Peterborough 31 Bargain Hunt

Today we've come for a quick ski at the East of England "Snowground" - sledging is not compulsory.

But I'm assured there are all sorts of bargains to be had inside these sheds for our teams.

So let's go bargain hunting! Mush, mush!

Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife,

spent her final days here in Peterborough,

having been cast aside by the King.

But it's not just places that can tell us a bit of history.

Objects can, too. So let's have a look at the tales that are about to be revealed right now.

Watch out, watch out, there's a head teacher about.

There's no fooling this one. Scary.

-Shiny!

-Shiny is always good, but all that glistens is not gold.

But this is a game with surprises and it can bring out a new you.

-Oh!

-Oh?

-I like this new Andrew.

-Is this the new Andrew?

-Yeah, yeah!

That's coming up, but first let's meet the teams.

Today we have two boy/girl teams. For the Reds, we've got Russell and Maggie, old chums.

-And for the Blues, Laura and Andrew, who've been married for yonks. How long?

-Just three years.

-Hello, everyone!

-Hello.

-Russell, I have to be on my best behaviour. You're the Deputy Headmaster?

-Absolutely so.

-Which school do you teach at and what do you do?

I teach at two schools in Cambridge - the International School and Sancton Wood School. Latin and Spanish.

-How do you say, "Let's go bargain hunting" in Latin?

-Venatio is hunt.

Bargain would be something that is not expensive - non carus.

-HE FORMS SENTENCE

-Lovely. We'll leave that with you, thanks very much.

-Maggie, you work in the same school.

-I do, yes.

-Are you a teacher?

-No, I'm on the admin side.

-Hidden away.

-Are you?

-Yes.

-You met each other at the school.

-Yes, though Russell's wife Harriet, owner of the school,

didn't want to introduce me to Russell and I can't think why.

-She might have thought I'd lead him astray.

-But how? You were brought up by nuns!

-Indeed, yes.

-That's why there's no longer an order!

-Even your silent order has broken up?

-Yes, I'm afraid so!

How are you going to structure your lessons today?

We're going to be buying memorable bits of silver, we're hoping.

I bet you'll do jolly well.

Now, Laura, you've been married for three years. How did you meet?

I returned to my home village in 2006 after living in West Yorkshire.

I bought a little cottage on a courtyard and the day I moved in I saw the neighbour over the way.

He was sweeping up some leaves. I thought, "I think I recognise him from school." Then he swept nearer.

-Mm-hm.

-And eventually he introduced himself and we never looked back.

-And I bet your yard is very clean to this day.

-Always, yes, always!

-What a wonderful way to fall in love.

-Swept me off my feet!

-Oh, how sweet. Good.

-What do you currently do?

-Like Maggie, I work in a school, back of house. Very important.

I started off in reception and then I went on maternity leave. I've gone back part-time now.

-Brilliant. Andrew, you work for a charity. Tell us about that.

-That's right. A national charity

helping people with sickness and disability back into work.

I recently moved away from the client-based side of things to the dreaded audit team.

Contract compliance. Fancy name.

-Checking up on everybody else.

-Not always everyone's favourite.

We do try to sell our services as a positive thing, but a lot of people do shy away when we walk in.

-You have a hobby business together.

-We make miniature ornamental rocking horses.

-That's a very nice idea.

-If you don't want the full-size job, just get a model.

-They take up far less room and look good

-for christenings and weddings.

-They don't eat anything.

-Exactly.

So what's your business plan today? What will you be buying?

We're after some quality items. Perhaps something unusual that we haven't seen before.

In these fairs, it's all out there lurking. Now the money moment.

£300 apiece. Your experts await.

Off you go! And very, very, very good luck.

And who are our experts today?

Picture perfect and representing the Reds, we have the charismatic Catherine Southon.

And ready to hammer out some profits for the Blues, it's the audacious Thomas Plant.

So what's our plan of action today?

We'd love to find something beautiful, something silver, something memorable.

-Memorable. What do you think?

-I agree!

So the Reds are wrapped up warm, but the Blues are out in the cold. Brrr!

-It shows we brave all weathers!

-Absolutely.

Come rain, shine or snow, this show toughs it out.

