Antiquing in Long Beach, CA
Episode 15 | 53m | Video has closed captioning.
Join pickers at the Long Beach Antique Market as they scour vendors’ booths for the best Asian smalls.
Aired: 02/04/13
Problems Playing Video? | Closed Captioning
Episode 15 | 53m | Video has closed captioning.
Join pickers at the Long Beach Antique Market as they scour vendors’ booths for the best Asian smalls.
Aired: 02/04/13
Problems Playing Video? | Closed Captioning
Oh, happiness.
$550 for that?
All right, they're unique.
Unique?
It's just horrible to me.
We have to take a vote here.
I'm sorry.
$180, yes, $190, yes, and $200.
Did I double?
All in the profit, I can't believe it.
Whoo!
The second largest city in the greater Los Angeles area.
Its port is the country's second busiest, also after Los Angeles.
Hi, I'm Mark Walberg, host of Antiques Roadshow and Market Warriors, inviting you to spend the next hour in my neck of the woods, Southern California.
The Queen Mary, once the world's grandest ocean liner, has been docked in Long Beach since 1967, after making its last voyage to this port, its final resting place.
This floating landmark is one of the city's two most popular destinations for visitors looking to travel back in time.
The other is right here-- the Long Beach Flea Market.
Rain or shine, every third Sunday of the month, 800 dealers set up shop at what is widely considered one of the top ten flea markets in the country.
Though it exists somewhat in the shadow of the larger and more famous Rose Bowl Flea Market to its north, many dealers and customers prefer this market, even at one third the size.
This market is uncharted waters for all four of our Market Warriors.
As they sail into port, they know this competition is going to be anything but a breeze.
Soon they'll be hitting the ground running, hunting for antiques among some of the savviest dealers in the business.
Their first challenge is the target assignment, which will be made by an appraiser at Quinn's Auction Galleries in Falls Church, Virginia, where all of today's items will be sold.
For the target item this week, we'd like you to find Asian smalls.
The types of things to look for today are going to be Chinese items that are jade, porcelain, or wood carvings.
I would look for items that have exquisite quality and ideally would be before 1930.
The types of things to avoid are going to be the later reproductions, anything with damage.
Quality's going to trump all.
In the market today, I'd recommend looking for Chinese.
Chinese is outperforming all other markets at this point in time.
We look forward to what you're going to bring to auction, and good luck.
Asian smalls?
That's his stuff.
That's your area.
Yeah, yeah.
We're going to give you a run for your money.
First you've got to see it.
I know, the pressure's on.
WALBERG: Time will be kept by this wizard clock here at the flea market.
Pickers have one hour to find their target item, starting now.
Asian smalls, things come to mind like vases, jugs, tea sets.
As I'm walking around the flea market, I'm scanning for something Chinese.
I'm looking for something probably carved stone, a nice piece of jade, or even a piece of porcelain.
Send something to auction that is genuinely Chinese, that is not too esoteric, and those are actually the items that bring more money than the unusual when it comes to Chinese.
The problem with small decorative Asian objects, Kevin is an expert.
This is his collection.
This is a lot of what he sells year round.
So he does know Asian quite well.
WALBERG: Kevin is more than just an expert.
When it comes to antiques, he's one of the top sellers on eBay, grossing three quarters of a million dollars a year on Asian items alone.
His opponents know that, and it's putting more pressure on them than any other target round so far.
I'm seeing everything but Asian items.
Do I speak Chinese?
No, do you have anything Chinese?
Anything Chinese?
Yes.
I think she's Chinese.
But she's not old, is she?
I'm not real sure.
WALBERG: When it comes to selling items at auction, quality trumps everything.
An older item is likely to do better than one with less age, but an object made to look old when it really isn't will keep serious buyers away.
DEALER: It's carved out of wood.
Yeah.
It looks like there's just been a little bit of touch-up work around the eyes.
Oh, maybe.
$20.
$20.
That's a great price.
This appears to be an old piece, but the touch-up work just detracts.
It's like a neon sign: "Look, I've been fixed up."
And then you start to doubt whether it's really old.
And if you look at it, you can see that.
The eyes pop out at you.
Talk to me about the jugs.
They used to keep them in the house.
And they'd take the bottle to sake shop, and... And they'd fill it up.
Yeah.
So it has the name of the family, you know, numbers and area.
Mm-hmm.
How old are they?
These are probably late 1800s or even older.
You think so?
Yeah.
Really?
I mean, nobody use it anymore after the war.
Hmm.
Yeah, that's the same one.
It's a bigger size.
Twice as big.
I was just looking at some Japanese stuff, more new.
But we'll find Chinese here.
Got to use my instincts, though.
I don't have Kevin's knowledge.
WALBERG: John isn't suggesting this dealer is intentionally misrepresenting the age of these sake vessels, just expressing his anxiety that even dealers have a difficult time distinguishing reproductions from genuine antiques.
Especially since repros made in Asia have flooded this very hot market with the sole purpose of misleading would-be buyers.
It's a concern that's compounded by the fact that there seem to be very few Asian items here of any kind.
Is this Asian?
No.
Asian smalls.
Let's keep looking.
I see a lot of new stuff, a lot of repro.
A lot of import.
Ideally, what I'm hoping I can find is a beautiful piece of jade that's going for next to nothing.
That's my ideal piece.
But right now I thought the market would be oversaturated with Asian, and I'm not seeing much at all.
So it's been a big surprise.
This is a cigarette case with mixed metal, brass.
I like this.
It has the pagoda in the front.
And Mt.
Fuji.
It's got the Japanese theme.
And look-- it's got the cool dragon in the back.
It's a neat little piece.
Can you tell me about this little cigarette case?
Cigarette case?
$60.
I think what I really like about the cigarette case is that it's unusual.
You can use it for a lot of different purposes.
You can put your business cards in it.
You can put your money in it, make it a wallet, and I really like the patina on the case.
I don't know.
That's the best I've seen so far, is the cigarette case.
He said $60.
If I got it for maybe $25.
Beep-beep, beep-beep.
