Peterborough 32 Bargain Hunt

Today we're in the east of England showground in Cambridgeshire.

Normally, these large buildings are teeming with livestock

on account of the agricultural shows

that are very often held here.

But today, it's teeming with antique lovers.

Let's just hope that the previous occupants have cleaned up the floor after them!

Ha-ha! Let's go Bargain Hunting! Yeah!

Rich, fertile soil from the fenlands

has made this region a big name in arable farming.

So can our teams grow a profit out of their £300?

Let's take a gander at how they get on.

For the reds, there's no place like gnome!

-He's looking at me!

-He is looking at you. He's got "come and buy me" eyes!

And for the blues, there's plenty to make a mother proud.

-Do you know?

-Is it to do with being sterile, or something?

Well done, son!

Ah! That's coming up. But first, let's meet the teams.

It's a family affair for our two teams today.

For the reds, we've got mother and daughter Rae and Joanna.

And for the blues we've got mother Lynne, and son, Ali.

-Hello, everyone!

-Hello!

Now, Joanna, you must feel at home, surrounded by all these cameras?

Yes, I was lucky enough to work for the BBC for ten years.

I worked in the archives at Television Centre in London.

-And you're a happy snapper now, I gather?

-Yes.

I left the BBC when I had a baby

and I didn't want to go back full-time

-so I started my own business and I'm now a wedding photographer.

-Oh?

-How fun is that?

-It's really fun. I spend most weekends in beautiful surroundings

with very happy people!

Have you had any amazing encounters with your clients?

Have terrible things happened ever?

Yeah, there was one wedding once

where the father of the bride tried to get everyone's attention for the speeches.

He picked up a bottle of wine to ding it like this,

-and smashed the bottle of red wine all over the bride's dress!

-Oh, no!

And I got a great shot of it!

Now, Rae, you're quite a high-flyer, I gather.

Yes. I was in the Women's Royal Air Force.

I joined to see the world and ended up in Aden!

-Were you in Signals, then?

-Yes, I was in telecommunications.

But you've been back to school recently.

Yes, I retired at 60 and went off and took my Art Foundation course.

What's your favourite painting that you've created so far?

I've done a lovely mystic one about Concorde

because I worked with Concorde at RAF Fairford.

The Lady. The Lady. That's what we called it, The Lady.

How sweet. So it features in your favourite picture.

-Yes.

-Quite rightly so.

So, what will you ladies be looking out for today?

-What do you think?

-We're looking out for Concorde things.

-Are you?

Sort of antiques of the future.

-They're very collectable objects, actually.

-If you see them!

-All I can say is best of luck.

-Thank you.

-Great.

Now, Lynne, what do you get up to when you're not Bargain Hunting?

-I'm a nurse. A practice nurse.

-Are you?

-Yes.

-How long have you been a nurse?

-40 years, Tim.

-Gosh, that's something!

-I hear there's some wedding bells about to be chiming in your department soon?

-Yes!

After courting for 11 years, we're getting married in May.

-Lovely.

-And then four weeks' later, Ali's younger brother gets married.

-Gosh.

-So it's all go.

And in between, I'm studying for a diploma in asthma.

Pretty quiet, otherwise, really!

Ali, it says here you're an incredible follower of fashion.

You could say that. I work for Britain's oldest men's clothing company at the moment.

And I've started up my own clothing label

which is music and street-wear orientated for a younger audience.

-How fantastic is that? That's wonderful.

-Thanks.

Ali, I also gather you have something to do with team sports.

Yes. I've hung my boots and gloves up now, but I use to play semi-professional for my home town,

King's Lynn. Mum used to enjoy coming to watch me play

until one time, we reached a cup final and I was playing in goal for King's Lynn

and in the opposite goal was my brother!

-Oh, no!

-Yes. So Mum was half cheering and half commiserating!

-Quite.

His team won and his brother wouldn't take him home, unfortunately!

Oh. Have you patched it up since?

Yeah, we have. He gets married as well this year, and I'm best man for the wedding, which is nice.

-For both weddings?

-No, I'm giving mum away.

-Giving her away. Very nice.

-Finally!

He and his brother are very keen to give me away, Tim, for some reason!

I think you'll be a great team. Good luck today.

Meanwhile, here comes some dough.

£300 apiece. There's your £300.

You know the rules. Your experts await. Off you go! Very, very good luck!

Gosh! All this activity, eh?

Let's say hello to today's experts.

She won't give up antiques for all the tea in China!

It's Catherine Southon for the reds.

And for the blues, aye-aye!

Who's this? It's Thomas Plant.

And they're off!

Ladies, this is all very exciting, isn't it?

What are you going to buy today?

I'd like something to do with the RAF, Concorde, preferably.

