VOICEOVER (VO): It's the nation's favorite antiques experts!

Yes, a good weight.

(SNIFFS) And it smells.

- (HORN HONKS) - VO: Oop, steady!

Behind the wheel of a classic car.

Good morning, my lady.

Good morning, Parker.

And a goal to scour Britain for antiques.

- Whoopsie!

- Come on!

The aim, to make the biggest profit at auction.

- (GASPS) - But it's no mean feat.

- (LAUGHS) - There'll be worthy winners... - (CHEERS) - ..and valiant losers.

(SOBS) Will it be the high road to glory...

It's about winning.

- ..or the low road to disaster?

- Whoa!

Pothole!

This is the Antiques Road Trip!

Nice!

MUSIC: 'Every 1's A Winner' by Hot Chocolate It sounds like the '70s.

It's a sports car of the '70s.

It's an old bloke who was young in the '70s!

It must be another Antiques Road Trip!

But that's a fresh face in the passenger seat.

Hello, new expert Izzie Balmer!

# Everyone's a winner, baby # That's the truth... # JAMES: Auctioneer?

Dealer?

Izzie?

IZZIE: Auctioneer.

Auctioneer.

I work in an auction house in Wiltshire.

Oh, lovely.

Well, welcome to the Antiques Road Trip.

Thank you.

VO: And don't let her youth fool you.

What she lacks in experience, she'll more than make up for in enthusiasm.

She specializes in jewelry and watch out - she is a woman of many talents!

Something like that.

Ta-da!

I've got somersaults going on in my stomach.

When I first told everyone that I was coming on Road Trip... - Yeah... - ..everyone was really excited for me and really pleased.

And then they said "Oh, who are you with?"

And I said "Oh, I'm with James Braxton".

And then they dampened.

- Well, no, no.

- Their enthusiasm... - They started chuckling.

- Chuckling?

Just chuckling, laughing.

And then they said "Oh, good luck".

- Good luck.

- Good luck!

(THEY CHUCKLE) James Braxton is a veteran Road Tripper and former owner of two auction houses.

How he had time for all that with all those long lunches - ha!

- is a mystery!

Is the champagne on ice?

Yes, and the foie gras is in the fridge.

This isn't like any other show.

You've got to spend.

Go large.

- Yeah?

- Go large.

James, is this an actual genuine tip, or are you telling me to go large cos you're hoping I'll do so and then I'm gonna absolutely bomb?

No, this is...

This is...

This is no bum steer.

(LAUGHS) VO: Talking of bums and steers, how are Izzie and James finding their fabulous 1978 MGB?

(HORN HONKS) - Good horn.

- Good horn.

Izzie, I think you're gonna enjoy this car.

My only concern is it's a red car and I have red hair.

That's alright - I don't think you'll clash.

- Doesn't clash?

OK. - No, no.

Little touch of orangutan.

(LAUGHS) James, what are you saying?!

VO: Lordy!

Time to send him back to charm school for a refresher.

Izzie and James each have £200 in their piggy banks, and will be traveling the byways of England's eastern counties.

They'll wend west and then north, before a final auction showdown in Lincoln.

Have you thought about your approach to the Road Trip?

- No.

- Do you have a plan?

Should I have done?

No.

I'm just hoping that I walk into a shop and the items just speak to me.

- That they call me to them.

- Really?

JAMES: The link with the past.

VO: Well, here in the present they'll be competing at auction in Tring, Hertfordshire, after they've scoured the antiques emporia of the counties of Suffolk and Essex.

And the first port of call today is the town of Woodbridge, eight miles from the sea with its lovely harbor on the River Deben... ..home to one of the last working tidal mills in the land.

Time and tide wait for no man, though, and James is being dropped off.

And our new girl is getting behind the wheel.

Watch out.

Izzie, it's all over to you.

Remember, buckle up, spend your money, and don't crunch the gears, OK?

(LAUGHS) See you later.

Take it away.

Oh, irritatingly smooth.

Whoo!

(LAUGHS) VO: Time for our suave antiques expert to wend his way to the first shop of the trip, Woodbridge Antiques Centre, which has a fine array of shiny things.

Come on, James, show us your mettle!

In a sea of white silver, here we are, we've got something of gold.

And that sort of glitters, doesn't it?

It's unusual, but who uses a toast rack?

VO: People with class.

Like me.

Anyway, I'd better get Natalie over.

Natalie?

Yes?

I see you've got a rather optimistic price tag here.

Would you like to have a closer look?

- (THEY CHUCKLE) - Can I have a closer look?

Now first of all, we want to test its weight.

It's light as a feather, this one... - Right.

- ..isn't it?

Silver gilt, so it's not gold.

£65.

I don't know - why do I like it?

Haven't a clue.

Anyway, that is food for thought.

What price could that be, Natalie?

I'll have to go and, erm, speak to the dealer and find out what we can do on that one for you... - Yeah, if you do that... - ..if that's alright.

