Antiques Road Trip

VOICEOVER (VO): It's the nation's favorite antiques experts...

Which way are the bargains?

VO: ..behind the wheel of a classic car... Do you know where we are?

No.

VO: ..and a goal, to scour Britain for antiques.

Act one, scene one.

VO: The aim, to make the biggest profit at auction.

Ta-da!

VO: But it's no mean feat.

There'll be worthy winners...

Woo!

Happy dance!

VO: ..and valiant losers.

Heartbroken.

Close your ears.

VO: Will it be the high road to glory...

It's just delightful, isn't it?

VO: ..or the slow road to disaster?

VO: This is Antiques Road Trip.

VO: Yeah!

VO: Welcome to misty Perthshire.

Somewhere down there are a couple of antiques experts embarking on a brand new adventure.

Are you a competitive person?

I get the impression that you are.

Well, absolutely.

I'm completely competitive.

But what about you?

HETTIE: I am a little bit... DAVID: Are you?

..competitive.

Yeah.

VO: Oh good.

We do love a nice tussle.

And hopefully veteran tripper David Harper and, at the wheel, debutant Hettie Jago can supply just that.

Does anything worry you about being on the Antiques Road Trip?

No.

Were you nervous on your first time..?

DAVID: Uh, yes.

HETTIE: Were you?

Oh, OK. Maybe I should be nervous.

VO: Not at all.

Our saleroom superstar and dealer seems supremely confident, taking on a much more experienced competitor... ..and piloting their splendid German automobile, a Mercedes 280SL.

DAVID: You, Hettie... HETTIE: Mm?

DAVID: ..really suit this car.

HETTIE: Do I?

Yeah, it's actually quite easy to drive.

DAVID: It is.

HETTIE: Have you got one?

I've had about half a dozen of these.

VO: He had to say that, didn't he?

David, from Barnard Castle, is a man who loves history and profits, although not necessarily in that order.

And we've all got a lot to learn, haven't we?

DAVID: Priced at �29.

Who on earth would buy it?

VO: While Somerset-born and Nottingham-residing Hettie is equally market aware, especially when it comes to jewelry.

HETTIE: I'm really, really into statement silver pieces, so this is very me.

VO: In fact it sounds like these two may be perfectly matched.

I love jewelry, and I love business... Yeah.

..and I love buying things and I love selling things, so... DAVID: It's a thrill.

HETTIE: Yeah, it is.

It is a thrill.

It's so exciting when you sell things, isn't it?

VO: Not half!

Our pair will get five opportunities to compete for the most profit at the auctions they visit, and they sally forth with a wad of �1,500 each that they have to make last the whole trip.

Are you enjoying my driving then?

Do you want me to be honest?

HETTIE: Yes.

DAVID: I mean... ..if I'm honest, I'm not enjoying the driving... Oh, go on.

..because I like to drive.

VO: Calm down.

You'll get your chance.

The winding road begins in bonnie Scotland, before heading south to Cumbria, the Lakes and Lancashire.

Lovely.

Oh, that's perfect, cuz I don't like to drive.

So actually you can drive me next.

VO: They're like a newly married couple already.

And their first trip to the shops will be happening in Perth beside the river Tay, the delightful hometown of John Buchan, author of oft-filmed spy adventure The Thirty-Nine Steps.

Why not a brand-new version starring the also Perth-birthed Ewan McGregor?

This is Vectran Vintage, where they will never be more than 39 steps apart - ha!

DAVID: I am keen, and I'm keen to spend �1,500... Yeah.

DAVID: ..and spend it in the first shop... You do.

And then, we go on holiday, right?

I don't think that's how it works, but... DAVID: Spend big.

VO: David!

So, one up and one down.

But who's going to sniff out something first... ..the old hand or the greenhorn?

Look at the construction.

Beautifully made.

Now, look at the decoration, and realize what has gone into manufacturing this thing.

So this decoration along the top is marquetry.

So it's cut-in pieces of wood on top of that box.

They're using the finest burr walnuts each end.

It's strung in satin wood, and the marquetry is fruitwood.

So for 40 quid a box that was made well over a hundred years ago, hand inlaid by a craftsman.

It's so cheap it's ridiculous.

And guess what?

It even smells delicious.

VO: Mm!

Not tempted, even so.

What about Hettie?

That's a very low chair.

Can I sit on it?

It's not very comfortable, and I'm basically sitting on the floor.

VO: Not exactly feeling the pressure, is she?

Oh, this one's sweet as well.

Art deco.

I love this cut out design on the back.

I don't know why I'm suddenly drawn to chairs, cuz I've never bought a chair before.

But I'm new to Road Trip.

I'm gonna give it a go.

VO: Hear, hear.

HETTIE: �165.

It's probably a bit too much for me, but I think it's pretty.

VO: Remember, they have �1,500 to spend exactly as they wish.

They do have to make the cash last, though, and make a profit.

Oh!

I do like a good presentation box, with objects in them that are not only usable but very pretty and make fantastic gifts now, and they did when they were first made in probably the 1920s.

So, a good hundred years old.

There's the description.

"Chinese silver teaspoons," or coffee spoons, maybe, "circa 1920," and they're 20 quid.