-There are no little weeds on Bargain Hunt.

-So you're looking for something classy?

-I think so.

-But watch out. Expensive items can lead to any profits going up in a cloud of smoke.

-The pipes?

-The pipes are fascinating, but they will be quite expensive.

-I've got ideas above my station!

What's good is you've got a good eye, focusing on good items.

Yes, Andrew. When you spot something you like, no point keeping it under your hat.

-Found anything, guys?

-I was wondering about the golf hat pin.

-Do you want to see how much that can be?

-No.

-No? OK, all right.

-Thank you very much.

Don't hold back, Russell! Now Tom's brain is working like a well-oiled machine.

-What's that?

-This is an oil lamp. The oil would have gone in here and you'd have wicks coming out.

I don't know if it's Indian. I think it probably is.

-What's it made of? Just brass?

-It is. It's got a bit of age.

I've never seen one with all the accoutrements, which is lovely.

-You can imagine that in a souk.

-Yes!

-The lights coming up...

-I'm painting a picture.

-How much is that?

-It's 69.

-How much do you think it would sell for?

-You want to get it for 40. That's my opinion.

-Whose stall is this?

-I do like that.

-It's worth asking.

-Definitely, yeah.

-What do you know about this?

-I know it's called a Lucerne.

-What is the very best?

-55.

-OK. I was thinking maybe 45.

-Oh, no.

-They're so rare.

-What could we do from 45?

-How about 52?

48.

We know where we're going now, don't we? 50.

-What do you think? Want to go with it? Happy?

-Yes.

-Very happy.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-That's the first item bought. Well done.

You painted such a lovely picture, Thomas.

That's one bargain bagged by the Blues. Well done, team.

Now time's cracking on and these Reds need a chivvy up.

-Cloisonne enamel there and a jade handle. I know it's not your sort of thing.

-No.

-How much?

-The way the enamel's been done...

-It is pretty.

-Quite striking.

What do you think? Indecisive? It's not a man's thing, is it?

-How do you know it's not a man's thing? Ask a man.

-Indeed.

-First of all, how old is it?

-We just don't know.

Well, good luck! You've spent 20 minutes and haven't bought anything!

I think we should move on.

-OK.

-OK.

-And then come back if need be.

-Yes, Catherine, you may need to take charge here.

-Now what have the Blues spotted?

-Napkin rings at the back there.

Cased napkin rings are extraordinarily popular. I have no idea why.

-Shall we have a look?

-Yes.

-Andrew, you spotted these.

-I just thought they looked quite interesting. Original case?

-Yeah.

And what they are is engraved. She's dated them to 1917. The hallmark's on the top there.

-And on the top. They're well cased.

-You say they're quite collectable?

They are extraordinarily popular.

They've got a good gauge of silver, the gauge is the thickness of it.

British-cut. Birmingham, bright-cut napkin rings with beaded borders.

-They're attractive. Very Edwardian.

-What would you expect those to fetch?

-I've sometimes had these make £100. You really need to work on that price.

-Yes.

You should go and talk to the lady. Charm her. I want a five in front of it, if not a four.

-If you do that, I'll be amazed.

-Thank you. There's a challenge.

We'll just carry on looking.

Go on, Andrew. This is your time to shine.

-Shiny!

-Shiny is always good.

-But watch out because...

All that glistens is not gold.

-A little scent bottle.

-Oh, is it?

-I'm not loving it, to be honest.

-A bit of class?

-It is a name.

-People aren't going to see that.

-He's a hard man to please.

-Very.

And if you don't hurry up, the Blues are going to run rings round you.

-Well?

-You wanted a four or a five.

-Have we got that?

-No!

She will do them for £60. The absolute death.

-What do you say?

-I like them, yeah.

-Are we on unknown territory?

-They're not the most exciting thing, but they're commercial.

-I've certainly seen them in the past do better than expected.

-Shall we try for 55?

-Oh!

-Oh!

-I like this new Andrew!

-Is this a new Andrew?

-You do it.

-No, no, no.

Ah, Laura, it looks like you're going home with a new man today.

-OK, guys.

-What have you done?

-The lady said she will do them for 55 for us. Got you your five.

-Shall we go for it?

