Westpoint 31 Bargain Hunt

Our Reds and Blues are here at the Westpoint Arena just outside Exeter.

They're poised, they're primed,

they're ready for a bit of antiques action, so let's get busy!

Let's go bargain hunting, yeah!

Our teams, as ever, have £300 and an hour to shop

for three items to sell on later at auction.

And here is a quick taste as to what's coming up.

-Our Reds go for some bullish negotiations.

-Can we start again?

-Start again?

-At 30?

-60.

Whilst the Blues take a more diplomatic approach.

-You should be a politician, you know that?

-Am I diplomatic?

You are so good, it's unbelievable.

But will our teams keep their cool

as things start heating up at the auction?

-I can't look.

-Right, let's meet today's teams.

Well, we are, as they say, keeping everything in the family today.

Because, for the Reds, we have mother and daughter, Val and Lucy,

and for the Blues, we have Gerald and Amanda, father and daughter.

Hello, everyone.

-Hello!

-Now, Val, tell me about your amazing career, darling.

I always wanted to be an air stewardess,

and I joined British Airways when I was much younger,

and flew for several years on overseas division.

You've also then done what after the flying?

I had three children, and then joined the NHS as

a horticultural therapist for mental health patients.

Really, how lovely is that?

It was really good,

and they offered nurse training for people who were interested,

and I went on and did my degree, and I've been a nurse for seven years.

You're amazing.

Now, Lucy, it says here that you enjoy working with words.

Yeah, so I did my degree in English

and then I did an internship at a glossy women's magazine.

I've worked my way up through magazines, so that's what

I do now, and I'm a managing editor

on lots of different magazine titles.

The magazine business has been phenomenal, hasn't it,

-in this country over the last 10 or 20 years?

-It has, it has.

What about your tactics today?

What sort of things are you and your mother going to go for?

We decided on something practical,

something beautiful, and something collectable.

That's what we're going to try and do.

That sounds like a journalist's answer to me.

That's what we're going to try.

You've worked all that out, haven't you?

Well, very good luck with it and lovely to meet you.

Now, Amanda, you like the bright lights and a bit of grease paint.

-I do, yes.

-You're a performer yourself.

-I am, yes.

-Tell us about that.

I went to the Guildford School of Acting

and then spent several years in London treading the boards.

Then I came back to Somerset,

and now I run a performing arts school with my mum.

How lovely is that? So the circle has been completed in a way.

-Yes, absolutely.

-What did you do when you were in London?

All sorts of things.

Lots of forgotten musicals, and I did pantomime,

all sorts of different theatre genres.

-Oh, no, you didn't!

-Oh, yes, I did!

-So you sing a bit, do you?

-I do, yes.

-Lovely.

You don't have a little tune up your sleeve

you'd like to share with us do you, by any chance?

What would you like to hear?

I want you to give us a little trill of your favourite musical.

My favourite musical?

Probably Phantom of the Opera, actually.

-OK, go for it, girl!

-Oh, lordy! OK.

# Wishing you were somehow here again

# Wishing you were somehow near

# Sometimes it seemed if I just dreamed

# Somehow you would be here. #

What about that? That is a bit of quality. That is, isn't it?

Just off pat like that. I'm incredibly impressed, and well done.

Look at your dad, he's puffed up with pride!

-Now, Gerald, you've retired as an engineer.

-Yes.

-What do you do now?

-I do help with the studio.

-Oh, you do a bit of dancing?

-No, no, no.

-All the maintenance.

-Oh, maintenance.

-Yes.

It's rather boring, but somebody's got to do it.

And you volunteer a bit too, don't you?

Yes, I do, I work for a charity, a wildlife rescue charity.

And what sort of animals have you had to pick up?

-From a deer down to a fieldmouse.

-Gosh.

-But my favourite are swans.

-Aren't they rather vicious things?

No, they're not. Not really.

Do they like a ride in the back of your car, do they? The average swan?

-Yes, but they are restrained.

-Oh, they're restrained.

-Are you looking forward to the challenge?

-Absolutely.

-So are we.

Now the money moment. Here we come. Here comes the 300 smackers.

£300 apiece. You know the rules, your experts await, and off you go.

And very, very, very good luck. Poor old swan.

Now, let's meet our experts.

Adding a bit of sparkle to the Red team today is Kate Bliss.

And hunting for microscopic prices for the Blues is David Harper.

So, Val and Lucy,

we have a huge hangar here stuffed full of antiques.

Have you any idea what you might be looking for?

-I think silver, and jewellery, maybe.

-Right.

So what then is the big plan today?

I think it's buy cheap, make big profits.

OK, she's a bit cute, isn't she?

Yes, she's always is.

