Sawbridgeworth 3 Bargain Hunt

Today we're in Hertfordshire,

just 45 minutes by train to Central London.

So full steam ahead, eh?!

And let's go bargain hunting. Yeah.

We're at Sawbridgeworth in Hertfordshire, a commuter town,

today with our two teams, each with £300 and an hour, just 60 minutes,

to shop for three items apiece to sell away later at auction.

Let's just hope they don't come off the rails.

The Reds look like they're preparing for the worst...

How about at a jaunty angle?

What's a hat without a jaunty angle?

..while the Blues try to outflank their opponents.

You go that way. Tom, go that way.

-Find something.

-Right.

So, fighting it out for the Bargain Hunt crown today

we have a father-and-son team for the Reds, Phil and Jamie,

and for the Blues we have Jill and Tom.

-Hello, everyone.

-Hello.

Lovely to see you.

-Now, Phil, you're used to all this TV drama lark, aren't you?

-A little.

You're a bit of a star yourself.

Not a star, but I've been used to it.

I'm normally the other side of the camera.

-Are you?

-Very much. And I quite like it there.

Do you? Do you not like it out here?

I feel very vulnerable out here.

Do you? It's something to do with this pond behind us, I expect.

-It could be.

-All that water.

So, what do you get up to, then?

Well, I was in animation.

Had my own studio for 30 years,

so I've done a lot of TV animation for a lot of different broadcasters.

And now I'm illustrating.

-You're very, very good at what you do.

-I am OK at it, yes.

Ah, well, there we go. That's the modesty of the man.

-But not as good as the little boy.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-Is that a fact?

-It's true.

So, tell us about your illustrating.

Basically, I illustrate and write children's books and comics,

and I love every second of it, really.

Unless it's creating massive drawing calluses on my hands,

which it has a tendency to do.

But I'm not complaining, I get to draw every day, you know.

-And are you self-employed at this?

-Yeah, I'm freelance.

I work for various publishers, so, you know, pretty big publishers and

things, which, you know, I feel really lucky to be able to be doing.

You saw your dad having fun, you thought, "I'm going to have some too."

I was, like, you know, "Why should he get all the fun?"

Quite right. Are you going to agree on anything, do you think,

-when it comes to the shopping?

-Uh...no.

-Yes, I think we will.

-No. We don't...

Well, we do agree sometimes. Yes, we're looking for silver and stuff.

So, yes, I think that's our...that's our niche.

We'll expect great things from you, boy. Anyway, very good luck.

-Thank you.

-Lovely to talk to you.

Now, you two. Tom, how did you first meet?

It was at a Halloween party that was run by Jill for her daughter,

and I had basically forgotten

that we were meant to come in fancy dress.

And ten minutes before I was about to turn up,

remembered it was fancy dress,

and so my mum had the best idea in the world, just go as a girl.

I turned up in a short black dress, pink wig, stuffed bra.

Now, you're a student, Tom. What are you studying?

I'm studying aerospace engineering at University of Coventry.

I've been doing that for two years now. I've got two years left.

-Is that taking off for you?

-Oh, yes, very good.

I enjoy it very much.

Now, Jill, it says here that you're a dab hand at floristry.

Yes, I am.

I actually run my own school now, but I started flower arranging

when I was 11, so I've been doing it for 43 years.

No need to own up to everything, I can tell you.

-Some things have to remain precious.

-Well, I don't mind.

So, it's not just flowers you design, is it?

No, I actually do balloon artistry as well.

-Do you?

-Yes. Would you like to see a sample?

Um...ooh, I don't know about that.

-Well, I'm going to show you one anyway.

-Are you? Ooh, she's off.

Look out. Here she comes.

-There we go.

-Look! This is...this is...

There we go. This is your friend.

-Mockery.

-Uncanny.

-Look at that.

What do you mean 'uncanny'?

Just exactly who dreamt this up?

I have a friend who's a twister, and I asked him

a big favour cos I thought you might like to have a little...

-Fun.

-A little fun with him.

-Exactly.

Well, he certainly is a twister, this friend of yours.

-Yes, he is.

-But I like the bow tie, though. Don't you?

-Yes.

-He's worked very hard on that.

-Yes, yes.

But as for those lips, it looks like a Botox job to me.

But, actually, rather a sweet thing to do.

Just how successful are you going to be with Tom

at this bargain hunting lark?

Oh, I think we're going to be very successful.

-We've got a definite game plan.

-We've got a game plan.

-Have you?

-What would that be?

-Buy cheap.

-Buy cheap.

-Everything has a price.

I see. Here comes your £300.

£300. £300.

There you go. You know the rules. Your experts await, and off you go!

And very, very, very good luck.

Do you know something?

I feel like going pop.

So, whose expertise are we counting on today?

Keeping a close eye on the Reds, it's Natasha Raskin.

And for the Blues, it's sweet-talking Charlie Ross.

We're here in Sawbridgeworth with a mix of generations.

Who's going to be calling the shots here?

I've got a feeling it's Tom.

