Catherine Southon and Raj Bisram, Day 1

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: It's the nation's favorite antiques experts-- What a job.

NARRATOR: --with 200 pounds each-- You with me?

NARRATOR: --a classic car-- Buckle up.

NARRATOR: --and a goal to scour Britain for antiques.

Oh, sorry.

Ha, ha.

NARRATOR: The aim?

To make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no mean feat.

There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

So will it be the high road to glory or the slow road to disaster?

Have a good trip.

NARRATOR: This is the "Antiques Road Trip."

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Yeah.

Today we begin a brand new adventure in the east of England with two road trip favorites, the charming Raj Bisram, very pink, and the delightful Catherine Southon.

Just delightful.

RAJ BISRAM: Well, Catherine, are you looking forward to this trip?

I'm looking forward to being with you.

Oh, you're very kind.

This is new, and this is all very cozy in here.

NARRATOR: Yeah, it looks a tad tight.

Raj, who runs a sale room in Kent, bought his first antique aged just 10.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: So what do you like to buy then, Raj?

What are your favorite things to find?

Antiques.

NARRATOR: (SARCASTICALLY) No.

That's a relief.

Raj's rival on this journey, Catherine, has worked in the world of antiques for over two decades, including with me.

RAJ BISRAM: And you?

I love everything.

I love being with you, Raj, I love antiques.

That's funny because it's been five minutes.

No, I-- am I going to not enjoy this?

Give it 50 minutes, and you'll be changing your tune.

No I love this, this is great.

NARRATOR: I wonder how long this cutesy camaraderie will last before their competitive sides kick in.

Starting this trip with 200 pounds each, our experts will be zipping around in this 1967 MGB GT, which even has its own nickname.

RAJ BISRAM: I'll give you a clue.

So what do we call weather that's gray and misty and a little bit of rain?

Miserable.

No, it's not called miserable.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Nice try.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: It should be.

Because that's what I got.

It's called foggy.

Oh, foggy, oh, yeah I can see that, foggy and gray.

That's a shame really, I think we should change the name, Raj, because I don't-- - Really?

I don't like Foggy.

OK then, what should we call it?

Let's have our own name.

Sunshine.

NARRATOR: Sunshine, really?

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Our road trip kicks off in Cambridge and carries on around East Anglia, then heads both North and West towards the Peak District, before taking us through the West Midlands to finish up over 600 miles later in Bristol.

Today's leg kicks off in Cambridge and will end at auction in Beccles, Suffolk.

Wow.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: This is the first time we've met, I have no idea about your little tactics.

How do you work?

OK, I'm ruthless.

Are you?

No, I'm not.

No, not at all, no, no, I'm joking.

I've decided this time I'm going to try, if it's possible, to buy things I like.

I like your style Raj, that sounds good.

RAJ BISRAM: Sometimes you have to take a risk, don't you?

Yeah, you do.

You can play safe all your life.

Should we take risks then, Raj?

Let's take risks.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: All right, then.

NARRATOR: Oh.

Our risky experts have arrived in the university city of Cambridge, where they're pulling up at not one, but two antique emporiums.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: I can't get out of this.

I'll come and let you out.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: How do we get out?

RAJ BISRAM: Hang on a second.

Oh, you're such a gent, Raj.

NARRATOR: Isn't he just?

There we go.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: Oh you're lovely.

You know now you've started this, you've got to do it all the time, do you know that?

OK, I will.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: Now, two shops.

Where should we go?

RAJ BISRAM: Which one would you like?

Should I go there and you go there.

- OK. - Good luck.

Good luck to you as well.

We may swap.

Oh, he's got a cheeky laugh.

Hello there.

Hi there.

How are you doing?

Nice to meet you, I'm Bill.

NARRATOR: The Hive has a wide range of antiques and curios on offer.

This is what we need in here, it's absolutely baking.

[MUSIC PLAYING] CATHERINE SOUTHON: I like this.

One of the things which is great about it is the color.

Really good striking colors, which makes me think that once upon a time this must have been kept away from the light, because it's not faded or anything, is it?

And the staining is quite minimal.

I think it's quite good.

NARRATOR: So do I.

This silk needlework is well worth a closer inspection.

Really interesting.

We've got these sort of, I mean, almost human-like-- Very human.

monkeys.

One on the ground, one climbing up the tree.

The colors are wonderful.

It could be late 18th century, but it's been quite well done.

It's an interesting subject.

Very interesting.

OK you've got 195 on it, which is pretty much all my budget.

NARRATOR: I'll say.

She's certainly game for taking a risk.

But what's the best, then?

No monkey business.

Could you do like 150 or something?

