York 21 Bargain Hunt

Hello and welcome to a rather windy York.

The building behind me is York Minster and it's massive.

Size clearly mattered when building this Gothic cathedral.

It's an impressive 160 metres long

and 76 metres wide,

and there's 275 steps to climb to get to the top of the lantern tower,

the highest spot in York.

No wonder it took over 250 years to build, but now

for some sightseeing of a different kind as we track down today's

teams who are going to be exploring the antiques centres of York,

so let's go Bargain Hunting.

Armed with £300 and plenty to choose from,

our teams have got one hour to buy three items that

hopefully will give them a profit when they take them to auction.

So let's see what's coming up.

The Reds need a steady nerve.

All breakages must be paid for.

No pressure.

Oh!

Oh, my God!

Jonathan has jitters about the time.

-It's your choice.

-No, not necessarily.

And will the tension be at fever pitch at the auction for the Reds?

-And for the Blues?

-Yes!

Well, all that is coming up later, but let's meet today's teams.

Today we're keeping it in the family.

For the Reds we've got Igraine and her daughter Mary

and for the Blues we've got Pamela and her son Simon.

-Hello. ALL:

-Hello.

Tell me, Igraine, why did you choose Mary to be your partner today?

Well, originally I wanted to come on with my husband

-and he said, "I'm not going on."

-Cold feet?

-Yes.

-Yeah.

-So, I thought, who can I think of?

So I thought Mary might be up for the challenge.

-Because she's your daughter.

-Yes.

-I don't mind being second choice.

-No.

-We've got completely different tastes so it will work better.

Good. Excellent. Well, you've got lots of friends

-but a significant number of them are feathered friends.

-Yes.

You keep ravens.

Well, I'm Her Majesty's keeper of ravens at Knaresborough Castle.

But you're one up, aren't you, on the keeper of ravens

-at the Tower of London?

-We've got more than him at the moment.

So when you're not looking after the ravens,

-what do you do to unwind?

-I'm a blacksmith.

-You're a blacksmith?

-Yeah, my father was a blacksmith,

so when I'm not with the ravens

I make wine racks and that kind of thing.

There you are. Tell me, Mary, you've got quite a responsible job

insofar as you work for the NHS, but before then I believe you were

-in fashion.

-I've got a degree in fashion marketing and promotion,

so that gave me the ability to do quite a lot of internships.

-For example, I did one at Vivienne Westwood.

-Have you met the great lady?

-I have, yes.

-Have you?

I've been to Paris to go on her Gold Label show.

It was quite an honour.

What do you two know about the world of antiques and collectables?

Well, I like Moorcroft, silver,

I collect coins, but only crowns.

She's more actually a hoarder, so she likes to hoard things

that she thinks are going to be antiques one day.

So, Mary, do you collect anything yourself?

I used to collect Vogue magazines from 1999-2009.

I had every edition, but when I went to uni I thought it would be

a good idea to cut them all up. There's not even one I've got left.

When it comes to the tactics today, who's going to be in charge?

-Me.

-You?

Well, she likes to think she will be.

-Yes.

-I have to cut in when she's being ridiculous.

OK. All right, well, listen, all the best of luck.

Turning my attention to the Blues.

So, Pamela, why did you choose your team-mate today?

-He was actually my first choice.

-Was he?

-He was.

Don't feel upset, Mary.

OK, excellent.

I know that you're retired, but you've had quite a busy career.

Tell me a little bit about that.

Well, I trained as a journalist in London and then I went into

marketing and PR and advertising

and then I came back and ended up in Leeds, actually.

Leeds and Harrogate and York sort of area.

Again in the leisure and hotel industry,

-but in a PR and marketing capacity.

-Simon, you are into your music.

I am indeed. I have been in lots of different bands as a front singer

and I play a bit of guitar myself.

-You're a bit of an actor.

-Yeah, I do mainly stage and theatrical.

So, have you both got a knowledge of antiques?

My parents were very interested in antiques and Simon has sort of grown

-up with antiques.

-Yeah.

There is something aesthetically special about them cos

I have this sense of history with them and who has used them before.

I'm feeling electricity here.

-That's my way of thinking.

-They speak to me, actually.

-They do.

-I have a great affection for them, and we enjoy

watching some of the antique programmes on the television.

I like going round car boots, maybe charity shops.

I only buy what I like. I'm not going to buy something I don't like.

-Yeah.

-Cos if I don't make money on it and I have to keep it,

at least I'll like it.

All right, Blues, what about your tactics today?

We'll work as a team primarily.

I think we will. What we thought is maybe Simon choose one thing,

I choose another and then we jointly choose a third.

-Yeah, that's it.

-Well, I can see you're both keen to do some spending

but, before you do that, you're going to need some money.

So there we go. Igraine, there's £300.

Pamela, £300.

This is the part where you then go off to meet your respected experts,

-so I'll see you later, OK.

-OK.

-Bye.

I think that we're in for something of a very interesting competition.

All our teams need now are their experts.

Sliding into action for the Reds, it's Nick Hall.

And hats off for the Blues, it's Jonathan Pratt.

So, teams, what's the plan?

Now, Mary, what are you looking for today?

I'm really interested in something Art Deco.

