Newark 14 - Christmas Bargain Hunt

'Twas the night before Christmas in this grand old house.

Santa was here, quiet like a mouse.

Unaware of his antics, I was snug in my bed.

Dreams of antiques swirling round in my head.

Santa put presents under the tree

for the Reds, the Blues, and one for me.

But then I was woken by an almighty clatter.

I tiptoed downstairs to see what was the matter.

But as I approached, stalking my prey,

a bit of bad luck gave me away.

Ho-ho-ho!

Shh! I ran to the door...

..but magically, Saint Nick disappeared straight up the chimney.

Caught you!

I thought, "Did I imagine all this?

"Was it a dream?"

But I then saw the gifts that he'd left for our teams.

Fleeces, hats and loads of lolly.

And not forgetting some sprigs of holly.

So grab your baubles and hang up your bunting,

let's go Yuletide Bargain Hunting!

We're at Newark Antique Fair for our Christmas bonanza.

But our teams aren't here to buy gifts.

The challenge is to buy three items which will make a profit at auction.

So hang on to your baubles, here's a taste of what's coming up!

The Reds try to ring up some Yuletide profit,

the Blues disagree on their Christmas list...

-Yes!

-No, no!

..and at the auction, Father Christmas is on the rostrum,

where there are lashings of festive fun for the Reds...

THEY CHEER

..and the Blues.

Like a child on Christmas morning, I'm very excited

because we have a Bargain Hunt first today.

We have family members going head-to-head.

And for the Reds we have John and Emily.

And for the Blues we have George and Sue.

Now, who's going to tell me who's who?

-George? Explain.

-Right, Sue's my mum...

-Yes?

..John's my dad and Emily is my girlfriend.

So now we know who everyone is, John, tell us where home is.

Well, we live in Leicestershire and we're lucky enough to live

in a Georgian chapel,

so where we are, we're full of antiques

and it's just a lovely place to be.

Yeah, that must be a marvellous situation

for a wonderful Christmas tree.

Do you have a real one or a fake one?

Well, we are very traditional in our house.

Basically, every Christmas we go out to the same place every year and

the farmer goes out into the field, we choose the tree, he comes along,

he chops it down, he brings it round to the house afterwards.

And it's an enormous tradition now to have this absolutely vast tree

up in the house, going right up into the ceiling.

It's just fantastic.

Wow. So, Emily, what do you want for Christmas?

Maybe a pair of ice skates?

I hear you're very, very good at it!

I'm really bad.

I felt one time that I got far too cocky,

thought I was doing really well, even started to assist people.

-Oh, yes!

-Very good!

And then my friend started to fall and, instantly at that point,

down I went and it was really embarrassing!

Let's hope you fall on your feet out there in the fair, Emily!

Have you got any special tactics?

We rely on Emily's unbounded enthusiasm!

And ruthlessness!

And charm and beauty.

Absolutely. And I am the voice of caution.

Between the two of us, it's a winning combination.

He's going to stop my impulsive buys.

Right. These guys think they're going to win.

Nah, nah.

It's a very nice, festive thought, but...!

Oh!

George, what's been your most memorable Christmas?

My most memorable Christmas has to be the time

I got my brother a brick.

I found in the garden, wrapped it up like a present.

-A brick?

-Yeah.

The painful thing I didn't realise was that actually he had

handmade me a clock.

So he'd got me this really thoughtful incredible Christmas

present, which I still own, and I got him a brick!

-You cruel, cruel boy!

-Mean!

No Christmas spirit.

-Maybe he'll get you back one day!

-Maybe, maybe.

Sue, tell me what your most memorable Christmas story is.

I think it has to be our big family holiday Christmas in Dorset

a few years ago.

We were all there as a family.

Part of the Christmas experience was to go to midnight mass.

We're there singing away, ding dong merrily, and the man in front of me,

his trousers suddenly fell down. Completely down.

-Completely!

-Completely down.

And his wife just quickly did this kind of movement,

pulled his trousers up, he clasped them at his waist

and everyone carried on singing!

It was a very surreal moment!

It was very funny.

Well, I suppose for shopping you need some money.

Reds, your £300 is in that little red box there.

And, Blues, your 300 is in that little blue box there.

There you are. Isn't that lovely!

Lovely. Now, your experts await, so off you go!

Well, this is going to be a real Christmas cracker!

And helping to get the party started are our Christmas helpers.

Hoping to deliver some surprises for the Reds, it's Kate Bliss.

