Belfast 18 Bargain Hunt

Today, Bargain Hunt is back in beautiful Northern Ireland,

and we are in a curious village called Greyabbey.

This tiny conurbation of about 1,000 folk

doesn't have a post office,

doesn't have a bank, it's got a pub,

but extraordinarily, within the space of a few short yards,

there's not one, there's not two, but there's ten antique shops.

The sellers are ready to take their cash,

and the teams are ready to spend it.

So, let's go Bargain Hunting, yeah!

Greyabbey is nestled on the dramatic

coast of Strangford Lough, and takes its name from the ruined 12th century

abbey at its heart, but there's no time to worship at the altar.

Our teams had £300

and an hour to shop for their three items before going to auction,

in the hope that this place doesn't finish up as being their graveyard.

Let's check out what's coming up.

-The Reds are giving Jonathan a headache.

-Maybe I should just let them buy it.

-Are you necessarily going to buy anything?

-Yes, eventually.

Oh, no!

The Blues, on the other hand, are on a charm offensive.

Let's ask this very young gentleman here. You're fantastic!

And at the auction, there's celebration...

-Look at that, that's a profit.

-TIM LAUGHS

..and commiserations.

Oh, no.

Oh, can't bear it.

But before all that, let's meet the teams.

So, we have four wonderful people today, full of Irish charm.

For the Reds, we have father and daughter, John and Deborah.

And for the Blues, we have fiances Joanne and James.

-Hello, everyone.

-ALL: Hello.

-Brilliant to see you.

Now, John, you've had an incredibly responsible job,

because you've run the ambulance brigade here for years.

I started off as an ambulance man and finished 25 years

later as the chief ambulance officer in the northern area.

Through a dark period in Northern Ireland's history.

But in a developing time, when we brought the ambulance service

from the first aid, right through to the full ambulance aid we have today.

-Brilliant.

-A very rewarding time.

Have you had any dramas in your early days driving ambulances?

Yes, we had the usual, delivering babies.

Many a night. One night it happened in the snow, we set out for the hospital.

The conditions got a bit worse, and

the wee girl decided it was time she was going to come into the world.

So we pulled into the side of the road and

basically let nature take its course.

Now, John, you have a particular interest in lorries.

Yes, particularly old lorries. Came from the time when I was in school.

One of the boys, his dad drove a lorry.

And always pertained this interest in old lorries, and still to this day.

Now, Deborah, apparently you are able to combine your hobby

-with your father's passion.

-I am, yes.

For the past year or so, I've started to make novelty cakes.

So for my dad's last birthday,

I made him a lovely branded lorry cake.

-Did you?

-Yes.

-It was named the Nora Maggie, after my mother.

-Right.

-As they all have their little names.

-And did it have the company livery and everything?

-Oh, yes. It was all done out,

every little letter cut out painstakingly, took me hours.

Any particular type of cake you like to make?

I'm up for making any type of cake, but one of the most popular

ones I've had to make recently is for Frozen.

-All the kids love Frozen.

-What is frozen cake?

-It is a film.

It's a film. OK, get with it, Dadio, Grandpa.

-All the kids love Frozen.

-Oh, really.

So how are you going to get on on Bargain Hunt today?

Leave the money to Dad? You do the picking and he does the paying?

-It is usually the way.

-Is it?

-It is the best way.

It is the best way. What are fathers for? It is just the best.

It is just the best. Good. Now, Joanne, you are recently engaged.

-We are, yes.

-So, congratulations on that.

-Thank you very much.

-But you had a rather special proposal.

-It was, yes.

My birthday was in January, I always wanted to go to

Paris, so James kindly took me away.

-In the evening time, we took a boat cruise down the River Seine.

-Oh, lovely.

We went in under the love lock bridge.

Earlier on we put a wee lock on the bridge.

And, earlier on, I had felt the box in James's pocket.

And he told me it was earrings, so I believed him.

And when we were going under the bridge, he pulled out the wee ring,

and I was very disappointed I never got my earrings.

-But you got an engagement ring.

-I did, it was brilliant.

-And you immediately said yes?

-I had to. I had to to get home.

-That is sweet. You won't ever forget that, will you?

-No, it was brilliant.

And talking about special things, you did some amazing stuff in 2012.

I did, yes. I was a volunteer at London Olympics.

I was in charge of looking after people's mobility needs.

I was hiring out mobility scooters, wheelchairs,

driving wee golf buggies and stuff. It was fantastic, best time ever.

Now, it says here, James,

that you earn your crust in food manufacturing.

-But you also make a bit on the side at the auction room.

