VO: It's the nation's favorite antiques experts, with £200 each, a classic car and a goal - to scour Britain for antiques.

That hurts.

(SHE GASPS) VO: The aim?

To make the biggest profit at auction, but it's no mean feat.

There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

You're a mean lot.

VO: So, will it be the high road to glory or the slow road to disaster?

And there's always another auction, Mark.

VO: This is the Antiques Road Trip!

Yeah!

This week, two auctioneers called Mark are battling to be crowned king of the road trip.

Mark Hales is a West Country ceramics specialist who's relatively new to the Road Trip and keen to make his mark, as it were.

MARK HALES (MH): I never panic, it's not in my nature.

VO: While Mark Stacey, a veteran Road Tripper from Brighton, is determined to show the whippersnapper how it's done.

MARK STACEY (MS): I'll have to start hunting before he finds all the bargains.

VO: Both Marks started the week with £200.

After a disappointing auction in Stanford, where they both made losses, they really need to up their games.

We can't have it our way every auction, can we?

VO: Mark Hales starts today with £174.56 to play with.

He'll be hoping to increase that pot by the end of the show.

VO: While Mark Stacey has £154.16 in his wallet - he'll need to do some canny buying.

Today they're hitting the road in a spiffy 1968 Triumph Spitfire.

In it, they'll cover over 300 miles this week, all the way from Finedon, Northamptonshire, to Colchester in Essex.

Along the way, they'll pilot their bright red beauty through five English counties - crikey!

On today's show, they're driving about 100 miles from Oakham in Rutland to Downham Market in Norfolk.

After their disappointing performance in Stanford, how are the boys feeling today?

MH: Actually, I feel quite excited, because we've... we both have less money now, and actually I find that more fun, it's more of a challenge.

You know, we have to find something today.

MS: That is the challenge of the Road Trip.

What I want to try and do is buy the right items.

VO: That would certainly help.

MS: Well we're heading, heading somewhere in Rutland - I'm not quite sure where, is it Uppingham or Oak... Oakwood?

VO: Oakham!

Do pay attention, Mark.

Rutland is the smallest of the historic English counties, and Oakham is its bijou yet picturesque county town.

MS: A very good bit of parking Mark.

MH: Thank you very much.

VO: You can walk to the curb from there.

Having arrived in Oakham, the boys are going their separate ways.

Mark Hales is heading for his first shop.

Proprietor of the shop Tom Scott is on hand to greet him.

MH: Lovely shop.

TOM: Thank you very much.

Really nice.

Would it be alright if I had MH: a good look around?

TOM: Do, wander round.

Very nice items here.

Erm, unfortunately, I'm a little bit limited.

My money's gone down, not up.

VO: That is a shade unfortunate Mark - better get bargain hunting.

Have I ever said that before?

This rather interesting ropemaker's gage - isn't that nice?

TOM: It's a pretty little piece.

It is, isn't it?

Henry... Henry Bannister & Co Ltd. Ropeworks, Cowes, Isle of Wight.

I like that, that's lovely.

VO: This ingenious gage or caliper would have been used by ropemakers to measure the girth and therefore strength of rope and cordage, for the purpose of safety and pricing.

How old is it?

19... What are we saying, '20s, '30s?

Yeah, 1910, 1920, is that right?

TOM: Yeah.

MH: How much is it though?

TOM: It's 25.

Is it?

Hm.

Bit scary.

We could do something there for you.

Right, well, I might as well know what the bottom line is.

Is it £15, something like that?

TOM: 17.50, bottom.

MH: 17.50.

TOM: Absolute best.

MH: (SIGHS) VO: Mark's tempted by the ropemaker's gage, but he's going to think on it.

Mark Stacey isn't hitting the shops quite yet.

He's calmly saving his pennies, and has ambled off for a visit to nearby Oakham Castle.

Norman-era Oakham is one of the finest examples of 12th century domestic architecture in England.

The great hall is all that remains of the medieval castle but it houses a completely unique collection that tells the story of its centuries-old history.

VO: Mark's meeting Jane Williams, from Rutland County Museum.

She's going to show him around.

I'm Mark.

Hello, I'm Jane.

Nice to meet you Jane.

Well, I wasn't expecting to see this.

And what are all these... are they horseshoes?

They're horseshoes, they're presentation horseshoes that have all been given to the lord of the manor.

VO: For centuries, every peer of the realm who visited Oakham for the first time had gifted the castle a horseshoe.

The 230 that hang in the great hall commemorate the visits of monarchs and nobility from the Wars of the Roses to the present day - crikey.

The oldest one we have at the moment is the Edward IV, which was given in 1470.

It's the large flat one.

MS: The one that looks actually less glitzy.

JANE: Yes, but... MS: Strange, isn't it?

Originally it would have been very glitzy.

MS: Really?

JANE: Yes.

