
Paul Laidlaw and Catherine Southon, Day 4
Season 17 Episode 14 | 43m 48sVideo has Closed Captions
Catherine Southon and Paul Laidlaw rummage in Birmingham for antique pouches and purses.
Catherine Southon and Paul Laidlaw take their little roadster to Birmingham. Catherine finds a top-secret hidey-hole and Paul ends up on a canal barge. It’s an auction to remember.
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Paul Laidlaw and Catherine Southon, Day 4
Season 17 Episode 14 | 43m 48sVideo has Closed Captions
Catherine Southon and Paul Laidlaw take their little roadster to Birmingham. Catherine finds a top-secret hidey-hole and Paul ends up on a canal barge. It’s an auction to remember.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipVOICEOVER (VO): It's the nation's favorite antiques experts.
I just love it.
VO: Behind the wheel of a classic car.
(HORN TOOTS) LOUISE: It's fast.
CHARLES: It's a race.
VO: And a goal - to scour Britain for antiques.
PAUL: This could be tricky.
MARGIE: £38!
VO: The aim - to make the biggest profit at auction.
VO: But it's no mean feat.
ROO: High five!
There'll be worthy winners... CHRISTINA: Mind-blowing.
VO: ..and valiant losers.
Could have been worse.
Will it be the high road to glory...
Car!
..or the slow road to disaster?
CHRISTINA: Aaagh!
TIM: Oh my!
VO: This is the Antiques Road Trip.
VO: Not half!
VO: Today, our two chums head for Brum, economic powerhouse and the UK's second most populous city.
PAUL (PL): Birmingham neck of the woods, eh?
CATHERINE (CS): Did you know there are more canals around this area... than in Venice?
Is that..?
I did not.
VO: We've checked it, and she's right, you know.
The place is full of surprises, a bit like Catherine Southon and Paul Laidlaw, hah!
Silver trade, silver trade, Birmingham!
I like the idea of buying silver, lots of silver.
VO: This week, auctioneer Catherine has surprised us all by buying trench art.
A dinner gong.
VO: And last time, she made quite a profit.
£45...
Yes!
VO: While Paul, also an auctioneer, has amazingly unearthed no militaria whatsoever.
Captain, Captain.
VO: Just kidding.
That would be ridiculous, He's bought heaps, as per usual.
140... Get in!
VO: His civvy street piggybank bagged his best return though.
How many thousands of pounds have you got?
Oh, I-I-I'd need a lot of time to count it, put it that way.
It's all in the back there.
All the gold.
VO: Paul started out with £200, and has more than doubled it with £439.62.
VO: While Catherine, who began with the same sum, reports more modest growth - just £229.28.
Can I borrow some money?
PL: We can talk terms, I'm sure.
I can imagine your terms.
More money on interest than anything else.
CS: Exactly!
PL: Is usury part of this game?
VO: Don't panic!
There's still a long way to go.
Those two set off from Budby in Nottinghamshire, and they've covered an awful lot of the Midlands.
Been as far over as Wales, too, before moseying back to the centre, so that when their work is done, they'll point the classic car towards Middle Littleton, and journey's end.
Today's concluding destination is at an auction at Broughton Astley.
But we begin in the Birmingham suburb of Quinton, or at least Paul does.
He's flying solo on this one.
Quaint.
Hello there, is it Chris?
It is yes, absolutely, yeah.
Good to see you, I'm Paul.
Well, it's like the opposite of a Tardis, isn't it?
It's a lot smaller on the inside than it is on the out.
Oh, absolutely, yes.
VO: Yes, it's a good job Catherine's gone elsewhere.
Tread gingerly here, Laidlaw.
VO: This establishment is now officially full.
I feel I'm gonna elbow something into a big bill.
VO: I predict that there's gonna be money spent here, with or without breakages.
Is your beadwork North American?
The beadwork, I believe, is a purse.
I bought it in the frame, and that's where it stayed, but it's just a really nice piece.
It's like a wee museum as much as a shop.
It's old-school lovely stuff, proper stuff.
What price, the dog tags?
A tenner.
They are sold, one way or another.
Here's the story of a man.
There's his service number, a lowly Private Warehaim, and he was serving in the 10th Glosters.
Why two?
Because one stays with the corpse.
Yes.
You can tell something else about this guy here.
I think the War Office spelt his name wrong.
Waram, Warehaim.
And while the aluminum disk says he was in the 10th Glosters, this one here tells us the unit is 23MG.
That's 23rd Machine Gun Corps.
It's a fascinating subject.
VO: One down.
Anything Chris can offer up?
Ah, the Michelin guides to the battlefields of France.
These are classics.
And they were great sellers.
Published in 1919 by Michelin & Co. And there's everything you need to know.
Absolutely superb, yes.
And you've got three of... there's at least four, I think.
What are you asking for them?
They can be £30.
