Leominster 14 Bargain Hunt

-TIM WONNACOTT:

-We've hot-footed it to Herefordshire

in search of treasures to sell at auction.

So, antique shops, you have been warned.

Let's go bargain hunting, yeah!

We're in the pretty market town of Leominster today.

For centuries, this place has prospered from the wool trade,

and it's also an important centre for the antiques business,

and talking about business, it's an ideal place for our Red

and Blue teams to trade.

So let's have a look at what they got up to.

-It's poetry in motion for the Reds.

-This trifle pleads my constant love.

-And the Blues are not entirely focused.

-Come on, then.

-Back that way.

-Anything else here? There's some pottery.

Let's meet today's teams.

On Bargain Hunt today we have a married couple

and a pair of friends.

We've got Andy and Carol for the Reds,

-and Michael and Penny for the Blues. Hello, everyone.

-ALL: Hello.

Ooh, what a lovely hello. Now, Carol, what do you do for a living?

-I'm an employment co-ordinator.

-What do you do in your spare time?

Bit of gardening, reading autobiographies.

-Car boot sale it says here.

-Yeah, I go to car boot sales.

And what sort of things do you buy in the car boot sales?

-Anything and everything.

-If it's cheap.

-If it's cheap, yes.

You're going to be rather good at this bargain hunting.

-I hope so.

-And Andy, what do you do to earn a crust?

-Butcher.

-Are you?

-Yes.

-And what's the best bit of the job for you, Andy?

-Customers, really.

Listening to their stories. It's great.

Now, tell us about your interest in antiques.

I like collecting anything under a fiver. I don't mind.

We're going to give you £300, you know. You'll be able to splash out.

-You'll be able to break your £5 rule.

-Nah.

-Still go for the cheapest.

-Oh, will you?

-With a bargain, a profit.

-OK. Fine.

-It'll be fun to see what happens, and very good luck.

-Thank you.

Nice to meet you. Now, Michael, that's an unusual girl's name.

-Where is it from?

-It's an old biblical name.

King Saul's daughter who married David and my mother thought it was

a marvellous name and I wasn't too keen when I was at school.

So how did you and Penny become friends?

She bought a doll's house from me.

She lives quite near and originally she wanted a copy of her own house

and I was pacing outside and I worked out that it was too big to go in her

hall, so she came and bought a kit of something else instead.

So doll's houses are big in your life, are they?

Yeah, I started the first doll's house shop in 1971

and I found it combined all my interests.

-So you live your life in miniature.

-Yes.

-Well, how sweet.

-Penny, you're an artist.

-Yes.

-Tell us about that.

I accept commissions for murals. I might paint an open window.

The window looks like a real window and it's open and in fact it isn't.

-Trick of the eye.

-Yes.

You live in Cheltenham but you spent a lot of time in Hong Kong.

-We did, yes.

-Tell me more about your interest in China restoration.

I fell into it when my maid, in fact, in Hong Kong,

broke something extremely important and valuable

and I took it along to a friend who was a very good restorer

and the friend restored it very well and said, come on, let me teach you.

So she and I got together and she taught me and it went on from there.

So will you be after a bit of porcelain today, Penny?

-Um, we'll definitely look at it. Yep, quite definitely.

-Yeah.

-And what about you, Michael? What's your goal?

-I've got an open mind.

I love a bargain as long as something is attractive and we make a profit.

-OK.

-So we'll see how we go.

-Exactly the right answer.

Which gets you £300 immediately. There you go. £300 apiece.

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

Very, very good luck. Mine's chipolatas.

Now, let's meet our experts.

Keeping an eye on the Reds as well as the clock today is

Caroline Hawley.

And hampering after success for the Blues is David Harper.

-What are you looking for today?

-Retro. Definitely retro today.

-Anything retro? Any particular type?

-Anything whatsoever.

-Brilliant.

I think you two are antiques experts in disguise.

-Long as you don't think we're a pair of antiques.

-Oh, no.

-Carol, what about you?

-Some glass or maybe some silver.

-Well, I'm looking for today's biggest bargain.

-You are.

You are a dreamboat. I love the sound of that.

-And we have 60 minutes to find it. Are you ready?

-Oh, yes.

-Oh, yes.

-You bet we are.

-Let's go.

-Let's go shopping, then.

-Can't wait.

Right. Get on with it, teams. Your hour starts now.

-There's so much to look at.

-Tell you what we've got, Penny.

Tens of thousands of objects for you to peruse in one hour.

-How do you feel about that, Michael?

-I'm worried.

-Mesmerised.

-Mesmerised!

Well, bargain hunting can be pretty mesmerising, but trust me -

there's a few needles in these 'ere haystacks.

-You really like that? Not madly.

-It's got a crack in it.

-OK.

-I was looking at that.

-No, that looks a bit new to me.

-Course.

Look at the price on it.

Keep hunting, girls.

