Lincoln 16 Bargain Hunt

SOMBRE CHORAL MUSIC

Yes, it's Bargain Hunt.

But we've gone back to medieval times.

We're in Lincolnshire,

which had more monasteries than anywhere in England.

But what you probably didn't know is that this show has its own order.

CHURCH BELL CHIMES

The Order Of The Golden Gavel.

And there's no mystery about what our mantra is.

That's right, let's go Bargain Hunting.

Today, we're at the Lincoln Showground

at their enormous antiques fair.

But will our teams be blessed with good fortune?

Let's take a look at what's coming up.

The Reds show off their knowledge...

It's 19th century.

-All right, we've...

-Shaped like the Victory.

Very interesting plate. He was leader of Germany.

Yeah, but it's hideous. Who's going to buy it?

..but are they smart shoppers?

And the Blues know what they don't like...

-No.

-You're not sure?

-No, no.

-No? You're not struck on those?

-No.

-No.

Right, OK.

..and what they do.

Oh, look what I can see.

-Oh, wow!

-She hasn't!

-Oh, wow!

-I can't believe it! Those are gnomes!

And there's excitement down at the auction.

£10?!

-52, 55...

-Yes!

Well done!

But first of all, let's meet today's teams.

And in the Red corner, we have father and daughter, John and Lucy.

And for the Blues, we've got mother and daughter, Caroline and Natalie.

-Hello! ALL:

-Hello!

That is a resounding hello.

I'm going to come to you later, Blues. Starting with the Reds.

Lucy, you have a demanding career,

but you've just taken on a responsibility

that puts that into the pale, I'm sure. Tell me more.

Absolutely. Usually I'm a solicitor, but I'm currently on maternity leave

having given birth to my son nine weeks ago.

-Nine weeks!

-I have to say that maternity leave

is possibly the hardest job I have ever had.

Longer hours, less pay but probably the most rewarding.

And getting help from Dad, by any chance? And Mum?

Dad and Mum, absolutely.

They're doting grandparents.

In fact, I can't really get rid of them.

John, you were a teacher.

-I was, yes.

-Teaching?

-History.

-Oh, very good. Did you specialise at all?

Medieval period and castles particularly.

You know your crenellations and your keeps?

-And your inner wards and outer wards?

-I certainly do.

-And my baileys and my...

-Your mottes.

-..mottes.

-Yes.

-Very good.

Frankly, you would have been my ideal dad.

Not that I didn't have an ideal dad,

but a dad that would drive me around castles would be my first choice.

Lucy, did you feel the same way about your dad?

-Not quite! Not quite.

-THEY LAUGH

Dad did tend to drag us around lots of historical properties

and we seemed to attract other people.

-The entourage?

-Yes, yes.

Now, a solicitor commands some respect.

Will you hold all the power in this little team?

I think so. I mean, Dad's got the knowledge, obviously,

being a history teacher,

but ultimately the final word will be mine.

I'm saying nothing. I'll see you in a moment.

Now, over to the Blues.

Natalie, this programme is about spending money.

But your day job is all about saving money. Tell me more.

Yes. My normal day job is helping normal people, mums,

just people trying to make ends meet, save money.

And how do you get this across?

I run a website. It all started off as a hobby

just a little bit of a blog,

something that I was writing in my spare time as a mum.

People started spotting it, asking me more questions

and then someone very nice approached me and said,

"Would you like to make it a full-time job?"

and I just leaped at the chance.

Now, I've got a tip for you.

If you want to go shopping for antiques and collectors items,

go on Bargain Hunt and spend someone else's money.

-Yes, there is that. I was told that.

-Just saying.

Good. Caroline, a wee birdie tells me

you have an interesting collection, or collections.

-Tell me more.

-Yeah, I collect gnomes.

-Gnomes?

-Yeah. I love my gnomes.

HE LAUGHS

And how many have you got in the gnome clan?

I've got about ten. I haven't got that many.

Only about ten. That's ten more than you need.

But they keep getting kidnapped, so...

-What?

-People kidnap them.

My nephew decides that it's quite a good idea that when he comes round

and he'll kidnap them and they go to exotic places,

like Heathrow and Paris.

What, do you get the texted photographs?

Yeah. I've got one where they're behind bars.

There was a gnome and they were behind bars like they were in jail,

-which I thought was quite cruel.

-A wee little message?

-Yeah.

-Pay a ransom.

-"Deliver the money."

-Yeah.

"Used fivers or you're never going to see gnome boy and girl again."

-Yeah.

-Seriously, I wouldn't pay the money.

-Do yourself a favour.

-I love my gnomes!

I'm just joking with you.

This could be a blinder.

Well, look, you have got £300 to invest as you see fit.

-John and Lucy.

-There you go, darling.

-There you go.

-Natalie and Caroline. Spend it wisely.

-Thank you.

You've got two trusty experts awaiting you.

Off you go and the very best of luck to you.

I dread to think what's going to come back after this hour's up.

We have our teams, but who are our experts?

He'll be strutting his stuff.

Raj Bisram takes charge of the Reds.

We all know she's ACE.