I'm looking for practical things,

chairs, small tables, that kind of thing.

-We're after the golden gavel.

-Is that right?

-Is that the aim?

-The golden gavel?

-The golden gavel.

-OK, shall we make it a golden gavel episode?

-Yes.

-Right.

-60 minutes to get a golden gavel. Let's go.

-Okey-doke.

Pretty and practical. Yes, I like the sound of that.

Right, off you go, teams. Your 60 minutes starts now.

-The trick is to dive in.

-Okey-doke.

-And don't be afraid.

And quick off the mark, the Reds home in on a compact case.

I really, really like these. Is that fabric inlaid into the top?

No, that's actually enamelled,

and it's a style of enamel called guilloche enamel where the

silver's actually engine-turned, and then the molten glass,

if you like, the enamel, is put on top,

so you get this lovely sheen.

And you open it up,

this is where your powder would have been, of course, and you have a

lovely mirror, so you could just use it as a little mirror today.

And there's a date letter here, in a hallmark, which is

the letter H, for Birmingham, where the silver was actually tested.

-185 though, girls.

-Perhaps something to think about.

-What would be your best on that?

-150.

-150.

Shall we put it to one side and think about it? Thank you so much.

-We might well come back.

-Thank you very much.

-I think onwards and upwards, girls.

-Yes.

Absolutely, Reds, onwards and upwards.

But are those Blues moving in the right direction?

As the ship is rocking around, of course, the compass remains level.

-That's right.

-Then you fire it up, and you give it light.

-Yes, I see.

They make fantastic table lamps now.

Would you have that in your house, Amanda?

I think if I had an old-fashioned property, it'd be fantastic.

But I think in modern houses, it might not be quite the thing.

That was quite diplomatic, I must say. And the real answer is...

No.

Yes.

Very diplomatic, Amanda.

Now, it looks like the Reds want to stir things up.

-Anna, what do you think of this spoon rack?

-I really like that.

-I do.

-Have you seen the price tag?

-Maybe a bit over our budget.

-Even including the spoons.

-You have a good eye though, Val.

-Thank you.

-What's that down here?

What's this, do you think?

This is an old panel, and this is the sort of thing

people are buying and incorporating into some panelling.

-What sort of price have you got on the panel?

-395.

-395.

Way over budget, folks!

Clearly ladies with expensive tastes.

Now back to the Blues, who are aiming on a high score.

-Doesn't that get you excited? No?

-No, it doesn't.

You're hard to please, you two. It's a gaming marking board for a pub.

Now, come on, that's good fun, isn't it?

So we're playing darts, we're just sharing a 10 gallon barrel of ale,

and we've got a darts competition going on, and that's what this is,

and, of course, provided by a tobacco maker

who are advertising their wares,

to the unsuspecting drunken dart player.

It would be really good if you had a games room or something like that.

Do you have a games room, Amanda?

Not lucky enough for that, unfortunately.

-She hasn't got enough time.

-No, I don't have enough time to play.

What age do you think we're looking at?

Oh, well, I don't know. '40s or '50s?

I think so, yes.

So we're harking back to your childhood days, aren't we?

-This must be a nostalgic moment for you.

-Is it evoking memories?

No.

LAUGHTER

Shall we ask the lovely chap if he can come and talk to us?

Can you really, really tempt us?

I did play a bit for this one.

Erm, but I was going keep to 40.

-Ouch!

-But I know you've got to make a profit.

-We're trying, aren't we?

-I'll go 35.

-35. 30 quid?

-I can't do it.

I'd love to, but it has to be 35.

-32?

-God, he's good, isn't he?

Let me just make a quick point here, that's a very interesting point.

You've just said 32. What happens if this lovely gentleman says 32?

-You've bought it. You just bought it.

-Thank you, sir.

You've just bought it.

Oh, my gosh, we got our first item. That's so exciting.

-Are you pleased with that?

-I am, yes.

Indeed, you have just bought your first item, Amanda.

Well done, and how exciting.

And, as ever, Kate has her eye on the clock.

Ladies, just come and have a look at this. Come around.

Now, Lucy, you like vintage things, don't you?

This is a little bit more...

What can you tell me about this?

Well, these are in fashion at the moment.

-This is an industrial, electric clock.

-Do you know how old it is?

-'50s, maybe?

-I really like that.

-It's that sort of style.

Make no mistake, this has not got fancy workings,

-this is an electric clock.

-Is it battery?

No, no, it would have been mains.

-You plug it in?

-Yes.

-Oh, so you have to wire it.

I still think even though you might have to wire it to the mains,

the people looking for something authentic, or a particular

style, which that is, I still think they might go for it.

It's all about the price. What's your absolute rock bottom?

-I'll do it for 70, I really can't come down less than that.

