
Charlie Ross and James Braxton, Day 1
Season 16 Episode 1 | 43m 43sVideo has Closed Captions
Charlie Ross and James Braxton study the Cold War and Pocahontas in a classic Alfa Romeo.
Charlie Ross and James Braxton, in a bright red classic Alfa Romeo, visit some of the county’s finest antique shops. They explore a cold war submarine and discover how Pocahontas came to Kent, before arriving at an auction in West Sussex.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback

Charlie Ross and James Braxton, Day 1
Season 16 Episode 1 | 43m 43sVideo has Closed Captions
Charlie Ross and James Braxton, in a bright red classic Alfa Romeo, visit some of the county’s finest antique shops. They explore a cold war submarine and discover how Pocahontas came to Kent, before arriving at an auction in West Sussex.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Antiques Road Trip
Antiques Road Trip is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: That's the nation's favorite antiques experts.
What a job.
NARRATOR: With 200 pounds each.
You with me?
NARRATOR: A classic car.
Buckle up.
NARRATOR: And a go to Scott Britain for antiques.
Oh, sorry.
Haha.
NARRATOR: The aim?
To make the biggest profit at auction.
But it's no mean feat.
There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.
So will it be the high road to glory?
Or a slow road to disaster?
Have a good trip.
NARRATOR: This is the Antiques Road Trip.
[MUSIC PLAYING] Yeah.
[MUSIC PLAYING] Welcome to the hot gardens and orchards of Kent.
For a brand new installment of an age old struggle.
Deja Vu.
Deja Vu.
Not just twice.
But thrice.
This is the gunfight at the OK Corral in Kent.
NARRATOR: Yes.
Auctioneers Charlie Ross and James Braxton have famously fought it out before.
Are you hearing this?
NARRATOR: With Charlie's jumbo profits making the difference North of the border.
Last bid, 2,700 pounds.
I was big in Scotland.
You are very big in Scotland.
You were huge in East India.
NARRATOR: Quite.
James served up his revenge a few years later.
50 pounds, I'll take it, Arthur.
On the net at 200 pounds a day.
Gone.
NARRATOR: Leaving things nicely poised for a decider of sorts.
Monetary-wise, you're nudging your head with about 1,500 quid.
NARRATOR: Well, fortunately for James, the slate has been wiped clean for this trip.
So they're setting out for 200 pounds each with an Alfa Romeo Spider to share.
Lovely.
So you've got a theme for your buying?
Normal stuff, anything that would sit comfortably in my drawing room I will buy.
NARRATOR: After kicking off from chart Southern Kent, Charlie and James will be sauntering around the Southeast moseying up towards the Midlands, and then wandering West before eventually making Dorset, their destination and a D-day in Dorchester.
Today's journey will conclude at auction number one in Washington, West Sussex.
But their first stop is in the aforementioned Kent village of Chart Sutton.
On the edge of the wheel, just South of Maidstone.
The area.
James, why have you brought me to a garden center?
NARRATOR: Oh, they've got plenty of antiques as well.
Oh, hang on.
NARRATOR: Touching, isn't it?
My dear old thing.
This is a little higher.
NARRATOR: They're in this one together.
You'll be all right.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Hit on, James.
This looks very good, doesn't it?
Aha.
- Absolutely.
- Charlie?
- Yeah.
- I'm Trevor.
- Trevor.
- Nice to meet you.
- James.
James.
It's very good to meet you.
And who's lurking here?
Jackie.
Hello.
Hello, Jackie.
Splendid.
Jackie, do you have things here?
I do.
Yes.
Take me to your stock, Jackie.
I just stick with Trevor.
You can't go wrong with Trevor.
NARRATOR: Plenty to choose from.
There are 22 dealers represented here.
Where's your little patch?
My cabinets over here.
NARRATOR: But nothing beats being on the ground.
What are those little pair of shoes you've got there?
Victorian boots.
I rather think that they belong to somebody rather smart.
They're very cute, aren't they?
Yeah.
Look at those.
How old was the child do you think?
About three maybe?
About three?
Yeah.
50 pounds.
Put them back in the cabinet.
We're thinking about.
- OK. [MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Any other promising places?
This is absolutely wonderful.
What are these?
No.
Have a guess.
But don't say a jockey's cap, because that's what it is.
But what do you think it was used for?
Come on, Jackie.
Sugar, salt?
No?
- Getting there.
Tea?
Tea.
Yeah.
Isn't that wonderful?
Tea caddy spoon.
Cute.
Or scoop.
Yeah.
Beautifully, beautifully made.
Silver.
It's late though.
It's certainly not Victorian.
It's 20th century.
In fact, it's dated in 1943.
That is a real shame in so much that I like things to be antique.
And this is missing out by a bit, like a bit of loose leaf.
I do.
So do I.
The quality of workmanship is superb.
But it's 85 pounds.
