VO: The nation's favorite antiques experts, £200 each and one big challenge.

Well, duck, do I buy you or don't I?

VO: Who can make the most money, buying and selling antiques, as they scour the UK?

I must be mad.

VO: The aim is, trade up and hope that each antique turns a profit.

VO: But it's not as easy as it looks, and dreams of glory can end in tatters.

What am I gonna do?

VO: So will it be the fast lane to success or the slow road to bankruptcy?

Should've just kept my money in my pocket.

VO: This is the Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah!

VO: This week, we're on the road with Mark Stacey and Margie Cooper.

Grizzled veteran and comparative novice.

MARK (MS): You are a sort of Road Trip virgin, if you like.

MARGIE (MC): (CHUCKLES) MS: And... Yeah, well, you know the biggest problem?

What?

My hair blowing about in this car.

VO: ..which brings us to the third M of our party - a dashing red 1960s MG. MS: It's not a hair show.

It's about antiques.

MC: You speak for yourself!

VO: Mark, from Brighton, is a valuer and a dealer - with the honesty to admit the limits of his expertise.

I don't do ladies' paraphernalia... Well, on a weekend, maybe.

VO: Debutante Margie is a silver expert and she's also been on the Antiques Roadshow.

She's a dealer too, like her grandmother before her.

And what her granny didn't teach her, she can find out off the telly.

I've been watching the repeats of this program.

VO: With the whole week ahead of them, those two are going to get to know each other fast.

MS: So tell me a little bit about yourself.

MC: I like to do silver.

I'm quirky, anything that catches my eye.

Yeah?

So you're not giving anything away, are you?

Not giving anything away.

I hope you're gonna help me, are you?

I need a little help.

What a lovely day.

It's a gorgeous day, perfect, you've changed the subject.

Yeah, cuz I'm not.

VO: This week's journey begins in Kent at Chilham and travels across southern England to the West Country and a decider in Torquay.

Today's show heads for an auction in Heathfield, but starts out at Chilham.

MS: Oh, this looks lovely, Margie, doesn't it?

Look.

MC: Gorgeous flowers.

We're about to start our adventure, Margie.

Right.

Feeling alright?

Absolutely super.

MS: I've only got... MC: Yeah?

..one thing to say to you.

Say it.

OK?

It should be ladies first.

Right, I'll see you later.

So this is what it's gonna be like, is it?

VO: Once inside the barn, Margie is up and running.

Well, sort of.

You don't want to spend all your money at once, do you, and then go to the next shop and think, "Oh, I've spent all my money!"

VO: But Mark Stacey, ever the old pro, is instantly at his ease.

Now, this is a fascinating item, you know.

This is a bedpan, believe it or not, made in pewter, of all materials.

£25.

It'd be better if it was a tenner!

VO: Finally, Margie has decided to mount an assault on those cabinets.

I see the cameo there.

It's not very old, is it?

VO: Plus, it is £85.

It doesn't matter.

I mean, it doesn't matter at all.

It's a thought, isn't it?

What's this curious object here?

It's like an egg.

So what is it?

Oh, it's a lighter.

Oh my goodness, that's a funny thing, isn't it?

"The Poppell butane gas pocket lighter."

VO: OK Margie, it's your first negotiation, the ticket price is £28.

Go on, tell me how much it is.

Erm... MC: (LAUGHS) DEALER: £20.

MC: 15, I'll buy it.

So would it be both items?

Yeah, well, what... Shall we try and do something on the two?

Looks as though I've bought something without... without thinking about it, which is often the best way.

She's gone to 75 for the two.

MC: Pff!

DEALER: Yeah.

No, I don't think I can do it.

That is really good, I think.

I'm gonna go for that.

VO: So, Margie's bought a lighter and Mark's got himself an old "gamp", as Kent resident Charles Dickens would have described it.

This is rather sweet.

This is a little Victorian parasol, ladies' parasol.

We know of course that it's probably after 1860, cuz it looks like a mourning one, being black, And what I quite like about it... ..is it's got a carved ivory handle.

And I think these little finials actually on the shade itself... ..are ivory.

That's rather sweet.

What isn't so sweet, unfortunately, is the price tag of £45.

I suppose I'd be looking at trying to get that for around... £20.

MS: I'm Mark.

EDNA: I'm Edna, how do you do?

Nice to meet you, Edna, lovely to see you.

I do like this, I mean, it's quite interesting.

My problem is I'm thinking about the auction world and things, and it's priced at 45.

I'd quite like to make a cheeky offer, which of course you are entitled to say no to.

EDNA: Try.

MS: Can I try?

Yes.

Oh, you looked very stern already, I'm actually quite scared now of trying.

No, no, no, do try.