Well, I'm gonna tell you that I'm going to have these, there is no doubt about it.

There's no negotiating.

I'm going to have them.

VO: Made in Hong Kong.

DAVID: So, look at that very delicate stem.

And you have to concentrate the eye to understand what it's representing.

And, of course, think of China, think of the Far East, and think of one of the most important natural products in the Far East.

It's bamboo.

So, you've got these little decorations top and bottom, representing, I think, coins.

So, this is wishing the owner of these tea, coffee spoons, wealth and success.

But intrinsically, it is just a delightful little box collection gift which does as good a job now as it did over a hundred years ago.

Close it up, throw it in the air, buy it.

Oh, this is quite charming.

It's a planter.

It's made of earthenware.

It's very heavy.

I think it's sort of circa 1900, but what I like most about it is the matte black effect.

It looks so modern.

It would look lovely in an interior today.

It would look lovely in my house.

This is my sort of style.

But I love the art nouveau style handles.

You can tell it's got age to it.

Oh, it's got �35 on the ticket, which I think is all it's worth at auction.

I want to be paying a lot less than that.

So we'll see about that one.

VO: Hettie's holding on to her cash for now.

That's proprietor Gordon, but no one's troubled him for a deal just now.

Aw, look at these!

These are so sweet.

I think they're plate stands, I want to say.

Let's have a little look.

So, they're wooden, they're hand-carved.

They've got these really sweet little dog faces on them.

So, they've got three feet and three heads.

They're Eastern, I think, possibly Indian.

Let's see how they would work, so... VO: Nice item.

HETTIE: ..let's grab a plate.

VO: No price though.

HETTIE: That looks lovely.

I really, really like those.

I think they're definitely a possibility, so I'll leave them there.

Good boys.

Stay where you are.

Don't let David buy you.

Come back for those, hopefully.

VO: Don't worry, he's busy elsewhere.

Oh, please, please tell me that is solid silver.

And it...

It isn't, sadly.

But what a shape.

Novelty, because look at that basket weave.

It's in silver plate.

If this claret jug was in solid silver, it would be extraordinarily expensive.

Certainly 19th century, and the Victorians were really good at making novelty things.

They loved the novelty.

And this, with it kind of replicating that basket weave, is just so clever.

Oh, it's got hallmarks.

VO: Faux ones, just to show off, really.

A good maker, too, John Sherwood.

And there also seem to be a couple of silver-plated baskets of much lesser quality.

Price, �80 the lot.

DAVID: Gordon...what are your thoughts on this?

Would 70 buy it, Gordon?

Yes, 70 would buy that, David.

Good man.

OK, well, I'm then gonna give you 90 because I wanna buy those Chinese spoons as well.

GORDON: Oh, well... DAVID: (CHUCKLES) OK, good man.

VO: First buys to David, including a pile of silver plate, which leaves him with plenty more cash to spend... ..and Hettie with the shop to herself.

So I came here deciding that I wanted to buy jewelry.

There isn't really any, so...that's not a problem.

I've already found some other things.

I came looking for diamonds, and I will hopefully be coming away with some dogs.

VO: Yeah, woof woof.

Anything else, though?

HETTIE: Oh...

These've caught my eye.

Very, very art deco in style.

I love the geometric form of this.

This is lovely and it's the full set, so you have here everything that you need to write a letter.

VO: Remember those?

Ha-ha!

OK, so I'm gonna pick up the dip pen first, dip it in here... ..and then write a love letter.

(CHUCKLES) Um, and then you would blot the ink with this.

So, you'd have a piece of blotting paper on here, roll it onto your piece of paper, absorb all the ink, make sure it doesn't smudge, and then you'd pick up your seal and you'd seal your letter with that.

It's made of silver, 830 silver.

So I think it's probably Norwegian and it's got this lovely pop of blue enamel on it.

Unfortunately there is a little bit of damage... ..sadly, on the inkwell there, and it's really difficult to repair enamel, so that...

It's not putting me off, but it's not ideal.

So I can't see a price on it, so I'm going to go and ask and, hopefully, they can do a good deal.

(WHISPERS) Cuz I really, really like this.

VO: Over to Gordon.

Go, Gordy.

HETTIE: Gordon?

Hello.

GORDON: Hi.

I absolutely love your shop.

You've got some lovely things.

Firstly, you've got these lovely plate stands with the little dogs.

They're so sweet.

I'm a bit in love with them.

I'm hoping you're gonna give me a good price for these, cuz I really like them, so what is your best?

D'you know, for these little bits of carving, for you, that's �10.

�10?!

�5 each, they're priced at.

Right.

Brilliant, OK. And also, you've got your four-piece desk set over there, the silver one.

Well, that's priced at �200.

HETTIE: OK. Do you think you could do 150, all in all?

Please, it's my first Road Trip.

I really want to beat David.

OK, I'll do that.

Oh, thank you so much.

That is so kind of you.

OK, thank you.

I'd like to shake on that.

Thank you so much!

VO: What a nice man.

He's made a Road Trip rookie very happy.

140 for the writing set and 10 for the dogs.

HETTIE: Thank you, Gordon!