If it could be bought for 40, 45 pounds, I think it would make a small profit.
NARRATOR: Meanwhile, James has also found a bit of a scoop.
This is sort of like a molester's shovel.
So it's grain shovel.
And years ago, we talk about-- people talk about malting barley.
You can't.
Just mass of good barley for the brewing process.
And you've got an all wooden shaft here.
I suppose the last thing you wanted to do was have metal stuff.
So you're probably terribly conscious of spot.
But also its lightness.
I don't know what it's made of.
Normally, it'd be ash shaft.
And then something like this, the actual plate here, would be probably Sycamore.
Sycamore has antibacterial properties to it.
And this was the turning.
So you're drying your malt.
You're getting the sugars out of the barley.
And every village, especially around Kent, would have a malt house.
NARRATOR: Not exactly in a rush this morning, are they?
CHARLIE: What a splendid box.
I love that.
JACKIE: It's nice.
Isn't it?
Sampson Mordan.
Damn.
Silversmiths who made a lot of patented silverware.
And that's a safe box.
I bet it's heavy.
Beautiful lock.
S. MordAN and caremakers of London.
I love that.
Oh, someone's put something in it.
Oh, sorry.
NARRATOR: Steady on, Charlie.
S.M.
and company, that's Sam Mordan and company, may safely assert that they're fireproof boxes and safes from the peculiar interior construction and the superior manner are put together.
They're amazing.
Can you see how thick the walls are?
I think they're hollow but less fireproof.
So they're filled with sand?
JACKIE: Right.
CHARLIE: That's what gives it weight.
It's not solid steel.
You could stick that in a furnace with the sand acting as an insulator that would keep the interior from getting damaged.
Has it got a key?
It hasn't.
Oh.
I know.
No key?
No key.
I mean, what good is a safe without a key?
NARRATOR: Good question.
What's the ticket price?
68 pounds.
No, there's not a profit in it at 68 pounds.
But with that name on it, that really takes it above a level.
And I love it.
I can contact the dealer and see what best prices.
NARRATOR: I think we're getting somewhere at last.
Hello.
It's Jackie from Charleston antiques.
NARRATOR: Like could Trevor help.
JAMES: I like luxury goods, Trevor.
What have you got luxury goods?
Well, it's a very nice Sampson Mordan.
JAMES: Oh.
TREVOR: Also, it's tender there.
I'd like to see that.
Sort of stick.
Yeah.
TREVOR: More Sampson and Mordan?
You know, the Braxton barometer of quality is always waste.
And that feels quite heavy.
It's a pencil, often known as a racing pencil.
Often, the racing pencils had a little sort of fob there, so they could have been put in a pocket, couldn't they?
For racing.
Yes.
But this is a more heavy duty one.
Take the pencil out and that is a weight, isn't it?
TREVOR: It's quite a weight of silver.
Yeah.
JAMES: Its silver, is it?
S.M.
and K, there we are.
NARRATOR: The firm's founder was the co-inventor of the very first propelling pencil in 1822.
JAMES: 85 quid we've got.
Does it owe you a lot?
TREVOR: As always a bit.
I'm afraid.
I think 60, probably, is going to be where I'm going to be on it.
NARRATOR: Nice bit of silence.
JAMES: If I squeeze here a bit, how about 50?
Yes, let's do 50.
Come on, Trevor.
Put it down, man.
Let's do 50.
Thank you very much indeed.
NARRATOR: We're finally off and running.
That's a good start, Trevor.
NARRATOR: Plus, Charlie has to choose between the caddy spoon now 50 pounds, and the strongbox now 40.
So why not ask a friend?
CHARLIE: A hypothetical question.
Two things.
Yup.
One is a Sampson Malden Mordan 19th century-- JAMES: Spooky.
CHARLIE: --safe, beautifully made, lovely label, superb condition.
Key?
- No key.
- No key.
No key.
Second object, a caddy spoon in the form of a jockey's hat, beautifully made, 1943.
JAMES: 1943.
CHARLIE: Truly.
JAMES: From the two of it, I think the date sounds a little late, 1943.
Yeah.
You're safe with the safe.
NARRATOR: And with that, our sage departs.
We entered as too, I leave as one.
NARRATOR: But will his purely hypothetical advice be heeded?
You're safe with the safe.
The plan.
CHARLIE: Whether I'll be able to lift it or not, is another matter.
I'm going to buy it.
Put it there, Jackie.
NARRATOR: Charlie.
Happy with the deal?
That's more.
Goody.
NARRATOR: First cash, 40 pounds.
Then carry.
Quite a bit more than 40 pounds.
Ha!
Godfathers.
I'm not sure this is going to work.
NARRATOR: Neither am I.
Well, it's a snug fit.
Look at that.
[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Meanwhile, elsewhere in Kent, James is off to see a local historian, about one of the county's more unusual visitors.