-Well, I'm sure,

as you know, online selling is very popular at the minute.

And I try to look for other people's weaknesses in their listings.

-Mis-descriptions.

-Yes, stuff like that. I'm a real devil for that, you know.

I look for other people's faults.

But I don't want to give too many of my secrets away.

OK, fine. We'll keep quiet about that.

But what are your areas of specialisation?

Well, I'm a big music fan. And vinyl has become very popular again now.

There's more independent record shops opening.

So I keep my eye open for different records, vinyl,

that I know that are good sellers.

What are you going to be buying for today's show?

-Well, Joanne, she likes silvery type things.

-Bling.

I'm like a magpie, yes.

I'd have a bit of an interest in local history and things

like that, so I'll keep my eye open for something along those lines.

And are you going to spend all your cash?

-I'm good at getting people down, I think I can work my magic.

-OK.

Well, good luck with that.

Now, talking about magic, here comes the £300.

-£300.

-Thank you very much.

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

and very, very, very good luck.

The teams won't go it alone out there in Greyabbey.

They've got two humble experts to help.

Never one to blow his own trumpet, Jonathan Pratt

will be with the Reds.

And for the Blues, is it a bird, is it a plane?

No, it's David Harper.

Have you got a team tactic today?

Well, hopefully, we want to pick one each

and then one for the three of us together.

-And if not, relied highly on your advice.

-What are we going to buy?

Well, I think I'm going

to have my eye open for some Northern Ireland history, may be militaria.

I don't want to give you £250 back to go and spend on something.

I want to spend. Maybe more shiny, something silver, something shiny.

OK, teams, wakey wakey,

your 60 minutes starts now.

-ALARM RINGS

-Oh!

That red door contains treasure. Let's go and find it.

I think we should start Bargain Hunting.

The town is your oyster, teams. So get stuck in.

You don't hang around, do you?

Is she like this everywhere she goes shopping?

-You've got your hands full today.

-Oh, my gosh.

You want to have something that shouts, "I've bought you!"

-Tell us why you like that.

-Because it is shiny.

SHE LAUGHS

-So you are into sort of fashion...

-I am.

-..films and things like that.

-I'm also into things that are very tacky.

-Very?

-Tacky.

-Tacky.

What you probably didn't want to hear.

Oh, dear, I can't see these two getting on.

-Look at that horse, isn't...

-You like that?

-What do you think of this?

-The truncheon?

-Yeah.

-OK, this is more your sort of thing then, is it?

It's slightly worrying, really, isn't it? If we're honest.

The truncheons that have a value are the painted ones.

If you've got one relating to a police station, it is dated,

it is really fascinating, and there are collectors.

It is telling us nothing, it is just a plain truncheon.

Fair cop, David, at least we know what floats James's boat.

Meanwhile, the Reds have found something small

but perfectly formed.

-The box says brand-new, have you had the box done?

-1970s it is.

-OK, so this is the original box?

-It is the original box.

-OK.

So you've got... It is a four-piece tea service, or tea and coffee service, as it were.

Hot water, tea, sugar bowl, cream or milk. And then a tray.

And it is Birmingham D, which is...

-1978.

-1978.

-What's the price on that?

-The death on it is 140.

-OK.

-It's nice.

-It is nice.

-With something like that, you just discount completely however

much silver there is in it, because it's probably not even an ounce.

It's about the workmanship, it's about the novelty value.

But is it worth it 100 more than £150 at auction?

It's a really interesting little thing, but... You're quiet.

-I...

-Come in on it, Deb.

It is nice, it is quite small and cute, but...

-I'd be worried about spending nearly half of your budget on the first item.

-We'll call back.

We'll come back, thanks a lot.

They're playing it safe now, but time's ticking.

She's found something a bit blingy. Oh, surprise, surprise.

-Quite interesting, them wee ones there.

-They look a bit new to me.

This is the worry.

Don't mind contemporary pieces, but they look a bit mass-produced new.

Delicately done, David. So, how are those Reds getting on?

-Hold on, Beatrix Potter stuff, she is mad about it.

-Oh, are you?

Alderman Ptolemy. Yeah.

-Not my forte.

-No.

These are quite unusual.

-Out for a duck...playing cricket.

-Oh, the skiing one is cool.

-This skiing one, he's sloping off.

-I'm only thinking for me, I love skiing.

-I might just buy that for home.

-Uh, that's not the idea, Jonathan.

Looks like the Blues have got an inquiry.

-Shirley, what on earth is that?

-I think it is some kind of exchange.

You can imagine the operator putting the lines through to

different rooms in an office or hotel or police station.

