VO: It's the nation's favorite antiques experts, with £200 each, a classic car and a goal to scour Britain for antiques.

That hurts.

Have I got it the right way up?

VO: The aim?

To make the biggest profit at auction, but it's no mean feat.

There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

I look like the Mad Hatter.

VO: So will it be the high road to glory or the slow road to disaster?

I'm only in this program to be Anita Manning's chauffeur.

VO: This is the Antiques Road Trip!

Yeah!

This week we're on the road in a delightful 1965 Sunbeam Alpine, with our equally charming co-drivers, Anita Manning and Phil Serrell.

Groovy.

PHILIP (PS): It's a Sunday morning - we should be going to church, shouldn't we really?

ANITA (AM): Yeah, especially you.

Confess your sins.

We haven't got long enough.

VO: Some call them cheap and cheerful.

See if you can guess which one's which.

Anita with the radiant smile, from Glasgow, is rarely downcast for long.

Yes!

VO: Whilst Phil, from the Midlands, is more of a glass half empty sort of chap.

Will I need my hankie box as I'm coming round with you?

No, I might need mine.

VO: He also has a fondness for, long flowing scarves, a bit like Isadora Duncan.

I just hope it doesn't wrap around the axle and cause the same sticky end.

PS: (YELLS) VO: Whoops.

AM: Try driving with your hands on the wheel, Philip.

PS: Nag, nag, nag, nag, nag, nag, nag.

VO: Yesterday Anita took a leaf out of Phil's book and made a profit on a coffin carrier.

She also lost quite a bit on a shiny ring.

She began with £200 and has £177.30 to spend today.

Phil, being Phil, bought a huge bit of bridge and made a half decent profit on a Worcester vase.

He also began with £200, and has a narrow lead, with £225.80 at his disposal.

I wonder what Anita intends to do about that.

AM: My plan would be to stop being a bit of a Mrs Scattercash.

VO: This week's road trip starts out at Ford in Northumberland and ventures into Scotland, before winding its way southwards once more, concluding in Yorkshire, at Harrogate.

Our second installment kicks off in Northumberland at Haltwhistle, and makes for County Durham and an auction at Barnard Castle.

This is Hadrian's Wall.

He didn't actually build it, but he was the Roman emperor who started it, back in AD 1022.

Nearby, the charming village of Haltwhistle claims to be the geographic center of Britain.

Although it does have rivals to that title.

And speaking of rivals... AM: This is the center of Britain, Philip.

PS: Us Sassenachs don't realize it is almost as far from Edinburgh to the north of Scotland than it is from London to Edinburgh.

AM: That's right.

So maybe you guys sometimes forget that there's something north... PS: Of the border.

AM: ..of the border.

(THEY CHUCKLE) Here we are.

OK darling, well have fun... Yeah, you take care.

I'm going to enjoy the peace and quiet.

VO: While Phil tootles off, Anita gets shopping.

Hello.

Hello.

I'm Anita.

It's lovely to meet you.

I'm Susan.

VO: OK Anita - your first chance to shake off that Scattercash reputation.

Perhaps Susan can recommend something she's had for a while.

I've got a nice quirky, very quirky, I call it 1930s duck down here.

Oh right, aha.

SUSAN: It appeals to me, cuz I am a bit zany.

AM: Oh right.

Oh yeah, that is good.

VO: The Beswick Pottery in Stoke on Trent became famous for their animal figurines in the 1930s.

But things really took off in 1948, when they secured the rights to reproduce several Beatrix Potter characters.

The first being Jemima Puddleduck.

Look at the expression on his face.

I know.

He's quite coy.

He is, yes.

VO: No sale on the duck, but can she resist something sparkly?

Are these hoops?

Let me see the hoops.

SUSAN: They're gold plated, I think.

AM: Let's have a wee look.

I can see a bit of wear on them so... hmm.

VO: Oh, she's being firm today.

I have some gold clip earrings, just very small ones.

They are 1970s London.

VO: Ticket price £25.

AM: So these are nine karat and they're rather pretty.

These have got a wee sort of period look about them.

They are cultured pearls, not real pearls, so they wouldn't have been terrifically expensive when they were bought.

But I would like to have a go at these, but I'm thinking what I would like to pay... Mm?

.. probably on them is round about their gold content and hope that someone will pay more by the time they get to auction.

Yes.

But what I would be looking to pay on these is about £10.

Ooh.

Let me have a little look.

Mm.

I'd do them for £12.

AM: You'd do them for £12?

SUSAN: Yeah.

Let's go for £12 then.

SUSAN: OK. AM: That's absolutely fine.

Thank you very much.

VO: Great!

She's off to a solid start.

Phil, meanwhile, is hoping to cope alone.

It is awfully quiet in this car without her.

I'm sort of missing her in the same way that you miss earache.

VO: Phil's motored just a few short miles along the A69, from Haltwhistle to Brampton.

And there's that Hadrian again.

Wall plans in one hand and whip in the other.