Beside the Thames estuary at Gravesend, where at St. George's Church, 400 years ago, Pocahontas was buried.
[MUSIC PLAYING] Hello, Sandra Soda.
Please come in.
Out of the rain to learn about Pocahontas.
NARRATOR: Although the original building was destroyed by fire in 1727, there are several reminders at St. Georges of the Native American princess who died here when returning home from a visit to London.
JAMES: She'd been presented at court.
Yes.
And had a rather fun time.
Yes.
And was she married?
She was with her husband, John Rolfe, who had been a colonist and her son.
And they had been visiting London.
And people were very curious to see them.
Come over and join us in this brave new world.
How old was she at this point?
But one can't be too exact.
JAMES: No.
But we believe she was born 1596.
JAMES: Yeah.
And when they first come over, at 1616.
JAMES: Really?
So early 20s.
SANDRA: Yeah.
Yes.
JAMES: Amazing life already, isn't it?
SANDRA: That's right.
[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: The story starts in 1607 with the British colonization of the area that would become Jamestown, Virginia, where the early ill-prepared settlers suffered from famine and disease.
SANDRA: And that is where you get Captain John Smith.
He is out trying to find friendly Native Americans that he can trade with.
But after a skirmish, he is taken back to the village where power happened.
He's given food so Smith says.
And then they bring out two stones.
And they make as if to kill him.
And a child runs out from the crowd, protects him by laying her head on his.
JAMES: This is Pocahontas.
SANDRA: This is Pocahontas, fated daughter of Powhatan, the big chief.
NARRATOR: Although some historians doubt the veracity of Smith's account, what undoubtedly is true is that Pocahontas was kidnapped by the British a few years later at the age of about 17.
SANDRA: Another English sea captain takes it back to Jamestown.
And they hold her as a hostage, because they want to try and free English prisoners.
And it's there, while she's there in Jamestown, she's converted to Christianity and meets Ralph.
And she then takes the name Rebecca.
The governor promises to bring her back with him when he returns back to England, which is why she travels.
And also, some of the other Native Americans and they come over.
JAMES: She's a princess.
SANDRA: Yes.
JAMES: And this is acknowledged in London.
SANDRA: Yes, it is.
Lots of attention.
But sadly, some of the Native Americans are succumbing to our germs.
They were returning home.
And she was already unwell.
She boarded the vessel very unwell.
And sadly, she died.
JAMES: Pocahontas is so well-known throughout the world.
Why does it have such great resonance?
She was curious.
She was-- but she was also intelligent.
And she brought together the two people.
The Europeans and this new country.
Yes, the Native Americans.
She worked for peace between them.
Maybe it's the story of a young woman who is representing a people that have often been misrepresented.
NARRATOR: Pocahontas's funeral took place on March the 21st 1617.
Cause of death, unknown.
[MUSIC PLAYING] Now, with our Charlie behind the wheel of the alpha.
These windscreen wipers are spectacular.
I have never seen anything like it.
They move like a nonagenarian was on his last legs.
NARRATOR: Weather permitting, he's en route to Faversham.
And his second shop of the day.
[MUSIC PLAYING] My word, Peter is it?
PETER: Charlie.
Yes.
PETER: Long time.
Look at you.
What do you mean look at me?
Hey.
You recognize me?
Yeah, finchley auctions.
No.
Yeah, we're going back a little time now.
25 year.
2530, yes.
I haven't done finchley for 25.
You look really well.
How amazing.
Yeah.
And I come up here.
Yeah, you found us.
NARRATOR: Well, that was nice.
Charming shop two, seemingly full of stock from France, Spain, and Italy.
[MUSIC PLAYING] So you're going to find the unusual here.
Titian Vecelli.
That is Titian.
NARRATOR: The Venetian old master, don't you know?
I don't think this is 16th century.
But isn't it fun?
It's an embossed portrait on copper.
That is what you call a speculative lot in distressed condition, which I particularly like.
Auction estimate 10 to 200.
NARRATOR: Quite.
I don't know what Mr. James Braxton would think of that.
NARRATOR: A Titian that's not to be sneezed at perhaps.
Now does anything else make the cut?
CHARLIE: This is rather splendid.
A guillotine.
Peter?
May I borrow you?
What is it?
It's a baguette.
Oh, a baguette slicer.
Yeah, guillotine.
Yeah.
What a lovely idea.
It's got to make his name on it.
PETER: Yeah.
Oh, yes.
Mr. Georgeson fable.
But nice bit of kitchenaid.
It's beautiful, isn't it?
Yes.
And this is the number three, sir.
PETER: Yeah.
CHARLIE: Did you know this was the number three?
PETER: Yeah, behind that's number two.
- Did you?
- Yeah.
If you could get the matched set of course.
Oh, yeah.
This is someone that has got the set all looking for this one.
Yes.
I mean, if you had that in a modern big kitchen, people would ask about it, wouldn't they?
