Peterborough 30 Bargain Hunt

Simply follow the A1, take the exit for Chesterton,

merge onto the A605 Oundle Road

then turn right at the next roundabout and you're here.

Well, that's all mapped out then.

Right, let's go bargain hunting.

Today we're at the Peterborough Festival Of Antiques

and, like all good festivals,

this place has got hundreds of revellers

who are arriving in their droves

to experience the experience

of being in one of Britain's largest antique fairs.

Groovy, man.

Today the Reds keep splashing the cash,

much to their expert's alarm.

Are you seriously buying that?

Well, we've seen it.

And the Blues want to hold on to every penny.

Your taste is wonderful, but you're...

-I'm cheap.

-You're cheap!

First, let's meet our contestants.

On today's show we have a couple of couples.

For the Reds, we've got Anna and we've got Phil,

and for the Blues we've got Barbara and Richard. Hello, everyone.

-ALL: Hello.

-Lovely to see you. Now, Anna,

for a while you've lived in South America?

-Well, I was born there, yes.

-Ah!

Yes, and I left there when I was 20.

-And then you came here to Britain.

-Uh, '78.

-'78.

-I hit this island, yes.

And you became an antique dealer.

At the time I was working in marketing

-and then I became a mature student.

-Mm-hm.

And eventually I became an antique dealer, a little wheeler-dealer.

How did you get on? Successful?

-I survived, but I wouldn't have said that I made a lot of lolly.

-No.

-No.

You had a bit of leftover lolly at the end of the day though,

-did you?

-Some.

Well, I'm glad to hear that.

Well, Phil, you're jolly lucky, really, cos you've got here,

wrapped up in this package,

an expert to take you on your way, haven't you?

-Yes, absolutely.

-Which is rather nice.

So she's senior partner here for today.

But structurally, you're perfectly sound in your own right, aren't you?

-Or at least your buildings are?

-Yes, that's right.

-I'm a structural engineer.

-Yes!

-And that's what I do for a living,

so nothing has ever fallen down yet, since I've been designing them.

So you're able to do these incredible calculations.

Well, the calculations are part of it,

but I'm much more interested in design, shape, form, materials,

how things go together...

You're very modest about this,

but you've done it with substantial structures

around the world, haven't you?

Yes, I have, yes.

And, to relax, you go to your shed with a hammer and some nails.

-I like to think of myself as a sort of amateur joiner.

-Right.

And I'm trying to make furniture.

Well, it sounds like good fun, and thank you very much for joining us.

Now, Barbara, you have had over a thousand babies in your life.

Not personally!

So tell us about your career in midwifery.

Um, well, I didn't want to be a midwife to start off with,

I just sort of got into it,

and over the years, personally, I've delivered just over 1,700 babies.

-1,700 babies!

-Yes.

That is quite something, isn't it?

And any sort of outstanding memories of any of these occasions?

I can remember the first delivery as if it was yesterday.

There are dramas, but, you know...

Now, Richard, you've got separate passions,

cos you're frightfully keen on flying, aren't you?

Yeah, I wanted to be a pilot when I was younger

and couldn't be, for one reason or another,

and it wasn't till well after we were married that I took it up

and I had about ten years flying.

It's lovely on a clear day, especially on a cold, clear day,

-you can see virtually the whole of Norfolk.

-Hmm.

-It's lovely, peaceful.

-And do you collect things relating to...?

I have got a library of aviation books together

and I'm always on the lookout for

bits and pieces in that line.

So, um, what are you going to hope to fly away with

from today's shopping?

We'll look for some silver.

We may see an owl for Barbara, cos she's into owls.

-Owls?

-Yes.

-You collect owls?

-I love owls.

-Well, there we go, you never know,

you might find something owl-related.

Stranger things have happened on Bargain Hunt. Anyway, here we go.

-Look, there's your £300.

-Money, money, money!

-£300.

And you can flit off with that lot, your experts await,

and very, very, very good luck.

Twit-twoo.

On THE most wet and dreary day,

the chicest of antiques experts will liven up the Reds.

It's Catherine Southon.

And he's no bookworm -

for the Blues, it's the colourful Thomas Plant.

Off you go, teams, and very, very, very good luck.

I've got a good feeling about this shopping.

-Richard, Barbara, are you excited?

-I am, yes.

-Very.

Confident?

-Yes, that's why I'm wearing red - it's the colour of confidence.

-Oh!

It's the Red team that will win, won't they?

-Jewellery.

-Jewellery, good.

-And silverware.

Perhaps a bit of silver, yeah.

Yeah, and what about you, are you interested in silver, Richard?

I like silver and also militaria,

-if there's any small pieces of that.

-Militaria!

-Well, we've got enough to be getting on with. Let's go.

-Let's go.

-Let's get onto it.

-Lots of choice in here.

-Let's get shopping.