-I think so.

-He's brilliant.

-Better than he thinks he is!

-Well done.

-That's two items down. Let's go and get our next item.

-Great.

-Thank you.

OK, we've reached the halfway mark. The Reds have yet to buy anything.

Come on, you two. Focus is needed if you want to earn some more house points.

-That's nice. What do you think of the magnifying?

-I like that.

Have a look at that.

That is classic Deco, isn't it? Even the colour is Deco.

And all this enamel is beautifully engine-turned. Lovely colour.

Immaculate, isn't it?

-Do you like that?

-I do.

-A Birmingham maker, Horton and Allday. 1923. What do you think?

-It's a pretty piece.

-What could you do on that, sir?

-£80.

-£80.

-We're smiling.

-85!

-He doesn't like your smile!

-I think you've got a chance with it.

-Really?

-And the condition is mint.

-Yeah, it is good condition.

-Beautiful condition.

-I think we should.

-You do?

-Yes.

-He's so hard to please!

-I know.

-But you're going to agree.

-Absolutely.

-Is he?

-Yes.

-You like it? Are you sure?

-I'm not overwhelmingly sure.

-But I am difficult to please. How much time is left?

-We're halfway. So first buy? Yes? No?

-Yes.

-Absolutely.

-Yes? Yes.

£80. Sold.

At last! One bargain under the belt with two items still to find.

-Maybe you should choose the next one. No pressure.

-We'll see what we can find.

-We need an expert!

Thomas?

You can't take your eye off these experts for a moment.

Which way? Which way?

Oh!

-Surely - a rocking horse.

-Is this one of yours?

-No!

-No, no.

Now, Russell, what's ruffled your feathers?

-Are you concerned we might not make much on it?

-Yeah, I think so.

-But it is a lovely piece.

-I think we've got a good chance.

-Maggie, Catherine, can you tell him?

-What are you thinking?

-Let's see what takes our fancy.

-Is this calling you down here?

-I don't know what the options are. Where would you recommend?

Come on, you Blues were doing so well.

As for you, Russell, go on, have a go. Take a stab at something you like.

-Catherine?

-Yeah?

-Could you give your opinion on this?

-It's listed as a mechanical bread fork. It telescopes out, I imagine.

-It's a bit of fun.

-Ever seen one?

Not so much a bread fork, but I've seen it like a pickle fork. You think it all comes out?

-That's my thinking.

-Otherwise, it's a very short fork. Shall we look?

-Yes, please.

Would you mind if we open the cabinet? This lovely chap likes your bread fork.

- What would its function be? - Spear the bread.

Or, better yet, for moving about your crumpet. Yeah!

-Are you posh enough to move your bread around?

-I could probably manage with my fingers.

-What's the price on this?

-- It's priced at £24. - We could do it for 18 for you.

-1909?

-1909.

-Oh, I thought you said '20s.

15?

Oh...16 would be better for me.

-It's just one of those ridiculous things.

-Ridiculous, quirky.

£15.50.

-Go ahead.

-So what are we doing? Buying this?

-I think so. We nodded.

-£15.50! OK!

-Ker-ching.

-The second item!

-Mmm! Buttery crumpets.

Lovely. Well done, Reds. That's your second item bought,

-but with only 15 minutes to go, there's no time to waste.

-Not for you?

-Not for me, no.

-At least he knows what he doesn't want!

-I feel like I'm going to be told off.

-I feel like I'll have detention!

-Do I give the wrong vibes out?

I imagine our Catherine's been in detention before.

-He's quite controlling, isn't he?

-He is very controlling.

It's the teacher. Yes, I can see that.

You're outnumbered here, Russell. Best keep schtum!

Now it looks like Thomas has got his beady eye on something.

-These are rough-cut rubies.

-Oh, wow.

One way you can tell if this is glass or a gem stone.

They're still very cold to your lip. If they were glass, they would be warmed up, even in these conditions.

They're definitely gem stone. Once we've established that, what stone?

It's a process of you working out - they're red, they have a certain weight to them

and also this play of colour. That's a diagnostic way of telling

-that they are rubies. They are quite attractive.

-They are.

-What age would they be?

-Rubies are... It's as old as the hills!