Meanwhile, it seems the Reds have spotted an inkwell.

-That looks amazing.

-The inkwell.

-Yeah, that's amazing. Look at it.

-That one's 110, that back one.

-Is it really?

-Would you like a look at it?

-Yeah.

-Right. Let me go and see if I can find someone.

-Whether I'll love it or not, I don't know.

-That's all right.

We need to look first. Let me go and find somebody.

-I'd prefer the front one.

-That one. The colour.

And whilst the Reds await the cabinet being opened,

the Blues are showing interest in a jug which possibly isn't all it's

-cracked up to be.

-It's got a big crack.

-Oh, gosh, yes.

-Is it cracked?

-Oh, right, yes.

-Could you restore that?

-In time.

-HE LAUGHS

-Not in time for the sale.

-This is Spode. It's very typical Spode.

-Date. How would you date it?

-I would say around sort of 1840 or so. Am I right?

-Yes.

-It's got a label on it that says that.

-Oh, 1815. It's earlier.

My golly. Yes, it's worth having.

What I don't actually like is this opening crack.

If it was less than 45 I might buy it for myself.

-You can't be doing that. You're on the wrong programme.

-Oh, am I?

Yes, Penny. Remember, you're not buying for yourself.

Now the cabinet doors are open, the Reds can take a look at the two

inkwells that have attracted their interest.

That's what I want to look at.

-You can look at yours if you want to.

-I'll wait for you.

-That is nice. What do you think?

-It's a Victorian inkwell.

-Go on, then. Have a look at yours.

-Yes, please. Excellent.

-Oh! It's heavy.

-110.

See how heavy this is.

-Oh, gosh.

-Murano glass from Italy and it's in great condition.

Much ado about nothing.

-There's a huge lump of glass for a tiny bit of ink.

-Yeah.

-Very, very heavy.

-So in your expert opinion, what do you think?

I think it's a nice lump. Which do you prefer, Andy?

-Which is best.

-Do you? No, which do you prefer?

Seriously, this is the one you looked at first.

I did, but the price is 110.

I think we need a price on both,

then we've got more information to go on.

I definitely think they're both a good sale if we can get a good price.

Right, OK. Andy, is there any chance you getting us

the best price on both of these?

-I'll go look in stock and see what we can do for you.

-Thank you.

-TIM WONNACOTT:

-So while we wait for Andy who works at the antique centre

to come back with a price, let's see how the Blues are cracking on.

-35 would be his best.

-Yes.

-Can I have a hold while you're looking?

-So Michael, what about you?

-I like it.

So we've got the Spode mark there. Very good high quality maker.

We've got a little factory-impressed mark there too.

-Lovely colour on the base.

-I think 35 we should have it, don't you?

It's nice. Can we put it back and give it deep thought?

-Yeah, I'll put it on one side.

-Would you mind?

-We only have an hour.

-Do you want to keep it at the desk?

-Yes, I'll keep it at the desk.

-And you won't come down?

-No.

-We could have a go, couldn't we?

-I'll ask.

-TIM WONNACOTT:

-Hopefully Jenny from the antique centre

might just find a better price.

Here comes Andy who also has price news but for the Reds.

Comes to 165.

I think the best I can do is 110 which virtually means you're getting

-that one for free.

-110 for the two of them?

-For the two?

If we bought the two we could put them

in a lot together at the auction, couldn't we?

-We could ponder on that, couldn't we?

-We could.

Would you be able to hold them?

I'll put them by for you for 15 minutes

-so you can make your minds up.

-15 minutes.

-That's no problem.

-No problem, right.

-Polish them up, we might be tempted.

I'll leave that to you.

OK. Think about the inkwells, Reds.

-The Blues are like puppets in David's hands.

-It makes you smile.

-We might make a bit.

-I'm sure we'd make a tenner on it.

I think he probably would make £20-30.

-Let's see if there's anything we can make more money on.

-See, hello!

Now, what have the Reds spotted here?

-That little pillbox.

-This little pillbox here.

-Your favourites, pillboxes. Look at that.

-Oh, yes.

-Now, this isn't a pillbox. Do you know what that is? No?

-Ring box?

-No.

It's known as a Bilston patch box.

It's enamel on copper and if we take the lid off very often these have

mirrors on the inside and it would contain patches or beauty spots.

Yes, exactly.

So you would have your beauty spot in here

and very often they would have little terms of endearments

on the top of it, like "this trifle pleads my constant love" and...

-Oh, that's nice.

-All right. I don't mind.

Beauty spots have been used as a cosmetic enhancement

since Roman times and have dipped in and out of fashion ever since.

In those days, they consisted of coal marks or patches

-made from black taffeta or red Spanish leather.

-It's £95.

It's got a little bit of damage. It's not the best example.

I don't think it's in good enough order for the collectors to want.

Fair enough, Caroline.

Now, back to the Blues, who still seem keen on broken items.

That's rather fun.

