Wetherby 23 Bargain Hunt

Today we're at Wetherby Racecourse Antiques Fair

but will it be the Reds or the Blues, who reign supreme?

Place your bets, please!

Let's go bargain-hunting!

Should I put my money on the Red team or the Blue team?

Hmm, let's have a look at the odds, shall we?

Mandy and Geoff need some serious guidance.

I had a plan and it all went out the window.

All we want now is for the lift to breakdown we get stuck in it and that's it, isn't it?

-On the Blue team, there's friction between mother and son, Catherine and John.

-Wait!

All right. We're not buying for you, Mother.

-Listen to Mother, OK?

-He never does!

And at auction there's definitely something missing.

This is unusual, isn't it?

-There's just no way to hide, is there?

-We've got no team at all.

That's all to come but first let us talk to the teams.

Welcome, guys.

-Hello.

-Very, very nice to see you.

Where did you two meet?

In the pub where I worked, I was a barmaid.

-Oh, yes. That's a kind of classic, isn't it?

-Yeah.

I pulled a good pint.

You did, you pulled a good man by the look of it.

So, Geoff, if you make any money today you're going to spend it on your passion, right?

-I am indeed, sir.

-What's that?

Newcastle United Football Club.

-Oh, are you going to buy it?

-I'm going to buy some tickets.

You were expecting to do exceedingly well on today's show. Yes.

Now, what sort of things do you collect, Mandy?

-We used to collect Beswick.

-Yeah.

-Looking into going into silver now. I'm quite into little pepper pots.

Is that your joint mission today, to find some bits of silver, do you reckon?

-Yes.

-For Bargain Hunt?

-Yes.

-OK. That sounds like hot stuff to me.

Now, Catherine and John.

-How are you both, all right?

-Fine, thank you.

-John, what do you do for a living?

I'm a freelance graphic designer and photographer.

Any particular line that you pursue?

I've been in the music business for 25 years, designed over 900 album sleeves.

-That quite a number though, isn't it?

-It is, yeah.

I'm waiting to get to the 1,000 and then I'll call it a day.

You're involved in a live concerts, too?

I am, I put on concerts. We've had Kiki Dee and people like that.

-I've seen Kiki Dee.

-Have you?

-Yes, she came on Famous Finds, once.

-She's lovely, isn't she?

-She's a very nice woman.

She gave me a little kiss when she went on stage.

-She gave me one too.

-I haven't washed the cheek.

-No, no.

Now, Catherine, do you think you're going to work well with your boy, as a team?

He's going to do the bargaining.

-Is he?

-He's very keen on a bargain.

-Yes.

-Hopefully, I do, fingers crossed, the expert bit.

-Oh, right.

And you're quite competitive, aren't you, between you? Yes?

-He's competitive.

-You're not competitive?

-Not to the extent he is.

-You're really competitive, are you?

-I do like winning, but I don't mind losing.

-You don't mind losing.

-No.

He's grown up! THEY LAUGH

Now the money moment.

Here we go, £300 apiece. You know the rules, your experts await.

Off you go! Very, very good luck.

What interesting teams.

Gracing us with their presence at this Jaguar Antiques Fair are two old favourites,

Charles Hanson and his twinkle toes are making an appearance.

And poor old Phil Serrell, just doesn't know where to look.

They're the best of friends, really.

Mmm...

So each team has £300 of the Queen's finest and one hour to buy three items.

They'll get a put their items up for auction and whichever team makes the most cash, wins.

WHISTLE BLOWS

Ready, set, go!

-Ready to go?

-Yeah.

-We'll go in here first.

-Don't go too fast.

-OK, sorry.

Charles is chomping at the bit.

A good sign, but the Reds are already knee-deep in antiques.

-You want some silver spoons, do you?

-Yes, we would like some, yeah.

We might have to put 75 on the box, Phil.

-If they came into my saleroom, I put 30 to 50, 40 to £60 on them.

-Right.

They are lovely because they're beautifully chased and engraved.

They've got a nice gilded bowl.

-Would you do those for 50?

-No.

-What's the best, my love?

-55.

If you want to buy a piece of silver, I think these are as sweet as anything.

-They're all there.

-Do you think they're in their original case?

-Yeah.

-I would have thought so.

You know they're going to make 30 to £40 all day long.

-Yes.

-If you get two private people really interested and keen on them

you might go and get £50 to £60.

You are not going to make 20, 30, 40, 50 quid on it.

-50 quid.

-No.

I mean, no, sorry.