And presumably-- It's decorative.
Yeah, I love that.
NARRATOR: Their ticket price.
Anything else?
PETER: You fancy being adventurous?
CHARLIE: Yes, I'm happy fine.
I'll move a chair if you want.
Yeah?
Lovely.
NARRATOR: Looks like he's up to something on that wall.
Oh, Stan lively.
CHARLIE: Plaster, I take it.
PETER: Yeah.
A little bit ritual would have been marble-- CHARLIE: A little bit of a-- Yes, absolutely.
I think we've got pan with his pipes on the left here.
And there he is.
I'd like to think on the right there, we've got Mr. Backus, because he was the God of Wine.
He certainly delivering the grapes to these two who are treading the grapes and having rather a jolly time about it.
Relief molded plastic plaque, copy of something from Pompeii.
Yeah, from the 1920s.
Yeah, 1920s.
NARRATOR: Ticket price?
65 pounds.
CHARLIE: I like your Titian.
I like your baguette cutter.
I like your plaque.
I like those three things.
And I'd like to make an offer for those three things.
I want to pay 100 pounds for the three.
Oh, yeah.
NARRATOR: Crikey.
Really?
110.
- Are you sure?
- Yeah.
And we have-- - You're incredibly generous.
Yeah.
It gives you a bit of-- It give me a bit of a chance.
Yeah.
CHARLIE: Pleasure to do business with you.
PETER: Not again.
NARRATOR: A touching reunion plus three items bought, 30 pounds for the relief, 40 for the Titian and 40 for the baguette slicer.
But today really?
CHARLIE: This got a name this car.
It's called Nellie.
- Nellie.
Nellie.
Nellie the elephant.
Yeah.
Nellie the elephant packed her trunk and said goodbye to the circus.
[CAR HONK] Ooh.
NARRATOR: Night, night, Nellie.
[MUSIC PLAYING] Next day, Charlie is being a bit coy about one of his purchases.
CHARLIE: Something that is related to French food.
Oh.
Yeah, ha, ha, ha, ha.
I'm not going to tell you what it is, but it's a wonderful feat of engineering.
Is it for the snail?
No.
For the oyster?
No.
NARRATOR: You know, I can't see James ever guessing it's a baguette slices somehow.
And as for the portrait of Titian and the Italian relief, although he definitely had a clue with that purely hypothetical safe.
Red is thinking, which could make the biggest loss?
Yeah.
NARRATOR: Leaving Charlie with only 50 pounds in his wallet, whereas James acquired just the silver pencil holder.
The Braxton barometer of quality is always waste.
And that feels quite heavy.
NARRATOR: Which means he still has $150 to spend today.
Later, they'll be heading both South and West to an auction in Washington West Sussex.
But the first stop this morning is back in Faversham, that splendid old Kent market town.
CHARLIE: Thank you for a lovely ride.
JAMES: That's a pleasure.
CHARLIE: I'm going off to splash the cash.
NARRATOR: But not too much.
Just 50 pounds left, remember?
Wonderful old box playing, together with a lot of tools in a splendid box of.
What I like about this Intel who owned it.
Mr. AW Hildrew.
These were valuable things.
If you put your name on them, so you didn't lose them.
Together with a lot of other tools and the original box.
The whole lots priced up at 200 pounds.
I'm not 200 pounds.
But if I had 200 pounds, I would seriously think of making an offer certainly.
NARRATOR: Let's leave Charlie pondering and catch up with James, maneuvering the motor towards the Village of Chilham and Bagham Barn.
Hello.
Hello.
James.
- Morning.
Morning.
I'm Peggy.
Hello, Peggy.
PEGGY: Welcome.
Lovely to meet you.
PEGGY: Welcome.
JAMES: Was it agricultural spot?
Yes, yes.
The farmer Smith was here 40 years with his cows.
Yeah.
Oh, lovely.
Lovely.
NARRATOR: The aroma has changed a bit since the cows were around of course.
[MUSIC PLAYING] JAMES: Now this is something I really like.
We got some floor tiles here.
And the reassurance of turning them over and seeing a clear manufacturer, Minton.
Herbert Minton really sort of got going with this new technique for Victorian.
Victorians were building churches like Berlioz.
And most of these tiles which are known as in caustic tars ended up on the pavements of churches.
They were used in places that had heavy foot traffic.
So as they wore down, the pattern remained.
There was another very famous resident in Kent during the 19th century, Augustus Welby North Moor Putin, the great architect.
He and Sir Charles Barry did the palace of Westminster.
And who knows?
This might be a Putin design.
We've only got three floor tiles.
I didn't expect these tiles to be sort of maybe 10 or 20 pounds each.
Let's see.
I'll ask them what price they have on them.
Peggy?
Hello, Peggy.
Now I found these tiles here.
How much are they, Peggy?
45 pounds.
