London 29 Bargain Hunt

RADIO: '..return to Downing Street.

'Breaking news - for all you bargain hunters,

'Tim Wonnacott and the team will be rooting around the Portobello Road antiques market in London today.'

Cor! Word gets around quick, doesn't it?

Let's go bargain hunting!

Mine's a mocha. Mmm.

Hello and welcome to Bargain Hunt at Portobello in London.

This is a traditional, hustly, bustly place, where we expect a certain amount of chaos!

Just have a look at this sneak preview.

Both teams struggle through the heaving crowds!

-Push, Mum, push!

-I am pushing! I'm pushing, I'm pushing!

OK, keep going guys, come on.

They battle to find a bargain.

I think we're going to leave it there and run back to you if we have to.

Oh, what a shame! It's fabulous, it's gorgeous,

and I hope it goes to a lovely home.

But it won't be ours!

And at the auction, the Reds are a man down and the Blues are about to explode!

I'm like a volcano about to erupt!

Super excited!

So, if that's whetted your appetite, let's have a go at the rules.

Straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak.

Now that we're in London, let's get into character, like!

So, we have two teams, each of them have £300 and an hour to shop for their three items.

And the team wins that makes the most "sausage and mash"

over at the auction, like!

But before they set off, like, we ought to meet them, like.

So, here we are with today's bargain hunters.

Just look at them, gorgeous. And raring to go.

For the Reds, we've got the mother and daughter combo from heaven.

We've got Anne and Olivia. Welcome.

And we've got friends Hilton and Sharon for the Blues.

-Hi, chaps, how are we doing, all right?

-Yes, great.

-Brilliant.

Now, are you the Dream Team, you two, for bargain hunting?

Absolutely, Tim.

I'm really good at knowing what's what, and Olivia is really good at spotting it.

-Really?

-Perfect.

-You're a fan of the programme, Anne?

-An enormous fan, Tim.

I've been watching it since the year dot and I love it.

And if anybody telephones me between 12:15 and one o'clock, in the week, I tell them where to go!

You mean you answer the telephone between 12:15 and...?!

-Well, I'm running a business.

-So what is the business that you run from home?

I'm a miniaturist and I make models, doll's houses mainly.

And I write about them.

-Would you like to see one?

-Absolutely.

This is my smallest doll's house.

Look at that! So this is what scale?

That is 144th scale, which is a doll's house for a doll's house.

How sweet.

-A doll's house to go inside a doll's house.

-Indeed.

So, Olivia, have you inherited your mother's skill with making things?

Well, somewhat.

I designed this.

You've gone and pimped up your Bargain Hunt top!

That's pretty good, isn't it?

So tell me about this business about being an escapologist?

I had a tendency to go missing when I was younger.

Best story is when I was in Brent Cross and I was hiding behind a clothes rack in a department store.

And my mum had the entire Brent Cross closed down,

security guards and police running round looking for me.

And I was behind the clothes rack, giggling and watching it all happen!

That's absolutely terrible, isn't it?! What a monster!

Well anyway, very good luck today. We don't want any escaping, though.

Now, you two. It says here that you're super competitive. Is that true?

Yes, we are. Definitely.

-You're fired up for this, aren't you?

-Definitely! We want to make money.

What is your strategy then, Sharon?

We want to just bamboozle and keep talking, drive them nuts,

until they give us a bargain to make us go away!

-Have you ever found a bargain, darling?

-Yes. I did at one time - whoo!

I found it at a car-boot sale, it was a Limoges tea set. And the lady wanted £10, and I got it for £8.

-And I sold it for £170!

-You didn't!

-I did!

-Well, that's amazing.

So let's meet your team-mate, Hilton.

You're a big Bargain Hunt fan, aren't you?

I've loved Bargain Hunt since it first started.

I can tell from your accent, you're not from these parts?

-Cape Town, South Africa.

-Cape Town.

What do you get up to here?

-I'm a plumber.

-So why are you fascinated by antiques?

Well, coming from South Africa, we don't have antiques

because the country's such a young country,

never heard of Clarice Cliff and Susie Cooper and chinoiserie!

No, quite. Now, you've rubbed shoulders professionally with the stars too, haven't you?

Esther Rantzen loves me.

-Oh, does she?

-Yes.

-Does she suffer from much in the way of blockages?

More leaks than blockages.

More leaks than blockages!

Well, we'd better not go into too many secrets about Esther Rantzen's leaks and blockages.

But it all sounds absolutely riveting.

