Newark 27 Bargain Hunt

Today, we are in Newark in Nottinghamshire.

And do you know, one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century

used to enjoy a good old game of snooker

in this gentleman's club.

The Newark Town Club.

Can you guess who it is?

Clue number one - he famously fought with some desert tribes.

Clue number two - Peter O'Toole portrayed his character

in this epic film.

Well, of course you've got it.

It was none other than Lawrence of Arabia.

But will it be the Reds or the Blues that strike it lucky today?

Well, it's time to find out.

Let's go Bargain Hunting!

So with two antique centres to rummage around,

there's plenty of choice for our teams.

They have £300 and just one hour

in which to buy three items to take off to auction

and, hopefully, make a profit.

So let's take a sneaky peek at what's coming up.

The Reds have a secret weapon.

I'll set my wife on you.

No, no.

And the Blues are struggling to make themselves heard.

-Julie!

-Julie!

-Hello, Julie!

-Julie.

-Julie.

-Julie.

And at the auction, there's plenty of excitement for the Reds.

Brilliant.

And surprises for the Blues.

Gavel!

That's all for later.

Now let's meet today's teams,

and for the Reds today,

we have Angela and Ken,

and the Blues, Frank and Susan.

-Hello, everyone.

-Hello, Charlie.

Lovely to see you all.

Now, Angela, how did you two meet?

-We met in a cupboard.

-A cupboard?

Yes, we were playing sardines.

-How old were you?

-16?

Isn't 16 a little old for sardines?

Oh, no, no.

It is very good for sardines.

And then we got married five years later.

You're not still in the cupboard, are you?

-Yeah, I am.

-You have been in the cupboard all your life.

-All my life.

-Never mind.

Now, you used to be a teacher, didn't you?

Yes, I was headteacher of a primary school.

What do you do now then?

Well, I'm retired now.

I help at the church,

I do the children's services at the church

and I get them learning and doing poetry.

-Yeah.

-It makes them learn good poetry.

Oh, wonderful. Now, Ken, you are retired.

-I am, yes.

-What did you do when you were earning a crust?

Well, I was an engineer.

I took over my father's engineering business

and after he retired, I ran it until I retired.

-Yeah.

-So what I do now is walk the dog...

-Yes.

-Do what Angela tells me to do quite a lot.

-Go in the cupboard.

-Go in the cupboard a bit.

And we have travelled an awful lot.

So when it comes to the shopping, what about tactics?

Have you discussed it?

Well, we have discussed it.

Yes, but we forget that.

And so I might get one and Angela, I think, will probably get two.

We'll have a quick look and then I'll decide.

Will you be spending small or big?

-Oh, big.

-We are going for profit.

Spending big, going for profit, can't wait.

Anyway, enjoy your shopping.

-Thank you.

-Thank you, Reds.

Now, for the Blues, Susan and Frank.

Susan, how did you two meet?

-At a party.

-At a party?

Yes, there were three single ladies and three single men

and I thought, "Oh, I'll pick Frank."

-You picked Frank.

-And I'm still here.

38 years later.

It has all gone swimmingly since then?

-Yes.

-Now, Susan, what did you do before you retired?

I was a health visitor and then a midwife before that for 20 years.

Extremely rewarding.

-Oh, yes, yes.

-You get a prize at the end of it every time.

Well, as a midwife we got all the credit for delivering babies,

but actually the ladies delivered the babies, but we took the credit.

Frank, what about you?

Now, before you retired, what were you doing?

I had been a truck driver for 30 years.

So I have had a chance to travel around a bit,

that is why, me and Suzy, when we say we have been together,

we are learning to be married now, if you know what I mean.

Frank, you are also a keen caravanner, aren't you?

Oh, yes, I love going caravanning.

I think people get stressed when you get behind them,

but, actually, when you're behind the wheel,

it is so relaxing, I think, caravanning.

So have you ever been on holiday in a caravan together?

We have, haven't we, love? Yes.

We went on holiday in the caravan

and Frank got there and he'd forgotten all his trousers.

Oh, that were another thing. That were another case.

I was so excited to set off, and one thing or another...

This is like Carry On Bargain Hunt!

I went back home to get my clothes.

I think that is enough about your trousers.

What will you need for your shopping?

-Money.

-Very quick.

£300, please.

Absolutely. Well, I've got £300 for you.

It's a lot of money to a Yorkshireman.

A huge amount. I've got £300 for you.

Now, off you go, have a wonderful shop.

Thank you.

Well, we have the cupboard dwellers versus the caravanners,

but who will be going home with a golden gavel?

And we've lined up a couple of talented experts for today's teams.

It is super-softy Philip Serrel for the Reds.

And cutting it for the Blues, it's Charles Hanson.

Have you got a plan?

Yeah, I want something Art Nouveau or maybe wooden.

Feeling confident? What is your plan?

We are from Yorkshire so we don't want to spend a lot of brass.

-ANGELA:

-Something I like.

