Southwell 2 Bargain Hunt

Hello. Today's show comes from the Nottinghamshire town of Southwell,

or does it?

The pronunciation of the town's name has caused

a centuries-long argument, often dividing visitors and locals alike.

Well, there's only one way to find out.

-Question - South-WELL or Southwell?

-Southwell.

-South-WELL.

-Southwell.

-You're both... Are you local?

-Yeah.

-South-WELL.

-Southwell.

-Oh, South-WELL, without a doubt.

Well, that's as clear as mud.

But whatever way you say it,

we're here, and we're going bargain-hunting.

The Southwell Racecourse is hosting today's antiques fair,

and with up to 150 stands,

our teams are going to be spoilt for choice on which three items to spend

up to £300, and with 60 minutes on the clock.

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

The Reds drive a hard bargain...

I was thinking 15.

Oh, my Lord! Even I'm shocked and horrified!

The Blues have expensive tastes...

-£350?

-Ooh!

-And at the auction, the Reds are dumbfounded...

-ALL:

-O-o-o-o-oh!

..while the Blues stay hopeful.

Bit more. Bit more, bit more.

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

who are all sets of friends and who all hail from Nottingham.

For the Reds, we've got Liz and Tracey, and for the Blues,

-we've got Nick and Harry. So, hello. TEAMS:

-Hello!

So, Liz, tell me, how did you two meet?

Well, we met about 26 years ago,

and Tracey moved into a flat above the one I was living in at the time.

-Mm-hm.

-And it had a very narrow, winding staircase.

-Yes?

-And I heard all this commotion outside,

and there was Tracey with her husband, trying to push a settee

up these stairs. So I went to help them and it was just hilarious,

and we just got on straightaway.

Tell me, you work for Citizens Advice?

-I do, yes, yes.

-I believe you also do a little bit of moonlighting in

-the guise of another job.

-I do, yes,

I'm also a registrar in the summer, and I marry people.

So I get to go to some beautiful venues on people's big day,

which is an absolute privilege, really.

So, Tracey, tell me a little bit more about your job.

Well, I'm a community midwife in the centre of Nottingham.

I delivered Liz's baby when I was newly qualified.

-So that baby is very special.

-Yeah, and how old is that baby now?

-Can I ask?

-She turned 20 last week.

Isn't that terrible? How dare they grow up? How dare they grow up!

Now, I believe that you've got a few connections in the antique world.

Well, my mum's an antiques dealer, and she had a shop,

and I used to mind it as soon as I was old enough.

No pressure, fellas, OK?

No pressure. So, tactics today, ladies.

-What's it going to be?

-Well, I think we're going to go out there

-and try and buy the first thing quickly.

-Pressure off.

-Yeah.

-Yeah, good thinking. All right, well, good luck.

-Thank you.

So, turning to the Blues, Nick and Harry.

So, Nick, tell me, how did you two meet?

We met at school, we went to school in Southwell, just down the road.

Harry always says, whenever we meet new people, he's always like,

"Oh, yeah, Nick used to bully me on the school bus."

-I'll just get that out there now - I didn't bully him.

-No.

-At all. Six years later,

then we met through a mutual friend on a night out and we've been best

-mates ever since.

-Excellent. So, what do you do for a living?

I'm in the military and I teach armoured vehicle tactics.

-Do you?

-Yeah. The trained troops come to us,

driver, commander, and then we just teach them how to employ the

-vehicles tactically.

-So, Harry, what do you do for a living?

I'm a senior architectural technician for a leading housing

-developer in the UK.

-He lives in one of the houses he's designed, so...

-Which explains one of the many design flaws of the house.

-LAUGHTER

Goodness me! That's quite something, isn't it

to be in the house you have designed, you know?

It's nice, it's a nice feeling to have designed something, yeah, definitely.

What about antiques? What's your knowledge like on antiques?

-Nothing.

-But that's not going to deter us from winning today...

-No, no.

-..because obviously we're going

-to smash it.

-Exactly. So, have you got any form of tactics?

We're going to go with an unorthodox tactic and go with buy low,

-sell high.

-That is a great formula, isn't it?

We're going to listen to our expert and we're going to go with the gut,

-though. Go with the gut, always listen to the gut.

-Before we do any

of that, you're going to need some money, aren't you?

£300 for the Reds, and £300 for the Blues.

And this is where I say cheerio to you as you go off to meet your

respective experts.

So, will our teams still be friends at the end of the day?

To keep them focused on antiques, they'll need some help.

So, stepping out in style with the Reds, it's David Harper.

And directing the action for the Blues, it's Gary Pe.

What are we going to be looking for?

Well, I like silver Scandinavian jewellery, Art Deco...

I'm thinking more going down the military route, maybe.

I think we should look for either really practical things or anything

-really beautiful.

-I was thinking maybe some timepieces.

Basically, toys for boys?

-Yep.

-It's all about weighing up your options.

Teams, your 60 minutes start now. BELL RINGS

-Yeah, let's do it!

-Let's do it.

-Let's get to it.

-Do it.

Liz is in. What are you doing, Liz?

The Reds start by eyeing up some pretty things...

