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

Going, going...gone.

Yes!

I think I've fallen in love with a brick!

VO: The aim - to make the biggest profit at auction, but it's no mean feat.

Yes!

VO: There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

I feel antiqued out.

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

(GEARS CRUNCH) CHRISTINA: Charlie!

CHARLES: Sorry about that.

VO: This is the Antiques Road Trip!

Yeah!

VO: It's the start of a brand new road trip, with a brand new expert.

# Speak my mind and I don't care... # VO: Christina Trevanion may be a road trip rookie but this shrewd Shrewsbury lady is the head of the jewelry department in a long-established auction house.

That looks a bit painful, doesn't it?

VO: Mm.

With plenty of antiques experience, she isn't afraid to use her female charms to get what she wants!

I'll give you a second kiss!

Good luck with them.

VO: She's friendly!

Her competitive companion is road trip stalwart Charles Hanson, a fully-fledged auctioneer from Derbyshire... ..with a passion for the traditional, an eye for detail, and a memory of a goldfish.

And I've bought a really, really... VO: With a starting budget of £200 each, young Christina and old hand Hanson are hoping to shake things up a bit.

This is gonna be fun!

You are a young lady.

Maybe you can galvanize the antiques market - go... go hip.

CHRISTINA: Hip?

CHARLES: Go happening.

BOTH: (LAUGH) VO: Mm, lordy!

VO: In this battle of the sexes, Charles and Christina will go the distance in their beautiful vintage 1969 Morris Minor - if they survive the delightful spring weather and the gear changes, that is.

I'm not sure I'm brave... (GEARS CRUNCH) Woo!

Charlie!

Sorry about that.

VO: The route for the week takes our intrepid road trippers from Whaley Bridge, in Derbyshire, over peak and dale, to their final destination of Cobridge, in Staffordshire, covering approximately 600 miles.

But on this leg, our experts will start in Whaley Bridge and end up at auction in Liverpool.

Situated in the High Peak, Whaley Bridge is a small but vibrant town, nestling in the hills of the Goyt Valley.

CHARLES: Oh, it's nice.

I feel we might get lucky round here.

I feel this is a good place to start.

Yeah?

There something in your waters?

Yeah, there is.

VO: Oh, hardly surprising, seeing as you are on Hanson territory.

But will it give him the upper hand?

We're here!

You've got one small shop over on the left-hand side.

Have you been here before?

No, no, I've got no idea.

Are you sure?

Positive, I swear.

But there's also one big shop over there.

Right.

And this is where you do this.

And you begin to feel the energy... OK?

And the desire.

So they say small is beautiful.

OK. Do you want the small shop and I take the big one?

I think I'll go small.

Are you sure?

I'll go big.

I'll start small.

CHARLES: On your marks... CHRISTINA: Ready?

This is the start.

Get set.

Go!

VO: Stop bossing the new girl about, Charles, and get along to your first shop.

It's my first shop.

VO: Yeah, we know that, Charles.

It's called Finders Keepers.

Losers weepers.

CHARLES: Hello, sir.

PAUL: Good morning.

CHARLES: Is it your shop?

PAUL: It is.

I'm Charles Hanson.

Hi, Charles, my name's Paul.

Good to see you, Paul.

Thank you for letting me... CHARLES: ..come into your shop.

PAUL: No problem.

Have you got any quirky objects?

Quirky objects?

Anything which is maybe slightly peculiar, what's just come in.

VO: You mean apart from yourself, Charles?

Ah, follow me.

This way.

See, if you never ask, you don't get.

What about these two fellows here?

VO: Not my taste, but what does he say to you?

He says to me, "Don't buy me, I might burst."

Oh, yeah - it's a tire man.

VO: (LAUGHS) Carry on, Carlos!

Tick-tock!

Paul, is that your clock?

Yes, it is.

CHARLES: Is it for sale?

PAUL: It is for sale.

Made in China.

Made in China.

1960s I presume.

Yeah.

It's quite stylish.

Yes.

You've got this wonderful chrome outer ring, which has had some tarnishing and rust.

I do like the way the numbers are almost in plastic, aren't they, the Arabic numerals?

They've got that real sort of '60s feel.

And this, what appears to almost be a Bakelite case but it isn't.

It is wood, isn't it?

It's a wooden, ebonized case.

VO: Could our chap have fallen in love with this timeless timepiece?

I don't like it.

VO: Oh, no.

How much, Paul, is it?

£45.

Look at me.

Paul, look at me.

PAUL: I think that's cheap.

CHARLES: Hey?!

I think that's really cheap.

It's a real gamble.

It's just so... ..awful... Not being cruel, Paul, but it is.

It's just got that look.

If you hear it chime, you'll buy it.

Really?

Yeah.

Would you take, Paul, £30 for it?

How about we do this?

Yes.

If I get it to chime, it's £35.

If I don't, it's £30.

VO: So the money's on the bell.

(MECHANISM CLICKS) Has that over-wound it?

No, it hasn't.

It does that.

It's fine.

So if it chimes at five o'clock, it's £35?

Yeah.

Going... (CLOCK CHIMES) ..going, going.

Sold, Paul.

Excellent.

£35.

Thanks.

Thanks ever so much!

VO: Ding-dong!

And with that, it's time to head to his next shop on foot, making the most of Britain in springtime.

The one thing about England is the weather.

Antiquing in a winter's wonderland is just wonderful!

