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

Testing, testing.

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

I can't resist it, Frances.

VO: The aim is trade up and hope each antique turns a profit, but it's not as easy as it sounds and there can only be one winner.

What did you pay for those?

Ssh!

VO: So, will it be the highway to success or the B-road to bankruptcy?

Have you given him all the bargains?

DEALER: I have.

MARK: Right, I'm leaving.

VO: This is the Antiques Road Trip, yeah!

This week, auctioneer Charlie Ross and valuer Mark Stacey are doing battle, as they take their 65 Pagoda and go in search of cheeky bargains as they travel from the Midlands through to Chippenham in Wiltshire.

While Charlie's success on the rostrum is virtually unparalleled - he's sold at a charity auction 33 million worth of motor vehicles in just one day.

But on this Road Trip, he's throwing caution to the wind.

(CLUTCH CRUNCHES) MARK: Ooh, ooh!

CHARLIE (CR): Oh, no!

How dare you?

Oh, you've thrown it into reverse!

VO: Whoops!

Mind you, his true colors soon show.

You're a typical cheapskate dealer.

I am a cheapskate dealer.

You've summed me up in one.

VO: Meanwhile, Mark, a lover of art deco, with a passion for all things porcelain, is a tad more cautious.

It's all a little bit tired, really.

Just like me.

VO: Though every now and then, he is forced to spend a penny.

Just give me five minutes.

CR: You alright in there?

MARK: Yes.

VO: Once they're back on the road...

Hurry up, Mark.

Time's a wasting, eh?

Do your flies up.

Today's leg of the journey will take us from beautiful Chester to the delightful Port Sunlight, famous for its soap.

Then the boys will motor on to Wallasey, Birkenhead and Hoylake, ending up on the island of Anglesey for an auction showdown.

Right or left?

I don't know.

I think it might be... CR: Try right.

MARK: Right?

CR: Yeah.

All clear.

All clear.

VO: But let's start at the beginning.

The lads kicked off the week with £200 apiece and, so far, Mark is the undefeated champion with £284.97.

I'm here to thrash you, Charlie.

Come on.

VO: Meanwhile, Charlie's still vowing revenge.

I can feel my money itching in my pocket.

VO: On £248.91, he has a lot to do.

MARK: We've got the racecourse, Charlie, and we're coming into Chester.

Aha.

CR: Are you a gambling man on the horses?

No.

VO: Round three begins in Chester, a city with almost 2,000 years of rich history.

MARK: Such a pretty town, isn't it?

VO: Founded by the Romans, invaded by the Normans, then restored by the Victorians.

But are the locals ready for the latest arrival?

CR: We're here.

MARK: Beautiful, isn't it, Charlie?

Magnificent.

This must be one of the most beautiful cities in England.

Well, certainly the northwest of England.

It's absolutely charming isn't it Charlie?

But I gather our shops are on the city walls.

And where are the city walls?

Well, I think they're this way aren't they?

Well I don't know.

Shall we go and have a look?

Shall we investigate?

Yeah.

VO: Sitting on the banks of the stunning River Dee, it's easy to see why Chester was worth protecting.

Its medieval walls are a defensive barricade that surround the city and form a circuit that's two miles long.

And whilst the oldest surviving section is almost 2,000 years old, the newest was only added in the 1960s.

Along this historic wall, you'll find many a period building, not to mention the famous Eastgate Clock, which commemorates the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

You'll also come across plenty of antique shops, which should keep our experts rather busy.

There are some very nice things in here.

Quite an eclectic mix.

But I have to think profit, profit, profit.

Not, "Oh, that's nice, let's buy it."

Because then Mark will pull even further away, and we don't want that.

What a lovely shop!

Aha!

You must be the owner, sir?

Yes, I am.

Kelvin, my name.

Hello, Charlie Ross.

CR: Nice to meet you.

KELVIN: And you.

I'm hoping to spend some money here today.

KELVIN: Good.

CR: Any chance, do you think?

Course there is.

We've got lots of things.

CR: My budget's limited.

KELVIN: Right, OK. And I'm selling at auction.

KELVIN: Oh, OK. CR: Yeah.

So you know where I'm coming from.

VO: And with such a vague brief, it's perhaps no surprise that out of all the lovely objects this shop, Kelvin takes us to this one.

CR: An early breast pump for expressing milk.

Isn't that magnificent?

And still, I would imagine, in working order, but I'm not going to try.

I think Mark would love this.

And after all, at £16, he'll probably get it for something like a tenner and he will get a lot of enjoyment out of showing me that.

But of course, I'll have already seen it, if not worked it.

VO: Speaking of Mark, I think he's gone a bit mad.

Can we put that to one side while we're looking?

Yeah.

VO: He's so focused on winning, he's accosted poor Mike here and is grabbing everything in sight.

MARK: Isn't that wonderful?

VO: So far, we have an inkwell, a silver dish... Could I put that with the inkwell for now?

VO: ..a piece of Royal Crown Derby...

This is from a dessert set, I guess, isn't it?

VO: No, hang on, make that two.

MARK: You've got a matching compote there.

Decorated underneath.

VO: ..and a pair of Staffordshire figures.

