London 4 Bargain Hunt

Mm, how lovely to be out shopping. Now that I've got my lunch,

I'm going to head up the other end of Portobello Road, so let's go bargain hunting!

Welcome to Portobello Road market.

Famous worldwide for its market,

it's actually a living movie set,

with an incredible range of collectibles and stalls.

And, to take full advantage, we've got a bumper bargain hunt for you today.

A double-bill with not two, but four teams, trying to make a profit.

Before they all get heady with excitement, let's remind ourselves of the rules.

They each get £300 and an hour to find three items.

They then take their items to auction and sell them off to the highest bidder.

The team that makes the most money wins. Hurrah!

Time to meet the first two teams.

For the Reds, we've Mark and Tom.

For the Blues, we've Mark and Andrew. Welcome to Bargain Hunt.

You're best friends, and you agree on everything?

-We agree on nothing pretty much.

-Not really. We agreed to come on the show today

and that we're going to try and find as many good things as possible.

-For Bargain Hunt?

-Exactly.

-That's a relief!

-Do you collect anything?

-I collect horror film memorabilia.

Really? What's it with you and horror?

-I'm just a big horror fan.

-Since you were a kid?

-I used to always watch them on TV and love them.

-Snuggle up with your teddy?

Not a ted any more, but I still watch them.

-Tom, you're a salesman.

-That's right.

-Are those skills going to stand you in good stead?

I hope so. I think I know a few tricks of the trade to look out for.

-Like what?

-Some of the leading questions, and what have you. Put a twist on it.

Hopefully, I'll get a few bargains.

-This isn't frightening you boys, is it?

-No!

-Not at all.

You don't look as if you scare easily. You're often mistaken for a policeman.

-Why do you think that is?

-It's my shiny shoes.

A little bird tells me that you hate musicals

but the absolutely adore opera, in particular, Carmen?

I love Carmen. What a tramp! I like sassy women.

-What, sassy big fat women?

-Something like that.

-Does that go for you, Andrew? Are you fond of big, fat, sassy woman?

-I see a trend emerging!

I do love the opera. I'm not dragged there, I like it a lot. We go often.

What's the story about you going off to the south of France with a nightie and a pair of wellies?

I did a dreadful deed to my brother. I was sharing a flat with him at the time and we fell out.

-We didn't speak for months.

-What sort of a dreadful deed was it?

-It was a dreadful deed involving his girlfriend and myself.

-Oh, my!

I got stopped late at work, when I was going on holiday,

and had to ring him and ask him to pack me a suitcase quickly.

We then flew off to Nice. I arrived at the villa,

-opened the suitcase and discovered two pairs of wellies and nightie.

-LAUGHTER

-How sweet is revenge?! No bathers?

-No bathers.

-No Hawaii Five-O shirts?

-No.

Very funny. Well, that will teach you a lesson.

What's about you wanting to become Paul Simon?

My father is a musician and he lent money to struggling musicians

and they would leave their instruments as security.

We had lots of instruments to play with as children.

I stuck with the guitar. I play classical guitar.

-I wanted to be as good as Paul Simon.

-That's a reasonable ambition.

I hope today you finish up with diamonds on your soles! Now, the money moment. £300 apiece.

You know the rules, your experts await.

Off you go!

Don't forget, they've only got one hour to find their three items.

Undeniably attractive, seductively informed and effortlessly cool -

that's enough about me.

Let's meet the experts on hand today.

For the Reds, he's not feral, it's just the look of him.

It's Philip Serrell.

A beast!

And for the Blues, adored by many,

revered by even more, it's the delectable David Barby.

It's a big throng of the market and with so many items on display,

our manly team should really get going with their buys.

There are a couple down there.

Guys, what do you think?

I thought the stallholder was just a little bit harsh, because he said there was sort of a...

I can see it, actually.

Better looking, Phil!

What is it?

It's the dog's...inkwell.

It's a boxer dog. It's got its collar round it. I think it's really wicked.

You open him up by the ears, and I just think that's really lovely.

I'd think it dates to about 1880. Two problems with it.

In that that ear, has just been chipped and perhaps flattened off a bit there.

It may have had glass eyes at one point in time.

-Collectible?

-Hugely so -

to people who collect dog-related stuff,

hugely to people who collect inkwells.

I'd love to own it.

I like it. Do you like it?

-It would appeal to different markets.

-How much is it?

That's the acid test. It's £120. If you can have a nice chat with the dealer, see if he'll...

If you can get that for anything under £100,

I hope we've got a result.

-I'm up for it.

-It's the dog's...!

-Go on.

-I'll give it a go.

-Cheers, Phil.

The boys paid £90 for the Philip lookalike,

I mean, the boxer inkwell!

-Well, that's very indulgent. Biscuits, what sort are they?

-They're cookies.

-I've been shopping. What do you think of this?

-It's lovely. Is it a biscuit barrel?

-No, it's not.

I think, in fact, it is for cigars. I look at this and I think of the workmanship, first of all.

We've got these lovely sections here, brass-banded.

I can't help but think that this could have been an apprentice piece by a young cooper.

-You know, barrel makers.

-We live in Cooper's Lodge.

That's absolutely brilliant. It's divine intervention.

I think this is so good. This is a little lock here, which is Victorian.

If you look carefully at the little flap that goes over the keyhole, it's VR, Victoria Regina.

It's a lovely little box.

-What's the price?

-It's 150.

-That's a lot of money.

Handle it first. You'll notice that these bands of brass,

-they're a bit slack.

-How does that happen?

The wood shrinks. So, a little bit of glue, I think would work wonders on that.

-Do you think we'd be able to get it down to 100?

-We might be able to.

-I can smile nicely. Would that help?

-I think you'd be best trying to get that off.

It's beautiful, isn't it?

-Did you like that?

-I do.

-I think it's quite good, being from Cooper's Lodge.

-Yes.

David's impeccable manners brought the goodies home for £100.

That makes the math easy, £200 to go.

I don't know. Where has he gone?

He's around here somewhere. I presume he's out scouring for bargains.

I hope so. There he is.

-I found a nice little silver object.

-How do you know it's silver?

-Because of the hallmark.

