Newark 2 Bargain Hunt

# Frosty the snowman

# Was a jolly happy soul

#With a corncob pipe

# And a button nose And two eyes made out of coal... #

Oh ho ho, it's brass monkey weather.

It is freezing!

If there's one thing, though, that will warm the cockles of your heart...

let's go bargain hunting!

Welcome to Bargain Hunt,

from the International Antiques and Collectors Fair in Newark.

This is Europe's largest antiques event. It is absolutely ginormous.

If our teams can't find what they're looking out for today,

they should have stayed at home!

They'll be up against it, though, as their one hour of shopping time will just fly by.

So the £300 we give them had better be spent wisely,

as what they do pick up

will go under the hammer at auction, and any profit they do make...

No. Going at £38. Thank you.

..they get to pocket.

We've got a special edition of the programme today, a double bill with

not two but four teams, trying their hand at a spot of bargain hunting.

We've got Reds and Blues coming out of our ears!

Stand by to meet the first of our intrepid teams.

I hope they are dressed for the weather!

So here they are. For the Reds, we've got Susie and Charlotte.

-And battling for the Blues we've got Graham and Lee. Welcome to Bargain Hunt.

-Hello, Tim.

-Hi.

-Lovely to see you. Now, you're both in your third year at Sheffield University.

-How did you first meet?

-We both study the same course,

so we met through that. We got on well and decided we'd go travelling together.

-You kind of bonded up as a result of that experience.

-It was a bonding experience.

Charlotte, would you say you drive a hard bargain in foreign parts?

I do my best, but most of the time

I do come back with quite a lot of rubbish.

Any particular disasters with what you bought?

We did our best to try and bargain on these glasses which we thought were pretty good, quite beautiful.

-We got them back as a present for our housemates, have a welcome home drink.

-What happened?

The minute you put liquid in them the paint fell off. Our housemates had paint all over their face.

A huge joke, though.

-Yep.

-That doesn't bode too well for today, does it?

-Not really.

-Well, good luck.

-Thank you.

-We hope you have a great time on Bargain Hunt today.

Now for the Blues, both of whom are at Sheffield Hallam University.

-Now, do you know these girls at all?

-No.

-I bet you'd like to!

-Oh, yes!

How did you two meet, Graham?

We were on our induction to university

and we were walking around getting the usual tour.

And this boy - or man, I'm not sure which - came up and spoke to me.

And I looked at him a couple of times because there's this broad, broad, broad Yorkshire accent.

Apparently he's asked me, do I want to go to the pub? But it came out a bit like, "Wanna go t'pub?"

-What are you studying?

-We're both studying primary school teaching.

-Second year.

-Great. Lee, you and Graham have a bit of a sideline.

That's right, we're part-time clowns, believe it or not.

I do believe it.

We've been on teaching placements at school.

We did a few activities with the kids like balloon modelling.

They went home and told their parents and one of the parents

at the school asked us to come in to do a party for the children.

-Will you be able to make anything for us today?

-We'll have a go, yeah.

-As if by magic...

-Oh, yes.

OK, so you've got three seconds starting now.

It's not perfect, but three seconds isn't a lot of time.

How good is that? I think a little round of applause. That is fantastic.

Is that for me? That's very kind, I'm going to pass that over to the Reds.

That's your lucky mascot for today.

Now, the money moment. Here is your £300.

You know the rules. Your experts await. Off you go!

And very, very good luck.

So which of the teams will be passing their antiques examinations with flying colours?

And which will be going for retakes?

Let's hope the men who will assist them in their search today have been revising.

Brains and beauty - hmm - will be helping the Blues

in the form of Mark Stacey.

And tutoring the Reds in the study of antiques is David Harper.

The hour...starts now.

-Right, are you ready?

-Yep. Ready.

-Are you sure?

-Sure.

Let's go, come on.

Um, I wouldn't go for that, no.

It's nice, but I wouldn't... No, I wouldn't go for that.

-What kind of things do you like?

-Decorative things.

-Something pretty.

-Pretty-pretty.

-And shiny.

-No, not pretty and shiny.

You sound like magpies!

I like the look of this, guys.

-What do you think?

-It's lovely.

-It's pretty. Very plain.

Well, it is very plain, but people like that nowadays.

Ah, now, this is a good sign. Pilkington's Royal Lancastrian.

Made in England.

-Is there any damage?

-Not as far as I can see. I've run my finger

around the edge and I can't feel any chips or cracks, or around the base.

The other key thing about this is, you see that funny little mark here?

That's the monogram of one of most famous designers for Pilkington's, William S Mycock.

So this is quite a collectible piece, I think.

I can't see a price to go on this,

so shall we ask the gentleman how much he's asking for it?

Excuse me. We're quite interested in this Pilkington's vase,

-can you tell us the price, please?

-120.

-120? Is that your best, sir?

-Very best would probably be a oner.

-Oner? That's 100 in our language.

-Mark, will it make a profit?

If I was putting that into sale, I'd certainly put 100-150 on it.

-Do you like it?

-I do like it.

-Good.

-I think we should go for it.

-I've got one ally here.

So, while the Blues have got themselves a possible profit,

the girls are still on the search for something shiny!

How about those swans behind them? They're pretty.

-I think the wings open up.

-Do they? OK.

-I really like those ones.

-Oh, they're very lovely.

-A pair as well.

-Swan salts.

-Girls would like those.

-That would be a really nice romantic gift.

-Really?

Yeah. For a husband to give to a wife. How much are they?

-37 for the pair.

-I want to buy them.

Do you not like them?

I don't think you'd make any money. Let's go through these quickly.

A pair of salts. You know what they're for obviously.

They go on the dinner table, you bung your salt in and you sprinkle your salt.

It's all part of the eating experience.

Things like this really make eating more pleasurable.

-Precisely.

-I agree.

What's the best on the two salts?

-What's on them?

-37.

-37 the pair.

-30 quid the pair.

Offer him a bit less. Go on, you do it.

-They're going to charm you here.

-< 25.

They haven't even said anything and it's working!

After turning on even more charm, the girls paid £22 for the swans.

The Blues already had one item in the bag, but it's getting harder to come to a decision.

What's this here, Mark?

No, I don't like that. I don't think I like it anyway.

-Oh, I don't know.

