Ardingly 17 Bargain Hunt

We're at the International Antiques And Collectors Fair at Ardingly

and just look at this place. So much ground to cover.

So, let's not hang about. Let's go bargain hunting, yeah!

Here in Sussex, the National Trust bought their first house in 1896,

Alfriston Clergy House.

A 14th century hall house for the princely sum of £10.

Doesn't sound expensive, does it?

Anyway, it's not real estate today. Just real bargains.

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

On today's show, the Reds' plan may need some revision.

-You've blown a big bit of your budget.

-Yeah.

We don't have the funds to pay what you're asking.

Whilst the Blues take some convincing.

-What do you think?

-Yes, go for it, if you like it.

You know me, I'm always undecided.

But it is still a brown box, if we're going to be a bit pedantic.

No. No, I don't like that at all.

Let's all get acquainted, shall we?

Today's show is made up of married couples.

For the Reds, we've got Kevin and Sue and for the Blues, Rob and Iris.

-Hello, everyone.

-ALL: Hello.

-Great to see you.

-Now, Sue, you've known each other for 33 years.

-That's right, yes.

We first met when I was 12 and Kevin was 18

and we were in a local production of Carousel at Henfield Village Hall.

-Were you?

-Yes.

-Oh, good.

And then how long did it take you actually to get together?

Erm, well, we'd stayed friends

until we both returned to Henfield Theatre Company

to audition for the Wizard Of Oz

and there he was single and there I was single and...

-It was the right moment.

-It was, yes.

-Yes. Oh, good.

And so what do you get up to in your spare time?

I've been in a folk band for 16 years called The Yardales.

Well, what fun, though.

So, music has been a big part in your life, and drama?

It has. That's right, yes.

And it brought you together, which is really rather sweet, isn't it?

So, Kevin, you're the entrepreneur. Tell us about that.

Yes, well, we've...we've had a few businesses running, haven't we?

I think there were seven running at one time all together.

What sort of businesses?

Well, mainly insurance, which is our primary business,

which pays the bills.

But you're pretty keen on boating, Kevin.

Yes, we've done a bit of sailing, haven't we?

Is it actually sailing sailing you like doing or motor boating?

-Sailing.

-Oh, proper stuff.

-With the sticks, yes.

-With the sticks.

Let's hope it's going to be plain sailing for you guys today.

Are you going to spend all of your money?

We'll do our very best to, yes.

Well, good. Well, I'm glad to hear that.

Anyway, very, very, very good luck. Now, Rob, you're retired? Yes.

But you used to work at a world-famous museum.

Yes, the Victoria And Albert Museum in Kensington.

-What did you do there?

-I was an engineer. One of the V&A engineers,

who looked after the air-conditioning and the lighting.

If it was too hot, too cold or too light, too dark,

it landed on my desk and was my fault.

-And did you get into the galleries much?

-Oh, all the time.

-As often as I wanted.

-Yeah. Well, make any old excuse.

Well, you need to check the lighting, don't you,

from time to time.

Following your retirement, you decided to straddle the globe.

Tell us where you've been.

China, Borneo, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Cuba, America.

-Well, how fantastic is that!

-Yes.

-Now, Iris, you're a retired school teacher.

-Yes.

So, what do you do now to keep yourself busy?

-I've just joined the ICV panel. We go and...

-What's the ICV?

ICV is Independent Custody Visitor and we go to the custody suite

in the police station and speak to the detainees.

Don't ask me if they're happy cos who's going to be happy

-in a police cell, but...

-To make sure they're OK.

-Make sure they're OK.

-And they haven't got any complaints.

-That's quite a job, isn't it?

It is. It's very interesting, though.

-Yeah, I bet it is. You do a bit of bell-ringing.

-Yes, handbells.

-Oh, handbells.

-Handbell-ringing, yes.

-Yes. Are you what they call a campanologist?

-No, I don't think

-with little handbells. That's the big tower bells.

-Oh, is it?

But the little handbells is something different,

-but I don't know what it is.

-Not quite.

-But it's good fun that, though, isn't it?

-It is!

Yes, if you get it right, it's lovely.

What are your tactics going to be today, you two?

-Erm...

-I don't really think we've got any.

-We haven't got any.

Just go and have a look.

Spend the lot?

Whatever needs spending, yes.

What an enigmatic answer, that.

So not going to commit to anything. Anyway, it's the money moment.

-300 smackers each. Here you go. £300.

-Thank you.

Just like that. Look.

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

And very, very, very, good luck.

Campanology, eh?

And, of course, our two experts will be tackling the terrain today.

Putting on a brave face for the Reds, it's Anita Manning.

Hello, sailor. It's Christina Travanion with the Blues.

Well, guys, we have a leading lady here and a leading man.

Let's hope it will lead us to bargains.

We need to think about our tactics. What's the plan? What do you think?

