Topsham 32 Bargain Hunt

We're in Devon today and this attractive town of Topsham

was once the second busiest port in England.

Up until the mid-19th century,

this quay would have been a hive of activity,

with valuable cargo being shipped in and out across the world.

Today, there is no shortage of valuable cargo down here.

The place is full of antiques.

So, what are we waiting for? Let's go bargain hunting!

Topsham's Quay Antique Centre is today's treasure trove,

but will it leave our bargain hunters in riches or in ruins?

They each have £300 but only one hour

to find three items that will make them a profit at auction.

Will it be plain sailing?

Let's have a look at what's coming up. Ooh-arr!

On today's show, there's food for thought with the Reds.

This reminds me of when you take the label off a baked bean tin.

I knew you were going to say that.

The Blues have done their homework.

That rabbit or hare caught my eye,

because I'm sure I've seen that one on an antiquey programme.

And it made good money.

And there's thrills and spills over at the auction.

45, anywhere in the room?

I can jump straight in at £35.

Yes!

But that's all coming up later.

First, it's time to meet our teams.

And it's a very great show we have today

because everyone is in married bliss.

We have got for the Reds, Mike and Michelle.

And for the Blues, Anne and Ian.

All married couples. Hello to you.

Hello.

Now, Michelle, I believe it's all about cycling in your life.

Tell me, how did this start?

About 40, really. I didn't really cycle much till then.

I've got arthritis in my knees. And it was the doctor said,

"Right, you've got to give up everything else.

"Cycling or swimming." So, cycling it was, really.

OK. And where has it taken you?

Oh! All over the place.

to John O'Groats.

-On our tandem.

-That's really cool.

So, who on the tandem was doing all the hard work?

-Oh, me.

-All right.

They call the back cyclist the stoker.

And the front one is the pilot.

So it's obviously the back one that does all the work.

-The stoker.

-The stoker.

So, tell me, Mike... This is something I would love to do.

In fact, everyone would love to do -

take a year off and go and live abroad. How did that come about?

Well, we've got friends that emigrated

to Brittany in northern France, a long time ago.

And we've been going there a long, long time.

On the spur of the moment I bought a completely dilapidated old cottage.

That was 13 years ago.

I told her it was only going to take six months to do.

-Took 13 years.

-13 years!

-13 years.

A lot of love, though. A lot of love's gone into it.

-All of the construction?

-Yeah.

-What's your specialist area

-when you're constructing something?

-Oh, stairs.

-Oh, right, OK.

-I'm a carpenter joiner, basically.

But stairs, the more intricate the better. I'm just a stairs nut.

Never heard of that!

Well, there must be some because I am one.

I love it. It means you're using your noodle a little bit rather than

-just, you know, sawing.

-If it's all about construction and wood,

are you thinking of buying sort of treen items today?

Is that going to be your bag?

Something where a lot of craftsmanship's gone into.

Tell me, are you going to work well as husband and wife, do you reckon?

-No.

-No, no, no, no.

-Right, OK, excellent. Right.

-So, there's going to be lots of bickering.

-Oh, probably.

-Absolutely.

Now, let's move on to your competitors.

The Blues. Ian and Anne. Now, Ian, tell me,

it was your mutual love of singing that brought you and Anne together.

So tell me, how did that come about?

Well, I attended an all-male college.

-And the music tutor used to like to have a mixed choral society.

-OK.

So we used to invite young ladies in from various groups around the town

to make a mixed choir.

And that's where we met.

63 years ago.

Wow. Amazing. 63 years ago.

And we've been singing ever since in various forms.

So it's singing for you, Ian,

but for you, Anne, it's all about the piano, tinkling the ivories.

Well, it is now, but I used to sing.

No, it's more piano. And I've done a lot of accompanying over the years.

-We've really enjoyed it.

-So it's not just music you love,

it's speaking foreign languages and visiting far-flung places.

Tell me about that.

We both like to have a bit of language when we travel.

We've been to Canada, twice.

-Very exotic.

-Yeah.

Then we went to the Cayman Islands for Christmas.

All around the Mediterranean.

All around the Mediterranean. And Turkey.

Now, how do you think you're going to work as a team, tactic-wise?

-Do you have any tactics?

-I think we ought to spend a little.

I think we'd stand a better chance that way.

OK. Well, we'll see how it goes.

A lot of people say that and it's usually the best laid schemes.

-So...

-Exactly, exactly. Oh, exactly.

-I'm not giving you euros.

I'm giving you pounds sterling.

And £300 of it to be exact.

So, Michelle, for the Reds, £300.

And Anne, for the Blues, the same for you.