VO: And so, while Hettie heads off in search of yet more treasure... ..let's catch up with David... ..taking a brief break from the business of antiques acquisition at this mighty gothic revival construction.

VO: He's come to the edge of the village of Scone, to visit Scone Palace, the ancient crowning place of the kings of Scotland, to discover more about the almost as ancient art of sword dancing, from world championship finalist Gillian Urquhart.

DAVID: Gillian, hello!

Hello!

Pleased to meet you.

Aren't they amazing?

DAVID: They are absolutely mind-boggling, mesmerizing, in fact.

GILLIAN: Hopefully, you want to learn a little bit more about it!

DAVID: I do.

Wow!

Magnificent!

Honestly, it really enters your body.

It makes me want to go into battle.

VO: Nowadays, dancing over swords is mostly associated with the Highland Games, a largely Victorian invention.

But its origins are both deadly serious and much, much older.

How far back can you trace it?

GILLIAN: The first is around 1058.

DAVID: Wow.

GILLIAN: King Malcolm III... DAVID: Right.

GILLIAN: ..was meant to have... GILLIAN: ..slain his opponent... DAVID: Yeah.

..and, in the victory, taken the sword of himself... ..and his opponent, and laid them down.

DAVID: Right.

GILLIAN: And he danced a victory dance.

GILLIAN: So that's one story.

DAVID: OK. GILLIAN: The second is that soldiers, the night before a battle... Yeah.

..would lay down the swords, and dance, and if they touched the swords, it was seen to be a terrible omen.

Wow.

GILLIAN: The third is that it was to improve the sort of precision, and the strength, and the power... DAVID: Yeah.

GILLIAN: ..of soldiers as well.

Well, all three seem very plausible, but I think number two and number three seem more likely to me.

VO: Indeed, because, according to folklore, dancers used to perform with even more frightening weapons, like the poleaxe and the flail.

But although the dance was by now strictly ceremonial, it still played a role in Scotland's somewhat fractious relationship with her neighbor.

At the Battle of Culloden, the Scottish Jacobites were defeated and for a while there was an act passed through parliament by the British government that banned the wearing of tartan and the carrying of weapons, so there were no weapons to dance the sword dance with.

So at that time Highland dancing was said to not be allowed.

There's actually a dance that relates back to that time, and it's called the Seann Triubhas, which can be translated as "old trousers", "trousers."

And it's still danced in modern day competition, and you'll see the dancers, and they do a step where they shake the leg and they shake the foot, and it's said to be the shaking off of the trousers.

VO: A coded way of saying "We want our kilts back."

Obviously, at one time, it was only men.

Only men were allowed to do Highland dancing.

But that very much changed.

So, in the late 19th century, there was a young lady aged 10, who was called Jenny Douglas, and Jenny had turned up to the Highland Games dressed as a man.

And it did cause a bit of controversy, apparently.

But from there, it inspired others to do the same.

And gradually, over time, more and more women began to do Highland dancing.

VO: And it's never too late to start, or is it?

Feet together.

DAVID: Yeah.

Yeah.

GILLIAN: Pop them open.

GILLIAN: So, we're going to lift the chin, lift the body, and just a nice gentle bow, keeping the eyeline up.

There we go.

It's very regal, isn't it?

VO: That's the easy bit over with.

So, we're going to step... DAVID: Yeah.

GILLIAN: Put the other one in front and beat the back one.

And step.

Put it in front, beat the back one.

DAVID: It's very ballet like.

GILLIAN: There are.

There are a lot of ballet influences in Highland dancing, and the balance is quite... DAVID: Good lord!

GILLIAN: ..important as well.

Yeah!

VO: Just don't touch the swords.

Then we're going to go point... Oh, are we?

So point this left foot.

There we go.

And the arms are like this.

DAVID: Oh.

GILLIAN: It's said... ..to represent the stag's antlers.

DAVID: Oh right.

Yes.

GILLIAN: So, it's...it's here.

VO: Has Gillian ever had less gifted pupils?

And in.

GILLIAN: And then we go again.

DAVID: (LAUGHS) VO: Now, shall we just recap exactly how it should be done?

Girls, basically follow what I've been doing.

Are you ready for it?

Over to you.

DAVID: Shall we step aside?

GILLIAN: OK. VO: Well, however it began, it's certainly a proud custom, rooted in history, with plenty from the next generation eager to carry it on.

Wow!

Absolutely stunning!

VO: Meanwhile, blissfully unaware of the intricacies of sword-themed cavorting, Hettie's got the Mercedes to maneuver.

The scenery is beautiful, the car is lovely.

It's a little bit difficult to drive.

The pedals are quite heavy.

My knee is hurting a little bit.

But other than that, I'm having a great time.

VO: Just imagine how she'll feel when the sun appears.

VO: Next on the Jago agenda is a trip to Alva, at the foot of the Ochil hills.

She's on her own in this one.

It's nice and warm in here.

VO: Super!

So, Alva Antiques is the name... ..and seeking profit is Hettie's aim.

With �1,350 available to spend, what will she spot?

Ah...got two pieces of Mauchline ware here, which are made in Mauchline in Scotland, not too far away from where we are now, actually.

And these were very popular in Victorian times.

If you went on holiday, you probably would've bought one of these as a little memento of where you've been.

So, this one is Great Yarmouth... ..and this one is Normandy in France.

VO: �26 for that one, and 28 for the shot glass.

So they're a nice collectible...

There's not a huge amount of profit in them, though, so I'm gonna leave them where they are.

VO: Definitely getting the hang of this, isn't she?

I need a tea break.

VO: Cheers.

Back to work.

VO: Yes, it's almost closing time after all.

Hm.

Always quite drawn to cloisonne, anything enameled.

Cloisonne is, essentially, a wirework frame on an object.

They're infilled with powdered glass that is heated.

And when it's heated it melts but it shrinks and you have to keep going back over it to properly infill in the wirework.

And cloisonne, the name originates from the word cloison in French, which means partition.

I think they're possibly Russian.

I'm not completely sure, but they've got a little bit of damage to them.

There's some loss to the enamel.

They're quite charming, they're colorful.

They've got age to them.

I think they're probably late 19th century.

VO: �28 for the pair.

HETTIE: But either way, they're lovely.

They're decorative.

They're small but perfectly formed.

So I'm going to leave them there and possibly come back to those.

VO: Well, Tom's the man to talk to when required.

Aren't you, Tom?

Hello?

David, you need to stop ringing me for advice!

VO: Don't think we'll have to worry about her confidence levels, do you?

So these were originally called glug glug jugs because when you pour them, it makes a glugging sound, because of the shape of it.

I really, really like these.

I recently just bought one for my house, a giant one.

I think they're so stylish, and these are classic mid-century ones.

They've got a really lovely retro look about them.

VO: Originally made in Staffordshire in the Victorian era, they were reintroduced by the Dartmouth Pottery company in the late 1940s.

HETTIE: Um, let's have a look at the price tag.

So, they've got 35 on them, which might be a little bit steep.

I love how highly detailed they are.

They are a pair, but I don't think they actually are a pair.

So they're being sold together, but... ..they don't have the same stamp, which makes me think that they're not actually a pair.

But they're nice.

They're a good color as well.

Very saleable.

They're very much in demand at the moment.

So they are a definite potential purchase.

VO: Well, let's find out if they can be netted.

HETTIE: Hello, Tom.

Sorry to bother you.

TOM: Hi, Hettie.

HETTIE: Hello.

Um, there are a few things that I really, really like.

So, firstly, the cloisonne vases.

You've got them marked at �28.

And then you have two lovely gluggle jugs.

They are at �35.

So if I were to buy the two, what is your absolute best price?

The best I could do on the two of them would be �50.

OK, that sounds good.

No negotiation needed.

Thank you very much.

Brilliant.

Thank you.

TOM: Thank you.

HETTIE: Thank you.

VO: So, that all adds up to �30 for the jugs, and the cloisonne were 20.

Happy with these.

VO: 1,300 left.

Right, shopping done.

I'm gonna go and find David.

End of your first day on Antiques... DAVID: ..Road Trip, Hettie.

HETTIE: I know.

Do you wanna go home or do you wanna stay?

No, I wanna stay.

It feels like a holiday!

Honestly, I'm having such a good time with you.

DAVID: Oh, wonderful!

HETTIE: Yeah.

VO: Nighty night.

VO: Day two, and Hettie's still getting the lay of the land.

Lots of sheep around, aren't there?

I know.

Well, you are in the country.

Yeah.

I like the country.

I come from the country.

I grew up in Somerset.

You suddenly had a Somerset accent then.

Did I?

VO: Yesterday, Mendip-reared Hettie acquired a whole hill of antiques, including cloisonne vases, guggle jugs, a silver art deco writing set and some doggy-themed plate stands...

They've got lovely little faces.

VO: ..leaving her with �1,300 to be going on with, while David bought some Chinese teaspoons and a silver plated claret jug... DAVID: That is just so clever and so stylish.

VO: ..meaning he now has 1,410 in his wallet.

DAVID: At our next shop, you're gonna get a double treat.

One, you're gonna be with me, two, you're gonna eat a bit of Scotland.

HETTIE: OK. DAVID: It's a very... ..aromatic surprise.

OK, I'm a bit fussy with food, so it might be an interesting one.

Don't like to try things I've never had before, so... VO: Careful, David.

Just when you're getting along so well.

Today, they'll be mostly shopping in a westerly direction, beginning in the town of Doune... ..very familiar to Monty Python fans, having starred in their Holy Grail movie.

VO: No need for Trojan rabbits here, though.

Just walk in.

Looks like a good shop as well.

DAVID: Yeah, I think it looks very big.

VO: It sure is.

The Scottish Antiques and Art Centre has around 100 dealers and plenty of stock.

Keep it cool, Hettie, keep it cool.

VO: Oh, she will.

This is a great example of Victorian engineering at its finest.

They gave us mass manufacture, they gave us industrialization, and they also gave us the folding high chair.

(LAUGHS) VO: Out on his ear...

This won't take long.

You pull this, I believe... VO: She's done this before, you know.

HETTIE: ..and it folds down, and look at that.

It goes straight from having your lunch into playtime.

And it's got this lovely hand painted decoration to it.

It does have �195 on the price tag, which is a bit too much for me, but it's a lovely piece of history.

VO: And talking of picnics, here's David's surprise.

DAVID: Hettie!

HETTIE: Hello!

DAVID: Are you done shopping?

No, I'm not.

I'm going back in in a minute.

How are you getting on?

Well, I've been waiting for you.

HETTIE: Have you?

DAVID: It's local... DAVID: ..Strathearn cheese.

It's delicious.

As you can see, I've been diving in.

Are you a cheese girl?

HETTIE: I do like a bit of cheese.

HETTIE: I'll give it a go.

DAVID: Go on then.

VO: This could be interesting.

HETTIE: Hm... DAVID: Go on.

HETTIE: Oh, it's very strong!

DAVID: Ah!

You're implying you hate it.

No, I'm just not very adventurous with cheese.

Like, I like a cheddar.

I like cheese on chips.

You don't look like a cheese on chips girl.

VO: Nice cheesy chat, but I do really think someone ought to buy something, with plenty to explore in those cabinets.

Oh, hello, what is that?

Ah, look at that face!

That is so not nice it's absolutely gorgeous.

Take a look at that face.

Described as "pre-Columbian."

VO: Referring to Italian explorer Christopher Columbus.

Meaning the pre-colonization of central America by Europeans.

So, the native people of that part of the world were creating sculptures like this.

And so it's described as Mexico... ..and circa 600AD!

600AD?!

Is he really that old?

Am I gonna buy him?

Do you know what?

Why not?

If he's brand new and he bombs, who cares?

But if people believe him to be that old, he's coming with me.

VO: Worth the gamble... VO: ..he reckons.

DAVID: Hello Ann.

ANN: Hi there.

DAVID: Now then, what do you think about him?

Is he handsome or what?

Um...he doesn't remind me of Matthew McConaughey, no.

Oh, come on!

You don't have to be traditionally handsome to be attractive.

ANN: Just as well.

DAVID: So, priced at 45.

ANN: Mm-hm.

DAVID: Can I get a bit of a discount?

Um, the best you probably would get is going to be just �4 maybe, so 41 maybe?

DAVID: Right, I'll have him.

Thank you very much.

VO: And that's David's shopping completed here.

So while he heads off with �1,389 left... DAVID: Thanks, Ann.

ANN: You're very welcome.

DAVID: Say goodbye... Bye.

ANN: Bye now.

VO: ..I wonder where his jewelry-loving, cheesy chip chum will be looking next.

HETTIE: This has caught my eye.

Let's get it out and have a look.

It's a silver charm bracelet.

I love charm bracelets because they really tell a story of the person who owned it.

So, there's somebody's life on this bracelet, and I love that.

They were very, very popular in the 1950s.

I think this one's probably 1950s, 60s, but they're all solid silver.

Just looking at what charms are on here to give me an idea of a little bit about the person who owned it.

We've got some bagpipes on here, which is relevant to the local area.

We're in Scotland.

There's an Isle of Skye little plaque, enamel plaque on there.

There's a miner's lamp, so perhaps they had some connection to mining.

What else is there?

There's a duck.

They might just like ducks.

VO: It's certainly plausible.

Gonna try it on.

Let's have a look.

�59.95 on the ticket, which is a fair price but... (WHISPERS) ..quite like to get it for a little bit less.

VO: Why the whispering?

We're not in church.

HETTIE: Anne?

ANNE: Yes?

HETTIE: Hello.

ANNE: Hello there.

HETTIE: Lovely to meet you.

ANNE: Yeah, indeed.

It's got �59.95 on the ticket price.

What is the best price that you can do for me?

ANNE: I could do that for 54... HETTIE: OK. VO: That went like a charm.

Ha!

So, while Hettie looks for the exit, having finished her shopping with �1,246 left over, we'll catch up with David, who's finally managed to grab the car for himself.

This is a very interesting moment for me, actually, on my own, and reflecting on Hettie as I'm getting to know her.

And I've got to say, she's so young... ..and yet so incredibly confident, and rightly so.

She's a very impressive person.

VO: He's en route to his last shop before the auction in the very nice market town of Crieff.

Or "Good Crieff!"

as Charlie Brown might remark, especially King Street, with the antiques.

Wow!

I haven't seen an antique shop like this for a very long time.

This is gorgeous!

That's very kind of you.

I'm Nick Brewster.

Lovely to have you here.

VO: Well, that was a fulsome introduction.

Mind you, Nick's shop is certainly praiseworthy... ..and full of fine furniture.

Well now, they're unusual.

These chairs are not making a huge amount of money these days.

They're just not, it's just the way the market is.

But this is what I'm drawn to, the tapestry.

DAVID: Nick?

NICK: Yeah?

What sort of money are the Georgian chairs?

Well, to you, David, they could be 40.

DAVID: 40?

NICK: Yeah, for the three.

OK, so the chairs are worth 40 quid all day long for three.

But the question is, how much are the tapestries worth?

So, how do I date the tapestries?

Well, look at the upholstery.

OK, I'm gonna do something here.

DAVID: Nick?

NICK: Yeah?

If you hear some ripping... (LAUGHS) ..right, don't panic.

NICK: You've bought them.

DAVID: I've bought them!

DAVID: (LAUGHS) That's true.

I've bought...

I have bought them.

Excellent.

Well, you're welcome to rip away.

Thank you.

VO: Three chairs coming to auction.

DAVID: Right.

So, can you see where it's been upholstered?

I want to lift the tapestry upholstery back, and I'm going to look for evidence of old tack marks.

So, if it's been reupholstered, the old tacks have been removed before upholstery.

So, if I peel it back there... hole, hole, hole.

So the tapestries are later than the frame.

VO: Yes, the needlework is later.

DAVID: The tapestry itself is probably about 100 years old.

VO: Or a bit later.

DAVID: So, there we have it, three Georgian chairs.

VO: And at least they weren't too pricey.

I wonder what more damage our expert can wreak.

Who doesn't love doggies?

Look at that.

The British are a nation of dog lovers, and just look at the grandness of this.

Oh, it's beadwork, so tiny little beads worked into the tapestry.

It just wants to be framed and hung on a wall.

And with bead as well, as you walk around it, you definitely get a three-dimensional look.

So, don't think I'm crazy, but all those dogs' eyes are watching me.

But it's been from something else.

You've got evidence of tack marks, so it's been upholstered onto something.

VO: Ticket price �30.

DAVID: I've never seen anything quite like it before.

There's only one in the world.

It's a piece of art.

Who wouldn't love it?

VO: Go, boy!

Ha-ha!

DAVID: Nick, I wanna give you some money.

NICK: Oh, that's fantastic, David.

NICK: I'm glad you like things.

DAVID: I do!

But not just the 40 quid for the chairs, I want the glass beadwork... DAVID: ..doggies.

NICK: Wonderful.

Excellent.

Fabulous thing.

What's the story?

It came from an ottoman that I sold, and the gentleman who bought the ottoman decided he didn't like the tapestry.

DAVID: It's a fantastic thing.

NICK: Oh, it's wonderful.

OK, so that's...

I owe you 70, then, don't I?

VO: He does indeed.

All done with 1,299 left.

I'll go and grab my wares.

NICK: (LAUGHS) Yeah.

DAVID: See you again.

Thanks.

VO: Don't forget the other two chairs.

Now, back together, with one thought on their minds.

This is it, Hettie, first auction!

I know.

I actually can't wait.

It's gonna be weird to be on the other side of the auction room, cuz normally I'm on the rostrum.

This is gonna be strange for me, but great.

VO: Now for some shuteye.

VO: Welcome to Wrexham, the Welsh border city that's home to their first auction outing.

Remember, it's all about who wins the most, best of five.

After rummaging around Perth and several other delightful Scottish spots, and acquiring quite a collection, our pair have come to Cymru, at Wingetts where they'll be selling in the room, on the net and on the phone, with Dyfed Griffiths the man in charge.

30 then.

Thank you.

DAVID: Oh, exciting!

HETTIE: I know, I can't wait.

DAVID: Your first auction!

HETTIE: I know!

VO: They're all of a quiver.

VO: David parted with �201 for his five auction lots.

Your thoughts, Dyfed, please?

DYFED: The Columbian sculpture, very unusual lot, this.

Obviously not something we see every day, so difficult to value, but it's gonna be fun trying selling it.

Who will buy it?

We don't know.

We'll see later on today.

The chairs will be a challenge to sell because of the state of the furniture market at the moment.

They're good quality ones.

They're just a little bit unfashionable, so I think those are the items we'll have our work cut out with today.

VO: Oh dear.

Hettie splashed out �254, also on five lots.

DYFED: Pair of plate stands.

Interesting lot.

They are a little bit unfashionable, but with these being a bit strange and decorative, you don't necessarily have to use them as a plate stand.

Scandinavian desk set.

Nice thing.

It's complete, which is not something you often see.

That's gonna be in its favor, and it's a quality one as well, so we should do well today with that.

VO: Fingers firmly crossed, and we're about to get started.

Oh Hettie, your first auction and your first item to be sold.

How are you feeling?

I'm a little bit nervous now, I have to admit.

VO: Well, it's a nice, gentle introduction, at least, with those inexpensive plate stands under the hammer.

DAVID: Well, good luck.

HETTIE: Thank you.

Do you mean that?

No.

No.

Course I don't.

It's a competition, isn't it?

What're they worth?

�20 away on them, somebody?

DAVID: They'll go.

HETTIE: Surely.

Surely �20.

10 then?

�10, I got.

Thank you, madam.

Start me off.

Straight in at �10.

Who's saying 12 now?

Come on, Hettie!

10's bid.

�10.

I'll take 12.

Anywhere else now?

12.

We've got 12.

14.

14 bid.

16.

Oh, and look, they're flying now, OK?

Flying?

At �14?

At �14, you finished?

That's OK.

In the room at �14, then.

You bidding, sir?

Best not wave your hands around then.

A 40% margin.

OK. That's alright, isn't it?

I'm not disappointed with that.

VO: Hettie starts with a profit.

Not a bad boast.

If you make 40% on anything, you're a big winner.