We've hardly started, and already Latin American Anna

is making a quickstep over to the Poole Pottery.

What's the price on this?

-DEALER:

-120.

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

It's certainly vibrant, yeah.

-Yeah.

-I don't think we'd make money on it, do you?

-Not on £120.

OK, right, we'll go and we'll carry on, yeah?

Thank you very much for your time, thank you.

-How much do you want it for?

-Me?

I would like it for about 70.

70 quid?

I say, that one's a live wire.

Are you seriously buying that?

-We've seen it.

-We'll think about that.

-We're thinking about it.

-DEALER:

-OK.

Right, OK. Um, thank you very much indeed. Thank you, thank you.

Cor, you're quick off the mark, Anna,

but are you in step with the rest of your team, eh?

I think I'm going to have to put some reins on you.

I'm a bit worried about you.

We need some reins so we can pull her in.

SHE WHINNIES

But hold your horses. What's that the Blues are eyeing up?

Could your luck be in?

We've got a little snuffbox here

this gentleman has pointed out to me.

But the extraordinary interest is on this back here.

"Wish Mr H Webb,

"Sir Isaac Newton, Jacks Wood."

Sir Isaac Newton, eh? That's not to be sniffed at.

And is it silver?

-No, no, it's brass.

-Brass?

-And how much does he want for that?

-I don't know. How much is this?

-DEALER: £45.

-£45.

That's quite reasonable, isn't it?

That's worth a punt, if we can get the price down a little bit.

It's mad this, isn't it?

Having this...hand-etched Sir Isaac Newton signature on here.

It's quite interesting. Jacks Wood.

Well, I think it will appeal to several different classes of people.

Yeah, I think so as well.

What can be your very best on it?

-DEALER: 40.

-We can do 30.

-40 is his best.

-40. Do you think that's...?

I don't know, I don't know. It's just... I mean, the thing is,

if it was just a normal snuffbox I'd say, "Yeah, OK...

"£15."

I think it's worth a try.

-Do you want to do it?

-Yes, all right, why not?

-Yes, why not?

-Are you sure?

-Yes.

-We've only been shopping for, like, three minutes!

It doesn't matter, we've got longer then for the others.

I think we should go for it. You can't lose, can you, going for that?

Yeah, great. Well, first item down.

Nice and decisive, Blues. No horsing around here.

Your first buy, and in only four minutes.

But what's happening in the Red corner?

-£680.

-Come on, come on!

-I've got expensive taste.

-Have you got £995?

You have very expensive taste.

That's thousands.

Yeah, a bit out of budget for that.

# Hey, big spender!

# Spend

# ..a little time with me... #

I think you two need £1,000, because everything you're picking up,

EVERYTHING you're picking up,

is three figures.

Looks like you'll be going into the red at this rate. Ha!

Now, where are the Blues? It looks like they've spotted some glass.

What do you notice about them?

When you look at that bit of glass?

-They're all the same shape.

-It's as if that was...

uh, maybe Scandinavian, originally.

Look at this man here. What am I doing standing here?

Back of the net! Well done. How do you know that's Scandinavian?

There's something about the form of them,

the flowing shape, that I recognise from magazines, yes.

So they're Scandinavian and they've been wheel-engraved

so they're lead crystal with a wheel engraving to them.

-Wow.

-So, this one is a very nice ovoid glass

and it's by Kosta by Lindstrand.

Beautifully engraved with the Pisces the fish on it.

-It's rather good, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Very nice.

So is it all the same glass-maker, yes?

Oh, no. It'll all be either Kosta or Orrefors.

So this one here, again, a nice bowl. Beautiful shape,

with a girl on here, little flowers...

This has been engraved on the base here

and this one could be an Orrefors, because you've got O-F there.

And then this one here

is again a little bud vase

and that's got Kosta on it and the number.

-They're all very desirable bits of glass.

-They are.

-Beautifully, beautifully blown and beautifully engraved.

-Simple, but...

Simple, but perfectly formed.

Just like you then, Tom.

I think we should buy them.

We've got the name and we've got the designer behind it.

-And you've really got a timeless shape.

-Yes, timeless shapes. Go on.

Have a go, have a go.

-Where is he? Where is he?

-Hello.

-DEALER:

-Hi.

-Um, the three vases here.

What about £25?

-Go on.

-OK, 25.

-Yeah? What did she get them for?

-25.

Brilliant! Well done, you.

-Second item down.

-That's good, yes.

-Are you pleased?

Yes, I am, and that's very nice.

Good show, team!

Your second item and only 20 minutes in,

but dare I ask what's happening on the other team? Oh, dear!

After that first flurry of activity,

they haven't even got their first buy.

Hold on! Huh, what's Anna spotted?

-That's the one.

-Oh, that's nice, dear.

-Yes.

-I like her.

A lady in waiting. Huh!

-What do you think, um, you could do for us?

-Do you like that?

-What do you like about it?