JOHN: Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
(scooter beeping) KEVIN: Come on, follow my lead.
JOHN: Yeah, yeah.
You go so fast you miss some of these things.
KEVIN: Follow my lead.
JOHN: All right, here we go.
(scooter beeping) WALBERG: As much as John is making it seem as if he's trying to stay ahead of Kevin, he's actually working hard to stay with him.
Almost like a pilot fish hanging on to a shark, expecting to feed on his leftovers.
It's a smart strategy, considering how little John knows about Asian antiques.
JOHN: Excuse me.
Come on, I'll show you how to do this.
(laughing) We really don't have to get too far ahead of Bruno.
He wouldn't know an Asian item if it cracked him in the side of the head.
So let's just keep going.
Looking for age, looking for something.
Excuse me, guys.
What can you tell me about this?
That's an older Chinese piece.
Any idea from when?
Somebody told us, like, 1880s.
WALBERG: Did you catch how the dealer didn't date this piece in the first person?
It's his way of making it clear he's unsure about its true age.
JOHN: What's he asking for that?
DEALER: $45.
But that's without the stand.
Yeah, yeah.
WALBERG: Notice how Kevin is methodically checking each piece on his own without consulting the dealer.
Having heard how he dated the piece John just looked at... KEVIN: Too late.
WALBERG: ...Kevin decides he's better off making a determination about age on his own.
It's a strategy that hasn't gone unnoticed by his tag-along opponent.
We're shopping together now?
Yeah, actually, we are right now.
Looking for Asian.
JOHN: Well, it's out of my comfort zone.
This is your area.
I mean, we all know that.
Yeah.
They're all from the same... we don't know what they are.
So here's a booth filled with Asian items.
But unfortunately, they're newer Asian items.
And that's what's happened.
Asian items are so hot right now, especially Chinese, people tend to try and sell a lot of the newer stuff.
If we're going to send it to auction, we've got to look for something that's got a little more power to it, something with a little more age and a little more quality.
I have to find something.
I'm going to have to hustle here, guys.
This is the hustling woman.
Yes, can I see that necklace right there?
Oh, that's a pin.
Oh, okay.
That's even better.
And this is jade, is that right?
Green jade.
And is this... this is Chinese?
Chinese.
Chinese.
And it's... how old would you say this is?
It appears Victorian.
DEALER: 1930s.
1930s?
Okay.
How much is this, by the way?
$80.
$80.
Can I see this here?
Oh, thank you.
That's nice of you.
This appears to be newer.
Is that correct?
No, it's not.
How old is this one?
It's almost same as the other one.
Oh, really?
WALBERG: That means it's also circa 1930s, according to this dealer.
And how much is that?
$300.
That's $300.
Yeah.
And it's because of the gold.
Yes.
Okay.
MILLER: Can I see the Chinese spoons?
Are they marked?
DEALER: They are marked.
MILLER: Is that a dragon or a monkey?
I think it's a dragon on it.
MILLER: Okay.
DEALER: The set is $100.
MILLER: I like the demitasse spoons.
I think they're exceptional.
I like the detail on these.
But the problem is that people don't need little utensils like that anymore.
What you see selling with sterling are the bigger pieces, because in this economy people are melting down little pieces.
And unfortunately we don't live in a world where people drink coffee in demitasse cups anymore.
New?
It is an older one.
Some bring here the new one.
KEVIN: This is a beautiful water coupe.
It's used for holding water that would be mixed with ink to paint a painting or do some calligraphy.
And this is a beautiful, simple form.
And that's what the Chinese buyers will be more enticed to buy.
How much are you asking?
DEALER: This, $150.
It's a Qing.
Late Qing.
Maybe even 20th century.
Republic, maybe?
WALBERG: This is classic Kevin Bruneau.
He gently tries to move this dealer away from incorrectly dating this piece, not just because he's a purist, but as a way of telling the dealer he'll need to lighten up on his price without directly challenging his integrity.
Kevin has given up hope of finding the type of antique he had set his sights on, so he's doing the next best thing-- choosing a newer piece with a compelling design.
What would be your best price on the water coupe?
Best, best price?
What about $80?
How about 50 bucks?
What about $80?
$50?
Best price.
(laughing) I'm trying, right?
50 bucks?
$80 is the best price.
$80's the best?
Yes.
You can't even give me a little bit?
How about $60 cash?
$60 cash.
Cash money?
Is it beautiful cash?
Yeah, beautiful cash, the green cash, just like the jar.
You want to do this?
I'll do 60 bucks on it.
I like it.
It's got enough age, and it's a good looking piece.
He said it was a Qing dynasty.
I believe it is more like Republic period.
Probably right around 1950s, right around there.
The mid-20th century.
WALBERG: With the game clock ticking, Bene's inability to find an authentic Asian antique has prompted her to adopt a new strategy.
I have a question.
Do you have anything World War II, maybe, with Japanese influence?
Not with Japanese, no.
BENE: No?
A lot of your items are from earlier, or later?
Mostly World War II.
World War II, okay.
It's very collectible.
I was hoping to get a twofer, because I know military does well at Quinn's, and the target category was Asian smalls.
WALBERG: Bene's new strategy is clever, but has a potential flaw.
She's right about Quinn and military items, but any that date back to World War II or later will be a gamble, since the market is flooded with them.
Hey, let me try you again.
Would you have anything Japanese, World War II?
I do, actually; it's the crate right here.
It has Japanese writing on there.
So you're selling this?
Yeah.
Not with the knife, huh?
No, no, not with the knife.
But I'll throw in the knife.
You'll throw in the knife?
If you want to take it.
Oh, let's throw in... how much is it?
I'm asking $50.
$50?
Yes.
Really?
Yeah.
I'll do $35 if you want to take it.
That is a good deal, but it doesn't appear old.
Let me think about that.
No problem.
Nothing else is Japanese, huh?
Oh, wait, yeah.
I think I have something here, look.
What makes this Japanese?
Well, I mean, as you can see, Japan surrendered here.
Yeah, okay.
