Ardingly 19 Bargain Hunt

The antiques are out, the stalls are open, what are we waiting for?

Let's go bargain hunting!

The Ardingly International Antiques And Collectors' Fair

is our scene today, bargain hunters, where our teams

are going to have to struggle through

literally hundreds of stalls to see what there is on offer.

But before that, why don't we see what's coming up?

The boys are caught red-handed.

Can you call the police?

I think they're trying to nick my watch.

But will they catch a profitable bargain or three?

-Mark's light fingers catch him out.

-Hey, give me my plate back!

-Oh.

Will the game be a steal for the Blues?

And will the auction drive them all to despair?

-Oh!

-Please, no.

So, today, for the Reds, we have brothers Robert and Christopher.

And Catherine and Malcolm, a married couple, for the Blues.

-Hello, everyone.

-Hello, Tim.

-Really love to see you.

-Now, Chris, you're the eldest brother, is that right?

-I am indeed.

I'm the eldest, but as you can see, he is the biggest.

-What does that mean, chunky?

-No.

-He's a gym enthusiast, so much bulkier than I am.

-I see.

And you've got a lot in common when it comes to your tastes.

Both of us spent years of actually doing karate

-and we both attained our second dan black belts, as well.

-Technically,

according to the government, we are dangerous people.

What, two fingers and you could kill me at three yards?

-One finger.

-Oh, one finger!

I am going to keep out of the way today, I can tell you that.

Have you got any collecting interest?

-Do you know about antiques?

-Our dad's got a...

He is a collector, and has been for some time.

Has that rubbed off him?

-We hope so.

-What sort of things does your dad collect?

It's mainly Victoriana that he collects.

-Particularly Gilbert and Sullivan, bits and bobs.

-Really?

-Getting to be difficult to find that.

-Yeah.

I don't see much HMS Pinafore lurking about.

-Anyway, so, you're full of confidence?

-Yes.

-Youth is on your side. You have incredible energy, right?

-Yes.

-You're going to go out there and win?

-Obviously.

-Yes.

That's the attitude. Now, are you quaking in your boots, you two?

-Absolutely.

-I'd say, don't fall out with them, all right?

Whatever they say, if they look a bit aggressive, agree.

-We'll run.

-Yes, that's it.

So, Catherine, how did you and Malc meet?

We met on a cruise, and I spent a week running away from him.

Then we came back a couple.

They say this cruising is very romantic.

-Well, 41 years.

-41 years ago?!

-Today.

-Today?

-It's not your 41st wedding anniversary!

-It is.

That is something else! Well, congratulations. How lovely.

So, where were you cruising to, can you remember?

-A cruise around the Greek islands.

-But it all went wrong.

-Oh, yes.

-Did it?

-It was meant to be a luxury cruise ship and it wasn't ready,

so they put us on a converted car ferry.

Oh, lovely. That sounds really romantic.

We had two deck chairs and one tennis ball between about 300 of us.

Well, never mind.

There wasn't anything else to do, so we had to get together.

You had to fall in love. How sweet is that?

Malcolm, you are retired now. What did you do before you retired?

Well, I worked in a bank for 25 years and became assistant manager.

Walked out, we bought a shop

down on the south coast and then I started a driving school.

I did that for 17 years and put 1,200 new idiots on the road.

Oh, I love that. That is another good one.

-You don't drive, you two, by any chance?

-No.

-Very sensible.

-He's retired now.

-Don't go to Malcolm's driving school,

that's what I can tell you. Anyway, your luck is

about to be tested cos here is your £300. £300 apiece.

You know the rules. Your experts await. And off you go!

And very, very, very good luck.

Well, our teams are going to need some expertise

to help them in their profiteering.

For the martial-arts-loving Reds, it is the gavel-wielding auctioneer

Ms Anita Manning.

And for the Blues, they will be relying on the experience

and know-how of Mr Mark Stacey.

-You guys are into martial arts.

-We are indeed.

How exciting is this!

-Are we going to slash our way to profit?

-We are.

We're going to chop our way to it.

-Your anniversary?

-41 years.

41 years, and it doesn't seem a day or too long.

I don't know about that.

-You like jewellery?

-Yes, yes.

-Oh! I love jewellery!

-I knew that would suit you.

-We've got an hour.

-With your help, we'll do it.

HE LAUGHS

-Oh, you mad fools!

-Wonderful, they've got faith in you, Mark.

What could possibly go wrong? Don't answer that.

When you are bargaining, the most valuable tool, my darlings,

is a lovely, big smile.

-Smile?

