NARRATOR: It's the nation's favorite antiques experts with 200 pounds each.

I want something shiny.

NARRATOR: --a classic car.

And a goal to scour Britain for antiques.

I like a rummage.

I can't resist.

NARRATOR: The aim?

To make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no mean feat.

Why do I always do this to myself?

NARRATOR: There'll be worthy winners.

Give us a kiss.

NARRATOR: And valiant losers.

Come on.

Stick them up.

NARRATOR: So will it be the high road to glory?

Onwards and upwards.

NARRATOR: Or the slow road to disaster?

Take me home.

This is "Antiques Road Trip".

[THEME MUSIC] Yeah.

NARRATOR: Today we're kicking off a shiny new road trip in the company of two lovely fresh faced auctioneers, Paul Laidlaw and Natasha Raskin.

Well, one's lovely anyway.

This is the start of our trip.

Oh, here we go.

Here we go.

Full of optimism.

Do you feel lucky, punk?

NATASHA: I do.

PAUL: You lucky punk.

You talking to me?

[LAUGHING] PAUL: Because you and I aren't the full shilling.

NATASHA: But to be fair, we look really normal.

PAUL: That's the thing.

That's the thing.

Sadly though, we've developed something of a reputation.

NARRATOR: You certainly have.

Auctioneer Natasha is an expert in contemporary art and is filled with enthusiasm, bubbling.

Oh, how cute is that?

NARRATOR: And really takes her shopping too heart.

NATASHA: I'm a bit terrified because you're so good at this.

So I feel like a lamb to the slaughter here, honestly.

NARRATOR: Yes, antiques adversary Paul is an expert in military and is a gentleman who really knows what he's talking about.

Fact.

NATASHA: Armed with 200 pounds each, our pair are taking to the open road in this classic convertible 1981 Mercedes.

This is a bit of home turf for us.

Yeah, it is.

But we're heading South.

I know.

Big styley.

NARRATOR: Starting off at the West coast of Scotland, our intrepid twosome will head across the border into England and meander South and East, visiting auctions in Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, and Suffolk.

And will wrap up their journey in Diss, Norfolk.

Their adventure begins today in the coastal town of Prestwick in Ayrshire.

And they'll be heading for an auction in Hamilton South Lanarkshire.

Time for Natasha to get things underway.

OK.

Here we go.

Right.

Oh.

Have a good day.

See you later.

Buh-bye.

NARRATOR: She's kicking off today shopping in Prestwick.

NATASHA: Hi there.

GARY: Hi there.

How are you?

- I'm very well, thank you.

Tasha.

Nice to meet you.

Lovely to meet you.

Gary.

Welcome to Nae-sae-new.

NARRATOR: Thanks, Gary.

Delighted to be here.

Right, Natasha.

It's the start of a new trip.

There's money in your pocket, and the world is at your feet.

What takes your fancy, girl?

It's a carved wooden salmon.

NARRATOR: Oh, dear.

NATASHA: It's particularly hideous.

It's awful.

It needs a good wash, and it's covered in cobwebs.

But I don't know, I strangely like the salmon.

NARRATOR: Do you know something?

So do I.

But maybe there's something else.

Yes.

I love the fish.

I'm not going to deny I love the fish.

NARRATOR: Well, who wouldn't?

Particularly with chips.

But a typewriter as good looking as this is much more my speed.

These are so popular just now.

And what a beautiful piece.

Erika is the make.

And blow me down, it's not a QWERTY keyboard.

It's got umlauts and all sorts on it.

So this is a German make.

A German keyboard it's made its way over here somehow to Ayr.

And it's got its original keys too.

Love it.

And I just-- I don't know why, I just love the notion of portable things.

And right beside it-- I'm sure Gary has curated the shop perfectly on purpose, because right beside it is, dun, dun, dun, a portable gramophone.

There is a record on it.

Are you ready for this?

NARRATOR: Do we have a choice?

[SCRATCHING] Oh, here it comes.

How good is that scratchy sound?

["BEAUTIFUL DREAMER" PLAYING] How cute is that?

Does that not appeal?

Does that not just stir your inner sort of granddad?

I absolutely love it.

[MUSIC - "BEAUTIFUL DREAMER"] NATASHA: So this is lovely.

It's Decca.

It is the name in gramophones.

It's got not much damage going on.

A wee rip there.

Nothing to worry about.

This is probably '40s, '50s.

The typewriter may be a wee bit earlier if we're lucky, '20s, '30s.

So together, they're portable, they're charming.

I'm asking Gary.

I can't resist.

NARRATOR: And she's off.

