Detling 16 Bargain Hunt

MUSIC: "Born To Be Wild" by Steppenwolf

We've got miles of antiques to explore today

and I'm going to need some help, so I'm going to put my foot down

as we go bargain hunting! Ooh!

# Born to be wild! #

Hello and welcome to Detling.

We're at the Kent County Showground.

There are literally hundreds of stalls

for our teams to pick over for bargains.

They're hard workers but will they be able to find those winning items?

Our teams are each given £300 and an hour to find three items which are sold later at auction.

The team that makes the most profit wins.

Easy, isn't it? Well, you would say that, wouldn't you?

Today, we've got Jane and Kerry, who are friends and workmates,

and Dave and Darren, who are mates and occasionally work together.

-Hello, everybody.

-Hello.

-Hi, Tim.

Now, you two are friends and workmates. What exactly do you do?

-We work for the Ambulance Service in HQ. I take the 999 calls and Jane dispatches the ambulances.

-Do you?

-You take those 999 calls?

-Yeah.

-That must be distressing sometimes.

-It can be.

-Yeah. And, Jane, how long have you been working together?

We've worked together for two years now.

We met when we started our training and we've sort of remained

-very good friends and work colleagues ever since.

-Brilliant.

-And is Kerry nice to work around?

-She's wonderful. She is our little ray of sunshine.

-Aw!

-We do very long hours... 12-hour shifts...

and you can get very low during a shift and Kerry will start singing.

-Will she?

-She will.

-Will she sing for us now?

-No.

-No? She won't sing for us now?

-No.

-No?

-And, Kerry, are you a collector?

-Very keen on Mary Poppins.

-Are you?

-Yes.

-It says here that you quote the film on a daily basis. Is that true?

If everyone's got the 'ump with their job, you just say,

"Well, in every job that must be done, there's an element of fun.

You find the fun and snap..." Just turn it into a game.

Brilliant. And, Jane, what do you collect?

-I collect a bit of Doulton and I'm also very fond of Beswick and Whitefriars glass.

-Are you?

-What particular bits of Beswick do you like?

-The flying birds.

-Do you?

-Yes. Coronation Street.

So it's not just three going up your wall?

No, there's rather a few more than three.

-A few flocks of birds?

-A few flocks of birds.

Brilliant. And have you got any ideas about what you're going to be looking out for?

-We'll have to wait and see, Tim.

-I know,

but there's lots available of all sorts of things, so have a great time shopping.

Now for the boys.

You both met at work, so what is it that you do?

-We're scaffolders, Tim.

-Scaffolders?

-Scaffolders, yeah.

So, Darren, you don't suffer from vertigo then?

-Not at all, Tim.

-What's the tallest structure you've ever scaffolded?

240ft is the tallest building I've ever been on and that was a chimney stack.

I was about 20 years old at the time, so it was a fair way back.

-And very fit.

-At the time, yeah.

-Well, we watch you guys at it and I tell you, it is an art form.

-Yeah.

Yeah. Very, very difficult.

You also enjoy watching the gees-gees I'm told.

I do like a flutter. It has been known.

-Had any big wins?

-I've had a few. I won't say too many, cos my wife will probably be watching, so...

-She'll say, "What did you do with the money?"

-More than likely. I've done pretty well at it.

-And you like a bit of a gamble?

-Oh, yeah, I do.

-Well, you'll be great at Bargain Hunt.

-Hopefully.

-David, you've got an accent that tells me you come from north of the border.

-Yeah.

-Whereabouts?

-Ayr, on the west coast of Scotland.

-But you've travelled around a bit, haven't you?

-I have.

I've been fortunate enough to travel around the world a bit.

-Where have you been?

-On a kibbutz in Israel.

-Have you?

-Yeah.

-Growing avocados, I bet.

-Growing avocados,

tomatoes, onions, cotton, watermelons.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-Do you collect anything at all between you?

I've got quite a substantial amount of fishing tackle at home.

Well, you never know what you're going to find out there.

You describe yourselves as diamonds in the rough.

You hoping to find any diamonds today?

-You never know.

-You never know.

-You never know. Anyway, it's the money moment.

-£300 apiece. Here you go, look. £300 coming up.

-Thank you.

You know the rules. Your experts await and off you go! Very, very, very good luck.

Well, let's hope they don't have an emergency.

But if they do have the need, they've always got their experts at hand.

Just like Mary Poppins, James Braxton is flying high for the Reds.

And hoping to hammer out some bargains for the Blues

is Kate Bliss.

They've only got one hour and it starts now.

This fair is jam packed with antiques,

so the teams are going to have their work cut out and James has already spotted

-an attractive item.

-That figure's not a bad price, cos you've got 40 on it.

