The Bidding Room

Original version

BBC One Channel Islands HD

Factual: Antiques

Sellers come face to face with five dealers who battle it out to make the highest bid.

Nigel Havers presides as sellers come face to face with five dealers who battle it out to make the highest bid.

Nigel Havers presides as members of the public with interesting items to sell come face to face with five dealers who bid against each other to try to bag themselves a bargain.

Before facing the dealers, each seller has their item valued by auctioneer Simon Bower. Simon also gives 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 have brought in.

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Nigel Havers

Claire Egerton-Jones

Rae Gilder Cooke

Dave Martin

Ricochet Ltd

The Bidding Room: Series 5: Astronomical Clock

Astronomical Clock

BBC One - The Bidding Room, Series 5, Astronomical Clock

Beatles memorabilia, Murano glass and a giant astronomical clock are all up for grabs.

Nigel Havers presides as five sellers aim for the best price for their items, including an astrolabe, photo enlarger, Murano glass, a ruler collection and Beatles memorabilia.

Nigel Havers welcomes sellers of collectibles and curiosities to the Bidding Room's new home in Edinburgh, where they ply their wares to five dealers.  

First through the doors is Anita, with an impressive reproduction of a Middle Eastern artefact. Her giant astrolabe was bought in a gallery 11 years ago for 15,000 euros, and the astronomical clock turned artwork has auctioneer Simon stumped. Will any of the dealers have the right buyer in mind, and a wadge thick enough, to rehome Anita’s astrolabe? 

Second in is Peter with a small investment he hopes will develop a big profit. The photographic enlarger was once used in the Birmingham Mint, but Peter discovered it at auction as part of a job lot. It could appeal to avid science and mechanical fan Jacqui. Will she or any of the other dealers snap up the 19th-century enlarger? 

Next, a familiar face returns to the Bidding Room, Alison from Huddersfield. She bought a collection of Venetian glassware in an antique’s shop four months ago and is hoping the dealers will be charmed by her glass tray with decanter and glasses.   

Fourth in line today is David, who has come to get the measure of the dealers with some tools of his trade. His engineering tools and rulers are redundant to him now, but a surprising ruler collector amongst the dealers can see the beauty in them. Will they or any of the others go the distance to offer David the right price to secure a deal? 

Finally, it’s Paul and Rachel with some music memorabilia that's sure to be a hit. A programme and poster from a 1960s Beatles concert will capture the attention of superfan Nigel, and Paul and Rachel are hoping for a similar reception in the Bidding Room.  

The dealers today are Ian, Viki, JB, Jo and Jacqui.

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