Dorking 22 Bargain Hunt

'We're in the market town of Dorking today,

'birthplace of Sir Laurence Olivier.'

And the great man once said,

"I take a simple view on life. I keep my eyes open

"and get on with it," which is sound advice for our teams today.

So why don't we get on with it, and let's go bargain hunting, yeah!

It's not the West End, but it is West Street,

and it's home to some wonderful dealers,

so let's have a quick review of our teams' performance so far.

'Our two teams are as different as fire and ice today.

'While the fiery Reds come close to blows...'

It's one of those things. Now, come on.

-Let's go.

-Less of the fighting and more of the buying.

'..the ice cool Blues are more concerned about refreshments.'

Right, so all we need now is someone to bring some tea in to us

-and we'll be fine.

-Does Tim not do tea and biscuits?

'Hey! Let's meet the teams.'

On the programme today we have two gorgeous mother and daughter teams.

We have Lauren and Hilary for the Reds,

and we have Victoria and June for the blues.

Hello, everyone.

-ALL: Hello.

-Now, Hilary, would you say that you are two fully paid up

-members of the horsey set?

-Yes, very much so. It's our life, really, yeah.

-How many horses have you got?

-I think we've got seven at the moment.

-And do you breed them?

-I have bred quite successfully,

I've got a couple that I sold to Germany and that are winning races.

-Really?

-Mm-hm.

Apart from your collection that are wandering around in your stables,

what else do you collect?

-I like Bakelite phones, I'm afraid.

-You do?

-Yes, I know, yes.

Will you be buying a telephone today if you find one on Bargain Hunt?

Only if it's cheap.

That is the right answer. You are absolutely top of the class.

Now, Lauren, have you got any tales of adventures you can share with us?

Yeah, Mum and I, about ten years ago,

we decided to do the whole city slicker type thing

and went to Arizona for a couple of weeks

and hang out with some cowboys and herded some cows.

But when you're on horseback and cantering along and you have

to do this kind of thing, it must be incredibly difficult...

Erm, I only tried it off horseback, I wasn't that brave.

-And are you a veteran of antique fairs?

-I am, yeah.

I mean, Mum was dragging me to them at a very young age and she would

often use my puppy dog eyes to get the bargains quite cheap.

There was one time when Mum saw this metal plaque which was

about £5, and a few minutes later I brought it back for 50p

-so she was chuffed with that.

-Really? She was impressed with that.

Is it going to be the same technique today, then?

Find a male stallholder and flutter and see what happens?

-We'll give it a go if we can.

-Yeah.

As to tactics, apart from fluttering eyelashes,

-what else are you going to employ?

-Oh, we'll... I don't know.

We keep having little arguments as to what the tactics are.

-Yeah, what the tactics are.

-Going to spend the lot?

-No.

-No.

-No.

-Are you going to be cheapskates?

-Yeah.

-Yeah, sorry!

Anyway, good luck with that.

Now, Victoria, is there going to be enough Deco in Dorking to go around?

-I don't know, I hope so.

-You're very fond of it, aren't you?

Yes, our whole living room is very Art Deco style.

We have a cast iron and stainless steel fireplace,

Deco style prints, Deco style furnishings.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I'm a friend of the Royal Academy

and I enjoy going to the exhibitions there,

particularly the summer exhibition

which always has something for everyone.

Yes, exactly, and often at surprisingly low prices.

Indeed, I have bought a couple of prints there in the past.

-And what do you do to earn a crust?

-I run my own business.

I do sales training and team development training.

So you're going to be very well organised today?

We will be very well organised.

-You'll be organising your mother.

-Yes.

Stand by, June. Now, you love your job too, don't you, June?

-Oh, I do, yes.

-Tell us about it.

-I'm an educational consultant.

I train teachers, I support teachers who want to improve their practice.

-I help schools prepare for Ofsted.

-Mm-hm.

And I love working with young people, it keeps me young.

If you don't mind my asking, how old are you?

-72, but I'm not going to tell anybody.

-Don't mention it!

Unfortunately, it's out there now with several million people.

That is unbelievable!

Now, most people get Sundays off but you don't, do you?

I ring bells on Sundays, yes. I love ringing for weddings as well.

I bet you do. And do you ever get carried off your feet?

No, I have never been carried off my feet, not by a bell anyway.

THEY LAUGH

Where do you get your antiques knowledge from, you two?

Your deep and sincere knowledge of antiques?

The secret is, we're fans of the Derbyshire Experts Club.

-Oh, are you?

-Oh, yes. Charles Hanson is...

Does he set you a-flutter?

Well, it was, yes, we love the programme, yes.

We'd better not go any further, I think.

In fact, what we'll do now is the money moment. £300 apiece.

You know the rules, your experts await, and off you go,

and very, very good luck.

So, the Derbyshire Antiques Admiration Society?

I haven't heard of that one before.

'Walking the high street for the Reds, it's Thomas Plant.

'And sounding the horn for the Blues, it's Claire Rawle.'

What are your tactics today?