VO: Let's leave Paul pondering those, and follow Catherine's progress.
Wakey-wakey, girl.
She's also on the outskirts of the metropolis, at Oldbury.
And no prizes for guessing whose shop this is.
CS: Howdy!
DEALER: Hello.
Catherine.
DEALER: James.
CS: Very nice to meet you.
Pleased to meet you.
Your window display looks amazing.
Thank you very much.
It's very theatrical here.
Taste of the Orient.
Oh, yes.
Tastes of...
I like it.
VO: And he doesn't mean Leyton Orient either.
Ha!
James.
I don't wanna ruin your wonderful display, but I noticed a Japanese bronze.
Can you get it?
I don't wanna ruin it.
JAMES: It's a little... VO: Oh crikey.
Oh, please don't knock anything down.
All damages must be paid for!
Well everything's mine, so that's OK. VO: Ha-ha, that's true.
JAMES: I don't think it's got huge age.
Oh no, I don't think it has, after all that.
What a shame.
It's probably just an incense burner, and probably 20th century, like a tourist piece really.
Oh James, I'm really sorry.
VO: Ah.
Well, this former butcher's shop seems to have plenty of other tasty morsels to choose from.
These are cute.
These are really interesting, because these are mether cups, which were used to contain mead, which is basically a mixture of honey, water and yeast.
These are English, but they're based on an Irish Celtic design, going back hundreds of years.
VO: Mether, rhymes with heather, are four-sided communal drinking cups.
They would have been wooden, and these were obviously silver.
They would have been in an original case, and there would have been six of them, and there's only five.
But I do quite like little miniature novelty items.
And I would say stylistically, these are more sort of art nouveau.
What about these, James?
I like these.
JAMES: They're stylish, aren't they?
CS: Like yourself.
VO: Catherine!
But of course there's only five.
JAMES: Yes.
And no case.
CS: And there would've been six.
You definitely don't have the other one?
I definitely don't, no.
I mean, what can you do with them?
That's the problem.
Shots?
VO: Steady on.
Are you offering, James?
Are you offering?
Why not?
Well, I think these ones are probably turn of the century, maybe slightly later.
I know you've got quite a high price on them.
I've got 195 on them.
Can you do...
I mean, I can halve it to 100, but that's really the very best I can do.
I just want to hold them and put them in my pocket.
(HE CHUCKLES) JAMES: You're on camera.
CS: I am as well.
VO: Good point!
Now, time to catch up with the big fella in that very small shop.
Paul's already bagged those dog tags, and he has his eye on a possibly Native American purse.
But Chris has something else to show him.
PL: What's the story with the wee box?
CHRIS: I call it "The Hangman's Box."
There's a date.
17-something, an 18th-century piece of oak.
E. And we know who it... PL: It belonged to HE didn't it?
CHRIS: HE, yes.
Because he's branded, and that's just poker work.
CHRIS: Yes.
PL: So what's in it?
Have a look, you'll be surprised.
Oh my word!
It's what I think it is, isn't it?
That's gallows.
The Hangman's Box.
PL: Oh my word, that's almost chilling.
Bloodcurdling.
What on Earth went in there?
I just think it's a fantastic piece... You're so right.
..and I just had to have it in my shop.
What's the price on that?
Well to you, £90.
What an object!
VO: This is turning out to be quite an adventure, and it's not over yet.
Do you see the funny Oriental looking dishes?
That is a late-Georgian supper set.
Think of the context that that was enjoyed in.
It was a reasonably wealthy household.
The rare bit is the dish in the centre.
The segments do turn up singly or in multiples.
A complete set, uncommon today.
English, transfer printed, blue and white, a chinoiserie pattern, yeah?
VO: Chris!
He can't be far off.
The blue and white supper set, what's the story with that?
I've had it for quite a while, actually.
It really wants to go.
There is damage to the circular piece.
PL: So the center dish... CHRIS: Is damaged.
Repaired.
But the segments, the dishes round the outside...
The segments are in OK condition.
PL: Price?
CHRIS: £20.
Ooh, you do want to sell it, don't you?
I do, yeah.
So we've got the identity disk, that was a wee cheapie, and that's a cheapie.
And we've got the box.
I'm not gonna haggle with you, because your prices are right, but I am gonna make a cheeky punt on one thing, and it's the beadwork purse in the frame.
30 quid cheeky?
Too cheeky.
I've got £85 on it, I'll do it for 50.
If I gave you 90 for the hangman's box, would you squeeze another tenner off that purse?
That's the one I'm no' sure about.
I'd knock another fiver off, 45.
So that's 45.
Right...
I'm gonna buy dog tags for 10, £20 for the supper set - that's 30.
£90 for the hangman's box is 120.
And... what did that come to, 45?
CHRIS: 45.
PL: What did I get to?
CHRIS: 600 and... (PAUL CHUCKLES) VO: Nice try.
PL: 165.