Something aeronautical.

-Guys, are you excited?

-Yes.

-Definitely.

-Brilliant.

-I hear you're a nurse.

-I am.

-Will you nurse us towards a profit?

Absolutely!

-Ali, what will you be doing?

-I have a keen interest in sports

so hopefully sports memorabilia.

-Sports related?

-Yes.

-Let's start, there for a kick-off!

-So we know what we want.

-Yes. And we know what we don't want!

-Right! What's that?

We don't want bon-bon dishes!

-OK. No bon-bon dishes.

-No bon-bon dishes!

-Off we go.

Already for the reds, ex RAF servicewoman Rae and her daughter Joanna

are off to a flying start.

They've honed in on an air raid relic from World War II.

Excuse me, can you help us with this?

Give us a little bit of information?

This is an air raid precautions badge

which the air wardens were given at the time.

They were given out in 1938 to 1939

and they all have a silver stamp on the back, as well.

What's the stamp? I didn't see it.

I'd be surprised if it was silver.

-They are, normally.

-Really?

-Oh, yes.

No, I can't see any marking at all, I'm afraid.

They normally were. They were normally silver.

What do you think, Catherine?

We'd have to catalogue it. We'd have to say at the auction that it's white metal.

Because it doesn't have the silver marking.

-If it had a silver hallmark, an English hallmark...

-Should we leave it, then?

..then we could say categorically that it's silver.

I think we should leave it, Mum.

Over on the blue team, ex-goalie Ali

has made a dive for some soccer memorabilia.

These are league colours.

These are larger silks.

You would have got them through cigarettes.

-So they would be like the cards you used to get? Cigarette cards.

-Yeah.

-Except silks.

-Silks, yeah.

-So they're collectables?

Yeah. Absolutely. You would collect them in the 1920s, 1930s.

-They're £15 each or 70 for the lot.

-Right.

-Do you like them?

-I like the look of them, yeah.

-It's something that interests me.

-Why does it interest you?

-I've got a bit of a footballing background. I played semi-professional.

-Did you?

-Yeah.

-Your dream...

-I still follow it a lot, though.

-Who do you support?

-Celtic.

-Celtic.

-My background, Thomas!

-OK.

Ah. Like mother, like son.

-I think we can...

-Think about that one?

-I think so. Because they are... That's quite a lot of money.

-It is.

I would personally think that's too much.

Where we're going, I don't know if they'll realise that.

Good idea, blues.

You don't want to score an own goal this early on.

But what are the reds gassing on about?

If there was a gas attack, the first thing the warden must do

would be to put his gas mask on

so he didn't inhale... So he couldn't then blow his whistle.

-He had an ARP whistle. So he would then...

-..get the rattle.

That's rattled you, Catherine!

Then he'd blow his whistle at the end when it was all clear.

When it was all clear. OK.

-How much is this one?

-38.

-What do you think?

-What do you think for the two?

-For the hat and the rattler.

-To have together as one lot?

He said it's a matching item.

What could you do for the two?

Bearing in mind that we haven't got a silver mark.

£40 for the two.

-What do you think, Catherine? Shall we do that?

-Maybe 35?

-No.

-Just for the red team?

-I can't do that.

-No?

-40 is my...

-On the day.

-A snowy weather price!

Yes, this is one dealer who's playing it cool!

I think this is quite nice because it's got the stamp on it.

They complement one another.

-Yeah, let's go for it.

-Yeah?

Decision made.

-What did we say? £40?

-£40.

-It's a deal.

-Yes, that's good.

-Shake.

-Good luck with that.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

What a nice man. Well done, reds.

And only ten minutes in.

No danger of you running out of time.

Something's got our nurse Lynne's temperature rising.

Look!

A nurse's buckle.

The nurse's buckle, right.

Ooh, matron!

This is a lovely nurse's buckle.

-Beautiful.

-A pierced design.

It bears hallmarks. Sheffield 1903.

Why are nurse's buckles in silver?

I've no idea. That's a really good question. I wish I had an answer, but I've no idea.

-No idea? Do you know?

-Is it to do with being sterile, or something?

Ah, well done, son!

That's my boy, eh!

And you're supposed to be the expert nurse, Lynne.

They're replacing quite a bit of hospital equipment in silver plate.

Because it doesn't take infection.

Beautiful. What do you think of the price?

It's quite a lot of money, £130, if you want my honest opinion.

-Yes.

-And I would rather it was a bit less.

-Yes.

-So how much can this be?

-I can do it for £100.

And if I sort of squeezed you a little bit more?

A tight squeeze would be 95.

A very tight squeeze!

-That's it, is it?

-I'm afraid so.

Hmm.

-Lynne, what do you think?