-Yes, quite.

-Uh, I like, uh...

the figure, the texture. I like the way she's sort of...

-quite relaxed.

-She's very relaxed. She is, yes.

You don't seem too relaxed about it, Catherine.

What's the price on it?

-95.

-95.

-Right, let's have a close inspection.

-Yeah.

-What's it made from?

-Terracotta.

-It is terracotta, is it?

-DEALER:

-Yes.

So it's German. So she's probably Deco, '20s, '30s.

-Would you have this at home?

-Yes.

-You would?

-We have one like this at home.

-Oh, do you?

Oh, well, that's why she's interested, do you think?

And the best price on it is...?

You could have her for 80.

A little bit less!

Well, 75, very best.

70. 70 and I'll love you for ever.

Feel that Latin American love!

How can you resist!

-Go on.

-Are we definitely interested? Are we definitely going for this?

-Yes, I would like it, yes.

-I'll go with this one.

If you really like it then. Is it going to make money at auction?

-Uh, that is a really good question.

-Yes.

Quite an important one.

But at least we're going with a piece.

Please, please, please, please, please, please!

-Go on!

-How can you resist?

-Go on then.

-Bless her.

-£70. I'm not sure. Anyway, we've bought it.

-It's lovely.

-Thank you.

-Oh, yeah, good luck.

-I think we might need it.

Oh, dear!

ANNA LAUGHS

I don't think your expert's on side with this one at all, Reds.

Not a wise move, perhaps?

Meanwhile, are the Blues having a hoot?

-There's a lovely owl there.

-Do you like owls?

-I love owls.

-Do you?

-Yeah.

-Some people don't like owls. Why do you like owls?

-Cos they look so haughty.

-Richard...

-Coming.

-Your good lady has said to me she loves owls.

-I do.

-Have you seen the price?!

-No, I haven't.

God, I feel quite weak at the thought of it.

-I probably don't like that owl so much.

-£250. Do you like her at 250?

-Pop him back.

-Pop him back, yeah, absolutely. Come on.

-He flies away.

Come on. Move on. Move on. Move on.

Yep, quite right. Wise to leave it well alone at that price.

The next question is, has Catherine managed to rein in the Reds?

-We're going to look for my wood.

-OK, 22 minutes.

-My wood!

You've got what you want.

-Time for the wood.

-Now it's Phil's turn. He wants wood.

Hear that, Anna? It's wood. Wood!

# You better knock, knock Knock on wood...#

Or is it?

Could we look at the Art Nouveau stuff?

What do you want? What have you found now?

Could we look at the Art Nouveau stuff?

-It looks like you're going to lose your turn.

-Yeah, maybe.

-It's Anna's turn again.

-It's all right.

Anna's leading the way again.

I hope it's not for another item out of your price range though.

Uh-oh.

Huh! But we're going to the other extreme on the Blue team.

-So this is what you like, is it?

-I do.

-A little...what appeals to you on this one?

-I like brooches.

-It's only £22.

-Yeah.

-Barbara, your taste is wonderful, but you're...

-I'm cheap.

-You're cheap! Are you a cheap date? Was she a cheap date?

-Yes.

-I only drink water, you see.

-What?! Water?

-I like a cheap date.

I bet Richard saved a few bob over the years.

-I think, you know, you've got all this money...

-I know and I'm trying.

On the Red team, Anna's on a mission - to spend!

215.

I like the design and I do like the shape.

But I think it's too much money.

I don't think we'll make a profit at auction.

Absolutely.

175.

-175?

-Yeah.

Well, it's getting better.

It's getting better, but I can tell you,

you won't make money on it at auction.

Good advice, Catherine.

Um, 150.

-No, it's got to be more like 100.

-Obviously, it won't be...!

You've got to have a margin, love.

-DEALER:

-I'd meet you halfway at 160.

-It's too much.

-At 160, too much?

I think it won't... I think it will sell at 150 in auction.

-I think it's beautiful.

-I suppose...

-It is, it's really nice.

It is really nice. I'm not... I wouldn't want to...

Say 150 to me, I'll be your friend for ever!

All right, 150.

You see?

-You're going to take it?

-Yeah.

OK.

Well done, darling. Well done. You've got your Art Nouveau piece.

I know. And now it's your piece of wood.

It seems the ranks are revolting, Catherine!

On the other hand, the Blues have fallen into line

behind their expert.

Well, come and have a look over here. There's some brooches in here

and I think one of them you might quite like.

-I like that one.

-I thought you'd like that one.

What do you love about her?

Well, I love brooches anyway and it's just so delicate.

Let's just have a look - there's a little mark on the base here.

It says nine carat

and these are little amethysts...

with little seed pearls in there...

-in the Art Nouveau style. Isn't it sweet?

-That's very attractive, that.

Isn't it?

-Do you think that's our third and final item?

-I like it.