I can find out for you, but I doubt it.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: While Bill makes that call, next door it seems our other expert is being a little less impulsive.

I'm looking for something really old and antique, and there's a lot of collectibles here, but antique wise nothing that really, really grabs me yet, but it's early days, yeah?

NARRATOR: In your own time then, Raj.

I love cards, I love playing cards, I love doing tricks.

Here's an interesting little packet, Wills Woodbine Cigarettes.

A lot of the cigarette companies used to provide the pubs with packs of cards.

NARRATOR: He's such a Joker.

Next door, Catherine's laid her cards on the table and the dealer has agreed to 150 pounds for the needle work.

It's still a hefty chunk of her budget, mark.

If I buy it, it will be the biggest risk I've ever taken at the beginning of a road trip.

You're either going to make money-- CATHERINE SOUTHON: Or?

Come on, give me the or.

It could sell for 30 quid.

Oh no, no, it's going to make a lot more than that.

It should do.

Do you know what, Raj, when we were talking in the car earlier, he said to me he sort of takes risks.

I don't think you'd be taking that big of a risk on this.

I'm going to go and ask him, I'm going to run next door and check that he is taking risks.

He's probably buying something for a fiver.

Right.

Do you mind, Bill?

Be back in a second.

I'm not going anywhere.

NARRATOR: Mind the step.

Well done.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: Raj.

Hello, Catherine.

I come with a question.

OK. Are you going to be taking risks?

Big risks.

I think every time you buy something you take a certain amount of risk.

But if you like it, go with your gut feeling.

I will do, for certain.

Fantastic.

That's what I want to hear, Raj.

Right, OK. - Good luck, then.

Spend it all.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: OK.

I hope you do.

NARRATOR: Careful, Catherine.

Raj could be playing a very clever game here.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: Is there any tiny amount you could take off, another 10 pounds?

Well, look, I'll take it off my own back, it's not mine as I say, but I'm going to say yes.

Are you?

Yes.

It's just a great thing, and I think sometimes you-- I think you will do well with it.

It's a good thing-- At 140, I think you will.

Can I shake your hand?

You can.

Thank you so much, I'm in love with it.

NARRATOR: You'd better be, that's a very, very pricey price for a first purchase.

[KISSING] I love it!

Thank you.

NARRATOR: Steady on.

Now Raj, dealer Stephen has something he thinks you'll like.

I've brought these lovely silver plated candelabra over with me today.

RAJ BISRAM: They're quite decorative, they're decorative, I'll give you that.

Decorative, useful, early 20th century.

Are they a good make at Elkington or something?

No, they're Viners.

NARRATOR: Viners have an illustrious history as a family of silversmiths, but by the time they made these they were into mass production.

RAJ BISRAM: Alpha plates, Viners of Sheffield, England.

So they are pre-1915, which makes them an antique.

Well done, yeah.

RAJ BISRAM: And what are you looking for, for those?

120 for the pair.

RAJ BISRAM: I'd like to be paying sort of around half that, you know, I think 50, 60 pounds.

50 pounds is good for me.

RAJ BISRAM: 50 pounds?

50 pounds it is.

Thank you very much Stephen, thank you.

My first buy on this trip.

NARRATOR: As Raj pays for his purchase, look who's snuck in.

Naughty.

Powder horn, I quite like that.

NARRATOR: Interesting, used to carry gunpowder, which primed muzzle loaded guns in the old days.

This one clearly came from a cow.

Moo!

No, boom.

And then a steamer.

That's lovely as a nice planter.

Once upon a time, it would have been used more as a steamer, perhaps for fish in a big country kitchen.

38 pounds.

Yeah, interested in these, but not at those prices, let me see what I can get.

NARRATOR: Yoo-hoo, Stephen.

You got a powder horn that hasn't got a price on, and this has got very expensive on it.

What can that be, the old planter?

I just say-- I tell you what, could I make you an offer on both of them?

Well you can, but I have thrown people out before.

Oh don't throw me out.

The powder horn, final price 15 pounds.

The fish kettle, you can have that for 5 pounds.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: Really?

So that's 20 pounds, it's because I work in round numbers.

It's got to be a no-brainer.

Thank you, Catherine.

Thank you very much indeed.

That's the quickest deal I've ever done in Cambridge.

NARRATOR: Anywhere.

You're not hanging about, girl.

That speedy sale sees Catherine blow a whopping 160 pounds in her first morning.

Right Raj, what have you found, mate?

This is a picture, it's a print actually, of one of Scotland's most famous artists, Sir William Russell Flint.

And he had a fantastic life, he went all around the world painting beautiful women, what a job.

But what's really interesting is that there's a print here of Sir William Russell Flint, but it's done by his son.