Not too much of a plan. More...see what's there, I think.

But what type of things do you want to buy?

I like collectibles.

I've got a collection of chain sticks at home, so... And pin cushions.

Things like that.

We're very open-minded.

Anything we see and we like it, then we might buy it.

I quite like musical instruments and musical paraphernalia.

-Oh! Big tubas.

-Yeah, big brass instruments.

Let's go. OK.

Crikey!

Got all of that?

Good.

Your hour of shopping starts now

and it looks like the Reds have the bit between their teeth already.

-What's it made of? It's plastic, isn't it?

-Oh! That's quite sweet.

-I love horses.

-Yeah, well, so do I, actually.

This would be my dream toy.

You quite like the idea of a carousel horse, don't you,

because that's where we first met?

We did, yes. That's right, in a production of Carousel.

So, this is taking you back to the heady days of childhood?

-It is, definitely.

-How sweet!

But we do have this sort of split here.

I'm sure it can be repaired,

but I think it is certainly worth asking the price on.

Worth asking, yep. Definitely.

-What sort of price are you looking... 140?

-140, yeah.

I think that's a lot,

actually, for something that might just be for a child's nursery.

I'd quite like to go and look at some others that we saw...

-You spotted other ones?

-Yes.

-OK, let's go.

Show me where this other one is.

As the Reds trot off to see an earlier spot,

the Blues have a date with their first potential purchase.

This is quite interesting.

This is a silver framed little perpetual desk calendar.

We've got a nice silver hallmark on here,

which is a Birmingham hallmark and looks like it's about 1930, 1935.

The most important thing... If we have a look to see

if all the cards are present. Have a handle. See what you think.

How many have we got there. One, two, three, four.

-So we've got six and I think they should be...

-Double-sided.

Double-sided, yeah. OK, we have got all of them there.

What are your thoughts?

You say there's a good market for it?

There's a good market for desk pieces and it's something...

I think with silver

-it's quite important that it's got a current use as well.

-Yes. Yes.

Today, to be able to use

rather than your average sort of silver tea service,

which, frankly, is going to be scrapped.

-So, shall I go and ask a price on it?

-Yeah.

-Do you want to do it?

-Erm...

-No, you can do it.

-Oh, thank you, sir. I'll go and see.

Oh, you're not looking impressed there, Iris.

Right. So, he says, best price he can do on it is £30. OK.

-And that's a good price?

-I think it stands a really good chance

of making some money at that at auction.

I think that would look really quite lovely on your desk, wouldn't it?

-Oh, I would have had that on my desk at work.

-Would you?

-Yes.

-What do you say, Iris?

-Well, I... It's not my favourite thing

I've ever seen, but you both like it. It's not the sort of thing

a teacher would have on her desk, but I'll go with the majority.

-We'll have this one...

-Two out of three.

-BOTH: You can have the next one. Thank you.

-That sounds like a plan.

-Let's buy it.

-Brilliant. Well done, guys.

-There's one under our belt. Fantastic.

-Thank you.

-Super.

And that's very diplomatic of you, Iris.

Meanwhile, the Reds are still horsing about.

-So, these are the ones that you spotted earlier.

-Yes.

-Yeah.

-I did.

They are wonderful.

I can sort of see those on display on somebody's wall

in a smart London house or something.

Hm... I'm not so sure, Sue.

Do you like these ones better than the other ones?

-I think they've got more character.

-I do, personally.

I would put those in my house, definitely.

This one is in better condition here.

You got some damage here.

-You know, a bit of the ear.

-Yeah.

I think it's part of the character, really.

-If they looked perfect, they wouldn't look old, would they?

-Yeah.

What sort of price are they?

Well, I did have them priced at 250 for the pair.

-The best would be 180 for the two.

-180.

-Really.

-That's a big reduction on the price.

I think that's a fair price for them.

-They could get 150...

-They could get a lot more.

..but they could go further, so very difficult even for me to advise.

-Of course.

-Yes.

-Especially when we have got some damage there.

I could see them doing really well.

-For the sake of luck, take a pound off.

-OK.

-179.

-OK.

-THEY LAUGH

-You can tell he's a broker, can't you?

-Yeah.

-Thank you very much.

Kevin, my 'mane' man.

Time to rein in the horse puns and move on to pastures new.

We've bought one thing really quickly, so we're OK for time.

-Right.

-Right.

-Right?

-Yes.

-So let's stay outside, have a good rummage. Look at all the...

-Oh!

-Nice stock.

-It's amazing.

Oh, get your teeth in there, guys. Go on. Get in there.

Have a good look.

Well, guys, you've made a great start.

-You've blown a big bit of your budget.

-Yes.

£120 you've got left.

121, Anita!

-Very important pound.

-Oh, that pound might be...

-Very important.

Well, it might be all that you're left with.