I wonder if I will have a hard time getting them to believe that this is Asian.
Right now I have 25 minutes.
I have to find something that fits the category.
But now I'm trying to go for my twofer again, and try to get military and Asian.
And anything military Japanese qualifies for the category.
So I'm thinking if you put all this in that trunk, I'll give you $30.
No.
Come on.
That's a great deal.
No, I can't.
How much were you asking for this?
I need at least 15 bucks.
$15?
Yeah, I'll do $15 on it.
Oh, I can't do $15.
I'll give you ten bucks.
All right, I'll do ten.
Okay.
What I think was this actually is a Hawaiian piece that a soldier, a military person, turned into this piece.
I think this might be a one-of-a-kind folk art piece.
He has actual old photographs-- you can tell these are old-- pasted onto it.
And it has the Navy seal, and it has "1945" here.
It just appears to be... it appears to be the real deal.
WALBERG: Bene is the second picker after Kevin to find her target item.
Here with nobody else.
Time to chill.
MILLER: This little rooster.
Tell me about this cool piece.
I like it a lot.
DEALER: It's from a rickshaw in Mandalay, Burma.
That would be on either side of the driver's seat.
There'd be a chicken on either side, kind of watching the road in front of you.
Is it protection?
It's protection and guidance.
Oh, I need that.
Interesting.
Probably the only one in the USA.
75 bucks.
Would you take 55?
No.
Would you take $60?
I couldn't do that.
It doesn't work on one item.
I know, but I...
I can only do one.
That's my challenge.
It's a challenge.
(both laughing) Okay, so we can't work?
We can't work with me anymore?
Just $60 and that's it?
70 bucks, that's it.
Darn.
I'm sorry.
I hate the difference over ten dollars.
Wow.
Bob, she has to resell.
She has to resell these.
Well, all right, 60 bucks.
Oh!
I'll do... if it's cash.
It's cash.
Cash, okay.
No other way.
$20, $40, $60.
Let's see here.
Oh, you think I'm printing funny money?
You'll remember me.
Oh, I will.
This will give me protection.
Thank you, my friend.
All right, bye-bye.
Bye.
WALBERG: John is in the same unreliable boat where we last left him.
He'd fare even worse on the Queen Mary, since few if any of its original antiques are likely to be Asian.
Getting a little discouraged, but I'm not about to give up.
But I do want to go back and check on something, just to make... put my mind at rest.
WALBERG: Talk about being desperate.
John is going back to look at the sake jugs he dismissed earlier in the round as being too new.
Hi, again.
You're back.
Well, I'm thinking, thinking.
I'm thinking, thinking.
Talk to me about this, though.
It's a roof tile.
A gargoyle.
Usually have a scary face right on top of roof to scare evil spirit.
I think it's got a great look to it.
I love the face.
I love the fact that it can be hung on a wall if it's a protector.
Talk to me about this, the roof tile.
Age and...
It's got to be around 100 years old.
I mean, it's... yeah, that kind of time frame.
It was fixed a little bit, yeah.
Well, I can see it was cracked.
It fell off the roof.
You know, little guardian, house guardian.
Little temple guardians.
Yeah, house guardian, yeah.
But yeah, I'll do $45 on that.
It's got some nice age to it.
It looks like it's a protector warrior.
Yeah, he's one of the warriors.
So he's a warrior god.
Exactly.
Look at the sword.
He's got that great angry face, which I love.
What can we really do on him?
Considering he is damaged.
He's cracked, and he's got a big chip there.
Okay, I'll do $35, how's that?
How about $30?
Can you do $30?
Oh, I know, I know, I know.
I'm being mean and cruel and nasty.
I'm an ugly American, but... $30.
It's a good piece.
Down the middle, $32.50.
How about $33?
$33, all right, $33.
Fair, huh, that's fair.
WALBERG: Now the pickers will assess each other's items to determine if each of them fulfill the target assignment, Asian smalls.
The pickers can reject any item for whatever reason they choose.
Wrong or right, majority rules.
Well, I think the last one should go first.
Okay, works for me.
Let's see what Bruno has.
Why not?
Feeling the doubts already.
Oh, no, I've got to take my sunglasses off.
We have a roof tile, a god for the house.
It's a protector.
It is Japanese.
The fellow who sold it to me said sometime in the 1800s.
I think this may be an early 20th century.
Looks like it was broken, and then glued back together.
It was put back together.
And I figure, all right, they're unique, you don't see a lot of them.
Unique?
KEVIN: It's just horrible to me.
It's not that you didn't meet the challenge.
It's just that it's, in my opinion, an ornamental horrific looking thing.
Is it Asian?
Yes, it is.
BENE: You met the category, we all agree on that.
Is it a small?
Yes.
Have I met the category?
You have.
Thumbs up.
That's all I need to know.
Goodbye.
Bene, I'm excited to see what you got.
Show me something decent.
This shows the Japanese surrendering right here.
American flag.
And the bombing, Pearl Harbor.
Is this Asian?
It is Japanese.
I think it's more tourist.
I'm going to have to say, unfortunately, this was probably made in an island somewhere.
A Hawaiian island, probably, right.
Which is Asian.
No.
That's Polynesian American.
It does have a picture of the Japanese surrendering on it-- correct, it does.
But that is not made in Japan or made by the Chinese or made by anybody... JOHN: You can't take a picture of a Japanese or an Asian individual and slap it on something and say it's Asian.
No, I know that.
The category is Asian smalls.
It did not say made in Japan, did not say made in China.
This is a Japanese piece with the picture of Japan surrendering.
I think this qualifies as a small, it qualifies as Japanese, which is Asian.
We have to take a vote here.
And I'm pushing back on this one.
I say thumbs down.
I'm sorry.
Sorry.
I don't like it as Asian.
Money, money, money.
MILLER: Woo-woo!
KEVIN: Ladies first.
Thank you.
I like getting cash out here in Cali.
You didn't run out, did you?
Here you go.
Okay, I'm going to go.
What I have here is a Chinese water coupe with a beautiful apple green glaze.
Used to hold water.