Well, we've had a few arguments about this, haven't we?

-Who's in charge?

-I'm in charge.

-Well, I think I am.

-Who applied?

-I did.

-Well, you're in charge.

-No!

-Well, let's go!

So, June, Victoria, what are we going to do today,

what's the strategy?

Er, we're looking for something beautiful, something eye-catching,

-something with a bit of quality.

-Oh, OK, quality.

-How about you, June?

-I think I'd like something with a story,

-and we're very keen on 1930s-40s.

-Brilliant, well, I'll tell you what,

-this looks like a good place to start. Shall we go in here?

-Yes.

-OK.

-What are you looking at? The butter dish?

-Yes.

-Oh, with a sort of, like, a kestrel on top of it?

-Yes.

That's quite nice, that's Indian silver, the beaker, which is

actually very good quality silver. Nice decorative item.

-Anything there you feel like getting a closer look at?

-The beaker.

So shall I see if I can get it out

-and have a look at it for you?

-Yes.

-OK, right.

'The Blues are certainly quick off the block.

'Indian silver from the first cabinet they've seen. But the Reds?

'Well, they're running all over the shop.'

There's even more room in here, more stuff.

-Ah, and it goes even further.

-There's more upstairs as well.

-What do you like?

-Art Deco stuff.

-Deco, yeah.

-I like quirky.

-Quirky.

I think we need to start looking properly.

'You mean you've not been looking so far, Thomas?'

'Now, back to that Indian beaker with Claire.'

"White metal beaker,"

they'll always put that because it's not hallmarked.

You need to get it tested but the chances are it will be silver,

and it's usually quite a high, er, fineness as well.

Beautifully decorated. There is a sort of growing market for these.

-Now, we've got 65 on it.

-How much d'you think it would make at auction?

Say 40-60, erm, so depending obviously...

-Has it been bashed a little bit here?

-It's got a little bit...

-Wear and tear.

-..which, yes, is sort of acceptable.

-It does still stand up.

-I do like the pattern on it.

Yeah, d'you know, I love the pattern on this type of work.

I think it's very intricate and very deep.

What d'you think we would need to get that for?

'You'll need to check with the dealer on that, Team.'

-I can make a telephone call for you.

-OK.

And whilst you're looking round, I can come back to you...

And just give us the great news, yeah.

-That'd be great, thank you.

-Is that all right?

That would be very kind of you, thank you very much.

'Let's hope it's great news, Claire.

'Right, it looks like the Reds have found something of interest.'

I quite like these.

These are Art Deco style, so that's the little code...

Oh, yeah, so they're not...

..within the business to say they are Deco in...

-Fake.

-No. No, I think that's quite harsh.

-Oh, right, OK.

They're not fake, they're just...

-They're like a reproduction type thing.

-Correct. Reproduction.

'We don't use the F word on this show, Hilary.'

What about this? This bronze number here.

It says, "Chinese?"

It is Japanese all day long. It's probably 1890s.

It's a bit dented, though, isn't it?

You're right, it is dented and it is faded

but it is rather charming, it's a proper antique.

-What about the little box there? £45.

-That's quite cute.

Very probably Indian silver, dated 1871.

-That's pretty, isn't it?

-Damaged there, isn't it?

-Right, I know you're concerned about this here.

-Yeah.

-Not a problem.

-OK.

A good silversmith can sort that. There's some marks I've seen.

Look at those marks just there. It's Russian.

-Russian's better than Indian.

-Much better than Indian...

'Don't let the Blues hear you say that.'

In Britain we have hallmarks,

you have the lion passant then you have the town mark,

the essay office and the date.

In Russia, they had a similar sort of system.

They dated it with dates, and then they did have town marks,

so, Moscow, for example, has St George slaying the dragon.

-That's their town mark. This is what we call filigree.

-Yeah.

Beautifully done.

'Looks promising, but Lauren doesn't seem convinced.'

I want to have a chance to look for something that's more my taste.

No, but I like... Well, this can be my, my...

-Yeah, your one.

-Have you decided that you're going to have one,

-you're going to have one?

-No, Lauren has decided.

Lauren's decided that you're each going to have one

-and a third one and then I'm having one?

-Yes.

It's 45, what are you going to do?

-I'm going to ask her what her best price is...

-Good idea.

-..and go from there.

-Don't mention it's Russian.

-No, I won't.

'Yeah, best keep that under your Cossack hat, Hilary.'

How do you think she'll do?

I think she'll be able to get it, maybe 35, 40?

She can be quite persuasive if she puts her mind to it.

-I wanted a 2 in front of it, like 25 or 28.

-Oh, really?

-Yeah.

-Erm...

-How have you done?

-Well, she said 35...

-Well, it's a tenner off.

But I said, erm, could she ring the dealer, so she's ringing

the dealer at the moment cos I said that's a bit above our budget.

-Did you now?

-Oh, look at you.

If you get it for any less that's always a bonus.

But you've done well.

Hi, I managed to have a chat with the dealer and, erm,

-he's gone down to 25 for you, so £20 off.

