[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: It's the nation's favorite antiques experts, with 200 pounds each.

I want something shiny.

NARRATOR: A classic car.

[HONKS] And a goal to scour Britain for antiques.

I like a rummage.

I can't resist.

NARRATOR: The aim, to make the biggest profit at auction.

[DING] But it's no mean feat.

Sorry.

Why do I wait doing this to myself?

NARRATOR: They'll be worthy winners-- I can't.

NARRATOR: And valiant losers.

Come on.

Stick 'em up.

NARRATOR: So, will it be the high road to glory-- Onwards and upwards.

NARRATOR: Or the slow road to disaster?

Take me home.

NARRATOR: This is "Antiques Road Trip."

[THEME MUSIC] Yeah.

NARRATOR: On this final leg of the trip, we're in the lovely northwest of England with two [FRENCH] of antiques trading, Raj Bisram and James Braxton.

We're in this lovely county of Cheshire.

Cheshire cheese.

Cheshire cheese.

[INAUDIBLE].

[MUSIC - MOTORHEAD, "ACE OF SPADES"] NARRATOR: So far, the trip has been a titanic battle for the upper hand.

(SINGING) If you like to gamble, I tell you, I'm your man.

You win some, lose some, it's all the same to me.

James won the second and third legs.

20 pounds.

Oh, god, what-- [INAUDIBLE].

NARRATOR: But Raj played an ace at their last auction to emerge just a hair in front.

(SINGING) The ace of spades.

Wiped your smile off your face.

It's a bit like a relay, isn't it?

You know, you always keep your best man for the end.

The final leg.

The final leg.

NARRATOR: We're now nearing the finish line, but right back at the start of this relay race, our experts began with 200 pounds.

James has now increased his cash pot to hold 442 pounds and 40p, while Raj has 450 pounds and 26 pence.

So there's less than 8 pounds in it as they face this final tussle.

It's fantastic.

It is.

It's great that it's that close.

NARRATOR: This neck and neck battle has really covered some territory.

Behind the wheel of a 1968 Renault Caravelle, this pair started off in Bath.

They've since roved widely around the pastoral English countryside on an epic traverse of several hundred miles.

Today, they'll begin in the Cheshire villages of Sandiway and fight their very last auction in Binegar, Somerset.

Don't forget, spend, spend, spend.

NARRATOR: Sandiway is a pretty little place for Raj to start his buying.

He's striding with confidence into his first shop.

Gosh.

Hello there.

Oh.

I'm Raj.

Welcome to Peggotty's Attic.

NARRATOR: Duly welcomed, Raj is on the hunt.

This is an antique center with multiple dealers trading.

And in this particular corner-- Hi, Raj.

I'm David.

Hi, David.

Hi.

This is your stand?

It is indeed.

Yeah.

RAJ: You've got some really nice things, I have to say.

DAVID: Thank you very much.

RAJ: I quite like these.

I think these are quite nice, you know.

They're a little bit unusual.

NARRATOR: It's a pair of cast iron posts, originally used for tethering horses, and probably dating from the mid-19th century.

DAVID: The provenance on them is that-- I live in [INAUDIBLE] North Wales.

OK. And I bought them from some Irish travelers who do the fairs.

NARRATOR: They're certainly unusual.

But David's price tag is 495 pounds.

That's, er, more money than Raj has in his pocket.

RAJ: Is there any way that we might be able to start negotiating?

There is.

RAJ: I do like them.

They are a bit different.

But again, I've only got an X amount of budget.

What about 150 pounds?

I couldn't do them for 150.

RAJ: 160?

175, you got a deal.

175.

How about we shake hands on 170?

- OK. - You sure?

Yeah.

We have a deal.

NARRATOR: Crikey Moses, that's a very generous deal from David, and a bold first buy from Raj.

He's certainly off on the gallop.

RAJ: I want to shake your hand again.

DAVID: OK. RAJ: Thank you.

And good luck.

NARRATOR: But he's not finished yet.

Fantastic, aren't they?

Fantastic old crutches.

I love them.

And they're free.

There's no price on them.

NARRATOR: I doubt they're free, Raj.

But they're probably late Victorian or Edwardian.

Dealer Mike might be able to help.

RAJ: Mike, I know these aren't the normal thing I would buy, but they are very, very different.

Well, this means that we'll have to contact the dealer.

We'll have to ring him up, see what the best price is.

OK. NARRATOR: Mike will make inquiries while Raj browses on.

Meanwhile, James has traveled to the town of Northwich, and he's strolling into Northwich Auction Antiques and Collectibles.

RAJ: Hello.

James.

Morning, I'm Lynn.

Hello, Lynn.

Good to see you.

Lots of antique dealers here?

LYNN: Lots of dealers.

JAMES: Yeah.

LYNN: Lots of cabinets.

NARRATOR: He'll need a map to get around this maze of a place.

Right.

