Antiquing in Chantilly, VA

What is it?

KEVIN: If you know you can make money on something, just buy it and make money on it.

I don't have the key.

Oops.

(laughing) It could be your lucky day.

Cool.

Wow, it's a little scary, isn't it?

Good luck, you guys will probably need it.

Market War MARK WALBERG: Welcome to Washington, D.C.

But don't get nervous, we won't be talking politics.

Hi, I'm Mark Walberg, host of Antiques Roadshow and Market Warriors, inviting you to join me at the D.C. Big Flea, an antiques and collectibles show that dates back to 1999.

It's located just outside the nation's capital, a city that thrives on deal making and famous also for grinding to a halt when dealmakers are unable to come to terms.

There's little chance of that happening today with these 300 or so dealmakers, especially since this event takes place only six times a year.

If these dealers are able to sell pieces of history in a town that makes history on a daily basis, they know what they're doing.

I've been coming with three generations of family usually.

I love it here.

WALBERG: The market is just a short drive from the nation's most famous landmarks, so you never know who will show up to browse or buy their wares.

("Hail to the Chief" playing) They may be arriving in style, but only one of our market warriors will be leaving the same way.

Two minutes and arriving.

WALBERG: The mid-Atlantic is foreign territory for all four of them, and in today's competition, not only are they buying in this region of the country, they will be selling what they buy less than 20 miles away.

This is the closest a Market Warriors flea market location has ever been to the auction house where the items will be sold.

So let's hope our pickers have come here knowing the lay of the land.

Their first challenge is the target assignment, which will be made by David Quinn, auctioneer at nearby Quinn's Auction Galleries in Falls Church, Virginia.

For this week's target assignment, I'd like you to find miniature furniture.

Miniature furniture is smaller versions of the larger furniture that we use in our daily life.

Miniature furniture that does well are children's pieces made in a popular style, the rare salesman samples, and pieces that are well-crafted.

Miniature furniture.

Very cool.

All right, that's different.

WALBERG: Time will be kept by this John Guild tall case clock.

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

Okay.

KEVIN: Kind of a really neat subject to look for.

When I'm thinking about miniature furniture, I'm thinking things that you would normally use every day in your life that have been shrunk down in size.

WALBERG: That could leave you with the impression that when you get home, your spouse will admit he shrunk both the kids and the furniture.

Kevin means furniture that's decorative in function and miniature in size from the start.

JOHN: Dollhouse furniture, to me that does qualify as miniature furniture.

It is a miniature representation of the original larger item.

MILLER: I'm looking more for child's chairs or a small miniature chest.

WALBERG: If all three pickers are correct, what miniatures lack in scale they make up in variety.

This catches my eye, but it doesn't really qualify.

WALBERG: Perhaps not as much variety as we were led to believe.

It's really a spice box.

WALBERG: Never mind.

JOHN: Good piece, but it's not going to do what I need it to do.

Isn't this nifty?

A miniature saddle.

But it's not miniature furniture.

That's really fabulous.

Can I look at this chest you have right here?

You sure may.

It looks to me to be a salesman sample.

MILLER: I think we could say a salesman sample is a miniature piece of furniture.

I mean, it is.

They might push back and say it's a different category, but ideally, it is a miniature.

What year would you say this is?

The 1910s?

I was going to say 1890 to 1910, '20 maybe.

You know, it's got the original hardware, and naturally it doesn't have the original leather straps because they're the first things to go.

It's got a nice little patina here.

It's got some wear.

It's got some wear on it.

And it looks like it had been damp on the inside, but it never did affect the little drop-in box.

It's kind of cute.

WALBERG: Miller's interest in this trunk is compatible with the interest she's shown in full-scale trunks at various flea markets.

And that's one of the reasons people collect miniatures.

They appeal to what appeals to them already.

And I could do it half price.

Oh, really?

So that would make it $45.

Would you put that on hold for me?

I will put it on hold for you.

Thank you so much.

You're welcome.

Bye.

Hey, Miller, what are you looking at?

Hi, Bene, how are you?

Have you been in here?

You have any great finds?

Um, I don't know.

Just looking.

There's some nice things out here.

Yes.

WALBERG: What may have just looked like a non-event was anything but.

Let's rewind the clock and show it to you again.

Keep your eyes on Bene.

Hey, Miller, what are you looking at?

WALBERG: Sounds innocent enough, but notice how Bene isn't looking at Miller as she addresses her.

That's because she spotted a miniature piece that Miller is not yet in a position to see.

Bene realizes that and creates a defensive body block to prevent Miller from ever getting her line of sight focused on the miniature chest Bene is making a beeline for.

You have any great finds?

WALBERG: It's hard to see, but as Miller asks the question, Bene is reaching over to touch the price tag, which is the way any prospective buyer claims first dibs on an item.

If you're touching the piece or looking at the tag, it's sort of, like, claimed.

So I immediately looked at the tag.

So it's like, "Claimed, mine."

There's some nice things out here.

Yes.

WALBERG: Bene is smooth as silk and Miller has no idea what just happened.

Hi, can I ask you about this piece?

It's probably from somewhere around the 1860s, 1870s.

Okay.

It's all solid walnut.

All right.

It is dovetailed.

It's dovetailed, and there's a scribe mark here.

Somebody made it by hand.

And the back here is hand-hewn?

Chamfered, hand-chamfered.

You can see the chamfer right here.

That's where they cut it down a bit so it'd fit into the front of the drawer.