15 pounds each.
PEGGY: Each.
About what I thought.
Yeah.
Oh, did you?
Are you open for offers, Peggy, on this?
Not half price.
There is this little damage so.
What about 30, Peggy?
Can you do 30?
That's fair.
- Is it fair?
- That's fair.
I thought it was very unfair.
But I'll shake your hand on that.
No.
That was fair.
Anyway, that's the first one bought.
I've got to keep looking.
I'll see you later.
PEGGY: OK. NARRATOR: Now what about Charlie in Faversham?
Looks like the tools are on hold.
Hello, Madam.
How are you?
I'm fine.
You've made my day.
I've made your day?
Yeah.
- Well, you've made my day.
- Happy to meet you.
- Happy?
- Yeah.
You are saying happy?
You are not English.
I am French.
You're French?
Bonjour, Madame.
Bonjour, Monsieur.
I should hope not.
NARRATOR: Old tall cordiale aside, what's he going to buy here?
Chinese.
Bronze.
Not great quality.
Looks like it's had a few repairs.
But it's got rather a splendid bottom.
And that almost looks Japanese.
Have a look at the bottom.
NARRATOR: I think you might be right, Charlie.
And there's a signature.
If only I could read the signature.
NARRATOR: Unfortunately, the ticket price is only too legible.
Time to talk to the dealer.
CHARLIE: Are you the owner of this exceptional object, sir?
I am indeed.
I'm Charlie.
You are?
Nice to meet you, Charlie.
Mike.
Mike.
Marvelous.
Tell me about your pot.
I know it's Japanese and that's all I know about it.
It is Japanese.
I mean, that looks Japanese on the inside, doesn't it?
- It is.
- Yeah?
Yeah.
But the outside looks Chinese to me.
Not a clue.
I just took a punt on it because it looked intriguing.
Yeah.
And you put a punt on the price.
Optimistic, isn't it?
Yes.
Right answer.
But you have to start somewhere.
Well, absolutely.
NARRATOR: That all sounds encouraging, doesn't it?
I could do you really good deal.
I'd need to buy that ever so cheap.
I wonder what price?
Can I tell you?
Yeah.
20 quid.
What?
20 pounds.
Does 20 quid show you a profit?
No.
That's what I pay for it.
But I'm fed up washing it.
You're fed up looking it.
Well, thank you very much indeed.
You're welcome.
NARRATOR: Well, that really was quite a reduction.
Anything like that in the barn, I wonder.
JAMES: What sort of walnut German box continental box.
Got a nice bevel piece of glass here and a gilt metal frame.
We got a very interesting shape.
I wonder what ship it is.
Yeah?
What does it say?
Box with Titanic photo, eh?
35 pounds.
NARRATOR: That's perked him up a bit.
I does it probably came from the Titanic.
But I think it's a souvenir of history's most famous ship.
It went under April 1912.
It means I can write in the catalog description rather ordinary box with a picture of Titanic on the thing.
That'll be picked up by all these fans.
I think the box is slightly earlier.
I think that's been put on.
But sometimes, it's best not to dwell on these things.
NARRATOR: Well, said.
I like the sight of Peggy.
I have found another item.
PEGGY: Well.
- Have a look at it.
Have you seen it?
PEGGY: Titanic.
JAMES: Titanic.
A marriage.
A marriage, is it?
That's a very nice way of saying.
Yes.
Now how much could that be?
Do you think they might take 20?
- No.
- No.
What would they take?
25.
JAMES: 25.
25 it is.
So 30, 25.
That's 55.
NARRATOR: Business is certainly brisk today.
JAMES: Right.
Well done.
Tiles away.
Box away.
Don't scratch the box.
Thank you.
Bye.
NARRATOR: But while James makes for his last shop, Charlie is taking a bit of a break down by the river Medway at Chatham.
This is the historic royal dockyard, which, for hundreds of years, was where Britain's warships were built.
And Charlie's here to explore the HMS Ocelot and the company of a former submarine commander.
Aha.
It's Chris.
Hello, Charlie.
Welcome on board.
Chris Arnold's.
Very much indeed.
Well, I feel very privileged being on board your ship.
It's not a ship.
She's a submarine.
Oh, I see can I call her a boat?
You can call her a boat if you want.
And that's what many people do.
Yes?
Right.
Lesson number one.
NARRATOR: The first submarines built here had an important role to play in World War I.
And the vessels soon became vital both as weapons and deterrence.
HMS Ocelot was launched in 1962 at the very height of the Cold War.
And much of what it actually did remains classified to this day.
CHARLIE: Chris, my first reaction is this is incredibly complicated.
There's so much going on down here.
You're now in the four ends or the torpedo compartment of the submarine.
Yeah.
And I can see that because there's a torpedo there.
NARRATOR: One of the 24 the sub would have been armed with.
We're now going to go through into the junior rates mess.
