Kent 24 Bargain Hunt

Today, Bargain Hunt is in Kent, the Garden of England.

But we're not here to get green-fingered.

Oh, no! We're here to hunt out bargains.

So let's go bargain hunting! Yeah.

We're at the County Showground, near Maidstone in Kent.

Where everything seems to be blooming.

But will it turn out to be as rosy today in the Bargain Hunt garden?

We'll have to wait and see.

Coming up, there's a clash of taste on the Red team...

My God, that's hideous! Oh, David, what are you doing?

While on the Blue team, there's some confusion

about just WHO is the expert.

Go on, tell me all about that, please.

The police used to have them in, like, Victorian, Edwardian times.

All of that, of course, is coming up.

But first, let me remind you of the rules.

Each team gets £300 and an hour to shop for three items,

which they sell at auction.

And the team wins that makes the most profit or the least loss.

Easy, innit?

Right! Let's go and meet today's teams.

On Bargain Hunt today, we've got married couple Julia and Stephen.

-Welcome. Very nice to see you.

-Hello, Tim.

And two old muckers, Colin and Stuart.

-Hi, Tim.

-Hello, chaps.

So, Jules, how did you two meet?

Oh, it goes back quite a long way, actually.

When I was at college, in Wisconsin of all places,

I was doing a lot of creative writing

and I thought I was going to be a famous writer someday.

And that writing got loosely published...

a lot of it just got out there, into the ether, Internet, whatever.

I got an e-mail one day, out of the blue,

and it was a fantastic e-mail.

Very funny and just very sweet. It was Stephen, and...

-He'd read something?

-I know!

He'd read something, yeah.

-It was hilarious.

-We don't know where he found it.

He came across something I'd written and just thought it was...

just nice and e-mailed me and that kind of started it all off.

He came out and met you and - caramba!

-The rest is history.

-Pretty much, yeah.

-Very good.

Now, Stephen, what do you do for a living?

-I predict the future, Tim.

-Do you?

-Yeah. I'm a meteorologist.

Oh, you're not a mystic?

-Some people would say so!

-The two things are connected.

A meteorologist, really? We've never had a meteorologist on the programme before.

It's of endless fascination to all our viewers,

how the weather forecasting system works.

To have a real, live meteorologist on the programme is a thrill.

Which is really nice.

But, you don't intend predicting the weather forever, do you?

Eventually, I'd love to get into writing more...

and illustration. I've a couple of children's books in the pipeline.

-You'd like to illustrate your own children's books?

-Yeah.

-And write them?

-Mm-hm.

-Brilliant.

What do you collect?

Not a whole lot.

The only thing that we have ended up collecting is fossils, actually.

We do love our fossils, which are VERY antique.

-Yes. I mean, millions of years old.

-Yes! VERY antique.

There's a commercial slant now with fossils -

you go round the fairs and in lots of places,

there are fossils for sale.

Could be a tip for finding something that'll make a profit.

-You never know your luck!

-That's a good point.

Welcome and good luck. Now, for the Blues...

Your friendship, Colin, goes back a year or two?

Since I was nine. Stuart's slightly older, and I moved next door.

Isn't that nice? Since you were nine and boys.

Did you have a gate through the fence?

Or did you go into the street, come in that way?

Yeah, used the tradesman's entrance.

Used the tradesman's entrance... Good fun.

Stuart, you worked on the railways for most of your working life.

-I did, yes.

-Tell us about that.

I started at the bottom and done all sorts of jobs, really,

but I was in the signal box for about 22 years.

Different signal boxes, real ones with levers and brass instruments.

-So how many years?

-38.

-Did you? A good innings, well done.

But, it's not just the love of the railways,

you collect everything to do with railways, don't you?

Oh, yes, I always used to collect from the time I was 14,

so, yes, we've gone to the extreme

and we've built a railway station in the garden.

-Have you?

-Yes.

In fact, we got three stations in the garden.

-That's in your garden?

-That's the railway station.

That's in his garden!

Look at that!

-Yes.

-You built this in your garden?

That's in the garden, a 60-foot platform. Yes.

WH Smith, ticket office,

telegraph office, buffet.

Gosh, that is amazing.

Um, now, Colin, you've also had a career in railways.

That's right, yeah. Very similar to Stuart's.

I started off in a signal box as a scribe,

just recording the times of trains as they went passed the box.

Various signal boxes and then moved into management.

And I actually ended up as his boss at some stage.

Do you keep your eye on him?

I would have thought no sign was safe in British Railways

with this man around.

