Voiceover (VO): It's the nation's favorite antiques experts... What about that!

VO: ..with £200 each, a classic car, and a goal - to scour Britain for antiques.

Can I buy everything here?

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

But it's no mean feat.

Feeling a little saw!

This is going to be an epic battle.

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

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

The honeymoon is over.

I'm sorry!

VO: This is the Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah!

VO: What could be better than the start of super duper new road trip with a brand new pairing.

# Hallelujah, it's raining men... # VO: Auctioneer, Charles Hanson specializes in glass and ceramics and when he spots something he likes, he is willing to beg to get it.

Charles, how can I refuse you when you do that?

No, get out.

VO: With 25 years in the trade, Mark Stacey will fight to the finish to get his hands on a good deal.

Here we go.

This is going to be an epic battle.

VO: The chaps each have £200 to lavish as they please.

Mark is first to captain the 1958 Austin Nash Metropolitan, it's seatbelt free, perfectly legal for a classic car which predates the law.

The fact Mark can't find the indicators is slightly more of an issue.

That's right, that way.

You're not my side, Charles, do your side.

Sorry.

# We'll be coming round the corner, # coming round the corner... # Well, I'm going round the bend, Charles... ..With this car.

VO: Certainly are.

Charles' singing probably isn't helping either.

Our two experts have a gigantic jaunt to complete.

From Yorkshire to Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Buckinghamshire, Herefordshire, the West Midlands, Hampshire, Warwickshire, Coventry, Gloucestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and ending in Flintshire in Wales.

Good Lord.

The first stretch starts in Cawthorne in South Yorkshire and finishes at auction in Lincoln.

The rural parish of Cawthorne lies just a few miles west of Barnsley but to get here, they must first overcome one little obstacle - the Metropolitan.

MARK: Do you know where the indicators are?

Yes, left here.

No, that's the gear... that's the gearstick, Charles.

Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry.

Sorry, sorry, sorry.

VO: Hoping they survive the journey, what's the plan?

I think what we ought to do is put the A in Antiques Road Trip.

And let's go for objects over that period of being 100 years old.

MARK: Really?

CHARLES: Yeah!

MARK: Well, I think we can try but I think it's about what you see in the shops, Charles, isn't it?

VO: Quite right, Mark.

So, let's see what you can find.

First on the agenda is an antiques and collectors center in Cawthorne.

Enjoy yourself OK. Never not believe.

Charles, your pearls of wisdom are... valueless.

Thank you.

VO: With over 100 cabinets and booths, there should be something to tickle the twosome's fancy.

Two of the dealers, Holly Dawson and Karen Rowe are all set to help them part with their cash.

MARK: Hello.

KAREN: Morning.

I'm Mark.

Lovely to meet you, Mark.

Hello, I'm Karen.

Karen, hello... And I can see you're Holly.

Hi Holly.

Charles, good to see you, hi Karen, good to see you.

KAREN: Hi Charles.

CHARLES: Fine day, isn't it?

Lovely shop, we have come into her first shop of this road trip, Charles.

I think you should go that way because I've seen something in the window already I want to have a look at.

CHARLES: Are you being serious?

MARK: Yeah.

Already?

Already.

Oh, I'm on fire, Charles.

VO: It seems Mr Stacey is off to a flying start.

What I have just spotted in the window is a sort of turquoise glaze teapot stand but it's commemorating, I think, the Coronation of Edward VII, isn't it?

And that's rather nice.

Minton & Hollins Patent Tileworks, Stoke-on-Trent.

Minton, one of our oldest porcelain manufacturers, isn't it?

KAREN: It is, yes.

It goes back to the 1790s, I think.

They also specialized from the mid 19th century onwards in tilemaking, but they have turned something here into a teapot stand.

I like that.

Could you do a little something on it?

I could 10 on that for you.

MARK: Ten?

KAREN: Yeah.

VO: Strong start from Mark.

First item in the bag with a £5 discount.

He's already negotiating and we have been here literally one minute.

Karen, I'll take it.

Thank you.

I think this is charming for 10 quid.

There are collectors there but there but there's also... Take your time Mark.

I will, thanks, Charles.

Take your time, don't rush into things.

Can you stop heckling, Charles?

I am in the middle of major purchase here.

Take your time.

Here we are £10 down.

VO: Meanwhile, Charles is taking his time.

I find it also quite easy pointing at objects, the more you point, the more you don't miss, so I always... VO: He really as one of a kind, isn't he?