The boy is cute, isn't he?

This indeed has got a hallmark, just in here.

Assayed in Birmingham. The lion pattern says it's silver.

There's a little E there, I'd think this is early 20th century.

-We don't actually know what it does, do we?

-Is it a clip of some sort?

-How much is it?

-She wants £45 for it.

-What do you think it's worth?

-Hopefully a lot more than that, but...

-What do you reckon at auction?

-You're asking me what it's going to make at auction

-but you don't know what it is.

-It's nice.

-It's nice but we don't know what it is. What is it?

You're going to have to tell us.

-It's a napkin clip.

-Oh, right.

So, just when you're about to sit down to your eight-course meal,

you slide your napkin in there and pull the clip down and hook it into your collar just there.

-Now you know what that is, does it make you feel better?

-I like to know what it is.

-So you're happy you want to buy it?

-I like it.

-I'm happy.

-You're both convinced that you can get a profit on that?

-It'll go well.

-If we get it down a tenner or even more?

-If you can do it.

-Even more.

-I'll try.

-Give it your best. Good luck, mate.

-How do you think he'll get on?

-He's not a bad negotiator.

I hope he is, for your sake!

That's faith for you!

Mark picked up the napkin holders for £35, leaving the Reds £175 still to spend.

What do you think?

-He looks so sad.

-Rather poignant.

-What do you think of this?

-I think that's a better bet than this thing.

Look at that. It's like a spy plane.

Yes. What date do you think it is?

-1950s?

-1940s, 1950s.

-It's got some Art-Deco step features coming off down here.

-Look, the lighter comes out here.

-I thought it was an ejector seat!

You've got the flint going in there and I guess the gas goes in there.

-That's right.

-It fits quite snugly.

-So what kind of money are we talking about?

-I think they wanted £75?

It's quite a lot of money, isn't it, even for a collector's piece?

I think you ought to get it down to about 60, maybe £50. That sort of price range.

-We should go for it.

-I like it.

-I like it very much.

-As long as you don't play with it!

At £52, let's hope it soars at auction.

-He's got something.

-Flying saucer!

Here's Tom.

-What do you think, guys?

-I quite like it, it's an advertising tray for a well-known whisky brand.

-People collect this.

-That's what I thought.

-Do you like it?

-I do.

What's it made of?

-Copper.

-Top shout. How old is it?

-Not sure. That's where I was hoping you would come in.

-I would think it is probably 1950s, '60s.

-How much is it?

-It's on for 25 quid.

-What would you pay for this?

Would we turn a profit on 15 quid, d'you reckon?

-Get a tenner off it?

-Who is going to pay that for it?

-People who collect.

-People that have pubs, might like old drink memorabilia, country pubs.

You're absolutely right, this has got two markets, really,

one is to decorate a pub.

The other is there are people who collect alcohol-related items.

It's £25, and you're gonna get it down.

Get a tenner off, 15 quid.

You won't lose a lot, will you? Might make a bit.

See what you can do. Whatever you can get knocked off,

go and spend it on three large brandies for us.

OK, will do. Cheers!

-He's enthusiastic, isn't he?

-Anything to do with alcohol, yeah.

That enthusiasm must have rubbed off. Tom's purchase, £15.

Hang on, guys, what do you think of this?

I know why you like that.

It's an elephant and a monkey, what's not to like?

That's nice. It's got its original glass as well.

What d'you think of that?

Again, it's one of these quirky objects. And it makes me think of Queen Victoria.

The British Empire, yeah.

Originally, it would have been all silver plate, you can see, and that has worn off.

We've got a base metal which I think is spelter.

-But it's beautifully carved.

-It is. What's the price, the label's there?

The price is scary, the price is 250.

-Oh!

-That's way, way too much.

-Far too much.

-A tiny dent there.

I don't think it's anything to worry about considering its age.

I'd date that around 1860, 1870.

OK. I'm going to leave you two to negotiate, but you've got to get it down considerably, almost by half.

-You won't do that.

-I've never paid full price for anything.

-I don't want to know about your personal life. Do your very best.

-I will!

Andrew didn't shy away from David's challenge, getting the inkwell for £120.

5, 4, 3, 2, whoops, 1.

That's it, the time is up.

Let's recap on what the Reds bought.

Philip's convinced that someone, somewhere, will want the inkwell in the form of a boxer dog.

Let's hope so. £90 paid.

Mark's natty little napkin-holder only set him back £35.

So thrifty.

And the Reds' final item, something tipple-inspired,

Tom whisked up a deal on the tray and paid £15.

-Boys, did you have a good time shopping?

-Wicked time.

-"Wicked time"?

-Wicked time!

-Which is your favourite piece?

-I like the piece that I found, the silver serviette clip.

-Oh, yes. What about you?

-The dog head, the inkwell, I like that.

You spent a pretty mean £140.

So I'll take 160 off you. Thank you.

Now, Philip, your challenge, to go and find that bonus buy with that cash, how are you going to get on?

I'm going to box clever and come up something that might just do a turn.

-Would this "box clever" be a bit of a hint?

-Couldn't say.

Couldn't possibly say, could you?

Let's remind ourselves of what the Blues bought.

Only time will tell

whether there was a whiff of a profit with the £100 cigar box.

A soaring silver sensation,

the cigarette plane lighter swooped in at £52.

And what price for a piece of Victoriana?

£120 brought the Blues a novelty elephant's head inkwell.

Unforgettable!

So, you two boys, did you enjoy the shopping?

-Absolutely. A fantastic time.

-It was very good. Lovely time.

-Spending somebody else's money.

-Always the best kind.

You spent a magnificent £272. So proud of that. We'd like £28 to go across to David.

Not an awful lot, is it?

No, but you've made all sorts of wonderful profits out of small value items.

Well, that's true.

I want something small, quirky and emblematic of Andrew's interest.

-Oh, Lord!

-Better not elaborate on that.

-Later, perhaps!

-OK.

Auction time. Let's get started.

Well, we've staggered down from London to West Sussex, to Wisborough Green, Bellman's Saleroom,

to be with Jonathan at our auction.

-Good morning.

-Good morning.

