South Bargain Hunt

Do you know, there's something in the water today on Bargain Hunt?

Well, something's got into their heads.

Our teams are about to take the business of buying antiques incredibly seriously. ..Not!

I can see we've got trouble on our hands today, so let's go bargain hunting.

We've made our way to the Hungerford Arcade in Berkshire,

where our teams have £300 and an hour to shop for three items

which they'll sell at auction and make a massive profit.

Sounds easy, doesn't it? Well, we'll find out just how easy it is.

There's certainly an eclectic mix of items here, bargain hunters.

Let's meet the teams.

On today's show we've got some likely lively lads and a couple of feisty women.

For the Blues, we've got Amanda and Joan, and for the Reds, we've got friends, Phil and Dave.

Welcome, chaps. Nice to see you. Phil, you used to have connections with the Fleet Auxiliary?

-Yes, I used to work on the flight deck.

-Vital tasks?

-Yes.

I was there for about four years and then one day I decided to fall through the ship.

-Fall through?

-Yes, 65 feet.

-I bet that didn't do you any good?

-No.

-I had two-and-a-half years in hospital.

-My gosh!

-Shattered pelvis in 32 places.

-Good Lord!

Still, you could have landed on your head.

If I'd been a bit heavier, I would have done.

A bit lighter, I'd have landed on my feet and still wouldn't have been here.

That's a terrible story. I'm glad to see you looking so perky.

-How do you think you're going to get on on Bargain Hunt?

-You've got the winners definitely.

-Oh!

We like to hear that little bit of ambition in there.

-Dave, you were in the army for a long time?

-23 years. I was an inventory manager.

I do the same thing now

-but I look after an inventory of about 6.3 million of furniture.

-So you know about furniture?

Modern furniture, yes.

Not so good for us though.

No. Not today!

-Now, you're a tall man.

-Yes.

-Once upon a time you were a good deal taller.

-Yes, I was.

I was a three inches taller. I used to be six foot three-and-a-half, and I weighed nearly 19 stone,

and then I had a brain tumour removed and I was eight hours on the slab

-and during that time I lost three inches in height and four stone in weight.

-Oh, dear.

Yes. Didn't do me any harm. Well, I'm all right now.

You're looking in the pink, yeah.

Stop dribbling!

Good.

You're a bit of a collector as well?

Oil lamps, baseball caps, of which I have one here.

-That would be a moose.

-That would, yes.

Somebody bought this for me. I don't wear them normally.

Definitely not indoors.

Someone bought this for me from Canada.

Get away! Definitely suits you. Doesn't it? Lovely. Do you think so, Phil?

-I think he's boot-iful.

-You think it's...?

-Boot-iful.

-Sold a turkey.

-It could be!

-It could be turkey.

Get a few steaks out of it.

Lovely. I think you're going to do very well today. Now, the girls.

What are you laughing at?

That's no way to laugh at your opposition like that.

-It is very funny, though, isn't it? Now, Amanda.

-Yes.

-Joan is your mother-in-law.

-She is.

-Are you going to make a good team?

-Oh, yes.

-You've got your hands full at home, haven't you?

-I've got four girls.

Have you? How lovely. What sort of ages?

Nine, seven, two and one.

It says here, "Does your husband help around the house?

"Is he handy and is he the romantic type?"

-No, he's not really romantic but his dad is.

-He's not really romantic.

His dad is, and he did go to his dad for some advice over a very expensive bottle of champagne that he had,

so his dad advised him to run a nice bath, so when I came in from work, have a bowl of strawberries...

-For you?

-Yeah, for me.

Feed them to me, I reached down to pick up a strawberry

and his cat decided to deposit a mouse's head there instead, and I nearly ate it!

-What?

-The champagne came up pretty quickly afterwards.

You nearly ate a raw mouse's head?

Disguised as a strawberry! I hope you'll be up to keep your wits about you today, my girl.

I don't want any mouse-eating here.

Joan, you have an incredibly adventuresome spirit, don't you?

-Oh, I love travel.

-You like travel?

-Yeah.

What sort of places do you go to?

Well, I've been to Vietnam.

-Have you?

-Kazakhstan.

-Kazakhstan?

Yeah, but that was a train journey, five-week train journey.

-All very comfortable facilities, was it?

-Well, except for the Vietnamese train, yes.

