TIM WONNACOTT: It's the nation's favorite antiques experts.

What a job.

TIM WONNACOTT: With 200 pounds each, a classic car-- Buckle up.

TIM WONNACOTT: And a goal to scour Britain for antiques.

Oh, sorry.

Aha.

TIM WONNACOTT: The aim, to make the biggest profit at auction, but it's no mean feat.

There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

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

Have a good trip.

TIM WONNACOTT: This is the "Antiques Road Trip."

Yeah.

Look lively, you horrible lot.

It's the third leg with sparkly road trippers Paul Laidlaw and Margie Cooper.

MARGIE COOPER: Well, there's one good thing about the rain.

Yes, what's that?

The roof's up.

It's cozy, isn't it?

Dead cozy.

Just me and thee.

Paul's little mind digs this.

TIM WONNACOTT: Positively.

I've got three goes left.

Yes.

Hey, look, one mistake on my part, never going to happen.

Does that ever happen?

Well, I'm desperately trying to avoid it, Margie.

TIM WONNACOTT: You're not doing too badly, Paul.

Margie's lagging behind.

From her original 200 pounds, she has 213 pounds and 70 pence.

Paul had the same amount, but he's multiplied it to a wonderful 434 pounds and 40 pence, so well done.

They're in a Morris Minor, which was first registered in 1963.

We're having fun.

We are having fun.

The Moggie's holding up.

It's not raining on the inside.

TIM WONNACOTT: Goodness.

Our pair's road trip kicked off in Hemswell Cliff in Lincolnshire, and they'll gallop across Yorkshire and take a spin around the Midlands before concluding in Shrewsbury in Shropshire.

Today, our adventure begins in the seaside resort of Scarborough, and we conclude with an auction at Rotherham in South Yorkshire.

How lovely?

PAUL LAIDLAW: It's fish and chip weather.

It's not ice cream, but fish and chip weather.

What a shame.

You fancy a wee poke of chips?

No, thank you.

I'm concentrating today.

TIM WONNACOTT: Now there's a turn up for the books.

MARGIE COOPER: I've been thinking about spillage in aisle three.

[GIGGLING] TIM WONNACOTT: Giggles galore with this pair, hey?

Here we go.

Oh!

TIM WONNACOTT: Ah, the joys of the great British weather, hey.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Don't I take you to the nicest of places?

Come on, let's go shopping.

TIM WONNACOTT: Now, they're ready for Scarborough, but is Scarborough ready for them?

What's this then?

A romantic stroll?

PAUL LAIDLAW: Do you know what?

Even in the rain, this is gorgeous.

MARGIE COOPER: I know.

Victorian England.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Like yourself, Margie.

MARGIE COOPER: Oh!

And yet, this is all about competition.

MARGIE COOPER: It is.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Shops, shops.

I'll race you.

TIM WONNACOTT: All right, Paul.

He's such a big kid, isn't he?

Let's stick with Margie girl.

Antique and Collectors Center is a family-run affair and has been on the go since 1965, way before her time.

This looks quite an interesting corner.

TIM WONNACOTT: Feeling under pressure, Margie?

Lots of catching up to do, so I fancy a little collection of something, which will hopefully make a profit.

And I can catch up.

So who says I won't?

I think I might.

TIM WONNACOTT: Well, we're rooting for you.

Margie girl.

What is it for a start?

That's a lovely graving on the-- oh, it's for cigarette cards.

And it's never been used.

Foldout.

A complete set can go in there.

And, of course, the great York Minster.

And how much is it?

Yeah, 65 pounds.

I've never seen one of those.

TIM WONNACOTT: She's spoiled for choice in here.

Let's take a peek at Paul.

The current champ is starting here.

The Vintage Window, nice name.

Hello, there.

FAYE: Hello, welcome.

I'm Paul.

You are?

I'm Faye.

Nice to meet you.

Likewise.

Nice to be out of the rain.

Yes, come inside into the dry on this summer's day.

TIM WONNACOTT: He's chirpy.

Very rummagey.

You can get in, can't you?

FAYE: Yeah, get in.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Faye, what's the story with the banknote with the writing on it?

FAYE: Oh, here you go, have a look.

World War II.

Let's see, so a French 10 franc note.

This franc dated 1941.

Well, we know what was going on in France in 1941.

They were thoroughly occupied.

But what draws my attention are all these notes.

So we've got 5th of July Bretteville.

16th of July, 25th of July, Bassin.

FAYE: He's got around.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Yeah, this is the story of one man's service post D-Day up to presumably VE Day.

Isn't that a fascinating thing?