-Shall we see if we can do a deal on it?

-Yes.

-Why not?

-What's it cost?

-75. Do you want me to go and have a chat?

-Yes.

-Go on.

-OK.

Over in the Red team, Phil's finally indulging his wish

to choose something wooden.

But can they see the wood for the trees?

£28 they want, but I would give them...

Three quid.

Ah-ha! Are the Reds finally pulling together then?

-What have you found, guys?

-You are very good with instruments and...

-What's he found?

-..contraptions?

-I see what you mean.

-Oh, it's a rolling ruler.

-Yeah, a rolling ruler.

Well, you can use it for architectural purposes

-or perhaps for, if you were at sea...

-Charts.

..charting, for plotting, for moving it up and down,

to see which direction you were going in.

Do you think 100 years old?

It's certainly late 19th Century, yes,

and nice to be in its original case,

-that is jolly nice.

-Good little mahogany box.

Cos you see so many of these

and they're not in their original case.

But the standard size is about...

Is about this. So that's a smaller size in its case, which is nice.

My only concern here is that we're not going to a sale...

specialising in instruments or something like that.

-We're going to a general sale.

-Well...

And in a general sale

I can probably see it only doing about £30-£40, £30-£50.

-Uh-huh.

-What's on it?

-I think it's about £80, is it?

-£80.

-£80.

Well, it's just the time factor for me.

Yeah, it's not worth it at £80, is it?

What is your very best? Bargain Hunt.

-DEALER:

-70.

-OK, well, we'd better leave it.

-We may come back for it.

Thank you very much.

-OK, all right.

-OK, follow.

Yeah, get a move on, Phil. Don't let your heart rule your head.

Good to see Thomas hard at work for the Blues.

He's just shelled out £50 for that brooch.

-Well done!

-I thought it was worth every penny.

-I thought you fell in love with it, didn't you?

-I love it.

You can't beat that.

-That's nice, that.

-Well done.

-You like that, don't you?

-Yes, I love it.

-Right.

That's it - three items down. (You've hardly spent any money!)

-Sorry about that!

-No, no, no!

We've just saved us all the more for you to spend.

No, no, all the more for me to spend.

-Just think of the challenge that you can have.

-The challenge?

-Yes.

Indeed, the Blues have been so careful

Thomas has two thirds of the kitty left to play with.

It's another story though for the big-spending Reds -

only £80 left with eight minutes to go.

-We haven't got any time now, we've got about eight minutes left.

-OK.

And you're wandering around like we've got three hours!

Oh, hurry up.

-Um...

-How about that?

Ghastly.

Go and buy that instrument if you like it, love.

Finally, you've got your good lady's blessing, Phil.

We're in a bit of a hurry and you said 70, didn't you?

-DEALER:

-Yes.

Yeah, now, could you do just a little bit less?

-It's very difficult, cos it's not MY piece.

-I understand that.

-I don't know what he paid for it.

-I understand that.

But I will say it's 65.

-That's halfway in between the two.

-I think that's very generous,

-that's very kind, considering he's not here.

-Yeah.

-It's a bit tough, but...

-OK, well, that's brilliant.

-So we'll shake on that one.

-At last! Phew!

-Your final purchase, and with only 15 seconds left.

-That's close.

Time's up. Let's check out what the Red team bought, eh?

First of all, the Reds got saucy

buying this German 1930s terracotta nude at £70.

Then they got fruity with this Art Nouveau pewter bowl

at a rather pricey £150.

But did they finally measure up

with this late 19th Century brass ruler bought for £65?

Do you think we overspent?

All sounding promising. How much did you spend all round?

-285.

-Did you? That's a nice number, isn't it?

-Don't you think?

-I do think that's a nice number, Anna.

-So, the wonga is gone.

Well, almost.

-OK, you spent 285. I'd like £15 of leftover lolly then.

-Are you sure?

-Yes, I'm sure I'm sure.

-Is it worth it?

Yes, it is, it most certainly is,

because Catherine will go and find you

-a dazzling, profitable jewel with those miserable £15.

-Yes.

But, first of all, Phil, which is your favourite piece?

-Oh, the rule, the ruler, the architect's navigator's ruler.

-OK.

-A beautiful mahogany box.

-Lovely.

-Brass!

-Do you agree with that?

Um, I like it, but my favourite is the Art Nouveau planter, Osiris.

OK, that's lovely. And is that going to bring the biggest profit?

-No.

-Uh, no...

-OK.

But on the other hand, what is going to bring the biggest profit?

Well, that's the question I'm going to put to you next, Anna!

-Which is going to bring the biggest profit?

-Um...

-Possibly the figure of a woman that we bought first time.

-Terracotta.

-Although our expert doesn't think so.

-OK.

Well, you never know what Catherine's going to find you

-with the £15.

-We might get a nice little...

Not furniture, I don't think.

I would like a Regency piece of furniture.

