Antiques Road Trip

(CAR HORN) VOICEOVER (VO): It's the nation's favorite antiques experts... Howdy, li'l lady.

VO: ..behind the wheel of a classic car... Oh yes!

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

Looking for some bargains?

VO: The aim... MARGIE: Yay!

VO: ..to make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no mean feat.

There'll be worthy winners...

Yes!

It is my lucky day!

VO: ..and valiant losers.

I actually can't believe that.

Annoying.

VO: Will it be the high road to glory... Yo, yo, yo!

VO: ..or the slow road to disaster?

This is Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah!

VO: Better wrap up warm, folks.

We're motoring across the Moors of Yorkshire, as we continue our road trip north.

So how do you round them all up, these sheep?

MARK: You could call them.

Oh, would it rattle a few... MARK: (RATTLES CUP) MARGIE: ..cubes.

Yeah.

No, you don't.

VO: You baa-ter watch out.

Ha!

Here comes glass and ceramics lover Mark Hill, and silver specialist Margie Cooper, on the third leg of their journey to Edinburgh, behind the wheel of a 1980 MGB roadster.

My jacket's a little bit off color, isn't it, with this car.

MARK: Are you clashing?

MARGIE: Yes, I am.

Fashion-car clash.

Yeah, but I bought the coat before I saw the car.

Suits you, though.

MARGIE: Does it?

Aw.

MARK: You suit yellow.

It matches your sunny personality.

Aw!

Acidic lemon.

You're making a far less appealing than it looks.

Acidic lemon jacket.

VO: It's Margie's first time playing chauffeurs in the MGB.

Are you feeling comfortable?

I'm feeling very comfortable, very relaxed.

Are you feeling...are you feeling safe?

I am feeling very safe.

Well, all's well with the world, then.

All is well with the world.

MARGIE: Ooh!

MARK: Change gear, dear.

(ENGINE ROARS DEEPLY) Listen to that throaty roar as we go off on our new day in hunt of bargains.

MARGIE: Oh, no!

I don't like that word.

MARK: What, bargains?

MARGIE: There's no bargains.

What does it make you think of?

You think of bargain basement.

I like a bargain basement.

No!

You don't want a bargain, you want a good buy.

When the clouds part, a ray of sunlight... And it cheers you up... ..shines down on something.

..it really cheers you up, doesn't it?

MARK: ..angels start singing, and there it is... ..the bargain you want.

You see it, and you flick the ticket, and it's too dear.

VO: Well, Margie has certainly got her hands on a few good buys this week, including a rather cracking purchase on the first leg of the trip... (CRACKS WHIP) Hey!

VO: ..which helped her secure victory at auction... Well done.

VO: ..before taking the win again... ..on the second leg, with the help of her beloved silver.

AUCTIONEER: Thank you.

What a lovely surprise.

VO: So it's 2-0 to Margie across the week, and Mark's got a bit of a hill to climb.

MARK: You are basically, not just in the driving seat... MARGIE: Yeah.

MARK: ..you're in pole position.

No, it's called winning.

You may have won the battle, but the war's not over yet.

VO: Truer words never spoken, Mark.

For this road trip, our duo have been on a journey north, kicking things off in West Yorkshire, then on to North Yorkshire for the second and third legs, before finally crossing the border into Scotland, to reach their destination in Edinburgh.

And they'll have �200 each to splash on each leg along the way.

MARGIE: You know we sometimes go in these centers, do you sort of get a bit over-faced sometimes?

Over-faced?

Yeah, where there's just too much to see.

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh my goodness, yes.

MARGIE: Yeah, yeah.

MARK: Especially when it's all small, and it's just like a sea of objects.

Yeah, and then you've got all different numbers and different dealers, and... MARK: Yeah.

..it's easy to panic a bit.

Maybe we need to adopt the lotus position and do a little bit of meditation before we go in, so that we're all chilled and relaxed.

Do you do yoga and Pilates, and all that?

Do you want to get on the pavement outside... Not in this rain!

..and do the, what's it called, something dog?

MARK: Oh, the downward dog!

MARGIE: What's it called?

MARK: The downward... What the heck that is, I've no idea.

There is no way I'm gonna be... MARGIE: Downward dog?

MARK: ..doing yoga.

No, downward dog, upward dog, whatever it is, no way.

Well, whatever.

It's meant to be good for you.

It sounds very silly to me.

You know what?

Never mind about all this.

A jolly good... MARK: Yeah.

MARGIE: ..brisk walk.

VO: Maybe not in this weather.

For this leg of the trip, we're looping around North Yorkshire and County Durham, to take in a few of the sights on the way to Barnard Castle.

But first, Margie's jumping out of the car here in Darlington, a medieval town that became famous for its linen towels and tablecloths in the industrial revolution.

And the fabric flag is still being flown in local shops like Refrill, crammed with racks of 50s vintage clothing and a few antiques to boot.

What are these?

1950s swimsuits.

Oh my gosh, I'm not so sure I'd buy...

There you go.

Little pantaloons.

VO: Dealer Karen is also on hand today for any queries and fashion advice, naturally.

Who's buying these?

The youngsters really like the vintage look at the moment.

So they're wearing those?

Yeah, they would wear them, yeah.