THEY LAUGH

Well, if it's all I'm left with, I'm happy with that.

If you want to spend money, go for it.

I think we should. I think we should spend it all.

You might regret that, Anita.

Oh, this is sounding promising.

Are they silly? I like these little pigs.

-They're not silly at all.

-No.

They're quite sweet, aren't they?

Looks like we've got a pin cushion and possibly a vesta case in there.

-Do you want to have a look?

-Yes, if that's OK.

Thank you. So, what have we got here?

We've got a little pig pincushion for your sewing box.

-So you put your pins in that to keep them all together.

-It's very sweet.

And then this one is a...

Not a vesta case as I initially thought.

It's actually a tape measure.

So you pull the tape out here

and then you wind him back in with his tail.

-That's nice.

-Sweet, isn't it?

-Very novel.

Cos this would be a standard thing that a lady would keep in her

sewing box in days of yore.

-Do you have a sewing box?

-I do a lot of sewing...

-Oh, do you?

..and I have a big sewing box.

I think this has got some more age to it than this one.

-This one looks a bit more modern.

-Right.

-I think that's quite a nice novelty, fun thing, isn't it?

-Yes.

And it's a good market for that type of thing. I mean...

-There are certainly novelty tape measure collectors.

-Yes.

We've got £50 on it, so that's quite a lot.

-Obviously that's a retail price rather than an auction price.

-Yes.

Um, I mean, I would be hoping to pay a lot less for that

-to make a profit at auction.

-Yes.

-What's your best price on that?

-MAN: 45.

-45.

-BOTH: Would you consider 40?

Yeah, OK.

-It's still top end.

-Yes.

You're not going to make huge amounts on it

if you make anything at all.

-But it's a sweet thing. I love the fact that you are a seamstress.

-Yes.

-And we said that we'd let her choose the next thing, didn't we?

-Yes.

It's down to Iris now.

-What do you think?

-Yes, go for him if you like him.

You know me, I'm always undecided. I'm not a great decision maker.

-Right.

-I do like him.

-It might be a her.

-We've got plenty of time, remember.

-Yeah, can we come back?

-Well, let's put him on the back burner.

-Yes.

-But I think he's definitely one to keep in mind.

-He's a good contender.

-Yes, yes.

-OK. Super.

-He's in with a chance.

Whilst the Blues decide if the pig will bring home the bacon,

let me show you something which is worth writing home about.

# I'm going to sit right down and write myself a letter

# And make believe it came from you.

# Do-be do-do. # Ha-ha.

And of course, if you did sit down to write yourself a letter

in 1896,

you would probably be using one of these.

A dip pen.

And if you were into your novelty silver in 1896,

you might go out and find a little inkwell like this.

And intriguingly, the solid silver

sleeve of this inkwell

contains its glass well

with a cork bung.

And that, glass well has been blown

so that it's got a central dipping area

that prevents any ink in it from sloshing about

but when you introduce

the dip pen nib,

look, you can just wipe off

the end of the nib on the glass container

and hey presto, you're writing yourself that letter.

The intriguing novelty bit

is that the silversmith

has crafted the sleeve in the form of a nib.

If I turn it upside down, you can see the London hallmark for 1896.

There's also a registration mark

which means that the maker

wanted to protect this design.

He didn't want anybody else copying it.

On the outside it's been inscribed.

1875 and 1900 with the initial are in between.

Who knows? Perhaps it was presented by a woman to her husband, Ronald,

on their 25th wedding anniversary.

The other intriguing part of the design is

that the shape of the dip pen nib

with this curved section is absolutely ideal

for cradling the dip pen itself.

So the two come together rather beautifully. Isn't that clever?

Typical late Victorian, Edwardian novelty item

and just the sort of thing that silver collectors adore to find.

How much? Well, if you look online, you'll find a variety of similar

novelty silver inkwells available

for between £300 and £600.

Make a note, Miss Jones, will you?

Now, are our teams waxing lyrical about anything?

There's wee candleholders there.

-You like those.

-They're very pretty. Yeah.

-Is it the type of thing?

There's a simplicity about the design

which is appealing to the modern eye.

What we've got are a piece of Scandinavian 20th century design

which will appeal to the young market, the sophisticated market.

Let's ask him how much they are.

-Cos that's... These are nice.

-They are nice, yes.

If we can get them for a decent price...

How much are your wee candleholders, please?

Um, I would say they're going to be 30, the three.

-What do you think?

-£10 each. That sounds a lot of money to me.

Would you consider an improved price?

-HE LAUGHS

-MAN: We've heard that before!

Yeah, that's fine. At 25. I'd go to 25.

Could we leave them there and have a quick look around

and it's something that we can come back for?

Yep, heard that before!

'Yeah, so have we!

'So, that's one on the back burner for the Reds.

'Come on, teams, the clock's ticking

'and some decisions have got to be made.'

That's rather lovely, isn't it? What do you think of that?

How old is it?

-Well...

-I think it's roundabout the '30s.

-1930s?

-I would think so.

And you've got this lovely watered silk interior which looks to be original.

What really caught my eye was this decoration around the outside

which is really typically arts and crafts this lovely carving.

-What you think? Have a good look. Have a good feel.

-Hmm.

-You can see it's a nice quality piece.

-It's well cut, isn't it?

It's well cut. And if you look at the decoration...

Iris, pay attention, love.

-So it's got some nice highlights to it.

-All very positive.

Quality. Well cut. Nice highlights.

But what does Iris think?

It's just a wooden box. THEY LAUGH

Oh, dear.

-It's not just a wooden box!

-Yes.

-It's useful. Yes.

-It is useful.

We've got £22 and we're thinking, spend big.

Yes, I think we could afford to splash out a bit, don't you?

-Go for at least one item that's a bit...

-That's a bit more.

-Yes.

-OK.

-It's a brown wooden box.

-Um...

-She's fussy.

Maybe just a tad indecisive.

-Do you have to put up with this?

-All the time.

THEY LAUGH

I think it's called being contrary.

Stay strong, Rob. Together you can pull through.

Time now for a regroup, Reds.

Now, we're half an hour in and we've bought one item.

Yeah.

So we've got to watch that we don't get complacent

and just wander about.

Keep focused, you've got two more items to buy.

That clothes brush, is that awful?

Um, it will have been probably a crumb brush.

Essentially a dustpan and brush, if you like, but for the table.

And this one is French

and looks like it's got some nice silver marks on there. But...

-you've only got half of it.

-Oh, you need the tray...

-You need to tray, yeah.

-OK then.

-And...

-does it have a particularly good use today? I don't know.

-BOTH: No.

Maybe a really smart dustpan and brush.

Yes. You wouldn't take it up to sweep your leaves up with, would you?

-You go and find the silver tray.

-To go with it? Yeah!

THEY LAUGH

-I think we'll leave that one there.

-Leave that where it is. Thank you.

What do you think about this horse, Anita?

Oh, I think we've definitely got a horsey theme today.

We have, haven't we?!

It's modern but it's well sculpted.

It's different, isn't it?

-It doesn't give me goose bumps.

-It doesn't give you goose bumps.

What about you, Sue?

You liked it, didn't you?

I like it but then I like anything horsey, so...

-Well, again, we know where it is.

-Yeah.

Yes, I did say Kevin could choose the next piece, didn't I?

So we might come back.

Don't hang about.

It might not be there 'furlong'.

Oh, sorry, that really is the last one.

Meanwhile, the Blues have taken a small rest.

And you know what they were used for?

-They're knife stands, aren't they?

-Exactly, yeah, knife rest.

So you'd rest your knife rather than dirtying the tablecloth.

Yep, so it's the facet in the middle so the knife doesn't slip.

And so often you find that they've been split throughout time

or they've been lost.

And the fact that you've got this complete set...

Is there any age on them?

I don't think they've got a huge amount of age to them.

Probably sort of 1940s.

-Still, the fact that you've got so many...

-Yes.

I'm glad you say '40s isn't aged.

THEY LAUGH

Vintage. Purely vintage.

Also, they're in nice condition.

Those have got £85 on them.

-Yes, I really like these.

-You do, don't you?

-They caught my eye as I walked past.

But we think that 85, they're a bit...

-85, they are bit rich at 85.

-Bit rich.

I mean, I would be looking at sort of £40-£60 really.

Fiver a piece-ish.

But it's the first thing I've sort of seen you pick up

and your little face lit up...

THEY LAUGH

-Bless.

-..which is what I like to see.

-I'll go and find out.

-OK. Do you like them?

-They're all right.

-Yeah?

If Rob's happy, I'm happy.

-Do you trust his judgment?

-No, not really but he's happy.

-OK.

Cor, Iris is a tough cookie.

-What news? What news?

-Well, the best I could get was 70.

-OK. All right.

-70.

-And I think I'll take it for 70. I shook the ladies hand.

-Oh!

-Oh, right.

-So 70 we're going for.

-The deal has been done.

That's the way, Ray! Now, time to pay.

But what's turned up with the Reds?

Is this a butter churn? You thought it was a knife grinder though.

Yes, it's not, is it? It is a butter churn.

Tell me why you like it.

-It's...

-I'd have that in my kitchen.

It's a nice, solid piece of furniture, I suppose.

It's a nice display item.

Yes, it would look good in the kitchen, wouldn't it?

-What I like about it is the marvellous pattern...

-Yes.

..of the barrel here.

The mechanism is still in working order,

it's still something that can be used.

-£140.

-What do you think?

Well, I think it's a lovely object and, as I say,

it's been beautifully coopered.

-Yes.

-That's what I'm looking at...at this marvellous barrel.

So, in your auction house, what do you think you would be...?

Well, I think if you've got a chance of making a profit,

-you're going to have to come down on £140.

-Hmm.

And I think it was your turn.

I think it is my turn, so, shall we see what we can do?

See what you can do.

'Come on, Kevin, time to butter up the dealer, eh?'

-It's labelled at 140.

-WOMAN: 140.

Well, what about 100 on the nose?

And that really is all we could do.

Yes.

Oh, thank you so much. Thank you.

'The Blues have one item left to buy

'and Iris still has to find something she likes.'

You would have had this is as a mixing bowl to mix your teas.

Right. It is still a brown box if we're going to be a bit pedantic.

HE CRINGES It's in my nature.

Rob is making decisions, he's going in for it. It's fab.

Iris is a bit more of a tricky customer.

Isn't that horrid?

-A desk blotter.

-Desk blotter? But it's a... No, no.

I don't like that at all.

-It's a pincushion.

-It's really tatty, isn't it?

Iris, let it be concisive.

-I'm not a very decisive person.

-I know.

-They're attractive.

-Yeah. And they're usable.

-Yes. They're usable.

-Yes.

-But it's not a pig.

-But it's not a piggy tape measure, is it?

THEY LAUGH

Come on, we've got to give Iris one.

We'll leave Iris and Robert

and hope that pigs might fly and a decision might be made.

The Reds have bought two items though

and one to go, but the clock is ticking.

-I'm starting to panic now.

-Are you?

Cos we've got no money left and we're running out of time.

Oh, wow!

The Reds have returned to the candle holders

but with only £21 left they may have their work cut out.

-We do like them.

-MAN: Do you?

-But...

-Yes?

..we don't have the funds to pay what you're asking.

-What do you think?

-What would be your absolute death?

The absolute death has got to be 21 and that's it.

SHE GASPS We can't do that cos then we don't have a bonus buy.

If you did 20 and they left me one?

-Yep, 20 is fine.

-What you think?

Well, I'll let Anita decide on this one, being our expert, so...

I am absolutely ecstatic about being left with £1.

-We'll shake your hand.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

'Well done, Reds. That's you've done and dusted.

'And, well, I never,

'it looks like the Blues are about to embark on a decision, hah!

'And with only two minutes left they'd better be quick.'

-What do you think?

-I like it.

-Are we going to make a decision?

-Yes.

Is that a yes, Iris?

-Gentleman is asking £40 for it.

-Yes.

-Which is £10 off.

-Right.

-So, what do you think?

-So, I think I like.

-She likes.

-You like?

-I like.

-Are you happy?

-Yes, I'm happy.

-You're ecstatic?

She's happy.

-Are you sure?

-She's sure.

-I'll shake the gentleman's hand.

Let's just do it.

A decision!

# Hallelujah Hallelujah. #

-Yay! We've done it.

-Splendid.

Well, I never. Hoo-hoo!

That's three a piece.

Those 60 minutes are up, so let's take a quick squint

at what the Reds bought.

Hmm, they galloped away

with the two carousel horses' heads

for £179.

They managed to get

the oak butter churn down to £100.

The last lot were

the plated candlesticks.

They paid £20.

Now, Kevin, Sue, are you OK?

-Yes.

-Very well.

-You have been so good. How much did you spend again?

£299.

Wicked stuff.

That's your challenge, Manning.

Can I have the £1 of leftover lolly?

I do love it when it works out like this.

Now, Susan, which is your favourite piece?

Definitely the horses' heads.

-Horses' heads is favourite.

-Horses' heads. Carousel.

Do you agree with that?

No, I like the butter churn.

Butter churn is your favourite. Is that going to churn out the most profit?

-No, I think the horses' heads are going to be profitable.

-The horses' heads will do it.

And you agree that the horses' heads will make the most profit?

I hope so. Either the most profit or the most loss.

Well, that's what a high-risk strategy is all about, right?

I love their courage.

And Anita knows all about high risk because there is your pound.

You can't get a coffee in one of these mobile coffee shops for that.

£1, nae bother at all.

THEY LAUGH

Well, no doubt you'll come up with a wee little something which is marvellous.

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

Oh, my dear days, they picked up a

silver mounted calendar for £30.

It was a cased set of knife rests.

Next, they forked out £70.

And finally, this little piggy

is off to market.

The tape measure was £40.

Did you enjoy it?

-BOTH: Loved it.

-Did you?

-Good fun.

Really. Good fun, wasn't it?

-And which is your favourite piece?

-The knife stands.

-The glass knife supports.

-The knife rests...

-That's your favourite?

-That's my favourite.

-And does the wife agree?

-No. I like the little pig measure tape.

-Right.

-That's your favourite.

-Yes.

Is the little piggy going to make the most profit when he goes to market?

-Probably not but I like it.

-Yes.

What will bring the most profit when it goes to market?

-I don't know.

-Well, have a think.

-Do I have to know?

-What's your prediction?

My little pig then. I'll say my little pig will make the most money.

OK, your little piggy then. Good.

-I'll go with the knife stands I think.

-The knife stands.

And you spent how much?

-£140.

-Please may I have £160 to give to Christina quick?

-There we go. Going straight over...

-Why, thank you.

-..to 'er indoors.

-Thank you.

-What is 'er indoors going to do next?

-Well, we didn't buy anything sparkly, did we?

-BOTH: No.

-No bling.

-Maybe something sparkly. I'll go and have a look.

You are such a tease.

Anyway, well done. Go and warm up.

And now it's time for us to see

if their buys really were bargains as we're heading off to auction.

Well, what a selection of objects we've got here

which have trotted in with us from West Sussex to West London.

Here we are at High Road Auctions with Ross Mercer.

-Good morning, Ross.

-Good morning, Tim.

Very nice to see you.

Now, for a kick off we've got the carousel heads.

They're just over there. How do you rate them?

Well, they could be...

a decorator's lot

but condition is not great I'm afraid.

In better condition they would have done very, very well indeed.

But to have them restored would be a costly process today.

OK. How much?

£100-£150.

-£179 paid.

-Wow.

-Will you get that?

With a following win perhaps.

Now, here we are in West London.

How many people in West London make their own butter? That's what I want to know.

It's a craze, don't you know?

Oh! I didn't know that actually.

I suspect that's going to go to one of our private clients

decorating their country cottage kitchen.

Exactly. How much?

-£80-£120.

-OK, £100 paid. So that's pretty well on the button.

Next, 20th century design is always popular, particularly in London,

-so these three little jokers are going to be all right.

-That's right.

-Carl Cohr, the Danish designer of the 1960s.

-How much?

Well, for those we've said £25-£45.

-Great.

-Cos they're only plate, aren't they?

-That's right.

-Be a different matter in silver.

£20 paid, so that should be a good profit.

So, bearing in mind that the gee-gees

from the fairground are not going to be so hot,

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

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

-Yes.

£1 you gave...

THEY LAUGH

..Anita Manning.

Anita, how did you manage?

Ah, well, I wanted to spend every penny of it.

And what I bought was a little pair of brass escutcheons.

An escutcheon is a little keyhole cover,

and these are in the Georgian style.

Now, don't be carried away because there're probably only about

five minutes old

but they are quite pretty looking and they are functional.

-Aren't they fun?

-Yeah. And well worth 50p.

-Absolutely.

-Well done.

-Thank you.

Now, the girl's done good.

-How much do you think they might make?

-Will it make a profit?

Let's put it this way, we can't lose much.

That is the right answer.

And for the audience at home let's find out

whether the auctioneer thinks it's a pound well spent.

Well, here we go. Cover up your keyhole.

Good Georgian style, Tim.

If you're lacking a pair of these then 20-£30, they're not expensive.

They're very expensive things to buy brand-new.

Is that your estimate?

-We've said 20-40.

-Have you really?

-Yes.

-Well, the team only left Anita Manning with £1.

-£1?!

And her plan is that they'll make a profit.

I think she's right, don't you?

-I think she is right.

-Magic.

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

Kicking off for them is that perpetual calendar.

I always rather like these things, I have to say.

-Particularly when they're solid silver framed.

-That's right.

Nice quality, Tim.

And perhaps for a gentleman's desk locally, I hope.

-And it's all working, good to go.

-How much?

-We've said £40-£60.

-£30 they paid,

so that's good.

Next, Robert went strongly with the knife rests. 12 of them. In a case.

Very nice, aren't they?

They're nice quality, Tim. Really nicely cut.

But I fear that they might be deemed a little bit out of fashion.

Well, I don't think the Brits ever really got into

this knife rest business. But the Continental still do.

I have a feeling they'll definitely go to a Continental buyer.

I could see them ending up in Germany or France, as you suggest.

There you are. How much do you think?

Well, for those we've said £30-£50.

OK, you have been modest in your estimate.

£70 was paid. Now, the embossed brass tape measure.

Certainly, if it were in silver, Tim,

I think we'd have a very exciting evening.

-Um, but, great fun.

-Bit bashed.

-A little bit bashed but he still works.

-OK, fine.

How much?

Well, for that, we've said £20-£40.

OK, they paid the top end - £40.

It all really hinges on how the knife rests do.

If it goes badly and they don't do well, then the team are definitely

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

Robert, Iris, this is your moment.

You gave the girl £160.

She is known to be the last of the big spenders.

Christina, it's over to you.

-Iris, you are not going to like me for this.

-Am I not?

Ready?

-Oh, it's...!

-The box.

-It's the lovely wooden box.

I was very sniffy about it, wasn't I?

-THEY LAUGH

-But I just had to go back for it.

I know you didn't like it but I can see a profit in this.

I think it's a really lovely thing.

Stained beech and it's got lovely little gilt highlights around it

as well. So, somebody has taken some time and they've thought about this.

Can you remember what we were looking at for it? Can you remember?

-Mid-20s, wasn't it?

-Mid-20s.

-Yeah, yeah.

-Well, I managed to get it for £13.

-Oh, wow!

And I think it's just a really nice thing, so I couldn't leave it there.

As wooden boxes go, it's a lovely wooden box.

THEY LAUGH

I hope you liked.

What do you expect it to fetch?

I wouldn't hesitate putting sort of £25-£30 on it.

I just think it's really sweet.

-How old is it?

-It dates from the early 20th century, I'd say.

-Hmm.

-Yes.

-So, arts and crafts style.

Maybe sort of a home-spun thing but I think it's a nice thing.

-It's really nicely carved.

-They were better at woodwork than me.

THEY LAUGH

If you're happy with it... You're happy with it, I'm happy with it.

-Iris, you're so accommodating.

-I know!

Good. Everyone's happy with that. You think you can double your money,

let's find out right now what the auctioneer thinks

about Christina's little box.

Here we go then. There we go. That's...um,

better than first sight I feel. How do you rate that?

It grown on me since it's been here, Tim.

Probably German. Stained beech wood.

Black Forest wood of choice.

Arts and craft in style.

But a little bit better than the apprentice piece

-that I first thought it was.

-Hmm.

Nice brass feet.

Good-quality, high-relief carving.

-And then of course, you've got a wonderful silk interior.

-Yes.

Now, it's good, isn't it? How do you rate it money-wise?

-On a good day, £40-£60.

-Wow.

Well, well done, Christina. Cos she paid 13 notes for that.

-Well bought.

-£13. Cos that is a really good little thing for £13.

Good. Well, we're going to have an exciting evening.

Thank you very much, Ross.

25. 30. 35.

35. 40.

45.

Selling now at 45.

-So, how are we? All right?

-Yes.

-Fine, thank you.

Yes. Very excited.

Getting slightly excited.

Where are you on the excited scale, Susan?

-Oh, I'm probably 11 out of 10, I should say.

-Are you really?

-Yes.

-What about you, Kev?

-Yeah, I'm about the eight or nine mark.

It's really cool, isn't it? Cos you've got some interesting lots.

First up though are the carousel heads and here they come.

Early 20th century carved pine

and polychrome decorated carousel horse heads.

Bids start against you all at £100.

£100 I have.

110, may I say?

110. 120. 130.

£130 bid. 140.

£140 bid. 150, new place. 150.

And 160, sir. 160. 170.

-BOTH: (Yes!)

-170. 180.

-ALL GASP

-At £170.

Stood at the back of the room at 170.

Anyone else coming in now?

We need 180.

Selling now at 170.

-GAVEL BANGS ALL: Oh.

-That was bad luck.

No golden gavel.

Well. Minus £9 is nothing.

The late 19th/early 20th century

staved and coopered oak

domestic butter churn.

There we are. It can churn almost anything in there. And £60.

Gosh, he's got 60.

Looking for 65 now. Come along.

Stand me in at 65, surely.

65. 70. 75 now.

£75 puts me out. At 75.

New place at 80.

85 now, ma'am.

No? At £80.

It stands at 80. All done?

-£80 is minus 20.

-(Yes!)

20 down.

A very good price though, I think.

But there we go, not quite enough.

Minus 29 we are at the moment.

136. Carl Cohr, the Danish designer, of course.

1960s plated taper sticks we say.

And £20 bid on the books.

At 20. 25 now. 25.

Bid 30 anywhere?

£30. On the internet at 30.

-£30.

-Paid 20, Anita.

-30.

I'll take 32 if it helps.

I'll take 50p if it helps.

-He's a good chap.

-At £30 on the internet. On the internet at 30.

All done? Selling now at 30.

It's plus £10,

which reduces your losses to only £-19, which is nothing.

So what are we going to do about the lockers, Kev?

Well, we can't risk a pound, can we? So...

-Well, it's...

-We were very impressed Anita bought two locks for two Locks.

Is your surname Lock?

-It is.

-Oh, how brilliant.

-So we've got to run with that.

-Exactly.

OK. So, you're going with the bonus buy, and here it comes.

Pair of these. George III-style gilt metal locker escutcheons.

Where do we start the bidding? £1, surely.

Come along. £1 bid.

£1 bid. 3. 5. 8 now.

At £8. Bid 10, my dear.

£10. Bid 12.

£12. 14. 14. Bid 16.