-£65 it's got on it.

-Lee.

-It's actually quite nice quality.

I mean, if you look, you've got a duck here.

-I hadn't noticed that.

-And it's also stained in colour.

How old would it be, is it modern?

I'm just trying to work out if it's modern.

Where would it come from?

I would have thought the colonies somewhere. What do you think of it?

-I really like it.

-I do like it. I can see Tim walking with it.

Is that 165 or 65?

You see, I like that.

-That's a quality object.

-I thought that was a pound sign.

165's an awful lot. Is it something we could leave until the final thing?

We could ask him to hold it for us.

I'd thought it was a WOMAN'S prerogative to change her mind!

So the Blues didn't make a decision on the walking stick,

leaving them still with two items to buy.

The Reds are back at their favourite stall,

which offers a buffet of shiny treats for the girls.

-Mother of pearl. What do you think it is?

-Is it a cigar case?

-No, it's a card case.

-Is it?

-Yes, for your business cards.

-I like it!

-I like it.

-Isn't it, yes, very nice.

That's a cigarette case, or a cigar case. Actually that's very posh.

-How much is it?

-I must say I prefer that.

-Is that a good price?

-I don't know. What's the absolute death on the cigar case?

-What's the price on it?

-145.

-It would have to be 110, the death.

That would represent a small profit.

-70 wouldn't buy it?

-It wouldn't. I paid more.

I paid £90 for that.

And I had to put a couple of new panels on it. I do want the 110.

-It might touch 100.

-I tell you what you'd do better with. Have a look at that book.

-< Now touch the corner.

-Oh, wow.

-< It's a drinking flask.

That's very nice.

-If you look at the title, it's The 19th Hole.

-What's the best on that?

-95.

-Do you think that would sell, though?

-I do, I do, I do.

You couldn't do it for 60?

Again, I paid more. I'll knock another fiver off and do it for 90.

< I think that's a very fair price.

-What do you think?

-Erm...

-How much would it get at auction?

I think it might do 100 quid and a bit, mightn't it?

In the right sale, you could do 120-140.

-Let's go for it, I'm up for it.

-I think it's a good idea.

-All right, we'll have it at that, 90.

-Brilliant.

Guys, I think we need to speed up.

Because we are going to run out of time.

-I'm in a bit of a stress at the moment.

-Come on, you two.

-That's 38, too much for them.

-Hello, how are you?

-Mark, are these real silver?

-Let's have a look.

Oh, yes, they are, you know. They're little bonbon dishes.

Is that Mappin and Webb? I think they are.

-Yes. >

-Mappin and Webb.

These are hallmarks for Birmingham with the anchor.

What do you think? You spotted it.

It's pretty. It's got some weight behind it as well.

They're for, you can imagine, after dinner.

You'd put little bonbons, something like that in it,

and just have them on the table. (You could get that for maybe £40.)

-We could try.

-Do you want to ask her?

-Do you like them?

-I do like them, yeah.

-Go on.

-I like the shape.

The lowest was £45, leaving them £160 for their last item,

but only 10 minutes to get it in.

Don't you like him?

How can you not like him?

That?!

-He's gorgeous. He's cute.

-He has got orange eyes.

-Oh!

-(Sorry!)

-How much is it?

-12 quid.

It's not expensive. You cannot fail to love him.

-What, date-wise, he's gotta be...

-At least 500 years old!

I wish he was. This will get you. Ready?

Look, he jumps around.

That is honestly one of the most hideous things I've ever seen.

You can't tell me that doesn't blow your mind?

Oh, it is quite cute.

It's a bloody hopping, red-eyed freakish monkey!

Maybe we should leave him for a different owner.

We've seen a nice writing desk.

If I don't like it, will you have him?

-But it's expensive, it's got faults on it.

-I don't know...

We've all got faults. Come on.

You stand your ground, girls, but get a move on. Time is ticking away.

Doulton ashtray, that's fine.

We'd best rush, I think.

-We've got one minute.

-Let's look at one more stall and then we can go back and buy the monkey.

With only a minute left, the Blues head back to buy the walking stick.

Listen carefully. Here's how NOT to negotiate.

We would really like to buy this stick. It's great. And...yeah.

I was wondering if there was any chance you would take 130 for it?

I'm sorry, absolutely no chance at all, 140 is what I need.

-140 it is, then.

-OK.

-Brilliant, thank you very much.

-You're welcome.

See what I mean? The Blues are done, the pressure is on for the Reds.

With seconds to spare they've decided on their third buy,

and, no, it's not the monkey.

Was the cigar case, £80? I can't remember.

-That's 110.

-Can you meet us halfway, £100?

-Please, it's our last stall.

-Please.

-I'll do it for 100.

-That's it, literally to the second.

-To the second?

-Well done.

-Good work.

-Thank you very much.

So, has all that brain power and edu-ma-cation paid off

with some profitable purchases? Let's find out.

Let's recap on what the Reds bought.

The blonde magpies fell in love with the £22 swans.

They do say love is blind, though.

At £90, will they hit a hole in one at the auction

with the leather-bound flask?

The cigar case was a last-minute purchase,

but is it a good one with £100 paid?

Girls, it's the end of the day, it's going dark. How was that shopping experience, did you have fun?

-We had a brilliant time.

-We really enjoyed it.

You bought all those blingy, shiny, expensive things. I wish you the best with that lot.

£212 you spent. I'd like £88 of leftover lolly,

going to David Harper to find that bonus buy.

Does that mean I've got to buy something bright and blingy?

No! We want you to find something that's going to bring a big profit.

-OK, can I buy something I really like?

-If it makes a big profit.

Off you go, David, and good luck. Let's remind ourselves what the Blues bought.

The Pilkington vase wasn't a hit with Graham, but Lee and Mark

are convinced it will make a solid profit and paid £100.

Solid silver and a well-known maker, but will that be enough

to get the bidders interested in the £45 silver bonbon dishes?

Like the Reds, the Blues had a last-minute decision to make

and walked off with the Mexican carved stick for £140.

So, Graham and Lee, that was a bit of a panic, wasn't it?

-Down to the last couple of minutes for your final item.

-Rushing around.

Well, you spent a magnificent £285, I'm really chuffed about that.