There is not much "we" in this, is there, really?

-No.

-Is there ever?

No, not really.

I am looking for something bright.

Yellow is my favourite colour.

Better to travel in expectation than arrive in disappointment.

Follow me, we'll go left down here. Come on.

Right, teams, your time starts now.

Well, the teams have quite some shopping list,

but, luckily, there is plenty to choose from

here at the local antique centres.

OK, let's wander around and have a look.

But remember the time is on, our hour is ebbing away.

And it looks like the Blues

might have already spotted a potential purchase.

What I saw in front of me is a gorgeous table.

-Yes.

-And I think this table, just looking,

it is described as being 1790.

In fact, looking at this ballister-block construction,

-I think it is more like 1680.

-1680?

In fact, I think what we have got here is a late 17th-century table.

If you saw this table, Susan, what's it worth?

300? It might be all our money.

No, I am looking at maybe about 180.

180.

Did you see the ticket price?

No, honestly, I did not see the ticket price.

-Is it 180?

-It is 185.

-I am on the money.

-I think the stallholder is over there.

Hello, madam.

Here comes Julie from the antique centre to talk prices.

Could we try about 90, just keep it under 100?

-Try about 90?

-I'll have a word and see what I can find out for you.

Thank you.

While the Blues are waiting for a price,

what have the Reds stumbled across?

One of the reasons why I love this job...

..is the social history.

So what is that for?

Pay?

No, this would come on a long pole and it is for stabbing eels.

-Really?!

-For stabbing eels?

-An eel catcher?

-When they are coming past you, it is an eel fork.

Oh, that's fantastic.

It is just a nice bit of social history, isn't it?

Yes. That is the kind of thing I like.

-Let's keep wandering.

-Right.

Sounds like a plan, Reds.

Off you scoot. Meanwhile, will it be good news for the Blues?

-Hello.

-Hello,

I've had a word with the dealer...

-Hold tight.

-..and he said the best that he can do is 120.

That is really good to know.

I mean, isn't that good?

I was going to say, I was looking at that sort of price.

Should we mental-note it?

And we can come back to it?

We'll come back to it, thank you.

Thank you, Julie.

OK, not quite the discount you were after,

but definitely one to consider.

Now, the Reds are racing ahead.

Hey, look at this bike.

Oh, I like this.

You like the bike.

Why do you like the bike?

Because it is genuinely old, and it had a use.

It's not just a useless bit of something that is old.

And also I REMEMBER these.

-No!

-I do.

-No!

-I do remember them.

They used to bring our vegetables when I lived in Plymouth.

-Really?

-Yes.

-It hasn't got a chain, it wants restoration,

so it's really a decorative item.

-Yes.

-It's a decorative item,

but I think these are great advertising signs.

If you have got the local butchers, the baker, the candlestick maker,

have it nicely done up.

You haven't said much yet.

You noticed my wife's enthusiasm for the bike.

Then I thought, "Well, I'll just stand back and let her...

-Be enthusiastic.

-"..buy the bike."

It is always good to have someone to blame, isn't it?

That is the way I work.

It's all down to money, isn't it?

-As ever.

-How much is it?

Well, I think, if you have a bad day,

it's going to make 100 quid.

If you have a good day, it could make 250, 300.

-Really?

-Yeah, but you really are in the lap of the gods in this.

Difficult, isn't it?

Well, time to get a price from the owner of the antiques centre.

Simon?

Don't say, "On your bike!"

We like your push-bike.

Yeah.

What's the ticket price on that?

-220.

-I was thinking one and a half, if we could?

Yeah. Please.

-160.

-155.

-Go on.

-Can I just...?

I wouldn't argue with her, honestly.

I've had a word with Ken.

It's best not to argue.

-155?

-155, yeah.

-Thank you.

-Well done.

A good haggle and your first buy, all in just 15 minutes.

-Let's go that way, OK?

-Right.

Well done, Reds.

But are the Blues any closer to finding their first item?

That's nice. Come in here, Frank, with me.

What's in there that you've seen?

I like the little silver inkwell and the stand.

-Why?

-I don't know. It's pretty and I like writing letters.

-Do you? Well done.

-Yes.

-In the old-fashioned way?

-Yes.

-That's lovely.

-Snail mail.

It's marked Edwardian, Edwardian period.

When did Edward VII die?

I will test your knowledge.

To be honest, I can't tell you.

-1910.

-1910, yeah.

So, we know it's a real antique, it's pre-1910.

Take it out, have a handle.

What's lovely is it's hallmarked.

-Yeah.

-And I can tell you, they have called it Edwardian.

The date code on there is for Birmingham, 1901.

1901.

That melt was made for that lovely...

What you might call a navette George III neoclassic inkwell

with its lovely cut-glass bottle.

-I like it.

-I like that an' all.

-I like your look.

-But how much is it worth, Charles?

Julie's over there.

Julie, would you see how much we could get for that, please?

The best price.