-Thank you.

-The experts can't wait to meet you.

-Off you go.

-Thank you.

-With all this talk of singing, I wonder,

will our teams be in harmony today?

The Reds and Blues will need a

little helping hand along the way today.

Will Gary Pe help spin a profit for the Reds?

Or will Danny Sebastian be rowing the Blues to a win?

So, team, what's on our shopping list today?

Something unusual, I think. Be quite nice to find something that I've not

-seen on the programme before.

-Oh, that's good, I like that.

What sort of thing are you looking for, Anne?

I think some small pieces that aren't too expensive.

I like jewellery. I like treen.

-I'm looking for craftsmanship.

-Yes.

-Well made things.

-Oh!

-Wood.

-Oh, it sings to me.

-Wooden stuff.

Agricultural stuff.

I mean, I love African art.

Well, I think we can do this. One hour, remember. Let's go.

-Come on, let's go shopping.

-Right you are.

I hope you're ready, teams. Your time starts now.

-Right, team, shall we start upstairs?

-Yeah.

-Great.

-Let's go.

We want something big, we want something bold,

we want something elaborate.

We want something that's going to make a lot of money.

-I'm not for sale.

-That's because you're priceless to us, Danny.

-Get cracking, teams.

-Use your eyes.

-Yep.

-Yeah.

What about the tea services, do they...?

-No?

-Unless they're the good makes,

the good designers, best to stay away.

And the full sort of sets, as well, I suppose.

Moving along, then, Michelle.

What about the compact? Silver compact.

It's quite a plain one, isn't it?

It looks like something from the '30s.

-Yeah, I thought, yeah.

-From the Art Deco period.

-And it says that it's silver.

-Do people collect them?

-Yes.

-They do.

-Very much so.

Luckily, Beverley is standing by with the keys to the cabinet.

Oh, lovely, thank you. Oh, it's quite heavy.

-Yep.

-That's a good sign, as well, isn't it?

And there are the silver hallmarks.

-Oh!

-Nice...

-Nice bevelling. Ah, see?

-Oh, you've got your terms.

-Yeah, I know my bevelling.

-Little bit of a blemish there.

Well, that's good, cos that means that it's the original mirror.

-Oh, right, yeah.

-Well spotted, Mike.

55. That's not too objectionable.

But we won't make a profit.

OK. So I need to get it down quite a bit, to be able to get a profit.

-Well, yes.

-What's the best you can do on this?

-Well, I mean, normally,

the ticket price on it would be 50,

but I do know this dealer quite well so I'm sure she'd do 45.

Any possibility we could get down more into 30s?

Crikey, Michelle, that would be a good discount.

Sorry, I really can't go any further than 45.

Is there a possibility at least of 44?

-Just in case.

-Well, I'll put my neck on the block and say 40.

-Go on.

-Oh!

Nice work, Gary.

Thank you so much. I'd set my heart on that. That's great. Brilliant.

We can't refuse. It would be rude to refuse.

It would, it would, it would be really rude.

-Yeah?

-Yeah. Thank you very much.

-I'm happy with that.

OK. Come on.

Well done, Reds, ten minutes in and one item in the bag.

I wonder how the Blues are getting on?

That rabbit or hare caught my eye,

because I'm sure I've seen that one on an antiquey programme.

And it made good money. And I think that's a bit quirky, too.

You're getting me round to your way of thinking, you know, Anne,

But Ian's not said nothing about it yet. What do you think about it?

Well, I saw it on television, as well.

I quite liked it. I'm thinking along the line of a child's bedroom.

Oh, he's not very heavy.

-He is actually very nice.

-He's 59.

-59.

We're both a bit quirky.

-I like that.

-And I think he's quite quirky.

He's got quite a nice face, hasn't he?

I believe you'll find that's actually a hare, team,

and a fairly modern piece.

-But do you agree?

-I do agree.

I'd like to know the best price o n that one, because I like it.

I'll leave you and Anne admiring and I'll go and see if I can find

somebody who can give me a real good price on it.

-Yes.

-OK, I'll see you in a second.

Time to hop off, Danny, and work your magic.

Meanwhile, carpenter Mike has taken a fancy to something.

-What do you think of this, Gary?

-Oh, the box?

-Yes.

I can't make up my mind if it's marquetry or what. What is it?

Well, to begin with, this is poker work, right?

That's a hot iron, is it?

Hot iron, hot burning iron that would create those impressions.

-Oh, right.

-Those brown impressions. A bit of burning in there.

-That's quite trendy now, as well.

-Exactly.

-Burning it in, isn't it?

And it's painted, as well. Do we have a price here?