VO: Blissfully oblivious to the blizzard, Christina's getting stuck in at Whaley Bridge Antiques, with owner, Damian.

Have we got anything new and exciting, and...?

Well... Cap badges...

I've just had...

I've got cap badges.

There's a little box of dogs that came out of an old lady's house.

Are you wanting something that you can make a few quid on?

Mm.

They're not old, but there are loads of them.

VO: This hodge-podge of hounds even includes an eggcup collie!

Hardly pedigree, do you think?

These are all resin, really, aren't they?

They are, but they're very cheap.

Are they?

You're after a profit?

What are we talking "cheap"?

The box - 20 quid.

For a load of dogs?

For a load of dogs.

That does sound cheap but they are resin, but I do like that box behind you.

# Hallelujah!

# VO: Not convinced by a box of plastic dogs, Christina has a vision.

This came from a local church.

So this would've been an alms box?

VO: The 19th century alms box would have been used to collect cash for the poor and needy.

There's a lovely... ..groove in the top where the people have put the money in.

Yeah.

It just looks worn and tactile, doesn't it?

It's lovely.

I like that.

Yep.

How much is that?

90 quid.

£90?

That sounds like a lot of money.

I know.

VO: That's almost half of her budget.

See, at auction I see that at maybe £40 to £60.

Right, yeah.

So what can you do me that's quite close to that?

VO: She's a trier alright, but then so's he!

Well, it might cost you a kiss, but you... CHRISTINA: (GASPS) ..can have it for 60, you can have it for £60.

VO: Cheeky!

Oh, a kiss for £60... Go on.

40.

No.

60.

I can do it for 60.

CHRISTINA: £40 DAMIAN: That's what it cost me.

Is it?

Yeah.

Well, surely I should be paying 40, and then you get £20 for a kiss.

Surely!

I'm not selling my kisses cheap.

A peck on the cheek is all I ask for.

My wife will be watching!

VO: I think your wife needs to watch you a bit closer, Damian!

I love it but I think it's a bit rich.

I don't think I'm going to make any money out of it, at 40... Oh, you're good.

I am very in love with it.

Tell me, what can we throw in, for £60?

Well, I'll tell you what.

60, and take the box of resin dogs.

Really?

You'll make something out of those.

VO: Yeah, like a bonfire, eh?

Woof!

CHRISTINA: 50?

DAMIAN: I can't take 50.

50 and the dogs.

Go on!

Go on!

Go on!

And you're my first one.

You're my first, first one.

Go on.

£50.

£50 Sure?

Box and a kiss.

Well, if we said £49 on the box...

Yes?

..and a pound for the dogs?

Absolutely fine.

How does that..?

Is that alright?

I'll give you a second kiss!

Good luck with them!

VO: Oh, fresh!

Thank you very much.

You're a star!

My first one down!

VO: I wonder if the same technique would work for Charles Hanson?

Talk of the devil... Charlie!

How are you?

How are you getting on?

Now the big question, how is the young pretender doing?

Erm, alright, but I don't think I should be telling you.

That would be disclosing information.

You know, just go for it.

You keep encouraging me to spend all this money.

I do.

I think this is tactics.

I'll see you later.

Good luck.

VO: With Christina up and running, it's time for Charles to try his luck with the dashing Damian.

Pucker up, Carlos!

CHARLES: Good morning.

DAMIAN: Good morning.

CHARLES: Charles Hanson.

DAMIAN: Damian Wild.

CHARLES: Good to see you.

DAMIAN: You too.. You've got some really good things.

You've got some coins here.

Yeah.

You've got some nice silver flatware.

There's everything here.

It's where do I start?

So I think I'll have a little look round... Have a little look around.

Shout out if there's anything you want.

We'll see what we can do.

Thanks, Chris.

VO: Chris?

Who's Chris?

Damian.

Sorry, Damian, sorry.

Damian.

VO: He never was one for names, old Charles.

What you've got here is a silkwork, isn't it?

It's silkwork.

So it's probably been done in the 1880s.

Yeah.

What a wonderful thing.

What a shame it's in that condition.

Yeah.

What is so nice, you've got battles of course going back to the Peninsula, the Waterloo, Inkerman... What a nice thing.

VO: The silkwork is for the Royal Lancastrian Regiment, and commemorates the battles they'd taken part in.

But it looks like it's been through the wars itself!

This I love.

I think what really puts me off is this condition.

How much is it?

I've got 60 on it.

Yeah.

But however, as it's you... Yeah... How about 25 quid?

Oh, you can't..!

Crikey me, eh?!

Temptress!

Crikey me!

VO: It's your lucky day, Carlos!

Quick - kiss him!

They say amongst Derbyshire people, you can do a deal.

Derbyshire men you can!

That's one good deal, isn't it?

It is.

You'll make money at that.

VO: It might well make money, Damian, but young Charles has been distracted by a George III chest!

Huh!

And he does love his drawers.

The chest of drawers... You like the chest of drawers?

Yeah I do, down here.

Three short and three long drawers, on the splayed feet.

Has it been here a while?

No.

This is 1790, 1800.

Lovely color...

Boards are good on the back... Yeah.

Scars of a patina which has been there for two centuries.

I mean, these handles aren't original; they don't look the most attractive...

It should have little, round, wooden handles.

I like the chest, because it's period.

I also like the... CHARLES: ..silkwork.

DAMIAN: The colors.

But I think the silkwork is too ropey, in its condition.

