Antiquing in New Milford, CT

We both saw it at the same time, my friend.

BOB: I got to it first.

You really have to get out here and hustle.

I don't know what to do.

This is a reproduction.

JOHN: Is it a million dollar piece?

No.

KEVIN: You wash my back, I'll wash yours.

That's how it works.

Please.

MARK WALBERG: Hi, I'm Mark Walberg, host of Antiques Roadshow and Market Warriors.

During the pre-dawn hours of a Sunday morning, the Elephant Trunk Flea Market in New Milford, Connecticut is the spitting image of flea markets in Texas and Minnesota.

That's because under the cover of darkness, these markets look pretty much the same wherever you go.

You'd never guess the state's largest lake, Candlewood Lake, is just a stone's throw away.

But unlike a golf course, a flea market doesn't depend on scenic beauty to lure customers to its grounds.

This is a down and dirty business, and our warriors must forgo the comforts other professionals take for granted.

There's no room for error.

Our competitors must be fast, focused, committed to what they buy, and just as intent about how much they're willing to pay.

There's no second place in this contest.

When it's over, there will only be one true market warrior standing tall among three market wannabes.

Elephant's Truck is a true classic antiques flea market.

Old, mid-century to 19th century.

It's a little bit of everything.

MILLER: Can you make me a valentine?

Sure.

I love it.

It's a wide open market, so you never really know what you're going to find.

WALBERG: Each picker has $1,000.

The target item will be chosen by the auctioneer at Ken Farmer Auctions in Radford, Virginia, where all of today's items will be sold.

For the target item this week, I'd like you to find something metal.

I would look for things that have a decorative value-- good lighting, utensils like you would use in the kitchen, toys, things beyond just the fact that they have a meltdown value.

I'm looking forward to what you're going to bring me, and best of luck out there.

Something metal.

That's pretty open.

WALBERG: Time will be kept by this Jerome and Company Ogee clock.

Pickers have one hour to find their target item, starting now.

Let's do it.

KEVIN: This morning we have to find something made of metal.

So that leaves it pretty much wide open for everything and anything obviously made of metal.

I'm probably going to be more toward a decorative item.

I'm not going to be trying to buy, like, weight silver out here.

That's really difficult to do unless you're really into precious metals and you carry around a scale.

Today, it's going to be more decorative for me.

Something that I think will do good probably more in their country range.

This is pretty cool.

Yeah, it's a trade stimulator of some sort.

You know the year?

Probably 1930s, '20s.

You're good, 1931.

It's called a trade stimulator.

You would actually play the game on a counter in a store, and if you happen to get so many points or whatever, you could win a pack of cigarettes, a pack of gum for a penny.

It's what they would get people to spend money on like they do a lottery ticket today.

Whiz Ball.

What's something like this worth?

I'm asking $900 for it.

That's the original wood.

$475?

Can't do it.

Can't do it?

Can't do it.

I hear you.

It's a cool piece, though.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Let's go look at the big coffee grinder.

It's a giant coffee grinder.

This one's by National Coffee Mill.

That's a nice one.

It's working.

Let's keep looking.

See if we can find something better, if not, I'm going back to the coffee grinder.

MILLER: Look at that fun scale.

Oh, I love it.

Zero pounds.

I'll take this scale any day.

I like this target assignment, it's really broad.

I'm looking for coins, I'm looking for sterling silver.

I'm also going to be looking for statues out here.

Oh, these candy chocolate molds.

Sometimes kitchen paraphernalia does really well.

That's a neat old chocolate mold.

Oh, that's why it's $125.

I would just put them in my kitchen to decorate with them.

WOMAN: That's what most people do with them.

WALBERG: Remember Miller, the target assignment is for one item, unless what you buy is being sold only as a set or a pair.

This is a more rare piece.

It's older, and it's heavier.

That's something you should look for when you're looking for these old molds.

Okay, I'm going to keep looking.

Thank you, ma'am.

Okay, that's the best I've seen so far.

BOB: Our target round is metal.

I could pick up something in two seconds, so I'm really taking my time.

I saw some interesting things, but nothing that's a real showstopper as of yet.

There's a lot to be seen here, and I want to cover as much ground as possible.

I love items that maybe seem obsolete now, but at one time were incredibly useful and were used on a daily basis.

This is very cool.

Do you know anything about it?

Turn of the century, maybe a little bit before 1880, 1900, thereabouts.

What's your best price on this?

I'd do $200.

What I like about that coffee grinder is the name of the company is on it, and it was used.

But I think the price is a little high and I need to keep it low, so I'm going to keep walking.

WALBERG: And that's what Kevin would like you to do also, since he's already expressed interest in this coffee grinder.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

WALBERG: As we zero in on John Bruno, he's feeling a magnetic pull toward a metal item.

Could it be that cast iron pot?

Or the traffic light?

Hold on.

It's a wooden cane?

Cap Glan?

WALBERG: Okay, it has metal.

Barely.

Captain Glan.

Excuse me, can I speak to you?

What do you know about this Captain Glan?

Do you know who Cap Glan was?

I do not.

We haven't been able to find any information on him.

So this is sterling, and we have a Captain Glan of some sort.

May I take it off?

Sure.

See what it looks like?

Yeah, whatever the original cap was I bet you was sterling as well.

Yeah, that's a shame.

Interesting, I wish I knew who old Cap Glan was.

So do we.

Cool, thank you, man.

Nice meeting you.

We gotta keep moving.

Hey, how are you?

I was just checking out your coffee grinder here.

WALBERG: Kevin returns for a second look at the coffee grinder and meets Tom Sideleau, who collects turn of the 20th century mechanical items.

Tom moonlights as a dealer.