Do you want to come with me?

Well, I don't know, talk about great expectations!

Very good luck with that.

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

Did the Blues get lucky

when they found the horseshoe-shaped snuffbox at £40?

They followed it up with this group of Scandinavian glass vases -

£25 paid.

Last but not least, they went for gold

with the Edwardian nine-carat and amethyst brooch, paying £50 for it.

-Yes, you've not spent that much, have you?

-Oh, we...

-I'm going to have to spend it all.

-Oh, I hope you do.

-Well, I will.

Hang on a minute. How much did you spend actually?

£115.

Who's got the £185 of leftover lolly? Thank you very much.

-Which is your favourite piece out of your...

-The brooch.

-Is it?

-Yes.

-The brooch?

-Yes.

-Do you agree with that, Ricardo?

My favourite is the glassware.

-That's your favourite piece.

-Yes, there's three pieces.

-And is that going to bring the biggest profit?

-Uh...

-The glass?

-Maybe, yes. Probably.

-Maybe probably yes.

-Yes.

-Thank you for that prediction, Richard! What about you, darling?

-The glass I think, yeah.

-Do you? All right, fine.

Well, Tom's not agreeing with that, but you've got all that money, Tom.

-What are you going to spend it on?

-The lot!

Are you going to spend it all?

-I'll give a you a clue - I've seen something.

-Have you?

-Have we seen it?

-No.

-Oh!

-Hopefully it will bring us luck.

-Hmm.

Well, luck is what we're all after.

Meanwhile, I'm heading off to show you a collection

that is sure to turn a few heads.

This is rather fun, isn't it?

Do you like that? What is it?

Well, technically it's something called a page-turner,

so you've got your big old family Bible like this, look...

And you're on Deuteronomy 7 and you want to turn the next page,

you use this blade to turn the page

and as you continue with your read of the family Bible,

you turn successive pages using one of these jokers.

Or, when you've got to your moment, you simply shut it like that

and it doubles as a bookmark.

Clever, isn't it?

This one is what I call average quality.

It's actually made of a piece of bamboo,

so probably made out East,

and I guess it probably dates from around 1880 to 1910.

Next, it's something completely different.

This is made of a piece of larch.

The larch has been formed into a thin section

and then it's been transfer-printed with these scenes.

Both of the scenes are from Jersey

and this sort of stencilled souvenir-ware

is collectable in its own right.

You might quite fancy this little chap,

which came in the same group,

another one made of a section of bamboo,

this time engraved with a turtle and a few bugs and a piece of grass.

Next it's something really rather special.

Exactly how old is this?

Cos the handle is wrapped in a piece of vellum,

vellum that looks as if

it might have come from some 15th or 16th century bookbinding.

It's been illuminated like an early piece of vellum

with these designs, most of which have rubbed off.

And the blade of the paperknife itself is all blotchy,

cos somebody has squidged some reddish paint on it

to make it look like tortoiseshell.

Stylistically, this thing could be as early as 17th century.

Actually though, I think it's a 19th century fantasy.

The next piece is exquisitely made.

Probably Anglo-Indian,

coming from the 1790s to 1820 period,

it's made of a sliver of ebony - dark, heavy wood

that's been crafted to look like a knife

with this shell-shaped ferule and a lovely handle.

A little bit of furniture polish on this

and it will come up an absolute treat.

And lastly in this little tribe, the most special of all...

It's been made from some decking re-salvaged from the RMS Mauretania.

Launched in 1906, this grand liner,

known as the Old Lady Of The Atlantic,

made more than 260 return voyages to America

before she was scrapped in 1934.

She would have carried literally millions of passengers

who loved her to bits.

And so, when she was taken to bits,

they didn't throw all the pieces away.

It's a kind of marine relic.

So, six paperknives or page-turners,

each telling their own story.

And if you're a collector of such things,

they're remarkably cheap to acquire,

because all six of these could be yours for £35.

That's it - £35 for the lot. How's that?

'But the big question is, will it be full steam ahead

'for our teams at the auction?'

All done at 75.

Well, we popped 12 miles from Peterborough to Batemans Saleroom

to meet our old mate, our old mucker, David Palmer.

-David, how are you?

-Very well, thanks.

It's lovely to be here, and kicking off for our Reds today,

they've got this naked lady. Does it date from the 1930s, do you think?

It is of that style.

It has that appearance, but it's been cast, hasn't it? In a mould.

It has, and therefore it could have been done yesterday.

It could have been.

Yes, and it's got that slightly unfortunate muddy colour.

How much do you think she's worth?

My colleagues have put an estimate of 50 to 80.

-That means you don't believe it, personally?

-I don't agree with them.

Well, how much do you think it's worth, personally?

-I think she's only going to do £30 or £40.

-Do you?

-Yes.

-OK, fine.

£70 paid.

Next is the Liberty-lookalike pewter double-handed bowl,

-which has a sort of squat charm to it.