-A big smile.

-We've got those.

-Have we got those?

A karate chop, delivered with a smile. That'll do it.

I think this guy climbs up the rope.

-You know?

-Oh, right, there you go.

-There we go.

-That looks like hard work.

They're made in China. Made in China.

Tinplate toys. This looks like a sort of Donald Duck character.

-Yeah, nice colours to him.

-OK. Mm...

Hello. We were just wondering the price of your tinplate toys.

-They're various prices, from £30 to £40.

-In that? A-ha.

-So, maybe keep them in mind.

-Yeah, yeah.

-Tinplate toys, collectibles.

-Yeah.

-OK, guys. Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Something to toy with there, Reds.

Now, can Mark propel the Blues into action?

My grandfather was an aviation pioneer.

Shall I pick it up and we can have a look at it?

I don't think I'd manage to pick it up. Oh, isn't it beautiful?

-Do you like that?

-I do!

I don't know whether anybody would want it.

Well, you know, polished up and things, that would look rather nice.

But where would you stick it, Mark?

It looks to me...

The clock has got a nice retailer's mark there from Portsmouth.

-I think it is gorgeous.

-Should we ask how much it is?

-Malcolm?

-Yeah.

How much is the propeller?

-One and a half, 150.

-An awful lot of money for one thing.

Well, it is a nice-looking thing. It is quite unusual.

-It is very unusual.

-And I like your reaction, you know,

that your grandfather was in aviation.

-He had his own airport.

-Did he? Whereabouts?

-Up in the Midlands.

-Radcliffe.

-Really? How wonderful!

Well, it just fits you perfectly.

Well, it does, rather.

-What about the price, though?

-Well...

-It's an awful... 150.

Let's think about it. I don't think it is going to get sold very quickly.

It doesn't look like it, it's been here all day.

-We can always come back to that and think about it.

-It is lovely.

That's one to think about, Blues,

but you're going to have to start haggling sooner or later.

Best foot forward.

-What sort of price is it?

-75.

-What would be your best price on that?

-85.

THEY LAUGH

These stall holders are a canny lot.

-This is great.

-Oh, actually...

-You like those, boys?

-Yeah, let's have a look.

That one, I think, is rather nice.

I quite like that one, as well, actually.

-That's the most expensive one.

-They have got good taste, haven't they?

-85.

-85. A-ha.

These are made of agate, and these agates were found

in the burns and streams and the shores of Scotland.

-Oh, right.

-And they were taken down to Edinburgh, to the New Town,

where you had people who polished and sliced these stones

and mounted them on silver, on these lovely pieces.

So, they came from the burns.

But could that arrow get us a profit?

Well, would it matter that...? It might just be I'm not seeing it,

-but would it matter that it's not hallmarked?

-Yeah.

No, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter on these at all.

-Because they'd be doing it for the design.

-Yeah,

they're doing it for the design.

The absolute death, and there's no bidding, no further bidding,

-is £75.

-What do you think?

-I think we should go for it. I like that.

-I think so.

I think you've made a good decision, boys,

because you've bought the best,

and the best will always be fancied.

-That's lovely.

-Thank you so much. Cheers. Thank you.

Well done, lads, that's your first lot got.

And, surprise, surprise, it's a wee bit Scottish.

-That is a hell of a lump.

-It is, isn't it?

You'd need a strong wall to hang it on, wouldn't you?

Well, yes.

That is probably a terrible amount of money.

-Yes, I'm sure it is.

-Shall we have a laugh?

-Go on then, let's have a laugh.

-How much is your panel here?

-It's way out of your range.

-I thought it might be.

-That'll do.

Thanks, that'll do. Well, we did well.

That's told us, hasn't it?

It is going according to plan so far, isn't it?

Don't lose heart, Blues, there's plenty to choose from.

The trick is being decisive and coming prepared.

Speaking of coming prepared...

Do you want a wee glass?

-Oh, he's got his own glass!

-We brought one along just in case.

Well done! I think I've got a couple of professionals here.

Well, well, well, that hasn't seen ink for a few years.

December, 1901.

Yeah, so it's over 100 years old,

just the beginning of the Edwardian period.

And it's been given to someone as a presentation,

-which means that it's the best.

-That's quite nice.

And you have a further detail on the base of it, where it's cut.

-The glass is nice.

-That's good.

I mean, why take the bother?

Is there any damage round there? That's very important.

It seems to feel in pretty good order, actually.

It has been an item which has been loved.

It has been given as a gift and it has been treasured and cherished.

Right, yeah.