£15 of leftover lolly, please. There you go, Mark.

-Now, what are you going to do with miserable £15?

-Not an awful lot.

-No.

-I've seen a burger and chips!

Have you? Well, it won't be easy for you, but good luck.

Well, it's great to be at Golding Young's saleroom in Grantham, with Colin Young.

-How nice to see you, Colin. How are you?

-Good morning, Tim.

-Very well indeed, thanks.

-Feeling strong today?

-Feeling strong!

-First up for our girls today, Suzie and Charlotte, we've got these little swan vases.

-What do you make of those?

-Always popular.

Asprey's did a version in cut crystal with silver mounts.

-But...

-They're not.

-They're quite fun, aren't they?

-They're quite good fun, just nominal sums.

-Estimate we've put, 10-20.

-They paid £22.

-So, it's not too far shy.

-No.

-What about this flask?

-I love it, I think it's a brilliant item.

Something that is a nice, easy, hide and deceive,

if you like a tipple or two.

-What's it worth, though?

-To be honest, I haven't got a clue.

I haven't seen another one. I've put a good old guesstimate on it

of £40-£60, and just see how we fare with that.

Exciting. Now, what about this mother-of-pearl cigar box?

Nice and clean, all of the panels are still on.

Nice combination, abalone shell, and mother of pearl.

-What's your estimate on it?

-We've put an estimate of £40-£60.

-Cor!

-I will be honest, I think that's probably the sort of money.

Because you get card cases which are functionable and usable,

and they usually make £40-£60 for the average ones, like this.

OK, well, our girls will be disappointed, they paid £100.

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

Charlotte and Susie, you spent £212, which is magnificent.

You gave David £88 to spend.

Did he blow the lot?

Oh! We knew it!

I, yep, I guessed that.

Come on, begin to love him. Look! Look what he does!

-It doesn't look any better than earlier!

-He's absolutely delightful.

If I didn't buy him, I would have regretted it for the rest of my life.

-Do you think it will make a profit?

-How much do you think? You know how much, I wanted you to buy him!

-A tenner.

-Not very much!

-A tenner.

How much would you pay for him in an auction?

-20, 30?

-Really?

-I really would. Honestly I would, yeah.

I mean, you've got it honestly from the heart of the monkey...

I mean, from the man. He's predicting double your money.

-Hold that thought.

-OK. We'll hold that thought.

For the viewers, let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about David's monkey.

What about that little monkey, then?

-Very nice. He's got holes in him, he's got rust on his wires.

-Yes.

The positive is, people will love him, so they'll bid for him.

And David's pleased with it.

So what's his worth?

We've put an estimate of £10- £20 on it, that sort of level.

Great, cos he paid a tenner. And I think that's fine, don't you?

-Yep.

-Anyway, that's it for the Reds. Now, for the Blues - Graham and Lee.

First up is the Pilkington's pot.

Perfect order, William Mycock,

very good artist, started at Pilkington's, 1894,

and this piece itself dates from 1932.

-They paid £100, what's your estimate?

-I've put £100-£150.

I think they stand a good chance of a profit. If they don't, there is no justice.

Next is the so-called Mexican stick.

I can't really see it exciting stick collectors.

We've put an estimate of £20- £40 on it.

Dear, oh dear! They paid £140!

£140 for the Mexican stick and you put £20-£40!

-This is terrible!

-Let's just hope I'm wrong.

Next is the kidney-shaped silver dishes.

OK, they're not particularly old, 1963.

But Mappin & Webb, good maker. So, yeah, they should do OK.

-I suppose estimate-wise, £20-£40, something like that.

-Is that all?

-Yeah, what did they pay?

-£45.

They might get out of trouble with those.

Because they are heavy gauge, so perhaps not the normal buyers will be going for them.

-Anyway, the problem there is this stick.

-Mmm.

So, bonus buy, I think they will need it. Let's have a look.

So, Graham and Lee, you spent £285, you gave £15 to Mark.

What did he spend it on?

THEY LAUGH

I did! But I only spent £10 on it. Because I think it's rather fun.

It's made by Colclough. It's probably from the 1950s.

Graham, I have to ask you, what is it you've got on your head?

-Tea-cosy hat!

-Very good. What do you have in front of you?

An elephant teapot.

Might your tea cosy go rather nicely on the elephant teapot?

Let's just see whether it goes. We've got a hole for the handle.

Oh, look at that! Perfect. A significant improvement,

don't you think? No, no!

-That's nice. You obviously like it, don't you?

-Yes.

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

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

-One lump or two?

-Definitely looks like one lump from here.

The first thing that you see on it is there's a little bit of damage there.

He's had his head chopped off at some stage.

-What a shame.

-Our estimate is 20-40.

I tell you, that Mark Stacey, he won't mind.

He only paid £10 for it.

Oh, excellent.

So overall, some excitement ahead.

Yes, unless they get a beating with that stick.

We shall see. Thank you, Colin.

12 bid. 12.50. 18...

Now, girls. What do your mates, what do your student friends,

think about you coming on Bargain Hunt?

I think they were positive about it.

They don't think you're mad or anything?

Slightly! I think they're quite looking forward to taking the mick out of us.

Are they? We're on the edge of the auction now.

-It's exciting, isn't it?

-Very exciting.

All these people, look at it.

A pair of clear glass-moulded swans,

mounted with electroplated neck and folding wings.

Who's going to start me with a bargain and start me at £36?

OK, £10 to go. Who's first in? 10 on the internet.

Any more now at £10 bid? 12.

The excitement continues.

15 now, do I see 15? He's hovering. 15 bid on the net.

18. Have another bid in the room. 18 next, 18 bid.

20 now, no, he's had enough. At 18 it's back in the room.

20 anywhere else now? 20.

£20 bid. 22 now. Go on, please. £20 in the front row, to anywhere else?

Then going, all done and finished at £20.

£20. Minus £2. That's not too bad. Now, your flask.

Lot number 71, quite an interesting lot,

this, of golfing interest, it's an eight-ounce spirit flask.

Who's going to start me at £50? 50. 30 to go, then, surely.

-30? 20 to go then, surely?

-Are you kidding me?

30 on the net. At 30 already.

32 anyway, 32 bid, 35, or anywhere else now? 35. 38, 40?

-£40 now.

