Brackley 21 Bargain Hunt

In 1217, old 'enry III

gave Brackley the right to hold a weekly market

right here in the town square.

And the bottom of the high street had to be especially widened

to take the extra stalls and animals.

So, roll up, roll up, by order of the king,

let's go bargain hunting, yeah.

We're at the largest antique centre in the Midlands.

With 160 hungry dealers

dying to do a deal with our thrifty Bargain Hunters.

So, let's take a sneaky peek at what's coming up, shall we?

The Reds have got their eyes on the prize.

-Yes!

-Yeah.

And the Blues seem hard to please.

That might be quite nice.

-It's a bit specialised.

-What about you?

-No.

But it's all to play for at the auction.

LAUGHTER

THEY GASP

-Oh!

-Oh, this is good.

Let's meet today's teams.

On today's programme we have the dynamic duo,

Norm and Andy.

And for the Blues, the gorgeous girls, Leslie and Helen.

-Hello, everyone.

-ALL:

-Hello.

It's not often on Bargain Hunt that we have international sports stars

of the highest calibre. Now, tell us about your sport.

In the field of egg throwing, I am a tosser.

Are you?

And I am the current world champion for Russian Egg Roulette.

-And what would that make you, then?

-I'm the catcher.

-You're the catcher?

-But I'm also the world president

of the World Egg Throwing Federation

-and I organise international events across the globe.

-Do you?

Is this something that revolves around a sport

that you might have invented in your local pub, by any chance?

-No, no, no.

-No, OK.

The history of egg throwing in Lincolnshire goes back to 1332.

-Does it?

-It's even older than rugby and football.

-You seem to have cracked that one.

-We have.

How many members of the association are there across Britain?

-Oh, hundreds if not thousands.

-Really?

We've now got members as far afield as Australia, New Zealand.

-OK, tell us about Russian Egg Roulette.

-Right.

-You have six eggs, five are hard-boiled, one is raw.

-Right.

The object is to detect the life force of the raw egg.

-Can't touch the eggs.

-No, no.

-So, hand over, can you feel the force?

-And I can choose the raw egg.

-And avoid it.

Cos if you pick it, what's the penance?

You have to evidence the egg by smashing it on your forehead.

Well, this is fascinating, this sport.

Your friendship, however, was not formed, was it,

-in the egg department?

-No.

-You work together.

Yeah, we both work for Cambridgeshire Fire Rescue Service.

-So, we've known each other over 30 years.

-Have you?

Out of the frying pan, into the fire.

How do you think you're going to do today?

And we don't want anything being thrown, thank you.

-We're going to do wonderfully.

-Are you going to do well?

Very, very, very good fun.

-So, how long have you two girls known each other?

-35 years.

-Have you?

-Yes.

-You met in the kindergarten?

-How I wish.

-You wish.

-And was it a good friendship at first sight?

-No.

No. I don't know if Leslie liked me but I wasn't too keen on her.

-Weren't you?

-No, I thought she was a bit bossy.

-But things have changed?

-Oh, very much so.

Yes, yes, we do a lot together now.

We go out for meals, we go on holiday together, yeah,

we have a great time.

-And you keep yourself busy doing two jobs?

-I do, I do.

I work for a nursing agency three days a week,

in the office as an administrator.

And at the weekends I work with children with disabilities.

Well, you are a busy girl, then, aren't you?

And Leslie, you're no stranger to the hard graft.

No, I've worked in the electronics industry

and I've run interior design companies alongside it and

I now do jewellery design which I've been doing for quite a few years.

And you've been successful at it cos all sorts of famous people

-have worn your designs, haven't they?

-They have.

They've been on the red carpets, they've been at the Oscars.

-They all borrow them, they never buy them.

-Oh, that's miserable.

-It is.

-What sort of things are you going to be going for?

-I honestly don't know until I get out there.

-Really?

-Have you got any idea what you're going to go for?

-Very simple.

-I'll rely on my expert.

-Very beautifully said.

Now, the money moment.

£300 apiece.

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

and very, very, very good luck.

Well, whatever's going to happen next?

Let's meet today's experts.

Ready to do battle for the Reds, it's Anita Manning.

Hoping to churn out a profit for the Blues, it's Catherine Southon.

Anita's got her hands full with those lads.

Guys, so you are the quintessential English eccentric gentleman.

What about your girls, Catherine?

So, Leslie, we're here in the centre, what are you looking for?

You like a bit of jewellery, don't you?

I love jewellery but I make it and I didn't bring my loop and

I think I'd prefer looking for a little bit of silver.

What do you want to buy?

Well, he likes big and sassy, I mean brassy.

SHE LAUGHS

I like small and twee.

Oh, right, OK.

And what about you, Helen?