VO: You've got to get down with the kids, Margie.

Don't worry, there must be something in here that suits you.

MARGIE: Ooh, this is rather posh... Now, what's this?

Well, for all intents and purposes, that is a feather duster.

But I've never seen such a glamorous, extravagant feather duster in my life.

So is it a feather duster?

You've got these fabulous ostrich feathers.

I mean, it couldn't be like for fanning somebody in the Sheik of Araby?

Or is my imagination running away with me.

I'm not convinced that's a feather duster.

Don't think it's something to buy.

VO: She's moving on.

If you don't know what it is, then best avoid it, I think.

Right, let's see where your compadre's got to.

He's made his way out of town to the rural setting of Northallerton, a charming market town and gateway to the Yorkshire national parks.

It's also home to the Old Saddlers Shop, where Mark is going for a bit of a rummage.

While the building once literally belonged to the local saddler, now it houses antique treasures and local hand crafted items.

There's dealer Claire on hand to help.

Much appreciated, ma'am, thank you kindly.

Hey, hey... What we're looking at is a dentist's equipment box, by the looks of it.

So here are the drill bits already setting my teeth on edge.

It's kind of scary, but quite collectible.

So it probably dates from, I don't know, the late 19th century or the early 20th century.

It's made out of mahogany.

I think that's a really nice thing for... No price.

Hmm.

I get the feeling it's going to be out of my price range.

VO: I think you might be right.

Plus, those drills are a bit gnarly.

How's Margie getting on over in Darlington?

Oh, I see she's in amongst the silver already.

MARGIE: I'm interested in these.

Now, aren't these nice.

Look at these.

A pair of classically designed silver salts, boat shaped, with the liners.

Costs a lot of money to get those, and they all get broken.

This is now about 1907, and I think I might know who the maker is.

I think it's Hawksworth Eyre and Co, H E & Co of London, a good maker.

So yeah, and standing on these lovely little ball and claw feet.

1907.

Let's have a look at the other one.

Because you're always looking for trouble in this job.

And again, a nice liner.

Those are very nice.

Karen's got a sticker on these for �85.

VO: Definitely one for the maybe pile.

This was your ration book, so you're only allowed so much.

So Mrs Littlechild, from Hills Road Cambridge, decided to hang on to her ration book.

VO: Indeed, each book contained a certain number of coupons that could be swapped for selected items on a ration list.

As the war went on, the list grew longer.

No exceptions, either.

Even the royal family had ration books.

MARGIE: Interesting to see.

So every time you had some eggs, it was crossed out.

When the line was crossed out, that was it.

No more.

Gosh.

VO: Moving on... MARGIE: Karen... Alright, Karen.

I've had a lovely look round, it's been nice to meet you... Great.

..and seeing your things in your shop.

I quite like those.

They're 85.

So what is the best you can do?

I could do them for 75 for the pair.

MARGIE: Well, I was thinking actually...is 68 pushing you?

No, I think I could do that for the pair of them.

MARGIE: Thank you very much, indeed.

MARGIE: If I give you 70 there.

KAREN: That's lovely, thank you.

And that precious �2 is vital... ..to whether I make a profit or not!

MARGIE: (CHUCKLES) KAREN: Good luck.

MARGIE: Thanks so much.

KAREN: Thank you very much.

MARGIE: Really enjoyed being here.

KAREN: Thanks for coming in.

MARGIE: Bye bye.

KAREN: Bye.

VO: Nicely negotiated.

VO: That little purchase leaves �132 still to splash.

How's Mark doing over in Northallerton?

MARK: (STRAINS) Oh, blimey.

That's a good sign.

Patent slopwater closet, by J Place and Sons of Darwen.

Slopwater closets are related to toilets, but they're a wonderful form of recycling waste water, which could then be used to flush your outside toilet.

There's no price on it, I can see, but a healthy level of rust, which I love to see.

I really like that.

Oh, blimey, it is heavy.

VO: Let's hope the bidders like it too.

He just needs a good deal on it.

MARK: Claire, hello!

CLAIRE: Hello!

MARK: What a feast for the eyes.

CLAIRE: Oh, thank you very much.

So I've seen a sign for a slopcloset.

CLAIRE: OK, right, yes.

How much is it?

There's no price on it.

CLAIRE: 60.

MARK: �60.

CLAIRE: Yeah.

So it's �60, and it's repainted.

Could I please offer you 40?

CLAIRE: So I'll accept 40, Mark.

MARK: Come on, shake my hand.

MARK: Thank you so much.

CLAIRE: Oh, fantastic.

MARK: And I've got 20, and 40.

CLAIRE: Thank you very much.

MARK: Thank you so much indeed.

That's fantastic.

VO: That's a good sign of things to come, and it leaves Mark with 160 smackeroonies in his wallet.

Don't spend it all at once now.

So, after a scenic drive across the north, we've now reached the coast, with Margie jumping out at Marske by the Sea, a charming fishing village with a history stretching back to William the Conq, and the perfect place for Margie to get a bit more shopping in.

Although that's not really the shop I had in mind.

Fruity foam bunnies... (CHUCKLES) Blue raspberry babies.

So they must be like little jelly babies.

VO: Stocking up for the car, I see.