Now, will Mark add to his first purchase?

He's enlisting the help of dealer Pauline Smith, the owner of this hefty lump.

I have spotted something in your window.

Right.

Pauline... OK.

I love that meat cleaver.

The meat cleaver, that is really nice, yes it is.

Don't talk it up.

That meat cleaver is very good.

Don't talk it up.

Here we go.

This is going to be an epic battle.

I want to be cheeky with you.

Right.

I want to pay you £20 for it.

What about 25?

What about 20 and then I promise I will go away... Oh, go on then.

..Forever.

Are you sure your happy?

£20 and it's yours.

VO: That's £20 the late 19th century meat cleaver.

A bit of a gamble seeing as he hasn't even had a proper look yet.

MARK: Oh, it is a weight, but I love these.

Yes, that's lovely on it, in't it?

It's very... Superior.

They are... they are really getting very collectable.

Well, I think that's great.

VO: So, Mark seals the deals on his two antiques, a Minton tea pot stand at £10 and a 19th century meat cleaver for £20.

Meanwhile, Charles is taking a shine to a pair of pooches outside.

What you don't want to do is buy reproduction but then sometimes when you perhaps have two dogs, to perhaps come to auction with you, they could do quite well.

Large, sitting dog, £79, another one £79.

They haven't really weathered very much, they have a good Cotswold color about them.

They're quite nice.

I want to find out what the best price is.

VO: I'm not sure those dogs are over 100 years old, but Charles is like a dog with a bone when he sees something he wants.

There's two nice dogs over here, what's the best price?

What about 100?

Oh, you can't say that, that's too near a good price for me because again, from 158 down to £100, that's it really very tempting, they are decorative, they are not very old, 80?

What about 90?

VO: Really, Charles, behave yourself, boy.

Charles, how can I refuse you when you do that?

No, get out.

Here's my paw.

I'll take them.

Thanks a lot, £80.

VO: Charles is off the mark with a pair of golden Labrador ornaments, not exactly putting the A in antique like the plan, but let's let sleeping dogs lie, eh?

Sit.

Sit, stay where you are (WHISTLES) It doesn't move either, just stays where they are.

Good doggies, good dogs.

VO: Ha!

Barking.

Come on, Charles, it's time to get back on the road.

Car permitting that is.

I don't know if that helps.

MARK: It's not going very well this is it?

That's better (LAUGHS) VO: Next stop is still in South Yorkshire, just 16 miles south of Rotherham.

Charles is here to meet Philip Turner of the eponymously-named Philip Turner Antiques.

CHARLES: Hi.

PHILIP: Hello, Charles.

CHARLES: How are you?

PHILIP: Nice to see you.

CHARLES: How are you doing?

PHILIP: Very good, how are you?

Very well thanks, I am not too bad.

Good.

VO: Philip's been running the business in this former Sunday School chapel for 34 years.

He mainly specializes in furniture, but there's always something a bit unusual if you look hard enough.

CHARLES: Let's get this out.

VO: The ball and chain device was used to physically restrain prisoners from the 17th century right up until the 20th century and were usually made from iron.

So, Phil, how old is this?

I would think it's probably Victorian, maybe about 1860 to 1880.

Wow.

So essentially, if you were, I suppose, a prisoner back in Victorian times, this would go round your wrist or round your ankle and you just wonder what stories it could tell about those poor people who it kept in the one place.

If you're looking for something maybe a bit different.

Yeah.

I could put this on Mark Stacey's leg, couldn't I?

Of course.

I could do that.

How much is it?

£50, £40... Yeah, that's a good... £40.

Yeah.

That's a solid iron, almost as heavy as a cannonball, if not heavier.

You have got this wonderful iron shackle.

That's quite good and it is as old as well.

It is old.

It's a good item.

I'll mental note it, OK. OK.

Mental note.

VO: And with that, Charles is off again but with nothing else jumping out at him, he soon comes back to the 19th century shackles.

PHILIP: Good weight, isn't it?

You know, I'm a strong guy.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, of course, yeah.

Best price?

£40.

35, it's a deal.

Oh no.

Yeah?

Shake my hand.

35, I'm stuck with them.

Now, that's it.

Thanks, mate.

Thanks a lot.

You are chained to it.

VO: That's £35 for the 19th century ball and chain and Charles' second purchase of the day.

CHARLES: See you, Philip.

PHILIP: OK, thanks a lot.

CHARLES: Take care.

PHILIP: Yeah, you take care.

Bye, Philip.

