Portobello/Alexandra Palace 29 Bargain Hunt

It's that time again! We're here to give it some welly on your telly

here at Ally Pally! So, no time to waste willy-nilly!

No! Let's go bargain hunting! Yeah!

Alexandra Palace is our home for today,

but will these magnificent surroundings

be reflected in our teams' results?

Well, that's all up to the teams.

Let's have a quick squint at what's coming up.

'Today, JP tries subtle mind control.'

They're rather cute. I think they're lovely. They're rather sweet. You're the decision-maker here.

'While Mark's brain overheats.'

I think I might need to calm myself down a bit.

-I'll fan you.

-Thank you.

-'Ahh. Let's meet the teams.'

Well, we've got double daughter trouble on the show today,

because for the Reds, we've got Anne and daughter Sophie,

and for the Blues, we've got Donald and daughter Katy.

-Hello, everyone.

-ALL: Hello!

-Lovely to see you all.

Now, Anne, you're a nurse who has an aversion to blood. Tell us about that.

Well, I am a retired nurse, but I tried not to look.

And where and when did you start?

Started, oh, dear, 1966, I'm afraid to say,

-at the Radcliffe Infirmary at Oxford.

-You were very, very young.

-Yes.

-Yes.

And why the aversion to blood, then?

Well, I don't think I knew that that was going to be in the equation

-when I applied to be a nurse.

-No, no, quite.

-It was all going to be starched uniforms and Hattie Jacques.

-Yes!

-Exactly.

-And handsome doctors.

-That's right.

Now, you're trying to teach our Soph a thing or two about gardening, I'm told.

Yes. We've moved for the first time in nearly 40 years

about 700 yards down the road to a house with a bigger garden.

-Right. And you're a keen gardener?

-I am. And Soph's helping out.

-Yes.

-Soph's good at compost.

-Is she?

-Very good at compost. Yeah.

-But she'll progress.

-Really?

-Yes.

But you've been up to more than compost recently, haven't you?

I have, yes. I've had a baby recently, so I'm on maternity leave at the moment.

-Are you?

-Yep.

-And a he or a she?

-He. Small Hugo.

-Little Hugo.

-Yep.

Tell me, Soph, you had a spectacular wedding. Tell us about that.

-Yes. I got married in Westminster Abbey.

-You never did!

-I did.

And, in fact, by chance, we got married on the Queen's birthday,

so we had a fly-past and all the bells being rung. Nothing to do with us.

-Never!

-Yes!

-You came out of Westminster Abbey and you had a fly-past?

-Yep!

-That's a very good omen, isn't it?

-I hope so.

-HE LAUGHS

Well, I'm sure it will be. Now, how do you rate your chances today on the old Bargain Hunt?

-Are you going to do brilliantly?

-Totally brilliantly.

-Really?

-I think so, yes.

-OK, well, that's fighting talk.

That's what I like to hear. Women with spirit. Are you quaking in your boots, Blues?

Absolutely. THEY LAUGH

Now, Don, you love your job so much that you managed to delay retirement and you're never going to retire.

Well, never is a long time. But yes, I am continuing to work and travel.

-And what is your job?

-I look after a worldwide sales team

for a company that's involved with aviation and defence

-and marine parts and information.

-Right.

-Now, you married a Brit.

-I did.

-Are you a Brit yourself now?

I am not. Yet.

-But it's been 20 years, trying to learn the language.

-Yes.

-Well, I must say, your language is coming along just beautifully.

-Thank you.

-Now, Katy, you've just done an about-face in your career.

-I have.

-Tell us about that.

-I did a degree in media studies,

did a year or so interning for fashion and media companies

and it wasn't really for me, so I decided to become a primary teacher

-and I'm studying now and I love it.

-Do you?

-Yeah.

-And how long does it take you to get qualified?

-I'll be done by June.

Who knows, maybe one day you'll look after Hugo.

-Good luck!

-Thank you!

-Good luck says the mother with feeling.

-That's lovely. So you're much happier doing that.

-I am.

I'm much better with children than I am with grownups.

-What sort of things do you collect?

-I collect cameras, actually.

I have done for quite a while. I don't know what to do with half of them,

but I've got quite a big collection now.

Will you be buying cameras to make a profit in Bargain Hunt today?

-I might have a look.

-OK, great.

Now the money moment. OK, £300 a piece. Here's your £300. £300.

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

And very, very, very good luck.

Westminster Abbey, eh? Ding-dong!

-BELL RINGS

-'Which experts will be clued up and on the trail of today's bargains?

'For the Reds, Bargain Hunt's answer to Juliet Bravo, Jonathan Pratt.

'And intently scanning each item for fingerprints for the Blues,

'it's Mark Stacey, looking serious.'

-It's amazing.

-Isn't it wonderful?

-We should be able to find something.

-'Yep, that would be a great start.'

-What's the tactics today?

-Spend, spend, spend.

-OK.

-Buy low, sell high.

-Oh, I don't like the sound of this.

-Let's go from one end to the other.

-OK.

'Good luck getting through this lot, JP.'

-Can I just show you something?

-Yes.

I think they're really wacky. Those big bottles.

-I like it!

-You might absolutely hate them.

But I just think they're really ridiculous.

-I think they could be quite fun.

-£5! Bargain!

I mean, £5 each.

I would almost hate to try and negotiate.

You wanted to buy low!

No, it's entirely up to you. I mean, I think they're wacky.

I think they're really weird.

-Let's have a little look.

-Yeah.

-I mean, look. I mean, it's just moulded glass.

-Mm.

-There's no great quality there.

-No.

-But they're just really fun.

-Yeah.

-And the price is probably right.

-They're just fun, aren't they?

-Mm.

-Do they come in a pair?

-Well, no, they're £5 each.

-Yeah.

-But...

-No, I like them.

-A pound or two off the pair?

-What would you do the pair for?

-The gentleman said 8, so...

-Well, £4 each, I mean, £8.

-You can have them for 8.

I mean, somebody might pay 20 quid for them.

-They might do.

-I think go for it.

-For £8, I mean...

-Can't go wrong!

-I mean, we're being really mean. We shouldn't pay only £8.

I mean, with all that money we've got the spend.

'It's never stopped you before, Mark.'

-So you're happy with them for £8?

-Yes, I think so. Why not?

-Well, I think that's a deal. 8 quid.

-Yes.

Well done, that's our first buy within five minutes.

'Indeed! And you haven't broken the bank,

'but you have brokered your first deal. Well done, Blues!'

Look at the little dogs. What do you think about those?

They're rather cute, aren't they? Let's have a look.

-Little miniature Staffordshire dogs. Rather cute, aren't they?

-Yeah.

What do you think?

He's saying we could do them for 25.

-Again, they're 19th century.

-Everyone loves spaniels.

And the modelling on them is good, because when they cast a hollow figure like this,

-it's just a slop of pottery poured into a mould.

-Yes.

Whereas this is a more complicated process for making them.

-I think they're rather sweet.

-I quite like those.

-Sorry, I'm diving in. Have one each.

-He's got a bit of a crack round his front.

-No, he hasn't, it's the gold.

-It's just the gold leaf.

-You have a look at that one.

-'Don't give a dog a bad name, Anne.'

-They look like a trusted friend, don't they?

-They do.

-And I'm a dog-lover, anyway.

-Yeah. I like those!

I think they're really good. I really like those.

-What was your absolute...

-25.

-25.

-It's the rock bottom price.

-I think they're lovely.

-Come on, then.

Don't ask me! You're the decision-maker here.

Look, they've got the hairy spaniel look about them.

-I think they're really cute.

-Yes. They look trusty and they're perfect.

-Yes, thank you very much.

-Hooray! We're on our first one!

'And as the Reds come to heel, it's one bargain a piece at 15 minutes in.'

-Now we need to go and spend big.

-Yeah.

-Right! There's the sort of words that I like to hear. Let's go.

-'Me, too! Go for it, Reds!'

-I can't see a thing.

-Well, it doesn't work.

-What's this? What's that?

-I just saw that, too.

-That's a double-ended scent bottle, I think, isn't it?

I haven't got the silver marks on there.

-Oh!

-But I'm sure it is silver.

-We like the marks, though.

-I like that.

This is faceted glass. If you hold it right up to the light,

you can see it's actually ruby-coloured.

And then this one screws off.

But it's very, very typically Victoria.

-How do you think it would do?

-Without the marks?

Well, I think they're still collectable.

The dealer's priced it fairly reasonably.

-Is it something you like?

-I do.

-I like it.

-It's reasonable quality.

-I do like it.

-Can you sniff a scent of success?

-Let's see.

-'Oh, Mark, that joke stinks!'

-It does smell, yes.

-The sweet smell of success.

-Ohh!

-'Yes, we've done that joke, Don.'

-How do you feel about this?

-Well...

-I think it's sweet.

-Would could it be?

-Er, 50?

-Oh, don't look like that!

-It's still a bit...

Please don't look like that!

Is there any way we could get it for 40?

-As a special favour?

-She said yes.

-Are you sure?

-Absolutely.

-Oh, thank you!

-Are you happy with 40?

-We're very happy.

-Thank you so much.

'And that's item number two. I detect the sweet smell of... Oh, dear.'

I think we have to go a little bit higher, a little bit more substantial, I think,

-to make a good profit.

-We've got some bargains.

-We've had some great bargains so far.

-Need to aim a bit higher.

I wanted to spend big. They're a bit scatty, aren't they?

But I rather like them, actually. I think their approach,

although scatty and not my idea of the right approach,

probably will yield a very good result.

'That's right, Mark. This business often favours the left-field approach.

'Our Reds, on the other hand, are working systematically and slowly

'from one end to the other.'

-Ladies, we're halfway through now.

-Oh, sorry.

-Can you believe it?

-30 minutes has gone.

-Right, come on, come on.

We've got to spot something fantastic.

Look.

-Ooh!

-What about that?

-It's awfully pretty.

-It is pretty, yeah.

-Nice blue.

-It is 195.

-It is a lot of money.

-It is a lot of money.

-Yes.

-But it is a nice example.

-Is it perfect?

-What's it called? Sparrow Beak.

-Yes.

-Is that cos of the shape?

-Yes.

There's a very, very fine bit of wear on the tip, but it's all right, actually.

It's Worcester, it's mid-18th century.

It's a market that was very, very big at one time

and you don't see an awful amount of it,

but it's historically a really nice piece of porcelain.

-Shall we ask about the provenance?

-You could.

-Will you ask?

-Yeah, OK.

Actually, that's pretty, Soph.

-The little...

-The little box with the silver lid.

What's the little box for?

-A dressing table?

-What would you do on that?

-It's lovely!

We could get both.

Ask Jonathan. He's the expert, he'll know the answer.

-'One would hope so, Anne.'

-Oh, hey!

-This, as well.

-HE LAUGHS

-Best price for the jug is £160.

-Condition's good. And you can see it's really well made.

-Yes.

I mean, it's crisp pottery.

-And we like it, don't we? Do we?

-Yes!

I mean, that would be a bold step, £160.

'Yes, fortune favours the brave and the bold. Just not always on Bargain Hunt.'

OK. This is nice quality decoration on it.

If it were an English hallmarked piece, I would equate to probably £50, £60 of value of a lot,

-but I wouldn't tend to sell them separately.

-OK.

But it's a French piece. It wouldn't have the same call at auction that an English piece might.

Now, we've bought the dogs,

so if we bought the jug and the dogs,

how much does that leave us?

160. How much were the dogs?

-25.

-25. They were a really good buy!

-They were, really.

-So we'd still have £115 left.

-That's loads!

And still well over 20 minutes left.

-Let's have it.

-Let's have it!

-You're going to go for the jug?

-Yes!

-Yes, please.

-OK. So, hang on.

-So, the jug...

-What's the absolute best?

Would you do it for 150 and then we'll give you the money right away?

-Yeah, go on, then.

-Brilliant!

-There we go, £150.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Jolly good! Two down.

-Great!

-Another tenner. You've got £125 now.

-Yep.

'Good work, JP. Smooth and quick. Just like a good espresso.

'But both teams need to wake up and smell the coffee

'as the clock is ticking on and they still have one item each to find!'

-SHE LAUGHS

-But look how different it is!

It's a doll with a cat face!

-I think it's absolutely ridiculous.

-SHE LAUGHS

-But I don't think anyone would buy it apart from me.

-No, I don't think so.

Well, there are some strange people out there, Kate.

-What are you saying?

-You are not alone.

-'Ooh! Say what you think please, Mark!'

-I think after this,

I shall be going to the home for the bewildered.

'Yeah. I'll prepare the guestroom for you.'

It is actually growing on me. The colours and the eyes.

-Unusual.

-She's started to talk to me.

-Why has she got a blue face?

-And this dress?

-I may need help.

-THEY LAUGH

'If you don't find item three, you'll need all the help you can get.'

Find something interesting, Don, please!

-Or you will be stuck with the cat.

-'With this scattergun approach,

'Mark is in danger of being left with nothing more than that wretched cat for comfort!'

-We cannot buy that cat.

-SHE LAUGHS

'How are those methodical Reds doing?'

-What about the ink pot?

-That's pretty cool, actually.

-Chunky.

-Yeah.

-It's a capstan, that you tie the boat up to.

-Yeah.

-How much is the big capstan?

-It's 135.

135. And you've got 125 left.

OK, let's have a look. Gosh.

It's about 1910 or 19... But the marks are pretty rubbed.

So, you know, it's... What's going for it is size.

The downside is, the marks are polished so you can barely read them.

So what you're buying is something for a gentleman's desk.

-It's quite classic.

-Show, yeah. That's what it is.

-What do you think?

-110.

-110.

-Is that the absolutely...

Is that the absolutely best?

What I'd say with that one, at auction,

I would probably equate £80 to £120 at auction for it,

so we're smack in the middle. You could make a profit, you might make a small loss.

-Shall we think about it?

-Well, yeah. We've got quarter of an hour.

-I want you to buy three things that you really like.

-Yes.

-So far, you've bought two things that you adore.

-Yes.

-Do you really love that?

-You know?

-Decisions, decisions!

-15 minutes.

-Let's walk away, remember where we are.

-Thank you for your time.

And we may well come back.

-Now, I've just seen this.

-I love that!

It's a revolving book table. Mahogany with satinwood banding.

-And it's Edwardian. I've never quite seen one like this before.

-No.

-Edwardian.

-It's probably going to be over our budget.

-Do you know whose stall this is? Oh, is it yours, sir?

-Yes.

-Hello there.

-Hi.

-This needs a little bit of work and attention,

-but I rather like it. Don't you?

-Yes.

-It is quite expensive, though.

-Oh, is it? What sort of money is it?

Er, it's 250.

Oh, no, no. That's over our limit.

Thank you. Shame.

'Hang on, Blues. You've only spent £70, remember? What's happened to the haggling?'

Is it worth us trying to negotiate with you, sir? Or is that your best price?

-Did you say it needs a bit of...

-We can negotiate.

-Because...

-It does need a bit of work done.

-Edwin Paine.

-I think it's lovely.

Upholsterer and cabinet maker and undertaker.

THEY LAUGH

-I love that.

-'Oh, well, it's your funeral, Blues.'

-I think it's really charming, don't you?

-I do.

-I'll do 190.

Ooh, sir, you are tempting us.

-To help you.

-I'm getting so hot.

-SHE LAUGHS

-I think I might need to calm myself down a bit.

-I'll fan you.

-Thank you.

-SHE LAUGHS

It's been a long day. It's been a long day.

-Can we say 180?

-190.

-It's up to you, guys.

-Yeah, I think... I think not.

-No?

-I think not.

-You think?

I hate to say that to Mark, but we'll make him keep walking.

-How many minutes have we got? Six minutes.

-I'd almost go back and get the cat.

-Six minutes left.

-I don't know!

-OK.

-I think...

-We'll find something else.

-Thank you.

-That's all right.

-Thanks.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah.

-OK, so, time now is really ticking away.

-Yes.

We've got two very good items. You really do like, it seems, the capstan inkwell.

-We did want a bit of silver.

-Yes.

-Let's go back and get the silver.

-It's a very impressive thing.

-I've told you marks are rubbed and stuff.

-Let's have it.

-Let's go.

-There's still some negotiating that can be done.

-Do you think?

-Look. What do you think, Soph?

-Yep, let's go for it.

-Only 110 to you.

-Thank you very much.

-I think that's fair, isn't it?

-Yeah, I think that's great.

-Thank you very much indeed.

'Good work, Reds. Now, if you Blues don't sort out item three quickly,

'there's going to be a right pen and ink and no mistake.'

-OK.

-Do you think, yeah?

-Go back for the table?

-Table. Do you think?

-Yeah.

-I think so, honestly. But do you think?

-OK.

-No!

-No, OK.

-'Come on!'

-Table, cat, table, cat.

-It's entirely up to you.

-Let's say table.

-Table?

-Are you sure you're happy with it?

-Are you sure?

-I would happily get the cat.

-You like it.

-I love the cat!

Mark, we have a dilemma. Table or cat?

Well, to be honest, it's difficult.

I mean, I really would love to take a risk on the table,

-but it might go pear-shaped.

-Yeah.

It might go pear-shaped. But I think at least the table has got some...

..something of quality about it.

-SHE LAUGHS

-I think.

-Shall we edge this way?

-Yes.

-Cos time is rapidly running out.

It's entirely up to you, honestly.

-I mean, I'm only your...

-There's people looking!

-Eh?

-There's people looking.

'Oh, dear. Has the decision been made for you, Blues?'

-Shall we just take it?

-Shall we?

-Yes.

-Yes.

-Yes.

-Can we have it for what we agreed?

-Which was what?

-180, was it?

-Please?

-185.

-Ohh! You're killing us here!

-I've had a long day with this lot.

-OK, 180.

-180. Please, God. I've made the decision for you.

-Now let me go home, please!

-Thank you.

-Let me go home!

-Oh. What a wonderful...

-What a wonderful table.

-..final buy.

MARK CLAPS We've saved all of our money to buy this at the end.

'Ooh, thank goodness for that. Although, I'd loved to have seen Mark's face

'if he'd been forced to buy the cat.'

Well done, bargain hunters. The hour is well and truly up.

Let's have a quick look at what the Red Team bought.

Does this suit me?

'They started their end-to-end sweep of the fair

'with these 19th century Staffordshire pottery spaniels

'for £25.

'Then they shifted from Staffordshire to Worcester

'with this blue decorated jug for £150.

'Finally, they went with this large silver capstan inkwell

'for £110.'

-These girls have spent up magnificently!

-I knew you'd be pleased.

-How much did you spend in the end?

-£285.

That is such a good total!

-Yes.

-That's such a womanly total.

-But the poor chap's got so little to go and spend.

Don't you worry about the poor chap.

The poor chap's had less than £15 in the past.

-Have you got the £15 about your person?

-Yes, Sophie's in charge of that.

-Lovely.

-Thank you. You're in charge of the dosh.

-Yes.

Now, I have to ask you, which is your favourite piece?

Well, we bought well

and I think the Staffordshire dogs.

We all agreed we really like them.

-OK.

-You'll like them, I'm sure.

-They're your favourites?

-I think so.

-Which will bring the biggest profit?

-The dogs.

-The dogs have it.

-Thank you very much.

-£15.

What on earth are you going to buy with that?

A couple of coffees and a Kit Kat and he's away, really.

-I'll go and have a sit down.

-Why don't we check out what the Blue Team bought, eh?

'Their first choice were the kitsch moulded-glass Chianti bottles,

'£8 paid for the two.

'A double-ended silver and ruby glass scent bottle

'next got their attention and cost them £40.

'Finally, a revolving Edwardian mahogany and satinwood bookcase

'took their eye and they paid £180.'

-Did you have a nice time, Katy?

-Really good time, thank you.

-What about you, Don?

-Yes, very good.

-You seemed to enjoy it.

-And what was the grand total in the end?

-£228.

-£228. Can I have £72 of leftover lolly?

-Yes, you may.

Katy's got that. Very good. Thank you.

Now, Don, which is your favourite piece?

I think the double-sided scent bottle.

-Double-sided scent is his favourite.

-Yep.

-Do you agree, Katy?

Yeah, I really like it. It's really pretty.

-Let's hope it brings you the sweet smell of success.

-Yes.

-Good.

-Anyway, here comes the cash, Mark. Responsibility. No pressure.

-No pressure at all.

Just find something that can bring profit!

-I'll find something they'll like.

-You'll have to wait and see.

But for us, though, we're heading off somewhere quite magnificent and sublime.

'Tucked away within the rolling landscape of the Cotswolds

'lies Chastleton House, a 17th century Jacobean country manor house

'owned and lived in by the same family for almost 400 years.

'Even more unusually, every item housed at Chastleton is original,

'making it a real gem.'

Chastleton House was built around 1607

by the socially ambitious Walter Jones

to reflect the prestige that he'd earned

as a successful lawyer and wool merchant.

It was his dream to establish his family here

so that they could marry successfully

into the gentry in the surrounding counties.

Isn't this great? Well, it ought to be.

It's called the Great Parlour.

Set out as an eating room.

And how delicious it all looks.

Nice 17th century refectory table

covered with a table cloth

of woven thread.

And what I particularly like are the table settings

that the National Trust have arranged.

Here we've got side plates and bowls

as if we're about to have our fodder in 1740.

It looks like porcelain, but actually it's something called salt glaze.

Made in Staffordshire, this white-ish clay

is put into a kiln in stacks

and when the appropriate temperature is reached,

you simply chuck in a handful of salt

which then evaporates, leaving this slightly matt

but very, very hard glaze

on the surface of the ceramic.

That coupled with the crisp moulding

I think makes this sort of ware most effective. And it was popular.

The cutlery's appropriate.

Nice steel knives and forks.

And, of course, we've got appropriate drinking glass.

This is a candle-twist, knopped-stem cordial glass,

the bowl itself being a thistle shape.

A similar glass here, but this time with a tapering bucket bowl.

And the ones I really like, which are a treasure indeed, are these.

It is candle-twist, but with a complicated helix,

rising to a thistle bowl that's been engraved,

engraved very beautifully with a hop,

indicating that what you drink out of this would be extremely strong,

home-brewed strong ale, maybe even brewed here in one of the brew houses.

Elsewhere in the room is glassware which represents

the Jones family's political inclinations and beliefs.

Following the glorious revolution in 1688,

when James II, the last Stuart king, got kicked out,

there remained a hardcore of Stuart supporters in Britain,

and the Jones family were included in that group.

Thus, these glasses are very special to those Jacobite supporters.

It was a treasonable offence

and therefore their activities happened in secret,

where they would drink and make merry

and propose toasts to the king across the sea.

The emblems on these cordial glasses,

which are beautifully engraved,

include a rose flower head,

which represents James II,

flanked by two buds, representing his sons,

the oak leaf, which represents the moment when Charles Stuart

hid himself in the oak tree,

and the word "fiat" which in Latin means "let it be done."

If anybody came along and caught you at it, of course,

you could always pick up the glass and throw it on the ground

and the evidence of your loyalty would be smashed.

The big question today is, of course, for our teams over at the auction,

are they all about to get smashed?

David Porter is our man

and High Road Auctions, Chiswick, is our venue for today's sale.

-David, good morning.

-Thank you. Good morning.

Now, the Red Team have got a bit of a mix here.

First of all, their couple of little Staffordshire spaniels.

I think the charm lies in the scale, to be honest.

I love the fact they're very small.

Slight bit of damage on one of them.

Dog-lovers will love them. We reckon them at about £20 to £40.

Perfect. £25 they paid, so that's spot on.

-Should be in with a shout.

-Absolutely.

Next is a really traditional antique ceramic item, isn't it?

-It is!

-A first period Worcester blue and white sparrow beak jug.

Ah, it's that blue, that deep blue, and it's the shape,

which you see in silver of the period. Absolutely exquisite.

-I like it. It works well, functions well.

-Yeah. We love it.

It dates from the third quarter of the 18th century. What's it worth?

-It's in good condition. I'd put £80 to £120 on it.

-Ooh.

They paid £150, so that might just be a tad too much.

And finally, what about the capstan form silver inkwell?

It's a bit of fun. Capstan inkwells I like a lot.

-There's a problem with them, Tim.

-Yes?

-They're stretched over a form

and if they dent or they scratch, they're very hard to repair.

All this bruising round the bottom is where it's been bashed.

And on the top, on the hinged cover, as well, you can see that.

-It's tired.

-Yes.

-Sadly.

-How much as is?

-£50 to £80.

-OK.

Well, they paid £110. They've basically paid too much for a tired piece of silver.

-It is tired.

-Mm. And I agree entirely with you. OK, fine. That may drag them back,

in which case they're going to need their bonus buy, so let's have a look at it.

Now, Anne, Soph, this is the important moment.

The important bonus buy. Only £15 you had, JP.

You didn't buy a pie and you didn't buy a pint, you bought something under your rag.

I love the challenge of trying to find something with little money.

-And here we are. We have...

-Oh, gosh.

Oh, sorry. THEY LAUGH

A little Victorian rosewood, brass-inlaid letter box.

And for £15, OK, you're going to have a few faults

for something of what would've been great quality.

And in the centre here, at one point, there was traces of abalone,

which would've been a pearlescent sort of inlay.

That's gone, sadly. But you've got under here, answered and unanswered.

It's a nice little novelty object for £15, which is really cheap.

But I really like that. I think it's a lovely thing.

Well, I think that's very enterprising of you

and I quite like the print on there.

-Yes. And the inside's quite sweet.

-It's all very honest.

-Good!

On that happy note, why don't we check out

what the auctioneer thinks about Jonathan's little box.

-This looks first class to me.

-It's charming. It's Victorian.

It's not going to fetch a lot of money.

It's rosewood, that's the important thing on this.

It's missing the cartouche here with the engraving on it.

The nicest thing about it is the escutcheon, which has this mother-of-pearl and inlaid brass.

-What do you think it's worth?

-£40 to £60.

-Do you really?

-Yes.

Cos that cunning Jonathan Pratt only paid £15. That's a snip, isn't it?

-Yes, it is.

-£15 in an antiques fair. So he's done well with that.

That's it for the Reds. Now for the Blues,

which is, I'm afraid to say, a bit of a walking wounded team,

because our carriers have let us down badly.

Once upon a time, there were a pair of these so-called Chianti bottles.

-One of them has been completely smashed.

-Right.

Which is an extremely sad state of affairs. But we have to sort it out.

I have to ask you, David, what would your estimate be

-for a pair of those chaps in perfect condition?

-£20 to £30.

-And what is your estimate on a single?

-£10 to £15.

So, if we had a top end of £30 for the pair

and we've got a top end of £15,

-I think we should pay them £15 clear of all charges.

-I agree.

So they'll get £15 anyway as their insurance settlement.

You're left with one. You're going to sell that for the maximum amount,

bolt the two amounts together and that's what they'll make.

-I think that's the fairest thing.

-OK, fine, that's what we'll do.

And we'll tell the teams that and hopefully they'll be happy.

However, the story doesn't finish there, because unfortunately

the revolving Edwardian bookcase also suffered damage,

but it's been expertly restored

and I've been over that with a fine-tooth comb and I think the condition now is pretty good.

-In fact, I can't tell where there were any breakages.

-I think it's in superb condition.

It's been restored superbly well.

What would the estimate be on the revolving bookcase in its original condition?

£120 to £150.

-And what's the estimate on it now?

-£60 to £100.

-So really, at the top end estimate, there is a difference of £50.

-Yes.

And I think we should, in all fairness,

be paying them an insurance settlement of £50 on that.

-I agree.

-So you'll sell it as is, make the maximum amount,

and they will get a payment of £50 to compensate them for the damage.

I have to say, they paid £180 for that bookcase,

and even in its original condition, it seemed a pretty massive amount.

So good luck when you come to sell that one. But lastly is the double-ended scent bottle.

Faceted glass, late Victorian,

1880s, 1890s.

The ends are silver, they've been battered, as they often are.

It does depend whether they've still got the stoppers in them, which these haven't.

So we've not put a huge amount on this. We've put £50 to £70 on it

as a collectable piece for people who like glass and silver combined.

OK. £40 they paid, so that's fair enough.

Thank you very much for sorting out our problems with regard to the damage and whatnot.

And that's the way we'll go at it.

Interesting to see how the eventual numbers finish up in the auction.

But one way or the other, they have the option of their bonus buy

and let's go and have a look at that.

Now, Don, Katy, this is your moment with the leftover lolly.

You gave £72 to Mark Stacey. What did you spend it on?

Something I know Don will adore.

-THEY LAUGH Oh, no, you didn't!

-You got the cat!

-I did. I'm sorry.

-Oh!

-I couldn't resist it.

-The cat!

Maybe it was because it was the end of the day, but I know you loved it so much.

-It's like a bad dream coming back!

-It's come to haunt you.

But she's even got a blue face for the Blue Team.

I take it you've seen this before, this in-joke.

We spent a lot of time saying no to this.

Saying no or yes or no.

And I thought, as they spent so much time...

Well, I'll let Katy hold it, cos it scares me.

We've got to give the poor little cat a chance.

-I paid £22 for it.

-Yes!

That's about... I think we got it under 25.

I might have got an extra pound off, but she was very amenable.

-He's back again.

-I'm so happy about this!

Well, on that note, I'm sorry about that, Don, it's come back to haunt you,

but you'll get your opportunity to pick it later if you want to.

But right now, for the audience at home, let's find out

what the auctioneer thinks about Mark's top cat.

Well, this little piggy comes to market, or is it a cat?

-It's hard to tell, isn't it, Tim?

-Looks a bit piggy to me.

-It's just bizarre.

-What do you think the history is?

-I think the head comes from something totally different from the body.

-I think it's a marriage made in hell, frankly.

-Oh, really?

But it's this that'll attract people, these little clothes,

which will probably be bought by doll dealers.

We've put £20 to £40 on it.

-With a good following wind, it should fetch that sort of money.

-Mark paid £22.

But then, of course, he's always been in love with cats, that boy.

-Good luck in the auction.

-Thank you very much.

Bid's with you, sir. £60 against you on the internet.

-OK, Anne, Soph, how you feeling?

-Very excited.

-Are you?

-Yes.

-You can't beat a good auction, can you?

-No.

-No.

First up, then, the little woofers. And here they come.

Mid-19th century, the small Staffordshire figures of spaniels.

Commission bid of 15. 20. 25.

30. New bidder.

We're in profit, girls. Look at that!

35.

-40.

-£40.

-45.

Your bid, sir. 55 and selling for £55.

-Yes!

-Whoo!

-Brilliant. That is plus £30 straight up.

Now, here comes the sparrow beak.

Lot number 211 is the 18th century Worcester blue and white

sparrow beak cream jug, beautiful little piece.

£30 on the net. Bid's on the net at 30.

-Am I selling for 30?

-What?

-35. 40.

-Oh, no!

£40. Don't stop now. 45. 50. 55.

Don't stop now on the net. 60. We're up to 60.

At £60, still with the internet. I have £60 and I'm going to sell.

-Sold!

-No!

-It's minus £90.

-You had 30.

-Oh, that's a big...

-You're minus 60.

OK, now comes your capstan inkwell.

£10 for a silver inkwell?

10 bid. 15. 20 now.

-25. 30.

-40?

-35. 40.

It's £40.

-I'm selling for £40.

-SHE LAUGHS

Well, I have to. Here's the bid at £40, then.

-45 bid.

-Thank you!

-Thank you!

45. Against you on the internet. £45 is bid in the back of the gallery.

At 45, you nearly missed it. £45 in the gallery. Sold!

45. That's minus 65.

So that takes you to minus 125.

-Oh, lord!

-Wow! That's a good...

-That's a good loss.

-No pressure,

-but yours really has to...

-What are we going to do about this rosewood box, then?

-I think we're going to go for it.

-We must!

-So the decision is made and here comes your rosewood letter box.

Lot number 216 is the 19th century brass-mounted rosewood letter box.

I've got a bid of £15 on the books just to get the ball rolling. 15.

20. 25. I've got 25. 25. 30.

-35 with me.

-£35!

-JP!

40, new bidder. 45. At £45, I'll sell it for 45.

Commission bid. £45, then.

-Sold!

-Plus £30. That's the way to do it, JP.

So, how do you make that? Do you make that minus 95?

-Still, I think we're still in minus.

-Minus 95. Minus 95.

-Can we have another go?

-Next week?

-THEY LAUGH

-Come on, come back and have another go.

-Next time.

-Have round two.

-Yes!

-Listen, minus £95 could be a winning score

because the misfortune that has overtaken you could overtake the Blues very easily tonight.

Same saleroom, some sort of goods, bought in the same place.

So don't lose faith. You could still be winners tonight.

-OK, Don, Katy, how are you?

-We're very well.

-Good, thank you.

-Do you know how the Reds got on?

-No, we don't. They didn't say a word.

Well, before we get into the meat of the auction,

I have some bad news to reveal.

There has been damage, thanks to our carriers, on a couple of items.

-The first item that was completely destroyed was one of the pair of so-called Chianti bottles.

-Ah.

So we're going to give you a credit of £15.

Whatever the single one makes, we add to the £15.

-An insurance payout if you like.

-OK.

-That's the only fair way.

-Seems very far.

-You're cool with that?

-Absolutely.

-As if that isn't bad enough, there was also damage on the revolving bookcase...

-Ohh.

..which they've had restored. So the difference between the top estimates

we'll pay you as an insurance claim, which is £50.

So you get a credit of £50 on that before we start.

Some would say you might be doing better out of those insurance claims

-than you would do if we hadn't damaged it at all.

-Oh, no!

-Nobody would say that, would they? No.

First up is the single Chianti bottle and here it comes.

Lot number 230 is the moulded glass Chianti bottle.

There's a bid here of £10 in the room.

-Are we going 15 on the internet?

-Gosh.

Give it a go at £15.

If not, I will sell it for £10.

It is your bid, sir, £10.

I'm giving you one last chance to buy it on the internet.

Here's a bid at 10. Your bid, £10, and selling.

'So, sold for £10. We add on the £15 damage credit

'to make £25

'and take away the £8 they spent in the first place,

'leaving the Blues with a profit on their first item of £17.'

Lot number 231 is the Victorian white-metal-mounted ruby glass

double-ended scent bottle. This is a nice piece.

Immediately we're up to £40 on the internet. 45 in the room.

-45. 50 on the internet.

-50, so we're in profit.

55 in the room.

£55, then. Sold.

£55 is plus £15.

That is two profits on the trot. How lovely!

-Wow!

-Good!

Lot number 232 is the lovely little Edwardian

mahogany and inlaid satinwood revolving bookcase.

I have a bid of 40 on the internet. 45 with me.

-45?

-A long way to go.

50, new bidder.

55. £60. 65.

-£70.

-There's no London flashy types.

-80.

-90. 95.

-Listen to this!

100 with me. Fair warning to you in the gallery.

£100 and selling.

'The sale price of £100 plus the damage credit of £50

'still leaves the Blues £30 down

'because they originally paid £180 for the bookcase.

'This leaves them with a running total of £2.'

Which actually, bearing in mind the ins and outs of all this, ain't half bad!

-It isn't half bad.

-So, what are you going to do about the bonus buy?

Are you going to go with this thing or not?

I'm going to leave this completely to Katy,

-cos it's her doll, it's her cat.

-Thank you!

-And she's definitely going to say...

-I think 100 percent we should go for it.

-100 percent we should go for it.

-We're going with the doll. Let's see what's going to happen.

A fine novelty vintage doll with the cat's head.

And I've got to start the bidding here at £10. 15.

20 with me. I've got £20. £20.

-Come on!

-Selling for 20, then.

-No!

-One more!

£20. I've got to let it go.

I'm sorry. Back to the cat's home for this one.

£20 it is. Sold for £20.

'Oh, no! As the cat made a loss of £2, it wipes out the £2 profit

'made by the Blue Team up to now, but still, they've broken even.'

Just don't say a word to the Reds and all will be revealed in a moment.

-Is everybody happy?

-ALL: Yes!

-Yes, as you jolly well ought to be.

Today those that are behind are incredibly far behind

-and it's no secret that actually the Reds are the runners-up.

-Oh, dear!

-Only because you were shafted by that sparrow beak jug.

-Yes!

-Yes.

-And the capstan inkwell.

It was all going swimmingly up to that point.

Such were the weight of the losses that you still remain with minus £95, which is really tough.

-It's quite bad.

-You've got to be British women

to take that loss on the shoulder and come up smiling and looking as gorgeous as you two do.

-Anyway, there we go. Have you had a nice time?

-Lovely time!

-Great.

-It's been such fun!

-Good!

And we've loved having you. And I'm sorry it didn't work out better.

But the victors are the Blues.

And you've been very kind to us about the damage through transit, so thanks for being so understanding.

-It's quite all right.

-Had a good time?

-Very good time.

It's been fantastic. In fact, so fantastic,

-why don't you join us soon for more bargain hunting, yes?

-ALL: Yes!

'I know you're sitting there thinking, "I could've done better!"

'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 Red Bee Media Ltd

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