Voiceover (VO): It's the nation's favorite antiques experts.
That's cracking.
VO: With £200 each.
Wonderful.
VO: A classic car and a goal - to scour Britain for antiques.
That's exactly what I'm talking about.
I'm all over a shiver.
VO: The aim, to make the biggest profit at auction.
But it's no mean feat.
No brainer.
Going, going, gone.
VO: There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.
So, will it be the high road to glory... Push!
VO: ..or the slow road to disaster?
How awfully, awfully nice.
VO: This is Antiques Road Trip.
Yeah.
VO: Hip hip hooray!
We're off on a new adventure with veteran antiquer Paul Laidlaw... And look!
There's a new girl in town, auctioneer Claire Rawle.
Do you have specialisms that could be my downfall in this game?
Oh I do hope so.
I do hope so.
VO: Hey, you'd better watch her Paul!
Claire's been in the antiques business for over 30 years.
She started as a child.
So, what is your taste?
I suppose...
Very eclectic.
Very eclectic.
I like, love collectors' items.
So, that covers quite a vast field really.
Anything from sort of ephemera to militaria.
And em... What?
What?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I love militaria.
Get off my manor.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Medals particularly.
Love medals.
Love medals and their history.
PAUL: Is it getting hot in here?
(LAUGH) VO: Ha!
This should be an interesting road trip.
Each of our rascals have £200 in their pocket, they're scooting about town in a fruity 1968 TVR Tuscan.
I think getting out's going to be the interesting bit.
Yeah.
You twist your bottom round and you put your legs out, then you stand up.
Knees together dear, don't show any knicker.
And get on.
VO: Must remember that!
VO: Paul and Claire will set off from Wooler in Northumberland.
They will take in the sights of the northeast traversing through Yorkshire to finally land in the town of Stamford in Lincolnshire.
Our adventure begins today in the Northumberland town of Wooler.
And we will auction later in Darlington in County Durham.
How lovely.
CLAIRE: So, come on Paul.
You're a really experienced road tripper.
So, what tips have you got for me then?
What should I be looking out for?
Eh?
Like I would tell you, Claire.
Oh.
See, I'm smiling and being all nice, but I'm a terminator.
I'm a machine.
VO: Play nicely Paul.
They've arrived in the town of Wooler.
Famous early visitors included Daniel Defoe and Sir Walter Scott.
But today it's Claire's turn.
Well then.
It begins.
Here we are.
Absolutely, this is it.
The moment we've been waiting for.
Thank you.
Good luck.
Enjoy.
It looks... Well it's pretty enough.
It's alright, isn't it?
Right.
PAUL: Fingers crossed.
CLAIRE: Absolutely.
I'll see you later, yeah?
Thank you for the lift.
I'll try and get out.
Now, remember that class you were talking about.
Legs together, yep.
Oh!
Bye then.
See you later, Claire.
VO: Beautiful exit, Claire.
We'll catch up with Paul later.
But this is Claire's first chance to demonstrate her buying prowess.
Will she be a lioness or a mouse in Evergreen Antiques and Collectables?
Stand by.
MARK: Hi.
CLAIRE: Hello, Mark?
Hiya.
Yes, nice to meet you.
Hello.
I'm Claire.
Hiya, Claire.
Nice to meet you.
Yeah, yes.
VO: Mark's got a fair bit of stock crammed in to this tiny shop.
What can Claire find?
Oops.
What's lurking in there?
Men's hairbrushes.
I don't think so.
Never a popular thing to sell second hand, other people's hairbrushes.
VO: I quite agree!
Yeuch!
Unless they've got silver on them or something.
It's a feeling that you're not quite sure where they've been.
VO: Well we know she doesn't like gentlemen's grooming products.
So while Claire continues her browse Paul's got his foot down in the TVR.
Now, any thoughts about your new road trip partner?
Dish the dirt.
The only surprise was the bombshell about her, 'well I like collectors' items.
I like, for instance, militaria'.
What, what?
That's my patch, don't go there.
VO: Looks like we've got a battle on our hands here.
Now how's Claire getting on?
Everyone's looking for the unusual, something different.
Oh, OK. Hey, look at these.
Wow, imagine having to... Cor, I'll tell you what, you'd have to be quite tall for that as well.
I quite like those.
A pair of old wooden crutches.
VO: Well they're certainly different.
And appear to have been handcrafted in the 19th century.
But, is there a deal to be done?
Mark.
MARK: Hi.
CLAIRE: There's a couple of, or there's a pair of old wooden crutches out the back there.
MARK: Yes.
CLAIRE: Which I quite like.
Yes.
I mean, I've got a price in my mind that's a lot less than you've got, because you've got them marked up at 75.
Mm-hm.
So, I'm wondering, you know.
It's a bit cheeky of me to come down a lot.
What sort of price did you have in mind?
I'm a long, long way away from you and I don't, I don't want to offend you by saying the price, but I'm...
I'm not easily offended.
OK. Well, I was hoping for about 20-30 pounds you see.
Yeah.
You're getting close to offending me.
Yeah, yeah, I thought I would, yeah.
Cos I was sort of thinking in my own mind, probably at auction, you know, it's one of those things that it could just catch the imagination and go.
Yes, yeah.
Or it'll just fall flat on its face.
Yes.
So, eh... Could you go nearer to 45?
No, I think...
I mean... Can we just go just over the 30?
If we go to 35 I'll give you them for that.
They're unusual.
When's the last time you've seen a pair?
Doesn't always make them make money, though, does it, really?
You wouldn't think of 32?
Em, yeah, I'll do them for 32 for you.
32, OK, 32 it is then.
OK.
Better give you some money, I guess.
Yes.
Yeah, that's always nice.
Ooh, my hands are cold, I can't... Oh, I can't part with them.
There we go.
I've got no change.
Is that... Where have I heard that before?
VO: He's not kidding you know.
Oh, no.
Dig deep.
I'm short of change myself.
Yeah.
I've got £7.20.
Would you be happy with that as the change?
I owe you 80p.
Next time you come to the shop... OK, OK, alright.
What's that, luck money up here, is it?
Yes, yes.
That's one for luck.
Thank you very much.
Thanks, Mark.
And pleasure to meet you, thanks.
You're very welcome.
You too.
Thank you very much.
Bag full of coin...
Right.
One down.
VO: Lack of change means the final price for today's first buy on the road trip is £32.80.
VO: Meanwhile Paul has travelled south to the village of Powburn which nestles at the foot of the Cheviot Hills.
What can he rustle up in here?
VO: Mischief is in the air!
How do you think Miss Claire's getting on?
D'you know what, she'll be under some pressure.
Because this is where it starts, you know.
What we buy today sets us up for the rest of the event, doesn't it?
If you strike gold now, you've got the big bucks.
You might steal a lead, so you're in the comfort zone.
It's all good from now on.
Move backwards, then siege mentality sets in.
You lose your confidence.
Mojo out the window.
VO: Blimey, you're making me nervous, Paul!
And he's got something.
I've found something I love.
But I'm not sure.
Check out two of the most unusual... ..condiments, shall we call them - a salt and pepper - that I've ever seen.
Their bodies, they're shells.
But it frustrates me.
If these were silver, undeniably silver, the price tag of £22 would, in my opinion, be a gift.
Because I think they are great fun.
VO: Yeah.
He's tracked down owner Beryl to find out about his next item of choice.
PAUL: What a piece of glass.
BERYL: Mmm.
And no doubt that would've sat, resplendent behind the bar of some fantastic Victorian inn or hotel.
Beautiful thing.
You can dispense me my whisky out of that any time you like.
Yes.
Yes.
You could get drunk on that.
VO: Whisky was extremely popular in the 19th century and remains so.
The spirit would be poured into large elaborate cut glass dispensers that complemented the fine interiors of a Victorian public house.
PAUL: During its life it's taken a few knocks.
You know, that's a splendid, splendid thing.
But that's what worries me there.
Yeah.
Em, how cheap, cheap, cheap could that be?
VO: The ticket price is £120.
Well, I could do it... Well, £40.
How about that?
How's about 30 quid?
And I'll buy something else.
You'll buy something else.
Well, let me get something else.
BERYL Go on then.
PAUL: Can I do that?
I'm going to put something in front of you there and we'll see if we can do a deal.
OK. VO: Hang on in there, Beryl.
I knew you'd go for those.
PAUL: Really?
BERYL: Yes.
Tell me why, tell me why.
Just because they're different.
They are, aren't they?
They're fantastic.
Yeah.
You and I agree.
I shouldn't be saying this, but I think they're absolutely magic.
Well, when you...
Yes, I do.
So, there you go.
Two purchases.
What about 50?
What about 45 quid?
Go on, then.
Being as it's you.
Thanks.
Wonderful.
Oh, that was slightly awkward there.
We were going to have a wee snog.
Did you notice that?
Why don't we do it on the cheek?
Isn't that a nice way to do it?
Alright then.
Can I say, you were wonderful.
Thank you for everything.
Better settle... VO: Awkward kisses over, then.
Get your money out, Paul.
There you go.
Thank you very much.
So, I'll bid you adieu.
VO: Paul's achieved a very generous deal there.
£15 for the salt and pepper pots and £30 for the whopper of a whisky dispenser.
VO: Back to Claire, she's hot on Paul's heels.
The village of Powburn is her next shopping destination too.
Hedgeley Antiques watch out.
Claire's looking to spend some cash.
With over ten dealers here, there should be lots to choose from.
There's a picture of Paul up there.
VO: Well, he's actually visited here before on the Road Trip.
Old hand that he is.
Gets everywhere.
VO: Oh, she's quick to spot something.
Golf clubs.
These are types that you do see quite a few of.
But having the hickory shafts makes them much more interesting.
I mean, you know, these are really... Well, they date from sort of time of the First World War, really.
So, they're asking between £12 and £14 for each of those.
What I'd really like to do is to get all four for £12.
Pull all those out.
Right, let's see if I can do a deal.
Brian?
Are you there?
VO: Watch yourself, Brian.
Oh, right.
So, I know they're marked up at £12 or £14 each.
Right?
I was hoping I could do a deal on these at...
I'm going to be really cheeky and say £12 for the four.
£12 for the four!
You call that cheeky!
Ah, £12 for the four.
You know, they've got a little bit of wear here and there.
Yeah.
But, eh... 14.
14.
Excellent.
OK, 14.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
VO: Wow.
Very generous of you Brian, £14 for the lot.
And Claire is not finished yet.
There's some interesting things in here.
There's a little, little brooch at the back there.
A little dog sitting on like a sailing boat.
Quite unusual.
And I've just noticed out of the corner of my eye the most horrendous brooch, here.
Which is a spider.
And I really don't like spiders.
I just... Now that I've seen that.
VO: I'm with you there, Claire.
Now let's get Brian back over to look at the little doggy brooch.
Which one is it?
It's that one at the back there.
Is it alright if I just grab it?
Help yourself.
OK.
So, when your eyes don't focus as well as they used to, you need to carry one of these around with you.
Jeweler's loupe.
Let you have a better look, to see the finish of it.
And more importantly, on the front...
I just think that's just unusual.
That's quite sweet.
It's not made of any precious metal.
Looks fairly.
Doesn't look terribly old.
So, it all comes down to price now.
So... What's on it?
It's got £14 on it.
Right?
Em, but I'd really quite like to buy it for about six.
Right.
OK, six.
Six, excellent.
OK.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
VO: And she's going for another brooch.
It's £5.
It's only sort of white metal, just sort of pressed out.
I didn't know whether, if I could get it for £1, em, it would go nicely with my little dog.
It would look very nice for £1 wouldn't it?
If you say so, yes.
Yep.
Well, it would for £1.
Yeah.
I'm sure it would for £1.
I don't want to pay £5 for it.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah?
OK?
Yeah.
Excellent.
VO: Blimey!
The bird brooch for a pound.
And just when we think it's all over... Do you have good sales for militaria up round here?
Is it sort of quite popular?
Yeah, it is.
Well, militaria in general, you know.
Mmm.
Generally it does alright.
Yeah.
VO: Uh-oh.
Watch out Paul!
Hey, this is rather nice, isn't it, this trench periscope?
Trench periscope, 1917.
Yeah.
Em, marked, so it's a nice thing.
Cos, of course, it would've been, well it was used as a trench periscope.
That's right.
So, rather than stick your head up above the parapet, you stick that up, yeah.
It's not so bad if that gets shot.
It's not so good if your head gets shot.
And then of course you look through here and you've got the lens at the top, so you can see, presumably what the... That's right.
Keeps your head below the parapet.
Yes, yes, and you can check out what the enemy are doing, or what's happening in no man's land.
You see, if you get that you can wind up Paul Laidlaw.
(LAUGHS) You can say "I bought a trench telescope for..." For £20.
Yes, you could.
And that would, wouldn't that really wind him up?
That would really wind him up, wouldn't it?
Yes, yeah.
Yeah.
Unfortunately it wouldn't...
But you're not going to sell it.
You are not going to sell it to me for that, are you?
VO: The ticket price is £140.
Yikes!
I tell you what, 50 quid.
I need to go a bit below that, though.
What, below 50?
Yeah.
30.
30?
I'll split it with you.
40.
Oh.
30... That's the death.
35'd be a better death.
Go on.
Probably just to see the look on Paul's face.
35.
(LAUGHS) OK, you're on.
VO: Blimey that was spur of the moment.
Yeah, I wasn't expecting to buy that.
Isn't it funny how it goes, you know.
You can wander round and round and then you suddenly you just see something, pick it up and think, OK, I could do something with that.
So, thank you very much indeed, Brian.
Thank you.
It's a pleasure.
I shall look forward to coming back again.
Now you've got to pay me.
Oh yeah, yeah.
Oh yeah, I'd forgotten about that.
VO: She's a one, isn't she?
Thank you.
VO: What a gaggle of goodies, the dog and bird brooches for £7, £14 for the golf clubs, and the officer's trench periscope for £35.
VO: Paul's travelled south to the town of Morpeth.
He's having a breather from shopping to find out about a sporting mecca that happened right here in this small town in Northumberland.
"The Morpeth Olympics" by Jez Lowe.
# Can you jump or can wrestle, can you tug of war?
# Or maybe want a wager or a bet?
# Well, this is what the working man's been waiting for, # And the Morpeth Olympics are as good as it can get!
# "Theme from Chariots of Fire" by Vangelis.
VO: We're all familiar with the international Olympic Games but over 140 years ago before there was even a sniff of the famous global extravaganza, people would come in their thousands to watch everything from wrestling to pole vaulting at the Morpeth Olympics.
Paul's meeting with local historian Kim Bibby-Wilson to hear more.
It wasn't like the modern Olympics, an amateur meeting.
It was for professional working class sportsmen and the spectators as well were working class people who came for a good day out.
And they had something like 15,000 people at the heyday on the site, watching the games that were going on.
And the prize money was quite substantial, because the local businesses sponsored it in order to bring people into the town.
VO: Quickly the annual Morpeth Olympics became one of the top events in the UK sporting calendar.
Kim has some rare footage from the 1950s.
Oh, very grand.
Look at that.
Look at the color.
Mmm.
Oh, that's a big site.
It is a really big site.
Big crowd.
Yes, it is, yeah.
If you get to the top of the hill, you can see down just how, how big an arena it was, and such an amphitheater for, for the spectators to be able to see what was going on.
And we're somewhere here?
Yes.
Very good.
And they're pole vaulting as well.
I see.
Oh, yes.
And for all the world it looks like your pole vaulters have got a hard landing ahead of them there.
Oh, yes, yes, yes.
I mean, this wasn't a well appointed sportsfield.
And the wrestlers, eh...
Yes.
Head to toe in their...
Yes, it's the sort of Cumberland and Westmorland style of wrestling, a bit like the ancient Greek wrestling, although we tended to use legs and the lower part of the body as well, so it's a bit more vicious.
Well, you can see that they've got the long trousers and tops and they've got their Superman pants on the outside, you know.
Quite right too!
It's fantastic stuff, and this brings to life the site.
I can just picture... That's right, yeah.
Yes, yes.
..crowds on the horizon and I can hear the cheering.
Yes.
VO: The Morpeth Olympics offered lucrative cash prizes for winners.
Sports funding at this time was scarce so athletes flocked in their droves.
Morpeth Town Hall holds some artefacts from the games.
PAUL: So, we've got these fantastic posters, dating all the way back to 1914.
KIM: They tell you a little bit about how the prize money went up over the years.
So, I think on the... On this one it's a £20 prize for the 110 yards foot handicap and by 1930 it's gone up to £100.
So, the prize money's gone up and they were claiming, back in 1914, a great increase in the prize money, so this was the lure for people to take part.
Yes, it's the draw isn't it?
Clearly.
Yep.
All about the money.
VO: After the heyday of thousands attending the event, by 1958 figures had dwindled to a mere 800.
PAUL: How does it peter out?
Um, it's a combination of circumstances, really.
The prize money couldn't match what professionals were getting elsewhere.
The social spectator sport became less popular as leisure habits changed and people had other means of entertaining themselves.
So, Kim, what's the legacy of the Morpeth Olympics?
The ordinary man could rise to great heights through his efforts, and be applauded for his efforts.
And if there was some money in it, or... you know, so much the better.
But it was part of that legacy which means that we still have people valuing the trophies that their ancestors won.
"The Morpeth Olympics" by Jez Lowe.
# Well, this is what the working man's been waiting for, # And the Morpeth Olympics is as good as it can get!
# VO: After all that talk of exercise it's time for a nice lie down.
Nighty night.
VO: Good morning you two!
Claire's in command of the TVR Tuscan as our pair get set for another day of hijinks.
You know, the temptation to go racing off down this road is a bit overwhelming at the moment.
Really?
Do I need to brace myself?
VO: Agh!
Let's hope not.
Let's have a refresher of their shopping trip thus far.
Claire has four lots, the 19th century crutches, the combo brooches lot, four golf clubs and a World War I trench periscope.
As you do.
This gives Claire £111.20 for the day ahead.
As for Paul, he has two lots comprising the silver mounted salt and pepper pots and a great big whisky dispenser.
He has one £155 to spend today.
Paul's made his way to the leafy suburb of Jesmond in Newcastle upon Tyne.
And he's in for a spot of Gallic loveliness in Antiquites Francaise.
Hello there.
Is it Babette?
Yes, it is.
Pleased to meet you, Paul.
Lovely to see you.
I've seen you on the television so many times.
It's nice to meet you in person.
The Scots and the French.
It's the auld alliance.
Yes.
Let's hope it remains amicable.
Oh, yes, absolutely.
VO: Can he find some of his beloved militaria in here?
No, he's stepping out his comfort zone with this little beauty.
The wee tin plate doll's pram.
Yes.
That's a sweetie as well.
It is really sweet.
And that's gotta be 1930s, hasn't it?
It has.
I would say yes, 1930s, sort of more just after the war I would say.
But charming little thing.
That is priced at... 65.
I could come down to 50.
50?
OK, so not so much slack in that one?
Maybe 48.
48 could be... VO: The Celtic charm is working Paul, but some more scouting is needed.
This shop's amazing, isn't it?
Shop's amazing.
An interior designer's dream, is it not.
Is it for me?
I don't know.
VO: Downstairs Paul's ready to try and spend some of his cash.
The wee doll's pram.
VO: Babette's offer was £48.
Pitch in at 35.
Is that too far?
It's a little bit too mu... Just no, it's fine.
Absolutely.
35.
I'd be happy.
Are you sure?
I am absolutely fine.
OK?
Babette.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
VO: Just goes to show Paul can always find something to buy.
The very kind Babette has generously sold the little pram for £35.
Aw.
Is that pram very small or is that man really big?
VO: Hey, I do the jokes around here.
It's very funny though!
Claire meanwhile has motored to the city of Newcastle upon Tyne.
She's off to a fascinating exhibition at The Great North Museum.
In the early 20th century a young woman from the northeast town of Washington became a feisty Brit who helped shape the creation of modern day Iraq.
Linguist, archaeologist, writer and British spy, Gertrude Bell was a force to be reckoned with.
A forgotten heroine who became one of the most powerful women in the last throes of the British Empire.
Claire's meeting with Andrew Parkin to find out more.
She was a very remarkable woman for her time.
Yes.
The more I find out about Gertrude Bell, the more admiration I have for her.
She was incredibly intelligent, she had a phenomenal gift for languages and just about everything she turned her hand to she was successful at.
VO: Oxford University educated, Gertrude's family wealth allowed her to develop a taste for travel, in particular desert adventures across the Middle East.
CLAIRE: What do you think it was about the Middle East that drew her?
What was the attraction there, rather than other parts of the world?
I think, as a linguist, she relished getting to grips with the languages of the Middle East.
VO: In 1914 a fearless Gertrude was the first woman to cross the uncharted Arabian desert, riding solo by camel for 1,500 miles.
Wow.
For a woman to be accepted by sort of a lot of the tribal leaders who she spoke to and met was remarkable really.
I suspect they hadn't met a European woman.
The Arab leaders treated her as an equal.
So she would go into their tents, sit down with them, drink coffee with them.
Gertrude smoked cigarettes.
They probably smoked their pipes and discussed the affairs of the day.
VO: During World War I Bell worked for the Red Cross in France before being recruited by British Intelligence to work for their Arab bureau in Cairo.
Her knowledge of languages and of local leaders made her an incredible asset.
Lawrence of Arabia was also recruited to the Arab bureau in Cairo, so he was actually her colleague there and they worked together for the British during their campaigns in the Middle East.
VO: After the war Winston Churchill headed a series of meetings at a conference in Cairo to redraw the map of the Middle East.
Gertrude was the only female present and helped to set the borders of the new Arab nation of Iraq.
CLAIRE: What about this image behind you?
I love the look of that.
This is a, this is a fantastic photograph.
This is taken at the time of the Cairo conference.
Churchill wanted to be photographed riding a camel in front of the pyramids.
Here we have Churchill, with a rather fetching pair of goggles on.
Gertrude Bell is next to him and this is TE Lawrence.
And someone visiting the exhibition pointed out that the only camel that daren't move is the one Gertrude Bell is riding and she is clearly a person who knows how to ride a camel.
And apparently Churchill kept falling off his.
Which I think is why this man is standing next to him here.
Do you know, I have really enjoyed learning about her.
I think she was an extraordinary lady.
Thank you so much, and this is a wonderful exhibition.
VO: This brave and influential woman from Tyne and Wear who was the driving force behind the creation of modern day Iraq died in Baghdad in 1926, aged just 57.
Meanwhile Paul has travelled west to the historic town of Hexham.
Once the haunt of marauding Vikings, it's Paul's turn to take over the town.
Ha!
Well, not really.
He's here to shop, actually.
Ashbourne House Antiques owned by Beryl is his last shop of the day.
He's been here before, don't you know.
Beryl.
Hello again.
How are you?
Fine, thank you.
It's good to see you.
Right.
Brilliant.
What's changed?
What's fresh?
Ah, not a lot.
(LAUGH) VO: Better get to it then, Paul.
VO: Ah, something's caught his eye.
May I have a look at the little North African or Middle Eastern cruet set?
Oh, yes.
That's interesting.
That's great.
Thanks very much.
That's got a date on.
Let me tell you where this is from.
The period we can guess at, without looking further.
There was a vogue for such wares from the First World War, certainly into the 1920s.
Ah, but on the base there is a clue to its origin.
It all comes clear now.
Engraved, Iran 1946.
So, just the end of the Second World War.
I like that very much.
Price tag says £59.
Anything on that?
BERYL: OK. 40 on the cruet.
PAUL: OK. BERYL: Now, that can't be bad.
If I was taking it home I'd think it was a gift.
Well there you go then.
VO: So that's a deal of £40 for the cruet set.
But is there anything else that might tempt Paul?
Now, that, we thought, was for signaling.
OK.
I don't know whether you've seen one of those.
Yeah.
It's either an electric miner's lamp, which is a possibility.
But I've had miner's lamp collectors looking at it and they didn't seem to think it...
In that case, it might just be my preferred option of a diver's lantern.
The whole point in this is it's waterproof.
It's an interesting lantern, that.
VO: With a ticket price of £95.
What can that be then?
Cos that's something you can... Oh, I could make that half.
Um... 20 quid?
That's gotta be worth 30.
I should be on your side, shouldn't I?
We both seem to be haggling with me.
(LAUGHS) Well, you've got a fair bit off that.
Come on, now.
Cheers.
It's always good fun, is it no'?
That's how you do it.
VO: And after all that, Paul has paid up £40 for the Iranian cruet set and £30 for the unusual waterproof lantern.
Claire has followed Paul to the town of Hexham.
She has over £100 left to splash and her last emporium of the day is Malcolm Eglin Antiques.
Owned by Malcolm.
Obviously.
Oh, I say.
Gosh, wasn't expecting this.
Isn't it lovely?
It's like an Aladdin's cave.
Full of treasure.
One hopes.
Let's have a little look.
Hm, I do like all this country furniture, I really do.
So tactile.
Just want to get a hold of it and rub it.
VO: If you say so, Claire.
Right, OK.
I'm just going to go trundling in the back here... ..because I've spotted something I quite like.
VO: Go on, get stuck in, girl.
Okey-dokey.
Leather suitcase.
Now, these were made in the days when you had servants or porters on the station, because by the time that's got clothes in it, it weighs a ton.
And it's got the remains of a label on it.
Always like to see that.
You imagine it's been travelling all over the world.
It's rather exciting.
The thing is that luggage has become, it's become quite fashionable.
People don't use it, obviously.
You wouldn't.
But they tend to stack it up either in bedrooms or sitting rooms.
I actually quite like that.
I can't actually see a price on it.
Might have to go and ask Malcolm about this one.
VO: Yoo-hoo, Malcolm.
I spotted round the corner here a leather suitcase.
Yeah, sure.
But I can't find a price on it.
MALCOLM: Could you go to £20 for it?
We'd love you to win, Oh, thank you.
..and spoil Paul's day, so, um, if that is any good to you at all.
Actually that's a very very fair price, because that was about what I was thinking for it, so £20?
Absolutely.
No problem.
OK, fine.
Better shake on that.
Well done.
Well, I expect you'd like some money, wouldn't you?
Well, that would be good, yes.
VO: £20 for an early 20th century leather suitcase, not bad, Claire.
And that completes our shopping spree.
That suitcase means newbie Claire has five lots including the 19th century crutches, the unusual animal brooches, the golf clubs and the World War I trench periscope.
Claire has spent a total of £108.80.
Paul was his usual methodical self and also bought five lots, the salt and pepper pots, the huge whisky dispenser, the doll's pram, the waterproof lantern and the Iranian silver cruet set.
Confidently spending £150.
Now let's get to the nitty gritty.
What do they think of one another's buys?
OK, interesting offering.
Diverse.
But all the time that I'm talking there's only one word in my mind.
And it's periscope.
I love the spirit urn.
That glass item.
It's a shame about the damage, but do you know, that's a really showy piece.
I think that's his best bit.
I am in a world of pain.
I think Paul might be a bit jealous of my periscope.
VO: Just a tad.
Our road trip rascals are heading to their first auction in Darlington in County Durham.
PAUL: This is it, Claire.
First auction.
Oh.
It's gonna be a new experience.
BOTH: Yeah.
Yeah.
So, so fingers crossed it goes alright, anyway.
So... VO: Good luck.
The auction is being held at Thomas Watson Auctioneers.
Our auctioneer today is Peter Robinson.
Thoughts please about our pair's lots.
Large 19th century glass whisky dispenser.
I mean, pieces like this do make a big presence, if you stick it on your sideboard in the dining room.
The World War I periscope, which is a really nice item.
It's my favorite and it certainly does work, because I've tried it.
VO: This is exciting.
The auction is about to begin.
I wish you luck, Claire.
In moderation.
Really?
Yeah.
Yeah, really.
VO: Ha!
How generous of you, Paul.
First up are Claire's brooches.
15, 20, 25 I am bid.
At £25 for the two brooches.
At £25.
30 I am bid.
30, sir.
At £30.
On my right, 35, 40, 45, I am bid in the room, at £45 on my right.
Out on the internet.
At £45 for the two pieces.
Selling.
At £45.
I never expected that.
VO: Eh.
Remarkable result there, Claire.
She's sailing high from the get go.
OK.
So far, so good.
No pressure.
VO: Let's see how your little doll's pram fares.
25 on the net, at £25, the doll's pram, at £25.
30 bid.
At £30 in the balcony.
At £30, 35, 40, 40 in the balcony still.
The bid is at 40.
Five, thank you.
50, sir?
Are you sure?
Being sold though at £45 for the lot.
All done?
45.
Well, I didn't move backwards, but...
It doesn't counter your brooch assault.
VO: A decent profit but not enough to take on the might of our new girl.
Now how will she fare with her golf clubs?
£20 to start me for the vintage golf clubs.
20 to start.
15.
15, 20, 25.
Internet bidding.
That's alright.
It'll do.
Four in the lot, four golf clubs at £25.
30 on the balcony.
At £30.
Five, another bid anywhere?
Being sold then at £30.
That's alright.
That's better than alright.
Yeah, that's OK. That's doubled your money.
Yeah, I'm pleased with that.
VO: Nice one Claire, another great profit to add to the kitty.
Paul loved his salt and pepper pots, can they help him climb into the lead?
£20, 25, 30 I am bid.
£30.
I'll take that.
That's all right.
Thank you, Madam.
35 bid.
At £35 in the saleroom.
£40?
PAUL: I'll take that.
That's better.
40 now?
At £35, the lady's bid, at £35.
Being sold then at £35.
Back in the game, maybe, that's alright.
Not too bad, not too bad.
VO: Paul's creeping up behind you, Claire.
It's Claire's turn now with the vintage suitcase.
£20.
25.
25, at £25.
You're there.
Small profit.
Five, 40.
40 in the balcony.
At £40 for the vintage suitcase.
At £40.
The bid is in the balcony at £40 now.
Is there five anywhere?
Being sold.
45, thank you.
Internet bid.
Ooh, excellent.
I didn't think he'd go for the ten.
£45 now, being sold now at £45, to the internet bidder.
VO: Eh, Claire knows what she's doing, another lovely profit.
There's a long way to go yet.
VO: Claire's still out in the lead but Paul's sizeable spirit dispenser is next.
£30 for the large piece of Victorian glass.
It's alright, you've definitely got some in here.
At 35.
40.
CLAIRE: Internet.
Five.
At £45 in the room here.
50, five sir.
At £50.
£50.
No, it's not enough.
£55.
60.
At 60.
I'm crying on the inside, I'm crying on the inside.
Here we go.
No, it's just...
It'll sell well.
70, Colin?
At £65 on the internet bid.
At £65.
70, another internet bidder.
Oh, it's slowly creeping.
£70, the whisky dispenser, being sold.
Internet bidder.
75, quickly please.
Oh my word!
£75.
Can we have 80?
£75.
Being sold then, this time, at £75.
Internet bidder.
That's alright.
That's fair enough.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
You pleased with that?
We are probably even stevens now.
VO: Not quite, Paul, you're just behind but a substantial profit nevertheless.
What about Claire's interesting choice of a pair of crutches?
They really caught my eye and I thought they were just something really different.
Yeah.
£20 can we have to start, for the pair?
15?
£15?
£15.
20.
25, internet bidding.
They're getting there.
£25 a pair of crutches.
Go on, go on, a bit more, please, please, please.
£25, they're going to be sold.
At £25.
Are we all finished then at £25?
Being sold at £25.
Oh, OK. You can afford that, Claire Rawle.
VO: Actually she can't, this means Paul takes the lead by a smidge.
It's Paul's lantern next.
Lovely thing.
I am afraid of the lamp but I suspect people that know what it is and care are rarer than the lamp itself.
This could be my problem.
£50?
185.
At 50.
At £50.
At £50.
Five anywhere.
I will take it.
It's not a loss.
Selling at £50.
All finished?
At £50 this time.
All done?
At £50.
I'll take that.
Short and sweet.
Bit of profit.
Came out of nowhere.
VO: Striding into the lead here Paul.
And it's Paul's again, with the silver Iranian cruet set.
£20 to start, at £20?
Silver cruet, at 25.
30 bid, at £35.
It's doing alright.
40 bid.
45 I have.
At £45, 50.
55, 60, 65.
No!
It'll do me.
£65.
70 anywhere?
At £70 bid now.
Internet bidding, 75.
I'm liking it more by the, more by the minute.
£75.
At £75 for the silver cruet?
All done?
I will take that, Claire.
Well done.
We lessen the damage.
VO: Eh, sitting comfortably in the lead, Paul.
D'you, d'you know what, it's going to come down to, it's all about the periscope.
VO: Indeed it is, Paul.
It's the one he's been dreading.
Do you think if I went over there and started jumping up and down on the periscope that would help?
No.
Commission bids here, we've got 35 to start us off.
Low start.
35, 40, five, 50, five, 60 bid.
At 60 bid.
At 60 bid.
In the room is the bid of six... Five, 70, £90 then I have.
Oh, that's better.
£90, against the internet.
What's just happened?
I blacked out for a second.
£90, £90 against the internet.
At £90, five, 100.
That's what I said.
£100 now, the internet bidder.
110, thank you.
Make it stop, mummy.
Please make the man stop.
At 110, the internet bidder.
At £110 for the periscope.
Selling it at £110.
All finished?
Excellent.
That's what we said.
OK?
110, that's good.
VO: I'm feeling your pain, Paul, that's a whopper of a profit, Claire.
Well done.
You owe me tea and sympathy, I think.
Not too much sympathy.
Come on then.
Lead the way.
VO: Who will reign supreme for the first leg?
Let's work out the numbers.
Paul started leg one with £200 and after auction costs made a profit of £79.60.
Paul's grand total to carry forward is £279.60.
Claire also began with £200 and blasted veteran Laidlaw from the top spot with an excellent profit £100.30.
Our road trip new girl takes the lead for leg one and has a sizeable £300.30 for the next leg.
I've got to give it to you, Claire, it's yours.
Not a lot in it, though.
No.
No more periscopes, right?
VO: Cheerio, chaps.
Next time on the Antiques Road Trip... Paul's hungry for a bargain.
I'm chomping at the bit, Alan.
VO: And Claire talks to the animals.
What do you think, mate?
Meow.
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