Norfolk 26 Bargain Hunt

With its vast horizons and broad skies,

Norfolk has long been a destination point for artists.

Good place for our teams to brush up on our antiques knowledge, hey?

Let's go bargain hunting! Yeah!

Well, with £300 and one hour to find three objects,

what is clear is that our teams today are going to have to go flat out

in one of the flattest counties in the country.

Let's have a quick squint as to what's coming up.

On today's programme, the red team fall in love with everything.

-Now, that's gorgeous, isn't it?

-Oh, like that.

-Wow, that is pretty.

-How gorgeous is that?

-That is lovely, isn't it?

Whilst the Blues fall in love with nothing.

-What do you think?

-No.

-No?

-No.

-You're still in... No?

-No.

-No, not your thing?

-No.

Before all that, let's meet the teams, hey?

So, today's programme is all about great partnerships

because for the Reds, we've got buddies Claire and Diane

and we have Stephen and Olga who are our married couple.

-Hello, everyone.

-Hello.

Now, you've been chums, you two, for 18 years. Tell us about it.

Well, we did meet at a pub a long, long time ago.

-Years and years ago.

-Mm.

And I used to be a chef there

-and Claire used to work on the bar there.

-I did!

So it was like a working partnership even all those years ago.

It was only a Sunday lunchtime for me because I was busy

designing children's play areas the rest of the time.

Is that what you do?

I did do at the time because I was working for

a play equipment manufacturer in the Lake District.

Now I've trained as a personal trainer.

How lovely is that?

Yeah, it's absolutely the best job in the world.

I get paid to go out running

and enjoy myself with lots of interesting people.

This must up your fitness level to something fantastic then, doesn't it?

I do sometimes run vast distances in a day.

Yeah, with this panting clown trying to keep up, all right?

-Diane, you run your own upholstery business?

-Yes.

I think it's a wonderful thing to be able to do

because it's very kind of economically sensible too, isn't it?

Yes, it is really. It's the upcycling of it, they call it now.

-Yes, upcycling. Exactly right.

-It's the big thing, yeah.

-The Tour de France.

-Wow!

-Tell us about that.

-Well, I did one stage of the Tour de France this year.

-You never did?

Yeah, just as I got to the top,

this lady came past me on an electric bike, smiling.

-She never did?

-She was up like this, smiling away.

So you tripped her up?

Well, I didn't have a breath, I just couldn't do it.

I had no breath left.

Anyway, very, very good luck.

-Now, you're Stephen, an energy consultant.

-That's correct.

-And you're a photographer, Olga?

-That's right, yes.

And you're keen on dancing, both of you?

We are very, very keen dancers.

We do ballroom dancing.

I've been ballroom dancing about five years,

so yes, we're really keen dancers, we love it.

Letting is Olga's thing,

I just have to stand around and show the peacock off.

-Who cares?

-In the ballroom, I have to take a bit more of a lead.

Now Stephen, you like a bit of outdoors work too?

Yeah, we like camping and canoeing.

This year, we've brought a couple of kayaks

and we've done a few trips on some local rivers and lakes.

It's a wonderful way of seeing the coastline, isn't it?

Up close and personal and in your own pace and everything else.

Now, Olga. You're a photographer.

What sort of things do you like to take photos of?

Well, my main thing is weddings. I do a lot of weddings.

I also do fashion photography and I also do some boudoir as well.

-I bet your dad gave you a camera once, right?

-Yes, indeed.

When I was 10 years old, it was my birthday present

and he had all the equipment, he had the enlarger, darkroom.

Brilliant.

So I could use all those things and it was a lot of fun.

I was taking a lot of pictures.

It was more about quantities than about the quality at that age

but yeah, I really enjoyed it

and since then, I really love photography.

-And you learned all this stuff on film and that's great.

-That's right.

-What was your town in Russia?

-I came from St Petersburg.

-Did you?

-That's right.

-Very good.

What are your tactics today to hammer the Reds?

We're going to buy one item between us

and then we're going to buy one item each.

OK, brilliant.

Now, £300 a piece. There's your £300, £300.

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

Well, that's our talented teams. But who are their able advisors?

For the Reds, it's our model expert Caroline Hawley.

And who are you going to call, Blues? Thomas Plant, of course.

-What are you looking for today?

-Oh, I really like a vintage things.

So do I! And what are you looking for today?

-I quite like anything to do with interiors.

-Well, let's go.

Let's hunt. Come on, after you!

So, the Reds are in unison and the Blues are in step too. Ooh!

Well, probably need their expert then.

Right, OK, OK. That's wonderful!

Fabulous! But we've got to buy some antiques.

-Look at you, out of breath.

-Already.

Can you teach me? I might just...

Come on!

Ah, well, Stephen.

I guess you will just have to watch from the sidelines.

I tell you what.

These Reds aren't mucking about. They're straight in there.

-How much is that?

-£40.

-£40? Would you have with the glovebox...

Button hooks. You would. You see, this is the original silk lining.