VO: Meanwhile, Mark has made his way to 2017's capital of culture, Hull in East Yorkshire.

It was the birth place of William Wilberforce in 1759, an MP and human rights activist, who helped pioneer the end of slavery.

Mark is on his way to Wilberforce House to find out more about the man who changed British history.

I'm feeling quite relaxed actually, I'm looking forward to my visit.

I have got two items in the bag, which is always nice.

VO: From the mid 16th century, the British Empire played a major part in one of the worst acts in human history - the slave trade.

By the time Wilberforce was born, the transportation of slaves from Africa to the Americas and Caribbean had become highly lucrative.

Until one man made it his life's work to change all that and lecturer in slavery studies, Dr Nick Evans is here to tell Mark more.

Hello, I'm Mark.

Please to meet you, I'm Nick.

Nice to meet you, Nick.

VO: Wilberforce was a wealthy merchant son who made the most of his family's riches during his youth.

MARK: As a young man with all this wealth, it was a very different life.

NICK: Certainly, he was a great man of great wealth, in his youth at Cambridge, he had great fun, great party, gambling - all the things that men of his class would do.

VO: After university, Wilberforce found religion and abandoned his wild ways.

He chose a path in politics and became a devout evangelical Christian with a vehement belief in human rights and constantly driven by his strong faith, he began a campaign to end the transatlantic trade of slaves through British ports.

NICK: And here we can see a factual family bible, which the Wilberforces owned, a very precious artefact from the family.

This of course shows that he recruited Christianity in the family and by the time he entered parliament, obviously this was a religious message he wanted to get across as much as anything else.

NICK: Yeah, his entire endeavor in parliament was driven by his faith, improving morals, improving well-being, particularly, eventually and occupying most of his life, abolishing slavery.

VO: The campaign against the slave trade began in the late 1700s and faced great opposition from the British establishment but a major turning point in the fight came when Wilberforce used a visual aid in his speeches to parliament, a mode of a slave ship, known as the Brookes.

MARK: Pitted against the abolitionists, there must have been a lot of people whose fundamental wealth was staked on this barbaric trade, what could such a simple object do to change their mind?

NICK: It's a powerful image because on this boat, there was overcrowding.

How many people?

600 people... 600?

Each person had six foot in length and one foot four in width wide to actually be on for up to three months across the Atlantic.

MARK: Oh my gosh.

NICK: So it's getting those simple facts across in a visual way which actually helped his MPs.

MARK: Horrendous, isn't it?

Exactly.

It's very horrendous and you can see it here.

Mortality was particularly high - up to one in four people would die before they reached the Caribbean, before they reach the Americas and a life of enslavement in barbaric heat.

Good Lord.

VO: This simple but effective campaign drove the message home and in 1807, parliament voted to end the trade of slaves throughout the British Empire but it didn't end slavery here altogether - that would take another 26 years.

Wilberforce continued to fight for the cause until his poor health could take it no more.

So, here we have letters revealing how Wilberforce fought against the slavery and just three days before he died, Britain abolished slavery in the British Empire and then knowing that it had been abolished, Wilberforce knew he could then die peaceful knowing his life's work had seen to fruition.

VO: And this dedication to such a cause earned him respect from far and wide.

One of the most moving, which we've got for you is this one written by his wife, Barbara Spooner just days before his death, describing how there were queues of some of the most famous people of the age wanting to see Wilberforce, even for a few minutes... MARK: Before he died.

..before he died and she said there were such a long queue, it would kill him if he saw everyone but he didn't want to turn people away.

MARK: Great testament to the man actually and his resilience.

Testament to the man that decades after he begun this work, he was still fighting for human rights.

VO: William Wilberforce died in July 1833 after seeing Britain through the end of its slave trade.

As one of the first countries to enforce abolition, it helped create a domino effect across the world, he was honored with a state funeral at Westminster Abbey, a fitting tribute to the remarkable man that helped to change Britain for the better.

Back in Rotherham, Charles has popped next door to his last shop, John Shaw Antiques, they have been trading here for over 50 years and have a huge collection.

There are some splendid antiques in this emporium.

VO: Charles is in the very capable hands of Beverly Deacon.

VO: Hi, Bev.

CHARLES: Hi, Bev.

Hi.

What an office you've got here.

Fantastic.

Oh my God, is this your office?

Yeah.

And tell me, what I can see in here, are most things for sale?

Yes.

Wow.

Beverly, how much are these, these interesting carved dragon ornaments, E261?