Yes.
CHRIS: bE careful with your head as you go through it.
NARRATOR: Crikey.
That's a squeeze.
- Right.
OK, Charlie.
The best way to go through here is feet first.
So if you hold on to the handle at the top, feet through, swim through.
And there you are.
Piece of cake, frankly.
[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Not bad for a first effort, Charlie.
CHARLIE: Oh, this is where we sleep, was it?
CHRIS: Yep.
CHARLIE: Can I give one a try?
CHRIS: Please do.
Can you remember what it's like to sleep in one of these?
CHRIS: I said it kind of I'll show you my bunk a bit later on.
But this is the best we've got.
So feel free.
I Speak to you at a luxury model, didn't you?
Oh, no.
Everybody had the same.
Really?
CHRIS: Absolutely.
Well, even the commander?
CHRIS: You wait until you see the captain's cabin.
Oh, I can't wait.
Blimey.
But a lot of room, is there?
I mean, to be honest.
If you had an insomniac above you and below you, it would be a pretty miserable night.
But we have a grill here, Chris, to stop me rolling out of bed if it was rough.
Nope, just practice.
So at any one time, how many chaps on board?
Well, you'd have a complimented crew of 69 people.
Right.
Oh, well.
I've had enough of sleeping.
Now can you take me to the dining room?
CHRIS: You sat at it.
What?
This is where the junior rates would sit to bring their meals.
And they'd sit, eat, sleep in this compartment.
Marvelous.
Waitress service?
No.
NARRATOR: No one regardless of rank was likely to get much breathing space on the Ocelot.
This, for example, is the captain's quarters.
Note the all suite.
CHRIS: On the right hand side, you've got the toilets, or the heads as we would call them.
CHARLIE: Lovely.
Luxury accommodation.
CHRIS: Here is the galley.
They used to produce some fantastic food.
CHARLIE: Did they?
CHRIS: Yeah.
NARRATOR: It takes a certain sort of personality to be able to remain submerged under the most perilous of conditions.
And at the center of any trauma was usually the control room.
CHARLIE: This is a stroke.
This is the sort of thing I've seen in films.
This must be the periscope.
This is one of two periscopes we've got on board.
This is the attack periscope.
It's called the attack periscope.
Because if you look at it from that side, it's got a very thin neck to it.
So it's not so visible from anything.
I see.
That's amazing.
I can see the Bismarck.
NARRATOR: After almost 30 years and 90,000 miles of highly secret missions, the HMS Ocelot was decommissioned in 1991.
And it was disappointing that Newcrest.
Couldn't go a whole.
NARRATOR: The old boat soon became a terrible museum alongside this Victorian sloop and a World War II destroyer.
Chris, it's been absolutely fascinating.
Thank you so much.
A pleasure.
If I may, I just remain in the seat and dive.
Please do.
NARRATOR: Let's leave Charlie on maneuvers, [MUSIC PLAYING] and catch up with James's shopping mission in the Village of Teynham beside the Chatham mainline with 95 pounds in his pocket.
Hello.
James.
Hi.
Vicky.
JAMES: Hello, Vicky.
Nice for you.
Now Vicky, the many base to this?
Yeah.
We've got just over 20 dealers.
And some of them maybe antiques?
Definitely.
Well, I'll get my knees.
NARRATOR: So with Vicky's affirmative ringing in his ears, what can he come up with?
It's so commonly known as gypsy tables.
Rather than I see turn bass, three legs, and can you see this rather plain top?
Might just take these things off.
This is just beech.
I think it's even Pine.
But this top would have been covered in a rather nice Velvet cloth.
And on top of that, you would have had your witch's ball, your fortune telling ball.
And you can imagine the lady telling your fortune with that big crystal ball there.
I can see many profits.
I can see-- I can see abject misery from Mr. Ross.
NARRATOR: Lordy.
Let's have a look at the ticket first.
Says 85 quid.
I might be able to do a deal on this.
If I could get that for 40 or 50 quid, I might buy it.
NARRATOR: Mind you, I've always suspected James might possess special powers.
JAMES: So you've got a snake here.
They say possibly bald definitely.
The price and weight test, that is bronze.
It feels strong.
How unusual.
Now who would do an unusual thing that quite well to find here.
We got all the scales there.
This has the work of the Japanese about it, I think.
Maybe the tip has got a bit damaged.
But damage sometimes is a sign of age.
I must say I haven't seen many of these.
When buying antiques, always look for the unusual.
NARRATOR: The ticket price is 50 pounds.
Time for our Vicky to call the dealer.
Hi, Jeanette.
I've got your snake here.
He just wondered if he could have a quick talk to you about the price.
Is that OK?
NARRATOR: That's James, not snake.
JAMES: Who am I speaking to?
This is Jeanette.
Hello, Jeanette.
Now I've got your snake.
This is why we're not in paradise.
