurse for about 23 years now.

-Have you?

-Yes.

Do you get a medal after 23 years?

Sadly, no. Just more studying. I'm currently doing a master's degree

in research and evidence-based nursing.

Do you collect anything, Jacqueline?

-I do. I collect small, miniature teapots.

-Why only small ones?

-I've only got a small shelf.

-Oh, I see.

Graham, we had a bit of a hint earlier as to what you do.

-Tell us about it.

-I'm a wedding photographer.

-Is that good fun?

-Yes, it's very good fun.

People are always in a good mood at a wedding and, of course, they buy me lots of drink.

Brilliant. What do you collect, Graham?

-Do you remember the View-Master that you look through and click the pictures?

-Yes.

I collect those. I've got quite a collection, now, of 1940s, '50s and '60s reels.

-Would you call yourself a lucky person?

-I think I'm lucky.

I once did the National Lottery and got the first number and the second number,

-and the third and the fourth, and the fifth.

-Oh, my!

And the last number on my ticket was number 18, and the last ball out of the machine was number 19.

-Oh, no!

-Yeah, unfortunately.

Well, you never know. Today might be your lucky day on Bargain Hunt.

We hope so. Now for the Blues.

-Neil, we've seen your flash motor.

-Yes.

-Tell us some more about that.

My wife and I set up a wedding car business in about 2004.

-We just recently bought our sixth car...

-Six cars!

-..in north Suffolk,

and doing well and enjoying it as a family business.

Malcolm, are you into classic cars like your boy?

-No. I'm afraid I'm not.

-What are you into?

Well, I'm a landscape gardener.

-So you like to operate on one wheel?

-Yes.

-That's the wheelbarrow wheel.

-You've got it.

-How long have you done that for?

-Over 25 years.

We've got some well-motivated teams today.

-The money moment. There you go, £300.

-Thank you.

-£300.

-Thank you.

You've got an hour to find three objects which hopefully will bring a big profit.

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

Helping not one but two lots of teams today are our experts.

For the Reds, it's Charles Hanson,

while battling for the Blues, it's Anita Manning.

Charles, what do you think about this, then, we've just found?

It's very decorative, Graham.

-It's nice!

-It's rustic.

-It's got character. It's old.

-It's bashed.

In the antiques market today, we like objects which have a pedigree or a provenance.

We can see, in this nice mellow patination on this oak,

almost baluster shape, it has some age to it, certainly.

This coopering in brass is very, very nice.

And these studs, certainly, are period.

The handle, the shape, it's decorative, it's rustic,

it's charming and today... the antiques market was very buoyant for that,

with copper and brass, about 20 years ago.

It has gone off the boil but this... it's coming back into vogue slowly.

-How much is it?

-£30 but I think I can knock it down.

OK, so what do you think it's worth?

I think, to buy it between £20 and £25, there could be a profit.

So what do you reckon? Shall we go for that?

-Yep. OK, go on. You're happy.

-OK, let's go and see if we can do a deal.

Graham bashed the jug price down to £22.

Look, guys! Could this world be our oyster?

I personally think you'll catch a crab!

I love terrestrial globes and they are very popular in the sale room.

We have two here, two quite different items.

We have this one here, which is actually the better item.

It's from the 1930s,

and it comes from a prestigious maker.

This one is a little later, from the '50.

It's a lamp, so it has a dual purpose.

This one was made by the Columbus Company in Berlin,

and that's a very famous company.

We have a difference in price.

£120, and we might be able to get them down a bit on that.

£70.

I think about £80 for that, I'd give.

The concern I've got is that's a lot of money and if there's not an instant attraction in the sale room,

whereas you're saying, it's a similar size, there's an age difference,

but they're still quite quirky with the shipping channels. But if you can get that for £50,

you get less of a risk and also the potential...

If it does grab somebody's attention, that might make us more money than the more expensive one.

Well, let's go.

Let's talk to the dealer, see how much we can get off.

-Yes.

-Let's go!

-We're all for it.

Their final decision was... the smaller globe,

because they got it for an earth-moving £50.

Graham, Jacqueline, within these newspapers, my treasure for you, OK?

And just look at the quality.

It's a really, really good set.

What we've got is very, very fine, extremely fine, late-Victorian,

19th-century porcelain at its very best. Look at the decoration.

It's what we call Imari, beautifully picked out in cobalt blue, iron red

and fine gilt jewelling to the edges.

-I

-think it's lovely. It's very tactile.

-I like the fact that there's six plates.

-Yeah.

-It's quite a big set.

-Yeah.

And what sort of condition?

There are some minor wear and tear marks to the actual body of the wells

-of the dishes, where they've been stacked over time.

-Right.

And on this base, for example, we can see there's a tiny chip taken out

the actual bottom.

-But that's really it.

-Right.

But this was made at Royal Crown Derby.

And in the late 19th century, in the 1880s, 1890s,

the factory was really at the forefront of quality,

and to have a set here complete is a joy to see.

So, Charles, how much is this?

It's priced at £150.

But I do feel there's room to negotiate there.

-Get it down quite substantially.

-If it was coming into your sale room, what would you...?

Bearing in mind I'm a Derbyshire man, my guide price would be

between £120 and £180, quite happily,

off we go.

Fantastic. Do you like that?

-Yes.

-Yeah, if I can lower that slightly,

I think there's a real chance of me making a name for myself with you.

-Yeah.

-Indeed. You'd be very popular, Charles!