While you're doing that, I'm gonna continue.

VO: You do that.

And meanwhile, we'll catch up with Izzie, who's made her way west to Needham Market, a town which flourished in the heyday of the medieval wool trade.

The wooly ones may have gone, but the former gravel pit, which was flooded to create Needham Lake, is home to many feathered friends.

Our new bird, though, is on her way to Times Past Antiques, which looks very promising indeed.

I wonder what will catch her beady eye.

I'm in my first ever Road Trip shop.

Erm, and so far, good.

I'm really impressed with how much variety there is.

But I'm also really indecisive as a person, so this could be interesting.

VO: Oh dear.

But yeah, it'll be fine, it'll be fine.

VO: Course it will!

The world's your oyster.

Aha!

I like this and I don't like it at the same time.

It says "a hound".

I mean, it looks a little bit more...

I'm really not an expert on dogs but to me, it's maybe a bit more Labradory or something like that.

Anyway, we'll go with hound for now.

What I don't like about this is that it's silver plated, and it's not in the best of condition, so you can see the brass coming through, particularly on the back here.

It's a vesta case, which - while smoking's really out of fashion - vesta cases, when they're novelty vesta cases, can still do really well.

What I would really like this to be would be in silver.

It's only silver plated.

Um... Ooh...

The hinge is a little bit wobbly and feels a little bit stiff.

It's definitely far too expensive for me at £38.50.

I'm going to think about it.

Maybe if I can... ..do some really serious haggling on this one.

It's a possibility.

VO: Think on it while we see how things are progressing in Braxtonland.

I like these, these puzzles.

I know.

They're really fun, aren't they?

Lots of bright colors.

So this is a wooden fellow here.

Mm-hm.

And sort of ply, so laminated wood there.

And then you've got these rather nice sort of fonts, numbers here.

And what is it?

"Commencing top-left-hand corner, "arrange numbers one to 15 across the board.

"Do not lift the numbers out of the box."

- No.

You have to slide.

- Slide them.

- Yeah.

- So you slide them like this.

- Yeah.

- This is a sort of...

This is a one-dimensional Rubik's cube, isn't it?

I think that's quite fun.

It's £8.

I'm very happy to pay £8.

- Yeah.

- But... did you get a... Did you get a price on the toast rack?

Yeah.

Yep, we can do that one at 40.

- Sold.

- Lovely.

- Thank you very much indeed.

- Thank you.

VO: Eight for the puzzle and 40 for the toast rack is £48.

JAMES: There you are, £50.

VO: Good start for James, but how's our indecisive damsel doing in Needham Market?

She's called in owner Pauline.

I have just spotted this really rather lovely Iona silver brooch.

Um, it's in a style that we'd call a target, a target brooch.

Yes, target brooch.

Erm, I love the Celtic decoration going on.

I probably shouldn't be telling you how good this is, cos then you're not gonna give me any money off it.

- It is a nice piece.

- But I'm going to anyway.

So, Iona silver is really popular.

It's very collectable... - It is.

- ..in today's market.

What I don't like is that we've got a little bit of damage.

So we've got a bent pin here.

I really need to buy something.

So with that in mind... - ..can you do...?

- Can we do a deal?

- Can we?

Please.

- Can we do a deal?

We have 28 on that.

I think we could do a deal at £20.

- Perfect!

- 20?

- That was easy.

20.

- Do we have a deal?

- We have a deal!

VO: Excellent!

And what about that vesta case with the fine hound?

Not as fine as Bobby.

Stay!

Don't bite.

It's ticketed at £38.50.

I've got my fingers crossed.

25.

- OK. - £25.

I've fallen in love with it, I keep thinking about it.

(EXHALES DEEPLY) Do you know what?

I don't think I'm a gambling person, but I'm gonna gamble.

- Let's go for it.

- Jolly good.

- Thank you very much.

- Thank you.

VO: Hurrah!

Duly divested of a total of £45 - 20 for the brooch and 25 for the vesta case - everyone jump for joy!

Thank you.

Meanwhile, James has made his way to one of England's most ancient towns, Ipswich.

And surely it's time for a brew?

James is with Colleen Seymour, headed for her pub and brewery to hear about the centuries-old tradition of women brewsters, or alewives.

So, lady brewers, new to me, but historically not new?

They're not new at all, no.

They started way back in the fifth century.

That's the first documentation of them.

Wow!

That's early, isn't it?

It's very early.

Why so much ale when we're told today it's bad for you?

Oh, it's got its nutritional value.

- Yeah.

- Um, but the main reason was for the fact the water was dirty.

And so if you just boiled out all the impurities and disease, then there was obviously more to drink and less people died.

- So beer is good for you?

- Very good for you.

VO: All things in moderation.

On to Colleen's microbrewery for more of the story of how brewing, once part of women's domestic chores, developed into a means of economic independence as the alewives produced ale for sale.