He went to work with a screwdriver, he'd go home with a sign.

What about collecting? Are you as obsessed as your friend?

No, I've left the obsession to those sorts of things to Stuart.

But, I do enjoy going to antique fairs, now and again,

to buy things for the house.

Well, the money moment.

I'm going to give you each your £300.

There you go, look, £300 apiece.

You know the rules, your experts await!

And off you go!

And very, very good luck.

So, a meteorologist and a railway buff.

Great!

As usual, we've a brace of experts to lend a hand.

Playing gooseberry to our Red lovebirds, it's David Barby.

And hoping to make sure the Blues stay on track, it's Philip Serrell.

I am a bit in awe, because I am in the presence of an expert, aren't I?

A real, live expert.

Where do your interests lie?

My first interest is finding something

that I'm not going to drop and break.

Aside from that, maybe jewellery.

We like a bit of Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts.

Let's go and have a buy, and we'll have a chat later.

Anything vintage, slightly quirky, we ought to be looking for.

Just as we walked up, I saw that right there, which is very quirky.

-Can we take a look?

-Let's go have a look at it.

Quick work, David!

This is actually what I used when I first started work.

THEY LAUGH

You put the thing down there

and you ring up and say, "There's somebody on the line for you."

-Have you sold one of these before?

-Never. Never.

An old dog and bone, not exactly handsome.

Would anyone want it for anything?

It's a bit small for a blanket box.

-It's a little coal box.

-Oh, is it?

But I think it's best to walk on with that one.

-Let's go and have a look at what he's got inside.

-Fair enough.

Look, observe, to see if there's anything

you'd be particularly interested in, as we go along.

-Well, that's quite nice, isn't it?

-Tin painted to look like wood.

-Yes.

Edwardian, I should think, is it?

Well, It's an Edwardian trunk,

but quite when it was painted, I don't know.

Before you waste any time, how much is that, please?

£40.

The thing with it is, that as a rough rule of thumb, dome-top trunks

are worth less than flat-top trunks,

because you can't put anything on top. It's not rocket science.

Can you come down on price, at all, sir?

A fiver, down to £35.

See, my maths is sharp, I got that(!)

I was on the case, there!

-See, I thought it was down to 30.

-No, no, I am sure five off 40 is 35.

Could you do 30?

-I suppose I could.

-Let's have a look around and see what we can do.

We might be able to put something up with it.

It wouldn't look out of place on Stuart's station platform.

Perhaps there's more inside.

This is for a gammon joint. Cutting down like this.

Or if you have a huge turkey, shove that on the leg

-and get all of the meat off it.

-Hmm.

-Yeah.

Hmm, she doesn't look too convinced, David.

Oh, that is hideous. Oh, my God, that's hideous.

Oh, David, what are you doing?

Still a tad off-message, David.

Oh, I say, Arts and Crafts. That's beautiful.

That is, that's beautiful.

Finally, something pretty for our romantic Reds.

Does it have a specific use or is it just decorative?

This would be on a ladies' dressing table,

for violets that her husband had gathered from the wayside.

-Oh, honey.

-The romance!

I really do love that. I absolutely love that.

I like the little touches of green on it. It's very tactile, isn't it?

Just hold it, I think it's lovely.

This dates from the early part of the 20th century.

We have these globules of clear glass all the way around,

with this hint of green.

It's very nice, I like that.

They have the silver, and the crystal, it's a lovely combination.

-£80.

-It's Birmingham, 1905, it's £80.

It's Stourbridge glass, which is quite nice.

It ought to be around about £50-£60.

-Shall we try and offer £50 for that?

-Yes, shall we try?

-Entirely in your hands.

-You're both looking at me.

-OK. Hello.

-Oh, I'm happy to, my dear.

-We rather like this little piece.

-Beautiful, isn't it?

-It IS nice. The price is a little bit on the heavy side for us.

-OK.

Can we put an offer in of £50, please?

Oh, let me see.

55, if that's any good to you?

-We want 50.

-Is that your very, very best?

-Please?

That's our very, very best. £50.

Well, that would be lower than what I paid for it,

so I can't go lower than £55.

It's no good you looking at me like that,

you'll make me feel really guilty!

Can we meet in the middle at £52?

That's middle-ish. 52?

-Yes, go on, then.

-Let's do it for 52.

-We bought something.

-Do you like that?

-Love it, absolutely love it.

-Yep, it's beautiful. Yep. 52.

-Thank you very much.

It looks perfect.

One in the bag and all very nicely done, team.

Meanwhile, Philip's found something that could steal the show.