I'm finding so much.

I wish I had more money.

VO: Really, old chap, are you trying to buy the entire shop?

I might leave one or two things, you never know.

VO: But wait for it.

It's decision time.

Hopefully!

MARK: I quite like the Staffordshire figures even though they're out of fashion and we've got... To me, it's not a problem, but to some collectors, that looks like a crack but it's a firing crack.

Yeah.

VO: In recent years, some of the best-loved Staffordshire designs have been rereleased, often using the original molds to make them.

Whilst the confusion has put some collectors off, there's still a keen market out there, something Mark's hoping to cash in on.

MARK: What would you do those for?

DEALER: I'd do these for 20, represents good value.

I expect you'd probably pay that for a pair of reproduction ones.

I'm sure you would.

There's a little chip on the nose.

I'm sorry to be rude about them... We couldn't do them for 15?

DEALER: We'll do 18.

MARK: Go on.

DEALER: 18.

Well, let's think about that.

I like those.

He's a hard man.

I thought I was going to be on a winner here.

VO: Charlie, meanwhile, seems to be done with the Victorian breast pump.

My eye has been drawn to this object... with Swiss musical movement.

It's wonderful and I would think... late-Victorian, and probably works by pressing the mechanism.

(TINKLING TUNE: "No Place Like Home") That's fantastic!

There we are.

There's no place like home.

VO: Whilst it wouldn't suit every home, the music box has a fascinating history, beginning in Baghdad in the 9th century, when a trio of Persian inventors came up with the basic concept of a cone with raised pins.

Speaking of which, it's important to check them before you buy.

Kelvin, I think this item, it does it for me.

Would £20 buy it?

I'm sorry, Charlie, it won't buy it, £20.

No.

VO: No surprises there.

The price tag says £60.

What could you do it for?

£30.

I wasn't expecting that.

VO: Finally, we have the first purchase of the day.

About time, too.

And 20.

Thank you very much indeed.

VO: As for Mark's first buy, well, for that to happen, he'd have to make a decision.

MARK: Now, these two pieces.

DEALER: Mmm.

I mean, again, I like these a lot.

I would've thought at auction, somebody would put around 40 to £60 on that.

The very best I could do on this one would be £60.

60, OK. And this one?

Erm, and I would do that for 50, which I think is... MARK: That would be 50.

DEALER: Good value.

They're very reasonable prices, actually, I have to say.

So tricky, isn't it?

VO: Like the Staffordshire Mark's still making his mind up about.

Royal Crown Derby is a British tradition since 1750.

It's been endorsed by both George III and Queen Victoria, who graciously added the "Royal" to its title.

MARK: We couldn't get them down to nearer the £90 mark, for the two?

VO: And even now that it's a global company, every single piece of pottery is still produced in Derby.

Could I possibly ask you to keep these on hold for me?

Yeah, I will.

Just for a few hours while I look around the other shop.

I'll take these and we'll sort out the finances later, if that's OK?

I'll come back as soon as I can.

Right you are.

And we'll have another chat.

VO: Determined to win this contest, Mark's suddenly hit by inspiration.

Why not put in a sneaky call to the auctioneer in Anglesey and ask for the inside scoop?

I'd love any inside knowledge of what sells well in the sale.

Can you give me any tips?

What, Staffordshire figures?

Oh, wonderful.

VO: Mmm, that's great news.

And apparently, the good folk of Anglesey are also hot for Royal Crown Derby.

MARK: Wonderful.

VO: Look at him.

He can hardly contain himself as he scuttles off to the next antique shop.

Though as far as Charlie's concerned, the man's an inspiration to us all.

Do you know, I feel that the... Mark prudent philosophy is rubbing off on me.

VO: My goodness!

Is this a whole new Charlie Ross?

Chandeliers!

I'm going in here.

VO: Hmm, I thought not.

Still, a quick browse through this shop shouldn't do any harm.

It's owned by David O'Keith and for the last 11 years, he's been restoring and selling antique chandeliers.

Today, he has one of the biggest and most varied collections in the country - though not quite in Charlie's price range.

They ooze quality to me.

DAVID: They are.

CR: They're just...

The weight of them.

DAVID: It's a French lamp.

The refraction of light obviously comes in... Refracts out on the side, refracts on each of these different sections.

There's a lot of science that's gone into that.

Yeah.

How much is that chandelier?

That one is not too bad.

Just under 3,000.

Yeah.

VO: £3,000!

Sorry, Charlie, but you're off this planet.

I'll ask you the price of a cheaper one in a minute.

Let's move on.

VO: If, on the other hand, you source a chandelier yourself and look to get it restored, there are a few pitfalls to avoid.

DAVID: The problem is a lot of people buy things over in France and Italy and they think, "I've got a really good bargain.

"500 euros, it's really good."

But it costs so expensive to rewire.

We charge anything from between £10, £15, £20 a branch, so if you've got a ten-branch chandelier, £250-£300.

VO: Another tip for young players, to view your chandelier, get underneath it.

CR: That's wonderful.

DAIVD: It's fantastic.

It looks far better from underneath than it does on the side.

CR: Yeah.

So when you're buying lighting, whatever it might be, whoever, get underneath and see it where you will do when you're home.