MARGIE: Fizzy mini strawberries.

VO: I suppose you've got to make the most of a trip to the seaside, don't you?

Although we should probably get back to it at some point.

Those antiques won't buy themselves, you know.

Alongside the confectionery, Marske is home to charming stores like Vintage By The Sea, with an array of antique and retro collections on display.

This is more like it!

And there's dealers Claire and Helen running the ship with the help of Ruby, the dog.

Aye, aye, Captain!

MARGIE: Oh, isn't that pretty?

That's a little brass jelly mold.

Isn't it cute?

That would be one of a set, all graded in size.

You've gotta be very careful with jelly molds.

They are reproduced big time.

But this is a 19th century one, I can see.

It's �12.

I mean, it's...it's delightful, isn't it?

Love it.

And a lot of collectors for jelly molds.

VO: Jelly molds date all the way back to the 17th century, and were considered an art form by the Georgian aristocracy, especially compared to the egg and scallop shells used by the masses.

I think I've got to buy that.

I like it.

I'm gonna buy that.

VO: So while Margie shops on, Mark has made his way to Stockton, a town that famously pioneered the first passenger steam trains open to the public.

So it's full steam ahead until he makes a stop at Bailey's Vintage Supplies, a quaint little shop crammed with hidden gems.

There's dealer Kevin, look, on hand today.

Such a helpful chap.

MARK: Walking sticks are eternally popular with collectors.

Sometimes known as canes, or walking canes.

The most valuable ones are the ones that do something.

So gadget canes, they sometimes get called.

I don't know, you might unscrew the top and there's a little sort of glass vial inside for a wee tipple, or something with a compass or something like that inside it.

But novelty carved walking canes can be popular as well.

So what we've got here is a walking stick carved into the shape of a boot.

And I rather like that.

There's a carved name, just make sure I don't knock anything over, carved name on there, "Captain Morgan RN."

So I'm guessing that he was Captain Morgan of the Royal Navy.

Perhaps he was the original owner.

And on the other side, we've got, I guess, the maker's initials, which look like "S.H."

We've got an impressed date of 1938, I think that says.

I don't know how much it is.

It's not got a price on it.

The carving continues down here to be quite nice.

It's an interesting thing...

I'm not entirely sure whether it's going to help me walk to a profit.

But you know what, I'm gonna consider that one.

VO: I think it's time we checked in on Margie in Marske.

Has she found anything to add to her jelly mold find?

Some really nice things in here.

Look at that.

You know what that is?

That's a mourning brooch, and although it sounds really depressing, when people died back in...200 years ago, people wanted to remember them, so they would have their hair put into a brooch.

And the rather beautiful thing is that we could date them so well, because there was an engraving on the back.

It's 1793.

She was called Elizabeth Bates, and she was 50 years old.

What a record...

This is cute.

This is a little scarf pin.

Just had a quick look at it.

Amazing, though, they're all dated.

And this is Birmingham, 1927.

You've got a lovely little enamel bird.

And that is a silver...sitting on a silver branch.

That's dead cute, isn't it?

(CHUCKLES SOFTLY) Now, these are nice.

These are called sweetheart brooches.

People going off to war, or just a love token for your partner.

And then you have, to finish up, you've got two what we call filigree silver brooches.

Butterflies...

I'm gonna take these over to Helen... ..and see if we can do something on the prices, because I'd like to buy some of them.

VO: So Margie is going for the brooches and the jelly mold she spotted for �12.

Let's see what Helen and Claire can do.

MARGIE: Got a handful here... CLAIRE: Alright.

MARGIE: ..Claire.

HELEN & CLAIRE: (CHUCKLE) Right, so that's �12 pounds.

So... CLAIRE: OK. MARGIE: That's fine.

CLAIRE: Alright.

MARGIE: Right.

And then I sort of found these in your cabinets.

I love that.

What can that be?

What's the best you can do on it?

CLAIRE: 50.

MARGIE: Well, let's, let's... MARGIE: ..let's put that over... CLAIRE: Alright.

MARGIE: ..in the yes pile.

That little darling there.

CLAIRE: Yeah.

MARGIE: Yeah... MARGIE: ..that's just a little trifle, that.

CLAIRE: It is, it's lovely.

MARGIE: Scarf pin.

CLAIRE: 20.

OK?

MARGIE: (SIGHS) MARGIE: And then you've got the two little sweetheart brooches.

CLAIRE: I'll do the two for 30.

MARGIE: Which comes to 112.

Can you ease that to a oner?

Go on, then.

VO: Margie has picked up the mourning brooch for �40, the lovers brooches for �30, the enameled bird brooch for �20, and the jelly mold for a tenner.

All to be split into separate lots... MARGIE: The exact amount is there.

CLAIRE: Thank you very much.

MARGIE: Right!

CLAIRE: Thank you.

Bye.

MARGIE: Bye, bye, VO: ..leaving her with �32 in her purse.

Over in Stockton, Mark has still got quite a bit of cash to splash.

He's already spotted a walking stick with no price.

Anything to go with it, Mark?

I do love a pocket watch.

My granddad left me his, and I still have it on the desk at home.

It's sort of, I suppose, one of those things that really got me into antiques, I suppose.

I was always curious.

So we've got a silver one there, but my hands went straight for this one here.

So what we're looking at is an Elgin pocket watch.

And I think it dates probably from the 1920s, judging by this very handsome and smart stripy face with these wonderful art deco numbers on it.

And turning it over, you've got a fantastically decorated back of the case there, sort of hand engraved with this pattern.

There's a lot of work in that.

It's not priced, so only time will tell whether that will make a profit for me at auction.

But I need to ask how much that is.

VO: So both the walking cane and the pocket watches are a bit of a mystery price-wise.

Perhaps it's time Kevin sheds some light on the matter.

MARK: Kevin, hello.

KEVIN: Hello, Mark.

Good to see you.

Very nice to meet you too.

MARK: I want your shop!

It's beautiful in here.

MARK: I just love it.

KEVIN: Thank you very much.

And within it, I've found two things I'm kind of interested in.

Great, okie-doke.

MARK: First of all, we have the little Elgin art deco gold plated pocket watch.

KEVIN: Yes.

�40, would that suit you, Mark?

MARK: �40, OK... And then the second piece I've seen was the walking stick with a handle in the shape of a boot.

KEVIN: Oh yes, I think that's �35 on it.

MARK: That makes 75... How close, without wanting to be cheeky, can we get to 50?

55, how would that suit?

55 sounds like a deal to me.

Thank you very much, Kevin.

Excellent.

Thank you very much.

MARK: I am delighted.

50... VO: Very suave.

MARK: ..and five.

That's �55.

KEVIN: Thanks so much again, Mark.

MARK: Thank you so much.

I love your shop, it's fabulous.

MARK: Thank you very much.

KEVIN: All the very best.

Bye.

VO: That leaves 105 smackers still to splash.

So, after a hard day's shopping, our experts are back in the MGB.

It's time to get to the hotel for a bit of kip, I reckon.

Oh, hang on.

I think we've hit a spot of trouble here.

This is behaving very...it won't go out of thing at all.

This is not good.

It's not good.

This is not good.

MARGIE: Those can stop for a start off.

MARK: (LAUGHS) Are they annoying you?

I'm a bit more worried about this... Oh, gosh!

Is this gonna be alright?

It looks good, doesn't it?

MARK: Yeah, it does look good... MARGIE: So why is it... MARK: ..it's nice and shiny... MARGIE: Why doesn't it go then?

(SIGHS) Oh...!

Right, fix it.

Just fix it.

MARK: Whatever you did, something moved when you did it.

MARK: We've got enough oil!

MARGIE: Good... MARGIE: (LAUGHS) MARK: Where did that go?

Gosh... Well that's good to know.

MARK: Oh, God... We'll sit in the car and wait until someone comes and rescues us.

Fat lot of good I am.

Ouf...

I reckon, let it cool down.

MARK: Alright.

MARGIE: And then try it again.

MARGIE: Those sweets are giving me indigestion... Hey, we've got to ration those out now.

Why?

Well, because we...I don't know how long we're gonna be here.

You can't be scoffing our sustenance.

VO: Yeah, try to get some shut eye, you two.

I'll check in in the morning.

Ha!

VO: Hooray!

A new day has breathed life into our MGB roadster, and we're back on the road.

I see the sweets survived the night as well.

That is impressive.

I don't often buy sweets for myself.

VO: I think the jury's out on that one.

Oh, I love that sugar rush.

If you spot me running around the antique center making noises like a horse, you know I've been on a sugar rush.

Do you like children's sweets?

MARGIE: Like these?

MARK: Yes.

MARGIE: Can I have another one?

MARK: Yes I do.

Yes...

Here, kitty, kitty, kitty.

Here!

VO: Ha ha.

I think Mark just became the Margie whisperer.

On top of the sweets yesterday, she uncovered a jelly mold, some classical silver, a collection of brooches, including a rather macabre mourning brooch... MARGIE: When people died 200 years ago, people wanted to remember them, so they would have their hair put into a brooch.

VO: ..so today she's got �32 in her pocket and a lot more antiques to browse through.

MARGIE: Because you've only got so much time, haven't you?

We have only got so much time, and everything's locked up behind glass.

Oh gosh, yeah.

You've got to handle it.

You have to get the man with the keys, and he comes along like a jailer from the local Dickensian jail.

I'm just...I'm a picker-upper.

VO: Well, he's certainly picked up a few dapper discoveries so far, snagging himself a walking cane, the pocket watch, and a vintage sign... Patent slopwater closet, by J Place and Sons of Darwen.

VO: ..leaving him quite flush - ah-ha!

- with 105 quid still to splurge, even if the cabinets do get in the way.

I mean, it's sort of like 'krk-krk' inside for the next 10 minutes while they try to get the right key.

I'd much rather have the nice shop with a dealer.

Yeah.

MARGIE: And then says those wonderful words, right?

What?

Everything 50% off?

Well, this came in the other day... Oh yes, yes!

MARGIE: This came in the other day, and I wonder if maybe this is of interest to you.

And you, oh, it's...

I've never seen one before.

MARGIE: I'd do a double back flip, and a down dog, was it?

MARK: Downward dog, dear.

MARGIE: Downward dog.

I'll do a downward dog... (CHUCKLES) MARK: We'll have you doing a downward dog before the trip's out... (LAUGHS) So your spirit animal, what's that, then?

Gazelle, I think.

MARK: A gazelle!

No, you're more like a gazelle.

I was gonna say, I could sort of, you know... MARGIE: You're a bit of a gazelle, elegant, long limbed.

MARK: Aww... MARGIE: (SIGHS) Can I have another sweet?

MARK: Bribery!

There's something about bribery and corruption in there.

Oh, lovely jubbly.

VO: Better keep rationing those sweets, because there's another busy day ahead as our experts roll back into the town of Stockton.

But Stockton is hiding more than just one or two antiques.

Before popping on up the road, Margie has dropped Mark off at the nearby Preston Park Museum, to learn the story of John Walker, a local man who unwittingly revolutionized the way we live forever with a rather key invention.

Mark is first meeting Neil at the park's historical Victorian Street.

MARK: Neil, hello.

NEIL: Hi Mark, nice to meet you.

Hello, good to meet you.

We've got some rather rudimentary tools here.

NEIL: Yes.

MARK: So an experiment, think?

Yes, an experiment.

We're going to try to make some fire today.

VO: Sounds easy enough, right?

This kind of process hasn't changed since about the iron age.

We've got a bit of steel... MARK: Uh-huh.

NEIL: ..a bit of flint... ..and then we'll need something to set fire to, so some fuel, and we're going to use some tinder for that today.

MARK: OK.

So you're gonna need some safety glasses and some gloves.

So there's just some there for you, which...

Here's some you prepared earlier.

MARK: (LAUGHS) NEIL: Prepared earlier, yes.

NEIL: So there you go.

MARK: Okie-dokey.

MARK: So there we go...

Prepare to be amazed.

Oh, hey, look at this!

VO: (YAWNS) I might just make a cup of tea.

Carry on.

MARK: (PANTS) NEIL: Yeah, it's... VO: Right, I'm back.

Any progress?

MARK: Ooh, look, I nearly had it then!

(SIGHS) Hot soup all round.

NEIL: Perfect, it's not perfect... MARK: That... NEIL: ..but you did it.

..is a lot of work.

Yeah, loads of work, yeah.

Now, it's went out very quickly... You've let my fire die.

Do you realize what went into that?

NEIL: (LAUGHS) That's because it's used all of that fuel.

MARK: Right.

NEIL: Let's have a little go... You haven't got a lighter, have you?

Or some matches?

VO: Well, funny you should say that, because Victorian chemistry whizz John Walker had exactly the same thought when he first invented the friction match, right here in Stockton in 1826, forever changing our everyday lives.

Well, I suppose the genius of John Walker, he combined that whole process in the striking of a match.

The appliance of science instead of brute force.

VO: Having grown up around his parents' grocery store in Stockton, John would go on to qualify as a chemist and open up his own shop just down the road, and while John's chemists shop might be gone from Stockton Town Centre, this Victorian street gives us the chance to step back into the past.

This looks amazing.

Hi Mark, welcome to our chemist shop.

VO: Christine is here to give Mark a taste of what John Walker was working with, and how this invention came about.

So we've got a balance here, or some scales.

What would that have been used for?

CHRISTINE: These are apothecary scales, and we acquired these from the descendants of John Walker's family.

MARK: Good gosh!

CHRISTINE: Yes, so it's very special, and we just acquired them a few years ago.

MARK: So it's perfectly possible that John Walker used those scales to measure out chemicals to create his invention, to create the modern match.

CHRISTINE: Yes.

Originally, they may have been attached to the counter in John Walker's chemist shop.

And it was here where he did all of his experiments.

He was really interested in how things worked.

He was very curious, and experimented a lot.

VO: But amongst all these experiments, the eureka moment behind the match came about entirely by accident, when playing with chemical mixtures and a stick.

He coated a stick with it, and he just happened to scrape it on the hearth, and it just completely ignited.

So this is where he gets his idea for creating these in smaller versions.

So what have we got here?

These look like very early matches made of wood?

CHRISTINE: Yes, so we believe these to be original John Walker matches, and these were sold in batches of 100.

So you can see they are just a wooden splint, which would have been dipped in the chemical mixture.

VO: But despite his genius, John Walker didn't exactly get rich off his invention.

Even though the likes of scientist Michael Faraday were encouraging him to patent his invention, he just didn't, and he really didn't see the importance of it, and he ultimately just wanted to help people see the public benefit of the matches.

VO: Yep, truly a man of the people, and a local Stockton hero.

And despite his lack of fortune, locals like Christine are still carrying on the torch of his legacy.

Time for Mark to reunite with his chum and head for the last shop of the day in Barnard Castle, a market town, which rose up around a 12th century castle that once housed Richard III.

It also just happens to be teaming with antique shops like the Mission Hall Antiques Centre... MARK: After you.

MARGIE: (LAUGHS) MARGIE: Thank you, darling.

VO: ..home to over 40 local dealers like Dale, who's manning the ramparts today.

We salute you, sir.

Now then...

I'm just looking for something to top up a little brooch I bought.

I've got �32 left, but the little brooch really can't stand alone, so I want something that will go with it.

VO: Do you know, I think that little bird enamel brooch should do quite well paired with another item.

I wonder how Mark's strategy is going on over there.

He's got a bit more cash, course, with �105 in his wallet.

There's just so much to see.

It's like an assault on my eyes at the moment, which is mad I'm trying to spend money on beautiful objects.

VO: Oh, such a hard life, isn't it?

MARGIE: And how sweet is this?

It's a sweet little photo frame, and it's absolutely gorgeous, nicely embossed.

It's got a cracking little hallmark, for... Let's have a look.

It's a London hallmark, which is always nice.

So that's probably about 1901.

VO: Very nice.

Miniature paintings were popular from the 16th century right through to the Victorian times, and would have sat in frames a bit like this.

MARGIE: The price is �24.

So that might be a choice.

VO: One for the maybe pile then.

MARK: I rather like that.

So what we have is a perfume spray.

And of course, for years and years before people like Rene Lalique came along, perfume was sold in very large bottles, and you'd take your own bottles to be filled from much larger bottles.

So I could imagine that that might have happened with something like this.

So all the paint that's been carefully applied by hand here is intact.

That's nearly a century old, if not a little more.

VO: Smart spot.

There's a big market for antique perfume bottles.

Price?

�32.

I think that's a rather appealing piece.

I'm gonna pop that back there... And hope Margie doesn't see it.

VO: Good thinking.

She's got her eye on you.

MARGIE: How are you doing?

MARK: Mare!

Too much stuff.

Information overload.

MARGIE: (LAUGHS) MARK: How about you?

I'm nearly done.

I'm quite relaxed.

How much money have you got?

�32.

(LAUGHS) That's what I've got.

How much have you got?

�105.

Yeah, but can you spend it?

MARK: Yeah... VO: Mark, spend money in an antique shop?

Never.

MARGIE: I've just spotted these.

These are Edwardian hat pins.

(CHUCKLES) Everyone woman wore a hat, and she wanted to keep it on her head!

And so she'd put these in.

Right?

There's a lot of Scottish influence to that, and that, the thistle, and these little citrines.

They're �25, so if I could get that down to 20, that means two hat pins and a little brooch is gonna stand me at �40, so I might be able to squeeze a small profit.

VO: Smart plan, if you can get it for the right price.

MARGIE: (CALLS OUT) Dale?

Dale!

DALE: Hello there.

How are you doing?

Have you got a minute?

Yeah, yeah, we'll have a little look.

MARGIE: Right.

Got a pair of hat pins here.

Sort of Scottish influence.

DALE: Yeah, very much so.

Now, down to the money.

Down to the money.

The business end... 25...25 quid, so you know what I'm gonna say?

Yeah, you're gonna give me 22 for them.

Well, I wasn't thinking 22, I was thinking 20.

20?

20 would be OK, yeah.

VO: Nicely done.

MARGIE: Thanks very much... DALE: Thank you very much.

MARGIE: ..for your all help!

DALE: You're alright...!

VO: That little hat pin purchase leaves her with just �12 left over.

DALE: �20, that's what we said.

Can I get my hand under there to shake yours?

Cheers... Alright?

Thank you.

VO: Just waiting on Mr Hill.

Still overwhelmed over there?

Hello, you lovely, lovely lady.

I've spotted somewhere down here... Ooh, yes.

What a fabulous figure.

Now, when I see figures like this dating from the art deco period, we think of sort of fantastic names like Preiss or Lorenzl, who produced wonderful metal and sometimes metal and ivory figurines.

She's chrome plated, but I feel most definitely from the art deco period, 1920s, 1930s.

�55.

How's that gonna do for me at auction?

It's gonna be tight, but it's kind of like one or t'other, if two people go behind her and just fall in love with her too, she could really go.

VO: Oh, I do believe Mark is smitten.

So that's the figurine and the perfume bottle.

Shall we pop over to the till?

MARK: Dale, hello.

DALE: Hiya, Mark.

You alright?

(EXHALES) Just about.

You've just got a few bits in here... DALE: There's a lot to see.

MARK: I am knackered.

DALE: Yeah?

MARK: But I found two bits.

So the first is an art deco chrome plated figurine of a lady.

Yep, the one that's down there in the cabinet.

MARK: She's �55.

DALE: OK. MARK: The next one is a glass enameled perfume bottle... DALE: Oh, right... MARK: ..with a spray on the top.

MARK: That's 32.

DALE: 32, yeah.

MARK: If I were to buy the two together... DALE: 87, 77, 75...

Going in the right direction.

I think 75's the kind of level.

MARK: 70?

DALE: 70?

DALE: I will do 70.

We'll do 70.

MARK: Thank you so much.

DALE: Thank you very much.

We'll see how we get on.

VO: We certainly will.

So that's the chrome figure for �45 and the perfume bottle for 25 smackers.

That leaves mark with 35 quid left over.

Very thrifty.

MARK: �70... DALE: 70.

MARK: There we go.

Double deco delights.

MARK: Thank you!

DALE: (LAUGHS) Why not!

MARK: Bye, bye.

DALE: (CHUCKLES) Bye.

VO: Time to check in on our chum, and get back in that MGB, I think.

So that finally brings all our shopping to a close, and Margie has kindly picked up Mark for a bit of post match analysis.

