[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: The nation's favorite celebrities-- We are special then, are we?
Oh, that's excellent.
NARRATOR: Paired up with an expert-- We're a very good team, you and me.
NARRATOR: And a classic car.
Their mission-- to scour Britain for antiques.
I have no idea what it is.
Oh, I love it!
NARRATOR: The aim-- to make the biggest profit at auction.
Yes!
NARRATOR: But it's no easy ride.
There's no accounting for taste.
NARRATOR: Who will find a hidden gem?
Who will take the biggest risks?
Will anybody follow expert advice?
Do you like them?
No.
NARRATOR: There will be worthy winners, and valiant losers.
- Are you happy.
- Yes, ecstatic.
Promise?
NARRATOR: It's time to put your pedal to the metal!
This is celebrity antiques road trip.
[MUSIC PLAYING] Yeah!
[MUSIC PLAYING] We're in the Thames Valley for a celebrity road trip with TV aristocracy-- presenter Rebecca Wilcox and her mum, the iconic Esther Rantzen.
It promises to be the mother of all contests.
I am so competitive, that I have actually made myself sick playing Trivial Pursuit.
Do I get that from you, or do I get it from Dad?
I think that you get that from yourself, Rebecca.
I don't think, on this occasion, you can blame either parent.
I am horribly competitive.
You are.
I'm not.
I just effortlessly win things.
[LAUGHS] NARRATOR: Esther Rantzen has been effortlessly gracing our TV screens for over 40 years.
She always combined fun with being the consumers champion.
But perhaps her greatest legacy is ChildLine, the groundbreaking service for children and young people.
Today, Esther's a rather nervous passenger-- Keep your eye on the road.
My eye is on the road!
NARRATOR: --in a 1985 Mercedes convertible.
You will tell me if I'm heading off into a ditch, right.
- Yes, darling.
I will.
NARRATOR: Esther's daughter, Rebecca, has forged her own presenting career.
From working as an undercover reporter exposing scams, to fronting prime-time consumer programs.
But when it comes to antiques hunting, she defers to mum for advice.
Go for what you think is chic and stylish, and that you would want to live with in your home.
How do I know that you're not trying to give me misinformation?
Because I'm a warm and caring mother.
[LAUGHS] NARRATOR: Esther and Rebecca each have 400 pounds to spend in the battle to create profits from antiques, so they're going to need trustworthy advice.
It sounds like a job for experts, David Harper and Will Axon.
So as far as Esther's buying habits go, do you think she's going to be looking for the ridiculous and the sublime?
Don't say it, I know where you're going.
Is she going to look for a piece of pottery in the shape of a rude bit?
A carrot-- Oh that's the one.
A misshapen spud-- NARRATOR: Well it would be the first on the show.
Auctioneer and valuer, Will specializes in conventional pottery and furniture.
David pairs up specialist antiques with buyers and auctions.
He's also into classic cars, preferably bigger than this 1969 Mini Cooper.
Good job, we're both slim chaps.
Yes.
Slim and trim, Will, slim and trim.
NARRATOR: Today's road trip begins on the outskirts of Redding, in Berkshire.
It nips briefly into Hampshire, and wanders through the Thames Valley in Oxfordshire, before heading to an auction at the village of Send, near Woking in Surrey.
Hello.
[INTERPOSING VOICES] WILL AXON: Hey, how are you?
Arriving in style-- David, nice to meet you.
REBECCA WILCOX: So lovely to meet you.
How do you do?
I'm Will, nice to meet you.
NARRATOR: As the celebrities arrive, it's time to declare the teams.
I see you're in your cyclamen.
Yes, thank you.
[INTERPOSING VOICES] Very, very pleasant.
Hi, Rebecca.
I'm Will, how do you do?
Nice to meet you.
- Hi!
DAVID HARPER: We're sort of matching-- ESTHER RANTZEN: We compliment each other.
DAVID HARPER: Yeah.
I think we do, don't we.
NARRATOR: So that's the Pretty in Pink team sorted-- Now what do you think of the cars?
Well I think you two are perfect for that little thing, and we are perfect for this rather stately one.
I feel slightly judged, but I think that's great.
I think that's much cooler.
NARRATOR: It's decided-- Rebecca and Will will be zipping about in the Mini, while Esther and David cruise in the Merc.
Their first stop will be in the center of Redding, and the short journeys a chance to assess the opposition.
She will fight to the death to win.
Oh my God!
So I have said that I'm not competitive, I'm not competing with her.
OK. OK. Is that because there's just no point in competing with her?
Well it's because I want to disarm her-- Ah!
Trap her into confidence-- Good.
And then see if I can win in spite of her.
NARRATOR: Devious.
And what about shopping style?
It's very difficult to judge who's going to be in the auction, et cetera, et cetera.
And I think the only thing to do is to go for things that you would buy yourself.
NARRATOR: It's a clear strategy-- The first place to test it is at Fanny's.
It's home to about 20 dealers with an eclectic mix of wares.
Today, Will's the man keeping an eye on it all.
I've watched you for many years.
Oh, how sweet you are.
NARRATOR: And there's a lot to look at.
Do you do this?
Do you wander around places like this?
I haven't done this since my husband died.
We used to do it a lot.
Did you?
Oh, yeah.
Did you-- like a hobby thing, or did you-- Well it was just when we had a lovely day out.
Yeah.
We would go to an antique shop, and pick around, find something, and then that would always remind us of the day.
NARRATOR: Esther's soon back in rummaging mode-- I'm going to get me glasses.
NARRATOR: --and going for what she likes.
Oh, look.
Wait a minute!
There's a pig.
You know, I'm very partial to pigs.
DAVID HARPER: OK. What is it that you're drawn to, though?
ESTHER RANTZEN: Well it's got lots of animals.
God there are animals everywhere I look!
DAVID HARPER: It's another animal.
I've got a bit of an animal theme going here, with Esther.
What is that?
DAVID HARPER: It's a nutcracker.
Anything to do with animals, she's in there.
Stick your nuts in there-- [INTERPOSING VOICES] I won't!
DAVID HARPER: --push the tail down-- Stick your own nuts in there.
DAVID HARPER: And it doesn't matter whether they're brand new, or any age at all.
Look I found an elephant stool for my father Oh I need to try and turn this around, and start focusing on something with age, and quality, and distinction.
NARRATOR: It could be an uphill battle, David.
Fortunately, it looks as if Esther's tastes extend beyond animals.
Do you want me to help you there?
Well if I knock everything off this shelf, will we have to pay for it?
- Yes.
Well you will.
Thanks, right.
Oh!
That's much lighter than I thought was going to be.
Well, well, well-- OK. A piece of glass, signed, hand-blown-- do you like glass?
Some glass, I like that bit.
OK. Do you speak French?
- Oui.
Oh!
OK. Can you pronounce that beautifully?
[INAUDIBLE] What's that, [INAUDIBLE]?
[SPEAKING FRENCH] NARRATOR: She's tres sophisticated.
This piece of art glass was made in 1999 by Frenchman, Jean Noel Bouillet.