CHRIS: Yep.
VO: He'll need to sit down after this.
180, if you've got £15 we are in business.
Thank you very much.
Well, it appears it's your lucky day.
There's £20 change, so it's 160.
Chris... VO: Some deal.
Now, in nearby Oldbury, Catherine's also fairly excited by these mether cups, which can be bought for £100.
And also that lot.
These caught my eye earlier.
And I must admit, I didn't really know much about them until I looked at the ticket.
So you've got there, three brown... What are they?
Stoneware vases?
But turn them round... ..and we have a name that most of us will recognize.
And if you look on the top of each one of these... ..you'll see that there are three grooves.
So what they are is development tanks.
So you'd put your film in here with the necessary liquid, and then you'd develop them in here.
JAMES: That's correct.
CS: Oh!
(HE CHUCKLES) VO: James believes they were made by the Royal Doulton company.
Where did you get them from, James?
They came from a private home, from an elderly gentleman who I presume probably had them from new, back in the day.
I like them.
What could you use them for?
I mean you could use them as vases.
Or... Or filing.
Oh yeah, I suppose you would, yeah.
You've got £50 on these.
Yeah.
Oh, it's each.
Oh I thought that was for the three.
That's just the ticket price, Catherine.
Oh.
Told you I liked him.
(HE CHUCKLES) Well if I did them you at a tenner each... Yeah.
I like those very much.
I'm glad you popped up.
(THEY CHUCKLE) VO: OK, time to talk cups.
I can't get those out of my mind, cos I really like them.
Really?
No, I'm quite fond of those.
But...
I'm just worried about how they're gonna do.
And then something completely quirky, which is the... JAMES: Yeah.
Something you don't see every day.
So £30 for those.
And you said 100 for those.
Is there any more slight movement?
JAMES: If I do 85... 85, and three stoneware vases - but we know what they're really for... JAMES: Yeah.
CS: ..at £30.
CS: Fantastic.
JAMES: Okey-dokey.
CS: How much is that, James?
JAMES: 115.
Wonderful.
VO: They're both spending liberally today.
CS: And I'll be back.
CS: Thank you so much.
JAMES: I hope so.
JAMES: Cheers, Catherine.
Bye.
CS: Bye-bye.
VO: And so, with Catherine in search of her next shop, Paul's traveled to the Victorian center of Birmingham, taking a river taxi through the Gas Street Basin.
Venetians, avert your eyes, per favore.
On the way to Steelhouse Lane.
And the lock-up, which is locked... Oof!
Oof!
That's a serious door.
Hello, Corinne?
Hi, welcome to the lock-up!
Good to see ya.
My word, you're not getting in here without a key, are ya?
CORINNE (CB): Nor out.
(THEY CHUCKLE) VO: Corinne Brazier, from the West Midlands Police Heritage Project, is about to give Paul a guided tour of one of the city's grimmest buildings, where men charged at the courts next door were first incarcerated.
So this is where we have brought people who have been arrested, ever since 1891.
VO: The lock-up was in use until very recently, and everywhere, there are vivid reminders of its past.
This is Victorian penal architecture.
Yeah, definitely.
And you can really get a feel for what it would have been like in the late 19th century.
From where I'm standing, that's not a good feeling.
I mean, I've never been in a space like this, but it's got an edge to it, does it not?
CB: Definitely.
I can tell you it's even worse at night-time.
Oh my word.
I guess, what, tens of thousands of people one way or another have...
I couldn't even begin to estimate how many people, like thousands every year.
125 years - that's a really long time.
PL: Indeed.
VO: Amongst all those Birmingham villains were several members of the notorious Peaky Blinders gang.
Not just a TV invention, but a real-life band of thugs.
CB: So the first time that I have found reference to the Peaky Blinders, a specific gang in Birmingham, in Small Heath, is in 1890, when they are referenced as being involved in a particularly vicious assault on an individual in a pub.
And by the later 1890s, the term has become used for any kind of gang culture in Birmingham.
And judges start to refer to people as being of the Peaky class.
PL: Why the name Peaky Blinder?
Many people will believe the term comes from razorblades sewn into the peaks of the caps, and the caps were used to blind people.
From contemporary newspaper reports that I've seen, razorblades aren't mentioned at all.
However, what is mentioned is the standard attire of a Peaky Blinder is a peaked cap, pulled down quite low over the forehead, so they don't have that full line of vision.
And it probably gives them anonymity.
Oh my word, I get it.
VO: Gangs like the Blinders, and their predecessors, the Sloggers, prospered amongst the poverty, while the local police force struggled to contain them.
We lost a number of officers in Birmingham through the line of duty, because it wasn't like it is now.
You couldn't call for backup, and have a car there straightaway, with your colleagues to support you.
You blew your whistle, and you hoped that there were people round that would come and help you.
But it would very quickly be the opposite sometimes, and a mob could quickly ensue.