-Yeah!

These were quite popular in the 1920s.

-Do you like them?

-I think they're pretty.

-What can these be?

-The very best is 50.

-50.

-47 at a pinch.

-47 at a pinch.

-So that's 45 then, really.

No, no, not 45.

-I like them.

-Is there any profit in them?

-I sell a lot of jewellery.

I sell beads so well at the moment.

-I'll do 46, but that's...

-Almost there.

-If you like those, let's do it.

-If Thomas thinks there can be a bit of profit in it, give it a go.

-In my auctions, I'm selling these for £60-£80.

-OK, let's do it.

-Yes?

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-That's you Blues done. We're now entering the final 15 minutes.

I hoped those Reds have spotted something.

We're still looking for that something to wow.

That's a no, then.

OK, we've got four minutes.

Do you know, there's a lesson to be learned today and it may require a classroom essential.

-Is that a pencil?

-It's a little propelling pencil, I think.

-That's not bad for 14.

-Let's have a look at it.

Is it actually marked? We need to make sure it's marked silver.

-These are not uncommon. Do you like this?

-Well, we haven't got much time!

-No, we haven't.

-To be honest.

-Might it bomb without a hallmark?

-I think it's important to check that it has a mark on.

-Shall I have a look?

-Would you mind having a look?

Yeah, it does appear to... Yes, it does. Sterling.

So it's likely to be American silver. Thinks stamped Sterling are quite often American silver.

This is quite nice. It's got added information here.

"Telephone Central. Telegrams, Filbert, Liverpool." It's probably '40s or '50s.

I think there's a possibility that you are in the US of A,

you run into the office to make your telegram, this would have been chained to the cashier's desk.

You'd have picked that up and written the telegrams out.

-So the person who was going to have their message sent...

-Exactly.

-..would have gone along

-and written down their little message.

-And then it was typed.

I like your rationale. And, who knows, you could be right!

-That's why you have the little loop on. Chained to the desk.

-Yes.

-And the price tag is 14.

-We'd want to get that down.

-We've probably got two minutes.

-It can be £10 if that helps at all.

-Russell? Would you be willing to do it for eight?

-All right.

-Thank you very much.

-Are we happy with that?

-Yes.

-Final purchase?

-Indeed.

£8! Well done.

-But it's not too fussy.

-It's simple.

-And ever sharp. Made in the good old US of A.

I think it's marvellous.

Maggie, you cool negotiator and in the nick of time.

There's "snow" time left! Why don't we check out how those Red arctic harriers got on?

Russell and Maggie finally zoomed in on this enamel-handled magnifying glass.

Was it the right decision at £80, though?

Then they took a fancy to this Edwardian silver-plated fork,

which made a puncture in their purse at £15.50.

And, finally, they signed off

with a sterling silver pencil, paying a meagre £8 for it.

I was a bit worried about you.

-You're not the only one!

-He's so difficult!

-Not that difficult. Great bear of a man.

-Now how much did you spend all round?

-We spent £103.50.

-Please may I have £196.50?

-You may, sir.

-Gosh, that's not much, is it? Is that all you managed to spend?

-We were trying to be thrifty.

-Yes.

I suppose it's all connected with your schoolmasterly and administrative background. Right?

-Being thrifty.

-Well, no, I wanted to be terribly extravagant.

-Did you?

-But it was just too much, wasn't it?

-OK, fine. Exciting to find out.

Catherine, that is a lot of cash for you to be out with on your own.

A lot of cash. I've got something in mind that I'm going to buy. Maggie will be pleased.

-Will I?

-I don't think he will be.

-I wouldn't worry about it! Good fun!

Meanwhile, why don't we check out what the Blue team bought?

Laura and Andrew felt they'd struck oil with this Lucerne lamp and paid a fulsome £50 for it.

On Thomas's advice, they went for these silver napkin rings, knocking the price down to £55.

Finally, it was the ruby bead necklace, but will it prove a gem at £46?

How can you have fun in the snow? Oh, it's parky, isn't it?

-Very!

-Laura, which is your favourite piece?

-I love the ruby necklace. I think it's absolutely beautiful.

-Andrew, what's your favourite piece?

-My favourite is the lamp because it's so unusual.

