Anglesey 18 Bargain Hunt

It's a tad grey and gloomy

and certainly windy here in North Wales today.

Normally though, Snowdonia behind me is a spectacular backdrop

and lovely for a getaway.

But still, no time for any holidaymaking today, oh, no -

let's go bargain hunting! Yeah!

Anglesey is an island surrounded by water - what do you know?

Well, let's hope that our teams today aren't going to be

all at sea as they shop at the fair on the Mona showground.

Let's have a quick peek as to what's coming up, shall we?

Today, the Reds learn that size isn't everything.

It beats mine, doesn't it? Mine's pathetic!

Use your own.

-Thank you, anyway!

-But will our expert get these Blues to agree?

-I love those colours.

-OK.

-Debbie, are we all are of one mind?

-I LIKE it...

I don't like it enough to buy it.

'And we prove that there are still gems out there to uncover.'

BOTH: Yes!

Yes!

'But who will win the day?'

Well, that's what's to come, but first, let's meet the teams.

So, it's a mixture of family and friends today,

because we have happily married couple Jeanette and Paul

for the Reds and we have friends Debbie and Pam for the Blues.

-Hello, everyone.

-ALL: Hello!

-Lovely to see you.

Now, you're a hospitable couple, you run a B&B. Tell us about that.

Yep - we run a B&B in Llandudno, North Wales,

and I'm sort of supposedly front of house, doing my Basil impression.

-So you do the meet and greet? Do you carry the bags up?

-Yes, if need be.

I try and get them to do it, saves my back!

-And you do the cookery, Jeanette?

-I do the cooking and the beds.

As if this B&B wasn't enough, Jeanette, you also have another job.

I do, I work at a well-known high street store, your very own shop...

-Yeah...

-Is that the one that begins with M and finishes in S?

That's the one!

I work in the food hall and I do the customer orders and things.

What do you do with all the cash that you earn on this job?

That goes to the holiday fund,

because we have some lovely holidays with that.

We've done the Panama Canal on a beautiful

cruise for Paul's 50th birthday.

Started off in Barbados and ended up in Acapulco.

-That's spoiling you, isn't it?

-Absolutely fabulous, yes.

Now, you have to level with the Blues here,

because you're pretty pro hunting bargains between you, aren't you?

Well, I had a small antique shop, collectables shop a few years ago.

-See, he's a trader, really. Why did you give it up?

-Well...

-My fault!

-We moved to a hotel!

-Yeah! Blame HER!

That's the simple answer.

-So you'll be on your mettle today, Paul.

-Fingers crossed.

-Lovely couple, good luck today.

-Thank you.

-What fun.

Debs, alongside Paul's expertise, you're also a bit of an expert.

I wouldn't say an expert, but as a little girl my father had

-two second-hand furniture/antique shops.

-She's a dealer!

-I'm not a dealer!

-I'm surrounded by dealers!

Two shops!

I was a little girl and I didn't pay attention.

I used to play with all the antique jewellery

-and polish up the furniture...

-Did you enjoy those days?

-Very much.

-You're also a speed demon.

-A little bit, yes.

You've done more than 150mph in a Porsche, haven't you?

Yes, 165mph on a speed bowl.

I was being driven, I didn't drive it myself.

We were going round and round on the speed bowl

and the driver just took his hands off the wheel and folded his arms.

In fact, it got a bit boring and I asked

-if we could move on to the off-road handling!

-165mph is a bit boring?

After you've been round three times, yes! "OK, had enough of that now!"

I don't know! Now, Pam - you're keen on your travels.

-I lived in Italy for 26 years.

-What part of Italy?

-I was in Sicily for five years. Mafia country.

-With the bandits.

-Absolutely.

-You met a few pop-stars when you were there?

When I was in Milan working in the hotels I met Donovan and Westlife.

-You two both work together.

-BOTH: Yes.

-What do you do?

We have 33 narrow boats that we look after on the housekeeping side.

-Pam is actually my line manager...

-Right.

The people that own the marina asked if I could help them one day,

six years ago!

I'm still there and that's because of Pam,

-because we work so well together.

-We do indeed.

-We have such fun.

And that's why you're on Bargain Hunt. For more fun!

-And you're going to make lots of profits?

-Of course.

-I hope so!

I hope so, too.

Anyway, your £300 moment is coming up - here's your £300.

£300. You know the rules. Your experts await and off you go!

Very, very, very good luck. I long to go on a narrow boat myself.

Which experts will be steering our teams today?

There will be no time to stop for a cup of tea for our Reds expert,

it's Christina Trevanion.

And "who you gonna call" when you need help with your bargain hunting?

It's Paul Laidlaw.

Tell me about our tactics today - what are we looking for?