-That's wonderful.

-Brilliant, yeah.

-That's a super price, we'll definitely have that.

-Ever doubting Lauren!

-I was.

-Ever doubting Lauren!

I didn't think she was capable but I stand corrected.

It's one of those things. Now, come on.

-Let's go.

-Less of the fighting and more of the buying.

'That's one item down, and both Reds are still standing. A good start.

'Now, the Reds may be scrapping but the Blues are busy cooing.'

-Aww.

-Yeah.

-Oh, gosh.

-You wanted something with a story.

-It's just a little child's outfit.

-Baby boy romper, 1920s.

Yeah, that's really rather sweet.

-With a little button.

-A little mother of pearl button.

And in the days when you had washing machines and mangles,

all the buttons used to have to be taken off,

cos otherwise you'd put it through the mangle, squashes them.

-Is it hand stitched?

-It's not a mass produced item,

cos they weren't, really, so, yes.

I was looking...I bet there's not a label on it.

Oh, that was a thought, yes.

-No, there isn't.

-There's no label there, and I was looking...

No, cos that all looks sort of hand turned and everything,

beautifully lined actually, isn't it?

You know how you're going with an idea of the things...?

-It wasn't what I was looking for.

-It wasn't what I was looking for.

-Doesn't that often happen?

-It does stand out. Interesting.

-And you wanted something with a story.

-We did.

-With a story.

So, do things like this...?

Yeah, there is a good collecting market for vintage costume,

especially a child's costume. I'd put that at, say, 15-20.

So you could get it for something like 15?

Yes, cos at the end of the day,

-you've got to make a profit out of it.

-Yes, absolutely.

-Yes.

'Where did she come from?'

We're hoping there's a happy middle ground.

-If you like I can put you on offer and see what they say.

-Yes...

-Ah, Jackie, any word on the beaker?

-This one can be 40.

-£40?

-I like that, yes.

-I don't think we can...

Yeah, I think we should see a profit on that, we really should do.

-One down, two to go.

-Absolutely, yes.

So we can start looking for the next one. OK, let's go down through here.

'So, it's yes to the beaker,

'and we'll have to hear back about the boys' clothes.

'What have you got there, Thomas?'

-They're mother of pearl gaming counters.

-And how old are they?

-I'd say 1800s. 1810, 1820.

-They are different, Lauren, it's something...

They are different, aren't they? Look at those.

Did you do those yourself?

No, we got one of our expert friends to do it.

-And your mum's done it as well, look at them.

-Yes.

-Yeah, we're a pair.

-You are a matching pair.

-Took four hours in total to do.

-Four hours?

-What did you do with those four hours?

-Chat.

-Chat.

-Do what we're best at!

-You can do a lot of chatting.

-Chatting and bicker, wasn't it, really?

-Bicker?

-About today, yeah.

Really? Oh, bicker about today,

-as in who was going to deal with tactics?

-Yeah.

Right, well, I think there's 39 in there, times seven,

which comes to two hundred and something pounds.

I really wanted the box for about £40.

I don't think that's going to happen.

'No, I doubt they'll want to play at that price.'

-Oh, that's pretty.

-It is pretty. It's not terribly old.

That's pretty, Cloisonne vase in there.

Right, let's have a look in here, see what we can find.

'Here comes Jackie with a price on the little outfit.'

-Jackie, have you got news for us?

-Well, erm, could you go to 17?

-Ooh, yes.

-Well, it's a hell of a reduction, isn't it?

-It is.

-So, I think yes.

-And we really liked it too, yes, yes. We'll go for that.

Brilliant, excellent. Thank you very much, that's very good.

-Hey, well done.

-So, one more to go?

-Yeah, well, that is excellent.

Two in the bag, and really nice things as well.

-So, anyway, we mustn't dither. On to find the next.

-Yes, where next?

'As easy as that, well done, Blues. The boys' outfit for £17.

'They're happy enough.

'But why doesn't Lauren look very happy?'

-Is this more what you wanted?

-No.

-No?

No, I want to get her away from the clothes.

She's going to embarrass me and try things on and...

What have you found there?

It's a bag, it's a bit...

-Does it float your boat?

-It does, actually.

-Sort of 1960s.

-You like that?

-Yes.

'Well, that's better, Lauren, but will it last?'

Is it worth it?

-If you like it, yes, it is, but...

-You wanted something quirky.

I know, but I don't want to use my choice

and then get something that is only going to make a couple of quid.

Yeah, it might only make a couple of pounds.

It might actually lose you money.

'Uh-oh. There may be trouble ahead.'

-We haven't got time for playing games.

-It doesn't fit my...

-She's stressing me out.

-Let's walk through, come on.

-Yeah.

I don't like not knowing how much time we've got.

-Well, we've probably got 20 minutes left.

-Oh, my God.

-Stop playing about with things, Mum, we ain't got time.

-Come on, come on.

-The metronome?

-Yeah.

-It doesn't do anything for me.

-It's my choice, though.

-Ooh!

