Hungerford 3 Bargain Hunt

We're in the Royal County of Berkshire today,

in the town of Hungerford,

so let's hope there's some right royal antiques about

and let's go bargain hunting, yeah.

As you might expect,

the town of Hungerford is absolutely awash with antique shops.

So, with so little time and so much choice,

how will our teams possibly cope?

On today's programme, the Red team are making all the right noises.

-Oh, no!

-I want it.

Oh, really?

70? Hurrah!

And with the Blues, it's a case of mum knows best.

-What do you think, Mum?

-Well, I like it and I would buy it.

-OK, we'll go for that.

-She's good, your mum, isn't she?

-She is.

-She always like this?

-Yep.

-Like a little terrier.

She's a tour de force.

But what will the auctioneer think about their tastes?

It's soft. You almost feel like you can bite into it.

It's a bit a bit like chocolate.

Let's meet the teams, eh?

On the show today, we have two teams of mothers and daughters.

For the Reds, we have Val and Louise

and for the Blues, we have Kate and Laura. Hello, everyone.

ALL: Hello, Tim.

-Good, now, Val. You're retired now, but you are of a musical bent.

-I am.

Well, I went to Birmingham Conservatoire

and studied the violin and then played in an orchestra

and then gave it all up when I had my children and was married.

And did you never return to the music?

No, I sing a lot now, cos that's much easier,

I don't have to do loads of practice.

So, where do you sing and what do you sing?

I sing in a local choral society in Wimborne

-and also Bryanston School Chorus Society...

-Do you?

-And Clayesmore Choral Society.

-Gosh.

-And the church choir.

-So you don't stop singing, then, really?

-No.

-Now, Lu-Lu, Louise.

-Yes, Tim.

-You're a bit of an animal collector.

I am, of sorts, yes.

Cats is a bit of a problem for me, they seem to be drawn to me.

-So I'm a mad cat lady, really.

-And how many cats have you got?

-Currently, I've got four of my own, plus a stray.

-Yes.

So, we call it four and a half.

-So four and a half cats and you give them delightful names?

-I do, yes.

-At the moment, I've got Reg, Oscar, Maude and Albert.

-Really?

And Brian is the stray.

What tactics are you going to be employing,

this mother and daughter combo, today?

Well, we thought we'd buy things as cheaply as possible,

with a view to making the most money.

OK, fine, we're going to stand by

and wish you very, very, very good luck today.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-What a delightful couple.

And turning from one to another, I fancy.

Kate, it says here that you are incredibly close with your daughter.

Yes, Laura's the middle child of my three,

but of the three of them, Laura and I have most in common.

We share a passion for the countryside and animals.

Isn't that nice?

And we do love our rummaging in antiques and collectors' fairs...

And do you find finds when you go out for a mutual rummage?

-We've found the odd thing, haven't we?

-Have you?

Anything that you've turned into money?

Oh, no, I end up keeping everything.

-That's the problem.

-I know.

You buy it because you like it.

Well, it's going to be a struggle for you

on Bargain Hunt today, isn't it?

-And you spend a fair amount of time treading the boards yourself?

-Yes.

About 20 years ago, I was persuaded by a friend to go

and audition for the local pantomime, never done it before,

but I ended up walking away with the principal boy's part.

Well, there you go, you see.

And strangely enough,

-we're just rehearsing now, the same one, 23 years later.

-No.

But I'm playing a baddie now. I'm playing a goblin called Bog-Face.

-Bog-Face.

-So, my career went...like that.

Principle boy to Bog-Face. I love it.

Do you enjoy watching your mother all the time, Laura?

-I would prefer to watch movies. I'm a bit of a movie buff.

-Are you?

-Yeah.

-What sort of movies do you like?

I really love the old movies. All the musicals - Gene Kelly

and old Hollywood.

-And this retro glance of yours has influenced your career?

-In a way.

I work as an artist and a designer and I spend a lot of time watching

the movies and they influence what ends up coming out in paintings.

-I've got some rings on with some of my paintings.

-Oh, how lovely.

So you create art that's then reproduced in other media?

-Yes, yeah.

-Well, this is going to be interesting.

Now, the money moment, girls. Here we go, look.

£300, here we go, £300.

You know the rules, your experts await,

and off you go and very, very, very good luck.

So that's our teams. Now, who are their experts?

Hoping to get ahead for the Reds, it's Kate Bateman.

And bringing home the bacon for the Blues, it's Nick Hall.

So, Kate, Laura, here we are, all fired up, full of energy?

-Really excited.

-Great stuff.

-Right, ladies. Are we ready?

-We're ready.

-Can't wait.

-What are we going to be looking for?

-Oh, Oriental ware, I like.

Silver. Real silver, not silver plated.

Deco, probably something silver.

And I'd like something from somewhere around

the Second World War era.

-Here's the shop. Let's get stuck in, come on.

-Right.

-Let's go.

So, that's what the teams are looking for.

But the first thing they'll need to find

is someone to open the cabinets.