I'll have a look for you.

They're quite fun.

VO: Well, the Dragons would fit right in with Charles' random purchases thus far.

They are priced at £70 for the pair but if they're antique, it would be by the skin of their teeth.

I love this green, scaly design and all probably hand carved and I'm short a Chinese dragon.

This one here... ..sadly you will see his arm has split just here, is that the very best price would you say, Bev?

60.

Oh crikey.

Be the best.

Crikey, let me keep looking.

VO: And in this jam-packed office, there's plenty to pick from.

It's amazing, these are all horn handled and if you were maybe a lady or gent back in the 18th century, you may have served a punch, which you would have served to your guests using these punch ladles.

165.

We couldn't go down to 80, could we?

For all five.

I can ring the boss.

Yeah, I think he'll say no.

Give him a go, yeah.

Give him a call.

VO: The recipe for punch was brought over from India and became extremely popular in the 18th century.

Made from alcohol, sugar, fruit, water and spices, it was served from a large communal bowl with ladles like these.

140.

Oh no.

We couldn't twist his arm and go 80?

No, I've tried my very best for you.

No, fine.

Thank you so much, Bev.

VO: Back to the drawing board or should I say dragons.

If I said you what's the very best on these dragons?

60.

60.

You won't take 40 for them?

I wouldn't, I'm sorry.

I can't.

No.

Would you meet me halfway?

I will ask my boss.

Yeah.

60?

Would you take 50 for them?

Would you take 50 he's asking?

60.

What's his name?

John.

Give it over then.

John, it's Charles Hanson.

I just wondered to be cheeky, would you take 50 for them?

55?

Yeah, he'll do it, 55.

I'll pass you back to Bev.

Thanks, John.

VO: Again, not sticking to the plan but Charles' third purchase of the day is a pair of dragons for £55.

Thanks a lot, give us a kiss, bye.

Thank you.

That was really kind, cheers.

Thanks, Bev.

Thank you.

Thanks for your time.

Bye.

Bye.

VO: With just £30 left, Charles is done after shopping big and bold on day one.

The chaps are finished for the day and all that's left to say is night night.

VO: But next morning soon arrives and Charles has taken over the wheel of the 1958 Austin Nash Metropolitan much to Mark's fear.

# Riding along in my automobile.

# Charles, your driving is atrocious.

# My babe beside me at the wheel.

# VO: The fellas covered three shops between them yesterday, Mark picked up a Minton teapot stand and a 19th century meat cleaver for £30, leaving him with £170 to do with as he pleases today.

Charles came away with a pair of stone Labradors, a pair of hand carved dragons and a Victorian prisoners ball and chain, as you do.

He spent a grand total of £170, giving him £30 still to play with.

Charles, how did you get on with capital A for antiques and quality?

I put one A in antique on one item only.

Charles, I'm disappointed.

Sorry.

It was beginner's nerves.

VO: Excuses, excuses, eh.

The chaps have already made some progress on their trip after beginning in Cawthorne in South Yorkshire, they're now edging towards the town of Gainsborough in Lincolnshire.

Charles, I am so excited today, I have got my two shops in Gainsborough so I'm shopping all day and I've got loads and loads of money in my pocket.

VO: Rub it in why don't you?

the heart of the town is Pilgrims Antiques Centre run by Michael Wallace for over 28 years and proud of it.

Good morning, Mark.

Hello, how are you?

Nice to meet you.

What's your name?

Michael.

Michael, nice to meet you, Michael.

Now, this looks interesting, it looks very small from the outside.

Oh, it's deceptive, a bit like a Tardis.

It's like a Tardis, I like that.

VO: With £170 in his pocket, let's hope this Tardis has something out of this world for Mark.

And like yesterday, Mark heads outside to make sure he's not missing any gems.

There is so much choice in this window, I feel like a kid in a sweet shop.

There's a rather a pretty little art nouveau brooch, very much in that sort of German Jugendstil style.

It's quite stylish, let's go and find out what that is.

It might be a buy.

VO: The art nouveau movement took inspiration from the natural world from the 1880s up to the First World War.

Jugendstil is an artistic style from Germany, which featured in many art nouveau designs.

I rather like that little art nouveau brooch, could I have a look at it?

MICHAEL: Is it the opal and ruby one?

Yes, the one, um... Oh, he knows it's opal and ruby, so that's not a good sign.

Yes, that one.

I also know it's Jugendstil.

Oh, I'll just go home now I think but it is rather sweet, isn't it?