-I think it's lovely. I'm not sure about the price,

but it's beautiful quality.

Good call, blues. You didn't buckle under the pressure to buy.

Meanwhile, the reds are looking at something rather dishy.

I really like this. It's the sort of thing I'd have in my house.

-You could put jewellery in it. Trinkets.

-Sweets! Bon-bon dishes!

It's not quite a bon-bon dish, though.

What do you think, Catherine, about the price?

I think it's actually, well, it is Whitefriars.

Well, they say it's Whitefriars.

We'd have to check the design of it.

Hmm. Whitefriars. A pedigree English glassmaker

that's highly, highly collectable.

I think it's quite nice, and it is a good chunky piece.

But I don't... I think £30, to be honest, is quite high.

-I would want to buy that for about ten to £15.

-Really?

-I don't think the stallholder's around at the moment. Shall we consider it?

-Yes.

-Cos we do like it.

-Yeah.

-And come back and have a word with the stallholder.

-Yep.

We'll keep it in mind.

-That's a good idea.

-Let's go. Carry on.

-Keep going.

That's right. Move on, reds.

But the blues haven't moved on from their last stall yet.

So this is a guilloche enamel.

-Yes?

-A guilloche enamel is enamel which you can see through, a translucent enamel.

And through it you can see an engine turning design underneath the enamel.

-See it?

-I can see it on the yellow.

-Really nice.

-Look at the light reflecting off this.

A beautiful cut. It's little traffic lights!

Norwegian silver. They are like little traffic lights, aren't they?

Beep-beep! That's why you haven't moved on!

We've got them round the wrong way, but there you are.

-Little traffic lights!

-With my driving, that's the right way!

£45 each. Norwegian silver and enamel pepperettes.

-I would say no point buying just one.

-No.

-You buy the lot, I'd suggest.

-Quite attractive.

-Yes.

-Personally, that or the nurse's buckle, I think these are more of a goer.

-Yes.

-I'll leave you to negotiate.

-I could do all three for 100.

-Ooh, that was very close to my figure.

-Yeah.

I thought it was less than your figure!

No, it wasn't actually!

No. £100 was what I was expecting.

I was going to offer 80.

I'll see you halfway. I can do them for 90.

-What do you think, guys?

-Oh, yes.

-I agree.

-They're great fun.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-Brilliant. Awesome.

-First item done within 20 minutes.

-Excellent.

-Thank you.

I'd say so. Thomas, you've been given the green light on your first buy. Well done, blues.

So, is it time for a cuppa? Talking of which...

Ooh, what's that, Catherine?

-Tea scoop.

-Is it Chinese?

-Japanese?

It's difficult to tell, actually.

I would probably go more towards Japanese than Chinese.

Just the look of it, to me.

-I would say it's an Oriental hardwood.

-Yes.

-Yes.

-It's nicely detailed.

-I like the detail.

For me, it's really hard to know for sure

whether this has got definite age.

If you look at it, it does seem like it's got a bit of wear to it.

What's the price on it? 58.

What do you think the stall seller will sell it to us for?

I don't know. You'll have to negotiate and use your charm.

-Who's good at negotiating?

-I'll try.

Good luck. Where's she gone?

I'm not sure. We'll soon find out!

Oh, Joanna, I'm sure you can work your magic.

Over with the blues, something green has caught Lynne's eye.

-I like green.

-You like this?

-I do. It's beautiful.

-Very Celtic, isn't it?

-It is.

-VENDOR:

-Strathclyde, I think.

Excellent. My side of the country.

Yes, a proud Glasgow lass, in fact.

-What's your price on it?

-45.

TAPS IT

-What do you think?

-Do you like it?

-Um...

-Tell me.

-It's OK.

-I'm not wowed by it. It's not like something that would draw me like what we got before.

-Really?

What a polite boy!

-I really like this.

-Do you?

-I get a really good feeling about it.

It's got this Celtic design, and the way the line and form has been created within this

from using the organic materials of flowers, the swan heads.

And it's perfect. Listen to that.

-A nice ding!

-A nice ding to it.

-Yes.

-What's your very best?

-40 is very, very best, really.

I mean, it's all hand-painted and it's a good thing.

Hold on, Thomas. No team decision?

-Deal. Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much. Thank you.

Thank you.

-Two items. I know I made an exec decision.

-No, no.

But I've got a feeling about this.

We said earlier if we each choose something and there's something that catches your eye,

-we would be... And Celtic.

-Yeah.

-It reflects you.

-Absolutely.

-And it's a really good thing.

-The colours are beautiful.

-Thank you.

-You're very welcome.

-Two items within five minutes.

-Excellent.

-Done!

And green! Well scored for our Celtic fans, Tom boy!