I must get you a shop with taller ceilings!

VO: While Charlie seems in no particular hurry, Mark's doing whatever it takes to win.

Even going to the same shop Charlie was at earlier.

Now, I've heard Rascal Ross has already been in here.

He has.

Have you given him all the bargains?

KELVIN: I have.

MARK: Right, I'm leaving.

VO: As predicted, Mark goes straight for the breast pump.

Is that something to do with blood?

VO: But it could be an area outside his expertise.

MARK: Oh, is it something to do with boils?

KELVIN: No.

MARK: No.

MARK: What is it?

VO: Mark, it's a breast pump.

MARK: Good heavens above!

Of course, you couldn't use it these days - - health and safety.

KELVIN: No, you couldn't.

VO: So, no sale.

In fact, a quick spin around this charming little shop sees Mark as indecisive as ever.

I wasn't expecting to be so tantalized in Chester.

VO: Said the actress, to the bishop.

It's lovely to have all these choices but it's also very difficult at the same time.

VO: But old Kelvin's not giving up.

Oh, no.

He thinks Mark might also enjoy this cardboard cowboy gun.

(GUN CLICKS) (MARK GASPS) Such a novelty.

There you go.

Yeah.

But £8 each, honestly.

It's a lot of money.

They could be five.

VO: Failing that, Kelvin's happy to make literally hundreds of suggestions.

This is another quirky item, Mark.

The little medical doll.

But it's a boy.

MARK: Oh, yes, it certainly is.

See what I mean?

VO: This quirky item used to be an invaluable medical aid.

Imagine, if you will, a small, sickly Edwardian boy.

"Where does it hurt, sonny?"

the doctor asks.

And then he tells the boy to point to the relevant spot on this anatomically correct-ish little doll.

It's got no price on.

That's very... That's 15 quid.

Quite a cheeky little old chappy there.

I'm not sure we can use that on daytime television.

VO: Trust Stacey to lower the tone.

And he still can't make his mind up.

You are such a tempting man, you know.

It's not a lot of money, £10.

It's not a lot of money.

£10.

KELVIN: £10.

(MARK SIGHS DEEPLY) What shall I do?

VO: I know!

Why don't you make a decision?

You couldn't do a huge, huge favor to a very poor man?

You couldn't say £10, including one of the guns, just as a little novelty for me?

KELVIN: I can't.

MARK: Are you sure?

KELVIN: I'm absolutely positive.

MARK: Well, I do try.

VO: Drum roll, please.

Mark's finally putting his hand in his pocket, just as soon as he tries the oldest trick in the book.

Did we say five?

VO: Can you believe it?

KELVIN: We said 10.

MARK: Oh, we said 10.

Oh...

I must have... Must be the heat in here!

Can't believe that.

KELVIN: Everyone loves a trier.

There we are, my friend.

It's been lovely to meet you.

Now, are you sure I can't tempt you to give me a little bit of a bang and a little bit of a boost over...?

Oh, you are a cheeky thing, aren't you?

MARK: I am cheeky.

KELVIN: Yes, go on, then.

I wouldn't do it for anyone else.

I know you wouldn't.

What color do you want?

I'd love the blue one, actually.

VO: Can you believe it?!

The Mark Stacey freebie strikes again!

Thank you again.

VO: As for Charlie, he's getting nowhere fast.

Though he has discovered this little vessel from Rajasthan.

dealer: How about an anti-muggers handbag.

There you go!

VO: It's designed to carry ghee or, to us, clarified butter.

It's fab, isn't it?

VO: Retailing for £35.

CR: It would be a total gamble lot, wouldn't it?

Five quid or 105 quid, depending on the day.

VO: But rather than making an offer, Charlie is much happier making cheap gags.

CR: Actually, a handbag for Mark, he'd rather appreciate that.

But not at that price.

I wouldn't spend that amount of money on Mark!

VO: While you may mock, Charles, you've only bought one item so Mark is once again striding nervously into the lead.

He's returning to the first store where he didn't quite get the deal he wanted last time.

MARK: Thank you so much... DEALER: It's no trouble.

MARK: ..for reserving those for me.

VO: Now the Staffordshire's his for £18, but the Crown Derby pedestal and dessert dish are still being negotiated.

MARK: I'm still very tempted with these, Mike.

I'm just wondering... if I can possibly tweak you down a little.

I don't want you to give them away for nothing.

VO: Oh, yes, you do!

Could we possibly do them for just under the 100 - 95, say?

VO: Now Mark's trying a new strategy - see if you can guess what it is.

MARK: It just would help to give me a little bit of extra leeway.

How about £100?

VO: That's right, it's called the talking-them-into-submission tactic.

I'm sure you've anticipated that.

Of course.

But I'd be just so relieved, I'd sleep a lot better in my bed tonight.

I might not, though!

VO: Keep talking, Mark, you're wearing him down.

Obviously, I don't know what's going to happen in the auction.

None of us do.

It's just the nature of it, really.

I think, at 95, it would just...

It's trying to replace the stock.

That is true.

98?

VO: You're nearly there.

98.

You're not going to quibble over a couple of pounds, anyway?