I think you're going to do terribly well today.

Here's the money moment. That's your £300. You know the rules

and off you go! And very good luck.

All I can say to you, dear viewers, is, brace yourselves!

MUSIC: "The Lambeth Walk" # Oi!

Attempting to do the Lambeth Walk

are our very own Pearly King and Queen,

for the Reds, Catherine Southon, and for the Blues, Charles Hanson.

OK, ladies, what are we going to do?

Blow the lot, or just spend a little?

-Blow the lot.

-Blow the lot?

-Blow the lot.

-That way? That way?

-That way.

-Come on, then.

-OK. This way!

-What's the game plan?

-We're going to move through as quickly as we can.

We're going to blind them with science, bamboozle them, pretend our fivers are tenners!

-And go home with a bargain!

-This could be very interesting!

-We want naked ladies.

-We want naked ladies.

Naked ladies aside, Blues, what you need are three bargains!

And to add to the fun, not only will you be fighting against the clock,

but also an enormous number of other shoppers. Just look at 'em!

-Walk over here, guys.

-OK, let's.

Any lovely miniature dolls here, Anne?

Cos you are the miniature doll expert.

I am, but I don't think they would ever make us money at a general auction.

It's an antique biscuit barrel! How cute is that?

And how much is it?

Oh my goodness! Oh, what a shame.

It's fabulous, and its gorgeous, and I hope it goes to a lovely home. But it won't be to ours!

-I love this, I think that's beautiful!

-How much is it?

-Too much for us.

-Oh, OK. I think we should move on.

These is an expensive place, and we have no time.

Yeah, that's right, Reds, time is ticking, and looking at things that will break the bank

isn't really the best strategy. I wonder if Sharon's got any ideas?

I want something... D'you know what, I'd like something unusual.

-Like what?

-D'you know what I mean? Instead of another Beswick dog or a fox.

-No, you're quite right.

Do you know what I mean? Another Chinese pot!

I think go for the bizarre, go for the wacky.

We are waiting for that little something to just jump out at us.

That special something.

These are a lovely shape.

Yes, they are a lovely shape, but they're not silver.

They're not silver, they're EPNS, electroplated nickel silver. Why were you are attracted to those?

Cos they look slightly Deco.

-And they look sort of modern and they'd look beautiful on a dining table.

-I quite like them.

They've got that sort of 1930s look.

I don't think they're terribly old, but they've got that Deco look, haven't they?

-What's the price on those?

-I have 45 on them. You can have them for 38.

-38.

-That's a fair price.

-38, to me, still seems a bit...

-I think it's a bit steep.

You couldn't do them for 30, could you?

-I've just put them out this morning. I bought them on Tuesday. 35.

-35.

Do you think we'd get 35 for them?

I can see them at auction with a £30 to £40 estimate.

I think we should just get them. Do you?

-Yeah, let's do it.

-Yeah? Are you sure? You're going to take the risk?

-OK.

-Yay!

-It's done! One item bought.

-Yeah!

-One item!

Ah! A decision at last.

Which still leaves them £265 in the kitty.

Let's take a peek at how the Blues are doing, because they haven't bought anything yet.

-One more golf.

-That's a penknife, isn't it?

Or a letter opener?

-I don't like it.

-Look at that,

-you know, golf clubs.

-Oh, that's quite good.

-Again, it's not very old.

-Are you going to let us buy anything today?!

-No, but we can - hang on, look.

-I've got high standards, we want to buy good things!

Great plan, Charles, but with 15 minutes already gone, you'd better put your foot down!

What about the old toy cars?

Collectible, Sharon, yes. Dinky, Corgi...

What's here?

What we look for with a good -

well, there we go, 1965 - good box toy, is condition.

Paintwork, quality, rarity.

-It's not a very rare one. What's the asking price, Hilton?

-£68.

No, that can't be the price. Surely.

It's very nice, it's a good example. What's it worth at auction, though?

-30 quid?

-You're quite right!

You're learning, OK?! You're learning, girl!

Let's go. Too much money!

I was right - they're going to need to motor, and bag something soon!

However, I've been let off the leash and sniffed out this little puppy.

Just get a bird's eye of this.

This front end here is in the form of a double barrelled flintlock pistol.

But the handle piece is seriously strange,

because what we've got here is a dog eating a dog.

Made out of a piece of carved mahogany and I would guess

probably made around about 1790 to 1810.

Technically, this is a piece of treen.