-Yeah.

-I think that's something else we'll have to...

-I would go for that.

Would you? Could you just bring it under the 70?

Just thinking of the bids, how they go up?

-68?

-65 for cash?

-65 for cash, even?

-OK.

-Wonderful, thank you very much indeed.

-Thanks so much.

Officially, with time on their side, the Reds make their first purchase.

Congratulations.

-Well done, girls, first purchase.

-I love that.

Yeah, it's fantastic.

It's now 1-1 and both teams want to track down some bling.

Let's find a good silver store.

-We have a look at some more silver?

-Yes.

-Beautiful.

-Those sort of things, there, see that?

-What do you like?

They're sort of rattles and teething...

Amanda, let's have you choose which one you'd like to look at.

Seeing as we're the Blue team and this one has a blue ribbon,

-I think that might be an omen. Is that all right?

-OK.

I think your dad knows all about that, don't you?

-Teething for a baby.

-Yeah.

-HE CHEWS

-Yeah.

-I've never seen a baby do that before.

-No, no, no!

-And is it a rattle as well?

-Yeah.

It can be. Keeps them happy, doesn't it?

So it's made from mother-of-pearl on the handle.

-And then solid silver.

-Yes.

And what are we depicting there in this scene?

It's Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn.

Aw! That's reasonably rare for a little silver teething rattle,

-to have been distinctly made for a boy.

-Yes.

So, hallmarks, let's have a look. So we have the Crown for Chester.

-And then a G. Is that 1890?

-1890. There we are. I thought it was.

-That's rather nice.

-What was your best price?

-£90.

-90. 75?

I'm afraid I'm going to have to...

be firm and say no.

-Can you try a bit harder?

-85, it needs to be.

-OK.

-I'm there.

-OK.

-What do you think?

-Well, I think it would be marvellous at...

To be really mercenary,

I'd love it at £50 or £60 but it's not going to happen.

-It's a beautiful thing.

-Have a chat.

-Shall we go with it?

-Yeah.

-OK.

Thank you very much.

After rattling on, the Blues have made their second purchase.

-Two objects in 25 minutes.

-Yeah.

-We're doing well.

What would we really like to buy now? What shall we get?

-Maybe some glassware?

-OK. Shall we go on a glass hunt?

-Lovely.

Let's go and get some glass.

Now, the Reds have also honed in on a silver item

in the form of a rather interesting bookmark.

Now, as a horticulturalist,

-a little trowel might be quite appropriate for you.

-It's lovely.

We've got a nice clear hallmark on here.

Quite often, these are just marked sterling. It's 1908 in date.

-100 years old.

-Edwardian.

-It is over 100 years.

And do you think these kind of things are collectable,

would people collect a bookmark?

Yes, in fact, in the past I've seen these at auction,

they do quite well. And it is functional as well as decorative

-because it is a little bookmark.

-That's lovely.

-What's the best price the lady could do?

-55?

45 would be your best.

Is that your absolute rock bottom?

I'll do 40 and that's the absolute best.

So, decision, ladies, what do we think?

I decided on the clock, so you decide.

-No, no, if you're happy with that...

-I think 40 is good.

It's very pretty and it's got lovely detailing on the handle.

It has. Done!

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

So, a quick decision on item number two for the Reds.

Now, both teams are halfway through the shop.

-What're you looking at?

-Those very tall glasses.

-OK.

I don't think they're old.

-No, I don't really like them.

-Don't you?

-No.

Is it because the basin isn't big enough to get enough wine in,

-Amanda?

-That's right.

-Yes! Very good point, very good point.

Yeah! That's way too small for a decent glass of wine.

You're an old hand at this, aren't you, this antique hunting?

-Well, we like to try.

-We've done a bit.

-Where do you go?

-We like to go to Shepton Mallet.

Shepton Mallet is our main one.

And we try to play the Bargain Hunt game and we've given ourselves

-an hour and what would you buy in that hour?

-Really?

But we've always failed miserably!

Hear that? That's what I call dedication to the cause.

I wonder if that chair, that stick back one, with the teddy on it...

-Yes. This one here?

-Yeah.

Single dining chairs are dead. They do not sell well at auction.

Children's chairs, yes, they are quite commercial.

-Just take a look at this and imagine it like that.

-Has it been cut down?

It has indeed. I think these are legs from a different chair.

-Can you see how they join the seat?

-And, look, there's another leg hole.

There's another leg hole, well spotted.

-So the whole proportions of the piece are wrong.

-Yeah, sure.

OK. Great, thank you.

As the Reds are brought down to size,

the Blues are also feeling pretty compact.

You know, if you're going to buy a compact, I think you'd want one,

for auction purposes, you want a silver one or a gold one.