Upstairs, I think my-- my future.

[INAUDIBLE] NARRATOR: Whatever he says, James does seem to be a little discombobulated this morning.

JAMES: Ah, blessed is the copper.

And of course, I can kiss it.

You can almost lick it, really, because, of course, copper is antibacterial.

NARRATOR: There's no need to lick the stock, thanks.

Teddy, but elevate him onto a box.

And look, you've got quite a-- you've elevated him.

Not only physically, but also commercially.

NARRATOR: Yes.

He is preoccupied with higher thoughts today, I think.

You know, what is art?

NARRATOR: Perhaps while you ponder that, you might find something to buy.

Naughty.

But while James is all of a dither, back in Sandiway, Raj is still on a buying streak.

I've seen something that every antique dealer, every home should have one.

It's a little magnifying glass.

But it looks like it's got a silver handle.

I'm just going to get it out of the cabinet.

NARRATOR: You do that.

RAJ: It's Sheffield.

It's dated 1912, so it's got a bit of age to it.

It's over 100 years old.

And it's not in bad condition at all.

But to be honest, I'm going to make a one time offer on this.

There's 22 pounds on the ticket.

I'm going to be a bit cheeky.

I'm going to offer a fiver for it.

NARRATOR: That would be cheeky, but it's worth a punt.

Mike will go and ask the vendor who owns it.

I'll see whether they'll accept a fiver, OK?

NARRATOR: Fingers crossed, eh, Raj?

Oh, stand lively.

Well, Raj, I've got some good news for you.

Good.

Fiver.

Fantastic.

I'll shake your hand.

Thank the dealer very much indeed.

I will.

Yeah.

NARRATOR: Another buy under his belt.

And now Mike also has the vendor of the crutches on the blower.

Can the bold bartering Bisram repeat the trick?

We'll see what happens.

Watch and learn, as they say.

NARRATOR: You're confident.

Hello, Andy.

Yeah.

I'm good, thank you.

I know this is going to be a bit cheeky, but you know, these crutches.

How about if I said to you, would you take 20 pounds in cash?

You sure?

OK.

Fantastic.

We have a deal then, at 20 pounds.

OK.

Your a nice man.

I'm going to hand you back to Mike.

Thanks again.

NARRATOR: Success yet again, eh?

MIKE: OK, Andy.

NARRATOR: Lucky Raj is three lots to the good already, thanks to his optimistic offers.

Well, you don't ask, you don't get.

It's always worth trying.

You know, they can only say no.

NARRATOR: s seems to be a winning philosophy.

RAJ: Thank you very much indeed, Mike.

MIKE: All the best.

RAJ: All the best.

Thank you.

MIKE: Cheerio.

NARRATOR: Back in Northwich, James is still in his first shop, and he has some catching up to do.

Huh.

What's this?

No, this is a-- this is a book I always, always wanted.

A lady who who brought color into pottery.

Clarice Cliff, a very famous name in the antiques world, in the pottery world.

NARRATOR: Cliff's ceramics really shook up design of the interwar period, and this book details them all.

And look at these jugs.

Look at the color.

You know, up until then, everything was a bit beigy.

And then this great sort of jazz age.

NARRATOR: James is quite a fan, you know.

It's got 6 pounds on it.

But this is worth so much to an auctioneer or anybody interested in ceramics.

I'm going to buy this, but I've only got-- want-- It's all about price.

The cheaper I can get it, the better.

NARRATOR: Then it's time for a word with the lovely Lynn.

JAMES: Lynn, I have found something.

LYNN: What have you found?

JAMES: A book.

A book.

Not my normal purchase.

Clarice.

Clarice.

[MUSIC - SHIRLEY BASSEY, "BIG SPENDER"] NARRATOR: But with 6 pounds on the ticket, what sort of a deal will Lynn strike?

(SINGING) So let me get right to the point.

JAMES: And if I said to you, 2 pounds 50, what would you say?

I'd say 3 pounds.

You'd say 3 pounds.

OK.

I will buy it at 3 pounds, Lynn.

Fine.

Very kind.

Thank you much indeed.

3 pounds.

LYNN: 3 pounds.

I never thought-- LYNN: Absolute bargain.

--it would be a sort of coin [INAUDIBLE]..

I've only got two.

Come on.

Don't worry, Lynn.

I will rustle up another pound for you.

(SINGING) Hey, big spender.

Hey, big spender.

NARRATOR: That last of the big spenders James has his book on a jazz-age marvel, and he's trotting off.

Thank you.

Goodbye.

LYNN: Bye.

NARRATOR: Now, Raj has traveled on to the Cheshire town of Crewe.

He's taking a break from shopping to pay a quick look at the local Bentley Motors factory, where he's going to learn about some pioneering petrol heads of the 1920s.

He's meeting Bentley's Nigel Loken.

NIGEL: Hello, Raj.

- Hello.

Nigel, is it?