Poly-chrome, 18th century, completely broken in half and a bit broken.

-A whacking great chunk off of that.

-Unsaleable.

-Yes.

How come you two are drawn to everything that's broken?

Because they're early.

-Well, can we find something that's early and not broken?

-Exactly.

Surely you must be able to find something that's not cracked, girls.

Now back to the Reds, who appear to be in reflective mood.

That silver mirror there is a very good example of Art Nouveau.

That is nice, that mirror.

There's a black one there with silver across it.

Yeah, that's ebony and silver, with just a silver band.

Can we have a look? This Art Nouveau mirror

and the ebony and silver one, please.

Thank you.

Whilst you Reds check out the mirrors,

finally it looks like the Blues have spotted something that's not broken.

-Got Dutch delft.

-Yep.

-Oh, nice.

-I think we might make on that delft.

Can we sort of stick it behind our ear for later?

-OK, so we've stuck a bit of delft behind our ear.

-Yes.

-We might come back for that, then.

-And we've got that Spode jug. Yes.

-Good job we've got six ears between us.

-I know, yes.

Those ears are going to have to be quite large too, David.

It's silver, which is a very soft metal,

-and it's just taken a few knocks.

-Haven't we all, Caroline?

-The silver mark is here, can you see?

-Yeah.

And the date letter which dates it to 1904, so right in the heart

of that Art Nouveau period and the glass is absolutely perfect.

-It's a really lovely thing.

-This one...

-Have a look at this one.

Ebony and silver I think looks fantastic.

The black and the silver together.

It's monochrome, it's coming back in.

Yeah, and if we turn it over, another thing... Ah.

Some lovely condition apart from these two marks in the glass.

And that really isn't brilliant. We need it to be perfect, really.

-What price for this, Andy, if we...?

-Have a look.

-Uh...

-Very best price, please.

75 going to be the depth, I'm afraid.

60's all the money. It's taken some knocks.

I'm going to get nearly there. 65 going to be the best.

It's a lovely mirror. Shame about the picture, but it's a nice mirror.

-Oh, excuse me!

-TIM WONNACOTT:

-Cheeky.

-I think he's a very handsome man.

-I looked away then. That way.

-60. It needs to be 60.

-Yes at 60 or think about it?

-Yes.

-Yes.

-OK, I'll do 60. OK.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much.

-Congratulations, Reds, on your first purchase.

It looks like the Blues have spotted something neither broken nor old.

-So it's cranberry glass.

-Yep. That's nice.

-Oh, look at that.

So there's the pontil mark. Have you noticed... Ah, no, no.

Now I'm going to now bring Michael into the competition.

-Hello, hello, hello.

-How are we getting on?

-We're getting on OK.

-Slowly.

-We haven't got enough money.

-Have you not?

We're arguing like mad. We're running out of time.

-What else can I say?

-Sounds like a standard Bargain Hunt to me.

So are we going to have a crack at this cranberry, do you think?

-Depends on the price.

-We're having a competition.

-This is a modern piece, though.

-Well, is it?

-It probably is.

Do you think? He's desperate to look. That's cheating.

It's not really cos that's what anybody would do.

I'd pay 20 quid for that.

-How much is it?

-33.

-£33 is not much, is it?

-Sorry just to bounce in on you.

-Thanks for ruining the competition.

-Haven't ruined the competition.

-Go away, Tim!

-Listen, back to this.

I like it. It's a one-off. It's hand-blown.

-What do you think it would pay?

-I think it's 20 to 30, 30 to 40.

-Yeah.

-Don't pay any more than 20 quid for that.

-Shall we take this with us?

Come on, then. Back that way.

Anything else here? There's some early pottery.

Good to know they're listening to your every word, David.

-We're only allowed three things.

-I know.

Yeah, three items, Penny, and you do really need to start buying.

David's going to be exhausted after all this.

Meanwhile, the Reds are going for a shot in the dark.

Could we have a look at this shooting stick?

-Have you seen one before?

-No, never seen one before.

-Right.

Can you see this bamboo silver-plated mount?

It opens up like that. Beautiful condition.

-Look at this cane work here.

-Oh, yeah.

-Gorgeous.

-Spike at the bottom. Any clues?

-I see, yes. Stick it in the ground.

Yeah. Stick it in the ground and then sit

while Andy's playing his golf or whatever.

-While he's doing his shopping.

-Something like that.

And then fold it away and it can be just a walking stick.

And it's got a bit of age to it.

I would think that's Edwardian, early part of the 1900s.

What do you think of this, guys? They're asking £68.

Would it make a profit?

-I think it would make a profit but we need to get the price down.

-Yeah.

-I do like it and I think we should have it.

-Do you?

-Yeah, I do.

Would you be able to give us the best price on this, please?

Who's this, then? Someone else from the antique centre?

£50.

I was thinking nearer 40. Could you do 40 and we'll take it?

-If we did 43.

