Westpoint 29 Bargain Hunt

Trusty seadogs like Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh

hail from these parts... Morning.

..so, why don't you join me on the antique version of

Life On The Ocean Wave? And let's go bargain hunting! Yeah!

Here at the Devon County Showground, there are 400 bustling stalls

that go to make up this busy antiques fair.

In these unchartered waters, our two teams of landlubbers are about

to set sail in their pursuit of profit,

so let's take a quick squint at the voyage ahead.

The Reds want to explore all possibilities...

Do you know what, Debs?

In that hat, you look like an early explorer in the jungle

looking at botanical specimens!

I feel like saying, "Dr Livingstone, I presume?"

..while the Blues lack awareness of time.

Could you hold that one for us? Is that all right, a minute?

Oh, no, that's fine. We're got about 14 hours, that's perfectly OK. Yeah.

Let's meet today's teams.

Well, we've got two teams of friends on the show today.

Well, they're friends at the moment.

For the Reds, we've got Debs and Julie,

-and, for the Blues, we've got Sally and Susan. Hello, everyone.

-Hello!

-Hello!

-Very nice to see you.

Now, what's this about you two being steampunkers?

-Oh, steampunk is a Victorian sci-fi look at the past.

-Oh, yeah?

-So, how many steampunkers ordinarily get together then?

-Oh, thousands...

-Of an outing? Do you really?

-Yeah.

-What would you dress up in?

I've got a persona that's a Martian ethno-biologist.

-So, she's red, combat and studies Martians.

-You ever seen a Martian?

No, but nobody else has either, so I'm free.

Now, Jules, which era are you in? Are you looking at Martians then?

I like the Victorian side of it and very much the gothic side of it,

so a vampire sort of character, very dark, very gothic.

I like schools and things like that.

But you can see into the future, darling.

I've been a Tarot reader for over 30 years now, and I'm a Reiki master.

So, can you get into an energy groove

and predict how much profit you're going to make today on Bargain Hunt?

Well, I've had my pendulum out,

-and I think we're going to make a good profit.

-Do you?

-Yes.

-I shall hold you to that...

-Yes!

..when we get to the auction a bit later on. That's marvellous. Good.

Well, Sally, you two are not only good friends,

-but you also work together.

-We do.

-Yes, we do.

Yes, we work at A La Ronde, which is the local National Trust property

-near Exmouth.

-Yes, and you are the manager.

-Yeah.

-And, Susan, you are a room guide?

-Yes, I am.

Well, by a curious quirk of coincidence, A La Ronde,

the lovely National Trust house just down the road where these two

come from, we're going to visit on this programme a bit later on,

so we're going to see exactly what it's like where you hang out.

And how long have you been working at the National Trust for?

-Um, I've been with the National Trust about 28 years.

-Have you?

-Yes.

You went as a child.

-Oh, how kind!

-They have this child entry, don't they?

Um, so what's so special about A La Ronde to you?

Oh, well, it is the most quirky,

unusual building with an amazing story.

Now, Susan, tell me about your room guide duties.

I could be in a room to answer any questions and, hopefully,

tell them everything that I know about the story of A La Ronde.

-Or I could do guided tours. Or I could be a rover, Tim.

-Could you?

-Yes.

-What do a rover do?

-A rover...

-Woof!

-I knew you'd do that!

Oh, did you? It's so predictable!

A rover will go around to allow anybody to have a tea break

-or a coffee break.

-Oh, I see, that's what a rover does.

So, are you two going to get on all right, today?

-We're not going to have any falling out, are we?

-No!

-No!

-Just like that!

"No!" I love that. What great grins. Anyway, it says it all.

The joy of being on Bargain Hunt, eh? Here comes your £300.

So, there's your £300.

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

And very, very, very good luck! See you later over at the house, Sal!

Now, let's meet our experts.

Showgirl Kate Bliss will be performing for the Reds.

And aspiring Bond baddie, David Harper, will be assisting the Blues.

I'm guessing from the hat, Debs, that you're very stylish ladies.

-We try.

-Yes.

-We try.

-Yes.

-Of a certain era.

What is it you're going to be looking out for?

-Weird and wonderful.

-OK.

So, come on then, you two, what tactics have we got?

-Well, we're looking for something quirky.

-Ooh!

-And something oriental would be nice.

-Ooh!

-Do we all like oriental?

-We do.

We're, you know, not going out with a master plan,

-just something that we go, "Ooh!"

-Bizarre.

-So, we want to go, "Ooh!"

-Yes!

-Yes!

-That's the reaction.

-Let's get started.

-OK.

-And I might leave you £5.

-You can leave me £1, it doesn't bother me.

-Are you ready?

-Yes.

-We are.

-Here we go.

Right, off you go, teams. Your 60 minutes starts now.

As our Red explorers delve into the past and our Blues are intent

on finding Eastern treasures, this shop promises to be great fun.

-Can we get a note out of it?

-Do you play, Debs?

No, I don't, but I'm willing to have a go.

BUGLE BLOWS WITHOUT SOUND

No, I don't play!

Maybe not. Put this back then.

Don't want anybody keeling over today.