- Yes, it is.

Welcome to Bentley.

Thank you.

What a pleasure it is to be here.

NARRATOR: Founded in 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley, the company reigned supreme in the new and exciting motorsports of the jazz age.

NIGEL: This photograph here, this is very significant.

Taken on the 15th of May 1921.

Why it's significant is because it's the first Bentley to win a race.

The first Bentley to win a race.

Yeah.

The Brooklands Racetrack in Weybridge in Surrey.

The man behind the wheel is Frank Clement, one of the famous Bentley Boys.

NARRATOR: The Boys were a glamorous motor racing team largely composed of wealthy thrill seekers.

They raced cars made by the fledgling motor company and brought Bentley worldwide fame.

Their stunning race victories and rakish playboy antics were widely covered in the press and enjoyed by a British public happy for distraction after the hard years of the First World War.

Yes.

They were a select group of individuals, and they were the playboys of the day.

NARRATOR: It was in 1923 at the very first Le Mans 24 hour endurance race in France that the boys came into their own, led by racers Frank Clement and John Duff.

NIGEL: Frank Clement and John Duffy went to Le Mans in a [INAUDIBLE] Bentley.

And through a rutted course and hailstorm and breakdowns, they finished fourth.

On the 11th, they finished fourth.

In 1924, the Bentley Boys returned and won.

RAJ: Wow.

NARRATOR: This historic victory began a winning streak for the team with their iconic cars.

Wow, look at this lot.

Yeah.

Fantastic, ey?

We have some of the most famous Bentleys in the world in this room here today.

And here you have the oldest surviving Bentley, experimental number two.

RAJ: Fantastic.

Wow.

NIGEL: Very famous motor car.

Priceless.

NARRATOR: A very precious vehicle, indeed.

But driving conditions in the early days of motorsport were tough.

And I guess it's an open top.

Open top.

That's right.

So if it was raining?

Yes, you got wet.

You got wet.

Had your leather helmet and your goggles on.

Yeah.

That's what you did.

- Look at the windscreens.

- Yes.

Little windscreens on there.

Yes.

NARRATOR: Such is the importance of the Bentley Boys to the story of British Motorsport, the company maintains a room decorated in glittering '20s style that's stuffed full of keepsakes that celebrate their achievements.

NIGEL: We call this room the living room.

So it's full of all memorabilia about the famous glory days of the Bentley Boys.

NARRATOR: And much of it pertains to perhaps the most famous Bentley Boy, Woolf Barnato, the fabulously wealthy heir to a diamond fortune and the quintessential 1920s Playboy.

He was the most successful Bentley Le Mans driver.

So his first attempt was 1927, and after his victory, he drove the winning car into the Savoy Hotel.

And the car was the guest of honor.

It was Old Number Seven.

They dined around the car.

RAJ: That's an amazing thing, to take a Bentley into the Savoy.

NIGEL: Yeah.

RAJ: Well, these guys obviously were wealthy, had influence, and they could almost do anything they wanted.

They could.

And they did.

NARRATOR: But Barnato was more than just a party animal.

NIGEL: He was a cricketer.

He was a footballer.

He was a boxer.

He was an all around sportsman.

So [INAUDIBLE] a man of many talents.

NARRATOR: It was again at Le Mans that Barnato made his mark.

NIGEL: He won in '27, '28, and '29.

That three year consecutive run has never, ever been broken.

RAJ: Never been broken?

Never been broken.

NARRATOR: An incredible achievement.

Nigel's got one more treat for Raj.

Why shouldn't it?

Wow.

Wow.

Hi, I'm Raj.

[INAUDIBLE].

Lovely to meet you, [INAUDIBLE].. NARRATOR: This is the original 1929 Bentley Blower tin car.

What a privilege to be taken for a ride in this truly priceless machine.

RAJ: Wow, this is something else.

This really is exhilarating.

What a lovely experience.

Oh, boy.

Would I love to use this for a road trip!

NARRATOR: I doubt they'd let you borrow it, Raj, but you can always ask.

James, meanwhile, has traveled on to the town of Middlewich, where his next shop beckons.

JAMES: Oh, my goodness.

You know, how many shopping days until Christmas?

NARRATOR: Always too few, James.

Always too few.

Let's hope you have a very merry time, though, in here.

Hello.

James, - Hi.

Richard.

Richard.

Very good to see you.

NARRATOR: Hello, Richard.

But with pleasantries barely concluded-- JAMES: That's interesting.

What's that?

RICHARD: That's a travel chess set.

JAMES: Travel chess set.

And what are the chess pieces?

What are they made of?

They're die cast.

JAMES: Are they die cast?

Like, say, dinky toys.

NARRATOR: The little metal chess pieces lend this vintage set a touch of quality.

JAMES: Isn't that fun?

Oh, I bet that's traveled around a bit.

It's showing the rigors of use, isn't it?

RICHARD: Oh, it's had some use.

