Wetherby 16 Bargain Hunt

The history of Wetherby goes all the way back to the 13th century,

when King Henry III gave this land to the Knights Templar.

You can see their emblem on their coat of arms.

At the same time,

King Henry also granted the right to have a market here.

So, by my reckoning, for nigh-on 800 years, people have been

shopping here for bargains.

So, by order of the king, let's go bargain hunting! Yeah!

Today's battle royal happens here at the Wetherby Racecourse.

So let's check the form and take a bird's eye at the runners, what!

Coming up, we find out who rules the roost with the Reds.

I'm going to be impulsive, we're going to get this.

We're going for this at 35.

You and I have very much cameo roles. OK?

And this action over at the auction when the Blues hit fever pitch.

Go on!

Eh! Oh!

Let's meet the teams.

On the Red team today, we have daughter and father

Kerry and Mick for the Reds.

And for the Blues we have friends Claire and Denise. Hello, everyone.

Hello!

Now, Kerry, you have an extremely time-consuming and responsible job

and you're a busy mother,

-and you like getting into creative arts and crafts projects.

-Yes.

-I like taking things apart and making them into new things.

-Do you?

-Yes.

-Like what?

-Like clock parts.

The inside of clocks are so beautiful and nobody ever gets

to see them, so I take them apart and put them into pictures.

It's kind of recycling and improving. How very interesting.

-Was she always like this as a child, Mick?

-Yes.

-Always investigating objects?

-There is many a time I've lost my watch.

-Absolutely! And you find it recycled into a picture.

-Yes, on a wall.

Which must be really handy, actually.

-Now, Mick, you've been a policeman for 30 years.

-That's right.

-Tell us about your career.

-I've done virtually everything in the police.

I were a beat officer, I were a community officer, CID.

And I finished my career in the police force

in the intelligence department.

Very good. What are your tactics going to be, dream team?

-I'm going to be quick and decisive.

-Are you?

-Yes.

-And what about you, Mick?

-I'm going to do as I'm told.

-I suggest she makes her mind up.

-It works.

-Does it?

This is going to be some chemistry for us.

We're looking forward to it.

-Anyway, good luck. Now, Blues.

-Hello.

-How did you two girls meet?

-It was on an internet dating site.

-What it?

-It was.

-Oh, Lordy!

-I know.

-How very modern.

How very modern. Well, I haven't been on the market for years

so I'm rather behind the speed on this.

Anyway, Denise, it says here you are an incredibly keen sportswoman

and at the peak of fitness. Is that right?

I wouldn't go to the peak of fitness

-but I do try to maintain a fitness level.

-What's your sport?

I do like swimming and I do like badminton.

I go ten pin bowling and things like that.

-But I used to play women's football for a long time.

-Were you a forward?

I started off, and as I got older I went backwards

and went to midfield and then defence,

then finally, bring out the oranges.

-OK, now, Claire, it says here you've got a career in rock.

-Yes.

So, are you a singer, a musician? What are you?

Much more glamorous than that. I'm an engineering geologist.

-Oh, ha-ha.

-Ha-ha!

-Right, it says rock. You're a geologist.

-How lovely is that?

-Well, yes.

-How did you get into that, then?

I have a degree in geology and I like playing with soil and rock,

-and getting my hands dirty.

-Have you got your own hammer?

-Yes.

Oh, I'd love one of those hammers.

So, you find a nice lump of rock, you approach it with a hammer

-and you give it a tap.

-Yes.

And then hopefully it falls apart and inside

you get dinosaur's poo or something like that.

And every bit of fossilised dinosaur's poo I've ever seen

makes about five grand.

Yet, if we could find some dinosaur poo today, that would be good.

Wouldn't it just? What is your kind of plan today? Have you got a plan?

-Yes, we're going to spend it all.

-Spend as much as we can.

I like the sound of that. Anyway, time for the cash.

£300 apiece. There's your £300.

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

And very, very good luck.

Dinosaur poo, eh? My favourite.

And of course, our two terrific teams need two prestigious professionals.

Philip Serrell is hoping to play a blinder for the Reds.

And boxing clever for the blues is Anita Manning.

-Is there a plan?

-Oh... The plan is to get something that we like.

I was really smart, I asked the lady first.

If you'd asked me I'd have said ask Kerry because...

-What a tactician! How can we fail? Come on.

-She's in charge.

Well, I'd like a nice piece of glassware, I think.

Something big and showy.

I like globes, so anything woody and globey, kind of thing.

I quite like Art Deco, Victorian, kitchen things.

I want something practical. You know, something useful.

Never mind, Kerry - you'll have to make do with Philip.

You're under starter's orders and your time...starts...now!

Straight away, the Blues have taken a shine to some silverware.

Oh, that's quite different, that little pincushion there.

-The wee elephant one?

-Yeah...

Oh, there's 100 on that. We'll leave that.

Oh! ANITA LAUGHS

I thought you wanted to spend, spend, spend!

From tiny elephants to big money -

Philip has found an oversized medallion

with special historic value.

-Excuse me.

-Yeah?

-How much is your death penny?

I've got 85 on it.

-Right.

-Ah, yes.

These are... These are called death pennies, right?

And...they're interesting things.

-If you look there, it's got "ECP".

-Yeah?

And there was a competition to design these

-and I think that's Edward Carter Preston, who was the designer.

-Right.

And these were made at Woolwich.

And what's really interesting about these, it says here... You've got...

Down here, you've got the German eagle

and he's being overcome by the lion.

That's the name of the guy who died.

-Right.

-They produced thousands of these and it says,

"He died for freedom and honour."

These used to be worth 30 or 40 quid.

But it's 1914, it's 2014. You know, I think these are...

For me, these are massively poignant things.

-Yeah, I agree.

-I think they're lovely.

The trick, right, is to find out what John Easom did.

-A bit of research?

-Yeah.

-Excuse me, my love.

-Yeah, no bother.

-Have you done any research on this man?

-I have.

-You have?

There's a little bit there but I've got a proper printout...

This is getting more and more interesting.

I'm going to have to put my glasses on to read this.

-There you are.

-"John Epsom." He were born in 1888. 27.

He were a private in 1915.

Oh, he was born in Yorkshire. That's good.

-Yeah.

-Date of death, 1st of May, 1915.

And he were killed in action.

I think that's a lovely thing. I think that's really, really poignant.

-I do as well.

-I think, at auction, it's £50 to £80 worth.

So you need to talk to this lady and see what she can do.

-50 to 80 is what I think.

-I've got 85, I'll do £70.

-You can do 70?

-I'll have to ask my...

Will you consult with your partner?

That is £20 more than I told you

I thought the least it can make at auction.

Yeah, we'll do 70 on it.

-KERRY:

-I think it's worth the risk.

This year, something that we really wanted.

-You'd better get the money out.

-Yeah? Fantastic.

-Go on, then.

Thank you very much indeed. Thank you.

-I'll leave you to pay!

-Thank you.

Well, that was decisive.

Just five minutes in and the Reds have their first item.

Look at that fabulous sporran.

-Ha!

-That's for wearing in the winter.

THEY LAUGH

Steady!

I really like this. It's got social, it's got some militaria.

What sells well in a photograph is a pretty young girl. Not...

Not grumpy old men and severe-looking ladies.

-Love the colouring.

-It's got that sort of, er...

nicotined look!

THEY ALL LAUGH

I don't smoke!

Perhaps been in a smokers' room.

You know, in a gentlemen's club.

It got www.georgefcram.com,

-so it can't be...an old one!

-No.

THEY LAUGH

No.

Move on, Anita - antiques are what we want.

-I like that cos it's practical.

-How much is it?

-Could use that now.

68.

If I was buying that in auction,

I'd only want to pay about £30, £35 at auction for it.

-I reckon you could fit a laptop in there.

-Yeah.

So, you know... And you've got that vintage, trendy look, isn't it?

I think that going to make, um...

on a bad day, 25, 35 quid.

On a good day, it might make 50 to 80.

I'm obviously a cheapskate!

So £68...

I mean, I would think if you could smile at him sweetly

and get it for 50 quid, that would be brilliant

but he would be doing you a real favour if he did that.

£60 is the very best on that.

-Could I have 55?

-No.

-No?

-No movement on that?

-60. No, £60.

The quality of that is absolutely tremendous.

-It's a French postal bag.

-Right.

There's been thousands of French letters in it over its time.

What you could do, if you wanted to,

if this man was going to be really kind you,

and you could ask him to put it by for you for about an hour.

(I think you should.)

No, I think we'll get it. I'll be impulsive.

-We'll get it.

-You're going to be decisive?

-Yeah.

Hellfire!

-Decisive lady. I don't know.

-Thank you very much.

These Reds don't hang about. That's the second item in the bag.

The Blues haven't bought anything yet.

-That mother-of-pearl card case is nice.

-That's pretty, uh-huh.

Can we have a quick look at that, please?

That's nice. It's a little card case and it's...

in good condition.

We've got mother-of-pearl and abalone.

Very often, the mother-of-pearl is missing.

You know, we've got some breaks or damages or losses in it.

-But this one seems to be OK.

-I like that.

-Yeah, we like the idea of natural materials. You're a geologist.

-Yeah.

And these are things that would be naturally found. Is that sort of...

-Yeah.

-It's the type of thing that might push your buttons?

Yeah, definitely. I like that, what do you think?

Well, will that make a difference, cos it's got someone's name on it?

Well, to me, it's not making any difference.

It's adding another dimension to it because I want to think,

-"Who was Mrs Kirkwood?"

-Yeah.

-"Who did she visit?"

-Yeah.

This would have been 1910, 1920, even up to 1930s.

-So she would have been quite a stylish, posh lady.

-Right.

It's up for 85.

How much do you think that would make at auction?

-I would, at auction, probably put it in at 50 to 80.

-Right.

But sometimes I can be a wee bit conservative.

But it depends on the dealer here.

Need to work your magic.

Right. How does 40 sound?

SHE COUGHS

Was that your response?

No, honestly, that's hayfever! Sorry!

THEY LAUGH

-You're a fellow Scot, so...

-I know.

How much is your worst on that?

I'll do it for 60.

Ooh...50?

I knew we were going to meet there.

-I just knew that's where we were going to meet. 50's fine.

-Yeah?

-50's fine, yeah.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

Shaky, shaky, team.

The Blues are off the mark. But the Reds are flying.

We just want the right person to want some kind of laptop bag.

-You want the right two people.

-Two people.

Because if one person's there, he gets it for a tenner.

And, can I say, that is the fun of auctions.

Fun? Fun?! It's giving me ulcers!

Let's go and have a look down here, come on.

This is just an absolute breeze.

We've had about 15 minutes, they've bought two items.

They're really decisive.

This is happy days for Serrell cos I'm just going to really relax now.

I don't have to do a thing!

Now it turns out our Denise is a bit of an expert on paperweights.

Ooh-arr.

I counted up and I have about 62, so...

This girl must be worth a bob or two.

And she's about to enter her idea of heaven.

That will help, that will please you.

-There's a big pile of paperweights there.

-Ooh!

-Caithness Glass. Made in Scotland, of course.

-Yes.

Where they make the most wonderful, wonderful glass.

-Not that you're biased!

-Not that I'm biased.

I like that one... and that one and that one.

Those three are the standout ones for me.

-If you look on the bottom, it will tell you...

-Yeah.

-..what it is.

It's got the serial number of who designed it

and the name that it's been given

and that obviously has got the Scotland mark on it as well.

-And this one is called Fascination.

-Yeah!

And that's called Congratulations,

so maybe we should definitely have that one

to congratulate us on our...

-Success?

-Profit?

-..success and profit.

THEY LAUGH

-Congratulations, Fascination and Sirocco.

-Yeah.

-So...

-Go for that?

-Yeah.

-Yes, I think we should.

OK, how much are they?

18, so that's 36.

And 18. 36, so that's 40... 54.

I think, if we can get them for 30...

-Between £30 and £40.

-Yeah, lovely.

While Anita haggles over the paperweights,

I'm going to show you something first-class

from a previous visit to Wetherby.

What were you doing in April 1969?

If you happened to be watching the television

or hanging around the boundary fence at Filton Aerodrome in Bristol,

you would have seen a magnificent sight -

Concorde, taking off for the first time.

20 of those aircraft were built in total

and the first two, 001 and 002, were prototypes.

002 was the machine that Cochrane and Trubshaw flew that day

and they would have had every known device and gadget on that aeroplane

because nobody really knew how well it was going to fly.

There would have been manuals and paperwork

and dials and testing devices in the prototype,

the like of which you and I would have never seen.

And also on that aeroplane would have been...

this book.

How do I know that? Cos it says here...

Concorde 002 - that's the prototype codename - Emergency Procedures.

The ordinary aircrew manuals,

of which there must have been many, many copies,

make several hundred pounds.

But what would a practically unique,

if not unique emergency procedure manual from the first prototype

be likely to be worth?

To a collector, at least, I would say, £1,000 to £1,500.

What might it cost you, though, at a place like this?

£100.

I feel I'm about take a flight!

And jet off back to the fair.

The Reds have bought two items,

so the Blues have some catching up to do.

What's the news on the paperweights, then, Anita?

You can have three for £38.

-I think that's acceptable.

-Yeah.

-Yeah? Are you happy with that?

-Yeah, that's brilliant.

-That's good and you got the three that you want.

Sirocco, Fascination and...

-Congratulations.

-..Congratulations.

-I feel like Cliff Richard!

-THEY LAUGH

Start singing!

# Congratulations and cele... #

-RECORD SCRATCH

-Perhaps a little premature?

Both teams are down to their last item.

The Reds had an early buying bonanza

but the Blues still have £212 burning a hole in their pockets.

-Let's spend some money.

-You want to go big?

-Yeah.

-Yes!

-Shall we go inside and have a wee look?

-Yes, I think we need to.

Back to the Reds,

who've spotted something childish in their team colours.

-Do you like those?

-I do like those.

-I just think they're a bit of fun, aren't they?

-They need some work.

Well, they do, they do, they do. But they're just...

Aren't they wicked for a child?

What's the best you could do these for?

I'd say 15 and that's taking into consideration

the fact that they are old.

Even the dealer is sporting your colours!

These are made out of plywood.

So I would think they're probably '60s, something like that.

KERRY SIGHS

They need a lot of work doing to them, don't they?

-Could you hang on to them for half an hour for us?

-Absolutely.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-DEALER:

-Best of luck!

Back indoors and the Blues have found

a couple of Victorian vinaigrettes.

These small boxes contained vinegary salts

to mask pungent odours.

Can you smell anything?

No.

Not a whiff of profit anyway, at over £200 each.

-TIM WHISTLES IN AWE

-Anita! Save them, quick!

Oh, girls, they've got lots of sparkly things.

Anita, what you think of these?

-We're looking at these vinaigrette cases.

-Oh, right. OK.

She doesn't look convinced.

A vinaigrette isn't an unusual item.

It's not exactly jewellery, which we were looking for, is it?

GRANGE HILL THEME PLAYS

I tell you what I am looking at...

The Reds have found a piece of practical furniture

from the mid-20th century.

-TIM CHUCKLES

-I remember them well!

Most of my best work was written on one of those...

Not.

I'm looking to see if anybody's put in "I love so-and-so."

-What you really want to see is "Phil woz 'ere."

-Yeah.

-What I'd do with it is I'd put it as a coffee table...

-Yeah.

-..put magazines in here...

-Right.

..and then even the inkwells could have candles in,

so when you're relaxing at night...

Drinks on top for when friends are round.

-It'd make a great coffee table.

-Right.

-Candles in the ink wells?!

-That's what I'd do.

Don't look at me like that - she's your daughter!

Excuse me, sir, how much is your desk?

-Is it the desk on its own?

-Yes.

-Er...45.

And that would be the best you are happy with, profit-wise? Any lower?

Round about 30?

While Kerry haggles with one stallholder,

the Blues opt for a different approach.

Can you point us in a direction? You know how much we've got,

the girls want to spend some money, but they need to leave me something.

They've given the stallholder a budget of £200. Wow!

That, I think, will make a profit at auction.

It's Kigu, which is a good make.

Solid silver, hallmarked on every bit of it. Ladies' compact.

Not exactly wild enthusiasm from the Blues, then.

What's the report on the school desk?

-I think the best price for me would be 35.

-35?

-That's another tenner off for you.

-I like that at 35.

I think we'd better come and do some lines, mate.

"I must not argue with my daughter."

-We're going for this at 35.

-Is that the best, absolute best?

I've already said that we're going for it, now.

-You and I are very much cameo roles, OK?

-Just walk-ons.

Innocent bystanders.

So that's the Reds done and dusted.

Time for the Blues to make up their minds about their final item.

That compact, and quick, please.

Girls, we've got five minutes left. Claire, what about you?

It's not something that I was anticipating buying,

but if it's something that is going to make us a profit...

What would you like? Something more quirky?

Something with a bit more...

-What's that?

-Dutch silver, but its import marks are for London 1890.

-And it's a lovely weight.

-Snuff box.

-It's different.

What do you think, Anita, would that make a profit, do you think?

Is there a good market for novelty snuff boxes?

Oh, yes. And snuff boxes,

if you've got something which is an unusual shape or has an unusual

theme, then that encourages the collectors to buy that.

Import marks for London 1890. I think that that's quite a nice buy, there.

-Go work your magic.

-I'll try.

What would be your very best?

That one? I could do 170 on it.

170? See, I was thinking more to 150, to be fair.

-I can't do 150.

-160?

-Yeah, go on, then.

-I think 160 is fair.

-I like the weight as well.

-Look, they're happier about that!

I knew those compacts just weren't floating your boats!

-No, it's not our thing.

-Whereas clogs are our thing!

-Absolutely!

-They are now.

-Thank you very much.

-Lovely.

So the Blues were saved by their stallholder,

not a moment too soon, because...

Clock this! Time's up!

-We're done.

-Let's check out what the Red team bought.

Philip found the World War One death penny,

but they had to pay big money for it.

A whopping £70.

The French post and telegraph satchel had Kerry smitten,

but at £60, could she be bitten at the saleroom?

And £35 bought this authentic children's school desk,

but will it pass the test at the auction, or perhaps do better?

-Kerry, Mick, how was your shopping experience?

-Really good.

-Thoroughly enjoyed it.

-And how much did you spend, Mick?

-£165.

So I'd like £135 of leftover lolly, please. Thank you, Kerry.

-All present and correct.

-Very nice. I won't bother to count it.

Now, Mick, tell me, which is your favourite piece?

-We purchased a death penny.

-The death penny?

-Yes.

-That's your favourite?

-It's my favourite, yes.

Kerry, do you agree with that?

-Yes, I agree it's his favourite, but mine is the satchel.

-Is it?

-Yes.

-Good. Why do you like the satchel so much?

-Because it's useful.

-And it's got character, right?

-It has.

And it's got a certain amount of age, like me.

I think we're going to get on very nicely.

And is that going to bring the biggest profit, your satchel?

-I fear not. It may be the death penny.

-OK, fine.

Well, interesting stuff. It's going to be exciting, that's for certain.

-Here is my friend. 135.

-Gosh, a veritable fortune.

Got any idea what you're going to buy, Phil?

I've got no idea, but I think they've given me some inspiration.

And thus inspired... I do foretell of him. Anyway, good luck with that.

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

The mother of pearl and abalone card case cost them £50.

The three Caithness paperweights dazzled Denise

and Anita got a good deal at £38.

And at £160, the clog-shaped snuffbox was a high-class

choice, but it's also a high risk.

-Well, girls, that was something else, wasn't it?

-It was indeed.

To have a whole hour tooling around with Anita Manning is a great privilege.

-Anyway, how much did you spend?

-£248.

Please may I have £52 of leftover lolly?

Thank you very much. Which is your favourite piece?

-For me, the mother of pearl card holder.

-What do you think?

-I like the Caithness paperweights.

-That's your favourite?

-Yes.

-Are they going to make the biggest profit?

-I believe so, yes.

Do you believe so too? Not really.

-Just got that kind of shrug.

-Yes.

Not just because they're Scottish, no?

No, not because they're Scottish. They were our cheapest item.

-So the prediction of the most profit?

-Yes.

OK, fine, we'll remember that. Over to you, then, darling.

Nice little wodge, look. You've had a great time with the girls.

What do you going to do now, Anita?

I'm going to go off and I'm going to buy something that will make

-the girls even more profit.

-OK, Anita, good luck with that.

Meanwhile, we're heading off to the auction.

We're away to the Northeast!

We've whizzed up the road from Wetherby to the

cradle of the Industrial Revolution, to Darlington.

At least, this is where Stephenson first used his Rocket.

And we've rocketed up here to be with Peter Robinson,

-at Thomas Watson Auctioneers.

-Hi, Tim. Good to see you.

Now, Kerry and Mick, the first item they went for was this death penny.

Not the jolliest of objects, is it?

Well, it isn't, but along with medals,

it's all about the history of the war and the people that took part

and so there is an interest in these memorial plaques that were issued

to everybody that sadly lost somebody from the war, or during the war.

And so sad that the families died out, or whatever,

-and they just come on the open market.

-Well, this is what happens.

These are the sort of things that you find in a dressing table

drawer that has probably been sitting there for years and years

and people don't want them any more.

Or the family line die out and it then comes on the market.

Anyway, the market value of such a thing would be likely to be what?

Well, we've placed an estimate of £30-£50 on this item.

-There's always interest in them, whenever we get them.

-OK.

Despite there being over a million of them issued, so they are not rare.

-A million deaths! It is just such a horrifying carnage.

-Absolutely.

Anyway, the fact is, they paid £70 for it. You're estimating 30 to 50.

-They may get their money back.

-They may.

-Yes.

Moving on to the satchel, this is a jollier object, isn't it?

What I call bulletproof leather.

It's interesting, it's unusual, it's got these initials on the flap, PTT.

You can just make it out, can't you? PTT. Postal telegraph telephone.

-So this is a repair man's bag, isn't it?

-Yes. Well, it looks like it.

He'd leg it up a telegraph pole

-and fiddle about with his little tools in there.

-Yes.

It may have housed a bit of equipment.

I didn't know what to put on this item.

We put a very modest estimate of £20-£40 on it.

I mean, a vintage leather bag,

if you were buying it in a vintage shop, would probably cost you £100.

OK, so £20-£40 is your estimate. They paid £60.

It seems to me they've been a bit over-rich with their purchases.

But, over there, we've got the child's wooden desk, which is

a bit of a sweetheart, isn't it?

Little kiddies' two-lidded desk so, you know, brother and sister,

two sisters can sit beside it.

It's a small one, it's for infants,

it's not one you would find in a school for doing exams at.

But it's in good condition, it's been well looked after

and it's quite cute.

Something for the proud parents of Darlington to come and invest in.

-Absolutely. We've put an estimate of 30 to 40.

-Perfect. £35 paid.

So they paid spot-on in the middle price for that.

The other two may be slightly over the top, in which case, they're

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

-Everybody happy?

-Yes, very happy.

-This is the leftover lolly moment.

You spent £165, you gave the man £135. It's underneath the rag.

-Philip, show us what you bought.

-You might remember this.

Yes, I certainly do!

-You umm-ed and ah-ed, didn't you?

-Yes. Over the condition of them.

-I've umm-ed, I've umm-ed.

-Have you umm-ed?

-I've umm-ed, I've bought.

-And we're going, "Ah!"

It cost £15, as you know.

A 1960s bit of probably Scandinavian retro, but who knows?

I think that will make a profit.

Clearly - I wouldn't have bought them otherwise!

SHE LAUGHS

I think somebody will clean them up, and they'd look good in a nursery.

-You're talking yourself into it.

-Well, it's £15 invested.

It is not a major amount, actually, when you come to it.

If he'd said he'd spent £135, you might wince.

Anyway, £15 invested. You don't have to pick now,

you pick after the sale of the first three items if you want to.

Right now, from the auctioneer,

let's find out what he thinks about Philip's children's furniture.

Over there, again, then, Peter. Two chairs and a child's table.

Yeah, quite cute.

Two children entertaining each other over a cup of tea.

So it's quite cute. But not of great value, I don't think.

Most modern children, of course, would have

-a cappuccino with a couple of mocha shots.

-Yes.

-Whilst tweeting.

-Whilst tweeting, exactly.

So what's it worth?

£20-40, modest estimate.

Well, Philip only paid £15, and it's his bonus buy.

So probably the team will go with it,

and you'll probably get them out of trouble.

-We'll do our best.

-I'm sure you will.

That's it for the Reds.

Now, the Blues.

First for them, the mother-of-pearl and abalone card case.

Now, you see quite a few of these knocking about.

They look exotic and expensive.

But how well do they sell here in Darlington?

Well, I must have sold hundreds over the years.

You're right, you do see them very often.

They're usually not in very good condition

because of the mother-of-pearl panels, they get loose.

This one is in good condition, even though it's 120, 130 years old,

a lot of them must have been made, because we see a lot of them.

-Your estimate is?

-We put £30-50.

£50, they paid the top whack.

Talking about lovely glass as gifts,

what about these three Caithness glass paperweights which, I guess,

are pretty well brand Harry spankers, aren't they? They are.

They are still manufactured. So they're not very old.

OK, they're an upmarket gift, quite expensive to buy.

But I don't expect we'll have a queue at the door for them.

"Fascination", "Congratulations" and "Sirocco".

Do you see that in those bits of glass?

Where's Sirocco in there? A warm North African wind, in glass.

So, there we go. These are sold as collectables of the future.

In 50 years' time, it might be a different story.

But we've got an estimate of £20-40 on these.

That's about £7 each.

The team paid £38 for the three.

You might get that, mightn't you, Peter?

-HE SIGHS

-We might do.

In which case, I'll present you one that says "Congratulations" on it.

You might just get them out of trouble.

Now, the really interesting piece out of this trio is the old clog.

-The silver clog.

-Do you like that?

-I do like that, it's really nice.

It's well cast, very defined.

It's got very nice French hallmarks on it,

as well as the hallmarks bringing it into England, the import marks.

London 1890, it's dated.

So it's a nice little piece, a good collectable.

-I suppose it was for snuff, was it?

-I would say so.

It's a novelty, an ornamental piece.

-It doesn't look as if it's had hardly any use at all.

-No.

I would imagine, at that stage, you had people collecting little pieces

-to put in cabinets, as well as for use.

-Exactly.

It's nice and heavy, beautifully made. What's your estimate?

-Modest estimate of £60-80.

-How much?

-£60-80.

Oh, dear, oh, dear, they paid £160.

-Oh, crumbs.

-That could be a pinch too much.

Anyway, if it is, we've got the bonus buy to fall back on.

So, let's go and have a look at it.

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

-It is, it is.

You gave our Anita £52 of leftover lolly.

Anita, what did you spend it on?

THEY LAUGH

The girls are a pair of sweethearts, and I love this little thing.

It's a little silver pin tray you would leave on your dressing table

for your rings, earrings, and wee bits and pieces.

It's hallmarked silver, made in Sheffield in 1895.

So it's a nice little thing.

But, girls, the best thing about it?

-The price?

-You've got it in one.

£10. Ooh!

Tell me if you like it as an object, first of all?

-I like it.

-Claire likes it.

-I like it.

It's very light, isn't it?

-Denise doesn't like it.

-For £10, it's very heavy!

It's nice. For a tenner, you can't really grumble, can you?

You can't really grumble, no.

Embossed decoration around the edge.

So, it's got a wee bit of detail.

How much is it going to bring?

We should double our money. It's not going to fly.

It's not going to soar.

But I think we should double our money at least.

Solid profits, then, Anita. Anyway, you don't pick now,

you pick after the sale of your first three items.

But let's find out, for the audience at home,

what the auctioneer thinks about Anita's pin tray.

Right, then.

-Nice, isn't it?

-It is, yes.

Nice heart-shaped silver pin tray. Sheffield hallmark.

Pierced, embossed decoration. A good little piece of silver.

It's very light, and it is tiny, but still a nice little piece of silver.

If you're at all romantic, which I suspect you are probably, Peter,

it kind of sweeps you away towards February.

You could spend the same money that you'd pay for this

on a bouquet of flowers, and yet you've got a piece of

-hand-worked silver here.

-Your estimate?

-£20-40.

-OK. Anita paid just £10.

-Wow, that is a bargain.

That is, isn't it? That's why she's known as phenomenal.

-Are you up for this?

-Yes, absolutely.

-So are we.

Well, Peter, I hope you are poised in position.

It's time to take you to your rostrum.

We've got a crowded-out saleroom here, it's all looking promising.

But, first up, it's going to be the death penny.

Are the bidders going to be on the internet?

People who like to buy these bits of First World War memorabilia?

I haven't got the faintest idea. We're going to find out, all right?

-OK.

-Are you feeling excited, Kerry?

-Stupendously.

-The same with you?

-I can't wait.

-Well done, Nick.

Here we go, here it comes.

The bronze memorial plaque there.

Lot number 160. Opening the bid at £20. At £20.

At £20.

25. I have 30. 35. 40. 5. 50.

-BOTH:

-Come on.

£45 at the doorway on the right.

At £45. Selling now at £45. 50 anywhere?

It's against you on the net.

£45 in the doorway, and it's being sold at £45.

£45 is 5 off 60, which means you are minus £25.

-That's not a great start, is it?

-My mistake.

No, it's nobody's mistake.

Here comes the satchel.

Vintage leather satchel. Starting at £20.

At £20. £25 in the doorway. At £25.

30 now. At £25.

Not exactly humming, is it?

£25. No further bidding. Being sold.

30 I'm bid. 35. At 30 then, on my left, the gentleman's bid at £30.

Out in the doorway. At £30. On my left, being sold at £30.

I think I'm going to weep. £30 is minus £30.

Minus 30 that is.

Two-lidded, little child's desk this time, lot number 162.

£15 to start. At 15 bid. 20 now.

At £15. 20 I'm bid. At £20.

25 for it, 25 I'm bid.

At 30 on the net. £30. 35.

-Come on.

-Internet bidder at £30.

-It's being sold, all finished.

-GAVEL BANGS

£30 is minus 5. So that makes it nice, a round minus £60.

Whoever would have thought that? Honestly. OK.

Now, you've got the other little child's table and chairs.

-Are you going with that?

-Oh, yes.

-Definitely?

Phil's going to save us.

HE HOOTS WITH LAUGHTER

Riding to our salvation, here we go.

Cute little kiddies' chairs and table set. 1960s.

15 bid. £15.

At £15. 20, can I say?

At £15. Selling at £15. Only 20 on the net.

£20, internet bidder. At £20.

£25 anywhere in the saleroom?

You're in profit, Phil.

That's a miracle.

At £20. All finished.

-Thank you, Phil, perfect.

-Thank you very much. Our only profit.

Our only profit. Plus £5

which means, overall, you are minus £55.

-Could be worse.

-Could be.

I'm not sure how much worse, but anyway. Thank you.

-OK, girls, are you looking forward to this?

-Yes.

-Yes.

The big problem is that silver snuff box.

Novelty silver is supposed to be everything

and, frankly, £60-80 is a bit of a miserable estimate.

-We really have to keep our fingers crossed.

-Keep our fingers crossed.

The first lot coming up is here, and it's now, and here it comes.

A nice Victorian mother-of-pearl card case. Opening at £20.

At £20. £25 on my right. £30. 35.

-Go on.

-£40. 45.

£50. 45 on my right now.

We need another one.

Gentleman's bid on my right in the saleroom here. At £45.

-Come on!

-Are we all finished at £45? The gentleman standing beside me

-at 45.

-GAVEL BANGS

£45 is minus £5. Not as bad as it might have been.

Anyway, kicking on, these have got to make a profit on £38.

Caithness paperweights, three of them in the lot,

three different patterns.

£20 to start?

£20 I'm bid to start.

At £20, selling at £20.

-BOTH:

-No!

-25.

30 on the internet. At £30.

On the internet now, £30.

35 anywhere in the saleroom? At £30.

It goes to an internet bidder for the three together at £30.

Aw!

Sold at £30.

-It's like pulling teeth, this. £30 is minus £8.

-I'd have paid that!

Which is minus £13.

-OK, kids.

-Now this is super.

Very nice little silver snuff box in the form of a clog.

We have bids here, £75 to start.

-Hey-hey.

-To start.

80. 5. 90.

£90, the lady's bid. 95. 100.

-Yes!

-£95 I'm bid. £95. 100, can I say you're bidding?

100 then below you. 110.

120. 130. £120 to my left now.

-Go on!

-Wa-hey, oh!

Selling now at £120.

130, thank you. 140. 130 in the balcony.

At £130 now. The bid's in the balcony at £130.

It's being sold at 130.

Aw!

Oh, dear. Minus £30. Which is minus £43.

Oh, dear, oh, dear.

What about this pin tray - are you going with the pin tray?

-BOTH:

-Yes!

It is a no-brainer really. You trust Anita, you know £10 is cheap.

-Anyway, you're going with the bonus buy.

-Yes.

-We are indeed.

Now you've decided, I can tell you what the auctioneer's estimate is,

which is £20-40. So, he's predicting potentially £30 profit out of this.

You're minus £43 at the moment. We want to claw back those losses

and this might be the object to do it.

OK? Very exciting. Anyway, here it comes.

Late Victorian silver pin tray. Nice little lot this time. 1895.

About 120 years old.

£20 only for it.

£20 bid. At £20. 25 on my left. £30 now.

At £25. On my left, at £25. Surely 30? 35, sir?

35 on my left now, against the net?

£35. Gentleman on my left in the room here, at £35.

Standing on my left. 40, thank you.

Hey, yes. Go on!

At £40. In the balcony at £40, it goes to the balcony at £40.

Go on, one more!

-You have it, sir.

-Well done, Anita, that's marvellous.

-Which reduces the losses to only minus £13.

-Hey, that's all right.

Well done, girls.

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

No point in depressing them. And all will be revealed in a moment.

Well, team, this has been fun, hasn't it?

-ALL:

-Yes.

The big sadness is that, despite all this effort,

-nobody's going home with any cash.

-THEY EXCLAIM

But then, you know that, secretly, don't you?

But this programme isn't all about going home with hard money, is it?

It's about having fun. Have we had fun today?

-ALL:

-Yes.

-Yes, we have, thank you very much.

It's just a question of the scale of the losses.

We don't have losers any more.

But the runners-up today by a fair chalk are the Reds.

THE BLUES CHEER

Minus £55, which is not a lot, really.

Absolutely every score was minus until we hit

Phil's 1960s child's table and chair, where you made a £5 profit.

-That was it, wasn't it?

-All good, yeah.

Anyway, who cares? Minus £55 is nothing in the scale of

-some of our losses, is it, Phil?

-Absolutely.

If you've had a nice time, that's the main thing.

-Brilliant.

-Lovely to see you both.

But the victors today are going home

victors with no cash, but with only £13 of losses.

THE BLUES CHEER

Very much helped along the way by our dear Anita,

who makes a profit of £30 on her bonus buy.

How to spend £10, sell it for 40 and make a profit of 30.

-Absolutely super, Anita.

-Yes!

And you seriously saved their bacon today.

-Good. Anyway, had a nice time?

-Absolutely.

-Fantastic.

We've enjoyed it too. Join us soon for some more bargain hunting, yes?

All: Yes!

Oh, dear me! THEY LAUGH