VO: But how did the tradition of giving horseshoes spring up in the first place?

A clue lies in the name of the family for whom the castle was built back in the 12th century - de Ferrers.

It's a Norman French name - they came from Normandy with William the Conqueror.

And their name, loosely translated, means "to clad with iron", as you would shoe a horse with iron.

Oh, of course.

So that's the connection, the horseshoe.

Oh, so maybe from that you think it developed into this horseshoe thing.

Quite possibly, yes, and the original de Ferrers who came with William the Conqueror was in charge of the horse, was master of the horse.

Oh well, you see, again, that's another...

So you've got another... That's another strong link, isn't it?

Yes, equine connection.

Exactly.

VO: Mystery solved.

And peers present horseshoes to Oakham right up to the present day.

And you've got others directly relating to the royal family, MS: haven't you?

JANE: Yes.

You've got the present queen, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, below 1967 - now tell me about that one.

Well it's quite special, because the Queen's had a racing plate from her racehorse, Oriole, put in the middle, so that was quite a nice little touch, because we don't have many real horseshoes.

VO: There's one final, unique thing about this collection of horseshoes, and old eagle eyes Mark has spotted it.

It's strange to me, because I'm used to having the horseshoes the other way up.

That's how we tend to hang a horseshoe in England.

We say the other way up, you keep your luck in.

In Rutland, the locals say that if you have it that way up, the devil will build a nest inside.

And so they always hang their horseshoes this way.

MS: I wonder where that came from.

VO: Oakham's collection is certainly unusual.

JANE: As far as we know, and we have visitors from all around the world, nobody has ever told us of this tradition taking place anywhere else.

And in the smallest county in the United Kingdom.

That's right, yes.

Jane, thank you so much for your time in showing me around.

Nice to meet you.

I've learned an awful lot, and I'll come back again for a longer visit some time.

Bye-bye.

Pleasure.

VO: Meanwhile, Mark Hales is still shopping.

He's headed on to a different branch of the same shop he was in earlier.

He's been browsing for a while and hasn't made a decision on his first item yet.

I don't panic.

I never panic, it's not in my nature.

A little bit flustered though.

VO: I'm glad you've made that important distinction, Mark.

I like that rocker.

Yes, yes, yes, yes.

No, I like that.

Dark stain, 19th century.

It's not just a chair, you can rock the chair, it's a good...

Sit in front of the Aga in that, can't you, and just rock yourself to sleep on a Sunday afternoon with your Sunday papers and your pot of tea.

And perhaps later on you can start thinking about crumpets and things like that.

Yeah, that's a crumpet chair, isn't it?

VO: And what could be more British than a... um, crumpet chair, Mark?

Peter co-owns the shop with stepson Tom.

Can he cut Mark a tasty deal?

Do you know off the top of your head?

Is it a bargain?

45.

Yes, it is.

45?

VO: Er, looks like Mark's going to try and shave a bit off that price.

35, and I'll have a go.

Because country auction?

Country rocker?

I know, I know, it'll work out well.

PETER: Split it - 40.

MH: £40.

There's gonna be... Got to be a profit in that, hasn't there Peter?

PETER: Got to be.

MH: £40 mate, well done.

Thanks very much.

Thank you very much indeed, that's a lovely buy.

You've made my day Peter, I can relax now!

OK!

In fact, watch this, watch this.

(SIGHS) You notice I didn't sit in the rocker, but... PETER: Very wise!

MH: No, thank you.

VO: He's quite literally off his rocker.

Let's have a look.

VO: Now he's spied some more intriguing items.

A lovely old bucket.

Make a super jardiniere, wouldn't it?

Bit sad actually, cuz buckets were made to be used, weren't they?

What else have we got here?

Nice Victorian tools.

Lovely old chisels, look, boxwood handled, tall steel.

You can't buy this steel any more.

It's wonderful.

Lovely rebate plane by Griffiths of Norwich.

VO: Remember the ropemaker's gage from the other branch of this shop he visited earlier?

Well, he's got an idea.

I wonder if we can put that with that - that's two tools - and the ropemaker's instrument we saw in the shop.

And that's a good lot for a general sale.

But it's all down to price.

Peter?

Are you there?

Oh you are, good.

Thank you.

Yeah, hi Mark, what have you found this time?

Well, I love tools.

Yeah, they're nice, aren't they?

So I'm thinking bucket.

PETER: Yeah.

The plane and the ropemaker's gage.

That's a good tool lot.

MH: That's an interesting lot.

PETER: Nice lot.

VO: The ticket price of these three items combined is £75, so will Peter move on the price?

What am I thinking?

I'm thinking 15, 15 is 30, a tenner, for... 40 the three.

We're gonna do the same thing, cuz I was gonna say 50 the three.

Right.

So I'll meet you in the middle, again.

MH: What's that?

45?

PETER: 45.

Can we throw a chisel in with a boxwood handle?