Yes.

That could be a possibility.

I rather like that.

Yeah.

NARRATOR: He'll set that aside and search on.

Oh, you've got a bit of Chinese-- Chinese-- what's happening here?

Oh, dear.

That's suffered the-- that's suffered more than the rigors of use, that one, hasn't it?

RICHARD: Been in the wars.

JAMES: That has been in the wars.

NARRATOR: This Cantonese punch bowl was broken long ago, but repaired in the Victorian period.

JAMES: They just drilled little holes, and then they put these sort of lead-- lead or brass-- studs, and just staple-- were staples, really.

They just stapled it together.

That is really-- NARRATOR: Despite the damage, James is keen.

JAMES: What have you got on there?

RICHARD: 30 pounds.

30 pounds.

30 pounds.

Any leverage on that?

RICHARD: We'll always listen to an offer.

JAMES: You'll always listen to an offer, will you?

Well, I don't want to be mean.

What about 20?

Yeah.

That's fine.

Yeah.

Put it there, Richard.

Let's buy that.

NARRATOR: After a slow start this morning, James is really upping his game with a foray into Chinese ceramics.

JAMES: I'm betting that somebody might buy that, repatriate it to China, and get it restored properly.

I'll tell you what.

If Raj is keen to win, I am keener to beat him, OK?

As I walked in, I noticed this.

This watering can.

And what I loved about it is that is an elephant's trunk spout, isn't it?

Isn't that fun?

What on earth is that?

What is it?

RICHARD: It's what we used to fill the baths with back in the Georgian times.

JAMES: Really?

So why is it that early, do you think?

It's marked underneath.

It's marked underneath.

So it's got GR on it.

NARRATOR: The GR mark shows that this is made during the reign of one of our six kings named George and might even date back to the early 19th century regency period.

That is a beautiful object, isn't it?

It's rather fun.

NARRATOR: But James still has his sights on that little chess set, too, which Richard has ticketed at 5 pounds.

I'm very happy to pay a fiver for that.

What could this be?

I'd call it for 40 for the both of them.

[INAUDIBLE].

Put your hand there, Richard.

Very kind.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: Check mate.

With a spirited rally to end the day, James has the chess set for 5 pounds, the bath can for 35, as well as the Chinese bowl for 20 pounds.

JAMES: Thank you.

Thank you.

Thanks a lot, Richard.

RICHARD: Bye now.

NARRATOR: And so the curtain falls on our first day.

Nighty night.

But the morning sun finds them back on the road and heading to Birmingham, that storied center of trade and industry.

This was the workshop of the empire, you know.

They said even a fool could be a rich man when he left Birmingham.

Really?

We should have moved here ages ago, James.

NARRATOR: Perhaps you should.

So far, Raj has three lots.

The cast iron horse posts, the pair of crutches, and the magnifying glass.

He still has 255 pounds and 26 pence in his pocket, while James has amassed four lots.

The book on Clarice Cliff, the little travel chess set, the repaired Chinese bowl, and the regency bath can.

He still has 379 pounds and 40p left to play with.

Four items.

Bought four cracking items.

63 pounds.

That's all you spent, James?

That's all I spent.

James, that's terrible.

Why is it terrible?

With all that money to spend, four items, 63 pounds?

How can canniness and self-restraint be regarded as-- That's playing it safe, I'd call it.

I would.

I'd call it playing safe.

NARRATOR: Raj has thrown down the gauntlet for some serious spending on their last day of shopping.

This morning, they're aiming for the Birmingham suburb of Moseley, where Raj's first shop awaits.

Now, don't forget what I said, James.

Spend your money.

JAMES: Good luck.

NARRATOR: He's striding into Moseley Emporium and meeting dealer Maurice.

Hello there.

Oh.

Hello, how are you?

I'm good.

NARRATOR: With his slim lead over James ever in mind, Raj will scout for a real bargain.

I've spotted a chair over here.

Now this is a really early chair.

NARRATOR: The oak side chair might date from as far back as the late 17th century.

But it's had lots of replacements.

If we turn it upside down, you can see that some of the stretchers have been replaced.

But it's a very, very attractive chair.

NARRATOR: Careful.

Oh, lord.

It'll need even more repairs.

Let's call Maurice.

Maurice!

What we after?

Well, I'd like to ask you about this chair, first of all.

- OK. - OK. OK.

I mean, it's had lots-- Yeah.

It's been messed with over the years.

NARRATOR: Ticket price is 85 pounds, but what's the best, Maurice?

MAURICE: Tell you the lowest I'll go on that would be 35.

That's what-- you know, I-- I know, I'll be truthful with you.

It has been here a while.

35's not [INAUDIBLE] 30 quid.

RAJ: I'll tell you what.

How about split the difference, then.

You said 30.

What about 25?

It's got to be 30.

RAJ: Every penny counts.

I'll tell you what then.

Let's split it again.

27 pounds 50.

We're going to shake hands on that?

Yes, we are.

You're a good man.

You're a good-- he's a better barter than me.

NARRATOR: He is good, isn't he?

A great deal from Maurice gives Raj another chance to unseat his opponent.

Lovely.

NARRATOR: Speaking of whom, James has traveled on to central Birmingham's jewelry quarter, where he's keen to visit the spiritual home of many of his favorite antiques, the Assay Office Birmingham.

He's meeting archivist Craig O'Donnell.

JAMES: Hello, Craig.

CRAIG: Hello, James.

JAMES: Hello.

CRAIG: Good to meet you.

JAMES: Good to meet you.

NARRATOR: An assay office is responsible for assessing and hallmarking objects made of precious metal, like gold and silver.

James is here to learn the fascinating story of how this office contributed to a metalworking boom that made Birmingham the workshop of the world.

JAMES: Craig, what is this little sample here?

This is a sample of Birmingham-made, what we call toys.

JAMES: Toys.

CRAIG: Not-- not playthings, but small metal objects for personal use.

Originally, the Birmingham manufacturers were making their toys in base metal.

And in the mid-18th century, it was a massive industry, to the point in just in terms of exports, it was worth over a half a million pounds to the exchequer.

NARRATOR: Which is more than 42 million pounds in today's money.

CRAIG: It's an interesting point with the base metal toy manufacturers, that that's where we actually get the term Brummie from, because the all-encompassing terms for base metal toys at the time was called Brummagem-ware.

Brummagem-ware.

And it was a bit of a disparaging term, and it meant sort of shoddily made.

Like bodgie.

- Metal items.

- Yeah.

Yeah.

And Brummagem was then sort of shortened to Brummies.

NARRATOR: And one Brummie in particular was responsible for giving Birmingham its own assay office.

CRAIG: Largely it was due to Matthew Boulton.

He was a massive industrialist at the time.

NARRATOR: A giant figure in the Industrial Revolution, Boulton owned a factory near Birmingham which produced metal toys.

CRAIG: At its height, it employed 220 people.

And so at that time, that was huge.

He was making silver and had to send it up to Chester to be hallmarked.

Now, that's 80 miles, with the road conditions of the time, things like that.

In winter, impassable.

Yeah.

Also, it was just a case of he was worried that his designs were going to be stolen, due to the fact that the main thing that you could sell your silver on back then were the actual quality of the design.

I see.

NARRATOR: As well as industrial espionage, Boulton also faced the risk that his shipments of silver would be stolen en route by highwaymen.

Naturally, he was keen to have an assay service closer to home.

How do you go about setting up an assay office?

What, did he go down to London?

He had to petition parliament.

At the same time as Birmingham wanted an assay office, Sheffield also wanted an assay office.

So representatives of both Sheffield and Birmingham met in the Crown and Anchor Pub in The Strand in London.

NARRATOR: Every assay office has a unique symbol, which is stamped onto every item it authenticates.

This historic meeting in the Crown and Anchor Pub gave Sheffield and Birmingham theirs.

And so we ended up with the anchor, and they ended up with the crown.

JAMES: How interesting.

All down to the pub.

NARRATOR: The anchor is still the assay symbol for Birmingham today.

But back in the 1700s, the new office was a boon to local businesses.

JAMES: What did it do for all the manufacturers then?

Did it change their fortunes in Birmingham?

CRAIG: A lot of them went from making Brummagem suddenly, because of the convenience, they can move over to making things in precious metals.

At that time, silver.

NARRATOR: Birmingham soon became a world leader in producing jewelry and metalwork.

And today, the office is still serving the city's busy precious metals trade.

One of the assay office's head honchos, Marion, can bring James bang up to date with a tour.

Nowadays, sophisticated tools are used to test items, but some objects are still hallmarked by hand, as here, by specialist Faye.

I've got a silver ashtray in here.

OK. And now I'm going to put the [INAUDIBLE] sponsors mark on.

[INAUDIBLE] And then I'm going to put the 9-2-5, which is the sterling silver, and then the anchor for Birmingham.

[INAUDIBLE] OK. Are you going to let me have a go?

Not on here.

Not on the face of customers' product.

Sorry.

NARRATOR: I should think not.

You can practice on a piece of spare aluminum, James.

Oh, dear.

Oh, dear.

Failed.

Couldn't get it square.

[INAUDIBLE] No.

- Not bad.

No.

No.

Not bad?

Really fascinating.

Really interesting.

And I can see, you know, hallmarking is probably not the avenue for me.

I'll leave it to you, Faye.

NARRATOR: Probably wise, James.

And time to hit the road.

In the meanwhile, Raj has scooted on to the town of Warwick, where this sunny afternoon finds him strolling off into Warwick Antique Center.

- Hello, there.

- Oh.

Hello.

- Hi.

I'm Raj.

- Oh.

I'm Colin White.

Nice to meet you.

NARRATOR: Raj is running out of chances to bag a killer item, so he'll need to look sharp.

I think this shop is fantastic.

I mean, there's some really, really great things in here.

I think I've got to be a little bit careful, because I know what James is up to.

I know what he's up to.

NARRATOR: Pish posh.

James is a Teddy bear.

But he'll certainly be trying to out buy you, too.

But what's this?

Chinese, as we know, is very, very in at the moment.

On the bottom shelf there, it says it's an 18th to 19th century incense burner.

NARRATOR: Let's take a closer look, shall we?

RAJ: Well, what's drawn me to it is the price.

I mean, there's only 10 pounds on the ticket.

The thing is that they reproduce these things all the time at the moment, and I have seen these reproduction ones.

I mean, I actually-- to be honest, I think this is an old one.

I think this is a 19th century.

I don't think it's 18th.

I think it's a 19th century one.

But the problem is, will other people stay away from it because they think it's a 20th century one, or won't they?

It's a risky one, but it's a risk I'm prepared to take.

NARRATOR: Well, with that spirit in mind, it's time to call the vendor who owns it for a little chat.

Thank you.

Hello, Don.

You've got some lovely things in your cabinet, first of all, Don, I have to say.

But I've noticed the incense burner.

NARRATOR: With only 10 pounds on the ticket, what deal can they strike?

I'll give you 7 for it.

I think it's a risk.

Because it may not be an old one.

7 pounds?

Fantastic.

OK. We have a deal, then.

NARRATOR: Another great deal.

Raj just needs his change, and he'll be trotting off.

But just as he's leaving the shop, look who's here?

Jack Nicholson's lookalike.

James!

James, what are you doing here?

Now, what have you got there?

Now, I wasn't expecting you so soon.

I'm not going to-- you're going to have to wait and see.

You're going to have to wait and see.

It looked blue and white.

It looked Oriental.

You're not allowed to look at it, really.

But I tell you what?

Some great things in here.

You'll do really well.

But you need to spend some money.

- OK. - OK?

I'm going to see you.

- I've got a tenner on me.

Cheers.

Bye.

Bye.

NARRATOR: You've got around 380 pounds, actually, James.

As soon as he's through the door, he's straight to dealer Maggie's cabinet of trinkets.

Hello, James.

How do you do, James?

Maggie.

JAMES: This is all your stock, Maggie?

MAGGIE: It is.

Yes.

JAMES: This is your stock.

I'm interested in your cuff links there.

MAGGIE: Oh.

JAMES: Can I have a look?

MAGGIE: Certainly, you can.

JAMES: Very good.

Thank you.

Lovely.

Nice little case pair of cufflinks here.

MAGGIE: Yes.

Original case.

JAMES: Original case.

I'm fresh from Birmingham, from the assay office.

NARRATOR: They probably are silver, but they don't have a hallmark, which could make them a risky purchase.

JAMES: They're quite nice with the case, and they're always popular, aren't they?

MAGGIE: Absolutely.

Good presents, cufflinks.

NARRATOR: Ticket price is 39 pounds.

And so, the eternal question.

What could they be, to a poor-- to a poor chap taking them to auction?

MAGGIE: Oh.

I know.

Woe is me.

MAGGIE: I think-- Woe is me, in the linen suit.

Manage to go down to 30 for those for you.

Thank you, Maggie.

That would be very kind.

30 pounds, Maggie.

- Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much.

Yes.

Thank you.

Absolutely.

NARRATOR: Very agreeably done.

JAMES: Fifth and final item bought.

I've spent under 100 pounds.

Raj will be absolutely furious, but the golden rule is never do what your opposition wants you to do.

NARRATOR: And with that fighting talk, both boys are all bought up.

Bye.

NARRATOR: So as well as the cufflinks, James has the book on Clarice Cliff, the travel chess set, the repaired Chinese bowl, and the bath can.

He spent a thrifty 93 pounds, while Raj has a pair of cast iron horse posts, the magnifying glass, the pair of crutches, the 17th century chair, and the Chinese incense burner.

He spent a more generous 229 pounds and 50p.

But what do they make of each other's haul?

Once again, James has done it.

He's definitely got me worried.

A 19th century Chinese Famille Rose bowl.

I mean, it's a lovely bowl, this, but it's very, very damaged.

But it's got the old staples in it.

And it can be restored.

20 pounds?

What a price.

I'm going to say I wouldn't swap my items.

I'm going to say my items will win.

But as we all know from the last auction, who knows?

NARRATOR: On this final trip, they began their buying in Sandiway, Cheshire, and are now aiming for auction in Binegar, Somerset.

They're almost at today's battleground, Mendip Auction Rooms.

RAJ: It's the final one, James.

This is it.

JAMES: May the best man win.

RAJ: May the best man win.

NARRATOR: Auctioneer Tom Killen will be presiding today.