And it's actually of him painting.

And his son was called Francis Flint, and I don't think I've ever seen a picture by the son before.

NARRATOR: Stephen?

Your services are required again.

It's got 39 on it, I can do that for 25.

What about 20?

Is that unreasonable?

- No, that's fine.

- You happy with that?

- Come on, Raj.

- We've got a deal.

- Put it there.

Great, thank you, thank you very much.

You're very welcome.

NARRATOR: Raj has bought the candlesticks and the Flint print for a total of 70 pounds.

Good-o, and it fits in the MG.

Perfect.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Voilá!

Back with Catherine, and she's made her way to Prickwillow in Cambridgeshire.

Catherine's come to hear about the centuries old battle to control nature and drain 400,000 hectares of land known as the Fens, much of which is below sea level.

She's visiting the Prickwillow Drainage Engine Museum to meet founder-member Mike Penberth to learn more.

As I understand it, the Fens is known as a very fertile landscape.

I understand it hasn't always been that way, so what was life really like for the people before the drainage?

Very wet and pretty tough.

It was quite an unhealthy environment, there was forms of malaria.

It would have been cold and pretty miserable.

So something had to be done, so when did that happen?

Well, there'd been various attempts to drain the Fens, but not very successful.

Around 1600, King Charles got Cornelius Vermuyden to come from Holland.

He'd had some success in draining the polders in Holland.

NARRATOR: One of the most talented Dutch waterway and drainage engineers, Cornelius Vermuyden successfully turned the waterlogged marsh of Fenland into profitable farmland.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: What did Cornelius Vermuyden do?

He straightened the main river, the main river that runs through the Fens is the Great Ouse.

It carried the water from Bedfordshire Hills straight through the Fen and out to sea, bypassing all the meandering that had gone on in the past when the rivers moved about with the seasons.

How long did that take?

Probably the best part of a hundred years.

Wow.

It came either side of the Civil War, there were prisoners of war to be employed.

So the Dutch, Scottish, French, all played a part, all done by hand.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: Back then though, in the 1600s, that was no easy task.

What happened after that?

What was the next stage?

Well, the next stage was rather strange, the drainage had taken the water out of the peat and left the rivers higher than the land.

The rivers had a hard bed, they had a silt and gravel bed, so they stayed where they were and the land shrank either side of them.

So hold on, so if the rivers were above land, then why aren't we underwater now?

That doesn't make sense.

We're now pumped, the Fen is pumped.

That started in Vermuyden's time, pumping into the main rivers with wind pumps.

Oh, I see.

And then, in the early 1800s we had steam engines, they were employed.

I can see these amazing engines, presumably they power the pump?

Yes, that's right, this is a 250 horsepower Mirrlees, Bickerton lifted 140 tons per minute.

Oh my goodness.

From the drain into the river.

NARRATOR: Always keen to get stuck in, Catherine's convinced engine operator John to give her a go on this blast injection engine which was built in 1924.

Standby!

Oh, wow.

NARRATOR: Blast Off!

[ENGINE RATTLING] CATHERINE SOUTHON: So, is this the noise it would have made-- Yes.

When pumping?

Blimey.

It sounds amazing, doesn't it?

It is fantastic, really good.

Great bit of machinery.

Thank you, thank you so much.

NARRATOR: Thanks to Cornelius Vermuyden and machines like this, there are more than 4,000 farms in the Fens which are still pumped to this day, proving that while we may never be able to fully control nature, it can be harnessed and improve the lives of many.

Raj, meanwhile, has measured 15 miles east to Newmarket in Suffolk.

This market town is considered by many as the home of British horse racing.

But Raj isn't here for a flutter on the old GGs.

No, no.

He's here to shop at Treasures Antiques.

Go on, Raj.

You know you want to.

Hello.

Oh hi there, hi Raj, how you doing?

Hi.

Hi.

Patrick.

Nice to meet you.

Patrick, lovely to meet you.

Good to meet you too.

Well this looks like a busy shop, you've got lots of things here, haven't you?

Yeah, it's a bit of an eclectic mix in here Raj, a bit of everything really, we like to think.

I'll go and have a wander round.

Yeah, please have a wander, there's another floor upstairs as well.

NARRATOR: Originally the town fire station, this shop has been selling antiques for nearly 30 years.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Lots of horsey things, stacks of horsey things, loads of riding boots.

But there's got to be something here.

RAJ BISRAM: This is quite a nice scalloped edge Chinese blue and white plate.

I mean, it's got lots going on in here.

Chinese is where it's at the moment, if you can find the right Chinese thing, you could do really well.

I mean, this is a pretty run of the mill thing, but it's in great condition.

As you can see here we've got this lovely work on the back here.