Now, unfortunately I can't see a price on this.

No, no.

I can tell you it.

Um, do I need to sit down?

MICHAEL: It's 75.

Could I possibly buy that for £50?

Err, I wouldn't say 50, no.

60, I would say.

I would like to buy it, Michael.

Well, I'll try and help you just this once.

Just this once.

55.

I'm going to buy it, £55.

You'll do well, I'm sure.

Thank you so much.

I don't mind, it's a charming object.

VO: That's a generous £20 off the art nouveau brooch.

I'm actually quite pleased with that.

And there's your change.

Thank you very much, Michael.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Good luck.

VO: Meanwhile, Charles is taking the Metropolitan for a spin south to Nottingham.

I've had a good first shop, I always get a bit concerned and it's always been a similar past that the first day of the first week of the first shop is always hardest.

VO: Well, with that out of the way, hopefully he can relax today.

This morning, he's hitting Antiques & Collectors Corner and is meeting Andrew Moss.

Hello, how are you?

Alright, are you?

Good to see you, nice to see you.

VO: As Charles splashed the cash yesterday, he's now on a bit of a budget so whatever catches his eye will have to be around £30.

CHARLES: Andy, this glassware here, is it old?

Yes, if you look, it's got a tinge of yellow in it.

How much is that, Andy?

To you, Charles... ..140.

What a shame.

What would you date this glass to?

I still think it's about 1800s.

Do you?

Yeah.

Why is that?

Just the pattern of it, the style of it.

What's your best on that?

£100.

I like it.

But I can't afford it.

VO: But Charles has had an idea.

He wants to try and exchange his prisoner's ball and chain, which he bought for £35 plus his remaining £30 cash for one Georgian wine glass.

Good luck with that, boy.

This is a ball and chain, certainly mid 19th century, could be earlier, it's novel and I suppose a ball and chain today, would it have any residence in your shop?

Would it have any real potential to...

It would do at the right price, Charles.

What is this worth to you?

I want £50 cash off you and that.

Oh dear.

Haven't got a chance.

Hand on heart, what I've got in my kitty is £30.

Not interested.

Thanks for trying, if we don't ask, we never know.

VO: Ha!

Definitely worth a try, Charles but you'll just have to make do with your lot.

Back in Gainsborough, Mark has found his way to his final shop, Astra Antiques, run by Barry Alcott.

Hello, Barry isn't it?

It is, are you Mark?

I am.

Point me in the way of the bargains.

Head through and then left for cabinets and small stuff.

Right.

Lovely, thanks Barry.

Alright.

See you later.

VO: The center is home to over 170 dealers, displaying over 50,000 antiques.

It's one of the largest antique centers in Europe so get stuck in, Mark.

I spotted something here which is a little horn beaker and it's got on there I think PT, 1858, JM.

Now, that could be a marriage beaker.

So PT could have married JM in 1858, this may be the house they lived in.

But it's actually got quite a lovely feel about it.

And we are sticking with our capital A for antiques.

Now, it's priced up at £88 but I do rather like it.

VO: As Mark's got £115 still to spend, is there something else to go with the horn beaker?

It's quite an interesting object, it's white metal or Indian silver, the interesting bit is it's a double jug or a double measure because when you look at the top, you've got a little lip and on the bottom, you have also got a little lip.

In terms of the date, I think this fits very well into the Raj period, which is going to be around 1880.

VO: So, it's back to Barry to try and do a deal on both the horn beaker and the jug.

MARK: I've got left £115, is there any chance we could persuade them to do that?

It's a big ask, I know but... BARRY: That one I know I can get down because that's mine, pushing it 100.

Yeah.

That one is one of the other dealers, I would say standard trade, 80... probably get around about 70.

Yeah.

So we're way off really, aren't we?

Yeah.

Which is fair enough, I mean I thought it was a big ask to be honest.

Yeah.

Let me have a think, Barry.

No problem at all.

I will have one of them, I promise you.

Yep, no problem.

VO: While Mark ponders his problem, back in Nottingham, Charles is on a mission, headed for the city center.

(WHISTLES) I'm looking for a man in green.

VO: And not just any old man, Nottingham's most famous and best-loved character, Robin Hood, who's been kept alive through popular culture for 800 years.

Nine years ago, Nottingham declared Tim Pollard as their official Robin Hood.

His duties include touring Nottingham Castle and promoting tourism.

Charles is meeting him at the castle to find out the truth behind the legend.

It must be.

Good afternoon, sir.