Tom and Mark, their first item is this little inkwell - do you rate that?

It's nicely carved. These novelties are quite good fun.

He's a little bit incomplete. His ears have been chewed away.

That's a pity, because some of these things do make big sums of money, particularly the larger ones.

-What's your estimate?

-£50 to £70.

-Oh, dear, £90 they paid.

Now, the hallmarked silver little napkin-holder.

Are you fond of a big French dinner?

Well, you know, un oeuf is un oeuf.

Yes, quite. But for the big Frenchman,

traditionally, he'd have a socking great damask napkin and he'd pin it up with that, which is handy.

-What's your estimate on it?

-£15 to £20.

Oh, right. £35 they paid. And lastly is the Johnnie Walker's copper tray.

No well-dressed pub would be without one of these in the '20s and '30s.

I think people are less likely to be wanting to clean these things today.

-So I find that a bit of a tough one.

-What's the estimate?

I've still said £20 - £30.

Oh, that's great, they paid 15.

So there is some hope with one of these objects.

So I think they're going to need their bonus buy. Let's go and have a look at it.

So, tell me, Mark - you spent £140, you gave Philip £160, what did he spend it on?

Isn't that lovely?

It's a snuff box, French, probably about 1820.

It's elm. I paid £65 for that.

-What'll it make at auction?

-What d'you reckon?

I'd put an estimate on that of £60-£90. I wouldn't be surprised if it topped £100.

-It's all right, isn't it? What do you reckon?

-If there's enough snuff collectors out there

that come to the auction, then, yeah.

-You can see them running away...

-I don't know!

You don't have to decide to take it right now.

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

-That's rather fun, Jonathan, isn't it?

-Absolutely. Nice snuffbox there. French one.

I know it's French, because it says "la pie voleuse"!

-Sounds painful.

-You can get tablets for that, can't you?

-Yes.

It's something to do with the magpie nicking something.

Absolutely. There's our magpie there, he's got a spoon in his beak.

They're collectible things.

It's going to be something which in that respect is going to be a rarity as such.

-You might get £40 to £60.

-Philip Serrell paid £65, and he's hopeful.

That's it for the Reds. Now for the Blues - Mark and Andrew.

Their first item is this rather fun cigar box.

I like the contrasting woods, gives it that extra definition.

It is made in the way you'd expect a barrel to be coopered.

-Yeah.

-It's got a lovely lock on the front here which is stamped VR

for Victoria's cipher, which is a nice period feature as well.

We'll get between £40 and £60 for it.

Ah. David Barby will be distrait.

£100 paid. How are you on spy planes?

I know nothing about spy planes.

-I know a little bit about decorative lighters.

-This is a popular theme, isn't it?

You get different periods, different planes, contemporary aeroplanes modelled as table lighters.

-Absolutely.

-It's down as a spy plane, cos I suppose it looks like the U2

which crashed over Russia when the Cuban Missile Crisis was going on.

The novelty element, the fact it is a plane and it's a lighter,

and certainly the fact you've got this sort of stylised Deco feel to it, it's late-'40s styling on it.

We are looking at about £20 or £30 for it.

Is that all? £52 paid. And now we've got a heffalump down the end,

with a monkey on its head playing a flute,

which is a bit bizarre!

Again, novelty inkwells, your market is the gentleman, the desk.

Of course there is a strong market for that sort of thing.

-And what we will get for that? Well, crikey. £30 to £50, I would say.

-Crikey.

£120 they paid.

One thing's for certain here, they are going to need their bonus buy, so let's have a look at it.

Mark and Andrew, you spent £272, quite magnificent,

leaving David with a miserable £28 to go and try and find something.

-David, what did you find?

-Well, I like it.

-Oh.

-"Oh"!

-TIM LAUGHS

-It's something you put your nuts in, you see?

-I quite like the glass.

And you're a cat lover, aren't you?

Well, it died.

But, yeah, I WAS a cat lover till it died.

Poor thing. This is ideal for ashes!

-It's very sweet. How much was it?

-£15.

-That's a bargain. How much do you reckon people would pay?

Well, it's the stylised cat, I think it's quite attractive.

-Probably round about £20, £25.

-Let the man have a handle.

-I like that actually, yeah.

You've done the right thing there, David, obviously.

Let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about David's little cat.

-Right then. There you go.

-OK.

-You a cat lover yourself?

I've got two dogs.

-Then you're the right man to ask about this(!)

-Exactly.

Whether it's '70s, I don't know.

Moulded glass, cats. Whatever it might be,

I suppose you could grow watercress in it and give it a trim!

What are you going to do with it?

Barby's bought it as his bonus buy. He only paid £15 for it.

Might he just... might he get a profit on it?

-I think probably there's about a fiver's loss in this one.

-And that's being optimistic, is it?

I've put £10 to £15 on it, and that's probably fair.

It'll be interesting to see what happens in the auction. Thank you, Jonathan.

-Tom and Mark, are you feeling cool?

-Pretty cool.

-Relaxed.

-Come on, there must be a bit of nerves.

-I'm feeling it now.

I'm feeling it a bit now. Holding it together.

-It is nervous process, isn't it? You know about auctions. What about you, Mark?

-I've never been.

Just online auctions, which is a lot more relaxed.

-Not full of people.

-Nothing like this?

-No.

The treen inkwell.

Philip found it.

£90 paid.

The auctioneer has estimated £50 to £70.

And here it comes.

Inkwell modelled as a boxer dog's head.

I've got a lot of interest in this, and I can start straight in at £70.

Bid with me at 70. Looking for 75. It's £70. 75, and 80?

85, and 90? 95, 100?

£100 against you, sir, at £100.

110 if you like. 110, standing close to commission now at £110.

120, anyone? £110 then, in the tartan at £110, and selling, 120 behind.

Look, he's going on.

-130.

-Yes!

-140.

150. 160.

£160, behind then still at 160.

Last chance and selling for £160. GAVEL BANGS

160, plus £70. Well done, boys.

We have a silver baby's bib clip,

a nice, interesting lot, this. And I have to start at £20.

It's bid with me at £20.

I'll take 22. 22, 25. 28, and 30.