Kate Bliss joins the Blues.

Here we are. Lucy, John, what are we looking for today, then?

Well, some Victorian jewellery and perhaps some silver.

We like the idea of a suitcase or a trunk.

Maybe a little bit of studio glass.

-I'd like to look for a gnome.

-Would you now?

-I would love a gnome. If I could find an old gnome...

-Right.

..that would suit me down to the ground. I reckon it could make

-a bit of profit.

-Do you?

-Yeah.

-Are you happy with that?

-No.

Noses to the grindstone, teams. Your hour starts now.

-WHISTLE BLOWS

-Let's see. Come on!

Let's go shopping.

Both teams are starting their shops inside

and both teams need a reality check.

-Kate.

-That silver dog.

420.

-Oh, right.

-You guys have got good taste.

-RAJ:

-There's some very nice jewellery,

but it all looks very expensive.

That's what I like.

Remember, you've only got £300 to spend.

Natalie, you said you like luggage.

I like that a lot. I love that.

-That's exactly what we were looking for.

-Is it?

Shall we have a closer look?

This is lovely actually. What do you think, Caroline?

I think it's in really good condition for the age

and I really do like it, actually.

The special thing about it is it's got a really interesting mechanism.

If we come down here...

I'll show you.

If you open it up...

..these bits here extend out on the hinge as well.

So then it almost doubles in width.

-Very clever.

-Brilliant.

-And what's the inside like?

-Let's have a look.

So, inside you've got an original little badge there.

The name's Revelation, which is quite nice.

It's a little bit dirty inside, but it's the original interior,

-which is really nice.

-It's in good condition.

-I really like that.

Well, I think this is probably post-war. Late '40s, I would say.

Now, the price tag on here is 45.

Get down to 30?

I would put an auction estimate of certainly 30 to 40 on it.

-Shall I go and see what the best price is?

-Yes.

-Yes, please.

See you in a minute.

While Kate goes off on her travels, what's John found?

Raj, what do you think to this?

Here's a first - Raj is lost for words.

-Well...

-I think the silence says it all!

Well, I can see why you're attracted to it.

-It's commemorating...

-The Dardanelles campaign.

Yeah, absolutely. So it's got military interest as well.

But to me, it's just a bit too plain.

-Yeah.

-OK.

-That's my opinion.

-I agree.

-You agree?

-Absolutely. Veto.

OK, it's vetoed.

Time to pack up and move on, Reds.

Now, what's the word on the luggage?

All right, ladies. The best deal is £40. OK?

And they've got to make their profit too.

So £40 is the death, as they say.

What do we think?

Even if we only make a few pounds profit, I'll be happy.

I really, really like it.

-I think it's certainly got a chance.

-Yeah.

-Shall we do it?

-Yes, please.

-Yes.

Great! Come on, then.

You work fast, Blues, I'll give you that.

You bagged that case in under 15 minutes.

The Reds are now playing catch up.

OK. Now, I'm drawn to this.

-From here that looks like Whitefriars.

-Yes.

Now, Whitefriars is very, very collectable.

You know, the factory closed

and some of their stuff fetches lots of money these days.

There are a lot of collectors about.

Big designer was Geoffrey Baxter,

who was the first person ever in the world...

In the moulds, he put in nails and all sorts of other things,

which gave it these textured designs.

That almost looks like bamboo.

-Yes, it is. Correct! Well done.

-THEY LAUGH

Have a gold star, John.

If we could get that for somewhere around...

-..£60 to £80, we'd be seeing a profit in that.

-Yeah?

-That's a nice piece of Whitefriars.

-I really like that.

-Yeah?

-Do you want to haggle?

-I really like that.

-OK. Shall we let you haggle?

-Yes.

-Excuse me.

-Hello, there.

-Hi.

We're interested in this Blackfriars vase.

-Whitefriars.

-Whitefriars!

You must pay attention in class, Lucy!

-This would be £95.

-£95?

-Yes.

-Any better?

-He did say that was his best.

-£80?

-I can't. Not on this one.

I'll do it for 90.

Could we meet in the middle? Maybe 85?

-Go on, then, deal.

-85? Are we happy?

-JOHN:

-Yes, certainly.

-Thank you so much.

All right. Well done, Lucy. Thank you very much indeed.

You're a canny operator, Lucy.

I didn't think he'd come down on that.

So both teams have a buy in the bag on the 20-minute mark.

What's next on the shopping list?

This is Swedish art pottery.

It's by a factory called Upsala-Ekeby,

which was manufacturing art pottery and teaware,

utilitarian wares as well, up to about the 1970s.

And this is this period - '60s, '70s.

And we've got the manufacturer's mark on the back here.

Do you see the U and the E? Upsala-Ekeby.

These are really starting to become popular in the UK, actually.

They sell very well in Sweden.

And I think there's just something about it.

They're quite retro-looking, but the colours, I think, are fab.

Yeah, I really like that, actually.

I can imagine somebody, you know, having it.

-Whether it was in their bathroom or...

-Hm.

-You know, by a window, definitely.

-Hm.