Your second buy at just over half time.

So what's the score with your opponents and that tea scoop?

-Hi, team, team, team.

-Team talk. Team talk!

-Team discussion.

-The lady says that because it's Oriental and Oriental's selling so well,

she's only giving us £5 off. So 53 is her best.

-I... No...

-It's a bit chancey.

-It's chancey.

-But it's Oriental, Mum...

-I think...

-It's Oriental, Mum!

-..it's worth a chance.

-It's worth a chance.

-I think so, too. I think we should go for it.

-Caught our eye, didn't it?

-Yeah, it did.

-Yeah.

-Right. Let's get it.

-Team decision.

We are good at making decisions!

-We don't want to leave it all to the last minute.

-Very good.

-Where's the lady?

-Who's got the cash?

-Hi!

-We'd like to go for it, please.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Super.

-Thank you, Catherine.

-Thank you very much.

-Good luck with it.

-Thank you!

Well done, reds. Will it be a scoop at £53?

The blues are looking for a bit of a scoop, too,

on this screen.

I don't think that'll be affordable.

What's the price on the screen?

280.

-Oh! Not affordable.

-Is that your best price?

-Couldn't be £100?

-I don't think so!

At the very, very best...

-230.

-230.

What have we got left, Ali?

-170.

-We've got the brain box here.

-£170.

-Sorry, guys.

-No.

-If I could, I would.

-I know you would. Thank you, anyway. Thank you.

It's a good thing, though.

No score there, blues.

Never mind. But the reds aren't exactly playing the field.

They haven't even left their last stall.

What do you think?

Oh, I like them. Little gnomes.

Ah! Gnome is where the heart is!

I quite like them. I think they're probably German.

What do you think, Joanna? Have a look.

They could be Black Forest.

They're quite roughly carved, but that's their appeal.

-They're quite charming.

-Textured.

-But he's got a bit of his nose missing.

-A bit of nose missing.

-What do you think about that?

-Will it matter?

Who "nose"? I doubt it'll stop a hardened gnome lover.

-He's lovely.

-I just think they're so cheeky, aren't they?

And can you see, there's certainly a nice bit of wear to them.

-It's quite dirty around here.

-There's age there, yeah.

And can you see, they're quite lightly painted, as well.

If you show them up in the light, you can see.

-A little bit of green, red.

-They would have done that, would they?

-People do collect Black Forest.

-Yeah.

I think a pair of bookends like this would be quite good fun.

-What do you think?

-You don't think the nose - that's all that puts me off, the damage.

We just said nothing damaged.

You could always have a nose job!

-What's the price?

-I think they're quite charming.

I think they're 85.

85? What do you think, Catherine?

I think at auction I can see them with an estimate of 40 to 60.

-Even with the damage?

-But I can see them making 80 to £90.

-Really?

-Yes.

Do you think as we've bought something here before, we might be able to negotiate a deal?

-Shall I go and ask this time?

-Do you like them?

-I do. I do.

-She can't stop looking at them.

-I love carved wood, so...

What do you think?

I'm just worried about the bit of damage, but I've fallen in love with him!

-Have you?

-Yeah.

-Ah!

-He's looking at me!

-He is looking at you!

Here's looking at you, kid.

He's got "come and buy me" eyes!

He has. "Buy me! Buy me!"

Shall I go and find out what we can do it for? What do you think?

-Shall I come with you this time and see what we can do.

-Give her a hand.

You stay there with your friend!

My friend! Hello!

You'll be taking him home next, Joanna!

Don't forget he's for auction!

Sounds like Ali's fallen for something, too.

What do you think about this?

Why did you pick this up, Ali?

Um, I just quite like it.

Is it... Can it be re-used again?

"Marconi P20 valve radio receiver,

"one of the first truly portable radios. 1948."

And the man behind the name has often been hailed as the father of radio.

You've got Medium and Long Wave.

Then you press this little button here,

and out comes the valves, et cetera.

-Look, it's got an original...

-It's got the instructions there.

And the serial number. I love how all these things have serial numbers!

-Isn't it excellent?

-Wonderful.

-Could you use that again?

This is obviously a cardboard cut-out of what the battery looks like.

The battery would sit in there. It would have made it really heavy.

-Excellent.

-What appealed to you about it?

I just have quite a strong interest in music, really,

and it's nice to see what came before all the modern gadgets I've got now.

So it's got appeal that way to it.

Can we ask, what do you know about the Marconi radio?

It's a very early one. With portable radios in them days

they had quite a large battery.

Unfortunately, you can't buy those batteries today.

-What a shame.

-You can make them up,

but it's quite a technical involved thing with lots of small 9 volt batteries.

-The thing about the radio is it's in pristine condition.

