[ENGINE RUMBLING] NARRATOR: It's the nation's favorite antiques experts-- Yeah!

Super cool.

How about that?

NARRATOR: --behind the wheel of a classic car-- [LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: --and a goal to scour Britain for antiques.

[LAUGHS] NARRATOR: The aim-- to make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no mean feat.

There'll be worthy winners-- Yes!

NARRATOR: --and valiant losers.

Blast it!

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

Oh, no!

Something's wrong with the car.

NARRATOR: This is the "Antiques Road Trip."

Giddy up.

[MUSIC - SERGIO MENDES, "MAS QUE NADA"] Hello from Lancashire.

[LAUGHTER] We're in line for some excitement and fun on this trip with antiquers Paul Laidlaw and Anita Manning.

I've made up considerable ground.

NARRATOR: Yes, there is but a whisker between our rivals as they set forth on the final leg of their road trip.

And the heat is on.

The tartan blanket we need.

NARRATOR: Except in the open-top TL-6.

It's a wee tartan blanket-- it's a bit chilly-willy today.

I hope you've got your thermals on.

You just take your mind off my underwear.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: I say.

[UPBEAT MUSIC] Both our experts started out with 200 pounds.

But as we start the last leg, Anita's trailing.

She has just over 347 pounds in her piggy.

Paul, however, is in the lead, but only just.

He's amassed 364 pounds and 80 pence.

It's all just too close to call.

And we're awful wibbly wobbly.

What are you doing?

Paul, what are you doing?

NARRATOR: Naughty Paul.

Now, after starting in Doune, our pair have been scooting around Southern Scotland and England's northern counties with the final auction of auctions in Newcastle upon Tyne as their final destination.

But before we hit the aforementioned auction, Anita's first shop is in Radcliffe.

This historic mill town gets a mention in the "Domesday Book" of 1086.

Always nice to get a name check.

Anita's popping into Classical Times.

Oh, looks like it's a special occasion.

Hello, are you Anita?

Hi, I'm Sue Oh, it's lovely.

Nice to see you.

Welcome to Radcliffe's.

Oh, what an Aladdin's cave.

But tell me, whose party is it?

Is it your birthday?

It's the shop's birthday.

It's the first anniversary of its opening up in Radcliffe.

One year today?

One year today.

I wonder if there are any new presents here for me today.

NARRATOR: Could be.

Go and have a gander, old girl.

- I'll go that way first.

- All right, bye, darling.

Thank you.

[MUSIC PLAYING] There is nothing I like better than a little display cabinet which is full of silver and jewelry.

And this is an absolute joy.

This little purse has something added, it's something extra and something unusual.

It's the type of thing that would have been carried by a lady, perhaps if she was going to a dance at a ball.

Late 19th, early 20th century.

It's beautifully engraved.

It's silver.

It has a little initial on the cartouche.

And this would have been the lady's initials.

It's priced at 196 pounds.

This is not dear for me, this thing.

But at this moment, it's a little rich for my blood.

NARRATOR: Pretty but pricey, eh?

Any other goodies?

This is quite an unusual item.

It has an unusual shape, which kind of looks like the end of a scorpion's tail.

And there's little holes here at one end.

NARRATOR: This is a pounce pot, used to hold blotting powder in the days of pen and ink and an interesting find.

This has been tested for silver.

And underneath it, we can see a base metal.

So it's not silver.

So it's not a particularly fine item, but it's a wee bit unusual.

And I like it.

NARRATOR: That's a possible, then.

Anything else?

I love the Art Nouveau period.

It was that period between the 1880s and 1910.

This little spoon is from the Art Nouveau period.

And we see on this part here a stylized flower.

NARRATOR: This hallmarked silver teaspoon dates from 1899 and is designed by Archibald Knox for Liberty's, a department store renowned for its luxury goods.

What do you think?

I like these two items.

And I like them because they're a wee bit unusual.

NARRATOR: No price tags though.

Let's holler the dealer.

Sue.

Yes, Anita?

I've played with some of your silver pieces.

I know.

I had looked at these two things here, a wee bit unusual.

What is the very best that you can do for me considering it's not silver and considering that this is only one spoon.

Seeing as it's you and it's our first birthday-- Of course.

30 pounds.

Do you know, Sue?

Happy birthday.

I absolutely love them.

NARRATOR: Perfect.

We'll leave Anita to browse on.

Let's catch up with Paul.

He's headed to the capital of the north, Manchester, in Lebenshulme Antiques Village, to be precise.

