Grimsthorpe 22 Bargain Hunt

We're in Lincolnshire, and for the teams, it's all about making snappy decisions

and not leaving anything until the last minute.

And who's got today's game plan in check? Well, we'll find out later.

But right now, let's go bargain hunting!

Hello, bargain hunters,

and welcome to Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire.

This is the venue where our teams are going to do battle

to find some treasures.

Coming up on today's show, the Reds are having a real workout.

I've got two minutes, Jonathan. Two minutes.

And the Blues? Well, it's just hard work.

Do you know, girls, it's quite stressful, shopping with you!

-I'm sorry! I told you we were terrible!

-£350!

I keep picking everything out that's really expensive!

Who would have thought that their challenge -

to spend £350 on three antiques in an hour -

could possibly be so demanding?

And that's before they head off to the auction,

where they hope they're going to make a profit on what they've paid.

I'll take two for them, surely!

-Oh, dear!

-What?!

-The gavel falls.

He's only put £50 to £70 on it, which is not so good, babies!

Remember, they get to keep any profit that they make,

so let's go and meet today's wannabe wheeler-dealers.

Well, it's all about best mates today.

For the Reds, we've got John and Andy, and for the Blues, Gemma and Sam.

Welcome to Bargain Hunt, everybody.

Very nice to see you. Good.

John, how did you two first meet?

Me and Andy were next-door neighbours,

but it was the wives that got to know each other first, and after that, basically they introduced us.

Subsequently, we've been best mates for about nine, ten years now.

Great. What will your tactics be today, John?

Haggle really hard, find some real bargains and hopefully make some money at the end of it.

Good. And what are your interests in antiques, Andy?

I collect a lot of film memorabilia.

I've got a lot of things that I'm going to pass on to my children.

I also collect Satsuma vases.

I've got a lot of miniatures.

And are you well-trained in the combat of bargain hunting, do you reckon?

They had better watch out, cos we're gonna be moving around. We'll get these items as quickly as we can.

-We'll dig in and we'll get some good bargains.

-Moving on to the Blues.

Girls, how are we? All right?

-Yes, thank you.

-Do you think you're going to beat these two boys?

-These big brutes?

-Definitely.

-What's your strategy, then?

-We're just gonna take 'em down!

-You're just gonna take 'em down!

-We may be little, but we'll beat them.

-How do you two know each other?

Gemma and I, we met at college.

We left our jobs and went to pursue a career in beauty.

-Ah!

-We met there. We didn't really see eye to eye to start with.

I thought she was a bit of an emo and she thought I was an airhead,

-and she didn't like me very much.

-But something happened, because you bonded up and became friends.

We had a night out and realised we had loads in common, and yeah,

we've been really good friends ever since.

Sam, have you now finished in college, then?

Yes, we have. We're now qualified beauty therapists.

So, Gems, if I came into your salon, what would you recommend for me?

-Obviously you're very handsome, so there's not much we can do to improve!

-Say no more!

Moving on, then!

No, seriously, there must be something that you could dredge up that would be a suitable treatment.

-We could tint your moustache for you, maybe.

-Tint my moustache?!

-Yeah.

What would you do if you were to tint my moustache? Put some dye on it or something?

It's a bit like having your hair dyed.

-I've never done that.

-Your regrowth might look a bit funny on your face!

Brilliant. We've now come to the money moment.

The £300. Here's your £300.

-300 smackers.

-Thank you.

There you go. You know the rules. Your experts await. And off you go!

Very, very, very good luck.

Hmm, I don't think it needs tinting, do you?

Keeping the peace as the teams find their three bargains each, we have two pros.

Fighting for the Blues, Kate Bliss.

It's such a fantastic setting for an antiques fair here at Grimsthorpe,

but I hope my contestants aren't

taken in by the romantic surroundings, and that

they're going to get stuck in and find some treasures.

And for the Reds, Jonathan Pratt.

When I found out I was up against Kate Bliss, I thought,

"Blimey, I'm really gonna have to work hard."

She's very competitive, she's got lots of experience, very focused,

and I'm quite a competitive person too,

so I've really got to pull all the strings today.

And off they go! Let's hope they use their one hour wisely.