-It's got the look, hasn't it?

And it's a nice bowl, you can look at it,

you could fill that with fruit, whatever.

-Yes.

-Potpourri.

-What's it worth?

40 to 60.

Oh, dear! They paid 150!

It will be mass-produced, you'd find examples of them all over the world.

All over the world.

OK, well, we're all over the shop here.

Next is the Catherine Southon

navigating instrument parallel ruler.

-It's a nice-looking instrument if it was polished up.

-Mm-hm.

But what are you going to do with it?

Put it in its box, put it in the bottom of a cupboard

and never look at it.

-Unless you navigate, in which case you could use it seriously.

-Yeah.

Well, all right then, let's get really tough with this

and what's the estimate?

-We've gone for 30 to 50.

-That's really tough. £65 paid.

-And, in all honesty, our 30 to 50 is being nice and generous.

-Is it?

-I think.

-In which case they're going to need the bonus buy,

so let's go and have a look at it.

Now, Anna, Phil,

you were such good sports at your buying, you spent £285,

which is marvellous.

You only gave Catherine £15, so a challenge, Catherine!

-What did you find?

-Well, it was certainly a challenge,

especially because they wanted an early piece of Georgian furniture.

-Oh, really?

-Which was not really going to happen with £15.

-Oh!

But I bought you something wooden.

Lovely.

-Cos you like a bit of wood, don't you?

-Oh, fantastic!

-Not terribly exciting.

-Love it, love it.

-Nice sarcophagus shape.

-Have it, dear.

-So what do you think the profit could be?

You know, with a bit of luck and...?

Somebody's going to buy this, I think, for up to £30, £40.

We should at least double our money and hopefully make a bit more.

-I think so.

-I think that's a very nice prediction.

-Tempting, tempting.

Very tempting. Well, just rest with that thought,

cos right now, for the audience at home,

let's find out from the auctioneer what he thinks.

Right then, David, there's one of the most boring boxes

you've ever seen in all your life.

Largely because poor wee Catherine only had £15 to spend

and that's what she spent it on.

If you only had £15 to spend, might you have bought that box?

I...I... Yes, if there was nothing else there.

I mean, it's had a few repairs.

-We've got the side repaired with a bit of mahogany.

-Mm-hm.

A little bit there, so we've got mixed woods.

Mixed woods - largely rosewood, but some mixture to it.

But what I like about it in design terms is,

for something made in the 1830s, 1840s, something like that,

-it's quite contemporary-looking, isn't it?

-It is.

It would go stylishly well in a London loft.

If you've only got £15, I think it's £15 well spent.

Will it turn a profit on £15, do you think?

-I would like to think so. 20 to 40 we're hoping.

-Are you?

Well, that's brilliant. That's it for the Reds, now for the Blues,

and quite a lowly lot here.

First up is the novelty plated-brass, horseshoe-formed snuffbox.

Right, well, I think it's better than you are saying,

because we've got a correct horseshoe represented on the lid -

four nail-hits down one side, three the other,

so this is a proper racing thing.

Some gambler or some racehorse owner had it.

We have a series of names on the underside.

So, they could be racehorses then? The names of racehorses...

-I think so, yes.

-..that the owner of that box once owned?

-Yes.

So, you feel it's a thoroughly authentic,

-horsey, racing-related object?

-Yes.

And what do you think it's worth as a result of all that?

I still only think £10 to £20.

£40 we paid.

Now, we're going to go to Scandinavia

and look at these three lovely vases - "Kosta" lotta, we hope!

Well, they'd cost you a lot if you went to buy them new.

-I mean, they're not old.

-No.

-But they're designer-made, signed...

-Beautifully engraved, aren't they?

-They are, and they're well-made.

And well-made. How much?

100 to 150, that sort of price range.

How much?

-£100 to £150.

-I watched his lips there,

did you? £25 we paid.

That is only an estimate.

I love that! Don't you start backtracking now!

Lastly, they've got this little brooch,

which seems to have a shamrock on it.

I mean, it's typical of its type, a wonderful example of its type,

the box, as well, matches in, lovely.

Yeah. How much?

-40 to 60.

-£40 paid, so we're pretty well on-the-money there.

Let's go and have a look at the bonus buy, shall we?

Barbara, Richard, you spent £115 -

pretty miserable, I have to say!

You gave Thomas Plant £185. Thomas, what did you spend it on?

-Well, guys...

-Ooh!

-Oh!

-I thought I'd buy you something quite strange.

This is a Chinese nephrite amulet.

I think it's quite old, I think it could be 18th century.

It's got Li tigers on it -

these are Li, these Li tigers creeping round the edge.

How much did you spend?

Hmm, well, they don't come cheap!

-No.

-No.

-How much did you spend?

-The lot.

-You didn't, did you?

-Yeah, stuffed it, did it, done it. Done.