-You're trying. I really think 40...

-£40.

-Thank you so much.

-Thank you very much.

-We need a chance.

-That's lovely. Thank you.

-Brilliant. Happy with that?

-We are, yes. Very happy.

-That's fantastic.

Do you want to sit down?

Not my weight. THEY LAUGH

Cor, she's a shrewd negotiator, that Caroline. Well done, Reds.

That's the second item in your bag.

-Now it's the Blues' turn to have a haggle.

-Right, you two.

Talk to Jenny about the cranberry ware.

It's very pretty but do you think they'd accept 20?

-25 would be the best on that one.

-22.

-I'll ask my esteemed colleague.

DAVID LAUGHS

-Yeah, just once.

-Just once.

-That's very kind. Thank you so much.

-Lovely. Have we bought it?

-We bought it.

-Hallelujah.

Thank you very much indeed.

-TIM WONNACOTT:

-Hallelujah exactly, David.

Finally a first purchase for the Blues.

Well done. Here's Caroline with a Reds recap.

-So we've got two items.

-Right.

We're about 35 minutes in to the shop which means we've

-got 25 minutes left.

-Right.

-What do you think about the bottles?

-Do you want to go back now and have a quick look?

-No.

-No, you don't.

-You want to continue shopping.

-Continue shopping.

Clearly David is having a tough time with those Blues. How's it going?

I am in an absolute tiswas in the nicest possible way.

This is an experience I will remember for a very, very long time.

Oh, dear. Persevere, then, David. Oh, my. Look. They're at it again.

-Shelves.

-The shelves are nice. They're earlier, aren't they?

-I like them very much. But not that.

-95.

Actually, I was considering those.

Hanging shelves, particularly the tiered shelves that are deeper

and shallower and shallower, are really good news.

Described as Victorian. Like, a reeded front. Good colour.

-Nicely jointed.

-Useful and pretty, aren't they?

-Shall I bring it down?

That's terribly nice.

-You've got that.

-What do you think we'd get for it? 125?

-It might.

-I think it would be estimated at 50-70.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

Because in auction the trick is to make sure it's tempting.

-That's why I said 50 to buy it.

-There you go.

-That's not very heavy.

-Isn't it nice. That looks really quite early.

-I love that.

-Square ones, not round.

-Isn't that quite unusual?

There's not a screw on there.

It's like a Mortice & Tenon, that's what it is.

It's well jointed, it's totally handmade with old tools.

It is missing something.

To me it doesn't bother me at all

but here there's evidence of something, possibly a rail.

-There is.

-Two rails, maybe to place plates.

-Plates. Exactly.

-I think it's absolutely drop dead gorgeous.

-Yep. I do too.

-Drop dead.

-But it's all down to price, Jenny.

-75.

-75.

-I was hoping for 50.

-No, they're not going to come that low.

-Obviously it's hard.

Could we do 65, do you think?

-I'll meet you halfway. I can do 70.

-OK, done.

-All right.

-Thank you.

Thank you. DAVID SIGHS

We've nailed it. That is gorgeous.

-TIM WONNACOTT:

-Quite correct. You have nailed it, David. Well done.

That's the second item bought for the Blues,

but time is starting to march on.

So now we have 15 minutes left and two options.

The Spode damaged jug and you wanted to...

-I want to have a look at the delft, yeah.

-Just see.

Meanwhile, Caroline and the Reds have spotted something new.

-Caroline, what about that at the back there?

-The mother-of-pearl box.

-Yeah.

I think that's gorgeous. I love mother-of-pearl.

-Do you want to have a closer look? I'll go and fetch somebody.

-Yes.

As Caroline heads off to get the item out of the cabinet,

the Blues home in on the delft.

Thank you very much indeed.

-Very early. 18th century.

-These things are always... Yes.

Well, it's gotta be 18th. 18th or 19th.

But the whole idea behind delft is to copy the Chinese porcelain.

-It's got to be 18th or 19th.

-How much?

-You're straight into the money.

-Yes, that's what we're here for!

-Michael! 98.

-I don't think it's saleable as the jug.

-It's not as saleable as the jug.

-It's not.

-I think not.

-I don't like the shape, actually.

-Don't you?

-No.

Well, we're going to put that back, so we're back to the little jug.

-To the corner.

-Shall we go... Back to the Spode jug.

-Yes, quickly.

-Come on.

-Come on, quick.

-Quick, quick. Jump over everything.

Watch the furniture, please, Penny.

With the cabinet now open,

the Reds can take a closer look at the mother-of-pearl box.

-That is beautiful.

-Pretty.

-I like the pink.

And this is Victorian, so we're talking over 100 years old.

It's beautiful.

Very often bits of it are missing, have come off over the years.

-That's what I was concerned about.

-And...

-Oh, look. Isn't that pretty?

-Lovely.

-Silk-lined and I wonder if it's had a little tray there?

-Looks like it.

