Stafford 9 Bargain Hunt

Welcome to Stafford.

A town with plenty of "sole."

Once upon a time, it was something of a shoe-making powerhouse.

But, sadly, that business has faded away.

Let's hope our teams today don't make the same mistake,

though, by forking out on a load of old cobblers.

So, putting your best foot forward, ha,

let's go bargain hunting!

Yeah!

Today, we are in Stafford Antiques Fair.

So, there's no time for loafing about.

But, will our teams be in step

with one another or will the experts have to put the boot in?

Ha! Let's take a sneaky peek as to what's coming up.

On today's show, harmony is hard to find.

That's all right.

That's not nice.

Expensive goodies are everywhere.

-How expensive?

-1,500!

-Oh!

And at the auction, we've got everything crossed.

No!

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

Well, it really is a family affair today,

because for the Reds we've got Laura and Jane, mother and daughter.

And we have Dennis and Clare for the Blues, father and daughter.

Hello everyone. ALL: Hello!

Lovely to see you.

Now, Jane, you're no stranger to big audiences, are you?

It was a long while ago, but I have played at the Royal Albert Hall.

I played clarinet in the Derbyshire Youth Wind Band,

and we won a competition and we closed the Proms

with Land Of Hope And Glory.

Were you nervous?

Oh, definitely. The venue was awesome.

It's as part of the process, you just get wrapped up in it,

and thoroughly enjoyed it.

So, do you still play the old liquorice stick?

I don't, but I did try and convince Laura to learn.

-Did you learn how to play then?

-A little bit.

Grade 3. But then didn't go any further with it.

Now, Jane, you are a whizz with the computers, right?

Yes, but only... only with regard to looking after accountancy software.

-Is this something you've done for a long time?

-It is,

I've worked for the current employer for about 20 years now.

But, you're not going to following your mother's footsteps

and become a computer whiz then?

-No, definitely not!

-What are you going to do?

-I currently study

fashion accessory design at Nottingham Trent University.

That sounds trendy.

So I design leather goods, handbags.

I tend to make bits of jewellery as well.

Good for you. And is it fun, your course?

Yeah, it's very hands-on. Because it's a very small course,

there's only seven people. So it's very intimate...

Almost individual?

Almost. Yeah, almost. It's really, really good.

So, what do you know about antiques between the two of you?

I know loads from watching Bargain Hunt virtually every day.

Then you know everything about everything!

I know absolutely everything.

-Now, just apply that knowledge, that's the thing.

-Exactly.

-And, do you have a strategy?

-If I wouldn't give it house room, and if it wouldn't

come through the front door, then we're not buying it.

-Oh, you have to love it first?

-We have to like it first, yes.

OK, well good luck with that, anyway. Lovely to talk to you.

Now, Dennis, it says here that you're a big kid at heart. Is that true?

I don't know who told you that, Tim, but it probably is true, yes.

One of your neighbours was complaining about your rock

-band performance at home, with the drums and the guitar.

-It's pretty terrible.

So, what do you play, and why do you play?

I've got about a dozen guitars

because I collect and I play them very badly.

And I have a full drum kit, and I play that even worse!

-Lovely.

-As well as quite a lot of harmonicas,

which I'm not too bad on.

-Right.

-So quite musical.

-Now, Clare, your father certainly has lots of energy.

-He does.

-Do you need energy in your job?

-Yes, lots of energy.

Erm, I'm a mental health nurse. It's a labour of love, definitely.

I think it's the kind of job you couldn't do if you didn't enjoy it.

That's because what you do is a vocation.

Yeah, it is.

And God bless you for loving it so much

because a lot of people wouldn't.

-It's the people who make it what it is, the patients.

-Yes.

Now, apart from being very busy at work,

you've also just got a new home?

-Yay!

-Tell me about that.

It's Victorian, and they've kept a log of the original features, in

fact, I viewed it on my own with my parents and just put the offer in, didn't even ask my boyfriend.

-Oh, really?

-Yeah. But he liked it. So that was a bonus.

So, it's a good old house, and have you had to rip it about?

It was pretty much ready for us to move into, it's just...

I've been kind of buying bits and bobs, coming to a lot of antique fairs.

I go in a lot of charity shops as well,

I am a bit of a bargain hunter.

Ooh! Aren't we lucky, on our programme, eh?

So, I've bought like, wardrobes, drawers, that kind of thing and done them up, painted them.

I like sort of shabby chic-ing them, so to speak.

Now, listen. When it comes to spending the cash, who's going to decide?

Is it going to be you? Or you, Dennis?

-I think we'll probably sort of go for one each.

-Yeah.

-And then one that we both agree on.

-Yeah.

And have you got any views on what you might go for, Clare?

I know everybody says quirky

so maybe something a bit weird, a bit unusual.

-Not much to ask then.

-Yeah. With mass appeal.

-Mass appeal.

Lovely(!) Right, I feel quite tired already.

Anyway, now, here, the money moment. £300 apiece. There's your £300.

You know the rules. Your experts await and off you go!

And very, very, very good luck.

So, who will having fun at the fair with our teams?