-Wow!

-Wow!

-But the thing is, it's just a very interesting thing.

Look at the work. Now, you cannot carve jade.

You have to grind it. It's a good thing.

-How much is it going to bring them, Tom?

-Well, do you know what?

Interestingly enough, it could make real money.

-It could make real money.

-Really?

-Like, how much is real money? £500?

£500 to £800, it could do. It could do.

If the right people have seen it...

On the other hand, Tom, it might make £20, mightn't it?

It might make £20, they may not like it,

but I don't think it was made yesterday.

It's a bit of a speculative thing, this. OK, hold on to those thoughts.

Meanwhile, why don't we find out for the viewers at home

what the auctioneer thinks

about the Souba sword-guard button amulet...whatever it is.

Well, here we go. Something from the Orient for you.

-I think it's wonderfully tactile, isn't it?

-Yeah.

Nice colour, not drab.

So it's some sort of ring for a belt, or a bit of regalia.

-Is it?

-Hmm. And it ought to be worth a lot of money.

-It should be worth £400 or £500.

-Oh, good.

-No.

-Oh.

We've estimated it at 80 to 120,

because there's so many around

-and it's heavily reproduced.

-Ah.

But there are people that know.

Ah, well, on that optimistic note,

you're going to be taking the sale, aren't you?

-I am.

-We're in safe hands.

You think?!

Now, Anna and Phil, this is exciting, isn't it?

-It is very exciting.

-Very good.

Now, Anna, tell me, honestly, how often do you go to auctions?

Every week?

Eh, no, no. Every month.

-Every month?

-Mmm.

-You're a once-a-month goer.

-Eh, kind of thing.

-Kind of thing. OK, fine.

So you're familiar with these places, I mean, you get a certain number of people in the room

-and then a certain number of internet bidders, right?

-Yes.

And we're rather hoping that the internet bidders

-will come forward...

-Absolutely.

-..for your naked lady, yes?

-Absolutely.

And if the worst comes to the worst,

you've got the £15 casket from heaven to fall back on, haven't you?

-That's an absolute godsend.

-Courtesy of clever old Catherine.

So, we're standing by then. First up is the terracotta nude

and, um, I have to say, she is looking good.

A 1930s-style girl...

20 quid for her, straight in at £20.

20 I'm bid over there, at 20 - 22.

Thank you, sir. 22.

25, 28, 30.

32, 35, 38, 40,

-45, 50, 55...

-Yes.

60, 65, 70,

75, 80.

-At 80, oh, come on.

-(You clever girl.)

At £81, the bid is here at 81. I sell then at 81.

-Yes! Well done!

-Oh, brilliant!

-Congratulations, brilliant.

-Well done.

-That puts us all in our place, doesn't it?

Pewter bowl showing up there, I mean, this is an impressive piece.

Uh, 30 quid for it. 30 I'm bid.

32, 35, at 38,

40, 45, at 45,

50, 55, I've got 65,

net, you need to go 70.

70, the bid is here at 70.

-Go 72?

-YES!

No, they haven't done it yet.

LAUGHTER

See how excited he is!

Sold on the net then at 70.

Well done, £70. That's minus 80 on that.

You had 11, which means you're minus 69, doesn't it?

Anyway, now, come on, here comes the parallel ruler.

Interesting piece, an engineering piece,

if you like this sort of thing.

£20 for it. 20? 10?

5?

5, I'm bid at 5 only.

6, 7, 8, 10,

room at 10, 12.

15, in the room at 15. 18.

20. Net, you're going to have to go higher, I've got 20 in the room.

It's like walking through treacle, isn't it?

At 28, sold on the net at 28. Nobody else?

-Minus 106.

-Oh!

-In a bet of a debt.

-We've got a lot of...

-It doesn't sound too bad if you say it quick enough.

-No.

Anyway, minus 106. Now, it seems to me this is a no-brainer, right?

-The last choice...

-True, true.

-Which is to go with the box or not?

-Yes.

We're going with the box, and here it comes, how lovely.

Lot 1154 is the Victorian rosewood jewellery casket.

It's a really nice little piece of furniture, a proper antique,

a piece of Regency furniture there. Let's say £20 to start. 20 I'm bid.

-This phone at £20.

-22!

-Two telephone bidders, isn't that exciting?

-That's good.

28.

ON PHONE: Would you like to bid?

28 on the net. The net's come in at 28. 30 on the phone.

The phone at 30. Net, you're out. New money at the back at 32. 35.

At 35 and another go - 38.

-Go on.

-Yes! Come on!

45 on the phone.

Go, 48.

-Yes!

-He's gone 48, sold there at £48. All done at 48.

So, you were minus 106,

then along cantered Catherine with her £33 profit on the box.

-You're now minus 73, which is not too bad, is it?

-It's not bad at all.

What an exciting auction. Anyway, don't say a word to the Blues.