Yeah, you're making me feel better about it now.

HETTIE: Thank you, David.

DAVID: (LAUGHS) VO: David's turn.

Those decorative spoons, also acquired cheaply.

What are those worth?

40, �50, somebody?

Gotta be that, haven't they?

DYFED: �40 we have.

Thank you.

Not a bad start there.

Straight in at �40.

And who'll say five now?

DAVID: That's double bubble.

HETTIE: Yeah.

That's what you'd pay for a standard set of spoons...

These are special.

They should be more.

I'll take five anywhere else now.

At �40.

DYFED: Are we all done?

DAVID: No!

Sold and away at 40 then... HETTIE: It's a profit.

DAVID: Double bubble.

VO: Yes, the spoons have been lucky for David.

100% margin, hello?

HETTIE: You've done well... DAVID: Thank you very much.

VO: Back to Hettie.

Her guggle jugs are up next.

I like them because I have one in my house.

So I feel a little bit of an attachment to them, so...

I purchase with my heart.

So... Well, I've always said I think that's the only way to buy antiques.

You've gotta buy with heart and passion.

HETTIE: Exactly.

DAVID: Never mind the brain.

10 we have, thank you, online to start things off.

DAVID: They're gonna fly!

DYFED: Is there 12?

I've got 14.

16 bid.

18.

18 bid.

20.

20 bid.

And five, sir?

No?

�20.

The bid's on the internet currently.

At �20.

DYFED: ..looking for five now.

HETTIE: Oh, I paid 30.

DAVID: Well... DYFED: 25, a fresh bidder.

30 is it now?

At �25, we're online.

I'll take 30.

Your last chance.

DAVID: Oh Hettie... DYFED: All done with them?

On the internet at �25 then?

DAVID: It's a trickle.

That's fine.

I'll take that.

I'll take that.

VO: Hettie's first setback.

It could've been worse.

DAVID: It's a gurgle of a loss.

VO: Now for those chairs.

The auctioneer wasn't overly excited, was he?

A couple of people who really were into heraldry, collecting that, would pay a couple of hundred pounds... ..for the tapestry, I think.

DYFED: 10 we have.

God bless you, madam, at �10.

Is there 12 now?

Those are for nothing there.

�10.

The bid's in the room.

I'm gonna have to stop buying with my heart.

HETTIE: �10.

DYFED: At �10.

12 if you like.

What do I know?

Sold and going at 10 then... DAVID: I'm the only one in... DAVID: ..the world with taste.

HETTIE: Oh, David.

Oh well.

VO: One loss each so far, David's a wee bit bigger.

A good loss is as good as a good profit, honestly.

VO: Well, I know what I prefer.

Now, Hettie's cloisonne vases.

I'm getting really nervous now.

DAVID: Are you?

OK. HETTIE: This is it, yeah.

�20 I have.

God bless you, sir.

At �20.

Who'll say five now?

Cheap enough there.

We're in the room...

Very cheap.

DYFED: And being sold, make no mistake.

Is there five?

I've... Goodness, what's going on?

30 then.

And five?

�30.

The bid's in the room.

Currently at �30.

I'll take five.

Anywhere else?

Now is the time to bid.

At �30.

We're in the room and being sold.

You're out.

DAVID: Oh, you've done alright.

HETTIE: It's a profit.

Sold and away at 30 then...

Thank you.

That's a good profit.

50% margin.

DAVID: Again.

HETTIE: Yeah.

VO: Well done.

It was a "cloise" one though.

Get it?

They really did deserve that.

They couldn't have sold for much less.

DAVID: They just couldn't.

VO: David's doggie needlework takes its turn now.

Depicting three collie dogs.

HETTIE: Aw.

19th century glass beadwork.

How much did you pay for this then?

DAVID: 30 big ones.

HETTIE: OK. Well, because it's such an oddity... HETTIE: Yeah.

..nobody could really value it.

HETTIE: No, OK. DAVID: So...I don't know...

It's the sort of thing that could do really well then.

Yeah, might make 100 quid.

HETTIE: Yeah.

DAVID: Yeah.

Here we go... DYFED: 20 then.

Come on.

DAVID: Go on!

DYFED: �20 out there, surely.

20 I have.

In the room, starting to start things off.

Straight in at �20.

25 online or anywhere else?

25 I'm bid.

30.

HETTIE: Where are all the dog lovers?

DYFED: �30 I'm bid... DAVID: Come on!

DYFED: 40.

And five.

�40 I'm bid.

To you, madam, at 45 bid.

50.

DAVID: Think of the dogs!

DYFED: 50 is bid.

And five.

DYFED: At �50.

55.

60.

60 is bid... HETTIE: You're doing well!

DAVID: That's more like it.

DYFED: 65.

70.

DAVID: Go on!

�70, the bid's in the room.

Currently at 75.

80, madam?

80 bid.

And five.

Come on, get in there.

85.

90.

90 is bid... What a good find this was.

You'll never see one again, ever.

100 we have.

And 10.

DYFED: Hundred pounds... DAVID: Go on!

Currently 110.

Back in.

120.

No?

You're out.

�110.

The bid's on the internet and being sold.

120, a fresh bidder.