-Ten quid?

-58. Sounds a bit steep.

-That is a bit steep.

-Right, well, we've got heaps of time.

-Shall we remember where it is?

-Remember where it is, remember the price.

-Right, OK.

-Should we move on?

One for the back burner, team.

Meanwhile, Danny has raced back with shop assistant Albert.

This is the hare that I was talking about. Priced at 59.

Now, very, very modern, you know, and probably made in abundance.

Well, rabbits do that, don't they?

THEY LAUGH

Very good, Albert.

I think it's time to put a call in to John, the dealer.

They're looking at one of your rabbits.

For £59. What's your best price?

Righto, John, thank you very much, sir.

£45.

-Are you happy with that?

-Happy, very happy with that.

-Anne?

-Yes, I'm very happy, cos I want to keep him.

And I'm happy because you two are happy. Shake the man's hand.

-Thank you very much, Albert.

-Thank you, Albert.

Top work, Blues. That's you off the mark with your first item.

Our teams are now 20 minutes into their shop. What's Gary spotted?

If you do a bit of entertaining,

this one might fit the bill. It's a champagne bucket.

-Yeah?

-That style is very much

along the lines of that compact that you bought.

-Art Deco.

-'20s, '30s?

But this, to me, looks like it was probably made

in the last 20 years or so.

-Right.

-Still, it has the look.

Do you know this bit here?

-Yes?

-This reminds me of when you take the label off a baked bean tin.

I knew you were going to say that.

How much is it? Oh, £10.

-Ten.

-Ten quid?

Reduced from 18.

You'd certainly get a lot of beans for your buck with that, Michelle.

I can see this making at least double that.

Even at auction. Are you moving towards, "I likey likey"?

I like it for ten quid. You can't go wrong, can you?

If we went for nine and then we made ten,

we'd have £1 profit, wouldn't we?

Good point, Michelle, I like your thinking. See what you can do.

Any possibility of just an extra pound off that?

Just the fact that when it goes to auction, if it makes £10,

-then we've made £1.

-I know.

I know this lady, so, yes, she probably will do that.

Oh, that is so good, thank you very much.

Well, that was pretty straightforward.

Number two for you, and you're only halfway through.

So we've got 30 minutes to find that bit of wood.

-Let's go.

-Excellent.

All under control, Gary?

I didn't think I was going to convince them with that second buy.

I tell you what, that £10 price tag

suddenly changed the whole thing.

Better than that, we got it for £9.

There's got to be a profit in that.

Only time will tell, Gary. Let's leave the teams to it,

whilst I show you something that's rather cutting edge.

Is this a dagger I see before me?

Well, officially, yes, it is a dagger.

But let's give it its proper Scottish name.

This here is a dirk.

The word dirk comes from a Gaelic word,

and it really is just another way of saying a long, thin dagger.

Now, dirks were introduced into Scottish military Highland Dress,

really, around the mid-18th century and they remained popular.

However, budgets did not remain high,

and as they got a little stretched over the next couple of centuries,

these dirks moved from normal weaponry, sidearms,

to ceremonial pieces for the full Highland regalia.

Now, you might have noticed that

this dirk is particularly dazzling and that it is.

This is mounted with hallmarked silver.

Those hallmarks are on the back.

You'll see them there. They're for 1924 and, brilliantly,

they are from my home town of Glasgow.

Now, another thing that tells us

this is a Glasgow dirk is the maker's mark. G&J Morgan.

That's George and John Morgan.

And they've gone all out.

Look at the top here.

Seriously beautiful leaves - acanthus leaves -

and then you move down to the leather hilt and you'll see these

beautifully crafted thistles, of course,

the Scottish symbol of the thistle, in really high relief.

So it's a bit of a dazzler, actually.

This style is known as en-suite and what that basically means is you've

got the dagger and a couple of extra bits.

We've got a fork and - not for stabbing, but for eating -

another knife.

Now, because I've removed that knife,

the real splendour of the hilt and the handle are revealed.

Gordon Highlanders.

So we know it's military but now we know which regiment this has been

used in. The Gordon Highlanders, such an important Scottish regiment.

And to whom did it belong?

Well, let me show you. On the back, we've got some initials.

KG O'M.

Now, you might think, O'M, that's got to be O'Malley,

which sounds Irish, and, yes, the soldier was an Irishman.

But not O'Malley, O'Murchu.

Kenneth Gibbon O'Murchu, who was born in 1894 in Dublin.

And, at the age of 19, he joined the army.

Starting in the First World War, he saw service in France and Belgium.

But it was in 1922 he moved to the Gordon Highlanders to become a

Lieutenant Colonel.