They would mix water with their powdered ink.
It's a classic form.
Are you sure?
I mean, like, I don't see any markings.
BENE: I don't think it's Chinese.
As there shouldn't be.
This is not a period Qing Dynasty piece.
It is a later piece.
And a lot of times they don't have markings on the bottom.
I guarantee you it's Chinese.
I would have thought you'd have brought something very impressive that would be off the charts.
Asian's your specialty, and this is just kind of...
This is actually a really good thing.
That's probably worth two to three hundred dollars.
Right in that range.
That's what I think it's worth.
JOHN: So let's vote on it, boys and girls.
What do you think?
I think it's a thumbs up.
Well, I learned something today.
That was a haphazard one right there.
You don't want to give me a thumbs up?
You don't believe it's Chinese?
It doesn't matter whether I like it or not.
It'll meet the qualifications.
All right, Miller.
You'd better have brought something pretty cool to the table.
Let me see what you brought.
I have a Burmese rickshaw rooster.
It's Burmese, huh?
You're 100% sure?
He brought it over himself.
I think that Burmese items are illegally traded in the United States, because we have sanctions against them.
You cannot bring true Burmese artifacts into this country.
If it is Burmese, it can't be auctioned.
Hey, look, did I meet the challenge?
WALBERG: As it pertains to this piece, Kevin and John are incorrect.
The import ban began in 2003.
And since dealer Prem Bob Mussen told Miller he bought this carved rooster in Burma and brought it to the U.S. at least ten years prior to the ban, it's legal for Miller to sell it at auction in the United States.
But I think the auction house should determine whether they should sell it or not.
I have so much trouble with that, but I'll shut up and go with it.
But I think it could be quite a valuable piece.
Could be.
It is a nice piece.
I mean, it's really nicely done, and Miller, you really bought a nice piece.
Thumbs up.
She gets a thumbs up.
Thumbs up.
Let's see what happens.
WALBERG: You've seen the Loheide clock.
Now let's hear more about it.
What I've brought to you today is a 1908 Wizard clock.
This clock was really quite special, because it was a trade stimulator.
These were used in bars, cafes, but primarily in cigar stores.
So if you were going to buy a cigar, you would come in, you'd put in a nickel, and it would always guarantee you one token.
So you would either get guaranteed one cigar, but you could win an extra cigar or an extra two cigars.
It gonged every time you put a coin in it to let the owner of the store know if he was giving away cigars.
If there's one token, you got your cigar.
If it was two, he needed to come down and tend to you and give you your extra cigar.
This is really a rare clock.
You don't see these much.
So I'd like to get $2,000 for it.
WALBERG: Was Bene's Hawaiian plaque a good buy?
Even though this World War II commemorative only cost her ten dollars, did she make any profit on it?
Or is it the first "no sale" at a Market Warriors auction?
We're going to fast-forward our game clock ahead of the rest of the flea market buying and bonus rounds to watch this piece go up for sale at Quinn's Auction Galleries in Falls Church, Virginia.
Let's see what happens.
We're going to get ready to sell these next couple of items here.
Lot number 67 is the wood Pearl Harbor souvenir with the photos.
Start me, please, ten dollars.
Ten dollars at the back.
Now $15 and $20 and $25.
$20 straight back now.
I need $25.
$25 there, now $30.
$25 there...
Asking $40... $40.
Asking $45.
Looking for $45.
Sold for $40 in back, buyer 119.
WALBERG: Bene quadrupled her purchase price, making a $30 profit.
Let's rewind our way back to Long Beach, California, where dealer Jim Schafer is about to demonstrate a vintage game machine as a setup to the bonus round question he'll ask pickers once they shop 'til they stop.
JOHN: What have we got here?
This is a 1929 Mills baseball machine.
It was about that period of time when gambling started to become illegal in many states.
So the manufacturers started building in gimmicks into the machines so that they could be used in illegal states.
How does this work?
Can you demonstrate it?
Absolutely.
This particular one, they built in a baseball field.
As you played the machine, the reels would line up, bringing up the symbols.
Every time that a combination would come up, you could turn the knobs and advance your runners around the bases, as well as keep your score.
And then you could get a pack of mints out of them as well.
In many cases, the operators would actually put wood blocks in the mint wrappers.
So it was just bogus to get you to play the game.
The whole thing was just farce.
Just to make money.
Everybody knew not to take the mints.
They just literally played the machine to gamble.
Okay, Jim, what's the challenge?
Well, you're going to finish doing your shopping, then you're going to come back here, and we're going to give you one bonus question, which will be your opportunity to win.
So get shopping.
WALBERG: Not until I explain the rules.
Shop 'til You Stop is about to begin.
It's an untimed round in which the pickers can buy one or two items, but no more than that.
Once they're done, they can return to Jim's booth and answer the bonus question on a first-come, first-served basis, until one of them gets the right answer.
Okay, let's go.
Let's do it.
I'm looking for basically anything that is more in a traditional line that will make money.
I have no idea what this is.
Is this a knife box?
This is a wedding box.
Really?
Yeah, this is beautiful.
I've never seen that.
It looks like a knife box, doesn't it?
Yeah, this is porcelain on the top.
And how old do you think this is?
Oh, I'd say maybe 1910.
1910.
You notice this little damage.
That's from the age.
I'd take $120.
But this is beautiful.
Is there any way you can tell me where you got it?
I got it from a woman, she came here in the '40s.
She had all the beautiful Asian antiques.
Okay.
So it came from her.
This is called a wedding box.
Wedding box, right.
WALBERG: You just witnessed the flea market equivalent of the telephone game.
There's no reason to believe dealer Cynthia Watson is telling Bene anything other than what the original owner told her-- that this is an antique Asian wedding box.
The problem is, according to two Asian experts we consulted, it isn't true.
That means Bene is about to negotiate for an item worth considerably more or less than the early 20th century Asian wedding box she thinks she's buying.
Potential bidders at Quinn's are not likely to be any more informed, since most auction houses don't vet items being sold at an uncatalogued auction.
CYNTHIA: I'd let it go for $100.