I wonder if he ever came through here.

Bonnie Prince Charlie certainly did.

And now Phil Serrell in his sky-blue chariot.

This Antiques Centre, in a fine hall just next to the church, is really something.

It's sometimes hard to tell, but Phil is, I'm sure, really excited.

This is just a wicked shop!

And I haven't even got in yet.

VO: The auction in Barnard Castle is a general sale.

So Phil needs to keep that in mind.

Not get too carried away and maybe take advice from Steve.

This is your shop?

Which is the best bit for me...?

Point me in the direction I'm gonna make a profit on.

STEVE: There's a little bargain for you, it's £14.

The hinges are a bit loose, the feet are missing, but it's a good £10 lot for you.

OK, I like that.

Rosewood tea caddy, 19th century.

Isn't this a sarcophagus shaped tea caddy?

Yeah, it is.

And this is from the days when they locked tea up because the servants used to pinch it, wouldn't they?

Steal it, yeah.

That's fantastic.

I like that.

Really - is that a tenner?

Yeah you can have it for a tenner.

Right well that... Just came in yesterday, fresh off the press.

That's bought.

VO: Well that paid off.

Now, how about a bigger box?

This is a trunk.

Probably dates to about 1890-1910.

And it's not a grand, mahogany, brass band trunk.

This is a real servant's trunk.

I think that's a really good thing.

I like that.

Do you know what?

This place - it's like waking up on Christmas morning, isn't it?

There's presents everywhere.

VO: He's quite giddy, isn't he?

Only £10 splashed so far, but I sense he's not finished yet.

What's the best you can do it for?

£85.

Right, let me just have a wander round and then I'll give you a shout in a second.

VO: Meanwhile back in Haltwhistle, center of Britain... # I hope you'll write to me.

# I can't understand this language.

"I hope you'll write to me."

VO: That's cuz, girls, you're not playing it at the right speed.

VO: Enough Anita.

You're here to shop.

I noticed this little set here, Susan.

SUSAN: Yes, the pewter... AM: The wee arts and crafts... SUSAN: Mm-hm.

AM: Yeah.

VO: Ah, that's more like it.

These were doing not too badly a wee while ago, but they've gone off the boil a wee bit, but this is quite a nice one.

I've had it in quite a while.

You've had it a wee while?

Yeah.

I've had it a while.

VO: Aha.

SUSAN: So I can do something on the price.

Yes, it's 40.

I like this type of thing.

It's arts and crafts, it has a slight medieval look about it.

It has.

Probably 1920s, 1930s.

Round about that period.

Hand hammered with all these little dimples.

Somebody's sat with a hammer and tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.

If that was coming in for sale... SUSAN: Mm.

AM: ..I would put an estimate of... in the region of 20.

And I know you've had it for quite a long time...

I have.

..so I was wondering if we'd maybe be able to do a deal.. SUSAN: Mm.

Mm.

AM: ..on it.

So if I... looking to pay around about £18 for it.

SUSAN: Yes.

AM: So, we could AM: go for that on that?

SUSAN: Yes, yeah.

OK that's wonderful.

That's wonderful Susan.

That's absolutely terrific.

You're very welcome.

VO: Well there's been very little cash scattered so far today.

Anita's picked up some keen bargains for £30.

Now, has Phil made his mind up yet?

Hang about, he's spotted even more stuff.

It's a cotton reel holder.

A lady would have used that for her sewing and the little drawer underneath for perhaps needles, pins, all that sort of thing.

PS: Can I just have a look?

DEALER: You certainly can.

I just think that's a really lovely thing.

Country made thing.

It's a fabulous little thing.

Really is nice.

So, what's the very best on that?

It's got £70 on the ticket but you can have it for... £55 you can have it for.

I love that.

I love that.

Let's... Let me have another look round.

VO: This could turn into an epic.

Steve now says he has some Sheffield plate silver that Phil must see!

If these were period, they'd be what?

Fabulous.

They'd be 1690, 1710, 1715?

And a few thousand pounds, as well.

Yeah.

Lots of thousands of pounds.

DEALER: Oh, they're Walker & Hall.

Hmm.

Walker & Hall were like Rolls Royce weren't they?

VO: Sheffield plate has thin layers of silver laid onto copper, enabling Sheffield manufacturers like Walker & Hall to make items looking like solid silver at a fraction of the cost.

What's the best you can do on those?

They are £75 - you can have them for £65.

I think I've made my mind up.

Smashing.

VO: Really Phil, are you sure?

That was £55, wasn't it?

Yeah, that's correct.

That was...?

£65, I believe those were.

So, that's 120 quid.

And that's a massive total of £10.

Right, you're a star.

I'm going to pay for these now.

You've been really, really kind to me, thank you.

DEALER: Thank you.

VO: So £130 for the candlesticks, the bobbin stand and the caddy.

PS: You're a gentleman.

DEALER: Thank you very much.

PS: Thank you very much.