£30, against you then at £30. Do I see 32?

On the book and against you all at £30, last chance at 30.

£30, bad luck, that's minus £5. You're still plus 65. Here we go.

We have the copper advertising tray. Start me at 10. 10 is bid.

Thank you, sir. At 10. Do I see 12?

£10, seated right. £10. 12, anyone?

At £10, surely worth more than a tenner? I'll sell at £10.

Maiden bid at £10.

Blast it. £10, minus 5 on that.

You are still plus £60. £60 up, thanks to you-know-who.

-Amazing.

-It's pretty good, isn't it?

What are we going to do then? Are we going to risk anything for this bonus buy?

-I think we should stick, mate.

-Stick, yeah.

-No offence, Phil.

-No.

-No bonus buy. They are determined, these boys. We're going to sell it anyway. Here it comes.

A carved elm circular snuffbox.

Early 19th century,

with this interesting scene.

And I've got bids to start me in at £45.

Is bid at £45, looking for 50, now. And 50, and 55. 60, and 65.

70, and 75. 80, and 85.

£85 commission against you at £85.

Do I see 90 now? At £85, and I'll sell at £85.

Last chance, £85.

Well done. You made your decision, you're £60 up.

You deserved your £60.

-It's very good, isn't it?

-We are happy about that.

To make a profit on Bargain Hunt is an achievement.

The thing now is not to tell the Blues anything. Don't say a word.

-In fact, go out looking miserable.

-OK.

-It's not hard.

Rubbish. You've done well. And well done, Phil.

-Yeah, thank you.

-Cheers, Phil.

So, Mark and Andrew, do you know how the Reds got on?

-No. No idea at all.

-That's good.

Cos we don't want you to. How are you rating your little cigar box?

Do you still think that's a good choice of David's?

-I think so, yeah.

-Very confident.

The auctioneer has only put £40 to £60 on it, which I think is pretty miserable, actually.

-Yes, so do I.

-We all rate it.

It's a nice crowded room. Here it comes.

We have a Victorian brass coopered tobacco cigar box

And I've got a flurry of bids, and I'll start at 45, 55,

£60 on the book with me, at £60, I'm bid at £60.

£60, looking for 65. At £60, 65, anyone?

On the book against you all at £60.

65. And 70. £70 it is then.

Against you all at £70. At 70, I'll sell then.

£70, last chance, at 70?

-Bad luck. Minus 30 on that.

-It's not looking good.

Maybe not. Here comes the plane.

A chromium plated table lighter in the form of a spy plane.

Mid-20th century example, this. Where can I start?

-I've got £60.

-Yes!

Looking for 65, now. 65, and 70.

£70 and stopping straightaway at £70. 5 anywhere else?

At £70, I'll sell. All done at 70.

Well, that makes you £18.

-It's not all doom and gloom.

-All is not lost.

-The inkwell.

Victorian spelter novelty inkwell modelled as an elephant's head

with this little monkey sitting on the top.

And I've got bids to start me in at £30, £35, £40 is bid.

At £40, 45. 50, 55,

-60, 65, 70, £70 against you. 75, anyone?

-Come on!

£70 against you all at 70. I'll sell at £70.

Last chance at £70. All done? No more. £70.

That is minus 50 quid on that.

-You're minus £62.

-Dear, oh, dear.

-Minus £62.

What are you going to do about the cat?

-Let's just go for it.

-Definitely going to go for it.

What's the worst that could happen?

-Let's go for it.

-Are you going to do it?

-Yes, definitely.

-You're determined.

-Absolutely, yes. Let's do it.

We have this wonderful moulded clear glass bowl modelled as a cat,

and I have a bid to start me at £12.

£12 is bid. £12, I'll take 15 if you wish to bid.

15 standing at the back waving now.

Left on commission at 15. Looking for 18.

At £15, with the lady, dead ahead at £15 and selling.

-Last chance, £15.

-£15. Wiped its face.

Well, chaps. What a roller coaster, eh?

-Dear oh dear.

-Well done for the plane, anyway.

That was really super. I'll tell you what, Mum's the word.

We'll reveal all in a minute.

Bad luck for the Blues, the Reds are top dogs!

But don't go away, because coming up, we have two more teams waiting at Portobello Market.

-If it does make a profit, I'll eat my hat.

-I'll hold you to it!

Something tells me the experts will have their work cut out with this little lot.

-Tell me about it.

-Solid mahogany wood.

-Yeah.

What other sort of mahogany would you have?!

We'll meet those jokers very shortly.

First, I'd like to take you in a detour across town.

In London, in 1851, Hyde Park bore witness to the grand opening of the first ever international exhibition,

enthusiastically championed by Prince Albert.

The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations in 1851, to give it its full title,

was designed to appeal to all classes.

The exhibition was such a huge success that at the finish,

the organisers found that they'd got a profit of £186,000,

largely made up by 4.5 million people investing in one shilling tickets.

And it was with the profit that Prince Albert was ultimately able to fund what became this place,

the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Here we are in the National Art Library, at the V&A,

who've got the complete set of the original exhibition catalogue,

100,000 odd objects.

The exhibits were recorded, and this is just one volume out of that massive set.

What was so special about the objects in the Great Exhibition?

Let's find out.

Some of the exhibits were made for mass manufacture.

40 countries were exhibiting, in addition to the United Kingdom, in the Great Exhibition,

including a German firm who came up with this novel idea for a rocking armchair.

We've got some central-heating pipe here,

that's been bent into this shaped rocker form,

then all joined-up with an upholstered section,

which is extremely comfortable, and this went into mass production.

Funnily enough, I've got one at home, and they work.

The big question is, will our teams come up with anything that's going to be popular with the masses?

We've got a double-bill today

which means double trouble for our experts.

So let's head back to London's Portobello Market

for our second helping of bargain hunting!

We've got Prudence and her workmate, Mitch.

-Oh, no, it's Michael or Mike, preferably.

-Never Mitch?

Never Mitch, unless I'm in Baywatch maybe.

OK, well we're not doing Baywatch so you're safe there.

And for the Blues, we've got Joe and his friend, Carlie. Hiya.

-Hi, Tim.