Good thinking, cos it's bang on trend.

Well, something perhaps a little quirky and different.

-Arts and Crafts.

-Fantastic. Again, really on trend.

I'll probably try to look for something Parisian-style,

-maybe shabby chic and potentially a little bit of silver.

-OK.

Right, teams, your time starts now.

Well, let's go and get some shopping done. Come on.

-Let's go and have a look.

-Yeah.

It looks like the teams have gone their separate ways.

The Reds are starting in the Red House Antiques Centre...

We should get stuck straight in. Come on, after you two.

..and the Blues the Antiques Centre of York.

The danger is you just can't see anything because there's so much.

-You just have to really focus in.

-Home in.

-Absolutely right, home in.

Good advice, Nick.

These places have lots and lots of things in, almost too much.

Yes, almost too much.

Remain focused and you'll be fine, teams.

Wow, look at all that silver glittering.

You like your silver, you two?

It's a case of finding nice, little unusual small bits of silver.

-And hallmarks as well, that is the key.

-Yes.

Keep looking, girls, get those eyes peeled.

That's the spirit.

Pamela, anything taken your fancy?

I quite like that.

-The little box with the miniature in?

-Yes.

It's nicely painted,

and it could be a painting of the lady who once owned it, you know.

-How much is it? 125?

-You've got to remember we've only got 300.

We need to get it for 85.

Sounds like Pamela might be a negotiator.

Reds, have you spotted something off your shopping list?

I think you mentioned earlier, Mary, that you like Art Deco.

-There's nothing more Art Deco than Clarice Cliff.

-Right.

One of the great ceramic designers of the 20th century.

-Very collectable as well.

-£178.

-It is.

-I do like it.

-It's a lot of money, isn't it, really?

I've also noticed there's little bits of chips to the paintwork

around the rim as well,

which to a collector might be a little bit off-putting.

I just don't think there's any profit left in it,

-and that's the key today, really, isn't it?

-Yeah.

Certainly is. Simon, are you having better luck?

What do you think of that?

-The box?

-Yeah.

-Well, you've gone with a French-style thing.

The style of it is sort of Louis XV, you know,

-that mid-18th century, Rococo...

-I think it is very decorative.

-It's unusual.

-It is marked WMF,

which is the metalwork factory in Austria, circa 1900.

So it's obviously not silver, then?

Exactly, it's a spelter, silver-plated spelter.

It's got a fairly weighty price tag on it.

You know, it's a usable object, its decorative. It's possible, then?

Possible, yeah.

One for consideration, Blues.

Ten minutes in. Reds, are you starting to hone in on anything?

What will it be? Is it a pill box or...

-Well...

-..something you'd have on your dressing table?

It would be a little lady's probably little pill box.

It's just a sweet, little thing.

I've noticed the price on it says £58.

If it's only £58 and there's a bit of a discount

and it is 18th-century

then there might be a little bit of profit left on that.

I think we'll have to get it out of the cabinet and check it out.

So the Reds are getting into the groove.

Has this ashtray come up trumps for the Blues?

I think this is quite fun. Obviously it's smoking, which

maybe is not so fashionable, but there are still people who smoke.

-There are.

-It's got these sort of printed different cards

on either side. I think it's quite a cool thing cos Carlton Ware

-is quite a well-known name.

-Yes.

-Indeed.

You sort of associate it with porcelain

from the early part of the 20th century.

It's cards so it's quite nice for different collectors.

-I like playing cards.

-I think if we could get it for about 18. 15 or 18.

I'd say 15 if we can.

-The price tag is only £28.

-I think we should look at it.

I think you should look at it.

Go and track down the shop owner, Jonathan.

Nick, have you managed to get a key for the cabinet?

So, now, there it is. How pretty is that?

This is all hand-painted on here and all around the front.

There we go. It's French.

This is the Sevres porcelain factory mark, but this isn't an early piece.

That dates to maybe sort of 1900.

-I was hoping it was going to be 18th century.

-Oh, right, yeah.

What do they want for it? It was £58.

It's going to be still 50-something pounds, isn't it?

I think of that period...

-Probably not.

-It's maybe 30-50, auctioneer's estimate,

so you've got to really get to the top end of the auction estimate

to even get your money back. That might be a bit of a struggle.

Bad luck, Reds. Keep persevering.

It seems the Blues are taking a closer look at the ashtray.

-Any damage?

-No.

-Not really.

Think of this, it's made of porcelain, which is very

highly fired, so you want to check there's no cracks or chips.

-It's in good condition.

-There is just a tiny little bit of a scratch

but there is no visible major damage.

You don't want wear, you don't want chip in colour.

-So it looks fairly crisp.

-Yeah, it does.

For the right price, we should go for it, yeah.

-What could be your best price on this?

-I'll have to call the dealer.

-OK.

-OK.

-I personally... What would you say?

-Well, if I was here on my own...

-I'm thinking £18.

-Yeah, about 18 quid.

-Say £18 and see what he comes back with.

-Yeah.

-I mean, you know...

-Or say 15 and see if he says 18!

That's what I'd do. Just ask.

He may have picked it up for 50p from a jumble sale, you don't know.

No pressure, then. Meanwhile, the Reds haven't moved.