Yes.

Which leaves me one big chest.

Yep.

And it's here, Chris.

VO: Damian.

If I bought... ..the chest... What's the best price?

Well, you see, I've got 320 on it.

For this... Yeah?

I'm gonna charge you £180 and I'm going to throw the Lancaster colors in with you.

Now shake my hand.

I'd love to buy the chest, Chris... VO: Damian!

Sorry, Damian.

Sorry.

Damian, I'd love to buy the chest.

I think the chest is worth 100 to 150.

I'd like to pay you 20, 40, 60, 80... £100.

CHARLES: Because... DAMIAN: Yes?

..it gives me a chance.

Another 20 and we've got a deal.

Which is 20 for the chest and for the picture?

Just for the chest.

I've got to be firm, and I feel, Chris... VO: Damian!

Crikey!

Damian, sorry.

And I feel, Damian, it's a chest, Damian, which at auction is worth 100 to 150.

So I'll leave it.

Well, I'll tell you what we'll do...

Yes?

Take the chest of drawers for 100.

Take it for 100.

Oh, don't say that to me now.

Yeah, take it.

You know, the rollercoaster of the romance of the road trip... VO: Well, if you'd remembered his name and offered him a kiss, you might have got there a bit quicker, Carlos!

And I if said for Queen and country..?

No, that can't.

Here's an extra £20...

Yes.

..and I'll take the picture as well.

Yes, you can.

We got a deal.

So that's £120, all in... All in, Charles.

..for the picture and the chest.

Are you happy?

I'm happy.

I... Are you sure?

Look at me, Damian.

I'm very happy, and I hope you'll be happy... Is that chest OK?

The chest is brilliant.

OK.

I think that'll do two, easy.

It's a wonderful Georgian chest, and if you can't buy history for history's sake, with a passion for what you enjoy... Yeah.

..when can you?

It's shabby chic.

Enjoy, my friend.

Thank you, Damian.

That's really kind of you.

CHARLES: There's your 120.

DAMIAN: Thank you.

VO: Blimey!

That's half his budget on the chest alone!

He's bold, that boy!

VO: At last!

Spring has sprung and, just down the road, Christina has wasted no time at all in the shop where Charles bought his swinging '60s clock, from owner, Paul.

Stand by.

I do like the Schweppes box.

Ah - everybody wants to buy the Schweppes box, but I like to keep them in the shop, just to contain things, really.

Obviously they're in keeping, you know?

CHRISTINA: I like that a lot.

PAUL: Mm.

So you want to keep it?

I do really.

Now there's a challenge!

VO: Uh-oh!

No price would tempt you?

Maybe.

Everything's got a price, but...

If I had to let it go, £25.

And the contents?

Oh, no!

I don't think so!

Go on, the contents and the box, for £25.

I don't think so!

Charles said you were, erm...

I had to watch out for you... Is that what he said?!

I can see why now, yeah.

Cheeky monkey!

VO: Word travels fast in Whaley Bridge, I tell you!

Go easy on him, girl!

Would you let it go for any less?

Bottom price would be £20.

I'm not gonna make any money on it at 20 quid.

VO: She's a terrier!

A fiver.

Go on!

No!

CHRISTINA: Please.

PAUL: No.

Would you take any less?

Would you buy it at 15?

Over to you now, isn't it?

I'd buy it...I'd give you 10 quid now for it.

What about the other fiver?

No.

I haven't got...

I don't think I've got another fiver.

VO: Eh, £150 at the last count, actually!

Go on, tenner.

It's fun.

VO: Not for Paul, it isn't!

Tenner.

Go on.

VO: He's crumbling.

Leave the shirt on his back, girl.

CHRISTINA: Go on.

PAUL: OK, but... Oh, but?

PAUL: Deal.

CHRISTINA: Yeah?

Is it a deal?

Is it a deal?

There was a "but" there somewhere.

There is a "but".

Erm...

I would just like to apologize to all my customers that have tried to buy the crate.

Oh, no, has it been very popular?

Yeah, absolutely.

Well, they can come to the auction.

Absolutely, they could, yeah.

CHRISTINA: It's a deal.

PAUL: It's a deal.

Thank you, Paul, you're a legend!

I like that!

And do I get the contents as well?

No, sorry.

Ah, shucks!

It was worth a try!

VO: Quit while you're ahead, young lady!

With three lots already under his belt, young Charles has made tracks to Manchester, for an arresting experience.

The Greater Manchester Police Museum is housed in one of the city's earliest police stations, painstakingly restored to reflect the realities of policing at the turn of the 19th century.

(WHISTLE BLOWS) An offshoot of the town council, Greater Manchester Police Force was formed in 1839, 10 years after the Peelers of London.

One of the earliest forces in the UK, it was met with suspicion and resistance.

Punishments were harsh and often outweighed the crimes.

Charles has come along to meet curator, Duncan Broady to find out more.

How nice to meet you, Charles.

Charles Hanson.

I feel, Duncan, like saying, "It wasn't me".

It's quite daunting that I can see some handcuffs over there, and clearly it's all in keeping to what was then, back in the 1870s, real punishment.

Well, the tricky part in those days was that once you made the arrest, you then had to walk through the streets with your prisoner, cuz you had no van, or car, to collect you.

No.

And so handcuffs were vital, to make sure that the person couldn't escape.

Yeah.

So here I am, at the desk, back in 1879.

And I could be brought in for some probably quite minor crimes.