-Oh, why?

-The toilets were the French variety.

-What's that, then?

-Two footprints, and very awkward on a moving train.

-A moving train! With just the footprints.

-Yes!

-A round hole.

-Yes!

-And did you see the track going underneath?

-Yes. And an open window there.

An open window? That is friendly, isn't it?

They're extremely good stories from you today. This has been amazing.

Now, the money moment. £300 apiece. There you go.

You know the rules. Your experts await!

Off you go, and very, very, very good luck.

Dear, oh, dear, oh, dear!

Let's hope our two experts today are prepared to be given the runaround,

as they hand out their advice to the teams.

Mark Stacey is in training for the Reds,

while Philip Allwood is resting before tackling the Blues. Ah!

With only one hour to go, the pressure is on.

Get a move on, you lot!

-Come on, we've got an hour. Let's go!

-That's not long, is it?

That's not long, no.

What have we got in here? So, anything in particular you'd set out to come and buy?

£2,995, I think that's a bit out of our league.

-Pairs of everything in here, it's amazing.

-They have, yeah!

-I can't see that making anywhere near that.

-No.

-It would have had legs on it.

-Oh, I see!

Oh, there's a Tiffany's one there. How much is that? £55.

-Tiffany silver box there.

-Oh, right.

£55. Shall we have a look at that?

-Yes.

-Ask the dealer if she'd pass it to us.

-Shall we have a look at it?

-Yeah.

It looks like it's got hinges on it.

Ah, there's a folding base, so...

Make sure we don't drop it on the china. So...

-It has got some damage, though.

-What have we got?

Let's see.

-The one problem I can really see with it...

-It's got some damage.

..is this big lump missing.

-Oh, yes, yeah.

-And there's a bit of damage here as well.

-Is there?

-Just there.

-Oh, goodness, yes, it's a bit split, isn't it?

-I think that might a lot of people off.

-Is that a no?!

I think if it was in good nick...

-That would have been good.

-..it would have been good.

-Shall I pop it back?

-Yes.

So, the Blues strike out because of the damage.

But the Reds seem to be having a bit more luck.

Thank you! There we are, Mark.

Oh, actually, there's a fair bit of weight on that, actually.

-Yeah.

-And it's nice engine-turned.

Not a bad price, £100, actually, for a nice little quality box like that.

If we bought it, we'd have to try and...a little bit.

-Yes.

-Now, what have you got there?

-I've got a little Tiffany note case.

This is something completely different, because this is very modern.

You can see that it's modern. You buy it because it's Tiffany.

-It's a Tiffany card case, yeah.

-And it's not too bad.

-It's nice.

£55.

But it looks very modern, doesn't it? It feels very modern.

Yes.

But you've got Tiffany on the back there. Sterling underneath.

-I'd double-check that. And it comes of course in its...

-In its own case.

-..in its fitted case, with its original little...

-Little box.

-Yes.

-I mean I suppose, what would that be in Tiffany's?

-You know, it would be more than £55.

-Yes. It would be over £100, I would have thought, at least £100.

-Yeah.

-Why don't you ask the dealer what the best price is on it?

Now, cash, we're talking here.

-Yes.

-We want... We want to make a profit on this.

-Profit.

-Because all our profit is going to charity, you see.

-To charity.

That's the technique! We'll leave the Reds to their bartering,

while the Blues get inside help.

I've got something a little bit unusual to show you.

-It's an old posset warmer.

-Goodness gracious!

And it's allegedly the property of James Fenimore Cooper -

author of The Last Of The Mohicans.

This letter seems to authorise that, from 1919. I found that inside here.

Goodness gracious!

What an unusual thing!

I only paid 110 quid, and I'm looking for 150, so...

That's a very unusual piece.

It is an unusual thing, isn't it?

Pewter. Well, that doesn't happen very often, that we have this sort of thing gifted into our hands.

-What d'you think?

-What would this have been used for?

Right, a posset it was a drink for all ailments.

It was a sort of ale and herbs,

and this would have been filled with hot water,

-placed at your bedside, with a beaker or...keeping it warm.

-Yeah.

-So it was for drinks.

-A drink.

-Alcohol, there you go!

It probably would have had some sort of alcohol in there, yes.

It was in the days when this was made,

-it was considered a good thing to have.

-Absolutely.