-How much did you spend all round?

-Er, 151.

-OK.

I'd like £149 of leftover lolly,

which you've got there, beautifully prepared. Good luck, Tom.

Meanwhile, I'm going to show you something that's going to leave you positively wide-eyed.

What have we got here?

Well, on the face of it, it is not a particularly awe-inspiring pot.

It's a lovely colour of green and a pleasant baluster shape,

but it looks like so many other pieces of late-Victorian pottery in this style?

It's also got one or two problems.

A socking great chip in the bottom foot ring

and some nibbling around this top edge. Never a good thing to go for with Victorian ceramics like that

unless there's something exceptional about it, apart from its size, of course.

If you look inside - take a squint - the base colour of the pottery is terracotta red.

And then you can see a dribbling white glaze - a white slip that's gone over the pottery.

And then you can see some dribbles of the green itself that's then been covered in a lead glaze.

There are four different decorative techniques that have already been applied to this pot

to get us to this gorgeous green colour scheme. As I say,

on the face of it, nothing exceptional about this pot...

until you come to this!

Isn't that marvellous? When did you ever see such a handsome baluster stickstand,

modelled with an owl's mask?

The owl is the trademark of an obscure Arts and Crafts Surrey pottery in Farnham.

For some peculiar reason they specialised in making these oddball owls

which were extremely popular late in the 19th century. Absalom Harris started the pottery

in 1872 and ultimately Liberty and Co, the great retailers in Regent Street,

used to sell 'em in their shop. I absolutely adore these things.

I've got a collection myself. A group of owls in various colours, some in green, some brown and blue.

And imagine my thrill today when I found here, out there in the snow, this fellow on a stall.

The biggest and by far the best of the Farnham pottery production.

What's so good about it is that it exemplifies good Arts and Crafts pottery.

Each one is thrown and decorated by hand, so in forming the eye sockets like this,

the potter simply used his eye.

He formed a little beak and then he got a scraping tool

and in the wet slip and clay he scraped a comb to give you the impression

of the shape of some wings on the front of our wise old fellow here.

And, frankly, I just had to have it despite the condition issues.

And what did it cost? Well, a cool £400, actually.

So, am I a too-wit or what?

I hope not. Once this thing has been tickled up a bit,

I think as the largest and most important piece of Farnham pottery,

it's going to have to be worth... £1,500?

Too-woo, eh?

So the snow has melted and a few weeks have passed and we're here in Stamford, Lincolnshire,

in the hope of making some money.

-Well, it's lovely to be at Bateman's saleroom with David Palmer, our man of the moment.

-Good morning.

Good morning! On this side for the Reds we've the magnifying glass with silver and yellow enamel handle.

-The colour is gorgeous. Yellow and silver works really well.

-It's a good quality thing.

-The handle is good quality.

-Yes.

-I suspect it's from a really nice dressing table set.

-Everything's that got a nice handle is turned into a magnifying glass these days.

-It's cobbled together.

-What's its estimate?

-It's still a nice thing to have. 30-50.

-Our lot paid £80.

-Oh!

-That's a bit of an uphill climb, but not to worry.

It'll soon be tea-time and you can have a crumpet and when you have that irritating, rubbery

-piece of carbohydrate full of holes, it's a maddening thing to handle.

-This could be a muffin poker.

Could be. But much better for crumpet because of this nice trident form on the end

with its barbed bits to get a greasy, delicious, buttery crumpet and elevate it safely.

-And you don't get your fingers mucky.

-It's a mechanical tool.

-Marvellous.

-Fun.

-What's it worth?

-£10-£20.

-Fair enough. £15.50 paid. I think it's an intriguing and lovely object.

-It is.

Finally, and most intriguingly is the little silver propelling pencil.

American silver, marked sterling,

-but with a very intriguing logo to the side.

-This business about Filbert and telegrams.

-Yes.

-Liverpool and telephones.

-There's a lot of research to do.

-This is for someone who's got time on their hands to check it out. It could be important.

-It could be.

The connection between an American silver pencil and a Liverpool telephone number is interesting.

And then the fact that you've got this American-made pencil

which apparently is promoting some sort of business.