Yes, indeed, yes.

It could be... ..drunk and incapable.

Yes.

Or drunk and disorderly...

It wasn't me!

Or there was even one that the Manchester Police had...

Yes?

Which was, amongst themselves, which was drunk and refusing to fight.

This was somebody in such a state of intoxication that they couldn't even summon the strength to fight the officer before they were arrested.

CHARLES: Really?

DUNCAN: Yes.

I'm quite a coward, so maybe that's me, but I'm no drunk.

Can you tell?!

VO: As well as police paraphernalia, the museum also has a vast archive of early criminal records, detailing the day-to-day workings of the genuine Victorian station.

We've got one or two examples of documents from the collection here, starting with this large book, which is known as The Thieves' Album.

It looks fascinating, Duncan, absolutely fascinating.

I mean here, for example, you know, on this page here you've got a man called John Melville, who, to me, looks a fine man of society.

And he's 29 years old.

In July, the 5th of July, 1904, he's stolen four umbrellas.

He has received stolen property in Blackpool, and this goes on throughout the book.

Yes.

So you've got different characters, and...

It's amazing, isn't it?

Different characters with the different offenses.

Gosh, this lady's been convicted a few times.

Mary Ann Riley.

What's her trade here.

DUNCAN: Ah... CHARLES: Is that "prostitute"?

DUNCAN: It is prostitute.

CHARLES: Prostitute.

Crikey me!

Stealing growing celery?

Stealing growing celery.

Stealing growing celery.

Sentenced to reformation for five years.

Just amazing.

VO: But whether charged with soliciting, or stealing celery, there's one place where you were sure to end up - in the chokey!

In these cells, you would spend the night, before going to court the next day, to the magistrates'.

Fine.

So that's why there's only one, two, three, four - a maximum of four cells?

Well four cells, but as many as 12 people per cell, on a busy night.

12 per cell?

Yes.

I can see my name's up there as well, Duncan.

What are you trying to say?

Duncan, it wasn't me!

I think you need to go inside, Charles.

VO: Charles Samuel Hanson, you are hereby charged and will be suitably detained at Her Majesty's pleasure.

It's actually quite comfortable.

It's like almost being on a, maybe, plastic sun lounger.

But I think after a while you would become slightly... ..uncomfortable.

VO: And with that, the first day of our trip draws to a close.

I do hope someone remembers to free the "Road Trip One".

Let me out.

VO: Ah.

Night-night.

VO: It's the start of a brand new day and the chance to leave the wintery weather behind.

Well, this is pretty cool.

I didn't think we'd get open top today.

No...

I should have just listened to you, Charlie.

Yeah.

What a difference a day makes.

What a difference a day makes.

Bikini weather by next week.

Oh, my God!

VO: No, not you, Charles.

VO: So far Christina has spent £60 on three lots - the 19th century alms box, the selection of dog ornaments, and the wooden bottle crate, leaving her with £140 for the day ahead.

VO: Charles, meanwhile, has spent £155, also on three lots - the 1960s retro clock, the George III chest of drawers and a Victorian military silkwork, giving him just £45 to splash on today's shopping.

Our eager experts are heading to their first destination of the day - Southport.

VO: Founded in 1792, Southport was originally sparsely populated, and dominated by sand dunes.

But that all changed at the turn of the 19th century, with the onset of the Industrial Revolution and the influx of day trippers, who came to enjoy the seaside in the sunshine.

No time to paddle today though.

I might get lucky here.

It's a feast... Just feast your eyes.

It looks fabulous.

Right, so you're here, and I'm off to a vintage antiques emporium, I think.

Yeah.

Spend hard, OK?

Just go for it.

Just, you know, impress me.

OK. Will do, will do.

VO: Christina may be the new kid on the block, but hopefully she'll take Charles's advice with a pinch of salt, and form her own shopping strategy at the Royal Arcade.

Oh, my goodness!

CHRISTINA: Hello!

CAROLINE: Hello!

Hi, I'm Christina.

How do you do?

How do you do?

Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you too.

Welcome to Southport.

Thank you very much.

It's Caroline, isn't it?

Caroline, that's right.

Caroline and Christina.

Goodness me.

Right... Where do I start?

Help yourself.

Browse away?

OK. VO: With 60 different dealers under one roof, there's plenty to choose from.

There's so much!

VO: Well, you'd be moaning if there wasn't, love!

Come on, Christina!

Chop, chop, old girl!

This is really quite unusual, with this yellow glazing.

I've not seen one with that kind of quite bright color before, and I just think to a pot lid collector that could potentially be quite interesting.

VO: Christina's spotted a limited edition piece of Prattware, issued as a souvenir from the British Empire Exhibition of 1924, courtesy of stall owner Roy.

That's quite fun, isn't it?

And unusual, with the yellow - really unusual.

I quite like that.

There's one thing.

That little crack in there worries me slightly.

Might be just a firing crack... CHRISTINA: You've got a... ROY: ..from the original... Yeah, a bit of cracking in it.

Been extended there.

What's your price on that one?

The very bottom figure would be 66.

£66?

VO: Here she goes - look.

Could you do it for 60?

No.

CHRISTINA: Go on.

ROY: I can't.

Go on.

£60 would be brilliant.

I'd be happy at 60.

65 would be...that would be it.

65?

Right.

VO: Looks like she's met her match.

65... Go on then.

Let's go £65.

I'll shake on it with you.