Now we know what it's made of, to whom it belonged,

we know when it was made, but what's it worth?

Well, I would say, at auction, £1,500 to £2,000.

And I hope that you'll agree it's a fitting high value indeed.

Back to the shopping. The teams only have 20 minutes remaining.

The Reds are on the home straight with their final piece to purchase.

The Blues, however, are playing catch up with two items to find.

-We'd better move.

-I know we've got to move but I'm panicking.

-Don't panic, keep cool.

-Yeah, we'll keep cool.

Speaking of cool...

Absorb the atmosphere,

find that piece of wood.

Talk about laid-back, Reds.

And if you spot something, you know, kind of point us...

-In that direction?

-Yes.

Right, come on, Blues, time to get that second item under your belt.

The birdcage, I did actually see that, it's quite nice.

Vintage ebonised birdcage.

I quite feel that this could be a great decorator's piece.

Decorator's piece being something

that's just used as a nice decorative piece.

It does not necessarily have to be old. What do you like about it?

Well, I like it, whatever, you know, as a thing, if you like.

It's a birdcage. But you would obviously not use it as a birdcage,

but there are many uses... People would like that.

I'm sure they could put it to several different uses.

-Good point.

-I like the form of it.

I think it's architectural.

And I think Ian's quite clever to have spotted that.

I like that. What could we get it for? It's 78. Would he do 50?

You sound a lot like myself, you do, Ian,

but I don't think he's going to go to 50, to be honest.

From 78, were talking about 70, aren't we?

I tell you what, keep on admiring it,

and I'm going to go and see if I can get a real good price on it.

-Good man.

-OK. I'll see you shortly.

-Good luck.

It certainly sounds promising, team.

Let's just hope the price is right.

Meanwhile, has Gary come up trumps for the Reds?

Feast your eyes

on this.

-That's really pretty, isn't it?

-It's been overpainted.

-Yeah, yeah.

-Strangely enough.

-Would that strip off?

-It certainly would.

If you strip that down to the original colour...

-Yeah?

-That, along with this central frame here,

which is made of embossed brass

in the Aesthetic style

encloses...

-A bevelled mirror.

-Another bevelled mirror.

We're into bevelled mirrors today, aren't we?

I think they're impressed, Gary.

Arts and Crafts movement, 1890 to about 1915.

Think of the possibilities.

Strip that down.

-Yeah.

-28 quid. Isn't that amazing?

-That is ridiculously cheap.

-That's very cheap, isn't it?

-I mean, that is...

-For a mirror, yeah.

-That is a steal.

-What you think?

-Could we get it cheaper, do you think?

I think it's your turn to barter, isn't it?

-My turn to barter.

-I did it. I did the last two. It's your turn.

-Show us what you can do.

-OK.

-Right. 28.

-20.

-20. We want 20.

-Try, anyway.

-I'll do my best.

Well done, Gary. Let's just hope Mike can seal the deal.

Speaking of which, Danny's back with a price for the birdcage.

Eh. Good news.

Good news. I've spoke to the assistant

and they said the very best they could do is £65.

Now, to be honest with you,

I think there's room at auction for this to make a little profit.

We buy things we like,

-don't we? I like that.

-Shall we buy it?

-Yep.

Yes, OK. We've got one more item to buy,

so let's go and find it and get this wrapped up.

Lead on, Macduff.

Nice one, Blues, that's your second item.

But remember, that clock is still ticking. Ten minutes left.

Back to the Reds, where Gary and Michelle

are playing the waiting game.

I don't think he will get it for 20.

-I don't think so.

-Oh, here he is.

-Good news. They'll do it for 20.

-You're wrong.

-Oh, no, I said you wouldn't.

I said you'd have paid more for it.

-I said you get embarrassed when I do it.

-Well, guys, we've done it.

-Three items.

-Yeah, yeah.

-Yeah. In style, as well.

In good time.

-Yeah.

-We're off to auction.

-Brilliant.

-Away we go. Excellent.

Cool, calm and collected. Well done, Reds.

I'm very impressed. However, back with the Blues...

Do you see anything that you think...

Nothing's jumping out at me.

Come on, team, you only have three minutes left.

Is there anything that takes your fancy?

The magnifying glass.

-The wine stoppers.

-I like the wine stoppers.

I think we're going to have to rush and make a decision here.

You certainly have taste, team.

All hallmarked solid silver items.

Well, I think they're all pretty much of a muchness, really,

to be quite honest with you.

It's whether or not you think it's more favourable

with the shooting or the magnifying.

Down to personal preference here, really, I believe.