And could you imagine if it were...? It's a teacher it was given to?

It's given by the...

"For 25 years' service by a few friends and parents."

So, it may have been that it was a schoolteacher.

Yeah, that sounds about right.

In thanks for all the help she has given to children.

-How much is this one?

-It's marked for 150.

Can you take a bit off of it for us?

I'll do 125.

125. What do you think, guys?

-I think we should go for it, definitely, yeah.

-I agree.

-I think you've chosen quality again, guys.

-Well, only the best.

Only the best. They're going to take it. Thank you very much.

Cheers, thank you.

Only the best will do. But will it do best at auction?

That's two items, guys. Two items, yeah. We've got one more.

20 minutes gone. Anita and the Reds are racing ahead of the Blues.

-I think we've done very well so far.

-You like that inkwell.

-I do, yeah.

I like the brooch. Very nice indeed.

Anita's guiding us, keeping us in line, I think, as well.

The boys are doing wonderfully well.

Often you get complacent if you bag the first two quickly,

and you lose time.

So, I'm going to remind them that they don't have a lot of time left

and they have got to find something really quite quickly.

Quite right. No time for complacency here, especially not

in the Blue camp. Come along, chaps, let's get you off the mark.

Eh, Mark?

-Would have you seen there?

-I just rather like it.

Well, it's very typically late 19th century. I think it's continental.

-It has got very old hangers on it.

-Yeah, it's very old.

And the subject's quite pretty, isn't it?

With the bluebirds and the ducklings.

Oh, it is signed there. Look, 1882.

-It's...

-It's really quirky.

-It is. I think it's absolutely gorgeous.

-Have we got a dealer?

-How much is this?

-180.

-Oh, gosh, it's 180.

Shame it's so expensive.

We do have to buy things, though,

and I think Malcolm is rather taken with this. Aren't you, Malcolm?

-I am.

-That is so beautiful. Well, let's think about it.

-OK.

-If we have to...

-OK. That's two things we're thinking about now.

And maybe sometime we'll buy something, hopefully.

I think Mark is going to have to get pretty firm

with these Blues and get them haggling. It's the name

of the game if you want to piece together some good profits.

And I'm trying to piece together something rather special

that's caught my eye here.

So, what's all this? A heap of old junk?

Well, there are some rather strange parts here.

Sad face, bearded, mournful.

Next door, a piece of torso.

With fantastic abs, look.

And then that bit in the middle,

it's something fishy, it is the tail of the fish

covering up his crown jewels.

Here we have got another piece, back view.

And underneath that, two detached arms

and then some squiggly bits of metal at the bottom.

Well, the secret with this thing is that the metal

that's been used is bronze.

In sculpture, it denotes something of some quality.

Now, if I pick up the face of this character,

that actually is extremely finely defined.

If you pick up the torso bit,

you get to see this even better.

If I put the back part

and the front part together,

shove the face on top of the torso,

and hey, presto - this jigsaw starts to come alive.

And the two curlicue bits fit on either side

and they crawl underneath him and around him

because they are his tail, because this fellow is a merman.

Why is it in all these bits, though?

Well, the secret is that these bits have been used by a foundry master

to cast further editions of this particular piece of sculpture.

Well, I have never seen one of these prefabricated bronze casters' figures before,

and I think it's a pretty rare object.

As far as its date is concerned,

I'm hoping that it's French, late 17th century, early 18th century.

If I'm right, it ought to be worth about £3,000 or £4,000.

What might you have to pay for it here at Ardingly,

on an outside stall? It could be yours for £80.

Ooh, la, la!

40 minutes in and the Blues haven't bought a thing.

At this rate, they will never be crowned champions.

Oh, isn't that lovely!

It's a bit like sort of Edward The Confessor's crown, isn't it?

How beautiful.

-What have you found there?

-That.

Very regal.

Not convinced, Mark, eh?

I don't know what you would do with this.

No, not at all, but you could hang things from it.

Sort of kitchen utensils or something,

but it's actually a shade. I think it's a lampshade.

I think it probably is an old lampshade. Would it sell?

I have no idea.

But at some point in the game, we're going to have to dip

our hands in the pockets and say we are going to do something!

Absolutely.

Yes, that's the idea. Be firm, Mark,

-they'll spend something soon, surely.

-I like that.

-You like that?

-Yes.

-Malcolm, you spotted that, why did you pick up?

-What attracted you to it?

-Your heritage.

-What's your heritage?

-Oh, well,

I come from a titled family.

-Do you? Come on, spill.

-I descend from Henry VIII.

His sister, Margaret Tudor, was my grandmother.