Well, Charles, I think all we need now is some cake,

so if you go and do the deal, we'll get the cake.

-Yeah.

-Terrific.

Charles got the Derby set for £115, but has Anita been copying him?

Well, I've found something very nice for you to look at

and it might be a little bit of a tactical buy.

We're selling at Grantham,

which is quite near Derby, and what we have here is an old Derby plate.

-Yes. How old is old?

-Mid 1800s.

-Wow, OK.

It's colourful and it's quality.

-Yeah.

-This would have been part of a bigger set.

-OK.

But it will stand on its own,

because we have the pattern in the middle as well as round the side.

So you think we'll get a profit on that one?

-Well, it's £55 on the ticket.

-OK.

-But I can get it for 35 if you want me to go ahead.

-OK.

-Well, that'll do us.

-Shall I go for it?

-You go for it, girl, yes.

-OK.

Charles. What about this? I really like it.

Yeah. I do as well.

-I really like it. The colours are so vibrant.

-It's stunning.

-What is it?

It's what we commonly call a farmer's jug.

-How old you think it actually is?

-Well, you have a guess.

-Oh, I don't know. Victorian, sometime?

-100 years?

Yes. Well, 100 years plus.

-Oh, really?

-Because it dates as far back as about 1825.

It's probably either a Yorkshire or Staffordshire-made jug,

and I love the decoration on it as well.

The spout, which is a weak part, appears to be in good condition.

There's been no restoration.

When you handle these jugs, always be careful.

Hold this ovoid-shaped body by the body,

because over time the handle can fracture under central heating.

-I can't see a thing wrong with it.

-It's pristine.

-Well, on the ticket it's £195.

-Right.

-Which seems a lot of money.

Yeah. Well, being realistic, I think

it would do well in any sale room

because of its archaic merits,

and I would say its market value would be £150 plus.

-So I think...

-We need to get it under that.

Yeah, I think so. And if you can, because its condition is so pristine, you're on to a good thing.

Charles, I shall tell them I'm a Webster and go and do a deal.

Graham "Webster" got the jug for Jacqueline for £130.

-What do you think of this quirky little item?

-That's a lovely wee thing!

-Let's see it.

-What is it, then?

It's what we call an aide-memoire.

It's the type of thing that a young lady would wear at the ball.

And on these little ivory panels,

you would write the name of your boyfriend.

-Is it silver?

-I can't find any hallmark

on it and I don't think...

-It's a wee bit harsh. Often in silver there's a wee bit of give.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-In silver. And it doesn't seem to have any give,

so it's some sort of white metal or plated metal.

What I noticed as well, this quirky little head.

It looks a bit like a father with a big moustache.

That's right, it's her dad keeping his eye on her. LAUGHTER

So, what sort of price is it?

It's on at £35. Is that a good price?

I think it might be a wee bit too dear.

If it were silver it would be a different story,

so we've got to get it down to, say, about 20. Do you think you could do that?

Yes, I can do that for 20! Let's go for tea.

Let's see if we can get it down to 20. We'll have a cup of tea first and then we'll do some bargaining.

If we can't get it down for 20, we won't have it. Simple as that.

Malcolm's charm worked a treat and they got it for £20.

Time's up. Let's recap on what the Reds bought.

All right, doll?

Yes, first up was Graham's battered jug but they only paid £22.

Charles's loyalty to Crown Derby

meant they bought the dessert service for a sweet £115.

And Jacqueline's Staffordshire jug cost £130,

but will there be a Webster bidding at the sale?

Did you have a great time?

-Fantastic.

-It is good fun, isn't it?

-Fabulous.

Which is your favourite piece, Jacqueline?

-The Webster jug.

-Webster jug. Graham?

-The Crown Derby for me, Tim.

-Very good. Which piece is going to bring the biggest profit?

I thought it would be the Webster jug but actually I'm now verging on the Crown Derby.

-Yes. Women's prerogative, right?

-Yes, indeed.

-What about you, Graham?

-I'm going to stick with the Crown Derby.

Very good. Well, you spent a magnificent £267,

so I'll have 33 smackers, please,

-which is a relatively small amount of money to give to Charles Hanson.

-Thank you.

-What are you going to buy with the £33?

-I think something to sparkle, to shimmer.

-I've seen a few things, so I'm quite confident.

-Good luck.

Let's remind ourselves what the Blues bought.

The Blues were torn between two worlds,

but bought the cheaper one at £50.

They all liked the Derby plate, at £35.

They got the aide-memoire for £20, thanks to Malcolm's haggling.

-So, boys, did you have a good shop up?

-We had a fantastic day.

-Which piece will bring the biggest profit?

-I think the aide-memoire.

-I think the plate.

-You think... I love that. That's fantastic.

You only spent a pathetic £105,

so I'll have £195 back, please, and that's a great wodge of cash,

-Thank you, boys!

-Ooh, I think she's pleased with you.

-CHUCKLING

Are you going to spend the lot, Anita?

Oh, I'm going to do my very, very best!

Today we're with auctioneer Jan Squires,

at Golding Young in Grantham, and it's great to be here.

-Nice to see you, Tim.

-Our team Graham and Jacqueline first of all.

They went with this oak jug.

-What do you think about that?

-It's not old.

It may look it but it isn't, and somebody's dropped it on its head.

Mm-hm. How much is it going to bring?

-20 to 40, we've estimated.

-Well, that's brilliant.

Anything over £22 will suit us very nicely, thank you very much.

-Ah.

-Now, what about this Derby little dessert service?

