VOICEOVER (VO): The nation's favorite antiques experts.

One big challenge - who will make the most profit buying and selling antiques as they drive around the jolly old UK.

DEALER: £6.

PHIL: £5.

Done.

Is that your very best you could do?

VO: By the end of their trip they should have made some big money.

Yes!

VO: But it's not as easy as it sounds.

And only one will be crowned champion at the final auction in London.

This is the Antiques Road Trip.

This week's experts are both auctioneers.

Philip Serrell's strategy for the road trip has been to buy small and make modest profits and it's the quirkiest items that catch his eye.

PHILIP (PS): Exterminate... Charlie Hanson.

You know you're getting old when you see things in an antique shop, that you can either remember watching first time around on television or having as a kid.

VO: Charles Hanson became a fully qualified auctioneer in 2005.

So when he was barely out of nappies, actually.

He's a fan of 18th century English porcelain and loves to buy big.

CHARLES (CH): I've got £130 to spend, OK?

It's not a great deal and I'm quite happy to spend it on one big item provided I can see one big return.

VO: Each expert started the week with £200.

Charles's strategy has been flamboyant, to say the least.

He's now got less than he started with, with a measly £137.86.

It's going to be a steep climb to catch Philip.

Philip's playing it slow and steady.

His original £200 has turned into a modest £223.27.

Charlie's a gambler.

And I'm not.

I probably play a bit safer than him.

So let's just hope...

There is a plan there.

Let's just hope it's still on track.

VO: Philip and Charles's road trip is taking them from Llandudno in north Wales to Exeter in Devon.

On this leg, they're leaving Gloucester and heading back to Wales before hitting Bristol for their next auction.

First stop, straddling the border is Hay-on-Wye, famous for its annual literary festival.

After a quick tour of the town, the boys make a plan.

It's all books, but having driven round I saw at least eight antique shops.

You want to go together or separately?

I think let's split up.

Yeah, I think so.

Which way do you want to go?

Um... if I go that way, there was a big antique shop that way.

CH: And if you go that way... PS: I'll go and look round here.

Half an hour?

VO: The first Hay literary festival was held in 1988 but it's a bookworm's paradise all year round with a thriving secondhand book trade.

Philip's visiting Hay's longest established bookshop.

In 1965 a redundant cinema was turned into this emporium.

It houses 200,000 volumes, costing from just 50p to thousands of pounds.

The oldest book in the shop is a 1558 Italian edition of Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto, an action-packed and complicated love story written in the form of a poem.

Which is your most expensive book?

My most expensive book, it's a copy of Smith's Wealth of Nations.

VO: Adam Smith's landmark book was first published in 1776.

He set out radical ideas about free trade and competition, challenging understanding of the economic world.

And what would that cost?

6,850.

VO: That's the free market for you.

Ha!

Charles has stumbled across something a good deal cheaper though.

I quite like this painting.

It's quite chaotic.

We've got this wonderful, wonderful stagecoach scene.

What we can see is period dress, very much Pride And Prejudice, we think of the 1830s, 1840s and I love it.

Hamish, this chaotic view of early travel, I quite like.

Tell me about it.

Well, I'm very glad I'm not the whip.

I wouldn't like to be holding that lot.

You can see the horses are ready to go in every direction.

I can see it's just initialed here, RT.

Yes.

I don't know who the artist is.

But I just like the context, It's quite naive.

Your price is £175.

Yes.

What's your absolute best price?

Oh, would be 135.

Right?

It'd be a great gamble for me to buy this one object because that's my entire budget blown on one painting.

My absolute best price will be £130.

Well, it could be done, but it's, it's very tight.

VO: Just as they get to the nitty gritty, Philip barges in.

I thought you were in the top end of town.

Have you acquired anything yet Philip?

I'm not sure it's any of your concern.

We're talking business now.

Are you going to come back later?

No, no, I'm not gonna come back later.

I'll just have a look round now.

Good to you see Charlie.

See you Philip.

Hamish?

Thank you very much.

I'll have a think, a serious think because it is my budget, OK?

