Builth Wells Bargain Hunt

Do you ever read those personal columns in the newspaper?

The ones next door to 'lost and found'.

Just listen to this one.

(HE READS) "Cast and crew of top-rated TV programme

"would like to meet charming, dark-haired intelligent presenter

"for midday fun and frolics.

"Must have GSOH and excellent legs."

(HE LAUGHS) I think I might apply.

Let's go bargain hunting.

Today our teams will be tooling around the Royal Welsh Showground

here at Builth Wells.

There are literally thousands of stands

to choose their antiques and collectables from.

So they'd better have their wits about them!

Ha! On the Red team, psychic mediums Jasmine and Pat have the spirits leading them a merry dance.

-How much time have we got left?

-To run all the way up there again?

-Eight minutes.

-Come along.

-I'm with you.

While on the Blues, Rachel and Les have good spirits on their mind.

-Shall we have it?

-I think while we've both got you agreeing, from what I've heard, we should go for it.

But will these teams be haunted by any of their decisions?

-Do you really think these are gonna make us money, Jasmine?

-I guarantee it.

-(BOTH LAUGH)

-Yeah.

-It's "On your head be it," so she says.

Cripes.

The rules of this game are so simple even our crew know them.

-ALL: Oh, no, we don't!

-Oh, yes, you do!

How many pounds does each team have?

ALL: 300!

-How many objects do they buy?

-ALL: Three!

-How long do they have to shop?

-ALL: One hour!

There you are, you DO know!

ALL: Oh, no, we don't!

Ooh, who'd ever work with children and animals?

And they're a scruffy lot, aren't they?

Unlike our teams. Ha!

-Ah, here you all are. Hello, everyone.

-ALL: Hi, Tim.

Lovely to see you. Now, Jasmine, how did you and Pat meet?

Well, we were both on our way, separately, to Eastbourne for a psychic mediumship course.

Pat was actually in my way, so I nearly barged her off the platform in Eastbourne.

There could have been a memento and her talking to me from the other side.

Well, quite. And there'd have been a lot more twitching on the table.

So, how did you get interested in the medium world, then, Pat?

Well, I've always had a general interest, really,

but it was a strange thing.

-My friend had lost her dead dog.

-Lost a dog?

And she was really sad about it and she asked me just if I thought doggies come back.

-Do doggies come back?

-Yes, of course they do.

-Do they?

-Definitely.

-Do they come back and bark at you?

-This one was twitching.

Is somebody in the spirit world gonna be helping you today?

Most definitely so. I'm sure they're rooting for us.

One of the things that we can do is to take an object

and, by using psychometry,

then you pick up on the vibration of that object

and then you can hopefully tell the history of it.

-From the vibrations?

-From the vibration.

Do you get a lot of vibrations, then?

-On a Friday night after a few jars.

-Oh, yeah. Anything can happen.

Patricia, what I want to know is, what are the sprits saying to you today

about your winning potential?

I'm gonna shine while everyone else glimmers.

(HE LAUGHS) You're gonna shine while everybody else glimmers. I do love a prediction.

-Seriously, though, I wish you very good luck.

-Thank you, Tim.

And we shall see what happens in a moment.

But I would think, if I was the Blues, I'd be quaking in my boots.

Don't think we stand a chance, do we?

So, Rachel, explain to me, darling, how is it that you come here today?

-We applied five years ago.

-Never.

-Yeah.

-I'm ashamed.

-And we had a phone call and I didn't believe them.

-No.

-So what did you say? "Stop winding me up"?

-Yeah.

-A colleague said, "Bargain Hunt want you." I said, "Don't be ridiculous."

-That's what I'd say.

-Five years later.

-Yes.

-But the two of you, what's your relationship?

-Do you go out together, or what?

-Ooh, no. He's my stepfather.

-He's your what?!

-Yeah.

-He's your stepfather?!

-There's 19 years between us.

-Get away!

I either look old or he looks young.

Leslie, what do you do? Take tablets, or what?

-It's the spirits.

-Is it?

-(ALL LAUGH)

-What? Scotch, gin?

-Yeah.

And how do you think you're gonna get on today, Rachel?

I think we might argue.

-Why's that, then? Do you normally argue?

-Well, we bicker.

-You bicker.

-Yeah, cos I'm normally right and he's normally wrong.

-Is that right?

-No, I'm usually right, she's usually wrong.

I can see we're gonna have trouble today. This is gonna be a riot.

OK, children, here's your £300 apiece. There you go. You know the rules.

Your experts await. And off you go! And very good luck.

Two psychic mediums, eh? Who would have predicted that?

Time to start the shopping,

and Jasmine's already had a message from the other side.

And I've got in mind a wooden box with maybe brass corner pieces on it, not too large, but...

This is something that you've...