Absolutely, Kate.

Now, the Blues said they wanted something unusual,

so, what have they found here?

-Oh, my goodness...

-Why would they have done anything like that?

-STALLHOLDER:

-Around South America,

-you'll see sort of shrines on the side of the road...

-Right.

..and normally he's the chap that's sat in the middle.

Oh, that's very interesting.

-I mean, I do like the unusual and the quirky...

-Yes, but that's...

-It doesn't do it for me.

-Nor me!

-No.

-Nor me!

-"Hello, missus!"

-What about you, are you drawn to him?

-No, not at all!

Fair enough, Blues.

He might not be your cup of tea, but I'm sure he'll be somebody else's.

Now, how are those Reds getting on?

A dinky little microscope. It's got a box as well. I quite like that.

-Do you?

-My husband's a biomedical scientist, so it's kind of...

-Ah!

-Cos you're into steampunk, aren't you?

-I am, I am.

Which is a combination of sort of interest in Victoriana,

-but also with sci-fi element...

-Yeah, it's the two mixed, which...

-Yeah.

-..that kind of is, really.

-You think that ticks the box?

I quite like that.

Let's have a look at the microscope itself, because, if there's

a nice name on it, this is always a nice thing for collectors.

-Where would it be?

-Usually, on the actual...

telescopic bit here, or on the base.

I can't see anything major.

Shall I see if we can see through it? Which is kind of a...

Do you know what, Debs?

In that hat, you look like an early explorer in the jungle

looking at botanical specimens.

I feel like saying, "Dr Livingstone, I presume?"

Dr Livingstone indeed!

It's a fairly standard piece. It's 1900, perhaps a little bit later.

It's not rare, let's make that clear.

Let's have a look at the price.

65. How do you feel about that?

Do you think that's its money? Do you think that's...?

I would put an auction estimate of, probably, um, 20 to 40 on it.

-Oh, so, you think it's...

-And hope that somebody would

-really go for it.

-It is one of those things.

I said I wanted an "Ooh!" And that made me go "Ooh!" So...

-What do you think about this, Julie? Are you in agreement?

-I like it.

-I would say 20 to 30...

-OK.

-..at an auction.

-I can see our man in the back here.

-STALLHOLDER: Hiya!

Hi there. What's the best you could do for us on this?

-Well, there's 65 on it, isn't there?

-Hmm.

-Uh...

The death would be 40.

The death would be 40.

Well...

it's up to you, honey. I quite like it, but I'm willing to be persuaded.

I think, for that, it's probably worth giving it a go.

-Here you are, sir.

-Thank you very much. Thank you.

-Thank you.

There we go. The Reds have bought their first item. Congratulations.

But it doesn't look like the Blues are far behind.

What has David spotted here?

What about that table? I mean, I'm drawn to that, very much so. Yeah.

-Sally, Susan, what are your thoughts?

-Very intricate.

-A lot of work and detail in it.

-Yeah.

-I would have thought it's Chinese, but, then, it could be Indian.

-OK.

-Turn of the century.

-Mm-hm. It's more Indian.

Yeah, and I think it's late 19th, early 20th century.

It's a hardwood table, but it's construction is quite interesting.

If you notice here, you've got hinges.

Now, why on earth would you have hinges on a table?

-Oh, because it's...well, it should be like an opening.

-Well, it folds.

-Oh, it folds.

-It will probably fold flat for travelling.

-It is like a campaign piece?

-Almost, almost campaign.

Yes, so, you're living in India,

circa 1900 during the days of the Raj

and this is maybe something that was made for westerners

there in India, and it could have been taken as...you know,

you might have gone on a tour of the...

I'm getting a bit romantic here!

You might have gone on a tour of the wilderness,

-and you might just take your furniture with you.

-Mmm.

-How fabulous.

-I'm worried as to what the price might be.

-How much is it?

-What's the best on that?

-I can't see anything.

I've got 150 on it, but I'm open to offers.

-Aye, aye.

-I think it's going to be 30 to 50 as an estimate.

Are you listening to your expert?

-As I like this gentleman...

-Yes!

-But everyone likes this gentleman.

..I could be pushed down to about 80.

It is, I think, a very lovely thing and I do love the symbolism here.

You've got the birds, the lovebirds and foliage...

-Yes, it's rather nice.

-I think it's fantastic...

-Right.

-..I really do.

-We'll go for this one.

-OK?

-Yep.

-Lovely.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

Well done, Blues, that's your first purchase made.

Oh, my!

-THEY LAUGH

-Look at that!

Bottom comes to mind.

-Pardon?!

-I love that!

Perhaps your shop could end up as a Midsummer's Night's Dream, ladies.

Right, teams, you've had half your shopping time now, get a move on!

Both our teams need to agree a plan of action.

-What about some silver?

-I'll have silver.

-I would like to see some nice silver.

-I love silver.

-Right.

I love everything.

When we walked in, I saw some brooches,

I don't know if they were Bakelite...

-Right.

-But they looked quite stylish.

This is your programme, you can do exactly what you want to do,

-but within reason, obviously.

-Yes, within reason.

There are some rules, you know, yeah.