VO: It may have taken some time, but Phil's amassed quite a pile.

Together again, Anita and Phil must now make their way from Brampton to Carlisle.

The county town of Cumberland has been here since before the Romans, but as you might have guessed, Hadrian did have quite an influence hereabouts.

Since those days, the town has grown quite a bit though, and become famous for lots of non-Roman things like mills, railways and biscuits.

Oh yeah, and the Antiques Centre.

Hi.

Hello.

I'm Anita, lovely to be here.

Delighted to meet you.

VO: This place looks a bit like a film set, designed to resemble a Victorian street - the only difference being that it's made up of stuff from a real bit of old Carlisle, one that was knocked down in the '80s to make way for a shopping center.

Oh, well, that's progress.

AM: I love 20th century glass and there are lovely pieces in here.

It's like something I bought before and didn't do very well.

VO: Sounds like Anita needs to consult Wendy.

She has her own place here, as well as looking after the shops of the other dealers.

That's an interesting... a nice...

I like that singing blue.

VO: The ticket price is £45.

It's a nice thing, isn't it?

It's very pretty.

Is it a wee stamp box?

DEALER: Yes.

AM: Not silver?

No.

It's tempting and I love its wee, er... it's like...

It's glass, isn't it?

DEALER: Yes, it's pretty.

AM: Agate.

DEALER: That can be very cheap.

AM: Can it be very, very cheap?

Very, very cheap.

I mean how very, very... the bargain of the century could this be?

One offer, £10.

Done.

Right.

Shake on that.

VO: Now there's a coincidence.

Just like Phil, she's picked up a box - for a tenner.

So, with another one in the old bag, it's not long before Anita finds something a little more earthy.

This one is from 1923.

Now, in 1923 the world was quite a different place and collectors of globes like to see how the world was at that particular time.

VO: Yup, we'd only just got the USSR back then.

Plus Sri Lanka was Ceylon and belonged to something called the British Empire.

£145.

VO: Oh my!

Step back Anita, step back.

Might be able to do a deal.

But should I be spending all that money?

VO: No.

That is costing the Earth.

AM: This caught my eye.

DEALER: Oh yes?

I have a weakness for a terrestrial globe.

How much sort of movement would there be on that?

£145 on that, and normally they... around about the 10% mark.

AM: Yeah.

DEALER: So you're talking about probably, oh, £120.

I'm tempted, I'm tempted.

VO: Luckily the dealer is having a cup of tea next door, so Anita should get an answer soon.

How about £115?

Mm-hm.

115.

It's becoming tempting.

Could you ask if they would sell that terrestrial globe for £80?

Now, I won't be...

I will not be upset if you throw me out of the shop.

I'll have a go at it and if it doesn't happen, it doesn't matter.

That's right.

VO: Well, I hope he doesn't choke on a custard cream when he hears Anita's latest cheeky offer.

Right.

Well he was shocked... AM: I know, I know.

DEALER: ..as you imagined.

I feel terrible, I maybe shouldn't have asked.

DEALER: But he would like to do a deal - that's what it's all about.

So 90 is the price.

90.

That's coming down a lot.

It is.

That is coming down 55.

If I pay £90 for it, it's got to make £120-odd in auction.

Yes.

That's the way that I have to think about it.

Yes, yes.

How about a compromise between the two?

And I won't even ask him, I'll just tell him, £85, it's a deal.

AM: Let's try.

Let's go for it.

DEALER: Let's do it!

DEALER: Let's do it!

AM: Let's go for it.

Oh I've done it again, I've done it again.

And I daren't go through there either because he'll probably poison my tea!

Oh no.

VO: In Carlisle?

Surely not!

Phil's on his way to the outskirts to visit one of the city's tiniest treasures.

Because tucked beneath this garden center is the only collection of its kind in the UK.

He's looking for A World In Miniature.

It's around here somewhere... VO: Ah, that's the sort of thing.

Amazing little replicas of real objects.

Unlike the candlesticks Phil's just bought, these are probably solid silver.

Our Phil is about to see Lilliput in the company of guide Sally.

You won't believe your eyes when I show you some of these things, but I think you might find this useful.

Listen, I need that for everyday living, never mind coming in here.

So these things, you might recognize just a few of them on your travels.

Antique shops, I could go in there and spend my 200 quid, couldn't I?

I can see a few things I like.

You've got an Edgar Hunt painting, just there, cockerels in a farmyard.

SALLY: Lovely little rocking horse.

Yeah, a treadle sewing machine, you've got a Wemyss pig, fantastic.

And there's a little penny farthing that someone's left in the entrance, as well.

Oh yeah, it's cool, isn't it?

VO: There are over 50 little rooms of miniatures at Houghton Hall.

The collection was started in Scotland during the '50s, but when the founders decided to retire, everything was to be sold off.

Happily the owners of a Cumbrian garden center stepped in to save it, and commission even more pieces at exactly one 12th actual size.

So that's like... 12 inches is replicated in one inch, isn't it?