Leading the Red tribe, it's Colin Young.

And she'll be a guiding light for the Blues, it's Kate Bliss.

So, Jane, what exactly are you looking to buy?

I don't know exactly but something wooden, something ornamental,

-something that'll look nice in the house.

-Just like your expert then.

I wouldn't say that.

-Dennis, what are you going to be looking for today?

-In a word - beauty.

Something quite pretty, quite simple, nothing too...tacky.

-Colourful.

-Colourful.

-Well, that's a good idea, Clare. You like colour?

-I do.

-Can you tell?

-Yeah, I could never have guessed.

By hook or by crook, teams, your 60 minutes starts now.

KLAXON BLARES

Let's go shopping.

We've only got an hour so we better crack on.

If there's something that stands out on a stall,

it's going to stand out at auction.

You're a wise man, Mr Young,

and it seems Jane and Laura have taken your advice.

-Pig?

-SHE SIGHS

Well, my maiden name was Bacon

and you think of all the pigs that Granddad...

-It's not very nice. No. I'm not a fan.

-But...

-I don't like it.

It would make it in my house room.

Your team-mates aren't exactly squealing with delight, Jane.

-What sort of money is it then?

-I don't know. How much is the pig?

-£65.

-65?

-And remember it's a rocker.

I'd rather spend the rest of the time looking for some antiques.

-OK, but if we can keep it in reserve...

-Yeah, keep it in reserve.

Let's move on.

Over to the Blues, and has anything lit up their shop?

Let's see if there's anything that shouts at you.

Yes, these big pots down there. They're rather attractive.

It's a tea canister turned into a lamp base. It's quite fun, isn't it?

-How much is that, Jeremy?

-65.

-65.

-What would your very, very best price be?

-4,800.

-4,800?

The best price for me. Why should it be good for you?

Well, we want to win, Jeremy. We want to win.

-We're not going in the right direction here, Dennis.

-£60.

-£60?

-Yes, that's very tight.

-Do you like that?

Well, it struck me straightaway, yes.

-But it's not a big hit with your daughter.

-I'm not keen.

-I love it.

-Would you put it in your house?

-No.

-Cos if I put that in our house...

-Mum would hide it.

-..it would be in a cupboard or in the loft.

-Or in the bin.

-Or the bin.

-Well, I tell you what, have a think.

-It's not going anywhere at the moment.

-OK, we'll think about that.

All right. Great.

Ten minutes gone and our teams are still searching for their first buy.

-I can see why with the Reds.

-I don't think so.

-No?

-A shortbread mould.

-No.

-So, you don't like it?

-No.

It's not as nice as I thought.

-That's all right.

-That's not nice. I don't like that one.

-OK.

Mum's not happy.

Meanwhile, the Blues are on the hunt for some bling.

You like this one? This is with opals.

-I think that's really pretty. Do you like it?

-I do. It's beautiful.

-I love it. I'd wear that.

-That's lovely. Thank you very much.

Let's have a closer look at it, Clare.

-I think that's really pretty.

-You said you wanted colour, didn't you?

-Yeah.

-You've certainly got a bit of fire in there.

What is it about opals that you like?

I just like the fact that the colour changes

whatever angle you look at it. It's not what it seems.

Yeah, I can see that.

-Do you know what it is that makes the colour in them?

-No.

Opals have little cells in them that contain water,

and it's actually the water that makes the light reflect

-and create the colours.

-Oh, wow.

So, it means you have to look after them very carefully

because if it gets too hot then that colour will disappear

but some people say that opals are unlucky.

We certainly don't want that.

But they say, "Good fortune favours the brave."

Should they go for it, KB?

All the opals are in good condition. We haven't got any bad chips on them

and it's on a little nine carat gold shank, which is clearly hallmarked.

-It's beautiful. I love it.

-So, we've got 65 on there.

I don't think that's too bad for auction.

The gentleman might give us a little bit off.

-Do you want to have a check with him, Clare?

-Yeah.

Excuse me, sir, can we have a chat with you about this ring?

-We like it.

-It's beautiful, isn't it?

-Erm...

-What's your best?

-The very, very best on that would be £55

-but it's the absolute bottom price.

-51?

-I'm afraid £55 is the best price.

-With a free box?

-With a free box.

-No moving at all?

-No moving from 55.

-Go on, then.

-First purchase!

-Yes!

-Great.

-Way!

-Oh, I do love a bit of jewellery.

Bravo, Blues, but perhaps your haggling could do with more sparkle.

Back with the Reds, and has Jane

taken control of her darling daughter?

There's a nice box.

-No, I like this one.

-Oh, OK.

-Yeah.

I think it's really nice.

At last!

This is the first one I actually really like.

-I would give it house room so...

-You would?

-Yeah.

-What is it?

Well, it's a piece of lacquer. It is actually just a little trinket box.

The decoration you've got on the top there, it's this overpainted print,

which is in what's called a fete gallant scene,

which is an 18th-century French design

and it's got gilded rococo borders around it with scrolls.

So, it's something that probably dates from 1900

but in an earlier style.

-OK.

-A good trinket box. It seems to be in good condition.