-One feels with that inscription I've presented it to you as a supplier or customer.

-Limited.

-With all that potential, what's it worth?

-£20-£40.

-Is that all?

-It might make more.

-Our Maggie only paid £8.

-Well, there we are.

I'm just regretful that Maggie got there before me. There we are. Bravo.

Maybe they won't need the bonus buy, but let's look at it anyway.

Now Russell, Mags, you spent the most pathetic £103.50.

You gave Catherine £196.50. Catherine, what did you do?

Well, this is what I bought. Slightly girlie.

-That would suit you, Russell.

-Well, well, well. Lookie, lookie.

Hang this round your neck. I think it's a little perfume casket. Or a little smelling salts.

-It's all mother of pearl.

-Rather pretty.

-It's very Russell.

-Lovely, isn't it?

There are lots of collectors.

-We'll call it white metal?

-Yes, definitely not silver.

-Russell, you're brilliant.

-You've been watching too many of these programmes.

-And the children help, giving me lots of guidelines.

-I like that.

-You'll be pleased I didn't spend all the money. A very mere £40.

-I think that's not bad.

-I don't think it's bad.

-What sort of profit?

You should make £10 on it. Not big money, but I think you'll make £10.

-£10?

-Lovely. Thank you.

Well, have a good think. For the audience at home, we'll find out what the auctioneer thinks.

-There you go. A little something for your handbag.

-Thank you.

-Not very old, I'd say.

-Brand new.

If you were flying out to Australia, your plane would stop in the Middle East

-and as you walked round the terminal you would buy this.

-OK, not very old, a kind of tourist market thing.

-People do like stuff made of shells, though.

-They do. And we've got white metal mounts.

-How much?

-A generous £20-£40.

-OK. £40 Catherine paid for that.

She thinks it's going to make a profit. Who knows? She may be right.

-That's it for the Reds. Now for the Blues. First up, the Middle Eastern oil lamp.

-Yes.

In the form of a student's lamp. It's a very European form

-with that handle at the top.

-It is, but I rather feel the European form was based on this form,

-which came first.

-Could easily be. A perfectly nice example.

-Not terribly practical.

-It's just for looking at.

-And loving.

-How much do you love it?

-Commercially, we feel sort of £40-£50.

-That's fine.

We paid £50. That's on the money. No tears.

-What about the napkin rings?

-Two isn't the best number to have,

but these are in their own box and they're so crisp in the carving,

-I don't think they've ever been used.

-No. So never used, typical, stuck in the sideboard,

-given as a wedding present in 1917.

-And still could be given today.

-How much would that present be likely to cost?

-The current market value would be £30-£50.

-£55 paid.

-We're there or thereabouts.

-Near enough.

-Let's hope so.

-Now the necklace. How do you rate that?

-We've called this a ruby necklace. Ruby being the colour,

-rather than the stone, I feel.

-So these are ruby-coloured stones

-They're definitely that.

-So we're not talking precious stones...

-My feeling is they're not.

As such then, what are they worth, just as lovely polished stones?

-£50-£80.

-£46 paid. So fear not. They are what they are.

-Your estimate would show us a profit. Brilliant.

-Good.

This is a difficult one to shout, but let's look at the bonus buy.

Laura and Andrew, here we go with your bonus buy. You spent £151. £149 went to Thomas. What is it?

Well, I bought a stereo viewer and cards!

Go on, take the stereo viewer and take the cards.

-You get a 3D image. You slot it in there and then you look down it and you'll see that it's 3D.

-Yes.

The viewer's worth not a great deal. £15. But the cards are interesting and there's a lot of collectors.

-How much did that set you back?

-It was £65.

-You've got a lot of cards.

-Each worth a couple of quid.

-As much as that?

-Well, a pound.

-We counted. You've got 93 cards.

-All right, 50p to a pound.

-Let's be optimistic!

-Some cards are very rare. I don't think we've got any very rare ones.

-Is this an original box for it?

-They fit rather well.

-Mm, they do.

-How much do you think it'll bring?

-A small profit of probably about £5. Maybe £70-£90.

-OK.

-OK.

Right. Thank you very much, Thomas. Let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Tom's cards.