It's really pretty, but like I say, I suppose it all depends on price

and how much it could make.

-What's the best on that?

-'What have I got on that?'

-You've got 65 on there.

-65?

-Yeah.

I could do it for 55.

Would you go as low as 45?

We'll take it if you go as low as 45.

I can't. I can't.

-Ohh.

-'No.'

I'll come down to 50.

If you would like it, darling.

I might have to be a bit more flexible on the third item.

-I think you might.

-I really like it

and I think that's actually a very fair price.

I really do. I think that's really, really pretty.

Well, if our money-saving expert says it's OK, I'd go with it, Mum.

OK. I give in. Just once and once only.

-Two to one.

-Yeah.

-Thank you, sir. We'll do it.

-'OK.'

There's no stopping the Blues.

They've bought two items in under half an hour.

The Reds are busy looking for their second.

Very interesting plate here of Paul von Hindenburg.

He was the second president of the Weimar Republic.

He was leader of Germany before Hitler.

-Yeah, but it's hideous. Who's going to buy it?

-I don't know.

It's just an interesting...

-Yeah, from the history teacher's point of view.

-I know.

With militaria, there are always people interested in it.

I'm not so sure about Hindenburg.

OK? I have to be honest. But shall we...?

-We'll earmark it and come back.

-OK.

No. We're not buying it. Come on, we're moving on.

-Thank you, darling.

-Oh, we've been told. We've been told.

Come on, let's go.

Your dad may be a teacher, Lucy,

but you could definitely get a job as headmistress.

And while our teams look for some smoking-hot deals,

I have an axe to grind.

Behold an authentic Native American tomahawk.

Now, if you've seen enough John Wayne movies and the likes,

you will be conjuring up images of proud warriors

in their buckskin war shirts and feather headdress,

perhaps holding such tools as this.

It is indeed an iconic object.

But it's more than a simple axe because here,

opposed to the blade, is a pipe bowl.

And this serves not only as a useful tool but also...

..a pipe for moments of leisure.

So there you have it, an authentic Native American crafted artefact.

Well, no, because you may be shocked to hear

that this was actually made in Blighty, here in England.

And you ask yourself, "Shock, horror, Paul. Is it a fake?

"A reproduction? A forgery?"

Well, no. We've got an 18th or very early 19th-century tomahawk

manufactured specifically for trading with Native Americans.

Now, who's doing this trading?

Well, think of the likes of the Hudson Bay Company,

set up to gather up beaver skins and other treasures

for export back to Europe. No doubt at great profit.

A useful bargaining tool in the hands of the traders

was a prized object like a steel-headed axe, or tomahawk,

as we have before us now.

Now, if we look at this object closely,

we can see hallmarks of its European origin.

Look at this head here.

The pipe bowl itself of ovoid form with this collar

and this wasted neck.

That could easily be from a Georgian Adam-influenced candlestick,

could it not?

The socket here has this decorative chevron,

which is very typical for such.

And you see this moulding here, just at the neck of the axe blade.

All aesthetic refinements whose origins are clearly western,

as opposed to Native American.

Now, there's one other decorative element to this piece

that really works for me.

And it's this buckskin thong here

with a combination of glass trade beads and cowry shells,

proving that it travelled over the Atlantic.

Was almost certainly used, if not by a Native American,

then by a settler, frontiersman or a soldier

and then ultimately returned to this country.

Now, this was purchased in a provincial antique shop

for all of £140.

These are scarce and extremely desirable objects.

It's true value in the hands of a specialist is closer to £3,000.

Now that's a bargain, if ever I saw one.

Stick those numbers in your pipe and smoke it.

Let's get back in the thick of things.

The Blues are out in front with two items...

-That's really cute.

-I don't like it.

-No.

-No? You're not sure?

-No, no.

..while the Reds only have one.

Well, you do go for all the stuff that's really expensive.

Sorry, darling.

With less than 30 minutes left, how are our experts feeling?

Well, Lucy and John definitely have got fixed ideas.

They know what they want. They are very knowledgeable, especially John.

I think for the third piece, it's got to be Caroline's shout

and I have a horrible feeling we're going in the direction of gnomes.

Oh, gno...me!

Take them in the other direction then, KB.

Oh, that's better. A bit of fresh air.

-Yeah, a bit of fresh air.

-Yeah, I like that.

Let's go this way, then, ladies.

I'm glad you know where you're going.

I'm not sure Raj does.

And I'm having second thoughts about Kate.

We seem to have come out of the busy bit, ladies.

-Shall we head up there?

-Well, there's a big tent over there.

-That looks good.

-Let's head for the big tent.

Quick march! Quick march!

You take your time, ladies.

I think you've done really well so far

and you haven't spent that much money.

Although you only have 20 minutes left on the clock.

Back inside, Raj is in need of John's expertise.

Look at these, right. OK.

Tell me if you can tell me a little bit about these

because these are very, very unusual.

There are four of them with ship scenes.

Do you want to look at those?

-They're ashtrays, aren't they?

-That's what I thought. Off a ship.

-Off a ship.

-Yeah, maybe a ship cinema or something like that.

