VO: The nation's favorite antiques experts, £200 each and one big challenge.

Well, duck, do I buy you or don't I?

VO: Who can make the most money, buying and selling antiques, as they scour the UK?

I must be mad.

VO: The aim is, trade up and hope that each antique turns a profit.

But it's not as easy as it looks, and dreams of glory can end in tatters.

What am I gonna do?

VO: So will it be the fast lane to success or the slow road to bankruptcy?

Should've just kept my money in my pocket.

VO: This is the Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah!

All this week we're on the road with two lovable antiques experts - Margie Cooper and Mark Stacey.

MARK (MS): Oh, look at the cows.

Oh no, they're horses.

VO: Margie's a Road Trip rookie, but as a specialist dealer in silver with years of experience under her top hat, she knows how to drive a hard bargain, oh yes.

That's a really nice thing, isn't it?

That can be £470 if you like it.

VO: On the other hand, fellow dealer Mark Stacey knows exactly what to snap up.

Vintage nutcracker.

But I won't be cracking my nuts with them, I'm afraid.

VO: Hah!

And at the moment, his Road Trip know-how has put him firmly in the lead.

Well I think we've given it our best shot.

MARGIE (MC): Well you've done really well.

I gave it my best shot and lost.

VO: From his original £200, Mark now has £257.02 to spend, spend, spend.

Whereas Margie's made losses at both auctions so far, shrinking her original £200 to a worrying £162.46.

What a look!

This week's journey began in Chilham, Kent, and travels nearly 250 miles westwards across southern England to the final decider in Torquay, Devon.

Today's leg begins in Sawbridgeworth in Hertfordshire, skirts around Greater London and ends up with an auction showdown in Chippenham, Wiltshire.

Despite the drizzle, our two bosom buddies are getting on famously, speeding along in their snazzy little 1960 MGC.

MC: What a day.

MS: Margie, it's not getting any better, is it?

I mean look at it, now we've got the rain.

MC: Are you in second gear?

Yes, are you listening to a word I'm saying?

Yes I am.

VO: The small town of Sawbridgeworth boomed in the 16th century thanks to its proximity to the River Stort, which enabled a roaring trade in malt.

Now, two antiques centers next door to each other.

Which do you fancy?

Go to the blue one.

You're gonna go to the blue one?

Well I'm gonna go there, but I will be in later, so don't take all day about it!

Good luck.

VO: So, one gigantic antique center each - that should be enough for anyone.

Sometimes a choice like this is enough to make you long for less.

My word.

Gosh, you need hours and hours.

We don't have a week and a half, we only have a few hours, and there must be 500 cabinets at least throughout this antiques center.

More and more and more!

How many dealers do you have here?

Er... about 250.

Good lord.

In this center.

(WHISTLES) Can you hear my nervous whistle?

VO: Shirley owns both antique centers, lucky girl, so perhaps she can shine a light on one of the cheaper items Mark's just spotted.

That ring, I don't suppose that's gold for £5, is it?

Do you know what, I think not.

But you know what, it's almost worth having a quick look, isn't it?

You never know.

No, the only word it says on there is, "You're a fool, Mark".

No, it doesn't say that.

No, it just says Luzo.

L-U-Z-O.

So at least it's not loser!

(THEY CHUCKLE) VO: No gold there then, so will this float his boat?

You know the story of Noah and the ark, and the animals went in two by two.

Now, you can get some old antique ones made in Germany, which are very sought after.

This is not a particularly old one, it's probably 1960s-70s by the looks of it, but it's just rather fun.

And they've used all different woods for the actual animals, that's a sort of camel.

If I buy this and it makes a lot of money of course, Margie might get the hump!

Or crocodile tears.

Or crocodile tears, indeed!

That might be me when it sells for a fiver.

It is quite a lot of money, isn't it?

£30.

Who owns this, Shirley?

DEALER: A lady.

MS: A lady?

Is she a kind hearted lady?

Not sure how kind hearted.

That's not what I wanted to hear.

Have you got a figure in mind?

Yes, but she won't like it.

DEALER: Nor will I, I'm sure!

MS: No.

DEALER: All that hard work, all that labor.

All that sawing of those little animals.

VO: Nice try, Shirley, but Mark's not having it.

Time to call the dealer.

DEALER: Hold on.

She'd like to talk to you.

Valerie.

Hello, Valerie.

How are you?

I was hoping to get it for around 15.

Is that possible?

Are you sure?

Oh, you are an angel, thank you so much.

Thanks.

I should have said 10!