I think what you should do, if this lady is happy to,

-if you'd be kind enough to hang on to them for you for about 45 minutes.

-Yes.

You can't guarantee to buy them but then you can have a look around and you've got something put by.

Yeah. We can have a quick whiz round, is that OK?

-Yeah, fine.

-Thank you ever so much.

Not sure that Philip Serrell does much whizzing around but I'm sure he will do his best.

-What's that old stick?

-Come here, Catherine.

-What's that?

-That's a nice cane.

-It's got the huge collar here.

-Yeah.

And this horn handle which is slightly torn here.

What height is it? May I see? Just for the height.

It's perfect, I just did it and it's about that high.

Suit me down to the ground?

-We're not buying for you, Mother.

-No, I know.

-I like that.

-I like that, too.

-How old is this, have a guess? 1890?

-I wouldn't put it that far back.

-1900? I would say it was about 1900.

I would say Edwardian. It doesn't actually...

Oh, it's antelope.

I like it. What's it worth in the sale, John?

There's what you'd pay for it

and what you'd buy it for now to make the profit on it.

-Correct.

-I would think 30.

-Yes, spot on.

-You'd buy it for 30?

-I would buy it for 30.

My guide price at auction would be between £30 and £50.

-If you could get it for 30, John, I would say yes.

-Agreed.

Watch your best price, please, on the cane?

-£45.

-45.

Go on, then, I'll do it for 30.

-Do you want to go for it?

-I'd go for it, yes.

-We'll go for it.

-That's your quirky bit.

-I think so.

I think so. That's my quirky bit.

OK, how about another picture now.

That's quick! They've walked away with bargain number one in just ten minutes.

Do you like things like that?

-Yes.

-We like things like that, yes.

It's a little Mauchline ware blotter, OK.

Mauchline ware originated in Scotland.

I think this is Doon Castle.

It's typified by these photographic prints on a piece of timber.

You unscrew that and put your blotting paper in there,

screw it back up again and then when you've written with your wonderful fountain pen, that blots it.

-What's it worth?

-Erm...

48.

I would hope she would get it down to about...

-30-35?

-30, I would have thought.

On a bad day it might be 20 to £25.

On a good day it might be 50.

40, yeah. I'll see if she'll take 35.

Shall I ask her?

I can only ask.

Excuse me, love, would you do that for 35 for us?

35? All right, 35.

Thank you.

-Geoff, yeah, 35.

-Yeah.

-That's fine. That's OK, yes.

Can I just have a quick look.

-You can, yes.

-Do you like it?

-We both like it.

-Yeah.

-That's half the battle, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-As long as you like it.

-It seems nice.

I've bought it now, so you've had it!

Yep, too late, Phil. The Reds are way ahead of you and have their first item in the bag.

Charles, what on earth have you got there?

Have a look at them, John.

-Now these are Continental.

-Yes.

-OK, they have had some restoration.

-There's a big crack on that one at the bottom.

But, they are such good high decorative pieces

from the late Victorian period. They're quite good.

You worry me. I just know what you hear when you go to auction, the auctioneer looks at it

and goes, "They've been through a bit of a tumble there."

-The name of the game, John, is condition.

-And there's a whopping great crack on it!

John, I'm telling you, they're a pair. They're great.

-I know a pair is good.

-What's your absolute best on them?

-We might find them if I can persuade John and Catherine.

-70.

They're not my scene.

£60.

I'm almost going to say...

there's a guarantee of a profit.

-I want that in writing.

-99.9%.

-No, I'm not going to go.

-Well thanks for reminding me.

-He's got the money!

-It's in my wallet, mate.

-It's in his wallet!

-I'm not ruling it out.

-OK, thank you.

-I still have 35 minutes.

-Thank you.

That's right, John, 35 minutes left.

Now, what are Mandy and Geoff looking at?

-If you're going to look at a portrait...

-Yes.

-..everybody looks at the face.

-Right.

-You don't look at the quality of a portrait from the face because that's the easy bit to paint.

-OK.

The hard bit is feet and hands.

-If you look at this girl's hands here, they just aren't special, are they?

-No.

-Do you see what I mean.

-That face looks beautiful but there and there...

-I know what you mean.

That doesn't tell you that this is poor,

I think it's really nicely done and is quite competent.

I just think those two bring it down from being a really good thing.

-That's why the pair of them are 130 quid...

-Right.

-But you need to think about it.

-Yes. OK.

Can I ask you to hang onto them.

Catherine is a woman who knows what she wants.

I wonder if Charles could dissuade her from something that she likes.

-Do you like it?