Maybe this might bring you a profit at auction.

Now, we're moving into the Art Nouveau period here.

-Yes.

-Cos you've got this sort of sinuous, flowing lines,

and this body is sort of what we call Majolica Ware.

Majolica is a general term for pottery that's covered

with an opaque glaze that conceals the colour of the clay body.

-What do you like about it?

-I like the colours -

the background in against the green, the design of the flowers.

-Well, the muted hues.

-Yes. It just...

It's just one of those things that sort of jumps out at you.

-Yeah. What about you, Mary?

-I do like it. I agree with Mum there.

Well, you can see it's got £48 written on there.

-We know we can get 10% off that.

-Yeah.

-So...

I mean, what do you think it would do in auction?

Well, it's probably worth about 40, 50, 60 quid, something like that.

-That would be our first buy.

-Buy it, buy it.

Do you? That's quite decisive.

I think the best thing then is if you can get at least that 10%,

if there's any more you can get of it...

-Yeah.

-Put in a cheeky little bid, maybe try 35 quid and come up to 40.

-Yeah.

-It's worth a go.

Go on, you go and keep an eye on her, someone's got to. Good luck.

Yes, keep Mum in check, Mary! And it looks like Simon

is keeping Becky from the antique centre in check.

I've spoken to the dealer and he says 20 on that one.

20? OK.

Well, if that's his best I think it's a fair deal. It's £8 off.

We may make it back at auction.

Yeah, I think we'll go for that.

-I've got it for £20.

-Yeah, that's fine.

-Which is, I suppose, it's

-not a bad price.

-In between.

-We've got £8 off so...

-OK.

A good choice by you, I think.

It fills the role of quirky that we talked about.

-Yes.

-There we are. So now it's over to you two.

Come on, let's go upstairs.

I'm not sure how much negotiating you did there, Simon,

but that's the first buy for the Blues in just under 20 minutes.

Reds, how are your negotiations going with Steve?

43, yes.

OK, thanks very much, thank you.

They'll go to £40 on that.

40? Oh, yes, I would...

-Happy?

-Yes. Happy, yes.

-NICK:

-Well done.

Well, we were going to ask you but you weren't here,

-so we took an executive decision.

-No, I was waiting for you.

I'm glad to hear someone has.

-So, that's it, first item bought.

-Yes.

-Well done.

-Are you pleased with it?

-Oh, yes.

The more I look at it the more I love it.

We have to stop messing around now cos time is ticking.

-Yes.

-And we've got two more things to buy.

So, whilst the teams carry on with the shopping, I'm taking

a step back in time and popping down the road to the York Castle Museum.

Well, I've been joined by Katie, who is an assistant curator

here at the museum, and it's rather appropriate that

we're in the classroom because I'm here to learn that little bit more

about the consummate collector who was responsible

for founding this very museum. So, Katie, tell me a little bit more.

It was founded by doctor John Kirk who was a doctor in Pickering

in North Yorkshire in the late 19th and early 20th century

and he had a real great passion for collecting.

He collected quite actively from about the 1890s onwards,

and by 1920 his collection had outgrown his home

and it was on display in Pickering Memorial Hall,

but he wasn't hugely happy with the conditions of the building so he

started to look for somewhere else to display the items, but it had to

be under his terms because he was very specific about what he wanted.

And obviously the city of York accepted these conditions?

They did and they agreed to house his collection here in this former

female prison building, which they converted into a museum in 1938.

Well, it certainly doesn't look like a prison today, does it?

No, it went on quite a transformation.

The public, at this point, would have been used to museums being

quite stuffy places with everything in glass cases,

but Doctor Kirk used revolutionary ideas of the day to create

open, period room displays, and this Victorian street here,

within the prison building.

I've picked you four very special objects from our collections.

This first one here is a tipstaff,

and it's from the late 18th or early 19th century.

Now, the name tipstaff derives from early law enforcement officers

who, when they went out to arrest someone, apprehend them, would,

if necessary, use a tipstaff or a stave to carry out their duty.

So these tipstaffs here would be used to carry an arrest warrant,

which would be revealed by unscrewing the crown top head here.

Sometimes as well, they were also used for protection,

and they eventually evolved into modern policemen's truncheons.

Now, this is quite an interesting item.

-Very glitzy.

-Yes, this is a fire mark from the 19th century.

Fire insurance companies were set up in the late 17th century

and they generally had their own Fire Brigades.

Each company had its own distinctive mark which they used to place

on the front of the building, so that the companies knew,

in the event of a fire, which was theirs to deal with.

By the late 19th century fire marks had all but disappeared

because local authorities had taken over firefighting. And, obviously,

with Doctor Kirk being so keen to acquire items that

represented ways of life that were dying out,

he actually collected hundreds of these,

so we have around about 300 in the collection.

I mean, despite the fact that here was a man that's passionate about

preserving the past, I mean, he had his eye very much on today,

and the future, because he was a car man as well, I believe?

He was indeed.

Alongside collecting, his other great passion in life was cars.

He took part in speed trials and races all across the country.

We actually have him and his Talbot car here,

on the front of The Car magazine in 1910.

This is him climbing the hill at Ironbridge.

