Ardingly 26 Bargain Hunt

Bonjour! Comment allez vous?

We're expecting a cosmopolitan flavour in today's programme

because we're at the Ardingly International Antiques and Collectors Fair in Sussex.

This place is a regular haunt for dealers from across the Channel,

so, as they say, let's allons-y bargain hunting!

With over 1,700 stalls, this is one of the largest antiques fairs in the south of England.

Lots of stalls mean

lots of buying opportunities, so we'd better get a wiggle on! Bye!

-Bargain Hunt, c'est magnifique.

-I'm glad you approve, but you ain't seen this show yet!

Coming up: Catherine Southon discovers you can't take the classroom out of the teacher.

-School bench.

-A beautiful bench.

-It's the school thing coming out.

-Yeah!

-Being a teacher.

And David Harper finds he's got bossy boots in charge.

-Go for it.

-Gosh! You're a bit worrying!

-I boss him around a bit too much. A bit too bossy.

-You said it, darling. Let's meet the teams.

On Bargain Hunt today we've got a brace of couples.

For the Reds, we've got Matt and Emma and for the Blues it's Sally and Dave.

Welcome. Lovely to see you.

-Matt, they say that opposites attract. Is that the case?

-It is.

Our eyes met across a crowded staffroom. Emma's an English teacher, I'm a science teacher.

-It's opposites and it attracted.

-Brilliant.

-Do you work together?

-We used to, at the same school in Eastbourne,

but now I've continued to be a teacher and Matt is at home looking after our baby Thora

and my son Finn, who is nine.

-Gosh. You really have got your hands full, haven't you?

-Yeah.

-Well done for doing that and very good luck.

-Sally, what do you do for a living?

-I'm a stand-up comedian called Champagne.

I've been very busy doing a lot of television. I grew up in America, in Florida.

I was a broker. I did 13 years of television and radio

and also my comedy and writing. All good stuff.

-What sort of shows were you doing in America? Comedy shows?

-800 gigs approximately on there.

-We're going to have a riot today. You've got the spangly gear!

-This is Hollywood, isn't it?

Dave, did Sally charm you with her sense of humour?

Kind of. We met in a pub in Croydon. She was doing a gig, on stage.

-Was she very funny?

-Not too bad.

-I've got to say that.

-Faint praise from the old man! You've got your number one fan here, girl!

-OK, she wasn't bad.

-She was funny and afterwards we had a drink.

-We got engaged three or four months after that, been married six years.

-That's...

-Love at first sight.

It's good fun. Have a great time.

The money moment. £300 apiece. Here comes your £300.

There we go. You know the rules. Your experts await and off you go! And very, very, very good luck!

My goodness, we've got some characters today.

-So have we ever been to a place like this?

-Years ago, but that's a long time.

-This is my first time, actually.

-Oh, marvellous, marvellous.

-Do we like a bit of bling?

-Yes! I love bling. Look at me.

-I'm looking for something unusual, maybe copper or silver.

-A bit of copper, silver, bling.

Typical heating engineer. Always copper!

-Are we going to spend a lot of money?

-As little as possible.

-Oh, really?

-But we are open.

-Open to offers?

-We don't mind if we think it'll make a profit.

-That's good. That is the name of the game.

-Quite so.

And with that thought, David has a plan for the Blues.

Always spend time scouring these little cabinets. There are often little treasures,

but you need to really get your eye in. There's a little boat.

-Is that silver or silver-plated? The cruet there.

-It's plated.

-It's £80.

-£80.

-Could we have a look at it?

-Sure.

-What do you know about the designer?

-Is it signed?

-I think it's signed. Might be numbered.

-That'd be nice.

-But that's plate, yeah?

-That's plated. Now, rule of thumb,

silver plated items are not good news and I avoid them like the plague. However,

when you look at something like that, which is really funky, and date-wise probably 1930s...

-It looks a bit Deco.

-Yeah.

-What would the trade best price on that be for me?

-£70.

-£70.

-Do you want to have a think?

-Shall we go for it? I'm happy. Go for it.

-My gosh!

-You're a bit worrying, you are! I quite like it.

-I'd go for it.

-All right.

-I think it's wonderful.

-I've done all the talking.

-I love it.

-But it's quite pitted.