CHARLES: Robin Hood.

TIM: Robin Hood indeed.

Good to see you, Charles Hanson.

Very pleased to meet you.

Good to see you.

VO: As the home of his mortal enemy - the Sheriff of Nottingham - Nottingham Castle plays a key role in the story of this world famous hero.

The original 11th century fortress was rebuilt after the English Civil War but there are still some parts which Robin Hood could have known all too well in the 12th century.

In the castle, I can see you've got two very differentials, you have got a very early wall, haven't you?

The bottom part that you can see there is part of the earliest stone build, the later portions you can see going up are part of an Edwardian rebuild, the original castle would have gone up a extra story in the gate house.

And where has it gone?

At the end of the English Civil War, it was decided the castle has been so pivotal in that conflict, it should be dismantled so almost every single stone is now in the foundations of the buildings we can see around.

It was magnificent but importantly, Robin, the Robin Hood, the real Robin Hood of yesterday could have touched those walls at that foundation level.

Could have scaled those walls.

Wow, amazing.

VO: And scaling he may well have done, the legend of the heroic outlaw sees him robbing from the rich to give to the poor.

So Robin's visits to the castle would either have been uninvited or he would have been heading for the dungeons.

What's the actual association Robin had with the castle and why?

Obviously, it was the home of the Sheriff of Nottingham and therefore of course with Sherwood Forest coming very very close to the edge of the castle itself...

Yes.

..It would be very easy for Robin Hood to come in here and attempt to sneak in and steal the Sheriff's treasure.

So it was almost the Sheriff in there in that castle against you... TIM: In Sherwood Forest.

CHARLES: ..Robin Hood.

Absolutely.

He was looking after the poorer class of society.

VO: Robin Hood's main hangout was said to be nearby Sherwood Forest.

It would have been much more of an open space than it is now, stretching from just outside the castle's walls across Nottinghamshire, all the way up to Yorkshire, providing Robin and his merry men with a vast area to hide out so the tales say.

CHARLES: How do we know he existed?

The great thing about the Robin Hood myth - and it's grown up over the years - is it started off with a few single lines of poetry, it then turned up in other poems, in other famous bits of British history poems.

The name Robin Hood starts to turn up in court records...

Right.

..In the 13th century but nobody knows if that's the same Robin Hood or if people have heard the story of Robin Hood and are just claiming to be him.

VO: The first literary mention of Robin Hood was penned around 1377 but the main body of tales come from the 15th century in the form of narrative poems known as ballads.

"Robin Hood in Sherwood stood, hooded and hatted, hosed and shod, four and twenty arrows he bore in his hands".

And that whole swathe area over there was Robin Hood's territory.

Yeah, absolutely.

You can see out there somewhere in the trees, Robin Hood and has merry men in a glade somewhere.

VO: The Robin Hood story has developed over the years.

The castle houses an 1839 canvas by artist Daniel Maclise that puts Robin and co at the center of a painting also featuring characters from Sir Walter Scott's "Ivanhoe".

TIM: All of the characters from the original Robin Hood stories are there and some of the characters who came on later in the stories.

Robin, as you notice is wearing red rather than green.

Lincoln green obviously is the color that's associated with Robin Hood, Lincoln grain is a red cloth, which is actually more expensive so in this, obviously Robin is being a bit more of a dandy.

So, I can see little John, who clearly is big John and quite dominant.

Yes, indeed.

But where is Maid Marian and Friar Tuck.

Friar Tuck, if you look just to the right where the tree is there, Friar Tuck's sitting down, an enormous plate of food on his stomach there.

Yeah, quite right.

Marian, you can see just also off to the side of Robin Hood.

VO: The stories of Robin Hood have survived almost eight centuries and with books and films reinventing this mythical figure, the legend of could live on for generations to come.

It's been amazing, Tim, to be given this tour because Robin Hood is a name I know a lot about but now I know far more about.

A great pleasure.

And on my doorstep in Derbyshire, it's taught me a great deal, thank you so much.

VO: Meanwhile, back in Gainsborough, Mark's more modern search for treasure continues.

I just don't know where to look any more, this one has some really nice objects but I am focusing in on this little Victorian scent bottle, this is probably bohemian glass, this is what we call a flush glass body and then the craftsman has cut away the blue glass to reveal the clear glass underneath and you get this lovely faceted type design, inside it's got its original stop as well, those are often missing.

I mean that's a charming little thing.

What is more interesting to me is that the opening price is £65.