We could probably get it for 30.

-Not that one, that one.

-This one?

But it's sculptural. It's hard-paste porcelain. It's quite big.

Who's it?

-No particular make?

-No. It's made in Vienna.

So "Wien" is Austria.

-It's worth thinking about that.

-Is it?

-Yeah. Get it for 30.

-Right.

That's quite fun. Somebody would buy that.

Do you like it?

Yeah, it's different.

Let's have a look round.

If we see something else that grabs our eye,

-it will give us purchasing power.

-Yeah.

-OK.

-OK. Will do.

I'm not sure the Reds are as keen on the figure as you, James. But what's that the Blues have found?

Is it a cigar?

-Cheap, innit?

-Oh, yeah, look.

Cigar mould. It's a bit wacky, isn't it?

Don't they roll them on virgins' knees, or thighs or whatever, isn't it? Isn't that what they do in Cuba?

-Yeah.

-They roll cigars on their legs.

-They used to,

-but I don't think they do it any more, do they?

-I'll look inside.

The Red team seem to have forgotten about the erotic figure and have got their eye on something else.

-Have you looked through them?

-No.

-Have a look through them.

Blimey!

Do I look better close up?

No. I prefer this view.

We have it at 30.

What do you think about that?

I think when you look round the place, you'll realise that that's probably not a bad deal.

-All right, OK.

-OK, yep.

Kerry likes these.

-They just took my eye.

-They're not expensive.

-How much are they?

-They're 15.

-15?

-Mm.

Cheap as chips, aren't they?

Paris made. Nicely done.

"Le Jockey Club".

So racing...

And they still work.

Yeah.

-And they've been well used, haven't they?

-Absolutely.

-Let's see if we can get them for a fiver.

-We can do a deal...

I mean, these are fairly old.

-It has to have some date to them.

-Yeah. They're 19th century.

-Yeah.

-They're nicely made. "Made in Paris".

-Yeah.

-"Jockey Club".

I don't think... That was probably a brand sort of name.

But if we buy them cheap enough...

-If you bought them for a fiver...

-Yeah.

The Reds are trying to get a good deal on the binoculars,

-but the Blues seem to think it's just a game.

-Anyone for tennis?

You could buy everything, couldn't you?

Horrible.

Just trying to be helpful.

Do you want to have a look in here?

-Let's have a look.

-Whilst the Blues are mucking about, James has got some news for the Reds.

I've tracked down the fellow.

-He says he will do them at £5.

-Yeah, brilliant.

-Do you want to go for that?

-Yeah.

-Definitely.

-£5.

-I don't think we can go wrong with that.

-No.

-Well, you wait till the auction!

-Yeah.

-Oh, that's nice. I like that.

-It's all right, innit?

-I like that.

-What have you got?

It's actually what we call in our world a "bubble".

-We call it a "bubble".

-Oh, do you?

-It's a spirit level, but we call it a bubble.

-We call it a bubble.

-You say, "Pass us the bubble, mate?"

-That's it.

-That's right.

-See, I could be your building buddy, couldn't I?

-Want a job?

-Yeah, you could do.

-I like that.

-Couldn't do worse than some people we know.

-It's still got the bubble.

-It works.

-I can see you like practical things.

-Yeah.

-What kind of wood is that?

Let's have a little look.

It's been stained, hasn't it?

It could be wear, couldn't it?

Do you know, it's been really nicely handled.

It's been in people's pockets and it's been handled.

Nice thing. I think that that may well be...difficult to tell in that light...

-but I think it might be a bit of rosewood, you know, guys.

-Yeah.

The good thing about this is that we've got the name on it.

It's not just any old spirit level.

You've got a nice name there.

"Lewis and Co, Sheffield".

-Do you know what date it would be then, Kate?

-Mm, I would say...

-1900.

-Yeah? That old?

Do you think there's a profit in it?

Well, we've got £15 on that.

It's not going to make a fortune at auction, but it's not priced very highly.

How much would you pay for it?

I'd like it for a fiver, I tell you, but...

Why don't we have a chat with them and see what's the best they can do.

You stay here. Have another look while I just go and have a chat.

Kate remained level headed, ha, and got the bubble for a tenner.

Now, I've got a small conundrum. It's not personal.

Today's mystery piece. What is this?

Well, it's made of bronze

and, if you look carefully,

round the outside it's cast with a series of archaic designs

which are Chinese.

This is a piece of bronze

that could have been made in China 1,000 years ago.

It could have been made in China 100 years ago.

It's got a socket and that's made to receive a wooden handle.

Out to about here.

So, the question is, what was it used for?

Got any ideas?

No idea at all?

OK, I'll put you out of your agony.

What the Chinese would do is to put charcoal inside this thing.

And if you look at the bottom, it's flat and extremely smooth.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is a Chinese iron.

If you wanted to iron your silk robe in China,

you put the hot charcoal in there, heated the whole thing up

and you'd smooth it over the top of the garment

and, hey presto, you've ironed your shirt.

How much then for a non-electric, Chinese iron?

Could be yours for 30 quid.

It's about...

two trips to launderette, I make.

So 15 minutes down and one item each.

And it looks like James is after a new hat.

And so what is this rather splendid-looking fellow?

It's a...

It's a posy vase really.

It's a bit of a novelty posy vase, but it is a posy vase.

Signed, dated '52.

1952? Year I was born.

And so was this a sort of model, a genre, of Holmegaard's thing?

Did they do lots of top hats?

They did a fair range. I think that was more in the novelty field

than some of their more serious glass, shall we say?

They did a whole range of stuff

throughout the '50s, '60s and, obviously, into the '70s.

-Do you like it?

-Yeah, I do.

-It's got a lovely sort of pale-blue hue to it.

-It has, hasn't it?

It looks perfect.

Well, it's absolutely perfect.

-Lovely weight. Feel that.

-It's beautiful.

-Oh, it's absolutely superb quality.

Yeah. It's very typical, isn't it? Dickensian whimsy.

It's a good bit of fun. Bit kitsch, but it's a good bit of fun.

If we're to make a profit, can we, you know?

£30 would be the best.

-I was about to say that.

-Done.

-This man's ahead of me.

-You like it?

-I like it very much.

-Yeah.

-I think it's very unusual.

-Kerry?

-Yes. It's a nice piece.

-Shake Peter's hand, do the deal.

-Thank you, Peter.

So the teams are racing around.

The Blues have two items to buy, but something tells me they're not taking Kate seriously.

-Do you like that?

-No.

Move on!

-Well, I've seen a little tea case. It's not exciting you, is it?

-Not at all really, no.

-No, it's not.

That is a very good point, David.

-It's horrible.

-Isn't it?

I get the message!

It seems so easy to you lot at home, doesn't it?

Relaxing on your settee, enjoying a nice cup of tea.

But why don't you have a go at Bargain Hunt? Just email us at...

OK, you can carry on with your tea now.

Mm.

Well, Kate can't! Ha! She's still trying to find something to grab the Blues' attention.

I tell you what, now what about this?

-This is a bit of class for you.

-Mm.

-Is it silver?

-It is silver.

-Yeah.

It's a pretty good, solid box.

-Originally made for cigarettes, but somebody could use it as a jewellery box...

-Yeah.

-..you know, today.

It's hallmarked here.

-What age is that?

-I think it's... '40s,

I would say.

-Which area?

-It's Birmingham.

The thing I like about it...

OK, you've got these initials on the top, but you've got this lovely little border running round here.

Almost sort of Celtic frieze. Have a look.

-Do you like that?

-It's not bad.

-It's nice.

-It's not bad. It needs a good clean, doesn't it?

-It does.

-Once it's clean it'll look different.

-Yeah, it will look stunning.

-Will the initials let the price down?

I think... I mean, initials...

It would be great if it wasn't personalised,

but the way I look at it is, it's part of the history.

-That was given to somebody, probably a gent.

-Yeah.

And that was his mark, and it's part of the history of the piece.

-Some people don't mind that.

-I suppose.

-Once it's had a clean-up it will be OK.

I think it would look a lot better if it was clean, yeah.

-Shall I find out how much it is?

-Yeah.

-OK. Hang on to it.

Let's hope Kate gets a good price. After all, the Reds are already contemplating their final item.

Beautifully decorated.

-It's got great presence!

-Really like it.

-I think it's a lovely object.

-Beautiful.

It's like Marmite, innit? You either love that or hate it.

We'll have a think. Thank you very much indeed.

So whilst the Reds have a think about the pheasant,

Kate's been plucky with the £120 cigarette box.

£80 we've come down to.

-That's better...

-It's come down a little bit, hasn't it?

Even if it makes £90, you're making a tenner at the end of the day?

-It's better than nothing. I reckon so, yeah.

-Think it's worth a gamble?

And once it's clean, that's going to look even better. I reckon so, Kate, yeah.

-You might even make a little bit more.

-Hopefully.

I don't think we'll make a fortune, but I think it's got a chance.

-We haven't seen anything else.

-That's it, you know what I mean? So that's nice. Yeah.

-Go on then, go and give him some notes.

-Okey-dokey.

Let's look this way.

So that's two-all, but the clock's still ticking and the Reds still have £260 in their pockets.

-Isn't that funny. Look at that.

-Very strange.

-How much have you got on this fellow?

-60.

60 at the moment.