-Beautiful.

For its age, it's very nice.

-What can this be?

-What have we got on it?

-You've got nothing!

-Oh, right! OK!

You've got 85.

Shall we say 65

and that'll give you a good £20 to play with.

Sounds like he's on the right wave-length!

What do you think, Ali?

I like it. It's something I'm really passionate about.

It's something that I can relate to.

Just like how Mum got the pot earlier, that was Celtic,

it would be nice to get something that I can relate to.

-Absolutely.

-I think it's got value on it, as well. Could make some money.

-What did you say? VENDOR:

-65.

Any chance we could put a five in front of that?

-60.

-60. What do you think?

-I think we've got a deal.

-You've got a deal?

-I'm happy to.

-Is that handshake time?

-Yep!

Sounds like it certainly is!

-And your final buy.

-Thank you very much.

-Thanks, Tom.

-Third and final item.

What about the reds? Have they bagged Bilbo Baggins here yet?

Oh. What did she say?

She did as badly as you did, actually!

80.

Do you know, I've fallen in love with him while you've been over there.

This little fellow's cast a spell on you, Joanna!

-So we've come to ask you...

-For some money!

-..What do you think?

We want your opinion.

-They're charming and different, Joanna.

-OK. Let's do it.

-Yes?

-Yeah.

-£80! Quite an item.

-High five!

-Well done.

Well done!

Smashing, reds. Your last buy, with 12 minutes left on the clock.

Cor, this is a bar stool(!)

Ooh! Time, gentlemen, please!

Stop the shopping and let's check out how the red team got on.

First, they went red alert

with this air raid warden's badge

and wooden gas rattle.

Next, they scooped this so-called 19th-century Japanese hardwood tea scoop.

Finally, they fell in love

with the cheeky-chappie wooden bookends.

-We were pretty nippy today.

-Yeah, we did well.

-It's not the only thing that's nippy today!

-This weather's not so good, is it?

-Freezing!

Rae, which is your favourite piece?

I think the little wooden scoop.

Your wooden scoop. What about the daughter? How do you see it?

I have to agree with Mum. I really like the scoop, too.

-I think it's going to make us lots of money.

-Do you?

So you not only like it best, you think it'll bring the most profit.

-Yeah.

-It's going to fly!

There's a prediction! What did you spend altogether, girls?

We spent 173.

173.

So can I have 127?

Yes, you can. 127.

Over to you, Catherine, darling.

-Lovely.

-What are you going to do with that?

-I'm going to spend it on something small and beautiful.

-Yes.

On that happy note, why don't we check out what the blue team bought?

First, the blues bagged the set of Norwegian silver and guilloche enamel pepperettes.

Next, as true Celtic fans,

the green Strathpeffer pottery bowl.

Finally, they tuned in to the 1948 Marconi personal receiver.

-Easily!

-Calm down!

-Easily.

You don't want to calm down too much in this temperature!

You'll get frostbite!

How much did you spend all round?

-We spent £190.

-Did you?

That's very good. Who's got the 110?

Got 110 about your... Ah, thank you very much.

Which piece will bring the biggest profit?

-My piece, the beautiful little Celtic designed bowl.

-Is it?

-Yes.

-Do you agree, Ali?

-No, it's got to be my Marconi radio.

You're very chippy about what's mine and what's yours!

-So those are your favourite pieces too?

-Absolutely.

-Yeah.

I've got the message!

OK, Tom, there's a reasonable sum for you to have a go at.

You're on the old snatch, aren't you?

You've already done a deal somewhere underneath the table, I can tell!

-You want the money quick!

-I want the money!

-To go and pay.

-Yeah!

Very good luck with that. Good luck, Tom.

Meanwhile, I'm going to show you something I sniffed out last time I was here in Peterborough.

Get it?

On the face of it, this is a pretty boring and crudely carved

kidney-shaped snuff box.

Until you turn it over,

when it starts to get a bit more interesting.

Because on the top, we've got a print

that's applied to the surface of the wooden box

that shows a place called Thornton Abbey.

Now, Thornton Abbey was built in the 12th century

and at the time of 'Enery VIII,

it was dissolved and eventually fell into a ruin.

But by the middle of the 19th century,

which was when this box was made,

it was attractive to tourists.

In 1848, it had its own railway station nearby

and people flocked to Thornton Abbey

to wonder at these ruins.

And hence, I guess, the tourist trade started producing these little snuff boxes

simply by gluing a print on the top.

And if you open it up, rather conveniently, there's another piece of printed material

that says, "West View of Thornton Abbey".

So you can see which side of the ruin you're looking at.

This place became a mecca for people who were members of the Temperance Union.

So you didn't drink, but you might still take a pinch of snuff.