Yes, yes, that's come to me and I really would like to see if we can get a piece today.

(HE GROANS) Les and Rachel can't decide if they're even on the same side.

He'll go that way and I'll go that way.

Well, let's start together, shall we? Over here.

Ah, Jasmine's found her boxes.

-MAN: Is that all brass inlay?

-I think it's painted on.

I mean, they're just trying to simulate the brass inlay, are they?

No.

This was obviously a card box at some point.

There's another one over there.

-We're probably looking too hard. It will probably jump out at you.

-It will do.

Let's look for other things and then it will find you.

Can you see that in your crystal ball, then, Jonathan?

Look out, Les and Rachel are being drawn to the world of spirits.

-Does that little bottle tag come with it?

-MAN: Yeah.

Lovely. So, what we've got, this is the tantalus, and a brass top here.

-And it's locked here at the side.

-Oh, right.

Cos, of course, liquor is and was a pretty valuable commodity.

So it was locked in, and the top would open up and you can get the decanters out.

And I did notice one of them has a wee bit of a chip

just to the side, there.

Do you see that? But, I have to say, they're really nice, heavy cut glass.

Cos that's really important, cos the cheaper decanter is moulded glass rather than cut,

but you can feel with your hand it's got really sharp facet edges there.

The stoppers fit well, and the stoppers are all matching, which is nice.

-What do you think?

-Very nice. How much is it?

-175.

-175.

That's quite a lot of our budget, isn't it?

What's your best for us, sir?

-Come down to 150.

-150?

-That's dead on half, then, isn't it?

-It's the first stall we've been to.

-Do you think we'd make something on the auction at 150?

At 150? It's a tricky one.

The good things are you've got a nice set,

and at auction I would probably estimate it at 80 to 120, something like that.

-You wouldn't go any lower?

-125.

125. That's quite good, isn't it?

-Yeah. I do like it. I do like it.

-Yeah, I do like it as well.

Can you do a nice round hundred?

Seeing as it's Bargain Hunt, I'll do 110.

-Shall we have it?

-I think, while we've both got you agreeing, from what I've heard, we should go for it.

Happy spirits. (HE HICCUPS) Those Blues.

Do you know what that is? It says it's for papers.

-Do you know how it's decorated?

-No.

-That is what you call pokerwork.

-Oh, right.

-They used to burn the pattern in with a hot poker.

-Right.

-It's quite nicely done. I mean, you know, it's kind of quirky.

The influence is sort of the Art Nouveau of the late 19th century.

Everyone was doing arts and crafts at home,

so this is the sort of thing someone would have made.

It's a bit dark, perhaps, maybe.

For the modern taste. No price on it whatsoever.

Just before I asked you ladies what you thought of it,

the chap said he'd do it for £45.

-I don't dislike that, I must admit.

-Yeah.

-But it's only an idea.

-It's a pity it's so dark.

-I like the way that they've continued that onto there.

-Yes, exactly.

-Could we come back to that?

-Of course.

-We might knock him down a bit more.

-We might knock him down.

-Might HAVE to knock him down.

-Yeah, that's right.

Hmm, did they get any vibrations off it, I wonder.

-I love things like that.

-The card case. That's very nice.

-That is lovely.

-It's quite a lot of money, still, though, and we have just spent quite a bit.

It's up to you. We can look at it, certainly.

We have 165 on that. It's Birmingham 1907.

Lovely. Thanks.

It's really nice, clear hallmarks just inside there,

but it's great-quality engraving all around it.

And a lovely little shape. And it would have been for calling cards.

So, when you went visiting in 1907 and the lady of the house wasn't in, you would leave your card.

-Oh, right. I haven't seen one of those before.

-That's lovely.

Yeah. (HE GROANS) Here we go again, "That's lovely."

-Do you like it, Les?

-Well, actually, I do.

-But the price is the trouble.

-Yes.

It does sound a lot of money, doesn't it? But that is English silver, it's over a hundred years old.

It's hallmarked, also, on both sections.

Can you see? Just on the top there and on the bottom.

And engraved all the way on the back, there, these lovely floral leafage scrolls.

I love that sort of thing. But it is expensive, isn't it? For our budget.

What can you do? The lady's fallen in love.

Oh, well, lady's in love, right.

The very best I can do on that would be 140.

-I can take £25 reduction, yes.

-Off.

-Would you like to have a think?

-Yeah, in case there's something else.

-Yeah. It is quite a chunk, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-But it's a really nice, quality piece.

It's a possible. Meanwhile, Jasmine's got another feeling coming on.

That's rather nice, actually.

-It's got two hands.

-MAN: The three for a hundred. They're all silver.

-Do they work?

-We don't know.

-OK.

That's rather pretty, that is.

Get three watches for £100.

You wanna buy three watches for £100?