His day job is working at a Connecticut auto body shop.

Would there have been a handle on here somewhere?

Yeah, there'd be a wooden handle on one side.

I think there's a hole for it.

Right, okay.

Can I make you an offer on it?

Yeah.

$100?

Can't do that.

$200 would be the lowest I'd go on it.

That's all you can do is $200?

I'm going to stick close with $200 at this point.

I don't know if I want to go two bills on it though.

WALBERG: Kevin does his best to get the dealer to lower his price by pointing out what's missing.

It needs a handle, it needs a tray, and it needs an eagle.

WALBERG: We've seen this before with Kevin.

In Springfield, Ohio, he also refused to look the dealer in the eye until he got the price he wanted.

$500 would be the best?

Yeah.

It's a really good one.

I could probably do $450 on it, if you want it.

Cool, man, I'm going to buy your Jazzbo Jim for $450.

$175.

$180, it's yours.

We're so close.

WALBERG: Watch.

As soon as Kevin looks up, the game is over and the dealer wins.

You oiled it up good too, huh?

$180.

$175.

WALBERG: It's the equivalent of a staring contest, and Kevin blinked first.

$175 and a paper towel.

$180.

WALBERG: The clincher is Kevin's joke to the dealer about adding in a paper towel.

There's little doubt he's about to give the dealer his bottom-line asking price.

All right, I'll go $180 with it on you.

Very good, sir.

Cool, thank you very much.

You're welcome.

I just need to get something to wipe my hand so I can actually reach in my pocket and grab you some moolah.

All right, man.

WALBERG: Kevin is the first picker to buy his target item to sell at Ken Farmer Auctions in Virginia.

A little heavy.

Oh, my God.

WALBERG: Hey, Kev, the target assignment was metal, not heavy metal.

There are no bonus points for getting a hernia, my friend.

(grunting) What did I do?

You want a hand truck or something?

You got one?

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

(grunts) I'm really happy right now.

I got a cool National Coffee grinder.

Once this is redone, it's going to be worth a lot more money than it is right now.

Tell me about this, what is this?

It's a car horn from the early 1900s.

That's where the bulb goes.

And then you press it, it goes beep, beep, beep.

But does it sound like, "Awooga, awooga"?

Whoopee, whoopee, whoopee, beep, beep, beep!

WALBERG: Miller may have a hard time researching comps to determine whether a car horn that sounds like this... Awooga, awooga!

WALBERG: Is more valuable than one that sounds like this.

Whoopee, whoopee, whoopee, beep, beep, beep!

Well, what are you asking for this?

Take it for $10 if you're interested.

My friend, I might be back for this car horn.

Okay.

Well...

I like this a lot.

I love it.

I think it would do really well in Virginia.

I'm kind of concerned that it's not old though.

It almost looks too perfect, the way the paint's chipped.

Hi, can you tell me about this horse?

Sure, it was part of a horse racing game.

There was five or six of them.

I found this in an estate in a basement, of all places.

How old do you think this is?

Oh, I think it's from the '50s.

Yeah, not old old old old.

No, no.

Would you work with me on the price?

Absolutely.

Nothing is written in stone here.

Would you keep it on hold for me for $20?

Sure, why not?

Okay.

Let's put that on hold.

Just one thing, I'm in the Witness Protection Program, and I can't be seen on camera at all.

Oh, you can't?

No, I'm only kidding.

Oh... (laughing) Okay, my friend, tell me your name?

Gerry.

WALBERG: Let's hope dealer Gerald Lindy is just kidding, otherwise we may have revealed too much.

He could go home to find the head of that sheet metal horse on his pillow.

I'll be back.

Thank you.

Is this good?

(laughing) Metal toys.

Really neat Hubley metal truck.

Probably late '40s, early 1950s.

Cement mixer-- putty, putty.

It's just way, way nifty.

What can you tell me about this?

It's a Hubley.

It's in poor shape a little bit.

This part here, it's unusual to have it with it.

That makes sense.

That's what the kids would usually break off playing with it.

I love the detail, the way it has the chute for the cement to pour out.

I do like this.

You got $40 on it.

Where would you go on this?

$30.

I'd like to do $20.

Can't do $20.

What can we do?

Too much, $30.

$25.

$30.

I got to stay at $30.

Come on, $25.

You know you want to, you really do.

I can see it in your eyes.

No, no, no.

Sure you do.

Are you trying to get me... Come on, $25.

We'll do $25.

$28, you got it.

$28?

You wanted $25, $28.

$27.

You got it, $27.

(laughing) WALBERG: This was dealer Robert Marek's first time selling in a flea market in five years.

After that negotiation, he and his wife Helen may decide to sit it out for another five, at least.

Thank you, folks.

A lot to fun working with you.

It was a pleasure.

I was finding things that were okay, but not spectacular.

WALBERG: I sure hope Bob doesn't plan on going back for the coffee grinder that Kevin bought out from under him.

My Kutztown friend.

How are you?

I'm well, how are you?

WALBERG: Speaking of been there, done that experiences, Bob runs into a dealer he knows from another flea market.

BOB: When I saw a dealer that I'd worked with so many times in the past, I knew that he was the right guy.

What are you asking for something like this?

This I have $50 on.

Very, very cool.

BOB: I took a look over his table while we were chatting, and I zoned in on the Aphrodite lamp.

Can you tell me, like, what part of the country that you found this in?

I found it in Pennsylvania.

It's very pretty when it's actually lit.

It's lovely, yeah.

It's 1880, 1890.

I love it.

It's got a lot of things going for it.

It's an oil lamp, it's figural, it's 19th century.

I think somebody's going to fall in love with it.

What would you do on this for an old friend?