-Ah-ah, let's not fall out. Come on.

You've had your bit, it's my bit now.

There's these two, like, candlestick things with snakes.

As much as I'd love to say, "Yes, let's buy them,"

you see them quite often, I'm afraid.

Everything I like is no good!

I feel really bad, I feel really bad for you.

I don't think I can take any more rejection.

I'm not going to give you any more, we'll just go downstairs.

'Let's hope things look up downstairs for Lauren.

'Now, those sharp-eyed Blues are looking for quality.'

Erm...

They're much more decorative,

and you've got the maker's name on the eye pieces.

Mother of pearl covered barrels, so, yeah, you'd expect them

to be more expensive.

Those I would estimate at about sort of 50 at auction.

-So, again, they're marked up at 95.

-The hip flask, is that...?

That's nice, it's £225.

-Which is more than we've got.

-OK.

Yes, we'd have to negotiate a good deal.

What about the snooker scoreboard? Is that worth looking at or not?

They are actually very collected, it's a mahogany one.

It's by Riley's, who are like the Rolls-Royce of...

-Oh, are they?

-Yeah.

-OK, so it's quality?

-It's quality, quality again.

They call it Edwardian snooker, erm, I think it's probably billiards

-but I'm not enough of an expert on these sort of things.

-Is it usable?

Oh, yes. You know, if you want a scoreboard. But it's nice quality.

Being mahogany's good because a lot of them were plainer woods.

They're always printed.

They're very rarely painted, so it's all gilt printing.

They've got 145 on it. It's not hugely out of the way.

I'd prefer to get it nearer 70. They will make £100.

I've been amazed, actually, sometimes some really rough ones

have made really good money.

If you could get it for under the 100...

-OK. D'you want to investigate?

-I think that's worth pursuing, yes.

So d'you think it's worth seeing...?

-Seeing if they can...

-OK.

-..do a good price?

Are you going to go down and see if you can find the lady?

-Art Deco dog cork.

-The dog corkscrew, certainly.

What's going to be wrong with that?

'I think you're barking up the wrong tree there, Lauren.'

-I like the deer.

-What d'you like about it?

Well, I'm an animal lover and I love deers, and I think it's just,

I don't know, Art Deco-y and it looks quite solid.

-It's not Art Deco style.

-No, this is Art Deco for sure.

-That is for sure.

No, there's no style to this.

'No style, Thomas?'

You can tell from the base, the stands here,

the way the marble has been cut,

it's got certainly what we call patination and age.

And also the bronze figure, well, the bronzed figure...

BRONZE CLINKS

That's the sound of spelter.

I don't want to pay any more than 100 for it, though.

-We're here to win, aren't we?

-You are here to win.

I like your ambition. I do like your ambition.

-However, we need three items. £100 and you'll buy it?

-Yes.

Right, we'll stick to our guns on that one. Off you go, carry on.

Carry on looking.

There's a gazelle photo frame here, Art Deco. It's French, circa 1930s.

-I do like that.

-Yeah, I probably prefer that.

-You prefer that, do you?

-They are similar.

-I'd have a go at that.

-You want to have a go at that one instead?

-Yeah, this one instead.

'So it's out with the stag and in with the gazelles.

'And what else has Thomas seen?'

Those are lovely. Leather cased hip flasks.

Made by James Dixon & Sons, so good makers on the base there.

It's a Britannia metal, which is a plated metal,

mixed with pewter in it.

Leather cased within glass

and they'd be hunting or for a good picnic.

You could have one spirit in each, one for gin, one for cognac,

-one for...

-Vodka.

-What era?

Erm, I would say these are going to be '30s. I think they're good fun.

-Yeah.

-Quite stylish.

-Shall I go and speak to...

the shop to see what we can do for these and your photograph frame?

-You've discounted the stag.

-We've discounted the stag.

Can I say for the record I think you're making a mistake

but that's my opinion, and my opinion only.

-Oh, no, don't say that!

-Doesn't matter.

You've left me with over £175, haven't you?

-So we might end up with it anyway.

-Oh, yeah!

Anyway, I'm going this way to have a conversation, is that all right?

OK, then, okey doke.

'Sounds promising. Now, as the Reds wait for Thomas,

'it looks like the Blues are taking the weight off.'

-All right?

-Oh!

-All that walking about, ah...

-Hello!

-Well, if we're taking a break I'll sit down and join you.

Jackie's gone to get the price, so...

-Excellent.

-As long as we can get it for two figures, you said.

-Two figures. See if we can get two figures.

-Fingers crossed.

-Yes.

-Yeah.

OK, excellent. Here she is, hello!

-Right, good news, he's actually said you can have it for 90.

-Oh, 90!

-That's really good, are you happy with that?

-We're very happy.

-Brilliant, OK, thank you.

-Thank you so much. Brilliant, well done.

Right, so all we need now is someone to bring some tea in to us

-and we'll be fine.

-Does Tim not do tea and biscuits?

'Charming(!) I'll be along in a few minutes, Victoria,

'because that's all that's left on the clock.'