-I think it's something that people would buy.

-What period is it?

-It's Cauldon.

-It's 1920s.

-What we've got here is a four piece toilet-cum-wash...

-Something's missing.

-You've got the jug...

-One, two, three, four...

No, there's a piece missing.

Presumably there would have been a bucket.

The wash jug and bowl, here's our soap dish, is it with a liner?

Yes. A pearl liner for the soap.

Why would there be something else, that's what you pour water into to wash.

-I would say it's complete. It's very striking.

-Striking, I like that.

-I like that, too.

-More than the vases?

-Yes.

-Oh, right.

-Oh yes, a lot more.

Well, I don't.

-But, it's in good condition. What's it worth, Catherine? What's it worth?

-80?

The retail price, which is quite fair, is £120.

-Yes.

-What's the best price, sir.

-I can do that for 100.

-£100.

-I like that.

-Is that your best price, 100?

I'll do it for 90, for you.

-I like it.

-Go on, then.

I think it would look well at auction.

Can we check this completely and make sure... I'm sure it's fine.

-Let me give it my once over as well.

-Yes, please. The jug's OK.

There's no repair.

The bowl's OK.

What is this, do you know of Cauldon ware.

A Staffordshire factory, they were a very good factory.

-90.

-Right, so if we lose on this, you pay me the difference.

-Fine, 90, it is.

-Hang on!

-JOHN LAUGHS

-Is that a yes?

-Yes.

-Yes. We'll take it.

-Thank you.

And the deal is done, the Blues' second item is safely in the shopping trolley.

What do you reckon, Carlos?

The vases are a great statement and for £60,

those vases are worth £100.

They really are. Profit is a guarantee.

The wash set they've bought, it's growing on me but it's too much money.

Well, it's a tough old game, this.

Scary, eh?

What about this gadget.

Something left over from a Hannibal Lecter film?

Phantom Of the Opera?

Well, just have a look behind here.

You get some semblance as to how old this thing is.

This inner surface is the softest chamois leather that you could possibly find.

On the outside, we've got a harder more traditional

but nevertheless, high quality leather

and the inner core is made of iron.

The bit that's covering the mouth is this seriously wacky chainmail.

Now, at the time of the Crusades, we're talking 1,200 AD

when suits of armour were being made,

they all had chainmail on them like this.

So, what's the history of this object?

The secret is the First World War.

They were issued to Army personnel who were driving and occupying early tanks.

The idea being, that if one of those iron tanks was struck by a shell,

all the bits shied off the inner surface of the tank

and could damage the personnel.

These masks are called splatter masks

and they were designed to protect the men from all those little bits

that would be flying around inside the tank

if they had been struck.

I guess, they did an effective job.

Brilliant, isn't it?

How many of these would have been issued?

Probably quite a few.

How many have survived? Very few.

Which makes this a rare find. What you think it's worth?

£50, £200?

The dealer is asking £950 for this joker.

Keep your eye out for one of those, eh?

Well the Reds surely need to keep their eyes open for two more bargains.

We need a quick assessment of where we're going here because we're meandering rudderless.

-Sorry.

-That's all right.

I think we need to try and buy something else

-otherwise we're going to be under the cosh a bit.

-Right.

-We've got the spoons, haven't we?

-Do you want to buy those?

Then we could take our time and find a third item.

That's item two, then we can take our time on item three, can't we?

Have you seen anything here that you like?

-Nothing's stood out for me.

-You go and buy the silver spoons.

-Yes.

We'll then go to the other building.

-You both go and do that now.

-OK.

While the Reds find their spoons, the Blues are eyeing up some dishes.

-These are nice.

-Chinese?

-John, look at those.

There's nothing on them, is there?

Have a guess how old these are.

These are Chinese, what they call Qian Lung, or Q-I-A-N L-U-N-G,

a Chinese period from 1735 to 1795.

We're going back to the 18th Century.

Let's find out how much they really are.

Hello, sir.

-They are 15 each.

-Are they £15 each?

-Yes, £15 each but I can do the set for £30.

-You see, that's good value.

-It is good value.

-£15 a bowl.

-I would guide them at auction, happily, 30 to £50.

-Really?

-Yes.

They were never a set though as such, you bought plates as you wanted them.

-Absolutely.

-It's not a dining service that's got broken up.

You bought what you wanted.

Exactly. Listen to Mum, OK.

Listen to Mother, OK?

He never does!

But is Mother always right?

-THAT is the question.

-Are you sure about these, Geoff, definitely.

-I think she said 55, didn't she?