What are we interested in? What are you guys looking for?

-Silver.

-We've looked at some bronzes in the past before, so that's what we're looking at as well.

-Some nice pots, I'm looking for.

-Pots?

-Yeah, some nice pottery.

Maybe some little miniature pictures as well, miniature paintings.

OK. That's very specific.

-What about jewellery?

-Jewellery?

-Yeah.

Something silvery and sparkly!

Ooh, loads of ideas! Come on, then!

Let's get going! Let's go down here.

So, their shopping list is complete,

but will they find what they're after?

I think it's always better to go for silver, girls.

It's just got a bit more quality and weight to it.

You see an awful lot of silver-plated ones.

That is actually in lovely condition.

You've got the Roman numerals, and then the subsidiary dial for the seconds.

If you turn it over, it's all polished up and looking beautiful. If we just open it up,

press the button on the top,

and that should spring open.

There we go - we've got silver hallmarks on the inside. 1907.

So it's Edward VII in date, well over 100 years old.

-It's lovely.

-How much is it?

-85.

-85! I was thinking more like 60?

Go on then.

Should have asked for 50, shouldn't I!

-I was gonna say, won't you sell it for 50?!

-Not 50, no.

-Cos we're gonna have to clean it!

-Don't dip it in oil!

Is that your best, seriously?

Eh... Yes. 55.

-50, go on.

-50's such a nice round figure.

-Help three lovely girls!

-Yeah, go on.

-£50?

-Yeah, go on.

-Do you like that, girls?

-Yeah.

Well, they've bought it, but they don't sound so convinced.

I think we've done the right thing.

Yeah, I do. I like it, I think it's a nice item. I think we did well.

Do you know what? Sometimes, the first thing you see is the best buy.

You never know. We've got loads more to do, so come on!

So that's the Blues up and running. Have the Reds bought anything yet?

Yes, it is Tunbridge ware banding. Well done.

-I've got an expert with me!

-THEY LAUGH

-Here we go.

-That's a nice-quality one, isn't it? It's a writing slope.

-You've got rosewood, and this wood is birch, I think.

-Looks like maple.

Yeah, maybe it is.

This opens up here as well.

Date-wise, you're looking at... The style of it, it's early Victorian.

£72 asking.

Because it's very decorative, you might find someone looking at it.

A straightforward rosewood writing slope in good condition is £30-40.

-OK.

-But you've got this nice pattern on it.

-It's beautiful, I really do like it.

-So at auction I'd probably quote £40-60.

-OK.

So you stand a chance if you get it in at 60.

'Well, John, you said you were gonna haggle hard, now's your chance.'

The guys quite like the writing slope.

You've got 72 on it. What do you think you can do that for?

I could go down to 60 on that.

Will you go down to about 50?

-Erm, no. I can go a little bit lower, but not much.

-55?

-Yeah, 55 I'll go.

-You really like that. Do you want to just go for that, just to get one in the bag?

-Yeah.

Cos it's a good decorative thing. Are you happy with that? OK.

That's number one done!

It's like Challenge Anneka, isn't it! "Quick, find something!"

Now then, this could be interesting. Both teams are eyeing up cruet sets.

Nice. Walker and Hall are really well-known makers, good quality.

Sheffield It's a Walker and Hall as well, so it's a good local maker as well. Selling it in Derby.

The only thing is, these aren't that commercial. People don't tend to buy them so much.

-Mark's a little bit rubbed. Quite pretty, actually.

-Very nice.

-This chap's got a little dent in it, but...

-This one's fairly clean.

-BMH.

-That's the person it's been given to as a present.

-Would that deter people from buying it, or...?

-Perhaps...

If you knew the history of it... VENDOR: It gives a bit of character to things sometimes.

Definitely.

I think you can change your name by deed poll!

LAUGHTER Yeah, definitely!

-They're a nice shape, they're in nice condition.

-Yep.

-The hallmarks are crisp, you know.

There's nothing obvious of damage.

Often you see a foot's been dropped off or bent over, stuff like that.

So, £30, you say?

-Best.

-Best is 30 quid?

-I can't go any less.

I do quite like them.

Do you? Don't let me force your hand as such...