I'm not too sure, Catherine, but I know what I don't want.

-And what's that?

-China figurines.

-China figurines.

Let's rock on and start the clock.

So, let's go and find what we do want.

Come on, guys.

The egg-throwing Reds seem to have an agenda.

-The first thing we've spotted is these jugs.

-Oh, right, yeah.

Now, we think they're quite interesting in that

we think they're collectable and they'll sell.

John Prescott there, he's actually linked to our sport of egg throwing.

-He is a catcher.

-Oh, right.

He was actually nominated to be deputy world president

of the World Egg Throwing Federation for his battle

against improper egg throwing.

It's limited edition, 500.

125.

Guys, I think this is absolutely perfect for you,

you cannot go by there.

If he's a champion of your sport, we've got to buy him.

But he comes as a pair.

-Tony Blair.

-ANITA LAUGHS

Another limited edition.

-He's 349.

-And 500.

Well, it is not a small limited edition. How much are they?

-That's the thing.

-Well, they're asking...

-£35.

-Yep.

-And £35.

But I think if we go for the pair, we should...

-Are you sure you want to buy the pair, boys?

-Yeah?

Red party for the Red Team?

It will count as one item.

We've got John there, and we've got Tony. It's all down to the deal.

These aren't Doulton, but they are fairly well made.

Barstow Manor Pottery.

Modelled by Ray Noble.

That is important that you can identify the modeller,

so I like that.

You've got a wee bit of a nick there.

-Do you think we can negotiate around about £40?

-Well, see what you can do.

-Who's good at...

-Negotiating?

Neither of us.

THEY LAUGH

-We'll hold hands?

-Will you hold hands?

-We'll try.

While the Red party handle their political negotiations,

let's see how the Blue party are doing.

There's a cabinet just for you. Look.

We'll leave you there for an hour. Lovely figurines.

-You don't want them any more, do you?

-No.

-Has dealer Jim got good news for our Red Team?

-All right, Anita?

-Yes.

I've given the dealer a ring,

-and the very best price they will do them for is £42.

-42.

-We've got to take them at that, boys.

-Absolutely.

You've done a great job for us, Jim, thank you very much.

-Cracking job.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

Well done, Reds, that's your first buy. In no time at all.

Boys, I'm so proud of you.

One lot in seven minutes!

-You guys are champions.

-Yes, but I'm world champion.

-I'm just the Dutch national champion.

-My trophy is bigger than his?

All right, all right, boys, boys, boys, boys!

Let's keep our mind on the job. Let's go.

Well said, Anita. Now, are the girls doing as well?

-The Asprey cigarette case there.

-What's on it, 185?

It's quite punchy, isn't it? Here we are.

So where is the Asprey mark, that's what I want? There we are.

-It is a bit expensive, isn't it?

-Asprey of London.

And there's a nice Chester hallmark.

I think it's beautiful, ladies,

but my honest opinion is that is quite a lot of money.

-OK. Put it back.

-Sorry. That's a no.

Well, that's gone up in smoke then.

Keep looking, Blues.

I think there's a theme developing with those Reds, eh, Anita?

-He's found something else.

-So you were going a bit potty.

-I was.

-There is a pair here.

-Uh-huh.

Right, OK. Pair, I like.

-How is the condition, guys?

-They are horrible.

They might be, but they've been here a long time. They are very dusty.

OK. The dealer has done his research.

So they are Italian, from the 1920s, 1930s.

Italian Art Deco.

Different regions expressed their style. The colours are slightly...

-..sombre.

-Yes.

-Damaged as well, look.

That's not a terribly bad damage there.

They're big, they're a matching pair.

And I know from looking at your face that you absolutely hate them.

-I

-co... I think this is a nice pair.

Which somebody will look at that and go, "That's what I want."

You're taking the yolk.

THEY LAUGH

Listen, I'm the one that's making the yolks.

Ha-ha, oh, you lot do crack me up.

-Hold it up, boys. Show me how you would hold your trophies.

-Yes!

-Yes!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

That competitive spirit certainly runs deep with this double act.

-I still don't like it.

-We'll put them back. We'll come back.

-OK.

-We have plenty of time. Let's keep looking.

-Please. Let's keep looking.

OK.

Now, the girls have gone all fuzzy.

Have a little... Have a look.

He's got quite a lot of his original plush on him, hasn't he?

-It's not worn away, is it?

-No.

And he's probably filled with straw, I would have thought.

-Do you like him?

-I think it's lovely.

-It's quite solid.

-Should I have a feel?

-Yeah.

He is all articulated. He really is.

There you can see the actual straw underneath.

It's got all its original innards.

I don't think he's in too bad a condition.

He is a bit worn.

I think ideally we would want to pay about £40-£50, wouldn't we?