And coming gift-wrapped for the Blues, it's Paul Laidlaw.

Well, ho-ho-ho, Blues.

What are we looking for from Santa?

Sue, what are you looking to buy?

I would actually like things that people

could give us Christmas gifts.

Well, we thought perhaps some silver.

-We always like silver.

-Yes.

-A bit of quality.

I want something shiny on the Christmas table

that you can look at while you're tucking into your turkey.

I'd quite like some kind of old leather luggage

or some leather books, because that's a big interest of mine.

-Great!

-Right, teams, time starts now.

CHIMING

-Let's get started.

-OK!

Come on, let's go and find them!

-Where shall we go?

-Where the stuff is!

Which is everywhere! Come on.

You should find everything on your shopping list,

or do I mean Christmas wish lists?

-BELL RINGS

-Christmas!

Hey, look at the date! Perfect timing!

Aw!

Yes, it's not long until the big day.

And our teams are looking for festive items

like these Christmas chalkboards.

-Yes!

-No, no!

-Yes!

-No!

Funnily enough, once again I'm in the George camp, Sue!

No! Look, a Christmas pigeon!

It sounds like you've been vetoed, Sue.

I don't know. What is it?

I'll tell you what it's not, for £5, it's not silver.

-So you don't care.

-Oh, OK.

-Ditch it, and let's move on.

-Move on.

Once again, that's a firm no from Paul and George.

But have John and Emily found a maybe?

I'm not too sure what it is.

-The little penknife?

-Yes.

-Could we have a little look at that, please?

-You can, yes.

-So why do you like that?

I just think it's quite pretty. It looks quite delicate.

Very often these little pocket knives,

or fruit knives, actually, because very often they were used for fruit,

they are given too much pressure and the blade snaps

or it's damaged on the end.

And the little thing to check is that when you turn it on its

side, does the blade fit the case?

And you can see here that the tip goes right up into the case.

So we know that that actually is the original length,

which is really nice.

The other thing which is particularly nice about

this one, it's mother of pearl,

and this has been tooled to give that lovely three-dimensional...

It almost looks like fish scales, doesn't it?

Just have a little inspection there for yourself.

-Mind the blade.

-How much do you think it would go for at auction?

At auction they can make anything from sort of 20, 40, to £60.

-OK.

-So what's the price there, John?

-75.

-OK.

And what age would that be?

It's 20th century. It's probably '30s, I would say.

So, out of interest, asking for a friend, what would you say?

I'm going to go down by, the very best...

I'll go down by 12, so 63.

-BOTH:

-Hmm.

What about additional student discount?

-I am a student!

-Depends on what you study!

I'm going to make it a straight 60. But that would be my very best.

-She drives such a hard bargain!

-She does, she's quite scary!

You're coming shopping with me!

Shall we just have a look around and come back to you?

-Absolutely, yes.

-Are you going to be here for five, ten minutes?

-Oh, half an hour.

-Half an hour, fantastic.

-I think that is very sensible.

-Yeah.

-Come on.

It's lovely to see the Reds working in harmony.

I just wonder if the Blues can finally agree.

It's third time lucky.

I like her, but there won't be any great age to her.

Mind you, there's a wee bit of age.

-She's electroplate.

-What kind of period is she?

Belle Epoque, so late 19th, early 20th century.

The Art Nouveau is coming in here, look at the easy,

natural frivolity and nature coming in.

She's got this bacchanalian fruiting vine running through her.

She's leaving me a bit cold, actually.

I think she's quite nice.

But Georgie likes her, so...

-Christmassy?

-It is quite Christmassy.

-The rose garland.

-Does it matter that she's lost a bit of the...?

That's a good question.

-On her nose?

-Does it bother you?

No. I think it adds more charm.

I prefer it more like that than I would if it was a really polished...

-Why?

-Because it adds character.

-I love your style!

-Yes! It's got integrity.

-Yeah.

-She's £100!

-Is she?

-Yes.

-I should read the label, shouldn't I?!

I think she's a looker, but she's certainly £60-£100 worth.

Right. So shall we see if there's any...

-I think you should, aye.

-..wriggle room?

-Yeah.

While the Blues see if they can get a Christmas bonus on the bust,

the Reds have found something bookish for Emily.

-What do you think...

-That's so pretty!

-..of that little set?

-I like that.

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

Because you work in the library, don't you?

Yeah, I work in the library at my university.

I'm a big, big reader as well.