And the top end of 15 to 18,000 people

would wander around this ruin at that time

celebrating the fact that they didn't drink any more.

A popular old place indeed!

But I don't think too many of these Thornton Abbey snuff boxes survived

because I've never seen one before.

And here at Peterborough, you could buy such a thing for a £10 note.

All that history, all that interest, from an adjoining county,

for only £10.

Now that is not to be sniffed at!

And six weeks later, we took our wares to sell at the auction.

We've crossed the county line from Cambridgeshire to Lincolnshire

to be in Stamford at Batemans sale room and to join David Palmer.

-David. Good morning.

-Good morning.

-Lovely to see you.

First up for the reds is this combo ARP lot. What do you make of that?

The rattle I'm a little dubious of, but the badge, my grandfather had one, and his was silver.

-Right.

-And there are faint traces of marks that tally with that being silver, so I think it is silver.

OK. That's nice. Trouble is, this is either a crow scarer, or a football rattler, or it's a gas jobby.

-It could be any of those.

-They probably did use crow scarers.

Just marked them up as ARP, because that's what they'd do in the war.

Quite. You're using something that is otherwise wandering around.

So that's OK. The two together, what are they worth?

We've put the estimate in at 20 to 40,

-but it should do the top end.

-Absolutely.

Next item is the Japanese hardwood scoop,

-which is brand-Harry-spankers, isn't it?

-It is.

-How much?

-Ten to £20.

-OK. Our team paid £53.

Lastly, which I think is a really cool lot, are these bookends.

-Lovely, aren't they?

-They are. Black Forest gnomes.

-Yeah.

Do you know what "gnome" means?

-No, I don't.

-G-N-O-M-E?

-No.

-Guarding Naturally Over Mother Earth.

That's what the word gnome means.

-I think they're fun.

-So do I. How much?

-50 to 70.

-Oh, so brave!

£80 paid by Rae, and she's very optimistic.

-I think she should be.

-Good.

Well, depending on how the little gnomes get on,

will determine whether they need the bonus buy or not

so let's have a look at it.

-So, Rae.

-On my own!

-We're all alone!

-Just you and me together!

-How lovely is that!

Well, not so lovely, really, cos there's been a drama for Joanne.

Yes, her little boy's quite poorly in hospital.

Oh, dear. But he's OK?

We hope so, yeah. He'll be all right.

It's very good of you to come and man the fort for us.

-And you must give the little chap and Jo our love anyway.

-Alfie. His name's Alfie.

-Alfie. One of my favourite Christian names, Alfie.

-Is it really?

Anyway, it's lovely that you're here. Thank you.

And as a reminder, you and the daughter spent £173.

So you gave Catherine £127.

Catherine, what did you buy with 127?

I think Joanna would approve.

-I hope.

-Gosh!

-I bought you a little fox!

-Oh, how sweet is that?

-It's quite heavy, isn't it?

-It is, yes.

-Isn't that nice?

-It's bronze.

It's Austrian, cold painted.

You can still see little remnants of the original paint there.

-It's early 20th century.

-How much did you pay?

-Well, I paid £60, which I didn't think was very much at all.

-No.

Because these can make quite a bit of money, actually.

And I think he's a beauty.

He's got such a lovely little character.

I think that's going to make us some money.

-Fingers crossed.

-You and Joanna.

-Yes.

-Fingers crossed.

-Well, while you're doing that,

we, for the audience at home, are going to discover from the auctioneer

what he thinks about the little foxy.

There you go. There's Reynard, for you.

Nice and weighty. Nicely painted.

Bit of chipping and that, but it looks good.

A bit of a clean up, I fancy, is required.

There's some filth on the paint.

And it's a bit chipped. But at least it's genuine.

-And we're in the right area for people to appreciate the fox.

-Yes.

-How much?

-80 to 120.

-Brilliant.

£60 paid by Catherine. She's a brilliant woman.

And that may get them out of trouble.

Now for the blues.

First up for them are the three

Norwegian and enamelled pepperettes.

These are lovely. It's a shame we've only got three, though,

because they're personalised pepperettes for your dining table.

So six would have been brilliant.

Really good-looking things.

They're quite popular as collectables, Norwegian enamelled silver, aren't they?

-They are.

-How much?

-60 to 90.

-£90 paid, so they're pretty well on the button.

What about the Scottish bowl?

Yes. I like it. It's signed on the underside.

The design is good. The colour's good.

But I just have a sneaking feeling that the bird that's depicted there

is a peacock, which is the symbol of bad luck

and will reduce its potential selling value.

£40, Thomas paid.

We fall either side of that. 30 to 50.

OK. We're pretty well on the money.

So we've got two items on the money.

The last object is the Marconi portable radio receiver,

which is funky.