VO: There's no pleasing some people.

How's Margie getting on?

That piece down there is a centerpiece.

Yeah, what is that?

That's silver plate though.

Yeah, that's nice, missing the glass.

It was black when I got it and now I've had it all cleaned up and nice.

Yeah, it's had a lovely glass vase.

That's right, on top of there, yes.

That's lovely, actually.

So it's a table centerpiece in silver plate, very nicely cast, nice quality.

Sort of what, late Victorian, early 20th century?

You've got 45 on it.

Since it's for you, this sounds terrible.

MC: Yeah, get... ALAN: 30.

30.

Mm, 30.

I quite like that, Alan.

Alright then.

VO: That's one to think about.

Plenty more to see though.

Now here's a case full of more silver.

That should make Margie very happy.

This is a very nice little Victorian silver brooch.

They're not uncommon, but I like this cuz it's chunky.

It's in good condition, it's got a nice crisp hallmark on the back.

Even the locket at the back looks OK, probably around 1885, 1890.

It's £23, so if they'll ease the price on that...

..I think we should be... Can't lose, can it?

Yeah, I'll get Nick and see if we can get a price down on that.

We can do it for 18.

Not 15?

No, I'm afraid not.

Very best we can do is 18.

Yeah.

Oh, go on then.

Alright, lovely, thank you very much.

VO: As for Mark - well, he's going to give next door a try.

Normally, I have a problem with things actually saying "buy me".

Today I'm not having that problem.

VO: You have to admire his determination, though.

Come on Mark, we've got to be sensible.

We've got to be very, very sensible.

VO: How about this bit of German metalware, Mark?

Did you check the marks?

I have checked the marks, look, you can see it there.

VO: This basket was made by a large German company called Wurttembergische Metallwarenfabrik - known for good reason as WMF - a huge producer of metal tableware.

Of course the problem is that the plate has come off.

This would have all been silver plate as you know, and what would we have found inside there?

A middle.

A glass liner.

And what are the chances of finding a glass liner to go in there?

You may be lucky, but I think you'd struggle.

Yeah, I think you would struggle.

VO: The basket is priced at £20 - will Shirley budge on the price?

DEALER: I mean, you might squeeze £2, but... MS: 18 quid?

DEALER: ..is that gonna buy it?

Well, I've got to buy something, haven't I?

It's just... You know what it's like, if it had been a vase, it was filled in the bottom, it wouldn't be a problem.

But you could still put your lemons in it.

VO: Cuz you can never have too many baskets for your lemons, can you?

So the deal is done at £18.

Thank you so much for all your help.

You're welcome.

VO: Margie's on the hunt for more silver - time to revisit the centerpiece.

Right Alan, I'm back.

Righty-ho.

Have you had any sales while I've been away?

No, not yet.

So you're not in a good mood then?

VO: Perhaps she'll make your day, Alan.

It's £45 without the glass in the top.

Yes.

And you want...?

30.

It should be yours though.

It should be yours because it's your age!

MC: Ooh... DEALER: Oh, wahey!

I'll do it for 25, but I can't come down any more than that.

I refuse to push you any more.

It's a pleasure.

Thank you.

Great stuff.

Thank you very much.

VO: Well done Margie, another one in the bag.

And with her shopping over today, it's time to get back into the trusty MG. She's traveling from Sawbridgeworth to the village of Great Missenden... ..where one of our national treasures, children's writer Roald Dahl, lived for much of his life.

It's now the home to a museum celebrating his writing, and archivist Jane Branfield will show Margie around.

Margie Cooper.

Oh, lovely to meet you.

Yeah, what a fantastic job you've got.

Yes, welcome to the museum.

VO: Roald Dahl is commonly recognized as one of Britain's greatest writers, especially for his children's stories.

Books like Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, James And The Giant Peach, Matilda and The BFG, all illustrated by Dahl's longtime collaborator Quentin Blake, are still enjoyed by millions of children all over the world.

All his manuscripts are kept here, along with... Well, one of his shoes.

It's Roald Dahl's actual Norwegian sandal that he wore, and when he wrote The BFG, he was originally going to be wearing more military black boots, and when Quentin Blake was working on the illustrations, they just weren't working terribly well, and then Roald sent this in the post to Quentin, and this is what the BFG has worn ever since.

MC: "How about these?"

Oh, that's hilarious.

VO: Dahl kept everything he wrote, every version and reversion of his famous stories, some of which could have turned out quite differently.

JANE: When his first draft of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, he showed it to his nephew and apparently he said, "I think it's rotten, Uncle Roald."

