Corby Bargain Hunt

Today's a windy and wet double-up day.

We're at Deene Park near Corby.

This place was once the home of the seventh Earl of Cardigan,

who led the charge of the Light Brigade.

Look what happened to him!

Let's hope such a fate doesn't befall our teams today.

Yeah.

What a show we have for you today, Bargain Hunters!

Charles is talking big.

-43.

-43.

-I'm excited.

-I'm going to say that's a real bargain.

I'm convinced it will make a handsome profit.

I don't often say it, but all three items are three winners.

And the blue team haggle hard.

What's the best deal you can do on it, on negotiation.

Would you take 150?

-Can we meet you half way?

-Sorry, love. I can't.

You know you can do it. You know you want to.

Being a double-up day, it's double the pressure at auction.

Gee whizz.

Even with £600 each to spend,

the other rules on Bargain Hunt remain the same.

They each get one hour to shop for three items.

And the team that makes the most profit over at the auction wins.

Right. Let's meet today's teams.

Competing on Bargain Hunt today, a team of friends. For the reds

we have Craig and Ray.

And very special friends for the blues, mother and daughter, Joan and Emma.

-Welcome to Bargain Hunt.

-Thank you.

Craig, how did you two meet?

Me and Ray met working at the dairy in Ashby-de-la-Zouche.

We spent many a time in the canteen, mulling over a cup of tea watching Bargain Hunt.

We said we could get on the show and perform.

-Do better than anybody has ever seen before, right?

-But of course!

-Are you still at the dairy?

-No, I left, sadly, about two months ago.

-What do you do for a living now?

-I work for a corrugated cardboard manufacturer.

-How are you getting on?

-Fantastic.

-I'm loving it. Every minute.

-But you've done this for a purpose, haven't you?

-I have.

-What's that?

Basically to spend more time with my family and go and do my singing.

-Singing?

-I sing, yes.

-What sort of singing do you like to do?

-I'm a swing singer.

-Will you give us a blast?

-Why not?

-Would you like to hear it now?

-Please.

# Everybody loves somebody some time

# Everybody falls in love somehow #

Isn't that great? He deserves a round of applause.

-Mellow.

-Really good.

This is becoming a talent programme, this Bargain Hunt lark!

Ray, you work in the dairy. What do you do there?

I like to think I help kick-start the nation by putting the milk in the bottles.

-That's good.

-That's my bit for the country.

-You haven't always worked at the dairy.

-No, I used to run my own pottery.

Manufacturing and silk-screen printing.

-Why did you give up all that and go for the dairy?

-Financial, really.

I thought, "I've got to start earning a wage."

-How are you going to get on today?

-We hope we'll win!

Have you looked at the opposition? They look tough, these girls.

-Oh, I don't know.

-Anyway, very good luck.

-Girls, are you quaking in your boots?

-Yes!

-Joanie, you're a lady of leisure, I'm told.

-So I'm told, too!

What did you get up to when you were working?

-I was a nurse.

-Were you?

-I was a midwife and district nurse for about 20 years.

How do you spend your time now, Joan?

I garden, I look after the grandchildren,

I help my sister look after my mother.

Emma joined me to a choral society at Christmas.

-My Christmas present.

-So you sing?

-Do you want to sing now?

-I'm not warbling, no!

You can join in the crooning!

Emms, what do you do for a living?

I freelance. I work for a TV gardener as a sponsorship manager.

I also work for a gentleman in a media company as a production assistant.

I have three children and I also help on the farm

and this year I helped deliver 1,600 lambs.

1,600 lambs?

That is something else, isn't it?

Emms, what do you think about me giving you £600 to spend? Is that cool?

That's really generous, Tim. Thank you very much.

We have privileged teams. £600 - it's double-up day.

Here you go. There's £600. That's what £600 looks like.

You know the rules. Your experts await. Run off!

So, let's meet our experts.

Charles Hanson will be guiding the reds.

Whilst David Harper will be in charge of the blues.

Not yet. Oh! Sorry!

They're on the clock. Let battle commence!

Spend, spend and spend more.

-Seriously? You're saying, "Spend, spend, spend"?

-Yes.

I can't believe you've got £600. What are you going to do with it?

If you need someone strong and handsome to pick heavy stuff up, it's me.

-I think we have to look for something that appeals. Something quirky.

-OK.

-Are we doing a speculative thing?

-Are you really looking to see big returns...

I don't know why I picked it up. It's frightening. Horrible.