-We'll go with them.

-Yes?

-Item two, yes.

I would have liked them at 50, but I don't think she'll do 50, will she?

-She said 55, that's it.

-Yes.

We'll take those, yes. Thank you.

OK, both teams are neck and neck

and there's 20 minutes left on the clock.

-Have you seen this?

-What's that?

-I think it's a cheroot holder.

-It is.

It's marked "real block amber".

-It's amber.

-It probably is nine carat gold and dated 1923.

People collect smoking memorabilia?

Absolutely. It's in its original fitted case. I quite like it.

I think, realistically, my valuation would be between 30 and £40.

So, really it's a fair retail price to pay.

45.

But I'm sure you can do it for 30.

-Maybe a bit more than 30.

->

So tough.

Come on, John, some hard-nosed negotiation wouldn't go amiss.

Now, where are those Reds?

-I had a plan and it all went out of the window.

-That's what happens.

That's what happens and were going to spend five minutes of our 60 minutes, going up and down lifts.

No, we're not. It's not, it's here.

-Is it?

-I think, it's making a noise.

Here we go.

All we want now is for the lift to break down and we get stuck and that's done it, hasn't it?

I'm not pressing anything and then I'm not going to be blamed.

Where are we going?

While Phil takes his team for a ride,

Charles opens negotiations for the cheroot holder.

-I don't think that would make a loss.

-It all depends on price.

Let's see what the opportunity is.

-Hello, sir.

-It's our last item.

We've got to get a good price.

-How about 35?

-We were thinking more of 30.

Go on then, I'll go down to 30 for you.

What do you think? I don't think we can make a loss at 30.

-Famous last words!

-What do you think, Charles?

I prefer the bowls.

I prefer the vases for the financial gain.

But, if you really feel this is going to make a bit more...

If I don't persuade you to buy this, I'll feel guilty.

-I can see it breaking even.

-I feel guilty about the vases.

You'll give me all this money at the end to go and buy something that's extremely glamorous for you.

That's what worries me. I'm leaving it to a decision, for you.

-Yes.

-Yes, is it a yes from Catherine?

Yes.

Yes, because I think it's very hard to make a loss.

We might not make money but we won't make a loss.

It's going to be yes from me as well. OK, so we'll take it.

So with just a few minutes left, the Blues have a trio of antique items for the auction.

Come on you Reds.

-I'm struggling like mad now.

-It's so difficult, isn't it?

-I never, ever thought it would be this hard.

-Do you like that?

-Yes.

-Yes.

-Definitely.

-Yes.

-Yes.

It falls between two stools, this because it's an ebonised torcher

with these pewter panels.

It's trying to look like it's Art and Crafts but it isn't, it's too fussy, to flowery...

-It just isn't.

-What's good about it?

-What's good about it is it's just different, isn't it?

-I like that.

It's a good decorators lot.

What's the best price on this? The very best.

-The very best?

-The very, very best. And it's cash.

I think the very best would have to be...130.

-Would you do that for 120?

-It's a bit low, that.

We'll split the difference - 125.

I think it's... I've never seen anything like it.

And you could make 60 quid, you could lose 60 quid, so it's a gamble.

125, I don't think is much of a gamble myself.

-OK.

-What do you think?

-I like it. I do like it.

It isn't the best quality thing. It's quite roughly hewn.

-But it is different.

-That's my worry.

I'm going to let you two have an argument on your own while I go this way. I can't stand arguments.

We're not going to argue. We'll let him have his own way, that's fine.

We'll take it. But I've got the money!

Yeah, that's fine. We'll take it.

So just in the nick of time, the final item is in the bag.

-You bought it?

-I let him have his own way, yes.

-And we didn't have a row.

-And you just admitted it on national television.

That's it - time's up.

The Reds splashed out and bought the Mauchline ware blotter for £35.

And caused a stir with the coffee spoons for £55.

And a tall cool £125 was paid for the jardinere stand.

Well you certainly had a jolly good shop up there.

-Oh, marvellous, Tim.

-Yes, fantastic.

So now give me the bad news. How much?

-£215 we spent.

-That is a number, £215.

-That is a grown up number.

-Yes, it is.

So £215 - I would like, please, 85 smackers.

-Don't look at me.

-All right.

-I've got it, be careful with this.

The management has the 85 smackers. That goes straight across to P Serrell.

-He loves this moment.

-Be careful.

-I love it when you give me money.

Well it's obviously going to be popular, whatever Philip does.

Why don't we, in the meanwhile, remind ourselves what the Blues bought?