On the very final typescript, just as it's going off to be set, he goes through the whole manuscript and crosses out all these Whipplescrumpet and writes Oompa-Loompa above them.

# Like the Oompa-Loompa Doop-a-dee do!

# VO: Roald Dahl used to write in a hut at the end of his garden in a special chair, and the museum houses a replica of it.

So time now to sit comfortably - Margie has a treat in store - a very early draft of The BFG.

JANE: This is the first page of the first draft manuscript of The BFG, but it's about a little boy called Jody as opposed to a little girl called Sophie.

So that never went into print?

No.

Fascinating to be here and see all this.

You know how the BFG has a particular vocabulary...

Right.

Made up words, well, Roald made a whole dictionary of these strange words that he was going to use.

Scuzzleswipe, pifflemuffer.

What's a pifflemuffer?

I don't know... MC: Squiffler.

JANE: Yes.

What an imaginative, slightly eccentric man.

VO: Eccentric man?

Ha!

That reminds me of someone.

Ah yes - there's our very own Big Friendly Giant, Mark Stacey.

He's traveling from Sawbridgeworth to St Albans on the hunt for more treasure.

VO: Nowadays, this is the place where many who work in the capital choose to live.

But during Roman times the city, named after the first Christian martyr, was the second largest after Londinium.

Today, with St Albans being quite well heeled, it could be difficult to find a bargain, but a seasoned antiques expert like Mark should be able to squeeze a deal out of this shop.

Vintage nutcrackers.

Rather rude, aren't they?

I'll leave you to make your own jokes on that one.

I'll refrain on this occasion.

VO: Oh I see now, it's a pair of legs.

They are only £35, which is very reasonable price for what they are.

But I won't be cracking my nuts with them, I'm afraid.

VO: Really Mark, you did promise!

Well this is good.

There's no price on them, so they're free.

I like free things.

They're a pair of oil on canvases, and they're purported to be a naive school, and looking at the costumes the people are wearing, they're going to be mid-19th century.

Josie.

I don't know, I think it's the naivety of them that I quite like, but I do need to buy them at the right price.

The very, very bottom would be 80 for the pair.

OK...

I just think 80 might be a little bit too much for me really, but I would love to get them for 60.

I know that's another £20 off, but what do you think about that?

I don't think we can go that low, but perhaps we can meet you somewhere in the middle, like... MS: 62?

DEALER: 75.

MS: 75!

(THEY CHUCKLE) I love the middle.

Well, let's shake hands at 70.

DEALER: 70, alright.

MC: Are you happy with that?

DEALER: We'll do 70.

MC: Lovely, thank you.

VO: Success for Mark at last.

Well, it's the end of the day, and time for our dear experts to lay down their sleepy heads.

Day two finds our grueling duo back on the road, raring to get shopping.

Margie's been a bit on the back foot, but it's still anyone's game.

Yesterday, Margie spent just £43 on two lots - the Victorian silver brooch and the Victorian silver-plated table centerpiece - leaving her with £119.46 to spend today.

Thank you very much, and I hope you win.

Whilst Mark spent £103 on three lots - the wooden Noah's ark with figures, the WMF silver-plated basket, and the pair of 19th Century naive oil paintings... What have I done?

VO: ..leaving him with £154.02 for the day ahead.

Our sparring partners have left St Albans in the dust and are heading for the market town of Farnham.

And Mark's going to reveal something about this place that we didn't know.

This is a trip down memory lane for me, cuz about 27 years ago, I started my antiques career off in the antique center we're going to.

VO: Well, the shop in question is one of Farnham's finest - Bourne Mill Antiques Centre.

I'm quite nervous, I haven't been here for 10 years.

Down memory lane for you.

I bet it's changed, but I can't wait, cuz time is running out.

I know, it's a good... Age before beauty, dear.

VO: What - no plaque on the wall?

It's a huge emporium with the antique wares of over 70 dealers spread through room after room on four floors.

And while Margie gets her bearings, Mark's life is flashing before him.

I worked every Sunday for about 15 quid, and it's quite funny because I'm excited in some ways about being back and seeing it again, but of course it is quite nerve running, because centers again are difficult things to buy from, but it's rather nice.

I wish I was rather back here, really.

VO: Ah, how sweet.

Is that a tear in me eye, or something shiny in the cabinet over there?

There's a little match striker here which has got a silver embossed top, and you keep matches in there and then when you want to light your cigar or cigarette, you scratch it on the glass bottle.