The best that we can actually do on it is £40.

I think that's our first buy there, I think it is.

And I would agree with Frank.

-Yes.

-Sold! First buy!

Sold. Thank you. Brilliant.

Going, going...

-ALL:

-Gone.

-Thanks ever so much.

And there you have it, Blues.

Your first item in the bag, just over 20 minutes in.

Back to the Reds, who have spotted some rather scary equipment.

That is terrifying, isn't it?

It is terrifying, isn't it?

All of these horrendous looking instruments inside there.

My teeth! How much is that?

-Too much.

-445.

-445.

-Just a bit too much.

-Just a bit.

-Oh, no.

-But this is interesting.

-What's that?

-It's a Morse key.

-Dot-dot-dot-dit-dit-dit.

-Yeah.

-Shall we have a look at that?

-Yeah, I think we should.

MACHINE CLICKS

There's someone trying to get through!

-Bit missing there.

-Yeah, there's a chunk off there.

It's made in Bakelite, which is quite cool.

I quite like that.

I like that. I like funny things.

I know, I know, I know!

-Bank that.

-What do you think?

£39. I mean, I think we'd get...

-25.

-20 quid for it.

-20?

-Any chance we could get nearer the £20 mark?

I can't go to 20, but I will do 25.

I will set my wife on you!

SHE LAUGHS

I don't think that's too bad.

I like it. It's a very interesting piece.

I've no idea what it would do but...

-We've just bought it.

-I think so.

-I think so.

-God bless.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

You make this game look easy.

Item two is in the bag just under the halfway mark.

So, how do you think it's going, team?

I think we are doing very well in the time.

-Yeah.

-Half an hour.

-I think so too.

-Does Phil agree?

-I thought Ken and I were going to buy the next thing,

but I've got a sneaking suspicion that it might just go Angela's way.

But it's all good fun, and I think they've done really, really well.

Back to the Blues, and Charles is getting rather excited.

I quite like that bowl down there

because, actually, it says an antique Chinese bowl,

but I think that bowl could be about 500 or 600 years old.

If I say to you, look in the inside, if I lift you up...

I will lift you up.

Just look on the inside of that bowl.

-Can you see?

-Yes.

-What's inside it?

-Speckles.

I think that is crustaceans when it's been within the sea.

-In the sea.

-And it is a piece of shipwrecked porcelain.

It could be real sunken treasure.

-Yeah.

-I think it's wonderful.

And how much is it, Charlie?

Price label says...

Hold tight, £28.

-Oh.

-Isn't that wonderful?

And when it goes to auction, will they describe it like you are?

I would hope they would put "shipwrecked porcelain -

a very early... Etc, etc,"

And they will do their homework, I'm sure.

Do you think 18?

-Let me go and get Julie.

-If you'll get Julie, please.

You two negotiate, you are a marriage made in heaven.

And hopefully the bowl...

Oh, yeah, I hope it's back in one piece when you come back.

-It's got cracks.

-It's the age.

-It's the age of it.

-I know.

-Do you know what I mean?

Go on, then, Julie.

We are showing a bit of interest in this, Julie.

The dealer said 20.

Would he consider a little bit less?

Maybe 18?

£19? Under 20.

He will push it to 18.

-He will? Thank you.

-Oh, right.

A contract, I think, is made.

-18.

-OK.

-Thank you, Julie.

-That's all right, is that.

-Thanks ever so much, Julie.

Guys, great. That's two down.

We have got almost half an hour left over.

-Come on. Let's go.

-Yes, thank you.

So, off you go, Charles.

Work your magic. Meanwhile...

While the teams carry on with their shopping,

I am off to see Kevin Winter at the National Civil War Centre in Newark.

And I am going to find out more

about one of the 20th century's most iconic figures -

Lawrence of Arabia.

Kevin, it's lovely to meet you,

especially in these extraordinarily atmospheric surroundings.

Can you tell me, just who was this man behind the famous robe?

He'd started life as an archaeologist,

worked in Syria for three years,

1911 to 1914.

And it was that knowledge of the Arab tribes that he developed

while he was there

that made him useful to the intelligence community.

So, when World War I broke out in 1914,

Lawrence joined the military

and soon became a liaison officer between the British and the Arabs.

Fighting alongside Prince Faisal and the desert tribes

during the 1916-18 Arab revolt,

he eventually helped topple the Turkish Ottoman Empire.

So, how did this relatively unknown officer become such a famous figure?

I think it was because he knew

how to lead the tribes in a way that nobody else did.

He essentially invented what we now understand

as modern guerrilla warfare,

with small groups attacking infrastructure and railways

and escaping back into the desert as quickly as they could.

They described him as like a mist.

Turned into a celebrity by the end of the war

and immortalised by Peter O'Toole in the classic 1962 film,

his legacy has always been subject to scrutiny and doubt.

But recently, a team of archaeologists

from the Great Arab Revolt Project

discovered artefacts in the Jordanian desert

which were able to shed new light on Lawrence's role in the war.