-I like that one.

-You like it?

-So, how much is it, please?

-It's £15.

-£15 is...

-Whether there's any wiggle...

-Oh, there's always room for a wiggle.

-There's always wiggle.

-Room for the wiggle.

-That's a brilliant wiggle. Do you want to go and do the wiggling?

I'll see if we can do the wiggle.

So, does the wiggle get anything off?

It will get you £2 off. I can do 13.

Oh, excellent. 13. That's fantastic.

-All right?

-Yes. Are we...?

-Yeah. 13?

-Yup. Team effort.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much.

Wow. A wiggle can work wonders. Well done, Reds.

-First purchase down.

-Yay!

-About time, too.

And with 45 minutes of shopping time left, plenty of time for a chat.

-The Reds! What are you doing here?

-The Blues!

-How are we doing, guys?

-We've got one.

-One item.

-One item and one in reserve.

-No.

-That'll be the rocking pig.

-No, we don't.

-Yes, we do.

We have got one thing in common though.

We're all short on time, aren't we?

-So, let's get moving.

-See you later.

Nice to see the "B-losers".

That's not very sporting, Mr Young!

We'll let the auction decide the winners and the losers.

-What about that little pig?

-Pig!

-Ah!

I wonder what that's going to do if it goes to market.

Wow.

Ah, there's a problem. Heavily worn on the hallmark.

-OK, but they're there?

-Yeah. Let's have a look at the magical price.

-175.

-Ooh.

-That's a bit expensive.

-It is for what we're doing, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Even if we get some knocked off,

-it's still going to be too much for us.

-All right, OK.

It was worth a look!

So, that little piggy has to go all the way home.

Now then, where have the Blues trotted off to in search

of item number two?

-Come on, Dad. Hideous.

-"Hideous," she said.

-It's beautiful.

-That's what you just said, isn't it?

-Yeah. I'm not a fan.

-It's from Caverswall, Stoke-on-Trent.

-Yeah, but...

-WE'RE from Stoke-on-Trent.

-It's gold though.

-I don't think you're going to persuade her on this one, Dennis.

-Oh, dear.

Oh, lordy. The children are bossing the grown-ups today.

-What about those? They're nice.

-I'm going to go with a no again.

-No?

I can't say I like them. No, I think we go.

Don't give up, Jane, just take a look at Dennis.

He's determined to find some pottery.

There's some ceramics on here, Dennis,

-if you want to look at ceramics.

-Have any got the wow factor?

You want the wow factor? Let's have a look along the back row.

-Let's get in there.

-There's a nice blue one.

A colour-coordinated approach. I love it.

So, we've got Moorcroft here impressed

-and then the signature here for William Moorcroft.

-Yup.

-Oh!

Now, the thing about Moorcroft is this fantastic tube lining

that they did, which gives it a real texture,

and of course really distinctive glazes.

You can see at a glance that it's Moorcroft,

the lovely blues and pinks and greens.

-You like Moorcroft, don't you?

-I do.

I don't have any because it's too expensive but I just love it.

Let's ask our stallholder cos we've got no price on there, have we?

Is it the gentleman in the blue top?

What would be your best price on that?

-It's 350.

-350?

Well, you can't argue, Clare, the man's got good taste.

Don't be daft, Dennis. There's pottery aplenty at this fair.

Meanwhile, Jane's throwing another item into the mix.

-Laura, Colin, look what I've found.

-Oh, that's nice.

-What do you think?

Finally, Jane has Laura's seal of approval.

-Oh, it's like a vanity case.

-Wow.

-A mirror and everything.

There we go. Do you think you'd get your make-up in there?

No chance.

It is very pretty, isn't it? It's nice and heavy as well.

Yeah. It's Oriental. It's not very old though because

-if you look at the drawer linings, you can see it is pretty new.

-OK.

-It's pretty, though.

-Price tag?

-55, it says.

-Which is good.

-OK.

So, there should be some wiggle room in there. Are you up for the wiggle?

-Yeah. I'll do the wiggle!

-Here we go.

What's your best price on it?

-I could do 45.

-Oh!

-Even lower would be better.

-40.

-40.

Any more on that?

-I'll do 35.

-Brilliant.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-The pressure's off.

Not quite, Colin, you've still got one item left

and just 25 minutes on the clock.

-We need to get a move on.

-Yep.

-We've always got the pig!

-No.

-The pig is desperation.

-Not according to Mrs Bliss.

-What do you think of it?

-SHE GASPS

-Look!

-I think it's cute.

-I think the gentleman will agree, it's not old, is it?

-It isn't.

-It's not antique.

-It's a solid piece of wood.

It is a solid piece of wood.

It's a nice thing, which is why I've got it.

It's a decorative thing and it's probably got

quite a few cousins around. It's not, certainly, a unique piece.

I think it's probably an import.

-The pig is not a British-looking pig...

-No.

..so I'm guessing it's made abroad somewhere.

-What does a British pig look like?

-Not like that.

-So, what are we thinking?

-I think that would go in any nursery.

-Yeah.

-I'd have it in my house.

-Yeah. Oh, you'd have anything in your house.

That doesn't say much, according to Dennis.

I have to tell you, it hasn't got antique appeal

so you'd never have collectors going for this.

It is a decorative, fun piece. What would be your rock bottom, sir?

-45.

-Could you do it 35?

40 is better for me.

It's very close to what I gave for it.

I think for 35 you've got a deal.

-OK, I'll do 35.

-Oh, you're a gentleman!

-Yay!

-Thank you so much.

The Reds actually looked at this earlier and they said

-they might come back.

-Really?

-Yes.

-So, did you come down to 35 to them, as well?

-No, no, no. Just 65.

Oh, fantastic! Thank you very much.

Uh-oh, that's going to put the cat amongst the pigeons,

or should I say pigs? Oh, Lord.

Either way, Jane will be huffing and puffing when she finds out.

And she's still determined to bring home the bacon.

Anyway, chop, chop, teams.

You've only got ten minutes to find your third item.

-Struggling, struggling.

-I like the wood but we've got wood.

We need sparkles.

-What make is this?

-Moorcroft. It's expensive.

-How expensive?

-How much?

-It's £1,500.

-Oh!

-Oh!

We might have to compromise on sparkles, Lulu.

I am going to duck through here, guys,

cos I think we're struggling and we're really tight for time.

-That wooden thing's nice.

-What have we got?

-£395.

-Too expensive.

-SHE LAUGHS

Jane, Laura, come on in. I think I may have found our final purchase.

Two items here - very, very similar.

They're both marked at £88. Very pretty, very wearable.

The key here is going to be the purchase price.

Really desirable at auction.

There's going to be plenty of people that want it

but they're just not going to spend a fortune on it.

-Do you like either of them?

-Yes!

I like that one better but this one's up to you

-and I will not say no, how's that?

-Very diplomatic, Jane.

You could learn from your mother, Laura.

That's very much a Victorian Art Nouveau design.

-That one's a little bit more Baroque.

-But... Oh...

-Go on.

-Come on, decision time.

-We've not got time!

Right. I like the rose gold on this one, I think.

That's the bit that makes the difference?

Yeah, rather than the yellow gold.

-I think the rose gold hits it for me.

-OK.

-Is it possible to do a deal at £50?

-Yeah, it is a possibility.

-We can do that at 50?

-Yes.

-Brilliant, thank you very much indeed.

-Pleasure. Thank you.

-We did it. Three.

-Three, done, down.

-But I didn't get the pig.

But the Blues did,

although they're running out of time with item number three.

Come on, Dennis!

They're flying around the fair with minutes to spare.

-So, show me which one that you like.

-I like that one there.

That one there? Right. It's not the most colourful.

-If we went for a slightly smaller piece...

-It's cheaper.

..A, it's more affordable and B, you've got less chance of losing.

It more mass appeal, isn't it, if it's smaller

-cos it's going to be cheaper.

-Yes, exactly.

I quite like that one, Clare. What do you think about this one, Dennis?

-Very pretty.

-It is of course a very modern Moorcroft piece

but it's a really nice colourful piece.

It has all the distinctive marks of Moorcroft,

the lovely tube lining, these lovely coloured glazes

and it's in excellent condition, which is really important.

-Beautiful.

-70 on there.

-70?

What's the very best you could do for us?

-The best on that is £60.

-60?

-How about a really flat 50 for us?

I tell you what, we'll go halfway, if it's all right with you,

-and say £55.

-What do you say, Clare?

-Moorcroft!

-Oh, if it makes you happy.

-Yes!

-You've got your Moorcroft.

Oh!

You're like a Cheshire cat, Dennis. You've got a deal, sir. Thank you.

-The full measure. Time's up.

-Yay!

-Yes!

-We've done it!

-We've finally done it.

-And in time. Just.

I'm so happy I could cry.

Let's check out what the Red team bought, eh?

Hopefully, it's not unlucky - £13 for this trinket box.

They were right made up with this vanity case bought for £35.

And a deal was done at £50 for this Art Nouveau pendant.

-OK, team, that was fun, wasn't it?

-Yes, it was.

-It was great.

-Really good.

-Yes, it was.

-Yes, it was.

So, which is your favourite piece, Mum?

I like the box that I found with the mirror in it.

-It's not very old but it's quite pretty.

-It's your favourite?

-It's my favourite.

-Do you agree with your mother?

-No.

-Oh.

So, which is your favourite bit?

A little trinket box with a romantic picture on the top.

-Is that going to bring the biggest profit?

-I think so cos we got it quite cheap.

-We got it for a bargain.

-Your mother doesn't agree.

-Apparently not.

-I think my box will.

-How much did you spend in total?

-Only £98.

-Only £98. Well, £202. Who's got the 202?

-I have. There you go.

-Thank you very much.

202 coming straight over to Colin Young.

-You like this moment, don't you, Colin Young?

-I love it.

It makes me feel so rich and there's rich pickings out there.

There certainly are so, with any luck, you're on your marks.

Thank you, Colin.

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

They went for some bling with this opal ring at £55.

Were they off their rockers? A wooden pig was theirs for £35.