I think it's rather decorative.

NARRATOR: Something to consider, then.

Now, what else do you have, Patrick?

There's some quite interesting sort of old exhibition pieces here.

If you wanted something just a bit of fun, Festival of Britain, what do you think's in here?

A medal.

You'd think so, wouldn't you?

Yeah, it looks like a medal box.

I wouldn't bet money on it because-- RAJ BISRAM: I'm not going to now.

A little bar of soap.

RAJ BISRAM: That's a bit different, yeah.

Don't tell me you've got a lot of money on this.

No, no I don't think-- RAJ BISRAM: That's going to be what, a fiver?

I would think if you came up to 6 pounds, we might be able to have a deal on that.

RAJ BISRAM: I've not seen soap for years.

[LAUGHTER] What else we've got here, this is-- like you said, you said about a coin or a medal, this is actually a coin from the Festival of Britain celebrated in 1951.

And maybe the two together?

What about 10 pounds for the two?

If you made it 12 pounds, we've got a deal.

I'm not going to quibble over that.

12 pounds?

Patrick, we've got a deal.

Thank you, thank you.

NARRATOR: What about that plate, ticketed at 39 pounds?

I think it's in fairly good condition, no chips or cracks.

What sort of offer would you like to make on it?

I'd be happy to give you sort of 15 to 20 pounds for that.

I think if we did 20 pounds, we could have a deal on it.

20 pounds, huh?

That's what I was thinking, that's what you mentioned.

Yeah.

I'm not going to argue, 20 pounds, we have a deal.

We have a deal.

Thank you very much indeed.

NARRATOR: 32 pounds bags Raj the two Festival of Britain pieces and the old plate.

Reunited, Raj has a confession for Catherine.

Uh-oh.

RAJ BISRAM: I prefer to be driven, to be honest.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: You do?

Would you like to swap, would you like me to jump in?

RAJ BISRAM: At some stage, definitely, Catherine.

NARRATOR: A man can dream, and it's time just to do that, so nighty night.

It's the next day, and Raj's wish has been granted.

I feel I'm like a granny, driving this.

[MIMICS OLD WOMAN] Driving my little MG in first gear.

RAJ BISRAM: This is beautiful round here though, isn't it?

It is lovely.

I take you to all the best places, don't I, Raj?

You do.

Look at that.

Beautiful.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: So far, Catherine has secured three lots.

The 18th century silk needlework, the vintage tin steamer and the late 19th century powder horn, leaving her 40 pounds to spend today.

[KISSES] NARRATOR: Raj, meanwhile, has bagged four lots.

The early 20th century candelabra, the Francis Flint print, the two Festival of Britain items and the old plate.

Which means he still has 98 pounds in one or other of his pink pockets.

Voilá.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: Did you shop til you dropped yesterday?

I did a bit of shopping.

Yes.

I want to see you take a risk though, Raj.

Believe you me, I will take-- I take risks Catherine, you don't have to worry about that.

- That's alright.

- OK?

Believe you me, by the time this week's out you will have seen me take lots of risks.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: Oh good.

NARRATOR: Promises, promises, Raj.

[MUSIC - MICHAEL GIACCHINO, "MARRIED LIFE"] NARRATOR: This morning our intrepid experts have journeyed to Thetford, in Norfolk, where Catherine and Raj are parting ways.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: Have a good day, Raj.

RAJ BISRAM: You too.

- See you later.

Yeah bye, drive carefully.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: I will try.

RAJ BISRAM: OK. Bye, see you later.

NARRATOR: Raj has evaporated.

Well, well.

Catherine's back on the road and heading to Risby, in Suffolk, and already missing her rival.

Gosh they've got close quickly.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: He's a lovely person to have around, but I really miss him at the moment because he's fantastic at helping me to change gear.

[GRINDING SOUND] [LAUGHS] You see what I mean?

I have problems with changing gear in this, the gear stick is too small for me, and he's very good at reversing.

Raj, I love you.

[KISSES] NARRATOR: Catherine's first shop of the day is Risby Barn Antique Center, home to over 30 dealers.

Oh look, red trousers today.

Hello there.

Oh, that's what I like to see, a man polishing the silver.

Well, somebody's got to do it.

You must be Richard.

I am indeed.

Hi, Catherine, nice to meet you.

NARRATOR: This 16th century barn has stock piled to its beams, but Catherine has only got 40 pounds left, what can she find?

Something alcoholic, perhaps?

CATHERINE SOUTHON: Do people drink sherry anymore?

I hate sherry.

[MUSIC PLAYING] This looks like quirky corner.

This looks like a good place to find a bargain.

Croquet sets.

I always do well with croquet sets.