Bring me an old friend.

Oh, you mean you.

Ha!

Ba-dum-bum.

I'm here all night, ladies and gentlemen.

I've got $175 on it.

Could you do this for $80?

Could we do $100?

I'll give it up there.

It's hard.

You know, um... That's going to be hard.

You know that I'll...

I would love to do it for you, but how about if you meet me at $90?

Will you settle on $90?

Is that bad?

Well, I was really trying to do $40, based on what I was looking at.

And I know how special it is.

Considering an old Pennsylvania friend and all that stuff... All right, for you.

$80, thank you.

I really appreciate it.

BOB: He wanted $175, and I got him down to $80.

And once again, I think that's the benefit of having relationships in this business.

I'm happy to have found you again, Michael.

Now I know where to come.

See you, Michael.

What kind of time we got left?

We got a few minutes left.

They ain't around, I don't see them anywhere.

I don't see them anywhere neither.

Oh, Bobby!

Hey, Bob.

What you got?

WALBERG: That means only Miller hasn't bought her target item yet.

Miller?

WALBERG: Wherever she is.

I don't see her anywhere, though.

I don't see her.

Oh gosh, I have not found anything.

I mean, I found something, but not anything where I can find a huge profit.

I don't know, I don't feel it in my gut about the chocolate mold.

I don't think the Ken Farmer Auction house is going to have the right market for kitchen paraphernalia.

I don't know what to do.

I think my best chance is to go back and negotiate over the horse from the 1950s.

But the problem is, I just... You know, I have a feeling if I pay $75 it's just going to sell at auction for $150, and he wants $150 right now, so he's got to really jump down.

Yes!

Yes, you've got it on hold for me!

Hi, my friend.

Yes, hi, how are you?

Hey, how are you?

Can I sit down and chat with you?

Please do.

I've got four minutes, we've got to make a quick deal.

Can you work with me on the price here?

I could.

I have it marked $185.

Oh gosh.

What I'm going to do for you, okay, I'll do $165 for you.

Oh... That's what I could do.

Can you see the pain in my eyes?

Oh, my God.

I don't you to be hurting like that.

(laughing) I'll knock another five dollars off, $160.

Five?

(sobbing theatrically) Oh, my eyes are really crying now.

Do you have any smelling salts?

(laughing) WALBERG: That's nothing compared to the tears you'll be shedding as you pay each of your opponents $50 for showing up late or empty-handed.

Where could we work between $160 and $120?

$160 and $120?

$150.

No, come on, a little bit more.

I can't.

I'm going to have to pass.

I'm down to the rock bottom, really.

I've got to...

I don't want to lose a sale, but you know, I can't.

Oh gosh...

I can't.

No, you can't do it?

If I could, I would, I'll give you back your $20, it's not a problem.

Okay, $150.

Okay, I've got three minutes.

Okay, I've got to have the change now.

I know, I'm looking.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

You run a tough bargain.

All right, she's got two minutes.

Two minutes.

Oh, gosh.

She's got exactly one minute right now.

Heck...

I see Miller off in the distance.

She's running.

Don't twist your ankle.

Don't look, don't look!

Oh, darn you.

WALBERG: Now the pickers will assess each other's items to determine if each of them fulfilled the target assignment: metal.

The pickers can reject any item for whatever reason they choose.

Wrong or right, majority rules.

Kevin, I saw this earlier, so why don't you tell us about it?

I'm dying to know.

(grunting) BOB: I saw this too.

MILLER: That's neat.

I've seen the small ones, but it's hard to find the large coffee grinder.

General store size.

Elgin National Mill here.

Out of Elgin, Illinois.

All cast iron.

You know, with all the popular coffeehouses out there today, this is a great decoration to redo and put in a coffeehouse.

Just a conversation getter inside there.

It's a great piece.

You get a thumbs up.

Way to go.

Thanks, cool.

What have you got?

Well, a lot smaller than yours, and I know Ken Farmer loves vintage toys.

Oh, that's cute.

So we did get a nice little Hubley.

Isn't it nifty?

The cement mixer spins, and this is one of the things that breaks off all the time when the kids play with it.

I think it's just great fun.

I do, too.

See, that's what happens.

(laughing) Kids haven't painted it, adults haven't painted it, tires haven't been changed.

As far as I'm concerned, he met the criteria.

I met it?

Yeah, you did.

Cool.

All right, Miller, hands off my items.

You're a dangerous woman.

Speaking of powerful women.

It looks like an oil lamp.

It is mighty Aphrodite.

JOHN: Oh, very cool.

A figural base oil lamp.

A female figural base with the original smoke chimney.

Yes, I believe the dealer lit his way to the market today.

(laughing) All right, did I meet the challenge?

You met the challenge.

All right, great.

All right, Miller, what have you got?

Are you ready, can you handle it?

I think we can handle it.

Are you sure?

Look out.

JOHN: Hey, it's a reproduction.

It's a reproduction horse.

It's not a reproduction.

It's a reproduction.

Miller, you know better than this.

Miller... You should know better than this.

You must have had a hard time finding something, you did a last ditch effort.

There's not a lot to pick from.

I think you got snookered.

This is a nice, old piece.

Okay, it's nice looking for a new piece of folk art.

It's decorative, and it's metal.

You'd go to any home design store and find this.

Absolutely, this is a reproduction.

But she didn't fail, it's metal.

It didn't say it had to be old.

But we're in an antique market.

It doesn't matter.

They didn't say antique metal, they said metal.

She could have brought back a bolt and she would have met the challenge.

I would have expected better than that.

BOB: It's brand new, but it's metal, so I'll give you a thumbs up.

Miller, Miller, Miller.

I don't know, I expected better than that.