-So, what did you spot, Julie?

-These brooches?

-These ones here.

Yeah, I just think foxes and anything with foxes in it are quite

popular at the moment and they're really stylised.

You've actually, unknowingly,

spotted something which is quite iconic for the '60s and '70s.

-Oh, wow!

-And they're made by a lady called Lea Stein,

who was very well-known for producing this type of brooch.

Lea Stein is a French artist and accessories maker

known for her compressed plastic buttons, brooches, and bracelets.

She worked with her husband to develop a process of layering

very thin sheets of cellulose acetate, and laminating them.

She has been hailed as one of the most innovative

designers of plastic jewellery of the 20th century.

Which one do you like in particular and then I can go

-and find out some prices.

-I like...

-Leaping fox?

-Yes, the top one.

-This one here?

-I just like the colour of that one.

-Red fox.

-Yeah.

-Can you see it's got that lovely sheen to it?

-It's beautiful.

And that's because of the laminated layers.

Well, I'm going to go and see what price we're looking at,

cos I can't see any price tags.

Whilst Kate heads off to find a price on the brooches,

it appears the Blues have been dazzled by silver.

-It's 925, a Continental...

-Oh, it's a Continental.

..but it really is so well made. DAVID LAUGHS

Now, if he doesn't put a smile on your face...

You pop his head up...so, you put his matches in there,

stamped 925, so, come on, you've watched this programme,

Susan, what does that mean?

-Well, 925 part silver.

-Which means that it's the same standard...

-It's still sterling.

-..as British hallmarked silver.

-Yeah.

-But you can't date it accurately...

-No, I was just thinking that.

..like you can with British hallmarked silver.

-You've seen that, haven't you?

-Yeah.

So, you can't put an exact date on him, but it's very sweet.

So, with the Blues unable to confirm numbers, it's a

different story in the Red camp as Kate appears back with price news.

-The ticket price was £55...

-Ooh!

-..but, they very kindly said they'll do it for 45. Yeah?

-Ah!

I've seen them go for less than that at auction, I've seen them

-go for more.

-Yes.

-So...

-OK.

It's a gamble, but I think it's a great example.

-As I said, it's a really iconic design.

-It is, I just love it.

-Great. Shall we do it?

-Yeah, let's go for it.

-Fantastic.

Well done, Reds. That's item number two in the bag.

Now, back to the Blues, who, clearly, are having a hoot,

having just spotted another owl.

I'll do that for a straight 100.

-So, we have Birmingham and that's the hallmark for 1906.

-Right.

-So there is your original fabric.

-Yeah.

-And...is it for hatpins?

-Yes.

-Yeah. So, your pins would sit through there

-and you could put little rings on each side there.

-Yes.

It's just the owl too, because people collect owls, don't they?

-They do.

-You couldn't do a 90?

I'll split the difference, 95, to give you a chance.

I think it's a lovely thing,

-but there's a good possibility of losing a bit.

-Oh, right.

However, time really is pushing on.

-I like it, it's unusual and it's got an owl.

-Let's go for it.

Well, that to me is good enough reason to buy it, don't you think?

-Yeah.

-Are we going to have it?

-Yes.

-Yes.

-OK, we're going to have

-the owl. Quickly, before they start looking at anything else!

-Sorry!

-Thanks very much!

-Lovely, thank you.

Right, you've bought an owl for £95.

-Where shall we leave this?

-You crazy woman!

OK, the owl is purchase number two for the Blues and, hopefully,

a very wise one at that.

It's now two-all, but the time is starting to tick by pretty quickly.

Teams, you have 20 minutes left.

-We want something that shouts at us.

-Yes.

I'll shout at you if you don't finish your shopping on time.

-Is that silver on the top?

-It is silver on the top.

-Oh, yeah.

-That is a decanter, obviously. Got silver hallmarks here.

-Oh, wow!

It's by J&W Deakin, which are very well-known makers,

and we've also got some important letters here. Can you see that?

On the side it says AF. It stands for "As Found",

-which normally implies there's a little bit of damage on it.

-Right.

Shall we have a word with the stallholder, see what she thinks?

You say "AF" there, which is very good of you, cos that pinpoints

-there's a little bit of damage, and I'm presuming it's here.

-It's there.

Yeah. What's the very best price you could do for us, do you reckon?

55 is the very best.

Hmm.

-I think we'd struggle with the damage.

-I'll do 50.

-All right, we'll have a think. Thanks for your help.

-OK.

I suggest we have a look round

and if we haven't found anything better, we come back and get it.

-Yup.

-Yes?

-Yeah.

-OK, perfect.

-Cor, you're cutting it fine, Kate,

but still a little thinking time left.

David is fully aware, however, that the clock is ticking.

-I know.

-Right, ten minutes.

-Ten minutes.

-So, get looking.

-OK.

Could we have a look at the pen knife, please?

Certainly, yes. Here we go.

-OK.

-Let David have a look.

Well, hello! That's a little sweetie, isn't it?

-Oh, look at the scissors!

-Yes, it is. That's unusual.

-What age is that one, David?

-The age is...

Well, I'll give you a little trick. There you go. Have a look there.