Very often, you think about treen as being a wooden object that's turned on a lathe. But not necessarily so.

It's a term that covers all sorts of novelty small carved wooden things.

And believe you me, this is a rare novelty piece of carved wood.

It's got a function. If I turn it over and look underneath the dog's belly, it's got a little cover

with a crude hinge and if I open it up like that,

it reveals a compartment which is for snuff.

This is the sort of thing that gentlemen

around the dining table in 1790 to 1810 would pass around the table.

You'd take out a pinch of snuff, shove it on the back of your hand

and you'd have a snort, like that.

And you'd take on board your nicotine.

It is as rare as a hen's tooth,

and that's why the dealer on the stall over there is asking...

how much? £1,000.

Stick that up your left nostril!

Right, back to our teams. And with nearly half the shopping time gone, only the Reds have bought anything.

I think young Charles will have to take the Blues in hand, if indeed that's possible.

-Down here...

-Look, naked ladies.

-Have you seen something?

-Naked...?

-Naked lady.

Oh, right!

I don't like those, but I quite like that.

What is that bulb thing, Charles? With the big, round thing?

No, the glass.

-Probably German or French. Continental.

-How much?

If you bought the original, we're talking probably £30,000 - £40,000.

We don't have that much! So can you help us?

This one is £1,200.

-Nice object.

-Let's go.

Nice little trinkets, aren't they?

That's quite nice. Do you not think so?

No. I think it's ugly.

-A nice shape though, isn't it?

-It is a nice shape.

I like the stopper.

That's actually quite pretty.

It would look lovely in a modern bathroom.

-What's our plan now, girls?

-We're going to hotfoot it back down there and go to the other side.

-Go to the other side? Cos we were mainly concentrating on that side.

-Yes, we were.

I quite like that little carving set down here. Just hidden behind the picture.

Sharon?

Oh, I like this! Hilton, come and have a look.

This is a holder for the shank.

For the ham or the lamb leg.

-Have you seen things like that before?

-Normally, it comes without this.

But this is a really good quality example.

-Look at the decoration, bell flower ornament.

-And that's silver, right?

It is silver, with a French silver hallmark.

It's Parisian.

-Late 19th century.

-1890...

And this is so when you put the thing in there...

-it stops in there, yeah?

-I love it!

-I think it's really, really cute.

-Hilton needs persuading.

- I don't have any faith in it, but we will see at auction.

Hilton needs persuading. What I would say to you is, it's quality.

- Even though it's got dark marks on it?

Yeah, look at the quality of the chaste and cast ornaments.

-Your very best price on this would be...?

-£60.

-I'm giving you a good, good price.

-I think it's great quality.

I really like it.

-And the original box.

-Absolutely.

I just think, we've only got £70 left, so if we pay 60, we can only give you a tenner.

If we pay 50, then you've got 20 to buy something.

-Yeah.

-Well, I can make it 60. 60 is my best.

Even 55 is no good to you?

OK. I take 55. And you're having the bargain of the day from me.

And thank you so much!

The boys certainly didn't get a look in at once Sharon got going!

And where did she pluck that they'd only got £70 left in the kitty from?

Well, she did say she'd do anything, and not revealing

your hand when haggling should help when carving out the best price!

Whether Charles or Hilton like it or not!

OK, with one item each, let's stride over and check in with the Reds!

Wonderful! You wanted walking sticks.

Look at this - it's a phrenology head.

-I know you wanted a walking stick, didn't you? You were interested.

-There's a £95 one here.

-Mr Punch.

-Look at the parrot.

-Is he picking his nose?

-It looks like he's picking his nose.

-How rude!

-What do you think that would get at auction?

I'm not sure that many people would be interested in buying a cane with Mr Punch picking his nose!

But it's unusual, and you do get a lot of people collecting walking sticks.

And it's a bit too small for you, but it's my height.

-One of the important things with canes is to really look at the height.

-It's my height.

-Is it your height?

-I'm only 5'4".

And make sure there's no bend or anything, make sure it's dead straight.

-Oh, well.

-What would be your bottom line on that? 65.

-I'm not sure about it.

Because of the silver plate.

It is a bit tarnished, isn't it? It's a big risk, I think.

60.

Take 60 for it.

I'd take 60.

-That's the lowest.

-Do you want to think and come back? What do you think?

We can run back at the last minute.

In those crowds?

It's entirely up to you, ladies.

-Is Tim going to look at that and say it's clapped out?

-It's worn.

-Yeah.