In a minute it'll be £50!

30 quid, Sheffield, Walker and Hall.

I think go for it.

VENDOR: Do you know that is? 15 cups of coffee.

Exactly! But at auction, they don't think like that, do they?!

-I do like it.

-You make a decision.

-Yes. Let's go for it.

So, the Reds bought theirs. Have the Blues bagged theirs?

Is it gonna break the bank, though?

-125 for the set.

-Shall we have a look around and come back maybe?

-I think that's a very good idea, Sam.

-We know where it is.

Thanks for your help.

'With just over half of the shopping time gone, I've also taken a shine to something silver.'

What's so special about this tablespoon?

There's L & Co.

That is the mark for the celebrated Regent Street store Liberty & Co.

Liberty's is a fascinating collectors' area.

In the case next door, if I open it up, you find six exquisite little teaspoons.

Each one has a different form of bowl,

either in leaf or floral pattern.

The stem in each case is a single shaft of silver, topped by a different knop.

This one is of old fish-face.

It's actually a little carp.

If I look at the silver mark on this spoon, it's got some mumbo-jumbo mark on it,

which is actually the Japanese maker's mark.

For the very earliest period of Liberty's existence,

between about 1875 and 1885, they imported

Oriental wares and sold them in the Regent Street store.

That is the period that these six little teaspoons date from.

How much would they cost you?

For a British-made set of six teaspoons of this period,

honestly you'd buy them in a nice case for 50 quid.

But the price of this lot is £420.

That's what the Liberty cachet is all about, and were you to buy these silver teaspoons,

it's absolutely essential to keep the box,

because without that, the connection to Liberty simply wouldn't exist.

Back to the action now.

The Reds have spent £85 on two pieces, and the Blues

are slightly behind, having only one item, and still £250 to blow.

Girls, we've got one piece, well done.

But we need two more!

We're not doing very well!

And we've got 22 minutes left. So...

We're not doing well at all.

Come on, press on. Have faith. We're gonna find two really good pieces.

A gem from Gemma is about to turn up. Have a look over here.

Let's go. This way.

It's a rattle. That's well cute. VENDOR: It's a little bell.

-What do you think, girls?

-That's nice. Is it silver?

It is silver. Because you can see, if you look very carefully...

-Can you see that hallmark there?

-Yep.

I have to say, I've never seen a rattle in the form of an apple like that. A little novelty piece.

-It's really sweet.

-There is a little bit of damage.

Do you see, they've put the actual bell in here, through this slot,

but can you see the silver has torn slightly here and here?

Would that affect its value?

It would affect the value. For a collector who likes things perfect, that might put them off.

I have to say it wouldn't bother me, because I think the novelty shape of it, being an apple,

outweighs the little bit of damage on it.

-How much is it?

-Got 62 on there.

I could do it for 58.

-Because of that damage, I'd like to see it at sort of...

-40.

-Mmm.

If we meet in the middle at 45...

I do like it, I think it's really nice.

I just don't know if we're gonna make anything on it when it goes to auction.

The damage puts me off.

To be honest with you, it's had an awful lot of interest today, and I haven't had it in stock very long.

Could be worth the risk, though.

Could be a risky item.

It's a gamble. You might get a collector saying, "Gosh, I've never seen a little apple before,"

and he's prepared to pay a bit more despite the damage.

I think, we're running out of time, I think we take the risk.

I do as well. VENDOR: I think, to be honest...

-45?

-If you get two collectors after it, I think it could fly.

-OK.

It might not, but it could.

Thank you very much. I think we'll take it.

Well, that was great, because for the first time, I saw the girls coming out of their shells

and I think Sam is a bit of a hard bargainer underneath.

She really got stuck in. And we got a pretty good price.

So, with 12 minutes to go, I think they're finally on a mission.

Time's ticking away but Jonathan has spotted something he likes.

So far, a superb name.

The big French factory of the 18th century.

We've got plenty of time, so there's no rush.

-I'm not even panicking yet.

-Yes, we've got about ten minutes.

-Plenty of time.

-£100 for the two.

I don't think you stand to lose very much.

I think that's one you should run back for.

You may not be panicking, Andy, but Jonathan sure is.