Something that might be hiding under a table that no-one else has

-spotted.

-Have we a strategy for our mooching and buying today?

Something we like that's quirky, affordable.

-Let's see what happens.

-OK.

-I think that sounds like a very good idea. Let's go for it.

-OK.

-Something unusual and something that you could use, possibly.

-OK.

OK. Well, that's wide open. Wide open I love!

Thataway, bargains! Come on.

Yes, and we'll keep our eyes wide open too - from a comfy chair,

of course.

-Oh, that's lovely.

-Different.

-Beautiful.

-Brown.

It is very nice. And it's Elm,

which is a quite unusual wood to make a corner chair out of.

-But it's £185.

-That's a lot of money.

-I'm not sure you'd get that back.

-No. It's nice to look at.

Very much so.

We know what the price is straightaway. It's £88.

It's a Victorian walnut portable writing desk.

-That leather is original.

-That's something.

-That's not bad.

We'd need it to be 40 if you wanted to run with it.

To make anything on it.

At auction, on a good day, you'd buy that for 30 or £40,

so it's plausible.

If you want to ask, it will be a quick yes or no. It's up to you.

-I think it's worth an ask.

-OK.

So while the Blues try to get a decent deal on the writing desk,

what is Christina serving up for the Reds?

I think it's some sort of serving or slice, isn't that pretty?

Something you put underneath a piece of cake to serve it?

I've never seen one with a curled handle like that.

-That's really pretty.

-£7!

It stamped EPNS, so it's electroplated nickel silver,

not solid silver.

Electroplated nickel silver actually comprises a copper alloy

made of nickel and often zinc as the core

and then plated electrically with a thin deposit of silver, hence EPNS.

I think that's really pretty. What do you think? I think that's lovely.

How old is it, do you think?

I'd say that style of decoration is early 20th century, going

from the Art Nouveau period to a slightly more rigid Art Deco period.

I'd say you're looking at 1900, 1910. It is only EPNS, though.

-Well, you didn't want to spend much money, did you?

-No. Well, I don't.

Go on, then - see what you can do to slice that price.

Now, have the Blues managed to close the deal on the desk?

-I like the rounded top on it.

-Me too.

-No, not the right price.

-That's fine.

-Keep going. But you tried. Good on you!

-Okey-doke.

-Who wants to do the dealing? Do you want me to do it, or you?

-You go.

-I'm easy.

-You go!

-No, you have a go!

-All right, then.

-Go and say...

-Go in slightly cheeky.

-OK!

-Um, I really like this...

-No, you don't! No, you don't really like it!

-It's awful, it's only EPNS.

-I'll just make a slight amendment!

It's too cheap! Hang on...

77!

You like it a lot more now!

-Do you think you'd let me have that for about three pounds, then?

-No.

-How much is it, 77?

-No, seven, you noodle!

-77!

A fiver.

-Do you think?

-Can you do any more?

-No!

-Go on!

-No less than a fiver.

-That's my minimum price.

-I think that's fair.

It would be great to get it cheaper, but £5...

Shake the man's hand.

-One down. Well done, team.

-Thank you, guv.

You can only lose a fiver on that!

That's true, but also not make a massive profit, even if

you double your money.

Well done, Reds - that's your first item and we're 20 minutes in,

so you Blues need to sniff something out swiftly to keep up.

-The little boxes.

-What have we got?

It's a little 19th-century Dutch drum snuff, to be honest with you.

It's a sweet little box.

Snuff is a fine powder milled from pulverised tobacco leaves

and often flavoured with aromatics.

When snorted or sniffed, it delivers a swift tobacco hit.

(What's it worth?)

£20 or £30 at an auction on a bad day.

It's a circular box - the most difficult type of box to make,

as you know, because it's round

and to get the top to close like that one is 100%.

It's Dutch, around about 100 years old.

-What would be your very best?

-I could let YOU have it for 30.

-VENDOR: It's a gift!

-I don't think it is.

-No, I don't.

The world is full of little silver boxes. Not all as good as that...

-No, no.

-They're not easy. Is there a compromise in between the two?

20, 30... Is 25 a possibility?

-Oh, oh! I've just bought it - are you all right?

-Go on, then.

-You'll definitely make money, I assure you.

-I hope so.

-You own...

-A little box!

-Well done, Blues.

You boxed clever there and got a smashing deal on that one.

Now the Reds. Are you set to get a bargain?

That's really pretty.

-Interesting shape.

-They're lovely, aren't they? I like that.

-I think what we've got here is...

-A dessert set or something?

A fruit salad set, exactly. I love the shape. Oh, isn't that pretty?

Feet. Staffordshire, as well.

Absolutely, so it's a pottery rather than a porcelain.

