Builth Wells 5 Bargain Hunt

I'm not here to look at the sheep today. Oh, no!

We are at the Royal Welsh Showground at Builth Wells.

And down there, there are flocks of people searching out bargains,

being shepherded by a whole lot of dealers.

Let's take a gander.

Let's go bargain hunting, yeah!

The Showground is in the town of Builth Wells in the County of Powys.

And the antiques fair, attracting more than 1,000 dealers,

is one of the highlights of the antiques calendar.

So there should be plenty of rich pickings for our teams today.

In fact, let's have a quick squint as to what's coming up.

This lark's enough to make your tummy churn.

The Reds can't make their minds up.

OK, heads for the box.

Tails for the thrones? OK, let's go.

Oh, that's nice.

Whilst the Blues just can't agree.

-I know instinctively yes or no.

-Yes.

And I have to not say anything if she really likes it.

THEY LAUGH

On Bargain Hunt today, we have two teams of friends.

Well, they're friends at the moment.

For the Reds, we've got Gaz and Jamie,

and for the Blues, we have Lorraine and Jean.

-Hello, everyone.

-ALL: Hello.

Hello! Now, Gaz.

-You two have been friends for years.

-We have, yeah.

-And you went off to Australia together.

-We did, yes.

We had a lot of fun times out there.

Did get stuck in Cairns at one point.

Met a Welshman who managed to swap a crate of beer we had for a car.

(LAUGHS) I don't see many swaps of a motorcar for a crate of beer.

That's not a normal rate of exchange, is it?

It wasn't a great car, though.

It literally got us to our youth hostel in Brisbane

before it blew up and then we gave it to another traveller.

-For a crate of beer?

-No, we just gave it to them

-and we were glad to be getting rid of it by then.

-Very funny.

-Isn't that extraordinary?

-It was.

-OK, Jamie. You're a joiner.

-I am indeed.

-So how are your joins?

-Excellent.

-Are they?

-Yes.

You do dovetails tighter than anybody else does a dovetail, right?

-Hmm, I'd like to thing so.

-Yes?

-You got any jobs that need doing?

-My card?

-Well, I could dream up something.

I must introduce you to my wife.

She's got plenty of jobs for me to do

so she'll soon find you something to do, I daresay.

But what do you do when you're not working?

-Well, funnily enough, my ducks keep me quite busy.

-Do you like ducks?

-I love ducks.

-Any old teal, mallard?

-I've got some Indian Runner ducks.

-Oh, you'd never have!

-I certainly have.

-They don't fly much, do they, the runner ducks?

-Not at all.

-That's handy.

-They run around a lot.

-I bet they do, I bet they're fit.

-OK. Well, jolly good luck, chaps.

-Cheers.

-Now, moving on to the girls.

Lorraine, it says here that you're a semi retired teacher.

Yeah, but I'm doing more and more work, actually.

I don't think you ever retire from teaching.

Yes, I've taught all over the place, all age groups in all places.

-Any particular subject?

-Um, Life Skills.

-Now, Jean, it says here that you were a head teacher.

-I was!

The number one in the pack.

What's this about your family tree, then?

Oh, yes, we've been doing that for years and years,

-since I was probably about 18.

-How far back do you go?

-Um, early 1700s.

-Oh, yeah?

How many criminals have you got in your family?

-Do I have to say?

-Go on.

-At least one.

-Have you?

-At least one who was a murderer, I'm sad to say.

-Really? Oh, dear.

-I bet he was provoked!

-And was criminally insane.

SHE LAUGHS

Anyway, now, what's your tactics, you girls, for shopping today?

-Do you have the same ideas?

-No.

-You don't?

-No.

-She does twee and I don't do twee.

-OK, fine.

-And I'm afraid Lorraine just does tat.

-Oh, does she?

-Not having that, so...

-So we've got twee and tat, then?

-Twee and tat!

-OK, fine.

Well, on that happy note, I think I'm going to lob out the dosh.

£300 a piece, there you go. £300. You know the rules.

Your experts await, and off you go! And very, very good luck.

I like a nice twee myself.

OK, let's meet our cute and cuddly experts. No, not them.

A shining star for the Reds is Caroline Hawley.

And going overboard for the Blues, it's Colin Young.

So what's your plan of action for today?

I'm thinking go big or go home. Let's spend a bit of money today.

Go big or go home, I like that.

Something that strikes me that is quirky and interesting,

something different.

-We're thinking some silver, I guess.

-OK.

-Yeah, some silver.

Something that's going to draw people's eyes,

got a bit of a wow factor to it.

Right, well there's a lot of stuff here, so let's go and see

-if that wow exists.

-Let's do.

OK, teams, your 60 minutes start now.

Straight out of the starting blocks,

and the Reds are already finding time to relax.

-Oh, look those chairs.

-£190.

Have a sit on them. They're quite nice.

-I feel pretty good in this.

-Yeah!

-What are you thinking?

You look really good in that, yes.