VO: With the jug from earlier out of Mark's March price range, is there a deal to be done on the Victorian scent bottle and £70 horn beaker.

I would love to get that for £40 and then that's £110 and it leaves me a fiver over.

Is there any chance?

Yeah, I can do, yeah.

Are you sure?

Yep.

No, that's one of mine, so...

I can on that one.

Well, let's shake on that, alright.

Alright, no problem at all.

Delighted with that, thank you so much, Barry.

Alright.

VO: That's £110 for the mid 19th century horn beaker and the late 19th century scent bottle.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I warn you, I will be back.

OK. Alright then.

VO: Uh-oh and that's Mark's shopping complete up snagging himself five lots alongside his last two purchases, he picked up the 19th century meat cleaver, the Minton tea pot stand and the art nouveau brooch all for £195.

Charles spent £170 on just three lots, a pair of Labrador ornaments, a pair of carved dragons and mid 19th century ball and chain.

Charles may not have totally fulfilled his plan to put the A in antiques but Mark surely did.

So, what do they think of each other's offerings?

That horn at £70 is a real snip, to me in the right sale, it's worth 150-250, I do like the Minton plaque, that's a really inspired buy, the meat cleaver - it's a real snip at that.

So if I'm a gambling man, Mark, I think it might be round one to you.

We had a long chat in the car about capital A for antiques.

He's gone to a garden center and bought a pair of dogs you can find anywhere up the country, a ball and chain and a pair of broken Chinese tigers of no great age.

Having said all that, maybe everybody else at the auction will be as mad as a box of frogs like he is.

VO: Ha!

Time will tell.

Our two new road trip buddies began their escapade in Cawthorne, South Yorkshire and 200 miles later, they're about to hit Lincoln.

Back in the 13th century, Lincoln was England's third largest city due to its wool trade.

Its most important product being the Lincoln cloth, famously won by Robin Hood.

Today our merry men are heading into the city to sell their wares.

Where are we off to, Charlie?

If you look on the horizon now, there should be a big spire because Lincoln has a huge cathedral.

Cathedral.

Yeah.

VO: The last and final stop is Golding, Young & Moore auctioneers, who have been in the business since 1864.

Charles, our first auction.

Are you excited?

It's a very nervous one for me.

No, it's not.

It is, Mark.

I've only got three items this time.

Look, Charles, look.

Oh, yes.

Pride of place.

Oh my goodness me, the dogs.

VO: With 800 lots to get through, auctioneer, Kirsty Young, has a busy day ahead so how does she think our chaps items will fair?

The scent bottle has had a lot of presale interest, the brooch has also had various interest, the gilt wood dragons are very very interesting, the Labradors are very nice pieces.

The only thing that I think may struggle is the kettle stand.

VO: So Mark's teapot stand may not do as well as he thought but it looks as though he could have a couple of potential winners.

And Charles' dogs might have been a good shout after all.

Here we are, Mark.

Here we are, Charlie.

This is it.

The first auction.

VO: To kick things off, Charles is first with his pair of Labrador ornaments.

We need a big woof, come on, Mark, let's get... Just calm down.

We're in an auction, Charlie.

Here they are.

Charles, stop it.

Starting out with me at £40, 42 anywhere now... Let's go.

Charles.

45, 48 now, 48, bid 50, five... Let's go!

60, five, 70 bid, 75, bid 80, 80 bid, 85...

Yes, one more!

90 bid, 95, 95, 100, 110, 120... Let's go, let's go, let's go, Mark.

150, 160, 170, no, 160 we have, 170 anywhere now?

Give me a big bark, give me a bark.

No, I won't.

£160.

Woof woof.

Yeah, it was ruff ruff.

Thank you very much.

VO: What are way to start, doubling his money on his first concrete items.

Unbelievable, Charles.

They made £160.

VO: Amazing, now it's Mark's turn to test the auction room with his meat cleaver.

We are starting out with this one at £10 with me, 12 anyone... Good.

Profit's a profit.

No.

15, bid 18, 18's bid in the room...

The hands are going up, Mark.

No, they're not.

Are we selling then at 18, no we're not, 20 we have, 22 no, 20 we have, 22 anywhere now, are we selling then at £20.

VO: Mark may have put the A in antique but he's also put the L in loss after auction costs.

Next it's Mark's Minton teapot stand and auctioneer Kirsty thinks it could struggle.

Is it quite rare?

I've never seen one.

I've never handled one.

Have you?

This could do quite well.