-It is.

-It's the shape of it, though.

-It's a good shape. The condition could be better.

-It couldn't be a trickle less, could it? Just a trickle less. Give us a chance in auction.

-65.

-Oh, thank you very much.

-She's too eager!

-She is.

-Do you want it?

-Yes! I do. I think it's wonderful.

-Thanks.

-A nice, quick purchase.

-Well, I'm all for decisive action,

but Sally, cor, she's hot to trot!

Meanwhile, Catherine's found a cardboard box. Nice.

-It's the school thing coming out.

-Oh, my God, yeah.

-Being a teacher.

But they're missing the little brass slides over the inkwells.

-Aren't they lovely, though?

-They are so cute.

I spoke to him about this. I don't know a huge amount about tools, but sometimes these sell rather well.

-We've got a nice selection of planes here.

-Yeah.

-We've got a saw.

-A few nice set squares.

-Yeah. That's quite nice, isn't it?

-There's a spirit level.

He said he's take £60. I don't think that's too bad. There's quite a lot in there.

-It's not pretty and exciting.

-No. It's utilitarian, though.

Do you get many tool collectors?

-Well, I've sold planes before and sometimes just one can make £20 or £30.

-Emma's blown away.

-She loves them.

-It's a risk, but I'm willing.

-Yeah?

-Let's do it.

-I'm going to have a little last word with him and see what I can do.

Yeah, work your magic, Catherine.

-Now has Champagne Sally struck again?

-David, what about that?

-That hits me.

-What are we looking at?

-The chair.

You can imagine that in an elegant hall. With a beautiful green plant. What do you think?

It is exactly that, a hall chair. It was probably one of a pair.

Nicely made. It's got leather cover here with an oak - looks like oak...

Actually, I think that's... Dave, can you get your nail?

-Stick your nail in.

-Yeah.

-And it's soft, so it's pine.

-But it doesn't really matter.

-Bit of damage there.

-It's got age. How old do you think it is?

-'40s? '50s? Do you think it's older?

-It might be a bit earlier. It's got an Arts and Crafts feel,

-although it's definitely not English. Who is this character? Do you know who it is?

-No idea.

-Sally?

-No, no.

-I don't know who it is, either, but you thought I knew!

Call yourself an expert, David? I know Catherine does.

-OK, guys, I got 55.

-Fantastic.

-Good work.

-Are we happy? Yes.

-We are.

-You do want it?

-We do indeed.

-Good stuff. OK, one purchase down and two more to go.

-Fantastic.

-Jolly good.

-So £55 spent. Now can David do any better?

-I'll get a price on it.

Where is he? There's no one here.

-Is it free?!

-It must be free.

-Hello!

-How much is this one, please?

-120.

-120.

-Yeah.

-Are we in euros here or pounds?

-In pounds.

-It wouldn't make much difference these days.

-It's French, obviously.

-From Brittany.

-Brittany. OK.

-Unusual thing.

-Very unusual.

-What would be the very best trade price?

-100.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-60?

-No!

-90.

-90? Don't say anything yet.

-We're getting closer to 75.

-It's a good bargain!

-I'd be happy at 75 if you are.

-Yeah.

-I'd be happy.

-Would you be happy at 75?

No, I can't. 80 for you, but my very best price.

-- It's very unusual. - 80's fine.

-Shall we go with it?

-Thank you very much.

-Blimey! Quick work.

-I love you two!

-It's good.

-Can I sit on it?

-We should have tried that!

-Make sure I don't fall off.

-It's comfortable.

-You look like a queen.

-The Blues' shop could be over almost before it's begun.

-There are thousands of other stalls!

-If it catches your eye, buy it.

If we don't buy something, then we lose it. As soon as you see something, grab it.

I couldn't agree more. Take heed, Reds!

-Oh...

-Oh, what are you seeing?!

-Just lots of shiny things.

-Is that for a child?

-Yes.

-It's a teething ring.

-What's that made of? Is that bone?

-That's probably bone.

I'm not sure that it is bone, actually.

-It might be. That's...

-Yeah.

-And is that...?

-It's hallmarked.

1910.

-It's '18, I think. 1918. I've got a book.

-Would someone buy that, though?

-It's quite personal.

-A christening present?