-We've just come from one pheasant to another.

-To another.

-What could you do?

-50.

50? Well, that's another thought.

So that's 50? But we have to quantify what it might make at auction.

And that very green colour.

Our teams are still busy shopping, but when they've done,

any leftover cash will be given to their expert to go off

and find that surprise item, the bonus buy, which will be revealed to them at auction.

If they decide to go with it and it makes a profit, that could be the making of them.

If it loses, it could be the breaking of them.

Let's hope they have a smashing time.

With only ten minutes left, both teams still have their final item to buy.

-That is lovely. How much is that?

-700.

Ah! I asked for that.

£125. Put the cow down.

So as the Reds are taking it all in their stride, the Blues are struggling.

Different though, innit?

Looks as if it's about to fall to pieces!

-Mmm.

-Would that sell or?

Mmm, not particularly.

-No.

-I don't think it's for us.

-No. OK.

-I don't even like it anyway.

-No?

Where's Darren?

Oh! Shall we try in there?

James has gone full circle and has ended up with the figurine,

-but can he convince the Reds that she's a winner?

-She's still there.

We're coming back. Thank the Lord they haven't sold it to the Blues.

Yeah, definitely.

Shall we have another quick look, make sure.

-She's still beautiful.

-I'll just have a quick look.

-Always just sort of fingers and toes, isn't it really?

-Yes.

She's got the correct amount of fingers, correct amount of toes, and it's fun.

Whether she was a sort of ball dancer or something like that, I don't know. It's rather nice.

-James, is there any actual age to her?

-There is a bit of age to it.

It's probably, probably...

I'm sure I saw these sort of things coming into the auction room in the '80s and '90s.

So it's in the last 20 years.

And it's quite fun. Now we've gone round the fair,

-we're slightly armed with a better idea towards price and what you can get for your money.

-Yep.

-If we weighed this up, say, with that pheasant we looked at.

-Yes.

Which was expensive, wasn't it?

-Yes.

-A sculptural object.

We're buying a sculptural object here for less money,

but it's modern and there are pros and cons with everything.

-Yes.

-Yeah, definitely.

-The lady's offered us £30 on this, which I think is fair.

Yeah. I don't think that's too bad at all, Kerry.

-No. I think go with it.

-I think it's rather fun.

-I do.

-She's lovely.

-Yeah, definitely.

-So first item we looked at, the third item we've bought.

-We're done, ahead of schedule.

-Brilliant!

The Reds have finished, with minutes to spare.

But the Blues are still driving Kate wild.

-I'm trying hard, boys, I'm trying hard.

-I know, I know.

-Quite nice.

-Nice if we could get a Hardy's book.

Is that what it is?

-Yeah.

-What would that make at auction? Phh!

What do you reckon?

-You're the fisherman!

-I only eat it.

What would you pay for that?

I don't know, cos I'm not... It's not something I would buy.

There's no room for indecision in this game, but Kate's trying to get things moving along.

-28.

-30 and that's it.

-It's only two quid.

-I didn't pay cheap for it, so...

Well, boys, you heard it from the man. It's got to be 30.

Yeah, we'll go for it. What's that?

-What if we was to buy the reel and book?

-And put it as one lot?

It's an Allcock Redditch fly reel.

-Is it old?

-It's not bad. It's in good nick as well. 55 quid.

-Would you prefer to go for the reel?

-Maybe somebody don't want to buy the Hardy's book,

-but would want to buy the reel?

-But then maybe they'd only pay 40, 50 quid.

That's what you've got to take into account. Maybe somebody wants the reel but not the book.

-Or somebody wants the book but don't want the reel.

-I reckon take the gamble.

Do you want to put the flight in with the reel?

Here we go, let's just really complicate it.

It was already pretty complicated! With seconds left,

the Blues need to make a decision, after all, the Reds are finished!

Well, I think you don't want the reel and the tin.

-I think £70 for those two is a lot.

-Yeah.

So I think if you're interested in the reel, just take the reel. £40 for the reel, with the name.

-It's in nice condition.

-It is in nice condition.

-We'll go for the reel then.

-I think that's a gamble.

-I'm happy with that.

-I get my thing and you don't get yours.

-It doesn't matter.

-I tell you what, I'm exhausted!

So finally, they sealed the deal and got the fishing reel for £40.

KLAXON SOUNDS

Hello, time's up. Let's remind ourselves what the Reds bought.

Jane and Kerry spied the Parisian racing binoculars

and got them down to a spectacular £5.

They smartened up their act

with the Scandinavian, Holmegaard top hat vase for £30.

And she was the first item they spotted.

The Art Deco Austrian porcelain figure of an erotic dancer.

Jane, Kerry, did you have a good time?