It could be, it could be.

It's got a bit of a Cold War feel to it, don't you think?

Yeah, well, I hope it's warm enough for you to buy.

THEY LAUGH

Date wise, probably 1950s, something like that.

All these switches would be very important.

I'm a bit worried as to what the red one means.

That could be, like, self-destruct or something.

It's got a bit of James Bond theme going here, I feel.

Guys, what do you think "Dictograph" means here?

It is just the brand, it is the make.

That's it, it's the model, if you like. It's got a great feel to that.

-Just have a feel of that, Joanne.

-Oh, that is really heavy.

-That's what you call a traditional telephone.

-Uh-huh.

-Yeah.

Not like a mobile.

It is very different to the mobiles you get nowadays, isn't it?

Do you think, if we plugged this in, we could get it working?

Plug it in, James, yes.

You might as well plug it in, press the red button and say goodbye.

-THEY LAUGH

-Because that is a danger.

It would never, ever be a functioning piece of kit, it would

cost you an enormous amount of money to get that thing working,

and you would never want it to.

As it states here, "strange phone."

There is a price beside here of 85.

-Yeah.

-What about offering us a "strange" price for it?

THEY LAUGH

-Well, what we thinking of?

-What do you think?

£40.

-Yeah.

-40? JOANNE:

-Really?

-You're fantastic.

-STALLHOLDER:

-Good to have you in.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

Shirley, thank you. It looks like we've bought a very strange phone.

-Thank you very much.

-JOANNE LAUGHS

What a bunch of smooth operators, eh?

The same cannot be said about the Reds.

I do like them, but only because they are very tacky.

They are very modern, aren't they?

I was hoping to see some little holes in the top,

thinking they were salts and peppers. Have a bit of cat on your dinner.

-I prefer this cat.

-You prefer that cat. Meow!

Have they all gone cat mad?

-That's a spectacular cat.

-That's the tackiest cat I think I've ever seen.

I'm just saying I like cats, I don't necessarily want to buy the cat.

-Are you necessarily going to buy anything?

-Yes, eventually.

Deborah is not finding this easy.

I'm torn because I really want to buy something of the cat, but...

will it sell? Probably not.

They do pick up a lot of things, and then I have to think, "Oh, really?"

-Maybe I should just let them buy it.

-Time is pressing on.

Hopefully my partner here will decide to say yes to something.

-Maybe.

-Maybe. I've got a strong "maybe", so I'm confident.

With half an hour gone, the Blues are on the up.

-There's stuff galore, it's amazing, isn't it?

-Isn't it?

An eagle-eyed James has spotted a painted truncheon.

It's got the letters SC inscribed on it, 1868.

I was thinking the SC, maybe it's Special Constabulary which would've

been one of the forces that would've been here.

That's fascinating because you've got the local history

which is what you're interested in and what you were looking for.

That is a mid-Victorian piece.

It's black, it was a very fashionable colour around that time anyway.

-Gorgeous handle, feel it.

-It's lovely.

-It is tactile, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

It's missing a lot of its paint here.

I wonder why?

It's been clunking people.

-It's a lovely thing. It's a lovely thing.

-I really like it.

What price is it?

I suppose the best price on that is 70...

£60.

Well, us being poor, rural Fermanagh folk,

we were wondering could drop it down any more than that?

Another fiver, 55. That's me, I think I'm getting my money back.

-Which I need badly! That's it.

-No, that's brilliant.

That's brilliant, thank you very much. What do you reckon?

Yeah, 55. Yeah, let's go for it.

Shall we say it's our second purchase?

Shake the man's hand, then.

Thank you very much.

Well done, James and Joanne. Two items bought already.

They work very well as a team but the two purchases we've got

so far are very male orientated,

man-tiques that's what they are through and through

and Joanne talks about shiny things,

glittery things, silvery things, blingy.

That's what we've got to find.

We've got to get Joanne something bling to make it the perfect day.

Definitely not having the perfect day is team Red

who still haven't bought anything.

-I think we're kind of done in here.

-Right.

We really need to decide,

are we going to take that tea service at £140?

-It's kind of...

-25 minutes, 25 minutes...

-Let's go, 25 minutes.

That's definitely not the tea service?

-Definitely not.

-Definitely not?

-I would love to buy it.

-If you want to buy it...

-It's bought.

I'm confused!

Are they buying it, or not?

So, John, last chance.

I love it. I do love it.

Then just get it.

-Just buy it.

-140?

-£140.

-That'll do us.

A brave move, well done, John. One in the bag.

Thank heavens for that!