I mean, it's priced up at £50.

They're quite collectable in their own right.

I think that's the sort of thing Margie might like as well.

VO: Here's another thing Margie would like.

MS: It's described as a little, small hallmarked silver tray, but I think when you look in the middle there, it says IHS... ..and I think that's from a traveling communion set, so maybe that's for putting the wafer on, but it is quite heavy.

And it's priced at £18.

So maybe we could put those two together and make a lot.

That's my cunning thought on that.

Time is ever ticking.

VO: Yes, Margie, time is ticking.

All I'm saying is, only two items in the bag.

No pressure at all.

Now, don't get distracted.

Not even by Colin Firth.

Gosh, I didn't know you were in this business.

Very handsome.

I'm sure he's got enough to do without antique dealing!

VO: Don't worry Margie, there's another dashing charmer just downstairs.

And he's on the phone to the owner of the two little silver items.

It's a match striker, which you've got £50 on, and a little silver dish or tray that you've got £18 on, so 68 in total.

Is there any chance I could make you a sneaky offer on them?

And then you can say no!

(CHUCKLES) I was rather hoping to get them for around the £40 mark.

I mean, or less if you could possibly do it.

You really would let them go for... Oh, that's wonderful, thank you so much Andy, I really appreciate it.

Take care.

Bye.

Bye.

Thank you.

Well, what a lovely man.

He's let me have them for £40.

Now, is there going to be a profit in that?

I have no idea, but I'm hoping to strike one, ha-ha!

VO: Ha-ha-ha.

No such joy for Margie, yet.

Oh dear.

I'm beginning to panic.

Oh, dear, dear, dear.

What am I gonna do?

What am I gonna do?

Everywhere you look there's a little room.

Amazing what people buy, isn't it?

And it rambles on.

VO: Tucked away in another corner of the antiques center, Mark's discovered his old patch, the very place where he started out as a young dealer.

It's changed a bit over the years since I was here.

I'm sure that my shelves were either these two here, or...

I can't remember these books being here.

But just think, from a couple of shelves...

..I've ended up where I am now.

There you are, you see, there's hope for everyone, really.

I must admit, it does seem... ..rather like another lifetime ago, actually.

But it's nice, it's nice looking back.

VO: Oh that's very lovely, but Mark, time to force yourself to the present.

There's shopping to do.

Talking of which, where's Margie got to?

Well, she's had enough and has decided to travel to nearby Alton, having failed to buy anything in the enormous antiques center.

So now, all her hopes are pinned on finding something... here.

MC: The Tiny Shop.

Well, it is tiny, isn't it?

Very tiny.

Here's hoping there's something in here for me.

Otherwise I shall be back quick sticks to the other place.

VO: At Bourne Mill, though, Mark, it seems, is on a roll.

I saw this sign, 20% discount for cash payments on all items, which always attracts the attention.

These are butler trays on stands, and this is where the butler would put the afternoon tea or the sherry, but the color of the mahogany is quite nice, and what's also interesting to me is it's priced up at £70, so if you take 20% off that, I reckon that that is £56.

VO: Time to get on the phone to the dealer.

Hello, Maurice, how are you?

Is there any more room for negotiation on that?

You'll take 50?

I know it sounds terribly mean of me, Maurice, but I was trying to get it nearer the 40.

Could you do 45 for me?

Are you happy with that?

Fantastic, very kind of you, Maurice, I appreciate it, and I hope you continue to sell lots more in your unit.

Thanks, Maurice, bye-bye.

And you, thanks.

Well, he wished me luck, and he's let me have it for 45.

VO: So, once Mark's settled up for both the butler's tray and his silver pieces, he can afford to relax.

Wonderful, see you later.

Thanks again.

VO: He's off to the village of Selborne, just outside Alton.

He's here to visit the house where Gilbert White once lived - the unlikely author of the best-known natural history book of all time.

You must be Ronnie.

Hello, Mark.

Nice to meet you.

I'm Mark.

Now, I'm thrilled to be here, I did visit the house once, you know, about 20 years ago.

Good.

I've forgotten all about it, so you're gonna be my little guide extraordinaire for the day.

Let me show you.

Lead on.

VO: Keen collector of his work Ronnie Davidson-Houston is going to show Mark around.

Long before David Attenborough appeared on our TV screens - way back in 1789 - local village curate Gilbert White was to write a book which was to change the study of the natural world forever.

The Natural History Of Selborne was his life's work - a series of his letters to two other natural scientists of the day.

The book became a phenomenal success, and is now believed to be the fourth most published work in the English language.