Exactly.

Is that like the miniaturist standard, or...?

It is, it's something that's universally accepted across the world.

I've got one real favor to ask you.

OK?

PS: Can I handle something?

SALLY: (GASPS) Ooh, I don't know, I'll have to check with the boss.

Um...

I tell you what, can you play any musical instruments?

How about a miniature saxophone?

Yeah, yeah, it'd be fantastic, just to have a look - just to hold it would be fantastic.

So that's actually pure gold?

It is.

So, that IS worth its weight in gold.

Yes, literally.

So, these all work?

They supposedly all work.

Yeah, they do, as well.

Yeah, they do.

If you were able to sort of put a reed on it, they tell me it would play.

I've never tried!

Oh, that's a pity, cuz I was just going to do The Pink Panther for you.

But it is quite the most perfect thing, it's delightful.

VO: Children are very welcome here, but these are certainly not toys.

They've moved far beyond even the finest doll's house.

What would the most expensive sort of miniature piece you could buy cost you?

Well, let me put it this... Would it be 1,000, 10,000?

20,000?

Oh no, you're talking multiples of thousands for one small piece of furniture.

This is one of my favorite pieces.

A walnut secretaire bureau bookcase.

The only thing that that doesn't have... ..is the thick end of 300 years' worth of patina, does it?

SALLY: I just love it.

PS: And who made that?

Ah now, this was made by John Hodgson, who is known as the master.

VO: Hodgson and younger artists like Mark Gooch are big names in miniatures, and with good reason, because these creations really are a labor of love.

This model of a Middlesbrough theater, for example, took over seven years to create.

It's accurate right down to all the wonderful moldings over the proscenium arch, and there's the audience sitting there of course all in their Edwardian finery.

Every single one of the figures is different, and there's even a gentleman...

I know, I can see him, that's me!

PS: In the bar... SALLY: In the bar.

PS: ..having a drink, yeah!

VO: No, they're not miniature.

Just far away.

Night-night.

VO: Day two and it's damp.

In the Sunbeam, things are getting steamy.

I think you must be heavy breathing, Anita, cuz I can't see a damn thing, you know.

It's being next to you, Phil.

I can understand that.

(THEY CHUCKLE) VO: Yesterday Phil picked up a tea caddy, a pair of Sheffield plated candlesticks and a bobbin stand for a total of £130, leaving him with just under £100 to spend today.

While Anita acquired a pair of earrings and a pewter tea set.

Plus a little stamp box and a globe.

All that came to £125, leaving her just over £50 to spend today.

They're heading from the little Cumbrian hamlet of Temple Sowerby to the auction in Barnard Castle.

PS: There's a castle over there, look.

Where?

Oh, right.

On the right over there.

Is that a castle?

I think it's a ruin.

A bit like yourself!

VO: ..where Phil's about to find himself in a strangely clean farmyard.

Have a good day.

Right, remember Philip, no big lumps of iron.

The bigger the better, see you later.

Bye!

VO: Unlikely.

This quirky place has been nominated one of Britain's best antiques shops.

Hi, I'm Philip.

Hi.

I'm Andy, pleased to meet you, Philip.

Andy, how are you?

This is a lovely showroom, isn't it?

VO: It may be only a barn, but the shrewd mix of antiques and vintage is enough to inspire.

Anyone might think they were hip here - even Phil.

Purple Rain, that was Prince, wasn't it?

ANDY: Yeah.

VO: Right on!

The only trouble is, Daddy-o, can you make some bread here?

His market's really retail environment, you know, and I'm gonna struggle to buy anything here to put it into a general sale and try and make a profit on it.

VO: Time for a word with Andy.

Is your store room... through there?

Well, it's my workshop usually.

But we've, er... ..just had a bric-a-brac clear-out sale this weekend.

Can I go and have a look?

ANDY: Yeah, sure.

PS: Thank you.

VO: Now this is much more chez Phil.

I like it when a man says, "This is the stuff I want to get rid of."

What we might find out in a minute is how badly he wants to get rid of it.

That's a bit traditional for you, isn't it?

ANDY: Yeah, to be honest... PS: What do you do with that?

Well, I put a really low price on - if somebody wants a cheap chest of drawers, that's it.

What's your best price on that?

Er, make me an offer.

Yeah, but it'd be a mean offer.

Honestly.

Well, I wouldn't go over 50 quid, I'd want to buy it for 40 or 50 quid, because I tell you why - I think the top needs sorting... ANDY: Oh, yeah.

I think it needs all this cock beading doing down here.

And it wants lifting up about two and a half inches with some bracket feet on it.

I'm gonna give you 40 quid for it.

40 quid?

I know I'm being really cheeky... No, you're not, cuz I use them for scrap.

So there's a balance of what we can get, I mean, it's...

There's an element...

The escutcheons in the locks are worth more to me than the actual... As a piece of furniture.

Are you gonna take it now?

Yeah.

