Epsom and Dorking 9 Bargain Hunt

In 1086, the Domesday Book said that Dorking had got a church,

three mills and 88 hogs. Ha.

Well, times have changed,

because this place now has assets coming out of its ear holes.

So, pin back yours and let's go bargain hunting, yeah!

Did you know that Dorking had its very own breed of chicken,

which is blessed with an extra claw?

The big question today is,

will our teams be blessed

with the energy to dig out all those bargains?

Let's have a quick look at what hatched.

On the show today, it's hats off to the Reds...

Go on, then.

I see where this is going. Oh, no.

I'm going to give myself a black eye.

..and thinking caps on for the Blues.

-We'll have a think. We'll have think.

-Noncommittal.

-Noncommittal.

You're doing a lot of thinking.

Let's meet the teams, yes?

Well, today's programme is set to be one dirty, great love-in,

because for the Reds we have married couple Heidi and Ian,

and for the Blues we have a blossoming partnership

with Julian and Gemma.

Hello, everyone.

-ALL: Hello.

-Hi.

Now, Heidi, what's this about your mother being a stripper?

A furniture stripper.

-Oh. Sorry about that.

-Yes.

She worked for an antique shop in Surbiton,

and that's where basically our love of antiques came from,

cos she used to strip a lot of furniture back then.

-Yes. It was incredibly popular, wasn't it?

-Yes.

High streets were full of stripped pine shops

which had come from professional people who had taken the paint off.

Yes. And, you know, my love of ceramics and glass

came from that as well.

-Funny how it can be ignited in a child, isn't it?

-Yes.

-And then carries on later.

-Yeah.

-Lovely.

-Thank you.

Perfect. So, Ian, the oval ball and the Orient

have had an effect on your love of sport, haven't they?

Yes, they have, Tim. When I was younger,

I lived in Hong Kong,

so I was brought up watching the Hong Kong Sevens way back then

with the men with the big sideburns and the big beards,

and watching proper rugby

way back when it was obviously an amateur sport.

And on my return to England, I took up the sport myself.

Yes, exactly. But then you took up some martial arts, didn't you?

Yes. Well, it was my eldest daughter.

We wanted her to do some kind of sport,

so she took up a martial art called Kuk Sool.

And we have both recently just been promoted to our blue belts.

-Have you really?

-Yes.

I won't be arguing with you over this show, I can tell you.

I agree with everything.

What are you looking forward to unearthing today,

you two treasure hunters?

Anything that's a bit quirky, sparkly - cos I love sparkle.

If something just goes whoo, I'll be there.

-Really?

-Yes.

-Same with you, Ian? You get the "whoo"?

-Yeah, I go with Heidi.

-You go with her "whoo-hoo"?

THEY LAUGH

Yes, anything that just catches our eye, and we think, we'll have that.

Well, we look forward to it. OK. Now, Julian, it says here

that you're an actor/theatre manager today.

-Theatre director.

-OK.

But you were previously a magician.

-Yes, yes.

-Why did you give up magic?

I decided that when you start yawning

in the middle of your own act, that's probably a good sign

-that it's time to...

-Had you done it for a year or two?

I'd done it for about 25 years but, as I say,

I just got to the stage where it's like...

Well, you know, like any job.

It becomes like a job and it gets a tad tedious,

and acting had always been my ultimate ambition.

-So you made the switch?

-Yes.

Now tell me, Gemma, did you do your own hair today?

Uh...sort of.

Cos it's looking spectacular.

-Thank you, Tim.

-Not at all.

Like the future Queen of England's hair, if you don't mind my saying.

-Thank you! That's very nice.

-Because you are a hairdresser...

-I am.

..but you have a history of treading the boards.

I do. I do, yes.

I was a professional dancer for many a year,

then I had my two children,

and then retrained, and I'm now a hairdresser.

-And it's lovely.

-Have you enjoyed all these roles equally? I expect...

-I have indeed. Yes, yes.

-Perfect.

What sort of things will you be on the lookout for today, Jules?

Um, I don't know.

Just something that catches my eye because if it catches my eye,

it might catch somebody else's eye.

We don't really want to go for high-value stuff,

just stuff that's a bit quirky

and likely to have a few quid profit in it.

Anyway, very good luck today

because now is the moment for me to give you 300 smackers each.

300 smackers, there you go.

£300. You know the rules.

Your experts await, and off you go!

-ALL: Thank you.

-And very, very, very good luck.

Gosh, what ever is going to happen next?

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

The Reds are in for a laugh

because they've got the colourful David Harper.

And on call for the Blues, it's the chatty Natasha Raskin.

So, the stage is set on Dorking's West Street.

Here we go. Julian and Gemma, act one, scene one.

How are we going to get on today?

I'm going to do as I'm told. Gemma's in charge.

Heidi, what will we be looking for?

I think anything that's a bit sort of sparkly cos I love sparkle.