The Blues have already done it

and they're about to get their hands on this timepiece.

-SHOPKEEPER: Is that the one you want to look at?

-Yeah, thank you.

So, there's the watch. Now, it's got this lovely Art Deco shape to it.

It's quite a smart thing, really.

What are they suggesting on here?

£125. Doesn't say if it's silver or gold.

-What we really need to do is to open the back.

-Yeah.

Is there any way we can have a look in the back of the watch?

-Yeah, I'll have a look.

-OK, thank you.

And that's going to be really key to whether it's buyable for us or not.

If it is fully marked on the back and if it is a precious metal,

then it becomes viable.

Now, what are the Reds up to?

How about this little character, Kate? I really love that.

-You like that? That is really sweet, look at that.

-Absolutely super.

OK, let's call Rita. Hello, Rita?

Can we look at that, at the front with the feet?

Go on, grab it. Have a look.

What's the price? Come on.

-Oh, no.

-Oh, my word!

-It's not...

-How much?

-£750.

-750? Well, you've got good taste.

-That is so sad.

Well, Reds, you certainly can spot quality,

but maybe lower your sights a little, eh?

Now, have the Blue team got the back off that watch yet?

Ah, there he is. Hi, Neil.

Um, I'm afraid I couldn't get the back off

and I've spoken to the dealer

and she said, unfortunately, it is white metal, not silver or gold.

-So, it's a base metal?

-It's a base metal.

-OK.

It's not going to be for us, then, but thank you for that.

Onward and upward for us, thank you.

That's the spirit, team. Onwards and upwards.

The Reds, however, haven't moved onwards,

just upwards. To the next shelf, in fact.

What about this one?

Look, there's one for 55, the silver collar and I don't think that's bad.

-It's probably more modern.

-Can we have a look at that?

Cos it's important with the stopper, isn't it,

-to check that it's the right...?

-Has it got any chunks and chips?

I mean, are these sort of things would sell quite well, do you think?

Well, yeah, because that's quite multi-purpose.

-I mean, £55 isn't bad. It's a nice cut glass.

-Is it real silver?

Yes, it is. You've got a hallmark here.

Well, if you could get that for 40-45, that's not a bad buy.

-Let's try them at 35 and see what they say.

-Right, OK.

-Do you want to hold on to it and I'll then give them a call?

-Yes.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

-OK, well, we'll carry on looking.

We'll put that back and carry on looking

but there's a chance with that.

So the Reds appear to be on the right scent.

Looks like the Blues are having another cabinet meeting.

Let's have a look and see.

Now, look at the marks on the back.

You've got a set of Continental .925 marks

-rather than English hallmarks.

-OK.

It's in a, sort of, a classic Edwardian 1920s-style,

but I think it was made post-war.

It's decorative, rather than antique.

It's priced up at 90 quid. I think, for one of that era,

we need to be spending maybe about 50 quid on it, something like that.

-Yeah.

-If we can get it down to about £50 or £60,

maybe a little bit more, at a push, I think we might be interested.

-Do you think so?

-Yeah?

-Hmm, at 50, possibly, yeah.

-Great stuff.

OK, well, if you could go and find out for that and then we'll push on.

All right, thanks now.

Well, all we can do now is wait and see what happens,

so let's not waste any time.

Let's see what else we can find, until we hear back from Neil.

-OK.

-Let's go.

-Lead the way.

That's a great use of time, Nick.

But still, only ten minutes gone.

I think someone wants to win today, don't you?

-Now, what's the word back in the Red camp?

-Oh, hi!

-Now, what's the news?

-Did you call them?

-I did.

-And?

-And his very, very best is £40.

-£40.

-Oh, what do you think?

-I don't think that's that bad.

-Well, can we think about it?

-Of course.

We'll think about it. That's one to keep on the back burner

because I think that's not a bad buy.

It is modern, so maybe if you could get an earlier one,

it might be better.

-But thank you very much.

-Thanks, that's brilliant.

-Thanks.

OK, well, that's one to think about. Let's keep looking.

Nick, what do you think about this?

Just caught my eye, I don't know why.

This is a German stoneware pottery.

It's probably made in around 1900, 1910,

but of a style from hundreds of years before that.

The nice thing is, this is all hand cut into the pottery,

the clay, while it was still wet. Is it expensive?

I think it was 45 on it.

OK, that's not a huge amount of money.

-Do you like it, as well, Laura?

-Yeah, I don't mind it.

Something like that, if you were paying about £20 or £30 for it,

I think there's a bit of profit in it.

Well, maybe go and catch Neil, while he's on the phone to his dealer

and see if he can find out the best price on that, as well,

and it's an option.

You don't have to commit yourself now,

you can come back to it as a Plan B, can't we?

-That would be a good idea.

-That's a good idea.

Cor, Neil is earning his crust today.

Nick, I've left the vase with Neil

but he's told me that he's spoken to the other dealer

and he's got £55 on this.

-He's come down...

-£55.

-I think it's quite a good offer.

£55, it's solid silver and it's got a bit of weight to it.