Yeah, they do go well, those.

Yes, it's nice and original.

I like that, that would look nice framed.

That's really me, that's really busy.

-Yeah, I know, that's up your street, isn't it?

-It is, definitely.

-I quite like the trunk.

-You do?

-Over that, yeah.

We've only had 15 minutes,

if you can hang onto it for us for that 45 minutes, could you do that?

I want a tenner on it if you're going to come back. 10.

Well, what about if we buy this now for a fiver

and we'll talk to you about the rest when we come back?

-All right.

-Done. Is that done?

-Yeah, fine.

-There you are, then.

So, that's one down for the Blues,

but the trunk's left luggage for now.

OK, thank you.

See, I just noticed that, the cricket ball. Are you into cricket?

I am, very much. Cricket and baseball, but especially cricket.

Can we have a look at that, please? Thank you.

-It is loose.

-Oh, so it is.

-Would that be a special...

-It looks like it's been used.

-I'm sure it's a period ball.

-Yeah.

-Early 20th century.

This would be used by a guy who had a desk and wanted a desk ornament.

Maybe a paperweight, or something like that.

Or, a cricket follower, a devotee.

Is it a special ball? Was it in a special game?

Why is that specific ball on a stand?

I guess the engraving we can't read might tell us..

This was because, the team was engraved here,

which you can't read, which is great, great shame,

-they might have scored 100 runs.

-OK.

-So, it's just to commemorate that.

-It's to commemorate that, yeah.

It has a nice feel to it, doesn't it?

-It's very interesting.

-This is a man's thing, it really is.

It really is. It's a butch thing.

Ha, the sound of leather on willow, it's an English thing, Julia.

-You've got 48 on it, that's because it's badly rubbed, isn't it?

-Yes.

What's the best you can do on that, sir?

I'll do it for £40.

You are going to try again, aren't you?

What would you offer, then, David?

I'd like to see it for £30.

I'll shake your hand halfway, at £35.

How much do you think it would bring at auction?

Probably what the gentleman is asking.

In that case, can we take a little bit more off,

so we run some risk of making a profit?

A risk of making a profit!

£32. That's it.

-That gives you a little chance.

-OK, let's go with that.

It'll bring 30-50, it gives you a good chance.

-This is one for Stephen.

-I agree.

-This is one for Stephen.

I think that's quite good. If it falls, it's his fault!

THEY LAUGH

-Thank you very much.

-I agree with that!

Interesting buy, but will it bowl a yorker at auction

or will it be out for a duck?

Steve and Julia are such a nice couple.

And obviously they're very much in love.

Touching one another, looking at one another, passing comments,

and you get that rapport between them.

Ah, David, you old softie.

Cor, feast your eyes on this.

Isn't she gorgeous?

I'll give it a little revolution so you can see the folds of her dress

and the accuracy that this has been cast.

Because, this girl represents

what you'd have found wandering up the streets of Gay Paris

in about 1750 or 1760.

What she's got attached to her waist is a musical instrument.

And it's a form of hurdy-gurdy.

So this girl is a street musician.

If you look carefully, this piece is loose,

it's a bit of cast bronze that's been gilt.

On the end of it, you can see it's got a handle

which is what the girl would have revolved

to make the mechanical sound from the hurdy-gurdy.

And it's been most beautifully made.

What I really like about it is the additional richness

that this pierced cast base gives it.

It just lifts the chocolate-brown patinated bronze figure

and gives it real presence.

If this was 18th-century, which it ain't,

it would be worth about £1,200.

As it is, it's an early 19th-century revival of a Rococo figure.

And it's worth perhaps £200-£250.

What it would cost you here?

At Detling, off one of these stands,

it could be yours for £80.

Now, that's what you call an Ooh La La.

Go on, tell me all about that, please.

-The police used to have them in Victorian and Edwardian times.

-Yep.

So you could either clip it on your belt

or you can tow it around like that.

And what are those worth?

Who is the expert here, Phil?

I think it's great working with Stuart. It's fantastic!

He knows so much about his subject that it's a learning curve for me,

I am learning about things like the old policeman's light

and all that stuff. It's fantastic.

Colin is an enthusiast, too, you just have to go and get it off him.

-What are they?

-Where you kept you spoons warm.

-You kept your spoons warm in them?

-Yes, you fill it with hot water.

I've never heard of such a thing. Is that what they have at Downton Abbey?

That's because you're American!

So when would this date to?

Probably just after 1800.

What does it for me with this is that this is a naval officer's.

-It would have been making maps?

-Yeah, probably drawing maps.

