Topsham 15 Bargain Hunt

Today we're in Devon, in the picturesque town of Topsham.

But then again, in earlier times, it's also been called...

Apsam, Apsham, Toppeshore, Toppeshant,

and Toppesham.

It's thought the name "Top" comes from an Anglo-Saxon landowner

and "Ham" is a name for a small village or settlement.

Got it.

Now, there'll be no "hamming" it up today, only plenty of "top" profits!

Who writes this stuff?!

Let's go Bargain Hunting!

Topsham Quay Antiques Centre, our hunting ground for the day.

65 dealers, three floors,

so plenty of room for our teams to rummage around.

As always, they've got £300, one hour,

and the quest for three items that will bring them a profit at auction.

So, before we meet our teams,

let's have a look at what's coming up.

The Reds are calm and collected.

We've got all the time in the world now!

-Absolutely.

-So, shall we go all the way to the top?

-I think we should.

-Let's do that.

But the Blues lose their cool.

So, we've got so little time left!

This is very stressful!

And at auction, it's anything but relaxing.

Oh, it's so close!

-Last chance in the room.

-Come on!

-Go on, go on, everyone!

But that's all coming up a little bit later on.

First it's time to meet our teams and today it's a family affair.

For the Reds we have married couple Anne and Chris,

and for the Blues, mother and son Bella and Rory.

-Welcome, everyone. Hello!

-Hi!

-Hello!

Great response! Right, I'm turning my back on you, Blues,

and I'm going to start with the Reds.

So, Chris, tell me, how did you meet?

Well, we met 30 years ago at a whist drive.

But it took me ten years to ask her out.

As a retired WREN, it was a bit frightening.

But then within months, we were actually married.

OK, well, things are obviously going strong because 20 years later,

you're still married. And in fact, you are enduring the toughest test -

you work together too, don't you?

Absolutely, yes.

Tell me about that, Chris.

Yeah, we run an accountancy practice.

It's all going well. And Anne's known as the Rottweiler.

OK, great!

And are you a Rottweiler, Anne?

When it comes to collecting money in, yes!

So that's your main role, is...?

I do the admin and the business accounts and collect the money in

from clients and that sort of thing.

I am known to ring up farmers and say,

"Do I really have to come down and chase you round the field

"to get some money out of you?"

And one actually texted me back the other day saying,

"Come and chase me, then!"

Oh, I like your style!

So, tell me how you keep busy outside of work.

I'm deputy mayor of Newton Abbott and will be mayor -

I'm mayor elect from May 2017.

Wow. You've only got an hour and it's all about tactics, sometimes,

so how do you think you'll play the game?

Well...

Anne's always after a bargain.

Mmm, OK.

And who's going to be doing the haggling?

-Think it's me!

-Oh, wait a minute, yeah, the Rottweiler!

-Yeah!

-Absolutely.

Best tell the dealers that's your nickname -

that'll put them on the back foot.

Well, I can't wait to see how your hour unfolds.

Sounds like it's going to be intimidating, if anything.

Right, let's move on to your competitors, the Blues.

Rory, coming straight to you.

Tell me about your current studies in events management.

Yeah, I'm doing events management at university

and I'm currently managing some big equestrian events,

including the Europeans for the Mounted Games Championship for 2017.

And you're running an event not only that you love,

but one that you know extremely well.

So, tell us about the mounted games.

Yeah, so I've competed in mounted games near to all my life.

And it's kind of stunt riding,

jumping on and off horses while they're galloping along.

I'm currently the British champion in the sport.

And I was the European champion. I'm not at the moment.

Well, it sounds like Rory was, you know,

destined to get into the mounted games because of course

you're involved in it too, Bella. Tell us about your role.

I've trained since I was 18 and I train currently

the Scottish national team.

I've trained the England team in the past, Great Britain team.

So you're brilliant with horses, you can coach them no bother.

And are you also into coaching cats?

-There's something going on here.

-I have this cat, April,

and she will do loads of tricks.

She'll sit on command, do a high five, clap,

and she does quite a good Michael Jackson impression, actually, as well.

-She does, yeah.

-Is there any animal you can't coach?

Well, I'll give most a go!

Sounds very competitive.

So are you going to bring that competitive edge to Bargain Hunting?

-Yeah.

-I like haggling, so, yes.

It could be interesting.

-Yeah.

-I don't think the Reds have an awful lot to worry about,

but who knows?

Now, you won't be able to buy anything at any fair without money,

so let me give you each £300.

-Anne, please.

-Thank you.

-£300 for the Reds.

And, Rory, £300 for the Blues.

Now, your experts can't wait to meet you, so off you go.

Get to those shops!

We've got the Rottweilers versus the Riders.

Who will win the race?

Time to meet today's experts.

Swotting up for the Reds, it's Gary Pe.

And hoping to strike a chord with the Blues, Danny Sebastian.

So, Chris and Anne.

-Yeah.

-On this beautiful day, what are we going to be buying?

I would like a bit of WRENS memorabilia, if I can find it.

-Bella?

-Well, I love Art Deco.

China, preferably local.

I'd like to look for some unusual house ornaments,

but I'd like to keep a particular eye out for a garnet.

Right, teams,

your time starts now!

One hour. Let's go buying!