Very pretty. Not quite the quality of the real top-notch Royal Derby.

-We've estimated 50 to 80.

-Is that all?

I thought that was quite generous.

Oh, dear! We have a diversity of opinion here because they paid £115.

Charles Hanson is pretty passionate about this stuff.

So £50 to £80 is our estimate there.

If you're right and he's wrong,

they'll make a stonking loss on that.

-What about the pearlware jug?

-That I like.

-It's handsome, isn't it?

-Yes, it's a lovely jug.

-What's your estimate?

-That's 50 to 80.

-Is that all?

Oh, dear. They paid £130 for it.

Well, we will put out a little teaser and hopefully it'll go a lot higher than that, then.

Oh, well, that's what I like to hear.

But on the face of the estimates,

they're going to need their bonus buy,

so let's go and have a look at it.

Look at them. What do you think?

-Have one, Graham. There we go.

-Um...

-Thank you. What do you think?

-Um, what are they?

-Well, I'll tell you.

They're Christmas tree decorations,

or certainly festive hangings from the late 19th century.

-You've done something that doesn't happen very often. I'm speechless!

-HE CHUCKLES

-What d'you think they'll make?

-I think they're quite speculative.

Yes, there is some damage, and my evaluation on them would be

certainly, wind blowing, Graham, 30 or so pounds. So I can see a profit.

-Only small, but there's a profit.

-Right. I don't know what to say.

The big thing is you don't have to say anything right now.

You'll decide after the sale of your first three items.

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

Oh, dear, oh, dear, oh, dear.

-Mm.

-Any good?

-In a word, no.

-No?

-We've estimated 5 to 15 and that's being, um...

-Really generous?

-Yes.

-Charles's bonus buy, then.

£20 well spent?

We shall see in the auction. That's it for the Reds.

Now for the Blues, Malcolm and Neil.

Their first item is that globe. German?

-Definitely German. Got nice German labels on.

-Mm-hm.

But our estimate is very low.

-Ah.

-And I know you're going to tell me it's very low,

because it's only £10 to £30.

-Gosh. £50, they paid.

-Hm.

I'm feeling a bit gloomy about this.

My next question is the Derby bowl.

The Derby bowl.

Well, we think this one might make 20 to 40, being a single.

You can imagine that a table laid with the entire selection would look fantastic.

Perhaps someone's going to need a replacement.

-Do you know somebody or other?

-No.

-No. Afraid I don't, either.

Things not looking so brilliant on that. £20 to £40 is your estimate. £35, they paid,

Next is the aide-memoire, found by Anita.

The original went walkabout so she found another.

I actually like this. It's got its little pad inside. It's hallmarked.

Got its own little pencil.

With pencil. Fits in the side.

-I mean, it's a perfectly delectable object, isn't it?

-Mm.

We've put a conservative 20 to 40.

-Does that mean it'll make more than that?

-Seriously hope so.

Well, it needs to make more than £50.

We're in real trouble if it doesn't make more than £50.

In fact, it looks as if they're going to need their bonus buy, so let's go and have a look at it.

Well.

What we have here

is a lovely piece of quality porcelain

from the best of the factories, Worcester.

It was made in 1896 so it's a good old age.

It cost me £100.

Does that seem like a lot of money?

A heck of a lot.

But I'm hoping that the buyers of Worcester will be there

and that the quality will come through.

But what do you think the value is? It's Worcester, so...

I'm hoping that it will go to £100 and a little more.

Taking a little bit of a chance on it.

But let's hope that quality comes through.

It's terribly difficult to predict

-in the auction, though, isn't it?

-Yeah, sure.

You don't have to decide right now. You decide later.

For the audience at home, let's see what the auctioneer thinks of Anita's vase.

So, here it is.

It's a little Worcester potpourri,

without the potpourri pot.

-Right.

-Unfortunately.

The potpourri pierced top isn't there.

You would take off the inner cover

and your perfumes would waft around

-through the pierced top.

-Mm-hm.

And then when you didn't want it to perfume the room,

you'd just put your little cover back on

to conserve the perfumes.

Yes, so that's a shame, then, isn't it? Not having the pierced cover.

Yes, although it still does look very attractive.

What's your estimate?

Taking everything into consideration...

-Yes?

-..we would say 40 to 60.

Oh, dear. £100 paid. Still, it isn't over until it's over.

-Are you taking the auction, Jan?

-I am.

-We'll look forward to that.

-Jacqueline, Graham, how you feeling?

-Excited.

-Yes, very good.

That's good. That's what we like to see.

First up is going to be your coopered jug,

Graham, and here it comes now.

Lot number 70, an early 20th century oak and brass coopered jug.

Nice-looking thing. Start me at...

-I have 20. 22 anywhere?

-Let's go.

I have 20. Anyone at 22?

Its maiden bid, then, at £20 and all done at 20.

Yes! Oh! Bid here! Bid here.

-Bid here, madam.

-I'm sorry. I put the hammer down.

Oh! Shame!

Robbed.

-Oh, no!

-Lot number 71, a Royal Crown Derby eight-piece dessert set,

and I have an opening bid of £45.

50 anywhere else?

50 at the back. 55?

55 bid. 60. 65? No?

Oh, dear!

-65, 70, 75, 80, 85...

-Come on! 90.

No? 80 I have. Anyone at 85?

All done and fin...

85. 90?

Are we all done and finished at £85?

-Well, £85.

-Shame.

Right, that's 50 minus 30 on that...