Well, the thing is, you'd want the two of those,

which is going to push the cost up.

Because I think they'd be better as a pair.

Hallmarked silver wine stoppers, made in Birmingham.

However, they are modern pieces, team. One minute left.

Let's make a decision and go for the magnifying glass.

I think it's all right.

No chips on it that I can see.

Better let Danny have a look at it, with his eagle eye.

It does look very modern but it's nice and crisp and clean. £28.

The silver-handled magnifying glass, again, is a modern piece,

made in Sheffield in 1989 by the silversmiths Harrison Brothers.

What's the absolute best you can do this for, please, Albert?

-You're running out of time!

-It's got 28.

Could I give a cheeky bid?

We would do 25 without any hesitation.

-Shall we go 22? All the twos?

-Go on, then, 22.

-Shake the man's hand.

-Thank you, Albert.

-Again.

-You're welcome.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

I hope you found some treasure, teams. Your time's up.

That's us, just finished with about a second to spare.

-That's all right.

-Isn't it always the way?

Well, it is when you're working with me.

Let's remind ourselves what the Red team bought.

First up was Michelle's find, the powder compact.

Price paid - £40.

Next, it took a bit of convincing,

but Gary's ice bucket set them back £9.

And, finally, Mike was determined to

find a piece of wood and the Arts and Crafts mirror cost him £20.

Well, Mike and Michelle,

you weren't expecting to get along so well as a Red team.

-It was all very harmonious, wasn't it?

-Not one bicker at all.

-Gary was the peacemaker.

-Yes, he's known for that, he's known for that.

Now, Mike, of the three items that you bought,

which would you say is your favourite?

-Oh, the mirror.

-The mirror, because it's got the most wood in it?

-Yeah. The only bit of wood we got, yeah.

-You didn't pay a lot for it,

so do you think it's going to bring the biggest profit?

No, I think what I call the spittoon will.

-The ice bucket.

-Yeah.

The cheapest item is hopefully going to bring the biggest profit?

-Yeah, I think so.

-Michelle, do you agree

that the mirror's your favourite, or...

No, I think the silver compact. I love the silver compact.

I just thought it was so classy, so simple and classy. It was lovely.

OK. And your biggest splurge, as well.

-Yes.

-So is that going to bring the biggest profit?

Do you know what? Probably not.

No, I can't make up my mind between the baked bean tin and the mirror.

I think between one of those.

So just to clarify, the spittoon and the baked bean tin,

-that's the ice bucket?

-Yeah.

Gary, you know, you loved that ice bucket.

-Is that hard to take?

-When I showed them that £10 price tag,

they were convinced. Better yet, they got it down to nine.

Right, OK, you only spent £69, so who's got 231?

-I've got it in my pocket.

-Right, Mike, hand it over.

-Here we are, 230.

-230 should be.

Yeah. And the one. Right, Gary. So what are you going to spend it on?

I think I'll buy something that has flowing elements to it.

-Right.

-A touch of the orient in a western setting.

Well, it sounds as though Gary has a good idea what he's going to buy.

So let him do that and we'll remind ourselves what the Blue team bought.

First up, the carved hare ornament set them back £45.

Next, the wooden birdcage cost them £65.

And, finally, with only seconds to spare,

the silver-handled magnifying glass cost them £22.

Well, Ian and Anne, we got there,

-because that was a bit close, wasn't it?

-It was.

-Yeah.

-Seconds.

Now, of those three items, Ian, which was your favourite?

I think possibly the birdcage.

Ah, right, OK. Your most expensive buy.

OK, so it's your favourite.

But, of the three, is it going to bring the biggest profit at auction?

I don't think so.

I've got a sneaking feeling the magnifying glass might.

Ah, that was your last-minute purchase.

-That's right.

-OK. Cool. Hopefully it will pay off.

Anne, do you agree with Ian - the birdcage, is that your favourite?

No, I've got a soft spot for the rabbit.

Cos he was just so lovely. I would have liked to have had him myself.

-I had a feeling you were going to say that.

-I would've cherished him.

Oh, gosh, well, you're going to have to let him go.

Now, what do you think is going to bring the biggest profit?

The magnifying glass was the cheapest thing,

and so I think it stands a better chance.

And what did you spend? £132 in total?

-132.

-OK, so who is in possession of 168?

-I am.

-I should've known, Ian, it's you. Right.

-60 and 3 more.

There we are, Danny. £168. What are you going to buy Ian and Anne?

Something that might bring music to your ears.

So while Danny goes to find his bonus buy,

it's time for us to head straight to the auction.