Give us 40 quid.

Oh, you're a gentleman, thank you.

VO: But you won't get anywhere in life without some proper bare-faced cheek.

Is there any way... that we can just... Just something that we can screw into on there?

I've probably got a nut for it.

Just to lock that on, then, and then it just looks just a little bit more presentable, doesn't it?

And I'll even leave you with your ivy leaf.

ANDY: Thanks!

Andy, thank you very much indeed.

VO: So while Andy makes a quick repair, Phil shoves off.

Meanwhile Anita has made her way from Temple Sowerby to Kirkby Stephen.

It's lovely to meet you.

Penny, is it?

It's Penny, you're right, yes, Penny and Paul.

For me this is heaven.

VO: Anita still wants to find one more item.

But while downstairs a perfectly respectable selection of bric-a-brac awaits, upstairs are hats.

And Anita certainly does like a hat.

(POP MUSIC PLAYS) That's very Jackie O.

(THEY CHUCKLE) Now, I look like a dowager du... Dowager duck!

I think it's terribly chic.

I think this one would suit Phil!

VO: Now just calm down, Anita, and apply yourself.

What about that clock?

When I look at this clock, it has the look.

It's got that art-deco 1930s geometric shape, and I like it.

VO: Whoops, you only have about £50 left.

What I was looking at was this clock, Penny.

It's art-deco style, it's not from the 1930s, it's maybe a bit later than that - '50s... PENNY: Right.

AM: But it's got...

I know it had some pieces with it.

That's right.

It would have had two side ornaments.

PENNY: I know.

And the little back plate...

BOTH: Is missing.

PENNY: I know.

But it's like this shop - it's got bags of style.

Thank you!

Thank you for that.

VO: Enough buttering up, please!

Now... PENNY: Now we get to the nitty gritty!

Yeah.

What I'd be looking to pay would be in the region of... ..30-35.

Am I anywhere near it?

Not really, I would have thought more £50.

It might be a wee bit dear for me at 50.

Right.

Is there another wee bit of movement, maybe in the region of 40?

40 would help me.

Right.

How's 45 sounding?

45?

I think that really is the best.

45.

It's not a bad price, and I probably have got a chance at that.

It's a deal.

Thank you very much.

I'll get that wrapped for you.

OK, thank you.

VO: With Anita now almost penniless, let's see what her rival can do.

Because having grabbed the Sunbeam and trundled north along to Appleby-in-Westmorland, Phil's looking for one more buy.

I think I'm quite pleased with what I've bought, although I have to say, they're a bit, you know... ..real old-school antiques and it would be quite nice just to find one thing that I can go off-piste on.

VO: I shudder to think what that might mean.

Perhaps he'll buy a horse.

The place is known for them after all.

Appleby's famous annual horse fair was first held as long ago as the 12th century.

That does look an intriguing sign.

You can see why they've called it Hidden Treasures.

Davina, meet Phil.

He may not be your easiest customer.

Has that label been on there a long time?

Not that long, or else it would have smudged.

Oh, that's a blow.

I was hoping I could... Smudged in the rain.

Hold on just a minute.

(THEY CHUCKLE) What'll be the very, very best on that?

VERY best.

15?

OK.

Thank you.

Put that one back.

VO: Hmm - he's a funny mood today.

It's a touch out of my price range, unfortunately.

Will I need my hanky box as I'm coming round with you?

No, I might need mine!

I'm very tempted by the book on modern welding, but I think I'll give that a miss just for now.

I think that's five or 10 quids' worth at auction.

What have you got on that?

28.

VO: But while he's pondering that book, more sewing paraphernalia comes to light.

Actually I've just seen something else.

What's that?

Ooh!

Bloomin' backache.

Sewing clamps, are they?

That's a sewing clamp, isn't it?

It sort of just slides on to there like that, and you just tighten him up... And... That goes on there as well, you just tighten that up.

And then that one - it's basically like a little pin cushion.

I think they're probably ivory.

VO: Under the 1947 CITES agreement, it's illegal to buy or sell any ivory object unless they were made before June of that year.

But as these are late Victorian or Edwardian, they'll be fine.

And what's your best on these?

And I want your very, very best.

35.

You really are gonna make a profit on that, I'm certain.

Can I buy these two off you, my love?

VO: £35 sews up that little deal.

Back in the lovely old town of Kirkby Stephen, Anita's stopped shopping.

The Vikings were early settlers here and the name of the place derives from the Norse for "church".

In one of the town's many fine buildings, Anita's come to see an historic collection of one of her favorite things - frocks.

AM: Hello, Lynn.

LYNN: Hi.

I have been so looking forward to coming here.

I am a dedicated follower of fashion.

How did it all start?

I bought a blanket box full of linen, table cloths and stuff, and in the bottom of the box was a cape, and that really set me off.

VO: That was over 30 years ago.

Since then Lynn has acquired over 400 vintage dresses of various ages and styles - many accessories too.

But it all started with one little cape.

