Portobello/Kingston 14 Bargain Hunt

Today, we're in London's Notting Hill

at the antiques market, which has a carnival atmosphere.

# Well, ladies and gents Please listen to me

# This is Bargain Hunt on the BBC

# Red versus Blues Charlie Ross presenting

# Join us as we go Bargain Hunting. #

APPLAUSE

Well, you heard the man, let's go Bargain Hunting!

The Portobello Road street market began to include antiques

back in the '50s, just a few years before the carnival took off.

Nowadays, they're the main attraction.

Our teams have got £300

and just one hour in which to sniff out

some interesting and affordable items.

Let's have a butcher's hook at how they get on.

We'll find out what to buy...

-No, we don't want ladles. Nobody has soup anymore.

-I want a ladle.

-..where to go...

-Going that way?

-Yeah, just one more...

But you have only eight minutes.

You can boil three eggs in eight minutes. Come on, let's go.

..and, most importantly, who's about to make profits.

-Oh!

-That's a bit more like it.

-Hooray!

-Happy days.

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

For our Red team today, we have a married couple,

Una and William, and for our Blue team,

we have Ronald and Claudia who are nearly married, as I understand it.

-Hello, everyone. ALL:

-Hello.

-Good to see you. Looking forward to it?

-Yes.

Una, are you REALLY looking forward to it?

Really looking forward to it.

-You look an enthusiastic sort to me.

-Yeah, ready to go.

-You met a long time ago, didn't you?

-Yes, over 25 years ago.

I was an American medical student and he was a banker in London

-and we dated transatlantically.

-Romance!

This was before the internet, before mobile phones.

It was so ancient, so we had to write letters and pick up the phone.

-Airmail?!

-Yes.

-I remember airmail!

How long did it take the letters to get...?

Weeks, so I had to write every other day

so he had something to open. A lot of writing.

Una, you WERE a doctor for some time.

Yes, I'm a retired GP and I was a GP for about 20 years.

But with a string of qualifications.

Yes, I have a BA, MD,

FRSCEd, ENT, Surgery...

Thank you, thank you! I'm sure you've got many more.

William, what's it like being married to this dynamo?

-It's hard work!

-I bet it's hard work!

LAUGHTER

I bet it is. But you and I share something, don't we? Cricket.

Cricket, yes. I like cricket. I play a bit of cricket, I watch cricket.

-Do you?

-Yes.

-Wonderful. Do you still play?

-Just about.

-I can just about get on the pitch.

-Where do you play?

-Mostly in Ireland.

-Do you?

-Yes.

-A bit damp, isn't it?

It can be a bit damp but rain doesn't really stop play now

and, otherwise, you never would play.

THEY LAUGH

-You also have a passion for antiques, don't you?

-Yes, we do.

-Who will be doing the negotiating?

-I think that's my job.

-Oh, is it?

I think I might be doing some negotiating.

It's going to be great fun having you on the programme.

And for our Blue team, we've got the wonderful Ronald and Claudia.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-Going to enjoy it?

-Yes.

-I'm sure you are.

-Ronald, how did you two meet?

-We met in Romania about eight years ago.

-Yeah.

-I was working out in the clothing trade.

-I was a production manager.

-Rag trade!

-Yeah.

-Claudia was working there and the eyes met and...

-And that was it?

-And that was it.

-Romance in Romania.

-Absolutely.

I plucked the courage up to go and speak to her

-cos I was a bit of a shy lad at the time.

-It took him six hours.

Took me six hours, wasn't long, and the rest is history.

-And you're engaged?

-We are, for the last seven years. It's coming close.

-I'm planning.

-Planning.

-I'm a long planner.

-He is planning.

-Have you got a date yet?

-Not yet, but it could be happening very soon.

-You're also a cricket fan?

-Big fan.

Played as a youngster,, reasonable level, sort of village green level.

-Claudia, you like the cricket too?

-Yes.

-Loves it.

-I love it now.

-Claudia, you're also very artistic, aren't you?

-Yes, I am.

I've been very, very lucky to graduate

the university of puppetry and marionettes from Romania.

-Do you make them?

-Yes, we did actually made them.

-How wonderful.

-Yes, we did made the puppets and marionettes

and also handle it as well.

And also I did different sketches and all these abstract works

-and things like that.

-Abstract?

They all look more like Michael Jackson, so Ron says.

That's abstract, all right! So, what are you going to buy?

-Anything that's good value.

-Anything in good condition.

Good value, good condition - where have I heard THAT before?

-Well, good luck. I'm going to give you some money.

-Thank you.

-£300.

-Thank you.

-Enjoy it.

-Thank you.

-There we are, Una.

Spend it well, have a great time. Off you go.

I wonder if they'll be buying old bats and balls. Probably!

Time to meet our experts.

Serving the Reds today will be ace adviser Thomas Plant,

while snapping up bargains with the Blues is hotshot Natasha Raskin.

So, William, Una, we've got £300. What are we going to spend it on?

-I think we should try and look at some silver.