We'll see. I'm sure we'll work together quite well.

Phil, Jamie, father and son, a family affair for Bargain Hunt.

-What are we looking for today?

-New stuff.

-No, old stuff.

-Old, new. Right, OK.

Well, that doesn't bode well, Reds.

I was thinking fairly cheap,

try and, at the very worst, minimise loss.

-But useful things, definitely.

-So you want to win.

-I want to win.

-And what do you want to do?

Well, I know he wants to win, but I like pretty things.

I want something aesthetically pretty.

I'm going to draw from your enthusiasm.

Let's go look for some bargains.

Full steam ahead!

Right, let's get this show on the railroad, teams.

Let's waste no time at all. Let's get looking.

So, are Jill and family friend Tom confident?

I'm nervous already. But I need to get a move on.

HE BLOWS TROMBONE

Lovely tone, isn't it?

No. And while Charlie's busy blowing his horn,

it looks like Natasha's found something already.

-Is it a powder keg?

-Well, it seems to me that it is.

Perhaps its age isn't quite as old as it seems

because it's very, very recently, you know, polished inside.

Of course, it's not been polished, so perhaps it's hardly been used.

-It looks like a dog whistle.

-Yeah, it doesn't look like gunpowder's...

I don't think that is used,

but certainly it could be a little bit deceptive.

And when it comes to militaria, the real

collectors are looking for authentic items that were used in the war.

You're right there, Tasha.

That has never seen a battlefield.

Eek.

I think the Reds are on a roll.

There's a lovely pair of Art Nouveau pewter hand-beaten vases here.

Decorative pewter is a lovely alternative to silver

and could well be a nice item for a private buyer.

How do they grab you?

Yeah, I actually really like Art Nouveau.

Like, it's quite a big inspiration for my work and stuff,

so I like the whole beaten look it has to it.

Exactly. Yeah, they're very much in the style of Archibald Knox,

a designer from the beginning of the 20th century,

with whom you'll be familiar from your illustrating inspiration.

But if they don't grab you... And, Phil, I do not think they do.

It's the silver colour you're after, the silver colour.

-No, let's go.

-No, let's go!

-Yes.

Don't hold back, now, Phil, tell it like it is.

-Tom.

-Yeah.

-Have a look in here.

There's lots of cheap things here.

Oh, look at this.

This is such a cheap little cabinet.

Music to Tom's ears, that, Charlie.

-Is this going to be up your street?

-What's that?

-Oh, wow.

You've actually got a hat that is quite similar to that.

Let's have a wee look.

I think you'll be right at home with this.

-Surely it's worth modelling anyway.

-This is Japanese, isn't it?

Oh, well, there you go - certainly you're the expert now because...

-Oh, wow.

-Do you think it suits me?

-I think it's perfect.

How about at a jaunty angle?

What's a hat without a jaunty angle?

OK. Well, that looks good. What do you think?

-Well, I think it's Japanese.

-It's left a mark.

THEY LAUGH

-Did you get the mark?

-Very Gorbachev. OK.

Gorbachev - now, there was a red.

I think, different to our gunpowder holder,

don't you think this looks a bit more authentic?

-This one, definitely.

-I've got a better vibe about this.

-Exactly, yeah.

-It's only 35 quid.

It's kind of falling to pieces but could that work in its favour?

It's authentic and it's got a bit of a wartime feel to it

but not in a reproduction way, in an actual "I was there" way.

Yeah, right, cos you don't want a war item which looks like it's just

come off the shelf, you want something with a bit of a scratch.

-Exactly.

-Not that this has it.

Let's make an offer on it. I like it.

I think, yeah, we'll get an offer, you know, get a quote,

see what's going on, I think we should.

Time to ask owner Nick if he can help strike a deal.

There he is - Nick. How could you just be there? That's just in time.

We are needing your services

because we've found something on which both father and son agree.

It's £35 and we don't really want to pay £35 cos it's old.

There's quite a lot of damage as well.

Make Nick's life easier. Let's give the dealer a price.

-£5.

-OK, let's give the dealer a realistic price.

-OK.

-£20.

-£25.

I'll try and see what I can do.

-That would be great, if you could.

-Not a problem. OK.

-TIM:

-Well, it looks like the Reds are close to their first buy,

but what about the Blues?

Anything caught your eye, Jill?

-Clarice Cliff.

-Yes. Are you a Clarice Cliff lover?

Hmm. So-so.

No, I can't see anything there.

No. I must admit, nothing's jumping out.

No, no, no.

No. Nah.

No, it's not my type of glass.

-You want something a bit flashier, don't you?

-Yes, I do.

Bit of Vaseline or bits of cranberry, something like that.

-That would suit me nicely.

-There's cranberry here.

-Do you like cranberry?

-Yeah, but not those.

THEY LAUGH

"I want a bit of cranberry." "Here's a bit of cranberry."

Oh, dear. You've got your work cut out with that one, Charlie.

-Nick.

-Good news for us?

-Good news.

-Yes, indeed. 25, the dealer said.

-25!

I would go for that. Would you go for that?