-So...

-Oh.

-Hilary, Lauren,

erm, have one of those each.

There you are. Now, the deal.

-I've had a good conversation, cos how much were these?

-95.

-And how much was the frame?

-75.

-OK, £100 for the two lots.

-Wow.

-Brilliant.

'So, Thomas has sealed the deal.

'That's all three items in the bag for the Reds

'just in the nick of time.

'That's it, teams. Time's up.

'The Red team spent well over 1,000 roubles,

'or £25, on their Russian filigree casket.

'They jumped for joy when Thomas got them a bundle deal.

'£50 for the leaping gazelle photo frame,

'and a second £50 on the three spirit flasks.'

-Three items?

-Yes.

-Three items.

-Why were you so panicky?

Cos I'm just such a control freak

and I didn't know what the time was...

Control freak?! It can't be. Is that the truth, Thomas?

-There was a bit of stress going on.

-There was a lot of stress going on.

Now, listen, you boozy country ladies, you love these, right?

-We do.

-You could have them on the back of your horse and canter off.

-How much did you pay for these?

-£50.

-£50, OK, fine.

-That's not much, is it, for three?

-For three.

I would have thought that's pretty cool.

And what did you spend overall?

-125.

-You spent 125, I'd like £175 of leftover lolly please.

-OK.

Thank you, Lauren, that's great. You don't like doing this, do you?

-Handing over the cash.

-No, it's hard, it's breaking my heart.

So you spent 125, but you're going to give Thomas £175.

Before he disappears, though, I want to know, Lauren,

what is your favourite piece?

It's got to be the picture frame with the stags.

-OK, fine, and do you agree with that?

-No.

-No? You don't.

No, the little box.

OK, that's favourite. Which is going to bring the biggest profit?

-That one.

-That one?

-Mm, I'm not sure.

-You're not sure.

-They've been so competitive.

-It's terrible, isn't it?

Anyway, there we are.

You've made your predictions, Thomas has got a lot of cash there to use

to find you your Bonus Buy, so we wish you Godspeed with that, Thomas.

-Thank you.

-Have a nice cup of tea, girls.

Meanwhile, we're going to check out what the Blue team bought.

'The Blues were quick off the mark

'spending £40 on the Indian silver beaker.

'They spent a further £17 on the little boys' outfit.

'And took a well deserved break

'after buying the billiards scoreboard for £90.'

Now, Victoria, Juney, how was your shopping experience?

-It's been brilliant.

-It was absolutely great.

-Which is your favourite piece?

-The snooker marker scoreboard.

-That's your favourite?

-Yes.

-Do you agree with that, Ma?

-No, I think I like the Edwardian romper suit.

-Do you?

-Yes!

-I see, and is that going to ring the biggest profit?

-I think it is.

-You agree with that?

-Yes.

-OK, Victoria. Now, you spent how much?

-£147.

-£147, I'd like £153 please.

Thank you, 153, there's two and three, look,

-straight to Claire Rawle.

-Thank you so much.

What are you going to do with that, darling?

I haven't really got an idea at the moment.

I'm sure I'll be hit with inspiration once I get out there.

Good luck with finding your find, Claire.

And I'm going to show you something pretty bony

that's also quite a mystery.

Now this is a very odd object.

Just look at the stylised form of his nose, this great flared beaker.

And then either side of that, oval eyes within serrated eyebrows

and an eye socket.

A rather mean mouth

and an incredibly pointy chin that goes to a section that looks

almost as if it's a claw with these vertical cuts.

And up above, in this semicircular section,

we can see some stylised animals.

These look a bit like Kiwis,

one on either side of this section with pointy beaks.

If I revolve it, you can see on the back there is an incredible

complexity of porous holes.

It's almost like a sponge, except this isn't dried sponge.

What I think it is is part of the skeleton of a whale.

Once upon a time, on a Pacific island,

a whale that died out at sea is washed ashore.

The natives simply took the porous bones from the whale

and carved it to make decorative objects,

probably for the early tourist trade in the 1920s or 1930s.

But I can't be sure.

The next logical port of call is to seek help from a professional

who knows about objects produced by the tribes of the Pacific Basin.

What do you do, though, as a collector,

if you're confronted with such an unusual object?

You could just run away from it,

it's outside your comfort zone.

You've never seen anything like it.

You don't want to have anything to do with it

OR you could be intrigued.

You could ask the dealer, what does he know about it?

He then tells you he hasn't got the faintest idea.

You ask him how much he wants for it

and he says, "It could be yours for £120, Guv'nor."

And then you have a decision to make -

is this thing sufficiently intriguing?

Is it sufficiently rare to tempt you to part with £120 for something

that apparently nobody knows anything about?

Or do you just park it?

I'll leave you to decide.

If only he could talk.

Well, we've come over the county line from Dorking in Surrey

to Wisborough Green in West Sussex,

to be with Jonathan Pratt at Bellmans Saleroom.

Now, they've got some promising items. The Reds are kicking on

with this filigree casket. Do you like that?