BENE: $100?
I think it's a great piece.
Oh, it is.
Would you do, like, $90 cash?
I can't because I have come down $40.
You have come down $40, and that's great.
$95, cash?
Um... okay.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
BENE: I saw this etching, and it looked like it had been reframed, but when you look deeper, it is actually pretty old.
Could you talk to me about this piece?
I can't, really.
It's my dad's booth, actually.
BENE: It showed the first Fourth of July.
You can't beat it for Americana.
You broke it, you bought it, lady.
BENE: Okay.
Hi, how are you?
How are you?
I'm Bene.
I'm Kevin.
Hi, Kevin.
How are you?
I have a question.
Did you frame this, or...
Yes, I did.
I found it in Santa Barbara just like it is.
But it's an original from the 1800s.
Got a little bit of acidic burn here.
It's got some foxing in the sky.
Now, this plaque here, was it on the original frame?
That was on the original frame.
Okay, because that would have been on the outside, right?
Exactly.
Yeah.
And so it's "The Day We Celebrate," the first Fourth of July.
Okay, and they have the two types of flags here.
Yeah, this is, like, the 13-star flag.
And this is later, from the period when it was done, which is the 1880s.
There's some African Americans here.
I was just going to mention that.
I mean, I noticed quite a few.
It is very rare to have that in the picture.
So I know you want to take that home with you.
Only for the right price.
We can talk.
It's late in the day.
Okay.
The flags go with it.
Oh, great.
I was going to buy it just for these flags.
But I know you want $300.
I can do... what can you do?
Um, I would let you have it for $200.
That's a steal.
That's a st...
I was thinking closer to $100.
Oh, my.
I know; is that breaking your heart?
Yes.
Okay, how about your flags back?
Okay.
Okay?
Well, thank you anyway.
$100?
But no, I can't do $100.
$150?
(groans) I'll do $150 for you.
Thank you very much.
I appreciate it.
Hi.
Hey, Bene.
WALBERG: As the first picker who shopped 'til she stopped, Bene is first up at bat.
Okay, what's the bonus question?
Okay, the bonus question is, since we're talking baseball today, at auction, a baseball card sold for the highest price.
What player was featured on the card?
Okay, that is a great question.
I wish I knew the answer.
Okay, can you give me a hint?
His initials?
Last name begin with O?
Nope, not O. WALBERG: Sorry, Bene, but this isn't that game where you get to buy a vowel.
G?
There's only 25 more letters.
Is it Garth?
I don't know what it is.
I'm so excited!
This lamp is super cool, but it's not going to work in traditional Virginia.
But I'd buy it in a second.
This is going to be challenging.
I love it.
I'm not seeing a lot of traditional old Americana that does well at Quinn's.
I'm browsing.
I feel very British.
I want to look at those elephant garden stools.
Is this your booth?
Yes, it is.
Tell me your name?
George.
Where are you from, Louisiana?
South Carolina.
So are you selling them as a pair?
GEORGE: No, either way.
Either way, okay.
So where'd you get these?
I don't even know how long I've had them.
I just bought it somewhere, I liked them, I have them outside by my garden, and I decided to bring them in.
I like them.
They're great just to make a little stool.
So what are you asking for one?
How about $150?
Oh, my.
I don't know, George.
I like this one more because this one kind of has a little crack on the top.
Yeah, yeah, no, no, the white one is in better condition.
I don't know, George.
I'm between $65 and $75.
Between $65 and $75.
Yeah.
How about $70?
How about $68?
$68, you got a deal.
Yay!
Okay, this is great.
For me, this is when it's cocktail time.
I can put my cocktail right here on top of the elephant.
WALBERG: George moonlights as a dealer and works primarily as a sports marketer.
Hey, George, let's get a photo of me and you, you're on the one and I'm on the other.
WALBERG: I bet he could hook you up with a lot more valuable seats than those elephants at any number of sporting events, Miller.
Now smile.
(shutter clicks) MILLER: The elephant garden stool has got a lot of weight to it.
It doesn't have much crazing, and that's what you look for in ceramic pieces.
The color is still there.
It's in great condition.
And the glaze is nice.
You know, some of these pieces, the glaze is barely there anymore.
It's in fantastic condition.
Okay, George, thank you.
MILLER: I got a great price on this garden stool.
I've seen these sell as a pair or individually for over $1,000 each.
So I think this is going to do very well at auction.
Should I go with a cane, traditional Virginia?
Everybody likes the lab up there.
Hi, Doe!
Hi there.
I'm back again.
How much are you asking for the cane?
That one is $75.
It's really nice.
Anything with dogs' heads are very popular.
Okay, would you take $45?
I can't.
I appreciate your offer.
$65 on it.
DOE: Anything that has dogs' heads is great for resale.
People do collect their own breeds, but they will collect other dogs if they're fabulous and cute.
MILLER: There's no working it down any more than that?
I can't, thank you.
I'll go $60.
I'll go $60.
Doe, would you take $55?
I'll do $55.
You got me.
You got a deal.
Thank you, Doe.
Enjoy it.
Oh, I will.
JOHN: Doe, Doe, don't sell it to her, Doe, don't do it.
Oh, no, John.
Oh, no, don't do it, Doe.
John, don't wreck and fall.
DOE: Someone's not going to be happy.
He was looking at all of them.
(chuckling) Well, you know, tough luck.
MILLER: Hi, Jim.
JIM: Hey, you're back!
The challenge is this.
Since we're talking baseball today... Oh, my.
...the question is, at auction, a baseball card sold for a record highest price.
Who is the player on the card?
Around the turn of the century.
I know, it's like one of those crazy names.
Those crazy names.
It's not my favorite, Shoeless Joe Jackson.
I'm going to say Lou Gehrig, but I know it's not.
Good guess, but no, it's not.
Oh, there we go.
Shades of Sweeney Todd.
WALBERG: Unlike Miller, John Bruno doesn't think bidders who attend Quinn's Auction in Falls Church, Virginia, are primarily interested in traditional Americana just because the auction house happens to be located in the suburban South.