-Not a word.

-Well done, team.

-Thank you.

Here at 20, this phone at £20.

Well, we've been waiting for this, Babs, haven't we?

Everything good you wait for.

-That's true.

-Good things are worth waiting for.

Are you crossing your fingers or what?

-I've crossed everything, even my eyes.

-Oh, lovely!

Now, here we go then.

It's a proper little snuffbox that was used, I guess,

by some racehorse gambler or a trainer

or some connection with an important racing stable.

£20 for it. £20 I'm bid. 22. At 22 now.

-Is that it?

-Is that it? Go on?

22, 25, net at 25, 28.

-Come on!

-Come on!

-32. At 32, all done then.

-Oh, no!

At £32.

It's not a disaster, it's minus 8. OK, fine. Now, Kosta Boda.

-We've got a lot pinning on this Kosta Boda. Yes.

-Yes.

Glass vases, £100 for all three. Straight in at 100?

50 then?

-20 quid?

-Oh, no!

-Come on.

-20 I'm bid. At 20 now.

22 here. 22, 25, at 28, net at 28,

30, at £30 now, £32, 35,

-at 35...

-Yes!

-At 35. Net, where are you?

Internet at 38, back in the room at 40.

At £40, and I sell in the room then at 40. Nobody else?

-Yes, well done, Thomas. That's a profit of £15.

-Well done!

Lot 1172 is the Edwardian nine-carat rose-gold,

amethyst and sea-pearl-set bar brooch.

At 40 quid for that, straight in, 40 quid?

-40 I'm bid, 40, 45, 50 now, add 5 again.

-Yes!

At 50, take the 5, 55, 60,

-here at 65, 70, 75.

-Wow!

Is that it?

All done at 75.

-Plus £25. You are a brilliant woman.

-Well done.

That gives you plus 32.

Now, this is a tidy sum of money

to be walking home with on Bargain Hunt, all right?

It's very nice to have profit written all over it.

£32 is an achievement. £32 could be a winning score.

Now, what are you going to do

about this Chinese nephrite pendant fellow?

-Well, we're going with Tom's.

-What?!

-We're going with Tom's.

-What?!

-TOM:

-It's a good thing, I like it, but you've got a profit.

-All right then , we'll...

-No, no, no, no, no....

-I'll be ruled by you.

-We'll stick, we'll stick.

-You're not going to go with Tom's?

-No, we're going to stick.

How many years have you been married?

-33!

-33!

OK, fine, well, it's nice to know

we've got this decision-making process between you.

33 years and three hours.

OK, fair enough. We're not going with the bonus buy,

but we're going to sell it anyway, and here it comes.

-The Chinese nephrite jade...

-Watch it make 1,500.

Could be very, very old. Who knows?

You can't tell with this sort of stuff.

Couple of hundred then, straight in, £200 for the disc?

£100 for the disc.

£50 for the disc?

-A tenner? Tenner bid, 10, 12...

-Oh, no!

At 12 now.

Is that it?

At £12.

15, 18, 20, 22, 25.

28.

30, 32,

-35, 38...

-This is the way it happens.

-Oh, no!

-40, 45. 50, 55.

The bid is here at 55. Is that it? At 55. Nobody else?

-Oh! Gosh, so close that was, wasn't it?

-You made the right decision.

That would have been minus 130, but, as it is, it's parked,

and you're going to walk home with plus £32.

-You made the right decision.

-You made the right decision.

-Anyway, there we are. Don't say a word to the Reds, all right.

-No.

-And we will have a most exciting reveal in just a moment.

-Thank you.

Well, teams, have we had fun today?

-Yes.

-Tremendous fun.

-Do you know what the scores are between you two?

-No.

-No idea.

-Well, there's quite a chasm between you, I have to say.

We cannot believe that you've been to the same place shopping,

-doing the same activity, with such a polarity between you.

-Oh, dear.

Anyway, the team that is running up today -

because we don't have losers any more - by a long chalk,

are the Reds.

-Sorry about that, Reds.

-Yes! Yes!

You started off with that nice little profit on the naked lady

and it went all downhill from there,

-until you got to Catherine's bonus buy.

-Wow!

Because to make a profit of £33 on that little box, Catherine,

-was an achievement.

-Thank you.

-So, well done for that, darling,

but overall, the score at minus 73 is not so hot.

-Not so hot.

-Not so hot.

-But the victors today again take home some money.

-Yes!

-Which makes a change. They're going to take home £32, there we go.

-Wow!

-£32!

-Give it to the boss.

-There's the £30, there's the two.

You made a very wise decision there, Babs,

rejecting the bonus buy. Because, Tom, that was a funny old result,

-wasn't it?

-It was a funny old result. Can we not talk about that?

We won't dwell on it. Anyway, you've enjoyed yourselves?

-Yes, we had a lovely time.

-We've loved having you on the show.

In fact, 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