Australia 4a Bargain Hunt

In our mission to uncover antiques from around the globe,

we've come to the other side of the world, literally.

We're down under in Australia. Let's go bargain hunting, yeah!

We've left good old Blighty behind and we're delighted to be down under.

From the hustle and bustle of central Melbourne, we've taken a short tram ride

to the upmarket district of Armadale.

In England, Malvern is famous for its water, but here at the Malvern Antique Market, we want bargains.

So it's here we've brought our Australian Reds and Blues.

Here's a quick peek as to what to expect.

For the Reds, it's all about the money.

-We might make a few dollars on it. It depends on what you get it for.

-20 bucks?

-I think 50 would be good for the three bits.

-That sounds like an offer.

The Blues are after something blue.

-The pleasure of that box has gone because we're missing the erotic scene.

-Indeed.

-But not everything will be to their expert's taste.

-..saleability, wouldn't it?

Before we meet the teams, let me quickly explain the rules.

They get 500 Australian dollars and an hour to shop for three items

which hopefully, they take away and sell for a profit.

The team that wins makes the most profits or the least losses.

Easy, innit, Sheila?

Let's go and meet today's teams.

Well, how lovely is this to be on the rooftop of Melbourne with our teams!

For the Reds, friends Brian and Bruce. Hi, guys.

-Hello.

-And Trish and Russell, our married couple for the Blues.

-Brian, how did you two become friends?

-I met Bruce at kindergarten when I was five.

We've just been friends ever since.

-What do you do for a living, mate?

-Right now, I'm detailing boats.

You get on the boat and you clean it from top to toe, inside, out, backwards and forwards.

-Like boat valeting?

-Exactly, yeah.

-Now I'm with you.

I'm caring for my father, so I'm a full-time carer. My father's 91.

-Is he?

-Yeah.

-Bless his cotton socks!

-He's a lovely man, British man.

Your British ancestors, there's quite a connection to Australia?

There is a strong connection, yeah.

In fact, we have a clock which came out on the first fleet with Governor King, his name was.

Governor Gidley King.

I'm one of the great-great-great-great descendants of him.

-One of the great-great Gidley Kings?

-I'm a Gidley King, that's right.

And he was asked by the King to bring beer to Australia.

-That's quite an accolade cos you Australians like a drop.

-We do.

Brucie, tell us what you do for earning a buck.

I work at Sydney Airport and I have done for the last 30 years.

I have a passion for fixing things.

-Has it always been with you tick-tock with the mechanicals?

-Yes.

Ever since a boy, I was pulling the lawn mower and cars apart.

-Can you put it back together again?

-Absolutely.

-That's OK then.

-You're also a very keen sportsman.

-I am.

-Tell us about that.

I love water-skiing. I just absolutely love the sport.

-Can you get up on one ski?

-I can get up on barefoot.

-You never can?

-Barefoot?

-Yes.

-That is something else.

-Are you looking forward to shopping on Bargain Hunt today?

-Very much.

We've got a few secret strategies.

-Are you prepared to share the secret strategies with us?

-No.

-Not here.

-Not in a public place?

-Yes...

-Well, not in front of them?

-It's a bit secret.

-I love this, don't you? Very good luck with that, chaps.

-Thank you.

Now, Trish, tell us about your earlies.

Well, I'm a fifth direct descendant from John Small and Mary Parker

-that came out on the first fleet and they later married when they settled in the colony.

-Right.

John Small came out on the Charlotte and Mary Parker on the Lady Penrhyn.

-Were they technically convicts?

-They were convicts. They did seven years each.

-Then they settled down?

-They settled down.

-They were good breeders?

They were very prolific breeders, yes.

The Small family is the largest convict family in Australia.

-That's wonderful. What do you collect?

-Teapots.

I love antiques of any description, including Russell.

Oh, poor old Russ!

-Will you be buying a teapot on Bargain Hunt today to make a profit out of?

-Hopefully, yes.

-Russell, what do you collect?

-The receipts of Patricia's purchases of teapots!

I used to be with Coca-Cola, so I have a very, very broad range of Coca-Cola memorabilia.

I also have a model railway set. It's an N-gauge set and it was modelled on the Cotswolds.

-I also have a 1968 Morris Cooper S...