-Lovely. Now Prudence...

-Hello, Tim.

-What do you do for a job at work, darling?

I work for a recruitment company in the City of London.

-But what do you do in your spare time?

-I love to sing jazz, Tim.

-Ooh.

-I do, yes, very much.

-Do you do clubs and that?

-I do, I go round London

and do different clubs and bars, and I love it.

Are you going to give us a little trill?

How about we do a little private show later?

I see, it's like that, is it? Now what sort of track record have you got, Michael?

I've done a bit of online bidding recently, bought a few cars online.

Um, had a few good experiences, a few bad experiences, and at one stage I owned about five VWs.

That's a fleet, that is.

I was living at home as well, so I had to hide one round

a neighbour's house, one was outside my house...

Popular with your parents, I should think. Five motor cars!

Now for the Blues. How are you two? How did you two meet?

I'm best mates with her boyfriend, and we actually met

at an American football game that he was actually involved in.

I can tell that you're not from these shores. Where do you come from?

-From New Jersey in the US.

-What are you doing here?

I was brought over here by a Master's programme at King's College London

in Criminology and Criminal Justice.

Criminology and criminal justice.

Yes. I plan to go in the FBI, so...

But you haven't got the suit or the shiny shoes.

No, right, no, I'm trying to blend in into London, you know, with the dull shoes and the jeans.

You're obviously incognito, aren't you?

Right. No, that's CIA. That's a whole other story.

-Oh, is that not...?

-Mum's the word.

FBI, they never do incognito?

And why have you chosen Carlie rather than her boyfriend?

Well, I thought of using her boyfriend, but when I thought, "Who looks best on camera?"

-It was Carlie by far.

-Do you know, you're right. So Carlie, were you flattered to be asked?

I was, absolutely, absolutely, I thought it'd be a lot of fun.

Do you collect anything?

Not what you would regard as antiques as yet.

I've got a bit of a shoe passion.

-How many pairs you got?

-I've probably got on the last count over 60, 70 pairs of shoes.

-That's a fetish, don't worry about it.

-Potentially.

Now, the money moment.

Here's your sausage and mash. You know the rules, off you go!

Watch out for the apples and pears.

So, tell me, princess...

No, I don't wear it like this, I think I prefer it like this.

Oh, you're after a cool look.

-Where is she?

-Pru? I don't know, She should be coming soon.

-Oh.

-She's over here.

-Look what I found.

-What's that?

Isn't it rather gorgeous? It's a lovely silver handbag.

I thought it's lovely. I thought I'd see what Phil thought

and see what's the best price according to our expert.

How do you know it's silver?

-Mm, because of that stamp.

-That stamp there.

-And what does that stamp there mean?

-No idea.

That stamp there's a little lion,

that tells us that it is indeed silver.

-OK.

-That leopard's head tells us that it was assayed in London.

That F is the date code, which is, I would guess is around 1900.

-OK.

-So you've got a silver frame, and this mesh bag here, and actually what is quite nice...

-Yeah.

-I'm sure you spotted this.

-Of course I did, yes.

Is that each of these links is separately hallmarked.

-That's lovely.

-Which is really cool.

Yeah, I did notice that, I was just about to say.

-Right.

-It's quite heavy, isn't it?

What do you reckon, princess? Is that...?

I think it's quite heavy.

Heavy should mean quite costly. It's got marks on all of it, so that must be quite a good sign.

Bargain Hunt's about your day, and I want you to buy what you want to buy.

If this came into my sale room, I'd estimate it

at £50 to £80, £60 to £90, that sort of region. How much is it?

185.

# There may be trouble ahead... #

Ha, Prudence got £50 off, but she'll have to face the music at the auction.

Excuse me, sir. Guys, come here, come here.

What's that?

-Look at that.

-Ooh.

-Those are very nice, aren't they?

They're fantastic, aren't they?

-Oh, look, Poile and Smith, court jewellers.

-What does that mean?

Well, that company produced jewellery for the court.

It could have been court regalia, it could have been court awards.

If you wore expensive buttons like this it would show that you're quite affluent.

So they were a quite important piece of dress.

They're looking back to the Georgian style with all these sort of Rococo scroll works.

-They are lovely.

-I think they're gorgeous.

Yeah, my only concern is the fact that the hallmarks, where they're present,

where the makers' marks are present, they're a bit worn.

So consistency might be an issue.

Oh, not at all, these are collectors' items.

I think they're going to sell extremely well.

-So how much were they?

-They were £85.

£85. I think they're cheap at £85.

-Really?

-Yeah. They're very good collectors' items, particularly with the court jewellers.

I'd pay £85 for them. If you can get them less...

-I think we can.

-All well and good.

-And you think they're stunning.

-I do.

-I think they're stunning.

-I think they're stunning.

-Good, we agree.

-Let's go haggle.

-Let's do it.

-Come on!

Carlie loved Joe's crown jewels, and managed to get them down to £65.

?I don't know where Philip is. Let's go and have a look for him.

-Why don't we use our compass to find him?

-Oh, there he is, there.

Oh, there he is.

-Hi.

-Well, well, it works.

I think that's absolutely lovely.

-I've just bought it.

-You've bought it?

-Don't tell me how much.

-Let me sell it into you a little bit.

Go on, then, tell me all about it.

-Solid mahogany wood.

-Yeah.

What other sort of mahogany would you have?

Solid mahogany wood,

hinges still intact...

-Yeah.

-Quite often the hinges go on these.

-Nice, possibly brass edging.

-How old did he tell you it was?

-I think he said 1950s, possibly.

-No, it's earlier than that.

-Is it?

I would think that perhaps it's more like 1900 or even a bit earlier.

-OK.

-I think it's probably £30 to £50 worth.

OK. We've got good news and bad news.

-OK, so what's the good news?

-The good news is that I did some mean...

-Mean negotiating.

-Mean haggling, yeah.

-So what was he asking for it?

-He was asking 80 for it. And I got it for 65.

-Oh, good negotiation.

-Yeah.

-Right...

-I was only 15 quid off the top, the top...

No, honestly, I like your style, princess, I do like your style,

but I'm just a bit bothered actually that we might be in trouble here.