And before they're off, what does he make of our lot?

The silver cufflinks from the 1930s.

What we're more interested in here, actually, is the case.

It's a very nice case to go with the cuff links, so that may have that added attraction.

The item with legs, which I'm really tempted to say will run away, is the crutches.

But it's not going to be.

It's going to be the tethering posts, I think.

That's going to be the item which is going to attract most interest.

And we're really hopeful for that one.

NARRATOR: It's time for James and Raj's final showdown, with online bidding and a lively crowd.

Pretty good.

Full room, isn't it?

It is a full room.

Yeah.

Very good.

NARRATOR: Indeed.

First up, it's a lot for James.

His book on ceramic artist Clarice Cliff.

I have 5 pounds.

I have-- Improv there.

TOM: [INAUDIBLE].

I have 5 pounds.

8.

There you go.

You're in profit, man.

You've doubled up.

You've quadrupled.

Oh, what a great start.

Oh, he's going crazy now.

18 pounds and sold and away then, at 18 pounds.

That goes to heaven.

[INAUDIBLE] A good start, James.

NARRATOR: Indeed it is.

A cracking profit on the Clarice Cliff tome.

You only invested 3 pounds, James.

NARRATOR: Raj's first lot now.

His biggest gamble, the cast iron horse tethering posts.

50's bid.

60.

70.

80.

90.

100.

110.

120.

130.

140.

150.

160.

- He's away.

TOM: 170.

At 170.

180.

At 190.

Fill her up.

200.

Up 220.

Up 220.

- Well done.

Well done.

TOM: 260.

260 pounds.

Last call then, at 260 pounds.

Well done.

Well done.

Well done.

NARRATOR: He certainly backed the right horse there.

I was hoping a little bit more.

I was hoping it might make 300.

Well, don't be greedy.

NARRATOR: Another for James now as his little travel chess set comes into play.

Oh, 10 pounds at the back of the room.

Were you a bit surprised?

Well, you're in profit already.

You've doubled your money.

12.

12 bid.

15.

15 bid.

[AUCTIONEER CHANT] Shaking the head the wrong way.

You've only got 25 notes in your pocket.

18 pounds.

19.

20.

20?

Go on.

20's bid.

I have 20 pounds.

I have 20 pounds.

I have 20 pounds, and sold and away then at 20 pounds.

NARRATOR: Another winner for James proves he's certainly more than a pawn in this game.

You've quadrupled your money.

NARRATOR: Raj will be hoping to spy more profit now with his little magnifying glass.

- 10's bid.

- 10's in there.

He's keen.

Do I see twelver now?

I have 10.

12.

I have 12.

15.

18.

20.

I have 20 pounds.

I have 20 pounds, and sold and away then at 20-- looking to the [INAUDIBLE] Looking for help.

Oh, put it [INAUDIBLE].

I have 20 pounds in the front row.

And sold and away then at 20 pounds.

God, he does link with your lots, doesn't he?

Linger with my lots.

Linger.

Linger with my lots.

How can you say that?

Terrible.

NARRATOR: Perish the thought.

Our auctioneer is as even-handed as they come.

And that's actually added to Raj's profit.

I think there might have to be a stewards inquiry, formal.

Lingering.

No lingering, please.

NARRATOR: Oh, do pipe down.

A chance for James to make up some ground now with his repaired Chinese bowl.

20 online.

I have 20 pounds.

The internet at 20.

TOM: 22.

25.

There's running on on the internet.

Of course it's going to run.

TOM: 30.

32.

I have 32.

35 is bid.

38.

I have 38.

It's a good size.

You can't see that at home.

You're in profit now.

TOM: I have 40 pounds.

45.

48.

I have 48.

I have 50.

It's going to do it.

It's going to make the-- it's going to make the 80 pounds at least.

TOM: 60 is bid.

I have 60 pounds.

It's going to be sold at 60 pounds, online buyer.

And sold and away then at 60 pounds.

NARRATOR: Not half bad for a broken bowl, James.

It's going to be close, then.

I know.

It is.

I think that was, you know.

[INAUDIBLE] Yeah.

- Yeah.

Yeah.

- Yeah.

All right.

Yeah.

Very good.

NARRATOR: The mood grows tense as Rag's crutches hop up before the crowd.

10 pounds, surely.

10 bid.

10 bid.

Well, I've only got half the money so far.

TOM: I have 10 pounds.

12.

I have 12 pounds.

15.

I have 18.

I have 18.

Go 20.

20's bid.

Put it down, son.

Come on.

Don't labor it.

TOM: I have 22.

It's all over.

I have 25.

[INAUDIBLE] 22 pounds, and sold your way then at 22 pounds.

Well.

Oh, blimey.

I thought-- I thought you were going to make some money on those.

So did I. NARRATOR: Those limp to a tiny profit.

I'm sort of worried for the sanity of this room, I must say.