-Grandmother?

-Yes.

-Great...

-Great-great-great-great-grandmother.

-I was going to say,

"A bit further back than that, darling."

-Otherwise, I would say you are aging very well.

-I am. Historic.

Well, look, it's priced up at £22.

Should I go and have a word with the dealer and see what we can do?

-See what we can do.

-All right. You carry on looking.

She said we can have it for £15.

-Well, I think that's a bargain.

-Yes.

-Well, I think we should say

-yes to that.

-I think so.

-That's our first purchase.

-15 quid.

-Done.

Hallelujah!

They look at some pricey pieces

and what do they cough up after all that? £15.

Come on, Blues, there is still £285 in the kitty

and not a lot of time.

Oh, yeah, that's quite nice.

-Should we have a look at it?

-Let's have a look.

-Have a wee look at it.

-Careful there.

-It's certainly big.

Have a look at the base, see if we have got a maker.

No maker as such.

It's just a nice, big Staffordshire pot.

It's quite substantial. Want to hold it?

It's going from... You boys like Victorian-style,

and this is going towards a simpler style,

into the Edwardian period.

-Should we ask him?

-Only if you...

I mean, we've still got a bit of time, guys,

-and there are still lots of places up there.

-Yeah.

-We know where it is.

You know where it is.

Yeah, I'd give that one the chop if I were you.

I love that red vase.

-This one?

-Yeah. Isn't it beautiful?

It's Doulton, isn't it?

You're absolutely right, it's Doulton,

and it's known as a range of ware called flambe,

where they have this very bright glaze.

And it's sort of painted with a fishermen.

They are normally by somebody called Noke.

This is... Yes, it says they are flambe woodcut.

And their shape number is 1617.

The mark is the mark for 1902 to 1932, I think.

It's...

I'm not hungry.

I'm checking to make sure it has not been restored.

-And it seems all right.

-I love the colour. I go for red.

Would you like me to see what the lowest price is from the dealer?

-Shall I do that?

-Yeah, OK.

-Yeah, that's more like it.

-Have a good haggle, Mark.

-Would you like it?

-Yeah.

The dealer says that the margin on this is a little bit tight.

-I would pay £80 for it.

-Well, that's the lowest she can take.

-80?

80. We've still got a bit of money to find...

-Maybe the plate that Malcolm liked so much.

-Absolutely, yes.

We could negotiate a bit on that.

-That's a good idea.

-And then we'd have our three items.

-What do you think?

-We'll go with that.

-I'll try, I'll just try one more.

-Try hard.

Nothing we wanted to buy, but everything we loved.

How lovely. A chap could get a bit misty-eyed.

-75.

-Done.

Well done, Mark, and the Blues are cooking with gas,

in a flambe style.

-See the wee lady's enamelled watch.

-That's quite nice, actually.

Very pretty at the back. That's so beautiful.

Give me 90 quid. Look at the enamel on that.

I don't know if it's Faberge or not.

If it was Faberge, you would know.

I leave it to you people.

That's a nice little watch. It's from the 1930s.

The porcelain of the face is in good condition.

It has this lovely green enamel around here.

So, we like that.

But even better, we turn it round to the back,

we see a nice picture of a romantic, young couple.

Looks as if they're walking on the beach.

-So, it's a nice watch. Is that one working?

-Yeah, it's guaranteed.

-Got a two-year guarantee.

-Two-year guarantee.

-Yep, it's ticking away like a good'un.

-Could we buy that for £50?

Can you call the police? I think they're trying to nick my watch.

-Well, it was worth a try.

-It's a beautiful watch.

Would you go to 70?

-Will it be cash?

-It's always cash.

-Shake hands.

-Is that all right with you guys?

-Cheers.

-Thank you. Very much.

-If you do well, come back and give me

-another few quid.

-I'll try and remember.

Yes, of course they will.

Ow!

So, that's it, Reds, third deal done. You can breathe easy.

The Blues are still one short and time is ticking away.

They have spotted a few pieces, but which to go for?

The big charger. You've packed it up, have you?

Look, it's come back out of the bag. Look at that.

Just think of the diesel you'll save not taking it home.

Has diesel really gone up that much?

That's a very good point.

I mean, it's lovely. I do love it. I just...

I haven't a clue what it will make at auction.

If two or three people love it, it will be great.

But 180 I think is quite a lot for us.

150?

-I can do 165.

-Oh!

Halfway? 160?

Go on, go on.

A dashing smile from Malcolm and it's job done for the Blues.

-I'm surplus to requirements.