-Yeah. What would your best price be?

-75.

-Oh, OK.

-But the little monkey!

-What monkey?

-Oh, he's lovely.

-I like the monkey.

-Is he Schuco?

-I don't know. I think he may be.

-He looks like he could be Schuco.

-He's got that look about him.

-Oh!

-That looks a bit rude!

-That's a bit worrying.

-Knowing what monkeys are like.

-How much is he?

-My monkey is...55.

-55.

He's got a lovely look about him, but he's a bit bobbled.

-Yeah. Those eyes, are they glass?

-Yes, they... No, plastic.

-How old do you think he is?

-'40s, maybe? What date have you got?

-I'd probably say about that.

-Probably '40s.

-He is lovely. But could you come down any more?

-Yeah.

-20.

-Yeah, 20.

-Not quite that far.

-25.

-Nearly.

-26.

-30. That's the absolute bottom.

-Could we do a deal on the two?

-What did you say for that? 75?

-Yeah. They can be 100, the two.

-100.

-But there's no more movement.

-We've got just under half an hour.

-Would you be able to put them aside for us for a little while?

-How long?

-Just 20 minutes.

-Lovely.

-Let's have a little think. Thank you so much for your time.

Come along, Reds. You need to take a leaf out of the Blues' book and get buying!

-What about the spyglass?

-We can have a look at that. They're always interesting.

-We always lose ours. What kind of money is that?

-That's 12.

-£12.

That's not actually horn. Oh, yes, it is. Sorry.

-Oh, well done.

-That's quite nice.

-That's interesting.

-Date-wise, Dave, what do you feel?

-It's obviously brass.

-Brass.

-Em...

-Good, thick glass.

It could... Well, it's a difficult thing. It could be late Victorian.

-It doesn't feel that old, though.

-No, good. Go with your instinct.

-Its style is certainly late 19th-century.

-But I don't think it is.

-It's more modern.

-But I don't think it matters.

-No.

-It works, it's good-looking and could sit really well on a table.

-You just want to buy it! Once we've bought three, we're done!

-I know. I was thinking about that.

-Maybe think about it.

-Is that OK? ..I think that's fantastic,

but they've spent so much money, can we put it down for a while? Do you mind? Thanks a lot.

Looks like David's put the brakes on Sally.

-Now is it time for another lesson, Reds?

-A school bench.

-A DT bench.

-What is it called? DT?

-Well, Craft, Design, Technology now.

-It's got a vice. This is perfect for our woodwork tools.

-This is what I remember at school.

Using this. Putting the block of wood in and sawing it, planing it.

-This is your graffiti as well.

-Mine? No, I was a good girl.

-I'm sure you were.

-I believe you, Catherine. Thousands wouldn't.

-Look - I see bling.

-Point me to some more bling.

-How about a nice boiled egg?

-Did you say bald egg?

-Boiled!

It looks a bit dirty inside. Might need a good clean up.

I wouldn't. It's plate and it's been cleaned so many times. Now then, talk about eggs for breakfast.

-That's pretty, isn't it?

-This is a much posher eggs for breakfast piece.

-Do you know what it is?

-Em... A poacher?

-It's an egg coddler or warmer.

-Oh, right.

-You'd have a little burner on the base here, some water in there, four eggs,

-and you just keep them at a lovely temperature. How posh is that?

-Wow.

-It's fantastic.

-It shows how common I am.

-Listen, I'm common, too. I've never had one and used it.

-That's nice.

-It's a bit funky.

-It's not you, Dave.

-No. A bit of wear.

-Right.

-A dent in the top.

-OK.

-Oh, he's a bit critical. It's only 100 years old.

-No.

-All right.

-It's not me.

-Not you.

After a speedy start, the Blues have caught the Reds' indecision bug.

-I thought this was going to be really easy, but it's really hard.

-It is hard, isn't it?

There's a £1 table back there. If we need something quickly...

Well spotted. We might need to come back to that later.

-Dave, have you seen anything you like? Do you notice, everything I keep seeing...

-We'll find something.

I boss him around a bit too much. A bit too bossy.

We had noticed, Champagne Sally.

-He likes a bit of copper.

-I do, but...

-There you go.

With that, look at the design.