Well, we've hopped over from Topsham to Ottery St Mary and I'm here with

David Sumner of Ottery Auction Rooms.

David, thank you so much for having Bargain Hunt along.

-It's a pleasure.

-We'll start with the Reds, we always do,

and here we have the choices of Mike and Michelle, led by Gary.

Now, let's start off with this beautiful silver compact.

Nicely worked, it's got its hallmarks underneath,

everything you want from the silver compact, right?

It's very nice. Wonderful engine-turned decoration.

You can see the hallmarks.

They're very, very small, but it's a quality piece.

-What do you think someone will pay for such a nice piece?

-£25 to £35.

OK, well, we're on the cusp there,

because Mike and Michelle paid £40 for it and, let me tell you,

Michelle loved it.

She loved it, so she'll be hoping for a profit on that.

And then Gary sort of had to talk them into this one.

The ice bucket.

Summertime, stick a bottle of champagne in there,

a bottle of Chablis.

It's a useful thing.

Stainless steel. About £5, £10.

Well, they only paid £9 for it. So it's all right.

It was cheap and cheerful and, hopefully,

there will be a couple of pounds in it for them.

Now, when we're talking cheap and cheerful, we do not think of Vienna,

the Ringstrasse in the 1880s, 1890s.

And that's what this mirror screams of, doesn't it?

It's just absolutely gorgeous.

Do you love it as much as I do?

I do. Aesthetic movement.

It's got that Japanese influence.

My only failing with it is someone has painted it.

-Why?

-I know, shocking, shocking.

However, you've got this beautiful repousse work brass design

with exotic birds and flowers.

A lovely good-quality bevelled glass mirror.

Good period piece.

-How much?

-40-60.

They only paid £20 for it,

so they will be absolutely chuffed and hopefully your buyers will, too,

because they are going to come away with something gorgeous.

Right, it sounds like David thinks there is a potential for profit, so,

just in case, let's find out what Gary bought as a bonus buy.

Michelle, Mike.

You didn't spend a lot, which means that Gary was left a lot.

And I don't know about you, but I'm itching

to find out what's beneath the red cloth.

An earthenware platter.

From the 1850s, English, in blue and white, obviously,

with a pattern called Tonquin.

What the Staffordshire potteries

were trying to do around that time was to copy

the more expensive porcelain wares coming out of the Far East.

Look at the condition of this piece.

Barely a scratch.

It's not particularly crisp, is it?

-Now, this is it.

-It's very blurry.

Very, very good.

This technique is called flow blue.

So sort of a bit dreamlike quality.

-Exactly. There you go.

-Rather than blurry.

It flows.

How much have you spent?

I paid £29.

No!

For a piece that is 150 years old.

-Fantastic.

-In this condition, I think that is a bargain.

We absolutely love it now, don't we? Love it!

Well, Reds, you don't need to go with the flow just yet,

so it's time to find out what our auctioneer David

thinks of Gary's meat platter.

Now, Gary had loads of money to spend

and this is what he spent some, but not all of it, on.

So, what do you think of this lovely...

I would call it an ashet or meat charger.

-What do you reckon?

-Very nice charger. Yeah. Flow blue.

Good period piece. Tonquin pattern.

There's a couple of little glazing flaws,

but that's not later damage, that's done in production.

If you're going to buy a piece of flow blue, this is the piece to buy.

I mean, it stands out, doesn't it?

It's so rich in its colour and it really is quite striking.

What do you reckon your buyers will want to pay for it?

It should do about 15-25.

OK. Well, Gary, in that case, has done quite well,

because he paid £29 for it and he absolutely loves it, so, hopefully,

it will fly away. From our blue charger, we go to the Blue team.

Ian and Anne, delightful.

And talking of delightful, that's exactly

how Anne described this hare.

Now, do you think your buyers will find it delightful, too?

Definitely. I think it's utterly charming.

It's not old,

but I love it.

Absolutely love it. I think it will do 15-25, at least.

They paid a fair bit more. £45, the Blue team paid.

So, hopefully, your optimism will

come in the form of some excellent bids.

The hare was Anne's favourite item, but Ian's was the birdcage.

But I think... Can you confirm to us?

None of us thought it had any age at all.

No, it's straight off the boat.

OK, so you think it has come from the Far East, perhaps?

It has, yeah. It's a very nice thing.

Concertina shape, good interior design piece.

Estimate about 20-25.

They paid even more for this than they did for the hare.

£65 for the birdcage.

So you might have your work cut out.

-I think I will.

-But all hope is not lost,

because both Ian and Anne agree the most profitable item is going to be

-this hallmarked silver magnifying glass.

-Very pretty. 1989.

Harrison Brothers. Again, useful item.

Should make about 18 - £25.

OK, well, Ian and Anne thought this would be their most profitable item,

but they paid 22, which is slap bang in the middle of your estimate.

So it sounds as though David is a wee bit worried about the Blues,

but don't worry, Danny is here to help.

Let's find out what he bought as a bonus buy.

-Are you excited?

-We are excited.

But it's not quite what we thought, I'm sure of that.

-Oh.

-Oh.

What I found is this lovely little trivet stand.

Solid brass, great gauge, very heavy.

And I thought we might need a little bit of luck, so...

it's in the shape of a clover.

Early 20th century.

I think it can complement any kitchen.

Kitchenalia is always in.

I just think it's practical as well as beautiful.

-Yes.

-What do you think?

-May I?

Absolutely.

-Gosh.

-There's a bit of weight to it.

What I like about this older brass,

it's a better colour, isn't it?

It's more mellow.

One's thing for sure, you won't say no when I give you the price that I

-paid for it.

-How much did you pay?

-£4.

-Wow!

That's a steal.

It was a steal. It was just one of them,

I just thought, for what it is...

Yes. That's good. That's very good.

That is really a clever buy, isn't it?

I'd like to think that could make 20, maybe even £25.

-Well pleased with that.

-You love it,

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

Let's head back to the auction to

find out what David thinks of Danny's trivet.

Now, we think the Blues might need a wee bit of luck.

So perhaps this should have been a four-leaf

and not three-leaf trivet,

but, David, that is a cool bit of kitchenalia, isn't it?

Very much so. Late 19th, early 20th century.

It's brass or almost like gunmetal, actually.

Yeah, about £15 to £20.

And it's just a gorgeous thing and guess what Danny paid for it?

-£4.

-Profit, profit, profit.

Is that what you predict from the rostrum today?

-I certainly hope so.

-Fantastic.

Well, in that case, David, take it away.

28. 30. 32. 32.

35. 38. 38. 40. 42.

Right, Reds, here we are, auction time.

-Terrifying, isn't it?

-Yeah, a bit worrying.

You can hear the hammer just going down, flying through them.

So what's your first one? You've got that powder compact.

This was your fave. Fingers crossed.

-Fingers crossed.

-You paid £40. Here it comes. All right.

It's a silver powder compact with engine-turned decoration.

This is a really good quality piece.

Someone start me away at £30.

£30. £20, then.

10 I'm bid. Cheeky bid at 10.

12. 15. 18.

20. 20. 22.

25, sir?

25. 28. I'm out.

Looking for £28. 28.

Fresh face in the room at 28.

-30.

-Oh, come on.

Not at 30. Internet.

30. 32, madam?

32. I'm selling, in the room, at £32.

-Oh!

-Small loss to start us off.

It sold for 32, you paid 40, so it is a loss of 8.

But worry not, your favourite lot is coming up, your £9 ice bucket.

Lot 86 is this 20th-century

twin handled plated ice bucket there.

Lovely thing. Somebody start me away at £5.

5. Thank you.

8. £8 for this lot.

8 I'm bid. 10.

Not at 10. Fresh face at 10.

12 and I'm out. Looking for £12 for this lot.

£12. Let's move to the internet.

Any interest on the internet at 12?

I'm selling at the back of the room.

-£10.

-Oh.

-Well done.

-It's a profit.

£1. So you are now minus 7.

-Worth getting £1 off.

-But this is a real cracker.

Beautiful Aesthetic Movement mirror.

£20 paid. This has got to see a profit.

This truly wonderful late 19th century Aesthetic Movement brass and

wood-framed mirror. Start me away at £20.

Oh, come on. £20. 15, then.

15. 18. 20. 22.

25. 28. 28.

30. 32. 32. 35. 38.

Not at 38.

Looking for £38.

I'll move to the internet. £38.

Fresh face at 38. 40.

42. 45. 48.

Not at 48, but thank you for your bids.

Looking for £48 for this lot.

Last chance, internet. 48.

I'm selling at the back of the room for £45.

-Brilliant.

-Well done. More than doubled.

How good does that feel? You've made a profit of £25 on that.

Which means, overall, you are plus...

18. Plus 18.

How good is that? You're in profit.

Are we going to go with the bonus buy?

-Definitely going to go with it.

-Definitely going to go with it.

Ah. I'd like your enthusiasm for the flow blue.

Gary paid £29.

So anything more than that is more profit. Here it comes.

Very nice 19th-century flow blue and white Tonquin pattern

charger, showing there.

Loads of interest in this.

I've got conflicting bids.

