Sawbridgeworth 1 Bargain Hunt

Cor, there's going to be some drama today in Sawbridgeworth,

I can tell you. Go on, level with me.

Hah! Let's go bargain hunting, yeah!

CINEMA PROJECTOR WHIRRS

Now, Hertfordshire is home to the

British TV and Film Industry. We've enjoyed the thrills and spills

and drama of James Bond movies

made here, and also EastEnders.

But, today, it's all about us and I'm sure our teams will be

capable of creating their fair share of drama.

Action! Oh! Mind your finger.

In today's programme, the Reds work in total harmony...

-Yay!

-Oh, look at that!

-Nick, high-five!

-THEY LAUGH

HE BLOWS WHISTLE

..while the Blues need rounding up.

HE BLOWS WHISTLE

So, let's meet the teams.

Well, on Bargain Hunt today, we've got two teams of friends.

Well, they're friends at the moment.

For the Reds we've got Elrica and Dupee,

and for the Blues we've got Martin and David.

-Hello, everyone!

-ALL: Hello!

-Smashing to see you. Now, you girls just love to shop, right?

-Yes.

What do you like to go shopping for? Antiques?

-Anything...

-And everything.

-Really?

-Yes.

-Clothes?

BOTH: Clothes, shoes, hair, bags, jewellery...

The list can go on!

You are the living embodiment of what is good about shopping, right?

-Yes.

-Do you know anything about antiques much?

-Not much.

-A little bit, yeah.

-You don't know much about antiques?

You'll do very well on this show then. I can absolutely guarantee it!

Now, Dupee, as well as shopping, you like to do a bit of cookery?

-Yes, I love it.

-Tell me about your cookery.

Well, I've been inspired from my mum.

She's an amazing cook, so anything from African to West Indian food

-and that's where I get my knack from.

-Is it juicy and delicious?

-Especially the steak.

-Yeah, I bet it is.

Now, Elrica, you've got a passionate dream. Tell us about your dream.

Yes, I have a dream of having my own orphanage.

I went to Uganda about three years ago now and it really pulled at

my heartstrings and, yeah, I have a dream of registering my own charity.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-So, you're keen on children?

-I love children.

-And you have charitable inclinations?

-Yes.

But what I want to know is, with only 60 minutes,

what with you being such good shoppers,

how are you going to get on with just 60 minutes?

We've got a good eye...so we've got a knack

for looking up the right bargain.

-And we're good hagglers, so we'll get a bargain.

-So, you're going

to batter these poor dealers in the antique centre into the ground?

-Yes.

-Yeah.

-THEY LAUGH

All I can say is - stand by, Sawbridgeworth! Anyway,

-good luck, girls.

-Thank you.

-Now, chaps, this is exciting, isn't it?

-Very.

-Cos, do you two know anything about antiques?

-A little.

-Ah!

There we are. This is going to be the edge then, isn't it?

The self-confesseds don't know very much, versus age and experience.

-That's right, definitely age.

-So, Martin, where did you two meet?

We met in a play at a theatre production of The White Devil.

I was playing one of the big baddies and David turns up at the end

as the little prince to put everything right.

We've been playing the same roles ever since.

-How sweet! That's marvellous, isn't it? You're retired now, Martin.

-Yes.

But what do you do to keep yourself busy?

Oh, I'm busy because I have a charity.

I'm setting up a charity, registering a charity called Friends Of Mankind,

which is specifically aimed to help street children in Asia.

Well, there you go.

Isn't it amazing that there is this kind of hidden link between you?

Some schools only take place on Saturday mornings underneath

motorways, so we're trying to improve on all that.

That is, uh, quite a task.

-I hope to leave it behind me for someone to take on.

-Well, how lovely.

Now, tell me, David, what do you do with yourself?

Well, I work part-time now on a big engineering railway project.

I'm working three days a week, which is a nice balance.

Would that be a big engineering railway project that

happens to be carving up the middle of London at the moment?

-I'm afraid it is. It's all my fault!

-Is it?

-Yes.

Cos everywhere you go in London,

-something is disturbed by Crossrail, isn't it?

-It's true.

-And you are responsible for it.

-It's all going to be better soon.

Yes, but you also get up to doing a bit of directing, don't you?

Yeah, in my spare time I direct plays.

Martin and I met doing a play and I'm still doing that,

I've a big show coming up next year,

-which we're taking down to Cornwall to The Minack Theatre.

-Oh, are you?

How lovely. And what's that to be?

-It's a show called The Producers.

-So, that's going to be fun, is it?

Oh, it's going to be great fun.

It's a fun show that offends everybody.

Particularly Cornishmen, we hope.

THEY LAUGH

Anyway, now the money moment. £300 a piece, there you go.

Thank you.

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

and very, very, very good luck.

Gosh, this is going to be fun today.

So, who are our fine experts today, then?

Always ready to put on a show, we have the glamorous Natasha Raskin.

And, trying to keep his cool today, it's Charlie Ross!

-Martin, David, who's the boss around here?