Ah, my dream woman. Ian?

THEY LAUGH

-I tend to go with Heidi but...

-Course you do!

-..practical. Something practical.

-Practical.

-And you're excited, fit to burst, right?

-Absolutely fit to burst.

Let's not mess around.

-Let's go, go, go, go, go.

-Let's go!

-Curtains up.

And that's your cue to start, so break a leg.

She's panicking already, this one.

With Gemma behind-the-scenes, Julian takes centre stage.

They are quite good fun.

Whilst they're not matching, they are mismatching.

I think they're meant to be together.

Spotty, stripy, and we've got... What's that called? Gingham.

-We've got a gingham style as well.

-Gingham.

-"Gingham style".

-Oh, I don't know. Oh, my goodness.

Well, he was a magician, not a comedian.

SHE LAUGHS

Now Heidi is drawn to an inkwell.

-I've just seen this one.

-OK.

-It's a nice ink...well.

-OK, do you use these inkwells, Heidi?

-No, I don't but...

Again, it was... I just saw it and thought it looked very nice.

You saw some light coming through it

and you saw the sparkliness, didn't you?

SHE LAUGHS Yes, I did.

-Magpie.

-Rays of sunshine pouring out. Yes.

-It's a novel thing.

-Yes.

What have we got here? 12 quid.

-Not expensive, is it?

-No.

It really isn't. But what...

You've seen this programme, Ian.

You're the auctioneer, you're talking to Tim,

what's your valuation?

I think we can make...

I think there would be a small little profit on that.

-I really do.

-If we were able to get it for the right price.

-If we can get it for the right price.

-Ooh, I see.

Which is where I think she wants me to come in.

Are you the best negotiator?

I can... I've been told I can talk for England

and I could sell ice to Eskimos.

I think that's why you're here actually.

Yes, I think that's why I'm here.

-I think we should have to go on this.

-Yes.

Do you think we should bag it if we can get it for like eight quid?

-Yes.

-Is that the figure that comes to mind?

-Yes.

And think that we know we'll make a few pounds profit

just to give us a good start.

Just a few profits would be nice.

SHE LAUGHS

-Do you want a Golden Gavel?

-I want a Golden Gavel.

You'll need profits on all three items then.

Blues, what are you up to?

OK. So what have we got here?

I mean, they are really just what they are, aren't they?

They're just little table top condiment shakers.

-Sweet though, aren't they?

-Why are there four of them?

I think they're for a large table.

I think you'd have them dotted around with salt and pepper.

They're kind of retro and can't be much older than 1970, something like that.

-They're sweet but we'll see.

-We'll have a think. We'll have a think.

One to think about.

So, how is Ian's gift of the gab working out?

We've seen a reasonable price on that

but we're wondering, what is the best you could do for us on that?

I'm not very impressed so far, I've got to tell you.

Well, he's polite at least.

It is a beautiful object, isn't it? You must admit.

It's a beautiful object, it's got a lovely shine to it.

And to you, we can do that for £11.

-£11, that's...

-Oh, dear. It's going badly wrong.

I was looking for a bit more than that, to be honest.

-£9.50.

-9.

-Go on, then.

-Thank you very much, sir. HEIDI:

-Thank you very much.

Great work, Reds. Eight minutes gone.

First purchase in. Very quick. I love it.

Blues, have you found anything to get enthused about?

So, what's that? A Simple Simon teapot.

-It looks revolting.

-And this has caught your eye?

-Yes. Why?

-Because it's quirky.

-It is very quirky.

-It's different.

-It's different.

-It's um... Now...

-It's cheap.

-It's cheap?! Oh, my goodness.

OK, so what have we got going for it?

Different, quirky and cheap.

-Very much in the style of a potter called SylvaC.

-Right.

SylvaC produced all of these...

Exactly that, little condiment jars called onion,

-celery, whatever.

-Oh, right.

-Oh, yes.

You've seen them a million times, with different coloured tops.

This is by Devonmoor,

and I don't know the association between SylvaC and Devonmoor.

Perhaps they're closely associated

but this is an iconic sort of onion shape.

-Right.

-And it's 12 quid in this shop.

Do we have any big chunks?

Lid's good. Spout's good.

-I mean, he really is horrifically ugly, isn't he?

-Yeah.

Oh, my goodness.

-I think the most we would want to pay is five or six quid.

-Yeah, yeah.

Another one to think about.

Another one to think about, or do you want to go and make enquiries?

Because we're doing a lot of thinking.

Early days but be mindful of time.

-Let's find out how much it is then.

-So if we say to them

-that IF we were to buy this...

-Yes.

-How low can we go?

-BOTH: How low can we go?

I think only one thing is certain -

I think that if we go anywhere, when we come back,

Simple Simon will still be here.

He will still be here.

Poor Simon, he's got feelings, you know.

And I have a feeling they'll be back for you, old boy.

Now, haggling isn't Ian's only talent...

And there we go. Do that again.

Let's see if I can do it again. Wait.

Perfect fit, actually.

I think there's a competition here. Let's see.

How many marks out of ten for Ian?

Well, he did very well. You're going to have to... Go on, then.

I see where this is going.

Oh, no! I'm going to give myself a black eye. Hang on.

Hang on! He's had years of prac... Heidi.

Ah, fabulous, ten out of ten.

Thank you very much. Ian.

-Ten out of ten.

-Thank you.

That is fantastically cool, isn't it?

-I mean, that's a fun novelty champagne bucket.

-Yes.

It's never going to be described as an antique. Ever.

-Could be a bargain.

-Do you want to give it a go?

Heidi, what do you think?

It is priced at £35.

I personally would probably put a tenner on it.

-Yeah, so would I. 10-20.

-10-20.

But on a mad day in the auction - and we get mad days all the time -

it might make 50 quid.

-Might.

-It might.

-I think in...

If the last one did so well, I think you might have to try it again,

-see if you can get it for a very low price.

-Oh, dear.

-Oh, God, we're in trouble.

-This might go very badly wrong. Come on.

-Yes.

Yes, well, as the saying goes, if you want to get ahead,

get a hat-shaped ice bucket.

Hi there, Steve.

-This is Gemma and Julian.

-ALL:

-Hi.

And Gemma and Julian have been admiring Simple Simon.

-STEVE:

-Right.

-Probably the first of your customers in a while

to admire Simple Simon, but that's all right cos they like it.

It's got £12 on it. How does seven sound, which is a fiver off?

Uh, what if I said eight?

Would that be agreeable then?

Eight.

You've caught us at a time when Gemma doesn't want to commit.

-No.

-Noncommittal.

-Noncommittal.

But that, to be fair, is a nice offer.

-Would you hold it for half an hour?

-I should think so.

-I don't think everyone will rush in the door.

-THEY LAUGH

Now, once word gets out, they'll be in here.

Reds don't think so.

What is the best you can do for us on that, please, sir?

I could put some ice in it for you.

THEY CHUCKLE

I think there may be something more that we can do on that.

'Maybe some bubbly too.'

We were looking at...

..£12, £13 really.

27.

No. Afraid we're not going to be able to that, are we?

Perhaps we could hold it for you and you can browse.

Yes, maybe.

-Can you put that to one side for us?

-Yes, sure.

-Brilliant.

REDS: Thank you very much.

-Cheers.

-Thank you.

Not working well, your negotiating, is it?

It wasn't that, to be honest.

So, as the teams move along the street, join me up the road

at Epsom Antiques Fair,

where, earlier, I found some illuminating treasures.

I want you to think candlesticks.

I want you to think international candlesticks.

And I want you to tell me where this candlestick comes from.

Well, a hint is that it's made in the form

of a lamp. Because the maker of this object,

in cast bronze, has incorporated a candle socket here,

where you might have expected to have the wick from the oil lamp.

It's the sort of thing that looks as if it's English

but, actually, was made in France.

But it resembles an oil lamp

that would have been made in the Roman period in Italy.

So that's a bit of a confusion,

and that's why it's a truly cosmopolitan candlestick.

Now if we look at this pair of candlesticks,

what do they remind you of?

They look incredibly Oriental, don't they?

Well, they're not.

Because these candlesticks were made in France.

The enamelling that you see on them is of a particular type

that was perfected in France in the 19th century,

and this is called champleve.

In Japan they make something similar, called cloisonne,

which is sections of rolled wire laid onto a solid body,

and then, in-between the wires they apply some enamel.

Different in France with champleve

because the body of the metal is cast with a hollow,

there's no wire in this,

but the individual colours are then inserted into the gaps

left by the casting.

And in a way, it's a more sophisticated technique

than the Japanese cloisonne.

I have to say, I absolutely adore these candlesticks.

Now, on the face of it, this little oil lamp, priced at £40,

is about the right price for a bit of tourist ware of this type,

but £80, which was the purchase price for the pair of candlesticks,

frankly, is cheap,

because they could make as much as £150-£200.

The speculative candlestick out of this tribe

is this fellow.

What's oddball about it is that it's made of ceramic -

you can see the red clay here.

And that red clay has been covered in a streaky green glaze

that's then covered in a thick lead glaze,

which is what makes it so shiny,

except this thing is absolutely filthy.

Why am I so excited about this thing?

Well, it represents something

that was made in the Arts and Crafts period.

And I need to do some research, because it's most likely,

with this glazed colour scheme,

that this thing comes from the north-east.

It comes from a place called Linthorpe,

and in the Linthorpe factory, between 1880 and 1900,

a particular famous designer, one Dr Christopher Dresser,

was producing designs for that pottery to produce their wares.

This top part which forms the sconce

looks exactly like the bud of a flower.

And the handle curves in that sinuous and organic way.

It looks like a Dresser design to me

and, if I'm right and it was made in Linthorpe,

it is worth between £200 and £300.

What would it cost you?

Here, today, it could be yours, filthy-dirty, for £20.

Where there's muck, there's brass.

Now back to the teams on Dorking's West Street

where the shopping is in full flow.

-Look at those chandeliers.

-It's all very grand, isn't it?

Isn't it beautiful?

It goes on and on.

-Gosh, this is huge.

-Look at this.

-It's like an Aladdin's cave.

Look at that.

Could you just put a bed in here and sleep? Cos I could.

Believe it or not, 20 minutes have passed.

But we've come to a fresh, fresh centre

and, you never know, there could be some real fresh things in here.

So, are the Reds about to taste success with shop owner Christine?

Oh, I say. Cheers, Heidi.

-Oh, Cheers.

-Dare we? Dare we?

-Ooh, they ring! WOMAN:

-Nice ring. Nice ring.

Fantastic ring. Any marks? Any signatures on there?

I can't see any, no.

-Would be rare to find it, wouldn't it?

-Yes.

-So these are lead crystal, aren't they?

-They're very well cut.

-Just tap that. Tap it.

-HE TAPS LIGHTLY

-That was rubbish. Here, listen.

-SHE TAPS LIGHTLY

-I was too scared I'd bang it too hard.

-Better.

GLASS PINGS

-Go on, try that again.

-GLASS PINGS SOFTLY

Oh, my Lord.

He's great with top hats though.

The old wives' tale - if that's what you'd call it -

of how these things were designed, who were they modelled on?

Do you know the story?

-Oh, yes.

-Do you?

-Is it Antoinette?

Marie Antoinette.

By all accounts, they were modelled

on the shape of Marie Antoinette's bosom.

-Oh!

-Yes.

-That's interesting, isn't it?

-Yes, so there you go.

-What else can you say?

-I'm not going to say anything.

-ALL LAUGH

-'Yes, I think you've said enough.'

-They are lovely.

-Yes.

-And there's six of those?

-Set of six, yes.

OK. What do you reckon, Heidi?

Hang on, before you say anything, how much are they?

Well, you need a good price, don't you? Cos you are looking to win.

-Yes, we are.

-Yes, we want the Golden Gavel.

Let's say 50, then. Absolutely rock bottom.

-I'm very happy with that price.

-Yes.

-You're a changed man.

-Heidi?

-No. To be perfectly honest, you've been very kind to us

and so, yeah, we would like to take those for 50.

We'll wrap them well so they stay perfect.

-Thank you ever so much.

-Thank you.

'Second purchase in less than 15 minutes.

'Cheers to that.'

We've got to now consider,

what are we going to do with that hat over there.

-Hmm.

-So time to reflect, I think.

'Ha, that's exactly the mood the Blues are in.'

That is fabulous.

Julian, what do you make of that?

-I love it.

-It's fun and quirky, and it's vintage.

-Yes.

Vintage-meets-contemporary idea.

-Right.

-I like it.

-So, we're running out of time.

-Shall we get a price?

-Yes. What's the price on the ticket?

-It's 58 on there now.

-Shall I take it to the desk and ask them...?

And see what the best is.

I mean, if we could get that for around 45, I think, come on,

that is good fun. What a good idea. What a good idea.

-In the meantime, shall we keep looking?

-Yes.

There's actually a glass perfume bottle on the shelf.

After you, lead the way.

-OK.

-Natasha, what do you think of this?

Ah, love it. Absolutely love it. Scent bottles, how chic are they?

And whilst Julian is away we can appreciate the finer lady things.

Now, it says here that it is French Art Deco

and that it has got a knock-down price of £49.

This is a very tricky one because,

with glassware, it's difficult to age it.

Only thing that I can see holding it in my hand

-is a tiny little bubble here.

-Right.

And that bubble gives me hope that this is a period item...

-OK.

-..because modern glass would have no flaws.

If we could get that for £40,

and if this proves to be genuine French Art Deco...oh, beautiful!

Sorry to interrupt. I'm back and they've said they'll do this for 50.

-£50.

-Yes.

-OK.

It would be our first item. It is something to consider

-because it's so much fun.

-BOTH:

-Yeah.

-I really like it.

-It's so much fun.

-I think we should go for it.

-Are we going for it?

-I think because of where we're selling it,

-predominantly that's going to help us.

-Absolutely.

-Yeah. Very fun.

-So we'll go for that?

-Yes.

-Yes! And we're going to follow you

cos we're going to ask about this, but you haven't seen it.

-GEMMA LAUGHS

-What do you think?

It's nice.

I can see that in a lady's boudoir.

-OK. Fabulous. Let's follow you then.

-Let's follow.

-Thank you.

OK. So, yes, we would like to take this, but also,

we're looking at this perfume bottle.

Now, it's got £49 on it,

and we're wondering, how much leeway do you have on that?

-We can reduce that by five, so...

-ALL:

-44.

44.

Do you know, I think there's something about this

that I just absolutely love.

Right now, without any liquid in it it's quite difficult to imagine

but, filled up, it just would look so fabulous.

-'Time's ticking.'

-Let's go for it.

-It's a real centrepiece.

-Shall we go for it?

-Two pieces then.

-Yeah.

-OK!

Done, done, done! Oh, my goodness.

Right, so 44 and 50 makes 94.

Next two items, 15 minutes left.

-OK.

-OK, lovely. Great.

-Let's pay and run. OK.

-Pay and run.

I think they're off to pay Simple Simon a visit.

Here we are again. Hello, again, hello. Hi.

We've got about 12 minutes.

Let's just have a last look

and then we can just take it up to the last...

-So if we get to one minute to go, we buy Simon.

-We buy Simon.

-Well, come on, then.

-Look, look, look!

Well, we're not going to do it if we keep messing around.

Hello.

I bet you're pleased to see us again.

This time, Heidi's heading the haggle.

-22 and you've definitely got a deal.

-22?

-22.

-23.

-22.50.

-Done!

-IAN:

-There we go.

'That's how it's done, fellows.'

That was hard work.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you so much.

-And well done, you two.

We are on a major champagne fest here.

-That is marvellous, but now to round it off, a nice cup of tea.

-Yes.

And even a nice slice of cake on me, how's that? Cos you've been so good.

-Aw, thank you.

-You've been really good. Well done. Oh! Excellent!

Now that's a proper hat trick.

Come on, you Blues. One item left.

-How does jewellery sell?

-Depends what it is entirely.

-How would a solid silver five piece condiment set go?

-It's too risky.

Five minutes left.

We make a final decision on the teapot, the onion teapot.

-What do you think?

-Yeah, I think we should go for it.

-We're not going to lose a lot of money on it.

-OK.

-Because it's only £8.

-OK. Can I be absolutely cheeky?

And ask if there's any way it can be any slightly less cheaper than £8?

-Could it possibly be six?

-Um... Yes, all right.

-Let's do the onion.

Where did that come from?!

-That was cheap. Oh, my goodness.

-Let's do the onion.

Talk about leaving it late. Nice bit of haggling too, Gemma.

That's it, times up. Let's check out what the Red team bought, eh?

The late Victorian cut-glass inkwell was obtained for £9.

The set of six champagne glasses were picked up for £50.

The novelty plastic champagne bucket rounded off their trio

for £22.50.

Very smooth.

Well, you two love birds. How was it? All right?

-Yes, good fun, thank you.

-Which is your favourite piece?

The champagne saucers.

-The champagne saucers.

-Yes.

-Right. Do you agree with that, Ian?

-Yes.

-You do.

-Yes, they were the find I think.

Which piece is going to bring the biggest profit, Ian?

-I think the inkwell...

-The inkwell?

..might bring a small profit, and I think that's all we're going to get.

Well, that's optimism for you. And what about you, darling?

-Oh, no, champagne.

-Champagne. Anyway, you've had a great time.

-How much did you spend?

-£81.50.

-On one item?

-No.

-Three.

-On the lot?

-All three, I'm afraid.

-All three.

-Dear, dear, dear.

-It's a bargain!

OK, fine. £81.50 is £.50 short of £82 which is 18 short of 100.

-That's £218.50.

-Well done.

-That's the way I do my math.

-But anyway, can I have it?

-You certainly may.

-It's a pile of dosh.

-Here we go.

-David, where did you get your T-shirt from, mate?

-Why?

-Just my colour, that.

-I've seen you looking at it longingly.

THEY LAUGH

I was getting a bit worried, to be honest.

Well, even I couldn't squeeze into that.

Anyway, there you go, old friend. That's a lot of money, isn't it?

It's a big lump of it and I think I've got to buy something bling-y,

-don't you agree, Heidi?

-I think you've got to spend the lot.

-I'm going to go for it.

-I hope you're going to go mad.

-Going to go for it!

-That's what I like to hear, Dave.

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

After much reflection,

they were served up the tennis racket wall mirror for an ace £50.

Closely followed by the large Art Deco-style scent bottle for £44.

And finally, they stewed over the Devonmoor Simple Simon

novelty teapot, returning to pay £6.

-Jules, Gems, how are you?

-Very well, thank you, how are you?

-That was exhausting, wasn't it?

-Yeah.

-Right up to the wire.

Dear, oh, dear. Now, Gems, tell me, what's your favourite piece?

Hard decision but I'm going to go with the tennis racket.

The tennis racket is your fave. You agree with that, Jules?

I like the tennis racket but I'm very fond of the teapot.

-Will the teapot bring the biggest profit?

-No.

-What will bring the biggest profit?

-The tennis racket.

-The tennis racket? So 'er indoors is right.

-She's always right.

-I've learned that a long time ago.

-How much did you spend?

-£100.

-Exactly 100.

-£100, OK. I'd like £200 of leftover lolly.

Thank you. You're an absolute gem. And handing it on to Natasha.

There you go, Natasha. What are you going to do with that, darling?

We bought a whole variety of things,

so let's add to that and buy something quirky and just nuts.

-Might as well.

-Absolutely.

So what's new? Some would say.

OK, well, very good luck with that, Natasha.

Meanwhile, we're heading straight off to the auction. Ooh-ah.

Well, we've winged it from Dorking into central London,

to Chiswick High Road, to High Road Auctions...

-to be with Ross Mercer. Ross, hello.

-Hello there.

-Are you good?

-I am.

Now, for the Reds.

Their first item is the most miserable of miserable inkwells

-you ever did see.

-Yes. It's quite mean, isn't it?

It's mean and you'd never give it an individual lot

in this smart sale room of yours in Chiswick High Road, would you?

-Ordinarily, if it wasn't for us.

-I wouldn't.

-But for Bargain Hunt we'll do most things.

-You're so kind.

-Anyway, what's your estimate on that little misery?

-We've said £20-30.

Have you really? Gosh.

OK, you're just going to encourage them, you know?

£9 is what they paid, and frankly

if you get a £5 note for it I think you've done jolly well.

Anyway, we shall see.

Next are six cut-glass glasses.

Loosely called champagne glasses but they could be used for fruit sundae.

That's right.

Not the typical shape, but I think they're probably

post the golden period of champagne in the '20s, '30s, and '40s.

Exactly, cos these, I guess, date from the 1950s or '60s, don't they?

That's right. I think we could call them cocktail glasses.

OK, what's your estimate on them?

-We've said £25-45.

-Very generous, too.

-£50 paid by our team so they paid too much.

-Wow.

I think they got swept away on the prospect

of a bit of bubbly actually.

And whilst we're on the fizzy substance,

it has spilled over into their little bottle cooler.

I particularly dislike this thing because it's made of plastic.

Do you like it?

It's not really me, Tim, to be honest with you.

I think it's a bit of fun for a picnic or a barbecue

over the summer, maybe.

I think they call it kitsch.

Yeah, it's on the edge of kitsch, isn't it? OK, fine, how much?

-Well, for that we've said £30-50.

-OK, well fair enough.

£22.50 they paid.

Anyway, overall, I am not personally terribly impressed

by this team's lot and I think they are going to need

the bonus buy, so let's go have a look at it.

Heidi and Ian, this is a moment, is it? The leftover lolly moment.

-You gave your man £218.50, a small fortune by anybody's standards.

-Mm!

David, what did you go and blow it on?

OK, I blew it on something nice and shiny.

ALL: Ooh!

Oh, my gosh! Grab one each. Not two!

Oh, all right, take them all.

-What do you think of those napkin rings?

-Yes.

Fantastically hallmarked. They are solid what?

-925, so that's silver.

-Well done.

I thought you were going to fall into the trap

of saying they were solid gold.

Solid silver, gold plated, gilded silver. But quite interesting.

Without their box, sadly, but dated Sheffield 1977.

I feel it's commemorative pieces for the 25th Silver Jubilee.

-Silver Jubilee with a bit of gold.

-How much did you pay for this?

How much would you pay for them?

-70?

-Yeah, 70.

-Pretty good. I paid 80.

-That's not bad.

-I'd say very good guess.

-Very good.

-Crunch question.

I think they could do 100. 80-120 as a guess,

as an estimate would be a safe.

These will match the Golden Gavel we're going to get.

-This is the aim.

-Ah.

We desperately want a Golden Gavel.

Anyway, on that happy note, why don't we check out

what the auctioneer thinks about Dave's napkin rings. Oh, yes.

Now, for a family of four, four napkin rings.

-Nice that they're in silver gilt.

-They are nice quality.

They're a nice gauge as we say, a nice thickness of metal

and weight to them.

The thing with the gilding is you don't have to clean the silver.

They won't tarnish like silver tarnishes,

so, from that point of view, they are quite practical.

-Anyway, how much, then, for the four?

-We've said £50-70.

OK, £80 paid by David, and I think that's close enough.

Now, moving on to the Blues, which is a pretty queer old mix

cos we've got the Dunlop Maxply tennis racket

that I used to use at school.

I can't believe that my old tennis racket

has now been made into a mirror.

-Well, it is...it is the first time I've ever seen one.

-Is it?

You've got to really love tennis, really,

haven't you, to hang that up on your wall every day.

I think the novelty of it is good if you are a sportsman. Why not?

-Well, we've stuck our neck out a bit. We said £30-50.

-Have you?

-Yes.

-£50 the team paid.

-I think that's all the money.

-Yeah, so do I.

They'll not make a profit out of that.

-Next is the Deco-style scent bottle.

-Not great quality.

It needs a thoroughly good clean.

-It's beginning to bloom so we can get some soda water perhaps.

-Yeah.

-How much?

-Well, we said £40-60,

-which I think is a bit optimistic.

-Do you? OK, £44 the team paid.

Last, we've got the Simple Simon teapot.

This doesn't do much for me, I'm afraid, Tim. It's a novelty teapot.

There are good collectors for teapots,

but what will happen to it on the day...

Well, I can reassure you that the team

-only invested £6 in this teapot.

-Yes, I think they probably paid...

-About the right price?

-About the right price for it.

-OK, fine.

Overall, they haven't invested that much.

They only spent £100 on all three items.

Let's go have a look at their bonus buy.

Gems, Jules, you gave Natasha £200.

A fortune in the way of leftover lolly.

-That's have a look at what you bought.

-OK, it comes in two parts.

-I'm first going to reveal to you... A parcel.

-Ooh.

And because I was in the company of such luvvies, I couldn't help

-but think of the theatre. The theatre.

-Oh, nice!

-And saw these lovely little opera glasses, we thought of you!

-Sweet.

-They are sweet.

-They're lovely.

-I'm going to reveal my hand to you.

They're not the world's best opera glasses.

They are mid-century, hopefully French, unstamped and, you know,

not silvered hallmarked or anything like that opera glasses.

We can safely say they are snakeskin.

They come with this little case. We can safely say they're lovely.

Were they expensive?

Well, I nearly spent the whole amount. No, just kidding!

-They were £38.

-Great!

You wouldn't have to go to the theatre many times.

Is it a pound now that you have to put in

to get the glasses in the theatre?

-Exactly.

-So, you wouldn't have to go many times to get your money back.

-I think they're lovely.

-So, what do you reckon they'll fetch?

Well, I reckon the auctioneer is going to put

something like 20-40, 30-50.

He's not going to put on a whopping big estimate of 60-80 on them,

but they just need to inspire a little bit of competition

and then we are cracking. I think we're almost there.

We're almost there.

On that happy note, why don't we check out what the auctioneer

thinks about Natasha's opera glasses.

OK, there we go. Look, Ross.

Very, very, very ordinary.

They are, Tim. Not great quality.

And quite a small market who are going to buy these.

However, the condition is good.

If we're trying to be optimistic,

I think the condition might get them away on the day.

-Yeah, they'll look well on the internet, won't they?

-They will.

That's the other thing that's in their favour.

OK, so Natasha invested £38.

Will she get out of trouble in your auction?

-We've said 30-50.

-OK, well, she just might get lucky, mightn't she?

-I'll try my best.

-Well, you are well in focus.

-Heidi, Ian, everything OK?

-Yes.

Hoping for the best because you're desperate for the old GG, right?

-Yes.

-Right, well, there's an ambition for you.

First up, then, is the little inkwell. Here it comes.

Next lot is the late-Victorian cut-glass inkwell. There it is.

Nice quality thing. £5, bid at five. Eight with you, sir.

£8, bid 10.

At £8 with the gentleman sat, 10 may I say. New place at £10.

-For 12.

-Profit. Unbelievable.

-14, 16.

-16?

-18?

At £18, bid 20. £20, at 20. In the back row at £20 only.

-£20.

-Last chance, we're going to sell it on to the gentleman. 20.

-Trying to give me a heart attack here. £22.

-22?!

-24, 26.

-I can't believe this.

-£26, 28.

-30 now.

-It's the miracle of Chiswick.

30. May I say five to you?

32. OK, I'm not a proud man. We'll get every penny we can for this.

32, 35. At 35.

At 35, last chance at 35. Sold!

-35.

-Thank you!

£35, 25... It's plus £26. £26!

Now here comes the champagne glasses. Looking nice.

A lot of interest here. Bids start against you all, £20. I have at 20.

Coming in at 20. Five. 30. Five. 40. Five with you, madam, at 45. Bid 50.

Five. 60, madam.

£60 I'm bid at the back of the room. 60. At £60 only.

Lovely suite of six cocktail glasses.

£65 now on the internet. At £65.

At £65, last chance, all done? Sold to the internet at 65.

£65 is plus £15, that's 26, 36, that's plus £41.

A novelty champagne bucket. £10 bid. £10, I'm bid at 10. 15, sir, at 15.

20 now. £20 bid, 25.

-25. 30 now.

-You've done it.

-30 bid. 35.

-They have cracked it.

-At £35.

Sat in front of me at £35 and I'm going to sell.

Last chance, all done and selling at 35.

-Sold!

-£35.

£22.50...

That is plus £53.50 profit.

So what you going to do about the bonus buy, then?

You going to park that? £80 for those jobbies.

Because we've done so well, I'm really sorry,

-would you mind if we passed?

-Not at all.

-Take the money, I'm afraid.

-You take the money and run.

-And here comes the bonus buy.

The next lot now, lot 102. Lovely silver gilt napkin rings.

20 bid. 20 bid, five. 25, bid 30. 35.

At £35 stands. At the back at 35.

Doesn't seem a lot to me at 35.

£40, on the internet at 40. 45. 45.

-At £45 in the room.

-I can't even look!

Going to sell to internet at 45.

Last chance. Done and selling at £45.

-Oh!

-45, eh?

-Good decision. Very good decision.

Minus £35, that would've made a hole, wouldn't it?

That would've made a hole. Anyway, well done, team.

You are plus £53.50.

Don't say a word to those Blues. Don't spoil their day.

-All will be revealed in a moment.

-Yes.

-Congratulations again.

Thank you very much.

OK, Jules, Gem, first up is your Maxply tennis racket mirror.

Here it comes.

Unusual, certainly it is.

It's the rather fun Dunlop tennis racket.

Some interest with me. On the books at £30 I'm bid.

-30 is in!

-Come on, come on!

-£30 now.

35 may I say, madam?

You've seen it at 35. 40, 45. 45, bid 50.

-We're in.

-55, 60.

Five now. THEY CHEER

Shaking her head at £60, with me on a commission date.

Anyone else now has got a chance at £60.

With the auctioneer on a commission bid of 60.

60. That's a proper forehand, that is. Plus £10.

Now, OK, scent bottle.

The Art Deco-style cut-glass scent bottle.

There it is, you could fit a lot of perfume in it there.

£20 I'm bid on the books. At 20, looking for five now.

It's struggling already.

Everyone's shaking their head at £20. With me, may I say five?

No, at £20 only.

-No.

-Oh, dear, we are in trouble.

With me on a maiden commission bid of 20 only.

Last chance, I've got to sell.

-At £20, sold!

-Oh!

-He put 40-60 on it.

Anyway, that's minus 24, which means it's only minus 14, actually.

-There you go.

-It's OK. Simon.

-Simple Simon.

Simon's going to do it for you.

Next lot, 117.

It's the rather fun Simple Simon Devonmoor novelty teapot.

-Come on, Simon! 15?!

-18 straight in.

Bid 20. £20, bid 25, sir. Come along. At £25.

At £25 way in the back, at 25, I'm going to sell at £25 only.

£25 is plus £19. You were £14 down the lavatory.

You're now plus £5. How about that?

Oh, my goodness. Now what are you going to do about old snakeskin?

-The opera glasses. What you going to do?

-I think we should go for it.

-We are only here once, yeah.

-Yeah, absolutely.

-Let's do it.

Oh, my goodness.

We are going with the opera glasses, and here they come.

Lot number 121, the pair of mid-20th-century

French white metal and snakeskin opera glasses.

-Some interest here. Bid start against you at £20.

-20 is OK.

-20 is good.

-25, bid 30. Five,

40 now.

£40. Well done. That is good.

Last chance, going to sell. £40 only.

All done? Selling now at 40.

40 is plus £2. I love it.

OK, you are plus £7, team.

That could be a winning score. Well done.

-And the excitement level, how about that?

-It's amazing.

My heart is thumping, actually.

Anyway, say nothing to the Reds and all will be revealed in a moment.

Thank you very much. Well done.

-Well, well, well, well... A double whammy of winners today.

-ALL: Whoo!

Everybody is going home with the folding money.

How lovely is that? Now, have you been chatting to one another?

-ALL: No.

-It's just a question of scale then, really, isn't it?

The team with the slightly scaled-down winnings

today happens to be Blues.

But don't feel too badly about it

because you're going home with seven English pounds.

-We are!

-There's the five there and a couple of bits of shrapnel.

-So, Gem, did you have a good time?

-Wonderful.

-Was it good for you, Jules?

-Brilliant.

-Well, it was clearly good for you, Natasha.

-Always is!

Never have I seen a girl so excited about £7.

So what would happen if she gets into double digits?

Anyway, well done, team,

because the victors today are going home with £53.50.

Here's that.

This is... There's £2.50, you get another one. Look, £53.50.

Dear, oh, dear, oh, dear. So, how did you manage that?

-£26 on the old inkwell.

-Unbelievable.

-Mad!

-It was lovely.

£15 on the not champagne glasses.

£12 on the champagne doodah means that you get a profit on every lot

which means you get the entry to the Golden Gavel!

The ancient order. The most competed decoration in British television.

-Thank you! Give that to me!

-That's to go with your collection.

Such a competitive man, David Harper.

Anyway, what's the best bit for you, Heidi?

-Um...

-The money.

THEY LAUGH

No, actually, meeting you all. It has been such good fun.

We've really, really enjoyed it, so thank you.

-But it was the money for you, right?

-Yes, it's the money for me. Yes.

A proper man.

Anyway, such fun. Join us soon for some more bargain-hunting, yes?

ALL: Yes!