Thank you.

£65, and wish me lots of luck.

All the best.

I'll need it!

VO: And once she starts, there's no stopping her.

"Very rare piece, art deco at its best".

Oh, I like rare.

It's quite different, isn't it?

Yeah...

It's quite fun.

I like that.

VO: The art deco cigarette, or cheroot holder, has a price tag of £36 but Christina's hoping she can get the price down to £15, with a phone call to the absentee stall owner.

Will you do 20?

I just don't see it at a profit at 20.

It... She doesn't think she'll make the profit.

18 - he'll meet you halfway, at 18.

Halfway?!

Halfway?!

15...

I would... Just... 15, please, would be brilliant.

Oh, she's begging now, she's on her knees.

15.

OK!

It's a winner!

Yay!

Brilliant!

Alright.

Bye, Paul.

Bye.

Wow, fantastic!

There we go!

How's that?!

Art deco at its best.

Well done!

Fantastic!

I like it!

You're a lady with negotiation skills!

Can I take her with me?

She's brilliant!

VO: No, you cannot!

Leave her alone!

CHRISTINA: There you go.

CAROLINE: Thank you very much.

Caroline, you've been a star.

Thank you ever so much for all your help today.

That's lovely.

It's nice to have you here.

Wish me luck!

VO: Meanwhile, just down the road, her rival, Carlos, is in John Nolan Antiques, where he's really up against it!

John, I might need your help.

I've got £45 to spend.

Time is the essence... Do you want me to choose something for you?!

I love these, John, but these are too much, aren't they?

There's a pair of those.

They're quite early.

What could they be, price wise?

They're a lead glaze earthenware and they're quite nice, aren't they, because...?

Tell me, are they drug jars?

They are, yes.

They come from a chemist.

And they're almost like a Whieldon glaze, aren't they?

They're beautiful.

VO: Whieldon glaze, after the 18th century potter Thomas Whieldon, is a brown earthenware effect, usually achieved with manganese oxide.

But with a price tag of £90 for the pair, they might not turn out to be best sellers.

I bought them in about 1980... CHARLES: Yeah.

JOHN: ..in Liverpool.

JOHN: I've still got these... CHARLES: Really?

..in 2013.

So you've had these in your shop...

I've had those in my shop... For the best part of... VO: 33 years?!

Oh, my... That means one thing to me, cash them in, get them sold.

Well, I'll tell you what... Yeah?

JOHN: I'll keep one.

CHARLES: Yes.

It'll be a remembrance of your visit.

Yes.

Yeah.

And you have one.

Yeah.

And £45, and we've done a deal.

But, you know, John, sometimes in life, in love, you know, you don't want to break up, you want to stay together.

You don't want to get divorced.

They've been together here, in your shop since 1980.

Erm, wouldn't you want to say goodbye to them both and say, "Goodbye, Missus.

Goodbye, Mister, let's wave them both off together"?

Well, I could say... John, look at me.

At £45 they're a good buy.

For the pair.

Goodbye!

They're yours.

Are you being serious?

Yes.

You've bought them.

VO: Ha!

BOG OFF, eh?

Buy One, Get One Free.

You're saying £45?

You've got yourself a deal.

They've been here since 1980, when I was two years old.

For £45, let's take them on.

OK. And you're going to be known as the man who sold these.

Who bought something which maybe was a big mistake.

VO: And with that, Charles has spent every penny of his £200 budget.

That's a very bold move indeed, Charles.

VO: With her shopping completed, Christina has traveled onto Liverpool, where she's planning to take a break - quite literally.

VO: In the heart of the city lies Thurston's, a family business synonymous with the sport of billiards since 1799.

As well as making traditional tables, the shop houses a world-class collection of billiards and snooker heritage, built up by the late owner, Norman Clare.

Christina has come along to meet his son, Peter, to find out more.

This looks amazing!

Thank you!

Absolutely amazing!

Goodness me!

It's part of our showroom, but it has some of our collection in it as well.

Cuz I believe you're a bit of a dying breed?

(LAUGHS) Yeah, we could be, yes!

Or rare breed, probably... A rare breed!

..rather than dying breed!

Sorry about that!

VO: Snookered!

Ha-ha!

Time for a potted history.

In mid-14th century Europe, billiards was a lawn game similar to croquet.

By the following century, it had moved indoors and been raised onto a table, the green baize representing the grass that it had once been played on.

But early tables didn't have pockets, and that wasn't the only thing that was different about the game.

Cue Peter.

Till about the late 1890s, there wasn't a specified size for a table, so you could have had a table which was 16 foot long by only four foot wide, or whatever else.

It wasn't till quite late on that it was actually specified that a table was basically 12 foot by six foot.

Right.

OK. And so for a billiard table, which is what we play snooker on.

What... What are these?

The things that...

They look like golf clubs.

Erm, they do rather, and there's an example of one.

Right.

It's called a mace.

VO: The early cue is just a small part of the quirky collection, thought to be one of the largest in the world.

When did the mace, or how did it develop?

Because I assume it then became a cue.

It did, yes.

If you take the mace, which we've got one over here.

If you take that as being a mace.

That's the mace.

This is quite a ... That's solid.

..a good quality one.

in that it's also got the sighting line down it.

And the idea would be that you would stand something like that, and it was a push shot.

VO: As the game developed, players wanting to attempt more skillful shots used the "tail" end of the mace.

The French word for tail is "la queue", hence the "cue" got its name.