Very close, very close. It deserved a bit more really but never mind.

-You win some, you lose some.

-Here comes the jug.

Lot 72, an early 19th century Staffordshire pottery jug,

and I have multiple commissions and I start at £100.

-Good. Let's go.

-105 anywhere? 100 I have.

Any further bids? £100, then.

-Yes, hello!

-105. 110?

105, I've got you.

110 anywhere else?

-Come on!

-105. All done at 105?

£105.

Minus £25 on that.

I make that minus 57.

-That's not bad.

-Very tough.

I'm glad you're so pleased!

What about the Christmas decs? Are you going to risk those?

They absolutely have to go.

-Absolutely.

-We need some fireworks.

-Yes.

-Really get these burning brightly for us.

-You don't have to.

-No, but we only get this chance once.

That'll put us back into credit, that will.

That's really optimistic, Graham.

I love that, don't you? So, that's what were going to do?

We're going to go with the bonus buy?

-We're going with the Christmas decs.

-Sure.

All right, fine. Are you sure?

-Absolutely.

-Absolutely.

-They're not going to be persuaded.

We're going with the Christmas decorations.

Lot number 76, a set of four vintage glass Christmas decorations.

Shall we start the bidding at £10?

£10 I have. 12 anywhere?

-Come on!

-Anyone at 12?

£10 I have. If you're interested, make...

Ah, 12!

14, 16, 18, 20? Are you sure?

18 I've got, then. Nobody at 20?

-Fantastic! One more!

-18, then. I'm trying really hard!

Thank you, auctioneer!

All done at £18.

£18.

Brilliant!

-Oh, dear.

-Thanks.

-Bad luck, Charles.

-Dear me, it's a wipe-out.

-I wanted to wipe your face.

-I know.

We all wanted to wipe our face. Never mind.

It's minus £59. Don't despair. It could be a winning score.

-Just don't tell the Blues a thing, all right?

-Sure.

Malcolm and Neil, d'you know how the Reds got on?

-Not the foggiest.

-Not the foggiest?

-Not the foggiest!

-Just as well.

-And how are you feeling? Are you feeling a bit shifty?

-Yes, I'm always shifty!

-Always shifty?

-Yes.

-What about you, Neil?

-I'm feeling quite confident.

-Are you?

-Yeah.

-We come to the first lot, and it's your globe.

A 20th century JRO Globus German terrestrial globe lamp.

-And I can start the bidding on it at £20.

-Yes!

-22 anywhere?

20 I have. Anyone at 22?

At £20, it's 22.

24 in the room?

22 I have. Anybody like 24? 22, then, and all done at £22.

£22 is minus £28. Bad luck, boys!

Lot 95, a Derby soup bowl in the Japan pattern.

Start me off at £20 for that? £20?

Anyone at 20? Ten I have.

Ten I have. Anyone at 12? Ten, then.

Anyone at 12? Ten I have. 12.

14 in the room? 14 on the book.

16? No? 14 with me, then.

16 anywhere else?

14 I have and all done at 14.

-Commission bid.

-£14.

It's minus £21 on that.

96 is an early 20th century silver aide-memoire with the pencil.

Lovely little lot for collectors, this. Start me at £20 for this lot.

£20 bid. 25 anywhere? 25. 30?

30 bid. 35? 40? 40 bid. 45?

Anyone at 45?

40 I have. Last time, then, at £40 and all done.

£40. £40 minus £10 on that.

28, 48, 49. Minus £59.

That could be a winning score, minus £59.

But what are you going to do about the Worcester vase?

-Are you going to go with it?

-Yes, I do that. I'd say yes.

-I'm a definite yes.

-You're a definite yes?

-A definite yes. Why not?

-OK, we're going with the bonus buy, then.

Lot 100, a Worcester ovoid vase with moulded garland decoration there.

It's a pretty thing. Start me... I can start at £40 I have.

40 I have. 45 anywhere?

40 I have. 45? 50? 50. 55?

In the room at 55?

50 I have, seated there.

Anyone at 55?

All done? Hammer's going down.

£50.

Minus £50.

-99, 109.

-We've had a good time.

We've had a good time.

-I said we'd make 50!

-Well, done, Malcolm, on your predictions.

-Yeah.

-Overall, then, you are minus £109 but for goodness' sake,

don't tell the Reds a thing!

So it's a loss of a whopping minus £109 for the Blue team

which means the Reds win, as they came in with a loss of only £59.

Coming up, two more teams go Bargain Hunting.

But first, I'm going on the hunt for some local history.

Not all antiques come from a happy background, but most have an interesting story behind them.

Today, I'm at Peterborough Museum to look at some exquisite

artefacts made behind bars and we're not talking drinking here.

The prison at Norman Cross, near Peterborough, was the world's first, purpose built prisoner-of-war camp

constructed to house all those Dutch and French prisoners taken during the Napoleonic wars.

To pass the time, the prisoners employed themselves

making all sorts of elaborate trinkets and works of art.

Indeed, the guards encouraged them to do this, so that it would keep them out of mischief.

Once a month, at the East Gate of the camp, they set up a market

where they bartered or traded or sold for cash their various wares.

Most of the work currently on display consists of objects of carved bone.

Prisoners would keep bones from their salt meat rations,

usually pork or beef, then polish them heavily to look like ivory.

Here, we've got a little selection.

First up, is this cockerel.

If you look at the way this has been made it's quite extraordinary.