And they went potty for pottery - a Moorcroft vase for £55.

-That was amazing.

-It was.

-How much did you spend?

-We spent 145.

145, I like. 155, please,

which is a tidy sum to be able to give Kate,

but before that I'd like to know which is your favourite piece?

I like the ring because it's pretty and it's colourful

but I also like the pig cos it's a bit of a novelty.

-OK. Dennis, which is your favourite?

-Moorcroft, Tim.

-Moorcroft is your favourite?

-Absolutely beautiful.

Which is going to make the most profit?

-The pig.

-We think the pig will fly, don't we?

Oh-ho, Dennis, you've been thinking about that for ages.

-Good on you. Anyway, over to you, Kate.

-Thank you very much.

-You're going to fly with your 155 but isn't this a nice fair?

-Yeah.

It's going to be difficult to please BOTH of these people.

Listen, we don't care about pleasing them.

-What we want is profit, don't we, guys?

-Yeah.

-That's your challenge.

Anyway, good luck with that, Kate.

Meanwhile, we're heading off to Stratford. Oh, yes, we are.

To be or not to be? Now, there's a question.

The Charlecote estate has been home to the Lucy family

since the 12th century, and for all that time,

these magnificent animals have lived amongst them.

Prized by their owners and coveted by outsiders,

you poach Charlecote deer at your peril.

But that didn't stop one man from trying his luck

even though his primary talent was for writing and not for poaching.

The legend goes that in 1583,

William Shakespeare hunted deer at Charlecote without an invitation.

You there!

And the owner, Sir Thomas Lucy, didn't take kindly to poachers

killing his deer, and it's said that Shakespeare,

after he was caught, was brought here to the house to stand trial.

With Lucy sitting in judgment,

the bard-to-be awaited the landowner's verdict.

Guilty!

So, what was Shakespeare's punishment. A fine? A flogging?

Well, no official records exist but Charlecote's custodians,

the National Trust, believe there's some truth in the tale

and curator Simon Chesters-Thompson is showing me a rare book

which may help us learn more.

What do we have in front of us?

Well, we have in front of us the second folio

of Shakespeare's Complete Works. All his plays, tragedies, histories,

comedies and if we examine his works,

there is quite strong evidence

that Shakespeare was writing about his old enemy, Sir Thomas Lucy.

-That's in The Merry Wives of Windsor, is it?

-It is, yes.

It's said that the pompous buffoon, Justice Shallow,

is based on Sir Thomas and lines in the play poke fun

at his encounter with the bard.

Here we have Falstaff saying,

"Now, Master Shallow, you'll complaine of mee to the King?"

And Shallow responds, "Knight, you have beaten my men,

"kill'd my Deere, and broke open my Lodge."

You know, that is definitely, definitely,

a reference to being naughty here, isn't it? It must be.

It's one of several, I feel, yes.

'The play is also laced with references to three pikes, or luces,

'which adorn the Lucy coat of arms.'

The Sir Thomas Lucy we were talking about as the nemesis of Shakespeare,

he inherited the house in the 1550s

and he used the enormous dowry from his 12-year-old wife

to substantially rebuild it

and he created one of the finest Elizabethan houses in England.

Since then, Charlecote has been remodelled by successive generations

but it was in the 19th century

that it took on the appearance we see today.

When George Lucy married Mary Williams in 1823,

they used their wealth to furnish Charlecote

with treasures from around the world.

They went shopping big time, yes. Particularly to the Beckford sale.

William Beckford had been the great connoisseur and collector

of his age, but he was short of money by 1823

and Christie's held a 37-day auction of his chattels.

And along when George Hammond Lucy

and he bought this quite remarkable table.

It came from the Borghese Palace in Rome.

This is something that is really extraordinary, isn't it?

-Do we know what he paid?

-On the 64 lots, he spent about £3,500.

More than half of that went on this particular table

-and he had to outbid King George IV, as well, to get it.

-Did he really?

What gets me going with it is it looks like a multicoloured table

and you can hardly believe that it's pietra dura,

that it's hard stone inlaid into stone and marble

in an incredibly complicated jigsaw divided by this beautiful strap work.

The panels of Siena marble, the yellowy and red marble,

it goes to form a sinuous series of borders

and each of those borders interconnect and interlock

with another border, with another multicoloured marble,

interspersed by lovely little animals - parrots and snails.

All in stone, all inset and then polished. It is extraordinary.

-It was a shrewd investment.

-Anyway, thank you very much, Simon.

Meanwhile, we're about to head down the road to Stratford-upon-Avon,

and who knows, perhaps our teams have acquired similar treasures.

We've found our way to the Bigwood saleroom...

-..to be with Mark Ashley. Good morning, Mark.

-Morning, Tim.

Now, for the Red team, their first item is this lacquered box and cover.

How do you rate that?

Well, it's in the 18th-century style

although it's not as old as that and it's decorative.

A little bit of the chinoiserie look about it,

maybe even a little bit of French rococo. Done in lacquer.

An attractive little box. I can see people wanting to buy that.

-What's it worth?

-15 - 25.

-Perfect. They only paid £13.

-That's music to their ears.

-They've done well.

-They have.

I think that'll do all right.

Next up is this modern Far Eastern-made box.

How do you rate that?

Well, I would say if it had been an 18th-century one...

-We've had them before for 500, 600 quid.

-Yes.

-So, I think we might get it away.

-What is your estimate?

-30 to 40.

-OK, £35 paid.

-Oh.

-Dead in the middle.

Now, the last object is this Art Nouveau-style

golden amethyst pendant.

But modern jewellery, yes? Made in vast quantities.

In the turn of the century manner.

Can you sell that sort of jewellery here?

I think we might struggle with that a bit more than the other things

but it's decorative. 30 to 50.

-Do you really? £50 paid.

-Oh.

But if there is a deep, dark, dank hole

that they're about to plunge themselves into,

it's probably around that pendant, in which case they'll need

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

L and J, Laura and Jane, you spent a miserable £98,

you gave £202 to Colin. What did you spend it on, Colin?

-I spent lots of it, as you may have imagined.

-Yes, we wanted you to.

So, I left you with that wonderful title of,

"I'm going to go out there cos there are some rich pickings."

-Well, actually there's some rich piggings.

-Oh!

-Yay!

-And it's even got a red top to it as well.

-Perfect.

-Oh, it's beautiful.

When we were going round, there was one of those

that you absolutely loved. £175. We couldn't afford it.

It was a late Victorian one.

-That has cost £30.

-Really?

-Wow.

-But it's not really very old.

-No.

-But what's it going to make?

I think there should be a profit in that, I would have thought.

-It's pretty, isn't it?

-What's it made of?

It is actually silver but it's going to be a Continental thing.

-There's no full English hallmark so...

-Yeah.

So, you really are getting what you paid for with it.

-Oh, I like that one.

-You did good.

-That remains to be seen.

Thank you, Colin. Meanwhile, for the audience at home,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Colin's little piggy.

OK, what do you make of that little swine?

Well, it's the right colour for the team.

A little novelty thing, a little pig. A bit of fun.

-Someone will have a go at it.

-Is it silver?

Well, we've called it white metal.

In the trade, if it doesn't bear conventional hallmarks,

we call it white metal, gold, yellow...

Has it got any marks at all?

-I don't know if I can any on it at all.

-So, it's got no marks at all.

It could be made of tin. It looks like foam underneath that red stuff.

Oh, yes, I don't think that's going to be the proper stuff, is it?

No, it certainly isn't. Will it make it a profit?

Well, we've put £10 to £20 on it.

Yeah, well, you're very kind cos that could make a five pound note

but you never know, the team might not go with it.

Anyway, next up for the Blues is the Edwardian design opal ring.

What do you think about that?

Well, it's attractive.

Unfortunately, as opals go, it's the more common opal,

the whitey-green colours, so that's a bit against it

but it's a good design. It's attractive.

-I think that'll go all right.

-And how much do you think it'll bring?

-Well we're thinking £30 to £40 cos it's not old.

-No, it's not old.

£55 paid. These teams seem to have gone with things that aren't old

or are reproductions because the next object looks mighty peculiar to me.

How do you rate that pig?

Well, we overuse the word "quirky" I think in the antiques trade

and I think that's the only thing I could say. What is it though?

Is it for a child to rock on? Is it just an ornament?

It came out of a container from the Far East not very long ago.

£35 was spent on that. Will you get them their £35 back?

Well, we've probably been a little optimistic.

We've put 30 to 40 on it but I think you're right,

I think we might struggle.

And the last object of their trio is the modern Moorcroft baluster pot.

Is that a goody?

Well, it's a piece designed by Emma Bossons in the 2000s

but it's a good piece.

It's got all the things that you look for in a bit of Moorcroft,

-the nice little pipe work and everything.

-Yes.

-Yeah, I think it's a nice little piece there.

-And the estimate?

-50 to 70 is our estimate.

-Great. £55 was spent.

-Ah.

So, they paid the right price for that.

I mean, the extraordinary thing about Moorcroft is

that such is the strength of the collector's market

that even for brand-new pieces, or nearly brand-new pieces,

-there is still a market.

-There is, definitely. We find that.

But no matter how much they make on the Moorcroft,

I doubt it will make up the losses on the pig and the ring,

in which case they're going to need their bonus buy

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

Now, Dennis, Clare, this is your moment. You spent 145.

You gave K Bliss £155. Kate, what did you spend it on?

So, in order to please you both and hopefully make a profit,

I've gone for something a little bit wacky.

-Ooh.

-Oh, wow!

-There he is.

-It's a teddy bear.

-Well, not quite.

-It's a monkey!

-He's more of a monkey and he has a little trick up his sleeve.

-Yes?

MARACAS RATTLE

-Well, I am blessed.

-I love it.

-It's a maracas player.

-It is.

He's died.

Do pick it up, Dennis, cos now it's done the necessary, it won't bite.

So, how much was he?

-He was £30.

-30?

-Yes.

-Interesting.

So, let me just tell you a little bit of background.

He's very much in the style of a toy company in Germany

making plush toys like this, which were mechanical wind-up toys

with instruments and they all performed.

-His maracas looks all right.

-Pardon?

-They do.

-Is there much...? Ooh!

-Is there much interest for this kind of thing?

-Lots of collectors.

Yes, they would be collectors for this certainly

and I would hope at auction he should make £30 to £50.

-Fair enough.

-That's good.

-That's good.

-Yeah.

We can't ask more than that. £30 paid then? Happy?

-Yeah.

-It's fantastic.

-Excellent.

Right now though let's find out for the audience at home

whether the auctioneer likes the mechanical monkey.

Here's a little something to entertain you.

MARACAS RATTLE

Well, it's great fun and it stops on time as well.

It's perfect. It's a well-behaved little monkey.

It's great. It does something, it's clockwork, it bounces up and down.

I think it will make people laugh. I think it's a good thing.

The details are all in celluloid or plastic. Felt hat.

-It probably is 1950s, isn't it?

-Absolutely.

'50s, '60s, that will be the period.

And people are pretty passionate about collecting toys.

-It's in good state.

-Yeah.

-What do you think it's going to bring?

Well, we haven't been mad on it. I think we've put £20 to £30.

-But it could make 40?

-I think it could.

It's got potential and the fact it works, as you've just demonstrated.

-I think...

-They're good fun.

-..it'll do well.

OK, £30 Kate paid so there's a good chance of it making a profit.

-It's worth its weight.

-Well, I hope the team go with that

cos I rather fancy they're going to need to.

-Anyway, brilliant, Mark. Are you taking the sale today?

-Yes.

-Ah, absolutely.

-We're in safe hands.

With me at £80. 40, 45. 50.

OK. Now, Laura, Jane, this is exciting.

-So, have you ever been to an auction before?

-No, this is the first one.

-Is it? And same for you, Ma?

-Yes.

-Oh, Lord.

Well, at least Colin's been to one or two in his time.

I'd like to think so.

Anyway, first up is the red lacquer trinket box and here it comes.

Lot number 55 - a little, pretty red lacquer 19th-century trinket box.

Useful little thing. Keep your knick-knacks in it.

£20. Who's got 20? A tenner?

I don't let you go home without buying something.

-A fiver then?

-He's trying his best.

-Surely. Straightaway!

The man in the hat at a fiver. Sir, don't let him.

8? You've got to have 8. With me. 10, sir?

I want you to battle this. Battle this!

Don't agree on it. 10, sir. 10, the man in the hat.

-The man in the hat for a tenner.

-Well, he's trying. Come on.

-He is. I know.

-He is trying.

It's a bargain and it's going away cheaply at £10.

-GAVEL BANGS

-No...

-£10. Well, he's tried his best.

-Yes.

-Minus three.

Lot 56 is the lovely little Chinese hardwood vanity box.

Not old though but it's decorative. £30 for it.

-Oh, come on.

-Who's got 30?

-Did I see 30? 20 then.

-No.

-Do I have to beg?

-Yes!

-Yes.

At 20. A tenner then. Who's got £10?

A fiver then, surely?

-5...

-At £5. Sir, at the very back of the room at 5.

-20 on the net!

-Oh! On the net. Thank God for the internet.

-20 on there?

£20. At 20. It's shot straight in at 20.

Sir, you're not going to let the internet have it, are you? 25, sir?

-Go on!

-Go on again.

-You cheapskate, sir. At £20 then on the net.

-The world has saved us.

-On the net and I'll sell it.

-£20!

-Well, they saved you from selling it for £5 in the room.

-Yes.

So, some poor person on the internet bid that up. Dear, oh, dear.

Now, here comes your pendant.

It's a pretty thing in the Art Nouveau style.

Surely £40 for that. It would make a lovely gift, wouldn't it?

Surely. 20 then to get me on.

20, sir. Thank you. I'm glad you came, sir.

At £20. Do I see 5?

-25 on the net.

-25. 30, sir, have another.

-5, please, internet. No, you won't?

-Come on, come on. Yes, you will.

It's the anticipation of the net, isn't it?

35 anywhere? At 30, it's the gentleman on my right then

and I'll sell it. £30.

Oh, dear, oh, dear. That's minus 20.

So, that's a loss on everything, I'm afraid.

That's minus 38. You only spent 98 and you've lost 38.

Dear, oh, dear.

What are you going to do about the bonus buy?

I think no. In this auction room. I think we don't go with it.

-Right, OK, no.

-Are you going to park it?

-We're parking it.

-Are you sure? OK, fine.

Not going with the bonus buy but we'll sell it anyway. Here it comes.

The little Edwardian-style silver-coloured metal pincushion.

It's a good-looking thing. Surely £15 for it.

10 will start me. And 12, 14. 14. 16?

16, sir. I'm now with you at 16. Do I see 18?

18, thank you. Good competition, sir.

-Oh, we're seeing some competition.

-22, 24, 26, 28,

and an even 30, sir.

32. Won't you have another, sir? I'm against you then at 30.

-One more. Are you sure?

-Oh, good.

I'm with the gentleman standing at the back of the room then at 30.

Are we all done at £30? And I'll sell.

-Yours, sir.

-Look at that. It wiped its face.

So, your score overall, girls, is minus £38,

which could be a winning score. It could easily be a winning score.

You've preserved it at minus 38. It's not a lot of money off the middle.

-No.

-So, don't say a word to the Blues, all right?

-No. Definitely not.

-Definitely not.

-Everything is hush-hush.

Dennis, Clare, do you know how the Reds got on?

-Haven't got a clue, Tim.

-Good.

Anyway, first up is the Edwardian design opal ring

and very, very, very good luck. Right.

It's a pretty little ring, this. This would grace anybody.

At £30 and 2 and 5. At 35 and do I see 40?

40, 45, 50? Have another, surely?

-45. The gentleman seated at 45.

-Ooh, keep going.

Surely I want 50 from you. It's selling on my right to...

-50. Thank you, madam.

-Yes!

-50. 5, do you come back, sir?

Have another. It's the lady's bid now at £50.

-There's more mileage in it yet.

-One for luck.

£50, the lady's bid and I'll sell. Are you all sure?

GAVEL BANGS

-£50.

-Bad luck. Minus £5 but pretty close.

Now, this rocking pig I'm not so sure about. Here we go.

We did wonder what you could do with this. Did you say kindling, sir?

-HE GASPS

-No, no, surely not.

-Kindling?!

-So rude!

-Kindling?

-It's with me at £40.

-Is it?

At £40. Do I see 5? Internet, you've got to be 45. I've already got 40.

-Thank you. At 45 on the net...

-45?

-Do I see 50?

-Good Lord.

-It's going on the net at 45.

At 45 and I'll sell it. Are you all sure?

-It'll be away then at 45.

-Well done, that man.

-GAVEL BANGS

-45!

-Plus £10. That is very good.

You're currently plus 5 then. And now we go with Moorcroft

so this is the excitement, Dennis.

Certainly a good piece, very collectable,

-and I can start it straight off at £50.

-Not bad. Not bad.

Do I see 5? 55, madam. Thank you. It's a good piece.

-I can take you on in commission at 60. 5, 70, 5...

-Yes!

-Here we go.

-..no? It's with me at 70. Are you all sure?

All done. It's away. Selling at £70.

-GAVEL BANGS

-£70.

-Well done, Dennis.

-Well done, Dennis. Fantastic.

-Moorcroft!

Plus £15. Perfect. You had £5 previously

so that means you are plus £20 at this vital juncture.

Now, do you fancy the monkey, in which case you'll go with Kate

and her investment of 30 or you can pass

and we'll simply watch the monkey go by.

-Shall we keep the 20 quid?

-I want to...

-It's money for the...

Yeah, but we could just go with it and it'd be fun. You only live once.

-Are we doing it?

-Go for it.

-Yeah, why not?

-OK, the decision is made.

We're going with the monkey, and here it comes.

1950s, '60s little clockwork maracas monkey.

What about £25 for it? Surely. It's a good thing, isn't it?

It's a bit of fun. Who's got 25? It gave us a lot of fun.

It's entertaining. It's £20. Surely?

-You disappoint me.

-Come on!

-£10, sir. Was that a bid?

10 at the back, sir. 12 standing. 14, sir. 16?

Have another. Go on, sir. 18, seated. Make it 20, sir, please.

Are you sure? It's 18. Very disappointing. At 18...

-20, madam.

-Oh, well done. Well done. Crack on!

-Yes!

-Well done, that woman!

-25? 30, sir? Don't let her get away with it.

-Yes!

-And 35 now, madam? Go on.

-Well done, Kate.

-One for luck!

-One for luck!

-It's with the gentleman at 30 and I'll sell it.

-One for luck.

-£30.

-Aw, £30. It wiped its face so no shame in that.

Anyway, there we are. You've preserved your 20. Everybody's happy.

-£20 could be a winning score. It could be a winning score.

-Could be.

Don't say a word to the Reds

and all will be revealed in a moment, all right?

-Well, teams, that was fun, wasn't it?

-Yeah.

-It was.

-Been chatting about the scores?

-Nope.

-Nope, not at all.

Well, I have to reveal that one team today, as usual, is a bit behind

and they'd be called the runners-up

and the runners-up today happen to be the Reds.

-Oh!

-Yes!

-There you go.

It's not really surprising cos you made a loss on all three items.

-Yes.

-And then unusually the bonus buy just wiped its face.

That doesn't happen so often. Oh, dear.

-Well, anyway, did you have a nice time?

-Yes.

-Lovely, yeah.

Well, it's an experience, isn't it? Thank you for being so sporting.

-But the victors today, the Blues...

-Whoo!

-..go home with a whole £20.

There's your £20 note, which is brilliant, isn't it?

You nearly made a profit on all three items.

That first opal hoop ring letting you down by £5 didn't help

but otherwise a profit on everything.

A wiped face again on the bonus buy, which is really unusual

-but there we go. You had a good time?

-A brilliant time.

But if you at home and think you could do it a bit better,

then take a gander at our website and have a go yourself.

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