Ardingly 2 Bargain Hunt

Without rhyme or reason,

we had to fly

to a fair at Ardingly.

Who writes this stuff? Let's go bargain hunting! Yeah!

We've come back to West Sussex,

to Ardingly,

the largest international antiques fair in the south of England.

There are some 2,000 stalls here for our teams to leg it round,

so they'd better get a wiggle on!

After all, it's the early bird that catches the worm!

'We're off! The Reds hope to race to the finish with their winnings.'

-I could see that fetching 30, 40 quid at auction.

-You do.

I know you'll want me to eat my words when it doesn't!

'He would say that, wouldn't he? The Blues pitched the antiques that could fit the bill.'

They're really striking, bold.

They stand out, they shout at you.

'All of that to come. But first, let's meet the teams.'

Today on the teams,

we have for the Reds partners Ben and Lucy,

and good friends for the Blues, Bob and Mary.

-Hello, everyone.

-ALL: Hello!

-Lovely to see you.

Lucy, I understand we have to thank Ben

for your remaining in the UK.

How did that all come about?

After university, I got an internship in New York,

and then I came back for six months because my visa ran out,

and in the six months, I met Ben.

-I was meant to go back for three years...

-And you never went.

-I never went.

Aww! Isn't that sweet?

-No regrets?

-No.

-No!

-Not yet.

-Not yet.

-How sweet!

-So, you're a very creative girl?

-Yes.

I am a print designer. I design handbags and giftware.

What particular pleasures are there in your job?

-It's definitely got to be when you see it in the shops.

-I bet it is.

Ben, I understand I should consult you about my bad back,

except I haven't got one at the moment.

If you did have a bad back, you could come and see me. I'm a physiotherapist.

I specialise now in musculoskeletal problems,

so any muscle joint, nerve...

You'd come to me with back ache, arthritic pain...

-Sports injuries.

-Sports injuries.

-If you're an athlete like me, it is a problem.

-Absolutely.

-So you name it, in theory, I can fix it.

-That's good fun.

-You're into sports yourself.

-I am. I'm into quite a lot of sports.

I try and keep fit, do a bit of running.

I've done a few half-marathons. I like playing tennis.

I probably don't practise as much as I preach!

So it seems to me, as a team, you've got the agility,

-you've got the style and design.

-That's it.

That's what we like to see. We wish you very good luck with your quest.

Now, moving on to the Blues.

Bob, it was your company that you have to thank for finding Mary.

Yes, it was. We worked for rival companies,

but we both ended up at the same conference.

Over lunch, etcetera, got chatting

and we thought, "Gosh, Mary's a good thing. Perhaps she ought to join us."

-Ah, right!

-So we half-inched her, basically!

-You're a head-hunter.

-Indeed.

-Gosh!

-I know.

And out of work, you do a bit of singing.

I'm a true Welshman, so two things in life - rugby and singing.

-Yes.

-Rugby when I was much younger and the knocks didn't hurt quite so much.

As soon as they did start hurting, I began singing again.

Mary, you work as a career coach.

I do. I left head-hunting because I had to commute

and I'm absolutely rubbish at getting up in the mornings.

So I now work from home, often in my pyjamas.

-Lovely!

-I work with people who want to develop their careers,

either by getting a new job or getting promoted,

-or just getting through a tricky patch.

-Very useful.

Now, you have this cutting-edge form of employment,

but you live in a very traditional home.

I grew up in a very traditional home.

I grew up in a farmhouse

that my family had continuously inhabited for about 150 years.

-How lovely.

-So it was full of old things -

rugs, furniture, china, glass -

and I used to say to my mum, "Where'd that come from?"

-and she'd just go, "I don't know. It was here when I arrived."

-Ahh!

So some of those antiques I've kept with me.

-But one of the things she taught me was always to look at the underneath of a saucer.

-Quite right.

Anyway, now the £300 money moment...

Here we go, here's the cash, look! There's your cash.

-Happy with that?

-Yes.

You know the rules. Your experts await. Off you go!

Very, very, very good luck.

Making sure the Reds don't get stumped,

we have the sporty Kate Bliss. Howzat!

Unfazed by all this action but ready to charm our Blues,

it's Charles Hanson in burgundy.

Our experts will need to be on top form

because we're going to put them through their paces.

-Kate, are you feeling fit today?

-Well, ish, yes. It depends what you call fit.

-OK. Have you got any injuries that I should be aware of?

-No. I don't think so.

-Everything seems to be moving OK?

-Yes.

-Excellent. So, we're ready to find some bargains and make some profit?

-I certainly am.

-I wonder if you'll keep up with me.

-I'll try.

-MUSIC: "The Apprentice" Theme

-Mr Hanson, thank you for coming in.

Could I ask you what you think really qualifies you

as an antiques expert?