I would love to buy it from you for £20.

No.

Can't do that.

30?

Oh.

22?

25?

I've just noticed as I was coming across... EDNA: Yes?

MS: Is that a little back scratcher or something?

Looks like it, yes.

VO: Good move, change the subject.

Now, Margie's wandered into the furniture section.

Careful Margie, that looks pricey.

I would call it a music stool, but it's a cellist's chair.

So you're sat on there like that, legs wide open.

And you play the cello, don't you?

So it's quite... And it's a gorgeous thing, and it is very old, it's William IV, which takes it down to pre-1830.

£895.

That's not in my budget, sadly.

VO: Mark seems to have escaped Edna's stern gaze to try Peggy instead.

I just think it's rather charming.

Now, what we've got here is a little ivory and possibly gold plated little necessaire, or etui.

This is a little object that ladies and gentlemen would have carried to keep your little essentials in.

Now, for all those people out there who are worried about ivory, which we all should be today, these are antique items, these are legal to sell, they're not against the 1947 CITES agreement on the prevention of use of ivory, and I think this would probably date to around about 1800.

1820.

It's got a couple of major problems though, really.

The little splits in the... And it's not got any of its interior.

Very sweet, very understated.

PEGGY: And used and loved.

Used and loved, just like me!

Well, used, anyway.

VO: Aww.

I got down to 25 on the parasol so far.

This is marked at 85.

What do you think they'd do it for if I bought the two together?

85 for the two?

So that would bring that down to 60, wouldn't it?

Mark, have you been upstairs?

No.

There's some other small items that you might find as well.

VO: Oh, do you think so?

Oh yeah, he's got something.

This is a lady's ebonized walking cane.

The base wood is probably something like a fruitwood, which had been lacquered in black to give the illusion of ebony.

Now ebony's quite a heavy wood, and this is quite light.

And then it's got a little collar on here which I haven't seen a hallmark on, but it looks like silver, and it's just got a very nice feel.

But more importantly, it's priced up at around 20, and I think if I put it in with the parasol and the little ivory box, it makes a nice little interesting lot, so I think it'll fit in very well, and if I get it for around £10, it should be quite a good profit.

VO: So what's Peggy's very best price?

85.

85 for the three items?

Gosh.

Now, that is gold.

You think it's gold?

Oh, definitely.

Peggy, thank you very much.

Can I come back and see you in a moment?

PEGGY: You can.

MS: You are so sweet.

But... that's it.

No, I won't.

I won't ask for any more, I promise you.

PEGGY: OK. MS: Thank you, Peggy.

VO: Right, have a think about that.

Now, where's Margie heading?

Not another chair, please.

You've seen how it works, obviously.

Well, I actually thought...

It's so small, I actually thought it was mainly for a doll.

But I'm afraid... ..it's a lot of money.

65 on that.

Hm.

Do you hear the intake of breath?

Yes, I know.

60 is the very best.

I really will not come down any further than that.

That is absolutely fine.

Masterful with me.

You don't see a lot of them nowadays.

No, it's very true.

So what's the last?

55.

That is final, absolutely no more.

OK, we've done it, thank you.

MC: Thank you very much indeed.

DEALER: OK, Margie, OK. VO: Two deals for Margie.

Come on, Mark, enough mulling.

Peggy.

Mark.

I've agonized over these, because I do love them, and I think they make a nice little lot together, don't they?

They do.

And your dealers and yourself have been extraordinarily generous to me.

But I have to, because it's the nature of my game, I'm afraid.

VO: Remember this?

I won't ask for any more, I promise you.

Thank you, Peggy.

You've come down to 85, is there any chance we can do it for 80?

I wish...

I wish we could, but that's really... MS: The bottom line?

PEGGY: The bottom line.

85?

Well, I try...

I have to try, you see.

And wish me luck.

I can't say I hope you win, because it would be biased.

Oh, you could say it.

Nobody's watching.

No-one's watching, I hope you win.

Thank you.

VO: So they've both bought and now it's time for Margie to take the wheel.

MC: Now then, let me just check this out.

Neutral.

Clutch.

Not used to heavy steering.

MS: Watch it, where are you going?

MC: I'm going to reverse!

Will you help me get it into reverse?

No!

I feel like I've been going in reverse all morning.

MC: We're gonna... (CHUCKLES) MS: Oh dear.

I'm not looking!

We're definitely off this time.

Oh gosh.

VO: I do like a nice big car park.

MC: Oh, yeah, done it!

VO: Don't you?

MS: Woohoo!

VO: And after that somewhat erratic departure, Margie and Mark make their way from Chilham to Canterbury.

VO: Famous for tales and saints, Canterbury has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and a place of pilgrimage since the murder of Thomas a Becket in 1170.