-Is it collectible?

-Well, I think it's one of those things, it's a very unusual piece.

-It's just a thought.

-Yeah.

-Erm, and 150 is your best on it? If you've just got it in?

-Come down. Come down.

You can do a little bit for us, can't you?

I'll do it for 140.

Because I do think it's got some interest value. Pewter...

-125.

-How much?!

-I can't do 125!

-She's hard!

< 135.

I've just paid 110, seriously.

-That's a quick profit, then.

-135. 135, then.

-Shall we go for that?

-Yeah.

-Done.

-Excellent! You've been done!

Well, we'll find that out at the auction.

So, the Blues have their first item,

while the Reds are busy sealing the deal for the Tiffany silver card case.

-38?

-38...

-OK, then.

-Sure?

38. No, I'm not sure, but I will.

-Very kind.

-That would be brilliant at 38.

-Yeah, 38 would be fantastic.

Good job, guys. Elsewhere in the antiques centre, the Blues are making bargain-hunting look easy.

Just wanted to have a look at the pedestal bowl there, on the base, that...

And can we have a look at the jug as well?

This jug, the one right in the corner that's furthest away from you and more difficult to get!

-So, what we have here is two things to think about, don't we?

-Mmm.

The jug or the sugar basin.

Given away by the tongs.

But the one thing that concerns me about it is,

if you look closely on the base, you can see where the nickel is coming through.

-Oh, yeah.

-So, a plated base on a silver...

I'm not sure about that, I'm a little bit uneasy. I think it should be a silver base.

-I wonder whether it's been attached. This, however...

-I like this.

..is pretty. Nice clear silver hallmark there for London, 1922.

Maker's mark is a rubbed so I can't actually see

who it's by.

But he was, you know, he was an accomplished maker, wasn't he?

The lovely line there, it hasn't been made by a fool, has it?

-Yeah.

-Art Deco.

-Good shape.

It covers your Art Deco thing, yeah.

-Nice clean lines.

-Exactly.

-And again, would be the sort of thing that would be just as happy in a modern or an ancient house.

-Yeah.

-I like the rim on it, I like that it goes all the way around there.

-Exactly.

-It isn't just shaped.

-No, absolutely. It's quite a nice, elegant-looking piece.

-Yeah, I like that.

-What do you two think?

-That one.

-Yeah. I would want that one.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-I'm glad to hear that, cos that's exactly what I think.

-Erm, I think we'll pass on that one, and...

-Take that one.

-Definitely.

The thing we need to consider before we make a final decision is the price.

We've got £105 on it. We really need to be getting it down below £100.

Closer to £80 or £70, on a good day.

I think we need to try and do something with that.

-OK, fine.

-Shall we go and see if we can find out what he'll take?

-Yes, definitely.

-OK.

Another decision well-made.

They bought the silver cream jug for £85.

If you'd like to go bargain hunting in a place like this, then simply apply for an application form!

E-mail us at...

..and we'll simply do the rest!

-£125. Oh, gosh.

-We need a good profit.

£225 for that jug?!

I've got confidence that we can do this.

There's faith for you. But you'd better get those Reds moving, Mark!

-What is this?

-What have you got there?

-I think it's Crown Ducal, I think.

Yes, it is, well of course, it screams one period only - Art Deco.

You've got this sort of ribbed body and then you've got this rather funky form,

and bright colours on it.

-It's in condition.

-In good condition.

-Looks in good nick, doesn't it?

Crown Ducal are well-known. They're a smallish factory based in Staffordshire.

In the late 19th century, they were producing very Edwardian china with lots of swags and pheasants.

-Very much in the Royal Worcester style.

-Right.

But in the '20s and '30s, they did develop quite a culture for this Art Deco movement.

Charlotte Rhead became a designer for them.

-She ranks up there with people like Clarice Cliff and Susie Cooper, for example.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-Now, it's not signed, but it's very much in her style.

-With this little tube line decoration, etc.

-Yeah.

-And it's quite a funky form, really.

-It is, isn't it?

-And you can see a youngster would appeal to that.

-Cos it's stand-alone.

-I like the three handles.

-Three handles.

-Yes. Bright colours.

-It's a little bit expensive at £56, isn't it?

-Mmm.

-Get that down.

-A few pound off.