Here's a nice little challenge for you. Stereoscopic viewing arrangements.

We've got the viewer and a load of cards. I think 90-odd cards in all.

It's the cheap and cheerful end of the market. All the cards here, some interesting ones. Like that one.

-Shooting the rapids. Niagara.

-We've got two images that through the viewer merge stereoscopically

so that you see it as one image and there's some action going on.

-This is pre-dating the 3D films that everyone goes to now.

-Anyway, we've got 93 of these cards.

-They're worth on average 50p a card?

-I would think that's a good estimate.

It's not the right box for them. These cards come in a different packaging in the original.

-So you've got the viewer, the wrong box. What's it worth?

-40-60.

OK. £65 paid. Who knows, somebody will take them up.

-And you can play with it.

-Do you play much on the rostrum?

-As often as I can!

-We're about to find out.

32. 35. 38.

-Russell, Mags, what's your expectations? Great expectations?

-Yes! Yes, hopefully.

-How much profit do you think you will go away with?

-Well...

-It'll probably be about £10, but I'm very grateful for anything.

-Really?

-Mmm.

First item is the magnifying glass and here it comes.

Silver and yellow enamel magnifying glass. Birmingham, 1923.

Let's start at £30 for it. £30? Here at 30. In front at 30. 32?

32. 35. 38. 40.

45? 45.

50. 55? 55. 60.

-Keep going.

-65. 70.

75. 80. Here at 80. Selling in the room at 80.

Net, are you bidding? At 80.

Net, you'll have to go 85. I'll sell at 80. Is that it?

Nobody else? All done at 80. I sell in the room at £80.

Room at 80.

It wiped its face. How lovely. No profit, no loss, no pain, no gain.

The Edwardian silver-plated crumpet fork.

£20 for it. £20? The crumpet poker. 10, then.

-Aww!

-Come on, you lot!

-A fiver? Six I've got here!

That's half a crumpet!

Is that it? At £6. The internet at six.

-I can't believe it.

-I love this!

-It must be worth more than this. I sell, though, at six.

Seven! At seven now.

Net, you're out. Eight. At eight.

Taking nine now. Are you bidding, sir? Go nine.

The bid on the net at £8.

All done at £8?

-I can't bear it. £8. There we go.

-Well, maybe crumpets are not as popular as they used to be.

Minus £7.50. OK, now the ever sharp.

Sterling silver pencil. An American pencil stamped "Telegrams, Filbert, Liverpool."

An interesting little piece. £20 for it? 20 quid. A tenner?

10 I'm bid on the net. 12. 15.

-You only paid eight.

-20. 22.

-Internet at 22. 25.

-Well done, Mags. You found this.

In the very last minute.

At £25. 28. Internet at 28. It goes on the net at £28.

-Keep going.

-Anybody else? At 28.

Sell then at £28. The net has it at 28.

£28 is plus 20. You were £7.50 down.

So that means you are...£12.50. OK, £12.50 ahead.

-How beautiful is that?

-I'm so excited. I told you £10!

-That is folding money! It's enough to go to the tuck shop for a spread.

-Absolutely!

-Now what about Catherine's bonus buy? Hang on to your £12.50 or gamble it?

-Although it's lovely,

-I'm not going to gamble. Are you, Russell?

-I will back Maggie.

£12.50 is a lot of money to teachers!

And it's nice to have something to take home, isn't it?

-So you're not going to go with the perfume bottle?

-I'm sorry.

-That's your decision. I respect that.

£40 was paid. The auctioneer put £20-£40 on it, so he's a bit iffy.

-Here it comes.

-Mother of pearl pendant perfume bottle holder.

A very pretty little piece. £20 for that?

20 quid? Anyone? 20 I'm bid.

I'll sell at 20. Take a two.

22 in the room. The lady at 22.

25, net. 28, madam? 28.

-In the room at 28.

-Watch it make 200!

30 on the net. 32? Oh, 32.

Stamford stinks! 32. At 32. In the room at 32.

35 on the net. At 35.

-The net at 35.

-This is good.

At 35, I sell then. At £35. The net has it at 35. Anyone else?

-Sell on the bet at £35.

-Good decision.

Goes then at 35. All done at 35?