I wonder what Chaucer would have made of our two travelers.

No, listen... Bye darling, see you later.

Thank you very much, Margie.

See you later!

Have a good visit.

Happy hunting.

I will.

Take care.

Bye!

VO: So while Margie heads off through the traffic...

I haven't stalled it once.

VO: ..Mark searches for his next shop.

MS: Hello.

KEITH: Oh, good afternoon.

I'm Mark.

I'm Keith, pleased to meet you.

MS: Nice to meet you, Keith.

VERONICA: Veronica.

VO: They do seem to specialize in militaria here, but Mark knows very little about that.

So he soon finds himself gazing at the silver section.

Bon bon dish.

Now, this cabinet is full of little goodies.

This is a little double-ended scent bottle.

You can fold it in half.

Here's a little silver bridge marker, so when you're playing bridge, you can mark your score, but on top of each of them, they have the representative suits - hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades.

I would have thought they're art deco, 1930s.

They're marked up at £70.

Quite sweet.

And I do quite like this as well, actually.

This is a silver bon bon dish, it's quite lightweight.

It's quite nice, cuz they've got a sort of crinkled edge with this fern sort of leaf design on it.

It's rather fun that, isn't it?

It's priced up at... £89.

I think I'm getting all a-fluster, I might need a bit of fresh air, I'm thinking of spending serious money here.

I do quite like the bon bon dish and the bridge markers.

KEITH: Right.

MS: This is quite nice, it's marked up at £89.

What sort of price could you do on that?

70?

70, hm.

I'm gonna be cheeky.

Go on, then.

Alright, and then we'll see where we go.

In an ideal world, I would say 30 quid.

In an ideal world.

In an ideal world, but as you know...

The world is not ideal, particularly at the moment.

I know what you mean.

Shall we go in the middle?

Oh!

At 50.

Keith, you are so kind.

And what about this?

Well, that is 70, and going on the previous conversation, you want that for 20.

Exactly!

Look, you're attuned to the way I'm thinking here.

Exactly.

Um... 40 and 40.

That's 80, isn't it?

Gosh!

There we are, that's tempting.

MS: It is tempting, actually.

KEITH: Hm.

We couldn't get to 70?

75.

That's how you do it, isn't it?

MS: That's how YOU do it, yes.

KEITH: That's how I do it.

But I like working in round figures, and not 80, 70.

Right.

Oh, I'm sorry to push you.

KEITH: Well, I could push YOU.

MS: You could.

But it's not far to go!

(THEY LAUGH) Oh, you're too nice a man to do that.

So where did we get to?

Well, we got to 65.

No we didn't, 75.

KEITH: No we didn't.

MS: We got to 75.

We got to 75.

I am being mean, aren't I, really?

Are you just standing there hesitating hoping I'm gonna say 70?

Yeah, I am.

You are?

Then I will.

70 it is.

Thank you, Keith.

I really appreciate it.

That's alright, you're welcome.

VO: Meanwhile Margie C and the MG have made her way from Canterbury to Fordwich.

VO: Described in the Domesday Book as a "small burgh" and still tiny now, Fordwich owes its historic importance to the River Stour.

It was here that they took delivery of French stone for Canterbury Cathedral, and since the Middle Ages the little town has always punched well above its weight.

Margie is here to visit the smallest town hall in England.

VO: When she can get out of that little MG, that is.

VO: Oops.

Hello.

I'm Margie Cooper.

Hello, Andrea Russo.

Very, very nice to meet you, and welcome to Fordwich.

VO: Old Fordwich had big powers, especially when it came to enforcing the law.

And Councilor Russo can describe what life was like when the town hall doubled as the courtroom.

ANDREA: This, Margie, is the pleading bar.

Right.

And hence the expression "the prisoner at the bar", ANDREA: you see?

MC: Oh really?

Because the prisoner would come up and put his hands here...

BOTH: And plead his case.

Then of course he would be tried by the judge, who was the mayor of the town, and there were six jurors on each side.

On the table, which was actually made in 1580, for eight shillings, so this is virtually 500 years old.

And we got a couple of handcuffs.

We've also got a branding iron, which is quite fascinating, because as you can see, it's got an R here, for Rex or Regina, depending who was on the throne.

Who was on the throne at the time.

So this would be heated up and then it would go "tch".

On your face, or where?

Don't know.

Perhaps in some place which we cannot tell.

Do you know what I mean?

No idea where they did it.

I don't think they'd put it there, would they?

It would be somewhere you could see it.

VO: Underneath is the town jail, last used in 1855.

Where the accused could contemplate whatever grisly punishment may be in store.