Let's go back.

So you are a lady brewer, Norman times.

You've been conquered.

Presumably, they brewed in something larger than this?

It would have been much larger than this.

It probably would have taken up most of their kitchen... - Really?

- ..for the high production - that was needed.

- Yeah.

It was a very simple process.

That's why alewives were great at it, because they used to use their kitchen skills.

Basically, you would boil it up to get rid of the impurities, - and get rid of the diseases.

- Yeah.

And then you would start to put in ingredients, such as your malts.

Then you would put in some hops.

They would ferment for about a week.

Occasionally in the summer, where there's no control, you would get a bad batch.

JAMES: When was the heyday of alewives?

Around the 15th century, and as brewing became popular, to signify who was actually doing well, they used to wear... a hat at market.

Goodness, yeah.

The taller the hat, the richer the alewife.

It was a very profitable business, so obviously everybody wanted to compete with each other.

Yeah.

Like the hat, but I see you've got another associated accessory there.

What's that?

It's a broom.

Not just any broom.

This is called a besom broom.

This, basically, signifies when there's a new brew available, and the brewhouses used to put this outside, so people knew to come and buy their ale.

VO: And together the cat, the hat, the broom and the cauldron are the archetypal symbols of witches as depicted in Western fairytales of the last few centuries.

And they are always wicked.

- It's all adding up now.

- It is.

We've painted a picture.

We have the besom broom, we have the pointy hat, we have the cat.

And you also had another thing, the wort.

The wort.

Yes.

I'm actually thinking maybe that the wort that we actually use in brewing is what people now think the witches have warts.

So folklore put two and two together and made... - 186!

- Yeah.

VO: Ha-ha!

From the late Middle Ages, a dangerous climate of superstition and misogyny doomed many women to accusations of witchcraft, often for little more than being odd or opinionated, administering herbal remedies or having offended the wrong person.

In 1641, Suffolk born, self-appointed witch-finder general Matthew Hopkins began a murderous purge, denouncing women brewsters as witches and subjecting them to persecution and torture.

- Witches went to trial... - Yeah.

..or so-called witches went to trial.

It was a no-win situation.

They tie you to a chair, throw you in the river.

If you sank, you were innocent.

If you floated, you were guilty.

JAMES: Oh, poor them.

So in this climate of fear, presumably other lady brewers took off their hats.

They did, yes.

And so, what happened to brewing?

It went underground, basically.

Or it just became more dominated by men.

- Yeah.

- They took over.

Is... Is there hope for the lady brewer now?

You are... You are spearheading a revival?

I hope so.

There are quite a few lady brewsters in Suffolk, and all over the country, and we run our microbreweries quite efficiently.

And do you all get together?

No, actually.

(LAUGHS) You need to get together over a cauldron!

That would be fun, wouldn't it?

It would be.

Who'd like to try my brew?

All hail to the lady brewer!

VO: Either Colleen's cast a spell on him or he's had one witch's brew too many!

(GIGGLES) Probably the latter!

Hubble, bubble, toil and trouble.

Ha!

It's time to catch up with Izzie now.

How's she feeling about her first day's toil?

Is she in trouble?

James has been doing this for so long, he's so experienced.

But who's to say that the new young woman on Antiques Road Trip can't take James Braxton on?

VO: Attagirl!

Fighting talk!

She's off to her last antiques emporium of the day in the village of Copdock, where she has her sights set on Suffolk Heritage Antiques and Reclaim Centre.

Oodles to see here.

(HORN HONKS) I should put that on the car and hoot it.

VO: So you should.

Another item that's really popular at auction at the moment is mourning jewelry.

This one has this really lovely engraving around the edge.

And this is reminding the wearer of the death of two people in their family.

I like the darkness about it.

I like the sadness about it.

I like thinking of the people that would have worn this.

About their loss, about what they were feeling.

About their life, who they were.

It's just...

It's something quite personal, and I like the stories that items tell.

And mourning jewelry tells a story.

You just have to look at it.

VO: Oh, she's a sensitive soul, this one.

But the damage is... just a little bit off-putting.

VO: Time marches on.

What's she going to buy, then?

I quite like this chair.

It's a beautiful bit of ash.

Georgian.

I'm probably pushing my luck a bit here, but slightly arts and crafty with that back there.

There's just something honest and rustic about it that I love.

The ticket says it's late Victorian, priced at £59.

I said I wanted to buy something big, and this is big, and it's a lot of money.

I might not make a huge profit on it, but it's... Do you know what?

I just love it!

I can see wear there.

It's got a stain here, which isn't actually a good thing, but it's got a story, it's got a history.

Think who sat on that.

Think how many bottoms have sat on this chair, and what they were thinking, and who they were, and what they did with their lives.

This is over 100 years old, and it must have seen so many different things.

I just don't know what's not to love about it.

I really, really love it.

I think I've got to have it.

- Well, that sounds decisive!