Yes. How brilliant is that? Minus £5.

It was a whisker, really. Barely a sheet of bronco in that.

You didn't go with it, it didn't make a profit. Right decision. You are at £12.50 profit.

-Don't say a word to the Blues. Look a bit gloomy.

-I can look gloomy.

-Can you? I don't believe that, Mags.

Anyway, don't say a word. All will be revealed in a moment. That could be a winning score. Well done.

-Do you know how the Reds got on?

-No idea.

-No.

-Did they look happy when they came out or sad?

-Poker-faced.

-Poker-faced, definitely.

Right. OK, now your oil lamp. The auctioneer loved it. £40-£50. You paid £50. That's about right.

Fingers crossed.

A Middle Eastern brass oil lamp. A very attractive piece.

30 quid, the lamp? Brass oil lamp?

-Go on!

-20? Tenner?

£5 for the brass oil lamp? Anybody? Yes, it's that, madam!

Five I'm bid. Six. At six only now.

Goes then at six.

At six. Net's come back - seven! Eight! In the room at eight.

No, no, no.

Take a nine. Nine. Ten in the room. In the room at £10.

You're out, net. Is that it? Nobody else?

£10 he sold it for. That's minus 40.

Here come the napkin rings.

These are absolutely brand-new. The carving is so crisp on them, I don't think they've ever been used.

£30 for those? 30 I'm bid. 32. 35.

38. 40. 45.

50. 55. 60. 65.

-At 65 now.

-Come on, keep going.

-I sell them at 65. Out at the back. Net, coming through? 70.

-70 now!

I sell them on the net at 70. You're out in the room at 70.

Plus £15. That takes you down to minus 25. This is nothing.

Let's get going with these beads.

The ruby beads with a gold clasp. Ruby is the colour of this season's accessories.

£50? £50 for the ruby beads? 50?

-£20 for the ruby beads?

-Come on.

-Tenner? Fiver? Anyone got five?

-Ridiculous!

10 I'm bid on the net. I'll sell on the net at £10.

Take two if you like. Goes at £10. 12. The net at 12.

-Go on!

-15. At £15. Down then at 15.

-I'll sell on the net at 15.

-Proper gems.

All done at £15? No one else here?

-Oh, surely!

-Sell on the net at £15.

That is minus £31. I mean, his estimate was £50-£80 and he sold them for 15.

You are minus 56, in total. Are we going to go with this viewer?

-We'd better go with it.

-Yeah.

-They're great, aren't they?

And they're nice images, cleverly found. Quite frankly, if a £50-£80 estimate is selling for £15,

anything could happen.

Victorian stereoscopic viewer with 93 cards.

Various bids on these. £20? 20. Two. 25. 28. 30.

-32. 35. 38. 40. 45. 50.

-Oh, good!

At £50. At 50. Is that it?

-Goes at 50. And five? All done at 50? Finished at £50?

-Failing at the last fence.

Sell at £50.

Minus £15. 56...66...71.

-Minus 71.

-Cancel the holiday.

-Yeah, cancel the holiday!

-Cancel the supper out tonight.

-They'll be stopping at home for weeks! That's just bad luck.

He got to £50 pretty quickly, Tom. Could have gone on. There we are.

Minus £71. Could be a winning score. Just don't say a word to the Reds. You've been good sports. Thank you.

Anyone else in the room now?

All right?

You can't tell from the cheeky grins really who thinks they're the winner and who thinks they're runners-up.

There's been a needle match here. There's a big gap between you.

The runners-up by a long, long chalk are the Blues.

-Minus £71.

-Sorry!

-So somebody's got a bargain.

Think about it that way. Feel good about that. Otherwise, you've been absolutely lovely.

-But the victors today are going home with cash - £12.50.

-Goodness gracious! Yes, thank you!

-Thank you.

-The school tuck shop awaits.

It would have been embarrassing for all the kids to watch you, all 500 of them, and see Sir not do well.

-I'm very pleased with the outcome.

-The Classics department will now zoom forward.

-Absolutely.

-Had a nice time?

-Superb.

-Fantastic. Loved it.

-Thank you, Catherine.

-Join us soon for some more bargain hunting. Yes?

-ALL: Yes!

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