Now something I found in Greyabbey that might be a pipe dream.

You find some funny old things over here in Ulster.

What about this?

It appeals to my quirky sense of humour.

Technically, this thing is an Edwardian pipe rack

but what's fun about is that it's in the form of an outsized pipe

that's been cut in half so that the flat back

could be screwed to a wall.

The idea being that if you are a pipe smoker,

you would have at least two or three pipes on the go

at any time because they get impregnated with nicotine

and saliva and they need time to rest.

That's the idea of having a pipe rack that would've stored

a number of pipes for an individual smoker.

What lovely about it is, it's made of beech wood.

The beech wood has been turned on the lathe

and then the stem cut out of a single piece

and down at this end is where the amber mouthpiece might have been,

which has simply been covered in black paint.

Is this sort of thing collectable?

Well, it is to those people who collect nicotiana,

anything connected with smoking.

In particular there's a breed of collectors who love this stuff

and they live in America.

They call this tobacco shop ware.

What's it worth?

Well, £25 is the asking price here in Greyabbey.

What might it be worth on one of those sites

that specialises in smoking ephemera,

perhaps as much as 200.

Stick that in your pipe and smoke it!

Back to bargain-hunting.

The Reds still have two to buy but the Blues remain smooth operators

with a clear vision for their final item.

I think we'd both go home with a smile on our face

if we could get a nice piece of silver for Joanne.

Well, good luck with that.

Meanwhile, Jonathan has a burning question for Deborah.

What else do you like other than tacky?

THEY LAUGH

Nicely put, JP.

-Would you like...

-It was my words.

Do you like cats, do you like colour?

Cats, tackiness and pattern.

-So I quite like the pattern on this little box.

-What is this?

Careful with it.

Nice, little box.

-It's a box.

-It's just a box.

No surprises there, really.

-And you like it because...

-Of the pattern.

-The pattern.

-Well, it's lacquer.

-Mm-hm.

Erm, it's shellac, basically.

-It's the Japanese way of finishing decorative boxes.

-OK.

And they use a lacquer to get this high lustre.

It was very popular in the 19th century, as well.

This is obviously '20s, this geometry.

-It's taking a Victorian fashion and bringing it up to date.

-OK.

-There are one or two little knocks on the corners.

-Yeah.

If you bought it, what would you do with that?

Probably sit on a shelf and gather dust.

Would you not to put things in it, dressing table, you know...

A lot of people probably would but I'd just buy it for the pattern.

It's quite a nice object. It's very, very deco.

It's not a lot of money.

It's good to just take something and go, "I really like that."

-Do you like it?

-I do, I do really.

-There you are, then. Then, go.

-Have a negotiate.

-OK.

-There you go.

The ticket price is £22, what deal will Deborah do?

I just saw this wee box.

I was just wondering what kind of price you could do me for on that?

OK. Um, 15?

-15.

-I thought it was mid 1920s, 30s.

-Mm-hm.

It's just a lovely wee pattern there.

22 down to 15.

I'm not even going to answer. I think I might just go for it.

-Great, OK.

-Shall we do a deal?

-Yeah.

Thank you very much.

-Did I just hear you say handshake?

-I did.

-How much was it?

-I got it down to 15.

Oh, very good. That's two bought now.

We don't have long.

Hand it over, let's get shopping, let's go to the cells.

Cells? Oh, yes, this shop used to be a police station.

Well, the Reds are certainly good at doing time!

And they haven't got much left.

This is the old cell, I'm thinking.

The doors have gone.

Now it's all of the 19th-century tea wares have been

banished into this room.

Lock up the door and throw away the key!

You said it!

Right, we want silver. Have you got any silver?

Oh, cabinets of silver.

It's your lucky day, Joanne.

Tell me why you like that, then?

It silver, obviously.

There's a wee mirror in it, so it's kind of girlie, as well.

-It's pretty funky.

-OK, do you know what it is?

-A mirror.

-A compact.

A compact, how come you know it's a compact

and you don't know it's a compact?

What you think the D on the front would mean?

-It stands for me, you're going to buy it as a gift for me, David.

-It's David's compact.

-Yeah.

OK, so that's what it is. It's a lady's compact.

She was probably called Deirdre, or something.

It's machine turned on the top there,

can you see, that's where you would refer to that decoration.

So open it up.

There's your mirror. What does that say there?

-"18th of April '47."

-How lovely.

-Just after the Second World War.

-It's pretty old.

-There are your hallmarks, can you see?

-Oh, yeah.

-That an anchor, so made in Birmingham.

-Oh, right.

You open up the second compartment and that's where you keep, James?

Foundation powder.

It's worrying, isn't it?

Isn't it, I've taught him well. I've taught him well.

Now what's the condition like?

-I've got to say it looks pretty good.

-Yeah.

-Do you like it?

I do. It silver, it's a mirror, it's girlie, I love it.

Let's ask this very young gentleman here.

Well, it's listed at 40.

What's the best you can do on that?

-I must have been generous that day, I could do 34.

-34.

What about 25?

-I could do it for 30.

-30?

-Yeah, I would do 30 for it.

-Yeah.

-OK, that's brilliant.

-Thank you.

Hurray!

That's all three items bought with plenty of time to spare.

You deserve a great big slap-up lunch.

-Are you buying?

-I'm buying.

-Let's go.

-Let's go.

Oh, not so smooth with the high fives.

But at least they're done which is more than can be said of the Reds.

We've got about eight minutes and eight minutes is no time at all.

We're going to have to run.

Next shop, out the door and straight down.

Come on, chaps, the pressure's on.

Get into it, come on.

That catches my eye.

You see lots of ceramics, you just don't see the old stuff.

This is a really nice tea bowl and saucer.

It's late 18th century, OK.

It's got a little hairline crack in it. It's lasted for 240 years.

What do you think, guys, of this?

It's pretty.

It's got a nice pattern on it.

English, hand-painted,

hand-decorated in sort of a famille rose pallet,

inspired from the Chinese.

-The label says...?

-£33.

-£33.

Shall we go for it?

-I think we'll just go for it.

-I think so.

-Do we have a choice?

-At this point, not.

I can put it back, we've got two more minutes to start looking.

-No.

-I don't think I could handle...

-Talk to the lady.

I think we need to talk to the lady.

Would you do it for £20?

No.

-23.

-23, I'm not a fan of odd numbers.

Oh, no!

£22.

-OK.

-Thank you very much.

-BELL RINGS

-Teams, your time is up.

It's an open and shut case.

-Well done, well done.

-Thanks.

Yeah, hugs all round.

Now let's remind ourselves what they bought.

This gorgeous, miniature silver tea set

cost the Reds a princely £140.

But the 1920s box came in rather cheaper at £15.

Finally, the English cup and saucer has serious age

with a little damage and set them back £22.

What was the fun, fun bit for you, Debs?

-Oh, the panic at the end.

-Was it?

-And your favourite piece would be?

-The box.

-The box is your favourite?

-Yes.

-Do you agree with that, Dad.

-No, Dad fancies the wee silver miniatures we bought.

-OK.

Are they going to bring the biggest profit?

-I think Jonathan's wee cup and saucer will make it.

-Do you?

-Do agree with that, Debs?

-I think so.

-Best always to agree with dad.

OK, so you spent in toto how much, Debs?

-177.

-177.

I'd like 123, please.

123.

-What could be easier than that?

-123.

One, two, three, JP.

-Fantastic.

-What's your plan, Jonathan?

Ah, let's just say I didn't get a picture of what they liked

all the way through the shopping experience.

Colourful and tacky was Deborah's.

I don't know. Anything will suit, I think.

-Exactly. Just something that makes a profit, please.

-Yeah.

We need it.

Anyway, good fun.

Why don't we right now though check out what the Blue team bought, eh?

Is there anyone there?

This strange vintage telephone exchange

was dialled up by the Blues for £40.

The Victorian truncheon tells a story, at £55.

And for £30, Joanne found her bit of bling.

-OK, which is your favourite piece? James?

-Me, would be the truncheon.

-Truncheon is favourite?

-Yes.

-OK. Do you agree with that?

No, I like the telephone.

I like the telephone, it's very quirky, it's different.

Will it bring the biggest profit?

No, I think the silver might do that,

we got the silver for a good price.

You spent 125, I'd like £175 of leftover lolly, please.

There it is, there.

Which goes straight over to the maestro, there you go, David.

Now, David, £175, what are you going to spend it on?

It's got to be something historical, sparkly

-and hopefully profitable.

-TIM WHEEZES

Good on you, David. Anyway, good fun, thanks, and good luck, David.

Meanwhile, we're going to gird up our loins, if we've got any,

and head off, hopefully, to Ross' auction in sunny Belfast.

'This central Belfast saleroom has been around for over 75 years

'and today, we're meeting up with Daniel Clarke

'for a chinwag about our items.'

-Daniel, good morning.

-Good morning.

Well, we've got a nice mixture, look.

Kicking off with a lovely little boxed miniature

tea and coffee set. How do you rate that?

I think it's absolutely delightful and it's surprisingly heavy,

the silver, it's not in any way tinny.

Hallmark, Birmingham, probably around 1970.

I think a lot of people are going to like this. Um...

£80 to £100, could do a little better.

Needs to be, cos they spent £140, but I can't blame them for that

because I think it is so perfect and ready to go,

you would get slightly carried away. Who knows?

-That may happen in the auction room, which would be lovely.

-Exactly.

Next is the wee lacquered box,

which I have to say, in terms of the design, I rather like.

Yes, it has obviously an Oriental feel to it,

but in terms of the shape and the lacquer,

but, probably European.

I don't know really what it is for, maybe a little sewing box.

Handkerchiefs?

-Possibly.

-Silk squares? Something like that?

-Possibly. Ten, £20?

OK, £15 was paid. So, that's fine.

Then we've got the tea bowl and saucer,

that looks a bit like Newhall to me,

copying the Chinese, but definitely English.

Yes, in pretty good condition.

I think there's a little hairline crack in the cup,

which is going to perhaps have an effect on the bidding,

-but 20 to £30.

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

20 to £30 for a bit of late 18th century ceramic.

They paid £22 for it, so they paid the right price.

Just the dodgy one being the silver set in the case

and on that basis they may need their bonus buy,

so let's go and have a look at it.

So, what did Jonathan Pratt spend £123 on? JP.

It's one of my favourite expert buys.

-Oh!

-Ooh. Oh, my God.

-Look at that.

This chap here, this is Mr O'Brien,

and he's The Irish Giant,

the tallest man in the known world, nine feet high.

OK, this is an engraving, it's by a chap called John Kay,

who was a caricaturist.

This was done in 1803

and this is an original engraving. I love it.

And if you don't, I can take it home myself...

LAUGHTER

My thought was, if it didn't sell, could I have it? Because it's very pretty.

-It's quirky.

-Isn't it?

What's great about it, JP, I think, is the mixture of techniques

in preparing the printer's plate,

-because you've got a bit of etching...

-Yeah.

..you've got a bit of warmed resin on the surface.

He's used some techniques to give you lots of colour.

You can't believe that's all black ink, really, can you?

-What did we pay for it?

-What did you pay for it? Well...

You gave me quite a lot of money,

I did a bit of negotiating and I got it for £35.

-Oh, well, OK.

-It's a bargain.

-I hope so, I hope so.

Engraving's not necessarily the biggest and most expensive objects,

but I think novelty will sell it this time.

I think the strength of the image is there,

but whether the buyers will be about is another matter,

so you have to weigh all that up before you pick, team.

Right now, for the benefit of the audience at home,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about JP's engraving.

Right, Daniel, that's rather a good object, isn't it?

It's in lovely condition.

I think it's probably been cut down,

-from perhaps a magazine, or something like that.

-Mm-hm.

Mr O'Brien,

apparently he was one of only 16 people in medical history

back in 1804

to have reached the height of eight feet or more,

so he would've been a character

that people would've have known about in those days.

Yes. An amazing object. What do you think it's worth?

20 to £30, maybe?

It's in nice condition and nice, clean frame on it.

Yes. Anyway, JP liked it, he paid £35 and is hoping for a profit.

Who knows?

It might find a buyer with a Mr O'Brien here in Northern Ireland.

That's it for the Reds. Now for the Blues.

You've got the operator's telephonic substation here.

It does have a quite modern look about it.

It is 1930s, so it would've been extremely modern at that time.

It's got a bit of a look.

There will be people out there and I could see it making 40, maybe £60.

OK, £40 was paid, so they'll be well pleased with that

if you can get 40 back for it. Next is the truncheon.

I think this may very well be reproduction.

-Do you?

-I do.

I think it is an ebonised softwood. There's no weight at all in it.

OK. That rather kills it, or should one say, knocks it on the head.

-DANIEL LAUGHS

-So, how much?

-I think 20 to £30.

-Do you?

They paid 55 and I think that's a big old lump off.

Next is the silver powder compact

and I've noticed over the years that these things,

the, sort of ladies accoutrement,

has risen in value tremendously.

-Do you rate that?

-Well, the enamel ones are very popular.

This is silver. It is...

1946, the date. Birmingham.

But the date engraved here is 1947,

so that is the date that it has been presented.

30 to £40?

-It might do slightly better than that.

-OK, fine, £30 paid.

So, there's some hope there.

But the number that's going to drag them back, apparently,

is the truncheon, if anything drags them back.

So, let's go and have a look at the bonus buy.

You managed to spend £125,

-EXAGGERATED FRENCH ACCENT

-you gave David Harper

£175. David, what did you buy?