[SPEAKING FRENCH] NARRATOR: It comes with the signature, a certificate of authenticity, and a 55 pounds price ticket.
I love it because all art glass is individual.
There is only one of these objects in the-- it's a bit like you, Esther Rantzen.
There is only one Esther Rantzen in the whole world.
You may say, thank the Lord.
I never said that.
And there's only one of them.
I think it's rather gorgeous.
DAVID HARPER: How much would you pay?
ESTHER RANTZEN: 15 quid.
- Would you?
Yeah.
You're very hard, aren't you.
ESTHER RANTZEN: Well I've never haggled in my life.
DAVID HARPER: Really?
ESTHER RANTZEN: Never.
Seriously?
What do you think we could-- I think that would be 20 to 30 in auction.
Do you?
I think it's very, very stylish.
Shall we get a price on it?
Yeah.
NARRATOR: The art glass vase is a strong contender for Esther's first buy, but only if the price is right.
Well I think, Esther, this is your opportunity to try for your very first time some Queen negotiating.
Go for it.
25?
55.
That's about 60% discount.
Well I've never-- [INTERPOSING VOICES] We need a little bit more than that.
But I think we could go all of the 35.
You've weakened him nicely.
Somewhere in the middle-- 30.
30 pounds.
You've done it.
You've done the deal.
That's it!
Well you're wonderful, thank you.
Couldn't resist your smile.
Deal done, thank you Will.
Our first purchase!
NARRATOR: With a reduction from 55 pounds to 30, Esther's bagged her first bargain.
It's modern, but there's not an animal in sight.
Phew!
Out on the road antiques novice, Rebecca, has a confession.
I'm the most indecisive person in the world.
This I do not like.
Because we're going to have to make quick decisions today.
NARRATOR: Rebecca and Will are heading 11 miles South to the Hampshire village of Eversley.
It's the home of Eversley Barn Antiques, a 16th century barn filled with antiques and collectibles, from furniture to porcelain.
Oh my word.
There's a lot here.
I don't know where to start.
NARRATOR: You have to start somewhere.
And the first peek in the cabinets yields a possibility.
REBECCA WILCOX: Three pieces, it says.
Yeah.
So he would stand on top of that, which is where you'd put your little flowers.
And then you've got the bowl underneath, which is actually-- it's quite stylish on its own.
Do you like that?
I don't know.
You did say you were indecisive.
I'm completely indecisive.
Well you're not indecisive about that.
No.
I'm completely indecisive.
[LAUGHS] I don't know what I like.
I know that I don't know, but I don't know what I know.
NARRATOR: So just to clarify, that's a known unknown.
REBECCA WILCOX: That's quite sweet.
It's nice quality, actually.
Is that painted or printed?
REBECCA WILCOX: Um, painted?
Printed?
Painted?
Stop me when I'm right?
NARRATOR: Well it looks as if the lid on this glass tankard uses a combination of both techniques.
It was probably made in Bohemia in the late 1800s with the ticket price of 30 pounds.
Could it provide a Rhapsody?
I mean it doesn't set my world on fire but-- I don't want it if it doesn't set your world on fire.
NARRATOR: So is that a decision?
REBECCA WILCOX: So are we saying no to that?
WILL AXON: We're not saying no.
We'll keep it in the mind.
Keep it in mind.
NARRATOR: A decision not to make a decision.
Back in Redding Esther's still working on the principle of buying what she likes, no matter what it is.
I have a two-year-old grandson-- oh, how he would love that.
OK, all right.
That is brilliant in so many ways, and then abominable in another.
ESTHER RANTZEN: 65 pounds.
DAVID HARPER: OK, but it is new, and probably made in China.
I don't care.
On the day this was made, they also made 48,000 of them in the same factory.
And for your grandchild-- Stick it on the floor down there.
What am I, blinking Arnold Schwarzenegger?
Yes.
Well, yes.
It's that cyclamen shirt, see.
Now, hang on.
Well jump on then, let's see.
[LAUGHS] You're not going to, are you?
Oh you are.
I can't believe it.
Wait a minute.
Oh, I say.
Hang on, hang on.
I see, you'll never get out.
You're right!
I'm there forever.
How's that?
Well it's not a sensation that I would do very often for fun.
DAVID HARPER: You know my life is complete.
NARRATOR: Let's not go there, right.
Ow!
Do you want a hand out?
Shall I call a doctor?
NARRATOR: A little more searching turns up something that really floats David's boat.
Something finally, with a bit of age.
Hang on-- Esther!
ESTHER RANTZEN: Yeah!
Can I introduce you to something that we call in the business, an antique.
Yes, go on then.
Would you like to try it out?
It's this chair.
It's safe, but it does rock.
So be prepared to rock.
NARRATOR: This American rocker dates from around the late 19th century.
The upholstery has seen better days, but the frames made from durable beech wood.
DAVID HARPER: Tell me what your thoughts are.
I think it's hideous.
[LAUGHS] Excellent!
I am loving that attitude.
OK.
It does get better-- Oh, it would have to.
--because I'm removing that.
Yes, OK. DAVID HARPER: It's just a super piece of kit.
ESTHER RANTZEN: Is it?
DAVID HARPER: Oh, yes!
I'm not convincing you, am I?
ESTHER RANTZEN: Well it's just, I think it's ugly.
But that's just me.
DAVID HARPER: What do you think it's worth?
I think it's worth about 35, 40 quid.
OK. Would you pay that for it?
Never.
NARRATOR: Unimpressed, Esther carries on browsing.
Undeterred, David tracks down Will.
Right, Will, the old American rocker there needing a little bit of restoration-- what's the absolute double death best price?
The death on that would be 25 pound.
25.
- [INAUDIBLE] that's really-- - OK, no.
That's fine, OK. Leave that with me for a moment.
All right, there you are.
Right, OK.
So you were meant to stay with the chair, lusting after it.
ESTHER RANTZEN: I'm sorry, darling.
Yes.
Japanese?
Japanese, yes, definitely.
Very pretty.
Very pretty.
I like that.
I like that.
DAVID HARPER: That's Imari.
ESTHER RANTZEN: Well if someone gave me that as a present, I'd be thrilled.
So you actually like it.
Oh fabulous and guess what?
What?
It's an antique NARRATOR: Goodness me.
It's got no animals, it's genuine 19th century, and with a ticket price of 22 pounds, it's a possibility.
But first David has unfinished business with the rocker.
You said you would pay, if you went mad one day, 35.
What if I said we can get for 25?
Done.
It's a steal!
Great.
NARRATOR: It may be hideous in Esther's eyes, but at 25 pounds, even she can turn a blind eye.
So all that's needed now is a deal on the Imari plate, ticket price 22 pounds.
What could that be?
Bear in mind we bought the chair-- big spenders.
Can it be 10 quid?
12.
Done!
I'm happy.
My gosh, we're on a buying fest!
NARRATOR: It's a buying tour de force, no less.
With the rocker, the Imari plate, and the art glass vase, all snapped up for a total of 67 pounds in Esther's first shop.
Wow.
Over at Eversley Barn, indecision is the name of the game.
Rebecca hasn't ruled out the Bohemian glass, and Will's diverted to another option.