I really like it.

You see lots of this sort of stuff made in India, but this is Russian.

It's nice work, it's well made. It's got age too. There's one defect.

Just pointing out - the back left, I think it's one of the back feet,

-there's half a foot missing.

-Right.

-But that's the only defect.

-OK.

Miniature little casket then and in nice order and Russian, how much?

-I expect it to make between £100 and £150.

-Do you really?

-Uh-huh.

-I don't believe it. They only paid £25.

I think that's a really good buy for £25.

Next is this Art Deco photo frame or calendar frame.

-It could hold anything, actually.

-Yeah.

-But these are bronze, aren't they?

-They're bronze.

And they're nicely cast too.

You see lots of pairs of bronze figures, and they do terribly well.

I mean, the large ones can do quite a lot of money.

I do rather like them, and I think they'll get between £70 and £90.

They paid £50. This is looking up, isn't it?

Now, moving on, we've got these three very handsome Dixon flasks.

-Do you like these?

-They're very fashionable at the moment.

It's that sort of old English gent sort of shooting, hunting, fishing.

-£30 to £50.

-What, for the three?

-For the three, a tenner each.

-They paid £50, yeah.

-Oh, right.

So, for a change,

I'm sufficiently confident having had your estimates

to predict that the Reds won't need a bonus buy,

but we'll go and have a look at it anyway.

-OK, Hilary, Lauren, how are you feeling?

-Good.

-Positive.

It's exciting, this, isn't it? You only spent £125.

You gave £175 to Thomas Plant. Thomas, what did you spend it on?

I bought this rather handsome ring tray for one's dressing table,

so you pop your rings in there, your ear rings.

But you two like dogs, don't you?

-Yeah, we do.

-So there we are, a couple of fox terriers,

or a fox terrier and a Scottie dog

in bronze on the onyx.

-It's a bit damaged, would that make a difference?

-Oh...

It's alabaster come onyx, so it's going to get slightly rubbed.

You can have a little bit of a polish on that.

-That would be polished...?

-Easily polished.

-How much did you spend?

-£45.

-OK, and do you think it's going to make...?

-Yeah, make any money?

I do, actually, they are quite popular,

having a bronze and...these things are quite popular, so dogs,

people who have fox terriers or Scottie dogs would be after that.

-When was it made?

-I would say 1920s.

-So it's a period piece.

-A period piece.

-Just a bit of nibbling around the stone.

-Yeah.

Do you actually like it, Hils?

No.

What does the daughter say?

What do you think it's going to make at auction?

That's such a good question. I think you might get a fiver profit.

You might get...you could double your money.

-So it does happen, it does happen, I promise.

-OK.

Well, let's rest with that thought, you don't have to take it

until after the sale of the first three items,

and even then, you can pass if you want to,

but right now, for the audience at home,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Thomas' little doggies.

How do you rate that, JP?

People do like, sort of cold-painted bronzes,

dogs are popular, ashtrays aren't, really, but...

-You could put your cufflinks in it?

-Yeah, exactly.

-So quite sweet, yeah, rather nice, I think.

-A couple of dogs on it.

-Yeah.

-Now, as to the price...

-Yes.

-How much?

-£25 to £35.

-OK, £45 paid.

Now, that's it for the Reds. Now, for the Blues.

First up, it's the Indian embossed beaker.

-I think it has got a little bit of age.

-A lot of work in it, isn't it?

And it's low-grade silver. Yes, a lot of work in it, what is it worth?

-£50 to £80.

-£40 they paid, so that's very nice.

Now, moving on to the kiddies clothing from the 1930s.

A costume like this for children, does anybody want them?

It could be a sort of theatre prop, of course, but there's a fashion,

I suppose, for the 1940s, '50s in dress,

but, I mean, for adults, really, not for kids.

What's the market value for this twinset and short combo?

I thought I'd try to be kind at £20 to £40.

-That is very kind, they paid £17.

-Oh, OK.

-So that's OK.

Now, what about the billiard score device?

I mean, people still play snooker and billiards.

Riley's are good makers, but that was the 1930s,

that particular billiard scorer, isn't it?

I mean, it's not like a handsome Victorian one.

And so, for that matter, I've only put £30 to £50 on it.

I knew there was a sting coming somewhere,

they paid £90 and that's enough to torpedo anybody's chances,

so they're going to need the Bonus Buy. Let's go and have a look at it.

-Well, well, well. This is fun, isn't it?

-It is.

You spent 147, you gave Claire 153.

So, Claire Rawle, show us what you spent £153 on.

OK.

-Oh!

-Ooh!

-Oh, wow!

CLAIRE LAUGHS

Not quite that much.

It's a piece of trench art, but it is actually very collectable.

-So yeah, it's a bullet and...in a shell case.

-Yeah.

I know originally it was made as a match box holder,

-which is perhaps not...

-Oh, I see!

Although people have more log burners and things these days,

so they need matches, so it'd be quite nice to...

-Ah, it'd fit in the top.

-Yeah.

-You could put anything in there, couldn't you? It's so unusual.