DAVID: Get in there!

DYFED: 120 is bid.

130, if you like, now.

Online, 130 bid.

140, madam?

It's all about the dogs.

You're out.

At �130, the bid's against you all.

DYFED: Sold at 130.

HETTIE: They love it.

DAVID: Get in there!

HETTIE: Well done!

DAVID: Thank you very much.

HETTIE: Well done.

VO: Yes, good spot, David.

I think we're officially up and running now.

It's always good to give dogs a good home...

Yes.

There you go.

Yeah.

They've found a new home, haven't they?

VO: Hettie plays a joker, her specialty.

My next lot is a silver charm bracelet.

It's got quite a few charms on it, it's a nice weight.

I sell a lot of these all the time.

They always do well.

They're selling really well at auction at the moment.

What's it worth?

Give me 50 away on that... HETTIE: Surely it should be �50.

DYFED: 30 then.

DYFED: �30 I've got.

35.

DAVID: Oh no.

DYFED: 40.

40 bid.

And five.

HETTIE: They're good sellers.

DAVID: Yeah.

DYFED: At �45 and being sold.

You're out... Sold and away at 45... 129, please.

DAVID: Ouch.

Ouch.

HETTIE: No!

No, no, no.

VO: Well, that is very disappointing, but on the other hand...

Someone's got an absolute bargain there... Well, there you go.

That's just the nature of auctions, isn't it?

It is.

I'm pleased for the person who's got the bargain.

VO: But what will Wrexham make of David's little pre-Columbian head?

This is probably the oldest thing in the auction room.

HETTIE: OK. Yeah.

DAVID: It's gotta be, hasn't it?

No, it's gonna be interesting.

DAVID: Fabulous thing.

DYFED: What's it worth?

50?

I've got �30 to start me off.

Come on.

Come on!

�40, a bid to me on the book.

And being sold, make no mistake.

At �40.

Five anywhere else now?

45, I'm out.

We're on the internet currently.

DAVID: Come on, internet!

DYFED: Who'll say 50 now?

On the internet and being sold at �45.

Go on!

All done with it?

Online at �45.

HETTIE: Oh, David!

DAVID: (GROANS) I'm quite surprised about that.

VO: He didn't earn a fortune, but it was a profit nonetheless.

So it's obviously worth what I paid for it... DAVID: ..and that's it.

HETTIE: Yeah.

VO: Hettie's last lot is also her favorite.

It's an art deco, it's Scandinavian, it's a desk set, so you've got a blotter, you've got a pen, a dip pen, stamp and... What's the other one?

Inkwell.

The most important part!

The inkwell.

Yeah, this is an interesting one.

I really, really like it.

I can't express how much I like this, so I'm really hoping.

Yeah, I know.

You threw a lot of money at this.

DAVID: Good on you.

HETTIE: I did.

Nice looker, this.

What's it worth?

HETTIE: It is nice, thank you.

DYFED: ..somebody?

I'll take 30 to start it.

We can't go lower than that.

30 we have, thank you...

I don't think you should worry.

Don't worry.

�40, we're in the room, sorry.

At 45.

50.

And five.

55, we're on the internet.

And being given away at 55.

Is there 60 anywhere?

I'm genuinely surprised.

At �55, are we all done?

And being sold.

Hold onto your seat, Hettie!

Sold at 55... DAVID: Oh, Hettie!

I dunno what to say to you.

VO: I think we might describe it as a write off.

Ha-ha!

Sorry... DAVID: Oh, bless you.

HETTIE: Oh, it's worth... ..way more than that.

VO: Finally, David's little silver plate collection, with one outstanding item.

So it's a John Sherwood 1860 claret jug, all stamped up, silver plated.

A relatively high spend, 70.

HETTIE: 70, OK. DAVID: So...

But it does have hope because it's got the name.

DYFED: What's it worth?

30, �40?

DAVID: Oh dear!

DYFED: Come on.

HETTIE: Yeah, 20.

DYFED: �30 we've got, thank you, to start things off.

At 40 bid.

And five.

50 bid.

And five.

�50 it is.

Go on!

DYFED: Against the room.

60 bid.

And five bid.

70 is it now?

DAVID: Go on!

DYFED: 65.

70 back in.

And five if you like.

�70.

The bid's on the internet.

And against you all at �70.

Five if you like?

All done with it?

On the internet currently, at �70.

DAVID: Oh.

DYFED: All done with it then?

VO: He gets his money back, which just about confirms who's won the first battle.

Your first auction, over!

Yeah, it's gone OK, hasn't it?

But I think we've both done quite well, so it's quite difficult to call, I think.

VO: Well, the sums are now done and Hettie hasn't exactly got off to a flyer because, after auction costs, she ends up with a �115 and 42p loss.

VO: While David, also with saleroom fees deducted, made a very reasonable �40 and 90p profit.

VO: So he takes the spoils on auction one.

But there's still four more to play for.

Come on, Hettie, I'm sure you're cold.

Just stop there.

Come on.

HETTIE: Aww.

DAVID: Warm yourself up.

Thank you.

I like your jacket.

It's very smart.

Well, it suits you better.

HETTIE: (LAUGHS) Aw!

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