- Yeah.

Try your luck with the shop owner, Richard.

Hello, Izzie.

I've spotted something.

This lovely, absolutely very horrible, not very nice chair.

No, I'm joking.

This lovely chair.

It has got a ticket price... ..of £59.

- 59.

- Mm.

I can get you to... 54.

54...

If I go any more, I'd have to speak to the dealer.

- Would you mind?

- No, I can do that.

Could you be an angel and speak with the dealer?

- OK. - Thank you very much.

Ah, Miss Determined, as well!

OK, Izzie.

I've spoken to Helen, and she said the best she can do is 50.

£50.

(SUCKS LIPS) - I'm gonna do it.

Yes please.

- OK. Lovely.

- Thank you very much.

- Thank you.

VO: So, £50 spent to finish a first day of fine purchases.

IZZIE: I'd better get you some cash.

VO: Let's call it a day and pick up James.

- How's the horn go?

- (HORN HONKS) - Ooh!

Like that.

- Just like that.

Yeah, I can rock up... HORN HONKS - Toot the horn!

- It's a lovely, lovely horn, isn't it?

At one with your motor.

(LAUGHS) That was good fun.

I... Yeah, I reckon a good long stretch and we can just zoom.

VO: Zoom on.

First star on the right and straight on until morning.

(CHUCKLES) Nighty-night.

Day two, and our lovely couple are braving the elements this morning in Essex, where they're hoping to add to yesterday's treasures.

I must confess I'm yet to find the bargain.

The leg winner.

The leg winner.

Do you know what?

I think I might be in exactly the same position.

I followed your advice, I bought big.

Bought big, well done.

Yep, bought big.

So I've spent half my money.

Well done.

That's very good.

Half your money on three items.

That's good.

One of... One of my items is £8.

OK.

So I've got to spend up, because otherwise I'll look rather embarrassed, won't I?

Well, you haven't really followed the advice you gave to me.

VO: Never trust the competition, Izzie!

Yesterday she couldn't resist a lovely ash chair.

I'm going to do it.

Yes please.

- Thank you very much!

- Lovely.

Thank you.

And she also fancied an Iona silver brooch, and a vesta case.

So she hits the road today with £105 left.

James was dazzled by a silver-gilt toast rack.

It's unusual, but who uses a toast rack?

VO: Apart from me.

And he also toyed with that cheap vintage puzzle.

So he's still flush today, with £152 left to spend.

Izzie, what are you hoping to find today?

Um... (LAUGHS) - A diamond... - Diamond.

- ..that is... - Paste.

..paste.

That the owner thinks is paste.

And I know is a diamond.

That is what I'm hoping to find today.

VO: Well that's easy - it'll be right next to the Faberge egg!

Ha!

First stop this morning for Izzie and James is Halstead in the Colne Valley.

And this lovely wooden clapboard building is Townsford Mill, dating from 1788.

Originally used for corn, then later for silk production, today it houses Halstead Antiques Centre.

Look at that.

Some stock here, isn't there?

There is.

I can't even see the end.

Well, you're spoiled for choice here, the pair of you.

This looks like James!

(LAUGHS) VO: Cheeky monkey!

Or do I mean orangutan?

Right, be serious!

I've spotted a Victorian brooch.

It's kind of carnelian, and it's kind of agate.

And I know that sounds really confusing, but they're one and the same stone.

They're all varieties of quartz.

It's priced at... £28.

And it... And it's not hallmarked.

So that is... That is...

It's pricey for me.

I want everything cheap, don't I?

I'm having an internal dilemma in my mind.

Because, in the same box, we have got another agate brooch.

And this is a bar brooch, because it's sat along the bar.

This one is also in white metal.

It's probably silver.

Again it's of a similar age - sort of late Victorian, early 20th century.

And women would often wear these as... as lace pins.

So they had those very high, frilly lacy collars on their blouses, and this would sit here at the top.

I mean this one's priced at £18.

So again, expensive for me.

I'm wondering if it's worth trying to do a deal and get the two.

Or I'm not sure if...

If that's a good idea.

And then thirdly, third internal dilemma going on in my mind...

Here we have another Victorian brooch.

Well, it isn't hallmarked as silver.

It looks silver, we do have some maker's initials.

But we also have a little bit of damage - my favorite!

Again, it is a really typical Victorian design.

So this isn't uncommon, it's not rare, but it appeals to me.

I think perhaps I just like Victorian jewelry.

VO: Not kidding.

If I was to get all three, what do I want to buy them for?

I want to buy them for £30.

VO: That's less than half the £60 ticket price, but I salute your ambition!

Over to dealer James.

Can you give me a couple of minutes?

- I'll talk to the dealer.

- Of course.

That would be super.

If you could pull on his heartstrings.

It's my first Road Trip.

I'm against James Braxton.

He's an antiques dealer - he doesn't have heartstrings!

(THEY CHUCKLE) They've got to be in there somewhere!

VO: Go and amuse yourself while the man does his job.

Classy top hat.

You have to hold it at the front, the way you want to wear the hat.

And then...

I have terrible hand-eye coordination, by the way.

You then have to roll it along your arm, and onto your head.

So... wish me luck.

(LAUGHS) Something like that.

Ta-da!

VO: Ta-da, indeed.

How's James's quest for that leg-winning item?

Nice bit of olive wood.

VO: Very Mediterranean.

Carry on sir.

What news on the brooches?

DEALER: Can I squeeze you any more on that?

Okey-doke.

OK, cheers.

That didn't sound promising.

No.

The best we can do is 50.

- £50.

- Mm.

VO: £16 off.

That's not too bad.

I have a horrible feeling they're going to make me no money whatsoever.

But I love them.

I think...

I think I've got to have them really, haven't I?

You do, don't you?

Thank you very much.

£50.

VO: She's fairly dispensing with those notes today.

Good work!

Now, how's Mr Braxton faring?

Oo-ar.

These are always fun, Victorian sampler.

And they were worked by generally ladies at home.

And then we've got the verse, and the verse is called The Maiden's Choice.

"Be this my fate if ever I'm made a wife, "Or keep me happy in a single life."

Oh, that...!

There's a slight touch of doom about that, isn't there?

At £90, I'm just going to look for an alternative.

(SHE PLAYS: 'Auld Lang Syne') VO: Is it that time of year already?

Bravo!

Maestro!

What do you say, lovely bowing?

What is it...?

How do you refer to a violinist?

That sounds good to me - I'll take that.

- You'll take that.

- Yup!

How are you doing?

Are you buying it?

No.

No.

I just saw it, and thought I'd have a little... - A little fiddle!

- A little fiddle.

- Yeah.

- Well done, well done.

VO: Music masterclass over - those antiques won't buy themselves.

This is a really lovely Victorian woodworking plane.

And it's got some really good age and patina to it.

It's got these lovely brass fittings, and it's by a maker known as John Moseley.

And he was prolific during the Victorian period - he made loads of different types of planes and woodworking tools.

It's ticketed at £68, so I'm going to see if the lovely James can do me a lovely deal on it.

James, we meet again.

I've discovered this Victorian plane.

Hmm.

I have a slight problem.

I only have £45 left.

And it's ticketed at £68.

Do you think that's going to be possible?

VO: I'd do it!

I think that'll be alright.

Thank you.

That's fabulous.

Thank you very much.

VO: I like her style.

She's almost spent the lot!

And off she goes with the spoils.

Come on James, keep up!

One-two, one-two.

Now, this image has real presence.

Look at it.

And I can see, we've got highlights in this, which is tin oxide.

The white is the tin oxide.

It's very, very well painted.

And if we were looking for something value for money, with real presence, it's signed by the artist here.

£35.

That seems quite good value to me.

More attractive than the sampler at £90?

James.

Now, can you help me?

- I have a quandary.

- I hope so.

I really love this bird of prey.

- Aha.

- And I think it's well priced.

Er, what price could be done on that?

I can do it for 31.50.

31.50.

Finely priced.

31.50.

You can't do it for 30, then?

Round numbers.

(LAUGHS) Mm, depends, depends.

I'll do them both for 100.

Do them both for 100.

That's tempting.

So rather than helping me with making up my decision, you're now throwing me into confusion, because you've tempted me further with the joint deal, haven't you?

Very cunning, James, very cunning.

DEALER: Deliberately so, wasn't it?

Well, I'm a gambling man.

I'm gonna take you up on that.

VO: That means 75 for the sampler and 25 for the watercolor.

Thank you very much indeed.

Thank you.

VO: Yeah, they're spending big today!

Time to take off.

Izzie's off east to Colchester now, an ancient center of Roman power with a long and colorful past.

But it's the story of tattooing which is drawing her in today to The Flaming Gun, where art historian Dr Matt Lodder is waiting to flesh out the origins of the West's interest in this body art.

I mean, tattoos are basically as old as people are, right?

As old as humanity itself.

There's pretty decent circumstantial evidence of tattooing right back into the Neolithic.

So we find things like figurines which have marks on them... - Aha.

- ..which could be tattooed.

There are mummies of a similar age from Chile.

So we've got this kind of global practice.

It can be religious, it can be kind of marking coming of age, it can mark status.

It seems to be this kind of fundamental human instinct.

Like, one thing that unites everyone on Earth is that, you know, all culture on Earth, they have some kind of skin-decoration cultural instinct somewhere.

In Britain, the Dark Age Picts of the east and north of Scotland were tattooed.

Their name is understood to mean "painted people".

But at Colchester's St James's Church, Matt has an example for Izzie of how the modern Western tradition of tattooing emerged with the rise of Christianity.

When, in the centuries following the Crusades, tattoos were a mark of holy pilgrimage.

How interesting!