-1896.

-Oh, right.

-Do you like it, Sally?

-Yes, I do, very much.

-Yeah?

-Yes, yes.

-Susan, do you like it?

-STALLHOLDER:

-I think I can help you a little bit.

-Yes.

-You know that's what we're going to ask you!

-Yes.

-Let me have a look and see now.

-We're trying to make some money!

Would 66 help?

Could it be nearer 50?

I could make it 55, but I can't go any less.

I think at 55, it's a really very tempting price.

Could I just show you...?

Mind you, most of you would say no, I just wouldn't mind just

looking at an item and could you just hold that for us?

-Is that all right, a minute?

-Oh, no, that's fine.

We've got about 14 hours. That's perfectly OK.

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.

-Next door.

-Oh, right, we're going somewhere else.

-Excellent.

-Thank you. One moment.

With only minutes left,

the Blues head off to see what Susan has spotted.

Also desperately on the hunt for a third item,

Debs is intrigued by something she's found.

-What is that?

-Oh, that is...

-"Telescopic calculator?"

-It's a calculator, yes.

You...I'm not exactly sure how it works, actually,

but you line it up...

and do your calculations.

-Do you know? I quite like that.

-Yes, it is...it's different, isn't it?

£75, which is quite a lot,

but they are unusual.

-What's the best you can do on that, madam?

-The bottom, 50.

-It's got to be 50?

-Yeah, it has to be.

-I won't get any profit otherwise.

-Hmm.

You heard it from the lady herself.

-So, that's the same as the jug.

-It's the same as the decanter.

What a gamble. What a decision!

-Oh!

-I would be happy with either...

-Yeah.

-..I have to say.

-That one.

-Go on.

-Sure?

-Let's go for that one.

-Just cos it's...?

-Are we going to do it?

-Just cos it's odd.

-Yes, because it's weird.

-£50?

-50.

-Yeah, great, done.

-Thank you.

-Yes, please. We'll do it.

Well done, Reds. That's your shopping task completed.

But what is it that Susan is so keen to show David?

-Let's have a look at that?

-How much is it?

78.

Legras...a good French glass producer.

Normally, they are signed,

but I can tell you the decoration is certainly in the style of Legras.

-Yeah.

-The top for certain,

the design and that opaque kind of finish is positively Lalique.

It's very Art Nouveau-y, isn't it? Probably 1920-ish.

Hmm.

-I'm liking it.

-Are you?

-I am.

-What do you think it would do at auction?

-Well, that's a tricky one, isn't it?

-What was the best price, please?

-65, really.

-65.

-65.

I think 40 to 60 would be sensible, so it's sort of on the money.

Well, whichever one would make the most profit is the one to go with.

But, Sally, you did like the little scissors.

-I did like the silver, yes.

-So, David, what do you think?

For me, personally, I prefer the bottle, whether it's going to make

any more money or not, but it's just a lovely object.

-That's what I thought.

-Decisions, decisions.

I think the silver's possibly...

-a safer bet.

-Safer bet.

-We'll go for that one.

-Let's go.

-You're going to go for the knife. OK,

thank you very much for that, I really appreciate it.

With hardly any time left, the Blues head back for the pen knife.

-Excuse me, I think we'll have the knife. Thank you very much.

-Oh, well.

Thank you very much and I'm going to have a very, very strong cup of tea.

-I don't blame you.

-I need it!

-Absolutely!

Cor, that was cutting it fine.

At last, the Blues make their final purchase, so, well done.

That's it. Abandon ship! Time's up.

Let's remind ourselves what the Red team bought, eh?

They focused £40 of their budget on this

20th century brass student's microscope.

A foxy £45 was spent on a brooch by Lea Stein.

And, finally, they placed a calculated bet of £50

on this Otis King pocket calculator.

We have got a little bit of unusual...

You have got a little bit of what?

-Unusual.

-Unusual? Well, wouldn't that be a surprise!

Now, Debs, tell me, darling, which is your favourite piece?

-I rather like the microscope.

-You like the microscope?

-I like it.

Do you agree with that?

My favourite piece is the Lea Stein brooch.

Is that going to bring the biggest profit?

-I think the microscope.

-You think the microscope.

Do you think the microscope's going to bring the biggest profit?

I'm going to say her brooch just to cover all bases, really.

OK, well, OK, well, there is a third item lurking round somewhere.

-Anyway, so you spent how much?

-Um, we spent £135.

£135. Then I would like £165, please.

Oh!

-Do I get the whole bag, or...?

-No, no...

OK, you hold on to the bag, I'll take it out of here. All right?

We like to see the colour of the money on this show.

That goes straight across to KB. So, what are you going to do then, KB?

Well, I think it would be rude not to carry on the theme,

-so, weird and wonderful it will be.

-Will it?

-Excellent.

-Well, good. What could be nicer?

Anyway, relax up, girls, because right not,

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

The Anglo-Indian hardwood folding table set them back £80.

Too-wit too-woo! This novelty silver owl

hatpin and ring stand cost them £95.

And they spent a sharp £55 on the early 20th century

silver mounted pen knife.

Well, Sally, Susan, that was good, wasn't it?