-Maybe a case for a small lady's pocket watch.

-Oh. Yeah.

-Yeah.

-..while the boys head straight for the toys.

Fairly run of the mill, nothing exceptional about it.

-So, what do you think? Shall we go inside?

-Yeah, let's go inside.

-All right, let's do that.

Indoors, the Reds are working through their shopping list.

Could this be the beautiful item they want?

So, Liz, tell us why you like it.

-Just got a little bit of...

-Well, it's quite pretty, it's practical.

-Yeah.

-It looks quite old, with the silk.

-It's still there, isn't it?

-What age do you think it is?

-'30s.

-1900, or something?

-Yeah, I think it's a bit earlier.

-Do you?

-I think it's more 1880.

-Oh, really?

-Particularly with that colour, that very deep purple.

-It's very Victorian.

-Oh! Hmm, what would it have been?

-Probably a jewellery box of some sort.

-Yeah?

-It's missing an awful lot of stuff.

-It is, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-It's just a box.

-Yeah, I think we're going to struggle with that.

-Yeah, I'd rather something a bit meatier.

-Yeah, yeah.

Keep looking, Reds. Blues, have you found anything from YOUR wish list?

-Is that a timepiece? What's that there, Gary?

-Oh, OK.

Right, it's a pocket watch.

1920s, 1930s.

Silver, a good starting price of 38.

Normally, with pocket watches, you know how they were used originally.

-Yeah, yeah...

-You'd have them in chains or something, just hanging around the pockets,

or with leather straps, which they call fobs, which they...

-Then flip out...

-..hang around, exactly, yeah, yeah.

But it looks like a good, clean piece.

The enamelling is in good condition, so I'm quite happy with that.

-There's no breaks of the glass. So...

-Solid piece.

It's a solid piece.

You've got your normal engine turn decoration in there.

One good thing is, it is devoid of any inscriptions.

So, that's what people like. How do you feel about it?

I'm happy to go with that one.

To begin with, I'd like you to be able to get this

for something like 25.

-We're in with a chance.

-On at 38.

-It's 38.

-Start at 20. Let's go cheaply.

-So...

-Cheaply.

-Go for it.

-So, we're thinking 20.

I can't do 20, unfortunately, no. The best I'd do would be 30.

30? What if we meet at 28?

-28 will be fine.

-Happy with that?

-I'm happy with that. Is Gary happy with that?

-What do you think, Gary?

-I like it, it's a good piece, clean,

-silver.

-Let's go for it, then.

-Go 28?

-Why not?

-Yeah, 28.

-28.

-Bosh.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-Cheers, thank you.

Well, well. The first toy for the boys. The Cheeky Boys.

With the cheeky Blues buying their first item in just

eight minutes, the Reds are now playing catch-up.

Anything shouting out?

Images of dogs. Anything to do with dogs is always very good news.

Yeah, I can imagine someone who likes little terriers liking those,

-can't you?

-Yeah, absolutely. So, the cufflinks, crystal...

-They're not any kind of metal, are they?

-No.

-They're just a bit of...

-Base metal, isn't it?

-..white metal, or whatever you call it.

Yeah. If they were nine-carat gold, they'd be very desirable.

-Yeah, they would, wouldn't they?

-But they're lovely things.

-Yeah, just...

-But cufflinks aren't...

-What's your best price you can do on that?

-Oh, she's in!

-I can do them for 30.

-I was thinking 15.

Oh, my Lord! Even I'm shocked and horrified!

25 would be the rock bottom on that.

-What do you think?

-Shall we try?

-Yeah.

-Let's do it.

-Go on, let's get them. Let's get them.

-Don't ask my opinion at all.

You said you liked them!

Never mind, David, at least they're decisive.

Right, well done. Well, first purchase, I think well done.

Over with the Blues, Gary is being put to the test.

-Military?

-Yeah.

-Maybe, yeah.

I have to tell you now, they're not my speciality.

-They're not mine either. I just...

-You just like them?

-Yeah.

-Right.

-The first medal issued by the British Government to soldiers with

combat experience, regardless of rank, was the Waterloo Medal in

1815. Some can fetch thousands at auction.

These examples are more recent.

-I mean, we can pretty much date them, because...

-They carry the

-heads of...

-King George VI.

That was awarded for Palestine.

And the other bits, I don't know.

So I think we need to sort of ask the dealer.

OK, well, the Palestine medal is a pre-Second World War medal.

-Right.

-Then you've got the '39-'45 for the Second World War,

the African next to that,

the Defence next to that, and the War Medal.

The only medal that's named is the Palestine medal.

-Were these awarded to the same person?

-They were awarded to the same person.

-All right. What are we talking about, price wise?

-£350.

Oh!

Way out of your price range, Blues.

Meanwhile, the Reds' animal instincts are being tested.

-Let's get to grips with what he is.

-Any ideas, ladies?

-An elephant.

-Well done, Liz!

Isn't she clever? Is he an Asian elephant or an African elephant?

-Well, he's got small ears.

-Good. Meaning what?

-Not sure.

-Does mean something, doesn't it?

-It does mean something.

-Indian, I think.