Let's get in there, have a look, and hopefully beat the Reds.

Better get inside, then!

Best of luck, teams.

There's three floors here.

Let's go to the top. It's got to be the best, the penthouse.

Go to the top, eh? Probably the most expensive, careful!

-Let's see what we can find.

-We've only got £300!

The Blues are heading upwards,

but the Reds have spotted something already.

Oh, I like him.

-The elephant?

-Yeah.

-OK.

-He's lovely.

-I was trying to see...

-You've seen something on it?

-Which one?

-I was trying to see the mark on it.

It's got a London mark.

Well, Jan Plichta was a London wholesaler who bought

unmarked Wemyss ware in bulk

and had them stamped with his name.

And a price of?

-£28.

-28. I think that's at the top of its price range.

That's something you can think about.

Yeah, OK.

-I mean, we've got the whole place.

-Yeah, we've only just got in.

Good idea, Reds. No need to rush just yet.

The Blues have eyed something too.

I like the little fan brooch.

Is it silver? Which it's not.

Art Nouveau style.

No, very decorative, but we've got to remember,

we're in a competition here.

-Yeah, yeah.

-We've got to buy right.

-Totally, totally.

-And beat the Reds.

These Blues are in fighting spirit.

But what have the Reds seen?

I like the colours and the shape of it.

-I like the green.

-You do, as well? OK.

-Yes, I like that.

£88 to start off with.

And it is a Minton, a good brand, commanding good prices.

-Yeah.

-Sort of 1920s, 1930s.

The important thing is to check the handles.

-Yes.

-To see...

That rings nice.

..that nothing's been repaired.

I think we should negotiate on it.

-Yeah.

-I like it.

-You like it.

-I like it.

You like it. Anne, you're the negotiator.

-Oh, ho, ho!

-Good luck.

OK. Thank you.

So it's over to Anne to wrangle the best deal.

Meanwhile, over in the Blue corner...

Not necessarily a great deal here, I think.

-Right, good, right, onwards!

-I think it's all quite nice,

-all quite beautiful.

-Yeah.

But nothing's jumping out at me.

-OK.

-No joy for the Blues.

Now, how's Anne getting on?

How are you?

Fine, thank you. What would be the best price on that?

We'd do it for 78.

You wouldn't think about 60?

I can find out.

If you don't ask, you don't get.

70 is the rock bottom.

-OK, my dear.

-Would she do it for 69?

-Oh, sneaky Anne!

-Would you do it for 69?

Job done. Go back to bed, my dear.

Thank you very much.

We heard - you were good.

And you got that extra pound.

-Yeah.

-Let's go for number two.

-Fantastic.

-In a more leisurely fashion.

-OK.

-Yes.

So, the pressure's off for the Reds

after dishing up their first item within

the first five minutes.

Now, how are the Blues faring?

We want to get something under our belts, don't we, Mum?

Let's not panic, it'll be fine.

-Absolutely!

-It's going to be absolutely fine!

So, not quite as leisurely as the Reds, then!

-Seen anything?

-Well, these are lovely perfume bottles.

They're all glass, modern glass.

Is that a baby's rattle?

What are you thinking? Talk to me.

Well, it's a bit unusual, you know, it's not your classic, sort of,

just a little cuddly animal or a piece of modern jewellery.

What do you think, Rory?

I'm still drawn to the original perfume thing you were looking at.

OK, so there's obviously a lot of interest in this cabinet.

Shall I swan off and see if I can find somebody who can open the cabinet?

Yes. That'd be lovely.

Mmm. That's a strange-looking rattle, Blues!

-Hey!

-Hello.

-Hiya.

-I've brought along Lavinia.

Can we have a look at the perfume bottle, top right?

-This one?

-Please.

-Not quite a garnet.

-No.

-But it is a stone.

We're dealing with a modern piece here and really,

it's more for decorative purposes than what it is for, you know,

looking at a real antique.

I'm not sold on it, but I do like it.

Shall we have a look at the rattle?

-Yeah, go on, then.

-And then we could always come back to those.

Gosh, it's sharp. It's like a football rattle!

Oh, OK.

In actual fact, it's a Buddhist prayer wheel.

THEY LAUGH

These Tibetan prayer wheels used to contain a roll of sacred mantras.

Spinning the wheel would release the prayers into the universe.

-Well spotted.

-Oh!

-Let's leave it.

-Come on. Let's go.

-All right, we'll leave it.

Good choice there, Rory.

Now, how are the Reds getting on?

I've spotted something else on here, Gary.

Oh, well.

A woman of taste.

Art Nouveau pewter oil lamp.

Oh, go on, Anne, you know you want to.

-Didn't work!

-Didn't work?

-Magic lamp.

-No genie!

-Oh!

-No genie!

-It's very much in the Liberty style.

-This is German.

-Oh, right.

They command almost as much prices as Liberty.

There you go. Kayserzinn.

4439.

That would be the model number.

-Right.

-Now, the only thing that bothers me about this is this top,

which appears to be of wood.

This one here, which sort of holds the wick, is still there.

So it would have been an oil lamp?

-Yes.

-Yeah.

-It would have been used probably by smokers.

-Yeah.

-You light that up, keep it lit.