-Yeah.

If we can get it at a good price.

I'm looking for a bit of jewellery, maybe, silver.

Something fashionable and get it at a really good price

and make a big profit.

-I like boxes.

-Boxes.

-I'm a bit of a box man, yeah.

-Let's go see if we can find one.

-Yeah.

Right, teams, your 60 minutes starts now.

BELL RINGS

-Are we ready to do it?

-Absolutely!

-Let's go!

-Go!

Time's ticking and we've got to find some bargains.

Thomas will find the store and I'll find the item.

-Is that's what's going to work?

-I think so.

This is closer to Thomas's stomping ground than it is mine,

so I'm a bit of a fish out of water.

Well, I'm a Londoner, so I might be able to help just a little.

-I'm going to rely on your patter.

-Thanks very much.

So, who's going to spot something first?

Thomas, is that a real Rolex?

-It will be a real Rolex, yes, it will be.

-But it won't be £200.

-We only have £300.

-UNA LAUGHS

Such an expensive eye. I always go for the quality stuff.

It will definitely be a real Rolex.

Full marks for quality, but it's bargains we're after!

The Blues seem to have a very different approach.

-Anything immediately catching your eye?

-I've seen a cat.

-You've seen a cat? Where?

-The little one there.

-The little one.

-The wee brass one. Let's have a look at him.

-Ah.

-First of all, are you a cat lover?

-I love cats!

-You said that with such intensity.

-I do, I do.

-Mad on cats.

-Do you have any cats?

-No, not in London.

-We've got a budgie.

-It just doesn't go with a budgie.

-I forgot about him. Oh, my goodness.

OK, so why do you love this wee brass cat?

-He's not particularly exciting, is he?

-No, I don't know what it's for.

-It has this thing at the back.

-So he does. OK, so, what IS that for?

-I'm not entirely sure.

-How much is this, please?

-VENDOR:

-It is not expensive. It is £15.

-£15 for the cat.

-I mean, as much as that?

-Cheeky!

-For this little fellow?

-What are you expecting?

The cat goes back. You can do better, Blues.

The Reds haven't moved, still rummaging at their stall.

-Wow, that's really pretty too.

-Yeah, the lenses?

-Yeah, the lenses.

-They're called lorgnettes.

-Lorgnettes.

They're sort of reading glasses but they would be sprung-hinged,

-so they'd be glasses, like you're wearing...

-Can you open it up?

-Can we have a look?

-Yes, come on, get stuck in!

-What you do, you take them out.

-Yeah.

You've got the lenses here, so you could even use them

-as a magnifying glass but press that, bam-bam.

-Oh, wow.

-You know.

-Like reading glasses?

-They're reading glasses but...

-You can actually put it on a chain.

-And pretend to be a lady.

-You ARE a lady.

-You ARE a lady, but like a dowagess.

-And what's the metal?

-You can be Maggie Smith.

A gilt metal, so it's gold-plated.

It's really pretty and something I can see in a period drama

and I know people would buy it, they'd love it.

But I tell you what you have to do, with the period drama,

is they've got to be the right date.

Sometimes, some of these period dramas,

they put the wrong glasses on people, don't they?

I wonder which ones he means.

Somebody will like these.

Yes, but it's still practical as well.

-How much is this?

-45.

-45.

-And your very best?

-I'll do them for 35.

-£35. It's not bad, £35.

-Yeah.

-Are you going to do a little chunk, are you?

-Could you do them for 30?

Oh, dear, the way you're looking at me, I've got to.

-Oh, Una's charmed him.

-£30.

-Well done.

-Five minutes into shopping, first item done.

-There you go.

-Cool.

-OK, let's go onto the next one then.

-Ready.

Busy, busy, busy, the Reds are off to a flier.

Meanwhile, the Blues have gone from cats to pigs.

I was looking at them pigs.

What material do you think they are, Natasha?

We'd have to handle them

because they could be patinated plaster, they could be anything.

-Let's have a look.

-How heavy are they?

-VENDOR:

-They're very heavy.

-Very heavy?

-Are they lead?

-I thought they were made of cast iron.

-Right.

-I don't think they're lead.

-He's a jolly old fellow.

He's cuddling a rabbit, if you look close enough.

Is that not a four-leaf clover?

-So you think they've got an Irish influence?

-I don't know.

What we need to talk about is their virtue. They're probably Victorian.

Victorian, the era of huge mass production.

They're almost identical. In fact, they ARE identical,

-so they come from a mould. Are they a precious metal? No.

-No.

Are they elaborately coloured and bright and catching of the eye? No.

-But are they quite quirky and fun? Yes.

-Yes.

-Are they expensive?

-Shall we find out how much they are?

-That would be nice.

-I had in mind £30.

-30?

-Yes.

-I'm not sure.

-OK.

Shall we chance putting them down for now?

Maybe if they're here when we come back...

He's a very nice gentleman and I'm sure we can renegotiate on that 30.

Pigs on hold. I think they might be planning a menagerie.