-Nonsense, Mark.

They couldn't have done it without you.

Hey, bring my plate back!

That's it, shopping time's over.

Let's remind ourselves what the Red Team bought, eh?

Do you get the point?

First up, our boys and Anita found the Red's arrow.

The agate brooch costs them £75.

And they dipped their nibs in at the silver-mounted glass inkwell.

And it drew up at £125.

With plenty of time to spare, they found their third item,

a lady's enamelled wristwatch for a charming £70.

Three items of very nice quality, I'm delighted.

Hey, you ought to be delighted. Have you had a lovely time?

I had a lovely time.

-Was that a shopping experience to die for?

-Oh, it was.

-The best.

-Now, Robert, which is your favourite piece?

-Got to be the enamelled watch, Tim.

-Do you agree with that, Chris?

I think the watch is pretty good, but the arrow brooch

-is a close second for me.

-Is it?

Will that bring the biggest profit?

-I think the watch might.

-Bags and bags of cash.

Bags and bags of cash. Don't you love the attitude?

Talking of cash, how much did you spend?

-A whopping 270.

-£270, that is such a mature amount of money.

The brothers, I think, have it, don't you?

I think they have it in spades.

-So, who has got the £30?

-That would be me, Tim. I've got it.

-30 right there.

-Very good. Sort of meagre pickings for you today.

Well, it's not a lot of money and people are packing up,

so I'll have to get out and do a bit of work.

You will, you will. Anyway, interesting to see what happens.

Good luck, chaps. Relax up now.

Meanwhile, why don't we check out how the Blues are getting on, eh?

After much hunting, the Blues found their crowning first item.

But it hardly cost a king's ransom.

They were on fire with their second purchase -

the flambe vase cost them £75.

And they were drawn back to their hand-painted plate,

and spent £160. Wow.

But it all came together at the last minute, didn't it?

It did rather, didn't it?

Well, thank goodness it did all come together,

-otherwise we'd be in trouble, wouldn't we?

-We would, would we?

-Yes.

-Catherine, which is the favourite piece that you bought?

-The plate.

-That's your favourite piece? Do agree with that?

-I do agree with it.

-That's because you are such an agreeable couple.

-Well, 41 years.

-I know.

-I've had time to learn.

Quite right. Always agree. And what was the total expenditure?

-£250.

-250?

I'd like £50 of leftover lolly. There you go.

£50, 50 smackers for you. Mark, what are you going to spend it on?

I've got something they've always wanted in mind, Tim.

Have you?

Oh, that's a bit enigmatic. A bit too deep for us on daytime.

Anyway, good luck. Have a nice relax, team.

Meanwhile, we are heading to the west of England,

actually to Bristol. Oo-arr!

I'm here in Bristol, the home of the BBC's Natural History Unit.

The production teams here are responsible for bringing us some

of the most groundbreaking natural history programming of all time.

A profound interest in natural history has been one

of the defining features of British art in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Here at the Bristol Museum And Art Gallery,

is an artist's interpretation of a story of truly biblical proportions.

Galleries like this throughout the land are full of pictures.

They come sometimes by way of gift, sometimes they are acquired,

sometimes they come in all shapes and sizes.

But not so many come in the scale of this picture

by Jan Griffier. I mean, this is an enormous picture, isn't it?

I'm six feet tall - what's this?

12 feet by 12 feet, something like that.

And it is painted with oil on canvas and was completed,

we think, early in the 18th century, say about 1710, something like that.

It, of course, depicts the biblical scene of Noah and his Ark,

with the animals entering this enormous Baroque-looking ark

two by two.

By what is interesting is the way that Griffier

has seriously studied the animal form.

And you are able to identify species in their embarkation.

In part, that's because Griffier worked with the great

British ornithological and animal painter Francis Barlow.

They worked together in the 1680s.

And this etching shows a work after Barlow

that was engraved by Griffier.

To create an engraving like this, Griffier would have taken

a copper plate and covered it in some black, sooty, waxy stuff.

And then, with a variety of engraving tools,

would have scratched through the black,

sooty stuff and then inserted the copper plate into a vat of acid.

The acid ate away at the metal where the sooty stuff

was scratched away.

You removed the sooty stuff and there is the copper plate,

engraved with the drawing.

Ink it up, put it on a piece of paper and - hey, presto -

you create a delicious image like this.

Now, the similarities between this etching and the picture

are quite close, particularly in relation to these two animals.

The fellow in the foreground is quite clearly an ostrich.

But the bird next door to him is something called a cassowary.

Have you ever seen a cassowary?

Well, nor have I, actually, but they are apparently horrible birds.

They are extremely bad tempered, very unpredictable

and they are big and strong and perfectly capable of maiming

you or a zoo keeper, which is why we don't see so many in zoos.

They stay largely in New Guinea and Australia.

Whatever you might think of the picture,

you have to agree that it is big.

As big, we hope,

as the profits our teams are going to make today over at the auction.

From Ardingly, if you take the 272, which is the Pilgrim Way,

where do you pitch up? You pitch up in Canterbury,

at Canterbury Auction with Anthony Pratt, if you're lucky.

Good to have you back again.

Great. Now, Christopher and Robert, first up, with Anita,

have gone with this wee Scottish brooch.

Nice agate bar, isn't it?

It's a nice, little brooch,

with a banded agate in the centre there

and the silver. It's nicely engraved.

Yes. So, what is it worth, Anthony?

I have been a bit mean. It is probably worth £30 to £50.

30 to 50? 75 paid.

Full price, I think.

All right, fair enough.

Moving on to the little glass inkwell here,

which is solid silver-mounted.

-Is that a good thing or bad thing?

-I think it's nice quality.

The casting and the chasing is very nice.

And it's all there, hobnail-cut base.

It deserves to do well. It is a functional, useful piece.

-How much?

-80 to 120 on that.

-Oh, Lordy, £125 paid.

-A little too much.

Moving on to the watch.

How do you rate the gilt metal and enamel little wristwatch?

It's a reasonable quality wristwatch.

The enamel is good quality, but sadly, gilt metal, not silver.

Odd, that, isn't it? Because the enamel is great.

I mean, I love that little picture on the back.

-That's special, isn't it?

-Very good quality.

-It is surprising.

-OK, what's it worth then?

-I put £30 to £50 on it.

-They paid £70.

Uniquely, we have three objects,

which we are predicting too much has been paid for.

In which case, they'll need the bonus buy.

Let's go and have a look at it.

Well, Robert, Christopher, this is the moment.

We are nearly on the edge.

You gave Anita all of £30, not a fortune.

What did Anita spend it on?

You clever girl.

The boys and I were looking at tinplate toys earlier on,

so I bought them a tinplate toy.

-Oh, guys.

-Oh, Lord.

The stallholders were packing up, I was under time pressure,

I looked at this little creature.

It gazed at me with its light-up eyes,

which don't light up,

its poor, scruffy old coat and its broken paw

and my heart melted and I had to buy it.

Boys, I might have made a bit of a mistake.

But I couldn't resist it. It's Japanese, it's post-war.

I paid £15 for him.

We might get away with it, but what do you think?

Is he melting your hearts, boys?

-What do you reckon?

-It's quite funky,

isn't it? But the big question here, Anita, is...

Is it going to get us loads of money?

It's not going to get you loads of money, boys.

We get to cross our paws, actually, that's what we old dogs do.

Maybe a walk in the park.

A walk in the park. I think we'll stop while we're ahead

and find out what the auctioneer thinks about Anita's dog.

Well, Tony, here is something really special for you.

Thank you for that, Tim.

I really can't quite think what I'm going to say about this.

It's Japanese. Probably 1950s or '60s.

-But I think it's had a rather hard life.

-So odd, though, isn't it?

To have that Scotty tartan hat

and then really weird light-bulb eyes, watch-bulb eyes.

-Two different kinds of blue.

-Two different kinds of blue.

Anita paid £15. She rates it as a profitable opportunity.

-We went for two to five.

-Oh, did you? How embarrassing.

I've never had anything so low in my catalogue.

Have you never had such a low estimate? Lord.

Well, it's kind of you to try for us at all.

Anyway, that's it for the Reds, now for the Blues.

Their first item is weird.

That's the top of a chandelier or light fitting, isn't it?

Absolutely. Nice quality, but just missing the rest of it.

And on its own, is it worth a pound or two?

We've only put five to ten pounds on it.

-I think that's very generous.

-It is good quality.

Malcolm paid £15.

Anyway, it's neither here nor there. Moving on, is the Doulton.

-How do you rate that?

-Again, nice quality vase.

Not the most popular of patterns, but this one is a good example.

In good condition, as well.

-So, I've put £60 to £80 on this.

-£75 they paid.

What's much more my cup of tea, though,

is this earthenware plate.

-Isn't that just a honey?

-It's just stunning.

I think it's beautiful quality. It's been beautifully decorated.

I think it's a continental plaque that was sold in white

and then decorated by an amateur.

-But this amateur was a very good hand there.

-Yes. I mean,

if you look at those sweet little chicks,

they are straight out of Walt Disney

40 years before Walt Disney did anything.

And then the tits in the sky and the fruit...

I mean, every single respect that you look

at the decoration on that thing, it is amazing.

-It's got everything going on it.

-It's got everything going for it.

Lovely to hang in a nursery or something like that.

-Absolutely.

-What's it worth then?

-I put 80 to 120 on it.

OK, that's a good leading estimate.

-To tempt people.

-We hope it will tempt them,

because they paid 160 and they need all the tempting they can get.

All around, though,

I suspect they're definitely going to need their bonus buy.

Let's go and have a look at it.

Malcolm, Catherine, welcome.

You spent 250, you gave Mark Stacey £50 of leftover lolly.

Mark, what did you spend it on?

I spent it on something you've always wanted.

Something silver. Let me hand you that.

-It's a Guernsey milk churn.

-Isn't it beautiful!

-Do you like it?

-I do. On its own?

-No, funny you should mention it

as I'm going to hand one over to Tim.

-Oh, look!

-Look at that!

-Which is a pair of them.

-Do you like them?

-Oh, they're beautiful, yeah.

It doesn't stop there.

-It doesn't stop there cos there's a third one.

-No!

-Oh, my!

-How much did you have?

-Well, I had £50.

-Yes.

-And I blew the lot on these three.

-Are they're all silver?

All silver. I thought that was a pretty good buy, actually.

-£50 for three?

-You did want some silver, and I had that in mind.

-Because we have to listen to her, don't we?

-Absolutely.

So, I followed our orders.

What, he's deaf, he never listens to me.

-Well, isn't that nice? Do you like them, Malcolm?

-I do, very much.

How much are they going to make?

-There's got to be 20 to 30 profit in there.

-I would think so.

I hope so, anyway.

You don't think you're going to double your money then?

Well, you know, Tim, I like to keep a little bit in reserve.

-You don't want to tease too much.

-No, I don't want to tease.

I'd have a tease if I were you.

-It's the only profit we're going to make.

-Well, don't be like that.

It ain't over till the fat lady sings.

But for the audience at home,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Mark's little jugs.

-These are fun, aren't they, Tony?

-They are. Nice quality.

I don't know why in the Channel Islands, in particular,

they had this spherical milk and fluid container,

but it's attractive.

Yep. Always referred to as Jersey milk cans.

Normally a larger size than this, obviously.

These are miniature, little souvenirs.

But they are all silver, estimated at £70 to £100.

Oh, well that's good, because Mark paid 50.

A very good buy then.

The big question is will the team go with the bonus buy.

Anyway, we'll see.

-Now, Robert, Christopher, how are you feeling?

-Very well, thank you.

-Feeling confident?

-Yeah, I'd say so.

That doesn't sound so confident.

-I haven't decided yet.

-We're trying.

-That is difficult, isn't it?

Not deciding whether you're confident or not.

No, seriously, it's the moment, isn't it?

-It's always nice in a crowded sale room.

-Yeah.

-But you come to sales quite a lot, don't you?

-We do, yeah.

So, you know what it's all about.

The first lot up is going to be the arrow brooch, and here it comes.

This Scottish silver-metal-mounted agate brooch,

with arrow design.

A delightful little brooch here. Who will start me at £30?

-Come on.

-30 for the brooch? 30 I have.

35, where? Who's 35?

35 I have. 40. 45. 50.

-55?

-Go.

-55, someone?

-Come on!

Who is 55? Selling at £50, the bid standing.

-All in at £50 then.

-No money.

-£50.

-What a shame.

-That was a particularly pretty one.

-It was a good one, wasn't it?

-Yeah.

Now, here comes the inkwell.

Birmingham, 1900.

Been engraved there. Good quality inkwell then.

£60?

60 for the inkwell? 60 on the Internet.

65? 70? 75, the Internet. 75 where?

-I'm not liking this.

-70 I have in the room,

75 where? 75. 80? 85. 90?

90 for someone?

-Selling at £85. Are we all done then?

-£85.

Oh, no! Minus £40.

OK, that quickly, it's not too bad. Minus 65.

Now, here comes the enamelled watch.

Delightful little wrist watch with the enamel, decorative back.

We have commission bids, we start at £60. 65 where?

-That's close.

-Who is 65?

The watch there. 65 for someone?

Selling at £60 then. Are we all done then?

On commission at £60...

Sold for £60, which is minus ten pounds,

which means overall you are minus 75.

What are we going to do about the old dog?

Oh, we're going to go for it.

It's going to make us bajillions.

-We'll make loads of money with it.

-That's confidence for you.

-Anyway, that, I take it, is a yes?

-Yes.

We are going with the Japanese tinplate dog, and here it comes.

He is looking for new home. At 135-A.

-Ten pounds?

-Oh, please.

-Ten pounds I have.

-Somebody has gone for it.

-15 where? Who is 15?

15 I have, 20?

25. 30. 35? 35, someone?

Who is 35?

I have 30 on my left. 35 anywhere?

Selling at £30 then. Are we all done?

Well done, Anita, doubled your cash.

I wasn't barking up the wrong tree after all.

Yeah, you certainly weren't.

And it went for a walk at that, I tell you.

Anyway, that's plus 15,

which means, overall, your score is minus 60.

Now, the way things are today, that could be a winning score, right?

-Could be.

-On that basis, don't say a word to the Blues.

-Catherine, Malcolm, how are you?

-Very fine.

-"Very fine."

Do you know how the Reds got on? No? We don't want you to.

Anyway, first up then is the pendant fitting, and here it comes.

Continental brass crown pattern pendant mount. Good quality item.

Ten pounds?

Ten I have. 15 where?

15 for someone? Selling at ten pounds then.

-All done?

-No!

-Come on!

To our youngest customer.

-Terrible.

-Now, here comes the bottle vase.

These are Royal Doulton pottery flambe woodcut bottle-shaped vase.

A big decorative vase at 150-B.

-£50?

-Yes.

-50 I have.

55 where?

Who is 55 then?

I have £50 on my left.

55? 55. 60. 65. 70.

75? 75 for someone?

Selling at £70. The bid is still on my left.

-All done at £70?

-One more.

-Come on.

-No further bid then?

-£70, was it? Was it £70? It was, wasn't it?

-75.

Big imposing charger there, 16 in diameter.

Who will start me at £50?

50 where? 50. Hush out there.

-Come on!

-Is anybody out there at all?

£50, the charger. 50 I have.

55. 60.

60? 60. 65?

-70.

-Come on!

70? 75. 80. 85.

-90?

-It's creeping.

-No?

One more? 90.

95.

95. 100?

Top it off?

Selling at £95 then. All done then?

Oh, £95.

That's five off a 100, that's minus 65.

I'm afraid overall you are minus £75.

Minus £75, what are you going to do about the bonus buy?

-Are you going to go with it?

-We're going to go with it.

-Go with it.

-We trust the lad.

OK, you're going with a bonus buy, and here it comes.

The Victorian silver model of the Guernsey milk pail.

And the two other items with it.

Delightful little things or souvenirs of the Channel Islands.

£100, someone?

£100 I have. 110 where?

Who is 110?

110 I have. 120? 130?

Who is 130?

No further bid? Come on, there.

-Come on, one more.

-Come on, one more.

-Selling at 120.

-One more!

Nobody is into action here, apparently.

130 for someone?

Selling at 120 then.

The bid is on my left still.

Oh, bad luck. 120 means that's plus 70,

but as you are minus 75,

we are still minus five pounds.

So, you missed making a profit by only five pounds.

But you need to congratulate him for saving your bacon.

My gosh, that's a good show.

Well done, Mark. They wanted to blame you, too.

I know. I pulled them back.

Listen, minus five pounds could be a winning score,

don't talk to the Reds.

All will be revealed in a moment.

What a great day we've had.

Every single team has lost on every single item.

How about that? That is a stellar performance.

Congratulation to the Blues and congratulations to the Reds,

you have all done miserably badly.

But haven't we had a lovely time? It has been just bliss, hasn't it?

What we can do, though, is congratulate our experts

on the bonus buy,

because both of our experts have turned in a massive profit.

Mark, with your profit of £70

on the Guernsey silver pots

and, Anita, your £15 profit, darling, on the tinplate dog dog,

which gave us enormous amusement.

Thereby hangs the score a bit because, sadly,

the runners-up today are the boys.

ALL: Oh!

Your total score, lads, is minus £60, so it's no cash

-going home, all right?

-Really?

There's no shame if we had a good time.

-A brilliant time, thank you.

-I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Congratulations on your profit, Anita.

And the Blues are going away within a whisker of making money.

Sadly, you are only minus five pounds,

but you are still in the minus variety,

but helped out a lot by Mark's £70 profit on those jugs.

Well done for that. We came so close.

We've been so far. We've had a lovely time.

Join us soon for some more bargain hunting, yes?

ALL: Yes!

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