-Yeah.

-I think I've... Do you like it?

-Yes!

-Yes. How much did you pay for it?

OK, well, it wasn't a huge amount, it was £15.

Oh, my goodness! Oh, wow!

Definitely on a roll here now, aren't you?

-I really like it, I really like it.

-I really like it too.

-Thank you.

You really like it at £15.

I think that sold it, yeah, yeah.

But what would it...?

I mean, I would like to see it make a reasonable profit.

I mean, trench art is actually very collectable these days.

It usually makes around £30 to £50,

but I'll be happy if, you know, it makes sort of 20, 25.

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

-It is nice, yes!

Thank you, Claire!

Right now though, for the audience at home,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about our trench art.

OK, JP, what we want to know is how much you'd shell out for that.

Well, this sort of trench art has a certain following.

It's not my thing.

I really fail to get excited by them, I'm afraid.

It may not be your baby, but it is popular amongst collectors

-though, isn't it?

-It is. This is, I suppose, a novel, a novel use of it.

-Yes, a pretty uninspiring one, as far as I'm concerned.

-Yes.

-How much?

-It's only really worth £10 to £15.

-OK, £15 paid.

I think it's jolly good going. Anyway, JP, thank you very much.

We'll stand by for a big explosion in a moment.

Hilary and Thomas, you are the most brilliant couple

-because you found that little filigree casket, didn't you?

-Yes.

Which happens rarely to be Russian,

which is an unusual thing for filigree.

And it's all been dated up and whatnot

and his estimate is £100 to £150, and you paid £25.

-Well...

-I mean, how brilliant is that?

-That's brilliant!

Then you bought that Art Deco calendar stand,

photo frame stand, which is in bronze.

-That is incredibly clever too. He's put £70 to £90 on that.

-Wow.

And you only paid £50.

And then, you got the spirit flasks,

which I think are absolutely fabulous.

For these, he only put £30 to £50. You paid £50.

They ought to make £100, all right?

It should make £50 to £100, not £30 to £50.

I think you've got three winners there, girls.

Now, first up, it's the divine Russian filigree casket

and here it comes.

We have this wonderful Russian

silver filigree casket

done in rectangular form,

circa 1871. I can start at 60, £65.

Straight off at £65.

Looking for 70 now.

With me at £65, looking for 70.

70.

75.

80 now on the right.

My heart is going mental.

85 on the phone.

90 on the right now, 90.

95, 100.

-Look at that!

-£100!

-'110.'

£110 on the telephone.

To my left at £110.

Anyone else now at £110?

110 on the phone.

Fair warning, then,

selling to the telephone at £110.

Yes! That's so good. £110.

That is 75, that's plus £85.

Plus 85, lovely.

Circa 1940, lovely casting on it.

Model is leaping gazelles.

Start me at £60 for this. 60 is bid,

dead ahead at 60, thank you.

Where is the five now?

Lady's bid in the centre at 60.

Looking for five.

60 in the middle, with the lady at 60.

65 waving, 70.

75, madam. 80 is bid!

-Yes!

-OK, 80 still in the centre.

£80 with the lady at 80.

Anyone else now at £80

and selling it at 80.

Look at that, plus £30 on that.

This is plus £115.

Now, these flasks.

By James Dixon & Sons.

Rather handsome, these.

They'd be wonderful to take out

in the winter with a picnic.

Starting with me, 15, 25, 35, 40,

50, I am bid.

Straight in at £50,

looking for five now.

-Who's going to go 55?

-Wow!

-£50. 55 Internet.

-Internet.

60 with me, again to the Internet

at 60. That's £60.

65 internet clears commission now.

65, anyone else joining in at £65?

On the net at 65.

Selling then to the Internet

bidder at £65. All done, 65!

65 is plus 15, which means,

you lovely girls, that is plus 130.

-Can you believe that? You have a profit on each item.

-Each item.

Each item. And you have £130 of profit. Now, your big question is...

-..what are you going to do about the ring tray?

-Oh, it's so hard(!)

-You have 130.

-Is it a yes or is it a no?

-I think it's going to be a no.

-I think it's a no.

-Is it going to be a no?

-Sorry, Thomas.

-It's like rubbing salt into a wound.

-Well, that's it, then.

There is no dissuading you two, is there? OK. Here we go.

You're not going with the bonus buy but we're going to sell it anyway.

And here it comes.

A bronze and onyx ring stand.

Start me straight off at £25.

£25 for it.

Nice little lot, this, for £25. Surely worth 25.

Little ring tray here. £25.

-20, then. 20?

-Fiver?

-All right, shh!

Thinking about it. 15 I'm bid at the front. At £15. Let's go up, though.

I've got £15 here. Where's 20?

£15. 18, anyone else?

I'll do 18 if you like. £15 down the front. At £15. £15 and selling.

That is minus £30. I'm very sorry to say that.

Anyway, you preserved your losses.

I've never seen a woman look happier.

Look how pleased this girl is. OK, fine, you are...

I helped you find the box.