So a heavy responsibility for the jury, yet their room was even smaller.

They had to stay here until they reached a verdict, and they couldn't have any food, no light, nothing.

So you can imagine that they actually reached a verdict pretty quickly, and if they had to relieve themselves, shall I show you?

Hold me up, hold me up.

Right, here we go.

That's what they did.

Oh my goodness me, straight on to the stones.

Aren't you glad you live now?

VO: Bit small too.

That would require a degree of accuracy.

VO: Go on, Margie!

Day two, and Margie and Mark are still at the getting to know you stage.

MS: Are you nervous?

Is there a lot of pressure on you to get the items?

No, how could I be with you and be nervous?

VO: Yesterday Margie bought just two items, spending £75 on a high chair and a Bakelite lighter.

Did you hear the intake of breath?

Yes, I know.

VO: While Mark was the big spender, buying three auction lots including some silver, an ivory etui and a parasol.

I'd quite like to make a cheeky offer, which of course you are entitled to say no to!

VO: The two are heading for an auction in Heathfield, East Sussex.

Next stop is in Kent at Charing.

Here we are, Margie.

Great stuff.

VO: Our pair are eager to find bargains, but the £200 they started out with has already begun to shrink alarmingly.

So what will they plump for?

Awful lot of furniture, most of which of course will be out of my budget, and I don't normally buy big pieces of furniture, and you know how much money I've got left, and it isn't enough to buy a chaise longue.

VO: Not with just £45.

But what does a cake stand cost, Margie?

Oh, afternoon tea.

I hate to use this phrase, but my mum had one of those.

What used to really annoy me when I had an antique shop was people used to come in, spend all their time saying that their mum and granny had this, and go and not buy anything!

So I'm doing it now.

And that's £65.

You can't moan at that, can you?

You push it in, fold it away and you can just stick it against the wall.

So I think...

I think they might come back into fashion.

VO: Mark's found something that's unlikely ever to trouble the zeitgeist again.

Those are rather greasy.

Do you know what they are?

They're little disks for a synphonium.

VO: Symphonion actually, Mark.

So you would put these in the machine, and the machine goes round, and it plays notes when you see through the light there.

VO: These were played on a sort of upright jukebox invented in the late 19th century.

22, 24... About 26 of them.

I've never sold any before, so I could be risking everything on a broken record.

Hello.

Hello.

I'm Mark.

Hello Mark, I'm Owen.

Owen?

Oh, that's a nice Welsh name.

VO: And for those unfamiliar with the tactic... Oh, we're connected already then.

VO: ..Mark always plays the Welsh card.

Of course you want to help me out, don't you?

OWEN: Absolutely.

MS: Fantastic.

Can I have a look in the cabinet?

This is very pretty, isn't it?

It's a little folding frame, so you can put a picture of your loved one in there with you, and when you look at it, the style of it looks very 1920s, but when you actually look at the label, it says "a heavy solid silver picture frame, 1994", so it's very modern, Mappin & Webb, it says.

£65.

Did this come in privately?

OWEN: These things are on from another dealer.

MS: Oh, another dealer?

Ah.

He puts the trade discount on.

Does he?

OK.

Which is... Oh yes, so he would do it for 50.

Yeah, yeah.

I'll have a think about that.

VO: Mark's hogging Owen, but Margie's desperate to get in there.

I want to go over where His Lordship is.

And now he's chatting away to the owner.

Are those disks yours?

Yes, they are, yes.

Cuz I know nothing about those, do you?

OWEN: Well, they are lovely, I mean... Are they a lot of money?

Well, I don't think they are.

OWEN: Er, they're... MS: They all say that.

OWEN: They're £2 each.

MS: Oh, gosh.

There's about 26 of them.

Yeah, around 26, £2 each.

Would they sell at auction though?

Ah, he's moving off.

VO: Margie might be new to this, but after watching Mark, she seems to have found a new tactic - follow the label.

There's a ticket on this table, a heavy solid silver picture frame, Mappin & Webb, £65, and he's obviously trying to do a deal with you, isn't he?

Come on, be honest.

No, he's had a good look at it, but he hasn't... MS: Well where is it?

OWEN: On the table there.

MS: Oh, that's it.

OWEN: Yeah, yeah.

I was thinking it was a photo frame.

It's this little compact there.

Oh, that is...

There's been no agreement made.

I can do that for 55.

40 quid won't buy it?

I can make a phone call, and then I can do the deal.

I'm sure I can do something for you.

I will try, but it's got to be 40 quid.

You've got a little Mappin & Webb double photo frame here - would you be able to take £40 for it?

OK, alright, OK, thank you.

Bye-bye.

Yes, he will.

Yes!

VO: I wonder what Mark will make of that.

Still, he did have his chance.

I have noticed this little figure here.

Now, it's not a period one, it's a little figure produced by Worcester... ..erm, in the late 19th century, and this is known as the Regency gentleman.

It was modeled by James Hadley, a very famous modeler for Worcester Porcelain.

It's still lovely quality but it is fairly modern.

I think it's rather nice.

But there's no price on it.

Owen, I spotted a little item over here which I rather like.

OK, right.

But it doesn't seem to have a price on it.

Oh dear, that's not very good, is it?

No, so, I mean, I thought maybe it was free.

Oh!

Nothing's free!

No, nothing's free in life.

Do you know how much that is?

I know what I paid for it.

Ah.

That's not a good sign.

I don't think this is gonna go my way at all.

Dare I ask what you could let me have it for?

£50.

Oh.

This isn't going my way, is it?

Well, what did you want to hear?

I wanted to hear £20.

That's what I wanted to pay for it.

That's highway robbery you know.

I know, but he is a high... No, he's not a highwayman, he's a dandy.

He's a foppish Regency dandy.

OWEN: A dandy, yes, yes.

MS: More like me, actually!

Oh, I don't know what to say.

"Yes" is a nice word!

Oh!

OK, you can have it for £20.

Oh, that's wonderful.

I did notice this as well, you know it's broken, the arm's missing?

Yes, I noted that, yes, and the head's been off, yes.

I mean, I thought they looked rather nice together.

You can't have that for free, no!

(THEY LAUGH) The other thing I really wanted to... Now, these symphonion disks.

Yes.

Would there be any chance we can do the figure and those for 45?

You really can't do 50?

Honestly, I would love to.

If I had 50, I would say 50, I promise you.

But that would...

I would be completely spent out.

That would be my £200 spent.

Is there any chance?

OK.

There you are.

Thank you very much, Owen.

VO: With all of his cash spent, Mark can do no more.

Time for Margie to step in.

Well, I must admit, I hadn't really noticed these.

They are from Lord Roberts' Workshop, which is in London.

Help me with this, Owen, cuz I really don't know.

They're really interesting.

Lord Roberts was a decorated war hero, and he was very concerned about the rights of disabled war injuries from the First World War... And what happened to them after that.

And he set up these workshops where they could actually make things, just incredible.

MC: So those are hand-painted?

OWEN: Yeah, yeah.

MC: Gosh.

OWEN: Yeah, they're just lovely.

They are.

What sort of price are they?

Well, these four, sort of £30.

Shall I have a go at these?

£20.

So 15's out?

OWEN: (CHUCKLES) Listen, I've been watching the repeats of this program!

And they get really dead hard.

Yeah, I... OK, 15.

Oh, you're very sweet, thank you very much.

I'll buy those.

VO: Everything nicely wrapped up, including a little surprise.

So there we are, £45.

Thank you very much, I've thrown in the Venus de Milo as a free gift for you.

Oh.

There you are, hope you do well.

You are so kind to me, thank you very much.

VO: Roof up to keep out the rain, Margie and Mark make their next move... ..from Charing to the historic town of Faversham.

The cradle of the British explosives industry with the first gunpowder factory in the 16th century.

Faversham was also a favorite of Charles Dickens, and you can see why.

MS: Happy shopping.

MC: See you later, darling.

MS: See you later.

MC: Yeah, OK love, bye.

MS: Bye-bye.

VO: Margie deposited, Mark heads off.

Time for the one with the cash to make her final maneuvers.

Ah, looks nice.

ANN: Hello.

MC: Hello.

I'm Margie Cooper.

ANN: How do you do?

MC: And you are... Ann Squires.

Ann Squires and... Blue.

VO: There's plenty crammed in here, but in consideration of Margie's dwindling funds, Ann recommends she takes a peek upstairs at some leather goods she's just acquired.

There's quite a good market for these... for these things.

That's something that could be used.

This one's a nice one, isn't it?

Somebody's initials.

There we go.

Ooh.

(GIGGLES) Can't get it open!

There we go.

Yeah, just a plain one.

I thought it might have some clues in here.

Got a letter.

1910.

Ah.

So he's called Ormerod, LUO.

So this belongs to him, doesn't it?

A sailor man, look.

Did he own the case, or is that just a relative?

We're never gonna know, are we?

Yeah, I quite like that.

I don't know.

I could afford it, it's 45.

VO: Almost as interesting is an old cash register.

MC: Why won't that open?

VO: Presumably empty, though.

Can you open this for me?

I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

I've got the top open.

It's got a special... Oh, my goodness.

Now, I've never seen that before.

Oh, you press... Now, that's unusual.

So how much would that be?

How much would you like to pay for it?