VO: Many police officers died at the hands of the Peaky Blinders, and the Heritage Project has discovered the story of Elaine Myles, who has a family connection to those dark times.
And you've got some interesting ancestry.
Tell me about it.
ELAINE: My grandfather, George William Fowles, was involved in the manslaughter of a policeman in Birmingham in 1901.
He'd actually attacked PC Gunter, and he died from his injuries weeks later.
The three men involved were all charged with manslaughter eventually, and they got 15 years' hard labor.
What did that feel like?
I mean, when you're reading that record...
It was really shocking, because the dates didn't always tie up, so I wasn't 100% convinced for a long time that I'd got the right person, until I found a photograph in my nan's belongings, with his writing on the back.
And he'd drawn a picture of himself in his prison outfit, and he'd written his prisoner number on the shirt.
Checking all the records, it matched his number.
One of the newspaper articles at the time actually has the heading "Peaky Blinders", and names him as a Peaky Blinder.
All this is exciting, but you have to remember that somebody died.
How fascinating, the history you've uncovered.
VO: With stories like Elaine's, it's no wonder some people claim the lock-up is haunted.
(RUMBLING THUD) VO: Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city, there's a man who keeps records.
Vinyl records.
And it looks like Catherine's bettered Paul's barge to get there.
Whoo!
This is the shop.
Brilliant.
Thank you.
VO: She's scooted over to the suburb of Moseley.
Wow!
Hello.
How very rock 'n' roll this feels.
Thank you very much.
I'm Catherine, hello.
Hi Catherine, I'm Steve.
Hello, Steve.
Wow!
VO: Right on.
Steve seems to have gathered stuff from just about every recent decade in here.
This is so impressive.
If you had something like this in the late '70s, early '80s, this glazed unit with all the drinks on, you would have been the envy of all your neighbors.
VO: Very Abigail's Party.
Put some Demis Roussos on, go on.
MUSIC: 'Forever And Ever' by Demis Roussos Ooh.
Ooh, look at this.
VO: Hey!
Oh, yes.
The optics.
So kitsch, it's brilliant.
VO: Ha-ha!
£495.
A bit like Demis himself...
I'm itching to have a look at your record deck there.
I've always wanted to have a look at this.
Can I have a go?
You can have a go, grandmaster.
VO: All change.
We're going '80s.
Actually, I have been a DJ.
Oh, have you?
On Radio University Essex.
VO: You impressed, Steve?
Not for very long.
I wasn't very good.
Right, go on then.
Put the needle on the record.
Is it actually gonna work?
Then press that button there.
MUSIC: 'Walk The Dinosaur' by Was (Not Was) Oh yeah, this is me.
STEVE: I'm feelin' this, yeah.
CS: Are you feeling this?
STEVE: Yeah, yeah.
CS: Grooving.
STEVE: Oh yeah.
VO: Crikey.
Back to the day job, eh?
And that lava lamp is good.
(SHE HUMS) Cameras, telescopes.
That's quite...
This doesn't really fit in with everything else that's in the shop.
A little lady's handbag.
I quite like that.
I mean it's just brass and copper... but quite a nice-looking handbag.
Probably '20s, '30s.
But what I like is the clasp, and then the hinge on the back.
It's a sort of hammer design, like an embossed design.
It almost looks eastern to me.
I don't think it is, but it has got a sort of eastern feel to it, which is rather nice.
It's probably English or continental, but that's quite a nice sign of quality there as well.
They've bothered to line it with velvet.
Steve!
Yes.
I've picked up something that doesn't actually go in your shop at all.
Why did you buy this?
This is not your kinda thing.
It's just an interesting piece.
I just thought it's a really nice piece for a lady to use to put her, to fit her mobile phones.
What does it look like?
100% honest, I think it looks fantastic.
Does it?
VO: Ticket price, £12.
What do you think?
It has been there a while, to be fair.
We could do that for £8 for you.
STEVE: Could you?
CS: Yeah.
OK yeah, I'll take that for £8.
I like that.
Excellent.
VO: So, a modest buy.
Thank you, and I enjoyed the mixing.
Excellent.
If the antiques thing doesn't work out, I think you've got a future in DJing.
VO: And with Steve's encouragement still ringing in her ears, it's time to squeeze back into their wee red Morgan.
You had a great day, didn't you?
I did stick my neck out on something.
I spent thick end of £100 on one object that I think you'll be amazed by, but I'll tell you what, impossible to value.
VO: Beware mind games.
You're happy.
That unnerves me.
VO: Nighty-night.
Next morning starts with a storm.
Mind the puddles!
Water feature!
VO: Do we think that Morgans are amphibious at all?
These louvers, they can't be good, because surely all that water's getting into little Mog's engine.
VO: Quite.
Well, they both certainly splashed the cash yesterday... ..with Paul grabbing a Native American pouch, dog tags, some 19th-century china and a poker-work box...
Bloodcurdling.
VO: ..leaving almost £280 to spend today.
While Catherine acquired some stoneware film development tanks... ..a brass-and-copper handbag, and five silver mether cups...
I just want to hold them and put them in my pocket.
(DEALER CHUCKLES) VO: ..which means she has just over £105 at her disposal.
PL: Ah, look at this.
Height of sophistication.
We're steaming up.
You know what they say about steamy cars, don't you?
(THEY LAUGH) VO: By George!
Later, they'll be lugging their lots to an auction at Broughton Astley, but the first stop today is at Kingswinford, where Paul may possibly have cause to regret yesterday's splurge.
Hello there!
Pleased to meet you.
Good to see ya!
VO: Val's managed to pack quite a bit in here, and knowing Paul, he'll leave no stone unturned.
I have an interesting little glass to show you.
What's not of interest to me right now is its age, and it's almost 200 years old.
It's got your attention I hope.
And I'm not that interested in its form either.
What's of interest is the bowl itself.
Now, can you see that towards the base of that bowl, the glass gets very thick?
And that's going to give you a short measure, is it not?
Now there are two types of glass throughout the 18th and into the 19th century, that have such a bowl.
One, the penny lick.
You'd go up with your penny, and say "please sir, may I have a penny lick?"
And for your money, you'd get... ..a lick.
OK?
Now the other type of glass is the toastmaster's glass.
If this dates to 1820, 1830, it's the reign of George IV.
"To the king, his good health."
And the fashion would be to toast several times throughout the night.
Now, if every time... (HE CHUCKLES) ..you toast, you down another dose, the toastmaster could start to get a little bit unprofessional.
"Sirs, I give you..." Yeah?
So what he has is the toastmaster's glass, a deceptive bowl.
What do you have to pay for this particular talking point?
£30.
And do you know, I think that's good value.
But on the open market, it's about what it's worth.
It doesn't leave me a profit, and today, it's not a talking point I'm after, it's a profit.
So I'm gonna put that one back.
VO: Cheers for that, old chap.
Now, off to Catherine's first port of call.
Peaceful, isn't it?
It wasn't always like this, though.
She's traveled to Worcestershire, and Harvington Hall, to learn about an Elizabethan who was canonized for his fight against religious persecution... What date did you say this building is?
1580s, most of what you can see.
VO: ..in the company of manager Emma Pullen.
We've got a Protestant queen, Elizabeth I, on the throne.
EMMA (EP): Yes, absolutely.
And lots of Catholic plots to replace her, so she tightened up the laws, and it became punishable by death to have mass in your house, or for a priest to say mass, as well as huge fines in the region of about £3,000 a month for not attending church.
VO: The Midlands at that time was something of a hotbed of Roman Catholicism, and Harvington became part of a secret network dedicated to protecting priests from the authorities.
Amazingly, there were at least seven holes, or hides, concealed within the building, many of them the work of carpenter Nicholas Owen.
We actually believe he created about 150 hides, maybe 200... CS: Really?
EP: ..overall.
He didn't have a set trademark either.
EP: Because if you found one... CS: Oh, clever!
..you could find lots of others, in other houses.
So yeah, so each hide was looked at as an individual hide, to make sure it wasn't found.
And they're so ingenious.
There are some of them that were under fire grates.
There are some that are in staircases.
There's one in a spiral staircase that we believe Nicholas Owen did, but there's actually a very, very ingenious one, created by Nicholas Owen we believe, right in this very room.
In fact, so clever I wonder if you might find it.
VO: This should be interesting.
I'm drawn towards bookshelves, and I'm looking, as you're talking to me, I'm looking around, thinking about bookshelves.
But of course, it's not gonna be that high, it's gonna be low.
Could be anywhere, couldn't it?
Don't laugh at me, Emma.
No I'm just...
I'm not telling.
I just...
I don't really know what to look for.
I don't know, around here, or...
I don't know.
It is like hide and seek isn't it?
I was never very good at that.
VO: But a lot more deadly.
I reckon it's here, isn't it?
Is it here?
Am I getting warmer?
EP: You are quite warm, yes.
Oh, am I?
Am I boiling?
EP: Yes.
(SHE CHUCKLES) I am boiling!
You are now, yes.
Oh, this is not what I expected.
I expected more of a door.
Oh my goodness, this is so narrow.
How on Earth is anyone gonna get in there?
EP: Sideways.
VO: Now hurry, quick, they're on their way!
CS: These priests must have been tiny!
Oh my goodness me.
Wow!
The first thing that strikes me though, when you come in, is actually how spacious it is.
It goes back a long way.
It's very narrow, but it goes back a long way.
Yes, you can actually lie down in that one.
Nicholas Owen was very good at creating more comfortable priest hides.
He was a genius at effectively hiding space.
You would have had to not make a single sound, or anything.
Exactly.
Imagine if you needed to sneeze.
Oh my goodness.
And also, I can just imagine rats and things running around.
Yes.
There could well have been rats actually.
So you're in your enclosed little space, with no light, hearing the searchers around you, knowing that they're looking for you, and that if they find you, you will likely die.
VO: For 18 years, Nicholas Owen worked as a traveling carpenter to deflect suspicion, constructing priest hides at night, and doing more legitimate work by day.
EP: So, this is the great staircase, a replica of one built by Nicholas Owen as a cover story for the hides.
VO: But Little John, as he was known, was eventually apprehended in one of his own holes, at nearby Hindlip Hall.
CS: One of the most wanted men in the country.
What happened to him in the end?
EP: Nicholas was taken to the tower and tortured.
The rack was used on him in the hope that he would give up his secrets.
But he never did.
He died under torture, and in 1970, he was venerated as a saint, and he's now known as the patron saint of illusionists and escapologists.
We believe that him, and the organization, saved about 300 lives.
VO: Saint Nicholas Owen was aged just 44 when he died from his injuries in 1606.
VO: Now time to seek out her chum, en route to the nearby town of Kidderminster, birthplace of Sir Roland Hill, the inventor of the Penny Black.
Paul's off to visit his last shop of this leg, with almost £300 still in his pocket.
Talk about keeping your powder dry.
Catherine is expected shortly, so he won't have proprietor Ian to himself for long.
Ian?
What are you gonna tell me about that?
It's a nice piece of marble.
It is.
Somebody brought it in one day, and I looked at it, and I thought, "Yeah, that's OK. "I don't know what I'm gonna do with it."
That's the question.
I mean, was it simply a weight, or was it meant to be set into an altar or whatever?
I think probably so, cos she's like Mary or... Good work.
Yes.
It's nicely done.
Yeah.
Pugin period.
It's Victorian gothic.
Interesting lump.
IAN: It's something I'd like £65 for, is what it is.
I think her face is telling you how I feel about that.
IAN: Yeah.
(PAUL CHUCKLES) On the other hand, 30, nyeeh.
She's not the Mona Lisa, you know.
VO: I think they may well get to grips again later.
Now, here's Catherine.
No sign of Paul.
Plenty to interest her in here, though.
Hmm.
There's so much jewelry.
The auction that we're going to specializes in jewelry, so it sort of makes sense to be looking.
VO: It sure does, good thinking.
She's got just over £100 left to spend.
But there's quite a choice.
(SHE GASPS) I shut my finger in this case.
VO: Rule that one out, at least.
Why not have a word with Ian?
So a pewter brooch, with Ruskin pottery roundel.
I'm quite liking this.
IAN: It's alright.
You have a very hefty £65 on it.
IAN: 40 quid.
What can you recommend?
Oh.
VO: Ta-da!
Talk about customer service.
She's great, this girl.
Where did you get her from?
Ah... VO: Catherine certainly has their undivided attention.
A Cartier cigarette lighter.
Oh, get you.
Where did you get that from?
Out of my drawer.
Did you?
That's nice, how much is on that?
You can have that for £40.
IAN: It's a bit bashed.
CS: It's really bashed.
VO: Yeah, but hey, it's Cartier.
The thing that's gonna sell this is the brand.
As soon as anyone sees that name, they're gonna be interested in this.
The sad thing is the damage there.
Ian mentioned 40, but I think he's willing to do a deal, if we go for a few other pieces.
VO: Like that brooch, perhaps.
Paul, meanwhile, has designs on an inexpensive Great War Christmas tin.
I bought Machine Gun Corps dog tags yesterday, that were very cheap, but I'll need to beef up the lot.
I think they're weak at auction.
That is made to go with a pair of First World War dog tags.
BOTH: Tenner.
(HE CHUCKLES) Jinx!
IAN: You see?
Can you believe that?!
Very good.
I will give you a tenner for one of those, but I wanna buy something else off you as well.
IAN: Good man.
VO: So the powder remains dry.
Can he spare a bit on his companion?
These would look so lovely.
Catherine, you can sell those from here to eternity.
I'm not buying you monstrous gemstones.
He's so mean.
Go away!
VO: Whoops!
He's still got a bit left to browse, anyway.
IAN: Ah!
CS: Now, that's Chin... That's Indian.
VO: They sound excited.
That's a cocktail, hors d'oeuvre forks.
Let's get rid of that.
I like your shop, because it's one of those where you can find things in all nooks and crannies, can't you?
Oh, yes.
Indian, Burmese.
The roundels have got just sort of embossed plants and leaves.
What can that be?
45 quid.
CS: Oh!
It says TS134.
IAN: There you go.
That means you paid a fiver for it.
No it doesn't.
VO: Reduced from £65.
Not bad, considering it's 91% silver.
I think a deal approaches.
CS: Right, Ruskin brooch, Indian silver bowl, Cartier, very damaged, lighter.
Does it work, by the way?
Yah.
Carti-ah.
(VO CLEARS THROAT) Moving on.
May I make you an offer, sir?
You may make me an offer.
20, 20, 20.
£60 for the lot.
That's very kind.
IAN: To who?
CS: To me!
£60?
Go on.
I will do it for you.
CS: Will you?
IAN: Yes.
VO: Crikey, that is kind.
You just want to get rid of me, don't you?
Yes.
VO: We all have our reasons, Catherine.
Next time, I promise you, I'm gonna come back and I'm gonna buy a diamond ring, alright?
IAN: Good girl, good girl.
CS: Thank you!
VO: So, with Catherine shopped up, is Paul going to plump for that sculpture?
Current price, £50.
I still like this.
It's good workmanship, but in brighter lights, a problem.
Because there's a wee chip to our lady's veil there.
Do I think it's catastrophic?
No.
Do I think it helps?
Well in one sense it does, because it's a negotiating lever.
I'm gonna see if this helps me get this for the right money.
VO: Seconds out, round two, ding-ding!
PL: Ian.
IAN: Paul.
Let's retread some old ground.
I noticed that.
Right...
But I still think at the right price, she's a good thing.
30 quid.
Let's wrap that up for you.
I owe you 40, because there's a Christmas tin to go with it.
That's right.
PL: Thank you, sir.
IAN: Thank you, Paul.
VO: Hey big spender.
PL: 20, £40 for you.
IAN: Thank you.
VO: So, with over half of the Laidlaw lolly still on standby...
I'm out of here.
See you later, folks.
All the best.
IAN: Thanks Paul.
VO: ..get thee to an auction.
But how do we feel?
I'm happy, happy, happy... CS: Ohhhhhh!
PL: ..I'll have you know, madam.
Happy, happy, happy.
I'll see your happy, happy, and I'll raise you a happy.
Oh!
Do you know what?
You would be the best poker player in the country.
Pfft.
I don't know about that.
VO: See what he did there?
Shuteye, please.
And then wake up on auction day in lovely Leicestershire.
VO: After setting out in the West Midlands at Quinton, Catherine and Paul have ended up out east, in the village of Broughton Astley.
And at Sutton Hill Farm Country Auctions, with internet bidding.
This is the kill.
What?
CS: This one is the kill!
PL: No, it's an auction!
CS: Oh no, no, no, you're completely wrong.
VO: Ha-ha, sounds like someone's up for this one.
Mind your head.
Oops.
Catherine parted with £183 for her five auction lots.
This bears a certain name... Cartier.
Paris.
Oh my word.
You know what?
It's actually a lovely object.
How did she find that for £20?
This one is gonna set this auction alight.
VO: While Paul spent a bit more, £200, on his five lots.
OK, ladies and gentlemen, what is missing from Paul's prize purchase?
His chinoiserie blue and white breakfast set.
A nice big section is missing here, but don't worry - we have two blue and white vases instead.
I don't know what to say.
VO: Well, I'm sure that gaveler, James Molds, might have a thought or two.
JAMES (JM): This is an unusual item.
Probably had an instrument in it.
Very collectable, could do very well.
The mether cups, my favorite lot.
There originally would have been six in a case.
This lot, I would expect to make £200 to £300.
VO: That really would be something.
Let's get cracking, then.
Stay with me boy, we're in it together.
VO: Aw.
VO: Those china plates.
Paul's first lot, that is.
20, five, 30?
No?
25's the lady's bid.
25, at 30 anywhere?
We all finished?
I'm selling to the lady at 25 only...
Took a punt.
Yeah, fair enough.
VO: Nice for someone.
PL: What about the next one?
CS: You don't dwell, do you?
PL: No point.
CS: No point.
VO: Catherine's turn now, her Indian silver bowl.
Interest starts me straight in at £20 bid.
CS: That's alright, I paid 20.
PL: Fair enough.
22, 24?
24, 26?
28?
32.
Sir.
I'll take twos, 34?
I'm trying hard.
CS: 32?
I'll take that.
JM: 32, are we all done?
All settled at £32... PL: Happy days.
CS: That's fine.
I'll take that, cos there was not a lot to it.
VO: Well, it made a nice shiny profit.
Happy days.
That's a not bad start.
VO: Now, Paul's World War I dog tags and Christmas tin.
And the internet goes straight in at £20 bid.
PL: Could get out of it clean.
CS: Good.
26, 28, 30, five.
40.
45, 50?
45 still your bid, sir.
At 45, you all done?
That's a good price isn't it?
I think it's great.
CS: Really good price.
PL: Yeah.
Spot on.
Take that.
VO: Paul's militaria mojo looking as perky as ever.
We've got strong hands here, you and I, today.
VO: Not to mention a metal handbag... and a brooch, Catherine's next offering.
You hate that bag.
I hate the bag.
You really hate it.
30 bid.
£30, at 35 anywhere?
At 30 in the room.
35, 40, sir?
45.
Ah-ah-ah.
45, 50, five.
No, no, surely, clearly not.
£50, you all done?
I'm selling then.
Room bid at 50... Oh, I love it.
Oh.
Sorry Paul, did you say you hated that?
VO: He hates you making that profit an awful lot more.
It was the brooch that sold that.
Yes.
VO: Paul's biggest buy next.
The pokerwork box with the hangman theme.
Oh, the internet starts me only at £20.
It's worth that.
25, at 30.
35.
40, madam.
45, at 50.
Five, 55.
At 60, are you sure?
55's the internet bid.
At 55, we all done?
Ah, it's too cheap, that's what I said.
CS: No!
JM: 55 only... Well that was a bit of an execution, that, wasn't it?
VO: Hmm... you could swing for that.
I'm sorry about that.
That's disappointing.
I take the sympathy, but it's alright.
Good.
I'm crying on the inside.
VO: Time for Catherine's photographic stoneware.
We have interest on the internet, at £20.
£20, I'd take £20.
25's in the room.
It'll be difficult to post to the internetter.
35, 40.
Rare things.
45, 50.
At £50, 55?
Thank you, 55.
At 60?
Try again internet, £60.
I'm...
I'm happy with this.
At 55... VO: She is having a brilliant auction!
PL: Whoa!
CS: It was good.
PL: It was a flyer.
CS: It was good.
VO: Now for Paul's Native American pouch.
50 bid.
£50, at 55 anywhere?
55, thank you.
60, five, 70, thank you.
75, thank you.
80.
75's your bid, sir.
At 75... CS: That's cheap.
PL: I think it's a good buy.
PL: But it's a profit.
JM: Selling then, 75... PL: It's a profit.
CS: Well done.
PL: It's a profit.
VO: Like he said.
Makes up for his previous loss a bit.
You won't see another one in a hurry.
No, indeed.
And if I do, I might buy it.
And go out with it one night.
VO: Can Catherine's biggest buy bring her yet another reward?
The internet starts me in at £80 only.
Well, you are safe.
At 85, at 90, 95.
100, 110?
110, 120, 130?
That's the room isn't it?
120.
The bid is in the room.
120.
Is that a profit?
CS: That's a little profit.
PL: Yeah, it's a profit.
Goes at 120... PL: You've got it.
CS: Listen, this is a first.
VO: Well, cheers to you.
Do you want some tips, Paul?
Shall I give you a few little tips?
I'm telling you, I am all ears.
VO: Paul's marble tondo next.
Got her cheap because of the chip, remember?
Oh, we have interest on the internet at £10 only.
PL: Oh, come on.
CS: £10 only.
Thank you.
12, 14, 16, 18, 20, five, 30, five, 40...
It's a really nice thing.
50, five, 60.
Oh it's racing away.
65 on the internet.
70, sir?
We've all settled then, and I'm selling at £65... VO: Another very fine profit.
No, that's alright.
That's a little high.
I'll take that.
VO: Finally, we have Catherine's Cartier lighter, also somewhat bashed about.
It's looking like Catherine's day though, whatever happens.
It would be so nice if I beat you, just once.
I'll be so happy.
Actually have three commission bids on this.
Three commission bids.
And the internet takes them out at £85 bid.
Ooh, 85.
90, 95 still on the internet.
I love... CS: The stripes are lovely.
PL: Could be 100.
95 is the internet bid.
100, 110 on the internet.
Oh!
This never happens to me.
120, 130 still on the internet.
Ooh, it's over £100 profit.
At 130, are we all settled now...?
I'm selling then at 130... Well done.
Ah!
Oh, well, thank you.
Thank you!
PL: Result.
No, I'm more... CS: Thank you, Paul.
PL: That's a belter, that.
CS: I'm so happy.
What?!
VO: She's right back in it all of a sudden.
Are you a gazillionaire after this auction?
I wouldn't say that.
Are you buying the Morgan?
I wouldn't... With your small change?
Oh, yeah.
VO: Well make sure you kick the tires first, Catherine.
Paul, after saleroom costs, made a small profit, £17.30.
So he now has £456.92.
While Catherine, also after costs, made a huge one.
£134.34.
So she now has £363.62.
Almost breathing down his neck.
Woo-hoo-hoo-hoo!
Oh, enough of that.
(SHE HUMS HAPPILY) PL: Anyway, you wouldn't lend me 20 quid, would ya?
CS: I've got a fiver.
VO: Next on Antiques Road Trip... Those days of a leader, long behind me now.
CS: Catching up!
VO: Who will find the winning lot?
Oh my goodness, what have I done?
I think this is my nemesis.
VO: And make it over the line first?
This could go anywhere today.
Yeah.
Yeah.
VO: Don't miss it!
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