25's what we said upstairs.

OK, deal done. We'll take it.

-Yeah.

-OK?

-No, I'm happy with that.

-Good.

Well done, Reds. Your first item, a rusty old helmet for 25 smackers.

Now, are the Blues about to splash the cash, too?

What about these over here? The little silver...

Is it silver-handled tweezers?

I know why you looked at those.

They're under £10. Yes, of course.

-Nine quid.

-£9.

Tell you what, though, they are silver.

To buy anything hallmarked silver for less than a tenner...

-Can't really go wrong, can you?

-The boy's...on fire.

-You don't sound too enthusiastic.

-No, no, no, no, no. No, no. Come on.

-Come on, Jill, spice it up.

-We need to definitely have a look.

-Yes.

-Tweezers, eh?

I don't know about plucking hairs, this is like pulling teeth.

Come along, now, Jill.

-There they are.

-There we go. Now, let's have a look.

They're certainly silver and they're Birmingham. They're 1931.

It's a very nice handle. What do you think, Tom? Handle the object.

-It feels nice. Is that something that you wanted to...

-I like it.

Yeah. You think that's going to be towards the pin?

Yep, I think so. Definitely.

£9 is a lot of money to you, isn't it?

Yeah. Oh, yeah, student. Student living.

This is a man who can work wonders.

I mean, 8.99 would be good, wouldn't it?

THEY LAUGH

Well, every penny counts, Charlie.

Let's hope Nick can get a better price.

Now, what have the Reds been drawn to?

-What is this?

-Oh, wow.

An illustrated Victorian child's book. Jamie.

-That is quite cool, Dad.

-That looks nice.

What do you think of this? That's great.

-Should we ask if we can have a look?

-Yeah. That is... I do act...

Go, Jamie, you have a go first.

-Straight to you, OK.

-Let's have a look inside.

Look at these. These drawings are lovely.

Yes, this is cool. I like it.

So, are these offset lithographs? Is that probably...

-I think they are.

-It looks it, yeah.

But you know what?

I think I'd like this more than the general public would like this.

Yeah, cos we have the interest in the subject.

There is a scribble towards the back.

At the back? It's over one of the actual...

Oh, there we go. Looks like a child has actually got a hold of it.

-Exactly.

-That is a real shame cos that is cool.

But, certainly, right up your street.

No. Yeah, it's good. Glad we saw it, though. It's nice.

It's a real shame it's got that condition.

But bearing in mind that we're coming up towards a half-hour mark,

I think we need to get cracking.

Great spot, there, Natasha. That's got them animated.

MUSIC: "Take On Me" by A-ha

Aha, I think this is some tweezer news for the Blues.

-So, how much?

-There wasn't a lot in it, but we can do it for 8.50.

-Well, I...

-8.50. Can you cope with...

-I'm happy with that.

-Are you?

-8.50. It's better than nine.

Splendid. Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much. Thank you.

You said you'd get something for less than a tenner.

-Oh, yes, I'm very happy with that.

-And you have.

-There you go.

Last of the big spenders, that Tom.

But he's true to his word, I'll give him that.

-What's that lamp?

-I do like the mining lamp, it's quite cool.

You like the mining lamp? It's quite nice.

They're both £30, but they'd make quite a nice pair.

Seeing as we have this opportunity to maybe do a deal for the two,

putting them together, it doesn't dilute the lot,

I think it only bolsters it. A nice pair, mismatching, but a nice group.

-What do you think?

-Well, you've sold me.

-Yeah.

I think he's seen the light, Natasha.

But what can the dealer tell us?

Well, the first one here, the silver-coloured one,

that's got a name underneath - Admiral.

-I've had it polished, actually.

-It looks great. It looks great.

-And we've got the other, the kerosene lamp.

-Which I left as is.

As is. I think a little bit more rustic appeal.

I like it. I like stuff with a story to it.

Feels, you know, you can imagine a miner going into the mine.

-Social history.

-Yeah, exactly.

Well, you're not alone there, Jamie, there's a rich seam of collectors,

some paying over £1,000 for rarer examples.

What chance is there of us getting the two of them for 30 quid?

-No, definitely not.

-What are you trying to say?

You'll be getting a shiner in a minute, Phil.

-He's got a family to feed.

-That's right, yes.

-Let's try and meet halfway.

-Hold on, hold on, hold on. Is that a no?

15 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and three wives.

Three wives only?! Poor soss.

-Phil, putting you to shame.

-40?

No. I've got 30 on each. 45 is my best offer.

I think you've been a real gentleman. I would go along with it.

-Would you go along with it?

-That's really good.

-Can I have the silver one and you have the dirty one?

-I'm more than happy with that.

-Absolutely. If it gets things moving.

-Thank you very much.

That's great. Cheers.

With two items in the old bag,

the Reds can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

But what have the Blues dug up?

What about that for a...floral delight?

You could whack a few of your flowers in there.

-Oh, my gosh.

-Isn't that impressive?

-It is impressive.

-It's not cut glass, I grant you.

-No, no.

-But, you know, the asking price is £36. It's huge.

So how old would that be?

Gosh, that is difficult to date. 1950s.

You know, although it's pressed glass and not cut,

I think it's pretty impressive.

-It looks nice.

-Like a Corinthian column here.

And I like that...top.

-Oh, my gosh, it's heavy, isn't it?

-What do you think, Tom?

You probably hate it, Tom, because it's more than £8.50.

-Don't drop it.

-It is nice.

It's very decorative, I like the style of it.

It isn't something that I would normally go for, I must admit.

But to somebody else it could be valuable.

I was just trying to sort of, you know, badger you into something.

-Yes.

-It's not worth phoning the owner, is it?

-WOMAN:

-I could...

-Could you?

-Yeah.

Give it a try, my dear.

Well, with that kind of enthusiasm from Jill,

I think you've done well, Charlie.

Not long left now and the Reds are feeling the pressure.

Oh, come on, we're going to run out of time.

We're going to run out of time.

What are you going to tell them?

Well, I managed to get hold of the dealer

and she's in a very good mood, and she said 25.

-Ooh.

-Oh. Is that all right for you?

-That is perfect.

-I mean, frankly...

-I think...I think...

-Are we all go?

-Yes. Are we going for it?

-Yeah, we have to.

-Yes.

-Can't be any downside.

-No. Well done.

-Put it there, darling. Put it there.

-Thank you so much.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much.

-Lovely. Thank you.

Two down and we've still spent less than 35 quid.

Looks like you'll have a lorra lolly left over there, then, Charlie.

Right, how long have we got left, then, Natasha?

-Seven minutes. Not long. Seven minutes.

-Seven minutes!

I know, I know. OK. So, what are we thinking?

This looks like quality stuff here.

There's loads of silver here.

Look, all over. And some writing stuff.

Oh, yeah. OK, so, you're interested in pen and ink

-because we know you use it every day of your lives.

-That's right.

OK. So, what do you think about this papier-mache ink stand?

Yeah, it's cool. So, it's made out of papier-mache?

Yeah, it's very finely done.

Now, it looks to be in quite good condition

and the tag does say that it's been restored on the paintwork.

So 158.

It's mid-19th century, it's very much for a lady, isn't it?

It's a lady's thing. I don't know.

What do you feel about the feminine touch?

Oh, it doesn't worry me, no.

Should we ask for a quote list?

Go on. Let's see if we can get him to come along and...

-Yeah, yeah, yeah.

-OK. Let's do it. Nick.

Now, it looks like the penny's finally dropped for Jill.

Charlie! We've only got seven minutes left to find something! Quick!

What do you mean, find something?!

I find lots of things, you don't like them.

-OK. Well, we've got...

-You go that way. Tom, go that way.

-This way.

-Find something.

There's nothing like a bit of blind panic

to focus the mind, eh, Charlie?

That's fine. OK, why don't one of you take it?

-Go on, Jamie.

-Let me take that off here.

-That looks beautiful.

-That's really cool.

Now you can get a real feel for it and get a look at it.

And, let's see, is this a wee blotter?

-Or is this a little space...

-Yeah, take out the middle one.

-Whoa!

-Lovely. There's a wee space, yeah.

-Paperclips and...

So, for all of your accessories for writing,

obviously space for the pen.

-May I have a look?

-Absolutely.

What could you do this for?

She can go down to 132.

Oh! OK.

That's the ballpark we were talking.

We've probably got about 32 seconds left on the clock,

so what do you think?

-No, let's go and find something else.

-Yeah, yeah.

-Oh, no!

No, that sounds like a good deal.

-Oh, finally. Hallelujah.

-Yeah, I'm happy with that. Yeah.

So, without a moment to spare,

the Reds have got their third and final item.

It's just down to the Blues now.

Come back. I've found something a bit more expensive.

-What?!

-I've found something a bit more expensive.

-Much more than £8.50?

-Yeah. How about the bridge pencils there?

-Are they silver? They ARE silver.

-Yeah.

-In their box.

-Set of four sterling silver bridge pencils.

-They look very nice. Can we get a key? Two minutes.

-Two minutes.

No panic, Christine, no panic. Slide that door open, Christine.

Chuck these pens out. Let's have a look. I'll look at them, chaps.

-Yeah.

-So, what's wrong with them?

-Right, they're silver. Ah.

-Oh.

Now, a really good set of these will have

enamel inlaid club, heart, spade...

-They're just painted on, aren't they?

-..diamond.

And these are on in little transfers.

-This is a bit controversial, chaps.

-Right.

They've got £40 down there.

I would still, as we've run out of time,

buy these and actually take these marks off completely

and sell them as four sterling silver propelling pencils.

They could still be bridge pencils, if you wanted.

They can still use them,

but they're really nice, they're in a case and, frankly,

we haven't got any time.

-OK.

-Christine, my darling. We want to pay 30 quid for these.

-Please, please.

-How about 32?

-Yes!

-Yeah, 32. Yes, yes.

-I've made a decision. 32.

I think the team are meant to say that, Charlie.

-There we go.

-Excellent.

-I'm going to have to pay the difference myself.

Time's up. No, no, no.

I'll send you an enormous cheque for the difference.

Well, that's it, folks, the 60 minutes are up.

Let's find out what the Red team bought, eh?

So, our Red team spent their first £25 on this tommy helmet.

They took a shine to the two miner's lamps for £45.

And, finally, the two illustrators spent 132 notes

on this papier-mache desk stand.

You've not left me very much, but something there to work with.

-Just exactly how much is there left?

-There's £98 left.

-Really? You spent 202?

-202. I think we had a good day.

That is such a mature amount of money.

-Oh, thank you. We're a mature team.

-Yes.

So, which is your favourite piece, James?

I think...

It sounds stupid, but the helmet,

just cos it left a nice mark around my dad's head.

-It was quite a nice touch, yeah.

-Yeah, that's nice, isn't it?

-But that's that little bit of, you know...

-Comedy value.

..that you need, isn't it?

That's your favourite favourite. Which is going to bring the biggest profit, Philip?

-We're pretty sure the lanterns.

-The lanterns, yeah.

Even though Jamie picked them.

We've got the £98, please, somewhere.

-Yes, I put them away.

-Thanks very much. Bit more coming.

I've got a bit more. There you go. I think you've got it all now.

Dear, oh, dear. We'll have a numbers check on this in a minute.

Look at all this handful of shrapnel.

-Thank you.

-You'll weigh the poor girl down.

-She won't know whether she's coming or going.

-Thank you.

So, with your £98, Natasha, what are you going to do?

Well, I'm going to try my hardest, that's what I'm going to do.

Bearing in mind that we saw a few things that we liked

but then we didn't get a chance to go back to, bearing in mind we never

saw this whole place, I think that there's a lot to work with.

It is vast, isn't it?

Which is what's so fun, because you'll go round a wee corner

and then you'll come across something that you've not seen

and you'll get a really nice, warm feeling.

-Very much so, yeah.

-We've had plenty of those today.

-Yes.

-What, warm feelings?

-Pleasant, warm feelings.

THEY LAUGH

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

The Blues plucked £8.50 out of their wallet

for this pair of silver tweezers.

They spent £25 on the moulded glass pedestal bowl.

And just had time to pick up

a set of sterling silver bridge pencils for £32.

What a pair of spendthrifts you are.

Do I interpret that you didn't spend so much?

We may have edged on the cheaper side of things.

Just how cheap are you?

Well, £65.50 in total.

£65.50?

-He's a student, he's not used to spending money.

-No.

I don't know what Charlie Ross is going to make of this, I'm sure.

-I'm going to have a field day.

-You certainly are.

You could buy most of the antique centre for the leftover lolly,

which would be 23...

4.50.

234.50. OK, fine.

Which is your favourite piece out of that measly selection?

-I'm going to have to say the vase.

-The vase. Do you agree with that, Tom?

I will go... I like the tweezers.

-They were cheap.

-Very good.

-Very good.

-Well, they need to be.

We'll run with this. Thank you very much.

I'll have a fistful of cash. Thank you very much.

-And the change.

-And the change. Thank you very much.

And that goes with it. 50p. Across to Charlie Ross.

And I can't think of a better person to go and spend the lot.

-Yes?

-Absolutely.

-Maybe.

-No tweezers.

No, no.

Everything's been plucked to perfection.

OK, on that happy note,

I'm going to shove off and show you something really rather tinny.

Do you sometimes wish that these objects could tell their story?

Well, I'm slightly feeling that about this rather dull-looking rusty

tin box, except this one is not

a standard Victorian solicitor's deed box.

If you look at the outside, for a kick-off,

that lock is really rather special.

It's a substantial lock,

far more than you would need simply to lock up some old paperwork.

And when you open it up,

apart from having this dazzling turquoise japanned interior,

it's got a very strange arrangement

with these green velvet-covered blobs.

If you fiddle around inside, there's a couple of levers.

Open up the levers and, hey presto,

the whole front of the thing flops down like that.

So you can get in from the front, you can get in from the top.

All with these protective velvet-covered blobs.

And, painted out here at the back,

is a plaque which tells us all about the maker.

It says Ladies Airtight Patent Hat Box.

So we have a maker who comes from India, from the town of Mooltan,

which is in the Punjab, not far from Lahore, that was making this

sort of specialised tin box, and that would be around, I guess,

1880 to 1910.

Now, is that a rare survival? It sure is a rare survival.

I've found that the price of this very rare piece of Raj baggage is

only, to you and me, £60.

And that's not many rupees.

Well, how lovely is this?

High Road Auctions, on Chiswick High Street,

and Ross Mercer, the ideal package.

-How are you, Ross?

-Very well, Tim. Very well.

Lovely to be here.

Now, the Reds have gone with a strange mixture. The tommy helmet.

Yes, post-war, we think. It's a bit of fun.

Someone who likes a bit of dressing up at the weekend, Tim.

Mmm. Well, it wouldn't suit me, I have to say.

But there we are. What's it worth?

We've said £20 to £40. Decorative item.

I've seen them made into table lamps, shades, all kinds of things.

So someone with a bit of an arty streak will do something with it.

Yes. And our lot paid £25 for it.

Next, bit of industrial look.

That's right. Yeah, a bit of fun.

There are a lot of collectors for early mining equipment

and paraphernalia, so the electric one is quite a rare one mil.

And how much?

Well, we've said £20 to £40, which is a real 'come and get me' estimate.

£45 was the price paid by Phil and Jamie.

And they're illustrators and they've got a very sharp eye

when it comes to this stuff.

-Yes, yes.

-Which, presumably, drew them into the papier-mache encrier.

Which, I have to say, is not my favourite object.

Mine, neither, I'm afraid.

Decorative to someone who likes that mid-19th-century look to their study.

Yes.

But more style than substance, we think.

Seems to me that when you see the real gilding on this papier-mache,

if it's by Clay's or Jennens and Bettridge, you know,

one of the good makers, it's incredibly fine.

This looks really crude.

Has it been later painted, do you think, or is the whole thing later?

The whole thing is later,

and I suspect the last quarter of the 20th century.

-Oh, lordy.

-It's about as Victorian as I am, Tim.

How much?

Well, we've stuck out our neck a little bit, £40 to £60.

Cos our lot paid £132.

I'm a hard man to please, I'm afraid.

This is shocking news.

This has torpedoed their chances if you're right, Ross,

and they're definitely going to need their bonus buy,

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

Jamie, Phil, this is the big moment.

What happened to your £98?

-What, indeed?

-OK, Natasha, let's have a look.

I want silver, I want silver,

but I got you some pewter twin-handled vases.

-Do you remember these?

-I do, actually.

-Yes, yes.

-They've come back.

-Come back to haunt us.

-Do you have fond memories of them?

-No, I do, actually, yeah.

These are the ones I hated, aren't they?

Yeah, I think maybe. Yeah. No, I really liked them.

No, I think they're really cool.

I think they're beautiful. I think they're really decorative.

One each, you know, kind of like one for father, one for son.

So, how old are these?

I think that they're Art Nouveau, slightly later probably.

I don't think they're exactly turn of the century, but I'd say they're

something like maybe 1930s, '40s, something like that, slightly later.

So harking back to Art Nouveau.

So, how much have you spent on it?

I spent £70 on them.

Will it actually increase the value, having the two of them?

Definitely. A nice pair. You know, everyone likes a nice pair, so...

-They do.

-Drink in twos, you know.

-Yeah.

Anyway, there we go.

Family differences aside, right now let's find out what the auctioneer

thinks about the pair of vases.

There we go. You could take off in these, Ross.

You could, yes.

They have a feel of early space travel, almost, don't they?

Yeah. OK. Well, I don't know about you,

but this sort of hammered pewter is never easy to sell.

It's not. Only a few designers have fared well.

People like Archibald Knox, of course.

These are almost certainly northern European, of the period,

but quite late for Art Nouveau.

OK. How much?

Well, for those, we have said £20 to £40.

OK. £70 paid by Raskin, who rates them, as the bonus buy.

Who knows who's right or wrong?

Anyway, that's it for the Reds. Now, moving on to the Blues.

Their first item are the tweezers, which are handy

if you've got a hair problem.

HE LAUGHS That's right, Tim.

-Yeah.

-Hallmarked from Birmingham, 1931.

-Presumably out of a big dressing table set.

-That's right.

You'd have had a mirror and some brushes and a whole lot of care.

-Out of a toilet case, probably.

-£8.50 our team paid.

What might they get for it, do you think?

I think they've done quite well. We think we may get £20 to £40.

-Do you really?

-£30 to £50.

Well, that's brilliant.

Now, the pedestal bowl is an impressive lump of glass,

but it's only moulded, right?

That's right.

Yes, if it was cut glass I think you'd be on to a real winner there,

but it would have cost a small fortune.

We've said £40 to £60 because it is largely intact

with no major chips or...

Look nice if you put your satsumas in it, wouldn't it?

-Oh, that's right.

-Nuts.

-Nuts, loose change.

-Exactly.

-Absolutely.

How much, then, for the moulded glass bowl from heaven?

Well, we've said £40 to £60.

Have you? £25 paid, so that was a good buy, wasn't it?

-We hope so.

-Now, all these games like bridge

are becoming incredibly popular.

That's a nice accoutrement, this set, isn't it, for a bridge player?

It is. You could certainly show off to your friends with this next lot.

Yeah. I think those could come up trumps.

They could do.

They're lovely quality, engine-turned, solid sterling silver

and ready to go.

Well, how sharp are you on the price with this?

Well, we've said £40 to £60.

That's good enough. £32 paid.

On a good day, these may creep up to £70 or £80.

Well, that's marvellous, isn't it? This team only spent £65.50.

They gave a bundle of cash to their expert

to go off and buy a bonus buy.

Let's go and have a look at it.

Jill and Tom, this is your moment.

You gave the man £234, and he promised me he'd blow the lot,

so, Charlie, over to you.

-Oh.

-It's not particularly exciting, it's not particularly old,

but it's a cut glass sugar sifter with a hallmarked silver top

by the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company, and what's it worth?

-About £45?

-45?

-No, I'd say about 40, 45.

-It cost 16.

-Oh, wow.

-Excellent.

-£16.

-Good Lord.

I couldn't resist that.

I mean, £16 for a silver-topped cut glass jobbie

is ridiculous, isn't it?

-Yes.

-I think it is.

-That's why the man's a genius.

It's absurd. I mean, it's 1970s, but so what?

There we have it. Thank you very much, Charlie.

You don't have to decide now, you'll decide later, but let's find out

from the auctioneer what he thinks about Charlie's little sifter.

Now, how about that? Solid silver top.

-Nice quality, Tim.

-Yeah. Cut bottom.

A good shape. Hobnail cut, as you've pointed out, and star to the base.

But, Tim, it's been dropped.

-Has it?

-It's been dropped on its top.

-Oh, from a great height.

-That's right.

However, being metal,

that can all be sorted out for you quite inexpensively.

Hallmarked, as we've suggested, Birmingham 1974,

but in a much earlier style.

So, um...something for your cornflakes in the morning.

How much is it worth, then?

-Well, we've said £30 to £50.

-Ooh. That's marvellous.

Absolutely marvellous. That cunning Charlie Ross only paid £16.

-Clever boy.

-So if the team are smart enough to trust him,

they should turn in a further profit with that. Gosh!

It is going to be an exciting show today. Thank you, Ross.

Yeah, 420. 440. 460, sir.

Jamie, Phil, how are you feeling?

-Very optimistic.

-Are you?

Yeah, I'm going to retire off this.

You ARE retired.

Now, starting with your first item, which is the tin helmet.

-And here it comes.

-Lot 108 is the tommy-style helmet.

I've seen enough people try this on, so it's got to go today.

£10 surely for it. At ten bid.

15, 20. £20. Bid five.

-30.

-Yes!

30 now, stood at the back at 30.

At £30. We can't guarantee it's bulletproof, mind.

-But at 30 it's no money.

-I need to retire.

And five. At £35 in the seating. At 35.

All done, and selling at 35.

That's a £10 profit. Well done.

Well done, Red family.

Oh, yes.

Here come the lamps.

The next lot, 109, the two miner's lamps.

There it is. Dark outside, you never know.

£20 surely. Ten then.

£10 bid. 15 I'll take. 20 now.

Two if it helps. 22.

-22. May I say 24?

-Go on.

-Come on, come on.

At 24. £24 you'll still pay there.

25 now. 30. One more. £30. In front at £30.

35, come on.

At £30, 35 now. From the internet, at 35. 40, Sammy, surely.

£40.

Bid 45. Come along.

-Come on, come on.

-45 on the internet.

We're miles from Wales.

-We're still doing well.

-At £50. I have 55, 60.

-£60.

-This is golden gavel stuff. Come on.

65. 70, ma'am.

No? At £65. On the internet at 65.

Do you want to give us the golden gavel now?

-No.

-Fair warning now at 65.

That is nothing short of brilliant, lads.

65 is +20, which means overall you are +30.

-Oh, come on.

-Now here comes the papier-mache.

The next lot, then, is lot 110.

It's the mid-Victorian-style black-lacquered

papier-mache desk stand.

Bid starts against you all at £20.

-20?

-Be brave.

-I told him not to buy this.

Surely we'll get there. At 25. 30. Five anywhere?

-At 35 with the gentleman...

-Come on, online.

Wait. Look, he's going up, he's going up.

-It's 54.

-56. 58.

65.

65. Let's get moving.

65 now. On the internet at 65.

An undeniable, brilliant...

Don't blow our profit.

At £65. Last chance at 65.

THEY GROAN

£65. How miserable is that?

That's five short of 70, which is 30 short of 100.

That's 62. That's -67.

Which means overall, by the time you've knocked off your winnings,

is -37.

-So it gets better.

-This is going to be a terrible retirement.

Are you going to go with it or not?

-Do it, do it.

-Yeah, let's do it.

-Are you doing it? Oh, my goodness.

You're going with the bonus buy? OK, fine.

A decision is made, I can now reveal the auctioneer's estimate,

which is 20 to 40.

-Oh, my God.

-We're not going with it.

Too late. Here they come.

Lot 114.

Here it is, pair of Art Nouveau planished pewter twin-handled vases.

There they are, quite dramatic.

How do you value them? Ought to be £20 surely.

Come along, we'll get there.

-Come on.

-£10, then. £10 bid.

-£10 bid.

25.

30. Five. New bidder at 35. 40.

-Start bidding, Jamie.

-Yeah, OK. I've got my wallet.

50 anywhere? At £45, I have. At 45.

-Come on.

-Come on, online, make it 50.

£45, all done?

That is minus £25. This is adding to the disaster.

That's 12, that would be 62.

Do you know why I've got my hands like this?

Why would that be?

I'm disappointed.

That's -62, by the way, in case

you were worried that you were going the other way.

-Listen...

-Oh, don't say you're disappointed.

Don't be disappointed. Don't be disappointed.

Now, your first item is the tweezers, right?

-That's right.

-For the removal of hairs.

And, apparently, there are a lot of hairy people here in Chiswick,

cos the auctioneer says they're going to be very popular

and he's estimating £20 to £40, or even £30 to £50.

And you only paid £8.50. So how good is that?

-Superb.

-Superb, yeah. Fantastic.

Next lot 130, pair of these sterling silver-mounted tweezers.

There we are. Got to be £20. Come along.

£20 bid. May I say five?

At 25. 30 now.

-You paid £8.50?

-40.

£40, fresh buyer.

And five. 50 now.

Go on. One more. £50.

£50.

At £50 only. Seems a lot of money. There we are.

Yes, it's a lot of money.

£50. And the auctioneer says, "That's a lot of money, isn't it?"

That is £41.50.

131 is the rather fun

early 19th-century-style moulded glass pedestal bowl.

-30. £30 bid.

-Yes.

50 now.

55. 60.

£60. Stood at the back at £60.

Jill found this.

Make no mistake at 60. Last chance at 60.

65. 70, sir?

-It's a steal.

-At 65 on my left.

At £65.

65. You've made another £40.

£40!

-Oh, this is tense. This is the tight one.

-This is the one.

Next lot, 132, is the set of four of these

20th-century sterling silver bridge pencils.

There we are. £10 I'm bid. At ten.

15 now. 15. 25. 30.

Five. 40.

You're in profit. Listen, listen...

# Oh, this is a piece of cake... #

£50 and five. 55. 60, sir.

-At £55...

-£55.

-Hey.

-65 with the internet now.

At 65. May I say 70 to you, madam?

-Why not?

-No, I've scared her off.

£65, then. On the internet at 65.

That is plus £33.

You had £81.50, so that makes it £114.50 profit.

Plus 114.50.

Right? And I'm so rude about you spending £65.50

and you've made £114.50 profit.

How lovely is that?

Now, what are you going to do about the next no-brainer?

We've got to go for it.

You've got to go with the old shaker, haven't you?

We going to have a shake, rattle and roll with it?

Oh, 100%.

Here it comes, then. Here comes the dredger.

Our next lot is lot 136, the silver-mounted

and hobnail cut glass sugar sifter, Birmingham 1974.

£10 surely for it. Come along. Five, then.

-What?

-£5 I'm bid in the centre. Five.

And I'll take ten. £6 bid. Eight.

-£8. Now ten.

-Oh, crikey.

£8 I have in the room. At £10 now on my right.

-£12 now.

-Come on.

-At £12 only.

Don't be ridiculous.

With fair warning at £12.

What's going on here, then?

What can I say, team?

Oh, don't worry. Don't worry.

It's minus £4. Well, what CAN you say? I think that's a tragedy.

Anyway, don't worry about it. You are now £110.50.

We rounded it off. It's fine.

-OK?

-Rounded. What a positive chap.

-Good old Tom-Tom.

Well, has this been fun or has it been fun? It has been so fun.

-Yep.

-I'm afraid that the Reds have not done so well.

-Oh, no!

-But it is no surprise to the Reds.

All the while, there was a pulsating little flame

that maybe they'd done worse than you and you might still...

-It's been extinguished.

-..you might still be ahead.

But I'm sorry to have extinguished that little flame.

--62 is the number.

-Yep.

But you have been fantastic, you two, I have to tell you.

-Thank you very much.

-I mean, as a combo of father and son,

we could not have asked for more fun, I tell you.

-Thank you. Thank you.

-And thank you very much, Natasha.

For taking all that life has delivered you today

on the chin so womanfully.

Anyway, thank you.

But it's a great pleasure to hand out £110.50 to the Blues.

And this doesn't happen very often, I tell you. There's your 50p.

Well done, Jill girl. Stop handing that over to poor old Tom-Tom.

Anyway, you made a profit of £41.50 on the tweezers.

Whoever heard of such a ridiculous thing.

Then you made £40 on the moulded glass.

Whoever heard of such a ridiculous thing.

And then you made £33 on the bridge pencils.

Because you made a profit on all three of the items that you went out

to buy, you get the golden gavel in its new stellar style.

Look at that. Gling, gling.

This needs to have that toothpaste ad for ding on it.

And something for your collection, Charlie.

-Ding.

-Ding. Was that good or not?

It was fantastic.

And this doesn't happen that often, so congratulations

and well done, Blues.

-Thank you.

-Now, been such fun.

Join us soon for some more bargain-hunting.

-Yes?

-ALL:

-Yes!

I know you're sitting there thinking,

"I could have done better than that."

Well, what's stopping you?

If you think you can spot a bargain, go to our BBC website and apply.

It would be splendid to see you.