Well, I'm...

I haven't actually made my mind up that I want to have it at the moment, because I've been looking at that over there.

I would think that was more commercial.

Yeah, than that.

Yeah, you're right.

Well, I'm gonna be a right mean thing.

20 quid buy it?

Well, as I would like you to win... Oh, bless you.

..yes.

Oh, my gosh, I'm shocked!

Because I think that's a bargain, and I think you'll do well.

Oh, that's really sweet of you, thank you very much.

Going on my holidays.

Great stuff, pleased with it.

VO: But whilst Margie's been bagging, Mark's been motoring... ..from Faversham to just outside the village of Throwley.

VO: Elegant Belmont House, the 18th century home of the Harris family, is a good place to visit for a number of reasons, but Mark is here for just one - clocks.

This is in fact the clock collector... VO: Horology expert Jonathan Betts is Mark's guide to a priceless collection, one of the largest in private hands.

You see what I mean.

Jonathan, this is amazing.

JONATHAN: It is an astonishing collection, isn't it?

VO: The 340 clocks from around the world were acquired by the 5th Lord Harris, an assiduous and eclectic collector.

How long did it take him to build it up?

His whole life.

95 years.

VO: The collection includes several fine examples from the English golden age.

This is about 1730.

If I turn him round... MS: Oh gosh!

..I can show you what he's doing.

(CLOCK CHIMES MELODICALLY) Look at the quality of that engraving on the back, it's beautiful, isn't it?

It certainly is.

If I open the back... Oh, wow!

..you can see the music is being played on 24 hammers with 12 bells.

This is from what we call the French golden age, roughly the period from the 1780s to the 1820s.

It's what's known as an orrery clock.

Yes, I know, the planets move around, don't they?

That's it.

Normally, the clock drives this, and it goes round once in a whole year, but you can turn this little ivory handle and make everything go round at high speed, so it's easier to understand.

And you know they say that you have to entertain before you can educate your children, and these clocks normally had musical boxes in them to keep them amused as well.

And this one does?

This one does, it plays airs from Der Freischutz by Weber.

(MUSIC PLAYS) A pretty good sound for the 1820s.

Fantastic.

Is there a particular favorite clock that you'd like to show me, of yours?

Ooh, it is a difficult one, but there is one I think that I would take with me if I disappeared to South America in a great hurry one day.

Let me show you.

So this is the absolute epitome of the English golden age, it's an early pendulum clock, dates from around 1660.

1660.

It's just got everything, from my point of view.

And a lot of people would look at this and... "Well, "it's very plain compared to..." particularly the French clock we've seen.

JONATHAN: Yeah.

MS: And yet...

I'm with you, I think I'd rather have this on my wall, you know.

I just think it was downhill all the way after this styling in the 1660s and '70s.

And you'll of course let me know when you're off to South America and I'll come join you?

VO: Now, shopping time is most definitely up.

So who and what will impress?

Ladies first.

Now, this is the first thing I bought, and it's a Bakelite lighter.

What I like about it, it's very '30s, isn't it?

MC: Yeah.

MS: The black and chrome.

And it's mint.

The key thing is of course, price.

I think I could have gone a bit harder, really, but I paid £20.

I don't think that sounds too bad, does it?

I do hope not.

VO: These might surprise her.

Symphonion disks.

They're made in Germany, they're Edwardian, and it's a sort of early compact disk.

Yeah, I think you've been very brave.

How much did you pay?

£25.

It could be a record breaking result on these, you know.

I could lose all my money on them!

(THEY CHUCKLE) VO: Very restrained, Margie.

Now, this could be interesting.

Oh, Margie.

You are a horror.

I know, isn't it absolutely quality?

It's very nice, I did look at it, very heavy gage.

That's gonna cost a fortune to buy new.

And I paid £40.

I think it's lovely, and to be honest with you, Marjorie, at £40, I would have had a stab at that.

VO: OK Margie, comments on Mark's figure please.

It's called the Hadley collection, you know Hadley's a Worcester modeler.

And he's called the Regency gentleman, and I bought it cuz I thought, the sale that we're going to is not far from Brighton, and of course Brighton is almost the home of the Regency period.

I did see this as well, and I pointed out to the gentleman of course that she is damaged.

She has got no arms.

Right.

(CHUCKLES) But she is damaged, her head's been off.

Oh right, yeah.

But I think people won't notice.

£20.

For a Worcester figure?

Is it alright?

Marvelous, you'll do well.

It's been wonderful, but it's time to go.

I'm leaving.

On a jet plane?

It's a little leather...

But it's got a lovely retailer, Finnigan... Oh, that is nice actually.

And up we go.

I like the little satchel inside.

Wait for it.