It's 1870s, and we know that because it's got nice what we call pagoda sleeves, and she would have had white ruff sleeves underneath that came up to the elbow.

I just love it, it's responsible for me spending an awful lot of money.

I would think my collection's worth over £100,000.

If not more, but I don't care, I just love it.

VO: For many years Lynn kept her amazing collection at home, using it for fashion shows and talks.

But now the public can view it every weekend for free.

LYNN: I wish they could talk to me, though.

I sit and I look at them hanging up on pictures and walls and doors and I think, "If only they could talk to me."

Is this a ball dress or an evening dress?

It is a ball gown.

No, it is a ball gown.

Because of all the lace.

This depicts that this lady had a lot of money, and I mean, it's gorgeous.

They were prestige dressing.

They were power dressing.

LYNN: They were.

VO: For most modern women, the only equivalent of those fine frocks is their wedding dress, and Lynn has over 100 of these.

There's lace ones, there's satin ones, velvet ones, and as you can see, they're all different.

So every one's got a story, every one's AM: had a happy bride.

LYNN: Most of them.

Yes, except for this one.

Now, this one, it's had three owners.

The person who originally made it was jilted.

So she passed it on to her cousin, and unfortunately she died, so she didn't wear it.

And then the third owner is the lady I got it from.

She was a missionary out in Africa somewhere, and she put it on to get married, and when she turned round just for the finishing touches, it was absolutely covered in creepy crawlies.

So she took it off and got married actually in a little white frock belonging to one of the servant girls.

Oh, that's so sad.

Poor wee dress, it's never had a bride.

Do you think it might have in the future?

No.

It's a little bit unlucky, isn't it, really?

VO: And who could resist a dress with such a tale?

Certainly not our Anita.

What do you think?

Well, I think I've found myself another model for future shows!

Great.

All I need now is a man!

VO: Oh no, it can't be!

The curse strikes again.

Not Blakey from On The Buses?

Don't do it!

OK, now it's time to reveal just what they've been up to.

Let's have a look, then.

Let's have a look.

What have we bought?

What have we got?

Right.

I quite like doing this bit, it's a wee bit like Christmas.

Can I say two things I like?

AM: Yeah.

PS: Instantly.

PS: I think that's lovely.

AM: Aha.

PS: And I love that.

AM: OK. And I love that, cuz as you know, I used to be an old "geogger" bloke.

I knew...

I know you were a geography teacher, but you cannae read a map!

No, I can't read a globe, anyway.

So I think that's really...

I think that's lovely, what did you pay for that?

I paid £85 for that.

Mm, I think if that doesn't show you a decent profit, there's no justice, really.

But what's that?

Show me that.

What's that?

Well, it looks better than it is, Philip.

PS: There's a lot of things in life like that!

AM: Including me and you.

PS: Absolutely right.

It's a wee stamp box, and what drew me to it was this beautiful blue...

It's almost like lapis, isn't it?

Yes, it is, it's an agate.

PS: How much?

AM: 10 quid.

Oh, you can't go wrong with that, can you?

I know, I know.

VO: Now what about the stuff he's not so keen on?

I thought you weren't a wee dug lady?

I'm not a wee dug lady, but I thought you might like this.

PS: I love dogs.

AM: And there are people who are wee dug ladies.

And that's... Is that... That's not Tudric, is it?

AM: It's not, it's craftsman.

I bought that because I like the arts-and-crafts look about it, and I bought it and then I looked at it again, and I realized that these two finials were different.

PS: Sh, don't tell anybody!

AM: Might've made a boo-boo!

VO: Don't worry, not a word.

Your secret's safe.

PS: Are you ready for this?

AM: Ah, ah, ah, ah.

This is real boring stuff, this is.

These little sewing implements... Yeah, yeah.

What draws you to them?

Er, it was the only thing in the shop I thought I could make a profit out of, is the absolute honest truth.

My two favorite bits... Aha?

..is this little baby, which I think is just a lovely thing.

It is.

Um, with this little drawer here.

Oh, isn't that sweet?

I just thought that was sweet.

And I love these as well.

Are these silver?

In your dreams, sweetheart!

Our budget's 200, not 2,000!

How much did you pay for them?

Well, I tell you what, that was £65, that was £55... AM: Yes?

PS: Tenner.

AM: A tenner?!

VO: I think she's impressed, Phil.

How did you get that for a tenner?

Well, cuz it's a bit battered and bruised round the edge.

AM: Can I have a wee look?

PS: Yeah, yeah, yeah!

I mean, I know that condition is all...

But I mean, we've still got our lids here.

For a tenner, that's a good, good buy.

So you've done well, my friend.

I hope so, I hope so.

This is the other lot.

Yeah.

This?

This, yeah.

Yes.

AM: You bought this?

PS: Yeah.

That's a nice chest, Victorian chest.

It is, Anita, but you know...

If you paid £50 for it, you would...

I still think you would be getting it cheap.