I've seen these go in perfect condition for over £100.

-Wow.

-Despite the fact that this might not be original,

that is negated by the fact

that the price is reasonable to start off with.

Well, you like it, don't you?

I like it. Are you going to have a go at bargaining, doing the...?

-No.

-He's too shy, he told me.

-It's me again.

-Yeah?

-OK.

This should be a walk in the park for Anne!

Albert, I'm here again.

I found this dirty old lamp, hasn't got a genie in it.

25 would be our normal best.

-I was thinking more 18.

-She's cheeky!

I can do it for 23.

And take a chance that she doesn't hit me!

OK, we'll do 23.

She's good, isn't she?

That Anne does not let go until she's got what she wants!

Magic, well done.

-23.

-Excellent.

-Brilliant.

-That all right?

-There you go,

number two in less than 20 minutes.

-I know.

-Hey, we've got pottery, we've got metal,

perhaps a bit of glass this time?

-We might do.

-Let's go.

-Let's go!

-Fast workers.

Congratulations, Reds.

That's two in the bag.

And they're not the only ones with glass on their minds.

You do like glass, don't you, Rory?

You pretty much know it's a ship's decanter when you've got a big,

flat base.

-Right.

-Because I suppose with the ship's swaying...

It's quite a good price.

-Is it very modern?

-Well, it is.

That's exactly what I was just going to show you.

It's not blown glass, you know, it's pressed glass.

-Yeah.

-Because you can see where the two pieces were pressed together.

Let's just see if there's any damage.

Damage is what we just don't want in this game.

I don't think there's any.

-I'm happy with this.

-Look, we're going to go for this, Danny,

if I can get a couple of quid off it.

Well, it sounds good.

-Yeah, I'm up for that.

-OK.

Keep on looking at it, I'll go and have a look,

see if I can find her again.

-All right, all right.

-Give us a minute.

The Blues are getting decisive.

Or are they panic buying?

Brilliant. I've brought Lavinia along.

-Hello, Lavinia.

-Hello, Lavinia.

Thank you for coming over.

We quite like this.

But 12...

what's the best you can do on that?

I can do 10.

Is that the right top?

The cut glass is just a little bit bigger on the top than what it is on

the decanter. I mean, could you do a little bit better?

It does have to go to auction.

-It would be really great.

-I can probably go to nine.

Oh, yes, yes, yes.

-I'm happy with that.

-Marvellous, thank you.

-Shake the lady's hand!

-Thank you very much, cheers.

Fantastic! One under the belt.

Well done, come on, come on.

I think there's about 25 minutes gone, though,

-so we do need to step up a little bit.

-We do.

That's right, Danny.

The Blues have set sail at last with their first item for £9.

Now, while the teams carry on shopping, I'm off for a wander.

Topsham was an important shipbuilding port.

Between 1804 and 1814,

34 vessels were built for the Royal Navy

and I'm here at the town's museum

to find out specifically about one of them, the HMS Terror.

And I'm joined here today by local historian Ed Williams-Hawkes.

Now, here is a model of HMS Terror.

So tell me, what's so special about the ship and her maker?

Well, this boat was built in Topsham in 1813 by Robert Davey.

Robert Davey built 19 warships for Her Majesty's Navy.

They paid Davey £7,000 to build the vessel.

She was built double strength.

Those mortars weighed three tonnes.

And I believe there are records that show that Terror was built here

-in Topsham?

-One of the very, very few records

is right in front of you here.

-OK.

-The Davey Memorandum Book.

And it actually mentions Terror.

There it is, number 13.

Terror. Bomb.

Unlucky for some.

Unlucky for some, yes!

So her life began as a naval ship, seeing active service,

but then she moved into polar expeditions?

When the Napoleonic Wars finished, a bit of ice exploration,

suitable vessel.

Under Franklin with HMS Erebus,

designed to find the Northwest Passage

because it was a shorter trip round to the Orient and elsewhere.

And her and Erebus went into the ice, got trapped in the ice.

Not a lot is known because they went missing,

other than certain relics being found.

But we have one relic here which has been lent by the Fairlynch Museum

in Budleigh Salterton of a flag that was found.

So whilst this flag is thought to be a relic from Terror,

I believe that a few more are about to be uncovered?

Yes. In 2016, September 3rd, I believe,

a Canadian expedition found HMS Terror

in a bay called Terror Bay.

She had been lying on the bottom since 1848 or thereabouts,

and in marvellous condition.

All the hatches are closed and everything was buttoned up

so they could return, maybe, to the vessel.

The masts' bases are intact, the chimney,

because she had a steam engine in her,

but they abandoned all that because it was locked in the ice.

So how unusual is that, to abandon a ship?

Well, the irony is that there were over 60 expeditions in later times

looking for Terror and Erebus

and a lot of the vessels looking abandoned...

..because they got locked in the ice, the same as Terror and Erebus.

And some of them walked home.

But the guys from Terror and Erebus, I'm afraid not.

So really, the sole survivor was the Terror herself?

-Topsham's Terror.

-Mmm. Well, Ed,

thank you so much - what a fascinating and TERRIFIC story!

Back to the shopping, and the teams are halfway through.

The Reds are ahead with two items in the bag, the Blues only have one.