This is what the offer is. That's rather a pretty one.

-If I said 75...

-Yeah.

-It's a gift.

-Are the dials in good condition?

-That one isn't.

-A chip on the outside.

Why buy a watch? Is it something else you thought?

-Yes, yes. And I think that they're...

-It makes it interesting.

And if anything you buy has come from some sort of an inspiration

then we'll go for it and I'll just see how you do.

I'll tell you what I'll do with you.

You wanna gamble? Would you like a gamble?

-(SHE LAUGHS)

-Would you say yes to a gamble?

-Possibly.

-Give me 60 for the three.

-60 for the three?

I think that's a fair gamble, seeing as they're silver.

-Do you wanna consult Pat?

-I want to consult Pat.

-Or we just buy it?

Or, I say, do YOU want to buy it anyway?

-No.

-He's not gonna do £60 if you walk away, I expect, so maybe you should just part with the money.

-No, it's quoted.

-Do you want to make that decision?

-Yes, I'll make that decision on those three watches.

-Fine. Job done. Won.

-Thank you very much, sir. Thank you.

-Beautiful.

-Thank you.

-Wonderful.

Pat! (SHE LAUGHS)

-I've bought three watches, £60, sorry.

-Oh, my God.

-I think they're beautiful. £100 to start with, I got him down to £60.

-Well, very good.

-Now, this one isn't working.

-Oh.

-But... (SHE LAUGHS)

Those two are. I just thought they'd look absolutely beautiful, maybe.

-Yeah, you really think these are gonna make us money, Jasmine?

-I guarantee it. I guarantee it.

Now, what does Jonathan think about Jasmine's guarantee?

My prediction is about 35 quid.

There's a £25 loss in them. If we make more than 60, I'm a monkey's uncle.

Only time will tell, Jonathan. Cheeky monkey.

What do you think about her?

Is she one of the ugliest people you ever did come across?

Once upon a time, this was a perfectly plain creamware oval plaque.

On the back, it's been initialled by the artist, JNG, in an oval.

And up above that is a little identification mark for a specific artist.

An artist who is as yet unknown.

If we look at the front, what he's created is

a charming, mystical Eastern view with this incredibly ugly girl in the middle.

All of that's enamelled by hand, and then the whole plaque has gone into a reduced kiln

and, at low temperature, the colours have been fired onto the ceramic.

So, this simple, incredibly ugly picture

has actually involved a considerable amount of work,

and that's where I think it gets interesting.

Because nobody would be doing this without some purpose. I rather like it.

I think it's got potential.

I think she's so ugly that she's really rather lovely.

The other nice thing about it is the price.

All that work, all that intrigue, all that mystery, all that research to be done

could be yours for 45 quid.

Now, from one ugly old mug to another. Not you, Kate.

-He's well-armed, isn't he?

-He is.

-Looks in good condition.

-And these are always titled at the back.

This is impressed 'The Guardsman'. And we've got the Royal Doulton mark on the bottom, here.

And these character jugs, I mean, they're quite fun novelties, really.

This one, part of a series.

Here we go, Character Jugs from Williamsburg, that was the series, here.

They've all got a serial number, but he hasn't got a great deal of age.

You can tell from this mark, here, he's a relatively later one.

-There's no cracks on him, is there?

-He's in good condition.

Let's ask the lady what she could do for us on it.

-Do you like that, do you?

-Yeah.

-It's shiny.

-Hi. What can you do on this for us?

-What have I got on it?

-You've got 55, I think.

-I could go to 50.

-He's not an old one, is he?

-No, he's not. He's the second series.

-So it's gonna be '60s.

-It is.

-Yeah, indeed.

Right. So, 1960s.

The older '30s, or '20s, '30s, ones are the more commercial ones, aren't they?

-And they would cost...

-A lot more.

-So 45, is that your really very best?

We could probably only afford about 35.

Oh, I can do it for 40, but it's my lowest.

Up to you. I mean, I know you like it. I have to say to you, my feeling is you're not gonna make much profit.

Well, that's what you want to do, isn't it? So...I don't like it at all.

Let's have a think.

-All right, then, 35. And that is my final offer.

-35?

-Yeah.

-I like him. I want him, yeah.

-35 it is, chaps.

-Yeah.

It's "On your head be it," so she says.

-(HE LAUGHS)

-That's exactly what that face means, yeah.

Oh, dear. It's not easy.

-Possibly to match this.

-These would be little match... little vesta cases, I think.

-They are indeed vesta cases.

-What are they?

-For matches.

People collect them, so they are perfectly...

-Are they silver?

-Perfectly saleable, yeah.

-Yeah, I'd have said so.

-I think the paper stand is a better choice.

-Right.

OK, that makes two out of three with not a lot of time left.

No. I think we'd better get a move on.

-OK.

-Well, I can run.