So, Kevin, what have we got here?

Well, these are items mainly from the Hallat Ammar Ambush.

This site is actually mentioned, isn't it,

-in the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, his book?

-It is.

The Seven Pillars of Wisdom was Lawrence's own account

of his role in the Arab Revolt

and the archaeologists from the Great Arab Revolt Project

took that with them into the desert

and they were able to find the sites

almost exactly as Lawrence described them.

Gosh. That really is definitive proof, isn't it?

-Absolutely. Yeah.

-And what have we got here?

Well, this is part of the sleeper and plate.

Because they are in the desert,

most of the sleepers aren't made of wood.

They are metal sleepers.

-Yeah.

-And the broken bits are pieces of the rail

that were blown up as part of that raid.

But of course, a key part of Lawrence's iconic image

has always been the traditional Arab dress.

My word.

Now, this is a famous robe, isn't it?

It is. This was worn by Lawrence.

We're fairly sure that he wore this in the desert.

And certainly when they came to London in 1919,

he is certainly pictured in this robe.

Now, you've also got something here

that has a connection directly with the area, haven't you?

We do.

-Here it is.

-What a piece of machinery!

-Beautiful, isn't it?

-A Brough Superior?

Brough Superior, SS100.

Guaranteed to do at least 100mph.

So, what is the specific connection

between the Brough Superior and TE Lawrence?

Well, Lawrence owned seven of these Broughs,

each one picked up from the factory in Nottingham.

He used to ride it into Newark once a week

to play snooker at the town club.

And for a man that liked a bit of action,

this is the sort of bike to have?

Absolutely. There are records of him racing a fighter...

-Really?!

-..along the lanes of Lincolnshire.

-Yeah.

-And sadly, of course,

he was quite possibly going too fast at the end.

Possibly, yeah. He came up a dip in the road.

There were two delivery boys riding two abreast,

and he swerved to miss them,

clipped the back wheel of one of them,

went across the road and hit his head against a tree.

Tragic, tragic end to an extraordinary life.

-Absolutely.

-Yeah.

Kevin, thank you so much.

A fascinating tale of an extraordinary man.

Meanwhile, let's find out

just how our teams are getting on with their shopping.

It's two-all, and Charles is starting to feel the pressure.

Team, we've got 15 minutes to go.

-Not 50, 15.

-15.

-So, come on.

And Angela is yet again on the case for the Reds.

This looks interesting.

-What is it?

-It's a gentleman's canvas and leather holdall.

95. It would have to be a lot less, but I quite like that.

I think that means that you and I probably quite like it as well.

Do you think it's a saleable product, Phil, do you reckon?

That could make between £30 and £50, I think.

-I think we're struggling.

-Yes.

OK. Let's put that back then.

We've got ten minutes left, and I've seen something down here.

It's not small.

-No.

-But it... I think it's a great bit of social history.

Right. Shall we go and have a look? Let's have a look.

-Let's have a look.

-Go for it.

Wise decision, Phil,

especially as time is fast disappearing.

Meanwhile, the Blues are trying their luck upstairs.

Into battle, we go upstairs.

-Ooh!

-Sorry.

Steady on, Charles.

I think, just get looking.

Now, have the Reds found something that might just sweep up a profit?

Look at these. Look.

-Let me just...

-Oh, yeah.

Vacuum cleaners.

-Vacuum cleaners.

-Very old.

This one is £66.

-Yes.

-And this one is £33.

I can't quite work this one out for a minute.

-Pump action.

-Right.

-OK. Got it.

-They are both operated...

-I can see this.

-..on a bellows action.

Yeah.

So, in terms of age, always have a good look,

because you never know what you might see.

There we are.

The Reeves Pneumatic Broom.

It says here, look, patented, July the 23rd, 1913.

So we therefore know that it is post-1913.

If you want to be really mean, perhaps offer him, I don't know,

20 quid for that one, or 30 or 40 quid for that one,

or perhaps the two.

-Simon.

-I think the two.

We are hoping we might clean up here.

-That's really good.

-Thanks.

What's the best Simon can do on this one?

That one can be 20.

-Yeah.

-Good.

-Best on that one is 45.

And if we bought the two, can we tickle a...?

-No.

-That's the finish, is it?

-Right.

-Right, if it were me...

Yes?

I would buy that one for 20 quid.

-Right.

-If it were me.

-I think, this time...

-Sorry. Sorry.

-She's going to make a decision.

-For us.

-For us.

-Thank you.

I think, this time, we will go with you, Phil,

and we will buy just that one.

No, I am in shock now.

So, can we shake the man's hand?

Have we agreed?

-Up to you, my love.

-What do you think?

Shake the man's hand. 20 quid.

-20 quid.

-Really good.

-Thank you.

-Well done.

-Done.

-I'm glad we bought that.

THEY LAUGH

Loving your style, Reds.

All three items done and dusted.