MH: Yeah, OK. 45.

PETER: Little bit of damage.

Yeah, I know, it's got a split ferrule.

45, chuck that in as well.

Yes, done.

It's another little novelty piece.

Yeah, sure, OK. Deal done.

Thank you Peter.

Thank you very much!

Thank you, no, you've helped me, I appreciate it.

VO: What a deal - £45 for the gage, plane, bucket and chisel.

Let's hope Mark Stacey can do as well in his shop.

He's traveling the 20 miles from Oakham to Grantham, Lincolnshire.

Mark Stacey does need to get his shopping started.

He's heading toward Notions Antiques, where proprietor Sharon is on hand to help.

How lovely to meet you Sharon.

VO: What's that item Mark's spotted?

That's a little trivet.

"Trivet, Isle of Man," it says.

Oh, I see, yes.

I saw, when I first looked at it, the English rose, the Irish clover and the thistles, but if you look in the center it's got the Isle of Man legs.

But I think the Isle of Man connection is quite nice, actually.

VO: It would be, if you were anywhere near the Isle of Man.

And it's only got £14 on it.

So if I could get that for a fiver or something...

I might ask Sharon about that, actually.

What can she say but "get out of my shop"?

VO: That's the spirit.

On the way downstairs to see Sharon, Mark's stumbled upon something else.

Can you guess what it is?

It's actually a conservatory seat.

Sharon?

There's no price on the little blue and white conservatory seat.

No.

SHARON: What about £30?

MS: Oh gosh, no.

SHARON: Has that frightened you?

I just love window seats, and I love blue and white.

Yeah, and I think that's a bit nicer than some you see.

I like the little handles and you've got this bit on the side.

Yeah, yeah.

And I just love the sort of delicate birds.

MS: Now those, do you know... SHARON: Ooh!

VO: Ooh!

Ha-ha-ha!

What a good catch!

SHARON: My goodness!

MS: Come on!

SHARON: Well caught!

I tell you what, I need a round of applause - MS: I caught that!

SHARON: He does!

VO: Let's see that in action replay.

VO: Look!

Reactions like coiled steel springs - look!

Ooh.

Gosh, I'm just going to put it there for a minute.

I'll just...

I tell you what, I would never have done that in football or rugby.

VO: Anyway, enough daring heroics - you're here to find some items, remember?

You know what... VO: What's that you've got then, Mark?

And this is a Victorian milkmaid's yoke - oh, that's more interesting, isn't it?

Because I presume if you were a Victorian milkmaid... VO: Which you're not.

..it's the sort of thing you would have put over your shoulder like that, and I presume they sort of must have held it somehow, and then of course you'd have your pails of milk going along.

I mean, that's got the sort of rustic charm about it, hasn't it?

VO: I think you'd better get upstairs and start charming Sharon.

So Mark's trying to do a deal on the three items he likes.

The total ticket price for them is £76 - what's Sharon's rock bottom price then?

What about 55 then for the three lots?

Ooh...

It is tempting, isn't it?

Could we go to 50?

I don't think so.

52.

Oh!

£52.

Can't we do 50?

Am I being really awful?

Yes.

I am being awful.

No, go on, I'll do 50 then.

Thank you.

VO: Aw, friends again, and Mark's bargaining's got him £26 off the list price.

Mark Hales is back on the road and heading south to Uppingham in Rutland.

It would help if I knew the way, wouldn't it!

VO: As Mark will eventually find, Uppingham is a scenic antique hunter's paradise, as well as home to Uppingham Public School, alma mater to national treasure Stephen Fry.

That's quite interesting!

He's on his way to the marvelously monikered Junk & Disorderly.

Let's hope owner Peter can help him make some sober choices.

Hello, good afternoon.

How you doing?

MH: I'm Mark.

PETER: I'm Peter, how do you do?

How do you do Peter?

Would it be alright if I had a browse?

Absolutely, browse around.

There's more upstairs as well.

I noticed the staircase.

You're very welcome to wander around.

Thank you so much.

VO: And it's not long till he's spotted something.

Ooh, you've got a Pelham Puppet.

They're great fun, aren't they?

VO: British-made Pelham Puppets have been delighting children and collectors alike since the 1940s.

The rarer styles of puppet are highly sought-after, and can attract significant sums.

The one Mark has happened upon there is a skellington.

It's in its original box.

I wonder if it's... the age-old question, within my budget.

How much is it Peter?

I've only just started looking, but give it a lot of thought, what do you think?

Erm... ticket price on it is 59.

It's the sort of thing that I'd want to buy for £25, um, and then, you know, I've got a good chance, I've got a fighting profit there, haven't I?

Right.

I couldn't come down as far as 25.

No, well fair enough, that's fair enough.

What's your bottom line?

You know in your head, what's your bottom line?

Then I can think about it.

35 I can do.

35.