Gary?

GARY: Hello.

Oh, there you are.

Let me ask you about these items.

Yep.

I absolutely love them.

GARY: They're in nice condition, aren't they?

NATASHA: I mean, can you imagine me just jumping into the car with Paul Laidlaw.

I could write him a love letter whilst he serenades me to the sound of "Beautiful Dreamer".

Can you see it?

Can you see it?

Yep.

NARRATOR: No, Sorry.

I can't see it.

That will do.

What kind of price is it?

$65.

$85.

Really?

Oh, Gary, that's terrifying.

It's not that bad.

Is that not that bad?

GARY: It's not bad.

NATASHA: I was thinking of combining the two.

GARY: Right.

Help me, Gary.

Help me.

Best price on the record player If I go for it on its own?

- $55.

- $55?

$55.

Best price if I go for the typewriter?

GARY: I'll do that for $30.

That's $85 for the pare.

Well, hold on a minute.

Now we're going back to the pare?

Basically it's buy one get one free.

Oh, I don't know if I can handle it.

And if we just keep standing here, will the price keep going down?

No, I think that's it.

NARRATOR: Nice try.

I'm going to keep looking, because this is my first shop and I think I'm just getting excited.

Oh, you've given me so much to think about.

You're a cruel man.

I'm terrified.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: We'll leave you to regain your composure then, and check in with your sparring partner.

Paul's made his way into Glasgow, were in the East end of the city is Randall's Antiques.

There are lots of different stores and dealers in here, so plenty of different things about.

This should be interesting.

[MUSIC PLAYING] What are those wee things there?

Wee dishes with the clips?

You show me.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Oh.

Is that a test?

Do they come apart?

There's three things there.

NARRATOR: They look like dining accessories to me.

Thoughts, Paul?

I'm having a little grape.

Because I say, it's just the thing on an afternoon like this.

Where does one put the pips?

Well in polite society, one does not go- or as I would, at the kids, back of the neck.

No, no, no.

Have a little dish like that, pop the little pips in the side of there.

NARRATOR: Well, quite.

One is silver, while the other two are electroplate.

Time to talk cash, not pips.

PAUL LAIDLAW: What do you want for the three of them?

15.

There be a wee bit wiggle room?

That's not a lot of money.

There a wee bit of wiggle room?

Can I offer you a tenner, or no?

12 quid.

12 quid does it.

Cheers man.

NARRATOR: Well done, Paul.

Three dishes, all for 12 pounds.

And he's not done yet.

May I see this, Tom?

Thanks very much.

TOM: There's two there.

They are something to do with NATO.

That's what I saw in this one.

TOM: Yeah.

NATO.

It says Commanding Officer Commorant.

Is that something?

Is that?

Yeah, that threw me.

Convex, man, that's going to be challenging.

That says Com.

Nor.

Lant.

NARRATOR: It certainly does.

It's an abbreviation for the submarine commander of NATO, and dealers Anne and Andre are looking for 20 pounds for each.

PAUL LAIDLAW: I'm going to give you a cheeky offer.

And I don't mind you saying, you know what, if I wait a fortnight, I'll get my money.

I'd buy them at a tenner, but that's me area.

Out of the game.

For both?

PAUL LAIDLAW: Yeah.

Say no, I don't mind that.

That's your call.

TOM: Go on then.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Seriously?

TOM: Yeah.

I'll take them both at a tenner.

I don't think a fortune is going to be made.

But they're interesting things.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: Top work, Paul.

And that's two NATO desk stamps for 10 pounds.

Now, are things still exciting back in Prestwick?

Here we go.

If this is what I think it is, it's really cool.

OK. Let me impress you with something really impressive.

Here we go.

Look at this.

It's got its original label, by the looks of it.

It is a [INAUDIBLE] cinescreen.

And you know what it has?

That gorgeous 1950s font on that label.

It's almost like a government issue thing.

But to have that original label, and to have what looks to be a screen in such good condition.

I can't believe my luck.

NARRATOR: Ticket price says 45 pounds.

Time for Gary.

NATASHA RASKIN: Keeping in line with the sort of gramophone, typewriter style.

Entertainment.

How could I resist this?

I love it the quality of it.

And it is a quality thing, right?

It is.

It's-- the screen is actually ground glass, to give a better quality reflective picture.

NATASHA RASKIN: What would be your best price, Gary?

Are you ready for this?

On all three?

I already said I'd do 85 for the typewriter and the record player.

I would knock that down to 25, and that'd be 110 for all three.

110 for all three?

Gary, it's over half my budget.