What makes you think it's OK to turn up at an interview dressed like that?

I'm a flamboyant person.

With that quirky feel and my quirky nature, it's a match made in heaven to find those quirky objects.

You're hired.

'Thank goodness we got the A-Team on it today.'

What kind of things are you both looking for?

This is an hour which could change your lives, in terms of making money.

I think something quite retro but something functionable.

-Let's go down to the end and then back quickly, and then we'll go inside.

-OK.

'There you go, Bob's your uncle!'

-Shall I pick that up?

-You've got a Welsh love spoon there.

Anything Welsh, he has to have it!

-They don't look as if they've been worn, do they?

-Hardly.

Girls do get distracted, don't they?

'Cor, don't we know it! Gawd love 'em!'

I love that little box there. Mother-of-pearl and silver.

-Is that a Georgian box?

-Yes. Probably 18th century.

-Yes. And is it a little compact or a little snuff box?

-Snuff.

-I think it has snuff in it.

-Really? THEY LAUGH

Of course, snuff - back in the 18th and 19th century - it was all the rage in London.

I would suggest that box, that lovely mother-of-pearl,

I reckon it's about 1790, 1785, so it's 220 years old.

-What's the price on that?

-£100.

-What would be the very best you could do on that?

-Er, 90 quid.

Pretty box.

'Yes, but a very high price tag.'

-What's that?

-Tapestry.

It's silkwork laid underneath glass, to make it into the bottom of this tray.

-What do you think?

-It's in very good quality.

The downside is...

-It's a little bit stained.

-..there's some watermarks.

But the thing I like is that the colours

-in the silk are still quite vibrant.

-The threads, the gold.

-There's loads of lovely gold, pinks and blues, which are nice.

-They're still holding their colour.

-Let's just see. Excuse me, sir.

-Morning.

Hi there. We rather like this, but obviously it's seen better days.

-18.

-Mm...

We want a little bit less, we think.

-15.

-Is that your best price?

That is the rock bottom.

-Well, it's early days, guys. Do you want to have a little think?

-Best come back.

-We're going to dither, all right?

-They're not going anywhere.

-Brilliant.

'Well, you won't weave any profit by walking off.

'Ten minutes have gone and our Blues can't seem to think outside the box.'

Isn't that sweet, as well? Oh, I say!

-How much is that box?

-It's not even dear. It's 60 quid.

Oh, I love this! Look at this box. You've got your box there, Bob. Look at this box here.

This is rosewood, first of all.

Look at that gorgeous porcelain centre.

OK, bit of a split, bit of a problem.

If you were a high-class lady in the 1860s,

you would open your box at your dressing table,

-and look inside.

-Oh!

-Oh, yes.

You would've perhaps had your fob watch on there,

you've got your two delicious little porcelain scent bottles.

You would've had your rings in there,

your pins or whatever else on that cushion,

-and look at that gorgeous porcelain plaque.

-It's very pretty.

£60.

-I love that. That's a gorgeous pot.

-What's the best price you can give us for the two?

-Erm...

-135.

-140.

-I said 135.

-135.

-The best would be 140.

-If I was going to buy one...

-Mm.

-You'd go for the box.

-..I'd go for that,

as... my guarantee to you.

Hopefully! Hopefully a guarantee!

You're a powerful lady, hopefully I've found a powerful object!

-Go on, then.

-We'll take it, sir. We'll take it.

-OK.

'Decision made! Well done! That Mary doesn't mess about.

'We're 20 minutes in and time is of the essence.'

That's what's called a hunter.

It's closed, it's got a plain case, which is very much liked.

The enamel dial is in pretty good condition.

A subsidiary dial, obviously for your seconds dial,

but you have got a little bit of a crack there on the enamel.

-The case is quite nice and clean.

-It is.

Obviously gilt metal, as opposed to gold.

There's no hallmark there which tells me it's gilt metal,

so it's going to be more affordable

-but probably less collectable.

-Lose its value at auction.

-Yes.

People do like hunters. They feel really nice in your hand.

For somebody wanting to start off a collection, it's an affordable little piece.

-Shall we just find out how much it is anyway?

-Yes.

-What do you think?

-Let's see what they want for it.

-Excuse me, how much is that, please?

-It's 40.

-40.

-Yes.

25, I think, we would probably go with it.

I don't know. What do you think?

-I like the way it pops out, like you said, hidden.

-It's quite nice-looking.

Would you take 25?

Erm... Go on, then.

Well, guys, time is ticking. Literally.

On my head be it. Deal.

'Good. Well done, Reds, you're off the mark.

'Both teams now have one item in the old bag.

'It's all gone a bit potty for the Blues, and it seems Mary's the expert now.'

Sell it to me, antiques expert.

-Why the vase?