He does, does he?!

It's not what Tim likes, it's what you two like, and it's what you think is going to make a profit.

I think we're going to leave it there and we're going to run back to you if we have to.

-Is that OK?

-It's fine.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

-Ooh, I thought they were going to snap that one up.

Charles, tell us about this.

-I think they're very nice.

-Charles, look.

Is that a silver mark or a pretend?

-It's pewter, it says pewter on it.

-What is that on it?

-It says pewter on it.

-These are little touchmarks.

They are pewter. Well embossed.

I'd say they're nice, but I can't see a return on them. OK?

What do you think about that, for Punch?

I think it's quite nice. I don't know if it'll make any money, though.

-Is it worth rushing back and seeing if she'll take 55?

-We could do.

At 55, is it going to make a profit?

-It's still a gamble. But we are really running out of time.

-OK, let's go and see.

-Careful!

Will you take 55 for it?

You're a horrible lot.

I know, I'm sorry!

Yes, I will take 55 for it.

Thank you so much. That's brilliant. Yes, number two!

That's the way to do it!

Look!

Well done, you.

Fantastic. OK, don't get too excited.

-Sorry!

-We've still got one item to find.

I know, we've still got the green perfume bottle, I suppose, as a last resort, but you didn't like that.

We've still got the whole other side.

-20 minutes?

-About 20 minutes, I would say.

-Shall we head down this way, keep to the left and see what we can see?

-OK.

-Onwards and upwards.

-Yay!

So, as they march off, it's time to clock in with Sharon. I mean, the Blues.

-What is it?

-It's a railway regulator.

"Railway regulator", but the train's been rubbed off.

Is that WW...? What does that mean?

Is that a make? Charles, tell us about this.

-Hello, sir. Tell us about your little pocket watch, please. What can you tell me?

-£65.

It was made around the 1880s.

It's a railway regulator, so somebody working on the railway...

What's a railway regulator as opposed to a normal watch?

It's...

-Accurate?

-More accurate.

-Oh, OK, is that what that means?

-It's got quite a thick glass to protect it.

Look at the bevelled glass. It's obviously in good condition.

I was insistent on the other one, and if you're insistent on this, I'm happy.

-What is the best price you can do on this, please, sir?

-60 really is the best, £60.

-£60?

-Yeah.

-How much do you think it's worth?

-I think it's a good object.

-How much?

-Hilton's found a good buy here.

-How much?

-I think it's worth between £50 and 80.

50 and 70. It's a good object.

Hilton's almost there on price.

So 50 quid then, otherwise we've got no money left.

- Would you take 50 on the railway watch, sir?

Are you paying cash?

It's cash, and...

What else can we offer you?

-You can offer a lot!

-Ahem!

This is a daytime show, thank you!

50 is the deal.

-50 quid?

-£50.

-Done. We'll take it.

It's cute. Thank you very much.

I think so, yeah.

Right, both teams have two items, and so far they've both spent about the same,

leaving the Reds with just over £200 and the Blues just under £200.

So, as we dive into the final ten minutes, will Anne give Olivia a chance to pick something?

And are the boys able to take control from Sharon?

-Nah!

-Not that. I don't like that.

-I like it.

-You like the lantern?

-No, I don't like the lantern.

-I like that.

What do you think it is, Catherine?

-This looks like it's etched.

-Yes, it does look like etched glass. Looks Victorian.

Yeah, probably continental. Doesn't that look lovely?

It does look lovely. What would you use it for? Flowers?

I'm not very keen on it, but it's not whether I like it, it's whether it makes a profit.

-This is true.

-So we'd better find out how much he wants for it.

What sort of price is on this?

-It's 85. 85.

-Ouch.

I personally was quite drawn towards it, cos I think it's quite attractive. What do you think?

I think it's very pretty, and it's... GLASS RINGS

-It's whole.

-It's whole, it's not in pieces, which is a start!

You couldn't do it for 60, could you?

I really can't, I'm afraid. Then I don't make a living!

I know you've got to make a living.

I actually paid 80 for it, but I sold something I bought with it.

I could do 70, but that's got to be it, yeah. What do you think, ladies?

-How long have we got left?

-I think it's probably minutes, so I think we really need to make a decision.

Absolutely. Yes, let's go for it.

You've got to want it. Do you want this?

I'd like it for myself, yes, absolutely.

I can't have it, I've got to sell it!

-It's a real shame!

-I think that's a good starting point.