-It was great fun.

-Yeah, a whole hour with David Harper.

-Yes!

-How much did you spend?

-We spent 230.

-That's a good number, isn't it?

-£70 of leftover lolly, please.

-Yes, Sally's got that.

Now, Sally, which is your favourite piece?

Well, my favourite piece is the little pen knife thing.

OK, that's your favourite. Do you agree with that, Susan?

Yes, I agree with that. It's quite nice.

Is it going to bring the biggest profit?

-Don't think so.

-Don't think so?!

-No, possibly not.

-What is, then?

Well, it was a table, an Indian table that hopefully might do it.

OK, anyway, here you go, there's a small wadge for you.

-Thank you very much, yeah.

-What are you going to do with that?

-Well, we were talking about oriental pieces.

-Yes, we were.

We didn't actually buy anything oriental

-and you know I love oriental.

-Good luck, David.

Meanwhile, strangely enough, a first on Bargain Hunt,

we're about to do a little visit to the place where

these girls work, A La Ronde, just down the road.

And this is it, A La Ronde, a unique 16-sided house carefully

constructed to enjoy the wonderful views over the Exe Estuary.

The builders were a brace of cousins,

Mary and Jane Parminter,

they constructed the place in the 1790s and they were clearly

women with exquisite taste and a sense of excitement.

Anyway, time now...

to go and see Sal, our Blue team contestant and manager here.

Inspired by their grand tour of Europe and, in particular, by

the 6th century Byzantine basilica of San Vitale at Ravenna, Italy.

Jane and Mary's plans were to build themselves a retreat which

would remind them of their travels

and provide the perfect place to house their acquired souvenirs.

Well, this is exciting, Sal, to be in your pad.

It's quite an extraordinary room this, isn't it?

Cos, being polygonal, you get this oddball shapes

and the windows are extraordinary, aren't they?

It's said that it's designed to maximise the sunlight

coming into the room, but, of course, we want to minimise the sunlight,

so we're able to use the shutters, which are very unusual in this

house, in that, not only do they open outwards, but they slide as well.

Yes, very clever. The whole thing technically is marvellous,

but, as far as the decorative features are concerned,

-this frieze in this room is very strange, isn't it?

-Hmm.

It's definitely one of the features of A La Ronde.

So, the Parminter cousins started off one day with a box

full of feathers, hundreds of them, and they created this, did they?

They did. They're said to be inspired by mosaics from Portugal where

Jane Parminter lived for five years.

So, having seen those shapes, she wanted to recreate it in feathers.

The designs are...they're on board,

-and they're stuck down with isinglass.

-Right.

-That's a sort of glue, is it?

-Yes.

Um, it comes from the bladder of a sturgeon and alcohol.

Well, that's fascinating, isn't it?

Now, Sal, looking at this fireplace,

this shellwork is typical of stuff in this house, isn't it?

It is.

Shellwork was one of the most popular parlour pastimes of the Parminters.

But they didn't just do it in odd little slips like this,

-they went in for it big time.

-They did.

You find shellwork all over the house, from the fireboard here,

to other items in this room, and, of course, to The Shell Gallery.

Just tell us about The Shell Gallery.

-It is unique in Britain, isn't it?

-Shell grottos were, obviously,

popular at the time, but they were usually outside, but our ladies,

being very independent minded, put theirs at the top of the house.

Has there ever been a calculation of how many shells

-and other objects they stuck to the surface to create it?

-There has.

There's said to be around 25,000 shells in the gallery.

That's amazing, isn't it?

To ensure the preservation of The Shell Gallery,

visitors to A La Ronde are not permitted into this part of

the house, but they can take a 360 degree virtual tour

of the gallery on a touch screen computer.

Sal, what are these little scissors used for?

Well, this tiny pair of scissors are just one of the tools that was

-used for cut paperwork.

-And what's cut paperwork?

Well, if you'd like to see, I can show you some really

-interesting examples.

-Thank you.

So, are these paper, these ones at the bottom?

These are paper, and, as you can see, they're incredibly detailed.

I don't think I've ever seen anything quite so fine.

Those trees with every branch

and leaf on the horizon being cut out like that, I mean, goodness

only knows how many hundreds of hours that would have taken.

Quite extraordinary. Now, Sal, tell me about these chairs.

Well, this is one of the sets of chairs which was

-made for the octagon...

-Mm-hm.

..which is the central room in the house and these chairs were

made for the ladies to perch on and, as you can see...

-Little ladies presumably!

-Regency ladies.

-Regency ladies!

And you can see they've been decorated by the Parminters.

-And this is cut paperwork?

-Yes, it is.

Faithful to the end,

the Parminter girls are cutting up pieces of paper to decorate things.

How lovely. So, are you looking

-forward to the auction?

-I am.

-So am I.

We're with Brian Goodison-Blanks today at

Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood saleroom

just up the road from Exeter.

-How are you, Brian?

-Fine, thank you very much.

Very nice to see you again.

Now, the Reds have come up with the student microscope.

Is this the sort of thing to give to a six-year-old?

It would be a lovely little present for a six-year-old, isn't it?