It's composed of literally hundreds of little piece of bone

which have been cut and shaped and engraved and given a feathered edge,

so that when it's pinned, and you can just see the end of a pin there,

onto the cotton wool and wooden carcass,

each feather overfolds on each other and creates this delicious effect.

Next, is an object that every 18th, early 19th century household

would have had - a wee tea caddy.

If you look carefully at it, though, the carved bone covering is all in short sections.

That's because the prisoners only had relatively small and short lengths of bone to use.

If I open up the lid you can see...

Wow! Look at that.

With two divisions for two types of tea,

you can actually see what the outer surface would have looked like

when this thing was made. All rich and golden.

That's because the prisoners put a golden foil

underneath their carved and pierced bone sections

and it gives it that rich and exotic effect.

And if you were at all religious,

you would have been attracted to this item.

It's a wee diorama,

effectively a 3-D display, contained in a vertical glazed box.

And in the centre, of course, you've got the Crucifixion of our Lord,

with a rather convenient carved bone ladder leaning up in the corner.

Quite exquisite.

The big question is, are our teams today, over at the auction,

going to make any exquisite profits?

Well, there's plenty of potential bargains that could turn a profit

for our next two teams back at the Peterborough Festival of Antiques.

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

And here they are.

For the Reds, we've got husband and wife, Peter and Carol.

Welcome. for the Blues, we've got friends, Imogen and Gary. Or should I call you Immie?

-Whatever you like.

-Aw, how sweet.

Peter, what exactly have you done in the antiques business?

20 years as an auctioneer in the late '70s through to the '90s.

And then motor trade.

And then, after that, wheeling and dealing.

That's a nice rounded career for today. What about you, Carol?

Well, I'm retired now, but I used to run an antiques fair.

-Did you? A fair like this?

-Yes.

Very similar, but not on this scale. Only small.

There's no pressure on you today - not much! Now for the Blues.

-So, you two are no strangers to the antiques fairs, are you?

-No.

I had a stall in a small antiques fair, nothing on this scale.

I met Gary there. I was just selling bits and pieces.

And what exactly do you do, Gary?

I am a full-time antiques dealer.

One of the things we do is run a weekly antique fair in central Norwich.

That's an old-fashioned, traditional fair, is it?

It is. It's a traditional fair, part of the community.

It's been there for 30, 40 years.

You've got a bit internet savvy, haven't you?

-Yeah, I think the modern trade has to embrace the internet.

-And what sort of things do you sell on?

We sell all sorts, but predominantly we sell books.

-How many books have you got?

-12,000 or so.

-12,000 books! That puts this competition in context.

Now, £300 apiece. The money moment. You know the rules.

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

Now, what have the Reds found first?

They're extremely attractive, aren't they, Carol?

-I don't know what make they are.

-See if Charles...Charles will know.

-How are you getting on?

-Charles, what make are these, do you think?

I ought to ask you, shouldn't I?

As experts in your respective fields, what do you think?

-That's right.

-I'm not sure. But they look a bit Doultonish, don't they?

Yeah, they do. I think first and foremost they're a pair.

And obviously a pair is always important when it comes to vases to maximise a return on investment.

The condition, look. They look to be perfect.

I'm amazed they haven't been damaged or restored.

But you're right, they are very much in that Doulton style of the late 19th century.

And they really are forward-thinking vases.

But they're actually made by Thomas Forester and Sons,

who were a Burslem, Staffordshire factory working in the late 19th century or thereabouts.

They really are characterised in their works by this powder gilding on the base

and matched on the slender necks.

And, importantly, that gilding hasn't worn.

-I would say they are certainly 1880, 1890.

-Are they?

Yeah, 110 years old. What are they worth?

Shall we say they're worth about 150?

They want 155, so we've got to buy them for around 100.

My guide price would be between 100 and 150.

Yes, they're stylish, a great point. They're in good condition, another good point, and they are a pair.

I really like them. So, if we can perhaps negotiate down a bit...

-Shall I try? OK.

-We'll try.

Carol and Peter got off to a great start.

They whittled the aesthetic movement Oriental style vases down to £110.

But what are the Blues lining up?

-That one's quite nice. That one is nice.

-Do you like him?

-I do, I like that.

-He's got a hump on the back.

-That means he's old. Anita!

This looks like a right old teddy bear.

This one is lovely and he has this hump.

Tell me, Imogen,

why did you pick out him when you had handsome fellows like that?

I think because it doesn't have a name on it, but it does have this hump.

And, if you turn it over, I think it might have a little growl.

A tiny little growl.

Imogen, you have picked out all the elements that we'll be looking for in a bear.

First thing, the hump. That's good.

We have the glass eyes here, we have the threaded nose and we have a growler.

It's not very loud, but it's still there.

-It doesn't matter that he's threadbare, does it?

-He's been cuddled a lot.

He's been cuddled. He's not my kind of thing, but I can see we could make some money on him.

Let's look at the price. We have £70 on him.

I think that's a wee bit dear.

So, we'll need to get something off of that.

Now, the collectibles market is strong and people love teddy bears.

They love collecting them. So we have a good chance, but we have to get some money off.

-Definitely.

-Do you think you can do that?

-I will do my best.

-On you go.

-OK, thanks.

# Me and my teddy bear just play and play all day... #

The dealer didn't have the hump and let the Blues have the bear for £50.

Oh, my.

Peter, you found something you're looking for.

I'm very excited with this. This is a very, very good make, Charles.

It's an extremely good quality microscope.

Scientifically it's not my field, but sell it to me.