All we can do really is just live in hope, isn't it?

-Well, I think it's...

-I think it's rather nice, yeah.

Now, don't forget the bonus buy.

That's where the money not spent by the teams is given to the expert,

who goes to find another item which hopefully will make even more at auction.

More of that later, right now it's on with the shopping.

Watch yourself, yeah.

-I love it, I love it.

-Put it back, you don't know where it's been.

-Oh, I love it.

You haven't bought it, have you?

You haven't bought it?

You have, haven't you?

Well, what would you say if we had?

I'd like to have seen it first. How much did you pay for it?

We paid £36.50 I think in the end.

-£36.50.

-But it...but it was 40.

-48 actually.

-Was it 48?

-Yeah.

-OK. Just tell me why you went for it.

Because I think any girl would like it.

This is a tourist piece. Late 19th early, 20th century, bought in Bavaria,

probably they paid a visit to Oberammergau, something like that.

And they thought, "We'll take that back to Louise," their daughter

back home. This is what it is, a tourist piece.

It has got some concessions, I like this element of carving here which

is reminiscent of art nouveau, but they're almost commonplace. It's nothing exceptional.

But it is quite cheap. If it's commonplace a lot of people would like it, people will bid for it.

That's true. I'm sure it'll make a profit.

-I'll tell you something, if it does make a profit, I'll eat my hat.

-I'll hold you to it.

Phil, what have you found?

Look, great thing, Georgian tea caddy, mahogany, 150 quid.

-Yes?

-Too expensive.

-Nah, nah, I don't think so Phil.

-Too expensive.

-Good try, good try.

This is a great thing, look.

Victorian three piece tea set, £70. Can't fail.

No, I'm more of a coffee man, Phil.

Hi, there's a really lovely big pewter...

It's actually a really lovely pewter tankard, and they've walked past me.

At a distance that looks like Faberge.

-That's a bit more like it.

-Faberge, Faberge.

Yeah, the trouble is the distance is about 300 yards.

-Well, how big's the auction house?

-Not that big.

-Why do you like that?

-I just think it's a rather nice thing.

-What about you, princess?

I don't know, it's quite cool. I could find a use for it, a shot glass.

Big shot glass. I think it's quite nice, it's quite bright and vibrant.

-I think it's really nice, right.

-Oh, thanks.

And these colours look like it might be Russian, so it looks like

-a little Russian drinking glass.

-OK.

-OK.

-Possibly by Faberge, but I don't think it's Russian.

-It's got a small marking there.

There's a mark on the bottom which I don't understand at all.

-Gold? Gold mark?

-No. Absolutely not.

I would think it's European, might be Italian.

I don't think it's as old as it wants you to think it is,

and it's trying to be Faberge which it isn't.

So in my eyes, at auction, that's £15 to £30.

-On a bad day it's a tenner. So how much did you pay?

-You can tell him.

-50 quid.

-What?

-SHE CHUCKLES

Well, we were in a bit of a rush, Phil, you see.

We though, "Well, we'll take it."

It's all gone rather well today, hasn't it?

We look like we're going to make a mint, Phil.

I'm just going to go and find myself a huge hole

to see if I can bury myself in it.

-Do you want a drink?

-No, I'm fine, thanks.

Well, despite Philip's disapproval, the Red Team snapped up the tumbler for £50.

Now, let's see what Agent Scully has sniffed out for the Blues' final item.

-Oh, that sounds promising.

-Oh, Joe...

-Is it decent?

-Well, I think so.

I think that's quite good. Now, tell me what you think about it.

-It's a really charming piece.

-So what do you put in it?

I don't know, a port, red wine, maybe even a hard liquor of some sort, like Scotch or something?

-I think it's what is termed as a claret jug.

-A claret jug.

So the actual wine could breathe.

-Right, OK.

-OK, I look at this, and I date it towards the end of the 19th, beginning of the 20th century.

This is German. At that particular time there was a move towards nationalism,

particularly in the arts, and they were looking back to the past.

And this type of ware where you're looking at something quite rural

and romantic they've adopted as a piece of furnishing on the table.

I think it's lovely. What I like also, do you see that, Carlie?

-Uh-huh.

-What is it?

-A wooden...

-A wood strip.

-Strip.

So they've used something so simple as a wood strip there

to emphasise the design point. I think it's lovely.

Nothing expensive or blingy, just a strip of wood.

The wood piece is what caught my eye originally.

-That really does stand out to me.

-What do you think, Carlie?

I'm just not sure, I just think I probably wouldn't have it in my house.

-Why not?

-Take a look.

-I just think...

Let it speak to you.

-It's not really saying much.

-It's not saying much, great, great.

How much would you pay for it though? That's the thing.

I'm going to ask for under 100.

I wouldn't pay more than 100, so I think maybe 80.

-OK.

-Let's see what we can get around that.

-OK, best of luck.

-Thank you, guys, I'm off.

-Thank you.

-Are you as bad as that when you go shopping for clothes?

-Yeah, absolutely!

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

The headstrong Reds knew what they wanted,

starting with this mesh purse for £135.

Has Michael lost his way with the Victorian compass?

And it's not Faberge, it's not gold, it's not likely

to make them a profit at £50. Poor old Phil.

-Have a good time shopping?

-Quality.

-Yes, brilliant.

-Quality, I love it.

-Quality.

You spent £250, which is fantastic.

£50 of leftover lolly goes to Philip. Now I should say, Philip, there's been a bit of a struggle today.

They've spent £250 on about 120 quid's worth of stuff,

that was the problem.

-Do you know what you're going to have to do with that £50?

-Work miracles.

Miracle, miracle. Off you go Phil, and good luck.

Let's remind ourselves of what the Blues bought.

Joe pressed all the right buttons

when he snapped this little lot up for £65.

Carlie's box had David eating his hat for £36.50, and finally,

Joe uncovered this claret jug for less than a ton.

Now Carlie and Joe, you had a great time, didn't you?

-Fantastic time.

-Did it live up to your expectations, this shopping lark?

-Yeah, it was excellent.

-Absolutely.

-Really good.

-Fun.