Right, Blues. Time to step up your game.

Less than five minutes left.

Come over here with it.

-How much is it?

-I was going to say, there's no price on it.

That's one of the better ones, is that.

Is this for me?

-Go on.

-Yeah, yeah.

-Go on, then.

Could we ask Julie about that, then?

OK. I'll go and find Julie. I'll leave you with him and the loco.

-There's no price on it, Susan.

-No, there's no price.

Whilst Charles rushes off to get a price, the pressure is off the Reds.

There's five minutes left, so we can...

-We've done well.

-..relax.

-We can.

Well, almost.

Now you can look for your bonus buy.

Back to the Blues...

-90.

-90?!

Nine zero.

We have three minutes to go, Charles, or less.

I'll put it back. Susie, get racing.

Come on, quickly. Put the train down.

Come on, Sue. This is when you've got to move.

Candlesticks on the table.

Two minutes to go, hurry up.

Full steam ahead.

So, basically, we have got a minute and a half left.

-Yes.

-We either go for this table, which I adore.

What else do we see?

I only see the table.

-Do you really?

-I do, yes.

We'll have the table. You've convinced me.

Obviously, Charlie Ross...

Charlie, obviously, is a very old-fashioned man.

I think he will greatly respect us for going antique and furniture.

And you are going down on your knees.

Exactly. I love the table.

I think it's a beautiful, beautiful table.

-We're having the table.

-So, we've got 25 seconds left.

Have we done the deal? Where's Julie?

-Julie!

-Julie! Quick, please.

-Julie!

-Julie!

-Julie!

-19 seconds...

-Hello, Julie.

-Julie?

Julie?

15 seconds...

Julie!

-Don't panic.

-Julie.

Now, team...

-Yes.

-It's a yes from us.

-The table.

-120 is the very best?

-Yes. Yes.

-We'll take it.

We'll take it at the price because it is a good price.

-Ten seconds left.

-Ten seconds left.

In the Yorkshire way, we have got it.

-Yes.

-Well done, team. We were mean on time.

Well done, Blues. You clinched your final item in the nick of time.

BELL RINGS

Checkmate. Right, teams, your time is up.

Now, let's have a look at what the Red team have bought.

They raced ahead with this delivery man's bicycle,

costing them a whopping £155.

Next up, they bought this brass Morse key, setting them back £25.

And finally, will this vintage vacuum cleaner clean up

or bite the dust at the auction? Price paid, £20.

Angela and Ken, what a perfect marriage.

Angela, you go off and buy a butcher's bike

and Ken buys a vacuum cleaner.

What's all that about?

This is a proper sort of splitting of duties, isn't it?

Did you have a really nice time?

-We did.

-We did.

-It was fantastic.

-Really, really good.

-Wasn't it?

-It was.

Sorry?

THEY LAUGH

When she pauses, you have to get in quick, otherwise...

You just don't get a chance to say anything.

Phil and I had to struggle a bit.

We got through it eventually.

Which is your favourite lot?

Well, the vacuum cleaner.

It's going to make a fortune!

Which will make the biggest profit?

Maybe the vacuum cleaner.

Maybe not. We'll see.

-What about you?

-The butcher's bike.

-Yeah?

-Yes.

-I take my hat off to you, you spent £200.

We did. We did well, didn't we?

-We did our best.

-You did very, very well.

-Yes.

-Now, you've got £100 left.

-Yes.

-Can I have it, please?

Don't look so begrudging about it.

It's going to the great man here.

£100.

I'm sure he'll buy us something fantastic.

Well, we'll find out. What are you going to do with it, Phil?

Well, I don't know, but I think I'm going to try and blow the lot and

while they're cleaning up with the vacuum,

I'll try and see if I can find something to do the windows.

So, while Phil goes off to meet the window cleaner,

we'll check out what the Blue team have bought.

They signed the deal on this Victorian silver inkwell

costing them £40.

Then they paid £18 for this pretty Oriental bowl,

hoping it will serve up a profit.

And finally, in the nick of time,

they splashed out on this oak gate-legged table.

Price paid, £120.

Frank and Sue, that was a bit down to the wire, wasn't it?

-It was.

-Seconds.

Goodness me. But you ended up with ten seconds to spare buying the

-first thing that you saw.

-Yes. We didn't really want anything big and brown, but we ended up with...

You bought something very big and very brown and very expensive,

-didn't you?

-Yes.

-Now, what's your favourite lot, Sue?

I like the little inkwell, the little silver inkwell.

-Yeah. Do you think that will make the biggest profit?

-Maybe the bowl will.

-But I'm not sure.

-Maybe the bowl?

-What about you?

-I like the table, really.

-You like the table?

-Oh, I do, I like the table.

Do you think that will make the biggest profit?

No. I think possibly the bowl on the price.

You think the bowl, buy on price?

Yes. Well, you spent £178.

-We did.

-Which, by my reckoning, leaves 122 left over.