-Indian.

-Indian elephant.

-So he's probably made in India, do you think?

-Absolutely, I do, I think so.

-It's brass. Lovely little green eyes, they'll just be...

-Yeah.

-They will be glass, won't they? They're not going to be emeralds.

-Is it for putting matches in?

-Yeah.

-Is there a striker on it, though?

-Yes, there... How...?

-Where is all this information coming from?

-I've been there before, you see, so when in here, it's in here.

-Is this all new to you?

-Whether I like it or not.

-There's your striker.

-Oh, that's where you do it?

-Yeah.

-On his neck. And how old?

-Do you think he was a little tourist thing?

-Could be a tourist thing.

-He could date from the Raj...

-Yeah.

-..late 18th, 1800s,

-early 1900s, that sort of period. It's quite unusual.

-It is nice.

-It's quite sweet.

-It's a lot of money as well.

-It is, 85.

-Hmm.

-That's too much money.

-I think it's 30 to 50 in auction.

-Yeah, yeah.

-As a novelty thing.

-But we know it's there.

-OK, does that mean, "Put it back in"?

-Yeah, I think so.

-All right, OK.

-Lovely, thank you for that.

-And from one miniature to another.

What about this spy camera?

-It's quite cool, isn't it?

-Quite like that.

-Wow!

-So, nice little piece, isn't it?

-I'm liking that.

-Wow.

-GARY LAUGHS

Mycro cameras like this one were made in Tokyo, in Japan,

and first went on the market in 1939.

Second World War, obviously.

But 1,100...

-I don't...

-Slightly too high?

-No, well...

-No, no, it's not 1,100.

-No? What is it, then?

-100.

-It's 100.

Oh! Oh, well.

-This changes the game.

-Well, absolutely.

Also, if you look down there,

there's a box of film for it as well.

-Mycro, can you see?

-This one, OK.

I think there's only one film in it, though.

-Is that still classed as one item, is it?

-Yes, yes, absolutely.

And it has the proper label.

-Now, that changes the game, guys.

-Yeah. I'm liking this game. I'm

-liking it a lot.

-I mean, that's good enough, but with this

-and the box...

-And the film.

-..and a spare film.

-I'm liking that, yeah.

-I like that a lot.

-I like it a lot.

What do you think, price wise?

Oh... What is the absolute death, sir?

-I'll make it 65, how's that?

-65? I...

Yeah, I like it, I'm happy, I like that.

Yeah, shall we do the deal?

-Let's do it.

-Sir, that was very generous.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-At nearly half the purchase price,

that's the Blues' second item

snapped up within the first 17 minutes.

The Reds, though, have two more items to buy.

So, while the shopping steps up a pace, I'm off to show you that

detective work is often the key to unlocking the story

behind an antique.

Recently, I found this unusual black glaze presentation mug at an

antiques fair, and a few things about it immediately puzzled me.

So the first thing you do with any pot, you want to know who the

maker might be.

But in this case, as you can see, there is no mark whatsoever.

When you talk about black glaze,

you tend to be talking about the factory of Jackfield -

late-18th-century and early-19th-century

black glaze pottery that was made in Shropshire.

The very fact that this is a mid-19th-century shape,

based on a silver mug with a handle,

with a kick and a double spur that you tend to associate from somewhere

round about 1840,

dismisses Jackfield as being the area from which it originated.

So it wasn't from the Shropshire factory,

but there were a few other clues that suggested its pedigree.

Looking at the decoration, you'll see the gilding is exquisite.

Not only have you got this beautiful flat gilding,

but you've got raised gilding.

That is basically white enamel that's been laid on and then it's

been covered over with gilt.

That just makes it so very, very special.

This is Stoke-on-Trent at its best.

Make no mistake about it.

But when I look at good quality pots of this period that are not marked,

and black glaze pots, I think of one factory.

I think of the Dudson factory.

They didn't really mark their wares until well after 1860.

This is dated 1853 - it's already a contender.

I've had it looked at also by the Dudson Museum.

They love it, they think that it is Dudson.

So, we now know it's a Staffordshire mug, reputedly made by the oldest

surviving manufacturers of tableware in the country.

But who was it presented to?

You can see that this was presented to a certain J Sinzininesc.

Yes, it's a bit of a mouthful, isn't it? Not only does it have the

name, but underneath that, I'm reading the name Jean,

so I'm thinking that this must be somebody of Continental origin.

I then get in touch with a couple of my friends who were genealogists.

My friends were able to tell me that a certain Augustus Sinzininesc came

over from Poland in the late 18th century.

His son James was born in 1817 and died in 1884.

They were able to establish that James was in actual fact

a schoolmaster working in the Cheadle area,

and he was working at a place called Tean,

which basically means that I have misinterpreted the name Jean when I

should have been looking at Tean - T-E-A-N.

But it just goes to show that, with a little bit of detective work,

an ordinary antique can become something rather special.

Back at the fair, and with nearly 20 minutes gone,

the Reds still need two items and the Blues just one.

And already, Gary has something in his sights.

-Boys, what do you think of this?

-What, the big silver thing?

-It looks German to me.

I mean, it's got the element of hunting.

It's in the Art Nouveau style.

Art Nouveau was an ornamental style popular between 1890 and 1910.

It's got this embossed decoration right in the middle,

of a hunting scene.

Anything with dogs, anything to do with hunting,

and the Art Nouveau style.

So it's got three things going for it.

-I like it.

-Mm-hm.

-How much is the...?

-95? How do you feel about this?

-It's doesn't really stand out to me.

-What do you think, Nick?

-It's not massively appealing to me either, Gary.

-No? Well, look, we've got the time.

-Keep it on the back burner?

-Yeah.

While the Blues play it safe, the Reds are feeling the pressure.

-What time are we on? Whereabouts are we?

-25 minutes you've had.

-Really?

-OK, so 35 to go.

-Wow.

-Yeah.

-So I'm not going to say panic just yet...

-Yeah.

-No.

-..but I'm not far off it.

Right, OK. Get a bit of a speed on.

And the ladies waste no time.

-Liz, you like boxes, I think, don't you?

-I do, I really like boxes.

-There's lots of boxes.

-Yeah.

-That, do you like that?

-I quite like that little Arts and Crafts box.

-Yes, it's very lovely.

You see, listen to you as well, you're getting all the terminology.

-Look, it's made from a cigar box.

-Oh!

-Isn't that quite cute?

-It is.

-It's very lovely, I love that.

-Do you?

-It's all made by a man in his shed.

I like it, I'd be really happy to have that on my mantelpiece.

How old is it? Come on, let's get to the bones of it.

-I think it is sort of 1920s to '30s.

-I think it's a bit earlier.

-Bit earlier, 1910?

Yeah, yeah, it might be even First World War period.

-Oh, right.

-What do you think?

-Yeah, let me have a look, let me have a hold.

-It's... They've made it around a cigar box.

-Yeah.

-Which is quite

-lovely.

-It's very, very cute.

-What's it going to be?

-22.

-Yeah.

-Hmm, at the most.

-Ladies?

-At the moment, you've got...

-35.

-Could maybe do it for 30?

-Could it be any less?

-What about 22?

-Could do 28.

In auction, it's 20 to 30 quid, probably.

-I like it.

-I like it.

-27?

-We'll do 27, then. But that's it.

-You have done it.

You've done it. Thank you.

Nice negotiating, Reds. And you've ticked off something

beautiful and practical from your shopping list.

Now, back to the Blues, where Gary is waxing lyrical.

The candlestick. The reason I like it is because it reminds me of the

design of Christopher Dresser.

Christopher Dresser designed functional objects and is regarded

as one of the most talented British designers of the 19th century.

And anything that is Christopher Dresser, and can be attributed to

him, by him, makes very big money.

-Shall we have a look at it, then, shall we?

-Shall we?

-Yeah.

-OK.

-Hmm...

-It's got 38 quid on there.

38 quid.

It's in copper, there's a bit of brass in there,

and looks like steel of sorts.

He did a lot of copper work and brass work

for the firm of Benham & Froud,

about 1880s or so.

And even if it isn't an original Dresser,

it is inspired by a lot of his designs.

So that alone, you know, speaks volumes.

If we could get a good price for this...

Yeah, we're going to have to knock him down.

-Go on, then.

-Shall we do it?

-Shall we try it?

Your turn?

We're thinking £20.

I'll do 22.

-22?

-Yeah, I'm happy with that.

-Are you happy, Gary?

-Go for it.

-I'm dancing.

-Thank you very much.

-Fantastic, Blues.

That's your final item, you're all done and dusted,

and within 30 minutes.

The pressure is now on, Reds.

-What about the tray?

-Yeah, shall we have a look?

Thank you.

OK, made from what?

-From Chinese lacquer.

-But what is that?

Your mother's going to be so proud of you when she's watching this.

I do like Chinese lacquer, it's one of the things I really like.

Well, tell us about Chinese lacquer, then.

-It's wood with a bit of... It's a very, very cheap wood...

-Yeah.

-..usually, that's been lacquered.

-And how do they lacquer it, often?

-Oh, I've no idea.

-Sap, tree sap.

-Effectively.

-Tree sap? Is it?

That's the traditional form of lacquer.

I don't know whether this would fall into that category.

What age do you think it is?

I think it's probably 1920, something like that,

I would guess, '30s.

-Again, probably more like a tourist piece.

-BOTH:

-Yeah.

Interesting three-clawed dragon.

The five-clawed dragon is the highest-ranking dragon.

Oh, right, OK.

And there was a period in time in Chinese history

where only the Emperor or his immediate family

could own an object depicting a five-clawed dragon.

-So, we were not worthy?

-No, you're not worthy.

-Basically, no.

-You are definitely not worthy,

because he's got three claws.

-Right.

-But an interesting one.

-Yeah.

-Is it ours or not?

-I don't think so.

-No?

-I'm a bit worried about who's going to buy it.

OK, no problem, but it's very nice. ..Thank you.

It is lovely.

The Reds still need their final item,

and the clock is ticking. Come on, ladies.

The Blues, meanwhile, have time to relax.

You'll have to make do with coffee.