It looks very Art Nouveau, so 1895, 1900. Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts, hand-made, copper.

What we need to look for are manufacturers' marks on the base.

And there is nothing. But if you found something down there that related to Liberty,

because this is very Liberty, circa 1900, it would be hundreds.

Because it doesn't have a mark, it's worth a few pounds.

-Yeah. If Liberty's on the bottom...

-If it had that on the bottom there.

-Then it might be Knox.

-Archibald Knox. Maybe Christopher Dresser. He's very good.

But a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing, David,

especially if it means you don't buy anything! Speaking of which, Reds...

-What do you want to do? Time is ticking.

-Em...

-Ouch!

-I like the monkey.

-Go and get your monkey, then.

-Shall we?

-Shall we?

-If you can get it down... What did he say?

-30.

-But he was biddable.

-See if you can get him down. He's cute.

-Fingers crossed.

With time running out, it's a last push for the Blues, too.

-Shall we go back for the magnifying glass?

-Let's think. It was 12 quid.

-Yeah.

-I think if that didn't make a profit, then we all need to jump off a roof or something.

-It's just ridiculous. That should make money.

-Let's go back.

-Go back and give him 10.

-Yeah.

-Sounds like a plan, guys.

Emma and Matt are very calm and they're just taking their time, pondering and wandering,

and not really making any dynamic decisions. So I'm going to put the pressure on a bit now.

-Yeah, you crack the whip, Catherine. Hello, what's this?

-Thank you.

-Hello. Are you two making any decisions?

-We bought the monkey and the jester.

-Oh, gosh, you have!

-This is slightly out of character.

-I was wondering if Harry Potter made that worth any money.

-What is it? A baton?

-A silver conductor's baton.

-So you now regret it?

-Have we a change of heart?

- What's the best you could do? - The baton has to be 110.

Which is probably a bit much, isn't it?

-It's ebony and silver.

-It's beautiful. Is that ebony wood?

Looks like ebony to me. What does it say? "Presented to H Platts. Horden, 1922."

-I'd prefer the baton than the rattle.

-Oh, do you?

-Yeah.

I do, actually.

OK.

-I really like the monkey.

-We'll take the monkey and the baton off this chap's hands?

-I think so.

-What's the best price on those?

The monkey... It's got to be 110 on that.

-Thank you.

-And the monkey's got to be 25.

-In that case we'll take that one.

-Yeah, the monkey and the baton.

-The monkey and the baton. Fantastic.

Well done. Fantastic.

Well, fancy that. For all their dithering, the Reds have crossed the finishing line first

with a double deal.

-What was that going to be?

-It was 12, but 10.

-A gentleman!

An absolute gentleman.

-Well done.

-Brilliant! Ah, brilliant.

-Well done, Dave.

-Great stuff. Really good. And tea on me.

-Lovely! Come on.

We're going.

-HORN TOOTS

-Oh!

Time's up! Let's remind ourselves what the Red team bought.

It doesn't look like much, but Catherine's convinced these carpentry tools will strike gold

at the auction.

The toy monkey may be a bit thin on top, but at £25 he might just come up trumps.

And it was an afterthought, but will this ebony and silver baton for £110 march off with a profit?

-Well, you two lovebirds, how did you get on?

-Very well.

-Difficult.

-Was it?

-Yeah.

A lot harder than we thought.

-Did you get many admiring glances at your moustache?

-You can understand it.

-Well, you can.

-They need looking after.

-Yours has been well-cultivated.

-Which piece will bring the biggest profit?

-It's a difficult one. I think the monkey.

-The tools.

You are all over the shop. And what did you spend all round?

-We spent 190.

-Brilliant. So I would like, please, £110 of leftover lolly.

We've got your predictions. We wish you well with them.

-And with £110 going across to Catherine, good luck.

-Thank you.

Meanwhile, we're going to check out what the Blue team bought, eh?

The others looked on helplessly as Sally jumped in to buy this silver-plated, boat-shaped cruet

for £65. But will it sail away with a profit at auction?

Sally also spotted this unusual French high-backed chair,

but the dealer drove a hard bargain. £80 paid.

And David didn't get much of a look in when Sally decided this horn-handled magnifying glass

was sure to be a hit with the bidders. And at just £10 paid, she might be right.