-Oh, no doubt - him.

I think that we're going to have trouble today,

-because you two are shopaholics by all accounts.

-Yes!

-You're the collector?

-I'm the collector, without doubt.

Jewellery wise, I love a piece of jewellery, if it's bright.

Bright, like yourself, bright and beautiful. Elrica, what about you?

-I'm looking for some objects, so some silver, maybe some desktop...

-OK.

-Inkwells.

-Inkwells? OK.

Are you going to buy things that you like the look of or

that you think will make a profit?

-I think it has to be profit.

-Does it?

-If we can.

-If we can.

-We want to win?

-Yes.

-Well, come on, let's go and win!

Right!

-We've got one hour. Can we do it?

-Yes, we can.

-Let's go! Yeah!

The clock's started, teams. Go get 'em!

This is it, as they say.

Here we are. Gosh!

Right, OK, we have no time to waste, so let's get looking.

Have a look around. Feast your eyes.

Feast your eyes indeed.

-Oh, this is like heaven!

-Absolutely bonkers.

-David?

-Hello.

-How's it going?

Well, I'm blinded by so much stuff at the moment.

-Well, that is the problem, isn't it?

-It's all about focus, teams.

Something will jump out soon enough.

Dupee, anything catching your eye?

Erm, this right here is absolutely stunning.

Straightaway, OK,

so I'm thinking as an auction piece maybe it's a bit contemporary.

-Shall we try and see something maybe with a bit more age to it?

-Yes.

Look for more of a period piece.

Yeah, antiques are the name of the game.

I don't think I want to buy a Dalek.

You can EXTERMINATE that idea, Mr Ross!

THEY COO

Come on, girls, I know. Right, we're looking gorgeous.

Come on, let's get away from the mirrors.

There is no time for preening, girls. You're all beautiful enough.

-David?

-Hello.

-Just have a look at that.

-Hmm.

-Two questions -

A, do you like it?

-Personally, no.

-No?

-No.

-No. Good.

-Right, that's unanimous then.

-What's it worth?

-I don't know.

It depends on the place where you'd want to put it.

-It would fit nicely in a small living room.

-Yeah.

-In a window or something.

It's Edwardian.

It's what smart dealers would call "Sheraton Revival, darling..."

-100 years too late!

-Yeah, it's decorative, isn't it?

Look at the quality of the workmanship.

I mean, it's rosewood and it's got the most fabulous ivory inlay,

boxwood, satinwood...

Can you imagine making something with those lyre supports? It's £120.

-I think that could be bought for £90.

-90?

Yeah, but I think that is cheap.

Would you be able to reupholster it? Is that the original, do you think?

-No.

-Or would you keep it?

I think a Regency stripe, which that is, is not particularly

in keeping with that, but I don't find it distasteful.

I don't think I'd want to put a floral upholstery on it.

But, as neither of you like it, we might as well move on, frankly.

Have the girls spotted anything yet?

I like this.

-Right, OK. What's caught your eye?

-I believe it's a salt and pepper...

-Oh, look at the detail.

-Yeah. Can we see that one?

-Absolutely.

Let's ask Nick. Nick, would you be so kind as to

let us into your fancy cabinets?

So, as the girls wait for owner Nick, how are the Blues faring?

-HE BANGS HEAD

-Oh! Blimey, mind the head!

-Oh, blimey!

-Easy, old boy, you'll need to get your head examined.

So, what do the girls think about the salt and pepper, then?

-I really like it.

-I think it's lovely.

All right, OK, and what's great about these is they're a pair

-and you're a pair!

-Everybody likes a matching pair.

So, they look, you know, early 20th century.

They look sort of late 1920s, 1930s,

so very much an Art Deco style,

which is super chic and is very much on trend.

The design, looking at it, is an engine turn design

by the looks of things, so it's very subtle.

It's not in your face, they're not bling, but

they are a really, really lovely column condiment set

and I think they're a contender.

-I don't know about you, what do you think?

-I like them.

I think we need to find out the price. Yes.

OK, so, Nick, do you know off the top of your head

the price tag for these?

-The dealer's asking for £65.

-OK, so 65. What do you think?

Let's bring that down a touch.

The dealer's not here, so we can maybe be a little bit bolder.

We've got the lovely Nick. He won't shoot the messenger.

So, what are you thinking?

What if we say 45 and then that leaves a little bit of room

-for negotiation?

-What would be your maximum?

-50?

-50.

-50's your maximum? OK, so could you try us for 45?

-I will see what I can do.

-Oh, you're a legend!

-Where would we be without this man?!

-Thanks.

So, let's see what we can do.

Cor, those girls are working well as a team,

and David has spotted a cracking piece for the Blues.

What's that? Is that...that's egg cups, isn't it?

-Cor, that's wonderful!

-Will Martin agree?

-Martin?

-Martin!

Oh, blimey, oh, riley! You come away here with one hour

to spend your money and he's gone!

-Does he always do this?

-Shall I go and find him?

-Martin!

-Martin!

Oh, there you are! Did you hear us calling for you?

No. I got lost. What have you seen?

I don't think he's impressed, Charlie!

If ever there was a stamp of approval that was it.

Did you see that? I've never seen such a stage sneer in all my life!

Well, it's...eh.

Who'd want that?

-We'd never sell it.

-I would, Martin.

That is an original Art Nouveau Carl Deffner egg warmer, don't you know?

Look, he's got his hands in the air! How did it go? What happened?

We've got a better price for you, but not as low as you wanted.

-It was 65, the dealer's quite happy to go down to 55.

-What do you think?

-BOTH: That's good.

-Oh, my goodness! That's wonderful.

-I think you should shake on it.

-Yes.

-Lovely.

-55! Oh, money spent!

-Money spent! One down - two to go! Yes, OK!

-Well done, Reds!

That's one happy camp.

But with the marks rubbed, will they be able to sell them as silver?

-Argh!

-Personally, I think it's hideous.

-Oh, good, I'm so pleased we're in agreement there.

-But it's 20 quid.

-Is it?

-Yes.

-Price isn't everything, chaps. Move along.

I've already seen two things I absolutely love

and the marvellous thing is you hate both of them, so...

Yes, well...

-Be guided by my taste, Charlie.

-I will be guided by your taste.

I can see you are a man of infinite taste.

Now, what have those Red happy shoppers clapped their eyes on?

-I really, really like that.

-The letter...

It's really pretty, isn't it?

So, the brass letter rack, which also has an inkwell at the front,

-so something you were looking for!

-Yeah.

Isn't this just a gorgeous thing for a lady's desk?

Shall we see if we can have a good feel of it?

-Get it out, get it in our hands and see what we think?

-Definitely.

-OK.

Nick, can we ask for your assistance, please?

-It seems like a bargain...

-There we are. So, what do you think?

-Look at that.

-It's got such a feminine touch to it...

-Mm-hm.

And it's very sort of organic, isn't it?

And it's Art Nouveau

and that is, you know, Art Nouveau just means new art, essentially,

a new style and people were coming away from

the rigid, classical forms, but, then,

look at these flowers - they're flowing

and sinewy and organic and it's just divine, I love it.

-It's pretty.

-45 quid - what do you think?

-I like it.

-I think it's quite good.

-Mm-hm, mm-hm, OK, so.

-Yeah, I'm sold on it.

-What do you think, Elrica?

-Yeah, I do like it.

-I think it's very pretty.

-Do you think we should try it at 35?

-Yeah.

OK. I think we're pushing our luck,

so maybe we should say to Nick, "You can make it 40?"

I'll see what I can do, no promises.

Thank you.

It seems it's all going swimmingly for the Reds,

-but are the Blues any happier?

-This cabinet's got some bronzes in it.

-Yeah.

-And that face is quite striking. I don't know who it is.

-Who is that?

-Well, I don't know.

-Prince Charles.

THEY LAUGH

Looks more like Einstein.

Have you seen that owl up there?

Yeah, that is modern, but it isn't trying to be anything else, is it?

I don't suppose it's signed?

-It's very stylish though, isn't it?

-Yeah, I like that.

-It's modern.

-It's quite Chiswick, darling.

-It's very Chiswick.

-Yeah.

Abstract bronze owl...

160.

-It's over half your money.

-Hmm.

-Bob, what can we...?

-I can do that for 140.

-140.

-I'll tell you what, chaps - look,

we've used up half our time...

And not bought anything.

-Why don't we keep looking in case we see something?

-Exactly.

What about the other centre?

-We could nip up there.

-Should we? Is it far?

-I don't think so.

-It's about 100 yards.

-Ooh, we could do that, quickly.

-We could do that.

So, the chaps need to make a quick dash up the road,

but will the girls have some news on their letter rack?

OK...

-40.

-£40? OK.

-That's quite good.

-So, he's knocked a tenner off his original price.

-Yeah.

It was 50, it was 45, now it's 40. What do you say?

-Yeah, I'm happy with it.

-I'm happy to pay that as well.

Oh, brilliant, it's a deal! Shall we shake on it?

Those shopaholic girls are flying. Two down.

Come on, Blues, you've still got three items to buy!

By the time I get in this building,

-I want you to have bought two things.

-You'll be lucky, Charlie.

Now!

So, as the girls look for their final item,

those chaps hadn't agreed on one yet.

-Come here, chaps!

-Oh, hang on.

Chaps, what would that stool make...

..at auction? It's French, so a little cabriole leg, it's walnut,

it's got a tapestry upholstery.

It is not Victorian, but it is certainly early 20th century.

-It's very nice.

-It's probably 1920s...

-You like that?

-Yeah. 45 quid.

-£45 at auction.

-Hang on. Did Martin just say he liked it?

REWINDING

-You like that?

-Yeah. 45 quid.

£45 at auction. How much do you think?

-Yeah, about that that I would say.

-About that?

-It's fairly new, it's not very old.

-It's 1920s, I should think.

It's not quite 19th century,

but it's in goodish order and little stools always sell well.

It's got a nice acanthus leaf carving there.

And what are they asking?

If I could buy that for less than 20 quid, may I buy it?

-I think...

-Well, for you or for me?

-No, well, for us, darling!

-Yes.

-Yes?

-Yes.

-Yes.

Yes! Do it, Charlie! Quick, before they change their minds.

Nick, you've got a verdict. Hold on.

-Chaps?

-Look out. Where have they gone now?

-With me.

HE BLOWS WHISTLE

You should have had that whistle from the start, matey.

He responds to this whistle well, doesn't he? What's the verdict?

-15 agreed.

-Sold! Sold!

-Thank you.

-Sold!

-Thank you very much.

Well done, chaps. Thank you very much indeed. Fab!

Well found.

Nice moves, old bean.

One down, two to go and it's all looking plain sailing now.

Don't speak too soon.

Definitely more plain sailing for those Reds.

-Girls!

-BOTH: Yes?

-I think I've found something.

Wow, look at this.

-I'll tell you what, that is nice!

-Oriental furniture.

That's pretty, isn't it?

Oh, look at the butterflies and everything, aren't they gorgeous?

-So much detail.

-It's very much in a Chinese style

and it's lacquered and I think that,

as a cabinet, that is decorative as well as pretty functional.

-It's absolutely gorgeous. What do you think about it?

-I love it.

It will be such a nice piece in like a home or in a bedroom.

Um, I think it's quite different as well,

-so, I really like the artwork as well.

-Absolutely.

Elrica, you spotted it. What made you clock it in the corner there?

I think it's just really pretty, I just...I like the detail

and I quite like oriental style furniture and I think

it always looks quite chic in a home.

-And you were looking for furniture.

-Yeah.

You were looking for a lovely silver object -

-you got it in our salt and peppers shakers.

-Tick!

-Tick, exactly!

You were looking for an inkwell - tick!

And you were looking for furniture, so this is definitely a contender.

-I see £100. What do you think?

-I like it, but...

-We'll see what Nick can do.

-Shall we see what Nick can do?

Nick! Nick!

The girls need you and the chaps just need something.

-Ah? No?

-No. I think we should go back, Charlie.

-OK, sir.

-All right.

Five minutes left, Blues.

We were thinking of shaving off a little.

I'm going to ask the girls what they were thinking of offering.

-I think...

-85.

-..yeah, 85.

-85 seems reasonable to me.

-I would say 90,

but 85's even better.

OK, well, it sounds to me like you've got permission to go to 90,

-but 85 might be a good starting point.

-I'll try 85 to start.

-You're an absolute hero. Thank you so much.

-No problem.

-Thank you.

-Well, girls, he's done it for us twice before.

Let's see if he can do it again.

Original oriental lacquer is a natural resin

collected from trees in Asia that's then layered and sanded

to produce a rich and highly lustrous finish,

which is still an extremely popular style today.

-CHARLIE BLOWS WHISTLE

-Roll them up, Charlie!

How did we do?

You did well. 85 he agrees.

-Oh, that's fantastic!

-BOTH: Wow!

That's so great and I have to say,

I'm really glad that you guys didn't pitch it too low and try

and get it for 50, because the dealers are happy,

it's a great price and I think we've got every chance

-of profiting on that in the auction.

-Oh! Well done!

-Are you chuffed?

-Yes!

-Oh, look at that! Nick, high-five!

THEY LAUGH

First time he's done that. Well done, girls. Great shopping.

I wish I could say the same for those Blues.

-Hello, Bob.

-You're back again.

Absolutely, we went down the road and we've come back.

Is there anything I can do for you?

Well, I've got a man here who wants to talk to you -

-my mate David.

-Go on, David.

-We like the owl.

-Yeah.

-Can you remind me what the price was on it?

-Uh...

-I think I said 140, wasn't it? Yeah, yeah, 140.

-It was.

-You wouldn't do 130?

-I could do probably 135 and that's on my back.

I like it. Who's to say whether it'll make a profit,

but I think it would go in any home. It would go in a modern flat,

go in an old house, I like it, it's stylish, it is bronze, it's heavy.

Well, OK. But if we were to buy that and, say, your sofa...

-My ghastly sofa, which I love.

-It's not ghastly!

If we would put those two together, what's the price on that?

-The price on that was an unforgettable £90.

-£90.

-£90.

-So, if we bought the two...?

-Could we take 220?

I can't because they're different dealers

-and we've already taken a lot off the chair.

-Yeah.

The bronze I'm doing it on my own back.

-225.

-Super.

-Pure heaven.

-Thank you.

-Blimey! Synergy at last.

Thank you very much, indeed. Thank you. 240.

That leaves me with 60 quid to go and spend on your behalf.

Well, thank goodness it's no more.

How dare you?!

SIRENS WAIL

Time's up, teams. Now, let's find out what the Red team bought, eh?

They spent £55 on the Art Deco white metal salt and pepper set.

Spicy!

£40 was spent on the stylish brass letter rack with inkwell.

And the black lacquered side cabinet gilded with butterflies

and foliage cost them £85.

-Now, which is your favourite?

-My silver salt and pepper shakers.

That's your favourite? What about you, Dupee?

-Mine is the ink and letter rack.

-Is it? Your "favourite" favourite.

-Is that going to bring the biggest profit?

-I think so.

-Hmm.

-I think our, um, furniture might steal the show, yeah.

-You reckon?

Well, you clearly get on very well, you two,

cos you're not talking off the same hymn sheet at all...

-which is brilliant. OK, so what was the amount that you spent?

-180.

-OK, I'd like 120 of leftover lolly, please.

-There you go.

You don't like handing that over at all.

Look at the pained expression on that chick's face.

-Anyway, here we go. £120, Natasha.

-Thank you.

-What are you going to spend it on?

-Well, these girls had a style.

They knew what they liked and they had a brilliant eye, so I've

got a lot to live up to, but I think I might have something up my sleeve.

Really? She's very enigmatic, isn't she?

Anyway, on that happy note,

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

They spent a joyous £15 on the French walnut footstool.

£135 was paid for the contemporary bronze owl.

And, to Charlie's delight,

£90 was spent on the Victorian rosewood and mahogany salon chair.

Now, you two...

how much did you spend?

-We spent £240.

-I love it, don't you when they spend up?!

So, Martin, tell me, which is your favourite piece?

-Uh, the bronze owl.

-The bronze owl.

-Hmm.

And you bought it at the right prize, did you? Your old owl?

135.

Lovely, and too-whit-too-woo, which is your favourite piece, David?

I think, out of the three pieces, the owl again.

We agree on this, unusually.

You are just welded from the hip, you two chaps, aren't you?

A marvellous thing to see. So, there we go, that's your prediction.

-Is that going to bring the biggest profit?

-Yes.

-No.

-Well, this is where we disagree!

-Perhaps not then.

OK, so, what's your prediction then?

-I think the stool will fetch the most, yeah.

-Really?

-Cos it was so jolly cheap.

-Indeed.

-Yeah, well, there we go.

OK, I'd like £60, please of leftover lolly. Thank you, that's very nice.

-Now, is it true that you design railway stations?

-I have done, yes.

Wow, that's nice, isn't it? It'll be a piece of cake this game for you.

There you go. £60 to the architect of your future.

Um, what are you going to spend it on, Charlie?

Rolling stock, I would have thought.

Well, he only does the station architecture.

Well, easy enough, anyway, and very good luck, Charlie,

-and have a nice little rest-up, chaps.

-Thank you.

Meanwhile, I'm about to head off and draw a firm line under a subject.

Well, they say that novelty is everything,

so try this pencil on for size.

Isn't that fun?

It's made of a turned tube of beechwood and your eye is deceived

into thinking that it's a real pencil because of the paint job.

This paint job is dragged

and ragged with striated lines of paint that make this

look like the outer surface of a pencil,

then you get down to the sharpened bit and, to deceive you even more,

the fake lead is painted a different colour on the timber at the bottom.

The globular terminal, once upon a time,

was silver plated on brass

and most of that silver plating has rubbed off,

and it unscrews neatly like this, look -

to reveal the chamber into which all those school kids, you know, about

1880 to 1900, would have filled the pencil up and trotted off to school.

All good fun.

I reckon this thing though is desirable in today's market

for people who collect drawing instruments.

And, as such,

I was chuffed to find it here in a cabinet at Sawbridgeworth.

In one of those specialist sales, I think it could

bring as much as £75, but here, it could be yours today for £12.

Well, we've trotted all the way from Sawbridgeworth to

High Road Auctions in Chiswick in the smoke to be

with our auctioneer of the moment, Ross Mercer. Good morning, Ross.

-Good morning, Tim.

-Very nice to be here.

Now, for the Reds, their first item are these Deco condiments.

-How do you rate those?

-I like them, Tim, but a little bit worn.

The tops of them have been over polished a bit and,

-so, now the metal's getting a bit thin.

-Mm-hm.

-But, unfortunately...

-What you call thin on top...

-Yes.

-..unlike you and me.

-Absolutely.

Quite right. Well thatched.

The marks, however, they've been rubbed off, so, really,

we can't call them silver with no discernible hallmarks.

-Hmm.

-We'll have to wait and see.

-What's your estimate?

-We've said £50 to £70.

-Have you really?

-Which is, as they say, all the money.

-It certainly is.

I'd like to get over 35, £40, and I think we're doing pretty well.

£55 is what they spent.

Now, much more stylish for my taste, anyway,

is this German polished brass kind of desk stand,

-but, really, it's a letter rack, isn't it?

-That's right, yeah.

In a true German Art Nouveau, um, style, not quite as organic

as the French, but, people are going to want that on their desk.

I think they would do.

The fact that you've got a little inkwell in there is irrelevant

today, because most people haven't got an ink-filled dip pen,

so, you know, but that's just a little feature.

But these sprung flaps, I think,

-are really neat to stop the blowing away in a...

-A nice nod to quality.

-German engineering.

-Exactly. So, how do you rate that little joker?

-Well, we've said £40 to £60.

-OK, £40's paid.

That's very fair and you could watch that sail away, couldn't you?

I'd hope so, yeah. Following wind, maybe 80, 80, £90, perhaps?

Now, talking about sailing away, we've got the Chinese cabinet,

which, I guess, only sailed in the other day out of a container.

It did, Tim, it did, yes.

A piece of furniture, really, in the style of the late 18th

-and early 19th century.

-Yes.

-They do command quite high prices retail.

-Really?

-So, we're really appealing to the decorative end of the market,

perhaps interior decorators.

So, what's it going to bring in the auction today?

Well, we've said £60 to £80. I'd like to see that make 100.

£85 paid by our team. So, it's all the money again.

Well, for me,

depending on how the German letter rack gets on will determine whether

they need the bonus buy or not, so let's go and have a look at it.

-Well, girls, this is exciting, isn't it?

-BOTH: Yes.

-You gave the lovely Natasha £120...

-Yeah.

..of honest, British cash to buy your bonus buy.

-Take off the cloth, darling.

-Dun-dun-dun!

Just what you were after...

-a set of scales!

-BOTH: Ahh!

Hey!

-What do you think about that?

-It was what we was after.

-Exactly.

-I like it.

-These are lovely. They're walnut.

They're French scales, actually, and the top here is alabaster

and I think that they are just a lovely decorative,

yet functional item.

-What's £100 and some scales, I say?

-Is that what you spent?

No, I spent £41 on the scales.

BOTH: Ahh!

-I got them down to 41.

-That's good.

How much do you think we're going to get?

Hmm...I think that we could make about 70, 75.

-That's good.

-I feel quite confident about them.

-Yay!

-Yeah.

-All right. Happy with that, girls?

-Yes, definitely.

-Is she a genius or what?

-She's amazing.

-Yes!

Well, as they say, the proof will be in the pudding.

Right, now though, for the audience at home,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Natasha's scales.

Right, Ross, let's just see whether we can get the right balance here.

-How'd you rate it?

-Very decorative, Tim. You stand a good chance here.

It was a cleverly chosen bonus buy. Not entirely original I suspect.

-Mm-hm.

-A close eye would have noticed that the two pans

here are marked by an English Bristolian firm and yet

the base of it is typically French, but it is its aesthetic appeal

with kitchens becoming that much more decorated now.

-I've got high hopes on this.

-Have you? How high are your hopes?

Well, I'm hoping that we will see the 100, £150 mark.

-Really?

-Yes.

-Hoo, hoo, hoo!

Natasha and the team will be delighted,

if the team decide to go with it.

Right, now for the Blues. Martin and David with their footstool.

It seems extraordinary to me that you could buy a little footstool,

probably it's 100 years old or 80 years old, for £15 retail.

Not used as much as they used to,

I suspect it's going to go to a second home in the country.

I mean, it puts one off, the slightly dated needlework,

quite frankly, it's not to everybody's cup of tea.

-Rip that off and put a leather top on it, what could be nicer?

-Yeah.

-So, your estimate is how much?

-We've said £10 to £20.

-OK, well, that's a bit of a tempter, isn't it?

-I hope so.

-I think it is.

Now, what about the wise old owl, except it's not so old?

Not so old this time, Tim, no, not at all.

Almost certainly manufactured within the last 20 years.

However, bears, pigs and owls,

-the three most collected of animals, it'll catch someone's eye.

-How much?

Well, for the owl we've said 80 to £120.

Well, £135 was paid.

-They might get their money back.

-Hmm.

And, lastly, is the Sheraton Revival chair.

Is that to everyone's taste?

It's not, it's thought of as a little passe now.

Once upon a time, value wise, it would have been

-probably £400 or £500.

-Hmm.

But, today, the market has shown that really it's more likely to

be £80, £120, £100 on a good day.

Well, £90 paid retail by these guys,

-so, um, that's probably about it.

-They've done well there.

It all depends on the owl and, on that basis, they may or

may not need their bonus buy, so let's go and have a look at it.

Martin, David, this is the moment.

-You spent £240 - I'm so proud of you chaps.

-Yes!

-And you gave your man £60.

-That's right.

Charlie Ross, this is going to be interesting.

You're going to just love this!

THEY LAUGH

-Martin, are you all right?

-I'm speechless! I'm speechless!

-You spent £58 on that?

-I did.

How old is it, do you think?

-Post-war.

-THEY LAUGH

Are we talking about the Vietnam War, are we?

It's an investment piece.

Did you put your own cash in then to see if it works?

-I did, quite a lot of it.

-I mean, you are amazing.

What an amazing man you are. Pass it over to David.

Here, feel my jellybeans.

Huh!

-There's an offer.

-They're all stuck together!

-Well, they would be!

It's not surprising if you've been in there since the war!

Charlie, this is perfectly horrible!

I'm sure it'll make a profit.

How much is it going to bring in?

-£75.

-How much did you spend?

-£58.

-There we go. You watched his lips...

-Mm-hm.

..all those black and orange and green stained lips,

thanks to all the jellybeans he's scoffed so far.

And my teeth are now stuck together.

Yeah, I hope you've not got far to travel in your car going home.

You could be in need of a facility or two,

if you had too many of those, Charlie!

Anyway, on that happy note, you don't pick now,

-you pick later if you need to.

-Right.

But, right now, for the audience at home,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about the candy machine.

Right then, old bean, what do you make of this?

Not the typical thing we see here at High Road Auctions,

-but a great lot of fun here, Tim.

-Isn't it?

-It is.

I mean, complete with its key, so you can get in and refill it.

I don't care for these beans much, do you?

No, I would advise clients probably not to eat them, um, but I think

-it's a great talking point, you can ration the children with sweets.

-Hmm.

And I think the younger audience,

the younger collectors, are going to spot this and pick it up.

So, what's the estimate on this, then?

-We've said 30 to £60.

-OK.

A bit of "come and get me" estimate.

Charlie Ross, of course, paid £58 for it,

nearly all his leftover lolly, which is typically naughty Charlie,

and, knowing his luck, I can see the thing making £80 or £100.

-Anyway, we'll see. You're taking the sale today?

-I am indeed, Tim.

We're in safe hands.

Yup, 420, 440, 460, sir.

-Well, is this fun or is it fun?

-It's amazing.

-Really good.

-Are you feeling nervous, you two?

-Yeah.

-A little bit.

-I am.

-Fluttery?

Yes. I hope that will settle.

-I hope it will...

-I'm actually joking.

-You're joking.

The first lot coming up then is the salt and pepper pot

and here they come.

Now, lot 20 is the rather fun pair of these Art Deco white metal

-condiments. Bids start against you all at £20 with me at 20.

-20 only.

One bid, £20 for them. Any further bids now at £20 only?

£20? No! Come on.

25? Nice looking things now at £20. Last chance.

-I'm getting a bad feeling.

-£20!

All done.

-Oh, girls!

-£20 is minus 35.

They didn't like them enough.

Now, this is where you're going to win your money back.

Lot 21 is the rather nice 1930s German brass letter rack.

Some interest again. £10 I'm bid on the books.

-£10!

-£10 only.

-£10!

There's got to be some more money out there at the moment. At £15...£18.

£23 now on the internet.

-At £23, where would we be without the internet?

-Come on!

Oh, my goodness. £25 now.

Snap up a bit. A deal at 23, surely?

-28?

-28? Crack on!

-Gosh, we need about five times as much as that!

At £28, internet, all done?

-Oh, my goodness!

-£28 is minus £12.

-I'm going to cry!

-Oh, girls!

Now, here comes the cabinet.

The next lot then, lot 22, it's the Chinese black lacquered side cabinet.

Bids start against you all at £50 with me and I'll take 5.

50, 5, 60, 5, 75...

-OK.

-Ladies...

-5 now...

-90, 5, 100...

-Come on.

It's only money. £100 I'm bid at the back at 100. At £100, last chance...

-Come on!

-Done and selling at £100.

-Oh, £100!

-£100 is plus £15.

That means, darlings, you are minus £32.

-OK, what are you thinking?

-You're £32 down.

We've got to be snappy about this.

That went against every prediction in the book.

That is the most unlucky thing I've seen in yonks,

but what are we going to do about this bonus buy?

Are you going to go with the scales for £41 or are you going to

preserve your losses at minus 32?

-We might as well just do it.

-I think we should just go with the scales.

-Girls! Oh, girls!

-Are you gamblers or are you not gamblers?

We're not gamblers, but we're going to do it.

So, you are going to gamble?

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

Now, the next lot, 26, is a rather fun set

of 19th century French walnut and alabaster shop scales.

£40 surely for them? 20 then, anywhere?

10 then?

-Oh, gosh!

-Oh, dear!

£10 surely. £15 now.

-At £15, bid £18...

-I can't bear it.

At £18, stood at the back at £18 only.

£20, now on the internet at 20.

All done at £20?

£20, I can't believe it.

That's minus £21, which means, overall, you are minus £53.

-Girls...

-Girls, don't burst into tears,

because that could be a winning score.

The way things are looking tonight, it could be a winning score!

-Don't say a word to those Blues, all right?

-We won't.

Don't say a word and all will be revealed in a moment.

-I think you've been very brave.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

TIM CRIES

David, Martin, how are you?

-Terrific.

-Good, thank you.

-Good, good, I'm so pleased you're good.

-And do you know how the Red team got on?

-No idea.

-You don't want to know.

-OK, that's great.

-As good as that.

-Yeah, as good as that.

Right, first up then, guys, is your footstool and here it comes.

The next lot is the rather nice late 19th / early 20th century

-French walnut footstool. £8 I am bid on the books.

-What?!

There must be 10 somewhere. £10, bid £12.

£12, now in front at 12, 15 with the lady.

20 it must be. 18 I've got.

-20 now, madam.

-Profit!

Looking for 5. At £20. 22. 24. 24...26.

Oh, this is climbing nicely.

At 24 internet, in the room at £24, make no mistake,

a good-looking thing at 24.

26 now. 28, sir. It's last chance at 26.

At £26, he's plus £11. That is what they call easy money.

-That's a clever boy.

-Don't get too cocky now. Here comes the owl.

43, the contemporary bronze study of an owl.

I like this little owl and he does need a home, you know.

£80 I am bid, surely. £60 then, and 5.

70, 5, 80, 5 now,

90, 5, 100, sir.

100 bid. 10 now.

110. 120. 130.

One more.

It's only money. £120 in the centre.

-At 120...

-Go on!

Last chance at £120, 130 now. 140, sir.

-You've got to go home with something at 140.

-Yes!

-Oh, yes!

140 I have in the room. I'm done at selling at 140 then.

-£140. 140 is plus 5!

-We have Martin to thank for that one.

We have just scraped home.

Lot 144, the late Victorian rosewood

and mahogany salon chair or canopy, if you wish.

Bids start with me at 60 and 5, 75, 80 now, sir,

and 5, new bidder, 90, 5,

-100, sir.

-You're in.

-Thank you.

-Look at that!

-110.

-120.

130 I have you there. I can barely see you at 130, but at £130 I am bid.

-140.

-140! You'll be going on your holidays, chaps!

You've scared them off. At £140, on the internet at 140. All done?

There you go, that's plus £50. That is a profit...

-Well done!

-..on everything.

Now, hang on a minute, chaps. 50, 61, plus 66.

You are in the money - £66.

Now, what are you going to do about the vending machine

cos you're going to risk...? You've got £66 in your back pocket.

Do you risk it for a biscuit, or rather a jellybean,

or do you ditch the jellybeans?

-What's it to be? Chop, chop.

-I think we'll...

-stick as we are.

-Ditch! Ditch!

-Are you sure about this, chaps?

-I'm pretty sure.

-It's a has-been!

Are you sure about this? No, seriously?

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

Next lot now, ladies and gentlemen, is lot 48.

It's the late 20th century red painted

and chrome plated confectionary vending machine.

£30, there's no money. £20 then and 5. 30 and 5.

-40 and 5.

-Uh-oh.

-50 now.

You like your jellybeans at 50. 5, sir. 55.

-In front at £55.

-Is it going to make a profit?

At £55, he's going to ration the kids at 55.

-All done?

-Very close, Charlie.

At £55.

Right decision, team, which was minus 3.

You preserved your £66 profit.

Very, very canny these two, I'd say.

-Anyway, don't say a word to the Reds, all right?

-No, sure.

And we will reveal all in just a moment.

Well, well, well, it's almost as if we've had two programmes

running simultaneously today.

I'm afraid I have to reveal today that one team is

quite a long way behind and that team...

are the Reds.

-THEY GROAN

-We knew it, though, we knew it.

Well, it was red all along the line, really, wasn't it?

Minus 35, minus 12,

and then you made your £15 profit on the Chinese cabinet which

I was so sniffy about, so it shows I know absolutely nothing.

So, congratulations on that profit, which is great, but

I'm afraid the grand total came to minus 53

-and that ain't good enough.

-THEY GROAN

Not today it isn't, not against these maestros,

-but, anyway, have you had a nice time?

-Yes.

-Yes, lovely.

We so loved having you on the show and I'm sorry the result is

not shown in these numbers cos you have been fantastic.

-Those were quality goods.

-They were.

-They were.

-You protest...!

Anyway, bad luck, but great to see you,

because on this side it's as if we've been in another place

-cos you're going to go home with £66 of profit.

-Ah!

There is your £65 and here's the sixth, how about that?

-Thank you very much.

-You made £11 profit on the footstool,

-which is great. £5 on the owl.

-(Yes!)

And £50 on that window seat, which is fantastic.

So, plus £66 also means that you are eligible to join

-the ancient and noble order of the Golden Gavellers.

-Congratulations!

I have to say, we're very, very proud of

-our new design golden gavels...

-Ooh!

..which have come very especially for you.

So, these are architect designed, David,

-so you'll be proud to wear that when you go out.

-Thank you.

-There we go.

-Thank you, Tim.

-And, Charlie, something to add to your collection.

-Oh, marvellous! Thank you, sir.

-Have you had a good time?

-Very good, thank you very much.

-Congratulations.

-Anyway, join us soon for some more bargain hunting. Yes?

-ALL: Yes!

I know you're sitting there thinking,

"I could have done better than that!" Well, what's stopping you?

If you think you can spot a bargain, go to our BBC website and apply.

It'll be splendid to see you.