As well as this, we also have lots of his trophies and medals

in our collection. We're lucky to have those, including this one here,

which is from a speed trial at Pendine Sands in Wales in 1909.

And Doctor Kirk was awarded this for coming first in one of the events.

Thank you so much, Katie, for showing me these things.

It's sort of begs the question, how would Doctor Kirk get on today

if he was in the Blue team or the Red team?

He's certainly got a good knowledge on collectables,

and he has a need for speed.

Speed indeed is needed from both our teams.

They only have 25 minutes left, and still have two items each to find.

Blues, what have you found?

I'll tell you what has caught my eye, that corkscrew.

-I just think it's...

-It's because she likes wine.

-Oh, well, that's a bearing.

Can you see how much it says?

-It says £135.

-Oh, no. That's far too much.

-It has this side ratchet.

There is a real collectors market for corkscrews.

I know, I know. Maybe we should have a quick look at it.

Get looking, then, Blues!

Back with the Reds, they've found some more silver.

I like the look of that. It's metalwork.

It's crafted. And, of course, Mary, you'll like that,

because its wine-related. You are like a tipple or three, don't you?

I do, but it looks like something that would be on, like, a port bottle.

There's a theme emerging here.

Well, I mean, you put it round a sherry bottle,

rather than a port bottle. The clue was in the name!

-Yeah, yeah.

-Now, people collect decanter labels.

Particularly chaps that have got a good cellar of wine, and they

collect fine wines, they will have a collection of those quite often.

There was a label attached to it.

This is interesting, cos it says, "Silver wine label, commemorating

"550 years of the Vintner Company, designed by Sarah Jones."

And it's only £58.

That's the sort of thing that would stand out in an auction.

-What do you think?

-I like it.

Do you two like it enough to want to go and put an offer in on it?

-Yes.

-Go and work your magic on Steve, and see what you can do.

With some encouragement from Nick, I think the Reds are finding their feet.

Blues, what's the verdict on the corkscrew?

My opinion is that it will end up

-on someone's dresser as clutter.

-An ornament! Well, it will.

-It's not a very attractive piece.

-OK.

But, but, you...

It's a lot of money. I wouldn't pay more than £100 for that.

It's your choice, anyway.

Not necessarily, not necessarily.

Got your eye on the time, JP?

Reds, have you bought the decanter label?

We've got it down to £52.

-Right, you can't shave its down to 50?

-No.

-Sadly, he's not answered

the telephone, so there's nothing we can do.

-OK.

-Well, what are your thoughts?

Well, I'd still like to go for it.

We had this discussion that if, while he was trying to get through,

-that we'd probably still go for it.

-Because it's so unusual.

Right, we're going to buy it. £52.

-Thank you.

-That's two out of three things bought.

So we've only got... So it's your... Your...

-Is it?

-Yes, choice now.

-Is it?

It's all down to you, then, Mary.

Jonathan, you might want to give the Blues an nudge.

-We've had half an hour.

-Oh, the glass!

-You've had half an hour.

Oh, yeah, this is the last thing to look at, then.

We just need to. Oh, gosh!

That's been to the races then, hasn't it?

-Thank you. You see I think that's rather nice.

-It's been to France.

-Has it? How do you know?

-Nice, 1950s.

You know, it's two hip flasks,

clasped in leather, it has the feel for that sort of...

I like that. I think 50 quid.

-How much is it on?

-70.

-I wouldn't pay 70 for that.

-It's been reduced already.

-Actually, I think it says "nice 1950s flask", not Nice!

-Oh, OK.

I don't know, it still could be, let's just pretend it's French, OK.

I quite like that.

-Well, it's your choice.

-I like going to the races, and I like picnics.

Go on, then. Can we find out how much they'll take for it?

-Of course, I will contact the dealer.

-Can you offer 50,

cos they've been trying to sell it before, look, and

-crossed that out, so maybe 50 quid will swing it?

-I'll try.

-Thank you.

Nice item, but can you get it for a nice price?

Mary, how's your search for the Red's final item going?

I found it, what I want.

-This.

-Oh, the little deco lamp?

Now, why that particularly?

It looks really unusual.

-Yeah, OK.

-How would it turn on?

-Look, it needs rewiring.

-It needs to be PAT tested, wouldn't it?

I mean, in principle, an Art Deco lamp would be a very saleable thing,

but not one that's not been rewired - you're going to put a lot

of private punters off, and that's how you get your price up,

get the private people interested.

Bad lack, Mary. So, Blues, what's the price news for the hip flasks?

Hello! I've spoken to the dealer, and he said 50 would be the best on that one.

OK, well, that was what I originally said.

It is. I was being cheeky at 45, so it's £20 knocked off.

-Let's take a punt on it.

-Fine, OK.

And if I go wrong you can both slap my hands.

-OK.

-We've got two more lots to try, we can get it back on!

Yeah, we have. I think we'll take a punt on it.

Brilliant, OK, so that's a definite purchase.

Thank you very much, Becky. One more to buy. We need to get a move on.

-We do, we do.

-Let's get out of here.

-Thank you very much.

-Bye-bye.

You certainly do.

Just 15 minutes left, teams, and one more item to find.

Reds, what's this, a vase or a lamp?

-What about that?

-It's a lamp.