I don't know. They're cool as cucumbers.

What do you think about this, girls?

That's quite good, isn't it?

-Is it a coal bucket?

-I think it probably is.

Have a closer look.

What I love is this lovely thistle decoration embossed on the side.

Almost Art Nouveau in date. 1900.

But you've got lovely paw feet and lion mask handles with rings,

which are reminiscent of the Regency period of the 1820s.

Is there a lot of them about, though?

Brass isn't selling well at the moment.

The market is depressed for brass, copper, pewter.

Items like this, I would not normally recommend.

But what has drawn me to this is the lovely shape

and as a piece of design, it's a really attractive thing.

-It's quite nice.

-The price is 150...

Yes, £150.

It's quite high.

It is a lot. If it said 80, I'd say go straight away.

But then we haven't seen anything else and time is ticking on.

I know! We need to find something.

-Shall we think about it? Look a bit further?

-Yes.

But bear that in mind, girls, because it's a good thing.

Don't leave it too late, girls. There's just ten minutes to go.

But how are the Reds doing?

We've got a fair amount of money left. I think we have the best part of £270 left. So...

I'm now going to try and encourage them to blow some large money on their last object,

which I think they ought to choose, with a bit of guidance.

It's quite simply done and it's very much the 1930s.

I quite like that. How much is that?

-That one?

-Yes.

I'm doing that at 35.

-That's Whitby.

-That's so nicely done.

-How much is that one?

-65.

I like that. That's a possible.

I like that, little ship scenes.

-I think the Whitby scenes is pretty. Brilliant.

-Thank you.

We'll wonder that way but you may hear us running back. Cheers.

Especially when we run out of time.

Both teams have us hanging on a limb and they're not rushing into getting that final piece, either.

Maybe it's because they've seen something already?

Oh, yes. The coal bucket.

£150.

-We've got 150.

-Yeah.

That's a gamble but you did both like that.

-We haven't seen many things you've both liked.

-No.

Come on, girls. Quick!

So, we're really short of time and we'd love to buy...

You can buy it but I can't sell it for less than £150.

-Oh!

-That's rock-bottom, honestly, it really is.

You can squeeze me to another £5 note but I can't go any lower than that.

I just can't see it at that at auction.

All I can say is, you don't have to buy it, ladies.

Oh, yes they do. There's about three minutes left.

-140, just for us?

-I can't.

I'll buy you a cup of tea.

Come on, she'll give you a big kiss.

Will she? Is it worth a big kiss?

-All right, 140.

-And a big kiss.

-140?

-Thank you.

At last, the Blues have finished.

How close are the Reds away?

-You've got two minutes, Jonathan.

-Two minutes?!

-OK, I think, in that respect, you've just got to go and buy those vases.

-Vases or pictures?

-It's your decision.

-Vases or pictures?

I'll go with what you say is the best. I can run up to the pictures now, it'll take 30 seconds.

-It's your decision.

-OK.

-We've talked enough about both of them.

-I've given you enough information about both of them.

-Pictures?

-Which do you like the best?

-The pictures.

-We'll go for pictures.

OK. Leg it. You've got to get there and buy it within two minutes.

They're cutting it fine.

Is the man here?

Yep, he's here.

-OK.

-Local.

-It was the one underneath.

-The Whitby one?

The Whitby one, the windmill and the boats.

Yes. Them three. How much is it again, sir?

-100 quid.

-Let's go for it.

-So we're buying three pictures, one lot, £100.

-Yes.

-Brilliant.

-Thank you very much.

-Like it.

-There we are.

-You can get your breath back now.

There we have it. Both teams have picked up their three items, only just squeezing it in, though.

Remember, our two experts will be expected to buy

another item which could help their teams make some extra dosh.

For now, though, let's look at what the Reds bought.

First in the can for Andy and John

was the Victorian wooden writing slope.

Walker and Hall was the name

on the pair of silver salt cellars from 1902 that Andy found.

And the boys made a sweat over the last item.

Let's hope their mad dash

for the set of three pencil-signed engravings was worth it.

We just had enough time to get everything in, with a bit of a sprint.

It was last minute, wasn't it?

-We had 20 seconds to spare.