Interesting piece this one, £20 to start me, 20, 10, £10 is bid, 12 anywhere now... Well done, put it there.

Good.

I'm not in profit.

15 bid, 18, 18 if we're coming back on the Internet... Come on.

Are we selling then at £15.

It's what I call a work in profit, Charlie.

VO: But it's still a fiver up.

Let's see if Charles is on a roll with his Victorian prisoner's ball and chain.

Lots of interest in this lot, multiple bids on the book and we're starting straight in at £40...

Yes!

You're in profit already.

That's good, that's good.

42, 45, 48, 45 is with me... Come on, come on.

..No, we're not.

48's bid, 50, five, 55 is in the room...

Yes!

60 anywhere now, at 55 is in the room...

Thank you very much.

60 anywhere now, we're selling then in the room at £55.

Well done, Charlie.

They liked it.

VO: That's two profits for two so far for Charles.

Why on earth did I go out looking for antiques?

I don't know.

It's all about buying for the market.

Is it?

VO: And Mark hasn't done too well with this market so far and now it's one of auctioneer Kirsty's picks, the mid 19th century horn beaker.

It deserves to do well because you put the A in antique.

Exactly, A.

Antique.

And we're at £10 with me... How much?

£10.

12 bid 15, 18, 20, two, 22 is in the room, 25 at the back, 28, 28 30, two, 30 we have at the very back, 32, 35, 38, bid 40, two, 45, 48, bid 50, five, at 55 is bid, 60 is the last call, we're selling then at £55.

Very disappointed.

VO: Quite right as it's a £15 loss on a real A for antique.

How do you feel?

Pretty miserable.

Because to me that was the best object...

Yes.

..In our sackful of Lincolnshire.

But never mind.

VO: With Charles in the lead, Mark needs his late 19th century scent bottle to do well here.

If I sort of do that and read the auctioneer's mind...

It will make £75.

And we're starting at £25 with me, 28 anywhere now, 28, 30, two, 35, 38, bid 40, 42 in the room...

It's profit.

Put it there.

Yes, it is.

45, 48, bid 50, 50 bid, 55, 60's bid, 65, bid 70, 70 bid, 75, bid 80, no, 75 we have, 80 anywhere now?

You stated 75.

I did.

You said 75.

Selling at £75.

£75.

You said 75 quid, why didn't you say 95?

VO: Great buy, almost doubling Mark's money.

That's really good.

I'm feeling better now, Charlie.

Good.

Give me a smile.

VO: Now Charles's third and final item, the carved dragons, if he scores big here, it could be all over for Mark.

Arr!

They cost me £55.

And I'm sure they're going to make about 400.

Fun items these ones and we're at £20 straight away, 20 bid... Come on, let's go.

22 anywhere now, 20 is bid, 22, 22, 25, 28, 25 we have... Uh-oh.

Come on.

28 anywhere now, are we selling then at £25?

Uh-oh.

Uh-oh.

Oh.

Anyway.

VO: That could give Mark a chance to catch up with this final item - the art nouveau brooch.

Beautiful piece this one and we're at £40 straight in with me, 40 is bid, 42, 45, 48, 40, bid 50, five, 60, five, 70, five, 75 is in the room...

Brilliant.

Are we selling then at £75?

VO: £20 profit for Mr Stacey, it could be close this one.

You go first.

Do you know, I'll let you go first.

MARK: Get on with it.

CHARLES: No, you go first.

Hanson.

OK, I'll go first.

Get up.

VO: Don't forget your hat, Charlie.

VO: Mark started this trip with £200, he's had a fairly tough day so after auction costs, he's managed to scrape just £1.80 profit, leaving him with £201.80 to spend next time.

Charles also began with £200, his bold purchases did well on the whole, making him a profit of £26.80 after auction costs so Charles is today's winner £226.80 ready for the next leg.

Your bloody dogs.

Well done, boys.

Well done, they did us proud.

Hope you're driving.

I drive?

Are you sure?

Yeah, well I feel so devastated.

There we go, hold on.

Oh!

Starts first time.

I remember that horn.

(HONKS HORN) It didn't do so well, did it?

Go on, Charlie, take the... Wagons roll, off we go.

VO: Next time, our road trip stutters and splutters on.

You on the brake?

I'm not on the brake.

You did, you're on the brake.

VO: While Charles Hanson lives and breathes his antiques.

You breathe history in my business.

VO: Mark Stacey is trying to sniff out the perfect purchase.

Is that sweet scent of a profit I wonder?

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