-It's got birds on it.

-I like a bit of a lamp.

-Do you?

Let's have a closer look at it, shall we? If I open that...

-Can you very gently reach in and grab it?

-Are you serious?

-OK.

-Just move this little chappy to the side.

All breakages must be paid for.

No pressure.

-Careful, Mary!

-Oh, my God!

-Oh, my God!

So let's have a look at what we've got.

Now, yes, as we thought, it's Japanese.

It's bronze. Datewise - 1900, 1920, that sort of era.

Now, it's got a little bit of damage.

It's obviously been drilled here,

where someone's put a flex through it.

Also I noticed in the base, there is another hole there.

There's a little bit of damage where it's been clunked down

-on the top a bit heavy.

-How can you tell that it's a real Japanese vase?

Now, there's a million-dollar question.

The simple answer is, you spend 30 years studying them!

There's no quick solution. But things to look for are patination.

So the answer is to go and study genuine pieces, provenance pieces,

in auction houses, in antique dealer's shops,

in centres, in museums, and just go and look.

I'll go and find Steve and see if there's a best price on it,

-and then we can make a decision on that.

-Yeah?

I'll go and find him.

So it is a vase, then.

Blues, are you happy with how it's going?

I think we need to go and get something really special now.

-Yeah, go and spend a bit of cash.

-Not be afraid of spending.

-I think we should go and make it... Big item.

-Blow the lot, really!

Interesting tactics, Blues. With ten minutes left,

it looks like they're on the move to join the Reds at the other antique centre.

It's an old safe box.

-I rather like that.

-Metal bound.

-Yeah, not a bad price.

-How much is it, sorry?

120. So you could probably get maybe 75, for it, 80.

I mean, it's got... You can see it's been used.

There's that chap, and also, you've got these Chinese nest of tables.

-Yes.

-Yes, they're lovely.

-It's kind of, again, people like that

-sort of thing right now.

-Very nice.

-They are expensive. They're £295,

-so you'd have to push them down a fair...

-We'd have to negotiate.

That box needs to come down a lot,

and bearing in mind there's only five minutes left.

Shall we get the shopkeeper up here?

-Yes, I think we need to.

-Because we really haven't got time to...

to, you know...

Dilly-dally, Pamela?

You haven't. And I think Jonathan's feeling the pressure.

So, Nick, what's the best price for the vase?

That could be yours, here and now today -

Japanese, Meiji period, bronze -

-50 quid.

-Wow.

So, the question is, is this going to be our final and third purchase?

-Yes or no?

-Yes.

-Yes.

-A definite yes?

-Absolutely.

-I think will go with...

-Yay!

-50 quid.

-Yeah.

-So that's it, we're done. We've shopped out. All things done.

Fabulous!

Job done, Reds. Blues, just a couple of minutes left,

have you tracked down Steve?

This was one thing that struck them.

It's priced at £120, a sort of safe box.

We can see it's got some age. What can you do on that?

-£90.

-OK. £90.

There's an option there £90.

What was the other thing? The nest of tables are 295.

-Could you do them for two?

-No, we'd do them for 250.

250, fine.

-We've not got quite enough.

-OK.

-Go another £10 on the box.

-You'll go to 80 on the box?

-£80.

-Shall go for the box, then?

78. Final deal?

-No!

-£80. £80.

-There we go. Shake the man's hand.

-I think £80 is a good offer.

-Thank you.

-Thank you for your patience.

Right, teams, your time's up.

We really deserve, I think, a rest now.

-Come on, let's go.

-Definitely.

-Let's go get a cup of tea or something.

-Definitely.

Let's check out what the Red team bought.

The Reds are serving this plate up as their first item,

bought for £40.

Next, they wanted some silver

and they bought this sherry decanter label for £52.

And the third item was Mary's choice

and she paid £50 for this Japanese vase.

What's your favourite item?

Without doubt it's got to be the solid silver decanter label,

because of the history of it.

OK. Mary, what about you?

I've got to admit, I do like the plate.

It's just it's very beautiful, and it's quite unique.

Now, which of the three items

is going to give you the biggest profit? What do you think?

Oh, I think, without doubt, the label, the wine label.

I like this forthright stuff. Mary, what about you?

-I actually think the vase is going to make the most.

-Oh, do you?

-Yeah.

Interesting. OK.

Well, time will tell, but how much money did you spend?

We spent £142.

£142, which means that you should be giving me £158.

-155...

-OK. Oh, yes. It all adds up.

-There you go, Nick.

-I shall be checking this, as well.

-Do that.

So, Nick, have you got your eye on anything in particular?

Something svelte, something beautiful, like my team.

-Oh!

-Oh!

-OK.

Well, as Nick the flatterer goes off to buy the bonus buy,

let's remind ourselves what the Blue team bought.

First up, have the Blues aced it with this Carlton Ware ashtray?

£20 paid.

Next, after some deliberation,

they paid £50 for these two vintage hip flasks.

And, finally, will this bank box be a sound investment?

£80 paid.

-So, Pamela, what's your favourite item?

-The 1950s flask set.

I think they'll sell. Whether they'll make a profit, of course,

is another matter, but I liked them.

-Good.

-I was drawn to them and it was a bit of a punt.

