The Bidding Room

Nigel Havers welcomes five more sets of sellers to the Bidding Room where they will try to persuade one of the five dealers to buy the items they are trying to sell.

Before facing the dealers, each seller meets Nigel and auctioneer Simon who will value their items. Simon will also give them top tips on the history and key characteristics of their piece so that when they enter the bidding room, they have all the information they need to try to haggle the best possible price from the dealers.

All the dealers are spending their own money but have no idea what the sellers are bringing in each day. If they like an item, then they will bid against one another to try to buy it. The more dealers who bid, the more chance the seller has to push up the final price tag. But the sellers don't have to sell, if they don't think the dealers are offering enough money; especially if the bids don't reach expert Simon's valuation (which they should wisely keep to themselves).

First through the doors today is a familiar face - Ellie, who has returned to The Bidding Room with a decorative ceremonial Palestinian headdress thought to be worn by a bride. But will any of the dealers be tempted to say I do to this unique item?

Next in is bookshop keeper John, hoping to exercise a great profit from his vintage gymnasium steps. Too large to be used as he intended as a shop window display, will they be the perfect fit for any of our dealers?

Third in is Geoffrey, hoping his item will be a licence to print money. The rare type-setting printing blocks were found near London's theatre district in Covent Garden, but will they make a profitable performance when they go in front of the dealers?

Next into Yorkshire HQ is Carolyn with a vintage style ‘open and closed' sign that's been living in her kitchen at home. She's hoping the dealers will be open for business when they see it and she can close a tidy deal.
Last to face the dealers Brian with hand carved piece made for a Georgian Gentleman. The ‘Boot Jack' would have been used to put on and remove the fashionable riding boots of the time. Simon and Nigel are both taken with the fold away version with its own box, which may have been used on military campaigns, so the dealers may have a fight on their hands from valuation room.

The dealers in today are Ian, Jacqui, Adi, Jo and James