VOICEOVER (VO): The nation's favorite antiques experts, one big challenge... Who can make the most money buying and selling antiques as they drive around the UK?

Oh, you're such a temptress.

How much can you sell it to me for?

Is that your very best you can do?

VO: By the end of their trip they should have made some big money, but it's not as easy as it sounds.

And only one will be crowned champion at the final auction in London.

This is the Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah.

This week we're on the road with two lions of the antiques trade, James Lewis and David Harper.

James Lewis made his first auction bid aged six, on an antique bird cage for his budgie.

JAMES (JL): Very sweet.

Hello.

VO: He now works as an auctioneer in Derbyshire, and sadly the budgie is no longer with us, it is deceased.

David Harper also began collecting antiques as a boy... DAVID (DH): It's a bit dangerous, thank goodness there's no one around.

VO ..but now works as a serious, grown-up freelance dealer.

Ooh.

Quick, quick, quick.

VO: James and David began their journey with £200 each, and have taken this competition pretty seriously so far.

On yesterday's show, there were a series of blunders, and some prize items broken in transit.

No, he's had it, hasn't he?

VO: James has used his eye for a fine item to his best advantage, and made good, steady profits all the way.

From his original £200, James now has a mammoth £628.42 to start today's show.

The key, I've realized, is that you have to double your money.

VO: Meanwhile, David has used his cunning for sniffing out a bargain, and has also made an admirable series of profits.

He got his money back on a very convincing fake.

I don't think it's right.

If you're right, James, then I've learnt, and I've learnt a big lesson.

VO: From his original £200, David now has a colossal £731.60 to start today's show.

I really do need to find items that I'm pretty sure are going to make a profit, but, ideally, find something a bit quirky, something out of the ordinary that might just fly.

VO: James and David are traveling in David's classic car.

They started off at the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, and will finish in Market Harborough, in Leicestershire.

On today's program, they're leaving Liverpool, heading east, then south to auction in Nantwich, Cheshire.

First stop of the day, they call it Knutsford.

# Nutbush city limits.

# VO: Knutsford in Cheshire takes its name from the ancient Danish king, Canute, and was originally called Cunetesford about 1,000 years ago.

DH: Shall we just have a hunt?

JL: Yeah.

I think there's three floors, what are you like at stairs?

VO: The Knutsford Antiques Centre has individual rented spaces for a group of local dealers, with varied and peculiar treasures.

Pwah!

The smell of that!

Where's that been?

(SNIFFS) Dear me.

JL: Suits you.

DH: I'm keeping it on.

This is quite nice.

18 karat gold mounted socle.

Malacca shaft.

VO: Malacca is a close cousin of bamboo, it hails from Malaysia, and is often used for making sword sticks and canes, like this one, priced at £75.

It has been reduced in height, though, sadly.

The problem with these is they're put in umbrella stands, and when the umbrella gets put in, all the water drains off and pools at the bottom.

The Malacca's like a straw, it soaks it all up.

Then it becomes rotten at the ends, and they chop it off.

"Chamber of Trades, presented to Mr T France, "station master, Ossett, 1921-1926."

VO: So it looks like this cane was a gift from Ossett businessmen to their local, much appreciated station master - how nice!

Ossett station in Yorkshire is no more, following the Beeching railway closures of the 1960s, so this cane is not only a one-off, but a great piece of social history, and possibly more valuable for it.

It's a nice quality cane.

Meanwhile, David's getting rusty, with a Victorian can opener and a replica Bascinet knight's helmet, and a couple of vintage dealers.

What was this for, Ken?

KEN: Opening cans.

It's the shape of a bull, isn't it?

What have you got on that, Ken?

KEN: A tenner.

DH: A tenner?

I kind of like him.

Want to try it on for size?

You know what, I do not actually, funnily enough.

That's a... do you think, a 19th century copy?

Yeah, it is.

It's not a 14th century.

It'd be nice if it was.

Yeah, it'd be worth about 12, 20 grand, wouldn't it?

VO: The original Bascinet, or "pig-face" helmets, were worn by French knights at the battle of Agincourt in 1410.

These Victorian copies weren't used in combat, but David might have other plans.