If we can get that down to sort of £40 or so, or £45,

then we might be in with a chance.

-Yes. I like that.

-Very nice.

-See if we can get the price down.

-Absolutely.

It's a unanimous decision.

But at £40, is it a clever one?

I like all this Lalique class.

But I'm afraid it's...!

-That's right, yes!

-Perhaps we'll come back to that.

-It's not expensive.

-No.

It says Georgian on the label, doesn't it?

Yes, but that's a bit...

We've got doubters.

-That's not worth taking a risk with.

-No, it's not.

The Blues have been spending up a storm, with 220 smackers gone on

their first two buys, leaving them just £80.

That's quite a nice-looking chair, I think.

It's had some little alterations underneath it.

These pine blocks put in there.

Is that to make it more sturdy?

-Yeah.

-To keep it together!

-Exactly.

Does that devalue it much?

Well, the thing is with this, they normally come in pairs.

-Right.

-To go on either side of a door in the hallway.

-Yeah.

-You can imagine a big marble hallway, these sitting either side,

-they'd look elegant as a pair.

-They would.

As a single chair, they're a little bit more difficult to place.

But, erm, a nice traditional piece, nice traditional English wood.

And very architectural design.

It's a nice back, architectural design there.

Broken-arch pediment. It's got a touch of elegance about it.

Good, solid piece. What are they asking?

Oh, £39.

I wonder if we could get it down to sort of more like

25 quid. That would help.

Do you think it would stand a chance?

-Well, it's not an expensive buy at 25 quid, is it?

-No, I don't think...

I don't think so, for a solid oak chair, I don't think that's bad.

How long have we got before we...?

We've got about 20 minutes.

-Oh.

-So we could come back to it.

-If we leave it here...

Give it 10 minutes. And if there's nothing else, we'll come back.

Exactly, we'll have a go at it.

Yeah, I think it might be worth a punt.

While the Blues are hedging their bets,

the Reds have got a whopping £220 left for their final item.

Gosh, that's quite fun, isn't it? In a fireplace, it's quite fun.

I don't know if people use these things any more.

-It's fun more than anything, I suppose. It's what we generally refer to as a companion set.

-Yes.

You've got a little brush there and a little shovel.

You're missing the poker and the tongs.

Yeah. There's an old chain here.

Well, it's been made up. It's not really an antique as such.

-It's just its own components that somebody's put together.

-Mmm.

But I can see it in an Old England fireplace or something like that.

-Yes.

-It's marked up at £34, so we should get some money off.

We could get a few pounds off that. Make a little profit.

Well, you never know. I mean, would you have it in your house?

David would, cos he's got a nice little fire stove.

I've got a wood-burning stove.

Should look all right, by the side of my stove.

Well, there we are. If you like it, then we should have a go at it.

Get a few pound off of that.

-Old shoe nails as well.

-Shoe nails.

-Yeah.

-Well, let's have a word with the dealer.

Hopefully we'll get a little bit off and then we can make a decision once we know.

Probably get a few pound off, it should be all right.

Is it rustic or rusty that comes to mind, bargain hunters?

With £20 paid, the Reds now have all three items.

£5.

Probably about £3 too much.

-Cheap sounds good.

-Cheap as chips!

Lots and lots of things.

Decisions, decisions. That's what it's all about on Bargain Hunt.

But probably one of the biggest decisions that

the team makes is to whether they go with the bonus buy or not.

Any leftover lolly is given to their experts to spend

on that special item, the bonus buy, which can make all the difference.

The teams see the piece when they get to the auction and that's the moment that they decide whether to

take the risk or not. We don't want to make it too easy for them!

After another look around, the Blues are back at the little wooden chair.

But is the price right to tempt them to buy?

Ah, here it comes!

(I wonder what's gonna happen! Here we go)

I've rung the dealer.

He thought 25 was a bit too low.

But he's prepared to go to 28.

Oh, that's... I think 28's OK.

-We'll live with that.

-Yeah?

-I think it's got just as much chance really at 28 as 25.

-OK, fine.

-It's not a million miles out.

-No, no.

-We're not going to argue over £3.

-I don't think so, no.

I think we'll do that deal.

-Thank you.

-We'll take up to the front.

-Wonderful.

-Is that the third item?

-That's the third item.

-We are done.

We can have a cup of tea!

And a chat. My favourite pastime.