Who's got the 122?

I can't possibly imagine.

122.

Come on! Come on!

Well done. Now, that goes off to young...

-Thank you.

-..Mr Hanson there.

-What are you going to do with it?

-Well, I think the art of antique

-buying is all about educating my team.

-Yes.

-So, may that continue.

While Charles goes off to school, we're off to the auction.

I've come down the road to Nottingham to Mellors & Kirk

and today, I'm with the boss, Nigel Kirk.

-Hello.

-Very welcome.

Now, Angela and Ken, the Red team,

kicked off their purchases with this splendid chariot.

It's great, isn't it?

-A genuine delivery man's bicycle, probably the 1930s.

-Yeah.

It's the sort of thing somebody would buy and put outside a butcher's shop

or grocery shop or something.

What about a delivery bicycle for Mellors & Kirk?

Good idea. Would be rather quaint.

-What about value?

-£40-60.

-Yeah.

-It could make more, couldn't it?

-I'd like it a bit more than that.

-Yes.

£155.

I suppose they're hard to find.

-Yes.

-It wouldn't surprise me if it made that sort of money.

-No.

-But it's dangerous to put too much of a high estimate on.

-Limited market.

-Yeah.

Well, moving on from there, what about the Morse code tapper?

Beautifully made, isn't it?

-Yes.

-Apparatus like that of that period, the early 20th century,

is always very well engineered, superb materials.

The only disappointment is so many of these things have no provenance.

-No.

-If one could say it had come from a particular ship or...

But in the absence of provenance, £20-30.

Well, they paid 25 so...

-That's all right.

-..should be pretty safe.

Now, the latest broom here.

Yes. I think Sir James Dyson even would be hard pressed to improve on

that. It's a splendid machine, isn't it?

It's magnificent. You'd have to be quite fit to use it though.

Yes. Well, of course, you wouldn't use it, because

the person that bought it was the lady of the house.

-Yes.

-She would've had servants and staff to use it.

Of course. What about value?

I would've thought £20-40.

They only paid £20.

-Can't go wrong.

-A couple of quick bids...

-Yeah.

-..from your swiftly wielding gavel and you'll be away.

Wonderful. But of course they might need their bonus buy.

Let's have a look at what Phil bought.

Well, Angela and Ken,

you left him £100 and he said he was going off to blow the lot.

-Right.

-Has he?

-Yes, I did.

-Shall we have a look?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

-What have you got for us?

-Wow!

-Oh!

-That's lovely.

-It is, isn't it?

This is the stairway to success.

-To heaven, yes.

-It's superb.

I like it. I think it's really nice, I really do, actually.

-Do you honestly think that counts for anything?

-No, it doesn't count for a lot.

I just thought I'd say, you know?

-How much did you pay for this, Phil?

-Well, they cost me £100.

Right. How much do you think we'll get?

I think they're neither fish nor fowl, these.

They're either going to make 30, 35 quid, or 150, 200.

I don't think there's anywhere in the middle.

What you need is two people to believe in them.

-Yes.

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

-Yeah.

-Anyway, meanwhile,

let's see what the auctioneer thinks about the steps.

Well, if you've got a library, you could have some bamboo library steps.

You could indeed. They look really quite interesting.

-Yes.

-They could be Regency period, or early Victorian.

-Yes.

-But on close examination, they're not old.

No.

They'd be worth a lot of money if they were early 19th-century,

-wouldn't they?

-Oh, they would. Library furniture is extremely sore,

thousands of pounds.

-Yes.

-And they look good.

-Yeah.

-They look the part, but they're not genuine.

No, no, so that's going to hamper the value.

I suggest £40-60.

Mmm. Phil went and splashed out £100 on these.

-Did he?

-Mmm.

-It does seem rather a lot.

Do you think he knew something we didn't?

Perhaps they might be older, but I'd be...

No, I think you're right.

I think you're right, you're going to have to work on those, I think.

Well, that's the Red team, now let's have a quick look at the Blue team.

And Susan and Frank started off by buying this silver inkwell.

Now, we've got a bit of a problem with this inkwell.

It's quite a nice object, but something's missing, isn't it?

It's incomplete. It's missing the cover that would have sat on top of the glass well.

Well, I have to say, Nigel, when they bought it, it had the cover.

Yes. And it's gone missing somewhere.

So, if you could give us a value on it as it is...

I think it's worth £20-30.

Yeah. After all it is silver and it's a pleasing-looking object.

-Yes.

-Now, of course, all-important, had it had the silver lid,

what would it have been worth?

I suppose it's £60-80, had it been complete.

That sounds pretty good, really, because they paid £40.

Oh, it's such a shame in that case,

because I think they would've made a profit.

Yeah. Now the bowl.

Where do you think it comes from?

I think it's probably Southeast Asian, could well be Vietnamese.

Yeah. What about age? I find these things so difficult to age.

I think it almost certainly 19th-century.

Do you? Yes.