-Yeah.

That's an 18th-century ship...

-All right, we've...

-..like the Victory.

That basically looks like the White Ship.

This is medieval.

-That looks like the Viking raid on Porlock Bay...

-OK.

..in about nine something, something.

Blimey! John does know his stuff.

I'm not sure about that. That's a carrack.

-They're all different, aren't they?

-Yeah.

-They're all different

and they're really well made. Do you like them or not?

-I think they're interesting.

-Yeah.

-Would they sell?

It depends. If we can get them at the right price,

-I think they would sell. How much has she got on them?

-£20 each.

-£20 each.

-That's £80. Put it this way,

if we can get these for a tenner each or under,

you're almost guaranteed to make a profit.

Do you want to give it a go, then, Dad, if you like them?

These are scenes from British history. British maritime history.

All right. Well, go and see what you can get for them.

Well, that's your interest. So let's see what we can do.

These have caught our eye.

They were from a ship's theatre on the back of the seats

for the cigarettes, with brass liner inside.

'What about for the four, 40 quid?'

50.

We really can't go much more than 40.

45?

Go on.

-What?

-I would stick out with the 40.

I think we're taking a chance here.

I think we're taking a chance and I think 40 is not a bad deal.

Would you take 40 for them? We're going to pay cash.

-Go on, then. We'll do 40.

-We'll do a deal?

-Thank you very much.

-I hope you do well with them.

-Thanks.

-I've never seen anything like them before.

-No.

-Thank you very much.

-Right. Well, two things down.

-Two down.

-Two down, one to go.

Yeah, OK.

Bravo, Reds, although I think Raj saved the day there.

Now, have the Blues found their way yet?

Oh, look what I can see.

-Oh, wow!

-I can't believe it!

-She hasn't!

-Oh, wow!

-I can't believe it! She's found a gnome!

-Oh, no!

-A whole kind of clan of gnomes.

-Yeah.

-Oh, brilliant.

-They're actually quite heavy. I'm really surprised.

Would they actually be worth anything?

They're not very old and they were probably made in their...

-..millions.

-Right, OK.

-What are you asking for your little collection here?

-'45 quid.'

'But you can have them for £30.'

-I think it's still quite a lot for some gnomes. I really do.

-Yeah.

I think we need to make a profit. And as much as I love them...

Yeah. I think good call.

Do you know, that is music to my ears!

There might be another gnome somewhere.

Oh, pretend you didn't hear that, KB,

although I'm sure Caroline could sniff out a gnome at 100 paces.

The Reds have picked up the smell of potential as well.

So I've spotted this little perfume bottle here,

which I think is quite cute.

Oh, that does look very, very pretty. Shall we have a look at it?

-That's wonderful.

-Very sweet.

-I just think it's absolutely beautiful.

It's got an interesting clasp as well.

Look at the back as well.

That's fabulous.

-That is a pretty little thing.

-I love it.

Can you tell us a little bit about it?

'Roundabout the '30s. Possibly Czechoslovakian.'

Yeah. Actually, that would figure. You know, the Bohemian glass.

The Bohemian glass, yeah.

What about trying a double deal with that Art Deco compact there?

I'm not sure about the quality of this, unfortunately.

See what you think.

'That's Czechoslovakian again.'

Again, I think it's Turk and I think it's the glass.

Well, it's definitely got age to it.

This is definitely a period piece as well, definitely.

I mean, it's quite sweet. I mean, maybe the two would go together.

Perfume and a mirror.

-Right, whose turn is it to haggle this time?

-I think I can do it.

OK, Lucy. Let's see what we can do.

You've got 35 on this one and I think that's 28 on that.

What's the best you could do for the both of them together?

-55 is the best.

-55?

-Yes.

-Hmm.

-What do you think?

Do you think you could do it for 45 for the pair?

'I'm sorry. They're pretty good prices.'

Would you split the difference with us and do 50?

'OK. I'll do 50, then.'

£50? Thank you very much. Thank you.

You pair are a force to be reckoned with.

Well done. Very, very professional.

You two would make fantastic dealers.

You finished your shop with 15 minutes to spare.

-Let's go and gloat somewhere and have a drink, shall we?

-Yeah.

-Fabulous.

-After you, Lucy.

The Blues are still in the hunt for their last item...

..but nothing takes their fancy.

-No? Not struck on those?

-No.

-No.

No. Let's keep looking.

-No?

-No. I think we're all right.

I haven't seen anything like it in my life!

-Do you know what, ladies? I don't think it's for us.

-No.

-Right, OK.

-That's a shame.

-I think we're losing time.

-No.

-OK.

-Oh!

Oh! Mind the camera!

So we've eight minutes, guys. Let's have a look over here.

Oh, there's some lovely things on here.

What do you like, guys?

I really like stuff like this.

Well, this Celtic stuff is really coming back in.

I mean, that's a lovely little agate brooch.

-What have we got on that?

-'35'.

Is it solid silver, Kate?

Let's just have a little look at it.

So brooch's at the moment are a little bit out of fashion,

but these very Celtic-looking pieces are still fairly popular,

I think it's fair to say.

You've got "silver" there and "Made in England",

which puts it at sort of post-war.

You've got a little bit of a fracture going on there...

-Yeah, I'd rather get...

-Actually, it's not too bad.

I do quite like that one.

I think that's quite commercial with the different coloured agate.

What's the best you could do for us on this one?

I could do it for 25.

I really like that.

And I think we're quite short on time. I think we need to...

Could you do it for 20?

-You're cutting my throat here!

-Please!

-I know, but please would you do it for 20?

-'She's the haggler.'

-Of course, we can.

-Oh, brilliant.

-Thank you.

-Are you happy, Caroline?

-I'm happy with that, yeah.

-That's a deal. Thank you so much.

Three lots for the Red and three lots for the Blue.

END OF ROUND KLAXON Time's up.

Brilliant. So all three pieces, in the nick of time, I have to say.

Only just! Only just!

Let's remind ourselves what the Red team have bought.

There were no cracks in Lucy's haggling.

She got this Whitefriars glass vase for £85.

These silver ashtrays featuring naval scenes were £40 for four.

Let's hope they didn't go overboard on the price.

And the compact and scent bottle were £50 for the pair.

Do I smell a profit or will they cause a stink?

Lucy, John, I'm sorry. Are you late for a prior appointment?

I've got to say, you did it with some grace. A very civilised affair.

Yeah. We had a plan and we stuck to it.

Boy, did you! And are we happy with our purchases in hindsight?

Absolutely. I like every single one of them.

Well, liking them all is one thing, but you've got to pick a favourite.

-Tell me.

-I think my favourite is the perfume bottle and compact.

I picked that one and I just love it. I think it's gorgeous.

John, do you agree?

I personally think the Whitefriars glass. I like the bamboo.

OK. Now, total spend?

Total spend was £175.

-That's healthy. Very good. So someone owes me all of £125.

-Yeah.

Thank you very much. And I shall give it to Raj to spend wisely.

-Any ideas?

-Lucy's given me some ideas.

I've got to be very careful, though, with these two.

They know exactly what they're doing.

Interesting stuff.

Now, let's remind ourselves what the Blues bought.

The adjustable leather suitcase was £40.

Let's hope it gets them on their way at the auction.

The ceramic plaque by Upsala-Ekeby was £50.

But will it reel in a profit?

And £20 was paid for this Scottish-style agate brooch.

But was it a canny buy?

Natalie, Caroline, that looked like it went to plan.

Yeah, I think we did pretty well at the beginning.

We got a couple of items in, but towards the end it was a bit wobbly.

So, what do you like the most out of your lots?

I think I had lent towards the suitcase. I do like the suitcase.

But I think if I'm really honest,

the special piece is the tile with the fish on. I really like that.

Yeah. Very good. Do you agree, Mum?

I do. I like the tile.

At first I didn't, but it's grown on me

and I think we're going to make a lot of profit on that.

-So that ticks both boxes.

-Yeah.

-Your favourite and the one with a profit?

-Yeah, definitely.

-I like the sound of that.

-Definitely.

How much have you spent?

I think we spent £110.

Well, I'd say that was reasonably measured.

-I think you delivered there.

-Yeah.

So you owe me, or someone owes me, £190.

-There's quite a lot there.

-Not mine for long.

-Into the trusty hands of Kate Bliss.

-Lovely!

How are you going to complete this spend, then?

I'm going to go for something beautiful

that hopefully both of you will like.

It remains to be seen.

And that will happen at the auction.

And we're not going far.

We're heading down the road to Lincoln city centre

and the auction house of Golding Young & Mawer.

And here we are with auctioneer Colin Young himself.

-How are you, Colin?

-I'm very well, Paul. Good to see you.

Likewise.

Well, look at this offering from the Reds - Lucy and John.

Kicking off with a good-looking piece of Whitefriars glass,

-is it not?

-It is indeed, yes.

A fairly common one, though.

-You do see an awful lot of bamboo around.

-Yeah.

And it's not one of the more exotic colours, either, I'm afraid.

-It's a wee bit grey.

-Yes.

Because of that and all those factors...

I mean, it's still a good thing,

but you're essentially looking at an estimate of £50-£80.

OK. Well, that's a disappointment

because Lucy and John paid £85 for it.

-Just a tad over the high-end of the estimate spectrum.

-Yeah.

And from there, we go to these rather unusual...

A quartet of ships' ashtrays, they've been described as.

-What do you think?

-Well, we've continued that description

purely on the basis that we haven't got anything better to call them.

And so, we're just sticking with the party line on that, I'm afraid.

Regardless of what they were, the workmanship, those friezes,

are actually rather pleasingly executed.

It is. It's that typical sort of 1920s, 1930s look

-that you find on mock Tudor.

-Yeah.

What do you think the next owner's going to pay for them?

I think they've got to be worth £10 apiece.

So on that basis, I'm hedging my bets and going for 30 to 50.

OK, I hear you.

Well, that's not bad given that they actually paid mid-estimate, £40.

-OK, yeah.

-So there or thereabouts, fingers crossed.

And they end their little trio with a pair

of superficially showy-looking gilt metal objects.

They're decorative, they're costume items.

There's no value in terms of gemstone.

There's no value in terms of metalware either on there.

And my feeling is that they're going to stop bidding at low tens.

OK. So, what are we saying? 10, 20, maybe £30?

Yeah, that's the sort of range I would be in for it.

The Reds paid £50 for those.

-Right.

-A bonus buy may be needed at this juncture.

A plan B. An escape plan. Let's go and see what Raj has got in mind.

Well, Lucy, John, you spent a respectable £175, leaving Raj 125.

Show us what you invested in, Raj.

I decided to buy this.

-It's a jewellery box.

-A jewellery box.

-Look at that. That opens up like that.

-That looks quite old.

-How old is it?

-It's late 19th, early 20th century.

It's a Black Forest jewellery box

and Black Forest items are very collectable.

The Black Forest is an area in south-west Germany.

-Can I feel it?

-Yeah, of course you can.

-How much did you pay for it?

-Well, I actually...

THEY LAUGH Cutting to the bottom line!

Well, come on, it comes down to profit, doesn't it?!

Let's be honest. It can be really beautiful,

-but if you paid a fortune for it...

-I paid £40 for it.

-£40?

-Which I think was a bargain.

It should make £40 to £60.

It's unusual, isn't it?

So this will be carved in lime wood.

-Beautiful.

-Is it your cup of tea, John?

-Yes, I like it.

-I do like it very much.

-We don't have to make a final decision

until after the auction of our lots.

So let's, in the meantime, go see if the auctioneer

thinks our lime wood box will add some zest to the auction.

Well, there...

..is a Black Forest-type casket.

Very much a sort of souvenir ware piece.

People travelling in that region would often buy these things

made of what's known as linden wood,

but we all know it as lime wood.

That really good softwood that comes from the Black Forest area.

So let's put an estimate say £25 to £40 on it.

OK. That's going the right direction.

£40 is what Raj paid for it.

Well, that's it for the Reds.

The Blues - Natalie and Caroline.

They have come up with quite a varied offering.

Kicking off with our vintage case.

Is that going to be a popular vintage hide case?

I think there'll be plenty of people going for it, yeah.

I just think they'll probably all stop at about the same time.

Which is going to be?

Well, £25 to £40 would be my estimate on it.

The Blues paid £40 for that.

OK. Well, from our late 19th, early 20th century case

to the 1960s, or early '70s perhaps, with our Swedish plaque, which...

Well, that's a statement piece if ever I saw one.

The designer was actually born in St Petersburg in 1911.

-Right.

-So you've got a little bit of Russian influence in there.

Fascinating. Well, do we see Russian money bidding up the price?

What's it going to make?

I think it's probably not going to be the Russian market, I'm afraid!

But hopefully, there'll be plenty of people rushing for it.

-I think we should put an estimate of £30 to £50.

-OK.

And I think everybody should be quite excited at that.

I'm less excited about the fact that the Blues paid £50 for it,

which is high estimate.

But with your enthusiasm, or what you tell me about it,

-I think that could easily translate to a wee profit.

-OK.

Sounds good.

What do you think of our little annular brooch?

Well, they're just so iconic, so desirable,

everybody wants to buy into that market.

And whenever we get them through the sales,

there's always a queue of people that want them.

25 to 40 estimate, which is quite commensurate with that type of thing

-on a regular basis.

-Sounds tickety-boo

cos the Blues managed to buy that for £20.

So, I wonder what kind of bonus buy Kate added to that offering.

Let's go take a look.

Caroline, we're gutted that Natalie can't be with us today.

No doubt somewhere she's chewing her fingernails and rooting for us.

Yeah, she will be. She's here in spirit, if not in body.

-I can feel her presence.

-Yeah.

Well, the pair of you, no doubt under Natalie's cautious eye,

-spent just £110...

-Yeah.

..leaving Kate all of 190.

What do you have lurking under there for your 190?

-Oh!

-OK.

-Right, OK.

-First impression there?

-Hmm.

-It's coordinated.

-Do you want to take one and have a little look?

Yeah. How old are these?

Early 20th century, I would say. Maybe '20s, possibly '30s.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

And how much did you pay for them?

-Straight to the numbers!

-Straight in there, isn't she?

Well, a funny little amount, actually.

-I had to haggle quite hard.

-Yeah.

But I think actually a very reasonable amount.

£33 for the three.

Oh, that's not bad. Can I have a look at that one?

Have a look at that one.

So, that one shows off what is absolutely gorgeous about them,

in my opinion.

They're known as guilloche enamelled.

And that's the term when metal has been engine-turned,

engraved and then the liquid glass, the enamel,

has been laid over the top.

But because of the engraving, you get that lovely shimmering effect.

Faberge was perhaps the greatest exponent of enamelling.

These aren't Faberge, I'm afraid.

And actually, they're probably not silver. They're silver-plated.

-OK.

-But I think they're probably French.

So how much do you think we could get for them?

Well, the thing about enamel work is condition, condition, condition...

-Yeah. They are perfect, aren't they?