I think you'd need to put a few of these together

to make an auction lot.

They're not making fortunes. They are selling for 10, £20 apiece.

-They're sort of on the money.

-In fairs like this.

So in auction, you're going to be

-very lucky to get...

-To make a profit.

Maybe we should think about something else.

We can always come back and buy half a dozen compacts in the final moments.

There's enough there, there will be some left, all right?

-Come on.

-Come on then.

So, it's not just the Reds that are drawn to the compacts.

But will this item be our team's choice for their final buys?

20 minutes left.

I suppose some people might collect them.

So are you keen on sticks, you girls?

-Well, yeah, nice for country walk.

-Bit of a whack.

-Exactly.

-So, you having a good time with Kate?

-Yes.

She just saved us from making a big mistake on a chair.

-It's all going really well.

-They never sell well.

It's just nudging and directing a little bit, isn't it?

-Yeah, good advice.

-Anyway, you've spent how much so far?

-£105.

You've spent £105 and you've got one more item to find.

-Going to buy something really expensive?

-Oh, yeah, we're trying.

-Blow the budget.

-Well, time ticks on, and good luck.

-Thank you.

After that little update, the Blues are trying to bag a bargain.

Amanda, are you into this vintage scene?

They are very beautiful, I have to say.

It's not something I personally collect.

-You should be a politician, you know that?

-Am I diplomatic?

-You are so good, it's unbelievable.

-You certainly are.

-I...

-I think they're pretty,

but it's not tempting me to part with money.

-OK. So do you really like them, then?

-No!

There we go. That's the honest answer.

They're starting to run out of time now as both teams reach

the final 10 minutes. Panic is starting to set in.

Oh!

-Panicking yet?

-Slightly.

-I thought you were.

Right, down here, girls.

We've been down. We've been down there, have we been down there?

Yes, we've been down there.

Let's look at the price, though, we're so short of time. 68.

-I'm not sure that's for us.

-No.

Moving on. Has David finally seen the light?

There is something there that I quite like,

this Persian hanging lamp.

-Could be.

-You like the look of it?

-Tell the truth. No, no, do your usual.

-Shall I be...

-OK, I'm going to ask you a question.

-OK.

-Amanda, I really like that.

-What do you think?

-Go on, Amanda, do your thing.

-It's not necessarily to my taste.

-OK.

-But I could see it in the right sort of place.

-OK.

Said like a true pro.

-So you don't want me to handle it then?

-Go on, have a look.

-Oh, go on!

-Why not?

-OK, thank you.

I just like the style.

It's very interior design, it's very busy.

And I can see it lit up.

You know, the more you say, I can see a big church candle in there.

Yes. Absolutely right. That's where you drop your church candle.

You plonk that lid on, and you can sit it on a table.

-Or you can hang it from the ceiling.

-Yes, yes.

So, made from copper, and we've got lots of things going on here.

We've got peacocks, foliage, it's very Moorish.

-Yes, it is, actually.

-Like North Africa.

-There's a lot going on.

-68.

-What sort of cheeky offer do you think we should go in with?

-50?

-Let's ask him.

-55, I could do.

-It's got 68 on at the moment?

-Yes.

Is it going to make 30 quid and you're going to blow 25,

or are you going to get two people with a bit of oomph about them

seeing its potential and saying to themselves, "I'll pay £100 for it"?

-What was your best price?

-Bottom line would be 50, there we are.

-50.

-I think we might go with that one, yes.

-Shall we do it?

-Yeah.

-Go on, be positive.

-Yes.

-Yes!

-Yes!

-Well done, we've done it.

You certainly have done it, David. And well done.

That's your Blue team done and dusted. Three items duly purchased.

With minutes to go, Kate suddenly spots something Scottish and furry.

-There's a sporran on here. That's a bit different.

-Yes, yes.

-Now, they're silver-plated. It's a bit wacky, isn't it?

-It is.

This is quite a nice one. It's got a bit of age to it, you can see.

Leather, we've got real leather.

We've got "Made in Scotland" up here, which suggests fairly late.

I would maybe say '50s. And I think that's sheep's wool.

-It looks sort of quite vintage.

-Definitely.

Still in really good condition.

At auction, I've seen these go for 30,

I've seen the really unusual ones go for 50 plus.

What's the best on this?

Well, I've got 55 on it.

-40?

-40? How about 45?

-How about 41 for a pretty girl?

-Two pretty girls.

-Thank you!

-Three, even!

-Three!

-Can we start again?

-Start again?

-At 30.

-60.

Cheeky!

-Then we come in!

-I think we pay 38 for it, done.

Cash, in your hand.

-Well, how about 40?

-I think it's not bad. I think it's got a chance.