DH: What have we got on that?

KEN: Er, 195.

We'll do it for 150.

I'll go 100 quid for that and the tin opener.

No.

No.

He's thinking, though, aren't you?

Yeah, he's...

I sense he's on the brink now.

VO: Whilst David does battle with the veterans of Knutsford, James is still wrestling with the ghosts of railways past.

One thing I'm always concerned about is a lot of the auctioneers haven't got a clue where to market these things.

So with this, I'm going to phone the auction room and say, "This should be sold "to one of the big London stick dealers," and if they do, then, hopefully, this'll do quite well, but we'll see.

Good plan, James, but you might want to speak to the dealer and buy it before you get carried away.

Let David show you how it's done.

I could...

I think I could probably do 115 and I'm out.

No, sorry.

These guys have clearly been around the block a few times, so David's usual charms and tricks are not working their magic.

DH: (SIGHS) 120, that's it... that's it, I'm done.

Take my money.

He's gonna do it, do you think he's gonna do it Gordon?

I should think so, cash in hand.

I might get a drink out of it.

Might get a drink!

You'll be drunk for a week!

120?

KEN: Go on, then.

DH: Good man.

Good man, thank you very much.

VO: Cor, finally.

A pretty good deal on the rusty helmet and can opener.

James needs to catch up, and get the railway cane down from £75.

The dealer's absent today, so James gets on the phone.

How about 38?

Yes, in that case, if it's...

If it's £38, we have a deal.

Thank you for your time.

Bye-bye.

Well, fantastic last-minute deal.

Er... so, the walking stick, it's got the end chopped off, but, you know, £38.

Bargain.

DH: Oh, what have you got, then?

JL: Never you mind.

Is it a stick of rock?

(THEY CHUCKLE) DH: It's Macclesfield, I believe.

VO: I believe you're right, David.

Moving on and heading southeast, the road trip makes its merry way to the Cheshire town of Macclesfield.

Formerly known as the "Silk Town", Macclesfield was once the world's largest producer of this shimmery fabric.

And about to slip into something more comfortable are James and David, as they arrive to impress the town.

JL: Have fun, see you in a bit.

DH: Best of luck.

You know I don't mean it!

VO: And with his very best wishes, David gallantly lets second-placed James have an exclusive look in this shop.

What's your name?

His eyelids move, his eyes move, his lips move, his tongue moves.

Hello.

What are the pictures at the back?

DEALER: French Gamy, they're prints.

JL: How much are they?

DEALER: Tenner apiece.

JL: Can I have a look at those?

DEALER: Yeah.

That's great, thank you.

Yeah, they're a bit of fun, aren't they?

That one's just slightly foxed and faded.

Gamy.

VO: Parisian Margaret, or Gamy Montaut, produced many popular early 20th century lithographic prints.

Often featuring the transport technological advancements of the day, these pictures were made using the laborious method of litho printing.

Outlines were painted onto stone, then printed onto paper, with colors hand-stenciled, taking days to complete just one picture.

These prints are not originals, so they're worth much less.

They've got a look, haven't they?

I'll give you a tenner for the pair of them.

How about that?

Will you throw the faded one in?

£15 for three.

A tenner's it, I think it might make 20, 25 quid.

And by the time the commission comes off... Can't remember how much I paid... You've had them for a long time.

JL: Go on, give it a go.

DEALER: Yeah, go on, then.

Tenner for the three?

Deal done.

VO: James's low bid on the prints has met with very little French resistance.

JL: What a day!

DH: I think it's time to go now, don't you?

JL: Yeah.

DH: We've done enough work.

VO: And as the shops close for the day, our experts head to their beds.

Separately.

Wakey-wakey!

Rise and shine.

There's more shopping to be done.

JL: What are you going down here for?

DH: I thought we'd take a detour.

Main road, I didn't like it.

VO: James and David leave Macclesfield behind them, heading for the Staffordshire town of Leek.

JL: So, have you been to Staffordshire before?

DH: (LAUGHS) I mean, what are we on?

Our first date or something?

VO: So far, James has spent £48 on the railway walking cane and the Gamy motoring prints, and he has £580.42 left to burn.