But I'm in love with every single one of those items.

Should we do it?

Yeah.

110 pounds.

Thank you very much.

You're my new best friend.

I hope you do so well.

Let me give you some money.

NARRATOR: That's 55 pounds for the gramophone, 30 for the typewriter, and 25 for the projector screen.

Nicely done.

See you later.

GARY: Take care.

Bye bye.

GARY: Safe journey.

NARRATOR: Paul is on his way to the coastal town of Irvine, where he has a date with the Scottish Maritime Museum.

He's here to discover the tale of Scottish nautical history's forgotten icon, the puffer boat.

Curator Abigail McIntyre is on hand to tell all.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Hello Abigail.

- Hello Paul.

Nice to meet you.

Welcome to the Scottish Maritime.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: The characteristic puffs of steam and distinctive sound rising from the boat funnel gave the puffers their name.

And they became a familiar sight.

ABIGAIL MCINTYRE: A puffer is a small cargo vessel that was powered by steam.

It was one of the workhorses of the industry.

It would be carrying cargo along the fourth and Clyde canal and the Crimean canal.

And it also had the benefit of being able to go to the islands and the highlands of Scotland, and the remote areas.

Where it'd be able to discharge its essential cargo.

NARRATOR: Scotland has almost 100 inhabited islands.

And the puffer's ability to travel on both inland and coastal waterways made them a vital link.

ABIGAIL MCINTYRE: One of the main features of a puffer boat was that it had a very shallow hull.

So it was able to float into islands that didn't have a pier.

They could go in at high tide, and as the tide receded, they were able to settle onto the beach itself, discharge all their cargo, and wait for the tide to come back in when it would refloat and float out and go on its journey.

PAUL LAIDLAW: That's amazing.

When you're out in the isles, you see that little puffs of smoke coming over the horizon, this is your lifeline.

It's your fuel, your food.

For all I know, it may even be your mail, I dare say.

NARRATOR: These little boats could access locations that other vessels simply wouldn't dare to reach.

And for over a century, puffers like Spartan, on display here at the museum, worked tirelessly to connect rural Scotland.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Hard to imagine the work that was done on this vessel over all its working life.

Yes, it's had a very long working career and has seen many puffer crew come and go.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Indeed.

ABIGAIL MCINTYRE: And there wasn't a lot of room to maneuver, so the crews had to get to know each other really quite well.

NARRATOR: Puffers generally had a crew of four men.

Below deck, accommodation was cramped and basic.

There was little protection from the elements, and life on board was tough physical work.

ABIGAIL MCINTYRE: This is an image of two workers in the puffer.

You can see them hard at work there.

They've almost emptied the cargo hold.

And they all look very happy and cheery.

Might have something to do with the fact that they were often involved with the carrying of whiskey from the islands down to the mainland.

There are lots of stories of trying to beat the customs and excise men.

They would tap a little hole in the side of the whiskey barrels, drain just enough out of it to have a drink or two, and maybe some for later.

Possibly even some for trading.

And they would then put a small wooden plug back into the hole that they'd drilled.

And then they would sand it down.

So once the cargo reached the other end, there would be no visible signs of the little amount that they had taken for their own purposes.

NARRATOR: As the puffers landed supplies on the islands, they also took cargo that would ultimately mean their own decline.

They provided materials to build new roads and better piers, allowing new opportunities to reach the islands.

ABIGAIL MCINTYRE: The roll on, roll off ferry.

The first one was introduced in 1966 to the Isle of Isla.

It revolutionized how cargo was carried in Scotland.

It meant that cargo could be loaded onto a lorry at one point.

It could then be driven onto the ferry and driven straight off at the other end.

NARRATOR: After years of decline, the last of the puffers stopped their working life in the 1990s.

By then, these tireless workhorses had served the remotest of Scotland's communities for over a century.

And their effort to keep that vital lifeline running made these little boats the stuff of legend.

With Paul finding his sea legs, Natasha has made a bid for some familiar ground.

She's journeyed North to Glasgow, where she's walking the leafy surroundings of her home town's West End.

NATASHA RASKIN: When I was a student, there was no better place to come.

I'm not a student, but I've got the same budget as a student pretty much.

So hopefully they can sort me out.

NARRATOR: Well, let's see what your 90 pounds will buy you.

NATASHA RASKIN: Hi there, Steve.

How are you?

STEVE: Hello, how are you doing?

- You well?

- Yeah, fine.

Yourself?

- I'm good.

But here's the dilemma.

I'm looking for stuff.

Sort of arts and crafts, art nouveau.

But I'm on a little bit of a budget.

Do you have anything that fits the bill?

Early 20th century, gorgeous.

I don't know about gorgeous.

A couple of pokerwork frames.

They're arts and crafts.

NATASHA RASKIN: What do you mean you don't know about gorgeous?

They're lovely.

Oh, I like these.

And what do you make of the quality?

Do you think these are maybe amateur ladies work?

STEVE: I think so.

I think it's good amateur.

It's nice with the flowers.

And a lot of work involved, heating a little bit of metal to make all these burn marks.

NATASHA RASKIN: I know.

STEVE: Nice shape, too.

It's such a lovely style.

NARRATOR: Steve's got a ticket price of 60 pounds on the pair.

NATASHA RASKIN: I mean I have to say, I like them.

They fit the bill.

Thank you for pointing them out to me.

What's the very best on them?

The very best is 45.

45.

That's it.

I'm not going to come any lower than that.

NATASHA RASKIN: No lower than 45?

STEVE: I think they're a nice pair.

These, for sure, will attract attention, won't they?

But I think I'm going to go with your gut.

You thought of these when I asked you.

I think they're lovely.

I think I'm going to go for it.

- Good.

What do you think?

Go for it.

Oh, you were going to say that.

Of course.

Right, OK.

I'm just going to shake your hand.

Because NARRATOR: I think you jolly well should.

With shopping for the day complete, time for a well-earned rest.

Don't you think?

Nighty-night then.

It's a new day, and our pair are back on the road.

Tally-ho, off to the shop we go.

NATASHA RASKIN: Oh, well.

I can't say that I'm disappointed that the roof's up.

Because it's much more hair friendly.

But what is going on with the weather, Paul?

You know we're in Scotland now, don't you?

PAUL LAIDLAW: Absolutely.

I mean look, I missed it.

It's like a soup.

NARRATOR: Back in sunnier times, when the skies were clear, Natasha grabbed herself an impressive for items.

A gramophone, a German typewriter, a projector screen, and a pair of poker worked picture frames.

Thank you very much.

You're my new best friend.

I hope you do so well.

NARRATOR: Leaving herself a mere 45 pounds to spend today.

Paul, on the other hand, pocketed a pair of electroplate dishes, a silver grape seed dish, and a pair of NATO desk stamps, as you do.

I don't think a fortune is going to be made, but they're interesting things.

NARRATOR: Leaving him a princely 178 pounds to spend.

NATASHA RASKIN: Yesterday successful for you?

I've not spent any money, I'll confess.

Oh, Paul.

Do you recall, you said, I spend all the money.

And I said, I never do that, I'm too cautious.

I took your advice.

I'm nearly spent up.

Oh, you're very easily manipulable, aren't you?

NARRATOR: Blimey.

With the competition heating up, Natasha and Paul are headed for the town of Kilbarchan.

Once at the heart of Scotland's weaving industry, our dueling twosome are hoping that gardens and antiques will be just the place for their vastly different budgets.

NATASHA RASKIN: OK, here we go.

I don't care.

Oh, look at this.

What is my memory doing to me?

This place is massive, I thought it was tiny.

Hello, nice to see you.

Tasha.

- Nice to meet you, David.

- Hi.

- Paul.

- David.

Hi, how are you doing?

I'm all right, I'm all right.

Good.

Itching to get in amongst this.

Itching for the map, David.

A bit like that.

There's a bit of ground to cover.

So.

Are you going one way, and I'm going the other?

- Clearly.

- All right.

OK. Well you go that way, then.

Up the stairs with you.

I'm going this way.

PAUL LAIDLAW: See you later.

NARRATOR: Right, you two.

Off you go.

This shop smells fantastic.

NARRATOR: If you like that sort of thing, I suppose.

There is so much stuff.

And it's a double whammy.

I'm overwhelmed by the amount, and I'm terrified of Paul's finesse.

NARRATOR: He is petrifying.

I'd keep an eye on him if I were you.

Natasha.

Oh, don't.

What's wrong with you?

We're in a shop filled with fancy stuff.

You can't give me a fright.

PAUL LAIDLAW: How are your nerves?

NARRATOR: Right.

Any chance of getting some shopping done?

NATASHA RASKIN: Why isn't it easier?

Why can't it just be really easy?

NARRATOR: What's the fun in that?

NATASHA RASKIN: Maybe if this is silver.

This would be a really cute thing.

Oh I'm going to pray for a really low price.

Look at this.

It's a little collector's spoon with a curling stone terminal at the top.

And I'm hoping.

Yes, it is silver.

Edinburgh marks.

Doesn't look terribly old.

You can see that from the style.

It's probably, what, 1970s, '80s.

Could even be 1990s.

But it's such a cute thing.

It's a curling stone.

What's it got on it?

19 pounds.

It's got to be the one.

It's about the only thing I can afford.

David, I wonder if I could chat to you about this wee spoon.

DAVID: Yes, certainly is a fair interest in curling, particularly around this area.

NATASHA RASKIN: OK.

So what would the best price be on the spoon?

It's going to be 16 pounds.

NATASHA RASKIN: And 16 pounds is the very death?

DAVID: It absolutely it is, yes.

NATASHA RASKIN: Absolutely is.

Well in that case, I think I'm going to pay 16 pounds for a spoon with no case and is a bit tarnished and know nothing.

And it's going to happen.

Well, tarnish is easily fixed.

Tarnish is easily fixed?

Yes.

Well, David, you had me at tarnish is easily fixed.

NARRATOR: 16 pounds seals Natasha's last purchase of the leg.

Well done.

How's it going?

I've got something, which means that I've bought everything.

And I have spent almost every single penny of the money, Paul.

Good for you.

But that's what you told me to do.

NARRATOR: However the encouraging mentor.

Come on money bags.

While Natasha heads for the hills, you still have some serious shopping to do.

How ghastly is that?

Last time you saw something like that, Rex or Rover had just finished his dinner.

Because that is a whopping great big lump of cow bone.

No more, no less.

I can actually tell you how old it is.

Because that is 100 years old gates to the Great War.

I'll go further and I'll tell you who made it.

Or rather, his country of origin.

Because he was German.

I'll also tell you his plight.

He was a prisoner of war.

Because such artifacts carved, rather naively, in cow or mutton bones were produced by German prisoners of war in captivity, here in Blighty, in Britain.

Price tag says 38 pounds.

So I think we're in safe-ish territory.

And you know what, I think I'm going to go buy it.

David, how are you doing?

DAVID: Yes, Paul.

Hugely impressed.

And I walk up with a piece of bone.

Well, an attractive piece of bone.

A good back story.

A good back story.

They're not my cup of tea, but I get what's behind them.

DAVID: A bit of interest in them, yes.

Yeah.

What can that be?

32 pounds, 32 pounds, it's sold.

Thank you very much.

NARRATOR: That's a discount of 6 pounds and another item in the old bag for Paul.

Well done.

Meanwhile, now that Natasha has some silverware, which might be of interest to curling enthusiasts, she's hoping to learn more about this ancient sport as she heads for the village of Mauchline.

This Ayrshire village boasts a proud curling history.

And Natasha is here to meet third generation stone maker Jimmy Wiley to hear about a sport that's been popular since the 15th century.

JIMMY WILEY: Way back in those days, curling would just take place obviously outdoors when in the wintertime.

When the rivers and lakes and ponds froze over.

In those days, it would be mostly people.

You know, most people would work on the land.

And in the winter time when everything was frozen, there wouldn't be much chance to work.

So they thought they would play.

NARRATOR: Curling is regarded as one of the oldest team sports in the world.

And at its inception, any stones would have done.

Some would gather river stones that have been worn flat by the water and weavers were reported to have used the weights from their looms as primitive stones.

Or loofs, as they were called.

Just 10 miles off the Ayrshire coast is the island of Ailsa Craig.

When curling was first played, the island was inhabited.

And its granite used for homes and the castle.

The rock here is more densely packed than other forms of granite.

And those qualities made it ideal for the rough and tumble of curling.

An industry sprang up to produce curling stones hewn from this unique and very remarkable Ailsa Crag rock.

Well into the 19th century, before any form of mechanization was introduced.

Probably very late part of the 19th century.

This part of the world here in Ayrshire, there were three or four different establishments who set up in business making curling stones.

OK. JIMMY WILEY: But it wasn't really until after the Second World War, well into the late 1940s and 1950s when indoor curling on artificially controlled ice really blossomed.

Another thing I'm curious about, Jimmy, is the name curling.

Can't quite get my head around where it comes from.

So please explain.

It comes from the fact that when the stone is traveling up the ice, Natasha, it takes a path which is not a straight line.

A stone doesn't travel in a straight line.

It travels in a curve.

Either the out turn, which is going up the right hand side of the ice rink, or the in turn, which goes up the left hand side of the rink.

So it's like the same as bias on balls.

So the stone goes up and it curls.

It goes out and then it curls back in.

But it's totally evenly weighted.

So the skill is with the curler, then, to get it to go in that direction?

The curler inparts the bias.

The bias is not in the stone.

As in balls, the bias is imparted by the player.

But I hear that it's also had other monikers in its time?

JIMMY WILEY: Yes.

Traditionally, it would be referred to as the roarin' game.

No G there, the roarin' game?

JIMMY WILEY: Yes.

And that was from the noise, which the stone makes as it's traveling along the ice.

That's where the roar comes from.

Some people, perhaps, thought it was the players or the spectators that were roaring.

But it's actually the stones that do the roaring.

NARRATOR: Time to hear the stones roar, then.

Natasha is hoping that her Scottish heritage extends to being a natural curler.

Luckily, she has an expert in Graham Adams from the royal Caledonian curling club to help her find her feet.

GRAHAM ADAMS: I'm going to try and teach you 40 years in one hour.

NATASHA RASKIN: 40 years in one hour, let's do it.

GRAHAM ADAMS: So grab the stone like that.

NATASHA RASKIN: OK, got it.

OK. Great.

And just move forward, slowly.

Oh wait a minute.

I've kind of lost my grip.

Do I push myself off of this?

Well you can come back a wee bit first.

- OK. - That's it.

And then push yourself off with the other foot.

GRAHAM ADAMS: Not bad for starters.

NATASHA RASKIN: It's all right, isn't it?

GRAHAM ADAMS: Yeah, well played.

You can take me on soon.

Take you on?

Do you want to do it now?

Should we have a competition?

- Right.

NARRATOR: Yes.

Curling has been compared to balls, but the crucial difference of sliding large stones down 45 meters of ice seems to be making a difference to Natasha.

NATASHA RASKIN: It's so hard.

Nice.

OK, I see what's happening here.

I see what's happening.

NARRATOR: May be a bit more practice required.

We'll leave you to it.

While Natasha finds her feet, Paul has traveled 28 miles East with 146 pounds in his pocket to Newhouse for his final shopping stop of the leg.

He's got plenty of cash to spend at Greenside Antiques.

And he's not wasting any time.

PAUL LAIDLAW: I better tune these skills.

The cutest little objects that turn up every now and again.

A little beam scale.

NARRATOR: Dealer Allen has the keys.

ALLEN: Hi.

These fellas here?

All the bits.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Thank you very much.

Very good.

Once seen never forgotten by this stage.

What do we have here?

Ta-da.

The contents reveal themselves.

Here we have scales that are commonly referred to as opium scales.

NARRATOR: Despite their name, they were used to weigh anything from precious metal to medicinal powders.

This set consists of a beam of what would likely be made of ox or buffalo bone and a brass pan.

But the set looks incomplete.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Yeah, I strongly suspect there must be a sliding element of fixed mass.

And I suspect it lives, or lived, in there.

But that's what you've got.

Date wise, they're going to be 19th century, aren't they?

How cheap could they be?

I think it had 50 on it.

But, seeing it's you, 25?

Can we just put that to one side as one to think about?

This for you?

PAUL LAIDLAW: Interesting object.

NARRATOR: That's a cracking 50% discount on offer.

But Paul's not done yet.

Pile of maps.

Not tedious, old, ordnance surveys or road transport maps.

Oh, no.

That was about German Third Reich maps of Great Britain, prepared for invasion or bombing use.

Direct me to that.

NARRATOR: I reckon that's a military-shaped glint in Paul's eye.

Better get Allen in, quick.

All right, so, what have we got?

Here we go.

[SPEAKING GERMAN] NARRATOR: Gesundheit.

[SPEAKING GERMAN] Not for distribution, I guess, over England.

[SPEAKING GERMAN] Northeast England, if my German's half good.

You know what the Germans did?

They got their hands on the AA handbook to Britain and reproduced it for Wehrmacht issue.

Fact.

ALLEN: Crafty.

Isn't that astonishing?

Absolutely superb.

So what they'll do is, they'll commonly get British maps, reprint them.

But over-print them with the strategically important information.

And I think that's the purple stuff here.

South Wales, you've got a mixture.

So the carton says you've got North East.

But you've got maps from all over, haven't you?

North Midlands.

Why would you have a jump?

The Germans do not misplace their maps?

But you know who do?

Rifling British Tommies going, whoa.

I'll have that.

Have you got London?

I'll swap you for Edinburgh.

Get in the kit, boy.

Get in the Jeep, let's get out of here.

And that's what's happened.

ALLEN: At some point.

Grabbed in haste.

Manchester, fantastic.

Tell me what they can be?

Can they be cheaper or not?

60, whole lot.

If I bought those, and the Chinese scales, at the moment we're looking at 60 and 25.

85.

What's the bulk discount price?

80?

Looking upset.

No.

ALLEN: 75.

Deal.

Allen, you're a gentleman.

NARRATOR: Top work, Paul.

And just like that, shopping for this leg is complete.

All spent.

55 pounds for the German maps, and 20 for the Chinese scales, which he adds to his silver grape seed dish and the pair of electroplate dishes, NATO desk stamps, and a carved bone vase.

Natasha, on the other hand, has gathered up a German-made typewriter, a pair of poker work frames, a silver spoon with curling stone terminal, a mid-20th century projector screen, and a gramophone.

Mixture.

But what do they think about each other's purchases?

I bought the most typical stuff.

A record player, a typewriter.

And Laidlaw comes up with 11 original maps and some sort of grape pip extravaganza.

Is this how it means to go on?

Because if it is, I'm up a gum tree.

Well, I don't know how to put this.

I'm worried about Natasha's purchases for Natasha.

NARRATOR: Cheeky.

After a couple of days solid antiquing on the West coast of Scotland, our couple are heading for an auction in Hamilton.

But Paul seems to have an unexpected passenger or two.

Notice anything superfluous to this exercise?

Answer me this.

We're on our way to the auction, and yet you're holding two of your lot.

What's going on?

Oh Natasha.

I've forgotten to stick two things in the auction.

Quick, foot down.

NARRATOR: Not quite.

It's important to ensure that everything going for auction is suitable for sale in the UK.

Just to be sure, this auction house has a blanket ban on all bone items.

So, while Paul's items are perfectly legal for sale, he'll leave these for the next leg.

So you're out.

These, bye.

Actually, I'd be quite happy for you to do that.

I think there's money to be made in those beasts.

NARRATOR: Well, there's still plenty of opportunities to make a profit today at the pack sale of L.S.

Smellie and Sons.

Paul, here we are.

Smellie Smellies of Hamilton.

PAUL LAIDLAW: When we walk in here, are we innocent, or are we in recovery mode?

I think it will be one of each.

And I think I know who will be in which position.

Behave yourself, come on.

NARRATOR: What does auctioneer James Henderson make of it all?

The silver curling spoon in nice, quaint collectable.

Price wise, though, commercially, I don't think a great deal.

I think you're talking around about the 20 pound mark.

Something like maybe 25.

The second world war bomber maps, that's the item.

That's the thing that could be the wee sleeper today.

We think we could [INAUDIBLE] that one today.

NARRATOR: Paul's split his pip dishes into two lots.

Meaning, he spent 77 pounds on four lots.

Natasha spent 171 pounds, and has five lots.

Time to get down to business.

Oh, excellent.

Why did you get the big stool, by the way?

What's all this about?

NARRATOR: And the first lot of the day is Natasha's silver curling spoon.

Bid at 5 pounds.

6 now.

And 8.

10 now.

12.

At 12.

14, at 16, at 16, 18.

At 18 bid.

Straight to the back at 18 pounds.

At 18, bet, 18, bet 18, all done.

At 18 pounds.

NARRATOR: Just a small profit.

But it starts the day on a high note.

Hopefully a sign of things to come.

We've kicked off profitable.

OK.

I like your optimism.

NARRATOR: Well, that didn't last long.

OK, Paul.

These seed dishes don't pop up too often.

But, will the sell room like it?

20 pounds?

10 then.

10 pounds, the seed dish.

10 on back.

At 10 back.

10, on 10, 12 now.

That's 12, at 14, 16, at 18.

At 18, bet 18, at 18, 20.

At 20, bet 2.

At 22, 5.

At 25, 8.

At 30 now.

At 30, bet 2.

And 5.

At 35, 8.

At 38, 40.

At 40, bet.

At 42.

5 now.

At 45.

At 45, 8.

At 48.

At 48, 50.

At 50, bet.

At 52.

At 52, bet.

2, bet 52, bet 52.

Bet 5 now.

At 55.

And 8.

At 58, a day to 58, a date to 58.

All done at 58 pound.

NARRATOR: Look at that.

If my math is right, that's over 750% profit.

Not a bad start, Mr. Laidlaw.

That was so good.

That was so good, well done.

NARRATOR: Right.

Profit's all right to start with.

But will Natasha's gramophone be playing the same tune?

20, on bet at 20.

5 now.

30, 5.

At 35 pounds.

No, keep going.

Please.

No, keep going.

At 40, bet, 40, bet, 40, bet, 40, at 40 pounds.

Oh, well.

NARRATOR: It was close, but it ends with the first loss of the day.

I've got to say, it made its money.

NARRATOR: Natasha's loss means Paul has a chance to extend his lead with the electroplated pit dishes.

- 5 pounds.

Surely better.

5, 6 now, at 6, at 6 on bet, at 8, 10 now.

[AUCTIONEER CHANT] Oh no, come on.

Oh.

PAUL LAIDLAW: It's all right.

NARRATOR: Another profit for Paul.

[INTERPOSING VOICES] And that's why it's so much fun.

Now time for Natasha's German-made typewriter.

20.

On bet at 20, 2, and 5, and 8, 30, 5, 40, and 5, and 50.

At 50 bet.

At 50.

Bet 5.

At 55, at 55, and 60, 5, at 65.

How about 70 now?

At 70, that's better.

At 70, bet, 70, bet 70, bet 70, bet 70.

All done.

At 70 pounds.

NARRATOR: That had you shocked.

A great profit brings Natasha storming back into the game.

Oh, I love it.

NARRATOR: Hey, settle down.

Paul's NATO desk stamps are next up.

20 bet.

At 20 on bet, at 22.

22, 5, and 8.

30.

At 30, bet at the bank note.

At 30.

[AUCTIONEER CHANT] Oh.

You were asking how the market is.

It's all right.

[AUCTIONEER CHANT] At 40 pounds.

Wow.

Well done.

NARRATOR: King of the understatement, eh?

Paul clocks up another impressive profit.

All those books you've been reading, Paul.

It's all paying off.

No friends and I don't care.

NARRATOR: We still love you Paul.

The next big feature is Natasha's projector screen.

10 on bet, 10.

At 10 on bet.

Come on.

At 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 2, at 5.

It's broken even.

At 25.

At 25, 8 now, at 28, at 28, at 28, 30.

30 for the screen there.

At 30, at 30, bet 30, at 30 bet 2.

That's 32.

Surely more.

At 32 pounds.

All done at 32 pounds.

Bonus.

Who knew?

Total bonus.

NARRATOR: Hey.

More B movie than blockbuster, but a nice little profit all the same.

Get on the screens.

Buy every one you can get.

Buy every one under 50, every single one.

NARRATOR: Natasha is up again.

This time, it's the poker worked frames.

10 on better.

10 for the pair.

10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 2, 5, 8, 30, 5.

I paid 45.

Maybe go up higher cause you're laughing.

At 50.

Bet for the pair.

At 50, bet 50, bet 50, bet 50, bet 50.

All done at 50 pounds.

Oh.

NARRATOR: Yet another profit for Natasha.

But will it be enough?

I thought you could get away.

Oh, actually, I was worried.

NARRATOR: It's our final lot.

The auctioneer had high hopes for Paul's maps.

But what does the sell room think?

50 pounds.

50 for them.

50 for the maps.

50 on bet.

5, 60, 5, 70, 5, 80, 5, 90, 5, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150.

At 150.

160.

170 now.

180.

At 180.

Fresh bidder at 185.

At 185.

Fresh bidder, good.

190 now.

At 195.

200.

At 205.

At 205, 210.

At 220, 230, 240, 250, 260.

At 260.

265.

270.

At 270.

5 if you like.

At 280.

280, all done.

At 280.

It's a direct hit.

NARRATOR: It's certainly a strike on Natasha's hopes.

What a cracking profit.

That's it.

Well done, you were so good.

Before you make any more money.

What do I know about typewriters?

NARRATOR: Time to find out what that does to today's totals.

Natasha started the day with 200 pounds.

After auction costs, she made a dinky profit of 1 pound and 20 pence, nudging her total up to 201 pounds and 20 p. Paul also had a starting kitty of 200 pounds.

After a couple of big profits, he made a whopping 247 pounds and 72 p after costs, leaving him with a total of 447 pounds and 72 pence.

Well done, maestro.

NATASHA RASKIN: Oh, how good was that?

PAUL LAIDLAW: How good?

All smiles at Smellie's.

Can you say that?

Well, smiles for you.

Because you have made nearly 250 pounds.

Oh.

I've made a profit of 1 pound 20.

What?

How does that add up?

NATASHA RASKIN: I don't even want to actually think about it.

1 pound 20.

You're nearly at 450, and I'm back where we started.

- Shall we not dwell on that?

- Yes.

Shall we carry on?

- Shall we?

- I'll keep my chin up, Paul.

And find another auction as good as this.

I know.

You'll be hard pushed.

NARRATOR: Cheerio.

[MUSIC PLAYING]