-I wonder if it's a little jewellery box.

-Uh...

-Do you like that?

-I do, yeah.

-I think again it's all the money. It's £75.

I think we need a price. Andy, could you give us your best price, please?

-60.

-Oh, no. It needs to be better than that.

-I'll do 55 but then I'm done.

-I think we're going to have to bid.

-What do you think?

-I'd like to see 50. 52?

53 and we're there. I've probably done more than I should have done.

-I'm happy with that.

-Yeah.

-Happy, Carol?

-Yeah.

-What about you?

-As you're the expert, what do you think?

-I like it.

SHE LAUGHS

My lips didn't move then! My lips did not move, Carol.

I... I agree with you. I think it's a nice lot.

I don't know how much profit there's going to be. It's lovely.

-You both really like it. You both agree.

-I would do.

-You'll do the deal.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

Congratulations. All three items bought.

It's decision time, you two.

You've been thinking about it for almost an hour.

-It was very early so we weren't quite sure.

-Yeah.

-Do you think 33 would do?

-I'm sure we'd do 33.

-33? Thank you very much.

-Have we done it?

-Yes.

-There's your final item.

Thank you very much, you two. Well done. Well done.

-Well done, Penny. Well done.

-And a big well done from me too.

You've also finished your shopping.

Time's up. Let's see what the Red team bought.

On reflection, they parted with £60 for a silver-backed Art Nouveau

dressing table mirror.

An early 20th century bamboo shooting stick cost £40.

And finally, they spent £53 on a mother-of-pearl mounted box.

-You chaps have cut to the lean meat, haven't you?

-Yes.

Yes, you certainly have. Good, good. Which is your favourite piece?

-The mirror.

-Yeah, the mirror. That's the favourite.

-Excellent. Which is going to bring the biggest profit?

-Shooting stick.

-I reckon that's going to do really well.

-Do you?

-And you spent in total how much?

-153.

-£153.

I would like £147 of leftover lolly, please.

-Give him the lolly, Carol.

-That's it. How long have you two been together?

-32 years.

-32 years and it don't seem a day too long, right?

-No.

-He's my best mate.

-Is he?

-That's the way.

-That's the way to do it. Yes.

-And I bet he gets you lovely pork chops and stuff.

-Oh, yeah.

Talking of meat, let's hand over the dough. Are you feeling confident?

-I am. Very confident, yes.

-That is a lot of money, isn't it, Caroline?

It is. I shall take great care of it, I promise you.

Do you think you're going to go for furniture, silver, ceramics,

jewellery, bling, what?

Yes, I've looked at all of those things but I haven't decided.

Have you not? You're very coy, aren't you? And quite right too.

Excellent. Why don't we right now check out what the Blue team bought?

They were bowled over by this cranberry glass bowl

which cost them £22.

A set of mahogany wall shelves set them back £70.

And they poured £33 of their budget

into this 19th century Spode jug with cracks.

-Gosh, this has been fun, hasn't it?

-Oh, it's been fantastic.

-Did you have a good shop?

-Oh, yes. Great.

-How much did you spend, actually?

-125.

-Is that all?

They were either too expensive or, you know,

we had very expensive taste between us.

-Are they a bit picky, these girls, David?

-Picky. Picky, Tim...

-I will talk to you about it later.

-OK, fine.

Which is your favourite piece, Michael?

I think the shelves. The mahogany shelves. They're very attractive.

-The favourite. Do you agree?

-Yeah, I do. It's my favourite also.

-Yes, definitely.

-Will the shelves bring the biggest profit?

-No.

-No.

-We doubt it.

-What do you think will?

-I think that awful cranberry.

-I like the cranberry.

It's quite saleable.

So how much did you spend on the old cranberry?

-22. We were done.

-That was a snip, wasn't it?

-I think so.

Please may I have £175 of leftover lolly. Thank you very much, Michael.

That's your roll. Quite warm, isn't it? Try that for a hot roll.

-It's a big roll.

-What are you going to do with it?

-I'm going to buy something broken.

-Are you?

In honour of my dream team

who love anything that's smashed and hammered.

It's been such a happy morning for this lot.

Anyway, I'm going to head off now and show your the prettiest two

-little things you'll ever find in Leominster.

-Michael and me?

-THEY LAUGH

-Bravo.

There are some surprising contrasts in these antiques centres.

If you take a native-produced, not sophisticated nor manufactured

product like this stool, it is a wondrous object in some respects.

Firstly, this has been made out of a single log of wood.

Chop a tree down and that is the diameter of the tree

and what this West African native has done is to take that log,

cut away all the timber around the legs.

They aren't jointed into the top

and that in itself is a bit of a miracle.

The next bit of the miracle is that the top has been dished and then

he's decorated it with little glass coloured beads,

and then he's filled the centre with some animals.