You spent £191.50, which is a really queer number, but

there you go, £108.50 comes across to you, David Barby.

Right. They're quite a handful, you know, Tim.

-Are they?

-Really, yes. I've got to find something, cos they're so determined to make profit.

Well, you usually do make a profit on your bonus buy, so you just have to relax up.

You're the genius that goes and finds these things.

Am I going to get out of this door?

I don't know, is your head small enough(?)

It's time to make our final trip to the auction.

Well, we're in a grand county, West Sussex, Wisborough Green

to be precise, and at Bellmans Auction House with Jonathan Prior.

-Good morning, Jon.

-Good morning, Tim.

-Great to be here.

-Thank you.

Now, this hallmarked silver bag from Prudence and Michael,

it must have been a great fashion then, cos there are quite a few

-of these mesh bags about, aren't they?

-Yeah.

But what would somebody do with it today,

because no girl's going to wear that out and about much, is she?

Yeah, you're not going to head out to Horsham with that, you'll get laughed at, won't you?

You'll get your mobile phone in there, that's it. I've priced it at £40 to £60.

-Have you?

-Yeah.

-£135 paid.

-That does seem optimistic to me.

Then we've got this travelling compass in a crude mahogany box.

Nothing wrong with it. It's from that period, early 19th century.

-It's very simple though. Yeah, 30, £30 to £50 on that.

-That's your estimate?

That's not too bad, £65 paid.

Now Prudence got very hot under the collar about her little vodka tumbler.

Tell us about that.

Well, crikey, you know the Russians have been buying big until recently.

-Would they be going for that?

-No, it's base metal and enamel. I mean, it really...

-Yes.

It's not silver gilt, which one would hope it would be at least.

-What would be your estimate then?

-I'd say between £10 and £20.

Oh, £40 paid.

So they're going to need their bonus buy, let's go and have a look at it.

-Prudence and Mick, how are you both?

-Good, Tim, how are you?

-Good.

Look, you told us in the shopping, that little beaker, that rusty job...

-Yeah.

-Right, that you paid £50 for that.

-Yeah.

-You didn't pay £50 for that at all, you paid £40 for it.

-Did I?

-Yeah, you paid £40.

-Sorry, got it wrong!

So, actually, overall you spent £240,

so Philip Serrell had £60 of leftover money.

-So what did you spend it on, Phil?

-Oh, nice!

-Do you like that?

-Yeah, I definitely like it.

-It's...

-How much?

-£45.

It's about 1880, there or thereabouts, a little two drawer

telescope, and I think at auction that's going to make £40 to £60.

You're going to let Prudence handle it then, or not? Let the girl have a go!

It's very nice. Well chosen, Phil, I think.

Oh, gosh! That's the seal of approval, isn't it?

So, guys, you don't decide right now.

You decide after the sale of your first three items,

but for the viewers at home, let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Philip's spyglass.

Well, that seems to be quite clean and tidy.

Yeah, it's rather neat, isn't it?

Lacquered brass three-drawer telescope, mahogany sleeve,

it's right for the end of the 19th century, sort of circa 1880.

-You like it, then?

-It's neat, isn't it, nice and small and dinky example, you know, £30 to £50.

Philip Serrell paid £45, it's his bonus buy, he's hoping for the best.

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

Their first item is the jug.

It's quite a smart thing, nicely moulded to look like a barrel,

probably made on the Continent, probably Austria or Germany or something like that.

-What's the estimate, Jonathan?

-I think probably we'll get between sort of £60 and £90 for that.

Well, good, I mean you need to kick on cos £90 is paid.

-Yeah.

-But it's got a chance anyway. What about this Bavarian carved touristy novelty box?

People do collect this sort of carved wood, and it's nice, this high relief

floral bocage of edelweiss. £20 to £40 is the estimate for this one.

£36.50 they paid.

-They might just get that.

-Now what about the buttons, they look flash, don't they?

They do, aren't they smart? Sort of rococo-type scrolling to it, it's very smart, really.

-Yes.

-I think we're going to get somewhere between £50 and £70 pounds for them for sure.

Oh, that's great, £65 paid, and who knows, you might make 80!

Overall though, they might well need their bonus buy, so let's go and have a look at it.

So you two cats, you OK?

-We're good.

-Yeah, yeah.

-You're good.

You spent £191.50, you should be good, you gave David £108.50, what did he spend all that money on?

-Let's see.

-Well, a cornucopia of riches.

-Rather like that.

-Interesting. Why did you purchase this?

I had ten minutes.

They told me I would have half an hour to do shopping,

and when I got to the shops they'd all closed down except for one,

and there was this on the shelf, I thought, "That's absolutely beautiful."

They originally wanted £70 for it, I got it down for £40. I think it's rather nice.

It's sort of late Regency coming into William the Fourth.

-Well, how much profit do you think it'll make?

-Somewhere between 60 and 70.

And all you have to do is to hold that thought.

You heard him say £60 to £70, you may or may not need to take

this cornucopia of delights,

but for the viewers at home, let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about it.

So, is this a cornucopia of delights?

A cornucopia of something.

As a pair it would be very nice in top order, but one or two minor imperfections to the rim there...

That's a great lump out of a scalloped edge

So your most bullish and brave estimate on this is how much, Jonathan?

-£40 to £60.

-£40 to £60. Well, good luck.

Last chance.

-Now, Mike and Pru.

-Yes.

-How are you feeling?

-Bit nervous.

-A bit nervous.

-What have you got to be nervous about?

Nothing, I'm quite confident.

-You just said you were nervous!

-No, changed my mind.

-Confidently nervous.

-Positive mental attitude.

-Is that was it is?

-Yeah.

-Is that your secret weapon today?

-The silver handbag's going to make a fortune.

-You reckon?

A silver mesh purse, London, 1921 with the engraved clasp,

To start me in at £55, £55, it's bid with me at £55,

60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85,

£85, against you then at £85. Do you wish to bid £90?

Are we all done at £85? I'll sell, last chance at 85.

£85.

-That's not bad.

-That's 50 short.

That's minus £50, that.

Look out, here comes the compass.

Now we've got 14-91A, a mahogany case pocket compass circa 1830.