Well, I couldn't resist this, Tim.

And I think it is so local...

-it's unbelievable...

-Mm-hm.

-JOANNE LAUGHS

Stop laughing.

It's a gorgeous shape, it's made out of beech.

It's very tactile, it's a piece of art sculpture

and it was made for...

-Ah.

-..the Cunard White Star Line.

-Ah...

Which really, for someone from Belfast, should send

-shivers up the back of your spine.

-Yes, brilliant.

-So local it's unbelievable.

-Mm.

-I think they're still in operation today.

-Yes, Cunard, yes. Of course.

The White Star Line is particularly associated with Titanic, of course,

but the White Star Line and the Cunard Line joined forces in 1934,

so this post-dates well and truly the Titanic thing,

but it's still an iconic...brand.

-Do you like it?

-I really do. I thought he was trying to hang us out to dry.

LAUGHTER

-I think I probably will!

-How much did it cost?

Well, there's the tricky point. What do you think?

-£50?

-Yeah, very good. I paid 40.

-Oh! Really?

-Yes.

It's just a coat hanger at the end of the day,

-but it's got all of that...

-Yeah.

-..emotional attachment.

OK, team, let's find out

whether the auctioneer's about to get hung up on this one.

-OK, Daniel.

-Right, the Cunard White Star Line.

Made of beech wood.

You'd maybe think it came out of the first-class cabin.

Beautifully contoured here, to follow the line of the garment.

I can see it in one of those great Louis Vuitton steamer trunks,

-can't you?

-Yes.

Where you hang garments inside the most enormous piece of luggage.

Yes, exactly.

Somebody probably paid 20, £30 for it.

Harper paid 40.

I do not think he's going to make huge profits out of it,

but let us hope for a few Titanic moments today at auction.

-Exactly.

-Thank you very much.

Time for Daniel to take to the rostrum,

and wield his gavel with glee.

Selling.

-394.

-Are you confident, John?

-A bit worried about the silver.

-Are you?

-We paid a bit too much, but we like it.

-You paid £140.

Sort of doll's house type silver, really. And here we go.

Lot 275, a miniature silver tea service on a tray,

Birmingham hallmark, collectable little lot.

Could we say £100, please? 50 anywhere?

-I'm bid 50, thank you madam. 60.

-Good.

-70.

80. 90 here.

£100, 110. 120.

-£120...

-Come on, one more bid, one more bid.

All done? At £120.

-It's OK.

-Good.

120, it's £20, it could've been worse, you're right.

-120 is minus 20.

-Yeah.

-He tried his best.

-Now we're going to make it back.

-Yes.

The black lacquer work box with a geometric pattern.

We'll say £20.

Ten, five I'm bid. Thank you, madam. £5 now.

At £5 for the lacquered of box. Worth a bit more. Ten.

Bidding, sir. 15.

At £15. Any more? At £15, the box now.

-At 20, new bidder.

-Yes!

-At 25.

Try another.

At £25, the bid's here at £25.

Lovely buy, Debs. Well done, darling.

-That's so good.

-Style sells, there we are.

Plus £10, you were minus 20, you're currently minus £10.

The tea bowl and saucer,

£30. 20, please. Ten, I'm bid, 15.

£15, I'm bid now. At £15.

-Go on, go on...

-At £15, 20, thank you, madam.

At £20, it's the lady's bid at 20.

At £20, any more?

At £20, I have...

-Don't close.

-With you, madam, at 20. All done?

-No!

At £20.

Agh! Oh, dear. Should've left the phone.

It just goes to show, it's so cheap nowadays. Minus £2.

So that's minus 12...

Minus £12, team.

Which is a sad reflection on things,

-but are you going to go with the bonus buy?

-Yes.

-You are.

-Definitely.

You're going to go with Mr Kaye's caricature.

The auctioneer loved it, he's put 20 to £30 on it.

-Come and get me.

-Gavin paid £35.

Got to make 40, 45, hasn't it?

-Come on. It's got to make...

-Anyway,

we're going with the bonus buy, you've got to make £47.

OK, well, watch it fly.

Mr O'Brien, the Irish giant.

It's an early 19th-century black and white engraving, dated...

Ten, I'm bid. 15.

£15 now.

At £20, thank you.

Bid's here at 20. Any more?

-Come on.

-At £20.

Five, thank you. Try 30, sir. 30, I'm bid.

At £30, with you, sir, at 30.

It's Mr O'Brien, come on.

At £30, I'm selling,

you're all finished.

-£30.

-We lost on him.

-£30 is minus 5.