WALBERG: You've seen the Ogee clock, now let's hear more about it.

SEBASTIAN LAWS: This here is the Jerome Ogee 30-hour clock, so it's basically a one-day clock, usually a couple extra hours in case you forget to wind it, you know, right away.

We call it an Ogee clock due to the shape of the wood and the frame that it's in.

The clock is from the mid to late 1840s, and it's got the tin dial that's also painted with the calla lilies.

You can see the original Jerome & Company factory in New Haven, Connecticut.

It's got the brass-plated pendulum, and you can see a little bit of the striking mechanism.

This one is around $800.

WALBERG: Now it's time for the bonus round.

The pickers are on their way to meet Connecticut dealers Tom and Laura Wray.

Only a year in the business, they specialize in jewelry and mechanical antiques.

They're about to show them an antique banjo.

What have we got here?

It's the Gibson banjo.

A trapdoor banjo.

JOHN: Why is it called a trapdoor banjo?

The trapdoor banjo was created because it resonates and makes more noise by opening the backdoor.

What year are we looking at for this?

I believe it's 1925 by the serial number, but I'm unsure.

It looks like original skin, too.

It hasn't been changed.

It looks like it's all made out of mahogany.

Yeah, it's beautiful.

It's almost like a sunburst, kind of.

So what is our challenge here today?

Your challenge is to tell me what Orville Gibson manufactured first as an instrument in the late 1800s, early 1900s.

The first instrument that he ever made.

The first instrument that Orville Gibson made.

Who wants to go first?

You're holding it, you go first, please.

I'll go first, I think I got this one.

I'm going to say a mandolin, okay?

Okay.

This is rough.

I own a Gibson guitar, but I have a feeling it's probably a ukulele.

What do you think?

I know he's known for guitars.

I was also thinking ukulele.

Guitar.

Is it the harmonica?

Harmonica.

Okay, you guys can come back.

Let's go see who got this one.

If any of you.

We could all be wrong.

Wow, maybe.

Come on...

The correct answer was... ...the mandolin, and Kevin got it correct.

Mandolin, good man.

Congratulations, Kevin.

As a matter of fact, the only patent that Orville Gibson had was the mandolin.

And what did I win?

You won $50 towards profit on your auction.

Found money.

Head start.

And when you're done, you can come back for another bonus question.

First come, first served.

No hints on that, right?

No hints.

Nice try.

I gotta try.

Okay, thanks Laura and Tom.

Stay cool, guys.

WALBERG: Now it's time to shop 'til you stop.

It's an untimed round where our pickers can buy one or two items, but no more than that.

The round begins now.

Off we go.

When we were doing the bonus round, I looked over and I see this fabulous butter churn.

And I knew that when we got to the shop 'til you stop round, I wanted to get there as quickly as possible.

WALBERG: If you've ever wondered what would happen if two pickers made a play for the same thing at the same time, you're about to find out.

Bob and John both have set their sights on this antique butter churn.

I saw the butter churn out of the corner of my eye when we were doing the target round.

I knew I was going to make a beeline for it.

Bob saw the same thing.

BOB: John was walking in my vicinity to get something as well.

I didn't have any idea that it was the butter churn.

Son of a gun.

That's right where I was going.

I was definitely coming over to do some...

I think we both saw the same thing at the same time.

WALBERG: Seeing it first is no guarantee of getting it first.

Getting to it first is what's important.

And we don't need to rewind the clock to remember Bob was already looking at it when John first arrived.

It's great looking.

WALBERG: So why are they circling like two lions around their fallen prey, waiting to see who's going to chow down first?

Well, as the more experienced picker, John knows it would be a breach of etiquette to make the first move.

So he's doing the next best thing.

He's holding his ground, trying to unnerve Bob as if daring him to claim his prize.

It could be working.

Listen again to what Bob just said.

Or more accurately, what he didn't say.

I was definitely coming over to do some... WALBERG: Notice how Bob didn't finish his sentence?

That's a subtle sign he's having a crisis of confidence.

Meanwhile, John's confidence is building.

He's ready to make his next move.

Where did you get it?

I have an antique shop in Newburgh, New York, so someone brought it in... WALBERG: There it goes.

John is the first to engage the dealer in conversation.

A bold power play considering he's treading on Bob's turf.

So I know you don't want to take it home.

No.

WALBERG: The pressure is building, and Bob knows it's now or never.

Will he have the guts to make his move, or has John psyched him out?

So can we get to $60?

WALBERG: Welcome to the big leagues, Bob Richter.

You just offered the dealer $60 while John wasn't looking.

But an experienced picker's peripheral vision takes in everything.

John knows what you did, and he's about to pounce.

JOHN: How are we going to do this, since we both got to this?

WALBERG: John is going for the jugular.

We both came here at the same time, so do you want to share this one?

No.

Do it together?

You want to flip for it?

WALBERG: He's trying to shame Bob into retreating, or to own up to squeezing John out.

But there's one part in the equation that John's missing.

Let's rewind the clock and find out.

That's all right.

WALBERG: With little more than a whisper, dealer Erik Berean accepted Bob's offer.

Too late, John.

Game over.

Bob wins.

I'll take it.

You're taking it?

Thank you.

I got to it first, I negotiated the price, and I snagged it.

We both saw it at the same time, my friend.

Well, I actually walked over and I put my hand on it first.

Oh, come on... WALBERG: Bob is absolutely right.

In this situation, touching an object is a legitimate way to stake a claim as a prelude to an offer.

That's why Bob touched it again in John's presence.

And I just negotiated a price.

WALBERG: Correct again, Bob.

You had every right to negotiate a price.

So can we get to $60?

That's all right.

Yeah, okay.