FAYE: Just had that folded away somewhere, yeah.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Yeah.

And he'd come home and get the kids on his knee and go there's where your dad-- Wow.

- And that gets you, doesn't it?

- Yeah.

It gets me.

Yeah, it gets me.

PAUL LAIDLAW: What?

TIM WONNACOTT: Superb find, Paul.

PAUL LAIDLAW: It's a fantastic thing.

You have got a World War II French banknote priced up at 15 pounds there.

Any-- do you-- do you haggle?

Of course, yes.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Get in.

What are you going to charge me for that if I buy it?

12 pounds?

10?

11.

I'm not going to haggle over a pound, Faye.

Wonderful.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Spot on.

FAYE: Thank you very much.

TIM WONNACOTT: Astonishing piece of World War II history, Paul.

I like it.

Now is Margie having as much fun?

These are always popular.

The sweet little-- the sweetheart brooches, which is exactly what they are.

They're silver, so they're nice quality.

You give it to your loved one.

Often when the war was on, too, they would buy a little gift for their beloved.

TIM WONNACOTT: There's also a lucky stick pin.

Anything else?

MARGIE COOPER: It is a little cravat pin with a little opal, rose gold.

I mean, you're just hoping that they've had it in stock for a while and that maybe they'll do me a deal.

Oh, it says 65.

It's older.

It's rose gold.

It's early part of 20th century.

It's quite pretty, isn't it?

And then you got this here.

That's mother of pearl and some kind of-- I don't know what's that.

Some kind of agate stone.

But it looks as though it's gold.

Yes, it's nine carat.

I mean, you can't go wrong with gold, and you can't go wrong with silver.

You just got to get the price right.

TIM WONNACOTT: The agate pendant is priced at 25 pounds, the cravat pin is 65, and the sweetheart brooches are unpriced.

Gird your loins, dealer Matt.

She's on her way.

MARGIE COOPER: Those sweetheart brooches are going to have to be cheap.

There's millions of them around.

Right.

50 pounds with the box.

Yeah, but-- 40.

25, go on.

30 pounds.

MARGIE COOPER: OK, now we'll go to the rose gold cravat pin and this little incidental thing.

How about I do the pair for 60 pounds?

MARGIE COOPER: My thoughts for that little lot there was 45.

Thank you, Margie.

Good luck with those.

TIM WONNACOTT: 75 pounds in her first shop.

She is a girl on a mission.

Now, how's the big fella getting on?

FAYE: That is a stunning vase.

You like it?

Yeah, stunning.

I love it.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Holmegaard Danish glass.

Danish studio glass with its origins in the early 19th century.

But we know this is a '50s design.

Per Lutken, famous Scandinavian glass designer.

TIM WONNACOTT: Per Lutken was the unsurpassed master of Danish glass design.

PAUL LAIDLAW: You've got a Holmegaard vase there, 35 pounds.

Back to haggling.

Oh, I do love this one.

OK, you're going to be hard, aren't you?

Yeah, this is a beauty.

OK, give me a beauty of a price.

Or am I'm making you an offer?

Make me an offer.

20 quid.

20 quid?

That's a good reaction.

That's sincere.

Say how dare you?

Get out of the shop!

Yeah.

Not a penny less than-- 30.

It is beautiful.

It's sold.

Brilliant.

It wasn't difficult.

Thank you.

TIM WONNACOTT: Paul's quick off the mark today.

Along with the 1941 10 franc note, he's parted with a total of 41 pounds.

All the best.

OK, take care, bye.

TIM WONNACOTT: While he's been spending his gold doubloons, Margie has journeyed to the maritime town of Whitby.

The place is famed for many a seafaring legend.

But back in the 18th century, it was the epicenter for whaling expeditions.

Margie has come to Whitby Museum to learn how voyages to the Arctic resulted in crucial scientific discoveries.

Curator Fiona Barnard is going to enlighten Margie further.

So when did whaling begin in Whitby?

It began in the 1770s, '80s.

Right, and it seems a very, very slightly barbaric and hard life.

FIONA BARNARD: It was extremely barbaric and hard.

But it fulfilled a vital role in the economy of the country.

TIM WONNACOTT: Sometimes as many as 16 ships with around 50 men per vessel would be Arctic-bound.

Although this killing is abhorrent in today's society, for the Georgian whalers, it was the dawning of the Industrial Revolution, and whale oil was a precious commodity.

For the first time, weavers and spinners were moving away from their cottages and into factories, so they needed to be lit.

So you couldn't just sit on your doorstep getting the last of the light.

You would want to be working all hours of the day and night in a large building, so they desperately needed the oil for lighting.