-Did you?

We spoke to Jonathan and knew he was a fit boy,

so we had no problems running up the road to get the last items.

No, quite. We'll bring on the oxygen in a moment.

-LAUGHTER

-How much did you spend overall?

We spent £185.

That's brilliant. Which is your favourite piece?

My favourite piece is probably the three pictures.

I like the salts. I think they'll do well.

But I also like the pictures.

On the day, we'll see what happens.

Quite right too. You spent 185.

-I'd like £115.

-I have this.

-You have to give it to me.

-Oh!

And then the good Lord gives with one hand and he...

..Takes away with the other.

There you go, Jonathan. What are you going to do with £115?

I've seen some very nice little things. I think something portable, that I can put in my pocket.

All responsibility sits with you, Jonathan.

Let's remind ourselves what the Blues bought.

Sam and Gemma wanted to buy sparkly

and they did just that, first with

the silver-cased pocket watch

and secondly, with the 1920s apple-shaped silver baby's rattle.

Last up, they swapped silver for brass

in the shape of an oval coal bin.

-So, you've just finished.

-Yep.

Well done. Right to the last second. What's going on?

Are you just disorganised? Why is it that it took you such a long time?

-Choosy.

-Choosy, yeah.

-Yeah.

How much did you spend?

£235.

£235 well spent.

Which is your favourite piece?

The watch, the pocket watch.

-What about you?

-I'm split between the watch and the apple.

I think it apple is a bit of a risk but it might be good.

-Is that the thing that will make the most profit?

-I think it might do.

That's it, then. I'd like £65 of leftover lolly, which goes straight to Kate.

-Thank you.

-You're going to spend this very speedily, aren't you?

I'm going to go and make a snappy decision.

That's a pointed remark.

For me, I'm heading off somewhere seriously holy.

Very holy indeed, as I've come to Lincoln Cathedral.

Much of the cathedral dates back to the 13th century,

when it was given a Gothic makeover, the must-have look of the day.

A defining characteristic of your average English cathedral is the Bishop's chair.

Lincoln houses a grand example of what's called a cathedra.

The word itself is derived from the Greek "cathedra"

meaning literally a teacher's chair.

And right next door, this is St Hugh's choir,

which was created in 1141.

It's the space that's effectively the heart and hub of the cathedral.

Running around the perimeter are 53 stalls.

There are 53 canon connected with the cathedral

and each of them would have their own individual space.

We've got cusps, arches, we've got crocketed finials

and above that sits a saint in all his splendour.

I want you to imagine that you're a peasant who's come into receive the sacrament in the cathedral in 1500.

In your whitewashed hovel that you call home, there is absolutely no decoration at all.

You come to the cathedral to take your sacrament and kneel,

looking up at this screen,

with the gentle light pouring through these towering pinnacles.

Your breath would be taken away.

Not all the carvings in the choir date back to the 1400s.

Just look at this splendid example of a pulpit.

Here we've got something that was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott

and erected in 1863.

On the outset corners we've got standing figures of Matthew, Mark,

Luke and John, all carved expertly out of a single block of oak.

And in-between are panels carved alto relievo,

with Our Lord going about his sermons.

Just goes to show the Victorians knew a thing or two about carving also.

The big question today is how are our teams going to get on over at the auction?

Is it going to be a question of divine intervention, perhaps?

So, we've come 58 miles south of Grimsthorpe to the Derbyshire village of Mackworth

-to be with Charles Hanson. How are you?

-Very well, thank you.

-John and Andy, these Reds, they went with this Victorian rosewood and maple writing slope.

-Yes.

Is that something that's going to take off in the sale?

It's a bit tatty, Tim. It's got the crack running across the centre horizontally.

It's a bit tired and it's fairly middle of the road.

Yes. What's your estimate?

My guide price is between £40 and £60.

That's not too bad. They paid £55. So we're in the ballpark, Charles.

-We are.

-With a bit of expert auctioneering.

-I hope so.

-Which I shall be relying on.

The matched pair of silver salts.

They're beautifully cast with the sea scrolls

on the heavy paw feet.

Always popular in salerooms.

They're fairly fresh on the market from their condition.