-..and they are perfect.

I think a gorgeous colour as well.

A very commercial colour.

So I would certainly put £40 to £60 on them

if I was putting an auction estimate on them.

Yeah. I'm... Yeah.

-Hesitant? Not sure?

-Yeah. Hesitant, yeah. I'm not sure.

But, no, they're pretty.

But we don't need to know now because we're going to wait

until the auction over three lots.

In the meantime, let's go see if the auctioneer is any more confident

about their enamelled toiletry vessels.

How good are they? Do you like?

I do. Purely because I can't see any damage on them.

Because that's always going to be the big disaster.

If you see any damage on these, you know that it really is

going to be an uphill struggle. £30 to £50, maybe.

-Kate secured those for 33, so looking good.

-Yeah, that's fine.

Who's taking the auction, then, Colin? Is it you?

Well, I've landed the plum job.

Well, I think we've landed the plum auctioneer. Can I say that?

-You can.

-I'm looking forward to it immensely.

Let's see what happens under the hammer.

2 now. 32..

45. At 45.

Phew! Lightning.

At 50 bid. Thank you.

-Optimistic?

-Feeling a bit nervous.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-Overall or about...?

I'm a bit nervous about the scent bottle and compact

because that's the item I picked and if it doesn't do well,

-he's going to hold it against me forever.

-Never.

-It could be like an albatross round your neck.

-Yes, absolutely.

-But first up is going to be your Whitefriars glass.

-Yes.

-Are you still optimistic?

-Yeah.

-I think so.

-This is a nice lot.

-OK.

This is a nice piece of Whitefriars.

-Positive thoughts.

-Positive vibes.

Here it comes now. Good luck.

'Start with 80 for it. 80.'

50 will do, then. £50, anyone? 50.

40, if you like. £40, anyone? 40.

There's your opening bid.

45. Bid 50. 55. 55, 60. 60 bid. 5 now.

At 60 for the bid. 5 anywhere else now? At 60. Standing bid at 60.

Do I see 5? At £60 bid. Last call.

I'll take 2. At £60 for the bid. Last call. Standing bid, then.

All done and finished. Everybody's seen it. Going at £60.

That feels like good value, it has to be said.

85 paid. That's a loss of £25.

Here come the ashtrays

that you have so much hope invested in. Come on!

A really stunning set of four of these.

£50, anybody? 50.

They've got to be worth £10 apiece. Who's going to start with £40?

40 at the back of the room. At 40.

5 now, do I see it? 40 for the bid. 5. 45.

50. 50 now.

At 45. Lady's bid at 45. Any more now?

50 from anybody else? At 45.

I'll take it as the last call, then.

At 45. Back row has it, then.

At 45 done and finished, then. Going at £45.

Well, that is a profit of a fiver. That brings your overall tally

to -20.

It's all on these gilt-metal pieces.

Come on. Here we go. Here they come now.

Who's going to start me at £40 for it? 40. 30.

£20. 20.

-£20 down here.

-He's got a bid. He's got a bid.

20 bid. 22 again now.

Maiden bid has it at 20.

Oh, no!

Nobody else going to join in, then? Nobody else going to a party? No?

22. Joining in. 5, 28, and 30. And 2.

At £30 bid. 32, do I see now?

£30. Are we all done? Back in the front row, then. Selling at £30.

Do you know what? That is a loss of 20,

bringing your overall loss to £40.

Now, is...

-the jewellery basket going to save the day?

-I love it.

-I think we've got to have it.

-We've got to go with it.

-You're going for it?

-Fingers crossed.

I mean, this is a nice little piece.

Well, here comes the Black Forest piece. Good luck.

Who's going to start me at £80 for it? 80.

50 to go, then, surely. £50, anybody?

50. Look at the quality of the carving. 50. 20 to go, then.

20. I'll take 10.

£10?!

15. 15, 18. 18, 20. At 2.

2 bid. 5. 5 bid. 5. 28. 28 bid.

30. 30 for the bid. 30 bid. 32 now. No?

At £30 at the back of the room. At 30.

Do I see 2 now? 32, surely?

At 30 bid. 2 again now. At £30 at the back of the room, then.

Two is the last call. At £30. Going then at £30 and sold at 30.

Ohh, close! Never mind.

-£30.

-That's a loss of 10 and I think you were unlucky.

An overall loss of £50 there.

It could be a winning score.

-It could be.

-That's the spirit!

That's the spirit! It could be a winning score.

Look at this. You have got a great environment here.

We've got the internet wired in.

-You've got plenty of bums on seats, I've got to say.

-Yeah.

So thus far, it's all auspicious, is it not?

I think we'll make a profit. I'm quite confident.

-Yeah?

-Yeah. I'm going to make hundreds. Yeah.

This is the spirit that we're looking for. Now, here we go.

Here's your suitcase. Good luck.

Who's going to start me at £50?

50? 40 to go, then. 40.

30, I'll take. 20. £20 to go.

20. Who's going to be first in? 20. £20. 10, surely?

-10. Oh, come on!

-10 bid. 12 bid. 15. 15.

-Oh, we've got one.

18. 18, 20. At 20 for the bid. At 20 bid. 2. 2.

Make it 2 now? No. At 20.

Seated bid down here. 2 again, surely?

22. 25. 28 now.

28. 30. 2.

-Go on.

-Come on.

-32. 35.

35. 38. Bid 40.

-One more! One more! One more!

-40 bid now.

No? 38 bid. 40 from anywhere else now.

At 38 in the front here then. At 38.

40 not now, then. Going at £38 and done.

Oh!

Oh, you were so close. 38.

That's a loss of just £2.

But look, no big jeopardy so far.

-I'm quite surprised at that.

-Up comes the Upsala-Ekeby piece.

-Yeah.

-Good luck.

-Who's going to start me at 40?

30. 30.

20.

22. 25.

28. And 30. And 2.

35. 38. No?

35. 38 now, surely?

At 35. Commission bidder. At 35.

-I also have a commission bidder for 36.

-Oh, come on!

36.

38 anywhere else now? At £36 are we all done?

Selling at £36.

-Oh, no!

-Oh!

-36. That's a loss

of £14. Your overall loss so far, £16.

-Here comes the brooch that the auctioneer thinks is a profit.

-Yeah.

Who's going to start me at 30? Who's going to be first? £30.

30. 20.

£10.

10, 12, 15, 18. 18, 20. At 20 for the bid.

At 2. 2 bid. 2. 2 bid. 5. 5 bid? No.

At 22 for the bid. 5. 25, 28, 30 on the net.

At £30. It's on the net, then, at £30.

All I'm looking for is just another 2.

At 32. 35. 5 bid. 38 now.

38, 40.

40 bid. 42 now. At £40.

It settles on the net at 40.

Is there 2? There is also 42.

45 now.

At 42. 45. At 45.

48 now.

48 bid.

48 bid. 50 now.

50, I'm bid.

-At 50.

-Yes!

-Any more now?

Offer them 2. At 50 bid.

2, surely?

-52 bid.

-SHE LAUGHS

-55 now.

-You're happy now.

At £52 bid.

Looks like the stone has settled.

-Fantastic price.

-Finished at £52.

Oh, well done!

Well, wait until you tell Natalie your brooch came good.

That is plus £32 on the brooch alone.

-It gives you an overall profit of £16.

-Oh, yeah.

-Excellent.

-We'll take the bonus buy.

This is it. I was going to ask you. How are you feeling about that?

Are you going to jeopardise this profit?

-I reckon I'll still be in profit.

-You think?

Yeah. Yeah.

-Go for it, yeah.

-You sound kind of...

-Yeah.

Yes?

Sure? Right, we're going for it. And here it comes now.

The enamel toiletry bottles. Let's have a look.

It's 50. It'll be a low start. 50. Who's first?

40 to go, then. £40 anyone? 30.

30. And 20 to go, then. 20 with you.

20 bid. 22, 25. 5 bid. 28. 28 bid.

32. 2 bid. 5 in row C. 35.

35 now. 5, either of you?

35 at the back. 38 standing? 38 bid. 40 now.

-It's a profit.

-38 bid. 40. Let's keep going.

-40 for the bid. 40 bid. 42 bid.

-Come on! Yes! That's better.

-42 bid. 45 bid.

-Phew!

-45 now.

45, surely? 45, 48.

48, 50. Last call, ladies and gentlemen.

Any more bids, then? Selling at 48. 50. Back in at 50.

THEY LAUGH EXCITEDLY

52. It'll help. 52, 55.

And another. At 52 bid.

Last call. Standing bid in the front here then.

I will sell this time, make no mistake.

At £52.

-Whey!

-£52.

-Plus...

-The relief!

-..£19.

There is expertise. Look at that.

Plus £19.

You have grown your profit to £35.

-Do you like that?

-Brilliant! Thank you, Kate.

Pleasure.

Well, I can't help but feel that this is a wee bit lopsided.

-We are.

-And we've got runners up today as we always do.

And they are...

-the Reds.

-Oh, yes!

We set off with high hopes.

Sadly, you may not be taking home profits,

but you're taking home some great memories, yes?

-Lots of fun.

-Fabulous.

-Yes?

-Absolutely great, yeah.

And you were great players and I commend you for your spirit.

But lacking one half of the team, nevertheless here in spirit,

she is rejoicing with us

at what turned out to be a profitable exercise.

-Was it good?

-I've had a brilliant time. Thank you very much.

-Yeah, brilliant.

-Great stuff. And have you phoned home?

-Have you reported back?

-I have. I've reported back.

But she doesn't know that we've won.

There's going to be a follow-up good conversation.

Bit of a party tonight, I think.

Well, a bit of a party.

-And a budget for said party...

-Definitely.

-A profit of £35.

-Oh, thank you.

Well done you.

Ups and downs, no doubt, but fun by the bag load. Yeah?

-ALL:

-Yeah.

-We hope you had as much fun.

Check out our website, follow us on Twitter and no matter what you do,

join us next time for some more Bargain Hunting, yes?

-ALL:

-Yes!