-I would have thought so.

-Do you think?

-Yes. I think that is enough.

You've got teddy bear eyes, the way you're looking at me. Hasn't she?

-She's gone all soppy on us.

-She's pleading.

-Aw!

-Shall we have a little...

Shall we have a little cuddle?

Don't get too attached.

-I prefer that.

-The dog?

-Shall we have look at him as well, then?

-That's very heavy.

I've got three German shepherds at home.

This is a cold-painted bronze.

And it is stamped on the bottom.

Let's have a look. It is just stamped "Austrian".

I was hoping there might be a Bergman mark or something.

What does it say?

Oh, he is £125. Early 1900s.

Cold-painted bronze.

OK. Debs, hi. There's a couple of pieces that we like from here.

Can you just see what's the very best on that?

And also the very, very best on the teddy bear.

-See if we can get a deal or something.

-The very best price.

And tell him I have three children to feed.

THEY LAUGH

Eh, nice try, Helen. Let's hope it works on the dealer.

Now, Anita has found something close to Norm's heart.

A set of miniature medals.

I've actually got the end one myself because I was in the Royal Air Force.

Well, Norm might be a champion egg tosser,

but he's also quite the action man.

I served in Northern Ireland, so you get a campaign medal each time

-you serve in a hostile, what was then...

-Environment.

-Yeah.

And that looks like £33.

I was thinking of something with more of a personal story,

-something that attaches to an individual.

-Yeah.

From the militaria side.

If we have the name of the servicemen on the medal,

which is usually around the rim, and we have some documentation which is

associated with the heroism,

then it makes it more valuable.

These would be worn on your dress suit. Let's remember them.

If you fancy doing a military thing,

at £33...you wouldn't go far wrong with that.

Did the Blues get any good news about the dog and bear?

-What have you got for us?

-I've phoned the dealer

and the best they can do is £50 on the teddy bear.

And £80 for the spaniel.

-Oh!

-That is quite a good deal.

-That's quite a lot off, isn't it?

-Yeah.

I think the spaniel has got quite nice character, hasn't he? Looks quite good,

and I think also the teddy bear equally has a good appeal.

So a total of 130.

They'd be barking mad not to at that price.

-What do you think?

-Yes. We are pushing for time now, aren't we?

-Yeah?

-Yes.

-Happy with those?

-Yes, I am.

-Jolly good, then. That's two down.

-Two down.

-Wahey!

-Well done, girls, you are on fire now.

Hurrah! Two in one hit, and it is 26 minutes in. Well done, team.

While that lot get on with shopping,

let me show you something that is sure to brighten up your day.

There's over 30,000 square feet of antiques here at the

Brackley antiques centre.

And therefore there is something to suit everybody's taste.

And if you're an automobilia freak,

then you're almost certain to love this object.

It's a spotlight that's come from a car that,

I guess, might date from the 1920s.

But what I like about it is, the crudity of its construction.

Here we've got basically something that's made of brass

that, as you look carefully, once upon a time was black japanned.

That means it had black paint all over it.

And sweated along the top edge is this

eyebrow of a visor,

which is designed to stop the rain from falling on top of the lens

and distorting the light.

It looks like the sort of spotlight that would have been applied

to the side of an old car, so that you would take it out and shine

it around the vicinity, if you were

trying to find a sign, for example.

I don't think it was applied permanently to a motorcar,

it was simply there as an auxiliary light.

The sort of buyer for this lamp is a person who has bought

a vintage or veteran car, as a barn discovery,

one of those really rough old cars.

And they then devote the next 15 years of their life

in their garage to doing it up, rebuilding it

and endlessly searching for absolutely correct

period pieces with which to enhance their precious motor.

It was a thrill to find this one for only £35,

and the dealer will do a deal for it for 25.

One of the problems with buying a lamp like that is, what happens

if the bulb blows?

You're not going to believe this, but here in Brackley,

at the same time I spotted this lamp,

but on a completely different stall,

what did I find but these.

-HE CHUCKLES

-A box full of spare

car lamp bulbs.

And if I take one out, you can see it is in great condition.

The filament is there, it will work.

And if you compare that bulb with the bulb inside this vintage

lamp, they look to me pretty well identical.

And if you've got really sharp eyes,

stencilled on the side of the bulb,

it gives you a war department logo.

So these were military issue. And the date, 1945.

For a restorer, with the period vehicle, to find a box

full of contemporary bulbs in their boxes is a prize beyond price.

Actually, there's a price for everything.

And the price for the 12 is £20.

How dazzling is that?

Now, let's see how the teams are getting on in the shop.

Is Anita trying to henpeck the lads into a second item?

We're frittering a wee bit here, so we have to bag a second item.

The dealer has come back.

He is said to us that he can make a substantial reduction on the vases.

That's £70 for the pair, down from £130,

but will it end in a showdown for the boys?

You hate them, you love them.

I think they will sell really well,

and I think if the dealer thought he'd get 130 for them

here, retail,

we should be able to do more than what he's offered at the auction.

I'll make a deal with him.

If we make a loss at auction, if we have them and make a loss,

I get a raw egg...

..on camera...

-..if he makes a loss.

-It's fighting talk.

How do you feel about that?

You're on.

We'll take them.

THEY LAUGH

Well, someone's going to end up with egg on their face.

OK, boys, so we've got that one,

we think it's a goer.

But I think we should have something you really have fallen in love with.

Hey, it's no time for favourites, Anita.

Big softie!

THEY LAUGH

Now, how are the Blues getting on? Catherine seems to have gone AWOL.

Where's Catherine? I need her expert opinion.

We've lost our expert.

-Catherine.

-Catherine.

Catherine. Catherine!

This is a little papier mache box. I thought it was quite pretty.

-It is quite pretty.

-If I lift that up, can you grab the box?

-I thought it had butterflies on but it hasn't, has it?

-It's a flower.

Do you like it?

You don't, do you?

-Um.

-How much is it, as a matter of interest, does it say anywhere?

£25.

-What would somebody use it for?

-Handkerchiefs.

-Is it used for ornaments?

No, I think they just put it on their dressing table or something.

It's a bit dull, isn't it? OK.

It's hideous, I think Helen just said.

-She summed it up.

-She summed it up.

-I will put it back.

That's one idea shot out of the sky, Leslie,

but the Reds seem to be taking off.

-It's in its box.

-Yes.

It's a Dinky, which are highly collectable. I know that.

Hold on, competitors incoming.

Hello. How are you doing?

-We've saved a fortune.

-How much have you bought? How many items?

Don't.

Secret. Secret, secret!

THEY LAUGH

They are not giving anything away.

That's because you're the competition.

-Let's have a look at it.

-So far you're buying a box.

A Bristol 173 helicopter.

-Aren't you excited?

-No.

Oh, dear, looks like they're on different missions again.

-That's brilliant.

-It is not mint.

We like it because there is no marks on the paintwork,

it's not broken in any way.

It probably has never been out of the box,

-it has never been played with. Will we leave it in?

-OK, I recognise...

Seeing as it is in its original packaging

and it is in perfect condition, it might increase its value but...

-Are you going to let me...

-Go on. You negotiate a deal.

But again, be it on your head.

Oh, no more egg roulette, please, guys.

Listen, I want you to buy something that you love.

-£55 is a lot of money.

-We could get that down to 35?

If you could do that, I think that it's definitely got a chance.

And having a Dinky like this in good condition,

in original packaging, these are all plus elements.

Do you want to go see how much you can get off that?

While Norm flies solo for his helicopter, let's see if

anything has caught the Blues' attention.

Are you sure you're not into jewellery?

-I thought you'd love jewellery.

-Mm...

-No?

Leslie's not after a busman's holiday, Catherine.

-I do it as my day job, so...

-You're not interested.

-Well...

-Unless we see that special gem.

-Yes. Absolute...

That's quite pretty, isn't it? What do you think about that brooch?

That might be quite nice. It is hallmarked silver.

-It's a bit specialised. The Scottish element.

-You wouldn't wear a brooch?

No.

-What about you?

-No.

-No?

-No, I don't like it.

-Limited.

-Mm.

-Limited market.

-I think so.

-OK.

Right, there's 15 minutes to go and both teams have two items.

How's Norm getting on with his Dinky?

-Hiya.

-Hello. All right?

-I found this.

My philistine of a partner doesn't like it.

I wondered what sort of price it could be purchased for.

It's in good condition.

-The best price we could do on that would be £25.

-That's a bargain.

-Don't even need to negotiate. Thank you very much.

-Smashing.

-Thank you very much.

-I'm off! Wahey!

Blimey! Sure you don't want to think about that, Norm?

In the blink of an eye, the Reds have finished their shop.

Have the Blues found a belter with this little silver buckle?

-Is it light?

-No, it's quite heavy.

-Oh!

Is there a hallmark anywhere? There's a little...

Can see that the R does marry up

and there's an anchor there that tells us that it's Birmingham.

It would be nice to find out the date,

but it seems to be Victorian to me.

It's got 45 on it. Do you think you can wave your magic wand again?

Unfortunately, I can't phone the dealer.

He's away at the moment, but I'm sure

he could let you have it for 30 and I think that's a very good price.

-Yeah?

-I think 30's a good price.

-Good in auction?

Yeah, I think we've got every chance.

-It's a good, weighty piece as well.

-Yes, it is.

And if someone can wear it, just as you would, that's a bonus!

-Happy?

-Yes, I'm happy.

-I am.

-We've done three items.

-We've got three items.

-Well in the time. Well done, ladies.

I am proud of you!

It's all in the can, as they say. Time's up.

Let's check out what the Red team bought.

They bought two Bairstow Manor Pottery character jugs for £42.

A pair of Italian Art Deco vases were theirs for £70.

They also flew off with a Dinky helicopter and its box for £25.

Well, didn't drop too many clangers there, did you?

-Not quite.

-Anyway, did you have a good time?

-We did. Fabulous.

-Absolutely brilliant.

-Very good. Which is your favourite piece?

-I like the two Italian jugs.

-Yes. And which is your favourite piece?

-I like the Dinky toy.

-Very good.

-Which is going to bring the biggest profit?

-The Dinky toy.

-The jugs.

The jugs. OK, fine. We've got a split decision.

-And how much did you spend?

-137.

-£137.

-I'd like 163, please, from somewhere. 163.

-There we go.

Goes straight over to canny Anita, who's in heaven, I guess, here.

Yeah. Well, I've had a great time with my pair of egg-centrics.

And I want to buy them something egg-citing

and maybe even egg-straordinary with this lot!

Well, that's teeing it up, isn't it?

Just don't let it scramble your brains!

Moving on though, let's check out right now what the Blue team

bought, eh?

They cuddled up to a 1920s golden plush teddy bear for £50.

A late-19th century of a cocker spaniel

ran off with 80 of their pounds.

Finally, they found a late-Victorian silver belt buckle for £30.

-Which is your favourite piece?

-I like the silver buckle.

-That's your favourite.

-Yes.

-OK, do you agree?

-No.

I like the teddy bear. He's so sweet!

-And is teddy going to bring the biggest profit?

-I don't think so.

He's just my favourite.

-I think the buckle will probably bring the biggest profit.

-Do you?

-Yeah.

-That would please me.

-Would it?

-You think it's going to bring the biggest profit.

-Cos you chose it!

-OK, fine. And you spent, in total, how much?

-160.

160, I'd like £160 of leftover lolly, please. Thank you very much.

-Good. Right. Catherine, one challenge.

-Thank you.

-Well, we didn't buy any jewellery, did we?

-No.

-So, this time, I might go for something blingy.

-OK.

-Might you?

-Mm-hm.

-Sounds exciting.

Anyway, good luck, cos very shortly,

we're going to be going to the auction.

I can't tell you how lovely it is to be at Special Auction Services'

saleroom to be with my old mate, my old mucker, Thomas Plant. Thomas.

-Hello, Tim.

-Lovely to be back.

-Thank you for coming.

-We're standing by for big things here.

-Absolutely.

First of all, we've got these caricature jugs.

This is so much a Doulton-type product, but these aren't Doulton.

These are not. These are modern.

Bairstow Manor, a modern production company of two Labour politicians.

Mm-hm.

They don't follow quite the same collectible pattern that

-Doulton ones would.

-No, they don't.

You can actually go on the website of this company

-and you can buy these for £27.

-Really?

Brand-new for £27, so what are you going to get for them in the auction?

-£27 each...?

-£40-60.

Our team paid £42 for the two, so they paid roughly the right price.

If you can get 40 to 60, that's perfect.

Now, moving on to some more ceramics,

but rather more interesting, in terms of the shape.

Give us the lowdown.

Well, they're by somebody called Mario Truko,

an Italian designer, pottery designer.

Italy has quite an interesting history in fabulous

over-the-top designs.

But the palette, I have to say, in dark brown and orange

-and yellow, isn't to everybody's taste, is it?

-No.

-They're not bright and breezy and beautiful.

-What are they worth?

I've put them in at £60-80.

You've put them in at the right price because our team paid £70.

Oh, really?

Now, moving on to the last item in this eclectic mix is

the Bristol Gyro helicopter, passenger plane.

-Yes, in its original box.

-And you sell a lot of these, don't you?

We do sell a lot of these.

It's good that it's got the original propellers cos they're

normally falling off.

But the downside is the turquoise body of it is quite badly chipped.

-Is it?

-Yes, it's been play-worn.

That's the way we would describe it, play-worn. So, what's it worth?

-Yes, what is it worth?

-We think between 30 and £50.

-30 to 50?

-Mm-hm.

-That's perfect. £25 paid.

Anyway, on that basis, they may not need their bonus buy,

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

How exciting is this? You gave Anita £163 of leftover lolly.

Anita, what did you buy?

What should you buy for two ex-firemen,

but...a fireman's helmet.

Is this the type of thing that you might have worn, guys?

He might have done cos he's older.

Well, this is fabulous and I couldn't resist it.

It's an early 20th century one, so it has age about it. It's Belgian.

Look at this wonderful comb, almost like a Roman centurion.

-This may have been First World War...

-Oh, yeah.

-Round about that period. Boys, do you want to try it on?

-Yeah.

-Go on, do it! Oh, yes!

-It's a little bit small for me.

It's Trumpton all over again!

What are you like, eh?

-It's had some use, hasn't it?

-It certainly has.

-Needs a polish.

-No! No!

I mean, am I right, Anita, that if you've got one with original colour

like that, that hasn't been polished for nigh on 100 years, leave it?

That's the secret, isn't it?

If you're at all interested in the subject, it's a fantastic piece.

-They're quite collectible.

-They are.

-Well, I paid £160 for that.

GASPS

-Yeah.

-You spent all our money!

-A lot of money!

How much profit are we going to make?

Well, that's the question, boys. We won't make a huge amount on it.

Anyway, on that happy note, to the audience at home,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Anita's helmet.

Well, well, well.

This is a lovely thing.

It's a lovely thing, isn't it, if you're a fireman?

If you're a fireman, and you want an early pre-First World War Belgian

fireman's helmet, which this is, with the leather support...

-It's not in great condition.

-No.

-We've only put £30-50 on it because of the damage.

-OK.

And I know that might sound a bit churlish and a bit naughty,

but it is dented, it is torn, the metal.

-£30-50, did you say?

-Yeah.

-That's a disaster for our Anita. She paid £160 for this helmet.

-No!

-Yeah, she got thoroughly carried away.

-Yeah.

OK, that's it for the Reds. And now for the Blues.

Their first item is the golden plush teddy bear.

You sell a lot of teddies, don't you?

We do sell a lot of teddy bears.

It's a sweet one, it's got glass eyes. Straw-filled.

-It's real, it's lovely...

-It's huggable.

-It's huggable. £25-35.

OK, they paid 50. Not that huggable.

Two people could fall in love with it.

-Let's hope they will.

-Bit bigger for a £50 bear.

-You want a bigger one, do you?

-You do.

I didn't think size was that important with... It is, OK.

Now, the Austrian cold-painted spaniel.

It's a lovely cold-painted bronze spaniel.

What I like about this one is it is just a dog.

It's not a dog doing anything silly and he's definitely period,

-not a copy. It's a good looking object.

-How much?

-£70-100.

-Perfect.

£80 paid. It's in the frame, isn't it?

Lastly, we've got this gorgeous heavy cast solid silver buckle.

Yeah, it's great. It's a Victorian silver buckle. Nurse's buckle.

-And do you know the reason why they're always silver?

-Why?

Because of the sterilisation of silver

-and silver doesn't hold germs like any other metal.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-Handy though, isn't it? If you're a matron or a sister, or...

-Yeah.

-And surprisingly, they are still so popular.

-What's your estimate?

-40-60.

-Perfect. £30 paid.

Here's another team that probably won't need its bonus buy,

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

Leslie, Helen, you spent £160, magnificent.

You gave Catherine £140 and I'm going to help you, Catherine,

and take off this rag.

-Oh, oh, oh...

-Oh, oh, oh...

-Ooh!

-Ooh! Lovely! Isinglass!

-Look at that.

-That's lovely. How much did you pay for it?

-Straight...

-LAUGHTER

-Straight to the point!

-Hell's bells!

-I don't believe it!

-How much will it make?

Let me tell you about it first of all.

-What strikes you about that?

-The colour.

-The colour.

-It's a good blue and we are the blue team.

-We are.

-We are.

So, the thought was there. It's an apothecary jar.

But look at that label as well.

It's in perfect condition and so often,

these are rubbed off and I love the fact that that's all still intact.

It's a lovely piece, in great condition,

-and I think in anyone's bathroom, home...

-Anywhere, yes.

-Yeah, you could use it for anything.

-That would look fabulous.

I can tell you now it cost £80.

£80.

What sort of price do you think that would sell for?

My thought, it should nudge up to 100.

-Really?

-Really.

-Gosh!

-It is lovely.

-I like that.

-It's rare to find it in such good condition.

-That's a really good one, Catherine.

-Are you happy?

-Well done.

-She's cracked it, hasn't she?

-Don't crack it! LAUGHTER

-Hang on tight.

-I am!

-Anyway, on that happy note, why don't we, at least the audience at

home, find out what the auctioneer thinks about the apothecary's jar?

Well, Tom.

There's a lot of popular appeal in these apothecary's pots,

isn't there?

There is, and I think they're great sort of props for one's kitchen,

just to sort of decorate with. You'd lose the lid and put your spoons in it.

-You'd not put Isinglass in your kitchen though, would you?

-No.

it's not a very nice substance. It's not toxic or dangerous.

-What's it made of again?

-I think it's the inside of a fish stomach, or something like that.

-Oh, lovely. I know that you can use it for preserving eggs.

-Do you?

-I didn't know that.

-If you soaked them in Isinglass first,

-that egg will remain as a fresh egg for up to a year.

-Really?

-Yeah.

You learn something new every day.

-Well, back to the pot. What's it worth?

-£60-80.

-Is it? Good.

-£80 was paid by Catherine.

-I think that's a fair price.

Yeah, she knows a pot or two.

-Now, Tom-Tom, are you navigating us towards the auction?

-I am.

Well, we'll arrive accurately then.

90. Five. 100. And ten. 120.

130. All done at £130... Selling.

Well, chaps. Are you feeling confident?

I was, but I've got a feeling...his jugs, he's going

to make a profit, which means I have to smash an egg on my head,

which was a bargain we made...

-Have you got the egg with you?

-We have.

-Yes.

Oh, good!

Well, I don't think we'll do any egg smashing here in the saleroom,

but we might do it elsewhere.

Anyway, it may not happen.

And first up are the character jugs and here they come.

Next is 138, this is two Bairstow Manor Pottery character jugs.

Start me here at £30.

Start me here at £30.

-At 30. Is there £30 anywhere?

-Uh-oh.

Is there £30 anywhere? £30.

20.

20. A tenner a mug. Come on, ladies and gentlemen.

£20, that's a tenner each. Now, come on.

-Uh-oh.

-I don't believe this!

-A tenner.

-Yeah.

-A tenner.

-LAUGHTER

£10. At ten. 15 now online.

18, I have. At 18. At 18, it is. At 18.

18 in the room. Online bidder. 20 now.

Are you sure? Go 22.

-22.

-22, it is. At 22. At 22. Is there five? No.

All done, then.

22.

£22. I'm afraid to say that is minus £20.

Now, here come the vases.

These are twin-handled vases here with beautiful designs to them.

And I can start the bidding with me here at £40.

Start me at 40. 40, I have. At £40. In the room.

At £40, it's in the room. Is there five anywhere?

45. 50. Five.

60. Five. 70. Five.

-80. Five. 90...

-Look at this, lads!

-95. 95.

-Go, Tom! Go!

-Round it up.

95, I have. Is there £100 anywhere?

-Go, Tom!

-95, once. 95, twice.

Are we done?

-95.

-That is perfect. That's plus £25. That knocks out the losses.

You are plus £5, lads.

-OK. Now, here comes...

-My Dinky toy.

Dinky Bristol 173 helicopter. In original box with insert.

And start the bidding with me here, £20. £20.

£20 for the Dinky. At £20, surely there's got to be £20.

20, I have. At 20, it is here. At 20.

Is there two anywhere else? Is there two anywhere else? At £20.

Once at 20,

-twice at 20...

-Uh-oh.

£20 is minus £5, which means you've got absolutely nothing.

Lovely(!)

One wiped face.

So, what are you going to do about the old fireman's helmet?

-I don't think we go with this.

-We're going to go.

-No, we don't want to.

-We're not?!

-No, we're not going to go with it.

-Oh.

-Shall we toss for it?

-Fight you for it.

-Toss for it.

-Heads.

-What sort of a partnership is this?

-It's tails. We don't go with it.

-I'm sorry.

Listen, they have done the democratic thing here,

these firemen, right? They've tossed a coin

and the decision is not to go with the bonus buy.

-Is that true?

-Yes.

-Is that it?

-Yes.

You're out at the bonus buy, we're going to sell it anyway and here it comes.

Belgian fireman's helmet here, having some dents and damages,

but it's still lovely, pre-First World War.

£30.

£30, Belgian helmet here at £30.

At £30. Any advance at 30?

30, I have. 35.

Against you online. 40. 45.

50. 55.

Go on, sir.

55. 55, it is. At 55. At 55.

Any advance at 55? And I sell, then.

Once at 55,

twice at 55. Are we done?

55 is minus 105.

-Good decision, boys.

-I think you did. Minus 105.

That really went up in flames. OK, fine.

Minus 105, but your finished score is absolutely nothing.

So, don't say a thing to the Blues.

There's nothing to be ashamed about that.

No profit, no loss.

-Leslie, Helen, this is exciting, isn't it?

-It is.

-Look at all these people in here to buy your lots.

-We hope so.

-Now, have you been chatting to the Reds?

-No.

Good. Excellent.

Now, first up is the wee teddy bear and here it comes.

A 1920s miniature golden plush teddy bear. Start the bidding here.

Start me at £20.

Sweet bear here at 20.

-Go on!

-Sweet little bear here at 20. 22 online. He's yummy at 22.

25, there it is at 25. 25, it's in the room.

-Come on, Tom.

-At 28... There it is.

Go on, sir, at 30. 30, there is.

At 30, at 30, there is at £30.

At £30, there is. Is there any advance at 30?

And five, there is.

35, 35. Are you sure? At 35 for a little bear. At £35 once,

£35 twice, are we done?

35...is minus 15, I'm sorry, girls.

-As predicted, actually.

-Yeah.

-I'm sorry about that. OK.

Now, let's go with the dog.

19th century Austrian cold-painted figure of a cocker spaniel.

And I can start the bidding...60. Start me here at 60.

£60. Start me here at 60. Is there any advance at 60?

Any advance at £60? At £60. 50, then.

We've got 50 online.

-And five, we've got. 55. Is there 60?

-Come on!

Any advance at 55? Oh, internet 60.

-I can't believe this!

-Any advance at 60?

Any advance at £60? Once,

-60 twice.

-Oh, gosh!

Which means you are minus 20 on that and minus £35 overall.

-Now, the belt buckle. Is this a belter or not?

-Lovely lot, this one.

The nice Victorian silver belt buckle. Possibly a nurse's one.

Start me at 30.

-Lovely piece of cast silver.

-Come on!

£30, I'm looking for.

-£30, I'm looking for. Come on!

-Oh, Lord!

20, then. Cheap lot at 20. 22, I've got online, it is.

-At 22. 22. 22.

-Come on!

At £22. Come on, I wanted someone to stick their hand up at 25.

There's got to be a £3 bid here to make it 25.

-Let's not be mean.

-Please!

-Stingy.

-All done, then. £22 once, 22 twice.

-That's minus eight.

-Guaranteed profit!

-I can't bear this.

This is minus 43.

-Overall.

-Oh, well.

-This is not right, I tell you.

Minus 43. Now, listen. What do you think about the apothecary's jar?

-Do you want to go with the bonus buy?

-Yes, I think so.

-Yeah! Why not?

-In for a penny.

-Exactly.

OK. We're going with it. £80 paid.

And here it comes.

Lot 163, a late-19th century ceramic apothecary jar.

Isinglass, paper label front. Lovely lot, this one.

-Really like it.

-Yes! Come on! Talk it up.

-Start the bidding. £40.

At £40. At 40. At £40. At 40, is there 40? There is 45 now.

There's 45, there is online. Any advance at 45?

At 45. 45. Is there any advance?

Is there 50 anywhere? Is there 50?

-At £45 online.

-Oh, dear!

Twice at 45. One more bid, ladies and gentlemen.

Any advance?

£45 is, I'm afraid, minus £35, which means you are minus £78.

If the Reds have done really badly, it could be a winning score!

-THEY LAUGH

-So, say not a thing to the Reds, all right?

-OK.

-OK.

Well, teams. This is exciting, isn't it?

-It is.

-To reveal the runners-up and the winners...

Well, sadly, nobody's going home with any profits.

LAUGHTER

And the team with the largest losses, I have to tell you,

by quite a long chalk, are the Blues.

Girls...

-It really wasn't working for you...

-Those pesky Reds!

-No, it wasn't.

Just bad luck, that's all it is.

It's not the scale of the thing, it's the fun that we've had.

-Of course.

-And we've loved having you on the show.

-And you've been such good sports.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Which is what it's all about.

-And I hope you've enjoyed it too.

-We have enjoyed it very much, yes.

So, the victors today win and take home absolutely nothing.

In fact, they have a wiped face, which is unusual, isn't it, really?

-Well, it would be.

-Yes.

-But there is a wager that we had,

which was to do with the vases that he wanted, in as much as if they

made a profit, then unfortunately, I'd have to smash an egg on my head.

-Right.

-Selecting...

-One of these eggs.

-Yes, five of which are hard boiled.

-Yes.

-One is raw.

OK. Well, hang on a minute. Cos just to spice this up,

cos I'd hate to feel that you're doing this with half a dozen

eggs that you might have spotted one from t'other.

We'll have just a little mix up here,

as a true test of your world-beating skills.

LAUGHTER

So, you can tell the egg that's runny from the five

-that are hard-boiled?

-That is correct.

-OK. Fine.

Well, we've now spiced up the odds here a bit.

-Are you watching closely?

-Yeah.

OK.

-I'm going to choose my egg.

-Oh, yeah.

-Oh, 'eck!

Oh, 'eck.

Argh!

-Champion!

-Look at that!

How did you do that?

That is quite hard boiled, isn't it?

So, you go home with five sound eggs, as champions and no money.

-How about that for a result?

-Brilliant.

-Absolutely brilliant.

Such fun. Join us soon for some more bargain hunting, yes?

ALL: Yes!