This is an auction house that does bill itself as dealing with D.C. And it's also on the Internet.
I'm spotting some modern art, and good modern art, even by a no-name artist, is always desirable.
I mean, what do you see in that?
I see a fish eating another fish.
Okay.
Huh.
WALBERG: Fish?
I think that looks like an ear.
Talk to me about the sticks.
Come on over here.
These are very cool.
What kind of prices do you have on them?
They range from $75 to... this one's sterling, made in Portugal, $175.
It's a lady's stick.
Much more delicate, more feminine.
This is a more contemporary one, but it's always saleable.
Anything with dogs.
WALBERG: John looks at these walking sticks before Miller buys her dog cane.
But dealer Doe Harris, whose grandfather was an auctioneer, tries to get John interested in where she chose to stick them-- a leather container Miller will pass over.
I love the stick case.
What do you think it is?
It looks like a golf bag to me, an old leather golf bag.
It's actually from a battleship, made in England.
They're for carrying the charges for the actual guns, for cordite.
Cordite?
Cordite.
It's all leather, and then all linen lined in here.
They came linen lined?
It came linen lined.
Of course, to absorb any moisture.
Evidently cordite has some sort of very specific scent.
And it has initials, see?
Probably from some sort of ship.
J-A-H, and then it has a little insignia.
What kind of price do you have on the case?
I am asking $550.
$550 for that?
$550.
$550?!
In England, that would be even double pounds.
$550?
We may talk.
Yeah, you'll be back, I know.
I've heard that story.
The professionals do come back.
Then I stumble on one of my favorite pieces.
Modern sculpture.
Probably 1970s.
Aluminum sculpture in a beautiful kinetic style.
Sweeping arcs.
I fall in love with this.
Who knows if it's going to be my downfall?
I'm always drawn to this sort of thing.
This yours?
YOUNG WOMAN: Yeah.
Do you know the price of them?
No, my mom, she knows the prices, but you have to call her.
Call her?
You can probably get a good deal, since it's almost over.
I can give you her number.
WALBERG: Is 12-year-old Della Orr Harder giving John the inside track on how to get the best deal out of her mom, or is she doing her best to keep a customer from walking away?
You make the call.
She's right here.
JOHN: Well, there you are.
Talk to me about your sculpture.
Best of the '80s.
It is '80s.
Do you have the artist?
No, but it is a California piece.
So what are you asking for it?
Ah, to you, $200.
It's going to Round Top, Texas.
That is a great piece from the '80s.
Come on.
It's a piece of sculpture that doubles as an earthquake indicator.
(rattling) It will do that.
Real drop-dead, killer, end-of-day price.
What could you do?
No, that's it.
It's got to be up on a stand.
It's got to be high, eye level.
Yeah, that's it, 200.
Come on, do $150.
Oh, come on, fellow promoter.
$175, that's it.
JOHN: Just walking an edge, but...
Right, but we've got to keep the edge moving.
I'm with you there.
$165.
Nope.
This is going to Texas.
Do you know what I can get for this in Texas?
Nothing!
Nobody in Texas buys this stuff.
Mom, come on-- $165.
JOHN: Hey, listen to your daughter.
She's a smart girl.
WALBERG: Presbyterian pastor Jan Orr Harder is teaching her daughter how to be a dealer.
But here's one lesson Della still needs to learn-- never take John Bruno's side over Mom's, or for that matter, anybody else.
JAN: Okay, $165.
You'll do $165?
Good for you.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
JOHN: That's in my comfort zone, then.
JAN: Well, you're buying a killer piece.
A modern sculpture, that's a flyer.
Who knows?
It could go up, could go down, could go nowhere, could go broke.
But if nothing else, I was comfortable buying it, and I had some fun.
Thanks, kids.
Bye-bye.
So now I've got one item and I've got to buy one more.
Where did you get it?
It came from a private house.
They bought it in England.
I think there's even, if I'm not mistaken... "John Ball Antiques, London, England."
Son of a gun.
No, seriously, you gave me a number before, and I have forgotten it.
I have forgotten it, too.
(laughing) I think it was four and a half.
Let's see if he remembers the number.
Mmm.
I do.
I want to do two.
Really?
Oh, well, I can't.
Bring me more.
Let's go in between.
Right down the middle.
Right down the middle is $337.50.
$335.
$325.
I can't.
I'm a New Yorker.
I'm cheap.
Come on, let's do three and a quarter.
Three and a quarter, you got it.
What did we say, three and a quarter?
Give me $20.
$320?
$320, even better.
You get a kiss.
Oh, that's worth five bucks.
Now, my sculpture, is it useful?
It's decorative.
But this, you put it by your front door, put in umbrellas, put in your walking sticks.
You could even put, like, dried fronds in it, seriously.
Don't look at me like that.
All right, so what's the question, man?
All right, the question is, since we're talking baseball today, who was the player on the baseball card which sold for the highest price at auction?
I actually know the answer to this.
There was just a whole treasure trove found of vintage baseball cards.
But in this was Honus Wagner.
So the answer has to be Honus Wagner.
That's correct.
Cool!
I mean, jackpot.
You just won yourself $25.
All right, every one penny counts.
So the items are being sent out east to Quinn's Auction.
And the good thing about Quinn's Auction is they are totally online with their sale.
So that means this item is going to be nationally advertised.
Jimmy, show me that nice micromosaic.
Late 18th century.
Yeah, that's fantastic.
Every one of those little tiny dots that you see is a piece of glass.
Probably, what, made in the Vatican, maybe?
Yeah, very possible.
How much is something like that?
Around $9,500.
(whistles) Look at the quality.
Unbelievable.
I don't even think I should be holding it.
I'm just totally leaving myself open right now to see what's out there.
Something that I can make money on, and that's what I'm going for.
I have nothing specific at this point.
WALBERG: Try as he may to leave himself open to buying anything... Oh, that just feels awesome.
Oh, perfect.
165, 165.
WALBERG: Kevin can't help but zero in on what he knows best-- Chinese antiques, like the ones he finds in dealer Brent Baden's booth.