What will jump out at our antiques boffin?

Ah, what's this?

Three bugles, one, two, three.

NARRATOR: A bugle for every occasion.

Odds are, if you turn up a copper and brass bugle at auction or here, it's an Indian reproduction.

Why did I pick these ones up?

They're battered and bruised, that's a start.

What am I looking for?

I'm looking for marks.

I want more than an instrument maker, I want an origin.

Who owned it or when?

NARRATOR: He's a right proper antique sleuth, this one.

First one I looked at, nothing, no marks.

Second one, ditto.

NARRATOR: Third time lucky?

This was made by Henry Potter and Co. And they made this in 1911, pre-First World War, all of a sudden, I'm interested.

[BUGLE PLAYING] NARRATOR: He's interested!

It's a fair assumption it's a military piece.

There's a price tag here of 25 pounds.

Frankly, that's probably more than the three are worth.

Let's see if it works.

There's no mouthpiece.

Do I want to take something that superficially is incomplete to auction?

And the answer is, not unless it was dirt cheap.

NARRATOR: Can he pull a good deal out of the bag?

Time to find dealer Mark.

Just the man, shop there, shop with three bugles, but one big price tag of 25 pounds.

I take it they're not 25 pound, the three?

No.

25 pound a piece?

Yes.

Can I buy one, but I'd offer you a tenner.

The best price, the trade price on them would be 15.

15 to-- 15 to take one away?

Yeah.

Yeah, I'll do that.

- Perfect.

- Spot on.

Thank you very much.

Very well.

I will settle my debts, then.

NARRATOR: Excellent.

That's one military bugle bought and 350 pounds are left in his wallet.

Thank you for that.

That's for you.

And I'll go grab a bugle.

- Thank you.

Next time.

NARRATOR: Let's hope it does well in the auction battle.

Anita, meantime, is still on the hunt in Radcliffe.

A pink acoustic guitar.

That's irresistible.

NARRATOR: Oh, not to me.

Oh, every girl should have a pink acoustic guitar.

NARRATOR: Maybe not this girl, though.

This is only 10 pounds.

I think I want to spend money.

NARRATOR: Wait, what?

Big money.

NARRATOR: Oh, my gosh, something's afoot.

Where's she off to?

Sue, I can't get that little purse out of my mind.

I think that it's a lovely, wee object.

Stunning.

NARRATOR: She's smitten.

196.

Yeah.

Can I make an offer?

I'd like to be paying about 100 pounds for it.

I couldn't get it out of my mind.

We can do 110.

Let's go for it.

Thank you very, very much.

NARRATOR: That is one happy lady.

First shop down, three items bought, and just over 200 pounds left in her kitty.

Happy birthday.

NARRATOR: Meantime, Paul's moseyed along to Failsworth.

The town has a long history of hat making from flat caps to stetsons.

But what will help Paul get ahead at his next shop, Old Mill Antiques?

Presided over by Nora, it's a temple to collectibles, curios, and chairs.

Well, you're heard of a nest of tables.

Behold, a nest of chairs.

What?

NARRATOR: Yikes, get out of here.

Open your mind to this.

So, a, one, two, three, four-slice wishbone or Gothic, arched toast rack.

It's a timelessly elegant design.

It was made by James Dixon and sons of Sheffield.

It is made of silver.

And that was added at Sheffield, in or around 1917.

That is a little gem, not for the cabinet, but for the breakfast table.

Real quality in every regard to enrich your Sunday mornings.

NARRATOR: There's no ticket price, though.

We need the dealer.

Nora.

Hello.

Your silver toast rack.

Yes?

I see no price tag for it.

Oh, sorry about that.

What?

I think I had it round about 40.

But I do have a discount for trade.

That's good to know.

I'll pop this back, but I strongly suspect you and I will be talking about this momentarily, Nora.

Bear with me.

OK. NARRATOR: Sounds promising.

What else can you find?

A two-stone twist set, aquamarine ring.

The stones themselves are rub or bezel-set, which means they sit within a collar of gold and the shoulders of this little cradle are rubbed over by the jeweler, enclosing and holding captive the gems.

And the hole is set on rose gold.

That's a slightly pink color of gold.

NARRATOR: This is Chester Hallmark nine carat and priced at 50 pounds.

Rose gold is bang on trend too.

Tempted?

Do I like it?

I think you know the answer to that already.

I'll pop that one back and give it some thought.

NARRATOR: Ooh, the possibles are building up, and he's not finished his rummage yet.