-My guide price is £30 to £50.

-Brilliant. £30 paid.

What about these three prints.

-Actually, they're etchings.

-They are.

There's different views.

Sutton Bridge there.

They're good quality but they're a fairly restricted market

and they can fly, they can fall.

Give us your worst shot, Carlos.

For the three, between £50 and £60.

£100 was paid. The whole team bought into this lot so Jonathan and the guys, they're all responsible.

But remember, we must entice, we want to encourage, and obviously

there are market-fresh so hopefully my guide price will be surpassed.

If there's a problem with that they're going to need

their bonus buy, frankly, so let's go and have a look at it.

John and Andy, you spent £185.

£115 of leftover lolly went to Jonathan Pratt.

What did he do with it?

-Oh!

-It could be slightly painful, this.

-That is a big one.

-It stuck in the end.

Lovely reveal, that. One of our better ones.

You'd better tell the boys about it before they break it.

It's a desk blotter.

It's fantastic.

It's just nicely carved. There's a lot of detail in it.

-How much did you spend?

-I paid £70.

-£70?

-Yeah.

Is it going to make a profit for us?

I think it stands a chance. It's an unusual thing

and these Bavarian pieces can be quite unpredictable.

So I have high hopes for it.

The guy who sold it to me assured me it would make money!

On that happy note, that's what you hang on to.

You decide later, after the sale of your first three items,

but for the viewers at home, let's find out what they think about Jonathan's blotter.

-Over to you.

-Thank you. Tim. A Bavarian bear. It must be, in period, 1890, 1910.

It's difficult to date, but do you rate it from the carving? It's nice and crisp.

The bear is really well carved.

-I do like it.

-What's your estimate?

-My guide price would be between £50 and £70.

-Jonathan paid £70.

-Fine.

-He's hoping for the very best.

As we all are. I'll pop it on top of there. Charming.

-Sits well.

-That's it for the Reds.

Now for the Blues, and what a wacky mix they've got.

They have.

Fairly standard, open-faced, key-wound silver pocket watch.

It is. Edwardian, good condition.

No real signs of wear and tear.

-How much, do you think?

-They tend to make between £40 and £45.

-£50 on a good day.

-We need a good day because they paid £55.

The baby's rattle in the form of an apple.

When it comes to silver, novelty always sells.

-In its shape of an apple, yes, it's got that charm about it.

-1920s?

-Twenties. It's well hallmarked.

-My guide price would be between £25 and £35.

-Kate paid 45.

-It ought to hopefully get there.

-Yes.

-If we're lucky.

-Lovely.

-This oval boiler.

-Yes.

-Do you like it?

-It's a good lump.

I think it has great style. It sits well but I'm not sure what its use would have been originally.

They bought it as a coal tub but a more impractical and ridiculous coal tub you can't imagine, can you?

-No. It's got the liner... but I don't know.

-Do you know what I rate about this?

I think it's Dutch and it started off life completely plain and what they did was

to bring over a lot of continental metalwork in the 19th century and emboss it up around about 1900.

And some Scottish embosser embossed this with the thistles

but it's a dead plain piece of Dutch or Netherlandish brass.

And it could date from the late 18th century, early 19th century.

-I see that now.

-Can you see that?

The whole thing with how it sits in the style doesn't sit so well

-but in the arts and crafts format it has that presence.

-It does.

Imagine it without any feet.

Because the feet were put on at the time it was embossed.

Then think about it as a fish kettle.

-Think about it as a cookery object that you'd shove in your Dutch oven, with a lobster in it.

-Got it, yes.

That's what it started off life as.

And now, poor thing, it's become a coal tub. The ultimate insult.

-It tells a story.

-It tells a story.

But anyway, having said that...

Today the market for copper and brass is quite difficult.

My guide price would be £50 to £70, which might seem

a bit expensive but I hope the audience will see its true merits in the period.

You think 50 to 70 might be a bit expensive? They paid £140 for this.

-There could be a big loss, Tim, unfortunately.

-Oh, my Lordy.

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

Gemma and Samantha.

-How are you both?

-Fine, thank you.

-Feeling nervy?

-A little bit.

We're going to find out what Kate spent all that leftover lolly on.

