Alexandra Palace 13 Bargain Hunt

-POSH VOICE:

-Welcome to the BBC's Bargain Hunt at Alexandra Palace.

Behind these great doors, a great antiques fair is in full swing.

So what are we waiting for? Let's go bargain hunting, yeah!

Alexandra Palace opened its doors in 1873.

It's survived a couple of world wars,

a couple of fires and the first ever British TV broadcast.

Hopefully, our teams will be on fire today. Not literally, of course.

And, in homage to the BBC's history,

we've got plenty of cameras here to capture the action.

So, let's take a quick squint as to what's coming up.

The Reds just can't make a decision.

Hands up for caddy spoon.

-Oh, I think caddy spoon.

-Hands up for vesta?

That really doesn't help!

And the Blues might have to go home empty handed.

-No.

-You don't like it?

-No.

-Don't you? You like it?

-I like it.

We may not actually buy anything at this rate.

But who will be triumphant when we head to auction?

Go on...

Let's meet the teams.

On Bargain Hunt today, we have a team of friends for the Reds.

Sue and Jackie.

And, for the Blues, a mother and daughter team, Ann and Beth.

-Hello, everyone.

-Hi.

-Hello.

-Great to see you.

Now, Sue, tell me, how did you two become friends?

-AMERICAN ACCENT:

-Well, our oldest daughters are 17

and, when they were 3, they were in the same playgroup together.

And so we got friendly, our families started doing things together

and we have since all been on holiday together

and just really good friends.

Now, you have a bit of an accent, if you don't mind my saying so.

-I'm from Milwaukee.

-Oh, really? That's lovely up there.

-It's cold.

-Is it?

-It's north of Chicago.

And how long have you lived in our green and pleasant land?

-Actually, I've been here for 26 years.

-Have you?

Yeah. And I only came over for two years on a two-year work permit.

-I thought it would be a bit of fun.

-Yeah, a bit cool.

-Yeah.

Ended up marrying my husband, staying.

And, 26 years later, I'm still here.

And what do you get up to over here?

Well, I currently produce a local magazine.

So about nine years ago, a friend of mine and I started a magazine

for our community in the Bandstead area.

And she's since moved back to America,

so I've been running it on my own.

So I create the articles, get the ads in, and it's a free magazine.

-Now, Jackie, you had a change of career ten years ago.

-I did.

Tell us about that.

Well, my youngest started school

and I'd formerly worked for a big cable company,

and didn't want to go back to that, wanted to work with children,

so I retrained to work with nought to five-year-olds

in speech and language therapy.

And what do you get up to in your free time?

We do a lot of sporty-type things, all the usual.

-But, I have to say, my favourite thing probably is shopping.

-Is it?

-Yeah.

-Are you what they call a shopaholic?

-You are? Slightly?

-Don't tell my husband.

-No, I won't.

Well, think of the bliss today

because we're going to give you the cash

and you're going to go off shopping.

Now, do you know anything about antiques between you?

-We know a little bit. Jackie's great at jewellery.

-I love jewellery.

-Oh, do you?

-And you like Art Deco, so...

-Oh, right.

I mean, you've got it all sorted out, then.

-Have you got a plan?

-Oooh, yes.

-What's your plan?

-Spend as much money as we possibly can!

-Really?

-Big stuff.

-Really?

-Sparkly stuff.

-Sparkly, big stuff?

-Yeah, yeah.

Gosh, this sounds ambitious to me. We're going to love this.

Anyway, good luck, girls.

Now, Ann, what did you do before you retired?

Well, I did a million jobs, actually,

because I've had a long time to do it.

But I started off as a press photographer, many, many years ago.

In the days when you had a glass plate, even,

and a great big old camera.

Did you have those ones with the flashbulb in that go "bang!"?

-Yes, yes.

-And, when you caught somebody doing something naughty,

always in the movies, all that kind of "ping!" was going on.

-All the time.

-How exciting is that?

You also like to go around the charity shops a lot, don't you?

Yes, yes, yes.

I go round the charity shops all the time

and my house is absolutely full of complete rubbish.

Daughter is nodding her head violently next-door to you.

She thinks, how awful, when I'm gone, she's got to clear the house.

Oh, I see. Terrible thought process that, isn't it?

OK, we'll move on quickly before we have

what they call a "domestic" here.

Now, Beth, you've done a number of jobs, darling.

I've been a dog groomer

-and I had my own company for a bit making wedding cakes.

-Yes.

-And now I'm a teaching assistant.

-Yeah?

-So I've found my niche now, I think.

-And you play a bit of netball?

-I do. I play a lot of netball.

-And you play for Fetcham Ladies.

-Fetcham Ladies, yeah.

-Fetcham being a place, right?

-Yes.

And, for a former dog handler to live in a place called Fetcham

and to run a team called Fetcham Ladies

is just about as round as it can get, really.

From what I know about netball, which is not a lot,

-but it's extremely competitive.

-It is very competitive, yeas.

Does that mean this competitive spirit

is going to rub off on Bargain Hunt today?

-Some people might say that I am a little bit competitive.

-Really?