It's very simple.
Is that the style?
Yeah.
Very much so.
I mean, they know who it's by, Keith Murray.
And it helps us that you can turn it over and it tells you exactly who it's by under there, Keith Murray for Wedgwood.
REBECCA WILCOX: Is that somebody I should have heard of?
NARRATOR: Well Keith Murray was a very influential architect, turned designer who worked at Wedgwood in the 1930s.
He's known for his very restrained take on Art Deco style.
Woah!
How much is it?
135 pounds!
Yeah, but look-- Wow!
WILL AXON: It was 195 pounds.
It's come down to 135 pounds, because obviously they can't sell it-- What do you reckon, get it for 70?
I think if we could get that for 100 quid, we stand a chance.
Go put the face on, go put the face on.
NARRATOR: Rebecca's on the brink of a decision-- Hold that.
No, please!
NARRATOR: But it all hinges on her haggling skills-- REBECCA WILCOX: Nobody get in my way.
NARRATOR: --and how dealer, Hillary, reacts to them.
What would be your best price?
Let me see, 100?
REBECCA WILCOX: What about 75?
Tempted-- 80?
[INTERPOSING VOICES] - 77?
HILLARY: --because it's you-- Oh she's good.
I haven't even had to work-- it's all your own work, this.
Would you go for a nice even 77?
77 we've got to, haven't we.
REBECCA WILCOX: Oh amazing!
WILL AXON: Have we bought it?
REBECCA WILCOX: Brilliant!
Thank you.
Good work, well done.
NARRATOR: It's an impressive haggling debut, with the Keith Murray set reduced from 135 pounds to 77.
On a roll, Rebecca decides to try for the Bohemian glass tankard, too.
REBECCA WILCOX: What's the best price?
HILLARY: This has only got 30 pounds.
WILL AXON: I know it's not a lot to start with.
25.
Well, that's what-- He's thinking 20.
HILLARY: 22 and I will.
She's playing you a your own game, now.
I think you should say yes.
77 and 22-- that makes a lovely 99.
It's in the stars.
Shake hands.
Thank you very much.
NARRATOR: With the Keith Murray set at 77 pounds, and the Bohemian glass tankard reduced from 30 pounds to 22 pounds, Rebecca and Will have two decisions made.
HILLARY: Thank you.
No thank you.
It's been good fun.
Thank you.
NARRATOR: Out on the road, Esther's itching to find out how her daughter and opponent's getting on with her purchases.
She says she's only bought a Faberge Egg and a Rolex.
Several Rolex's.
NARRATOR: I like your style, Rebecca.
Esther and David are taking time out from shopping to find out more about a subject close to Esther's heart-- children going through tough times.
The Museum of English Rural Life in Redding has a collection devoted to the upheaval endured by child evacuees during World War II.
ESTHER RANTZEN: Hello.
Hello, Martin Parsons.
How do you do?
NARRATOR: Professor Martin Parsons has studied their experiences.
Between September the 1st and the 4th 1939, "Operation Pied Piper" evacuated 1 and 1/2 million children thought to be in imminent danger from bombing of British cities.
They were only allowed to take the bare minimum.
ESTHER RANTZEN: Boys-- one vest, one pair of pants, one shirt and collars, one pair of trousers or shorts.
Girls-- one vest or combinations-- do you know what combinations are?
Haven't got a clue.
I can remember them well-- one pair of knickers, tunic and blouse or dress.
Those children whose parents thought, "you're going to need more than one change of clothing," decided to dress them up in two layers of clothing when they got on the train-- Right.
--with the Gabardine Mac.
And that weekend was notoriously hot.
Oh gosh.
MARTIN PARSONS: And also they were given a 48 hour ration pack.
And of course, some of these children were going down to Cornwall, and they were on the trains for nine 10, 12 hours.
If you're sitting there with a bag of food, you're going to eat it.
ESTHER RANTZEN: You're not going to say they threw up.
Oh, yeah.
They did.
Oh!
And so some of these children got to the other end and they were in a hell of a state.
ESTHER RANTZEN: Oh, poor little things!
NARRATOR: The journey was only the first part of a radical change in the children's lives.
ESTHER RANTZEN: So was it a happy country holiday for-- MARTIN PARSONS: No.
ESTHER RANTZEN: It wasn't?
We have this romantic notion that these working class children from the cities were taken in by middle class people in the countryside.
That's actually not true.
The vast majority of people taking them in were the laboring classes, the agricultural labor and craft classes.
And so what you get is a culture shock for the people who'd come down from the cities.
DAVID HARPER: Yeah.
ESTHER RANTZEN: Would they have baths and-- No, they would have had a bath-- tin bath in front of the fire-- ESTHER RANTZEN: Right.
--on a Friday night.
They would have had a privy at the bottom-- Earth privy at the bottom of the garden, and they would have had candlelight.
NARRATOR: For some children, the distances and the culture shock were even greater.
19,000 were sent overseas through private arrangements or by the government.
The museum has a particularly fine collection relating to a young girl called, Margaret Banyard, who was placed with a prosperous South African family.
How old is she there?
She's 11.
Here's a telegram dated the 3rd of October 1940, to Margaret Banyard, "Have received your telegram.
Stop.
Glad know you are safe.
Stop.
Write soon."
So she had sent a telegram from South Africa.
MARTIN PARSONS: Yes, to say that she'd arrived.
And this is her five years later-- six years later, when she comes back at 17.
DAVID HARPER: Yeah.
ESTHER RANTZEN: Right, and was she happy?
- No.
- Oh Lord.
And did it change her life?
MARTIN PARSONS: It changed her life completely.
Because until recently, she wouldn't even talk about her experiences.
NARRATOR: Margaret's hosts looked after her physical needs, but through her formative years, she got no emotional support and felt like a stranger in the house.
The headlines says, "haunted for life by the loneliness of war years away from her family."
And is that about her?
MARTIN PARSONS: Yes, that's Margaret there.
NARRATOR: Margaret completed her school matriculation in South Africa, and had a long wait to be reunited with her family.
ESTHER RANTZEN: "14th of January 1946, Thursday, Cheers!
Meeting Waterloo station, love Daddy."
DAVID HARPER: Oh, that's gorgeous!
NARRATOR: Although there were difficult experiences, both abroad and within the UK, there were many happy ones too.
It's not insignificant, the number of ex evacuees who have now retired back to where they were evacuated to during the war.
Because-- Now that's a good-- [INTERPOSING VOICES] It is a good sign-- That's very happy ending, because that means that it's associated with good memories for them.
That's lovely.
Well, that's brilliant.
Thank you very, very much.
I feel very privileged-- [INTERPOSING VOICES] You're very welcome.
--to have seen all this.
We've learnt so much, Martin, in such a short period of time and it's been fascinating.
Fascinating.
NARRATOR: On the highways of Hampshire, Rebecca's explaining to Will what it's like forging a career in the shadow of a famous mum.
I never used to tell people that she was my mum.
So I used to lie and say she wasn't my mum, and if somebody really pushed I'd say that it was Joanna Lumley.
Nice.
Which, you know, sometimes people believe, which is quite nice.