Tea?

-Cheers.

-BOTH:

-Cheers.

To winning Bargain Hunt.

Now, Reds, there's just 20 minutes left.

What about this piece of retro for your third item?

I'll just shout, save some time.

Hi, there. What sort of price have we got on the...?

Little TV stand, or whatever it is.

1960s.

I've got 58 on him.

-Do you want to have a look at it?

-Let's have a little look.

-All right.

-I like the little castors.

-I like that, it's got...

-Turn it, let's have a look at the castors,

see if they are... Yeah, they're original.

It's got a good look to it, in general, hasn't it?

-It's very iconic, isn't it?

-Yes, it is, it's got a good look to it.

Plywood, vintage, retro, falls into all of those things.

But the thing is, you'd be surprised how little they still make.

-Yeah.

-Go into a London designer store,

and, yes, pay 300 or 400 quid for it.

Then you go to a provincial saleroom and they make 20 quid.

Yeah. I can't do 20.

What can you do?

35, max.

Are we allowed to spin coins?

I haven't spun a coin for years.

30 or 35 on the spin of a coin.

Let's go back to medieval bartering.

-Go on, then.

-OK. Don't worry about this.

I've got it sorted.

This could be risky.

You can call, ready?

Right, I'll go heads.

OK, don't worry.

-Everything is fine. Oh.

-Yes!

SHE LAUGHS

-I got the wrong coin out.

-Everything is fine.

Oh, well.

-35.

-OK...

Oh, dear. I hope that doesn't make the difference

between winning and losing.

-It's a pleasure.

-I bet it's a pleasure, thank you very much.

-But it's been good fun.

-We've had a good day.

-Yeah, brilliant.

-And we've got 15 minutes left.

With both teams finished, I'm going to call time.

Let's remind ourselves what the Red team bought.

First up were these terrier dog cufflinks.

Price paid, £25.

Next, the Arts and Crafts box set them back £27.

And finally, with the toss of a coin,

they won this retro TV console for £35.

So, ladies, you got off to a very prompt start there.

I mean, you said you were going to go in quick.

So quick that I don't think you knew what was happening, Dave.

Well, I was half sentence, really,

giving my expert opinion, and they'd bought it.

Right, OK.

-So, favourite item?

-I think the little box, the Arts and Crafts box.

And the one that's going to give you the biggest profit?

-Probably the box.

-The box, OK. Come on, tell me.

I like the cufflinks,

but I'm not sure they're going to bring us the biggest profit.

I want positive!

What's going to give you the biggest profit after all this, Tracey?

I think the box as well.

OK. So, ladies, how much did you spend in total?

£87.

We went wild in the aisles.

You went bonkers out there, didn't you?

Come on, give me the difference, which is...

£213.

That is good, by my reckoning. And yours too, David.

-Hmm.

-You could do some serious buying with that, can't you?

You mentioned the word "bonkers".

I think I've got enough money here to really go bonkers.

So, that's where I'm going, Eric.

I'm going bonkers.

So, while David goes off on a bonkers mission,

let's remind ourselves what the Blue team bought.

Their first buy was the pocket watch at £28.

Next was the Mycro camera, snapped up for £65.

And finally, the candlestick holder, price paid, £22.

Well, an interesting shop, Gary.

I mean, these fellows,

they had a shopping list and they virtually went for it,

bang, bang, bang, didn't they?

Yes, no problem whatsoever.

The easiest buy I've ever had.

Well, we're very impressed.

So, Harry, tell me, your favourite item.

Favourite item of the day for me was the spy camera.

Came in a leather case and came in the original box

with a spare film in it.

Of the three items,

which is the one that's going to give you the biggest profit?

I think it's going to be the brass candlestick holder.

-Oh, do you?

-Yeah, got it for £22,

so it's quite a good bargain, I think.

Hmm. And what about yourself, Nick?

I'd have to agree with Harry.

Yeah, I do like the miniature camera,

but I do think, because of our expert over here...

And the price we paid.

And the price we paid, 22 quid.

-Yeah.

-Steal.

-But having said that, how much did you spend?

-£115.

-So, you're going to give me...

-185.

-185.

There you go, Gary, you could do quite well with that, can't you?

I think I'll stick to the theme.

Toys for boys.

Toys for the boys.

Well, while Gary goes off looking for a toys-for-boys bonus buy,

we're going off to the auction.

Well, we've moved from South-WELL -

or is it Southwell? -

to Lincoln.

We're at the saleroom of Golding Young & Mawer.

And I'm joined by Colin Young.

An absolute delight to have you with us once more.

Thank you. Right, we're looking at the Red team.

This is Liz and Tracey.

They've bought a pair of Essex crystal cufflinks.

A nice lot.

I looked at it straight away.

I was always hoping that with that magical name of Essex for crystal,

they were perhaps going to be late 18th century, a bit more exotic.

But they're a bit newer.

-They are.

-But nevertheless, they've got the look, haven't they?

And what I feel was a buoyant estimate of £40 to £60 on them.

That should be good news because they paid £25 for those.

That seems like a banker for starters, really, doesn't it?

A good start for the Reds.

Item number two is the 20th-century copper Arts and Crafts casket

over there.

It would be great if you got a stamp on there, maybe KSIA.

Keswick School of Industrial Arts.

-That's what it is, yes.

-Something like that.

-You would want those type of names on there.

-You would.

Take it away, it doesn't have that good feel about,

you know, the fine design, to be honest with you.

It is what it is.

Yeah. I was fairly basic with my estimate of £25 to £40.

OK. £27 paid.

Both Liz and Tracey think

-that's going to give them the biggest profit.

-No pressure, then.

No pressure. None whatsoever.

And then I think an interesting piece of late-20th-century design

is this little table.

Obviously in Bentwood.

I'm struggling really to know exactly where to sort of date it

because, you know, obviously, it's a design

that would have come out of the '60s

that would have continued production thereafter,

and, of course, you can still buy the stuff today.

So, yeah, the date is a ponderable.

But what's your estimate?

£25 to £40.

Well, they paid a midway estimate on there.

They paid £35 for it.

-Ah, right.

-Well, methinks they may well need their bonus buy.

So let's find out what it is.

I'm looking at your faces -

it's like two small girls on Christmas morning.

-I mean, great expectations, or what? Are you bubbling?

-Yeah.

Yeah, you are? Excellent.

-Can't wait.

-Well, you gave David £213 to go and spend.

-I know.

-Show the girls what you bought.

-OK, here we go.

-OK.

-Oh!

-Oh!

Is that a good "oh" or not?

-Well, you did say bonkers.

-What is it?

-I did say bonkers.

It does get better, David. Turn it round.

It does get better. There you go. There's the better side.

-Do you know what it is?

-A bell hose?

-It's like a horn.

-It has an attachment.

Yes! So, get ready...

-I'm ready.

-It's 12 o'clock at night, you're out at sea, it's a bit foggy,

it's pre electric lighting,

you're a little concerned there are other boats nearby,

so what do you do every now and again?

HORN BLARES

THEY LAUGH

It's a Triton foghorn.

-So it's a patented foghorn.

-Oh, wow.

And how much do you expect that to achieve?

Well, how much do you think I paid for it?

A tenner?

Come on, you can do better.

120.

That's more like it. I'd like it to make that.

I think it was a steal.

-40 quid.

-Marvellous.

-Marvellous.

-Give it a blow.

HORN HOOTS SOFTLY

THEY LAUGH

You're such a natural!

And now, listen, ladies,

you know full well you don't have to make your minds up now.

Wait till you've sold your first three items,

and that's when you make that big decision.

But in the meantime,

let's find out what the auctioneer has to say

about David's Triton foghorn.

So here it is, Colin. It's a Triton foghorn.

I mean, every home should have one.

It's one of those amazing lots that comes into a sale, isn't it,

that you think, what the heck is that?!

Yeah, you think you've seen it all before.

You do. And then something like this comes along.

Let's just hope that the expert knows his onions.

Our estimate is 25 to 40.

David went out and paid £40 for it.

So all is not lost.

-Yet.

-Oh, ye of little faith!

But having said all that, let's turn our attention to the Blue team.

This is Nick and Harry.

The first item they came up with is the fob watch.

We see a lot through the sale.

So that's probably the only negative that you're going to say.

It doesn't have an individual character about it.

We've placed it at quite a...

A good estimate on it at 40 to 60.

Well, that should please them, they paid £28 for that one.

-OK.

-So that could be a real goer.

Second item is this miniature camera.

Not quite a spy camera, which makes a lot of difference.

That makes an enormous difference.

The spy cameras have got that sort of

evocative feel for them, and makes the market get really excited.

They are what are known as subminiature cameras,

as opposed to being the spy, just the next grade up.

The Mycros were first produced in Japan in 1939.

This looks like... The 3A is the later model,

probably as late as maybe 1950, 1953.

They do come on the market fairly regularly.

So I was fairly accurate with my estimate...

-Which is?

-25 to 40.

They actually paid £65 for it.

That was a bit of a punt, wouldn't you say?

-Yeah.

-But in the meantime, let's go on to item number three,

which they got all excited about.

-With good reason.

-Yeah, that magical name of Dr Christopher Dresser.

Design iconology from the 19th century.

But that design has to then transform into

the mechanics of the object.

-And the maker?

-Yes.

And there's no maker on that.

There's no maker. To me, the quality really, really isn't there.

-What's it going to make?

-I've ended up with an estimate of £40 to £60.

They paid a very modest £22.

I'd be reasonably excited at that price.

Yeah. Something of a mixed bag there, Colin.

Will they need their bonus buy?

Well, let's find out what it is.

Nick, I mean, you're standing there, we're obviously a man down.

I believe that Harry is under work pressure.

Yeah, it's all got too much for him...

-Stress.

-..and he won't be able to make it today.

-Stress related, yeah.

-Is it?

So you're the last man standing, aren't you?

Last man standing, yeah,

but I'm here to fly the flag for the Blue team.

OK. Well, you two lads, you gave Gary £185.

What did you come up with? Go on.

-A toy for the boy.

-Right. Elephant.

Elephant. Yeah, good powers of observation.

-Leather elephant.

-There's an elephant in the room.

You see that lock?

-Yeah.

-That opens up this.

-It's a money box.

-All right.

Hand crafted in leather...

..and that trunk sticking up like that is also a sign of luck.

-So I thought, well...

-It's a sign.

Made in England. Apart from that, which is marked India.

-I'm actually liking it. It's very...

-Tactile.

-..unique.

I've not seen anything like that before. So...

It's very reminiscent of a line of products

that were sold in Liberty's in the 1960s.

Very expensive things when they came out.

-I'm liking it. How much did you pay for it?

-£25.

What do you think it will make at auction, then?

I'd be disappointed if it didn't make 40. 50 would be nice.

-Yeah.

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

Wait till you've sold your first three items,

and then make your decision.

In the meantime, let's find out what the auctioneer has to say about

Gary's leather elephant money box.

Well, here is one bonus buy.

It's quite well made, isn't it?

-It is.

-You could imagine a stamp on there saying Asprey.

Yeah, you certainly could.

I mean, it's got that look of that type of high-end retail market.

But a little bit sort of non-fashionable now, I think.

Yeah, true.

Well, anyway, estimate?

Let's go for £10 to £30.

Gary paid 25 for it.

He obviously has great faith in this particular elephant.

So who's taking the sale today?

Well, I have that privilege, Eric.

And we have the privilege

of watching a master auctioneer in action.

40, bid, five, 55, 65, 75...

-Sold.

-OK, girls, how are we feeling today?

We've had a really good time so we're on a winner already.

We're with the dream team here.

No wonder they're feeling quite relaxed.

Every day is just a bonus, isn't it?

-Yeah, it is.

-Well, your first item is coming up.

It's those lovely Essex crystal cufflinks.

I like these. You paid £25 for them.

Coming up now...

Lot number 160, a pair of Essex crystal cufflinks.

Who's going to start me at 50?

£50. £50.

All you need is a wallet. Just whip it out.

LAUGHTER

20 to go, then. Surely. Let's get on. 20.

I can't believe at £20.

-Where do you want to start?

-Come on!

-10.

£10. That's very disappointing.

He's looking for a bid, I'm looking for a pulse out there.

-I mean, where are...?

-The only bid I have so far is the £1 bid.

-THEY GASP

-£1 bid.

Two, three, everyone now.

Five, eight, ten, £12 bid.

Any more now, then? 12.

I'll offer you 13 because I'm really struggling.

13, 14, 15.

£14 bid. Lady's bid at £14.

-TRACEY:

-Oh! For goodness' sake.

Lady's bid takes it at £14.

-Oh!

-Never mind.

-Oh, not to worry. They were pretty.

£14.

You're minus 11.

Here is your second item, ladies.

It's the early-20th-century Arts and Crafts style box.

Paid £27 for it.

-Come on, then.

-Coming up now.

162, a really nice piece of Arts and Crafts copper here.

Who's going to start me at £40 for this?

£40. 40. 30 to go, then, surely.

£30, anyone? I'll offer you 20 to go?

20, anybody? 20 to have.

20 and 10... 10, the bid's on the net.

-At 10... 12.

-Oh, come on!

15, 18, 20.

Two bid. No.

At 20 bid. Two for anyone else now.

-£20. Are we all done?

-Come on!

Last call, then. Selling at £20.

20.

Oh, OK. Minus seven.

It gives us a rolling total of minus £18.

OK. The third item coming up - it's your late-20th-century coffee table.

You paid £35 for it.

Here you go, we're off.

164 is the 20th-century birch ply veneer coffee table.

Who's going to start me at £40 for it?

£40, anybody? 40.

-Go on.

-£30 to go, then, surely.

£30? £20?

Ten to go, then, surely.

Ten to go.

-There he is.

-12, 15 bid.

18 bid. 20 now.

-Better.

-£20 bid, surely.

22 is bid now.

Go on! Squeeze it.

I'm at £22. Are we all done?

At 22. Last call.

Going, then, at £22.

Thank you.

Oh, 22!

It cost you 35.

Minus 13, I'm afraid, there.

It gives me a rolling total of minus £31.

We now come to...

Oh, what should we do?

-That moment of decision.

-What do you think?

-I think we should get it.

-I think so.

In for a penny.

-In for a penny.

-Let's do it.

It's the Triton foghorn.

-You paid £40 for it, David, didn't you not?

-Yes.

Let's see where we go.

Lot number 169.

It's the foghorn. Start me at £40 for it. £40, anyone? 40? 30?

£20, anybody?

20? Ten?

I've got a bid at ten. 12 bid.

15, 18, 20, 20 bid.

Two bid. Five bid. 28, 30.

At 30. 32. 35 on the net.

-At 35.

-Come on.

Come on, Lincoln! Come on, pull your finger out.

Last call for everybody, then.

And we sell at £35.

-Oh!

-35.

-No taste.

-That was a minus £5 loss,

added to your minus 31 gives us minus 36.

Well done, you two.

It's brilliant, that. That's a result, isn't it?

-Yes.

-Marvellous.

Many a Bargain Hunt has been won on a score

with a far bigger minus than that. So, take solace.

Take solace and take into account not a word to the Blue team, OK?

OK.

So, how are you doing, Nick?

I mean, is there excitement for two here, or what?

Yeah, I'm feeling the love from Harry at work at the minute. So...

-Oh, well...

-I told him about the bonus buy.

You've told him about the bonus buy?

OK. And he's OK with that, is he?

-Yeah.

-So your first item is about to come up.

It's that white-metal fob watch.

-Yep.

-You paid £28 for it.

-Yep.

-It's coming up now.

Lot number 185.

A continental, engine-turned, silver white-metal fob watch.

Stamped silver. Who's going to start me at £80 for it?

80. 50 to go, then.

50. £30 to go, then.

£30, anyone? Come on. 30, where do you want to be?

30. 30 on the net.

Yes.

30 bid. Two now, surely.

At £30, are we all done? £30 - are we all done?

No more bids from the room, then.

Selling on the net at £30.

Maiden bid takes it.

Well, it's a plus two.

It's a good start. It's a start.

It's a positive start, OK?

Coming up now is the camera.

You paid £65 for it.

Here it comes.

Lot number 187 is a Mycro 3A subminiature camera.

Who's going to start me at 80 for that?

80. 50 to go, then.

£50. 40. £40. 30, anyone?

-Where do you want to be?

-A bit more, a bit more.

20 to go, then. £20 for the camera.

£20. Ten, then, anyone?

£10.

-Come on!

-Shocking.

Quickly now. £10.

That's a surprise. 12, 15.

15 is here. 18 now, do I see?

15 is bid. 18, now, surely.

It's even got its case to go with it as well.

£15. Are we all done? No more now?

-Oh!

-Oh, no.

-£15 seems cheap, though, but going.

Make no mistake. In the room at £15.

Shame. Such a shame!

That was a shocker.

That's a minus £50.

A rolling total of minus £48.

Anyway, here's the next lot.

The Arts and Crafts copper and brass candlestick.

Paid 22 for it.

It's coming up now.

Lot 189 is a late-19th-century candlestick,

very much in the manner of Dr Christopher Dresser.

Where do you want to be for this? Start me at 80 for it.

£80, anybody? 80?

50 to go, then. 40, 30?

£30? £30?

Take me at 20, then. £20, anybody?

£10, anybody. 10.

Who's first? 10 is bid.

12 now, do I see?

-At £10. 12.

-Come on, get it up there.

At £12.

At £12.

Last call, then, going at £12.

Oh, dear.

I don't believe that.

Minus £10 on that lot. And a rolling total of minus £58.

Let me ask you, Nick,

are you going to go with the bonus buy on this one?

I think it would be rude not to, wouldn't it?

Gary paid £25 for it.

Let's hope it is a lucky elephant.

We need a bit more luck, don't we?

Lot 194 is an unusual brown leather money box.

Who's going to start me at £30 for it?

£30, anybody? 20 to go, then.

Very good quality. £20?

£10? Surely 10?

You'd be a Nellie not to bid for it!

10? At 10 bid.

12. Is anybody else going to join in now?

12, 15, 18, 20, 22 now.

Yes! Come on!

22 bid. Two, five, five, sir?

23, if you like.

Let's keep going. 23. 24. 24.

You know the answer's yes. 25.

Let's keep going. 25. £26, madam?

26 for you again.

We're in profit, we're in profit.

I will sell at £26.

Oh! Hey, listen, that was a profit there.

£1 profit.

So, in total, minus £57.

How are we feeling?

A bit gutted, really.

I thought the chamber stick

would have done a little bit better myself.

-Oh, well, it wasn't to be today, was it?

-We did hope.

Anyway, not a word to the Reds.

No.

Well, Reds, what do you say, good time?

-We've had a great time.

-Come on.

What about Blues?

We had a great time, didn't we?

You're shouting for two.

I know, yeah. That's good.

What do you think, Harry?

Whatever. Whatever!

He's here in spirit, isn't he?

So the downside today is that nobody made a profit.

Oh!

OK. So there's no money.

In fact, there is a difference of £21 between the two teams.

-Ooh!

-So, it is relatively close.

But we have a winner,

and the winner today...

..is the Red team.

-Oh, no!

-Is the Red team.

We won by losing?!

It's a remarkable programme.

That's the story of my life!

The weird thing is,

I'll come back to it later,

but you didn't make a profit on anything.

In your defence, Nick - and Harry - you made two profits today.

-I know.

-The one thing that let you down today

was the camera, wasn't it?

-Yeah.

-Blame the guy who's not here today.

-OK.

-Yeah, it's Harry's fault.

-Yeah, exactly. But, Reds!

-Look at these...

-Shambles.

These big eyes.

You didn't make a profit on anything.

Remarkable, that's what we are.

Well, the main thing is, have we enjoyed ourselves?

-Yes!

-And we hope you've all enjoyed watching at home.

In the meantime, you can catch us on our website

or follow us on Twitter.

But better still,

why not join us next time for some more bargain-hunting?

-Yes? ALL:

-Yes!