-You're a bit of a bookworm?

-Yeah!

And did I hear somewhere that you do a little bit of bookbinding as well?

-I do, yeah.

-Yeah.

-The hobby of many 23-year-olds!

It is quite unusual!

We've got quite a heap of books that Emily and her uncle

have bound, at our house, on the book shelves.

-And they're just so beautiful.

-Yeah.

Oh, lovely. It's just a real work of art.

So what do you think about this little set?

-I think they're lovely.

-I think that's absolutely lovely.

They're really cute.

So we've got a little red leather book shelf here,

which is tailored perfectly for this little set of five volumes,

also what looks like leather bound.

-Does it have a price?

-I can't see a price on there.

We've got silk on the bottom there, which is rather nice.

Made in Italy. Is there a publishing date in the volumes?

Because we've got dictionaries, haven't we?

-German-English. French-English.

-1952.

-Italian, 19...?

-'52.

I think that would look lovely, especially before Christmas.

It just looks so English and homely and lovely.

-A nice little present.

-Yes.

-Yeah.

-We'd better find out the price.

-Yeah, where's the owner?

-Let's go and find.

-Shall I go...?

Right, you have a closer look and check out the condition

-and I'll go and find her.

-Fab.

-OK, thank you.

-All right.

The Reds aren't the only ones keen to do their first deal,

Sue and George want to talk numbers on the bust Paul found.

-I see you've got £100 on this.

-Yeah.

I was wondering if there is any potential wiggle room on it?

-Probably the best is 90.

-Is there any way you could go to 80?

I can do 85 for you, sir.

-We'll shake your hand.

-OK.

-85.

-Thank you.

Thank you very much indeed.

-Right then, come on then.

-OK.

Let's go and get two more treasures.

That's buy number one in Santa's sack,

and all in 15 minutes.

We are doing well. Quality and on schedule, get in!

Now, will the Reds follow their lead and buy this set of dictionaries?

The price the stallholder's given me is 35.

It's a yes or no really, isn't it? Are we prepared to take the gamble?

It would make a lovely Christmas present.

I think so. I think it's a lovely present.

-We're here, we like it, let's buy it.

-Yep, decisive.

-Great!

-OK.

-I like decisive!

-Good.

-Right, come on.

-So after 20 minutes, each team has one item each.

But are the Blues about to score their second?

I love him. I really like him.

He's got masses of appeal to me.

-I don't like it.

-Aw!

Oh, dear. That doesn't sound promising!

He's got real weight. He feels like a quality piece.

-What kind of age?

-What's it made of? OK, not overly cold. Hang on.

Spelter. A base metal alloy.

-OK.

-Period, the late 19th century, early 20th century chap.

Sporting thing. Straight out of Boy's Own, is he not?

We're not quite in unanimous agreement over the footballer yet.

-Yeah.

-But plenty more to look at.

-Come on.

-OK, I'll just pop him here.

I don't think the boys think the statue's a keeper, Sue.

Meanwhile, it's all teamwork in the Red camp.

We're a bit curious about what that actually is,

-but we don't know.

-What, these here?

-Yeah, the one that says "Leeds".

-The case?

-Yeah.

-Well, I think it's full of maps.

Let's have a look. This one's for Leeds.

And if we open it up...

Let's have a little look.

-Oh, so it's a cycling road map...

-Oh, that's lovely.

-Which is really popular now.

-..which is quite fun.

-A cycling road map.

-Yes.

-There we are.

"Reduced by permission from the New Ordnance Survey."

-Of course we all use OS maps today, don't we?

-Definitely.

-So what do we think of this?

-I think it's really cool.

-I really like it.

-It's really quirky.

-Yeah.

I like the set as well.

I think it kind of has an aesthetic, as well as being practical...

-Quite unique.

-Well, I would say it's great to have a set, isn't it?

You've got a lot of maps in there.

I can see the Lake District, Reading.

They're not in bad condition.

And of course they're linen backed to strengthen them.

And that also helps to date it.

And I would say you're looking at sort of, you know, '20s, '30s,

-maybe, at the latest.

-How do you think it would do at auction?

The fact that it's a cycling road map has a little bit more interest.

-OK.

-What sort of money are we talking?

Well, I've got £80 on them. The best price would be 60.

-How many maps are there?

-I don't know... 26.

-26 maps?

-Yeah.

You know, £60, I think you've got a chance.

I like them, I like them.

Executive decision when we go, "I like them".

-I think we should do it.

-Great.

-Let's do it.

-Fantastic.

There's no holding back you two!

That's a sale. Thank you very much indeed.

Top work, Reds.

That's your second item bought in the half-hour mark.

Blues, you're playing catch up!

And while they keep looking for stocking fillers,

I've got some Christmas jobs to finish.

I really need to get my cards in the post because there's not long to go

before the big day.

And even though it might be quicker and easier to send cards through

the internet these days,

lots of folks still want to send their seasons greetings

the good old-fashioned way.

Each of us sends around 20 cards through the post each Christmas.

But I doubt they'll look like these weird and wonderful creations.

These are some of the very first Christmas cards

and to tell us more about them is historian Stephanie Boydell

from Manchester Metropolitan University.

Stephanie, what's the most important card here?

Well, that would be this card here,

which is in fact the first commercially produced

-Christmas card.

-The very first card?!

The very first card. Made in 1843.

Whose idea was this, anyway?

Well, this was the idea of Sir Henry Cole, who was a civil servant,

and amongst his many achievements was that he set up the Post Office,

-as we know it...

-Right.

..and also invented the first self-adhesive stamp,

which was the Penny Black.

You can imagine he was a very busy man

and come Christmas time he had an awful lot of letters to write.

And I think he got a bit fed up with having to write all these by hand.

So he asked an artist called John Callcott Horsley

to design a greetings card that he could send out to these many people.

Have many of these first cards survived?

-We think about a dozen have survived in total.

-Really?

So they are very collectable and we know that one of

-them went at auction for about 22,500.

-Wow!

Cole's idea took off and the Victorians began sending cards

every Christmas. But the designs were unusual, to say the least.

Some of these cards are more likely to give you nightmares than feelings

of good cheer!

We've got three skeletons here, chasing one another.

We've got a porker brandishing a knife at the butcher.

We've got another butcher being chased by plum duffs

and geese!

It's all the things that we enjoy eating, coming back to eat us!

Did the Victorians have a sense of humour, then?

Well, people think the Victorians were a bit po-faced,

but, as you can see, they weren't.

And the cards the Victorians sent one another

also chart the evolution of Father Christmas.

But these characters don't look like the Santa Claus that we think of.

Well, the early character, who's usually dressed in green,

-represents the return of spring and life after winter.

-I see.

It's only later on that representations

of what was actually St Nicholas, the secret gift giver

who was always represented wearing red,

starts to evolve into the Santa Claus that we all know and love.

Santa Claus is all very well, Stephanie,

but I think I like the funnies the best!

I think you might like this one, Anita.

ANITA LAUGHS

Oh, that's wonderful!

It's a Scotsman doing the cancan!

Stephanie, this has been absolutely fascinating.

Thank you very much for showing us these.

And you know what?

Who doesn't love getting a Christmas card?

Hiya, I've got a special delivery for Anita Manning.

Lovely. Thank you very much, thank you.

-Merry Christmas.

-Merry Christmas to you too!

"Dear Anita, season's greetings.

"Phil Serrell here.

"I just wanted you to know that some of your friends

"from the antique world have released a charity Christmas single

"for BBC Children In Need."

# It's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you

# Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling... #

All the money raised from each and every download

goes to a fantastic cause.

But now, I've got to catch a sleigh back to Newark.

With less than 30 minutes left on the clock,

the Reds only have one item to find, while the Blues have to buy two.

It seems Sue's gone back for that footballer statue from earlier.

Although I think Paul's hoping she'll give him up for this.

-So, what is this? A plough.

-Well, do you know what that is?

-A plough.

-But this is a Victorian plough.

-Yeah?

-And of no mean quality, it's gilt, a bit of lacquering.

I think these elements here are probably steel.

That's a good thing.

-Yes.

-It looks solid, doesn't it?

-Yeah, it's lovely.

-Yeah.

-It's quality.

This was expensive in its day and it should be expensive today.

-It's £120.

-Ouch.

-There's a whole host of collectors.

How many agricultural bygones have you seen here?

-Oh, yeah, lots.

-They are popular. This...

I like it, oozes style.

But where this is gilt brass, finely executed,

-this is spelter - mass-produced.

-OK.

Nicely modelled but the definition not quite there.

-OK, well, of the two we'll go for the quality.

-Ahh!

It seems Sue's prepared to give up the footballer for the plough,

but they've still got to do a deal.

Back to the Reds, who are having a second look at that fruit knife.

-So £60, wasn't it?