The book has never been out of print since 1789.

No.

And it all began with the manuscript of course, which is here, which the museum owns.

This is the genuine...

This is the original manuscript of the letters that Gilbert White wrote to his two correspondents.

VO: This 222 year old book used to belong to Harvard University but back in 1980, the funds were raised to buy it back so it could return to Gilbert White's house.

But how wonderful you've got it back.

Oh, marvelous.

Cuz this really is the spiritual home for it.

VO: Although Gilbert did dissect specimens in his study, it was his detailed observations of animal behavior in the wild that was to be truly groundbreaking.

RONNIE: Well, he made a number of original discoveries.

The harvest mouse, he was the first to describe.

Oh, really?

The noctule bat, he first described as well, and he differentiated three different species of warbler.

He listened to them, he knew they had different calls.

And that's why people who just call them leaf warblers, little brown birds as it were, were suddenly illuminated by Gilbert White to the fact that they were three different species.

VO: Gilbert carried out much of his field work in his beloved garden, the best views of which are from his bedroom.

MS: Wonderful light, all access to the garden and the surrounding areas, and I can imagine him setting up and sitting in this room scribbling away, and having noted something outside and getting it down straightaway.

RONNIE: I'm sure if he was in bed, he heard something interesting going on outside, he'd have been straight to the window... MS: I'm sure he would've done.

RONNIE: With his quill and pad.

VO: After a most enlightening visit to Gilbert White's house, it's time for Mark to get back on the road.

VO: Nearby in Alton, Margie's hoping she'll find something - anything - she can buy for the auction.

Perhaps owner Rob might have some sympathy for a poor downtrodden antiques expert.

MC: Right, well it is a tiny shop.

It is, yes.

I'm trying to make a profit in a short period of time, which is not the easiest thing.

And I don't have a lot of money either.

So shall I leave now?

(THEY CHUCKLE) ROB: If you like!

VO: What's this though, lurking in Rob's cabinet?

It's quite a nice calendar there, Birmingham 1936.

MC: Engine turned.

ROB: What's on it?

A bit of a price, 75.

Well, I can do something with the price.

Oh, can you?

Yeah.

Right, so it's a usable object that would look nice on a desk.

Yeah, £30 if you're interested.

Oh, that seems alright.

I think you ought to buy the boat.

The what, the boat?

How much is it?

Oh.

It's got 85.

It's got wheels as well.

Oh, wheels!

We're digressing, aren't we?

You've got me on this, I'll go to that.

VO: Well spotted Margie - diversionary tactic to the starboard.

But perhaps there's a treasure box down below.

What's this little papier mache box, a pretty little box, isn't it?

Oh, Jennens and Bettridge, ooh!

ROB: Ooh!

Ooh, there now.

The best maker.

ROB: Got the name on the base.

MC: Yeah.

VO: At the beginning of the 19th century, Jennens and Bettridge were highly regarded for producing high quality papier mache wares.

They patented a form of inlaid decoration using materials such as colored glass, ivory, tortoiseshell, gemstones and, as in this box, mother-of-pearl.

MC: So how... You know, what sort of money is it, anyhow?

ROB: Well, I've got 55 on it.

What are you thinking?

We're back to 30 quids aren't we, 20-30 quids.

We're talking 25, are we?

I've got it in my head, 25, that's today's price.

ROB: Yeah, alright.

MC: Do you reckon?

ROB: Yeah.

You know what horrible people do now?

They add the two together, don't they?

(CHUCKLES) Oh, no!

I've fallen into the trap.

ROB: So there's two items, they're £25 each.

MC: Yeah.

I'd take another fiver off if you want.

OK, you've done it.

Thank you very much indeed.

Put it there.

Thank you.

VO: So that's £45 for the calendar and the papier mache box.

I think you ought to buy the boat!

Oh, he's gone off the subject, I've lost him.

VO: You're not giving up, are you Rob?

It's called the Hispaniola.

Is it really?

Oh.

That's not improved things!

VO: This toy boat is a model of the notorious pirate ship from Robert Louis Stevenson's masterpiece Treasure Island but shiver my timbers, it's £85!

I'd take 40 for it, if you're interested, ROB: so it'd help you out.

MC: Yeah.

Well, I'll be blowed.

I'd have a punt at 20 quid.

ROB: Ugh!

How about 30?

There you are.

What do you think?

Yeah, OK.

ROB: Yeah?

MC: Done.

VO: Cor, Rob saw you coming there, Margie.

OK, it's time for our competitive duo to reveal to each other exactly what they've bought.

Over tea.

MC: (HUMS) MS: Oh.

I love the base.

MC: Yes.

I'm a bit worried about this... MC: As an afterthought.

MS: Center bit.

Maybe you're right, but I thought for the price I paid, I just thought it was worth it for that.

Well, you'd better tell me what you paid.

And it's not difficult to find a trumpet vase.

In your own time.

Erm... £25.

Oh.

It's nicely carved, Margie, and I think you've done a good job, well done.

Oh.

Oh, no, this is not anything exciting, Margie.

And I've regretted buying it, to be honest with you, because it's in a bit of a sorry state for itself.

Very attractive plate.

How much did you pay?

£18.

(CHUCKLES) Well, that's absolutely lovely.

VO: Silver seems to be the theme of the day.

MC: I know we do see an awful lot of them, but not always that quality and that condition.

No, I love it.

I love the shape, I love the design.

I love that esthetic, MS: Japanesque period.

MC: Yeah, the esthetic.

£18.

18?

Oh well, there must be a profit.

Which is not going to be a... Yeah, I mean, if I get 30.

Yeah, I mean I'd like to see it get 30, because it is quality.

VO: But what will Margie make of Mark's ark?

Oh, I've just broken it.

No, don't look, Margie.

Da-da!

Oh.

Noah's ark.

MS: Noah's ark.

MC: Oh, that's great.

MS: With some animals, not all of them.

There's a pair of rhinos.

I just thought it's a bit of fun.

There's Noah himself.

I know.

I struggled.

MC: And it's quirky.

MS: It's quirky.

MC: It's amusing.

MS: It's amusing.

But is it quality?

No.

Erm... two out of three.

Two out of three, Margie.

I like it.

But it wasn't expensive.

£15.

Oh.

VO: Margie's papier mache box is next up for some Stacey scrutiny.

Oh yeah, this is a good name.

Jennens and Bettridge.

Possibly the best papier mache.

It is, that's the only reason I bought it.

Well, there had to be a reason.

VO: Ouch!

MS: I mean, what is that flower supposed to be?

Well, it just...

I don't think it matters with the name of the company underneath.

Well, of course it matters, because you're not going to put it like that, MS: are you?

MC: Yeah, but...

I mean, it looks like a day of the triffid on top.

Well, let's wait and see.

How much did you pay for your Jennens and Bettridge?

25.

Well, good luck.

VO: The gloves are off now.

MC: Yeah.

MS: See, I think they're rather charming.

They are.

Do you think they're well executed?

No, but naive school isn't.

I mean, how much did you pay?

£70.

(CHUCKLES) MC: Really?

MS: Yeah.

Well, I am surprised.

Why?

That's quite a lot, isn't it?

Oh, what a surprise, silver.

MC: (LAUGHS) There's a theme developing here.

Does it work?

Yes, it does, it works.

What's the date on it?

It looks '20s-'30s.

36.

Ah, well.

MC: Engine turned.

MS: I like the engine turning.

Pretty little object.

MC: Yeah.

MS: Mm, how much?

I got it for 20.

Oh, that's a steal.

I mean, you should get a healthy return on that.

Well, I do hope so.

I'm not happy about this, Margie.

Why?

You're getting the hang of this, at last!

MC: (LAUGHS) MS: I'm not happy here at all.

That little dish, which I think is part of a traveling communion.

It's the pattern.

I bought it with this rather nice match striker.

Oh, now that is nice.

Which is hallmarked from about 1903, and he agreed to my offer of £40 for the two.

MC: Yeah, that's good.

MS: Is that alright?

Yeah, very good.

Oh, look at the smile.

Don't worry, it's trapped wind.

(CHUCKLES) MS: Oh my... (THEY LAUGH) What on Earth is that?

Well, it's 1950s.

Little wheel, look.

Look, its little wheel.

Is it completely in proportion to the rest of the...

Excuse me, I've missed a feature.

Oh, really?

Yeah, wheels underneath.

Oh, how lovely, that helps it on water(!)

So a little child could run it along the floor.

I don't know what to say, Margie.

Is it a collector's item, or is it not?

Well, I wouldn't collect it.

I bought this for £30.

OK. That'll sink without trace.

VO: Last up, Mark's butler's tray.

I think the legs have got a bit of age, Edwardian or something, but the top I think is early Victorian.

That's really nice.

A nice mahogany one.

So how much was it?

MS: It was marked up at 70.

MC: Yeah.

And I got it for 45.

Yeah, that's fine, isn't it?

I think it's...

I think your things are probably a lot more interesting than mine.

Oh, I...

I...

I'd hate to agree with you.

But it's...

But you're probably right.

VO: As if we didn't know, let's see what they really think.

My least favorite is the Jennens and Bettridge.

Now, I know why Margie bought that, it's got the name, but in my opinion, not a lot else.

I think perhaps the Noah's ark is Mark's weakest item.

I don't think anything's gonna stride away.

VO: This leg of our trip started off in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, and will conclude in Chippenham, Wiltshire.

Margie's lagging behind, but Mark's not out of the woods yet, oh no.

MS: I think you're pretending that you're losing, and then all of a sudden, wallop on the last day.

MC: Yeah, last day, Chippendale table.

MS: We all like a nice Chippendale.

VO: Speak for yourself, Mark!

Back in 878, Chippenham was taken over by the Danes but luckily, Alfred the Great came to the rescue and defeated the invaders, forcing them to withdraw from Wessex and become Christians while he was at it.

Our two invaders are preparing for battle with each other.

MC: Oh, lovely sunshine, isn't it?

You know what they say.

The sun only shines on the righteous.

Well let's get in there.

VO: Auctioneer Richard Edmonds will be wielding the gavel today - so what does he think of our experts' choices?

One of my favorites is the pretty papier mache box by Jennens and Bettridge, it's quality, it's got a good name, and it's pretty as well.

The paintings are rather nice, they're untouched condition, and that's what people, when they're buying art, they don't like it fully restored, and a good subject matter as well.

VO: Mark Stacey spent precisely £188 on five auction lots - amongst which nestle a wooden Noah's ark, a butler's tray and a pair of 19th century naive oil paintings.

Wonderful, see you later.

Thanks again.

VO: Margie Cooper spent somewhat less - £118 - also on five auction lots including a papier mache box, a silver table calendar and the Hispaniola, a model of a galleon.

I must be mad!

VO: Time to snuggle down into that rather grand sofa now, chap and chappess - the auction is about to begin!

There we go.

This could be the start of something special, or the beginning of something awful.

VO: First up - Margie's papier mache stationery box, the one Mark believes is her Achilles' heel.

And I've got one, two, three, four commission bids this time.

And I have to start at 40... five.

50... five.

60 anywhere?

At £55, at 55.

Best of the bids at £55 then, it sells at 55.

(GAVEL) MS: Margie, well done!

VO: Ooh!

An excellent profit of £30 for Margie's first item - could she be the comeback kid?

I've made a whole £25.

35.

Oh, 35!

VO: Mark's ark next, Will the buyers be lining up in twos?

Rather nice piece.

Super lot, this.

And one, two, three commission bids.

And I'm bid 30, at 30, start at 30, is there five?

At 30.

At 30.

Come on.

Five anywhere?

£30 then, all done.

(GAVEL) MC: Are you satisfied?

MS: Oh, I'm pleased with that.

MC: That's good!

VO: Maybe not top quality but someone clearly loved it!

Well, do you know, I feel quite religious after that result!

VO: Hopefully no prayers will be needed for Margie's silver-plated centerpiece.

RICHARD: Super quality, this.

Alright, don't get carried away.

Start at 30... five.

40.

At 40 bid, is there five now?

Go on, a bit more.

At 40 on commission.

40, is there five anywhere else?

I think that's enough.

At £40 then, you're all done, you're quite sure, at £40.

MC: That's very disappointing.

At least it's a profit, Margie.

It is a profit.

VO: Well said, Mark - it's a profit, Margie - be glad!

Two profits, what does it feel like to actually make a profit?

Stop being sarcastic!

VO: The battle of the silver items begins.

Mark's basket next.

Will it be a lemon?

30?

£30 surely?

Oh, for goodness sake.

£20 away then, let's go.

£20 somebody.

Anybody 20?

Gosh.

10 then.

Anybody £10?

Oh, that's silly, that's silly.

10 bid, thank you madam, at 10.

At 10 seated.

12 standing.

15.

18.

20.

22.

It's creeping up.

25.

Don't stop now, Helen.

At £22, down here at 22.

You know you want it!

Lady's bid then, selling then at 22.

(GAVEL) MS: Oh, that's awful.

That's a sh...

It just needed replating, I did say.

But... VO: Oops - it is a profit, but once the auction house knocks off its well-earned commission, hardly.

It's a loss.

Sorry for your disappointment.

Thanks, Margie, there was such sincerity in that remark.

VO: Ahoy there Chippenham.

Any swashbuckling bidders out there?

£30?

20 then somebody.

Anybody 20?

MS: Oh no!

MC: Oh no.

Surely £20?

£10 anybody?

Anybody £10 for this?

Look at this, £10, thank you Adam, at £10 bid.

At 10.

15 anywhere?

At £10.

MC: Oh no.

RICHARD: £10 only.

RICHARD: It sells at £10 then.

MS: Oh Margie!

Done at 10.

(GAVEL) It was all going so well for you as well, wasn't it?

VO: Margie wasn't so sure about that ship.

She clearly hoped for more.

MS: I didn't like it.

Oh, you're being wise after the event!

Well, of course, I'm a man.

VO: Mark's big hope up next.

Has he been naive, or rather savvy?

I can't look.

Three commissions, I have to go straight in, 100... 10.

120 anywhere?

A 110 bid, it's at 120.

120 with you, 130 Gordon.

140.

150.

160.

170.

180.

190.

Oh my goodness.

Is there 200 anywhere?

At £190 then, are you all done, selling then at 190.

Well done, I'm trying to be pleased for you.

Oh, well that's not a bad profit, is it?

VO: A great profit for Mark, putting him firmly in the lead in this leg.

The story was there, the provenance was there, and I just thought, "I've got to take a chance with them."

VO: Don't rub it in, Mark - perhaps someone will make a date with Margie's silver table calendar, bought for £20.

Start at 25.

30... five.

40 anywhere?

35.

40.

Commission's over at 40, in the doorway at 40... five.

50.

Nope, 45 then, far end then, 45, is it 50 now?

At £45 then.

Shout if I don't see you.

Selling at 45.

(GAVEL) Disappointed with that.

You more than doubled...

I think...

I'm sorry, I'm disappointed.

VO: Margie clearly hoped for more but it's a decent profit!

I think you did well, I think you made £25 on it.

Well.

VO: Mark's hoping to light a spark with his silver match striker and paten.

And 30... five.

40... five.

50 anywhere?

At 45.

Come on.

RICHARD: At 45.

MS: Come on.

At 45, the best of the three bids, RICHARD: 45.

MS: Come on.

50 anywhere in the room?

Selling then at 45.

(GAVEL) MC: Oh that's... MS: Yes, no, he did try hard.

MC: He tried very hard there.

VO: After commission, that's barely a profit - never mind, Mark.

I think you should have had a bit more for that.

Should have, but I'm not too unhappy with that really.

VO: Margie's brooch next - will this little beauty put her back in the running?

Starting at 15, 20, and five, at 25.

25.

At 25, looking for 30 now.

At 25.

At £25.

Pretty brooch, this, at 25 only.

30 anywhere else?

Have a look at this.

30 clears the commission.

Gentleman straight ahead of me at 30.

Selling at 30.

That's a good profit, £12.

MC: It was such a nice thing.

MS: Well done.

VO: A smart profit of £12 - Margie's edging her way back.

The final lot of the day - Mark's butler's tray, bought for £45.

Interest with me at £40.

At 40, is there five?

RICHARD: At 40, at £40, bid.

MS: Come on.

Surely not?

RICHARD: At 40.

At £40.

MS: Gosh, this is cheap Margie.

This is cheap, at £40, is there five anywhere now?

RICHARD: At £40 then.

MS: Well I can't believe it.

RICHARD: Quite sure?

Only £40.

MS: Can't believe it.

Selling.

MC: Oh my goodness me.

(GAVEL) £5, Margie.

Plus commission of course.

VO: Oh dear - Mark's final lot failed to deliver him a profit.

Bad luck.

Well that was a bit of a bummer, wasn't it?

That was awful.

VO: Not as awful as you think, actually.

Margie Cooper began this leg with £162.46 and made a small profit of £29.60 after auction costs.

That leaves her with £192.06 to spend tomorrow.

Mark Stacey started his trip with £257.02 and went on to make a robust profit of £80.14, making him today's winner!

He now has £337.16 to take forward tomorrow.

Phew.

It's not bad, is it?

Not bad at all.

You made profits, Margie.

Made profit!

And I made a bit of profit.

You have.

And even more importantly, we have more money for our next round.

Yeah, marvelous, I'm thrilled.

Come on.

Off we go.

(ENGINE STARTS) MC: Ready?

MS: Ready.

VO: Join us tomorrow when Margie considers a career change.

And Mark makes a shocking offer.

DEALER: A tenner?!

MS: Yes.

You must be joking!

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