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?

SHOPKEEPER: £6.

PHIL: £5.

Done.

Is that your very best you can do?

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

Yes!

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

[GAVEL] VO: And only one will be crowned champion at the final auction in London.

This is the Antiques Road Trip.

VO: This week it's the turn of James Braxton and Mark Stacey.

James "The Hammer" Braxton is a former auctioneer's porter... Antiques Road Trip, we love it!

[LAUGHS] VO: ..and now regularly strikes the gavel at auction houses in Eastbourne and Tunbridge Wells.

Whilst Mark is a Brighton-based valuer with his own successful business.

How's my little Welsh friend?

VO: Mark is passionate about transfer printed ceramics.

And contrary to rumor, he's not the son of David Barby.

No, I'm not David Barby.

VO: For this final week only, James and Mark have been given a whopping £250 each.

50 whole pounds more than our other experts, but with one less buying and selling trip than the other teams.

MARK: I don't want to spend all my money today.

I want to keep some in reserve, as it were.

But of course it depends on what I see.

VO: James has bought his own sometimes reliable classic car along for the journey.

I've become a lovely optimist, in a car that's 57 years old.

VO: This week's road trip is round the South East, from Norfolk to West Sussex, and finally into the big smoke, London.

They're starting in King's Lynn, heading east to Sheringham on their way to auction in Diss.

Well listen, we've got two places to visit here today.

And I think they're in that direction, but we've got to have a look here as well.

Because... (LAUGHS) Let me get it.

Is that the right way up or not?

There we are, here's Norwich.

Yeah.

VO: Oh!

Well, let's hope they're antique hunting skills are better than their map reading.

MARK: We've got a lovely route.

Like the coastal route up here, James.

Then Wales next to the sea, for a cup of tea and a cream slice.

Have you looked at the sky?

I have.

Will the car make it?

[JAMES CHUCKLES] I think the car will make it.

I don't know if we will.

Come on.

[JAMES LAUGHS] VO: King's Lynn on the Norfolk coast is a pretty harbor town with a centuries old roaring trade from the North Sea.

Now it's a popular holiday town and occasionally is invaded by shrewd antiques experts.

It's one of those days and James is diving straight in.

JAMES: That's rather nice.

Nice mahogany writing slate.

Lovely flame figuring here, but badly damaged.

Been really heavily scratched and the veneers are splitting, the carcass is moving.

VO: These writing boxes are a real staple of auction rooms.

In lovely wood and in great condition, they can make hundreds of pounds.

JAMES: And I like this Dalmatian.

He looks great, doesn't he?

He looks like a Beswick fellow.

VO: Beswick fireside figurines hail from the hallowed homeland of English pottery, Stoke-on-Trent.

Formed in 1892, the company made a big name for itself in the 1930s art deco period with popular models of well known racehorses and the championship dogs of the day.

A Dalmatian in good condition can sell for over £100 at auction.

JAMES: Oh, it has got a slight crack there.

To a collector, big problem I think.

VO: Meanwhile, Mark has gone looking for other antique shops in the town.

I think we're getting quite close to it, aren't we?

The Old Curiosity Shop, let's hope we can find it.

I'm dying to see what's in there.

I'm going to look for small decorative pieces, I think.

I don't want to spend all my money today.

Oh, it's closed.

Well this is a jolly good start.

It's closed!

[LAUGHS] VO: You can stare in that window all you like, Mark, but you're not getting your hands on those bargains.

I know - why not join James in his shop?

JAMES: Ahh!

There you are.

Now, how's the shopping going?

Well, we got off to a flying start.

We went all the way over to The Old Curiosity Shop, or Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, and it was closed.

Oh dear.

So we've had to follow in your wake, but I don't think there's anything left for me.

No, I have...

I have scoured it all.

VO: Little does Mark know, but James has already made a sneaky purchase before he arrived.

All will be revealed later.

For now, it's Mark's turn to have a rummage and find a little treasure that James might have missed.

£90 is quite a lot of money actually, for that.

Gosh, that's a lot of money isn't it, £178?

VO: Come on, Mark.

You've got £250 to spend, boy.

Radford fish dish, OK... Oh, 57.

Gosh.

One of a pair originally.

But at £125, he's going to stay lonely I'm afraid.

VO: It's really not Mark's lucky day so far.

At least it can't get any worse.

You're the hare and I'm the tortoise!

I thought that was quite difficult.

I didn't buy anything.

Did you get anything?

Yeah, I did buy something.

MARK: No?

JAMES: And no clues.

Oh my gosh, you've got...

The road ahead.

No clues.

I'm not worried, I'm not worried.

I've still got you beat.

JAMES: Yeah, yeah.

[MARK LAUGHS] [ENGINE RUMBLES) VO: So, James really is giving nothing away as they move on, as fast as four old wheels will carry them.

At least, until the British summer has other ideas.

MUSIC: "Let It Rain" by The Temptations # I need the rain to disguise the tears in my eyes # Oh... # VO: Unfortunately, this beautiful open top car has only a cover for itself.

Sorry, guys.

Several agonizing rain-soaked hours means the day is now a complete washout.

MARK: Oh, it's not that bad.

It's not too... VO: This is a big disappointment for our two experts who still have pockets full of cash they're dying to spend.

VO: The next morning finds an attractive starting point for our two eager road trippers to get back on the buying trail.

Sheringham is a traditional seaside town on the North Norfolk coast.

It really is time for our two experts to get out there and get spending some money.

So far, Mark has spent exactly nothing.

And James has only spent £24 on a single secret item.

They still have real money to burn before hitting the auction house in Diss.

Now they're on the home straight, heading south from Sheringham to Aldborough on their way to Holt.

VO: Now James' wonderful car is a dream to drive around the scenic country lanes in Norfolk but it also seems to be holding up the traffic.

JAMES: I need to do the hand signals.

VO: And then the rains return.

The gods of classic motoring are not smiling on Norfolk.

MARK: How's that?

JAMES: Perfect, well done.

# Born to be wild # VO: Norfolk is a hotbed of serious antiques gathering.

And our experts are keen to find those collections that really stand out.

JAMES: Here we are.

VO: James drops Mark off in Aldborough to see Terry Holdgate, a local man with an unusual passion.

What will he find?

Rare paintings?

Much-loved porcelain?

A collection of regency furniture?

Or...bottles of pop?

MARK: Oh, gosh.

[DOOR BELL RINGS] Awful lot of ginger ale bottles.

Hello, you must be Terry.

I am.

What are you doing in Norfolk?

[MARK LAUGHS] TERRY: Deary me... VO: Ginger beer has been around in Britain since the 1700s and was a popular drink with the military.

It hit its peak of fashion in the 1900s and is still drunk in pubs today, often by teetotalers and designated drivers.

TERRY: There's about 500 different bottles in Norfolk.

MARK: No?

So you can imagine what they're like countrywide.

MARK: Gosh, I'm amazed.

TERRY: Yeah.

I get them from Scotland, Ireland, Wales.

I've actually sold these and swapped it for furniture.

So...

So, it's sort of recycling.

It... Well, it certainly is here.

I've...

Even I... Look.

Boxes and boxes and boxes, which I haven't even sorted out.

MARK: What about this glass one there?

That just struck me.

That's rather fun.

TERRY: Oh, now look at the quality of that.

MARK: It's wonderful, isn't it?

TERRY: How it started, with a plain bottle like that, and then they went onto glass in about 1910, 15, to there.

VO: In the 1920s, Robert Claxton took over the ginger beer factory he'd built in Wales, Norfolk, after the company's owners went bust.

Our Claxton then continued manufacturing this popular drink under his own name.

TERRY: But the older people remember these.

And they should have the little marble.

That's it, and the kids used to smash the bottle.

MARK: To get the marble out.

TERRY: To get the marble out.

VO: Luckily Terry doesn't just have ginger beer bottles.

His shop is also crammed full of antiques.

MARK: Well, I think I need to explore.

TERRY: Carry on.

MARK: Thank you.

TERRY: Be careful how you trip though.

MARK: If you hear a scream, come and help me.

No.

Have you got any other storerooms that you're hiding away treasures?

TERRY: I've got the old barn next door.

VO: Top tip - always ask dealers if they have more stock which isn't on display.

You might just find a hidden treasure.

TERRY: A small load of junk.

MARK: Oh.

That's an interesting box down there.

MARK: Let's have a look.

We've got H Long, the Norfolk regiment.

And it looks like... Looks like it's all lead lined inside.

TERRY: Yeah.

MARK: Of course, what they do with these now is they actually sort of tart them up a bit, actually make sort of coffee tables.

TERRY: Oh, yes.

And how terribly expensive is that?

TERRY: You can have it for £40.

MARK: £40?

Could I push you to 30, say?

TERRY: Well, 35.

I think we've got a deal.

£35.

OK. VO: Hooray!

Mark's finally spent some cash.

Fingers crossed that now I can give Braxton a real run for his money.

VO: So Mark finally makes his first purchase and he's back in the game.

How's James?

Nose to the grindstone, sniffing out his next bargain?

Wind in our hair.

Fabulous, isn't it?

VO: Eh, remember, this is a competition, James.

Well we agreed 35, didn't we?

35 and I'll throw in the bottle that you liked earlier.

How's that?

Wonderful.

Well, it's a pleasure to have met you, and keep collecting.

TERRY: OK. MARK: Thank you so much.

OK, I hope you make a profit.

VO: So does he!

James breezes into Holt with a clever tactic up his sleeve.

He calls ahead to the auction house in Diss for a bit of inside information.

Do you have any particularly strong categories?

Em, so silver's good.

Anything else?

OK, bye.

Oh, that was helpful.

So they've got a silver section and he explained, as I know, at the moment silver is selling terribly well because of the very high scrap price.

So I'm gonna be looking for silver.

VO: James is determined to take an early lead by any means necessary.

Meanwhile Mark has arrived in the town of Holt too.

Well, I think actually this is quite a fun little item.

It looks like...

Yes, it is.

It's a little box for the old fashioned collars that you used to put in your dress shirts.

VO: These horseshoe collar boxes were popular in the 1930s when some gentlemen still wore separate stiffened collars for their best shirts.

The box was used as a carry case to go on stiff Edwardian holidays.

What fun.

MARK: I mean, what I quite like about it is the fact that it's a horseshoe.

They bring good luck of course, horseshoes, and we are going into a sort of country saleroom so maybe somebody is into horsey things.

Well I was hoping we might do a special price for me.

SHOPKEEPER: Oh, a special price?

Do you want me to go up or down?

[MARK LAUGHS] SHOPKEEPER: Well as it's you, £29 on the ticket.

We can do that for 22.

MARK: 22.

Not...

SHOPKEEPER: You must buy that.

Not a nice round 20?

Cash.

Cash is king.

Well, normally I would say no.

No, I know you would.

I'll even smile.

Well, that makes a lot of difference.

What, to put the price up?

[THEY LAUGH] We'll say £20.

MARK: Fantastic.

Well done.

SHOPKEEPER: Is that OK?

That's perfect.

Thank you very much, sir.

You're welcome.

VO: Mark's found something else in the shop - a handsome leather stool for £195.

MARK: This is quite a fashionable piece, this.

It has this sort of button back top, which is very much that sort of gentlemen's club look.

It's not terribly old.

I would have thought maybe 1920s, that sort of date, with this curved leg.

What...what sort of price could you do it for?

I'll say 160.

[MARK GASPS] I was hoping for more sort of 140-ish?

No.

I'll meet you in the middle.

145.

SHOPKEEPER: 150 is halfway.

VO: Oh, go on, Mark.

Take the gamble.

You've got £226 left.

I'm gonna risk it.

Thank you very much for that.

SHOPKEEPER: Thank you.

MARK: It's very good of you.

I look forward to seeing you again.

Yes.

If I don't make a profit, it'll be sooner than you think.

BOTH: Oh!

[THEY LAUGH] How's my little Welsh friend?

I'm doing very well.

I'm much more relaxed, James.

I've just bought two items and I've still got a bit of cash left.

Timely reminder.

I don't want to walk in there and blow my whole budget.

Yes, you do, James.

Go and blow it.

JAMES: That's a tactical move.

MARK: Go and blow it!

Get out of the way, I want to get in there.

MARK: See you later.

JAMES: Bye.

VO: The Antiques Road Trip tag team are swapping shops.

This town ain't big enough for two bargain hungry shoppers.

JAMES: Oh, this is nice.

Now this is known as a tantalus.

This was a way of keeping valuable spirits from your butler or whatever drinking the content.

And it was a security item.

So you've got your decanter there.

And then here with that lever, you just pull it down, and then you could get access to the bottle and you'd lock it.

The Bramah lock there.

Hasn't got the Bramah key though, which is a ball, but it's a lovely item.

We've got Betjemann's patent.

That was for the lever.

VO: George Betjemann patented the lockable drinks container to keep staff from helping themselves.

His great grandson was the poet laureate John Betjemann, who left the country a rich literary legacy.

George was more concerned with safeguarding the nation's spirits.

I have a special relationship with tantaluses because this is the first thing I ever broke in the business.

I was a porter and I was showing things on the roster and in those days you used to rush to and fro.

And as the lot came up, lot 54, you would hold up lot 54.

I grabbed the tantalus because I wasn't allowed to show the items on the show tables.

I'd grabbed it and I foolishly held it by the handle, which I'm doing now.

Ran back, the handle gave way, the whole thing just smashed.

VO: Seems to me that old Mr Braxton has learned nothing from young Mr Braxton.

After a very slow start, Mark has spent all but £45 and has decided to take it easy.

James is still busy doing his bits and bobs.

And I'm enjoying myself.

So good luck, James.

JAMES: This rather nice little item.

Leather, leather cased.

And when I saw it, I thought, oh, it's probably a cup.

In fact, it's a nest of six.

And these were used for picnics, you know, years ago, everybody seemed to be outside.

And it might say nickel silver or something.

NS, so nickel silver.

VO: And really nice that the set comes in a leather case.

JAMES: So that's a possibility.

If that's £20 or £30, it's got my name on it.

Oh!

VO: Whoops.

Bloody lucky they're not glass.

OK?

VO: Looks like James still has those butter fingers.

JAMES: On the little cups, what could you do on that?

We look at sort of £30 for those because they're complete.

Yeah.

Also, I like your Betjemann's patent tantalus.

Could you do 150 on it?

I couldn't.

You couldn't.

I couldn't possibly do that on it.

What about if you have the two, 220 for the two?

VO: James has only got £226 left.

That's a big, big gamble.

Could you do the two for 200?

Can we go to 210?

VO: Come on, James.

JAMES: 210.

SHOPKEEPER: Yep?

Done.

It's lovely items.

You're a hard man though, because that only leaves me, if it all goes horribly wrong, it leaves me about 15 quid.

[JAMES LAUGHS] VO: So James and Mark have spent pretty much all their money.

Pretty good going, given that they had £250 to spend.

This is the kind of bold spending we like to see.

Let's hope it pays off at the auction.

Now, in the playground of antiques trading, the rules of the game are simple - I'll show you mine if you show me yours.

Oh...

I can't stay far away from a cup.

Not very old, of course.

We're supposed to be buying antiques, James.

And how much did you pay for this?

Well it's got six cups.

£30.

Well, that's not bad, is it?

JAMES: It's not bad.

MARK: It's only £25 too much.

[JAMES LAUGHS] Have a look at that.

Oh, isn't that fun?

Like a horse's hoof.

Oh, and some stiff collars.

But I thought it would look wonderful on a coffee table.

How much did you pay?

£20.

£20!

MARK: It's not bad, is it?

JAMES: Oh, he's smiling now.

This is something.

I love it.

JAMES: Do you like it?

MARK: Oh, I think it's wonderful!

The tantalus.

I bet that cost you a pretty penny, didn't it?

JAMES: It did cost me a pretty penny.

How much?

Eh, £180.

MARK: Ooh... JAMES: 180.

MARK: That's a lot of money.

JAMES: It is a lot.

You're risking a lot on that.

I am.

I'm going for gold.

This is my second item, James.

OK. Hey!

Cos I went for, you know that sort of country club look?

JAMES: Yeah, yeah.

MARK: Because you've got... JAMES: Ralph Lauren-y?

MARK: It's wonderful, isn't it?

It's 1920s.

You've got this very lovely soft leather.

How much did you pay for that?

150.

150.

I think you...you could possibly be in with a chance.

I like it, you know.

I'm really fond of it.

Yeah, I'll show you my third.

Here we are.

Ta-da!

VO: Hello.

This must be James' secret purchase from King's Lynn.

A simple copper-topped arts and crafts table.

Oh my God.

JAMES: Now what do you think of that?

James, what have you done?

What did you pay for it?

JAMES: £24.

MARK: Oh, it's not a lot of money, James.

JAMES: Profit or loss?

Profit.

Definitely.

I have to, I bow to your...age.

I've shown you my third.

Where's yours?

Well, you've got to help me here, James, because we need to clear the decks.

Let's see.

Wahey!

I've never seen one like this, James.

MARK: Now, you won't know... JAMES: Silver chest.

MARK: Lead-lined.

[CREAKING] MARK: Oh.

[THEY LAUGH] MARK: Was that the box or you?

JAMES: Was that the chest?

MARK: So what do you think of it, James?

JAMES: I love it.

How much?

Well it was £35.

But he threw that in with it.

A lovely rare little bottle.

JAMES: How fabulous.

MARK: That could be the make or break of the whole leg.

VO: Some very kind words there.

But what do they really think, these guys?

I love the decanter.

I think it's wonderful.

I mean, I...

I applaud him for that.

But he's paid a lot of money for it.

The stool, I think, is possibly his Achilles' heel.

1920s, no way.

I think it's even later.

I think it's repro.

I think all of my items are gonna do extraordinarily well, and James is gonna be crying into his vintage car at the end of it.

VO: It's auction day, and our two experts roll into Diss.

James and Mark's pockets have been significantly lightened by the trip so far.

Mark has daringly spent £205 from his 250 budget while James has totally thrown caution to the wind by spending the lot.

Well nearly, at 234.

Over 150 years ago, TW Gaze auction house was a livestock trading yard.

Today, popular sales are a bit more upmarket, with fine art and furniture being big sellers.

Elizabeth Talbert has been wielding the hammer here since 1995.

The bottom line is, Mark has chosen an interesting eclectic mix.

The stool I particularly like.

But I think for our market James has picked better items.

I particularly like the reproduction cups, the picnic cups, which are rather nice.

But the tantalus is his prize lot.

JAMES: That's right.

VO: Starting this leg with £250 each, Mark and James have both overcome a slow start to finally let loose the purse strings.

Thank you very much for that.

VO: Mark has spent a marvelous £205 whilst James has really gone for broke with a massive £234 spend.

Everyone's in position.

James and Mark are both poised for auction glory or perhaps a humiliating defeat.

First up, Mark's military trunk.

If this is going to turn a profit anywhere, it's in Norfolk.

This could set the tone.

This could set the tone.

It's good storage there, for 30.

It's got... Oh no.

Anybody want it?

MARK: Oh, no.

ELIZABETH: 20 I'll take, surely.

£20 bid.

20 I have.

I'll take two.

I thought it'd do better than this.

ELIZABETH: Where's the two?

£20... MARK: No, they're not going to bid.

[GASPS] MARK: Oh no, James.

JAMES: That's alright.

JAMES: That's... MARK: That's down 15.

MARK: It's not a good start.

JAMES: It isn't a good start.

VO: Next up, James' secret table.

He has faith in its arts and crafts appeal.

Could James have caught a popular mood for all things simple and rustic?

ELIZABETH: I'll start it at £20.

JAMES: Come on.

22.

25.

28 in front.

30 got.

32, gentleman.

35.

38.

40.

At £42, the gentleman standing in front.

At 42 and selling.

MARK: That's a nice one... VO: Item three, Mark threw caution to the wind and spent big on this 1920s stool.

James reckons it isn't 1920s at all, but it's all down to the eye of the beholder.

ELIZABETH: £100 I do have.

I start at £100.

£100 I do have.

It's a good duet stool at 100 and I'll take 10.

Come on.

Come on!

ELIZABETH: 110, thank you.

120.

130.

140.

Behind the screen at 140 now.

At 140 now.

MARK: Come on.

One more.

140.

A good stool.

Any advance?

Come on.

Well done.

MARK: That one lost 10.

JAMES: That's 10.

Oh, that's such a relief, you know.

I've lost money on it but it could have been so much worse.

VO: Next, could the horseshoe box be lucky?

Mark was certainly taken with it.

ELIZABETH: £50 there?

Come on, 30 to start.

Start bid 20.

JAMES: A mean 20.

MARK: Come on.

ELIZABETH: £20, collar box.

£20 is a lovely example there.

JAMES: 10, 10.

ELIZABETH: 10 I'll take.

Anyone want this at 10?

10 to the front bid, £10 bid.

MARK: Oh, no.

ELIZABETH: 12 is the lady.

12.

We've got a bidding war.

ELIZABETH: 15, sir?

15.

JAMES: Well done that man.

ELIZABETH: 18.

The lady right.

MARK: Come on.

ELIZABETH: 18 to the lady... MARK: Oh, come on.

ELIZABETH: At £18... JAMES: Come on that gentleman.

Oh, come along.

Oh, do you know, that's silly.

You see, it should've made more.

It's just bad luck, really.

JAMES: It should've made more.

MARK: Cos it's a lovely shape.

VO: Mark, I'm afraid your protests won't help.

Oh, this is nice.

Six plated picnic cups.

Gilded interiors.

JAMES: Lovely.

ELIZABETH: Base embossed... Alright, don't build them up, Elizabeth.

[JAMES LAUGHS] VO: Not truly an antique at all.

But James has great expectations for these picnic cups and reckons everyone wants a bit of upmarket alfresco drinking.

ELIZABETH: Shown at 30, and I'll now start at £30.

Oh, £30.

Commission at 30.

I'll take two.

ELIZABETH: 38, 40.

MARK: You're in profit.

42.

45.

48.

And 50.

Five.

And 60.

You're out.

60 with me, yes or no?

65 with commission.

65 on commission.

70 next door.

75.

MARK: Good lord!

ELIZABETH: 80.

WOMAN: No, thank you.

80 in blue.

Any advance on £80?

That's up £50, James.

That's up 50.

Well done, James.

VO: That's an amazing result and a huge profit.

James is looking pretty pleased with himself, just look at that smile!

Since it cost him nothing, anything Mark can make on this bottle will help him out.

This is going to be my lifesaver now.

Please.

£30 somewhere.

I'll say £10.

Yes, come on.

A memento of your day, come on, £10.

Come on.

Five I'll take to start with.

Five is bid.

Five, gentleman in the corner.

At five, where's six?

At £5 and for nothing.

Six is bid.

ELIZABETH: Eight, gentleman.

JAMES: Eight.

Oh, come on.

ELIZABETH: Any advance on £8?

MARK: A bit more.

Well, it's £8, James.

It is £8.

Well done.

That's free.

That's free.

Lot 92 is the Betjemann's patent brass and oak tantalus.

The tantalus single bottle.

I've never seen a single bottle one before.

Nor have I. VO: James' star purchase and his biggest risk.

Let's hope there's someone at the auction with a light-fingered butler at home.

JAMES: Go on.

ELIZABETH: 100 the finger.

ELIZABETH: 110.

120.

130.

MARK: You see?

ELIZABETH: 140, 150.

MARK: I told you.

God, that's good.

ELIZABETH: 160.

170.

MARK: Well done.

ELIZABETH: 170, you're both out.

[JAMES EXHALES] 170 bid, 170.

Well, I can't believe it.

JAMES: That's not bad, is it?

MARK: I can't believe it.

That's quality and design for you.

ELIZABETH: 170... MARK: After that, James... Are you going to change your buying strategy?

I certainly am, yeah.

I'm gonna go for cheap.

VO: James began with £250.

After paying that tricky commission, his profit is just £14.20.

So he's got £264.20 to start tomorrow's show.

22.

25.

VO: Mark also began with £250 but had a very disappointing auction with a loss of £50.50.

So Mark starts the next leg with £199.50.

Well done to James who takes an early lead.

Well, that was an experience and a half.

Yeah.

Commiserations, chief.

MARK: Congratulations.

JAMES: Thank you.

MARK: Off to Suffolk.

JAMES: Off to Suffolk!

[JAMES LAUGHS] MARK: Forward.

JAMES: Forward.

Suffolk bound.

VO: In the next episode, the road trip takes them to auction in Tring.

AUCTIONEER: Selling.

There's a telescope for you.

VO: James goes back to his early days...

I am a gambling man.

I like your style.

VO: ..Mark goes back to his childhood... ..and they both get back on the road to auction glory.

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