I'll take it.

You're taking it?

I think we should have shared it.

WALBERG: Don't believe it, because John doesn't either.

He's just scrambling to find an exit from an awkward situation.

This was the item that I was coming back for, and I got to it first.

You just walk faster than me.

I'll give you $65.

We actually shook on it, so this is a man that would honor his deal.

It's up to the man to sell it.

If he wants to sell, I'll give you $70.

Hey, maybe we should split this, or I throw a higher number.

Hey, you want to sell it to me?

I'll give you $10, $15 more.

WALBERG: The deal is done, and John's attempt to outbid Bob is the breach of etiquette he managed to avoid until now.

BEREAN: Nah, I'll sell it to him.

Yeah, he's an honorable guy.

He's going to do the right thing.

I try to keep everything fair with customers.

He asked me first and everything, we shook hands, and that's the deal right there.

Even if he offered me $400, I still would have sold it to him for $60, so...

I'm sorry.

I know it's a competition.

This was the item I wanted to come back for.

Go ahead, have fun.

Sorry, buddy.

I'm not a happy camper.

Bob got there first.

He runs faster than I can.

He's got it for a song and a dance.

I mean, $60 on that, he's got to make some money.

So now that forces me.

I've got to find something even better and show him who the boss is.

WALBERG: Finding something better won't be easy because an antique butter churn seems like the perfect item to sell at a country auction in Virginia.

Even so, no sense in John admitting defeat until he has to.

What can you tell me about the little desk?

I think it's European, probably around 1930.

Can we open it and take a look?

Yeah.

Any idea where in Europe?

Probably Germany.

I have a feeling this is more of a child's desk.

I'll take this out.

It's all beautifully dovetailed.

Have you futzed with the hardware at all, changed it?

No, I've not, nothing.

One of the things I love about it is when you open the desktop...

Very neat.

What kind of money you looking for on it?

I was asking $135.

I'll take $85.

Could I talk you into $50?

$65.

$55.

$60.

$57.50.

All right, $57.50.

$57.50.

You want to make it $57 even?

That's good.

You're a good man, Charlie Brown.

Thank you very much.

Is it a million dollar piece?

No.

But I got it at a heck of a price.

I should be able to auction this off at least double that, I'm hoping.

WALBERG: And he's hoping he'll make as much profit on this desk as he would have on the butter churn.

With diminished confidence, John keeps looking for a second object to buy.

Okay, let me take a look at this.

Oh, aren't these beautiful?

These are lovely.

These are woodcuts, Japanese woodcuts.

Circa 1950 printing.

The rest of the book has some damage issues, but the artwork itself is in excellent condition.

And the beauty of this is that these could be taken out, properly matted and framed, and then become a lovely addition to any home.

How you doing, I'm John.

John, Bob Amanna, how are you?

Bob, nice to meet you.

What can you tell me about this?

All I could tell you is I got it from an estate of a mountain man in Pennsylvania.

A mountain man in Pennsylvania.

I had a collection of the most eclectic things that I have ever come across.

This was one of the last things left from him.

What kind of money you looking at for it?

How about $50?

$50... How about $25?

How about $40?

No... That's $5 apiece.

$30.

I'm taking a gamble.

because I just don't know.

$30 is fair.

$30?

All right, I think they're pretty neat.

For $30, I'm a happy camper.

WALBERG: As the first picker who shopped 'til he stopped, John gets first dibs in the second bonus round.

Hey, how you doing?

It's bonus round time again.

How are you?

Good, has anybody been here yet?

No, you're the first.

I'm the first.

For $25 towards your auction profit, which of these three instruments is the oldest in origin?

All right, which is the oldest: the banjo, the trombone, or the violin?

I've got to say the violin.

I know they've been around forever.

It's got to be the violin.

Well, you should always trust your instincts.

You are correct.

All right, finally!

The violin, congratulations.

First one I got right.

Good man, thank you.

I really appreciate the deal.

Tell me your name?

Erik.

Erik, Bob.

It's time to go back and see Michael because Michael has the Dutch Boy paint can.

Guess who's back in town?

Did you leave?

(laughing) WALBERG: Bob's decision to go back to Michael is because he has leverage with that dealer.

He was able to get his target item down by more than 50%.

I really appreciate it.

No, no, it went to the right person.

Yeah, yeah... WALBERG: You would never know it, but at every purchase Bob is faced with an internal conflict between two dueling personalities.

Their differences are not as extreme as, say, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but way more distinct than Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss.

You know, the identical twins of Facebook litigation fame?

It's a struggle between nice guy Bob and... Bobby Hardball, my alter ego.

I could do $400 on it.

That's probably about what I paid for it.

Oh, man.

We'll just do it?

All right, I'll do it for you.

Just cause you're such a nice guy.

BOB: I came here to win, and I knew that I had to buy great things at low prices.

So Bobby Hardball came out.

You told me about the bucket earlier, and I thought this was kind of interesting.

You look at it from the front and you think it's advertising Dutch Boy.

And then you go to the back, it's actually National Lead Company.

Don't drink out of that.

No, I don't think we should.

What are you asking for something like this?

I'll do that for $20 for you.

Can you do $15?

I'd rather it $20.

I have to make money.

$15?

You'll make money on that.

That's a real collectible.

Paint collectibles are incredibly hot.

WALBERG: Nice guy Bob knows that Bobby Hardball can't always get his way, otherwise dealers would start to forget why it is they like him.

Well, I really appreciate you coming to $20 for me.

No, no, that's fine.

It's for you, I'll do it.

All right, $20.

$20, not a bad price.

He had $50, I got him down $30.

I know he gave me a deal because I'm a repeat customer, because he's known me for years and years.

He's a good guy, so yes.

I don't know if you could really say this about a paint can, but I think it's pretty stunning.

It is.

Thanks, Michael.

I really appreciate it.

That one, the condition just kills it.

WALBERG: After being put to shame in the town square...

This is a reproduction.

It's a repro.

WALBERG: ...Miller feels as if she's been forced to wear a scarlet letter, only this time the badge of shame is her warrior emblem: a pink star.

Lots of new things.

This is a reproduction.

This is a repro.

WALBERG: It's an ever-present reminder of the transgression her opponents won't let her forget: buying a reproduction.

It doesn't look that old, though.

Is that a Currier & Ives print?

Currier & Ives did these nostalgic scenes of America, especially they focused on the seasons.

Yeah, it's definitely a slice of American life.

If you look at the subject matter, they're selling the pet lamb.

And they don't want him to.

They don't want to let it go, but they have to.

"Sale of the Pet Lamb."

What year would you put to this, does it say?

There's no date.

It's probably 1830s.

Published by Currier.

It's not a Currier & Ives, it's before they got together.

Let's see what the little poem says.

"And poverty with iron heart has entered the peasant woman's cottage."

Oh no, she's a widow.

That's why she's got to sell the lamb.

Oh, how sad.

"Her bright group of sunny- hearted children may not starve.

"And yet to buy them nurture, she must sell their petted play fellow."

This poor widow has to give up the lamb to... Feed the children.

Feed the children.

Oh, what a shame, the sweet little lamb.

WALBERG: Miller is equally determined not to give in to defeat.

What are you asking, $175?

$175.

Would you be willing to work with me on the price?

Sure.

$150.

Uh, I don't know...

It's probably a $400 retail print.

I'll tell you $75.

Well, I'll thank you for your offer, but I'll have to keep it.

Maybe we can meet somewhere in the middle between $125 and $75?

We know that $100 is right in the middle.

And that's what you asked for, and I think we could possibly do it, right?

Oh!

She's my chief negotiator.

We'll do it.

Wow!

Enjoy the print.

Oh, I'm going to.

This is just a classic piece of American pie.

I love it.

Bye, Steve and Lisa.

Bye bye.

Take care.

MILLER: People are already starting to leave, and I'd like to buy that additional item that can push me over the edge from my competitors.

I'm going to hustle and get a better deal.

Sometimes when people are closing, they're more willing to work with you.

What about the mirror here with the coat of arms?

How old would you say this is?

(speaking in German accent): This is 19th century.

It's probably 1890, maybe turn of the century.

And what are you asking for this?

I have $125.

Have you looked into the crest to see what each one means?

No.

The four things have a different meaning.

I don't know at this point.

This is a good thing, you can discover yourself.

You make research and then you find out.

Would you work with me on the price here?

I work with you on everything.

Oh, thank you.

$100, would it sell?

No, we'd have to go a lot lower.

Okay, how much is a lot?

What do you think, $65?

Oh my gosh.

Then I would lose money.

Oh, you would?

Yeah.

MILLER: I love the mirror.

To me, the paint being lost around the frame doesn't hurt the piece.

I find it visually interesting, and I would hang it as is right now.

Let's go back.

What's the best deal you can give me?

Let's go back.

$100.

$100?

You said, "Let's go back."

No, you said, "$75."

But you said go back, to me means back up to where we had been before.

Oh, the German accent.

It doesn't help.

The German accent and the Southern accent, we missed somewhere in the translation.

That is true.

Listen, no, I mean $75, I lose... And you can't do $65?

No, I'm losing already $10.

Can you do $70?

I do $70 only because of you.

Deal, deal.

Werner, you're the best.

Oh no, you're the best.

Thank you.

Hope to see you again soon.

Take care, bye bye.

I love it.

I like seeing the old paint, I like the old, rustic quality.

I know a couple dealers down here.

If they got a few good things, I'm sure I can work a good price with them.

How you doing, Ferro?

KEVIN: Ferro, a good friend of mine.

Kind of compete against each other at auctions, but we also do a lot together.

Ferro, you know I'm going to come look at what you got.

Yes, yes, why not?

KEVIN: When you're at a flea market, you get to the people who you have little alliances with and see if you can get a deal.

Tell me about these paintings, Ferro.

What don't I know about these paintings?

This is Joseph Newman, you know.

Yeah, Joseph Newman.

He's a very good artist.

KEVIN: Joseph Newman was a New York artist.

A big collection of his paintings came from his estate about six months ago.

And both Ferro, myself bought up a big part of the collection.

You didn't bring any signed ones except one.

Well, I have at home, but I cannot bring everything here.

What's in here?

Joseph Newman.

Any signed ones?

Yeah.

Well, pull them over here.

All Newman.

WALBERG: So why wouldn't this dealer show Kevin these paintings at the get go?

Since for a dealer, having a buyer interested in what you have to sell is kind of the whole point, isn't it?

The guy brings good money.

What do you want for that?

That cost me like $500.

Get out of here.

It did not.

I'll give you $100 for it.

$100 for this one.

You'll never miss one.

You've got like 500 of them.

WALBERG: This is why.

Kevin knows how much these paintings cost the dealer, and will offer him less money than what Ferro can get from other customers.

I can't play here anymore.

I got to do business or...

Okay, do business.

What's this one?

It's a French artist, $250.

You don't know him?

I don't know, I just got it.

You can't make it out?

KEVIN: Ferro also has a really nice French artist.

He doesn't know the name of the artist, but it caught my eye because it was really well done.

I like the painting.

I'll give you, like, $175 cash.

Give me $200, take it.

$175, brother, help a man out.

I'm going to lose money.