And what about yourself, Simon?

I'm going to stick with the poker dice ashtray.

-Oh, yes, yes.

-Really quirky, cheap to buy.

I think, you know, someone on the day might like that.

So, Pamela, which of the three items do you think

-is going to give you the biggest profit?

-I think the poker ashtray.

Poker ashtray. Simon?

The poker ashtray, which you chose.

Well, it was a bit of a last-minute scenario, wasn't it?

-Minute being the operative word!

-Yes, exactly.

-But, either way, how much did you spend?

-150.

So you're going to give me £150, Pamela,

which I'm going to give to Jonathan.

So, JP, what are you going to spend all that money on?

Well, we had a lot of chat about various objects and I think I might

revisit one of them and see if I can settle an argument.

OK. So, while Jonathan goes off to "settle an argument",

I'm going off to the auction.

Well, you find us in the town of Darlington.

We've come to the auction house of Thomas Watson and I'm joined

by auctioneer David Elstob. Lovely to be here, David.

-Great to welcome you.

-Thank you.

Right, let's get down to business.

Starting with our Red team, this is Igraine and Mary, her daughter.

First item up is this rather nice dish.

Villeroy and Boch. Good name, isn't it?

It's a very good name. It's a very pretty plate, actually.

Nice quality, nicely decorated with the tube linings.

It's bright. Very Art Nouveau.

-I think it has a lot going for it, really.

-I agree with you.

-What's the estimate?

-40 to 60.

-Oh, that's OK, they paid £40 for it.

-I think they've done well there.

-Yeah, I think they've done well, too.

Second item they came up with was the sherry decanter label.

It's a very attractive one. It's nicely cast in good condition.

-Right.

-I think it will do well.

-And how much is the estimate?

-30 to 50.

-Well, they MAY be in with a bit of a chance there.

They paid 52 for it, so maybe a bit top-heavy,

-but we'll find out on the day.

-Fingers crossed.

-Fingers crossed.

Right, now, the third item is this Japanese bronze vase,

which Mary thinks is going to give them the biggest profit.

But that's what Mary thinks.

What does David think, that's what we need to know?

I like it very much. It's a very nice quality vase.

The only problem is it has been drilled in the neck.

It's obviously been used as a lamp base at some point,

which is a shame, cos it's a very nice quality piece.

Yeah. I can see that it's no longer going to be a collector's item,

-it's more of a decorator's item, isn't it?

-I'd agree.

What's the market like for that sort of thing in this part of the world?

There are collectors around, but also, nowadays,

the internet plays such an important role in auctions.

-I'm sure there's someone out there for it.

-OK. Estimate?

-50 to 70.

-Oh, right.

-Good.

-Well, I think they could be quids in

again, because they paid £50 for it,

so the omens are looking good.

Well, they may or may not need their bonus buy, but,

in the meantime, let's find out what it is.

So, Nick, what did you manage to charm with your £158?

I managed to charm the dealer.

I got a good price, good discount.

And I hope you'll be charmed by this.

I think it's beautiful.

Oh, yes.

-You like that?

-Oh, I think it's beautiful.

-Isn't it elegant?

-Yes.

-It is beautiful.

It's by someone quite important as well - Ernst Wahliss,

very well known for these Art Nouveau porcelain figures.

I just think it was absolutely captivating.

The craftsmanship on it reminds me of the kind of thing

that my grandmother used to have on her dressing table.

-Mary, what about yourself?

-I'm not going to lie, I don't like it.

-You don't like it?

-No.

It literally reminds me, like Mum said, of my grandma's house.

Those sorts of things in there.

God, I'd have liked to have done the house clearance on

your grandma's house if it was full of things like this, wow!

Obviously not to that standard.

-How much did it cost?

-It's kind of important, I guess, isn't it?

-Yes.

-I only spent £90 on this.

-Oh, right.

-How much do you think it will make?

Well, if you've got Wahliss collectors in the room,

or even Art Nouveau enthusiasts in the room,

I would hope it would make three figures.

Remember, ladies, you don't have to make your minds up now.

Wait till you have sold your first three items

and then make your decision. But, meanwhile, let's go and find out

what the auctioneer had to say about this Ernst Wahliss figure.

So, here it is, David.

You've had a bit of time to look over that.

What do you think? It's very nice quality figure group,

very Art Nouveau in style, around 1900.

My problem is that there's quite a bit of restoration on the figure,

-which is a shame, because it's very attractive.

-It is attractive,

and it's by a good man, it's by Ernst Wahliss,

and he's very good on detail is Wahliss, isn't he?

So, what valuation have you put on that, David?

-We've put 40 to 60.

-They might come a cropper on that one

because the price paid was actually £90.

I think in all fairness, £90 would have been a good price

had it not be restored, wouldn't you agree?

I would agree. We do have some pre-sale interest.

-You do?

-So it might well exceed our expectations.

OK, well, we'll see whether or not they go for it, but that's the Reds.

Now for the Blues. This is Pamela and her son Simon.

The first item that we're going to look at

is the Carlton Ware dice ashtray.

It's an unusual thing. It's in nice condition.

I don't see it making a huge amount, but I think there will be

people out there who will buy it at a certain price level.

So what do you think that price level is then, David?