So, team, I think we need to explore the other floors, don't you?

-I think we do.

-Yeah.

We've got all the time in the world now.

-Absolutely.

-So shall we go all the way to the top?

-I think we should.

-Let's do that. Yeah?

-Yeah.

-Come on.

What do you think of this?

What have you found, Bella?

The necklace. But is it really '60s, or is it yesterday's?

It's coming across to me as just costume jewellery.

-Fine, OK.

-And I just can't get no authenticity that it is 1960s.

-Yeah.

-I think we can find a nicer piece of jewellery

or something that's going to find a bit more money in auction.

Come on, let's move on.

-Right.

-Yes, crack on, Blues!

Danny's right. I'm sure there could be better options out there.

This is a veritable Aladdin's cave.

-Mmm.

-You've got a set of eyes on you, haven't you?

I think it's ugly.

Well, it's labelled Edwardian.

-Right.

-It's such a bright red.

And therefore I think instant value.

What is it, a dressing table?

It comes across to me as a nice little lady's desk.

-Yeah.

-But at the same time, with the mirror,

I'm thinking, is it a bit of a dressing table?

-Yeah.

-It can actually work out for the better, really,

because you've got two in one.

-I hate it.

-You hate it?

-I hate it.

Don't hold back, Bella!

It is the wrong colour, to be fair, because we're the Blue team.

Fair enough, Blues. But better step it up!

There's 35 minutes gone, guys, we've had a good look.

I know there's...

bits and pieces that I'm seeing you smile at.

-Yeah!

-Can we nail something?

-No!

I sense panic setting in!

-What are you looking at?

-I was looking at the elephant.

Very much in the Lalique style, but they're not.

-They're not, are they?

-There's just so many things to take in here.

There is.

Just spotted this trolley here, actually,

which I'd like to have a closer look at.

Yeah, OK. What's the money on it?

Mahogany folding top trolley, £38.

It doesn't seem too bad for what it is.

I wonder if we can remove this mirror so we can have a proper look at it.

It's like a tea trolley, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-This is a useful, practical piece of furniture.

The wheels are very, very worn.

-Very worn.

-The wheels are telling me 1950s.

-I think that's quite fun.

-Straight away the wheels are telling me 1950s.

-OK.

-I quite like that.

£40, £50 is probably going to be its market at auction.

What we need to do is find out whether or not there is a reduction.

Do you want to go off and see whether you can get a...?

-I'm on it.

-OK.

So, while Bella skips off, over with the Reds...

Chris spotted this.

Oh, a bit of poker work.

It's a nice-looking stool.

-It is, isn't it?

-Yeah. 1920s, I would think.

How's this been made?

So that was made from burning pokers.

-Right.

-That detail. It would take hours to create this.

-It's not English, is it?

-It is.

-It is English?

-Really?

-Yes, absolutely.

-Oh, wow.

Spinning stools had low legs and long,

thin backs to support the spine.

-What do you think?

-I like that.

What's the price? 48.

-It's not a bad price.

-We could think about that, couldn't we?

-Mmm.

-You like it, but we've got time.

-Absolutely.

-So it's one for the back burner.

-Yeah?

-Yeah, definitely.

-OK.

-Let's go.

-OK.

So, a potential third item for the Reds.

How's Bella getting on with negotiating with Albert?

-I could do 34.

-Oh, we were hoping a little...

Because Danny didn't think it would make more than 35 at auction.

You are the nicest person,

this is the nicest antique shop I've ever been in, actually.

I shall definitely come again.

Flattery will get you everywhere, Bella!

Or possibly nowhere!

I'm getting a ringing tone, but that's all.

We've got so little time left!

This is very stressful!

Is it possible at all that we could say £30, cash money?

-Ah.

-Yes, we'll do 30.

Ah, thank you so much.

Fantastic. We've got a deal. Thank you very much.

-Thank you, sir.

-That's our second buy.

-Brilliant.

-I think it must be round about the 40-minute mark.

-OK. We're OK.

-We're cooking with gas.

-Come on, onward, onward!

-Brilliant!

So, the £30 trolley purchase levels the Blues with the Reds.

It's now even-stevens with 20 minutes remaining.

So, how close are the Reds to finding their third item?

Do you like a bit of Mdina glass from Malta?

-I quite like Mdina.

-That doesn't do anything for me.

-No?

-OK, fine.

-In which case, move on.

-Onwards.

I quite like the Clarice Cliff,

but I don't know if there's a profit in it.

I thought £45 seemed quite good.

£45 each.

-Are they, each?

-Each, individually marked up.

45 each, that's too much.

-That is too much.

-Yeah.

-Onward.

Onwards for the Blues.

But backwards for the Reds.

Do you know what? I think we ought to make a decision

between the elephant and the chair.

Because the price was fairly good on that elephant.

Well, we might be able to do a deal with Albert.

-It's your turn!

-I think it's your turn!

-OK.

-So, shall we go and have a look?

Come on then, let's go.

Good thinking, Reds.

With only 15 minutes remaining, things might get a bit stressful.

No, no. Backwards, I'm going backwards.

OK. There's decanters everywhere.

I know, that's what I'm worried about.

Not having second thoughts on your decanter, I hope?

Now the Reds have returned to the first little elephant they saw.