MATT: Tattooing has a long history in the West.

And if we want to go right back to the birth of a Western tattoo tradition, or the presence of tattooing on the bodies of Western people, the best place to start is in the early modern period, in the early 17th century, with pilgrims.

This looks like a contemporary footballer's tattoos, right?

It looks like it could be David Beckham.

But this is more than 300 years old, and it looks like it could be on a Premiership footballer today.

This is a nice rare example, in the holy lands, in the middle of the 17th century.

There's the date of the pilgrimage, 1669 - very important for memorial purposes.

And then on this arm we have this narrative scene of the, erm, crucifixion, resurrection, and assumption of Christ.

VO: King Edward VII followed in the footsteps of these earlier pilgrims by visiting the holy land in 1862, and returned with a cross of Jerusalem tattooed on his arm.

Never knew that!

Just like kids today, who go on holiday to Magaluf, pilgrims who were going to Jerusalem and Bethlehem would come home with a tattoo.

Partly to show off, and partly as a mark of devotion.

VO: In the 19th century, interest in body art from the Far East grew, as westerners flocked to Japan in the 1860s, after it emerged from a period of political isolation.

The Japanese tradition of tattooing was turned into the height of Western fashion.

In fact, the last tsar of Russia, Nicholas II, spent seven hours being tattooed with this dragon in Nagasaki in 1891.

Never knew that!

In the 19th century, everything Japanese is fashionable.

Silverware, cloisonne, lacquerware.

You know, textiles - everything Japanese was cool.

And tattoos are part of that.

George V, who was a future king of England - he got tattooed in Japan in 1881.

And he was part of this broader trend, and everyone thought, "Right, that's the cool thing to do.

"I want a cool Japanese tattoo."

Some very daring women got in on the act, displaying their tattooed bodies in circuses.

And to meet demand, the ancient method of puncturing holes with needles by hand was replaced by new technology, operated like this Victorian doorbell.

And it's one of the first electronic devices, electric devices, that was converted by tattooists to be used as a tattoo machine.

And this is a modern tattoo machine here, right.

You can see basically it's exactly the same mechanism as this Victorian doorbell.

An electromagnet with an alternating current, that makes an armature bar go up and down, to move a needle.

And it's the same as this Victorian doorbell, right?

It's exactly the same.

And this basically meant the tattooist could produce many more tattoos in a day.

It'd be quicker, probably far less painful for the clients, actually.

And that really drives the popularization of the industry.

So as lower-class people got more interested in tattooing, those kind of very refined high-end members of the aristocracy, and captains in the army, they got less interested as technology made it more accessible.

I can't help but notice, you have got a tattoo especially for our visit.

Yeah, I'm a huge fan of the show, I have to say.

You know Antiques Road Trip is right there on my fingers.

Maybe that should be my first one.

Do it!

Do it.

VO: I'm not telling you if I've got any!

He-he-he!

Let's catch up with James now, ambling along the Essex B roads.

JAMES: What I've bought so far would decorate a small room, really.

All I need is a chair and a table, and who knows?

I've got one more shop.

VO: And the last pit stop today is 20 miles south-west in the village of Terling, at the charming Old Dairy Antiques.

Hello.

James.

Patrick.

Nice to meet you.

Good to meet you, Patrick.

What might he unearth in this rustic emporium?

Ah, look at that!

A lovely potter's wheel.

I remember these from school.

They're great.

And you see, electricity and modern convenience makes everybody lazy.

But you used to get that spinning there, and you get a foot on the treadle.

So you can feel the pot growing.

It's growing!

It's growing!

And then you're bringing it down, and you're making the hollow.

You know, who needs to go to the gym?

Make a pot!

VO: Look at him, feeling the burn!

Look, here...

Here am I, sort of...

I'm moving hands, I feel like a one-man band.

And everything's going.

But lovely.

I think a lot of people have converted these to electricity.

But this has got a fabulous flywheel.

I don't know what the potter's stance is, but look, you're just... just working it very gently.

VO: Not exactly Patrick Swayze, is he?

If I could buy this, I would definitely buy it.

But I haven't got a lot of money.

And I'd imagine... Patrick wants a little more than I have to give him.

But it would be such fun to take to auction.

It'd be such fun to own.

I really like this.

But it'll depend on the price.

Patrick, I think I'm becoming in total unison with this item here.

I can't seem to get my leg off.

What is your price, Patrick?

Er, it's 125... - 125.

- ..that's up for, yes.

Yeah.

Well normally, if I'd had 125, I would have given it to you.

But I think we're... We're too far away.

See the potter... You know, what we sacrifice for our art.

Clean pair of shoes.

Spoiled trousers.

VO: Lovely.

Carry on pottering inside.

Here's a branded box.

"Here, there and everywhere, Player's please."

So this is of a bygone age.

This is cigarettes, this is a box that would have contained lots of packets of cigarettes.

It's got a sort of naval hero here.