It would get them away from the computer screen and get them out

-in the garden.

-Think of all the bugs you could shove under the lens.

It's a nice little thing because it's, you know,

-it's well crafted and well made.

-And you've got a box.

And you've got the box with some of the glass slides in to

-make your own slides with as well.

-What's it worth?

Probably about sort of £20 to £30.

OK, £40 paid, so they're in more or less the right...

-Around the same sort of price.

-Lovely.

Well, we'll see what happens with that.

And now for something completely different...

-this red plastic brooch.

-Yes, it's quite an interesting thing, isn't it?

It's Lea Stein and there's quite a sort of strong following for them.

How much is that one worth, do you think?

-Probably about sort of £20 to £40.

-20 to 40?

£45 paid, so they might have paid a tad too much for that,

but at least we'll be able to calculate the profits or losses,

thanks to the rather excellent Otis King calculator.

-They were produced in very, very large numbers.

-Were they?

-Yes.

We had one a few weeks ago with the case and the instructions as well.

How much did you get for that one?

-About £5.

-Oh, dear. I'm getting a sickly feeling here.

Do you know our team paid £50 for this,

and you're suggesting it might just make the 5.

-Yes.

-Is that true?

I think so, because it's worn

-and the case is sort of...in quite bad condition, so...

-Oh, dear.

I don't need a calculator to work out that they're definitely

going to need their bonus buy, so let's go and have a look at it.

-Debs, Jules, how are you feeling?

-Good, thank you.

This is the leftover lolly moment. £165 you gave Kate Bliss.

Kate, what did you spend it on?

Well, I promised you, if I remember rightly, weird and wonderful, girls.

-You did.

-And, to some, these would be weird and wonderful.

-Oh!

-Oh!

-And, for steampunkers...

-They're fantastic!

..they might be quite appropriate. Have a little look.

-She's straight in there. Pouring over them.

-Oh, they're beautiful.

Let me tell you a little bit about them.

-They are, of course, opera glasses.

-Mm-hm.

They date from the late 19th century, early 20th century,

-I would say. They are gilt metal and mother-of-pearl.

-It's really lovely.

-And how much?

-Yes.

-Just give me a second.

Well, I didn't blow the lot, you'll be relieved to know. I spent £50.

-Oh! That's good.

-I like those.

-How much do you think they'll make?

-I would hope there's a small profit.

-Mmm.

-There you go.

You've heard the prediction.

Feast your thoughts on that, cos, right now, for the viewers at home,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Kate's opera glasses.

OK, Brian, I feel an aria coming on.

-They're certainly good for the opera, aren't they?

-They certainly are.

They're a rather nice little pair of mother-of-pearl case

-opera glasses by Dolland of London.

-Mm-hm.

They're in good condition, actually, there's no chips to the cases.

It's a little bit loose on the handle,

-but these date from around about 1910.

-Yeah, I guess so.

Kate Bliss is pinning all her hopes on magnifying a profit here,

so how do you rate 'em?

We've estimated them sort of 30 to 40,

-but they could take a flyer with the internet.

-OK. £50 she paid.

So, it's going to be an uphill struggle, I'm afraid,

but then you're not afraid of an uphill struggle, are you?

-Not at all, it's a challenge.

-It's a challenge! That's it.

Anyway, that's it now for the Reds.

Now for the Blues with two rather lonely looking items on the table,

but, first, it's the elaborately carved hardwood square top table.

-That is a peach, isn't it?

-It is, isn't it?

It's quite a well-carved thing. It's a sort of tiffin table, isn't it?

Tiffin! A bit of afternoon tea.

A bit of tucker, but, once upon a time,

that was a slab of plain hardwood

and this Indian craftsperson has done hundreds of hours on that top.

-Wow!

-Yes, they've done quite a lot of work and extensive work to

-the edges as well in the pierce working.

-How well's this one

-going to do, Brian?

-I suggest it's probably about £80 to £120.

Well, that's brilliant. £80 paid.

How's the hatpin stand market at the moment?

So, hatpin stands and novelty ring holders are very good

-and very popular.

-Good.

This one, unfortunately, there's a little bit of damage to the back.

-How much?

-Well, we're probably suggesting about £15 to £20...

-What?!

Well, with the silver prices as they are at the moment and, also,

the damage to it, but, again, with the internet, we've got

-people who are interested in owls, so...

-£15 to £20!

It's got an owl on the top! That's supposed to be a wise purchase!

£95 paid. £15 to £25 is the estimate.

They're not going to be happy about that.

Now, moving on to the pen knife, which is a little darling, isn't it?

It is a wonderful little piece, isn't it?

And the sort of thing that would have been worn by a lady on a chatelaine

-and a gentleman on the end of a watch chain.

-Exactly.

And it's got a little pair of scissors

and that beautiful kind of cable twist pattern on the silver.

-What is your estimate?

-It's about sort of £10 to £15.

-I knew it!

£55 they paid for that knife.

Ah, well, you see, the thing, unfortunately, it's fashion.

Anyway, very, very interesting. Thank you very much.

But they're going to need their bonus buy,

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

-Now, girls, you spent 230.

-Yes, that's right.