-What about a value?

-I think with that one,

the glaze is very heavily pitted.

-Yeah.

-So, £20-30 as an interesting curio.

-Well, they only paid £18.

-Very fair.

The third lot they bought was the oak gate-legged table.

Now, I've had a damn good look at this oak gate-legged table

and I'll be very interested to hear what you think about it.

It's a marriage, and not a very felicitous one,

because it's got a wrong top.

Although the base is 18th-century,

the top is of later date

and buyers do not want those.

No, I think Charles was carried away in the heat of the moment, really.

-So what have you managed to put on it?

-£60-80.

-Yeah. I think that's actually quite a generous estimate.

-Oh, dear.

-He paid £120 for it.

-Well, that's even more generous.

Well, yeah. Well, of course, now they might need their bonus buy.

Let's have a look at it.

Well, Susan and Frank, what did he say?

He said he was going to go away and "educate his team".

I would've thought there's more chance of you educating him, really, but we'll see what happens.

-What have you got?

-Charlie, sometimes in my team it's good to roll back the years.

To really roll back to a time, a year before the Battle of Trafalgar.

Where were you?

And this young girl Dorothy Lowe was here,

stitching this wonderful sampler.

I just love it, because it has sentiment and it has a charm.

And the verse reads, "Child of the summer charms."

-That's lovely.

-And this young girl was a charm, and a stylised foliage,

got these chairs here, they're unusual.

There's a stained mark here, Frank, have you noticed that?

Oh, yeah, but that's age.

-What do you think of it? Good?

-Yeah, I do like it, yes.

-You like it.

-What about cost?

-How much did you pay for it, Charles?

What's it worth? I'm asking you, you've been on the hour in Bargain Hunt,

-what would you pay for it?

-£70-80?

Um...I'd go about £60.

OK, well, I'm a Derbyshire man,

so a bit more than the Yorkshireman in his pocket!

It cost me £90.

I'm hoping it might make £100-150.

-Good.

-Well, I think the great thing is that all three of you like it.

-Oh, yeah.

-But what will the auctioneer think of it?

Right, now, Charles went shopping,

and purchased this sampler.

-What do you think of that?

-I think this is really a very attractive

sampler that's spoilt by this staining and fading.

It's a shame, isn't it?

I see it was worked by a young girl at Carsington School in 1804.

So it's early enough, isn't it?

-It's early enough.

-And it's not a bad frame.

Not a bad frame, good size.

I think it's worth £80-120, you'd give it a guide.

Well, he paid £90, so it's right in the middle of your estimate.

It's OK, I'd have thought.

-You'll be taking the sale, no doubt?

-I will.

-Good.

Well, let's see how Nigel gets on with these objects.

Right. Brimming with excitement?

-Absolutely.

-Of course. Absolutely.

-I'm overcome!

-You're overcome.

-Yeah.

-Are you regulars of the saleroom?

-Yes.

-Are you?

-Buying and selling?

-No, just buying.

Just buying. Never sell anything!

Well, anyway, the bicycle cost £155.

Here it is, in all its splendour.

Lot 196, the CWS delivery man's bicycle, with its basket.

£30, only bid for it at 30, five, 40, 45. 45 I'll take for it.

45, £50, 60, 70.

At £60, 70, 80.

80 for it, surely.

At £70, £80, 90 for you.

-90.

-You see?

-100, 110, 110, 120,

130, 140, 150, 160...

Sure?

Yes? That's a bid.

-160...

-You've done it!

-170. You sure?

160 in the room. I sell.

170 on the internet.

-180?

-Go on, sir, try another.

-Hard to find.

-He's done another!

190. At 180 in the room, I sell at £180.

Brilliant! You've made £25 on an old bicycle!

Phil and Angela and Ken!

Here's the Morse key.

Lot number 197, it's a brass signal key,

the Morse key. £20 for it, somebody.

20. 20 I'm bid.

At 20. 25 for it?

At £20 only, maiden bid of 20. 25 anywhere?

-Come on.

-25 I'm bid online.

But can you get to 30?

At £25, 30 for it now?

-What a profit.

-£25 only.

-No loss.

-You're still £25 up.

And you've got this fabulous vacuum cleaner to come.

This is going to soar away.

The Reeves pneumatic broom.

Good original condition, £20?

20 is bid.

At 20, 25. 25 for it.

£20. 25, 30...

Profit, well done!

At £30, any advance?

I'm selling at £30.

Well done, you've made a tenner on that.

You are now £35 up.

-And you've still got a bamboo ladder to decide.

-No, we're going to go...

-What's the decision?

-We're going, we're going with it.

-Are you sure?

-Absolutely certain.

-Absolutely.

Do you want to know what the auctioneer's valued this ladder at?

-Not really.

-Good, I won't tell you, then! I tell you what,

when it's sold I'll tell you what the auctioneer's estimate was.

OK. That's fine.

£600-800... Oh, no!

Right, here it is! Look at that ladder.

Lot 204, the bamboo library steps, with wood treads.

And £30 for it, please?

30 I'm bid. At 30, five, 40. 40, 45, 45, 50 I'm bid.

60, 70, 70?

-£60.

-Come on!

70 for it? At £60, at the back of the room, your bid, 60.

£60.

-Never mind.

-Well, I can just let you into the information that until you

met Philip Serrell, you were £35 up.

And now we're £5 down!

You are a mathematical genius, Angela!

-And yet you still love Philip Serrell?

-Absolutely!

-Phil...

-I'm doing their cleaning weekend next week!

I still love the ladder!

You love the ladder. Well, somebody else does.

I think they've got a bargain.

-I do as well.

-I really do.

-Anyway, not a word to the Blues.

-No.

-Not a word to the Blues.

Have you been to an auction before?

-Yes.

-You have, lots of times?

I've been to a couple of them.

-Buying, selling?

-Buying.

Always buy. Right, now, the inkwell.

It lost its little silver top in transit.

The estimation was £20-30 by the auctioneer,

but he didn't know it had a top. So I said to him,

"What would it have been worth with the original top?"

And he said, "£60-80."

So to be fair, we're going to pay you out £70 willy-nilly.

Now, here it comes, let's see what it makes.

Lot 220, Victorian silver inkwell.

£20 for this, please.

20, £20.

Any interest at 20?

£20. 20 I'm bid.

At 20. 25 for it?

25, 25, 30, 30, 35, at 30.

All done, £30, a commission bidder and selling for 30.

Well, that's interesting,

it's made the top of his estimate without the lid.

But you get £70, so you've made a profit of £30.

-So we're £30 up.

-Which is fair.

Now, here comes your bowl.

Lot 221, Vietnamese blue-and-white bowl.

And £20 for this, please.

Blue-and-white bowl for 20.

Ten, ten I'm bid, at ten.

15, 20, 25...

-Hang on!

-At 20, in the room this time, and selling for £20, I sell.

-Plus £2!

-We can't grumble, can we?

One more profit, you're onto a golden gavel.

Here comes your gate-legged table.

The oak gate-legged table, the top of later date.

Oh! "Top of a later date"?

30? 30, I'm bid at 30.

35, 45, 50. At 45.

50 for it?

£45 the bid.

All done at £45.

It's one big shake.

I'm ever so sorry, team, about that.

You've lost £75 on one lump of wood.

So, you're actually down £43.

But it just shows what good value furniture is. £45!

It's ridiculous. I agree with you. But you've got to make a decision about your sampler.

Do you want to go with it or not? It cost £90.

-Keep the faith.

-Yes.

-Are you sure?

-Yes.

-You love this man, you love the sampler.

-Do you want to know what the auctioneer put on it?

-Go on, then.

-50 quid?

£80-120.

-That's brilliant!

-Fantastic.

-Here it is.

-228, linen sampler, dated 1804.

And £40 I'm bid for the sampler.

At 40, five for it?

45, 50, 60.

50 I'm bid.

60 for it? £50, 60, 60, 70. £60.

An internet bid at 60...

-Come on!

-Selling at £60, fair warning, at £60.

It just shows what great value, Charlie, you can buy at auction.

What a lovely thing. You know,

-I honestly think that frame is worth £60, personally.

-Yes.

But anyway, you've lost £30.

Hitherto you had lost £43.

It means you're down £73.

-It's painful.

-Now, before you get too despondent,

I can tell you a lot of people have lost a lot more than 73.

-Don't mention it to the Reds.

-Oh, no!

-Not a word!

-And we'll have a bit of fun later on.

-Thank you.

Well, we set out on Bargain Hunt, don't we, to make money?

-Yes!

-And sometimes we succeed, don't we?

Yes!

But never mind, we don't have losers, of course.

-No.

-We have runners-up!

-And today, the runners-up without a doubt are indeed the Blues!

-Oh!

I'm afraid so! There we are!

And you started so well, didn't you?

You made a profit on your inkwell,

you then made another couple of pounds on your bowl.

-A very good start.

-But the gate-legged table.

It only lost £75.

So that didn't really matter, did it?

Because you've gone down by £73 today.

-Well done.

-Thank you very much!

Now, before you get too smug, you didn't make a profit, did you?

-Nearly!

-You did very, very nearly.

In fact, had you not met Mr Serrell,

you would have made a profit, of course!

-No!

-You were £35 up, before you went with that ladder.

But I liked the ladder.

You liked the ladder. But for the ladder you would have made a profit. As it is, you lost £5.

-Yes.

-And you've won the competition!

-Exactly!

-Yes! Anyway, have you had a good time?

-Lovely, thank you!

-Marvellous. Have you enjoyed yourselves?

-Yes.

Fantastic. Well, don't forget to have a look at our website,

and to follow us on Twitter.

-In the meantime, join us for more Bargain Hunting. Yes? ALL:

-Yes!