-It's picking up, it's OK.

45 bid now? 45. 48. 50, and five.

55. 60 bid, and five, 65. 70?

£70 bid. 75, 80 now.

80 bid, 85, 90, 90.

100. 100 on the net now, do I see 100?

100 bid. 110, 120, 120 bid now, 120, 130, 120 bid.

30, anywhere else now? Come on. Come on, guys.

Going, on the internet, at £120.

That was £120. That's plus 30. Hang on a minute, hang on.

I'm getting a hug when I can get one.

Hug while you're ahead.

Victorian mother of pearl and abalone shell cigar case.

Who's going to start me at £50?

30 to go then, surely, 30,

20, 25 bid, 30, 35 bid, 45, 50...

It's fast now.

Don't stop!

70, 75, 80, 85, no...

-Come on.

-All done and finished, then,

all done and finished at £80.

Oh, blast it.

£80. You're minus 20 on that, which means you're plus £8.

You have eight pounds.

-Awesome.

-How exciting.

Oh, dear. I can't bear it.

Anyway, you're £8 up. That's all right, isn't it?

My heart is just going.

Ridiculous, isn't it, how it goes up, down, up, down.

You are ahead at £8. What are you going to do about the monkey, then?

-Gamble.

-Brilliant.

-We're going to make you happy.

A 1940s-50s clockwork monkey.

Who's going to start at £20 for him? 20, 10 to go then,

thank you, 10 bid, 12 anywhere else?

11, then. 11 bid.

-A pound!

-13, it isn't unlucky, at 12 bid, £13.

15 now, 15, 16, no, at £15 bid, going,

all done at £15. 16 bid, 17 bid, 18 bid, on the book, 19 or not now?

At £18 bid, any more now? 19.

I have 20, and I've 21 on the book.

-22 now.

-Go on.

At £21, we're on the market at 21, 22, back in the room.

At 22, every pound helps. All done and finished, then, going at £22.

THEY CHEER

Thank you.

There you go, you've got £12 profit on that, which is brilliant.

You had eight pounds before, so overall, you're plus 20.

-How about that?

-Well, I never!

Well done, you two.

That's brilliant, isn't it? £20 up.

This could be a winning score, it could well be a winning score,

we know how difficult it is to make a profit on this programme, and you've just done it.

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

-We won't.

-Keep really quiet.

-Top secret.

Don't go out looking so bubbly. Start looking miserable.

OK, depression.

52, 55...

-So, how are you feeling?

-Nervous.

Confidently nervous.

That's a mixture of emotions, isn't it?

But don't despair, because your Pilkington pot,

which Mark found for you, you paid £100 for that.

That's identified as being a Mycock pot,

which is a particular maker in Pilkington.

He's got some buyers lined up for Pilkington. Here it comes.

Item 95 is a Pilkington's Royal Lancastrian vase

of inverted ballast form, who's going to start at 100?

80 to go, then, 80, 80 bid, 85,

90, 95, 100, 110, 120, 130, this is cheap at 130, any more bid?

-Keep going, come on.

-I'll take five as a last call, 135.

140, down here, is that another bid?

140, at 140, 145, 150, 145,

then we're going at £145.

Well done. Well done, Mark.

145. You're £45 up.

Now, the stick.

The 20th century South American walking stick there,

possibly Mexican, who's going to start me at £40?

40, 30 to go, then, £30.

20, £20, anybody? 10, thank you, 10.

12, anywhere else, 12, 15, 18, everybody wants it now,

like a stroll in the park, 20 now, another one. 20, and two. 22.

25 now, I have 25, fresh blood,

28 now, have another one.

No, at 25 it's at the back of the room at 25, and eight now, do I see,

-28 bid, and 30, 32.

-He's working hard on this.

Last call then, we're done and we're finished

and we're selling, all done at £30.

That's minus £110.

This isn't so brilliant, this, is it?

You were £45 up.

Anyway, next lot up are the bonbon dishes.

A pair of Mappin and Webb silver pin dishes

of curvilinear form. Who's going to start me at £50?

50, 30, 30, 20, 22, 25, 28, 28, 30,

good, heavy gauge, 32, do I see now?

At 30 bid, 32, 35, 38, 40, 42,

45, 48, 48, do I see over there?

45, third row. 48 is a last call, 48, fresh bidder.

At 48, 50, we'll keep the progress going, at 52,

55 now, 55, don't want to scare you off with high figures!

He's a good auctioneer, isn't he?

58, surely. Last call, then, selling at £55.

Well done, Lee.

£55, you get a £10 profit on that.

You were minus 65, you're now only minus £55.

So what are you going to do about the hefferlump?

-We'll go for it.

-You're going with the hefferlump?

Colclough pottery teapot in the form of an Indian elephant

Who's going to start me at £10 for it? At 10, bid 12.

15, 18. 22, 25, 28.

30, 32, 35, 38, 40. 40 on the net. £40 bid.

It's on the internet at £40.

42, front row. Can I see a 45 bid? Surely have another click?

45 bid, 48.

48 bid. 50? Thank you. 50 bid. 55. 55, 55. 60 now.

Come on. Come on.

At £55 bid in the room. At 55. Eight is the last call then.

Going at £55.

You've sold it for £55!

How did that make more than the stick?!

That is amazing. £55. I can't believe that.

£55 for a teapot! A teapot with a broken finial.

-Well, I knew it.

-There you go.

Mark, you must be... He's just a genius, isn't he?

To convert £10 into £55, via the ether of the internet.

-We could have done the same with the walking stick.

-That's amazing.

So you have £45 profit out of that, which is very good.

You were minus £55 before, so overall you are minus £10.

-It could have been worse.

-It could have been a lot worse.

That is absolutely extraordinary.

10, 12, 15. 20.

The Blues are in detention and the Reds are top of the class.

And there are more treats to come with two more teams limbering up.

But hold your horses, we'll meet that lot shortly.

First I want to take you on an outing.

English landed estates, such as Belton House

here in Lincolnshire, would normally be passed down the eldest son.

That's why having a male heir was so incredibly important

to ensure that property remained in the immediate family.

But the Brownlow and Custs of Belton struggled to produce male heirs

and Belton was only passed down to the eldest son on two occasions.

