Hexham 12 Bargain Hunt

Today, we are in Hexham, Northumberland, a place familiar with a battle or two.

From the Roman invasion to Viking attacks,

to Anglo Saxon kings...

fighting to the death, to murderous raids

by the notorious Border Reivers.

Surely this place has seen it all.

The ideal location, you might say, for our Reds and Blues to do battle,

so let's go bargain hunting, yeah!

In 1464, the Duke of Somerset

lost his head here in Hexham,

literally, after suffering a crushing defeat

in the Wars of the Roses.

They lasted 30 years.

Our teams only have one hour today,

but whose head will roll?

Who will win and who will lose?

Let's take a sneaky peek at what's coming up.

The Reds are reminded of exotic excursions.

This reminds me of the Caribbean scene, the palm trees.

Maybe that's what it is.

-They're cheating within the Blue Team.

-925...

You heard what I said.

Honestly, she is so competitive, isn't she?

And everyone is having palpitations at the auction.

Before that, let's meet the teams.

All's fair in love and war, as they say,

and there's certainly plenty of love around in this room today.

For the Reds, we have married couple Lynn and Ernie,

and for the Blues, partners Ken and Linda.

-Hello, everyone.

-ALL: Hello!

Love was in the air, literally, when you two met.

Yes, it was. It was.

I was called up for a flight, I work for a major airline.

-And what do you do for them?

-I'm actually cabin crew manager for them.

And then everything went wrong,

and I ended up spending the night longer than what I should have done.

And... Ernie was in the American Air Force,

and he was staying in the same hotel.

It was love at first sight.

So you've had a fair few celebrities on board and had to look after them?

-Yes, I did.

-Any favourites?

My favourite is definitely Prince William and Kate.

-I brought them back from their holidays.

-Did you?

-Yes.

And they are very lovely.

Ernie, you've met your fair share of celebrities, too.

I certainly have, Tim. I work at the private jet terminal...

at North East airport,

and...everybody who is anybody comes through.

Footballers...

musicians.

We've had everyone through from Dolly Parton to Queen, recently.

You were in the American Air Force, so tell us what you did in the force?

I was an aircraft loadmaster for 20 years,

and I flew in the working end of cargo aircraft...

and got to visit many parts of the world. So it was quite enjoyable.

Well, brilliant. Now, I'll give you your dosh in a moment,

but very, very, very good luck.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Excellent. Now, Blues.

It says here that you waited over 40 years before you finally got

-properly together. Is that true, Ken?

-Yes, that's true.

What happened, then? Were you a late developer?

THEY LAUGH

-We met at school...

-Yes.

-..and we went out for a short time.

We were only very young, and then we just went our separate ways.

And I found out, after being divorced,

that Linda had lost her husband.

And I knew him too,

and I wrote to her and basically just said how sorry I was

-and would she like to meet up for lunch...

-Yeah.

..so we could talk about old times. And...

-Thereby lies the tail.

-Isn't that...

-Here we are today.

Now, because of the job that you do,

you also have exposure to celebrities.

Very much so. I have done since I was a youngster.

In my hometown of Morecambe, we had three really vibrant venues

where all the '60s pop groups would come, so I met The Beatles,

The Rolling Stones, The Who, everybody, basically...

-Gosh.

-..from that time.

-And what business are you in?

-Autographs and memorabilia.

How many autographs have you got in your portfolio currently?

In my own personal collection, I've probably got over 15-16,000.

-Have you really?!

-Yes.

And I've probably got, in my business stock,

touching up to 20,000.

-Now, Linda, you're a whizz with the hair dos...

-Well.

Well, I'd like to think so, yes. I run the family business.

But I was coordinator for Team GB, the hairdressing team,

for quite a few years.

And is there a particular part of ladies hairdressing which you

-enjoy most?

-Um...

-No, all of it.

-Do you?

You know, a lady walks in, and I create something that gives her a smile,

then that is still a great buzz.

What sort of tactics have you got today, you two?

Basically, look for something interesting and quirky.

-And you are going to go for...

-Oh, sparkly and shiny.

Are you? Anyway, here is your £300. £300 apiece.

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

and very, very, very good luck.

Gosh! Such interesting teams.

Taking charge of the Red Team today is Anita Manning. Wow!

And on-call to help the Blues is David Harper.

Uh, hello?

So what do you two lovers want to buy? Have you got the same taste?

Not really, no.

Lynn has a good eye for things.

-You like the sparkly things...

-I like sparkly things.

-..don't you?

And I was hoping maybe a little bit... If we could find something military related.

-What are we going to buy, Linda?

-Oh.

-Stop, we are talking!

-Don't start yet, your time hasn't started.

-I can't help but look.

Right, teams, your 60 minutes starts now.

-We've got an hour of quirkiness. Ready?

-Fabulous.

Like a moth to a flame, Lynn heads straight to the jewellery.

-She's off to the sparkly stuff already.

-Straight away. Straight away.

Nice, interesting silver and watches.

-You are a pair of magpies, aren't you?

-Just a little bit, yes.

-OK.

Those are quite nice, those are quite nice.

-What are they?

-Earrings!

THEY LAUGH

Oh, yes, I can see now.

Might be worth keeping those glasses on, Ernie.

I love it when stalls have £20 per item,

it just makes life so simple. Doesn't it make it so simple?

I mean, look at that.

-Is that 20 quid?

-Can't see...

Is it hallmarked?

It is.

-And for £20, that's amazing.

-It is amazing.

It is...not a British hallmark, it must be an import mark, so 925.

Could be American or continental.

Missing its back, but I don't... I don't know whether it is for us.

It is not getting me excited. But 20 quid...

-It is something worth looking at.

-Yeah.

For Lynn, the only items worth looking at are ones that sparkle.

But aren't you missing something?

Oh, I've lost my husband. Oh, oh, oh.

-I'll come back to you.

-Yeah.

-Thank you.

At least the Blues have managed to stay together,

and Linda's mind has turned to drink.

I think it's if you love wine.

-I love wine too.

-I like wine.

The most important thing with this is to know

whether that top is silver or not.

So we do have some marks there, Linda.

Is that a silver mark?

No, I would probably say that was more likely to be EPNS.

OK. People have bought these things for big money,

thinking that's solid silver, because that would be

a crystal bulb base, solid silver,

and it is worth £800.

-But as it is, it is a poor man's version of that.

-Yeah.

-And it's 50 quid, and it is absolute bang right.

-Yeah.

But put it into auction, and I think it is 20.

It is £20-£50. It's the money. You're not going to make any profit.

Come on, then, put it down, let's go find...

Time is running on, and neither team have bought anything yet.

Back with the Reds, Anita is desperately trying to drag

Lynn away from the jewels.

I think you might need reinforcements, Anita.

-..bags of style.

-STALLHOLDER:

-It has. Lots of character.

-Have you seen something?

-Yeah, I've seen some stuff.

-Oh!

-Oh!

-Come on, let's have a look.

You guys are hot today!

Come on.

It seems the former aviator has winged his way to some

-aviation magazines.

-These are in really good condition, are they?

-1934.

-Anita, what do you think on these, look?

Three pamphlets in a foreign language...

THEY LAUGH

..to sell in Carlisle.

THEY LAUGH

-What do you think?

-Well, that would be one of our items and I think it's a little small,

-I think we would need something a bit...

-To bulk it up.

-Yeah.

Yeah, I think that's a no to the magazines, team.

You're 15 minutes in, but it looks like Anita has spotted

-something else that might take your fancy.

-What's that, Anita?

It's a writing set. You've got the...

-letter opener here.

-Oh, yeah.

-You've got the seal...

-Oh...

-..to seal your letters.

-With wax?

-Uh-huh. All right.

And you've got your pen here.

Oh, I like it.

I think it's just a charming object.

It's stylish, just like you.

I think it is very stylish, Anita. I think it is lovely.

-What's he asking for that?

-85.

Can you do that for 50, 60?

Tight on that. It would be about 65.

-65.

-How about 62?

Yeah, OK.

Good haggling, Ernie. Every pound helps.

So, Reds, you've finally taken off and made your first purchase.

-Well done, guys.

-Well, thanks for spotting that.

Back with the Blues, and David has spotted something a bit more down to earth.

-Linda, do you like it?

-I love it.

-Well, let's have a look at it then.

So it's something, I suppose, could be described as being scratch made,

so it hasn't been made from a kit.

-Look at the way it has been pinned together. It is rather nice, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-It is very well made.

-It is.

-Lovingly made.

-So where is the market for that?

-It has to be for display reasons.

-Or you could display flowers in it.

-Yes.

It could be in the delicatessens full of lovely foods.

-Fruit.

-Fruit.

-The horsey market.

-Yeah.

-Always a very strong market.

People who like horses like anything to do with horses.

-But it's got £80 on it.

-And what are your thoughts?

-I think if we could get it for 60.

-So, at the right money,

-would you have a go at it?

-Yes.

-Yes, I think so.

'What does our shy stallholder think?'

-£70.

-70.

-Really, is that it?

-The smiley Lancashire lady, 65.

-Oh!

-Come on.

-65, and that's it, definitely.

-Thank you.

Well, you've done a deal. Shake the man's hand.

Well done, Linda, that lovely smile of yours

got you another £5 off, and you've secured your first buy.

-Well, we've got the cart, all we need now is the horse.

-Yeah.

-HE LAUGHS

-A very small horse.

-A very small horse.

Well, there's no time for horsing about, that's for a fact.

You still have two more items to buy, and time's galloping away.

Can I have a little look at that, please?

Back with the Reds, and Lynn's at it again with that sparkly stuff.

This time she's spotted a silver box.

-Oh.

-Isn't that pretty?

-Oh!

It may be pretty, but what does Anita's expert eye make of it?

In Georgian times, the ladies wore little patches on their skin,

you know, to enhance their beauty.

And this is a little box that they may have used for that.

There's no mark to indicate that it's silver.

It does say "Denmark" on there.

It's a bit hard,

and I would expect, if it was silver, for it to

give a little bit. And the scene, a tropical landscape here,

with palm trees.

It is quite a nice little box.

Having travelled the world, I like the scene on there.

Have you guys been to all sorts of exotic tropical...

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-..islands?

-Yeah.

Is it as good as it looks?

The Caribbean is wonderful, I love the Caribbean.

So this reminds me of the Caribbean scene, the palm trees and everything.

Maybe that's what it is.

I was drawn to the Caribbean.

-It brought back happy times.

-Yeah.

There might be more happy times ahead

if you are able to negotiate on that £24 ticket price.

The Blues also have their eye on a silver box that they hope

will appeal to the horsey market.

I do hope they don't come a cropper.

-The horseshoe...

-Yeah.

-..thinking

of what we were talking about before,

the horsey set and things like that.

I've no idea what it is, other than probably a

snuffbox maybe.

Can you see a mark?

No, that's enough time.

Ken, you need to go see if you can see a mark.

Two points to you, Linda...for spotting it is actually a box. No? OK.

It is not a British one, but it is silver for certain,

you can feel silver.

And if you just look very carefully,

right into the machined bottom there...

-Yes, it is.

-..you've got a little mark.

Right in the middle. Can you see that, Ken? Can you see what it says?

No, I can't.

-Ken, I'll give you...

-HE WHISPERS:

-925.

-Can you see what it says there, Ken?

-925.

-It says 925.

-You heard what I said. Honestly.

-SHE LAUGHS

She is so competitive, isn't she?

-Like an echo.

-I found it!

-What an opportunity I gave you there to perform.

-I know.

-925.

So it is silver, but it is continental,

but it's of the same standard as British hallmark silver.

-I do like it.

-How much is it?

-52.

-I think that is rather...

-What do you feel?

-I feel...

What's your best price?

45.

-Would you do 35 for it?

-No.

You wouldn't do, middle for diddle, 40 for...

43.

-42?

-No.

-43.

-43.

Oh, you drive a hard bargain, Linda.

Well done, team, that's two items bought.

And the Reds are doing well too,

having negotiated their box down from 24 to just £10.

-£10, Anita.

-What do you think, Anita?

-I think you couldn't get any better than that, darling.

-Oh, I think it's perfect.

Shake on that before he changes his mind.

-Thank you. Thanks very much.

-Thanks very much.

-That's fantastic.

-OK.

-Second one down, Anita.

-I think we're on a run now.

Both of our teams have bagged their first two buys,

but time is passing quickly.

And they still have one more to go.

Let's leave them shopping while I'll show you something cheesy

I've found here in Hexham.

Isn't this a handsome object?

This is a typical piece of mid-19th century ceramics.

It is made of stoneware. It's bulletproof, it is

incredibly tough. It was mass produced somewhere in Staffordshire.

This particular colourway, being done brown, has been

covered in some Wedgwood lookalike

Jasper prunts.

This time with a continuous scene of

classically draped maidens.

It is, of course, designed to hold

a truckle of cheese.

And funnily enough, I just happen to have here

a truckle of cheese.

Delicious Northumbrian Cheese Company cheese,

coated in a linen outer.

This has been especially matured.

It is a local cheese, it is called Reiver.

It's full fat, hard cheese.

I've decapitated the top, look,

and my mouth is watering.

Mmm! Delicious!

So, I've discovered two appropriate serving utensils.

This is what is called a cheese scoop.

It is made of solid silver, it is Georgian, it is

hallmarked in London, in 1810.

It has got a bone or ivory handle, and its purpose is to

dig into the middle of a cheese, probably a Stilton.

The next-door cheese scoop is a development of the first.

Slightly different shaped bowl, look. More like a spade.

It was hallmarked in Birmingham, in 1824,

and it has the additional development of a pusher arm.

Right, so let's have a go, shall we, and see whether it works?

Oh, yes.

Now, you can see that because this isn't a Stilton,

it hasn't taken a perfect piece out.

But the cheese it has taken out is stuck to the scoop.

Let's have an experiment and see

if the Georgian scoop with the pusher does any better.

Oh! Look at that.

Perfectly delivered.

So what's all this lot going to cost us?

Well...the stoneware cheese dish and cover

could be yours for £58.

The Georgian cheese scoop with the pusher could be yours for £220.

The Georgian cheese scoop with no pusher could be yours for £100.

And as to the cheese itself,

you could pick that up for £42.50.

HE LAUGHS

Isn't that ridiculous?

A lump of cheese costs nearly as much as the cheese dish

and cover itself.

But...

mmm, it is delicious.

Back with our tasty teams, and both have one more item to go.

The girls have definitely got some of the sparkle they were after,

but can the blokes get a look in?

-Just probably repros, aren't they?

-Yeah.

You've got to be so careful with these things. I mean,

it does look like a piece of the nice trench art.

Brought back from the First World War, later mounted with

a clock face, and then there we have the regimental coat of arms.

It is a bit tricky, because there are lots of repros out there,

and that patination, to me, doesn't feel quite right.

If it doesn't feel right, move on. Time is ticking.

-So would that have been on, what, a Lancaster?

-Any bomber.

-Any bomber?

The Reds have also found some militaria.

-..air ministry.

-Yes, mm-hm.

Is that the type of thing that presses your buttons, Ernie?

-Yeah.

-I mean, it looks like a big torch to me.

ERNIE LAUGHS

How old is this? STALLHOLDER: 1940s.

-1940s. What would you do with it?

-So that would be Second World War.

Navigation aid for bombers.

What sort of a price is on this?

I had 75, I can do it for 55...

Wow.

And Ken has spotted something similar himself.

Item, David.

Ah, now, OK.

-Gosh, what's that?

-OK. Now that is militaria...

through and through.

Obviously an instrument of some sort.

-And look at the date.

-1942.

Bang on, right in the middle, literally,

of the Second World War.

And David is detecting there could be a profit on this in the auction.

This is quite interesting because you know where we are going to

-be selling our objects.

-Yeah.

-With Paul Laidlaw.

He is an anorak in this area,

so this is us actually being quite clever by accident.

But the Blues are not the only ones planning strategically for the auction.

To take military to this auction would be tactically

-a good thing to do.

-I like it.

-You like it?

-I think we should...

-Look, he's getting excited. Are you excited?

-I am...

Are you excited?

-Is this glamorous enough for you?

-What did you say your best price was?

-55 would be the best.

-Can you not go down, just a tiny smidgen?

-I'd love to.

STALLHOLDER: 35.

-35.

-Oh, come on.

-What's happening here? Do you know what he's doing?

-He should...

What's going on here? It's the battle of the negotiators.

-52.

-No, I'm losing money.

-Oh, you're not.

-I am. You've got it for what I paid for it.

-£30, go on, then.

-Happy?

-28, we'd be ecstatic.

STALLHOLDER: No, not 28.

I think that you've got to shake that man's hand before he changes his mind.

-Have we done it?

-Yes.

-We've done it. Thank you.

-You've got to give him a wee kiss.

-Oh, I'll give you a hug.

THEY LAUGH

Well, a bit of flirting never hurt anyone. Well done, teams.

Take cover, teams, your time is up.

-I think we've done well.

-I think we've done all right.

-Come on, girls, let's go get a cup of tea.

-Oh!

You have been done the Bargain Hunt way, marvellous. Tea time.

Let's check out what the Red Team bought, eh.

Yes, sir.

Their first buy was this stylish desk set,

which cost them £62.

Next up was the Danish snuffbox,

which cost them just £10. And they are hoping they can pilot

themselves to a profit with this Second World War compass,

bought for £55.

-You've been flying around. You did very well and had a lovely time.

-Yeah, we did.

Now just tell us about your dreams. What is your favourite piece?

My favourite piece, I think, is the pen set.

-Do you agree with that, Ernest?

-It is, yes, I agree, it was really

unusual, and we like it a lot.

And will the pen set bring the biggest profit?

-I don't...

-No.

-..think it will.

-What will?

-I don't think so.

I think it will be the...

-the compass that we bought.

-Oh, you think the compass. I think the silver box might.

-Do you?

Yes, might make the most.

-OK, split decision.

-THEY LAUGH

-And you spent how much?

-We spent £127.

127.

-So what do I want? I want 173.

-Yep.

Thank you very much, 173, which is going to go straight over to Anita,

-who is always very happy to take the cash.

-Yes.

-THEY LAUGH

-But what are you going to buy, Anita?

-Well, this pair are such

a glamorous couple.

I want to buy something glamorous, but I want to buy something kind of

girlie and glamorous. Is that all right?

-That is perfectly fine.

-That is the right answer...

THEY LAUGH

-And said earnestly.

-THEY LAUGH

Good luck with that. Meanwhile, we are going to check out what the Blue Team bought, aren't we?

Ken and Linda put the cart before the horse,

paying £65 for this wooden wagon.

And next came the horse, ha!

Or at least the riding whip on this silver box,

bought for £43.

And they also detected a possible profit with this military meter.

Price paid, £30.

-Cracking stuff that was, wasn't it?

-It was great, yes.

-How much did you spend altogether?

-£138.

That's not so great, really,

but nevertheless I would like £162 of leftover lolly, please.

-You really do want it?

-I really do want it.

-OK.

Now, which is your favourite piece?

Oh, for me, the little silver pillbox, I loved it, absolutely loved it.

-It is the sort of thing you want to keep for yourself?

-I want to take it home.

It is a tragedy because you can't. Ken, what is your favourite?

-The little military piece, the detonating box.

-OK, fine.

-You always were a bit explosive.

-I was.

-THEY LAUGH

And which piece is going to bring the biggest profit?

-The detonator.

-I'm hoping that might just.

-OK, fine.

Because it is a quirky sort of item,

-militaria.

-Yes. Yes, exactly.

Well, you never can tell what's going to blow up, can you, David?

THEY LAUGH

As we know. We've had a few moments. There you go, boy.

-Thank you.

-What sort of thing might you go for?

I've seen two objects, but we know in this business that if

you don't buy them immediately, they may not well be there, so I'm going to dash.

The one thing I do have in mind is something that I love,

but I fear you two are going to absolutely hate it. Oh, thanks(!)

-That's very k...

-But that's the kind of guy I am.

-That's very kind(!)

Well, that's a terrific tease, that's all I can say.

I can't wait to see what you go off and buy, actually. OK, fine.

-Us, too.

-Well...

On that happy note, you shove off and do what you do,

and we will shove off very shortly to the auction. Thank you.

We've come from Hexham to Carlisle, to Paul Laidlaw's saleroom.

And it's very, very, very nice to be here, Paul.

-Thank you for coming, Tim.

-Thank you for having us.

Now, for the Reds, they have got a great group of objects, I think.

-The cased gilt metal desk set is just amazing, really.

-I love it.

-Of its type.

Yep. Those aren't just generic belts and claw buckles.

Those are saddlery straps

and of course the desk seal itself modelled as a stirrup.

If you put your bravest hat on,

-I suppose you might see that making £100.

-Yeah.

If you have got two passionate, horsey people after it.

What is your normal, cautious, middle ground, then?

I have gone in at £40-£60.

Anita, I think, felt the same way, cos she went strongly in for this at £62.

-And there is a very fair chance that she will get her £62 back en plus.

-Absolutely.

Next is the electroplated little snuffbox or whatever it is.

It's this juxtaposition of Danish manufacture

and then frankly exotic subject matter. There is quality there.

In fact, to be honest with you, when I first picked it up I thought,

"This is surely silver."

Yes, me too. But it isn't. It's plate.

-It is a mystery.

-What is it worth?

Look, I've gone in £10-£20 because it is just a little electroplated box

and I think it is this electroplate that will seal its fate.

-£10 was paid, so that's OK.

-Good buy.

So, you know, your estimate is absolutely spot on.

But just in case we lose our way,

we have got the astrocompass, military issue to guide us.

Is that common or garden thing?

-Sadly it is.

-Oh.

-These turn up a lot.

-Do they?

And if this is your field, instruments and/or military,

-you have seen them all before. You can buy these for £30-£50.

-Can you?

Well, £55 was paid for this. Maybe we will get lucky.

-I will be pushing in that direction.

-I am sure you will.

As we have known you to do in the past.

So anyway, in case it doesn't all go to plan though,

they may need their bonus buy so let's go and have a look.

-So Lynne, Ernest, this is exciting, isn't it?

-Yes.

You gave Anita £173 of leftover lolly and she has been out

-and invested, haven't you, Anita?

-Yes.

-But in what?

-Well, I wanted to buy something girlie for us. Sorry, Ernest.

-That's all right, that's all right.

-So what I bought for you is a little pendant.

-Oh, wow.

Which has a spider sitting on a finely spun golden web.

And the abdomen is a piece of Cabochon turquoise.

And we have this little pearl for its head.

-How much did you pay for it?

-Lovely.

-Quite a lot of money.

Well, you had a lot so...

It did capture my imagination and I spent £150 on it.

I think it's gorgeous.

-I think it's lovely, though.

-The big important question is,

-how much do you think it might make today?

-We could lose a little.

-But we could make a little as well. So...

-Happy with that?

-Yes.

-Very good.

-Very happy.

-Thank you, Anita.

Right now though, for the audience at home,

let's find out whether the auctioneer likes Anita's pendant.

-I really like that, Tim.

-You do?

Thankfully I am not in the market for pendant

necklaces at the moment, but I think that is a great thing

and I think others will think so, too.

Poor Mrs Laidlaw, it's what she always really wanted,

was to be caught in a spider's web.

I like the turquoise, don't you? It's a good colour scheme there.

Absolutely.

Prices are as widely spread as the auctioneer's descriptions.

I don't think many people know exactly what these are.

Whether they are truly antique or more modern pieces.

And indeed the results under the hammer vary wildly

-and on a good day, that is worth £120, £130, £140.

-Yeah, yeah.

-Though not many make that. Most of them fall £50-£80.

-Do they?

-Yes, and that is where I have pitched it.

-OK.

£50-£80, Anita unfortunately has gone in there at the top whack,

-she has gone in there at £150. So it will slightly depend on the day, today, won't it?

-Yes.

Next are the Blues and the first item for them is the dogcart.

I think it is fantastic.

Good workmanship, good condition,

-charm by the bucket-load. It's not for me, but I love it.

-How much?

-£50-£100.

-Fantastic spread of an estimated there.

-It is.

That is an auctioneer's estimate if ever I heard one.

This is a man who his hedging his bets.

£65 was paid so they are at the bottom end of your spread

-and with any luck they will make a profit. How exciting.

-Yes.

Next is a little silver box, another silver box

but completely different to the Danish one. How old is it?

It's not old. Late 20th century. High-end retail.

But it is not for me. It is a bit blingy, I think, and I fear others may agree.

Oh, dear. So, at that then, you've pitched it at how much?

Lean. £20-£40.

OK. £43 paid. Lastly, an oddball looking box with some terminals on the top.

-You tell us about that, Paul.

-This isn't exciting.

-Isn't?

It isn't exciting. It is essentially a galvanometer.

It measures current.

This would be in the tool box of every relay technician

and signallers' kitbag for testing. General-purpose testing.

Circuitry, battery functions, line testing. It is your little,

not quite your avometer but you know what I'm saying.

It's your general-purpose test meter of the 1940s.

Oh, dear. What is it worth?

-Look, £15-£25.

-OK. They paid £30.

So it is not all the world

but if you add up the loss on the silver box, potentially,

and the loss, potentially, on the metre,

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

-Are you happy about this, Linda?

-Oh, yeah, can't wait.

-I can't wait either.

-LAUGHTER

-I mean, it's so exciting, isn't it?

-£162 of leftover lolly is a lot of money to go to David Harper.

-I know.

-And he does love to blow the lot.

-We thought we'd give him a treat.

Yes, exactly. Give him a cheap thrill.

OK, Dave. Show us what you spent the £162 on.

-OK, Linda, I'm going to give you a treat.

-Oh, really?

-Would you mind?

-It looks like a football. That is ridiculous!

-Ridiculous.

-Where have I seen that face before?

-Gosh.

The more I see this thing, the more I really dislike... No, yeah.

-Love it. Love it.

-Can you tell us something about it, please, David?

It is tribal African.

It's obviously a baboon, one of the biggest monkeys,

a very powerful, strong, quite a symbolic creature.

And I think it's got a modern look. What would you pay for it?

-£45, £65.

-OK. Good one. £40.

-Right.

-Good.

-40 quid.

-And what would you think it would make?

It is one of those things that I love in an auction

-because you can't actually value it.

-OK.

-I think it is £40 or £50.

If it made £100 I wouldn't be surprised.

Equally, if it didn't get a bit I wouldn't be surprised.

But they're the objects and love for auction.

Why don't we, for the audience at home,

at least find out

what the auctioneer thinks about David's African mask.

So give us the gen, then, Paul. Single lump, isn't it?

Look, I like these but I know what they are.

And what they are, are relatively mass-produced for export,

and modern pieces made to look older.

-Is that what we used to call airport art?

-It quite definitely is.

-Yes.

But it has integrity, insofar as

that guy sitting wherever he is carving these things away

is working to designs that his ancestors used and using

skills that were probably passed down father to son for generations.

And in that regard, I rate them. They are not fantasy pieces.

-There is a heritage to them.

-So, how much then?

-£20-£40.

-Really?

Well, you have mentioned the 40 word because that is where it comes from.

-£40 is what was paid by David. And he rates it.

-Yes.

The big thing is, is it going to hit the right note, do you think, here in Carlisle?

Well, it is not about Carlisle when you are on the internet.

-The world is your audience, isn't it?

-And that is the correct answer.

And on that happy note,

we will look forward to the auction starting in a moment.

Thank you very much, Paul.

£40, well done, sir.

32, 50 then.

-This is pretty exciting, isn't it?

-Very exciting.

-So far, yes.

-Your first auction, isn't it?

-Your first?

Yes, he's never been to an auction before.

-You've been to loads though, haven't you?

-I have, yeah.

-You are experienced?

-Very.

-OK.

OK, and here it comes.

Now this, I defy you to find a smarter little desk set than this.

I'll start it gently at £45 bid, 45...

should have a long way to go at this.

£45, 50,

55, 60,

65, 65 here.

-70 on the net.

-You're in profit.

-75 to my left,

80, 85... 85. Good thing this.

-90, 95.

-Well done.

-100...

-I told you it was a good one.

-..110,

120, 130,

130, 140,

150, 160,

-170, 180...

-Oh, my God.

190, thank you, sir.

-190 in the room, 200, 200...

-Look.

My bid's on the net, are you quite sure you're all done?

Fair warning, I sell an exceptionally good thing at 200.

Yes! £200.

-There you are.

-Get in.

-That's it, isn't it?

£138 profit, mark that.

OK, now we go for the snuffbox.

Lovely little box, this. An extremely refined piece.

With me at... £10 bid.

Easy as that. £10 bid. £10.

10 bid, £10.

12, 15.

18, 20.

22, 22, I'm out.

25, 25, it's a good little box.

It's not a lot of money. 25, you sure?

Thank you, sir. 28, 28 and 30, thank you.

£30 bid with the lady.

Who else wants a go? 30. 30 bid.

I sell then at £30. Thank you, madam.

-Yes!

-£30 is brilliant. That is plus £20.

-Wow.

-That means you are plus £158.

And still firing.

Military bearing compass in its original transit case.

£20 bid, £20, 20 bid, who else? This is too cheap.

£20, 22, I'll come back to you, madam.

25, 28...

and 30, 35.

38, 38.

To my left, madam, your turn.

Don't let me down. 38. 38, 38, 38...

Getting my hopes up. 38. Are you quite sure?

Net's out, room's out bar here. 38, I sell at 38.

Unfortunately, Laidlaw was right. He was right.

He didn't predict more than about £30-£50.

Anyway, 38, that is two light of 40 which is 15, that's minus £17.

Which means you are £141 plus.

You can't complain about that.

-No.

-Hey, come on. Plus £141. You only spent £127.

You lost £17 on one item and you're still £141 up.

-That is a remarkable achievement.

-My goodness. That's good.

Isn't it lovely? That is so lovely. OK, fine.

Now, what are you going to do about the pendant?

Are you going to park it or are you going to wear it?

I love it but I think it is just a little bit too expensive.

-Is that a definite, is it?

-Definitely.

OK, they're not going with the bonus buy

but we all think it's lovely and we are going to sell it anyway

and see whether Anita is right with £150 or not.

What think you?

Anyone at £100? 50 for a start?

50, 50, where were we?

£50 bid, £50 we're off. £50. 50 bid. This is lovely.

55, 60,

65, 70,

-75.

-Come on.

130, 140, 150, the internet has broke out.

-160, thank you, madam.

-You are in profit. Well done, Anita.

-160, 160.

-Where will you see another one of these?

-You are well justified.

-160.

Are you bidding, internet? 180 in the room. Fair warning.

-I sell at £180.

-Good girl, Anita. Good girl. Well done. £160...

What a wonderful expert. You found

-the thing.

-Yes.

-Plus £30. All right.

Anyway, you missed out on £30,

but you still have £141 ring fenced.

-Fantastic.

-Wow.

-Well done.

-What a team, what a team.

Listen, kids, say nothing to the Blues, all right?

There's no point in ruining their day.

-Now, Ken, Linda, do you know how the Reds got on?

-Haven't a clue.

That's just as well. OK, Ken, OK, Linda, this is exciting.

Cross your legs because the first item is coming up right now.

This is a little late-19th-century Victorian model tip-cart.

Exquisitely worked. I commend it to you, I like it very much myself.

I have got a bit of interest here.

I can start it at 55, 65...

65, 65, 65 on commission. 65, who else?

-No money.

-This is too cheap. 65, 65, 65.

-70, 75.

-Look out, he's going.

75 with me. Is that it?

-75, 75. I think it is a gift.

-Is that all?

-75, 75, are you quite sure? I sell at 75.

-He's trying.

And he's selling it for £75. That's a £10 profit. That's fine.

-It is a profit.

-We are a third of the way to our golden gavel.

Cracking little silver pill or snuffbox. Anyone £50? £50 we have.

Well done, you. £50. 50 bid, 50 bid, £50.

-Could be a maiden bid.

-Is that it? One-horse race. £50.

55 on the net. Come again, sir. £60, thank you. £60, 60 bid.

-Everyone else, my bid's here at £60 and I sell at £60.

-Plus £17.

Like shelling peas. Well done, Lynn.

Now here comes the meter.

And a little instrument there. This is of military origin.

A 1942 military detector. £10 to get it moving.

£10, £10, it is a no-brainer this, surely.

£10 there. Who wants it? Quick, quick. £10 bid. £10.

It's a bargain, it's slipping through the net. £10 bid.

-You will go home and you'll regret this.

-I feel a bit of tension here.

12, 15. Sir? 18, madam?

20, thank you. Bid at the back, 22.

Get it for 25.

-You know you want to.

-Yes, go on.

-Sir?

-Go on.

-She is ready.

Are you sure?

I sell, then. Fair warning. Well done, madam.

-How much was it, then?

-£25, I think.

Which means overall you are plus £22.

And that could be a winning score.

Now what are you going to do about baboon face?

-Are you going to invest £40 in the tribal?

-I think so, yes.

-Do you rate it?

-I do rate it, yes.

-Do you believe everything that Dave says about it?

-Yes.

The more I looked at it, the more I rated it.

Now that we know you are going with the bonus buy,

I can tell you that the auctioneer's estimate is £20-£40.

And here it comes. Look at that.

Ethnic African carved wooden headdress. Striking object.

What a visage that presents.

£20 to get me started? £20.

£20, 20 bid, where is the competition? £20 bid. £20.

-Where are you on this? A good thing. £20 bid.

-Come on!

African mask for £20! Where on earth?

£20, £22,

25, 28,

30, 32,

35, 38,

40, £40 here seated.

You quite sure? I don't think it's enough but I've got to sell.

-£40, 40 bid, fair warning.

-Come on.

-Last chance at £40.

-No.

-I can't bear it.

The baboon wiped its face. Absolutely. No profit, no loss.

-That's right.

-No loss, that's the main thing. Well done, David.

This is not the place for baboon face, anyway.

I suspect that there are two teams here

who are feeling pretty cocky about the result.

Because we have two teams, quite unusually on Bargain Hunt,

who have made profits. Which is lovely, isn't it?

We cannot have losers on this programme, we only have runners-up.

And the runners-up today, by a good old wodge,

just happen to be the Blues.

-Oh!

-So bad luck, Blues.

-Oh!

-You made £22 of profit.

-It was good going.

Good going by anybody's standards but not good enough today.

-Never mind.

-So there's your 20, darling.

And there is your two, Linda. It has been good, hasn't it?

-It has been great.

-And we've learnt a lot.

-We've had a fabulous time.

-We've loved having you.

-So thanks for being such good sports.

-Thank you.

But walking away today with £141 profit, it's the Red Team.

You did phenomenally well.

£141 is right up there in the profit scales on Bargain Hunt.

-So I congratulate you.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

Anyway, it has been such fun.

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

-Yes!