A cup of tea. That sounds good.

Let's recap on the Reds' buys, while the kettle boils.

The Tiffany silver card case, in its original pouch,

seems like a good buy at £38.

At £40, the Crown ducal vase might be a steal.

And finally, at £20,

was the rusty rustic companion set - a brilliant buy for the Reds.

So lads, did you have a good time shopping?

-Brilliant.

-Which was your favourite piece, Philip?

-The Tiffany cardholder.

-And you, Dave?

The same, the Tiffany hard case.

You spent a pathetic £98.

Dear, oh, dear. £202 of leftover lolly.

202, thank you very much, Dave.

What about this? You could buy half the Antiques Centre for this!

I know, I have never had so much money.

You've never had so much?

I'm normally left with the £2.

-Quite.

-I'll find something which I think is a bit of a good bargain, not anywhere near £200.

There you are. You're such a tease.

You better slip off and make quite sure that you get it.

Let's remind ourselves of what the Blues bought.

The Blues paid £135 for the pewter posset warmer.

The Silver Queen jug cost £85. It's very pretty, but is that too much?

At £28, the Victorian hall chair seems quite a good buy,

but it's missing its partner.

-Now you two, did you have a good turn shopping?

-We did, yes.

-Which is your favourite piece?

-The silver jug.

-Favourite is the silver jug.

What about you?

I like the silver jug, but I think the pewter posset warmer.

It could either fly or bomb, but I like that. It's interesting.

How are you with the posset, Joan?

-Fine.

-Have you been recently?

You spent £248, which is great.

I want £52 of leftover lolly, which goes straight here to find your bonus buy,

which the team will not see until they get to the auction, which is exciting.

-Got anything in mind?

-I have, yes. No clues.

-It's not scales.

-It's not scales?

-Or a tea caddy.

-They will be pleased.

But you have something in mind?

-Marvellous.

-It is going to be fine.

Seize the moment!

If you want a little bit of peace and quiet, I know exactly the place to go and visit.

Welcome to Salisbury, in Wiltshire.

Known as "the city in the countryside",

with 5,000 years of history,

but the bit that interests me is the 18th century. What, what?!

And it's during that period here, in Cathedral Close,

that Salisbury's elite lived.

Surgeons, generals, Members of Parliament,

high servants of the cathedral, all going about their business.

It was over there, at beautiful Mountpleasant House, where such gentry lived.

Inside, it's rather impressive.

I'm here to see a stunning dressing table that back in its day

would have been a very enviable piece of furniture to own.

So, what's all the fuss about?

Looks like a pretty straightforward 18th century rectangular,

quite nicely decorated and veneered side table.

But nothing special, eh?

Until you go through this opening process.

Firstly, grip the outside handles and slide

very, very gently towards you, until the whole thing is exposed.

Then, we have got two flaps.

They hinge up,

like that.

And on this side,

like that.

But they're not two ordinary flaps.

What they've got inside are hinged mirrors.

Each of those hinged mirrors operates on a spigot,

which means that the mirrors can be adjusted to practically any angle on either side.

Originally, there would be a tall dressing mirror on top of this piece

so that, as all those girls know, when they go out in their gladrags and you want to adjust

your hair and your make-up most perfectly, sit in the middle of

this lot, almost surrounded by mirrors all the way round and, hey presto, every feature about your

coiffeur or your make-up can be carefully checked.

But that's not all. In the middle, we've got a further drawer.

It opens up, where there are a series of compartments,

in which you'd store your make-up, perhaps your jewellery.

All in all, it is a pretty elaborate piece.

The other special thing about it is that it features in a design book.

Here we've got a copy of George Hepplewhite's Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Guide.

If I flick through that, on plate 79,

there is an engraving showing exactly this dressing table.

Interesting, isn't it? There's not much that's known about George Hepplewhite during his life,

he died in 1786, but his widow, Alice, two years after his death,

produced this book with 300 of his designs.

Like so many 18th century cabinet makers who produced printed books -

Chippendale, Sheraton and Hepplewhite - that has recorded those designs for all time.

Their names have become immortalised

and, of course, the style of these pieces of furniture

has been reproduced very, very often over the succeeding centuries.

The big question is, are any of our teams going to have

style icon status today over at the auction?

35...40...5...and 50.

55, 60, 5, 70.

All done?

It's grand to be with Richard Kay at Lawrences saleroom in Crewkerne.

-Hello, Tim.

-Great to be here.

Our Red team today, Phil and Dave, first item is this Charlotte Rhead lookalike pot.

Very stylish piece, very evocative of its era, inter-war British design.

It lacks a signature on the bottom.

Therefore it's probably 30 or £40, I think, at best.

-£40 they paid.

-So they're in the frame.

They could easily make it, which would be great.

Next, is this seriously heavyweight fireside companion.

It's missing a couple of bits.

I think that shows rather too much evidence of the way in which it was made, I'm afraid.

I think it's a very rustic piece indeed, with these uneven nails across the top.

I don't think there's a lot of quality in that.

Definitely not, but it's got a look, I find.

It's got a look but I think it's a look with a rather narrow appeal.

A guesstimate as to what it might bring?

I think it might be 15, maybe £20.

No sweat, they paid £20, they didn't over-pay for it. It's a bit of fun.

Once again, they might just get there.

Last item is the Tiffany card case, complete with its pouch.

Is that something that appeals to you, Richard?

It does rather appeal to me, because Tiffany is associated with very good

quality craftsmanship, and it's silver, it's sterling standard silver, as well.

It's not been engraved so it's perfect to give it as a gift.

-I think it would make 30 or £40.

-Brilliant. £38, they paid.

That's fine. A very good price.

We have a trio here, I think, with immense potential.

But just in case they might need their bonus buy, let's go and have a look at it.

So, boys, you spent a pathetic £98, yes?

£202 went to Mark Stacey.

Rumour has it he spent the lot.

What on? Let's have a look.

-Oh, my...

-I thought quirky. It's a 1930s motorbike fire extinguisher.

You wouldn't put a lot out with that.

I think that's rather a collector's item.

And it was only £25.

-Only?

-You're not impressed, are you?

No, not particularly.

I've put your fire out, then?

Indeed you did. How much do you think that's gonna make, then, Mark?

Things to do with automobilia, it's very sought after.

In Crewkerne?

Well, I've got every confidence in it.

Yeah? You have!

I think the liquid is still in there, you know?

-There's something in it.

-Whatever you do, don't press the button in here.

Well, I think there's a profit in it. I think that might make £30 or £35.

Mr Stacey has often been right in the past, particularly with his automobilia punts.

I think he might have got it wrong on this one.

£25. Watch the man's lips, he thinks it might make £10 or £20 profit,

if there are a lot of bikers in Crewkerne today who happen to have overheated engines.

Lovely. Thank you very much for that.

For the viewers at home, why don't we find out what the auctioneer

thinks about Mark Stacey's fire extinguisher?

Richard, you're talking about a variety of objects.

The odd ball and extreme that we come across on Bargain Hunt.

To finish up the trio, we have a motor bicycle fire extinguisher.

I have never seen or handled or sold a motorcycle fire extinguisher.

-Never, ever?

-No.

-What a sheltered life you've had.

It's a first for me.

Quite how much broad appeal that's got, I don't know.

If anyone would pay more than £10, I don't know.

Once again, it's been inexpensively bought at £25 and, you never know.

-You never know.

-Anyway, that's it for the Reds, now for the Blues, John and Amanda.

They've been tempted, first off, with this pewter posset warmer.

I'm riveted to find out what do you think about this.

I'm sure you'll agree, few things more irksome than a cool posset,

so the need to warm it up this quite important.

But this is a very cumbersome device for keeping a drink warm. It is an odd design, as well.

It looks like it's meant to be a foot warmer and it looks as though it dates from the 18th century.

It's got this cumbersome and unattractive handle on the top.

A curious extra element is that I gather

it was once owned by James Fenimore Cooper.

According to that letter.

I don't know whether the collectors of pewter posset warmers

care two hoots about James Fenimore Cooper, or vice-versa, so it is a strange combination,

but I'm going to expect that it might make £40 to £60.

OK, they paid £135, which doesn't sound so much if you say it quickly.

Brilliant. What do you think about the cream jug?

The cream jug is a cream jug of no particular merit, I would have said.

The marks are very worn, which is off-putting.

It's only 1922...

One would expect a 1920s mark to be a clearer than this. It has been over-zealously polished.

Small silver is collectible,

so I would hope that that would make perhaps £30 to £40.

£85, they paid, you see? That's right pushing the outer edge

of the retail value, with something with rub marks and no great weight.

I think you're absolutely spot on and they could be in trouble.

Their last piece is an incredibly unfashionable, uncomfortable

and difficult piece of furniture to sell, I would have thought.

It's hard to believe they were designed to be sat on.

Only briefly, I fancy.

While you were waiting in the hall.

It's missing its partner. Hall chairs were nearly always in pairs.

What's your estimate on it?

I think it might make £20, perhaps, if two people want it.

OK, they paid £28, so not a huge price.

So, they're gonna need their bonus buy.

Let's go and have a look at it.

Now, Joanie, Amanda, you spent £248,

you gave Philip Allwood £52, what did he spend it on?

Well, a very classy-looking piece of mahogany,

dating to probably 1920ish,

and a super pedestal bowl.

Good looking, classic designed, and useful.

You could actually put nuts...

Perfect nick, is it?

Pretty much, I think, yeah.

Can't see any damage on it at all.

It's pretty good. I like it.

It's a good, classy-looking bit of kit.

-It's heavy.

-Is it?

Joanie likes to feel the weight.

-How much is it?

-How much did I pay for it?

There we go, I think it was a very reasonable £40.

-That's not bad.

-Not too bad.

That's super, isn't it?

-Do you like it, girls?

-I like it, yeah. I could see that in my house.

Brilliant. Well, you've got a hit there, Philip.

For the audience at home, let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Philip Allwood's nut dish.

Richard, something for your nuts.

Thank you very much, I'll keep my nuts in it.

This is beautifully-made and it's got a lovely rich colour to it.

I think that's a fruit bowl for an Edwardian or post-Edwardian dining table.

It's an item that feels slightly out of time at the moment.

-There aren't many people wanting fruit bowls that look quite like that.

-No.

But it's got a classical form.

It feels to me more like a piece of craft than a piece of art.

You've got me there, that's quite deep thinking, that is.

This is a first for Bargain Hunt.

What about estimates?

The estimate on that, it might make perhaps £30 to £40.

Philip Allwood loves it, he paid £40, which again is not a lot.

And for the right person, I can see them paying £60 if we're lucky.

-If we lucky, yeah.

-And you're in charge.

Good, well, I'll do my very best to get the best possible price.

We're in safe hands.

Phil, Dave and Mark, this is just so good, isn't it?

Oh, it's absolutely brilliant.

What's your prediction? Are you going to do all right, Dave?

Um, I don't see why not.

I think we got some good stuff.

-Yes, I think we could make a few bob.

-What about you, Phil?

-Are you feeling confident, mate?

-I am.

Confident?

What about you, Mark?

Feeling confident?

Yes, yes, yes, of course I am.

He's got to say that.

-Otherwise we'll see him outside and sort him out(!)

-Poor Mark.

He's always getting duffed up.

Anyway, first up though, is the Charlotte Rhead vase. Here it comes.

Lot 231 is a 1930s crown three-handled vase,

possibly by Charlotte Rhead.

Can we say £30 for that? £30 to start me.

30 I see on my far right, 30. There is a starting bid at 30.

Can I see 5 anywhere?

-It's at £30, then.

-Go on.

-£30 and I'm selling last time at 30 only.

£30.

Not good, that. -£10.

Look out for the chain set.

Lot 232 is the rustic chain companion set.

Bids start me here at £10.

£10 I have.

12, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 28.

Lady's bid at 28, standing by the door at 28. And selling at 28.

All done at 28 for the last time.

-Yes!

-£28, plus £8. Well done.

Now, the Tiffany card case.

Lot 233 is a silver card case by Tiffany.

Bids start me here at £22, £25.

25 is bid. 28, 30, £32 now.

At £32, I'm selling now at £32.

-All done at 32.

-£32.

You're -£6 on that.

Overall, I make you on -£8.

What do you think?

-Might as well, might as well. We're down.

-Yeah.

-£8 is not a big minus score, you know.

-What do you reckon, Dave?

-Yeah, we'll go for it.

-Yeah?

Yeah. If it makes a profit, we could be in profit. Even if we only get a quid.

-Yes.

-Yes, we'll go for it.

OK, we're going for the bonus buy and here comes the fire extinguisher.