-Ooh, here it is.

-Go on, get it, Pat.

-What do you think?

-Yes, go on. We liked it first time round.

Let's get it. Is this yours, sir?

-It is, yeah.

-What's the best you could do that for, please?

You can have it for 40.

-38?

-OK.

-Lovely. Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-OK.

-Thank you very much, sir.

-Thank you very much.

Now Les and Rachel need to make a decision, as well.

Vesta boxes were exactly that, little holders for matches.

Now, this is a really nice one, cos you can see that the hinged lid is really neatly done.

-What do you think, Les?

-I really like the card case.

We'll probably make more money on auction than with this one.

-Well, we've got about eight minutes actually, so we can't hang about.

-No, especially not if it's gone.

OK, guys. Better hurry up, hey?

-Was it up here?

-Yeah, it was by the doors, wasn't it?

-Can we look at the card case again?

-Of course.

-Please. Thank you.

-Oh, yeah.

-And what was your best price?

-It needs to be 140. I can take 25 off.

-140.

-Do you still like it?

-Yes.

-I think we'll have it, then, yeah?

-Definitely.

-You agree?

-We're out of time, so I think...

-Yeah. Definitely. Thank you.

-OK. You're very welcome. Thank you.

Has there been anything that you like that you...

Well, other than I liked the silver vesta things, and stuff like that.

Do you wanna do that? If nothing's catching your eye, you're never gonna find it in five minutes.

-That's the only thing I've seen.

-How much time have we got left now?

-To run all the way up there?

-Eight minutes. We've gotta walk back.

-Yes. Go on. Go on.

-This is like The Benny Hill Show, you know.

-Jump on the back of a van.

-I'm late for a very important date.

-Keep looking as you go.

-I'm late for an important date.

That case was right across the fairground, girls.

-Come along.

-I'm with you.

What? In mind, body and spirit, Jasmine?

Steady on, old girl.

-(SHE LAUGHS) You all right?

-(SHE PANTS)

-MAN: 80's the best I'll do.

-It's monogrammed.

-Is that good or bad?

-Let's have a quick look at it for you.

Well, I'll have a quick look at this. Where's the full marks?

-Or I could buy one of the cheap ones.

-'Deakin & Francis' is on there.

-You know...

-Hey? What are you saying? No good?

I'm not saying that. What I'm saying is it's very straightforward and I would be inclined to go for novelty.

-He's not too impressed, old Jonathan.

-It's dented, as well.

-Well, you know...

-It IS dented. It's dented.

I'm not gonna influence you too much. You like it you buy it.

Is it a bit battered, but?

You know, I don't think it's going to win you a great deal of money.

-MAN: One minute to go.

-But with 60 seconds to go...

-Come on.

-Perhaps that, then.

-Don't look at me when you say it. Decide.

-Well, we can't go with nothing.

-Yeah.

-OK, is that the case you want?

-Deal done?

-Yes.

-OK, deal done.

Right, everyone, shopping's done.

Time for our teams to hand over any leftover lolly to their experts,

who've been sharpening an eye for what to buy.

First, let's remind ourselves what the Reds bought.

Jasmine bought these three watches, without telling Pat, for £60.

They ran the length of the fair for this paper rack at 38,

then they ran it again to get the sovereign case for 80.

-Did you have a good time, Pat?

-Fantastic.

-What about you, Jasmine?

-Thoroughly enjoyed it.

-But we had to run for the last few minutes.

-I know.

It's something to warm up anyway. How much did you spend all round?

-£178.

-£178. That's rather good, isn't it?

-What's your favourite piece, Jas?

-Those were the pieces that I bought. Three watches for £60.

-I gather you're the leader of the pack round here.

-Definitely.

Is that the truth? Did you get a look-in sideways, Jonathan?

-No, no, I wasn't...

-Part of the shopping.

-..part of the shopping.

-Just there as an observer.

-Yes.

-Now, what exactly are you fondling?

-I've got a silver guinea holder here.

-Yes.

But I do believe it was owned by a northern industrialist,

and he's saying his brass bought more than brass.

-Oh, lordy.

-That's what I'm getting.

-And would you see a lot of profit in a thing like that?

-Well, we would hope to make a little profit on it.

-Would you? How much profit is the vibration telling you?

-I like detail here.

-Not enough.

-And what did you pay for it?

-We paid £80 for it.

-How much?

-£80.

And you're getting a vibration of profit coming out of that? Yes?

-I live in hope.

-Yes, absolutely. Now, I would like £122 of leftover lolly, if that's all right.

-There you are, Tim. There you are. And there's your £2.

-Look, that's a decent amount, isn't it?

It's nice to have some decent cash for once.

You'll be able to find something splendid to thrill us with later with your bonus buy.

-I will try.