You managed to restrain yourself to that extent.

-There was £70 went to the Harper.

-Yeah.

-And he loves the bonus buy.

-Are you ready?

-Yes, we are.

-OK, good.

-Well, we talked about the orient.

-Yes.

-Loving oriental items.

-Yes.

Feast your eyes on something terribly oriental.

She's nice!

-Brilliant.

-Do you know who it is?

-No.

-It's Guanyin.

-Oh, yes.

-Oh.

-The Buddhist goddess of mercy.

-We might need some, so she might come in handy.

-No, I like it.

She's a hard stone.

One of the down sides with hard stones or jade is they're

actually quite brittle and, if you look at the head,

she's had a bit of a tough life.

-I was going to say is there any damage?

-Just a bit.

-Just a bit.

-So her head's been off and glued back.

-Just a bit!

-What's the matter with her fingers then?

-She might be missing a couple.

-Oh, missing a couple of fingers, right.

-And how old is she?

Well, it's very difficult. The stone itself is multi-millions,

I would say that she is late 19th, early 20th century.

-How much of our money did you spend on this?

-Well...

-Good question.

-Thank you.

-That's the best question.

-Isn't it? Hardly any. £20.

-Really?

-Really?

-I'd buy her for £20 every day of the week.

-That's amazing, actually.

-And what do you think she will make?

I think there's profit.

-I think we might go double bubble and get £40 for her.

-Yeah.

Which would be very nice. 100% margin. That's what I'm looking for.

You don't have to pick now.

You pick later if you need to, but now, why don't

we find out what the auctioneer thinks about Dave's little Guanyin.

OK. There you go, Brian. Something to thrill you.

She's been through the wars a bit, hasn't she?

-She's had a hard old life.

-She has.

She's much later than the sort of 17th, 18th century pieces.

She also probably would have had a hardwood stand.

She has some damage at the base as well.

She's got a damaged base, no stand, a bad bash on the head

and missing her fingers. I think we're getting the message here.

What's your estimate?

Uh, well, in her condition and the age, we'd say sort of £20 to £40.

-He will be delighted, cos he only paid £20.

-Oh, right.

-So, he probably will turn a profit on his bonus buy.

-Possibly.

OK, well, that's absolutely marvellous.

-Now, Brian, are you taking the sale today?

-I am, yes.

-Very good.

We're in safe hands.

Debs and Jules, we've got the brass student microscope.

Not such a hot estimate on that, I'm afraid. £20 to £30. £40 paid.

The Lea Stein brooch, £45 paid. £20 to £40 is the estimate.

And the calculator, he really doesn't like this thing.

He's put £5 to £10 on it.

And, otherwise, you've got the opera glasses to fall back on.

Anyway, first up is the student's microscope and here it comes.

A nice little microscope there, get the kids outside with this one,

and what can I say for that? Here with me at 20, and do I see 5 now?

At £20 with me, and 25, 30. 5? With me at 30, then. Looking for 5.

5 online now. With me at 30. 35, 40, and 5?

-No, commissions with me here in the book then at £40.

-Ooh!

-£40! Well done. £40, wiped its face.

-Yeah.

-Well, it overtook his estimate,

-which is great. Will the same thing happen now?

-Number 19

is the 3D fox brooch by Lea Stein. And commissions again, 25, 30, 5, 40.

-£40 with me. Do I see 5 now?

-Yeah, go on.

-£40 I am bid. 5, 5 now.

45, thank you, sir. 50 with me and 5, sir?

55. I'm out then. It's in the room at 55.

I'm selling then to the gentleman seated at the back at 55.

-Look at that, girls. Plus £10.

-Yes!

-That's a proper job.

Now, the pocket calculator.

Lot 120 is the Otis King pocket calculator.

It shouldn't be hard to handle. Now, and what am I safe for this? £20?

-Go on, go on.

-20? 10?

Start at 5, somebody.

5 I have here and 6 to the gentleman. 7, madam. 8, 9. 10. 12.

15... Are you sure it adds up? At 12 seated here then, 15 elsewhere.

-Come on.

-New blood, new blood.

-16, 18, 20.

At 18 to the lady in front and centre there at 18. You quite sure, then?

-Selling now at 18.

-Oh, no, girls.

£18 is two off 20, which is 30 short of 50,

so that is minus 32, which means, overall, you're minus 22.

Now, what are you going to do about the opera glasses?

-Are you going to risk it?

-Go for it.

-Yes, go for it.

We're going with the bonus buy then. The decision is made.

I can tell you now, the auctioneer's estimate is 30 to 40, but,

as his estimates has been exceeded in each and every instance...

perhaps he's wrong and you could be right.

Anyway, here comes the bonus buy.

The Dolland of London opera glasses there. What do I say for those?

£20?

It's on at 20.

It's on at 10. 20 I'll take here, and 20 here.

And 5 now elsewhere or 2 if you like.

At £20 only, 22, 25, 28, 30, 2, 35, 38, 35 here,

on the counter then at 35.

38 I'm looking for.

No, do I see it at all at 35 and I'll sell?

THEY GROAN

-35 he sold.

-Sorry, ladies.