So nephews, brothers, grandsons and cousins were all beneficiaries

over the 300 years the family lived here.

In the early 20th century Henry Cust, also known as Harry,

was due to inherit from Adelbert, his cousin, who was the third earl.

However things didn't work out to plan

because Adelbert outlived Harry by four years.

This painting depicts Harry's wife, Nina, lying in the library

of their London home, perhaps dreaming of a room at Belton.

Do you think it could be this room? The study? I think it is.

Almost identical apple green painted walls,

densely lined with books,

And if you look carefully in that watercolour,

does this end of a piece of furniture remind you of anything?

You're right, this is the self same cupboard that was in London

and has now come back to Belton.

On the face of it,

this looks like a late 18th, early 19th-century painted cupboard.

You can see where the paint's been rubbed.

And the timber's showing below.

But beautifully painted in the Adamesque style

with these Angelica Kauffmann-style roundels down below.

But if I give it a tap,

you'll find out that it's a cabinet, full of secrets.

Hear that?

That is not the same as that. Why?

Well, we've got two massive concealed locks,

plus a secret catch on either side.

The key plate is revealed.

You'd insert your key, unlock both doors and reveal...

..the secret interior. Not only secret, but incredibly secure

because this middle section of the cabinet is made of solid iron.

It's a safe, the ultimate security device for the gentleman

who wants to keep his precious objects close by him,

in a smart reception room without going to poke about

in one of those ugly safes underneath the back stairs.

Actually this is an extremely rare survivor,

and as such, is not only practical but, I think, drop-dead gorgeous.

Ding ding! Round two, and it's back to the winter wonderland

of Newark for some more bargain hunting.

We've got relatives Nicola and Doug for the Reds.

And friends Jenna and Eddie for the Blues. Welcome to Bargain Hunt.

So, how are you two related, then?

-I'm Nicola's great uncle.

-What's your interest in antiques?

I love antiques. For about 15, 16 years, I've been restoring antiques.

Has any of this passion for antiques rubbed off on you, Nicola?

Yes, it has, although in a different way.

What I do doesn't last as long as my Uncle Doug's stuff.

-So what do you do, then?

-I'm a sculptor.

-Right.

Yes, I carve sand, snow and ice.

How amazing. Have you got anything to show us?

Yes, I have two photos here. Two pieces that I did.

That is just extraordinary, girl! That's made of sand?

There were two of us working on that for two weeks.

You're very brave. I couldn't bear to see it fall apart.

I think we're going to have rather a good competition today, you two!

Now for the Blues, Jenna and Eddie.

-Hello.

-How do you two know each other?

-We are housemates.

-At university?

-Yes.

-Both students at Leicester University.

I'm sporting my Leicester University hoodie.

She bought it for my birthday on Tuesday.

-Happy birthday as of Tuesday.

-Thank you.

-What are you studying?

-Psychology and biology.

-What about you, Eddie?

-I do physics with planetary science.

-Phew.

-Hopefully going on to do earth observational science next year, hopefully. Fingers crossed.

We'll cross everything for you.

Get onto some safe territory!

£300 apiece, £300 apiece... You know the rules, and off you go. And very, very good luck.

So will it be the Reds carving out the big bucks?

Or the Blues just turning all this into another science?

Each team won't be alone.

They have exclusive rights to an expert's knowledge

to help them on their way so they don't slip up.

Right. Off they go. What delights will our teams find today?

Not round here, no.

-Do you want a piggy back, David?

-Yes, I think I do.

So shall we go up here?

I would say 1930.

-I'd say 1930.

-You would?

-I really like that.

-It's got great novelty value, hasn't it?

-But has it got any real monetary value, this is the thing?

-No.

It might have, in a big collection.

Ah, he's nice. I'm going to test you, Nicola.

-What do you think about him?

-So cute.

-He's nice, isn't he?

-I love it.

-What would you say if I did this to him?

Oh, my God! That's awful.

Scent bottle.

-Can I smell it? Oh, it smells of something.

-Perfume?

Oldness and perfume.

Let's have a smell.

-It's definitely got some...

-There's definitely been some...

-Well, I've got no sense of smell.

-Haven't you, really?

-How much is that?

-Let's ask him. What's the best on the teddy?

-80 quid.

-Really?

-What age would you think?

-I think '40s or '50s.

-I think we all like him.

-I do.

-Well, bid him, try him, go on.

I think Nicola should use her charms. Nicola, have a go.

-We want it, 50 tops.

-40.

-Go on, try him.

-50 tops.

Would you consider... a massive reduction on this?

Nicola secured a deal of £55, but they're sleeping on it.

Over to the Blues. Have they spotted anything so sweet?

-That's a cool bottle opener.

-What is it?

-It's a bottle opener.

-That's quite fun, isn't it?

-Because you'd attach that onto the bar. Yes.

-There's a clamp in it.

The bar that I work in now, we used to have one,

but a modern-day one where we just clamped it on the bar.

I just like the fact it's old style.

Is almost a piece of social history, isn't it? Because I love all this decoration.

It's cast steel. I like this little turned handle.

That would really clean up rather nicely, actually.

-Yes, it does look good.

-Can you tell us what your very best price is on that, please?

-Very best it could be is 130.

-130?

-130.

That's quite a good lot off. 165, to 130.

I think, I mean...

Can I say just one thing? Your faces have lit up since you found it.

-It's got to be a purchase.

-I know, I quite like that.

The dealer has given you a very good discount, nearly 20% off.

-Let's do it.

-Let's do it.

-We'll take that, thank you.

Hats off to the Blues, they're making quick decisions.

But is it rubbing off on the Reds?

I like that teddy.

I can't believe it - they're still mulling over the scent bottle!

-I liked it.

-We all like it.

It's a bit morbid, though, with its head off.

We don't to rip its head off all the time.

-Let's go for it.

-I think so.

-All right then.

Not bad. Only 20 minutes gone and that's the Reds' first buy for £55.

Let me show you something I've found.

This is a pottery charger.

And this is going back to the early part of the 20th century, 1910.

This is a copy of Italian majolica,

which is a sort of tin-glazed earthenware.

But then when we turn it over, we've got "Aeneas arriving in Italy."

And then you have got Verona, 1547, and Copenhagen.

I think the original majolica plate was painted in 1547.