Hang on a minute. That's 130, all right? Don't say a word to

-the Blues.

-We won't.

-We'll look sad.

-No point in spoiling their day.

-No.

There we are. 15 by the fire exit.

Now, Victoria, June, we're just going to run through your items.

You paid £40 for the Indian beaker. He loves it. He's put £50-80.

After that, there's the 1930s rather striking short and blouse outfit.

£17 you paid for that. And he loved that.

He's put £20-40 on that. Then you've got the billiard scorer,

which I'm afraid lets you down in terms of scoring, potentially.

-As far as he's concerned, anyway. £30-50.

-Well...

-OK.

-..we loved it, so...

-First up, then, is the Indian beaker.

And here it comes.

The Indian white metal beaker embossed with birds and scrolls.

Start me... Surely £50 to start.

Surely worth £50 to start.

Metal alone, £50.

Who's going 50 on this? £50?

30 then. Got to be worth 30.

There's 30. Now, come on, let's creep up. £30.

White metal here. It's got silver content, no less. £30 is bid.

Where's five? £30 at the front, now. Any more at £30?

Surely worth more than £30.

This chap here's going to get a bargain here. £30.

Any more at 30? £30.

-£30. That's not so good. That's supposed to be your banker.

-I know.

Minus £10.

A boys shirt and shorts, mid-20th century. £20. Start me at £20.

£10, then. They've got to be worth a tenner.

Come on, put your teddy bear in it for a tenner. Come on.

£10 for these. Starting off at £10, someone. Ten. Surely worth ten.

Anyone else? £10. Start at five then. Now it's got to be worth it.

No? £5 surely worth five. There's five. Five is bid.

I'll go six now. It's £5. Six anywhere else?

At £5, then, selling for five.

OK, that's -12.

This is going well(!)

Now we come to the item which he really didn't like.

We have the mahogany billiard scorer by Riley of Accrington.

I've got bids to start me at 65, 70, £80.

Straight in with me at £80.

I can't believe it.

With me at £80. Where's five. 85. 90 with me.

You're in the money, girls.

Do you want to go one more? It's £90 with me. Any more at 90?

£90 then, on the block at 90. Fair warning. I'll sell. £90.

Wiped its face. Now, that is a very good score.

-I promise you, girls, you've done well.

-That was the one we scored.

What are you going to do about this trench art jobby?

-Definitely going with that.

-Going to go with it?

-Yes.

-For only £15, you've got to give it a tweak, haven't you?

-Yes.

-Yes.

OK, we are going with the Bonus Buy. Now that you've made that selection,

I can tell you that the auctioneer thinks it's worth £10-15.

-And you paid £15.

-Oh, well.

-But, as every other estimate has been...

We trust Claire.

As every other estimate has been completely off the beam,

I shouldn't take any notice about that.

Anyway, so, you're going with the Bonus Buy and here it comes.

Brass trench art matchbox holder. Starting with me at £10 this time.

Straight off at £10. Ten I'm bid, looking for 12 now.

-Surely worth 12.

-Come on. Definitely...

-Any more at £10?

Two more pounds? Ten with me. At ten I shall sell.

-Main bid. All done, £10.

-That was supposed to be another banker.

£10 is minus £5 which means, overall, you're minus £27.

-Now, let's...

-It could have been worse.

-You don't know how the reds got on.

-No.

-Did they look pleased or miserable?

-Hard to say.

-It's hard to say.

Hard to say. Well, there we go.

Anyway, all will be revealed in a moment because minus £27

could be a winning score.

Can you believe it?

Two teams shopping in the same place

can do so well

and yet so badly.

The contrasts are extreme today and the runners-up,

cos we don't have losers any more, just happen to be the Blues.

-Minus £27, girls. Actually, you was robbed, weren't you?

-We were.

Cos your beaker should've done considerably better than

making a £10 loss.

And then those shorts from the 1920s or '30s that I was so rude

about actually didn't do so terribly well. Then you had a wiped face.

Anyway, overall, minus £27 does not reflect

the glory that you should be bathing in.

And you've been a fantastic mother and daughter combo

and thank you very much for joining us. We hope you've enjoyed it.

-We've loved it.

-We've loved it!

-We loved having you on the show.

It's been great. But the victors today are the other

maternal and daughter combo who are going home with £130.

-Whoo!

-£130. There you go.

You're pleased about that, aren't you?

£130 goes straight into the daughter's pocket, I notice.

£85 on the Russian filigree box was a champion result

and then the Deco bronze jobby made you £30 and you've got

£15 from the flasks, which means you have a profit on each item.

Which gets you into the ancient and venerable order of the Golden Gavel.

Look at this! Something to pimp up your fleece with. Take one of those.

Well done, Lauren. Go for it!

-And something for your collection, Tom.

-Thank you. Thank you.

-Well done. Have you had a good time?

-Oh, a fantastic time, thank you.

You've loved it? OK. Well, you've been great fun, too.

And thank you very much for joining us. In fact, so much fun!

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

-ALL: Yes!