£235 you spent.

Kate was given £65.

-Did she blow the lot?

-Almost.

I've gone for something a little scientific.

We bought some great-looking pieces but this is very functional as well.

It's a little desk brass-cased aneroid barometer.

What I like is you can see the workings.

You can see how it all hangs together.

So I thought that was a rather sweet little thing. £60 is what I paid.

-I like it.

-I like it. It's nice.

-Does it work?

It does work, as far as I know.

We're on "fair" at the moment, which is looking slightly dubious.

Don't tap it - it might rain!

-Have a look.

-See what you think.

-How much do you think it's worth?

I would estimate it at 50 to 80.

So I think it's got room for some profit.

-I like it.

-I do.

I'd have bought this if I'd seen it.

Well done, Kate. You decide later.

For the viewers at home, let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about the barometer.

-It says "change".

-It does.

It's blowing fine, today, Tim, hopefully.

Will it be small change or do you think it's large change?

It's circa 1890, 1910. It would have had its friend originally,

-maybe it's time companion.

-Yes, off a desk.

As part of a set on a desktop.

I think it's going to realise between £40 and £70.

-Kate paid £60.

-Right.

So we could be heading for stormy weather.

Andrew and John.

Are you feeling positive?

-Absolutely fantastic.

-We're going to win.

-You're going to win?

-Yes.

-You're going to hammer the Blues, are you?

We'll take them down like they've never been taken down before.

They won't know what hit them.

Well, we have had chat like this before on Bargain Hunt.

It's called fighting talk but I don't blame you for being confident.

First up is the writing slope and here it comes.

-We now go on to number 135.

-Ooh.

Victorian rosewood and maple inlaid writing slope.

Nice box. I am bid straight in here on my book at 40.

Do I see five now? Come on. 40.

I'll take 5, 50, 5, 60, 5. I'm out.

-Please.

-Do I see 70?

£65. Make a name for yourself. Going once,

going twice, to you, sir, standing.

At £65.

-Get in there.

-Come on!

Plus £10, Jonathan, I like it!

136, a lovely pair of silver salt cellars, matched.

Lots of interest, here.

I'm bid 30. Do I see 5 now? Come on.

5, 40, 5...

I've got eight. 50. And I'm out.

50 there.

-Come on. At 50...

-Come on!

We sell at £50.

£20 profit on that plus 20 on that.

-You're 30 overall.

-I tell you what, ooh!.

-Steady now. Settle. Cross your legs.

-I like these. They'll go well.

They're being shown now, three of them.

And they're very nice engravings, in their original frames, I'm sure.

And they're very, very nice.

I have interest here.

-Good.

-I'll start with a bid at £30.

-Come on, come on!

-Do I see 2?

Come on. 30, I'll take two. Four?

Oh, dear.

-What?!

-I'll take 2, 5, 8.

40, 5, are you sure? I'll take 2 if it helps.

2, thank you. 45, sir?

Yes. 48, go on!

This is not looking good.

OK, £45 to you, sir.

I'll take 8. The gavel falls.

You're minus £55.

-Got a good deal there.

-Minus £55,

which means overall, you're minus £25.

After all that initial success.

Minus £25.

Listen, what are you going to do about the blotter?

As we're down, we might as well go for it.

But it could be a winning score.

But it's not a WINNING score.

It's not a winners' score. We are winners.

-We want to win big time.

-Our expert is confident.

It's his reputation on this.

You don't have a lot of time.

It's coming up any second.

-We'll go for it.

-We're going with the Bavarian blotter.

For better or for worse. And here it comes.

It's a very nice

Bavarian carved desk blotter and we have got some interest here.

I will start with a bid conflicting at 22, 5, 8, 30 on my book.

Do I see 2 for it?

Surely 2. Come on. 32, 5, 8.

40, 5. Come on, Sir Paul.

No? Are you sure?

40. I'll take 5 now, surely.

Going once, twice, three times, lady, we go.

At £40 we sell it.

£40. That's minus 30 on that. Turned out to be a rotter, not a blotter.

And it is now minus £55.

That's a proper losing score!

You're not mucking about, are you?

-No, no, no.

-All or nothing.