It's from the Leica factory, German made, and I'm really hopeful with this one.

I think it's that magical name, Leitz, Carol, and it really

is a magical name to conjure with when it comes to scientific objects.

To collectors this name and registration number is all-important.

It's been well used, hasn't it, so it's going to be Victorian, Edwardian period, I would think.

The burnished gilt work is slightly worn.

It does come with lenses, some are light, some aren't.

It makes a nice, fresh market object which I think ought to do quite well.

Well the dealer is asking £60 for it, Charles, which I think is

very reasonable, but hopefully we're going to negotiate on that.

My guide price would be between £70 and £100, on a bad day 60 because of the condition.

I'm hoping that's going to make £150 to £200.

-Really?

-I'm probably optimistic.

This isn't a '70s auctioneer talking a colourful price here?

-Not really, no, not really.

-THEY LAUGH

Well, the proof is in the pudding, we'll see at the auction.

They bagged the microscope for £50, so let's hope Peter's estimate

of 150 to 200 rings true later at the auction.

Wow!

Look at this big beast,

a bronze bull. Isn't he beautiful, don't you think?

Absolutely fine.

Very well cast, he's beautifully made...does he have a maker's name?

I haven't been able to see a maker's name, but I think he is quite old. They say he's Victorian.

I thought he would be around that time.

Well, he could be, it would have helped if we had a maker's name.

-Yeah, sure.

-But, having said that, I look at him and I do see some quality and I like that.

-Now what price is it?

-He is £200.

-That's a lot of money, isn't it?

-He looks...

He looks like a prize bull.

He does, he is a prize bull.

-A lot of money.

-It's a lot of money but we could probably get some money off, couldn't we?

-What would you expect this to make in the saleroom?

-I'd like to get it 150, 160, 170.

-At that we might have a chance of making a profit.

-OK.

Let's go and show 'em.

-Let's go and do it.

-On we go.

The Blues are in a fighting mood

and they're not scared of splashing the cash either.

£175, no bull!

So that leaves them £75 to find their final item.

I rather like this, Carol, this is a nice 1960s piece.

-It's like a retro look, don't you think?

-It is.

-It's the right colour, Charles.

-Fantastic, Peter,

I'm pleased to say we're being patriotic here with the Red team and by golly it's red.

-We can see this in someone's little flat, bachelor's flat.

-Yeah.

-Really?

-Something sort of 1960s.

I think, in addition, we want to see a name.

Is there a name? Yes, down here.

It says Falks Caprice, made in England.

Looking at that label it is going to be 1960s, it could even be early '70s. It's in really good condition.

OK, Peter, how much is this object?

They're asking £45 for it.

-Really?

-How does that seem to you?

You're a young man, much younger than us.

-Well, thank you...

-It's a young man's piece.

You're right, to a young person today it has got a great influence of design but will that buyer be there?

I think it's decorative. I think it has a look but in the wrong saleroom it could flop. OK?

On a really good day it could make £40 or £50, even a bit more, on a bad day it could make 5 or 10.

Let's see what we can get the price down to, shall we?

-It's worth a gamble.

-Yes, our quirky piece.

Yes, you're quirky people, thanks for coming.

Priced at £50, Peter and Carol managed to turn the heater down to £35.

Gary, we need your opinion on this.

Now, Imogen and I both love Poole, tell me, what do you think?

It's not really my type of thing but I do appreciate the colours and I can see why people collect them.

Now, these are from the Poole factory and if we look at the backstamp here,

we see Poole Pottery, the recognisable dolphin,

-These were made in the 1960s.

-Right.

They are called Delphis.

They were designed by a chap called Robert Jefferson

who came to Poole in the 1950s and went onto develop this wonderful, colourful range.

'30s Poole has been very popular in the past but now this is the stuff that's hot.

There is a price of £35 on them for the pair.

But Imogen and I have haggled and haggled.

First of all he went to 25 and we were still wondering and then he just said 20, didn't he?

-And I think 20 is good.

-For £20 they've got to be a good buy, haven't they?

I think we must make a small profit on that, surely.

I would think £25, £30...

-It would be a small profit, but it would be a profit.

-Yeah, I think you're absolutely right.

-Good. We agree!

-Yes!

-Let's go and give the dealer the money.

-OK.

-Come on.

That's it, both teams have spent up, but have they spent wisely?

Let's remind ourselves of what the Reds bought.

First in the bag for the Reds was the pair of Thomas Forrester

oriental style vases at 110.

Up next was the Leitz microscope for 50.

And it matched their colours, but will it be red hot at the auction?

-How did your shopping go with Charles?

-Lovely.

-All right?

-Really enjoyed it.

-Which is your favourite piece, Carol?

-Victorian vases.

Victorian vases. What about you, Pete?

-The microscope.

-It's your favourite.

-Yes.

-Which will bring the biggest profit, Carol?

-The microscope.

-The microscope, right.

-You're pretty spot on with that?

-I hope so.

OK, yes. You spent £195, which is not too bad.

£105 coming over to you, Charles. This is quite a responsibility?

It is, Tim, and I've seen a few nice objects.

A very nice curvaceous thing I want to buy which Carol might like.

Like female curvaceous?

Just a good object with good lines.

I'm already intrigued. Better go and snaffle it up.

Let's remind ourselves of what the Blues bought.

He did look like he had a bit of a sore head,

but the Blues laid out £50 for old Ted.

Gary kept the animal theme going

and they charged off with the bull for £175.