-We don't know how old?

-I'd say this is about 1930s, 1940s.

-It's got crackling in it, but that's in the glaze, isn't it?

-Absolutely.

-Well, in the bowl especially we've got crazing.

-There's no chips.

Let's check the bowls.

Brentleigh Art Deco seven-piece fruit set. There we go - £35,

it's marked up at. That doesn't seem unreasonable.

I'd like to see it a little bit less.

If it came in to me at auction I would put maybe 20, £30 on it.

So if we got it for about 25...

That would be really good.

I think that that would be very generous.

Let's see what he wants for it. Good morning, sir. My name is Christina.

-Hello, Christina - Ken.

-Nice to meet you, Ken.

We were just looking at the fruit set here.

We noticed there's some crazing and staining to the bowl here.

We were thinking, although at £35 it's a fair price,

-would there be anything off that?

-Yes, I think I can go probably to 30.

We were just hoping for maybe a little bit more

movement in the price, if possible.

-I think I can probably go to 23.

-23?

-23.

-Excellent.

-Are you happy with that?

-Yes, you?

-Yeah.

I think that's very, very kind. I think you should bite his hand off.

-Thank you very much!

-Ken, you're a star.

-Good!

All set then, for the auction.

Uh-oh - you've got one item left to find.

Now, what's going on with these Blues,

who are still stuck at the same stall?

-There.

-Oh, right!

Pick that up, tell me if it does anything for you.

If it does nothing for you, we move on.

Where does it come from and when?

-Any ideas?

-Oriental looking, but...

Specifically Chinese, I think.

-Pagodas...

-Yes...

A Chinese gentleman on his horse here.

He's got a little bearer running behind him,

carrying something, a pot of flowers on his head, by the looks of things!

Mother-of-pearl inlaid hardwood and it's got to be 150 years old.

It could be mid-19th century.

I think that's quite a smart period object.

-However, you'll have read the price tag...

-Yes, I have.

-It's three times where we need it to be.

-OK.

But...

-I like a challenge!

-We like challenges, don't we, Debs?

-Yeah.

Ask me what I think it's worth, I'll say 50 to 80 is

probably as cautious as auctioneers would want to be.

-Want to go for it?

-Yes!

We're back!

The Chinese inlaid tray - everyone's, "Oh, Chinese, Chinese",

but they're not buying these pieces that were made for the West.

If possible, and it's a big ask...

-£40.

-40?! You're harder than me. Make it 50...

-Just because it's you.

-Thank you, sir.

-Wonderful!

-Thank you very much!

-Well,

let's hope it serves you up a profit.

Now, both teams have got two items and we're in the final 15 minutes.

Oh, that's nice.

-Is it silver?

-It looks like silver, yes.

We've also got a bit of gold on there, as well.

-Some semiprecious stones.

-There's a lot of work in that.

Isn't that pretty?

That's a sign of quality, really, a nice hand-wrought piece.

-Have you got your eyeglass?

-I'll get mine.

How about my monster?!

-Oh, my goodness! Where did that come from?!

-I take it with me everywhere!

It beats mine! Mine's pathetic!

LAUGHTER

See if you can find a maker's mark on there.

I love it, that's brilliant!

"Always be prepared!" You must have been a Brownie.

I wasn't even a Boy Scout.

I can't see anything. You have a look, Christina. Use my big monster.

-Do you know what, I think I'll use...

-Use your own!

Thank you, anyway! But I can't see any maker's mark, sadly,

but everything that I'm looking at is a sign of quality.

We can tell it's a natural citrine rather than being

a piece of glass, because we've got some natural,

-what we call needle-like inclusions within the stone.

-OK, right.

If it was glass, you'd expect to see maybe a few air bubbles or no inclusions at tall.

Citrine is a variety of pale yellow quartz

and natural citrines are really quite rare.

The ones produced commercially are purple amethysts which have

been heat-treated to turn them yellow. Tricky!

It's a really nice cut.

-Can you see that star on there?

-Yes, it's very pretty.

Rather than being flat... That's really quite pretty. I like that.

What other stones have we got in there?

We've got a little pearl in there...

Possibly a peridot in there.

-I like peridot.

-Bit of chrysoprase, maybe.

The price tag on this one says 150.

If this came in to me at auction I would look at putting

it in at maybe £80-£120.

Maybe a little bit more on a good day,

but I think we have to get it down.

80, then - 80, 90.

Yes, if you could get it for 100... That would be brilliant.

-We may stand a chance.

-OK.

Excuse me... Hello!

We've just been admiring some beautiful pieces on your stall.

We were just looking at this piece here which I think is marked up

at 150.

-Is there any flexibility in the price at all?

-125.

We were hoping more around the £100 mark. Is that possible at all?