It probably tells you all about it here - we've got a consignment label.

And it says, "From John Player's & Sons."

And it's rather helpful - the invoice is dated.

1956.

"Examine with care.

"If this package is damaged or short in weight, "write to the delivery agent and manufacturers immediately."

There's no telephoning here.

There's no emailing here.

There's no texting.

It is writing.

VO: No ticket price either.

Over to Patrick.

That is £35.

£35.

Is there any movement on that?

There is, yeah, we could do that for 20, for you, best price.

- 20?

- 20, yes.

I'm not going to be in an unseemly rush, but at £20 I'm going to take the Player's box.

- Thank you very much indeed.

- No problem.

Perfect.

VO: James, your work here is done.

Time to collect your companion and carry on getting acquainted.

I have particular weaknesses.

VO: I can only imagine...

I like things with three legs or... Or octagonal sides.

I'm wondering what this tells me about you.

VO: I have nothing further to add.

See you tomorrow, guys, after some shuteye.

Tring-tring!

Tring-tring!

Hello.

Is that the Hertfordshire town?

Just to warn you that there's an Antiques Road Trip on its way to Tring Auction Market and James and Izzie will be vying to get ahead!

So, first auction.

- Yes!

- Excited?

Yes!

But a little bit apprehensive, if I'm honest.

Oh, rubbish.

You bought some nice items.

You'll be alright.

VO: Maybe she'll thrash you.

Izzie embarked on her maiden voyage determined to spend the lion's share of her £200 on five lots, and she did!

I rather like Izzie's purchase here.

And at £20, I think this is definitely a profit.

James, meanwhile, parted with £168 on his five lots.

Do you know what?

I don't know if he's gonna make money on this.

I mean, it'd be absolutely great if he made a loss.

That would be brilliant.

VO: Hmm.

Ha-ha!

You can but hope!

And what does our auctioneer today, Stephen Hearn, think?

The toast rack, when I first saw it, gold, at a distance, I thought, "Good."

Then discovered it was silver gilt.

But still, it's a very nice example, and that will sell quite well.

The favorite item is the ash and the oak chair.

That I feel is my favorite today, and hopefully it will sell well.

VO: While Stephen gets his gavel and the bidders muster, time for our experts to take a seat.

Have you seen as well what the chairs say?

I know.

"Domesday".

The clue's in the name, doom.

- Fingers crossed.

- (LAUGHS) First, will James's cigarette chest light up?

When did you last see one of those?

£20 for it.

Tenner?

Yes.

12.

15.

He's started.

It's a start.

18.

£20 now.

You won't find another one.

22 in front, 25 at the back.

25.

28 now.

I've got butterflies for you in my stomach.

I'm selling it, then, for £25.

697.

(GAVEL) - £25.

- It's profit.

VO: A teeny one, it's true.

This competition is not about washing faces - it's about winning.

Well, maybe Izzie will be on a winner next with her doggy vesta case.

£30 for it.

£20 for it.

15 for it.

Yes, 18 I've got.

20 for the vesta, 22, 25.

Are you eight?

Yes.

- 30, no.

- Oh.

At £28 then, yes, sir.

- 28.

- A late investor at £28.

- Thank you very much.

- (GAVEL) Yeah, well done.

You made a small profit.

Made a small profit, that's true.

- A small profit.

- Small profits are good.

- You're doing well.

- Inch my way up.

Creep up.

VO: The only way is up.

Good start.

What an initiation!

(THEY CHUCKLE) VO: Next under the hammer is James's sampler.

Will it be a maiden's choice?

Anyone got 50 for it?

40 for it?

Yes.

- Oh.

- Yes or no, sir?

40 bid.

60, I am bid.

One more?

No.

OK then.

It's worth another bid, surely?

- Thank you.

- (GAVEL) Oh, I'm so sorry, James.

What a shame.

No gloating, Miss Sincerity.

It's just a shame.

- I've got to... - Oh well, doesn't matter.

I feel like I need to be supportive now, cos otherwise karma's gonna come back and bite me when it comes up to my lots.

VO: Well, we'll see what the hand of fate deals you next.

It's the turn of your woodworking plane.

What about £40 for it?

£30, £20.

Got to be 20 to kick it off.

It's going the wrong way.

What's happening?

VO: Oh dear.

- 30, are you five for me?

- Have you got a bid?

- Here you are.

- Surely one more.

40, I have.

- More!

More, more!

- 40.

He has 40.

- 45.

50, is it?

- More, more!

At £45.

- Away it goes at 45, then.

- More!

- Somebody, more!

Anyone!

- I shall sell it away, then.

You've got it, sir, for £45, thank you.

- (GAVEL) - Oh!

That's alright, isn't it?

That's profit.

It's what I paid for it.

What... Did you pay 45?

- Mm.

- OK.

I mean, it's not as bad as I thought it might be.

Sadly, it will be a loss after auction costs.