-It is.

-Yeah.

What do you think, chaps?

-Yeah.

-I think we do it.

-Yeah.

-Yeah?

-We've come back, we know.

-Let's do it.

-Super.

-Yeah.

-We'll take it.

-Thank you very much indeed, lovely.

-Thank you very much.

-So, are you happy?

-Yeah, really happy.

Well done. Really good.

Well, you can go and do your Christmas shopping now.

-Merry Christmas to you.

-Yeah, Merry Christmas.

-Have a good one.

-And you too.

-Thank you.

-Bye-bye.

Well done, Reds.

That's your Christmas shop done and dusted with 20 minutes to spare.

Why is Sue still clutching the footballer statue?

I thought they'd agreed on the plough.

What's more, they're with the dealer who sold them the bust.

Maybe she'll make the team's Christmas wishes

come true once again.

-So, we're liking the look of this.

-Yep.

-And wondering...

-It's got a price of 120.

-OK.

And we were wondering whether we could perhaps

come to some sort of arrangement?

Probably the very best on that would be £80.

-£80.

-Yeah.

-It's not bad, but it's still strong.

Look, I'm just going to make you a wee offer.

See if we can bounce this about a wee bit.

-Yeah, OK.

-I'll chip in at 40. Any use in that?

-No.

-Where could we be?

Could we be at 60?

60, that's looking better.

-I do like it.

-What do you think, George?

-I like it for 60.

-I like it for 60.

-But we'd be leaving the sportsperson...

Can I just say, I really like him?

I really like him, so perhaps two things?

-What price have we got on him?

-He's 85.

-I could do him for 50 for you.

-Oh, OK.

Are you thinking, we've bought one thing, this could be three?

-So perhaps we could...

-Three, we could go the triple.

Put in a very festive cheeky...

100 for them both?

100 for the both, for the two of them?

-OK, then, we have a deal.

-Yeah?

-Oh, thank you so much.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much, Careen.

-Thank you.

-Three items!

-There we go!

What a deal, Blues!

That's £60 for the plough and 40 for the footballer,

and with everyone bought up, I'm calling time early.

CHIMES RING

And I'm up for...

I don't know, a wee mince pie!

Oh, absolutely.

Let's remind ourselves what the Reds bought.

Bookworm Emily fell in love with this set of Collins dictionaries.

£35 paid.

Their second item was the set of vintage cycling maps, £60 paid.

And finally, that was also what they paid for this

George V silver pocket knife.

Well, guys, did you have a good time?

-It was fantastic.

-It was so much fun.

John, tell me, what was your favourite item?

I think without doubt our favourite item was the cycling maps.

-Right.

-I think they were fantastic.

Wonderful selection, really interesting.

Are they going to make the most profit?

I do, I think so, yeah.

I think on both counts they're the best item.

-Emily, do you agree?

-Yeah, we're going to be so boring.

I totally agree.

I really like them, I thought they were so lovely,

really different and quite quirky. Yeah. I love them.

And you think they're going to make the most profit as well?

-Fingers crossed.

-Oh, they're in agreement.

-They were a dream team.

-The dream team!

That's absolutely wonderful.

Well, you spent a perfectly respectable £155.

-Could I have 145?

-You may.

-There you go, hope it doesn't blow away.

-That's lovely.

Which I will pass straight over to Kate.

Lovely. Look at that.

So, Kate, do you know what you're going to buy?

I have something in mind and let's just say it's quite seasonal.

Ah! That's interesting.

While Kate goes off to buy something seasonal,

let's remind ourselves what the Blues bought.

George and Sue found it hard to agree on anything,

but they were both happy to spend £85

on this Art Nouveau copper bust.

George was impressed by the quality of the 19th-century

bronze model of a plough, £60 paid.

And Sue wouldn't let go of the spelter model of a footballer,

which was theirs for £40.

Well, guys, you made a great start.

A wee bit challenging in the middle and then it came good in the end.

And I believe in that fair there was one very happy trader.

-There was!

-There was indeed, yes.

We bought all three items from the same stall!

What was your favourite item, Sue?

For me, stand out was the figure of my athletic boy.

Now, is that going to make the most profit?

I think so. We got him for less than half the ticket price.

-Oh, well done.

-So very pleased with that.

-That was good.

-Well done.

George, do you agree with your mum

or do you have a different favourite item?

-I didn't like the figure at all.

-Oh!

Do you know what? I actually think it's probably going to do the best,

but my favourite is the silver lady.

I think she's got loads of character.

Well, you spent £185, which is a very respectable amount of money.

Could I have £115, please?

-You can. There you go.

-Lovely, thank you.

Which I'll pass straight over to Snowflake Paul.

You said you wouldn't!

I couldn't resist it!

Paul, what are you going to buy?

Another piece of sculpture... Not!

-No idea.

-No idea.

Well, make up your mind soon, Paul,

we've got a Christmas auction to get to.

And for our special festive sale,

we've come to Hansons Auctioneers in Derby.

Charlie, you're our auctioneer today,

but you have dreams of being a rock superstar.

What's all this about the Christmas single?

We are very hopeful that what we've done for that wonderful BBC cause

Children In Need with Mr Ross, Mr Braxton

and Mr Serrell and myself, we can go places.

We can rule the world on the stage of music as well.

Don't get carried away, Charlie. Let's get back to business.

I know.

-Reds first.

-Yes.

-We have Emily and John and their first item was this

little set of Colin's Gem dictionaries.

They're rich, in the sense that they glow,

and any enthusiastic book collectors who like to read,

they're a great lot. They're complete on a lovely book stand.

They're just a really good lot.

-Excellent, Charlie.

-Yeah.

-What's your estimate?

We've gone in between 40 and £60.

Right, well, they only paid £35.

-Yeah.

-So there could be good profit there, Charlie.

-Definitely.

-Second item is this boxed set of cycle maps

from the beginning of the 20th century.

They're great because they're complete.

They're from 1901. Great lot.

Really rate it because it's in fashion today, cycling, as well.

What's your estimate, Charlie?

Well, if I peddle hard, Anita, peddle hard on that rostrum,

you never know, £100.

But the guide between 50 and 80.

-They paid £60.

-OK.

-OK.

Let's go onto item number three,

which is the little silver and mother of pearl fruit knife.

Atkin Brothers, it's Sheffield, 1924.

The mother of pearl is in nice condition. A lovely antique.

Charlie, this might be an ideal Christmas present.

Exactly, Anita. Tactical buying, I commend the Reds.

Excellent. What's your estimate there?

-Between 40 and 50.

-They paid £60.

-OK.

-That might be all the money for it?

-Yeah.

Hold tight, Anita, I'll try and push it up.

Well, they may need their bonus buy, so let's go and have a look at it.

Emily, John, you spent £155.

You gave Kate 145.

Kate, show us what you bought.

Well, just before I reveal, Emily and John,

I'm going to take you back.

It's the George III period and it's Christmas Eve.

There's a frost on the ground, the local lord and lady

have invited you up for Christmas Eve drinks.

And this is what the butler is serving you your punch with.

It is a little silver toddy ladle, you can see,

and he would be very elegantly ladling out

your toddy or your punch into a beautiful little Georgian glass.

A very small portion!

-Maybe two ladles.

-OK!

-Have a little look at it.

-It's lovely.

I think this comes from Perth.

Why does it have a "B" on it?

It has a "B" engraved here, doesn't it?

Yeah. Which I thought was lucky - B for Bliss, I thought.

It's got to be lucky. But that would be actually the family initial,

-the family name.

-So what's the...?

-What was the damage?

-I paid 85.

-OK.

If the right collector spots it, and there are a lot out there,

then this could make 80 to £120 at auction.

I think it's odd.

It's not what I expected.

Could you see it on your Christmas table?

I certainly could. I'd buy it myself. I think it's lovely.

-You like it.

-Yeah, I do.

You don't need to make up your mind just now,

wait until your first three items have been sold.

But in the meantime,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks of Kate's bonus buy.

For her bonus buy, Kate bought this silver ladle.

Will it ladle out profits at Christmas auction?

Hopefully lashings of it.

We know it's Georgian, we've guided it between 30 and 50,

but I wouldn't be surprised if it made £100.

Right. Well, Kate's paid £85 for it.

She obviously likes it a lot.

That's it for the Reds. Let's go onto the Blues.

-OK.

-George and Sue's first buy was this female figure.

Do you like this?

Anita, I do. As a bust goes, it's a really good bust

because it has such style of the Art Nouveau.

It's flowery, she's got movement on the base,

she's gorgeous, she's got it.

-She's your type, Charlie?

-My type, Anita. Absolutely.

-What's your estimate?

-Between 80 and £120.

-Yeah. They paid £85.

-Good.

-So, profit there. Hopefully.

Definitely, Anita.

Their second item was this 19th-century desk plough.

Is this going to appeal to your buyers?

It is good quality, it's bronze, circa 1890,

it's high Victorian and neat.

-Yeah.

-Estimate on that, Charlie?

Anita, again, I like that guide of between 80 and 120.

-It's nice and wide.

-Yeah.

Well, they only paid £60 for it, so we could be looking at profit.

-Anita, I really hope so.

-Yeah.

-Third item, completely different again.

-Yes.

And this is a spelter model of a footballer.

Yeah, full of youth and energy,

about to kick the ball into the back of the net,

and to the footballing world, anything pre-Second World War...

-Yes.

-..is highly sought after.

I've gone in between 80 and £120.

-They've only paid £40.

-Wow.

-They've been very canny.

-That is a good price.

-It is.

-Should be a profit there.

-Anita, back of the net.

I think this team have done really well.

-I agree.

-And there's still the bonus buy.

Let's go and have a look at it.

George, Sue, you spent £185.

You gave Paul 115.

Paul, what did you buy?

-One of these.

-What is that?

Right.

Well, do you know what, these are commonly described

as paper knives for opening one's envelope.

-A letter opener.

-But what's that got to do with Christmas?

Nothing, is the answer!

Because that is a meat skewer.

When the head of the table is carving that roast at Christmas,

this is embedded in the joint.

-Nice.

-We like that.

-Like it, like it a lot.

-Yeah.

Fully assayed. Silver, solid, English silver.

1794.

-Wow.

-What do you think?

Love it. Absolutely love it.

-Me too, me too.

-Oh, it's got some real weight to it.

-How much did you pay for it?

-I love that.

I paid £85 for that, for Georgian silver.

-Nice.

-I'd pitch it at 80 to 100, maybe £120.

And between roasts, you can open your mail in style.

Nice job.

I think we're unanimous there, Paul.

You don't have to make up your mind just now.

Wait until your first three items have been sold.

But in the meantime, let's find out what the auctioneer thinks

of Paul's bonus buy.

And perfect for your Christmas joint, Charlie,

Paul bought this meat skewer, silver.

I love it because it's a proper antique,

it's a lovely object of silver, it's a meat skewer

from the year 1794.

-An early one, Charlie.

-It's history.

-What's your estimate?

Anita, it's dripping on the bird, between 70 and £90.

They've paid 85.

-That's good.

-But chance of getting a profit.

-Definitely.

And it's interesting to know that these teams

are made up of family members,

-so there's going to be a lot of competition there today.

-Definitely.

Are you taking our sale today, Charlie?

Anita, I am. I can't wait.

I feel a Christmas jingle on the rostrum today.

-Sorry!

-Christmas is in full swing in the sale room.

-Santa's on the rostrum...

-I'm asking £20 only.

And our teams hope their items will fly like Rudolph the Reindeer.

Going...

Well, guys, this is the day and this is the hour!

The sale room is packed, Santa Claus is on the rostrum

and you've got some wonderful items to sell!

So those little dictionaries are a gem buy and here they come.

If you get bored at Christmas time

and you want to improve your English,

French, Italian and Spanish and German, in the dictionary way,

buy these volumes.

I'm only bid £30.

Do I see five now? They are wonderful.

-Go on!

-35, 40, 45.

-Yes!

-Yes!

-45.

I'm out. 45 bid.

-50.

-Yes!

-50.

-Come on!

-70, I am bid.

Do I see five now?

Fair warning. I'm selling at £70.

Going, going, you're sold.

-ALL:

-Yes!

-£70.

That's a profit of £35.

Fantastic.

The next item coming up, those wonderful cycling maps.

Oh, here we are, here we are, here we are.

I can start. I'm asking 50 now.

45 I am bid. I'm asking 55, 60, 5, 70.

-ALL:

-Yes!

-Are you sure, sir?

70 I'll take. 70 I'm out. 70 I'm bid.

5, 80.

-80.

-ALL:

-Yes!

-82, 85, 88, sir.

-Yes!

90 I'm bid.

-ALL:

-Yes!

-95, sir. 95. £100.

I sell 95.

-£100 bid!

-ALL:

-Yes!

110, sir?

At £100, going, going...

Oh, £100!

That gives you a profit of plus 40.

So your profit after two items is plus £75!

Third item is that wonderful George V fruit knife.

I'm only bid for this gorgeous knife,

-£20.

-Oh!

22, 25, 8, 32, 5, 8, 40.

-Are you sure?

-Your bid, sir.

38, I've got you.

40 over there. I'll take two.

-45. 48.

-Come on!

We want the golden gavel!

48, 50. 5.

Pull my cracker! 60, 5, 70.

-Yes!

-Yes!

-70 I'm bid. 5.

80.

-80 I'm bid.

-ALL:

-Yes!

Going, going...

-ALL:

-Yes!

£80. Congratulations.

That's plus 20 on that.

Now, that takes your overall score

to plus £95.

Are you going to take the bonus buy?

Kate paid £85 for it.

-No.

-No, you're not going to take it.

-No, we're not.

-Are you sure absolutely sure?

-Yep.

-You're 95 ahead.

-We'll stick with it.

-We're happy with that.

-And you're sticking.

-Yeah.

-Well, let's see what happens, because it's coming up now.

-OK.

-I'm only bid £20.

I'm asking five now.

20, 35, 45, 55, sir.

50 I'm bid.

5, 60, 5, 70.

All out at £65.

-Well done.

-Thank you so much.

-You made the right decision.

So your final score is plus £95,

which is absolutely wonderful, and profits on all three items.

-Yeah.

-So, congratulations.

But you've got to promise me one thing,

-don't say a word to the Blues.

-Lips are sealed.

George, Sue, here we are.

Look, the room is packed!

-Awesome.

-They've come from the four corners of the Earth.

First up we have that Art Nouveau bust of a young lady.

-It's coming up now.

-A very good bust.

Do I see 50 now?

50 I'll take. 50 do I see?

55, 60.

I've got 5, 70.

At £65.

Going, going, sold!

Aw, 65!

That's minus 20.

Your next item is that

late 19th-century gilt bronze and silver desk set.

45 I'm bid. 55, 60, 5, 70.

-Are you sure, madam?

-We're in profit.

80 I'm bid, sir. Thank you very much.

Well done, well done.

80 I'm bid. do I see 5?

Come on! £80.

Going once, going twice...

-It's yours.

-£80.

-Yeah!

Well, that's plus 20, so that takes us back to zero.

-Even Stevens, that's good.

-Even Stevens.

But you've still got your third item,

which is that spelter model of a footballer.

45, 55, 65, 75, 85.

-Profit.

-95, 100.

-Profit!

-On your head, 110.

110 I'm bid.

On the wing over there.

Do I see 120?

On your head somewhere. I sell to a lady at £110.

110.

-Very good!

-Well, there you are...

Well, that is a profit of £70.

Are you going to take the bonus buy?

It's the meat skewer.

-Yes.

-Do you want to take a gamble?

-Yeah, why not?

-Absolutely, go for the bonus buy.

No problem.

On you go, Santa.

£50.

I'm asking five now.

What a skewer.

55, 65, 75, 85, 95, 100.

110.

Are you sure? 110, 120.

It's Christmas time, so what a skewer.

Look at me. I'll take 115 if it helps you.

115, sir. 115?

115 bid, sir.

-120.

-Good on you.

At 120.

Going, going...

Gone! 120!

We deserved that, we deserved it.

That takes your overall score to plus £105.

Congratulations, congratulations.

That's absolutely wonderful.

But I don't want any falling out with your darlings at this point...

-We'll try.

-..so don't say a word to the Reds.

Well, my lovely Christmas teams, did we have a good time?

-ALL:

-Yes!

Oh, it was wonderful.

Both teams have made profit, so well done on that.

But today's winners are...

-..the Blues!

-Yeah!

-Oh!

-Yes!

-Unbelievable.

You made a profit of £105.

And there you are. Well done.

That's excellent.

My lovely Reds,

you also made a profit of £95.

So you weren't all that far behind.

So £95 to you.

-Thank you.

-You made profit on every single one of your items!

You, the Reds, will be awarded the Golden Gavel!

Yeah!

-One for you.

-Thank you.

-And one for you.

-Thank you.

Wear them with pride.

Well, Merry Christmas to you all and Merry Christmas to you at home.

If you would like to find out more about the show,

check out our website or follow us on Twitter.

But best of all, join us soon for more bargain hunting, yes?

-ALL:

-Yes!

# Just hear those sleigh bells jingling

# Ring-ting-tingling too

# Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you

# Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling "yoo-hoo!"

# Come on, it's lovely weather for sleigh ride together with you

# Oh, yeah, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you. #

Well, that's it, then. All done and sold. Thank you.