I paid £40 for it, and if the option was that if I didn't buy it, the guy was going to break it up and use it for spare timber.

And what you're saying is that you're just an old softie.

That gruff exterior, that gurning old face... PS: (LAUGHS) Where's this come from?

You are just a softie!

I like the handles.

That's it then, I'll throw the rest away!

VO: As if that wasn't frank enough, let's find out what they really thought.

I can't see anywhere there's the potential for big losses.

I think the little pewter service, that's profit.

The earrings, profit.

The dog... She can't lose too much there.

AM: I think they're a lovely little group of items, they're proper, regular antiques.

I like them all, but I particularly like the little ivory sewing implements, I think these are beautiful.

PS: The globe, that's my real bit of green-eyed jealousy creeping in, cuz I think that's a really nice thing, and I think she could do quite well with that.

VO: After starting out by Hadrian's Wall up in Haltwhistle, this part our trip will end at an auction in Barnard Castle.

VO: Locals call it Barney.

PS: Do you know what?

I think these auctioneers are gonna look after us well today, I think they're gonna do a real good job for us.

AM: Are you... You're optimistic, then?

No, I've sent 'em threatening letters if they don't.

VO: This is the auction house where they don't just sell the usual sort of thing.

In fact they once included a five-door family hatchback alongside antique furniture.

So, while the Barney folk take a butcher's at what's on offer today, let's have a barney with auctioneer David Elstob about Philip and Anita's lots.

I think my favorite item is the globe, we've had a bit of pre-sale interest in that.

It does have a few condition issues, but I expect that to do well.

The other item I'm interested in is the chest of drawers.

It's a nice size, good proportions, and again, we've had interest from the local trade on that.

VO: Anita began with £177.30 and she spent a total of £170 on five auction lots.

Let's go for it.

Let's go for it.

VO: Phil started out with £225.80 and he spent £205 of it, also on five lots.

Andy, this is unsalable.

VO: This place is packed, and we're about to start.

One of us at least is very excited.

I had blue biro marks all the way up my leg when I got home after the last auction!

VO: As long as it's only ink.

OK, Anita's dog and clock - not a pub but an art-deco-style timepiece.

With commission interest... AM: Yes!

DAVID: I'll start you at 50.

50 I'm bid, I'll take five next.

£50... Come on, come on.

Five anywhere?

55, 60... five in the room.

65 in the room, do I see 70?

At 65 bid, do I see 70 anywhere?

At 65 bid then, all done at 65?

Good stuff, well done you, well done you!

I'm happy with that, I'm happy!

VO: Quite right too, a very good start.

I've got tender skin - my mother always told me, I've got very tender skin.

VO: More Anita.

Hand hammered and under the hammer.

DAVID: Who'll start me at £50?

AM: Come on, come on.

Blank.

£30 then?

Nobody want it for 30?

20 I'll go.

20 bid, £20 I'm bid.

At 20, I'll take two, £20 I'm bid, do I see 22 anywhere?

22, 25, 28.

30.

32.

Bid at 32 bid, do I see 35 anywhere?

AM: 35, yes!

35 bid, 35, 38.

Will you just stop?

At £40 in front then, all done at 40?

£40.

Yes.

Ah.

Good.

VO: More profits!

Anita's catching up.

Just leave me alone!

I don't want to leave you alone.

Oh God!

VO: Phil's turn.

He loves those candlesticks.

Set me away for these.

50 for them.

Might be worth all of that.

£50.

30 then?

30 bid, £30 I'm bid, back of the room at £30.

Do I see 32?

32 on the net.

32.

35.

Two bidders on the net, 38, 40.

40 bid, 42, 42 bid, 42, 45.

45 bid, 48, 48 in the room.

48 in the room, 50.

50 bid, at 50 bid.

£50 in the room, it's across the room.

DAVID: 55.

AM: 55.

60.

60 bid, at £60 in the back then, at 60, all done at 60?

(GAVEL) That just cost me 15 quid.

VO: Yep, it'll be a much bigger loss after commission.

Now we're almost equal, as we speak.

Are you an auctioneer or a mathematician?

You've got to be both, you know that.

VO: Anita's globe.

The old geography teacher thinks the world of this too.

Nice thing, we have a telephone line... Ooh, you're in business.

38 bid on it, 38 I'm bid, I'll take 40.

42.

45.

48.

50.

Five.

60.

60 bid.

60 bid, I'll take five.

65.

70.

DAVID: 75.

75 bid, 80.

PS: Cor!

AM: Och!

DAVID: 80 bid.

85.

90.

DAVID: 90 bid in the room.

PS: Profit.

95 on the phone.

95 on the phone, do I see 100?

At 95 bid, 100 now.

AM: Yes!

DAVID: 100 in the room.

100 bid.

110 on the phone, 120 in the room.

120 in the room, I'll take 130.

AM: I love phone bids.

PS: Yeah.

130 on the phone.

140 if you like, sir.

It's 130 on the telephone then, all done at 130?

The room's clear, selling at 130.

(GAVEL) AM: Yes!

Well done you, well done.

Oh!

Yes!

VO: Everyone loved it.

Another fine profit for Anita.

Your little tea caddy.

If that doesn't make a profit, I will pack up.

VO: Time for Phil to fight back with this battered caddy.

DAVID: With interest, I'll start you at 25 bid.

DAVID: 25.

PS: That's a relief.

25 bid, do I see 28 anywhere?

At 25, 28, 30.

32, 35.

At 35 bid, 38 on the net.

38 the net, 40 with me.

£40, do I see 42?

£40, 42.

Are you happy?

Yeah, I am actually.

At 48 bid, at 48, 50.

At 50 bid now, at £50, all done at 50?

(GAVEL) So good, are you happy?

Let's see a wee smile.

VO: Steady on Phil!

Things are looking up though.

It's my lot next.

VO: He's right you know.

The cotton reel stand.

Worth a packet, or what?

And with interest, I'll bid you 35 for it, 35 I'm bid.

38.

40.

42.

45.

48.

50.

50 bid, five, it's only another £5.

Five.

60.

60 bid.

Five anywhere else?

65.

70 madam?

75.

75 bid.

It's worth another £5 of anybody's money.

At 75 bid, come on, 80.

Five?

AM: Aye, he's good.

DAVID: 90.

Round it up, I like zeroes.

It's £85 in front of me then, all done at £85?

(GAVEL) I tell you what - he worked really, really hard.

AM: He worked hard, yeah.

PS: Really, really hard.

VO: More profits for the man from Worcester.

Next up, Anita's bargain stamp box.

I bought it because it was pretty and because I got it at a very good price.

The woman was very good to me.

155's a continental white metal mounted blue banded agate stamp box.

About 1900, with interest, I'm at 38 bid, straight in at 38.

Thought it would do well.

£38 I'm bid, 38.

40, 42, 45, 48.

48 bid.

At £48 bid, do I see 50 anywhere?

Internet's in at 50, at 50 bid on the net then, all done at 50?

(GAVEL) DAVID: £50.

£50.

I think it's a cracking thing, that.

Can't complain at that.

VO: Yep, we definitely approve of that one.

What do you think your earrings will make then?

They should make in excess of £20.

There is that gold content.

VO: We'll see, Anita.

You've certainly done well so far, darling.

Should kind of double up on my money.

PS: Here we are.

AM: Oh, there we are.

With interest, I'm at 18 on them.

There you are, you were spot on.

AM: Aha.

DAVID: 18 I'm bid, 20 bid, book's out.

At £20 in the room, at 20, do I see 22?

22, 25.

28.

At £28 bid, 30.

30 bid.

At £30 in the corner then, all done at 30?

That was a short and sweet 15 quid profit, wasn't it?

But that's spot on.

VO: They're neck and neck now.

The profit's going to come out of my chest of drawers...

Chest of drawers.

How did you get that for 40 quid?

VO: Well, we can probably rule out charm.

Nice chest of drawers, good proportions, I'm bid £90 on it.

90 I'm bid on the book.

That's alright.

Do I see 95?

100.

100 bid.

110.

120.

120 bid.

Don't leave it for 10.

120 on the book with me, 130 the net, do I see 140?

It's an internet bid then at 130, you're out still.

Selling at 130.

(GAVEL) DAVID: 130.

But I'm pleased cuz that's sort of given me a bit of a leg up, hasn't it?

VO: A huge profit, actually, from a chest that was destined for scrap!

Next lot's the old sewing bits then.

Yeah.

Are you getting excited?

VO: I think he is, Anita.

Who'll start me at 50?

40 then?

40 I'm bid, £40 I'm bid standing, at £40.

At 40 bid, 42.

45.

48.

50.

50 bid, five.

55.

60.

60 bid.

At £60, then.

65.

65, 70.

At 70 bid then.

At £70, all done at 70?

Do you know, I completely lost the plot of what I've done and what I haven't done.

Will I count it all up for you?

Yeah, you count the money.

VO: Another good profit, and Anita's adding up proves that Phil, once again, carries the day.

And as I'm in profit, I'll buy you a cup of tea, come on.

AM: You're a darling.

PS: Come on, my love.

VO: After paying auction costs, Anita now has £265.60.

VO: Phil on the other hand is still way out in the lead with 344.70.

Well done.

PS: It really wasn't too bad, was it?

It was great.

PS: Your globe did well.

AM: It was absolutely great.

But, Phil, I think you're still ahead of me by a margin.

PS: Well... AM: Quite a big margin.

But I tell you what - he did a good job, didn't he?

Yes.

On to the next one!

VO: Next time on the Antiques Road Trip: Anita has a ball.

AM: Argh!

DEALER: It's very, very heavy.

That would keep a man where you would want him.

VO: And Phil makes a promise.

I'd like to give you a very satisfactory experience!

subtitling@stv.tv