Episode 8 – Day 1

Today the road trip starts in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, and travels west to an auction in North Wiltshire.

Acorn and Riverside Antiques Centres – The Maltings

The intrepid experts begin their visit at two antiques centres next door to each other run by Shirley.

Mark Stacey is tempted by a quirky little Noah’s ark with animals of different woods. He also eyes a metal basket by German manufacturer WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik), which is a little worse for ware and the silver needs replating.

Margie Cooper also looks at the silver and is interested in a nicely carved late Victorian silver table centre piece, ideal for a flute vase. She also spots a lovely little Victorian silver broach in the shape of an eye shape with an intricately etched motif.

Roald Dahl Museum

Margie Cooper visits the Rohald Dahl Museum (Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire) home to the famous children’s writer and looks at some of his original manuscripts.

By George Antiques – St Albans

m.s moves on to By George Antiques in St Albans where he warms to a wooden nut cracker and two oil on canvas of the English Naive School, (mid 19th century) in original unrestored condition with good subject matter.

Bourne Mill Antiques – Farnham

Its then on to Farnham to Bourne Mill Antiques where Mark Stacey began his career in the antiques trade. Mark is impressed by an intricately carved silver topped match holder, with a ridged glass bowl for striking the matches on. He buys this along with a small silver dish, possibly once used as a communion server. In the upper floor of the shop he comes across a mahogany Butler’s Tray on a stand.

The Tiny Shop – Alton

At The Tiny Shop Antiques Centre in Alton Margie Cooper hunts around for more silver. She spots a machine turned silver framed desk calendar and a black paper mache box by the Jennings & Bettridge, the top is inlaid with mother of pearl.

The shop keeper also talks Margie Cooper into buying a 1950s toy ship, the Hispaniola, which she reluctantly purchases only to regret this decision at the auction.

Selbourne

Mark Stacey visits Gilbert White’s house in Selbourne to learn about his work as a natural history scientist.

Auction at Chippingham

At the Chippingham Auction Rooms the duo sell their goods. The top selling item is the pair of 19th century oils.