And lastly, the 1960s Poole vases came in at just £20.

So, Anita, how was the team?

They were absolutely wonderful.

Good, cos they're pros, you know.

-Yes.

-Yes. So Imogen which was your favourite piece?

-I'd have to say the teddy bear.

-What about you, Gary?

The bronze bull. It's a stunner.

And the biggest profit, Immy?

I think it's going to have to be the bull, that'll bring the most.

-And you're going bullish with the bull?

-Bullish with the bull!

OK, you spent a magnificent £245 and I'm very, very pleased about that.

-£55 of leftover lolly, please, goes across to A Manning.

-Thank you.

Is this going to be a struggle, cos it's a great fair?

Wonderful fair, it's going to be no trouble at all, Tim.

Got a theme to your purchase?

Well we've had bulls, we've had dolphins,

we've had teddy bears, I think I will continue with the animal theme.

Don't give anything else away!

-And good luck with your shopping.

-Thank you.

We're at Golding Young auctioneers in Grantham with Jan Squires, our auctioneer. Good morning, Jan.

-Good morning, Tim.

-Very nice to see you again.

-And you.

Peter and Carol, their first item are these enormous vases.

-Is this the sort of thing that lights your fuse, Jan?

-Not at all.

But they have a certain style to them.

I mean, they are slim and attenuated and art nouveau-ish.

-Ish...

-Ish.

Right, what sort of estimate, then?

I think 40 to 60 might be your mark.

40 to 60... £110 paid.

So that, on the face of it, is going to be a disaster. Oh dear, oh dear.

Next the microscope...

They paid £50, what's your estimate?

It would have been an absolutely wonderful piece when it was perfect.

40 to 60, so it might just...

Yes, at least it's not a stonking loss, which is where you stand with regard to these vases.

Lastly, the red 1960s fire.

-I think it's a good lot.

-Do you?

-Mmm.

It's an iconic type of piece, isn't it?

Yeah, oh definitely, it says I'm a heater from the 1960s, doesn't it?

Will it be hot in the auction?

We've decided 30 to 50.

Oh, well, that's great. £35 is all they paid.

Oh, it stands a good chance then.

-It's going to make more?

-Always a chance.

That's what you call sitting on the fence!

-Yes.

-Very sensible.

Well whilst we're still on the fence let's go and have a look at their bonus buy.

Well, I went for something curvaceous and here she is.

-Look at her.

-Wow!

-I've had one of those.

-Have you really?

-It's a speed nymph!

It's a speed nymph.

1920s, '30s, chrome plated, untouched, Desmo French...

-Desmo French.

-Yeah. It's a nice example.

I've paid quite a handsome price for her.

She's cost me £65 and to me she's worth, certainly in a saleroom, between £70 and £100.

-What sort of car?

-Any sort of car, Tim?

Yeah, just a bolt-on accessory.

-I like it very much.

-Good.

-I think, you know...

-She's in good condition.

-We'll see how we go.

-And, I think, with the in-set today, she's a great chance of pulling in the punters.

Yeah. She looks like me 30 years ago.

That's why I bought her!

You are so grubby sometimes, Charles, honestly!

I'm going to be sick!

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

but for the audience at home, let's find out what the auctioneer things about the mascot.

-She's not quite the Spirit Of Ecstasy, if she?

-No, no.

She's getting there. Every man's favourite subject.

You love anything to do with automobilia.

-I do like my cars.

-Yes.

-But this, I think, might go for 80 to 100.

£80-£100. Charles only paid £65.

-So he will be really chuffed about that.

-He will, indeed.

That's it for the reds. Now for the blues. Imogen and Gary.

Imogen went with this teddy bear.

I think he's too far gone

-to be of real interest to the collectors.

-What's it worth?

20-40.

Good guess, that. £50, they paid.

So I'm afraid old Imo's going to be very disappointed about that.

-What about the bull?

-Ah.

I was afraid you were going to say that.

The big question with these bronzes is, how old are they?

It always boils down to the age of the cast.

If you believe that that was by Rosa Bonheur and dated from

the best Animalier period, in the 1840s, you'd think perhaps it was worth £4,000.

Yes. It would be wonderful.

-So, how much?

-40 to 60.

-Pounds, is it?

-Afraid so.

-Yeah. £175 paid.

-Ouch.

-That is a mortal blow, isn't it?

-Definitely.

-No matter how brilliant you think the third item is,

-the Poole pots, there are not going to retrieve the balance.

-No.

Not my favourite pottery, Poole, I have to say.

Where do we go with value here?

-Much in the same way as we have done with the other things. Quite low.

-Yes.

-Cos we are on a 20-40.

Well, actually, that's not too bad, because they only paid £20, you see.

So if you can get between 20 and 40, they will be over the moon.

But they have got this huge chasm opening up underneath this bull,

so they are definitely going to need their bonus buy Let's have a look at it.

LAUGHTER

Blimey.

Black Beauty this is not.

But toy collectors are looking

for something different.

I have never seen a rocking horse like this. With this sort of fabric.

What has happened is it's been recovered, lovingly, at one point.

It is a Victorian horse, it has been used by children, everything has been a bit rough and tumble

and somebody has covered it with this, what looks like a blanket.

I paid £50.

I think he is absolutely super.

-See how it goes.

-I think we got that nicely solved, Anita.

-You don't have to take it at all.

-No.

-You can decide after the sale of your first three.

Let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Anita's old nag.

It's going to really struggle.

-Is it?