-Have a look.

-Oh, wow.

He's beautiful.

It's very much in the style of Wemyss.

-Yes, it is.

-A very expensive Scottish pottery.

When a team is this much enthralled by a piece like this,

then I think we should go for it.

Albert, what's the best on that elephant?

Well, normally we'd do 25.

But I will find out what we can do better, shall I?

Oh, thank you, that would be really kind.

It's looking hopeful for the Reds.

But what about the Blues?

They have less than ten minutes remaining.

Don't forget, the clock doesn't stop ticking.

I know that, I know that.

You're stressing me out!

I'm not sure that's helping, Danny!

Keep relaxed, cool and collected.

-Loads of time.

-Loads!

-Loads of time!

-There doesn't really seem to be a lot on this stall.

-480 seconds, Mum, there's plenty of time.

-OK.

Hang on in there, Blues.

Are the Reds about to seal the deal on their final item?

19.

19.

I think that's pretty fair.

-That's a third off.

-Yes. It's lovely.

-Thank you, Albert.

-Have we found our third?

I think we have. I think we've found our third.

-I think we're done and dusted.

-Are we done?

-We're done.

-That's it?

-Thank you, Albert.

-You're welcome, sir.

-Nice to meet you.

-Thank you.

-And I'm going to have a kiss.

-Oh!

-Thank you.

-Kiss?

I'm not kissing!

Great work, Reds.

Decisive action all round,

and a final purchase with plenty of time left on the clock.

Team, that's a wrap.

Fantastic. Yay!

-Let's go get a drink.

-Off!

For the Blues, however, panic is setting in.

Time seems to be against us, really.

-Yeah.

-Do you know, I noticed upstairs

there was a nice fire bucket,

kind of had an Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau kind of design...

-Show me, show me, show me.

-Show you, show you, show you!

Where's the boss? Where is he?

Come on, Rory, follow me.

Any sign of this bucket?

This is not looking good. And the clock's running.

It's on the next floor. One more up.

One more up? Does Danny actually know where he's going?!

Six minutes, guys.

Erm... Here we are.

-Oh, yeah.

-This is what I spotted.

I just kind of thought it's...

It's a nice shape. Isn't it?

Oh, my word, it's a lot of money.

89. I mean, it's not overly priced, really.

It's got nice decoration on it, but when I look at it,

I can see a little hole there.

So there's damage. And then when I look underneath,

there is a great big weld.

So we know, you know, it's come apart.

-What are you thinking?

-I think it's too damaged to make a profit.

-Yeah, I'm not overly sold.

-What about the deco mirror?

That's the only thing we've seen

that we were vaguely thinking about getting.

Let's go, because we haven't got enough time to do anything else.

-It's the floor down, isn't it?

-Is it?

-Yeah.

-Excellent.

-I'll tell you something else I spotted.

-OK.

It might be this way, we'll just go...

-Follow me.

-All right, all right. Run, Danny, run!

This better be good, Danny! You've got five minutes left!

What I'd seen earlier was this lovely little compass.

Now I'm thinking straight away,

we're in an area where there's plenty of ships

and, you know, the marina. What are you thinking?

I don't like that expression on your face!

-I don't like it.

-Rory!

-What are you thinking?

-I'm not sold on it.

Well, we've got two choices, really, cos time's against us.

-Either this or the mirror, then.

-No, let's get the mirror.

-Get the mirror.

-Let's go.

Oh, you're cutting it very fine, guys. Three minutes now left!

-It's on the right, on the right.

-To the right.

-Yes, we're on the right floor. All right.

-Yeah.

What do you think, Danny?

So this is the same mirror that was on the table earlier.

-Yeah.

-I'll tell you what, that was a bad move.

We should've got this earlier!

-We would have had two together.

-A deal!

-I mean, it's lovely.

1920s, 1930s.

You know, if you've got a period property,

you want a period piece to be in there,

then you're not going to get better than this.

-What's the price?

-38.

-38.

-I was hoping we can really do good deal.

-We've got two minutes.

-This needs to be £30.

-At least.

-Right. Yeah. OK, if we can get it for 30, we'll do it.

-Yeah. All right.

-Who's going to go and do the negotiating?

-Yeah, sorted.

Go on, you again, Mum.

-Bella? 30. That's it.

-30.

With only a minute left, can the Blues pull it off?

Yeah, we have a deal.

Yes! £30 paid.

Ah, well done. Brilliant.

Group hug. We made it!

I'll stick the kettle on, teams - your time's up!

Come on, let's go, then. We're finished now.

-Well done, crew.

-Well done.

Let's remind ourselves what the Red team bought.

First up, the Reds are hoping to make a MINT on this Minton tazza.

They paid £69.

Will this Kayserzinn pewter oil lamp conjure up some magic at auction?

£23 was paid.

And finally, they paid £19 for this ornamental Plichta elephant.

Well, Reds, time to breathe.

A quarter of an hour to spare!

-I know.

-Didn't mention that when you had your tactics chat,

we're going to do it in 45 minutes!

Now, tell me, of the three items that you bought, Anne,

which is your favourite?

The Plichta elephant.

-You love that.

-I do.

-With the clover design?

-Yeah.

Absolutely beautiful.