So you're pleased?

Well... relieved.

- Relieved.

- I'm relieved.

I'd have been pleased with a profit.

VO: Ha!

Let's see if James's wooden puzzle can square the numbers now.

Who's got £30 for it?

£20, 20 bid, two bid.

Five bid, eight bid.

28 in the middle.

This is baffling to me.

28 then, it's going down for £28.

143.

(GAVEL) £28, that's alright.

20 quid in... in the old poche.

In the pocket.

I can't believe it!

That's like a crisp £20 note just being popped in.

VO: More than doubled his money - well played.

I am shocked, James Braxton.

VO: I'm not.

He's a sly old fox.

Time now for Izzie's trio of brooches.

£20 bid, at 25.

Two of you, 30 bid.

Five, 40 bid.

At 40 bid, I'm bid... Oh, that's so cheap.

- Five, 45.

£50 now.

- More!

Keep going!

- You're getting there.

- Creeping up.

- Ah, I need more.

- If there's no further bids... - No, another one!

Anyone!

More!

- £45.

- Thank you very much... - (GAVEL) - Izzie's getting desperate now.

- Oh!

- I've made a loss!

- Wh-Wh-What was that?

45.

VO: No magpies in Tring, it seems.

Somebody's got to be a winner, somebody's got to be a loser.

I can see where this is going.

It is inevitable.

Popping up now is James's silver-gilt toast rack.

There you are, not ancient but a very nice quality... - Oh, look at it sparkling!

- Sparkling.

There we are, £60 for it, £30 for it.

35 for it, 40 I am bid.

Five, 50 bid.

Five bid, 60 bid.

Five now.

Look at this!

At 65.

Madam has it at £65, then.

- 65.

- 65.

I'm gonna sell it for £65... - (GAVEL) - That's fantastic!

- That's really fantastic.

- Well done, well done.

65.

That's brilliant.

- Oh, I bought it for 40!

- Yes!

I thought I'd bought it for 60.

No!

VO: He must be having a senior moment, but he has enough wits to make £25.

That's great!

That is good.

I'm really pleased for you!

VO: Well, maybe she'll catch up with her Iona silver brooch.

15 bid, 18, 20 bid.

Two bid.

One more, five bid.

Eight bid.

30 now.

At 28, £30 now.

- There we are, 28.

- £28 then... - (GAVEL) - Yay!

Another small profit, but I'll take that.

Steady work, steady work.

Yeah, steady work.

VO: Indeed.

A sterling effort.

I'm the tortoise, you're the hare.

- I've done an early sprint.

- Yes.

And now I'll...

I'll have to stop for lunch somewhere.

(LAUGHS) And then I'll just creep along.

That sounds so like you.

Treacle along.

VO: Yes, our James is quite the gourmand!

Let's see if his watercolor of a bird takes off now.

Quack!

- Very lovely bird.

- The auctioneer likes it.

20 for it.

Five, 30.

Five, 40.

Five, 50.

Five, 60.

Five, 70 now.

Madam?

No?

You take away with one hand and give with the other.

It's going at £65.

(GAVEL) That's more than double your money!

That's alright.

Braxton's back!

Braxton's back!

He was never really away!

Ha-ha.

And that was one high-flying bird.

Well done.

You're like a falcon yourself.

You're rising and then swooping down.

Swooping down, to kill.

To kill.

That sounds like it's me that's the prey here!

(THEY CHUCKLE) VO: Your last chance now to make a killing yourself with the oak-and-ash chair.

Ought to be £80 for it.

£80, £50, £30, five, 40.

Five, 50 bid.

Five, 60 bid.

Five, 70 bid.

One more for you, sir.

I feel like a child.

£70, then, it's going.

I shall sell it.

Yes, you have it.

Well done, well done.

It's going, then, for £70.

(GAVEL) That's very good, Izzie.

- I made a profit!

- Well done.

VO: Not her first today but her biggest.

Good work!

- Shall we go and do the maths?

- Do the maths.

Well, I might take that puzzle, and we can do it on that.

VO: I'll do the maths, James!

Starting with £200 in her piggy, Izzie made profits on most of her purchases.

But after auction costs, her porker was slightly leaner with, nevertheless, a very respectable £187.12... ..while the seasoned James fattened up his piggy and, after saleroom charges, weighs in with £231.26, taking the rosette this time.

Well, I'm gonna savor that moment.

(LAUGHS) Well done.

Well, it'll be short-lived.

Don't worry, Izzie.

Put it here, James.

Inevitably, I will lose.

So it's just a matter of how I lose.

Well, you need to do a better job of losing, then.

Onward home, next leg!

VO: I'm in!

On the next Antiques Road Trip, James is eating out of Izzie's hands... - I have baked a cake.

- You little miracle.

..Izzie goes overboard... Why do I have such expensive tastes?!

Get in gear!

Ha-ha!

Game, set and match.

Oh, my God!

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