-We'll rely on you. Thank you very much, Jonathan.

Meanwhile, let's check out how the Blues are getting on.

Les and Rachel agreed on this tantalus at £110...

..then disagreed on Les's choice of the toby jug for 35.

Finally, they staked 140 on this little silver card case.

-So, are you happy? What do you think?

-You're all looking rather serious.

So, Rachel, why are you such a toby jug hater, though?

Oh, it's just random. It's not even anybody in particular. It's just random.

It's a nice character. It's a great toby jug. It's gonna make some money, Tim, I guarantee it.

And they're supposed to be welded together and happy, these two.

Well, we have differences of opinion when he's wrong and I'm right.

I can hear that. OK, very good.

-So, how much did you spend, Leslie?

-£285.

£285. That's £15 left over for Bliss. That's lovely.

And which is your favourite piece apart from the toby jug?

-Oh, it's gotta be the card case, then.

-OK. Do you agree with that?

-I do, yeah.

-Oh, at last we've got some family agreement here.

-£15, then, Kate.

-Thank you.

-A little challenge for you.

-It's quite an expensive fair, this, isn't it?

-I'm gonna be hard-pushed.

Hard-pushed, but you always rise to the challenge. And good luck with that, Kate.

For the rest of us, though, we're going to tool off to the north-west of Britain

and we're going to go to the Lady Lever Art Gallery, which is gonna be a rare old treat, I fancy.

I'm going to play a little game with you today.

Let's pretend that I'm allowed to take two pieces from this gallery that I really fancy

and stick them in the back of the Volvo.

What am I gonna choose?

(HE LAUGHS) What fun!

Hmm. Not my type, I'm afraid.

Of course, it's an impossible task.

Having to pick two items out of this multitude of treasures?

So I think I'll just go for one.

What do you think about this cabinet?

From where you're standing it looks like a Georgian two-door cabinet, doesn't it?

With perhaps some oval decorated panels on it?

After Gainsborough at the front

and Angelica Kauffmann on the sides.

They're actually prints which have been hand-watercoloured and then glazed over with varnish

to make them look like real pictures.

But it's the technique that's been used to decorate every other surface

which is so fascinating.

And you have to come in here to see that properly.

Take a look at this blue area, for example.

That blue area is made up, literally, of hundreds of tiny scrolls of paper

which have been tightly rolled up one against the other

and then inserted against the flat surface.

Extraordinary, isn't it?

And that's just this blue patterned bit.

Multiply that by the number of patterned areas over, for example,

just this front door,

and it's extraordinary.

This process was called, in the 18th century, quilling,

and smart ladies did it.

They did it in their drawing rooms instead of doing needlework

or decorating china.

And the interesting highlighted area on the door

is made up of this string of real freshwater pearls,

which are used to make up this ribbon-tied swag

as a pendant to the oval below.

But it isn't until when I open it up

that you can appreciate quite the sublime beauty of this thing

when it was first made about 230 years ago.

The inside surfaces of these drawers haven't been discoloured by the light or pollution.

You get a semblance of how bright and breezy the outside would have looked.

Just look at these delicious turquoises,

the greens, the yellows,

and the intricate patterns and designs throughout.

How long would it have taken a smart gentlewoman to have decorated the entire surface?

I would guess some years.

The central door, here, has little beads of bright cut steel inserted.

And 230 years ago, these would have been glittering

and utterly entertaining for the eye.

The big question today is, of course,

are our teams going to be bright and glittering

and thoroughly entertaining over at the auction?

And today's auction is just across the border in Shrewsbury

with auctioneer Jeremy Lamond.

-Good morning, Jeremy.

-Welcome.

-Thank you very much for having us. Lovely to be here.

Now, Jasmine and Pat, their first item is

this trio of key-wound Swiss cylinder ladies' fob watches.

Less common than a Singer sewing machine, but not rare objects.

So, not gonna light the cockles of you auctioneers' hearts?

Not really. A mass-produced movement is something that doesn't warm our cockles.

No. Having said that, they are in reasonable condition.

-What do you they might bring, Jeremy?

-I think £60 to £80 would about do it, really.

Really? Well, that's great. £60 was paid. Jasmine was very, very hot for them.

So she's probably done the right thing.

Talking about hot, we've got the pokerworked paper rack.

-It's useful, isn't it?

-It's a tour de force of pokerwork.

-And it's English rather than 'papier'.

-Yes.

And it's quite nice to look at and it's useful.

So I think it will be a seller.

I mean, all you need is a pipe and a pair of slippers to go with this

and it's every bloke's set-up, isn't it?

-And a newspaper.

-And a newspaper to go in there. Absolutely.

-How much?

-30 to 50.

-Great. £38 was paid.

-Not bad.

-They didn't pay a big price for it.

Anyway, that's that for that.