KEVIN: What are you asking for the pair of Chinese chairs?
Mmm... $450, I think.
Bought them at auction.
I'm going to guess they're 100 years old.
KEVIN: There's no damage to them, just the finish is worn.
What would be the absolute bottom line on a pair of chairs like that?
A real absolute bottom line?
Yeah, like that real number.
That number that you wish you could have got, but... 300 bucks.
300 bucks?
Not less than that, though.
You asked me for the real number.
KEVIN: Not even $250, huh?
Easy to put them back in my store.
I hear you.
$275, man, cash?
No, $300.
Cash doesn't matter to me.
I hear you.
Take a company check.
Right.
I'm going to take them for three bills, all right?
They're hardwood, and they can be redone if somebody wants to redo them.
KEVIN: I bought a really nice pair of Chinese armchairs.
Lacquered finish, kind of worn, but they're still really cool, really nice carvings.
Well, you've got the nice swoop back right here.
You can see the nice detail.
And you've got the nice curved arms.
And they're still very solid.
After all these years they're solid.
These chairs are well over 100 years old, probably closer to 200 years old.
And at 300 bucks, they're a pretty good deal as far as I'm concerned.
They're great.
I mean, that's a pretty fine deal you gave me from $450 down to $300.
I appreciate it.
Happy to help out.
So with one more item to go, I'm kind of leaving it open.
I'm just searching around for quality.
Whatever kind of grabs me and draws me in, that's what I'm going for.
All right, thank you.
See you later.
All right.
Whose booth?
Everybody's, right?
Everybody's.
But he's the boss.
All right, boss.
Who's the painter down there on that painting?
Tell me about that little painting.
Oh, it's a Russian painting.
From, like, the '50s?
Yes.
WALBERG: Actually, the painting is from what is now the Czech Republic.
But during this period, Czechoslovakia was part of the Soviet Bloc.
What's it priced at?
It's $200.
WALBERG: A group of Eastern European Communist countries aligned with the Soviet Union.
Is it okay if I zip the back with my fingernail, just to look?
WALBERG: Artists were discouraged from having an individual point of view in favor of a more uniform style, leaving much of one country's art indiscernible from another.
And this is the simple scenes that you would see.
WALBERG: These paintings are by Soviet artists of the same era.
Like many of their counterparts from Soviet Bloc countries, artists who declined to paint government-sanctioned scenes with proletariat workers, chose instead to paint simple impressionistic landscapes that were considered safe subjects.
KEVIN: Do you have any clue who the artist is?
It looks like "Incazak," but that don't mean anything.
Any time you can zip open the back of a painting, it's most likely going to lead to more information for you to be able to determine whether you want to purchase an item like that or not.
And when I opened that one up and I saw the original label, it's got the name, now I can research it.
I look at how much they're asking, $125, buck and a quarter, end of day?
All right, I'll take it for a buck and a quarter.
KEVIN: They're not asking a ton of money.
I'm not even going to do any research right there.
I'm going to take a shot that that painting is going to make me money.
And I'm being a gambling man right now.
WALBERG: Let's review all the items and what the pickers spent.
Here are Kevin's lots-- a Chinese water coupe, a pair of Chinese wooden chairs, and a 20th-century Czech painting.
John's lots are comprised of a Japanese roof tile, a kinetic sculpture, and a British naval cordite carrier.
Miller's lots include a carved wood rooster, a ceramic elephant pedestal, and a Labrador head cane.
And finally, on to Bene's lots.
In addition to the World War II commemorative, she also purchased a Chinese lacquer box and the "Day We Celebrate" engraving.
Now it's on to Falls Church, Virginia, where all of their items will be sold at Quinn's Auction Galleries.
The auction house is filling up with bidders from the Washington, D.C., area.
They include dealers trying to buy low to flip these antiques.
Others are collectors who may be inclined to spend more for what they really want.
Watching the bidding from behind the scenes will be all four of our pickers, who were just told about the $30 profit Bene made on her World War II commemorative.
Okay, I'm shocked, okay?
Well, you thought you would make money with it, and you did.
The opening bid, if it was ten dollars, I figured I was safe.
That could be in a yard sale.
I can't believe these people were bidding.
You never know what will happen at auction.
WALBERG: This is the moment we've been waiting for.
Remember, Bene begins with a $30 profit.
And as the winner of the bonus round, John starts off $25 in the black.
All right, here we go.
The next item we're selling is the Chinese kanji style porcelain water coupe.
And who'll start me, please?
20 bucks for it.
$20.
$20 and $30, $40, ma'am, $50.
In back, $60, $70.
Yes, $80.
$70 in the third row.
Now $80, anyone?
$80, $80 in the back.
$90?
$80 in back, a new bidder now.
$90, anyone, $90?
$90?
Sold, $80 in the back to you, ma'am.
Ah, $20 profit.
Good job.
Yeah.
Lot number 166, the Japanese Buddhist Nio guardian roof tile.
It does have a little repair to it, but it's been... A little?
Start me, please.
Ten bucks on it.
$15, there you are.
$20 in the back, and $25.
Yes, and $30.
$25, $30.
Yes, $35, $35.
$30, bid $35?
Yes?
All right.
Yes, turned profit, okay.
$40, the lady.
$45?
$45, yes, and $50.
Why are they buying this?
Lost their minds.
Oh, my gosh.
$65, yes, and $70?
$70, yes, and $75?
$75, yes, and $80?
$80, $85 now?
Anyone $85...?
Sold, $80 on my right to you, ma'am.
All right!
BENE: Oh, my gosh.
Wow.
Lot number 68, the Burmese carved wood rooster, an early 19th-century piece here.
Start me, please.
20 bucks.
$25, and $30, and five.
$45, $55, $60.
$65, $70.
$70, yes, five, $80.
$85.
$90 there.
$95, $100 there, $110.
Now $120?
It's a good thing.
It's a nice thing.
Any interest at $130?
Come on, work it, work it, work it.
Sold, $120 to you, sir, buyer 252.
Whoa, that was great.
Whoo!
All in the profit.
I can't believe it-- that's pretty good.
Yeah, that's very good.
Maybe we're learning this business.
Let's hope we keep it.
Slow down, you guys.
Slow down.
Lot number 73, this glazed ceramic elephant garden seat.
I can start the bidding off here at $50.
Now five?
$50 here, need $55.
$60, 65, $75, $80.
$80, yes.
$85, $90, $95, $100.
$95, $100, yes, and $110?
$110, yes.
Keep it going.
Wow.
$130, yes, $140.
$130.
I have a bid $140?
Is that a yes?
It's worth more than that.
Wow, you've doubled.
$150, yes, $160?
$160?
$160?
Sold, $150 to you, buyer 150.
Oh, Miller, that's great.
Wow.
Lot number 76.
76 here is a pair of 18th/19th century Chinese chairs.
I can start the bidding off here at 200 bucks.
$200 is my bid here.
Now $210.
Any interest at $210 dollars?
I have $210.
$220, $230, ma'am?
$230, yes, $240, $250.
$250, $260, $270.
$280 here, $290.
$290, I have $300, $325.
I have $350, $375.
$350 on profit.
$350 I hear.
Now $375.
$350's my bid.
One more.
All right, sell $350?
Sold here, $350, to the absentee bidder.
I'll take it, I'll take it.
Item number 74, the Curtis Jere stainless steel kinetic sculpture.
I have $110 on the computer, now $120.
I have $110, 20 there, $130.
$130, yes, $140?
$140, yes, $150.
$150 to the computer.
$160.
Yes, $170.
$160 I have, now $170 behind you.
Now $170, anyone $170?
They're getting flat down there.
Any interest at $170?
Sold $160 right there on my left.
Damn, so close.
Very close.
I mean, five dollar loss, not much.
Lot number 70, the Japanese lacquer wedding box.
Has the porcelain inset top, the hand painted top.
This piece from the 1920s, 1930s.
Start me, please.
$20 for it?
$20, thank you.
And five, and $30, and five, $40, five, $50.
Five, $60, $60.
$55 in the middle, $60, yes.
$65 there, now $70.
I see a lot of cards around.
I see a lot of cards.
It's the same person.
$80 in back, now $85.
$85?
Yes, and $90 in back.
And $95.
$95, yes, and $100.
$100, yes, and $110.
A profit, I'm happy, yes.
$140, ma'am.
$140, yes.
$150?
Yes, $160, $170, yes, $180, yes.
$190, sir.
$190, yes, and $200.
$200, yes.
$200?
Did I double?
$210, a new bidder.
The economy must be improving.
Sold, $210 down front, buyer 170, 170.
I doubled.
Go, Bene.
There you go.
JOHN: Look at this!
Girls are winning.
I know!
Girls are kicking butt on the guys right now.
Yes, we are.
How do you feel?
Come on, we have to keep it up.
Maybe we'll knock the alpha dogs off.
(chuckling) KEVIN: I'll tell you what.
Let's watch round three and we'll find out.
We'll see what happens.
All right, lot number 75, this Czech painting here.
It's a Lukocic painting.
What do you have for me?
$100, I have $110, $120.
$120, $130 here, $140.
$150 here, $160.
$160, yes, $170 here, $180?
$190 here, $200?
How big is it?
$230, $240.
$240, $230 here, now $240?
Anyone $240?
Any interest at $240?
Going to sell here at $230?
Sold here, $230.
I'm happy.
That's great.
Wow, Kevin.
Very happy.
Lot number 72, this 19th-century etching called "The Day We Celebrate."
Start me, please, $20 for it?
$20?
$25 in the back, $30 ma'am?
$30, yes, $35, $40.
$35 on my left, $40, $45, yes, and $50?
And $55, yes, and $60?
$60, yes, five, and $65?
Anyone $65?
Going to sell $60 in the back.
Anyone $65?
Oh, I'm so disappointed.
Sold, $60 to you, sir, buyer 229.
I'm so disappointed.
Oh, no.
Lot number 71, the Labrador head handled cane.
Start me, please, five bucks for lot 71.
Five?
$20, $25, $30, $35, $40... Let him work it.
I'm not concerned.
$40 in the second row now, $45 yes?
$45, yes, and $50?
$45 in the third row, now $50 anyone?
I have $45 in the third row, now anyone $50?
Really?
Work it, work it, work it.
Sold, $45 in the third row.
No!
(all exclaiming) JOHN: I thought it would have brought $100.
British naval World War II era leather cordite carrier.
Start me, please-- hundred bucks for it?
50 bucks?
50 now 60?
$70, sir?
$80, $90?
$100, $110?
$110, $120, $130?
It's not going to get up high enough.
$150 there, $160.
Yes, $170, yes, $180.
$180, yes, $190?
Anyone $190, $190?
Sold $180.
Bummer.
That hurt a lot.
I don't know who won, though.
It's close.
WALBERG: And the winner is Kevin Bruneau.
Whoo!
KEVIN: Pulled it out in the end.
MILLER: Congratulations, Kevin.
Congratulations.
Good job, good job, Kevin.
MISSION ANNOUNCER:alled, "The First Fourth of July."
I have this party every year on the Fourth of July, and I think it will be great when my friends come in and they'll be able to see that painting just as they walk in the front door.
I thought, "Ooh, my goodness, "I think I have a little treasure here.
"I'm not going to say anything to anybody.
I'm just going to bid on it."
Sold, $60, to you, buyer 229.
BUYER: I was very happy with the price, but I would have bought it at any cost.
I purchased the 19th-century elephant garden stool.
I love garden stools; I think they're beautiful.
Today they're mass-produced and it's hard to find some that are a little bit older.
I love the colors, I love the shape, I love the condition that it was in.
I think it would be beautiful in between two chairs or at the end of the sofa.
I got it for $150, and I thought that was a very fair price, and it's either going to stay with me or it's going to move on to another home and it's going to be beautiful.
Scoreboard
We are! See who comes out on top at the end of the first season of Market Warriors.
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