Have you had anything not sell yet?

(SPLUTTERS) I've had some close shaves, let's put it that way.

MARGIE: No, I've had a couple... a couple of things.

OK. Yeah, embarrassing.

VO: Well, you never know what's gonna happen in the saleroom.

Better get some sleep and rest those nerves.

Nighty night.

VO: Get ready, it's auction day.

Time to roll up around the rostrum, get those buys under the gavel, as our experts take a quick detour south to Brettell's auction house in Newport.

Looking forward to it?

MARK: Absolutely.

MARGIE: The auction?

They've put the bunting out just for us.

MARGIE: Absolutely.

Do you think they did?

MARGIE: Do you think they did?

MARK: I hope so.

MARGIE: (CHUCKLES) Come on...

Thank you.

VO: Bidders are getting ready in the room, online, and on the phones, while some bids have been left with the auctioneer Gemima Brettell.

Here we go at 320... VO: Mark needs a win today if he wants to stay in the race.

He's spent �165 of his budget, with five lots ready to sell.

Anything catching your eye, Gemima?

So we've got the art deco chrome figure of the maiden.

It's an attractive piece.

At auction it's going to make anywhere between, you know, �50 to �80... Should be a good sale.

VO: Margie, on the other hand, has splashed almost all of her budget, spending �188 across five lots.

Has something got Gemima excited?

So you've got the George III mourning brooch.

Now, in my opinion, this is the best lot we have got in today.

We do really quite well with...with the mourning jewelry.

VO: High praise.

Let's see if it translates in the saleroom.

Places, please.

MARGIE: (SIGHS) MARK: (WHISPERS) Here we go!

MARGIE: Here we go.

VO: Just wait till the bidders get a whiff of this one.

It's Mark's perfume bottle up first.

It's kind of 1920s, 1930s... What is it?

It's a perfume bottle, dear.

You put it on top of your dressing table, you... (IMITATES SPRITZ) ..and then have a spritz before you go out.

Oh, right.

I've got a bid straight in here at �15.

(WAILS) Ooh... GEMIMA: At 15 bid, 18 in the room.

I've got 20... ..two, five, eight, 30?

You sure, sir?

Positive, lovely.

At �30 bid.

32.

At 32 is bid now, 35?

At 35.

For �35, here we go.

At 35... MARK: The sweet smell... MARGIE: Well done.

MARK: ..of a profit.

MARGIE: I doubted you with that.

VO: He does have a good nose for a deal.

MARGIE: Sorry!

MARK: Doubting Thomas!

Oh, I am.

I can be.

VO: Let's see if Margie can keep up with the first of her silver on offer.

Blue liners original?

Blue original liners.

And to find them not chipped, or not missing, is quite rare.

MARK: Any wear to them?

MARGIE: I thought... MARK: Sort of, ardent polishers?

MARGIE: No, actually not.

50.

At �50.

At �50.

Five.

60, final warning at 60... MARGIE: That's disappointing.

MARK: (SIGHS) VO: Ah... Small loss on that one.

Never mind.

Well, you know, look to the future.

It'll change.

I lost �8.

VO: Here's a chance for Mark to stride out in front.

It's time for his Scottish walking stick.

I think walking sticks are collectible.

So do I, I love them.

MARK: And shoes.

MARGIE: Yes?

This is a shoe on a walking stick.

(GASPS SOFTLY) A winner.

At �10 bid now.

Now 12, 15.

We'll walk it up a bit more.

15, 18, at 18.

At 20, 22, at 25, and 28.

At 28 now, 30 bid now, at 30 bid now.

32, at 32 now.

I'm selling at �32...

Yes!

Profit.

You bought that well at 20.

But it was a lovely, lovely thing.

VO: Nice profit.

Mark could be on track for his first auction win.

It's still a profit for me.

Be happy with what you get.

Yes, I'm happy for you.

Thank you.

I'm satisfied with that.

MARGIE; Good.

But it was nice.

MARK: Yeah.

VO: Can we tempt the bidders with Margie's brooch and hat pins?

What do you think it's gonna fetch?

MARK: Think positive.

MARGIE: 25...

Think positive.

Oh come on...

It's got to do better than that.

You do sometimes have a lapse, don't you, when you're buying?

Well, I don't know...

I lapse all the time.

I've got a bid of 15.

18, it's a bit low.

22, five, give me a go at 25... MARK: Oh... MARGIE: Never mind.

VO: Yeah, I hope she wasn't pinning her hopes on that one.

MARGIE: Darn it!

MARK: Happens.

VO: Let's see if Mark's chrome lady is carrying any interest.

Jacques Limousin... MARGIE: Yeah?

MARK: ..chrome plated... ..speaks everything of the art deco movement...

Right... MARK: 45 quid.

MARGIE: Oh!

25, 28.

28, come on.

30, and 32, at 32, 35, and 38, at 38 now.

At 40.

Here we go at 40... MARGIE: Argh!

MARK: Ah!

But she was lovely.

MARGIE: She was lovely... MARK: (WHIMPERS) VO: Shame.

That's Mark's first loss of the day.

MARGIE: Well, you haven't lost.

MARK: So near.

No... Well, I did.

I lost a fiver.

Yeah, with commission... ..even my maths knows that.

VO: Well, Margie's had a few wobbles so far.

Maybe her jelly mold will be to the saleroom's taste.

I quite like miniature things.

They don't take up space... Oh, I love miniature things...

There's something sort of...fascination in the tiny.

True, absolutely.

�10 is bid.

�12 is bid.

15, 18... MARK: Profit!

GEMIMA: We've got 20 now.

I'm selling for �20... MARGIE: Yeah!

GEMIMA: ..here we go at 20... MARGIE: Well done.

MARK: Well done, Margie.

Thank you very much.

VO: Well done.

That's a great profit.

Moving on.

MARK: Lovely thing.

MARGIE: A profit.

VO: I wonder if Mark's sign can keep things moving in the right direction.

Where's it from?

It's from Darwen.

They made these slopwater... My granny was born there... Ah!

..and my mother was married there.

Good lord, did they have a slopwater closet?

I've no idea, I've never asked.

GEMIMA: �20?

MARK: (GROANS) Please!

It's going a bit down the toilet, really, isn't it?

MARK: Someone had to say that.

GEMIMA: Well, I was going to.

MARK: Down the pan.

GEMIMA: Down the pan, yes.

I'm gonna have to ask, I'm afraid, upset prices here... �10 bid, there we go.

�10.

12, 15, at 15 bid.

18 bid.

At 18 bid now, at 18.

I'm selling for �18 pounds, here we go at 18... 147... (MIMICS TOILET FLUSHING) VO: Ah, almost half of what he paid for it.

Never mind.

Oh, God!

VO: Well, Margie's silver barrage isn't over yet.

It's time for two more of the brooches.

They're sweet and pretty, but I don't doubt if I'll make a profit.

Now, I'm not being negative, but I don't think I'm gonna get a profit on this.

�10 bid, �12 bid.

At �12.

15, right, you've bought one.

Now 15 bid, at 15 bid now, at 18.

At 18, 20, 22.

At 22 now.

Here we go, I am selling for �22.

Here we go at 22... (GAVEL) MARGIE: I deserved that.

MARK: Drubbed.

MARK: Well and truly drubbed.

MARGIE: I'm not disappointed... ..because I deserved it.

VO: The brooches aren't doing too well today.

Well, we buy with our heart.

Don't do it again!

We buy with our heart sometimes.

That was desperate.

VO: I think it's high time we got to Mark's final lot, the gentleman's pocket watch.

Really good quality movement... MARGIE: Right.

MARK: American.

Stripy face... Silver?

Hm, not so much.

I'm starting straight in at 32, 35, 38, 42, five... GEMIMA: ..eight...50.

MARK: (WHISPERS) I like this.

MARGIE: Good.

MARK: I like this... GEMIMA: At �50, at �50 bid... MARGIE: (CHUCKLES) MARK: Keep moving.

MARGIE: Tick-tock, tick-tock... At �50.

Five?

Here we go... MARGIE: Well done, mate.

GEMIMA: ..at 55.

�20 profit.

There you go... GEMIMA: �60!

MARK: (GASPS) At the last minute!

At �60, the gavel's up.

You see it, I see it.

We all see the gavel is going down... Five.

MARK: Yes!

GEMIMA: And 65 is bid.

At 65.

I'm selling online, here we go, for �65.

Last chance, at 65... MARK: Absolutely.

MARGIE: Well done.

MARK: I'm happy with that.

MARGIE: Well done.

VO: Almost double the money.

Nice buy.

Time for a profit.

Definitely!

VO: Surely, that calls time on Margie's chances for victory, unless her mourning brooch can come to the rescue.

They're strange things, aren't they?

They are, but there's a fascination for these things... MARGIE: Yeah, and... MARK: Is it woven, or... No, it's just plain.

Elizabeth Bates, 1793.

I mean, we're talking about her now, aren't we?

Absolutely.

200 and odd years after she's died.

I can start the bidding straight in at �200... MARK: Ooh, Margie!

GEMIMA: At 200 bid... MARGIE: Oh, my God!

I Hope that's a happy... At 200 quid... Oh my goodness!

At 220, 220, 240, 240.

260, 260, 280, 300 anywhere?

300.

320 bid.

At 320... MARK: ..done!

GEMIMA: �320, here we go... Oh, Mark...!

(GAVEL) Oh, my goodness!

MARK: Good old Lizzie.

MARGIE: That's fantastic!

VO: What an incredible result.

Looks like Gemima was right.

MARGIE: Oh... MARK: Bravo.

..gosh.

I'm in a state of shock.

MARK: Congratulations, my dear.

MARGIE: Thank you.

Thank you.

MARK: Well done...

Very fine thing.

MARGIE: Still a way to go.

MARK: Ladies first.

MARGIE: (CHUCKLES) VO: So, after saleroom fees, poor old Mark has ended up with a disappointing small loss, leaving him with �190 and 80 pence.

Magnificent, munificent Margie, on the other hand, has ended with a huge profit of �178 and 54p, with all profit going to Children In Need.

That hands her an early victory of 3-0 for the week, but Mark still has his pride to play for.

MARK: Well done... MARGIE: (LAUGHS) The victor emerges.

Well done, Margie Cooper.

Thank you very much.

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