Silk moire watermark, silk. And then in here, you would have your gloves.

-I really like it.

-I do, it almost looks like leather.

Well, it's burr walnut and it will be mid-Victorian, sort of 1860,

1870 perhaps.

I do like it, it's just the damage on it.

If you could get it for maybe £30...

It's just having that missing there.

One here and I think there's been a little bit of repair there.

But if it's...

-It wants to be cheap enough.

-Yes.

-Is this yours, sir?

-How cheap is the cheapest?

-Got £40 on, I believe, yeah.

Um, can do £32.

Could you do £30?

Split the difference, £31.

-You don't to odd bids on Bargain Hunt though, do you?

-We don't like change!

-It's really difficult.

-What do you think?

-Could we do £30?

-£30 would be brilliant.

-£30, OK.

-What do you think, let's go for it?

-Yes, let's go for it.

-Yes, great! Go for it!

-Thank you very much.

-Lovely, thank you very much. Thank you.

-Thank you very much, excellent.

First buy. And very early in the shop. Excellent.

TIM: That's an understatement, Reds. Barely five minutes gone too.

Blues, you can't afford to put a foot wrong to keep up.

Is it a fireguard?

-It's a fireguard, yeah.

-Very decorative as well.

-For probably a child's bedroom.

-Yeah.

And this would radiate heat, it would get hot.

-And of course, it's very safe.

-Yeah, of course.

-That's really good, isn't it?

-Beautiful and it's got all the...

It's got all the things for hanging the irons on

if you wanted to hang the irons on.

But what a lovely thing.

It is beautiful. It's got quite a bit of weight.

People at Bargain Hunt always want to weigh things. They do!

There's this thing about weight and value and quality.

But I think, you know, even the lightest thing

can be of the most superb quality.

I just love her dress and the bows and the rope

and the stringing around the bodice.

The proportions are really, really nice as well, actually,

from the skirt and the long arms.

It's absolutely wonderful and her face is quite good.

-I actually like it.

-You actually like it? I think it's good.

What's your best on it?

-£110.

-It's £110.

-I could do £90.

-£80. £80?

-Let's go £85.

-£85?

-Yes.

-I think it's a good thing.

-Is that a fair price?

I think at auction, it's £100, £150.

-I think it's a really nice thing.

-Beautiful.

-I really like it.

-First item? Done.

-Fantastic, thank you very much.

-Wonderful.

-Well, let's make sure our next two are as good.

-Yes.

-There's pressure.

It is pressure.

TIM: Touche, blues.

You truly can take the heat

and that's both teams with one item apiece in less than eight minutes.

Now, do the Reds have a theme building already?

From a glovebox to a handbag.

Love, that's gorgeous, isn't it?

Oh, that is lovely. 1950s bag.

Never used, 45... That's lovely. What do you think?

-I don't know whether it would make...

-I don't think it would.

No, you see that's the trouble. We all love it, don't we?

-Yeah, but it's probably for us.

-Yes, I know.

Listen, we'll be fighting over it, won't we? Handbags at dawn!

Well, we wouldn't want that now, would we, Reds?

We're shoppers, not fighters.

Mind you, those blues have come across something shocking.

That's like a Victorian... table toy, isn't it?

Well, a toy?

-As in shock treatment.

-Yeah, electric shock.

God! Toy?

It is, it's an electric shock.

So you would hold these things, it would be stimulating muscles, hair.

-You hold one for me.

-No, thank you. You hold it, honey!

-Yeah.

Do you see it's going to be a very...?

They do have a following.

Definitely.

-It has to be a specialist sale, though.

-Yes, that's right.

And we're not going to a specialist sale but they do have a following.

Definitely. You can always come back to it if you're desperate.

-Think about it.

-If you need to be shocked into buying something.

-Come on.

-Lovely, thank you.

-Thank you so much.

I never cease to be amazed by the wacky, weird

and downright gruesome things you can find at these fairs.

In stark contrast, nothing shocking about the Reds' latest dalliance.

Oh, what about this table? I really like the style of that.

Now, that is very interesting because it's...

Antique of the future, surely?

Yes, but funnily enough these Ercol styles went right off the boil

and they're reissuing them now, some of them are coming back

and they're terribly popular.

The young ones want it today.

I like it, but again, it's how much we can get it for, really.

Well, shall we put it on the backburner and we'll have a think?

With the early excitement eroded,

our teams are now being a bit more considered.

It's a little snuff box. Very tight in there so snuff wouldn't come out.

And you take a pinch and stick it up your nose.

What do you like about it?

I'm a carpenter by trade, so...

Are you, a joiner?

Yes, so it's made of a quality timber, being rosewood,

and it feels like it's hardly been opened.

Mm. No, because it's quite stiff. Probably never been used really.

Olga, what do you think?

You don't look like you're giving it much love!

Um, well, it's quite pretty.

It's interesting how the hinge is fixed as well.

-It is, isn't it?

-Just with pins.

Would you say that is quite a collectable?

They are collectable, snuffs are collectable. How much is it?

-It's £55.

-£55, 19th-century snuff.

I think you will have to work at that.

-I'll do £38.

-£38?

-That's not a bad price, £38.

-Isn't it?

-It's not bad.

-Fighting chance?

-You've got a fighting chance.

I like to keep figures round. Either zeros or fives.

Because otherwise, I'm a bit simple. I can't really work out the maths.

I'll do £35 then.

-That's rounding it off, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-That's not a bad lot really, it's quite sweet.

-Yeah?

It's a good-looking thing. Like the little inlay in there of the star.

-Can we come back to that? Is that OK?

-OK.

-I like that.

-Good spot.

TIM: And at £35, that's not to be sniffed at.

Right, now I think our red team have gone completely off topic.

Time to address the situation, Caroline!

-Oh, look at this dress!

-Wow, that is pretty. That's amazing.

How gorgeous is that? Quite stylish earrings, aren't they?

Nice!

-Look at those hearts!

-That's sweet.

-See that, Claire?

Not quite what I meant, Caroline.

Now there's definitely something in the air

because Olga is showing off her feminine side too.

Can you see the work involved in that?

Almost like a cotton twist running through the scent bottle here.

If you turn it over, the base, you can see where it started

so the glassblower has started with the cotton twist inside the glass

and blown it with his pipe and his tools to make the scent bottle.

But what is fascinating about this is it's made in Italy.

Look at the uniform lines of the spiral.

They're almost perfect, aren't they? Do you like that?

It's very pretty, yeah. Is it collectable at all?

Yes, it's a scent bottle,

scent bottles - A, are collectable, B, it's Murano.

What's the best on this? How about being really kind to us?

-Really kind?

-Yeah.

-£50.

-Not a 45?

-No.

-Really?

-Really.

-At £50, have we got a fighting chance?

-You have, yes, you have.

It's a good thing. Like it. What do you want to do?

Go for it, I think.

It's quality.

It's a bit of quality again, isn't it? What do you think?

TIM: What's it to be, Olga?

-You're still in...

-No.

-I'm not a...

-No! Olga said no.

-I'm sorry!

-We could come back.

-Let's go on, come on. We've spent enough time here.

-Lovely.

Might see you later.

Olga is certainly taking the lead in this team, I see.

Best foot forward, hey?

-Photo frames?

-No.

-No, not your thing?

-No.

-Olga, what do you think?

-Hmm...No.

-No?

-No.

Well, what do they say? One team's trash is another team's treasure.

Hello, could we have a look at this, please? And look at that box!

-Lovely case, isn't it?

-Beautiful. It doesn't really matter what's in it.

It doesn't! I don't care what's in it. It might be empty.

-It is lovely.

-Oh!

-Oh, that's pretty.

-It is.

Now, sadly, some silvering and the mirror's gone.

It's all original, silk-lined. It's a little manicure set.

-You would put the powder in these boxes.

-Right.

Buffing powder.

This, covered in this lovely chamois leather

and you buff up your nails with that.

Lovely.

-The whole thing is there and it's original.

-Beautiful.

-It's really pretty.

-Do you fancy a go at this?

-Yes, should we give it a go?

-Yeah.

Excuse me, sir.

What is your very best price for these very lovely ladies?

-£35.

-It does?

-£35 is the very best.

-35?

-No, I'm sorry.

£35, that is the very best.

It wasn't expensively marked in the first place.

What do you think?

I think it's lovely. The damage is this silk here and the mirror.

Yeah.

-And that's the only damage.

-It's a pretty thing.

The case is lovely.

£30 and we have a chance.

I don't think we'd do at £35.

-Um...

-Please?

-OK, I'll take £30.

-Thank you so much.

-Thank you.

-Three happy ladies.

-Thank you. Please! That is beautiful.

-It's a really nice piece.

Well done, ladies.

TIM: It'll be interesting to see

how the manicure set does at auction later.

Will the blues rue the day they overlooked it?

The Reds really have the bit between their teeth now.

They've certainly put their stamp on this shop.

That is lovely, that.

-Silver mounted. Here, can you see the silver marks?

-Beautiful.

That's silver mounted. Just thinking, on somebody's desk.

Can we just move these a little? That's a nice quality, it's lovely.

-It's lovely, isn't it?

-You are a good spotter, and you?

I'd like to shop with you a lot!

I just think for somebody's desk, so decorative.

Very nice. Just check that the bottles are in order.

-There's a little knock on that.

-What a shame!

It's at the back, which is a good thing.

I think it's a good-looking...

Every single piece of silver on there is all hallmarked.

Yes, you can see.

Each tiny piece.

The only thing, we are not knocking it, but it just has been knocked.

It has damage, yes.

It has that damage but each single bit is hallmarked

and it's a really quality piece.

What is the absolute "ssh" on it, please?

-Please be...

-£95.

-It's a nice lot.

-It is.

-What about £90?

Ooh!

-Yes.

-Ooh!

-Girls, do you want it?

-Yes, let's do it.

-Brilliant.

-So kind. Thank you very much.

Thank you. So, that's £150 for me. Goody!

I'm going to go shopping, bye!

TIM: Hold your horses, Caroline.

I haven't handed over the leftover lolly yet.

Well done, Reds. All done and dusted inside 30 minutes.

The pressure to perform is back on the Blues.

Hang on! What's Olga spotted? I thought she wanted something pretty.

So, a copper coal scuttle.

With brass handles and Delft style handles.

-Is that quite unusual?

-Hmm.

It's not common. It's not uncommon.

I quite like the solder around here.

What have you got on this?

-£30.

-£30.

-How old do you think it is?

-Um, 1920s.

Of course, this is helmet shaped.

Because if I turn it over the other way, it looks like a Greek helmet.

-It does.

-Doesn't it? Do you like it?

-I actually quite like it.

Why do you like it? Do you like the shape?

It just looks like it's elegant to put by the fireplace.

-You'd be setting quite a rules area.

-Exactly.

-Would you take £20 for it?

-What do you think?

-Can you do it £20?

-Course I would, to you.

-Of course he would, of course he says "I would."

-Fantastic.

-Do you want to buy it?

-Yes, please.

-Coal scuttle at 20? Yes, please.

-Second item done.

-Thank you very much, thank you.

-That was quick.

-Well done.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you so much.

TIM: A quick decision, yes.

But that's just over 40 minutes gone with still one item remaining.

Now it seems photographer Olga has found her own focus.

-We may have to send in Steve.

-Olga, Olga!

She's not interested. She's just not interested.

Come on, honey. Come on!

-Oh! I love it!

-Do you like it?

-Absolutely love it.

It's silver, with little green eyes to it.

-I absolutely love it.

-Salamander or a lizard.

-Yes.

-Is that up your street?

-Absolutely.

-You would buy that, would you?

-I would buy that.

-It's not broken.

It's perfect. What did you say?

£65.

-60?

-I've already got...

-It's continental.

-I tell you what, I just love it.

-You love it, do you?

Yeah, I would...

The little marker seeds, so these are cut steel simulating diamonds

with paste little green eyes to simulate emeralds

or demantoid garnets, little salamander lizard

and again on a silver setting there.

Isn't it lovely?

-And you can imagine that, you know, on somebody.

-Oh, yes.

-You can imagine it on me.

-Just crawling up.

It's beautiful, yeah. Absolutely love it.

It's lovely. Should we get it? Third and final item.

-Absolutely, definitely.

-You like that?

-Yeah, it's good.

-Sold.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much.

That's it. Three items down. I didn't think you'd do it.

Wow, that was lovely. Thank you very much.

Cor, when our teams put their mind to it,

there really is no stopping them.

Well done, teams!

The 60 minutes are up. Let's check out what the red team bought.

Stop taking the Mickey, you!

In next to no time,

they got their mitts on the Victorian burr walnut glovebox for just £30.

They bought the leather cased manicure set, also for £30.

The oak and silver ink stand was their final buy at £90.

-Well, that was fun, wasn't it?

-It was fantastic, brilliant.

-And you've spent how much?

-£150.

That is a really good amount of money.

-Which is your favourite piece?

-I think it's the burr walnut box.

-It's beautiful, yeah. Really, good.

-Slightly damaged.

-You agree with that?

-Little bit worried about that, but let's see.

-But is that your favourite?

-No, mine is the manicure set.

-I absolutely love the leather casing. It's great.

-Right.

Anyway, OK. You've spent £150.

I'd like the £150 of leftover lolly

which I hand straight over to the heroine of the piece.

Thank you, Tim.

-What are you going to do with it?

-I've got a few ideas.

-Have you?

We've looked at a lot of things, but I've got a few ideas.

And there's plenty here to choose from. That's the joy of it, isn't it?

Anyway, good luck with your pick. Good luck with your rest.

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

First up, they lavished £85 on the late Victorian figural fireguard.

Then, after much to-ing and fro-ing,

they scooped up the brass and copper coal helmet for £20.

And finally, the lizard brooch was netted for a splendid £65.

Well, you lovely lot, you've just finished. What a relief that is.

-Now, was she definite or was she definite, Tom?

-Oh, was she definite!

-No mucking about, right?

-I loved it, I loved the directness.

-Yes.

OK, which is your favourite piece, Olga?

-I think the brooch is my favourite.

-It's your favourite?

OK, what about you, do you agree with that?

I would say the fireguard.

The fireguard is your favourite favourite?

And is that going to bring the biggest profit?

-No, we don't think so.

-Yeah, we think it's going to be a bucket.

The coal scuttle.

-It sounds a little bit better than...

-Bucket!

-Bucket.

-The coal scuttle.

Fine, the coal scuttle is your prediction for the best profit.

-How much did you spend all-round?

-£170.

That is absolutely brilliant.

I'd like £130 of leftover lolly, please. Thank you.

-Hand it over to our man.

-Thank you.

What are you going to do with that then, Tom Tom?

With these two, it's got to be quality and it's got to be stylish.

-Otherwise you're in trouble, right?

-Am I in trouble?

You're in trouble! Anyway, relax up now.

Meanwhile, we're going to have a little look at something I found earlier.

What does this look like?

Standard set of bellows, right?

Inflate the bellows, give it a puff, inflate the bellows, give it a puff.

Embers in a fireplace, log bursts into flame

and everybody is happy, right?

Well, I would advise you to look again.

Because if you look at the timber that's been used on these bellows,

it ain't oak, it ain't mahogany, it isn't walnut.

It's actually teak.

And you'd only use teak for bellows like this

in a special circumstance.

Where is teak used?

To construct ships, to lay teak decks,

to have teak outdoor furniture

because teak doesn't rot very easily.

That's why the bellows bit of this thing is made of teak

because this was designed to go to sea.

And that is why it has got this blunderbuss,

this tapering horn type shaft at the end

and if I unscrew that from the very nice cast brass central spigot,

it reveals inside the thread a little sounding tube

because this thing, in the middle of the 19th century,

before you had any electricity on ships,

would have been used to warn other shipping in foggy conditions

that you were coming close by and somebody would stand in the bows

and give it a great big hoot, like this.

HORN HOOTS LOUDLY

Well, not exactly, actually,

because the leather has perished on this particular bellows foghorn

but it is a model which is known and is today extremely collectable.

It is called a Triton bellows foghorn

and examples can be found in marine collectable sales.

The latest one of which happened in New York last year

and guess how much an identical Triton pattern bellows foghorn made

in that specialist sale.

Would you believe it? 2,100.

That is about £1,250.

So, £50 up the road there in Norwich, £1,250 at auction in New York.

Is that something to blow your trumpet about?

Well, let's see if our teams have anything to sound off about

when their items go up for sale over at the auction house.

Well, it's always a treat to come to TW Gaze's saleroom in Diss in Norfolk

and of course to see Elizabeth Talbot.

-It's a treat to have you here, Tim. Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

Now, for the red team, they've got some pretty good lots, I think.

£30 paid for the this burr walnut glove box.

It's certainly got the patination of its years, hasn't it?

It has and actually I like that.

A lot of boxes these days that come through the auction

have been through the hands of well-meaning restorers

and that can actually knock something off their charm.

I think it's better for being nice and honest.

-Exactly. How much?

-£40-£60.

-Perfect.

That is a perfectly patinated price because they only paid £30.

-Excellent.

-That's good, isn't it? So that's all right.

Now, if you fancy doing up your nails big time,

but not terribly desirable in today's market, is it?

No, I suppose it fits nicely into the vintage fashion element

of the market which is quite strong at the moment.

-Yeah.

-And the box is lovely, actually.

-I think it's beautifully made.

-Yes, so how much?

-£35-£45.

Perfect, they paid £30 which is the right price.

So they paid exactly the right money, retail, for two objects here

so I'm already warming to this team.

Very good.

And lastly we've got what I call the corporation style inkwell.

That could be on the mayor's desk, couldn't it?

-It is quite robust, isn't it?

-It is robust.

Particularly that handle that sits there with a bar on the top

saying, "I'm not to be messed with, me."

So, very robust, very angular, very workmanlike

but with solid silver mounts.

Absolutely, and very practical.

Yeah, bung your pen on there

and anybody who likes a bit of fountain pen work

can use it to refill.

And how much is it worth?

Well, we've put £80 to £120 on that.

-And it could make £150, it could make £180, couldn't it?

-It might do.

-Quite reasonable, yes.

-Quite reasonable.

-And our lot paid £80.

-Very good.

-So I give "dix points" to this team.

I think they've done absolutely brilliantly

and deserve to make a whopping great profit

in which case they won't need their bonus buy

but we're going to have a look at it anyway.

Now, girls, this is a nice moment, isn't it?

You spent £150. Caroline, over to you, darling.

Ooh! Here we are, are you ready? Are you ready, ladies?

-Whoo!

-Oh, my goodness gracious.

-Suits you.

-Do you like it?

-Dear, oh, dear.

-That's interesting.

-That's different.

Isn't it just gorgeous? It is lined in gold lame.

-That must've taken you ages to make.

-I'm exhausted!

It is 1980s/'90s vintage evening coat

and it is just so stunning.

-Different.

-Different.

-It is!

-Terrible.

-Would you wear it?

-Um... I don't...

-I don't think...

-Would you wear it?

-Not in the Lake District.

-Tim, would you wear it?

-Definitely not.

-I don't know what it would look like with the wellies on.

It's for dressing up, isn't it? Stage, isn't it?

Well, you could wear it on stage

but you could also wear it to a really glamorous party

over a little black dress.

-Could you?!

-Yeah! I would.

-Would you?!

What sort of parties do you go to?

-Well, I don't know.

-I love it and I have faith.

-Well, much was it?

-How much was it?

That's the million-dollar question. It wasn't 1 million, it was £55.

-Oh, that's not so bad, is it?

-I think it might make £80. £60-£80.

I wonder whether the people from the pantomime are in today.

-They might like it.

-Anyway, are you happy?

-Yes.

-I think it's fab.

-Very lovely, very different.

-Very interesting.

-OK, super.

On that happy note, why don't we find out

what the auctioneer thinks about Caroline's gown.

Well, here we go, Elizabeth. A little something for you to dress up in.

This would be perfect for the midst of Diss. I like this, yes.

TIM LAUGHS

You'd get arrested, wouldn't you,

if you went down your high street in this?

Nobody would bat an eyelid.

So, if you were dressing up for your Oscar Wilde revival party

and you went to a theatrical costumier

to hire an outfit like this,

it would cost you £50 to hire it for the night, wouldn't it?

That would just be the deposit probably, to be fair.

Well, there you are.

Whereas here, you could, according to Caroline, buy it for £55.

What would you sell it for?

We're hoping to agree with her because we put £50-£80 on it.

Really? A lot of dressing up goes on in the countryside?

-I don't like to spread too many rumours, but a fair bit.

-Yeah.

SHE LAUGHS

Say no more.

OK, that's it for the reds and now for the blues.

-They've gone all metallic on us.

-Yes.

They've gone and bought this figural spark guard.

Yes, lacking its utensils and fire irons.

It would have been hung with them at the back

so all we have is literally the...

-Oh, I see. So no fire irons.

-No.

-Well, it's quite funky.

-Yes.

-And unusual even though it's lacking its irons.

-Yes.

-How much?

-An optimistic £50 to £80.

OK, £85 paid, so we're on the money.

Next is the helmet-shaped coal helmet.

How do you rate that?

It's brass and copper, but it is very tinny.

I don't like it. No quality. Decorative.

I don't like the ceramic handles, do you?

-No, it's quite straightforward, really. Practical.

-It's practical.

-And not worth much.

-No. £20-£30.

-Well, they only paid £20.

So they paid the right money for that. Good.

And then we've got old lizard face down here.

-Pardon?

-My least favourite object.

At the time, it was a very stylish thing to have,

reptiles and insects in jewellery,

so I think it could actually replicate

people's appreciation of that vintage period.

Clearly.

All the marcasite seems to be in good order. It's a dramatic piece.

-And on a little black number, Tim, you might be persuaded.

-Might I?

SHE LAUGHS

I haven't got many of those little black numbers.

-So what's your estimate?

-£35-£45.

Oh, dear, that's not so much. £65 paid.

So, you see, if there is a dark hole, that is

the one that they're going to fall into with the reptiles.

And they will need their bonus buy so let's go and have a look at it.

-Stephen, Olga, this is your big moment, right.

-Ready?

Ready for this?

Well, I had you in mind, Olga, through all of this.

-It is from Imperial Russia.

-Really?

-With love?

-It is, yeah, from Russia with love.

It is a piece of Imperial porcelain, so before the revolution.

It is beautiful.

And like all things Russian, it's shiny, it's glitzy,

it's glamorous and it's detailed, just like you.

I didn't spend all the money, it was two figures, £90.

If you get the internet bids happening from Russia

it could actually do quite well.

-You could get three figures easily.

-Do you like it?

-Yes, very much.

Does it give you a little pulse from the motherland?

-Not really, no.

-Oh!

OK, fine. No pulse from the motherland.

I came from St Petersburg, there aren't any palm trees there.

No palm trees in St Petersburg. That is a dead cert. OK, good.

Right now let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Tom's pot.

-What they used to call a bud vase, isn't it?

-Yes.

I mean, in the shape of a bud and you'd have a little single...

Just one little flower.

I think this is really, really charming.

Exquisite detail on such a small piece.

I think it's lost something from the top.

Perhaps a flared neck or a slightly taller neck.

But the charming thing is that somebody valued that sufficiently

not then to discard it, so it's still here to be appreciated.

So what is your estimate?

Well, we put £60-£80 on it because we don't see much Russianware

and there are some very enthusiastic collectors out there

who hopefully will take an interest.

£60-£80 is the estimate, £90 paid by Thomas Plant

and he knows his onions when it comes to this Russian stuff

-so we'll have to cross our legs and hope for the best.

-Indeed.

-Have a jolly good cross.

-Yes, I will do.

-Lovely.

£50, all done.

-Now, Claire, Diane, how are you feeling?

-Nervous.

-Are you?

-Yeah.

-And excited.

-Are you?

-And excited.

-Yes.

So, Claire, have you got any particular problem

with any particular object?

Do you know, I like them all.

-Yeah.

-I really do, so I'm happy.

Well, unusually, I am able to report that the auctioneer

-pretty well likes all your objects too.

-Oh, good.

She thinks the Victorian wee box with its very original colour

hasn't been tarted up and it's exactly as it should be.

-You paid £30. She has put £40-£60 on it.

-Oh, that's good.

Because it ticks all her boxes for originality, which is lovely.

The manicure set, she hasn't seen a better-looking box in years.

Then, if all else fails, you've got that hideous coat.

-I mean, you've got that...

-Tim!

-My gold lame evening coat.

-The gold lame to fall back on.

-Yes.

-Well, well. Yeah.

-Yeah? All right, lovely.

So, first up then is your Victorian bound box and here it comes.

Lot 128, Victorian burr walnut brass-bound glove box.

It is in lovely condition there.

Nice original patination to that one.

30 to start. 30 bid. Thank you.

-30 I have. I'll take 32.

-That's what you paid.

At 32 is the lady. 35, 38, new bidder.

40 is now standing bid with the gentleman. 42 is the lady. 45.

48 is bid.

-I'm looking for 50 now.

-I'm loving it.

-At the £48.

-£48.

Are you all done at 48?

£48. You're plus £18 at a stroke.

Now here comes the manicure set.

Lot 129, the leather-cased manicure set.

It's a lovely box this, actually, with nice contents there.

-It's really lovely, isn't it?

-It's really nice.

-Start at £22.

£22, 25, 28, 32, 35, 38, 42.

45, 48, 55.

60 is now the gentleman ahead of me in the room.

-We've got 55.

-Wow.

At 60, I'll take 65. At £60, the gentleman's bid. Any advance?

£60 is plus £30, which means you're plus £48.

-Can this be true?

-I can't believe it.

Can this be a dream?

-Now, the ink stand.

-Here we go.

-Look out, girls.

-Sheffield 1910.

Interest on the sheet shown here

-and I start at £32.

-What?

32 I have. At 32 I have, I'll take 35.

35, 38, 42,

45, 48,

50, 55, 60, 65, 70 in pink.

75. 80 is now upstairs, I'm out.

-It's £80, the lady in the gallery.

-Oh, come on.

-It could still make more.

-Come on.

At £80 on the ink stand. Surely worth more.

-Are you all done at £80?

-No!

-Aw.

-£80.

-Well...

-That's a shocker.

-I can't believe that.

-Minus £10.

-Aw.

-I mean, I can't tell you, I'm shattered, guys.

-I am.

There we are - minus £10. You've done very well.

You had a profit of £48, you've now got a profit of £38.

Now, are you going to risk some of that £38

in going with the old lame job or what's the plan?

-Hmm.

-What do you think?

-It's a high-risk strategy.

-I'm afraid not.

-No.

-I don't think so.

-You think not?

-No, that's absolutely fine.

-Is that all right?

-Are you sure?

-Of course it's all right.

-You are not going with the bonus buy.

-We are not.

But we're going to sell it anyway.

Stand by for the Jimi Hendrix coat.

-Yes.

-We might kick ourselves, Claire.

Lot 134, the vintage evening coat.

See you about town in this this evening. Start me at 50.

Come on, £50.

Party season is upon us. £50, surely.

£20, 20 bid. 20 at the front, I'll take 22.

It's £20 bid now. You can't let it go for that.

Surely worth more. At £20.

22. Go on, it matches your eyes, sir. 25.

At 25 is the front. Downstairs at 25. Is that all it's worth at 25?

-Can I not tempt you? 28, gentleman.

-Oh!

-Here we go.

At £28, the gentleman in the middle. Bid at 28. Any advance on 28?

-£28 is £2 off £30.

-Aw!

-30, 40, 55.

-I'm in a league of my own.

-Never mind, darling.

-Minus £27.

Anyway, you didn't go with it, which is perfect.

You are plus £38, which could easily be a winning score.

-Ooh!

-So, I applaud you. Well done.

-Thank you.

Don't say a word to the blues.

Now, Stephen, Olga, do you know what the reds did?

-No.

-No.

-You don't?

-No, not at all.

-All right.

Are you nervous, you two, or something?

-A little.

-Yeah.

-A little.

-Air of expectation, I guess.

-Is that what it is?

Well, let's have a look at the auctioneer's estimates.

You got that fireguard, right? Modelled as a girl.

Very unusual but missing its irons behind.

Apparently she says that's a bit of a killer.

That's why she has put £50-£80 on it.

The coal helmet you only paid £20 for.

OK, it's not very old, it's not very good quality,

but she's estimated it at £20-£30,

so you might make a good profit on that if she's right.

And then the marcasite lizard brooch, which I've been very rude about.

-Really?

-You didn't like it, did you?

-I didn't.

-£35-£45 she put on that, at £65 paid.

-Oh, dear.

OK. Now, first up is your fireguard, which is very unusual.

And here it comes.

Lot 150 now.

The late Victorian figural fireguard

modelled as a woman wearing a large dress.

Interest on the sheet shown and I start here at £48.

£48 I do have on commission.

And 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75.

-With me at 75.

-Oh, go on. One more, one more, one more.

I have a 75. 80 is the internet.

85, 90 bid, 95 I have.

-100 is in the room.

-She's got 100! That's marvellous.

110, 120, 130, 140, 150.

140. 150!

-150. With me at 150, corner bid.

-Hey, Olga.

At 150 now. Am I missing anybody else?

Are you all done?

Well done, Thomas. That's marvellous.

85 is 15. That is plus £65.

-Oh, my gosh.

-Now, the helmet.

Lot 151 we have the early 20th-century

brass and copper helmet there.

Start me at 20.

Come on, £20 on this one.

10 I'll take. 10 at the front, 12 bid.

15, 18, 20, 22.

22 in the red chair.

-We're in profit. Thank God for that.

-Anybody else?

-Oh, sorry. 28, 30.

-It's going on.

32. 32 is now gallery at 32. I'll take 35.

Any advance on the £32?

£32. That is so good. That's plus £12, so that means you are £77.

Now, old lizard face.

We have the 1920s marcasite lizard brooch.

It's a lovely piece, this one.

I do have interest on the sheet shown and I start at £30.

32, 35, 38, 40, 42, 45,

48 and 50.

55, 60, 65, I'm out.

Any advance on £65 downstairs?

£65. Shows what I know about anything. Well done, wiped its face.

-Plus £77.

-Did it wipe its face?

-It wiped its face.

-Wiped its face.

-£65.

-I don't believe it. I'm so pleased.

-Yeah, me, I'm so pleased too.

Now, what are you going to do about the porcelain pot?

Because you have £77, all right?

Are you going to risk the £77 or what are you going to do?

-You're keeping very tight-lipped.

-He can't say a word.

-I can't say a word.

-The rules say he can't guide you.

You have to make your own mind up. I can't guide you, he can't.

You've got to make your mind up.

-What do you want to do, Stevie?

-You make a decision.

I think we should stick.

-OK.

-Because it's damaged.

-OK.

-So, you're not going to go with it?

-No.

-No.

-OK, fine, you're going to pass it?

-It's a pretty thing.

We like it but not sure it can make money.

You love it cos it's Russian but you're not going to go with it.

-Not going with it?

-No, we're sticking.

OK, we're not going with the bonus buy

but we're going to sell it anyway and here comes.

The Imperial Russian ovoid porcelain vase, beautifully painted.

It's the little piece at the front here. Lovely detail on this one.

I start here with interest at £48.

£48 is bid on my sheets, at 48. May I say 50?

-Not on the internet.

-At £48, come on. It's worth more.

-There's no bidding anywhere.

-50 bid,

55 and 60 and 65 and 70 and 75.

80 and 85. I've lost you in the room. 85 is on my sheet.

-I've lost you in the corner. 85 now. Where's 90?

-It's close, Tom.

-Go on.

-At 85.

-It's close.

£85 she's sold it at. That is a £5 loss.

-Well, you called it right.

-£5. You called it right.

-It was a lovely thing.

-Well done.

-You did call it right.

Well done, you two. You are so cool. Anyway, there we are.

You are plus £77. Right, that is folding money.

I bet you didn't think you were going to win £77 today, did you?

-No.

-Not at all.

-You didn't, did you?

-On the way home, we said, "We've bought a load of toot."

-Did you?

And now look what's happened. You've made £77 profit.

That could be a winning score. Don't say a word to the reds

and all will be revealed in a moment.

-Lovely.

-Thank you very much. Good play.

-Thank you. Thank you, Tom. Well done, mate.

-Thank you.

Well, there are tremendous similarities between our teams today.

Both teams didn't go with the bonus buy.

HE LAUGHS

That was quite wise.

Both teams are taking home substantial folding money profits.

Ooh!

I'm doling out double lots of profits

and the team that is marginally behind in the profit stakes

are the reds.

-Aw.

-Aw.

-Aw.

-Petals.

-You're going to go home with £38.

-Thank you.

-Brilliant.

-How lovely is it? £38.

-Thank you.

-That is a serious number, isn't it?

-It's fantastic.

-Yeah. Had a nice time?

-Fabulous, yeah.

-We had a great day, yeah.

Lovely to see you too. OK, great.

Now, the winners who go home with the most cash, though,

are the Blues, with £77.

Look at that.

-There you go. You pleased with that, Olga?

-Oh, very much so.

Oh, so are we, I tell you. It's lovely doling out the cash.

And because you've made a profit on two of your items

and have a wiped face,

I'm allowed to enter you into ancient and noble order of the Golden Gavel

by presenting you, Olga, with one of these.

And there is one for your collection, Thomas.

-Well, there's not very many in my collection, I have to say.

-Rubbish.

-Anyway, have you had a nice time, Olga?

-Yes, very much so.

-Very much so. And what about you, Stephen?

-Fantastic. Wonderful time.

-Lovely. Thomas, congratulations.

-Thank you.

It's been a treat having you on the show.

In fact, join us soon for some more bargain hunting, yes?

Yes!