And this has been painted by George Rowley, March 1919.

And I think that is quite interesting, actually.

Now, it is a lot of money at the moment, 120, but unless you ask, you never know.

-Shall I just shout over and find out?

-I think you should.

Excuse me. What's the best price we could have on this plate?

Well, being as I bought it with a lot of other things, I'll let you have it for £50.

50 quid. Come on, guys, we've got to.

-I'm not a fan, but for 50 quid, you can't say no.

-It's worth a gamble, isn't it?

-Yes.

Yep, go for it.

2-1 to the Blues.

The Reds are playing catch-up.

I like the colours.

-I think it's quite nice. How much is that?

-35.

-What's the best you can do on that?

-35.

You can't do 30?

I like it. It's got a lot of flash about it. For very little money.

I think you could buy something similar on the high street.

Do you think so? But feel the weight of that.

-Yes, OK.

-It's heavy, it's not plasticky.

It will look nice once there's a light underneath.

-Is it broken or anything?

-It doesn't look like it.

Can you do it any cheaper, please?

-Our time is ticking. £20.

-34.99.

-Oh, come on. 20?

Best, the very best.

'She's like a dog with a bone, this one.'

You're the best negotiator.

Let me go and ask him a bit more.

Watch what she can do.

Can you do it a little bit less?

-Yes, he'll do 30!

-Well done.

-Thank you.

I think Nicola is the best negotiator in the room.

That's £30 for the light fitting.

Has it got any of them marks that you antique dealers look for?

No, because it's not silver!

-Excuse me, what is the very best you can do on this? 40?

-This is 40.

-That's quite good.

-That's good.

We want to keep it in reserve. If we can get a better price...

-Come back to it in the last five minutes.

-OK.

And you obviously put something in here, press it down.

That's all very nice, but what about these?

Those are nice, aren't they? You like your napkin rings, don't you?

It's because they're sparkly.

-I like them, but they're only silver plate.

-Are they numbered?

-Yes. One to six.

Which is nice because that shows they are all of the same set.

And these are Victorian.

They're quite nice quality, the way they're decorated.

It is kind of a simple but effective design on it.

Yes, it is, and I suppose if you're having people for dinner,

six is normal. Because we don't use these sort of things very often.

In auction, I would probably put something like £30-50.

But this does have a nice little fitted case, and this is the original case.

But I don't think he'll go for that. But you can ask him, go on.

-What am I asking?

-Ask him what his very, very best price is.

Whilst Jenna sorts out a deal, let's see if the Reds are any closer to their final piece.

It is unusual, do you like that?

-What is it?

-A little match holder. A Vesta.

Vesta cases are collected, just by silver collectors.

And round ones are really very rare. Guess how much it is.

-A fiver.

-You're horrible, you are.

-Mind you, you'll be a very good buyer if you can buy things for that. 88.

-£88!

Don't worry, Anne is a wonderful woman. Anne, aren't you wonderful?

What's the best price on that?

-75.

-Ah, Anne.

-It's dented.

-I know, I know.

Well, really, I think it's got to be over to you.

I'd like to see what we can get that salt and pepper set...

Can I put that aside and see you later?

Come on then, Jenna, what deal did you get?

-I got him down to 55.

-55? Well, you did get him down.

-We've got about five or eight minutes left, so we need to make some decisions.

-What do you think?

-I reckon we do it.

-Go for them? I like them, I mean, I'd have them.

-Are you happy?

-All right, if I was a rich person I'd buy them, yes.

-Is that case closed?

-Case closed.

-Case closed.

Top stuff.

So, with five minutes to go, all we need now is a Red decision -

Vesta or cruet?

-What do you think?

-I'm mixed with it. A, I don't like the cigarette side.

-That's what I don't like.

-But it is collectible.

But these are things that are used.

I want you to decide. I prefer that.

Excuse me. What is the very, very, very best...?

-You can't do it a little bit cheaper?

-Not for the silver one...

Come on, there's no time for this. Make up your minds!

-Come on.

-35.

-This way, this way!

Can we do 35? Please?

-OK.

-Oh, you are, you are...!

-Thank you.

That's it. Stop the watch.

None of the teams got lost. They each got their three items.

Let's have a reminder of what the Red team's bought.

-Teddy bear.

-We both love it.

We fell in love with it straightaway.

Well, let's hope the saleroom loves the teddy bear scent bottle as much.

Next up was the mid-20th century glass lampshade.

-We think the matchstick thing is a bit of a gamble.

-Yes.

Matchstick thing?

Nicola's talking about the early-20th-century silver Vesta case.

-Now, Doug and Nicola, it wasn't exactly plain sailing for you, that shopping, was it?

-No, not quite.

-I mean, the disagreements!

-Yes, well...

-And you're relations!

Yes, quite.

Anyway, you spent £120, which is vaguely miserable.

180 of leftover lolly to go to David Harper to find the bonus buy.

-I know, but 180, Tim, that's pressure, isn't it?

-Why?

Well, I don't know. I feel obliged to spend quite a lot of it.

It's always safe when you haven't got much because you can blame the contestants...

-Because you haven't got much cash.

-Exactly!

-Perfect!

-I've learnt that from you.

-you went to the right school, too.

Now, in order to remind ourselves what these Reds are up against,

let's see what the Blues bought.

I love the corkscrew, I absolutely love it.

Ah, no surprises for the students - their first piece was booze-related.

The plate, I'm really unsure of, but...

-We got it for 50 quid, so...

-Hopefully it'll go well.

We're hoping so, too.

So will the 20th-century hand painted charger deliver the goods?

And, of course, the same goes for the six silver-plate napkin rings.

So, you two, how tough was that shopping?

-It was hard.

-It was very intense, yeah.

I mean, you rush round, you've got hardly any time.

You think you got more when you watch it on TV.

There you go, that's the reality of it all.

You didn't do too badly - you spent £235, pleased with that.

-£65 of leftover lolly.

-Jenna's got it.

Thank you. You don't like handing it over!

-£65, then, Mark, which you're going to use to find the bonus buy.

-Absolutely.

How tough are you going to find that?

I don't think so, they're really strong characters, Tim.

-There's a lot to play on there.

-Yes.

I've learnt a lot from them, so I'm going to grow my hair very and the next time I might have dreadlocks.