Tempting.

I like that.

I'm going to give that some thought.

VO: Now, it looks like ceramics expert Mark has finally found some pottery he likes.

Isn't that pretty?

1860s, copper luster, it's in good condition, nice little sparrow beak jug, and nice little pedestal bowl to go with it.

And in good order, no cracks or chips.

£4.50, £5.50.

That's a nice little lot, useful lot.

I think we'll go and ask Peter how much these can be.

VO: The jug and bowl combined come to £10.

Right.

Peter... Hello.

Found these upstairs.

Aren't they lovely?

Yes, very nice bit of lusterware.

That's 4.50, that's 5.50.

OK, so if you're thinking about your Pelham Puppet and these, if we said £40 for the pair, so you're talking £5 for these two.

Wow, can't say fairer than that.

It's lovely.

Excellent.

That'll do.

Thank you Peter.

Thank you very much indeed.

That's wonderful.

VO: So another great deal: £25 off the combined ticket price of the jug, bowl and Pelham Puppet.

Thank you Peter indeed.

And with that, it's the end of hectic day one.

Night-night.

Rise and shine, it's the start to another day on the road trip.

MH: Well, off we go again.

VO: So far Mark Hales has spent £125 on four lots: the job lot of tools, the rocking chair, the Pelham Puppet and the copper luster bowl and jug.

He has only got £49.56 left to spend today.

VO: While Mark Stacey has spent £60 on three lots: the blue and white garden seat, the dairy maid's yoke and the Isle of Man trivet.

He has £94.16 still clinking in his coffers.

MH: You do so love to shop, don't you?

MS: I do like to shop, and I'm going to use every available minute.

VO: They're champing at the bit, but Mark Hales isn't shopbound quite yet.

VO: First, he's paying a visit to Burley House, near Stanford.

How grand's that?

Listen, I'm going to drop you off.

I think you're gonna have fun today.

I'm looking forward to this.

Have a lovely day Mark.

Thank you, and you, and be very lucky today.

Oh, I hope so.

Bye.

Bye.

VO: Burley is one of the best surviving Elizabethan stately homes in the country.

It was built for William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Elizabeth I.

Mark's here to meet John Culverhouse, Burley's curator.

Hello, you must be John?

Mark, good morning.

I am, nice to meet you.

Magnificent, I've never been to Burley House.

And who's this?

JOHN: This is Toffee.

MH: Toffee!

My assistant.

Come this way, we'll go in.

Thank you very much, I'm very excited.

Good.

VO: Burley is the ancestral seat of the Marquises of Exeter.

The family have presided over this estate with its historic facade and stunning interior murals for over 400 years.

It's one of the grandest houses in the country, but it's not the house that Mark's here to see - a special exhibition inside commemorates the life of the sixth Marquis.

Burley House is his home, and his special achievements are particularly relevant in 2012.

This year, an Olympic year, it is an exhibition of the sixth Marquis of Exeter, his Olympic career and his life.

He was a gold medalist in the 1928 Olympics.

VO: The sixth Marquis was an athletics all-rounder, who competed in both hurdles and relay at an Olympic level.

VO: This spectacular footage shows him competing at the 1928 Games.

The character of Lord Andrew Lindsay in the film Chariots Of Fire was partly based on him.

His triumph is represented over here.

We have his gold medal.

Olympic medals!

He won an Olympic gold medal and an Olympic silver medal.

The gold medal at Amsterdam in 1928, for the hurdles.

Right.

And the silver medal in Los Angeles in '32 as part of the British relay team.

Ah, the relay teams.

Now, am I allowed to touch these medals?

Please do.

John, this is surreal!

(CHUCKLES) This is...

I mean, this is an Olympic gold medal and I'm holding it.

That is absolutely wonderful.

Now, because you have the gold, you see, I'm not as awed by the silver!

This is the one...

But the silver represented a huge triumph as well, because this was for the relay in Los Angeles.

In Los Angeles, yep.

And Lord Burley's time was quite remarkable.

It was, it was...

He was a great factor in the team winning silver.

VO: Lord Exeter was involved in the British athletics world for the rest of his life, becoming a greatly admired champion of the sport.

He went on to organize the 1948 Games in London.

After being... After he retired from competition, he became an ambassador for sport and Olympism all over the world, and it was his enthusiasm that put on the '48 Games in London.

So he really pushed it through.

JOHN: Against all odds.

MH: Yes.

In war-torn London, and when everybody else thought it couldn't possibly happen.

VO: And with the Games back in London in 2012, it's even more important we remember Lord Exeter's pioneering work.

Thank you so much.

You are very welcome.

It's been fascinating.

Good, good to show you around.

VO: Meanwhile, Mark Stacey is doing the mile into Stanford in record time for his first shop of the day.

So pretty.

I think it's a charming town.

It's got everything you could ask for.

VO: Indeed!

First shop is Stuart Porter Antiques, with delightful young Sophie here to assist.

What will catch keen-eyed Mark's attention this morning?

Just found this really funny bottle - what do you think of that?

Green glass embossed with these gilded chimpanzees, or monkeys.

Five quid.

I mean, it's a bottle with two monkeys on it, at the end of the day.

VO: Are you quite sure about that Mark?

No, there's two monkeys - there's one there and there's one there.

VO: Oh lordy.

No, look, it's one there - oh, it's only one monkey.

VO: Heh - you monkey.

Oh, he's got very long arms and legs.

VO: Don't we all?

That's very confusing.

OK, there's one monkey actually.

And what could you lose on a fiver?

VO: Well, you COULD lose a fiver, but don't let that stop you.

MS: Cash alright?

SOPHIE: Yep, cash is fine.

VO: For once Mark pays the ticket price - monkey bottle purchased and he's off to the next shop.

Mark Stacey's back in the car and driving to Market Deeping, Lincolnshire.

The Deepings are a group of villages bordering the River Welland, and the largest, Market Deeping, is known for its historic stone buildings.

In the local antiques center, he's meeting dealer Ken Slater.

Have you got plenty of money with you, or...?

Absolutely not.

Oh.

VO: Not quite true actually Mark, you've got £100 left.

You're not planning to plead poverty to Ken later, are you?

Ooh, now what's this?

It looks like an old... well bucket.

Mind you, how old I don't know.

That could be a lucky wishing well thing for me, you see, I could put that down the well and come up with barrels of profit.

On the other hand, I could sink without trace.

VO: Mark's thinking that it might make a rustic job lot with his milkmaid's yoke.

Frightened to look at the price.

(GASPS) VO: No good news on the ticket I take it, Mr Stacey.

The well bucket is marked at £32.50.

Let's see if Mark can wish that price down to size.

Ken!

Now... ..this is yours, isn't it?

It is.

You're gonna hate me... VO: Oh yes, here we go... Can I just tell you now, you've got every right to say, "no, and could you leave the shop?"

VO: At this rate, you'll be thrown out of every shop in England, Mark.

I'm gonna have to try and get it for about a tenner.

No, ease it up - 12.50?

Kenneth, honestly, you are a charming man and I really do want it, but I just have to be ruthless with myself.

I want to spend money, but I'm so terrified of this auction.

And I know people are gonna hate me for doing this.

KEN: OK. MS: Are you sure?

KEN: I'll do it for 10.

MS: Are you sure?

MS: You're happy about it?

KEN: Yeah, yeah.

MS: Promise me?

KEN: Yeah.

Yep.

MS: Thank you very much Ken.

KEN: No problem.

VO: Another cunning job lot assembled thanks to Mr Stacey's bare-faced cheek - or is it cheeks?

VO: Now, it's time for Mark Hales to get a last chance to shop.

He's traveling towards Long Sutton, a pretty Lincolnshire village.

Local church St Mary's boasts a spire that dates from the 13th century.

It's unlikely that Mark will find anything quite that old in Long Sutton Antiques & Craft Centre, but he's chipper nevertheless.

Right, I've got £49 left.

That's not a lot of money, but... ..we can find something, can't we, for £49 in a place like this?

VO: I should hope so.

VO: Hm - Mark's made a friend.

Go on then.

Go on then!

VO: I'm not sure he'll carry you over the finishing line though Mark.

VO: No.

VO: What the... heck?

I think it's easier just to stay down here, frankly.

VO: Grovel!

I think the stresses of this road trip are taking their toll, old chap.

Ah, here's something.

What a lovely pietra dura Italian marble plaque.

Would have come out of... Would have been inset into a bit of furniture, top of a box, anything you wanted to do.

Isn't that lovely quality?

All the polished hardstones.

Pietra dura.

Now I'm not quite sure what that means, but I know a man who WILL know what it means.

VO: Indeed you do Mark.

"Pietra dura" roughly translated means "hard stones".

It's the name given to the technique of creating images from the inlay of highly polished hardstones.

You're welcome.

VO: Ah, look who's arrived - the opposition.

Well, I better get my skates on I think, because Mark is already here, so I'll have to start hunting before he finds all the bargains.

VO: Indeed - it's nearly the end of the day, so Mark Stacey doesn't have much time to buy.

Careful with that, Mark!

Well that's quite fun, isn't it?

It's a... A molded glass bottle, 1960s apparently.

£9.50.

Would that go with my wine bottle I wonder?

It's quite an interesting shape.

It might do if I can get it for a better price.

VO: Meanwhile upstairs, Mark Hales is hoping to secure the pietra dura for a gem of a deal from shop owner Jimmy.

The ticket price is £88.

MH: A good price that.

JIMMY: Yeah.

But I mean, I'm telling you the truth, I've got £49 - will it buy it?