Lot 237 is a 1930's chrome motorbike fire extinguisher.

There it is. £10 for that if you will.

£10 for it.

-5 then to start off?

-Oh!

-Oh no, come on.

-At £5?

£5, thank you. Seated at 5

8 now. It's £8, lady standing at 8 and I'm selling at £8 only.

At £8, all done.

-Oh my God!

-£8.

Well, it extinguished the auction.

I'm afraid that's -£17.

Oh, well.

By anybody's money, it's -£17.

Plus the -8 means you're -25.

That could be a winning score, though. Don't despair.

-Well, we don't.

-You don't.

No, we don't. We never despair.

Don't tell the Blues anything either.

-Won't say a word.

-Well done, boys.

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

-No.

-No.

-You don't?

-No.

-No.

-They didn't tell you?

-No.

-No.

-Good. Lovely. How are you feeling, by the way? All right?

Yeah, I was.

What do you mean you was?

Well, I was but seeing everyone's faces I'm a bit nervous now.

-Are you?

-I was really confident.

-What about you, Joanie?

-Excited.

-You're excited?

-Yes.

-I trust you.

That's the spirit. The first item up is the posset warmer. Here it comes.

Lot 253, is a pewter posset warmer.

Bids start me here at £30 for it.

£30 is bid. At £30, can I say 5?

It's at £30. All done. Perfect for keeping your posset warm.

Oh, God!

£30 it is then. I'm selling at 30.

Last time.

£30. So it's -105.

-That's not good, is it?

-No. Here comes the cream jug.

Lot 254 is a 1922 silver cream jug. Bids start me here at 35, 40.

£45 is bid. 50, 55.

60 now. I'm out at £60.

At £60 and I'm selling at £60.

It's in the room at 60. Selling now at £60. All done.

Good. £60, better than estimate, but I'm afraid still -£25.

Lot 225 is a late-Victorian oak-panel seated hall chair.

Start me at 20 on this one if you will. £20 for it. £20 for the chair.

£10 then if it helps. £10, thank you. £10 only and I'm selling at 10.

Any more? 12 now. 15.

18. 20. £20. Any more?

It's at £20 and selling. Lady's bid seated at 20 and selling now at £20.

He is selling at £20, you are -8 on that.

Overall you are -138.

-It's a whopper.

-It is.

It's whopping up there, I'm afraid. What do you think about this mahogany bowl?

-I'm going to have it.

-It will be better.

-Are you going to bite his arm off for that?

-We'd better go with that.

I don't blame you. £40.

You are definitely going with that?

Here comes the mahogany bowl.

Lot 259, early-1920s mahogany bowl of Campana form.

Bids start me here at £35.

It's on commission at £35. 40, 45.

At £50. It's on my left.

I'm selling at 50. At £50, all done.

At £50 and selling.

For the last time at 50.

Well done.

-The right way.

-It's fair enough.

That makes your score 128.

I'm afraid it's losses but £128, it could be a winning score. Don't talk to the Reds.

We will find out what happens in a sec.

Some days is good days and some days is bad days.

Today, well, it's too close to count, isn't it?

-Been talking to one another?

-No.

You haven't. There's a sucking great gap between you, I have to say.

Somebody has to be the runner up, right?

With some enormous losses, the runners-up today are the blues.

Oh, dear.

£128 worth of losses.

The only ray on the horizon of hope happened to be your mahogany bowl,

which was a well-found bonus buy that made a £10 profit.

-It was an achievement.

-It was.

Do you all still love each other?

-Absolutely.

-As much as you loved each other before you went shopping.

-More.

-Says the man.

You've been great fun, thank you so much for joining us.

The victors today, by only losing £25, is you guys.

Mark found the rustic companion set which made a cool £8.

Otherwise it wasn't much cop, was it?

No. And the bonus buy...

The fire extinguisher left a bit to be desired.

-It crashed in flames.

-It didn't put anything out, did it?

Not at all.

-That's what you predicted.

-Yeah.

-Are you a happy man, Phil?

I would have been if that Tiffany had have sold better.

There you go, you can't have everything.

You've had a great day, anyway. We've loved having you on.

-Join us soon for some more bargain hunting, yes?

-Yes!

For more information about Bargain Hunt,

including how the programme was made, visit the website at bbc.co.uk/lifestyle

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