Well, listen, don't tell the Blues a thing.

-I'd go out looking victorious if I were you.

-We will.

That might depress them, at least.

-And we'll see what happens.

-Excellent.

-Do you know how the Reds have done, those naughty boys?

-No.

Because they've been pretty bullish, haven't they?

They've been pretty positive about what they're going to do to beat you girls up.

And are they going to win, do you think?

-Or are you going to win?

-We're going to win.

-We're going to win.

-I think it's a bit of hare and tortoise here.

And who won in the end?

Quite right, too. That's a very nice analogy there, Kate.

Anyway, it's about having a laugh

and the first laugh we'll have is about the watch. Here it comes.

155, a delightful Chester silver hallmarked pocket watch.

And I am bid £25.

8, 30, 2, 5, 8, 40, 5, I'm out.

-50, 5, one more, sir.

-You're in profit.

I'll take 2. 2, 5, 8? Are you sure?

55, now. Do I see 8, surely? 8, 60?

You're in, sir, at £58, seated.

At £58 to you, sir.

We say sale.

58. You're £8 up.

That's brilliant. Plus £8.

-Well done.

-That's a good start. Now your rattle.

My number is now 156.

Delightful rattle.

Silver. And I am bid 18, 22, 5, 8.

Do I see £30 for it?

At £28, do I see 30 now? All done.

I look for 30, surely. Come on!

-Gosh, that's nothing!

-At £28, all done at £28.

We say sale.

That's two off 30.

That means you're minus 17 on that.

It means you're minus £9 at this point.

157 is a delightful Scottish

arts and crafts later-embossed or chased...

maybe a kettle tin, or fish.

-Good man.

-I've got one, two, three bids for it.

-Ooh.

-So I will start at £60

and go 5, 75, 85, 95 and 100.

Do I see 105 for it?

At 100, 105, 110, 15, no?

You're out at 110. Do I see 115 now?

At £110, all done?

Yes, we have.

£110. It's not as bad as it might have been.

That could have been a lot worse.

That's minus £30.

Overall, you're minus £39.

You could stick at that or you could have a punt at the barometer.

-So what do you fancy doing?

-I think no. I think we shouldn't.

-You think you shouldn't?

-Yeah.

I'd go with your gut instinct.

-You pick.

-No, you pick.

-You pick.

-Quickly. It's coming up now.

Go for it. Go for it.

-Shall we not do it?

-OK, don't do it.

-We are or we aren't?

-We're not doing it.

-Not doing it. Are you sure? Because here it comes right now.

A very nice Edwardian brass aneroid desk barometer. There it is.

I am bid here only £25.

Do I see 8 for it? Come on.

8, ma'am. 30, 2, and I'm out.

Do I see 5? Surely 5? Come on.

At £32. Do I see 5 now?

I'll take 5 from somebody. We sell to you, the front row, at £32.

£32.

A good decision, girls.

I think you did well, there. Because that's minus £28 on that, isn't it?

You don't have those minus £28 cos you clever girls didn't go with it.

That's so good. So overall,

you're minus £39, all right? That could be a winning score.

Don't tell those beastly boys, the Blues, a thing.

-You teams been talking to one another? No communications?

-No.

-No.

Because the Reds made pretty strong predictions, I seem to remember.

A certain amount of testosterone was being chucked around.

Well, the moment of truth is now here.

And I have to reveal that the runners-up today

are the Reds. I'm so sorry. You are minus £55.

It started off so well for you guys.

-It did.

-But, oh boy, did it go wrong thereafter.

-Oh, yes.

Engravings, a £55 hit on that was a difficult blow to recover from,

-so rounding it up, minus £55. But have you had a good time?

-Very good time.

-Brilliant time.

We've loved having you on the programme. Bad luck for being runners up. But the victors today,

look at these girls! All giggling and very, very pleased.

Didn't look so swift but then that strategic decision not to go with the bonus buy

really saved your bacon because overall you're minus £39.

So there's no great plus score here to counterbalance your minus score

but nevertheless, it's a winning score and I congratulate you.

-Good time?

-Yes, great.

-Brilliant.

-Lovely.

So nice to see you on the show.

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

-Yes!

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