Anywhere where there's been a UK influence and they use UK-style cues, will still have a flat on the butt.

Flat butt, so you could push.

Yeah.

But is that legal now?

Er, it wouldn't be now, no.

No.

VO: Balls.

Now, what about billiard balls?

We think that the early balls were made of wood, and then they went to ivory as being the thing.

And then in about the 1860s, I think it was, so many elephants were being killed for ivory, for the ivory trade in general, not just for billiards, that there was a prize offered in the States of 10...

I think it was $10,000 for somebody to invent something to replace the ivory billiard balls.

Oh, OK. And this is one of the first things made in plastic, and sold in plastic commercially, was billiard balls.

Brilliant!

VO: By the mid-19th century, billiards wasn't just a game for the aristocracy, it was a game for every man and every woman.

But now there were many variations - carom, snooker, pool - each putting a different spin on the cue sport.

But anyone of note would've had a table of their own.

So Peter, any really famous people that I would've heard of that have got a Thurston's table?

Yes.

Charles Dickens had one.

Oh!

Yeah, and he bought a few accessories off us.

So they actually kept the check.

Although it's been slightly damaged, we've got it here.

Oh, my goodness!

And it's on Coutts bank.

Of course.

Erm, for nine pounds, four shillings.

Nine pounds, four shillings.

That was for his table?

Well, I think it was for accessories for his table, yes.

And dated what?

18... 1860-something or other.

So it's actually signed by Dickens?

Yes.

Oh, that's amazing!

Well, that is a claim to fame!

VO: Ha!

And it can all be found right here, in The Old Cue-riosity Shop!

VO: All shopped out and still in Liverpool, our happy campers have reconvened at the rather posh Croxteth Hall, as they show and tell.

Let's hope they don't give themselves a showing up as well.

I'm really nervous.

Don't be.

I am.

Prepare to be utterly...

I can't wait.

...unamazed.

Drum roll!

(DRUM ROLL) Oh, I like!

No, I DO like!

No, I DO like!

What have I bought?!

No, I like.

Thanks.

Thanks for coming!

I love your... Are they Border Fine Arts?

No, they're just resin.

No.

But they're very nice.

VO: From the box of dogs, to the box of the gods.

I needed some divine inspiration.

Exactly - "for the holy souls".

You might make a profit.

That's a nice object.

I love this!

Is it a collection box, or what do you use it for?

Well, I think so, yes.

I think it's an alms box.

OK, of course.

Em, but I think it has...

I just love the way that it's been worn.

You can see where the coins have gone in.

I love that sort of quadrilobe Gothic back.

It's 1880, 1890.

I really rate that.

I also love, and one of my great passions... Well, I say passion, is I knew the late Mr Pratt from Shropshire.

Yeah... CHARLES: Your Prattware pot.

CHRISTINA: Da-dah!

With base.

And... Oh, I like it!

Oh, that's lovely!

A little bit late, I think.

It doesn't matter.

But I was kind of appealing to memorabilia... Yeah.

..and Pratt pot lid collectors.

I think, you know, it looks the 1860s but obviously it's '20s, but a good object.

And I think, you know, you've bought a really nice mix.

Can I ask you, how much were your dogs?

How much do you think?

I reckon you paid for your dogs.

They're a good collection.

They look really quite happy and content, they appear to be in good condition.

Yeah?

I reckon the dogs cost you something in the order of £45.

No way!

How much?

A pound.

A pound?

Yeah.

One pound for... A pound per dog?

No, no, just a pound.

Where are they from?

Erm, I sort of did a little bit of sweet-talking.

Oh, my gosh!

VO: Could that stray purchase make Christina the leader of the pack?

It all depends on what she's up against.

Come on, Charlie.

Are you ready?

Oh, my goodness!

Oh... Oh, my... Oh!

I love this.

Really?

I love it, yeah.

Mahogany chest of drawers.

That's beautiful.

How much did you pay for that?

Have a guess.

How much?

Did you pay, what...?

150 quid for it?

It's what they call in the trade, a "oner".

£100.

100 quid?

Well, that can't be bad.

Where do you buy a chest of drawers today for 100 quid?

VO: In an antique shop in Whaley Bridge, obviously!

Next!

I love this!

Yeah.

You know, that's retro... We are in Liverpool, it's swinging, it's '60s.

It's got the look, hasn't it?

It's very funky.

I like that.

A little bit of wear and tear on the chrome, er... Yeah, but it's funky!

And like you say, it's very Austin Powers.

Exactly!

Very Charlie Hanson.

Thank you very much!

VO: Yeah, baby!

Well done!

I'm very, very, impressed.

You've gone traditional, you've gone funky and you've gone with what's selling in the sale.

VO: Quite the diplomat, Christina!

But this is the bit where you tell us what you really thought.

I love the way that Charlie's antiques that he's bought are such a complete reflection of him.

He's gone uber-duber traditional with his mahogany chest of drawers, which, frankly, I think was very cheap.

I think he got a good deal there.

And then he's gone completely wacky and off-the-wall with his clock, which is just Charlie through and through.

But he has spent quite a lot money, so we'll certainly see...

Certainly see what happens on the day.

I stood by my feast and looked at Christina's famine, and thought, "Christina, check my kit out!"

I've bought a really good chest.

I've bought two fine vases and I've bought a really, really... What else did I buy?

What else did I buy?!

Sorry!

VO: Oh, good Lord!