I've got to jump straight in at £38 with me.

40 with me.

40. 42. 45.

Not at 45. 45 anywhere in the room?

Before I move to the internet.

45. 48. I'm out.

Looking for £48. I'm selling at the back of the room, £45.

Gary has just added £16 to your running total,

which means that, overall,

-Reds, plus 34.

-Fantastic.

-How good is that?

-We can get some chips tonight!

Chips?

First item is your favourite, Anne, the hare.

-I like it.

-You'll be sad to see him go to someone else.

But you will be chuffed if they pay good money for him.

Right, get ready, Blues, here comes your first item.

I've got loads of interest in this.

I can jump straight in at £20.

22, will you?

22. 22. 25. 28.

30. 32.

35. 38.

40. 42.

45. 48. Madam, 48?

One more, might get it.

48. 50. 55.

Not at 55. Fresh face at 55.

60. 65.

Last chance. It is my commission bid.

£60! Blues! Great work.

Now you don't miss it so much, do you? No, it's just made you £15.

So, all eyes on the wooden birdcage. Your favourite, Ian.

This is a 20th-century Chinese wooden birdcage.

Pretty little lot, this. Put your aspidistra in there.

Who will start me away at £30?

£20, then.

-It's got to be worth that. £20?

-Oh, come on.

-15, then.

15 I'm bid. 18.

18. 20. 22.

22. 25.

25. 28. 30.

I'm selling in the room at £28.

-Oh!

-That's a stinger.

-Not so good. I thought it might make more.

-You did, you did.

-And so did we, actually.

-I did, yeah.

-28.

Now, that's a loss of £37.

This is it, we need to magnify those profits.

Here comes the magnifying glass. You paid 22.

A silver-handled magnifying glass.

This is Harrison Brothers, 1989.

I can jump straight in at 12. 15, will you?

15. 15.

18. 20.

Yes. 20. 22. 25.

This is your last chance.

My commission bid will buy at 22.

-Oh.

-Wiped its face!

That's what they say, yes.

22 means no profit, no loss, so you're still minus 22.

That's where you've landed after your three.

However, it's not over until Danny's had a chance to sell his bonus buy.

And are you going to go with it, or are you going to stick at minus 22?

-We're definitely going to go with it.

-Yes.

Is that a unanimous decision?

It is, absolutely. We decided before we...

Oh, brilliant. Oh, brilliant.

-It is a good buy.

-So, going with the bonus buy.

Here comes your trefoil trivet.

Late 19th-century brass trefoil-shaped trivet.

Nice lot, this. Loads of conflicting bids.

I can jump straight in at £35.

38. 40.

42. 42.

45. 48.

50. 55.

Not at 55.

-I'm looking for 55.

-55!

55. 60.

65. 70. 75.

Not at 75.

I'm looking for 75 for this lot.

My commission bid is going to buy.

£70.

£70. £70 for a trivet.

That has to be a world record, I'm telling you.

That's a profit of 66 on the trivet,

which means you are now in profit overall. £44.

-Brilliant.

-Well done.

Well done, Danny.

-Thank you, mate.

-You're welcome.

But you have to promise me something.

-I won't tell anybody.

-You have to promise me

-you won't say anything to the Reds.

-Not a word.

-OK.

Who's the more nervous team?

You both look terrified to me.

You each go away with folding money.

-ALL:

-Oh!

£10 between you.

-Wow.

-Oh.

But in whose favour?

The suspense is terrible.

Let me tell you, our runners-up today...

the Reds.

£34 profit versus the Blues' £44 profit.

Well done, Reds, of course.

We are all winners, really, aren't we?

It's excellent when everyone makes money.

-It's even better when you get to hold it in your hand.

-Oh, thank you.

There you are, Michelle, £30.

And let's not forget those all-important four pound coins.

And you've had a great time, Mike?

-We have, yeah.

-You go home runners-up,

-but with money in your pocket, so I applaud you.

-That's excellent.

But let's turn to today's winners.

The Blues. Ian and Anne, well done.

With a profit of £44.

So there's the 40 and there's the 4.

And, dare I say it,

you were unlikely victors because you were minus 22

after your first three items.

But, get this, Danny's bonus buy, purchased for £4,

made a £66 profit,

and sold for 70.

So kudos to Danny.

We came for the fun, we came for the interest, and we got plenty of it.

Oh, I'm so pleased to hear that.

-Anne, you must be chuffed?

-I am, I'm really thrilled.

Oh, fantastic.

It was great to see that you could rely on your expert in the end.

And if you fancy relying on an expert,

then why not join us on Bargain Hunt?

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-ALL:

-Yes!