Look at my new friend.

I love this for a number of reasons.

Little monkey there, Japanese chap, this.

The object is a netsuke.

NARRATOR: Netsukes are traditional toggles used to secure in-row boxes, typically made from boxwood, porcelain, walrus tooth, or bamboo.

This one dates from the turn of the 19th century.

Look at the face on the wee man.

That is artistry.

That's good work.

He's got personality.

What is this little chap worth?

Well, I'll tell you what I want to know before I answer that question, is what's it priced at, I don't know.

Let's find Nora.

NARRATOR: Yes let's.

OK, Paul, gather up all your favorites and, Nora, we need you.

I've got a short list of three things that-- Aye.

--I was trying and buy some of them or all of them.

Let's see what happens.

Toast rack.

Uh, 32.

OK, is there is an absolute bottom line on the ring?

35.

OK. And the wee monkey?

It breaks my heart, but I'll do 20.

That's pretty fair, it has to be said.

NARRATOR: That's a total of 87 pounds, Paul.

What do you say?

I am just going to say thank you very, very much.

It's been an absolute pleasure.

An absolute pleasure.

You NARRATOR: He's done it.

And Kenny Paul now has a total of four things to take to the final auction in Newcastle and still has over 260 pounds left in his wallet.

Anita, meantime, is headed for a much deserved fuel stop in Manchester at the Mackie Mayor building to meet Ian Steel.

Hi, Ian.

Lovely-- - Hi, Anita.

Lovely to see you.

Lovely to see you, hi.

What a splendid building!

I know, isn't it amazing?

What was it used for?

This was Manchester's meat market, so named after the mayor at the time, who was named Mackie.

Right.

The Mackie Mayor, it's been derelict for quite a while, but just about a year ago, we opened it up again.

And now we have all these wonderful artisan producers all around the edge of the market, each producing their own kind of foods and-- Including coffee.

Including coffee, that's right, yes.

I could go a cup of coffee.

Are you ready for one now?

Yes.

NARRATOR: Your luck, girl, is in.

ANITA: Thank you.

NARRATOR: Ian's an artisan coffee roaster and knows a thing or two about the humble coffee bean, including its rather intriguing history.

Hey, what's going on here, then?

Looks like coffee, but it's beer.

Ian, what has beer got to do with the coffee story?

Ah-ha.

Well, if you go right back to the beginning of the Age of Enlightenment, around about the 17th century, we'd all been drinking beer for the last 4,000 years before that.

What was wrong with water?

Well, of course, the water was undrinkable, wasn't it?

It was much safer to drink the beer.

NARRATOR: In fact, a weak beer was drunk with every meal, even breakfast.

And whilst ale houses thrived, many lived in a drunken haze.

And then along came the coffee bean.

And sparks went off in the brain, and suddenly the Enlightenment happened, all down to the humble coffee bean.

Are you telling me that coffee is responsible for the Enlightenment?

Directly responsible.

NARRATOR: Wow, come on, coffee and the aftermath of the English Civil War, amongst other factors, but the social aspect of the drink certainly played an important role in spreading Enlightenment ideas.

Although, it took some time for the coffee bean to reach these shores.

Once it was the preserve of North Africa and the Middle East, where it was fiercely guarded and didn't reach Europe until the 17th century, when we became quickly hooked.

In 1651, the Cafe Royal opened in Oxford and, lo and behold, that became the center of the Royal Society.

So all the people, all the astronomers and all these philosophers and so on, that's where they congregated and they met together.

Coffee gave them a meeting point, something to come together to think clearly and discourse.

Within no time at all, there were hundreds of coffee houses in London and in Manchester in the great centers.

NARRATOR: Great minds like John Dalton, the founder of modern chemistry, and Peter Mark Roget, who compiled "Roget's Thesaurus," were meeting and conversing in coffee houses and their innovative ideas were fueled by the energizing bean.

The huge organizations that were born out of that revolution, and they're still here today, things like Lloyd's of London, the Stock Exchange, the auction houses, Sotheby's and Christie's, that would never have happened on several pints of beer.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Over the centuries, turning the green bean into the heady, roasted drink we love today has become quite an art.

Time for Ian to spill the beans.

It all starts with an apron.

Is this a baristas, uh-- It's-- well, actually, you've got a roaster's apron here, I think.

- A roaster?

Oh, yes.

I always knew I was a roaster.

What do we do next?

Let's weigh some out so we've got the right amount-- Yeah?

--in the roaster, yeah.

A big scoop of beans.

Oh, these are lovely.

That's about a kilo.

I love the old tin.

Look at that, spot on.

First time.

[LAUGHS] Beginner's luck.

NARRATOR: Ever the professional, Anita.

This is the roaster.

This?

This must be an antique.

Oh, it's wonderful, isn't it?

It's a 1919 Uno coffee roaster, fully restored to working glory.

And we're gonna show you now how well it roasts the beans.

- Yeah.

- OK. [INAUDIBLE] So we put all those in there.

And then you put it into gear.

And now you see that fantastic single helix spiral in the middle of the beam.

So they're getting a lovely, even roast around the flame.

The flame gives it direct heat, and then this wonderful conduction from the warm brass around the drum.

But how do you know when the beans are ready?

It comes with experience.

It comes with knowing when to stop, basically.

Look at that.

Wow.

Another beautiful batch of coffee.

Oh, it smells lovely.

And that's more like the coffee beans that we're familiar with.

That's right, these are now roasted and ready to drink.

NARRATOR: I think it's time for that cuppa.

Delicious.

Oh, cheers.

NARRATOR: She'll not sleep well now, though.

Time to reunite with Paul.

What do you fancy tonight?

Oh, I might even have a curry.

Curry it is.

A Vindaloo for you.

[LAUGHS] I have a penchant for the spice.

[LAUGHTER] And the hotter, the better.

NARRATOR: Saucy.

Nighty night.

[MUSIC PLAYING] [VOCALIZING] Good misty, moisty morning to you.

Yes, do not adjust your set.

It's the weather.

My word, Anita, it's like pea soup this morning, innit?

Dark is Lancashire.

[LAUGHS] Pea soup.

NARRATOR: The roof is staying up.

It's misty out, it's misty in, and my glasses are misting up, as well.

Steaming up?

Yeah.

A wee, exciting woman, steaming up your glasses.

NARRATOR: [WHISTLES] I'm getting all hot under the collar.

Yesterday, our wee exciting woman bought a silver lady's purse, a plaited pounce pot, and an Archibald Knox teaspoon.

I absolutely love them.

NARRATOR: She has 207 pounds and 62 P to splash today.

Paul, meanwhile, bought a military bugle-- surprise, surprise-- a monkey netsuke, a gold dress ring, and a toast rack, as you do.

That is a little gem.

NARRATOR: He has 262 pounds and 80 pence left to spend.

I mean, this is lovely.

It's cozy, we're toasty.

Yeah, well, this is the first time we've had the hood up.

Oh, you're right.

And we've been very, very lucky with the weather.

NARRATOR: True, until today.

Where would our troopers be headed next?

I'll tell you.

They're off to Burnley, together.

KarLen Antique Center is the destination, winning is the aspiration.

Who writes this stuff?

This is it, Paul, or this could be the one with the item.

You reckon that it's in here?

- Yeah.

- Is it?

- Well.

- Is it?

Uh-huh.

Well, if I was competitive, I would do this, Anita.

See you, sucker!

Stop, hey, hey, hey.

Wait for me.

No, no, no, no.

No, no, no.

I'm off.

Bye, loser.

I'm joking, of course, Anita.

I mean, I'm torn, I don't mind telling you.

The wee devil on one shoulder saying get in there.

I thought we could walk in hand in hand.

That's what we're gonna do, Anita.

Hand in hand.

Come on.

Hand in hand.

[GASPS] Oh, it's like a knife going in you.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Now, this center is massive, with around 80 dealers.

Sure enough, there's going to be lots here to rock both their worlds.

Not a pink rocker.

Hang on, is Anita going off piste?

Who knows.

It's always worth having a little poke behind the scenes.

And this is obviously a storeroom.

I'm going to have a poke about in here because I might find a little jewel.

NARRATOR: Seek and ye shall find.

Pink guitars.

NARRATOR: They're following you and breeding.

Where's Paul?

No pink guitars here.

This is a sugar basin, part of a tea service, or perhaps a small slotted bowl.

The marks are rather interesting.

We have, in a cursive script there in puce, an initial N. This was made by the firm of Newhall.

Newhall, founded in 1780 or thereabouts and ran through into the 1830s, that is a George III late-18th-century porcelain bowl, exuding charm.

NARRATOR: What a survivor?

Ticket price?

It's 10 pounds.

10 pounds?

That's mad, is it not?

10 pounds?

220, 240 this old.

That is going to auction.

NARRATOR: Go find Mick.