Well, that's something to look forward to!

So don't go to the hairdresser for about a couple of years.

-Perfect! We'll look forward to that.

-Thanks, Tim.

Still to come, will the Reds' "spend low, sell high" tactics pay off?

That's a good start, well done, you two.

'Will the Blues find selling as easy as buying?'

Oh, dear, this has not gone to plan.

'We'll find out soon.

'But first let's check in with Golding Young Auctioneers in Grantham, Lincolnshire

'to see how our old mate, Colin Young, values today's items.'

Now, teddy bear perfume bottle, that's whacky, isn't it?

It is, a nice little lot. There are plenty of teddy bear collectors

-that'll have a go for that.

-Will they pay £55, do you think?

No. Well, we've put an estimate not far from that.

I suppose 30 to 50 is a reasonable estimate on it.

What about this Tiffany-style lamp?

Yeah, it's more Tiffany off EastEnders, I'm afraid.

-Oh, right.

-Erm, not very old. Not very good...

OK, so a lookalike? Not a very good copy of the Tiffany,

but it's in quite good nick, isn't it?

It is, we've put an estimate of 25 to 40.

-That's something, £30 they paid.

-It's got a chance.

Yeah, you get a top end, Colin, they'll be pleased with you.

The Vesta case, that's a little horror

cos it's got these dents in it.

I don't know, circular ones always make a little bit more than...

the bog standard ones which usually make £20

so we've put an estimate of 20 to 30, but it's not going to sparkle beyond that.

£35 they paid.

There's no question at all here, they'll need their bonus buy so let's go and have a look at it.

So, team, you spent £120 which is vaguely pathetic... No!

£180 went to David Harper, what did he spend it on?

-Oh!

-Grand, posh piece, what do you think it is?

-Pass!

-It looks like something you'd put some dead person's ashes in.

-Ooh!

-No, you wouldn't!

-Now, there's a good sales technique.

There's a good sign... Yeah.

-It's a censer, so you'd burn incense.

-Incense.

-Oh...

If you look inside it's nicely green and burnt. It's been used an awful lot.

-So bronze, yes?

-Bronze. Japanese, Meiji period,

so late 19th century, and would look stunning on a nice, Georgian table with a lamp.

-It'd look a million dollars. How much would you pay for it?

-About £100.

I would pay £80-100 for it, I really like it.

-OK, well, you're very close both of you - 75.

-Oh!

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

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

So this is the bonus buy, Colin.

-Right.

-Does that inspire you with that little thrill?

-Not really.

The first thing you notice on this is it's fairly poorly cast.

-It is what it is.

-It is what it is.

But perfectly genuine. A kind of 1900 version.

For a bronze object you get quite a lot for your money, don't you?

You do. We put an estimate on it of £30 to £50.

Well, David Harper paid 75, you see. And he really rates it.

Anyway, that's it for the Reds.

Now for the Blues. What about this bottle opener?

Love it. I think it's a brilliant item.

If they were out looking for something a different,

that's the ideal object that they should buy at a fair.

The estimate we've put on it is £80 to £120.

OK, £130 they paid, so... They're saleable things.

Now, we've got the hand-painted charger.

It's a 1920s version of historiato dishes, but...

-It ain't 1480, I can tell you that!

-I'm afraid it's not, is it?

But nevertheless, it's certainly got to be worth £40 to £60.

OK. £50 they paid, you see, so that's pretty well on the button, isn't it?

What about the plated napkin rings?

People still use them, so yeah, they're going to be fine.

They're not going to just sit in the sideboard like a lot of these case pieces. They will actually be used.

Sort of 20, 40, that sort of range.

Well, sadly, £55 they paid.

-Well, it's not a tenner a ring, is it, so...

-No. Good.

They could need their bonus buy. We'd better go and have a look at it!

Now, Jenna, Eddie, how are you feeling? All right?

-Fantastic, yeah.

-Well, you spent £235, you ought to feel fantastic!

You gave £65 to Mark. What did you spend it on, Mark?

I spent it on this lovely little box here.

-Oh, that's nice.

-It's Oriental.

I rather like it, it's got a wise owl on the top there.

-And it was only £20.

-Really?

How much do you reckon it will take at auction, then?

On a good day, we might get £30 - £40 for it.

So we might see a bit of profit there.

See what we do on the other lots, is my advice.

Wait and see how you get on with your first three items.

But now, for the viewers at home, let's find out

what the auctioneer thinks about Mark's wise old owl.

-T-wit t-woo!

-Well, interesting and different acquisition, really, for an expert choice.

That's Mark Stacey for you!

At least he's going for something different and not the type of thing

that you're going to find in every sale.

Origin, Indian. Only silver plated,

low tens value. £20 to £40. It certainly should do that sort of region.

Great. He paid 20. So he should be in the money there for a bonus buy.

-You would hope so.

-And it's difficult enough, that job, isn't it?

Good. Almost as difficult as your job.

-You're taking the sale today?

-I am.

-I've got the easy job!

-Have you?

-Just take everybody's money!

-Good on you, Colin!

-You're looking a bit nervy, darling, what's the matter?

-I'm just so excited!

-Adrenalin pumping through my body!

-Very excited and let's get going.

Are you predicting great profits, Doug?

-No, not great profits. A profit.

-A profit. What about you, David, how do you see things going?

Well, I see my legs quivering, as they always do!

-There's a good crowd.

-It's a great crowd! Brilliant.

Three people and you'd be worried, but you couldn't get many more bods in this sale room.

-First lot up is your teddy bottle, and here it comes.

-Lot number 120.

1940s, '50s perfume bottle in the form of a golden plush teddy bear.

What shall we say for this? Start me at £50 for it.

40 to go, then. 40? 30 if we must. £30 bid.

35 do I see now? 35 bid. 40? 40 bid.

45. 50. 50 bid. 5. 55. 60. 60 bid.

-Yes!

-Anywhere else now? At 60 bid.

Five anywhere else? At £60.

Are we done? We're finished. It's in the room and I'm selling at £60.

Well, that's brilliant, isn't it? £60! Plus £5, that's a good start.

Well done, you two. You found it. Next lot.

A Tiffany-style modern hanging centre light.

Who's going to start me at £30 for this? 30? 10 to go, then.