-Stop talking and start looking.

-Right. Thanks.

It's the eagle-eyes blues who spot something first.

What about this? Is it a real one?

"Rolls-Royce Motors." The Spirit of Ecstasy.

-What's it made of?

-It's steel, but it's a real Rolls-Royce bonnet mascot.

The Flying Lady. Isn't she gorgeous?

-Can I feel it?

-Lovely.

-Thank you.

-It's quite heavy.

-What have you got on that one?

-200 would be the best.

-Is that the best trade?

The very best, yeah.

What would you normally expect to pay?

They can make 200 to £400, probably.

They'd be much more from Rolls-Royce.

-If you wanted a replacement...

-It's instantly recognisable.

-It's iconic.

-Yes.

-I like it.

-I know. But at 200 quid. It would be nice for 100 quid.

-No, can't do that.

-Who's laughing?

-What's the best deal you can do?

-That is it.

-200.

-It is.

You can't... Non-negotiation? Non-negotiation.

-180.

-180?

-That would be it.

-Really.

-160?

-No, I can't do it.

You can't? Shall we have a think about it?

Emma, we'd better, because we're only about three seconds in!

I mean, I like acting fast, but come on!

-Would you take 150?

-No.

-No?

We might get him later. You could charm him.

I'll come back and try and charm you in a minute.

Could we look at that silver item?

You go, girl!

May I have a seat, sir? What I quite like is this.

They don't look a lot. Have a look at that tea bowl and saucer.

-It's basically a small, miniature...

-There's no mark on the bottom.

-Does that mean anything?

-It doesn't matter, because it's quite early.

-It's period.

-Period. How early are we talking?

I'd have said 1810.

I quite agree. Look at the bottom of the tea bowl, Craig.

Can you see? We've got a very blurry... Look at the blurry blue.

-Is that caused by the firing?

-That's actually in the glaze. The cobalt in the glaze.

This was made five years before the Battle of Waterloo.

-OK? That's interesting, isn't it?

-It is, very.

-Going back to George III.

-It's been about a long time.

The mad King George III. Back to real history.

-What's the best price, sir?

-I can... 30.

-I really rate it.

-Would you take £25 for it?

-Yeah, go on. Why not?

I'm going to say to you, gents,

-buy it!

-Is it a bargain?

-Yes.

Because it's Bargain Hunt.

-I never normally say this...

-It's exciting.

I'm going to say that's a real bargain and I'm convinced will make a handsome profit.

-We're very happy with that.

-Thought you might be, cos I know you.

Strong words from Charles, but is he right?

We're doing all right, but we should head inside.

I really, really feel, at £25,

if that doesn't make £45, I'd be amazed.

OK, Carlos, we get the message. Tuck your shirt in!

Meanwhile, the blues are still at their first stall. It must be love.

You're calling it a wine taster?

-"1953". Which was the year of Queen Elizabeth's coronation.

-Right.

-Is it a coronation piece?

-Yes, I believe so.

-You do?

So the jeweller is who?

"Garrard & Co.

"112 Regent Street, London."

Ooh, very nice.

-So a wine taster?

-Yes.

-Is that what you call it, a wine taster?

-Yes.

-I'd always thought that was a coaster. But you mean to...

-Yes.

Is that how you drink your wine?

I think I'd need a bigger one!

We need a bucket!

What's trade on that one?

Here we go. Emma's haggle, round two.

65.

65.

-Couldn't be 40, could it?

-No.

How about 45?

I'll do it for 50 and that will be it.

-45.

-No, can't do it.

-She's a tough one!

-I know.

45. Come on. You know you can do it. You know you want to.

Look into her eyes and tell me you can deny her!

My wife's just over there!

It's all right. She can't hear!

Emma, look at him.

-Go on, then, 45.

-45.

-You got him. Well done.

END-OF-ROUND BELL

Knock-out!

Well done.

-Seven minutes.

-Is that good?

Very good. I love it.

I've got to say I like it. It's always done me well in the past, Murano.

-We've still got 575 left.

-We'll get something big now, then.

I want to spend, now.

This is very good, here.

It's a lady's slipper.

They used to use it in the coaches. Ladies used it in the old coaches.

-When they were caught short.

-A urinal?

It's got a candle-holder in it.

A candle one minute, then when you want to extinguish it...

That is quirky.

It is quirky. A bit painful.

I've never seen such a fancy lady's urinal!

-What a picture that is.

-Isn't it?

There's a lot going on.

"Relief of the Light Brigade." The seventh Earl of Cardigan,

who lived here, years ago led this charge, back in 1854.

-So it's got great local interest.

-Connection.

Could we afford that?

-Will it sell well?

-No.

-Would it make a profit?

-I don't think so.

-Let's find out.

-Military.

-Hello, sir.

May we ask how much this picture is?

That's up for 180.

-Is it a lithograph?

-Yes.

-It's a lithograph, OK?

I think it's fantastic. I honestly thought he'd say a lot more than that.

A lot more than that.

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Ray, what do you think?

I'm not so sure, to be fair.

No. I'm tempted to say we'll think about it.

Put it onto radar and perhaps come back to it later if we are looking.

-Shall we leave it?

-Yes, we'll leave it.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

Let's go indoors.

You know, I rather fancy the look of this pot.

It's got this strange mark on the bottom. An impressed mark.

It's a hand in a rectangle underneath a blobbolob.

I think it's rather intriguing.

-Let's ask the proprietor of this stall. Hi, Ruthie.

-Hi.

What do you know about this silver pot?

It's Sheffield plate. It's an interesting piece.

This mark would be somewhere between 1800 and 1840.

The plating is in very good condition for Sheffield plate.

Often there's copper coming through, which this hasn't got.

This piece here is inset in silver.

It's probably a family crest.

It needs more research.

-How much is it?

-£40.

Thank you very much, Ruth. Tell you what we'll do.

You can come with me. Later in the programme we'll shove off to the Sheffield Millennium Museum.

I'll find out from the curator there exactly all about that mark.

-Clocks, as well. I like clocks.

-Yes, I like clocks.

"Two for one"? Listen to this lovely lady.

I like two for one.

-Two for one.

-So what are you saying?

-95.

-What about the 87?

-No, both of them.

-Two for 95 quid.

Um, does it really excite me?

-I like the decanters and I'd pay £100 for them.

-I can't do that. Can't do less than 160 for them.

Gents, again, I'm sort of... Handle that.

It doesn't look a lot, does it?

-Nothing, really.

-This was made by Worcester

in around 1755.

1755, OK? They say small is beautiful.

We just check by just putting our tooth or teeth...

You can tell there's been no restoration at all.

What's the best you'll take for it?

I can do that for 360.

If push comes to shove, yes, 350,

but it won't make a penny less than that.

OK. Let's think about it.

Can we request that you keep it to one side for ten minutes or so?

-Ten minutes. There's 20 minutes to go.

-No problem.

Let's look at the name on the end. What have we got?

-"Liberty & Co."

-I like that.

-You've got a pair of those?

-A pair, yes.

-HE MOUTHS

-I like those.

-Yes.

-They're nice.

-What I think of it...

Stop it. Don't get carried away with this gentleman!

I've been known to take advantage of young ladies before!

Talk to me about age. How old do you think they are?

-Goodness... I think...

-Not Art Nouveau?

Absolutely bang on Art Nouveau.

They're absolutely delicious. But what's the absolute death trade?

The absolute death on them would be...

250.

In the right sale, you could be looking at 300 or £400, I'd have thought.

Absolutely right. Could they be one-and-a-half?

No. No, I'm afraid not. No. I've given you my best price.

-I really like these.

-I know. Could they be 200?

No, they couldn't. No, no. Absolute death is 250.

-Can we meet you half way?

-No, I'm sorry. No. No. I can't. Honestly.

-Are you sure we can't twist you?

-Never been so sure in my life!

-Really?

Looks like they've met their match!

If I sell them to you for 225, what about the gas and the electric?

My heart bleeds!

Gents, I'm panicking a bit. There's 15 minutes to go. 1-5. Quarter of an hour.

-OK.

-This is nice. What we've got here, Ray,

is...

..a George III, 1802, sugar bowl. Matched teapot, that one there.

It's fully hallmarked.

And also,

the milk jug. But I don't know if they all go as one lot.

For that price there, OK?

-I think we need to find out.

-It's quite a good set.

-We quite like your three-piece tea-sets.

-Yes?

-It is Georgian, isn't it?

-It is, yes.

-It's hallmarked for 1802.

-Yes.

13 years before the Battle of Waterloo.

Tell me the best price on that. It's priced at 395, I think.

Your absolute best would be?

350.

I like it. But I would like to acquire it for £300

because then it gives us a chance.

Tea-sets make a certain figure at auction.

-Yes.

-It's earlier, it's a bit more interesting.

-I'd accept 320

but 300 is taking it just that bit too far.

Yes.

-But we like it, don't we? Are you in?

-I love it.

-Ray?

-Yes.

-We're that close. Would you meet us halfway at 310, madam?

-Indeed. All right.

-Are you sure?

-Yes.

-At 310, madam, we'll take it.

-Thank you.

-Thanks ever so much.

That's purchase number two for the reds.

Whilst the blues are still banging on about these wretched bowls.

If he'd go to 200, I think it would have been worth doing.

-At 200, I'd have snapped his hand off, but he's not moving.

-No.

-Can I go and work on him?

-You can. Shall we try her? Go and stare at him!

With those big blue eyes and offer him 225, cash.

Go on, Emms. Work your magic.

You never know. She's staring at him.

-How about if I buy you a cup of coffee or a bag of crisps?

-Sorry, no.

-No, I'm sorry. They've got to be 250.

-The worrying thing is that...

-Has it worked?

-I'm afraid not. No.

-You haven't given me long enough!

-Come back with me.

We haven't got much time. Right. OK.

We're not going to get any more off at all. 250 or nothing.

-I think we should go for it.

-Take a chance.

-We'll do it.

-Yes.

-Shall I shake the man's hand?

-You go and give him a kiss.

-Give him a kiss you might get £25 off!

-Shall I give him a kiss?

-I don't think that would work.

-Make his day!

No tongue sandwich! Anyway, that seals the deal.

Two silver-plated bowls for 250.

That's a nice one. Any ideas what timber this is, Ray?

I'll test you. What wood is that?

I have not got a clue.

It's a really rich, vibrant, South American rosewood.

Yet this would be from around 1820.

In fact, what it is, is a tea caddy.

So, back in that time of 1820

when tea was expensive, tea only came from China,

it was kept under lock and key to keep it away from the butler.

I really like this. It's sophisticated,

it's sharp, it's a great sarcophagus shape.

I really rate it.

What's it worth? Madam, we like this caddy very much.

It's priced at £115.

What shall we offer, Ray?

80?

Go on. 80.

I'll accept 85. It's a nice piece.

Cash. 80. Come on!

-Yes?

-Great.

-That's very good of you.

-Thanks.

-Well done.

Thank you very much. Great. I like that.

I'm really happy. I don't often say it, but all three items,

in my eyes, are three winners.

-Have you never said that before?

-Never, ever!

-I don't believe that.

-I'm deadly serious.

-Yeah!

-You wait and see.

Oh, Charles! I can't wait for the auction. With five minutes to go,

the blues still need to make one more purchase.

-Are you ready to run?

-I'm ready.

-Go!

-It won't be a marathon.

-Oh, that way. It's that way.

-Yes, it was.

It seems the blues are determined to return to the first dealer they met

so that they can haggle over the Rolls-Royce mascot.

Maybe he's hiding. You can't blame him, can you?

I can see his jumper.

Bad luck, mate. You've been spotted.

Right, Emma.

I hope you don't ask me to go back there!

You did very well. Well done, you.

-Right. The Spirit of Ecstasy.

-Right.

-We've only got a certain amount of money left.

-I still like this, David.

-It's nicely spring-loaded.

-Yes.

-It's all greased up, ready to fit to a beautiful Rolls-Royce.

Is it going to be a beautiful price?

START-OF-ROUND BELL

Here we go again, Bargain Hunters. Round three.

-I gave you a price of what, 180?

-180. But we can't have it at that. That's the problem.

-We have a real problem. What would...

-As we've just bought the first thing from you.

-What's the best deal you can do?

-She's doing it again.

-I know! I know.

-165.

-150, job done.

-Can't do it.

Shall we meet you halfway? You want 160. I want 150. How about 155?

-JOAN:

-What's a fiver between friends?

-Yeah.

-Go on, then. Go on, then.

-Go on, then.

-Well done.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

I think he deserves a kiss, too.

-Give me a kiss, first!

-Thank you for being patient.

-Thank you very much.

Right. Our shopping bout is over.

First, let's remind ourselves what the reds have bought. Woof!

Shake hands. I'll say that's a real bargain.

Will Charles regret his prediction

when the miniature tea-set heads to auction?

The boys paid a whopping £310 for the Georgian silver tea-set.

Could this be an expensive gamble?

And finally, £80 was forked out for the tea caddy.

Wow!

It's sharp, it's sophisticated, I'm really pleased with it.

-Are we talking about Charles - sharp and sophisticated?

-Could be!

-Talking about you!

-Yeah(!)

-You know how to butter a bloke up, Craig.

-Dead right.

-Now, tell me. You've bought your three items.

-Yes.

You're happy with the tea caddy cos it's sharp and sophisticated.

-Apart from that, what's your favourite item?

-Mine was the silverware.

-Yes?

-Yes.

-Craig?

-I'd have to go for the tea caddy

because I like the way how the lining inside has been worn away.

Someone likes a nice cup of tea and so do I.

Good. That's a lovely neat answer, that is(!)

-How much did you spend all round, Ray?

-415.

-I'd like £185 of leftover lolly, please.

-Indeed.

Here we go. 185. That's lovely. That looks to be complete, Charles.

This is quite a lot of money for you. It's pocket money time.

It's a lot of money. I'll find something good to spend it on.

It's spend, spend, spend, Tim, and put it all into the mix at auction.

Nothing ever changes with you, Charles. Very good luck.

Why don't we check out what the blues bought?

-Go on, then. 45.

-45.

-You got it. Well done.

After severe bargaining,

the coronation dish was snapped up for £45.

A kiss secured the silver-plated bowls for 250.

Go on, then.

And for a quiet life, the dealer let the Rolls-Royce mascot go for 155.

-Gosh, you're looking happy, team.

-Very.

-Lovely.

-How have you got on with this mother and daughter combo?

-Fabulous!

We've got wet a few times, running around in the grass outside.

We've had a whale of a time, Tim!

-It's been good?

-It's been great. Thank you.

Which is your favourite piece?

My favourite? Ooh, I like two.

-But if I had to pick.

-Pick one.

-I have to pick one.

-One.

-Probably...

-Probably. Maybe.

-The Liberty bowls.

-Do you agree with that, Ma?

-Yes, I think so.

I actually do like the Spirit of Ecstasy.

-I do, as well. They're the two faves.

-We bought some things, Tim.

Liberty, the Spirit of Ecstasy. Fantastic names.

-Absolutely.

-And Garrard.

-Garrard.

-And Garrard.

-Garrard!

-That was our first swift buy.

-Yep.

You are such smoothies! So what did you spend overall? What's the total?

-450 and we've got 150 left.

-Have you? Well, give that to me.

-There we go.

-Like the tax man, I'll pass it on to him.

£150 is a decent wodge, isn't it?

No better person to spend it, though.

But for us, we're heading off to Sheffield Millennium Galleries.

Ooh-ah!

And while I'm here, I can find out more about the curious mark

on the silver coffee pot I picked up at the fair.

The museum have confirmed that the mark is from an old Sheffield plating firm

called Watson & Co.

So that's that mystery sorted out.

And it does date from around 1830.

What we're going to do now, though, is go into the metalwork gallery

and actually understand what it was that happened over 200 years ago

that started Sheffield off

as the famous centre for plated wares like this.

So how did this Sheffield plate lark start here in Sheffield, and why?

Well, it dates back to the 1740s

when one Thomas Bolsover, who was a cutler in Sheffield,

noticed that silver, solid silver,

fuses with copper when it melts.

And, more importantly, having fused the two metals together,

it was possible to reheat them and roll them out in big flat sheets.

On early pieces of Sheffield plate, though,

it was only possible to apply the silver on one surface.

Here, we've got some Thomas Bolsover-period hunting buttons.

The outer surface is silvery, but on the back, it's the bare metal.

Ditto here with this brandy or sauce pan.

They've neatly covered the interior with silver, but not the exterior.

By the time you get to around 1770, though,

they'd perfected the technique of applying silver on both sides of the copper,

effectively making the copper the jam in the sandwich.

So that when you opened up a vessel,

it's not only silvery outside, but also silvery inside.

Now, one of the most exciting and interesting things they've got in the galleries here

is the opportunities to compare and contrast.

Here we've got two magnificent candlesticks

which date from the 1780s.

If I put one against the other,

you'd think they were an identical pair.

They're actually as different as chalk and cheese

when it comes to the materials used in their manufacture.

This one is solid silver and hallmarked Sheffield.

This one is made of Sheffield plate.

Now you get a hint that it's made of Sheffield plate

because you can see the copper wearing through.

But when this was brand new, it would have looked identical.

What's the other thing that Sheffield is famous for? Cutlery.

Look at the Sheffield trademark on the outside of the box.

It says, "Rust nor stain" in red, in bold capitals.

This is the claim that the Sheffield cutlers were able to use

because of their use of Sheffield stainless steel.

What had happened previously

throughout the 17th, 18th and 19th century,

the blades on cutlery looked a bit like this.

They were made of steel, but not stainless steel.

This one's been nicely polished for museum display,

but you can still see pitting and discolouration under the surface.

And that is the beginning of rust.

So the Sheffield cutlers adopted stainless steel

for its qualities of non-staining and non-rusting,

and here we've got two knives which date from around 1913

that are spotted with acid

because they were used to test the stainless steel

to make quite sure that it wouldn't discolour or stain.

The big question today is, of course,

are our teams going to have nerves of steel over at the auction?

Here at Mellors and Kirk auction house in Nottingham,

let's find out if Charles can top up his team's totals

with a brilliant bonus buy.

Craig and Ray, here we are at the leftover lolly moment.

What did Charles Hanson spend your £185 on?

-Charles?

-Well, Tim.

-Wow.

-There we go. Gentlemen,

novelty is a really important factor on the market. This will sell well.

I really thought that.

Made by Henry Matthews in Birmingham, 1917.

It's a cornucopia in shape. There are minor imperfections

but I do feel, Tim, novelty here ought to outweigh condition,

-which can be rectified.

-Yes.

I think Craig's face says it all, frankly.

He's obviously riveted by this, aren't you? What do you think?

-Blown away!

-It has a function, too.

It's practical, but decorative and very novel.

It's a caster for sugar.

I paid 185. That's all the money gone.

It might be a mistake. But if we don't speculate, we'll never know.

-I rate this because it's quite rare.

-This is inspirational talk.

You don't have to decide now. Decide later. But for the audience at home,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Charles's little caster.

Over to you, Captain Kirk!

It's a stylish object, but it is in dreadful condition.

-The marks are almost completely illegible.

-It has a great dent in it.

-A huge dent in it.

-A bullet hole, nearly!

I'm afraid it's going to be 80 or £90.

-Perhaps a shade more.

-Oh, dear.

-£185, Charles paid for that.

-Lord!

-It's supposed to be their bonus buy.

You never know, they might not go with it.

Their first item is the child's tea-set.

Or even just a miniature.

Smaller pieces of pottery and porcelain in the 19th century

were made as decoration and as toys and adults had them, not just children.

You're a mine of information, you are!

-How much do you think it's worth?

-It's a little incomplete and damaged.

I suppose 30 to £40 because it is fairly early.

They'll be delighted. £25 paid.

-That's very good.

-That's a great start. Moving on,

we have the Georgian tea-set.

-Yes.

-To-whit they set great store.

-Have they done the right thing?

-No!

Because it isn't a set.

It was made in two different places, London and Sheffield, several years apart.

-And it's in rather poor condition.

-Oh. That's not so good, then.

-No.

-I think it'll make 200 to £300.

-Good lord. £310 they paid.

But their "Get out of jail free" card is this little tea caddy.

Two-division tea caddy, clean as a whistle, but terribly...

Boring and late is probably the way to summarise it!

I didn't get that out in time! So that one on its own on a good day?

-I think probably 30 to £40.

-OK. £80 paid.

-Too much.

-They started off beautifully with the little tea-set, but it's gone downhill.

Well, that's it for the reds.

Now for the blues. Something completely different, the drinking vessel.

-I suppose it could be a taster, could it?

-Yes.

I mean, the style and the shape of it is reminiscent of an early English wine taster.

-But in fact, I think, at this period it's a sweetmeat dish or a coaster.

-Yes.

By Garrard & Co, a wonderful maker.

-So top-notch?

-Top-notch.

-What do you think it's worth?

I think, having said all that, it'll be 30 to £50.

OK. £45 they paid.

-Right.

-That's pretty well in the frame. Next

is their major investment

in these plated entree-dish-shaped dishes with the bosses on the outside.

The big question with this is, are they Liberty & Co, or are they not?

I have grave doubts about their authenticity.

They don't have any real quality to them.

And I have stated that these are a pair of electro-plated nickel silver bowls.

-So the buyers must make their own minds up.

-Right.

-And you simply mention that they're stamped Liberty & Co.

-Yes.

Without giving an opinion as to whether the Liberty & Co stamp

is original or even Liberty's at all.

That's perfectly true.

They bear this mark and the number.

But I am not attributing them to that illustrious retailer.

I think we've got the message.

In view of that, Tim, 80 to £120 is probably the right estimate.

£250 paid.

So that is another dark hole that's opened up, I'm afraid.

Their final item is the Spirit of Ecstasy

from the front of a Rolls-Royce.

-Automobilia is incredibly popular at auction, isn't it?

-Indeed it is.

-When does it date from?

-I think probably 1970s, even perhaps 1980s.

-'70s, '80s.

-Quite modern.

-What's it worth?

It's probably worth 100 to £150 as a second-hand object rather than a vintage collectable.

OK. Fine. They paid £155.

-Fair enough.

-So that's not going to help them much.

They'll need their bonus buy. Let's have a look at it.

Joan and Emma, you gave the lovely David Harper £150.

-Did you blow the lot?

-I bought something every elegant

for a pair of lovely elegant ladies.

-So kind!

-Ooh!

-That's nice. Just what I needed!

It's not for you! Not really! Try it.

It's nine-carat solid gold.

1960s, 1970s, so it's got that retro kind of feel.

It's nice and neat, the way it's set in there.

-How much did you spend?

-I'm not telling you yet.

I'll tell you about it. It's solid gold. But gold has been flying recently.

And it works. It does tick.

-I'd quite like to bid for it!

-Well, you can't!

-I know!

It's against the rules, Joanie.

Look how excited these girls are. The prospect of having a bit of gold,

-exquisitely crafted.

-So how much do you think I paid for it?

How much? Ooh,

about 110.

-You two are very good. Bang on £90.

-You both have a good feeling about it?

I do like it.

Well done. You don't decide right now.

Decide later. But for viewers, let's see what the auctioneer thinks about David Harper's little watch.

Nigel, what were you doing in the 1970s?

-Going to smart cocktail parties or...

-Absolutely.

-Or still in shorts?

-Not quite!

-That's what all the girls would have been wearing,

very proudly in 1969.

-Isn't it so typical of that period?

-I think it's rather nice. Do you?

I don't particularly like it and it isn't by a very good maker,

but what we need to be aware of is the dramatic rise in recent months

in the value of precious metals.

If you carefully take the movement out of this watch,

you've got very nearly 24 grams of nine-carat gold here.

Gosh. Which you've done.

I have done. It means you could get a couple of hundred pounds for this as scrap metal.

Cunning old Harper, eh? He paid £90.

-That was very astute.

-That's absolutely brilliant, Nigel. Thank you very much.

They don't call you the detective for nothing!

The auction is underway.

How are the boys feeling?

-Very excited. Very confident.

-Are you?

-Same with you, Craig?

-Definitely. We're going to clear up.

You watched his lips? He said "We're going to clear up". Right.

First up it the little child's pearlware tea-set.

-Here it comes.

-Lot 25. Staffordshire pearlware miniature coffee pot

and tea bowls en-suite. £20 for this?

20? 20 anywhere?

£10? Ten I'm bid at the back.

-10. 15 for it?

-Come on! I'm sure it's worth more.

20. 25 anywhere?

At £20 only and selling. All done at £20.

-I really rated that set.

-That's terrible.

-Can't believe it.

His estimate was 30 to 40. It's minus £5. Bad luck, chaps.

Stand by for the tea-set.

Lot 26. George III silver teapot, cream jug and sugar bowl.

Bidding here of 120. 120.

30. 40. 150.

-150. 60 for you. 170 I'll take, anywhere?

-Getting there.

170. 180. 190?

-190.

-Keep going.

-200. And 20 here.

240. 260?

240 at the back of the room. And selling at 240.

-Disappointing.

-He was spot on.

240. Minus 70 on that.

-We're not doing too well here!

-Here comes the tea caddy.

-Lot 27.

Rosewood tea caddy. 19th century.

£20 for it? 20? £10?

Ten I'm bid. 15 to you.

15. 20, anywhere? £20.

25. 30? £25

on my right. Selling at 25.

25. That's five short of 30. That's minus 55.

60 plus 70 is minus 130.

Here we are, lads. £130.

-What are you going to do about the bonus buy?

-No choice.

-Yeah?

-We're going to go for it.

-Well, £130 might be a winning score.

How much did you spend, Charles?

Gents, it cost me 185.

I like it. It's a novel object.

It's up to you.

-No. No, I don't think so, mate.

-Got to!

-I don't think it'll do it.

-Sure?

-I don't think it'll do it.

-OK, mate.

-It's coming up now.

-He's not doing it.

-No bonus buy. How exciting.

Lot number 32 is the George V silver zoomorphic caster.

-If it's wrong, it's your fault!

-Let's push for it.

30 I am bid. And 40. 50. £40 seated.

-I don't believe it! Hanson, you're going...

-60?

£50 only bid. Selling.

£60. 70? £60.

-I don't believe it.

-All done at 60.

£60 is minus £125. Right.

You did well there, lads, not going with it. Bad luck, Charles.

Overall, you are minus £130.

-You did not go with the bonus buy.

-Very wise!

It could be a winning score. Don't talk to the blues!

-So, girls, do you know how the reds got on?

-No.

-No idea?

-We don't want you to know. You don't know either, David?

-I know nothing!

That's the best way to be, mate.

Anyway, first up is going to be the drinking vessel. Estimate 30 to £50.

-Here it comes.

-Lot 48 is the commemorative silver dish

made on the occasion of the coronation

of Her Majesty the Queen.

£20 I have for this. At 20. 25 anywhere?

25. 30 I'll take. 30 I'm bid.

35. 40, is it? At £35. 40. 45.

-45. 50.

-You're in profit.

-55.

-Come on.

£55 at the back of the room.

Look out. What's that, £60. You made £15 straight up.

I think it was 55. 55.

OK. There it goes.

-Here come the bowls.

-Lot 49.

A pair of electroplate oval bowls.

And £30. Only bid here at £30. 35 for them?

35. 40? 40. 45. Five and 50.

50. 55. 60. 60.

Five. 70.

70. 75.

80. 85? 85.

90. 95? 100?

100. And ten? 110.

-120? At £110 on my left.

-No!

-110.

Unfair. At £110, it's minus 140.

Which means overall, girls, you are minus 130.

-Now, the Flying Lady.

-Lot 50.

The Rolls-Royce chromium-plated Spirit of Ecstasy radiator mascot.

£20 I am bid. £20.

25. 30, may I say? 30.

35. 40.

45? Nope? £40.

Right at the back, selling for 40.

-45. 50.

-45?

-55.

55. 60.

£60. All done?

-£60.

-Oh, no!

£60.

I'm very sorry but that is minus £95.

That is minus £225.

This is getting tragic.

Double-up day. We're doubling up the losses!

That's it.

So what about this bonus buy? Are we going to go with David's fab gold bracelet?

-Absolutely.

-You've made the decision.

-Absolutely.

-This auctioneer...

-Sink or swim.

-You're going with it?

-Yes.

This auctioneer is brilliant. He's taken the movement out, weighed the gold

-and he thinks there's 150 to £200-worth of gold.

-Excellent.

Lot 55. The nine-carat gold ladies' wrist watch.

£150 I am bid. At 150.

60. 70. 180.

180 I've got. 190, anybody?

-190.

-Come on!

-200, is it?

At 190. All done?

-200?

-Yes.

-No? At £190.

-Well done, David Harper.

-Well done, David.

Thank you.

You've won back £100 of profit on that.

That's a pretty cool lot, isn't it?

-He is a cool cat.

-He is.

Which reduces your losses overall, to minus 125.

-Doesn't sound so bad.

-Not when you say it quickly!

You never know, that could be a winning score. Don't say a thing to those brutish men.

-Been chatting, have we? Spilling the beans as to the winnings?

-No idea.

-No?

-No idea.

Well, I can reveal there is only a five pound note between the teams today.

Five pounds only.

Sorry. We've got it.

The team that have marginally made bigger losses than the other team are the reds.

Yay!

-Well done, lads.

-Have we won?

-No.

-Have we won?

-No.

-We lost.

You've lost.

Your face!

The reds are the runners-up. Sorry. But only five pounds between them.

Your total is minus £130.

Yes? Minus £130 is your total.

You did not, however, go with the bonus buy.

-Which is the smartest thing you've done today!

-Thank you!

But moving across to the victors, who did go with the bonus buy,

which turned in a profit of £100, I have to say,

and saved the bacon, as you can imagine, £100 profit

on the gold watch, David. Well done for that.

And you managed to score minus 125.

-Brilliant.

-Very good.

-Yes.

Well played. Well done. Well done.

Anyway, we've had a tremendous day, despite the confusion.

Join us soon for more Bargain Hunting. Yes?

Yes!

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