-Lastly, this lovely little object, the double sovereign case.

-Yes.

-In silver.

-1931, so just when we were coming off the gold standard.

-So quite a late production for a sovereign case.

-Yes, absolutely.

And what it holds now, sovereigns, are very collectable at the moment,

so a good collectable silver object still.

Really nice. And how much, then, for that?

-I think we have said £30 to £50.

-Have you?

-Yeah.

They paid 80. I mean, I don't know.

-It's a desirable thing.

-Mmm, could be.

-You might just be slightly on the lean side, there.

-We might be.

-But bit of a tempter.

-Yeah.

-Good.

There we go. They've done pretty well, I reckon. All depending on how the sovereign case does pan out.

They may or may not need the bonus buy, but let's go and have a look at it.

OK, Jasmine, Pat, you gave Jonathan £122 of leftover lolly, which is absolutely dazzling.

-What did you do with it?

-Look at that.

-Oh, wow. That, I like.

Immediately as I saw it I loved the style.

It's this contrast of blue and white and the sunflowers that sort of drew me to it.

When picking it up, I saw it's Doulton Lambeth.

Good late 19th-century studio potters producing a lot of commercial wares,

but there's different influences in this.

Absolutely love the colour. That's gorgeous.

You couldn't use it as a vase. Why the cutaway here?

I understand that it's probably the base for an oil lamp.

You'd have something on the top. It would be difficult to picture.

But it maybe would have had, like, a convex domed sort of shade.

It was about style. I was looking at something which would be good for interiors.

Limited in use, but you could put dried flowers in there

and keep it as an ornament.

Or have it as a lamp. If you put a wooden plug in there or an electric light bulb in it, what a great lamp.

An up light, and then a bit out the side. Quite sweet.

-I paid...

-How much?

-(THEY LAUGH)

-I paid £100 for it.

-OK.

-And will it make a profit?

-I really like to think so.

-What do you think, Patricia?

-It's really nice.

You give us a prediction from your cosmic-influenced feeling, handling, spiritual sense,

what is this gonna bring in the way of a profit?

-A prediction, please, Patricia.

-It's gonna make £20.

-Profit?

-Yes.

-Oh, that's a relief.

-That's absolutely what I thought as well.

-You're agreeing with that?

-Yes.

There we go. We've got the cosmic prophetesses. If you go with it.

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

-OK, J, here's a chunk for you.

-OK.

Well, this is very bright and breezy, isn't it?

The big thing is don't try and fill it up with water. It won't be used as a flower vase.

I think you'd be caught out. We've called it a lamp base.

There is a hole in the bottom for a cord,

and, as you rightly say, if you put flowers in it and water later on

then you'll have a very wet bottom.

-A very nasty accident.

-But it's a pretty thing, in good condition.

-I think £60 to £80, it should make.

-Brilliant. £100 was paid. It's supposed to be a bonus buy.

May not be that profitable, if the teams decide to go with it.

Anyway, that's it for the Reds. Now for the Blues, Rachel and Les.

And they kick off with the tantalus.

Very handy object in late 19th-century Britain

either to stop you drinking or to stop the servants drinking what you are about to drink.

Not an uncommon object, especially in oak with brass fittings.

Hobnail cut glass decanters but also chipped hobnail cut glass decanters.

Doesn't help, although I suppose you can replace them.

And it may be that these have been replaced anyway.

-So, what's your estimate, Jeremy?

-60 to 80.

-OK, brilliant. £110, they paid.

It's interesting with these things, because tantaluses are up and down.

They vary in quality. Difficult to know how it's going to finish.

-But I bet you they won't be too far off.

-On a good day they can make a couple of hundred pounds, a good one.

-But these are chipped, so we've been a bit cautious.

-And I don't blame you, quite frankly, old fruit.

Next, the Doulton character jug.

I think one of the gloomiest-looking people, I have to say. He's not florid, he looks rather sad.

Trouble is, these large Doulton character jugs at the moment are not performing too well in the market

unless it's a rare or a pilot figure, and he certainly isn't one.

Even though they're not being produced any more. So we put a lowly £20 to £30 on him.

Just to encourage the others. £35, they paid.

I mean, you've got quite a lot of 20th-century ceramics in the sale, haven't you?

So you should have a good crowd to go for a bit of Doulton.

Now, lastly, where they put their money most definitely where their mouths are

is this silver Edwardian calling card case.

Well, it's a pretty object, in good condition. Floral leaf, flat, chaste, 1907, so a good Edwardian object.

But really, again, not a rare object, so 40 to 60, I would say, at auction.

£140, they paid. Now, £140 is getting towards something that you'd have a bit of casting in it.

One of those rather more decorated card cases that can make some money.

-This is not one of them.

-And this isn't one of them.

I would think a difficult thing to sell, and I'm with you, £40 to £60, something like that.