-And you're going to get on all right with you mum through this?

-Er, yes.

-We might have a few...

-A few words?

She's also quite competitive as well.

Well, she knows her way around the car boots

and you know how to shift around pretty quickly.

-Yeah, I can move quickly.

-So that's pretty cool, isn't it?

I tell you, we've got some wizard teams today.

Anyway, now, £300 apiece. There's your £300. £300. You know the rules.

Your experts await. And off you go!

And very, very, very good luck and fetch 'em out!

Now, let's meet our experts. A true Reds fan is Kate Bliss.

PHONE RINGS

And on call for the Blues is David Harper.

-Ah-ha! Now, you two look like a Blue team to me.

-Yes, we are.

-Unless I'm colour-blind, you're mine.

-Yes, we definitely are.

-Hello.

-So, Jackie and Sue. Are you excited?

-Very.

There's loads to look at here.

Is there anything that you've got in mind that you're looking out for?

Some jewellery. Jackie's good with jewellery.

Something sparkly. I'm a real magpie.

-How are you feeling?

-I'm all right.

-Excited.

-Are you a bit jittery?

-I'm a bit jittery.

-You need nerves.

-Ann, how are you feeling?

-I'm not a bit jittery.

-Good! Marvellous.

-What are we going to look for, Beth?

-I think functional but beautiful.

Art Deco things, we like. Boxes, wooden boxes.

Anything big, practical. But we want to spend all our money.

-Something pretty and maybe silvery.

-Oh, lovely, OK.

-Or shiny.

-Are we going to be the dream team?

-We definitely are.

-I love shopping.

-I love spenders!

Right, teams, your 60 minutes starts now.

BELL RINGS

Lovely, fab colours is what I thought.

-That is really neat.

-But is that new or is that...?

No. So this is Hermes, the French couture name.

In the original box. They did these really vibrant orange boxes.

Silk, I would guess. And there's probably a name on here.

Yes, if you look, it's H-E-R-M-E-S.

-Hermes. Can you see through the...?

-Oooh, I love that.

And the colours, I think, are gorgeous.

But,...I've just seen the price!

-Yeah. Put it back, put it back.

-Oh, that's quite a lot, yeah.

So, whilst the Reds consider the scarf, what are the Blues up to?

-I quite like that?

-Do you?

-Yeah.

-I quite like that.

-Something that we agree on.

Quite... A little bit quirky.

Not that people really use toast racks any more, but I like it.

-I use the toast rack.

-Do you?

-I love the style.

-Yeah, I think it's the style that...

-The style is super-cool.

-It's construction is slightly dodgy.

-It's a bit wonky. Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, I'd leave that, if I were you.

Now then, Reds, what about that scarf?

We love this, but it's a very strong price for a...

How much do you want to pay for it?

Well, we've got to put it into auction.

I've checked with an online retailer and they're charging 175.

Obviously, plus the postage.

I was trying to find the age of it and I couldn't.

I tried to research what I could.

I didn't know what the words meant.

The scarf itself, I would say, dates from,

I don't know, '70s maybe, looking at the box. Maybe even later.

People have sort of looked at it

and they say that, if there's one stitch on the hem,

that's the way to tell that it's the original one.

-So would this be handmade?

-They hand roll the edges with silk scarves.

That's why they're expensive.

What would you like to pay, ladies, I mean, if you saw this?

-Have you any idea?

-I just don't think that we should spend over about 100.

How about 120?

-I don't know.

-If it was a round 100, I'd probably gamble and go for it.

I think 120 might be...

I mean, I'm sure they do go online for 175.

I mean, it's top quality. It's fantastic.

If you're really, really interested in it

and if you really, really, really love it, I'll do 100.

-Let's shake on it. Shall we shake on that?

-What do you think?

Yeah, I think we should. £100...

-Definitely.

-Yes? Oh, great. Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-That's brilliant.

-Thank you.

Not sure if Kate's convinced. But it's all wrapped up at £100.

Well done, Reds. That's your first item bought.

-What kind of things do we like?

-I really like that, but she doesn't.

-It's a bit... It's maybe a bit modern.

-Oh, it's too, too... No.

-Do we agree on things generally, you two?

-Not at all.

-Not really, no.

-Hardly ever, do we?

-Well, we do sometimes.

-Sometimes.

-Only on little things.

-Oh, no...

This sounds like it's going to be a tricky shop.

-Something we agree on is mirrors.

-Yeah. I like mirrors.

Shall we try and find you a mirror, then?

So we've blown £100, girls.

Well done. On we go!

I think we should look down...

Actually, there's a stall down here which might be quite nice.

-Fantastic skirt.

-Girls, stop looking at clothes.

-Meanwhile, the Blues have spotted a table.

-No?

-No.

-You don't like it?

-No.

-Don't you? You like it?

-I like it.

-And you don't like it.

-No.

Erm, we may not actually buy anything at this rate.

Now, are the Reds having any more luck?

Oh, that's pretty.

Let's just have a look at if there's a mark on here.

It's silver-mounted.

And cut glass.

So, you see, it's got a star-cut base.

This probably would have been on a cruet originally.

-So, on a little stand.

-With the both of them?

With the both of them on a table.

But, actually, I quite like them as a set.

-Are they oils or...?

-They could be for, yes, vinaigrettes, dressings.

Quite commercial for these days.

-How much?

-80.

-For the pair?

-Yeah, for the pair, yeah.

-What do you think?

-I love the functionality of them.

And they're such a beautiful shape.

-Do you like them?

-I quite like them.

-But I'm also tempted to keep looking.

-Mmm-hmm.

-Let's do that, then. Let's put them back.

-Let's remember where we are.

# Who let the dogs out?

# Woof! Woof! Woof-woof! #

-Look deep into those eyes.

-Hey, steady, David.

-Oh, wow!

-Oh!

-I wasn't expecting that.

-Oh, my Lord, neither was I.

'Is that your dad in the background, David?'

-Do you know what it is?

-Is it the top of a walking stick?

-Cane?

-Top of a cane. A walking stick.

-What's it made out of?

-Have a feel.

-Tell me what you think. Have a look at the colour.

-It's heavy.

-Yeah. I think it's bronze.

-Bronze?

-Lovely eyes. Bulldog face.

I mean, he puts a smile on your face.

-He scares you first of all and then you smile, don't you?

-And is there...

-I mean, what would people do with this?

-Oh, people collect cane heads.

-Yes, they do.

-Oh, do they?

-Oh, in a big way.

And also, there are guys out there who would buy that

and make a lovely cane to fit it to their own height as well,

-which is a nice thing to do.

-That would be good.

-He's nice. Well, how much is he?

-How much is he?

-65.

-Oh...

-I think he's 30 to 50 in auction.

-Right.

-He's probably 1920s, 1930s.

Dog things do...are good things to have.

Lots of people like dog things.

But whether they like gruesome dogs like him, I'm not sure.

How dare you?! He's a bit rough and ready, then, is he?

-He is a bit rough and I think...

-Oh, I think he's quite nice.

-OK, I'm not so sure.

-If you don't want him, I do.

I'd like him for 30, but I don't think it's going to happen.

It's not going to happen, is it? No.

# Who let the dogs out? #

Keep hunting, Blues.

Both teams are now 20 minutes into their shop.

How do you tell if these are real versus...?

Proper Art Deco versus reproduction?

I can tell from the quality of that that that's a reproduction.

-Oh, really?

-I mean, one of the best makers of Art Deco figures like this

was a chap called Demetre Chiparus, who worked in Paris.

-His work makes thousands.

-Is it the plastic bottom that gives it away?

Well, look at the face. Look at the way the face has be cast.

The quality just isn't there. The detail.

Plus, you'd expect there to be a nice patina.

Her hands are really awkward.

You know, Chiparus figures have a real finesse about them.

They're incredibly elegant.

She looks lovely.

But, without the real thing next to her, it's difficult to describe.

But she's just... The hands are slightly clumsy.

Can you see where the brass has worn around the edge here?

Again, you wouldn't get that on a Chiparus figure.

-Yeah, I'm not crazy about that.

-No. No. No.

-I've put you off?

-Yeah. Thank you! We can move on.

Who's Chiparus, then? Move on, Reds.

-Come on.

-Oh, I like that one.

-Oh, OK.

Oh! Oh...

-Do we both like that mirror?

-Do you like that mirror?

Yes, I quite like that.

I'm going to really put you on the spot here, you two.

-I'm going to test your skills.

-Yes, OK.

-Right?

And you need to tell me its age.

-What is it pretending to be?

-A mirror?

-Yes!

Right first time, Beth.

Pretending to be an 18th century Georgian walnut.

I was going to say Georgian.

These things were originally made in the 1720s, George I onwards.

This one dates to the 20th century

because they became really popular again during the Edwardian period.

-It's also referred to as the Georgian revival.

-I like it.

-I thought that was 39.

-Yes, so did I.

-It's actually 89.

How much do you think it would go for at auction?

-I think it's 30 to 50 in auction.

-Right.

-But it's got a look, hasn't it?

-Yeah, it has.

Sadly, we thought that was 39, but it's 89. It's lovely. It is lovely.

-I'll do it for 50.

-50? OK. Nobody can say that was an expensive mirror.

Whether it's going to make a profit in auction is another matter.

But it's not an expensive mirror.

-I think we should go for it.

-OK, let's go for it.

-I want to get our first purchase.

-We'll do it.

Thank you very much. Thank you.

Well, you've just done that, Beth.

Your first purchase is now well and truly under your belts. Brilliant.

Now, the Reds have found something sparkly.

-What have we go?

-Well, it is a natural amethyst. It's silver gilt.

-Oh, OK.

-So it's silver with a thin layer of gold over the top.

There's a little bit of damage on here.

-Do you see where the mount has slightly split at the top?

-Oh, yes.

The amethyst itself is lovely. But that's just a wee bit of a problem.

Worth thinking about. What else did you spot? I'll give that back to you.

Keep looking at the bling, Reds.

Meanwhile, the magpie-eyed Blues

have also homed in on the sparkly stuff.

-What about that curved card case for 78?

-So...

Isn't that lovely?

-Now, why is it curved?

-Is it easier to pull a card out when it's curved?

-No. It's to fit inside your pocket.

-Oh, right.

You know, to curve around your body. So we've got the anchor. Made in...?

-Birmingham.

-Yeah. And we've got the letter "N". Made in what year?

-(1912).

-1912!

-I was going to say 12.

-Well done! Well done!.

-I was going to say 1912.

-Well done.

Engine-turned decoration. Have a feel of that. It's very tactile.

-That's really nice. I like that.

-I like it, too.

-It's really nice.

-Yeah.

-It's really good.

-We both like it.

But not only appealing to a silver collector

but, actually, to someone who would use it. I would use it.

It's functional and beautiful,

-which is what I was going for in the first place.

-You were.

-Look on the inside. What do you see?

-Gilded.

-Gilded, yeah.

-Wow.

And this edge would have been gilded originally.

You can just see little traces of it. But that's normal.

That's been worn with use. That is a really lovely piece.

-Ann, talk to me, tell me what you feel.

-Yeah, let me feel it.

I love the feel of it. Yeah.

I love these engine-turned things as well. Beautiful. I really like that.

-I think we ought to have that.

-I think we should.

-Don't be saying that yet!

-If we get the right price.

-No, no, I think it depends on the price.

-That's what I said.

If we get the right price, we could consider that.

-What can you do it for?

-I'll do it for £65.

-60?

-No, I can't. Honestly. Not on a piece like that.

I like it. I think we should go for it.

-Happy at 65?

-Happy at 65.

-It's beautiful and it's functional.

-And it's functional.

-Well done, you. Thank you very much.

-We'll have that.

-Thank you very much.

Thank you very much. Thank you. Good luck.

Great. That's the second item purchased by the Blues.

Now, listen very carefully. I've got something to show you.

A napkin ring's a napkin ring which is a napkin ring. Right?

Some of them are in silver.

Some of them are in less precious metals, like this one.

It's simply made out of pewter

but it has be wrought and crafted most beautifully.

Here we've got some ribbons, look.

And those ribbons have, in between them, some paste stones.

These two green chaps, in imitation of emeralds.

And then a pale-blue imitation sapphire in the middle.

Now, they're paste because they're only made of glass,

but they're cut in a way that's called en cabochon,

which is a French word

and it describes an ovoid, uncut surface.

If you rub your finger over it, it's completely smooth.

It's like half a whole stone, really.

The joy of the thing, though,

is when I turn it round to the other side.

See that little chap? What we've got is a whole frog.

He sits with an oval mouth,

which is in the form of a ruby in paste,

and two more of those emerald-green eyes.

Don't you think that is just wild?

Well, I do.

And I have never seen a napkin ring decorated in this way

and I think it was made around about 1900, 1910.

I can't imagine how attractive around a table

a dozen of these things would have looked.

I think they were made as a one-off commission

for somebody who was bonkers about frogs.

What is bonkers about him is the price.

The dealer is asking £20 for it.

£20 is a very reasonable price to pay

for such a beautifully decorated napkin ring.

And I guess there is a napkin ring collector out there

who really loves this period of stuff

and he would pay for that the top end of £100.

How's that?

Splendid.

Back to the shopping.

It's 2-1 up to the Blues and Kate is busy beefing up her team.

-We've got about 12, 15 minutes.

-Oh, OK, OK, OK.

-We need two things.

-Yeah.

What have we seen that's taken your fancy?

We looked at the lovely amethyst oval pendant,

-where the mount was slightly damaged, but the stone itself was nice.

-Yeah.

We looked at the two vinaigrette bottles.

-I liked them.

-They were pretty.

-You liked those?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

Shall we have another look at those?

-OK. I think they're just right over there.

-Right.

-So let's take a look at those.

-Yes.

-And then we'd have one more item.

-OK, let's do that, then.

Do you want another look at the vinaigrette...?

-They're there.

-Yes, they're still there. Right.

So what do we think about these, then, ladies?

What's your best on these?

-Well, I've got 80 on them.

-Right.

-Erm...

But they're quite rare.

-They're Glasgow, although the mark's rubbed.

-Mmmm.

-1839.

But they've got that old head on them,

which, I suppose, would be William IV.

But they're nice things.

They've got a couple of minor repairs on them, but...

Yeah, there's been a bit of repair on the handle there, hasn't there?

And maybe on that one, too. I'm not sure.

Do you see where the silver's a bit crinkled?

There's been a little bit of repair work there.

And how much will that affect the overall price?

Well, they're not pristine. Erm...

It would be nice if they weren't repaired.

I think we need to take that into account. So...

What's the gentleman's best? What could you do?

-Ooooh...

-Just for us?

-You're such a nice guy.

-Oh, no. I'm not that nice.

-I could do 75, if it helps you.

-Oh, I don't think...

-It's because they're Glasgow.

-Yeah. It's the damage I'm worried about.

-I know. And a pair, as well, so...

-Yeah.

-Could you bring it down a bit?

-I think that might put somebody off a bit.

-I tell you, I'll do 70.

-If you could do 60...?

-I couldn't. I really couldn't, honestly.

I'm trying my best. 70 would be definite, honestly.

-Could you do it at 69? I mean, I know that sounds crazy, but...

-69?!

-Because, you know...

-Oh, go on, then!

What do we think? 69...

-We're running out of time.

-You know what?

-I think it's worth going for it at 69.

-I like them. They're Glasgow.

Yes, they've had a little bit of repair, but they're commercial.

-69?

-Lovely.

-We'll do it. Thank you.

Brilliant, Reds. Item number two in the bag.

Meanwhile, with time running out, the pressure is mounting.

-Do you work well under pressure?

-Yes, I'm all right.

Do you? OK, I'm going to tell you you've got 12 minutes.

-Oh, no, not that pressure!

-To find it, buy it and get out of here.

OK. OK.

The Reds have returned to the jewellery stall

they were looking at earlier on.

This is a erm...

The item is ticketed at £78.

This is more unusual. It's circular. And it's a little vesta.

It opens up like that, do you see? And that's for matches.

And, on the bottom, you've got the strike action.

Now, normally, vestas open that way and they have the hinge on the side.

It's also unusual to have them circular in shape.

They're normally rectangular.

So this is something that a collector would like

because it's a little bit more unusual.

Lovely condition. What's the best on that one?

-That's got to be 70, I'm afraid.

-That's got to be 70?

-Yes.

Talk to me about the little caddy spoon. How much is that?

Yeah, that's different. 1905.

-48, that one.

-That's for tea.

Oh, and that's Chester, so that's good.

-That's for tea?

-That's the caddy spoon.

I like that better.

So who would buy the little shovel thing?

-Caddy spoons are collectable in their own right.

-OK.

What's the vote?

-I know. Hands up for caddy spoon.

-I like the caddy spoon.

-Hands up for vesta. That really doesn't help!

-It's your decision.

Yeah, down to you, Kate.

-I think the caddy spoon has a little bit more of a chance.

-OK.

-OK.

-So, is that a deal?

-Deal! Deal!

Oh, yay!

Oh, my goodness!

That's it. The Reds have done it. Three purchases in the bag.

Congratulations. But the Blues still need to find one more item.

Could this be it?

-OK, you two. What do you think about that? What is it?

-It's a knife rest.

It is a knife rest.

Is it posh or what?

It is posh, but you'd only be able to rest two knives.

Well, it's a romantic evening, isn't it?

-How many knives do you want to rest?

-Listen, you've got six minutes.

-OK. Erm,...how much are these?

-50.

-£50.

-OK.

-Are they silver?

-We've got crystal, we've got silver.

They're Edwardian, 1905, 1906-7. But they are very posh.

But they'd need to be... 30? No?

40. And I'm giving them away.

-They're quality objects. So quality will always sell.

-OK.

Now, you've got two minutes.

-Basically, you're scuppered.

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

Because, by the time you two find something else

-and start talking about it, we're going to be out of time.

-OK.

So, do you make an offer of 35...

..and bag them?

-35?

-Go on, then.

-OK.

-She just said that because she wants to get rid of us.

-Yes, we're done.

Hallelujah!

I'll second that. Hallelujah!

The Blues have now also finished their shop.

Right, that's it. Time's up.

Let's remind ourselves what the Red team bought, eh?

An Hermes scarf was picked up for the silky-smooth price of £100.

They spent £69 on a pair of William IV

silver-mounted cut glass oil decanters.

And, finally, they sprinkled £48 on this silver caddy spoon.

-What happened to the game plan?

-I don't know.

-It just went out the window.

-It fell apart.

-Did it?

-So which is your favourite piece?

-The scarf.

-OK, scarf.

-Totally the scarf.

-Is it?

-Absolutely.

-Is it going to bring the biggest profit?

-I think so.

-Or the little shovel. The little silver...

-Caddy spoon.

-Thank you.

Sorry, caddy spoon. Yes.

So, do you agree it could be the spade-shovel

-or is it going to be your scarf for the top profit?

-I like the scarf.

-Do you? And how much did you spend in "toto"?

-217.

You are such cool kids.

-Yeah, we try.

-217.

So, I would like £83 of leftover lolly, which is marvellous.

-I love it when your spend up, you girls.

-And three.

-Three.

-OK, here we go. Thank you very much, Kate Bliss.

-Right.

So, dream girl, what are you going to go for?

We have a certain elegance, I think, throughout our items.

-So I'm going to continue the theme.

-Oh, OK.

-And, you are such a tease.

Anyway, good luck with that, girls.

Meanwhile, we're going to check out

what the Blue team bought, aren't we?

So, on reflection, they spent 50 on this George II-style mirror.

They spent £65 on the silver card case.

And, finally, the forked out £35

for a pair of silver-mounted knife rests.

-So, indecision rules, right?

-Yes.

Which is your favourite piece?

-It's the mirror.

-Is it? "Mirror, mirror, on the wall..."

I like the little card case.

Good. And is that going to bring the biggest profit?

I hope so. I think so.

-So, how much did you spend in "toto"?

-150.

-Lovely number.

I'd like £150 of leftover lolly. Thank you very much, Beth.

-We're going to buck up here.

-Thanks, Tim.

-OK, so are you going cruising?

I'm going it spend some quality time on my own and make a decision.

-Are you? What, a quick decision?

-Yes!

Well, you'd better leg it, then.

Meanwhile, we're going to go somewhere really handy.

Try an auction in Bedford.

Well, Lindsay Vintiner is our auctioneer today

from Peacock's Auctioneers in Bedford.

And it's gorgeous to be here, Lindsay.

-Lovely to see you, too, Tim.

-Now, for the Reds, we've got a scarf.

-We have indeed, yes.

-This is what every girl wants, right, Lindsay?

Erm,...yes, to a certain extent. It's a good maker, Hermes.

Lovely colours, actually. Really nice.

You've got the original box there and it's in good condition.

-So what's it worth?

-60 to 100, we think.

-Really? OK, £100 paid.

Next we've got two bottles

which once came out of a frame with about six bottles.

They will have done indeed, yes.

So we've got a part set here. They're silver-mounted, William IV.

English, rather than Scottish, as the expert was led to believe.

But they're in good condition.

Certainly look the part on a table

with some nice-coloured vinegar and oils in them.

So I can imagine them being relatively popular in the sale.

-But at a price...

-What would your price be?

We would say £50 to £80.

OK. £69 paid. So that's about spot on, really, isn't it?

And their last item is the caddy spoon,

which is Ross & Sons, Chester.

-Quite a nice little thing.

-Yeah.

Yes, quite stylish. Loosely Arts and Crafts, I suppose, in its style.

Easy to sell these things.

-So what's your estimate?

-£20 to £30.

OK, £48 paid. So they may have spent just a tad too much on that.

Which could tip them towards needing their bonus buy.

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

Well, girls, this is it.

£83 you gave Kate.

What did you spend it on?

You might...

-Oh, I don't believe it!

-Oh, wow!

-Can I feel?

Of course you can. We did quite a bit of dithering about this, didn't we?

-And I've decided to take the plunge.

-Oh, fantastic.

The reason I have taken the plunge is it is, of course, amethyst

and coloured gem stones like amethyst

are prized for their tone of colour, their depth of colour, if you like.

And it's got a really nice rich purple colour.

But also the saturation of the colour.

So how much the colour is spread out in the stone, literally.

And that's quite a nice example.

And the way it's cut is that it's faceted on both sides

so you've got a lovely little sparkle to it as it catches the light.

-How old is it?

-Not particularly old.

-It's not?

-I wouldn't say it was antique, no.

-Oh.

-But it's a very wearable piece of jewellery.

-Yeah. It's very pretty.

-How much did you pay for it in the end?

-I paid, in the end, 65.

Hey, that's great!

-What do you think we'll get for it?

-Well, I think it's a fair price.

I think, on a good day, you might get a little bit of profit.

It's a fingers crossed job.

Feels like a good day, so... OK, that's good.

-You like it, Jax, don't you?

-I really like it.

You really like. You'd like to put it straight on, wouldn't you?

-I can tell that.

-I'm going to run.

-Keep an eye on it.

Well, you can't. So, we're going to have to see it sold.

But you don't pick right now

whether you want to take it as your bonus buy. You do that later.

But what we do, for the audience at home,

is find out what the auctioneer thinks about Kate's pendant.

-Nice girlie object.

-It's a nice colour, isn't it? Good size.

We have a silver gilt surround. And could be very popular this.

-And so what's your estimate?

-40 to 60.

Pretty little thing. £40 to £60.

Kate paid £65 as her bonus buy.

So there's a bit of excitement there.

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

And, I have to say,

this is not the most exciting

reproduction walnut mirror I've ever seen.

It's not, I'm afraid.

We see these nearly every day of the week, sadly.

Hmmmm. And what do you get for them?

-We're lucky if we get £30 for them at the moment.

-Beth paid 50.

30 to 50 is your estimate, isn't it?

So £30 on a good day, with the wind up their tails.

So that could be a problem.

Next is the curved card case. And I guess you sell a lot of these, too?

We do, yes. This one's a nice quality of its type.

I like the striped engravings. Quite simple. Good present for someone.

So it's good to go.

How much does it have to go at, do you think?

-30 to 40.

-OK. £65 paid.

-Next is a pair of knife rests.

-Yes.

Nice to have the silver mounts but, by jingo, are they bashed.

-They have seen better days, haven't they?

-Yeah.

-Sadly.

Well, somebody's obviously used them.

-Whether it's been as a knife rest, I don't know.

-What's your price?

-£30 to £40 for the pair.

-OK, £35 paid.

So it is about the right price to pay.

But I do think that card case is going to be a bit of a struggle.

And I think the mirror will be a struggle.

In which case, they'll need their bonus buy.

So let's have a look at it.

-So, girls, this is exciting, isn't it?

-It is.

You gave our man of the moment £150. It's apparently quite small.

David, let's have a look.

-Small, but highly desirable, Tim.

-Oh...

-We like a bit of bling, girls?

-Oh, yeah! I like it.

-That's really pretty.

-Isn't that gorgeous? Solid silver.

Beautiful hallmarks. Hallmarked in Chester, which is rare.

They stopped hallmarking in Chester in 1961.

This was hallmarked in '45,

but by an incredibly well-known and highly respected Halifax silversmith

by the name of Charles Horner.

-Excellent.

-Superb quality.

-Perfect. That's just what we wanted.

-And how much did you pay for it?

-20.

-20?

-20.

-20?

-Pounds?

-£20?

Just £20.

-Wow! Brilliant.

-Oh, that's really good.

-Well done.

-It's a bargain.

-I love it. I like it.

-It's really, really sweet.

-Have you got high hopes for it?

-I do.

I think it could double its money.

I think 30 to 50, 40 to 60 would be a sensible estimate.

Let's find out, for the audience at home,

what the auctioneer thinks about Dave's bangle.

Now, Lindsay, something else to resist, look.

Indeed, yes.

Well, we have a silver buckle bracelet here by the man himself,

Charles Horner. Always a good seller at auction.

Like the design of this, to resemble a belt buckle there.

So how much?

-50 to 80.

-OK, that's great.

-£20 paid by that cunning monkey, David Harper.

-Oh, brilliant.

So he's paid the right money for that,

if the team decide to go with it.

-And that is the big question, isn't it, Lindsay?

-It is indeed.

It is indeed. Thank you very much.

On commission now at 320. Up £320.

Who's going to bid for these now? 320.

22 online now. 24 at the back. 24. At £24. Now back of the room.

Now, Beth, Ann, your first item. Beth, you found it.

It was a wee mirror. £50 you paid for that.

I'm afraid I've been pretty rude about it.

It's a reproduction mirror.

OK, she's put £30 to £50.

Actually, it's a perfectly nice furnishing mirror.

-That's what we thought.

-Exactly.

And it's clean and it's ready to go.

And it's very, very Bedford, if you know what I mean. And here it comes.

£50 for it. 50 start me for the mirror. 30 to get on then.

Must be 30.

20. Are you in?

10...?

10. Thank you, sir, at 10.

At £10. Now 12 at the back. At 12.

14. At £14 now. 16. 18.

At £18. 20. 22.

At 22. It's in the room here now at 22.

24 online now. 26. 26 in the room now. 26.

28. 28. 30. 30 now.

Gentleman's bid now. The mirror's selling up.

-30. 32. 32. 34.

-Go on, bigger than that.

£36 now. 38. At £38 now. It's a room bid we're selling now. 38.

-Are you in online? In the room now.

-You're getting there.

-40.

-40!

-40. At 40. Are you sure, sir?

-Bid's online at £40.

-She's working hard, isn't she?

-She is.

-LINDSAY BANGS HER GAVEL.

-Bless her heart. 40 is minus ten.

That's nothing.

That's not even a sheet of Bronco.

Come on, let's move on. Now, you've got your card case.

£20 for it. Start me. £20 the lady's bid now. 20.

22. 24. 26.

28. 30. 32.

34. 36. Up £36 now. The lady's bid now.

38. New bidder now. 40.

£40. 45. 50. At £50 now.

Lady's bid at just £50.

-Oh, baby. It's not good.

-GAVEL BANGS

£50 is minus £15.

-Oh, there we are. It's 25. Now, the knife rests.

-Oh, dear...

-Big test.

-Big test for our Dave.

£30. Start me for the pair. 30.

20. Come on...

10...? 10 right at the back. Thank you. Now at 10.

12. 14.

16. 18. 20. At £20 now.

The lady's bid 22. 22. 24.

-See? They're creeping up.

-Come on...

26. 28. At £28 now.

-He's rarely wrong.

-Come on!

-£30. 32.

-Yes!

-32. 34.

-32. 34.

36. 38.

She's got 36. There you go, you see?

At 40.

40. New bidder now. 40. At £40 now.

The bid's to my right now at 40. at 40, it's your bid, madam.

-Go on!

-Your bid, madam, at £40.

-£40. He's done it.

-GAVEL BANGS

-Yes!

-45, you see?

That's super, isn't it?

There we go, girls.

That's how to do it. That's how to do it.

So, you were minus 25. You're now minus 20, OK?

So what are we going to do, then?

We are definitely going for that bonus.

-Are we hot for his bracelet?

-Oh, definitely.

-We're going to go with it, yes?

-Definitely.

-Stand by.

Cross you legs, girls.

£100. Start me for the bracelet. 100.

Must be £50 now for this silver bracelet. Charles Horner.

It's all you could ever want.

30. 30 start me, then.

20, are we? 20 the gentleman's bid now. At 20.

At £20 now. 22. 22 online. 24.

-Gentleman's bid now at 24. 26.

-Well, at least we've got something.

28. 30. At £30 now. 30. The bid's online.

-This is cheap, isn't it?

-Certainly is!

The lady's bid at the back now. 32. 34 online now. 34.

36, madam? 36. The lady's bid now at 36.

At £36 now. 36. 38 are we? 38 online now. 38.

40. At £40 now. At 40. Still cheap this now at 40.

The lady's bid now at £40. The lady's bid at just £40 only.

Oh, no... 40. £40 is plus £20.

-You had minus £20 and now you're absolutely nowhere.

-Oh...!

-After all that!

-Nothing.

-No profit. No loss. No pain. No gain.

-Never mind. We'll come again.

Well, that's amazing, isn't it? I mean, what's the chances of that?

-What's the chances of that?

-Up, down. Up, down. Up, down.

-Congratulations, David.

-Thank you.

-You made some money.

Now, it could be that a wiped face is a winning score today,

so say not a word to the Reds, all right?

-Now, Sue, Jax, you happy?

-Yes.

-Yes.

I think your smile says it all, doesn't it?

Hasn't she got a cracking smile? That's marvellous.

Anyway, your first lot is the Hermes scarf and here it comes.

I've got to go in at £50.

Starts me on commission for the scarf now at 50.

55 online now. 55.

60 on commission now. 60.

65 in the room here now. At 65.

70. At £70. online here now at 70.

At 70. 75. Gentleman's bid now at 75.

80.

-It's no money.

-The bid's online.

At 80. 85. At £85 now.

85. It's the gentleman's bid now at £85.

-Come on!

-£85.

-Go on!

GAVEL BANGS

£85. £85...

I feel weak.

£15.

I'm not a girl and I really want it.

OK, now, here we go. Here's a couple of oil bottles.

-Shush! Big it up. Big it up.

-Yeah...

-Sell it.

A couple of beautiful oil bottles.

I've got commissions here. Start me at £50 for the pair now.

50. £50 now for the pair of these.

-55.

-Oh, dear...

-60. At £60 now.

65. 70. £70 now. The bid's in the room now. 70.

You're in profit.

75. At 75. 80.

85. At 85.

90. At 90.

-95. 100. 110.

-Hang on...

At 110. It's the gentleman's bid.

120 online now. 120.

-Look at these girls get going.

-£130.

140. 140. 150.

Gentleman's bid now at 150.

160. 160. The bid's online now.

A pair of these now at 160.

At £160...

GAVEL BANGS

160. 70 is 30.

That is... That is plus er...91.

Plus 91!

-The spoon. The spoon.

-Look out, here comes your spoon.

Come on, guys. £20 for the caddy spoon. 10 to get on, then.

10 with the lady. Thank you now. 10.

12. 14. 16.

18. 20. 22.

24. 26. 28.

30. 32. 34.

36. 38. 40.

45. 50.

55. 55. Bid's here now at 55.

The lady's bid now.

The spoon is selling at £55.

Are you all done at 55?

The lady's bid.

£55! That is plus 7.

You are plus £83.

So what are you going to do about the bonus buy? Are you saving no?

-No.

-No. You're saying no.

-No. No!

-We always said we would.

-I know.

-Yeah, but...

-Should we do it?

-Oh, God...! You're killing me.

-I can't bear this.

Look, we've got to make our mind up. No? You're not going to do it?

You're not going with the bonus buy.

We're selling it anyway. Here it comes.

Lovely colour this. Good size, too. I've got to start at just £30.

On commission for it now at 30.

At £30 on commission.

32. 34. 36. 38.

40. 45. 50. 55.

60. 65. At £65 now.

It's still on commission now at 65.

At £65. Nice little lot this, on commission.

-Look out. You paid 65.

-At £65.

See?

Wiped its face. There you go. No profit. No loss.

Isn't that just brilliant, though?

I mean, has that not just worked out perfectly?

I mean, that is just so perfect.

She isn't wrong.

She's not wrong, right? She's not wrong.

She's not right.

It's a win, win, win-win situation.

Well, well, well. You teams been chatting at all about the score?

-No.

-No.

-Nobody knows anything about the score.

Well, the runners up today,

who've managed to score absolutely nothing, are the Blues.

Yay!

It's a weird thing to happen that you do all that effort

and you get up and you get down

and you finish with an excellent bonus buy, I have to say,

which gave you £20 worth of profit off old Charles Horner.

But he didn't do enough. He didn't do anything.

He just took you back to where you started, which is...

-I think that was quite skilful.

-Yeah, so do I.

I mean, that is what you call skill. But you had a nice time?

-We've had a brilliant time.

-Yeah, it was better than a holiday.

How about that?!

Anyway, our holiday-makers over here,

who are actually going home with £83,

which is a sum of money.

Well done, Kate. Here's 82 of your £83.

And I had not seen those decanters coming at all.

There's your last pound.

For a profit of £91, I thought that was amazing.

-It was amazing, actually.

-Well done, Kate.

And you didn't go with the bonus buy

but that didn't win or lose either, so that was skilful.

So it's been altogether rather wonderful, hasn't it, Jax?

-It's been wonderful.

-You enjoyed it, too?

-Fantastic.

Well, thank you very much for coming and making our day.

In fact, join us soon for some more bargain hunting, yes? Yes!