Now for their fast-starting rivals.

Any chance of William getting a look-in?

-Just outside.

-Have a quick look.

-Yeah, let's have a look.

Go on, have a hold.

-That's quite nice.

-VENDOR:

-Nice feet, double-scroll handles...

-I would buy this myself.

-I like the fact you'd buy it yourself.

The date for that is 1931, so we're looking at George V.

Gadrooned rim.

-This is heavy.

-Has it got a good gauge?

-Got a good weight on it.

-I like that.

-And it's been retailed through Harrods.

I think that makes it rather vulgar.

There's no pleasing some folk, is there?

Right, OK. If you like it, that's a good sign.

-OK.

-What's the best on that?

-98 - that's a bit...

Well, it's the weight, you see.

-Yeah.

-It smashes out for, like, £80. Break it.

-What will you do it for?

-85?

-UNA:

-No, 70.

-VENDOR:

-Your silver value is worth 80.

-I'd do that for 85.

-£80. May I say £80?

May I whisper £80?

-Yeah, go on then.

-£80.

-Yeah.

-Shall we buy this?

-Definitely.

-Done deal.

Thank you very much.

-UNA:

-Thank you very much, sir.

-£80, done.

Another in the bag. They don't dilly-dally.

-Let's go.

-That's great.

-Thank you, bye-bye.

Claudia and Ron, meanwhile, seem determined to keep it real.

How does that appeal to you? What do you think of that?

A nice pedestal base there,

it's got a lovely sort of... almost trumpet-shape,

it's nice and hand-blown - look at those bubbles.

How old do you think it is?

I think it's probably 1950s or '60s, something like that.

I think it's got that kind of design era feel to it.

-Is this a natural marking, Natasha?

-Which markings? Yes.

This marking - is this a natural fleck?

The bubbles are as a result of sort of twisting the glass,

whilst it's being hand-blown, to create these flecks of bubbles.

-What do you think, Clau?

-I think it's different.

I'm not sure about the colour but...

What would you expect to get in auction for this type of item?

-Not a lot of money. £10, £12, something like that.

-OK.

-But if he's packing up...

-Shall we have a go?

I think we should because I bought a bunch of flowers the other day

and could I find a vase to fit? And THAT would have been perfect.

You could get a few bunches in there.

Clau, would you like to speak to the gentleman?

Bear in mind he's packing up, so give him a last-minute deal.

-OK.

-VENDOR:

-A fiver.

-Oh!

-What?!

-RONALD:

-What do you think?

-What do you think?

-Can I be cheeky and offer you £4?

-VENDOR:

-If you like.

-RONALD:

-That's very nice. What do you reckon?

-Let's go for it.

-Yeah, let's go for it. We're happy with that.

-Thank you, sir.

-The deal is done.

-Thank you.

Crumbs! They'll have three for less than a tenner at this rate!

Half an hour's gone, believe it or not, so we need two items.

We've got one in the bag but we need two more in half an hour.

-Do you think we can do it?

-Do you think we should rush?

-Yeah.

-I think so, let's go.

-Shall I run? Shall I run?

The Reds are already two-thirds there.

What does their expert make of them?

Una and William, they don't dither, they make decisions.

No, we don't want ladles. Nobody has soup anymore.

I think it's because they're both professional business people.

-They're successful, they're clever, they know when it's a good deal.

-No!

I love those lorgnettes. Una spotted them. She likes the style.

And then William looked at that sauce boat

and said, "I like that. I'd buy that."

And, actually, looking at it, I would as well.

I think he's got a bit of style, that man.

I've sent them on ahead to look at another stall.

I wonder what Una and William will have spotted then.

I'll find out.

He sounds chipper!

Time to pad up and take a look at a bit of sporting history

both our teams might like to get hold of.

Have you got an old bat in your loft? One like this?

Or possibly in the garage

that was used by your father or your grandfather?

I've got several old bats but none as exciting as this.

OK, it doesn't look much from the front, does it?

And it's a bit old and a bit perished

but, if we turn it round, there's a certain magic to this bat.

It has got signatures

of some of the finest players that ever played the game.

It's got the Australian and England teams

from the 1936-'37 Ashes series that was played in Australia.

England won the first two test matches

and it was only a five-match series,

so people thought, "It's all over", but it wasn't.

We came to the third test match. Remember, England two up.

And England were about to win the third test

when the great Donald Bradman came to the wicket

and in the second innings, he scored 271, and Australia won the game.

And after that, Australia won the fourth test

and they won the fifth test

and that enabled them to win the whole series.

If you're a good test batsman,

you average probably 40 or 50 per innings.

Donald Bradman, when he finished, averaged 99.94.

In fact, when he walked out to bat for the last time,

had he scored 4, he would have averaged 100, but he was out for 0.

But we've got his signature here.

That, in itself, is worth £100 or £200.

What else makes this bat exciting?

Well, of course, it's signed by the England side as well.

England had the great Wally Hammond playing for them.

It's got Wally Hammond's signature.