Our estimate's 30 to 50.

Well, that's a good start, because they only paid £20 for it.

-Well, they've done well.

-Yeah. Now, the hip flask.

Pamela went out on a limb and bought these.

She thought they would be great to take to the races,

and they've got a retro look about them, haven't they?

They have, they're very retro-looking. Quite original.

The leather's a nice colour.

Still got the original tag on.

So there's a lot going for them.

But what about going for them from a commercial point of view?

Our estimate's 25 to 35.

Well, she paid £50 there.

I can see the money in it to a certain degree,

if you've got the right people in the room, yeah?

-Yes.

-Well, let's keep our fingers crossed for Pamela on that one.

-Yes.

-As for their third item, a bit of a joint buy here, mother and son.

A strong box. The Commercial Bank of Scotland, no less.

-What you reckon to that?

-I really like it.

-Oh, do you?

It's one of my favourite lots. Very nice box,

nice ironwork on it, very sturdy. Lovely original labels inside.

Some other paraphernalia inside. I think it's great.

Good. So, estimate?

-60 to 80.

-60 to 80, and they actually paid £80 for it.

-I think they stand a chance of a profit.

-You do?

-I do.

So whether or not they're going to need their bonus buy remains to be seen.

In the meantime, let's have a look at it.

Pamela and Simon, you did leave Jonathan here £150 to go out

and spend on your behalf. So, Jonathan, how did you spend it?

Wisely, of course. I went for...

It's a nice, stylish, 1970s hallmarked silver bangle

with this lovely, textured, sort of bark finish.

-You still haven't sold it to me.

-Mum doesn't like it.

-I don't think she realises its weight.

-It's nice and solid.

-To be fair, it is.

-It's nice and solid.

It's typical decoration for that sort of period and,

actually, it's very wearable and, because it's silver,

-it's quite an affordable piece of jewellery.

-Sure.

There should be a wide audience for it because of its period charm.

Like me!

And I've sold small pieces of silver jewellery and seen it make

far in excess of what it's worth...

Are we allowed to ask how much of the hundred and odd pounds you spent on it?

I spent 25.

-Oh, OK.

-Oh, right, that's good.

-25!

And what do you think it's going to make at auction?

I think the auctioneer is probably going to put £25 to £35

and I wouldn't be surprised if it made 35 or 40.

-OK.

-Yes.

-Well, you don't have to make your minds up now.

I mean, wait till you've sold your first three items,

then you either give it a go, or whatever.

But in the meantime, let's find out what the auctioneer had to say

about JP's silver bangle.

So here's their bonus buy.

-What do you think of it?

-I like it very much.

-You do?

Yeah. It's a nice bangle, nice gauge to the silver.

-It's a Birmingham hallmark from 1971.

-Right.

It's a really contemporary piece, which I think's very wearable now.

Yeah. Well, it's so contemporary, it's now retro, isn't it?

-It is. Very fashionable.

-So what's the estimate?

-20 to 30.

-OK.

Well, our Jonathan went out and paid £25 for it,

so you're both, I think, on the mark there, aren't you?

-I think he's done well.

-You think he's done well. OK.

-Are you taking the auction today?

-I am indeed.

-OK.

Go and grab your gavel then, David.

So here we are, ladies, we're in the arena itself.

-How are we feeling?

-Yeah, we're very excited.

-Excited.

-Yeah, yeah.

First item coming up, a Villeroy & Boch secessionist plate.

You paid £40 for it and it's coming up now.

Lots 225, a very pretty Villeroy & Boch plate.

I'll start you at 25 on the book.

25 I'm bid.

25. 30. 5. 40 bid.

40 bid in the room.

40. Do I see 45 online?

50, Sir? Bid's online at £45.

50 anywhere?

It's on the internet, then, at £45.

Fair warning, at 45.

Yay!

£45.

Well, we're in profit, that's all that matters.

Here comes the next lot, it's your silver sherry label.

You paid £52 for it and here it is coming up now.

228 is a silver sherry decanter label in the form of a crest.

Very nice. A modern hallmark on it, but nice quality.

I'll start you with interest at £25.

25 I'm bid. 25 I'm bid, with me.

I'll take 30 for it.

25. 30 on the gallery.

It's 30 bid up on the gallery, then.

I'm going to sell, in the room, at £30, then.

All done at 30?

Oh...

We're not going to get the golden gavel, then, are we?

That was a cheap round.

That was minus 22, I'm afraid.

Not a disaster. Sherry labels are not big here in Darlington.

-It was an interesting one, though, wasn't it?

-It was an interesting one. Right, third lot.

It's your Japanese bronze vase, or is it a table lamp?

We're not sure at this stage. Either way, what did you pay for it?

£50? Let's see if we've got a profit coming up now.

231 is a large Japanese patinated bronze lamp-based vase, circa 1900.

Nice quality, I'll start you...

£35. 35 I'm bid.

35. 40. Five. 50.

50 the room.

-Come on, let's have five.

-£50 bid in the room.

I'll take 55 next.

-At £50 and fair warning.

-Come on, come on.

At £50, all done.

THEY GROAN

-Anyway...

-It wiped its face.

So that broke even, so you're still minus 17, OK?

You have got your bonus buy, so are we feeling lucky,

-that's what we want to know?

-Let's do it.

Well, bearing in mind that Nick bought it for £90.

-OK.

-It's a good object, Nick, isn't it?

-It's a lovely thing.

-I mean, I love it.

-Deal?

-Deal? Shake my hand.

You can kill me after.

-You're going with your bonus buy?

-Yeah.

-Good, because it's coming up now.

237 is an Ernst Wahliss figure group.

The model's the classical maiden.

About 1900 in date. A nice quality group.

I'll start you at £55.

55 I'm bid on commission.

At 55 bid, I'll take 60 next.

65 online.

70. 70 on the internet.

75. 80. 80 online.

-Come on, come on.

-85.

-Come on.

-90.

-Don't stop.

90 on the internet. At 90 bid online.

-100 online.

-NICK:

-Oh!

-100.

-You're up.

-110. 120.

I've got two online bidders.

At 120 bid. Do I see 130?

At 120, then, fair warning.

GAVEL BANGS

Excelente.

That gave you a £30 profit.

So, in the final countdown, a profit of 13.

I mean, 13 might be unlucky for some, but, in your case,

I think it's definitely your lucky day.

But, it goes without saying, not a word to the Blue team.

Excitement factor?

-Well...

-Well, I'm excited.

-Oh, good.

Of course we are.

OK, first item coming up is your Carlton Ware dice ashtray.

You paid £20 for it. And it's coming up now.

Lot 253, an unusual, I would say, Carlton Ware dice form ashtray.

One for the collectors. I'll start you at 25.

25 I'm bid. 25 I'm bid on commission.

At 25. I'll take 30.

£25 bid with me. I'll take 30 for it.

-£30 bid.

-Yes!

-£30 bid I'm the room.

At £30. My book's out.

I'm selling, then at £30.

All done?

-Well, that's a good start, Blues, isn't it?

-£10 up.

-Yeah, £10 up.

Well done. OK.

That's always nice to kick off with a plus sign in front of everything.

-Let's hope we continue on that vein...

-Well, let's...

Hey, we're not having any negativity here, Pamela.

We're in the world of positivity, OK?

-OK.

-Right, next item, two vintage hip flasks in a leather case.

You paid £50 for this. And coming up now.

256, two vintage hip flasks in a nice leather case.

Still have the 1952 label on them.

I'll start you with interest. 15 I'm bid.

£15 bid for these. At 15. 20 on the gallery.

Lady's bid. At £20. Do I see 25? 25. 30.

Five? No. 30 on the gallery.

A lady's bid at £30. Are we all done and finished?

-At £30, are we sure?

-We want more.

Lady's bid it is, then. At £30.

All done?

-30.

-As expected, let's face it.

-All right.

-Clever clogs.

Hey, be careful. Not in front of your mother.

So, it's a minus 20.

So, all of a sudden, that's 10 becomes a minus 10.

Next item coming up is the Commercial Bank of Scotland strongbox.

-This is nice.

-It's a good object, it's very now.

People want these things.

You paid £8 for it. Coming up now.

259, is a Commercial Bank of Scotland strong box.

It still has some paraphernalia inside.

I'll start you with a lot of interest at £80.

£80 I'm bid on the book. At 80. I'll take 85.

85 on the gallery.

I'm out. 90. 95, Sir.

100. 110.

It's a lovely box. 120? 110, it is.

On the gallery then, at 110.

Are we all done and finished at 110?

All done.

110.

-Are we back up again?

-OK.

You are back up. You're actually plus £20.

OK, this is the point in the where you've got to make a decision

about your bonus buy. Have you given it some thought?

-I think, just for the hell of it, why not?

-You may as well.

-Why don't we just go for it, Nick?

-I can't imagine losing anything on it.

-No, people like silver.

OK. Let's see how we get on, shall we? It's coming up now.

Bonus buy.

265, it's a silver bark effect bangle. Very contemporary.

I'll start you at £15.

15 I'm bid. £15, 20. 25. 30?

No? 25 the front row, then.

25 bid. I'll take 30. At £25.

£30 anywhere?

At 25, then, all done and finished?

At £25. Are we all done?

-Come on.

-At 25.

-Oh! Never mind.

-It wiped its face there.

So went for 25.

It basically broke even, didn't it?

Now, I can see these smiles of delight.

I want you to wipe your faces clean.

I want you to promise me not to say a word to the Reds, OK?

Well, Reds and Blues, it was a very near run thing.

If I tell you that there was only £7 in it.

The good news is that you're both in profit.

I have to say that there is always a first and there's always a second.

I have to tell you, Reds, that it was the Blue team.

What?

Oh, my goodness!

-Commiserations, guys.

-Yes.

-I have to say...

-A well-fought contest.

Ladies, you gave the Blues a run for their money

and you made a £13 profit, OK?

So there you are, Reds, that's your £13.

And, Blue team, yes,

-you get it in one £20 note.

-Thank you.

So don't spend it all at once. Well, listen, have you had fun?

-Yes, absolutely.

-OK.

But, in the meantime, you can check us out on our website,

or follow us on Twitter. But better still,

why not join us next time for some more Bargain Hunting?

-Yes? ALL:

-Yes!