Well there is something-- there's something of the Patsy about you.
[LAUGHS] Sweetie, darling.
Sweetie, darling.
I met her once, actually.
And I said, "I used to lie and pretend you were my mum," and she looked horrified.
[LAUGHS] NARRATOR: Rebecca and Will are making the three mile hop, from Eversley to the village of Hartley Wintney, where they're hoping to find more booty at White Lion Antiques.
It's a center offering everything from antiques to jewelry and shabby chic.
With lots to look at Rebecca and Will split up to search.
But Rebecca is not sure about going solo.
I'm a bit overwhelmed.
I don't know where to start.
This place is enormous!
Look it goes on!
I have to make decisions.
Denby-- I've heard of Denby.
Haven't I heard of Denby?
Denby's good, isn't it?
[PLAYS OUT-OF-TUNE] This is supposed to do that?
OK. [PLAYS OUT-OF-TUNE] I'm so musical.
[LAUGHS] Mom's probably doing brilliantly by now.
She's probably bought everything in one shop, and she's haggled down the price.
NARRATOR: It's as if you've known her all your life.
Woo!
395 pounds.
NARRATOR: Bamboozled by all the options, Rebecca ropes in Will for advice.
WILL AXON: So are you trying to suggest that I'd be your monkey while you grind it.
REBECCA WILCOX: Yes!
You're my organ grinder!
[PLAYS OUT-OF-TUNE] That's the only problem with it.
[CONTINUES IN SHORT BURSTS] [LAUGHS] It's quite dramatic, isn't it?
I think it's a horror movie.
Actually it is made in Spain, so it could be a well-known flamenco number.
- Oh, really?
- Yeah.
How's your offbeat clapping?
[PLAYS OUT-OF-TUNE] Yeah.
That was sweet.
I really wish I hadn't done that.
NARRATOR: Ole!
Will's rummaging has turned up a textured Art Deco style glass vase.
I though it just had quite a funky, sort of, finish to it.
Oh look at that!
It's weird isn't it?
It's not signed, that's the only thing.
I'm wondering where it could be from.
Is it-- I mean it's-- It could be an anonymous gem.
It's got 68 quid on the ticket.
You need to get that for like, 20 quid, really.
REBECCA WILCOX: OK. That's-- wow.
OK. WILL AXON: That is, but I've seen you in action.
If anyone can do it, the Becc-Meister can.
REBECCA WILCOX: Oh, I like that name!
Go on!
Go on, the Becc-Meister.
NARRATOR: The Becc-Meister will be pitting her haggling skills against center owner, Jerry.
REBECCA WILCOX: We'd like to pay 20 pounds for that.
Oh!
You heard him, I felt that from here.
I mean it's been there a while it's very dusty-- It's an antique.
--tucked away in the corner there, unloved.
It's not signed.
Well it's up for 68, why don't we say 50?
WILL AXON: What?
REBECCA WILCOX: Can't do that.
You're not trying.
No, I know.
I really I told you the truth-- my upper limit was 20.
NARRATOR: She's tough.
30?
REBECCA WILCOX: 25?
WILL AXON: 25 and that will be-- that is it.
27?
REBECCA WILCOX: 25.
25, OK. WILL AXON: Shake his hand.
- OK.
Thank you.
Yeah, well done.
NARRATOR: Having parted with the vase for 25 pounds, Jerry sees an opportunity for another sale.
He has an Art Deco Sterling silver dressing table set of a mirror, hairbrush, and clothes brush, at 125 pounds.
There's the mirror-- REBECCA WILCOX: That's not a sight anyone wants to see.
And I'll give Will the hairbrush, because he'll be able to see the whole marks.
WILL AXON: The whole marks, yeah.
Yeah, it's got something about it.
It's not English.
JERRY: Like it?
REBECCA WILCOX: I do.
I do think it's beautiful.
What would be your best price on that?
JERRY: What about 85?
75.
75?
REBECCA WILCOX: Would you do 75?
You get the better end of the deal at 75, Rebecca.
Oh my days!
You are a lovely man.
WILL AXON: Is it sold?
- It's sold.
Oh thank you!
WILL AXON: Good work.
Well done.
She is good isn't she?
I told you.
NARRATOR: Rebecca is a natural, landing a 50 pounds discount with ease.
It's been a busy day and there's another one to come.
So for now, teams night, night.
It's a new day and Esther and Rebecca are comparing notes.
I'm getting my eye in.
Are you OK?
Really?
I feel like I know nothing.
I severely regret some purchases.
Now funnily enough, I don't regret any of mine.
I'm rather pleased with mine.
Oh you're sounding really, supremely confident-- some might say smug.
NARRATOR: Well let's assess who's entitled to feel smug, aye?
Yesterday Rebecca had trouble deciding on anything-- WILL AXON: Do you like that?
I don't know.
NARRATOR: But in the end, she and Will spent 199 pounds on a glass tankard, a Wedgwood jug and tankard designed by Keith Murray, a vase, and a silver dressing table set.
and it leaves them with 201 pounds still to spend.
Go on!
Go on, the Becc- Meister.
NARRATOR: Esther made a beeline for what she likes-- What is that?
DAVID HARPER: It's a nutcracker.
NARRATOR: Hunting through modern mass produced goods-- Wow I have a two-year-old grandson-- oh, how he would love that.
NARRATOR: Eventually she and David compromised, buying a modern art glass vase, a rocking chair, and a 19th century Imari plate.
And guess what?
What?
It's an antique!
NARRATOR: They spent just 67 pounds.
So they have a whopping 333 pounds left to spend.
DAVID HARPER: Oh I like that jacket.
That's very smart.
I like that shirt.
Mum has scared the life out of me, she's supremely confident.
Oh.
Come on, Esther.
Put 'em up.
Good.
Yeah, and how are you feeling today, then?
Are you confident?
REBECCA WILCOX: Not confident.
- Really?
- Oh, thanks.
Sorry, yes.
Yeah, love you too.
Shall we hit the road?
Let's hit the road, come.
NARRATOR: David's wondering how Esther got into presenting.
I was 28, and it was a program called "Braden's Week."
And I was the researcher and the producer, and decided to put the researchers into the program.
So there I was.
Wow.
So it was a shock, then.
It was a surprise to you.
It was.
It was never planned.
Never planned.
NARRATOR: Esther and David are starting their second day shopping after a short drive along the Thames to Goring.
It's a pretty village on the Oxfordshire bank of the river, and the local scenery was the setting for "The Wind in the Willows" and "Three Men in a Boat."
Speaking of which-- Esther and David have no time for such literary diversions, as they're heading for Barbara's-- home to 25 dealers, and everything from antiques, to bric-a-brac.
Esther's still set on buying what she likes, and now she needs help from owner, Maddie.
I've got a two-year-old grandson, yeah-- Yeah.
--and my theory is that people who go to auctions have grandchildren.
So if you have anything that might appeal to a grandparent, this grandparent would be delighted.
NARRATOR: So what's here that suitable for a grandchild?
2 pounds 50.
I'm irresistibly present from Morecambe.
I'm irresistibly drawn to crap.
NARRATOR: Oi!
Not that then.
A set of pictures looks far more appropriate, but it's hard to tell whether they're originals or prints.
ESTHER RANTZEN: I'm thinking it's a watercolor.
I can see a pencil underneath-- Actually, I think I'm with you.
I think they are proper watercolors, and very, very sweet.
NARRATOR: The picture's date from around the 1930s and depict a sequence of nursery scenes.
The set of 4 is priced at 75 pounds.
"Baby Bunkins."
I think they'd be lovely in a nursery.
Wouldn't that be lovely in a nursery?
I think they're gorgeous, actually.
I know I can't believe we're agreeing on something.
This is amazing!
Hallelujah!
But don't get to enthusiastic No, oh my.
Did we just get-- We've got to beat them down.
Listen, we really don't like them.
[LAUGHS] NARRATOR: Enthusiasm's a strategic error, but at least they agree.
Now it's all down to price.
So what are you thinking?
OK, I'll take 30 pounds off.
So-- So that'd be 45.
For all four?
Yeah.
45-- Well you know what, you paid-- oh!
How did that happen?
I think we've just bought them, right.
OK. Well done, well done.
This is a new method of negotiating.
Well look, four-- it's a tenner each.
it's a tenner each.
It's brilliant.
Hooray!
Hooray!
NARRATOR: And thrice hooray.
That's four pictures reduced from 75 pounds to 45, and a priceless outbreak of harmony between Esther and David.
Meanwhile Rebecca is still ruing yesterday's shopping.
I hate the glass tankard with the enamel that I made us buy.
I have no idea why I did that.
It was some weird possession of some nutty bad taste spirit that got me.
Do you know what, I bet that makes the biggest profit.
NARRATOR: Soothing words, Will.
And happily there's another distraction at hand-- romance!
Rebecca and Will are off to the University of Redding archives, which has a collection of material relating to publishers Mills and Boon.
In the UK, one of their romance novels is bought every 5 seconds, and Rebecca is well qualified to enjoy them.
Well I do have a master's in English Literature and Language and of course Mills and Boon is superlative-- really wonderful literature.
And actually I have read a ridiculously revolting number of them.
I used to try and write them with my sister.
No way.
Always about the stable boy who was in lust and love with the manor lady, yes.
With the lady of the manor, yeah.
Hello.
Are you Judith?
Yes, welcome.
NARRATOR: Rebecca and Will's guide is Judith Watts, a PhD student who's researching the archive.
Do you think they're unfairly disparaged, that they are actually high literature?
No.
I wouldn't say, and I don't think the authors would claim.
The publishers, either, didn't say that it was high literature-- it always is, "it's entertainment."
NARRATOR: The company was launched as a general publisher in 1988 by Gerald Mills and Charles Boon.
When sales slumped in the Great Depression, it hit on a winning formula of providing books cheaply through tuppenny libraries, and focusing on escapist romances for women.
The readers took them very seriously.
Some of the readers you read about walked-- sort of, well they went 60 miles to buy a new copy, they would go without a pair of nylons, there's a kind of invert reader's letters to sort of buy one.
So people were taking them very seriously, the writers took them really seriously.
So I think what Mills and Boon were wanting to do was publish the best romance that you could do.
NARRATOR: The company always encouraged and nurtured female authors.
As the decades passed the novels and the authors themselves reflected the changing role of women in society.
When we reached the 1950s, the women are starting to kind of have more professions.
So this is a kind of really a good example of an author writing then.
This is Betty Beatty, she was actually living the dream.
She went to Leeds University, she then trained as an air stewardess, and of course she met her husband, who was a very handsome pilot.
But they were also a lot of other women who had kind of dreamed about writing a novel, someone like Violet Winspear who started writing in the 1960s.
NARRATOR: Violet's first novel for the publishing house appeared in 1961.
And her books earned a reputation for passionate stories and exotic locations.
She was actually unmarried and lived at home with her mother, but had strong views on what romance should be.
In some of the letters she talks about, it shouldn't be like bacon and eggs on a plate.
And she says that romance should be caviar, and not cod.
That's her view of it.
And she was very kind of worried that in the 60s lots of realistic things were creeping into romance, and she really did believe in-- The fantasy side.
The fantasy side.
NARRATOR: For many readers, the permissive society of the 60s changed what was acceptable.
Violet tried hard to give readers all they wanted, but not too much.
She sent a questionnaire in to Alan Boon, which was wonderful because she asked things like, you know, "are heroines still to be virtuous?"
And there's a lot of questions there about the bedroom door, and how far it should be left ajar, or should it be closed?
NARRATOR: Whilst the business of writing was taken very seriously, the publishers did allow themselves a bit of fun, too.
This book is really an equivalent of outtakes from the novels.
And they've been a little bit cheeky, the editors and the publisher, because they've taken some of the things out of context.
But they're very, very amusing.
So one of them-- one of my personal favorites is, "I have never been intimate with a bear," she said with a sniff.
"There's always a first time."
[REBECCA GASPS] JUDITH: So it's just full of wonderful things-- I have no idea what that means.
--about-- NARRATOR: Me neither.
WILL AXON: "These lips my sacramental wine," he murmured.
"At least they drank it and made certain vows that not even the blade of an espada may settle."
Bit of Spanish in there, as well.
Ooh, yeah.
Shivers.
Romantic.
NARRATOR: That's quite enough of that.
Can I just say it's been very informative, and good fun.
And as a fan, I loved it.
Thank you, thank you.
Thank you for letting me share it with you.
NARRATOR: As our dashing hero and beautiful heroine head out into the golden sunset Redding, Esther and David are making a slightly more prosaic journey from Goring further up the River Thames to the Oxfordshire town of Wallingford.
Back in 1135, it was an important place in the struggle for the throne between empress Matilda and her cousin Stephen.
Nowadays, it's more likely to witness a taste war between Esther and David.
It'll be played out at Lamb Arcade, an antique center with over 40 shops and showcases where Siobhan is one of the dealers.
- I'm Esther.
Hello, nice to meet you.
Hello, how do you do?
NARRATOR: Esther and David still have 288 pounds to spend.
That is a treasure trove, is it not?
NARRATOR: After a little rummaging, David strikes gold.
Isn't that just gorgeous.
That is one of the most-- Yeah.
--hideous pieces of China I've ever seen in my life.
NARRATOR: This is the Chalk and Cheese team.
Perhaps Esther is better off finding her own treasures, aye?
[CLANGING] DAVID HARPER: Oh here we go.
[LAUGHS] NARRATOR: Perhaps not.
Oh my!
Everything is collapsing.
NARRATOR: She is feeling the pressure.
ESTHER RANTZEN: The fiendish desire to win-- Exactly, see-- --is overwhelming me.
The competitiveness is now coming out.
The real Esther Rantzen has arrived.
NARRATOR: The real Esther Rantzen needs help, David.
BOTH: Oh!
NARRATOR: So what do you suggest?
DAVID HARPER: Here we have a cigarette case, I know it's not that PC, but it could be used as a card case.
Silver, hallmarked, but that's the interesting thing.
ESTHER RANTZEN: RAF.
DAVID HARPER: RAF.
ESTHER RANTZEN: Wow.
DAVID HARPER: Gilded interior, and its hallmarked for 1939.
ESTHER RANTZEN: Wow.
DAVID HARPER: That's interesting.
ESTHER RANTZEN: That's more than interesting, that's brilliant.
DAVID HARPER: It is quite brilliant, actually.
ESTHER RANTZEN: I love it!
DAVID HARPER: Do you?
ESTHER RANTZEN: Yes!
NARRATOR: At last-- unity.
DAVID HARPER: It's got a fantastic history.
ESTHER RANTZEN: This is a Battle of Britain pilot, age 19, you know, with his-- probably his little self-rolled cigarettes.
You're absolutely right.
And because it's 1939, the beginning of the Second World War-- Yes.
It more than likely saw action during the Second World War.
NARRATOR: The case seems promising, but it's not priced.
DAVID HARPER: What kind of figure can you do this for?
I could do that for 60 pounds.
50?
--5.
2?
No, I'll do 55 and I think they'll do well.
NARRATOR: At 55 pounds pounds, it's tempting.
And for Easter it's not all about profit this time.
I have met Battle of Britain pilots.
I have sat next to them at dinner knowing that this man, at age 19, had gone out on mission after mission, losing friends each time.
And I'm Jewish, and I wouldn't be here if they'd lost.
If that battle hadn't been won-- I certainly wouldn't be here, my family wouldn't be here.
DAVID HARPER: Oh my gosh, well-- So they mean a heck of a lot to me.
DAVID HARPER: Well I think that's-- ESTHER RANTZEN: We've got to go for that.
DAVID HARPER: We have to go for that.
That is so powerful that we have to have this.
So we've done it-- that's our final object.
Siobhan, please shake my hand.
Yes.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Wow, Esther-- I'm thrilled with that!
That's our best object.
That's our best object.
NARRATOR: It's been a bumpy ride for Esther and David, but at 55 pounds, their final lot is secured.
Rebecca and Will have emerged from between the covers of their romantic interlude in Redding to meander down the river to Henley.
Of course it's famous for rowing, but there's no time for posing in straw boaters and stripy blazers today, Rebecca and Will have 201 pounds left to spend.
Tudor House Antiques could be the place to do it.
It may look tiny, but it's packed to the rafters, and Dave and Patrick are on hand to help.
Hello!
Hi!
How are you doing, all right?
I'm Dave [INAUDIBLE].
Hello, Dave I'm Will.
How do you do?
NARRATOR: Adopting a divide and rule strategy, Will scours the backyard while Rebecca searches is indoors.
This is quite good.
Coals got it, get it, thing.
Oh, it's got a-- Oh, how nifty?
I think that's old.
I'm going to get Will.
Will?
NARRATOR: Gosh, a new decisive Rebecca.
Yeah?
Come and have a look at this.
Oh?
Not sure.
NARRATOR: Yeah.
REBECCA WILCOX: Don't get your hopes up.
Oh a little purdonium!
NARRATOR: A purdonium is a type of coal scuttle named after its inventor, Mr. Purdon.
This one's 85 pounds.
I'm just thinking-- a sell room Big brass-- --in the middle of summer.
Let's think about it.
It's a possibility.
NARRATOR: As you were-- no decision.
Let the rummaging continue.
[DRUMMING] [LAUGHS] That's a quirky item, isn't it.
[ACCORDION PLAYS] [LAUGHS] Well I was just thinking, there I am telling Becca not to look at coal purdoniums because it's high summer, and what am I looking at?
A sledge.
[ACCORDION PLAYS] If I give Will another musical item, he'll lose all faith in me.
But not any old sledge, this is what they call a Flexible Flyer.
It's an American company that make these sledges, and they've got some great steering at the front there.
[ACCORDION PLAYS] For me, that's a great thing.
But I don't know how is she going to take it when I tell her-- seasonal.
NARRATOR: There's no time like the present to find out.
Oh dear.
Have you ever seen a sledge the better than that?
You're not impressed are you.
Can't say as I'm feeling it.
It's a proper bit of American folk art.
You genuinely think we can make money on it?
Seen them make good money, but it's just whether the market is there in Woking-- --in Woking, in summer.
In summer, for a sledge.
No.
We'll leave the sleigh, I can tell you're not enamored by the sled.
I'm not not-- If not, there's a lovely little box that I saw-- a lacquered box.
NARRATOR: Crikey.
Rebecca struggling to decide between two items, and Will's introducing a third?
This is it, there-- a little Japanese lacquered box.
OK. Look at the quality, look at the workmanship-- that's all done by hand, you know.
Is it?
Yeah!
NARRATOR: The box probably dates from the 1920s or 30s, and it's 22 pounds.
Why don't I like it, what's wrong with me?
I think this-- at auction, if it's picked up by the right person, could easily make 40, 50, maybe 60 quid.
Really?
OK. Well this is hard, because now I really like the sled in comparison with that.
Really?
And what about your coal bucket?
No, it got knocked out.
I'm fickle.
NARRATOR: Let's be clear, Rebecca's decided against the coal scuttle and doesn't like the lacquered box, but there's still trouble reaching a decision.
We're in a dilemma, aren't we.
You said you were indecisive.
So indecisive.
See I would never buy the box.
But now I would buy the sled, wouldn't have before.
WILL AXON: You wouldn't, would you?
REBECCA WILCOX: No.
What?
Rubbish.
DAVID HARPER: Now let's throw caution to the wind and buy the sled.
Oh-- let's do the sled!
Yeah?
You stay here, I'll go and get it.
OK. NARRATOR: Now there's still the crucial matter of the 48 pounds price ticket.
Hello!
Hi!
Find something?
REBECCA WILCOX: Yes!
I think so.
DAVE: Oh, that's the best item in the shop.
WILL AXON: Is it?
REBECCA WILCOX: I knew you'd say that.
But, but, but-- it's the height of summer, we're trying to sell a sledge-- what's the best price you can do?
I could do it for 40.
Oh, I was thinking 30.
WILL AXON: I've played this game.
35 and we got a deal.
Go for 33 and you'd make really happy.
[LAUGHING] WILL AXON: She's good, isn't she?
Well I'll tell you what, half of this item belongs to my colleague, here.
So what do you think, Pat?
33 then.
33!
WILL AXON: Oh good work!
You're a sucker for a pretty face.
NARRATOR: Rebecca and will have clinched their fifth and final purchase, reduced from 48 pounds to 33.
But will the scrutiny of Esther and David provoke fresh doubts as the teams reveal all?
Walk them through it, Becca.
So beautiful vase-- possibly 1920s.
I like that, yeah.
This is a Keith Murray for Wedgwood.
DAVID HARPER: OK WILL AXON: And we paid for that-- REBECCA WILCOX: 75.
77.
77.
Really?
I don't know!
[LAUGHS] (WHISPERS) That's a fortune.
Then this is all Becca's doing.
Yes.
Oh, so you're passing the blame already then, Will.
Well done, I like your tactics.
This is the one giving me nightmares.
ESTHER RANTZEN: Why?
REBECCA WILCOX: Because it's not particularly beautiful, and it's not worth much, and-- Did you pay much for it?
We paid for that 22 pounds.
[CHOKES, LAUGHS] REBECCA WILCOX: Yeah see?
Oh dear.
Then down front-- It's a sledge!
Oh!
That looks good fun.
WILL AXON: It's an American piece, and I have seen them make good money.
Now can I just make a point, Esther Rantzen is so quiet-- this is unbelievable.
She thinks we're nuts!
She's in shock!
I know that expression.
[LAUGHS] - Do you?
She's pulled that face when I've brought certain men home.
it's not good.
[LAUGHS] Not suitable.
REBECCA WILCOX: Not suitable.
WILL AXON: Come on Esther, pass judgment on our treasure.
I think you've tried really hard.
WILL AXON: She's so polite.
No she's not.
No.
We all know what she really means.
Really quite rude.
Just take the opposite meaning and everything she's saying, and there's her honest truth.
ESTHER RANTZEN: I'm glad that is a well known name, because otherwise I might think they were exceptionally dull.
Yes.
I have no idea who Madame is, but I could be completely wrong.
Yeah, it's time to show yours.
Yeah, come on then.
Right, get ready to be criticized now.
[INTERPOSING VOICES] WILL AXON: Gloves are off.
DAVID HARPER: --not good.
[OOHS AND AAHS] REBECCA WILCOX: Oh look they went for art!
They've gone-- they've bought art.
Military cigarette case-- God, even I'm impressed, Esther, when we unroll this.
OK. Go on talk us through it.
Now, this every picture tells a story.
And the original, obviously, watercolors.
WILL AXON: Yeah.
And I took the view, there be quite a lot of grandparents at the auction and they might like to decorate a nursery, and it would be perfect.
Yeah, I think it would look lovely in your nursery, actually, you might consider bidding.
I'm supposed to be nasty I'm supposed to be, "it's horrible."
That is a cigarette case, but it would double as a card case.
It is Sterling silver-- 60 quid.
DAVID HARPER: Yeah bang on, 55.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah.
Well I think it's a really eclectic, interesting mix.
And we are now in the hands of-- [INTERPOSING VOICES] DAVID HARPER: --the gods.
--the auctioneer.
NARRATOR: Crumbs.
With no punches pulled in public, what will they say in private?
ESTHER RANTZEN: The sledge will be fine in a hotel-- DAVID HARPER: --in Switzerland.
ESTHER RANTZEN: Yeah, or Scotland.
- Yeah, OK. - But Woking?
--Woking in the summer.
Excellent news.
ESTHER RANTZEN: The tankard was peculiar, wasn't it?
DAVID HARPER: Wasn't me.
I hate the tankard!
That was all your work.
Because it's all my fault.
Would you swap all of their items for all of your items?
No.
Good.
Absolutely not.
Oh come on, fist bump it out.
Yeah, man.
Oh!
Loving your work.
Don't carry that off, not street.
[LAUGHS] NARRATOR: As auction day dawns Esther's raring to go.
I am so excited about the auction!
I absolutely adore auctions.
When your father and I used to go to charity events and there was an auction he had to hold me down and handcuff me, because I would bid for everything.
How are you feeling about it all?
I've never been to an auction.
It's huge fun!
I'm quite excited.
NARRATOR: Our teams are traveling from the Thames Valley down to a village called Send, near Woking in Surrey.
DAVID HARPER: It suits you.
WILL AXON: Hello, again!
NARRATOR: Happily David's taste in trousers doesn't send the celebs running, so it's on with the show.
WILL AXON: Are you an auction-- Never been, never been.
WILL AXON: Really?
DAVID HARPER: Is this your first time?
REBECCA WILCOX: Anxious because I fidget-- I'm going to accidentally bid on something.
Oh, don't.
You've got to sit on your hands and don't blink.
Don't blink!
Because if you blink you spend money.
Come on.
Anything can happen, anything.
- OK. - Come on.
NARRATOR: So very true.
The place where anything might happen today is Ewbank's Auctions, which holds quarterly antique and fine art auctions, as well as a range of specialist sales.
Tim Dugan's the man wielding the gavel, so what does he think might happen?
I think the sleigh is going to be of interest-- it's a novelty item, it's all well displayed.
The glass vase I quite like, it's got the certificate there.
If I had to pick a lot, I like the silver dressing table set.
It's very nice, it's very stylized, it's very Art Deco.
And I'm hoping to get that away, certainly should make 50, 60 pounds.
Tankard-- yeah.
If I can say, it's a little bit boring.
10 pounds would be lucky, yeah.
NARRATOR: Each of our team started with 400 pounds.
Esther listened to David's advice, then followed her own instincts.
Somehow they managed to agree on five diverse lots spending a paltry total of 167 pounds.
Rebecca convinced herself she had bad taste, but with help from Will, eventually managed to decide on her five lots shelling out a much heftier 232 pounds.
As the auction gets underway, Will's doing nothing to soothe Rebecca's nerves.
It's the arena.
This is the arena.
Are we gladiators?
Yeah.
NARRATOR: First up is the World War II RAF cigarette case that stirred Esther's emotions.
Esther, this is us.
Good luck, David.
Good luck, Esther.
Silver RAF cigarette case hallmarked for Birmingham 1939.
Bid's on book and I'm in at 20 pounds now-- It's a gift!
It's a gift from a proud mom to a 19-year-old who has just joined the RAF in 1939, just before the Battle of Britain.
This is a very important lot.
AUCTIONEER: You sold it, you sold it.
No, you weren't expecting that, were you.
I was.
Yes.
Should I say that's life?
At 35 now, 40's in the room now, 45, I got 50, sir-- Come on!
With you, sir, in the door at 50 pounds, 55-- Come on.
AUCTIONEER: 65 and 70, 75, 80, 85?
At 80 pounds in the doorway, standing at 80 pounds now.
Looking for 85 anywhere.
At 80 pounds then for the last call [INAUDIBLE] --on the doorway at 80 pounds!
Oh!
Well that's a bit of a trickle, it's a trickle.
So thank you for the trickle.
NARRATOR: I call 25 pounds profit a very reasonable start for Esther and David.
REBECCA WILCOX: I can't believe you did that.
[LAUGHS] I tried to pull her down, but almost got her trousers.
That would've been brilliant!
[INAUDIBLE] NARRATOR: The second lot of silver is Rebecca's Art Deco brush and mirror set, fancied by auctioneer Tim.
30 pounds for it.
30 pounds, 30 pounds bid now, and 5 and 40 now 45 now.
50, 55, now 60, now 65.
I got a 65 now?
At 60 pounds, at 60 pounds we all have done the selling then.
At 60 pounds.
Oh that's-- not as bad as you thought.
Much better.
I think we got away with that.
NARRATOR: A classy choice, but an unlucky debut for Rebecca.
Are you enjoying your auction experience?
No!
Will and Rebecca's Keith Murray for Wedgwood set is next.
Will the bidders rate it delightful or dull?
Had you say 100 pounds for it-- NARRATOR: Don't bid!
Don't-- I thought you were bidding!
[LAUGHS] 30 if you like, 30 bid, 35-- It can go up.
45, now 50.
At 50 pound now, look at 55, 55 online now, 60, 65 online, if you want it.
Online bidding.
AUCTIONEER: 60 in the room then, at 65 now back, 70. surely, come on it's 70 pounds-- worth it.
Send your bid now, 75 online, 75 online, look for 75 now, who wants it?
Gone quite online now at 70 pounds.
You've gone off it?
70 pounds.
Can't believe we lost!
NARRATOR: Yes another small loss adds up to a bumpy start for Rebecca, but there's still plenty of time to turn things around.
Well it's a bit of a loss, not much.
We have a little bit-- [INAUDIBLE] NARRATOR: Next up is the 19th century Imari plate, found by Esther.
10 pounds for it, 10 for it, Go on.
Japanese and it's Imari.
10 pounds for it [AUCTIONEER SPEECH] 10 for it-- Esther to do something!
15, I've got now, and 20 madame, and 25-- Come on!
AUCTIONEER: At 25, What did we pay?
AUCTIONEER: 25 in the right, so back of the line-- Come on, you miserable lot!
Yeah!
AUCTIONEER: At 25 pounds, with you madame at 25, then setting them to the room at 25 pounds.
Yes!
Thank you.
As Esther and David consolidate their lead, Rebecca's realized she's on the back foot.
It's because people love you.
They don't know who the hell I am.
NARRATOR: Rebecca and Will both liked the glass trumpet vase, now they need the bidders to feel the same.
You could use it for a hospital sample.
You'd know.
It looks like it already has.
20 pounds for it.
Come on 20 pounds for it, maybe 10 then-- Oh!
Stupid-- You're betting!
10 pounds for it.
Come on surely, 10 to the back now, 10 is bid now, take 15, take 15.
This is criminal.
It's a beautiful.
Period.
At 10 pounds, and 10 pounds at the back we go then.
Beautiful!
At 10 pounds!
[GASPS] Wrong!
Wrong!
Calm down, calm down.
NARRATOR: The right people just weren't in the room, Rebecca.
You ever bought that you might get a quick profit in the car park.
[INAUDIBLE] NARRATOR: After a series of losses, comes the lot that worries Rebecca most.
The Bohemian tankard she chose.
30 pounds, 10 if you like-- Oh for goodness sake!
Oh it's going?
Yeah.
Yeah it's a nice thing.
It's beautiful.
In the front row we are at 20, 25 online now, battle at 30-- It's got a profit?
35 now looking at 40, 40 bid now what 45 online, was 45 I have now online now, I want 50.
You're out.
45-- I feel sick.
Told you.
At 45 pounds.
Yay!
Oh!
Change of tune.
[LAUGHS] NARRATOR: Rebecca's supposedly tasteless tankard comes up trumps and turns around her fortunes.
Back in the game.
Yeah.
It's good now, isn't it?
Yeah.
Esther discovered the French studio glass vase-- will it be a oui or no from the bidders?
I'd say 10 pounds for it, 10 bid, 15 bid, 20 bid-- Come on.
25 now, 30 bid, 35 now, 40 bid now, 40 pounds now, and now 45-- Come on, come on!
At 45 then selling then at 45 pounds!
[FRENCH] NARRATOR: Magnifique!
Esther and David's profits are rising slowly, but steadily.
We're trickling all the way.
We're leaking all the way.
Yeah NARRATOR: Don't fret, Rebecca.
It may be summer in Surrey, but Will has high hopes for the American sledge.
I just say 100 pounds for it.
Come on.
Nice out on this one, 100 pounds for it, 50 for it, 50 I've got, 55 now, 60, 65 now, 70 now, 75.
With the lady at 75, now looking for 80, looking for 80-- It's a good laugh.
85 pounds now, looking for 80 anywhere, back to 75 pound, the bids are all out then, set in at the back of the room we go at 75 pounds.
Wow.
Well done, well done.
We're pleased with it It's all right.
NARRATOR: A spectacular 42 pounds profit puts Rebecca and Will right back in the running.
Yeah.
Oh, look see-- now she's happy.
Was she like this as a child?
Yes.
always.
NARRATOR: Next up is the American rocker, hideous according to Esther.
30 pounds for it, 30 pounds for it-- Go on, go on.
Don't be ridiculous.
you'd have to pay me to buy that.
Go on!
10 for it, 10 bid-- No that was 20 he was bidding.
10 bid, 10-- Are you cheating?
He said 20, I heard him say it.
15 bid, 20-- Come on.
Come on.
Come on.
AUCTIONEER: At 30 pounds with you, and 30 pounds now-- He's just said 40.
[LAUGHS] AUCTIONEER: 30 pound, looking for 35 anywhere-- Can someone get security in here?
AUCTIONEER: 40, 45 now-- Yes!
Go on!
You realize it has no cushions.
Yeah but how much would it be worth with cushions?
Selling then at 40 pounds.
Well done.
Wow.
NARRATOR: Not so hideous when you consider that's a decent profit, Esther.
Well done.
Well done, you.
For believing in the American rocker.
Look at that look.
[LAUGHS] Esther's banking on doting grandparents, like herself, to snap up the final lot-- the four nursery pictures.
Good indicative there, 30 pounds to pay them for the framing, 30 pounds, maybe 20, 20 bid, 25 behind you, 30 sir-- Come on, come on, come on!
35 for the lady-- Come on!
Looking for 40, at 35 pounds-- Stop looking down.
35 pounds!
Our first loss.
It's our first loss.
I'm glad you had one.
NARRATOR: Late in the day Esther and David join the losers club, but only a modest tenner down.
Share the pain.
I wish they'd had more pain.
Good stuff though.
Should we go and hit the burger van?
Yes please!
Let's do it.
NARRATOR: So let's check the ratio of pain to profit.
After the agonies of indecision, Rebecca and Will did well with the sledge and the supposedly tacky tankard, but after paying auction costs, they made a small loss of 18 pounds ATP.
It leaves them with a total of 381 pounds, 20p.
Despite their taste war, Esther and David managed to acquire some solid lots, and their profits climbed slowly but surely to 17 pounds 50p, giving them a total of 417 pounds 50p and victory on this road trip all profits, no matter how small, go to children in need.
Very good.
It's not about the winning or losing-- it's the taking part and the learning-- [INTERPOSING VOICES] No, I think you always thought that, Becca.
All the way through you were thinking-- I was fine.
I'm not at all competitive.
No, we've noticed.
Yeah.
[LAUGHS] I think if you buy what you love, it almost doesn't matter that you completely crush the opposition and win.
She's going to be intolerable, she's now an expert.
Teeny tiny win-- Intolerable forever now, you know that don't you?
Yeah.
I've got to get in the car with her.
You've got to hang in all the way home.
Thanks for your help.
Bye!
ESTHER RANTZEN: Thank you.
Thank you.
It has been fun I've absolutely adored it and if somebody asked me to do a whole week of this, I would jump at it.
So I suppose the biggest profit we made-- REBECCA WILCOX: Oh, stop it.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