NARRATOR: Now, James hopes his bath can will really clean up.

18, and 18 pounds in the back of the room.

20 bid.

I have 22.

25.

The internet's loving it.

They're loving it.

The world is there.

There's people in their bedrooms going-- TOM: 32.

35.

I have 35.

38.

38.

I have 38.

40 bid.

At 40 pound.

42.

I have 42.

45.

45 is bid.

Go 48.

He's got to hurry up.

He's got to keep pace.

I have 50 pounds.

And sold and away then at 50 pounds.

50 pounds.

Not bad.

It's a profit.

It's a profit.

NARRATOR: It certainly didn't take an early bath, though it wasn't the flyer he'd hoped for.

But this game is still anyone's.

Another for Raj as his 17th century chair is up next.

10, 12, 15, 18, 20.

I think you're all right.

25.

28.

I have 28.

30.

30.

I have 30 pounds.

32.

Fresh blood in.

32.

35.

35.

38.

38.

40.

I have 40 pounds.

Go two now.

42.

45.

48.

48.

50 now.

50's bid.

I have 50 pounds 5.

I have 55.

60.

I have 60 pounds.

I have 60 pounds in front.

I have 60 pounds.

I have 60 pounds.

[INAUDIBLE] put it down.

I just can't bear this lingering, can you?

Sold and away then at 60 pounds.

It's yours.

3-9-7-7.

Well done.

NARRATOR: Raj is sitting pretty again.

Blimey, it's going to be close.

It's gonna be close.

NARRATOR: It certainly is, but James is in with another shot now with his set of unhallmarked silver cufflinks.

20 up in the [INAUDIBLE].

I have 20 pounds.

You're in.

I'm getting nervous now.

22.

25.

25.

28.

I have 28.

I have 28.

30.

I have 30 pounds.

I have 30 pounds.

Have another go.

I have 30 pounds.

32.

I have 32.

35.

Go on, madam.

35.

[INAUDIBLE] is it.

I have 35 pounds upstairs.

I have 35 pounds upstairs.

They're cheap.

Sold and away then at 35 pounds.

NARRATOR: James adds another nice little win to his coffers.

You've got one more opportunity.

I've got one more opportunity.

If this bombs-- NARRATOR: The very last lot of this whole road trip now.

It's Raj's incense burner, possibly dating from the 19th century.

Will his gamble pay off?

30's bid.

Straightaway.

[INAUDIBLE].

Well done.

- Online.

35.

I have 35.

38.

I have 38.

40 bid.

I have 45.

I have 45.

JAMES: Well done.

Well done.

TOM: I have 48.

50.

I have 50 pounds.

I have 50 pounds 5.

I have 55.

60.

65.

I have 65.

70.

I have 70 pounds.

NARRATOR: Certainly climbing.

Look at him smiling.

NARRATOR: Well, you would, wouldn't you?

I have 80.

I have 80 pounds.

85.

I have 85.

90.

95.

100.

110.

At 110.

Go 120.

Just put one more in.

Just to see if he's at his limit.

120.

130.

He wasn't.

At 130.

Go 140 now.

At 130.

At 130.

At 130, and sold and away then at 130 pounds.

NARRATOR: Blimey.

He made over 18 times what he spent on that.

What way to end this trip.

Put it there.

I think that's done it, hasn't it?

I think that's done it.

Well done.

[INTERPOSING VOICES] - Wow.

It is your road trip.

NARRATOR: So let's do the math.

James began this leg with 442 pounds and 40 p. After auction costs, he made a profit of 57 pounds and 6p, giving him a grand total of 499 pounds and 46 pence, just shy of 500.

Raj started with 450 pounds and 26 pence.

After costs, he made 173 pounds and 94 p. He ends this whole road trip victorious with 624 pounds and 20 pence.

Well done, Raj.

And all profits go to Children in Need.

Well, I never did.

So you are a clear winner.

Well done.

Congratulations.

- Wow.

Yes.

Yay.

Fantastic.

- Go on.

Get in the car.

Get in the car.

You're not going to open the door, then?

Don't push it.

Don't push it.

Just thought I'd ask.

Don't push it.

Oh, I'm going to miss you, James.

I will miss you, too.

NARRATOR: And we'll miss you, James and Raj, you superstars of the sale room.

In the style of Mick Jagger.

NARRATOR: It's been a hard-fought trip.

We're moving in for the kill now.

NARRATOR: With steely nerves-- Remember, it's war out there.

Yeah.

NARRATOR: And fancy footwork on both sides.

Hello.

I'm freestyling.

NARRATOR: Of course you are, James.

Hey.

Brilliant.

Do you like wooden boxes?

As long as they're not coffins.

NARRATOR: They battled down to the final lot.

You've come out smelling of roses, really, haven't you?

NARRATOR: But still ended up the best of pals.

[LAUGHTER] Toodle-oo, you two.

[THEME MUSIC]