I mean, these losses are so tiny.

The benchmark between profit and loss here is miniscule.

-Sadly, that makes you minus £17.

-I'm very sorry, guys.

But don't worry about it

-because this could be a winning score very easily.

-You never know.

Because the other team's going to suffer the same complaint,

I bet you.

-James, Joanna, have you any idea how the Red's got on?

-No idea.

-Did they look gloomy or do they look happy?

-A little gloomy.

A little gloomy. Ah, appearances can be so deceptive.

OK, now, the dictograph operator substation,

why did you go for that, James?

Quirky. It's quirky. We liked it. It was quirky.

It's different. I liked it. And we got it at a good price, I thought.

£40 exactly.

Quite a stylish bit of '30s kit and here it is. Putting you through.

The dictograph operator's substation intercom phone.

-Here we go. Here it comes.

-The things we buy on this show!

The things he buys on the show!

Unusual lot. 20 I'm bid. Five.

At £25.

Go on. Go on.

Bid's here at five. At £35.

40 bid now.

40! Yes!

At £45. £50.

That's a profit. Well done, Jim Bob.

At £55. You all out at 55?

And selling. At £55.

All done.

£55 is plus £15 and I admire your pluck.

Now, the truncheon.

Say £30. 20. Take ten to open. Five I'm bid.

£5 I'm bid now for the truncheon.

At £10 here. 15.

At £15.

20, new bidder.

At £20.

-Oh, come on.

-Go on.

-Darn it!

All finished at £20.

So that is minus 35.

You had plus 15 which means you're minus 20.

This is tough, this game.

Now, we're going to make it all back on the compact. Let's powder up.

A circular silver powder compact, Birmingham, 1946.

Nice piece. Can we say £50, please?

-Yes!

-They haven't bid yet!

Say 30? £30, anyone want to open, please?

But he sows the seed of £50

and, subliminally, that's in somebody's mind.

At £30. Any more?

At £30 for the silver compact.

At 30. At £30. Five.

Yes. That's better. You're in profit. Well done, Joanne.

At 45 at the back of the room. At £45 now.

-Give us another one. Go on.

-Go on, 50!

All finished at £45?

All done.

That's good. That's £15. That's a good pick, Joanne. Plus 15.

You were minus 20 and, overall, you are minus £5.

-Not bad.

-That's not bad.

Now, what are we going to do

about the old White Star Cunard combo hanger?

-Minus 5 could be a winning score.

-It could be. You are so right.

-But we trust David.

-Do you?

-You do?

-Yes.

-Do you?

-Do you fancy it, Joanne?

-Yeah, I do. We do like it.

-I know my place.

He went with the truncheon and, well, that didn't turn out too good.

This is the recipe for a long and successful partnership, I tell you.

-Seriously, what are you going to do? Go with it?

-Go with it.

-Go with it.

-Go with it, yeah.

-Go with it. Go with the flow, I'd say.

£30. 20. Ten. Thank you.

15 I'm bid now for the coat hanger.

20, thank you, madam. At £20.

At £20, I have for the coat hanger.

Come on.

At £20 for the coat hanger.

Cunard White Star coat hanger. We have £20.

Come on.

You're all done at 20?

You're all out at £20.

Oh, I can't bear it, Dave. I can't bear it.

£20 is minus 20.

You were minus 5, you're now minus 25.

Don't say a word to the Reds, though,

and all will be revealed in a moment.

Well, you could say that today's show has been dogged by misfortune.

So much promise and opportunity

that sadly failed to get commitment.

Anyway, no team today, sadly, goes home with any profits

and there is only £8 between the teams,

so it's incredibly close,

and we've had our ups and downs today

and the team that is marginally behind

just happens to be the Blues

with a score of minus £25.

I mean, it started so beautifully, didn't it?

£15 for that lovely telephone gadget

and the truncheon's not so hot,

and then you did get a good profit on the powder compact,

and then you went with the bonus buy

and, anyway, it finished up as minus 25.

Running up on Bargain Hunt is a special place to be,

-isn't it, David?

-Not really.

-We've loved having you on the show

and very good luck with your forthcoming nuptials

and, anyway, thank you very much for joining us,

but the victors today, who win by only losing £17,

are the father and daughter combo from heaven.

A lot of minus signs here.

In fact, most of it's minus signs,

apart from the lacquer box which was a rare ray of hope and success,

so well done for that, Deborah.

Sadly, I'm not giving you any cash but congratulations

and we've loved having you on the show.

In fact, such fun, why don't you look at our website

and join us soon for some more Bargain Hunting, yes?

Yes!