Drawing maps, plotting charts. Which is the best one of these?

That one.

-What would be the best on that, sir?

-160, and that's the very best.

You two have a look, I want you two to have a look at it.

This is like, we could do with this,

because we're in horribly uncharted waters, let me tell you.

Canterbury's a long way from the sea.

I think it's made out of shagreen, shagreen is shark skin,

and in the late 18th and 19th century they used shark skin

to cover little boxes and cases and that sort of stuff.

And I just love this.

Oh! Frightened me to death, then. Good Lord!

I got you boys then, didn't I?

You can't beat creeping up from the rear, I've found!

-How are you getting on, all right?

-Yes, thank you.

-Have you bought anything yet?

-Yeah, we have.

-Well done.

-We're thinking of investing... Aren't these lovely?

-Look at that!

-And they're complete.

-They're fantastic.

-Look at that!

-Shagreen-covered.

-Not seen anything like it.

-How much are they?

-£160.

And I wouldn't have a clue,

I really don't know if they're good, bad or indifferent.

I think they're beautiful things to own.

All right, good luck, boys. I tell you, I think you're onto a groove.

-Just keep drawing a straight line and you'll be fine.

-Absolutely.

Yeah, I think it's worth a punt, Phil.

My only concern is that the whole thing fits together.

-Yes.

-But you like it, don't you?

-We do.

-It's very interesting.

-Are we going to go for it?

-Yes.

-Yeah, let's go mad.

-So it's £160, yeah?

-Yes.

I think we'd like to buy that off you.

Can you put it all back together for us?

Ha, a real boys' toy for the Blues' second item.

But there's one stop left to go on this journey.

-My personal thing is to go back for the trunk.

-Why?

-I like things where you can store items in.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

-Well, in my house, you need it.

-Really?

Yeah, I need places to hide things.

-You two are sold by this, are you?

-In different ways.

We need more than a trunk.

I'll tell you what, you two go and get your trunk and I'll catch you up in a while.

-OK.

-Cheers. Come back in a panic if you haven't got it!

I think they've done really well here,

and I'm really pleased with the little box they've bought.

I think the trunk could be an interesting thing

and the poster's cheap.

So, fingers crossed, we might be all right.

Hold your horses, Serrell. There's a way to go yet.

Meanwhile, it looks like David's found a piece of Royal Doulton,

but is it pretty enough for Julia?

I'm just going to have a quick word with him about this,

because there are various items with slight damage.

-In the meantime, have a look at those two, there.

-OK.

I had my eye on those things, they're rather lovely.

I think Stephen's got a better idea of how to please her.

I do like that blue on there.

It's kind of mottled a bit, isn't it? It's very autumnal.

-From a purely aesthetic point of view...

-They're lovely.

-Yes.

Sitting on a mantle or a table.

From a paying-money point of view, they're £130.

-Are they really?

-I'm back. 40.

-40? OK.

What do you think, darling? What do you like better?

I like these better and they don't appear to have any damage on them.

Is it cheeky if I ask if he'll do these for 80?

No, no, no! Just say you're rejecting the big jardiniere,

you like these, you prefer these, could he do them at £80?

-We'll take these for 80. Let's do it.

-All right.

-Do you want to both go along?

-Yeah, let's both go.

-OK.

Wish us luck!

Now it's David who doesn't look convinced.

-OK.

-£85. We're happy with that.

We talked him down to 85, and we're happy with that.

85? You've done remarkably well.

Brilliant.

-You've got a better technique than I have.

-We just asked really nicely.

Well, I do as well!

Not nicely enough, David, clearly.

That's the Reds finished.

Now, will the Blues' trunk still be there?

We're back.

-We've decided that we're going to go with the trunk.

-Right, fine.

-So, is £30 the best you can do?

-Yes, it is, yeah.

-£30. 30, that'd be good, yeah.

-Good try. Up to your old tricks.

-Thanks for that.

-Thank you very much.

-Cheers.

-OK, thank you.

That's their three sorted. Just as well,

as we've hit the buffers and time's up.

Let's remind ourselves what the Red team bought.

Romance was in the air for Stephen and Julia,

with this little Arts and Crafts glass table bowl, bought for £52.

Julia was slightly mystified by the commemorative cricket ball,

a baseball would have been much more appropriate for her.

Stephen thought these Royal Doulton vases were lovely,

and paid £85 for the pair.

So, Jules And Si, did you have a good shop up?

-A great shop up.

-It's been fantastic, I'm shocked, beautifully.

Jules, which is your favourite piece?

Ooh, I think the Arts and Crafts glass bowl.

The glass bowl was your favourite.

Is that going to bring the most profit?

It may do, it's a lovely thing,

but maybe the Doulton pair of vases will.

Ah, you've your eyes still on those for most profit.

-Do you agree with that?

-Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely.

OK. You spent all round, how much?

£169.

Please may I have £131? Please.

£131, beautifully presented.

-Over it goes.

-Thank you very much. They're such a wonderful couple.

They've only been married for a short period,

so I wanted to find something that has a romantic link.

You are very romantic, yourself!

That's a known fact! Good luck, David. Good luck! Have a nice cup of tea.

Why don't we check out what the Blue team bought?

This theatre poster was just the ticket for avid collector Stuart,

and a snip at a fiver.

A real boys' toy, this late Georgian instrument case,

though a bit of a gamble at £160.

They hummed and hooed and haaed over this metal dome-top trunk,

but in the end, felt it was worth the £30 price tag.

But, will the bidders agree?

So, you guys,

-we know about what you collect. Did you've a good time?

-Very much so.

What thing is going to bring the biggest profit, Stuart?

I think our theatre poster.

Yep, I think, for five pounds, you can't go wrong.

-What did you spend all round?

-195.

-Well, I'd like 105 of leftover lolly, please.

-There we are.

Thank you very much, Stuart.

That goes straight into the hand of Philip Serrell.

Ooh. This time I'm just going to try and get something

that'll just wipe its face, I hope.

-Wipe its face or a small profit, even?

-Who knows?

You never know your luck. Anyway, very good luck to you all.

Meanwhile, we're heading off, not far from here,

to a most unusual castle.

And I can't wait to show it to you.

Chiddingstone Castle in Kent started life as a 17th-century manor,

but has been much added to and redesigned over the centuries.

In the 19th century, the then owner

had it rebuilt in the style of a mediaeval castle.

In 1955, it was bought by Denys Eyre Bower,

an eccentric and rather lovely antiques dealer

who was looking for a place in which he could house his collection.

He persuaded the bank to lend him £6,000 and the place was his.

Bower's collection contains an eclectic mix of items,

including Oriental, Egyptian and Jacobite antiques.

But the house itself is not what it seems.

It's been through several transformations since Tudor times

and visitors to the house can expect a view surprises.

This room, the White Rose Drawing Room

will have been on the visitors' route in Bower's time.

Essentially, this looks like a Georgian drawing room, doesn't it?

Just look at the fire surround and the mouldings that have been used

to contain his collection of Jacobite art.

They looked typically Georgian.

Well, they ain't!

Because they were introduced by Bower

to give the room a Georgian feel

because that's the way he wanted it to look.

He wanted to furnish it this way.

So, in fact it's a bit concocted.

A bit like this piece of furniture.

Because, on the face of it, this looks old, doesn't it?

Beautifully made of carved mahogany,

with this handsome verde antico marble top.

Well, it ain't.

Because, in style, a piece of period furniture like this

simply doesn't exist.

The mask in the middle looks as if it's from a piece

dating from about 1720,

the legs are partly concocted to look like mid-18th-century legs,

and this bit of coffering running along the top, here,

looks like something that is pure regency.

In other words, we've three styles, all mucked together,

to make an attractive-looking piece,

but a piece that most definitely is not right.

This, on the other hand, is quite magnificent.

Another sidetable but just look at the quality of this.

Just look at these -

four magnificent, incredibly crisply-carved,

curvy front supports, all made out of a solid block of mahogany

and carved exquisitely on the front with these elongated palmettes.

Great rosettes running along the frieze,

this thing is probably by Trotter of Edinburgh.

And this thing is just a little gem, isn't it?

It's got a complicated serpentine front outline,

and then we've got these draws, all of which conform,

running down the front, look. All concave-sided,

outset corners,

and those corners are carved with trails of flowers and foliage.

Most pieces of this type you'd think of as kneehole writing desks.

Well, this one isn't.

Because if I open that deep top drawer

It reveals a fitted interior,

complicated, with lots of wells and compartments,

for ladies' jewellery and make-up and so forth.

The centre section, which is inset with a piece of baize,

pulls forward like this.

It runs along on a slide and opens to reveal a wee dressing mirror.

So you'd sit on a stool,

prepare your hair, adjust your jewellery,

and get ready for a party.

The big question today is, of course,

for our teams over at the auction,

are we going to be having a feast or a wake?

Well, the viewing has started at Canterbury Auction Galleries,

and we're with Michael Roberts, our auctioneer today.

-Hello, Michael.

-Hello, Tim.

-How are you doing?

-Very well, thank you.

Now, the Reds went with the Arts and Crafts,

well, it's called a "Peacock Tail" glass pot

with a silver mount.

-Yes.

-Made right Stuart, I think, of Stourbridge.

What do you think it's worth?

-It's a good thing, £30-£40 is my estimate.

-£52 paid.

-Right.

-That's not too bad, is it?

What about cricket balls. How are you with balls here?

The sad thing about this one is that clearly something memorable

on the cricket field has occurred

and someone's bothered to impress this little plaque on it.

Sadly, through the ravages of time, this is now illegible.

Completely illegible, so I have no idea.

It could have been struck by WG Grace.

It could be famous,

but now you can't even use it because somebody has put a plaque on it.

-You know what it is, don't you?

-Yep.

-Overenthusiastic polishing.

-Well, yes, quite possibly.

-What's it going to bring?

-Hopefully, £10-£15.

OK, £32 paid. I think it'll do all right.

Now, we've got these silver-mounted Doulton pots.

-Well, they're plated, sadly.

-Oh, right.

-Plated.

With this it's 1920s period Doulton, when we see this pattern on there,

and they're fine.

They're in good condition, they're reasonably well decorated,

we have the usual marks at the bottom,

but nothing enormously exciting, sadly.

-How much?

-£30-£40.

£85 paid. That is a deep, dark black hole

into which they will not survive

unless they have their bonus buy. So let's have a look.

-So, Stephen, how are you feeling?

-Smashing, thanks. Good as gold.

-Very good. Julia? You all right?

-Yeah, great, thank you.

-Are you ready for this bonus buy moment?

-Very.

OK, you gave the man £131, David, what did you spend it on?

Something that was very heartfelt.

-Oh, I say!

-What is that?

It's very heart-shaped.

It is heart-shaped, isn't it?

Two lovers, with two little holes there,

which would have had ink bottles.

So it is a stand dish, it's for ink.

This was made by a very well-known company called Wemyss,

up in Scotland, at Fife.

And they specialised in this type of decoration.

-How much do you think we might make for it?

-Well, I paid £70 for it.

-OK.

-Complete, complete, it would be £350-£400.

-Really?

-But not complete?

It's not complete, it's speculative, but I think there are collectors

and this one dates from the latter part of the 19th century.

So, not complete, how much do you think we might make?

-I'd like to see £100 on it.

-So a bit of profit.

-Thank you very much, David. Anyway, food for thought, right?

-Yes.

You pick it later, if you need to.

Right now, let's find out what the auctioneer thinks

about David's piece of Wemyss.

This is a belter, isn't it?

-What a nice thing.

-I suppose a perfect Valentine's day present.

Particularly if you're a letter writer.

Yes, indeed. It's fine. Impressed Wemyss Ware on the back.

A Scottish factory.

This design is after one of the decorators, Karel Nekola.

And it's in sound condition. Nothing fundamentally wrong with it.

Just missing its ink wells.

You should have the two inkwells in their to make it perfect.

What do you think it's worth?

-Our estimate is 40-£60.

-Is that all?

-Yes, sadly.

£70 paid by David Barby.

He reckons it's worth about £100.

A bit of a challenge for you, as auctioneer, today, Michael.

-I'll do my best.

-That's it for the Reds, now for the Blues.

-They've got a wacky mix.

-They have.

First up, the theatre poster.

Sadly, because of the period of it,

lots of names on there, but none of them really relate to the modern age.

Perhaps the biggest one, Jack Herbert, comedy legend,

but there's not a great deal of detail about him that we could find.

So, what's your estimate?

-£15-£20.

-Well, that's brilliant.

-It is.

-Super, duper.

-Great.

Next is the completely different

-shagreen-cased navigator's instrument set.

-Yes.

Which probably dates from the end of the 18th,

-early part of the 19th century?

-Absolutely. That's what we think too.

But, it is a complete mix-match inside, all the instruments.

-They weren't all made at the same time.

-Exactly.

We have the protractor in there which is virtually new.

But the case is nice. It's shagreen, it's a shark skin.

It's weathered quite a lot, it's not in the best condition.

But it's interesting to somebody.

-Yeah.

-Funnily enough, we have had a bit of presale interest in that one,

so fingers crossed.

They paid £160, our lot. What's your estimate?

Our estimate is £40-£60.

-Oh, Lordy.

-So a bit of a drop.

Well, whatever they make on the poster, they'll have to make up

with the instruments.

Now, in case you ever wanted to pack up a body,

here is your ideal container to do in

You have the grained wood effect, this painted work.

-Clever.

-Yes, it's taken somebody a bit of time to do.

-Yeah.

-A metal box, to make it look as if it's wooden,

-is a clever old technique.

-Yeah.

-So how much?

-Well, £10-£20 is how estimate.

-Is it?

-It is.

-£30 paid.

-Oh, dear.

-But, that's close enough.

I don't see any huge profit thanks to the navigational instruments

torpedoing their chances.

So let's go and look at the bonus buy, eh?

Colin, Stuart, have you got any idea what Philip Serrell has bought you

for a bonus buy?

-Not a clue.

-Not a clue.

Lovely! £105 you gave him to go out and find you something special.

I expect he's blown the lot. Phil, show us what you've bought.

Well, it cost a tenner and you liked it.

Oh, my God!

THEY LAUGH

Toilet paper. Um...

THEY ALL LAUGH

You bought a box of poo paper?

For £10. I hope it wipes its face!

THEY LAUGH

It's probably about First War.

This man is the expert in all this, well, toilet paper, he's the boy.

-Fourpence ha'penny a packet, that is.

-Fourpence ha'penny a packet.

I think that's just extraordinary.

I don't think it's going to be the sleeper of the sale,

-but it's 10 or 20 quids' worth of a bit of fun.

-Oh, definitely.

-Sorry, how much did you pay for this?

-I paid £10.

-That's really good.

Well, on that happy note, I think we'll move on and find out

what the auctioneer thinks about that packet of lavatory paper.

Well, I've presented more than 750 editions of Bargain Hunt to date,

and I have never presented, as a bonus buy to the auctioneer,

a packet of poo-poo paper.

Well, absolutely.

This has no real commercial interest at all, does it?

It's a fantastic survivor, though, isn't it?

This is American lavatory paper.

This is a valuation challenge for you.

Our estimate is £5-£10.

Very, very brave estimate, that! £10 paid by Philip Serrell

-and it just about says it all, doesn't it?

-It does.

Be on the Internet, will it?

Actually, it will!

Stand by for a laugh, anyway.

-Thanks, Mike.

-OK.

10. 20, sir, 30.

Selling.

Now, Stephen and Jules, are you excited about this?

-Very.

-You never know what's going to happen at these auctions.

First piece up is the glass and silver Arts and Crafts bowl.

Here it comes.

152, is the Edward VII silver-mounted clear glass bowl.

Who's going to start me at £20?

A decorative bowl, good quality, 20, I'm bid, straight in.

-Who's 30, now? 30 in the doorway. 40, 50, 60?

-I say.

-No.

-Hang on.

50 in the doorway. A good thing. £60? 60, fresh bid. £70?

70, 80?

80, right in front, here. 90? 80, right in front, here.

Looking for 90, but 80 and selling, then. It's yours.

-£80. Well, thank you very much. That's £28 up.

-That's fabulous.

Now, here comes the cricket ball.

A red leather covered cricket ball with the silvery mount.

Who's £10 for it? Anyone?

-Surely it's worth £10.

-Surely?

-Five pound then?

-Oh!

-Let's get it sold.

-I'm going to have an arrest.

10.

10, 15?

-20? 15 with you, sir.

-Come on, it's worth £20, sir.

Who's £20? I will sell at 15, if we're all done.

£15.

-So disappointing.

-£15 is -£17.

-Never mind.

-That is not good.

-No.

Lot number 154, the pair of Doulton vases with the plated mounts.

-30 on the phone.

-Quite right.

-A phone bid. 30, 40, 50, 60. Any further bid?

-I cannot believe this.

-At £50, I'll sell, he can't believe it,

but I'm going to sell it nonetheless, on the phone, at £50.

£50 is -£35. You had 17...

No, you didn't, you had £11.

35, 25, it's -£24.

Dear, oh dear, oh dear. I could burst into tears.

-I really could.

-So could I.

-I am seriously close to tears.

So what are we going to do about the Wemyss heart-shaped pot?

Are we going to go with it? -£24 could be a winning score.

That's OK, I think we're going to go for it.

We'll risk our negative money on it.

-Yes?

-Yes.

-Final decision, we're going with the bonus buy.

Here it comes.

Right, 158 is the Wemyss Ware pottery heart-shaped ink stand.

Who's going to start me at £30?

30? Ink stand, here.

£30, somebody. Any interest? £30, I'm bid.

Man with a romantic heart. £30.

Who's 40 now? Any further bids?

40, surely?

All these hard-faced people.

£40, where? Come on! No?

Any further bids? If not, I will sell at 30 if we're all done?

-£30 and selling.

--£40.

-Oh, brilliant, brilliant.

-That's -£64. That's great.

-We'll say that very quickly.

-Hmm.

What's that you said? "It could be a winning score"?

-It could be, exactly right.

-Yes. It could be a winning score, -£64.

-Go, Red team!

-"Go, Red team!" And we'll find out in just a moment.

-Now, Stuart and Colin, how are you feeling?

-Yeah, fine.

-Yeah.

-Pretty confident?

-Quietly confident.

-Oh, Colin, you're a modest man.

First up then is the theatre poster, and here it comes.

Headlined by Jack Herbert, there we are.

Who'll start me at £10? £10, where?

Anyone?

£10, thank you.

Well done, madam.

£10. Who's £20, then? £20, where?

Any more? £20?

A deathly hush out there. At £10 and selling, it's yours, madam.

£10, that's a five pound profit.

Now, on that basis, with the overall interest in the room...

Yes...

Here come the drawing instruments.

Late 18th-century, Lot 175, who's going to start me at £30?

£30 on commission, 40 where?

40 on telephone, telephone bid. 40.

50, 60...

Come on!

-70, 80, 90? 100.

-Ooh.

100, 110. We're making up for the poster. 120.

Yes!

Yes. 130, 140, 150, 160.

That's 170, 180.

190.

-That's good. Look at him.

-I'm not going to say anything!

Talk amongst yourselves. 200? No?

At 190. Looking for £200.

But at 190, I will sell at £190.

-Shock of the day.

-Plus £30.

-Yes!

-I am very, very pleased for you all, actually.

-Cheers, Phil.

-Very good.

-There IS some justice.

Now, here comes the trunk.

Who's going to start me at £10? A useful trunk. £10, where?

£10, he's got something to put in it.

-£10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60?

-Yes! Good box. Yes!

-No? 50 at the back, looking for 60. Any more?

-Loving it.

A useful trunk.

Nope? At £50 and selling.

That's +£20.

You've made a profit on all three items, which is brilliant.

That makes you +55, right?

You're £55 up, what are you going to do about the Bromo?

-Go on!

-We've got to go for it.

I don't care anything!

-I'm just really pleased about those instruments.

-Yes!

We've got to have the toilet roll! Even if we have to use it!

Want to roll with it?

We're going with the bog paper and here it comes.

Right, Lot 180 is literally from the sublime to the ridiculous.

LAUGHTER

And we've got here the box of the Bromo toilet paper.

There we are. I've been assured it's not been used!

It's all ready for action, so...

if you're desperate, who's five pounds for this?

Five pounds, where? Two places!

Five, ten, yes?

No, ten in the middle, yes?

At five pounds? I've got you, sir, with the long hair, five pounds.

Any more? I did see you.

I'm not going to miss a bid! 10. 15?

Go on!

£20? No. You're a wise man! At £15.

Any more? At £15.

He's going to wish he hadn't come today.

-£15 and selling, 682.

-Wahey!

-£15! +£5.

-Staggering!

Which takes you up to a lovely, round +£60.

+£60 is excellent, could be a winning score.

Don't say a word to the Reds.

Well, well, well, well, well.

There is a yard of difference between the teams, today.

In fact, a chasm.

You cannot believe that we've been at the same auction,

so contrasting are the results.

Because, I'm afraid, today the Reds have had it.

Oh, dear, dear, dear.

I mean, like, seriously had it.

There used to be the 64,000 question,

now it's £64 worth of losses on this programme.

It started so beautifully, £28 worth of profit

on that lovely Stourbridge pot, and then...

HE BLOWS A RASPBERRY

THEY ALL LAUGH

I can't say a lot more than that, really.

-Not really.

-Let's not go into it.

No, we'll leave it there!

-Did you've a nice time?

-A great time.

-We loved seeing you.

-Wonderful.

Anyway, chin up, because...

the Blues have been spectacularly successful.

They're going to take £60 of profits home.

There's your £60.

Because they got a profit on each of their items,

they get awarded the ancient order of the Golden Gavel. Oh, yes!

Take one of those. Well done, Stuart.

Colin, take yours, my old friend.

-Philip, there's one to go with your collection.

-Thank you, very much.

We've never sold lavatory paper on Bargain Hunt before,

and I should think we'll be flooded out with it

seeing how it's profitable.

Great fun, great show! Join us soon for some more bargain-hunting. Yes?

ALL: YES!

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd.