Ardingly 16 Bargain Hunt

We're at the rather wintry Ardingly International Antiques

and Collectors Fair.

Are you ready for action?

Let's go bargain hunting, yeah!

Sussex has been the location of several of Britain's invasions,

including the onslaught of the Romans.

But who will be victorious today?

Will it be the Reds?

Will it be the Blues? Or will we simply see some white faces?

Let's take a quick squint as to what's coming up.

Well, today for the Reds, the sums just don't add up.

-We were quick on the maths, there, weren't we?

-Oh, well, not really.

Not really.

While the Blues try and get rid of their expert.

Can I just hide under the table?

But before I give too much away, let's meet the teams.

So, it's a mother and daughter-fest on today's programme.

For the Reds, we've got Chris and Jenny,

and for the Blues we have Carol and Caroline.

-Hello, everyone.

-ALL: Hello.

Lovely to see you.

Now, Chris, it says here that you're a bunny boiler, I mean, boarder.

Yes, the days of my bunny boiling are over.

-Really?

-Yes.

-No, we won't go there.

-No, no.

So, what do you do with bunnies, currently?

I run like a boarding kennels but for rabbits and guinea pigs.

-And you take hamsters, too?

-Hamsters too.

But I do draw the line at rats, I'm not a great fan...

-You don't like a white rat.

-No, not too keen.

No. But it's not just animals you're passionate about, is it?

No, I belong to a fundraising committee for a children's

charity and we raise between, on an average year, about 15,000.

I mean, you have to work really hard to raise 15 grand.

-We do work hard.

-I mean, that's a good sum, isn't it?

Yeah, we do, but we have a good time doing it, too, otherwise it wouldn't gel.

-The team wouldn't gel.

-No, quite.

-Now, Jenny, you're a student.

-I am.

-Tell us about your studentship.

I'm at the National School of Furniture in Oxford,

learning to design and make furniture.

-And what drew you to that?

-I kind of fell into it by accident.

I came out of college, the first time,

and had no idea what I was going to do.

And Mum actually got me some work experience with an antique restorer.

And, I loved it.

Absolutely adored it, and he was just like,

"This is the college you need to go to. I don't know where it is..."

But, it turns out it's in the centre of Oxford.

Oh, lovely. How are you with antiques?

I'm not so good with antiques,

I prefer things that are quite tactile so you might have something

that's modern that's really just interesting, it has a story to it.

And are you going to work well as a team, do you think?

-Oh, yeah, we usually do.

-You usually do? You're all ready for the attack.

-Oh, absolutely.

-Yep.

-Well, we'll stand by and very good luck.

-Now, Carol, you have a passion for antiques.

-Yes.

Which is a rarity for contestants on Bargain Hunt, I have to say.

So, we're expecting great things from you.

Oh, amateur! I'm an amateur.

Tell us about your passion.

We like collecting together, we like going to antique fairs,

-vintage fairs. Antique...

-Auctions?

-Auctions, yes, auctions.

Have you ever found any bargains?

-Yeah, I've found a few bargains.

-OK, tell us about that.

-I bought a nice ring once for £60.

-Yeah.

-And I got it valued for £1,200.

-You didn't?

-And I sold it for £900.

Well, that's something else, isn't it?

So I was quite pleased with that, yes.

Oh, we want some of that performance today, please.

And, Caroline, you share your mother's love of antiques?

Yes, we do like going out together, yes.

And what do you do when you're not looking for bargains, Caroline?

I'm an equestrian instructor-cum-trainer.

I freelance, so I teach semi-professional

and really good amateurs all the way around the country.

And they go out competing from my fitness programmes and,

hopefully, they come back with rosettes. And winnings!

-You're good at it?

-Yeah. I've competed myself.

Oh, have you?

For many years and I'm just having a little rest for a couple of years.

So, I'm pushing forward on training other people at the moment.

Very nice, too. Let them fall at the first fence, what?

We don't get any of that, when they've been trained by you.

-No, of course not.

-No, of course not. Absolutely.

So, are you looking forward to putting your knowledge

-of antiques to the test?

-Yes.

-We are.

-You are. Are you looking forward to spending our £300?

-Oh, yes.

-Yes.

-Oh, yes.

Because that is the £300 moment - right now. There's your £300.

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

And very, very, very good luck.

I wouldn't mind trying a bit of eventing.

So, that's it for our teams, but who are our experts?

Well, hoping to swim and not sink later, at the auction,

we have Anita Manning.

What is she wearing?

And planning to attract the bargains for the Blues,

it's Christina Trevanion.

-Girls. We're here to do some bargain hunting.

-We are.

What do you want to buy?

Oh, I think a nice piece of Charles and Eames furniture.

-A lovely solitaire diamond would be fantastic.

-With £300?

-If we can!

We'll do our best.

-Right, ladies. What's our plan?

-Rummage through a lot.

-Yep.

Try and find something a little bit different, maybe.

-Because you're quite traditional and you're quite modern, in tastes.

-Absolutely, yes.

So, are we going to find some happy, even ground, do you think?

-We're going to try, aren't we?

-We're going to try, OK.

-As long as it makes a profit.

-That's the key!

-It's all about the money.

-It's all about the money. Come on, then.

It is, indeed, Blues, so get spending.

You've only got 60 minutes, remember.

-Oh, nice bed.

-Yeah, I like that bed, you know.

Do you think that's a four foot?

I think it's...not going to sell overly well.

-Oh, deck chairs do well.

-In that mud?

-Feels a bit cold to be buying deck chairs, doesn't it?

-It does, doesn't it?

So, the Blues are diving straight in while the Reds are taking

a more relaxed approach to proceedings.

-So, we're looking, maybe, for a nice piece of furniture.

-Yep.

-Do you like furniture which is simple in design?

-Yes.

I really do quite like the more simple kind of thing in furniture

because it's not something I've grown up with, I've always grown up with Mum's antiques

that are quite...overly decorated, or quite ornate.

You're meant to be shopping, teams, not chatting.

-OK, so, these are nice but they are a bit modern, look.

-Ah, OK, no.

-They've still got the bar code on.

-Yeah, something old, Blues, eh?

I think we want to avoid those.

I'm glad I brought my wellies.

Come on, the Reds, pick the pace up.

-Oh, whoa, what a choice!

-It's a treasure trove.

The fair is your oyster.

Eyes down, teams.

What does that say? "R55". I don't know what that means, maybe that's a stock code or something.

Can you imagine those in a massive warehouse building?

-I mean, they'd be quite cool, wouldn't they?

-We're not allowed to pull it over, are we,

-and have a look?

-Can we have a look underneath them?

-Yeah, it's quite heavy.

-Are they really heavy?

-It is quite heavy.

-What do they look like underneath?

-Oh, wow.

-There's quite a lot of chicken wire.

-Chicken wire?

And the bulb, I don't know if you could still get those bulbs.

They're great, but I think they might just be too big, though, for a modern home, don't you?

I mean, gosh, could you imagine trying to hang that from a ceiling?

-Cor, blimey.

-In a barn conversion, or something.

-Shall we leave them?

-Do you like them?

I kind of like them, but I'm not sure that a lot of people would like them.

-Do you like them?

-I think they're cool.

-They're very cool.

-But I've never been cool.

-They're very cool but we've got to have a united decision.

-Yeah.

-Shall we just think about it?

-OK.

They're £250 for the pair, if you're interested, Blues.

No.

The Reds, though, have found something "plane".

Have you used one of these?

I haven't, actually, but they're easier to use if they're heavier.

I can imagine those being a little bit lighter.

-For £20 it's not that...

-It's not dear.

-It's not dear.

Again, in tools and in instruments you're looking for maker's names,

you know, or little tiny planes which are used for making mouldings.

You know, these are lovely wee things.

Let's keep that in mind because that's not too dear.

Do you want to spend lots of money or do you want to spend little?

-I'd say little. Little bits.

-And your mum would say?

-Lots.

-We need to leave some for you.

-Leave me a pound and I'll be happy.

You're always happy, Anita. As is Christina.

We've got a right happy bunch today.

Now, that's a talking point around the table.

-That's quite nice, as a centre piece.

-What's this?

-This will be EPNS, can you see that yellowish tinge it's got to it?

-Yeah.

So, that would have had silver plating over it, originally,

but now this yellow has come through. So the silver plate has worn away.

-It's a nice bowl, I like the fact that it's oak and it's carved.

-Mmm.

-Is it heavy?

-It is quite heavy, not ridiculously so.

-Oh, no, no.

-It's got a pedestal, which is nice,

-but to have that resilvered would cost you a small fortune.

-Mm, yeah.

So, if you were going to buy it I would say you need

-it for not very much money.

-No, OK.

But nice thing, very nice thing, do you want to ask the price on it?

-No.

-Straight to the point, Carol. That's what we like.

-OK.

-No, no?

-Decisive, I like it, decisive, right.

-We've got to know.

But you've both still to find your first purchase.

Come on, teams, you've had 15 minutes already.

-See this big one? This here?

-Yes.

-What is that?

-What sort of glass is...?

-It's knobbed glass. Have a look.

< Now, I can do that for £20. But I really can't go any lower.

Let's have a look at it.

-Now, you see that the base here is called the pontil.

-Yeah.

And it's where the glass rod has been snapped off.

But this has been polished here so it's been hand-blown

and has been finished so, a wee bit of quality there.

-OK.

-Yeah.

-An interesting vase, it is modern.

-Yes.

-Yeah.

-I don't know if you like these details, here.

-I don't dislike them.

-I like them as well.

-Yes, yes.

-I think, I quite like the colours in it.

-Yeah.

-You like the colours in it?

-Yes.

-For £20 it's...

< And I seriously can't go any lower.

You can't go any lower then that?

-I paid £20 for it, so you are getting a bargain.

-Yeah.

-< If it was to anybody else I'd double the price!

-Yeah, uh-huh.

-It's up to yourselves.

-Yes, that's fine.

-Yeah.

-Lovely.

-Shall we take that? Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-I think that's very nice.

-Yes.

-It's lovely.

Great work. One down, Reds.

The Blues, however, are still rushing about.

Is that what you envisaged buying when you came on Bargain Hunt?

-Well, I'm just open minded, really.

-Yeah?

I mean, I would have that on my patio.

-No?

-We've lost her.

-I think you have.

-Come on, my love.

-I quite liked that.

-Right, come on, let's one under our belt.

Good idea, Christina. Will they find anything indoors?

Crikey, Caroline, I thought we'd have bought something by now.

So did I, Carol.

Now, the Reds are on the lookout for Chris's sparkler.

This lady is looking for a one-carat diamond for about 20 quid.

-So, how much money have you got?

-Very little.

-Well, what's very little?

Well, if we spent 30, 40, 50 pounds, you know...

-There's nothing in there.

-I know.

-There's nothing cheap in there, guys, and I'm so sorry.

-OK.

You've got very good taste, Reds, but, sadly, not the budget.

Now, the Blues have found a little gem. Don't tell the Reds, though.

Yeah, how much is that little garnet and pearl one, there, that's quite dinky, isn't it?

-Yeah, that's very nice.

-Yeah.

-Can probably do that for about 80.

-£80, OK.

What's your thoughts? That's quite sweet, isn't it?

-That's quite pretty.

-Is it in gold?

-Yes.

-Do we know what carat?

-Nine.

-All in nine?

-I'm pretty sure it's nine.

-Let's have a little look.

-Yeah, nine.

-Are we thinking a bit of jewellery?

Yes, we have a nice 375 nine-carat mark on that. Garnet, in the middle?

-Yeah.

-Garnet and seed pearls.

It's an interestingly cut garnet, you've got a good,

unusual cut on that one.

It's sort of a cabision, but a faceted cabision.

-It catches the light, doesn't it?

-Yeah, that's quite pretty.

It's quite pretty. What do you think?

-I wouldn't like to pay £80 for it.

-She's a tough one, that Carol.

-Blimey.

-What's your lowest figure on that?

-Would you take about 50, 55?

-What's your very, very best...

£60?

-£56?

-So you have a good day and so do we?

-£56?

I'm sorry, they are the best bargain hunters

I've ever met in my life. Can I just hide under the table?

-We haven't bought anything yet!

-Ah, haven't you managed to buy anything?

It's all right, don't worry about it.

What do you think? £56?

-What could you do for us?

-I'll do you £55, then.

I think you need to give her a big hug and say, "You're a legend."

-Good luck.

-Thank you.

-Thank you. Well done.

-Yay, we have our first one.

-One down! And, it's beautiful.

-It's very, very beautiful.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you, fantastic.

Well done, Blues. Oh, it's all diamonds and pearls for these teams.

-Well, I would wear it.

-I would wear that, as well.

-Yeah.

-I don't think the youth of today might.

-Do you not think so?

-I think you might be right, Mum.

-Stylish women of a certain age.

Of a certain age who are going to spend the day at the auction, Anita.

It's jasper and pearl and it's set in silver.

-I mean, it's quite classic.

-And it's not hugely expensive.

You know, they're not dear and if we maybe put the chain...

-Together.

-..together, it makes a finished item.

-Yes, 18 and was that 19?

-What is that?

-37.

-37.

Maybe we could get it for about 30.

-We were quick on the maths there, weren't we?

-No, not really!

Not really.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-I've got a couple of girls of style, here.

Could we buy this for somewhere round about 30?

-30 will do fine.

-30 will be fine?

-Yes.

-Girls, what do you think?

-Perfect.

-Yeah, that would be brilliant.

-That's lovely, thank you very much.

-Good luck.

Yes, well, let's hope that we have women of style in London.

I'm sure you will, Anita. Good work, Reds, two down.

But, what about the Blues? Have they struck lucky with number two, yet?

So, we've got a silver matchbox holder.

The mark is a little bit rubbed but if you breathe on it you can

-see it's, "London C," so that will be about 1903?

-Yeah.

-So Edwardian.

When you say it's quite rubbed, does that make a difference to the

price or just that you're looking to check the content?

Well, silver collectors will not like the fact that the

marks are rubbed but it's a useable thing and it's got a...

Actually, what's really nice, it's got a retailer stamp on the bottom.

For Barrett & Sons, 63 and 64 Piccadilly, London.

-Oh.

-Oh, that's quite nice.

-Yeah, nice quality piece.

-OK.

-What's your thoughts? I mean, what was your best price on that one?

-45.

-Oh, you're a darling, shall we go with that?

-45.

-Yeah, I mean, if it came in to me, I'd say £30 to £50.

-Would you?

So it's not that much profit.

It's not going to be a huge amount of profit but it stands a good chance of selling.

-Would you do 40?

-Yeah.

-You would do 40?

-Yep.

-And it's a nice thing.

-Can it be cleaned up?

-Oh, your sleeve's doing a wonderful job.

-It's quite scratched.

-Is there any more to come off that at all?

-Uh...35.

-I think that's really, really good.

-I think that's incredibly fair.

-It's really good.

-It stands a good chance of selling.

-Yeah, I'll get tormented for it.

I think, shake her hand and say thank you very, very,

-very, very much.

-35, thank you.

-Two down, ladies, well done.

My goodness me, this is brilliant. Fantastic.

-So we've got about 15 minutes and we've got one more to buy, OK?

-OK.

-So there's no dawdling, let's get going.

-Yes, fabulous.

Amazing work there, Blues.

And listen to Christina, that time will fly by.

Right, touch wood, the Reds have found their final item.

-What's the name on it? JP Benmore.

-Yeah, that's the maker's name.

-The makers name.

-It's a chamfer plane.

Now, it's important to have a maker's name,

-it makes it that much more valuable.

-What's the price on it?

-55.

How would you use this? Is it for a big chunk of wood?

I don't think so on this one. I haven't ever used one of these.

-Do you know how to do it?

-Yeah, it's basically for...

If you use it on a corner, like that,

that would just flatten it off and make it into a peak.

Like you say, it's only a small plane so it's not taking lots of wood off.

It's got quite a nice blade on it, actually.

THEY LAUGH

I'm talking to two technicians, here.

It's brought a wee smile to your face.

-I would actually quite like to have this one.

-Ooh!

-I'll do it for 45.

-45.

-If we could make it 40, I think we'd have a deal.

-OK, I'll do it for 40.

Super.

Excellent. Steady work, Reds, job done.

But the Blues still have one item to find.

-Look, Caroline, horsey.

-No, that's too expensive.

-Oh, is it?

-Yes.

This is cute, isn't it?

OK, so that's Old Tupton Ware so that's not Moorcroft

but it's very much in the style of Moorcroft.

-What do you think?

-What do you think?

-It's not Moorcroft, though, is it?

-No, it's not Moorcroft.

That's you told, Christina.

OK, so, that has got a Moorcroft impress mark on the base

but no signature and, often,

Moorcroft buyers do like to have a painted signature.

But, obviously, there isn't enough space on the base of this to

be able to sign thoroughly.

And it's on this rather lovely, graded blue ground.

It's relatively modern, but it's ready to go, it's got its plug.

And, it's already been PAT tested, which is brilliant.

-What do you think?

-What did you have on it, 145?

-145.

-Would you be open to offers on that? Would you?

-£80?

-Is 80 too low?

Too low.

-< Oh, Caroline says it's too much.

-It's too much?

-Too much.

You're not happy at spending £80? No?

On Moorcroft.

Yeah, it's a good name.

It's a good name, Blues, and the time is ticking.

Focus now, Blues.

-I'll hold the lamp as a...

-It's nice, horses' bottoms.

-Right, ladies, we've eight minutes left, let's focus now.

-How many?

-Eight minutes.

-Don't get distracted by paintings, let's go.

Let's go, let's go. Horse? What do you think?

Come on.

She's rather lovely, she's called the Arabian Dancer, I think.

She's, yeah, bronze. But, I think your mother's doing a deal.

-Are you doing a deal?

-No, she will only come down to 100.

-£100.

I don't think that's enough, do you? Is that going to go to auction?

Once you know it will be a good deal then we'll pay 100.

-We've got to win, though, haven't we?

-That's fighting talk.

But, I have to say, it's not far off the mark

because if it came into me I'd say 80, 120, one to 150.

Could we do, like, two or three pounds under the 100?

We don't want a tight margin, just in case.

< Doesn't sound as though we've spent as much.

You kill me! You kill me! 98!

-No more!

-I'd like to apologise on behalf of my team.

-98, that's under the 100. No more.

-What's your thoughts?

Well, I do like it, there's no doubt about that.

-Oh, she's going in for the kill.

-There you go.

-Thank you.

-Before she changes her mind.

-Thank you.

Sneaky, Caroline. And just in the nick of time. Well done, Blues.

Now, let's remind ourselves what the Reds bought, shall we?

First up, they spent £20 on the mid-20th century glass vase.

The white metal pendant with silver chain cost them £30.

And Jenny took a liking to the brass mounted Beachwood plane, paying £40.

OK, my bevy of beauties.

Now, Jenny, which is your favourite piece?

I actually liked the chamfer plane most.

I thought it was really interesting.

Well, you would do, wouldn't you, being of the wood and the interest in the furniture, which is lovely.

-Is it going to bring the biggest profit?

-I don't think so.

-Which is going to bring the biggest profit?

-Probably the vase.

-Because it was quite a bargain.

-Super, Mum, what do you think?

I think the vase will bring the best profit

but I actually love the pendant that you spotted first, didn't you?

It was lovely. I really liked it.

-She's a very good spotter though, isn't she?

-She is a very good spotter.

And, I'm told, you spent a very small, canny amount of money.

-How much, actually?

-We spent £90, overall.

-Mm, we did.

OK, well that is a canny small amount.

Anyway, £210 of leftover lolly, please, from somebody.

-Yep.

-There you go.

-Thank you very much. Well, that is a lot of money.

And when it goes across to Anita Manning, you notice that her

eyes light up like a cash register, which is a sweet thing to see.

But, what is she going to go for? The canny one.

I'm going to try and spend as much of this money as I can.

-Good girl, good girl.

-Yeah, look how pleased she is about that.

Anyway, good luck with that, Anita. Good luck, girls.

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

£55 was spent on the gold, garnet and seed pearl pendant.

They spent £35 on the late Victorian silver match box holder.

And, finally, the Moorcroft table lamp cost them £98.

So, this is our triple C moment.

-We've got Caroline, Carol and Christina.

-Here we go.

-What a dream.

-Was it good fun?

-Very good fun.

-Yeah, lovely spending somebody else's money.

-Absolutely.

-Easy.

So, Carol, tell me - which is your favourite piece?

-I did like the pendant.

-The pendant?

-With the little seed pearls and the little...

-Garnet.

..garnet in the middle.

-Does the daughter agree with that?

-Yes.

-You do?

-Yes.

-Best to agree with your mother.

-It was beautiful, always agree with my mother.

-Exactly.

-Always.

-Perfect. Learn that very young. Super.

And which item is going to bring the biggest profit?

-Pendant.

-The pendant?

-Chain, yes.

-Oh, do you think?

-Yes.

-What do you think, Mum?

-Not sure about the Moorcroft, maybe.

-Moorcroft maybe?

-Maybe.

-And how much did you spend in total?

-£188.

188, I'd like £112 of left over lolly, please.

-I think I have that.

-Thank you, Caroline.

You don't like handing this over, do you? Very, very unwilling handover.

-Straight to CT.

-Thank you very much.

-So, what are you going to buy?

I think I might just have a little mooch and see what I can find.

-Relax and see what you can find.

-Yes, have a nice amble.

-And very nice, too.

Meanwhile, I'm going to go and hang around the fair.

Now, this is very tasty, I can guarantee you that you haven't

seen one of these for years, if ever.

Da-dum! What do you think about that?

Is that not the cutest cut-out cardboard coat hanger you

ever did see in all your life?

And look at her face, is there not something

reminiscent of the late Queen Mother as a young woman, there?

Because I guess this thing was probably made in about 1925 to 1930.

And it is a peach.

In poor condition, I have to say, with Sellotape across her neck,

but you get the general idea.

All this is, is a thickish sheet of cardboard that's been

stiffened up the back with the addition of a coat hanger

and a little baton and, hey presto,

you have got yourself a very attractive novelty.

Now, we know where it came from, because it says on the bottom,

"Modelo Garment Hanger Co, 1132 Broadway."

And then it says, "Patent applied for."

And I guess the patent wasn't applied for or,

if they did, nobody took up the patent because I've never seen

anything quite like this, from that period, available on the market.

So, I guess it's a rare survivor.

And, actually, you come to some of these larger fairs to get

inspiration as to what to do in the future.

And my inspiration would be to take this to a modern high street

retailer, a firm that has thousands of shops across Britain,

and persuade them that the next way forward,

for them to display their garments, negligee, blouse,

little jacket, two-piece number,

anything you like that would suspend from a hanger of this type,

and simply come up with a series of images. Supermodels, perhaps?

Just imagine having Kate Moss coming out of your shirt.

For inspiration,

for a little bit of surviving memorabilia from the 1920s, how much?

With a broken neck, it could be yours for a £10 note.

And that's nothing to get hung up on, is it?

Well, what fun is this?

We've trotted from Sussex to Chiswick High Road, in fact,

to High Road Auctions.

-To be with Ross Mercer, hello, Ross.

-Hi, Tim.

-Great to be back.

Now, the studio glass vase looks to me

as if it might be as late as 2002. How do you feel about it?

-I see it at about the late 1990s.

-Do you?

We're going to split a hair here.

12 years in it, but it certainly isn't studio in terms of it

-being '20s or '30s or anything like that, is it?

-It's not, no.

-No.

-Is it £20 worth?

-We've said £30 to £50.

-OK, well, that's great.

Now, for a piece of jewellery that doubles as a dog collar

if you don't want to wear it yourself.

That's right, it's quite heavy-duty

but it does represent quite nice quality costume jewellery.

-Exactly, how much?

-We've said £20 to £40.

OK, £30 paid, so our team here are paying the right money.

I'm impressed.

Now, the last item is the box plane which I think is rather

charming, don't you?

Yes, a really nice thing but it's stamped by the maker,

as well as the craftsman, which was very much the case as tools

were very hard to come by and expensive.

-And, the cutting edge of it is still immaculate.

-Mmm.

-What's a thing like that worth then, Ross?

-We think £40 to £60.

OK, £40 paid, so they paid the right price for their three items,

they deserve to do jolly well and not need their bonus buy,

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

Now, we all know how good Anita Manning is at finding these

bonus buys.

And we did give her £210 of leftover lolly

and she loves to blow the lot, if she can.

So, Anita, show us what you bought.

-You found the diamond!

-Diamonds can often be a girl's best friend.

-Wow.

-I'm amazed.

-And what is more elegant...

-Absolutely.

..than a single diamond?

And this is a beautiful brooch, it's in a white metal.

Now, I looked very, very carefully and the hallmark was rubbed

so I couldn't get much information there.

The diamond, it's not a tiny little thing

and I couldn't afford a solitaire, a carat solitaire,

-it's maybe about 30 points so it's a reasonable size.

-OK.

-But it is an intriguing little brooch, it's inscribed "1914".

-Right.

-Which might be a significant...

-A significant year.

-..number.

But, I'm going to hand it over to you and I'm going to ask you

if you like that type of thing, if you're diamond girls.

I certainly am. Oh, it's beautiful, well found, Anita. That is lovely.

-How much did you spend?

-I paid £175 for it so it's a big chunk of money.

It is a big chunk of money

but it is something very beautiful for that money.

-Exactly.

-It's lovely, isn't it?

-Yeah, I would definitely spend 175 on this.

-Absolutely.

-OK, girls.

Well, everybody is in love with that, thank you very much.

Let's, for the audience at home, find out how much the auctioneer's in love with it.

OK, Ross, something to excite you.

And it does.

Lovely quality, early 20th century, there is

a very faint inscription on the back,

all of which you can read is "1914", which is a little bit of a shame

because it could have given us an idea to it's history.

Exactly. Presented to the sweetheart before going off to the trenches.

So how much for it, do you think?

We've said £150 to £250,

so a couple of hundred pounds on a good day, perhaps.

Lovely, well, that's what we like to hear because Anita paid £175,

which is the right price.

Now, moving on, we go to the Blues.

We go first with the garnet pendant, which is

quite an elaborate thing, isn't it?

It is, I think the team have done very well, here.

-I suppose a Victorian style, loosely. But lovely quality.

-Yeah.

If you're brave, what's your estimate?

Well, we've said £150 to £250.

TIM WHISTLES

£55 is all that Christina paid for that.

-She's done very well indeed.

-She really has got the eye for this jewellery.

Next up is the quintessential piece of Edwardian gentleman's kit,

a matchbox case.

That's right, our local gentlemen from Chiswick will want

that on their desk.

-Perhaps in the office.

-In the cigar smoking room.

-What a good idea.

-That's the kind of...bit of kit now, isn't it?

Yes, I like that.

And it's a chunky one, it's made by a good maker

-and all the rest of it so, how much?

-£50 to £80.

-Good-o.

£35 paid, so that's another good purchase.

And, lastly, we've got the Moorcroft lamp.

Slightly off the boil, I find, modern Moorcroft is at auction

but, you know.

It is, yes, it's a nice columbine pattern

-but not an early piece for them.

-How much for the lamp?

-£50 to £80.

OK, £98 paid, so if they've made an error it's going to be in that lamp.

Still, it may just wipe its face, you never know.

In which case, they won't need their bonus buy but let's go and have a look at it anyway.

OK, girls, this is exciting.

-£112 went to CT, what did you spend it on, Christina?

-Are you ready?

-Yeah.

-Yes.

-Oh.

-There you go.

-What do you think?

-Stunned silence.

I wasn't expecting that.

Right, I'll tell you what it is, we've got a little

diamond down here, which is about .33 of a carat.

If we think of a carat being 100, it's about a third of a carat, OK?

It's claw set into this lovely little pendant setting

and it's got a nice white gold chain which is

stamped 375 indicating that it's nine-carat white gold. OK?

It is really quite commercial and it's a good-sized diamond.

-OK, can I have a look?

-Yeah, course you can.

-Lovely.

There we go, what do you think?

-Well, I've got something quite similar on.

-Oh, there we go!

-A lady of taste.

-So I do like it, I do like it, yes.

What do you think, Carol?

I don't really know what to say about it, to tell you the truth.

-Well, the best thing is to find out how much she spent.

-Yes.

-Yeah.

-How much?

-Cost me £50.

-No? Really?

-You think that's a good price?

Come on, it's a third of a carat. If that's in the diamond weight...

No such thing as a cheap diamond, though.

It is not the best quality diamond, the clarity is not great.

I feel it's dull.

But, however, it's still a diamond pendant

and I think it will make you...

I would hope, if that came into me, at auction,

I would not hesitate to put £100 to £150 on it.

We might be split in the middle for that, though.

Well, you could be, I'll give you a minute or two to make your mind up.

-I'm very generous with my time, here.

-Maybe this decision is yours.

Well, a bit later on. Don't peak early, Carol,

after the sale of your first three items.

Right now, though, let's find out what the auctioneer

thinks about Christina's little pendant.

Now, look at that. .33 of a carat, we're told.

That's right, Tim, nicely set, not the cleanest of diamonds,

I'm afraid.

However, very often those smaller stones were used as pendants

-and earrings.

-Now, tell me, what's your estimate?

-We've said £200 to £300.

-Have you, really?

-I have, yeah.

-Really?

-What did it cost them, Tim?

-£50.

-£50!

-£50.

The big thing is, will the team trust Christina?

Will they go with the bonus buy or will they simply reject it?

Or will they even need it?

All big questions, they're about to be answered in the auction

which you of course, Ross, are conducting.

If I was on that team, I'd go for the bonus buy.

No reply to 40. Last chance for £40.

OK, Chris and Jenny, this is exciting. You nervous at all?

Yeah, Jenny is, but I'm not too bad.

You're not too bad, you're not, kind of, quivering or anything like that?

-No, no, no.

-So, why are you nervous, Jens?

I just really hope the plane makes money because it's my favourite one.

Well, we can guarantee nothing, of course, in this game but

if there's any justice that plane should shave you a small profit.

-Let's hope so.

-Let's hope so. Very good, well sharpen up

because here comes the Baluster vase with the brown drizzle.

The rather nice mid-20th century studio glass vase.

There we are, nice trailing decoration.

How do you value, it ought to be £10, surely?

£10 bid, they all want it. At £10 at 10, 15.

-I've never seen so many hands go out.

-They're fighting furiously.

-And 5, one more, 25, 30.

-Look at that, 30!

-What do I know about glass?

-35, 40.

-£40.

All done, selling now at 40...at £40.

-Sold it for £40, you doubled your money.

-Good.

-Manning rules, OK? Plus 20.

Lot 97, another special lot, this one.

The white metal pendant and chain. £10, surely? Come along, 10 bid. 15.

20, now. 5. 25, I have. 30, now. At £25 now on my left...

-Come on, one more.

-One more.

-£30 now...at £30, it's got to go.

-Sold at £30.

-Washed its face.

Thank goodness for that, washed its face,

-you've been watching this programme.

-Too long, too long.

That's marvellous. Anyway, that's why you're doing so well.

-I stole your line.

-Now, here comes your plane, sweetpea.

Good quality thing. £30, I'm bid on the books, 35 may I say?

-Puts me out at 35, 40 now.

-Yes.

-£40. Anyone else coming in now at 40?

-45 now, 50 surely?

-That's it, good old internet.

-Sold.

Plus £5, well that's Mum, nothing to worry about at all, Jenny.

You are overall plus £25.

Now, what, pray, are you going to do with your bar brooch?

-We are definitely going to go for it.

-We'll go for it.

-It is so pretty.

-So lovely.

-But, it's a lot of money.

-It is a lot of money.

-It is but I would pay that for it.

-It's worth it. We have faith in you.

OK, we're going with the bonus buy.

Now you've decided, I can tell you that the auctioneer has estimated £150 to £250 on it.

-Oh, so it's in with a chance.

-It is. And, here we go.

Some interest here. Bids start at £100, with me at 100.

100 I have, looking for 10, sir. 110.

110, 120, 130, 130 bid, 140, 140 bid, 150 now.

At £140 still with me at 140, anywhere else at £140,

-are you coming in?

-Come on.

-Going to change your mind at 150.

Yes, one more. Come on, we need a few more.

£150, way at the back of the room at 150...

£150 means you're minus £25 which means you've got nothing.

-We haven't lost anything either.

-You've not won anything!

But you haven't lost anything. This is ridiculous, isn't it?

-We were robbed.

-You was robbed.

No, seriously, it is bad luck

because that could have gone any old place, frankly, so bad luck, Anita.

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

-No.

-Nope, not been communicating?

-Nope.

-Haven't seen them.

Oh, there we are, they do get about.

Now, quickly, let me run through this.

You've got that pendant, right,

I cannot believe that you can buy that for £55.

-I mean, it's just ridiculous. He's estimated £150 to £250.

-Really?

-He has.

-Oh, really? Wow.

Then, you've got that fab silver sleeve for the matchbox.

You paid £35 for that, and then you've got the Moorcroft lamp,

-not so hot on that, £98, he's put 50 to 80.

-Oh, dear.

But, if the worst comes to the worst,

-you've got the pendant to go for, yep?

-Yes.

-Yes.

Or rather, if the best comes to the best you've still got the pendant to go for.

Might not need it by then, girls.

First up, then, is the pendant and here it comes.

Next lot, ladies and gentlemen, is Lot 115.

With some interest with me at £100.

-Oh, £100!

-130, coming in.

-£130!

130, 140. 140 bid, 150.

-At £140, anyone else now at 140? Last chance at £140.

-£140.

-That's five off 60, I make that £85.

-Brilliant.

The late Victorian silver table top matchbox holder.

Every home should have one, especially at £30, come along.

£30 bid, 35, 40, 45 to you, at 45.

They all smoke cigars.

At £55.

£55 is plus £20.

That is plus 105, kids.

Now, Moorcroft.

Lot of interest.

Be kind, be good.

Start me off, surely, £40.

And five, 50...

-Keep going, keep going.

-Come on.

And five, 70, five, £75 left-hand side. 80, now.

At £80 on the internet, may I say five?

-That's not too bad.

-It's no money, is it?

-No.

Five.

Oh!

Bid 90. £90. 95? At £90, on the internet at £90.

Sold.

£90 is minus £8. Only £8. It's nothing, is it?

You're still plus 97.

Now, what are we going to do about this solitaire pendant job?

-I can't help you.

-No, you can't ask her a sausage.

-We're going to go with it.

-Yes.

-I can't help you.

We've had such fun so we're going to go with it.

-You're trusting the girl, aren't you?

-We are trusting.

-It's only fair, really.

-Absolutely, she knows what she's talking about.

I don't know if I can watch this.

The rather fun white metal set solitaire diamond pendant.

Good looking thing, how do you value it?

Ought to be £100, come along.

-80, then.

-Come on!

-£80 bid.

-You're already in £30 profit.

£90. And five, 100, and 10. 110.

And 40.

I feel a holiday coming on.

With you, sir, at £150, 160.

At £180, in the seating at 180.

Look at that.

-£190.

-Look, he's going on. £190.

-..by the pillar at 190. All done?

-Let's say £200.

Selling now at £190.

£190.

That's so many kisses.

Save all your kisses for me

and just don't say a thing to the Reds, all right?

-No point in ruining their day.

-Unhappy faces.

-Look miserable.

We'll try.

Well, well, well, teams.

This is quite extraordinary,

how can it be that the same teams shopping in the same place

and selling in the same auction room can do so differently

when it comes to the result?

And I'm afraid that the runners-up today, by a fair old chalk,

-happen to be the Reds.

-Oh.

-Oh.

-Oh, Reds!

Actually, all that happened was, you wiped your face, right?

-We did, yeah.

-I mean, you could have made a profit,

you went with the bonus buy, the bonus buy for a change didn't

go Anita's way and you finish up by making absolutely nothing.

-Big, fat zero.

-Big, fat zero. I cannot believe it.

But, anyway, because you made two profits

and you had a wiped face I'm able to exercise my discretion

as the arbiter of the Ancient and Noble Order of the Golden

Gavellers and I think you deserve a golden gavel to go home with.

Aw, there we go. So, take one of those, sweetpea.

Take one of those, Ma. And, Anita, one for your collection.

There we go, so, you know, it was bad luck, I'd say, because you will

be amazed that the winners, today, the Blue team, take home £237! Yes!

Yes!

Hang on a minute, get your bullet proof wallet out, Missus,

because that's £237.

We don't dosh out £237 that often, but I have to say today,

-principally, it was the jewellery had it, didn't they?

-Yes.

-So, was it a good experience?

-Lovely. Really enjoyed it.

-Yeah, I'll bet, well you seemed to be enjoying it.

-Very, very nice. I mean everybody, very nice.

Well, that's sweet of you. In fact, we've had a great day.

So much so, join us soon for some more bargain hunting, yes?

ALL: Yes!