It's the nation's favorite antiques experts!

I think I've found something.

Pretty good, yeah.

Behind the wheel of a classic car.

- Oh!

- Stop it!

And a goal to scour Britain for antiques.

- Ooh!

- I think it's brilliant.

The aim - to make the biggest profit at auction.

- (GAVEL) - But it's no mean feat.

You're some man!

There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

- (LAUGHS) - No!

Will it be the high road to glory... ..or the slow road to disaster?

- (GEARS CRUNCH) - Oh, no!

This is the Antiques Road Trip!

Whoopee doo.

VOICEOVER (VO): Grip!

One hundred L6!

Our rally car is all revved up for a new road trip.

Turn, turn, turn!

That's it.

NATASHA: Oh my God, I know.

RAJ: Yeah, baby let's go!

VO: Yes, driver Natasha Raskin Sharp and co-driver Raj Bisram are duly strapped in for the terrain.

And team Sunbeam Rapier is really bonding.

Now I'm spending time with you, it's... it's... it's a joy.

Oh, Raj.

Well, I've always thought you were a bit weird but now I... (LAUGHS) ..can confirm you're a lovely guy!

Is it safe to say now that we're best friends?

We're bezzies!

VO: But rivals!

Both were flushed with success last time and only £23 separates them.

Natasha's initial £200 grew to a new total of £277.40.

(GAVEL) But Raj used his expert skills, not his magic ones, to turn his 200 into a princely £300.96.

Wow.

Could be the pinnacle of our trip, you know.

Imagine if we could just stop now.

Yeah.

Imagine if we could just drive off into the sunset... Oh!

..and say "wasn't that a nice trip"?

VO: Well, you can't!

The Antiques Road Trip never sleeps.

Ha ha!

And our pleased-with-themselves pair will be continuing their tour of the home counties before a final auction near Cambridge in Willingham.

Today, it's Suffolk.

And in the...

Going back to the fifth century, people in Norfolk were known as the north folk.

And people in Suffolk were known as the south folk.

Now, I know I'm wearing huge sunglasses so you can't see that my eyes lit up when you told me that.

(LAUGHS) It's a fact that with an auction looming in Send, near Woking, the first port of call today is the delightful town of Aldeburgh, and its large sculptural scallop dedicated to the composer Benjamin Britten who lived and worked here, founding the Aldeburgh Festival in 1948.

Raj is visiting Mole Hall Antiques this morning in the hope of landing a good catch.

- Hi.

I'm Raj.

- I'm Peter.

Peter, lovely to meet you.

VO: I'm Tim.

It's certainly packed to the gunwales in here.

Well, there's of interesting things in this shop.

I'm spoilt for choice, in a way.

There's so much here.

But these I've been drawn to.

Scales.

I mean, these are from Smithfield market, and they've got to be, you know, from almost when it started, which was about 140 years ago.

And these are 19th century scales.

I mean, there's no ticket price on it.

I do like it.

You know.

I'm going to put in on hold for the moment, but I might come back to it later.

VO: What else might he fancy?

Now, I've always known this glass as Vaseline glass.

But it's actually also known as uranium glass.

That might sound dangerous, and that's because it probably is.

Because it not only glows in the dark but it is actually radioactive.

It's very very safe but it is actually radioactive.

VO: Though the uranium content was generally less than 2%.

Known collectively as press molded glass, it was mass produced in America and Sunderland.

I'm not sure how well it would sell in London but I'm going to ask.

In fact, I'm going to ask how much the collection could be because it is unusual and you don't see that much of it anymore.

VO: Unless it happens to be dark.

Ha!

I mean, what sort of price could you do if I bought the whole lot?

Well, you could have the whole lot as a collection cos it's nice that the collection stays together.

I mean, would 110 do?

That's a tenner apiece.

What...

I tell you what.

- You've also got some scales... - Yes.

..that I was interested in.

Yes, well they've gotta be about... - OK. - ..the 80 mark.

What about 150?

150?

150, it's tight but I will do it at 150.

Yeah?

That's half my money going.

Do I take a risk?

Ach, shake hands.

Let's do it.

- On glass, you did it.

- Let's do it.

- 150.

- Excellent.

£150.

Oh dear.

These... these are popular prices.

VO: Not very popular with Raj by the look of it!

At 60 for the scales and 90 for the uranium glass, we'll leave Raj armed with his nuclear arsenal and still browsing and catch up with Natasha, who's making her way a few miles inland to Snape Antiques Centre.

Ooh!

A bit of kangaroo petrol!

VO: That's right, blame the car!

Time to see what's on offer in this fine refurbished 19th century building, presided over today by Sandra.

Oh, that's quite cool.

I'm just looking at this Victorian photograph.

I mean, everything about it is so Victorian.

The fact that this lady went to have her photograph taken, it says here, at the London fine art company in Gloucester.

What's so nice is that when you look at her dress, I've just noticed the big brooch holding her collar together, keeping it nice and upright and stiff.

And then I thought, 'what's that hanging down here?'

It almost looks like a curl coming down and then something silver.

Actually, it's a posy holder.

I've been looking around this cabinet because it's full of such gorgeous stuff.

And look at this.

A filigree posy holder.

Can you see?

This is marked up as silver, this posy holder.

It's filigree which means that it's obviously very fine wire work.

So there's not a huge amount of silver content.

But it's marked up at £110.

Personally, I'd give it a wide berth at that price because I don't think it would make that back.

But actually, the price is kind of irrelevant to me now because now I've seen it in action, it's kind of priceless.

It's such a perfect thing, I'm so pleased to have seen that sitting next to the posy holder in this cabinet.

Ah!

I love it.

VO: These were also called "tussie mussies", containing sprays of flowers to camouflage unpleasant smells.

Pooh!

My lordy.

Meanwhile, over in Aldeburgh, has the tide brought in anything else to tempt Raj, who's already splashed out £150 here.

Now, this is an unusual piece.

I...

I...

I don't know what it is, really, to be honest.

Eh...

I mean, there's £22 on the ticket.

It's... it's got... it's got all these cutouts, these round cutouts with little indentations at the bottom.

I suppose they could be for candles or some kind of communion piece.

I have no idea.

I'm gonna ask Peter and see if he knows.

Peter?

Yes, Raj?

Do you have any idea what this is?

That is a complete mystery.

- It's a mystery?

- Absolute mystery.

- Really?

- No idea what it is.

And you've been in the business a long time.

VO: And I've been in the business a long time too and I think it's for tots, or communion.

Have you had it a long time?

It's been in here quite a while.

Has it?

So if I was to take it away, what could you do it for?

Well... you were fair on the other stuff.

Very fair.

So, it's yours for a tenner.

£10.

I'm gonna shake your hand.

OK.

Thank you very much indeed, Peter.

Let me pay the money straight away.

There we go.

- Thank you.

- Thank you very much indeed.

My pleasure.

That, I'll... And when I find out what it is... Eh, would you let me know?

..I'll phone you.

I'll phone you... - I would really love that.

- Absolutely.

Brilliant.

Thank you very much indeed.

VO: With his pockets now £160 lighter, it's goodbye to Aldeburgh.

Now, we're off back to Snape to see what might be reeling in Natasha.

I am a fan of this mirror.

This is the travel mirror of all travel mirrors.

The mirror folds to make it easier for travel.

Fold in once... Oh, that's quite pretty.

There is a hand painted floral decoration on what is ivorine.

That's ivor-ine, I-N-E.

So it's not real ivory, of course, and it's very much in the style of.

But then on the other folding side, you have what's one of the muses.

You know, this is, um, playing music.

She's playing a lyre.

She is sitting on a branch.

Above her floats a pootie.

So, this is very much in the neoclassical style, early 20th century.

But neoclassical really being sort of late 19th century.

I really like that, it's super girly.

But girls go to auction.

VO: Ticketed at 65, the dealer will take 55 for the mirror.

Natasha's making a personal approach to the owner of the posy holder.

There's somebody would like just to have a talk to you.

I'll just pass you over.

Hello, Anna?

Just chancing my arm.

75 was going to be my offer but I won't offer it to you if it makes you uncomfortable.

75, you're cool?

Oh, that's really kind of you.

Thank you so much.

I'm really grateful for that, I appreciate it.

Thank you!

Bye bye.

OK. - She's a lovely lady, Anna.

- She is a lovely lady.

VO: What a charmer, eh?

I think I'll go for 75 for... - OK. - ..the posy holder.

Question is, am I going to risk 55 for the mirror?

Yeah, I think I am.

I think I am.

Yeah?

Yeah.

55 and 75.

What's that?

I can't even do the maths.

125?

No!

It can't end in a five if you have two fives, it's 130!

130.

Right, OK. (LAUGHS) - And 30, and there we go.

- Lovely.

- Thank you.

- OK. VO: And that's her away.

Off we go, a few miles north now where Raj is putting his best foot forward at the local pub in the ancient village of Laxfield.

Local inns hereabouts have long been places where locals enjoy traditional country dancing.

And step dancer Fiona Davies is on hand to explain to Raj what makes this form of jigging unique to East Anglia.

- Hello.

- Hi.

- I'm Raj.

- Hi, Raj.

It looks a bit like Irish dancing.

Is it?

It's very different, actually.

With Irish step dancing, it's sequence dance and very choreographed.

So you have a dance to each tune.

So, um, we are very freestyle.

We're a freestyle people.

VO: So what are the origins of this freestyle folk dance?

We're not quite sure, um, how long it dates back to.

But there's many influences.

We had the Flemish weavers in... in from Norwich.

And travelling people, who had travelled along, working on the farms.

And the fishing, as well.

With my family, they're a fishing family.

So it would be after they'd come in from crabbing on the boats.

Someone in the family would play a melodion or... or dulcimer or fiddle.

And they would, uh, dance along.

Traditionally it was flat-soled leather shoes that they danced in but we like to make ourselves heard.

(CHUCKLES) VO: The men of Fiona's family have been making themselves heard here for generations.

But Fiona is proof that things have moved on and women can now get up and take the floor.

Literally.

Eh, most of the pubs nowadays have carpets on the floor.

So we bring our own dancefloor, like this one.

Um...

I mean, that's pretty unique in itself, isn't it?

It is.

Take your own dancefloor with you.

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

Well... you can't be heard on carpets.

And, um, the boots as well.

These... these are my dad's old boots.

Bless him.

He made his own cleats on the bottom, they're quite heavy.

But we used to swap shoes halfway in the performance.

He'd step dance, and because we had the same size feet... That was lucky.

..and, eh, yes.

And he'd take his shoes off quickly and I'd put them on and I'd dance.

So we used to get a giggle.

(CHUCKLES) Love that.

My father taught my children, Ben and Emily.

And I will teach my grandchildren.

You know, it's good to keep those things alive.

Absolutely, these traditions.

I mean, to be honest, the word that you said that interests me is "freestyle".

- That... - Yes.

..means that basically you can do anything, can't you?

Yes, you can.

There's no wrong steps.

Well, I'd love to have a go, then.

Lenny's just on the other side of the pub, - I'm sure he'll teach you.

- I shall go and find him.

- Hello!

- Hello, sir.

- You must be Lenny.

- I am, just about.

Nice to meet you.

And you must be Steve?

I am.

Nice to meet you.

- Great... - I have been told that you are the man to teach me how to dance.

- Well, I'll try.

- OK. You watch me, you shouldn't go far wrong.

OK, let's go.

How long have you been doing it, first of all?

- About 70 year.

- Is that all?

That's all, yeah.

- Oh, so you're just a beginner?

- I'm just a learner.

Ah, OK. Well, I'm sure you're gonna help me.

I'll do my level best.

I'm gonna watch you first of all.

- You do that.

- Go for it!

(ACCORDION MUSIC) (CLAPS) Brilliant.

Fantastic, Lenny.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Fantastic.

Right.

So, you want me to do that, do you?

As long as you can keep with the music, which is a great man here... - Yeah.

..you can't go far wrong.

Show us your heel and toe effort and keep your feet on the go, see how you go.

- See what happens, yeah.

- Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

OK.

So... (ACCORDION MUSIC) Yay!

(CLAPS) Brilliant.

Brilliant.

You're a natural.

VO: Ha ha, well done, Raj.

With locals gathered in the pub it's time to see just how alive and kicking East Anglian step dancing is.

OK, everybody.

Let's have you all on the dance floor, and let's see how step dancing is really done here.

- Yeah, come on!

- Come on!

(CHEERING & APPLAUSE) (ACCORDION MUSIC) VO: Come on, up off that sofa and get tapping!

Come on, Raj.

Yeah, I'm...

I'm still going.

Brilliant, brilliant.

VO: Looks great!

I think I'll take a board with me next time I go to the pub.

(LAUGHS) Well done, everyone.

VO: But time and tide wait for no man or woman and the good ship Natasha is sailing on to her next port of call, the riverside town of Woodbridge, on the river Deben, eight miles from the coast.

The town is home to one of the last working tidal mills in the land.

OK, right to the door.

VO: Natasha will be berthing at The Granary.

Well, this is lovely.

She's sure to find some fine things.

When you think of Fortnum & Mason, you think of a hamper, not a case.

Because they are the purveyors of fine quality hampers of food and condiments, that sort of thing.

Looking at it from the outside, it's seriously stylish.

You've got that nice, dark, almost camel-colored leather.

And it's in quite good condition.

There are a few stains.

There's one big stain on the back here but it's no big deal.

Because what you really want is for it to be in quite good working order.

You want the buckles to be in place.

That one's there, these flop right over, and these straps are both in place.

So, cool.

It's secure.

It serves a purpose.

Doesn't have to be food when it comes to them, it just has to be luxurious.

And what is more luxurious than a really handsome piece of luggage?

VO: Eh, I can think of a few things.

What's the price?

VO: Ooh er, missus - £120?

I really like that.

And there is a spider living in it, as well, and that's always good luck.

Could be a money spider.

(GRUNTS) VO: I'll save you 120 and give you a spider for nowt!

You should see the size of the ones in our house.

I quite enjoy this table of gilt metal.

Now, the frames are the back are not doing a huge amount for me.

But there's something about these candlesticks.

Cos I think that these are late 19th century.

And they would have...

I...

I... For some reason, I can't help but think these have travelled.

And I don't know why.

Is it because they don't have a huge amount of weight to them?

I feel that these could have gone on a campaign or two.

And these could have been on a ship or something.

VO: They're priced at £78.

I'd have to take a risk at anything over £40.

But it might be worth it because they do look really cool.

VO: And with that, she's off to talk to the owner.

- Hello, Richard.

- Hi, Natasha.

I am bringing you a pair of candlesticks, with which you're very familiar.

- Yes, I am.

So, you'll know that they're a bit, you know, they've... they've been through the wars.

They're a wee bit rough around the edges.

(LAUGHS) But they do look cool, don't they?

They have a look about them that is unique.

- Yeah.

- Definitely.

And the other thing I really like, the car travel case.

- It's 120 for the case.

- Mm-hm.

And then these are marked up at 78.

So, I'm afraid it's gonna be a cheeky offer.

Would it be wild to offer you £90?

I would be happy with 90.

- Are you sure?

- Yes, I am.

- You... Are you actually sure?

- Yes.

(LAUGHS) OK. Is it just my lucky day?

Yes.

OK.

Thanks, I feel like you're being super generous.

VO: With those significant reductions - that's 60 for the case and 30 for the candlesticks - who's happy now then?

Time to enjoy the countryside, pick up Raj and indulge in a bit of camaraderie on the road home.

Oh, now I think I've told you...

It's the only joke I ever remember.

And what's that?

What do you call an Egyptian taxi driver?

Toot and come oot!

Toot and come oot?

(HONKS HORN) Toot and come oot, oh dear!

Toot and come oot.

VO: Nighty night!

And up with the lark and back out into the fresh morning air.

Morning.

A waft of countryside just came in, then!

(LAUGHS) Oh!

(LAUGHS) OK, good morning.

Woo!

That would wake you up, wouldn't it?

VO: Pongs notwithstanding, what's on the mind of our fragrant pair today?

I bought something yesterday that I really don't know what it is.

No idea?

And I wondered if you would have a look at it, and see what you think.

- Little look.

- There it is on the back seat.

Right, hold on a second.

What on earth?

Right.

B Brothers.

But what on earth does that hold?

Could be some kind of communion holder, you know?

VO: Yes!

Communion things.

I'm not sure.

- Ah!

It wasn't expensive.

And, you know, sometimes it's just worth it to find out and... it's not really a gamble, is it, at £10?

You're a private investigator.

(LAUGHS) BOTH: Raj Bisram PI.

(LAUGH) VO: As well as the mystery thing that's not a mystery, Raj got out his Geiger counter for a collection of uranium glass and a set of scales.

Half my money going.

Do I take a risk?

VO: So he has £140.96 left.

While Natasha got carried away by an expensive suitcase.

I like the fact that it has a designer name attached to it.

VO: And after also shelling out big sums for a mirror, a posy holder and a pair of candlesticks, she has but £57.40 in her piggy.

- That smell again.

- Yeah?

(LAUGHS) Woo!

Sorted out my nostril hairs.

(LAUGHS) VO: (AMERICAN ACCENT) Antiques Road Trip, because your nostril hairs are worth it!

They're headed in different directions now and after dropping Natasha off, Raj is en route for Bury St Edmunds.

Where close to the fine St Mary's church, he'll be trawling the wares at Smoking Monkey Antiques.

What an interesting shop.

Where to start?

(AS TOMMY COOPER) Just like that!

VO: Come on!

Magic up a purchase!

Oh, wow.

Oh, this is lovely.

This is G Rowney & Co. And it's an artist box.

And it's still got all the crayons, chalks in it.

It's absolutely lovely.

And this was a... an 18th century company that was started by two brothers in London.

And originally they started making perfume and wigs.

VO: Actually, oh hairless one, it was wig powders they made, from finely ground starch, which they scented.

But then later on, they went on to doing artist materials.

And there's... To find them so complete is absolutely gorgeous.

We take that out.

The second tray, as well.

This is gorgeous.

I mean, it's got £50 on the ticket.

There's not gonna be a fortune in it but I think there's definitely gonna be a profit in it if I can get this at the right price.

I'm gonna take it with me and see if I can buy it right now.

VO: Don't let me detain you, mate.

- Hello, Marcia.

Again.

- Hello, Raj.

- S... - Nice to see you again.

Nice to see you again.

And such a lovely shop with loads of lovely things.

And I think I've found something that I really like.

- What is it?

- This lovely artist box.

Right.

Mm-hm.

Now, you've got £50 on the ticket.

Yes.

We could do 30, but I couldn't really go any lower than that.

- If I said 25, no?

- No, I'm sorry.

No.

you'd be happy with 30?

I'd be very happy with 30, yes.

D'you know, I think there's...

I think there's gonna be a small profit in that.

I think you're right.

I really like it, I think it's... You know, you don't often find these boxes in such good condition.

- No, no you don't.

- £30?

- £30, yes.

Oh.

Let's shake hands.

Perfect.

Thank you very much.

Thank you so much.

Let me pay you straight away.

- Lovely.

- VO: Just like that!

And with his fine art box under his arm, it's time to get moving.

Meanwhile, Natasha is 20 minutes away to the northeast, close to the Suffolk boundary with Norfolk, where, in the countryside near Palgrave, is housed one of the biggest collections of self-playing musical instruments in the land.

This is The Grange Collection and Johnny Ling is the man on a mission to save and restore these mechanical beauties.

Hi.

That sounds amazing.

You must be Johnny?

- Hello, I'm Johnny.

- And lovely to meet you.

Lovely to meet you too.

Come over and see the organs.

It's a beast.

This organ's dated 1926, so that can't be the beginning of mechanical musical instruments?

No, no.

There's a very rich history.

So the oldest, eh, playing barrel organ dates back to 1502.

So it's amazing to think you can wind a handle and hear live music from 1502.

VO: Barrel organs evolved over the next four centuries into ever more elaborate machines created to delight rich audiences.

And the more simple form of street organs, which entertained the poor.

And by the 19th century, machines called orchestrions were creating the sound of a full orchestra.

Johnny's collection of mechanical instruments ranges from small music boxes to cinema organs.

All housed in his home!

My oldest barrel organ up the corner here, which dates back to, um, 1796.

We'll lift the cover off so you can see the mechanism inside.

VO: So let's hear a hit from 1796!

(ORGAN PLAYS RULE BRITANNIA) You're picking these instruments up at auction all over the place but how did it all begin?

Um, well, it all goes back to my grandma.

It's her fault, really.

When I was a little boy, she used to play a local church organ, which she played for 42 years.

And the organ, which is just up on the wall here... Oh, is that her playing it there?

That's her playing it up there.

And when I was six or seven, she used to let me wind the handle on the barrel organ, and out would come the music and things.

And it kind of...

I got addicted from there.

VO: Whether organ, pianola or music box, the sound is created by a program pinned on a barrel on strips of punched card or metal disks, like this one from the late 1800s called a polyphon.

Do I wind?

So you're winding up the handle to the right.

OK. Oh, it's...

I feel like I'm gonna break it.

But of course, it's a survivor, so it's probably sturdy.

Right, is that enough?

Lovely.

yep, that's good.

And then it comes up.

Oh, it's... it's genuinely mesmerizing.

(ORGAN PLAYS THE SAILOR'S HORNPIPE) Gorgeous.

Absolutely gorgeous.

VO: In the decade of Edward VII, a pianola was the heart's desire of many a middle class family.

For the less well-off, organs like this glorious Belgian art deco example, entertained music lovers in cafes and dance halls.

(ORGAN PLAYS BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE BOY) VO: It's rare to see amazing instruments like these now, which is why collections like Johnny's are so important in keeping their history alive.

Um, but once recorded sound came along, it was... it was kind of, everyone wanted the new... the new thing.

Jukeboxes, Wurlitzers, and that kind of thing.

So this was all sort of cast aside to... to new technologies.

So we can blame rock and roll.

We can blame rock and roll, Indeed.

That's it.

Yeah.

VO: But at least we got the Beatles.

While Natasha is enjoying her musical dalliance, Raj is rallying the Sunbeam Rapier 40 or so minutes away, en route to their last shop of the day in Risby.

I hope I get there before Tash because it's always nice to get there and see where the bargains are first.

VO: The last pit stop is the Risby Barn Antiques Centre and Raj is indeed first to arrive.

This 16th century barn houses the wares of 34 dealers.

And get your skates on Raj, cos look who's hot on your heels!

(GASPS) I love this place.

VO: It is rather good, isn't it?

So many antiques in here.

But actually, the setting is incredible.

That roof from the outside is a marvel.

But from the inside, what an environment to house all these wares.

It's...

I can't stop looking up.

I should be focusing.

Focus, focus, focus.

- Tash?

- Yeah?

Can you come a sec?

Mm-hm.

I can't find anything, Raj.

- Can't you?

- No.

Well, you know how we're trying to make money all the time?

That's the whole idea of this, is we make money.

It's kind on my mind, yeah.

It is, yeah, mine too.

I'm... Have you got a £10 note on you?

Why?

I just...

I just need it for a bit.

Can I?

- Mm-hm.

- OK. You gonna give it back?

Yeah, course I'm gonna give it back.

But what.. what's unique about £10 notes is... Every note, in fact, every note has a number.

Take it.

And have a look at the serial number, especially the last three numbers.

- OK, got you.

- Right.

What... what are they?

- Six, three, nine.

- Six, three, nine.

Well, that's... that's what you've got to remember.

And what I'm gonna do is fold them up.

Six, three, nine.

Six, three, nine.

If you blow on that... (BLOWS) ..watch.

(BLOWS) It's now a fiver.

(CHUCKLES) Thank you very much indeed.

And that's it.

Nothing in my hands, nothing up my sleeve, nothing in my back pocket.

You can search me.

I...

But the only thing is, Tash, I haven't learnt how to do the trick the other way.

But that's how to make money.

Anyway, enjoy it.

That's so cool.

Well, hold on.

Why six, three, nine?

Well, that was just to throw you off the scent.

Raj!

You had me going.

(CHUCKLES) How did he do that?

How did you do it?

VO: Just like that!

And looks like he's getting away with it, too.

Well, well, well.

After my step dancing class, I feel like I'm nearly a semi-professional.

The only thing that's missing to further my career as a step dancer is an accordion.

This is a Viceroy accordion.

It was made around the turn of the century.

You know, I should think it's early 20th century.

And these were actually made in Germany.

This is in really good condition and, you know, they could become slightly collector's items.

VO: Give us a tune, then.

(PLAYS ACCORDION) £58 on the ticket.

If I can squeeze him down to 25 or £30, I'm gonna have a go at it.

- Hello, Richard.

- Hello, how are we doing?

- Guess what I found?

- A squeezebox.

A little squeezebox.

Now, I know what these fetch in auction.

You've got £58 on the ticket.

So it's a bargain already.

So... (LAUGHS) Would you take £25 for it?

In a nutshell, no.

Normally I'd probably try to squeeze you for a little bit more than that but I think I can get away with 30 quid on it.

- Do you?

- Yep.

- Really?

- Special offer today.

OK. £30?

£30.

Can't go any lower, I'm afraid.

Right.

OK, well, to be honest, we're in the ball park.

- Let's shake hands.

£30?

- £30.

VO: And with that, he's free to go and practice on that squeezebox.

And surely Natasha's on to something by now?

I cannot resist a table gong.

This is not the first one that I have purchased.

Well, I've not purchased it yet.

But I'm thinking about it.

I think it's really sweet.

Now, it looks as though the hammer is original.

Oh!

Yep, actually it says on the, um... on the label, it says "art nouveau, brass table gong with original hammer".

So cool, yes.

That's right.

But... these little wires are a bit sad.

I would prefer that to be hanging from something a little bit more sturdy.

But what's nice about it - let's not concentrate on the negatives - what's nice is that this has been hammered sufficiently.

This has been used for its original purpose, to call people to the dinner table.

I think it's worth a bash.

(LAUGHS) Do you see what I did?

Do you see what I did?

VO: Eh... yes.

Hi, Richard.

Hi.

You found something, then?

I found a gong.

What kind of deal can I expect on £38?

I think it's best if I make you an offer.

18?

(INHALES) Ooh!

- Does it hurt?

- Oh, that hurts.

- Does it hurt?

- That hurts.

- Suckerpunch.

(LAUGHS) - Yeah, that... that's... Oh...

It's too low.

What do you say, is that out of order?

I can't go in that low.

Probably squeeze it down to 25.

How about that one?

What about 22?

22.

Go on, special offer.

- 22!

That's cool!

Thank you... - OK. ..so much.

Right, OK.

I'll give you some money.

VO: So, having spent all but £35 of her cash, her work is done and the pair of them can call it a day.

Well, another session of buying out the way.

Happy?

No, I'm nervous for the auction.

- Oh, not again!

- I am nervous!

- Oh!

- Are you not?

What's there to be nervous about?

I need some of this confidence.

(LAUGHS) Come on.

Oh, lovely.

Tash, when it comes to antiques, your cup should be half full.

Oh, do you think I'm too pessimistic?

I think so.

Without a doubt, yeah.

- OK.

I shall take a leaf... - Definitely.

..out of your of your book.

VO: Well, we'll see who has the confidence, real or misplaced, after some shut-eye.

Night night.

To the leafy countryside of Surrey this morning, twixt the towns of Guildford and Woking, where in the intriguingly named Send, is the saleroom of Ewbank's in which Natasha and Raj will try their luck.

Ready to lose some money?

(LAUGHS) Yeah, I guess so.

Why not?

Let's see what happens.

VO: As well as the bidders now assembling, there will also be online bidding today to increase the chances of our pair making a goodly profit, or being snookered.

On my what... Profit.

And I'm going to... obliterate it.

Oh!

VO: Natasha splurged £242 on five lots.

What does Raj make of them?

What an unusual item for Tash to buy.

I mean, it's great quality.

Nice and big.

But I've just been told that she paid £60 for this.

I think that's quite a lot of money.

Even though it's good quality, it's Fortnum & Mason as well.

But I just think that's a lot of money these days.

VO: Or any day!

Ha.

Raj also spent up, parting with £222 for his five lots.

What says Natasha to his purchases?

Truly this is... this is rancid.

I'm so surprised that Raj has bought this.

When you think of Vaseline glass that glows, you think much more green and much more dressing table.

These are strange little bonbon dishes that even my grandma, my grandma would have turned her nose up at!

Really weird.

Um, no, not for me.

Not for me at all.

VO: Yeah.

Rancid, eh?

At 90 of Raj's pounds, let's hope someone's Geiger counter is pointing this way.

Proceedings are underway, steered today by our auctioneering captain, Andrew Ewbank.

Sit ye down.

Right.

Come on, Raj.

- Here we go.

- Here we go.

Here we go.

- It's a busy room.

- It is a busy room, yeah.

I think they're all here for your Vaseline glass.

(CHUCKLES) Oh, don't start on my Vaseline glass.

VO: But first, let's measure the value of Raj's Victorian scales from Smithfield market.

Interest on commission, I go in at £65.

- What?

- 65.

- Any advance on 65?

- Oh, I think there will be.

- Come on.

- There has to be.

Come on!

This is still cheap, isn't it?

Are you all done at 65?

With the absentee bidder at 65... 70, 75 now.

On commission at £70.

Are you all done at 70?

And selling then at £70.

Oh, wow.

(GAVEL) - Small profit.

- I'm surprised.

I can't complain.

Small... Oh, well.

VO: Not much meat on those.

Shame, though.

They were nice.

Stand up, hold your head high and say, I bought the most beautiful set of... - Yeah.

- ..scales anyone's ever seen.

VO: Quite.

Let's see if Natasha's silver posy holder can weigh in with a good profit.

£40 online but needs more.

I'd go in the low end of the estimate on commission at £80.

- Ooh!

- There you go.

Ooh, that's a wee... that's a wee profit.

Well done.

Let you catch up online.

95, 100 on commission.

Oh.

I am...

I am surprised but delighted.

That's brilliant.

Against you online at £120 we are.

At 120.

Final warning.

And selling on commission at 120.

(GAVEL) There was a Victorian photograph of a woman wearing one, and it just brought the whole thing to life.

VO: £45 worth of life.

Excellent.

I hope whoever bought that... - Well done.

- ..covets it forever.

VO: Who'll be coveting Raj's squeezebox, though?

It's under the hammer next.

£20 for it.

£20, start me at 20.

15 I'll take, bid's online at £15.

Saw it online and if you're interested, come in.

Thank you, at £20 in the room.

Room bidder at 20.

Come on.

- Can and will sell at 20.

- Come on.

Oh no!

25 online.

Online bid at 25.

And 30 online now, still going.

Online bid's at £30.

At 30.

Internet at £30, and five.

At 35.

They're still going online at £35.

Final warning.

All done, the bid's online.

And selling at £35.

(GAVEL) - Nice work.

- Small... - Nice work.

- I...

I was worried about that.

VO: I think he was carried away by all that step dancing, actually.

Has that been keeping you up at night?

- No.

- No.

(LAUGH) VO: Time to see how much noise Natasha's art nouveau gong can make now.

50 we're bid online, to start at 50.

At £50 on the internet.

- Wow.

- Fantastic.

With you and selling online at 50.

With the bidder online.

Still going?

55.

Oh!

£60 online.

The bid's online at 60.

- I could be right.

- I like this auctioneer.

- I said 65.

- He's not in a hurry.

No.

Final warning, all done?

And selling the lot then at £60.

(GAVEL) I'm gonna go out looking for gongs.

VO: Copycat!

I mean, it was a nice thing, so... yeah.

Thanks, Raj.

VO: What about this nice thing now?

This trip's oddest buy, surely?

Raj's £10 tray.

£20 for this one, £20 for it.

Any interest at 20?

Anyone want this lot at £20?

No one wants it at 20?

Take 10 for the lot, take 10 for it.

- Hm!

- No.

- I'm surprised, actually.

- Come on!

£5 for it.

(GASPS) - Start me at five.

- Raj!

- Any interest at £5 for this?

- What if he has to pass?

In the room.

I saw two hands.

I'll take... 10, madam?

10?

10, yeah, go on!

The lady seated at the back there... - 10, 10.

- I'm looking for 10.

- VO: Oh, stop smirking!

- At £5.

That's shocking.

Are you sure you won't take 10?

At £5.

You could use it for candles.

At £5, in the room we are at five.

Are you all done at five?

And £10, thank you, sir.

At 10.

Gentleman seated, at 10.

- People are going... - At £10.

Last chance, final warning then and selling the lot at £10.

(GAVEL) That had kept me awake at night cos I was thinking, people out there are gonna say, I've looking for one of those!"

That was gonna make £50.

VO: Yeah.

No, not a bean to be had.

I'm speechless.

VO: Don't know why!

You didn't even know what it was.

Right, time now for Natasha's rather grand, but expensive, Fortnum & Mason suitcase, which is half the dealer's price.

£20 for it.

Any interest in this one at 20?

Start me at 20.

10 then, £10.

Come on.

Oh, come on.

- Anyone going on holiday?

- Is that a bit silly?

£5 for it, anyone want the suitcase for £5?

£5!

(LAUGHS) For the vintage suitcase at five.

No one want this one at £5?

Designer, Fortnum & Mason!

- No one wants... - VO: They're not impressed!

In the room, lady seated.

Thank you.

At £5 in the room.

And selling to the lady seated at five.

Are you all done at five?

Last chance then.

(LAUGHS) Selling the lot then.

And £10, in a new place at 10.

Thank you.

At 10, looking for 15.

Um.... yeah.

£15, in the center at 15.

20 next.

At £15.

- With the lady in the center... - Wow.

..at 15.

Are you all done at 15?

Final warning, and selling the lot then at £15.

(GAVEL) Brutal.

Absolutely brutal.

VO: I have nothing to add but... ouch!

Can you imagine if you tried to buy that today, retail?

Oh, it'd cost you hundreds.

You could add a zero... Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

..and maybe another zero.

That's bonkers.

VO: Yeah, tell that to the good folk of Surrey.

Maybe they'll be more taken with Raj's wonderful Rowney color box.

£40 with the absentee bidder, we are at 40.

On commission at 40, any advance on 40.

- Bit more.

- Profit.

- Come on.

- Done.

Profit.

Come on.

Come on, it's gotta be worth a little bit more.

45.

I am out now.

Yours online, bid's online at £45.

50 would be nice.

50 would be nice.

And selling online then at £45.

(GAVEL) - Love that.

- Yeah.

I'm happy with that.

- Do you think they'll use them?

- No.

I don't think so.

VO: I hope they do.

Lovely.

If they made a small profit I'd be happy cos I really wanted to buy them.

VO: To gay Paris now for madame's French aesthetic movement mirror.

So I go in at £60, at 60 with the absentee bidder.

- £60!

- I'm amazed.

You're doing... 70.

At £70, on commission now at 70.

Any advance on 70?

On the book at £70.

And five, and 80 now.

At £80... - It's broken.

- Flippin' hell.

It's against you at home.

On the book at £80.

- Are you all done at 80?

- Please.

We'll sell.

Selling the lot then at £80.

(GAVEL) I'm amazed.

It's going brilliantly for you, isn't it?

Welcome to your world!

I feel good, I feel good!

Good.

I want you to feel good.

VO: What?

Even if she runs away with it?

(LAUGHS) Do you?

I...

I want to feel good as well.

- But I want you to feel good.

- Tell your face.

(LAUGHS) VO: Ah, the grin of despair!

Take cover!

It's Raj's collection of uranium glass next.

£90 worth of it.

I go in at 40, 45, £50.

On commission at 50... 50.

We need more, we need more, we need more.

- At £50, on the book at 50.

- We need more.

Come on.

- Come on!

- Any advance on 50?

I want this to make a huge profit.

On commission we are, and selling at £50.

Final warning.

All done, and selling the lot at £50.

(GAVEL) - Another big loss!

- VO: Oh dear.

Nuclear fallout, eh?

(SIGHS) It wasn't for everyone.

It wasn't for many.

VO: It wasn't for anyone.

With Raj's hopes apparently going up in a mushroom cloud, last under the hammer are Natasha's pair of late regency candlesticks.

Commission bidder starts at 95.

I'm out.

Commission bid's... - Told you.

- ..out online at £95.

Cool!

Do we have 100 anywhere?

At 95 on the saleroom.

- Wow.

- Oh, wow.

That's amazing.

Are you all done at 95?

Final warning, with the bids online.

That's brilliant.

Brilliant.

Selling the lot.

We'll sell at £95.

I'm wondering if I could move to Surrey, because...

Fantastic.

(LAUGH) - Most places... - Well done.

..I don't have as much luck.

See, I was confident for you.

I knew they would...

They're really decorative.

VO: And so much more attractive for fetching such a good sum!

Come on.

Let's go and count it all up, shall we?

You're magnanimous.

Go on.

VO: The maths are done, and Mr Magnanimous tripped up this time, and his stock took a £47 tumble.

So, after auction costs, he has £253.16 in his piggy.

(GAVEL) However, despite the suitcase debacle, Miss Congeniality swept the board and, after saleroom fees, made £61 profit.

She takes the laurels this time and sails forth with £338.80.

Well done, girl.

Raj, what can I say?

Unusually profitable day for me.

Well done.

All I can say is fantastic.

What an auction you've had!

OK?

Big smile on your face, the sun is shining.

Mm-hm.

Things may get difficult from now on.

- Oh... Oh!

- Come on.

(CHUCKLES) Raj, don't be so pessimistic!

Come on.

You're in it to win it.

VO: Next time, more wacky races.

We're a proper professional rally team.

Where should I go?

Left, right, left?

Natasha meets an old flame.

Doulton, Southern Belle will always have a place in my heart.

And Raj fancies an old chest.

Absolutely lovely.

But whose boat comes in at auction?

No one knew it was going to make that much.

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