I found the culprit.
What could you do?
I was volunteering a cheeky 30.
39, you have a deal.
That's very kind, Jeanette.
NARRATOR: Now for the table.
The asking price is 85 pounds.
But James, now, has only 56 left.
Lovely legs.
Just like you, I can tell.
Wood 40-- wood 40 pounds.
Buy it, Jeanette.
I can't get 45.
NARRATOR: That was close.
JAMES: Thank you.
Some well that.
I did do well.
NARRATOR: So with 84 pounds paid.
God bless, Kent.
Thank you very much indeed, Vicky.
VICKY: Thank you.
NARRATOR: It's time to pocket the python and point the motor towards that South Coast sale room.
The auction we're going to is just North of Worthy.
And it's very much a family affair.
I think-- Hold online?
Online.
Undoubtedly online.
Yes.
Probably wears braces as well.
I don't know.
All good auctioneers there.
It's good auctioneers there.
NARRATOR: Don't forget a belt for good measure.
Time for some shut eye.
This is Washington.
No sign of a White House.
Still, a very big deal though.
This is our date with destiny, Charlie.
- I'm nervous.
- Why?
I'm very nervous.
- I'm very excited.
- Are you?
What?
Really?
Very excited.
Very excited.
Very excited.
NARRATOR: After starting their trip at Chart Sutton in Kent, Charlie and James have gone all the way to West Sussex to Toovey's auction house a family concern with internet bidding.
James partied with 189 pounds for his five auction lots.
Charlie spent a bit less, 170 pounds for his five lots.
Matron.
NARRATOR: So what do they make of each other's chances?
It's a lovely object, totally impractical.
Value?
I suppose 30 to 35 pounds.
Price paid?
50 pounds.
Well done, Braxton.
NARRATOR: Well, let's have the opinion of the man in charge, Gavel Wielder Rupert Toovey himself.
That oriental bronze vase is beautiful.
My specialist says that it's actually Chinese.
Though the vase has been repaired with the Japanese panel.
Most unusual.
The Titanic box.
Well, it is of the period.
But it's certainly not of the ship.
I love that 19th century classical frieze.
A grand hall piece.
It's such lovely taste.
The Japanese bronze snake is the star of the show.
If anything is going to fly, it'll be that.
NARRATOR: That is exciting.
Very excited.
I feel a swarm of profits coming on.
I do.
I do.
NARRATOR: First, Charlie's slicer baguettes.
It's had a few.
Typically French-- Indeed.
--to have a kitchen item after the guillotine.
Exactly.
Yes.
We're reckoning here 25 pounds.
25 pounds?
It's got a be.
And 28 now.
28 pounds.
Are we going to see a 30?
We need a little bit more.
28 pounds then?
Selling at 28 pounds.
Oh, dear.
28 pounds.
Why, it's nice to see you're on normal form.
NARRATOR: Don't get too excited just yet, James.
Unless, of course, with your table has just given you a glimpse of the future.
25 pounds?
25 pounds.
Yeah.
It's not bad.
- It's the starting.
25 pounds.
28 pounds.
28 in the front row.
28 pounds.
Do we see a 30?
28 and 30, there is now.
And 32.
32, 35, 48?
Is there any advance on 35 pounds?
Fairwarning.
35.
NARRATOR: Currently as bad as each other.
It's not all roses in the Braxton bed.
It isn't.
NARRATOR: How about Charlie's Renaissance maestro?
Have you seen Titian?
Yeah.
It's not something I put on my wall.
Is it not?
It's only because it needs a polish.
He's not going to polish.
Now, now.
We've got to open the slot at 30 pounds.
30 pounds.
There you are.
30 pounds?
Are there any more?
Can you see the 32?
32, 35, 38.
38 with the T. 38 pounds.
At 38 pounds in the room now.
against the commission bidder.
Fairwarning.
38 pounds.
Oh.
Nick of time online.
40 now.
42, Willy Ben.
No.
It's a steal.
Oh.
Oh.
Fine of 40 pounds.
And 40 pounds or any months?
We're selling 40 pounds.
NARRATOR: He doesn't look at all happy with that, does he?
Well done, Charlie.
So you know you're getting that.
Look.
I can do without this patronizing Braxton behavior.
You haven't reached him yet.
NARRATOR: Well, a profit would be a good start, his tiles.
They are very sober tiles.
I would drive is what I was doing.
Well, no sober.
Sober.
Opening the bidding here.
With conflicting bids to 30 pounds.
At 30 pounds now, 32 can see.
At 30 pounds now, at 30 pounds, is there any advance in two standing?
32 in the room at 32 pounds.
Not enough taste.
32 pounds in the room with you sir.
At 32 pounds.
Really washing their face.
36.
36, 38.
Internet coming alive.
Yeah.
38 and 40.
48 says, yes.
40 pounds in the room again.
All done, I think at 40.