We've got a heffalump there, look,

and an enormous boa constrictor there,

and then a white bird that looks a bit like a guinea fowl

but might be an ibis,

and over there we're got a rat having a snack off a bit of a leaf.

And then most unusually we've got the date. Look.

The 12th of the 11th, 1931.

Quite how it fetched up here in Herefordshire, I don't know.

And priced at only £30, it's a little dream.

Now, in comparison to that native craftsmanship,

we have the most sophisticated form of Edwardian luxury furniture.

If I sit down, you can see what we've got here is

a piece of mahogany that goes to make a tabletop.

Moulded edge and with these uprights, acorn finials,

which are in fact the supports for the ends of the columns underneath

and the open divided sections.

Each of those divided sections have got brass rails running

along the outside with openings into which you can post your books.

So if you're sitting at an armchair or even on an African stool

and you need to get at lots of books and you don't want to have to get up

and go to a bookcase, this thing, because it revolves,

which is really clever, isn't it?

That gives you access to the books and you don't move an inch.

All you need is £150 in your back pocket.

Supreme native comfort and Edwardian convenience. What could be better?

It's a hive of activity here, I tell you.

And with Philip Serrell, what else would you expect? Phil.

-How are you, Tim?

-Lovely to see you.

-Good to see you.

We've got an interesting mix of objects from Leominster

just down the road. How do you rate the silver-backed toilet mirror?

I think it's quite a fun thing. I like the decoration on the back.

-I would think that's going to make between £30-45.

-£60 they paid.

-Oh.

Difficult, isn't it? Cos this swirly stuff, that Art Nouveau look,

-is very good.

-It is.

-Crisp, isn't it?

You wouldn't want to make it for 30, 40 or 60, would you?

-No, you wouldn't. But maybe not that easy to sell.

-No.

Hunting, shooting and fishing is everything in this county.

I quite like that.

I think that's a good bit of fun, and you know, you could actually use it,

-couldn't you?

-You could.

I think that's going to make, I dunno, 30-40, £45,

-something like that.

-OK. £40 paid. That's fine.

And I particularly like this mother-of-pearl encrusted box.

I think it's a handy little thing.

I like that but that's a box specifically for something, isn't it?

Yes, it is.

And having that bent piece of metal as a spring there,

I feel I want to depress it fully, but that's going to break it.

It's got that ledge there, so what sort of box or bottle it held

and why you want it with a spring in there...

-I don't get it, but what a beautifully made thing.

-Yeah.

-I think we'd put £30-50 on it.

-Yeah, £53 it cost.

-They're in with a chance.

-Anyway, if that doesn't do so well,

I fancy they'll need their bonus buy so let's go have a look at it.

Andy, Carol, this is your moment.

You spent £153, you gave £147 to Caroline

and you seemed to have bought a painting. Yes, look.

THEY LAUGH

Are you taking the mickey here? What is your job, Andy?

-I was thinking about that.

-I mean, what are you?

-I'm a butcher by trade.

-What have we got? Hereford beef.

-That's brilliant.

-Isn't that marvellous. It's a print.

It's a limited edition print. I think it's 158 out of 200.

-Herefordshire beef, hey?

-I like that.

-Much did you pay for it?

-£20.

-No!

-£20, yep.

-That's bound to make a profit.

-That's a bargain.

-Would you love it in your shop?

-I would, yeah.

-Would you?

-Grand place in the shop, above the counter.

-Would you?

-Yep, brilliant.

I thought you'd like it. It doesn't have a great age to it,

but I thought it was fun and so pertinent to you.

Yeah. And hopefully for our audience in the sale room today.

-Exactly, yeah.

-It's an agricultural area, isn't it?

-There will be people who breed these things.

-It's really good, that.

Anyway, £20 paid. The team like it. Well done, Caroline.

Right now for the audience at home,

let's find out whether the auctioneer likes this print.

-OK, Phil. This is local.

-I think that's a fun thing, actually.

I quite like it. We have got a few breeders around here.

-I can see that making around the £20 mark.

-That's what they paid, £20.

-That's a result.

-That's a miracle, isn't it?

-There's a few burgers there.

-Look well in somebody's lavatory, yes?

-It's that kind of humorous thing.

-I love that. I think that's good fun.

Good fun. Good.

-I wouldn't be surprised if that did quite well for them.

-Lovely.

-Moving on to the Blues, we've got a cranberry glass bowl.

-Nice enough.

-Bit yesterday's taste. £20-30 worth.

-£22 paid.

-OK.

-And it's not in bad condition.

Secondly, we've got the wall shelves.

They've catalogued them as 19th century.

-They could be a little older than that.

-They could be.

-Just 1800, you know.

-They could be just.

I don't think they're 18th century. They might be on the cusp.

I was a bit mean with those. I think I put, what, £30-50 on them?

They paid 70 and I reckon about £100.

-But, you know, the market will tell us what they're worth.

-Exactly.

What I like about it is that waterfall look.

-It's a great term as well.

-For my money, it's £100 worth.

We'll see what happens, which is fun.

What is not so fun is the state of this Spode jug. It's a shocker.

Yeah, well, I think we need to sell that fairly quickly before it just

falls apart completely.

I love this transfer printed stuff

but I cannot abide it if it's cracked.

Well, it's a lovely example but it's just too far gone in my eyes.

-It's a £5 note, for me.

-I'd put a tenner on it. Did you? Yeah.

Penny fell in love with it

and quite frankly hopefully the penny now has dropped.

On that not so optimistic note, they may need their bonus buy,

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

So, M and P, this is your moment.

£125 you spent, you gave David Harper £175.

-David, show us your wares.

-OK. Here we go. Right, you two.

-Do we love things that...

-Ugh!

-What?

-Sorry.

-What?!

Come on, Penny.

You two know everything there is to know about antiques.

-Tell me what that is.

-It's a famille verte.

-Yes.

-Chinese.

-Yep.

-Probably for export.

-Definitely.

-Peking.

-Yeah, Cantonese.

-Yeah.

-And date?

-Oh, gosh. I should think probably 1890, 1900 or so.

Cantonese, late 19th century, export piece, bowl and cover.

-But it's busted.

-I know but look at the way it's been restored.

-I thought you'd appreciate this.

-Appalling.

-It's fantastic.

-It's a collectable now.

-The rivets.

-We don't take them out because they're an art form.

-They are art.

On odd occasions, a piece of early porcelain.

There was a case in point with a marble Roman bust recently that

sold for a fortunate because of its 18th century rivets.

-It made more money because of the restoration.

-Yep.

-But do you appreciate the painting, the enamel work?

-No, I don't.

-No, you don't.

-It's not very good. It's not a good one, I'm afraid.

-Oh.

-Shame on you. I've seen better.

-OK, never mind.

Come back, David, come back! Don't go.

-Depends what you paid for it.

-OK. Well, 40, and it was a bargain.

In immaculate condition it's a few hundred pounds, isn't it?

Easily 300-400.

He paid £40. You're going to ask him, Michael, how much profit he's going to make on that.

-What do you think it will make?

-I think it should make £80.

-Mm-hm.

-Double the money.

-I think double bubble would be the aim.

We got the low-down there. Thank you very much.

Let's find out now for the audience at home

what the auctioneer thinks about the Canton pot.

On the face of it, this is a jolly good-looking thing.

It's a lovely thing, Tim,

and if you look at it just like that you're thinking £150-250.

Definitely.

But when you open it up, you can see it is riveted, like, everywhere.

These are old repairs. They were done a long time ago.

In that condition, I think it's £20 or 30 worth.

Harper paid 40 as a bonus buy.

We know at £40 for something that looks almost like it's not too bad.

At least he didn't pay too much. He's not far out the way.

I think it's rather a handsome thing, bit like you.

-Oh, thanks, Tim.

-Anyway, good luck on the rostrum.

At 600. 600. Is there any more? At £600. Done. Thank you.

-This is exciting?

-Yes.

-Very.

I tell you, we are on the edge of our seat here.

First lot up is your dressing table mirror, and isn't that beautiful?

-20, I've got it. 20. Bid 30, 40, 50. At 50.

-50.

-£50 only.

The bid's with me. Any more at all?

-At £50 and I sell then at £50 and...

-Oh! Blast it.

-Thank you.

-£50.

He tried. That's minus £10. You'll make the money on this here.

Shooting stick. Bid me for that. Put in the bidding.

-£40 someone. £30.

-More, more.

-You got 20. 20 I am bid. At 20.

-We're starting.

-Starts low.

30? 25? 30. 30 bid. At £30 only.

And 40 I've got on the net now. 40. 40 bid. I'll take five.

-At 40. At £40 only. On the left.

-Once a tenner..

-£40 and I sell, then, at £40 and done. Thank you.

-£40.

Wiped its face. Boo hoo. Now, stand by for the mother-of-pearl box.

Bid me for that. Start me off. £50. Lovely little box, this. 50.

Start me at 20 straight off. Forest of hands. 20. I am bid at 20. 20 bid.

-I'll take five. At 20. Five. 30.

-Ooh.

-Go on. £30 only.

-This is for nothing. At 30. And five. 40 now. And 40 bid.

-Yes, come on.

-At £40 only. Any more? At £40 and done, then, at £40. Thank you.

-Oh!

£40. That's so close again. Minus 13.

-You're at minus 23 all told, all right?

-That's a start.

-So you're going to do the print, are you?

-Yes.

-Are you going to do it?

-Definitely.

-Going to do it. £20 paid, right? So a bit of fun.

-He's estimated it at £20. You're going with it.

-Yeah.

-All it needs is make £23 profit and you're ahead.

-We're there.

-We're going with the bonus buy and here it comes.

-I've got £50 bid.

-50!

-Yes!

-Get in there!

-My woman.

-At 50. Is there any more? At £50.

-Bid's on the book. At £50 and I sell.

-I love it.

-At £50 and done.

-Thank you.

-Yes!

-Isn't that fantastic.

That's plus £30 which means overall you are now going home with money,

-and this never happens. You've got £7.

-Excellent.

-That's my lucky number.

-What, seven?

-Yeah.

-Well, isn't that lovely?

At £ 20... Thank you.

-Michael, Penny, how are you feeling?

-Optimistic.

-That's what I like to hear.

-Pessimistic.

I don't like to hear that.

-First up is your cranberry bowl and here it comes.

-Cranberry glass bowl.

There we are. Will you bid me for that? Start me off, someone.

-£30 to go.

-Go on. Go on. It's a nice signed one.

-£10 quickly.

-Oh, dear.

-Help.

-Oh, dear.

-Help?

-Who's got a fiver? Quickly.

-That's mean.

-Thank you.

Thank you for coming. We'll send a cab next time. At five.

I am bid at five. At £5. There's the bid.

-At £5, I'm only bid at five.

-And now it's getting worse.

-I can't bear it.

-No!

-Ten. 15. 15?

-15. 15.

-Come on.

-At £15 only. At 15.

-There's the bid. At £15.

-I don't believe it. A signed piece.

-Thank you.

-Minus seven.

-That's OK.

-This is where I'm going to crawl away.

-Now, the wall shelves.

I've got a bid at £30 starting.

-30. 35. 40. Five.

-50?

-50. Five. 60. Five.

-Come on.

-75.

-That's more like it.

-80. Five. 90. Five.

-Michael, you're a genius.

-My gosh.

-100. 110. 120 with me. At 120.

-Brilliant.

-130.

-Yes.

-140.

140. Bid's on the book at £140 only. Is there any more? At £140.

-Look at that, girls!

-At £140 and done.

-140!

-Thought you would do well.

And thank you.

-Yes, that's very good.

-He described it beautifully, didn't he?

Didn't he just. Plus 70. You had minus seven. You are plus 63, girls.

I have to say, I think this has seen better days. There we are.

-The Spode jug.

-God, I'm embarrassed about that.

-No, you're not.

-It's interesting.

-It's attractive. Academically interesting.

Start me at £20, someone.

-Who's got a tenner? Who's got a fiver?

-It's this side now.

-Yeah.

Someone has to have a fiver. Thank you. Five, I'm bid at five. Five bid.

£5. At £5. I'm bid at five. Thank you for coming. At £5.

-Five bid.

-Oh, no!

-Any more at all?

-At £5 and done at £5 and done. Thank you.

-Minus 28. Minus 28.

-Oh, no!

-So that gives you plus £35.

-You're going with the bonus buy or not?

-It's worth a punt. Come on.

-Yes.

-You're going with the bonus buy.

-Now I can tell you what his estimate is, which is £20-30.

-Oh!

I don't think there can be much of a down side

if there's a down side at all, frankly.

The Canton pot. Bid me for that. Start me off. £30. 20.

-Surely.

-Oh, come on!

-Who's got a tenner?

-Oh, no.

-It's one of those £10 moments.

-Who said that? Thank you. I'll take that.

At ten, I'm bid. Ten. At £10. 15.

15. Yes or no? 15. Down here at 15.

15. Is there any more?

-At £15 only. There's the bid at £15 and I sell.

-I can't believe it.

-Thank you.

-15 is minus 25 which means overall you're plus £10.

-Oh, that's good.

-That's good.

-That's better than nothing.

£140, is there any more?

-Well, teams this is fun, isn't it? Been chatting?

-ALL: No.

-So you've revealed no secrets.

-No.

-Well, I can reveal that both teams are in profit.

-ALL: Ooohh!

-How rare is that?

-Makes a change.

Certainly does. You took the words out of my mouth.

And there's only £3 between the teams

-in terms of the profit stakes.

-No!

And the runners up today, with marginally less winnings,

-are the Reds.

-Oh!

Because you have managed to run up, not lose, by winning £7.

-How's that? There's your £5 note.

-Thank you.

Here, my darling, is your £2. There's the shrapnel.

-Thank you very much.

-Which is a good result, really.

-Yes.

You would have got nowhere without Caroline's bonus buy, though.

That gave you £30 of profit out of those old heifers.

-Which is quite something, isn't it?

-We enjoyed it.

-Very good.

You've done very well, Caroline. Thank you very much.

-Thank you for joining us. But the victors today get £10.

-Thank you.

-Isn't that good?

-Yes.

-Yeah, really good.

-A waterfall or profits.

-THEY LAUGH

-Absolutely.

-Did you have a nice time?

-It was great fun.

-Good for you, Penny?

-Wonderful.

-How was it for you, David?

-Fabulous.

There we go. A lovely result all round, and congratulations.

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

-ALL: Yes!