David has spent £120 on the knight's helmet and tin opener.

He has £611.60 left to throw around.

Good man, good man.

Thank you very much.

DH: What's he doing behind a hedge?

Excuse me?

Hi.

Erm... could you tell me, are there any decent antique shops in Leek?

Yes, there's some in Leek, yes.

Carry on to the main road, turn right, and you go into Leek.

DH: Lovely.

JL: Brilliant.

Thanks for your help.

Ah, a bit of local knowledge there.

Leek has a strong connection to the late 19th century arts and crafts movement.

The great William Morris came here in 1873 to study dyeing and printing.

Together with local industrialist and arts patron Thomas Wardle, Morris developed his signature large floral prints, and pushed the envelope of textile design.

David's current profits put him out in front, but he's not about to relax and take his foot off the pedal.

There will be some real gems in here.

The trick, though, of course, is to dig them out.

David's eyes are soon drawn to a possible treasure, a Victorian lady's writing box.

I see, so this is obviously a little pen tray, I think, isn't it?

Yeah.

So that comes out.

I think the tray lifts off too, from what I can remember.

Any secret compartments?

There's a drawer at the side.

DEALER: Oh, is there?

DH: Oh, this is so exciting.

DH: Ah yeah, pull it.

DEALER: That's it, there we go.

DH: There you go, there's your pin.

Nothing in it!

I can't believe it!

But that's nice.

Letters to one's husband are one thing, but letters to a lover or admirer might have needed to be secreted away in the Victorian era.

Such a box with hidden compartment would have been ideal for the discreet lady of letters.

Have a look at the lid, we've got walnut, mother-of-pearl.

Bit of fruitwood and satinwood going on there, bit of ebony.

Nice quality thing.

What would the absolute death be on that?

For a dear friend... (LAUGHS) A newfound mate.

A newfound friend, it could be £45.

DH: It's not expensive, is it?

DH: Could it be 30 quid?

VO: Cheeky.

DEALER: £30?

VO: Very cheeky.

DH: You go with that?

DEALER: Yes.

DH: Marvelous, good man.

DEALER: Pleasure.

DEALER: Good luck at auction.

DH: Yeah, cheers.

DEALER: Sure you'll do alright.

DH: I think I will.

I'll see... JL: Ah!

DH: Aha!

Just in time.

Did you see anything, then?

No.

Get your beady eyes and... A walnut box.

VO: Well spotted.

Eagle-eyed James is a full £100 behind David, so he needs to be a bit canny with his shopping today.

Victorian, about 1840, 1850, in rosewood.

Called rosewood because when the tree was cut, it smelled of roses.

And a section there for letters again.

VO: Another writing box.

James and David are clearly on the same wavelength, but could this box be worth more at auction than David's?

So, nice little box, and at £28 not that expensive so... that's a potential.

DH: I'm over, it's lunch time, and Lewis is still working.

Who's the winner?

VO: Well, not you yet, David.

However, our comfortable front-runner is on his way for an indulgent, opulent visit.

DH: Roger.

ROGER: Hello.

Hi there, you look surprised.

I've heard about you.

ROGER: Really?

DH: Yes.

Roger is a local clock restorer, and has been pursuing his horological passion for over 40 years.

He brings David into his wonderful world of elegant timepieces.

ROGER: I like French clocks in particular.

The French call it furniture, they don't call it a clock first and foremost.

Furniture.

So, furniture is always attractive.

This is a, you would agree, a Sevres panel clock?

Yes.

French, Sevres panel.

So it's French all the way, isn't it?

DH: We're referring to the porcelain here, aren't we?

VO: The Sevres suburb of Paris is conveniently close to the Palace of Versailles, so it became home to the royal factory of porcelain in 1756, set up by Louis XV, a great lover of fine ceramics.

The Royal factory later became the National Factory of Porcelain.

If one has to look, say, "I want an expensive French clock," then blue Sevres is usually the top of the list.

DH: What sort of price would you be selling that for?

ROGER: That'll be 1,500, something like that.

Yes, yes.

Every French clock tells a story.

It's usually about love.

This is a little marble base, spelter.

DH: Yeah.