Your bid, sir. 10 bid. At 10.

10 bid. At 12 anywhere else now do I see?

Come on! £12 may I say?

At £10 bid. 12. 12 bid. 15? 15 bid.

18 bid. 20. And two now.

Have another one? Two anywhere else now? I need more.

Last call then, we're going to sell.

-All done and finished at £20.

-Ow!

Bad luck, that's minus £10 on that.

You are now minus five.

Next up is your Vesta case.

An Edwardian silver case of circular form, London 1903. 20 to go, then.

-£20. 10, if we must.

-Oh, come on!

£10. Who's going to be first in at 10 for it? At 10?

10 on the net. 10.

10 bid. 12 bid. 15 do I see?

-At 12 in the middle of the room.

-Oh, please!

15. 18 with the lady. 20 now. 20 bid.

-Come on, it's worth a lot more than that.

-£20 bid. Two now do I see?

Two anywhere? 22 on the net. At 22. Five anywhere else now? At 22.

Five or not now, then going at £22 on the internet.

-How much?

-£22.

You're minus £13 on that, which means you're minus 18 smackers.

SHE LAUGHS

-18's my lucky number!

-She's laughing like a drain!

This answers all our questions now!

She's laughing like a drain!

-Thank you, Tim!

-This says everything!

-It doesn't say everything.

-I'm going home.

No, I think you've done extraordinarily well.

-Minus 18 is no miserable score, I can tell you.

-David will save us!

-Well, are you going to go with it?

-Yeah!

-You are?

-Yeah! Love it!

-You are going to go with it?

-Yes.

-I'd buy it.

Japanese bronze censer, this time,

with a cast birdcage finial cover. I'll take 20 to go.

£20. 20 bid. Two now do I see?

At £20 I'm bid. Two anywhere else now? At £20 I'm bid.

-Two anywhere else now?

-Oh, come on!

28 now. 28 bid. 30.

Yes! Yes! Come on!

38. 38 bid. 40. £40 bid. 42 now.

-42. 45. 48. 48 bid. 50? No.

-Yes! Yes!

48 bid. At 48. Selling then at £48.

-No!

-Oh!

-Come on!

-£48.

That is two shy of 50.

That means you're minus £27 on that.

OK, 27, 37, £45.

You're minus £45 overall.

Not bad!

SHE LAUGHS

-Jens, are you feeling confident about today?

-Erm... Yes!

-Yes?

-Possibly, I don't know! I think the corkscrew is kind of worrying!

What's worrying you about that corkscrew?

The amount of money we might have spent on a corkscrew!

130 quid for a corkscrew!

You spent £130 on it. Well, Eddie found it. You found it...

-At least I can blame him!

-You're responsible! £130 you paid.

The auctioneer thinks it's a great object. He's put £80 to £120 on it.

-My God!

-He's got lots of confidence in that corkscrew.

-So, don't despair.

-Fingers crossed!

The original safety trademark cast iron bar corkscrew.

What shall we say for this? Who is going to start me at

30, then! Come on, 30.

-£30 bid. Five now do I see?

-Oh dear.

-At 30 bid. Five anywhere else now?

30 bid. Five anywhere else now?

38. Multiple bids on the net. 38 bid. At 38. 40 in the room? 40.

42 now? 42. 45 now?

It's going. Just another 80 quid to go!

45 anywhere else now? Going at £42.

Oh dear, this has not gone to plan!

-It's disappointing, isn't it?

-£42, not good.

That's eight shy of 50.

I think that's £88 down the drain, actually! Minus £88.

-Oh dear, oh dear!

-Over to you Mark, with the charger.

John Maddock & Sons vitreous china plaque,

very nice scene, presumably Verona.

£20 anyone? 10?

-THEY LAUGH

-Thank you. 10 bid. At 10.

12 now do I see? 12 bid. 15.

15. 18 I've got. At 18. 20 I've got. At 20. At 20 bid. Two now? Two.

Five bid. 28 bid. 30 bid. 32 now.

32? 32. 35? 38. 38.

Bid 40 now? No? At 38 bid. 40 anywhere else now?

£38. Any more now? Selling at £38.

Bad luck! That's minus £12, all right to back which, overall,

means you're minus £100. With one lot to go. Here it comes.

Set of Edwardian six electroplate napkin rings.

I just have to figure out where we'll start.

£22.

-Oh!

-25, 28? 30, 32, 35, 38, bid 40.

42, 45? 42 on the book. At 42.

Five anywhere else? At £42 bid, any more now?

Are we all done?

Selling at £42.

£42 is minus £13.

So you are minus 113. Minus 113.

This is not how it's supposed to go.

I think we might have broken the record for most money lost.

Have you ever lost more than that?

It's difficult, isn't it?

Anyway, don't worry about it.

It's minus £113. What are you going to do about the wise old owl box?

-We can't lose much more.

-Let's try and lose some more so let's go for the owl.

The Indian silver-plated cylindrical patch box

with hinge cover, embossed with an owl's mask.

Let's give it a go, 30. Who's first?

-10 anyone? £10.

-Oh...

-10?

Thank you. 10, you've put me out of my misery.

Put us out of ours!

12. Late surge in the bidding. 13?

13! That's the spirit!

14, do I see? 14 bid. 15?

No? At 14, bid. 15, do I see?

15, bid. 16, do I see? It's the last call then, going at £15.

£15, bad luck, that's minus £5 on that.

Overall then you are minus £118.

Result(!)

It's so sad when we've got two such wonderful teams and we can only have one team of winners.

-You haven't talked to one another?

-No.

-No.

-Well, you won't be aware that both teams have made whopping great losses,

but just one team has made a seriously whopping loss and that is of course the Blues.

Anyway, £118.

I'm afraid the score all the way down the line is minus, minus, minus, but you've had a great time?

-Yes, it's been awesome.

-Yeah!

Awesome?

Quite(!) Now, the Reds did manage to get a profit of £5 on one item

and then it was a series of minuses too, but it just happens that your total minuses are only minus 45.

-That's not bad.

-Which in the scale of things is,

as they say, not so bad.

-Very good.

-You've had a lovely time?

-Yes.

-You've had a lovely time?

-Yes!

-That's what it's all about.

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

-Yes!

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd