Shrewsbury 1 Bargain Hunt

Now, one antiques fair, two sets of contestants.

What is that catch-phrase?

Welcome to Shrewsbury, close to the border between England and Wales.

Our teams will each have £300 and an hour to shop for three items.

But will they be crossing the border between profit and loss?

Coming up, the reds barter hard.

-Any chance we could do 22?

-Yes, go on, then!

Oh, well done!

There's a difference of opinion in the blue camp!

-Do you seriously like that?

-That's quite sweet!

-She doesn't like it.

-I'm not struck.

-All right.

-You can think about it.

We'll keep looking. Keep looking.

But will it all be worth it when the gavel goes down?

Let's meet the contestants.

Just look at these four lovely people who've joined me today.

Now, Alan and Heather, how long have you known each other?

We met when I was 14 and Alan was 16.

Gosh! That would be a year or two back!

Slightly! We've been married 48 years this year.

Have you really? Congratulations.

-You're retired now.

-Yeah.

-What did you do when you were working?

A variety of jobs. I left school at 14.

I became a barrow boy on the fish dock.

A few months later, I was on deep-sea trawlers heading to Iceland.

Then you were a paratrooper.

I was a paratrooper and then I worked at the National Coal Board.

I worked at three collieries.

-Right.

-Then I decided to change career and went to teacher training college.

-My gosh, you have been round the houses!

-I've been round the block a few times!

That's extraordinary as a career route.

-Very good luck.

-Thank you.

Now for the blues, lovely sisters Carrie and Shona.

Have you got any antique experience between you?

Yes, we have a bit. Our father collected antiques.

Every Saturday we had to go to auctions, round antique shops.

Are antiques your biggest love?

No, I think horses probably are my biggest love.

-How many do you have?

-I've got two horses and a pony.

So apart from saying giddy-up, what tactics have you got, you horsey girls?

Ooh, well, we've decided to go for items not above £100.

-Smaller items, we thought. Silver items.

-Nothing tribal.

-Nothing tribal!

-Don't like tribal.

-No, no.

-OK, fine.

Now, here we go. Here's £300. £300 apiece. You know the rules.

Your experts await. Off you go.

The hour of bargain hunting is about to begin.

Our experts will be helping not one, but two sets of teams today.

Guarding the reds is Colin Young.

While David Harper patrols with the blues.

With all these goodies, the teams will have a tough job today.

I like that silhouette because of the pig.

-The pig is gorgeous.

-The pig is nice, actually.

-OK.

-What is it with pigs?

This is the most barmy bargain hunt ever!

Yes, barmy bargain hunting blue team comes to mind!

But will they bring home the bacon at the auction?

A carpet-beater. Or a husband-swiper!

A what? A husband-swiper?!

We hadn't better be buying those!

Hours of fun, but probably no profit!

Husband-beater? Let's hope Alan keeps in Heather's good books!

That's quite pretty and it looks complete.

-Rather bonny, that. Hand-painted.

-How old would you think it was?

-That's 1930s.

-Do you seriously like that?

-It's sweet.

-She doesn't like it.

-No, I'm not struck.

-But OK, I'll let you...

-You told me earlier you had similar tastes. This is not a good start!

-Oh, well, all right, then.

-No...

-You can think about it.

-OK. We'll keep looking.

I've a feeling today's bargain hunting won't be straightforward for the blue sisters!

But could some divine intervention help the reds?

A bible. These have had a bit of a resurgence lately.

They really have been selling badly for the last 20 to 30 years.

-But all of a sudden, we've been able to...

-It's not written in, that. Oh, it is, down there.

There's a lot of stuff in here. A lot of history with it. 1858.

Probably a little bit later.

-A little bit shabby around the edges, but we could see how much it is.

-Yes.

-How much is the bible?

-We've got 65 on it.

-Yes.

-But I will come down on it.

I think that'll be too rich for us. I think that's as good as it'll do in the sale. Thanks very much.

-OK. You're welcome.

-Thanks for letting us look.

Well, let's pray(!) that one of our teams finds a bargain soon.

-What do you think of that bronze?

-Not us!

-You don't like it?

-No.

-No.

-Why? Tell me why you don't like that bronze.

-Tribal. Don't like tribal.

-I don't like that at all.

-I love it.

-Really?

-It's a Benin bronze made in Nigeria.

Every single bronze they make is individual and unique.

You might find two that look similar, but every one is different.

That is probably 19th or early 20th century. But he looks much older.

In the right setting... I'm not convincing you!

It's Nigerian.

Cheeky!

Hey, what's all this laughing? This is serious.

This is bargain hunting!

I'll tell you a bit about them.

They're silver-plated rather than silver.

It's a classic reeded column.

The capitol, or top part, is what's known as Corinthian.

A scrolling top, floral decoration within it,

acanthus leaves.

-A very popular model, that.

-Yeah.

If you like it, there's a good chance somebody else will.

-Shall we see how much they want for it?

-Yes.

-It says 35 on the others.

-Priced on the other one, it's 35.

Do a bit of negotiating. See how well you do.

We really like these.

Just wondering what your best price would be?

Best price I can do for 25.

That's not bad, is it?

Any chance we could do 22?

Yes, go on, then.

Well done!

-He's got the touch, hasn't he?

-It's the smile!

-Thank you very much.

-You're welcome. You'll make a profit.

A profit predicted. We'll see!

Let's go and spend some more money.

Finally, the reds are on a roll.

-I do like that.

-It's pretty.

Yes. Lovely frame. Nice colour.

-It's £180.

-Well, it's what she's worth.

I just want to see what that is.

That's a baby's teether.

-What's that like?

-This one here?

-Talk to me about that.

-Is that silver, do you think?

Plated.

Oh, it's plated.

-And that will be...

-Bone or ivory.

-Ivory, I'd think.

-It's got to be 1930s. Do you think?

-Do you not like that?

-No.

-You don't like it? But Shona, you like it?

I like it because it's small and I know rattles are quite collectable.

-Very much.

-It's quite...

-I'm prepared to go with it if you like it.

It's in quite good order and it's still got a good rattle.

I'm happy with that if it's what you like.

-There's a mark on the base. EPNS. You know what that stands for?

-Yes.

-What?

-Electro-plated nickel silver.

Oh, you're good. You're good!

-Have a word with him about price.

-You've got £38 on this.

-Could you come down a bit more?

-28.

-28.

-What's going on here?

-Ooh!

-Hello!

This is terrible! Got trouble with your teeth?

-Not yet!

-Any minute now, though!

-How much is it?

-It's £38 and we've got it down to 28.

Not bad going, Tim, is it?

Look at his baby face!

Oh, thank you!

Marvellous.

I think that's really good.

-I think we'll have that.

-OK.

-We'll have that, please.

-Marvellous.

-Thank you.

-It's a decision, David. A decision!

But is it the right decision?

I hope the blues won't be throwing out all their toys at the auction!

-I quite like the shape of that.

-I like the shape of that.

Ah, they agree on something! That's a very good sign!

It's actually made by Wedgwood. It's very unusual.

-It looks more like Royal Worcester.

-I agree with you.

What date is it, would you say?

-Ooh.

-Wedgwood. England.

-England.

-Post-war.

I'm guessing here.

-No?

-No, England certainly not before 1892.

Because in 1891, '92, they started marking "England".

First World War, 1920s, they started marking "Made in England".

So that is very Worcester looking, circa 1900.

1900, 1910.

All hand-decorated.

-Gilded. Got a number.

-I think it's nice.

-It's got a number on it.

What would be the absolute best, the trade price?

50.

50 quid.

-Would we get that back?

-Real porcelain.

-It's beautiful.

You're really taking a chance. But don't you just love taking a chance?

Oh, it's very risky, David!

-We're living on the edge.

-Ooh! 50 quid!

I like it, but at £50, I don't know whether we'd make a lot of profit.

Well, can you tempt them any more?

£45. I'm prepared to go with that.

-Shall we do that?

-Shall we go with it?

-Yes, we will.

-Thank you.

Nice to see the sisters agreeing!

That gives them buy number two.

Let's have a look at that.

Is she known? That's the thing, isn't it?

-I've never heard of her.

-Well, there you go.

That's not a negative. Many people say to me,

"Have you heard of Artist X?"

The answer is, there are 130,000 artists that go to auction every year.

I can remember a few, but not all of them.

So the reality is, it's not the finest quality, it's a good amateur.

There's not a lot going on, that's the negative.

-But it's priced at 45.

-It's not bad and it's not a bad price, actually.

The reality is I think that'll be top end of the estimate when it goes to auction.

How much you can negotiate on the price

is going to determine how much profit you're going to make.

-Do you want to have a chat to the stallholder?

-OK.

-See what you can do.

We're wondering if there's any leeway on this. What would be your best price?

I would do it for 30.

- What about 25? - No, don't push your luck!

I've already come down far enough!

-Brilliant. Job done.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much. A pleasure.

So, £30 for the watercolour. But will it put the reds into the black at auction?

-Do you like that?

-Sell it to me!

-Oh, right!

OK. You've walked into my shop.

OK. So that is a mahogany sarcophagus-shaped box.

But what was it originally? BOTH: A tea caddy.

-Bang on.

-Together!

-Well done, you two. How old is it?

I'll give you a clue. The sarcophagus shape should date it.

-1820...

-Perfect. 1820.

-1820.

-1820, 1830.

-Does it matter that the inside... It would have been tin-lined.

-Of course. It would have had a bowl here and two tin...

-And a lock.

It's got the lock. It's missing its key.

But it's strung in satinwood. It's a proper antique. It's 45 quid and it's not expensive.

That's a bit decisive of you, David!

-Decisive? I would have bought it five minutes ago!

-Would you?

-Yes!

-I quite like that.

-I think it's a wise move.

-Do you?

What would the best trade on this be?

I'll knock a tenner off. There's not much in it anyway. For 35 quid...

It's a wonderful antique.

-I like it. Do you want to run up and down?

-Run up and down for ten minutes.

-Can you keep it for ten minutes?

-I'll keep it aside.

-Thanks.

-All right.

-While we persuade her.

-We'll have a run up and down.

-I'll come back with broken arms!

-Thanks a lot. Appreciate it.

So maybe wisely, the blues decide to scout the market some more.

-That is something that's great. Do you like it?

-Yes.

-Anything you don't like about it?

-The price!

Yeah, OK.

210 is enough money. But there are two of them.

It's by the Royal Worcester factory.

You're looking about 1907, 1908, that period.

In a retail environment at £210, I think they are a good retail buy.

The problem is, when it goes to auction, we'd really struggle.

So it's great, it's Worcester, an early piece, a good design.

But we'll have to pass on this one.

-Isn't that pretty!

-Are we having a bowl-fest here?

She's having a bit of a china moment.

I like the pink lustre. It's very pretty.

And very Chinese, or Japanese. Oriental in its style.

-But Maling.

-Maling is...

-Newcastle.

-Newcastle.

Yes. Oh, she's back again! The best saleswoman in the tent!

-Hello!

-We were just admiring it, really.

-It's quite nice.

-Rings nicely.

-That's a nice piece.

-Here's the second best salesman in the tent!

-Barmy, you are!

We'll think about that. Thank you very much. We'll think about the bowl.

Come on, teams! Time's running out.

Decisions need to be made.

-Colin, what do you think?

-Well, I like it.

-What is it?

-It's a magic lantern. Date-wise, early 20th century

more likely to be just late 19th century.

Good brass fittings. It's anodised. Tin plate.

It's got a few glass slides with it as well.

And the original tin box to go with it as well. A good portable example.

-What's the price on it?

-75.

I like it at 75. What about you?

-I'd like it at 65.

-And you?

-I'd like it at 60!

Excellent. Can we do anything at 60?

69.

-69.

-69. My favourite number.

Yours and mine, 69. Let's do the deal.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

That's it. The reds bag their final item.

-All the money spent.

-Well done.

-Time for a cup of tea.

And we can watch a film while we're spending the extra minutes! Brilliant!

You go and put your feet up, reds.

Meanwhile, it looks like the blues are back on for the tea caddy.

-We've come back, pal.

-Nice to see you.

-We want it.

-Lovely.

-Marvellous.

-Best news all day.

-I was going to have it myself, anyway!

-It's your cup of tea. Cup of tea!

He's good. He's very good.

-I think you'll do all right on this.

-I hope so.

-Thanks again.

-Thank you very much.

-Always a pleasure. All the best.

Come on, then. We'll have some lunch, shall we?

-Oh, yes.

-Come on, girls. Lead on.

We'll see later if profit from the auction will pay for the blues' nosh.

That's it. Shopping's over.

And now time to sell, and we've hopped over to Halls' showroom in Shrewsbury.

But first let's remind ourselves what the red team bought.

First to catch the reds' eye was a pair of electroplated candlesticks.

For £30, will this watercolour deliver a splash at auction?

And finally, for £69, they bagged a 19th-century magic lantern.

Magic!

So, Heather and Alan, the bonus buy moment.

It looks to me as if Colin has a picture there,

but it might be a tray. You never know, he's so coy!

Anyway, you gave Colin 179 of your leftover pounds.

What did you spend 179 on, Colin?

-Well, I spent 170...

-Ah.

-..of 179, so no messing about here.

A serious purchase!

A Picasso!

A horse with stumps.

-Who's painted it?

-Over to the left

is a signature. Joseph Lawrence.

A 19th-century equestrian artist.

The good news is, this artist regularly commands four, six, seven hundred pounds

-for works of this subject matter.

-Wow! Wow!

Here's the negatives for it.

It has been restored to within an inch of its life.

There's some over painting. There are a few negatives with it.

So those big flash figures I was quoting you at the beginning

you're a long way from there.

How do you rate it, Alan?

Well... Yes.

You clearly love it(!)

-Yes, I think it's very good.

-It's the name that will sell it.

Well, thank you very much, Colin. You can decide later, reds.

Now for the blues and let's remind ourselves what the team bought with their £300.

At £28, will this 1930s child's rattle and teether

secure a profit?

Wedgwood's a great name. So is £45 a fair price for this fruit bowl?

At at £35, will this mahogany tea caddy

brew up a storm at auction?

-You gave your man £192.

-We did.

David Harper, what did you spend £192 on, please?

Something devastatingly gorgeous, just like these two, Tim.

I want them to like this a lot, so give them a compliment!

Sucker!

-Ooh!

-Now, you saw the name.

-Did you see the name?

-That's nice. That's Tiffany.

Yes, Tiffany, New York. Incredibly posh, refined.

It's a calendar.

If you remove that back, it's a complete calendar.

All the months, all the days.

-I think it's rather pretty.

-Good, yes.

-Good!

-Well done.

-How much do you think I paid?

-Tiffany.

-Mmm.

-It's got the name.

80? 90?

Very good. 90.

It should make over £100. It really should.

You are such a salesman! I think I'm going to vomit!

Well, we'll see pretty soon about reaching over £100.

We're off now to the auction.

UK internet bid of £150.

Are we all done, then, at 150?

-Are you excited?

-Yes. Yes.

-Whatever's going to happen?

-We're going to make lots of money.

-We've had that prediction before!

Anyway, first up are your electroplated candlesticks.

-Here they come.

-Lot 50.

A pair of electroplated Corinthian column candlesticks.

What about these? Very smart. £20. Who'll bid me £20 for them?

20 only. At £20.

20? 20 is bid. Front row. £20 I've got.

Well, it's a start.

Who'll go two? At £20 it is. 22 at the back.

25. £25.

-Front row at £25.

-We're in profit, kids.

-25.

It's selling. Front row bid at £25. All sure at 25?

That is plus £3. Good. That's a good start.

Lot 51. The Florence R. Walker, a noted listed artist.

Riverbed scene in a wooded landscape.

Exhibited in the 1930s.

£30 for it.

£30 only. 30 is bid, sir, with you. At £30.

35 on the internet.

Good old internet!

At £40 we've got in the room, against you, internet.

At £40. The bid is in the room.

45. The internet is back.

45. It's against you again, sir.

50. At £50 I've got. Internet?

You'll have to be quick.

£50. The bid is in the room.

At £50. The bid is in the room. I am selling it.

Are we all finished then, at 50?

Yes! Good result. £50 is plus 20.

You are £23 up.

Now the magic lantern.

Now the late Victorian magic lantern in a tin carrying case.

£30. Who'll give me 30?

This vintage magic lantern.

30 immediately at the back of the room. £30 I've got.

Who'll go two? 32.

35. 38. 40.

45? 45.

At £45.

Who'll go 50?

At £45. Last chance. Yes? 50.

Come on!

At £50. The bid is standing at the back of the room.

At £50. 50.

£50. That is minus £19.

But overall, lads, you are plus four pounds!

How good is that?

So, you've got four pounds in your pocket.

What are you going to do? Risk your £4 profit

with going with the gee-gee? Are you a gambling man?

I think he's first past the post.

-The gee-gee.

-You're going with it?

-We're going with it.

-Definitely?

-Definitely.

-We're going to risk it.

-Risk it.

-We are.

We're going with the bonus buy. Here it comes.

Lot 56. The Joseph Lawrence portrait of a bay hunter in stables setting.

I can start this lot at £50. 50. £50 is bid.

60 at the back of the room.

At 65 here, internet.

-65. 70.

-Yes. So much riding on this.

-The bid is in the room

at 75. 80.

At £80 now. At 80.

At £80. No more interest at 80. Are you sure? At £80. All done?

That is minus £90.

-It's fine.

-£90 off. You had £4.

Now the score is minus £86. I'm so sorry about that.

But you never know, it might be a winning score.

You never know!

-Carrie and Shona, do you know how the reds got on?

-No.

Not been chatting? We don't want you to know.

First up is your child's rattle teether. Here it comes.

71 is this EPNS child's rattle and teething ring.

-Quite a bit of interest in this.

-Ooh!

-I am bid here 25, £30 I'm going to start.

-Into profit!

-£30.

-You're straight into profit.

-£30.

Already. At £30.

It's a commission bid at £30.

At 30. Five. 40. At £40 now.

At £40 it's with me.

At £40. Are we all finished, then?

At £40.

-Yes!

-£40 is plus £12.

Well done, girls. I knew you sisters had it in you!

Lot 72. A Wedgwood porcelain old ivory ground fruit bowl.

Hand-decorated. £30 bid me. £30. 30 I've got on the internet.

At £30.

The bid is 30 on the internet.

-Go on.

-At £30. Who'll go two?

At £30. 30. It's an internet bid now. At £30.

I will sell it. Are you sure? At £30.

£30. You have lost £15. You had 12. Now you've got minus three.

Oh, Lordy!

Lot 73 is the mahogany and boxwood strung sarcophagus-shaped tea caddy.

Already the bid is with me at £30. At 30.

At 32. 35. 38. 40.

Look at this. You're back in profit. Yes.

-48. 50. Lady here.

-Good auctioneer.

£50. At £50. The bid is in the room at 50.

£50. You are plus £15. So overall, you're plus 12!

What about Tiffany the calendar? You've got £12 in your pocket.

Go for it!

Remember, you did have £12 in your pocket.

You're going with the bonus buy. Risk all. Here it comes.

Now we come to the Tiffany rather smart silver-framed desk calendar.

Already I've got interest at £40. 40.

Five. 50. Five. Commission's out.

At £55, the bid. 55.

At 60. Five.

Against you standing.

At 65 here, seated. Lady here at £65. 65. You're out at the back.

-Come on!

-At £65. Are we all finished at 65?

Minus 25!

That means overall you are minus 13 smackers.

That's not much, really.

You're a risk-taker, you are!

You had £12 in your back pocket.

Don't talk to the reds at all. Because minus £13 could be a winning score.

I think it's quite good, actually.

-Do you?

-Ever optimistic, me!

And they were right!

The blues -£13 was a winning score. Well done!

Coming up, will our next two teams fare any better?

We'll see.

Meanwhile I'm off to North Yorkshire to investigate the fading fortunes

of a family and their belongings.

Richard Graham inherited Nunnington Manor from his uncle.

In 1675, he became MP for Cockermouth

and a valued servant of King Charles II.

He was appointed envoy extraordinaire to the Court of France in Versailles,

a sort of posh spy, actually.

He claimed that his post was opened twice - on each side of the Channel.

He described the job as "difficult", but it did allow him to come back with some handsome souvenirs,

which should have been kept out of sunlight. Surviving to this day,

out of the original house furnishings from Richard Graham's period

are this series of magnificent tapestries.

They depict the life of Achilles,

the hero from the Trojan Wars who was dipped in the River Styx

and we can see this moment in this particular tapestry.

You can notice that his mother is hanging on to his heel during the immersion,

meaning that his heel was not protected and that ultimately, of course, led to his downfall.

And in the drawing room there are some more tapestries, but in a completely different style.

These are called verdure tapestries, made at about the same period

at the end of the 17th century, but densely, densely woven,

always with trees and foliage.

You can see that predominantly the colour scheme is bright blue.

That's because the indigo dyes have hardly faded at all.

If you look in these other spaces that look pale yellow and cream now,

originally you would have had pale greens

and a much more subtle range of colours throughout the whole piece.

The problem is that those softer colours fade

and you have no idea the destructive effect of direct sunlight.

Back at the Shropshire And West Midland Showground in Shrewsbury

we're about to find out whether our next two teams

can pick three objects capable of making a profit at auction.

We've got a student and her gran...

..and another student and his mum.

Let's meet them.

On today's team we have Sophie and her grandmother Maureen.

-Hello, girls.

-Hi.

-Hello.

-All right?

-Yes. You?

-Not too bad.

-Now you get on particularly well with your gran.

-I do! She lives next door to me.

-Yes.

-Does she keep an eye on what you get up to?

-You would, wouldn't you?

-Yes.

-You would.

-I like to know.

-Quite right, too. A protective umbrella.

-Absolutely.

-Yes.

You've started your career on a particularly fashionable path.

Yeah, I just finished my foundation course at St Martin's in London.

Now I'm going to go off to Manchester to study textile design.

Maureen, do you follow Soph's passion for design?

I love design, but interior design.

Now, rather like your grandaughter, you're a bit of a raver, aren't you?

Yes, I love to dance.

-What sort of dancing?

-I like the salsa and, em, I like to dance.

And have you got the right moves between you to find the bargains?

-I think so.

-We shall try.

-We'll try our best.

-You'll make a delightful couple of contestants.

Good luck. Now for the Blues, who are quaking in their boots here!

Mother and son combo, Kay and Mitchell. Welcome.

You're passionate about your career.

I've been nursing for 25 years now.

I'm still a practising nurse, but I moved into education. I work in a Faculty of Health.

I'm principal lecturer there and I'm currently doing my doctorate in education.

-It says here you're incredibly active.

-Quite active.

-Tell us about your activities.

-I go to the gym, I'm just starting a Zumba class.

-What class?

-Zumba.

-Zumba?! What's Zumba?

It's supposed to be a mixture of salsa and fitness dancing.

Mitchell, have you inherited the gene of all this active, outdoor stuff from your mum?

Of course! Yes, indeed. I'm a fitness instructor now.

I go to the gym quite a bit and I'm going on another course.

-But my main sport is rugby.

-Is it?

-Yes. And I've been playing since around the age of ten.

-Where do you play?

-Wolverhampton Rugby Club.

-Lovely. Now the money moment. Here we go - £300 apiece.

-Thank you.

You know the rules. Your experts await. And off you go! And very, very good luck.

Gosh, what charming teams we've got today.

-What do you like?

-I don't know. Lots of different things.

-Anything, really.

-Anything? No plan?

-No plan.

No plan, no agenda. Let's just get on with it.

-What are you looking for? Kay?

-Maybe some sort of jewellery.

-Or silver.

-A bit of bling?

-Yeah.

Something possibly to do with sport? But keeping the price low.

-A man after my own heart!

-Yes.

-The price low, not the sport bit!

We've got one hour. Let's go.

--

-It's old.

--

-..what model it is?

-As a little table piece.

-Yeah.

-What do you think?

-Not really!

-No.

-No? Is it the damage?

-I think so. That puts me off.

-OK.

-What do you reckon? A fireman's helmet.

-I quite like that.

-Yeah, that's interesting.

Portmeirion. It's very retro.

That's probably '60s, '70s. Ten years ago,

it would have been worthless. Now anything Portmeirion from that period...

-It's got that youth. You like it?

-Yes.

-It's got a bit of a modern look.

-A great modern look.

-There's no cup.

-Oh, we're missing a cup?

-What's your best on that one?

-I could do 50 on that set, if that's any good.

I think I'll think about it because it's not a set.

- Is that OK? - Yeah, that's fine.

No buy there, then.

-What are the Reds up to?

-How about that? That doesn't look "two deer"?

-Oh, funny, ha-ha(!)

-Deco, good repro piece.

-Quite nice. Is this spelter?

-It is spelter, yeah.

-I like that. Do you?

-Yeah, I like it.

-Do you want to find out how much it is?

-Yeah.

-Go and ask him, then.

-Me?

Oh, yeah. You're in charge.

Hiya! I'm just wondering how much this is?

- That's 70 to you. - 60?

- Come on... - A hard bargain! Go on, then.

-Do you like it?

-I think it's OK. It's one of those lots that's bold. You might do OK with it.

-It ain't gonna race away.

-OK.

-But it's not too bad at 60.

-And it's pretty, isn't it?

-Do you want to spend the money or would you rather come back?

-Do you want to think on it?

-Yes.

-Definitely.

-Oh, dear.

They're as indecisive as the Blues.

-It's not blingy enough for you.

-Not shiny enough!

Well, Kay is being decisive now.

-Do you like it?

-No, he doesn't.

Still nothing bought by either team.

-What about that cylinder top desk at the back?

-Lovely.

-Do you like that?

-Yeah, that's nice.

-It's not very old, is it?

-Yeah, it's Edwardian.

-How much? 175.

In that case, we'll go in and have a look.

The wood that it is is mahogany and it's got satinwood or boxwood stringing in it.

Nice cylinder. It's in good order and these often warp.

And, hopefully, this drawer will come out and turn it into a writing table. It does - fantastic.

Drawer linings are OK on it. Everything's stacking up so far as being OK.

-And the very, very lowest?

-160.

-150 you wouldn't do?

-Couldn't do 150.

-No?

-It would have to be 160.

-160.

It is a nice piece, isn't it?

-Yeah, go for it.

-Looks like the deal is done.

-Excellent, then. 160?

You'd better get that money out of your pocket.

Well done. You've got the Reds up and running,

but David can't persuade Kay and Mitch he's spotted a profit maker.

You don't like that? Surprise(!)

-Is it you or not?

-Hmm.

-It's up to you. I don't particularly...

-Not sure.

-Honestly, these two!

Lady's jewellery box.

French.

It's leather-bound, embossed around the edges.

19th century.

-1870, maybe. Something like that.

-Good pitch, David!

-I'm convinced.

-What do you think?

-I personally prefer the tea set rather than that.

-OK.

Oh, dear. Come on, the clock's ticking.

That's quite interesting.

-What is it?

-A trivet. Something you would stand something hot on, like a kettle or a pot.

19th century. Really well made. You see these things all over.

What's unusual is that - the Star of David? That could do well, particularly online.

If anyone collects anything with a Jewish feel, that could be very good news. It's only six quid.

-It's one of those chancy numbers.

-Yeah.

-A fiver?

-You can have it for five.

-Marvellous! We've done a deal.

-Always good to do a deal!

-Thank you.

Right, come on. Well done, we've bought something! We've spent some money.

So they've only got £295 left. Meanwhile,

-what are Sophie and Mo doing with their remaining 140?

-Over there.

A flapper's dress! Go on, you lead the way. Looks like you found something you want.

The question is, is it old?

-Should we ask?

-I think we should.

Er, it's 1960s.

-OK, so it's more of a sort of Quant-type thing.

-Yeah.

It's reasonably priced at £20.

-That's lovely, Sophie. Do you like that?

-Yeah.

-Ah! A name to conjure with as well.

-Is that a name you know?

-Not that I know of.

-It must be somebody...

-OK.

-What do you think, Sophie? Do you like it?

-I really like it.

-Doesn't it say 12 in there? Or is that the size?

-The size!

-Oh, that's a shame. OK.

We always lie about sizes, so how about 14? Is that any good?

-15 and that is it.

-15, that's good.

-An odd size.

-Shall we go with it?

-OK, super.

-Yes, you'd like that. You pleased with that, Colin? Would you wear it?

-In the evening.

-Indoors?

-It's not really my sort of day thing.

15. Thank you very much.

Sophie was absolutely sure about that. Can Mitch match her?

-What about your coffee set?

-I'm still thinking about that.

If we could get it down to 40, it would be a definite.

-Kay? It's literally over there. If it's 40, can I have it?

-Yeah.

-Right, come on.

-I'll try my best.

-Go on. It's a woman.

Charm her. Come on.

OK! Bargaining techniques. Will masculine charm work on a female stallholder?

Right, go on, do your stuff.

-Hi.

-Hello!

-We're back again.

-We've been thinking about the tea set.

-Yes.

-It's a coffee set.

-Coffee set.

-I knew what you meant.

I was wondering... if you could possibly do it for 40?

And that would be a definite.

Please?

-Go on, then. £40.

-Thank you very much.

-I'm very impressed.

Charmed by Mitch! Great bargaining.

Both teams now have two items.

Not scrimshaw. It's transfer printed. A very nice piece of treen.

What does it hold? Absolutely nothing, but one of those general wares

sometimes called Mauchline wares.

But this is actually a German-manufactured one.

Transfer printed with the Bank of England.

-If it was ten, you'd have it now. Do you go for good old safety, spending 15...

-Let's get the deer.

They've got a plan.

-Have the Blues?

-Do you like that?

-It's...all right.

-It's funky. Is it you?

-I don't really...

-Not you, Mitchell?

Not really.

-I'm trying my best.

-Another rejection by the Blues.

As the Reds hunt down the deer, which I seem to remember were marked at £60.

If you get it to 50, that's a safer option.

I'll go for it. ..Hiya. Is the deer still here?

- The thing we looked at before. - It is, yeah.

-- It was 50... - It wasn't.

-No, it was 60.

-We'll beg 5 if that's a possibility.

-55?

-Cos we do really like it.

-That's my bottom line.

Shall we do the last begging?

We'll beg for 58 if we can get away with it.

£2 makes the world of difference to us. Is that possible, sir?

-The pleading technique, eh?

-Yeah, go on.

That's the Reds all done! Will the Blues make it with 6 minutes to go?

-Any restoration?

-It's been relined in the Victorian period.

- It looks quite dark. - It will lighten once it's cleaned.

The colours will shine through, but that is how dealers like to buy them,

rather than sparkling and new.

Do you think it'll make a profit?

-Well, it's got every chance.

-I think it will. I do think it will.

-Do you like it?

-Yeah.

-70 or 90 on the toss of a coin.

-80 or 90.

-80 or 90. Happy?

-The frame will cost you!

Have you got a coin?

-Good man. You call.

-Tails.

-Heads.

-You won!

-80. Marvellous!

-Thanks.

-That's an old Harper trick, that, tossing a coin.

Marvellous! Well, you didn't half perform there!

-Three minutes to go.

-Just in time.

-Just in time.

-On the spin of a coin. Isn't that exciting?