-Lovely.

-..which Trisha just bought me for my birthday.

-How sweet! Is it in good nick?

-Wonderful.

-What sort of things will you buy today?

Whatever makes us a profit.

-Are you going to take the advice of your expert?

-Yes.

-Yes.

-That could be your first big mistake!

Anyway, moving on quickly, here's 500 bucks apiece.

You know the rules, your experts await and off you go and very, very good luck!

Our Aussie teams are going to need some help from our experts,

so joining me from Great Britain

is Paul Laidlaw who will be assisting the Reds

and David Barby who will be steering the Blues in the right direction.

All right, teams, you're on starter's orders.

We might be in a different time zone, but you still have just 60 minutes and that time starts now.

-There's too many things to pick from.

-It's mind-blowing, absolutely mind-blowing.

-What are we shopping for?

-Something nautical, I think.

-Are we?

-Yes.

A nautical plan? Let's hope the Reds don't end up all at sea!

That's a nice box. That would contain sweeties.

There was a picture or something under the lid?

Yes, it may well have been an erotic scene and that's been torn out.

-The pleasure of that box has gone because we're missing the interior erotic scene.

-Indeed.

Oh, David, how disappointing!

-What do you think of that?

-"Spyglass" is the tag.

Late 19th, early 20th century. It's 100 years younger than I think it wants to be

and not much use aboard ship!

No, not really, is it, no!

-Maybe a pond yacht.

-A pond yacht!

No profit to be seen there then!

The Blues haven't moved very far. They're still at the same cabinet, actually.

Is David about to go out with a bang?

-It's a model of a mortar, as a string ball.

-Yes.

-I like that.

-If it was a real mortar, you'd pull it out and fire the gun.

-That is quite nice. I like that.

-And quirky.

-It's quirky as well.

-Hmm.

That's where your string goes.

-That's in pretty good condition.

-I think that is quite good.

-What do you think? An interesting piece of treen, that.

-I like that.

-I do.

-That was quite decisive.

-I like it.

-What about these few marks on there?

-Well, it's aged.

Yeah, I think there might have been a little stud on the side there which has gone.

-What's its age there?

-This should be sort of mid-19th century.

"Victorian boxwood, shop string barrel." This is not a shop string barrel. This was used in the house.

-I think this is quite nice.

-I like it.

-It's a quirky object. 155...

-I'm going to find the owner and see what we can do.

-I like that.

That's a good choice.

It's a mad door stop, some sort of lizard. What's the price tag on it?

-250.

-Where do you go with that?

If you took the 2 off, I'd be interested in having a conversation.

Paul, you chat to the lizard, but hopefully, David had more success talking to the man in charge.

-And he'll do it for 60 dollars.

-OK.

-OK.

-Do you like it enough for 60 dollars?

-Yeah.

-Yes.

-I do. I do. Very much.

-So, 60 dollars, how many pounds is that? About £40.

-Yeah.

-That's quite good. I like that.

-Yeah.

-OK, shall we go for it?

-I think so.

-That's one in the basket for the Blues. Good haggling, David.

-Well done.

-Thank you.

-That's only taken ten minutes.

-Well done. That's very good.

Whoa, got things in our hand!

I don't know. For...?

-For custard maybe?

-Yes.

-Cream?

Do you like it by the gallon?!

I hardly know you from Adam, but I wouldn't have placed that in your camp.

-No, but I really think it's sweet.

-I'm seeing a whole new side of you.

-There you go, Paul.

-I'm loving it.

-LAUGHTER

Very interesting ceramics.

-We've got a dish.

-Unusual bowl.

Unusual pottery. With a kookaburra, so that relates to Australia.

-What about that little silver brooch?

-That's nice. I like that.

It says War Widows. What does it mean?

-I don't know.

-I do not know.

That's silver and they've got it priced at 125.

-I rather like that, don't you?

-It's different, isn't it?

-It is.

-Would you like to handle it?

-Yes, I think so.

It's Australian and it looks like there's some history behind it. Could they be on to a winner?

-We've spent a third of our hour. We should have bought something by now.

-We should have.

Look, it's here, it's here. Where on earth is it?

Keep looking, Reds. Stay focused. How are those Blues getting on with that brooch?

Oh!

That is lovely.

Look at that!

"War Widows Guild."

-It's dated 1951.

-Really?

-So would that be after Korea?

-After Korea.

-Yeah.

It says, "Finches, London."

-Really?

-Really?

-Yes.

-So that was produced...

-In London for the Guild...

-Of War Widows.

-To have come all the way out here...

-Yeah.

I think this was applicable to Australian war widows

because of the kookaburra.

-Why have a kookaburra on a brooch or a medal in London?

-Indeed.

-You know?

Now, it says "silver". I can't see any silver mark on it.

I think this is a cast metal. I don't think it's silver.

Time to haggle, David.

125? What's the best? It's not silver.

Um...

It is an unusual item.

70 dollars.

Would you do it at 60?

-OK. Yeah.

-OK.

That's 60 dollars.

I think that's quite good. I love the kookaburra.

-I like the history.

-Indeed.

-I like the history behind that.

-Hmm.

-I do. I think we should go for it.

-I think so.

-At 60?

-Yes.

So that's two up for the Blues.

Meanwhile, our nautical-themed Reds have found some men in uniform.

Little sailor boy there.

Frumpy-looking little guy, but look, we have his buddy,

an army chap.

They are novelty pepperettes, for salt and pepper.

And they originate...

..in Japan.

The dating too...

-the inter-war years.

-Right.

-Uniform-wise, that tallies entirely and aesthetic-wise, it ties in at 1920s.

-OK.

I find those...charming.

-Mm-hm.

-But it's a niche market.

-These are uncommon and with that military flavour and nautical flavour, I see an opening.

-Right.

-Immediate reaction, guys?

-You might make a few dollars. It depends on what you get it for.

-I mean, they're nice.

-There's a napkin ring there. Come round, guys. Look.

-Mesopotamia...

-Yeah.

-..which is Iraq. 1916.

The tag says, "World War One, souvenir silver napkin ring."

The legend and the depiction of the camels is in black against the silver.

-I see.

-Niello is the technique, niello work, Nielloware.

-I like that.

-Right.

-In terms of rarity and novelty,

what's that doing for you?

At the price, it could be right, if we get it down a bit.

-We've found two things in one cabinet. Why don't we get the man with the key?

-That's a good idea.

I'm going to talk to the man about Cabinet 31.

Remember, Paul, camel humps go up and down, a bit like exchange rates and auction prices.

-It looks to be a working one because the thread's going through.

-There's no handle on that one.

-There's a little screw at the side there.

-I see, yes.

-You're missing the handle to go round.

-Absolutely.

-So we'll leave that.

-That's Wedgwood.

-It's 395. Unfortunately, the dealer will not come down more than 10%.

Nothing like an expensive bull in a china shop!

The Reds have got their hands full and are ready to talk money.

Can I cut to the chase? They're worth 30, 40 bucks at auction.

Can they be bought for a price in that ballpark?

How about 45?

PAUL SIGHS

It's a good move.

-But is it good enough?

-Well, look, I'll throw another thing in.

We spotted this. It got better when it came out.

We saw a niello-worked white metal.

We've got to assume this is silver and that's an assumption.

-I thought, "Oh, my word! What did I pass there?" Royal Army Medical Corps device.

-Right.

So this was targeted at the Medical Corps guy

that was in Iraq or Mesopotamia then.

And the workmanship is good.

-I like that. It's a better thing than we have here.

-Sure.

These are priced... This is priced up at 48 and a half.

Is there any way it's 50 bucks for the three pieces?

55.

-Are we interested in these?

-I think 50 would be good for the three bits.

-That sounds like an offer to me. Are we making this offer?

-Yeah, 50.

-Right, OK.

-Job done?

-Yeah, job done.

-Thanks for that. Good work.

-Good work, guys.

-Thank you very much.

Well done, Reds. That's two items bought at 25 bucks each.

-We were behind schedule.

-Right.

-No longer because we nailed two purchases in a oner.

-Excellent.

-Get in there!

-Fantastic. All right!

Those Reds are on form.

Both teams have one more item to find

and the Barby has spotted something interesting.

-Do you know what that is?

-No.

-No.

That is quite a rare little item and it is a whistle for the end of a speaking tube.