When you purchased this, was this tape on here?

Yes, it sure was.

I most generally leave things the way they are when I buy them.

Okay.

It doesn't seem to be any damage underneath, it just seems to be there for stability.

It was probably for a child, a wealthier child.

Okay, a wealthier child.

It could also be an apprentice piece, where he did it so that he could...

Learn how to make.

Learn how to make it or show how he is progressing.

Okay, I've heard of that, yes.

Your price on this?

$225.

I'd do $190.

$190.

Oh, I was wondering if you could help me out here because I have to resell it.

Can you do $150 for me?

Do you have your little code on there to tell you what you paid?

Yeah.

Oh, you're a good dealer.

A good dealer needs to put some kind of marking on his tag.

They'll put it in code-- sometimes they use alphabets, sometimes they use Roman numerals-- to let him know what he paid so he's not losing money.

I'll do $175 on it.

Would you do just $150?

That really would help me out.

Okay, I'll do $150.

Thank you so much, I appreciate it.

WALBERG: Bene is the first picker to buy her target item.

Oh, I'm ready to go.

KEVIN: It's a miniature Chinese table screen.

It's a really neat piece, and they sell Chinese stuff very well at Quinn's.

So definitely going to keep an eye out for that one.

Going to keep looking for another few minutes, and maybe we'll see if we can make a play on the screen.

Hello.

What's your name?

Jessica.

Hi, Jessica, I'm Kevin.

How are you, Kevin?

I'm doing good.

I'm looking at your little miniature table here.

Nice proportions, got the little drawer.

JESSICA: And it's in mint condition, and I believe even the knob is original.

Yeah, it's very nice.

About 1880s, maybe?

Exactly.

Well, I'm going to keep this piece in mind because I have to look for a piece of miniature furniture, and that's what you call a piece of miniature furniture.

Yes, it is, it truly is.

We got 25 minutes, it's getting in on crunch time now.

I got to start really taking a look and start zeroing down of what items maybe I want to, you know, see if I can bargain on and get a deal on.

I'm going to keep looking at a couple more rows, and after that, start making my decision.

You've got a miniature set of hickory furniture.

Tell me about them.

Well, they're miniature salesman samples from the Martinsville Company.

Everything that they made, they had a sample.

They're all handmade, they appear handmade to me.

All handmade.

Each one is individually made.

So you've got 1930s on the tag.

Is that when you think they were made?

Yeah, in 1927 is when the company was formed.

'27, okay.

Since you have here "three-piece set," you're only selling this as a set.

You would not break this?

No, I'd never break it up.

WALBERG: John asked this in advance of a negotiation because the rules mandate the target item be only one item unless the dealer is selling multiple items only as a set or a pair.

So talk to me about these; what can you do on them?

You've got $395 on the three of them.

What can you do for me?

$350.

Oh, no, no, no.

See, I'm cheap as anything, I want to get down to $200.

Oh, no.

All right, let's dance.

Where are we going to go?

$350, $200, where can we go?

$275?

$295.

That's it.

$280, cash money.

Bingo.

Got it.

(laughing) $280, I like these.

Thank you again, man.

Enjoy the rest of the show.

I'm back to talk to you about your screen.

I want to know actually what we could do for a price on the screen.

What's the... let's make it go... right now it's the beginning of the show price.

Okay.

Let's see.

$225 work for you?

It's $248 now, right?

I don't know.

I'd be willing to throw $175 for it.

How about $190?

I really like it, but I know there's, like, damages that I have to account for when I send this thing to sell.

So like $180, if you want to do $180?

All right, I'll do it.

All right, cool, I'll buy it for $180.

That's awesome.

And there's $80.

Thank you.

Excellent, thank you very much.

Thank you, it was a pleasure.

Good morning.

Good morning, how are you doing?

Good, how are you?

Good, good.

Tell me about this chair.

What do you have here?

This here, this is like mid-century modern.

And it was a child's chair, and it's really hard to find them in good shape like this because, number one, the kids would usually, you know, destroy them.

Let's see, I want to see if it falls flat on the floor.

You go right ahead.

It doesn't wobble.

No.

So I see the sticker price is $125.

Right.

Would you work a deal with me?

(laughing) What are we talking?

How about $60?

Oh, Lordy be.

WALBERG: There's a definite method to what could be viewed as Miller's Madness.

She giggles and clenches her fists as if she's a first-time buyer, and she's hoping that'll make an impact.

How about $80?

WALBERG: And it sure does.

Miller moves dealer Robert Fulton Hankey much closer to her lowball price than the asking price he started out with.

How about $70?

And I'm stretching it to do $70, I'll tell you.

All right, you caught me on a good day.

Oh, yay, that's wonderful!

You're welcome.

Oh, I'm so excited.

That's good, that's good.

Okay, you know what my rule is?

Whenever you buy a chair, you have to sit in it and test it.

Oh, my lands, wait a minute, pay me first.

(laughing) WALBERG: This is a good time to remind Miller of another rule in this business.

You break it, you buy it.

I don't know, can I fit?

This is like my little child's rocking chair that I used to have.

Yes.

It won't rock, though.

Oh, I love it.

And it's very comfortable.

It's great, all right.

Okay, here's $60.

Wait, did we say $60 or $70?

$70.

Okay... WALBERG: Miller's a giggling wheeler dealer to the bitter end.

Thank you.

And thank you for the good deal.

I'm rooting for you.

I appreciate it.

There she is!

Miller!

KEVIN: What does she have there?

Uh-oh!

Good job, Miller.

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

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

Wrong or right, majority rules.

You were first one back, Bene, so why don't you go first?

Let her go first, absolutely.

Okay, guys, this is a miniature four-drawer chest in walnut.

It sure is.

Oh wow, it sure is.

Probably late 1800s, and it is all handmade.

Probably an apprentice piece.

So how did I do?

Oh, definitely thumbs up.

Good job.

Thanks a lot.

My turn?

Yes.

We were having this whole discussion about what is a miniature.

Uh-oh, what's in the bag?

This is truly miniature.

This is a complete set, sold as salesman samples from the 1930s.

All handmade, same way they would do with the originals.

So John, what'd you pay for this?

Yeah, what'd you pay?

Marked $395, I paid $280.

BENE: Oh, wow.

Pretty strong.

Did I meet the challenge?

You met the challenge.

All right, very good.

So Miller, let's see what you bought.

Okay, are you ready?

Dun-dun-dun... Ta-da!

Oh, wow.

I've got a mid-century modern child's chair.

But is a child's chair miniature?

I don't think so.

I'm not yanking your chain, Miller, but I think there has to be boundaries.

But this is a miniature of an adult size, and I think with that interpretation it works.

Good.

And I kind of include kind of child's items as miniature because they usually would be a bigger piece that's now shrunken for a kid.

So did I meet the challenge?

I'll go with it, I'll go with it.

We'll give you the thumbs up, Miller.

I'll go to thumbs up because I just think it's really cool.

Although I got to say, Kev, I have a feeling you're fighting for it because your piece falls into the same category.

My piece has nothing to do with this piece at all.

We'll see.

All right, let's see.

All right, what I have here is a miniature Chinese screen.

It's really nicely carved.

A larger version of this would be on the floor as like a Chinese screen.

And this would be something that you would actually put on a table.

But what makes it miniature?

How does it relate to a larger piece?

This could have been a table screen for, like, an altar or something.

It'd be miniaturized for a table.

This was made for a specific purpose that was separate from just being a representation of a larger screen.

What are you giving me, thumbs down?

You know, Kevin, I'm sorry but I will have to give you two thumbs down.

I love you, brother, but I gotta.

So what do I owe you?

$100 each.

It's 100 bucks apiece?

We've all gotten burnt like this, you know that.

But I cannot wait for that $100.

(laughing) I really don't want to have to give out $100 apiece.

Here you go.

Oh, thank you, Kevin.

It's killing me to give it to you.

Why?

Thank you, brother.

You know I love you.

We're not rubbing it in.

Hey, a game's a game.

Good luck.

You guys will probably need it, so... Oh, I don't think so.

But you know, thank you for the luck.

WALBERG: You've seen the John Guild clock.

Now let's hear more about it.

The Sully Historic Site was built in 1794.

It was the home of Richard Bland Lee, the first representative to the first Federal Congress.

And he was also an uncle to Robert E. Lee.

What we have here is a tall case clock.

The clock was made by John Guild.

It dates to about 1760 to 1770.

This clock has been in the collection since 1982.

And as far as a value to it, it certainly is priceless as far as we're concerned here at Sully.

WALBERG: Kevin Bruneau put up little resistance to the challenge of his target item, and that could indicate he was ready and willing to risk a penalty that could take a huge chunk out of his Shop 'til You Stop budget in order to take this item to auction no matter what.

But was it a good move?

We're going to fast-forward past the bonus rounds and Shop 'til You Stop to get a sneak peek at how this screen did at Quinn's Auction Galleries in Falls Church, Virginia.

Remember, Kevin paid $180.

Okay, here we go.

Lot 203, the Chinese carved wood table screen from the 1920s or 1930s.

Nice size there, Republic period piece.

I can start the bidding off here at $80, now $90.

$80 here, now $90, and $100 where?

$90 upfront at the computer, $100 there, at $110.

Anyone $110?

I have $110 there, yes, $120.

$130, ma'am?

$140.

Yes, $150, $160.

$170.

$180?

$180, new bidder, $190.

$190, yes, and $200, sir.

$210, yes.

$220, yes, $230.

Yes, $240.

Yes, $250, $260?

$260, yes.

$270?

Yes, $280?

Yes, $290, $300.

$300?

$290 to you, ma'am.

Now $300.

I have $290, looking for $300.

Anyone $300?

$290 bid, now $300?

Sold $290 to you, ma'am.

WALBERG: Let's rewind our way back to Chantilly, Virginia, where the flea market bonus round is about to begin.

The pickers are meeting Art Finkel, a New Jersey dealer who specializes in vintage posters and lithographs.

He's about to show them a World War I war bond poster.

Full disclosure, guys, I've known Art for a lot of years.

He's participated in a lot of my antique shows.

You're handsome as ever, Art, you're looking good.

Thank you, I lost a little bit of hair, John.

Well, hello?

MILLER: Art, tell me about these posters.

FINKEL: We try to bring in the posters that are of interest to us, and what we feel will be of interest to the customer.

We specialize in the Europeans.

However, we always have Americans because it's a big collectible in this country.

What we chose here are two original World War I posters.

Had these posters been used, they would have been hanging in stores, in work areas, pushing the sale of World War I bonds to fund the war effort.

What we do is after we purchase the posters privately, we have them mounted on linen.

It's a special conservation fabric.

Then we sell them at antique shows, decorative shows, and also galleries.

They're beautiful.

So Art, tell us why we're here today.

What's the bonus question for today?

The bonus question for you today is, in addition to creating World War I posters, there was a very famous American artist who created the FDR's "Four Freedoms" posters.

And that's your challenge, to guess the artist's name.

Wow.

BENE: Oh my gosh.

KEVIN: Who wants to go first?

You're closest.

I guess you're going first, Kevin.

KEVIN: I think I know.

I'm going to go out on a limb and I'm going to say Norman Rockwell.

Okay.

All right?

Good guess.

Okay.

Norman Rockwell.

Okay, good guess.

Hi, Art.

Is it Norman Rockwell?

Okay, good guess.

Good to see you, my friend, good to see you.

I can't remember his first name, but it's Flagg?

Okay, good guess.

All right, we'll see, okay.

All right, guys, you want to go find out?

Let's go.

Okay, well, congratulations to three of you.

I have bad news for one.

Sorry, John.

Me?

Aw...

The answer is Norman Rockwell.

Oh yeah, great.

This time you win $50 towards your auction profit.

There we go.

Could've used that.

Come back again later on, first come first serve for another bonus question.

All right.

Thanks, Art.

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.

So let's get going.

Okay, I want every minute.

Can I see the cow down on the bottom there?

KEVIN: Rather than finding booths where people specialize in items, I'm going more toward the generalist.

Talking about people who have not just, you know, one particular item.

They're dealing in several different things where they tend to be less focused on getting the huge money for their specialized items and more focused on moving items along and maybe giving me a good deal.

This is a beautiful cordial set, decanter set.

I know the pattern, I've had this before.

I'm going to see if I can get a deal on this because this is high-end stuff.

This is good stuff right here.

So tell me, you have this beautiful set here, and I really like it.

What do you know about it?

I think it's made by the National Glass Company.

Oh yeah?

I think I wrote it.

And what makes you think that?

Well, there was a man across from me who was a glass expert, and he's the one that told me.

Oh really?

And it was probably from the '50s or '60s.

Oh yeah?

WALBERG: Kevin is convinced that these cordial glasses and decanter are Bohemian or Czech glass in the style of Moser, a high-end manufacturer of lead-free crystal founded in the mid-19th century in the town of Carlsbad, Bohemia, now the Czech Republic.

Kevin's knowledge is what gives him a leg up in a marketplace where it gets harder and harder to find dealers who don't already know what it is they're selling.

What would be your best price on that?

Um... For you?

Yeah, for me.

How about $100?

$100?

I expected to see a price tag of $450, $550 on them.

And to get them for $100, I'm in.

You know something, I'm not even going to try and bargain with you any further on that because that's a really good price.

And you know, I'm going to take it for $100.

I will, I'll take it.

I love it.

I love that.

I know what that is, I've sold a ton of that before.

Oh, you have.

Is it really the National Glass Company?

I don't believe so.

Oh, okay.

(laughing) I actually bought that at an estate sale, and they didn't know anything about it, and I just bought it because I thought it was pretty.

And someone that was a glass expert told me that it was by the National Glass Company.

But the glass expert was wrong.

This piece should easily hammer between $200 and $300, maybe even $400.

But let's just say wholesale wise, $200 to $300 is what I'm thinking.

Thank you, Lisa.

Good luck.

All right, you take care.

Right now, I'm having, like, a little deja vu moment.

I've already purchased one of these back in Philadelphia.

If we send this to auction, we should do pretty good with this piece right here.

I paid $75 and got myself over $300 for it.

Cha-ching.

This is a very nice quality.

You can see the raised, mixed-metal design on this one, with the copper, brass.

Japanese, Meiji period again, circa 1880s, 1910, right around there.

In beautiful condition, priced $95.

I think I gotta find out if I can get a little better deal on this one, just to see if I can.

I know I can win with these.

These are highly collectible.

Hello, ma'am.

Just hold on if you need me, I'm doing business.

You probably need a dealer price, I'm a one-price person.

It would be $75.

Japanese mixed metals, 19th century.

I'll take it.

Good deal.

$75, the same exact price I paid for the last one.

Very similar design, too.

Very nice quality, should bring $200 or $300 at auction.

If you know you can make money on something, just buy it and make money on it.

All right, we're talking $75, right?

Japanese had great skill for working with different alloys and different metals and different chemical patinas, which was put on after the piece was made.

And through the years, a lot of those things have been polished off because people like to see shiny, and that's the wrong thing to do.

And that piece had its original patina.

What's your name?

Arlene Rabin.

Arlene, Kevin, thank you so much, I appreciate it.

Two items, I'm done in record time today.

I'm going to the second bonus round-- I guarantee I'll be the first one there-- and see if I can win myself $25.

I'm here for the second question.

FINKEL: In 1941, in Franklin Delano Roosevelt's state of the union address, he mentioned four freedoms.

I have two in front of me as noted by Norman Rockwell.

Can you name the other two freedoms besides freedom from fear and freedom from want?

I'll say freedom from hatred.

I have no idea.

(makes buzzer sound) I tried.

Never too early to sit in a cool set of chairs.

WALBERG: But it's difficult to say whether that's because John is drawn to chairs for their aesthetic appeal...

This is really, really cool.

WALBERG: ...or because he likes to take a load off his feet.

This is wild.

Very neat.

How you doing?

Good.

Oh, the table.

George Nelson.

It is Nelson, oh wow.

JOHN: They had this incredible Nelson drop-leaf gate leg table.

A mid-century modern interpretation of a classic design.

Very nifty.

Here we have the George Nelson for Herman Miller, $950.

A little bit high for what we're doing.

JOHN: I fall on everything in this booth.

Fabulous Danish modern and mid-century furniture.

Much of it's out of my price range, unfortunately.

Fun stuff.

Thank you.

JOHN: I'm walking out of the booth, and I spot this wonderful mid-century clock.

It's an original clock from the early '60s.

Let's find out something about it.

What do you know about it, what can you tell me?

Well, we were lucky enough to find five of them all in their original boxes, and this is the last one that we have.

Master Crafter, original box.

And this could actually be hung in any given direction, couldn't it?

It can because there are no numbers.

Yeah, that's really pretty nifty.

Not only does it look cool, but it's never been used.

It's new, old stock in the original box.

What's better than that?

You got $150 on it, where can you go with it?

Well...

It could be your lucky day.

(laughing) Um...

Since I bought five of them, I've already sold four.

You're going to give me one as a gift.

Well, I considered it.

(laughing) I'll take $50 off.

WALBERG: Dealer David Walsh and his business partner David Ziegler have been selling antiques together for the past 15 years.

While this could be John's lucky day, he, like any determined picker, is likely to try creating his own luck, which means getting an even better price.

I'd really love it for $75.

All right, you can take it.

$75?

Yup, you got a deal.

Cool, all right.

That works for me.

Got me a great clock, half the price he was asking for it.

I think I got a killer buy, a good bargain, and it should make a darn good buck.

I did get burnt by clocks in the past.

DEALER: This probably would be best.

I'll say $225.

Anybody give $90?

Sold at $80.

Oh, man.

I learned my lesson: those clocks were more mundane.

I think I stand a much better chance making a buck with a modern clock, and nothing is hotter today than mid-century modern.

$75.

Thank you.

About 12 years ago, my partner and I started focusing on mid-century.

We saw where the general interest and direction was going, and so that's the direction we took.

Thank you very much, man.

A lot of fun talking to you.

Now I still need a second piece.

I want something else for my second round.

Howdy.

Who made it?

I don't know.

Oh, come on.

There's no mark on it.

There's an exceedingly similar table to the George Nelson drop-leaf table.

Blonde wood, rock maple, bright colors, with two chairs.

So the two chairs and this come with it?

Yes.

You got $400 on it.

Now I'm in the price range I want to be.

If you're a serious, hardcore collector, you want to get that big ticket item.

But if you're breaking into mid-century and you would like to have a really nifty mid-century table, this is the one you're going to buy.

Where can you go?

With what I have in it, I could do $340.

Where I need to be with it is at $250.

I can't do that, sorry.

Where can we go?

I'll go to $320 is the best.

Do $300 and we got a deal.

$300.

Deal, excellent, thank you.

I could shoot every penny I have on the Nelson and maybe not make any money, or spend $300 and probably make a decent buck.

I think I made the smart move.

All right, thank you, my friend.

WALBERG: As the second picker who shopped 'til he stopped, John gets a shot at the second bonus round question.

Okay, good to see you again.

Good to see you.

So what are we doing here?

Well, can you name the other two "Four Freedoms" beside freedom from fear, freedom from want.

Persecution and subjugation.

Sorry.

Oh well, silly me.

Let's go.

This is a really nice show, high-end items.

I have to find something that's priced wrong.

The only way I'm going to make a profit here is to buy something at a really good price.

That's my strategy.

Oh, I like this.

And not just because I collect heads, this is like a... Oh, it has damage.

That's a big no-no.

So I'm going to leave it and turn to this thing, and I don't know what it is.

At first, I thought it was like some kind of movie camera.

But when you got closer... Wow.

...it split in two.

WALBERG: When it comes to hard-to-identify objects, John Bruno is king of the obscure.

So it's interesting to note this piece was practically invisible when he checked out the table on which it sat.

Oh, wow.

Is this yours?

Yes.

What is it?

It's a mold for casting steel.

Oh, a sand mold?

Yes, this is the pattern for the sand mold.

Yes, I've sold those.

Yes, and this is both parts of it.

Yes, and the way it works is, like, you have sand, and you press this into it, and then you pour the steel.

This would have been laid inside the form and then the sand would have been pressed around this.

And then they take this out, and then they pour the steel?

Into the void that this leaves.

What is your name?

I'm David.

This is my partner, David also.

Oh, hi, David and David.

David-squared.

D and D. So what do people use it for?

This is probably a pattern for a transmission.

Pattern makers made these, and they generally were always made out of mahogany.

And what's nice about these things is you can split them open and turn it into a wall sculpture.

That's a nice look.

BENE: It's a great decorative piece.

It's a conversation piece.

You can put it anywhere in your house.

I know this is marked $275.

What is your best price on this?

Let's start with where you want to pay.

WALBERG: Going first requires no shortage of confidence from the buyer, because in order to get the dealer to move far enough away from the original asking price, the buyer-- in this case, Bene-- will need to quote a number so low it will seem almost laughable.

Oh, okay, I really want to be in at $150.

(laughs) I know, you don't have to laugh, I'm trying to make a profit just the way you are.

You want to be at $150, we're at $275.

We'll split the difference at $200.

$200?

Which is in your favor.

It is in my favor.

I was wondering if you could just do a little bit better.

I doubt it.

Can you do $175?

$100 off.

That's asking a lot.

WALBERG: When a dealer says that, he's amping up the pressure on the buyer, but he's still very much in the game.

By the way, this is the same dealer who gave John 50% off on his clock.

But he isn't giving Bene such an easy time.

$185.

$185.

$180?

No, I think we'll stick at $185.

$185, okay.

Well, I tried.

$185 I'll do.

You got a deal.

BENE: It's a big, heavy piece.

I think the value is there at $185.

I'm happy with it.

Thank you, I appreciate you giving me that discount.

Thanks a lot.

This is the kind of stuff I buy.

I buy molds, I buy things that I think are different.

That's why I was just looking for something different that stood out in a booth.

We're selling at an auction house that does well with military.

Hi, is this your booth?

Yes.

Do you have any World War II items?

Yes, I do.

I know that World War II is very collectible.

WALBERG: It can be, but as in most categories, it depends on exactly what.

Chinese executioner's sword.

WALBERG: The later the war usually means the more collectibles are available in the marketplace.

This is a World War II bayonet made for the M1 rifle.

Wow.

WALBERG: And that means being from World War II isn't going to make just anything a surefire profit maker.

Wow, it's a little scary, isn't it?

Yes, it is.

Could you show me how this comes out?

Absolutely.

You just push this little button here.

I pushed it.

Don't break a nail.

I know.

(laughing) Here, let's try it.

Just push that down and pull that right out.

I'm not sure why I'm drawn to this knife, but I like it.

Well, maybe you are one of these people who are inherently knife involved.

Knife involved.

There are such people.

This particular piece I think is in wonderful, original condition.

It is.

And it has its original surface.

They called this a parkerized surface.

It does look like this was polished, though.

This looks like it's been polished a little bit up here, yes.

But this is nice and crisp.

Yes, it is.

And it's made for the U.S. Made for the U.S. Army, yes.

It is in excellent condition.

And it is marked "U.S." on the sheath and the knife itself, and that's what did it for me.

I was wondering what your best price on this would be for me.

The price of the bayonet was $150.

I really wanted to be at under $100, maybe in the $90 range.

I wanted to know if you could do anything around $90.

I wish I could, I just can't.

The best I can do on that would be about $110.

Okay, is there any way you can do $100?

Can't do it.

That's $10 difference.

I paid $90 for it.

Oh, you did.

Yes, I did, so I'd like to make a little bit.

Oh yes, okay.

I definitely want you to make some money, $110 works for me.

Okay, that's fine.

Thank you, Howard.

Well, thank you very much, I appreciate it.

We sort of negotiated to $110.

I'm happy with it, I hope I make money at the auction.

That one I'm a little worried about, but who knows?

I'll take my knife and be on my way.

Thank you very much.

Hi, Art.

Hi, good to see you back again.

What's the bonus question?

Can you name the other two freedoms specifically as written by President Roosevelt besides "freedom from want" and "freedom from fear"?

Freedom of... ...religion?

Freedom to live wherever they want.

Oh, you were so close.

Good try, it was a real pleasure.

Thank you very much.

Take care.

I appreciate it, bye.

Oh my goodness, look at this crab.

That's unusual.

Wow, look at this.

Look at this croc.

Okay, I've got to ask you.

Before you even bring it down, don't tempt me.

Going into the second round, I really had no clue what I was going to buy.

I'm going through, scanning the aisles, and this crocodile piece just took my eye instantly.

Tell me about the alligator bag.

WALBERG: Before she does, here's an observation that will win me no friends among biologists.

When it comes to alligator and crocodile skins, pickers, dealers, even auctioneers often can't tell them apart and sometimes refer to them interchangeably, as Miller just did.

Although it does make a difference.

Varieties of both can be listed as endangered species by different states, making them illegal to sell.

So, buyer beware.

You're going to break my heart, what's the price tag?

$450.

Oh my.

And you know from whatever, that's a good price on that.

That's a very reasonable price.

The handle is intact, that's important.

This is all original.

No chipping, no dry rot.

Nice leather interior.

Yeah, it really is, and good condition.

I have to say, it's very good-looking.

It is, it is.

How chic is this?

Very chic.

Do I look like a cover of a Vogue magazine?

Think Queen Mary across the Atlantic.

Oh, yes.

Or the Titanic.

WALBERG: Let's just stick with the Queen Mary.

Miller can sink or swim on her own.

I don't think that's going to close.

Well, then that's why we've got to even work a better deal.

Oh, you did close it.

Well, if this is locked, you're dead.

Oh, gosh!

I don't have the key.

Oops.

(laughing) Oh gosh.

WALBERG: Don't you hate it when that happens?

A customer locks your crocodile suitcase without first asking if there's a key.

Do we have to call a locksmith?

Probably.

You know, I'll fool with it.

Maybe yes, maybe no.

I'm afraid yes, but hey.

Oh, there you go.

I have the magic touch.

Before I went into a blonde panic thinking locksmith, locksmith.

WALBERG: Vintage clothing dealer Bonnie Trivizas recomposed herself, but quick.

Did you catch what she just said to Miller?

Let's rewind the clock and hear it again.

Before I went into a blonde panic.

WALBERG: Bonnie doesn't say "blind panic," she says "blonde panic."

Let's see if she can be as sharp witted when it comes to negotiating a good price.

I really like it, and you should know $450 is a good deal.

$250 would be unbelievable.

$250 would be unbelievable.

I can't do that.

What about $275?

$350.

You'll win with that.

$300.

Okay.

Thank you, Bonnie.

Deal.

She started off at $450, and I got her down to $300.

I'm very pleased with this piece.

I think it's unusual, it's going to stand out above all the rest.

And we didn't have to call the locksmith.

That's worth $100 right there.

I know!

You're one of a kind, Bonnie.

Thank you, bon voyage.

Thank you.

Bye, Bonnie.

I was still looking for something that's going to stand out and be different.

Hello, Robert!

MILLER: I went back to Robert, who I bought this morning's miniature chair from.

I didn't know you had a miniature cane.

What are you asking for this?

I'll let you have that for $30.

Really?

Yeah.

WALBERG: Dealers should know if they quote Miller a good price at the start, they still won't get a content reaction.

There's always a better price, and Miller is always determined to get it.

Is it sterling?

I don't think it is, no, or it'd be more.

MILLER: I like the miniature cane.

That could be my second purchase today.

The only problem is I don't know that there's a huge audience for miniature items.

And I think with all our miniature items coming into this auction house at Quinn's, they might be oversaturated with miniatures.

WALBERG: Miller makes a good point.

Pickers had to buy a miniature in the target round unless they were willing to incur a penalty.

But Shop 'Til You Stop is all about freedom of choice.

At the very least, she's right to take a moment before deciding to double down.

I'm going to try to work a deal at $15.

I don't know if he'll go for that.

Would you take $15 for the cane?

How about $20?

What about $18?

Okay, all right.

Thank you, thank you.

You really don't see these miniature canes out there.

I think that they're unusual, and that's why this is going to do well at auction.

We try to have a lot of different things, a lot of odd items, stuff that other people might not have.

And you know, we just focus on that.

Thank you.

You think I'll do well with this?

I think you will.

Just don't hit anyone with it.

I'd like to use it as a weapon.

(laughing) Not against you.

No, no, no.

Against my competitors.

There you go, I ain't got nothing against that.

Thank you so much.

Again, nice meeting you.

Hello, Art.

Hi, Miller, good to see you again.

How you doing?

Good, I hope you're feeling lucky today.

Oh, I'm always feeling lucky.

Okay.

In addition to the two you see before me-- "Freedom from Want" and "Freedom from Fear"-- what are the other two four freedoms specifically as written by President Roosevelt?

Religion and speech.

Speech is correct.

Religion is somewhat close but not specifically.

Freedom of worship.

But I was the closest of all my competitors?

Definitely.

So what you've won, now you've won $10 auction profit.

And had you gotten both of them right, you would have gotten $25.

Darn.

Good luck.

Thank you, Art.

I was feeling lucky, I told you.

Take care, good luck to you.

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

Here are Miller's lots: a mid-century modern child's chair, a vintage alligator suitcase or possibly crocodile, and a miniature cane with metal handle.

In addition to the Chinese table screen, Kevin also bought Bohemian or Czech cordial glasses and decanter in the style of Moser, and a Japanese mixed metal vase.

Bene's lots are comprised of a child's wood chest of drawers, a sand cast transmission mold, and an M1 Garand bayonet.

And finally, John's lots include a miniature table and chair set, a mid-century modern table and chairs, and a mid-century modern clock.

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.

Since this is an uncataloged auction, items are not vetted thoroughly, so that means buyer beware, but also that an attentive bidder can make a lucky find in his favor.

Watching the bidding from behind the scenes will be all four of our pickers, who were just told about the $290 hammer price on Kevin's Chinese table screen, giving him a profit of $110.

Oh, well.

Good job, Kevin, you did well on that.

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

Remember, as the winners of the bonus round, Kevin, Bene and Miller are starting out $50 in the black.

And as winner of the second bonus round, Miller has an additional $10 profit.

Oh, there we go.

DAVID QUINN: Item 206.

This child's wooden chest of drawers there.

19th-century piece.

We can start the bidding here, absentee, at $30.

Now $35, $45.

$55, $60.

$65 bidder, now $70.

$75, $80.

$80 bid, now $85.

Sold $80 over there, buyer 252.

Wow.

Lot 205.

A little mid-century modern child's chair.

This is cute.

It is cute.

Nice little chair there.

Starting at $10, now $20.

$20, $30.

$50, now $60, $70.

Oh, somebody popped it on you.

$70 here, and $80?

Sold $70 to you at the computer.

Oh no!

Oh, at least you didn't lose any money.

You didn't lose any.

Okay, okay.

Lot 199, the rustic wooden doll table and pair of chairs.

Little miniature doll furniture there.

It's not doll furniture.

Start the bidding off here absentee at $10, now $15.

Now $20, any interested in $20?

Going to sell it $15.

Anybody, $20?

$20 up front.

You want to bid $25, sir?

$25, $20, now $25.

I have $20 in front now.

Any interest at $25?

Yes, and $30.

$25 to you, sir.

Now $30.

$25, anyone $30?

Sold, $25 on my left.

Wow.

Oh my god.

The Japanese Meiji period bronze and mixed metal vase from the late 19th century.

Start me, please, $50 for it.

You got $50?

How much?

$95, now $100, please.

Here we go.

Wow.

$95, now I have $100.

Anyone $100?

$100 there, and $110.

$100 there, and $110 to the computer.

$120, yes, and $130.

$130, yes, $140.

Yes, $150.

$150, yes, $160, ma'am.

Yes, $170.

That lady, she's got money to burn.

QUINN: I have $160.

The lady on my left now $170.