HAMISH: Yes, yes, yes, yes.

CH: So I'll see you later maybe.

Right you are.

Hamish, thank you for your time.

Decisions.

It's very difficult.

What have I seen?

I've seen a very fine painting at £130.

OK, it was my entire budget?

Do I risk it all in one item?

I don't know.

I really don't know because it would be now or never.

But I will have a think, wander on.

It's my first shop so plenty of time really.

Excuse me just a moment.

Thank you.

Philip?

You've been already or...?

Yeah, no, I bought a little painting, I thought was lovely.

That coaching scene.

CH: Not the one in there.

PS: Yeah.

PS: Why?

Did you want it?

CH: Sorry?

Did you want it?

Well, I said to him, "Look could you please keep it to one side for me?"

PS: That little coaching scene?

CH: Yes.

PS: It was cheap, wasn't it?

CH: You're naughty.

PS: See you mate.

VO: Oh, Charles, you are so gullible.

He's only winding you up.

Oh, what's your name?

VO: Both are on a mission to spend.

With Charlie driving me around, don't you think that would look the business?

I'm trying to find the Bull Ring antiques center.

It's getting fun this.

VO: Charles is reconsidering his strategy of buying just one big, knock your socks off, object.

Hello, ladies.

He's browsing now for smaller goodies.

Here what I've got is a late Victorian little brass circular jewelry box and cover.

I love the plaque on top, Wedgwood style jasper wear.

This sort of box which is quite unusual.

You've got the inside and then the lid lifts off.

And I'm sure it's for jewelry.

I like that.

I also like these here as well.

And these are transfer printed delightful scenes of a hare.

Yes, yeah.

Together with this transfer printed child's plate of a young girl holding some bird.

And these must both be about 1815, 1825.

That period.

1820.

I would have thought so, yes.

So they're 180 years old.

Any alphabet ones of this type?

I've just got one.

Yeah, I like it Liz.

A B C D, all of that.

I would actually, with the three of these put them together as a lot because I think in the wholesale market they'll be well received.

Rustic, charming, very much of the region.

What's your best price of all three of them?

They come to 108 but I would do them for 85 for the three.

I think they're nice.

I do like the three.

I think in a lot they would go well together but... ..my best offer would be £50.

I think that's... too... CH: Too low.

DEALER: What about 60?

I would also like to acquire him as well, you see.

So I'd be buying two.

If I said 30 on him... Mm-hm.

And on these three, hmm... it would need to be about £50 for these three.

DEALER: Making 80 altogether.

CH: £80.

Can't you squeeze a bit more?

No.

That's very mean.

I know.

VO: Job lot for £80, eh?

Charles has played hardball and got a mean deal for his three plates and brass pot.

Outside, Philip has made a friend.

So how do you play?

Tell me how you play.

I do my vibration.

What, from your lip?

Like that?

(IMITATES DIDGERIDOO) I do that and people tend to throw me out of places.

Go on, let's hear something then.

How cool is that?

I think our friend on the didgeridoo is quite melodious for about an hour but after that it might drive you round the bend.

I can just about hear it.

Good though, isn't he?

DEALER: Very good.

PS: Yeah.

So you want something quirky?

I don't mind what it...

I want something cheap.

That's what I want.

I want champagne on beer money.

That's what I'm looking for.

Your bowls, they're not lignum are they?

They're composite.

And most bowls are lignum and you have a bias in there so that when you bowl it, instead of going straight, it goes in a curve like that.

Erm...

But I think that these are an old set of bowls.

And if you look here, it says "remodeled by Thomas Taylor and Co".

And I think these are probably 1900, 1910 bowls that have been remodeled quite recently.

I'd like to buy the four for 50 quid because that's what I think they're worth.

Being as it's you I'll do 50.

Very kind.

So would you like a bag?

That's extra.

That'd be re... Eh?

Thank you very much.

You're a star.

Thank you very much indeed.

I'll get you a bag.

You're an angel.

Thank you.

I'm quite pleased with those and I think they'll do alright.

I think they'll do alright.

And I'm working on a theory that a new set of bowls... ..is going to cost you more than £12.50 each for these.

The only issue I've got is do I sell them as a pair or four?

VO: Well, don't let that conundrum hold you up, Philip.

So Hay-on-Wye has proved a successful place to stop.

OK, let's go.

VO: Onto Kington, a small market town that was Cyne-turne in the Domesday Book of 1086.

Charles has got £57.86 left and it's burning a hole in his pocket.

So he still wants to shop.

There's a lot of stuff here.

It's all very retro.

Can I sort of tempt you with a few pointers?

Show me.

I'll take you through the back room.

CH: That always sounds good.

Here, Paul, you've got some pictures.

Yes.

That's actually one that I quite like.

Cuz it's fairly local.

It's Hereford and I believe that is 18th century.

You're quite...

It's 1770.

Good view.

PAUL: Yeah.

CH: What's this Paul?

That's another interesting one.

That's on a porcelain panel.

And it's hand-painted.

And I'm wondering whether one of the porcelain decorators may have actually painted that.

I like it.

That's a vignette, 1880 again on porcelain.

And my question is, those two together, what's your best price?

£15.

Yeah, there's something I like here in your shop.

And I saw it as I glanced into the cabinet there.

It's not the content, it's the actual bowed cabinet.

It's ebonized.

It's 1910, 15.

Is it for sale?

Erm... my first answer would be no to that, but I might have my arm twisted.

It does stand me virtually £25.

So... My offer to you would be £20 for the cabinet.

And £12 for the two pictures, which makes £32.

OK, I've got one condition.

Yes.

That is that you help me empty the cabinet.

I would like to.

And shake my hand.

Paul.

You're a gentleman.

It's been a pleasure.

Thank you.

Bye.

VO: Closing time comes too soon for Charles.

They hit the road again, driving to Rhayader and before long, they hit the sack.

Next morning, Philip is in the driving seat and he's got loads of money.

Well £163.27 to be precise.

Scatter-cash Charles has just got £25.

So he's in no rush.

CH: Isn't it fantastic?

PS: Glorious.

This is Pen y Garreg reservoir.

PS: Right.

Obviously in the Elan Valley.

And you know this was constructed in 1905.

There is, Phil, enough water here to supply Birmingham for 15 days.

VO: Back on the road, the boys are heading for Brecon but as they drive through Builth Wells an unexpected sign beckons them into a disused church.

Charlie pull in here.

This looks like it might be interesting.

VO: Antique dealer Rob Clement only moved in here three weeks ago.

So it's a bit disorganized.

That's an understatement.

Fantastic, isn't it?

The sad thing is this stuff has become jumbled.

So stoppers have become separated from decanters.

Well that's the way the world is.

Oh yeah, it's tremendous.

With everything in here Phil, you must find something surely.

VO: The challenge is set to find buried treasure.

CH: Who's it made by?

PS: Dunno.

VO: Philip's examining a primitive Welsh side table.

He thinks it's been stained to look right, but isn't.

Now if you look at it here, there's the remains of a tenant there and it doesn't come through up onto there at all.

So this has never, ever had anything to do with that.

You've got £150 table base.

And you've got a £5 table top that is never, ever going to be anything.

And five years ago, you'd have got away with that because it wouldn't have mattered.

But in this market as soon as somebody sees top and bottom don't marry, you're burnt aren't you?

Yeah.

I think it's a £50 gamble.

That's what I think it is.

I really do.

ROB: You want to gamble for 50 quid cash.

Gamble.

Well, Charles, on your advice, coz I like you, I'm gonna...

I'm gonna have a punt.

I think it is a gamble.

But I think...

ROB: Life is a gamble.

Yeah absolutely, it is the way we live it.

Oh you need change.

Oh change, yeah.

You're a good man Rob.

Thank you very much.

Thank you kindly.

Charles, bring the table.

Sort it in the boot, mate.

I've just got a few calls to make.

VO: Table precariously on board, they press on to Brecon.

PS: Do you know, as we're doing an Antiques Road Trip in an old car, wouldn't mind doing in that old car.

Rudolf Caracciola in a Mercedes Grand Prix car.

And that's an Auto Union, which became Audi.

That was driven by Dick Seaman.

Can I ask you my dear, what's the best you could do those for?

Very, very, very, very, very, very best.

Very best?

I can do 12 on the pair.

That's 12 on those two, make a mental note.

That's not 10 on those two?

10 would be really good.

10's possible.

10's possible.

I like the sound of that.

VO: The prints appeal to Philip because he nuts about cars, but will they find a buyer at auction?

# We have all # The time # In the world... # Meanwhile, Charles has failed to find anything he fancies for his remaining £25.

Back at Martha Morgan's shop, son Bob is collecting autographs on his school shirt.

Philip is ready to sign a deal.

Well, you said a tenner didn't you?

So I was thinking that if I paid a fiver for the two and signed his shirt, that'd be good, wouldn't it?

DEALER: Oh, not eight?

PS: No, no, I haven't...

I'd love to.

I'd love to honestly but under these budgetary constraints, the tough times in which we're in, I just haven't got the money.

DEALER: (LAUGHS) I haven't got the money.

DEALER: What do you reckon Bob?

BOB: Yeah.

So is a fiver alright, my love?

And a signature?

DEALER: Yeah, I think so.

PS: Are you sure?

You're a star.

If I put there, "Bob, best wishes, Philip."

How's that?

Don't worry, it'll always wash out.

Bob, you're an absolute gentlemen.

Thank you very much.

You haven't got any friends around, have you?

I can get a few other bits cheap?

No, that's it.

Thank you, my love.

You're an angel.

Was a deal, that, wasn't it?

VO: Philip's still got over £100 left, but he's playing it super cautious.

He's banking most of his cash and buying inexpensive items, hoping to make small profits.

Desperate to see what each other's bought, they put into a roadside pub to compare the contents of their shopping bags.

And the little Welsh table is still a hot potato.

If it's right, I might get £80, 90 for it.

I might get a little bit more.

If it's wrong, I might get 30 quid for it.

Yeah.

I like it.

And although it's yesterday's antique, it's so cheap in today's market, it's got to make money.

I'm going to quote you on that later on.

CH: My first purchase is... PS: I'm ready for it.

There you go.

A little blue Jasper plaque.

To be honest Phil I just wanted to buy something and maybe I bought it a bit quick, but I do like it.

How much?

It cost me £30.

Good day it might make 20.

Bad day it might lose 20.

My next lot Charlie.

I bought four of those, all matched, probably late 19th century, early 20th century.

PS: I paid 50 quid for the four.

CH: Can I have a handle?

What I want to do in the auction is put them as two pairs.

So lot number 100 is a pair of bowls and lot number 101 is a pair of bowls.

That way you give someone the option of buying four or two people just buying a pair but I think they're quite nice.

I suppose, Phil, in all honesty, I think they're very nice.

I'm not bowled over, dare I say, by them.

Sorry.

But you know your market, you know your timber.

And go get your profit.

Well let's keep our fingers crossed.

What's your next bit Charlie?

I bought these.

Right?

CH: There's one.

PS: Oh I like those.

There's my center one.

Look at the condition.

And that's my third one.

They're all about 1820, 1830, at the latest 1840.

I bought the plates and the jar and cover from the same lady.

Yeah.

So in all I paid £80.

30 for the jar, left me 50 on these.

In my view, that one's worth £30 to £50.

Mm-hm.

That one, I love that.

It's worth £30 to £50.

Good.

I think that one, because it's got some damage...

It's thrown in.

It's whatever you can get for it.

Might be a fiver, might be a tenner.

It's whatever.

VO: Next the motor racing photos Philip bought for a fiver.

This is a photograph, look, with Rudolf Caracciola driving a Grand Prix Mercedes.

And this is Dick Seaman here driving an Auto Union.

Yeah, I think they're really evocative.

Yeah, they are.

I think they would look great in someone's garage who collected cars.

Come on let's look at your last bit.

Right.

Knowing the collectors and traders who go to auctions, they always want to buy cabinets.

You know, particularly good early cabinets, particularly jewelry collectors, jewelry dealers.

Look at it.

It's a really attractive, bowed, Edwardian, perhaps George V, ebonized cabinet, circa 1910, 15.

Delightful.

It was £20.

Oh that's cheap enough.

I'd estimate that at £20 to £40.

My finale.

That's number one.

Oh that's nice.

Isn't it?

I thought...

I was getting a bit sentimental thinking about our journey together.

It's Hereford and it's just a delightful still print engraving circa 1770, 1780.

But what goes with it for sale?

CH: Look at that.

PS: That's horrible.

Do you think so?

How much did you pay for the two?

The two together, £12.

VO: Philip will also be selling his mixed silver items that didn't find a buyer in yesterday's program.

Having seen what the other one bought, are they happy with their lots?

If I compare Charlie's things to mine, there's nothing I'd like to swap to put in the auction.

Though I'd love these plates to keep for myself.

But you know, I think the things that I bought, I'm happy with them, not withstanding that Charlie helped me with the table.

I'm not envious of any of Philip's buys.

We're here to compete.

I stand by, back my items.

Good luck, Philip.

Good luck, Charles Hanson.

And we'll see what happens.

VO: This leg of the road trip began in Gloucester and the boys had a successful shopping foray in Wales.

Auction day has arrived and they're driving into Bristol.

Such was its importance as a port and trading centre, Bristol was once England's second biggest city after London.

Its famous Clifton bridge spanning the Avon Gorge was the result of a competition.

It was won by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1830 at the tender age of 24.

Sadly, he didn't live to see his wonderful suspension bridge completed.

They're heading for one of Drewett's gallery sales, held every fortnight for general furniture and effects.

Auctioneer Martin Humphreys is confident.

But what about Philip's little Welsh table?

That's a difficult one, this one.

If it does sell, it'll sell I hope for just above the higher estimate.

At best.

It does have a few weaknesses.

It's got a split top, the rear leg is molded, and that the drawer knob is not the right one.

So there are a few flaws in it.

But yeah, I think it stands a chance.

VO: In yesterday's program, Charles lost nearly £150, and Philip's collection of silver didn't even sell.

So there's more riding on this auction than profits.

Our experts have their reputations to restore.

Well, I hope today, after our disasters we both experienced in the Cotswolds, we can both come out with profit.

We are a good team.

The table is going to be that great tweak between us whether we come out smiling together.

Hopefully.

But I think we'll both do quite well but obviously, hopefully, end of the day, myself.

VO: We're off.

Charles's two artworks are up first.

And I've got interest on the book to £10.

£10 is bid.

12 anyone?

At 12.

15.

18.

20.

22.

25.

28.

No?

At £25 then.

MARTIN: I'm selling at £25.

PS: Well done Charlie.

25.

VO: Philip's split up his £50 bowls into two lots.

So each pair cost him £25.

And I've got interest on the book on this lot.

Two competing bids straight into £25.

£25 I have.

At £25.

Do I see 28 anywhere?

At 25.

28.

30.

32.

35.

38.

40.

42.

No?

At £40 then, on the book it stays.

At £40 and selling.

CH: You're cooking.

Well hopefully the next picture will be the same.

The second pair of lignum vitae bowling bowls.

And I've got two bids on the book.

To £20 this time?

£20 is bid.

22 anywhere?

At £20.

Do I see 22?

25.

28.

30.

32.

No?

At £30 then, on the book it is.

At 30.

CH: £20 up, aren't you?

PS: Yeah.

Paid 50, got 70 back.

PS: Yeah, it's OK, isn't it?

CH: Happy with that, Phil.

Yeah.

VO: Good decision to sell them in pairs.

Next Philip's racing car photos, which only cost him a fiver.

Interest on the book this time.

To £15.

£15 is bid.

15.

18.

20.

22.

25.

28.

No?

At £25.

28.

30.

32.

35.

38.

MARTIN: With you sir, at 38.

CH: Fantastic.

The book is out at 38.

And selling at 38.

That's good Charlie.

Pleased with that.

Well played.

Spot on.

They did a good job with that.

£33 he made.

VO: Philip's doing well.

Now Charles's next lot.

The three Victorian children's plates.

Two bids.

Three bids actually.

Take me straight into £30.

MARTIN: £30 I have.

PS: Well done Charlie.

At £30.

Do I see 32?

32.

35.

38.

40.

42.

45.

48.

No?

At £45 then.

At 45.

Do I see 48 anywhere?

At £45 only and selling.

PS: Was that a dip of a fiver?

CH: Yeah.

That's unlucky but I tell you what Charlie, they are nice things.

VO: It's a £5 loss Charles can ill afford.

Lot 490, the late Victorian ebonized tabletop jewelry display cabinets.

Charles, what a gentleman.

What a gentleman.

That's what I like about Charlie.

VO: Stop talking.

The auctioneer is selling Charles's display cabinet.

I didn't think about that.

I thought let's just spend... (THEY TALK OVER EACH OTHER) CH: Accumulate.

No.

MARTIN: £80 on the book.

CH: Looking at the room Phil... Hey, he sold it.

What did it make?

I missed it.

VO: This auctioneer doesn't hang around, Charles.

CH: 80 quid?

I missed it.

PS: He just sold that for £80.

I missed it.

It made £80.

I missed it.

Charlie that's 60 quid profit.

Well done you.

VO: Now it's Charles's brass container.

Here we go.

Philip.

Here we go.

I've got two bids on the book to £35.

£35 I have.

38.

40.

42.

At £40 then.

We all done?

£40.

40 anywhere?

£40 and I'm selling at 40.

PS: £10 profit, Charlie.

So you're up 77 quid for the day.

Yeah yeah, £10, yeah.

VO: Next, it's Philip's silver that didn't sell in yesterday's program.

Will it go this time?

OK, what's it gonna make?

PS: £32.

CH: I'll say 24.

I'll be happy with either.

I've got bids on the book to £30.

CH: Oh no.

MARTIN: £30.

Do I see 32 anywhere?

MARTIN: At 32.

PS: That's a top job, isn't it?

35.

38, sir?

With you, sir, at 38.

The book is out at £38 and I'm selling it, 3-8.

VO: Phew, sold.

That's alright, Charlie.

Isn't it?

VO: Now Philip's little side table that he admitted is a gamble.

I've got competing bids on the book with this lot to £40.

£40 is bid.

On the book at £40.

Do I see 42 anywhere?

At £40.

Do I see 42?

45.

48.

50.

55.

60.

65.

No?

At £60 then on the book it stays.

At £60.

Selling it at £60.

Get in there.

Charlie, bend over.

VO: Philip's cock-a-hoop.

He's won again.

Although they've both recovered ground.

Is Phil catchable?

I would say... of course he is.

You only need one really good soaring success which you can find and hopefully heading south I'll find that.

And you never know what's buried in boxes or hidden behind covers and cabinets.

I think what happens between now and the next two auctions is pretty much irrelevant.

What counts is the final one.

So you know with Charlie, he's capable of blowing the lot or making himself £200 on something.

There's no middle ground with Charlie.

It's, it's what it's all about.

VO: Charles started today's program on a barrel-scraping £137.86 and made a profit after commission of £41.95.

Now he's got a total of £179.81.

Philip began this leg with £223.27.

Today's profit of £61.91 takes him up to a grand total of £285.18 to spend on the next leg.

Thank you so much.

CH: Well played.

All I'm gonna say, Phil, well played.

And let's go.

VO: In tomorrow's show, the boys are running around in circles, in Bath.

PS: This is like the Magic Roundabout.

We've been round this thing six times now.

Just turn left, go down there.

VO: And Charles is tempted to blow it all on a giant teapot.

Oh yes.

I'll be gambling my entire budget on you, Alex.

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