They're almost certainly gonna need their bonus buy. Let's look at it.

Now, Raquel and Leslie, you spent £285,

you gave Kate Bliss 15 smackers only to find your bonus buy.

Kate, you poor thing, what did you do?

Panicked. And then I found something which I'm not sure is your cup of tea.

But it was £15, let's just get that bit out of the way first, tell you the money bit.

It's late 19th-century, so it's got a bit of age to it,

and it is a bottle coaster.

It's turned mahogany and big enough, I think, to take a magnum

rather than your average bottle of claret.

-Does it grab you, darling?

-No.

-What I was thinking was profit, Rachel.

I mean, I know it's not your sort of thing, having got to know you, but I was thinking of profit.

And I would hope, on a good day, it would make a few pounds' profit.

-Was it £15, was it?

-It was £15.

And the thing is it could just be a tad earlier than late 19th century.

-Georgian. It could be Georgian, couldn't it?

-It's got the feel.

And it would have had its little baize pad on the bottom.

-It's a nice thing.

-Sometimes when it looks ugly it might make more money.

Ooh, I love you, Leslie.

-(HE LAUGHS)

-Anyway, there we go. We hope it's going to make a few bob for you.

But let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Kate's coaster.

There you go, Jeremy. You've got £15 left, you're an expert, you have to find the bonus buy.

-That's what Kate has served us up.

-Well, yeah, 19th century.

It's turned, there's not a great deal wrong with it, so she'll get her money back, I would think.

£10 or £20, it could make.

Well, 15, as I say, was paid. I mean, I quite like these late Georgian little bits.

That would have had, I think, a pad of baize on it, wouldn't it?

So that when it coasted over your Georgian dining table you don't get any scratching.

But the problem for me is that that lump there,

which is where the discoloured piece of timber is, is replaced.

Character, though.

Character, but some joker's got hold of that with his thumb and pulled off that original gallery.

But at least they didn't throw it away.

No. Maybe it was just a riot of a party, and that's part of its charm.

-Like at your place.

-Absolutely.

-We'll look forward to a riot of an auction in just a moment, Jeremy. Thank you.

-Thank you.

200 bid. 220.

-OK, team, happy?

-WOMEN: Yes.

Patricia, you're looking particularly perky here.

-Of course. Bargain Hunt.

-Bargain Hunt.

Yes, that's what we like!

-What about you, Jasmine?

-Fairly confident.

-Fairly confident.

-That's what I like to hear.

It's teamwork, isn't it? The whole thing is a team effort.

So, what piece do you think is going to do particularly well?

I would hope it's going to be the watches.

-I only wish I could buy those watches myself.

-Sadly, you can't do that.

Let's hope there's people who want to have a go, cos you paid £60.

JEREMY: Three silver-cased ladies' fob watches.

White enamel dials and Roman numerals, showing there.

Who'll start me? £40. The three at 40. At £40.

-Where's 40? Bid me £40.

-Oh, gosh.

40? 30 to go, then. £30.

Start me £30, £10 each. 30's bid. At 30.

At 30. 5 if you like. At £30 now.

-At £30 I'll sell them.

-Oh, come on.

-It's your bid at 30. (HE BANGS GAVEL)

-£10 each, then. £30.

Well, I'm afraid it didn't make its estimate.

Late 19th-century carved paper rack, inscribed M. Cook. £20 to start me.

20 for the paper rack.

-Useful object at £20.

-Good for the kitchen.

-£20. 20.

Bid me £20 for it. Anybody have 20?

20 is bid at the back of the room. At £20, I'm bid.

Are you sure? Maiden bid, then. £20. All done?

-(HE BANGS GAVEL)

-Maiden and divorced.

-£20. It's -£18.

-Internet makes all the difference.

Birmingham 1931, at £25. At 25.

-Oh, £25?!

-£25. 25.

At 28. At £28, it is. At £28.

-Got it.

-Your bid. 30 in the doorway.

At £30. 32, against you. 35. 38.

40. No? 40 in the door, then.

At £40, the bid. At 40. All done at 40.

-Isn't that disappointing?

-They all want something for nothing.

(MIMICS PAT) Well, 'tis a bootiful little thing.

Bootiful, it was.

-I'm ever so disappointed.

-That doesn't sound right.

-You do it better than I do.

-We've gotta pick ourselves up now.

We've been dressed down, here. You're -88, yeah? What are we gonna do about this lamp base?

£100 is what was paid on that, but it's just a question of teamwork.

What do you wanna do? Do you wanna twist or stick?

-I wanna go with it.

-Yes.

-Yeah, we'll go with it.

-Let's go for it.

-Yes, it's a good show.

-It's a good show.

Yeah, but...seriously, then?

-Yes!

-Yes, go on. In for a penny, in for a pound.

JEREMY: The Doulton Lambeth pottery lamp base, or vase. £50 for it. 50.

50 I'll take. At £50, any bid? At £50. Lot 188.

-At £50. 40, then.

-Oh, come on.

£40. 40. Start me. 40.

Surely, £40 for it. 30, then.

-£30. 30's bid, front row.

-Thank you.

-Lady in the front row.

You're out now, internet is in. 45. With you at 45. Internet is out.

-At £45.

-Here we go. 45. Come on.

Keep going, keep going, keep going.

And I'm selling at 45. Are you sure at £45?

-55. 5 and 8 is 13.

-9, 14, 143. -143.

-They got a bargain there.

They did get a bargain there, you're absolutely right.

The thing is, girls, go out there looking very happy and don't say a word to the Blues.

-Of course not.

-Thank you very much.

Right, then, petal, do you know how the Reds got on?

-No.

-No.

-Great.

How do you think they got on?

-They looked pleased with themselves.

-Did they look a bit cocky?

-Yeah.

-Yeah. Could be a double ploy, that.

Now, your tantalus, right, you both loved that. £110, you paid.

He's estimated £60 to £80, cos there's a bit of chipping, right?

The early 20th-century oak and brass mounted tantalus.

Three mallet-shaped decanters. At £40. Start me at 40. At 40.

-At £40. At 40?

-Oh, come on.

£40 for it. At the very back of the room, 40 I've got.

At £40. I'll take 5. At £40 for it, the tantalus.

5 now.

45. 50. £50 at the very back. At £50. One more?

At £50. The bid is at the back.

At £50. I'm selling at 50. (HE BANGS GAVEL)

-£50. Oh, dear.

-That's crazy.

-It did not tantalise. That's -60.

-Sorry, chaps.

RACHEL: Oh, here we go.

From Williamsburg, 'Guardsman'. Already I'm bid £20.

20 is bid. At £20, it's a commission bid. At £20 now.

At 20. 22. 25.

28. 30. 30, still here. Commission bid.

At £30 for 'The Guardsman'. Selling at 30.

(HE BANGS GAVEL)

-Oh, it's £30.

-Oh, so close.

That's -£5. Bad luck, Les.

Now, the card case.

Calling card case. Birmingham 1907. Again, interest here.

35. 40. 45.

At £45. I've got 55. 65. Still on commission, at £65.

-For the calling card case, at 65.

-Come on.

-(HE BANGS GAVEL)

-Oh, dear, baby.

-65 is -75.

-It's a bit of a kick in the teeth.

-140. -140 doesn't sound too bad if you say it quickly.

-What about this coaster?

-We're gonna have to go for it.

-We might as well.

-I mean, it's £15, right? I mean, 140 could be a winning score.

-Are you gonna have a little tickle at the coaster?

-Yeah, we might as well now.

-Kate's confident, aren't you, Kate?

-I don't know, with this market.

I don't think I'm confident about anything.

It's not all about the winning, is it?

-It's all about the losing.

-Isn't it?

Isn't it all about the winning? That's why I'm here.

What are you gonna do? Gonna have a little tickle?

-We'll go for it.

-You're gonna go with it.

We're going with the coaster, and here it comes.

19th-century turned mahogany bottle coaster, there.

Bid me £10 for it. 10! A tenner. Nice useful object.

£10 he's bid already. At £10, I've got. 10?

One and only, then. 10.

12 at the back. 15.

15 here, then. At 15. 18 behind you.

20. At 20 here, then. At £20.

-Well done, Kate.

-Small mercies.

-(HE BANGS GAVEL)

-£20. Well done, Kate. That's +£5.

Overall, then, you're -135. That could be a winning score.

Don't mention a word to the Reds. Thank you.

Well, what an exciting show we've had today.

I mean, appalling losses all round,

but there is actually only £8 between the victors and the runners-up today.

So, have you chaps been chatting at all?

-ALL: No.

-No. So you have no idea who's ahead and who's behind.

-No.

Well, the team that's behind are the Reds.

You managed to lose £143, all right?

I'm not going into a lot of detail,

just suffice to say that every single mortal thing that you touched did not make a profit.

-But have you had a nice time?

-Absolutely fantastic.

We've loved having you on the show.

Bad luck, team. You were so close.

But £135 minus is the winning score today from Rachel and Leslie. Well done.

-BOTH: Thank you.

-Have you had a nice time?

-Lovely. Great time.

It was lovely, the fiver profit on the bottle coaster from Kate.

-Exactly.

-That was a stellar moment.

-Makes up for everything else.

We've loved having you on the programme.

In fact, join us soon for some more Bargain Hunting, yes?!

ALL: Yes!

For more information about Bargain Hunt, including how the programme was made, visit the website at bbc.co.uk

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