Obviously we don't want to be cheeky, but we need to be realistic.

If you could do it for the 100, that would be brilliant.

-Oh, give me two nice smiles!

-Ah! Grin - grin now!

She's a saleswoman extraordinaire!

-I think that's good.

-Are we all done?

-Yes, please.

-Thank you ever so much.

-That's really kind.

You see? A smile goes a long way in this business.

That's it for the Reds.

Now, how are the Blues getting on in the final 10 minutes?

This is carnival glass.

Mean anything to you? 19th-century...

Mass produced.

This is moulded glass with metallic lustres introduced,

giving this vivid iridescence.

Used to be a strong market for this and the market was North America.

Called carnival glass because it was sold at carnivals.

-It's popular ornaments for the masses.

-Gosh, really?

Tell me why you like that.

The shape of it and then moving it around,

the way it catches the light.

And I love those colours.

-I love those colours.

-Debbie, are we of one mind... Or...?

I LIKE it, I don't like it enough to buy it, if that's OK, Pam.

But you don't have enough information to make that judgment.

There's a real depth to that.

As I look at that, it feels like

I could sink my hand into it.

Optically, it's a clever piece of work.

Another thing, it actually doesn't look old-fashioned.

I actually think it feels quite modern.

Doesn't look like it's damaged either, does it?

-It's in good condition.

-Give us the price.

I think that's got 20 on it, has it? Or is it 30?

-Is it something scribbled out, 30 scribbled out?

-I'd say it's 20.

LAUGHTER

I'll tell you what it's worth.

It's worth £10 to £20,

but if you did want it, I would back you all the way because I rate it.

As an antidote, we've got a piece next to it which could be Scottish.

Oh, right.

Now we're looking at aventurine glass,

where instead of metallic oxides giving you iridescence

on the outside, we've got raw metal, in this instance copper

inclusions within the glass, giving you a sparkle.

It could be worth £50-£80 in the right quarter

and you could say well, we're going to buy one or the other,

but if the price is right, could we buy the two...

I'm thinking it isn't 25 quid.

Do you think we're going to make a profit on them? That's the...

You're not going to make a killing. There's no killing to be made here.

Um... 20-40, 30-50.

You could double your money.

In Bargain Hunt universe, that's good news!

-You like them, don't you, Pam.

-Yes.

-Go on, then.

-I'll put my neck out.

-Do you think she's capable of pulling off

-this 20 quid or not?

-Yes.

If anybody can do it, Pam can!

-So, has Pam been able to charm the dealer?

-How did you do?

Well, he was asking more, he was going to say 35.

All in all, I managed to get down to...24 for both of them.

-It's up to you.

-Should we do it?

-Yes.

-OK. Yes.

-Deal!

-Yes!

-Well, you did it!

-We got there.

-Ooh! That's original. A clock!

Time must be up.

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

They got their first slice of the action with this nickel-plated

cake server and paid a meagre £5 for it.

Next, they were bowled over with the fruity set for just £23.

And finally, there were smiles all round with this Arts and Crafts

pendant bought for £100.

Now, Jeanette...

-Was that as good as it looked?

-It was lovely, thank you. We had a wonderful time.

-Which is your favourite piece?

-Erm, the little silver cake slice.

And does the husband agree with that?

Very pretty, but it wasn't solid silver,

so I think I would have to go for the pendant.

-Little arts and crafts pendant.

-Yeah, that was pretty.

And how much did you spend?

-£128.

-That would be 172.

-Yeah.

-Thank you, my love.

-That is a substantial wad.

-Brilliant.

-I don't know what you're going to do with it.

-I will do my worst.

You rather like this moment, don't you, Christina?

-Because you can go off and shop.

-I can. It's what I'm born for!

Born to shop! Anyway, good luck.

-Thank you.

-Lovely to see you. Catch up later. Right now, though,

we're going to check out what the Blue team bought, aren't we?

The Blues sniffed out this silver snuff box for a tantalising £25.

Then they managed to slash the price of the Chinese tray to £50.

And finally, they got two for the price of one with these glass bowls,

bought for £24.

So, girls, was that good fun?

-Yes.

-Brilliant.

-Was it?

-What was your favourite piece?

-The tray.

-The tray?

-Yes.

-I think it grows on you.

-Does it?

-Yes.

-Good. Do you agree with that?

I did like the tray,

but my favourite piece was the little silver snuff box.

And is that going to bring the biggest profit?

No, I think the tray probably will.

-Really?

-But the snuff box is lovely.

-That's a prediction, then.

Now, how much did you spend?

-£99.

-Only £99. Dear, oh dear.

-So, I'd like £201, please.

-OK.

Thank you. 200, thank you.

And £1.

Don't know why I bother giving you £300 when you only spend so little.

There you go, Paul Laidlaw.

-Thanks very much.

-That's enough to pay off somebody's small mortgage!

So what are you going to spend it on?

Do you know, I have no idea, but I want to grow these profits,

and I think you've got some already.

Meanwhile, I'm going to show you something

that I found on my travels a little earlier. Ha-ha!

Ooh, we do love a bargain on Bargain Hunt.

And I have to tell you that I really rather rate this little watercolour.

Now, at first glance, it doesn't look much.

It's been ripped out of a frame,

the dealer has probably sold the frame separately,

so you've got bits of glue and ruined card,

but the watercolour inside

is really not too bad,

and what attracted me is the scene itself - a waterfall,

but no ordinary waterfall, because if you look on the back,

it says, "Sketch taken under the American falls of Niagara."

Because Niagara Falls on one side is America, USA,

and on the other side is Canadian.

It then goes on to say,

"The Rock of Ages, Cave of the Winds

"and Bridge of the Mists, as named by the Yankees."

Which is what a visitor to North America would have called them at that period.

Furthermore, it's signed by the artist, who is somebody

called T Sheraton,

who, importantly, dated it in 1890.

And of course, for our American cousins, an original watercolour

dating from 1890 of one of their important tourist sites

is more important than it would be in this country.

I can see this decently framed up,

on an internet auction site,

making perhaps as much as £150-£200.

Which means £10 here in Anglesey is a bargain.

Rather like this little leather-covered box.

On the face of it, nice quality, good condition.

Open it up, it reveals a gorgeous, blue silk-lined interior

with an original dealer's stamp, look, in the lid,

showing it was retailed in Bristol,

and a knife. No ordinary knife -

it's a cake knife,

ideal for the Great British Bake-Off.

It's got a silver-looking blade

that's stamped "H&H" for Hukin and Heath,

who were important late 19th-century silversmiths,

although it's silver plate,

and the most important bit of it is the handle,

which is, in imitation, a valuable 17th-century Imari porcelain,

but it's transfer printed and painted in gilt,

probably by Crown Derby,

around 1874 or 1880.

A jolly nice example, complete in a gorgeous box, for how much?

£50? Nope.

£40? Nope. £30? Nope.

Try £11 on for size.

Now, that's what you call a jolly good slice of the action.

So, let's skedaddle off to the auction.

MUSIC: "Fascination" by Alphabeat

All out and done.

Well, we've come a fair old haul,

all the way from Anglesey to Knutsford in Cheshire,

just off the M6, to be with Nick.

-How very nice to see you, Nick.

-You too, Tim.

-At Frank Marshall saleroom.

Anyway, we've added to your burden with this little cake slice in EPNS,

which is just £5 worth from Anglesey.

-Will it turn a profit here in Cheshire?

-It should do.

It's quite a nice look about it, in good condition.

We haven't gone crazy. I think we put £15 on it as an estimate.

OK. Next is the '30s fruit set.

-Yeah.

-Not my favourite object, I have to say,

but you've got six bowls and a serving bowl, so...

-It's all there bar the fruit, really, isn't it?

-It is.

-How much, then?

-£20-£30.

OK, £23 paid. You can't say nowt about that.

-The arts and crafts pendant I'm rather intrigued by.

-Yeah.

The workmanship around the upper section here is quite intricate,

the nice blister pearl,

the quality of the chain.

It's a good bit of arts and crafts work, that.

-How do you reckon it?

-Well, in its current state, £60-£100.

OK, they paid £100. And that is all the money, really,

and that will determine whether they need the bonus buy or not.

Let's go and have a look at it.

Now, Christina has it beautifully covered up. She had £172, bless her.

-Yeah.

-Christina, what did you spend your £172 on, please?

-Are you ready?

-Yes.

-There you go.

-Oh!

Now, I saw these out of the corner of my eye

and I literally honed in on them. I thought they were beautiful.

They are a really nice set of French silver-plated forks and spoons,

in their original box, which is great

because we've got the retailer up here as well.

So, so often, you find these things have lost their boxes over time

and you can't attribute them to anybody. They are a good weight,

-beautiful casting on the handles, really nice detail.

-Yes.

Really good quality and some nice marks in the bowls there as well.

-Art nouveau sort of touch about it.

-Exactly, very art nouveau.

Yes, very beautiful, very, very beautiful.

-What do you think of them?

-What did you pay for them again?

Well, I paid £20 for the box set.

I would say at auction, I would put them at maybe £40-£60.

-Well, we've got all the gen there, haven't we?

-Marvellous.

You'll be able to dream on about your French forks and spoons.

Meanwhile, for the audience at home,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about them.

Now, Nick, that's Christina's rich haul of a bonus buy.

-There it is.

-Very, very French.

Yes, there's a bit of a clue in the top there, isn't there?

"Franz Boland of Liege, Namur".

It's tricky to sell this sort of plated cutlery,

but there's a full dozen of each, which is the good thing.

-Yeah. How much?

-Um...

We've gone for a fork-tastic £25-£30.

Yeah, I'd spoon that up every day of the week. £20 paid.

OK, so that can go down there. Perfect.

Next, over to the blues.

We've got a mixture, look.

A really, really nice Dutch early 19th-century silver snuff box.

Yeah, nice little thing. Nice turning on the top as well.

Can't believe that you could buy that retail for £25.

-I think that's a snip.

-It was a good buy, yeah.

We've possibly been a little bit mean on our estimate as well

because we've put £25-£30 on it.

-You're just tempting, aren't you?

-We are, aren't we?

-You are.

-Teasing.

Teasing, because that could make £40-£50 every day of the week.

-Quite easily.

-Good, nice lot.

Next is the inlaid tray, which I think is also very nice, you know.

Well, the Chinese market is hot at the moment,

and of course we have a specialist Asian Department,

-our catalogues are translated into Mandarin...

-Are they?

-They are.

..and placed live across Asia on the online platform,

so hopefully we'll be getting some serious interest in this.

Yeah, well, all you can do is to photograph it and put it up there.

Because there are one or two slight condition problems,

and of course it's an early 20th-century piece,

not a period piece, we've put 40-60 on it as a tempter.

-OK, £50 paid.

-Yeah.

And then, two nice bits of glass.

-Yeah.

-One apparently Scottish,

and one Carnival, which could come from the north-east, couldn't it?

Well, Carnival glass, yeah, it came from the north-east

-and some of it was American.

-Yes.

It's not the most interesting of patterns.

They tend to like the peacocks and the fences and the weeping willows.

It's a plain pattern, but it's a nice colour.

Likewise with the Scottish piece.

OK, so that's it, then.

-Two pieces of glass, ready to go. How much?

-Well, £20-£40 for the two.

-OK, £24 paid.

-Good.

-Well, I think this is most interesting

because the money, if you were a gambling man, is all on that tray.

Will the Chinese spot it?

Will they pick it up for what it is,

-an absolute belting piece of craftsmanship?

-Sure.

This is what they call excitement

and it will affect whether they want the bonus buy,

but irrespective, let's go and have a look at it.

You gave £201 to Paul Laidlaw. Have you any idea what he bought?

-No.

-Nothing.

-Nor have we!

Best take your rag off, Paul!

Here we go. I think, sticking my neck out,

you're going to like this straightaway.

-Oh, wow!

-Wow, liking this reaction. Give me more of that!

-Yes!

-So you know what it is.

-A compact.

It's a powder compact, and you want it to be in...

-Silver.

-Which it is!

Rather pleasingly enamelled,

and what's this little palm tree?

Tourist piece from the Bahamas, do you think?

Way better than that!

These are the regimental colours of, and this is the badge of,

-the Royal West African Frontier Force.

-Ah!

-Yes!

This is colonial military set up in West Africa

to protect our colonial interests.

-I like it.

-They come about in about 1900, and last through

into the post-war era.

This was assayed in the late '30s.

West African Frontier Force come up against the Germans in East Africa

in the First World War,

and serve in North Africa and the Far East in Burma

during the Second World War, so you've a whole military heritage

attached to this rather exquisite little compact.

-What do you think?

-What's it worth, then, Paul?

Well, I paid £28. It's easily worth £30-£50.

If you wanted to pay £70 or £80 it would be cheap, in all honesty,

because if you gave me £200 I couldn't find you another.

-I think the girls love it.

-Gorgeous.

-You like it? Pamela?

-I'd buy it.

-Debs?

-Yes.

-Thanks for that, Paul.

Meanwhile, why don't we find out what the auctioneer

thinks about Paul's little compact?

-Now, this has to be a rare survivor, doesn't it?

-It is unusual, isn't it?

The Royal West African Frontier Force enamelled on a silver

lady's compact. I've never seen one before.

Presumably there were no women

serving in the Royal West African Frontier Force?

Not that we know of, no.

It would have been one of the serving officers

would have had it made and sent back to the wife

or the wife would have gone down to the local silversmith

and had it made up as a piece of pride and family prosperity, maybe.

I don't know. I mean, it's the most extraordinary thing.

As a rare survivor of colonial history, really,

what do you think it's worth?

It's hard to predict so it's little bit more of a guesstimate

-than an estimate but £40 to £60 to the military collector.

-OK, fine.

£28 paid by that cunning of all cunning fellows...

-He knows his militaria, doesn't he?

-..Paul Laidlaw. Certainly does.

Stand by for a result on that. Anyway, good luck today, Nick.

-Thank you, Tim.

-Thanks for everything.

30, I'm bid. 40 on my left...

-Jeannette and Paul. How are you feeling?

-Bit nervous.

It is difficult, isn't it? How many auctions do you get to go to, love?

-I haven't been to one for a long, long time.

-Have you not?

-What about you, Paul?

-For a long time, no.

-But yes, a few years ago we went to one a month.

-Did you?

Anyway, first one up is the EPNS cake slice and here it comes.

Maker's mark of Israel Sigmund Greenberg & Co. Circa 1900.

£20. 15.

£10, surely! Come on!

Where's the £10 note for it? Is that a bid?

-Thank you, sir. 10 I'm bid.

-Doubled your money.

£10. Any advance on 10? 15, seated.

Make it 20, sir? £20, now.

20, I'm bid on my left. 20.

£20, standing on my left. £20, all done. 20, I will sell.

-£20! Look at that!

-Well done both.

-Plus £15 straight up.

Brentleigh ware fruit set around the 1930-40s, this.

Nice fruit set, in good order and complete.

Where are we going to go? £30 for it.

-25. 20. £20 for it.

-Come on.

Nice little art deco fruit set.

All components there. Thank you, madam.

I have a bid at 20. £20. Thank you. 20 offered. Any advance on 20?

-One more. Come on.

-And five online.

Try another. Come on.

Where are you going to have your fruit in otherwise?

25 against you. At 25. The bid's online.

Going to round it up, anyone? Anywhere?

At £25 online and selling at £25.

-Is plus £2.

-Well done, guys. Well done.

-We've nearly got a Golden Gavel.

-Oh, my goodness!

Early 20th-century Arts and Crafts white metal pendant

in the manner of Dorrie Nossiter.

There we are. Smart little thing. It's good quality. Nicely cast.

Good materials used.

What's it worth? £80, surely. £80. 60. Yeah. 80, I'm bid. Thank you.

80, I'm bid. Coming in.

85 now. 90. 95.

-100. 110.

-SHE SHRIEKS

120. 130.

140. 150. 160. 170.

-Look at this!

-I told you it was nice!

210. 220.

220 on my right. At 220, now. At £220.

The bid is on my right.

It is so Arts and Crafts. So what the market likes.

230 online. I'm not finished yet. At 230.

-230!

-It's 230 online. Are you sure?

It would suit you. I've got £230 online. 230, I have.

Selling once, twice, 230.

-All: Yes!

-Thank you!

-Thank you!

-OK. That is plus 130.

-Well done! Well done!

-145. 147.

-Fantastic!

-That is so good.

-No, Jeanette! Are you OK?

-Don't cry!

Fantastic!

We all feel like crying, Jeanette!

Anyway. Well done. That's very good news. Congratulations all round.

What are you going to do about the spoons and the forks?

-We are going with you for the spoons.

-Are you sure?

-Yes.

-Even though they're rather large?

-They are rather large.

I think they're between a dessert spoon and a tablespoon.

More like a serving spoon.

I don't care as long as they make you profit, frankly!

That's the right answer. We are going with the Bonus Buy.

We're going to sell it now and here it comes.

Good luck, guys. Good luck.

Nice little lot. Good French period lot.

£30 only. 20. Come on, £20.

You've got 12 of each, there. 12 spoons, 12 forks.

-£20 for the whole lot.

-Come on!

In high grade French silver-plate.

20, I'm offering. At 20 only.

That's for all dozen, don't forget, of each. 20 is the bid.

-One more. One more.

-At the back? No? Are you sure?

£20 seated and nothing online. At £20. I'll have to sell.

Hammer's hovering. Last chance. Last call at £20 only.

20 I'm selling, if you are sure and done.

-Yes. Wiped its face.

-We've not lost anything.

-No, no.

-No loss for anybody.

-Doesn't matter.

-No pain no gain.

-Fantastic.

-Brilliant. Well done, guys. Well done you.

-That's wonderful.

-147 in your back pocket.

Don't say a word to the Blues.

-Congratulations.

-Thank you.

-Very nice. Very nice.

-Everybody happy? You are happy aren't you, Debs?

-Yes, very.

-You are happy, Pamela?

-Very much so.

-Are you happy, my friend?

-I am!

-You are, aren't you?

-Optimistic.

I tell you, he's happy. OK. Here we go then. Brace yourselves.

Stand by, because here comes the Dutch box.

Date letter for 1835. Nice early piece of Dutch silver, this.

What's it worth? Come on, £40.

30. 20. Thank you.

20, I'm bid. 20.

I'm bid 20. Any advance now? On my right at 20.

30 online.

35 online. 40 online.

Coming back in at 45. You want 50. 50, I have.

A bid at 50. It's against you online. Bid's at 50. 55, now.

At £55 online again. Shakes his head.

-Look at that!

-It's online at £55.

Any advance? 60. Still going strong. Come on. At £60. Online has it.

Room's gone quiet. It's all online. Selling at 60.

-Lovely.

-Yes!

-Well done!

-Five short of 30. That is plus 35.

That's how to give two girls a lot of pleasure.

Now here comes your Chinese.

Beautifully inlaid with mother-of-pearl decoration.

What's it worth? 60.

50. Thank you. 50, I'm bid now.

On my right, 50 bid. 50 offered. Any advance on £50? At 50.

Do I see five anywhere? Surely a bid online?

A thing of this quality? The bid's in the room. To my right at 50.

-At 50. At £50. Going once, twice...

-Is that all?

-£50.

All sure and done at 50? Selling.

-The Chinese are asleep.

-Washed its face.

-Washed its face.

-Washed its face.

And the Chinese are asleep. All billion of them.

-Obviously.

-Must be night-time over there. Anyway, here we go.

Here come the two bits of glass.

-They look good.

-Come on, Pam. Look at this.

£40 for these two. 40. 30.

It's for both of them, not each. Come on.

£30. £20. £20, start me.

Come on, let's see a 20. Show a hand. Surely.

-Nothing online? 15.

-I can't bear it.

-Come on. £10.

Let's get this lot away. Get them sold.

At £10. Thank you, 10. 15.

15, seated. Try 20? Round it up? No. I've got 15, seated.

On my left at 15. At 15. 20 says yes at the back now at £20.

Any advance on 20? At £20, all done. 20 I sell here. Nothing online.

With you, sir.

£20 is minus four pounds.

That is so tough.

£20 is minus four, which means you are plus 31.

That isn't a bad score though.

-In this game, plus anything is a good score.

-Plus anything!

-Now, are you going to go with this compact?

-Yes.

-It's a no-brainer, isn't it?

-Yes.

-Absolutely.

-Here we go, then.

-Here it comes.

-Smart lot, this.

A rare bit of military collectable, I'd have thought, this.

What's it worth? 50?

-40? £30, surely.

-Terrible hush.

Nice and quirky militaria lot.

Solid silver. 30 online, thank you.

At 30, I'm bid. The bid is online at £30.

Any advance on 30? At 30. Bidding on this lot?

-Will you try a five? Are you sure?

-Telephone bid!

-Telephone bid!

-Go on, try a bid. Have a go.

-Go on.

-I've got 30 against you. Try a bid?

Yes or no? That's a no. They've hung up. Lot £30.

The bid's on my right. Online at £30. The room has gone quiet.

Phones off. It's all online. £30 only.

-30, I sell.

-She hung up!

-They hung up!

-£30!

-No!

£30 and he hung up? It is not worth putting the call through!

-Not to worry. It is plus two pounds.

-Must have called from Africa.

That is plus £33.

That is a very respectable number. It could be a winning score.

Hang about and we will reveal all in a moment.

So, double team of winners, hey?

Both teams going home with cash,

which is why they are looking so incredibly happy.

Well, in the scale of winnings, the ones slightly behind,

I have to tell you, are the Blues.

THEY SHRIEK

The Blues lose by only winning £33,

which is not so bad, is it?

-£33? Pamela, here comes your £33.

-Thank you.

You should be proud of this.

It all started off with the £35 profit on the Dutch box

and then you got another couple of smackers off the compact,

which is very good, Paul Laidlaw,

-and in the tally, it's plus 33. Was it good?

-Brilliant.

-Good for you?

-Absolutely.

-Did it move for you, Debs?

-Perfectly so, yeah.

-Good. I'm glad.

And you're going home with cash,

which is an achievement, but not quite enough

because the lovely Reds are going home with £147.

THEY CHEER AND APPLAUD

There we go, darling. Look at that, Jeannette.

-How have you managed to contain yourselves?

-I don't know!

We had tears just after the auction. It was incredibly moving.

And essentially as a result of the Arts and Crafts pendant,

found by Christina. Well done for that.

A really good justification of a good buy there, so fantastic.

And of course, because you made a profit on each of your items,

you are eligible to enter the ancient and noble order

-of the Golden Gavellers.

-Wonderful!

So take a gavel. Pick one and pin it to your bosom.

-Fantastic.

-There we go, darling.

-Thank you.

-Happy with that?

-Very happy, thank you.

-Great.

-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 could spot a bargain,

go to our BBC website and apply.

It would be splendid to see you.