Do you think it's going to bring the biggest profit, or...?

-I hope so.

-Yes.

I really hope so.

It's a nice piece, so fingers crossed for you.

Chris, which is your favourite item?

My favourite item is the Plichta elephant.

But I think the best profit may come from the Minton.

OK. Now, £111 spent.

Now, who's got £189?

-I've kept the money.

-Oh, that's unusual, isn't it?

Role reversal, I like it!

-Absolutely.

-Right, I'll take that from you, then, Chris.

Right, Gary, there you are. £189.

What are you going to do in the Quay Antiques Centre?

I have my eye on something that would complement

-one of these three pieces.

-Oh!

-OK.

-Very nicely.

-So, Gary's looking for a complementary bonus buy.

So while he does that, let's remind ourselves what the Blue team bought.

They sailed away with a ship's decanter for £9

as their first buy.

Then they pushed the boat out,

paying £30 for a vintage mahogany trolley.

And finally another £30 was paid for a bevelled glass mirror.

Well, Bella, Rory, well done.

You actually got three items within the 60 minutes,

and I was worried for a moment that you wouldn't!

Yeah, it was a relief!

Down to the wire!

Now, it was a panic buy, that mirror.

Is it your favourite item of the three?

-I wouldn't say our favourite item.

-I think the trolley.

I'm banking on the decanter.

Decanter for the biggest profit?

With its mismatched top, yes!

You think the trolley is your favourite lot.

-Yeah.

-But the decanter's probably the best bet for a bit of profit?

-Probably, yeah.

-I think so. We paid so cheap for it.

I'm hoping that we can't lose on that one, but, you know.

OK, so overall, three items, I gave you £300.

But you only spent £69.

Yes. Sorry about that!

It's quite all right. I won't take it personally.

But I will ask you for £231, please.

Okey dokey. Thank you very much.

200... Oh, there's £1 there.

Right, Danny, straight over to you.

Thank you, Natasha.

Now, that's quite a healthy amount. What are you going to spend it on?

Let's just say I ain't quite got my head around it yet.

-We'll leave it at that.

-Oh!

While we leave Danny to get his head around his bonus buy,

let's head straight to the auction.

Well, we were in Topsham,

but we've travelled half an hour up the road to a rather rainy

Ottery St Mary. But it's cosy in here. I'm joined by David Sumner,

our auctioneer today at Ottery Auction Rooms.

So, thank you for joining me, David.

-It's a pleasure.

-Now, where shall we start?

With our Reds, as customary.

This would brighten up any day, wouldn't it, this Minton tazza?

Tell me all about it.

Good condition, gilding's all very, very good.

-Nice piece.

-And do you think you've got the buyers for this

-here in Ottery?

-Yeah, I think we have.

Should do about sort of £30-£40.

OK. The teams loved it and they paid £69 for it.

Mmm.

There may be a loss on the cards, but only a small one.

Only a small one, OK. So let's move on to Kayserzinn.

Tell me what you love about this oil lamp,

-because you've got to love it.

-I do, I do.

I love Kayserzinn. Love pewter.

The only thing that I don't like

is there's a little bit of damage round here.

Our estimate's sort of about 40-60.

I think they've done quite well because they only paid £23.

Oh, definite profit.

OK. So that will help out.

And then, what about this wise wee elephant?

The only thing that's going to hold him back is the restoration

and a little bit of damage to the other tusk.

But she's so lovely. I mean, you're calling her a him!

It's got to be a her, come on, look at those eyelashes!

So, we've got a bit of damage. What do you think she's going to make?

15-25.

15-25, well, the team only paid £19.

-Profit.

-So it sounds like David thinks

there could be some profits ahead.

But just in case it doesn't go to plan,

let's see what Gary bought as a bonus buy.

Well, Anne, Chris, you did leave Gary quite a healthy sum.

Do you think he's been tempted to buy ceramics in your honour?

-Possibly, he knows we like them.

-I hope so.

You hope so? Well, Gary, there's only one way to find out.

So...

I can reveal...

Oh, I like that.

-Oh, that's a good reaction.

-Oh, that is different.

It's unmarked,

but it has these numbers stamped into it.

0209 indicates to me that this might very well be a Liberty piece.

And even better, a piece by that great Archibald Knox.

-OK.

-And collectors want the pieces that are early and rare.

I would say this is about 1903.

Art Nouveau.

-How much?

-I spent £95.

-Great.

-Oh, yeah. OK.

Good reaction! Right.

How much do you think it will make at auction?

If it was by Archibald Knox...

-Yeah.

-Easily 400, even 500.

Without the Knox name attached to it, I'd pay 100 quid.

-Well.

-OK.

-OK.

-It's a gamble.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-But I thought it was a gamble worth taking.

Well, Gary's sold it to me, I think the Reds might be sold on it,

but let's find out if our auctioneer thinks he can sell it to his buyers.

Right, David. Now...

..how about this?

Gary's bonus buy.

I love it, absolutely love it.

What I wanted it to be was Archibald Knox design for Liberty.

Alas, I couldn't find any more information about it.

Nonetheless, our estimate, about £60-£80.

But two people on the internet, it could creep on a bit.

OK, well, Gary paid £95 for it,

so hopefully your price proves to be a bit of a teaser

and they all come flooding in with those bids.