Did you buy it well?

Will it buy it or not?

Because...

It'll buy it.

JIMMY: It'll buy it, yeah.

MH: Yeah?

It's a nice quality thing and I think you'll do well with it.

Yeah.

Well I think I better buy it then.

MH: Thank you Jimmy.

JIMMY: You're welcome.

That's really nice, you've got me out of a bit of a pickle, you've helped me along, thank you.

VO: And with that, Mark Hales has spent all but 56p of his budget.

Good work!

Mark Stacey's still downstairs, and he's spotted yet more glass.

I quite like this actually.

There's no price on it... ..but it's Mdina glass from the island of Malta.

It's just a little sculptural figure, probably of a seahorse, if you look at the head.

And it's nicely stamped there and it's signed on the base, "Mdina".

There's no price on it, but if that was... not very much - again, like a fiver or something - maybe I could put it with the monkey.

We'd have a monkey and a seahorse.

I'm sure there's a play in there somewhere.

The Monkey That Played With The Seahorse, or vice versa.

VO: Yeah... vice versa, yeah.

Hm, makes perfect sense now.

I think.

Anyway, can Mark get a deal?

A tenner, if that was... How much?!

DEALER: Tenner, or... MS: How much?

£10 for a seahorse who can't swim?

VO: Can dealer David do any better than that for the tenacious Mr Stacey?

DEALER: £7.

MS: (GASPS) Can I think about it?

Can I put it back in my pocket?

VO: Hm, don't forget that that's there, will you Mark?

Can he add another item to the deal, maybe?

I'm thinking of putting, with my monkey bottle, the seahorse and that strange-looking monstrosity there.

DEALER: OK. And he's got £9.50 on that.

So that's quite cheap already I know, but...

But of course, you know what I want to pay for it, don't you?

DEALER: About half of that.

Can we do them for a fiver each?

Thank you very much.

VO: So Mark buys the pocketed seahorse and the blue glass bottle for a fiver each - deal.

The shop's about to close, and Mark still has £79.16 left in his wallet - he's right up to the wire.

But now dealer Jimmy has something which intrigues him.

MS: Oh, it's one of those... JIMMY: One of them.

Gosh!

That's why it's up the other way, cuz you see plenty of them... You do.

You do not see 'em with a card table... No, you don't.

..and a patent number on it as well.

Good Lord.

That could be the bit for you, and that could be cheap.

MS: How much is cheap?

JIMMY: Well, let's see... MS: But it has to be really cheap.

JIMMY: Let's see what price we've got on it.

MS: Oh, I don't wanna look.

I can't look, because I'm allergic!

JIMMY: Mark, I've got 95 on it.

MS: (GASPS) Gosh!

VO: It's a foldaway card table patterned in an Islamic style.

MS: But seriously, what is the one-time offer you can do on it?

JIMMY: 55.

MS: (GASPS) Actually, that's very tempting.

Can I be very cheeky?

VO: You?

Mark?

Cheeky?

Heh!

Never.

Cuz I like even numbers.

Could we do 40?

You're an angel.

VO: Angel?

Mark's bargained Jimmy down to £40.

At the last possible second, Mark makes a big buy - phew.

MS: Thank you so much.

JIMMY: Thank you very much Mark.

VO: They've now decamped nearby to reveal their purchases to each other, but what will the sparring twosome make of each other's buys?

MH: Well may I say, I'm most impressed.

I think you've been very brave.

Well, we've got an Indian table... No, we haven't got an Indian table.

Is it not Indian?

It is Islamic, and it's not just... You think that's a really boring table, don't you?

Shall I tell you something else about it MS: that you won't have known?

MH: Yes, do.

Do.

That it is actually not just an Islamic table.

Right.

It's a card table, and I think that makes it rather unique.

Well I think it makes it considerably more interesting.

And may I ask, what did it cost?

£40?

VO: Bang on the money, Mark.

Yes, exactly right.

MH: It cost £40.

MS: £40.

Yes.

Well, I like that.

I like that a lot, and I must say I do rather like the trivet.

MS: I was attracted to the nice turned... MH: Yes.

MS: ..stem.

And the casting on the iron.

Well I think that's rather fun.

And I thought, you know, for 20 quid... Well, you can't go far wrong, surely.

VO: More cautious optimism from Mr Hales - maybe.

MS: And I've got a bit of porcelain.

Now I'm very impressed.

We have a lot of blue prunus over there, circa 1920 or later, and I like it, it's big, it's decorative.

How much was it?

20 quid.

Well, you know, can't go far wrong, can you?

Shall I reveal mine?

VO: Do.

Are you ready?

Ooh!

Here we go.

Mark, I can't believe this.

Wow!

And... there we are.

Right, what do you think?

I mean, how many lots have you got there?

VO: Quite!

You've amassed a pile of items, Mr Hales.

Well let me explain - a super Norwich Bay maker plane... MS: Norwich, good.

MH: ..and a bucket.

Most unusual Isle of Wight, Cowes, ropemakers' instrument there, and a boxwood handle, one lot.

I think that's fabulous.

And what did that one lot cost you?

That cost £45.

I think that's a winner.

VO: My, we are generous today!

We have a rather nice Pelham Puppet.

MS: I mean, Pelham Puppets are popular, aren't they?

MH: Personally I've never seen a skeleton, and I'll be honest, I don't know whether it's a rare model or not, but the sheer size...

I think it's great.

Good fun that.

MS: Great fun.

MH: Good fun.

And its original box.

Yes.

And the price?

It was £35, which I think is enough money, but I think there's room.

MS: Your pietra dura panel?

MH: Oh good, thank goodness you said that, I'm very relieved.

MS: I like it a lot actually Mark, I think it is a little bit of quality and I'm impressed with you having a stab.

Did it cost you a lot of money?

No, I don't think it did.

It cost me the remaining money I had on my person, which was £49.

MS: I don't think that's a lot.

MH: No, nor do I. I don't think that's a lot.

Mark, I'm very impressed with your items.

Have you spent all your cash?

I literally have pennies left.

Pennies.

Well you've done really well, well done.

Thank you.

And I look forward to the auction.

Thank you, and I love your items too.

VO: All terribly sportsmanlike, chaps, but when the opposition's back is turned, what do they really think?

I think Mark might be a little bit unlucky.

He certainly hasn't been as brave as I've been.

And he's got money left over, over £30.

I really did expect him to spend every penny.

I really do think that my quality has been a lot higher.

VO: Well, well!

You know, I do like to be honest about these things - it is a game, it is a competition, but I don't believe in blustering for the sake of it.

VO: Mm...

The winner of this challenge is gonna be difficult to call.

I suspect Mark will do it actually, cuz I think that the tools and things are interesting.

VO: Today the boys have traveled over 100 miles, from Oakham in Rutland to Downham Market in Norfolk.

VO: Known as the "Gateway to the Fens", Downham Market was noted during the medieval period for its horse fair.

MS: Well done, we're here Mark.

MH: Lovely sunny day.

VO: Barry L Hawkins auctioneers are a long-established Downham Market saleroom.

Barry himself will be presiding over today's sale, but before he takes the floor, what does he think about the lots our two Marks have assembled?

Some of them are very salable, but there's one or two that I think we might have difficulty in selling.

The rocking chair I think is made up of all types of pieces of wood, and maybe parts of it are Georgian but some of it is not.

My favorite item perhaps is the well bucket together with the measuring tools.

The card table, as far as...

I've never seen one like it before in my life.

The biggest thing is to make sure people turn it over and see what it is on the other side, whichever way it is turned up.

It's an interesting item.

I've never seen anything like it.

VO: Mark Hales started today with £174.56p, and has spent all but 56p on five lots.

Mark Stacey began this leg with £154.16 and has assembled five lots at a cost of £115.

It's pistols at dawn - let battle commence.

Auctioneer Barry has a background in fast-paced livestock sales, so try to keep up.

First up is Mark Stacey's ceramic garden seat.

I have 36, I'm bid at 36 on the book, 36, 38, 38, 40, 42, 45, 50, 60, £60, at 60 on the book, at £60, 60.

At £60, 60, 62, 62, 65, 65, against you there, 65, at 65, the book has it at 65.

Are you done with it?

Quick in at 65.

VO: What a start!

A stonking profit to Mr Stacey.

MS: Well that's a surprise!

MH: Well done, well done.

£65!

That's a fabulous price.

VO: Next, the unusual Islamic card table.

15, I've got it on the book, 18, 20, 25, 30.

35, 40, I'm bid at £40, the book has it at £40.

Come on.

At £40, at 40.

At £40 on the book, are you done with it?

Quick in at £40.

VO: Aha, it hasn't set the saleroom alight.

Well, Mark, it could have been worse I suppose.

VO: Mark Hales's first lot now.

I'll get me on my knees at £20 bid, 22.

20 we've started... 25, 28, 28, 30, on the book, 35, 40, 45.

45, the book has it at 45.

50, try one more.

Small profit?

52, at 52, I'm bid at 52, you done with it?

Quick in at 52.

VO: A small profit indeed, but a profit nevertheless.

He worked hard for that.

You must be pleased with that, it's a £12 profit.

It's... well, after commission it's a small profit.

It's a profit, a profit is a profit.

VO: Another lot for Mark Hales.

I'm going to start at a tenner, I'm bid £10, 10, at £10, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 22.

Oh no.

They're just stopping, aren't they?

At 28 on the book, I'm bid, at 28.

Are you done with it?

Quick in at 28.

VO: A disappointing loss.

But it's not much of a loss.

MH: No, it's not much of a loss.

MS: Only down seven.

VO: Indeed, but it means Mr Hales is trailing behind his rival.

One of Mark Stacey's now.

I've got two bids on the book, so away we come.

Come on.

I'm going to start, six on the book, at £6, £6, six, eight, £8, eight, 10, at 10, 12, at 12, 14.

I'm going 20.

At £20, 20, two, 22, 22.

Inside at 22.

Wasn't me, no.

At 22 the bid is here, at 22.

22.

All done with it?

Quick in at 22.

VO: Another £12 profit for Mr Stacey.

He's still in the lead!

22 quid, that's up 12.

Well done, it's steady.

So, even after commission there's a little bit of profit left over.

Yes, yes.

VO: And now, Mark Hales's job lot of tools.

It was auctioneer Barry's pick of their lots.

But will it grab the punters' attention?

At £15, at 15, 18, 18, 20, and 20, at £20, 20.

At 20, have a look at this, 25, 30, at £30, 30, at £30, five, yeah.

35, 40, at £40, 40.

At £40, at 40.

The book has it at £40, 40.

Come on.

It's got to be more than that.

At 45, at 45.

Are you done with it?

Quickly.

At £45.

VO: Oh dear!

It's bearable.

It is bearable.

VO: Next up, Mark Stacey's rustic pairing.

The two together, very interesting bits and pieces there.

30, £40?

A tenner?

BARRY: A fiver.

MS: (GASPS) Five I'm bid, at £5, £8, eight, 10, at £10, 12, 12, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 28, 30, 32, 35, 38.

At 38, all done with it?

Quick at 38.

VO: It hasn't exactly captured the saleroom.

Oh, that's very disappointing.

Yes.

That really is disappointing.

It is disappointing, but you didn't make a loss.

VO: A quick change of room, and another chance for Mr Hales.

Unusual bits and pieces here, 30 or £40?

MH: No.

BARRY: A £10 note, somebody.

Tenner'll do.

10 I've got, seated there, 10, 12, I'm bid at 12, £12, at 12, £12 at 15, 15, 18, £18, 18, 20, 22, 22, 22, 25, 25, seated in the middle, at 25... Well, that's pretty good, Mark.

Good price.

Seated in the middle, quick in at 25.

VO: This puts him back in the game, but the lead is still with the other side.

Well, that's... You must be pleased with that.

I am.

£20 profit.

£20 profit for that.

Yep, that's a good price for that.

VO: Next up, Mark Stacey's monkey bottle, seahorse and 1960s glass.

£20 or £30?

A tenner?

Come on.

A fiver somebody, quickly?

Five I'm bid, at five, six, at £6, £8, at eight, 10, at £10, 10, 12, at £12, 12, 15, at £15, 15, at £15, at 15, at 15, 18, £18, 18, 20, at £20, 22, 22, 25, 25, 25, 25, 28, 28, the book has it at 28, I'm bid, at 28.

30 I'm bid, at 30, 32, 32, 32, at 32, 32, the book has it at 32.

32.

Are you done with it?

Quickly, and at 32.

VO: The glassware menagerie has done him proud!

MS: Oh well, I'm alright... MH: Well done, Mark.

I think I'm alright with that actually... .

MH: Well done, Mark.

MS: 32, £17 profit.

Yes, fantastic.

So, I'm quite happy with that, actually.

VO: Finally, It's Mark Hales's pietra dura plaque.

It's his last chance to steal the lead from the opposition.

I'm gonna start 40.

At £40, at 40, at £40, at 40.

On the book at 40, five, 45, 50, five, 55, 60, 65, 70, on the book... More.

More.

80, 90, £90, at 90.

This way at £90, 90.

At £90, 90, 100 bid, 110...

I'm nearly happy.

That's better.

At 110.

Against you there.

Quickly, at 110.

VO: On the very last lot, a stunning sale for Mr Hales!

Yes!

Yes!

VO: I'll have what he's having!

A nail-biting finish brings Mark Hales the stand-out sale of the day.

So, at the end of the auction, Mark Stacey made the most profit.

He began this leg with £154.16.

He then made a very nice profit of £46.54, and starts the next leg with £200.70.

However, it's not quite enough to catch Mark Hales, who now has the most in his wallet.

He started today's show with £174.56 and, after paying auction costs, made a respectable £39.20 profit giving him £213.76 to carry forward.

And maybe buy some more pietra dura.

Barry was a star, wasn't he?

He was absolutely wonderful.

Lots and lots of enthusiasm.

Oh, he knew his crowd.

And he got something from nothing, didn't he?

He certainly did with your lots!

VO: Oh do behave!

MS: Are you in?

MH: Onward, let's get buying.

MS: Right, buying.

VO: Next time on Antiques Road Trip: we have more tough choices.

Oh, the decisions of it all, honestly.

VO: And startling revelations.

I'm looking for... antiques.

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