They went for the walking cane at £30.

£90 was paid for the Deco wash set.

And the cheroot holder was a smoking £30.

-Listen, have you had fun?

-We've had a great time, absolutely wonderful.

-Yes, thoroughly enjoyed it.

-You got on incredibly well with your mother, didn't you?

-Yes and with Charles, of course.

-Yes, of course. A few panics there.

-Just a few hiccups.

-Yes, how much did you spend?

-£150.

-£150, perfect!

-I thought it was very good.

-Straight down the middle.

-Yes.

-£150 left over lolly.

-You want it?

-Yes, I do. Thank you very much.

-It's counted, it's correct.

Thank you. Well that's absolutely splendid.

Now, Charles, do I smell a pair of vases?

Well, Tim, I'm going to strut my stuff, OK?

You're going to strut your stuff. You get on with it, boy, while the rest of us go off somewhere

absolutely glorious.

Over the years Newby Hall has had many owners.

Each one making his or her mark on the house and its surroundings with varying degrees of success.

The original owners of this house just loved the designs of Robert Adam.

They loved all these simple pastel colours.

They like the neo-classical mouldings, the simplicity,

the simple reeking of quality.

Even the corridors in the main house are decorated in the classical style.

Just look at this gorgeous Etruscan red.

Oozing Italy.

But in 1892, Robert de Grey Vyner inherited the place and added on THIS extension

in the completely different Jacobean style -

which would have had poor old Robert Adam just turning in his grave.

Robert Adam might well have been crying into his beer,

but I tell you what was created here,

this first floor billiard room, I think, is drop dead gorgeous.

Here we've got a purpose-made space for gentlemen to enjoy billiards,

with this lovely raised ceiling.

It's lit from above through the stained glass panel,

or alternatively through these billiard table lights.

And in this gorgeous room we have a number of objects which reflect the family's interests

at the end of the 19th century and through the 20th century.

The piece that I think is really rare and rarely super is this little chap.

And if I'm very careful not to damage the baize,

if I put it there, we can have a natter about it.

What do you think it is?

Well it's an odd ball thing, isn't it?

I think this thing dates from around about 1680 to 1720.

This top ring has been lined with soft leather

and the hinges on either side

would have allowed this thing to open like that...

and into it you would have thrust a toddler.

You've got it - this is an early baby walker.

Having got little Lord Fauntleroy firmly clipped into the middle,

he could then set off safely around and about.

And what happens when baby gets a bit bigger?

Well this thing has been so beautifully made

that you are able to lift the outer ring

and you can adjust the height of that leather padded piece,

depending on how quickly your child is growing.

Hopefully, by the time you get to the top notch,

the little brute is able to walk around, unaided.

The big question today is: are our brutes -

that's the contestants -

likely to be able to survive the auction, unaided?

How lovely, we are in Yorkshire.

Leyburn to be precise, at Tennants Auctioneers.

-Rodney, it's a treat to be here.

-It's a pleasure to have you, Tim.

First up for the Reds, we've got the blotter.

Does that do it for you?

I quite like Mauchline ware, yes,

and you've hit the right sale today, cos we have a collection in

and we don't have a blotter. So that's a plus point.

It is a little bit out of fashion, but it's quite romantic.

But they must have been a clever lot making these things out of shards of timber.

It comes from all over the place.

Very nice collectables, what do you think that's worth, roughly?

-£30/£40.

-Brilliant, £35 paid.

You see, right in the middle.

Next is the cased set of anointing spoons.

I guess relating to Edward VII's Coronation, just at the turn of the century.

Nice to have a complete set, all ready to go.

All ready to go where?

All ready to go right at the bottom of the side board, where they were sat for 109 years!

-That's the thing.

-Why they are in brilliant condition is because nobody's ever used them.

-And they never do.

-Why not? Because they're useless.

-How much would a person pay for this lot then?

-£40/£50?

Oh, dear. £55 paid.

We might be a bit shy on that. Lastly is this jardinere stand.

Well, you either like it or you hate it.

It's very much that late 19th Century cottage industry school of handicrafts, really.

It's not everybody's cup of tea, but if the right people are here today

it should be 50 to 70, and even more.

They paid £125 for it.

Yeah, well that's fine. But it's 50 to 70 I would be happy with.

-I will sleep.

-OK, £50 to £70.

They are certainly going to need the bonus buy so let's go and have a look at it.

Sadly Mandy and Geoff aren't going to be able to be with us today,

Mandy's ill and Geoff's looking after her.