But if you come up to the top of the bat, there are some initials here.

WRH. Could this have been Wally Hammond's bat?

Well, it might have been.

But, leaving that aside, the bat's still worth £500, £600.

It cost me £200. I bought it at auction.

Somebody else had spotted it

because I really had hoped to buy it for £20 or £30,

but I wasn't the only one that had turned it over

and read the signatures.

Having said that, very happy to buy it for £200

and, in years to come,

something like this is not going go down in value.

I'll put it back in the loft and when I've passed on,

somebody will clear out the loft - hopefully, my son -

and he will find this old bat and he'll go along to a valuer

and he'll say, "What's this bat worth?"

And, who knows, it might be £2,000 or £3,000 by then.

Now, play resumes, Reds leading 2-1, as we head into the final session.

What about the wee dish there with the lady on top?

It's hard to age from here. Shall we delve in a wee bit?

-Let's have a look, yeah.

-Let's have a look.

-VENDOR:

-It's Capodimonte.

-Yes.

-Ah.

I didn't even see there are a pair of them. How handy is that?

-Let's have a wee look.

-They're 45 each.

-45 each.

Hand-painted Capodimonte. Look at the quality.

Hand-painted all the way around with these wee beasties and everything.

-OK.

-I thought, from a distance, these were a pair but, actually,

when you look closely, they're almost identical.

What do you think of the auction price

or the auction valuation of that, Natasha?

I think, at auction, it's going to be something like £20 to £40.

Auctioneers want things to sell.

They don't want put off items with a value of...

-OK, how much is this item?

-They're £45 each.

-Mmm, 45 each. May I make you an offer?

-Yes, sure.

I'd like to think that a reasonable offer would be about £28 to £32.

-What do you think?

-For one?

-For one.

-CLAUDIA:

-Can we get the two for 50? Would that be a possibility?

-VENDOR:

-Er, two would be 60.

-55 and we'll take the two.

-VENDOR:

-All right.

-CLAUDIA:

-OK?

Thank you very much.

Good work, Ron.

Capodimonte isn't everyone's cup of tea, but you never know.

-Neither is THAT!

-Bit of fun design made out of...

-Perspex.

-Perspex.

Sort of made in the 1970s.

I have to say, Una's abandoned us.

-She's gone.

-I don't blame her! Now, the Blues take a closer look.

Is there anything here you think,

"I could do with one of those in my wee room"?

-Actually, no, there isn't.

-It's not your cup of tea?

-Letter openers, that sort of thing. Table top items.

-Let's march on.

-Thank you, sir.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

Blues on the move and Una's back on board, aiming for a cheap last buy.

-Do you like that?

-What's the metal?

-Copper, wrought iron...

-That's really nice.

-On Perspex.

-What price?

-A bit of design. How much?

-How much would you pay for that? This is a good game.

-OK, £30.

-Guess again.

-What do you mean?

-It falls within your budget.

-£20?

-Mmm.

-No way!

-Yes.

-OK, it's done, it's done.

-Well, let's not pay £20.

-Oh!

-We'll ask him.

So, it's a piece of design, it's on Perspex...

-It's iron, it's copper, it's Perspex...

-Wrought-iron copper.

-I don't think it's...

-Very 1970s, isn't it?

-It's quite '70s.

-£18 with a £2 profit.

-No, we can get down better than that.

-Oh.

-VENDOR:

-Yeah, I'll do it for 18.

-What about 15?

-UNA:

-All right, we're still negotiating.

-VENDOR:

-I could have had 18 just now!

-UNA:

-No, it's a team...

-Una, this...

OK, let's do it again. OK, let's do it again.

-UNA:

-15.

-VENDOR:

-17.

-UNA:

-16.

-I can't get a word in edgeways!

THEY LAUGH

-We're done at 16.

-No, let Thomas speak.

The thing is, you've done the cardinal sin

-of mentioning a figure when buying.

-Oh, yeah,

you're not supposed to mention the figure first.

-No, and that's your...

-Downfall.

-..downfall on that one.

So, I think, to be the honourable person...

-Oh, right.

-You mentioned 18.

-But he was going to go at 16!

-He went to 17!

-He went to 16.

-What did you go to?

-I ended up at 16.

-You ended up at 16?

-He's offering 16!

-Right, if you've offered 16...

The honourable thing is to accept the 16.

-VENDOR:

-I'm not going any lower than that.

£16. Done.

That was chaos!

But, well within the hour, they have their three items.

-Well done, you, well done.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

-You've been so helpful.

-Thank you.

I don't think I've been that helpful, to be honest with you!

-You spotted that.

-I just thought a bit of style. £16.

Let's hope it's going to make a profit.

While the Reds head for the pavilion,

time is running out for the Blues.

I think we should give it one more go.

-Of going that way?

-Yeah.

-But we have only eight minutes.

You can boil three eggs in eight minutes. Come on, let's go!

We can do it, we can do it.

Might be a wee bit runny, though.

-Do you think the Blues are still out there?

-I'm pretty sure they are.

-Do you think they're one item down?

-I think they're still looking.

I think they're panicking.

I feel rather smug, I don't know about you.

-Definitely!

-Well done.

-Cheers.

Right, we're getting close to time.

We need to really make a move, but I've seen something I like.

Thank goodness for that!

-Where's our lady gone?

-Who's your lady?

-The one we bought the Capodimonte.

-She's a bit further up.

-Next to her, next to her.

-It's almost time.

-Perhaps Natasha needs to step in.

-Go, go, go, go!

-He's a familiar face.

-I'm just so not sure.

What about the atomiser? Do you like that? It's quite sweet.

-How much is the atomiser, sir?

-VENDOR:

-That's £20.

-It's silver, silver-topped.

-I would say...

-Have we got a deal at £15 on the atomiser?

-£15 on the atomiser?

-You look absolutely desperate.

-Yes, please.

-What do you reckon?

Lovely, I think we'll go for that.

It's sterling, it's got a nice design on it,

-the glass is cut-glass...

-Yeah, let's go for it!

-Hobnail cut.

-Can we handle that for the atomiser?

-Yeah, yeah.

-Shall we do it?

-Yeah.

-Shake on it and come on!

-It's a deal. £15.

Thank you ever so much.

Phew, that was close!

Right, teams, your 60 minutes are up!

-I wish I had more time. I want to spend more money.

-Yeah.

-More money?

-Yeah.

-We didn't spend a lot, did we?

-No!

-No!

Let's have a look at what the Red team have bought.

Una's costume drama lorgnettes for £30.

William's silver sauce boat for £80.

And Thomas's 1970s candlestick holder for £16.

-Have they been good, Thomas?

-Fabulous!

-Really?

-Yeah, super.

Have they spent big?

-No, but they spent three figures, which is a start.

-Good!

William, which is your favourite lot?

I like the silver sauce boat that we bought.

A silver sauce boat. Sounds rich to me. Una?

-The lorgnettes.

-The lorgnettes are your favourite.

-Yes.

William, what's going to make the biggest profit?

The lorgnettes are kind of interesting,

something someone could really get interested in.

-There's a lot of competition for that.

-Yeah.

-On a good day, that could be the sort of wild card, I think.

-Yeah.

-And you think the same, Una?

-Yes, I do.

-So, the lorgnettes for you.

-And how much did you spend?

-We spent £126.

-£126.

-£126.

So, that's going to leave £174 for your man. Hand it over.

Thomas Plant... CHARLIE LAUGHS

Have you got a large sack because there's a lot of money?

-Give it here, Rosco!

-Look at that lot! My word!

So, it's a difficult one cos these guys were so canny, so cautious.

Do I blow it all or do I reflect our shopping experience? Dunno.

Well, while Thomas goes off to reflect,

let's have a look at what the Blue team have bought.

Claudia's very loud trumpet vase for just £4.

A pair of Capodimonte salts for £55.

And Ron's last-minute atomiser for £15.

-Ronald and Claudia, you didn't spend a lot of money, did you?

-No.

-No, I'm afraid not.

-Very little. How much did you spend?

-£74.

Oh, my goodness me! Natasha, why couldn't you get them spending?

You take a Scot to London, I'm not going to spend London prices!

-Behave, behave!

-Have they bought well?

-I think so.

-Our first buy, come on!

-Oh, wonderful!

-That vase - that didn't cost much, did it?

-No, £4!

-£4, the vase cost.

-£4! So, is that your favourite lot?

-Yes.

-And yours, Ronald?

-I've got to agree.

-I can't believe this!

And what's going to make the biggest profit?

-Well, the vase will make the biggest profit.

-The vase!

Did you buy anything else? You bought two other items.

We did, but it's all about the vase.

Claudia, fill up my hands with all that dosh. There's so much of it!

Natasha, what are you going to do with that?

-I'm going to look for a real bargain.

-I want to see it all gone.

-I don't want to see much change.

-I'll try my best.

While Natasha goes off to knock a large hole in that leftover lolly,

we're off to the auction room.

We've headed south of the capital to Selsdon.

We've come down to the verdant pastures of Surrey,

where the resident auctioneer is Catherine Southon.

Lovely to see you, Charlie.

-Let's have a look at what Una and William and Thomas have bought.

-Mmm.

It's not much to look at but the quality's there, I think.

-What do you think?

-I think you're right.

-The first thing that I look at straightaway, the lorgnettes.

-Mmm.

This lorgnette is gilt metal, it's not gold.

-It would be lovely if it was gold.

-Wouldn't it?

What I particularly like about this one - it's 19th century,

-but look at that handle.

-It's fabulous quality, isn't it?

It's really beautiful.

Quite often, they're just simple, nothing to them,

but this is really beautifully decorated

and right at the top there, you've got that lovely scroll decoration.

What sort of value do you attach to them?

-It's only really about £30 to £50.

-That's quite all right. Paid £30.

-Not bad.

-They did well. What about the sauce boat?