This has been in the bottom of someone's shed for a very long time.

So we have four mallets.

I don't know if all of these are the right balls, we've got a mixture of balls in here.

Richard?

How are you at playing croquet?

Better than you may assume, actually.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: Oh, really?

I have a set at home, so.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: Oh, have you?

Right.

My wife is a demon at it.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: We've got a mixture of balls here.

How many wooden balls should we have, four?

Four.

Four balls, four mallets and then the-- Hoops and stake.

Yeah.

And we've got the hoops and the stake.

So we've just got a bit of a mish-mash.

So, this mish-mash says 66?

66, Yeah.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: 66.

What could this be-- what's the bottom line on this?

Well, speaking with Brian the other day, the dealer.

He's had it a little while.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: Has he, has he had it a while?

Could it be 25 quid?

I think you might be pushing it a bit at 25.

If you can squeeze 30, we'll do a deal at 30.

I'd love 25 just because of the mish-mash of balls.

Special offer today, then.

Go on.

Special offer?

Put it there.

Thank you.

I'd like to say I'd challenge you to a game, but it sounds like you're the pro.

Oh, well.

NARRATOR: Ah, but you're the pro negotiator.

That kind discount means Catherine leaves with a croquet set in the boot and 15 pounds in her pocket.

Raj, meanwhile, is still in Thetford.

This market town has been home to many influential historic characters, including one of the most radical thinkers and writers of the 1700s, Thomas Paine.

Raj is meeting learning officer Melissa Hawker to find out more.

It all started here in Thetford, and possibly even on the streets we're standing on.

He saw a huge amount of public punishments that were happening in the town, ducking stools, whipping posts, even people on the gallows or in gibbets.

And it inspired him to think about was this right?

Was this what should be happening?

What were the essential civil rights of every human?

RAJ BISRAM: I mean he was known as a writer and a thinker.

When did he write his first works?

So his first pamphlet was written when he was working as an excise officer.

He had been unfairly sacked from an earlier job doing the same thing and when he received another position, he was asked by his fellow excise men to write about the injustices that they were experiencing, and that was his first pamphlet and put him sort of center stage in that act of rebellion.

Where did he go from there?

He did lots of different jobs, and they say that he kind of failed at almost everything he attempted up until the age of 34 when he had a chance meeting with Benjamin Franklin, famous chap, future founding father of America, who advised Paine to go to America and seek his fortune there and gave him a letter of introduction.

So he set sail at 34 to America, where he started to write the pamphlets that are most famous today.

NARRATOR: In 1776 Paine published "Common Sense," which advocated American independence from Britain.

It became a sensation and was credited with rousing the colonists into action.

[MUSIC - "YANKEE DOODLE"] NARRATOR: When war broke out, Paine then wrote a series of pamphlets called "The American Crisis," with the aim of boosting public morale.

His words were used to inspire the troops.

It's a great account of them kind of huddling in fear, waiting to take on this big battle with the British army and Paine reading his words to inspire them and put the steel in them to go forth and fight and achieve the freedom of America.

So in America he was a bit of a hero, but back home?

Ah, not so much.

No, he was considered to be something of a traitor, and a lot of his works which spoke against the idea of a monarchy-- he said that the idea of a hereditary monarchy was as ridiculous as the idea of a hereditary mathematician.

So they actually put up the price on his head and tried him for seditious libel.

NARRATOR: With the American Revolution over, and unable to return to England, Paine was lured to France with its simmering revolution.

So he traveled there where he was given a hero's welcome and taken into the French National Convention, so part of their government.

And this to me is brilliant, shows that he's the typical Englishman abroad, he refused to learn French.

He did really well for quite a long time, people thought he was amazing, but as I've said, he's unafraid of upsetting anybody when he saw something that he thought was wrong, and he didn't think it was right to execute the monarch.

And for this he was put into prison in the Luxembourg jail.

NARRATOR: After 11 months of imprisonment Paine was released and went on to produce the last of his great pamphlets, "The Age of Reason," arguing against organized religion.

On his return to America in 1802, Paine came under constant assault by evangelical Christians for his anti-religious writing, and coupled with a bitter feud with George Washington, his reputation was ruined.

He died in 1809 in New York.

Once a people's hero, only six mourners attended his funeral.

This Thetford man contributed profoundly to the American and French revolutions, one of the most remarkable political writers of the modern world.

RAJ BISRAM: I mean, I've actually got a few lines from "American Crisis" here.

Fantastic.

OK, which I think just are really, really good.

"These are the times that try men's souls-- That the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

What we obtain too cheap we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.

Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial article as freedom should not be highly rated."

I mean, they're great lines.

Very powerful, isn't it?