MARK: Are you sure?

MIKE: Yes.

MARK: Are you happy with 98?

MIKE: Yes, of course.

My friend, thank you so much.

I really appreciate it.

VO: So, we finally have a result.

You won't take an IOU?

MIKE: Oh, no.

MARK: Here we are then.

VO: Although it's a bit out of character Mark spending £98.

That call to the auctioneer has made him rather confident.

MARK: Thank you very much indeed.

MARK: End of day one, end of Chester.

CR: I've enjoyed Chester.

MARK: I've enjoyed it.

CR: It's been a lovely place.

CR: I'd like to have done a little more buying, but I'm not going to talk any more about that.

MARK: And I've met, again, some really very, very engaging dealers.

CR: Oh.

What you mean to say is you've bought well.

VO: As the sun rises on another beautiful Cheshire morning, Mark and Charlie must once again hit the road.

Their destination, Port Sunlight.

CR: I'm turning over a new leaf - spend, spend, spend.

(BOTH LAUGH) VO: So far, Mark's initial caution has resulted in many a bargain, and of course, one mad moment of spending on that Crown Derby, making his total outlay £151, leaving him £134 still to play with.

Charlie, meanwhile, has only bought one solitary musical box for £30, leaving £219 burning a hole in his pocket.

Which means Charlie has a lot of ground to cover.

Whilst Mark, on the other hand, plans on enjoying tea, cakes and culture in the gorgeous Port Sunlight.

It's been a pleasure to travel with you.

Happy shopping.

CR: Mark gets all the jammy jobs!

A lovely day in the sunshine, and I'm off shopping.

VO: Charlie is en route to Wallasey.

But when he gets there, he'll really need to pull one out of the bag.

CR: There is every chance, now Mark is tied up with his visit, and frankly long may it last, that I can do a bit of catching up.

VO: In the bad old days, Wallasey had a sparse population but a big reputation for smuggling and wrecking, that's luring ships on to the rocks and raiding their cargo.

In fact, as late as 1839, the Pennsylvania and two other ships ended up right here and everything aboard was later found distributed amongst the locals.

City Strippers?

I'm not sure we've come to the right place here!

I hope we have.

VO: Actually, you might want to try next door.

Once inside, Charlie's instantly faced with a handicap.

CR: I've broken my glasses.

VO: Which could explain why he thinks this print of Windsor Castle might be popular in Anglesey.

CR: It's absolutely magnificent.

Wonderful.

A rowing eight going down here.

Beautiful.

But it's a print.

VO: Actually, that's the least of its problems.

There's no glass, the frame's in a state, and even David, the shop owner, is quick to point out its failings.

DAVID: The original cord on the back must have rotted because I came in one morning and it was on the floor.

CR: Oh no!

So it's been on the wall for how long?

DAVID: Six or seven years.

Six or seven years.

So frankly it's about time it left, isn't it?

DAVID: You could have it for 20 quid if you wanted.

Really, at auction, if I don't buy it for a fiver or something, there's probably nowhere to go.

You're a typical cheapskate dealer.

I am a cheapskate dealer!

You've summed me up in one!

I'll do it for a tenner, but that's it.

Will you?

Go on, I'll buy it for a tenner!

I think it's great.

And I hope somebody likes it as much as I do.

And if they don't... VO: Then I, for one, won't be surprised.

DAVID: Watch it.

CR: Oh!

It's falling to bits.

Another bit's dropped off it.

There won't be much of this left by the time I get it to the auction.

VO: Well, that may not be a bad thing.

At the other end of the Wirral, Mark is having a grand old time in the picturesque Port Sunlight which, much like Charlie's print of Windsor Castle, has a very colorful history.

The story begins with William Hesketh Lever, whose company, Lever Brothers, manufactured the household name of Sunlight Soap.

Looking to expand the operation and provide homes for his workers, Lever purchased 56 acres of marshland and went about building the charming village you see today, a process which took 15 years and involved 30 different architects.

It's also the location of Lever's other legacy - the Lady Lever Art Gallery named after his wife.

And it's home to his incredibly impressive art collection and, naturally, Mark couldn't resist a visit.

It's just absolutely breathtaking.

VO: Though, no matter how much he likes what Sandra, the curator, has to show him, I can promise you none of Lever's collection is for sale.

SANDRA: Here he is.

Over the doorway.

MARK: Gosh.

A typical Victorian businessman.

VO: And whilst Lever loved his art and believed it to be for the people, one of his key motivations was still making money.

And long before advertising as we know it today, he was using his paintings to sell soap.

SANDRA: What he would do is he'd get a copy artist to copy the picture and then he would obviously put the brand name in.

MARK: A slogan.

SANDRA: A slogan.

He would also put into the picture bars of soap.

VO: So, this is The Wedding Morning, painted by John Henry Frederick Bacon in 1892, and this is the newspaper ad for soap it was soon to become.

MARK: We think of ourselves as so sophisticated these days, with our advertising on TV.

And yet, you've got the masters who were doing it 100 years ago.

And it is so easy to do, when you think about it.

VO: Not surprisingly, Sunlight was one of the first brands to be internationally marketed.

And by 1930, Lever Brothers was the biggest company in Britain.

Today, the brand still exists.

Whilst it doesn't retail in the UK, it is very popular in Canada and the States.

I feel honored to see it, thank you so much for showing me.

VO: As for Charlie, after the Windsor Castle debacle, here's hoping common sense will prevail in Birkenhead, which is where he's heading now.

Hello?

Hello!

No one about.

I expect there's someone about somewhere.

VO: Oh well.

Maybe Charlie can just help himself.

It could be the break-in he's been dreaming of!

Seems quite promising.

VO: But, two floors up, he finds the first signs of life.

There's someone here.

Hello!

Crumbs!

Hi.

Alan.

Pleased to meet you.

Hello, lovely to meet you.

VO: In case you hadn't guessed, Alan's specialty is silver - wholesaling, not retailing, so this could be just the place to find a bargain or in Charlie's case, pay far too much money for something that probably won't sell.

CR: How much is that, sir?

ALAN: £10.

Do you know, I was hoping it was five!

VO: Actually, this silver-plated candlestick looks promising.

You've got me in the mood now.

VO: Charlie's next find really is silver.

A plaque or possibly a lid from an old cigar box.

It features a hunting scene.

But if I was Charlie, right now I'd be asking myself, is this something that will sell well at auction in Anglesey?

ALAN: It's about two ounces of silver in there.

CR: It's worth more.

ALAN: So there's about £20 worth of scrap.

I presume it would be an insult to offer you £10, would it?

It is, but go on.

VO: Having broken Alan's spirit, at least Charlie still plans on buying the candlestick as well.

So it's £20 all in.

Thank you.

Thank you very much indeed, Alan.

That's really kind.

I'm thrilled with those.

VO: Having been to the art gallery, Mark's next stop on this Road Trip is the seaside, or to be more precise, the seaside town of Hoylake on the northwestern corner of the Wirral.

It's here, in 1690, that William of Orange set sail to Ireland with 10,000 soldiers in order to claim his right to the throne.

And in a charming little antique shop, Mark Stacey is doing what he does best - dithering.

I can't resist little cabinets like this, I can spend hours looking through them.

VO: So far, he's spent £126 and has plenty more in the kitty.

But with just a few hours until the infamous show and tell, can he possibly bring himself to make yet another decision?

MARK: I quite like this, it's quite lightweight, but it is silver.

I'll have to find the hallmark to see exactly the date.

It's got a little family crest on it as well, which is rather nice.

VO: Hallmarks were first introduced in the UK in 1300, and today we have one of the most thorough systems in the world, using symbols to explain where, when and by whom a piece was made.

Up until 1890, there was even an additional hallmark to confirm the requisite tax had been paid to the Crown.

More importantly, there's also a standard mark which assures the quality of the metal.

DEALER: I'll do that at 25 for the silver.

MARK: That's quite reasonable.

VO: Though, unfortunately, none of this is helping Mark to make up his mind.

Now downstairs for a little more shopping, I think.

VO: Better late than never, Charlie.

But the clock is ticking.

And remember, don't panic buy.

CR: Some quality there.

Victorian.

Walnut.

Brass mounted.

Sliding bookends.

Splendid quality.

VO: Whilst this Victorian book slide doesn't come with a manufacturer's marking, it's clear from the finish that it would have belonged to someone well-to-do.

In this instance, there's no price tag, so maybe Frances can shed some light.

Whenever I see something without a price on it, I get very excited.

It's £30.

VO: Wait for it... Well, I have to say, I'm pleasantly surprised to start with.

(ROMANTIC MUSIC) VO: And as we've seen this week, Charlie Ross isn't afraid to turn on the charm when it comes to ladies.

You are an absolute angel.

Mwah!

VO: Remember this classic moment?

If I gave you a kiss to say thank you?

..Oh!

VO: Or how about this appalling display.

Mwah, mwah.

A tenner!

VO: My goodness, he lays it on thick.

Let's see how he fares when he turns on the old Charlie charm for Frances.

If I were to offer you £20, would you take it?

No.

(RECORD SCRATCH) Ooh, that was a very quick answer!

(LAUGHS) I thought at first you were very reasonable.

VO: When charm fails, go for pity.

At 30, at auction, they've got to make 40 less the commission.

40 with buyer's premiums.

50.

Then the problem is... (SAD VIOLIN PLAYS) VO: There's nothing like a good sob story.

FRANCES: I'll split the difference with you.

CR: Would you?

FRANCES: £35.

VO: He's still got it!

I can't resist it, Frances.

I'm going to shake you by the hand.

That's the quickest deal I've done today.

VO: As for the slowest, let's see what Mark's up to.

Apparently, the silver pedestal bowl priced at £25 has been set aside.

That's silver plate, isn't it?

VO: And he's now focused his gaze on the Georgian-style silver salt.

MARK: Yes, I think that's silver plate, but lovely quality.

DEALER: £5.

MARK: Gosh, it's nothing, is it?

Now, is there any chance I can be cheeky with you?

Mm-hm.

You can try.

Can I try and be cheeky?

You can try, yeah.

Is there any chance we could do those two for 25?

Seeing as it's you, yes.

MARK: Are you sure?

DEALER: Yes.

You are such a star.

Thank you.

VO: And with that, Mark is officially ready to face the auctioneer's gavel, which is more than can be said for some.

I love it.

Stunning looking, isn't it?

VO: Now this is what I would call absolutely hideous.

Not really an antique, and it's less than a century old, but it could be an interior designer's dream, and thus make a bob or two at auction.

Or at least that's what Prince Charming is hoping for.

CR: How much is it?

FRANCES: £45.

Love it!

Can I buy that for 30?

FRANCES: No, I'm afraid not.

CR: Are you sure?

I'm giving you my best prices, actually.

VO: Charlie, just give up and leave now while your dignity's semi-intact.

Come on, you came down a fiver last time.

You did.

Don't deny it.

FRANCES: £40.

Well, I said at the beginning of the day, spend, spend, spend.

Frankly, if somebody doesn't want to pay any more than £40 for that... ..they're off their rockers.

VO: No doubt the auction will decide who's really off their rocker.

Charlie?

£85 very well spent.

Right, Mr Stacey, I'm coming to get you.

VO: Brave words, Charlie.

But let's see how you fare at the all-important show and tell, especially when you whip out items such as... ..this!

MARK: Windsor Castle?

CR: Oh, really?!

CR: They're very, very keen royalists up here.

MARK: Are they?

CR: Yes, love the Queen.

MARK: What, in Anglesey?

CR: Yeah.

And how much did you pay for this?

A tenner.

MARK: £10?

CR: Yeah.

Well, that's cheap enough.

VO: Oh, yes, there's nothing quite like knowing your target audience.

My purchases are here, and there's that... CR: I broke my glasses, by the way, today.

Oh, no.

They work as a pair of pince-nez, which is quite nice.

I got that as one little lot.

This is silver plate, this is Sheffield silver with a lovely little family crest on there.

I would think it's about 1910?

Yes, something like that, on the cusp of George V and Edward VII.

I would value those probably at either £30-50, or £40-60.

MARK: Well, that's not too bad.

MARK: I paid £25 for the pair.

CR: Not a problem.

So I'm quite pleased with that.

Profit there.

Onward and upward.

I bought this because it was decorative.

You will love it or hate it.

What is it?

Tin?

CR: It's tin.

And what did you pay for that?

CR: 40 quid.

MARK: OK. Well, it is decorative.

VO: Well, I've never seen Mark so excited (!)

MARK: My next buy is just a little fun object, you know.

CR: Yep.

It's a little toy that an Edwardian child would have been encouraged to use, maybe with his nanny, if he wasn't feeling very well, to point to where the pain was.

He's German, he's marked on the back there.

And I just think that somebody in the saleroom...

There will be a couple of people who think, "I must have this."

Yeah.

And it was cheap, wasn't it?

It was £10.

Yeah.

It's not a £30-40 item.

It might be, of course.

Well, we'll see at the sale.

I'm quietly confident.

You are always quietly confident.

VO: And at the risk of Mark contorting his face even further, Charlie has a few more little treasures.

CR: This, I love.

That's silver, and 1906.

MARK: It's off a box or something?

Yeah, it's been off a...

I don't know whether it was a cigar box or whatever, but I paid 20 quid for the two.

MARK: That's not too bad.

CR: I love that.

Good.

You're not happy with any of my things.

VO: Really?

What was your first clue?

MARK: My next purchase is a pair of lovely early Staffordshire figures.

CR: Yep.

MARK: About 1860.

They weren't that cheap, unless you stole them!

MARK: I paid £18 for those.

CR: What?!

£18.

Buy of the week.

So what is your next item?

I've got two more, one is standard.

A piece of Victorian walnut.

Yes, nothing to write home about really, are they?

CR: They used to make a lot of money.

But now they don't.

VO: So, Charlie, do you think Mark hates this £25 investment too?

Oh, well, moving on.

MARK: Look at this, Charlie - a pedestal compote, but decorated underneath as well.

CR: That's unusual.

They are not the first period which you'd love this pattern to be, but they are still hand painted, circa 1890, 1900.

And I paid quite a lot for those actually, Charlie.

VO: Yep, £98, which, for Mark, must have been a traumatic experience.

CR: Right, I've got one more item for you.

Decorated with Edelweiss, with a little Swiss... MARK: Musical box.

CR: Musical box inside it.

It's a little mass-produced, isn't it?

Well, musical boxes are all mass-produced.

No, the case, I mean.

Well, I think it's quite pleasant.

What did you pay for that?

£30.

Well, £30 isn't bad.

Have we had your freebie yet?

No.

(HE LAUGHS) Pull out the freebie.

Oh!

I think these are very rare because, for them to have survived all this time in this condition, still working...

But I rather like that.

It might make five quid to a maiden bid.

Yeah.

So, that's it, Charlie, that's the sum total of Chester before you.

Summing up I think your Staffordshires are the winners.

And I can tell from your body language that you don't like any of my purchases, which is a little worrying.

No, I...

But you might not be right.

Who knows, Charlie?

Absolutely.

(CHARLIE LAUGHS) VO: Just in case it's not painfully obvious, what do the boys really think?

Mark's bought well.

His Staffordshire items are fantastic.

MARK: I hope they make about 80 quid.

The Crown Derby, I could be on a tricky wicket with that.

CR: But he's really splashed out.

I haven't added it up, but he probably spent a couple of hundred pounds.

He bought that print of Windsor which I think is horrible.

I really do.

I'm sorry.

It might make a profit, I just don't know.

I hope not because it doesn't deserve to, it's hideous.

I'm not mad keen on the little porcelain boy.

It's a bit of a nothing figure really, I can't imagine anybody buying it.

I really can't see any of Charlie's stuff making a huge profit, I'm sorry.

But who knows?

There might be some people in the sale with as little taste as I've got!

VO: The Road Trip for this leg has finally arrived at the island of Anglesey.

MARK: (ACCENTUATES WELSH ACCENT) Here we are.

We're over the Menai Bridge.

CR: Oh, crackin'.

VO: After driving from Chester through Port Sunlight, Birkenhead, Wallasey and Hoylake, they end up here in Anglesey for the auction showdown.

CR: Straight in?

MARK: I think so, don't you?

VO: Time to put everything our intrepid road-trippers have found under the hammer.

Doing the honors, Morgan Evans and Co, who auction everything from fine arts and collectibles, through to livestock.

Today's general sale is just the ticket for the eclectic mix put forward by Mark and Charlie.

But how does auctioneer Simon Bower rate their chances?

SIMON: The two Derby pieces, I think they'll do well.

And the bits of silver, they're again just a bit different, so they should do alright.

That little medical doll again is a bit different.

I'm not sure about the big vase.

Don't know.

We'll see.

VO: Mark started this leg with £284.97, and despite his usual frugal nature, went a little mad, and spent £151 on five auction lots.

Charlie, on the other hand, began proceedings with £248.91 and, like his rival, picked up five auction lots, spending £125 in the process.

So, let the auction begin.

Who'll pay for a click-action cowboy gun?

VO: Lot one, Mark's cardboard cowboy gun which he, jammy old devil, got for free.

Well, hold it up.

VO: Ha, cheeky.

SIMON: Little paper and click-action cowboy gun.

A bit of fun on that one, starting on 15?

10?

VO: And the crowd goes wild... Not.

SIMON: Four, I'm bid.

£4 bid.

MARK: Four!

Come on!

At £4 I'm bid.

And sold at £4.

Oh, that's not very much, is it?

Anything over 50p was a serious result.

MARK: £4 only!

I was hoping at least for £4.50.

VO: Next up, Mark's praying Staffordshire is about to leap back into fashion, otherwise he's just wasted £18.

A bid to me at £40.

Straight in for the pair, at £40 bid.

40 I'm bid.

MARK: How much?

CR: 40.

50.

£50.

Five.

55.

60.

65.

70.

At £70 bid.

75.

80.

SIMON: And five.

VO: Hm, someone's excited.

£90.

Five again?

For the pair, mind.

At £90.

Is there five again?

At £90, and sold and away at 90.

CR: £72 profit.

MARK: I'm pleased with that.

I think that's fair, actually, they were a lovely pair of figures.

I'm devastated.

VO: And Mark's just full of sympathy (!)

But hang on, Charlie might have an ace up his sleeve - his Black Forest music box.

£30.

30?

20?

10, £10 bid.

A little musical piano at 10.

12.

15.

18.

£18 bid.

Nice that, at £18.

"Nice that"!

20.

£20 bid.

22.

22 bid.

22 bid.

Five?

25?

Eight?

28 bid.

One more?

At £28.

VO: Oh, could this be it?

Hammer's up.

At 30.

30 bid.

32.

Come on.

Five?

At 32.

Lady's bid again then, at 32, and sold mind.

I thought you were a bit unlucky there, Charlie, honestly.

VO: Well, perhaps there's money to be made on the Victorian book slide that Mark so dislikes.

Charlie, cross your fingers.

And your legs.

15 got.

15 bid for the lovely little bookstand.

15 bid.

£15.

18.

18 got.

18 bid.

20.

£20 bid.

20 bid.

Two.

22 bid.

Sounds cheap, and away it goes mind.

At 22.

CR: Well, I'm devastated.

I'm never coming to Wales again.

22.

94.

MARK: Sheer bad luck, I'm sorry.

CR: A good laugh?

MARK: I'm not going to laugh.

VO: Just containing himself, Mark focuses on how much money his Royal Derby will make him.

MARK: I paid 98 quid for this, so I need them to make 120 to break even.

So that's quite a big ask.

They'll make one and a half.

Trust me.

£80 the two.

80?

Alright, 40 got.

Five.

50.

Five.

55 bid for the two.

At 55.

60.

60 bid, cheap enough.

VO: The bid is stalled.

Looks like Mark might need a cup of tea and a lie down.

Oh, that's cheap, isn't it?

60 bid.

Five, 65.

At 65.

70.

70 bid.

Still cheap.

At £70.

It is still cheap.

75.

75 bid.

80.

80 bid.

80 bid.

80 bid.

The hammer's up then at 80, and off mind.

Gosh.

VO: How the mighty have fallen.

That's an £18 loss.

MARK: Oh, what a shame.

CR: It's dented your super profits.

MARK: It has.

That's the most expensive thing you've bought on tour so far, isn't it?

MARK: It is.

CR: Yeah.

Let that be a lesson.

Yep.

Stick to your £20 lots.

Stick to your freebies!

VO: If Mark is feeling a little pain, it's time for him to point to the appropriate spot on his Edwardian medical doll.

SIMON: Unusual little piece, that.

Interest with me at £30, straight in.

Oh, I say, fantastic!

Five.

40.

£40 bid.

40 I'm bid.

Five.

45.

50.

Five.

60.

At £60 bid.

Brilliant.

65.

65.

65.

70 now?

You're out in front of me.

It's a commission bid.

At 65, and the hammer's up mind.

VO: Someone fetch the smelling salts.

I think Mark's about to faint.

That's a staggering £55 profit.

CR: That is fantastic.

MARK: That is a surprise.

I take my hat off to you there.

The other things are more obvious, I would never have bought that.

MARK: No, I'm pleased with that, actually.

I would have walked past it.

It is quite a fun thing, certainly.

VO: Now the moment we've all been dreading, Charlie's print of Windsor Castle.

Is it something that will excite the people of Anglesey?

What do you like on that one then?

A couple of pounds surely?

£2?

Two, two I'm bid.

Four.

Four I'm bid.

We've got a competition now.

At four.

Five, five I'm bid.

CR: £4.50 he bid for that!

MARK: He took five.

I'll take six quickly.

At five, and off then.

I suppose it could have been worse, couldn't it?

VO: Well, old chap, not by much.

But moving right along, it's time for the silver, starting with Mark's hallmarked pedestal bowl, teamed rather nicely with his Georgian-style silver salt.

CR: What you think?

45?

MARK: I think 40-45 would be nice.

£50 the two.

50?

40?

Where you like, then.

Straight in at 20.

A nice silver bowl.

That's less than scrap.

VO: This don't look good.

SIMON: £20 bid.

I'll need two now.

25.

25 bid.

28.

28 bid.

£28.

MARK: Oh, come along.

SIMON: 28.

MARK: No, that's not fair.

28, and sold.

30, just in time.

A £30 bid.

30 I'm bid.

No money at all, but sold, mind, at £30.

MARK: That's bad luck.

CR: Are you aware that the buyer of that silver bowl was the man that bid £4.50 for my Windsor print?

MARK: No!

So he's got style!

He's got eclectic taste, doesn't he?

VO: It looks like the buyers just aren't here on Anglesey.

Or could Charlie's silver plaque and candlestick tease them out?

MARK: What did you pay for this?

CR: Shh!

Be quiet.

SIMON: Nice little candlestick that.

10 I've got, at 10.

For the both at 10.

£10 bid.

CR: The silver scrap's at more than that.

15, 15 bid.

CR: There's 30 quid's worth of silver there.

SIMON: £15.

CR: I can't believe this.

15 bid.

£15.

This is the worst day of my life.

18 bid.

£18.

20.

£20 bid.

20 I'm bid.

I can't believe it.

I'm giving up.

SIMON: And away.

CR: I'm almost in tears.

VO: Well, Charlie, perhaps have a hankie at the ready, because it all comes down to this - your hand-painted decorative urn.

CR: It is a big urn.

MARK: It is a big urn.

CR: Will it be a big urn-er?!

MARK: How much is a Greek urn?

Not a lot.

Oh...!

VO: And, as Charlie holds his breath, the cautious bidders of Anglesey prepare to do their worst.

Now, somewhere, £40?

30 then?

Where you like.

15 got.

15 bid, 15 bid.

A nice decorative urn, 20.

£20 bid.

CR: Come on, ladies - 30.

MARK: 28.

What do you mean, 28?!

30!

30 bid.

Another two?

32.

Anybody new, then?

Hammer's up, mind, at £32 and sold away at 32.

Oh, Charlie, bad luck.

VO: And it's another great day for Mark, but a bit of a stinker for Charlie.

MARK: That, I think, makes you down 14.

And I'm up 118.

CR: Quite close then (!)

VO: Mark started with £284.97.

And after paying commission to the auction house, made a profit of £70.58, giving him £355.55 to carry forward.

Meanwhile, there's trouble at sea for our Charlie.

He started with £248.91.

But after commission, made a loss of £33.57, which means he starts the next round with just £215.34.

VO: What a Charlie!

MARK: Ah.

Well, Charlie, that was quite nice.

That was absolutely dreadful.

Chocks away!

CR: Well, I hope I don't have to come here again.

I'd have done better staying at home and burning my money.

MARK: I would have preferred you burning your objects!

VO: Next time on the Antiques Road Trip - Is 40 going to tickle you?

VO: The gloves are off, as Charlie declares war on Mark Stacey.

Will you get out?!

It's too late, Charlie.

VO: Meanwhile, Mark is desperate to hold on to his lead.

Goodbye.

VO: But is the pressure taking its toll?

Now I need a large gin and tonic.

VO: Oh, yes, the stakes couldn't be higher, as our experts head deeper into Wales.

I mean, I really don't like this at all!

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