Anyone $170?

Going to sell at $160.

She's probably a dealer.

Oh yeah, she's got to be a dealer.

Sold $160 to you, buyer 204.

Oh!

Better than double, I'm happy.

Very good, wow.

Lot 201, the Master Crafter's mid-century modern wood clock.

I can start the bidding off here absentee at $25, now $30.

$100, I have $110, $120.

Oh, good job.

Hey, right into profit.

Any interest at $120?

I have $110 here to the absentee bidder.

Oh come on, a little bit more.

Any interest at $120?

Sold here, $110.

All right, we'll take it.

Not bad.

The vintage crocodile suitcase there.

It has the European travel stickers on it from some grand tour that somebody took, probably.

I can start the bidding off here at $40.

Looking for $50, please.

$50, $60, $70, $80, $90, $100.

Everybody wants it, look at that.

$125, $150, $175, $200.

$200, $175.

Bid $200 there, $225?

$250, $250, now $275.

Yeah.

Wow.

$275 there, now $300?

Anyone $300?

I have $300 here and $325?

Yes, and $350.

I have $325 to the lady in the third row.

Any interest at $350?

$325 in the third row, looking for $350.

Put the excitement back in your voice.

(laughing) BENE: I know!

Sold $325 to you.

She's psyched.

Hey, good job.

You sure made somebody happy.

Did you see the look on her face?

I know.

The sand cast iron mold for an automobile transmission.

Everybody needs one of these, so start me, please, $20 for it.

Oh!

$20?

$20 for the transmission mold, now $30, $40, $50, $60, $70.

$60 seated in back, now $70?

Anyone $70?

Got $60 in the back.

$70, anyone $70?

$70, yes, and $80?

$80, yes, and $90, sir.

$90, yes, and $100, ma'am?

$110?

$110, yes, $120?

Yes, $130, yes, $140.

$140, yes, $150?

$140 in the back, now $150.

I have $140 in the back.

$150, yes, and $160, yes.

Keep going.

Come on, work it.

Any interest at $170, going to sell $160.

Oh... Sold $160 in the back, buyer 182.

Oh!

What is going on?

JOHN: Oh!

I hope I do better in the next round.

Let's see what happens.

Lot 204.

The World War II U.S. M1 Garand bayonet with the metal scabbard.

There you go.

I can start the bidding off here at $80, looking for $90, please.

$80 bid here, now $90?

I have $80 bid here, looking for $90 on the bayonet.

I'm back.

$80's my bid here, looking for $90.

Anyone $90?

Oh... Nope, sold $80 to the absentee bidder.

But it's small...

Lot 196, this is a mid-century modern rock maple drop-leaf table and chairs.

$40 for it.

$40, $50, $60, $70, $80, $90, $100, $110, $120.

Yes, $130.

Yes, $140, $150, ma'am.

Oh, you got two people who really want it.

They both want it, yeah.

$170, yes, $180, $190, $200, $210.

$210?

$220, any bidder, $230?

$220 on my left standing, now $230, anyone $230?

I have $220 on my left standing, looking for $230.

Come on, come on, come on.

Any interest at $230, going to sell $220.

Sold, $220 to you, buyer 239.

Damn.

Lot 200, the miniature cane with the metal handle.

Start me, please, $10 on it.

$10 on the cane, $10 in the back.

$15, $15.

$15, yes and $20.

Yes, and $25.

You're in profit.

$25, $20 standing the back.

$25, I have $25 here, and $30.

$25 to the computer.

Now $30, anyone $30?

I have $25 to the computer, looking for $30.

Any interest at $30?

Going to sell to the computer at $25.

Anyone $30?

Sold, $25 to the computer buyer 75.

Profit.

Okay.

Profit is better than no profit.

QUINN: Lot 202, the Moser amethyst cabochon decanter set.

Lovely little decanter set here.

I'm going to start the bidding off at $160.

$170?

He's in profit.

I have $160, $170, $180, $190.

And $190, $200, $210.

Oh my goodness.

QUINN: $220, $230?

We're looking for $230, $240, $250.

$260, $270, $280, $290.

Wow.

QUINN: You have $280 here, looking for $290.

Any interest at $290?

Sold to your $280, buyer 247.

Whoo!

Wow.

WALBERG: And the winner is Kevin Bruneau.

Good job, Kevin.

I'll take you all out to dinner tonight.

John, the reason why your table and chairs didn't do well is I felt it was more mass produced and more of a doll item and less of a desirable salesman sample or miniature piece.

A true collector would've wanted them to be a little more hand-crafted, and probably a little bit older as well.

Bene, you may have been disappointed with how your bayonet sold.

Being a World War II piece, there were hundreds of thousands of them made.

Next time, look for something that may be a little bit older and a little rarer.

Turn to PBS ble screen.

What appealed to me most about it was the color, the black and the red.

And I collect Asian articles and decorate that way.

I saw it online and I really didn't expect to get it because several months ago I saw a larger one, very similar, at another auction.

And I believe the person who won that was also here tonight.

I'm so happy, that is a prize piece for me.

I purchased a fabulous vintage alligator suitcase.

It's really, really nice.

It's got stickers from all over the world, and it just caught my eye, and I had to have it.

Luggage is really hot right now because the vintage things people are using as art pieces, they're using them as animal beds, like dog beds and everything.

They're just really hot.

And this one is really nice because of the exotic skin.

I was ecstatic with the price I got this evening.

QUINN: Sold, $325.