Charlie Ross and Izzie Balmer, Day 1

NARRATOR: It's the nation's favorite antiques experts.

I think I found something.

Pretty good, yeah.

NARRATOR: Behind the wheel of a classic car.

Oh, stop it.

NARRATOR: And the goal?

Scour Britain for antiques.

I think it's brilliant.

NARRATOR: The aim?

To make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no mean feat.

You're some man.

NARRATOR: There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

Will it be the high road to glory?

Yeah, baby!

NARRATOR: Or a slow road to disaster?

Oh, no.

NARRATOR: This is the "Antiques Road Trip."

[MUSIC PLAYING] En garde.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Oh, glorious Gloucestershire.

[MUSIC PLAYING] And a brand-spanking new road trip.

Keep your eyes on the road.

NARRATOR: With Charlie Ross-- Would you stop looking at me and look at the road, please?

NARRATOR: and Izzie Balmer.

But you're just so desirable, and I just can't pan my gaze away.

I feel you're first person to ever say that, but I'd like you to keep your eyes on the road.

NARRATOR: Yeah, he's a one, eh?

Been around the block, too.

I'll give you three guesses as to what my first auction was.

I don't even know what they had in the '60s.

Chickens.

No, I would have never guessed.

Pens of chickens.

No, I thought you wouldn't.

I would never have guessed that.

NARRATOR: Now, to quiz Road Trip's spring chicken.

What would be your specialist subject?

I suppose my specialist subject is jewelry.

Oh, is it?

NARRATOR: Wiltshire-based auctioneer Izzie-- Something like that.

Ta-da.

NARRATOR: --is drawn to the sparklier world of antiques.

I like anything pretty.

Anything pretty?

Yeah.

Well, you're in the wrong car.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Old-hand Charlie-- Look at this quality.

NARRATOR: --is also an auctioneer and loves getting his hands on 18th and 19th-century furniture.

[MUSIC PLAYING] I like the rugged look as well.

Oh, god.

Now you're in the right car.

NARRATOR: Absolutely right.

It's a rather lovely 1968 Triumph 2000.

My dad had one of those.

This car then came onto the market when you began your career as an auctioneer?

You're absolutely right.

This car was made just as I was selling chickens.

NARRATOR: Hopefully, today's buys won't fall foul.

Are you a good negotiator?

Do you know what?

I do it all with a smile.

Sometimes it doesn't work.

No.

Get out of my shop.

Insolent man.

NARRATOR: You know, you never really dress without a smile, chaps.

I've got one advantage.

Have you seen the number plate of this car?

No.

CHARLIE ROSS: CUR Charlie Unbelievable Ross.

How good is that?

NARRATOR: I'd say U for unique, boyo.

With 200 pounds each in their pockets, they're on a countryside quest through the Cotswold counties before shimmying over the border into Wales and a junket through the southwest with the final auction in Battle.

[MUSIC PLAYING] The first leg of this trip will end up at auction in Cardiff, but our conquest begins in the town of Stow-on-the-Wold.

[MUSIC PLAYING] What could be nicer?

[MUSIC PLAYING] Charlie and Izzie will share the first shop, Tara Antiques.

First, parking.

Would you like a little assistance?

From you, Charlie?

I don't think you need assistance the way you drive.

NARRATOR: Quite the gent, Charlie.

Back you come, matron.

Keep coming.

We'll go about six inches.

Whoa, there!

NARRATOR: Hey!

Careful.

Right-hand hard, that.

We'll be in the shop in a minute, my dear.

Five minutes.

NARRATOR: Goodness gracious, you two.

Come on, time to get inside.

Are we done?

Yeah, yeah.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: This shop covers three floors.

Bound to be a bargain in here.

But where?

[MUSIC PLAYING] This is fascinating.

I think it's nothing more than a coal bin, but it's art deco.

True art deco.

You can see by the lines.

Made of metal, but they've simulated bird's eye maple.

So it looks like a bit of maple wood.

You could use it for something else.

1930, 1940, pre-war.

Good fun for 20 or 30 quid.

NARRATOR: Well, a haggle'll be fun, too.

We'll see.

Where's Izzie got to?

IZZY BALMER: Oh, look at this.

I was not expecting to see this in the Cotswolds.

It's a piece of railway iron.

LMSR is the London Midland Scottish Railway.

To be returned to Oil Stores Derby, and that's where I'm originally from, is Derby.

Railway iron is really, really popular.

Big collectors for it out there.

However, we are going to Cardiff.

We're not going to Derby, and at 48 pounds, I think that might just be a little bit too steep.

NARRATOR: Wise move, me thinks.

[MUSIC PLAYING] CHARLIE ROSS: There's something here.

Looks as if it might be of historic interest.