-Really?

-So in large houses in Melbourne, in these posh houses, round about 1870,

they didn't have telephones, but they had speaking tubes.

That's good social history. I think we ought to have a look at that.

Go on, wet your whistle, David! It looks like Paul is turning up the heat with the Reds.

That is a screen. It would shield a lady's face from the heat of the fire to stop the make-up running.

-OK.

-Dating 1860, mid-19th century?

Turned black lacquer, gilt, abalone, mother-of-pearl inlay.

-But look, can't forgive it this.

-No.

Priced appropriately, 85 bucks, but we're not buying anything we're going to have to apologise for.

I'm extremely sorry to hear that, Paul.

Come in, David. Are you receiving me?

Come in, number one. That would be for the servant on the top floor

-or it could have been on a boat.

-It could very well.

-It should whistle.

BLOWING SOUND

If there was a whistle, that would affect its saleability, wouldn't it?

-LAUGHTER

-Not tasty, I can see.

-No.

But a good piece of social history. There's no price on it.

-We can work out something with it.

-What, 20 dollars?

-Uh...

-Ten?

Uh...I'll do it for 20.

Allowing for one or two nicks on it, it's such an interesting piece.

I think we should go with it because we've gone back to quirky.

This is quirky to Patricia and I because frankly, we've never seen it before.

-Interesting social history point of view. I think this is good.

-Indeed.

-Sir, you have a sale.

-OK.

-Reluctantly at 20 dollars.

Thank you very much indeed.

So shopping is over for the Blues, but the pressure is still on for the Reds.

Guys... Da-da-da-daah!

-Oomph!

-Wow!

-"Wow" was good.

-Interesting.

-Doing anything for you beyond interesting?

It looks like a Viking helmet upside down.

That's not helping me because it's not, but the British Museum would be very interested if it was.

What's it made out of?

-Pewter.

-And these little coloured bits, what are they?

-It looks like turquoise, but it's...

-It's glass enamel.

-Absolutely.

-Yeah.

-It's a striking form.

-Yes, it is.

-It's Tudric...

-Tudric?

Liberty retailed, but there's a problem.

-It's damaged to the enamel.

-Yeah, there's quite a bit of damage.

-There is damage to the enamel.

-But we can forgive it a certain amount of damage if it transpires that it's a good thing.

-Sure.

-It is. I'm liking this.

-Right.

-What sort of year do you think it would be?

-That's very early 20th century. 1910?

-1910, yeah.

145...

I think if I could buy that for 60 dollars, there's a profit in it, and if we're lucky, a big profit.

-Um...

-I like it.

-You like it?

-Hmm.

-All right, then we can do it.

-Better have a word with the boss then.

-20 bucks?

I personally think around about 40, 50 dollars.

When you say 40, 50, I only hear one number.

-OK.

-Guess which one that was?

-I'll meet you in the middle. We'll shake hands?

-Yeah, make it 30 and we've got a deal.

-Wonderful. Thank you very much. Thank the man.

-Thank you very much.

Wow, that's a cheeky offer! What a bargain!

Australia, your time is up.

Let's remind ourselves of what the Red Team bought.

A set of Japanese novelty salt and pepper pots were picked up

for a well-seasoned 25 Australian dollars.

A First World War silver napkin ring was acquired for another 25 bucks.

And finally, a Liberty, enamel, pewter vase set them back only 30.

-So how much did you spend then?

-80 dollars.

-80 dollars?!

-I mean, this is a joke, isn't it?

-We're on a tight budget(!)

500 Australian dollars, all this conversion business from sterling into dollars and you spend 80?!

That's due to our great haggling skills, Tim.

It's what I call tight. That's what I call it. I don't know about haggling.

I'll have 420 dollars then. Thank you very much.

With that lot, Paul, you could buy half this store.

Indeed I could.

Right now I am so happy with our last purchase, the you-know-what, Ernie the urn,

that I'm thinking, "How on earth can I keep up that standard of luck?"

LAUGHTER

I think he really is pleased with the Liberty piece, I tell you!

Why don't we remind ourselves of what the Blue Team bought, eh?

60 bucks was forked out for a Victorian string ball holder,

modelled as a mortar in treen.