Yes, it is.

-It's heavy enough to be a personal weapon if you're attacked!

-Yes.

But whatever it is, it's stylish.

-It is.

-How much do you think this is going to make?

-Not a lot. 20 to £40.

-Yes.

60, we paid.

So whatever upside we've got, there is likely to be a downside through the radio.

-Indeed.

-They're going to need their bonus buy.

-Yeah.

Let's go and tune in to it!

-Ali and Lynne, you spent, my darlings, £190, yes?

-Yes.

You gave Thomas 110. What did you spend it on, Tom?

£110 was spent on the jewel of all jewels,

the king of the semi-precious stones, lapis.

Lapis is this magical stone from the Middle East

and it has these beautiful gold flecks within it

set with an 18-carat gold clasp.

A fabulous silk-strung pebble lapis necklace.

-I rather like that.

-It's beautiful.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue!

-Something blue!

-Definitely blue.

When is the wedding about to happen?

-Tomorrow!

-It never is!

-Two o'clock!

-Are you feeling nervous?

-Tim, I'm absolutely terrified!

But I've not got anything blue!

Nothing blue? I'm very sorry,

but for tomorrow's wedding, you cannot buy this necklace!

So how much would I have to pay for this beautiful...

Well, you have to take it all into consideration.

That's 18-carat gold, so I spent £110 on it.

-Ali, what do you think?

-I like it. I think it's really nice.

-What period is it from?

-Good point.

It's not the oldest thing. I think it's 1900s, 1920s.

-1980s?

-It could be 1980s.

Yeah, it could be, but you know.

-It's 20th century.

-20th century.

Let's find out from the auctioneer whether he likes Tom's pebbles.

-Chunky.

-Very chunky.

-Colourful.

-Very colourful.

To me, it's a string of pebbles, but my colleague valuers who are better than me at this sort of thing

-give it a strong estimate.

-How much?

-100 to 150.

Well, that Thomas is no fool. He paid £110.

-That could be the object to dig them out of trouble.

-It could, indeed.

Thank you very much.

-Well, Rae, this is it. We're on the edge.

-Yes.

Any news from the hospital?

-Slight improvement. He's chirpier this morning.

-Oh, good.

-Good.

That's the main thing. Let's hope we can send some good news after the auction.

Your first item is this gas rattle jobby. Estimated a 20 to £40. You paid 40.

The second is the Japanese hardwood scoop which is not, I'm afraid, old.

It's a modern reproduction. They put 10 to £20 on that. You paid 53.

So that could be the problem.

But the lovely Black Forest bookends should make up for any shortfall.

He's put 50 to 70 on them. You paid 80.

-But anything can happen in the auction.

-I think they'll go.

-I think they're very pretty.

And if all else fails, you've got an old fox to fall back on!

First up is the lovely gas rattle.

Lot 1236, the gas rattle.

Marked up for 1941. Very interesting piece, this.

Tenner. Ten I'm bid. 12. 15. 18. 20.

22 now. At 22.

At 22. Take the five. At £22.

Done, then, at 22. Is that it?

-At £22. This has been through the war.

-Yes!

At £22.

Minus 18. Not to worry.

Now the tea scoop. I do not have any high hopes for this, I'm afraid.

Interesting little piece. Let's say £20 to start.

20 I'm bid. 20. Two now. 22. 25.

You're at 25. 28. Back here at 28.

Done that at 28. 30. 32 now.

32. 35. 38.

40. I have £40. That is against you.

Finished and done at £40.

£40. Better than predicted.

Anyway, that's sadly still minus 13.

..fruitwood bookends.

Late 19th century.

These are rather nice. 40 quid.

Straight in. £40 to start? 20, then? 20 I'm bid.

At 20. Two. And 25.

28 now. New money at 28. Take the 30.

30. 32. 35. 38. 40.

At 40 now. The bid is here at 40.

42? Goes, then, at 42. 45.

In the room at 45.

48. Go 50, madam.

50. With the lady at 50.

I sell with the lady now at £50.

It's in the room at 50. I sell in the room at 50.

So overall, then, that is minus £61, which is not so hot.

What are we going to do about this Viennese fox?

-We're going to have to go.

-I think you should do, too.

It's a nice thing, and as we know, they're very collectable.

Here's Reynard the fox.

Lot 1242 is the Vienna cold painted bronze figure of a fox.

Early 20th century. A lovely little piece, this.

£30 for it? 30? 30 I'm bid.

In at 30. Take a two now. 32 with the lady here.

-No, no!

-35. 38.

-Get going!

-40.

45. 50.

55. 55. I sell here at 55.

At £55. No-one else at 55?

It's worth a lot more than that!

-He's banging.

-Minus £5.

Minus 66 overall.

I don't think I'd make a call to the hospital if I were you.

We'll stay quiet about this little...

Whether that's a winning score or not will be determined by how the blues get on.

Now, Ali, Lynne. Are you excited?

-Very.

-Do you know how the reds got on?

-No.

-No.

Perfect. We don't want you to.

You got those lovely Norwegian silver and enamel-topped pepperettes.

A little trio of them. £90 you paid.

Their estimate is 60 to £90. Nearly in the frame, so that's OK.

-Yeah.

-The Strathpeffer pottery bowl, the Scottish bowl,

-£40 paid. 30 to 50 is his estimate.

-Good.

And the Marconi phone fellow, £60 paid,

-he thinks it's worth 20 to 40.

-Oh!

Which is not so good, I'm afraid.

But you've got the lapis lazuli beads to fall back on.

First up are the Norwegian enamel and silver pepperettes. Here they come.

Lot 1259 is a set of three Norwegian silver and enamel pepperettes. £50.

50 to start. Straight in at £50 for the pepperettes.

50 I'm bid. On the net, then, at £50.

They sell at 50. Take a five. 55.

Still standing at 55. 60. 65.

In the room at 65. 70 next. 75, sir.

At 70. I sell here at 70.

Sell at £70.

I thought it was going mad there, and everyone was going to bid.

Not mad enough. Anyway, minus £20.

Next, the Scottish bowl.

Morven and MacLeod bowl.

Striking decoration to it.

£20 for the bowl? 20?

Straight in, the Scottish bowl. A rare Scottish bowl.

£20 the bowl. £10 the bowl.

Ten I'm bid. Down here at ten. 12.

15. 18. 20.

Sell here at 20. Take a two again.

22. Back in at 22. 25.

-At 25. Stick with it. 28?

-This is a rollercoaster!

25 I sell, then. Second row at £25.

It's minus 15.

-Overall, you're minus 35.

-Should we leave now?

No, we've got Marconi first.

The Marconi portable radio receiver.

This is what the youth of the '50s

-wandered round with in the streets.

-Retro!

£30 for it? 30 quid?

30 I'm bid. At 30. Take two now.

Here's the 32. 35. 38.

40. 45.

At 45. I'll take 50.

At 45. 50. 55.

At 55. You're out down here.

At £55. Done and finished at 55.

No-one else at £55.

No. Minus £5 off that. OK.

So minus 40 overall.

What are we going to do about these beads, then? Go with the beads?

-We're doomed.

-"We're doomed!"

-We're doomed!

-"We're all doomed!"

-Are we going with the bonus buy?

-Going with the bonus buy?

-Yes.

You go with it. Do exactly what you like. Go with the bonus buy.

Here we go. Here come the beads.

The set of beads roughly carved on an 18-carat gold clasp.

£100?

Start me at 100. Start me at 50.

£50 the beads.

£20 I'm bid.

And I sell at £20. Make no mistake. They're selling at 20. 22. 25.

-You're in at 25, sir. 28.

-Can I buy them?

-No!

30 in the room. Net, you're out.

I sell in the room at £30.

Take a two off anybody. At 32.

32. 35. The gent at 35. Behind the pillar at 35.

£35, he's selling.

It is at 35. I am selling at 35.

35 is five off 40...

60. Then ten is 70. Minus 75.

You're double-doomed now, girl, I tell you that!

-How bad is it?

-It's all right bad.

-Is it?

Minus 115 bad!

Holy toast! That is bad!

Right. Who's paying for the wedding?

Well, teams, how does it feel? Nice to be over?

-Wonderful.

-Gone through the agony barrier?

-Just!

It's no secret we're not going to the cash machine today!

It's been a shocker, hasn't it?

And the team that's done pretty well the worst is, of course, the blues.

Well done!

-Minus £115.

-Yes!

You went with the bonus buy. That was a big mistake!

-Nobody likes lapis lazuli, apparently, in this part of the world.

-No.

No. Or gold.

-But did you have a good time?

-Really good.

-Really, yeah.

And very, very many congratulations with regards to the nuptials tomorrow.

-Thank you.

-Hope you have a great time.

-Thank you.

But the victors today, sadly no Joanne,

you've managed to win by only losing £66.

-Not so bad.

-That's pretty Irish.

You won, actually, on absolutely nothing,

but never mind.

It's just that your losses were marginally less than their losses!

And that's why you're the winner today.

-It makes up for it.

-I hope your grandson is soon better.

-I'm sure he will be.

-I'm sure he will be, too.

Anyway, it's been great fun.

So much fun, join us soon for some more Bargain Hunting, yes?

Yes!

I know you're sitting there thinking, "I could do 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