I love Victorian and earlier glass, and I think that

possibly is Victorian, maybe not quite as old as we think.

-Yeah?

-Yeah, I think it's lovely. Go for it.

Smashing, well done, Reds. However, the Blues had better crack on and find their final piece.

I wonder who'll haggle for the team this time, eh?!

That's nice, that's good.

-That's a lovely decanter.

-That's gorgeous.

It is. It's gorgeous!

-When they hear you speak, will they whack the price up?

-No.

It's a really good globular decanter.

This one here, how much is it?

55.

-There is a little crack on it.

-Oh.

Have a look at it. The stopper is not the original stopper.

-Thank you, sir.

-Tell me about it.

OK. First of all, there's your stopper.

-Not the original stopper.

-Here's our decanter.

I'm not too concerned with the stopper, that doesn't concern me.

The important part is this decanter here.

There's your hallmark, Chester hallmark, and the date clearly given, around 1910.

Charles, examine it, quick, where's the crack?

This silver collar, I hope, is original.

I think it is.

Tell us what it's worth.

-I can't see a crack at all, can you?

-Maybe in the handle?

-I see the crack. That's it there.

-Just there.

-What do you reckon?

Sharon, I think in all honesty, if you can buy this for £40...

-Who's going to buy it?!

-Trust me!

Who wants an old milky glass that they can't even clean?

-We do like it but we've got £40 left.

-Fine.

-Is that OK?

-Course. Let me wrap it up for you.

Please wrap it up carefully. I'm sorry, cos I know you're not happy.

You've got your own way all the way, Sharon.

Really, Hilton? I hadn't noticed(!) But that's your third item bought,

and it's the sale room that'll decide how good or bad the decisions have been.

So that's it, the shopping's over.

Well, it is for the teams, anyway.

But what about the leftover lolly, eh?

That's the amount of money that's given to the experts to go and find that bonus buy that may or may not

puff up the teams' profits later over at the auction.

We'll find out, won't we? But right now, let's have a review of what the Reds bought.

First up, the Reds picked up a pair of modern silver cruets for a tasty £35.

Next, they stumbled across a wooden walking stick with a Punchy handle, for £55.

And finally, they discovered an 18th-century etched glass vase,

which they hope won't shatter any profits at auction.

Listen, how much did you spend now?

-£160.

-You spent £160.

I would like £140, yes?

£140. Catherine, you've got your £140, girl.

I know, fabulous.

What are you going to do with it?

-I've got something very special in mind for these very, very special ladies.

-Thank you, Catherine!

It's a lovely tease, I have to say.

Why don't we check out what the Blues have bought?

They found a Parisian cased silver carving set for £55.

Hoping they're still on track, they paid £50 for a railway pocketwatch.

And finally, could it be drinks all round at auction when they sell their three-handled glass decanter?

Let's hope so.

-You spent £145.

-Correct, sir.

Which is a brilliant number. But not quite enough.

So, £155 of leftover lolly, please.

Charles, to you. What are you going to spend all that money on?

I'm going to spend it all, and for Hilton's sake,

we're going to find something to really inspire him.

Something male.

No better person to do it, Charles, well done.

I feel something Arts and Craftsy coming on.

When you're doing up a house and maybe you're replacing the kitchen

and you need a new table and chairs, for example, what do you do?

You go to the shops and you make a selection from what's available.

This is a house that was built by a man who just hated everything that was available in the shops.

He not only chose this plot of land and built the house,

but he had the furniture specifically designed for it in his own unmistakable style.

This is the Red House, home to William Morris.

Morris, heralded as the leading figure of the Arts and Crafts movement,

is probably best known for his unique wallpaper and textile designs.

So, to help him realise his dream home, he commissioned his friend and architect Philip Webb

to not only design and build the house, but all the furniture within it.

Here in the dining room at the Red House,

we've got some splendid examples of this collaboration

between these two young and very talented men.

The most dominating feature of the dining room has to be this dragons' red-painted sideboard.

It's medieval in style, which is what Morris would have wanted.

But it has all those Arts and Crafts principles embodied within it.

There's nothing here that isn't hand-made.

This curious tri-ridged top with coop-type apertures,

almost as if you're going to get a pigeon flying in and out of them.

The railed centre section that might have been used, perhaps, for dinner plates or dishes.

Definitely not something that you would ever find in a shop.

To illustrate the very closeness that there was between Morris and Webb,

the National Trust six years ago made an amazing discovery.

Underneath the floorboards in one of the upstairs rooms,

they came across this grubby little piece of paper.

If we undo it,

it reveals a letter from Phillip Webb to William Morris,

dated November 18th 1864.

Morris is living here, he's had a fever,

he's unwell, he's depressed, and his best friend

writes him a note to reassure him that everything's going well in the business.

He says, "We manage to keep things going pretty smoothly at the shop,

"and it will do some of your brutes of customers good to wait a bit."

So, he's jollying his friend along.

How charming.

Equally charming is the table that the letter sits upon.

Not actually the original table for this room,

although the drawing for the room does show a Philip Webb-designed table of this size.

If we hunker down, you can see how the construction here is so peculiar.

What we've got are supports which are columnar so far,

and then we have this frilly bit,

and then it goes down to a square block, and underneath that, some almost bracket-like feet.

There are no actual medieval examples of refectory tables

like this or any other, so this is essentially a one-off.

Definitely not something you could buy in a shop.

The big question is today, of course, are the items that our teams have bought

going to make it over at the auction?

We've popped down the road to see auctioneer William Rouse at Chiswick Auctions.

-Good morning, William.

-Good morning.

For Olivia and Anne, we've got this pair of condiments, which look particularly boring to me.

-I don't know how you see them?

-They are a bit of an unusual buy.

There isn't really much to them. I guess they're appealing to almost anybody, they're plain enough.

Yes. I would have thought they were worth about £5. What do you think?

-My estimate is 10 to 20.

-They paid £35.

Next is their walking stick, with this figure of Mr Punch.

Not absolutely certain that it started off life with Punch on the end, but it's quite a good subject.

-I'm sure people look out for Punch-related items.

-Yes.

Let's hope so. What's your estimate?

I think it's about £30, 40.

£55 they paid. Now, this etched cut-glass vase.

It's got some age, and it's quite an interesting design.

It looks as if it's slightly been through the wars. It's been well used.

It looks very Brillo-padded in some way.

Somebody had a bit of a go at that, do you think?

Maybe it's just been used for putting flowers in for years.

It is probably a couple of hundred years old.

They paid £70 for it. Will they get their money back?

I should think we might struggle, but we might get close to it.

You might get close to it? Overall, though, what with those hideous condiments,

they're going to need their bonus buy.

So, Anne, what has happened to Olivia?

Very sadly, she's in bed at home with a chest infection.

She's on antibiotics, and the doctor's forbidden her from coming today.

-Poor kid.

-She's devastated.

No more so than we are, I tell you.

-She's done all the hard work with you, and the most fun bit is the auction.

-I know.

-Which she's going to miss.

-I'll look after you!

Between you, you spent £160.

You gave Catherine £140 of leftover lolly. What did Catherine buy?

I know you like small things.

I do! Oh, my goodness, it's tiny!

Small things come in small packages.

-What is it?

-You've got some little smelling salts, Victorian smelling salts.

-It's Victorian?

Yes. With the original label on.

-Oh, my goodness.

-There we are.

Gosh, if I take the top out and smell it, will I fall down in a faint?

You might well do, actually!

I'd rather you didn't!

-It's really cute.

-It's very sweet.

I know you like doll's house furniture and miniatures and bits and pieces.

-A little big to go in a dolls' house, Catherine!

-It is a bit big!

Tell me, what did you pay for it?

Not very much, actually. I paid £22.

-22? And what do you think it'll make?

-It's in its fitted leather case...

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

-I think it should make about £30, 40.

Do you really think so? Wow, fantastic.

Good. You seem to be well pleased with that, which is great.

But let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Catherine's little smelling-salts bottle.

So, in case you're feeling faint, William, what with the tension and

whatnot of the auction, you could always have a little whiff of these.

Reading the front, it says "The Inexhaustible Smelling Salts Company",

and then actually if you open it and smell it, there's not so much as a sniff to be had from it.

-Have you had a sniff?

-Yeah.

-Quite brave of you.

You've got to catalogue these things fully, don't you?!

-That's right!

-What do you think it's worth?

Not a terrific amount. Maybe there are bottle collectors that might be interested, but £20 or 30?

Fine. Catherine paid £22. Anyway, that's it for the Reds.

Now for the Blues.

First up is this carving set.

Quite nice to have it complete with the ham bone holder.

I can't say that that's a common thing, is it, particularly?

It isn't, and I think, for once, it's something that you could sharpen up and use.

-Yes, absolutely. What do you think it might bring?

-£50, 70?

They paid £55.

Now, the railway pocketwatch.

Has that got anything in its favour?

Having taken it apart, it hasn't got a particularly exciting-looking movement inside.

-But there is something in there?!

-There is something in there, and it seems to be ticking away

-and there are people who collect railway-related items.

-Yes.

-Assuming they didn't pay too much for it...

-They paid 50, actually.

OK. £40-60, I think, is our estimate.

OK, tick-tock, jolly good.

Lastly, they've got this curious three-handled decanter.

Quite why you need three handles on your flask to pour out a bit of booze, I don't know.

Maybe if you're passing it round the table or something.

I suppose so, yes.

Do you rate that, Will?

I think I would rate it more if it wasn't a) damaged, and b) had the right top.

Because people don't really use them anymore, if there's anything wrong with them, they tend to be...

The kiss of death, yes.

OK, it's a nice shape, at least.

How much do you think it's going to bring?

We ought to get £40 because of the silver top.

Brilliant. They paid £40.

-Might just wipe its face, then.

-Yeah.

On the other hand, they might need the bonus buy.

Let's go and have a look at it.

Now, Paris and Hilt... I mean, Sharon and Hilton!

You spent £145, OK?

You gave £155 to Charles Handsome.

What did he spend?

-I bought this for 120.

-It's looking small.

-Look at that.

-OK.

What I've got here

is a very, very nice George II-period silver snuff box.

How old is this one?

I would suggest, from the type of chaste ornament, it would be probably be around 1740, 1750.

-What is that?

-It's a makers' mark stamp there, which I can't identify, Tim.

I'm hoping the auction house today has maybe identified it.

If you were going to buy that, what would you pay?

-I would say at auction its guide price would certainly stack up well at 100 to 150.

-And you paid...?

I paid 120, but I'm hoping in London, with the market being fairly buoyant for good, small silver

collectors' items, it might appeal to a good early-silver collector

who'll recognise the silver mark inside.

-Do we need to decide now?

-No. You don't have to decide right now.

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

This is rather a mystery, William.

Are you going to be able to

-fill us in?

-It is. I think that's part of the problem, actually.

It would be very nice if it had English hallmarks, and if we could identify the maker,

but there isn't anything that's useful.

-There's something of a mark inside, but it's not very clear.

-Mmm.

But it's got the feel of being 18th century, hasn't it?

It certainly has an all-right feeling otherwise.

I can't see anything wrong with it. It's a good thing.

Anyway, this is Charles' bonus buy. He's pushed the boat out.

He's paid £120. Is there any chance of making it back and more?

With a hallmark, it would be worth that easily.

I've put a slightly more conservative estimate on it because of the lack of marks, but 70 to 100.

That's fair enough, that should tease somebody in. Are you feeling in good voice?

-Absolutely.

-Thank goodness for that!

So, have you been on to Olivia? Have you told her about the bonus buy?

-I have told her about it, and she's given me her opinion about what to do about it.

-Has she?

-Which you're going to be very coy about until the last moment?

-Absolutely.

Anyway, first up is the cruet set, and here it comes.

30A is a silver-plated conical-form salt and pepper.

Bid £10. With me at £10.

12. 14. £16.

In the room at £16. Anybody else? £16 for that salt and pepper.

At £16 they go.

Yeah, £16, that's -£19. Bad luck.

Now, Punch.

Lot 31A is a walking stick in the form of Punch.

Start me at £20 for the lot, surely.

Interesting lot. £20. £10 to go. 10 I'm bid, thank you. 12.

14. 16. 18. 20.

22. £22, with Roger at 22.

-Come on!

-24.

26. 28. 30. £30 there. At 30.

Anybody else at £30? For £30, then.

£30, I'm afraid, is -£25.

25, 45, £44 is where we're up to.

-44.

Olivia's going to be even more ill, isn't she, when she hears this news.

This Dutch vase, it's looking really cloudy to me.

Lot 32A is the tapering vase.

£20 to go for this. Early bit of glassware for £20, surely.

20 I'm bid. 22. 24.

26. £26 for that vase.

£26. 28. 30.

£30 is all I'm bid, then.

£30 for the glass. 32.

£32 there in the scarf.

Anybody else? At £32, that bit of glassware.

All done? 32. 205.

That's 38 short, I'm afraid.

That's -£82.

-£82 is a bit of a whacko, isn't it?

-It's appalling!

-It's not great, I'm afraid.

-I think it's just as well that Olivia's ill, quite frankly.

-Yes!

She's not having to endure this like you are. I'm really sorry about that.

What are you going to do?

-Are you going to go with the bonus buy?

-Definitely.

You're definitely going to do that? OK, we're going to go with it.

Let's hope there's going to be a bit of a smell about that. Here we go.

36A are the Inexhaustible Smelling Salts. Are they worth £10?

£10 I'm bid, thank you, in the doorway.

I thought as much. £10. £12 now.

Is that 14, Howard?

14. 16. No?

£16. £18 there with Keith, at £18.

Anybody else at £18? With you, sir, £18 I'm going, 570.

Bad luck, Catherine. That's -£4.

-It wasn't that bad.

-Overall, you are -£86.

But don't despair, because that could be a winning score!

-I doubt it!

-I very much doubt it too!

OK, Sharon, just tell me, darling, how excited are you?

I'm like a volcano about to erupt. Super excited.

-How are you feeling, Hilton?

-Cold.

Cold? Here comes your carving set.

52A is the cased French three-piece carving set.

Start me at £30 for the lot.

£20 for it to go, surely.

I'm bid 20. 22.

£22 for this carving set. At £22.

Told you.

-Rusty knife.

-£22.

£22, it's a bloodbath. That's -33.

That's on our best item, all right?

53A is a silver-plated pocketwatch.

The Winegarten's Railway Regulator. 53A.

Surely for 20 for the little watch? 20 I'm bid. Thank you, Bruno.

At least somebody's bid 20. Doesn't have to go back to five.

To my left at £28. 30 now.

Anybody else at £30? It's going to be sold, then.

-At £30, and going for 30.

-It's -£20.

I'm sorry, but these people have got some serious bargains.

-Haven't they?

-They certainly have.

You're -55 at the moment.

Now, the three-handled decanter.

54A is the decanter.

£20 for the decanter? Surely. Silver-mounted decanter.

I'm bid 20 there. 22 in there.

24. 26.

£26 there. 28, fresh bidding.

30 here. 32.

Oh, my God.

There at 38. Anybody else? £38.

I'm going to sell it for 38, then.

-403.

-That's £2.

-We only lost £2!

-38, that is -£2.

You are -£55 now.

What are you going to do? Are you going to go with the snuff box?

100%, yeah, definitely.

-Yeah, go for the box.

-Yes?

-Yeah.

-Are you going to do it?

-Absolutely.

-What do you mean, "Why not?"?

-Charles, you need to save us!

I would stick. I rated the set.

Stick.

OK. As I've been so loud on everything, I'm going to allow you to decide, OK?

Lose as much as we can!

-Paris, quiet!

-It's going to sell for £40.

-So why do you want to take it?

-OK, then don't take it.

No, shush, sorry, I just said I'm going to let you decide!

Come on, it's your decision.

-Leave it, leave it.

-OK, excellent, leave it.

-We're not taking it.

-You're not taking the bonus buy?

That's it, for certain? Between you?

You're not going with the bonus buy? They're not now going with it.

No, you're not going with the bonus buy? Here it comes anyway.

58A is a Georgian snuff box.

Start me, £55 to go for it.

No reaction. £40. £30 for this.

-Charles!

-Useless! You're fired!

At 30. 35. Thank you.

40. 45. 50.

55. 60.

It's very slow.

-70. £70 I'm bid here.

-Oh, my God!

Is that all? At £70.

Seems cheap for 70.

You ringfenced your losses at -55.

That could be a winning score. We'll find out in just a moment.

Well, well, well, well, well. You've been chatting, you lot?

-No!

-Have you talked to Olivia?

-Yes, I have.

Very good. You'll be able to reveal the result in a minute.

It's not so often that I can stand up here and say that every team has lost on every single item

but today is one of those rare days when everything has lost all the way down the line.

Isn't that fun?!

So it's just a question of the scale of the losses, really.

I'm afraid the massive overdose today sits with the Reds.

Despite the fact that we haven't got Olivia here to talk about it.

I do not intend picking over the numbers

except to say that you are -£86.

-But you had a lovely time, didn't you?

-Wonderful time, thank you.

I would suggest you don't tell Olivia, just in case she doesn't get better!

Now for the Blues. You managed to win by only losing £55.

They very strategically didn't go with the bonus buy, because otherwise they'd be 110 down.

Anyway, there we are. You are the winners, Blues.

Congratulations. Very good fun.

Join us soon for some more...

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Join us soon for some more Bargain Hunting. Yes? Yes!

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