What have we got on the label?

A model the Queen Mary's doll's house.

Queen Mary was married to George V. Bet she had a fantastic doll's house.

"Cauldon", so it's Staffordshire pottery.

Replica of the Queen's doll's house designed by Sir Edward Lutyens, one of the great architects, and the original was exhibited publicly for the first time in the British Empire Exhibition of 1924.

The decorations, furniture, furnishings, and fittings were executed by leading artists and craftsmen of the day.

The doll's house and contents were valued at 275,000 pounds.

How is that for a doll's house?

Itself, it's just about 100 years old.

So I think that's interesting.

It's 29 pounds, not a lot of money, and I like it.

[MUSIC PLAYING] IZZY BALMER: 12 pounds for a miniature horn?

Just check if it works.

NARRATOR: Go on, girl.

[MUSIC PLAYING] More pat!

No.

No, no.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: 10 out of 10 for effort, though.

[MUSIC PLAYING] [FAKE LAUGHING] I found the expert at work.

Have you found anything?

I've seen a lot of extremely lovely things that are out of my price range.

Have you found anything?

Yeah.

There's one bit of history I quite like.

There's something that's wacky, which is typical buy it Ross.

Make a big loss.

I like the sound of this one, then.

Ross and loss.

They go together.

So you haven't bought anything?

No.

I'm very much behind you at the moment.

Well, why don't you just go and get a move on?

OK, I will do.

See you later.

OK. NARRATOR: Get a wiggle on?

Don't spare the horses.

Good luck.

[MUSIC PLAYING] I do love anything in its original box.

19th-century.

And there are scales by Avery and Company.

Avery, I don't know how many millions of scales they made, but they're still going today making electronic scales.

But they started in, believe it or not, the 18th-century.

These are late 19th-century.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: The scales weigh in at 35 pounds.

Possible purchase, I think.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Oh, hello.

The scales.

Are they a yay or a nay?

NARRATOR: This dobbin is not the stallion in charge today.

Oh, no.

That'll be Dealer Peter.

Time to talk numbers, eh?

Starting with the art deco coal bin.

Fingers crossed.

Let's not beat about the bush.

This has got a meaty price on it.

PETER: Normally, I would say six, seven pounds off.

CHARLIE ROSS: Yeah, exactly.

So I think we'd better say no to that.

More interestingly inside-- More goodies.

They weren't inside.

Yeah.

I've got some Avery scales and a model of Queen Mary's doll's house.

NARRATOR: A combined ticket price of 64 pounds.

What about 50 pounds for the two?

Would that do it?

Yeah.

CHARLIE ROSS: 100% happy?

Yes.

Let's shake on that deal.

NARRATOR: That's 25 pounds for the doll's house replica and 25 pounds for the scales.

CHARLIE ROSS: Thank you.

Bye bye.

NARRATOR: Charlie boy is off the mark and still has 150 pounds left.

Now, how's that Izzie getting on?

Oh, this is a desk calendar, and there's a lot of them about.

They're not rare items, but they do still do quite well.

Which, in some ways, is surprising because we've all got computers, and phones, and digital watches.

It tells us the time, the day.

We don't really need one of these, and and these hark back to a time when you didn't have any of that.

And you'd manually each day have to remember to change it.

So for someone like me who's really scatterbrained, I would never remember to change it, and I'd never have a clue what day of the month we were on.

This one, yes, it's probably Victorian, maybe early 20th-century.

It would have once, by the looks of it, had this complete red enamel covering, and the vast majority of it has gone.

It's just a sweet item, isn't it?

And it harks back to a period of time that was so utterly different from how we live our lives today.

NARRATOR: 28 pounds, then.

Time to get on the blower to the dealer.

I'll put over 24?

Do you reckon she could get down to 20?

No?

No.

Meet in the middle?

- Yes, she will do.

- 22?

- 22.

- Yes!

Amazing.

Thank you.

Shake on that.

Thank you very much.

If I give you that-- NARRATOR: First purchase done and 178 left to spend.

Now, back on the road trip trail.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Meanwhile, Charlie's scooting off to the historic city of Cirencester.

[MUSIC PLAYING] The city was founded nearly 2000 years ago soon after the invasion of Britain by Emperor Claudius in AD 43.

[MUSIC PLAYING] It was a series of incredible discoveries unearthed beneath the streets of Victorian Cirencester that stunned the archeological world and unlocked the lost story of Cirencester as a crucial city in the Roman Empire.

[MUSIC PLAYING] The key to this fascinating story is held by the Corinium Museum's learning development officer, Emma Stuart.

- Hello, Emma.

- Hi, Charlie.

Nice to meet you.

And you.

EMMA STUART: Welcome to the Corinium Museum.