Keep up, Carlos!

Tick-tock!

Oh, yes, a wonderful retro clock.

I've bought quality, and Christina, check out my kit!

VO: Hey, Charles, it's not all about you.

What did you think of the competition?

The dogs I know are a girl's best friend and also a man's best friend, and they are a nice pack of dogs.

But they're not Beswick.

They're not Doulton, they're just ornamental.

Next time, Christina, come on, put a bit more umph into the whole aspect of buying collectable.

I think they're so cheap, even I wouldn't have said no.

VO: Really?

With both experts feeling quietly confident, there's only one way to find out who's bought best, as they head off to auction.

VO: Liverpool may be famed for its Liver Birds but it's the Liver dogs that are bothering Charles.

How much is that doggy in the window?

You know, and those dogs are so cheap, and I just know they're gonna woof away, you know?

Oh, I don't know about that!

And that's giving me a bit of a worry.

"Woof away"!

Oh, Charlie!

VO: Our experts are going head-to-head at Adam Partridge Auctioneers & Valuers.

Today's sale is an antiques, collectors' items and specialist maritime auction.

How exciting!

Ooh!

It's very nerve-wracking, isn't it?!

VO: Whilst Charles has a tinkle... ..Christina advertises her wares.

Can everyone see it there?!

VO: Ha!

Let's find out if auctioneer Chris Purfleet thinks they've spent their money wisely.

What I'm most concerned about, being an antique auction house, is probably the little collection of dogs.

However, having said that, we have lots of collectors who come, not just people looking for period antiques, looking for all sorts of things and they will find a home.

VO: Christina started out with £200 and has spent £140 on five lots, leaving her with a thrifty little cash reserve of £60.

VO: Charles also started with £200 but he's blown the lot, on four lots.

A risky strategy, but will it pay off?

Ooh...

It's my nervous energy.

VO: Over to today's auctioneer, Adam Partridge.

VO: First up for Charles, it's the George III chest.

But will it prove to be a "drawer" for both the saleroom and the online bidders?

Ha!

Handsome-looking chest.

Start me at £60.

Quite right, a handsome-looking chest!

It's worth more than that.

Give me 60.

50 I have.

At £50.

Come on.

At £50.

Where's five?

Come on.

Online 55.

Online.

It's going to Jamaica!

At £60.

Five.

70.

70 bid.

At five.

80.

80 bid.

At five.

Now 85 online.

Keep going.

ADAM: 85.

Worth more.

CHARLES: It's cheap.

90 bid.

At £90.

At five online.

95.

Good.

At 95.

Still cheap.

CHARLES: Come on, it's cheap!

ADAM: At 95... Come on!

Come on, come on, come on, come on.

100.

110, sir?

100 only.

Go on!

100.

110's online.

Yes!

110 online.

Well done.

It needs to make one more to break even.

It's cheap.

One more.

At £110.

110, come on.

At £110.

Any advance, now?

At £110.

Anyone else?

And I'm off and running.

Going, going, going... Gone!

110.

Well done.

Which means I've lost a fiver.

Happy days!

VO: It might be a £10 profit but that'll be wiped out once the auction house commission is paid.

First up for Christina, it's the 19th century pine alms box with religious inscription.

Let us pray... Good luck.

Starting at 25.

CHRISTINA: Oh... ADAM: I'll take 30.

And five.

40.

And five.

And 50.

Lady's bid, 50.

Five behind.

60 now.

65.

70.

75.

Where will you find another?!

CHARLES: Keep going.

ADAM: It's 75.

Keep going.

Go on.

Keep going.

80 somewhere?

Final chance, and we're selling at the very back of the room at 75... CHRISTINA: I can't breathe!

ADAM: ..in white.

You are on the road!

You are on the road and you've just blown away the master!

Well done!

VO: A handsome mark-up, and Christina proves she not green about the gills!

Back to Charles now, and his next timely offering.

£20, the clock.

Come on, must be worth that.

It must be worth that.

It's got the style.

It's got the look.

It swings!

Very stylish, yes, it is!

Sir, do you like it?

ADAM: £20.

CHARLES: No.

Give me a tenner.

Let's see some bidding.

Ten.

And 15, sir.

And 20.

They're going... No?

Have another one.

It's £20 in the cap.

At £20.

I'm in trouble.

Any more?

It's in the middle at £20.

Anyone else?

Twenty quid, which is more than I thought you'd get!

Are you all done on this, now?

It swings!

At £20, the clock.

At 20.

Any more?

Do you know, when you hear that bang, it's like nailing a nail into a coffin!

VO: "For whom the bell tolls", Carlos.

The clock fails to strike a note with the bidders.

It didn't swing so much as...swung!

You know, they say swing high, swing low and that swung low.

VO: The drinks will be on Christina if she can repeat her success with the pine advertising crate.

£20, the crate.

£20.

He's got £20.

No, he hasn't...

I've got 10 bid.

I'll take £15.

At 15 here.

£15, the crate, here.

At £15.

Any more?

At 15.

Well done!

At £15.

CHARLES: You have done it.

CHRISTINA: Come on, Adam!

You haven't made a loss yet.

£15.

20 at the back there.

CHARLES: No!

ADAM: Five now.

CHARLES: Well done.

ADAM: 25.

And 30.

25 down here, in the cap.

£25.

Last chances.

They like it... At £25 in the cap there.

Look how he's showing it as well.

What a man!

Hon, I don't believe it!

VO: Schw-eet!

VO: Next up for Charles, it's the Victorian military silkwork, but will it help win the battle?

Here we go.

Yes!

Come alive.

At £20 in the room, here.

Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on.

25, but it's surely worth a bit more.

Come on!

Yes!

One!

30 bid.

Five.

30 in the middle.

One for the road!

£30.

Anyone else now?

At 30.

Thanks for coming.

It's £30...

Thanks for coming!

Quite right!

Hey, that's my line!

At £30.

Anyone else on this now?

It's not expensive.

At £30.

We'll sell at £30, then.

Brilliant.

Yay!

That's £10 profit.

Do you know what?

I'm back in business!

VO: Not a storming victory, but a profit nonetheless.

Next up for Christina is that rather unusual Pratt pot lid and base.

And I'm bid £30.

Take five now.

At 30 bid.

Five.

40.

40 with me here.

At £40, any more now?

At £40, it's my bidder.

Come on!

I'll take five in the room.

At £40.

Come on!

Are you all done, then..?

CHRISTINA: Noooo!

CHARLES: He's trying.

At £40, we're selling, at £40, the lid with base.

Ouch!

VO: Christina's luck runs out as she makes her first loss, which means Charles could be in with a shout.

VO: Come on, Carlos!

Time to play catch-up with your next lot, the pair of Whieldon-style pottery jars.

£100 for them?

Go on!

Give me £100 for these?

Come on!

80?

CHARLES: Come on!

ADAM: £80, the drug jars.

60.

Someone give me £50 to start off.

£50.

They've got a bid!

It's got a bid!

I'm off.

I'm running.

Well done.

And in profit at your first bid!

I'm delighted.

£50.

Where's five now?

Online or in the room, where's £55..?

Come on!

Come on.

There's gotta be another bid there somewhere.

Come on, online!

They are cheap.

I think they're cheap.

Anyone else bidding, on these now?

If they make 50 I'm making a big loss.

We're selling at £50.

I have to pay commission.

CHARLES: (GASPS) I've been shot, been shot!

The gavel's down!

VO: Young Carlos takes another blow in the battle of the sexes, as, once again, the tiny profit will be wiped out by the auction commission.

VO: There are some that might think Christina's barking mad with this next little lot.

Always popular.

Bid me £10, for this canine collection.

£10 online.

At £10.

£10!

Ten is bid, internet.

At £10.

At £10.

Come on, houndies.

Come on!

Anyone else for these?

Surely!

Sell them.

Sell them.

No, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more!

Selling online then at 15... CHRISTINA: Oh!

ADAM: ..seated.

15 on the sofa.

At £15, there.

£15.

Selling... 20 online.

£20.

Five in the room.

25 in the room, this side.

CHARLES: 25!

ADAM: At £25.

You're all out.

It's this side now.

£25.

Oh, that's slightly embarrassing!

No, that's fantastic.

I don't believe it!

£25.

Put it there!

Put it there!

VO: A tail-wagging profit, as newbie, Christina teaches old dog Hanson some new tricks!

You know, you are in... What are you in?

You're in the money!

That's what you're in.

Well, not hugely, yet.

You're in the money.

One lot to go.

VO: Christina's final lot is the art deco cigarette holder.

But will it leave her with a smoking profit?

Bid me £10.

Ooh, it's all gone quiet!

Come on, come on, come on, come on... A Bakelite one.

Ten is bid.

Online!

At £10.

At £10.

Well done.

Thank God!

At £10.

Anyone else?

Come on!

One more, one more, one more, one more, one more!

A cheroot holder with a crouching cat.

One more, one more, one... At £10.

CHARLES: Keep it there.

CHRISTINA: One more!

At a tenner.

Is that good?

It might be.

At £10.

One more!

One more!

Well done.

Well done, partner.

Well done!

VO: Ah, well, you can't win 'em all, Christina - a lesson that you'll come to learn well, here on the road trip.

Just ask Charles.

All I know is that you've won today and all I know is that I'm playing catch-up.

The first and last time, don't worry!

Hanson is playing catch up but you know me when the going gets tough, you know... Yep, go and have a cup of tea!

Yeah.

VO: Charles Hanson started this leg with £200, and after auction costs, he's made a loss of £27.80, sending him through to the next round with a less than satisfying £172.20.

VO: Newcomer Christina Trevanion also started with £200.

After costs, she's made a profit of £3.50.

Wow!

Taking her total to £203.50, and she claims the first victory of this road trip.

Can't believe it!

Oh, my goodness!

You conquered me today!

Really?

Yeah, you have.

No.

It's a £3.50 profit, that's hardly conquering, really, is it?

Yeah, but even so, it's a start.

You know, Hanson's now falling back, £170 or so, thereabouts.

You know, you are in the lead.

Do you know what's more important?

CHARLES: Tell me.

CHRISTINA: I've the keys.

Which means what?

Thank the Lord, I'm driving!

On to..?

Manchester.

Manchester, here we come.

You know, if I can't make money in Manchester... CHRISTINA: Yeah?

CHARLES: ..when can I?

CHRISTINA: Yeah, baby!

CHARLES: Yes, baby!

VO: Next time on the Antiques Road Trip - Christina Trevanion makes a shock purchase.

Oh, God!

Oh, God!

I'm never going to live this down!

VO: And Charles Hanson prepares to fight back.

Christina...

I'm ready for Birkenhead.

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