Mick, how are you doing?

Hello, you OK?

What have you got here?

A little sweet wee Newhall porcelain bowl.

That's a 10 pound, it is, that one.

Easy as that.

Well, I shall give you that.

And I'm gonna shake your hand.

Thank you very much.

Absolute pleasure, Mick.

See you again, I hope.

Yes, I hope so.

NARRATOR: I hope so, too.

Great job.

Now while Paul heads off with something truly antique, Anita has found something a bit more modern.

Here we have a nest of tables from the 1970s.

If you look at the panels which support the tables, we see this wonderful curvilinear design reminiscent of 20th century Scandinavian design.

The people that are looking to buy this type of thing these days are the hip kids in the cities.

If I manage to buy that, I hope there will be some cool, hip kids in the Newcastle auction.

NARRATOR: Well, it's a cool, hip place.

Let's get Nick on the case.

20th century design, 1970s.

Yes.

I remember those days.

Yeah.

I was kind of thinking in the region of 25.

Is that too much?

I can do them at 30.

You can do them at 30?

OK, 30 pounds.

I'm happy.

Thank you very much.

NARRATOR: Fabulous.

The retro nest of tables are hers, and she still has over 170 pounds for her final shop.

Meanwhile, Paul's made his way to Halifax, in the heart of Calderdale.

He's here to find out about heavy industry and a bitter neighborly dispute which resulted in one of the most imposing Victorian landmarks in Britain.

Here to tell the curious tale of the Wainhouse Tower is Council Manager Pete Oddy.

- Hiya, Pete.

- Hi, Paul.

Good to see you.

Good to see you.

What a vantage point!

Yeah, it is.

So Pete, tell me about the industries of Halifax.

Well, Halifax is famous for its weaving industry, going back to early 1500s.

Most of the weaving at that time would have been done around the tributaries of the Calder because it was all water powered.

And then, of course, in the Industrial Revolution, chimneys were introduced and we used coal.

That came with its own problems.

The smoke lingered.

You wouldn't be able to see the bottom of the valley at that time.

Oh, my word!

Its smoke-- all the growth, there was no trees in Halifax hardly at all.

And they just polluted everything.

I mean, we think of environmental issues as being a relatively modern issue.

But here we are in the Victorian age, and what you describe is horrific.

That's right, yeah.

NARRATOR: The problem wasn't just confined to Halifax.

Unregulated coal burning was darkening the skies of all the major industrial centers in Britain, blanketing them in smog, dirtying the landscape with soot, and contaminating the atmosphere with noxious gases.

The national scourge led to the government smoke abatement act of 1870, which stipulated industrial chimneys must be at least 150 feet higher than the nearest house.

But here in Halifax, someone took that new law and ran with it.

I couldn't help but notice on the way here, that!

Is that a chimney or something else?

That is Wainhouse Tower.

It's the tallest folly in the world.

NARRATOR: Folly is a decorative building with no practical purpose.

It was built as a chimney, but it was never used.

There's got to be a good story behind that.

There has, yes.

Can we get closer and you can tell me that?

Yeah, of course, we can, yeah.

Let's go.

NARRATOR: This mammoth tower stands at a whopping 253 feet and is unusually ornate.

Look at that.

So, Pete, who built that?

John Wainhouse built that in 1871.

And it took three and a half years to complete.

And he decided to build this tower to serve as day works.

Unfortunately, herein among he had a feud with one of his neighbors, which had gone on for quite a few years, Henry Edwards, who had his joining estate.

NARRATOR: John Wainhouse was a local Halifax man, a wealthy industrialist, and eccentric.

His neighbor, Sir Henry, was a nobleman with whom he had had a long running feud.

Sir Henry loathed the nuisance of industry, and Wainhouse enjoyed provoking him.

After Sir Henry boasted that no one could peer into the private grounds of his stately mansion, Wainhouse hatched a plan.

With the Clean Air Act in force, Wainhouse built a new chimney to surpass all others.

It wouldn't just remove the smoke from his dye works, it would lord it over his arch rival's private property and had viewing platforms accordingly.

Its nickname is the Tower of Spite because some people think that actually John Wainhouse built it so as he could see directly into his estate.

He could probably see directly into his living room.

NARRATOR: To add insult to injury, Wainhouse sold his dye works before the chimney was completed, leaving it nothing more than an extravagant folly and aggravation to Sir Henry.

Their bitter feud continued until Wainhouse's death, aged 60.

Is it still possible to go up there, then?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Yeah, it's still possible to go up.

We've got a spiral staircase.

And a lift obviously.

No, no, you're the lift.

I was worried you were gonna say that.

Come on, let's give it a go, shall we?

NARRATOR: Wainhouse's pet project cost him 15,000 pounds in the 1870s, equivalent to about 1.5 million pounds in today's money.

Right, then, go on, let's do this.

Go on.

NARRATOR: But you need sturdy legs and a good head for height if you want to scale its 403 steps.

Oh, feel that.

How far up are we?

About a third.

Oh, I'm feeling the burn now.

NARRATOR: Better you than me, Paul.

Worst light to show you these.

Yeah, these little niches.

Yeah, these here.

Some people think they're for candles, but if you look, they're parallel, they're actually holds for the scaffolding.

Oh, my word, yes.

So they built it up as they go up.

NARRATOR: It was an impressive feat of engineering, to build the internal brick blue and exterior tower made from 9,000 tons of local Yorkshire sandstone.

Oh, that's easy NARRATOR: Brace yourself.

Feel that?

Yeah, it's windy.

It's a typical day in Halifax.

[LAUGHS] This is stunning.

They say it's God's own land.

It feels like it from here.

NARRATOR: And of course, the view of Sir Henry's large estate was perhaps the real aim of Wainhouse's game.

Pete, I've seen nothing like this.

What an experience.

In spite of the 400 stairs and the heights and the breeze, I survived it.

But what a pleasure, thank you.

It's been nice speaking to you, Paul.

Just watch yourself on the way down.

Don't let go, you're coming with me.

Come on.

NARRATOR: Well, that was a tall story, that was.

Meanwhile, Anita has crossed over to the Yorkshire Dales and the vibrant town of Keighley, which boasts a variety of independent family retailers, like this one, Heathcote Antiques.

The lady in the bonnet still has over 177 pounds in her pocket.

Wow, it won't be hard to spend in here.

What we've got here is quality everywhere.

This is gonna be a pleasure.

NARRATOR: I'm green with envy.

Oh, ho, this looks interesting.

I'm looking for something with wow factor.

And you know I like my bonnets.

And what have we got here, a fabulous diver's helmet.

Just over 100 years ago, men would go deep under the sea wearing a helmet like that.

This diver's helmet ticks all the boxes for me.

But I've got to find out the price and I've got to find out if I can afford it.

I've fallen in love with this.

NARRATOR: Time for dealer Michael to play matchmaker.

Michael?

I fancy that.

A diver's helmet?

A diver's helmet.

It's been in the deep.

We hope.

It might even have seen Jaws.

[LAUGHTER] Maybe.

NARRATOR: Oh, help.

I'd love to have a go at it.

What sort of price?

140 to you.

140?

I think I can afford that.

NARRATOR: I know you can.

Pay the man, Anita.

It's cheap.

100, 120, 140.

Oh, thank you so much.

That is going to stir a wee bit of interest in the sale room.

Different.

NARRATOR: What a purchase, eh?

And that's Anita's shopping done and dusted.

It's OK, Michael, I think I can manage.

NARRATOR: Saints, preserve us.

[LAUGHS] Oh, dear, she's not gonna drive with that on.

NARRATOR: You know she's a one-off, this woman.

Thank goodness for that.

Put it in the boot, love.

That's more my style.

NARRATOR: Normal service is resumed.

Now, guess what?

It's time to get ready for auction.

Let's catch up with Paul in the TR6.

It's all up to the auctioneer now.

Newcastle will be interesting.

I always think that Newcastle men are kind of fascinating.

Changed NARRATOR: The things you've done on a road trip, eh, what's said in the car stays in the car.

Time for some shuteye, me thinks.

Good morning.

Sleep well?

Great.

Our [NON-ENGLISH] have shopped around Lancashire and West Yorkshire and have headed to Newcastle upon Tyne for the zenith of their epic journey.

Formerly known as Pons Aelius and Monkchester, this historic city has been home to Thomas N. Miller Auctioneers for over a century.

You know, Paul, it might come down to the very last lot.

We've been here before.

We have indeed.

NARRATOR: Four years ago, and Anita won by a smidgen.

Hoping to win the day for her this time are a silver lady's purse, a plated pounce pot, the diver's helmet, an Archibald Knox teaspoon, and the mid-century nest of tables.

Feeling the pressure, Paul?

This has been some race.

And what could swing it?

A decent profit or an unhealthy loss.

It'll be as close as that.

Well, the word you're looking for is tenterhooks.

Wish me luck.

NARRATOR: Good luck.

Paul himself bought a military bugle, a toast rack, the monkey netsuke, and the Newhall bowl, and the gold dress ring.

This is his dearest, his most expensive item, at 35 pounds.

He's been very careful.

He's been very canny.

Whereas, I have bought two high value items, over 100 pounds.

I wonder who will have made the best choice.

NARRATOR: Time will tell, Anita.

Let's hear from another learned sage, auctioneer Guy Macklin.

Oh, lordy.

A good lot in today's sale here is this diver's helmet.

It is, sadly, a reproduction though rather than an original period diving helmet.

Had it been such, it would have been at least 2,000 or 3,000, I would think.

Still having said that, it's gonna be probably a few pounds, all being well.

NARRATOR: Now, what do you make of Paul's netsuke?

Dating probably from the early 20th century, I would imagine.

But with some carved detail to it, I can see this making probably in excess of 50 pounds.

NARRATOR: Thanks, Guy.

Now, boy, are we in for an exciting sale, with online bids also weighing in today.

Come on, find a seat.

I'm really nervous.

Rather afraid, actually.

NARRATOR: First up, it's Paul's rootin', tootin' military bugle.

What, dare I say, for 50 pounds to start me?

For 15, bid, 15 offered, and 20, and 5, 30.

ANITA: You've made a profit.

30 pounds we're up to.

You doubled your money, darling.

45, back for more in the room.

Wow, we're still going.

Selling to you-- Yep, all the ready, trying to get 50.

At 45 pounds, it is your last call.

You're out, internet.

45 in the room.

[GAVEL POUNDS] [IMITATES BUGLE] Brilliant.

NARRATOR: And well may he blow his own trumpet.

Great start.

We're not blowing retreat yet, are we?

No, no, no.

NARRATOR: Indeed not, pressing on.

It's Anita's mid-century nest of tables now.

Very nice.

Bid me 50 pounds, please, for the teak tables.

ANITA: They're worth 50.

10 bid, 12 bid, 14, have this for nothing.

16 now, 16 bid.

18 bid.

Come on.

More.

AUCTIONEER: Is there any amount at 20?

All sure, last call in against the net.

NARRATOR: Didn't stack up the profits, but there's plenty of time to catch Paul up.

20 pound.

20 quid more than I thought they were worth.

Cheeky!

Looking for a thick slice of profits now, it's Paul's silver toast rack.

Who would buy for 20, 5, 35, 35 on the internet.

That's 35 pounds offered, all done.

Do we have 40 to another bidder surely?

That's 35 pounds.

What a good buy.

Any advance at 35?

All sure?

That's 35 pounds.

It's your last call, and it's away.

It's 35, it's going.

NARRATOR: That 3 pounds will be gobbled up in commission, but Paul's still in the lead, just.

So far so good.

Is it though?

See, we're like this.

- I know.

- The race is-- I know.

NARRATOR: Could be a photo finish, Paul.

Anita dug deep in her purse for the next lot.

Cost her 110.

Wow.

I bid 30, 5, 40, 5, 45 pound.

Admire the chain.

Come along, please, I've got 50 bid on the internet.

50?

I've got 50 in the room.

NARRATOR: Oh, dear.

An advance at 50.

Selling at 50 pounds, your last call.

That is a big loss.

NARRATOR: Certainly is.

My goodness, I'm starting to worry now.

NARRATOR: Hang in there, Anita.

Paul's nice aquamarine and 9-carat-gold dress ring is up next.

Standby.

Very nice.

What dare I say for 50 pounds anywhere?

30 bid, 35, 40 offered.

[GASPS] 45 offered.

That's 45 pounds on the internet.

50 pounds to the room, sir.

Any amounts of 50?

Any amounts of 50?

I've got 50 in the room.

It's your last call.

NARRATOR: Another 15 pound profit in Paul's partner it's cheap I didn't think that was going to give you any reasonable profit.

Because although was a nice wee thing, it was an insubstantial ring.

OK. Well, you were wrong.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: She sure was.

Now, will Anita's scorpion-like plaited pounce pot have a sting in its tail?

Hard to find, where will you see the next one?

30, 5, 40, 5.

I bid 50 pounds online.

Is there any advance at 50?

55, battling hard online.

55, give me 60, internet.

At 55 pounds, last call, selling at 55.

It's going.

[GAVEL POUNDS] Done.

NARRATOR: And she's back in the game-- kind of.

This is a toss up.

If we were jockeys, we could probably use the whip on one another.

NARRATOR: Well, it's a bit of a one-horse race at the moment in Paul's favor.

His monkey netsuke is up next.

I bid 18 pounds on the internet.

Battling at 20 bid.

Are you bidding, sir?

25, 30 bid.

And again sir, 35.

40 bid, 45, 50 pounds, 55.

55 at the doorway.

Are you bidding, internet?

55 pounds right at the back of the room.

He's in the room.

Are you bidding, sir?

The competition 65, don't give up.

70 pounds.

ANITA: It's still going.

75.

ANITA: It's still going.

75 at the doorway.

Any advance?

Selling at 75, sir, your money.

NARRATOR: Yep, he's another 55 pounds further ahead.

Are you happy there?

They wanted my monkey.

Yes.

Oh!

NARRATOR: Next up, it's Anita's diver's helmet.

I'm dying to try that on.

I bid 120 on the net.

Good start.

130, 140, 150.

160 offered.

You're all right.

You're all right.

AUCTIONEER: At 160 pound.

Where will you find the next one?

At 160 offered, all done.

Come on.

AUCTIONEER: That's a good buy, that.

E-bidding, 170 bid.

180 bid against you, internet.

At 180 pounds.

Don't give up, online.

I'm waiting online.

Come on.

At 180 pounds, last call at 180.

[GAVEL POUNDS] NARRATOR: That's the way to go, Anita.

I'm very happy at that.

Well, I'm less happy, I'll be honest with you.

But it's strong results.

NARRATOR: Now, it's Paul's final lot, his very, very, very, very old Newhall Bowl.

Museum piece, bid me 50 pounds for it.

I'm bid 20, 5, 30.

30 pounds, it's for absolutely nothing.

I've got 30 pounds.

It's lasted 200 years, I'm selling it for 30.

And last call.

[GAVEL POUNDS] NARRATOR: Five lots, five profits, high five, Paul!

Honest profit, there.

NARRATOR: Now, Anita needs to make, let me see, let me get a pencil, around 200 pounds to clinch victory.

So it all comes down to her final lot, this little Archibald Knox teaspoon.

Last lot and the last sale.

NARRATOR: And your last chance, love.

And what dare I say for 100 pounds to start me?

I'm bid 60 straight in.

65, 70, 5, 80, 5.

Are you bidding?

90, 5, 100 twice, and 10.

120, 130, 140, 150.

We've jumped to 180, 190, 200 twice.

NARRATOR: Wow.

At 200 pounds offered, 220 offered against you.

At 220 pounds offered, all done.

Any advance of 220?

Are you thinking, internet?

You'll need to be quick.

I've got about 240 offered.

Yes!

Against you, internet, at 240 pounds offered, all done.

Bid's yours already, don't worry.

240 offered.

At 240 pounds, the offer.

All sure, then?

Selling at 240, last call.

[GAVEL POUNDS] Give us a wee kiss.

[LAUGHS] You did it.

What a way to go.

That was a great last lot.

NARRATOR: Wowee!

That tiny teaspoon, a whopping great profit.

That's all over.

And what a blast.

I am bamboozled.

I think we're gonna leave it to Mr. One and Cut to do the math, shall we?

Yeah.

Let's go and have something stronger than a cup of tea.

We deserve it.

Boy, do we.

NARRATOR: Yes.

It all comes down to the final pounds, shillings, and pence.

They came into this auction with Paul just 17 pounds ahead.

After sell room fees, Paul made a respectable profit of 80 pounds and 70 pence.

He ends this road trip with 445 pounds and 50 pence.

Fantastic!

But a teaspoon tipped the balance for Anita.

Today she made nearly 137 pounds after costs, giving her final overall total of 484 pounds and 52 pence.

Pipping Paul to the post by just 39 pounds, sensational.

And all the profits, of course, go to children in need.

That was tight.

No chance at best of 5, is there?

I'm looking forward to it.

NARRATOR: Me too.

Has this been one heck of a road trip and a half.

[MUSIC - KOOL Whoa!

Ha!

I'm skipping off to buy these.

(SINGING) This is your celebration.

I'll catch up in Laidlaw somehow.

Game on, Anita Manning.

[LAUGHS] This is fantastic.

Lovely!

Get out of my way!

[LAUGHS] [GAVEL POUNDS] V for victory, folks.

[GAVEL POUNDS] The winner!

NARRATOR: Miss you already.

[MUSIC PLAYING]