It's quite simple but what's nice about it,

-you've got a good name on it, Charlie.

-Yes.

-You've got Harrods.

Harrods.

Once upon a time, that would have been a very expensive piece.

-Imagine the sort of table that that would have been on.

-Mmm.

-So, we've put £60 to £80 on that.

-They're just at the top end there.

£80 paid, so they're in with a chance, aren't they?

A bit of a push. We might get there.

Third object. I can't make up my mind about this.

Well, I was in exactly the same boat.

I saw it, I thought, "Do I like it or don't I like it?"

I've decided now I DO like it. It's actually rather stylish.

-It's very stylish.

-It's very simple, there's not a lot to it.

You get the impression someone's just found some odd bits

-and made them into that.

-I like it, you're not so sure.

I'm not convinced. What about estimate?

We've put £40 to £60 on it.

-Well done! £16 paid!

-I think they did all right.

If, by any chance, they don't have your enthusiasm for that item,

they always have the bonus buy up their sleeve.

Any idea what he might have under there?

-Looks like he's got nothing under there!

-Let's have a look. Thomas?

-So, you left me with quite a lot of money.

-Yep.

I didn't spend it all

but I bought something rather magnificent, I think,

which is a silver French marcasite

brooch-cum-pendant-cum-hanging photograph frame.

It's got marcasite stones which sort of simulate diamonds

and that's where you put a photograph

and you can either hang it on a wall or wear it as a brooch.

-But how much did you pay for it?

-That's a very good question.

How much do you think I paid for it? I'll give you a clue.

It was three figures when I saw it.

-£20.

-No!

-THEY LAUGH

-It's Bargain Hunt - bargains!

-Steady.

No, what am I going to do? £20!

In fact, it was marked at over £120, I think, something like that.

-I paid £90 for it.

-Er, no, no.

£90 is way too much money for that, I'm sorry.

It's very nice but, yes, £90 is a bit rich, I think.

I don't think anybody will buy that. Not for £90.

Well, it seems like Una and William aren't going to be going

with this bonus buy, but you never know.

Let's see what Miss Southon thinks about it.

Thomas came up with this. What do you think?

-We've got silver and marcasite.

-Yeah.

And you've got a little ring there for a pendant and then brooch here.

But I think, once upon a time, it was probably supposed to be

-in like a little holder or something.

-Yeah.

-But a nice, smart little piece, nonetheless.

-Value?

-£50 to £70?

-Yeah, £90 paid. Thomas knows his market there.

-He does.

So, he might be all right, although it's £90 paid.

Now, Ron and Claudia teamed up with Natasha and here is the result.

Right, OK. This trumpet vase.

Do you know what the good thing about it is...?

There can't be anything good about it!

No, I'm going to be positive,

cos you can get an awful lot of flowers in there.

The colour is pretty hideous, I have to say.

I don't even think that's straight.

Have you stretched to an estimate there?

I have, but I think I've been quite kind. £30 to £50.

-I think you've been bonkers!

-Yes, I think I have been very kind on that.

-Having said that, Natasha's quite cunning.

-Why?

-What did they pay?

-I don't know, what DID they pay?

-£4!

-How can you pay £4?

-And with you on the rostrum, frankly...

-They WILL make a profit.

Let's move swiftly on from that vase

because it doesn't really require any more description.

What do you think of Capodimonte?

Capodimonte from Naples, 18th century. It was...

No, but they are NOT 18th century.

No, but it was made to emulate Meissen.

-Sadly, these are not 18th century.

-No.

I'm going to stick my neck out and say £40 to £60.

-Paid £55, so they're within your estimate.

-Yeah, we're there.

-Someone will like them.

-Now, what about the atomiser?

-I mean, it's a fairly standard thing, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-It's sterling silver.

-Yes.

-What nice is there's no real chips or damage to the outside.

-No.

-But how many of these do you see?

-Hundreds.

-Exactly.

-What about an estimate on that?

-Well, £30 to £40.

-I mean...pretty much.

-You can't go wrong.

They paid £15, so that's fantastic.

So, profit, profit, profit.

Let's see if the bonus buy brings a fourth profit.

-Have a look.

-Are you ready?

-Yeah.

-Yes.

Sometimes big-value items come in small form.

-Wow!

-And here is a small silver hand-planished apple form pillbox.

I think it's really cute. It's marked "Romana" to the base.

For a second, I thought, "Romania, amazing!"

-But it's South American silver.

-Ah.

-Look at it.

-It's lovely. May I?

Feel free to open it up. It opens. It's a pillbox.

-I might have a struggle opening it but I'll have a go.

-There you go.

-Lovely, look at that. Wow, what do you think?

-That's beautiful!

-And the age?

-The age is 20th century.

As to exactly when in the 20th century, it's difficult to say.

-About MY age, Ron.

-Do you reckon?

-OK.

-Yeah.

-A good antique then.

-THEY LAUGH

-Thank you(!)

-I'm sorry about that one. Just kidding.

-It's beautiful.

-How much did you pay, may I ask?

-It had a huge ticket price on it.

I thought I didn't have a chance

cos I didn't want to get it in three figures and it had £150 on it.

-As much as that?

-Yeah.

-No!

But I talked our dealer into giving me a good deal

-and blow me down, £30.

-No!

-No!

-£30.

-Really?

-I know.

What will be the profit at the auction on this one, do you think?

I don't think it's going to be huge

but I'm confident there's a profit in it.

I think Catherine will say £40 to £60 or so

and I think it's got to make more than £30.

-Well, we'll find out, won't we?

-Yes.

Let's see what Miss Southon thinks of the delicious apple.

-Natasha has come up with this.

-I love this!

-Mmm, I'm not surprised.

I think this is absolutely gorgeous

-and the more that I look at it, the more I love it.

-Mmm.

It's almost good enough to eat, isn't it?

Look how perfectly modelled that is.

South American and it's beautifully hammered and it's just lovely.

-It is beautiful.

-Had it been English,

-it would be worth a fortune.

-Crikey, £300 to £500 probably,

-to a collector, wouldn't it?

-Yeah.

I think lots of people will be on that

because it's a novelty silver piece. It's unusual.

When was the last time you saw one of those?

-I'm not sure I've seen one like that.

-It's fab.

-Yeah. Estimate?

You've got a punchy estimate on this, haven't you?

I'm really excited! No, I haven't gone punchy.

I've actually put a fairly mediocre, I think, £50 to £80.

-But that's punchy.

-Is it?

-Paid £30.

-Oh, well.

-Ooh.

-She did good, that Natasha.

-Well done, Natasha!

Let's get straight into that auction.

£70. Any more at £70 then?

-£85? All done then, at 110.

-SHE BANGS GAVEL

-Una, do you go to salerooms a lot?

-Yes, I do, actually.

-Do you?

-Yes.

With success, buying?

-Er, I usually pay over the odds, get too wrapped up.

-Do you?

Let's hope people today are paying over the odds on YOUR lots.

-What about you, William?

-I quite like buying things.

-Do you?

-Yes.

-Cricketing things, no doubt.

-Pictures.

-Pictures.

-I have bought a cricket bat at auction.

-Have you?

-Massively overpaid for it!

-Oh, dear.

-It was a charity auction.

Well, that's fair enough. Anyway, your first lot

are the lorgnettes. Here we go.

Who'll give me £30 for this?

Thank you. £30 is bid. £30.

I'm giving it away. Thank you. 5. 40.

-Now we're going.

-Thank goodness.

One more? Go one. £40.

This lady's bid at £40.

£40. Do you want to go one more, madam?

Go on, why not? 45. 50.

£50. Are you sure?

-This is splendid!

-It's done now.

£50. Any more at 50 then?

-I'm going to sell for £50. £50.

-SHE BANGS GAVEL

-Superb.

-See, I told you.

-How much?

-£50.

-Profit of £20.

-There you go.

-You've got your sauce boat now.

-Yeah, not so happy with that.

With me at 25. 25. Come on.

Who's going to give me £30 for this?

Surely £30. 30. 5. 40.

£40 then. Lady's bid at £40.

-It's a lovely thing for £40.

-45.

45. One more? 50. 5.

Come on. 60. 5.

-No more? £65.

-Go on!

-Lady's bid at 65.

Go on, silver's worth £85.

Against you, net. £65.

SHE BANGS GAVEL Oh, well.

It's only lost £15, the sauce boat.

It's not too bad. Una, don't hit him!

-You were £20 up, so you're now just £5 up.

-Well, we're still up.

-Yeah.

-Whose choice was this?

-We chose it.

-It was a joint effort.

-The boys.

-The boys' lot.

Who's going to give me £30?

£30? £20 then? Thank you, madam. £20.

-We have £20. 5. Madam?

-One more, one more.

-Come on, madam, one more.

-£25 then is bid. 30 now.

-Ooh!

-That's more like it.

-I have £30 and I will sell for 30.

-This is quite good.

-£30 then, all done.

-SHE BANGS GAVEL

Profit of £14 which, added to your £5, makes £19.

-We made a profit.

-This is sensational.

-Ah, now the bonus buy.

-The bonus buy.

-No, no.

-The bonus buy.

-No.

-Look at her - "No!"

Una is absolutely adamant she's going nowhere near this one.

-William, what about you?

-I'm afraid she's right.

I'm not certain I'm going to argue the case.

We do have interest. We have interest. We have 45. 50.

With me at £50. 55, thank you. I'm out.

-THOMAS:

-55. Might make 60.

-CATHERINE:

-55.

This is a jolly nice piece. £55. 60 now.

5. £65 then.

I will sell to the gentleman seated, at £65.

-SHE BANGS GAVEL Well...

-£65.

-A shrewd decision.

-He might have gone on and paid at least...

Yes, he could have paid £200, of course, but we'll never know.

You made a profit. You can be very proud of yourselves.

-We could have made more.

-£19.

I was trying to work out how you're going to divide

-£19 between the two of you.

-It's very simple.

I have a feeling it's going to be 19-0, isn't it?

It might well be, yeah.

Anyway, not a word to the Blues

-because that could be a winning score and we'll find out later.

-OK.

One of you is a regular to the saleroom. Ron, that's you, isn't it?

-Yes.

-And Claudia, this is your debut?

-Yes, my first time at an auction.

-Don't look so nervous, darling.

-I'm shaking.

-Don't shake. It's going to be terribly exciting.

-That's why I'm holding her.

-We're starting with that vase.

-Oh, yes.

Your "lovely" vase, that enormous trumpet-shaped vase.

-Did you detect a note of sarcasm there?

-Just a hint.

-Not a big fan, Charlie?

-No, I've got to be honest,

I'm not good at lying. I think this vase is ordinary.

-As good as that?

-But it only cost £4.

£20. Come on, who's going to give me £20 for this?

£20 is bid. There's a man who knows his vases.

£20. £20, thank you, sir.

£20. Any more? At £20 surely. No more? Are you sure?

-You can get a lot of flowers in there. £20 then.

-One more.

-£20.

-You may regret it. £20.

-SHE BANGS GAVEL

-Hooray!

-Happy days!

You've made a profit of £16.

Now, the next lot, the Capodimonte porcelain salts and covers.

£40.

£30 then?

£20. £20 is bid, thank you.

£20. £20. I will sell at 20 then.

£20.

-Yes! £25.

-Let's go for it! Yes!

-Now we're taking off.

-£30 then. I will sell at £30.

-£30.

-SHE BANGS GAVEL

-Going under! Oh, no!

-You've lost £25 there.

-You're now minus £9.

-Oh...

-Oh my!

But there's a chance here with the atomiser.

That's got to be worth £30 of anyone's money.

£30? Come on, ladies. £30? Thank you.

5. £35 with you. 40.

5.

Do you want to bid 50, madam? No? £45, I have in the room, at 45.

45. Any more? At 45 then. No, ladies?

Smells good to us!

-Sell for 45.

-Yes!

-SHE BANGS GAVEL

-Well done!

-That is a profit of £30.

Take the £9 off,

-you're already up £21.

-£21.

-Into the door!

-Fantastic!

-So, are we going with the apple?

-Yes, we're going to go for it.

-Oh, thank you.

-Sorry, dear.

-I like a good discussion.

-Yeah.

-So, you're going to go with it?

-Yes.

-100%.

-100%.

-100%.

This is a really nice thing -

an unusual hammered silver novelty pillbox in the form of an apple.

Really sweet. Nice quality, this. Come on, £40 I'd like.

-It's bid.

-Straight in!

-£40.

£40. There must be someone else. £40.

This is a jolly nice piece.

45. 50.

Come on, madam. Don't lose it! Come on!

-NATASHA:

-She's so good!

We've got 50. £50.

Any more at 50 then? £50.

I thought you'd all go crazy over this. £50. See, she is now. 55. 60.

No? £60 then. Gentleman's bid at £60.

-£60.

-SHE BANGS GAVEL

-ALL:

-Yes!

-Group hug, I think. Group hug! Well done!

Well, it is my immense joy to announce to you

that you have made a profit of £51 on Bargain Hunt.

That's the beers sorted out for tonight.

-Now, not a word to the Reds who, of course, may have made £151.

-Sure.

-Or may have lost a lot. Who knows?

-OK.

-Zippo until later.

-Shtum.

-Thank you.

-Happy days. Yeah!

This has been a fantastic competition.

It's been nip and tuck all the way and we don't have a loser

-because you both made money! Isn't that exciting?

-Yes!

-One team has made more money than the other.

-OK.

And I have to say, the runners-up this time

are for the Red team, Una and William.

-Oh!

-Oh!

-But you still made £19!

-Very good.

And I think your coup de grace, really,

-was not going with your bonus buy.

-Thank you(!) Thank you, everybody(!)

That photograph frame pendant.

You were very keen not to go with that, weren't you? Una, £15 for you.

-Thank you.

-Shall we give William the £4?

-No, no, let's give William the £4.

-Thank you very much.

THEY LAUGH

But of course, today's winners are the Blue team.

Ron and Claudia, you had a tremendous success, didn't you?

You only had one loss in all.

The genius was to go with that wonderful apple.

-It made £60, which, of course, took you up to £51.

-Yes!

-£51 they made.

-That's a fistful in Bargain Hunting terms!

-Ah, look at this cash!

In fact, I can only just fit it in my pocket, there's so much money!

-Look, £50.

-Yes.

-And...

-And £1 for Natasha.

-No, that's probably for you, Ron.

-There we go.

-Thank you very much.

-Well done, everyone.

-Brilliant. Thanks ever so much.

Don't forget to have a look at our website and to follow us on Twitter.

In the meantime, do please join us for more Bargain Hunting.

-Yes? ALL:

-Yes!