-Start me £70, straight in at £70.

-I don't believe it.

-£70 and I'll take five.

Straight in, then, lots of interest, at £70 I'll sell.

Two in the book, it's £70, you're all done.

I don't believe it, £70, plus £5.

Minus £45.

All to play for.

A Russian gilt metal and enamel spirit tumbler.

-I have to start at £10.

-£10.

Do we have ten, £10?

12, 15, 18, 20, 22...

25.

£28 anywhere else, with me at £25.

At 25 against you then, at £25, and I'll sell at £25.

£25, Pru, this has not gone your way today, has it? Minus £15 on that.

So far Pru, on your choices you've lost £65. Right.

But Mick the hero has made a £5 profit, so overall you are just minus £60. Minus £60.

-So what about this telescope lark?

-Gotta go for it.

-We've got to go for it.

We have a lacquered brass two drawer telescope

circa 1880 with a mahogany sleeve.

I've got to start straight in at £25 is bid. 28 and 30. 32, 35.

38 and 40.

42, 45, £48 courtesy commission.

-£48, 50 anyone?

-Well, two of us were all right.

£48, and I'm selling at £48.

£48, good man. And that is a £2 profit, no it isn't, that is a £3

profit, which is great, so you are £57 down the drain.

Now that could be a winning score, it's very difficult to make a profit on Bargain Hunt, we know that,

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

-OK, we won't.

Carlie, Joe, have you been talking to the Reds? No, not at all?

-You don't know how they got on?

-No.

-Good, we don't want you to.

-Now the first item that comes up is yours, Joe.

-Yes.

A late 19th century German glass and pewter banded claret jug of coopered design.

-Start me at £50 for this... Start me at £50... 30, then.

-Oh.

£30 waving at the back, at £30. £30, I'll take two.

32 now, 35, 38, and 40, 45. And 50.

-£50, gentleman by the flowers.

-Oh, come on, come on.

£50, £5 anywhere else? At £50 by the flowers, at £50.

At £50 and I'll sell at 50, last chance, at £50, all done.

-That is minus £40.

-That's so disappointing.

-Sorry about that, Joe.

-It's all right.

-Joe...

-I know.

A late 19th century Continental carved walnut box.

-Tenner.

-Oh, god.

-Ten is bid, thank you, at ten, £10,

looking for 12 now, 12 with the lady, 15 he's gone, 20, 22...

-Come on.

-Come on.

-25?

No, he says. £22, on the left there was someone.

£22 standing left, on the right there, 25, there we go.

-Yes!

-28, 30. £30 to the lady.

Do you bid at the front? Yes, he does. 32, 35, 38...

Yes!

£38 the gentleman now, at £38.

-Go on! Go on, go on.

-Any further interest at £38?

It's gone to 40.

-Yes!

-No, he's shaking his head now. With the lady at £40.

£40 it is then and selling, last chance. £40...

-Yes. £40, thank goodness.

-I did dislike that one!

That's £3.50.

-£3.50 is a heck of a profit.

-It's good though, it's good.

Lot 15-12 A, a set of boxed silver buttons

of scroll form.

Start me straight in at £100.

£100 is bid. Do I see ten, £100, with me at £100.

-110, 120. Do you want 130?

-Yes, keep going.

Something's happening.

Are you sure? £120 then, 120.

-Keep going, keep going.

-30 anywhere else?

All done, £120, last chance, 120.

Yes!

£120 pounds, I don't believe that, look.

You are £18.50 up, how good is that?

-Not bad.

-Yes.

-It's not bad.

-£18.50. Perfect. Now what are you going to do about the bonus buy?

This is so difficult, because frankly you were...

When you're up...

You're up £18.50, yes?

-Shall we go for it?

-I hate it, but...

-You hate it?

-Yeah.

-You really do hate it?

-What's to lose, right?

-£40 to lose actually.

And it could be a winning score, this £18.50.

-We're only doing this once.

-I don't think so.

You don't think we should do it?

-You're not going to go for it?

-No.

-Definitely?

-Definitely.

-Right. No for the bonus buy,

-Early Victorian glass cornucopia spill vase.

Who'll start me at 40 for this? Start me at £20 then...

£20, he's bid on the left at £20, do I see two?

Maiden bid of £20, two anywhere else?

At £20, at £20, this is it at 20.

22 now with the lady, 25, 28, 30...

-No, no, no, no, no.

-£30 still with the gentleman.

-Standing still at £30. Two anywhere else?

-No.

-£30 with the gentleman then, selling at 30, last chance at £30.

-Yes.

-Yes.

-You were right!

-Good call.

-£30. Now that was not an easy shout for you, was it?

-No, it wasn't.

-It wasn't.

-You really didn't like it.

-No, I didn't.

-And you wanted it.

-Absolutely.

-You would have persuaded her.

That's true, but I went with her, and I trusted her, and it won. It did well.

So minus £10, but you did very well not to go with that.

-Excellent.

-So, minus £10, but it doesn't count.

Overall, then, you are £18.50 up, you conserved your profits and

it's been a very good game.

Now don't tell the Reds a thing, right?

-OK.

-Cos £18.50 could be a winning score.

This is the moment to reveal the winner and the runner up.

And the runner up today are the Reds.

-Ooh!

-Minus £57 is not a great score, is it?

It's not bad, I've heard worse.

You've heard worse. But not good enough, I'm afraid.

-Apparently not.

-So bad luck on that, all right.

They're obviously having hysterics in the background here,

cos they just can't contain themselves with the joy of it all.

£55 profit on those buttons, Joe, that is a stonker, isn't it?

-That's right, absolutely.

-And not bad Carlie, £3.50,

-darling, on the little box.

-Indeed, it's all right.

Which was loathed at various times, so congratulations on that.

Overall then, it finished up at £18.50.

There is £18, yes...

-Excellent.

-And not quite, there you go, there's £18.50.

-Well, I hope you'll report favourably to the FBI about it when you make it back to America.

-Absolutely.

Anyway, both teams have been fantastic, great fun, can't thank you enough for coming on the programme.

-But join us soon for some more bargain hunting, yes?

-Yes!

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