-It's the age is the only thing.

-Yeah. Right.

I'm not big into jewellery,

but I know people who are and I think they would wear it.

Well, it's £55.

-Shall we go with it?

-Decision's yours.

What do you want to do?

-Number one?

-Yep.

-Get one bought?

-Number one in the bag, yeah.

-Great stuff, well done.

-Well done indeed, Blues.

15 minutes gone and one item bought, with one in reserve.

These Blues sure mean business.

But so do our Reds, because they've seen a few things

and have already got a hold of Rita with the key.

Come and show us, look.

There's a couple of things in here we want.

-There's the little scent...

-Cunningly hidden behind a clock.

-There it is.

-Oh, look.

-Shall I give that to you?

-Yes, look, let's see.

-That's really cute.

Oh, I like that.

Sugar sifter...

-No, just look what the price is on that before we get any further.

-98.

Oh, that's not so bad. We can maybe do a haggle.

-And that tiny little box, yeah. That's...

-Oh, look.

Is that a little pillbox?

-That's sweet.

-It's heavier than I expected it to be.

-It's brass.

Yeah, it's as-found.

Look, that's a real shame, cos that enamel's been off

and somebody's, basically, Tipp-Exed it in.

Yes, it looks like that, doesn't it?

This is called guilloche enamel, this underneath,

where they machine a design underneath on the metal

and then they fill it in with glass and then it's painted on the top.

But because of the damage, there's not going to be a lot of profit.

-No.

-It has been reduced, though.

It started at £16.50 and it's gone down...

Oh, no, it's still £16.50.

She crossed it out and put 13 and then changed her mind.

There's clearly room to haggle here.

What do you think about this one,

compared with the one we saw earlier on?

It's better, cos it's got some age.

It's quite sweet. I mean, it's only £10 now.

I think we should go for that one.

I love that. I really like that.

-So, that's a definite, then.

-Maybe if we buy more from the vendor...

It's very tactile, as well, somehow.

Yes. We could make a little group of stuff.

-And what about this sugar shifter?

-98... What is the date?

It's not terribly old. We'll leave the shifter.

-How about these two, then?

-I like these two, I think they look sweet.

-If you must have these...

-We must.

How about we ask her for 15 for the two?

-Cos that was 10 and that was 16.50.

-Yeah, that sounds good to me.

And point out that that's terribly damaged

and nobody else will want it.

-We are aware of it.

-I will do that for you.

Well, they've sniffed out a few things there

and their bargain bulk buy looks like it's on the cards.

These teams are so savvy.

Views on this one?

Well, his offer price is 30, but I think it's still negotiable.

I think there may be a few pounds profit in that, if we get it for 25.

Maybe if we can leave it with him that we might buy it at 25,

-but we'll come back to it.

-OK.

-And just hold that as a Plan B.

-Well done, you're doing a great job down there.

-Thank you.

-She's good, your mum, isn't she?

-She is.

-She always like this?

-Yep.

Like a little terrier, there, with her negotiating skills.

She's a tour de force.

The Blues are lining them up, then. Any word from Rita and the Reds?

Right, she will, believe it or not, accept £10 for the two.

-Fantastic.

-Wow.

-Fantastic!

-That's brilliant.

-Oh, that's excellent, we'll definitely have those.

-Done deal.

-So that's part of a lot. Thank you very much.

-You're very welcome.

-We'll need to find a few things to go with it.

-Definitely.

Come on, keep looking.

An unconventional approach, team, but within the rules.

That's nice. Look at that.

I saw that, actually. I like that.

It's silver plate, but it's quality,

because it's silver plate over copper,

which is called Sheffield plate,

as opposed to silver plate over some hideous metal.

-And it doesn't matter that it's worn?

-It can be replated.

-I like it worn, myself.

-I like that.

-I like that.

-Oh, are we agreeing on something...?

-We're agreeing!

-Oh.

It is a bit worn, but I do like it.

What are you going to put that with, though?

Well, we've got chipped items. We might as well have one more...

-In one lot.

-In one lot.

-Yeah.

-Yes, go on.

-I think that's crafty.

So, that's a slightly damaged trio as your first buy, then.

Best rustle up a decent price for the three pieces.

Have the Blues found something to get carried away about?

Right, well, what we've got...

-is an Edwardian tea tray of around 1890-1900, which is that.

-OK.

What we've also got is a very modern metal stand

-that someone's made to fit that.

-Oh.

Never started out life together, but I tell you what,

-it fits on there an absolute treat, doesn't it?

-Yeah.

Oh, it's nicely made, as well.

The main thrust of it is this lovely solid mahogany

and it's a good colour, good patination.

And then the border, which is in fantastic condition,

is a mixture here.

You've got satinwood and more mahogany again

and these lovely fruitwoods inlaid

for this conch shell in the centre there.

I've seen hundreds of these trays over the years,

I've never seen one in a fitted stand like that.

It takes an antique you might not use

and it turns it into a practical modern day usable object.

Yeah.

So, what do we think? Do we like it enough to put it an offer?

-I would, cos I would buy something like that.

-Yeah.

-Well, that's encouraging. Laura?

-Yeah. Yeah, let's go for it.

Let's find out what we can get.

They're not asking fortunes at 75,

but if we pitched in at roundabout 55, 60, see what they say...

-We can always come up a little bit, can't we?

-Yeah.

Laura, would you like to do the negotiation on this one?

Oh, I can try.

-£15.

-Wow!

-£15? That's fantastic.

-You happy?

-I think we're very happy, are we, with that?

-Yeah, very, very happy.

Yeah, let's do it.

Right, we have now bought three items,

but we've actually only got one lot cos we're going to put it together.

So we've got the little dressing scent bottle, we've got the horse

-and we've got the pillbox.

-Brilliant.

One lot but we've now got 25 minutes left to buy two more lots.

-Right, let's get to it.

-We've been cheap so far.

-We've been very cheap.

-Go spend some money. Go on.

-Brilliant.

Well, true to their word,

they put a few items together to form the uniquely themed triple buy.

-Hello, that was quick.

-Yes.

-They've said 60.

-£60? That's not a bad price.

-That's good.

-What you think, mum?

Well, I like it and I would buy it for that amount.

-In fact, I'd buy it for £75.

-So, are we agreed?

-Yeah.

-OK, number two.

-Well done.

-Deal done, yeah.

-Good stuff.

-Girl number two.

-Fantastic.

-Well done, team. Good stuff.

The Reds have got their eye in now.

But will they take delivery of this letter box?

-What about something like this?

-Oh, I really like that.

That's a bit different.

Look, that's like a little Edwardian letter box,

so it would sit on your desk and you would post letters into it.

And look, this is normally painted and it's not, this is inlaid.

-So that's like a really nice sign of quality.

-What sort of wood is it on?

Mahogany and then you've got different coloured fruit woods

and this is a dyed wood. This is really sweet.

Oh, the price. 145.

-Right.

-So what...?

-I think try a cheeky 80.

If you can get it for under 100,

-there would be a good chance at auction.

-Yes.

-And that's a pretty lot.

-Do you want to do it?

-You like it?

-Yeah, I like it.

-You try for 80.

-OK.

-Go on, weave your magic.

-Right, go. Haggle away.

Oh, hello, Rita. Give us good news.

-It is good news.

-Ah, really?

She will accept £80.

-Oh!

-Fantastic.

-We will have it, that's really good.

That's our second item, then.

Right, so you've got two items down, you've got one to go

-but you've only got ten minutes.

-Yes.

-But you do have some money.

-Yeah.

-OK, Blues, the clock's ticking and what are you going to do next?

Shall we have a look at the silver again,

because you quite like the silverware, don't you?

-We could have another look.

-Go back to look at some more silver?

-Well, there was plenty more where we found that brooch, earlier.

-Yeah.

Well, we can do that, maybe look for five or six minutes

and then it really is decision time.

-OK.

-Come on, quick, quick.

Seems those cheeky Red monkeys have found, well, a cheeky little monkey.

-On the little shelf up there, I quite like him.

-A Schuco monkey.

-Well, it's a great make. What have they got pricewise?

-110.

It's quite pricey for such a small thing.

Yes, but he is a very good name.

He's a bit like Steiff.

They are a company that did make these kind of mechanical things.

-Sometimes you get the monkeys that clap.

-People collect them?

They do, it's in that kind of era of tinplate toy collectors,

like the '20s, the '30s.

Do you think we might get that for, say, 80?

Estimate at auction, you know, 60 to 100.

Actually, that's a chance.

-He's a nice thing.

-Shall we try for 70?

-Yeah, try.

If you don't ask, you don't get and we're running out of time.

-Just go for it, go on. You going to haggle?

-Yeah, I'll go and haggle.

Go ask about the monkey.

Are the Blues going to mirror their earlier decisions

with this next item?

So, there it is.

Now, what we've got is a classic Victorian style

-but made maybe 20 years ago.

-Right.

-Solid silver, fully hallmarked.

-Yeah.

Quite practical. You can use it as a mirror or as a photograph frame.

-Right. But it's not Victorian?

-It's not Victorian, no.

It is a 1990s reproduction, which is why it's the price it is.

How much would you be willing to spend on this?

-We've got to go give them an offer.

-75-ish.

75, with a slight margin to move?

Can we ask you if you wouldn't mind giving him a call?

-I'll give James a call again.

-Could you?

Thank you and then we can make our decision based on that.

-We've got news.

-Oh.

-Tell us.

-What is it?

-Very good news.

-Look at her face!

-£70.

-70? Hurrah!

We should have gone in lower!

Oh, well done.

-Yes, we'll have him.

-Shall we have him?

-Yes, a cuddly toy.

Well, that's fantastic,

we've now got all three items done, with two minutes to spare.

-Oh, gosh.

-Is that what you thought you'd get?

-No.

-No.

Well done, Reds.

Two minutes left and the Blues are in reflective mood.

Ah, here's the man. Hello.

OK, I phoned the dealer and he said £75 is fine.

-£75.

-75, wow.

-Now.

-Now, decision time.

That's a cat amongst the pigeons.

So, 75 on the frame

or 25 on the German jug.

-There's no pressure but tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock...

-I know.

Shall we go with what we prefer ourselves?

-OK, what would you buy yourself, though?

-I'd buy that.

-See, I'd go for that out of the two.

-Would you?

-Yeah.

It's crunch time, girls. What's it going to be?

OK, we'll go for that. SHE SNAPS HER FINGERS

-Snap decision.

-Yeah.

-You sure?

-Yeah.

-Are we there? £75?

-Yep.

-I think you've got a deal, Neil.

-Do apologise to the dealer about the German jug.

-OK.

-Thank you.

Thank you for your help.

Cor, look at that, how lovely. Time's up!

Let's check out what the Red team bought, eh?

Their group purchase of the scent bottle,

pillbox and horse trophy cost just £25.

They despatched Val with the Edwardian mahogany letter box,

who returned to sender, having paid £80.

And without any monkey business,

they paid £70 for the Schuco miniature monkey.

-Girls, was that good or was it good?

-It was marvellous.

-Brilliant.

-Which is your favourite piece, Valerie?

-I think the monkey.

-The monkey's your favourite?

-Yeah.

And what about you, Lu-Lu?

I'm going with the lovely monkey, as well, we agree on that.

I think it's cute.

-And is he going to bring the biggest profit?

-Definitely.

I'm not too sure about that.

What do you think is going to bring the biggest profit?

I think, because we bought cheaply our first item, we might make

a bit on the first item, even though it's not terribly good.

Well, that's strategic buying for you, isn't it?

And you spent in total, how much?

-£175.

-That's a good number.

-Can I have £125, please?

-You can indeed, Tim, there you go.

-Good.

There we go. 125 left over. Very good. £125, Kate.

Do you know what you're going to do with that?

Well, it's a decent amount, I should get something feisty for you.

Feisty, eh?

Why don't we check out right now what the Blue team bought, eh?

First up, they pinned their hopes and £55 on the Art Deco brooch.

Next, came the marquetry twin-handled tray and stand for £60.

Pressed for time, they plumped for the embossed table mirror,

paying £75.

-Kate, Laura. Did you enjoy your day?

-We did.

-Really did.

-Very much so.

-It was good fun, yes.

-Good. And which is the favourite bit?

My favourite item was the inlaid Edwardian mahogany tray

-on the little stand.

-OK, that's your favourite bit.

-Yes.

Do you agree with that?

I would say the silver mirror.

-Is your favourite?

-Yeah.

-All right, fair enough.

-Is that going to bring the biggest profit?

-Oh, I don't know.

I think maybe the tray...

-I think my tray's going to bring the most profit.

-Do you?

-That's quite a bold statement.

-Yeah.

-And you spent in total?

-190.

-OK.

I'd like £110, please.

-£110. Don't like that, do you?

-No.

You can't bring yourself to part with it.

-Well, it goes to a good cause. It goes to Nicholas...

-Thank you.

..who's going to go out and find something dazzling, aren't you?

And so exciting...

Something artistically, wonderfully, profitably...who knows what?

Oh, that is quite a tease.

Anyway, good luck with that and have a nice cup of tea.

Meanwhile, why don't we go and have a look

at something that I snapped up earlier?

Not everything you buy here in Hungerford has to come

from one of the arcade shops,

because there are one or two stalls outside where, sometimes,

the most intriguing things can be found.

Let's go and unpack.

Well, at least it's nice and quiet up here.

Anyway, removal from the rather tatty plastic bag,

surprise, surprise, we've got two pictures hidden inside.

They need to come out of these tatty frames

and if I lift them out like that...

And get rid of the frame,

it's quite nice to pick up something that is in that sort of condition

because it reveals, in this instance,

a photograph that is as crisp and clear as the day it was taken.

So, we've got one old motorcar in that shot

and we have got another old motorcar in this.

And they are, of course, the same motorcars,

but just taken on different days.

Now, why the owner of the motorcar should decide to commission

a local photographer to come and take these shots,

perhaps a month or two apart, I do not know.

But one of the fun things about period photographs

is that you can do a little forensic job on them.

By looking carefully at the detail, there's loads here to research.

For example, we can just make out the number plate

at the front of this car, which is LC-1873.

And cars with that registration plate were registered in London

between May 1905 and November 1906.

What I love about the image is that it actually represents motoring life

in 1905 and 1906 and it recognises the established social order.

This is incredibly Downton Abbey-like in its setup.

Look at the stern expression on the chauffer's face.

Look at her Ladyship.

She's got that kind of winsome upper class smile about her,

that says, "Approach me at your peril."

The other intriguing question is, does this motorcar exist today?

Has it survived since 1905-6?

Because if it has,

it would make these photographs extremely valuable.

Why?

Because there could be a proud owner of this very car that takes it

on veteran motor club rallies.

What would he pay for two original period photographs

of his beloved motorcar that's just cost him 250,000 quid?

He'd pay a lot of money.

Which means when you find two tatty

but extremely interesting photographs on a stall

in Hungerford outside in the rain and the dealer asks you £40 each

for those photographs, they look tatty, they look insignificant...

Don't stroll off saying, "That's far too much, £40 each..."

Think to yourself, "Well, if I owned that motorcar

"and I paid 250,000 quid for it,

"what would I pay for these photographs?

"Would I pay £200 each for them?

"I think I probably would."

So, I think it's home, James, don't you?

Well, we stuck to the county of Berkshire,

we come from Hungerford to just outside Newbury

to be at Special Auction Services saleroom, with proprietor,

head honcho and all round great guy Thomas Plant. How are you, Thomas?

-Very good.

-Now, moving on to the Reds.

First up, we've got a little collection of crackerander up here.

Yes.

We've got a plated horse on a plated mount,

-a plated little pillbox with a chip in it that's been restored.

-Yep.

And then this scent bottle which has got the wrong top on it

-and a very, very thin silver band.

-Yes.

So I went with an Edward VII cut glass and silver scent bottle

and then the silver plated horse trophy and the pillbox, £30 to £50.

-OK, fine. £25 paid. Well, that's fair enough, Tom.

-Yeah.

If you can turn it into a profit, you are a miracle worker.

-I will try.

-OK, fine. Now, is this not yesterday's antiques?

The Edwardian mahogany country house letter box, yeah.

But when I started in the business,

-those were the most popular thing in the world.

-What's your estimate?

-70 to 100.

-Perfect. £80 paid.

Now, if there's one thing here at Special Auction Services

that you do extraordinarily well, it's toy sales.

We do a lot of toy sales.

You know all about your toys, so how do you rate this little fellow?

Ah, it's 40 to 60.

He's had a bit of a problem with one of his feet, actually.

Look at it, one's quite fresh and one's a bit mouldy,

-the moths have been at it.

-Yeah, you bet.

He's got a fungal attack in one foot. Dear, oh, dear.

And he doesn't do anything,

cos normally you can lift off the heads, they've got scent bottles

or pencils, or you can turn the heads...

So, yeah, they are £40 to £60.

-£70 paid, so that could be bit of a problem.

-Yeah, I think so.

Which means they may need their bonus buy,

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

So, Val, Lu-Lu, this is the moment.

£125 of leftover lolly went to Kate Bateman,

which is quite a sum of money.

-Kate, what did you spend it on?

-I spent it on this.

-Ooh.

-Oh.

-Oh, look, they like it.

It's a Moorcroft ashtray.

It's quite an early one, it's got a nice sort of sludgy pattern,

this Pomegranate pattern.

And I know smoking stuff is not all that fashionable at the moment,

-but it's still a beautiful thing.

-It's quite aesthetically pleasing.

You could use it for something else,

like earrings or anything else, sweeties, I don't know.

-And I spent £110 of your money.

-110.

And the all-important question, how much is it going to make us?

How much is it...

Maybe £10 or £20,

it's not going to be a great deal cos that was quite expensive.

-I think it's a lovely thing, I hope somebody will go for it.

-I like it.

-Yeah, I like it.

-It's a girlie thing.

-It is a girlie thing.

Well, there's plenty of collectors for early Moorcroft

-so it should go, I think.

-Yeah.

Good, you've got the information.

£10 to £20 projected profit,

maybe, on a good day, with the wind up its tail.

But right now, why don't we find out what the auctioneer

thinks about Kate's little ashtray?

There we go, Tom, look.

One lovely Pomegranate ashtray with nickel-plated mount.

-Yes, if you like Moorcroft.

-Yeah, of course.

But, I mean, it's mainly very desirable, isn't it?

It is desirable. The main issue, I have to say, is it's restored.

-Is it?

-Yeah, the whole foot's been restored here.

You can see the discolouration in the paint and you can see,

-certainly on the underside there...

-Oh, yes.

-Can you see that?

And you could eat it for a bet.

So, when you do that, Tom, what are your teeth telling you?

Well, interesting, cos on a good bit...

it's nice and crisp, sharp,

it's like biting into icing sugar on a Christmas cake or a wedding cake.

But on a piece of restored pottery, it's soft.

You almost feel like you can bite into it. It's a bit like chocolate.

-Sounds delicious.

-But it's not.

But it's not very good from the value point of view, is it?

No, unfortunately, because it's restored, £40 to £60.

Oh, dear, oh, dear. Let's hope they don't go with this. She paid £110.

Oh, dear. Anyway, that's it for the Reds. Now for the Blues.

Continental Art Deco brooch.

Art Deco or what?

Well, we've said Continental Art Deco brooch style,

-but it is in an Art Deco case.

-Yes.

-So it's in a correct case.

-It's very attractive.

-OK, what's it worth?

-£30 to £50.

-£55 paid.

Now, what about this kidney-shaped tray?

-I like this.

-Do you?

I do, because it's a useless thing as a tray.

I mean, are you actually going to ever use it as a tray?

But some clever person has made a little sort of iron frame

and it's a great little side sofa table.

And you could have a few things on there

-and it would look kind of cool.

-OK, so how cool's the price?

-I put £70 to £90 on it.

-That's quite a cool price, isn't it?

-OK, £60 paid.

-Oh, well.

Oh, well. Now, what about this table mirror?

-It is modern but it is solid silver.

-Looks old.

It does look old but it's not, it's an embossed copy.

That would cost you quite a lot, retail, wouldn't it?

-Oh, at least three figures. Probably £200.

-OK, I'm with you.

-So is it worth 200?

-No, at auction it's worth 50 to 80.

£75 Nick paid.

He rates it and it could get there, couldn't it? Come on, Tom.

It could, easily.

£50 to £100 could easily make 100, couldn't it?

I start at 50 and suddenly there could be a sea of hands

and the internet could be going and who knows?

Anyway, in case it all goes wrong, they may need their bonus buy

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

Kate, Laura. Happy?

-Yeah.

-Very.

-You ought to be.

You spent £190 already, which is lovely, and £110 went to Nick Hall.

Nick, what did you buy?

Well, for my decedent team,

and I know, Laura, you wanted something Art Deco,

I found you this.

How about that?

Wonderful piece of Art Deco pottery.

1930s Crown Devon Rouge Royal,

this chinoiserie decoration in rich enamels

on this lovely deep ruby red grout...

Am I selling it to you?

-No.

-Sorry.

-I'm not, am I?

-How much did you pay for it?

-43.

And how much do you reckon it's going to make?

I would like to say it'd make between 50 and 70 on a good day,

-hopefully.

-Oh, right, OK.

-Well, as long as there's a profit in it,

then that's all that really matters, isn't it?

Exactly.

I'm sure there'll be somebody out there who will love it.

-We just need two people to love it.

-That's all we need, yeah.

There we go, well done, Nick. That's a...marvellous job.

-Oh, I understand.

-Sorry.

-No, only joking.

Doesn't matter, as long as it makes its profit, that's the main thing.

And for the audience at home,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about

Nick's Rouge Royale vase.

There you go, little bit of Rouge Royale.

Yeah, well, Rouge Royale style cos it's Crown Devon

rather than being Carlton Ware.

Yeah, which is what it needs to be to be really Rouge Royale.

I'm afraid it's not the most desirable thing,

but the shape is still good. £30 to £50.

-£43 paid...

-Well.

-..as a bonus buy.

-It's a fair shot, isn't it?

-It is, actually.

-Yes.

-You know what they say, don't you? Over to you.

-Thank you.

-Cos it's your baby from now on in. Good luck, Tom.

-Thank you.

-Thanks.

28. 30, 5.

At 35, I have for the hopper.

At 35, all done?

OK, Lu-Lu, Val.

-Val, happy?

-Yes, excited.

-Yeah.

Which piece is going to do the best?

I think the first lot, the mixed lot is going to do best.

-Do you think so?

-Yes, because we spent the least on it.

-You spent £25 on the group.

-Yes.

-His estimate is 30 to 50.

-Oh, that's all right.

-Yeah, that's good, isn't it?

So, you've got your mixed lot

with stallion and the patch box

and the scent bottle.

And here it comes.

I'll take 10 in the room. At 10, 18 now.

-Yes.

-It jumps to 20 now.

-Online.

-20 it is.

20, it's in the room. £20 beats the internet.

-Are we done? 22.

-Yay.

25. 28.

-28?

-We're in profit.

£28 and I sell.

-28 all done...

-HAMMER FALLS

£28. £28 is plus three, that's a brilliant start.

-Isn't that good?

-Fantastic.

Here comes the letter box.

Next lot is the Edwardian country house letter box.

What a fine thing.

And I can start the bidding with me here at £40.

-Oh.

-£40, at 40.

Any advance at 40? 5, 50, 5.

-60, 5. 70, 5. 80.

-Yes.

-80, we have £80.

-More, more...

-£80 you paid.

-At £80 it is.

Is there any advance at £80?

-Oh, go on.

-£80, 85 and 90.

-Yes!

-Oh, so cool.

-90 now online.

Any advance at £90?

We're selling at £90, once.

-£90, twice. All done, then?

-HAMMER FALLS

Lovely. That is plus £10.

Well done, team. That's you plus 13.

Now, here comes the monkey.

With articulated body, start me here at 20.

Start me here at 20 for the little monkey.

-Oh, no.

-At 20...

Any advance at £20?

20, 22 we have.

22, 22 it is online.

Looking for five in the room.

Poor little monkey.

Surely it's worth more. At £22, once.

-22, twice.

-Oh, dear.

-Are we done?

Look out.

25, 25 new place. At 25.

25, looks like you're holding it, sir.

-25, internet's gone quiet.

-HAMMER FALLS

-£25.