-Why the vase? Well, I don't think it's particularly pretty,

but do think that it could be a make that will be collectable.

-Are you thinking West German?

-The second half of the 20th century,

-pottery is becoming much more collectable.

-You're right.

-It looks in good condition. I can't see...

-What about the base? Are there chips?

-No.

There's no mark on the base.

-You know how you guys would hire powerful people for big jobs?

-Yes.

Is that, to you, a powerful object for an auction?

I don't like it, but I just thought it might sell!

'Now, come on, Charles, get back in the saddle here.'

-This is something a little bit different.

-Chad Valley's quite a...

-You've heard of Chad Valley, then?

-I have.

Really good British manufacturer of toys and games.

I would say this is probably '50s. Got its box all intact.

Little bit tatty round the edges but pretty good.

Let's just have a little look inside.

This is lovely. You've got all the horses here, which is the important bit.

-They're all enamels.

-Cast iron.

-Feel how heavy those are.

-They are, aren't they?

-Made of?

-Er...

-Lead.

-What did you say, Lucy?

-Lead?

-Exactly. Really heavy.

Made of lead and then painted, or enamels.

They're all marked on the bottom so you know they're part of this set.

You've got to watch that these haven't been over-painted,

so they haven't been repainted and touched in. All these look original.

It's quite nice seeing tiny little knocks like that because you know it's original.

Very carefully, that rolls out and that's your race track.

And then you turn the handle, which is what moves the horses along.

-OK.

-OK, so you have your game and you can place your bets if you want to.

Excuse me. We're just looking at your Escalado game.

-What's your best?

-What have I got on it?

You've got 25, but it looks like it's crossed out to me!

-Is that a sale price?

-20 quid, then. 20 quid.

All the horses are there, they're in good nick.

The paintwork's good on them, which is important.

-20's your best?

-What you've got to ask yourself is,

-you wanted something that's functional...

-Yes.

I don't think you're going to get people playing this, you're going to get collectors.

You've got to ask yourself, "How much is a collector going to pay for this?"

-You need the right person at auction.

-Definitely.

-Can I make you a silly offer?

-You can, but I'll probably say no!

-Would you do it for a tenner?

-Sorry, no.

-OK. Worth a try.

-Worth a go!

I don't mind you asking!

-What's your rock bottom?

-Er, 18 quid, then.

-18.

-Yes.

-Do you like it?

-I do quite like it, yes.

-It's a little bit different.

-I think it's a bit different.

-15 and we'll take it.

-Final offer?

-I'm going to stick at 18.

-Are you?

-Yes.

-Meet you in the middle?

-In the middle at 16?

-Go on, then!

-Deal.

-He's browbeaten!

-Quite!

-16?

-Yes.

-Is that all right? Thank you very much.

-Excellent.

-Happy, guys?

-Yes.

-I'm happy.

-Brilliant.

-I could see that easily fetching 30-40 quid at auction.

-You do?

I know you'll want me to eat my words when it doesn't!

'We wouldn't be so mean!

'And you could be right, you know, but we'll have to wait and see.

'That takes the Reds into the lead, so you Blues had better get a move on.'

-This guy over here...

-Yes.

-He's an old friend.

-Well, I say old friend, he's a dealer I know.

-We might get a bargain.

-Exactly.

-Hi, Joey.

-Hi, Charles!

-Long time no see. How's life?

-Very well.

-Can we have a look at your haul of items?

-Yes.

-Thank you very much.

-Look at this...

-Would those vases sell?

-What are they? Are they vases?

-Or planters.

-Planters. Jardinieres.

-They're fantastic.

-I think they are.

And why are they fantastic?

Because they're really striking, really bold.

They stand out, they shout at you. I think they shout at you "Art Nouveau".

Or what we call Majolica.

-Aren't they a great pair?

-I think they're lovely.

You can see this nice footwear on the bases.

You've got a lovely old impress number there.

I would've thought something like 1890.

That one's in good nick, as well.

-The big question is, how much are they?

-150.

-Right.

They are the two blues,

-they're a pair to match you guys.

-Yes.

-And they've -

-Short and fat!

-THEY LAUGH

-That one's in better nick than this one.

-I'll give you 145.

-145 - shall we do it?

-145.

-We'll do it. Thank you, Joe.

-We'll take them.

-OK.

-Thank you very much.

'A fine pair!

'But come on, stir your stumps, everyone!

'Both teams still have one item to find and only ten minutes in which to find it.'

So you snip it and then snuff it out on the top.

-That's lovely.

-What, the compote?

-What do you think of that, Bob?

-It's nice.

-Can I show it to you?

-Is it an old one?

-Yes.

So we're probably talking, what, 1890 in date?

-I would think about then.

-Late Victorian, late 19th century.

-I always err on the safe side.

-Edwardian.

-I'd say circa 1920,

-but it could be...