Oh, how sweet.

And a letter that dates it, probably around 1910.

Hmm.

I think it's later than that.

The thing is, I think those might have just been put in there, Margie.

Maybe, but this is... Because I don't think that photograph's an old photograph.

It's a photocopy, almost.

Oh, it is, isn't it?

But it doesn't really matter, Margie.

It's a lovely...

It's just a lovely little collection of things.

MC: £20.

MS: Gosh.

VO: I think he's a bit envious of that one.

Will these trump it though?

I think they're probably 1920s, and I think they might be French.

Oh, right.

Engine turned.

Oh, really unusual.

35, I paid.

Well done.

Oh Margie, what have you done?

Oh, I think it's really nice.

Tell me about it.

If you do that... Ah!

The little darling can have an abacus to play with.

I know it's not fantastic quality.

You're not keen, are you?

Winter's coming on.

Yes.

Be good for the fire.

MC: (LAUGHS) MC: Oh!

Now, in the shop that was described as a bon bon dish.

Right.

And I've described it as a decanter coaster.

MC: I love all this... MS: Yeah, it's nicely embossed, isn't it?

MC: Yeah.

Go on, tell me.

MS: 35.

Oh, that's fantastic.

Easy 65, isn't it?

VO: The dinner mats.

Hand-painted, interesting story.

VO: Wait for it, Mark.

And you turn them over... and it says on the back, "From Lord Roberts' Workshop."

Field marshal Lord Roberts.

Oh.

Do you think they're each hand-painted?

I think they are.

Well, it's got a lovely story, but I think they're just printed, aren't they?

VO: Now, take a look at this little lot.

Ah.

A little group lot.

MC: Oh, lovely.

MS: I'll start with the most... MC: Oh, I like that.

MS: ..uninteresting one, which is a lady's walking cane...

Right.

..with the little initials on the collar there.

Right.

This I think is a little Victorian parasol with a carved ivory handle.

MC: That is gorgeous.

MS: But this is the item I most love.

This is a little Georgian, I think.

Late Georgian, 1780.

It's got little gold pique work around there, little gold nameplate on top and a little gold stopper.

My heart is sinking a bit.

His last lot, I felt a little bit jealous, cuz that's a really good lot he's got there, that lovely Georgian etui.

Oh, why did you buy that doll's folding... ..whatever it was?

I was speechless with the symphonium disks, I just didn't know what to say.

There was nothing I could...

I just don't understand them.

And I just...

I just don't get it, I just don't get those at all.

VO: After staring out in Kent at Chilham, this leg of our trip will conclude in Sussex at Heathfield... MS: Out you get.

Let's get in there and get started.

VO: ..at Watson's auction rooms.

Margie has spent £150 on five lots, including a leather case with memorabilia.

As I would like you to win... Oh, bless you.

VO: While Mark's blown the entire £200 on the dernier cri in Edwardian hi-fi and four other lots.

PEGGY: I hope you win.

MS: Thank you.

VO: No bias here, then.

So, while the Sussex crowd take a close look at the lots, Mark and Margie are anxious to meet auctioneer Peter Hogden.

Have you had a chance to look at our quality items?

I certainly have had a look at them, yes, some very interesting things.

Anything strike out at you?

I rather like the leather case, erm, which is beautifully made, by Finnigans, it's got the nice Bramah locks on it.

MS: How lovely.

How lovely?

Obviously that wasn't one of yours!

No, it wasn't one of mine!

What was the other very nice... Oh, there was a very nice ivory etui with gold decoration to it.

That is very beautiful.

Just a pity it wasn't fitted, wasn't it?

Just missing the interior, but it's still a lovely thing.

VO: OK, settle down, everyone.

Margie's lighter is up first.

How are you feeling about it?

I'm hoping for a fiver.

VO: Profit, presumably.

Poppell Bakelite lighter.

£10.

Oh, come on.

At 10, we've got 10, 12, 14, 16.

That's it, it's creeping up.

At £18, right in front at £18.

He started at 10, Margie.

MC: (CHUCKLES) VO: Hmm, a £2 loss.

More after commission.

Are you trying to cheer me up?

VO: How will Mark's odd couple get on?

PETER: £10 I'm bid.

MS: Oh, this is terrible.

At 10, 12.

You're going up, you're going up.

14, 16.

18.

20.

MC: You're in profit.

25.

At £25, 28 now.

At £25.

Well, I think it's probably wiped its face.

You haven't lost money.

VO: At last, a fiver profit.

Not an ecstatic sale though, is it?

VO: The silver frame.

They both wanted it, but Margie got it.

30.

£30.

PETER: 20.

MS: Come on!

10 I'm bid, thank you.

PETER: 10.

12, 14.

MC: Oh my... PETER: 16.

18.

MC: It's not gonna make it.

20, 22.

24.

And six now, six.

At £26, we're gonna sell at £26.

MS: I'm really sorry, Margie.

(GAVEL) That's very disappointing.

VO: Perhaps she won't be so keen to follow Mark next time.

I think that's an omen, Marjorie.

VO: Mark's silver bridge pens.

£30.

20.

Take your bid, £20.

At £20 bid, 20.

22, 25, 28, 30, two.

35.

At 35, on commission then, selling at £35.

(GAVEL) MS: It's ridiculous.

VO: Hardly all square... though.

It's a loss then, Margie, by the time you take MS: the commission out of it.

MC: I know.

VO: Now will someone please appreciate the story of Margie's mats?

Nicely decorated, £10.

I'm gonna cry in a minute.

Five I'm bid, Five.

Six.

Eight.

£10?

10.

12 now.

MS: It's terrible.

MC: I can't bear this.

At £12, 14.

16.

At £16.

I've mad a profit, I've made £1!

Last time, at £16.

MC: I've made £1!

(GAVEL) Yes!

VO: Margie's first profit of the day.

I think it's back to the drawing board.

VO: Mark's collector's lot.

I'm worried.

30 I'm bid.

£30.

This is ridiculous.

30, five.

40, five.

MS: This is a joke.

MC: Come on, it's going.

50... five.

Give it a chance, they're going.

60... five.

70.

MC: There you go.

PETER: ..five.

80.

85.

PETER: 90.

£90.

MC: It's creeping.

At £90.

MS: It's absolutely silly.

VO: Another £5 profit.

I should have just kept my money in my pocket.

VO: Next up, Margie's biggest buy.

PETER: 20 I'm bid.

£20.

MS: 20.

At £20 bid, 20.

22.

25.

28.

30.

32.

35.

35.

38.

40.

42.

45.

At £45.

48 at the back.

MC: Go on!

PETER: At £48.

At £48, 50 now.

At £48.

MC: It's so pretty!

(GAVEL) Oh!

MC: (CHUCKLES) It's not as bad.

MS: 48.

I'm relieved.

VO: Another loss.

It's not always like this, Margie.

You got away with that one, you know, because I thought that was going to go for a lot less.

VO: Mark's silver coaster.

20 I've got, £20.

At £20 bid, 20... two.

25.

28, 30.

At £30.

Look at it, Margie.

£30.

38.

At £38, done is it at £38.

MC: A profit.

Yeah, but it's not, it's a loss after commission though.

VO: He's right, you know.

If you cannot get £50 or £60 for this, there's no point in selling it in the auction.

Really isn't.

VO: Margie's last chance.

The luggage.

£60.

60, 50.

30 I'm bid.

PETER: £30.

MS: 30, stand her up.

£30 bid, 30... two.

35.

Eight, 40.

MC: He's on the book.

PETER: Two.

45.

48.

50.

That's good.

60... five.

At £65 on my left now.

At £65.

MS: That's brilliant, Margie.

MS: Have I gone pink?

MS: That's up £45.

MC: You know, I never blush.

VO: £45 profit in the bag.

Ha!

Oh, that's brilliant, well done, Margie.

VO: OK symphonion fans - this is your moment.

10 I'm bid, only 10.

Oh my good Lord.

12.

14.

16.

18.

Hey, you stole my bid, you're on the book.

Eight.

30... Two, five, 38.

40.

42.

£45.

50 is it?

At 45.

MC: Can you believe it?

(GAVEL) MS: Can you believe that?

MC: You little devil.

VO: Now that is a surprise.

£20 profit.

Gosh, that is amazing.

Now I apologize profusely... MS: But look at my face.

MC: (LAUGHS) I'm not happy.

VO: And for a very good reason.

The new girl's beaten him by 80p!

Margie, what can I say?

What a day.

Unmitigated disaster.

What a rollercoaster that was.

VO: Mark Stacey began with £200 and made a loss of £8.94 after auction costs, and so he has £191.06 to spend tomorrow.

While Margie Cooper, who also began with £200, made a loss of £8.14 after auction costs.

So she leads, narrowly, with £191.86 to spend tomorrow.

I simply can't believe... that you've beaten me by 80 pence.

I can't believe it either.

VO: Now watch out for the heavy steering, Mark.

MS: Ready?

MC: Ready.

Onward and downward, as they say, Marjorie.

MC: Oh!

MS: Ooh!

VO: Join us tomorrow to see Margie get miserable... Oh dear.

This is getting a disaster, isn't it?

VO: ..and Mark get miserly.

£2 each.

Oh, that's too much.

You said that without even thinking!

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