-25 is 5 off 30, which is 45.

-Minus 45.

-Oh, no.

-45, 35, 32...

-You're minus £32.

-Oh.

Minus 32, which is not too bad, is it?

-That's not actually that bad.

-It could be our winning score.

-What did you say?

-It could be our winning score!

You've watched this programme before. That is marvellous, Val.

It could be a winning score.

Now, what are you going to do about the bonus buy,

-the Pomegranate ashtray?

-What do you want to do?

-I think go for it.

-In for a penny, in for a pound.

-OK, fine.

We're going with the bonus buy.

Start the bidding with me at £30.

Start the bidding with me at 30.

£30. I've got 50 already.

-Oh.

-£50 I have.

At 50, I have,

is there any advance at 50?

At 50 it is online. Are we done?

-Oh, no.

-No.

-Any advance at £50?

Come on.

-All done then? At 50...

-HAMMER FALLS

£50. £50 is minus £60

which means you are now minus £92.

Minus 92.

-The thing is, it could be a winning score.

-You never know.

-Could be.

-So say not a thing to the Blues.

-Not a word.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-Thanks.

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

-No.

-You don't?

-Nope, not spoken to them.

-OK, we don't want you to.

First up is the Art Deco style brooch and here it comes.

Next on is 115, a Continental silver Art Deco brooch.

I can start the bidding here,

£15 for the silver brooch.

15, 18, 20, 2, 5, 8.

30, 5. 40... 40, I have standing.

Don't stop now.

-Come on, come on.

-Don't stop it, Thomas.

Sir, 50? 5... 60, 5.

We're in profit.

70, 5. 80. 80, I have at £80.

-Wow.

-I love this auction.

All done, then, at £80. All done at 80?

-Selling at 80.

-HAMMER FALLS

-£80, girls.

-Yes!

Five off 60, that is plus £25.

Is that cool or cool?

Can't believe that.

All right, here comes your tray.

Lovely looking thing, I like it.

£30, come on. At £30.

Great for your living room at 30.

At £30, any advance at 30?

£30, surely it's worth 30.

-30, I've got.

-INAUDIBLE

- Any advance at 5? - Go on.

-At £30, internet's quiet.

-Please.

-Come on.

£30, is that all we're going to do?

-At £30.

-HAMMER FALLS

That's so cheap. £30 is minus £30.

You had 25, now you've got minus five.

Sorry.

Lovely, this one here. Photograph frame, good condition.

-Start me here £40.

-It's a table mirror.

Sorry, it's a table mirror, you're quite right.

It's a photo slash table mirror, we've called it. 55.

Against you, 60 if you want it.

-Come on.

-£60 I have.

60, it's in the room.

Keep going, keep going.

Any advance at 60?

£60, once. £60, twice.

-All done, then?

-HAMMER FALLS

Oh, no. £60 is minus £15

which means overall, you're minus £20.

-OK.

-Right.

Well, that's it, there you are. You're minus £20.

What are you going to do?

Are you going to go with your loathed Crown Devon?

-Or are you going to stick?

-Shall we go...?

-What, sticking?

I think we'll stick.

But we're going to sell the bonus buy for the fun of it

-and here it comes.

-OK.

1930s Crown Devon Rouge Royale Art Deco vase.

Start the bidding with me here at £10. At £10, at 10.

-25 already.

-25 already.

28, I've got. 28, 30.

Go on. One more.

35. 35, you're holding it.

You've beaten the internet commission. At 35, are we done?

- I think you two were right. - Do we have 40 in the room?

-35 once, 35 twice.

-HAMMER FALLS

-And it's £35.

-Well done. Good choice.

£35 is minus 8, but you know,

that's a good deal better than everybody else was predicting

so well done, Nick.

-Anyway, overall then, you're minus 20.

-Yeah.

-That could be a winning score, don't say a word to those Reds.

-No.

And all will be revealed in a mo-mo.

Well, well, well.

There is a fair old wodge of losses between you two teams today.

Nobody's going home with money.

-Have you been chatting?

-No.

-Definitely not.

You've not been talking about it, OK.

Well, I have to reveal that the team with the largest wodge of losses

today are the Reds.

-Yay!

-Minus £92, actually.

You weren't doing too badly to start off with, were you?

You got a couple of profits on the mixed lot,

contrary to my prediction.

You got a profit on the letter box, which is fantastic.

And then it went very swiftly down the swanny.

-It was just the gutter running against you.

-Absolutely.

-Let's not dwell on that. Did you have a nice time?

-Brilliant time.

-You've had a good time.

-Yeah, really enjoyed it.

We loved having you on the show. And thanks for all the effort.

But the successful team today are the Blues,

the mother and daughter combo from heaven.

-You are only minus 20...

-Ah, well.

..which is nothing, really,

and you got £25, which is a good profit, on that brooch,

which is brilliant.

-Happy?

-Oh, delighted.

Delighted, that's what I love to hear. Delighted.

In fact, so delighted, join us soon for some more bargain hunting, yes?

ALL: Yes!