And it's interesting that President Obama, when he gave his inaugural address in 2008, he actually chose to quote those lines from the start of "American Crisis."

So we've got the first Black president calling back to Paine's words for his first address to the nation, so I think it shows he's still relevant today.

NARRATOR: Catherine, meanwhile, has made her way to Clare, in Suffolk.

An old walled town, historic Clare is home to Catherine's final shop of this leg.

- Hello there.

- How are you?

You all right, Catherine?

Catherine, nice to meet you.

And you are?

Nice to meet you.

Robin.

Robin.

Robin, good to meet you.

The good news is that I've come to buy something in your shop.

Right.

The bad news-- You've got no money.

You're good at this.

That's it.

And I need to turn that into a profit.

NARRATOR: Robin's unimpressed.

So Catherine's on the prowl for something special costing no more than 15 pounds.

Very, very, very good luck.

Good stuff.

Shame I haven't got any money to spend.

I though that said 25 there on this lovely little chick.

Pincushion.

325, yeah.

It's realistically priced.

Probably won't be buying that.

NARRATOR: I'll say.

Anything actually affordable, Catherine?

This interests me, this is tapered and it's quite heavy a seal basically, I'd say mid-Victorian?

I don't know.

Mid-Victorian seal and you've got all these different bands and then you've got somebody's initials, I can't quite make them out.

I love that, I mean look at the amount of work that's gone into that for a seal.

That's actually quite special.

30 pounds, that is possibly doable.

NARRATOR: Anything else?

Is this art deco, so 1920s sterling silver locket which you open up and then you put a little picture of your loved ones inside.

What's on that?

22 pounds.

The other piece, let's put that back.

Which is also a possibility.

There's a thimble case.

And there are people who are interested in sewing these days, these sewing accessories can make a fortune, but that's not very old.

I think that's modern.

But again, it doesn't really excite me, this excites me a bit more.

Oh, decisions.

NARRATOR: With three possibilities, Robin, you're required.

I like this, I do like this seal, I think it's lovely, I think the-- Like mid to late 19th century letter seal, yeah, it's quite nice.

Yeah, it's an art deco locket.

I can obviously do a bit on that price for you.

The thimble case is a relatively modern piece, but there are collectors of sewing memorabilia and it is silver.

Do you know what, my thought is probably to pass on that one and do one of these two.

Is there any chance that I could have both of these for 15 pounds?

No.

Are you sure?

Dead sure.

Could I have that one for 15?

I will do the sale for 15.

You will.

I can't do a penny less than that.

And this one for?

What's the bottom on that?

I'll do that for 5 pounds.

Would you?

Yeah.

What do we go for, the 5 pounds or the 15?

Well, it's got to be done, hasn't it?

You've got to look at profit.

You know what I'm going for?

What are you going for?

I'm going for that.

I thought you might.

You've let your heart rule your life.

I have to, I just love it.

NARRATOR: Catherine's taken a risk, not for the first time on this trip, and spent every penny of her pot.

Raj is playing catch up and he's made his way to Bury St Edmunds.

Originally known as Beodricesworth, nowadays the place is best known for brewing and malting.

And antiques, hopefully.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Smoking Monkey Antiques.

Well, well.

Hello.

Hi.

Hello Hello, my name's Marcia.

Hello Marcia, I'm Raj.

Hi, nice to meet you.

You too, you too.

NARRATOR: This quirky shop has an eclectic mix of antiques.

Raj has nearly 100 pounds burning a hole in his pocket.

Marcia.

Yes?

I wondered, is it possible that I could have a look at that vase?

Certainly.

RAJ BISRAM: It's got 4th century Egyptian on it.

NARRATOR: If this is indeed 1,600 years old, what a find.

All in one piece.

It would be one of the earliest things I've ever bought.

Thing is, I don't know, it's a real risk.

Catherine said to me, take risks, Raj, and I am a risk taker, but am I that much of a risk taker?

NARRATOR: Especially as the ticket says 125 pounds.

What were you thinking?

If I could get that for 60 pounds, I'd take a risk.

- OK. - You sure?

Yes, yes.

I want you to be happy as well.

No, no, I'm happy.

You sure?

I'm happy, yes.

Marcia, let's shake hands.

OK. 60 pounds.

NARRATOR: That final purchase means our experts are both bought up, and it's time to reunite.

RAJ BISRAM: What do you know about the auction house we're going to?

Not a lot, I do know it's online.

Oh that's good.

I think it's quite a country auction.

NARRATOR: Right, you two.

Better go and get some shut eye, eh?

Kicking off from Cambridge, our pair pootled the MGB GT through Norfolk and Suffolk, aiming for an auction in Beccles.

This ancient market town boasts a 16th century bell tower-- it took 40 years to build and stands 97 feet tall.

Impressive.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Established in more recent times is Durrants Auction Room, hosts to today's sale.

Lovely.

RAJ BISRAM: Exciting, isn't it?

First auction.

CATHERINE SOUTHON: Lovely building.

You nervous?

Oh, yes.

No.

Yes.

No.

Yes, yes, yes, yes.

RAJ BISRAM: Exciting.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: On this leg, Catherine bought five lots for auction, spending every penny of her 200 pounds.

While Raj-- well, he spent a total of 162 pounds on his five lots.

But I wonder what they make of each other's lots, eh?

Well this is really, really lovely.

Catherine paid 140 pounds for it, I think it's slightly risky, but the subject matter is really lovely.

This is either going to fly or it's just going to make its money back.

It smells a bit musty.

Doesn't smell great.

But I think this is a great thing, It comes with a crown for the Festival of Britain, which is a bit boring.

This should easily make him a nice, tidy profit.

Well done Raj.

NARRATOR: The man with the gavel today is Nicholas Roach.

What does he think of our experts lots?

The pottery flask, the Roman period from the late fourth century, it's unusual, it's still got the hook ring with it as well.

And we expect that to make 50, 60 pound or more.

A late 18th century powder horn in original condition, it's unspoilt, it's a genuine article, and we expect that to sell quite well.

NARRATOR: Well, let's find out, shall we?

With buyers online and in the room, our experts are taking their seats.

It's you and me-- Here we are.

against the wall.

Absolutely.

NARRATOR: First up, it's Raj's old plate.

10?

First bid.

[INTERPOSING VOICES] Definitely worth that.

A 10 pound, 10 pound, 10 pound, 10 pound, 12.

12 pound, 12 pound, front row, 15.

15, no.

15 pound bid's in the middle.

At 15 pound.

He's trying.

Then going to sell at 15 pounds.

Why are you smiling?

I'm not.

NARRATOR: I think that's his shocked face.

Hard luck, old chap.

I'm worried about you.

You're worried about me, I'm worried about me.

NARRATOR: Can Catherine take an early lead with her vintage steamer?

Fiver then, anybody?

Anyone a fiver?

You said it would make 20 pounds.

Anyone a fiver, surely?

Five pound bid.

5 pound, 5 pound, eight online.

Yay.

Eight pound online bid.

At 8 pounds, the bid's online and I'm going to sell online at eight-- a 10.

Yes!

There you go.

10 pound, 10 pound second row bid at 10 pounds a 10 pound, 10 pound, 10 pound, 10 pound, you're out online.

Second row bid at 10 pounds.

Thank you.

She knows her geraniums will look lovely in that when she gets home.

NARRATOR: They will indeed, and Catherine kicks off with a profit.

Not bad.

Double your money.

Not bad.

NARRATOR: Right Raj, you're playing catch up with your two items from the Festival of Britain.

- 10.

- Yay.

10 pound bid.

A 10 pound, 10 pound, 10 pound, 10 pound, 10 pound, 10 pound, 12.

12 pounds.

12 pounds, 15 at 15, 18.

It's such good promise.

The bid in the middle of the room, make no mistake, at 20 pounds.

Well-- Well, that's all right.

Well, it washed its face.

NARRATOR: Nice little earner there.

Well done, Raj.

Don't you worry, Raj, don't you worry.

NARRATOR: Next, It's one of the lots that Catherine loved, her Victorian seal.

20?

20 pounds, 20 pound online here.

For 20 pounds.

Come on.

20 pounds, 20 pounds, 20 pounds, 20 pounds, 20 pounds, two, 22.

22, 22, 25.

25 pounds.

28 at the middle of the back.

28 pounds, 30.

30 pounds.

30 pounds going to go online at-- Sure that would make more.

Five, 40.

40 pound, 40 pounds.

[INTERPOSING VOICES] Oh, just in time.

40 pounds, online the bid, you're all out in the room at 40 pounds.

Yeah.

Wow, yeah, well done.

I really, really liked that.

NARRATOR: Yeah, and I bet you liked the profit too.

Fantastic.

I'd like to have that in my collection.

But somebody else has got it.

NARRATOR: Next up is Raj's Francis Flint print.

30 pounds someone.

30 pounds bid online.

Well done.

At last.

into a profit.

Five anywhere then.

30 pounds, 30 pounds, five anywhere?

Anyone else to join in?

- Come on.

30 pound, maiden bid online.

It's a shame.

30 pound, last chance then, maiden bid of 30 pounds.

Thank you.

Bit surprised.

Well, it's a profit but I expected it to do better than that, to be honest.

NARRATOR: Suffolk's Flint fans will be kicking themselves.

Never mind, I mean, I've made a profit at last, I can relax.

NARRATOR: Catherine's vintage croquet set is up next.

I've got two commission bids.

Oh, I love you.

Going to start the bidding at 22, 25 pounds.

That's what I paid.

25 pound bid, 25 pounds, 8, 30.

30 pounds still with me.

You're out online, you're out in the room, you bidding?

35 pounds, you've beaten me now.

35 pound bid's in the room and you're out online as well.

In the middle of the room at 30, 40 pound on line, 40 pound, don't blame me, a 40 pound.

45, Madam?

No.

Online the bid then at 40 pounds.

Thank you.

I'm quite happy with that.

I think that was better than I thought.

NARRATOR: Catherine's winning streak continues.

You've made a profit on everything so far, haven't you?

Yeah, I've done all right.

NARRATOR: Right, Raj, you said you were a risk taker, will it pay off with your fourth century Egyptian bottle?

I've got commissioned bids on this one and I am going to start the bidding at 65 pounds, at 65 pound, 70.

Five, 75 pound, a 75 pound, 80, fresh bidder.

85 with me, 90, I'm out.

Bid's in the middle of the room at 90 pounds.

At 90 pounds in the middle of the room, make no mistake I'm going to sell, you're out online as well at 90 pounds.

Thank you.

You are a bit of an Egyptologist on the quiet, aren't you?

NARRATOR: Well done, risky Raj.

You're pretty hot, Raj, you're hot.

NARRATOR: Ah, can Catherine's luck continue with her powder horn?

30 pound surely.

30 pound on bid, 30 pound, 35 Madam?

35.

40, 40 pound.

45, 50.

In the cafe at 50 pound.

In the cafe.

That's a good price.

It's in the cafe, make no mistake, in the cafe at 50 pound.

I was right.

You were right actually, you didn't jinx it.

And I didn't jinx it, and 50 pounds, that's a good price.

NARRATOR: Yeah, and a good profit.

She's on a roll.

I like being on this road trip with you, Raj.

Stick with me.

NARRATOR: Time now, Raj's last lot.

His early 20th century candelabra.

40 pounds, somebody.

Oh, come on.

30, 30 pound bid.

Oh, good.

35.

40, five, 50, five-- Excellent.

60, madam?

60, 65, 70, 75.

That's fantastic.

80.

You sure?

Shaking his head, that's the lady's bid seated.

NARRATOR: Keep going.

80 pound.

Are you coming again?

Oh yes, you've talked him into it, 85.

90.

No, do you mean no this time?

You don't, you don't mean no.

Seated bid, last chance, you're coming again?

No.

At 90 pounds.

Thank you.

Well done.

That was all right.

That was OK. NARRATOR: Talk about ending on a high, marvelous stuff.

I'm back in the game, as I would say.

I could be way out of the game in a minute, so I wouldn't worry.

NARRATOR: It's the last lot, The priciest purchase of the trip.

Catherine's silk needlework.

Starting 100 pounds, tell me where we go.

Start me at 100, 100 pounds, someone.

80?

Oh, gosh.

Anyone 80 pound, surely?

80?

I was hoping a couple of hundred on this.

No?

50 then, someone.

Bid.

Five, 60.

60 pounds, 65, 70, five, 80, five, 90, five Got a long way to go.

100 pound.

And 10.

120, 120 pounds, 30 online.

No, it's such a good thing.

Don't go, no.

130 online.

You sure?

It's online now 130, you're both out in the room.

Come on Oh no, this is such a dead buy.

30 pound, the bid's online, last chance-- No.

at 130 pounds.

Thank you.

Oh no, nearly there.

Nearly, nearly.

Never mind.

NARRATOR: Ah, that's a shame, Catherine finishes with her first loss.

But has she still done enough to beat Raj?

Well, I mean, I think we've both ended up with a profit, I think it's really close.

So close.

Yeah, I think-- Practically touching.

Exciting.

Let's go.

NARRATOR: Time to put them out of their misery and reveal who is today's winner.

Catherine started this leg with 200 pounds and made a profit of 21 pounds and 40 pence after auction costs, leaving her 221 pounds and 40 pence to spend on the next leg.

Raj started at the same amount.

And after auction costs, he too gained a profit, making 38 pounds and 90 pence, which means he's crowned today's king and goes into the next leg with a fabulous 238 pounds and 90 Pence.

Well done.

RAJ BISRAM: We're both in profit and that's a great start, isn't it?

That's a good start.

I mean, and there's very little in it, tiny amount, not even worth mentioning.

Not really.

[MUSIC PLAYING]