You can see those in some big, baronial hall.

-Do you live in one of those?

-Not quite.

I'd have 'em in the house.

Two-bedroom flat? Maybe a bit too pricey for us.

I think they need to be a lot less money, really.

-Can we keep them in our head?

-Keep it in mind.

Yeah, remember where they are cos it's a big, big fair. Right.

The Blues are onto something, but things aren't what they seem.

-Hollow bottom.

-Hollow bottom, yes. Another one.

Oh, look. Colin's found another one.

-Can't put your tulips in that.

-You can't.

So what would they use it for if it's hollow? Just an ornament?

-Yeah, it is, just a decorative ornament.

-Just decorative, OK.

-And it is decorative.

-It is, yes.

Hang on, I think they're seriously considering it.

It's actually Chinese cloisonne. It's an enamel over a metal base.

Very much a sort of archaic design.

As we know, Chinese things are selling really well.

That is not particularly old, but it's a good copy.

And that is your price.

-Do you mean it's a good price?

-I think that's OK.

Obviously, you'd need it to be a bit less than that.

-Is there any damage at all?

-Well, let's have a look.

So a good little trick to do on all of this is to just run

the palm of your hand around the circumference of it.

And what you'll do is you'll just feel any blemishes

and dents rather than wait to find out later.

And that's gone through clear, no little scrapings on my hand.

And yeah, that's OK.

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about them at all.

-OK, shall I see what he'll go to?

-OK, who's the best negotiator?

-THEY LAUGH

-Probably Lorraine.

-Right, OK.

-Come on, then. How much are you going to give me for it?

Well, you're our first purchase so you're special.

-So what's your best price?

-40 quid.

-OK.

-Oh, you can do better than that.

Not much better. That's very cheap.

What about £35 and then we'll take it off your hands?

-It hasn't got a bottom.

-No, I know. That's why it's £45.

-£35?

-THEY LAUGH

-So they 're rarer with no bottoms?

-Would you take £35 for it?

-Yeah, OK.

-You can have it for £35.

-Thank you.

Thanks, Greg. Thank you.

Ten minutes in, and the Blues have one in the Bag.

Let's hope it doesn't have a hole in it.

-There's a lot of stuff in there.

-Yeah, shall we go this way?

Yeah, let's go in there.

Back with the Reds, and young Gaz reveals

-he has a bit of an obsession with teapots.

-Get in, get in there.

-I do like a teapot.

-Oh, Gaz, a teapot!

Doesn't really have much going for it. It's a bit bland, isn't it?

Never mind, Gaz. You've still got 50 minutes to find another one.

Meanwhile, the Blues are going upmarket.

They've seen another vase, and this one has even got a bottom in it.

-Nice but modern.

-The lady said it was modern Murano.

-Yes.

And she said, is it 30?

I think it's OK at that, but don't forget, we've just bought...

-Yes, we have.

-..something of similar value, of similar safety.

-I think it's all right at that money.

-It's nice, though, isn't it?

-But I think...

-We'll bear it in mind.

-Let's go for something more adventurous this time.

-OK.

Meanwhile, the teapot trail is getting warmer.

-Oh, guys, come and have a look at this.

-Oh, what's he found?

-Come on, let's have a look.

-I think this looks quite good.

-Tea set.

-Coffee?

-Close.

-Coffee service, it's a little coffee service.

-What do you reckon, Gaz?

-I like it, Jim.

-1930s. Is it all complete?

We want six cups, six saucers.

-I think it is, yeah.

-Only got four spoons.

We've only got four spoons, OK. So that's acceptable, I suppose.

-We can put different spoons in.

-Yes.

-And is it all perfect?

-I think so.

-Have you checked?

-Looks good to me.

Check with your fingers as well as your eyes.

I'm sure your eyes are very good,

but your fingers often tell you more.

-I think that looks in pretty good nick.

-It's an original box.

So have you got any idea where it might be from?

There's no markings on it at all.

I would think it's made in one of the Staffordshire potteries. 1930s.

Um, and it is what it is.

I think it was probably given as a wedding present,

kept in its box, never used.

Maybe the tea...the coffee spoons were used,

hence two have gone missing.

-But I think it is as it is. It's in great condition.

-Yeah.

But the major million-dollar question, what's the price?

-£20 on the box.

-£20?

-£20. Seems cheap.

That looks like a bargain to me. Let's go for it.

-Well, shall I go see if I can find out the price?

-If you could.

-See if we can get it a bit better?

-That'd be great.

-OK, wait there.

Back with the Blues,

Lorraine has found something that's caught her eye.

-Oh, they're not heavy at all.

-No.

-I really like those.

Now, what will Jean think of them?

All right, look at the face!

-SHE LAUGHS I told you.

-What's this for?

-Come on, use your imagination.

-They look like bowls.

-Just think...

-Oh, dear.

-SHE LAUGHS

-We have different taste.

-Very different taste.

And I know instinctively yes or no, and I have to...

not say anything if she really likes it.

How about a nice bit of nude statuary?

Seen his bum?

-No, not yet.

-Yes!

Focus now, girls.

-What was the sort of best price on that?

-750 each.

-£7.50? That's really good!

-We've got a joker!

-THEY LAUGH

-No, £750, darling.

Hey, sorry, Jean. Those chaps are way out of your league.

Back with the Reds, Caroline's got a price for the coffee set,

and I think it could be a saucer inspiration.

Right, Gaz, Jiminy.

-Yes?

-Best price?

-THEY LAUGH

-£15.

-Well, I think we should go for it.

-Is that OK?

-You reckon, Gaz?

-I'd definitely go for that.

-It's for nothing!

We'll make a windfall on that.

Yeah, must have cost almost that years ago.

-That's cheap. OK?

-It's a deal.

-Brilliant, first one in the bag.

-Yes!

-Let's go.

-Come on.

Well done, Reds. That's one down and you're 15 minutes in.

Now, how can we get those Blues to agree on something?

Jean likes twee and Lorraine goes for tat. So how about a tazza?

-That's quite nice.

-That's very pretty, isn't it?

-Yeah.

What it actually is, it's 19th-century.

It's a composition of a variety of materials there.

Nicely sort of cast with that central area

that's been silvered over a copper base.

You've got the brass that's been engine-turned as well.

But one of the things that is interesting on there, you have

actually got the manufacturer's mark just etched around there.

It's not one of the premium names.

If it was something like Barbadian, you'd be then talking £200-300.

Again, it's going to come down to...

What sort of money are you looking for on this?

-£25.

-£25?

-Yes.

-Tempting.

-It is tempting.

Lowest, lowest, lowest price, please. We're struggling.

£23.

-£23, right.

-Just like my age!

Dream on, Colin.

-I really like it.

-It's attractive. I'd like it for £20.

Have it for £20 in cash.

-THEY LAUGH

-£20 cash?

-Yep.

-Thank you.

The Blues have their second item, a tazza -

a tasty little serving dish from the Victorian dinner table.

-What have you seen down here?

-Just to look at these plates.

The boys are giving Caroline plenty of food for thought.

-£120.

-I think that's a lot of money as well.

-Steep, is it?

-Yeah, shall we move on?

-Yeah, let's move on.

Those guys were just going on about teapots the whole time,

which slightly concerned me. And it's quite difficult if you're being

so specific, to find that thing.

We nearly found a really nice tea service, but it was missing

a jug or something, so we didn't get that.

So I've managed to steer them away from teapots, really,

which I think is just as well!

Mm, what's she going to steer them on to?

Oh, we've got Tim Wonnacott over here.

-I can put it on for you, if you want.

-Shakes up the cocktail.

Oh, yeah, very funny. Now, come on, Focus, guys.

Oh, what about some china cats. Look at these.

-I really don't like the idea of that, Caroline.

-Why not?

-What's the matter?

-They freak me out.

-Why?

They always look as if they're looking at you. I don't like it.

-They're horrible.

-Are they?

-I don't see why anyone would want to buy one.

-Oh, dear, OK.

-So no china cats?

-No china cats ever.

-Right, come on, then. Down here.

-OK.

Maybe Caroline can appeal to Jamie's expertise in carpentry.

I wooden rule it out!

Ah, now here's a bit of wood.

-That's a nice box, isn't it?

-I like that.

-Yes, so you know your wood.

Well, yes, it's a bit of walnut, I think, by the look of it.

-Yes, it's a nice bit of walnut.

-Have a look in there?

-Yeah.

-What's it for?

-It's for bottles.

-Bottle case.

Yeah, but the bottles, the decanters are missing.

That's a really good quality box with some beautiful burr walnut,

brass bound, lovely recessed...

-It looks really quality.

-..handle.

It is quality, and I'll show you what makes it quality.

Can you see what it says there? Bramah, London.

-That's the make of the lock which is a very, very good lock.

-OK, yeah.

Which tells you that that's a quality thing

and it's probably held some quality booze in its time.

But that's a nice thing. It's...

The bottles aren't there, which is a problem.

-But it could get used again, couldn't it?

-Yes, it could.

And then we can see here, it's just got water damage here, which has

slightly lifted that veneer, that's all.

You can fix that, can't you?

Yeah, I could polish that up.

-Are we allowed to do that?

-No!

-Shall I ask the price?

-Yeah, let's ask the price.

-Hello. How much?

-£100.

-£100. How old is it?

-I would say that's mid-Victorian, 1840, 1850.

-That's quite old then.

-Oh, yeah. It's got some age.

-Do you reckon that could make anything?

-I think it's all the money at £100. It needs to be...

-About £50.

-I didn't say that. I didn't say that!

-No?

-Yes, £90 would be the very best.

-£90 would be the best?

I'm sure it will do well at auction. It's a nice quality item, isn't it?

-You're quite a good salesman. How about £80?

-£85.

-£85?

-Coming back at you!

-Shall we have a think about it?

-Yeah, OK. That's fine.

-Thank you, bye.

-Thanks very much. Cheers.

Meanwhile, I've been doing my own browsing

through Builth Wells's bottom drawers,

and I've found something pretty interesting.

Don't you wish sometimes that some of these objects could speak to you?

I wish this flagon could.

Because we've got something here that is seriously strange.

On the face of it, this is a dead bog standard object.

Bog being the correct word.

Because the material used in the construction of this flagon

is stoneware.

And what else was stoneware principally used for?

The construction of lavatories and drainage pipes.

That's the weird thing about it

because here we've got a dead bog standard pot

that's been taken to a Chester silversmith in 1904

and has been embellished with solid silver mounts.

So this crescent here is hallmarked, Chester 1904.

It's got a monogram here that says AW.

And running round the border, is a solid silver rim.

And inside that, is a cork stopper with the silver finial

connected to a chain so it doesn't get lost, all in solid silver.

Isn't that extraordinary?

You've taken a bog standard product, the ceramic,

and you've enhanced it with a top-flight edition.

All this solid silver especially crafted particularly

to fit this pot, which I think is a seriously weird thing to do.

Nevertheless, it's arrived here, in Builth Wells,

100 plus years later

and is available for you or me to buy.

Now, we know that the standard one without silver mounts is worth £40.

What does all this exquisite silver do to enhance that value?

In my view, it should take it to a level of between £150 and £200.

What would it cost you here, down the road, in Builth Wells?

You could buy it for £65.

Now that is what I call a jolly nice Welsh bargain.

Back on the bargain trail, the boys have their eyes on some silver.

-What have you found?

-Well, that's nice.

-It's a ice bucket, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-If you turn it over... Yes?

And look at these marks, they're very much like silver marks.

-So to the untrained eye...

-I see, tricks it.

You just glance at that. Yeah, electroplated nickel silver.

I mean, I do want to make a bit of money in this.

-HE LAUGHS

-Well, I would put that down.

Lucky they've got Caroline with them. That's all I can say.

Yeah, so what do you think this is, then?

-I haven't got a clue, to be honest.

-It's an Edwardian cake stand.

Can you imagine it with a big three, five-tier Edwardian wedding cake?

-Has it got value in it?

-I don't know.

It's a very limited market, isn't it?

-And most people only get married once.

-Yeah.

-Or twice.

-Three or four times.

-Maybe three or four times, OK.

Come on, let's go.

-Shall we go down this?

-Yes.

Keep looking, guys!

Now, that's a nice, framed mirror.

How much is your mirror, please?

It's £225. But...

There is movement, if you're interested.

-What sort of age is it? It's a modern one.

-It's 1985.

-But it's a really good quality.

-It is gorgeous.

-It is very nice.

You see we've got the daffodils here,

which is pretty good in Wales, isn't it?

-It's a lovely mirror as well.

-It's a nice thing.

But it's a modern, so that's the problem.

I've got no problem with modern if people will buy it as well.

It's a lovely thing. What is your absolute death on this?

-To give you a chance?

-Yeah, we need a chance.

-We need a fighting chance.

Well, it's on at £225, I said £150.

It's too much.

I think even at £150, it's too much. Would you take...?

I know you've reduced it and awful lot to help us.

-Would you do it at £120?

-No, it cost more than that.

-Right. OK.

-She really likes it, doesn't she?

-Yeah, I love it! Do you like it?

-Yeah, it's lovely.

-I just think it's too expensive, and that's the thing.

-We've got to go with you on that.

-We'll put it on the backburner.

The Blues have one item left to buy

and Colin wants to make it a blockbuster.

The purchases we've made have been OK,

but they really haven't grabbed me.

But at least we've got two in the bank now

and we've still got a lot of money left in the budget.

So let's just fingers crossed there's going to be something there

that we can just blow some big money

and have some excitement and go out on a high.

I like your ambition, Colin,

but I don't think the girls are thinking the same way.

That's unusual, that one with the little handles at the back as well.

That chair. Unusual, isn't it?

Interesting chair, standard spindle-back chair.

Um, nice with these extra wings on the there.

But it's been re-polished, it's been re-rushed as well.

So the colouring isn't brilliant on it. But it's all right,

it's nice and mellow.

But overall, the turnings are good on it, it's a solid chair.

And I think priced at tens rather than hundreds,

I think you've got a chance with this.

Cool.

With ten minutes to go, the Reds still have two items to buy.

Time for some serious reflection.

Right, the frame's up here, isn't it, on the left?

So shall we go and buy the frame?

-We're going to do be a bit serious...

-A bit sharpish, yes.

..and a bit sharp.

-No worries.

-Come on, let's move a bit faster.

-Hello.

-Hello!

-Can...

-We've been thinking. We've all been thinking.

-OK.

And we would love to buy your mirror,

and please don't be offended,

but would you take £130 and we shall...

be almost happy.

-Well, if you're not almost happy...

-We will, we will be really happy.

To give you a chance, you should do well with it.

-Ah, what a man!

-Thank you!

-Good man.

OK, that's two down.

Now they have to decide between the chairs and the walnut box.

-Only one thing for it.

-OK, heads for the box, tails for the thrones.

OK, let's go.

Heads it is, it's the box. Done deal.

Well, that's one way to make a decision.

-So the coin has spoken?

-It certainly has.

-And what about your expert?

-Um, you're about to speak.

-HE LAUGHS

-OK!

No, let the coin speak louder than me.

So £85 is absolutely...

Yes, that would be the best price, I'm afraid. Yes.

£85? Let's go for it.

-OK, it's a deal? Brilliant.

-Deal.

-Thank you.

That's three items for the Reds. They're sorted.

Blues, you've only got two minutes left on the clock.

I think you need to do a deal on that chair.

It was starting at £55, wasn't it? And before any negotiations.

So see what you can do.

Well, bearing in mind you know we're on a budget and...

I could stretch to £40.

It started at £55.

What would you...?

What would you suggest for us, then?

Because it's wobbly, look.

I'll shave ten off, £45.

-It's sort of feels a bit more comfortable at £40, it does.

-I...

SHE LAUGHS

It just has that sort of £40 feel about it.

Yeah, £40 would be fantastic, and then we'll get out of your hair.

-Go on then.

-Thank you!

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you so much.

I just can't bear it! Time's up.

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

They got a cracking deal on a 1930s coffee set for £15.

They took time to reflect before paying £130

for a silver-framed mirror.

And finally, they closed the deal on a walnut box for £85.

-So, boys, was it good enough for you?

-I think so.

-How much do you spend all round?

-£230.

-Was it?

-£230, Gaz?

-230.

-I'd like £70 of leftover lolly, please.

Certainly can.

-Which is your favourite piece, Gaz?

-I really like the silver mirror.

-The silver mirror, do you agree with that?

-No.

-OK, what's your favourite.

-I like the coffee service.

OK, which is going to bring the biggest profit?

-Coffee service.

-I agree.

-At least five pounds on that, I think.

-That's in the bank, that is.

I should think this has been quite a hard run for you, hasn't it?

It's been interesting, Tim.

-HE LAUGHS

-Interesting! Thank you.

Good word, interesting. OK, girl. What are you going to spend that on?

I've got some ideas, I've seen some things.

Um, but I'm not going to be swayed by you two guys.

-No, be firm, be strong.

-I am.

-Walk tall!

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

They bought a bottomless vase, for which they paid a whole £35.

They got into a tizzy over a tazza for £20.

And they hope to be sitting pretty with a chair for £40.

-So girls, no wow factor?

-Not today, not really, was there?

Apart from being with Colin.

-Oh, fabulous, of course, that goes without saying, doesn't it?

-It does.

Now Jean, which is your favourite piece?

Um, I think I like the chair that we bought

cos it's a bit different to what we've seen before.

-OK, your chair, Lorraine?

-Something called a tazza.

-Oh, yes.

Which is pretty, didn't know what it was, I haven't seen one before.

-So it's got to be my favourite thing.

-OK, that's your favourite.

-Is it going to bring the biggest profit, your tazza?

-I hope so.

Do you? Do you vote for the tazza, Jean?

No, I'm wondering if the cloisonne vase that we bought

-might get a larger profit than that one.

-Really?

-God, you're all over the shop, you girls.

-Oh, definitely.

-Definitely.

-And how much did you spend, all told?

-Only £95.

-£95. Gosh!

-Not big spenders.

-Certainly not. Cheap to take out?

-Yes.

£205 of leftover lolly, please. 205. Thank you.

There you go, there's a 200 and there's the five.

-You don't like passing this over, do you, Jean?

-No.

-No, you don't.

-Colin Young, you like taking it, don't you?

-Oh, yes.

-Oh, yes!

I enjoy spending it as well.

Well, you can buy most of the fair with £205,

so how is your selection going to be whittled down, do you reckon?

I'm going to find something really high in price and then see

if it will come into budget,

and work backwards, really,

from a high price rather than a starting point.

So this sounds like a top-quality top-haul buy to me.

Either that or just blooming expensive.

-THEY LAUGH

-Well, we'll see, Col.

Thank you very much.

Meanwhile, why don't we just head off to the auction?

Well, how lovely is this?

Cosying up with Jeremy Lamond at Halls saleroom,

their brand-new saleroom in Shrewsbury. Lovely to see you, J.

Welcome, Tim.

And for our Red team,

their first item up is this coffee set in a box, ready to go.

Well, it's pretty 1920s Art Deco style.

Coffee set and box, fairly anonymous. No makers name.

-How much?

-Um, we think £20-£30.

£20 to £30 is the right estimate because we only paid £15.

Now, Gaz went with the next one,

which is the silver-encrusted toilet mirror.

Which is making a...

good fist of being Art Nouveau, although it isn't.

-Yeah, it's got the daffodils, hasn't it?

-It's got it. 1985, though.

So it looks the part and hardly anybody is going to check

that it isn't the part.

So I think it's quite a good, stylish thing at £40 to £60.

-Is that all? £40 to £60.

-Hmm.

-Might make £50 to £80, mightn't it?

-Might do.

-Might get £100 on a good day.

-Will it make £130?

Possibly not. TIM LAUGHS

OK, the last item is this very fine walnut decanter box,

lacking decanters.

Yeah, lacking a bit of veneer at the back as well.

So this has, will have to be re-veneered

so that sort of does for it a little bit.

Although the walnut figure is wonderful.

-How much? Stand by.

-£30 to £50.

OK, £85 paid, so a tad too much for that.

Too much for the decanter box,

too much for the strut silver-encrusted mirror

equals they will need their bonus buy quite badly.

-Now, you gave Caroline £70 of leftover lolly.

-We did.

Her lovely moment, and she's gone out and bought something.

-Show us what you bought, Caroline, please.

-Is it?

-Oh, yes, Caroline!

-Ah, it is a teapot!

-That's what we wanted.

-You did, didn't you?

-We did, yeah.

-It's Wedgwood, Fallow Deer pattern.

At one time, these used to sell really, really well.

It's all coming back now with the sort of cupcakes,

tea party themes that people have.

There's a couple of problems with it.

It's got a crack on the handle, can you see? Here.

And the lid has been restored.

-OK.

-But beautifully.

But beautifully. And it's altogether a very decorative thing.

-So are you happy now?

-I think it's a done deal, really.

-I think these two chaps are easily pleased.

-Oh, I'm so pleased!

And presumably, Caroline spent the whole £70. Did you?

How much do you think I spent?

I think it's probably worth 70 quid anyway.

-I'd pay God knows how much for that.

-Oh, oh!

-I love a teapot.

-Right, OK. No, I didn't spend £70.

-OK.

-Did you spend £50?

-I didn't spend £50.

-Did you spend £30?

-No, I didn't spend £30, Tim.

Did you spend £20?

-No, I spent the grand total of eight pounds.

-Oh, God!

-There we go, look at that.

-We like it a lot at the moment, Caroline.

-Well done.

-Good.

-Just think about that beautiful teapot.

Let it completely consume all your thoughts until the auction.

Because right now, for the audience at home,

let's check out what the auctioneer thinks about Caroline's pot.

OK, J, one lump or two?

Um, without, thank you. I will...

-..say that this is a nice teapot.

-Blue and white.

And Wedgwood are good at nice teapots.

But this is a nice teapot, again, with a restored cover.

-So five to ten pounds.

-Exactly.

And Hawley paid eight pounds for it.

Which she rates it at and, if you can get eight pounds plus,

you have done extremely well.

Anyway, that's it for the Reds.

Now for the Blues. For a kick-off,

it's the Chinese cloisonne and bronze vase.

Sans derriere.

This is flavour of the month, of course.

Chinese artefacts are being brought back by the Chinese.

Although this was made for the tourists.

Um, what's special about that is the enamel's in good condition,

-isn't it?

-It is.

-OK, well, the team found it and they paid £35 for it.

-That's the right price, isn't it?

-Yeah, it's probably bang on.

He might get that back at auction as well, but possibly not much more

-unless the Far East gets involved on the internet.

-Well, we live in hope.

OK, now moving on to the little tazza.

Little French object from the late 19th, early 20th century.

-It couldn't be more different from the Chinese genre.

-Not really.

Could you? It's going to look nice with...

-..petit fours on it or something like that.

-Nuts.

-Nuts.

-OK, how much?

-Um...

-£20 to £30.

-£20 is what they paid, actually.

Right, they'll get out of that.

And what about this rush seat spindle-back armchair?

Well, it's a nice bit of ash, isn't it?

You've got your wool-winding ears.

Is that what they're called, those projections?

So you can sit there and wind your wool in front of your spinning wheel

on your rush seat.

With your spindle back.

And it would have been made not in an ancient time,

it would be a reproduction, I guess.

I think it's early 20th century and it gives you the look,

and people are looking for the look, and this will provide it.

So it will be all right.

How expensive will the look be, do you think?

-It's probably £30 to £40 to sit down.

-OK, £40 paid.

So, I think this team have paid pretty well the right price

for pretty well everything,

and they're not going to need their bonus buy.

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

-Now girls, this is fun, isn't it?

-Absolutely.

What has Colin Young found for our edification,

amusement and hopefully financial recompense?

Colin, you had £205, old boy. What did you spend it on?

Well, as I said on the day, it's a case of finding something

that's going to be very expensive and get down to our price.

-So I did exactly that and spent the whole £205.

-Did you really?

-Whoo!

So the question is what did I spend it on?

That doesn't look like £205 under there, does it?

-You don't know what's under there.

-Jean!

-How does that grab you?

Obviously not as well as it would grab your asparagus then, obviously.

-Asparagus servers.

-OK. Asparagus servers!

-1874, Victorian silver.

-George Adams.

-Specialist, specialist thing.

-It is specialist, yeah.

They are a good pairing. There is also a crest on the end of the bow.

-So yeah, they've come from... They've come from a good place.

-Oh!

-Is there a screw loose?

-Um, have you got a screw loose, Colin?

-There is a screw loose.

-Damaged goods.

The thing has a natural spring to it in the bend of the metal.

And just to stop it going too far,

you've got this little bar here,

which does have a screw missing on the top.

But that's nothing to get that replaced.

So right now, for the audience at home,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about

Colin's asparagus tongs.

-There you go, Jeremy.

-There we are.

-Something rather special for you.

Nice bit of silver.

-Weighty.

-These always seem to be catalogued as asparagus servers.

Now, I'm being a bearer of little brain

because I'd rather use that for my bit of cake.

-Exactly.

-What about you?

Well, bread and butter, all those things that were served

traditionally in Victorian tea parties needed handling.

Um, and the Mary Berry of the moment would have had

-the correct accoutrement to do it.

-Yes, I think so.

But we may never know what the Victorians used them for.

That's true.

OK, well, if you called it a cake picker-upper,

what's it worth to you?

Well, I think it's a nice bit of Victorian silver anyway.

As an art object. So £80 to £120, I would say.

-I have to tell you, though, Colin has paid £205 for this.

-Really?

And he rates it. He think he's going to make money on that.

Yeah, I know. He might be right.

-You've got some silver in today's sale?

-Hmm, we have.

You have. Oh, good. Well, we might be all right. Thanks, J.

Tea caddy, there it is. £15 start me, 15. Where's 15 for it? £15.

15, 15 I'll take for it. 18 there.

-OK, Gaz, Jamie. This is exciting, isn't it?

-Very.

We're on the edge of a cliff. Look at all these people in the salon.

-All year to buy your lots.

-Let's hope so.

-Exactly.

Now, the first lot up is the coffee set, and here it comes.

OK, 144, the 12-piece coffee set,

1930s one. There it is.

In a case for you, lot 144.

What about that? £15 for it,

bid me 15.

£15 for the coffee set.

£15. Tenner? Ten pounds for the coffee set.

-No!

-This is what we get!

Ten I've got on the internet.

This is the place to come and buy.

Ten pounds, who will go 12?

At ten pounds only,

it's selling at ten pounds...

and going.

Gone.

Yes, that's minus five pounds.

-Well, they've got a bargain.

-That's our only hope.

145, the Art Nouveau style dressing table mirror.

-That one there...

-This is going to be a bloodbath.

At £50 it is to start, at £50.

Where's five? At £50.

Five now, left at 55.

At 55, 60 on the internet. At £60.

Come on, surely!

Five, 65 in the room. At £65. 65, 70.

-Daffodils.

-It's gorgeous.

£70, it's on the internet.

There must be a Welshman here.

From Italy, five. 75 now.

At £75, it's with you.

Against you, internet, at £75.

All finished then? £75.

God, that's cheap enough, isn't it?

At £75, £80 now.

At £80, 80.

At £80 then.

At £80, it's an internet bid from Italy. £80 and selling...

£80 is minus £50, I don't understand that.

We were expecting less than that. So quite happy with that, really.

And lot 146, the brass-mounted burr walnut decanter box, 146.

£50 to start it here, I've got

at £50. At 50, where's five?

At £50 it is, £50. I'm selling it

at £50. Anybody else at £50?

50 and going at £50...

So that £50 is minus £35.

That is minus £90.

What about the bonus buy? Are you going with the teapot?

-We were always going to take it.

-Got to for eight pounds.

-Caroline's done amazing for us.

-She has done amazingly.

OK, fine, we're going with the teapot.

His estimate is five to ten pounds. You paid eight pounds, Caroline.

Everybody knows about the restoration and whatnot.

And here it comes.

Here's the Wedgwood Fallow Deer pattern blue and white pot and cover.

Teapot and cover, £5 for it,

bid me a fiver.

Five pounds for it. Five pounds!

Here's a bid on the internet

at five pounds only.

Who has got six?

A fiver, at five pounds.

And I'm going to sell it then.

Six! Six pounds in the room.

Come on, make a profit.

That's six pounds.

You're in at six pounds.

Who's going to make it eight?

Ten on the internet.

-Yes!

-It's a profit!

At ten, Internet bid.

I'll take 12! If you like.

£12.

At £12 against the internet. At £12.

-Saved the day there.

-You know your onions.

And selling it for £12...

£12 is plus four pounds.

Hurrah!

She was right! Anyway,

that makes your overall score

minus £86,

which is a bit of a bloodbath.

It might be a winning score, so say not a jot to the Blues, OK?

-OK, not a jot.

-OK, thank you very much. Good fun.

A lot of fun, yeah.

Now, when was the last time you went to an auction, Jean?

I've never been to an auction before.

You have never been to an auction in your life?

-No, I haven't so this is a first.

-What about you, Lorraine?

We saved ourselves for you. What can I say? Ignore me.

-You've never been to an auction?

-No.

-What's going on here?

Anyway, first up is the Chinese pot. Here it comes.

Bronze and cloisonne vase, here is lot 166. So what about that?

Bid me £20 for it to start, £20.

20, where's £20 for it? Lot 166.

Chinese vase at £20, at 20.

Here's a bid in the room now, £20.

Who's got two, at £20? At 20?

At £20, 22. 25.

28, yes? 28.

£28 left then, at £28,

-it's in the room.

-Internet bid.

At £28, all done at £28?

I don't believe this, girls.

This is so cheap!

£28! £28 is a minus seven pounds.

Colin, there is no justice in life.

That's the first estimate torpedoed.

-The tazza's on.

-Now, the tazza.

It is impressed Oudry et Cie,

a good firm there.

So that's around the bottom of the

tazza. £20 for it. What about that?

£20. Where's 20?

Doesn't seem to make much difference

to the bidding interest!

They might not buy it.

It adds interest, but clearly not adds value.

15 is bid at £15, 15, I'll take £18?

At £15 I've got, at 15.

It's in the room, the bid.

It's with you, sir.

The bargain of the day at £15, all done?

-£15?

-That's more tat than tazza!

-No!

-More tat than tazza.

They've got no taste.

Minus five pounds for that, so another estimate torpedoed.

Here comes your...

Spindle-back wing armchair, there it is. At £20 then.

£20, start me at £20 for it.

Lot 168 at £20. Who's got 20?

£20, Lot 168 at 20.

Even I've got 20 quid for that!

It's worth more, it's worth more for comfort value.

-SHE TUTS

-Worth more than that for kindling.

Where is 18? At £15 it is.

At 15, it's with you then,

at £15 and selling it.

Middle of the room at 15.

That is minus £25.

So that is minus £37.

That is a minus score for each of the items that we predicted

from the auction's estimates that you were going to get a plus.

-So that's not too hot.

-OK.

-We're consistent.

-OK, children.

Now, what are we going to do about the asparagus servers?

Because minus 37 could be a winning score.

You can park the asparagus servers.

You don't have to pick up anything with those servers. Or you can

-risk it for a biscuit. What do you fancy?

-I think we should cut.

-Quit while we're not ahead.

-I think.

-You're going to...

-What do you think?

-Yeah, I'll go with you.

-Sorry.

No, that's fine. It's all about winning.

-We need to win.

-Thanks.

-We do need to win. OK, fine.

That's it then, you're parking.

You haven't gone with them, and here they come.

OK, the Peer silver asparagus servers.

There they are, the Victorian ones there.

Lot 172 and I am bid already.

22, 25, £30.

At 30, at 30. Yes?

That's a long way to go, isn't it?

45, 50.

£55, commission is out, 55. 60.

60 now, at £60.

Totally know their onions.

Just not their asparagus.

That's £60 now.

Selling at £60, with the hand.

Colin, I could weep.

-Oh, my God!

-£60, that is AMAZING.

-We're in good company at least.

-Minus £145.

OK, is this a bloodbath. Clearly.

We should apply bandages and tourniquets.

-We didn't go with that, did we?

-You didn't, darling.

So you have parked your losses at minus £37,

which could be a winning score.

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

-Absolutely.

-OK, girls. You've been so brave, I'm proud of you.

-Thank you!

Well, what fun we've had today. You've been chatting, you lot?

-We have, yeah.

-You have? What, about the score?

-No, no.

Well, it's no secret that nobody's going home

with any folding money today.

It's just a question of losses, losses, losses really.

And the team with the largest losses, by £49,

just happen to be the Reds.

-Oh!

-Look at that.

-Yeah!

-Well, we wanted them to win.

Well, there you go.

Your losses totalled £90, and then along came Caroline

with a brilliant four-pound profit on a bonus buy.

-I know, we were all stunned.

-Which means you are minus £86.

-You had a nice time, Gaz?

-I had a great time.

-Great, Jamie?

-It's been lovely.

Yes? Well, it's been cracking meeting you, anyway,

and I'm glad you had a good time.

You've been so brave about it all and so decent, despite it all.

But the winners today, who managed to go home with minus £37...

Well done, Jean. Well done, Lorraine.

-Very, very nice to see.

-An achievement, isn't it?

It is an achievement.

In today's market, in this saleroom, you have done incredibly well.

And I admire you for it.

It's all in the red, though, and you managed to avoid the bonus buy,

which was cunning, which means you are minus £37.

-Now, have you had a nice time, Jean?

-Fantastic time.

-Lorraine, been good for you?

-Brilliant.

-Yeah, we've loved it.

Thank you so much for coming. In fact, it's been such fun.

Why don't you join us soon for some more bargain hunting, yes? Yes!