One more. £16. At 16.

-(Go on!)

-18 anywhere? Come along.

Take 17 if it helps.

£16, left-hand side now.

At 16. Last chance.

Done and selling now at £16.

Anita, you are a genius.

Which is plus £15, but sadly,

you had minus 19 so you are £-4.

But that's as close as a gnat bite.

It's really close. That might be a winning score.

Hey, just taken that out of my lips.

The next line is, "Don't say a word to the Blues."

OK.

So, Iris, you've got a steady hand when it comes to these antiques,

-haven't you?

-Yes.

Anything you wish you hadn't thought?

Um, no.

I'm very negative about the whole thing,

so anything that we make or don't make is fine with me.

Do you mean negative, or are you just not terribly confident?

No, I'm not confident.

-Are you a confident person normally?

-Yes.

Well, isn't this funny that it's all turned in your life

around the antiques?

Would you say that you're a confident person, Roberto?

-Yes. We're going to make a fortune.

-Yeah.

-You are.

Now, first up is the desk calendar.

-And here it comes.

-Good luck.

Lot 153. 1930s silver

mounted desk calendar.

And £35. I'm bid at £35.

Make it 40. £40 bid in front.

-At £40.

-Fantastic!

45.

45 now on the internet. At 45.

-Do I hear 50, surely?

-Look at that, Robert.

£50 now. On the internet at 50.

At £50. On my right 55 now.

-Wow.

-At £55.

-£55 maybe.

Done and selling now at £55.

Sold.

£55. You are plus £25.

You nearly doubled your money, Iris.

Set of 12 paste hobnail and star cut

knife rests. There they are.

£30 surely for them. 20 then.

20 bid. At £20 bid.

25 bid. 30.

35. £35 now.

-40.

-No money.

At £35. £40 now.

-(Come on!)

-Looking for 45.

Come on, keep going.

At £40 now. On my right at 40.

-Last chance at £40.

-I can't bear it.

I can't bear this.

-Sold. At £40.

-ALL: Oh!

£40 is £-30.

You were doing so well. You're now £-5.

-Oh, no!

-Oh. Well, £5.

It's down to your piggy, darling.

It's all down to the piggy.

Pig with his winding tail.

And some interest here.

Bids start at £10 against you.

-£10 bid. £15.

-£10?

£15 bid. 20.

£20 bid. 25.

£20. And it stands at 20.

£27 I have. At 27. £30 now.

At 35 now. One more.

Come along, internet.

-Come on, internet.

-At 35.

You've got everyone behind you here.

Going at 40.

-£40 on the internet. At 40.

-ALL: Yes!

They're all cheering. At 40.

It seems to falter at 40. All done?

-GAVEL BANGS

-Sold. £45.

-Sold for £45.

-45? That's...

Which means you've made a profit of £5,

which means that you don't have anything.

Oh!

So, what are we going to do about the lovely box?

-Well, we're going for it.

-We're playing! Yeah.

-No hesitation.

-We couldn't go without the beautiful box.

We have unanimity here.

We're going with the box.

And here it comes, your little box.

Next lot, 159,

is the stained beech wood and parcel gilt jewellery box.

Looking at £10. £10 I'm bid. At 10.

15 now.

£15. Bid £20. It's no money. £20.

25, surely.

25 bid. 30. 35, may I say?

-£35 bid.

-Yes, we're in profit!

40 now.

Any further interest now? At £40.

Good-looking box at £40 only.

Last chance.

Done and selling at 40.

It's plus £27.

Always listen to your expert.

Always... Well, listen to this expert.

It's a secret.

There you go. Plus £27.

Don't say a word to the Reds, Iris.

-No, not a word.

-OK. Button it.

Well, teams, have we had fun?

-ALL: Yes.

-We have had fun, haven't we?

Now, the important issue, of course, is the score.

-Have you been chatting at all...

-No.

-..between yourselves?

Well, I'm afraid to say that the runners-up today

by a chalk are the Reds.

ALL: Oh!

You got your 20th century designer right.

You got a profit on that and a jolly nice profit on the bonus buy.

The £1 bonus buy

that produced £15 worth of profit, so well done, Anita, for that.

-Which was a hoot, wasn't it?

-Oh, yeah.

-Yes.

But overall, I'm afraid it didn't particularly go your way.

-But have you had a nice time?

-We have.

-Great.

That's the important thing.

We loved having you. But the victors today go home with £27.

ALL: Yay.

-Roberto...

-Well done, team.

-..and Iris,

who's been so fond of one or two of the objects that were bought.

Overall, £27 of profits which are brilliant.

I'm not going to ask you what you're going to spend it on.

-Gin and tonic.

-Oh, is that what it is?

Well, you might get one or two of those, even around here.

Anyway, good fun.

Join us soon for some more bargain hunting, yes?

ALL: Yes!