It was also the oil that oiled the machinery.

TIM WONNACOTT: If the ships were successful, they could make up to 3,000 pounds per trip, which equates to a quarter of a million pounds today.

But the challenge of working in such a harsh environment required great ingenuity, prompting father and son William Scoresby senior and William Scoresby junior, Whitby's most famous whaling ship captains, to create some rather clever inventions.

FIONA BARNARD: The crow's nest was developed by the father, and that did a huge job protecting whoever was in it.

In the crow's nest, you'll find a telescope for looking for whales, obviously, but also a speaking trumpet, so he could shout instructions to the crew as he directed the ship through the ice.

And there would have been signal flags in to signal to the whaleboats that were way out at sea.

Before that, the person on lookout navigating through the ice just had to tie themselves onto the rigging with maybe a little platform for their feet, so this meant they could stay up there longer.

There's a seat inside.

They can have their dinner sent up.

They can have a brew sent up.

They drank enormous amounts of tea.

Really, while the boat's doing that?

Gosh!

TIM WONNACOTT: Scoresby senior also developed different types of rigging for easier maneuverability in the ice.

But his son became not only a brave captain but also a brilliant scientist.

FIONA BARNARD: He did a lot of work on where to put a compass so that it wasn't affected by the ship's metal.

So you mustn't put it beside the engine for instance, which seems logical to us, but a lot of people did it then.

TIM WONNACOTT: Scoresby's research in magnetic navigation was critical to chart making.

A skilled cartographer, his mapping of the East coast of Greenland contributed to the first real knowledge of this area, something the Admiralty hadn't yet achieved.

FIONA BARNARD: He was a fellow of the Royal Society and the founding member of the British Association for the Advancement of Science.

And he wrote about 200 publications.

TIM WONNACOTT: Both father and son had retired by the time declining numbers brought whaling to an end in Whitby in the 1830s.

The town's whalers gave Britain so much more than the oil that lit and lubricated the Industrial Revolution.

They also helped to advance the science of seafaring.

Now, where art thou, Paul Laidlaw?

PAUL LAIDLAW: I could relax now, could I not?

200 pounds ahead.

But you know what?

I wouldn't be me if I did because you know what?

It's not about the winning, is it?

I'm as focused now as I was when were even-stevens with 200 pound a piece to go out.

TIM WONNACOTT: Oh, I believe it.

We're headed for the town of Pickering in North Yorkshire.

PAUL LAIDLAW: There you go.

Antiques and collectibles.

That will do.

TIM WONNACOTT: JSC Collectibles is next on Paul's radar.

With almost 400 pounds, he's positively loaded.

Now, this is a shop that could be right up Paul's street.

They're specialists in militaria, but there's plenty of other stuff to recce too.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Caroline, can I have a look in this cabinet?

CAROLINE: Of course, you can.

Is it open?

CAROLINE: Yeah, there you go.

Oh, thank you very much.

It is a nice thing, that fob, isn't it?

CAROLINE: It is nice that.

PAUL LAIDLAW: It's just the enameling and the doms-- the dominoes that make it.

CAROLINE: I've just put it out this afternoon.

PAUL LAIDLAW: It's meant to be.

WECC, it sounds like a cricket club, doesn't it?

It does, yeah.

PAUL LAIDLAW: But what the doms have got to do with-- 1, 2, 3, 4-- any ideas?

I'm beat.

I genuinely don't have a clue.

CAROLINE: No, we didn't either.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Have you got a set of scales?

Everything down to numbers, shall we?

So we're not going to weigh this label.

TIM WONNACOTT: Priced at 72 pounds.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Six grams.

I'll make you an offer.

Go on then.

40 quid.

Can you not do a bit more?

I might be able to.

See how far you can get that arm up there.

Another fiver.

TIM WONNACOTT: Silence.

PAUL LAIDLAW: You can think about that.

45 pound offer is there on the table.

- Right.

- I'll have a look upstairs.

- Right, OK then.

- Thanks.

Thank you.

TIM WONNACOTT: Old laughing boy's not hanging around today.

He's a bit of a flirty charmer too.

Guess where he's returning?

You don't see one of those every day.

In amongst RAF tropical and British battle dress and Russian tunics, Imperial Japan.

This is an army officer's tunic in the Second World War.

Highly uncommon.

And these are collectible.

This is history.

Make no bones about it.

And the veterans, our veterans that fought over there and certainly prisoners of war were terribly, terribly treated and felt, what can I say difficult to find the words, passionately about it, many of them until their dying day.

And that's what makes these things so powerful, is it not?

This is real history.

TIM WONNACOTT: Stirring stuff, hey?

Let's find Caroline to try and broker a deal.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Right, then.

From upstairs, one Imperial Japanese tunic, and that's priced up at 130.

Is there a deal to be done on that?

Yes, we can do something on that.

OK. What's the something?

80.

Is that it?

Yeah.

If that's 80, can our dominoes fob be then the 45 that I offered?

Go on then.

We did it.

Thank you very much.

TIM WONNACOTT: And that frisky little deal comes to a total of 125 pounds for the 9-karat gold watch fob and the Japanese military tunic.

Those signal the end of shopping for today.

Oh, it's tipping down again.

PAUL LAIDLAW: What do you fancy for tea?

No idea.

Are you going to join me for dinner?

Fish and chips, Margie.

TIM WONNACOTT: Plenty of salt and vinegar, nice.

Nighty night.

Good morning, sunshine.

Our antiques luvvies are up and at 'em.

Fixed the weather, Margie.

This is what a difference a day makes, I think, is the expression.

Absolutely.

Now, are you comfortable?

Do you know?

I-- I like being driven and by you, Margie.

Driven well.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Driven crazy.

One more word, and you walk.

TIM WONNACOTT: Watch your step, Paul.

Let's remind ourselves of what our darlings have bought thus far.

Margie has two lots, the sweetheart brooches and the horseshoe stick pin.

Plus, the cravat pin and agate pendant.

You can't go wrong with gold, and you can't go wrong with silver.

TIM WONNACOTT: Margie has 138 pounds and 70 pence left.

Paul is buying his kind of thing this leg of the road trip.

He has four lots, the 1941 10 franc note, the Holmegaard vase, the gold watch fob, and the Japanese military tunic.

He's been busy.

We could be on a roll here.

TIM WONNACOTT: 268 pounds and 40 pence is the sum total left in his wallet.

You're fairly getting on my nerves, Margie.

You sound like my husband.

I was on the phone to him last night.

We take great solace in one another's shared experience.

TIM WONNACOTT: Hang on, can I join that club?

Next up is County Durham, the town of Stockton-on-Tees, to be precise.

MARGIE COOPER: Ah, enjoy your day.

Lovely.

Well, I wish I could say I'm going to miss you, but frankly, looking at that.

MARGIE COOPER: Are you not going to miss me?

Of course, I'm going to miss you.

You have fun.

Just don't be buying any bargains.

What are those?

What bargains?

TIM WONNACOTT: All right, Margie.

Paul is getting the chance to indulge in two of his great loves now, collecting and militaria.

He's come to Preston Park Museum to discover more about Colonel Gilbert Spence, a phenomenal collector of all things military.

This is exciting.

Stand to.

Museum development manager John Bealey is going to make Paul's day.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Wow!

JOHN BEALEY: That's Colonel Spence's own personal dress uniform.

So there's the man.

He wore that.

PAUL LAIDLAW: So we are standing here with him in a sense.

Oh, my word.

TIM WONNACOTT: Welcome to paradise, Paul.

Spence was a shipyard owner on Stockton-on-Tees.

It gave him the means and the wealth to buy anything he really fancied.

And he fancied quite a lot, a wide variety of things but especially, militaria, weapons, armor.

But you name it, he bought it.

TIM WONNACOTT: Spence became a Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army and soon found himself leading his battalion, the Fifth Durham Light Infantry, on the Western Front during World War I. JOHN BEALEY: They shipped out to France in 1915.

They didn't get long to acclimatize.

They were only there a matter of days when the Germans launched the second Battle of Ypres with gas for the first time in the First World War, and they were rushed to the front.

And so they saw pretty terrible fighting right from the off.

But throughout that time, he still collected.

So he's still purchasing some of the objects while he's a serving officer.

So I think that shows the passion and his addiction to collection.

That I understand.

TIM WONNACOTT: Remarkably, Colonel Spence was receiving Sotheby catalogs and ordering beautiful items to be delivered direct to his home.

JOHN BEALEY: He was calm under fire, as men say.

He was brave.

He's been decorated.

And sadly, in 1918, the Fifth DLI was just about annihilated, and Spence was wounded, and his war was over.

TIM WONNACOTT: Tragically, after surviving the First World War, Colonel Spence was killed in a road accident in 1925, aged just 46.

He bequeathed everything to the museum.

Due to the sheer number of artifacts, it can't all be displayed.

Paul's getting an exclusive peek behind the scenes.

PAUL LAIDLAW: There you go.

Well, there is a spectrum of material.

But I'll tell you what really, really catches my eye.

I love the Fenton in arms and armor invoice.

JOHN BEALEY: Yeah.

Yeah.

So there you have it bought off Fenton GO Spence dated September 1915.

And what was he buying?

My word, that's a big long list, including powder flask formed of pearl shell engraved with silver enameled rosettes, Persian 18th century, and there it is.

JOHN BEALEY: There it is, yeah.

PAUL LAIDLAW: What a jewel.

JOHN BEALEY: Please, put some gloves on because it is a precious jewel, as you say.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Right, an Indo-Persian object.

This is a martial piece, likely hunting, in all honesty.

Absolutely.

A sumptuous and fabulous object.

And again, this is reflected-- this is consistent through everything I see, he's buying the best.

JOHN BEALEY: He does buy the best.

PAUL LAIDLAW: I'm tempted to say if this was all one owned, one could sit happily and say my work here is done.

That's right.

He was buying in a day what some people buy in a lifetime.

TIM WONNACOTT: The entire Spence collection is an invaluable source for British military history, highlighting one man's passion for the extraordinary and the role he and his comrades played in the Great War.

Meanwhile, our other warrior, Margie, is making her way to the North Yorkshire town of Redcar.

You can't really plan this trip because you just don't know what you're turning up to.

It would be lovely to find something.

I want something that excites me a bit.

So here's hoping I do find that.

TIM WONNACOTT: Well, I think she's talking about antiques.

Oh, fish and chips.

Paul will be jealous.

She's got a lot of catching up to do.

Let's see what she can find in here at Redcar Antiques.

Good morning.

- Good morning.

Pleasure to meet you.

- And you too.

You're James?

Yes, yes.

TIM WONNACOTT: With just under 140 pounds, she still has a bit of money to play with.

[UPBEAT MUSIC] MARGIE COOPER: That is quite sweet on top there.

This little cold-painted pheasants on an onyx base.

Painted after they've been cast.

I quite like them.

I don't think it's terribly old.

Maybe mid-20th century.

I might ask the price because I think it's maybe quite a saleable thing.

TIM WONNACOTT: That's the name of the game, Margie.

Cold painting on bronze was a technique made popular during the decadence of the Art Deco period.

Oh, James.

I've got 60 on that, but I think there's a bit of room there.

A bit?

Yeah, I mean, we could do 40.

MARGIE COOPER: Mhm.

I'm never keen on onyx, but-- JAMES: No, no, that's the only thing.

MARGIE COOPER: Yeah, It would be nicer on marble, wouldn't it?

We'll do 30 if you like.

Yeah, resignation.

Right, so 30 quid, yeah?

Yeah, we can do that for you.

I think it gives you a fair shout.

It does, yeah.

Thanks a lot.

- Best of luck.

- Thanks, James.

JAMES: No problem.

MARGIE COOPER: I'll pay you.

You want some money, do you?

TIM WONNACOTT: Now, the Margie technique is to have a good old moan and get a half-price deal.

Thank you, James.

Paul has arrived in the sunny climes of Bishop Auckland in County Durham.

He's visiting Something Different.

This family-run biz looks jam-packed with goodies.

Guess how much money he has?

Nearly 270 pounds.

He's definitely got the big bucks.

I'm digging tatties.

I'm getting my hands dirty here.

Well, then, what am I playing with?

Lawn edging tiles.

You've seen the type before in the formal gardens.

Let's have a wee look-see.

We've got a variety of styles here.

There's the most commonly encountered.

Yeah, salt-glazed fireclay, and you bury these in your garden in lines to define your borders, keep the garden nice and tidy.

I love them.

And these have some age to them.

TIM WONNACOTT: All right, Percy Thrower.

They're quite nice actually.

Now, wither Margie?

MARGIE COOPER: Absolutely lovely here.

Gosh.

Just keep looking at the beautiful rolling countryside.

It's lovely.

TIM WONNACOTT: And keep your eye on the road.

She's eventually arrived at the wonderful Yorkshire town of Thirsk.

Watch out, Three Tons Antiques.

here she comes.

The pennies are dwindling, Margie.

You've got less than 110 pounds left.

MARGIE COOPER: Well, I like drums.

TIM WONNACOTT: Are you musical, Margie?

MARGIE COOPER: You got to, haven't you?

Anybody listening?

TIM WONNACOTT: Loud and clear.

MARGIE COOPER: Oh, god.

That doesn't sound too good, did it?

TIM WONNACOTT: No.

[DRUM THUDDING] Make it stop.

I like drums.

I wonder where that's come from, the local band?

They make little tables, don't they?

And they look like little side tables, but they've got a glass top on.

150 pounds, out of my league.

TIM WONNACOTT: My poor ears.

That's clever.

Tell us what you found, Margie.

MARGIE COOPER: Compacts, a variety of compacts.

Let's have a look at this one.

Paul did very well the other day with one.

Right, but this is a bit different, isn't it?

Yes, what's she put on it?

And it is a watch powder sifter.

What is that?

TIM WONNACOTT: Well, Margie, I'll tell you.

This nifty little compact has a watch-like mechanism that delivers just the right amount of powder every time you want to freshen up your hooter.

Sadly, it doesn't tell the time, though.

That's nice.

50 pounds, though.

It's a lot, and it's not silver.

It's quite nice.

Quite like that.

It's different.

TIM WONNACOTT: Lovely.

Now let's zip back to Paul in Bishop Auckland.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Thistle, rose, shamrock.

Fantastic.

Rather smart.

Now, we've got a few of them.

We've got white and salt-glazed, and it would make quite a striking border if we went for the chequerboard-type effect.

I'm just trying to work out how many of each we've got.

Well, they're priced at 2 pounds apiece.

Make sure I've got my numbers right.

2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18.

Leave the dull ones.

TIM WONNACOTT: Let's get dealer Yvonne in to see if we can strike a deal.

Yvonne, I have gone and sifted and sorted all the edging tiles.

Well done.

And I've got 10 of the white cabled, eight of the others-- YVONNE: OK. 18, a couple of quid apiece?

- Yeah.

- 36 quid.

Yeah, done.

We are in business.

Pleasure.

Pleasure, Paul.

TIM WONNACOTT: That was one swift deal, Paul.

Nice work.

Now has Margie bought anything yet?

Oh, there's manager Victoria.

Victoria, stand by.

Isn't this a curiosity?

Yes.

Have you ever seen one before?

It's a watch powder compact.

TIM WONNACOTT: And it's priced up at 50 pounds.

I wouldn't mind buying it, but it's just like it's no way, Jose.

30 pound?

I just don't-- I think that's-- I think what it'll fetch at auction in this particular situation would be 20 to 25.

So what you, sort of, looking at around about?

I'm looking at 15.

Yeah, I can do it.

Yeah.

Are you happy to do that?

Yeah, I'll do it for 15.

MARGIE COOPER: Yeah, OK. VICTORIA: You can make some money on it.

MARGIE COOPER: Yeah, well, I hope so.

TIM WONNACOTT: Blimey, Margie.

And thank you, Victoria.

That drum keeps catching my eye.

TIM WONNACOTT: Oh, don't play it again.

But I think it's-- oh, I'm always pleading poverty.

I know you are.

TIM WONNACOTT: And remember it's priced at 150 pounds.

VICTORIA: What sort of price are you looking at?

Yeah, I was thinking-- yeah-- Go on.

It's been catching dust.

I saw a bit of dust on it.

You don't see any dust at all in this shop.

TIM WONNACOTT: Oops!

You're looking around 50 quid, aren't you?

Oh, no, she's gritting her teeth.

Yes, I'll let you have it for 50.

You fed up with me now, aren't you?

Yes.

TIM WONNACOTT: Funny that.

No, because I think I might have a chance.

TIM WONNACOTT: That's one heck of a deal.

The drum and the watch powder compact bought for just 65 pounds.

Wow!

You're not going to believe this.

It's the end of the shopping for our road trippers.

So how far is Rotherham from here?

If I knew where here was, I'd tell you, Margie.

And I'll buy you a nice big Rotherham fish supper.

TIM WONNACOTT: That Paul loves his food.

Enjoy your din-dins.

Then some much-needed shut-eye, you two.

We're off to South Yorkshire and the town of Rotherham, the showdown for the next auction, very exciting.

Today's matinee performance is being held at Paul Beighton Auctioneers.

It used to be a 1920s cinema, don't you know?

PAUL LAIDLAW: I'm taking you to the pictures, Margie.

Right.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Oh, another auction.

TIM WONNACOTT: Margie has nearly exhausted her entire budget, spending 170 pounds exactly on five lots.

Paul is doing his usual, keeping a stash in reserve.

He spent 202 pounds also on five lots.

Spill the beans on each other's buys, please.

It doesn't look very old, does it?

It's not very old, is it?

Absolutely not a clue, not a clue.

But if Paul thinks it's worth 80 pounds, I would be very surprised if he gets his money back on this.

Very surprised indeed.

It's charming, OK. 1950s cold-painted pheasant, nicely modeled.

Onyx base, for once, isn't all chipped and cracked.

I'd love to be able to pick holes in this and confound her.

I cannot.

But mind you, it's fragile this.

And if somebody puts it down too hard, avert your gaze.

TIM WONNACOTT: Behave yourself, Paul.

Jody Beighton is today's auctioneer.

Now, what are your thoughts on their offerings?

The Holmegaard vase, I mean, that sort of period item is really on-trend now, so I think that'll do really well.

The cold-painted pheasants, they're my favorite lot.

If somebody brought that in to put into one of our antique sales, I certainly wouldn't turn my nose up.

I think they're a really good lot.

TIM WONNACOTT: Thanks, Jody.

It's definitely a picture house, isn't it?

Yeah.

TIM WONNACOTT: The auction is about to begin.

Today, we're also open to internet bidders.

MARGIE COOPER: Here we go.

Cinema seats.

Isn't this nice?

Look at that over there.

Isn't that nice?

Margie.

It's not the back row.

It's the front.

TIM WONNACOTT: Keep your hands to yourself, Paul.

We begin with the Japanese military tunic.

Did I introduce you to the Japanese Army Collectors Society?

I phoned them up.

They're at the back.

They want to meet you.

It wouldn't surprise me.

20 pounds start.

20.

TIM WONNACOTT: Uh-oh.

JODY BEIGHTON: Let's see your bids at 20 pounds.

Any interest for 20?

10 then if you must.

Let's see your bids at 10.

- That's not possible.

- Let's see your bids at 10.

PAUL LAIDLAW: That's not possible.

10 bid online, looking for 12.

Any advance?

The bid is at 12 online.

Two internet bidders 14, 16.

The bid's at 14 on the internet, looking for 16.

Any interest in the room at 14 pounds only?

16 bid, 18.

In the room at 16.

18 we're looking for.

18 bid online.

20.

The bid's at 18 on the internet.

20 with you.

At 18 pounds.

Below estimate.

You're joking.

JODY BEIGHTON: At 18 and selling.

PAUL LAIDLAW: You kidding me.

Hold the front page.

Laidlaw just lost a packet on militaria.

TIM WONNACOTT: I wouldn't believe it possible.

Ouch!

Mom, a big boy hit me in the playground.

Oh, I've just been done over, Margie, and you're laughing.

Oh, well, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm not laughing.

I feel very sorry for you.

It's looking good.

TIM WONNACOTT: You might be in here with a chance, Margie.

Your turn with the unusual watch powder compact.

Watch this space.

It will go for 18.

Egg, meet face.

Never seen one of those before.

10, I'm bid.

Take 12.

12 internet.

14, 16, 18, 20.

The bid's at 18 in the room.

20 we're looking for.

PAUL LAIDLAW: That's enough.

22, 24, 26, 28.

The bid's at 26.

Let's see any advance.

The bid's at 26 and done.

That will do.

I much prefer it when I'm winning.

TIM WONNACOTT: I'll bet you do.

Good result, Margie.

I got that wrong, and hats off.

You were spot on.

TIM WONNACOTT: Yeah, let's see if you're on the money with the Victorian border tiles, Paul.

10 pounds bid in the room.

12, 14.

MARGIE COOPER: There you go.

It's going up.

JODY BEIGHTON: 16, 18.

PAUL LAIDLAW: A long way to go.

JODY BEIGHTON: 20.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Keep going.

JODY BEIGHTON: 22.

The bid's at 20 pounds back of the room.

Take two now.

Any advance?

22, 24, 26, 28.

Is it 28, sir?

35.

At 30 pounds.

The bid's at 30 pounds and selling in the room for 30.

I frankly think that's a result.

It's cause for celebration.

Whoop-dee-do.

TIM WONNACOTT: At least he's cheery, and it's not a huge loss.

Can you believe I'm so happy over a loss?

TIM WONNACOTT: No, I can't.

Margie's collection of sweetheart brooches and stick pin are up next.

I'd wish you luck, but in all sincerity, with every fiber of my being, I want you to make colossal losses right now.

Let's see your bids.

15, 16 bid online.

18 online.

20.

22.

Let's see.

Bid's at 22, 24, 26, 28.

Bid is at 26 in the room.

28 we're looking for.

Any advance?

28 new bidder.

30, 35, 40, 45.

At 40 pounds now, looking for 45.

Any advance?

That's going.

JODY BEIGHTON: At 40 pounds, selling if you're all through.

TIM WONNACOTT: Margie's on a roll here.

Tidy profits thus far.

I'm a bit up.

Hey, you're doing all right.

TIM WONNACOTT: She certainly is.

Paul, can your gold watch fob bring you back into the game?

On the book at 35, 45.

MARGIE COOPER: There you go.

50.

Five.

I'm out.

60.

The bids at 55 in the room.

60.

60 online.

65.

Online.

70.

Room bid at 65, 70, 75, 80.

It's a lovely thing.

85 Bids at 80 pounds online.

Looking for 85.

Any advance.

At 80 pounds, and if you're all done and sure, 80 pounds online.

TIM WONNACOTT: That's more like it.

Finally, a profit for Paul.

I don't mind you making a profit.

You-- you-- you do.

Little liar.

TIM WONNACOTT: Your combo lot of the Edwardian brooch and cravat pin are next, Margie.

30 we are bid online.

35.

Let's see 35.

45 online.

50 with you.

Internet bids at 45.

Any advance for 50?

Seems to have settled at 45.

No further interest at 45 and away.

How irritating was that?

Stopped in your tracks.

TIM WONNACOTT: You hope, Paul.

Here's hoping you have not peaked, and you've had your moment.

TIM WONNACOTT: Wishful thinking, Paul.

Your turn now with the 1941 10 franc note.

JODY BEIGHTON: 10 pounds.

Let's see.

10 on bid.

12, 14, 16.

Bidding at 16, sir?

18, 20.

20 online.

22, 24.

Room bid at 22.

Take four.

Any advance?

22 pounds, 24, 26, 28.

I thought the internet would pick it up.

JODY BEIGHTON: 28, 30, 35.

You're going again, sir, 35?

At 30 pounds.

35 on the net.

40, 45.

MARGIE COOPER: The net wants it.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Yeah, but that's a good thing.

45.

At 40 pounds.

It's still in the room with the original bidder at 40 pounds.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Wow, good for them.

Selling at 40 if you are done.

There you go.

Yeah, well done.

TIM WONNACOTT: Good return on a precious piece of World War II history.

Margie's cold-painted bronze pheasants are next.

40 on bid.

Take 45.

Bid's at 45, 55, 65, 75.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Margie.

85, 95.

MARGIE COOPER: Things are looking up.

At 90 pounds, five with you.

95.

New bidder 100, 110, 120, 130.

At 120 then.

30 with you.

Bid is at 120 in the room.

Then at 120 and selling.

Margie, I've got to say well done.

TIM WONNACOTT: Excellent, Margie.

This is a brilliant comeback.

It just got real as they say.

TIM WONNACOTT: Maybe a Danish vase can turn your fortunes, Paul.

Let's see your bids.

22 bid.

Take four.

24, 26.

28 we're looking for.

Bid is at 26 pounds.

8 let's see.

28.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Oh, keep going.

35, let's see.

35, 40, 45, 50.

At 45 pounds in the room.

At 45 pounds.

All done and sure for 45.

Oh, that is a wee profit.

TIM WONNACOTT: I'm impressed by your positivity, Paul.

It's all right.

I'm no disheartened by that.

Good.

I'm pleased for you.

Good.

TIM WONNACOTT: Margie's big drum is the final lot for today.

If this goes down, I've lost my galloping lead.

Oh, no, no, no, hush your mouth.

30 bid back of the room.

Take 35.

Confound it.

You've got a bid.

55, 65, 75.

70 pounds.

75 internet.

80.

85.

PAUL LAIDLAW: I'm dreaming.

95.

Hey, I'm going to buy drums from now on.

100.

95 internet.

100 we're looking for.

110 on the internet.

120.

Bids at 110 internet.

You make tables out of them.

JODY BEIGHTON: 120, any advance?

At 110 and selling.

Margie, I'm not worthy to be in your company.

TIM WONNACOTT: Blooming heck, Margie.

You've played a blinder there.

Marvelous.

I'm really very thrilled.

Really?

Are you thrilled for me?

Shocked.

I'm in-- I'm in shock.

Would you like me to buy you a little drinkie?

A little drinkie?

A little drinkie.

If you could up that to a very substantial drinkie?

Go on then.

I will.

TIM WONNACOTT: While they go for a drinkie, let's work out the figures.

Paul began with 424 pounds and 40 pence.

And after auction costs, wait for it, he made a loss.

27 pounds and 34 pence.

Paul has 407 pounds and 6 pence.

Marvelous Margie started the third leg with 213 pounds and 70 pence.

After all sale room costs, she's made a fantastic profit of 109 pounds and 62 pence.

The first win for Margie, who now has 323 pounds and 32 pence for the next leg.

Well done.

MARGIE COOPER: Now, let me open the door for you.

Margie, that's the least you can do.

I'm starting to enjoy that.

Coming after you.

You've ruined everything.

But I'll tell you what.

From now on, no more Mr. Nice Guy.

TIM WONNACOTT: And he's not joking.

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