It's 40 pounds and selling.
Thank you, sir.
40 pounds.
NARRATOR: At last, by the law of averages, I suppose.
I'd like to call myself my Das.
I'd like to call you something else.
But I went.
NARRATOR: Now, can Charlie's Bacchanalian Relief provide just that?
Have you ever trodden grapes?
I've never trodden squelching.
You can't-- What it's called?
You can't beat a bit of squelching.
The last bid start at 45 pounds.
45 pounds can we see a 50?
Profit.
Profit now.
And 60.
55 here.
60 years their online.
55 pounds, 65.
55 pounds on condition.
Steal at 55.
Lovely thing.
55.
NARRATOR: Things are definitely looking up.
Well done.
You're surprised by that, aren't you?
No, no.
I think it's a very nice out.
NARRATOR: As is your pencil holder.
I paid 50 .
Pounds It's costing me-- Too much money.
I've got to make 60 classes and it pull you away.
At 25 pounds, can we see a 28?
28, I have the lady now.
28 pounds.
And 28 pounds, can you see the 30 anywhere?
28 pounds and 39 a fresh place.
Daughter.
35, I have and 38.
Lovely thing.
38, I have a 40, is there?
No.
Look it in there.
I'll be.
Fairwarning, Madam, 38.
Thank you.
NARRATOR: Well, Charlie did predict as much.
Time for his oriental bronze bowl.
I have high hope of this.
Have you seen the auctioneers estimate?
How much did you pay for it?
20.
It's good.
What's the estimate?
80 to 120.
We're opening up 40 pounds.
It's twice what I paid.
40 pounds for it.
You can see.
It's 40.
Oh, 40 pounds then and to 45.
48, 50 and 55.
55, I have in the front row.
At 55 pounds, is there any advance?
That's 50.
Fairwarning.
55.
NARRATOR: It's a profit, but not what he'd hoped for.
I'm sorry about that.
You're not at all.
No, I know.
No.
NARRATOR: Now can snakes fly?
We're about to find out.
This is where Braxton's road trip explodes.
Do you think so?
Yeah.
Then the last that we can start on this is 80 pounds.
I'll take to see the 85.
At 80 pounds, 85 can see.
At 80 pounds, 85 and 90 and five.
On one.
And 100 here.
110.
110 now in line, at 100 pounds against the commission between 120, and rising.
130.
And 130 pounds, 140 now.
140 pounds.
140 pounds.
150 it is.
160 pounds.
169, 170 is there.
Slaying at 160 pounds.
And 180.
It's jumped to at 180 pounds.
Can you see the 190?
At 180 pounds.
Weight now, forever hold your peace.
180 pounds.
Sold.
James Braxton.
You are nothing short of a genius.
I salute you.
Thank you.
NARRATOR: We all salute you.
Charlie's last chance to impress.
That safe, no key.
It's very heavy.
Do you think it won't get a bit at all?
Because it's quite difficult to pick up.
I tried to put it in our car.
I beat up.
Did you?
Straight left.
They call it bulging, Braxton.
Oh.
We're opening the bidding here at 30 pounds.
30 pounds here in two.
And 35, 38.
Hang on.
35.
I have a 35.
And 35 pounds and 35 pounds all done.
35.
Oh.
Well, there we are.
NARRATOR: It's not been Charlie's day today, has it?
Do you know it?
Very nearly made a profit.
I know.
That was-- if it had just had that key.
NARRATOR: Next up, James's Titanic interest.
Opening at 25 pounds.
25 pounds exceed 28.
And 25 pounds, 28 I have in the room with 28 pounds.
Going to see a 30.
Somebody in the room bidding.
32.
It's jumped up to you here online at 34.
Will your bid?
No.
32 here.
At 32 pounds, and 34 in the room.
Hang on.
I know it's taking off.
38, I have him 40.
It's shooting.
40 I have him, too.
42, I have him 5.
Is that yes?
45, I had 48.
50, I have him five.
This is a whitewash.
I have a 55 pounds.
And 60, is there?
60 pounds.
At 60 pounds.
At 60 pounds, is there any advance?
Fairwarning, 60 pounds.
Just putting on a bit of flesh now, Charlie.
Been a flesh.
NARRATOR: I think romp might be one way of describing this.
Don't worry.
There's always another round.
This is only the first round.
Have I got to do a far more auctions with you?
I want to go and count the cash.
Come on.
Get on with it.
NARRATOR: Charlie started out with 200 pounds.
And after auction costs, he made a wee profit of 4 pounds and 66 pence.
Well, James who began with the same sum made up to costs a profit of 100 pounds and 46 p. So he already has quite a margin.
The Lord signs of winners and profit.
Yes.
I'm surprised it's not raining on me.
But little cloud offering-- NARRATOR: Blue skies might be just around the corner.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Support for PBS provided by:















