
Philip Serrell and Charles Hanson, Day 4
Season 8 Episode 4 | 44m 4sVideo has Closed Captions
Philip Serrell and Charles Hanson begin in Cambridge and head to auction in Suffolk.
Philip Serrell and Charles Hanson begin the penultimate day of their road trip in the county town of Cambridge before passing through Peterborough and heading towards auction in Glemsford, Suffolk.
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Philip Serrell and Charles Hanson, Day 4
Season 8 Episode 4 | 44m 4sVideo has Closed Captions
Philip Serrell and Charles Hanson begin the penultimate day of their road trip in the county town of Cambridge before passing through Peterborough and heading towards auction in Glemsford, Suffolk.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipVOICEOVER (VO): It's the nation's favorite antiques experts... Alright viewers?
VO: ..with £200 each, a classic car, and a goal - to scour Britain for antiques.
I'm on fire - yes!
Sold - going, going, gone.
VO: The aim - to make the biggest profit at auction.
But it's no mean feat.
50p!
VO: There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.
VO: So, will it be the high road to glory or the slow road to disaster?
Ooh!
Oh!
Ow!
VO: This is the Antiques Road Trip.
Yeah!
This week we're on the road with a dashing duo.
PHIL (PS): Charlie, it's a lovely day and I'm in the lead.
(THEY CHUCKLE) CHARLES (CH): How does it feel?
Well, it just feels like the natural order has been resumed, really, Charlie.
I've got it in me, to come back.
That's worrying, that is.
VO: Hyperactive auctioneer Charles Hanson lost his lead at the last auction.
Well done!
VO: So now he's falling over himself to claw it back.
That's exciting.
I'm the older one, who buys the sort of daft, stupid things.
VO: His rival - auctioneer, Philip Serrell... VO: ..who's trying hard not to let success cloud his judgment.
What the hell have I done?
VO: They've been together now in a small car for three days, and Charles's little quirks... CH: Woof!
Woof!
Rarr!
Good morning.
PS: Absolutely bonkers!
VO: ..are starting to light Phil's very short fuse.
CH: Do you sleep in pajamas?
PS: Oh, for God's sake, Charlie!
How many more days have we got of this?
VO: Well, Phil, you're over halfway through the trip.
And after three outings at auction, Charles has turned a starting budget of £200 into £284.54.
VO: Phil though has pulled ahead, turning £200 into £327.56.
CH: Phil, although I'm losing... PS: What was that?
CH: I'm losing, Phil... PS: What... What is that, sorry?
CH: I am losing.
VO: These squabbling gents are cavorting round the country in a 1969 Triumph GT6 convertible... and are covering some distance.
Beginning in Southport in Merseyside, they're clocking up over 800 miles, weaving towards their final destination in Cirencester, in the Cotswolds.
On this leg, they're starting in the county town of Cambridge, before ambling towards auction in Glemsford, Suffolk.
Sitting on the River Cam, with some exquisite architecture, Cambridge is celebrated for its 780-year-old university.
Phil, don't you feel like Harry Potter?
What?!
Of that magical presence of academia.
Don't you feel... high intellectual when you walk right down here?
Charlie, I've never felt high intellectual my life.
VO: Enough of your nonsense, Hanson.
It's time to get serious.
This morning you've got two shops, side by side, to get you started.
Snap.
Which one do you want, Charlie?
That one or that one?
Hanson's on a mission here, look - he's off.
Phil, I'm quite happy to go in this one first of all.
In there?
You know, I'm playing catch up now.
Well, don't try and steal a march on me, will you?
I mean, don't... What's going on?
VO: You just get left behind, Phil.
Charles has buzzed off into The Hive.
I'm thinking about Suffolk and what I'm doing in Suffolk, and the fact Suffolk is just... Well...
It's quite oaky, and also it's not far from Holland.
VO: There are about 200 miles, and the North Sea, separating them, Charles.
He's on another planet sometimes, that boy.
Shake, rattle and roll, Phil.
I'm coming to get you, OK?
VO: Lordy.
Bang any harder and Phil will hear you next door.
Morning, Mr Serrell.
So how are you?
Alright?
I'm well, thank you.
Yeah?
Good.
What about you?
PS: Yeah, really good.
DEALER: Good.
Looking for... What've you got for me?
Oh, I've got some bits and bobs out in the car that I haven't brought in yet today, so... Oh, well, you go and get those bits and bobs, and let me have a look round.
Bits and bobs.
Oh, this is what we like to see.
Might find something of interest.
I haven't unloaded them today yet.
VO: Ah, a new box, filled with old treasures.
Oh, bits and bobs, bits and bobs.
VO: Will something in here tempt Phil to part with his £327?
Oh, that's nice, isn't it?
DEALER: I like that.
Oh, well, Cha... That's got Charlie's name written all over it.
DEALER: It's Masons.
And how old is that?
I don't know.
I can't even read the mark on the back.
Can you see it?
How much is that?
That's got to be £35.
Best.
This is Sunderland luster, and it's called Sunderland luster cuz it was made up there, and the luster is this sort of pink, almost like luminescent color here.
VO: He's after this Masonic plaque.
Owner Stephen wants £35 for it.
I think that I might have a go at that for you.
OK.
But I was going to offer you 15 quid.
DEALER: £20, and we'll deal.
I think it probably is old, isn't it?
£30.
I...
Although it might be new... No, I'll give you 20 quid for it.
And I think, genuinely, I think it's got a chance of being an old one.
VO: He may not know its age, but he's taking a punt on the plate, and now the world's his oyster.
How old do you think this globe is, Stephen?
I think it's got the old Russian states on it, hasn't it?
It's got...
It's the USSR, isn't it?
USSR, yeah.
VO: It also boasts a double axis, with a ticket price of £39.
I can go a bit lower, Phil.
Could you do 20 quid for me?
Er... yeah, course I can.
Can I ask you to do me a favor?
Can you keep it by for me until about four o'clock this afternoon?
DEALER: Yup.
By all means.
PS: Could you do that?
VO: Phil's almost bought two items, but Charles is still empty-handed.
Bye.
Going next door now.
Phil.
You're still here.
Why...?
Isn't it change over time over now?
It's a good shop, Charlie.
I know it is, I know it is.
You mean you're throwing me out?
I might do, yes, if that's OK with you.
Oh, get out of it.
Phil, the going is getting tough, OK?
And when the going gets tough... ..the tough gets going.
See you, Charlie.
Exactly.
See you, Phil.
Good luck.
VO: Get cracking Charles - you've got the shop to yourself and over £280 to spend.
I want to acquire objects which impress me, which I take to auction, like my yellow and red chairs, which just give me a heartbeat.
And Philip, that's one thing which you must get away from - don't buy knobbly knickknacks.
Buy to impress.
Buy real antiques, Phil.
That's the way forward.
VO: Actually, Charles, Phil's not doing too badly.
That's quite nice.
A little compass.
That's silver, isn't it?
There it is.
It's got a hallmark.
1898.
That's quite sweet.
VO: Could this late Victorian silver compass help Charles get back on track?
What would the Suffolk lion compass have to be?
Between two English lions?
You with the bigger roar.
Welsh.
W...?
Oh, I'm sorry, you're Welsh.
I'm sorry.
VO: He sure knows how to turn on the charm, eh?
Tenner.
Tenner?
D'you know what?
That's not bad.
You've got to... You've got to buy it for a tenner.
Yeah.
Quite nice one, isn't it?
It's nice, yes.
That came in with the same lot this morning.
CH: Really?
DEALER: Yeah.
I think what gives it a certain attraction is the fact that this man appears to be dressed in military costume.
Yeah.
So I can almost put that unknown, unidentified sitter, who probably fought for the great cause, 1914-18, put it with the compass, to almost give a bit of life to the compass, about where it's traveled.
If I bought the two together, what's your best price?
£20.
Best price.
No arguments.
You've got a bargain, you know you've got a bargain - show me the money.
Yeah... Meet me halfway, at 15.
Oh, please!
My final offer... Sir... ..and this is so I do get a profit, is £16.
For 1600 pence, I'll say "sold".
Do you do change?
Er... We can change it into a fiver for you.
CH: Thank you very much.
DEALER: There you go.
Oh, really?
Thank you very much.
That's great.
So into a fiver... DEALER: Yeah.
CH: That means it's £15.
VO: Stephen's a very generous chap.
CH: You sure?
DEALER: Well... Are you sure?
But you said £16 to me.
You've got such a sad look on your face, sometimes, Charles - how can I possibly not?
VO: Those boyish good looks land him another £1 discount.
One thing I perhaps ought to have picked up, I've left behind, and sometimes you think they ought to belong together, is the actual fob watch chain.
I forgot about it.
Want to put them together?
I forgot.
This is hallmarked.
Yeah, it is solid silver.
Final offer...
Yes.
..OK?
CH: Yeah.
DEALER: £15.
£15 plus £15 means this would owe me £30 at auction, which means I would owe you an extra £15 now.
You're good at sums, aren't you?
Thanks.
VO: Indeed.
There's no end to his talents.
That's quite a haul for £30.
I wonder if Philip's having as much success next door.
How much is the, um, the death plaque?
VO: What's he spotted?
So basically, this is a plaque, isn't it, that um...?
It's known as "death penny", isn't it?
Yeah.
Given to the so...
Given to the family of each soldier that passed on in World War I. VO: Commonly known as "dead man's penny", because it looks similar to the coin.
They were issued to the families of fallen British soldiers.
This one has a price tag of £85 on it.
Not much for a life.
See, I think it is going to make £40-£60.
Yeah.
I've got to try and buy it off you for £30.
Yeah.
That's the bottom line for me.
I think at 35 I'd have it.
Since it's you, yeah.
Alright.
You're a gentleman.
Thank you very, very much indeed.
No problem.
VO: Another item, and a generous discount of £50.
VO: Oh!
This shopping lark does look exhausting!
Charlie, what are you doing?
Sorry, it's the heat.
It's lovely.
Sorry.
The heat?
The heat.
You see, mental exhaustion... We're in England, in September, Charlie.
I know.
It's wonderful.
Wonderful.
Get in the car.
What have you bought, Charlie?
CH: Um... VO: Easy, Phil.
That's Charles's little secret.
Now, play nice in the car, boys.
Phil, if you saw me now, on a bike...
I wouldn't love you.
..would you think I was a Cambridge student?
No.
Cuz they've all go...
Most of them have got hair.
VO: Bit harsh, Phil.
But fear not, Charles.
You may not fit in at King's College but whilst Phil's shopping, there's another Cambridge tradition you'd be perfect for.
Look out.
CH: You must be Philip.
PHIL: Hi, I'm Phil.
Philip.
Charles Hanson.
Charles.
Very good to meet you.
Good to see you.
My father is a Philip.
He is?
CH: He was at Cambridge.
PHIL: Yup?
And he always told me how enjoyable it was to go punting.
I'm very glad you've come.
And I can't believe that I'm following in his footsteps.
It's wonderful.
VO: Dreams can come true, Charles.
As a way of navigating these shallow waterways, punting's been around for centuries.
But in 1903, local man and boat maker Jack Scudamore helped transform punting from the practical to the pleasure pastime we know today.
CH: Clearly it took off under Scudamore, this arts and passion for punting in Cambridge.
Was he a marketeer or was he just...?
VO: Steady there, Charles!
Almost went then.
Was he just... Was it something that just took off?
I think it did.
He started off with rowing boats and things, and he realized that the punt was a very peculiar mode of transport, that was particular to this part of the world, so he sort of made it an image which is always associated with Cambridge.
CH: Yes.
VO: Like strawberries and Wimbledon, punting's become synonymous with Cambridge, although it's definitely more dangerous.
Now we got to duck, do we?
We should probably duck here.
Just very quickly.
OK. PHIL: You get used to this... CH: Yeah.
..with all the bridges.
I feel like, er... Indiana Jones.
It's great, isn't it?
Yeah.
VO: Indiana Jones?
More Frank Spencer, I'd say.
Sorry.
Alright.
VO: Oh, Charles!
Oh, I think late 19th century.
Right.
Sorry... VO: You and water weren't made to go together!
Yeah.
Phil, I think the landscape now suggests I ought to have a go.
You know... Are you feeling ready?
Yeah, I think so.
I'm a fairly strong guy.
OK. Let's go for it then.
CH: I've got big arms, so... PHIL: Alright?
Yeah, OK. Shall we swap places?
Sure thing.
So here's the pole.
OK. VO: I don't think I'd like to be on board much.
CH: Yeah, OK. PHIL: OK.
So Phil, all I do, I hold it like that... Yup.
..in the ground it goes.
You can drop it just through your hand, let it slide through your hands, and push straight back.
I've got you.
And this is the tricky part now.
Leave it in the water behind you...
Yes?
And you want to turn right slightly, drag the pole towards the right bank.
There you go.
Perfect.
VO: Now!
Oh, dear!
Left a bit.
VO: Would you travel with Charles Hanson in a punt?
..is I feel almost, Phil, if I sort of do that, and then almost hold on to it, and hold on to it, I'm a pole-vaulter.
VO: Charles!
Get a grip!
I think you've got the basic principles.
..actually...
Sorry.
VO: Look out!
Oh, my gosh!
VO: You hit somebody, Charles!
Sorry, sir.
VO: Oh, now he's hit the bank!
Oh, Charles!
VO: (LAUGHS) VO: What a shambles!
Over to you.
Thank you, Phil.
Thank you.
Congratulations.
It's been immense, and d'you know what?
Philip Serrell, if you were here, I wish you were here, but not really, because this, Phil, is the life.
Oh, the sun has just come out.
VO: It's a miracle you're still dry, Charles.
Time for a little lie down, old fruit.
I think you've earned it.
VO: How's rival Phil getting on?
He's off taking his next punt on a purchase.
PS: Hi, you must be Warren.
DEALER: Yeah.
Warren, I'm Philip.
How are you?
Welcome, Philip.
You've got a bit of everything here, haven't you?
Now, I don't want to be picky at all, but I think your choice of model actually doesn't sell that too much, really.
It's sure as hell not Drew Barrymore, is it?
Right, let's go and have a look in this one.
It isn't, yeah.
VO: That's enough flattery, Phil.
What about checking out some antiques, eh?
Oh, I do like that, Warren.
What's that?
Looks like half a drainpipe.
Came from a local garage.
It took four of us to lift it in here.
PS: I can sort of feel myself warming to the task.
DEALER: Yeah.
VO: Mm.
A large yard of antiques, and Phil's attracted to this great lump.
I love that.
VO: It appears to be a water feature but may have had some kind of commercial or industrial use.
Warren wants £250 for it.
So it's probably 1960s, isn't it?
It's made of reconstituted concrete, but it looks a bit like granite.
I think it'll make a fun garden feature.
What do I think that's going to make at auction?
I think that's likely to make 120 to 180 quid.
That's what I think.
VO: I think that's optimistic.
What's the best you could do it for?
150?
I tell you what, this is just...
Hold your hand out, Warren.
Let's just see if this makes it feel better.
There's 20.
Yeah.
There's 40.
VO: Got some mind tricks on the go here, Philip?
There's 80.
There's 100, Warren.
And there's 20 quid, and I've got me train fare home.
What about another 10?
I'm going to give you that, cuz I just think it's a fun, fun thing.
What the hell have I done?
VO: You've paid £130 for half a ton of concrete and some plants, as far as I can tell.
VO: And he's not done yet.
He's decided to head back to Cambs Antiques, to have another look at that globe.
D'you know, I used to teach geography.
Er, I think I did know that.
Albeit not very well.
VO: Well, sir - does it look any better on a second viewing?
PS: I think I'm gonna have that off you.
It was 20, wasn't it?
DEALER: It was 20, yeah.
That's what we agreed.
You're a gentleman.
Thank you very much indeed.
Thank you very much indeed, yeah.
That's fun, isn't it?
VO: Just like that, he's four items up and £205 down.
As day one draws to a close, he rejoins Charles in the Triumph, to relax for the night.
CH: # I want to # Be a part of it... # VO: If Charles ever calms down, that is.
VO: It's a beautiful morning, perfect to enjoy with some good company.
CH: Let's play a game.
I spy with my little eye... Charles wants to play a game.
..something beginning with "G".
Gooseberries.
Close.
Not quite.
Give up.
Green.
Charlie!
You can't...!
I spy green.
What sort of idiot are you?!
It's green.
Look, it's green... You can't say "Oh, there's a green"!
Green.
Oh, look - that's not the sky up there, it's a blue!
It is blue.
PS: You worry me sometimes.
CH: Why?
You do, you worry me.
VO: Come on, Phil - who doesn't like a classic game of I Spy?
CH: When you were a youngster, back in Worcestershire, in the day, did they have the old Shire horses working the fields?
PS: Charlie, when I was young, they did not have Shire horses.
CH: Worcestershire's a very traditional county, who kept up their agricultural... PS: Yes, but it's not...
It's not backward, Charlie!
VO: Poor Charles.
Phil's fuse seems even shorter today.
You know what, Charlie?
It's 9.15 and you've worn me out already.
VO: Well, he did have a good day yesterday, spending £205 on the 19th-century Masonic plaque, the First World War memorial plaque, the large concrete water feature, and the 20th-century double-axis globe, leaving him with £122.56 to spend today.
VO: Charles parted with just £30, picking up a Victorian fob and silver chain, and the photo frame with the image of a First World War soldier.
He has £254.54 to play with today.
CH: Bye.
DEALER: Bye.
On the horizon, over there somewhere, is the big one that will make us thousands of pounds, cuz it can happen.
Do you ever, ever stop to draw breath?
I want a dream, Phil.
PS: Really?
CH: I had a dream.
Really?
I had a dream, that in this car, you and I found the big one.
VO: Will Charles's dreams come true?
They're starting in the small town of Oundle, in Northamptonshire.
With a history going back over 1,000 years, this pretty market town boasts many ancient buildings, so it's perhaps the perfect place to find your treasure, Charles.
Today, Phil, I feel really fertile.
PS: Pardon?
CH: The sap is rising.
I'm glad I'm getting out the car.
The sap is rising, Phil.
VO: What is he on about?
Because if I'm not fertile today and I don't bring back the goods, I'm in trouble.
Tell you... Let me tell you, if you're fertile and the sap's rising, you go in the antique shop.
I'm going to have a very quiet wander round Oundle, cuz I think it's lovely here.
CH: OK. PS: Is that alright?
CH: Yeah.
Fine.
PS: OK then.
Good luck, matey.
PS: See you later.
CH: See you, Phil, yeah.
VO: So as Phil soaks in the sights, Charles hits Harpur's... Good morning.
Good morning, Charles.
How are you?
Nice to see you.
VO: ..a family business of antiques and jewelry, run by jeweler Nigel.
I'm on a mission today.
I'm behind in the Antique Road Trip stakes.
Philip's taken the lead over me and he's pretty confident today.
He's gone for a wander round town.
He said "Hanson, you take the first shop.
"I'm quite content just wading round this great market town."
I'm looking for something which will be a memory at auction, which might be a wow factor for Phil to say, "Good man, Charles.
You've done quite well today".
OK. Well, let's hope we can find you something.
Brilliant.
VO: No pressure then, Nigel.
Well, um... coming down in price is a good sign.
Sweet fan.
I think this fan dates about 1810.
VO: Ah.
With an image of George III's coronation, it may be even earlier than that.
Priced at £50.
This is an interesting lot, isn't it?
DEALER: I've got lots.
CH: Lots of...?
Fans.
Have you got any more out the back then, or....?
DEALER: Yeah.
CH: May I have a look?
Yeah.
I'll come look at them with you.
Thanks.
VO: Charles is sticking with traditional antique shops.
But not for the first time, Phil's taken an unconventional turn.
VO: Are you after flowers or is it just the old crates?
Hi, there.
How are you?
I'm Phil.
I'm Phil.
I'm Phil.
Phil, Phil.
Great to meet you.
That's a good omen, isn't it?
Yeah.
VO: Well, it's not an unusual name, boys, anyway.
The other Phil owns the greengrocer's, but what does our Phil want from the other Phil?
I saw those there, those fruit boxes.
They're quite trendy, aren't they?
DEALER: Oh, yeah.
PS: And these are yours as well?
These are mine.
Er... would you be... interested in selling these?
Oh, yeah.
PS: How old are these?
So these date back from the 1950s and 1960s.
VO: Well I suppose they do have some age to them.
If I gave you £20, would that be... Would that be a deal, do you reckon?
25?
And we got a deal.
Go on.
Thank you very much indeed.
No, thank you.
VO: Seven vintage fruit crates for £25.
As ever, our Phil's gathering an eclectic mix of items.
But back in Harpur's, Charles is still playing catch up, and he's very interested in Nigel's box of fans.
CH: How much is the collection worth?
DEALER: Uh...the collection for the boxful, I'd want £250 for.
VO: Well, Charles, you HAVE still got £254.
The box contains many more, possibly dating back to the Victorian period or earlier.
Some are made from mother-of-pearl.
There's even a Chinese carved ivory fan.
Not everyone's choice of material but potentially valuable.
They're just decorative.
It's just what knocks them is their condition.
Absolutely.
Oh, dear.
What a shame.
What's your best price on those fans?
Er... 200.
You wouldn't take £100?
What's your best price, Nigel?
Er... Last price, and I can close my hand...
This is my last price, and I know you're gonna do the deal with me.
Go on, do it.
Including the fan you found over there..
Which fans?
Oh, yes.
150 quid, the lot.
If you don't buy them for that, what can I say?
D'you know, Nigel, I said 100.
Would you meet me at 125?
Go on.
Sold.
I'll take them.
Thanks, Nigel.
Good man.
DEALER: No problem.
CH: Thanks ever so.
VO: Charles may well have struck gold with this find.
CH: Thanks, Nigel.
DEALER: Many thanks.
Good man.
No, it's a pleasure.
I'm really excited, because it's a private collection.
They could make 50 at the wrong sale - they could make 400 at the right sale.
That's exciting.
VO: This lot may give Phil something to really worry about.
But right now I don't think he's got a care in the world.
VO: He's steering the Triumph towards Peterborough, the largest city in Cambridgeshire.
D'you know, it's so peaceful without that boy in the car, singing, talking and asking questions all the time.
It's actually really quite nice.
PS: (WHISTLES) VO: With the car finally to himself, Phil's getting into holiday mode - fitting, as he's visiting the Thomas Cook archives at the company's headquarters.
He's here to find out how the modern holiday evolved, with archivist Paul Smith as his guide.
Phil, hi.
Pleased to meet you.
VO: Every year, we spend over £30 billion, taking around 65 million holidays.
VO: But this is a modern luxury.
Even 160 years ago you were unlikely to travel far, let alone to another country, unless you belonged to the upper classes.
But one man changed that forever, and his name is still synonymous with travel.
Is that the man?
That's the man himself.
That is Thomas Cook.
Thomas Cook.
So when was he born?
He was born in 1808.
And what was his sort of...
I mean, how did he get into travel?
He wasn't a great traveler himself.
He became a temperance supporter and that was really what changed his life.
That was in the 1830s.
And for temperance supporters, you know, alcohol was the root of all evil, and they believed that if people did more worthwhile things with their time and money, other than drink, then society would improve.
And Thomas's idea was, "Why don't we make use of these newfangled railways "to somehow promote temperance?"
VO: This selfless social enterprise soon became a commercial one.
Thomas became the world's first travel agent, negotiating discounted tickets with different rail companies, offering customers a package deal at a knockdown price.
He even published a handbook to their journey, the precursor to the modern holiday brochure.
This is actually Thomas Cook's first travel-related publication.
And this was a handbook of his trip to Liverpool.
So what year's this?
That's 1845.
1845, so that's... And that was Thomas Cook's first commercial venture.
That's almost, like, quite visionary in a way, cuz, I mean, was anybody else doing this in the 1840s and '50s?
No.
This actually involved three different railway companies, so Thomas had to go to them each, individually, and then negotiate a fare for that whole trip.
VO: Thomas's business increasingly targeted the middle and upper classes with trips - firstly to Europe, then further afield, striking deals with local companies, including hotels.
Thomas made international travel more back accessible, revolutionizing the way we explore the globe.
But things really took off when Thomas' business-minded son John joined the family firm.
He helped grow a business that dominated world travel during the early 20th century.
When did it cease to become... sort of a family... Family business?
The family business stops in 1928, so what you've got is Thomas, then John, and John has three sons.
Yeah.
They go into the business, and the two surviving sons actually sell the business in 1928.
OK. Really rude, mercenary question here - how much did they sell it for?
They sold it for just over £3.5 million.
In 1928.
In today's terms, that's...?
In today's terms, that's the best part of 120 million.
Right.
On that note, come and help me plan a holiday.
VO: I wouldn't put your feet up yet, Phil, because Charles's collection of potentially valuable fans may well end your time basking in the top spot.
Charles is hoping that by splitting them up, he can really maximize his profits.
What I've done is I've split the collection into four lots, and the reason I've done that is there'll be collectors of different periods, different styles.
Let's go Oriental flavor first of all.
This is Chinese/Cantonese.
1880s.
Beautifully carved.
It's ivory, and of course we know the legislation's pre '47.
We can sell it.
I'm really excited about that one.
This is my Regency collection here - late 18th century/early 19th.
That's a great collection.
This is my great collection of just Victoriana fans, from the period 1850-1890.
They're pretty big and they're not overly valuable.
And then finally, my fourth lot is the collection I've been able to really box together, and these are fans made by the leading London/Parisian retailers and manufacturers.
Philip, I was behind but now, with these fans, and these two lovebirds, I could be back in business.
VO: Will Charles's stroke of genius fan the flames of Phil's demise?
Brace yourselves, boys, for the big reveal.
Phil, I seem to be quite nervous, now, I think.
Having fallen behind, this is the first reveal where actually I'm fallen behind.
So I'm all set.
You're twitching, aren't you?
Yeah, I am, Phil.
It's to get myself, hopefully, pumped up for the auction to come, and I hope you like my wares.
Gonna show me your wares?
Shall I go first?
Why not?
Hopefully fantastic.
Get it?
Fan-tast-ic, in my opinion.
PS: Getting excited, aren't you?
CH: I was wafting, sorry.
OK. PS: No, no.
Just do me a favor.
CH: Yes.
PS: Put your hands in pockets.
CH: OK. PS: Right?
Now leave them there.
Hands in pockets, Phil.
I got really excited, because a while ago I sold a collection of fans, and like scent bottles, fans... D... ..fans...
Fans tell a great story... Yeah.
..about the history of France and Paris in the 1740s, and also for my best fan is that one there.
Aagh!
You got them out.
That's my best fan.
That's my best fan.
I love it, Phil, because the craftsmanship... And I think, Phil, at the moment these are quite hot.
Are you nervous?
Do you feel....?
Yeah.
Why are you nervous?
I tell you why I'm nervous, because I think that's a good thing.
If you pick up on the net, that could make... Why are you looking like that?
I'm waiting for your answer, Phil.
Alright, would you just mind....?
Sorry.
You're in my space.
I think... You're doing it again.
OK.
Sorry.
That could be £200-£300.
Being serious?
Yeah, I do.
The whole lot cost me 225, for all the fans.
No, it didn't.
No, it didn't.
125.
That's alright.
Yeah?
You think so?
That's really, really good.
Shall I show you mine now?
Yeah.
I can't wait.
VO: Confused, Charles?
What are they?
They're crates, aren't they?
Fruit and veg crates.
So what would you have used them for?
Bananas?
Apples?
Pears?
Yeah.
The clue was when I said "fruit and veg".
They're not my sort of thing.
You know, they're dry, aren't they?
So if someone didn't want them, they could... burn them?
Yeah - absolutely right.
VO: Watch yourself, Charles.
Right.
This, Charlie, is my favorite.
Yeah.
I wasn't sure if it was a new one or an old one, but having got it outside... it's an old one, by Dixon & Co. CH: Tell me it cost you three figures.
20 quid.
That's a really, really good buy, Phil.
I asked how much it was, and... CH: £20?
PS: Yeah.
VO: That was the sensible purchase.
But there's one more, Charles, and it's so big, he couldn't even get it in the door.
Is that a toilet seat there?
I didn't buy a toilet seat, Charlie!
OK.
It weights about half a ton, and I would think that it was used in a factory to... as almost like a degreaser or something that.
How much?
It was 130 quid.
D'you know, Phil, if there is a saving grace for me, it's these are all fantastic but that could be your Achilles' heel.
VO: Charles is sounding more and more confident.
I know Philip's really keen to win, he's determined to outgun me, and I think his plaque will - but his other objects?
No way.
I think Charlie's done really, really well.
Those fans, they really are fan-tastic.
I think the ivory one, which is Cantonese, could do really, really well for him.
That's the winner.
Well, there's one big hang-up that really might win the day for me, is that really big, robust, concrete planter.
I don't quite understand the mentality of Phil, buying that, and I think that 130 buy could suddenly turn into a huge loss.
I don't know what I was doing really, but £130?
You know, I could lose 70 quid on that.
This could be a really interesting auction.
If I was a gambling man, who's my money on?
Me.
VO: Well, Phil, your lead is under threat, and now you've got to get back in the car with Charles.
I think - and I suspect, knowing you, it's unwittingly - you've been... Charlie, what are you doing?
Sorry.
Go on, yeah.
I think you've been quite clever and I suspect that's unwittingly, knowing you, Ch... Charlie, will you just concentrate PS: when I'm talking to you?
CH: Sorry, Phil.
Yeah, go on.
I think you've been quite clever.
Yeah?
Unwittingly, I think you've been quite clever.
What?
About...?
Well, what you've done is you've managed to get a collection of fans, right?
So you... Charlie, will you just concentrate PS: when I'm talking to you?!
CH: Sorry.
Sorry, sorry.
CH: Go on.
Sorry.
Go on.
PS: I'm trying to give you the benefit of my pearls - you're looking at the hedge!
Sorry!
Sorry!
VO: He's being driven round the bend - ha!
- en route to their final destination in the village of Glemsford.
Surrounded by the beautiful Suffolk countryside, Glemsford still shows signs of its medieval past, with the picture-postcard church of St Mary, dating back to the early 14th century.
But today our chaps are only concerned with activities at Mander Auctioneers.
That's my pot.
CH: It's not.
PS: It is.
How cool is that?
I mean, hey, it's fantastic, Phil.
It's almost like a fixture of the auction house.
There we are, Charlie.
Door-to-door service.
Serrell's T... Oh, wonderful.
Look at that.
Serrell's Taxis, at your pleasure.
Wow!
Phil, and remember... Never have regrets, Phil - just dream.
Dream a thousand things, Phil.
PS: Nightmare, not dreaming!
VO: So as Phil steals some quiet time, we find out what auctioneer James Mander thinks of their lots.
I do actually rather like the Canton ivory fan, which is one of the lots in the sale.
And the carving's really nice, the condition's good, which is important with fans.
On the concrete, er... it was a bit of an effort for us to get it in!
Four of us had to try and lift it, and we failed!
And some people have asked us about delivery, I think, after the auction, so, um, I'm not sure how we'll manage that - but if you can move it, I guess it'd look really nice in the garden, or a nice feature, so I'm sure it'll sell, for that reason.
VO: On this leg, Phil's hoping to stay in the lead, with the help of five lots that cost him £230.
VO: Challenging for the top spot is Charles, who's also offering up five lots, at a total cost of £155.
So with the auction in the room, on commission and online, it's crunch time, boys.
Try and sit there.
Put your hands down.
35.
In the room and selling... What were you like at school?
At £35... 38.
I used to fidget a lot.
Really?!
Pre-match nerves.
It's like an exam.
Just sit there.
It's like an exam.
It's like the results will be spoken shortly by the auctioneer.
Right.
Will you just sit still?
Put your hands on your lap and just sit there for a minute, alright?
Try and behave.
VO: You'd never guess Phil used to be a teacher, would you?
Right, first up are Phil's fruit cakes...
I mean, crates.
Ha!
Maybe they can lighten his mood.
Like boxes, aren't...?
Well spotted.
You're sharp, aren't you?
Lot 101.
Collection of seven vintage wooden fruit crates.
Showing outside.
Well, they were this morning.
I hope they're still there.
And, uh... 40 is bid.
I'll take two anywhere.
That's 42.
45.
48.
50.
55.
60.
65.
70.
75.
80.
85.
In the doorway and selling at £85.
VO: Pretty good start, Phil, eh?
Especially for something you picked up in a grocery shop.
That's good.
I'm pleased with that.
VO: Oh, my.
He's actually happy.
But will Charles's first lot wipe that smile off his face?
And there's interest here at £30.
I'll take two anywhere.
32.
Back of the room, my bid's out, 35.
38.
40.
42.
45.
48.
£48, it's the gentleman's bid.
50 a new place.
One more.
55 a new place.
No?
It's 55.
Gentleman's bid.
One more.
Next door and selling at £55.
..pounds.
VO: It's a good start for Charles, with that £25 profit.
Give me a high-five.
No.
VO: Don't push it, Charles.
His globe's about to go under the hammer.
Terrestrial globe, there it is, as described, and there's interest here.
We start straight in with bids at £20.
CH: Great.
Is that a profit?
JAMES: £20 is bid.
Not yet, it isn't, no.
On commission and selling.
We're at £20.
CH: Is that a profit?
PS: No.
22.
25.
CH: A profit.
PS: Yeah.
28.
30.
£30 is bid, and selling at 30.
CH: Well done.
PS: Shut up, Charlie.
CH: Put it there!
PS: I'm gonna punch you.
VO: Bit by bit, the money's mounting up here, Philip.
PS: It's a small profit, isn't it?
It's like, um...
It's, like, a fiver.
It's like going round the world.
Charlie... honestly... For £5 worth.
VO: Pay attention, chaps.
The first few fans are up now.
These are Regency and coronation fans, around the end of the 18th and early part of the 19th century.
Er, we have interest here at £20.
And I'll take two.
22.
25.
28.
30.
32.
35.
38.
40.
42.
45.
VO: They're proving popular online.
It's going on its own on the internet.
55.
60, I'm afraid, still on the internet at 60.
Keep going.
70.
75, your bid at the back.
80 in the internet.
85.
90.
95.
100.
I think I'll pack my car, Charlie.
120.
130.
140.
On the internet here.
Keep going.
140.
VO: Crikey, Charles!
With just one lot, you've taken the lead!
CH: It's not bad, is it?
PS: It's really disappointing, as it's only 100 quid profit for you!
VO: Don't fret, Phil.
Your Masonic plaque could turn things round.
There's bids here, so we have to open the bidding at £60.
I'll take five.
60 is bid, for the plaque.
65.
70.
It's gonna roll, Phil.
75.
80 is bid.
It's gonna roll.
85.
90.
VO: Another online hit.
100.
And 10.
120.
We all done with the plaque?
It's 120.
VO: A cool £100 profit puts them neck and neck.
That's £100 profit!
Yeah, that's alright.
VO: Phil's risky buy's up next.
Is he going to regret spotting this large lump?
JAMES: £40 is bid with me.
PS: Ouch!
I'll take two anywhere.
£40 is bid.
42.
45.
Run.
48.
50.
It's my bid here, and selling, on the sheets, at £50.
VO: I don't think that was a surprise to anyone, Phil.
And it's given Charles the upper hand.
Have you ever heard the expression "bad loser"?
CH: Yeah.
PS: How d'you do?
10 is bid, to the lady, 10... Lovely to see you.
..selling at 10.
VO: This could be a long auction for Phil, as the rest of Charles's fans come up.
This time it's the 19th century collection.
There's lots of interest here.
I have to open the bidding straight in at £60.
And I'll take five anywhere.
£60 is bid.
65.
70.
75.
80.
85.
90.
95.
100.
Well done, Charlie.
110.
120.
130.
VO: They're flying!
You're off to the races, mate.
150.
160.
CH: Happy days, Phil.
PS: Yeah.
170.
180.
Depends on your perspective, Charlie.
Happy days.
190.
200.
Rock 'n' roll, baby.
And 10.
220.
230.
240.
VO: This is brilliant, Charles.
Done on the internet, it's a commission bid now, at £240.
VO: Charles is away - a massive £210 profit.
I think I'm just going to pack my car and go, Charlie.
I'll see you later on!
VO: Do stay, Phil.
You've got one more lot left.
We have the World War I bronze memorial plaque, as described in your catalog there.
At £20 to start, please.
£20.
Nobody wants it?
£20.
Right at the back.
22.
It's gonna run now, Phil.
25.
28.
30.
32.
£32 is in the corner.
We all done at 32?
I'm absolutely flabbergasted with that, are you?
VO: It's got a lot of sentimental value but no profit for Phil.
Just two lots left and they're both fans.
This next collection are particularly good quality, and many are even boxed.
F-A-N-S. What does it spell?
Ah, it's like a recurring nightmare, Charlie.
I'm afraid we have to open the bidding straight in at £180.
CH: Fantastic!
PS: Ouch, Charlie!
190 is bid.
200.
VO: Online bidders are out in force again.
220.
Charlie, you've had a helluva day.
230.
240.
CH: Keep going.
Keep going.
JAMES: 250.
260.
270.
280.
290.
300.
And 20.
340.
JAMES: 360.
380.
CH: Come on.
Let's keep going.
JAMES: 400.
And 20.
CH: Let's go.
Let's go.
440.
460.
480 now.
VO: You've hit the jackpot here, Charles.
On the internet, we're selling at £480 for the fans.
VO: His tactic of separating the fans has really paid off.
This is a profit to be proud of.
Gonna start looking for other opportunities in television, I think.
(THEY CHUCKLE) VO: But last, not least, is the Chinese ivory fan.
We have to open the bidding at £100.
That's good.
110 anywhere?
£100.
110.
120.
130.
140.
150.
160.
170.
180.
190.
200.
And 10.
VO: Good work, Charles.
230.
240.
250 now.
CH: That's good.
JAMES: It's on the internet, and selling, we're at 250.
260.
CH: Hello, China.
JAMES: 270.
Hello, China.
Come on!
One more for the road!
Thank you.
Having a great day.
280.
He seems alright, strangely!
CH: It's been a great day.
JAMES: 280.
One more.
290.
300.
£300.
Great.
Put it there.
Haven't finished yet, Charlie.
On the telephone at 320.
It's 340 if you want to bid on the internet.
340.
JAMES: 360.
CH: Yes.
I want them to bid.
VO: Even Phil's excited.
Telephone.
We're done in the room.
At £380.
VO: He wanted a comeback and he got it!
Yet another massive profit!
Ha!
Top job, Charlie.
Thank you, Phil.
It's been a wonderful, wonderful day.
This has been a wonderful Road Trip memory, Phil.
If it's profit or loss, it doesn't matter - it's just a fun time, Phil.
So you've made the thick end of £1,000 out of those, haven't you?
CH: Get out of here!
PS: You have.
VO: What an amazing auction.
Phil started with £327.56 and made profits of £29.94, after auction costs were deducted.
So he's taking £357.50 onto the last leg.
But our new leader is the triumphant Charles Hanson, who began with £284.54 and made an incredible profit of £906.90, after costs, and so takes forward a whopping £1,191.44.
Come on.
VO: All this success has done wonders for this blusterous relationship.
So, let me open the door for you, Charles.
I feel like your manservant.
I can't believe it, Phil, I can't believe it.
No, I'm trying...
I'm trying hard not to, Charlie!
Your... Phil, I'm lost for words.
Let me put the belt around you.
Thank you very much.
Don't get it too tight round your neck, Charlie, will you?!
Don't even mention it, not a word.
One more time, though, I will say it's been a fantastic day, hasn't it?
Yeah, I've really enjoyed it, Charlie.
Phil, it's never over, though, until the fat lady sings.
I told you earlier, there's still one more auction to go.
Fantastic.
Funny things can happen or "f'nny" things, if you're from Derbyshire.
"F'nny?"
"Funny?"
VO: Brace yourself, Phil - here he goes again.
CH: Are there any treasure songs we can sing together?
VO: Next time on Antiques Road Trip... ..high roller Charles is living the high life.
Any interesting bits that might cost me £400, but I can afford it.
VO: So the gloves are off for Phil.
Charge him more - he's got plenty.
Add some on.
(HE CHUCKLES) subtitling@stv.tv
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