-Minus £15.

22, 32, 37, minus 37. But, listen, girls, don't despair.

-As you say, it's not too bad, Julie.

-No, it isn't.

-It might be a winning score.

-Yes.

-Don't say a word.

-No, we won't.

-We won't.

£50 only then to internet.

No? Selling then at £50.

-Now, Sally, Susan, do you know how the Reds got on?

-No.

-No.

-No?

We don't want you to.

First up is the folding Anglo-Indian table and here it comes.

Commission bids here with me at 60, 5, 70, 5, 80. £80 I have.

85 elsewhere.

At £80, commission's with me. 85 then?

Quite sure, then? Is it going to stick at 80?

-80?!

-At £80, 85 elsewhere. Are you quite sure then?

We're all done at 80.

-Wiped it's face at £80. Oh!

-I thought that was going.

-I thought it was going.

-Yeah.

-He had a ring.

Now, let's see what happens here.

I've got 25. 28 I have. 30 now? 30. 32, internet?

32. 35, telephone?

-(Telephone!)

-Telephone!

35. 40. 45. 50, now, telephone?

50 on the telephone and 5 now, internet?

55 and 60 now? At £60 on the telephone then. £65 in the room.

Thank you, sir.

70?

70. 5?

75. 80?

-80. 85?

-Go on!

-85. 90?

90. 5?

At £90 on the telephone then. Are you all done now?

-It's on the telephone at 90.

-Go on!

£90! Oh, girls! I can't bear it!

Minus £5.

-That is the longest haul to £90.

-That was, wasn't it?

OK, now the pen knife.

What am I saying for that? £20?

Do I see 20?

20 straightaway. Thank you, madam. At £20 and 2 if you like.

At £20, seated. Maiden bid at 20. 22 now at all? To internet?

No, at £20 to the lady then. Maiden bid at 20. Are you quite sure, then?

-No! No!

-She's going to get it.

-In the room at £20 then.

ALL GROAN

-No! Oh! £20...

-That was painful.

..minus £35 equals minus £40.

You girls, you was robbed!

-We was robbed.

-Robbed and bled dry.

What are we going to do about this Guanyin business then?

-In for a penny, in for a pound.

-Do you reckon?

-Yes.

-Yes.

You're going to go with the carving and I don't blame you.

Now the decision's made, I can tell you

-the auctioneer's estimate is £20 to £40.

-Oh, well.

So, he does see a profit, despite the damage and this, that and

the other, and here it comes.

The goddess of mercy there, and what do I say to her? £40?

Interest here at China and the UK, so we have 30 in the UK, 35, China.

-Hello!

-35, China, thank you.

-Come on, UK!

-45, China? 45, thank you.

-50 now, UK. 55, 60.

-Come on!

-Ireland's in there now as well.

55 and 60, 5...

-Look at that!

-It's like Eurovision, isn't it?

At £60 in the UK, China's back in at 65 and 70 now.

There's millions of Chinese. We could be at this for weeks.

-She's going to China!

-She's going home!

Have mercy on us all. At £65, 70 now.

At 70 to the UK this time. 75, China.

-Perhaps it's staying here.

-75 and 80 now.

-Come on, China.

The bid is with China on the internet at £75. 80 now.

What about Ireland?

They've gone. And what I see here, at £75, it's going to China.

Are we all done then in the room?

At £75 on the internet.

-£75!

-Thank you!

-£75, what about that?! That, you clever man,

-is plus 55. Yes?

-Yes.

-Which is super duper.

-You were minus 40, which means you're plus 15.

-Yes! It's a profit!

Listen, there is some justice in life after all, which is marvellous.

That is a proper result.

It means you're going home with some profits and, who knows,

this could be a winning score and how chuffed we'd all be about that.

At £10 then...

Now, listen, teams.

I have to reveal that one sad team today is slightly behind the other,

they're normally called losers, but we don't have losers any more.

They're called runners-up and the runners-up, by a fair old chalk,

happen to be the Reds.

Oh, goodness!

You had a wiped face, you had plus £10,

-and then that calculator came along.

-Yes.

-Now, that did not add up, did it?

-No.

And then the opera glasses, they didn't add up either.

-That means minus £37.

-Oh.

I'm really sorry about that, because it started out so much better.

-It did, it did.

-Yeah, but you enjoyed it?

-Brilliant.

-Yes.

You've got to say that these steampunkers,

they are something, I say!

Thank you very much. But the victors today,

going home with profits, thank God!

You're going home with £15. How lovely is that?

Oh, folding money, Tim!

As a result of the brilliant David Harper coming through with

-the £55 profit on that ghastly, I mean, on that lovely...

-Oh!

-How dare you?!

-..green carving!

-Goddess, have mercy!

-How he did that, I do not know!

-Goddess, have mercy on us.

-But, anyway, it was marvellous, wasn't it?

-Yes, it was.

And we had such a good time, Sal, over at La Ronde too,

so thank you very much for having us there.

So, a triple pleasure for us today. Anyway, great fun.

You've got your £15.

Well done, David Harper, and join us soon for some more bargain hunting!

-Yes?

-ALL: Yes!