Right, let's move on to our Blues.

We'll start off with their first buy, which is this ship's decanter.

Now, they were convinced this was mismatching, but, I mean,

-I think it goes.

-It looks all right to me.

Unfortunately it's not cut glass, it's moulded glass.

-Mmm.

-But it's a nice shape, put your whisky in there.

Very useful. So estimate about £5-10, I would have thought.

Well, it is what it is and they only paid £9 for it,

so hopefully your estimate will get them out of trouble.

Now, David, for the second buy, the Blues went sort of kitsch.

But it's functional.

So tell me, what do you think of the trolley?

Well, it's utilitarian on two levels.

You could use it as a trolley.

-It could keep you warm in winter!

-Now, come on, now. That is mean.

I'm afraid the market in this kind of furniture

has massively dropped away.

I think they're really cool.

I mean, I can't bid for it, but your buyers can.

What do you reckon they'll pay for it?

-5-15.

-5-15!

The team paid £30.

-Oh, dear.

-You might have your work cut out.

I will.

And then we moved on to an item

that they bought at the very last minute,

which is this vintage mirror.

The Trendy Wendys love these - they're very in vogue.

So, estimate about 20-30.

Well, the team paid £30 for it,

and I hope all the Trendy Wendys come out to Ottery for the auction!

But in case they don't,

let's find out what Danny bought as a bonus buy.

So, Danny, come on, what have you got?

What's going to win it for the Blues today?

Well, I think this is definitely going to win it for the Blues.

THEY LAUGH

-I mean, I'm sorry!

-I like that reaction!

It's a giant wooden mushroom!

-Well...

-That's brilliant. That's brilliant, you're an expert!

I am, yeah. That's exactly what I wanted.

It's a milliner's block.

-OK.

-Right.

-This is what they make hats on.

Oh, yes, OK, yes.

It's quite a designer's piece, to be quite honest.

I think it can be used in the house,

I also think it can be used in a retail establishment.

Quite nice, about early 20th century.

-Right.

-So quite a bit of age to it.

So these little marks you can see here, well, it's not from woodworm,

it's actually the pins that they shaped the hat with.

-OK.

-How much did it cost, then, Danny?

It cost me £55,

which I think is a good price.

-Right.

-How much do you think it's going to make?

I'm sure, in auction, that will make £70, possibly even £80.

Well, that would be good, wouldn't it?

Well, you don't need to make your minds up just yet.

It's time to find out what David, our auctioneer,

thinks of Danny's vintage hat block.

Now, Danny always wears a hat,

so it's no wonder he was attracted to this milliner's block.

But, David, are you,

and do you think your buyers will be attracted to it?

-Yes.

-Yes, well, that's good.

-Yes.

I love this sort of thing.

It's good for window-dressing.

You could put it on the dressing table.

-Very trendy.

-No, I agree, it is attractive.

But how attractive is it going to be to your buyers?

Let's talk monetary terms.

I think about 15-25.

15-25, OK. Well, Danny had some money to spend

and he spent £55 on it.

So, you never know, it could be...

It could go on a bit.

And what about the auction today?

I presume you're going to be on the rostrum.

-I am indeed.

-Fantastic. Well, look out, Ottery, here comes David!

28. 30.

45. 48.

Right, Reds, here we are at auction.

You're smiling now. Do you reckon you'll be smiling in a minute?

-Fingers crossed.

-First item, in fact it was your biggest splurge.

-It was.

-Yes, it was.

You paid £69 for it. Here it comes.

Who'll start me away at £50?

£50 for this lot.

£50. £40, then.

£30, then. Come along.

It's got to be worth 30.

£20 for this lot.

20 I'm bid. 22, will you?

22. 22.

25. 25. 28.

-Come on!

-28. Internet, £28.

Last chance at £28.

Fresh face at 28.

30. 30. 32.

Not at 32. I'm looking for £32 for this lot.

32. Last chance.

Sold away for £30.

Oh! £30.

Now, it's a slight loss of £39...

But Gary's favourite, the oil lamp, might make up for it.

£23 paid.

I've got loads of interest already.

I can jump straight in at £35.

-Yes!

-38, will you?

38. 40. 42.

-Oh, look, it's all go.

-45. 48. Not at 48.

Looking for £48.

Anywhere in the room at £48?

-Go on!

-I'll move to the internet.

£48.

This is your last chance at £48.

I'm selling, with my commission bid, at...

Fantastic!

45. So that's plus 22.

You've eaten into that profit, but you're still -17.

So here comes your favourite, Anne, the Plichta.

I've got a bit of interest already, I can start at 8.

10, will you? £10 for this lot.

-Come on!

-£10 anywhere in the room?

£10. £10. 12. 15.

Not at 15. Looking for 15.

£15. Internet?

Last chance.

£15.

I'm selling for £12.

-Never mind.

-£12. So, we are -24 overall.

So now the question is,

Gary spend £95 on that beautiful Art Nouveau pewter.

-Are you going to go with it?

-Yeah.

-Go for it.

-Yeah, definitely.

OK, you're going for it?

Yeah. We trust Gary.

Oh, don't!

Pressure!

Hopefully it's profitable.

Folks, here it comes.

Nice-looking lot, this.

Someone start me away at £40.

£40 anywhere in the room?

40 I'm bid. 42.

I'll come back to the internet. 42, sir. 42.

45. 45. 48.

48. 50. 52.

Oh, it's climbing, look at this.

52. 55. 58. 60.

-62.

-62. 65. 68.

-Got 70 on the internet.

-Yes!

-72. 75. 75. 78.

80.

Oh, it's so close!

82. Not at 82.

£82.

Last chance before I sell to the internet.

Sold to the internet at £80.

A seriously valiant effort.

It is another wee loss of 15...

which takes us to -39.

-It's not too bad.

-That could still be a winner.

-Yeah.

-You took the words right out of my mouth!

-Sorry.

-It is a competition, it's not over yet,

so just poker-face, say nothing to the Blues

-and all will be revealed!

-OK.

-Thank you.

Rory, Bella, Danny.

-Yes.

-The time has come, auction time.

There are so many people here and everyone likes spirits,

so surely everyone's going to be bidding on your decanter.

The auctioneer is much more confident than you are

that in fact that stopper does match,

so he reckons it'll make between £5 and £10.

You paid nine.

-OK.

-So, get ready, here it comes!

£5. Someone start me away at £5.

Got to be worth 5. 5 I'm bid.

£8. Back in the room.

8. 10. Not at 10.

Looking for £10 for this lot.

-Still at 8.

-One more bid, £10.

-10 I'm bid.

-Yes!

-Profit!

-12, back of the room.

12, 15, internet.

18? Not at 18.

I'm looking at £18 for this lot.

Last chance, 18.

Fresh face, 20.

-20, 22.

-Yes!

-Oh, yes!

-Not at 22.

Not at 22. Last chance at £22.

I'm selling to the internet.

Make no mistake.

Get in there. One down, two to go.

Right, you've just made a profit of £11.

And hold your horses, it's time for the vintage mahogany trolley.

Start me away at £10.

£10. A fiver, then, come along, it's got to be worth a fiver.

5 I'm bid. 8, will you?

£8 for this lot. £8 for a mahogany trolley?

-It's really shiny.

-£8, thank you.

8, 10. 10.

Not at 10. 10, 12, sir?

-Lovely little trolley!

-Here we go, it's going up.

-It's really, really nice.

-No, not at 15. I'll move to the internet.

You can always chop it up for firewood if not.

-Here's a bid.

-Lots of uses.

I've got him at 12. I'm looking for 15.

Last chance.

I'm selling away into the corner.

Your bid.

£12, so you just made a wee loss of 18.

So you're currently -7,

So we've got to make some profit on the mirror.

Start me away at £20.

£20. 15, then.

20 I'm bid. 22, madam.

22. 25, Internet?

25, 28?

Not at 28.

£28.

Fresh face at 28.

30? 30, 32. 35,

38.

-38?

-Oh, my God!

£38 for this lot.

-Last chance...

-Come on, come on!

I'm selling to the internet at...

Listen, that's a profit.

-2 is the overall result.

So, what are you thinking?

You were bought a milliner's hat block by Danny.

Are you feeling confident, Danny?

Well, I'm always confident,

but it's down to you and whether you think that -2 is a winning score.

-We'll go with Danny.

-You're going with the bonus buy?

Excellent. Let me tell you, Danny paid £55 for the hat block.

The auctioneer reckons 15-25.

So, you know, we've got to be positive.

Who'll start me away at £30?

20, then, come along, it's got to be worth 20.

20, I'm bid. 22, will you?

25, 28, 30.

30, 32. Not at 32. Looking for 32.

-Come on!

-32, 32, 32.

I'll come back to you.

35, 38, 40,

42, 45, 48, 50, 52.

Not at 52.

Sold away at £50.

Good work, good work.

£50. It takes you down to -7 overall.

-OK.

-Can you handle that?

-Well, yeah.

-Not bad.

We'll survive, won't we?

But you've seen Bargain Hunt.

Many's the time, -7, although it's negative,

could be a positive result.

So don't say anything to your competitors.

-Keep it to yourselves.

-Lots of smiles.

Well, Reds, Blues, experts, this is it.

It all boils down to this moment.

To whom am I handing more money?

Well, it would be good if I was handing anyone some money!

But as it so happens, no-one is going home with a penny today.

But our runners-up today,

making a slightly bigger loss than the other team,

the Reds.

I'm sorry.

Let's turn to our Reds, Chris and Anne.

You did make a profit, and it was the Kayserzinn oil lamp.

In the end, -39.

I think you can still hold your heads up high.

Once you get into three figures, that's when, you know,

you start to really worry about it.

But it was great fun, wasn't it?

-Yes, it was excellent.

-It was enjoyable.

But even more pleased today, our victors, the Blues.

Ah, real team spirit there, with a loss of only £7.

We obviously knew everything about antiques, secretly!

Yeah, you doubted yourselves, I think, actually.

Well done, well done.

Well, if you're sitting at home thinking, "I fancy a bit of that,"

then why not check out our website?

The details are on the screen now.

And you can find us on Twitter, too.

But much more importantly than that,

I'd love it if you would join me again for some more Bargain Hunting.

Yes? ALL: Yes!