-Yes. It's really going to be a 10 to 30.

£50, Anita paid.

She'll be seriously cut up. Still, we can't help that, can we?

-No.

-You can only do what you can do, Jan.

Yes. If people raise their arms, I count them, but other than that,

I can't do much at all.

So, Peter and Carol, how is it?

Absolutely fantastic, and I am so excited!

-You're auctioneers, too. What's it like on the other side of the fence? Peter?

-Terrifying!

That's at least honest!

And we're on. Here it is.

Right, lot 117, a pair of Thomas Forrester blue and gilt vases.

Elegant things. Start me at...

I have 30. 32 anywhere?

30 I have. Anyone at 32? 32.

34? Is there a 34? I have a 32.

All done and finished, then, at £32.

Thank you.

-Oh, dear!

-It's eight short of 40,

so that's...68, that's minus 78.

Lot 118 is an early 20th-century light monocular microscope

with extra lenses, and I start the bidding on that at 30. 30 I have.

35 anywhere? 40 at the back.

-Come on!

-45. 50.

Anyone at 55? 50 I have in the doorway.

All done and finished then, at £50 in the door.

£50.

-Now, your electric fire.

-This could be interesting.

119 is a Caprice red-painted, electric converter heater.

It's 1960s, '70s, iconic piece there.

Very nice. Start me at... Wow!

I start at 140.

140 I have. 150 anywhere?

140 I have.

You're all done and finished then at £140, on commission.

That's brilliant, that's a profit of £105 out of nowhere.

I think that was a good lot, yes.

-So you are £27 up. Are you going to go with the bonus buy or not?

-No.

No bonus buy? You are not going with the bonus buy? We'll sell it anyway, and here it comes.

Lot 123 is a chrome-plated 1930s car mascot of a naked lady.

Start me at... I have 70. 70 bid.

75 anywhere?

70 I have. Anyone at 75?

75 I have in the front here.

80 anywhere else? 75, then, and all done at £75.

Well done, Charles! £75!

-That is plus £10.

-Very good.

Big thing is, don't say anything to the blues. Not a word to the blues.

We don't want them to know. Shtoom.

130...

-Imogen and Gary, d'you know how the reds got on?

-No.

-No.

-We don't want you to know, quite frankly.

And you shouldn't be scared by any stories that you've heard.

We've heard nothing.

The first lot up, though, is your old growler. Here it comes.

-You love that bear, don't you?

-I do.

140 is a no-hair... Sorry, no!

LAUGHTER

A mohair teddy bear with a hump - the first might have been right!

We can start this one at £20. 20 I have. 22 anywhere?

22. 24. 26. 28.

30. 32. 34.

36. 38. 40. Can I say 45?

No. 42. 44. 46? No.

44 with you. 46 anywhere else?

Anyone at 46?

We are all done and finished then. With you.

44. You're only £6 off, that's great!

-Here comes the bull.

-Lot 141 is a bronze model of a bull.

Here we are. I can start the bidding at £40.

40 I have. 50 anywhere?

50 bid. 60 I have got. 70 bid.

80 anywhere?

80 bid. 90?

80 I have. Anyone at 90?

80 with the gentleman in the hat.

90. 100?

100 with the gentlemen, 110 anywhere?

All done and finished then at £100.

That's minus 75.

Overall, you are minus 81. This is tense.

A pair of Poole vases. Start me at 10 for those.

-10 for the vases?

-That's a surprise.

10 at the back, thank you. 12 seated. 14? No? 12 seated. 14 anywhere else?

14 I have got. Anyone at 16?

All done then.

£14.

14 smackers. Bad luck.

You're minus £6 on that.

It's not been your day, has it?

You are, at the moment, minus 87, OK? No great shame in that.

-That's not good.

-I don't know.

It looked a lot worse!

I tell you. It looked as if your bull was only going to make 40 quid.

Actually, you sold it for £100, which is respectable. Don't be depressed about that.

-What are we doing about this rocker?

-We're going with it.

Well, let's cross everything cos here it comes.

146 is a rocking horse. There he is. Start me at, um...

£20 for the rocking horse?

£10?

£2?

Anyone at four?

Four at the back. Six. Eight.

Ten. 12. No? Oh...

12 anywhere else?

That's where we stop then. All done and finished at £10.

The wee soul!

That's 40. I could burst into tears!

So sad, that.

It's going to be crying.

-I'm crying.

-I'm crying.

I'm howling!

I can't believe it.

I find that unbelievable.

Anyway. It sold for £10.

That means, overall, you're minus £127.

Oh, dear.

£127. Let's be positive about this.

Six anywhere else?

Well, what fun this has been, hasn't it?

Such interest on this bonus buy lark.

I have to reveal who the winners and runners-up are.

-Have you talked to one another?

-No.

-Nothing of any significance has passed between you?

Well, I have to reveal that it is today the blues who are the runners-up.

Pretty substantially, actually.

You have minus £127.

As a total.

And you went with the bonus buy, which contributed £40 to the total.

But minus £127, which is not so very bad, is it?

Seriously, it's been great. Thank you very much for joining us.

But the victors today, who are actually going to take home some cash,

which is wonderful, you're going to take home £27 worth of cash.

The interesting thing with the bonus buy is you could be taking 37, if only you'd trusted Charles!

He made a lovely £10 profit.

And here is the £27 hot from my pocket.

Two little warm coins. Congratulations anyway.

Great programme! Join us soon for some more bargain hunting! Yes?!

Yes!

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