-A bit earlier.

And that actually could be 60.

-Mm.

-Do you think we can make any money on it?

I think, with five minutes to go, we might,

but I still think let's have a quick wander round. OK, Bob?

-Let's... Can we hold it for five minutes, please?

-Yes.

-And the best is 60?

-I'm afraid so.

-£60. OK.

All right. Thank you.

'Good old Bob! These head-hunters - always thinking ahead!'

-Hi, guys.

-What have you found?

-A pot.

-OK.

-What do you reckon to that?

-It's nice.

-Yes?

-Do you know who this is by?

-No.

-This is by...

-Moorcroft.

-Moorcroft.

This is William Moorcroft,

so it's relatively early in the Moorcroft factory's production.

I'd say that's probably typically sort of 1910, 1920s.

This is known as tube-lining,

where the liquid pottery is placed over the vase

to give it that texture and relief.

It's a fairly standard floral pattern.

I was a bit suspicious, which is why I didn't call you over earlier.

-Do you see how the glaze changes?

-Oh, the different resins.

-Which, to me, rings alarm bells.

I'm just feeling round the top.

If this was restored, you'd feel it was softer.

The great way to do it, it's not very hygienic,

-but if you feel it on your teeth...

-OK.

..you can feel whether that is restored

or whether it's the original pottery.

-Do you think that has been restored?

-I don't think it has.

I think it's just a fault in the glaze.

-How much is that?

-Well, the stallholder said £90.

-Is that right?

-90 quid.

-That's his best, is it?

-Yes.

-It is nice looking.

What's your rock bottom?

-Absolute rock bottom?

-Rock-rock bottom will be 85 for you.

-85.

-85.

The tray's 15. It's a toss up between those two.

-We saw something else over there.

-What did you see?

-It's like a pair of scissors but you use it to put a candle out.

-A candle, er...

-A snuffer?

-Snuffer, yes.

-Shall we have a look?

-On a tray. He's says it's real silver.

-All right. We might come back.

-This over here...

-Well spotted!

..is what I saw when we were buying the planters,

and it's still here.

-Look at that.

-That's lovely.

-A really fashionable poster.

-Mm.

I love that!

Look at the costume, look at the drama, look at the action on that promenade.

It harks back to the '20s. The big question is, is it old?

If you look at the creasing in the poster,

clearly it's got some age.

This, to me, could be a good lot to buy,

-if the price is right.

-If the price is right...

'I think you've got the wrong game show.

'Have you been burning the candle at both ends again?'

This piece here...

-Oh, yes!

-A pair of, er, candle snuffers.

You use them like scissors,

but put the little wick in there, it snuffs it out.

-How commercial are they? Not very.

-BOTH: Not very.

-I have to say.

-Price tag - 38.

-20 he said he'd do it for.

-20.

-I would say at auction, you'd struggle to get a profit.

-OK.

-I can see them making 20...

-15.

-Oh, he's coming down! 15.

You can have them at 15.

-What's the very best?

-£80.

-So we could afford it.

-Just.

-We could just about do it.

75, if it helps.

Knowing the firm we're going to, and sometimes you buy for a saleroom,

it's the sort of thing that they do specialise in.

These private buyers, who don't ordinarily go to auctions...

-It'll catch the eye.

-It's either this

or the ruby glass compote.

I like this. It's different to anything we've got.

Go on, then, Bob. You've chosen one, I've chosen one, and let Bob choose that one.

-Are you sure?

-Yep.

-I think that's the right decision.

-Superb.

-Good.

-That's it, three items.

'Done, and a nice eclectic mix.

'Right then, Reds, it's make-your-mind-up time.'

-This for 15, the tray for 15, or the vase...

-For 85.

I think there's potentially more in the vase.

-I think there's more in the vase.

-Let's go for the vase.

-We've got one minute, guys! One minute. The vase?

-Yes.

-OK.

'You Reds are getting on my wick now.'

-Can you do 75?

-75.

-Do you think it's restored?

-I don't believe so.

-Go on, 75.

-75.

-Is 75 OK?

-Deal.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-Brilliant.

Thank you very much. THEY LAUGH

Don't drop it!

Ooh, look at the time!

Let's stop the shop

and have a quick reminder at what the Red Team bought.

Ben and Lucy thought this gold-plated hunter pocket watch

ticked all their boxes,

and paid £25 for it.

Then they trotted off with this Escalado horse-racing game,

an odds-on favourite perhaps at £16.

And finally, they felt this Moorcroft vase had appeal

and spent £75 for the privilege.

You certainly had fun, that's true enough.

-You did, didn't you?

-We did.

-Absolutely.

-I bet you did, Luce.

Which is your favourite piece?

I think the game that we got, the horses.

-Escalado.

-That's the one.

-That's the one.

-That's the one!

-And she bought it!

-Do you agree with that?

-I agree with that.

-You do.

-I think it's going to get a profit.

-Will that make the most profit?

-BOTH: I think it will.

-So, it's your favourite and it's the thing that will bring the biggest profit?

-Yes.

-How much did you spend?

-£116.

-That's a pathetic amount of money when we give you 300, isn't it?

-It is.

-Do I want 184?

-That sounds right.

-OK, 184.

-I've got it.

-OK, Ben.

-Thank you very much. That is an awful lot.

-There's four.

-There should be 180 there.

-OK. That's brilliant. £184.

-Kate Bliss!

-Functional is what they like, so functional might be what they get.

OK. You're such a tease.

Anyway, why don't we check out what the Blue Team bought?

This item, a Victorian dressing-table box,

met all their criteria.

The price - £60.

Mary then fell for this pair of Majolica jardinieres.

But was £145 too pricey?

Finally, Bob thought this 1920s Brighton railway poster

could make them a good profit.

£75 paid.

-Happy?

-So, was that a shop, or was it a shop?

-It was a shop!

-Excellent!

-I could've done with 3,000 rather than 300.

-And a lot more time, as well.

-Rather greedy, aren't you?

-Ambitious!

-How much did you spend all round?

-£280.

-Gosh, that's a good amount. Have you got £20 of leftover lolly about your person?

-I have.

-For you, sir.

-Tucked into the corporation. Thank you.

-Which is your favourite item?

-My favourite is the blue planters.

Two blue planters, with lilies on them.

French, turn of the century. Beautiful.

-Do you agree with that, Bob-Bob?

-I like the Brighton poster.

-Which will bring the biggest profit?

-I think the small box that we bought might well bring the biggest profit.

Charles is promising us that it is a sure-fire winner

-and we'll make a lot of money.

-We look to him.

-20, then, Charles.

-Thank you, Tim.

-That's all you've got to wander off with.

-Many thanks.

That's OK. Mary and Bob, Tim, they're powerful people.

They know what they want in terms of a candidate, and they trust me,

-so I won't fail, I promise.

-Jolly good.

That's lovely.

With that reassuring chant, Charles, good luck in your search.

Meanwhile, I'm going to show you something that I found earlier,

which I find very interesting.

They are amazing places, you know, these antique fairs.

Stuffed with antiques! But then, how old is an antique?

It's supposed to be something that's made more than 100 years ago.

Why don't you try this baby on for size,

which was made, or should I say died,

perhaps 20 to 25,000 years ago.

The earth was a very different place then.

Vast herds of woolly mammoths roamed the Ice Age landscape,

perfectly adapted to the extremes of the Arctic conditions.

ROARS

Imagine the scale of this animal,

wandering across Northern and Central Europe,

minding its own business,

with tusks that continued for over 6.5 feet

in front of its face,

to carve up the ground to produce their food.

Surely the oldest antique in this building,

it is, of course, a woolly mammoth's tusk.

One small population of woolly mammoths

survived on a remote Russian island until as late as 4,000 years ago,

but on mainland Siberia

they seem to have died out towards the end of the last Ice Age.

We know this because their remains were frozen in time,

locked in the permafrost.

The big question is, why did they suddenly become extinct?

It's a mystery. But what is not a mystery is that today, here in Ardingly,

we have this vestige

of one of those enormous 22,000-year-old tusks.

It was dredged up by a fishing vessel,

dredging their nets across the North Sea

that disturb underneath the sediment things like this,

that very often get damaged in the process of removal

and that's why we've got these shattered ends on either side.

A really good, sound, complete mammoth tusk

can be worth several thousand pounds

to collectors of natural history specimens.

That's a whole collecting field that is increasingly popular.

It also fits curiously

into a contemporary decorative scheme.

What's such a thing worth, a shattered section like this?

£200 and this tusk could be yours.

Now, that is not a mammoth amount.

Right now, though, let's find out over at the auction

whether there's anything for our teams to trumpet about.

All gone quiet? £30, then.

Yours, sir, at 30. All done.

Well, we've come 20 miles also west from Ardingly,

still in the glorious county of West Sussex,

to Wisborough Green, to Bellmans saleroom to be precise,

to be with the ever youthful Jonathan Pratt.

I don't feel that youthful!

-How are you?

-I'm very well, thanks.

-Excellent to be here.

Now, first up is this very ordinary plated hunting-case watch.

There is a resurgence of popularity, I suppose, in these

with the gentleman's dress now, which is quite fashionable. It's quite useful.

-But they made millions of them.

-They did churn them out. The dial's in good condition.

-What's it worth?

-£40 to £60.

-Is it really? Good. £25 paid.

-There may be a small profit.

-I hope so.

Next, taking a punt, you can go for Escalado.

The love of vintage and nostalgia - these things do rather well.

This is a later version of Escalado. The later ones have lighter horses.

So when you're turning your handle...

-Vibrating it.

-..the earlier ones would stand still easier

but the later ones would fall over a little bit more.

So the early ones are slightly more collectable.

That being said, it's complete, it's in a nice box, it's fun.

-I think £20 to £30.

-Really? £16 paid. They've done well so far.

What about the ever popular Moorcroft?

Moorcroft seems to go up and up, but condition is everything.

-Mm-hm.

-The downside with this, and I'm not sure whether Kate noticed or not,

but you can see the matteness of the glaze on the top and especially round the foot.

It's most certainly been broken and put back together.

In the game, you never buy damaged, do you?

OK. So, what's it worth in this repaired state?

It's still a decorative vase, it's still Moorcroft,

-I'm sure 20 to 30 will get it sold.

-OK. £75 paid.

So there is a bit of a hole there. That might drag them down.

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

Now, Ben, Luce,

-you gave a mammoth £184 to Kate Bliss.

-Yes.

-We did.

Crikey, Moses!

Kate, what did you spend it on?

I promised you functional, and functional is what you've got.

It's a travelling barometer.

It's brass-cased. Dates probably from the late 19th century.

But the most important thing, apart from the lovely condition,

is the name, which you can read quite clearly is Negretti and Zambra.

They were the people to make instruments of this type.

They made all the instruments for the scientific expeditions.

Darwin took their instruments with him.

So this may look like a pretty pocket barometer,

but there's a lot that goes with it because it's got that name,

-and people will pay for that name.

-OK.

So over to you. Have a little look.

How much did you pay for this, Kate?

He's straight in there!

I paid £60.

-OK.

-That's pretty good.

Do you think there's much profit there, then?

I think, for a collector,

because it's got that name, I think there is half a chance.

-Terribly clean, isn't it?

-It is in lovely condition.

-Lovely condition.

-Do you like it, Luce?

-It's very nice.

That seems to be the right reaction. But for the audience at home,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Kate's little barometer.

Right, JP, this is one of your favourites.

-Yes.

-Where do you think that thing's come from?

-It says "London" on the front, look!

-Ha-ha-ha(!)

Erm, from the bezel, which you can unscrew,

I'd say it's come out of something, erm...

-You could have it in your luggage, couldn't you?

-I suppose you could.

-Do you rate it?

-Negretti and Zambra are prolific, but very good makers.

-But it is pretty dull.

-Yes.

-How much, then?

-£20 to £30.

Oh, Lordy! £60 paid by KB as a bonus buy.

That could be a problem if they decide to go with it.

On the other hand, they might not. That's the joy of Bargain Hunt!

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

A mid-Victorian porcelain inset little dressing box, isn't it?

I really like this. I'm quite fond of rosewood.

It's very specifically the early part of the Victorian period.

You see it very much around that George IV...

-It's exotic, isn't it?

-Very exotic.

It's nicely inlaid with a little bit of brass.

-Ooh, yes!

-Two little scent bottles, I suppose, inside. So quite a nice little thing.

This is a Charles Hanson moment in the shopping.

-What's it going to bring?

-I think £70 to £90 would be sensible.

He'll be pleased. £60 paid.

It could even make a tad more. Good, good.

The next item are the Minton lookalike-Majolica jardinieres.

-Do you rate those?

-You'd really want them to be English, late 19th century.

They're that sort of date but made on the Continent.

-Good colour.

-Exactly. They're great fun.

All these little bits that stick out seem to be reasonably well intact.

-Arum lilies they're called.

-I was getting to that!

-I took the words out of your mouth.

-Exactly.

-What are they worth?

-I'd say £80 to £120.

-Is that all?

-Oh...

-£145 they paid.

That could be their comeuppance.

What about the nice Brighton bit of poster art?

Is the artist known to you?

Yes. He was quite a prolific producer of promotional art for the railways.

-Railway posters...

-And the posters themselves

that you would've seen on the boardings

can sell for hundreds, if not thousands.

-And they're the full-size jobs.

-Yes.

-How much, then?

-£40 to £60.

-£75 paid.

-OK.

That's a bit light, but it might just take off. Yes?

-Yes.

-And if it doesn't, they'll have to go with the bonus buy.

Let's go and have a look at that.

Well, chaps, this is exciting, isn't it?

You managed to spend £280. You are magnificent!

£20 went across to Charles Hanson.

-Carlos, what did you do?

-Well, Tim, my team are very powerful people.

They're stiff, they're upright

and I wanted something to impress them.

-Wow!

-Oh!

-What do you think?

-That's impressive.

-I've no idea!

-OK, well, let me tell you.

-A door handle.

-Not quite.

It's probably a curtain track. It's a curtain type of mount.

What I like about this so much... Have a handle first of all. Do you like them?

Er... Interesting!

I think you do have to have a bit of imagination, don't you?

-This is going to be plonked against a wall.

-Correct.

You have got either a curtain rail going from each one of these across a couple of windows,

because you've got lots of fittings, haven't you?

You draw your curtains back and forth

-and those sunflowers are to hold the curtains back, aren't they?

-Exactly.

I just think, in these show homes across Sussex,

these would be a wonderful embellishment

in a drawing room or elsewhere.

I just think on a Saturday sale, they will do very well.

-You're telling me that you went off with £20 and you bought this lot?

-I did.

-How much did you pay for them?

-£15.

-Really?

-Very good.

-Happy with that?

-BOTH: Yes.

I think you've done well there. Let's find out, for the viewers at home,

what the auctioneer thinks about Charles's curtain track.

# Any old iron, any old iron # There we go.

-ITEMS CLATTER

-Luvvly!

-That's what you call a bulk buy!

-You get quite a lot for scrap metal nowadays.

-It's gilt bronze, is it?

-Well, no.

I think it is, you know.

We've got how many? Six and four, is ten bits.

-Are they worth £1 a bit?

-At least.

-Or are they worth £5 a bit?

-Maybe.

-I think £40 to £60 for the group.

-Do you?

-Yes.

Well, that monkey Charles paid £15 for the whole lot.

Thank you very much, JP. We'll see you on the rostrum.

25. 30.

30 bid. No-one else in the room? £40 and selling. All done.

-OK, B and L?

-Yes, all good.

-Feeling confident?

-Yes.

Ben, which piece do you think is going to bring your biggest profit?

I think the vase.

The problem with that is, according to JP, it's had a degree of restoration.

We did talk about that, didn't we? We said, "Restored or not restored?"

Anyway, it's all in the eye of the beholder.

What'll happen with the first lot? Here it comes!

Moving on to Lot 2108. I have a bid, to start me, of £25.

-How good is that?

-With me at £25. I'll take 30.

£25. 30 on the internet. Clears the commission. Where's five?

Internet bid at 30. Surely worth five. On the net at 30.

-35 on the net. We've got 40 at it. 40 on the net.

-40!

Welcome, internet. £40. Are you going to go one more, internet?

£40 on the net. I have to sell it. Fair warning at £40.

No-one else in the room. It's £40 and selling. All done?

Well done. £40 is plus 15.

What a great start. Plus 15.

Now, Escalado...

-..a Chad Valley Escalado horse-racing game.

-Clippity-cop!

Nicely-boxed, all there.

Start me at £40 for this. The Escalado game...

£40. £40. 20, then.

£20. Fun at Christmas. I've got 20 bid now. At 20.

Looking for two now. £20 bid. 22.

25. 28. 30.

-Yes!

-Don't say that! Kate Bliss, what are you up to?

Far left-hand corner at 30. Anyone else joining in?

£30 is bid. Surely worth another fiver. £30. I'll sell at 30.

-This is unbelievable!

-Fair warning. 30.

It's plus 14,

which means you're plus 29 without winking!

-Here comes the vase.

-Look out.

-Oh, no!

-Now, Moorcroft...

..sadly, restored. Someone start me at £30.

You get a lot of style for your money.

-£30 surely. 30 on the net.

-Come on!

They know what they're talking about.

On the net at 30. Looking for five. 35 in the room against you, internet. 40 in the room.

45 internet.

-On the net at 45.

-GIRLS: Come on!

The pressure in the room is unbearable.

£45 and selling on the net. It's going at 45.

I can't bear it! That's minus £30.

-You had plus £29. You're minus £1!

-Minus one!

-This is so painful for you!

-That is painful.

What are we going to do about the bonus buy?

-What do you think?

-Minus one could be a winning score.

-It could be.

-I think we should maybe go for it.

-I think we should go for it.

-Really?

-Think hard.

-Do you really think this?

-£60 I paid.

-Go for it.

-You are or you aren't?

-Yes.

-No?

-Make your mind up!

-I think we shouldn't.

-OK.

-OK.

-We should leave it.

-How long have you been together?

-Six years!

-Really!

We're not going with the bonus buy, the decision is cast,

but here it comes.

A brass-cased pocket barometer by Negretti and Zambra.

-Watch it make 200 now.

-Interest with me on the book.

I can start at £20.

With me at £20. I'll take five now. Who's going to go five?

Commission bid at 20. 25.

Clears commission now at £25, standing left. 30 on the net.

£35 in the room. 40 on the net.

Are you sure, sir? £40? It's Negretti and Zambra.

-45! Are you going to go one more, internet? £45 in the room.

-He's nudging it up. Good old JP.

Far left at £45.

Fair warning, I shall sell,

against you in the room at £45 and selling...

50 internet. He shakes his head.

At £50, then, on the net. Any more at £50? I shall sell.

-Well done. Benjamino, that was the correct decision, wasn't it?

-It was.

-Good man.

-He's a lovely man. He got it right.

Because if you got it wrong, you were in deep schtuck there!

-Are you feeling confident, Mary?

-Yes, fairly confident.

-What do you mean, fairly confident?

-Well, you know, maybe cautious.

-You went with the Majolica jardinieres.

-I love them!

-They were your find, so to speak.

-Mm.

You paid £145. It's your big-ticket number.

His estimate is 80 to 120,

but what does he know?

Otherwise, you've got that heap of ironmongery,

or should I say bronzemongery, to fall back on!

First up is Charles's pretty little dressing box. Here it comes.

Lot 2129, a mid-Victorian rosewood-and-porcelain inset dressing-table box,

circa 1860.

Lovely lot, this. Someone start me at £60.

Surely worth £50 to start me.

30, then? Hands shoot up. There's 30. Now, let's go upwards. 35.

40 on my right, at 40. 45. 50 on my right.

-55. 60 on my right.

-Yes!

-You've broken even.

-65.

-Yes! Profit!

-You're in profit, Charles, well done.

It's a wonderful lot. It's £70. It doesn't seem like very much.

-70 - I'm selling.

-One more!

-Fair warning, everyone.

It's £70, on my right at £70.

That's a profit, Charles. Well done.

That's plus £10, thank you very much.

Now the jardinieres.

..Late 19th century. Bids on the book with me at £40.

£40?!

Where's five? 45. 50.

£50 against you. 55 and 60. Against you at 60.

-This is desperate.

-One more might do it. Against you at 60.

65. And I'm out now at £65. Where's 70?

On the right at 65. 70, back in. Internet's out. 70 at the back.

-Fair warning, then, I shall sell.

-That's half price!

-70 it is.

-£70 it sold for.

-That means you're minus £75. Overall, you're minus £65.

-Oh, no!

Now George Gawthorn... Come on, George!

..Railway advertising lithographic poster in a nice oak frame.

As I thought, nice interest in this lot.

-Start me straight in at 45. £50 I have.

-Good! Come on.

£50. Where's the five now? We're near Brighton. Where's the five?

55. And 60. 65. And 70.

-Come on!

-Come on, JP!

You never know your luck... £70. On the book at £70.

One more. At £70, I shall sell. Fair warning 70...

Worth a punt, though, wasn't it? His estimate was 40 to 60.

He got to 70. Just £5 light.

-Which means overall, you're minus £70.

-Oh, dear!

You've got to be brave in this game! You've got to be brave.

-What are you going to do about the ironmongery?

-BOTH: We're going to be brave.

Here it comes. Stand by, Charles.

A pair of Neo-Classical-style

burnished gilt-metal curtain mounts.

-Quite an interesting lot. Very nice quality.

-Thank you!

Start me at £30 for these.

At £30. A bid, thank you, at 30.

-Straight up, straight away!

-He really wants them.

-We need competition, though.

-We need competition.

Maiden bid at 30. Any more at £30?

-At 30, it is. At 30, I'm selling.

-One more!

It's £30, then. Yours, sir, at 30. All done?

Can't do any more, Charles. You doubled your money.

-Plus £15.

-You doubled your money.

Takes you down to minus 55.

-Who knows, it could be a winning score!

-You never know.

-All will be revealed in a minute. You're a sporting couple, you two.

-Oh, dear!

Well, well, well, well, well! What a ghastly day today has been!

Universally, across the board, things have not gone well for our teams.

But one team has suffered particularly badly,

-and that happens to be the Blues.

-ALL: Oh, no!

-Yes.

-£10 was the only miserable profit you managed to score out of your three items, yes?

-Yes.

-Gosh, that went downhill, didn't it?

-Very far! Very far!

£15 profit you got back, though, so that's OK, Charles.

Nice on the bonus buy. Thank you.

But your losses, I'm afraid, were ring-fenced at £55.

Just not your day, I'm afraid, plainly.

But you've been great sports. Thank you.

Now, the victors today aren't going home with money,

but they got quite close to it by only being minus £1.

-BLUES: Oh!

-Isn't that bad luck?

That is as close as the proverbial sheet of Bronco to actually taking home the cash,

-but you just missed it.

-Just.

£15 profit on the pocket watch.

Wow, wasn't that a price?

Escalado - that cantered home.

But Moorcroft, bless it...

Anyway, there we are.

-Had a good time, Luce?

-Lovely.

-Had a good time, Ben?

-Thoroughly enjoyed it.

-So have we.

We've had such a fantastic time.

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

-ALL: Yes!

You're sitting there thinking, "I could've 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