-Wonderful time, Tim.

-Yeah. Pretty cheap though!

-Very.

Which is your favourite piece?

-Probably the Holmegaard glass top hat.

-That's your favourite.

-What about you, Kerry, for favourite?

-The binoculars.

-The binoculars. Which piece is going to bring the biggest profit?

-Her binoculars.

-Hopefully.

-And you think that too?

Well, there's a lot riding on that, cos frankly you only spent a pathetic £65. I don't believe this.

-I want £235 of leftover lolly.

-Thank you.

-Nearly a record total going over to you, James.

-What have you been doing with these girls?

-No, we've been spending prudently.

-Very prudently.

-It's what they call "tight"!

-Tight.

-And you didn't need an ambulance or anything?

-I was in safe hands.

-They would have talked me through any emergency.

-Quite right.

-Are you going to blow that money on one item?

-Well, it would be lovely.

-Wouldn't that be great?

-But I don't think I will.

-No, once you set a pattern of prudence, it's hard to get off again.

-Yes.

-Something silvery.

-Something silvery? There's a hint there, girls.

Anyway, good luck with your silvery chase.

Let us remind ourselves what the Blues bought.

David and Darren were bubbling over with enthusiasm

for the rosewood and brass spirit level, bought for £10.

Kate worked her magic

and got the 1956 Birmingham, silver cigarette box down to £80.

And then finally, took the bait

and decided on the Allcock brass fishing reel.

-Was that great?

-Lovely day.

-Fantastic.

-Very nice day out.

-Which is your favourite, Darren?

-I'd say mine's the spirit level, Tim.

-Dave?

-Oh, I'm biased. I've got to say the fly reel.

Fishing interest. Which piece will bring the biggest profit?

-Hopefully, the silver box.

-Yeah, I have to agree. Definitely, the silver box, yeah.

Silver box, brilliant. You spent £130, which is pretty modest.

-£170 of leftover lolly goes straight to Kate Bliss.

-Thank you very much.

-What are you going to do with that, Kate?

-I might go for something a little fishy.

Fishy? Ooh, there you go.

Wasn't that lovely? Now, we're off somewhere equally lovely.

Quex House and Museum in Kent was home to naturalist

and collector Major Percy Powell-Cotton,

who went on no less than 28 scientific expeditions

across Asia and Africa between 1887 and 1939.

He brought back all sorts of extraordinary things here to his home in Kent.

During the late Victorian era, it was extremely fashionable and a sign

of wealth to decorate homes with oriental flair, which is exactly what Major Percy Powell-Cotton did.

And what a brilliant job he's done.

Just look at this.

The drawing room was an add-on to the original Regency structure

that had been built by the major's father.

And his father had had the ceiling finished in this rather strange Egyptian style.

The major himself set off on a world trip in 1887, a trip that was last three years.

And everywhere he went, he picked something up to go into his collection or into the house.

You can hardly believe it, but he ordered in Kashmir, in northern India,

a whole series of intricately carved Kashmiri walnut panels to have fitted into this room.

Not only did they go around the window openings

and the door surrounded, but the overmantel is covered in the stuff and also this dado rail.

Profusely carved with flowers and foliage,

it's designed to contain these needleworked panels,

panels that Powell-Cotton had picked up in Japan.

Powell-Cotton didn't restrict himself to only buying when he was on his travels,

on the hoof, so as to speak.

He was endlessly acquiring objects at auction, for example, in Britain.

Here we've got a catalogue from a firm called Stevens and Co,

who were having an auction in Covent Garden in 1912

of Maori weapons, implements, ornaments and robes.

The ledger underneath records some of the prices for things that he bought.

For example, "A pair of red, lac armchairs, arms with dragons' heads."

And here they are.

A magnificent pair of red, lacquered armchairs carved out of katsura wood,

which is a relatively soft and easily carved wood,

but then covered in this ghoulish red lacquer.

Just look at that squashed dragon's mask at the top, with the mother of pearl, beady eyes.

Gorgeous, scale-carved dragony frame

with these dragon terminals sticking out on the ends.

Powell-Cotton paid for these £33.

A snip, I'd say. Wouldn't you?

The big question today is, of course, are any of our teams' snips

going to make a profit over at the auction?

I'm with Michael Roberts, our auctioneer

-at Canterbury Auction Galleries in Canterbury. Hi, Mike.

-Hi, Tim.

-Now, our Red team today, their first item are the binoculars.

-Mm.

It says "Le Jockey Club" on them. So, presumably, they're French?

Well, that's the thinking, yes. They've had a bit of a hard life.

They're brass which has been chromed and the leather's all worn off round the sides.

So, unfortunately, not a lot of cop really.

-How much cop?

-£5-10.