A Korea campaign War Widows Guild badge cost them 60 dollars

and lastly, a late 19th century speaking tube mouthpiece and whistle

cost them 20 dollars. What a mixture!

-So how much did you spend all round?

-We spent 140 dollars.

140. I would like 360 dollars of leftover lolly.

Thank you. 360 dollars. Yet another fortune going across to Mr Barby.

It is a fortune. Such a responsibility as well!

-We have confidence.

-Every confidence.

-Thanks. Sounds like a cue for a song!

-We believe!

Good luck, David. Good luck, team.

Meanwhile, we're heading out of Melbourne to the south,

to the Mornington Peninsula, to a property called The Briars.

Tucked away in this delightful bit of countryside about an hour south of Melbourne

is this delicious property, The Briars,

home to the Balcombe family for over 130 years

until it became state property in the 1970s.

It's interesting historically partly because of its architectural peculiarities

and also because it's home to a group of artefacts,

associated with one of France's most historic characters.

The story of The Briars in Australia actually starts here at The Briars on St Helena,

the island in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean

to which Napoleon was exiled in 1815.

He initially lived in this guest pavilion

in the garden of The Briars owned by William Balcombe,

an English East India Company agent.

Both he and his family gave Napoleon a warm welcome for which the former emperor was very grateful.

He gave them a number of small personal possessions

which they have treasured as a family for ever thereafter.

In particular, he had an attachment

with Balcombe's youngest daughter Betsy.

Later, in 1844,

she wrote this book which is entitled Recollections Of The Emperor Napoleon.

And in it, she describes their house on St Helena.

"Our cottage was built in the style of the bungalows in India."

And you can see here in the illustration in the book The Briars on St Helena

with its long veranda.

It looks very much like The Briars here in Australia.

She says, "It was very low, the rooms being chiefly on one floor

"and, had it not been for its situation, would not have been thought so pretty."

The Napoleonic collection here is quite diverse

and offers the visitor a terrific insight to this great French figure.

In 1823, Balcombe was appointed Colonial Treasurer to New South Wales.

He moved to Australia

and he brought his furniture, possessions and precious Napoleonic objects with him,

which included, amazingly,

this guitar.

In 1816, Napoleon played the guitar with his friend, Betsy Balcombe.

She sang.

Sometimes Napoleon sang and Betsy played,

but Betsy said that the Emperor Napoleon couldn't hold a tune for toffee nuts.

When William Balcombe moved to Australia, he named his estate near Canberra The Briars.

When his son moved here just outside Melbourne in 1846,

he renamed this property The Briars also,

thus keeping the St Helena name and connection alive.

The oldest part of this building is made from a pre-fabricated structure imported from Britain.

When Alexander Balcombe first moved here in the mid-19th century,

there weren't any raw materials available in the colony to provide basic shelter,

so if you didn't want to live in a pre-fab, you'd stay in a tent

and, believe you me, living in a tent round here

with all those snakes and creepy-crawlies would not be funny.

This room is thought to have been their bedroom.

Now, to our eye today, this does look a bit utility.

OK, fine, it hasn't been furnished,

but believe you me, in 1846,

to have a space that's lined with tongued-and-grooved boards,

effectively providing a hermetic seal,

would be thought to be jolly nice,

plus you've got a fireplace, so you'd have a degree of warmth and comfort.

Next door is the living room.

Goodness only knows how many hundreds of thousands of these structures

were exported around the world in pre-fabricated form,

but most of them have disappeared,

gobbled up by the white ant and the termite.

But this one has survived OK and it's a real thrill to be able to see it.

The big question today, of course, is over at the auction.

Is it going to be all thrills or spills for our teams?

Time to head north to Sydney, for it's at Lawsons Saleroom

that we'll be selling our Australian teams' items.

Today, we're in the safe hands of auctioneer Luke Jones.

-Good morning, Luke.

-Good morning, Tim.

Now, Bruce and Brian, the dynamic duo,

have gone with these Japanese novelty salt and pepper pots.

How do you rate these, Luke?

They are a bit of fun. Would've been popular back in the day, straight after the war, 1920s.

These days, as a Japanese kitsch item,

they would be collectable again.

-Not a huge amount, though.

-No. Like how much?

-About 5 to 10.

-Oh, dear. 25 dollars they paid. That's not so swift.

-Next up is this charming little serviette ring.

-Yes.

That's a jolly nice thing.

It is silver and niello, another very collectable piece.

You've got the silver collectors there, the war collectors there.

I would be thinking around the 40 to 60 mark.

Jolly good. 25 dollars they paid.

What about this spectacular, final pewter item?

Well, a very collectable piece there.

Unfortunately, it has seen better days.

What we've got here is a genuine piece of Liberty's pewter,

stamped "Tudric", so that means it was made by Liberty's

at the important period, around about 1900, 1910,

and the designer is Archibald Knox.

-Yes, a very well-known designer.

-So great ingredients wrapped up in this pot.

-I'd be thinking around 80 to 120.

-That's brilliant.

-That cunning fox Paul Laidlaw only paid 30 dollars for it.

-He did very well.

I mean, this thing, if it was in good condition, would be worth 600 to 800 dollars at least.

-That's right, yeah.

-So for him to find it for 30 is very clever.

-Yes.

Overall, depending on how Archibald Knox gets on,

they won't need their bonus buy, but let's have a look at it anyway.

OK, BB,

80 dollars spent - pathetic!

420 dollars across to the man for your bonus buy.

-Paul, what did you spend?

-Guys, we were looking for something nautical or marine.

Believe it or not, these fit the bill.

-Crikey!

-Exactly. Let me tell you what they are -

Admiralty Pattern 12115, Second World War,

-specially designed binoculars for Combined Operations, Commando use.

-Wow!

-Rather advanced and lightweight. Plastic construction, plastic lenses.

-Wow!

-Rare beasties.

-Wow, look at that!

-When you first revealed it, I thought they were egg cups.

On the field, they used to use it for egg cups and binoculars, so dual purpose.

Oh, my word! Can I see?

-Don't drop 'em.

-No, I won't.

-Wow!

-Do you see any ships?

I do, lots of ships. Strewth, that's a bonzer ripper of a buy!

-That translated means it's quite a good one.

-We think so.

It cost me 35 dollars.

-Oh!

-Worth at auction 50 to 100 dollars.

50 to 100? Oh, Paul, you've done us proud.

-It's marvellous.

-It's a bargain.

-You don't have to choose until after the sale of your first three items.

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

Right then, Luke, a little test for Second World War equipment.

Second World War Combined Operations.

It's seen a few things, it's had a few stories to tell. Anything war-related is very collectable.

I would be thinking around 30 to 50.

OK, 35 dollars for Mr Laidlaw, but he really rates these

cos he likes the Commando, the Special Boat Squadron connection,

-the Cockleshell Heroes, all those wonderful people who were issued bits of equipment like this.

-Mm-hm.

I think they're pretty rare. That's it for the Reds.

Now for the Blues.

First up is the treen, mortar string box, which is really strange, isn't it?

It's a bit of fun for the desk.

-What do you think it's worth?

-Around the 30-dollar mark. 20 to 30.

20 to 30 dollars. They paid 60.

Maybe they paid too much for it, but I can quite understand because it's an attractive object.

Next is the War Widows brooch. What have you found out about that, Luke?

He is a well-known maker, the badge maker, Hungarian, Andor Meszaros.

And it's a Korean War badge, 1951.

Possibly silver. No marking, but it has the look and the feel.

You've got the kookaburra there, very collectable. We'd be thinking around the 20 to 30 mark again.

-60 dollars they paid.

-We've had a lot of queries about it, so we could get a little surprise there.

-There we go. 20 to 30 dollars is not a lot, is it?

-No.

What about the speaking tube orifice?

Again a novelty piece. Was practical back in the day. Not much use for it any more.

-No, most people would use a telephone.

-It's a talking point, sitting there on the mantelpiece.

-Blow a raspberry down it. How much?

-I'd be thinking 30 to 40.

Very good man. 20 dollars they paid.

Depending on how you get on with a War Widows Guild pin, they may or may not need their bonus buy,

but let's have a look at it anyway.

-So, Trish, Russ, how are you feeling?

-Very well, thank you.

-Very well, thank you.

You spent 140 dollars. You gave that David Barby, that naughty David Barby 360 dollars.

-What did you spend it on, Dave?

-Something absolutely brilliant.

-Oh!

-It's Lladro.

If you think of Spanish pottery after the Second World War,

you think of Lladro and this is an early piece, so we're looking at '50s, '60s.

It's an Eskimo group and it's a large, heavy piece of ceramic art.

-What do you think?

-I like it.

-Just hold it. Cuddle it!

-Oh, yes, OK.

-You've got to be quite strong.

-It's heavy.

-I'm not allowed to hold things until I know the price.

-Well, I spent the whole lot, 360 dollars.

-You blew the lot?

-I blew the lot.

-You are such a punter, David Barby.

-I think so. It was my last flourish of buying.

But Lladro is very popular, so we should do well.

I would guess that of all the second half of the 20th century ceramic factories,

-Lladro has been the most successful worldwide.

-Indeed so, indeed so.

Those look lovely and there's so much weight to it.

Right now, you relax because you pick it after the sale of your first three items,

but for the viewers at home, let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about David's Lladro.

-Here we go, a couple of Eskimos for you.

-Wow!

-No igloo.

-Lladro, a big piece. Smaller pieces generally come through most weeks.

A smaller piece would be around the 70-dollar mark.

-A piece like this, I'd be thinking around 200 to 250.

-200 to 250? Right.

360 dollars Mr Barby paid. It's supposed to be a bonus buy to earn them some profits.

-We could be struggling.

-He could be out in the cold, like those Eskimos. Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-So how are you feeling, Trish?

-Excited.

-Are you?

-Busting.

-Absolutely busting.

-Busting what?

-Busting.

-That's a new one on me. That's presumably very excited?

-Overflowing. Overflowing with exuberance.

-Oh, busting?

-Busting.

-Brilliant. What about you, Russ?

-I'm absolutely just stoked. It's great.

-Good.

-Tremendous. Thank you.

First up is the treen mortar and here it comes.

Lot number 133

is the mid-19th century, treen, model mortar.

-Look at that!

-Great fun, this one, and it starts with me at 20.

-A low 20. At 20 here.

-20?

-25, I'm out already. At 25. 30.

5. 40. 5.

-50.

-Go on!

-Come on!

-50 now seated.

With madam at 50. Are you sure...?

GAVEL BANGS 50 it is.

-50 is minus 10. Disappointing.

-Yeah.

-Now...

The Korea campaign, cupronickel War Widows badge

by Andor Meszaros.

A bit of interest starts it away at 80 with me.

At 80. 90. 100.

100 now with me. At 100. Anyone else? Are we done?

Very, very quick on that - 100.

Plus 40. There's nothing the matter with that, kids.

Lot number 135, the late 19th century, lignum vitae speaking tube,

mouthpiece and whistle.

-This has to sell.

-I have interest with me.

It starts away at 60 here. At 60 this time.

60 now with me. No-one else?

60, lonely absentee bidder. Sure at 60? Last chance?

-Such a pity.

-Still...

-60 is plus 40 again.

You had plus 30 before. You've now got plus 70.

-Nothing the matter with that, a 70 profit.

-Indeed.

-What are you going to do about these Eskimos?

-We have to go with them.

-They're beautiful.

-Do you?

-Oh, yes.

-It's a 360 investment and you already have a profit of 70.

-Positive.

-Trish has been with Eskimos, the real ones.

-In Alaska.

-And she feels confident.

-Have you been making any calls to the Eskimos?

-I haven't made any calls.

-I'd have made a few calls.

-I was there three years ago.

-Are we going to go with the Lladro?

-Yes.

-We'll go with the Lladro.

-I have every confidence.

-I have to tell you that the auctioneer's estimate is 200 to 250.

-He's wrong.

-All right.

Lot number 139 is the large Lladro, Eskimo figure group.

Again with interest, it starts away here at 300.

-300.

-That's a good start.

325. 350. 75, I'm out.

-We're in profit.

-At 375.

-400.

-Well done, David.

-425.

-425.

-425.

-That's very good.

At 425, with sir. Anyone else?

-Where's 450?

-Yes...

-425.

-Well done, David. That is a lovely profit of 65.

-That's great.

-65 on top of your 70, right,

means that you are plus 135.

-Right.

-Which could be a winning score. This is going to be an exciting finish.

-Don't say a word to the Reds.

-We'll say "ssh".

-Ssh! All will be revealed in a moment.

-Bruce and Brian, two legends...

-Legends.

-..of the Australian scene.

-How are you feeling?

-I'm feeling absolutely great.

-What about you, Brucie?

-Confident. Very confident.

-Lovely.

As you spent such a miserable amount of money, I suppose you can only be confident.

It's a record.

First up are the salt and pepper shakers.

Lot number 120 is the Japanese, 1920s, novelty salt and pepper pots.

Great little things. Where do we start these? 50?

50? 30 then surely now?

-Come on.

-30? 30 up back. At 30 now way up back.

At 30. 35.

At 35 in front. Again? 40?

Shake of the head in front.

At 40. I'll leave it open to the room. Anyone else?

-Oh, yes, 40.

-Finished and done at 40...? 40.

40 is plus 15. We love that, lads.

-We do.

-That's a drink.

-A big night there!

Lot number 121, the silver and niello World War One napkin ring.

I have a bid here of 30 now with me.

-At 35. 40.

-We're already in profit.

-5. 50.

-50 with me now.

-Doubled your money.

-Seems awfully low at 50.

60, new bidder. 60 now seated.

60 now, are we sure? Over and finished at 60...?

-Hey!

-GAVEL BANGS

60, you are the champions, aren't you?

That gives you 25... That gives you plus 35 on that.

-Now the exciting item. Here it comes.

-This is the one.

Lot number 122 is the Liberty Tudric, enamelled "mortar" vase.

Again I have interest at 50 now with me, straight away.

60. 70. 80. 90.

100, I'm out. 100 now in the room.

-100 now. Anyone else?

-Come on.

-Are we done at 100?

-Sure?

-Oh, no.

-Surely more? What? What?

It's a profit of plus 70. You had 50 before. You've just made 70.

You are 120 up

-which is...

-A clean sweep of profits.

-..pretty good.

You have a profit on each item which is always nice.

Are you going to go with the Admiralty Pattern fellow?

-We should definitely go with the bonus buy.

-OK.

-Are you going to do it?

-Yeah.

-All right.

-They're very good.

-You've done well so far.

-We're going with the bonus buy and here they come.

Lot 126, the World War Two Combined Operations and Airborne binoculars.

50? 50 surely?

30 then to start it? 30 now.

At 30 now with sir. 35 behind. 40. 5.

50. 60. 70.

At 70 now, with the first bidder at 70. Anyone else? Are we done?

At 70, last chance...?

-Well done, Paul.

-Great.

-70, 70...

-Well done.

-It's a profit of 35.

-Excellent.

-We like the 35 profit there.

-That is a ripper!

-Which means overall, you are 155 up!

-Wow!

-That's terrific.

-Isn't it terrific?

-Brilliant.

-It really is terrific.

The only problem is, you're going to have to keep quiet about it.

-I will.

-Are you going to be able to stay mum?

-Absolutely, poker face.

-Not a word.

-Don't say anything to the Blues, all right? Lovely.

-All will be revealed in a moment. Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-Have you been chatting about your individual scores?

-No.

-You haven't?

Well, they're massive. That's all I can say.

It's a tribute to Australia, these massive profits on Bargain Hunt.

And the team that has done extremely well,

but nevertheless is the runner-up today, are the Blues.

BLUE TEAM: Aw!

It's never right, is it really?

Can we go home now?

You've made profits, substantial profits,

and I'm going to dole out 135 to you fellas.

135, which is a substantial lump. Good luck, you two. We've loved having you on the programme.

But the victors today who are going home with 155...

-Yeah!

-155, pretty good, isn't it?

-It's a ripper!

-In fact, so many profits on your items

that you're entitled to the golden gavel!

Ohh!

These don't get doshed out very often. There we go, three of 'em.

-That one's for you, Brucie.

-Thank you.

-There you go, Brian. That's yours.

-Thank you very much.

-And one for Mr Laidlaw.

-Thank you.

-To get a profit on all three items is rare and I congratulate you.

We have had a "splendido" day.

We need to invite you to join us soon for some more bargain hunting.

-Yes?

-Yes!

Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd 2012

Email [email protected]