-It is.

-And it worked out well for us.

-We've done it!

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

The shopping's done, time to go to auction, and we've returned to Halls' showroom in Shrewsbury.

But first let's remind ourselves what the red team bought.

Sophie and Mo pulled in a writing desk for £160.

A flapper-style dress came off the hanger for £15.

And the Art Deco deer were rounded up for £58.

Now, Mo-Mo, Soph, you spent, you petals, £233.

You gave your man £67 for the Bonus Buy. Colin, what did you buy with £67?

Are you ready for the reveal?

-Yes.

-Yes.

-It is...

-Nothing?

-Nothing?

-It's...

-The rug!

-Well spotted!

-Oh, the rug!

Oh, right.

Oh, well done.

-I think you've got two underwhelmed people here.

-No, I love it.

-You do like it?

-Yeah.

-Sophie?

-No, I do like it, actually.

-That's beautiful.

-It's a rug which is copying an earlier period.

It's probably 1940s, 1950s. So it's around that mid-20th century sort of period.

It's a design that comes from the Northern Caucasus area.

Nice geometric patterns. Standard colours of the blue, red, but it is that little bit later.

-So how much did you have to pay for it?

-£60.

-OK.

-I saved £7 for good luck.

But £60 and I think a rug such as this, in pretty good order,

just a little bit of fraying,

I would hope that it would make over £100. It won't make a fortune,

but I think at £60 that's a pretty good Bonus Buy.

Well, decide later, you reds,

but in the meanwhile let's discuss the blue teams three items.

Let's have a little reminder.

A brass trivet cost them just a fiver.

They spent £40 on a stylish coffee set.

And a toss of a coin allowed them to pick up a painting for £80.

-Now Mitch and Kay, you spent £125.

-Yeah.

-Perfectly respectable.

-You gave David Harper £175.

-Mm-hm.

-And what you've got is quite small.

-It is. Thank you very much.

-Kay, we were looking for silver.

-Yes.

-And something a bit sporty, as he's obviously sporty.

I might have got a combination. Have a look at that.

It's silver, quite obviously. And it's real silver, hallmarked, 1905. It's an import piece.

It's of British standard quality. Very good quality thing.

-And does the fish count as being sporty?

-Yes!

-That counts.

-Yes, yes.

-Is it like a matchbox?

-It's a vesta case.

A matchbox holder.

But quite a modern one.

It's good quality, very expensive to buy new.

And it's nice to find new things in old quality. That's something you might find in the 19th century.

-How much did you pay?

-Straight to the money! £20.

New... Gosh.

£100? £150? I would imagine, probably.

-Can you see it making a profit?

-Definitely. Definitely. It should make a profit.

We'll see, there's time to ponder.

The auctioneer, Jeremy Lamond's gavel is good to go - let's sell!

130. A telephone bid...

-OK, Soph and Mo-Mo, how are you feeling, kids?

-Nervous.

-But you were so cool before!

What's happened to you, darling? Are you worried about anything in particular?

My dress. I'm really worried about my dress.

Listen, you only paid £15 for it.

-He's estimated £20-£30.

-Really?

-He knows about the label.

He's looked it up. You'll be fine.

-The cylinder writing desk is your big number. You spend £160 on that.

-Yes, we did.

He says various things about it.

-Nice things?

-Not particularly.

And he's put £80-£120 on it.

Your Deco group of the deer, though, I think is super.

-I can see that thing making £100.

-Oh, really?

-Or £120. Yeah, I can.

And it may just save your bacon on your cylinder bureau.

-Oh, dear.

-Or we could all be absolutely wrong and you'll need to go with the Persian rug.

Anyway, here we go, girls. We're starting with your cylinder writing desk. Here it comes.

Now we have this delightful Edwardian mahogany and boxwood strung cylinder bureau.

Plenty of interest in it. Nice size.

-And I can start this at £120.

-Get away!

At 120. Who'll go more?

At 120. 130. It's a telephone bid.

At £130 now.

130 - on the telephone!

140 in the room. At 140.

Against the telephone. 150.

-160.

-Hey!

-At 160 in the room. 170.

180.

At 180 in the room.

At 180. 190. At 190.

200.

At 200.

£200. At 200. The bid is in the room. On the aisle at £200.

Are we all finished? At £200. Internet, you are out.

Well done. £200 is plus 40. That is a proper result, isn't it?

We're all going to have to apologise.

-Now, Soph...

-A flapper-style dress.

Showing for you here. Bit of interest if you're going out.

I can tell you I am bid already £20.

At 20. £20 is bid.

At 20. 22. 25.

28. 30.

35. 40.

£40. It's a commission bid. At £40. Any more?

At £40 to a commission bid.

Are we all finished? At £40.

I got into a flap about that! Anyway, plus £25. That is very nice.

You are £65 up, girls. Now, here comes the little deer.

Various commissions here. I am bid £60.

You're in profit again!

Come on.

At £60 to a commission. At £60.

-Come on!

-All finished? At 60.

That's disappointing, but a profit. £60 is plus £2.

You are £67 up, girls.

You've got a profit on every item, which is a really good thing.

-Are you going to go with the Bonus Buy or not?

-Yes. What do you think?

-Sophie, darling, do you want to win the competition?

-Yes.

-And go home with money?

-Yes.

-GO with the rug or not?

-Do it.

-Are you sure?

-Yes, let's do it.

-You're going with the Bonus Buy. The decision is made.

-A very smart rug there.

I have interest in it already and I can bid £35. At 35.

It's to a commission. 40. 45 against you.

50. Commission's out. 5. 55. Gentleman here.

At £55. 60 at the back. 5.

-70. 5. 80.

-Hey, look out!

-90. 5.

-Look at this, girls!

120. 130. 140. 150.

160. 170.

With you, sir, at £170.

-Colin!

-Are we all done at 170?

-Did he say 170? He said £170.

-That's brilliant.

That is so brilliant. Everybody take their toupee off to Colin.

That is plus 110. Yes?

Which means you are plus £177.

-Up!

-Well done, Sophie. You can have that for your holiday.

-Brilliant!

-Any pre-match nerves, Mitch?

-A little bit, but I'm confident.

-Are you?

-What about you, Ma?

-I'm not confident!

-You look a bit shifty, love.

Feeling a bit shifty? Is it the painting that's doing it?

Your Welsh interior. I'll put you out of your agony.

He's estimated £60-£80 on it.

Now you paid £80 for it.

I have to say it is one of the darkest, gloomiest things I've seen in a long while.

But he's very positive about it because it has a smashing frame.

He says somebody will pay more for that and stick a mirror in it, than they would for the picture.

If you park that one, your coffee set, which you paid 40 for,

he's estimated 330-£40. You're OK with that.

And the trivet, he thinks that's really rare. You paid a fiver. He's put £15-£20.

And if all else fails, you've got Harper's reserve fund,

which is the match case cover, to fall back on.

Anyway, first up is the Star of David trivet. Very unusual. And here it comes.

We have the Victorian brass trivet with the Star of David. Unusual.

What about that? Who'll bid me £15 to start it?

-At £15.

-Come on.

-10? £10?

10. 10 is bid.

Who'll go 12? At £10 it is.

12 anywhere? At £10.

I will sell it at £10 if there is no further interest.

At 10.

-It's still a result. You still doubled your money.

-It's a profit.

-We'll take it.

1960s Portmeirion Greek pattern coffee service. Susan Williams Ellis.

I am bid already £30.

32. 35.

-At £35. 35.

-Go on!

-GO on!

-Any more?

At 35, I am selling it. At £35.

-£35. You had £5 profit. You've now just lost £5.

-Right.

So you have absolutely nothing.

Welsh cottage interior. Showing there in an impressive gilt frame.

£60 I am bid already. At 60.

65. 70.

5. 80. 5. Commissions out.

£85. It's a room bid. At £85. Any more?

At £85. I'm selling it.

At £85 to you, sir. 85.

Well, isn't that amazing? You had a £5 profit, you lost it.

You just made £5 again. £5 profit.

How extraordinary is that? You are plus £5. What will you do?

-Going to have a go at this piece of silver?

-Yes.

-Definitely.

We have a sterling silver vesta holder. Set with a leaping fish.

By Links of London. I am bid £25.

25. 30. 32.

35. At 35. The bid is in the room.

At £35. 35 it is. Here in the room at £35.

38. £38. One more? 40.

Yes!

42. 45. It's an internet bid now.

45 here. 48 at the back.

At £48. Are we all done at 48?

Well, that's amazing, isn't it?

£48 is plus £28, which means...

you are plus 33. Now listen, girls and boys.

-This could be a winning score.

-Could be!

-Don't say a word to the Reds. All will be revealed.

-Congratulations, David. Well done.

-Marvellous.

There is a buzz of excitement because we have two teams of winners! Isn't that gorgeous?

Both teams are going to go home with oodles of cash,

which is unusual enough, I can tell you. But which team has nudged ahead?

Well, the runners-up today, I regret to tell you, are the Blues.

Oh, no!

The Blues are the runners-up, yet they go home with £33.

-Thank you!

-That's right. She said thank you. Look at Kay, grabbing the cash.

-It's going to Mitch.

-Aww.

-You had this switch back.

You made £5, you lost £5. You made £5 and then along came David Harper

with his vesta doo-dah and you made £28.

-So you must be very pleased.

-Yes.

-Thank you.

-We're pleased, too. That's a splendid result.

-Congratulations. Have you had a nice time?

-Wonderful.

-And you go home with money.

-Mitchell does.

Well, Mitchell... Has it not always been thus in a mother/son relationship?

We've loved having you on, but the victors today by a big chalk

-are the Reds who are going home with £177.

-Oh, my lord!

Now this is £177 plus, because they made a profit on each item,

-you get the Golden Order of the Gavel.

-Wow!

We've run out of gavels, so these days we present you with lovely stickpins.

Take one out, darling. For you to keep forever.

-Here's one for Gran.

-Lovely.

-And one's fallen out in my pocket for Uncle Colin.

Because Uncle Colin gets one, too.

And what is very appropriate for Uncle Colin is

-that he's largely responsible for this wodge of cash. Right?

-Yes.

Because his Bonus Buy contributed £110 of profits. How about that for a Bonus Buy? Look at that.

-Thank you!

-Do you get to keep this, Soph?

-She's having a holiday.

-I love it!

The same thing applies, Kay! It goes straight to the ever-open hand.

-Have you enjoyed it?

-Yes.

-Maureen?

-it's been really good.

We've loved having you two. Join us soon for some more bargain hunting! Yes!