Would you hold it for like 15 minutes and just let me see if I can find something great out there?

If not, I'll come back and buy it off of you.

KEVIN: That painting for some reason looks like it could have some value to it.

So I'm gonna keep that in the back of my mind.

Take care.

After I left Ferro, I went out and checked out a couple of other booths.

They got a really cool chair in here.

I saw a really cool pyrography chair.

Pretty cool.

Isn't that a great chair?

Yeah, it's very cool.

What can you tell me about it?

WALBERG: We've seen Kevin do this before.

He doesn't tip his hand about what he knows about a piece until he finds out what the dealer knows.

It's called pyrography.

It's late 19th century, Flemish artist.

It's probably European.

It's hand burned and hand carved.

I actually had a pretty huge collection of pyrography, at one time I collected.

What made you collect it, out of curiosity?

I don't know, I just found a really cool piece in a house one time, and I just went from there.

I ended up with like 60-something pieces.

That's what happens.

Can I put it up here so I can really take a good look at it?

KEVIN: Pyrography is an art form of where they actually burn the design right into the wood.

And burning the design in actually makes for the different colors within the wood, the darker areas being that burnt-in design.

What would you ask for a chair like this?

Well, initially we were asking about $250 for it.

Does $125 work on it?

$150 does.

$135 maybe?

No.

Every little bit helps.

It's you.

$140 I'll go.

It's the only one I've seen in 30 years in the business.

Yeah.

I'm going to buy it for $140.

It's a cool thing.

Thank you.

Yeah, it's awesome.

Yeah it is, it's a beautiful piece.

KEVIN: I'm pretty happy that I just found a cool chair like this.

It's a piece of folk art, and at $140 it's a steal.

Where do you find a beautiful chair like this for $140?

Thank you, enjoy.

Thanks.

You've got a great chair.

Starting to empty out a little bit.

Kind of dart around and see if we can find something we can make money on.

All right, there's literally not much over here at all.

I'm not seeing all that much.

Let's go talk with Ferro.

Ferro?

Yes, sir.

Where's that French painting?

Here.

KEVIN: By that time, when I got back, Ferro was packing up, so a perfect time to talk to a dealer.

That's when they really want to make a sale.

End-of-day fire sale, $175?

(laughing): Come on...

The more you deal with people you know, the better the deals you can get.

It's like you wash my back, I'll wash yours.

That's how it works.

$180?

I'll give you $180 cash.

I give him the deal because I know him, because he's my friend, and I give him a deal because of that.

French artist, can't make out the name.

But maybe the auction house I'm going to send it to can.

I know it's well done.

Profit for me, thank you so much.

I got my painting.

I really don't know who it is.

I know it's French.

Ferro's a good guy, he gave me a good deal.

It's a rat race like anything else.

It really is.

You really have to get out here and hustle.

WALBERG: Let's review all the items and what the pickers spent.

Here are Kevin's lots: an Elgin National Coffee Mill, a pyrographic chair, and a 20th century oil painting.

Bob's lots are comprised of a figural oil lamp, a butter churn, and a Dutch Boy paint can.

Miller's lots include a painted metal horse, an engraving titled "Sale of the Pet Lamb," and a armorial-style mirror.

John's lots consist of a Hubley cement mixer, a book of Japanese prints, and a miniature slant-front desk.

Now it's on to Radford, Virginia, where all of their items will be sold at Ken Farmer Auctions.

The auction house is filling up with bidders from the New River Valley and surrounding area.

They include dealers trying to buy low to flip these antiques.

Others are collectors who may be inclined to spend a little bit more for what they really want.

Watching the bidding from behind the scenes will be all four of our pickers.

Before they do, do any of them have buyer's remorse?

Or do they think any of their opponents should have buyer's remorse?

Let's find out.

We gotta churn some butter, my friend.

Oh my gosh.

I'm glad you got it.

I wish I had gotten it though.

Are you really glad he got it?

No.

No, you're not glad he got it.

I love him like a brother, but no.

I gotta say, the paint on your toy truck might hurt you.

It might, you know, I agree with you there.

It might.

I'm pretty interested in seeing what these items do at auction, so let's take a look and see what they do.

WALBERG: This is the moment we've been waiting for.

Remember, as the winner of the first bonus round, Kevin is starting off with a $50 profit.

And as the winner of the second bonus round, John is starting off $25 in the black.

All right, here we go.

Coffee grinder.

On the coffee grinder, who will give $100?

$100, now $125.

$110, now $120.

$130, 140.

I've got $150 here, I need $160 to go.

Anybody else?

At $150... Come on!

$160, $170, $180, $190, $200.

$225, $250.

At $225, anybody for $250?

Last call, $250?

Sold $225, then.

Very good.

I'm happy.

The cement mixer.

We'll get $50 to start it out.

Anybody?

$30 for it then, who wants it?

$30?

$20 for it, then.

Oh come on, guys.

Anybody, $20?

Thank you, sir.

Now $30.

At $30?

$30, anybody else want in?

$30?

Sold for $20.

It's all in the paint.

It was.

Sheet metal, hollow-bodied horse.

Who will give $50 on that?

Anybody give $40?

$30 for it, now $40.

Yay.

Now $50, now $60.

I got about three of you at $50.

Who will go $60?

I've got two $60.

Will you go $70?

$80?

Got the lady at $70.

I need $80 to go.

$80, now $90.

Anybody, $90?

$90 bid.

Now $100.

Anybody give $110?

Sold for $100.

Okay.

BOB: It sold.

KEVIN: Yeah, it sold.

We have the figural oil lamp.

$30, now $40.

At $30, bid $40, anybody else want in?

At $30.

$40 bid?

Anybody else?

$40, now $50.

Anybody give $60?

Last call, $60.

Sold for $50.

All right.

Whoo-hoo!

Somebody wanted your horse.

Yup.

Enough said about that.

(laughter) Book, "Women of Japan."

Who will give $30 to start it out?

Anybody give $30?

$30, now $40.

$40, now $50.

You're off to a good start.

$50, now $60, now $70.

$70 bid?

Bid $80.

Anybody go to $80?

$80, last call?

Sold for $70.

Are you complaining?

How much would you hope to make?

You more than doubled.

Got another engraving.

This is #258.

"Sale of the Pet Lamb."

We'll give $100 on that to start it out?

Anybody give $100?

$50 for it.

Anybody interested?

$50?

Now $60.

Did you have to sell your lamb?

$50, now $60.

Anybody $60?

Anybody else want in?

Last call, $60.

Sold for $50 to 879.

Oh, goodness.

Dutch Boy paint can.

I've got $40.

Ooh!

I have $40, $50.

$50, now $60.

$60 bid.

$60, now $70.

$80, now $90.

I've got $100, who will go $110?

Yes!

Whoa.

Wow.

At $100.

Anybody give $110?

Anybody else want in?

$110, last call.

Sold for $100 to absentee bidder 533.

(laughing) A big profit.

You did all right.

KEVIN: Yeah, that was pretty good.

Oil on canvas of a moored sailboat.

Who will give $50?

$90.

$90 on the Internet.

Who will give $100?

At $90, anybody give $100?

You want $100 on it?

$100, now $110.

$110, now $120 to you.

$120, anybody to $130?

Come on.

$130, now $140.

$130, anybody to $140?

Wow.

Now $150.

Anybody else want in?

Come on... $150?

Sold for $140.

(groans) The frame is worth $100.

It's anybody's game.

It's anybody's game right now, really.

Eight bucks between the top three.

As soon as that butter churn comes up, that could be the deciding factor.

Let's go.

Let's do it.

An armorial-style looking glass.

How much on that?

Who will give $50 for it?

Let's start it out.

At $50, to bid $60.

Anybody give $60?

Anybody else want in?

Nice decorative item, folks.

Anybody give $60 on it?

At $50 to bid $60?

Give me money, $60?

Sold on $50.

Oh, wow.

I'm surprised.

That is a surprise.

Pyrography chair.

Oh, look at this.

Wow, that's a pretty cool one there, folks.

It's beautiful, Kevin.

How much on that, who will give $100 for it?

Now $125.

$110?

Anybody give $110 on the Internet?

I got $100.

Who will give $110?

Now $120.

At $110, now $120.

$130, now $140.

Come on.

$140, anybody?

Now $150.

Now $160.

At $160, bid at $170?

Anybody, $170?

$180?

Anybody, $180?

Come on.

Sold for $170 to the Internet.

Wow.

Well, it's a profit, but I don't think it's enough.

Here we go.

The butter churn on frame.

That's got nice original stenciling and everything on it.

How much on it?

Who will give $100 starting out?

$50?

Now $60.

Now $70.

In the front row at $60.

We need $70, anybody else want in?

$70, now bid $80.

Now $90.

Surely one more?

$90, now $100.

Yeah, surely.

You never know when you might need to churn your butter.

$110?

$110, now $120.

That's right.

$120?

$110, anybody $120?

You just pulled the lead.

Sold for $110 to the butter churner down here.

Didn't happen.

$50 profit.

I would have thought more.

Got a cute little miniature footed desk.

It could be the desk.

That's a nice one.

Who will give $100 on that to start it out?

At $50, now $60.

Anybody give $60?

Now $70, bid $80?

$80, now $90.

Now $100.

Now $110.

Whoa!

KEVIN: You might have pulled ahead.

You did.

$120, bid $130?

Now $140?

$150?

Whoa.

$150?

$140, bid $150?

$150, now $175.

Yeah, yeah, come on.

Anybody give $200?

You know you would.

$200?

Yes.

He gives a little punch.

I'm so glad I said no to the butter churn.

(laughing) Sold for $200 then to 944.

Wow, a big one.

All right.

WALBERG: And the winner is John Bruno.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

That was a good competition.

Good job.

Kevin, your painting did about as well as I would have expected it to, not being by a listed artist, and the lesson with buying an unnamed artist is it's very hard to figure out what other people are going to like, especially in anonymous work.

That's true.

Right, it's in the eye of the beholder.

Bob, the reason the oil lamp didn't do very well is because it's not rare.

You've got to remember, every house in America would have had multiple oil lamps in the 1870s or the 1880s.

Miller, your horse didn't do as well as you'd hoped because you're older than your horse, because the horse is not very old and it's not even a copy of anything.

It's really a fantasy piece.

If you're going to buy folk art, make sure that you're getting what you think you're getting, because if it's not old, then you're going to be disappointed in your investment.

(whistling) I think Ken Farmer said it all.

(laughter) the coffee grinder.

I didn't know about it because it wasn't in the catalogue, but I've been wanting one and I've seen some at sales.

And when I seen it, I told her I was going to buy it.

It'll sit on my car port, probably, because I got cream separators that I'll set it beside.

My wife kept trying to call me back, but I was determined to buy it.

And I think we got a fair price for it.

Sold, $225 then to 881.

Today I purchased the "Sale of the Pet Lamb."

It's going to go in our farm home here in our area.

We have a pretty eclectic collection of items, and this is just another piece that'll fit in real nicely with what we have.

And our grandchildren will look at that and have somewhat of an epiphany about it.

You know, they raise animals on their farm so it'll be kind of a sentimental thing for them.

And the biding started well, and I got a good buy.

FARMER: Sold $50, 879.