-I think the dream team.

-I thought so.

-We could have bought 10 items.

He's got all the phrases! Did you have a good shop?

-Brilliant.

-What about you, Champers?

-Really brilliant.

-Yeah.

-We've just been messing around with this guy!

-That's what's so fun!

-Just messing about and having fun. You've spent how much?

-155.

155. So can I have 145, please?

£145 goes to the maestro. Of course, you've got plenty of choice here at Ardingly.

My goodness, me. You could spend it 1,000 times over.

We wish you good fortune.

Next, my favourite piece of the programme - the stately home,

which is today just the other side of Chichester, almost on the Hampshire border.

And the stately home in question is Stansted Park,

which began life as a hunting estate in the 12th century.

Then in 1900 a fire destroyed the first Stansted House

and it was rebuilt at great expense.

By 1924, this relatively new and impressive building was up for sale.

So one Vere Ponsonby, the Ninth Earl of Bessborough, snapped it up.

He needed a place to house the family's pictures and furniture,

saved when his own family seat in Ireland was burnt down in the Irish War of Independence.

And where better than here?

Well, here we are in an English country house in the middle of an English country estate

in a dining room contained by four particularly Irish pieces of furniture.

That's because the Bessboroughs brought some of their treasures

across with them from their former estate in Ireland

and the baby I'm interested in is the midget down this end,

which looks so sweet.

The proportions of this table are ideal to fit in to the modern home.

And it sort of sums up everything that is good about mid-18th century Irish furniture.

It's got a substantial Carrara white marble top.

The frieze has been treated in a typical mid-18th century Irish way,

carving it with diapers, that's this lozenge shape.

It gets a bit more complicated down below with this swag, made of a solid piece of mahogany,

boldly carved with flowers and foliage, centred by a mask. But just look at his face.

What's going on here? This mask is supposed to represent a Green Man.

A sort of fertility god

that's existed way beyond the time of Christianity. Absolutely delightful.

But, funnily enough,

not as romantic as this.

On the face of it,

this looks like a rather resplendent soup terrine

of elaborate and extraordinary form.

But actually there's quite a story to tell on the back of this terrine.

For a kick off, I'm going to move it so that we can take the lid off

and see what's going on.

Because the symbolism of the finial is very maritime.

We've got a sailor astride a rocky outcrop.

Under his arm is a massive anchor

and underneath him an incredible tangle of seaweed.

Something fishy is going on.

If I pick up the terrine itself, which is heavy, you can see there is an inscription along the base.

And it says, "The gift of John, Earl Spencer,"

who was the brother-in-law of the Third Earl of Bessborough,

September the 14th, 1779.

And if I turn it round some more, it says Captain Ed Garner.

And then "for the gallant behaviour defending His Lordship, Lady Spencer

"and the Duke of Devonshire against two French privateers,

"each of equal force, to the fly swoop."

And so grateful was Earl Spencer for that dramatic rescue

that he presented the Captain with this trophy.

And the vignette here shows quite clearly the action as it takes place.

The big question today is, of course, will our teams be sporting such vainglorious behaviour

over at the auction?

Well, it's great to pop along to Wisborough Green to Bellmans saleroom and Jonathan Pratt.

-In good voice?

-Very good voice.

-Good! You're going to need to be.

Our Matt and Emma are really excited today because it's their moment to sell the woodworking tools.

-There's another 20 on top of this lot!

-Everyone likes a good tool.

One or two in there are rather nice. The coping saw is a nice tool.

So, on the whole, not a bad collection. If it was bought wisely, there could be a profit.

I would say £40-£60 would be fair.

That's very good of you. £55 paid. There's some hope there.

-What about this little monkey?

-Little Schuco monkey. Nice ginger colour. Some orangutan in there.

-Sadly, I think he has seen better days.

-Yes.

-But he's rather cute.

-He's not as bad as some.

-He's got most of his hair left!

He's got that... I think it's called a number two. A semi-shaven look.

-Yes, a squaddie look.

-There we go. Fun little fellow.

-How do you rate that, money-wise?

-Well, it's rather charming.

-£20-£40, somewhere in the middle.

-Brilliant. £25 they paid.

We're getting on rather well. Now what about this conductor's baton with solid silver mounts?

It has the air of a swagger stick about it, but it probably is a conductor's baton.

Could be a military band. So is it going to appeal here? Have you got many bands about?

Well, there's a bit of silver on there. It adds a bit of value!

-But it is badly chipped.

-Yeah. I don't know. £20-£40 again.

-Really? Is that all?

-Yes. Why?

-£110 they paid.

-Oh, dear.

-That is a serious amount of dosh.

-OK, it is fitted in a box

-and I suppose it's quite nice, but it's pretty boring. I don't want to be too rude about it.

-No.

That's their deep, dark hole and they'll need their bonus buy. Let's go and have a look at it.

-Matt and Emma, all right, you kids?

-Not so bad.

-You want to know what your bonus buy item is.

Well, you gave Catherine £110. What did you buy, Catherine?

-Well, I have bought you...a box.

-It's a delightful box.

-And inside the box... is a very nice ivory thermometer.

-Oh, wow!

It's by a maker Negretti and Zambra, a well-known instrument maker,

in a nice fitted case with the maker's name on it. I think it's a jolly nice piece.

-It's gorgeous. How old do you think?

-It's mid to late-19th century.

-Around the 1860 date.

-Fantastic.

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

-How much did you pay?

-Well, I did actually pay quite a bit for it.

I paid £100, but I think it's worth that and I think it's worth a little bit more than that. It's lovely.

-I love the fact it's got the case.

-It's worth that all day long. Do you like it?

-I love it.

-Yeah. Very nice.

-Thank you.

-Excellent.

Good. It is difficult, though, because that's a specialist thing.

-It is.

-In the right sale, there is a market for that.

-There are hot collectors for it.

-The problem is it's in a collectables sale.

Is someone going to pick it out? We need two people.

-It is a smart thing, but it's a gamble piece.

-Yes.

-And that's the excitement.

For the audience at home, let's find out what the auctioneer thinks of Catherine's thermometer.

-I feel the temperature rising.

-Yes!

-You know what Catherine's like.

-Well, Catherine loves her scientific instruments.

Good name on there. A well-known name.

I've taken this out. You've got the scale on the other side.

Whether that's reversible when that gets worn out or...? I can't see the point.

It's a rather odd little thing. Hopefully that makes it unusual.

-Maybe it does.

-The lining of the case is...

-Shot.

-yeah.

So, you know, what can I say? £30-£40 is about it.

-OK. £100 she paid.

-Which is...

-That's quite a lot.

And quite risky for our team if they decide to go with it.

Lots of excitement there. Moving on, the Blues.

Looks a bit of a paltry lot. First off, this cruet.

-Christofle and Co.

-I rather like it.

-Do you?

-Yeah.

This sort of nautical theme in a Deco style is absolutely right.

-I know people who collect that sort of object and will go for a novelty cruet.

-How much?

-£40-£60.

-OK, £65 paid. So they paid the top end of your estimate.

-But I'm normally a little cautious.

-Talking about caution, how do you rate this chair?

-If I have to be polite...

-You don't.

-You can say what you like. It's hideous.

-It's a minger.

-It is.

Hasn't got a great deal of age. It's purporting to be something a hell of a lot earlier, really.

This is some sort of emblem, based on a 13th century coin. Rather hideous.

Hopefully they didn't pay too much. I wouldn't rate it very highly and I've gone along with £10-£20.

-OK, they paid 80.

-Yeah.

-Not easy to sell. Now, the magnifying glass.

-That's one of those fellas from Taiwan.

-The metalwork gives it away.

-Rather cheap metalwork.

-Yes.

-This horn... Whether it's horn, it's got the feel of horn about it.

It's unlikely to be horn in my view. Some sort of moulded resin. Looks like the real thing,

-but that metalwork is terrible.

-Pretty poor. This is just clamped.

-There's no quality to it.

-No. Mark you, they didn't pay much.

-They only paid £10, so we're not expecting any vast upside.

-I'd be more generous.

-£15-£25.

-There you are.

-People like to use them to read their papers in their latter years.

-It might be useful, Tim.

-Thanks(!) You're my mate! Not!

Anyway, that's it. Overall we've got some difficulty, particularly that chair.

They'll need their bonus buy, so let's go and have a look at it.

-So I bet you want to know what David Harper spent your £145 of leftover lolly on.

-Very much so.

Don't we all? The nation is gagging to find out.

-OK, David, show us what you spent it on.

-For a very lovely couple,

-an absolutely delightful...

-That's beautiful!

-..beautiful object.

-Lovely.

-Have a hold of him.

-It's heavy.

-It's very heavy. It's bronze. Obviously, it's a hippo.

-Lovely.

-That looks like you, dear!

-Is that why you like him so much?

Aww! He's cuddly. A big cuddly hippo! I want to just point something out.

Asprey. Made in England.

One of the most aspirational brand names you're ever going to come across.

-It screams quality.

-Yes, lovely.

-Patinated bronze.

-It's lovely.

-Date - '20s, '30s. Think of that time.

-Yeah.

-That's an onyx base.

-A little damage, but you've got to be forgiving of something so wonderful.

-I like that.

-How much did you pay?

-It didn't come cheap. I had to beg and plead.

-145 quid and that's the best I could do.

-Gorgeous.

-Profit-wise, I'd like to see it make...

-A couple of hundred?

-Why not? Why couldn't it make £200? So easily.

-It's not beyond the bounds of possibility, is it?

-No.

-Team, we're happy, yes?

-Very. I like it.

-Beautiful.

Let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Horace the hippo.

-Ready for a wallow?

-Oh, look at that.

-It's a great-looking beastie, isn't it?

-A pygmy there.

-It's a charming beast.

-Yeah. But look at his face!

-That kind of squashed-in, piggy-looking eye, great big mouth.

-They always smile.

People like hippos. And because it's Asprey, a really good name.

They were making quality objects for the very rich at this point, which is early 20th century, 1930s.

-The alabaster base is a bit distressed.

-Yes. It's been broken and there's a few little chips.

-That lets it down completely.

-What's it worth?

-£60-£90, I reckon.

-Is that all?

-Yes.

-The Harper has paid £145.

-Who knows?

-Well, quite. We certainly don't. I don't!

-And my track record!

OK, super. Thank you, JP.

So let's wish both of our teams the best of luck because I think they're going to need it.

-Now Matthew, Emma, how are you feeling?

-Very excited!

-Excited!

-Here come your tools, girls and boys.

-There's loads there!

-A collection of carpentry tools. Two commissions.

-Here we go.

-I've got to start straight in at £60.

-Good girl, Southon.

-Who'll give me 5? Commission bid at 60. Surely worth another 5.

-Oh, come on!

Are we all done? Maiden bid of £60. 65 on the left now. At 65.

Looking for 70. On the left at 65. £65.

£10 profit. Well done, Catherine. Now come along, little monkey.

Lot 1696A. A Schuco plush toy monkey.

-Very sweet.

-There he is. 15 I have to start me.

-15?

-18. And 20. 22.

25. Shakes her head. 25 against you all.

-Come on.

-28 on the right now.

-Looking for 30 now. Do I see 30?

-Come on.

At £28, I shall sell. Gentleman over there. £28.

-But it's a profit.

-No money.

-£28 is plus £3.

1697A. An ebony and silver mounted two-piece military cane.

-And I can start at £25.

-Oh, Jonathan!

35. 40. 45.

Come on.

50. 55. 60.

65. Shakes his head. Standing right now. £65.

Surely worth 70. Who's going to join in at £70?

Last chance. Selling at £65.

-Oh.

-That is not so good, is it?

That's minus £32. Minus 32, lads.

-So do we...?

-What are you going to do with the thermometer?

-Well...

Do we want to win or do we want to go for it?

-My instinct says go for it.

-OK.

-You're OK?

-Yeah.

-We have two punting teachers here.

-We'll go for it.

-Your final word? You don't need to phone anybody?

-We might do!

-OK, fine.

Lot 1701A. We have the 19th-century Negretti and Zambra thermometer.

Start me at £30 for this? It's bid, thank you. Let's move on.

He's thinking about it. 35. 40.

45. 50. 55.

-55, standing far left.

-Come on.

-It's worth it any day.

At £55. Any more at £55? I shall sell. It's your last chance. 55.

-Oh, dear.

-Sorry!

-I'm so sorry.

Minus 45 is 77. Minus 77.

You've got to be in for a punt.

-You have to be philosophic and think that's made somebody's day to buy that for £55.

-And that baton.

Well, there you go. If things go really badly, £77 minus might be a winning score.

-It might be.

-In which case, don't say a thing to the Blues.

-We'll keep schtum.

-Good sports.

-So how are you feeling, Sal?

-Fingers crossed, fingers crossed.

-I'd cross everything.

-We need to!

-There is a bit of a dark hole opening in the middle of your items and that's the chair.

-Oh, gosh!

-Oh, we loved that chair.

-You paid £80 for it. The estimate is £10-£20.

-Ouch!

-It's not so often that a really nice man like Jonathan Pratt becomes unprintable

-in his dismissiveness about that chair. He really didn't like it.

-That's a shame. I loved that.

-We don't like him any more.

-First up is your Deco Christofle cruet. And here it comes.

-Right.

Lot 1717A. A 1920s silver-plated cruet, modelled as a boat,

by Christofle. Start me... I've got nothing here. Start at £10.

10 is bid. There we go. At £10. Surely worth 12. 12 is bid.

15. 18. 20.

He shakes his head. £20. Surely worth 5.

-£20 on the left. Any more at £20? It's a good-looking lot, this.

-He's trying.

Are you all done? £20 and selling. All done at 20.

-Minus £45. That was one of your stars!

-I know.

-Let's wait for the chair, then!

-Uh-oh. Here comes the chair.

1718. A French pine and brass-studded leather hall chair. Magnificent piece of furniture.

And I have bids on the book to start me at - wait for it -

20...30....

-Go on.

-£40. I'm in at £40.

-Yes!

-At £40.

Who'll bid me 5? 45. Clears the commission.

-I'm out at 45. Looking for 50.

-Come on.

-Selling at 45. At £45 and going. Last chance, 45.

-Not nearly as bad.

-There ARE people with taste and discrimination!

-Exactly.

-Minus £35. Look out. Here comes the magnifying glass.

Lot 1719A. An early 20th-century magnifying glass with turned handle.

20? 15?

-Go on.

-If I have to, 10. £10. Give me 12. Surely worth 12.

-Last chance, everyone.

-Ouch.

-At the front at £10.

-Wiped its face.

-There we go.

-Could be worse.

-Anyway, the fact of the matter is you are minus £80, Harper.

-What'll you do about the hippo?

-I like it, so we'll trust David and go with that.

-Yes.

-Decision made. Here it comes.

-Come on.

-Here it comes.

Nice here. A patinated bronze figure of a hippo by Asprey of London.

-And plenty of interest here.

-Good!

-I can start at...

-£140 straight in with me.

-Good start.

-A fiver off.

£140. Surely worth 50 now. 150. 160.

-Yes!

-Do you want one more? Commission bid. £160 and selling. All done?

Well done, David Harper. That is very good.

-That is plus £15.

-A quality item.

-Which means overall you are minus 65. All right?

-Yes, brilliant(!)

It could be a winning score. I think we'll have an exciting finale!

-Don't say a word to the Reds.

-No.

-Not a dickie bird.

-We don't like the Reds!

Oh, dear, oh, dear, oh, dear. It's no secret to the audience that you've made spectacular losses

around and about today. Anyway, the team with the greatest losses today are...the Reds.

YES!

-There's nothing to be proud about!

-We're proud!

-Minus £77 doesn't make pleasant reading.

-No.

-Have you had a nice time?

-It's been fantastic.

Something to tell the kiddiewinks.

-Indeed.

-Absolutely.

-Lovely having you. Thanks for taking part.

But the victors today, who have won by only losing £65 are the Blues! They're very pleased.

-We're very good.

-You have absolutely no plusses on your score card

with the exception of David Harper's bonus buy, the hippo.

-Yes.

-Horace.

-Horace the hippo.

-He did well.

-Wonderfully.

-Have you had a nice time?

-Brilliant.

-We've loved having you.

-Join us soon for some more bargain hunting! Yes?

-ALL: Yes!

I know you're sitting thinking, "I could have done better than that!"

Well, what's stopping you?

If you think you can spot a bargain, go to our BBC website and apply.

It'll be splendid to see you!

Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd - 2012