-So Phil, we're going to have to do this ourselves I'm afraid, all alone.

-This is worrying.

Now I have to remind you that your team spent £215 and you had £85 to go off and make some purchases.

-I think I bought two very appropriate things.

-I don't like the look of this at all.

-You ready?

-Yes.

-Now, I know what will be under that.

-Yes, you do. Oh, look!

I thought that was quite appropriate,

-it's for measuring your waist!

-Is it?

Yes, I don't know how on earth it works.

-Isn't that a cool bit of measuring kit?

-It certainly is.

-So, it goes...?

-But it's not big enough!

-What's it got to do with your waist? Oh, I see!

-It's a tailor's measure.

-"Proportionate waist measure."

-Yes.

So if you're a tailor, there's some kind of permutation you would use.

-I don't think you sort of stand in there and.

-No.

-I thought that was a cool thing.

-It's beautifully made.

And then I've always thought that size is important...

-and it's a big chopper.

-Yes, it's a meat cleaver.

Yes, it's a good thing though.

-And I paid, I think, £30 for the two.

-Did you really?

-Yes, and I think they are really cheap.

And what has this waist measuring device got to do with a meat cleaver, then?

-That's just detail, Tim. You're always after detail.

-No, no, it just...

-Where's the linkage?

-There is no linkage at all. The truth of the matter is

the fact that they wanted £20 for that and £20 for that.

I said, "Can I have the two for 30 quid?"

-You just can't walk by something without bargaining.

-No, it's good stuff.

-And it wouldn't surprise me if the two made £50 plus.

-£50 plus?

-Yeah.

I'll tell you what we'll do, we will ring Mandy and Geoff.

We will tell them what you have bought in the way of a bonus buy, these two items.

We'll ask them whether they want to go with it or not.

-And we will report back.

-Oh, good stuff.

But meanwhile for the audience at home, let's find out

what the auctioneer thinks about Phil's...meat cleaver.

HE SNORTS

So Rodney, there you go, there's a serious-sized chopper for you.

-It sure is. Perfect.

-For butchery?

-Yes, I wouldn't doubt that at all.

So it's not an executioner's axe. That is that resolved, definitely for butchery?

Definitely for butchery.

If we swap now, you get this thing

which is a tape measure for measuring waists or something.

-It's a tailor's square, isn't it? The date of this is going to be around about...1918.

-Yeah.

So it's a very nice thing, actually.

-That is a bit of a collector's item.

-How much?

It's got to be £40 to £60. A bit more, maybe.

He'll be delighted - £30 paid.

-That was a bargain.

-How the dealer comes to sell two such incongruous pieces I don't know.

-Absolutely and both good in their own right.

-It's a queer old world.

Catherine and John's first item is this magnificent walking stick.

It's a really nice thing. It's a lady's one, it's quite small, isn't it?

Yes, but it's quite a usable thing.

So how do you rate it, money wise?

-£20-£30.

-£20 or £30. They paid £30.

They might just wipe their face with that if they're lucky.

Next is the wash set, which is stylish, isn't it?

In its polyagonal form.

Not really for me.

The problem is, being an auctioneer, I have sat in the rostrum for so many sales

and failed to find buyers at a suitable price for these things.

They just seem to be very, very unpopular. Very unpopular.

Oh, dear. How much?

-£30-£40.

-Oh lordy, £90. There you go, they paid too much.

Catherine went bonkers for the cheroot holder.

Which in this PC, non-smoking environment, wouldn't get a lot of use, would it?

No, it'll never get used again.

Whereas spoons, you literally close the lid and put them away, never see

them again, that you could put a little vitrine and just put them on display somewhere.

And say, that was from the time when I used to smoke.

-What's it worth now?

-Not much.

-Well, no. £20-£30.

-OK, fine.

She paid £30. I think this team is looking remarkably as if they're going to need their bonus buy.

So let's go and have a look at it. Yeah!

Now, Catherine and John, you spent a magnificent £150.

You gave £150 to Charles.

Now, Charles is a bit of a devil when it comes to £150, aren't you, Charles?

I feel when we come to a wonderful auction house, we need to spend money.

We need to buy quality. Because life's too short...

and I bought this. £140.

-Put your glasses on, Catherine.

-I need to look at this closely!

It's a horn handled paper knife.

-May I look?

-1866.

-That's ivory.

-So it's old ivory?

Absolutely. Mid-19th century. And just read the inscription on there.

And that will mesmerise you.

And to me, it will make money.

-If we're going to be mesmerised, I'd better have a read myself!

-It's difficult to read, to be honest.

"This paper knife was presented to Mrs Saltmarshe by Robert Hodgson, Esquire, CE"

- for Civil Engineer.

"The horn forming the handle was found 25 feet below the bed of

"the river when making the bridge at Skelton, 1866".

So how old's this antler then, Charles?

We're going back many, many years.

You could be going back 100,000 years?

Absolutely. And to me, that is value in itself. That story is wonderful.

Isn't that wonderful?

-Yes, actually, I do find it quite interesting.

-I spent £140.

OK, it's a lot of money, but I could see it making £150-£200.

At the same time, it could be £80-£120.

-We are either going to accumulate high, or fall low.

-Or lose everything!

-Correct!

That will be your decision.

And that decision will be made just after the sale of your first three items.

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

This is rather good, isn't it?

Yes. This is a real collector's item.

The handle here could be 10,000 years old, it doesn't matter, you know, it's just been lost.

It's very, very old.

And somebody has a very cleverly made it into this letter opener.

And then given us the inscription, 1866.

So, what d'you think it's worth?

The sale estimate would be £80-£120.

OK, £140 was paid.

If you could get it for £80-£120, it would be a very good buy, a very good investment.

And for an honest Yorkshireman to have it on his desk, what could be nicer?

Absolutely. Nobody else but an honest Yorkshireman!

On that happy note, we'll move on to the auction.

Well, Phil, this is unusual, isn't it?

-There's nowhere to hide, is there?

-We've got no team at all. This is it. Finished.

-I know I upset people, but I never thought this would happen!

-I know.

We have to make this decision at the end of this -

go with the bonus buy or not.

Mandy and Geoff haven't picked up their telephone, so they

haven't even got the news that you bought that chopper for them.

But they definitely said that they would go with anything that Philip Serrell bought.

-Help!

-But anyway, the fact of the matter is, we'll have to make that decision when we get there.

A joint decision?

-That's you and me together on this.

-We're in this together.

We are. We'll discuss that when we get to the nitty gritty.

-Tell me what Rodney said!

-Now listen, you've got your jardiniere stand, which it says here you found.

I sort of found it for them, and I just thought it might stand a chance.

But having looked at it again this morning,

I think it's time for a sharp intake of breath.

I think it's on the Woolworths end of the shopping scale, do you know what I mean?

He's put £50-£70 on it. I don't see it doing any better than £100, but who knows?

Anyway, we'll find out in a minute, because the first lot up is the blotter, and here it comes.

-188...

-It's quite exciting standing here, isn't it?

-A blotter.

Of all the Mauchlin ware we have today, we have not got a blotter.

£20, start me low and go on. £20.

£10, then. 10 bid, £10 only bid. 20.

30. At £30 on my right.

Look round for the last time.

-Disappointing.

-You'll be a long time to find another. All done at £30.

£30 is minus £5. Well, Mandy and Geoff, that's not so good.

Lot 189, the case set of six silver coffee spoons. £20? 20 bid. 30.

40. 50. £50 here in the front row.

Just wants one more. Come on!

And out over there.

Are you all done this time, at £50.

Selling at 50.

-£50, that's minus £5 on that.

-Just not quite getting there, are we?

Just not quite hitting the button, Phil.

I'll be satisfied with this if this isn't quite there.

The Arts and Crafts ebonised and pewter jardiniere stand...

They're not here to share this with me.

-No, I know.

-My hour of weakness!

£50, then, start me at 50. 50. 60.

70. 80. 90. 100. 110. 120.

-I'm flabbergasted.

-140. 150.

160. 170.

£170 on my left. At £170.

There now at £170.

-170.

-That sold for £170.

-Yeah, I'm a bit disappointed, really.

-Hey, you!

Well, I can't talk, because I ran the thing down! That's unbelievable.

-It's good, isn't it? Yes.

-You're actually plus 35 at the moment.

What about your chopper?

No, we're going to go for it. The chopper and the waist measurer. Life is for living on the edge, TW.

All right, then. Fair enough. I'm taking a lesson from Mr Serrell here.

We're going to go with the bonus buy.

And here it comes - Phil's chopper.

194. The butcher's meat cleaver and this tailor's square.

The two items together. Start me at £50.

£20 then.

20 bid, right there at £20.

At £20, the tailor's square and the cleaver. 30. 40. 50. 60. 70. £70.

£70!

£70, all done.

Plus 40, Phil.

-Unbelievable.

-I'll stick with you!

Overall, it is plus 75.

-How good is that?

-Yeah, absolutely. We'd better phone up and tell them.

Shall we tell them that they made £20 profit, and split the rest between us?

No-one will ever know, will they?

No, they'll never know. No, we can't go doing that.

No, fine. Plus 75, that could be a winning score, you know.

I shan't tell the Red team. I am the Red team! I shan't tell the Blue team!

Don't tell the Blue team, no.

You know all the lines in this programme, don't you?

It's brilliant to have some contestants.

I won't ask you whether you've been talking to the Reds, because

we haven't got any Reds, so you've not been able to chat through their result.

-So you're absolutely unaware of the Red team's score.

-Totally.

-Absolutely.

Good. First up, your first item is the walking cane, and here it comes.

Lot 210, the late Victorian horn handled walking cane. £50.

£20, anybody. In good order. £10.

-Oh, no!

-Come on!

£10 only bid. 20. 30, sir? 30. 40.

-Yes!

-£40, the bid is over there now.

40. Selling this time at 40.

Plus £10. How good was that?

That's because I didn't like it.

The 1920s Art Deco pottery toilet set. £50? £50.

-Painful.

-The Victorian ones are not popular now,

but this is a bit more classical.

£20, then. 20 bid. 30. 40. 50.

60. At £60. 70.

No? At £70. Anyone else?

At £70. You're out there and there and now - 80.

-Yes!

-90.

You're out at 90.

You wiped your face.

Well played.

Unpredicted. That is super.

Lot 212, the George V amber cheroot holder with a 9 carat gold mount.

£20? £10. £10 is bid. 20.

-£20 on the aisle.

-Come on!

-£20, is that to be the price? Are you all done?

-No!

Selling this time at £20. Are you all out at £20?

Bad luck! Minus £10.

Now, you made £10, you wiped your face, you've lost £10.

-We've nothing!

-Absolutely nothing!

So what are you going to do?

-Go for it! Come on!

-No, Charles...

-Life's too short.

I'm quite happy we're breaking even.

-What do you think?

-We're going with it.

-What Mother said!

-But you just said you didn't want to go with it.

-I know he did.

-You don't want to go with it?

-No, but I will bow to my mum.

-Why are you going with it?

-Because I said so!

-Fair enough!

-You don't argue with your mum!

-No, that's very true.

-Go for it, come on!

-That is the decision, is it?

-I think it's mad, but we'll go for it.

-OK.

We have the antler and ivory paper knife.

And the antler will have great age to it.

A real collector's item. £100.

100 is bid. £100 only bid, at £100.

-At £100, anyone else?

-Come on.

-Yes.

-120. 130. 140.

-Yes!

At £140. You're out over there now.

The bid's down here at £140.

-Come on, one more!

-In the front at 140, all done.

Well, there you are, you see?

Wiped its face.

-We've not lost.

-Very good decision there, Catherine.

-Wasn't it?

It could have been a good decision from me, it's still the same.

Very diplomatic of you, John, if I may say so.

How lovely that everybody is right. A perfect result.

-Overall, after all that lark, you've got absolutely nowhere.

-Yes!

Well, this isn't quite our finale line-up.

In fact, we're rather lonely here on the right!

But nevertheless, we're very happy to reveal today's result.

I have to say that today, the team with the lowest score happens to be...

-the Blues.

-Oh!

In fact, the Blues haven't got any score at all.

They had £10, they wiped their face, they lost £10.

They then wiped their face on the bonus buy, which is an extraordinary result, isn't it?

It is. But not a negative number.

But not a negative number. I mean, there's been no loss, there's been no shame, there's been no pain.

-Good fun.

-It has been a lot of fun, you're quite right.

Anyway, thank you very much for taking part.

The victors, however, look at this fella!

-Here we come with £75. I mean, £75 is quite something, isn't it?

-It is.

-What a shame they're not here to take it.

-I'm really sorry, and I hope she gets better soon.

-As we all do.

-Very well done.

-You have to pass this on to Mandy and Geoff.

-What, all of it?

Yes, all of it, without your normal commission, the normal Worcester commission which we see happen.

Well, 75, they actually owe me money.

I thought you were going to say that. Pretty good, though, £75.

I enjoyed it, I hope that they enjoy watching it.

£45 on that jardiniere that you found, that everybody dissed.

-Yeah, including me.

-Just shows there's nowt so queer.

And that cleaver, which we selected, was going to be their bonus buy.

-That was another result. £40 on that.

-A good thing.

All round though, tremendous fun. Anyway, join us soon for some more bargain-hunting.

-Yes?

-Yes!

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