CHARLIE ROSS: Thank you very much indeed.

So, Emma, is this the earliest mosaic you've got?

This is the earliest one that was found.

It's not the actual earliest mosaic.

It's a 4th-century mosaic.

Right.

NARRATOR: As fate had it, a walnut tree was blown over at Barton Farm near Cirencester.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Small mosaic tiles popped to the surface that had been hidden in the ground for millennia.

A group of antiquarians, amateur archeologists got together in the town to look at how they were going to preserve this particular mosaic.

If they hadn't looked to preserve this mosaic, then this would have been lost for eternity.

CHARLIE ROSS: Yeah.

NARRATOR: It was vital the city preserved their past.

Henry George, 4th Earl Bathurst, opened the first museum in Cirencester.

to display and protect the mosaics.

They were a revelation, demonstrating how people in Roman Cirencester lived.

EMMA STUART: It's called the Orpheus mosaic, and it shows Orpheus in the center surrounded by animals and birds.

Orpheus in the underworld?

Orpheus in the underworld.

Exactly.

CHARLIE ROSS: What about the animals?

How did they know these animals existed over here?

EMMA STUART: The Roman Empire expands across Africa, so there is a thought that the mosaic makers traveled across the northern tip of Africa.

So they were familiar with these wild beasts.

CHARLIE ROSS: Quite of a shock to the local people, wouldn't it, to see these things?

Absolutely.

It's not something you see locally in the Cotswolds today.

[LAUGHS] CHARLIE ROSS: Absolutely.

NARRATOR: You're right.

Roman mosaics were the bling of the day and a sign of wealth and importance throughout the Empire, proving Cirencester had become a center of Roman lifestyle, commerce, and government.

CHARLIE ROSS: Now, Emma, this is one of the two oldest mosaics that you have here.

Is that right?

EMMA STUART: It is.

Seasons Mosaic is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved if not best-executed mosaics from Roman Britain.

The complete floor is a floor that's dedicated to Bacchus, the God of Wine.

CHARLIE ROSS: Wonderful.

EMMA STUART: And we've got Silenus, who is a teacher of Bacchus.

He's actually known as a drunkard.

He's carrying-- yeah.

He's carrying a [INAUDIBLE] vessel, which is a wine cup.

He's traveling on the back of a donkey backwards-- CHARLIE ROSS: You mean he's had a few?

--in a drunken state.

CHARLIE ROSS: Yeah.

Yes.

In the center, we've got Medusa, who's known as a monster in Greek and Roman myth.

She was actually a beautiful priestess who offended the goddess, Athena, and she was turned into this monstrous creature with snaked hair.

So a lot of people today see her as a figure of fear, but on Roman mosaic floors, she's a person of protection.

NARRATOR: Specialist groups of mosaic makers sprang up to feed the boom in luxury living.

Roman mosaic makers had to transfer their incredible skills to the locals who had no idea how to make them.

I'm ready with my goggles.

What do I need to do?

EMMA STUART: So just on the table in front of you, we've got a selection of tesserae.

They're the tile pieces that were used.

Pick up your tile.

CHARLIE ROSS: Pick up a tile.

Pop your tile in the center and just give it a gentle squeeze.

Three pieces.

So I can just put those on one side?

EMMA STUART: You can see they're not particularly uniform in shape.

They use them in the same way that you're doing today, piecing them together a little bit like a jigsaw and just making the pieces fit.

Did they have a sort of pattern book to go by?

Things they were following?

There is a theory that pattern books were used across the Roman Empire, but none survived today, unfortunately.

You can see similarities in Roman mosaics, but no two mosaics are the same.

CHARLIE ROSS: A work of art, antiques road trip.

EMMA STUART: Absolutely fantastic.

CHARLIE ROSS: You now have the oldest mosaic in the area and the newest mosaic in the area.

Thank you very much indeed.

Thank you, Charlie.

Been fascinating.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Meanwhile, Izzie's off to her next shop in Bampton, known to some with a more rustic nature as Bampton-in-the-Bush.

That's better.

[MUSIC PLAYING] What's the mood, then?

I really, really like what I bought.

I love that desk calendar, and I'm hoping that Charlie's gonna be just a little bit jealous of it.

NARRATOR: Yeah, keep Roscoe on his toes, eh?

[MUSIC PLAYING] With 178 pounds burning a hole in her pocket, Izzie's arrived at Arthur's Attic at Dutton's.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Let's find out what's hiding in this lofty outlet.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Oh, very fetching.

Ascot?

I think this might suit Charlie better.

NARRATOR: Oh.

I don't think it's his color, love.

Now, hurry up.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Oh, hello.

IZZY BALMER: Oh, I like this.

It's a Victorian caliper gauge or button measure because it's certainly got a small scale, but what I particularly like about it is the craftsmanship.

It's ever so simple, but you've got this lovely brass mount and then the wooden section.

And it just all slots in so nicely.

It's only 25 pounds.

I mean, I do really like this.

NARRATOR: It's a nice thing.

Have you got the measure of it?

Anything else?

IZZY BALMER: This is a bit of fun.

At first glance, it looks like a pen.

It looks like a fairly ordinary 1930s fountain pen.

However, it's got this little ring pull at the end that made me think, hmm, I wonder.

And if you open the lid, you've got a little scale for weighing letters.

So it's probably been used by the post office.

It's a Salter scale, Richard Salter.

He made springs, and in the 1760s, he began making the first spring scales in Britain.

And you see Salter scales everywhere.

You know, the types of baking scales, shopkeeper scales.

It's a really well-known name, and throughout the 1900s, the company really thrived.

So I better check the price, which is 25 pounds.

That does seem really reasonable.

I've got two items.

I wonder if I can find a third?

NARRATOR: Oh, I'm sure you can amongst this lot.

You're on a roll, girl.

[MUSIC PLAYING] I do love a good toast rack.

It's even got a butter dish, and everyone needs butter with their toast.

It's made by Mappin It's also got an aesthetic movement influence here with these bamboo type arches, and they often drew their inspiration and influences from the Orient and Orientalism.

I'm gonna go and see what I can get for this.

I've got three items, and I've made a decision about all three.

Well done, me.

NARRATOR: Three cheers for Izzie.

Hip hip-- All right, never mind.

Dieter Alison incoming.

Just noticed your bell.

NARRATOR: Three tings for Izzie.

Much better.

I found three items.

They are all marked at 25 pounds each.

These are from the same dealer, So.

They're 50 pound.

I can normally do 10%, so that would be 45?

I was gonna be really cheeky and say 25.

Oh.

35?

Can we meet in the middle?

Go 30?

Yes, I think I know him.

I think he would do that one for you.

Oh, fantastic.

That's super.

NARRATOR: Good day, then.

But what about the toast rack?

- I'll go to 20.

- Go to 20?

Right.

Perfect.

Let's shake.

Deal on those?

- Deal.

- Thank you, very much.

Thank you, very much.

NARRATOR: That's 15 pounds each for the Victorian button measure, and the 1930s letter scales, and 20 pounds for the toast track.

128 in your purse.

Four items in the boot.

Jolly good shopping day.

[MUSIC PLAYING] I can't wait for tomorrow.

But tonight, what's your favorite food?

I feel like a pie.

Then tonight, I will buy you a huge pie and a glass of wine provided you can promise me you haven't bought something that's gonna make a fortune?

I mean, I can't promise you that.

All right, it'll be a very small pie and a very tiny glass of wine.

NARRATOR: Sounds delightful.

Nighty night, you lot.

[MUSIC PLAYING] [SPEAKING WELSH] That's Welsh for good morning.

It's a new day on the road trip.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Our team are well-rested and hurtling through the South Wales countryside.

IZZY BALMER: I do feel that as we're in Wales, we should be speaking in Welsh.

But you know any?

[SPEAKING WELSH] That's antiques.

That's antiques?

Have you any [SPEAKING WELSH] And you say yes.

Yes.

[SPEAKING WELSH] What's that?

Thank you?

Thank you very much.

NARRATOR: Someone swallowed a Welsh dictionary.

[SPEAKING WELSH] The direct translation of that is old things.

So you are looking at [SPEAKING WELSH] You are looking at an original, breathing, [SPEAKING WELSH] [MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Yesterday, Izzie got off to a flying start with four items bought; the Victorian desk calendar, a silver toast rack, a button measure, and the letter scales.

This is a bit of fun.

NARRATOR: All for a total of 72 pounds.

Can you believe it?

Well done, me.

NARRATOR: Blimey.

Leaving her with 128 pounds to spend.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Charlie's also done well, spending a total of 50 pounds on a model of Queen Mary's doll's house and some 19th-century scales.

Are they a yay or a nay?

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: But what does izzie make of them?

IZZY BALMER: Do you know what's quite funny, Charlie?

I bought some scales as well.

You haven't.

IZZY BALMER: I have.

[INAUDIBLE] Charlie, I'm having issues fitting them back into the box.

Bend it sideways, matron.

I don't want to break or damage the glass.

No, I don't want you to break them either, to be perfectly honest.

I'd rather you didn't.

Maybe I should.

I'll just jam it in here.

Oh, oops.

NARRATOR: Be careful.

All damages must be paid for.

After dropping off Izzie, Charlie's made his way into the Vale of Glamorgan and to the market town of Cowbridge-- [MUSIC PLAYING] Home to the aptly named Happy Days Home Store.

[MUSIC PLAYING] But can this shot put a big grin on Charlie's face?

CHARLIE ROSS: Good Lord.

A war emergency pack of Anusan suppositories.

It's in its original box.

NARRATOR: Yes, it was common for the British army to issue emergency medical packs, giving soldiers quick access to pain relief and for other discomforts, too, thus these suppositories.

CHARLIE ROSS: Somebody has used three of them because there's nine left out of 12.

I mean, of course that's something that you would need at any stage.

But in the war, I'm amazed that they had things like that.

In the original box, why not?

I'm really quite interested in buying them.

It's a bit of history.

NARRATOR: Yes.

Anything else catch your eye?

Dear, oh, dear.

CHARLIE ROSS: The name Ross is synonymous with 18th and 19th-century furniture.

When I first saw it, I thought it was a [INAUDIBLE],, a pray to God, a prayer chair, because the low chairs you knelt on and put your elbows and prayed.

But they normally had a bar at the back.

This, then, I think is a nursing chair.

How old is it?

Well, it's certainly 19th-century.

1810 to about 1850.

It's in super condition, and I think looking at that tapestry work on there, we have something that's English.

And I'm gonna make the most ridiculously cheeky, rude offer of 20 pounds for it.

Because I want to buy a piece of furniture on every single leg of this road trip and prove that English furniture still sells.

Jan!

NARRATOR: Woo-hoo.

Dealer Jan?

Are you there, Jan?

Hello.

CHARLIE ROSS: Hello.

that was quick.

Look what I found.

Very nice.

CHARLIE ROSS: I think it's fabulous, and I can see it started off at 69 pounds, no discount.

It's now 40 pounds.

JAN: You'd like it for even less, Charlie?

I'm not gonna mince about here.

I'd like it for 20 quid.

It's a miserable offer.

But it is what it is, and I suspect the reason it hasn't sold is because nobody wants it other than me.

NARRATOR: Get on your knees and pray.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Yes, you can have it for 20.

[MUSIC PLAYING] I knew my prayers would be answered.

Shall I hold it up to the light?

Or shall I trust you?

[LAUGHS] CHARLIE ROSS: Oh, ye of little faith.

Thank you, Charlie.

Thank you very much indeed.

You're welcome.

NARRATOR: Success.

Purchase.

NARRATOR: Now, let's see what deal can be done on the military suppositories.

I dread to think.

I'm tempted to say, Jan, what's your bottom price?

JAN: But you're not going to say that, are you, Charlie?

CHARLIE ROSS: I just said it.

I do apologize.

For you, Charlie, you can have them for 12.

CHARLIE ROSS: 12 pounds?

The suppositories have the vote.

Fair enough.

NARRATOR: Yeah.

CHARLIE ROSS: Here's a tenner.

JAN: Thank you.

NARRATOR: Is that money down the pan?

We'll find out in auction.

In the meanwhile, Charlie still has 118 pounds left in his pocket.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Izzie's going yonder to the Rhonda on a slight detour to the village of Pont-y-clun.

[MUSIC PLAYING] She's visiting Ceulan Stud.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Home to the oldest Welsh pony farm in the world.

A breed that, by royal decree, faced slaughter but survived, making them the pride of the Welsh mountains.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Breeder Dr. Wynne Davis, MBE, has been dedicated to telling their story all his life.

WYNNE DAVIS: They've been in the hills of Wales and on these Welsh farms for 3 and 1/2 thousand years since the Bronze Age.

And is that what makes them Welsh?

Well, I should think after 3 and 1/2 thousand years, we can claim them to be Welsh.

I'll shout for them now.

Come on.

Come on.

Go up, go up, go up, go up, go up.

Come on.

IZZY BALMER: Gosh, look at them go.

Look at that little foal.

Have these ponies always been popular in Wales?

WYNNE DAVIS: Well, yes.

Julius Caesar was so impressed with the Welsh ponies that were pulling the chariot supposing him that he took some back with him to Rome.

So that was the start of our export trade, you can say, 2000 years ago.

IZZY BALMER: These ponies haven't always been in favor with the rulers of the land, have they?

No.

Well, King Henry VIII in 1535 passed the act to kill off all Welsh mountain ponies.

He regarded these little ponies as nags of small stature, and, of course, there were no good for him to go into battle.

They weren't big enough.

And anything that wasn't able to carry the knights into battle, he regarded as being of no value.

IZZY BALMER: Right.

What happened to the Welsh mountain ponies once Henry VIII had ordered them to be destroyed?

Well, the ponies all escaped up into mountains like Snowdonia, which were inaccessible for the slaughterers.

So they couldn't get after them, so that these ponies, as long as they stayed up there, they were safe.

Otherwise, we wouldn't have any Welsh mountain ponies now.

So the Welsh mountain ponies really did live up to their names?

WYNNE DAVIS: Oh, yes.

Yes.

And escaped to the mountains?

WYNNE DAVIS: Oh, yes.

Yes.

When did things change for the Welsh mountain pony?

Queen Elizabeth.

When she came to the throne, she realized that she didn't have enough horses, and she was a very sympathetic lady anyway.

She didn't want to have them all killed.

So she annulled the act, and then the ponies were allowed to come down and go where they liked.

The Welsh people were so pleased that there were lots and lots of Bessies, but we didn't have any Henries.

IZZY BALMER: They must have been really resilient to stay up in the mountains on their own.

WYNNE DAVIS: Well, after so many generations, the conditions up there were so harsh.

They would breed themselves to be resilient and intelligent.

Right.

And it's the intelligence which has actually put-- continued.

And that's why they're so popular now.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Down through the years, the Welsh pony was regarded as a do-everything horse because of their versatility, whether on farmland or pulling milk carts and coaches.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Today, the breed is commonly used in equestrian sports or being run on a show ring and judged at competitions, just like Wynne is doing here as a lad.

I'd love to see these ponies running.

I hope you don't expect me to run at my age, but I'd love to see you running with them as well.

What?

Right.

You're right on.

Come on, lovely.

Come on.

[MUSIC PLAYING] This is fun, innit?

You join a good show.

Keep going.

Down we go.

Oh my goodness me.

Who's leading who here?

[LAUGHS] That was very well, darling.

How did I do?

I thought you did an excellent job.

I think I'll have to book you for the royal Welsh show next year.

IZZY BALMER: I'd love to.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: It looks like the Welsh mountain pony is in safe hands for many years to come.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Back in the Triumph, Charlie's making headway to Pyle.

[MUSIC PLAYING] I've still got 118 pounds left, and I've already bought four things.

But, true to my promise, I bought a piece of furniture.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Your final port of call is Nostalgia Antiques.

- Hello.

- Hello, hi.

You must be Lois.

Yes, I am.

- Lovely to meet you.

- Same you.

Nice to meet you.

- Can I have a look around?

Yeah, of course you can.

Yeah.

Thank you.

I'm very excited.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: There are some lovely objects dotted about.

Will Charlie be able to find another alluring piece with Dealer Lois's help?

This is delicious.

Do you know why I really like this?

There are two things.

One, when I saw it coming through the door, I thought it would be a reproduction.

Right.

Because this is the sort of thing that was reproduced in the Far East all the time, and it's not.

It's Edwardian.

It's 1920, 1930.

It's in fantastic condition.

If you think that's a child's rocking chair, if a child had been rocking around on that, it would have fallen to bits.

LOIS: I know.

I know.

There's no damage on it, I don't think.

No.

And it's fab.

NARRATOR: Ticketed at 55 pounds.

If I were to ask you on bended knee what your best price?

LOIS: I could do 40.

CHARLIE ROSS: Could you?

LOIS: Yeah.

CHARLIE ROSS: And that would show you a profit?

LOIS: Yeah.

No, I wouldn't dream of trying to mark it down anymore of those.

You know I'm an honorable gentleman.

Thank you very much.

Thanks.

NARRATOR: It's a deal for the Edwardian child's rocking chair, and the Honorable Charlie Rose has a noble 78 pounds left in his kitty.

[MUSIC PLAYING] In the meantime, Izzie's made her way to the small town of Neath.

A final shop is Vintage 7 Centre.

[MUSIC PLAYING] What is it with you and hats on this trip?

[MUSIC PLAYING] Now, what may tempt you to part with your remaining 128 pounds then?

I do always like a flash of color and a bit of sparkle, and this is Murano glass.

Murano glass is very distinctive by its bright, and bold, and vibrant use of color, and the blobs and the swirls, which are obviously technical terms.

And in this particular instance, there's a sparkle crackled effect going on as well.

And we call this design Tutti Frutti because well, it looks like sweets in a-- sweets in a bowl, really.

But Murano glass has a really long history.

So it's an island off Venice, and the Venetian glass can be traced back to the 8th and 9th centuries.

But Murano glass came to prominence in the 15th and 16th-century.

There is no price on here.

I'm hoping that that means it's really, really cheap, a bargain price to me.

NARRATOR: Can Dia Gainer shed any light?

Go Gainer.

DIA GAINER: The best I could do on it would be 18.

IZZY BALMER: Not gonna argue with that at 18 pounds.

NARRATOR: Yeah, that's Izzie all spent up then.

I wish you the best of luck.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: And the Tutti Frutti bowl concludes the shopping for this leg.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Now home time on our Welsh adventure.

The trouble is, I don't really know the words of the Welsh national anthem.

But when we are at rugby match-- And then he goes into the Welsh, and I sing whales, whales.

Blooming great fishes.

Oh, whales.

They swim in the sea.

Wave to them for tea.

Those blooming great fishes are whales.

And then they thrash us.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Sleep tight, eh?

[MUSIC PLAYING] It's auction day in the fair city of Cardiff, recognized as the Welsh capital in 1955.

[MUSIC PLAYING] All roads lead to Cardiff City auction.

CHARLIE ROSS: First auction's always the most important one.

Now, one, two, three.

Izzie whIzzie.

Let's get busy!

Come on.

NARRATOR: Let's hope you can magic up some profits, though, eh?

Today sees the end of our expert's travels.

After starting off in Stow-on-the-Wold, Charlie and Izzie have meandered their way into Wales and to Cardiff.

[MUSIC PLAYING] This leg, Izzie bought five lots for a modest 90 pounds.

An old fountain pen.

But, you clever girl, it isn't a fountain pen.

It's scales.

Letter scales to measure in ounces, and at 15 pounds, I think there's a profit in them.

NARRATOR: Charlie spent slightly more on his five purchases, 122 pounds in total.

Oh, what a gorgeous chair, and it's such good quality.

And it's Victorian.

It's got this beautiful original rose tapestry.

Yeah, I'll have my fingers crossed for Charlie on this one.

To my left, 30 at the back.

NARRATOR: The man with the gavel is auctioneer David Rain.

DAVID RAIN: I've got 40 in the middle.

NARRATOR: What does he make of our expert's lovely lots?

[MUSIC PLAYING] DAVID RAIN: I think the item that is going to be the biggest talking points of today is gonna be the World War Two suppositories.

Fun item, maybe a military collectible item.

Who knows where they all go?

My favorite out of all the lots is the Mappin Good quality, good maker.

I expect that to make between 20 and 30 pounds.

NARRATOR: Today, David's full to the brim with bidders in the room and has others poised online.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Come on, you two.

The auction's about to start.

Are you nervous?

I was going to say no, but now you've asked me.

Yes.

Are you?

Shaking like a leaf, darling.

NARRATOR: First up, Charlie's military suppositories.

Emergency war ration.

Had them in your little ration tin.

Crusty bread, a little square of cheese, large package of suppositories.

10 pounds to start, then.

10 to my left.

12 at the back.

14 in the doorway.

Can't be.

16 on the net.

Yes.

DAVID RAIN: 18 in the doorway.

Oh, these suppositories.

They're going well.

The doorway to 18.

NARRATOR: Gosh, that's a relief.

Charlie's come up trumps on the suppositories.

Well, I rather regret buying them now.

I should have bought a bit of furniture, possibly a stool?

NARRATOR: That's below the belt.

Next, we have Izzie's late Victorian button measure.

I love it.

It's quality.

I've got 10 in the room.

12, new bidder.

14 to my right.

16 to my left.

- They cost?

- 15.

I need more.

DAVID RAIN: Looking for 16.

I've got 18, new bidder.

[INTERPOSING VOICES] I've got 20 right at the back.

22 to my left.

24 at the back.

26 to my left.

Oh, no.

28 at the back.

I'm gonna sell at 28 pounds.

NARRATOR: As bright as a button with that win, eh?

Well done.

Thank you very much.

Put it there.

You know what the cool kids do?

We do this.

We don't do a handshake.

Sorry.

CHARLIE ROSS: Handshake's more my style, really.

NARRATOR: Now Charlie's first piece of furniture, the charming Edwardian rocking chair.

It's a wonderful thing.

I absolutely love it.

It's Edwardian.

It's in super condition.

A bit like me, really, Edwardian and in super condition.

20 pounds to start it, then.

Lovely Edwardian.

I can't believe it.

It's got to be worth 10 pounds surely.

10 in the seats.

I can't believe this.

I'm at 12 on the internet.

14 on the net.

I can't bear this.

DAVID RAIN: I really raised it, this chair.

It's gonna sell at 14 pounds.

NARRATOR: That didn't rock out.

Such a shame.

It was lovely.

That's one of the nicest things I've ever bought on the road trip.

14 pounds.

Oh, that's really terrible.

I thought I'd stolen it for 40.

NARRATOR: Izzie's brass desk calendar is next.

You've got such a good eye.

On the second leg, could you do my shopping for me?

20 pounds on the perpetual calendar.

20 in the room.

Looking for 22.

22, new bidder.

24 to my left.

26 standing.

28 on the net.

30 in the room.

You are unbelievable at this.

35 to my left.

I think we've got quite enough.

I don't think we want anymore.

Yes, I do.

I'm gonna sell it in the room at 35.

NARRATOR: Another small profit for Izzie, edging her up the ladder.

Well, another profit.

Yes.

NARRATOR: Next, it's Charlie's model of Queen Mary's doll's house.

Did you ever have a doll's house?

Strangely not.

No.

- 20 on the net.

- Come on.

Come on.

22 to my left.

Thank you.

24 on the net.

26 in the room.

I've got 28 on the net.

I've got 30 in the room.

Looking for 35.

35 on the internet.

40 in the room?

I've got 45 on the internet.

50 in the room.

55?

To the room at 50 pounds.

NARRATOR: Something to cheer for with a lovely profit.

It's nip and tuck, Izzie.

NARRATOR: I love this, but will it serve up Izzie another profit?

The auctioneer quite likes it.

Oh, good.

He loves toast as well.

I'll start at 22, looking for 24.

24 at the back.

You're making a profit.

DAVID RAIN: 28 at the back.

30 with me.

35.

It's at the back of the room.

They're bidding like they're clappers.

They're all over.

- Well, yeah.

It's a quality piece.

40, new bidder.

Steady, matron.

45 standing to my left.

Looking for 50.

50 right at the back.

Do you want 55?

55?

I'm gonna sell at 55.

NARRATOR: Popping up with another win for Izzie.

I'll get you some toast.

Get me some suppositories, I think.

NARRATOR: Hey, pulling up to the table is Charlie's second chair of the day.

CHARLIE ROSS: Cost 20 pounds.

What do you think it's worth?

Come on, you're an auctioneer and valuer.

20 pounds.

22 in the room.

24 in the door.

26 at the back.

28 to my left.

30 at the back.

30 pounds.

Sold to the room at 30 pounds.

NARRATOR: A solid gain for the nursing chair.

It's a profit.

It's a profit.

NARRATOR: It's a Murano Tutti Frutti bowl next and a wop bopa loopa.

Look at it.

20 pounds to start.

20 at the back of the room.

Looking for 22.

You've got 20 already.

24 on the net.

[INAUDIBLE] DAVID RAIN: 26, 28 at the back.

Keep going.

Keep going.

DAVID RAIN: 35 at the back.

40.

This is jumping a bit.

45, new bidder.

50 right at the back.

I've got 50 at the back.

[INAUDIBLE] I'm gonna sell it at 55.

NARRATOR: Goodo.

Izzie's on a roll with another smashing profit.

You'll be able to retire soon.

NARRATOR: It's the battle of the scales.

Which one will weigh in with a profit?

Charlie's brass ones are up first.

IZZY BALMER: What would your scales be used for weighing?

Pounds and pounds of gold.

10 pounds in.

10 at the back of the room.

12 on the net.

16 on the net.

18 on the net.

20 on the net.

22 at the back of the room.

Better.

24 on the net.

24?

26 on the net.

Come on.

28 on the net.

Come on, then.

30 on the net looking for 35.

I love the net.

I'm gonna sell at 30 pounds.

NARRATOR: That's balanced the books, Charlie.

After commission, it's washing its face, really, isn't it?

So it's nine-karat gold?

Silver?

Pewter?

Pewter, I think.

Possibly tin?

NARRATOR: Next up are Izzie's letter scales.

Can she tip the balance further in her favor?

All your lot, as far as I can see, have gone in the room rather than online.

I think all four have been sold to the room.

Are they all relatives?

20 on the net.

You just know how to do it, don't you?

DAVID RAIN: 24 to my left.

26 at the back.

28 to my left.

30 at the back.

I have 35.

40 at the back.

- Yes.

I've got 40.

45?

Come on.

I've got 50 on the net.

50?

DAVID RAIN: 55 to my left.

Yay!

60 on the net.

I'm gonna sell at 60 pounds.

You're amazing.

Do you think some of it will rub off on me?

NARRATOR: Another profit for Izzie.

Well, it's been fun, hasn't it?

No.

Not at all.

It's been dreadful.

Come on.

NARRATOR: Right.

Let's work out the sums.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Charlie started with 200 pounds in his piggy.

After auction costs, he made a small loss of five pounds and 56 p, leaving him with 194 pounds and 44 pence for next time.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Izzie began with the same amount but made a profit.

After costs, she carries forward a wonderful 301 pounds and six pence for the next leg.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Seldom can a man have had such a thrashing so early in a road trip.

Well done, you.

Thank you.

Profits, profits, profits.

Allow me to take you out to dinner.

- Certainly, sir.

- You're paying.

Oh.

[MUSIC PLAYING]