-It's a really nice, unusual thing.

-Yeah, OK.

-It's good.

-Fantastic.

-We'll do it.

-You're welcome, ladies.

Well done, Reds, that's your third and final item bagged.

And congratulations, you've finished shopping.

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

Tick-tock. They spent £65 on an electric metal-case wall clock.

They dug up a silver and mother-of-pearl bookmark

in the form of a trowel for £40.

And they also spent £40 on an early 20th-century sporran, as you do.

Yabber, yabber, yabber, yabber, yabber, yabber, yabber.

-I mean, you lot like to chat on, don't you?

-We do!

-You certainly do.

-Which is your favourite piece?

-The sporran.

-Really?

-Yes.

-Had you had a thing about sporrans?

-Never, never touched one or seen one!

And do you agree that the sporran is the favourite piece?

No, my favourite's the clock.

Is that going to bring the biggest profit?

-I think it is, yeah. We got a good deal.

-She might be right there.

-OK, fine. You've had a great day being with Kate today?

-Yeah!

-We've had a brilliant time.

-Jolly nice too.

-How much did you spend?

-145.

-145, I'd like 155 leftover lolly, please.

Who's got that? Thank you very much.

OK, 155 leftover lolly. What are you going to do with that, Kate Bliss?

-Well, it's quite a solid amount, isn't it?

-Solid.

These ladies have been so measured and calculating in their choices.

So I'm going to have to be very careful.

Will you be going for something Scottish themed, do you think?

-Nice kilt to go with your sporran?

-Well, I can try.

No, don't! Please!

-We're in the West Country.

-This is true.

Very good luck and have a great time.

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

They chalked up £32 for an old advertising scoreboard.

They invested £85 in a Victorian child's silver

and mother-of-pearl rattle.

And they spent £50 on an early 20th-century

Persian copper pierced baluster lamp.

-Had a good time?

-Lovely.

-Was he good?

-Fantastic.

And you spent how much?

-£167.

-That's very nice, I'd like 133, please.

-Yes, I've got it here.

Which is your favourite piece?

Well, Dad and I have chosen the silver rattle as our favourite piece.

And is that going to bring the biggest profit?

-Yes, we think so.

-Do you? So the rest of it's not much cop?

-No, no, we didn't say that!

-Thanks for that!

-It's a prediction, anyway.

-It's your favourite and the maximum profit is the rattle.

-I think so.

Which is handy for teething too, does it do teething?

-Oh, yes, it's a teething rattle.

-Oh, lovely.

-Anyway, very good.

-I can sense a line coming towards me there, Tim!

No, no, no. So tell me, David, what will you do with all that cash?

I don't know, Tim. We've bought a real eclectic mix of things.

-But nothing particularly feminine, have we?

-Something girly?

-Well, you're in touch with your feminine side.

-That's right.

Should be what they call a piece of cake. Anyway, off you go, David.

Meanwhile, I'm going to show you a little pooch with a secret.

HE BARKS

Well, as they say, fine things often come in small packages.

So try this thing on for size.

Now, in a fair like this at Westpoint, there are 400-odd stands

and on every stand there are probably 100 and 200 objects.

That is an awful lot of things

to look over before you find your special piece.

And I've found on a stand, just here, this little chap.

What we've got is a spaniel which is dozing on a blue cushion.

Those colours are very typical of Prattware.

The artist who's crudely modelled this in Staffordshire,

at the end of the 18th century, early part of the 19th century,

has got that expression exactly right.

If you look at the palette on this object,

there are deep, rich blues,

and then a gorgeous pattern on the back of the hound

which includes a sort of aubergine-y brown,

and then some yellow blotches and a bit more blue.

What's unusual about the thing,

though, is that the cushion is on a rectangular plinth,

and the rectangular plinth is raised on a tapering stem.

Then you look on the underside and it's slightly domed,

and it's got some more patterning on it.

This is a crude piece of rather naive earthenware.

Not sold for a huge amount of money in a smart London retailers,

but more likely to have been bought and sold

in a fairground in a market town.

But it has got a proper purpose.

The circular base, look,

unscrews like that to reveal a little secret box.

Into which you could keep your jujus.

Jujus, for making your breath smell sweeter.

Little bits of preserved and sugared angelica,

or violet leaves, or little bits of lavender.

This is a feature which is extremely rare.

Have you ever seen an early 19th-century

Pratt-decorated secret box like this?

Well, in my 50 years of wandering around places like this,

I've never seen one.

And I tell you, this thing is as rare as rare can be.

And if you ever find one like this out there,

for £50, my advice is to hoover it up.

Because it would be your lucky day.

Because the dealer who owns this on the stand just over there

does know what it's worth.

He knows he's got a rare and rather wonderful object

and has priced it accordingly.

Now... Put your teacup down.

Stand by for the valuation.

-He is asking £800.

-HE LAUGHS

£800!

I think I'll take it back to him.

Well, we've stayed in Devon

and have come to Bearnes, Hampton and Littlewood's saleroom

to be with Brian Goodison-Blanks.

-Brian, how nice to see you.

-Nice to see you.

Now, with the Reds, they've got a weird collection,

including this electric clock.

-Which could have come straight from a schoolroom.

-It could have done.

-Or a factory.

-It's Temco, so it's the telephone manufacturing company.

-Around about 1950s.

-Is it?

Evocative of a period, and just what people want.

It would do, that would look very nice in a kitchen today.

-It would indeed. So, how much?

-We're suggesting about £40-£60.

40-60, that kind of tells the right time, doesn't it?

£65 paid. Right, now, moving on, we've got the bookmark.

A little trowel.

It's a fun little thing, novelty bookmark, again,

-sort of Victorian, late Victorian, Edwardian.

-How much?

-About £20-£30.

-That's curious, because they paid £40.

They paid about twice what your low estimate is.

Still, you never know.

Now, I'm feeling pretty confident about this sporran, how do you feel?

I think that's a rather fun piece.

It's really nicely designed, with the Celtic leather-work

around the metalwork at the top as well. Nicely marked.

And it's got all its dangly bits.

It has, it's all dingly-dangly for you there.

-Basically, this thing is ready to go.

-Ready to be worn.

I'd love to know what your estimate is on that.

-It's probably round about £30-40.

-Really? Is that all?

Yeah, but the internet interest should take that a lot higher.

I wouldn't be surprised if it made £100, would you?

It should make around £80-100.

Because the team paid £40 and that would seriously help them out.

Irrespective of how the sporran does, here in Devon,

we're going to have a look now at the bonus buy.

-Girls, this is exciting, isn't it?

-Yes!

You spent the 145, you gave Kate Bliss £155.

-Kate, what did you find?

-Well, girls...

-Oh, wow!

-This is what I found. It is of course glass.

And it's a little model of a fawn or a "dem"

-as it's called in French. Because it is French.

-It is French.

-And it's by a very well-known glass designer...

-Lalique.

-Oh! She's got it!

-No, I read it!

You read it! Well, good girl,

because not only do you know it's Lalique,

but you have spotted the very important signature there.

And this was designed as a paperweight,

very closely related to the car mascots that Lalique was known for.

The pieces that were made post-war

are usually just signed Lalique France.

And pre-1945, has this initial, R Lalique,

which is exactly what we've got here.

Now, I would say that this dates from the Art Deco period,

from the 1930s.

How much did you pay for it?

-I paid £90. OK?

-I think that seems quite reasonable.

And how much do you think it's worth? At the auction?

Well, I think if the right collector's there,

and the auction is online, I think it should make a healthy profit.

-But I can't guarantee that.

-Thank you very much, Kate, for that.

You don't pick it now, you pick it later if you need to.

On that happy note,

let's find out what the auctioneer think about Kate's little fawn.

There we go, Brian.

It's instantly recognisable as Lalique and signed R Lalique.

This one unfortunately probably has had a bit of damage at some point,

somebody's ground off this back edge.

That's why you've got that deep bevel?

-It should be square all the way across.

-Right.

And also as well, just on the top here,

probably ground out one or two small chips to the horns.

But a nice little thing, collectors of Lalique,

it's a good piece to start a collection with.

-OK, how much?

-About 50, £70.

£90 paid. Still, that's not too far off. That's it from the Reds.

And now for the Blues, who've got the Old Holborn darts scoreboard.

Advertising signs are very popular,

particularly the early enamel on iron.

This one is much later, probably just on tin or aluminium.

So how much do you think it'll bring?

It's had a hard life, so it's probably been in a rough pub.

-And it's probably only about £15-£20.

-OK, £32 paid.

I really don't see them getting their money back.

Now, the mother-of-pearl rattle.

I see quite a few of these coming up and the early ones with coral

-and all the rest of it, they can make a bit of money.

-They can.

But increasingly, more difficult to sell.

They are, because I think the market has moved away

from the later pieces.

It's a collectable that people have fallen out of fashion with.

Slightly. So as a result, what do you think?

-Probably only £30-£50.

-£85 paid.

That is a big sum of money to pay for something

that is vaguely out of fashion.

OK, and lastly we've got the lump of copper,

which I have to say is beautifully pierced and all of that.

It very much takes you to the East, doesn't it?

It does, you can imagine a nice candle in there,

-throwing out some interesting light.

-Yes. Do you think it's...

Is it Cairo, Egypt, or Damascus? Some sort of place around there?

It's probably similar to Cairo-ware, which we see quite a lot of.

-How much?

-Around £30-£50.

-I think that's exactly right.

£50 paid, so they're definitely going to need the bonus buy,

that's my prediction, and here it comes.

-Now, Amanda, Gerald, how are you, all right?

-Very well, thank you.

You spent 167? Yes, we did.

-You gave the Harper £133.

-Yes.

-And David, show us.

-OK.

I did say I was going to buy something feminine.

-Is that a necklace?

-Not quite! You'd have to have a little neck for that!

-That's beautiful.

-Isn't that vintage chic?

It is gorgeous, absolutely lovely.

Amanda, show me your wrist.

-Does that really have to go into the auction?

-I'm afraid so!

It's not a personal gift for you!

But it's lovely.

It's white metal, it's probably silver,

but it has no hallmark so we can't guarantee it is silver.

It's Indo-Persian and it's made fantastically.

We've got mother-of-pearl and then painted with enamel decoration

-on top of the mother-of-pearl.

-Oh, yes.

-It's just delicious.

-Beautiful. How much did you spend?

-I paid 45.

Really?! Goodness me!

I mean, that is one deuce of a lot of work, isn't it?

And all in miniature. As you're wearing that, and it's moving about,

it just looks like a lot of fun, funky colours.

You get close in, these are miniature pieces of art.

In their own right.

-Very, very clever.

-How much do you think that might make?

You know, with jewellery, especially online, I think

it could make the 80, it could make the 100.

-It's exciting.

-And I'm already excited. Anyway, there it is.

You don't pick now, you pick later but let's find out

whether the auctioneer is going to get excited.

Well, I think it's better than at first glance.

It is, it's quite nicely decorated, isn't it? These nice typical scenes.

-It's tourist-ware...

-It is.

..from somewhere in Iran or Iraq or that sort of neck.

It is, a decorative piece of costume jewellery, really, isn't it?

-Perfect, perfect. So, what's your estimate?

-We're suggesting £30-£50.

OK, £45 paid. I think the Harper's been very cunning with that.

-I think it could take off. Like a magic carpet, isn't it?

-It is.

Coming out of Baghdad. That's what we hope for. Thank you.

Now, Val, Lucy, how are you feeling on this bright and breezy day?

-Excited.

-Excited but nervous.

-Are you?

Is that because you think something is not going to do so well, Val?

-I just get nervous at auctions!

-Oh, do you?

-Yes!

OK. And what about you, Luce?

-I'm really excited about seeing what happens with the clock.

-The clock?

-OK, that's the first item.

-What do you think?

I'm thinking this is a really nice period thing.

£40-£60 is his estimate. You paid 65.

And I think it's a bit of tease, that estimate, because it works

and it's got style and it would look lovely in anybody's kitchen.

Is it going to tell the right time? Let's find out.

Lot 186 is the Temco electric metal-cased wall clock.

What will I say for that, £60?

-Should be.

-It's on at 40.

It's on at 30.

Oh, dear! Come on, internet!

On at 20.

20, thank you, madam. At 20 I have in the room.

22, internet. 25. 28.

28, 30. 32.

£30, the bid is with the lady. 32, 35. 38, internet.

At 35, and I'm selling, then.

35!

£35!

-Oh, no!

-What can you do?

-OK, minus £30.

The silver mother-of-pearl handled bookmark.

In the form of a trowel. Birmingham 1908, what do I say, £20?

20 straightaway, thank you very much. At £20, 22 now elsewhere?

At 20 in the doorway, 22 internet?

No, at the maiden bid of £20, then.

-You quite sure?

-No, no!

It's in the room at £20.

-So miserable.

-It is!

-£20 is minus £20.

OK. Now. The pain is over, I hope.

Lot 188, the early 20th-century sporran

with the wool and silver plate mounts,

circa 1910 and interest here with me at 30, five, 40, five, 50.

-Oh, yes.

-55, internet.

At 55, internet. 60 now elsewhere.

At £55, the internet has it at 55, and selling now.

£55. £55. Is a miserable plus 15.

-It is a profit.

-It is a profit.

-But it could easily have made £100.

At 30, 40, 50, you were, you're now minus £35.

So what we feel about the Lalique then?

Let's go with it.

OK, for the third and final time, Mum says let's go with it,

we're going to go with it. See what happens,

the die is cast and here comes the fawn.

I can't look.

Lot 192 is the Lalique glass model of a fawn, signed R Lalique,

and various interests here.

At 30, five, 40, five, 50, five, 60.

£60 here.

Five now elsewhere? 65, 70, five,

80, five, 80, five, 90, five.

You're in profit. Well done, Kate Bliss.

£100 I have. Five now.

-At 100, commission has it with me at 100, five internet?

-What a relief.

It's with me then at £100, five at all elsewhere,

last chance then, selling at £100.

-£100. It's plus £10. Well done, Kate Bliss.

-Thank you.

That is positively blissful. Which means you are only minus £25.

-That's not too bad.

-Which is barely a wink in this game.

-It is.

Don't say a word to the Blues, all right? OK.

-Mum is the word, Mum.

-Yes.

-So, have you been chatting to the Reds?

-No, not at all.

Good. We don't want that. Now, the old Holborn advertising scoreboard

-has an estimate on £15-£20.

-Right.

-You paid £32, on the recommendation of David.

-Thank you!

Now, Amanda, Gerald, here we go. Old Holborn.

Lot 203 is the 1940s, 1950s Old Holborn advertising scoreboard.

Showing there for you. And interest here with me at eight, 10, 12, £15.

18 I have. I am out then, commission is out, it's £18 in the room.

And 20 now. 20 internet. 22, sir? 25 internet.

-Come on!

-Bidding stands in the room at 22. Quite sure then?

At £22, and five now?

25 seated. 28? 28, 30? 32.

30 seated. 32 elsewhere? At £30, gentlemen in the glasses.

-Oh, so close!

-All done at 30?

THEY GROAN

£30, David, there's no shame in that. Minus two pounds.

It's not even 3%. Now, here comes the rattle.

-Lovely there.

-And here with me at 18, 20,

22, 25. 25 I have.

28 elsewhere? At 25, 28 with Howard.

I'm out then.

At 28, 30, 32, 35,

38, 40, 42, 45.

42, here then, five, internet? I saw you flashing.

At 42, the bid is in the room then, at 42.

Five, internet, you quite sure?

Another chance? All done then, at £42?

-Oh, no!

-£43 off!

Minus £43. Plus the two is minus 45.

OK, now. Go, Persian lamp!

And again, interest here with me at 20, two, 25,

28, 30. £30 here.

32 elsewhere now?

Commission's with me at £30, do I see two at all?

It's like walking through porridge.

At £30, commission bid with me and I'll sell.

-Oh!

-Did he sell it for £30?

-He did.

-His favourite. Minus 20 is minus £65.

-OK.

It's quite a big old turn, that, isn't it?

-Shouldn't be like this.

-No!

-OK, so what are we going to do?

-We're going definitely with...

-We're going with the bonus buy.

-Go with the Persian bracelet?

OK, I can tell you what its estimate is, £30-£50.

-I mean, you have to have faith.

-Yes, yes, yes!

-Because it's a peach of a buy.

-We live on hope.

Say £30?

-£20, then, ladies?

-Nothing on the internet.

10 to start, 10, thank you, I have. 12, 12, sir, 12. 15?

18, 18, 20.

No, at £18 then, at 18 I have seated. 20 elsewhere at all?

At £18 only. Quite sure then at 18?

-Oh!

-Lordy, Lordy, Lord preserve us.

£18 is two short of 20. That means it's minus 27.

Which is two, six, seven, that's minus 92.

-OK, minus £92?

-I think I could weep.

-We'll chat it all through in a minute.

-Thank you.

-Don't say a word to the Reds.

-No, we won't.

-Thank you.

We have, um, had an appalling day, basically.

And for one particular team, it's been more than appalling

-and that team happens to be the Reds.

-Oh!

Yes... I'm sorry about that.

I got it the wrong way round!

Ohhh!

It's actually the Blues!

CHEERING AND LAUGHTER

Doesn't happen often, but we might as well revel in it! There we are.

-These girls!

-I was sure!

-Anyway, it's the Blues.

-Excellent.

Haven't done so well. Actually, it's really, really bad, isn't it?

Minus £65 and then you went with the bonus buy

-and then it finished up at minus 92. Really wasn't so hot.

-Not really.

-We'll gloss over that, has it been fun?

-It's been wonderful.

It's been marvellous seeing you both.

-Thank you very much, David, for nothing.

-Thank you!

Anyway, Reds, so, you're victorious.

I'm sorry to give you a nasty turn like that.

You did make a profit, a beautiful profit, a beautiful,

-beautiful profit on your Lalique.

-A weenie one.

On your Lalique fawn, that was marvellous.

-And then the sporran, that made a profit, didn't it?

-Yeah.

Little hairy profit. Not much of a profit, but there we are.

-Otherwise, nothing to write home about.

-Sadly, no, which is a shame.

-But anyway, there we are. Had a good time, Val?

-Fabulous.

-Luce?

-Fantastic day.

-Kate?

-Fantastic day.

-We've loved having you.

-Join us soon for some more bargain hunting, yes?

-Yes!