It's a metal that's painted to look like gilded bronze.

Exactly.

This is a lovely little child, and the feeling is that it's about new life and love of life itself.

The clocks get more and more extraordinary.

Roger has over 250 pieces, but only room for about 40 in his shop.

ROGER: This is a Dresden... DH: Oh, right, OK. ROGER: ..Cavalier clock.

So, Dresden, known more for porcelain.

Yes, indeed.

Dresden's German, isn't it?

Yes, of course, so they've taken that and bunged a clock in it.

And what sort of clock, Dave?

DH: A French clock?

ROGER: That's right, because they match the quality and caliber... DH: And the style.

That's the kind of thing I think you could put into auction, and that's the sort of clock that could go through the roof.

This timepiece was made to resemble an artist's palette, and could be yours, David, from Roger, for around £600.

Gosh.

DH: I mean, that's as good as gold, isn't it?

ROGER: Absolutely.

Gold is only about money, isn't it?

That's about beauty and possessing while you're around.

You're right, you're right.

We've got... You think, "Oh."

It lightens your day.

VO: They certainly are something, and also neatly keep the time.

Still needing to beat the clock, though, is James Lewis - he's found a pair of candlesticks with Gallic flair.

These are quite interesting.

Lacquered brass, probably made around 1860, 1870, French.

VO: (ATTEMPTS FRENCH ACCENT) Has anyone else noticed, ah, how much French stuff there is around here?

Strange, non?

In the UK we didn't tend to get what we call pricket candlesticks so often.

The idea is, you get your candle and you stick it right on the spike there.

What can you do those for?

For you, they can be £30, the pair.

30 quid.

OK.

I think they're going to make 20 to 30 at auction.

That's what I think they'll make.

So I'm thinking in terms of 15 quid.

VO: James leaves the words "15 quid" hanging in the air, and skillfully moves negotiations on to the writing box.

DEALER: That can be £15.

JL: OK, 15.

30 quid the two, and you've got a deal.

JL: Deal.

Fantastic.

DEALER: Thank you, sir.

JL: I'll go and get my sticks.

DEALER: And I'll grab your box.

VO: Wow!

James and David really are the kings of knockdown bargaining, especially on writing boxes.

Fantastic.

Will you wrap them up so that Harper bloke doesn't see them?

Thank you very much.

Ooh.

Confidently sauntering back from his indulgent clock visit, David finally arrives to face the big reveal with James.

Oh, I say!

Shall I pull it?

JL: Go on, then.

DH: Oh, my gosh.

Wow!

DH: Now then, chopped-off end.

JL: Yeah.

Station master.

Ooh, it's of railway interest.

Mmm.

18 karat gold, 1921.

What did you pay for it?

That's the most important thing.

JL: 38.

DH: Well, it's... cheap enough.

It is, isn't it?

It's a smelly helmet.

It's a smelly, reproduction, 14th century-style ..Bascinet helmet.

DH: Pig-face.

JL: It's great, isn't it?

It's a copy, the Victorians made loads of them.

I think it's funky.

JL: Yeah, I agree with you.

DH: How much?

JL: Was it 120?

DH: 110.

JL: Was it?

Oh, OK. DH: 110.

Just don't even say a word.

Oh, well, I must say I like car scenes, James, you know that.

So, these are copies of 1913 prints?

Yes.

Three of them.

How much did you pay for those babies?

Well, that's the good point.

I can't lose very much, I paid £10.

DH: For all three?

JL: For all three.

DH: It's pathetic, isn't it?

JL: Well... DH: Pathetically cheap.

JL: Yeah.

Now, let me tell you, as a boy I used to dream, right, of finding ancient artifacts, and this is exactly the kind of thing that I would dream of finding, so I saw it, and I knew I just had to have it.

JL: Yeah.

DH: It's a tin opener.

JL: I quite like that.

DH: I love it.

I've seen these at the antiques fairs, but they're always in really good order.

Oh, thanks!

No, I like this, because as you say, it's been in the ground.

I think that adds a lot to it.

DH: Well, I paid a tenner.

JL: Oh that's alright, isn't it?

Like your pictures, I can't lose much, and I think it might double or treble its money.

DH: It might do.

JL: Yeah.

It might do.

Big candlesticks.

DH: Quite churchy.

JL: French churchy.

So there was that and there was those.

DH: That was very cheap.

JL: It was marked up at 28.

DH: Yeah.

JL: Erm, he said I could have it for 15, and he said I could have those at 18.

Oh, for goodness' sake.

You've spent no money.

So I said, "Well, I'll give you 30 quid the lot, then", which is what I did.

And the rosewood mother-of-pearl.

It's a standard thing.

But a good old box.

Now, get rid of that box, let me show you a proper one.

Bought from the same place.

Oh, you got in there before me.

That is a very good-looking box.

A little bit of damage there.

1880, burr walnut.

That is Rolls-Royce quality, that.

JL: It is.

DH: Are you pleased for me, or not?

JL: Depends how much you paid for it.

DH: How much do you think?

I think you paid 30 quid for it.

(CHUCKLES) I did.

How did you guess £30?

JL: 30 quid's fine, isn't it?

DH: It's cheap!

It's got to be worth £60, it might be worth £90.

JL: I agree with you.

DH: Thank goodness for that, cuz you're a very hard man to please.

I'm not, no, I'm not!

VO: It could all come down to the battle of the boxes at the auction.

But what do James and David really think about each other's chances?

My box, compared to his, it's fantastic, it could three or four times its money, I think.

I love it, that lovely color walnut, it absolutely knocks spots off my box.

The racing pictures, I mean, they're a good theme, but they're in poor frames, they're a bit pitted.

If they made a lot of money, there'd be something really very, very wrong with this world.

TP: The road trip has woven its way from Liverpool, across the Cheshire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire borders.

Finally, it's auction day, and our experts arrive in Nantwich.

JL: Here we are in Nantwich, I have great hopes for Nantwich.

DH: Oh, and it's a floral market town as well, how lovely.

Peter Wilson Auctioneers specializes in fine art sales, but on the day James and David arrive, it's a general sale.

George Stones is today's auctioneer, and has some thoughts about our experts' chances.

The one thing we really loved was the walking cane.

The fact it was for Ossett station that was closed by Dr Beeching, so we felt that was quite a good thing.

The thing which we were most surprised about was definitely the can opener, but, between us, it's going to sell.

VO: Starting this leg with £628.42, James shrewdly spent a mere £143.

David started with £731.60 and also played safe, spending just 150.

The world turns steadily on its axis, the universe expands and contracts in equal measure, the equilibrium of life holds true, and the auction is about to begin.

Opening proceedings is David's Victorian can opener.

Stand by for worms.

When I saw this, I didn't know what to say.

That's a cracking piece, that.

I have an opening bid of £5.

Ugh!

(LAUGHTER) That's dreadful.

Six anywhere now, you can remain anonymous.

£6 at the back, GEORGE: Thanks, Alan.

Oh sorry!

DH: Whay!

At six, seven, well done.

DH: Oh well done.

JL: What?!

JL: Don't do that again!

DH: A lady of taste.

Nine, it's only money, you can't take it with you.

Nine, 10 Alan, quickly.

DH: Go on, keep it going.

GEORGE: Now do I hear 11?

DH: Go on!

11, 11.

Is that your sister?

(LAUGHTER) £11 there.

11, sold, well done!

£11.

Well done.

Good purchase.

DH: I made £1 on paper.

JL: That's far too much.

VO: OK, a hilarious profit, but a loss after commission.

Could the railway walking stick support James?

It's got a very favorable internet bid to get it going.

I've got £80 bid for it straightaway.

DH: Straight profit.

GEORGE: £80, £85, do I hear?

85, 85.

Bid of 85, 90 I'll take.

At £85 only, it's going to be sold, make no mistake.

All quiet at £85, going away, then.

85.

Well, it's still a good profit.

JL: Yeah.

VO: An excellent result.

And James can now do battle.

Once more into the breach, visor down for victory, or defeat on David's replica pig-face helmet.

I've got four commissions on this.

There we are, excitement all round.

GEORGE: £100 bid straightaway.

JL: 100 straightaway.

£110 now, do I hear?

110 now, do I hear?

110, 120 with me, 120, 130, I have at 130, at £130 only, GEORGE: 130 I'm bid, 130.

DH: Come on.

It stands me 110.

At £130, last chance.

GEORGE: All out in front of me?

DH: Come on!

£130 then.

130, sold, £130.

20 quid profit, minus commission.

Oh, dear, that'll break even for David, but not a great victory by any stretch.

It's amazing how I pay a mortgage, really, isn't it?

If we're honest.

VO: Has James got a prayer with his ecclesiastical candlesticks?

And I've got £40 straightaway for these, at £40 bid straightaway, at £40.

Is it 42 now?

42 anywhere now?

Do I hear £40 with me, 42, your bid, 45, 48 now, 50's on commission.

£55, now you're bidding.

At £50 with me, at £50 on commission.

DH: Not bad going.

GEORGE: At £50, gonna be sold.

At £50 only, then, if we're all finished and done, 50.

That's great, £50.

That's alright, what did they stand you - 15?

A good profit, but I think James was expecting more.

Hm.

Now, it's the battle of the writing boxes.

James is first, with his rosewood jobby.

At £40, at £40, and there's a stunned silence in the room.

JL: No!

No use to any of us, is it?

At £40 now, £30 I'm bid.

At £30 I have, at £30, at 32 now, 32 bid, at 35 with me, at 35, it's going to be sold.

JL: That is cheap.

GEORGE: At 35.

JL: Cheap, isn't it, David?

DH: It is cheap, yeah.

38, fresh bidder, 38 in the corridor, I think this is a giveaway.

JL: Come on!

AUCTIONEER: At £38 here, going to be sold at £38 then.

Will that small profit be enough to beat David's possibly superior walnut one?

Here it comes.

Now, I think your box is the best thing you bought by a long way.

Well, it's going to have to be!

So I've started, at £80 bid, 80.

85 now, this is a cracking box, at £80, 85 with us now, 85, 90 with me, 95 now, do I hear?

I have 95 bid, at 95, make it 100, 100 now with me on commission, at £100.

GEORGE: Going to be sold at 100.

DH: Come on!

JL: Well done.

Put it there.

DH: Bang on 100 quid.

Brilliant, well done you.

Finally, a decent profit for David, thank God.

Now, James still needs some serious money to catch up, and only has the Gamy racing prints left to sell.

What do you really think of these racing prints?

Truly, I don't like them.

What do you think?

I absolutely loath them.

Well, if they make a profit, who cares?

They look the business.

GEORGE: 40 bid straightaway.

42, 45, 48 now, 48, 50 now, 55, 55, 60 now.

55, your bid at 55, 60, I have a fresh face, 65, you're going out, 65 your bid, at 65, the bid's over there at £65.

At £65, any more?

70, surely?

At 65 then, going... 70, 75, 75, 80, GEORGE: 85, 85, 90 now.

DH: Can't believe it, well done.

90, come on.

GEORGE: 85, the bid's there.

JL: Go on, one more.

Go on!

Don't put too much pressure on him James.

He'll be embarrassed.

85, the bid's at the back there, at 85.

Well done.

No, well done.

VO: An excellent finish for James, but has he made enough to catch up with David?

DH: That's it, we're done.

JL: Fantastic.

Shall we go and collect our money?

JL: Let's go.

DH: Come on, then.

VO: James started today's show with £628.42, and made a great profit after commission, of £128.07.

James fights on, with a marvelous £756.49.

David started with £731.60, and made a profit of £42.50.

David also lives to fight another day, still just ahead of James, with £774.10.

Well, pockets full of money, James.

Yes, absolutely.

Burning a hole in our pockets, or what?

Now, the idea is, we've got to spend it.

You're just trying to make me spend all my dosh.

I know you, Lewis.

We're off to Staffordshire.

VO: In the next program, it's the end of the road for James and David, heading for their final auction in Market Harborough.

James struggles to keep hold of his money, David struggles to get a bargain... You know you want my money.

I don't want it that much.

VO: ..and they both struggle for attention.

I think he's stealing my woman.

Oh, sorry, do you want me to go away?

Yes, if you don't mind.

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