£5-10 cop. Well, that's a fair cop, cop, cos they only paid a fiver.

-So that's not bad, is it?

-No.

If they could double their money, they'd be very pleased.

I think they've spotted a winner there. What about the Scandinavian top hat vase?

A nice thing. Quite nice quality.

-I can date that.

-How do you date that then?

At the bottom you've got the mark of Holmegaard,

which is the maker, and at the end of there you've got a few digits,

ending with 52, which is the year.

-We've learnt something there. What's it worth, this thing?

-Well, £25-£35.

-OK, fine.

-£30 paid.

-Right.

-Jane found it.

-She loves it, so I think that's a very good price actually.

-Yeah.

-Now, James found this girl.

-Yep.

-She's looking pleased with herself.

-She'd brighten up my desk.

-Yeah, brighten up anybody's desk!

-How old is she?

-Not very...

-Round about 18?

-Well, possibly.

In terms of the figure itself, it's not terribly old at all.

It's in the style Goldscheider, the Austrian, famed makers, but...

-So it's a reproduction?

-It is a reproduction and possibly Chinese or something like that.

-What's it worth?

-My estimate's £30-£50.

-£30 paid.

-Fine.

-So that's pretty well on the button, isn't it?

-Yes, great.

-They've done rather well. They spent very little.

Which I get quite cross about, but they seem to have spent wisely.

They probably won't need the bonus buy, but let's go and have a look at it anyway.

Jane, Kerry, you spent a miserable £65. Can't believe this.

Giving James a whopping £235 to spend on your bonus buy.

And rumour has it that he's blown the lot. Let's see what he's got you.

Ah...

-That's small, James.

-It is small. I'm very sorry.

I think Kerry loves it.

-We'll leave them with a pause.

-Is it a letter opener?

Correct. Yeah, letter opener.

-And is it silver?

-It is silver.

And it's rather nice with this sort of Celtic knot.

It's not, unfortunately, medieval. This is slightly later.

-Does it light your fire, Kerry?

-No.

Oh.

-Not personally.

-Not my fire, but it's pretty, decorative.

-Yes.

-And how much did you pay for it, James?

Ah, two...

No.

£40.

-OK.

-You immediately feel better about that, don't you?

-Yes, we do.

These two who have shopped with such care and parsimony, only spending £65.

Do you think there's a profit in it though, James?

I think it's in the balance.

-OK.

-But it is 1950s.

-Thank you.

-So...

-You're not predicting a whopper?

I'm not, I'm afraid.

OK. Well, just hang on to that thought, girls,

because for the audience at home let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about James' letter knife.

-Right then, one letter knife for the use of.

-Indeed.

Well, it's Scottish silver, which traditionally is quite collectable.

Yeah, it's fine. Good condition.

-Useful.

-It's all down to the money, isn't it really?

-Yeah, exactly.

-My estimates £20-30.

-£40 James has paid for that.

-All right.

-Might be a bit tight for a profit, eh?

-Yeah.

-Anyway, that's it for the Reds.

Now for the Blues.

Here we go, look. Their first item is the spirit level.

I suppose it's fine, isn't it?

-But it's not terribly big, so...

-Bit boring.

Bit boring, not terribly useful.

-It's all right if you want to get something level.

-Well, I suppose so,

-but really you'd want something a bit bigger, wouldn't you, overall?

-Yeah.

-But, yeah, it's fine.

-You're not going to build a house with it, put it like that.

"Lewis and Co" is stamped on the brass plate.

-Yeah, it's OK. Fine.

-How much do you think?

-10-15.

-Are you levelling with me?

-We'll see.

-10-15?

-Yes.

-£10 they paid.

-Right.

-That's fair enough.

-Fairly level, yeah.

-No trouble with that.

-No.

-We're on a level playing field.

-We are.

-Excellent. What about the cigarette box?

Yeah, it's OK.

1956 is the Birmingham hallmark - where are we? - on the side.

Unfortunately, it's been engraved to the top.

But it's a cigarette box that's fairly dull and not of great use.

-Yes. It looks a bit filthy.

-Yeah.

-So how much then?

-£45-60 is my estimate.

-OK, £80 paid.

-All right.

-Kate found that.

-She rated it and I can see where she's coming from.

-Yeah.

But the engraved top doesn't do it greatly for me, I have to say, cos getting that out is difficult.

Very thin silver anyway on top of wood, so I don't know.

-Anyway, 45-60 is where you're coming from.

-Sure.

-Great. Thank you.

-And what about the fishing reel?

-Well, it's Allcock's, a good make.

It's not terribly big, with a ratchet on it.

Sort of a fly fishing reel.

It's a lacquered brass. Little mark there stamped on it.

They're quite collectable, but it's not the most exciting example and my estimate is £25-£35.

-And they paid £40.

-Right, OK.

So all round, apart from their spirit level, it's a bit tight.

So we'd better go and have a look at their bonus buy. Here it comes.

Dave and Darren, this is your moment, right?

You spent £130.

Kate spent £170 maybe, the leftover lolly, on a bonus buy.

Did you blow the lot, Kate, or not?

-Not quite.

-Aaah!

-Now, you may have seen...

-We seen that, didn't we?

-This before.

-We did see that.

You had a really tough job choosing your things, didn't you?

And you saw this and we had to make a decision.

So there we go, we've got it as the bonus buy.

It's the Hardy's Anglers' Guide And Catalogue, of course. 1957 in date.

And it's got that magic name.

It's got the Hardy name, which all fishing collectors look for.

I'm afraid I paid £30, which is probably the top end of an estimate, I would say, but you never know.

It's gone on the internet.

If the collectors find it, you may be in for a small profit.

-I like it, yeah.

-I'm happy with that, very happy with that one.

Can I have a look please, Darren?

-I think we'll make a profit on that.

-So it lights the blue touch paper?

-Yeah, definitely.

Anyway, you don't have to decided about it, boys, until the sale of your first three items.

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

So here you go.

-Are you a fishing fanatic yourself?

-I'm not, I'm afraid.

But some of these earlier ones of the Hardy's guides can be worth a reasonable amount of money.

-This one's only - where are we? - '57.

-Yes.

-And not in the best condition.

It does have a loose, typed list at the back, price list, which I'm led to believe is collectable.

Collectors of fishing memorabilia are quite fanatical, but I don't think it's the best, most exciting example.

That's what you'd read to learn how to do up your flies, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-What?

Well, I suppose so, yeah.

-Literally. Tie them up, I mean.

-Yes.

-Good.

-There we are.

-How much then?

-15-20 is my estimate.

-Is it? Right, £30 paid.

-Right.

So Kate Bliss rates it.

-I don't know. It just depends who's about in Canterbury that's keen on fishing really.

-I guess it does.

We're all fishing for a profit. Good luck on the rostrum.

-Thanks very much.

-Thanks very much.

120, 130...

£95. Who's 100? 100.

40. 90.

-Now, Jane and Kerry, this is the moment that you've been waiting for, you girls.

-We certainly have.

-It's a long time in coming, but it's lovely to be here.

-Yeah, it is.

-Lovely. Nice to see it so busy.

-It is full.

-Yeah, heaving.

-Have you ever seen so many people?

-It's wonderful. So how are you feeling overall? Tell me, Kerry.

-I'm just anxious.

-I'm not very patient, so I like to get it over and done with.

-What about you, Janey?

I'm not really sure at this moment, Tim.

-I don't think we're going to do too well.

-You don't think you're going to do too well?

-No.

First lot up though are the racing binoculars and here they come.

Lot 157 is the pair of French field glasses, racing glasses,

for Le Jockey Club.

£5 I'm bid. Straight in.

And ten behind, I'm bid. 12. Sir.

14. 16. 18.

Well done.

20. 22. No? I'm selling at £20.

£20. £15 straight up.

What did I tell you? £15 profit.

Great. Now the top hat vase.

OK, 158 is a Holmegaard, mauve-tinted, top hat vase.

I have commission interest. Going to start at £10 and I'm looking for 12.

Who's 12 now? £12 for someone?

12. Thank you. 14. 16.

18. 20. Bid's here at £20.

-Who's 22 now? Any more?

-Come on!

-At £20 and selling.

Minus £10.

But you've still got £5 profit.

-Yes.

-Next is the topless girl.

159 is the modern, porcelain figure of the topless female dancer.

That's cheered you all up. And who will start me at £20?

The dancer, £20?

£20 I'm bid. Who's 22?

-22 where? Any more at 22?

-Where are the red-bloodied men, eh?

24. 26. 28. 30. 32. 34. 36. 38.

-Well done, James.

-40. 42.

-£40 standing. Who's 42 now? Any more? At 40 and selling.

-£40!

That's £10 on that. You've got your £10 back.

You are plus £15. What are you gonna do then, girls?

Are you going to bank the £15 or go with the Celtic whatnot?

-I think we'll bank it please, Tim.

-You're going to bank the £15?

-Yes.

Doesn't show much team solidarity.

It doesn't, does it?

-No.

-I think I'm with the girls on this one.

-Oh, are you?

-Yeah.

You're not supposed to say anything.

-I'm sorry.

-You're not going with the bonus buy, but we're going to sell it anyway.

163 is an Elizabeth II Scottish silver paper knife

of Arts and Crafts design. £10 away.

Useful paper knife. £10 I'm bid. 12.

14. 16. 18. 20.

And two. 24. 26.

26? No. 24 in the middle. Who's £26?

One more. 26. 28. 30.

-Going on.

-32. 34, madam?

36.

-38. 40.

-Oh!

-No. 38 in the front. Who's £40?

Any more. 38 and selling.

£38. Bad luck, James, you're just £2 off. Well done, girls.

That was close though, wasn't it?

-It was. Very close.

-Now, listen, you are £15 up, right?

-Yes.

-Yep.

-Don't tell the Blues anything.

-We won't.

-No, we won't.

Seated, 24.

-OK, boys?

-Yes, we're fine.

-Been talking to those Reds?

-No, not at all.

-No, not at all, no.

-Not about the score anyway.

-Nothing.

-Not about the score.

-No, OK, fine.

So how are you feeling then, Darren?

Erm, a little bit nervous to be honest with you, cos you're not too sure what's gonna get in.

-But nervous?

-Nervous, yeah.

-What about you, Dave?

I'm not nervous. I'm confident we'll make some money today, yeah.

Anyway, first lot up though is the spirit level. Here it comes.

179, this Victorian rosewood and brass spirit level

with rounded ends by Lewis and Co.

There it is, lot 179. £5. £5 I'm bid. Thank you. Ten.

12. 14. 16. 18.

20. 22. 24. No?

22, standing. 24 with the lady. 26. No?

-26. 28.

-Look at that!

No. Any more? At 26 and selling.

£26. You've made £16 profit.

Well done, Darren. £16 up. Lovely.

Now, Kate, the box.

180. Commission interest.

We'll start at £30.

I'm looking for two. £32 where?

32. 34. 36. 38. 40. Two. 44.

42 here. Who's £44? 44. 46. 48.

-50 with me. And five.

-Come on.

-No? 50 here. Who's £55?

-Come on.

-Any more? £50 and selling on commission.

-Ah, look at that.

That cigarette case is minus £30,

-which means overall now you are minus 14, all right?

-Right.

-Here comes the fishing reel.

-181 is the Allcock's brass fly fishing reel.

And who's starting me at £10? £10 I'm bid. 12 where? Who's 12?

The reel. Right at the back, 12. 14.

16. 18. 20. Two.

24. 26. No? 24 right at the back.

Who's £26? 24 and selling.

That means overall you are minus £30.

Now what are you going to do about the bonus buy now?

We're going to go for it, Tim. Definitely going to go for it.

-You're going for it?

-Yes, definitely.

-The reel didn't do that well, did it?

-So what about the fishing interest here?

-It's more of a book, innit? Do you know what I mean?

Maybe the person that buys the reel might buy the book.

They didn't pay very much for the reel... Your decision.

-Your decision.

-What do you reckon?

-Yeah, I'd go for it.

-Yeah.

-Happy?

-Yeah.

-You're gonna go with it. We're going with the bonus buy. The annual. Here it comes.

Right, 185 is a Hardy's Anglers' Guide 1957,

with a loose, typed price list in the back. 185. Who's £10?

£10 where? Hardy's Anglers' Guide. A tenner? £10 for someone?

Anglers' Guide.

A fiver then? £5 I'm bid.

Thank you. Knows a bargain. Who's ten then? £10 where?

If not, I'm going to sell at a fiver. Mr Collins. I'm looking for £10.

At £5 and selling.

We didn't hook much of a fish there, I can tell you. £5.

-That's minus £25. That means overall you're minus £55, lads.

-Oh, well.

This could be a winning score, right?

It's not that funny.

This could be a winning score. Don't tell the Reds a thing.

-Right, OK.

-You've done well, boys.

-So, you guys, have you had a great time?

-Wonderful.

It's been good fun, hasn't it? It's been really close today actually.

-Have you been talking to one another?

-No, not at all.

No? Not at all? Well, as it turned out, there is a fairly thumping loss

for one of these teams, and it is, of course, the Blues.

-Ah!

-I'm sorry to tell you, lads.

Minus £55 you are overall.

Started off rather well with that nice little profit on the spirit level.

-Didn't it?

-That was a good lot, but I'm afraid downhill from there.

But I hope it's been good for you because we've loved having you on the show.

But the victors today are the Reds, who are actually going to be taking home money.

£15 worth of winnings. Well done.

You won that £15 with the binocs, then you lost a bit, and then you won a bit.

-Then you didn't go with the bonus buy and preserved your £15.

-We did.

-Had a good time?

-Wonderful, thanks.

-What about you?

-Good fun.

-Good. Thank you, it's been splendid.

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

-Yes!

For more information about Bargain Hunt,

including how the programme was made,

visit the website at bbc.co.uk

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd