Anglesey 17 Bargain Hunt

For today's show, we've crossed the Menai Straits to the delightful island of Anglesey.

There are over 125 miles of walks on this island,

but we've not got time for dawdling today.

Oh, no. Best foot forward, teams.

Let's go bargain hunting!

Anglesey was known as the Mother of Wales,

thanks to its fertile fields.

Let's hope that some of that fruitfulness

will rub off on our teams today as they dig about for their bargains.

We could be in for one or two surprises. You never know.

Coming up on today's show, the Reds get on like a house on fire.

I like this, I like you, I like the whole set-up. I say, "Let's get it on."

I like this, I like you and I like you. I also love our dealer.

This way. We'll go this way.

While for the Blues, price is everything.

I would be looking for less than 60. It depends on the price.

I want to win!

Let's meet the teams.

Looking to conjure up a good old bargain on Bargain Hunt today,

we have Gareth and Aaron for the Reds and we've got Pat and Keith for the Blues. Hello, everyone.

-ALL: Hello!

-Action and with gusto!

How did you two meet then, Gareth?

We met about 15, 16 years ago at a local amateur theatre group.

He was auditioning for Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs. I was his reader-in.

-You were going for Snow White?

-Yeah. I didn't get the part.

-Did you become a dwarf instead?

-No, no.

-You didn't land anything?

-No, I got a part.

-He was one of the funnies with my dad.

-A comedy role.

-Good.

So, Aaron, you love the theatre too?

Yeah, like I say, I met Gareth auditioning for an amateur dramatic thing,

then I kind of got a bit lucky and went pro.

-Thanks for telling them that.

-Not a worry. You should have kept up.

Yeah, I went pro and landed a couple of roles in different pantos and things like that.

You also have a bit of a trick or two up your sleeve.

Yeah, that would be referring to my day job. I'm a magician.

-What tricks are you both going to get up to today?

-I've got a tactic.

-Aaron's going to go in there, do a few mind tricks...

-No, they'll be card tricks.

-What?

-I'm not a hypnotist.

-What's the difference?

-Massive. Come on.

-It's going well(!)

-He's going to basically go in there, wow them with his card tricks.

Hopefully, they'll be so mesmerised with the trick that he'll give us a really good discount.

-That's the strategy.

-Yeah.

-Well, it's never been done before.

And maybe it'll never be done again. We shall find out. Thanks, chaps.

Now, Pat, how did you first meet Keith?

We met 50 years ago, Tim. We met at an all-girls party, though he wasn't the only boy there.

When he walked me home on that Saturday night, romance was in the air.

"Can I see you next week?" he whispered.

My heart was beating so hard.

"Will it be all right when I come to the match if I leave my bike in your back yard?"

-Ah, he'd got a plan.

-He'd got a cunning plan!

This back yard thing is because your back yard was where?

-Right by Everton football ground.

-Ah!

-And you're a great Everton fan, Keith?

-A great Everton fan.

-Both of you are?

-Yes.

-That's rather sweet.

-Hence the blue fleeces.

-Yeah.

It says here you're also a thespian, Keith.

Well, yes, I have trodden the boards, Tim.

-There we are.

-Yes, I was...

-Oh, no, you haven't!

Oh, yes, I have! I was the Prince's mother in Cinderella.

-Were you?

-I was.

Do you need the costume? LAUGHTER

Have you got sufficient knowledge to beat these wily Reds?

Well, Tim, we have a great deal of knowledge about antiques.

-You do?

-All gleaned from Tim Wonnacott and Bargain Hunt.

-You've watched every show?

-Virtually every show.

-You are an extremely well-educated couple.

Anyway, the money moment. Here we go, £300 apiece. There's your 300.

You know the rules, your experts await and off you shove!

And very, very good luck. I bet you they make that money disappear.

So what fine experts have we got in store for you today?

Looking very relaxed for the Reds, we have the dapper Chris Gower.

And hoping to reel in a few bargains for the Blues, it's David Harper.

Let the show begin!

-This is going to be a lot of fun.

-We hope so.

-OK, so a pair of thespians!

-It has been known.

-Yes.

-Wahey! This is going to be fun.

-Do you know what you're looking for?

-Money-makers.

Bit of Chester silver.

-Something shiny.

-Blingy?

-Something blingy, yeah.

-OK, thespians, or should I say "darlings"?

-Yes. Luvvies.

Exit stage what?

-Stage...?

-Right.

-Let us go, luvvies.

Let's go over here.

Break a leg, teams.

The Reds didn't waste any time getting stuck in.

-Do you like glass? Do you like glass, guys?

-No.

-No?

-I'm not going to lie.

-It might be a short day. There's quite a bit of glass around here.

-I don't mind it.

-So, furniture...?

-I like this.

I think this is massively out of our budget.

-You could use it for your act.

-No, it's not happening.

-You can get the blades in the sides, spin it around...

-I'll leave you to it then.

A bit of atmos music, a bit of smoke?

-Shall we keep this on hold for a minute?

-For now.

-But it could be a magic box?

-It's nice.

-It could be a winning score.

I love your enthusiasm, Gareth, but really...?

Anyway, enough of your tomfoolery, Reds. I hope the Blues are being a bit more sensible.

-They're very stylish.

-Yes, but they're not silver, are they?

-They're not silver, but aren't they good-looking, by gosh?

-Yeah. Are they brass?

-Yes.

-£25?

-£25? Is that what they are?

-Yes. What age do you think they are?

I think they're Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, 1890, 1900, 1910.

-A few little dinges in them, but that doesn't detract from the look of them.

-They are a pair.

-Yeah.

But I like them. Put them there for now.

-We'll go down this way, but I love it that you're diving in there.

-I thought the shape was just great.

Good start, Blues. But what about those Reds? Are they agreeing on anything yet?

-What have you seen, Aaron?

-I like this.

-I agree with you.

-I like this.

-Gareth...

-OK.

-Is it a drinks cabinet?

-No, it's not a drinks cabinet. It's an upright desk.

-A bureau.

I like that a lot.

£195...

-I think it's on the high side.

-Yeah.

-But listen, we've got plenty of time. Shall we hold that in reserve?

-OK.

-Shall we do that?

-I like that a lot.

-And remember that I spotted it first. Just remember that.

All right. Don't get... He doesn't mean it.

Yeah, it's only a game, Gareth. An important game, but only a game.

-Six French knife-holders.

-I really like those.

-They're lovely, aren't they?

-Are knife-holders used today?

Or knife rests. They're kind of things at a posh dinner party that you'd have at each place setting.

Then you could place your knives on there when not in use. It's just a very posh thing to do, isn't it?

-What are they, material-wise?

-They look like they're silver.

-But they're priced at 78 quid. If they're silver, we're having them. There's no arguments.

-OK.

-Which means they're obviously not silver. They can't be at £78.

-They'd just be white metal.

-White metal.

But what we've got going on here, Pat, is the style.

What's the best price for us on these things?

-It's going to have to be 65.

-Really?

-Yes.

-Really?

-If my expert...

-Where is he? Is he coming shortly(?)

LAUGHTER

-If my expert is going to put his head on the...

-Oh, my lord!

-The proverbial...

-Yes.

-..knife rest.

..and say that these are definitely worth £65...

They are absolutely, undoubtedly worth £65

in an auction, anywhere. They are worth it.

-64.

-64? Oh, go on, 63.

-You'd make my day.

-Go on then.

-63.

-Just to get rid of you!

LAUGHTER

-Good man. We don't have to do any cuddling?

-No.

-That's all right.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-Thank you.

-Marvellous.

I think they're gorgeous.

Yeah, good work, Blues. First item found. But there's no time for sitting around.

Now, what's got Gareth all excited?

OK, can I just say I have seen a nice, little silver paperweight thing for the desk over there?

-You were like, "Come on, let's move on," but I like it.

-Do you want to go back to it?

-I'm thinking...

-Come on.

-It's quite good.

-Let's have a look.

Lead on, Gareth. What have you seen?

Right, now, don't get me wrong. I'm not a mariner.

-But...

-I thought you said you'd...

I just saw it and... Feel the weight of that.

-I thought you said you'd seen a paperweight.

-I'd put my...

-What paper would that hold?

-A very small document.

A cheque!

Look at the way it just naturally sits to the left, as if it's in the wind.

-It's £25.

-So, it's obviously silver.

-Oh, yeah, bound to be silver(!)

-Antique, solid silver(!) There's no hallmark on it.

-I'll chisel one in.

-You can't do that.

-Gareth, can I suggest that that could be something for later?

-That's a kind way of saying, "Put it down."

-Let's move on.

-Move on.

Come on. Listen to the man. He knows what he's on about.

-He's looking at rubbish!

-LAUGHTER

You said it, Aaron!

I can see an oriental bronze vase there, if you want to go and have a look at that.

-Oriental can be good.

-Yeah.

-Oriental's very good.

-But at the right price, obviously.

-You and money and right prices! You should set up a business.

-His middle name is Ebenezer.

Right, this, I've got to say, is a quirky stall.

-Yeah, because you've got buffalo horns.

-Buffalo horns.

-Keith, try them for size.

Hey!

LAUGHTER

I could see there just for a second what you'd look like with hair!

This one here, you've got to be dead careful... The colours in it are just fantastic.

-Look at the way it shines.

-It's beautiful.

It's really nice. I'd be happy with that in my house.

Hold on, Reds. Have you forgotten what you said earlier?

-Glass? Do you like glass, guys?

-No.

-No?

-I'm not going to lie.

I just like it in general. It's nice.

I don't believe it!

It doesn't look all that old. It's very colourful. Perhaps Scottish glass.

There's nothing to say anything. It's delightful. There's no chips, no cracks.

And it's £45. Not too bad, is it? Hello.

-Hi.

-We do like this vase.

-What would be your best price on it?

-40.

-40.

-That would be my best.

-Thank you.

I tell you what, if I can read your mind, could we have it for 38?

Yes! OK, don't worry. I've got this. I'm all over this.

-I should know this trick.

-Name any card in the whole world. Not a birthday card.

-Ace of spades.

-Ace of spades?

-It's still going to be 38.

Can you see the one card the wrong way round?

Only the one?

# Magic! #

-That's got to be...

-That was the deal.

-That was a deal-breaker.

-That was for 38.

-38. Sold. Let's get the money.

-Sold. The first sale! Come on.

-Can you feel the elation?

-Excellent. Thank you.

-Come on.

-Right.

Magic, chaps! Two pounds off. I wish I knew that trick!

# It's magic... #

Meanwhile, Keith is showing off his know-how.

-Do you like those, Keith?

-I've seen them do well on Bargain Hunt.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-At the right price.

-On this show?

-Yeah.

-Seriously? It's not one I've been on.

The architectural market is not as strong as it was when the property boom was on the go.

But what you've got there is leaded lights,

so panels of coloured glass, decoratively put together

and fixed together by lead.

And they're proper old ones.

This one, the arched one, is an absolute stonker.

-What sort of money are we talking for it?

-The absolute death?

-£80.

-£80?

When I saw it, I was thinking maybe 50, maybe 60.

I like your thinking.

-I want to win!

-Well, I think that's got every possibility of making good money.

-Do you?

-I do.

-Let's go and have a walk around and have a think about it.

-OK.

-OK?

-OK.

-20 minutes.

-We've got left?

-We've got 20 minutes left.

-20 minutes left, for goodness sake!

-We haven't been in the other room.

Time flies when you're having fun, Blues, and the Reds have certainly been having a bit of that too.

-Lads, check this out.

-Nice. Very nice.

-It's bold, it's boisterous. This is the meaty thing we were going for.

-It is.

-It's late 19th century.

-Is it bronze?

-Spelter. OK...

-What does that mean?

-It's not bronze. It's made to look and feel like bronze. It's a cheap man's bronze, basically.

-Right.

-I like it. Do you like it, Aaron?

-I do, actually.

-Steady on!

-£70 is a bit steep.

-There's an agreement.

-There's a rhino.

-Those two look good together, don't they?

The wooden rhino's 30. This spelter, earlier lion is 70.

Hello there.

-We're rather taken with these.

-Yeah.

What could be your best?

-80?

-How much?

-80 for the pair.

-80 for the two?

-Yeah.

Yeah.

-But...

-Yes!

-Yes?

-Yes! Come on!

-Right.

The trick's worth a fiver.

80 is my best.

-Don't waste your time.

-78?

-Two pounds...

-78. Go on then. Two pounds for the trick!

-£78.

Just pick any card at all, any one of those.

Have a look at it for me. Show the camera the ace of hearts.

# Magic! #

How did he know that?

-It's shocking, isn't it?

-It is shocking.

That's what you get when you deal...

-..with me.

-He's brilliant.

Thank you very much.

Let's hope Aaron's magic conjures up a profit at auction.

But the Blues are still looking for that window of opportunity.

What do we think? I'm going to give you five seconds to make a decision.

-Yes.

-78 quid.

-Go and try him with that quickly.

Quick. Run!

£78?

-Hooray!

-Thank you very much. You're a gentleman.

-Hallelujah!

-Thank you very much.

Well done, well done. I think it's fantastic. Thanks a lot.

We're moving much quicker now.

Nice work, Keith. Two pounds off and no trick in sight.

But time is ticking, teams, and you still need to find one item each. Quick trot then!

Here he is, here he is.

-Right, guys, I have found something.

-Yes!

It's Welsh, it's collectable.

-OK...

-It's perfect and the price is OK.

-This coffee set.

-I like that.

-You like that?

-I'm guessing...

-Go on.

-I'm guessing that it's Portmeirion Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent?

This is '60s. It's got everything going for it.

-I really like it.

-This style is so chic, don't you think?

Yeah, I really like it.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-We really...

-We're all agreed, right?

-Yeah.

-We love it.

So, what's your very best on it, please?

I had it priced at 48. I'm open to very sensible offers, but they must be sensible.

-They must be sensible.

-I'm not amongst sensible people, you have to understand.

-But I'm amongst two very good...

-Maybe because you're male, you see. That would be the problem.

-It is.

-That would be the problem.

-We're not sensible. That would be it.

-That tends to be the general rule.

-We haven't been sensible so far. They've only got us a couple of quid off.

-Have you seen our other items?

-I'd be happy to take £40.

-Guys...

-I think that really is a good deal.

-This is a good deal. Trust me.

I like it. I like it. I like this, I like you, I like the whole set-up.

-I say, "Let's get it on..."

-I like this, I like you and I like you.

-I also love our dealer. It's a no-brainer.

-She doesn't like men.

-No.

-I say, "Do it."

-Are we going to wrap this up? Do it? It's yours.

-Thank you very much.

-Lovely.

Job done, Reds. Good work and no more tricks involved.

But with only a few minutes left, the Blues could do with a bit of magic.

-Oh, my gosh, look at that! That is a silver fest.

-That is lovely.

-There's your silver.

What about the cuff links?

These ones here? Charles Horner, very good maker.

-They're quite nice.

-They're not expensive. Let's look at that first.

OK, so it's an engraved little snuff.

It's 175. It's 1812.

-That's Georgian, for goodness sake!

-Yeah.

-That's too dear for us.

-I think it might be. Put that one back.

-Five minutes.

-There was the cuff links...

-Five minutes? Five minutes.

-Five minutes.

-They're nice cos they're Charles Horner.

-Charles Horner, very good quality maker.

-Oh, and they're for gentlemen!

-Yes, gentlemen.

-Would you buy these for yourself, Keith?

-I might do.

-It depends on the price.

-Oh, here we go. Honestly!

35, they're not expensive.

-It's Chester.

-Oh!

-Steady!

-Hang on a minute.

-What would be the best?

-£30.

-£30...

-I think 20 to 30 in auction would be fair.

I tell you what, I'll do 28. Absolutely no more.

I still... I do sympathise, I really do, because it's your living.

-How do you put up with him?

-I've done it for a long time. We've got two minutes.

-Right...

-You'll have to shake hands with David.

-I'm stepping out of this.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-It's a pleasure.

-He's relinquishing all responsibility. Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much.

-All we now need...

-Smile, dear!

-We just need some profit, Keith, don't we? That's all we need.

-That's always the difficulty.

-Thank you very much for your time.

-Come on.

-Thank you.

-Right, cup of tea.

-Cup of tea.

-Yeah.

That all disappeared in a flash, didn't it?

# Magic! #

Ooh! Why don't we check out what our magical Reds bought, eh?

Although glass was originally out of the question,

they went and bought a glass vase anyway and paid £38 for it.

The lion and rhino combo cost them £78.

Love...

And there was a lot of "lurve" going around

when they bought the Portmeirion coffee set - £40 paid.

-Very good eye.

-Couple of troublemakers, I'm told. How are you getting on?

-Very well.

-What's your favourite piece?

-It's got to be the figurine of the lion and the rhino that we got as a set.

-What piece is going to bring the biggest profit?

-We think it's the coffee set.

-The tea set, yeah.

-It's a coffee set, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-What do I know?

-We're about to find out! How much did you spend all round?

-£156.

£156. I'd like 144 then, please, of leftover lolly from somewhere.

This is the pathetic discount that he got for his performances today of £4.

-My illusions got us a £4 discount today.

-A bit pathetic, but there you go.

-Don't get sniffy about that. There you go.

-And the £4.

-Thank you.

-Any idea what you'll buy?

-Well, with so much money, I've got a pretty easy choice today.

OK. Well, good luck with that. Meanwhile, let's check out what the Blue team bought.

A set of six French knife rests was their first buy at £63.

They paid £78 for the late 19th-century stained glass window.

And to Keith's dismay, they spend £28 on the Chester silver cufflinks.

-One minute to go. One minute.

-I know.

-You love taking it to the line.

-Very near the knuckle it was.

-Very risky stuff.

-It was.

-OK, Pat, how much money did you spend?

-£169.

-I like that very much. £131 of leftover lolly, please.

-Would you like that?

-I would.

-I won't count it. I trust you.

-It's all there!

-Straight over.

-What are you going to do with that?

-I'm taking some lessons from Keith.

-Don't be an Ebenezer.

-I'm going to be an Ebenezer.

-What's new?

-Oh, don't!

-What's new, David?

-I don't think about money!

-No point in breaking the habits of a lifetime.

-We were passionate.

-We've got passion in our blood.

You go and have a nice cup of tea. David will get passionate and we'll head off to Buckinghamshire.

Waddesdon Manor, actually.

Sitting on a hilltop in rural Buckinghamshire,

Waddesdon Manor's foundation stone was laid in 1877.

It was built by Ferdinand de Rothschild, a member of one of the greatest art-collecting families

of the 19th century, and a member of the banking dynasty which was one of the richest in the world.

This is the East Gallery at Waddesdon.

When you walk down it,

your eye is immediately arrested by this enormous and incredibly impressive painting.

Just look at that. Aren't you transported to Venice?

This is a painting by Francesco Guardi

and it typifies that very Grand Tour taste in mid-18th century Italian art.

The thing that every visiting M'Lordy wanted to come home with

was a Canaletto or a Guardi.

The central focal point is, of course, the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Square,

and the Campanile towering above.

But the fun thing about Guardi for me is the life that he brings to this waterfront.

How many vessels are there here? Hundreds of them.

And literally thousands of inhabitants of Venice going about their business.

Goodness knows how long it took Guardi to compose this enormous picture,

but for me it works just perfectly.

It is no coincidence that this painting looks so happy in its current position.

It was bought by Ferdinand de Rothschild in 1876.

Work started on Waddesdon Manor in 1877.

And his architect would have deliberately composed the panelling

so that it framed this picture perfectly.

It is wonderful.

Hang on a minute. There's another one!

Look at that! Guardi painted the companion picture

to the identical size and scale, and it's designed to hang either alongside the other view

or on the opposite wall in a room.

What we've got here is the scene in Venice, but from the other bank.

Lots of additional activity, but including this time

a delicious view of three diplomatic gondoliers going down the canal

towards the Lido.

Very impressive. The big question for our teams today at the auction

is how grand are their profits likely to be?

Big or small?

85.

90. 5. 95.

Right at the back.

It's lovely to be back in Knutsford at Frank Marshall and Co with Nick. Old Nick.

-Welcome, Tim. Nice to see you again.

-How are you?

-Very well, thanks.

Now for the Reds, we're going to have a go at this heavy glass vase.

-It's trying to be Scottish, but it's far too modern.

-Brand new.

-Yeah.

-So how much?

-We've put £10-£15.

-Quite right. They paid £38. Far too much for a brand-new bit of glass.

-It's steep.

-Then we've got this oddball animalier group here.

-The rhino's what I call airport art. You picked it up in Nairobi before you got on the plane.

-Tourist ware.

-Tourist ware, worth what?

-We've possibly been optimistic. We've plumped for £30-£50.

-You're known for your generosity.

-Very generous, to a fault almost.

-OK.

-That's lovely. £30-£50. And they paid £78, so that's a huge amount.

-Yeah.

-And lastly, the Portmeirion coffee set.

-Interesting lot.

It's '70s. It's retro, really. It fits in with modern contemporary interiors, minimalism,

-but we've gone £40-£60.

-They bought it very well at £40.

For my money, the look of the thing, the condition, the number of pieces,

-that looks like £100-£150 every day of the week, doesn't it?

-Bang for your buck.

-A lot of bang.

-There could be profit in that.

-Overall, I have a funny feeling they'll need their Bonus Buy.

Gareth, Aaron, this is your moment.

£156 you spent. You gave the man £144. Christopher, what did you buy?

Well, these guys were such fantastic contestants today, I wanted to buy you both a pair of Rolls Royces.

And I did. Sort of.

Bookends with... the Rolls Royce fronts.

-Aren't they fantastic?

-I'm lost for words!

-I know!

-But aren't they gutsy and brilliant?

-They're silver, right?

-No! They're chrome.

-OK.

-And you are like a couple of bookends.

-How old are they?

-1960s, 1970s.

-How much did they cost?

-£50.

That's not bad. We were worried, thinking he was going to blow it all.

-It's something worth thinking about.

-Oh, I'm glad of that(!)

-We do appreciate it.

-Thanks.

-Right, now for the audience at home let's see what the auctioneer thinks

about Chris's bookends.

Because they're Rolls Royce, we'll have as good a chance as anyone.

Henry Royce's house is here in Knutsford. There is a Roller dealership half a mile up the road.

-All right.

-If we can't sell them, I don't think anyone can.

-Good luck.

-We've gone 50-80.

-OK, fine. £50 paid by Gower. We'll see how he gets on.

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

-Right.

-What do you think?

-I like these. Obviously, knife rests. Continental white metal with some silver content.

-They're nicely cast. They have a bit of quality.

-Certainly have. Six.

-Think of all the knives you could elevate on your dining table.

-Could do well.

-We've said £50-£80.

-Is that all?!

-They might well make 100 plus.

They paid £63. All right, fine. Now the stained glass window.

-Great if you live in a church.

-Architectural salvage, there is a market. They can do well sometimes

-if the right buyer's in the room.

-Terribly dodgy, though. If not, £10.

-We've put 40-60 on this one.

-Fair enough. They paid £78. It's just incredibly jammy on who's around

with a lancet-shaped aperture in their converted church which they happen to be doing up!

-Not a big ask, really!

-Not really, no. Next, the lonely little cufflinks. No box.

-No.

-No enamelling.

-No enamelling.

Magic name, Charles Horner. Great Art Nouveau silversmith,

-but it is the enamelled pieces that the collectors want.

-Estimate?

-We've gone 40-60 on those.

-Have you really?! Marvellous. They only paid £28.

What with the upside on the benches and the Charles Horner,

I reckon this team is going to do all right. But just in case, let's look at their Bonus Buy.

But first, remember this?

-You're a great Everton fan, Keith. Both of you are.

-Yes.

-That's rather sweet, isn't it?

-Hence the blue fleeces!

Right, this is slightly worrying.

Be prepared. Don't go absolutely mad.

Oh, good grief!

I don't believe it!

-I do not believe it!

-Tactful, isn't it?

-This is absolutely, em...

-It's a Bonus Buy, remember.

I'm absolutely thrilled to bits(!)

-Completely underwhelmed.

-I can honestly say I'd never have bought it.

-Really?

-Absolutely.

-When I saw it, know what I thought? "I've got to have it!

"At any cost, I have to have that."

-I gave him £131.

-You didn't!

-I did.

And do you know what?

-I'd do it again. It's that horrible streak in my nature.

-I don't have to touch it.

-Woo!

-Has it come off the football ground?

-Yes, I believe it has.

The fellow says it had. It's old. Mid-20th century.

-It's as rare as you like.

-I wouldn't have paid £20.

-You wouldn't, I know that!

-You may not need it,

in which case you'll have made so much profit you can ignore it.

But you might be deeply grateful to David Harper for putting you in this happy position.

You don't want to touch it even with a rubber glove. Why don't we, for the audience at home,

-find out what the auctioneer thinks about Dave's sign?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-Now, Nicholas, I know you are very keen on sporting memorabilia here.

-Yeah, we like that.

We're pretty central, not far from Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, all these footballing cities.

-There will be fans nearby.

-Yes. It's nice and rusty, so it's old, right?

-It's quite old. Possibly as old as when they were successful.

-Oh!

-You said it, not me.

-I wish I hadn't now.

-I bet you do.

-I have to tell you, he's paid £131 for that.

-Oh...

-He really rates it.

-We've gone 40-60, to be cautious.

-Is that what it is?

-Yeah.

-We'll rely on you, mate.

-Fingers crossed.

-Cross everything.

£120. Any advance?

On the left at 120. Selling at 120.

-Quietly confident now.

-Are you?

-He's not.

-Why's that, Aaron?

-Just a little nervous now.

-You're a magician!

-I don't have much control here!

-You can flick out a profit from anywhere.

-True.

Your skills are about to be tested.

-First up is your unidentifiable vase in glass and here it comes.

-Come on!

-Look at that.

-Beautiful.

Lot number 50. A modern studio glass vase. Nice quality lot. Start me where? £20?

£20 for it? Surely not dear at 20.

-15? 10? Come on. Who's in at 10?

-Go on!

-£10. Thank you.

Any advance on £10? The bid's in the room at 10. Where's 12? We'll take 12.

At £10. The bid's only at 10. 12.

15. Still in. Come on.

- Have another go. £15. 18. - Oh, come on!

£20. 5 I have. At 25 on my left.

You'll kick yourself. It's 25 here.

- At 25 on my left. - Go on!

-That'll do, that'll do.

-Minus £13.

Lot 51 is the late-19th, early-20th century cast spelter figure of a walking lion

together with his mate, the wooden rhino.

Start me where? 30? £30? At £30?

25? 20?

Any animal lovers in today. £20.

Thank you. 20 I'm bid, right at the back. At £20 in the corner.

At £20 I will sell. At £20, it's going.

-£20 is minus £58.

-What are you doing?!

Lot 52 is the vintage 1960s, 1970s, Portmeirion coffee service

in the golden phoenix pattern. Good bit of retro. £40? 30?

20 to start me? Who's here at £20?

At £20. Thank you. Someone online is awake and listening.

This is worth £60-£80. £20(?)

Online, it's 20. It's not dear and it's going to sell at £20 only.

-£20 is minus 20.

-Sorry.

-Don't worry, don't worry.

Minus 91. What are we going to do?

-The agony of choice!

-Minus 91 is not too bad(!)

-Are you going to go with it?

-Yeah.

-You sure?

-Positive.

-If you were to lose some more...

-We have faith in you.

-Good man.

-Ready?

-We've had a great day.

-Going with it?

-Yeah.

-Lovely.

-Lot number 56 is the pair of 20th-century metal bookends.

In the form of Rolls Royce radiator grilles. I've got commission bids.

I can start the bidding straight in here at 80. And 5. 90. And 5. 100. And 10. And 20.

And 30.

At £130. The bid's with me at 130. On the book at 130.

Any advance on 130? Are you in? 140. 150. At 150.

150 against you. 160. 170. 170 with me. The bid's with me.

Going to try another? I've got 170 against you. You sure?

- Your one involvement of the day! - Selling away at 170.

-Get in!

-Yes!

-Hey, that's something else.

-Was there ever any doubt?

OK, £120-worth of profit on that.

You are plus £29. That is something else. You owe him a profit of £120.

He has saved your bacon.

-I never doubted him. Did you hear me before?

-I did.

Anyway, there we go. That is a considerable success.

-Don't say a word to the Blues.

-No.

-How exciting. Well done, Chris.

-Do you know how the Reds got on?

-Nope.

-Nope.

-We don't want you to.

This is a phenomenal saleroom. Some of the results they get here are very, very exceptional.

-Good.

-So we'll stand by for some more, we hope. Here's the first lot.

-Your knife rests. Here we go.

-Lot number 67.

Six early- to mid-20th century continental white metal knife rests.

Nicely cast in the form of garden benches.

Smart little lot. We like this. £50?

40? 30? Come on. Surely a lot you can't live without. £30?

Continental white metal. The bid's online. 30. 5. 40. It's climbing online.

On the continent.

At £40. And 5. 50. At 50. Still online and still climbing at £50.

Against the room. It's all online. At 5-0, 50, I'm selling.

-Last chance.

-£50.

-Flipping heck!

-I know.

Now here comes the stained glass window. £50 is minus 13.

Is anyone here restoring a church? This is for you. Interest online.

I've got commission interest. Start the bidding at 40. And 5. And 50. And 5.

-60. And 5. 70 And 5. On the book at £75.

-Come on!

At £75. Bid's with me on commission.

-At 75. Anything in the room? On commission.

-I don't believe this.

-Come on!

-£75 and selling. All done.

£75 is minus £3. Oh, that is close, isn't it?

-Now it's all down to these wretched cufflinks.

-Ssh!

-Charles Horner! How dare you!

Lot 69 is a pair of George V hallmarked silver cufflinks by the great Charles Horner.

Chester, 1919. Nice bit of Art Nouveau bling. Start me where? £40?

-35? 30? Who's in at £30?

-Come on.

-At 30, surely.

Are you bidding on this one? At 30. And 5.

And 40. Bidding online? The bid's on the telephone at £40. At £40.

Don't miss out. The bid's on the phone and selling.

£40 is plus £12. That is a relief, isn't it?

-You were minus 16, plus 12. Overall, you're minus £4.

-Oh, my gosh.

-Minus what?

-Minus £4.

-Minus £4, which is nothing.

-It's not right, this. What will you do about the Bonus Buy?

-I paid £131.

-£131?

-£131, all in.

-It's an awful lot of money.

-An awful lot. Having a punt?

-I think it's too much. Kick it into touch.

-Because of what it is?

-No.

-Not going with it.

-No.

-Absolutely sure?

-Not because of what it is.

-What if it makes 400?

-Oh, don't!

-Eh? Now let's find out what it's worth.

Lot number 73 - an original hand-painted, cast iron Liverpool Football Club sign.

Where are we going to go? I've got commission bids. Straight in at £60.

At £60. And 5? Who's in?

5. And 70. 5. 80. 5.

-90. At 90 I'm bid.

-Here we go.

-New bidder at 5. 100.

And 10 I've got. 120 now. At 120, back in the room.

-Wait, there's not a profit yet.

-£120. Any advance?

- Yours at 120. - Yes!

So close!

-So close, but yet so far.

-I thought it was going to fly.

-Me, too.

He had a bit of an oomph there. That was a very fair and exciting contest, wasn't it?

Well, chaps. You didn't go with it. You resisted all pressure and I congratulate you.

You have preserved your score at minus £4, which could be a winning number. Don't say a word.

-We'll convene in a moment. Thank you.

-OK. Thank you.

Well, what excitement we've had today! Talk about boom and bust.

-OK, you lot. Who's been talking, discussing the scores?

-Nobody.

-Not a thing?

-Lips are sealed?

-Yeah.

-Well, we never have losers. We simply have runners up.

-And the runners up are the Blues.

-YES! YES!

-Oh, no, sorry!

-Pat and Keith, you managed to lose by only losing £4,

-which is not so bad, is it?

-No.

-You didn't go with the Bonus Buy.

-Have you had a nice time?

-Yes.

-Marvellous.

-That's good.

The victors today are the Reds,

-who have nothing to be cocky about because...

-We know we don't!

They had substantial losses on all three of their items

-until along came Chris Gower with his Rolls Royce radiator bookends.

-I always said...

-I'm not so sure about that!

-No, you didn't!

But you came good in the end, Chris, with a profit of £120.

-How about that?

-Well done.

-By the time that was reduced by your losses,

-you have £29 coming your way.

-Thank you very much.

-OK?

So it's £29 to share out. How good is that?

-Fantastic.

-We'd a lovely day. We came with nothing.

-And I left with 29 quid!

Well, if you'd had your way, you'd have left with nothing!

-Well done, Christoph! Join us soon for some more bargain hunting. Yes?

-YES!

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

Well, what's stopping you? If you think you can spot a bargain, go to our BBC website and apply.

It'll be splendid to see you.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd