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The Bidding Room

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: Jack-in-the-Box

Episode 1

Jack-in-the-Box

BBC One - The Bidding Room, Series 5, Jack-in-the-Box

The Bidding Room is back with more surprising sales, including a rare jack-in-the-box.

Nigel Havers presides as sellers aim for top prices on items, including a film vending machine, The Bridge on the River Kwai model, a gold changer, a jack-in-the-box and a chemistry set.

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. 

Before facing the discerning dealers, each eager seller meets Nigel and auctioneer Simon Bower to learn the unique characteristics and history of their pieces, plus that all-important valuation, so that when they enter the Bidding Room, they are armed with all the information they need to try to haggle the best possible price from the dealers.

Whilst the dealers have no idea what may come through the doors, they do know what they like and their market, so persuading them to part with their hard-earned cash isn't easy. It's down to the sellers to convince as many of them as possible to take a punt on their piece. If all goes to plan, they'll spark a bidding war and see the final price tag rise. 

But the dealers shouldn’t sit too comfortably, as if the offer isn’t right or not high enough to match Simon’s expert valuation, the item’s owner may choose not to part with it. 

First through the doors is film buff Tarquin. He hopes that his loving recreation of The Bridge on the River Kwai, built from hundreds of meters of bamboo and used as a prop for his back yard movie nights, will have the dealers on the edge of their seats. Will Tarquin have a blockbuster hit on his hands, or will the dealers think that he has gone a bridge too far?

Second in is retired market trader Charnjit, taking us back to a time of sepia-stained holiday photos with his glorious vintage Selo camera film vending machine. Found on train platforms and tourist spots from the 1940s onwards, it may be just the piece for Jacqui, who loves postwar engineering. But will the decorative appeal lead to snappy bidding and a photo finish with the dealers?

Third to arrive is Sue, hoping to coin it in with her gold changer – a machine used to exchange gold for silver sovereign coins. The extravagant gilt box is a dazzling piece, but will it be a golden ticket to a top trade with the dealers? 

Next in is toy collector Russell, who has been to the Bidding Room before, with playful pieces. This time, he is hoping to light up deals with his Pink Panther lamp and Tom and Jerry jack-in-the box.

Last to arrive is former chemist Mel, hoping they have the formula for a top deal with their collection of vintage chemistry and apothecary glassware. 

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

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